You’ve heard me sing the praises of Rochester Challenger Miracle Field many times here in this blog. This incredible facility provides adults and children with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier-free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.
Miracle Field is nationally respected, and since its completion in 2017, has served as a model for other communities across the country to rally support and build their own fields. Located in Ridge Park adjacent to the Webster Town Hall on Ridge Rd., it’s an amazing example of what dedicated volunteer and community support can accomplish, and is a huge point of pride for our town.
The centerpiece of the facility is a cushioned, fully wheelchair-accessible baseball field with bases and a pitching mound painted onto the surface so that there are no raised obstacles, and extra-large dugouts designed to accommodate wheelchairs and other apparatus. There’s also a concession stand, restrooms and a pavilion with picnic tables.
If you’ve never stopped by to see Miracle Field, you really should. And right now, you’ll see that this incredible facility is getting even better, with the addition of a new pavilion, designed to provide athletes and their families a warm, safe, and welcoming space to gather before and after games.
The new space, which is being built on the south side of the existing concession stand, will be a spacious 32′ x 34′. It’ll be enclosed by garage doors which will block the stiff westerly winds and can be opened or closed depending on the weather. That’ll be especially appreciated during winter events, and the extra space will mean Miracle Field administrators will no longer have to rent expensive tents.
Construction began weeks ago and is proceeding apace, but the project has experienced some unexpected rising costs. So a GoFundMe page has been established to help raise the necessary funds.
Click here to donate and know that every dollar will go to supporting some very special athletes.
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You’ve all probably been hearing about the temporary (we hope) suspension of SNAP subsidies due to the government shutdown. SNAP funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to low-income individuals and families to help them afford nutritious food.
That eventuality may not directly affect you and your family, and count your blessings if it does not. But but if that fund does run and lapses on Nov. 1 (and at this writing that looks likely), it will most definitely affect many of your Webster neighbors. According to the Federal Education Department, in the 2023-24 school year, 5 percent of households in the Webster school district – that’s 1,300 households – were eligible for SNAP and stand to lose those benefits.
But there is help. If you or someone you know will be struggling in the coming weeks to provide enough food and clothing for themselves and their families, here’s a list of places you can go to get assistance:
Food assistance
Lasagna Love — request a lasagna and a volunteer will deliver it. Click link to request.
Meals on Wheels — hot meal delivery for Monroe County seniors and pet food for current recipients. Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 585-787-8397.
Phillips Village Food Pantry — 100 Krieger Rd., Webster. Self-serve, accessible outside 24/7 (only for Phillips Village residents). Located near main office.
St. Martin Food Pantry — 813 Bay Rd., Webster. Self-serve, accessible outside 24/7. Call 585-671-1899, or email stmartinwebster@gmail.com.
Elementary Schools — Free/reduced lunches, WCSD and Immanuel Lutheran Church’s backpack weekend food program. Contact your school’s main office or apply through websterschools.org.
Schroeder High School — 875 Ridge Rd., Webster. Food and clothing assistance, hygiene items. Contact kelly_petzing@webstercsd.org or call 585-670-8083.
Spry Middle School — 119 South Ave., Webster. Food and clothing assistance, hygiene items. Contact meghann_piwko@webstercsd.org or call 585-285-6500.
Thomas High School — 800 Five Mile Line Rd., Webster. Food and clothing assistance, hygiene items. Contact joan_bardanis@webstercsd.org or call 585-670-8000.
Willink Middle School — 900 Publishers Parkway, Webster. Food and clothing assistance, hygiene items. Contact mary_hurley@webstercsd.org or call 585-670-1044.
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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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Located at 82 North Ave., Lovely You Aesthetics offers a wide variety of services including bio repeels, chemical peels, micro needling, Botox, fillers, personal skin care evaluations, weight management and more. The location is a beautiful old two-story house built in 1914 which still holds much of its original charm including leaded glass, stained glass windows, and coffered ceilings. There are two treatment rooms downstairs, four treatment rooms upstairs, and two bathrooms.
photos credit Chrisom B Photography
Owner Carla Ann Scheiber held her grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Friday, Oct. 17, complete with a “happy-hour-style” open house with signature cocktails, finger foods, vendors, raffles and giveaways.
Root Rituals Head Spa’s ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Saturday, Oct. 18. The spa is located at 28 East Main St., in the former R Salon storefront, and will specialize in scalp treatments and scalp care — a “head spa” in the Japanese tradition. Clients familiar with R Salon will find that Melissa has added some nice personal touches, including a small boutique area, an espresso machine, and a display of her own products — scalp oil, scalp scrub and scalp tonic.
About two dozen friends and family members attended the ceremony to support owner Melissa Diodato Linderas she officially opened her new business, and there was plenty of food and drink for everyone to enjoy.
Welcome to Webster, Carla and Melissa!
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The initiative is called “Kids Read for Kids,” and the idea is simple: through the month of October, Klem North students do as much reading as they can, and as they do, they collect pledges from friends, family members (or community members) tied to how much they read. You can pledge, for example, 50 cents for every minute they read, or a dollar for every day, or just make a one-time donation. At the end of October, the PTSA will split the donations 50/50 with the Ronald McDonald House.
The kids can read anything they want, and even count the time when parents or grandparents read TO them. The idea is to get young people excited about reading.
The month-long challenge is almost over, but there’s still time to support these great readers. People can donate to individual students or the program overall and all funds raised are split 50/50 between the Klem North PTSA and Ronald McDonald House. Both flat donations and pledges per minute read will be accepted through Monday, November 2.
Klem North parents, grandparents and guardians are, of course, encouraged to participate and support their children. But community members not directly involved with the school can also help out. You can click here for more information, make a one-time pledge or support a Klem North student.
This is the second time the school has organized this fundraiser; they first did it back in February, and raised an amazing $10,545. So far this time around they’ve raised about $4,500, so they’ve got a long way to go to match their last effort. Let’s see if we can help them along!
Here’s another way you can help: The school will be holding an end-of-program fundraiser night at Red Robin, in the Target/Kohls Plaza, next Wednesday Nov, 5. The restaurant will be donating 20% of all food sales that evening back to the school.
So click the link above to support these kids, and then come on out for a good meal next Wednesday!
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A few new things and a few reminders in today’s mailbag.
Calling the R.L. Thomas Class of 1970!
Your 55 year reunion is happening this Saturday, Nov. 1, and if you haven’t signed up yet, it’s not too late.
The reunion will take place at Finn Park on Maple Dr., from 2 to 11 p.m. p.m. Cost is $20 which includes a food truck ticket. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. To sign up, email rlt1970alumni@gmail.com.
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The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters will host their 2025indoor craft sale on Saturday Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. They’re expecting more than 40 vendors.
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Spry Middle School students and staff will host their annual free spaghetti dinner for Webster veterans, active duty service members and their families on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. It will be served in Spry Middle School’s cafetorium, 119 South Avenue, and feature a complimentary meal of spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert. Reservations are requested. Call Spry Middle School at (585) 216-0093. Click here for more information.
Tickets are now on sale for the Village of Webster’s annual Bourbon Bash, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. Taste local and national bourbons along with food samplings from Village of Webster restaurants.
Tickets are $35 plus an Eventbrite fee, and can be ordered here. This event usually sells out, so get your tickets soon. This is a 21+ event. Valid ID will be required.
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The Friends of Webster Trails will host their annual Hot Cocoa Hike on Saturday Nov. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Finn Park, 850 Maple Dr.
Kids and adults alike are welcome to this family-friendly hike. It’s a little over a mile long (start to finish) and will include a stop for hot cocoa. The trail will start at the right-hand side of the building by the kiosk. There will be lights along the way. This is not a guided event. You are responsible for finding your way to the hot cocoa and back by following the marked path.
Participants are asked to leave the parking lot between 7 and 8 p.m., to arrive at the hot cocoa stop by 8:30 p.m. Please leave your dog at home; you can bring them back to enjoy the trail another time. Please bring a flashlight and your own travel mug. This is a carry-in carry out event.
There’s no cost, but please register here so the Friends know how many people to expect.
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The Webster Arboretum will present a program called Bird Seed Ornaments: A Family Affair on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. Bring the family and join the members of the Arboretum to learn how to make “bird cookies,” the perfect little snack for the birds in your yard. They’re easy to make and fun to watch the birds enjoying them. Visit the Webster Arboretum website for more information.
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This note doesn’t relate directly to Webster but it’s kind of interesting. Apparently every year the members of the Rochester Amateur Radio Association participate in what they call their “Pumpkin Patrol” in support of the New York State Police. On Oct. 30 and 31 they monitor Thruway overpasses in Monroe County to prevent vandalism. The “hams” have been providing this service for more than 30 years and there have been no reports of any serious vandalism from overpasses to vehicles traveling on the Thruway since the Patrol began.
So keep an eye out for them and maybe give them a little beep to show your support.
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Here’s a quick follow-up from the recent Embrace Your Sisters Walk which I wrote about in August. It was held on Oct. 5 at Pittsford Sutherland High School and apparently was quite successful, raising a whopping $25,654, surpassing the organization’s $25,000 goal.
The funds will be added to the more than $700,000 which has already been distributed during the Embrace Your Sisters’ 19 years. People with breast cancer across our 13-county area have benefited from these funds, which paid outstanding living expenses. If you know someone who could benefit from the Embrace Your Sisters short-term emergency funds, please have them visit the website for more information.
Here’s something you want to put on your calendar for December:
The Country Gardeners of Webster will hold their annual Garden Club Holiday Sale on Saturday December 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive.
This huge sale features fresh wreaths, arrangements, poinsettias, centerpieces and gifts that are created by hand by the club members. This is always a very popular event, so you want to get there early.
The Webster Arboretum will also be there with an information table, and some large raffle baskets. Plus, their 2026 membership cards and new 2026 calendar will be available or purchase.
The sale is the Country Gardeners’ annual fundraiser, so think about decorating your own home, and purchasing gifts for family, friends and holiday hostesses. Admission is free.
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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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At its September Breakfast Before Business meeting, held Friday Sept. 26, the Webster Chamber of Commerce recognized 14 local businesses who have not only been successful, but have withstood countless challenges and the test of time to remain strong and viable for decades.
The Chamber presents these awards annually, recognizing businesses which have been operating for 25 years or more. They’re awarded in five-year increments, and this year included one business — Key Bank — which has just celebrated its 200th anniversary.
Here’s a quick look at all of the honorees. A longer write-up about each can be found at this link. The photos show the honorees receiving their plaque from Board Chair Tim Shortsleeve.
Robyn Whittaker (Penny Swingly accepting)Friends of the Webster Public LibraryRuss Ziskind
Beyond Cuts salon started in 2000 when Robyn Whittaker purchased the business from Nancy Macomber. Since that day, Beyond Cuts Salon has been involved with many of the Village Business Improvement District’s events. Robyn has hosted wine walks, participated in “Trick or Treat Trail,” and has hosted Chamber Eat Drink and Connect events!
Beyond Cuts also donates to many local charities, either financially or with pro bono services. The Salon has also helped local artisans sell their wares by allowing them space in the shop to showcase their talents.
The Friends of Webster Public Library are library supporters who are committed to strengthening the library and helping it provide the best service possible to the community. They are motivated, hardworking volunteers who enjoy working together to promote the service, facilities, needs, and programs of the Webster Library. They sponsor cultural and educational programs for the community and financially support the library services, programs, and materials not covered in the library’s operational budget.
Their biggest fund-raising events are the Spring and Fall book sales and now they have Vintage and Collectable book sales a few times a year. They also organize and operate the Lobby Book Store.
Gemini Technical Services was founded by Russ Ziskind in 1994, as AccuCom Computer Service in Syracuse NY. The company grew to have over 25 technicians and over 100 customers for the I.T. business, and about 10,000 dial-up subscribers. They also started a teaching center to teach customers basic computer and network skills so they could be self-supportive. In 1999 the ISP business was sold, and in 2002 the company was rebranded Gemini Technical Services, added Rochester to its service area, and continued to grow the business in Central and Western NY. In 2021 Gemini purchased Barnone Design, a competitor in the Rochester area, to grow its business even further.
Ian Kuchman, Al LaRue, Greg McMahon and Bryan WhiteJanine Sanger and Judy Shelton David Corretore, Neil McLaughlin and Alexandra Amico
McMahon LaRue Associates was founded in 1995 by Greg McMahon and Al LaRue. Starting from Al’s house in Webster, Greg and Al built their practice on the belief that staying right-sized allows for deeper client partnerships and a family-centered workplace culture. This philosophy guided their return to Webster in 2013, where they restored and occupied an historic 1840 brick farmhouse on Holt Road.
In January 2024, the founders passed leadership to the next generation: Bryan White, a licensed land surveyor who grew with the company over 13 years from college field work to full licensure, and Ian Kuchman, a licensed civil engineer who joined in 2023, bringing extensive engineering expertise and business acumen with his MBA.
The Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) was established by Judy Sheldon in 1995 and has become a recognized leader in the advocacy and promotion of healthy, substance-free behaviors and lifestyles in the Webster community. In 2018, WHEN joined the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and became Webster Health and Education Network: A Drug Free Community Coalition (WHEN:DFCC). WHEN has always worked closely with the Webster Central School District, town, and community resources to support drug education and awareness initiatives.
WHEN:DFCC is comprised of over 60 members representing multiple sectors of our community including business owners, faith-based organizations, youth, civic and volunteer groups, media, law enforcement, health care providers, and substance use prevention professionals. The coalition’s goal is to collaborate with their partners to prevent substance abuse among youth as much as possible.
Corretore McLaughlin PLLC is a law office that began when David T. Corretore “hung out his shingle” as a lawyer at 138 East Main Street in the Village in the spring of 1985. Without any other employees, he “did it all.” The firm has since grown to three attorneys, a receptionist, and a bookkeeper, and has relocated to 1150 Crosspointe Lane.
The firm concentrates in the areas of estates and estate planning including wills, powers of attorney, living wills and health care proxies, along with other real estate matters.
Denise BallerPamela Heald, Mike Miller and Christina KariukTony Casciani and John Casciani
Dancing with Denise was established in 1985 when Denise Baller began teaching dance to children in daycare centers. In the mid-1990s, she opened a studio in Irondequoit, adding classes and expanding the student age group.
Today, boys and girls enjoy classes in tap, ballet, jazz, acrobatics, baton, hip hop, and Broadway theater. Denise also teaches a “buddies” class that teams up “student helpers” with students with special needs to help them learn all about dance. She provides traditional classes during the school year, and camps and during the summer. Her dancers have performed at farmer’s markets, Sea Breeze Dance Days, and many local parades, and her “Happy Feet Dancers” entertain at various nursing homes.
Her motto of “Having Fun is our Philosophy,” has made her well-known for promoting fun, good health and confidence in a non-competitive environment. Her students’ ages range from 2-year-old dancers to a 107-year-old Zumba Gold enthusiast.
Reliant Credit Union began in 1970 as the WCTA Federal Credit Union, founded by members of the Wayne County Teachers Association. It started in a science classroom in Sodus Central High School and has since grown into a trusted financial partner for more than 47,000 members across Wayne, Ontario, and Monroe counties.
Over the decades, Reliant has evolved significantly. In 1985, the organization expanded into Canandaigua, and in 2004 the credit union adopted a community charter, extending membership beyond school employees to welcome anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Wayne, Ontario, or Monroe counties. In 2007, the organization became Reliant Community Federal Credit Union to reflect its growing and diverse membership. In 2020, Reliant Credit Union refreshed its brand to better reflect the credit union’s culture, people-centered values, and mission to help members achieve life.
John Casciani learned his trade at the early age of 15, working for his father, Anthony, and grandfather, John Sr., in their masonry business. Eventually he found himself with a growing passion for real estate, building, and land development. After college, he started a home building career – selecting challenging parcels to develop, such as “The Bluffs” in Webster overlooking Irondequoit Bay.
John wanted to provide a private neighborhood for families. At the Bluffs he had an opportunity to establish a private marina and community gazebo, magnificent water views, 12 acres of preserved woodlands filled with wildlife, a half mile of shoreline and breathtaking sunsets – leaving homeowners with the feeling of vacationing every day at home. He had the vision and created a unique lifestyle for families seeking seclusion with convenient amenities.
Jeff Scott, Sarah Kenny and Timothy ScottJoseph Scofero Mayor Darryl Byers and Heather Halstead
With its origins starting in the 1940s, the Willard H. Scott Funeral Home began its life as Tinklepaugh Funeral Home (where Ward Tinklepaugh also ran a side business selling shoes). n the mid-1960s, Willard “Bill” Scott purchased the business from Ward Tinklepaugh and soon after changed the name to its current name, Willard H. Scott Funeral Home.
Jeff and Timothy Scott, Bill’s son and grandson, now run the business and are grateful for the legacy of service to the community and the community’s trust in them.
Joseph Scofero started J.J Scofero and Son Builders in 1955. He started out as a mason and that soon led to the full construction of homes in the Rochester area. In the early 1970s Joseph moved away from home building and into Fire and Water Restoration. It remains their main line of work today.
Joseph’s son, Leonard, took over the business in the 1980s, and his sons took over the company in 2013, making it a third-generation business, which has also expanded into consulting and appraisals for public adjuster firms and insurance companies.
On February 19, 1904, prominent Webster residents met to discuss possible incorporation and decided to petition the Town of Webster to hold an election on the matter. In June 1904, the issue was decided in favor of incorporation by one vote. The decision survived two appeals and and a second election, where it passed by 27 votes. On March 26, 1905, more than a year after the public first voted, the Board of Trustees held its first meeting.
Today, the Village of Webster is thriving and bustling. The Village Office has a staff of four, offering an array of services including FOIL requests, passport processing, building permits, EZ passes and resident needs. They maintain village records run village meetings, handle day-to-day finances, and run community events. The Department of Public Works provides 24-hour sewer monitoring and service, sanitary and storm sewer maintenance, snow removal, street and sidewalk upkeep, brush and leaf pickup, tree maintenance, street lighting, park maintenance and more.
Tony Casciani and Jennifer WrightJenny Frank, Cindy Peak and Joseph Campeau
The Town of Webster was established in 1840 and has agricultural roots due to its favorable soil conditions and climate. It’s currently home to about 45,000 residents. Through the years, the town has been the site of commercial and industrial progress, welcoming businesses like Xerox, Trident Precision Manufacturing, Boulter Industrial Contractors, and recently, Fairlife.
Today, the Town offers many amenities to its 45,000 residents including the Webster Recreation Center, nearly 1,030 acres of active parkland and open space with and nearly thirty miles of trails, and the Webster Public Library.
The Webster Town Board consists of five elected members who govern the town of Webster: one Town Supervisor and four Town Council members. The Town of Webster has two elected Town Justices who serve our community. The Town currently employs approximately 400 full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff members, with thirteen department heads.
Today, KeyBank is one of the nation’s largest financial services companies. Formed in 1994 through the merger of Society Corporation and KeyCorp, KeyBank’s story began in 1825 in Albany, when the first steam ships traversed the Atlantic and the Great Lakes. This merger resulted in the company retaining the name KeyCorp, fully headquartered in Cleveland. Today, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion as of December 31, 2024.
Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products.
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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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You’ll be hearing a lot more about this in the coming weeks, but I wanted to get this year’s Wreaths Across America Day on your radar. This year’s ceremony will be held on Saturday Dec. 13 at Webster Union Cemetery. (Click here to read about last year’s event.)
Wreaths Across America Day is an initiative to honor and remember fallen veterans, a day when volunteers place wreaths on the graves of almost 3 million veterans at cemeteries across the country and across the world. Webster has participated in this solemn occasion every year since 2022, when volunteers placed about 650 wreaths at Webster Union Cemetery. In 2023, Webster Rural and Union Hill joined the effort and 1,350 wreaths were placed. Last year, we added Holy Trinity Cemetery, and raised our wreath total to 2,100.
Thanks to the amazing support from the Webster community, our little town typically ranks in the top 5% for the number of veterans honored.
As I said, I’ll get you more details later about the actual ceremony, but right now we as a community have to come together to make sure we have enough wreaths for this year. Wreaths Across America Local Coordinator Cherie Wood tells me her goal again this year is 2,100 wreaths, enough for all of the veterans in all four participating cemeteries: Webster Union, Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity. But she’s still a long way away from that goal.
Her dream is actually to have enough EXTRA wreaths sponsored to add West Webster’s 350 veterans, which would raise her goal to 2,450 veteran wreaths.
When it comes to Wreaths Across America Day, Webster NEVER disappoints. Our community support has grown bigger and bigger every year, allowing Cherie to honor even more veterans every year. So let’s not let her down.
Please click here to go to Webster’s Wreaths Across America page and consider sponsoring one or several wreaths. Each sponsorship costs $17, and $5 from each will be donated to local Gold Star Families, who have lost an immediate family member in active duty.
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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).
I want to start my Pumpkins on Parade follow-up today with a shout-out to all of the hardy Webster Recreation Center staff members who hung in there Saturday night despite the rather miserable weather.
A cold, steady rain began shortly after the parade started, which took many participants by surprise (only a few had thought to bring umbrellas) and sent families running to their cars as soon as they finished the trail. And almost certainly it kept many families away entirely, choosing not to venture outside their warm homes at all.
But those who did walk the trail enjoyed hundreds of creatively carved pumpkins and colorful lights illuminating the trail, lots of spooky ghost and alien decorations, an actual witch cackling and casting spells as she cooked up something vile in her cauldron, and a really cool “haunted” house. And at the end, Rec Center staffers gamely stood at their posts, handing out donuts, apples and cider, taking photos and helping kids go down the roll-y slide (the kids definitely didn’t seem to mind the weather). Kudos also to all of the families who were still arriving, with umbrellas, as I walked back to my car.
So the weather was stinky this year, and it definitely dampened the festivities, but it was still fun to see all the pumpkins. Nice job, Rec Center, and thank you for all your hard work. And I hope you enjoyed all the leftover donuts.
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Thank you, Village of Webster business owners, for the fun excuse to eat too much candy every year on the Saturday before Halloween.
I mean, that’s what always happens when I wander the streets on Trick-or-Treat Trail day in the village (always with my daughter Erin at my side), stopping by to chat with all of the business owners I’ve come to know. Invariably I leave with a Butterfinger or Reese’s Cup in my hand or stuffed in my pocket for later. And this year, Netsin’s had their ice cream truck there as well; that cup of Panda Paws was kind of like lunch, right? Erin and I may have also stopped by for a pint at the Mary Wee before heading home.
Of course we also made sure to pop into the Webster Museum, where they always have a fun scavenger hunt, and the Webster Volunteer Fire Department, which holds their open house during the event.
So it was a great time, but as always, I struggled to get photos of all the incredible costumes we saw as we wandered. There were a lot of dinosaurs (small and huge), Roblox and Minecraft characters (my daughter had to help me identify them), and some perennial favorites like Winnie the Pooh and the Wizard of Oz. But I saw a lot of unique costumes as well, like the young man who was a garbage collector.
The weather was cool and started out a little spitty, which I think muted the crowd numbers a bit compared to previous years, but I still managed to take 70 or 80 photos. There are a few here, but many more in this Facebook gallery.
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It took me a couple of weeks, but I finally had a chance to check out the Village of Webster’s newest drinking and dining establishment, the Main Dive.
The Main Dive officially earlier this month at 5 West Main St., in the former Roc Style Chicken and Burger. To be totally honest, when I popped in that first time, I really didn’t know what to expect. My preconception (based on no experience) was that a “dive bar” would be kind of shabby, dark and unwelcoming.
But boy, was I wrong.
Roc Style was a fine restaurant, but Main Dive owner Brittney Amato has somehow transformed it into an even more inviting space that feels tailor-made for after-softball gatherings, happy hour get-togethers with friends, football watch parties, or Friday-after-school hangouts.
And that’s exactly the vibe that Brittney was going for, because that’s HER definition of a dive bar: a place that’s very “laid back, with cheap drinks, a lot of specials, cheap food … just a good atmosphere.”
Brittney and her husband Justin have been in the restaurant business for a while. You might recognize the names of their previous restaurants, Amato’s Cafe downtown on University, and Amato’s Cravings on West Main Street in Rochester. COVID and a short stint in Nashville detoured their plans for a while, but when they came back to New York State they started looking for something new.
“We were looking for a bakery or another sit-down restaurant,” she said. “We didn’t know what route we wanted to take. But then I thought ‘a dive bar.’ … We chose Webster because this place fit the description of what we were looking for. Small, cozy, right on Main St.”
The Main Dive has already become known for their inexpensive drinks and bar food menu. Apparently their wing sauce is the talk of the town. Lots of TV screens (which will eventually number at least 10) will keep sports fans entertained while there’s plenty of seating — including an extended bar — for everyone else who might just want to chat with friends and family. There’s a juke box, darts, and chalk in the bathrooms so you can leave a message on the wall. Basically, it’s a little bit of something for everyone.
“I really want people to know us as the place that doesn’t really define themselves as a specific themed bar,” Brittney said. “We don’t want people to think it’s just young crowd or older crowd. We welcome everything … We just want to please everyone.”
The Main Dive opens at 11:00 every morning (except noon on Sunday) and will stay open until at least 11 p.m. — midnight on the weekends. But Bruttney’s plan is to “serve food as late as possible. So if there are people in the bar at 1 a.m. who still want some boneless wings, she’ll accommodate.
You can check out their menu on their Facebook page and Instagram. You should also stop in this weekend if you’re in town for the Village of Webster’s Trick or Treat Trail on Saturday. The Main Dive will be participating.
They’re also planning a big Halloween Party on the 31st beginning at 9 p.m., complete with a costume contest with cash prizes. Cover charge is $5. Check the Facebook event for more information.
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