Archive | June, 2025

Kick off your summer of reading with the Webster Public Library

18 Jun

No one can get kids excited about reading than our very own Webster Public Library.

That commitment will be on full display on Tuesday, June 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., when the library will host its Summer Reading Kickoff Party at Charles Sexton Park (formerly North Ponds).

The annual event features games and crafts, treats, storytime with Jason and more. But mostly, this is a great chance to find out more about this year’s Summer Reading program, called “Color Our World.”

The program runs from June 24 through August 29 and is for all ages. You can participate virtually or in-person, but regardless, the same great prizes and fun await you. The more minutes you read (or listen), the more you earn. Reach milestones along the way to earn prizes and complete a full reading log to enter to win a grand prize at the end of the summer. There are even some additional challenges to earn more chances to win. 

You can sign up at the kickoff party, or stop into the library anytime they’re open and pick up a Summer Reading bookmark to get started. To participate virtually, download the Readsquared app or click here.

All ages are welcome to attend the kickoff party. There’s no charge, and no registration is necessary.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 6/18/2025)

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Grad parades celebrated the Class of 2025

17 Jun

How many of us (especially those of us who grew up far from Webster) have longed to walk the halls of our old elementary schools and remember what it was like “back then”?

This year’s senior class got a chance to do that Monday when the graduate parades — one of our district’s most fun and meaningful traditions — returned to the elementary schools. It’s a day when our Webster Thomas and Schroeder seniors hop on buses and go revisit the elementary schools where they began their Webster School careers.

I had the good luck to be substituting in the library at State Rd. Elementary on Monday, so I was able to see this year’s parade. It was June of 2018 when most of the seniors last walked the State Rd. halls. But this week, as the class of 2025, they walked proudly through them again, and judging from the reaction of the young students who lined the halls in welcome, you’d think they were conquering heroes.

Nodding to the fact that it’s sometimes difficult to recognize these tall, mature adults for the freckle-faced young people they once were, each senior wore a sign with his or her name and post-graduation plans. As they paraded down one hall, then another, they passed hundreds of cheering and applauding preK through fifth grade students. Every so often the parade was slowed when a graduate stopped to take a photo or get a long hug from a favorite teacher.

What a wonderful way to celebrate our seniors, congratulate them on their success, and remind them how much they’ve accomplished.

Here are some more photos from the State Rd. parade:

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 6/17/2025)

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What’s your vision for Webster’s future?

16 Jun

The Town of Webster is looking for your input.

The Town of Webster is updating its Comprehensive Plan, and they want to hear from you. A successful Comprehensive Plan requires substantial public input and community engagement. They’re hoping to get those through various community events forums and surveys, to gather we hope to gather feedback and ideas to help shape Webster’s Bicentennial Plan.

There’s a survey out there right now that they’d like everyone to fill out, and the deadline has been extended to July 30 to accommodate as many participants as possible.

The Comprehensive Plan, developed in accordance with New York State law, will establish clear objectives for the community’s future development while protecting its natural and cultural resources. The plan emphasizes smart growth principles including mixed-use development, diverse housing options, sustainable infrastructure, distinctive community character, improved mobility, and climate resilience.

Through extensive community collaboration, the plan aims to create a guiding document that will identify long-range recommendations for future land use, zoning, housing, transportation, economic and community development, open space preservation, and more.

You can read more about the project on the project webpage, and you can see a recap of the public meeting held in April by clicking here, where you’ll also find the survey.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/16/2025)

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Chorus of the Genesee invites you …

15 Jun

Are you a guy who loves to sing?

Webster’s very own Chorus of the Genesee invites you to sing some a cappella music with them this Tuesday evening during their Guest Night.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday June 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.

You don’t even need to read music. If you can sing a tune, they’ll show you the rest.

Please RSVP here, or you can call (585) 259-3590 and they’ll save you a seat. If you won’t be sure whether you can make it until that evening, feel free to just walk in without RSVPing. Make sure to plan to stay for pizza afterwards, too.

If you have any questions, email RochesterCOG@gmail.com

The Chorus of the Genesee is a non-profit, educational organization devoted to preserving the original American art form of barbershop harmony. The Chorus rehearses every week at the Harmony House in Webster, but performs all over the greater Rochester area and participates in choral events all over the country. A portion of their proceeds support both local and national service projects.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/15/2025)

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Honoring Old Glory: local Scout builds flag retirement box to serve the community

14 Jun

Not far from the Ridge Rd. entrance to West Webster Cemetery, a powerful gesture of patriotism and respect has taken root, thanks to the dedication of a local Scout.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Ben Madison, a member of Webster Scouting America Troop 262, has constructed a custom-built flag recycling box where community members can respectfully retire their worn or damaged American flags.

Ben was inspired to take on the project when he saw an online post about how many Americans own U.S. flags. “It made me think about how many were probably just getting thrown out,” he said. That one post sparked the idea to build a flag retirement box. He reached out to West Webster Cemetery to see if this would be a project they’d be interested in, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

After acquiring all of the necessary tools and supplies, it took Ben and his team of Scout volunteers — from his troop and others — only two days to build and install the box. The spot where it’s located isn’t very visible from the road, but look for it down the hill on the right once you enter the cemetery.

Members of Troop 262 will be keeping an eye on the bin, and plan to empty it at least quarterly, or more often as necessary. The flags will be retired either by the troop at a ceremony or handed over to the American Legion for proper disposal.

Ben is just finishing up his senior year at Webster Schroeder, and plans to attend St. Bonaventure University to study Sports Management.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/11/2025)

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Ruff Day Resort named Chamber’s June Business of the Month

12 Jun

Congratulations to Ruff Day Pet Resort, honored as the June Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

Ruff Day Resort is located on Gravel Rd. in Webster, and provides dog daycare, lodging, training and spa treatments. The business specializes in individualized care, providing indoor and outdoor play equipment, dedicated lodging and play areas, paying attention to the needs of dogs of all sizes.

Ruff Day was founded by Amy Holtz, who began her canine-dedicated career as a certified dog trainer. In the 15 years since she established Ruff Day, it has grown from a family-operated business into an organization with 13 employees, enabling the delivery of comprehensive pet resort services.

Holtz and her daughter are active members of community groups and youth programs through Crosstown Alliance Church and Northridge Church. They also participate in the community outreach of RocDog, a local therapy dog organization.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce Events and Honors Committee presents a Business of the Month award to one of their member businesses at each of their monthly breakfast meetings. It’s one way the Chamber helps keep their member businesses and organizations visible throughout the Webster community.

The next breakfast meeting is Friday June 27, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. Network with as many as 90 business and organizational leaders before breakfast, enjoy an informative program and then take part in the “pass-the-mic” time, when everyone has an opportunity to be visible.

Visitors and members are welcome. Please register here.

Pictured above: Webster Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Tim Shortsleeve presents the June Business of the Month award to Ruff Day Resort. Sammi Datthyn, employee of Ruff Day Resort, accepted the honor at the monthly Chamber Breakfast.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/12/2025)

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June History Bit: Webster’s kit houses

10 Jun

In today’s wacky and overpriced housing market, it’s fun to remember a time back in the early to mid-1900s when you could purchase your new home from the Sears Catalog. 

They were called “kit houses,” also known as pre-cut houses, ready-cut houses, mail order homes or catalog homes. Basically, they were delivered in pieces, which the homeowner would assemble. They came in many different styles ranging from simple bungalows to imposing colonials, and buyers were encouraged to personalize their order; walls, windows and doors could be moved, added or eliminated. Prices ranged from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the style, which was a reasonable price even back then. 

Several other companies also offered kit homes, including Montgomery Ward, Aladdin Homes, Wardway Homes, and Bennett Homes. Almost all the materials needed to complete the home were provided, including pre-measured and pre-cut lumber, and hardware. Brick, concrete or masonry were not included, and plumbing, electricity, labor and land would, of course, add to the final cost. But ultimately, a kit home was an economical option for a lot of families. 

Several kit houses still exist in Webster. One in on Shoemaker Rd. Its owner remembers that the ranch-house model was called the Fairmount and it was ordered from Liberty Ready-Cut Homes. It featured a 1330-foot floor plan, with covered porch, three bedrooms, kitchen, living room and dining room.   

She added,

The “kit” was brought in on the Hojack, then the parts were trucked to the building site on Shoemaker. The owners (Irving and Helen Simmons) did much of the assembly themselves and hired contractors for a few things. I can verify that the quality of the construction is superior to the two previous homes I’ve owned, contractor-built, around the same time, and of similar styles. 

These beautiful little (and big) homes were the perfect answer for families looking for an affordable home-buying option, and their quality has survived the test of time. 

You can read more about Webster’s kit houses and more at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org. 

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/10/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

9 Jun

Let’s start at the Arboretum today.

The next informational program hosted by the Webster Arboretum is called Composting 102, scheduled for Tuesday June 17 from 7 to 8 p.m.

It’s presented by Master Gardener Wendy Mendola, who believes that “rinds, limbs, manure, leaves, garden clean-out, etc. are terrible things to waste!” Get started on composting or learn new methods to compost your food and garden debris. This will be an interactive discussion.

The presentation will be held at the the Curry Building at the Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd. There’s no charge, but registration is requested.

Rec Center highlights

There’s still time to register for the 55+ Golden Gala on Friday, June 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center.

This is a senior prom with dancing, a live band, a photo booth, an appetizer bar and a dessert bar. The event is sponsored by Kittelberger Florist, who’ll be providing flower corsages for the attendees. (Golden glam attire is suggested, but not required!)

Cost is $18 per person, and registration is required by June 10 (register for program #243001).

Webster Police will host car seat check

The Webster Police Department is partnering with the Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety to host a Car Seat Installation Check on Friday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Webster Police Department, 1000 Ridge Road.

There’s no charge for this service, but they would like to know you’re coming so they can have enough staff on hand. Click here to register.

Tea at Two Fashion Show was a success

The recent Tea at Two Fashion Show hosted by Embrace Your Sisters was a tremendous success, raising $47,000.

Embrace Your Sisters is a Canandaigua-based organization dedicated to providing emergency financial support for people with breast cancer. The organization covers 13 counties, and more than $600,000 has been distributed to date. In the past, Webster residents have supported — and received financial support from — Embrace Your Sisters, so this is great news.

The Embrace Your Sisters Tea at Two Fashion Show is an annual event, and tickets have sold out each of the last four years. So if you’re interested in attending the 2026 show, plan ahead!

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As usual, the Webster Public Library has a ton of great programs this month, but I’m only going to highlight a few of them today.

The first is the Tiny Art Challenge, which is going on all summer. The library provides the tiny canvasses, and you provide the art supplies and creativity to make a masterpiece which will be displayed at the library.

Start by registering this month. Then, in July, pick up your canvasses and work on your art.

Deadline to return your finished pieces is Aug. 1. Then from Aug. 4 through 29, all the finished pieces will be displayed, and community members can vote for their favorite. The winning artwork will be announced in early September.

Outdoor storytimes at Ridge Park have begun!

Join Webster Public Library staff members for stories, sogns and rhymes at the Ridge Park pavilion (across from the Town Hall parking lot at 1000 Ridge Rd.) every Wednesday from 9:30 to 10 a.m. through Aug. 27.

This storytime is geared to children ages 0-5, but all are welcome. No registration is required. In case of inclement weather, storytime will be held in the library building and the change will be posted on the library’s Facebook page by 8:30 a.m.  

Here’s a teaser for other things happening this month at the library:

  • Color our World drop-in crafts, June 27 and 28
  • STEAM Family Fun Night, June 30
  • Teen Library Club, June 25
  • Program on Internet Security, June 24
  • Jigsaw puzzle competition, June 28
  • This month’s community collection: craft supplies

Click here to sign up for the newsletter to come to your email box and find out more about all of these events and more every month.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/9/2025)

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Webster’s a lot cleaner today thanks to these Scouts

8 Jun
Adam Pruyne, Aiden Pruyne, Asher Crittenden, Will Cerveney, Jacob Bowen. (In back: Tracy Cerveny and Dave Crittenden)
Mike Seeley, Bill Ernst, Maria Gallina

I love it when a great community story just falls into my lap.

On Saturday morning I was running down Holt Rd. and had just turned onto the bike path when I came upon a small gaggle of teens and adults in bright construction vests, picking up trash. Of course I had to stop and find out who they were and what their story was.

Turns out these community-minded folks were from Webster Scouting America Troop 262 (from the Webster Presbyterian Church), and picking up trash along the bike path is a service project they complete two times a year.

Troop 262 Committee Chairman Adam Pruyne wrote,

Each year we spend a few hours walking the bike path along Rte 104 from Bay Road to Phillips patrolling for trash. We are registered with the DOT and they provide the vests, hard hats, garbage bags and trash bag pick-up and we provide the effort. In general, this is likely the largest organized community service project our troop performs and we’ve done it so many times, it is part of our yearly routine.

The troop also invites Cub Scout Pack 262, Troop 425, and Troop 163 to join them for clean-up day.

“Troop 163 always covers from Bay Road to Five Mile Line for us,” Adam wrote. “Troop 425 (all-girl troop) and Pack 262 weren’t with us today as they were on their own adventures but typically they join us. We had 30 attendees today and have had as much as 75 if the timing is right for everyone.” 

Mike Gallina
Brandon Seeley, Callan Ernst

The Scouts and their adults managed to fill somewhere between 10 and 15 big orange garbage bags (which Adam considered a “light garbage day”). When the Cub Scouts attend, they’ve been known to collect as many as ten more bags from within Charles Sexton Park alone.

And they have a lot of fun doing it. “We sometimes have an informal competition on who got the weirdest find of the day,” Adam wrote. “Today, one of the boys found a realistic looking $1,000,000 bill!”

Saturday’s service project is a very good example of how Scouting is much more than just tying knots.

This is an excellent opportunity for the scouts, both boys and girls, to understand what selflessness and sacrifice is as they give back to the community, even though some are too young to fully appreciate that they are doing those things. This is one of the better aspects of scouting that I feel is lost on the general public. The scouts learn so much about life in these few hours they spend doing this cleanup. They learn about other people, they learn manners as we attempt to let others have the right of way on the path and they learn about environmental conservation and why it is important to “leave no trace” as we conduct our tasks.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/8/2025)

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Book performance brought the joy of reading to our district’s preschoolers

7 Jun
Jamie Palmer as Ballet Cat

Several beloved children’s books came to life on Thursday morning when Webster Schroeder preschool teacher Jamie Palmer hosted a very special live book performance for Webster’s youngest students.

More than 250 preschool students, teachers and aides — from the district’s seven Webster’s elementary schools and Schroeder and Thomas high schools — attended the performance in the Schroeder auditorium. As the audience members filed in and settled with great excitement into their seats, behind the curtain, an assortment of characters (including a toad, bear, crocodile, donkey, duck, sheep, Elephant and Piggie, Ballet Cat and more) got into their costumes and arranged their props.

Ballet Cat herself (Jamie Palmer in her bright pink tutu) introduced the performance, which featured several of the preschoolers’ favorite children’s books and authors:

  • Toad in the Road by Stephen Shaskan
  • Ballet Cat: the Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea
  • What’s Your Favorite Favorite? by Bob Shea
  • Oh! Are You Awake? by Bob Shea
  • Elephant and Piggie: Let’s Go for a Drive! by Mo Willems
  • My Friends Make Me Happy by Jan Thomas
  • My Toothbrush is Missing! by Jan Thomas

In between books, as cast members prepared behind the curtain, the young audience members danced and clapped to songs performed by Webster Public Library (WPL) Outreach Cooordinator Jason Poole, and laughed at some pretty bad knock-knock jokes.

Brody Walrath as Lion
Sarah Painton
Maura Ugine, the “Toad in the Road”

Palmer was supported by a talented cast of WPL staff members, Webster School District (WCSD) teachers and Schroeder students. I even got to play the supporting role of Grandma in What’s Your Favorite Favorite? Other performers included:

  • WPL Teen and Family Experiences Librarian Colleen Hernandez
  • WPL Assistant Director Shana Lynott
  • WCSD Special Education Consultant Teacher Bill Ambler
  • Webster Schroeder Librarian Jennifer Strege
  • Webster Schroeder students Brody Walrath, Maura Ugine and Sarah Painton (on the drum set)
Jennifer Strege, Shana Lynott and Colleen Hernandez
My star turn as Grandma with Jamie Palmer and Bill Ambler

Thursday’s show was Palmer’s second annual preK book performance. The idea came to her a few years ago when she and Jason Poole were planning Webster Public Library visits for the district’s preschoolers. It was her first year as a preK teacher after working for several years as the Schlegel Elementary School librarian.

She said,

I missed doing book performances. I said, wouldn’t it be cool if we could do a book performance for all of preK on Schroeder’s stage. Since I’m here, it’s a big stage, and we have an auditorium that will fit everybody, that would be a fun field trip. We could celebrate summer reading with the Public Library and also the reading joy that happened while we were in preK.

You could definitely see that joy in the faces of the preschoolers as they danced and sang, laughed and clapped, and watched with delight as their favorite book characters came to life. And since there’s a new crop of preschoolers every year, you can bet this won’t be the last of these shows.

“After everyone came last year,” Palmer remembered, “they said, ‘Oh you need to do that again. And maybe you need to do two.'”

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/7/2025)

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