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Webster Library hosts event for budding writers

23 Sep

Writers and wanna-be writers are invited to a special event at the Webster Public Library this coming Saturday, Sept. 30 to learn more about the craft and how to get your work published.

Called “Readers, Writers and Connections,” the event will begin at 11 a.m. with a one-hour panel discussion by local history authors. The participants will discuss their writing process and how you, too, can write your own history pieces.

From 1 to 2 p.m., several publishers and editors will discuss their tips and tricks to be successful in publishing a book or article.

Then, from 2 to 3 p.m., science fiction author Edward Ashton will present a talk about what it’s like to have your book made into a movie. Ashton is the author of Mickey 7, which is set to be released next year.

Registration is required for this event. Click here for more information and to register.

And don’t wait till Saturday to check out the library’s display of books featuring local history, local authors, and publishing advice.

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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 9/23/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

22 Sep

Our first notice today comes from the Webster CSD.

If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming Building our Future Capital Project vote, the district is holding a community forum thcis week. According to the district, “the $85 million project focuses on providing a safe educational environment for all students with zero tax impact for district residents.”  

Community members are invited to a forum this Thursday, September 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Webster Thomas High School library, 800 Five Mile Line Road.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more – and ask questions – about Building Our Future, including planned upgrades at all 11 schools. The Building Our Future capital project vote will take place Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School.

This very special event from Webster Comfort Care Home.

Community members are cordially invited to a Celebration of Remembrance on Tuesday evening Oct. 3, where you can light a luminaria in honor or memory of your loved one(s).

Luminarias can be purchased for $10 each and will benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home in its mission to provide no-cost, compassionate care to the terminally ill and their families.

The Celebration of Remembrance will be held at the Comfort Care Home, 700 Holt Rd., from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 3. Rain date will be Oct. 5.

I attended a recent Women’s Club of Webster luncheon recently (you’ll be reading more about them and the great things they do later), and came away with news of two upcoming events.

Their annual Card/Game Party “Fun-Raiser” has been scheduled for Tuesday Nov. 7 at Glendoveers on Old Browncroft Rd.

This always fun social event begins at 10 a.m. with coffee and danish, followed bya buffet luncheon at 12:30 p.m. The games themselves will be played from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day includes 50/50 drawings and lots of beautiful basket raffles. A cash bar will also be available.

Tickets cost $40. Checks should be made out to the Women’s Club of Webster and mailed to Diane Miller, 428 Seneca Park Ave., Rochester, 14617. Deadline to order tickets is Nov. 1.

And… if you’re a regular blood donor, you’ll be glad to hear that the Women’s Club of Webster will be providing the canteen cookies at the blood drive scheduled for Wednesday Oct. 11 from noon to 7 p.m. at the Webster Firemen’s Building, 172 Sanford Street.

Appointments are not required. Donors should feel free to just drop in. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROS (1-800-733-2767).

The next Friends of the Webster Public Library Book Sale is just around the corner, Oct. 18 through 21. Here’s the announcement:

Find plenty of treasures for your mind at astoundingly low prices during the Webster Public Library Fall Book Sale. Gently used hardcover books will be available for $1, paperback books for $.50!

Members of the Friends of the Webster Public Library can visit Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. for a first look. Membership in the Friends of the Webster Public Library is required and can be purchased at the door.

The general public sale will be Thursday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. Friday and Saturday are BYOB Sale Days — bring your own bag, fill it with gently used books for only $5!

The sale will be held at the library, 980 Ridge Rd. Proceeds from the fall book sale directly benefit library programs, book collections and other special projects.

Also, remember that the very clever “Caps for Sale” fundraiser is coming up in November, and donations are hand-made caps are being accepted now.

The fundraiser is based on the popular children’s book of the same name, in which Bartholomew Cubbins had 500 hats. Right now, the library is collecting yarn for crafty people to turn into hats, and asking crafty people to make hats for the sale. Any size (infant to adult), any style, any technique (knit, crochet, felt, woven, felt, sewn), with any fiber (machine washable is appreciated, please include care information) will be accepted. If you can donate yarn or hats, you can drop them off at the library service desk during September and October.

The actual Caps for Sale fundraiser event will be November 2 from 5 to 7 pm and Saturday Nov 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the library. Adult hats will be $15 and children’s hats will be $10. Any unsold hats will be donated to Webster NY Hope and other charities.

Finally (at the risk of making this a very library-centric mailbag), click the flyer to see what kind of fun stuff they have coming up in the next few weeks.

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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 9/22/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

13 Sep

There are several great events coming up this weekend which I wanted to remind you about, plus a look ahead at a few others.

But first, this breaking news:

Due to the lack of registrations, the Webster Community Bed Race has been postponed. Organizers hope to reschedule the race for sometime next spring. (This was a real bummer because this would have been fun.)

WCCH hosts guest bartender

Here’s a fun way to support the Webster Comfort Care Home (WCCH). Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., WCCH will hold a guest bartending evening at Capone’s Bar and Italian Eatery, 1517 Empire Blvd. Mark Shuttleworth, PM drive host and program director at Legends 102.7, will be one of the guest bartenders!

It’ll be a fun night of cocktails and raffles, and an early bird chance to buy tickets to WCCH’s upcoming Casino Night on Nov. 3. For more information, click here.

A reminder that the 4th annual Barry’s Irish Festival takes place this Saturday Sept. 16 at the Barry Patch Farm in Hilton. This is always an excellent day filled with all things Irish: music, food, dancers, and of course Guinness. This is also a great chance to say one last thank-you to Danny and Jess for blessing our village with the original Barry’s Old School Irish for so long.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m, and tickets are $20 at the door (kids under 16 are free). For a lot more details, check out this blog.

Get rid of those paint cans

Also on Saturday Sept. 16, a hazardous waste recycling event will be held at the Webster Highway Garage, 1005 Picture Parkway.

This event is by appointment only. To schedule your appointment and see a whole list of what can be accepted, click here.

Willkommen!

Webster’s annual Oktoberfest is returning to Webster Fireman’s Field on Friday and Saturday Sept. 15 and 16.

Opening at noon Friday Sept. 15, with events through Saturday evening Sept. 16, this year’s festival will feature authentic German cuisine from Swan’s Market, beer and wine by Cobblestone on Main, Nancy’s Fried Dough and Helmut’s Strudel of WNY, all set to authentic local and regional German bands and musicians. 

The Oktoberfest will be open both days from noon to 10:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 from noon to 3 p.m. on Friday only, and $10 all other times. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. 

The Oktoberfest is the kick-off event for Challenger Week, which features several special events to benefit Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester. Check out this blog for more details about the Oktoberfest and Challenger Week.

Garage sales!!!!

Both the Webster Museum and Webster NY Hope are holding huge garage sales Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Click here for details about both sales.

Van driver needed

The Webster Recreation Center’s Senior Center is still looking for a part-time van driver to help seniors get to and from the Rec Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, click the image.

Church BBQ

St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold a Drive Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. and will continue until all dinners are sold out.

Dinners will include a half chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and cookie, and will cost $15.

The event will be drive-through only and there will be no advance sales; first-come, first-served. Cars should enter the parking lot, follow the signs, and purchase dinners using exact payment of either cash or
check. Cars will then pick up boxed dinners.

Proceeds from the BBQ will support both St. Martin’s Little Free Pantry and Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.

Caps for Sale fundraiser needs you

The very clever and very popular “Caps for Sale” fundraiser returns to the Webster Public Library in November, to benefit the Friends of the Library.

The fundraiser is based on the popular children’s book of the same name, in which Bartholomew Cubbins had 500 hats. There won’t be quite that many at this sale, but guaranteed you’ll find a beautiful selection of hand-crafted hats.

Right now, the library is collecting yarn for crafty people to turn into hats, and asking crafty people to make hats for the sale. Any size (infant to adult), any style, any technique (knit, crochet, felt, woven, felt, sewn), with any fiber (machine washable is appreciated, please include care information) will be ac cepted. If you can donate yarn or hats, you can drop them off at the library service desk during September and October.

The actual Caps for Sale fundraiser event will be November 2 from 5 to 7 pm and Saturday Nov 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the library. Adult hats will be $15 and children’s hats will be $10. Any unsold hats will be donated to Webster NY Hope and other charities.

Finally, these two notices from the school district:

Webster CSD Hosts Capital Project Community Forums 

Webster CSD residents are invited to attend TWO community forums which will highlight the proposed Building Our Future capital improvement project. The $85 million project focuses on providing a safe educational environment for all students with zero tax impact for district residents. Forums will be held on:

  • Thursday, September 21, Webster Schroeder High School library, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 875 Ridge Road, (this forum will also be live streamed)
  • Thursday, September 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Webster Thomas High School library, 800 Five Mile Line Road

Community members will have the opportunity to learn more – and ask questions – about Building Our Future, including planned upgrades at all 11 schools. As a reminder, Webster CSD’s Building Our Future capital project vote will take place Wednesday, October 11, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gym, 875 Ridge Road, Webster. 

… and, if you want to vote on the project but will be out of town ..

Absentee ballot applications are now available for Webster CSD’s proposed Building Our Future capital improvement project.

Qualified voters of the district who will be unable to attend the polls on the day of the vote, for reasons outlined on the absentee ballot application, may wish to use an absentee ballot. Voters must apply for the ballot in advance. Absentee ballot applications are available from District Clerk Heather Murphy, 119 South Avenue, Webster, or under Links on the bottom of the Proposed Capital Project web page at websterschools.org/capitalproject.

All absentee ballot applications must be received by the district clerk at least seven business days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the vote if the ballot is to be picked up personally by or for the voter.

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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 9/13/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

17 Aug

Summer is quickly winding down, but the number of special events happening in these last weeks of the season have not slowed one bit.

Of course, one of the biggest events of the Webster year takes place this weekend, Friday and Saturday Aug. 18 and 19. It’s the Webster Jazz Festival, which for the last 17 years has brought some amazing jazz musicians to entertain us in the pubs and on West Main St.

The event kicks off with Music in the Pubs on Friday evening when six different bands are scheduled to perform at six different village pubs and restaurants, with staggered start times, so you can visit visit several (or all) of the venues for a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy as many bands as you like.

The music continues Saturday night when jazz takes to the street. Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of entertainers will take to the big West Main Street stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. Bring some folding chairs and enjoy music all evening long. It looks like the weather will be perfect.

Click here to see my previous blog which includes the complete line-up of entertainers, or visit websterbid.com. You can also see a whole gallery of photos from last year’s Jazz Festival here.

The Webster Marching Band Boosters’ next Food Truck Rodeo is scheduled for Friday August 25 from 4 to 8 p.m at Webster Fireman’s Field.

The Marching Band Boosters sponsor various fundraising events throughout the year to help pay for the Webster Marching Band’s equipment, show productions, and competition-related trip expenses.

More than a dozen food trucks will be on hand, including The Meatball Truck, Roc City Sammich, Rob’s Kabobs, Kona Ice, Eat Greek, Chefs, ROCDilla, The Beer Wagon, Al Dente, Bay Vista Taqueria, Bruster’s, Mr. Squeeze and the Melt Truck.

There will also be face painting for the kids. (Clip the coupon from the poster.) Admittance to the rodeo is FREE, and all proceeds from the food trucks will benefit the Marching Band Boosters and Webster Marching Band members.

Webster NY Hope, in partnership with the Webster Public Library, is hosting a school-supply drive to help our local students have what they need to start the school year off strong.

Supplies are being collected at the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd., and will be distributed at Webster Hope’s Back-to-School Night on Tuesday Aug. 29.

Enlarge the flyer to see what supplies are being requested.

Also happening soon at Webster Hope: their annual garage sale, scheduled for Sept. 13 to 16 at 1450 Ridge Rd. This is always a huge sale, so make sure to put it on your calendar.

Speaking of garage sales, here’s a final reminder to drop off your donations for the upcoming Webster Museum Barn Sale, scheduled for Sept. 14 to 16 at 394 Phillips Rd.

The barn doors are open, and community members are invited to stop by anytime to drop off donations. Just head down the driveway to the barns, and donations can be left 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.

Donations will only be accepted through Monday Sept. 4 (Labor Day) so museum volunteers will have plenty of time to get everything ready for the 14th.

Acceptable items include antiques, collections and collectibles, kitchen and household items, décor, small appliances, toys, tools, and small furniture. What CANNOT be accepted include 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).  

I’ll be highlighting the barn sale again as it draws closer. But in the meantime, get those donations … un … donated!

Looking forward to September, the annual Webster Rocks ALS music festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9 at Firemen’s Field.

The festival is held to raise awareness for ALS in memory of Kacie Jones, a longtime employee of the Coach/Rubino’s, who passed away from ALS at 31 years old, less than two years after he was diagnosed. Proceeds will benefit organizations that fight to change the standard of case and empower people with ALS. (Visit www.healingals.org or www.teamgleason.org for more information.)

The festival will be held on Saturday Sept. 9 at the Webster Firemen’s Field on Ridge Rd. There’ll be food trucks and plenty of liquid refreshment. Doors open at 2 p.m. and an incredible music line-up starts at 3 p.m., featuring Anthony Blood, State Line, Brass Taxi, Dial Up and M80s. (Check the Facebook event page for more details about the schedule.)

Tickets are $20 in advance (available from the Coach Sports Bar, 19 W. Main in Webster) and at Eventbrite (but they charge fees, so stop by the Coach to save money). Cost is $25 the day of the festival. Admission is free for ages 12 and under.

If you can’t get enough music, here’s another FREE concert taking place that same day, Saturday Sept. 9 at Gazebo Park on North Ave.

It’s the second annual RHB St. Jude Benefit Concert, which this year features not just your hosts, the Red Hot and Blue Band, but also Sarah De Vallière, The M-T-V Jam Band (Moore Tyrrel and Vaughan) and The Tug Hill Band. Pub 235, Guida’s Pizza and Terry’s Tips And Beef will also be there with some great food.

This concert is becoming an annual event to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in honor of September being Child Cancer Awareness Month. The bands start performing at 1 p.m., and admission is free, but donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted throughout the show.

Those special events are just the tip of the September-entertainment iceberg. Here’s a quick look at several other events you’ll want to get on your calendar. I’ll provide more details in future blogs, so stay tuned.

  • Saturday and Sunday Sept. 9 and 10: Webster Garlic Fest at the Webster Recreation Center. Click here for more information.
  • Monday Sept. 11: Village of Webster 9/11 ceremony, featuring the Webster Village Band. Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at Gazebo Park on North Ave.
  • Friday and Saturday Sept. 15 and 16: Oktoberfest to benefit Challenger Miracle Field. Click here for more information.
  • Sept. 16 to 24: Miracle Field Week, with several events to benefit Challenger Miracle Field, including the Oktoberfest (see above), a concert by the Zac Brown Tribute Band, a corn hole tournament, and more. Details here.
  • Saturday, Sept. 16: The Webster Community Bed Races. Click here for more information.
  • Saturday Sept. 23: Third annual Mud Run at the Webster Recreation Center. Read more about it in this blog. I WILL be there.

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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 8/17/2023)

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A renewed appreciation for the Webster Public Library

13 Aug

I’ve really got to visit the library more often.

I’ve recently made a concerted effort to carve out more time in my life to just sit and read. That led me, of course, to the Webster Public Library to pick up a few books. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but trusted that the library’s ever-changing displays would guide me.

And, as a reader, that’s one thing I love about the library. Walking in there is like walking into a candy store where the shelves are packed with a dizzying variety of colorful, tasty, carefully-packaged morsels of goodness.

But on my last visit I was reminded that there’s a lot more to the Webster Public Library than just the books.

For starters, there’s the Artists’ Wall just to the left as you walk in. This month it’s displaying some beautiful works by local artist Rose Boccolucci, whose art stopped me in my tracks.

Over near the reference room to the right of the circulation desk, the Webster Museum has set up a display case highlighting the history of the Forest Lawn neighborhood with lots of old photos and memorabilia.

And standing proudly above the biographies in the main collection area are eight of the original Hegedorn’s panels which were rescued from the ceiling above the check-out area when the store closed in June. (I knew the library had adopted some, but it was a nice surprise to be reminded.)

In case you’re wondering, when I left the library, I did indeed have two books tucked in my bag, and they couldn’t be more different: an exploration of the cosmos written by Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and a Janet Evanovich romantic mystery.

Kind of like licorice and Sweet Tarts, actually.

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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 8/9/2023)

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The Visionaries low-vision support group to meet at library

28 Jul

Community members who struggle with vision issues — macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, or others — are invited to attend the August meeting of The Visionaries, being hosted next month at the Webster Public Library.

The Visionaries is a support group for adults with low-to-no vision. Members of this support group share their interests and opportunities with others, encouraging those with visual impairment to get the most out of their lives.

The group will meet on Wednesday, August 2 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Webster Public Library Community Room, 980 Ridge Road. Senior Services Librarian Jennifer Lenio will give a presentation on the services available at the library and through the library system, and local author Jane Hopkins will also give a short talk about her recent book, Cemetery Reflections, and how she continues to photograph despite having macular degeneration.    

There’s no need to register, just come by to join the meeting!. For more information on The Visionaries, contact Ed Wilkonski at (585) 265-4167 or email wingstwofly@rochester.rr.com

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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 7/27/2023)

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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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The last of the Hegedorn’s ceiling tiles have found homes

30 Jun
Kerri Goodman
Dave Grabowski
Chris DeBuck

Webster has said its last, sad goodbyes to Hegedorn’s Market, but at least a small part of our hometown grocery will live on for much longer.

Regular blog readers have been following the story of the colorfully-painted ceiling tiles that for more than 30 years hung above Hegedorn’s check-out area. When the decision was made to close the store, Produce Manager Fred Palmer took it upon himself to make sure the panels were not only saved, but returned to the students who painted them all those years ago.

Thanks in large part to word spreading through social media, more than half of the 32 tiles were claimed, and Fred took photos of the artists with their panels when they came to pick them up (you can see many of those photos above and at the end of the blog). By the store’s closing day, 15 tiles remained unclaimed.

But even they have found homes.

Eight of the final 15 tiles have been donated to the Webster Public Library, where they’re currently on display. Library Director Adam Traub was very excited to adopt some of the tiles, saying,

Hegedorn’s has been a staple of the Webster community for generations; the Webster Public Library would like to thank Hegedorn’s for their contributions to this community by saving a piece of that history to share with generations to come. The tiles will be on display this summer in the main library (between Biographies and Graphic Novels), then hopefully find a permanent home in the ceiling of the children’s room.

This is actually a fitting end for some of the tiles since Adam and his classmate Greg Smalter created one of them.

The remaining seven tiles have been given to the Webster Museum. Museum Director Tom Pellett told me they’re considering installing several of them in the ceiling and/or walls of the toy room alcove.

He wrote, “We feel this is an important part of Webster. Not only because of Hegedorn’s history but also a reminder of the students who created them and Jack Morse, the art teacher who guided the project.”

Thank you to everyone who shared the blog and Facebook posts and helped find homes for these important pieces of Hegedorn’s — and Webster’s — history.

Here are more photos of the artists with their reclaimed ceiling tiles:

Ryan Johnson’s mom
Carrie (Frank) Swain
Brad Francis
Adam Benfante
Santina Beachner
Erin Cantaben’s Dad
Webster Library Director Adam Traub

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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 6/30/2023)

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Unique library program highlights small businesses

24 Jun

A new adult program recently introduced at the Webster Public Library is giving local small business owners a chance to shine.

It’s called the Business Spotlight Series, and it’s being coordinated by Adult Programming Librarian Sue DelPozzo as a way to support our small businesses. She wrote,

Having so many businesses close in Webster recently, I felt it was part of my mission to support the existing, and especially new, businesses so that they can succeed. Everyone feels so sad when businesses close, but I don’t think people give enough thought to WHY they close. I am hoping in a small way that perhaps having this series, we are helping to raise awareness that we need to shop and support local.

Participating business owners can decide what they want to include in their presentation, with the stipulation that they need to represent their mission and educate in some way. As such, DelPozzo is only choosing businesses that have an educational component. They can bring samples and business cards to represent their business, but will not be allowed to sell their products.  

The first program in the series, held Monday June 12, featured Amy Stringer, owner of The North Bee, on North Ave. in the Village of Webster. It was a fascinating look at the hard-working insects and how they can benefit us in so many ways.

I learned that bees are the only insect that gives us food; that there are all kinds of honey, including avocado honey, sour wood honey and wild sage honey; that eating raw honey can improve overall wellness; why some honeys are darker than others; that the queen will lay 1500 to 2000 eggs per day; that worker bee jobs change as they grow older; and that honey never goes bad (they pulled honey from ancient tombs and it’s still good).

Basically, I came away with a much greater respect for bees.

DelPozzo hopes to schedule one program a month through next June, and perhaps extend the series even longer if it’s successful and enough businesses are interested in participating. The upcoming schedule for the rest of this year includes:

  • July 27, 6:30 p.m.: Curated. by JUSTINTERIORS
  • August 10, 10:30 a.m.: Never Say Never Stables
  • September (date TBA): M/Body
  • October (date TBA): Green Tea Esthetics
  • November (date TBA): Schutt’s Apple Mill

Registration is requested so they know about how many chairs to set up. You can register at the Webster Public Library website; just go to the Events tab to find the program. Registration is open now for the first two programs and will open later this summer and fall for the remainder.

Business owners interested in joining the series and presenting a talk at the library should email Sue DelPozzo at Susan.DelPozzo@libraryweb.org

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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.

(posted 6/28/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

4 Jun

I’m kicking off today’s mailbag with this follow-up from the Webster Central School District about the Northeast Monroe County Special Olympics Track & Field Day, which Webster Schroeder High School hosted on May 23.

Athletes from Webster Schroeder, Webster Thomas, East Irondequoit, West Irondequoit, Penfield, Creekside, Mary Cariola, and Greece schools participated in this year’s event. They competed in track, field, and adaptive events including dashes, relays and distance runs, softball throw, long jump, shot put, 25m manual wheelchair, 25m electric wheelchair, and wheelchair softball throw.

Additional special events were offered for younger athletes to introduce them to sports movements and skills, including activities like an obstacle course, parachute games and target practice.

Special Olympics NY programs are designed to offer age-appropriate experiences to younger athletes that will prepare them for authentic Special Olympics competition. 

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St. Martin Lutheran Church’s annual Garage Sale returns on June 8 to 10 at the church, 813 Bay Rd.

This huge sale will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday June 8 and 9, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday June 10. Along with what you might consider “regular” garage sale items, there will be lots of picture frames, furniture, household goods, sporting goods and toys.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the church’s outreach projects, including their Little Free Pantry which stands at the edge of their parking lot.

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Great food is in store on Saturday June 17 when the Rochester Academy of Irish Dance Parents Association host a Chicken BBQ drive-through fundraiser. They’ll be set up at 780 Ridge Rd. in Webster (between Five Mile Line and Hatch roads).

Dinners will be served beginning at 4 p.m., until they’re sold out. They cost $15, which includes a half chicken, potatoes, cole slaw, rolls and butter.

Questions? Email raidparentgroup@gmail.com.

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This next notice is from our neighbors to the south.

On Friday June 9 from 4 to 8 p.m., the Penfield Recreation Center will host the annual PENFEST.

This is a great family event featuring food trucks, music, a KidZone, raffles, and lots of vendors and community agency displays.

The Penfield Recreation Center is located at 1985 Baird Rd.

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There’s always lots of great stuff happening at the Webster Recreation Center, but here are a few highlights:

The always entertaining Senior Singers will present a free performance on Tuesday June 6 at 11 a.m. in the lunch room. No registration is required and everyone is welcome.

Need a ride to the Rec Center? Good news! Anyone 55 or older can request a ride from your door to the Rec Center and back home again any Tuesday or Thursday. On Thursday, the ride home also includes a stop at the grocery store.

To schedule your ride, call the Rec Center at 585-872-7103 ext. 7385 no later than 8 a.m. the day of the ride. You’ll be asked to provide your name, address, phone number and requested date(s). Pickup will be between 9 and 10 a.m., and will return after Lunch Club 60, between 12:30 and 1 p.m. Rides cost $4 round trip per person/per day, payable at the front office upon arrival.

The Webster Recreation Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

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There’s always great stuff happening at the Webster Public Library also, but here are a few highlights:

  • Outdoor story times have returned to Harmony Park. Every Wednesday June through August, beginning at 9:30 a.m., bring the kids and a blanket and enjoy story time at the band shell. All ages are welcome and no registration is required. The park is located on Phillips Rd. south of Ridge.
  • June 12 is this month’s Make-it-Monday craft night. From 6 to 7 p.m. participants can make rainbow cloud hangings. Registration is required. Click here to register.
  • Kindness rocks! Stop by the library on Saturday June 24 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and decorate a rock or two with words or images of kindness. Then you can take your rocks and hide them around Webster.
  • The 2023 summer reading theme is “All Together Now,” so the library is celebrating friendship and kindness with a three-week Friendship Camp. It begins Wednesday June 28 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. with Friendship Bracelets and Button Making. Grades 4-12 are welcome. Registration is required.

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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 6/4/2023)

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