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Webster’s new dog park will soon be open

19 Sep

Construction has begun on the new dog park planned in Webster Park.

In a recent press release, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced that ground has been broken for the dog park, which will be located in the large grassy area at the corner of Lake Rd., and Park Rd., which leads into the campground.

The 1.5-acre dog park will include separate areas for large and smaller dogs, agility equipment and drinking stations. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of October. The project is being funded by a $250,000 grant secured by Assemblymember Jennifer Lunsford, part of the Go Outside Monroe Initiative, dedicated to modernizing the county’s parks system. The funds will also be used to repair and replace existing equipment on the nearby playground.

When completed, the new Webster facility will be the third dog park within the Monroe County
Parks system, joining active locations at both Ellison Park and Greece Canal Park. Dog park users must be registered. For more information on how to do that, click here.

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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 9/19/2023)


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September History Bit: the Town of Webster’s official tree

17 Sep

In this month’s History Bit, we shine a spotlight on the Webster Arboretum, and a beautiful little tree with the peevish name, the crabapple. 

Most people probably don’t realize that the flowering crabapple is the Town of Webster’s official tree. According to the Webster Arboretum website, that designation can be traced back to Elizabeth Sykes, a member of the Webster Country Gardeners Garden Club. Back around 1970, she urged the Town to adopt the tree as the Town Tree. (No one seems to know why she chose the crabapple).

Sykes then asked Jean Thompson and Carole Huther to approach the Town about establishing a crabapple arboretum. The perfect location seemed to be a parcel of land the Town had purchased several years earlier, two family farms on Schlegel Rd. owned by Herman Rieflin and Walter Wright. On June 21, 1971 the Town accepted the proposal and set aside 20 of the 80 acres for the arboretum. 

Of course the first plantings were crabapple trees.

In the years since it was established, the Webster Arboretum – officially known as the Webster Sesquicentennial Arboretum at Irving Kent Park, and now about 40 acres – has seen many improvements and expansions, especially in anticipation of the Town’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1990. The beautiful results of those efforts and continuing support from the Town of Webster, Webster community members and a dedicated team of volunteers can be seen today in its bountiful gardens and along its flower-filled paths.  

The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd. To read more about this beautiful park, visit the Arboretum website.

Discover more interesting bits of local history at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website to learn more.  

P.S. If you’re enjoying these History Bit features and would like to read more of them, check out the link on the right of the blog home page, where I’ve posted all of the History Bits since September 2022.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 9/4/2023)

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Webster remembers 9/11

13 Sep

The Village of Webster held its annual September 11th Memorial Ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park Monday evening.

The ceremony was a very nice affair once again. It lasted a little less than 45 minutes, and was well represented by first responders and local and regional politicians. The Webster Village Band and the Chorus of the Genesee both performed, enhancing the event with some beautiful patriotic music selections.

Perhaps 50 community members attended the ceremony. Most were older, but I was heartened to see a handful of children in the audience. Kudos to the parents for bringing the kids and helping them appreciate the gravity of that day, a day which changed their world in ways they don’t even realize.

Several officials spoke, including Village of Webster Mayor Darrell Byerts, who opened and closed the proceedings. But I was especially touched by some of the things that Monroe County Legislator George Hebert said, including, “On that terrible day, our nation became a neighborhood.” So true.

Thank you, Village of Webster, for continuing this tradition and reminding us all of the sacrifices made that day.

Here are a few more photos from the evening:

The West Webster Fire Department created their 9/11 Memorial Flag Garden once again this year, filling the grassy area in front of Station No. 1 on Gravel Rd. with 413 miniature flags, memorializing the first responders who lost their lives that awful day.

Attached to each flag was a card with the name and photograph of a firefighter, police officer or EMT who died. Individually, the flags were enough to bring you to tears as you considered the bravery and sacrifice exhibited by each one. Together, they were a simple, yet stark reminder of the great number of lives lost that day.

The flag garden is gone now. It was planted last Friday and removed on Tuesday. Here are some photos if you didn’t get to see it:

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 9/12/2023)

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For the love of pickleball

4 Sep

I’d like to give a quick shout-out to a group of people I met Monday who really embrace the idea of community. They are the pickleballers who gather every morning to play at the Ellison Park courts.

I’ve played pickleball before, pre-pandemic, when my Plank North teaching colleagues and I would organize pick-up games after school. I really enjoy the game and miss playing it, now that I’m retired. But I’ve always been hesitant to join an organized league or even go to the Rec Center, because I’ve heard so many stories about how clique-y pickleball players can get. Even though I’m pretty good with a paddle, I wasn’t sure I’d be embraced by a group of established players.

When my friend Carl found out that I play, he invited me to join the Ellison Park gang, assuring me that they were very welcoming. When I arrived at the courts Monday morning, it was immediately clear to me that he was right. I hadn’t even walked all the way up to the first court before someone waved me out to play. He didn’t ask me how long I’d been playing or how good I was. It was just, “C’mon, you wanna play?”

For the next two hours, I played pickleball with Bob, Janice, Bill, Charlie, Goldie, Michelle, Julius and lots others whose names I can’t remember or didn’t get a chance to meet. There were so many players that morning — more than two dozen — that I didn’t play with everyone, but those I did were all friendly, cheerful, encouraging and helpful.

So thank you, Ellison Park pickleball players, for welcoming me into your community so readily. I’ll be seeing you again soon.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 9/4/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

17 Aug

Summer is quickly winding down, but the number of special events happening in these last weeks of the season have not slowed one bit.

Of course, one of the biggest events of the Webster year takes place this weekend, Friday and Saturday Aug. 18 and 19. It’s the Webster Jazz Festival, which for the last 17 years has brought some amazing jazz musicians to entertain us in the pubs and on West Main St.

The event kicks off with Music in the Pubs on Friday evening when six different bands are scheduled to perform at six different village pubs and restaurants, with staggered start times, so you can visit visit several (or all) of the venues for a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy as many bands as you like.

The music continues Saturday night when jazz takes to the street. Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of entertainers will take to the big West Main Street stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. Bring some folding chairs and enjoy music all evening long. It looks like the weather will be perfect.

Click here to see my previous blog which includes the complete line-up of entertainers, or visit websterbid.com. You can also see a whole gallery of photos from last year’s Jazz Festival here.

The Webster Marching Band Boosters’ next Food Truck Rodeo is scheduled for Friday August 25 from 4 to 8 p.m at Webster Fireman’s Field.

The Marching Band Boosters sponsor various fundraising events throughout the year to help pay for the Webster Marching Band’s equipment, show productions, and competition-related trip expenses.

More than a dozen food trucks will be on hand, including The Meatball Truck, Roc City Sammich, Rob’s Kabobs, Kona Ice, Eat Greek, Chefs, ROCDilla, The Beer Wagon, Al Dente, Bay Vista Taqueria, Bruster’s, Mr. Squeeze and the Melt Truck.

There will also be face painting for the kids. (Clip the coupon from the poster.) Admittance to the rodeo is FREE, and all proceeds from the food trucks will benefit the Marching Band Boosters and Webster Marching Band members.

Webster NY Hope, in partnership with the Webster Public Library, is hosting a school-supply drive to help our local students have what they need to start the school year off strong.

Supplies are being collected at the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd., and will be distributed at Webster Hope’s Back-to-School Night on Tuesday Aug. 29.

Enlarge the flyer to see what supplies are being requested.

Also happening soon at Webster Hope: their annual garage sale, scheduled for Sept. 13 to 16 at 1450 Ridge Rd. This is always a huge sale, so make sure to put it on your calendar.

Speaking of garage sales, here’s a final reminder to drop off your donations for the upcoming Webster Museum Barn Sale, scheduled for Sept. 14 to 16 at 394 Phillips Rd.

The barn doors are open, and community members are invited to stop by anytime to drop off donations. Just head down the driveway to the barns, and donations can be left inside. Donation receipts are on the table. Although you can donate any day, museum volunteers are on site Monday mornings if you would like assistance unloading your donations.

Donations will only be accepted through Monday Sept. 4 (Labor Day) so museum volunteers will have plenty of time to get everything ready for the 14th.

Acceptable items include antiques, collections and collectibles, kitchen and household items, décor, small appliances, toys, tools, and small furniture. What CANNOT be accepted include books or magazines, computers, clothing, linens, baby cribs or car seats, large furniture, snow skis or water skis, large exercise equipment, audio or video tapes (VHS tapes, music cassettes, etc), or entertainment electronics, (TVs, stereos, DVD players, etc).  

I’ll be highlighting the barn sale again as it draws closer. But in the meantime, get those donations … un … donated!

Looking forward to September, the annual Webster Rocks ALS music festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9 at Firemen’s Field.

The festival is held to raise awareness for ALS in memory of Kacie Jones, a longtime employee of the Coach/Rubino’s, who passed away from ALS at 31 years old, less than two years after he was diagnosed. Proceeds will benefit organizations that fight to change the standard of case and empower people with ALS. (Visit www.healingals.org or www.teamgleason.org for more information.)

The festival will be held on Saturday Sept. 9 at the Webster Firemen’s Field on Ridge Rd. There’ll be food trucks and plenty of liquid refreshment. Doors open at 2 p.m. and an incredible music line-up starts at 3 p.m., featuring Anthony Blood, State Line, Brass Taxi, Dial Up and M80s. (Check the Facebook event page for more details about the schedule.)

Tickets are $20 in advance (available from the Coach Sports Bar, 19 W. Main in Webster) and at Eventbrite (but they charge fees, so stop by the Coach to save money). Cost is $25 the day of the festival. Admission is free for ages 12 and under.

If you can’t get enough music, here’s another FREE concert taking place that same day, Saturday Sept. 9 at Gazebo Park on North Ave.

It’s the second annual RHB St. Jude Benefit Concert, which this year features not just your hosts, the Red Hot and Blue Band, but also Sarah De Vallière, The M-T-V Jam Band (Moore Tyrrel and Vaughan) and The Tug Hill Band. Pub 235, Guida’s Pizza and Terry’s Tips And Beef will also be there with some great food.

This concert is becoming an annual event to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in honor of September being Child Cancer Awareness Month. The bands start performing at 1 p.m., and admission is free, but donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted throughout the show.

Those special events are just the tip of the September-entertainment iceberg. Here’s a quick look at several other events you’ll want to get on your calendar. I’ll provide more details in future blogs, so stay tuned.

  • Saturday and Sunday Sept. 9 and 10: Webster Garlic Fest at the Webster Recreation Center. Click here for more information.
  • Monday Sept. 11: Village of Webster 9/11 ceremony, featuring the Webster Village Band. Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at Gazebo Park on North Ave.
  • Friday and Saturday Sept. 15 and 16: Oktoberfest to benefit Challenger Miracle Field. Click here for more information.
  • Sept. 16 to 24: Miracle Field Week, with several events to benefit Challenger Miracle Field, including the Oktoberfest (see above), a concert by the Zac Brown Tribute Band, a corn hole tournament, and more. Details here.
  • Saturday, Sept. 16: The Webster Community Bed Races. Click here for more information.
  • Saturday Sept. 23: Third annual Mud Run at the Webster Recreation Center. Read more about it in this blog. I WILL be there.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/17/2023)

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Enjoying one last Family Games Night

12 Aug

Dozens of families enjoyed the last Family Games Night of the 2023 summer season on Friday night at Gazebo Park.

Children young and old bopped between Giant Jenga, corn hole, giant Connect Four and other games. There were balloons and snacks, and Dancing With Denise kept everyone hopping to a beat — when they weren’t twirling hula hoops.

Thank you Webster BID for a fun evening. Moving these events off of Main Street to Gazebo Park was a great decision, and I know these family-friendly events will continue to be popular in the coming years.

Here are a few more photos from the evening:

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/12/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

8 Aug

I’m going to lead today’s mailbag with an event I only just learned about myself when I was reading through the Town’s Webster This Week newsletter.

It’s the Water Lantern Festival, being held this Saturday Aug. 12 at Charles Sexton Memorial Park (formerly North Ponds). It’s one of hundreds of similar festivals held world-wide every year by an organization called One World Lantern Festival, which describes it as:

an incredible experience where thousands of family, friends, and strangers celebrate life together. Water Lantern Festival brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one emotional and memorable night. You’ll cherish these moments as you witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns and the lights reflecting upon the water.

Participants design their own lanterns, and are invited to inscribe their “hopes and dreams, or a letter to a loved one,” or any other meaningful message, and then send them floating out onto the water. I imagine the scene of countless illuminated lanterns floating on the pond will be spectacular.

Webster’s Water Lantern Festival will begin at 6 p.m. with food trucks, music and activities. Lantern designing begins at 8:30 p.m. and launch is from 9 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $26.98 (plus processing fees and taxes) and include a lantern kit, a commemorative drawstring bag, playing cards, conversation cards and access to the food trucks and music. IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, you should get your tickets by Wednesday Aug. 9, because the price goes up after that to $45.99 and even higher on the day of the event.

Click here for more information about the festival and ticket options.

The Village of Webster’s next and last-one-of-the-summer Family Games Night is this Friday Aug. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gazebo Park on North Ave. These great — and totally free — family events feature giant games, sidewalk chalk, great food and drink, and Dancing With Denise. Come for just a short time, come for the entire event; you and your kids will have a blast.

Remember to visit the Webster BID website regularly to keep up to date on village events.

Webster NY Hope has published this month’s wish list, which includes:

  • toothbrushes
  • toilet paper
  • pasta
  • cooking oil
  • towels (used or new)
  • socks for all ages
  • underwear for all ages
  • queen sheets

Items can be dropped off at Webster Hope, 1450 Ridge Rd., during their normal operating hours, Monday from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Webster Marching Band‘s next Bottle and Can Drive happens this Saturday Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All you have to do is place those bags outside your house or at the end of the driveway, with a little note indicating they’re for the band, and they’ll be whisked away for a good cause.

Or, if you plan to be out and about on Saturday, you can drop them off at the collection site, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road, by 3 p.m.

OR, you can call the Bottle and Can Hotline (234-8684, option 1) ANYTIME to arrange a pickup at a time convenient for you.

The United Church of Christ‘s last Caring Community Concert of the summer takes place this Wednesday Aug. 9 when 8 Days a Week performs.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations. There’s no admission, but each week the church collects a free-will offering benefiting that week’s chosen non-profit organization. This week’s concert will benefit the Friends of Webster Trails.  

The concerts all begin at 6:30 p.m., and food concessions begin at 6. The concerts are held on the United Church of Christ front lawn, at 570 Klem Rd. (In case of rain it’s moved indoors.)

Finally, looking ahead, these two events take place in a few weeks:

The Steam Police will sponsor a blood drive in the Spry Middle School cafeteria on Friday Aug. 18 from 1 to 6 p.m. There’ll be food, drinks, t-shirts, raffle prizes, and a whole lot of gratitude.

For an appointment (always a good idea), visit redcrossblood.org and use the keyword “SPRYMS” or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

An electronics recycling event is scheduled for Saturday Aug. 19 on the Xerox campus off of Orchard St. (near the Rec Center). TICKETS ARE REQUIRED for this event, and you can sign up here for the time slot you want.

Some slots are already booked up, so sign up soon.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/8/2023)

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More music and family fun in the village

3 Aug

There’s so much summer fun happening in the village these days, I’m having a hard time keeping on top of it all. So here’s a quick reminder about a few things coming up. (P.S. more information about these events can be found on the Webster BID website.)

This Friday Aug. 4, the Friday Night concert series at the gazebo continues with a performance by singer/songwriter Sarah De Vallière. She describes her music as “Randy Newman meets Joni Mtchell in a bar.” Not sure what that means, but I have seen Sarah play and she is very talented and very entertaining.

The concert will be at Village Memorial Gazebo park on North Ave., and begin at 7 p.m. There’s no cost, and you’re welcome to bring your chairs, blankets and a cooler with food and refreshments.

Next Friday, grab the family and come back to Gazebo Park for the next Family Games Night.

From 6 to 9 p.m. you’ll enjoy giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, corn hole, sidewalk chalking, beer and wine from The Coach and takeout from West Main Street restaurants.

Looking ahead, you definitely don’t want to forget about the Webster Jazz Festival, which is returning Friday and Saturday Aug. 18 and 19.

On Friday, enjoy Jazz in the Pubs at six local pubs and restaurants, then on Saturday the jazz takes to the street when four outstanding jazz bands perform beginning at 4 p.m. on the big West Main Street stage. Click here to see details about who’s playing and when.

ALSO… don’t forget to register for the Village Bed Race on Saturday Sept. 16.

This is going to be tons of fun, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of creative contraptions the bed race competitors will come up with. Teams will be separated into two age groups, 14 to 19 and 20 and up. The course will include one challenge stop, there’ll be two heats and one final elimination race.

Complete rules, bed design specifications and registration links can be found on the Webster BID website, but here are a few highlights:

  • Wheels must be NO larger than 8 inches
  • There are five participants for each bed, four pushers and one sleeper
  • Sleeper must wear some type of sleepwear during the race

Gentlemen and ladies, start your beds!!!

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/3/2023)

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News from the Arboretum

2 Aug

Last week, when I attended the most recent Music in the Park concert at the Webster Arboretum at Kent Park, I not only enjoyed the performance by Doctor’s Orders, but was also reminded of how peaceful and picturesque the park is. It is truly an under-appreciated jewel in our town’s park system.

When I was there, I picked up some information I wanted to pass along.

As part of their ongoing fundraising efforts, the Webster Arboretum is selling custom-inscribed bricks to be placed along the remembrance walkway leading from the Curry building to the gazebo. Each brick can accommodate up to three lines of text, 16 characters per line. The inscription might commemorate a special occasion, remember a loved one or beloved pet, be an inspirational message, or simply be your family’s name.

Each brick costs $75 and can be purchased online here. Even better, you can pick up a brochure at the next Music in the Park concert on Wed., August 16, which features Sarah De Valliere. The brochure includes a form which you can mail in with a check. Donations are all tax-deductible.

The Webster Arboretum at Kent Park is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd. Find out more about this beautiful park on the Arboretum’s website and Facebook page.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/2/2023)

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A fun (and educational) family hike from the Friends of Webster Trails

31 Jul

The Friends of Webster Trails have come up with a fun new theme for their regular family hikes.

It’s called the “Trees Along the Trail Challenge,” being held at Four Mile Creek Preserve from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday August 5.

Participants will pick up a clue packet at the sign-in table, and the challenge is to explore the trails and find the trees indicated in the clues. When you’re done, return the answer sheet and check your score. The first 50 families to complete the challenge will receive a free tree.

The self-guided hike will take place rain or shine, so mane sure you dress for the weather. There’s no charge, but registration is requested. Visit the Friends of Webster Trails website to register.

Four Mile Creek Preserve is located on Phillips Rd. at the corner of Lake Rd. It’s probably my favorite natural area in Webster, so if you haven’t been there yet, I highly recommend it.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/31/2023)

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