Every year since we moved to the Village of Webster seven years ago, at Halloween time, people have remarked, “Oh, you’re in the village. You must get LOTS of trick-or-treaters!”
Well, they’re not wrong. On Saturday night, we’re expecting to greet a couple hundred trick-or-treaters, especially since the weather is going to be nice. It’s kind of hard to prepare for even that many, since we really would rather not take out another mortgage on the house just to purchase enough candy. So we usually run out of candy by about 8 p.m. and douse the lights.
But a couple hundred trick-or-treaters is NOTHING compared to Dunning Ave.
The folks on Dunning probably get that in the first hour alone. And knowing their street is a trick-or-treat magnet has led almost every house to really get dolled up for the holiday. I don’t ever get the chance on Halloween night to walk down there and check out the decorations, so I did that last night and took a few pictures. There’s a lot of creativity going on there.
Our street actually crosses Dunning, but we’re way at the end of that cross street, so most of the crowds that descend on Dunning don’t make it down to see us. When they do, they’ll see some orange string lights, a few small scarecrows and a handful of jack-o-lanterns; rather understated compared to our neighbors down the road.
But we’ll be out there in our driveway nonetheless, with our table, fire pit and “adult treats” to welcome the kiddoes — and their parents.
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Here’s a neat photo I wanted to add, which was sent to me by the Van Buren family on Dunning. They read this post and wanted to make sure I saw the even-more-awesome display they put up on Halloween night. Displays like this one is why I kept telling people who stopped by my house that they need to make the trek to Dunning.
(I hope the whole family helped carve those pumpkins!)
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Making Spirits Bright is an awesome organization here in Webster which, since 2014, has been working quietly under the radar, doing amazing things for families in need during the holidays — and this year, their efforts are needed more than ever.
The organization works with area school counselors and social workers to identify families that need assistance. Then they collect wish lists from each of the family members and begin collecting items. And unlike many other programs, Making Spirits Bright provides far more than just gifts. They also assist with winter gear, household necessities, personal care items, cleaning supplies and various other items to lessen a family’s burden. PLUS, they provide for all members living in each household, no matter their age. This includes kids, parents, guardians, grandparents, and sometimes even pets. This year, Making Spirits Bright expects to surpass 600 families helped.
The requests are beginning to trickle in, and the needs are plentiful, to say the least. The annual effort has a lot of regular supporters, but they’re looking for a few more businesses, families, groups, teams, etc. to adopt our families this year.
Here are a few ways you can help:
Sign up as a group, organization, business or family to help out.
Adopt an entire family (choose the family size you’re comfortable with, two-person and up)
Adopt one person (any age/gender identity)
Purchase personal care items or other needs
Organize a collection drive for some of the most needed items, like toiletries, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, gift wrap, gift boxes and gift cards.
Make a monetary donation, which are used to purchase items on the list which were not adopted. Any donations, large or small, is appreciated. Click here for more information.
Help wrap gifts. A schedule and sign-up form will be available by the end of November.
The Making Spirits Bright website and Facebook page are constantly updated, so you can check there for more information about all of these opportunities. The organization will soon be moving into the old CVS at BayTowne Plaza, so when they get settled in, all of your items (new and unwrapped) can be dropped off there. More details about drop-ff days and additional drop-off locations will come.
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It’s been a long time since I’ve offered up one of my East Extra Afterthoughtsblogs, but since my blogging schedule is looking kind of thin these days, I thought now might be a nice time to rentroduce this feature.
Afterthoughts is a completely separate blog, where I’m re-posting some of my favorite columns from when I was the Our Towns East Extra columnist for the Democrat and Chronicle. What I like to do with these is revisit the topic and see if anything has changed since I first wrote the piece.
This particular column was published Nov. 5, 2015. I didn’t really know George Baker and his family very well at that point, but somehow I got invited to what they fondly called “Leaf Party day” at their north Webster home.
Webster couple turns leaves into party fun
Last Sunday, that really windy Sunday, autumn leaves weren’t the only thing flying through the air in Webster. That blustery day was Leaf Party day at the Baker home, a day when little children also went flying, catapulted into a huge pile of leaves.
The Leaf Party is an annual tradition at the home of Melissa and George Baker, a celebration of family, laughter, and life’s simpler pleasures.
The idea is pretty basic. You start with a monster pile of leaves, add a bunch of fearless children and two strong men who can do the tossing. One by one, the children step up to the designated tossers and are hoisted by their arms and legs. After “one, two, THREE!” huge wind-up swings, each child is launched high into the air, limbs flailing, and finally flops into the soft, thick bed of leaves.
It’s a childhood dream we’ve all had, but few have experienced. These kids, however, get to do it repeatedly, every autumn.
Click hereto go to Afterthoughts and read the rest of the post.…and to see if I got tossed in.
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Based at the Webster Recreation Center, WSPS is a group of volunteers who, for 16 years now, have provided transportation for retirees and disabled residents who live within the Webster School District. They help residents get to and from medical and dental appointments, hair and tax preparation appointments and, the bank and the Webster Public Library. WSPS’ drivers play a meaningful part in the lives of the many riders who rely on WSPS to get them to their appointments. The rides are an affordable alternative to more expensive ride options, enabling the riders to live more independently, and are a great example of neighbors helping neighbors.
WSPS volunteers typically drive more than 49,000 miles each year, volunteer more than 3500 hours and provide more than 3800 rides. Riders are asked for a small donation of $5 for rides in Webster and $10 for rides outside of Webster. The money collected is used to pay the WSPS dispatchers and for office supplies.
Almost 90 drivers, dispatchers, board members and special guests attended the buffet luncheon, with a celebratory cake donated by BJ’s. Every driver received a gift bag stuffed with gift certificates and goodies, and won a raffle prize, all donated by generous local business owners.
WSPS is one of those volunteer organizations here in Webster that don’t get a whole lot of press or attention, but are making a huge difference in our community. 71 drivers might seem like a lot, but with the number of seniors and disabled folks in the Webster School District increasing, they’re always in need of more volunteers. For more information on how you can join the team, call 585-216-7829 or visit the group’s website. Monetary contributions are also more than welcome, and go to support the WSPS operating budget.
Here are a few more photos from the afternoon, courtesy Dave Norton:
The dispatchersWSPS President, Mike DonovanWebster Town Supervisor Alex Scialdone
Here’s an easy and fun way to help!
WSPS is hosting an indoor craft sale on Saturday Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. They’re expecting more LOTS OF vendors, so make sure to add this one to your holiday shopping calendar.
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When the skeletons show up on Holt Rd., you know it’s almost Halloween.
Anyone who regularly travels down Holt Rd. is almost certainly familiar with the imaginative skeleton display erected every year at the corner of Holt and Klem roads. They’re the work of George Baker and Melissa Baker and their family, and for the last four years they’ve been bringing smiles to the faces of children and adults alike.
George started erecting monstrous skeletons in his front yard for Halloween in October, 2023. At first, it was just one really big one, the big daddy of them all, standing a full 12 feet tall. That humongous skeleton alone, with its glowing eyes, drew a lot of comments and happy honking from the drivers passing by. So of course, he couldn’t stop there.
Every Halloween since, that Big Daddy skeleton has returned, joined by an ever-growing supporting cast. And each year, the menagerie is set up in a brand new creative and humorous display. Last year, the skeletons were recklessly competing in a bike race. The year before, they were playing on a playground and splashing in a kiddie pool.
This year, it seems the skeletons have stopped playing and finally found gainful employment. This Halloween they’ve taken on the roles of construction workers. A dozen 6-foot skeletons and two monstrous ones make up this year’s display, complete with bright orange construction vests and hard hats. A few are stopping traffic, several are peering at a skull which has appeared in the hole they’ve dug, one is climbing a pole, one is on his lunch break, and another (holding a clipboard) is clearly the supervisor. The two monstrous skeletons are keeping a close eye on the whole scene.
George Baker, who was a utility worker before he retired, came up with the idea way back in January. They were able to purchase all the hard hats and vests they needed on Amazon (even the huge ones, sizes 4X and 5X). And since the costumes came in sets of 12, they had to add a few more smaller skeletons to wear them.
As the season approached, finalizing the details was truly a family effort. Everyone pitched in with ideas as the project progressed. Then they all got together on Sunday Oct. 4 to put the whole scene together, in a work session which began at 11 a.m. and continued until after dark.
Melissa Baker wrote, “It is a lot of work, but well worth the joy and pleasure it brings to all who drive by. As we set up, people are honking, hooting and hollering and giving us a thumbs up. It’s great to see the smiles on everyone’s face. All the positive comments on social media also make our efforts well worth every minute. It is a great family bonding activity also.”
Thanks so much to George and Melissa Baker and their dedicated team of helpers: Ryan Moorman, Brendan Moorman, Nolan Moorman, Richard Moorman, Alicia Moorman, Brianna Bouwens and Chad Baker. Your efforts are bringing smiles to everyone who passes by.
Check out the display for yourself. It’s located at the corner of Holt and Klem Rds., and you are more than welcome to stop by and take a selfie.
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He’s the Spry Middle School 7th grader who established his own fund-raising operation a little over a year ago which he calls “Returns for a Reason.” His goal is to collect returnables from family members, neighbors, schoolmates, strangers — anyone and everyone — and every time he raises a good chunk of money, he donates it to some worthy organization.
Since Pierson started Returns for a Reason, he has raised $1,550, which he’s donated to several community agencies: The Webster Volunteer Fire Department, Lollypop Farm, Honor Flight Rochester, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Tunnels to Towers. He also saw a need at his school, Spry Middle School, and donated $300.00 for them to purchase more bike racks for the many kids that ride their bikes to school.
Most recently, Pierson presented $250 cash to the Knights of Columbus for their “Coats for Kids” program, to help purchase winter coats for children in need.
If you’d like to help Pierson continue his charitable efforts, stash your returnables in your car, and the next time you’re in the village, drive down Dunning Ave. and look for the green Returns for a Reason bin on the front walk.
Thank you to J. Stewart Coon, Pierson’s very proud grandpa (who also happens to be the chairman of the Coats for Kids effort) for this update. And stay tuned for more information about Coats for Kids coming up very soon.
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There’s a lot of food insecurity in the Town of Webster.
That simple statement surprises many people, because Webster is not considered an impoverished town, by a long shot. But here are a few staggering statistics:
5 percent of Webster’s 45,000 residents lived below the poverty line at the time of the 2020 Census. That’s more than 2,200 people from about 1,000 households across the town.
4.4 percent of families in Webster Central School district with children ages 5-17 – more than 1,140 families – lived in poverty in the 2023-24 school year.
5 percent of households in the school district – 1,300 of them – were eligible for food stamps in the 2023-24 school year.
Fortunately, there are many agencies and volunteers in our area working hard to help our neighbors in need. One of those agencies is the Webster Community Chest which, in addition to hosting individual families and holding regular food giveaway events, has for the last two years adopted the Phillips Village Food Pantry.
The Community Chest volunteers behind that effort are looking for other caring neighbors to join their team. Here’s a message I received from Kathy Taddeo, one of those volunteers:
HELPING THE FOOD INSECURE IN WEBSTER
Have you been wondering how you might help the food insecurity issue in Webster? Maybe you’ve not much available time and need a flexible schedule but don’t know where to find a program that fits?
The 14 Phillips Village Pantry Volunteers are ready to welcome new members.
This congenial group began as a Webster Community Chest program in 2024 with four deliveries a month. Currently, the program delivers food to Phillips Village, Webster’s largest subsidized housing community three to four times a week, year-round.
Once a month, each volunteer purchases, donates and delivers food to the inside and/or outside pantries near the office of this lovely 500-unit neighborhood. The team meets once a year to reconnect with each other, review the past year and plan to grow and improve the next year’s program.
If this sounds like it might fit into your life, please contact the Webster Community Chest at 671-2060 or webcommchest@gmail.org. Please leave a message with your name and phone number or email and your interest in the Phillips Village Pantry. Kathy will get back to you with details and an opportunity to ask questions.
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email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)
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When last we heard from Florence Kinney, Webster’s “Mrs. Claus,” it was November 2022, when I wrote a blog about how this amazing woman had just achieved her equally amazing goal of delivering 100,000 gifts to children in need.
Florence Kinney is the driving force behind a grassroots ministry which she calls “Santa’s Workshop,” dedicated to bringing presents to children who might not get many gifts, or anything, for Christmas. It began in 2003, with the purchase of just two toy trucks for two brothers who would be spending Christmas in the hospital. The effort grew every year, to the point where, four years ago, she had distributed more than 100,000 gifts. (Click here to read more about Florence and how she got started.)
But there was no way she was going to stop there. Now in her 37th year of ministry, Santa’s Workshop has provided more than 112,000 gifts to local hospitals, Williamson Come-Unity Center, Cure Childhood Cancer, Ronald McDonald House and other Rochester-area organizations.
Right now, Florence is beginning to ramp up her 2026 effort, and she could use our community’s help. As prices go up on pretty much everything, the cost of games has become more and more challenging (and Florence buys almost all of the gifts she distributes). Her elves have set up an Amazon Wish List where you can purchase items directly. Or if you’d like to go out and shop on your own, the games the hospitals request most are Candyland, Count Your Chickens, Four in a Row, Tic-Tac-Toe, Trouble, Hi-Ho Cherryos and Magna Doodle boards, Uno and Bingo.
Also, if anyone knits baby/child hats (any size), scarves or mittens, Florence likes to include these with her gifts. If you’d like to donate some, the hospitals will certainly appreciate them.
If you have any questions, feel free to call Gail Fannis at 585-329-6511.
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For some people, running is a natural passion, a non-negotiable part of their daily routine. For others (like me) it takes a concrete goal just to lace up the sneakers. Two Webster women found a creative way to bridge that gap, doing something that fills both buckets.
Karen Seidel and Angela Oldfield have been running buddies ever since meeting through a Webster Women Runners Facebook group about eight years ago. They meet several times a week somewhere in town and run various distances.
In early 2024, Karen saw a story on the television news that intrigued her. It told of a woman who walked every street in Monroe County. “I knew I didn’t want to do that,” she remembered, “but I started thinking about a goal we could achieve that was not running a marathon, or even half marathon. We could get a map of the Town of Webster and run every street.”
Having set the goal (and getting Angela on board), the first step was to plot the routes. Using a detailed map she secured from Town Hall, plus Google Maps and a program called OntheGoMap.com, Karen starting planning, driving the routes to check details like the route’s distance, where to park, street lights, traffic density, shoulder width and more.
On July 23, 2024, they set their plan in motion with their first run from Dewitt Road Elementary School, guided by directions Karen had written on a 3″ x 5″ card she kept in her pocket.
They started incorporating their goal into their regular routine, eventually shifting the “run every street” runs to the daytime for safety. This also allowed them to actually see the neighborhoods they were running through, which was a major part of their original plan. Every time they completed a route, Karen would color it in on the huge map.
As you can imagine, Karen and Angela learned quite a bit about our little town in their travels. They noticed, for example, that lots of Webster residents own campers and RVs, people are very supportive of the Marching Band bottle and can drive, there are a LOT of deer (and the occasional skunk and horse), and you can smell donuts baking when you run by the cider mills. Most importantly, though, they learned that Webster is a very friendly town. Fellow runners always waved and made a comment about the weather, and one homeowner even let them use her bathroom.
They also discovered some gorgeous neighborhoods. Among their favorites were the Herman Rd. neighborhood, Inspiration Point, and The Bluffs on the west side of the bay.
In general, the whole project went very smoothly, but there were a few hiccups and difficulties. Like last October when they were planning to run six and a half miles, but got talking and forgot to turn around, so they ended up running nine miles instead. Also, running along Empire Blvd. between Five Mile Line and the AMC Theater was “not ideal.”
“We ran those areas early in the morning when there was no traffic,” Karen remembered. Pre-sunrise darkness, heavy rains and blistering heat were other challenges they needed to overcome — or endure.
Are you wondering if they ran down your street during their quest? They got that question a lot.
“When we told people what we were doing (such as dog-walkers or passers-by),” Karen said, “they inevitably started listing street names they knew and asking us if we had run them. The answer is yes.”
Ultimately, the entire project was a journey of discovery on several levels.
“Overall,” Karen said, “we learned so much about our beloved town. We learned there are beautiful trees and gardens all over Webster. There are all kinds of neighborhoods, dog-walkers, and people who sit on their porch drinking coffee and waving hello.” But they also learned how the power of friendship can help you meet a goal and work through life’s challenges together.
“Some of my favorite runs didn’t necessarily have to do with the place we were running,” Angela said. “It was the conversation. Karen and I have helped each other through highs and lows of life. We’ve given each other advice, we’ve supported each other by listening, and have NEVER once canceled on each other.”
At the finish lineFamily and friends welcomed them Highlighting the final route
On Saturday morning, July 25, almost exactly two years after they began their quest, Angela and Karen completed the last of their “run every street” runs. It was a 6.4-mile route that took them through the village and along the Rt. 104 bike path, ending by Village Bakery. Several runner friends joined them and family members met them at the finish line to congratulate them on their incredible achievement.
In total, Karen and Angela ran 89 different routes and more than 476 miles. And while they’re not planning another grand adventure like this anytime soon, they are planning to repeat some of their favorite routes in the future.
“We feel great,” Karen said, and “we got to know our town really well.”
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Congratulations to 2016 Webster Thomas High School grad Ellie Songer, who was recently awarded a 2026 Future of Healthcare Award from the Greater Bridgeport (CT) Medical Association.
Ellie, who is currently an orthopaedic surgical physician assistant at Yale New Haven Health in Connecticut, is one of ten recipients of the award this year. It recognizes outstanding healthcare professionals under age 40 who are making a meaningful impact through leadership, innovation, service, and dedication to improving healthcare in the Greater Bridgeport (CT) region.
After graduating from Thomas, Ellie entered the six-year Physician Assistant program at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT, which she completed in 2022. While at her first job, she received the 2024 Rising Star Award at St. Vincent’s Medical Center for her early-career clinical excellence.
Since joining Yale Medicine, Ellie has become an integral member of a busy and growing musculoskeletal practice. She is known for going above and beyond to ensure patients receive seamless, compassionate care throughout their surgical journey. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she has volunteered to cover hospital shifts outside of her regular practice to help provide continuity of care for patients.
Ellie was presented with her award at the inaugural Future of Healthcare Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, July 22, at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Fairfield, CT.
This bit of happy news was forwarded to me by Ellie’s very proud mother, Gladys Songer, who wrote that “I think Ellie’s success is a testament to the excellent, well-rounded education she received from countless dedicated educators, coaches and support professionals from the Webster Central School District.”
She also noted that Ellie was a member of Thomas’ cross country and track teams. During her time with cross country, the team competed at States in 2014 for the first time in Webster Thomas history, and the team qualified for States for at least 3 more years.
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(posted 7/29/2026)
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).
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
