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Get ready to get your Peeps on!

6 Feb

After a two-year in-person hiatus because of … well, you know why … the Greater Rochester Peep Show is returning to the Webster Recreation Center in April, to benefit the Webster Community Chest.

This is great news, because it means that spring is not far away. Organizers are still putting this 7th annual event together, but have put out the call for participants, performers and volunteers.

Here’s their wish list, from the 2022 Greater Rochester Peep Show website:

  • Sponsors are needed. Three different sponsorship levels are available, from $75 which includes voting tickets, an award and mention on the webpage; to $250 which includes a banner with your business’ name on it, a major show prize named after you, sponsorship of an individual table and more. Click here for more information.
  • They need entertainers and community groups — like dancers, musicians or martial artists — who would like to give a demo at the show. Click here for more info.
  • They need LOTS of volunteers, as greeters, kids’ room helpers, face-painters, poster distribution, set-up and clean-up and more. Contact the organizers for more information.
  • They need Peep display makers! It’s not too early to think about what your family or organization can put together this year. Get creative and have some fun. To enter a display or reserve a space, click here.

The 2022 Greater Rochester Peep Show will be held Saturday and Sunday April 2 and 3 at the Webster Community Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. Here are a few images from last year’s show, which was held virtually. Click here to see more.

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

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Fall in love with Webster! (Week 2)

5 Feb

The Village of Webster’s Fall in Love With Webster month-long community celebration has begun! All month, residents and visitors will enjoy merchant discounts and special events, all embracing the theme of love.

The goal is to promote a fun way to unify the village residents and business owners. But it’s also all about helping community members get to know our village a little better, find out more about our many fine businesses, and encourage everyone to get more involved in all of the activities found here.

Here’s what’s coming up this week. Check back this weekend to see what’s scheduled for week 3. And for a whole list of the month’s events, visit the Fall in Love With Webster Facebook page.

All month:

❤ The Village of Webster is inviting everyone to be an old-fashioned “secret admirer” anytime during the month. You could send flowers to someone, or just pay it forward at the drive through. It’s all about thoughtfulness. Have fun!

❤ NEJFD Boot Drive

Our Northeast Joint Fire District firefighters are hosting a boot drive. All month, Barry’s Old School Irish and Whimsies (new shop next to Lala’s) will each have a real firefighter’s boot to accept your donations. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Webster Comfort Care.

❤ Gleason Orthodontics Girl Scout Cookies for veterans

Gleason Orthodontics wants to buy Girl Scout cookies and donate them to veterans. If your daughter is selling cookies, or you know someone who is, call Gleason Orthodontics at (585) 872-3355 to let them know you’d like to participate.

❤ Sunday Feb. 6: Webster was “born”

On February 6, 1840, Governor William Seward announced the birth of Webster, New York. Originally part of North Penfield, land was split off to create the new town. Almost 2,500 residents inhabited the new town. The first town meeting was held at John Lett’s tavern, about 3/4 mile south of the present village. Click here to read more cool trivia about this great place we call Webster. Webster!

❤ All week: Valentine’s cards for Maplewood residents

The folks at Gleason Orthodontics are making cards to deliver to the residents at The Maplewood. If you and your family would like to donate some of your own feel free to drop them off any weekday this week between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Gleason Orthodontics is located at 246 South Ave.

❤ Feb. 7: National Send a Card to a Friend Day

On February 7, help celebrate National Send a Card to a Friend Day! Check out this link for a little history and some ideas of what to do.  

❤ All week: Yarn sale at Village HandWorks

All this week, all red and pink yarns will be 20% off at Village HandWorks. Plus, select Artisan crafted goods and gifts are 10% off! Visit the website or call 585-236-1135 for more information.

❤ All week: Blind Date With a Book Sale at Yesterday’s Muse

This sounds like a lot of fun. Customers pay $5 to buy a mystery book wrapped in plain brown paper with a genre and description written on the outside. It’s a fun and romantic way to share some love, read a book, and make some February memories all the while supporting a local merchant. Find your mystery date at Yesterday’s Muse.

❤ Feb. 7 to 8: $10 pizza special at The Coach Sports Bar

Call 585-872-2910 to place your order or stop in! The Coach makes dough from scratch daily with the freshest toppings.

❤ Feb. 8, 7 p.m.: Live Practice Session: Chorus of the Genesee

The Chorus sings four-part “a cappella” music, specializing in barbershop harmony, an original American art form. Click here to find out more about the Chorus of the Genesee and how you can get involved.  

❤ Feb. 8, 1 p.m.: Sew Speedy at the Village Quilt Shoppe

Do you enjoy paper piecing, but not enough for a full project? Looking to practice paper piecing, along with some “regular” piecing? Here’s Sew Speedy! Though the original pattern finishes at 32” square, you can play with the components to make it any size you wish. Sew Speedy is perfect for those who have had some practice with paper piecing. Call 585-626-6916 to register!

❤ Feb. 9: National Pizza Day at Carl’s Pizza Kitchen

The world has spoken and declared this day as National Pizza Day! Carl’s Pizza Kitchen has put together a sweetHEART offer for this day: One topping, heart-shaped pies! Large 20″ for $19.99, or a medium for $14.99. Click here for some fun facts about this fun holiday.

❤ Feb. 10: Thirsty Thursday at Roc Style Chicken and Burger

Join the gang at Roc Style Chicken and Burger for a Buy One, Get One 1/2 Off beer and wine drinks all day. Grab your favorite beverage and pair it with a delicious sandwich or burger topped with one of Roc Style’s amazing choice of tasty sauces. Check out their website for a preview of their menu and plan your visit. Call 585-236-1902 if you have any questions.

❤ Feb. 11, 5:30 p.m.: DK Dance Fairytale Ball

A one-day event sponsored by DK Dance. All princes and princesses ages 3-10 are invited to the ball to get dressed up and dance. Click here to register.

❤ Feb. 11, 6 p.m.: Get Your Glow On at Webster Parks & Rec

An evening of family-friendly games and dancing. Wear your neon and glow gear. It’s free for everyone, and npo registration is required. More information here.

❤ Feb. 12, 11 a.m.: Serenity Life Counseling Services Virtual Class: Love Yourself Therapy Group

Join us for a free virtual art therapy experience, appropriate for all ages, families, couples or individuals (adult help will be needed for the “littles”). Art materials are provided. Click here to register.    

❤ Feb. 12, 9 p.m.: 6 Feet Apart and the Super Spreader Horns at The Coach

Live dance, funk, rock and soul music. Visit The Coach website or call 585-872-2910 with any questions.

❤ Feb. 12 and 13: Share the Love free dance classes at Roc Dance

Saturday, Sunday and all next week take advantage of free dance classes at Roc Dance in the village. Classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hop hop and acro are for kids ages 2 and up, and there’s even a Mommy and Me class. Click here for more information.

❤ Feb. 13, 9 a.m.: Football and Fitness Fun at Webster Parks & Recreation

Start out Super Bowl Sunday with some new friends and a great workout at the Football and Fitness Fun exercise class. Earn raffle entries for cool prizes just by showing up in a football jersey or team colors. Click here for more information.

❤ Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.: Filling Station Pub & Grill Customer Appreciation Day

In honor of The Filling Station’s 4th anniversary, there will be free giveaways during the Super Bowl. Click here for more information.

❤ Also, all month you’ll find specials at Finn’s Garage (to benefit Heritage Christian Stables), Savage Chef, Professional Nutrition Services, Webster Eyecare Associates, Nest Things, Nut & Bolt Tattoo, Performance Hobbies and Webster Interiors.

❤ And don’t forget about the trivia challenge. Look for a trivia question and answer in the window of each participating store, write down the answer and bring them all to Barry’s Old School Irish on Feb. 23 for the weekly trivia contest. The week’s theme? WEBSTER! The questions will be based on all the trivia posted around town.

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More details about all these events and what’s coming up the rest of the month at the Fall in Love With Webster Facebook page. Make sure to “like” the page to get regular updates, because new events are being added every day.

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

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Webster Schroeder kicks off spring musical season

1 Feb

Live musicals are back!

Webster Schroeder High School is kicking off the spring musical season with an in-person performance of A Chorus Line, which will be presented in four shows the weekend of Feb. 10.

The high-stepping, Tony Award-winning musical is described on the Webster Schroeder Musicals website as “a stunning concept musical capturing the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition” which explores “the inner lives and poignant ambitions of professional Broadway performers.”

The show features tunes we all recognize, including “What I Did for Love,” “One,” “I Can Do That,” “At the Ballet,” “The Music and the Mirror,” and “I Hope I Get It.”

“A Chorus Line” will be presented in four shows, Thursday and Friday Feb. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday Feb. 12 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., in the Webster Schroeder auditorium, 875 Ridge Rd.

Reserved-seating tickets are $13, and are available now at websterschroedermusicals.com.

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

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Fall in love with Webster, starting Tuesday!

30 Jan

The Village of Webster’s exciting Fall in Love With Webster month-long community celebration begins Tuesday, Feb.1, featuring four weeks of merchant discounts and special events, all embracing the theme of love.

Almost three dozen business owners are participating, offering discounts or hosting special events pretty much every day of the week (or all month), with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. Village Hall has even gotten into the act, hanging heart-emblazoned banners along the light poles on Main Street.

There’s even a trivia challenge. Each of the participating businesses will be placing a trivia fact about their business or product in their front window. Your challenge is to collect all the trivia answers and on Wednesday Feb. 23, bring them to Barry’s Old School Irish for the weekly trivia contest. The week’s theme? WEBSTER! The questions will be based on all the trivia posted around town.

The goal is to promote a fun way to unify the village residents and business owners. But it’s also all about helping community members get to know our village a little better, find out more about our many fine businesses, and encourage everyone to get more involved in all of the activities found here.

Here’s what’s coming up this week. Check back this weekend to see what’s scheduled for week 2, and get ready to Fall in Love With Webster!

❤ All month: Thinking of Others: Be Someone’s Secret Admirer!

The Village of Webster is inviting everyone to be an old-fashioned “secret admirer” anytime during the month. You could send flowers to someone, or just pay it forward at the drive through. It’s all about thoughtfulness. Have fun!

❤ NEjFD Boot Drive

Our Northeast Joint Fire District firefighters are hosting a boot drive. All month, Barry’s Old School Irish and Whimsies (new shop next to Lala’s) will each have a real firefighter’s boot to accept your donations. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Webster Comfort Care. 

❤ Feb. 1, 7 p.m.: Live Practice Session: Chorus of the Genesee

The Chorus sings four-part “a cappella” music, specializing in barbershop harmony, an original American art form. Click here to find out more about the Chorus of the Genesee and how you can get involved.  

❤ Feb. 1: $.75 wings all day at The Coach Sports Bar

Call 585-872-2910 or stop by. Every Tuesday enjoy $.75 chicken wings! Click here to visit The Coach website.

❤ All week (beginning Feb. 2): Yarn sale at Village HandWorks

All red and pink yarns at Village HandWorks will be 20% off. Plus, select artisan-crafted goods and gifts, all 10% off. Visit the Village HandWorks website or call 585-236-1135 for more information.

❤ Feb. 2: National Groundhog Day 

There’s more to this fun day than a groundhog seeing his shadow or not! Check out this page and have some fun…no matter what Phil says! Watching Groundhog Day with Bill Murray has also become a fun tradition on this day! Also, there are many videos, music and activities, even FOOD surrounding this day!

❤ Feb. 2: Carl’s Pizza Colossal Calzone and Pizza Deal 

Carl’s is offering a sweetheart of a deal today: a colossal calzone for just $12.99. It comes with choice of two toppings, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and two sides of sauce. Orm get a 14“ medium, one-topping pizza for $13.99. Click here to see Carl’s menu for more options.

❤ Feb. 3, 7 p.m.: Bling a Picture at Crafty Christie’s Boutique

Create something amazing with Christy! She’ll provide the picture frames and scrap materials to create your own masterpiece, or bring your own favorite treasure and make it even more amazing! These classes fill up quickly so call 585-236-1131 or reach out through her website. 

❤ Feb 4.: National Wear Red Day: On this day in February, which is considered American Heart Month, everyone across the country dons the color red in order to raise and spread awareness in hopes to help eradicate heart disease and stroke in millions of women all over the nation. Click here to learn more about this special day and share with friends and family.  

❤ Feb. 4: Burke’s National Wear Red Day “Famous Burger” special

In honor of National Wear Red Day, Burke’s Grill will take $1 off their famous burgers for everyone who comes in wearing something red. Find out more about Burke’s Grill here.   

❤ Feb. 4 to 6: Stella York Trunk Show at Heart to Heart Bride

Heart to Heart Bride’s next Stella York Trunk Show will be Feb. 4 to 6. Check the website for the styles that will be there for that weekend only or call 585-872-9696.

❤ Feb. 5, 1 p.m: Pre-Superbowl hors d’oeuvres tasting with Ohhh, Lordee Everything Sauces

Having a Superbowl party? Looking for something new? Check out this event and stop in to taste these great local sauces! Laurie is serving hors d’oeuvres using her famous sauce. Check the Ohhhlordee Facebook page for more details.

❤ Also, all month you’ll find specials at Finn’s Garage (to benefit Heritage Christian Stables), Savage Chef, Professional Nutrition Services, Webster Eyecare Associates, Nut & Bolt Tattoo, Nest Things and Webster Interiors.

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More details about all these events and what’s coming up the rest of the month at the Fall in Love With Webster Facebook page. Make sure to “like” the page to get regular updates, because new events are being added every day. 

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

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New month-long event encourages everyone to “Fall in Love With Webster”

26 Jan

We all know there’s a lot to love about the Village of Webster, but next month there’s going to be dozens of reasons to fall in love again.

Beginning Tuesday Feb. 1, the Webster Business Improvement District (BID) will host a month-long “Fall in Love With Webster” community celebration, a brand-new event highlighting all of the businesses and activities that our village offers.

The celebration is being organized by Lisa Schlonski, owner of Lala Gift Shop on East Main St., and her able assistant Jody Laurer. The idea actually came from Jody’s daughter Maddie. She’d recently visited small-town Ridgefield, CT, which held a “Fall in Love With Ridgefield” event in October. “It’s a little village like Webster,” Jody remembered her daughter saying, adding that it would be fun to do something similar here.

So she and Lisa got out their calendars and started planning. February, the month of Valentines and sweethearts, seemed perfect. It also helps that the month holds other quasi-holidays they could incorporate, like Groundhog Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day.

What they’ve put together is an entire month of merchant discounts and special events, all embracing the theme of love. There’s even trivia (read more about that challenge at the end of the blog). Almost three dozen business owners are participating; many of them will be decorating their windows, and even Village Hall has gotten into the act, hanging heart-emblazoned banners along the light poles on Main Street.

The goal is to promote a fun way to unify the village residents and business owners. But it’s also all about helping community members get to know our village a little better, find out more about our many fine businesses, and encourage everyone to get more involved in all of the activities found here.

Details are still being finalized and new events are being added every day, but following are some highlights from JUST THE FIRST WEEK. Click on the hyperlinks for more information, and make sure to “like” the Fall in Love With Webster Facebook page for a complete list (It’s updated regularly!)

Finally, let me tell you about the trivia challenge! Each of the participating businesses will be placing a trivia fact about their business or product in their front window. Your challenge is to collect all the trivia answers and on Wednesday Feb. 23, bring them to Barry’s Old School Irish for the weekly trivia contest. The week’s theme? WEBSTER! The questions will be based on all the trivia posted around town.

Remember to “like” the Fall in Love With Webster Facebook page for the latest updates on all of the 50 or more events scheduled throughout the month. Then get ready to … fall in love with Webster.

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

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Thank you, Webster PTSA!

25 Jan

Do you remember the village’s super fun White Christmas celebration back on December 4? Hopefully you and your family were able to make it down to Gazebo Park that afternoon to take part in a winter wonderland of crafts, music, stories, Christmas cookies and visits with Santa Claus.

The activities were awesome, but what really made the event extra special were the lights and decorations which turned the park into a real North Pole wonderland. And that transformation can be largely credited to the efforts of the Webster Central PTSA (WCPTSA).

On very short notice, the PTSA gathered an army of volunteers — about 75 parents, students, staff members and administrators — who started showing up early Saturday morning to spend the next many hours hanging lights, stringing garland, setting up cookie and hot chocolate tables, arranging materials for Santa’s Toy Shop, and much more. And that doesn’t even count the hours spent before the event actually building and painting many of the decorations.

By the time the festivities officially began, visitors could enter the park through a light tunnel, walk down Candy Cane Lane to see Santa, then along Peppermint Lane to decorate a Christmas cookie, make a craft at the Toy Shop, and warm up with some hot cocoa. Even more volunteers arrived to help out during the afternoon.

At the recent meeting of the Webster Business Improvement District (BID), the organization which ran the event, the BID showed their appreciation by presenting the PTSA with a check for $650, proceeds from the White Christmas Parade of Lights.

The whole experience was a tremendous example of how the One Webster community can come together to create something wonderful. And according to WCPTSA president Jaime Richey, that is exactly what the organization wants to achieve.

“In the last few years the schools have been able to do very little fundraising, especially in-person events,” Richey said. “One of our goals is to create a One Webster feel, to bring our community and schools together. This is the first event where we were able to do that, collaborating with our community, bring our schools together.”

After all, she added, “Our school is our community and our community is our schools.”

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

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Webster community mailbag

19 Jan

I ripped many of these items from the Town of Webster’s weekly newsletter. If you don’t get this emailed to you or check it out on the website regularly, you might want to to that, because it’s always packed with great information.

Try a winter hike

Winter is one of the most beautiful times of year to take a hike. The Friends of Webster Trails got you covered.

The Friends’ first hike of the year will take place this coming Saturday Jan. 22, at 9 a.m. at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve. It will be about 3 miles long and is rated “moderate,” with some rolling hills. You’ll want to RSVP by signing up for the Meetup.com event, so you can get more details and updates. It will be held in snow, rain or shine, so make sure to dress appropriately!

P.S. The hike is absolutely free.

What events would you like to see in the village?

You know the Webster Business Improvement District … or at least you know their events. This is the group behind a lot of the special events we have here in the Village of Webster, including the Trick or Treat Trail, Wine Walks and Family Game Nights. It’s an organization comprised of village business owners, dedicated to promoting village businesses.

If you’re a village resident or business owner, would like to find out more about the BID and perhaps put in your two cents about the events you’ve seen or would like to see, here’s your chance: the first BID meeting of the year will be held Monday Jan. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Webster Interiors, 975 Ebner Drive.

The meeting will be more a social gathering than anything else. It’s a great chance for village residents and business owners to get to know more about the organization and exchange ideas on how best to help promote village businesses. Food and drink will be provided.

And … here’s a teaser … I know that the BID will be announcing a really neat new event at this meeting, so it will be a great one to attend!

Please RSVP by Friday Jan. 21, by emailing info@websterbid.com. And if you’d like to find out more about the BID visit www.websterbid.com.

Grab your sweetheart and dance the night away

Challenger Miracle Field is hosting “A Night to Shine” Valentine’s Prom for children and adults with special needs on Friday Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. It’s a chance to gather with old friends and meet new ones. Singles and couples are welcome.

Suggested donation is $20 and includes a buffet dinner, dancing, a photo booth and more. Registration is required by Feb. 1. Click here for more information and to register.

When will more test kits be distributed?

Yes, the Town of Webster will be distributing more COVID tests kits, but they don’t know when.

A new supply is expected, but there are no specifics right now as to when that might be or how many the town will be getting. You can sign up for Town of Webster email alerts here to stay up to date.

Remember, however, that as of yesterday, every household in the U.S. can order 4 FREE tests from the government, delivered in the mail. Here’s the link to sign up.

A reminder from the Town

Finally, some important things to remember now that we have a lot of snow on the ground:

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The ice rink is open! (And other Rec news)

11 Jan

For all of you ice skating fans out there, here’s a phone number you’ll want to put up on your fridge:

585-872-7103 (option 3)

That’s the number to call for an update on the conditions at the Webster Parks and Recreation ice rink. I checked it yesterday and the good news is, thanks to the recent cold weather, the rink is finally open!

The community ice rink is located in front of the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, off of Phillips Rd. just north of the village. It’s a nice size, 52 ft. by 104 ft., fully lined, and is totally FREE for anyone to use. You don’t even have to be a member of the Rec Center. There’s even a warming shed where you can sit to put on your skates. You’ll want to bring your own skates, though, because there rentals are not available.

Make sure you call that number before you go, however, to make sure that our capricious winter weather hasn’t turned the ice surface into mush.

Since we’re talking about Webster Parks and Recreation, here are a few other fun events they’re running which I wanted to pass along.

The first is the Four by Four Community Art Project. Basically this is a fun way to get your whole family crafting, and help decorate the Rec Center at the same time.

Here’s the deal: for $2 each, you pick up a 4×4″ canvas square anytime between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1. Take it home and design it any way you’d like. Once it’s complete, return your square to the Rec Center by Tuesday March 1, and all the squares will be hung side-by-side to create one huge art piece.

For more information and a few more instructions, visit the Webster Parks and Recreration Center website.

And this looks like something I’m going to want to try myself: the Clovers and Clues Scavenger Hunt.

From March 1 through March 17, families are encouraged to participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt, co-sponsored by the Webster Heath and Education Network (WHEN). Visit the WHEN website beginning March 1, and from there you’ll visit multiple spots throughout the Town of Webster, gathering letters at each location which will ultimately decode a final message promoting healthy choices.

Once decoded, the message can be submitted to Webster Parks and Recreation for a chance to win a prize.

Good luck!

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

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Looking back at the year in blogs

31 Dec

As another challenging year comes to a close, I took a moment the other day to look back through all the blogs I wrote in 2021. It was a fun tour and I was a little surprised by the sheer number: 248. I really thought there’d be fewer than that, given that we were still dealing with the pandemic, schools were still ratcheting up from remote learning and many regularly-scheduled special events were scaled back or postponed entirely.

But it turns out I still had a lot to write about. For that matter, the largest percentage of those blogs were about special events that continued to be held despite COVID, or returned this year after being put on hold in 2020. They included Village events like the Trick-or-Treat Trail, White Christmas, the Family Games nights, Beer Walk, and the holiday summer parade. But several other Webster events also got my attention, including the St. Rita Fiesta, Waterfront Art Festival and the XRX Radio Club Field Day.

I wrote a lot about businesses, especially highlighting the new ones that opened this year despite the pandemic. And there were several of them: Whimsies, Crafty Christy’s Boutique, Village HandWorks, Cobblestone on Main, Polar Freeze, To the Core Pilates and Nourished. I wrote about the new owners at Diamond Collsion, yoga classes at Welch’s Greenhouses and anniversary parties at my two favorite pubs, Barry’s and Knucklehead. I lamented the passing of The Music Store, and explored a long-time village business, Village Mall Video, for the first time.

I spread positive news from our schools about the Webster Marching Band’s Autumn Fanfare and State Championship; the schools’ musicals and dramas, Plank North and Schlegel Elementary Schools’ Tour Around the Lakes; and the creative ways the PTSA found to help the Class of 2021 feel special.

I highlighted local organizations that create the fabric of our community (most of them several times), including the Chorus of the Genesee, Webster Museum, Webster Public Library, Friends of Webster Trails, Miracle Field, the Webster Theater Guild and Bella’s Bumbas.

Then there were all those blogs which I can only characterize as snippets from small-town life, the kinds of simple things and wonderful people that make living in Webster special.

I shared photos of many of our village’s beautiful gardens, charming village porches and Christmas decorations. I told stories about neighbors helping neighbors: the Curtice Park homeowner who hosted a COVID-friendly Easter scavenger hunt for kids; a porch concert on Park Ave.; and the kind person who’s created a wild animal sanctuary on the Hojack Trail. I especially liked giving shout-outs to kids doing great things, like the young artists who created a chalk garden on Baker Street, and the six-year old who sold lemonade on South Ave. to benefit St. Jude’s.

I’ve met many wonderful people through this blog, and shared many of their stories with you. Like “Webster’s Mrs. Claus,” Florence Kinney; Brandon Schafer, the “North Ave. Artist”; and the new director of the Webster Library, Adam Traub.

Finally, I shared some personal stories, and wrote others just for fun (like the recent one about the hit-and-run at the Irondequoit Rec Center).

I got a proclamation for outstanding community service from the Town of Webster in August, and displayed many of my blog photos at the Webster Public Library. I shared both of those accomplishments with you all. I introduced a new website, Afterthoughts, and a few enhancements to my Webster on the Web site, links to local services and a village directory.

And finally, there were the mysteries you worked through with me: Who lost that GoPro in the lake? Who WAS James Carnavale? Who was that man who painted the Holt Rd. sign?

Whew.

I know a lot of you are still reading this blog, three or more page scrolls down from where it began. I know that because you are the folks who’ve been with me all year.

You’re the reason I write this blog. Because even though I enjoy doing this, it would get pretty old if I thought my words weren’t making a difference.

So thank you all for being faithful readers. I wish you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2022, and I look forward to continuing to spread good news from our hometown.

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

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Sights and sounds of the season

22 Dec

The Village of Webster is an awesome place to live and work, but every Christmas season, it’s especially magical.

For starters, village homeowners really do a nice job with holiday decorations. Some displays are sparkly and gaudy, others muted and dignified. But together they make for a delightful stroll or slow drive through the streets to admire the spectacle.

I did just that last night, snapping photos of many of my favorites. You’ll see them in the slideshow at the end of this blog.

But something else happens every year (pandemic years excepted) that I think makes our village unique: community caroling.

This week the streets of Webster Village were alive with music as two separate groups strolled through the neighborhoods, caroling at businesses and homes along the way.

The first of the musical meanderings took place Monday night, when Robyn Whittaker, owner of Beyond Cuts salon, hosted almost two dozen friends, business acquaintances and assorted other local residents on her “Christmas Carol Debacle” caroling party. I couldn’t join the festivities this year, but I’m sure the happy group visited plenty of unsuspecting businesses and homes on their trek through the village.

They even stopped at my house, where my husband and I enjoyed a hearty version of “Jingle Bells” (pictured above). It made our evening, as I’m sure it did for many others who enjoyed ther carolers’ music.

https://videopress.com/v/G5EDuUMe?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata

Then last night, I joined the Chorus of the Genesee briefly for their annual “Soup & Carol Night.” The Chorus has been hosting this evening of caroling for more than 25 years. This year’s group numbered about 20, who first gathered at the Harmony House to pick up song sheets. After their musical walk through the village, everyone returned for socializing, coffee, cookies, and a selection of delicious homemade soups.

This kind of stuff is really what small-town life is all about.

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