Normally around this time of year, I start previewing the upcoming Community Arts Day, which is one of my favorite events of the year.
This annual event, held at Webster Schroeder High School, is a family-friendly festival which showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and invites dozens of community groups to display their great contributions to our community.
It’s normally held in mid-April, but this year, thanks (I believe) to some scheduling issues, it will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. So it’s a little later this year than usual, but it’s still something you want to put on your calendar right now.
Community Arts Day is a terrific day of music and art, displays, demonstrations, crafts and food. The event was created as a collaborative effort to raise funds to encourage and enhance fine arts through the Webster School District, and it relies heavily on volunteers to help it run smoothly. There are many ways you can help, including joining the planning committee, acting as a building rep for your child’s school, become a performer or an exhibitor, provide monetary sponsorship, and much more.
Click here to find out more about volunteer opportunities, and make sure to put Saturday, May 10 on your calendar now for this year’s Community Arts Day.
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Today I’d like to highlight the Webster Comfort Care Home (WCCH) and a few fundraisers this great agency is having over the next few months.
For starters, the WCCH is hosting the very popular “12 Months of Flowers” promotion in January in conjunction with Kittelberger Florist. Buy a card for just $40, and present it every month at Kittelberger, 263 North Ave. to receive one fresh bouquet every month.
It’s a great way to treat yourself or a friend, and all proceeds will benefit the Comfort Care Home.
Cards can be purchased from Jan. 6 to 26, cash or check only, and can be picked up at the Webster Comfort Care Home, 700 Holt Rd.
The next event is what the WCCH is calling their “Souper Bowl.” For just $15, you can order a quart of delicious soup, prepared by one of nine different local restaurants. Your choices are:
Jambalaya, provided by the Filling Station
White Chicken Chili, provided by Flaherty’s Three Flags Inn
Italian Wedding Soup, provided by Mama Lor’s
Tomato Basil, provided by BC’s Chicken Coop
Seafood Bisque, provided by Pub 235
Lentil Soup, provided by Aladdin’s Natural Eatery
Cheesy Sausage Mushroom, provided by The Avenue Pub
Butternut Squash, provided by The Avenue Pub
Chicken Bacon Gnocci, provided by Adams Rascals Bar & Grill
Creamy Mushroom Truffle, provided by Brimont Bistro
For another $5, you can even add four rolls from Proietti’s to your order. Two oatmeal butterscotch or chocolate chip cookies can also be added for another $5. So basically, you can get an entire delicious meal for just $25, while supporting the Comfort Care Home at the same time.
Orders need to be made online here by 9 a.m. on Feb. 3. Pick-up will be on Saturday Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon at Webster Presbyterian Church, 550 Webster Rd. Click here for more information and to order.
Quantities are limited on most of the soups, so order early. And anybody who purchases six or more soups will be entered into a drawing for two homemade soup bowls.
This last event doesn’t happen until April, but you want to get it on your calendar now.
It’s an 80’s Prom and Dance Party on Saturday April 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Shadow Lake Golf Club, 1850 Five Mile Line Rd.
Tickets are $60 each or two for $100, and the first 20 guests get a VIP bag of goodies. There will also be a contest for King & Queen, Best Dressed, and Most Original.
Webster Comfort Care Home (WCCH), located at the corner of Holt and Klem roads, provides free hospice care to the terminally ill of our Webster community. The dedicated staff members and volunteers there uphold the dignity and ease the suffering of its residents, while supporting their loved ones in a warm, home-like atmosphere. It’s an amazing agency that does great things for families experiencing the some of the most difficult times of their lives.
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At Saturday afternoon’s Wreaths Across America ceremony, several hundred adults, children, veterans, active military and first responders gathered at Webster Union Cemetery to honor our veterans at the 2024 Wreaths Across America Day, proving once again what a generous and caring community Webster is.
Local Wreaths Across America organizer Cherie Wood was delighted by the amazing response from the Webster community. It was that support that allowed Webster’s Wreaths Across America effort to expand to a fourth cemetery this year. Last December 1,350 wreaths were placed at three Webster cemeteries: Webster Union, Webster Rural and Union Hill. This year, Holy Trinity joined that list, and among the four cemeteries, volunteers placed an amazing 2,100 wreaths on Saturday morning.
The ceremony began promptly at noon. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and a moment of prayer, Wood explained how Wreath Day is not just a local occurrence, but was happening at the exact same time at almost 5,000 cemeteries across the country, in foreign battlefields and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“Today almost five million wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves today, including here in Webster,” Wood said, reminding everyone that, “We are not here to ‘decorate graves.’ We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful nation.”
Following Wood’s remarks, representatives from each of our nation’s armed services placed ceremonial wreaths in memory of those who served, and those who are still listed as Prisoners of War or MIA. It was especially moving when Dorothy Reid and Grace Allen, from Gold Star families, placed the Army wreath. Dorothy lost her son, and Grace lost her father, in Afghanistan.
Family members of veterans who are resting at Webster Union Cemetery were invited to enter the grounds first to place wreaths on their loved one’s graves, followed a few minutes later by the rest of the volunteers. Wood encouraged each participant to say the veteran’s name out loud before placing the wreath, and take a moment to thank him or her for their service.
She explained,
It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Wreaths Across America has a saying: A person dies twice. Once when they take their last breath, then again when their name is said for the very last time. Many of our veterans no longer have family to remember them. Today, we, the Webster community, will become their family. They will not be forgotten. Not on our watch.
After placing the wreaths at Webster Union, volunteers were invited to drive to Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity to help place those wreaths.
The heartwarming support from the Webster community has even been noticed by the National Wreaths Across America organization. In 2023, Webster placed in the top 4% of the country for the number of veteran wreaths placed in one town. Webster has a lot to be proud of.
For sure, I was very proud of my community that day, and I especially appreciated seeing entire families attend the event, involving their children in this solemn ceremony. It’s a great way to teach them how important it is to remember and honor our fallen heroes.
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As we creep closer to Christmas, the special events start coming fast and furious. But this Saturday in particular seems to be packed with them. Here’s a quick rundown (and remember, they all happen this Saturday Dec. 14):
Afternoon withSanta at the Webster Recreation Center, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Rec Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. Get a photo with Santa, drop off your letter in his mailbox, and enjoy music, cookies, and Christmas story time. The event is free and no registration is required.
Holiday performance by the Webster Village Band, 3:00 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. Enjoy some beautiful holiday season music, complete with a singalong AND a performance of The Night Before Christmas narrated by Barbara Midura. Admission is free and there’s LOTS of parking.
National Wreaths Across America Day, 12 noon Webster Union Cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. Bring your whole family and join your Webster neighbors as we lay 2,100 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Webster Union, Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity cemeteries. Click here to read more about this amazing day. *
Santa Visits Never Say Never Stables, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 906 Maple Dr. In addition to visiting with Santa, this FREE family-fun event will also feature hay wagon rides, petting and pictures with the horses and animals, Christmas carolers, Rocky the Reindeer Mini Horse. The event is open to the public, and there’s no appointment needed. Donations accepted for Never Say Never Foundation.
Cookie Sale at the library, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Women’s Club of Webster’s will be holding their annual, super-popular Holiday Cookie Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out, which is pretty quickly). Proceeds from the sale benefit the club’s scholarship funds and many other programs and not-for-profit organizations in the Webster community. The library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza.
Caroling at the Webster Public Library, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Members of the Rochester Oratorio Society sing holiday carols throughout the library while dressed in Victorian costumes. No registration required, just stop in to enjoy the carolers (any buy cookies!).
Holiday Book Saleat the Webster Public Library: OK, this event is ongoing through Dec. 23, but worth mentioning again. The Friends of the Webster Public Library are hosting their Holiday Book Sale during normal library hours. A nice selection of gently-used books with winter themes will be available at great prices.
So this is ALL happening this Saturday, all over town. So there’s no reason for the cold weather to keep you inside.
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If you happened to see an 18-wheeler making its way along 250 Tuesday afternoon, escorted by several Webster police cars with lights flashing, you saw the Wreaths Across America truck! It was delivering our 2,100 wreaths, to be placed on veterans’ graves at Webster Union, Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity cemeteries this coming Saturday Dec. 14.
My regular blog readers know the story about how Webster is participating in Wreaths Across America again this year, but in case you need some background, click here.
WPD officers met the truck at the Roseland Fire Station on Salt Rd. in Penfield and escorted the truck up Rt. 250, through the village, and all the way to Webster Union Cemetery, where the wreaths were unloaded in preparation for Saturday’s ceremony. The truck is part of the Wreaths Across America “Honor Fleet,” made up of hundreds of trucking companies who volunteer their drivers, equipment and time to deliver almost three million wreaths every year to every corner of the country.
Our volunteer driver this year was Pat Benson, from JR Kays trucking in Clarendon, PA, accompanied by his friend Garry Root. Town Councilwoman Patti Cataldi, Holy Trinity representatives Gary and Lori Smith, and Webster’s Wreaths Across America coordinator Cherie Wood accompanied the procession as it wound its way through town,.
A huge shout-out to the WPD officers who volunteered their time to provide the escort and give the Wreaths Across America truck a memorable Webster welcome: Sgt. Andy Frate, Tom Turner, Kyle Arseneau and Erik Rynders.
It was a great kick-off to what will be a very moving ceremony when the Webster community comes together to remember and honor our nation’s veterans this Saturday Dec. 14. I hope you can join us. Everything begins at noon at Webster Union Cemetery, then continues afterwards at Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity. Find out more details at the Webster Wreaths Across America Facebook page.
The WPD officers with Patti Cataldi (left), Gary and Lori Smith and Cherie Wood
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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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It was cloudy, snowy and cold on Saturday for the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland celebration. So, basically, we had perfect weather.
I for one was hoping that it would snow for Winter Wonderland this year. I can’t remember the last time we had an actual wintry day (even when it was called White Christmas), which always seemed a little sad for something which is named after snow. So even though it meant bundling up and making sure you had some hot chocolate to warm your hands, I thought the weather was perfect.
The snow made the village sparkle even more than usual, enhanced by the illuminated snowflakes on the light poles, which this year for the first time had been transformed into bright and beautiful candy canes.
I didn’t get out to check out all the activities as much as I usually do, but when I was in town, I was pleased to see a lot of families exploring Gazebo Park, popping into the shops, grabbing some hot chocolate from the Webster Thomas Honor Society volunteers, visiting the museum and taking part in the scavenger hunt. The Rochester Rhapsody carolers were popping in and out of the shops and restaurants, too, providing some beautiful holiday music.
I was especially pleased to see the new Mary Wee Pub packed most of the day. For sure, some people went in to just get out of the cold, but I’m sure so many others were taking advantage of the opportunity to check out the village’s newest business, and perhaps have a pint at the same time.
As usual, I took a BUNCH of photos, mostly from the parade. I hope you enjoy them, especially if you weren’t able to be there this year. Click here to see the whole gallery.
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Last year, for some reason, I wasn’t able to attend the Evening With Santa hosted annually by St. Martin Lutheran Church on Bay Rd. I was really bummed, because it’s always my best chance to visit with the jolly old elf.
So this year I made sure I didn’t miss it, OR miss out on getting my photo with Santa.
The event was held Friday night, and it was a delight as always. The church community there always does a wonderful job hosting this annual party, to which the entire Webster community is invited. When I got there shortly after it began, the large gathering place was already packed with families. Kids young and old (and many parents and grandparents) enjoyed making crafts, decorating cookies, chowing down on pizza, playing board games, and — of course — visiting with Santa.
As I stood back last night and watched the activity all around me, I realized that the thing I like best about this Evening With Santa is the way it brings people together. It was indeed a community event, drawing not only parishioners, but also neighbors and other Websterites who were unaffiliated with the church. And that is exactly what the organizers wanted to accomplish.
So well done, St. Martin, for pulling off another very successful Evening With Santa. I hope to see you all again next year.
Here are some more photos from the evening:
At the do-it-yourself cookie station
Santa reads “The Night Before Christmas” to the children
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On that day, community members will gather to lay about 2,100 wreaths on veterans’ graves at four cemeteries: Webster Union, Union Hill, Webster Rural and Holy Trinity cemeteries. It’s a solemn ceremony designed to remember these servicemen and women and to thank them for their sacrifices.
credit: G. Peckcredit: G. Peck
I hope that you and your family members are planning to join us (more details about the day are below), but in the meantime here’s an easy and delicious way to support Wreaths Across America:
Right now, at four Village of Webster businesses, you can pick up a coupon which, when presented at Jersey Mike’s Subs next week together with a $3 donation to Wreaths Across America, you’ll get a FREE REGULAR SUB.
What a super way to get an inexpensive, delicious lunch or dinner and benefit a great cause at the same time.
The coupons are available right now at M.O. Pasta (5 E. Main St.), LaLa of Webster(38 E. Main), the Village Quilt Shoppe (21 E. Main) and the North Bee (27 North Ave.). Just stop in and ask for yours, then take it (or several) to the Jersey Mike’s at 975 Ridge Rd. They’re valid from Wednesday Dec. 11 through Friday Dec. 13.
Help to welcome the wreaths truck!
The Wreaths Across America truck is expected to arrive in Webster sometime next week (possibly Wednesday, an 18-wheeler traveling from Maine (where the wreaths are created) to deliver our 2,100 wreaths. The plan is for it to pick up a police escort at the Roseland Fire Station (corner of Salt and Plank roads) and then continue to Webster Union Cemetery. The truck is part of the Wreaths Across America “Honor Fleet,” made up of hundreds of trucking companies who volunteer their drivers, equipment and time to deliver almost three million wreaths every year to every corner of the country.
It would be great if we could cheer the driver along as he comes through town. As I get more specific details, I’ll let you know!
National Wreaths Across America Day details
Wreaths Across America Day in Webster is Saturday, Dec. 14. The day will begin at noon at Webster Union Cemetery (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull) with a short ceremony, after which community members will spread out through Webster Union or head to one of the three other cemeteries to lay the wreaths.
Adults and children of all ages are encouraged to take part in this very moving ceremony. Start a new holiday tradition for your family; it’s a great way to teach your children about how important it is to remember and recognize our nation’s veterans. You can also follow the Wreaths Across America Facebook page to keep up on all the latest news, including updates on the arrival of the Wreaths truck.
To read more about what this moving event looks like, check out this blog I wrote after last year’s Wreaths Across America Day, which includes a whole gallery of 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).
The Nativity will come alive this Sunday Dec. 8 when Crossroads Community Church presents a Living Nativity at the church, 1188 Jackson Rd.
The event will feature an outdoor walk through three dramatized scenes of the very first Christmas, and will run continuously from 6 to 8 p.m. In addition, inside the church there’ll be hot cocoa, homemade treats, an ornament for your family and a craft for each child to take home.
There’s no charge, so bring the whole family to experience the true meaning of Christmas.
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).
Have your kids had a chance to see Santa this year? If not, no sweat. Santa will be at Never Say Never StablesSaturday Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visiting with the kids and the horses. (Including an adorable reinhorse!)
In addition to the chance to talk with Santa, this FREE family-fun event will also feature hay wagon rides, petting and pictures with the horses and animals, Christmas carolers, Rocky the Reindeer Mini Horse, and of course, SANTA! The event is open to the public, and there’s no appointment needed. Donations accepted for Never Say Never Foundation.
Never Say Never Stables, located at 906 Maple Dr., is a small family-owned horse farm offering children’s lessons, fun programs, and parties on a more personal, “not-so-commercial” scale. It is also home to the Never Say Never Foundation, a not-for-profit equine-assisted program that provides life-enriching, horse related experiences to children and teens living with long-term illness, special needs and/or other serious life challenges.
More Santa!
Another visit from Santa leads these next few items, which I pulled from the most recent Town of Webster newsletter.
The Webster Recreation Center will host their annual Afternoon With Santa, also on Saturday Dec. 14, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The event features photos with Santa, music, cookies, and Christmas story time. The event is free and no registration is required.
The Webster Highway Department is doing its final fall leaf collection pass this week. After this week, leaves need to be taken care of by residents through their refuse collection company.
And don’t forget about these two really neat programs coming up in January at the Webster Public Library:
The library’s first-ever Library Fan Fest, has been scheduled for Sunday Jan. 19 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. It’s an afternoon and evening of immersive literary fun for all ages. Participants can visit five different literary realms: The Dragon’s Den (fantasy), The Queen’s Ball (Regency era), The Fairytale Forest (princesses & fairytales), Mythology Camp, and the Comics Cafe (comics & superheroes). Each realm will offer themed crafts, activities, treats, and more. Visit with live animals, have a tarot card reading, learn a Regency-inspired dance, get your face painted, visit the Candy Shoppe, meet characters from your favorite fairy tales and comics, and more. Costumes are highly encouraged. The event is for all ages. There’s no charge, but you must register. Registration for this event will open Sunday, Dec. 1. Click here to register.
Also from the library, remember that the Friends of the Webster Public Library will be hosting their Holiday Book Sale from Nov. 27 through Dec. 23 during normal library hours. A nice selection of gently-used books with winter themes will be available at great prices.
Are your kids interested in learning tennis?
Registrations are now open for the Webster Youth Tennis: Learn to Play program for grades K-5.
Taught by Webster Thomas varsity tennis coach Linda Vazzana, the program helps young players dive into tennis through level-based activities designed to promote early success in rallying and gameplay. The focus is on fun, while players develop coordination and footwork skills.
Classes are taught Saturdays from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Webster Thomas Field House, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. Session 2 begins on Saturday Dec. 14 and runs for four weeks. For more information about the program and how to register, email Coach Vazzana at linda_vazzana@webstercsd.org or call OR 585-944-0348.
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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
