If you’ve passed through the Village of Webster recently, you’ve likely noticed that renovations to the The CoachSports Bar are still a work in progress. Both the inside and outside have a ways to go before the taps start flowing again at the popular local hangout.
It’s been more than a year since the devastating St. Patrick’s Day, 2025 fire that tore through The Coach. It started behind the bar, and while the building remained structurally sound, the heat, smoke and water damage meant that the whole place had to be gutted. Owner Fritz Sierk was originally hoping that he’d be able to reopen in time for the Super Bowl last February (which he fully expected the Bills to be playing in). Clearly, that date came and went as unexpected delays and construction hurdles kept pushing the reopening date down the road.
But things are finally nearing completion and Fritz says he hopes to open in a “couple of weeks.” And when he finally does, the wait will most definitely have been worth it.
Some of the highlights of the new space include a larger, more comfortable bar space with better lighting; a large overhang on the back deck to accommodate smokers, replacing the old “smoking hut” which had to be removed to enlarge the bathrooms; a small, fenced-in patio at the east end of the building, providing additional seating; a 140-inch LED wall replacing the four huge TVs on the west wall of the seating area; and there are two new “garage-door windows,” very much like the one at the Mary Wee Pub across the street.
But Fritz is especially proud of those new bathrooms. They’re much larger and completely updated, and feature individual rooms with doors, rather than stalls.
Fritz is really looking forward to showing off the “new” Coach to the community.
“I’m excited to finally open,” Fritz said. “It’s been long enough. The place is just amazing. It’s certainly not the old Coach but I think it’s got enough personality to be good. I like the openness, the ‘Mary Wee’ windows, the soffit around the bar … and the bathrooms are incredible.”
In the end it’s still going to be the same, familiar Coach that we all know and love. Just a little bit better.
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(posted 4/23/2026)
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If you love baked goods, you’ll be very excited to learn that Sweet Shenanigans, the Village of Webster’s newest bakery, is set to open its doors this Friday April 17.
Sweet Shenanigans, located at 15 East Main St., is owned and operated by Brittany Butler and Kyle Babcock. They’re basically taking over the space recently vacated by the Kiss Me Cookie bake shop. There are still a few final touches to finish up, one last inspection to sign off on, and an outdoor sign to install. Plus, they have to do a LOT of baking, but they’re just about ready to go.
It helped that their new shop was pretty much a turn-key operation, given its recent history as Kiss Me Cookie. They had to make a few electrical adjustments, and get some more commercial equipment like coolers and freezers, and some more display cases. But in general, it did not take them much time to bring everything up to snuff.
Brittany and Kyle both have backgrounds in baking and food service. Brittany has been baking for 15 years, mostly out of the house, often distributing through local bakeries and restaurants. But, she said, “We kind of got to the point where we’re like, yeah, we should do this for ourselves. It’s fun!”
They started seriously thinking about making the leap about three years ago. But finding the right place proved to be a challenge.
“We looked all over the Finger Lakes” Kyle said. “We had a couple decent places lined up — one in Macedon and one in Geneva — and they just fell through. … (Then) this place opened up in Webster, and we jumped on it.”
“We kind of just fell into it,” Brittany added. “I just so happened to be looking at the right place at the right time on the right day on the internet.” So it was if fate led them to our little village, and they couldn’t be happier. The response from residents and neighboring businesses has been “great,” Brittany said. “Everyone is so lovely. Everyone’s been so welcoming, so supportive. It’s been fantastic.”
Brittany and Kyle have a clear vision for carving out their own niche among the village’s bakeries, starting with a signature line of artisanal breads.
For example, “We’re going to do salty bread,” Kyle said. “People look for that. A nice sturdy solid loaf topped with sea salt.” They’ll also be baking up a variety of pastries, like danishes, turnovers, cookies, cannolis, peanut butter bars, cinnamon rolls, their own version of Pop-Tarts, and other “fun stuff.”
My husband and I are particularly looking forward to sampling Sweet Shenanigans’ Czech kolaches, which we first discovered on our trip to Prague last year. Think sweet, brioche-like yeast dough filled with fruit, cheese or poppy seeds.
Sweet Shenanigans is located at 15 East Main Street, two doors down from the Village Quilt Shoppe. Their sign hasn’t been installed yet, but in the meantime, look for a shop full of sweet treats and smiling faces, and follow your nose to some delicious baked goods. Their regular hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can connect with them on Facebook, Instagram (@sweetshenanigansbakes) or TikTok. Call 585-478-3603 or emailsweetshenanigansbakes@gmail.com.
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(posted 4/14/2026)
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We all respect and appreciate the hard work our volunteer firefighters do, and their dedication to protecting our homes and businesses. But few of us have really been behind the scenes to find out more about WHO these local heroes are and specifically what kinds of tasks they perform.
It’s easy to think that volunteer firefighters are larger-than-life figures who spend their entire lives fighting fires and doing nothing else. But those men and women you see in the turnout gear? They’re people like you and me who have normal jobs. They’re bus drivers, teachers, IT professionals, retirees, electricians … and next weekend they are cordially inviting you to meet them in person and — even better — consider joining their ranks.
On Saturday, April 18, the Webster Volunteer Fire Department, located at 35 South Ave. in the Village of Webster, will be hosting a RecruitNY Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Ave. station. The informal, drop-in event is designed for community members who want to get involved or simply learn more. There’s no set schedule and no pressure, just an open opportunity to meet the members, explore the equipment, learn about some of the procedures and and see what it means to serve your community.
If you’ve never been in a firehouse, you might be surprised by what you see there. Yes, it’s built to function as an all-hazards emergency response station, but it’s also a place to gather. There’s a workout facility, community meeting space, a big kitchen. … Paul Spatola, one of the event’s organizers, wrote that, “Our members’ kids are running around the firehouse all the time, it’s awesome!”
Bring your spouse and children along as well, because, obviously, volunteering is not just a personal commitment, but a family commitment as well. So bring along anyone who would be part of your journey. There’ll be plenty to see and experience for all ages.
And don’t worry if you don’t want to be one of those firefighters who actually run into a burning building (but you might!). There’s a role for everyone. Some members serve as interior firefighters, others contribute as exterior firefighters or fire police. Everyone plays an essential role in keeping our community safe.
And also don’t worry — there’s no expectation to commit on the spot. If you’re interested, you’ll be connected with a Webster Fire peer recruiter who can guide you through the process at your own pace, from learning more to applying, to on-boarding. So even if you’re just curious, stop by and ask some questions. You won’t be pressured into anything.
Paul wrote, “So many people do not take the hardest step — applying — because they don’t know what they don’t know. We’re your neighbors. Come say hi and ask us about the department. Ask us why firefighters love being firefighters.”
“We’re looking for people in our community who are interested in doing the hard work, who are team-oriented and goal-focused. People who want a bit of excitement, and a lot of camaraderie. Is it hard? Yes. We do hard things, and we’re good at. We’re proud of our tradition of service to the community. We want our community to be proud of that service, and want them to get involved to support and join us.
So stop by next Saturday to check out the fire station and meet some of the firefighters. Perhaps you’ll want to join the Webster Volunteer Fire Department family. And by the way, the West Webster Fire Department is also looking for new members, so if you live on the west side of town, reach out to them for more information!
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(posted 4/9/2026)
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A little more than a week ago, I posted a blog about the handsome new Village of Webster signs that have been installed along the approaches to the village. The reaction to that blog was mixed. Most people commented that they liked the signs, but several lamented the loss of the old ones.
Perhaps the most impassioned comment I got was from Jenna Urso, who wrote about how her father and grandfather had created the hand-carved signs almost 30 years ago, and how Webster wildlife artist Ray Easton painted the beautiful birds depicted on each one. I had two immediate thoughts when I read her comment. The first was, “Hmmm, that’s some interesting history,” followed immediately by “WHAT birds?”
I’ll sheepishly admit that I never once took note of the native birds adorning the center of each sign. But discovering that charming detail and being teased by a single scrap of the signs’ history sent me straight to a meeting with Jenna to uncover the rest of the story.
Jenna told me that her grandfather, Charlie Urso, was inspired by all of the charming village signs he saw on his travels through New England. He approached the Town Board in the late 1990s with his idea to create and donate some signs to make the village more attractive for business owners and shoppers. With help from his son Charles, they hand-carved two signs, painted them with gold leaf, then reached out to Easton to add the birds. Those first two were finished and erected in the summer of 1999. The Town loved them so much that the artistic team was asked to create two more.
Charlie Urso carving one of the signsRay Easton with the one of the first finished signs
The project was a labor of love for her grandfather, Jenna said.
My grandparents have been Webster residents since 1962, when they moved here to start a family. They loved the family-friendly feel and beautiful nature in Webster and knew it was the perfect place for them. It does not surprise me that my grandfather chose to donate his talents to the village; he has always been the most kind and generous person. He also has a genuine love for this town, choosing to stay here in his community year-round rather than spend half the year down south like many Upstate New Yorkers.
Learning more about the story behind the signs myself has been a joy, especially watching my father reminisce about the time he spent working on them with his dad.
Replacement of the old signs with the new also brought back fond memories for Ray Easton.
Charles … had a passion for his craft of hand-carved gold leafing. The part I played was painting a familiar, local or indigenous bird on each sign. An American Robin greeted people approaching from the west, where a Great Blue Heron stood on the eastern side. From the south you had three Canada geese, and from the north a Northern Cardinal. They were great signs for many years, with a warmth and sense of community, and I’m glad to have played a small part in the history of the great village of Webster.
There’s been some talk about perhaps displaying one of the old signs at the Webster Museum. They’re a cherished piece of Village history, so I hope someone can make that happen.
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(posted 4/2/2026)
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Lala of Webster is hosting a special event next Thursday to benefit the Wilmot Cancer Center.
It’s called Sip, Savor & Support, an evening of coming together as a community to have fun with friends, meet new people, and benefit a good cause at the same time.
From 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday March 19, shoppers are asked visit Lala’s and purchase items worth $15 or more to be included in raffle baskets being prepared for the “Dinking for Wilmot Dollars” benefit pickleball tournament on April 4. As a thank you, shoppers can take advantage of a 20% discount off your entire Lala purchase that evening. Then, after you’re done shopping, head next door to Jojo Bistro & Wine Bar for live music and special appetizer and drink menus.
Lala of Webster is located at 38 East Main Street in the village.
The Sip, Savor & Support event and the pickleball tournament are both being held in honor of Marty Lembo, who passed away in 2018 after a courageous battle with colon cancer. His memory lives on through Team Marty, a group of friends and family members who continue to raise funds in his name to benefit the Wilmot Cancer Center. The “Dinking for Wilmot Dollars” pickleball tournament is one of their biggest events, scheduled this year for Saturday, April 4 at Dinkers Pickleball in Fairport.
Click on the flyer below for more details and to register.
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(posted 3/12/2026)
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The old Jeff’s Computer Shop has been closed and papered-up for a long time now, but finally there’s some good news for that storefront — or at least half of it.
According to a sign in the window, a new restaurant will be moving into the east half of the shop this summer, at 3 East Main. It’s called Tabbouleh, and introduces itself as “a new chapter in Mediterranean dining.” Some quick online research tells me that tabbouleh (also spelled tabouli) is a popular Mediterranean salad made with fresh herbs and bulgur wheat, so it looks like we’re going to be treated to some real Middle East treats.
I can’t tell you much more about the new restaurant right yet. There’s no Facebook page or website, and while they have an Instagram feed (@dineattabbouleh), they haven’t posted anything. So stay tuned.
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(posted 2/23/2026)
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It’s been a really tough six months for Luis “Munchie” Carrasquillo.
Back in July, Luis took a leap of faith and opened up his Roc City Empanadas restaurant on South Ave. in the Village of Webster, an expansion of his very popular food truck business. At first he found it a bit challenging to balance the busy food truck with a new restaurant, and the hours he was open seemed very sporadic. Then, in early September, the restaurant went totally dark, and people started to question whether Luis was really committed to the village.
The reason for that, we came to learn, was a distressing one.
On September 3, Luis was involved in a frightening accident. He was on the shoulder of Five Mile Line Rd., helping a friend secure a fence to her trailer, when another driver struck him. The impact sent him flying ten feet. He suffered a compound fracture to his leg and was losing blood rapidly. A veteran who happened on the scene applied a tourniquet, most definitely saving his life. (Click here to read the blog I wrote back then with the whole story.)
Luis spent weeks in the hospital, undergoing multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and intense recovery procedures. He’s still facing a long road to healing — physically, emotionally, and financially. Because of his injuries, he hasn’t been able to work, and Munchies Rock City Empanadas is struggling to stay afloat. His friends and family members have been doing their best to try to keep the doors open, but the bills are piling up, rent and equipment costs continue, and the future of his restaurant hangs in the balance.
For over 20 years, Luis Carrasquillo has been a pillar in our community, serving delicious food with love, donating meals to local events, and showing up whenever someone needs a helping hand. He’s never asked for anything in return because that’s just who he is. But now he’s asking for our help.
Luis’ family members have set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help cover Luis’ medical and household expenses and ongoing rehabilitation, and to help keep his restaurant running until he can get back on his feet.
If you can spare even a little something, Luis would be eternally grateful, and you’d be helping someone who’s given so much to our Webster community. Click here to make your donation.
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(posted 1/25/2026)
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As I like to do at the end of every year, a few days ago I took a stroll back through all of the blogs I wrote in 2025. It’s always a fun exercise, as I review all of the events, business openings and closings, people and places that I found to share with you all. They reflect the extraordinary diversity of people, places and events we have here in Webster, and how close-knit this town is.
In the last 12 months, counting today, I posted 334 blogs. That works out to about 28 blogs every month. And thanks to the wonders of the Internet, I managed to keep up that pace even though I was in Prague for six weeks. It’s also interesting (at least to me) to note that the blogs were viewed more than 238,000 times. Fourteen of the top twenty blogs were about new businesses, the most popular one being an update on The Coach renovations — which was my best-read blog of the year.
As in previous years, my photo galleries following events like the Trick or Treat Trail and Fireman’s Parade were also big draws, and my History Bits — highlighting local history — are also still very popular.
If you’ve got a few minutes and would find it interesting, I’ve pulled out my favorite blogs from each month. My posts have run the gamut from special events to special people, new businesses to new trails. But you’ll notice that many of my favorite blogs are the ones where I share personal stories and everyday moments, the kinds of things that may not seem very exciting, but are what make our lives interesting and meaningful.
If something really strikes your fancy and you want to read any of them again, click through the hyperlink.
My two favorite blogs in January were about local history: the Irondequoit Bay Bridge and the first of my six-stop History Bit Webster Museum tour. The bridge blog was a follow-up on two blogs I’d posted the previous March when the Bay Bridge celebrated a birthday. Like those, this one about how the bridge had won an award also garnered several “likes.”
In February I caught up with a village neighbor of mine who will often hitch up her dogs to a dogsled and run them through village neighborhoods. This was a good example of a great community story which I was alerted to by one of my readers. Usually the best blog ideas come from my readers.
Jack’s Happy Hour celebrated its five-year anniversary in March. I first wrote about this nightly gathering of Brooksboro Dr. neighbors in 2022, when they were celebrating the occasion of having come together for a beverage every night for 1000 days straight. Last March they marked five straight years of gatherings. Every. Single. Night. For five years.That was definitely worth a blog.
In April, I posted what would become one of my most popular History Bits, about Willow Point Park. So many people fondly remember the old amusement park and shared a lot of memories. That month I also highlighted Webster Schroeder graduate Adam Marino, who was playing Frankie Valli in OFC Creations’ production of Jersey Boys.
My two favorite blogs in May were both personal reflections. I wrote about my recent trip to Prague, and how I successfully completed my first (and only)half marathon upon my return. Both were extremely memorable experiences. One of them I would like to do again. I’ll leave it to you to guess which one.
In June, my favorite blog was probably the shortest, when School Resource Officer David Herrle joined me in a dramatic reading of Mo Willems’ We Are in a Book, starring Elephant and Piggie. I was substituting at State Rd. Elementary when he happened to pop into the library and I corralled him. I love showing that police officers are fun-loving people, too.
I highlighted the WEBSTER bushesin July, the ones that welcome visitors to town on Rt. 104. They have some interesting history. I also enjoyed highlighting an unusual benefit to living in the Village of Webster when I wrote about how the Webster Marching Band practices at Spry Middle School during the summer and provides my own personal band concert.
In August, I followed up another blog idea submitted by a reader when I attended a Front Porch Pickin’ social event on Millcreek Run. I wrote a History Bit about the Forest Lawn Train accident, and shared some thoughts about some trail riding my husband and I did in Penn Yan and Waterloo, where we saw some beautiful scenery and explored some Civil War history.
I was honored to be invited to Jack’s Happy Hour again in September when the Brooksboro gang celebrated their 2,000-night anniversary. (They SAID it would be their last time, but I don’t think it was….) The whimsical Holt Rd. skeletons were back in action for Halloween, and I had to share this year’s cleverness with everyone. Also in September, I introduced everyone to young Pierson Farina and his “Returns for a Reason” initiative in which he collects returnables and donated the funds to local nonprofits.
In October I featured Judah Sealy — who doesn’t live in Webster but plays every year at the Webster Jazz Festival — who landed the role of Clarence Clemons in the new Bruce Springsteen movie. I also wrote another more personal piece about my running buddies and two races we did together that month.
In November, I caught up with Fritz Sierk, owner of The Coach, for an update on his repairs and renovations. It proved to be my best-read blog of the year. I also gave everyone a behind-the-scenes look at one of my favorite local organizations, the Friends of Webster Trails, when I tagged along to watch the installation of a trail counter. And I visited those crazy Holt Rd. skeletons again, who for the holiday season had been transformed into the Rockettes.
Finally, in December I posted my annual gallery of photos from the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights festivities. People love these galleries and it makes me feel good that I’m able to share events like this with people who can’t attend, especially those who now live out of state. And just a few weeks ago I wrote what might be my favorite blog of the entire year, about when a representative from Toter/Wastequip came to town and presented Pierson Farina with his very own “Returns For a Reason” toter, making his biggest Christmas wish come true.
Whew. If you’re still with me, thank you for reading this far. I hope you found it interesting to revisit some of this year’s blogs. And remember that if you ever think of something or see something that might make for an interesting blog, PLEASE drop me an email. As I said, the best blog ideas come from my readers.
Thanks again for reading, and all of your likes, comments and messages. Please have a safe and happy new year.
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Another successful Winter Wonderland celebration is in the books, and by all accounts it was enjoyed by all. The weather was not bitterly cold, comfortable enough to take in all of the activities taking place along Main Street and in Veterans Park. There was music, dancing, storytime, crafts, cookies, hot chocolate, more music, snowmen, activities at the museum, a craft fair at the Harmony House … so much going on that I had a hard time capturing it all on digital film. And of course, the Parade of Lights was the highlight of it all.
I’ve put a few photos here but of course there’s a whole gallery more, which you can see here. If you don;t have Facebook, you can also see the gallery here in a Google file.
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Performance Hobbies has been part of the fabric of Webster for more than four decades. It dates back to 1982 when it began as TMC R/C Cars on Gravel Rd. From the very beginning it was a family-owned passion project built on enthusiasm for radio-controlled cars and the joy of hands-on hobbies. As the business grew, it moved into the Village of Webster in 1984 and then to its current home at 15 West Main St. in 1991. For 43 years, the shop has been a destination for hobbyists of all ages.
Owner Tom McCoy will tell you that the best part of his job is simple: he gets to go to work and play with toys every day. The store offers everything from R/C cars and planes to models, drones, collectibles and more. They jokingly call themselves the only “adult toy store” ion the Village of Webster — a phrase that tends to raise eyebrows until customers see the kinds of “toys” they actually sell. It’s a fun little misunderstanding that has become part of the shop’s personality and charm.
Beyond the walls of the store, Performance Hobbies has been a steady supporter of the Webster community. They participate in all Village of Webster events, support air shows and race tracks and work closely with the Boy Scouts and several local church groups. Their willingness to show up, give back, and be part of what makes Webster special has never wavered.
With four employees, decades of experience, and a genuine love for what they do, Performance Hobbies continues to be a place where creativity, fun and community meet.
The Webster Chamber of Commerce Events and Honors Committee presents a Business of the Month award to one of their member businesses at each of their monthly breakfast meetings. It’s one way the Chamber helps keep their member businesses and organizations visible throughout the Webster 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).
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
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