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Webster community mailbag

9 Jun

Let’s start at the Arboretum today.

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

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

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

Rec Center highlights

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

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

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

Webster Police will host car seat check

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

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

Tea at Two Fashion Show was a success

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Outdoor storytimes at Ridge Park have begun!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(posted 6/9/2025)

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The Webster Garlic Fest could use your help

5 Jun

The 2025 Webster Garlic Fest is coming up fast. It’s scheduled for Saturday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 7 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

If you’re not familiar with the Garlic Fest, it’s a great family festival for anyone who loves all things garlic. The Rec Center gymnasium and grounds outside are packed with crafters, food vendors, distilleries, wineries, food trucks and, lots and lots of garlic growers. Many of them provide tastings and samples. And even if you’re not a big fan of garlic, there’s lots of other neat things there. In past years there have been baby goats (in pajamas), alpacas, a huge 70-year old tortoise, Mr. Wally the Balloon Man, a comedian and entertainers.

As you can tell, this is a huge event, and because of that, it takes a LOT of money to bring it back every year. I’m told that costs top $10,000 for the two-day festival. Proceeds from admission (which is very reasonable) and vendors make up a portion of that, but organizers are hoping to attract some more large-scale business or corporate sponsors to help defray the costs. And not for nothing, the less spent on overhead, the more can go to the organizations that benefit from the festival, Wreaths Across America and the Blue Star Mothers Rochester chapter.

So please, if you work at a corporation, or have any connection with a business or corporation which would be interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2025 Garlic Fest, please let Cherie Wood know by emailing her at websterwreaths@icloud.com.

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

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

(posted 6/5/2025)

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Rec Center’s Summer Celebration is this weekend

3 Jun

Regardless of how warm it’s going to be this week, it’s not really summer yet (and for that matter it’s hardly been spring). But that’s not keeping the Webster Recreation Department from hosting its annual Summer Celebration this weekend, Saturday June 7.

The Town of Webster’s annual Summer Carty will be held at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, beginning at 4 p.m., and will feature food trucks, live music, family activities, and inflatables for the kids.

This year’s food trucks will include:

  • Bruster’s of Webster
  • Curbside Quesadilla
  • Macarollin’
  • Nancy’s Fried Dough
  • Roc Bowlevard
  • Tony Tomato’s Wood Fired Pizza
  • Uncle Bucks
  • Vasko’s on Park

Dr. Jem will kick off the music, followed by ZBTB (Zach Brown Tribute Band), who’ll take the stage at 6 p.m. The evening concludes with a fireworks display at 9:45.

Here are some other important reminders:

  • First Responders Park, First Responders parking lot and the Recreation Center CLOSE at 4 p.m.. Nearby walkers may want to consider driving because you won’t be able to cut through First Responders parking lot due to fireworks set-up. 
  • The main Recreation Center lot will be for handicap parking and elderly drop-off only. All othe parking will be across Chiyoda Drive in the Xerox lots. AND there’s no shuttle service.=, so plan to walk in from those lots. (Don’t worry, helpers will be there to direct traffic.)
  • Food trucks & bounce houses open at 4 PM. Bounce houses are free, food trucks take cash or credit. Bounce houses will close exactly at 8:45 p.m. for safety reasons.
  • For any onsite emergencies look for the pop-up tent with the RED WPRD flag on top or the two safety tents.

The Summer Celebration is free, no registration is required, and the entire community is invited. And it will be held rain or shine.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars now for these other family fun events from the Rec Center:

  • This summer’s Music at the Arb series kicks off Thursday June 19 with a performance by Josh Ketchum. Thursday July 19 features Chelsey Berry and Mark Cellura, and on Thursday August 14, The String Brothers. These concerts are all held in the Webster Arboretum gazebo, begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
  • This year’s wet and wild Summer Splash event will be held Saturday July 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Responders Spray Park on Chiyoda Dr. This is free family water fun which includes snow cones, Rich the Magic Man and bubble fun. No registration is required.
  • The 2025 Mud Run is scheduled for Saturday Sept. 20 (times TBD). I’ll have a lot more in my blog later about this, because I LOVE LOVE this event.
  • Sandbar Summer Splendor has been scheduled for Tuesday Aug. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sandbar Park on Lake Rd. Lots of summer family fun planned here; more information to come.
  • Finally, say goodbye to summer at the “See Ya Summer Kids Concert” with Mr. Loops on Thursday Aug. 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Sandbar Park. This is also free and open to the community.

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

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

(posted 6/3/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

28 May

The Webster Marching Band’s next Bottle and Can Drive is this weekend, on Saturday May 31.

There’s a very good chance you got a flyer about this tucked into your door (the band boosters are very good at canvassing the neighborhoods). You can attach this to your bags of returnables and leave them at the end of the driveway for pick-up between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. But even if you didn’t get a flyer, no worries; you can take your bags to Webster Schroeder High School on Ridge Rd., where band members will be happy to take them off your hands!

The band’s next door-to-door drive will be in August, but you don’t have to wait until then to get your returnables out of your garage. Simply call 585-234-8684 (option 1) to arrange a personal pick-up.

And mark your calendars for these upcoming Marching Band events:

  • July 9-12: Firemen’s Carnival sausage stand
  • Aug. 14: Food truck rodeo at Firemen’s Field
  • Aug. 16: Summer bottle and can drive
  • Oct. 4: Autumn Fanfare at Webster Schroeder

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Here’s an event that’s actually happening in Fairport, but I know is well supported by our Webster community members:

The Fairport Angels Annual Blood Drive will be held Wednesday, June 18 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. John of Rochester gymnasium, 8 Wickford Way in Fairport.

This annual blood drive is held in memory of the “Fairport Angels” — Hannah Congdon, Bailey Goodman, Meredith McClure, Sara Monnat and Katie Shirley — all Fairport High School seniors lost their lives 18 years ago in an accident only five days after their graduation day. The drive is a way to keep their memories alive and help others.

This is a very popular blood drive, so pre-registration is recommended so the Red Cross can adequately staff the drive. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or click here and enter “Fairport Angels” to schedule an appointment. To save additional time, up to 15 minutes can be saved by clicking here and completing a Rapid Pass.

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Here’s another reminder about the upcoming Webster Senior Singers concert, scheduled for Tuesday June 10 at 11 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center.

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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Everybody of all ages is invited to attend the Senior Singers concert, but this following event, also at the Rec Center, is for seniors only.

It’s the 55+ Golden Gala on Friday, June 20 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Basically, it’s a senior prom with dancing, a live band, a photo booth, an appetizer bar and a dessert bar. The event is sponsored by Kittelberger Florist, who’ll be providing flower corsages for the attendees.

So grab your sweetheart and make it a romantic afternoon. (Golden glam attire is suggested, but not required!)

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

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Finally, the United Church of Christ has announced this year’s Caring Community Concert series, and it’s a good one.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations through free-will donations. The first one, scheduled for Wed. July 9, will feature 8-Days-a-Week and proceeds will benefit Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters. (See below for the whole schedule.)

The UCC has been sponsoring these concerts for, like 20 years, and through free-will offerings have raised tons of money for local non-profit organizations. People are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic if they wish. There’s also a concession stand selling soda, hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, and a weekly “special.”

The concerts all begin at 6:30 p.m., and food concessions begin at 6. The concerts are held on the United Church of Christ front lawn, at 570 Klem Rd. (In case of rain it’s moved indoors.) So put these concerts on your calendar now and plan to enjoy some great music for a good cause.

Here’s the rest of this summer’s schedule:

For more information about the concerts, click here.

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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 5/28/2025)

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Photos from the Memorial Day Parade

26 May

What a gorgeous day we had Monday for the Village of Webster’s Memorial Day Parade. Given the capricious spring weather we’ve been having, the comfortable temperatures and cloudless sky were a pleasant surprise, and pretty much perfect conditions for the marchers and onlookers.

I always wish there were as many people lining the streets for this parade as there are at the Firemen’s Parade in July, but I estimate there were a few thousand out there enjoying the sunny weather, young and old, many dressed in their Memorial Day finest.

This is not a very long parade, and I think some of the fire trucks turned off the route before they made it to me, but I tried to get photos of pretty much everything else.

And of course the parade is just a precursor to the nice remembrance ceremony held afterwards at Webster Rural Cemetery.

Thank you to all of the veterans, Scouts, band members, first responders and others who participated in today’s events, and who took the time to help us honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Click here to see more photos.

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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 5/26/2025)

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St. Rita Fiesta returns next weekend

24 May

I’ve always loved a good home-town festival. That’s why I love the annual St. Rita Fiesta; even more than the Firemen’s Carnival, it brings me right back to the days of the fair I looked forward to every summer when I was growing up in small-town Owego.

The 70th annual St. Rita Fiesta will take place on Friday May 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday May 31 from 2 to 9 p.m. at St. Rita Church, 1008 Maple Drive in West Webster.

Everyone’s favorite features will be back this year, including the famous Fiesta Food Tent with the also famous fish fry (Friday only) and Chicken BBQ (Saturday only), carnival games, mini golf, book sale, plant sale, gift basket raffles, Dunk the Deacon, food trucks (including Schutt’s), sweet treats, ice cream, fried dough, kettle corn, the money wheel, foam dart league, corn hole and much more. Plus, the pony rides for the kids are back by popular demand.

Live music will be provided this year on Friday by D.E.T. (Different Every Time) from 6 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday, Count It All Joy from 3 to 4 p.m. from All In Brass Band from 5 to 6 p.m. and Open.G from 6 to 9 p.m.

There’s actually so much stuff going on both days that you’ll want to visit the Fiesta Facebook page or website to see all the details. Or check out the flyer below, but the website has a whole lot more info. Admission is free, and there’s plenty of free on-site parking, with handicap spaces available. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Veterans Outreach Center.

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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 5/23/2025)

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Memorial Day Parade details

22 May

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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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 5/22/2025)

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The final Mail Call count is in!

21 May

Webster, you did it again!

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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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 5/21/2025)

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Special events for all ages coming up at the Webster Rec Center

20 May

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.

***

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.

***

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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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 5/20/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

18 May

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.

Class size is limited. If you’re interested, email Cherie Wood at WebsterWreaths@iCloud.com.

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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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 5/18/2025)

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