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Creativity as therapy at the new Serenity Life Creative Studio

19 Jul

It was sad to see Mabel Jane’s Vintage Shop close its doors at 10 North Ave. not too long ago. However, it’s nice to know that the storefront won’t stay empty for long, and will soon welcome a new, art-focused proprietor to the village.

The new shop — which will be more like an art studio — will be called Serenity Life Creative Studio. It’s an extension of Serenity Life Counseling Services, which already has two locations at 93 West Main St., and 98 North Ave. Owner Mattye McKibben is working hard to renovate the space so she can introduce it to the Webster community in August.

I asked Mattye to tell me more about her vision for her new studio, and she sent me something so detailed and perfect, I decided I couldn’t write it any better. Here’s what she wrote:

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Serenity Life Creative Studio is built around the concept of Open Studio Art Therapy—an approach that combines the freedom and joy of creating art with the presence and support of trained Creative Arts Therapists in a welcoming, community-centered environment.

Rather than feeling like a traditional therapy office or a typical paint-and-sip studio, we’re trying to create something that blends the best of both worlds. We want people to be able to stop in for a girls’ night, a parent-child outing, a date, a family activity, or simply an hour of quiet creativity, while also knowing that licensed Creative Arts Therapists are part of the environment should they want a deeper therapeutic experience. Our hope is to bridge the gap between clinical art therapy and everyday community life, making creative wellness feel approachable, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.

The studio is staffed by a team of licensed Creative Arts Therapists from Serenity Life alongside Studio Peers whose role is centered on hospitality, customer service, and helping artists have a wonderful experience. We often say we’re blending clinical care with hospitality. We want people to feel genuinely welcomed from the moment they walk through the door.

The heart of the studio is what we call our Art Bar. Instead of walking up to a traditional bar to order a drink, guests walk up to the Art Bar to order creativity.

Artists browse our Studio Menu and choose from curated creative experiences like watercolor, acrylic painting, drawing, clay, seasonal collections, and more. From there, our Studio Peers and Creative Arts Therapists help personalize each experience by recommending projects, customizing materials, suggesting creative add-ons, or helping someone discover a medium they may never have tried before. Every creative box is assembled specifically for that artist before they settle into the studio to create.

The Art Bar is designed to make creativity feel approachable. Instead of wondering what supplies to buy or investing hundreds of dollars before knowing what you’ll enjoy, everything has already been thoughtfully curated. Guests simply choose an experience, and we take care of the rest. For parents, it also means all the creativity without all the cleanup. Families can enjoy creating together and leave the paint, glitter, clay, and mess with us.

It’s also where so much of the conversation happens. Questions are asked. Ideas are shared. Kids excitedly choose their next project. Friends compare what they’re making. Parents discover new activities to enjoy with their children. It’s less like checking out at a store and more like being welcomed into a creative community.

Beyond the Art Bar, we’ve intentionally designed the studio to feel less like a classroom and more like your favorite neighborhood coffee house crossed with a cozy library and an inspiring art studio. Warm lighting, books, comfortable seating, music, coffee and tea, vintage furniture, and thoughtfully designed creative spaces encourage people to slow down, linger, and enjoy being together. We want it to feel calm, welcoming, and restorative—not rushed or crowded.

At its heart, though, this is really about connection.

We’re intentionally creating a place where generations naturally share the same creative space. On any given afternoon, you might find grandparents creating with grandchildren, friends gathering for a girls’ night, parents and children spending intentional time together, teenagers sketching after school, or someone simply enjoying a quiet afternoon with a cup of tea and a watercolor set. We believe making art side by side creates conversations and relationships that don’t always happen in everyday life.

Webster has so many wonderful restaurants and gathering places, and we wanted to contribute something different to our community. We often joke that instead of meeting friends to grab a drink, why not meet them to order some art? Our Art Bar is our take on a modern gathering place—a creative destination where people can celebrate birthdays, meet after work, enjoy a date night, or simply unwind together. It’s another option for people looking for meaningful ways to connect outside the traditional restaurant and bar scene, including those embracing alcohol-free lifestyles or simply seeking a slower, more intentional way to spend an evening.

Ultimately, we’re trying to create something that doesn’t really exist in our area—a true fusion of hospitality, creativity, and clinical expertise. Our hope is that creativity becomes the common ground where hospitality, community, and emotional wellness naturally meet.

We’ll be hosting several community “Get to Know Us” events throughout August before officially opening around the start of the school year. During this introductory phase, visitors will be able to explore the studio, experience the Art Bar, and enjoy discounted creative boxes as a way of getting acquainted with the space. We’ll also be gifting a limited-edition keepsake to our first 100 artists as a thank-you for being part of the beginning of this journey.

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Here’s a selection of photos Mattye sent showing part of the building process and her vision of what the studio will look like when it’s all done.

Check out the Serenity Life website to learn more and pre-register in their system. Pre-registering is the best way to receive studio updates, invitations to their opening events, and be among the first to hear when reservations become available.

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(posted 7/19/2026)

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

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M&T Bank named Webster Chamber Business of the Month

17 Jul

Congratulations to Ariane Ring and M&T Bank, honored as the July 2026 Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

Established 165 years ago and headquartered in Buffalo, M&T operates 933 branches across 13 states, serving individuals, families, and businesses through retail banking, business banking, commercial services, leasing, wealth management, and private banking. And while M&T is a large organization, what stands out about the Webster branch is how personal and community-focused their work truly is.

The Webster branch, located at 935 Hard Rd., is led by Ariane Ring, Commercial Branch Manager, who has been with M&T Bank for nearly 14 years and has served the Webster community for the past five and a half years. Ariane currently manages a team of seven employees, and together they work every day to help customers with their financial needs, goals, and long-term plans.

M&T’s purpose is simple but meaningful: to understand the individuals and businesses in their neighborhood, so they can create the right opportunities for the people they serve. That mission is clearly reflected in the way Ariane talks about her work. She says the best part of her job is the ability to connect with customers, learn more about their stories, and help them achieve their financial goals. That kind of relationship-based service is exactly what makes a business an important part of the Webster community.

Ariane is also active beyond the walls of the branch. She enjoys giving her time to organizations such as United Way and The Center for Youth, showing the same commitment to service in the community that she brings to her customers every day. Ariane sometimes jokes she “fell into banking.” She originally entered the field while working toward her MBA part-time. After starting at Bank of America and completing her degree, she realized she truly enjoyed banking, but wanted to be part of an organization that was more community-focused. That led her to M&T Bank, which she describes as one of the greatest blessings of her career. As she put it, “It’s funny how you always end up where you belong.”

Ariane added, “The most humbling part of my role is that I get to wake up every day and do what I love, and that’s help people.” She finds it especially rewarding to work with small businesses, and “be a part of their journey. … to see them grow over the years and get to know their families, be privy to their life events.”

That’s a great reminder that the best businesses are not just defined by products and services, but by people who care about where they work, who they serve, and the community around them.

Congratulations to Ariane Ring and the entire team at M&T Bank!

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. Less than 3% of the members are chosen annually.

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(posted 7/17/2026)

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

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Our village is hoppin’ with live music

15 Jul

One of the best things I love about living in the Village of Webster is all of the opportunities to see live music, especially during the summer months.

Last Friday, the Village’s weekly Friday Night Concerts in the Park series began, which will continue through the end of August. (Click here for details.) But those weekly concerts are just the tip of the iceberg.

For starters, Annette’s Restaurant at 27 West Main St., has live jazz pretty much twice a week. JoJo Bistro at 42 East Main St. has a performer every Thursday night. And Pub 235 at 235 North Ave. ALSO has live music every Thursday night. Every one of these opportunities is a great excuse to have a date night, enjoy some music and get a nice dinner.

Visit the Webster BID website regularly to get updates on who’s playing where and when.

And stay tuned for more information about the biggest music event of the entire summer, the Webster Jazz Festival, celebrating its 20th year in 2026. It’s taking place Friday and Saturday Aug. 14 and 15, with the ever-popular Jazz in the Pubs on Friday night and Jazz in the Street on Saturday.

When all the details are hammered out, you can click here to see who’s playing. But in the meantime, mark your calendars.

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(posted 7/15/2026)

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

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Fresh Mediterranean flavors are coming to the heart of the village

3 Jul

The Village of Webster’s newest restaurant is bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to Main Street.

The new Tabbouleh Mediterranean Restaurant is poised to open early next week at 3 East Main Street, in the easternmost half of the old Jeff’s Computer shop.

The restaurant is owned by cousins Halat Hama and Harda Hamagharib, both Iraqi Kurds, with help from their friend, Blnd Abdullah.

While none of them has owned his own place before, Halat has worked in several different restaurants. It was he who suggested to his cousin that they open their own business “in a nice neighborhood.” Last December, when he was Ubering a customer to the village, he noticed the “for lease” sign in the computer shop window. He contacted the landlord, signed the papers, and by February, renovations had begun.  

Transforming the old computer shop into a family restaurant has truly been a labor of love, requiring floor-to-ceiling renovations from repainting, to tearing out carpeting and counters, to drywalling. And that was all before installing new kitchen equipment.

“We did everything by hand,” Blnd said. “Every nail, every drywall, every mistake was ours. There were days filled with drywall and mud and a problem turned into ten problems and then there were days where you didn’t know what to do because there were so many things to do.” 

“It definitely was not easy,” he continued, “but … we learned to appreciate the process that we put into it. We appreciate the empty pizza boxes, the cold coffees that we didn’t get to finish drinking, the wounds we got from making mistakes. I’m sure if we had hired contractors to do the work for us we would not have loved the place as much as we do.”

What they’ve created is a cozy, bright, welcoming atmosphere which somehow seems to lighten your day as soon as you walk through the front door. It’s not a big place, but there are chairs and benches to fit 28 people comfortably, and proprietors who will welcome you with big smiles that reflect their sincere pride at being part of our country and the Webster community.

“We have a vision for this restaurant,” Blnd said. “We want everybody to feel welcome. Somebody who’s had a very rough day or a mom with a lot of kids, they deserve to feel seen, to be heard. A lot of time people go about their day not feeling heard.”

The menu features a wide variety of salads, pastas, soups, appetizers, pita pockets, specialty plates and more, including vegetarian and gluten-free options — and tabbouleh, of course. All Mediterranean, but with a Kurdish twist.

They don’t have a liquor license, but patrons are welcome to bring their own beer, wine or other alcoholic drinks; the owners will hand you a glass and ice and you can pour it yourself. Or you can choose from a variety of American and international soft drinks in the cooler.

Halat and Harda display their hearts on their sleeves — and their walls. The photos hung throughout the restaurant are of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, their home towns in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; vintage photos of their shop on Main Street; and right when you walk in the front door, prints of Betsy Ross, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton.

They’re thrilled to be part of the Webster community and deeply touched by the warm welcome they’ve received.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of love we’ve gotten,” Blnd said. “One of the biggest things about Webster is how the community hugs one another. Everyone knows everyone. We want to be part of that family.”

“We had a big dream with a small idea and small pockets. We are happy to turn it into something like this.” 

They’re still finalizing a few minor details, but Halat and Harda hope to be able to open their doors this coming Monday or Tuesday July 6 or 7. Let’s make sure they feel as welcome as they want us to feel.

Tabbouleh Mediterranean Restaurant is located at 3 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. You’ll find them on Instagram (@dineattabbouleh) and soon on their website, Facebook and Reddit (but they haven’t been set up yet).

Check out the slides below for a look inside the restaurant and a look at the whole menu:

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(posted 7/3/2026)

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

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JF Jones celebrates Grand Opening

22 Jun

Congratulations to Brittany Jones and her new jewelry store, JF Jones Jewelers, which celebrated its grand opening last Friday morning with an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Several family members, friends and local officials attended the gala event. It celebrated the next chapter for the family-owned business, which has a history that stretches back to 1928 when Brittany’s grandfather, Joseph F. Jones, founded the business. It also marks the first time JF Jones has operated on the east side of Rochester, after decades — and many locations — in Greece. (Read more about the JF Jones story in this blog.)

The gala event featured a whimsical Alice in Wonderland theme, complete with a “tea party.” After all, Brittany explained, “Growing up in a jewelry store was kind of like growing up in my own little wonderland,” so the theme seemed like a natural fit.

Welcome to Webster, Brittany and JF Jones!

JF Jones Jewelers is located at 1170 Ridge Rd., next to Heart to Heart Bride.

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(posted 6/22/2026)

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

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Celebrate our nation’s birthday at the Arboretum

15 Jun

Our country is marking a HUGE birthday this year, and the Webster Arboretum’s planning an equally huge party to celebrate.

For four hours on Wednesday afternoon, June 24, the Arboretum will be filled with music, dance, storytellers, games, food trucks, kids’ activities, information tables from two dozen community organizations, and much more.

It all happens from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday June 24 at the Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd. A very entertaining variety of activities are scheduled all afternoon, so bring a folding chair for the music, and try to be there for as long as you can.

Here’s the whole schedule:

  • 2:45 p.m.: Kidet Marching Band (WCSD’s elementary school marching band)
  • 3 p.m.: VFW Patriot Guard
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Continental Army Tent with Michael Grenier
  • 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Fathers’ Night Out in the gazebo (Dixieland band)
  • 3:30 to 4 p.m.: Storytelling Circle with Ganondagan (traditional Haudenosaunee stories)
  • 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Striking Strings dulcimer group (including harp, penny whistle, flute, guitar and marimba)
  • 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Uncle Bucks food truck
  • 4 to 4:30 p.m.: Life of the Seneca with Ganondagan, a talk about the daily life of the Seneca
  • 4 to 4:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 5 p.m.: Children’s Militia Program
  • 4 to 5 p.m.: Paint-a-pot activity for kids
  • 4 to 5:30 pm.: Guided tours of the Arboretum
  • 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Dance Party with Dancing with Denise
  • 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Poetry Trail guided tours
  • 5 to 5:30 p.m.: Wildlife Rock Stars, exotic animals show-and-tell
  • 5 to 6 p.m.: Story time with Nancy Nesbitt of the Webster Museum
  • 5:30 to 6 p.m.: Flint and Steel presentation
  • 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Flower-seed paper cutouts at the craft table
  • 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Scoops ice cream truck
  • 6 to 6:30 p.m.: Duck Derby! Purchase a duck and race them in the pond
  • 6 to 6:45 p.m.: Webster Village Band
  • 6 to 7 p.m.: Chorus of the Genesee, barbershop harmony
  • 6:30 to 7 p.m.: Story time for kids with the Webster Public Library
  • 6:45 p.m.: Firing of the musket

Plus, all afternoon, you can check out incredible art displays with Joe Altieri, play lawn games with the kids, stop by the Patriotic coloring table, and try your hand at a scavenger hunt and history trivia quiz.

See? You’re not going to want to miss a minute of this event, so plan to come early and have dinner and dessert there. (P.S. make sure to stop by the Women’s Club of Webster information table and say hi to me!)

This amazing event is being presented as a collaboration of the Webster Arboretum with the Webster Public Library (Jason Poole), the Webster Community Chest (Ginny Nguyen), the Webster Museum (Sharon Pratt) and Lala’s Gift Shop & Boutique (Lisa Schlonski).

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(posted 6/15/2026)

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

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SMT Mobile Notary named Webster Chamber Business of the Month

13 Jun

Congratulations to Susan Tripp and SMT Mobile Notary, honored as the June 2026 Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

Tripp founded SMT Mobile Notary in March, 2024 out of a desire to make notarization services easier and more accessible for individuals who might not be able to travel to a bank, attorney’s office or town clerk. By bringing professional notary services directly to the clients, Susan has built a business centered around convenience, reliability, flexibility, and compassionate customer care. Those services include document notarization, real estate closings, loan signings and more. 

What Susan enjoys most about her work is the opportunity to meet new people and hear their stories. She likes to say, “every document has a story.” Some of those stories are joyful milestones, such as adoption paperwork or loan documents for first-time home buyers. Other times, her work takes her to hospitals or care facilities, where she helps individuals complete important documents during difficult moments of their lives. In every situation. Susan takes pride in helping provide peace of mind, and one less thing for her clients to worry about.

As a proud “solopreneur,” Susan operates the business independently and has quickly become known for going wherever her customers need her. That flexibility has led to some memorable experiences over the past two years. One of her favorite stories is when she was called to a Wayne County football field, where a coach urgently needed a certification notarized before practice could begin. Susan arrived with clipboard in hand, completed the notarization right on the field, and practice was able to continue.

“I feel incredibly lucky to do work that I genuinely love,” Susan said. “I get to help people during some of the most important moments in their lives — whether it’s buying a home, caring for family members, planning for the future, or handling difficult situations. Being trusted in these moments is something I never take lightly.”

Beyond her business services, Susan is deeply involved in the community. She serves on the board of directors for both the Webster Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and is an active member of the Webster Chamber’s events and Honors Committee. She volunteers with the Ontario Clothes Closet and Ontario Food Pantry, is a member of the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly, and regularly donates her time and notary services to individuals in the community who are unable to afford them, including visits to hospitals, shelters and adult living communities. 

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. Less than 3% of the members are chosen annually.

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(posted 6/13/2026)

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

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JF Jones Jewelers opens new store in Webster

5 Jun

The Town of Webster’s newest jeweler is also one of Rochester’s oldest.

The new JF Jones Jewelers recently opened at 1170 Ridge Rd., in the Jackson Crossing plaza, next door to Heart to Heart Bride. Owner Brittany Jones is a third-generation jeweler, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, whose shops were well known on Rochester’s west side for decades.

JF Jones is one of the longest-running, family-owned independent jewelers in the Rochester area. Its history spans nearly a century, all the way back to 1928, when Joseph F. Jones founded the business. For ten years, JF Jones Jewelers anchored the corner of Clinton and South Goodman. In 1938, the store moved to Ridge and Dewey, where it remained a vital part of the Greece community for 35 years. Joseph’s son Len and his wife Colleen took over the business in 1976 and over the next many years, moved it to several spots along West Ridge Rd. in Greece.

But now, Joseph Jones’ granddaughter Brittany has taken the reins, and JF Jones Jewelers has finally made it to the east side.

The new JF Jones shop is a beautiful, spacious, welcoming and sparkling experience. Like any respectable jewelry store, JF Jones offers a stunning variety of fashion jewelry including birthstones, bracelets, fashion rings, necklaces, watches, earrings and more. There’s a separate area in back, which Brittany calls her “bridal suite,” complete with a coffee bar, which offers a more private area where couples can choose their engagement and wedding rings in a more relaxed and quiet setting.

Brittany (center) with her staff
Three generations of jewelers overlook JF Jones’ original display cases

Brittany is very proud of the pieces she showcases, and especially proud to show off her grandfather’s original jewelry cases, which she still uses and which have a prominent place in her new shop. But what she considers her specialty, what she thinks sets her apart from other jewelers, is the shop’s ability to offer modern custom design, 3D modeling, and repurposing family heirlooms into cherished keepsakes. (For example, a widow might take her husband’s wedding band and her own, and Brittany can reshape them into something stunning — a beautiful new ring, or perhaps a necklace.)

“Every piece of jewelry tells a story,” Brittany said.

Brittany has an all-women staff, and all of the work is done on-site. Brittany herself is a Graduate Gemologist and a certified appraiser, and prides herself on her personal service.

“We want you to be our family,” she said. “You’re not just a number to us. We’ll remember your name when you come in. We keep track of all your purchases in our computer, so we remember and we can help you find something that matches something you bought before.”

That old-school philosophy has guided the business ever since Joseph F. Jones established it in 1928: do honest repair work, offer a quality product, treat people like neighbors and create cherished memories.

JF Jones Jewelers is located at 1170 Ridge Rd., next to Heart to Heart Bride. Brittany will celebrate her grand opening on Friday, June 19 with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to come by and welcome Brittany to Webster.

To find out more, check out the JF Jones website and Facebook page.

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

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(posted 6/5/2026)

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Knollwood Swim Club: a little pool club with a big heart

3 Jun

Tucked away at the end of a long dirt driveway on Shoemaker Road sits a hidden summer playground. For 68 years, the Knollwood Swim Club has served as a beloved refuge for families, and especially kids, looking to fill their sunny summer days with fun. You might easily miss the modest sign at the entrance if you aren’t looking for it, and the club is set so far back from the road that passersby would never guess the activity taking place deep in the wooded property. But for decades, Knollwood has been a happening place for kids and adults of all ages.

Even though I’ve lived in Webster for a while, I didn’t know much — OK, anything — about the club. So at April’s Community Arts Day, I took the opportunity to stop at the club’s information table to find out more, and accept an invitation to visit as they prepared for the 2026 summer season.

Finally, this week, the pool was filled and the grounds tidied up for opening day. So on Tuesday, I drove down that long driveway myself and was delighted by what I found: a large, open, welcoming area that kind of reminded me of a campground. Sara Knowlden, the club’s president, was there to greet me, give me a tour and tell me more about the club’s history.

Knollwood Swim Club first opened in 1958, and sits on 1.7 acres. The heated pool, deep enough for diving, is the focal point of the facility, but members also enjoy an eight-inch deep kiddie pool (also heated), a volleyball court, fire pit, picnic tables and a gas grill. There’s plenty of pool toys for the kids and lots of comfortable lounge chairs and umbrella seating inside and outside the fenced-in pool area. The club is membership-driven and operates as a co-op, which means that it’s run by the families. Each family is assigned to one of three committees: maintenance, chemicals or grounds. That way no outside help needs to be hired, which keeps membership costs reasonable.

One of the club’s main attractions is their swim lessons. They’re offered to members four days a week for six weeks, and are included in the membership price, no matter how many kids are in the family. On top of all that, kids can have their birthday parties there, compete in the cardboard regatta, the Knollwood Olympics and the diving contest (can you make the best splash?), and swim till dusk on Glow Night. There are water aerobics classes, family picnics, toddler storytime, an ice cream social, and a campfire and movie night. Parents even get their own adult-only “steak night,” when they grill steaks and everyone brings a dish to pass.

It’s summer fun exactly as it was meant to be. But as wonderful as the swimming, special activities and swim lessons are, the best part of the Knollwood experience isn’t the pool toys, the lounge chairs, or the diving contests. It’s the sense of family.

“Knollwood is more than just a place to swim,” Sara said. “The pool club is a community gathering place where families connect, friendships grow, and members work together to create a welcoming summer tradition.” It’s the “little pool club with a big heart.”

This Saturday, June 6, you can check out Knollwood Swim Club for yourself, when they host an open house from 2 to 6 p.m. Stop by to try out the pool or just have a look around and enjoy an ice cream. (If the weather is yucky, the open house might be changed to Sunday, so check the Facebook page for the latest details.) For more information on club features and membership, visit the Knollwood Swim Club website here.

Knollwood Swim Club is located at 1043 Shoemaker Rd. Look for the sign!

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(posted 6/3/2026)

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

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Those bees at Webster Union? Don’t worry about ’em!

29 May

Under a cool, cloudy Thursday sky earlier this week, a small group gathered in the westernmost section of Webster Union Cemetery. Among them were cemetery president George Baker, a Cornell University professor, and a graduate student, all peering intently at a series of small holes bored into the soil. They weren’t there to discuss gravestones or burial plots, however. Instead, they were investigating a completely different, yet equally important, cemetery concern: bees.

Every spring for the past several years, hundreds of thousands of bees have emerged from the ground at Webster Union Cemetery, especially in the cemetery’s western section. The phenomenon begins in April and lasts several weeks, and the bees arrive in such large numbers they often form what looks like an undulating carpet, hovering just a few inches off of the ground. It’s an issue that concerns cemetery staff members and visitors alike; naturally, the sight of so many bees amassed near their loved ones’ graves makes family members apprehensive.

These particular bees, Baker knew, were called “miner bees.” But he didn’t know much about them or how big a problem they actually presented. So he reached out to Cornell entomologist Dr. Bryan Danforth, who came out to the cemetery that Thursday morning, accompanied by grad student Henry Steig, to check out the situation first-hand.

Danforth, a professor of entomology at Cornell’s College and Agriculture and Life Sciences, is an expert in bees, and is especially interested in promoting their peaceful co-existence with humans. He’s discovered that cemeteries in particular are an ideal habitat for many bee species, in part because of the lack of pesticides and the fact the ground is rarely disturbed.

Danforth confirmed that the Webster Union bees were indeed Andrena regularis (the “regular mining bee”), and a second, closely related species, Colletes inaequalis, both solitary, ground-nesting bees. They’re also known as “digger bees,” reflecting how the female will use her legs, mandible and abdomen to bulldoze out her nest, a hole reaching more than a foot deep, which branches out underground into individual tunnels and chambers in which she deposits each of her eggs. The larvae continue to develop and hibernate through the summer, fall and winter, until the adults are ready to emerge in a cloud of buzzing insecthood on the first warm day of spring. The males emerge first, poised for prime mating opportunities when the females emerge a day or so later. Once mating is complete, the males fly off and the females work on their nests.

Danforth added that miner bees are important pollinators. They’re one of the best apple pollinators in New York State, because they come out of the ground early in the spring, right when the apple blossoms are blooming.

But the most important thing — which he reiterated several times — should set peoples’ minds at ease: miner bees are NOT aggressive and DO NOT sting. They don’t want to bother people. They just want to enjoy the solitude, make some babies, dig their nests, then leave it to the next generation to continue the cycle the following spring.

Most of the miner bees at Webster Union Cemetery have already hatched, mated and moved on. But, in the next week or two, if you’re at the cemetery visiting your loved ones and see a rippling mass of bees near their grave, just ignore them. And the next time you bite into a crisp apple, perhaps you can say a silent thank-you to A. regularis.

Baker discusses the bee nests with Danforth and Steig
An opening to one of the miner bees nests. This one was probably still active

* * *

(posted 5/29/2026)

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