Our neighbors in Webster are currently facing significant hardship due to the delay in SNAP benefits caused by the ongoing government shutdown. This is a critical time when many families who rely on this aid are struggling to meet their basic needs.
Several days ago, I posted a blog detailing various locations across Webster and Rochester where families can access immediate food, clothing, and financial support. If you know anyone in need, please direct them to that resource immediately.
In addition to sharing those links, here are a few direct, actionable ways for individuals and families to help provide direct assistance to those who are most vulnerable right now.
Webster Hope and Webster Community Chest are partnering to distribute all the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner. Months ago when they started planning the effort, they expected only about 175 families to sign up. As of today, there are 275 families requesting meals.
The Webster Community Chest is taking the point in collecting most of the food, and you can find out what they need here on the WCC website (scroll to the bottom of the page for the list). Webster Hope, however, is collecting ground coffee, and they’re in desperate need and are asking for donations from the community.
Any coffee dropped of at Webster Hope (1450 Ridge Rd.) through Nov. 17 will be used for the Thanksgiving distribution. It can be dropped off during Hope’s regular open hours:
Monday 5 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. to noon
Wednesday 3 to 5 p.m.
Thursday 5 to 7 p.m.
Webster Hope also accepts donations of food and hygiene items and gently used clothing for their regular weekly distributions. The organization regular updates their critical needs on their website. Here’s the October/November list:
Coffee and tea
Crackers
Tuna, albacore preferred
Canned chicken
Macaroni and cheese, boxed
Pasta, all types except spaghetti
Canned beets, pineapple
Applesauce
Oatmeal, instant or regular type
Toiletries
Shampoo and conditioner
Deodorant
Dish soap and hand soap
Toothpaste
Baby wipes *HIGH NEED*
This reference here also lists ongoing needs. Items can be dropped off at Webster Hope, 1450 Rdge Rd. (east of Phillips) anytime during their normal open hours.
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I was reminded today of a few more ways you can directly help those in need in our community: food pantries.
Anyone at any time can donate food to the residents of the 500-unit Phillips Village community off Phillips Road. Any shelf-stable food is welcome. The Phillips Village pantry is located outside the office, accessible from the office parking lot at 100 Krieger Road between Ridge and State Roads.
St. Martin Food Pantry — 813 Bay Rd., Webster. Self-serve, accessible outside 24/7. Call 585-671-1899, or email stmartinwebster@gmail.com.
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For the fourth year in a row, our Webster Jersey Mike’s Subs shop on Ridge Rd. will be hosting a fundraiser to support Wreaths Across America-Webster and its mission to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in our town.
During the fundraiser, scheduled for Nov. 10 to 12, community members can get a free regular Jersey Mike’s sub in return for a $3 donation to Wreaths Across America. But you have to have a coupon to participate; you can get yours right now at one of these village businesses:
Over the last three years, the campaign has raised more than $1800 for Wreaths Across America. That kind of community support is crucial again this year, as organizers hope to place 2,100 wreaths across three Webster cemeteries on this year’s Wreath Across America Day, Saturday, Dec. 13.
Wreaths Across America Day is an initiative to honor and remember fallen veterans, a day when volunteers place wreaths on the graves of almost three million veterans at cemeteries across the country and across the world. Webster has participated in this solemn occasion every year since 2022, when volunteers placed about 650 wreaths at Webster Union Cemetery. In 2023, Webster Rural and Union Hill joined the effort, and last year, Holy Trinity Cemetery also participated for the first time.
In addition to nabbing one of those coupons and heading to Jersey Mike’s, here are a few other ways you can help:
Sponsor a wreath. Each sponsorship costs $17, and $5 from each will be donated to local Gold Star Families, who have lost an immediate family member in active duty. Click here to go to Webster’s Wreaths Across America page and sign up.
Help out on Dec. 13. Local organizers still need volunteers to distribute the wreaths after the ceremony. Email websterwreaths@icloud.com for more information.
Our Webster Jersey Mike’s is located at 975 Ridge Rd., in the small plaza across from the former Hegedorn’s.
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I’ve been getting questions about The Coach lately; people are wondering if I’ve heard anything about how repairs are progressing and when it might reopen. Last week I finally had a chance to stop down there and chat with owner Fritz Sierk, who filled me in on how things are going.
It’s been almost eight months since the devastating St. Patrick’s Day fire that tore through The Coach. It started behind the bar, and while the building remained structurally sound, the heat, smoke and water damage meant that the whole place had to be gutted. It’s been a long process cleaning it out, removing the destroyed equipment and furnishings, and drawing up the new plans, and there were several hurdles along the way, but construction finally began in earnest about three weeks ago.
The interior of the bar is still pretty much stripped down to the beams and studs, which was kind of sad to see. And you can still see a lot of fire damage (including charred beams from the last time it burned, in 1969). But Fritz’s vision of what “The Coach 2.0” (as he called it) will be like brought it back to life for me.
For starters, the bar area will be two feet bigger to accommodate larger sinks. The bathrooms “are going to be huge,” Fritz said, expanding into the former “smoking hut” space. A new overhang on the back deck will accommodate smokers, keeping them mostly out of the weather. A second, smaller, fenced-in patio will be added on the east end of the building. And perhaps most exciting of all, Fritz will be installing two garage-door windows overlooking the patios — similar to the big window at the Mary Wee Pub across the street. The pool table and darts will be back, and all of the TVs, including the four big ones on the west wall which can be used individually or stitched together as a huge screen.
In the end it’s still going to be the same, familiar Coach that we all know and love. Just a little bit better.
Architectural renderings of what the “new” Coach will look like
“I still want The Coach to be The Coach,” Fritz said. “Even though it’s new, we tried to make it comfortable, we tried to make it not too fancy. There are plenty of fancy places around.”
“You know. It’s the Coach.”
If construction stays on schedule, Fritz hopes to be open by late January. If not then, then definitely by the first weekend of February — in time to watch the Bills in the Super Bowl.
And all that work you’re seeing being done to the sidewalk in the front of the building? Don’t worry, most of it was planned, in part due to the new patio and garage-door windows. So even though it kind of looks like a mini disaster, rest assured it’s all part of the big plan and we’ll have our beloved Coach back before you know it.
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Janie Veldhuizen from Penfield checks in her “puppy” GretelAn emergency response team member receives Gretel …… then leads her to the decontamination area
In my retirement years, I find myself doing more and more volunteer work for organizations that are important to me. One of those is Lollypop Farm. I’ve been fostering cats and kittens for almost two years now, and more recently have been helping out with the shelter’s free vaccination events held downtown.
But a few weeks ago, I participated in a very interesting and very useful emergency drill held at the Monroe County Fleet Garage on Paul Rd., in conjunction with the Monroe County Office of Emergency Management, the Ginna Radiological Team, Webster Animal Control and Seneca Park Zoo. It was Lollypop’s first-ever Animal Emergency Response Team drill. We don’t often think about it, but if there’s ever an emergency which requires evacuation, family pets will also be affected, and plans have to be made to accommodate their needs as well.
The scenario was an emergency evacuation due to an accident at Ginna Nuclear Power Plant, which would definitely affect us here in Webster. If that were to happen, residents and animals would have to report to different shelters for decontamination.
About a dozen community volunteers (including me) participated in the effort, bringing our own live pets (including a guinea pig) or stuffed animals. Our first stop was to drop them off at the decontamination area, where we were photographed (to make sure we were reunited with the right animals) and received registration paperwork. It was really interesting watching the staff members manage a lot of little details you wouldn’t think about — even to the point of how to handle the paperwork without becoming contaminated. After a short while, we received a call telling us to drive around to another area and pick up our pets.
According to Barbara Hollands, supervisor for the Webster Police Department’s Animal Control Unit, “The purpose of the drill is to see where we need to improve, modify, or streamline a process. Once we analyze this drill, we will then start to bring in the other entities within the county that will need to be added, such as the DEC, veterinarians, Verona Street, etc.”
She added,
All aspects of decontamination are drilled. There are specific protocols that are and need to be followed, much like the beginning of COVID. Basically, you do not want to spread anything. It is all about containment and cleaning, with proper disposal of the contaminated materials.
And above all, “Keep your hands away from your face!”
Lollypop Farm is the only shelter which has come this far in creating response teams, so they’re leading the way. We here in Rochester are extremely fortunate to have such an amazing organization watching out for our four-legged family members.
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Located at 82 North Ave., Lovely You Aesthetics offers a wide variety of services including bio repeels, chemical peels, micro needling, Botox, fillers, personal skin care evaluations, weight management and more. The location is a beautiful old two-story house built in 1914 which still holds much of its original charm including leaded glass, stained glass windows, and coffered ceilings. There are two treatment rooms downstairs, four treatment rooms upstairs, and two bathrooms.
photos credit Chrisom B Photography
Owner Carla Ann Scheiber held her grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Friday, Oct. 17, complete with a “happy-hour-style” open house with signature cocktails, finger foods, vendors, raffles and giveaways.
Root Rituals Head Spa’s ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Saturday, Oct. 18. The spa is located at 28 East Main St., in the former R Salon storefront, and will specialize in scalp treatments and scalp care — a “head spa” in the Japanese tradition. Clients familiar with R Salon will find that Melissa has added some nice personal touches, including a small boutique area, an espresso machine, and a display of her own products — scalp oil, scalp scrub and scalp tonic.
About two dozen friends and family members attended the ceremony to support owner Melissa Diodato Linderas she officially opened her new business, and there was plenty of food and drink for everyone to enjoy.
Welcome to Webster, Carla and Melissa!
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At its September Breakfast Before Business meeting, held Friday Sept. 26, the Webster Chamber of Commerce recognized 14 local businesses who have not only been successful, but have withstood countless challenges and the test of time to remain strong and viable for decades.
The Chamber presents these awards annually, recognizing businesses which have been operating for 25 years or more. They’re awarded in five-year increments, and this year included one business — Key Bank — which has just celebrated its 200th anniversary.
Here’s a quick look at all of the honorees. A longer write-up about each can be found at this link. The photos show the honorees receiving their plaque from Board Chair Tim Shortsleeve.
Robyn Whittaker (Penny Swingly accepting)Friends of the Webster Public LibraryRuss Ziskind
Beyond Cuts salon started in 2000 when Robyn Whittaker purchased the business from Nancy Macomber. Since that day, Beyond Cuts Salon has been involved with many of the Village Business Improvement District’s events. Robyn has hosted wine walks, participated in “Trick or Treat Trail,” and has hosted Chamber Eat Drink and Connect events!
Beyond Cuts also donates to many local charities, either financially or with pro bono services. The Salon has also helped local artisans sell their wares by allowing them space in the shop to showcase their talents.
The Friends of Webster Public Library are library supporters who are committed to strengthening the library and helping it provide the best service possible to the community. They are motivated, hardworking volunteers who enjoy working together to promote the service, facilities, needs, and programs of the Webster Library. They sponsor cultural and educational programs for the community and financially support the library services, programs, and materials not covered in the library’s operational budget.
Their biggest fund-raising events are the Spring and Fall book sales and now they have Vintage and Collectable book sales a few times a year. They also organize and operate the Lobby Book Store.
Gemini Technical Services was founded by Russ Ziskind in 1994, as AccuCom Computer Service in Syracuse NY. The company grew to have over 25 technicians and over 100 customers for the I.T. business, and about 10,000 dial-up subscribers. They also started a teaching center to teach customers basic computer and network skills so they could be self-supportive. In 1999 the ISP business was sold, and in 2002 the company was rebranded Gemini Technical Services, added Rochester to its service area, and continued to grow the business in Central and Western NY. In 2021 Gemini purchased Barnone Design, a competitor in the Rochester area, to grow its business even further.
Ian Kuchman, Al LaRue, Greg McMahon and Bryan WhiteJanine Sanger and Judy Shelton David Corretore, Neil McLaughlin and Alexandra Amico
McMahon LaRue Associates was founded in 1995 by Greg McMahon and Al LaRue. Starting from Al’s house in Webster, Greg and Al built their practice on the belief that staying right-sized allows for deeper client partnerships and a family-centered workplace culture. This philosophy guided their return to Webster in 2013, where they restored and occupied an historic 1840 brick farmhouse on Holt Road.
In January 2024, the founders passed leadership to the next generation: Bryan White, a licensed land surveyor who grew with the company over 13 years from college field work to full licensure, and Ian Kuchman, a licensed civil engineer who joined in 2023, bringing extensive engineering expertise and business acumen with his MBA.
The Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) was established by Judy Sheldon in 1995 and has become a recognized leader in the advocacy and promotion of healthy, substance-free behaviors and lifestyles in the Webster community. In 2018, WHEN joined the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and became Webster Health and Education Network: A Drug Free Community Coalition (WHEN:DFCC). WHEN has always worked closely with the Webster Central School District, town, and community resources to support drug education and awareness initiatives.
WHEN:DFCC is comprised of over 60 members representing multiple sectors of our community including business owners, faith-based organizations, youth, civic and volunteer groups, media, law enforcement, health care providers, and substance use prevention professionals. The coalition’s goal is to collaborate with their partners to prevent substance abuse among youth as much as possible.
Corretore McLaughlin PLLC is a law office that began when David T. Corretore “hung out his shingle” as a lawyer at 138 East Main Street in the Village in the spring of 1985. Without any other employees, he “did it all.” The firm has since grown to three attorneys, a receptionist, and a bookkeeper, and has relocated to 1150 Crosspointe Lane.
The firm concentrates in the areas of estates and estate planning including wills, powers of attorney, living wills and health care proxies, along with other real estate matters.
Denise BallerPamela Heald, Mike Miller and Christina KariukTony Casciani and John Casciani
Dancing with Denise was established in 1985 when Denise Baller began teaching dance to children in daycare centers. In the mid-1990s, she opened a studio in Irondequoit, adding classes and expanding the student age group.
Today, boys and girls enjoy classes in tap, ballet, jazz, acrobatics, baton, hip hop, and Broadway theater. Denise also teaches a “buddies” class that teams up “student helpers” with students with special needs to help them learn all about dance. She provides traditional classes during the school year, and camps and during the summer. Her dancers have performed at farmer’s markets, Sea Breeze Dance Days, and many local parades, and her “Happy Feet Dancers” entertain at various nursing homes.
Her motto of “Having Fun is our Philosophy,” has made her well-known for promoting fun, good health and confidence in a non-competitive environment. Her students’ ages range from 2-year-old dancers to a 107-year-old Zumba Gold enthusiast.
Reliant Credit Union began in 1970 as the WCTA Federal Credit Union, founded by members of the Wayne County Teachers Association. It started in a science classroom in Sodus Central High School and has since grown into a trusted financial partner for more than 47,000 members across Wayne, Ontario, and Monroe counties.
Over the decades, Reliant has evolved significantly. In 1985, the organization expanded into Canandaigua, and in 2004 the credit union adopted a community charter, extending membership beyond school employees to welcome anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Wayne, Ontario, or Monroe counties. In 2007, the organization became Reliant Community Federal Credit Union to reflect its growing and diverse membership. In 2020, Reliant Credit Union refreshed its brand to better reflect the credit union’s culture, people-centered values, and mission to help members achieve life.
John Casciani learned his trade at the early age of 15, working for his father, Anthony, and grandfather, John Sr., in their masonry business. Eventually he found himself with a growing passion for real estate, building, and land development. After college, he started a home building career – selecting challenging parcels to develop, such as “The Bluffs” in Webster overlooking Irondequoit Bay.
John wanted to provide a private neighborhood for families. At the Bluffs he had an opportunity to establish a private marina and community gazebo, magnificent water views, 12 acres of preserved woodlands filled with wildlife, a half mile of shoreline and breathtaking sunsets – leaving homeowners with the feeling of vacationing every day at home. He had the vision and created a unique lifestyle for families seeking seclusion with convenient amenities.
Jeff Scott, Sarah Kenny and Timothy ScottJoseph Scofero Mayor Darryl Byers and Heather Halstead
With its origins starting in the 1940s, the Willard H. Scott Funeral Home began its life as Tinklepaugh Funeral Home (where Ward Tinklepaugh also ran a side business selling shoes). n the mid-1960s, Willard “Bill” Scott purchased the business from Ward Tinklepaugh and soon after changed the name to its current name, Willard H. Scott Funeral Home.
Jeff and Timothy Scott, Bill’s son and grandson, now run the business and are grateful for the legacy of service to the community and the community’s trust in them.
Joseph Scofero started J.J Scofero and Son Builders in 1955. He started out as a mason and that soon led to the full construction of homes in the Rochester area. In the early 1970s Joseph moved away from home building and into Fire and Water Restoration. It remains their main line of work today.
Joseph’s son, Leonard, took over the business in the 1980s, and his sons took over the company in 2013, making it a third-generation business, which has also expanded into consulting and appraisals for public adjuster firms and insurance companies.
On February 19, 1904, prominent Webster residents met to discuss possible incorporation and decided to petition the Town of Webster to hold an election on the matter. In June 1904, the issue was decided in favor of incorporation by one vote. The decision survived two appeals and and a second election, where it passed by 27 votes. On March 26, 1905, more than a year after the public first voted, the Board of Trustees held its first meeting.
Today, the Village of Webster is thriving and bustling. The Village Office has a staff of four, offering an array of services including FOIL requests, passport processing, building permits, EZ passes and resident needs. They maintain village records run village meetings, handle day-to-day finances, and run community events. The Department of Public Works provides 24-hour sewer monitoring and service, sanitary and storm sewer maintenance, snow removal, street and sidewalk upkeep, brush and leaf pickup, tree maintenance, street lighting, park maintenance and more.
Tony Casciani and Jennifer WrightJenny Frank, Cindy Peak and Joseph Campeau
The Town of Webster was established in 1840 and has agricultural roots due to its favorable soil conditions and climate. It’s currently home to about 45,000 residents. Through the years, the town has been the site of commercial and industrial progress, welcoming businesses like Xerox, Trident Precision Manufacturing, Boulter Industrial Contractors, and recently, Fairlife.
Today, the Town offers many amenities to its 45,000 residents including the Webster Recreation Center, nearly 1,030 acres of active parkland and open space with and nearly thirty miles of trails, and the Webster Public Library.
The Webster Town Board consists of five elected members who govern the town of Webster: one Town Supervisor and four Town Council members. The Town of Webster has two elected Town Justices who serve our community. The Town currently employs approximately 400 full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff members, with thirteen department heads.
Today, KeyBank is one of the nation’s largest financial services companies. Formed in 1994 through the merger of Society Corporation and KeyCorp, KeyBank’s story began in 1825 in Albany, when the first steam ships traversed the Atlantic and the Great Lakes. This merger resulted in the company retaining the name KeyCorp, fully headquartered in Cleveland. Today, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion as of December 31, 2024.
Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products.
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Thank you, Village of Webster business owners, for the fun excuse to eat too much candy every year on the Saturday before Halloween.
I mean, that’s what always happens when I wander the streets on Trick-or-Treat Trail day in the village (always with my daughter Erin at my side), stopping by to chat with all of the business owners I’ve come to know. Invariably I leave with a Butterfinger or Reese’s Cup in my hand or stuffed in my pocket for later. And this year, Netsin’s had their ice cream truck there as well; that cup of Panda Paws was kind of like lunch, right? Erin and I may have also stopped by for a pint at the Mary Wee before heading home.
Of course we also made sure to pop into the Webster Museum, where they always have a fun scavenger hunt, and the Webster Volunteer Fire Department, which holds their open house during the event.
So it was a great time, but as always, I struggled to get photos of all the incredible costumes we saw as we wandered. There were a lot of dinosaurs (small and huge), Roblox and Minecraft characters (my daughter had to help me identify them), and some perennial favorites like Winnie the Pooh and the Wizard of Oz. But I saw a lot of unique costumes as well, like the young man who was a garbage collector.
The weather was cool and started out a little spitty, which I think muted the crowd numbers a bit compared to previous years, but I still managed to take 70 or 80 photos. There are a few here, but many more in this Facebook gallery.
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It took me a couple of weeks, but I finally had a chance to check out the Village of Webster’s newest drinking and dining establishment, the Main Dive.
The Main Dive officially earlier this month at 5 West Main St., in the former Roc Style Chicken and Burger. To be totally honest, when I popped in that first time, I really didn’t know what to expect. My preconception (based on no experience) was that a “dive bar” would be kind of shabby, dark and unwelcoming.
But boy, was I wrong.
Roc Style was a fine restaurant, but Main Dive owner Brittney Amato has somehow transformed it into an even more inviting space that feels tailor-made for after-softball gatherings, happy hour get-togethers with friends, football watch parties, or Friday-after-school hangouts.
And that’s exactly the vibe that Brittney was going for, because that’s HER definition of a dive bar: a place that’s very “laid back, with cheap drinks, a lot of specials, cheap food … just a good atmosphere.”
Brittney and her husband Justin have been in the restaurant business for a while. You might recognize the names of their previous restaurants, Amato’s Cafe downtown on University, and Amato’s Cravings on West Main Street in Rochester. COVID and a short stint in Nashville detoured their plans for a while, but when they came back to New York State they started looking for something new.
“We were looking for a bakery or another sit-down restaurant,” she said. “We didn’t know what route we wanted to take. But then I thought ‘a dive bar.’ … We chose Webster because this place fit the description of what we were looking for. Small, cozy, right on Main St.”
The Main Dive has already become known for their inexpensive drinks and bar food menu. Apparently their wing sauce is the talk of the town. Lots of TV screens (which will eventually number at least 10) will keep sports fans entertained while there’s plenty of seating — including an extended bar — for everyone else who might just want to chat with friends and family. There’s a juke box, darts, and chalk in the bathrooms so you can leave a message on the wall. Basically, it’s a little bit of something for everyone.
“I really want people to know us as the place that doesn’t really define themselves as a specific themed bar,” Brittney said. “We don’t want people to think it’s just young crowd or older crowd. We welcome everything … We just want to please everyone.”
The Main Dive opens at 11:00 every morning (except noon on Sunday) and will stay open until at least 11 p.m. — midnight on the weekends. But Bruttney’s plan is to “serve food as late as possible. So if there are people in the bar at 1 a.m. who still want some boneless wings, she’ll accommodate.
You can check out their menu on their Facebook page and Instagram. You should also stop in this weekend if you’re in town for the Village of Webster’s Trick or Treat Trail on Saturday. The Main Dive will be participating.
They’re also planning a big Halloween Party on the 31st beginning at 9 p.m., complete with a costume contest with cash prizes. Cover charge is $5. Check the Facebook event for more information.
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The Village of Webster’s ever-popular Trick-or-Treat Trail returns to downtown streets on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In case you haven’t heard about this great event yet, here’s what it’s all about:
Basically, for three hours on what is usually a beautiful autumn Saturday afternoon, children and their adults can wander the village, popping in and out of businesses, trick-or-treating. Full costumes are expected of course, and not just for the children! It’s always fun to see entire families dressed up, often as a common theme. I love taking photos of cool parents who get into the spirit.
The trick-or-treating will begin at 11 a.m., and the costume contest runs from 11:30 to 12:30. Don’t worry about missing out on any of the village festivities, because it only takes a few minutes to file through the Community Meeting Room and have your photo taken for the judging.
So grab your kids, get everyone into costumes (including you, too, Mom and Dad), then stroll through the village, visiting friendly merchants who will be handing out candy. (Participating businesses will have a pumpkin sign displayed in their window.) This is a great chance to check out some of the newer businesses in town, or even some older businesses you’ve never been in before.
And make sure you stop by the Webster Volunteer Fire Dept., because they’ll be holding their annual open house, complete with demonstrations, free fire hats, and candy of course. And turn the corner on Lapham Park to take the short walk to the Webster Museum. The volunteers there always have some sort of scavenger hunt planned.
Keep an eye out for me and my camera; I’ll be wandering the streets, too, taking photos of as many kids and families in costume as I can. Then I’ll post a really big follow-up photo gallery. (Click here for my gallery from last year.)
The Trick-or-Treat Trail is sponsored by the Webster Business Improvement District. Stay tuned for more information about future village events, including the Bourbon Bash on Saturday, Nov. 22 and the Winter Wonderland celebration (with the ever-popular Parade of Lights) on Saturday, Dec. 6.
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One of the benefits I’ve found from attending the Webster Chamber of Commerce meetings every month is meeting a lot of new people — especially business owners who are doing really interesting things.
Not long ago I connected with Elena Dilai, a portrait artist whose studio is on Ridge Rd. in Webster. She recently completed part two of her ambitious project called”40+ and Fabulous!” in which she photographed women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, to share with others the gifts of mature beauty and confidence.
Her finished works are on display now through Oct. 26 at Image City Photography Gallery. The press release I received describes the experience:
Sixteen extraordinary women – from entrepreneurs and grandmothers to cancer survivors and community leaders – have stepped in front of Dilai’s lens, revealing not just polished portraits, but profound transformations.
“Most women stop being photographed once they’re out of their twenties or thirties,” Dilai explains. “But our confidence, resilience, and beauty don’t fade – they grow. This project is about rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a woman over 40.”
Each portrait is paired with the participant’s story, capturing the vulnerability, strength, and vibrant individuality that so often get overlooked in a youth-obsessed culture. Part 2 of the exhibit brings new faces and fresh perspectives into the spotlight, featuring women from 42 to 79 and making it a must-see for anyone who has ever doubted the power of aging with grace and fire.
Elena added, “More than an art show, 40+ and Fabulous! is a movement. It’s about visibility. It’s about women reclaiming their place in front of the camera, and rediscovering themselves in the process.”
After the exhibit closes on Oct. 26, Elena will have an exclusive showing of all 16 portraits at her studio on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. Her studio is located in a restored church building at 1864 Ridge Rd., Webster (just west of County Line Rd.).
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
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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
webster on the web 