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April History Bit: Willow Point Park

15 Apr

We all know Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit. It’s been around for almost 150 years, making happy summer memories for generations. Fewer, however, will remember Willow Point Park, Webster’s very own amusement park. It was in business for only three decades, but to this day it evokes very fond memories.

Willow Point Park was located on Bay Road (where Willow Point Rd. is now), a little more than a half mile north of the Empire/Bay Rd. intersection. It was a small, rather quaint amusement park, quite different from the sprawling parks that today’s kids know today. But its more intimate atmosphere was one of Willow Point’s biggest draws, especially for young families. It was also popular because, despite its moderate size, it featured many unusual attractions which were – and are – hard to find at the bigger amusement parks.

Everett DeNeve opened the first incarnation of Willow Point Park in the early 1930s. It began as just a miniature golf course, but every year DeNeve expanded it with new attractions. By 1939, he sold Willow Point to Jack Garliner, who would direct its expansion well into the early 1960s. 

In many respects, Willow Point seemed more like a summer camp than an amusement park. Throughout its almost 30-year history, its various attractions included an archery range, trampoline, batting cages, tennis, volleyball, badminton and small boats. But of course there were also plenty of traditional amusements and rides, including an arcade, a roller coaster, carousel, tilt-a-whirl, kiddie rides (which by today’s standards were especially quaint), and several other rides for young thrill-seekers.

As Garliner added and swapped out features through the years, Willow Point became a favorite gathering place for all ages. Teens and young adults would crowd into the roller rink/dance hall to see nationally-known bands, and a bingo hall added in the 1950s attracted older adults. 

Garlinger even made sure that disadvantaged children could enjoy his park. In the 1950s, he started offering “free days” for blind children one day a year and provided free lunches. Those events were followed later by similar days for children with multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.

In 1964, a year before he died, Garliner offered to sell Willow Point Park to the Town of Webster, with no success. After Garliner’s death, Joseph Schuler bought Willow Point in 1966, and kept it open until Labor Day, 1968. The land sat vacant for years before it was redeveloped as the Waterview Townhouse Apartments complex.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/15/2025)

Rich Marlin named Webster Chamber Business Person of the Year

3 Apr

Congratulations to Rich Marlin, financial advisor with Edward Jones in Webster, who was recently named Webster Chamber of Commerce 2025 Business Person of the Year.

A financial advisor for 43 years and an Edward Jones partner for more than 30 years, Rich is a husband, father, business owner and advisor to many. He’s also an active volunteer who’s been involved with many community efforts in addition to his involvement with the Chamber of Commerce.

Outside the office, Rich is passionate about sharing his time, treasure and talent with local non-profits. In addition to his Chamber Committee work with the Program and Membership committees, Rich leads the Chamber’s coordination for the annual United Way Day of Caring. He has sponsored Chamber connecting events such as Connect at Noon and has led past Power Hour presentations.

Rich has contributed financially to many charitable causes including the Webster Community Chest and Comfort Care Home, Hope Ministry, Webster Health & Education Network, Christopher’s Challenge, the Webster Garlic Festival, Wreaths Across America, One Soldier at a Time, the Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters, and the Heritage Christian Stables Day of Caring. AND he was a Boy Scout leader for more than 20 years.    

Rich’s efforts with the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is a project especially dear to his heart. Since 2021 he’s served on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee as a board member and chairperson. The event has raised more than $1,100,000 and Rich personally has raised more than $7000.

We have a plaque for him today that is inscribed with these words: “2025 Business Person of the Year presented by the Webster Chamber of Commerce to Rich Marlin in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the Webster Chamber of Commerce and your commitment to the community”.

In honor of his contributions to our community, Rich was presented with a plaque at the Webster Chamber of Commerce’s February Breakfast Before Business meeting. The Chamber also made a donation to an organization of Rich’s choosing.

The Business Person of the Year is an individual who is recognized as having set a standard of accomplishment in both business and the community. Nominations are from the Chamber’s business members who have made a significant impact on the role of business in the community. The nominee must have been an active member of the Chamber for at least 18 months, someone who is always willing to go above and beyond and be a leader that motivates others. He or she must have a level of community participation by contributing resources in the form of time, talent, or money to our community via projects, clubs, churches, and not-for-profit organizations.

(Pictured above, L-R: Webster Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Barry Howard, Deb Gargantiel from Rich Marlin’s staff, Business Person of the Year Rich Marlin, Rich’s wife Kathy Marlin, and Elena Heisel from Rich Marlin’s staff)

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/3/2025)

Big things are happening at Bella’s Bumbas

30 Mar

My regular readers know that I frequently write about Bella’s Bumbas. Today I want to tell you about how this awesome local organization is looking to expand, and could use some help from the Webster community to do so.

Bella’s Bumbas is a non-profit grassroots organization run by Webster residents Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, dedicated to building miniature wheelchairs for children with a wide variety of mobility issues. In the eight years since Marty built the first Bella’s Bumba for their niece Bella, they’ve shipped more than 3,000 chairs to children in 68 countries, often adapting the chairs for each child’s individual needs, and charging the parents only for shipping.

Since the beginning, Marty and Rebecca have been operating Bella’s Bumbas out of a small house just north of the village. As the number of chairs they were building and shipping continued to grow, they got creative with using the space they had available. First the living room was the office and the kitchen the workshop. Then the kitchen was the office and the larger family room was the workshop. Shelves were built everywhere to accommodate all the parts. Bubble wrap and shipping boxes were stacked in every available corner and stuffed into a ramshackle garage and adjacent chicken coop.

For eight years, that worked. But now, they’re out of room, which is beginning to hamper their ability to keep growing and offer life-changing mobility to even more children with disabilities.

So Rebecca and Marty have set their sights on building a new barn, which will accommodate all of their storage and inventory needs and free up valuable space inside the workshop.

The plan is to demolish the chicken coop and the existing garage — which is basically falling over — and replace it with a 22′ by 30′ garage. The new garage (which will be about three times the size of the old one and the chicken coop combined) will have a concrete floor and lots of shelving space, with plenty of room for future expansion. They’re also planning to replace the current (crumbling) driveway, which will be pretty much destroyed during demolition.

Rebecca and Marty have estimated the cost of the entire project to be about $60,000, and they’d really like to have it completed sometime this summer. That’s an ambitious goal, but I know that our Webster community will come together and help them achieve it.

Here are a few ways you can help:

  • Attend a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, Friday May 2 at the Webster Masonic Lodge, 30 Orchard St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children and you can eat in or take out (cash only, please). In addition to the dinner, there will be a 50/50 raffle, basket raffles and Bella’s Bumbas merchandise for sale. There will also be some Bumbas there for children to try out.
  • Attend the Mr. Batavia Talent Show on Friday April 4 at Batavia High School. Eleven seniors from Batavia High School will compete in this 12th annual competition. Each participant chooses a nonprofit agency to receive a portion of the ticket sales if they win one of the top three spots. This year, Kahler Evans has chosen Bella’s Bumbas as his chosen charity. Tickets are $10 each and will be available at the door.
  • Send a donation check directly to Bella’s Bumbas LTD, 1170 Ridge Rd. #208, Webster, NY 14580. Please mark “WEP” on the check note to indicate it’s for the Workplace Expansion Project. (Donation receipts provided on request.)
  • When the time comes, volunteer to help with some manual tasks during the construction, like cleaning out the old garage. Keep an eye on the Bella’s Bumbas Facebook page for updates.
  • Are you a business owner? Gary Inzana from Top Tier Recruiting and Consulting has donated $1,000 and is challenging other businesses to match or exceed his donation and set their own challenge.

And a huge shout-out to the Pennsylvania Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, which has adopted Bella’s Bumbas as one of their state-wide charities in 2025, which means that Bella’s Bumbas will benefit from their fundraising efforts all year long.

Visit the Bella’s Bumbas website to read more about their story and the incredible things they’re doing for our world’s children.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/30/2025)

Cookies and cupcakes and brownies, oh my! Sweet Square Bakery is open

28 Mar

The word has spread quickly through the village: Sweet Square Bakery is FINALLY open at 1 West Main St., at the Village’s four corners.

We’ve all been carefully watching this vacant storefront for months, ever since Buffalo Bleached moved out about a year ago. The prospect of having a cute little coffee shop right in the middle of town was very exciting, so much so that their first few days, the line stretched out the door pretty much the entire time they were open.

I still haven’t been able to connect with the owner, but I didn’t want to wait any longer to introduce this new Village of Webster gem to everyone.

And it is a gem. Now, I’ll be the first to say that the Village Bakery is a wonderful place for coffee and treats, a convenient spot to meet friends and set up your laptop. But it’s kind of noisy and usually pretty crowded.

The new Sweet Square Bakery offers a much different ambiance, which I can only describe as quaint and cozy. There are five cafe tables which seat 20 comfortably, and every visitor is welcomed warmly by the staff members. The large front windows let in all sorts of sunshine, making the entire shop bright and airy. The display cases are filled with delectable treats including cupcakes, cookies, brownies, cakes and more (ranging in price from $3.25 to $6.50, depending on the baked good) and there are several coffee options.

So basically, it’s another wonderful place in the Village of Webster for coffee and treats, a convenient spot to meet friends and to fire up your laptop. And it’s right in the center of town.

Here’s a look inside; all photos are courtesy the Village of Webster.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/28/2025)

Webster community mailbag

26 Mar

There’s still time to sign up for this month’s Webster Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Before Business meeting, scheduled for this Friday March 28.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast for Chamber members, guests and visitors interested in investigating Chamber membership. The March breakfast will be held on Friday March 28 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. The monthly breakfasts are opportunities to network, meet new contacts, develop current business relationships, learn, and earn visibility for your business or organization. Every attendee participates in pass-the-mic time when you’re invited to (very briefly) introduce yourself and your business.

This is the largest monthly Chamber networking event in the Greater Rochester area, with 70 to 90 attendees. Reservations are required. Click here to do so.

Shopping and Hopping

Quilters and crafters, take note:

The Village Quilt Shoppe is participating in a Fantastic Four Shop Hop from April 3 to 5.

They’re teaming up with Fluffy’s Quilt Patch Plus, Jackie Lynn’s Fabric Center, and Sadie Quilts to offer

  • 15% off all bolted quilting fabric (1/2 yd min. cut)
  • Demos & goodie bags
  • Passport giveaway – Pick up your passport at the first shop you visit and turn it in at your last stop.
  • Grand Prize: 16 yards of fabric
  • Additional Prizes: Four 2nd & 3rd place winners, plus several 4th place prizes

PLUS, If you love this idea of a Shop Hop, then you’ll love this: The Village Quilt Shoppe is also participating in an All-New York State Shop Hop taking place throughout May and June.

More than 50 shops throughout the state are participating. To take part, you’ll need to purchase the All New York Shop Hop Magazine, available at the Village Quilt Shoppe or on their website. In the magazine, you’ll find a Shop Hop Passport which includes all the event details including,

  • Maps to help you navigate your journey
  • A list of stores by region for easy planning
  • Shops participating in Shop Hop Sundays
  • Special Shop Hop hours so you can visit as many stores as possible
  • Exclusive patterns included just for participants  

Plus, there’s a special New York-themed fabric, which can also be purchased in the quilt shop or online, with pre-orders available now for pickup starting May 1.

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 East Main St. in the Village of Webster, at the corner of Lapham Park.

Women’s Club announces April luncheon

The April luncheon meeting of the Women’s Club of Webster will be held on Thursday April 17 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd.

This month’s speaker will be Diane S. Miller, Associate Broker with the Re/Max Realty Group, a veteran real estate agent with over 38 years’ experience in local real estate. Diane will be sharing information on the current crazy real estate market, as well as tips for people thinking of making a move, tips for those wanting to age in place safely and tips for organizing life information to reduce stress, and more.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Diane’s presentation. Cost of the luncheon is $22 and will include a buffet featuring assorted deli subs (ham, turkey roast beef, cheeses, lettuce and tomato) Country Club chips, and a cookie. Friendship and camaraderie are included at no charge. New members are more than welcome.

Send your check made out to the Women’s Club of Webster by April 10 (FIRM) to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. If you have any questions, or you think your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303. She will hold your place.

Looking ahead to warmer weather, the Webster Arboretum will present a program on Thursday April 24 all about Orioles and Hummingbirds.

The talk will be presented by Liz Magnanti, the owner of The Bird House in Pittsford. Orioles and hummingbirds spend their winters in Central and South America and migrate back to North America in the spring for breeding season. Learn all about these beautiful birds and how to attract them to your backyard.

The presentation begins at 7 p.m. and will take place in the Curry Building. The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd. Click here to RSVP and to learn about future Arboretum programs.

Books books books (cheap books!)

The Friends of the Webster Public Library’s Book Sale will be held April 30 through May 3. The first day of the sale, Wednesday April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m., is exclusively for Friends Members. A Friends membership is required to attend this Book Sale and Vintage Book Sale. Membership can be purchased at websterlibrary.org or at the door.

All are welcome to attend the Book Sale on Thursday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hardcover books will be $1 each and paperbacks are only 50 cents each. May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 3 from 10 a.m. to noon are Bring-Your-Own-Bag Sale days, when you can fill your bag with books for only $5. All are welcome to attend the BYOB Sale days.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/26/2025)

The Village of Webster has a new bridal shop

24 Mar

A warm Village of Webster welcome to Pittsford Bride, which recently opened at 20 West Main.

Two years after Heart to Heart Bride left the village’s four corners, it’s absolutely wonderful to see astonishing beautiful wedding dresses, flowing with elegant grace, displayed in large picture windows along Main Street once again.

Pittsford Bride Owner Oksana Budak opened her new boutique about three weeks ago, and is already making a name for herself for the individualized services she provides her brides-to-be. 

Even if a customer chooses something off the rack, “We (can) do incredible custom changes to any dress,” Oksana said. “I can do a dress without sleeves, with sleeves, I can change the fabric … I can change everything.” The goal is for each bride to create a gown that works best for her body and fits her special vision. 

“It will be a totally different dress, but it will be her dress,” she said. 

Despite its name, Pittsford Bride is not an expansion of an existing shop. Oksana originally opened Pittsford Bride less than a year ago in the Clover View Plaza on Monroe Ave. It didn’t take her long, however, to decide that the very large space was not really what she envisioned for her boutique. She started looking around for a smaller, “cozier” location. When she discovered the newly renovated space on the Village of Webster’s Main Street, she knew it was perfect. 

In the plaza, she said, the shop seemed to get lost in the mix of all the other signs and stores, and it was more a destination rather than something people would just happen across. 

“Here, people are walking,” she said. “They stop, they look in the windows, they take pictures, ask me some questions. I like to see people walking.” 

Although the new shop is “cozier” than the one in Pittsford, it’s still plenty spacious enough to accommodate friends and family members who want to help the bride say “yes” to the perfect dress. There’s a comfortable seating area in front, a large changing room and a display room.

Oksana calls her dresses “more couture” style, with a lot of hand-crafted beading detail. “It’s a unique collection different from other stores, for brides who want to be different,” she said. She also has a small selection of mother-of-the-bride dresses and prom dresses. 

In her own words, this is what Oksana would like everyone to know about her shop:

Our Exclusive Services at Pittsford Bride

At Pittsford Bride, we are dedicated to making every bride’s dream come true with our personalized services and expert craftsmanship.

  • Professional Tailoring – Our in-house tailor works exclusively for our boutique, ensuring expert alterations and customizations in a short time frame. Brides who purchase their gowns from us receive special pricing and discounts.
  •  Custom-Made Dresses – Every dress in our boutique can be personalized to reflect your unique vision. Whether it’s adding extra lace, modifying the silhouette, or changing fabrics, we can create a gown that is truly one of a kind.
  •  Rush Orders – the bride need a dress quickly? We offer rush delivery options for brides with tight timelines.
  •  Gowns Under $1,000 – We believe every bride deserves to feel special, regardless of budget. Our boutique offers a selection of beautiful gowns under $1,000.
  •  Wedding Dress Rental –  Our rental service includes alterations, ensuring a perfect fit for your big day.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 585-414-8779 or visit Pittsford Bride’s website.

Oksana does plan to eventually change the name of her shop, but is waiting to do so until the end of the bridal season so it’s not too confusing for her current customers. She still hasn’t figured out what that new name will be, thought, so for a little while at least, we’re going to have a gorgeous little taste of Pittsford right here in downtown Webster.   

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/24/2025)

Bonus community mailbag

22 Mar

One of the benefits of being an entirely digital publication is that I can offer a rapid response for organizations who could use a hand getting the word out about an event or special offering. Today, I’m pleased to provide that service to two of my favorite local agencies, the Webster Comfort Care Home and the Webster Museum.

First, this extra shout-out for what promises to be a very fun evening of desserts and dancing.

The Webster Comfort Care Home is hosting an 80’s Prom and Dance Party on Saturday April 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Shadow Lake Golf Club, 1850 Five Mile Line Rd.

This is a great opportunity to celebrate a night on the town with your special gal or guy, complete with appetizers, desserts, a basket raffle and 50/50 raffle. There’ll be contests for Best Dressed and Most Original, and the King and Queen of the Prom will be crowned. You can even pre-order a corsage or boutonniere from Kittleberger’s, which you can pick up when you get to the dance.

Live entertainment for the evening will be provided by Hall Pass and DJ Lesh.

You remember how much fun your prom was! How about re-living that carefree time? And if you didn’t get to go to your prom, here’s your chance! Tickets are $60 each or two for $100, and the first 20 guests get a VIP bag of goodies. You can also purchase a package of eight tickets for $450, which includes a beautifully decorated table reserved just for you and your friends, and eight drink tickets.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Let’s make this a huge success for the Comfort Care Home, because they do so much for our community. They rely on community support to fulfill its mission of providing free hospice care for our terminally ill Webster neighbors.

Next, the Webster Museum would like to remind you about all of the great educational opportunities that await you there for you and your children.

If you have never visited our Webster Museum, located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, you might not realize that — when you’re there — you can:

  • discover evidence that mammoths wandered your neighborhood thousands of years ago
  • experience math and reading lessons in a one-room schoolhouse
  • see stone tools and weapons designed b Native Americans who might have camped in your yard
  • stroll down a typical Main Street featuring businesses of the early 1900s
  • visit multiple displays and observe how our daily living has changed

Guided group tours are provided on request for teachers, parents and Scout leaders. The docents there are even prepared to adjust the tour to meet your curriculum goals. To schedule a tour, call Jill Kraft at 585 -507-1908 (for school and Scout tours) or Sharon Pratt at 585 -766-7101 (for adult tours).

Visit the Webster Museum website to find out more specific information about everything the museum has to offer, including examples of the exhibits. And remember that the exhibits change seasonally, so make sure to stop back often.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/22/2025)

Webster community mailbag

20 Mar

Let’s start today’s mailbag with a few items from the Webster Public Library.

A reminder that the library’s Vintage Book Sale takes place on Saturday March 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop more than 200 fiction and non-fiction books, published between the 19th and early 21st centuries. Prices begin at $8.

Also, all this month the library is hosting their first-ever Irish American Heritage Month Book Sale. It lasts only until everything is sold, so get there soon to choose from a selection of books about Irish history, travel, culture and folklore, plus coffee-table books, Ireland-themed puzzles and Irish music CDs.

Both book sales benefit the Friends of the Webster Public Library.

And remember that this month’s free community exchange is GAMES. Bring in a game that you don’t use anymore, and pick up a new one! Plus, the Donation Station benefits the library’s Free Food Pantry, and the Seed Library is now open.

Got stuff to shred?

The Finger Lakes Federal Credit Union will sponsor a free community shredding day on Saturday May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Webster branch, 815 Ridge Rd. It’s open to small businesses and individuals in the Webster area. Please bring the papers in disposable (preferably recyclable) boxes or bags.

Wine Walks return

The Village of Webster has scheduled the next Wine Walk for Saturday May 10.

These are very popular events where you stroll the village, popping into businesses to sample wines and snacks from our local merchants.

Participants must be 21 and an ID is required. More information to come, but you cal also stay up to date on the latest at the Webster BID website.

Are you a guy who loves to sing?

The Chorus of the Genesee is hosting a New Members Night on Tuesday March 25 at 7 p.m., at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.

Come meet the guys and join them for an evening of singing a cappella music. You don’t even have to be able to read music. If you can sing a tune, they’ll show the rest. Click here to R.S.V.P., and if you have any questions, you can call 585-259-3590 or email RochesterCOG@gmail.com.

Some additional reminders …

All of the following announcements were previously included in this community mailbag, so click on that link if you’d like any more information about …

  • The Webster Public Library will host its annual Special Needs Parent Resource Fair on Saturday April 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. This event is especially for parents and caregivers who are looking for community resources to support their loved ones who have special needs.
  • Anyone wishing to run for the Webster Central School District Board of Education may pick up a nominating packet from the district clerk’s office, 119 South Avenue, any weekday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Petitions must be returned to the district clerk’s office no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, April 21.
  • The Webster Arboretum will present the program Invasive Insects on Thursday March 20, from 7 to 8 p.m., presented by Camille Caceci, the Invasive Species Project Coordinator with Finger Lakes PRISM.
  • The Webster Comfort Care Home is hosting an 80’s Prom and Dance Party on Saturday April 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Shadow Lake Golf Club, 1850 Five Mile Line Rd. Music will be provided by Hall Pass and DJ Lesh.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/20/2025)

St. Patrick’s Day returns to the village’s four corners

7 Mar

I don’t know about you, but one of the things I really miss about Barry’s Old School Irish is how the little pub would celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The festivities lasted for days.

I’m happy to report, however, that St. Patrick’s Day has returned to 2 West Main St., at the new Mary Wee Pub.

The festivities start on Monday March 8, when the pub adds corned beef and cabbage to the menu all week long. It joins an already tasty Irish menu which includes cottage pie, Guinness beef stew, and Reubens. Nice thing about its being on the menu all week is that you don’t have to wait for St. Patrick’s Day and all the crowds to get your corned beef fix.

On Parade Day (Saturday March 15) AND St. Patrick’s Day, the pub will be open at 8 a.m for breakfast. Chef Kurt will be cooking up his own specialties, including a frittata skillet (scrambled eggs, home fries, Swiss cheese and corned beef), and a sandwich version on rye bread which will offer the option of corned beef or ham, along with the eggs, home fries and cheese.

He’s also considering putting together what he calls a “Dublin omelet” with sausage, peppers, onions, Swiss cheese served with toast.

On Sunday, the Mary Wee will open at 10 a.m., with live music from the Genny Tall Boys from 4 to 7 p.m. On Parade Day and St. Patrick’s Day proper, keep an eye out for some Irish dancers and bagpipers who’ll be stopping by.

On top of the great food and entertainment, owner Mark Petzing says to “expect perfectly poured pints, great drinks, Wee swag, traditional Irish dancing, bagpipes and shenanigans.”

Sounds like the St. Patrick’s Day that we’ve come to know and love from 2 West Main.

Stay tuned to the Mary Wee Facebook page for updates, and if you’d like to call ahead to put in an order for breakfast, lunch or dinner to take away, call 585-236-1258. (By the way, if you’re like me and not a big fan of corned beef, a chicken sandwich and a burger will also be on the menu.)

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/7/2025)

Buy Girl Scout cookies, support our deployed troops

6 Mar

If you’re a big fan of Girl Scout cookies like I am, you know that it’s COOKIE SEASON, and the cookies should be arriving at your house very soon. But if you missed out on ordering this year, or you REALLY need more Thin Mints to toss in the freezer, have no fear. I know two troops which will be selling them at local businesses in the coming weeks.

But even better than just being able to get some for yourself, you’ll also be able to buy a box or two (or more) to send to our deployed troops.

Here are the details:

Webster Girl Scout Troop 60568 will be setting up in these locations beginning this weekend:

  • Saturday March 8, Lowe’s, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Saturday March 15, Mama Lor’s (Lake Rd.), 9 a.m. to noon
  • Sunday March 23, CountryMax, 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Friday March 28, Walmart, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

PLUS, Webster Girl Scout Troop 60344 will have a table set up in these locations on these dates:

  • Saturday March 22, Pittsford Plaza, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday March 29, Walmart, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday March 30, CountryMax, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At all of these remote sales locations, the girls will be taking orders for cookies to be included in care packages being put together by the Blue Star Mothers for our local troops who are deployed overseas. The packages will be mailed out in June.

Service members love receiving Girl Scout cookies, as you can imagine. The soldiers say they love everything in the care packages (toiletries, treats, socks, etc), but their favorite by far are the Girl Scout cookies. They’re basically a small taste of home, and even after they’ve been bounced around the world — even if they arrive in crumbs — they’re still treasured.

So plan to stop by one of these tables this month, pick up some extra cookies for yourself, and help spread smiles around the world. This year’s goal is 350 boxes!

Questions? Contact Cherie Wood at  WebsterWreaths@icloud.com.

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(posted 3/6/2025)