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New museum exhibit highlights long-time local businesses

24 Sep

The newest exhibit at the Webster Museum shines a spotlight on the many businesses that have helped shape the Town of Webster.

Called “A Measure of Webster Business,” the main display case is packed with historical information and photographs from more than a dozen businesses which have been an important part of Webster for decades, some for more than 100 years. They include Bill Gray’s (86 years), Finns Automotive (85 years), Proietti’s Restaurant (54 years) and Empire State Weeklies (125 years).

A separate display, called “Then and Now,” looks at local businesses which are currently in operation, and what they were back in the day. For example, in the 1950s, what we now know as Abbott’s Original at the corner of Gravel and Ridge roads used to be a Carvel. The Webster Post Office was housed in the building on West Main St. which is now Arrow Kitchen and Bath. And Knucklehead Brewery in West Webster used to be Seitz’s Delicatessen.

The “Measure of Webster Business” displays are an extension of an exhibit created in May, which takes a look at historic Webster businesses through the promotional yardsticks that graced nearly every Webster household. Along with the kinetic yardsticks display, other memorabilia from local businesses, old and new photos, brief biographies and timelines for each business round out this retrospective look at Webster’s history.

The “Measure of Webster Business” exhibits will be on display until early November, so head over to the museum before then to find out more about all of the businesses which played an important part in helping our town and village grow.

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.

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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 9/24/2024)

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ROC Dance expands its studio in the village

22 Sep

There’s one less empty storefront on Main Street in the Village of Webster. ROC Dance has moved into the former Whimsies shop at 32 East Main St., at least doubling the dance studio’s space for classes and rehearsals.

Owner Charlotte Buckley said she’s still using her original studio at 30 East Main, which is located beneath the new space, its main door opening to the back parking lot. But when she saw the opportunity to expand, she jumped on it.

“We love our space downstairs,” she said, “but it is a basement, and this is just a great, beautiful light space.” It provides much more room for her ever-growing programs, with the added advantage of being spacious enough for her competition groups to rehearse, rather than having to rent rehearsal space. Plus, being right on Main Street will give the dance school much better exposure.

Charlotte also plans to use the new space to offer free programs for the community.

They’ve already begun that, with their “Wiggly Wednesdays,” a program designed for parents and their toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy a morning of active fun together. Every first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m., the dance studio transforms into a “playful paradise featuring a variety of across equipment and toys that inspire movement and creativity.”

Charlotte explained, “Moms and their little ones can come, take a class, maybe grab a coffee at Village Bakery after and just get a chance to connect.”

Looking ahead, Charlotte is planning special Halloween, Valentine’s Day and Easter events at which parents can drop off their children, who will enjoy crafts, games, music and dancing, all for free. And she’ll continue to participate in Village events like the Firemen’s Parade and the Trick or Treat Trail. Except this time she’ll be able to set up her candy table outside her own front door on Main Street.

Charlotte would eventually also like to introduce more retail sales into the much larger space.

“There’s no dance store on the east side, outside of Pittsford,” she said. “So a lot of our families have to go to Pittsford. My goal is to turn this the next couple of years into a fully-fledged dance store,” which would benefit her students as well as other local dance studios.  

Significant renovations had to be completed before she could open, like putting in new flooring, removing some walls and building an office. And even a few days ago they were still finishing up some final painting. But classes are already using the new space, so next time you’re walking by the studio, peek in the front window to see what’s going on!

And better yet, mark your calendars now to stop by during ROC Dance’s Grand Opening on Friday Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. Check out the details on the flyer below and find out more at the event website here.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “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 9/22/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

19 Sep

It’s chicken BBQ time again!

St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 21 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.

Upcoming October blood drives

There are several local opportunities coming up in October for you to help save lives by donating blood. And the Red Cross has a neat little promotion, too. Everyone coming to donate during October will receive a $10 gift card by email.

Here are the details:

  • Tuesday Oct. 1, noon to 5 p.m., Expressive Beginnings Child Care Center, 12 May St., Webster (online sponsor code: ExpressiveBeginnings)
  • Wednesday Oct. 2, 1 to 6 p.m., Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. (sponsor code: WGC)
  • Thursday Oct. 10, 1 to 6 p.m., Webster Fire Dept. Exempt Building, 172 Sanford St. (sponsor code: websterfire) The Women’s Club of Webster will be serving homemade cookies for donors at this drive!
  • Wednesday Oct. 16, 1 to 6 p.m., Town of Penfield offices, 2130 Penfield Rd. (sponsor code: Penfield)

Call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule your appointment, or search online for the sponsor code.

And about those cookies …

At the Red Cross blood drive on Oct. 10 (see above), donors will be rewarded with supremely scrumptious homemade cookies donated by the Women’s Club of Webster to enjoy with their juice.

Appointments are not required. Feel free to just drop in. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Katie Hout, American Red Cross, 585-353-9964 (or you can schedule an appointment online. Details above).

The Women’s Club of Webster is an active community service organization that has nurtured friendships and generously supported many worthwhile causes for 60 years.  The group meets the third Thursday of each month from September to June.  The club’s motto is “friendship through service” and new members are always welcome!  

For more information about the club, please contact Carolyn Rittenhouse at 585-265-1303. (Or feel free to email me; I belong to the club).

Celebrate fall at Heritage Square

Heritage Square Museum in Ontario will host its annual Fall Festival on Saturday Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors will enjoy scarecrows to judge, big trucks from Town Highway, fire and police departments, performances from the Strike It Up Community Band directed by Craig Wirt, a saxophone quartet, games, raffles, free tours, food and more. Cost is $5 per car.

Heritage Square Museum is located at 7147 Ontario Center Road, Ontario, just 12 minutes east of the Village of Webster. Haven’t heard about this great attraction? Check out this blog which I wrote a few years ago after my first visit.

Webster BID schedules community events

The Webster Business Improvement District’s (BID) second annual Health and Wellness Fair has been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Village Community Meeting Room, 29 South Ave.

This is a free event which showcases the businesses and professionals throughout our community that address all aspects of health and wellness. Last year’s event was a great success, and this year is expected to be even bigger.

ON THAT SAME DAY, in the parking lot behind the Community Meeting Room, the BID is also sponsoring a shredding event from 9 to 11 a.m.

This is a free, drive-through event. Paper only will be accepted, and staples do NOT need to be removed. Paper must be placed in cardboard boxes or paper bags (no plastic), with a limit of five boxes per vehicle.

(By the way, stay tuned for details about the next Beer Walk, scheduled for Saturday Oct. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m., and the Trick-or-Treat Trail on Saturday, Oct. 26. More details about these and other events can be found on the newly revamped Webster BID website.

Good, cheap books from the Friends

The Friends of the Webster Public Library are getting ready for their fall book sale, scheduled Oct. 16 through 19 at the library, 980 Ridge Rd. (at the rear side of the plaza).

This year they’ll be including a mini vintage and collectible book sale during members night. on Wednesday Oct. 16, featuring approximately 80 books published over the last 150 years in good to better condition. The books will be for sale at fixed prices starting at $8.00. Some of the books will be first editions or early printing. Many will have dust jackets, and a few will be autographed (but note the Webster Friends do not have any signatures authenticated). They’ll also be selling Kittelberger Flower Bouquet Cards that night while supplies last.

Members Night will be Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. (Memberships will be available at the door.) The general public sale begins Thursday, Oct. 17 from 9 to 7 p.m.; hardcover books will cost $1, paperback books only $.50). Friday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be the Bag Sale. Bring your own bag and fill it for just $5. The sale concludes with a second Bag Day on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. 

Can you help?

Here’s the September/October wish list from Webster Hope:

  • Canned corn and canned peas
  • Flour and sugar
  • Coffee
  • Cooking oil
  • Pasta, NOT whole wheat
  • Jarred spaghetti sauce
  • Body wash and bar soap
  • Hand soap
  • Deodorant
  • Lotion
  • Diapers sizes 5, 6, & 7 ** We accept open packages**
  • Baby wipes
  • New socks and underwear all sizes

Plus, they accept open packages of feminine products, adult diapers and children’s diapers.

And put this on your calendar: Webster Hope will be having a food drive on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon, sponsored by Webster Rotary. You can drop off your items (and the wish-list items) behind Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road, Webster.

WHEN to offer program for parents about social media

If you’ve ever had any concerns about how social media is affecting your children and what you can do about that, this program is for you.

On Wednesday Oct. 16, the Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) will present an interactive parent forum, called Social Media and Your Kid, discussing how technology has changed special development and what you can do to support your child’s health and well-being in a tech-powered world.

The forum will be held in the Professional Development Center at Spry Middle School, 119 South Ave. There’s no admission, but registration is requested. Click here to do so.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram 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 9/19/2024)

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It’s time to help make spirits bright

17 Sep

The 11th season of Making Spirits Bright is underway, and you can help.

Making Spirits Bright is awesome organization here in Webster which for the last 11 years has been working quietly under the radar, doing amazing things for families in need during the holidays.

The organization works with area school counselors and social workers to identify families that need assistance. Then they collect wish lists from each of the family members and begin collecting items. And unlike many other programs, Making Spirits Bright provides far more than just gifts. They also assist with winter gear, household necessities, personal care items, cleaning supplies and various other items to lessen a family’s burden. PLUS, they provide for all members living in each household, no matter their age. This includes kids, parents, guardians, grandparents, and sometimes even pets.

The call has gone out for donations to support this year’s effort, and there are several ways you can help:

  • Sign up as a group, organization, business or family to help out.
  • Adopt an entire family (choose the family size you’re comfortable with, two-person and up)
  • Adopt one person (any age/gender identity)
  • Organize a collection drive for some of the most needed items, like toiletries, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, gift wrap, gift boxes and gift cards.
  • Make a monetary donation, which are used to purchase items on the list which were not adopted. Any donations, large or small, is appreciated. Contributions can be made via credit or debit here.

If you’d like to volunteer your time and kindness to the organization, click here to fill out a form and they’ll be in touch. If you have questions, email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com, or check out the Making Spirits Bright FAQ page. Plus, you can follow their Facebook page to keep on top of how things are going.

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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 9/17/2024)

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Boulter Industrial Contractors Named Business of the Month

15 Sep

Congratulations to Boulter Industrial Contractors, honored as the September Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

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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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 9/15/2024)

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Village Quilt Shoppe celebrates five years

30 Aug

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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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 8/30/2024)

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Happy (your name here) Day!

27 Aug

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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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 8/27/2024)

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History came alive at Webster Union Cemetery’s 200th anniversary celebration

18 Aug

I talked to a lot of dead people on Saturday.

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 Conant
Robert Woodhull
Jonas 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 Burnett
Julia Pierce
Lillian 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
Ebenezer Curtice
Luther Curtice

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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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 8/18/2024)

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August History Bit: Webster Union Cemetery

14 Aug

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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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 8/14/2024)

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Steve’s Custom Canvas is Chamber’s August Business of the Month

12 Aug

Congratulations to Steve’s Custom Canvas & Upholstery, honored as the August Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

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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(posted 8/12/2024)

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