Boulter Industrial Contractors is a fifth-generation, family-owned business. Owned by Willis (Bill) Boulter since 2005, Boulter’s 41 employees use equipment and technology to provide rigging services, heavy hauling, crating/packaging, production line installation, preventative maintenance, plant relocation, steel fabrication, and warehousing. They’re located on Basket Rd. in Webster.
The Boulter family legacy dates back to 1892, when Thomas Boulter founded a local carting/moving company. He had two teams of horses, and specialized in coal and ice deliveries. In the more than 130 years since those simple beginnings, Boulter moved its company headquarters to Webster, greatly expanded its services and built a huge new warehouse.
In presenting the award to Bill Boulter, Chamber president and CEO noted that the company even has history with the Chamber; Bill’s father William was an active Chamber member and at one time served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Bill Boulter exemplifies the Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to community service, serving on the Board of Directors for Miracle Field of Greater Rochester. His company has also sponsored high school skilled trades career events and supports the Salvation Army of Greater Rochester’s Eclipsing Hunger food drive.
The Webster Chamber of Commerce Events and Honors Committee presents a Business of the Month award to one of their member businesses at each of their monthly breakfast meetings. It’s one way the Chamber helps keep their member businesses and organizations visible throughout the Webster community.
The next breakfast meeting is Friday Sept. 27, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. Network with as many as 90 business and organizational leaders before breakfast, enjoy an informative program and then take part in the “pass-the-mic” time, when everyone has an opportunity to be visible.
Visitors and members are welcome. Please register here.
Pictured above: Boulter Project Superintendent Tom O’Neil (left) and Chief Executive Officer & President William S. Boulter (right) accept the September Webster Chamber of Commerce award.
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A bit of happy news came across my email the other day: the Village Quilt Shoppe has just celebrated their fifth anniversary. That’s especially encouraging news since we’ve been hearing so much about businesses closing or leaving town in recent months.
It doesn’t seem like it’s been five years since Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti opened their cute, friendly little Village Quilt Shoppe at the corner of East Main and Lapham Park in the village. But it’s so great to see their continued success, since they had a rather rocky start.
Just three months after they opened their doors in August 2019, and just days before the Village of Webster’s White Christmas celebration, disaster struck when a water leak from the apartment above the shop came through the floor and destroyed much of their merchandise. They had to close for almost a month to regroup and restock. But, determined not to lose their dream shop, they persevered and survived that early setback.
Then COVID struck, and they had to close again for three more months.
But thanks to a solid core of loyal customers, the little business navigated a global pandemic and came back stronger than ever.
To celebrate the occasion, Vanetta and Monique are hosting a special celebration week during the first week of September. From Sept. 3 through 7, they promise “a week filled with fun, special offers and daily surprises. Each day will bring a new special, and there will be free gifts and treats to enjoy.”
To cap off the week, on Saturday Sept. 7 they’ll be hosting a Color Workshop, perfect for anyone who finds choosing colors for their projects a bit challenging. There’s all sorts of other special events coming up, too, so check out their website for more details.
The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 E. Main St. in the Village of Webster.
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A few weeks ago I posted a blog about how I happened upon a fun group of people at The Coach celebrating Helen Miller Day. It got me to thinking about what other “days” have been named in honor of people.
The Village and Town both hand out these proclamations fairly regularly, and I asked my friends there to look back into their records to see who else has been recognized recently. Many thanks to Webster Village Clerk Heather Halstead and Webster Town Clerk Danene Marr for doing that for me. Following are some examples I pulled from their lists.
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The first time I really became familiar with this practice was back on Nov. 17, 2017, when the Village of Webster proclaimed that day to be Carol Klem Day.
Carol was a well-known face and well-loved personality in the Village of Webster before she passed in 2018. For more than ten years, Carol penned the Village Focus column in the Webster Herald, and was basically the village’s biggest cheerleader. She was the eyes and ears of Webster and her name became synonymous with all things good about the Village of Webster. I was honored to attend her proclamation ceremony.
Several years earlier, the Village of Webster proclaimed March 26, 2009 to be Patti Cataldi Day. Before her current term as councilwoman for the Town of Webster, Patti served in many capacities for the Village of Webster, including as a trustee, director of the Business Improvement District, Planning Board member, and several others.
There have been many instances when the Village didn’t name an actual day in honor of someone, but just sang their praises and thanked them for their contributions to our community. One of those times was Oct. 28, 2021, when the Village recognized John Bucci, owner of The Music Store, on the occasion of his retirement after 32 years in the business.
And, just a few months later, on Dec. 9, 2021, Danny and Jessica Barry and their beloved corner pub, Barry’s Old School Irish, were recognized on the occasion of the pub’s 10th anniversary,.
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As I mentioned, the Town of Webster also hands out these proclamations on a semi-regular basis. Here are a few of their honorees:
Feb. 19, 2021: Caleb Hoag, Savage Kitchen Day. Caleb Hoag owned Savage Chef, at 5 East Main St. in the village, before closing a few years ago. In addition to running a successful meal-delivery business, Caleb also would donate hundreds of meals every week to various community groups, and made financial contributions to World Central Kitchen and Feeding America.
May 20, 2021: Bella’s Bumbas Day. Run by Webster residents Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, Bella’s Bumbas builds miniature wheelchairs for children with a wide variety of mobility issues. To date, they’ve shipped 2,650 chairs to children in 66 countries, charging the parents only for shipping.
April 22, 2022:Charles Sexton Day. Charles Sexton was Webster’s first Recreation Director, and the first African-American Recreation Director in New York State. During his 34-year career with the department, he introduced the town’s first programs for senior citizens and launched the summer youth camps. He was also instrumental in establishing what was once known as North Ponds Park, renamed Charles Sexton Park in 2022 in his honor.
Sept. 1, 2022:Ruth Hilfiker Day. A long time resident of Penfield and Webster, Ruth worked for more than 20 years in the Penfield School District. On Wednesday Aug., 31, 2022, Supervisor Flaherty was invited to her 102nd birthday party, and at the next Town Board meeting, named a day in her honor.
So there you go. Several more holidays you can celebrate, if you like, and raise a toast to these people who have made a difference in our community.
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Like Lillian Witmer, owner of Witmer’s General Store, which anchored Webster’s four corners for more than 60 years. And Robert Woodhull, a Revolutionary War spy originally from Setauket, Long Island. And Luther Curtice, a driving force behind the beautiful and historic cobblestone Webster Baptist Church.
They and several other of Webster’s founding fathers and notable citizens were hanging out near their grave sites at Webster Union Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, sharing their stories as part of the cemetery’s 200th anniversary celebration.
The event was the culmination of a year and a half of planning and effort on the part of a small, hard-working committee led by George Baker and Beverly Wallwork. They were supported by a few dozen more volunteers, who pulled together countless details from recruiting actors and collecting props to putting up tents and ordering lunch. That’s not to mention the men, women and children who played the parts of our former Webster residents; they were tasked with remembering very long scripts, which they performed flawlessly, and — as you can imagine — many, many times over as small clumps of visitors worked their way through the cemetery.
In addition to the actor portrayals, there were also opportunities to learn more about headstone cleaning and watch the fascinating process involved in etching new names and dates onto headstones. And along the Heroes’ Walk, you could read short biographies about lots more well-known Webster residents buried at Webster Union, like “Charlie” Riedel and Abram Foster, one of Webster’s earliest settlers.
It rained briefly during the four-hour event, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from wandering through the cemetery’s beautiful grounds, meeting the actors, watching the demonstrations and enjoying popcorn and cookies. It was an outstanding way to enjoy the beauty of Webster Union Cemetery, and learn about Webster history from the people who started it all.
Congratulations to the Webster Union Cemetery 200th Anniversary committee for a job well done.
In case you’re interested, here’s who I met on Saturday:
Willie ConantRobert WoodhullJonas Whiting
Willie Conant (played by Samuel Torrez); Willie worked as a brakeman for the railroad, but died when he was just 21 years old when his foot got caught when he was on top of a rail car.
Robert Woodhull, (Richard Keefer); a Revolutionary War spy from Setauket, Long Island, and member of the Culper Spy ring (but he refused to fess up to that). His family owned a sawmill on Woodhull Rd.
Jonas Whiting (Robert Palmer) a Minuteman in the Revolutionary War, he fought at Lexington & Concord, and after the war was given land as payment for his service. He lived in what we now know as the White House on Lake Rd.
Dewey BurnettJulia PierceLillian Witmer
Dewey Burnett (Jayvon Davis); Dewey was in Buffalo preparing to ship out to serve in the Navy when he contracted the Spanish flu and died at just 18 years old.
Julia Pierce (Izabella Wigdzinski); Dewey’s cousin. A Webster High School teacher, Julia was a suffragette and met Susan B. Anthony.
Lillian Witmer (Heather Schmidt); Lillian was a lifelong Webster resident and owner of Witmer’s General Store, which stood for more than 60 years at the corner of East Main St. and South Ave. (the former Jeff’s Computer store).
Minerva (Foster) Strowger (Deanna Burrows); she and her husband owned Nine Mile Pt. Boarding House, which later became a resort. Legend has it that rum-runners would pass by the resort and hide their contraband cargo in the hedges, which might be one reason the business is now known as Hedges Nine Mile Point restaurant.
Ebenezer Curtice (Dave DiFranco); a Revolutionary War private who fought at Lexington & Concord, after the war he started an orchard on his land, which helped establish Webster as a leader in fruit production.
Luther Curtice (John Schmeelk); Ebenezer’s grandson, Luther was a driving force behind building the historic Webster Baptist Church from cobblestones. He came up with the method of making sure that cobblestones were all equally sized, by pushing them through a hole in a board.
Following are some other photos from the day. And be sure to check out this great feature put together by Fox Rochester about the celebration, which ran on Good Day Rochester and features Webster Union President George Baker.
See the rum hidden in the hedges?
Cherie Wood (in purple) explains the process of cleaning headstones
Willie Conant (played by Samuel Torrez) stands by his headstone.
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Webster Union Cemetery, located at the corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull Rd., is one of the richest historical sites in Webster.
Farmland was donated for the first known burial in 1817, when a Webster child needed a place to rest. It was originally called The Burial Ground, Lakeside, Union Cemetery of Webster. Since this caused some confusion between other areas near Webster, especially Union Hill Cemetery, the name was officially changed to Webster Union Cemetery in April 1954.
In 1859, Webster’s first settler, Abram Foster, was buried there at the age of 90. He was the first of many prominent families to come, including the Burnetts, Curtices, Fosters, Pelletts, Woodhulls, Whitings, and Wrights. Veterans from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are buried there as well.
The cemetery is also stunningly beautiful. In 2008 it was awarded the Historic Landscape Award from the Landmark Society of Western New York, and was listed on the National List of Historic Places in 2022.
This month, Webster Union Cemetery celebrates 200 years as an active burial ground, and community members are invited to the party.
On Saturday Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors are invited to stroll Webster Union Cemetery’s beautiful grounds and “meet” some of Webster’s earliest settlers. Talk to a suffragette fighting for women’s right to vote, a 1918 Spanish flu victim, Civil War soldiers, shopkeepers, boardinghouse owners, and even a Revolutionary War spy. You’ll also have a chance to learn headstone cleaning and preservation. Admission is free.
Webster Union Cemetery is located at 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull). Find out more about all of Webster’s historic cemeteries at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org.
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Steve’s Custom Canvas, owned and operated by Steve Palis, is a homegrown business spanning over three decades, providing our community with marine, auto and awning needs for canvas, upholstery, waterproofing and repairs. It’s located at 765-B County Line Rd. in Ontario.
Upon presenting the award to Palis at the Chamber’s July Breakfast Before Business meeting, Chamber President & CEO Barry Howard applauded the business, saying, “Steve has been able to maintain his business over the past 33 years because of his craftsmanship. He also delivers his skill reliably, with a commitment to his customers.”
Palis started his business in May 1991 at Sutters Marine on Empire Boulevard. (Fun fact, Palis needed canvas for his boat, so he bought the business which could do the work and paid the previous owner to train him to do his own service.) In the beginning, he operated out of a 20-foot trailer, with a rain shed for working on boats. Business growth led him to move to his present location at 765-B County Line Road, Ontario. Over the years, Palis has added to employment opportunities in our area, with up to four staff members, working on a variety of unique service projects.
Palis ‘additional commitments to the greater Webster area include Boy Scouts, Irondequoit Fish & Game Club and the Webster Chamber of Commerce.
The Webster Chamber of Commerce Events and Honors Committee presents a Business of the Month award to one of their member businesses at each of their monthly breakfast meetings. It’s one way the Chamber helps keep their member businesses and organizations visible throughout the Webster community.
The next breakfast meeting is this Friday Aug. 23, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. Network with as many as 90 business and organizational leaders before breakfast, enjoy an informative program and then take part in the “pass-the-mic” time, when everyone has an opportunity to be visible.
Visitors and members are welcome. Please register here.
Pictured above: Webster Chamber of Commerce Chair Chamber Chair Carolyn Montanaro, presents the plaque to Steve Palis.
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My Roommates Closet, the cute little clothing store on East Main St. in the village, has closed up shop and moved out of town.
I first wrote about My Roommates Closet about two years ago when owner Nicole Iorio opened her boutique at 19 East Main St., next door to the Village Quilt Shoppe. It was Nicole’s first experience with opening a brick-and-mortar storefront, after finding success with her online clothing business.
I thought she was a good fit for the village. Right out of the gate Nicole was warmly welcomed into the local business community, and for a while she was quite successful, relying on a steady stream of regular customers. More recently, however, difficult business decisions needed to be made and Nicole closed her shop.
She wrote,
I enjoyed being in the village because everyone was very welcoming when I first moved in and were super supportive. I didn’t encounter any rude customers, which was amazing. I wish more people would have taken advantage of the village and walked around there more since the foot traffic wasn’t ideal for a boutique like mine. However, it is a great area and has so much potential!
Nicole has landed on her feet, however, and has moved into REVIVE, at 15 Fairfax Rd. in Rochester, which she describes as “a salon with a bunch of different people who do hair, brows and more.” She officially opened Tuesday Aug. 6. Here are a few photos of the new space:
ScreenshotScreenshotScreenshot
It’s sad to see yet another small business leave Main Street, adding yet another empty storefront to an already long list of empty storefronts. But this is a good move for Nicole and I know we wish her all the best. If you have a chance, stop down to her new shop and say hi.
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My own 50th high school class reunion is coming up in a few years, so this email that came my way recently piqued my interest.
The Webster Thomas/Schroeder class of 1975 will be holding their 50th class reunion on July 26, 2025. Plans are already in motion, but right now organizers are really focused on trying to contact as many former classmates as they can. They’re looking for emails for all of the students from the Class of ’75 from Webster Thomas and Schroeder, so they can keep everyone informed about the latest updates.
R Community Bikes will be holding a bike donation event from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday Aug. 10 at the Webster-Fairport Elks Lodge, 1066 Jackson Rd.
This incredible organization, based on Hudson Ave. in the City of Rochester, accepts any and all types of bikes, both children’s and adult, regardless of condition. They also gladly accept bike parts, tools and other cycling items such as bells, locks, lights, baskets, bags, trailers, and car racks (but not helmets or cycling shoes). Bikes with special value will be evaluated and possibly sold, with the proceeds going directly back into the program to purchase parts, supplies and tools. Receipts are available upon request.
R Community Bikes is a grassroots organization, staffed entirely by volunteers, that collects and repairs used bicycles for distribution, free of charge, to the Rochester, NY area’s children and adults. They give away over 2,000 bicycles every year and do over 3,000 repairs for their clients, many of whom depend on bicycles as their main source of transportation. In addition, they provide bicycles or repair services to dozens of community organizations, including church groups, youth centers, and neighborhood associations.
Rec Center at the Red Wings
If you haven’t gotten your fill of Rochester Red Wings games this season, here’s a good opportunity to do so, at a great price.
On Friday Aug. 16, the Webster Recreation Center will be partnering with the Red Wings to host a Webster Community Night. The focus will be on our community that evening; Supervisor Tim Flaherty will be throwing out the first pitch, and Webster-based musician Sarah De Vallière is singing the national anthem.
The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are only $10; you can use the QR code on the flyer, or click here.
Webster Union Cemetery turns 200
Here’s a reminder about a great opportunity to learn more about Webster history by actually speaking to some of its earliest settlers. (Well, not really. But we can pretend.)
On Saturday Aug. 17 From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Webster Union Cemetery will celebrate its 200th anniversary. Visitors are invited to stroll Webster Union Cemetery’s beautiful grounds and chat with some of the people who founded our town. Talk to a suffragette fighting for women’s right to vote, a 1918 Spanish flu victim, Civil War soldiers, shopkeepers, boardinghouse owners, and even a Revolutionary War spy. You’ll also have a chance to learn headstone cleaning and preservation.
The celebration will take place Saturday Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Webster Union Cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull). Admission is free.
Read more about this important celebration in this blog.
Free rabies clinic
On Wednesday Aug. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Town of Webster is partnering with Monroe County Department of Public Health to host a free rabies vaccination clinic at the Webster Highway Department, 1005 Picture Parkway.
All dogs in the Town of Webster are required to be licensed with proof of a current rabies vaccination.
Support the Marching Band. Eat good food
The Webster Marching Band will host a Food Truck Rodeo on Thursday Aug. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fireman’s Field, 172 Sanford St.
The band promises at least 13 food trucks and vendors, more than 30 draft vendors, a kids’ play place ($10 per child), free face painting, vendor raffles and a 50/50 drawing. The band will also be offering a preview of their 2024 show, “Death of a Star,” with performances at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Chamber of Commerce Breakfast is Aug. 23
The Webster Chamber of Commerce’s next monthly Breakfast Before Business Meeting, is Friday Aug. 23 from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
There’s a new location! For as long as I have been attending them, they’ve been held at the Webster Chamber of Commerce. But beginning this month, the meetings will be held at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by Chamber staff and members at the door. Beverages will be ready to enjoy during networking time. At 7:30 a.m., the breakfast buffet is served, which you’ll enjoy while getting to know other Chamber visitors and members seated at your table. After breakfast, every attendee will get a chance to introduce themselves at pass-the-mic time, and door prizes will also be awarded. Donate a door prize and you’ll get even more recognition for your business or organization.
These events are open to the public as well as Chamber members. Cost is $19 and reservations are required. Click here to do so.
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It’s always exciting when the new school year is just around the corner, and it’s time to stock up on school supplies and new school clothes. But for many Webster families, it’s always a stressful time of year, too, because they really don’t have the money to spend on new backpacks and notebooks, let alone new clothes.
That’s why every August, Webster NY Hope holds a Back to School Night, when families in need can stop by and go home with a backpack filled with brand new school supplies. Right now, they’re collecting those supplies.
Here’s how you can help: Check out the attached flyer, which has a list of all the supplies they’re looking for. The list has been compiled from WCSD teacher lists.
You can drop off your donations at Webster Hope (1450 Ridge Rd.) or the Webster Public Library (980 Ridge Rd.) during their normal open hours. Those details are also on the flyer.
Webster Hope’s Back to School Night will be held on August 20. Families in need can sign up by Aug. 15 to participate. Call (585) 265-6694.
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Vendors needed for Jazz in the Pubs festival
A few days ago I posted a blog with details about the annual Webster Jazz Festival, which takes place on August 9 and 10.
What I did NOT mention in that post is that along with the Jazz in the Pubs on Friday Aug. 9, the village will be hosting a street festival with music and — hopefully — lots of business and vendor booths.
Rochester’s Early Adventurers with Matt Rogers, Thursday Aug. 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
A journey through time, showcasing the explorers and adventurers who came to this land and either lived alongside it, harnessed its power for industry or worked the soil and created communities., leading to the city and county we know today. The presentation will include a historical survey starting with the ancient Algonkin nation, to the Senecas, to early colonizers, to our modern day city. Registration is required.
Classical Guitar with Reiner Eschbach, Thursday Aug. 22, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Reiner Eschbach plays original creations on his acoustic guitar in a coffee house-like setting. Registration is required.
For teens and tweens:
T(w)een Olympics!, Friday Aug. 2, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Tweens and Teens are invited for an afternoon of Olympic-style minute-to-win-it challenges! You’ll also be decorating your own Olympic medals. Grades 4-12 welcome, and registration is requested.
Make It Monday: Map Ornaments, Monday Aug. 12, 6 to 7 p.m.
At the monthly craft night, participants will be making map ornaments. Teens (grades 4 and up) and adults are welcome to join us. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required.
For kids and families:
Toadstool Tales, Friday Aug. 9, 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Kids and kids at heart are invited for a concert with Rochester-based flutist and composer Jaclyn Breeze. The half-hour concert will feature three newly commissioned pieces to accompany classic fairy tales. All ages welcome. No registration is required.
Bug Storytime & Drop-In Crafts, Saturday Aug. 17, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. (storytime), 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (crafts)
Celebrate all things creepy crawly with a bug storytime! We will read stories, sing songs, and have some simple crafts to follow. All ages welcome. Crafts will be left out until 4:00 pm. No registration is required.
Finally, after all of this fun, join the library for their End of Summer Celebration, Friday Aug. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. There’ll be crafts, activities and treats, and everyone is welcome. No registration is required.
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It’s been a long time, but the former Music Store at 18 East Main Street in the Village of Webster will soon have a new tenant: Caraglio’s Pizza.
Owner Tony Caraglio opened his first pizzeria 20 years ago, and now has seven locations in Fairport, Ontario, Gates, Greece, Hilton, and on Empire Blvd. in Webster. As a Webster resident, Tony says he’s been trying to find a location on the east side of town for about five years, and is excited about moving into the old, long-vacant Music Store.
It’s still early in the planning stages, but Tony expects to devote most of the building’s 3000-sq. ft. floor space to the kitchen and serving counter, while leaving plenty of room for restrooms and indoor seating. And he loves the “three huge windows” in front to entice people who walk along Main St.
“Being in the Webster village is very cool,” he said.
Turning the former Music Store into a pizzeria is taking longer and requiring a lot more work than expected, however.
“We were originally shooting (to open in) November, but that may not be doable,” Tony said. “When we take one step, when we try to look at something, sometimes we find something else we have to address first.”
Many of the challenges can be attributed to the fact the building is 130 years old. But that’s also made for some rather interesting discoveries. Like a newspaper from Nov. 15, 1892, which was stuffed into the wall for insulation.
“As we find stuff, we’re holding on to it,” Tony said, “and will be donating artifacts to the museum.” Those artifacts will help the museum track the history of what Tony affectionately calls “this old goat of a building.”
Work on the building is continuing apace, but it’s going to take a while longer. Because, Tony said, “I want to do it right the first time.”
Stay tuned for more updates about the new Caraglio’s Pizza coming to 18 East Main St. in 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).
I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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