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This year’s Field Day was a great success

2 Jul

I got a nice email the other day from Bob Karz (K2OID), chairman of the XRX Amatuer Radio Field Day held June 22-23 at Kent Park. You may remember the blog I posted a few weeks ago previewing this annual event, which is part contest, part open house for ham radio operators, the challenge being to set up in a remote location, and over a period of 24 hours make as many radio contacts as possible.

Bob filled me in on everything that happened (and didn’t happen) and remarked on how successful this year’s event was. He was excited to report that they welcomed 20 visitors from the community (“which is high for us”), who’d come by to see what the event was all about and maybe even try their hand at making a contact. He also reported that the “space weather” was

about the same as last year — good, but not spectacular. We were hoping for better, but like the weather outside, it’s variable.  Nevertheless, we made over 1100 contacts (more than last year) with stations in every US state and every Canadian province. That’s something we’ve never done before.

“Perhaps most significantly,” Bob added, “five newly licensed hams made their very first radio contacts at this year’s Field Day.”

  • Cherie Jackson makes a contact while her son Evan, KE2BUY logs
  • Analisa makes a contact with help from Joe DiVincenzo AD2DB while her brother looks on
  • Evan KE2BUY makes a contact while George Adams K4GWA logs
  • JD Dermody N2OYG cooking excellent meals for everyone
  • Jerrad Jackson KF2MR grounding our generators for safety
  • Our Yagi directional antenna
  • The Fox
  • Vaughn Clayton KD7UDP and his son hunting the Fox
  • Fred Schoenfled, WB2JYF makes a contact while Danielle Williams KE2CCA enters it in the computer log
  • A solar cell blanket powered one of the stations

In a follow-up email, Bob added even more details about the day:

We had a nice “fox hunt” that went on while we were making our contacts.  Several of us (but not me) found the “fox.” …  This year for the first time we had a station run off solar power alone rather than using our generators.   

Like many clubs we posted our location on the “Field Day Locator” website (Field Day Station Locator (arrl.org) so hams visiting our area might join us. Sure enough, Rick Rogers, K7RCR who was visiting relatives down the road in Lincoln stopped by and joined us. We now have a friend in Tucson.  

We also had a surprise visit from Scott Bauer, W2LC. Scott drove from Syracuse. He is the Western New York Section Manager for the national amateur radio organization and was visiting as many Field Day sites as possible. By the rules, he could only operate from one of them…ours. He is the most amazing Morse Code operator we’ve ever seen. He has trained himself to send Morse with one hand and simultaneously take notes with the other!

Bob concluded, “We had a great Field Day … The results will be released in January, and we expect to have an even better showing than the top 13% of our classification we achieved last year.”

I hope that anyone who wanted to, had the chance to stop by. But if not, no worries. Field Day will return next June, so stay tuned.

73

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(posted 7/1/2024)

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Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market is back for the summer

27 Jun

One of the most colorful signs of summer in Webster is the return of the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market to Webster Towne Center Plaza on Holt Rd. (in front of Old Navy).

The market opened for the season on Saturday June 8, and will be set up every Saturday at the plaza from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October, rain or shine.

If you’ve never been to this market, you should start making it a regular Saturday morning stop. Varying with the season, you’ll find baked goods, pies, meats, poultry, goat cheese and goat cheese products, flavored nuts, herbs, spice blends, honey, maple syrup, cider, soap and body care products, plants and cut flowers, jewelry, crafts, and of course a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Occasionally there are special events scheduled as well, so make sure to stay on top of the latest news at the Joe Obbie Farmer’s Market website and Facebook page for details.

The very popular Evening in the Park Market will also return in July to Charles Sexton Park (formerly known as North Ponds) on Wednesday evenings.

Starting July 17, the market will be set up at the park from 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday through August 28. In addition to the vendors, these events will also have live music and food trucks (including Firefly Nectar mobile bar every week), so remember to pack your quad chairs!

Something new this year is a Music Raffle — a raffle to help support the musical guests — with some great prizes (check out the flyer for details). Tickets will be available from vendors at the Saturday market, and the drawing will be held on July 17.

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(posted 6/27/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

4 Jun

A couple of fun things coming up this weekend are atop my mailbag.

The first is the Webster Recreation Center’s annual Summer Celebration, this Saturday June 8 from 4 to 10 p.m.

This excellent family-friendly event features a bounce house, food trucks, live music, and fireworks at the end of the night. It’s free and no registration is necessary.

The Rec Center’s Music at the Arboretum series continues on Thursday, June 20 with a performance by Jazz Generation, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is free (but weather-dependent). Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, plus snacks and drinks if you’d like!

Looking ahead at the Rec Center, mark your calendars now for the Summer Splash party on Saturday July 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the First Responders Spray Park on Chiyoda Dr. Rich the Magic Man will be there with foam bubble fun, and there’ll be free snow cones for all.

Then on Wednesday July 31, come out and see the beautiful new and improved Sandbar Park during Sandbar Splendor from 5 to 7 p.m. There’ll be lawn games, food trucks, raffles and music.

SPEAKING OF THE SPRAY PARKS…

Webster’s two spray parks are now open for the season, at Ridgecrest Park (off of Ebner Drive) and the beautiful, First Responders Spray Park near the Webster Recreation Center on Chiyoda Dr.

The First Responders Park (pictured here) is especially fun for kids and families. It’s a firefighter-themed playground and splash pad, with a nearby pavilion. The splash pad has all sorts of water-fun features including a fire hydrant, a dalmatian fountain and fire truck slide.  

Ridgecrest’s spray park is a smaller facility, but is just a short walk from the center of the village. It also boasts an adjacent playground and skate park.

    Also coming up this weekend is a program at the Webster Arboretum especially designed for those of you who love peonies.

    The Arboretum will present a Program about peonies, the “queen of flowers,” on Sunday June 9 at 6:30 p.m. Arboretum board member George Riehle will give a tour and present the program, focusing on the care and cultivation of peonies and tree peonies. Please register at the Webster Arboretum website.

    The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

    ALSO on Sunday June 9, the Webster Museum will present what has become one of their most popular programs, the Antiques and Collectibles Roadshow.  

    If you’re curious about the value or origin of an antique you own, bring it to the museum on June 9 at 2 p.m. and the Palma Brothers will use their expertise to provide some insight. There’s no cost, you don’t need to register, and free refreshments will be provided.

    The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.

    Finally, this notice which I actually got in my SNAIL MAIL: the Summer Concert Series at Cherry Ridge is back.

    The first concert is scheduled for Wednesday June 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring the Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Gates open at 5 p.m., and food will be available for purchase beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs, and make sure to pre-register here so you can skip the line. There’s no cost for this community concert.

    Looking ahead, on Tuesday Aug. 6, 8 Days a Week takes steps up on the Cherry Ridge stage, so make sure to mark your calendars now.

    Cherry Ridge is located at 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd., across from Webster Schroeder High School. Registration is requested. Click here to do so.

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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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    (posted 6/4/2024)

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    Village’s Edna Struck Park is rededicated

    24 May

    After more than three years of TLC, including planting new grass, trees and flowers, and installing a new stone and memorial plaque, Edna Struck Memorial Park is looking beautiful again. On Thursday May 9, a dozen local officials gathered to officially rededicate the 130-year old park in honor of the village’s “neighborhood gardener.”

    Edna Struck Park is the little grassy median on the east side of the village where Lapham Park makes a slight jog at the corner of Elm St. Those of us who live in the village and walk those streets have come to take the pleasant little green space for granted. But not everyone knows the park’s rather interesting history, or that at one point many years ago, it was almost eliminated altogether.

    Back in the 1890s, where the park now stands was actually part of a baseball field. Russell Lapham owned the property, which he rented to local businessmen for a baseball diamond, complete with a grandstand and ticket office. Home plate was located about where Edna Struck Park is now, and the pitcher’s mound was in the front yard of the home at the southeast corner of Lapham Park and Elm.

    The Town of Webster team used the village field for four years, hosting teams from all around the county, until the Lapham family decided to convert the tract into building lots.

    As the neighborhood grew, so did the little traffic island park. Early photos show a peaceful green space shaded by stately elms, with a sign warning drivers to “go to the right.”

    Even with that warning in place, the island has been known to befuddle drivers. In the late 1960s, Curt Gerling, then editor of the Webster Herald, wrote an article suggesting the island be removed after he had trouble negotiating the curves one night. Concerned about the article, several neighbors came together and decided the best way to save the park was to make it more attractive, planting crabapple trees and petunias.

    One of those neighbors was Edna Struck, who lived on Park Ave. and became known as the “First Lady of Lapham Park.” For years, Edna carefully tended to the trees and flowers. She also took care of many gardens on Park Ave. and Lapham Park and the flowers at the United Methodist Church. After she passed in 1991, her neighbors erected a marker in her honor, identifying Edna as the “Neighborhood Gardener.”

    The unpretentious little green space quietly beautified the Lapham Park neighborhood for more than 25 years, and in 2005 was designated an official local landmark. Then, in 2019, it once again befuddled a driver.

    In February of that year, someone was driving down Lapham Park much too fast and, instead of navigating the jog in the road, plowed right through the park, mowing down the trees and plants, and inflicting significant other damage.

    Once everything got cleaned up, efforts began to bring the island back to its original beauty, led by the village’s Historic Preservation Committee. It was slow going, but eventually a new design was drawn up, trees and shrubs were planted, and the stone and memorial plaques replaced.

    And on May 9, Edna Struck Memorial Park was officially rededicated in honor of “our neighborhood gardener.” So next time you stroll by, pause a moment to appreciate this little park’s long history, and remember Edna.

    Assembled local officials at the dedication

    Many thanks to Karen Buck and Webster Town Historian Lynn Barton for the photos and background information for this blog.

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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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    (posted 5/24/2024)

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    Get your free trees, courtesy the Sierra Club

    19 Apr

    Now here’s a great way to beautify your property and help the environment at the same time, and it won’t cost you a thing.

    On Saturday April 27, members and volunteers for the local chapter of the Sierra Club will be stationed at Webster Park to hand out free trees to the public. 

    Your species options will include:

    • Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)
    • Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
    • Serviceberry aka Juneberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
    • Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) 

    Planting instructions will be included. All trees are bare-root, so please bring a bag or container of water to keep the roots wet until the tree can be planted. 

    The event will be held rain or shine on Saturday April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Webster Park (corner of Lake and Holt roads).

    Sierra Club members will also be at Seneca Park, Northampton Park and Genesee Valley Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. if you find yourself closer to one of those parks that day.

    This is the fourth year that the Sierra Club has held this event. The trees are free, but members will also be grateful for any small donations. This beautiful poster, by the way, was created by local artist and Sierra Club Executive Committee member John Kastner.

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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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    (posted 4/21/2024)

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    News from the Friends of Webster Trails

    5 Apr

    Got my quarterly newsletter from the Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) a few days ago, which is always good for a blog post. Even though I’ve been a member of the Friends for years, it always amazes me the untiring effort this group puts in every day of the year — not just in the warmer months — to not just maintain our current trails but build more.

    You can read the whole newsletter here, but I’ve pulled out some tidbits which I found particularly interesting:

    • For starters, the Friends have a brand new website. The one they had before was pretty good, but this newly updated site is a big improvement. The great maps are still there, plus there are more photos, news about the trails, an interactive event calendar, and more integration with social media. (Click here to read the blog I wrote about the new site in February.)
    • Couple of opportunities to meet some of the volunteers and learn more about the Friends: on Saturday April 13, the Friends will have an information table set up at Community Arts Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can learn about some of the plans they have for 2024 and learn more about volunteer opportunities.
    • Also on Saturday April 13, the Friends will be presenting a program on Trail History at the Webster Public Library from 11 a.m. to noon. You’ll hear a brief history of the more than 20 miles of trails in Webster, and discover some hidden gems in the trail system. Registration is requested.
    • On Saturday April 20, Earth Day, the Friends will be working at Gosnell Big Woods Preserve clearing vines and dense foliage along the split rail fence. They’ll also be doing some tree and shrub potting at the ReTree Nursery. Both projects could use a lot of hands, so check the newsletter for details about how you can help.
    • The Friends will be attending the Webster Public Library’s Summer Reading Kickoff Party on June 21 at Charles Sexton Park from 5:30 to 7 p.m. They’ll have an information table there and will be revealing a Kids Summer Reading List related to trails.
    • Denise Bilsback, Membership Chair, reports that the membership total is down a bit, but only because she cleared out some deadwood. (Hint hint: make sure you renew your subscription!) But, she says, “we continue to get a steady stream of new members monthly.” (Yay!)
    • Want an easy way to help out? The Friends need some mowers. The FWT will provide the mowers and the volunteers just need to do the mowing and put the mower back in the trailer for Parks and Rec to pick up. Should be just a few hours a month. Email contact@webstertrails.org for more information.

    I didn’t even get into the individual reports from the trail stewards, most of which reported all kinds of work clearing trees, replacing boardwalks and gates, and much more. The work continues nonstop so that we all can fully enjoy the great natural resources that Webster offers.

    According to a new trail counter recently purchased by the Friends, use of the trails is huge. The Bird Sanctuary Trail, for example, had more than 900 hikers during one week last December. So it’s great to hear that new members continue to join the Friends, but memberships still are a small percentage of those who actually enjoy the trails.

    So please, check out the new website, and when you do, PLEASE hover over that “become a Friend” tab and drop $10 (or $15 per family) to become a member and help the Friends of Webster Trails continue to do great things for our community.

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

    You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

    (posted 4/5/2024)

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    Eagle Scout Brandon Seeley builds pergola for the Arboretum

    28 Feb

    The Webster Arboretum has just gotten a little bit better.

    Thanks to the efforts of 14-year old Eagle Scout Brandon Seeley, a new pergola has been installed at the very north end of the Arboretum.

    A resident of Ontario, Brandon is a big fan of the Arboretum, so the project immediately interested him when he heard about it.

    “When (my mentor) Mr. Fulkerson told me a little about it and what it consisted of,” he said, “I thought it would be a good project to do for them…. I really like it here. I thought it would be nice to give back to them for giving us all of the things they do here.”

    The finished pergola — a kind of an open-air gazebo with a thatched or latticed roof, designed to support climbing plants — is large, measuring about 9′ x 15′ x 8′ tall. Brandon was assisted by a team of 16 fellow Scouts, family members and friends, who took less than a week last October to complete the project.

    Brandon’s leadership, a critical part of every Eagle Scout project, also helped things run smoothly.

    “I set out all the dates, told everyone what to do, and what to bring,” he said. “When everyone showed up here I gave everyone a different role to do so people weren’t just standing doing nothing.”  

    “I think everyone had a good time, and I really appreciate all their help coming out here.”

    Part of the team: Mike Seeley, Chloe Seeley, Brandon Seeley, Patrick Fulkerson and George Riehle

    Webster Arboretum board member George Riehle acted as Brandon’s contact through the project’s completion. It was actually something the Arboretum has been planning for several years, only recently getting enough funding — and some willing hands — to complete it.

    The plan is to create what Riehle calls a “fruit demonstration garden,” designed to introduce home gardeners to a variety of lesser-known fruiting vines and shrubs that grow well in our area, won’t take up a lot of space, and require little maintenance. Northern kiwi, for example, will be draped across the top of the pergola, and underneath that, several hazelnut shrubs. Other varieties filling beds in front of the pergola will include gooseberries, currants, honeyberries and dwarf cherries.

    Riehle expects the planting to begin later this spring and be completed by next spring.

    The pergola is located at the very north end of the Webster Arboretum, most easily accessible from the parking lot near the playground. It’s about 100 yards beyond the bridge.

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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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    (posted 2/28/2024)

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    We won! Webster awarded $4.5 million grant

    27 Feb

    Have you heard the big news?

    As a result of many, many months of hard work by the Webster Economic Development Alliance (WEDA) and lots of community input, the Village of Webster has been selected by Governor Kathy Hochul as one of just two Finger Lakes communities to receive a portion of the grants being awarded through the NY Forward community revitalization program. The Village of Webster and the Town of Macedon will each receive $4.5 million as this year’s Finger Lakes region NY Forward winners.

    As part of the competition process, the Village worked with the Town of Webster, Webster Central School District and the Business Improvement District (BID) to submit an application outlining the village’s vision to improve the downtown business district. During the process, WEDA provided tons of opportunities for community input to gather resident opinions on what the grant money should be used for. If you attended one of these events, you may remember large maps with sticky notes you could place on the areas you thought should be improved.

    Officially, the WEDA explains that “the Village of Webster’s downtown revitalization project seeks to create a thriving Main Street which seamlessly blends modern sustainability with the historic character of our community.” More specifically, a few of the projects under consideration are things like improving Veterans Park (including replacing the gazebo with a larger band shell), creating a flexible event space behind the firehouse, and various streetscape improvements in the center of the village.

    The ultimate goals are to create an active downtown, enhance accessibility and walk-ability for residents and visitors, provide flexible space for cultural events, provide amenities to enhance downtown living, and rejuvenate economic development along Main Street.

    The next steps will begin with the creation of a Local Planning Committee, consisting of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners. The committee will identify projects that most align with the community’s vision and are poised for implementation. There will be many opportunities for community input before the final projects are selected for funding, so stay tuned for those.

    Upon accepting the award, WEDA Executive Director Matt Chatfield said,

    The Village and the Webster Economic Development Alliance are prepared, energized, and steadfast in their desire to bolster growth and investment in our downtown business district. With the support of the NY Forward Program we are now ready to launch the next phase of our prosperous future, to be accomplished through coordination, partnership and dedication from the entire community – leadership, local business, and citizens. We are thankful for the generous support of Governor Hochul and the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, as we work together in the spirit of cooperation to make Webster a community of choice in Upstate New York.

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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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    (posted 2/27/2024)

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    Webster community mailbag

    22 Feb

    A Thomas vs. Schroeder high school basketball game is always highly competitive and definitely worth watching. But the one happening in a few weeks should be … well, interesting, and dare I say, a little short on actual basketball talent.

    It’s a Charity Basketball Game, scheduled for Wednesday night March 6 at Webster Thomas High School.

    The family-friendly event will pit Thomas/OWL staff and faculty against Schroeder/GOAL staff and faculty in a friendly winner-take-all-bragging-rights game. The school’s Resource Officers will officiate, so it will (well, SHOULD) be a clean game. Halftime activities will include some super fun competitions between Thomas/OWL students and Schroeder/GOAL students. Concessions will be available.

    Admission is only $5 (suggested donation), and all proceeds will benefit Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.  Additional donations would be greatly appreciated as well.

    The game will be played in the gymnasium at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. on Wednesday March 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Enter on the east side of the building, near the field house.

    The next general meeting and luncheon for the Women’s Club of Webster will be held on Thursday March 21 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd.

    Janine Sanger, Executive Director of WHEN:DFCC, Webster Health and Education Network will be this month’s speaker. WHEN is a network of Webster community members linked through awareness, education and action. It connects Webster residents to reliable resources with programs providing youth engagement, community education, parent outreach, advocacy and community training,

    The event begins with a social mix-and-mingle at 11:15 a.m., followed by a brief meeting at noon and lunch at 12:30 p.m. followed by the presentation.

    Lunch will feature a Turkey Melt, Reuben or Crispy Chicken sandwich, plus coffee, tea, cold drinks, fresh fruit and a cookie. The cost is $24. Send your check made out to WCW by March 14 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Questions? Phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

    New members are always welcome.

    The Friends of the Webster Public Library will hold its third annual Vintage and Collectible Book Sale on Thursday March 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

    The books are priced between $8 and $200. (Prices are firm.) A variety of books on Rochester, World War II, poetry, sports, movies, religion, classics, biographies, juvenile and adult fiction will be available. Many of the books are rare, unusual and in good to better condition. All proceeds from the event will benefit programs of the Webster Public Library.

    The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the rear of Webster Plaza.

    Here’s another option for the upcoming solar eclipse, this one an invitation from the Webster Arboretum, on Schlegel Rd.:

    The Arboretum is planning a day-long event on Eclipse Day, April 8, beginning at 11 a.m., when the Curry building will be open with complimentary hot and cold beverages. A poetry reading begins at noon, featuring Jennifer Maloney and Jonathan Everitt, who will share some of their original works. Afterwards, community members will be invited to present some of their own poetry.

    The eclipse itself will begin at about 2:07 p.m., and community members are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and solar eclipse glasses to relax and enjoy the event surrounded by the beautifully landscaped park, away from noise and light pollution. By about 3:20 p.m., the sun will be completely covered for 3 minutes and 38 seconds. By 4:30, the show will be over.

    In the case of inclement weather, the readings will be moved to the Curry building.

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

    You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

    (posted 2/22/2024)

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    Friends of Webster Trails have a great new website

    13 Feb

    If you’d asked me last week if the Friends of Webster Trails could do anything better than they’re already doing, I’d have laughed and said, “No way!” But I’ve been proved wrong. This already amazing organization has just updated their website with a new, modern look.

    Those of you familiar with the Friends will be relieved to know that all of the information we’ve come to expect from their old website is still there, including maps of each trail, trail length, and details about each trail. But somehow the Friends have found ways to make the website even better.

    For starters, the new site provides even more information about each trail, including interesting tidbits like fishing and dog walking regulations, cross country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities, trail difficulty, and details about boardwalks and bridges. There are a lot more photos, and links to several news stories about things like the recent annual meeting, Eagle Scout projects and the ReTree Initiative. The navigation bar across the top leads to even more content, including an interactive events calendar, fun stuff just for kids, how to become a member and how to get involved in other ways.

    Why the update? The Friends explain,

    With more than 5,000 people using the trails in Webster each week, we wanted to make finding out about them a better experience. With a modern look, easier navigation, and more trail information, the updated site brings the best of Webster’s trails to you.

    Friends of Webster Trails has always had some of the best maps and information about the trails, but this new design sweeps out the corners and gives the whole site a fresh look.

    They still haven’t put the final touches on the site, so check back regularly to see what’s new. And when you do, PLEASE hover over that “become a Friend” tab and drop $10 (or $15 per family) to become a member and help the Friends of Webster Trails continue to do great things for our community.

    * * *

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

    You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

    (posted 2/13/2024)

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