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Here’s a fun way to explore all of Webster’s trails

17 Jul

I got an email from the Friends of Webster Trails the other day with some exciting news: the Wegmans Hit the Trail Passport has been updated.

The passport program began at least five years ago as a way to encourage families to get out and discover our area’s beautiful trails, using a passport to record their completed hikes. Each trail has a marker post somewhere along it, which participants use to make a rubbing into the passport.

This newly updated passport is a whopping 40 pages long. It includes several new trails which the Friends have added since the last printing — the Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest, State Rd. Nature Preserve, Michael Johnson Nature Trail and the Hickory Bark Trail — plus the Bike Trail. There are 32 trails and trail spurs in all, spanning Webster from west to east, measuring more than 36 miles of incredible natural beauty.

Each page features a different trail, detailing its individual spurs, their length, difficulty and approximate hiking time. The location of each marking post is clearly indicated, and there’s even a short description of each trail’s unique features. (A sample page is below.)

Basically, it’s a fun and educational way for the whole family to explore our amazing trail system. And if you’ve completed the passport program before, there are so many new trails to explore, it’s time to do it again!

You can pick up one of the new Hit the Trail passports at Wegmans (Holt Rd. or Eastway) or at Webster Parks and Recreation on Chiyoda Dr. You can also see the passport and download it 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 7/16/2024)

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Photos from the Fireman’s Parade

12 Jul

Our Webster Volunteer Fire Department must have some sort of lucky charm which they can rub every year at parade time. I can’t remember (at least in recent memory) having a nicer evening for the annual parade. Especially since it was still raining in the morning.

With 99 units and lasting a good two hours, this year’s parade did not disappoint, especially for kids who love trucks and love candy. And thanks to the good weather, the crowds were pretty thick.

If you were in the parade, chances are very good you’ll be in one of the 280 photos in this gallery … and I take that many of them because I hear from you all how much you like to see them, especially if you couldn’t be there to watch.

So grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy the photos. And if you took any of your family gathered for the parade, send them along and I can add them to the gallery.

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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 7/12/2024)

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July History Bit: the Webster Fireman’s Carnival

11 Jul

If you’ve seen this week’s edition of the Webster Herald, you’ve already seen this month’s History Bit, which you’ll see in its entirety below.

To research that article, I drew heavily from the Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s 1906-2006 100th anniversary volume, and historical editions of the Herald. I discovered all sorts of interesting facts about the carnival, but had to leave many of them out in the interest of newspaper space. Since I have no space concern in a blog, I’ve posted much of that additional information here, following the original Bit.

Some Webster Fireman’s Carnival history

With the return of the Webster Fireman’s Carnival this week, it seems an appropriate time to take a look back at the history of this very popular and long-running summer event.  

According to the Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s 100th anniversary history book, the Fireman’s Carnival turns 87 years old this year. The first carnival was held July 23 and 24, 1937 on Ridge Rd. just west of Corning Park, where Pierce St. is now. The first chairman, Russell B. Mason, reported a net profit of $514.63. 

Not much is known about that first year, but we do know that the carnival was held at the same location the following year. The July 15, 1938 edition of the Webster Herald reported that carnival-goers would enjoy four thrilling rides, plus free dancing and entertainment. They could also enter to win cash door prizes, a radio from Hawley’s Hardware and a refrigerator from Netzman’s Appliances. 

The 1938 carnival was even more successful than the first, netting about $1100 despite some challenges. It rained buckets Friday night, and on Saturday the Ferris wheel broke down. Fortunately, though, carnival-goers had other entertainment options, including a hoop-rolling contest and a “Dutch bowlers” (cricket) demonstration game, which attracted an audience of 700. 

Even before the 1938 carnival, the Webster Fire Department was well into the planning stages of purchasing its own property for use as carnival grounds. That September, they finalized the sale of a 24-acre tract of land owned by William Partridge near their current festival location west of Corning Park, purchased for $2500. The firemen have held their carnival on that property, now known as Fireman’s Field, every year since. 

Now, here are some other interesting things I read:

  • In 1939, just two years after the first carnival, stands were built on the new property and a water line installed.
  • In 1940, wooden toilets were installed.
  • Several improvements were made between 1946 and 1950, including constructing two bridges across the stream, and building a storehouse and a building with flush toilets.
  • In the early 1950s there was talk of building a community pool, with an awning, on the site. But those plans never got off the ground.
  • In 1956 the Webster School Board asked for a right-of-way across the Fireman’s Field to Ridgecrest School. At the time, the board was granted permission to allow children to walk across the field to school, In June of 1957, a road was built across the field from Ebner Rd. (which at the time ended at the village line) to the Ridgecrest property line.
  • The “clubhouse,” now known better as the Firemen’s Exempt building, was erected in 1960.
  • In the early 1970s, restrooms were enlarged and remodeled, hot water and sinks were added to the food booths, and several stands were rebuilt after suffering damage in a windstorm.
  • Carnival organizers applied for their first Game of Chance license in 1982.
  • In 1983, McDonald’s inquired about purchasing a parcel of the property along Ridge Rd. The motion was voted down. Three more offers were made in 1986 for “the front piece of the carnival grounds” for $100,000, $200,000 and $270,000, which were all turned down. (It appears that the decision to sell the property was finally made in late 1987.)
  • In 1985 (and for several years in the late 80s and early 90s) the carnival was opened up Friday night to local homes for the handicapped so they could enjoy the festivities without the crowds.
  • In 1986, 2.765 acres adjacent to the carnival field were purchased from the school district for parking.
  • The beer stand ticket booth was built in 1988.
  • In 1999, a few buildings were removed to make room for more rides.

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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 7/11/2024)

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Rain, rain stay away

9 Jul

Thanks to Hurricane Beryl, it looks like the weather for the start of the 2024 Webster Fireman’s Carnival is about the worst it could be. But that could change, and our hardworking firefighters will do their very best to make sure the festivities continue unabated. For the latest updates, make sure to check out the Webster Fireman’s Carnival Facebook page or website.

In the meantime, things are hopping over at Fireman’s Field. The rides are arriving and are being set up, the parking lot has been marked off, and the snow fencing and barrels arranged, so right now everyone is expecting a great carnival and great crowds.

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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 7/9/2024)

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Fireman’s Carnival is just around the corner

5 Jul

The activity over at Fireman’s Field is beginning to heat up in anticipation of the 2024 Fireman’s Carnival, scheduled for Wednesday July 10 through Saturday July 13.

Without a doubt, the Fireman’s Carnival and parade are among the most anticipated events of the Webster summer season. Now 87 years old, the carnival has been making memories every year for several generations of kids and adults.

This year’s carnival will be no different, with the return of the always popular beer tent, game booths, rides and live entertainment, great food, raffles and much more. You can check out all the details about what will be happening — and when — at the NEJFD website and Carnival Facebook page but here are some of the highlights:

Wednesday July 10:

  • Craft Beer Night in the Beer Tent, and live music by Plan B

Thursday July 11:

  • Firemen’s Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. (you don’t want to miss this)
  • Rescue 11 plays in the Beer Tent

Friday July 12:

  • Uncaged plays in the Beer Tent

Saturday July 13:

  • Kiddie Parade (new location! Check the details below)
  • Free raffles for kids and adults
  • Knight Patrol and Night Train play in the Beer Tent
  • Fireworks at midnight

And of course, games, rides and food every night.

Hours are Wednesday and Thursday 6 to 11 p.m., Friday 6 to midnight, and Saturday noon to midnight at Fireman’s Field, on Ridge Rd. just west of the village.

Here are the details about the new location for the Kiddie Parade, straight from the Webster fireman’s carnival Facebook page:

We are excited to announce a new, safer and more condensed route for the Kids Costume Parade! Due to concerns regarding the length of the parade and safety issues with the parade occurring on the roads, the parade will occur entirely on the carnival grounds.

Parade date: Saturday July 13th
Parade registration begins at 11 am
Parade begins at Noon
Prizes for best costumes and other categories. All entrants receive a gift, snowcone and a ride ticket.

We also have Rich the Magic Man, and Andrew St. James onsite to entertain the children. There is a free to enter bike raffle and an appliance giveaway thanks to Orville’s Home Appliances

Admission to everything is free, and to save money on rides, you can buy advance sale wristbands through the Carnival Facebook page or website. You’ll also want to follow the Facebook page for more details and regular updates.

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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 7/5/2024)

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Get your tickets now for Webster Community Night at the Red Wings

3 Jul

If you haven’t gotten your fill of Rochester Red Wings games this season, here’s a good opportunity to do so, at a great price.

On Friday Aug. 16, the Webster Recreation Center will be partnering with the Red Wings to host a Webster Community Night. The focus will be on our community that evening; Supervisor Tim Flaherty will be throwing out the first pitch, and Webster-based musician Sarah De Vallière is singing the national anthem.

The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are only $10; you can use the QR code on the flyer, or click here.

The Wings will be in the middle of a home stand with their cross-state rivals, the Syracuse Mets, and they’re doing really well this year, so this should be an exciting game to watch. And what a great way to spend an evening with the family.

Several businesses and community groups already have signed up as sponsors for the evening, and will have promotional tables set up with giveaways, including Webster Golf Club, Webster Public Library, Wellness 360 Physical Therapy, Kittelberger Florist & Gifts, Diamond Collision and fairlife. If your business is interested in joining them, email Gunnar Hausknecht at ghausknecht@redwingsbaseball.com or call (585) 454-1001 ext. 3024

Speaking of Sarah De Vallière, this very popular local musician will be performing a free concert at the Webster Arboretum on Thursday Aug. 22 as part of the Webster Recreation Center’s Music at the Arb series.

These concerts are held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Arboretum’s gazebo, with plenty of room for music lovers to relax in chairs or on blankets, with a cooler at their side filled with drinks and snacks. There’s no charge, and there’s plenty of parking.

BUT BEFORE THAT, the next Music at the Arb concert is scheduled for Thursday July 18, featuring Doctor’s Orders, an acoustic folk and pop duo playing a variety of songs from the Beatles to John Prine, and pretty much everything in between.

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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 7/3/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

29 Jun

These first two mailbag items are especially for those of you who love gardening.

The first is a HUGE garden show hosted by the 7th District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, scheduled for Thursday July 18 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

The show, called “A Floral Century,” is celebrating the Federation’s 100 year, and will feature 27 clubs from 12 counties in and around the Rochester area. Among them are the Town of Ontario Garden Club, and Webster’s own Country Gardeners of Webster and Klemwood Garden Club.

The show will feature entries in six horticulture classes (annuals, hostas, perennials, roses, arborials and combination planters); 11 design classes, many of which adhere to special themes like “Vintage,” “Patriotism” and “Rock & Roll; and divisions for education, youth, botanical arts and botanical photography.

The “Floral Century” garden show is Thursday July 18 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. Admission and parking are free.

Arboretum Walk and Talk: Herbs

The next program in the Webster Arboretum’s Timely Topics Walk and Talk series is coming up in a few weeks, also on July 18.

On Thursday, July 18 at 1:30 p.m., Janet Robert and Beverly Gibson will show and tell about the Arboretum’s outstanding herb garden. Beverly will discuss the origin of the garden and the variety of herbs in each of the six themed beds.

The Arboretum writes,

The garden was originally developed in 1998 and is organized into five pods surrounding a sacred garden. The garden was designed in the shape of a flower and is maintained by Beverly Gibson, a certified arborist and Master Gardener who spent a year researching the plan and implemented the design with the help of Alana Miller. 

The plants are separated into groups based on their uses. The six beds are designated as culinary, medicinal, fragrance, Native American and dyes, with a sacred garden at the center. “Herb” is a loose term; if any part of a plant can be used, it is considered an herb. Generally speaking, herbs come from a plant that dies back in winter and is valued for a use. Generally, we think of using the leaves, but we can also use the flowers, stems and roots. Early cultures relied heavily on herbs for medicines, colors and preservatives. Today, we exploit their fragrances, esthetics and culinary features. 

This free, educational and lively herb discussion will be held July 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd.  Visit the Webster Arboretum website to register for this free talk at the Arboretum. 

Here are some reminders of upcoming events I’ve already mentioned once or twice:

Geocaching presentation at the Webster Library

On Tuesday July 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Webster Public Library, avid geocacher Gerry Sander will present a talk called Beginner’s Guide to Geocaching.

Here’s the description from the WPL website:

Embark on a modern-day treasure hunt with Geocaching, the ultimate family-friendly adventure!  Imagine setting out on a journey armed with just your GPS-enabled device or smartphone, ready to uncover hidden gems tucked away in both urban jungles and remote wilderness. 

The adventure begins with accessing coordinates of hidden caches posted online, each waiting to be discovered by intrepid adventurers like yourself. With coordinates in hand, you embark on a quest to find these cleverly concealed containers, ranging from tiny film canisters to larger, more elaborate boxes. As you navigate your way through diverse landscapes, whether it’s a bustling cityscape, a tranquil forest, or a rocky coastline, you become immersed in the thrill of the hunt. Each step brings you closer to the treasure, requiring keen observation, problem-solving skills, and sometimes a bit of physical prowess, to reach the cache’s

Gerry is a veteran geocacher and his presentation will most definitely be interesting and informative. There’s no charge, but registration is required. Click here to do so.

Vintage and Collectible Books Sale

The Friends of the Webster Public Library will hold a Vintage and Collectible Books Sale on Saturday July 13 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

There will be 178 books for sale  in various categories including (but not limited to) poetry, war, history, biography and Rochester and Upstate New York, by authors including Carl Sagan, Marc Chagell and Arch Merrill. The sale will also feature authors Pearl S. Buck and A. A. Milne. Prices for some books are as low as $8 and as high as $80 but many are  priced in the teens; all prices are fixed and are not negotiable. The Friends will accept major credit cards, checks and (of course) cash. Money raised during the event will benefit the Webster Public Library.

The library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the rear of Webster Plaza.

Caring Community Concerts begin soon

The United Church of Christ‘s Caring Community Concerts series returns in just a few weeks.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations. The first one, scheduled for Wednesday July 10, will feature 8 Days a Week, and proceeds will benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home. (Click the flier for the whole schedule.) 

There’s no admission, but each week the church collects a free-will offering benefiting that week’s chosen non-profit organization. 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.)

For more information about the concerts, click here.

Music, music, music in the Village of Webster

And mark your calendars for this summer’s Friday night concert series at the gazebo, which begins on July 19 with a performance by 8 Days a Week, followed by the Red Hot and Blue Band on July 26. Also playing this summer are Escape Terrain on August 2, the Ayers Brothers on August 16 and the Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra on August 23.

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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 6/29/2024)

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Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market is back for the summer

27 Jun

One of the most colorful signs of summer in Webster is the return of the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market to Webster Towne Center Plaza on Holt Rd. (in front of Old Navy).

The market opened for the season on Saturday June 8, and will be set up every Saturday at the plaza from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October, rain or shine.

If you’ve never been to this market, you should start making it a regular Saturday morning stop. Varying with the season, you’ll find baked goods, pies, meats, poultry, goat cheese and goat cheese products, flavored nuts, herbs, spice blends, honey, maple syrup, cider, soap and body care products, plants and cut flowers, jewelry, crafts, and of course a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Occasionally there are special events scheduled as well, so make sure to stay on top of the latest news at the Joe Obbie Farmer’s Market website and Facebook page for details.

The very popular Evening in the Park Market will also return in July to Charles Sexton Park (formerly known as North Ponds) on Wednesday evenings.

Starting July 17, the market will be set up at the park from 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday through August 28. In addition to the vendors, these events will also have live music and food trucks (including Firefly Nectar mobile bar every week), so remember to pack your quad chairs!

Something new this year is a Music Raffle — a raffle to help support the musical guests — with some great prizes (check out the flyer for details). Tickets will be available from vendors at the Saturday market, and the drawing will be held on July 17.

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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 6/27/2024)

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Webster Village Band’s summer concert series begins this week

23 Jun

The Webster Village Band concert season is off and running.

The band’s first FREE concert is this coming Thursday, June 27 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Village Band Shell at Harmony Park on Phillips Rd. It’s the first of three concerts this summer, the other two scheduled for Thursday July 25 and Thursday Aug. 22.

Directed by Andy Kittleson, the band will be performing a selection of genres at each concert, including pop, jazz, musicals, marches and some instrumental features for various sections of the band.

These concerts are always free and open to the public. They always begin at 7 p.m. and audience members are encouraged to bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a cooler, and stretch out on the spacious lawn area in front of the band shell to enjoy some beautiful music under the evening summer sky.

I’ve always thought of the Webster Village Band as a hidden gem in our community. These musicians have been performing and providing free concerts for our village for 57 years now. It’s exactly the kind of thing that makes small-town life so special.

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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 6/23/2024)

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Another local radio club will be at Field Day

21 Jun

Here’s a short, bonus blog today that will interest anyone who’s into ham radio operation.

About a week ago I posted a blog about the XRX Radio Club and how they’re participating in the annual ARRL Field Day competition, broadcasting from Kent Park. But I recently learned about another group which will also be participating, setting up in Webster Park.

The Rochester DX Association (RXDA) will be setting up in the Boy Scout commissary area near the Webster Park campground.

As described on the ARRL website, Field Day, held the fourth weekend in June, is the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. More than 40,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or friends across North America to operate from remote locations.

It’s kind of like ham radio’s open house. Community members are encouraged to stop by to learn more about the hobby. It combines science, public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach and technical skills, and all are on display at Field Day.

The 24-hour exercise begins at 2 p.m. Saturday and runs through 2 p.m. Sunday. Visitors are more than welcome.

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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 6/21/2024)

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