webster on the web

Tomorrow, as you may know, is Small Business Saturday. Today, many of you are planning to brave the Black Friday crowds and traffic (or already have). But I’m planning to save most of my shopping dollars for the small businesses in our village — and others — who can use our support. 

My first stop tomorrow will be Lala: Laugh and Love, Always, the Village of Webster’s newest (and one of its cutest) shops. 

Lala opened this week at 38 East Main Street. I stopped by to check it out when I was in the village the other day, curious about this new shop which seemed to appear out of nowhere. 

The first thing I noticed when I walked through the door was how awesome this store smells. It was like … walking into a cloud of beautiful aromas, emanating from the array of personal care products that line the walls, shelves and counters of this gorgeous new shop. 

Owner Lisa Schlonski (left) and good friend Rhonda Pacher in the shop. 

Lala is first and foremost a gift shop. But owner Lisa Schlonski — a long-time Webster resident herself — sees it as something much more. She’s created what she hopes is a one-stop shop for people who really want to take care of themselves, physically and emotionally. 

“It’s all about being calm,” Lisa said, “trying to pamper yourself a little bit, with products that are good for you.”

People are really striving for better health these days for themselves and their children, she added. “They’re conscious about what they put on their bodies… I enjoy trying to find those products that help with that.”

So at Lala you’ll find a beautiful variety of oils, soaps, candles, lotions, balms, and bath products. But you’ll also find neck and shoulder wraps, baby products, infuser jewelry, gourmet teas, and unique inspirational items like crystals and angels. There are even some journaling supplies and a rack with crazy socks. 

Basically, there’s something for everyone. 

There’s even something special about many of the vendors. Lisa searches out those businesses that give back to their communities, and support causes that make the world a better place. It’s a decision she made very early in her planning for Lala, and which in part came out of her own devastating life experience: the loss of her husband three years ago.  

“Part of my journey since then has been to find products and work with vendors that are trying to be helpful,” she said. “I want things that are unique. I don’t want things that are sold everywhere. The goal here is work with local vendors and also with vendors that have a great story.” 

It’s not even a week old, but I can say right now that Lala: Laugh and Love, Always is a wonderful addition to the village. It’s exactly the kind of shop Webster needs a whole lot more of: a place which invites people to just wander in and browse, and maybe find a nice little gift which you wouldn’t find anywhere else. 

So stop in, either on Small Business Saturday (tomorrow!), or maybe during White Christmas in the Village on Dec. 1, or some other time. You’ll be glad you did. 

In the meantime, here are a few photos to whet your appetite: 

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

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Most every year at Thanksgiving, I post a long-winded list of all the things I’m thankful for. It’s an exercise that forces me to pause and think about all the little things in life that I too often taken for granted.

My life has changed in many ways since I first write my “thankful” blog in 2013, as lives tend to do. I’ve gained new friends and new hobbies, and have sadly lost a few close family members. But basically, life is great, love is plentiful, I’m comfortable and happy. And that’s what it’s all about.

So here’s my 2018 “thankful” list.

I am thankful for:

My husband, my kids, having a nice home and enough food for the table, my cats, my karate family, my jujitsu family, good neighbors, good health, my family’s good health, my terrific in-laws, my siblings, the color and crunch of autumn leaves, flowering trees in the spring, rain on the porch roof, Easter baskets, Tiny Tigers, hanging laundry, lilacs, Christmas Eve snow, sunshine, Friday summer nights on the porch with a beer, sunsets, thunderstorms, warm summer rains, starry nights, blankets in the winter, fires in the wood stove, weekends, Christmas lights, writing my blog, hugs, leaf piles for jumping in, crisp new sheets, the summer breeze that comes in my bedroom window, daffodils and baby giggles.

I am thankful for memories of my mother and father, picnics, camping, hot soaking baths, the WOFs, fog in the valleys, puppies and kittens, spooning, Christmas trees on Christmas morning, cinnamon buns right out of the oven, my mother’s banana bread recipe, reading a good book, the sound of crickets in summer, strangers who return my smile, warm apple pie, watching award shows with my daughter, my pub family, baby snuggles, naps, after-dinner walks, sleeping in, hiking, fuzzy pajama pants, rainbows, my cat keeping me company in the bathroom, coffee in the morning, cool summer sheets, birds at the bird feeder, writing my column, all of my readers, sunrises, making people smile, the sound of crickets, wildflowers, ice cream anytime, 

I am thankful for my Barry’s Runners friends and the ability to run, the freedom to travel,  Irish music and my Irish music friends, getting to play roadie, touch football with my pub family, going to hockey games with my family, Sunday afternoons sitting at my computer and writing.

I am thankful for my Schlegel and Plank North elementary colleagues, hugs from kindergartners, a child’s innocent smile, biking the Erie Canal Trail with friends, hikes in the woods, music, silence, waking up every morning with the man I love, Friday nights at the pub (and occasional Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays), the smell of flowering trees in the spring, the peacefulness of a pine forest.

I am thankful for a husband who cooks more and better than me, being able to wear a cape to school, helping children experience the joy of reading, having a lap cat when I type, traveling with my husband, riding my bike through strange cities, thank you notes from my readers, my new fire department friends, my kids (again) and their significant others, and being able to make a difference by doing what I love to do best — write. 

You’d think that would just about cover it. But life gets better every day. All you have to do is sit back and notice it.

If we’re fortunate enough to have a roof over our heads, enough money to live comfortably, and good health, that’s really all we need. But the little things — the intangibles — are what really make life worthwhile. That’s what my list today is all about. I encourage you to sit down for a few minutes and make your own list.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Thank you for being a part of my life.

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

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It’s going to look a lot like Christmas very soon at the Webster Museum.

The museum’s 2018 Christmas Tree Contest is gearing up. This is a chance for local businesses, community agencies and organizations to get creative and decorate a 4-foot tall Christmas tree in any theme they see fit.

In previous years there have been as many as 20 or more little trees sprinkled throughout the museum, gaily festooned with such a variety of materials that I can’t even begin to summarize them. They make the museum beautiful and a delight to walk through. But the best part is, the public is encouraged to vote for their favorite. The winning organization(s) get $25 prizes.

But for now, the museum needs people who want to do the decorating.  Scouts, families, clubs, groups, or individuals can register to decorate a tree. The trees can be decorated using a room theme from the museum exhibits or any other ideas. Prizes will be awarded in both adult and youth categories.

The trees must be decorated before Friday November 30 and voting begins the evening of Dec 1 as part of the Village of Webster’s White Christmas celebration. Voting continues until the end of December during regular museum hours.

Decorating times are Saturday Nov 24 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday Nov. 27 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday Nov. 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Thursday Nov. 29 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Please call 347-4202 to register a tree, and if you’d like to schedule a different time.

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

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If you’re on social media at all, you’ve probably seen the recent coverage of how the Webster community is pulling together to make a child’s dreams come true.

The child is Owen Knight, a sophomore at Webster Thomas High School, and his story begins when his loving aunt Amy posted this on Facebook:

Since that post, Owen has been inundated with cards, but that was just the beginning. Channel 13 news picked up on the story and ran a piece on it a few days ago. THEN the Webster Police Department got wind of the story and decided to help Owen live out another one of his dreams, to be in a parade.

They called all their first-responder friends and even got a dump truck, and paraded Owen down Publisher’s Parkway, ending at Webster Thomas High, where he was greeted by his classmates and the marching band.

Click here to see Channel 13 coverage about that incredible event. And if you’d like to see a video of the entire parade, Webster Thomas staff member Linda Dow Hayes made a great video. I posted it on my Webster on the Web Facebook page.

What an amazing community we have here in Webster.

You can still send Owen a birthday card if you’d like. His address is Owen Knight, 1615 Ridge Road, Webster, NY 14580.

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

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.

At long last, Webster’s newest art-themed shop, the Pickled Paintbrush, is ready to be introduced to the community.

The Pickled Paintbrush, located at 36 East Main Street, will offer art classes, workshops and special events for children and adults. But the studio’s focus will be mostly on children. The primary goal is to have fun, doing unusual projects with unconventional materials.

It’s taken a lot longer than expected for owner Marissa Burke to complete all the renovations (as these things often do), but the results were well worth the wait. The beautiful, completely renovated 2,200-foot studio has two levels. Downstairs is the reception area — which will double as a drop-in, small project area — a smaller studio and a bathroom. Upstairs is a much larger, expansive studio space where Birke plans to larger events and workshops, birthday parties and adult events like date nights.  There’s also a second bathroom, a separate children’s playroom and a kitchenette.

You can check out the new Pickled Paintbrush for yourself on Saturday November 17, when Birke hosts an open house from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will feature give-aways, raffles, and of course some fun art projects for both kids and adults.

Click here to find out more details about that, and check out the current list of preschool classes (and a DATE NIGHT!). Registrations are now being accepted, in-store or by phone. For more information email thepickledpaintbrush@gmail.com or call (585) 704-8809.

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

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.

Liam GogginsH

Here’s just a quick note about another community event coming up this Saturday which I just learned about.

The Goggins family of Ontario will host a spaghetti dinner on Saturday Nov. 3 at the Webster/Fairport Elks Lodge to help defray medical-related costs for their son Liam.

On July 28, 2018, Liam Goggins was celebrating his first birthday when he suddenly stopped breathing. His mother administered CPR, and he was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he stopped breathing again.

Tests showed that Liam’s heart had not developed properly. He was diagnosed with narrowing of the heart’s mitral valve, which was blocking blood flow into the left ventricle. Just days later, he underwent open heart surgery to replace his mitral valve with a mechanical valve. That valve has to be replaced one or two more times as he grows.

This weekend’s spaghetti dinner will help Liam’s parents, Zach and Lindsay, offset the costs of existing and future medical bills. It’s being hosted by the Webster/ Fairport Elks Lodge, 1066 Jackson Road, Webster on Saturday November 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. The dinner will include pasta with sauce and meatballs, salad and bread. A cash bar will also be available.

Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children under 12. For tickets contact Barb Tegas at btega06@gmail.com or Cindy Van Buren, mcvb03@gmail.com.

The Webster/Fairport Elks Lodge Elks Lodge #2396, located at 1066 Jackson Rd. in Webster, meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. throughout the autumn and winter months. They also serve a fish fry dinner every Friday from 6 to 8:00 p.m. For more information call 585-872-1847 or email rmurphyl@rochester.rr.com.

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

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.

This is the seventh in my series of Bygone Blogs, in which I am re-posting some of my favorite blogs from the last eight years. This one was originally published on November 2, 2011.

Carol of the Leaves

(sung to the tune of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”)
(Really. It’s much more fun if you sing along with it.)

It’s the most back-breaking time of the year,
When winter is calling,
the leaves are a’falling
And bagging-the-leaves time is here,
It’s the most back-breaking time of the year.

Yes, the most colorful season is here.
From the leaves on the trees
To the frustrated screams
That fall on your ears,
Yes, the most colorful season is here.

I think shoveling is better
Though snow’s cold and wetter,
I just push it and that’s not so bad.
Then the plows come on by
And they sweep it aside.
And I don’t have to stuff it in bags.

It’s the most back-breaking time of the year.
Some day thanks to our pleas,
Penfield WILL pick up leaves.
They’ll finally get it in gear.
It’s the most back-breaking time,
Yes, the most back-breaking time,
It’s the most back-breaking time of the year.

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

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.

So the weather turned out to be exactly as awful as was forecast during Webster’s annual Halloween in the Village celebration on Saturday. It was cold. It was windy. It was raining pretty much the entire time, sometimes pretty hard.

So turnout for the Trick or Treat Trail wasn’t anywhere near what it was last year when we enjoyed 60-plus degree temperatures. But hundreds did brave the elements, popping in and out of about 50 village businesses for treats, and visiting the fire house and Webster Museum for special events. And kudos for all those business owners who also braved the rain and cold, setting up tents, or just sitting in the vestibules outside their shops.

Of course I took lots of photos. Since turnout was a little lower, chances are goo I got one of you and your family. Click here to see the entire gallery.

And thank you Webster BID, for another great event. Next year, let’s hope for snow. It might actually be less miserable.

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

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.