Archive | January, 2026

Get your dancing shoes on and come out swinging!

5 Jan

Now here’s a fun evening for anyone who loves to dance — or would like to learn.

The Webster Schroeder High School jazz bands will be hosting an evening of swing dancing on Monday, Jan. 12 in the Schroeder cafeteria.

Live jazz music will be provided by talented Schroeder jazz musicians, and the dance floor will be open for all to join in the fun. And do NOT worry if you don’t know how to swing dance. Alla Levi and Marty Steinhauser will be presenting a pre-dance introductory swing dance lesson from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

There’s no admission cost, but it is a fundraiser to help raise money to help bring a visiting artist to the school. So appetizers, desserts and refreshments will be available for purchase (cash only please) and additional donations will be gratefully accepted.

So put on your dancing shoes and join your friends and neighbors to learn — and dance — some swing dance moves! Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Rd.

Here are a few photos from last year’s event:

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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 1/6/2026)

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Cheers to a creative new year from the Village Quilt Shoppe

4 Jan

I got an email from the Village Quilt Shoppe recently, which was just packed full of news about what this little shop accomplished in 2025, and a sneak peek at things to come.

But what really caught my attention was the news about how successful their One Common Thread initiative was in 2025.

One Common Thread’s mission is to empower women in Central America — specifically Honduras — by giving them the opportunity to work and earn an income. The income allows the women to provide essentials such as food, diapers, formula, stoves, beds, tin roofs, cement floors, tuition for their children’s education, and much more. (My blog here tells you more about the organization.)

In their email, Village Quilt Shoppe owners Monique Liberti and Vanetta Parshall reported they were able to send 20 boxes — each holding three or four sewing kits — along with dozens of spools of thread and needles to women in Honduras.

They added,

Our charity work will continue in 2026, and if you’re free on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, we would love your help assembling kits. Whether you can stay all day or just for an hour or two, many hands truly do make light work.

Looking ahead to 2026, Vanetta and Monique have plans for several clubs, lots of exciting classes, “Sewcial” days, retreats and new fabric coming in every month. Basically, the shop is kind of like a quilter’s playground. Click here to see their full calendar. Or better yet, stop by the shop and check it out for yourself.

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 23 East Main St. in the Village of Webster, at the corner of Lapham Park. (They’re closed for the holidays until Jan. 6.)

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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 1/4/2026)

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The Rec Center’s outdoor ice rink is open

3 Jan

If there’s one positive about the unusually cold and wintry weather we’ve been having this year, it’s that the Webster Recreation Center has been able to get their beautiful outdoor ice rink prepped and ready for skating.

The rink, located at the Webster Recreation Center at 1350 Chiyoda Dr. (just north of the village off of Phillips Rd.), is big — 52 ft. by 104 ft. — offering plenty of room for skaters of all abilities. Plus, it’s totally FREE for anyone to use. You don’t even have to be a member of the Rec Center. There’s even a warming shed where you can sit to put on your skates. You’ll want to bring your own skates, though, because rentals are not available.

The rink can be used at any time of day, and it’s even lit at night. And did I mention it’s FREE?

If you’re ever wondering if the rink is open, there are a few easy ways to find out. You can visit the Webster Recreation Center’s Facebook page, where the rink’s status will be posted, or (even easier) you can call the ice rink hotline at 585-872-7103 (option 3). There’s always a sign posted on the rink as well saying whether it’s open or closed.If it’s closed, please stay off the ice, because if the ice is too thin, the liner could get damaged.

Have fun and share the ice with everyone who’s there!!

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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 1/3/2026)

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And the Tree Festival winners are …

2 Jan

The 2025 Webster Museum Festival of Trees has concluded, and after counting and re-counting, the winners have been announced.

This year’s contest included 20 mini-trees, beautifully decorated by these organizations and individuals:

  • American Legion
  • Gwen Hoffman
  • Jack Foundation
  • La La’s
  • Spry Lego League
  • The Webster Citizen’s Action Group
  • The Webster Republican Committee
  • Webster Arboretum
  • Webster Comfort Care
  • Webster Community Chest
  • Webster Country Gardeners
  • Webster Democratic Committee
  • Webster Firemen Ladies’ Auxiliary
  • Webster Grange
  • Webster Museum Volunteers
  • Webster Quilt Guild
  • Well Field Preservation
  • Women’s Club of Webster
  • Wreaths Across America

More than 630 votes were tallied in person and online, and I can tell you from personal experience, it was not an easy choice.

Taking first place this year, with 84 votes, was the tree decorated by the Webster Comfort Care Home. (This is the third year in a row that Webster Comfort Care has taken the top spot. We’re talking a dynasty here.) Coming in a close second with 78 votes was the Go Bills! tree designed by Webster Museum volunteer Gwen Hoffman. I didn’t vote for this one, but I thought it might be a fan favorite.

In third and fourth places were the Webster Quilt Guild with 61 votes and the Webster Community Chest with 58.

GO Bills!
Webster Quilt Guild
Webster Community Chest

The Webster Museum hosts the very popular Festival of Trees every year. Voting typically opens in early December on the day of the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland and runs through the end of the year. It offers a great chance for local organizations to have a little fun with tree decorating, while drawing some attention to their cause. And having 20 beautifully lit and decorated trees sprinkled throughout the museum makes the museum really sparkle during the holidays.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated.

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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 1/2/2026)

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Library will host preschool open house

1 Jan

September and the next school year are still far away, but parents with preschoolers should start thinking about signing up for a preschool sooner rather than later, because many fill up rapidly.

The process can be overwhelming, trying to decide among the many options, comparing prices, staffing and facilities. The Webster Public Library wants to help make that process a lot less frustrating, with their annual Webster Area Preschool Fair.

It’s scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library, 980 Ridge Rd. Representatives from more than a dozen preschools will be available to chat and provide information about their programs. The participating preschools are located in Webster or a surrounding township and/or have a number of Webster students already attending their school.

These preschools will be represented:

No registration is required. Just stop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Plus, if you’re bringing your little one(s) with you, come a bit early to enjoy storytime at 10:30 a.m., then stay and make a craft anytime between 11 a.m and 4 p.m.

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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 1/1/2026)

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