Webster’s Memorial Day Parade, kind of the unofficial kick-off to the summer season, takes place on Memorial Day, Monday May 26.
Here are the details:
9:00 a.m.: All groups participating in the parade will assemble at Spry Middle School on Sanford Street. All active duty and ex-service men and women are invited to take part in the parade. Any veterans who would like to ride in the bed of an Army truck are asked to be at Spry by 9 a.m.
9:30 a.m.: Parade moves out from Spry, down South Avenue, turning west on Main Street and proceeding to Webster Rural Cemetery.
9:50 a.m. (approx.): Parade arrives at Webster Rural Cemetery.
The Remembrance Ceremony will begin at approximately 10 a.m., or whenever everyone arrives and gets settled.
In addition to honored active military members, auxiliary members and veterans, also expected to march in this year’s parade are the Webster High School Marching Band, Boy Scouts and (hopefully) Girl Scouts, firefighters and more. Click here to see a gallery of photos from last year.
This is always a very nice parade, and the ceremony that follows it at Webster Rural Cemetery is always moving. I highly recommend bringing your children to see both the parade and the ceremony, so they might begin to understand the huge debt we owe our servicemen and women.
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When the call went out in April for Webster to come together to support a terrific cause, our community answered that call without hesitation. This time, that terrific cause was the Mail Call: Letters From Home initiative, where Webster was challenged to write 1,000 cards and letters for our deployed service members.
In true Webster style, we not only reached that goal but blew it out of the water.
Mail Call organizer Cherie Wood has tallied all of the messages from the mailboxes placed around town, and reports that the final count came to an amazing 1,558 cards and letters!
And it was a true community-wide effort, as children and adults alike, from all walks of life, embraced the challenge from day one. Cherie said,
We had many individuals, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, after care programs, Scouts, churches, social groups, veterans, the VFW, American Legion, Maplewood Nursing Home, Baywinde Assisted Living, and active duty units participate. Plus, the Chamber of Commerce and Webster Public Library had card making events.
The whole project could also not have happened without the support of the local businesses which hosted mailboxes. (They all said they want to do it again next year!) And extra thanks to Lowe’s Webster for the mailboxes, and Vital Signs Webster for wrapping them.
The next step is to place the cards in the care packages which the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter NY8 will be sending to the troops in June. They’ll be tucked alongside 243 boxes of Girl Scout cookies sold by troops 60568, 60621, 60344, 60423 and 61006.
What these packages mean to our service members cannot be overstated.
“These Webster wishes will go all over the world, with our thanks, appreciation, and encouragement,” Cherie said. “Can’t you just imagine one of our deployed service members reading cards from home, passing them around the unit, while they enjoy a box of Thin Mints?”
Thank you, Webster. We live in an amazing community.
Watch for the Mail Call: Letters From Home effort to return next April. In the meantime, Lowe’s Webster is keeping their mailbox up all year long, so next time you’re in, stop a moment and write a note.
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Lots going on at the Webster Recreation Center this month and next, for kids and adults of all ages.
The first special event I want to highlight is the National Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday May 28. From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Rec Center will be welcoming active older adults to “share a day of good health.”
Participants can enjoy a yogurt bar, check out some vendors, get some free assessments, get tours of the Recreation Center, play some cornhole, take some chances on a raffle prize basket, and watch some mini class demonstrations. This is a great opportunity to check out the Rec Center and all of the classes they offer for active older adults. I’ve been taking group exercise classes there for more than a year and am not only feeling healthier and more fit, but have also made a lot of new friends.
The event is absolutely free and open to everyone in the 55+ community.
Speaking of seniors, the Webster Senior Singers will be presenting a concert at the Recreation Center on Tuesday, June 10 beginning at 11 a.m.
The Senior Singers is a enthusiastic group of older adults who come together at the Rec Center every Tuesday to sing, socialize and — four times a year — share their love for music with the greater Webster community. There’s no charge to attend the concert, and registration is not necessary. So bring a friend, a grandchild, or come solo, and take a moment out of your day and stop by to hear some beautiful music.
The title of the concert is “A Musical Revue,” which means that you’ll hear a lot of tunes you know, performed by the chorus and several soloists. The concert will be about an hour long.
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This year’s Summer Celebration has been scheduled for Saturday, June 7 from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
This very popular family event features food trucks, live music, lots of activities for the whole family, and — of course — fireworks to end the evening. Admission is free and no registration is necessary.
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Finally, details of this summer’s Music at the Arb series have been announced.
These concerts are performed outdoors at the gazebo at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd. This year’s schedule features:
All the performances begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
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I’m told that the Village Wine and Food Walk, hosted by the Webster Village Business Improvement District (BID) on Saturday May 10, was a big success. Thanks in part to some perfect weather (sunny skies and in the mid-70’s), all 300 tickets were sold out and participants started arriving at BC’s Chicken Coop a full 20 minutes before the 4 p.m. start time to check in and get their wine glasses and wrist bands.
Twelve village merchants participated in the walk, along East and West Main and even to Salvatore’s on North Ave., where the BID had a DJ providing dance music.
Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Harmony House and their restoration project.
Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election
The Webster Central School District Annual Budget Vote and Election of Board of Education Candidates takes place Tuesday, May 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gym, 875 Ridge Road, Webster.
Qualified voters of the district who will be unable to attend the polls on the day of the vote may wish to use an absentee ballot. Voters must apply for the ballot in advance. Applications are available at websterschools.org or from District Clerk Heather Murphy, 119 South Avenue, Webster, (585) 216-0001.
Absentee ballot applications cannot be mailed into the district at this late date, but can be dropped off to the district clerk the day before the vote.
Webster CSD’s Business Department web page contains information on the proposed 2025-26 budget and the three candidates running for the three board of education seats up for election.
Grab dinner after you vote!
The Webster Marching Band will host a BBQ Dinner Fundraiser at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., on Tuesday May 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. (during the school budget vote).
Dinner includes BBQ pulled pork, salt potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread and a drink for just $19 (plus processing fees). Meals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
Interested in learning how to clean and preserve headstones?
Webster Union Cemetery will be hosting a Headstone Cleaning Class on Saturday June 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm.
Participants will learn how to properly clean a headstone, and hear stories about some of our town’s founders and more colorful residents. All supplies will be provided. Just bring rubber gloves, and wear something you don’t mind getting wet.
Webster Union Cemetery is located at 345 Webster Rd.
Village Parks Committee wants your opinion
The Village of Webster Parks and Recreation Committee is looking for community input on potential upgrades to Schantz Park. The park is located between Hawley Drive and State Road, and has a basketball court, tennis courts, baseball fields and playground equipment.
Residents are invited to share your thoughts on a brief form, and let the committee know what amenities you would like added to the park. And while you’re there, take a few minutes to fill out the other quick survey you’ll find there, sharing your opinions about all of our village’s other parks as well.
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There’s still time to register to attend this year’s Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show on Sunday June 1, sponsored by the Women’s Club of Webster.
In addition to the beautiful fashions on display, courtesy Chico’s at Pittsford Plaza, participants will enjoy a delicious luncheon, with choices of a crisp apple salad with chicken, chicken French with lemon sauce, or Reuben sandwich. All choices include a beverage, rolls and butter. There will also be basket raffles and a 50/50 raffle, all to benefit local charities.
The donation is $37.00 per person. Please mail your choice of entree, names of people you wish to sit with, and check payable to the Women’s Club of Webster to Bonnie Travis, 1065 High Vista Trail, Webster, NY 14580. Reservations are due by May 21.
The luncheon and fashion show will be held on Sunday, June 1 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd., beginning at 11:30 a.m. Questions can be directed to Bonnie at (585) 671- 2345. All proceeds will be donated to the many local charities supported by the Women’s Club of Webster.
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This annual musical treat features both of these outstanding choruses and several a cappella groups performing everything from classic hits to contemporary favorites. Plus, there’ll be door prizes, raffles, a bar, snacks and plenty of free parking.
The show will be held at Our Lady of Mercy High School, 1437 Blossom Rd., Brighton, and begins at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 online in advance and $25 at the door. Click here to get your tickets, or call 585-748-4592.
“Harmony in the House” is a fundraiser for the Harmony House, a beautiful historic building constructed in 1899, which both groups call home.
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).
The Webster Recreation Center will be holding a Family Fun Night on Friday, May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.
The evening’s festivities will include lawn games, dancing, food, and lots more. Police, fire department and Town of Webster highway trucks will be present, as well as community group booths, tattoo artists, food trucks and a concession stand. There’ll even be an “Instrument Zoo.”
There’s no cost to attend and registration is not necessary. Just come on by and bring the family!
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Color Webster Green has scheduled two very interesting programs in the next few weeks.
The first is an outdoor workshop called Magnificent Monarchs, on Saturday, May 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Charles Sexton Park. Color Webster Green member Geri McMahon will be presenting this family-friendly event. Everyone who attends will go home with fun stickers, and some milkweed seeds to plant in their yards.
There’s no charge, and registration is optional, but it might be nice to let the Color Webster Green folks know how many are planning to attend.
The second is a Refuse District Discussion on Thursday, May 29 from 7 to 8 p.m.
This is an online discussion to start a conversation about refuse districts. Since this is an initiative that needs a lot of buy-in from the community, Color Webster Green is trying to see if folks are interested in pushing for this. It’s already been implemented in Brighton and Pittsford.
The discussion will start with a short presentation on what refuse districts are and how it came about in Brighton. The meeting will be online via MS Teams at this link.
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The Webster Museum has some new items in their store, which you’ll want to check out next time you’re there. They’re scenic photo cards picturing several beautiful features of the Webster area, including the Harmony House, the pier, historic homes, and others.
The cost is three cards for $5.40, or $2.15 each, tax included. Cash or check, please.
The Webster Museum is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. They’re located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.
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The next Breakfast Before Business Meeting of the Webster Chamber of Commerce will be Friday, May 30 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.
The Webster Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast for Chamber members, guests, and visitors who are interested in investigating Chamber membership. The monthly breakfasts are opportunities to network, meet new contacts, develop current business relationships, learn, and earn visibility for your business or organization. Every attendee participates in pass-the-mic time, your opportunity to briefly introduce yourself. This is the largest monthly Chamber networking event in the Greater Rochester area, with 70 to 90 attendees. Reservations are required. Click here.
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We all know about the disastrous fire at The Coach Sports Bar on Tuesday, March 18. It started behind the bar, and despite the quick response and hard work of the Webster Volunteer Fire Department and others, the fire tore through the place, leaving this village landmark devastated. While the building is still structurally sound, the heat, smoke and water damage means that it will have to be gutted.
Owner Fritz Sierk is committed to rebuilding and reopening as soon as possible. But in the meantime, all of his employees — including some who have been there for decades — are now out of work.
In true Webster fashion, our community is coming together to support those employees, with a benefit concert on Sunday, June 1 at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.
The concert will be held from 1 to 5 p.m., and feature two bands:
Prime Time Brass, a 30-piece arty band with a huge Mardi Gras style
Guest bartenders from The Coach will be serving the drinks, there’ll be a 50/50 and prize raffles, and Coach-themed merchandise for sale. The Uncle Buck’s food truck will also be there, cooking up a special menu for this event
Tickets are $20 cash, available only at the door (ATM on site) and will be first-come, first-served.Patrons must be 21 or over to attend the event. Parking is available at the Harmony House, along with municipal parking across the street.
ALSO, on Sunday May 18, Cobblestone on Main restaurant and the Mary Wee Pub are joining forces to host a fundraiser at Cobblestone, 109 W. Main St. in the Village of Webster, from noon to 3 p.m.
There’ll be raffles, giveaways, brinks and food, all for your donation of $20.
All proceeds from both events — the concert and the Cobblestone party — will go to The Coach employees. Fritz put it best when he wrote on Facebook,
The people that work for The Coach are the reason it is there and running. Insurance will do very little if anything for them, and unemployment only goes so far. I, and all the employees of The Coach Sports Bar all thank everyone who have reached out with condolences, well wishes, thoughts and prayers. We will all see you back there as soon as we can!
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May is a pretty neat month. After a cold, gray winter, we’re finally getting some warm temperatures, sunshine and flowers. But May is particularly special for the folks at the Webster Museum, who are commemorating National Preservation Month, a time to swap out old exhibits for new, and to offer some special programs.
National Preservation Month is a time when the museum focuses on Webster’s visible history, as seen in historic buildings and illuminated through oral histories. Here’s what’s in store in the next few weeks:
History and a Cupseries
The History and a Cup programs focus on oral history; long-time Webster residents tell their stories in a comfortable, give-and-take atmosphere. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sandwich and enjoy some soft drinks and cookies as they sit back and listen to the stories.
Three programs have been scheduled this month, each one on a Wednesday, from noon to 1 p.m. There’s no charge for these events and registration is not needed.
Wednesday May 7:Jon Anderson and Bill Ruoff: Jon and Bill have lived in the Village of Webster for mofre than 50 years. Both have been Village trustees, and Bill was a Village mayor.
Wednesday May 14:John Gonzalez: John Gonzalez is married to Shari, daughter of Bruce and Mary Hegedorn, and has been actively involved in the Hegedorn family businesses for many years. John will share his experiences and what it was like working with Bruce Hegedorn and Bill Gray.
Wednesday May 21:Surprise guest! Stay tuned here and stay in touch with the Webster Museum website for more details.
Learn about cobblestone buildings
Ever wonder about those beautiful cobblestone homes and businesses that dot our town? Cobblestones are a unique and interesting building material. You can learn more about these beautiful structures when the Webster Museum welcomes Walworth Town Historian Gene Bavis on Sunday May 18 to talk about these remarkable structures, which are scattered throughout many towns and villages in Webster New York.
The talk begins at 2 p.m. at the Webster Museum. No registration is necessary and free refreshments will be provided.
Historic property plaque presentation
At the Webster Town Board meeting on Thursday, May 15, the museum will be presenting a historic property plaque to the former Village train station.
National Preservation Month is a time when the museum celebrates those who have preserved historic houses, barns, outbuildings, bridges, statues and cemeteries. The museum has presented more than 80 plaques to the Webster properties that answer the question, “would the original owners recognize the property?” The plaque is a thank you from the Town of Webster and the Webster Museum for maintaining the integrity of the property. (There’s a map of these properties at Webstermuseum.org and paper maps available at the museum. The Historic Properties Committee of the museum is working on updating the map.)
The old train depot is now located on May St. and is a child care facility called Expressive Beginnings. The presentation will take place at the Webster Town Board meeting on Thursday May 15 at 7 p.m.
Finally, while you’re out and about, stop by the museum to see their new exhibit highlighting many of Webster’s historic plaque properties with photos and descriptions. And if you’re at the Webster Public Library, check out the exhibit there featuring a model of a cobblestone house with other information on cobblestone construction.
The Webster Museum is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. They’re located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.
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A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about Community Arts Day (CAD), highlighting all of the fun, family-friendly displays, activities, crafts and community booths that make this one of my favorite events of the whole year. It’ll be held at Webster Schroeder High School on Saturday May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I recently got an email from Stacie Peters, one of the driving forces behind this event, reiterating a lot of those same points of interest, but adding several others. I share that email with you today pretty much in its entirety … because she said things better than I could, basically.
Stacie wrote,
CAD is a PTSA-sponsored event, created in 1976 as a joint venture with each of Webster’s schools that raises money to support cultural arts activities in the buildings.
Our amazing volunteers are what make this event so successful each year! Each school building has its own CAD rep who helps get volunteers and information out to the families. More than 300 volunteers include many of our middle and high school students who earn service credits. We even have volunteer spots for our 4th and 5th graders to help out this year.
We are extremely grateful to Michael Roller, Webster Director of Fine Arts who has worked closely with our CAD team in ensuring this day is a huge success. Our partnership with Michael connects us to all of the 11 building art and music teachers who put so much of themselves into this day. And we can’t forget our “behind the scenes” team of helpers, our incredible custodians. Head Schroeder custodian Jeff Germano and his team are the superheroes who help us days ahead of the event, day of the event and take down after the event. We can’t thank them enough for all their hard work.
Returning favorites…
Scholastic book fair
Student talent show
artwork by all grades at each school exhibitors
Sparx Robotic showcase
instrument donations
carnival games
sand art
dance performances
karate demos
40 craft vendors
Some new items…
We have a brand new flower sale where you can purchase a beautiful flower plus a pot with accessories that can be added
Our One Webster Art Project this year will be all about the endangered monarch butterflies! Butterfly kits were given to each building for students to paint butterflies. The final exhibit will be near the cafe wall at CAD.
We will have theater performances by many of the school musicals that were held this year! Buildings that are performing will be singing a song of their choice from their musical.
Flag Performance by the Webster Colorguard
Big news for our families with littles: the inflatables are back !
Food:
Sweet treat table at the main entrance
concessions (pizza, snack items) in the cafeteria
Mr. Snowy cotton candy by the gym
the Schroeder special ed classes who work daily in the Ridge Cafe (located in the library) will be selling beverages such as coffee, tea and hot cocoa .
My favorite thing to see at Community Arts Day is all of the artwork created by our talented students. Every school and every grade from kindergarten to senior year is represented.
There’s still time to sign up to volunteer. Adult and student volunteers are what make this event a success. Students receive community service hours for volunteering.
Community Arts Day 2025 will be held at Webster Schroeder High School on Saturday May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s no admission, and remember that this event accepts only cash for payment (for things like the bake sale and plant sale). Craft vendors will accept debit and credit cards.
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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 feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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