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Webster community mailbag

29 Aug

Just a few events in today’s mailbag … We’ll lead with this item I just received today from the United Church of Christ on Klem Rd.

They’re hosting a special performance titled “They Live On…in Word and Song to Support Mental Health,” on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. The community program will support those in various stages of caregiving and loss.

“They Live On…in Word and Song” features excerpts from Patricia Nugent’s memoir — They Live On: Saying Goodbye to Mom and Dad –paired with nine original songs by singer/songwriter Michael Jerling.

Nugent has presented widely on the topics of caregiving and loss. A native of Irondequoit, her mother Amelia Nugent was active in local politics and real estate, and her father Nicholas Nugent was Athletic Director at the Rochester School for the Deaf. Michael Jerling of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. has been described as a “songwriter’s songwriter…an artist who performs his songs with an uncommon ability to deliver them with power and grace.”

This collaboration between two artists employing two different forms of creative expression gives voice to the universal human experience of letting go. The performance initially debuted at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs to a sold-out room. This is their first performance in the Rochester area.

The performance will be held at the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served immediately after the performance. A CD of the readings and music will also be made available at the event. Tickets are $20, a donation to the church’s mission of supporting mental health awareness and education. Click here to get yours. For more information, email office@uccwebster.org.

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The Women’s Club of Webster is ramping up their 2025/26 season with the announcement that their first luncheon will be held on Thursday Sept. 18 at the Ontario Country Club, 2101 Country Club Lane.

This month’s speaker will be Dan Lyon, Fraud Prevention Manager at Lifespan, who will lead a musical game called “Name That Scam.”  Inspired by “Name That Tune,” it features music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, cleverly linked to scams for an educational twist.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Mr. Lyon’s presentation. Menu choices for the luncheon include: Chef’s Dip (beef, onions, provolone, lettuce and tomato on French bread), Chicken Waldorf Sandwich (chicken salad, apples, candied walnuts,  grapes, melted Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato on a croissant) or House Salad (greens, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber). All choices include hot and cold drinks and French fries. 

Cost of the luncheon is $27. Send your check, made out to the Women’s Club of Webster, by Sept. 11 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Please make sure to indicate your menu choice. You do not have to be a member of the Women’s Club to attend, but new members are always welcome!

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Nan Kent, owner of Annette’s Restaurant, would like me to let you all know that she’s introducing a $15 lunch special starting in September.

The menu includes a selection of salads:

  • Annette’s Seasonal Salad Seasonal — fruit, arugula, tomatoes, red onion, blue cheese crumble and choice of homemade dressing
  • House Caesar — chopped romaine, shredded Parmesan, house-made croutons, Caesar dressing
  • Lunch Wedge — fresh bacon, tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, blue cheese dressing, balsamic glaze

Some handhelds:

  • House Burger — lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar
  • Black Bean Burger — arugula, tomato, red onion
  • Parmesan-crusted cod — cole slaw and one side
  • Caesar Wrap — chopped romaine, shredded Parmesan, house Caesar dressing

Other options will include a soup & salad, grilled chicken and wings & fries.

Specials will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Annette’s is located at 27 West Main St. in the Village of Webster. For more information about the specials, including vegetarian options, stop by or call 585-645-6002.

These next events have appeared in previous mailbags, but I’m re-posting them as reminders:

Don’t forget about the Village of Webster’s Fall Kick-off on Saturday, Sept. 6. Three special events have been scheduled that afternoon and evening beginning at noon when the Red Hot and Blue Band hosts their annual St. Jude’s Benefit Concert. This year they’ll be joined by Sarah De Vallière and The Tug Hill Band.

At 4 p.m., the ever-popular Beer Walk returns to the village, where you can sample beer, cider and food from local businesses AND AT THE SAME TIME, there’ll be a car show on West Main, featuring a wide variety of cars from classic cars to hot rods.

This is all sponsored by Webster’s Business Improvement District. Click here to find out more details on their website.

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St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:00 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.

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The Webster Comfort Care Home’s annual Casino Night has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

“Mayor” Pete Kennedy will emcee this fun night, which will feature gaming tables, a silent auction, raffles, cash bar, appetizers, desserts and a soft pretzel station. Tickets are $75 per person and must be purchased by Sept. 12.

 Click here for tickets. All proceeds benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home.

Interested in helping out by becoming a sponsor? Click here for details: Casino Night Sponsorship Packages.

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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 8/29/2025)

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New Village salon will focus on scalp care

28 Aug

There’s a new salon in town, and your head is really going to like it. It’s called Root Rituals, and owner Melissa Diodato Linder admits it’s “a bit different.”

Root Rituals will be opening soon at 28 East Main St., in the former R Salon storefront. What will make it a bit different is that Melissa will be specializing in scalp treatments and scalp care; or in other words, it will be a “head spa” in the Japanese tradition.

Melissa wants to approach hair care and self-care as a holistic practice. So in addition to the scalp treatments, she hopes to educate her clients about “how to live a toxic-free life … using products that are healthy for you, paying attention to how you use them, what ingredients they’re made with.” She also recently became a certified trichologist, which allows her to properly diagnose scalp conditions and treat hair loss and restoration.

Melissa brings 15 years experience to her shop. After getting a degree in business, she worked at a spa, a yoga studio, a chiropractic office and a wellness center, and most recently had her own salon at Sorella Salon Suites on Orchard St. But she always had an eye on opening her own business one day, and eventually it all came together.

It all started during COVID when she saw a video online that featured scalp treatments.

“It was a Japanese practice,” she said. “It looked really relaxing, and I’ve always been intrigued by hair care in general. I did some research … reached out to some brands, came up with my scalp treatment, rented at a salon, started talking to my clients about scalp care … (and) started doing the scalp treatments.”

When she tried to find a place locally to try it out for herself, she discovered there really wasn’t anything available closer than New York City. Realizing that this would be a nice service to the area finally convinced her to take the leap.

Fortunately, Melissa hasn’t had to do too much to the space to turn the former R Salon into Root Rituals. But she has added some nice touches to make it her own, like adding a fresh coat of paint and some nice decorations. She’ll have a small boutique area, and an espresso machine for her clients. She’ll also be featuring some of her own products — scalp oil, scalp scrub and scalp tonic.

In the future, she’s also considering inviting other service professionals to fill up some of the upstairs rooms, providing additional services that will support wellness inside and out.

Melissa hopes to open her shop by the first week in September. Root Rituals is located at 28 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. For more information, check out her website here and Facebook page 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 8/28/2025)

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DK Dance Studio wows NJ Nationals crowd with “Dueling for Love”

27 Aug

As much as you all might think that somehow I magically know about everything that is happening in Webster at all times, the truth of the matter is that rely heavily on my readers to tell me what’s going on and send me blog ideas.

Today’s post is a good example of that. A few weeks ago I received an email from Andy LaManna, a proud dance dad. He told me about a very special dance routine that his daughter’s dance school — DK Dance — performed at this year’s Nationals.

DK Dance Studio, owned and operated by Dena Kay Botticelli, opened in Webster in 2004, so they’re just about to enter their 22nd season. The school offers classes for babies through adults, in genres from tap to jazz, hip hop to contemporary, and currently has about 315 students.

Sixty of those dancers compete three or four times a year as part of the studio’s “Company.” They take more classes and train more intensively. This year’s competition season was especially successful. Thirty of the Company dancers opted to attend the NJ Nationals in July, where they met some pretty tough competition.

Dena described the experience:

Nationals was filled with a lot of dancing, some fun on the Jersey Shore and having fun! We had about 15 group dances in the Turn it Up National competition. When they compete, they are awarded their adjudication, and then their “overall placement.” We are so proud to have received many overall placements, which gave us eligibility for the final Dance Battle.

The dancers presented several routines, but one of them, “Dueling for Love,” was extra special, and is what prompted Andy to write. Set to Meatloaf’s “I’d Do Anything for Love,” the routine’s centerpieces were two pianos, which the dancers rolled around the stage, jumped on and danced on.

“The pianos themselves basically dance,” Dena said. “It was such a special piece for these dancers to perform, and an amazing thing for five of our recently graduated seniors to be a part of.”

The performance was choreographed by Bekka Bennett, who’d been waiting a long time to bring it to the stage. She wrote,

I’ve actually waited ten years to make this happen. This group of dancers was the reason I decided to take the leap. I’ve always loved this song and it’s been yelled on the top of my lungs in moments of joy and sadness. I knew these kids would translate this art with all the love and respect so it was time.

The dance is a reflection of the difference in the texture of the music while performing with the passion Meatloaf sings with. The dueling pianos were a nod to my love of playing with different layers of musicality and a way to show off the strength, athleticism and trust the dancers all have.

This was really a once-in-a-career piece and it was a joy to create. … It was truly a magical experience.

Bringing “Dueling for Love” to the stage was a joint effort.

We had to move to travel and move the pianos every time we went to competitions. Bless all the dance dads, my right hand man Adam and my partner who all helped make it happen. We actually got the pianos for free … gutted them, reinforced them and added casters so they could move. We also by happy accident made them look old when I when my mom and I were sanding the to paint them. Dena’s mom –our office manager — thought we were leaving them distressed. She was right, so we left them that way.

That weekend, the school won awards for Overall High Scoring Dance and the National Studio Artistry Award, among others.

You can click here or on the photo above to watch the whole dance routine for yourself.

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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 8/27/2025)

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Bella’s Bumbas Workplace Expansion Project fund-raising effort a tremendous success

26 Aug

Our friends at Bella’s Bumbas have just announced some terrific news. They’ve concluded their recent fund-raising effort to build a new barn, and thanks to amazing community support, they not only reached, but surpassed their goal.

Bella’s Bumbas is a non-profit grassroots organization run by Webster residents Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, dedicated to building miniature wheelchairs for children with a wide variety of mobility issues. In the nine years since Marty built the first Bella’s Bumba for their niece Bella, they’ve shipped  3,200 chairs to children in 68 countries, often adapting the chairs for each child’s individual needs, and charging the parents only for shipping.

Till now, they’ve been working out of a small house just north of the village. As the number of chairs they were building and shipping continued to grow, they got creative with how they used their available space. First the living room was the office, and the kitchen the workshop. Then the kitchen was the office and the larger family room was the workshop. Shelves were built everywhere to accommodate all the parts. Bubble wrap and shipping boxes were stacked in every available corner and stuffed into a ramshackle garage and adjacent chicken coop.

But now, they’re out of room, which is beginning to hamper their ability to offer life-changing mobility to even more children with disabilities.

A good look at why Bella’s needs more space

So last March they drew up some plans, started talking with contractors, and set their sights on an ambitious goal: to demolish their existing, dilapidated garage and replace it with a 22′ by 30′ garage, complete with a concrete floor, shelving, and lots of room to expand. The whole Workplace Expansion Project, including a new driveway to replace the crumbling one they have now, was estimated to cost $60,000.

The fund-raising began in earnest. Marty and Rebecca created a dedicated GoFundMe page for the project, and started coordinating some special events. They started out with a bang in May when a spaghetti dinner fundraiser hosted by the Webster Masonic Lodge raised more than $3,800.

All spring and summer the donations continued to pour in, from family, friends, neighbors, and anonymous donors, from all over the United States. Some were as small as $2, others in the hundreds. Together with some grants from local organizations, as of last week, the final amount totaled $63,000 — and more than two thirds of those funds raised came from individuals and local businesses, not the grants.  

Marty and Rebecca are blown away by the response, and especially wanted to thank:

  • North Avenue Salon for putting out a donation jar, which collected $67 (enough to purchase one of Bella’s Bumbas’ most expensive seats. “That’s a kid rollin,” Rebecca said);

Now that the funding is in place, the real work has begun. Demolition of the old garage began Monday, and Rebecca hopes everything will be completed by the first week of September.

“We wanted it up before the snow flies,” Rebecca said. Thanks to unbelievable support from the greater Rochester community, that’s gonna happen. Which means not only will Bella’s Bumbas have a new, bigger garage, but even more kids all over the world can receive the gift of mobility.

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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 8/26/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

22 Aug

Our very own Webster Village Band will perform their final concert of the summer on Thursday Aug. 28 at the Harmony Park band shell on Phillips Rd. Titled “The Band Concert,” the selections will be traditional band standards, plus music from Billy Joel and Jim Brickman.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a cooler, and stretch out on the spacious lawn area in front of the band shell.

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Take your whole family to the lake next Thursday Aug. 28 and say “Farewell, Matey!” to summer at a kids’ concert featuring the Happy Pirates.

I didn’t get a press release about this, but pulled this additional information from an article written by Robert Grenier at the Webster Herald:

The concert … will feature songs performed by Captain Gully, Scuttle, Sharkbait and maybe even a few special guests. Kids attending the event are encouraged to dress up like a pirate and prepare to sing and dance along to sea shanties and other pirate songs. … Food at the event will be provided by Melt, who specialize in gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches.

The concert, sponsored by the Webster Recreation Center, takes place Thursday Aug. 28 at Sandbar Park, 302 Lake Rd., from 6 to 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be available starting at 4:30 p.m. It’s completely free and open to the public. No registration is necessary.

Also from the Rec Center, here’s a fun new program for anyone who loves yoga and loves the outdoors. They’re called Yoga Hikes, and they’re held every Thursday through Sept. 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Each hike begins with a short meditation, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of nature, followed by a hike which will incorporate an “energizing yoga practice.” A different park, trail or open space is chosen for each week.

Cost is $20 per hike. Register on the Webster Recreation Center website — look for activity #237051 *A-G.

Don’t forget about the Village of Webster’s Fall Kick-off on Saturday, Sept. 6. Three special events have been scheduled that afternoon and evening beginning at noon when the Red Hot and Blue Band hosts their annual St. Jude’s Benefit Concert. This year they’ll be joined by Sarah De Vallière and The Tug Hill Band.

At 4 p.m., the ever-popular Beer Walk returns to the village, where you can sample beer, cider and food from local businesses AND AT THE SAME TIME, there’ll be a car show on West Main, featuring a wide variety of cars from classic cars to hot rods.

This is all sponsored by Webster’s Business Improvement District. Click here to find out more details on their website.

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St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:00 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.

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The Webster Comfort Care Home’s annual Casino Night has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

“Mayor” Pete Kennedy will emcee this fun night, which will feature gaming tables, a silent auction, raffles, cash bar, appetizers, desserts and a soft pretzel station. Tickets are $75 per person and must be purchased by Sept. 12.

 Click here for tickets. All proceeds benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home.

Interested in helping out by becoming a sponsor? Click here for details: Casino Night Sponsorship Packages.

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Here’s a notice about a fund-raising walk sponsored by Embrace Your Sisters, a Canandaigua-based organization dedicated to providing emergency financial support for people with breast cancer. In the past, Webster residents have supported — and received financial support from — Embrace Your Sisters, so I’m pleased to share this information.

Embrace Your Sisters (EYS) announced their 2025 Positively Pink in Pittsford Walk Fundraiser will take place on Sunday, October 5, This year’s Walk takes place in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

The walk is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5 at Pittford Sutherland High School. Registration begins at 9 a.m. in the school parking lot. The walk itself will begin at 10 a.m., along a 1.8-mile route through Pittsford residential streets and along the Erie Canal. This year’s fund-raising goal is $25,000, and every walker who raises at least $30 will receive a t-shirt. You can click here to register in advance. If you have any questions, contact Suanne Lippman, EYS Second Vice President and breast cancer survivor, at 585-624-9690.

Since its founding, EYS has raised more than $700,000 with the help of sponsors, friends, and business partners, to meet short-term emergency funding needs of breast cancer patients, across our 13-county Finger Lakes region.

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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 8/22/2025)

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Playtime for kids, coffee time for parents: a new café with something for everyone

20 Aug

A new play café will be opening soon in Webster, offering families the best of both worlds: a bright, kid-friendly space where children can dive into imaginative play, and a coffeehouse vibe, where parents can sip, chat, unwind and catch up with friends while their kids explore.

It’s called Play-a-Latte, and it’ll be opening in just a few weeks in Webster’s Towne Center Plaza (Target Plaza).

Co-founders (and sisters) Richelle Acker and Kristi Phillips still have a lot of work to do before they can open their doors to the community, but when they’re done the results will be charming. The once-empty storefront will have been transformed into a kid-sized small town, featuring eight different custom-built playhouses including a doctor’s office, supermarket, café, ice cream cart and more. A “central park” with kid-sized picnic tables will sit in the middle of it all.

It’s all meant to encourage imaginative play, giving children the chance to step into roles, tell stories, and let their creativity lead the way.

A separate sensory room will offer a quieter, calmer space for children who need it, with dim lighting, fidget toys and sensory tiles and boards.

But it’s not all about the kids. The comfortable couches, chairs and café tables sprinkled throughout will encourage parents to relax while their kids play.

“We want our focus to be on both,” Richelle said. “We want the parents to enjoy coming in and hanging out, while the kids play”; a place for moms (and dads) to gather and connect, get to know each other and make new friends.

And perhaps even enjoy a latte. No worries, though, if you don’t like lattes. The coffee bar will be serving up a variety of comforting beverages, including hot coffee, iced coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and maybe hot cider in the fall.

The idea for the play café first came up around last Christmas, when Kristi stumbled across something online that sparked her imagination. A teacher by profession, she envisioned it as the perfect way to stay home with her own son while still working with children. Teaming up with her sister Richelle, whose background in business and event planning was a perfect complement, made the venture feel like a natural fit.

As soon as Play-a-Latte opens, parents will be able to go online and book 90-minute playtime spots. (Pre-registration is strongly recommended so the space doesn’t get too crowded and they don’t have to turn people away.) Parents can also book private birthday parties in the café’s dedicated party room. And keep an eye out for special events throughout the year, like mommy-and-me yoga, or a build-your-own-bouquet class. Richelle and Kristi might even introduce a book club where the parents can meet while their kids play.

“We have infinite ideas,” Richelle said. “We want to start slow and build it up and introduce new things as we get up and running.”

Should be great.

You can check out the new Play-a-Latte space for yourself when they hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m., followed by their grand opening on Saturday Sept. 13. The café is located in the very southwest corner of Towne Center Plaza (at Ridge and Holt roads) next to Cold Stone Creamery. In the meantime, you can check out their Facebook page here and website here. They’re also on Instagram (Playalatte_PlayCafe).

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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 8/20/2025)

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Yarn artists needed!

19 Aug

You’ve read before here in my blog about the terrific community collaboration between Webster Community Chest, and Webster Hope. 

Their goal is to hold a food distribution event four times a year: Easter, Thanksgiving, and sometime during the summer. With the community’s support, these regular distributions will really help our Webster neighbors who face food insecurity every day.

The agencies are gearing up right now for their upcoming holiday season distributions, and they always like to include a few extra helpful items in addition to the seasonal meal items. In past years they’ve asked for hand-crafted cotton washcloths, which they’ll still gratefully accept. But this year they’re asking for a new item as well, “scrubbies,” to give their recipients a new useful, homemade tool.

Scrubbies are made from a different, more abrasive, type of yarn, and they can be used to help with “scrubbing” pots, pans and dishes.

The Community Chest first came up with the idea to include hand-made washcloths and scrubbies a while ago. They work just as well as paper towels and sponges to wipe the counters and do dishes, and are washable and reusable. So they save families a lot of money.

If you like to knit or crochet and would like to become part of the Community Chest’s “Webster Yarn Artist Army,” you are hereby officially invited to join them. Check below the blog for instructions on how to make them. It’s really easy and a great way to put a personal, homemade touch in the meal packages.

The coalition will be collecting the scrubbies year-round and hope to include them in every food distribution they organize, so they can never have too many! You can drop off your creations at Webster Hope during open hours, or in the donation drops at the Webster Public Library for both Webster Hope and Webster Community Chest. Or you can email Webster Community Chest at webcommchest@gmail.com or call them at 585-671-2060 to arrange for pick up or drop off.

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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 8/19/2025)

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Another great Jazz Festival in the books

17 Aug

The Webster Jazz Festival seems to get better every year.

This two-day festival has been held for almost 20 years now, and somehow the organizers (our very own Webster Business and Improvement District) keep finding ways to improve it. This year’s big upgrade was having two of Friday night’s “Jazz in the Pubs” bands — Sarah De Vallière and Deepak Thettu and Friends — actually play outdoors, on West Main St.

What a brilliant idea that was. Not only was it easier for the bands to set up and gave them more space to perform, but it allowed for much larger crowds to spread out and enjoy the music, taking advantage of the perfect August weather. It also helped increase the visibility of the vendors who had set up tents along the sidewalks.

Four other bands performed at four other indoor venues throughout Friday evening, allowing patrons to more or less “pub-hop,” and I was happy to see that Annette’s, Ploty’s, the Cobblestone and Jojo were all pretty busy.

I was also very happy to see a strong presence from The Coach. Fritz had set up a beer tent on the patio, which did brisk business all Friday and Saturday night. Community members could also support the bar by purchasing t-shirts and other items which read “Stand By Your Bar.”

I’ve posted a few photos from Friday night above, but also have many others in this Facebook gallery. I’ve also included a nice selection of photos taken by my friend Mary White, who was there Friday night with her much-better-than-mine camera.

“Jazz in the Streets” on Saturday was awesome as usual. The music was terrific, the food vendors were busy, and the twinkly lights made Main Street extra charming as night fell. My favorite thing to do on this night is to just walk around the perimeter of the crowd, because it’s guaranteed I’ll see someone I know. Friday night was no exception; I was able to reconnect with a dozen friends, some of whom I haven’t seen in several years.

Oh, and of course I took a lot of photos, too. Click here for my full gallery from Saturday night.

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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 8/17/2025)

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Business news in (and near) the village

16 Aug

Good things are happening in the village.

For starters, perhaps you noticed that there’s paper up in the windows of the former Garage Sale Store at 8 West Main, AND a “for rent” sign. This is an excellent turn of events, because that empty storefront has been an eyesore for a few years. And what a waste of good retail space. I look forward to seeing what will be moving in.

Plus, signs also went up this week in the windows of the former Roc Style restaurant at 5 West Main, announcing the imminent arrival of the Main Dive, which promises “good music, cheap drinks and a full menu.” I’ll be chatting with them in the next week or two, so stay tuned for more details.

The west half of the old Jeff’s Computer Service at 1 East Main (at the corner of South Ave.) has had black plastic up in its windows for a while now. I don’t have a line on what’s happening there, but will let you know as soon as I do.

Finally, just down the street — not in the village, but pretty close — a new “play café” will be opening soon in Towne Center Plaza (Target plaza), called Play-a-Latte. On its Facebook page, the owners describe the café as a “place offering imaginative play, birthday parties for children, and a place for parents to relax, connect, and enjoy a quality cup of coffee.” They’re planning a grand opening celebration in September, so stay tuned for more about them.

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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 8/16/2025)

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Webster Garlic Fest returns in just a few weeks

14 Aug

The Webster Garlic Fest is returning to the Webster Recreation Center on Saturday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 7.

This is a great family festival for anyone who loves all things garlic, and it keeps getting bigger and better every year. Somehow, organizers have managed to squeeze 170 vendors into this year’s festival, including crafters, food vendors, distilleries, wineries, food trucks, and of course lots and lots of garlic growers. There are so many vendors that they’ll fill the gymnasium and spill out onto the Rec Center grounds. Many of them provide tastings, samples and demonstrations. (Click here for a complete list of vendors.)

But even if you’re not a big fan of garlic, there are a lot of non-garlic vendors, and plenty else to see and do. Like, you can cozy up to some alpacas and baby goats (who like to wear pajamas), and even a huge 70-year old tortoise — and they all love to take selfies. There’ll be demos, and Mr. Wally the Balloon Man will be there.

Proceeds from the Webster Garlic Fest will benefit

  • Wreaths Across America: Honoring and remembering veterans resting in local cemeteries on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 13, 2025.
  • Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 (military families): Building Care Packages for locally deployed service members and helping military families in our area.
  • Gold Star Mothers Rochester (mothers who have lost a child, spouse, sibling, or parent in active duty): Helping community veterans-in-need with meals, resources, and year-round support.

The Webster Garlic Fest will be held Saturday Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. There’s plenty of parking in the Recreation Center lot, and even more across the street in the former Xerox parking lot, where free shuttles will be transporting guests back and forth.

Single-day tickets are only $5, and children Under 12 are free. Click here to buy your tickets, or you can get them at the door.

Click here for a gallery of photos from last year’s festival.

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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 8/14/2025)

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