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Bookshop tour encourages readers to “fall into books”

30 Sep

books

I know that everyone who’s reading this right now will be interested in today’s blog, because … well, you obviously like to read.

This October, our very own Yesterday’s Muse bookstore on West Main Street in the village is participating in a new program called “Fall Into Books — a Bookshop Tour.”  This is a really neat idea which encourages lovers of books and bookish items to explore independent bookshops in the Greater Rochester area.

gift basket

One of the two gift baskets tour participants could win.

All of the 13 participating stores are located within an hour and a half of Rochester. You can hit up a few a day, or spread your travels through the entire month. But you’ll want to visit as many as possible, because there are prizes to be had.

Here’s how it works: Bookshop “tourists” first pick up a passport at any of the participating shops. The passport will be stamped at each stop you make, and for every store you visit, you get one entry to win one of two gift baskets packed with books, gift certificates, and other bookish items. Each one is worth about $150. Plus, you’ll get a 10% discount off your entire purchase at each shop.

Participating bookstores include:

  • Lift Bridge Book Shop, Brockport
  • The Paperback Place, Canandaigua
  • Explore! The Bookstore, Clifton Springs
  • Stomping Grounds, Geneva
  • Boots, Etc., Macedon
  • The Dog Eared Book, Palmyra
  • Village Bookmarket, Palmyra
  • The Books Landing, Penn Yan
  • The Book Centre, Spencerport
  • Greenwood Books, Rochester
  • Mood Makers Books, Rochester
  • Small World Books, Rochester
  • Yesterday’s Muse Books, Webster

You read a lot these days about the demise of small retail stores, especially bookstores. These 13 bookstores are out to show that they’re here to stay. Show your support by taking the tour, and at the same time discover how unique each of these shops is, with books and products not available in those big-box stores.

Read more about the tour at www.fallintobookstour.com and visit the Facebook event page by clicking here.

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

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Halloween in Webster Village

25 Sep

TOT1

I was working on my next Our Towns column this evening, which is a round-up of several east-side Halloween and autumn-themed events taking place in October. I’ll be mentioning Webster’s Trick-or-Treat Trail in that column, so I was looking through all the photos I took last year to find a few good ones for the column.

I found myself procrastinating on the task at hand and just enjoying all of the photos I took. There were little kids and big kids, dressed as dinosaurs, witches, Pokemon characters and firefighters. There were lots of families whose parents AND children had all dressed as a theme. Even dogs, and infants being pushed in strollers or carried in front packs were in costume.

And everyone was smiling and having a wonderful time.

Webster’s Trick-or-Treat Trail is probably my favorite village event. This is an annual event organized by the Webster Business Improvement District, the group responsible for all of the special things that happen in the village every year. It’s very popular, drawing hundreds of adults and children to the village. There’s trick-or-treating, of course, but there’s also so much more. The Webster Volunteer Fire Department always has an open house, the Webster Museum always has some special thing going on, there’s a costume contest and free rides on the BID’s Festival Wagon.

Plus, it’s a lot warmer than during White Christmas in the Village.

Basically it’s the perfect family event. This year it takes place on Saturday October 28. The costume contest begins at 11 a.m., and trick-or-treating runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more details, visit the Webster BID website. And if you’d also like to revisit last year’s gallery of photos, click here.

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News from the Knuckleheads

23 Sep

knucklehead-logo

I haven’t written much of late about Len Dummer and George Cline of Knucklehead Craft Brewing, but rest assured, they’ve been busy, making friends and winning awards.

Len sent me an email a short time ago filling me in on some details, and I’m pleased to pass along the news.

For starters, at the annual Foodlink Festival of Food, held September 18 at the Public Market, Knucklehead received the award for Best Alcoholic Beverage. They were up against some stiff competition from other purveyors of beer, wines, ciders and spirits. This is the third year in a row that Knucklehead has brought home top honors in that category.

It’s also interesting to note that Joe Bean Coffee Roasters won as the best non-alcoholic beverage. Does anyone remember when Joe Bean was just that little coffee shop on East Main Street in the village? They’ve really gone on to make a name for themselves.

Knucklehead also competed in the New York State Craft Beer Competition, which took place in Rochester on July 29.

Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to winning breweries in 20 beer categories covering 40 different beer styles (including all subcategories), establishing the best examples of each style in the state.

Knucklehead won second place in the IPA category, once again against very respectable competition, and lots of it — that category alone had 88 entries. The winning brew is called Tainted Haze IPA and is a “juice-bomb” style IPA.

If you haven’t checked out Knucklehead yet, or haven’t been back in a while, next Saturday might be a great time to do so, when the brewpub hosts its Oktoberfest.

The event on Saturday, September 30 will feature lots of great German food including Bratwurst, German potato salad, red cabbage, and appetizers. Plus, of course, they’ll have their Oktoberfest on tap, which is described as “full body, (with) copper color, medium alcohol content and only noble hops.”

Oktoberfest will run from 3 to 11 p.m. at Knucklehead Craft Brewing, 426 Ridge Road in West Webster. Check out their Facebook page and website for more information.

 

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

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Tuesday Webster mailbag

19 Sep

mailbagI’d like to begin today’s mailbag by welcoming one of the village’s newest businesses, MJ Gabel Advisors & Trustees of Fine Jewelry.

MJ Gabel is in the process of moving to the village from their location in Ontario, where they’ve been for six years.  As they have grown, they realized the need for more space, and Webster fit the bill.

Right now they’re renovating their new space, which they tell me is “in the heart of the village.”

They added, “Our new location will allow our staff the ability to work more efficiently, and allow our local clients more space to meet with their dedicated diamond specialist.”

Stay tuned for word about their official opening.

Chicken Till it’s Gone

The First Baptist Church of Penfield’s Chicken Barbecue is Saturday, September 30 from 2 till 6 pm (or sold out). Chickens will be prepared on site by Gale-Wyn Catering. Dinners are $10.50 and include a half barbecued chicken, coleslaw or macaroni salad, salt potatoes, roll and butter, plus a dessert. Guests can eat in or take out, and the facility is handicapped accessible.

The First Baptist Church of Penfield is located at 1862 Penfield Rd.

Double Down

 

The Webster Lions Club will hold its semi-annual Texas Hold’Em charity poker event on Friday October 6 at the Elks Club, 7 Barrett Drive in Webster.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m. Cost is $40 ($45 at the door) for buy-in and $20 re-buy. First-place winner will take home $500, $150 for second-place and $50 for third.

All proceeds will benefit Webster Lions Club charities. For information call 585-234-5480 or email websterlionsclub@gmail.com.

Miracle Field Fund-Raisers

Two great events coming up in the next few weeks will benefit Miracle Field.

The first is the 3rd Annual Run Walk & Roll 5k and 1 mile stroll on October 8. This is an all-inclusive family-friendly event in which wheelchairs, gait trainers, adaptive bicycles and tricycles and other assistive devices are welcome.

The courses start and end at Webster Thomas High School 800 Five Mile Line Road.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., the 5K kicks off at 9:30 and the one-mile stroll at 9:35. To register online, click here.

The second event is an artisan dinner scheduled for October 12.

The exclusive dinner will be held at the Webster Arboretum and feature Jim Markeas, Winemaker, Mallee Estate Winery, Australia and Noé Perez, US Brand Ambassador, Bodegas Iliana & Bodegas Lambuena, Spain. They’ll be introducing guests to fine wines from across the globe.

The dinner begins at 6:30 and tickets are $40 per person. Click here for tickets

Oktoberfest at the UCC

OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION 2017 at Webster UCC!
The Webster United Church of Christ’s annual Oktoberfest is almost here.

Oktoberfest is a German celebration that takes place when the late summer/early fall crops are harvested, it is also a time to tap barrels of wine and brew that had been sealed the year before. Communities gather to give thanks for blessings received. There is music for singing and dancing, tables are laden with food and drink – and a feeling of “gemutlichket” rules the day.

The members of the United Church of Christ, Congregational of Webster will honor those traditions as they celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 14 from 6 – 9 p.m. in the church’s Congregational Hall. There will be music for singing and dancing – plus a performance by members of a local German dance troupe.

Tickets are $5.00 per person, and German specialties like schnitzel, sauerkraut, potato salad, bratwurst, and desserts like apple strudel and black forest cake will be available for purchase.

Call the church office at 585-671-3757 to reserve your ticket or to get more information.

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

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Last minute mailbag reminders

16 Sep

mailbag

This morning is the last chance you have to score some awesome deals at the Hope Ministry Garage Sale Fundraiser in Murphy Hall behind Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road in Webster. Everything is HALF OFF TODAY, and it runs only from 10 am to noon.

So start your errands early this morning and get out to the sale.

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Last call for the first-ever Webster Beer Walk, which takes place tonight in the village.

The Webster BID is hosting this event by popular demand after the Wine Walks were so well attended. It takes place TONIGHT from 4 to 7 p..m and the weather looks awesome. This is a great chance to visit some businesses you’ve never been in before (or never knew existed) for samples of beers and spirits.

Pub 235 and Salvatore’s will be the hosts on the North Ave side and Artecho, R Salon, beer mugWebster Hots, Burkes, Barry’s, Sweet Wood Barbecue and the Coach will entertain you in the Village center. Just to the West BC’s Chicken Coop, Webster Interiors and Dr. Stan Drabik will welcome you into their business and provide music.

Some of the brands you’ll enjoy include Stoneyard, Laqunitas, Triphammer, Apple Country Spirits, and Brewery Ommegang. Tickets are available at the Coach Sports Forum (our sponsor for the event), for $15 (cash only) or online at www.websterbid.com.

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The Webster Christian School Alumni Dinner is being planned for Saturday October 7 at 5:30 p.m. Alumni from 1980s to 1990s are invited. On Sunday, all attendees are invited to a service at Webster Bible Church at 10:30, which will be followed by a group outing.

The location of the dinner will be determined as soon as organizers have a good idea how many people will be coming. If you’re interested in attending, contact Michelle (DiMora) Ruggieri at ruggieri@frontiernet.net.

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

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How ’bout we bring the scarecrow contest back?

10 Sep

IMG_20170910_093342790Hubby and I took a bike ride Sunday morning into the village, and stopped by Dunkin’ for coffee. I found this handsome fellow welcoming customers at the side door. (His name tag identified him as “Dave.”)

It made me think about the time not too many years ago when the village hosted a scarecrow contest.  I dug back into my blog archives and the latest reference I found for such an event was in 2013.

According to that blog, both business owners and community groups were invited to create scarecrows, which were then displayed along Main Street (or in front of the appropriate business). Residents could then vote for their favorite, and ballot boxes were placed all over town. First, second and third prizes were awarded.

I kind of liked that contest. It was fun to see all the creative scarecrows, and the decorated the village streets quite nicely for autumn and Halloween.

It would be neat if the village would consider doing that again. (Maybe they already are…?)

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

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Summer cuteness

20 Aug

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In my continuing series of kids having summer fun without the aid of electronics, I submit this super-cute photo.

It was taken Saturday at Webster’s Joe Obbie’s Farmer’s Market, during the market’s annual Back-to-School Day. Children who attended were treated to balloon animals and school-supply gift bags, and could sit in the driver’s seat of a Webster Fire Department truck.

Here are two of those happy children, Grace and Paxton, who even got to try on some real firefighter gear. They’re pictured here with Webster firefighter Sarah Rosenberry, who also happens to be the kids’ music teacher at Plank North Elementary School.

Summer’s not over yet! Please make sure to send me along a photo or two of YOUR kids having some simple summer fun! 

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

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Summer’s not over yet

14 Aug

Whoa.

So the stores are stocking great quantities of school supplies again and I’m beginning to get great quantities of emails from the schools about opening day. Everyone else seems a whole lot more excited about the end of summer than I am.

If you’re like me and you want to squeeze every bit of summer out of the next few weeks, here are a few events to get you started.

NEQ vehiclesThis Thursday August 17, our local paramedic service, the NEQALS, will be hosting a food truck rodeo and craft show at the Firemen’s Field on Main Street, from 5 to 8 pm.

Food trucks that will be on hand include Netsins Ice Cream, Effortlessly Healthy, Macarollin and Heiztelamns.

Vendors will include Young Living, LuLaRoe, Honey and Lace, Pampered Chef, Usborne Books, Tupperware, Perfectly Posh, Tastefully Simple, Lip Sense, XS Energy, and Park Lane Paparazzi.

Live music will be provided by Bryan Prince. Funds raised that evening will help build a new NEQALS base here in town.

Two more food truck rodeos/fundraisers are scheduled for Thursday September 21 and Thursday October 19, all at the Firemen’s Field, and all between 5-8 p.m.

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Summer fun continues in the village these next two Tuesdays, August 15 and 22, with the weekly movies in the park series.

The Secret Life of Pets will be shown on August 15, rescheduled from July.

petsposterTaking place in a Manhattan apartment building, Max’s life as a favorite pet is turned upside down, when his owner brings home a sloppy mongrel named Duke. They have to put their quarrels behind when they find out that an adorable white bunny named Snowball is building an army of lost pets determined to take revenge.

Disney’s Big Friendly Giant is the featured attraction on Tuesday August 22.

In the movie, an orphan girl befriends a benevolent giant who takes her to Giant Country, where they attempt to stop the man-eating giants from invading the human world.

The movies are screened in the village of Webster’s Gazebo Park on North Avenue, beginning at dusk; approximate start times will be posted on the Webster BID website. Bring your chairs, blankets and picnic baskets, and make it a family night out. There’s no admission charge and free popcorn is provided.

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

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Portion of Hard Road to close Monday

2 Aug

hard road map

Chances are you’ve been seeing the warning signs posted near Hard Road recently regarding road closures there beginning Monday August 7. It’s basically the start of something we’ve all wanted for a long time: improvements to Ridge Road to help reduce the congestion.

Here are the details, pulled directly from the Emergency Alert posted to the Town of Webster website:

Beginning Monday, August 7, a roughly 400 ft stretch of Hard Road, between Ridge Road and the entrance to Hegedorns Market…will close in both directions for three weeks.

Crews will flatten the approach to the Ridge Road intersection, improving visibility.
The driveway to the grocery store on Hard Road will remain open. An official detour will direct motorists a mile and a half to the east on Route 104 or Ridge Road to Holt Road.

This is part of the ongoing $2.9 million highway project to upgrade two intersections on Route 404 (Ridge Road.) When complete, the expanded intersections of Route 404 at Five Mile Line and Hard roads will provide turn lanes, bicycle space, (and) new traffic signal systems with accommodations for pedestrians. Additionally, modifications to sidewalk ramps will be made at the intersections of Black Cherry and Webster Commons boulevards and Holt Road to bring these locations into compliance with the Americans with Disability Act.

The project is anticipated to be complete by Spring 2018. Traffic will generally be maintained on-site with morning and afternoon time restrictions. Access to driveways will be maintained during construction except during the three-week closure on Hard Road to flatten the roadway.

Hard Road Intersection

A right turn lane, bicycle lane and sidewalk will be added on Route 404 in the westbound direction at the intersection of Hard Road. A new traffic signal system, including protected left turn arrows in all directions, pedestrian crosswalks and countdown timers will be installed.

Five Mile Line Road Intersection

Right turn lanes will be added on Route 404 in both directions at Five Mile Line Road. A right turn lane will also be provided on Five Mile Line Road in the northbound direction.  The left turn lanes will be longer to provide more vehicle storage.  A dedicated bicycle lane between the travel lane and the right turn lanes will be added on Route 404.  A sidewalk will be provided to accommodate pedestrians. A new traffic signal system with pedestrian crosswalks and countdown timers will be installed.

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

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Successful Jazz Fest 2017 in the books

24 Jul

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I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that the Webster Jazz Fest keeps getting bigger every year. Pretty soon they’re going to have to move the stage another couple hundred feet down West Main to fit everyone.

It’s hard to believe that this year’s event was the 10th annual, and in that time, our little Jazz Fest has really grown into something that’s pretty well respected. Sure, it’s no Rochester Jazz Fest, but the two-day event features high-quality entertainment, great food courtesy our increasing variety of village restaurants, and — at least two years in a row now — nice weather.

Here are a few photos from the evening. Click here to see more in a gallery.

 

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

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