Amy Stringer, owner of The North Bee gift shop in the Village of Webster, has found a very creative way to support the people of Ukraine: through the end of the month, she’s making and selling beeswax sunflower ornaments, with 100% of the proceeds going to support ROC Maidan, the charitable arm of the Ukrainian Cultural Center of Rochester.
Sunflowers, or sunyashniki, are the national flower of Ukraine. Amy has created three different designs, each being sold for $10 apiece. Funds raised will be donated to ROC Maidan, who will distribute them to where they’re needed to help refugees and soldiers and offer humanitarian aid.
Her efforts have been very well received so far, and recently got some notice one of our local television stations. Last week, Spectrum News posted a story about the sunflowers, which you can see here.
Amy is calling her three designs the Full Sunflower, Monet Sunflowers, and the Dinner Plate Sunflower. She was thrilled to report that she’s already sold almost 250 of the sunflowers, and the event isn’t over yet.
Click here for more information about this special event and ROC Maidan. The North Bee is located at 27 North Ave. in the Village of Webster.
On Tuesday morning, I attended the monthly meeting of the Webster Business Improvement District (BID). My primary reason for attending these meetings is to keep on top of all of the great events the BID hosts every spring and summer, so I can let you all know about them with plenty of advance notice.
The meeting did not disappoint. I left with a whole list of events — old and new — which are on the calendar for this year. I’ll tell you all about them in a future blog. Today, I’d like to focus on an event that has already happened.
I’m talking about Fall in Love With Webster, the month-long community celebration held in February in which residents and visitors enjoyed daily discounts and special events at dozens of our local small businesses. Even if you didn’t take advantage of any of those, if you were in the village anytime during the month, you probably noticed the heart-emblazoned flags on the lightposts, the trivia questions posted in the merchant windows, the banner at the cobblestone gazebo on North Ave., and special heart-themed decorations all over the village.
Fall in Love With Webster was an incredibly successful event, due in large part to the efforts of Lisa Schlonski, owner of Lala Gift Shop on Main Street, and her able assistant Jody Laurer. Lisa and Jody spent countless hours helping organize events, managing the Fall in Love With Webster Facebook Page, and hosting some memorable events of their own. (Remember Betty White Night?)
The purpose of the event was two-fold: to highlight all of the great businesses in Webster, and bring people into the village to enjoy everything we have to offer — basically, helping people fall in love with Webster.
By all accounts, both goals were achieved big time. Here are some of the highlights from the month-long event:
More than 30 businesses participated
More than 50 calendar events were organized and publicized
The Webster Volunteer Fire Department Boot Drive donated much-appreciated funds to Webster Comfort Care
33 merchants took part in Random Acts of Kindness Day, including Kittelberger Florist, which donated more than 300 bouquets for merchants to hand out
Valentine’s-themed crafts created by the residents of The Maplewood were sold at Lala and the proceeds used to purchase more craft project materials for the residents
Businesses collaborated on events, like “Betty White Night” when Lala offered snacks and discounts, Jojo Bistro created Betty White-inspired cocktails, and Webster Hots created two meal combos
Several merchants noted increased sales and foot traffic during the month
Grown from a simple idea that Jody’s daughter brought home from a small town in Connecticut, Fall in Love With Webster was an amazing success. Thank you to all of the community members who participated, and especially all of the businesses who so enthusiastically joined the effort. I hope this first big collaborative event will be followed by many more.
I read some sad news in the Webster Herald the other day. In a short letter on the opinion page, Colin Minster announced that after next week’s edition, he would be resigning his position as editor.
Colin has only been in the role since last summer, when he took over from Anna Hubbel, and I think he was doing quite well in what was a very difficult position. I say it’s difficult, because with a small, hyper-local, weekly publication like the Herald, the editor has to be a Jack-of-all-trades, not only managing the layout and editing, but actively searching out and writing stories of local interest. It’s a 24/7 position from which you can never take a vacation.
He hasn’t been perfect, but despite the challenges, Colin did his best to fill the Herald’s pages with both hard news and interesting features, and established some great community connections with contributing writers (including my bi-weekly blog).
He mentioned those connections in the announcement he printed last week, in which he wrote,
I’d like to thank those in the community who have helped me and given me great stories. Furthermore, during my time as editor, I have trried to get members of the Webster community to contribute with their own columns or “corners” and credit them as guest contributors. I am happy for the participation I’ve seen from community members who are willing to share their expertise with their fellow neighbors and I hope this will continue after my departure and the newspaper can be a place for the community to come together and where one can stay informed.
In a follow-up email, Colin added, “What I will miss most about the Webster community are the many events they put on where business owners and various volunteers work together to help their community enjoy a night in their village.”
Empire State Weeklies, which owns the Webster Herald, hasn’t yet found a replacement, but Colin says they’ve been looking. He plans to provide the new editor a list of ongoing projects to make the transition as seamless as possible.
When the new editor is named, I hope everyone will welcome him or her with characteristic Webster warmth. Because, if you haven’t noticed, local news is a dying breed. Ever since the Webster Post ceased publication in October, the Herald has been one of the few places to find news about our community. Lord knows the Democrat and Chronicle doesn’t pay us any attention unless something bad happens.
Think about it. Aside from the Suburban News on the west side, there is no other weekly local newspaper in Monroe County. We’re pretty fortunate to have the Webster Herald. We need to remember that and remember how difficult the job of editor is.
Thank you, Colin, and best of luck in your future endeavors.I’ve enjoyed working with you.
Despite being such a small town, the Village of Webster has an amazing amount of great music.
Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, plus the occasional Wednesday, you can find live music SOMEWHERE in the village, performed by a variety of local and regional bands, playing folk, Irish, country, oldies, rock & roll and more.
Pub 235, at 235 North Ave., starts off every musical week on Tuesdays with Eggman’s Traveling Carnival, which plays from 7 to 9 p.m. Once a month or so, Nate Michaels also takes the stage.
The music at Barry’s Old School Irish, 2 West Main St., starts Friday night, and it’s usually Irish. Saturday, a folk music jam session meets in the bakery side of the pub from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a traditional Irish music session from 2 to 5. Then, after THAT, another (usually non-Irish) band provides entertainment. Barry’s often brings in bands from Buffalo in addition to featuring local talent.
The Coach Sports Bar, 19 West Main, also usually has music on Saturday nights from 9 to 1 p.m.
Even the village’s newest restaurant, Cobblestone on Main, at 109 West Main, has dipped its toes into the local music scene. Cobblestone has already hosted Claudia Hoyser three times, and will be welcoming Amy Montrois later this month and in May.
Owner Dan Bresnahan has chosen to schedule his live music dates on Wednesdays, so he doesn’t step on any other venue’s toes. At least for now, however, he doesn’t expect to host entertainers every week, but rather have them in for special events. But, he adds, “We want to help support local music. They suffered as much as anybody during COVID.”
This weekend in particular is a big one for local music, thanks in large part to Saturday being “Parade Day.” For some bars and restaurants, Rochester’s St. Patrick’s Day parade marks the beginning of the St. Patrick’s Day season. So in addition to the regular music dates mentioned above, several venues have added even more bands to their schedules.
Barry’s Old School Irish’s Saturday music schedule, for example, begins with a traditional Irish session at 10 a.m. and continues all day and evening with three more bands. (Click here to see the whole schedule). Cobblestone is featuring two bands, Sean Rosenberry from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by Leecy & Greg from 6 to 9 p.m.
On St. Patrick’s Day itself next Thursday, look for even more music at Barry’s Old School Irish.
As the pandemic continues to wane and we all feel more and more like going out in the evenings and getting back to normal, it’s great to know there are so many opportunities so close by to enjoy exceptional live music. And it’ll only get better as the weather gets warmer and the music gets piped onto the patios. (Or sometimes the musicians themselves set up outside.)
Thank you to the pub and restaurant owners who understand how important music is in our lives, and for supporting our local musicians.
This is a rather botanical-themed mailbag today, featuring sunflowers, trees and a carnivorous plant that wants to take over the world.
First, something bright and happy. The North Bee wants to flood the community with sunflowers, or sunyashniki, the national flower of Ukraine.
Amy Stringer from The North Bee writes,
For the month of March, 100% of proceeds from the sale of a Beeswax Sunflower Ornament will be donated to ROC Maidan so they can get the funds appropriated to where they are needed to help refugees and soldiers, offer humanitarian aid and help rebuild and recover from this devastation unfolding before our eyes (in Ukraine).
Amy is offering three different designs, the Full Sunflower, Monet Sunflowers, or the Dinner Plate Sunflower. “Whichever you choose,” she added, “I cannot wait to see them displayed everywhere! Come on friends, I’m ready to pour sunflowers all day!”
Click here for more information about this special event and ROC Maidan. The North Bee is located at 27 North Ave. in the Village of Webster.
Here’s a quick look at some of the fun the Webster Public Library has in store this month:
Bad Art Night, Friday March 25 from 6 to 7 p.m., for tweens and teens grades 4-12. The library will provide the supplies, you bring the creativity to make some crazy art. Click here to register.
Space, eclipses and all things in the sky, Tuesday March 29, 7 to 8 p.m. for all ages. Local space enthusiast Gaylon Arnold will talk about upcoming eclipses that will be viewable in our area, and other space events that might interest you during 2022 and beyond. Click here to register.
Family Friday Movie Night, April 1 at 6 p.m. Enjoy some snacks and get comfortable at the library while watching the movie Encanto! Bring pillows and blankets from home so you can get cozy to watch on our big projector screen. Click here to register.
This month’s make-and-take crafts are a leprechaun trap for the wee ones, origami star garland for teens and a decorated plant stake for adults. All crafts are available on a first-come-first-served basis while supplies last.
The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza.
Your next two Webster-based opportunities to donate blood and help save lives happen in just a few weeks.
There are all sorts of incentives this month to get you to make a donation.
Donate at any blood drive in Webster this March for a chance to win a $50 Wegmans gift card. PLUS, give blood or platelets in March and get a $10 e-gift card from Fanatics! PLUS, get a chance to score a trip to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
This notice from the folks at the Friends of Webster Trails, who have embarked on a program to save the trees of Webster.
The forests of Webster are under attack. Insects and disease are going after the ash, hemlock, oak, and beech. As they die, they will be replaced by invasive and most times non-native trees unless we do something.
The Friends of Webster Trails has established a group to come up a plan and set it in motion. ReTree – Replanting Our Native Forest aims to do just that. Tree surveys have been completed of many of our trail areas telling us what trees are present and their number. You may have already noticed efforts to clear invasive plants along the Blue Trail in the Whiting Road Nature Preserve. In fall, potted trees of appropriate species will be purchased and planted in this area. In spring, we will be building a tree nursery to grow native trees from seeds for future planting.
Stay tuned for more information about this initiative.
Tickets are on sale now for Webster Thomas High School’s spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors.
Little Shop of Horrors is a sci-fi horror musical with a 1960s pop/rock score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. It tells the story of meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn, who stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II.” The egotistical, sweet talking R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down-and-out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination.
Shows will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday April 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. Reserve tickets are $12, or $10 for groups of ten or more. Click here to get yours.
The weekly Saturday afternoon Irish traditional music sessions at Barry’s Old School Irish were featured front and center this week in an article published in City Newspaper.
For the article — which almost certainly was timed for the newspaper’s March issue because of St. Patrick’s Day — author Daniel Kushner visited at least two of the three Irish sessions which take place weekly in the Rochester area, at Johnny’s Irish Pub, the Chatlotte Tavern and Barry’s Old School Irish.
Kushner did a great job capturing the history, tradition and culture surrounding these traditional music sessions. But he didn’t stop there; Kushner also dug even deeper into Irish trad culture and history by interviewing Ted McGraw, one of the original members of the Rochester branch of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Irish musicians’ association, and long-time host of the Irish Party House radio program.
The Saturday sessions at Barry’s happen every week from 2 to 5 p.m. If you’ve been in the pub during those hours, you’ve probably seen the musicians huddled in a circle over by the bakery case. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about who they are and why they’re there, click here to check out the article.
Since we’re talking about Barry’s Old School Irish, I want to let you know that our favorite Irish pub is gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day in a big way. I mean, special events have already begun.
Barry’s is welcoming St. Patrick’s Day festivities back after a COVID-induced hiatus by peppering the next few weeks liberally with music, whiskey tastings, dancers, a personalized Guinness pint night, green-themed trivia and a whole day filled with events on Parade Day (March 12), culminating of course on St. Patrick’s Day itself, when the pub opens at 8 a.m. with Irish coffees and breakfast.
The Village of Webster’s exciting Fall in Love With Webster month-long community celebration is almost over. All month, residents and visitors to our fine village have been enjoying merchant discounts and special events, all embracing the theme of love.
Being this is the last week, you’ve only got a few days left to collect trivia answers. Look for questions and answers posted in the windows of participating shops, write down the answer and bring them all to Barry’s Old School Irish on Feb. 23 for the weekly trivia contest, and compete for fabulous prizes. More than 30 village businesses are participating!
Here’s what’s coming up this week:
All week:
❤ Thinking of Others: Be Someone’s Secret Admirer!
The Village of Webster is inviting everyone to be an old-fashioned “secret admirer” anytime during the month. You could send flowers to someone, or just pay it forward at the drive through. It’s all about thoughtfulness. Have fun!
This sounds like a lot of fun. Customers pay $5 to buy a mystery book, which is wrapped in plain brown paper with a genre and description written on the outside. Ooo…how fun! Which one will you choose?What a fun and romantic way to share some love, read a book, and make some February memories all the while supporting a local merchant. Sounds like a win for everyone! Who’s your mystery date? Find it at Yesterday’s Muse.
Join Elsa, Anna, Olaf & the Roc Dance faculty this winter break as and dance to all your favorite Frozen songs! Daily arts & crafts, games, songs and dancing to keep your little one busy during February Break. this feb break! Click here for more information.
The Chorus sings four-part “a cappella” music, specializing in barbershop harmony, an original American art form. Click here to find out more about the Chorus of the Genesee and how you can get involved.
Barry’s Old School Irish’s weekly trivia night will have a crossword theme AND Village of Webster trivia theme! In addition to general knowledge questions set up in Crossword Puzzle format, they’ll also be asking Webster trivia questions. Get a leg up by collecting all of the answers ahead of time. They;re located in the merchant store windows. More info here, including how to reserve your table.
Join us for a celebration of this amazing lady. Wear your favorite pearls and get ready to share in some snarky happenings! Food, drink, and birthday cake, of course! “Betty’s Happy Hour” will also offer a sneak peek into our winter and spring 2022 Charlie Paige clothing line. Plus, Ohhh, Lordee Everything Sauce will be catering the event. Call 585-236-1604 if you have any questions.
In conjunction with Lala’s Betty White Night, Jojo Bistro and Wine Bar will be offering a Betty White-inspired cocktail menu. Stop in for a “Betty White,” “Rose Nyland” or a non-alcoholic “Golden Girl.” Plus there’s live music, featuring the über-talented Amanda Ashley from 6 to 8 p.m.
The points of these wonky stars are easy to create when you have the right tool – the Creative Grids Lazy Angle, that is! Combine them with four-patches for an intricate looking block that can be made in an afternoon! Finished size is 12 in. x 37 in. Call the Village Quilt Shoppe at 585-626-6916 to sign up.
Taking a walk? Going to a festival or quilt show? Travel light with our Sophie cell phone and card case pattern. By carrying your cell phone and ID/credit card with this convenient cell phone holder, you won’t be weighed down by a traditional crossbody bag. Give the Village Quilt Shoppe ladies a call at 585-626-6916 to sign up.
If you’re a fan of Ireland’s most popular pint, then you’re not going to want to miss this event.
The Great Guinness Toast returns to Barry’s Old School Irish pub this Saturday Feb. 19. Since it opened more than ten years ago, Barry’s has always been invited by Guinness to host this annual — worldwide — event by virtue of the fact that Barry’s sells more Guinness than any other pub or restaurant in the Greater Rochester area and beyond.
That’s right. Our little corner of Ireland in OUR little village is THAT authentic.
This is always one of Barry’s Old School Irish’s most popular events of the year, in part because there are always free Guinness pints handed out to anyone who wants one, free giveaways from the Guinness reps, and live music. And of course there’s Danny’s epic toast. Sláinte!
Basically, you don’t want to miss any of it.
Festivities for this year’s Great Guinness Toast (which is also known as “St. Practice Day” since it marks a month before St. Patrick’s Day) begin at 7 p.m. The pints on the house and official toast happen at 9:15 (ish…. we ARE talking Irish time, after all).
Never been to Barry’s? Here’s a taste from last Saturday’s traditional Irish session. It doesn’t get more Irish pub-like than this.
You’d think that having written this blog for 14 years, I’d know pretty much everything there is to know about Webster. But once in a while I have the distinct pleasure of discovering something new, and learning about a business I’d never known before.
That was the case with Gleason Orthodontics. The practice, headed by Dr. James Gleason, is located at 246 South Ave., basically right around the corner from my home. I’ve driven and walked by it hundreds of times, but had never given it a second thought.
Last week, however, the name Gleason Orthodontics came across my radar twice, with regards to their participation in community events. Clearly this was a business that not only wanted to get more involved in the Webster community, but was actively searching out opportunities to do so.
I had to meet them.
I knew I was in the right place when I walked into the office and Gleason’s marketing coordinator, Amy Gilmore, had to move a pile of handmade Valentines from a chair to give me room to sit down. Turns out they were having their young patients make cards for the residents of The Maplewood nursing home. She and the other staff members were making some as well, just to make sure there was a Valentine for each one of the Maplewood’s 72 residents.
Right next to the Valentines was a box filled with dental-health-inspired goodie bags which they were planning to hand out to children at the Webster Recreation Center. Amy explained that projects like these are their way of giving back to the area and the patients they serve, giving back to the people who have helped build the practice.
“Most of our patients are here in Webster,” she said. “Instead of (Dr. Gleason) just dropping money here or there to organizations he doesn’t know about, he said, why don’t we invest in the community, invest in the people that we serve and we help? That’s really what we’re striving to do.”
The Valentine’s Day cards and goodie bags are just the beginning. Gleason is always looking for opportunities where they can give back. Their participation in the ongoing Fall in Love With Webster community celebration is a good example. All this month, they’re offering to buy Girl Scout cookies from anyone selling them, which they’ll then donate to veterans. (Call Amy at Gleason Orthodontics, 585-872-3355, if you’re interested.)
The list of events like that which the practice is supporting is long and getting longer every day. It already includes the Mud Run at Webster Parks and Recreation, sponsoring the Kona Ice truck at the Summer Bash, participating in Community Arts Day and the Greater Rochester Peep Show.
So keep your eye out for the Gleason Orthodontics logo, or better yet, the table they’ve set up at the next Webster community event. Then make sure to stop by and thank them for all their support for our community.
Count on the great guys of the Chorus of the Genesee to come up with a charming idea for Valentine’s Day.
All this month, the Chorus has been opening up their weekly Tuesday-night rehearsals to the community, as part of the Village of Webster’s Fall in Love With Webster event. But this week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, they’ve cooked up something special.
Bring your sweetheart to the Harmony House on Tuesday Feb. 15 from 7:30 to 8 p.m., where she (or he!) will be serenaded with love songs. Enjoy a romantic atmosphere, a mimosa and perhaps a few other surprises thrown in. It’s free, but they’d love for you to register so they have an idea of how many to expect. Click here to do that.
The Harmony House is located at 58 East Main St., Webster.
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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