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Webster Theatre Guild is bringing the swamp to the Webster stage

30 Aug

Everyone’s favorite ogre is coming to Webster, when the Webster Theatre Guild brings the hugely popular Shrek the Musical to the stage in October.

Rehearsals began the first week of August for this blockbuster production, which will delight young and old alike. The cast includes 59 incredibly talented dancers and actors, ages 10 through 70+, drawn from respected theater groups from all over the city, including GEVA, Blackfriars Theater, Pittsford Musicals, School of the Arts and our very own Webster high schools. Webster Theater Guild president Jim Pringle said that usually the Guild is happy to get 70 people auditioning for a production. But for Shrek, 120 people auditioned, so you know that the ones who made the cut are the cream of the crop.

This is the show they’ve all been waiting for, he added.

Shrek the Musical is being directed by Bill Ambler, supported by choreographer Shari Bischoping and orchestra leader Laura Mueller. It will be presented in six shows:

  • Friday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
    (ASL Interpretation TBD)

All performances will be held at Bishop Kearney High School, 125 Kings Hwy South, Rochester.

Tickets are on sale now for a reduced price of $15 (plus handling fee). Click here to get yours now, because this will almost definitely sell out.

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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 8/30/2025)

Webster community mailbag

29 Aug

Just a few events in today’s mailbag … We’ll lead with this item I just received today from the United Church of Christ on Klem Rd.

They’re hosting a special performance titled “They Live On…in Word and Song to Support Mental Health,” on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. The community program will support those in various stages of caregiving and loss.

“They Live On…in Word and Song” features excerpts from Patricia Nugent’s memoir — They Live On: Saying Goodbye to Mom and Dad –paired with nine original songs by singer/songwriter Michael Jerling.

Nugent has presented widely on the topics of caregiving and loss. A native of Irondequoit, her mother Amelia Nugent was active in local politics and real estate, and her father Nicholas Nugent was Athletic Director at the Rochester School for the Deaf. Michael Jerling of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. has been described as a “songwriter’s songwriter…an artist who performs his songs with an uncommon ability to deliver them with power and grace.”

This collaboration between two artists employing two different forms of creative expression gives voice to the universal human experience of letting go. The performance initially debuted at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs to a sold-out room. This is their first performance in the Rochester area.

The performance will be held at the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served immediately after the performance. A CD of the readings and music will also be made available at the event. Tickets are $20, a donation to the church’s mission of supporting mental health awareness and education. Click here to get yours. For more information, email office@uccwebster.org.

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The Women’s Club of Webster is ramping up their 2025/26 season with the announcement that their first luncheon will be held on Thursday Sept. 18 at the Ontario Country Club, 2101 Country Club Lane.

This month’s speaker will be Dan Lyon, Fraud Prevention Manager at Lifespan, who will lead a musical game called “Name That Scam.”  Inspired by “Name That Tune,” it features music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, cleverly linked to scams for an educational twist.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Mr. Lyon’s presentation. Menu choices for the luncheon include: Chef’s Dip (beef, onions, provolone, lettuce and tomato on French bread), Chicken Waldorf Sandwich (chicken salad, apples, candied walnuts,  grapes, melted Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato on a croissant) or House Salad (greens, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber). All choices include hot and cold drinks and French fries. 

Cost of the luncheon is $27. Send your check, made out to the Women’s Club of Webster, by Sept. 11 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Please make sure to indicate your menu choice. You do not have to be a member of the Women’s Club to attend, but new members are always welcome!

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Nan Kent, owner of Annette’s Restaurant, would like me to let you all know that she’s introducing a $15 lunch special starting in September.

The menu includes a selection of salads:

  • Annette’s Seasonal Salad Seasonal — fruit, arugula, tomatoes, red onion, blue cheese crumble and choice of homemade dressing
  • House Caesar — chopped romaine, shredded Parmesan, house-made croutons, Caesar dressing
  • Lunch Wedge — fresh bacon, tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, blue cheese dressing, balsamic glaze

Some handhelds:

  • House Burger — lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar
  • Black Bean Burger — arugula, tomato, red onion
  • Parmesan-crusted cod — cole slaw and one side
  • Caesar Wrap — chopped romaine, shredded Parmesan, house Caesar dressing

Other options will include a soup & salad, grilled chicken and wings & fries.

Specials will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Annette’s is located at 27 West Main St. in the Village of Webster. For more information about the specials, including vegetarian options, stop by or call 585-645-6002.

These next events have appeared in previous mailbags, but I’m re-posting them as reminders:

Don’t forget about the Village of Webster’s Fall Kick-off on Saturday, Sept. 6. Three special events have been scheduled that afternoon and evening beginning at noon when the Red Hot and Blue Band hosts their annual St. Jude’s Benefit Concert. This year they’ll be joined by Sarah De Vallière and The Tug Hill Band.

At 4 p.m., the ever-popular Beer Walk returns to the village, where you can sample beer, cider and food from local businesses AND AT THE SAME TIME, there’ll be a car show on West Main, featuring a wide variety of cars from classic cars to hot rods.

This is all sponsored by Webster’s Business Improvement DistrictClick here to find out more details on their website.

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St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. and will continue until all dinners are sold out.

Dinners will include a half chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and cookie, and will cost $15.

The event will be drive-through only and there will be no advance sales; first-come, first-served. Cars should enter the parking lot, follow the signs, and purchase dinners using exact payment of either cash or
check. Cars will then pick up boxed dinners.

Proceeds from the BBQ will support both St. Martin’s Little Free Pantry and Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.

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The Webster Comfort Care Home’s annual Casino Night has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

“Mayor” Pete Kennedy will emcee this fun night, which will feature gaming tables, a silent auction, raffles, cash bar, appetizers, desserts and a soft pretzel station. Tickets are $75 per person and must be purchased by Sept. 12.

 Click here for tickets. All proceeds benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home.

Interested in helping out by becoming a sponsor? Click here for details: Casino Night Sponsorship Packages.

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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 8/29/2025)

Webster community mailbag

22 Aug

Our very own Webster Village Band will perform their final concert of the summer on Thursday Aug. 28 at the Harmony Park band shell on Phillips Rd. Titled “The Band Concert,” the selections will be traditional band standards, plus music from Billy Joel and Jim Brickman.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a cooler, and stretch out on the spacious lawn area in front of the band shell.

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Take your whole family to the lake next Thursday Aug. 28 and say “Farewell, Matey!” to summer at a kids’ concert featuring the Happy Pirates.

I didn’t get a press release about this, but pulled this additional information from an article written by Robert Grenier at the Webster Herald:

The concert … will feature songs performed by Captain Gully, Scuttle, Sharkbait and maybe even a few special guests. Kids attending the event are encouraged to dress up like a pirate and prepare to sing and dance along to sea shanties and other pirate songs. … Food at the event will be provided by Melt, who specialize in gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches.

The concert, sponsored by the Webster Recreation Center, takes place Thursday Aug. 28 at Sandbar Park, 302 Lake Rd., from 6 to 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be available starting at 4:30 p.m. It’s completely free and open to the public. No registration is necessary.

Also from the Rec Center, here’s a fun new program for anyone who loves yoga and loves the outdoors. They’re called Yoga Hikes, and they’re held every Thursday through Sept. 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Each hike begins with a short meditation, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of nature, followed by a hike which will incorporate an “energizing yoga practice.” A different park, trail or open space is chosen for each week.

Cost is $20 per hike. Register on the Webster Recreation Center website — look for activity #237051 *A-G.

Don’t forget about the Village of Webster’s Fall Kick-off on Saturday, Sept. 6. Three special events have been scheduled that afternoon and evening beginning at noon when the Red Hot and Blue Band hosts their annual St. Jude’s Benefit Concert. This year they’ll be joined by Sarah De Vallière and The Tug Hill Band.

At 4 p.m., the ever-popular Beer Walk returns to the village, where you can sample beer, cider and food from local businesses AND AT THE SAME TIME, there’ll be a car show on West Main, featuring a wide variety of cars from classic cars to hot rods.

This is all sponsored by Webster’s Business Improvement District. Click here to find out more details on their website.

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St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. and will continue until all dinners are sold out.

Dinners will include a half chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and cookie, and will cost $15.

The event will be drive-through only and there will be no advance sales; first-come, first-served. Cars should enter the parking lot, follow the signs, and purchase dinners using exact payment of either cash or
check. Cars will then pick up boxed dinners.

Proceeds from the BBQ will support both St. Martin’s Little Free Pantry and Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.

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The Webster Comfort Care Home’s annual Casino Night has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

“Mayor” Pete Kennedy will emcee this fun night, which will feature gaming tables, a silent auction, raffles, cash bar, appetizers, desserts and a soft pretzel station. Tickets are $75 per person and must be purchased by Sept. 12.

 Click here for tickets. All proceeds benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home.

Interested in helping out by becoming a sponsor? Click here for details: Casino Night Sponsorship Packages.

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Here’s a notice about a fund-raising walk sponsored by Embrace Your Sisters, a Canandaigua-based organization dedicated to providing emergency financial support for people with breast cancer. In the past, Webster residents have supported — and received financial support from — Embrace Your Sisters, so I’m pleased to share this information.

Embrace Your Sisters (EYS) announced their 2025 Positively Pink in Pittsford Walk Fundraiser will take place on Sunday, October 5, This year’s Walk takes place in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

The walk is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5 at Pittford Sutherland High School. Registration begins at 9 a.m. in the school parking lot. The walk itself will begin at 10 a.m., along a 1.8-mile route through Pittsford residential streets and along the Erie Canal. This year’s fund-raising goal is $25,000, and every walker who raises at least $30 will receive a t-shirt. You can click here to register in advance. If you have any questions, contact Suanne Lippman, EYS Second Vice President and breast cancer survivor, at 585-624-9690.

Since its founding, EYS has raised more than $700,000 with the help of sponsors, friends, and business partners, to meet short-term emergency funding needs of breast cancer patients, across our 13-county Finger Lakes region.

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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 8/22/2025)

Wanna hear about Prague?

18 Aug

As many of you might remember, I spent four weeks in Prague, Czechia earlier this year. I was accompanying my husband, who’d been awarded a Fulbright Specialist grant to work with a journalism organization headquartered in the city.

Of course, I took a LOT of photos when I was there (it’s what I do) and came home with lots of stories to tell. I’ve already shared many of those photos and stories with pretty much anyone who’d listen. But now, I’ve been asked by the Webster Public Library AND the Webster Recreation Center to put together a travelogue and share them with everyone else.

So if you’re at all interested in seeing some of those photos and hearing about my adventures, you have two opportunities in the next few months to do so. The first is at the Webster Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. Registration is now open for that one.

If you can’t make it to that talk, the second one will be at the Webster Recreation Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 10:30 a.m. It’s part of their regular Talks on Tuesday series. To register, navigate to the Recreation Center’s registration tab and click on the 55+ Programs box. Then search “Prague” as a keyword in the 55+ programs category. You’re looking for program #346940-J. If you have any problems, call the Rec Center at (585) 872-7103. They’ll take care of you.

There’s no cost for either talk, but they do like to have people register so they know how many to expect.

As you can see from the title slide above, I’m calling the travelogue “Prague, Czechia: the Weird and the Wonderful.” The wonderful portion of the talk will illustrate how stunningly gorgeous the city is, and feature the most popular tourist attractions. The weird portion will reflect the fact that when you have a whole month to explore a city, it’s possible to track down some very unusual, off-the-beaten-track attractions. And Prague has a lot of them.

For example, these two things. Nope, not going to tell you what they are. You just have to come to the talk!

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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 8/18/2025)

Another great Jazz Festival in the books

17 Aug

The Webster Jazz Festival seems to get better every year.

This two-day festival has been held for almost 20 years now, and somehow the organizers (our very own Webster Business and Improvement District) keep finding ways to improve it. This year’s big upgrade was having two of Friday night’s “Jazz in the Pubs” bands — Sarah De Vallière and Deepak Thettu and Friends — actually play outdoors, on West Main St.

What a brilliant idea that was. Not only was it easier for the bands to set up and gave them more space to perform, but it allowed for much larger crowds to spread out and enjoy the music, taking advantage of the perfect August weather. It also helped increase the visibility of the vendors who had set up tents along the sidewalks.

Four other bands performed at four other indoor venues throughout Friday evening, allowing patrons to more or less “pub-hop,” and I was happy to see that Annette’s, Ploty’s, the Cobblestone and Jojo were all pretty busy.

I was also very happy to see a strong presence from The Coach. Fritz had set up a beer tent on the patio, which did brisk business all Friday and Saturday night. Community members could also support the bar by purchasing t-shirts and other items which read “Stand By Your Bar.”

I’ve posted a few photos from Friday night above, but also have many others in this Facebook gallery. I’ve also included a nice selection of photos taken by my friend Mary White, who was there Friday night with her much-better-than-mine camera.

“Jazz in the Streets” on Saturday was awesome as usual. The music was terrific, the food vendors were busy, and the twinkly lights made Main Street extra charming as night fell. My favorite thing to do on this night is to just walk around the perimeter of the crowd, because it’s guaranteed I’ll see someone I know. Friday night was no exception; I was able to reconnect with a dozen friends, some of whom I haven’t seen in several years.

Oh, and of course I took a lot of photos, too. Click here for my full gallery from Saturday night.

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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 8/17/2025)

Webster Garlic Fest returns in just a few weeks

14 Aug

The Webster Garlic Fest is returning to the Webster Recreation Center on Saturday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 7.

This is a great family festival for anyone who loves all things garlic, and it keeps getting bigger and better every year. Somehow, organizers have managed to squeeze 170 vendors into this year’s festival, including crafters, food vendors, distilleries, wineries, food trucks, and of course lots and lots of garlic growers. There are so many vendors that they’ll fill the gymnasium and spill out onto the Rec Center grounds. Many of them provide tastings, samples and demonstrations. (Click here for a complete list of vendors.)

But even if you’re not a big fan of garlic, there are a lot of non-garlic vendors, and plenty else to see and do. Like, you can cozy up to some alpacas and baby goats (who like to wear pajamas), and even a huge 70-year old tortoise — and they all love to take selfies. There’ll be demos, and Mr. Wally the Balloon Man will be there.

Proceeds from the Webster Garlic Fest will benefit

  • Wreaths Across America: Honoring and remembering veterans resting in local cemeteries on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 13, 2025.
  • Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 (military families): Building Care Packages for locally deployed service members and helping military families in our area.
  • Gold Star Mothers Rochester (mothers who have lost a child, spouse, sibling, or parent in active duty): Helping community veterans-in-need with meals, resources, and year-round support.

The Webster Garlic Fest will be held Saturday Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. There’s plenty of parking in the Recreation Center lot, and even more across the street in the former Xerox parking lot, where free shuttles will be transporting guests back and forth.

Single-day tickets are only $5, and children Under 12 are free. Click here to buy your tickets, or you can get them at the door.

Click here for a gallery of photos from last year’s festival.

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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 8/14/2025)

Webster community mailbag

7 Aug

Today’s mailbag is stuffed with reminders about many events I’ve already mentioned in the blog, but which might have slipped under your radar the first time.

This first one is coming up this Saturday Aug. 9, a “Hike Through History” at Webster Union Cemetery. This is a self-guided tour in which participants can step back in time and “meet” the some of our town’s earliest settlers. Historical re-enactors will be sprinkled throughout the cemetery to tell their stories from Webster’s earliest days. 

Hike Through History will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt 250 and Woodhull Road). Requested donation for the experience is $10, and all proceeds will be used to help repair the headstones of our earliest settlers. Read more about the event in this blog.

Take a test drive, win cool stuff

Also this Saturday, Aug. 9, West Herr Ford at 810 Ridge Rd. (corner of Five Mile Line) is hosting a Test Drive Fundraising Event from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., to benefit the Webster Community Chest.

For every person who registers and takes a quick test drive, West Herr will donate $40 to Webster Community Chest. If 50 people sign up and drive, that means a cool $2,000 for one of Webster’s coolest agencies. Every person who test drives will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win Buffalo Bills merchandise and other prizes. Plus, lunch (or coffee and donuts) will be provided.

No appointment is necessary. Just walk in, and choose from a whole line-up of cars and trucks (or they’ll bring out something else off the lot if you want). Just hop in, take a short drive, return and hop out. No hard sales, no obligation. Takes about 15 minutes.

Marching Band Food Truck Rodeo

The Webster Marching Band Boosters will host their 9th Annual Food Truck Rodeo on Thursday, Aug. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fireman’s Field on Sanford St.

Participating trucks include Bruster’s, Eat Greek, Macarollin, Mr. Squeeze, Rob’s Kabobs, Roc City Sammich and Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza. The event will also feature artisan vendors, a kids’ play place, face painting, plus a 50/50 and vendor raffles. Guests will also get a preview of this year’s Webster Marching Band show, “In Times Of” at 6 and 7 p.m.

Strike up the band

Our very own Webster Village Band will perform their final concert of the summer on Thursday Aug. 28 at the Harmony Park band shell on Phillips Rd. Titled “The Band Concert,” the selections will be traditional band standards, plus music from Billy Joel and Jim Brickman.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a cooler, and stretch out on the spacious lawn area in front of the band shell.

Donate school supplies

Webster NY Hope is collecting NEW supplies from now through Aug. 19 to stuff in backpacks for children in our community who are in need. You can see the entire wish list on the Webster NY Hope Facebook page.

Supplies can be dropped off at the Webster Public Library, or at Webster Hope during the agency’s open hours, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Music at the Arb

This summer’s final Music at the Arb concert at the Webster Arboretum is scheduled for Thursday Aug. 14, featuring the String Brothers from 6:30 to 8 p.m. These concerts are held at the gazebo, and are free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. The Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

More from the Arboretum

The Webster Arboretum will present their next educational program, all about Dahlias, on Tuesday Sept. 9 from 7 to 8 p.m.

The program will be presented by Patty Pirz, a local expert on the subject. Discover the culture, type, variety and care of the beloved dahlia. Learn how to grow and nurture these plants to their best advantage. It will be held in the Curry Building at the Arboretum, and is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.

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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 8/7/2025)

Village Beer Walk just got better

6 Aug

Of all the special events that take place every summer in the Village of Webster, the Beer Walk is one of my favorites. It’s always a great opportunity to get together with my closest friends, wander through the village, sample some great brews, and laugh A. LOT.

This year, the walk is better than ever. It’s scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, and not only will we be able to sample beer, cider and food from local businesses, but the Webster Business Improvement District (BID) — which hosts the walk — has organized a car show the same day, on West Main St. A variety of cars will be on display, from classic cars to hot rods. Both events take place from 4 to 7 p.m.

BUT THERE’S MORE! Also that day, Sept. 6 from noon to 5 p.m., the Red Hot and Blue Band will host their annual St. Jude’s Benefit Concert. This year they’ll be joined by Sarah De Vallière and The Tug Hill Band.

The BID is calling the whole day their “Fall Kickoff Event,” a whole afternoon and evening of entertainment and fun in the village.

The car show is free, and the concert is free (but donations will be accepted). Tickets are not yet available for the Beer Walk, but when they are, they’ll be available here.


Lots of other events coming up in the next many weeks, including:

– On Sunday, Aug. 17, Kittelberger Florist will host a Summer Roots Family Event from noon to 4 p.m. at the store on Orchard St. The whole street will be closed off, because this is going to be a huge event. There’ll be live music by Yacht Club, food trucks, face painting, a petting zoo, a balloon artist, a family activity from the Webster Public Library, and giant yard games.

More details to come. Visit the Kittelberger Facebook page for more details.

– The next Friday Night concert in Gazebo Park is August 22, featuring Eight Days a Week, Webster’s favorite Beatles band. It begins at 7 p.m., and you’ll want to get there early for this one. There’s no charge. Sips & Scoops ice cream truck should be there that night as well.

– The Webster Jazz Festival returns with Jazz in the Pubs on Friday Aug. 15 and Jazz on the Street on Saturday Aug. 16. Check my earlier blog for details.

M/Body is still offering complimentary Community Yoga & Pilates classes at Gazebo Park on North Ave., every Saturday through Sept. 6 from 10 to 11 a.m. The classes are free, but participants need to register in advance here. Bring your own mat and water. In the case of inclement weather, this class will be canceled. However, participants are welcomed to sign up for M/Body’s in-studio yoga class that runs at the same time.

Coming up this fall in the village:

  • Saturday, September 13: Shredding Event & Health Fair 
  • Saturday, October 25: Trick-or-Treat Trail  
  • Saturday, November 22: Bourbon Bash 
  • Saturday, December 6: Winter Wonderland in the Village

Details to come soon about all of these. Stay on top of things by checking the BID website regularly.

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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 8/5/2025)

Jazz Festival details: who’s playing and when

5 Aug

Get ready to dance in the streets in a few weeks, when the Webster Jazz Festival returns.

The event will stretch over two days Friday and Saturday Aug. 15 and 16, kicking off with “Jazz in the Pubs” Friday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. Six different bands are scheduled to perform at six different village pubs and restaurants, with staggered start times, so you can visit visit several (or all) of the venues for a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy as many bands as you like. The musicians represent some of the best from the Rochester music scene, including some returning favorites and some new faces.

Also that night, the Jazz Festival Street Fair returns with vendors set up up and down West Main.

The music continues Saturday night when jazz takes to the street.

Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of musical entertainment will perform from the big West Main Street stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. There will be some tables and chairs set up, but they go pretty fast, so plan to bring your own, set them up in the middle of the street and enjoy music all evening long. Food and drinks will be available from village merchants.

Here’s the line-up for both nights:

Friday, August 15, 2025 — Jazz in the Pubs

  • 5:30 p.m.: Marvin Dolly & Mel Henderson at JoJo Bistro, 42 East Main St.
  • 6:00 p.m.: Tim Forester Trio at Cobblestone on Main, 109 West Main St.
  • 6:30 p.m.: Andy Calabrese & Peter Chwazik at Annette’s Restaurant, 27 West Main St.
  • 6:30 p.m.: Sarah DeValliere and Emily Champion at Mary Wee Pub, 2 West Main St.
  • 7:30 p.m.: Paradigm Shift at Ploty’s Hometown Tavern, 27 West Main St.
  • 8:15 p.m. Deepak Thettu & Friends at Coach Sports Bar front patio (weather permitting), 19 West Main St.

Friday, August 15, 2025 — Jazz in the Street

  • 4 p.m.: Ryan Johnson and Escape Terrain
  • 5:15 p.m.: Bill Tiberio Band
  • 6:45 p.m.: Diana Jacobs Band
  • 8:30 p.m.: Judah Sealy and Friends

The Webster Jazz Festival is an outstanding event that really brings out the best the Village of Webster has to offer. The streets are packed with people, the hanging baskets and planters are in full bloom, and after dark the street is lined with twinkly lights. There’s dancing and drinking and eating, and so much fun for friends and family. Plus there’s no admission.

To find out more about the 2025 Webster Jazz Festival, and read more about the featured bands, visit the Webster BID website.

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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 8/5/2025)

Building community, one ride at a time

3 Aug

You may remember that a few weeks ago, I participated in — and blogged about — the Webster Library’s new walking club, which meets every Tuesday afternoon. I had the pleasure during that stroll to reconnect with a fellow fitness advocate, Dave Malecki.

I first got to know Dave about a year ago, when I took part in one of his regular group bike rides through Webster. (I actually wrote a blog about that experience, too, which you can see here.) While we were walking together that Tuesday, Dave reminded me that he’s still organizing regular group bike rides, through the Huggers Ski Club.

Dave’s rides generally roll through West Webster. They’re also scheduled on Tuesdays, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and start at the Webster Public Library. The routes are flat and scenic, typically covering 12 to 15 miles, perfect for intermediate to experienced cyclists. Dave keeps things fresh by planning a new route each week. Recent rides have included stops at Herman’s Farm Market, Lake Ontario, and Whiting Road Nature Preserve.

His mission? To “promote Active Transportation here for Webster residents.”

If Tuesday mornings or West Webster don’t work for you, no worries; there are plenty of other rides throughout the week. You can find the full schedule here.  

Recent attendance at Dave’s West Webster rides have been sparse, and he’d really like to have more participants. So check the schedule, sign up (so he knows you’re coming) and enjoy some biking in this beautiful summer weather.

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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 8/3/2025)