Archive | Local businesses RSS feed for this section

Now you see it, now you don’t

1 May

This is what was left of the Mobil station at around 4 pm yesterday

If you drove down Ridge Road today, you might have noticed a big change at the corner of Ridge and Five Mile Line. That long-defunct Mobil gas station is being dismantled. Between 7 am when I went to work and 3:30 pm when I was coming home, it had been almost completely removed.

The construction doesn’t come as a surprise. We knew back in January that the corner has a new owner, who is planning to replace the station with an Express Mart, including at Tim Horton’s.

Thank you to my friend Sarah King for snapping the photo for me.

 

 

Two ways to help support the Webster Comfort Care Home

23 Apr

There was a very nice article on the front page of the local section of yesterday’s D&C about one of Webster’s finest community service organizations, the Webster Comfort Care Home. (See the article online by clicking here.)

The home, located at the corner of Holt and Klem roads, provides free hospice care to the terminally ill of our Webster community. This year they’re celebrating their tenth anniversary with a series of events beginning with a fund-raising concert this Saturday night, which was prominently featured in yesterday’s article.

The concert is called “An Evening With The International Guitar Duo and Petar Kodzas” and will feature a candlelit cabaret atmosphere and “world-class” musical artists playing classical, pop, jazz and country music. Bakery items and beverages will be available for purchase, including wine and beer. There’s no admission charge, but a a minimum $10 per person donation is suggested. Tables for 8 can be reserved for $80 by calling Craig Pratt at 585-347-4202.

It takes place Saturday night April 27, beginning at 7 pm, at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive. For more information go to www.webstercomfortcare.org. Or click here to see video clips of International Guitar Duo:  http://vimeo.com/51718023  and classical guitarist Petar Kodzaz: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGg3WSjAefA.

WCCH Fashion Show

Finally, don’t forget about the The Webster Comfort Care Home’s annual Spring Fling Fashion Show fundraiser on Saturday, May 18 at 11:30 am at the Penfield Country Club.  Fashions are being provided by Stein Mart and the event includes a delicious luncheon and silent auction. Cost is $27 per person.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling Mary Ann at 872-6568.

* * *

In the past ten years, the Webster Comfort Care Home has hosted more than 290 of our friends and neighbors, providing them with compassion and comfort as they ended their life journey. There is no charge to residents or their families for these hospice-like services, and they receive no government assistance to help defray their operating expenses, nearly $190 thousand annually. Instead, all of the agency’s funding comes by way of corporate, business and individual contributions, and fundraisers such as these.

Webster Presbyterian Mission Team helps our Southern Tier neighbors

22 Apr

This super-friendly looking group just returned from a service trip helping rebuild homes in the Southern Tier.

This is a nice story from the folks at the Webster Presbyterian Church, who recently returned from an Adult Mission Team Trip in the Southern Tier.

Sixteen church members participated in the week-long service trip, in which they helped three homeowners in the Endicott-Binghamton area make repairs to their homes, which were badly damaged in the awful flooding that took place there in September 2011.

Mission Committee member Laureen Anthony-Palmer reported that the group worked on drywall and did some painting for a house in Vestal, did “lots of painting” and hung a door on a house in Owego, and installed vinyl siding on a home in Barton. “All three homeowners were extremely grateful for our help and were very helpful to us the entire week,” Laureen added.

This is the second time a service group from the Webster Presbyterian Church has traveled to the Binghamton area. Last October a team spent a week rehabilitating two homes in Johnson City.  One of the homeowners was an 86-year old widow named Betty, who had spent the previous year living upstairs in three bedrooms and a bathroom.

Laureen was pleased to report that this month’s Mission Team members went back to visit Betty to see how things were going.  “It was not only great to visit with her again,” Laureen wrote, “but also to see that the renovations on her home are now almost complete and she is once again able to live on both floors of her home.”

The Webster Presbyterian Adult Mission Team’s visit was hosted by the First Presbyterian Church in Endicott, who reported that the work down there is far from done.  As of last fall, there were still about 1000 in the greater Binghamton area in need of repair, and they expected to be sponsoring work teams for at least the next two years.

I particularly love this story because I feel a very personal connection with it.  Owego is my hometown, and I was heartbroken when I saw the devastation caused by the floods.  On a recent visit I was glad to see that the beautiful little town has rebounded well, in part thanks to the efforts of fine folks like these.

So may I add my personal thank you for your kindness and generosity of time and talent.

 

AutismUp: New name, same commitment to caring

10 Apr

April is Autism Awareness Month.

Wait! Don’t stop reading there. Don’t be tempted to think, “That doesn’t affect me. On to the sports section!” Because chances are very good that autism DOES affect you.

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S, affecting one in every 88 children. Think about that. That’s an amazingly high percentage. That means that in your daily life, you have most definitely come in contact with people affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and probably even know some personally.

So this issue is not something our society can push under the rug, and the more people who understand that, the better.

So let me tell you about an incredible local organization dedicated to spreading the word, and about an event they’re holding later this month where you can help.

The organization is called AutismUp. You may already know it by its former name, UNYFEAT, which stood for Upstate New York Families for Effective Autism Treatment. The new name reflects the evolving and expanding role of the organization as the autism incidence rate continues to grow.

This local organization was founded in 2004 by a small group of parents of children with ASD, and has since grown to more than 1,000 members. Its mission is to support individuals with ASD and their families by expanding and enhancing opportunities to improve quality of life.

But to do that, they need funds. And here’s where you can help.

On Friday, April 26, AutismUp will host their seventh annual Seeds of Hope Growing and Giving Gala from 6:30 to 11 pm at the Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University  Avenue. They’re calling it the “gala at the gallery,” and it will feature, according to the press release,  “fabulous food from MAX Rochester, a variety of music and entertainment, a live and silent auction, and opportunities to learn more about AutismUp programs and services.”

Several Webster businesses are among those who have generously donated raffle prizes, including Prime Steakhouse, Hanks, Kid’s Hair Zone, Armstrong Adirondacks, Bella Vita, Flahertys, Bayview YMCA, Yolickity, Kittleberger, Hegedorns Bakery, Pontillos and Webster Interiors. Plus, Casciani Builders has donated a private helicopter experience for the live auction. Pretty cool.

Tickets are $100 in advance, or $125 at the door. Presale tickets can be ordered online by April 20 at www.AutismUp.org or by calling (585) 248-9011.

Can’t make the gala? Then show your support this Friday by wearing something blue. I know at least one school in the district is encouraging all their staff and students to wear blue, and I hope more get on board.

You can count me in. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of these kids, and despite their communication and behavioral issues, they’ve all been cheerful and funny and pleasant. The way they take joy in life and take pride in new achievements just fills my heart with smiles.

This is definitely a cause you can believe in.

Village business news

9 Apr

I received the following photo from Mayor Cahill a few days ago, showing some work being done on a West Main Street building owned by Bob Lindsley, which houses Performance Hobbies and two other storefronts.

“We’re very excited to see the finished product,” Cahill said, and added, “Thanks to Bob.”

I also did some asking around the other day about what’s going to be going into the old Webster Gourmet storefront on the opposite side of West Main. They’ve been working hard on that place for a while now.  Word is that it’s gong to be an art gallery. Or a photo studio. Or something else. No one seemed to know for sure.

How ’bout it, folks…someone out there can fill us in. Who can tell us what’s going in there?

 

 

Never Say Never needs volunteers

6 Apr

If you love horses and you’re looking for a great local volunteer opportunity, Never Say Never Stables’ Horses Healing Hearts program wants you.

Never Say Never Stables, located on at 906 Maple Drive in West Webster, is a therapeutic horse riding organization which seeks to provide “life-enriching, horse related activities to children and teens living with cancer or other life challenges.” The operation is run entirely by volunteers and in recent years has experienced some huge growth. So they’ve sent out a call for help.

A few days ago I received the following email from the folks there:

The number of riders desiring equine-assisted activities is climbing. Children facing all sorts of challenges love to spend time with the horses in a loving, caring environment. It is such a joy to watch the kids grow as they spend time on the farm.  With growth comes the need for more staffing.

We need more volunteer horse handlers and side walkers (for the Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday programs). We also need ‘greeters’ on Saturdays to welcome families and check in riders. Since we operate on an alternating/every other week basis from May to November, there are only 15 weeks of programming.   We also have a once a month group for autistic children (Friday from 5-6 pm) and a summer camp program that runs Monday-Thursday for five weekly sessions during July and August.

Never Say Never has volunteer opportunities to fit every schedule. You can volunteer every day in the camp programs, bi-weekly in the equine-assisted therapy program, or once a month with the autism program. Volunteers have earned community service hours, created Webster Senior projects, and built Eagle Scout projects.

Volunteers can be high school students, business people, retirees, moms, dads or entire families.  Get more information at  http://www.nsnstables.org/Volunteering.html

Was Mary Todd Lincoln insane?

5 Mar

A fascinating program scheduled for this weekend in Webster will explore the question of whether Mary Todd Lincoln was deranged — or just depressed.

Photo of Mary Todd Lincoln by Matthew Brady from Wikimedia Commons.

Apparently it is common knowledge that the wife of Abraham Lincoln was considered a “lunatic,” to use the accepted term of the day.  But there are some who believe that Mary Todd Lincoln was suffering not from lunacy, but from depression.

One of those people is Patricia Nugent, an East Irondequoit native who has written about the subject in the online edition of Ms. Magazine. In her article, she writes,

Many of us know that the former First Lady was convicted of lunacy, instigated by her eldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln. She spent almost four months in an insane asylum until she was able to enlist support for a retrial, at which she was declared sane once more.

What we don’t know much about is what led to the behavior that was considered lunacy in the court of public opinion and a court of law…my assessment is that Mary Todd Lincoln suffered innumerable losses in her life and had few socially acceptable means of expressing her sorrow. Such bottled-up sadness resulted in acting out behavior that was interpreted as insanity.

Those losses included the death of her mother when she was just six years old, rejection by her stepmother, the loss of three of her four sons, and, of course, the assassination of her beloved husband. Her eldest (and only surviving) son, was no support at all.  He was “cold, judgmental and unaffectionate,” Nugent wrote.

I’d say that’s an understatement. For crying out loud, he had his mother convicted of lunacy.

Nugent will discuss her article at a presentation from 2-4 pm this Sunday March 10, at the Harmony House, 58 East Main Street, Webster. The public is invited to join the discussion and learn more about this tragic woman whom Abraham Lincoln loved so dearly, but whom historians call “one of the most detested women in American history.”

The event is being sponsored by Yesterday’s Muse Books, and there is no charge. Refreshments will be provided by Webster Gourmet.  For more information, call (585) 265-9295.

Brimont moves up to Main Street

3 Mar

Webster has a new restaurant.

It’s Brimont Bistro, at 24 West Main Street, where Shema Sushi used to be.  You might recognize the name, since the new place is a more spacious incarnation of the former Brimont Deli, which was located for seven years in the row of rear-facing shops near the gazebo on North Avenue.  Calling it a “new” restaurant, therefore, is not entirely accurate.  Owner Greg Cody has simply transplanted his incredible culinary talents, customer service and sense of class to a more visible Main Street location.

It’s pretty obvious that he’s also brought along a very loyal customer base. Word is, the line stretched out the door during lunch hour on the Wednesday after they opened.  Obviously, this was someplace I had to check out for myself.

So my friend Carol Klem and I stopped by for lunch a little while ago to see Cody’s new digs.  Whenever I enter a new place for the first time, I try to sum up my first impression in one word.  But that wasn’t going to cut it with Brimont. The best I could come up with was “bright,” “pleasant” and “comfortable.”

We had the choice of sitting at one of the small tables, or along the long, wooden bar. We decided on the bar, where we could chat with bartender Clay Wheaton and watch the world go by outside the big picture window.  Clay was very patient, since for the longest time Carol and I were chatting with each other so much that we almost forgot to order.

A look inside the Brimont Bistro

Eventually, Carol decided on the Greek Salad and I got the Santa Fe Wrap.  The service was quick, the presentation was very nice, and the food was delicious.  And just as importantly, the portion size was perfect and the price was just right for a nice lunch.

A little later during our visit, I got a chance to meet and talk with owner Greg Cody.  It only took about 39 and a half seconds to realize that this guy REALLY knows what he’s doing.  I’m talking “Chef” with a capital C.

Cody brings to Webster a wealth of experience gained from working in some of the finest restaurants in the nation, including  the Tribeca Grill, River Cafe and Montrachet in New York City. That experience shows not only in the expertly prepared food, but in everything you’ll see at Brimont. The staff members are dressed to the nines in black pants and starched white shirts.  The dinner tables are draped with white linen tablecloths and the napkins are fanned.  According to staff member Dierdre Hickey, the wait staff were given five training sessions before opening, covering skills including how to put plates on the table, presentation of wine and proper pouring of champagne.

The waitresses have also been told to be efficient, but not to rush things. Cody “expects every diner to be here for an hour and a half,” Hickey said.  “He wants them to savor the meal” and really enjoy the dining experience.  It’s attention to those kind of details which lends a touch of class to even a casual lunch.

My Santa Fe Wrap. The coleslaw was awesome.

The lunch menu offers a selection of sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads for prices ranging from $7.50 to $9.75. The sandwiches and wraps come with one side of coleslaw, potato salad or macaroni salad.  Add a soft drink or a glass of wine, and lunch will run you about $10 to $15.

The dinner experience, in contrast, is even more representative of a fine New York City restaurant. At night, all the tables in the restaurant’s formal dining area (upstairs) are draped with linen tablecloths and adorned with flickering candles. You’ll start with appetizers such as Duck Confit or Blackened Shrimp, which run about $10. Entrees begin at $17; Chicken French, Coq au vin and Seared Duck Breast are among the most popular. If you order an appetizer, salad, entree and drinks, dinner will run around $50 or more.

So the way I see it, Brimont is kind of like having two restaurants in one. For people who don’t want to spend a whole lot on dinner, you can get the same fine dining feel and incredible food at lunch.  If you want a real top-of-the-line evening meal and high-class dining experience right here in downtown Webster, stop in for some of the Brimont’s Seared Dry Sea Scallops.

Either way, Greg Cody is in the kitchen, so you can’t miss.

Brimont Bistro is located at 24 West Main Street, Webster. They’re open Monday-Saturday for lunch from10:30 -3. Dinner hours are Monday-Thursday 4:30-9:30, Friday and Saturday from 4:30-10.  Reservations are suggested.  Call (585) 872-3170.  Check out their webpage at www.brimontbistro.com.

Carol had the Greek Salad

Clay Wheaton behind the bar.

Chef Greg Cody with diners Joan and Rodd Riesenberger upstairs in the formal dining room.

A visitor’s view of Webster

27 Feb

It’s the simple, unexpected moments in life that remind us that we live in a great town.

Jenny Flanery, from Michigan, discovers Toy Go ‘Round

The other day when I was visiting with Bonnie Reynolds at Toy*Go*Round, a customer entered the shop.  I struck up a conversation with her (because that’s the kind of thing I do) and was intrigued to find out that she was from out of town — specifically, the Detroit area. Naturally, I wondered what brought her into this little shop. Her answer warmed my heart.

Her name was Jenny Flanery, and her husband is a union representative whose job takes him all over the northeast states.  Jenny explained that she travels with him some of the time, but always tags along when he comes to this area.

“I love Webster,” she said. She especially likes all of the small shops in town, she added.  On that day, as she was driving down Ridge Road, she noticed Toy*Go*Round and thought, “I haven’t been there yet.”  So she stopped. And she shopped.

Sometimes it’s nice to see our hometown through someone else’s eyes to remember how special it really is.

 

Recycled toys: Best. Idea. Ever.

22 Feb

I readily admit it. I’m a cheapskate. Anytime, anywhere I can save money, I’m there.

It was no different when I was raising my young children. If anything, money was even tighter back then. So when it came to clothing my kids, and providing them with toys and the necessary accoutrements of baby and toddler-hood, I was always on the lookout for a good deal. I relied a lot on hand-me-downs, garage sales, and the grandparents.

So basically, I would have killed for a store like Toy*Go*Round.

You’ve probably seen this shop as you’ve driven by it on Ridge Road in Webster. It’s the pretty blue house with pink shutters (I love that for a children’s shop) at the corner of Ebner Drive.   It’s owned and run by Bonnie Reynolds and her daughter Sarah, and they’ve just celebrated the store’s one-year anniversary.

I visited the other day on the advice of a friend, Beth Brasser, who absolutely loves the place.  From her description and the sign out front, which advertises “gently used toys and kid gear,” I had some sort of idea of what I’d find. Basically, it was a consignment shop for toys, I thought.

Basically, I was wrong.

Sorry, Bonnie, but that slogan on your sign? It’s woefully inadequate.  I would suggest changing that to “A Young Mother’s Paradise.”  Try to imagine walking into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Room, and all the chocolate bushes, trees and flowers, even the walls, are made of toys.

To give you a better idea, here’s a partial list of the different things I saw as I walked through the shop: strollers, toddler toys, stuffed animals, outdoor toys, musical instruments, car seat covers, infant toys, books, kitchen sets, table and chair sets, mobiles, race cars, transformers, action figures, board games, basketball hoop and building kits. Plus all sorts of clothing, even maternity wear (they think of everything). Or, in Bonnie’s words, the selection includes “Just about everything for mom and baby up to age 6.”

My friend warned me in her email that it might be overwhelming. She wrote,

The decor is bright and charming — though you may miss the hand-painted walls and sparkling chandelier because your eyes will be dazzled by a wonderland of colorful toys.”

There was a chandelier?!

Everything, by the way, was clean, sorted, bagged, and very inexpensive. We’re talking toys and baby equipment of all shapes and sizes — including strollers and bouncy chairs — for a fraction of the cost you’ll get at a big box store. I dare say, it was hard to find anything that even looked used.

But what I liked more than anything was the idea of recycling perfectly good toys.  As the kids grow up, we all collect countless toys and closets-full of baby needs that, if we give them away, eventually get tossed in the trash. Thanks to Bonnie and Sarah at Toy*Go*Round, many of them can now be passed on to someone else who will love them all over again.

Not that Bonnie can take everything. Things like breast pumps and car seats really can’t be re-sold. But owning your own business does mean there’s some wiggle  room on other things.

When I was there chatting with Bonnie, a mother and her teenage son came in carrying a box with about a dozen Webkinz animals. I stepped aside to let her talk with them, but kept a close ear to the exchange. Bonnie explained to them that stuffed animals don’t sell very well, and she doesn’t normally accept them. But it was obvious to her that the young man “really needed a little extra money.”  So in the end a deal was struck.  “As long as I can make him happy, I’ll make him happy,” Bonnie said.

You’d never find that kind of service at a big-box store.

Toy*Go*Round is located at 1197 Ridge Road, Webster, at the corner of Ebner Drive.  They’re open 10-2 on Monday, 10-6 Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday 12-4. Call (585) 545-4904. Check out their Facebook page by clicking here.

P.S. They’ve got a nice selection of Webkinz, just in!

 

This is the wonderland of toys that greets customers when they walk in the door.

I call this the boys’ room.

The smaller baby and toddler toys are cleaned and bagged.

 

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →