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Webster community mailbag

27 Jul

There’s more music in the village this week, when 8 Days a Week returns to Gazebo Park this Friday July 28 for the next Friday night concert.

8 Days a Week is Upstate New York’s premier Beatles tribute band, and guaranteed they’ll have everyone dancing and along to songs we all know so well.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Gazebo Park on North Ave. Bring your chairs and blankets, and a cooler if you’d like with food and beverages. It’s all free and family-friendly.

Speaking of music, a few more opportunities to enjoy some live music are coming up in the next few weeks.

This coming Wednesday Aug. 2, John Dady and John Ryan will be performing at the United Church of Christ for their weekly Caring Community Concert series.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations. There’s no admission, but each week the church collects a free-will offering benefiting that week’s chosen non-profit organization. The Dady and Ryan concert will benefit Webster Comfort Care Home.  

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.) On Wednesday August 9, 8 Days a Week will take the stage. (So if you liked them at the gazebo, check them out here!)

The Summer Concert Series at Cherry Ridge is in full swing. The next concert is scheduled for Tuesday August 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring the Gateswingers Big Band. The concerts are held outside, and the grounds open up at 5 p.m. with food available for purchase. So bring your lawn chair and enjoy some beautiful music.

Cherry Ridge is located at 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd., across from Webster Schroeder High School. Registration is requested. Click here to do so.

Good food is in store at St. Martin Lutheran Church when they host their next Pulled Pork Drive-Thru beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 5.

The take-out dinner includes pulled pork sandwich, salt potatoes, cole slaw and cookie for just $12. Proceeds will support the church’s annual Christmas Stocking Project reaching over 500 children and teens in Monroe and Wayne counties.

Pull into the parking lot, place your order using exact payment, and the dinner will be delivered to you as you drive up in your car.

St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd.

There’s always TONS of fun stuff happening at the Webster Public Library, too much for me to tell you about them all here. But I do want to shine a spotlight on a few of them.

The first is the return of the very popular life-sized Candyland game.

This year’s game is “lighter” than the one they’ve had in the past, but no less fun. Bring your family and friends and become part of the game we’ve all enjoyed playing for decades. Check out the flyer for times.

And here’s a chance to check out one of our most natural areas, the Webster Arboretum.

On Tuesday Aug. 8 at 6 p.m., the library will host a guided tour through the Arboretum, especially highlighting some of the new plantings there. The tour will take about 90 minutes and will require a lot of walking, much of it off the pathways, so wear some comfortable shoes.

Registration is required for this event. Click here to sign up.

Finally, here’s a reminder that the Webster Museum is now accepting donations for their annual Barn Sale, scheduled for Sept. 14 to 16.

Donations are being collected at the barn located at 394 Phillips Rd. You can drive right down the driveway to the barn and put your donations inside (donation receipts are on the table). Although you can donate any day, museum volunteers are on site Monday mornings if you would like assistance unloading your donations.

Items they’d love to see are antiques, collections and collectibles, kitchen and household items, décor, small appliances, toys, tools, and small furniture. They cannot accept books or magazines, computers, clothing, linens, baby cribs or car seats, large furniture, snow skis or water skis, large exercise equipment, audio or video tapes (VHS tapes, music cassettes, etc), or entertainment electronics, (TVs, stereos, DVD players, etc).  

That’s about enough for today. August and September are shaping up to be very busy months, so stay tuned for more news about

  • the Webster Jazz Fest
  • the Barry’s Irish Festival
  • a blood drive at Spry Middle School sponsored by The Steam Police
  • a new family hike at Four Mile Creek from the Friends of Webster Trails
  • an electronics recycling event
  • a hazardous waste recycling event
  • the return of the Webster Garlic Fest
  • the 2023 Mud Run
  • the Oktoberfest

and more.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/27/2023)

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Waterfront Art Festival returns this weekend

26 Jul

The annual Waterfront Art Festival returns to Charles Sexton Park (formerly North Ponds) this weekend, and this year is more special than most, as the festival celebrates 50 years of great art and entertainment.

You may not be familiar with the history of this great festival. It feels like it’s a been regular Webster summer event for like, forever. But actually, Webster’s only hosted the Waterfront Art Festival since 2015, when organizers had a falling out with their original hosts at the Canandaigua City Pier. When they chose to move it to North Ponds Park in Webster, our community warmly welcomed the event, and it quickly became a summer favorite.

This coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday July 29 and 30, the Waterfront Art Festival returns for its 50th year, to the newly named Charles Sexton Memorial Park. The festival is a must-see for those who appreciate fine art and quality crafts.

Dozens of artisan booths line the park’s scenic and shaded walkways, displaying an incredible variety of hand-made items in all price ranges. What’s really nice about this particular festival is that all of the artisans’ work is juried beforehand, which is why it’s all so different and high-quality. Plus there are food trucks, live music, demonstrations, a wine, beer and cider-tasting tent, several food and drink vendors, plenty of free parking right on the grounds, and a handicapped parking area. (Click here to see a gallery of photos from two years ago.)

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Charles Sexton Memorial Park, off of Rt. 104 between Rt. 250 and Holt Road (take the Rt. 250 exit off Rt. 104). 

Admission is $5, no charge for kids 12 and under. For more information, including a list of artisans and entertainers, click here for the Waterfront Art Festival website and here for their Facebook page.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/26/2023)

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Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market “Evening in the Park” a great addition to the regular Saturday market

25 Jul

Another Wednesday is upon us, which means it’s time to head out to Charles Sexton Park for the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market, especially since the weather looks like it’s going to be picture-perfect.

The “Evening in the Park” market is a relatively new improvement to the long-established Joe Obbie Market, which has been setting up at Webster Towne Center every Saturday for years now. And it’s been a very popular addition.

On top of the wide variety of food and craft vendors you’ve come to know and love at the Saturday market, the Evening in the Park also has food trucks and live music. Basically, everything you need for a nice evening out with the family, including flowers, fresh produce, meats and sauces!

I stopped by the first market last week and took these photos. The band and a lot of the vendors were still setting up shop, so the photos really don’t capture the entire fun atmosphere of the evening. Make sure to check it out for yourself this Wednesday.

The Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market Evenings in the Park will run every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Charles Sexton Park (formerly North Ponds). The poster below tells you what bands are playing each evening. Don’t forget your chairs!

Definitely don’t forget about the Saturday market, either.

You’ll find the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market in Webster Towne Center Plaza (Target/Kohl’s plaza) every Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The vendors offer baked goods, flowers, crafts, farm-raised meats and eggs, honey, jams, maple syrup and more.

Enter the plaza from Holt Rd. or Ridge Rd. and follow the signs. You’ll see the market set up in front of Old Navy.

Need more information? Check out the market’s Facebook page 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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/25/2023)

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Heroes, and more heroes, will play at Miracle Field on Saturday

20 Jul

Combine baseball, Miracle Field, and first responders, and whaddya get? An incredibly fun and inspirational day for the whole family.

I’m talking, of course, about the third annual Heroes Helping Heroes Day at Challenger Miracle Field. This coming Saturday July 22, local first responders will spend the day at Miracle Field, playing with and against some of our amazing Challenger athletes. In addition to the entertaining baseball games, and the chance to meet some local first responders and get a close-up look at some of their equipment, there’ll be food, carnival games, a dunk tank, obstacle course and lots more.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the field, 1000 Ridge Rd., Webster.

  The day will start with a tribute to local heroes, followed by baseball games. The family-friendly games and activities will be available throughout, and during and between games, first  responders will be interacting with our athletes and visitors. Almost 150 participants are expected for this year’s event.

This is a great morning of safe family fun. There’s no charge, and there’s plenty of parking. If you have any questions about the event, email lindab@rochestermiraclefield.org or visit the www.rochestermiraclefield.org.  

About Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester  

Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester provides people with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/20/2023)

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Up ahead in the village: music, games and BED RACES!

19 Jul

The Webster Business Improvement District (BID) has a few great events on the schedule this weekend, and has just announced the exciting return in September of the Bed Race!

First up is the next Friday Night Concert at the gazebo on North Ave. This week’s concert features Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross, a Celtic rock band playing music from Ireland and Scotland. Celtic Cross is a regular visitor to Barry’s Old School Irish, so you may have seen them there and already know that they pack a lot of energy.

Next Friday, the Friday night concert will feature the Beatles tribute band 8 Days a Week. Visit the Webster BID website for additional dates.

This Saturday night July 22, mark your calendar for the BID’s first Family Games Night. In the past, these very popular family fun nights took place on Main Street, but this one has moved to Gazebo Park, where the Friday night concerts happen.

There will be plenty for both kids and adults to enjoy, including Zumba for the kids (and adults), some fun activities from Roc Dance, sidewalk chalk, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, Cornhole and more.

It all happens Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Gazebo Park.

AND THIS JUST IN!

Details have just been announced for the Bed Race, which is returning to East Main Street on Sept. 16. Here’s the announcement from the BID website:

The Bed Race is back!! Grab 4 friends or family members as runners and one “sleeper”(5 people total) and construct a bed to race an obstacle course on East Main St in the Village of Webster. Hosted by the Business Improvement District along with Webster Rotary, Webster Lions Club and Webster Kiwanis, this event is to help raise money for the Webster Community Chest. Merchants on Main St will also be celebrating with a Sidewalk Sale on the day of the event. The Junior event is for ages 14-19 years and will be run separately from the senior event.

I’ll post more details soon, but in the meantime, visit the BID website for rules and registration information.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/19/2023)

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Great things happening with Hope and WCC

18 Jul

I’ve received some good news recently from two of our town’s outstanding community agencies, Webster NY Hope and the Webster Community Chest.

First, this from Webster NY Hope. Director Margery Morgan wrote,

We are seeing more Webster households in need of assistance with food and hygiene items. Therefore, we are having a food and garage sale donation drive-up on Saturday, July 22 from 10 to noon. Hope volunteers will be collecting items behind Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road, near the  Knights of Columbus building. We suggest entering from Phillips Road and drop off for garage sale and food donations will be on your right. You don’t even need to leave your car. Tax receipts are available on request.

The garage sale will be held Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 13 to 16.

Later that day, Hope will be holding a fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Panera restaurant in Towne Center Plaza. Just mention Webster Hope as you order and Hope will receive a donation to help low-income Webster residents.

Webster Hope has also just announced the date of its back-to-school night, when low-income families can come for new school supplies. It will be held on Tuesday Aug. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Webster, NY Hope is located at 1450 Ridge Rd. in Webster. If you didn’t see the blog I posted earlier this week about the Hope Garden in front of Simply Crepes, check it out here.

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Webster Community Chest (WCC), another one of our great community agencies, sent me a couple of news items.  

First, the WCC will be the beneficiary of the next United Church of Christ Caring Concert, scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the church, 570 Klem Rd. This week’s concert features Ruby Shooz, playing music from the ’50s and ’60s and some newer classics. The concert is free, but free-will donations will be accepted to benefit the Webster Community Chest.

The concert will also feature a special guest appearance by Dorothy and Toto, and you can have your picture taken with them. For more information about the WCC, check out this fun video, featuring Dorothy herself.

Their food tent opens at 6 p.m., but you’re welcome to bring your own picnic dinner. Their menu includes hot dogs (red and white), sausages, burgers and cheeseburgers, and a specialty hot sandwich; soft drinks and water, popcorn, ice cream, and chips. Bring your own lawn chair and set up on the front lawn. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the sanctuary.

The Webster Community Chest has also expanded their Meal Center.

WCC President Michael Grenier wrote,

We are very pleased with how well this program has been received by our clients.  It began a year ago when we started placing bags with complete meals into the five “Little Pantries” scattered around Webster. When offered a small space at the Outreach Center of the United Methodist Church of Webster last summer, we moved to a scheduled end-of-month meals distribution just as Food Stamps run out for those most in need. These are bags containing three ready-to-prepare meals and recipes for food insecure families.  Each bag is for a family of three to four persons with larger families getting two bags or even three. 

We began this at the end of August, expanding the program every month. Families come to the Meal Center to pick up their meals and if they cannot, we deliver. Between this and providing meal bags for the five “Little Pantries” around town since Spring, the Chest provided 772 meal kits to needy families in 2022— well over 3,000 meals in total.  

We have distributed end-of-month meals this year to 50-60 families each month, with already over 3,000 meals handed out or delivered this year.  

Last week, we have moved to a larger facility provided by the Immanuel Lutheran Church at 131 West Main Street, where we will continue to meet the needs of Webster’s most impoverished families.
Because our administration is entirely volunteer, almost all of our funds go directly into meeting the needs of local residents.

Click here to learn more about the Webster Community Chest.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/18/2023)

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Musical, wet and muddy fun ahead, courtesy the Webster Rec

17 Jul

Today’s blog is dedicated to the Webster Parks and Recreation Department and all of the cool events they have coming up this summer.

The first one I want to highlight is the annual Summer Splash family fun event taking place this coming Saturday July 22 at the First Responders Spray Park, just west of the Rec Center on Chiyoda Drive.

From 3 to 5 p.m., families are invited to the park to see Rich the Magic Man with his bubble foam machine, enjoy free Snowie Ice courtesy Gleason Orthodontics, and of course lots of splashy fun at the town’s best spray park.

There’s no cost, and registration is not required.

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Next, make sure to mark your calendars for this summer’s Music in the Park series, sponsored by the Rec Center at the Kent Park gazebo.

The next concert is on Wednesday July 26, 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.

The concert will be held Wednesday July 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kent Park on Schlegel Rd. It’s free and open to the public. Bring a chair or a blanket, fill a cooler with dinner and drinks, and enjoy a pleasant evening of music.

Coming up on August 16, the concert will feature Sarah De Valliere and Levi Gangi. Read more about them in the poster above.

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And it’s not too early to pencil this next event into your calendar.

The Rec Center’s third annual Mud Run has been scheduled for Saturday Sept. 23.

The Mud Run is a a non-competitive, untimed, one-mile run/walk along the Recreation Center’s obstacle course/fitness trail which loops around the back of the facility. Some of the run will be through water and mud, and there will be some challenging obstacles. What’s really neat about it is that kids and their adults can do it together. It’s only $5 per person, and the organizers promise that there’ll be swag, fun and food. I can personally attest that it is tons of fun, and I hope to make it again this year.

Click here for more information and to register. You can sign up for any 15-minute wave between 10 a.m. and noon. The Webster Recreation Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Drive, off of Phillips Rd.

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The most recent Webster Recreation Center 55+ newsletter is packed with great programs for those of us trying to keep our bodies and minds active in these later years. Some of the ones that really caught my eye were:

  • a cookout at the Arboretum
  • the upcoming Tuesday Talks
  • a free estate planning workshop

There’s too much information to repost here, so for more details about all of their great programs this month, 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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/17/2023)

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Photos from the Firemen’s Parade

14 Jul

Despite a heavy downpour earlier in the day and some rather threatening clouds in the west around parade time, the weather was pretty spectacular for this year’s Firemen’s Parade Thursday night. Thousands of people lined Main Street to watch the annual spectacle.

The parade, which lasted about 75 minutes, was heavy on fire trucks and emergency vehicles, much to the delight of the children in the audience. Several local businesses and community agencies also took part, throwing candy by the handful along the way — much to the delight of the children in the audience.

As usual, I took a few photos. Click here for a full gallery.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/14/2023)

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The barn doors are opening!

7 Jul

The fine folks at the Webster Museum have begun planning in earnest for their annual Barn Sale, scheduled for September 14 through 16.

This is probably the museum’s biggest fundraiser every year, and its success relies on community support. That opportunity begins next week, when the barn doors will be open and accepting donations.

Here’s more detail, in the words of Webster Museum Board Member Jan Naujokas: 

The barn doors are open for donations beginning July 9 at 394 Phillips Road. Come down the driveway to the barns.  Donations can be left inside the large barn. Donation receipts are on the table. Although you can donate any day, museum volunteers are on site Monday mornings if you would like assistance unloading your donations.

We love your antiques, collections and collectibles, kitchen and household items, décor, small appliances, toys, tools, and small furniture.  

We can no longer accept books or magazines (visit the Webster library to donate these items). We cannot accept computers, clothing, linens, baby cribs or car seats, large furniture, snow skis or water skis, large exercise equipment, audio or video tapes (VHS tapes, music cassettes, etc), or entertainment electronics, (TVs, stereos, DVD players, etc).  

Your donations last year helped support tours for children from our local elementary schools, and programs and exhibits for the community. Thank you!  Please think of us again this year if you have gently used items to donate.

The Webster Museum, at 18 Lapham Park in the Village Webster, is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. To learn more, visit their website and “like” them on Facebook. 

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/8/2023)

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Friday night concerts are back, and other mailbag news

6 Jul

The Village of Webster summer season officially kicks off this Friday July 7 with the first in the Friday Night Gazebo Concert series, featuring the Red Hot and Blue Band.

RHB plays Americana, Roots, and Blues Rock music that will get you dancing and bring back a lot of great memories.  

Coming up later in the summer at the gazebo:

The concerts begin at 7 p.m. at the gazebo on North Ave. and admission is free. Bring the whole family, some folding chairs and a blanket, and a cooler if you’d like, then enjoy some beautiful music.

Here’s a quick look at what else is being planned in the village this summer. For more information about all of these events and more, visit websterbid.com.

Webster NY Hope sends along this important message:

We are seeing more Webster households in need of assistance with food and hygiene items. Therefore, we are having a food and garage sale donation drive-up on Saturday, July 22 from 10-noon.

Hope volunteers will be collecting items behind Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road, near the  Knights of Columbus building. Tax receipts available on request. We suggest entering from Phillips Road, and drop-off for garage sale and food donations will be on your right. You don’t even need to leave your car.

Garage sale is scheduled for Sept. 13 to 16. More to come about that.

That same evening, Saturday July 22, Hope is holding a fundraiser at the Panera restaurant in Towne Center Plaza, from 4 to 8 p.m. Just mention Webster Hope as you order and Hope will receive a donation to help low-income Webster residents.

Covid couldn’t deter the Class of ’71

Thanks to the pandemic, the RL Thomas Class of ’71 had to postpone their 50th reunion. But undeterred, they they decided to throw themselves a 70th birthday party instead.

The event was held on Saturday June 24 at Schutt’s Apple Mill, and featured food trucks, two alumni bands, a cornhole tournament, foosball tables, horseshoes, hay rides, and a memorabilia table. More than 160 folks attended, and for six hours played games and did a lot of talking and reminiscing.

Thanks to Dave Eckler for the report and photos!

The R.L. Thomas Class of ’71 will be holding a 70th Birthday Bash on Saturday June 24 at Schutt’s Apple Mill from 5 to 7 p.m. Thanks to COVID, the class was unable to hold its 50th reunion, so they’ve decided to celebrate their 70 birthdays together instead.

Caring Community Concerts begin next week

The United Church of Christ‘s Caring Community Concert series returns next week.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations. The first one, scheduled for Wednesday July 12, will feature Allegro, and proceeds will benefit the Webster Hope Food Pantry. (See the flier below 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.

More concerts, more concerts, more concerts

The Summer Concert Series at Cherry Ridge is in full swing. The next concert is scheduled for Tuesday July 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring Eight Days a Week. The concerts are held outside, and the grounds open up at 5 p.m. with food available for purchase. So bring your lawn chair and enjoy some beautiful music.

On August 8, the GateSwingers Big Band will perform, also beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Registration is requested. Click here to do so.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/6/2023)

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