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Jazz Festival details: who’s playing and when

30 Jul

Get ready to dance in the streets in a few weeks, when the Webster Jazz Festival returns.

The event will stretch over two days Friday and Saturday Aug. 18 and 19, kicking off with “Jazz in the Pubs” Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. 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 musicians represent some of the best from the Rochester music scene, including some returning favorites and some new faces.

The music continues Saturday night when jazz takes to the street.

Beginning at 4 p.m., an outstanding lineup of musical entertainment will perform from the big West Main Street stage, featuring musicians from around Rochester and Upstate. There will be some tables and chairs set up, but they go pretty fast, so plan to bring your own, set them up in the middle of the street and enjoy music all evening long.

This year’s Webster Jazz Festival brings back some familiar faces and some new ones. Nicholas Brust, a Webster Schroeder HS grad, returns to his hometown for his first appearance at the festival. Deepak Thettu, another Schroeder grad, will play both Friday and Saturday evenings. Paradigm Shift and Marco Amadio return and newcomers Sarah DeValliere and Tyler Scott Owens will knock your socks off. Simple Pleasures with Grammy-nominated Jimmie Highsmith, Jr. and vocalist Julie Delario keep the party going on Saturday night.

Here’s the schedule (click on the name to get more information about each band):

Friday Aug. 18:

  • 6:30 p.m.Jazz Generation at JoJo’s Wine Bar, 42 E. Main St. An instrumental acoustic guitar duo presenting a mix of popular world jazz music.
  • 6:30 p.m. Joe Chiappone and Vince Ercolamento at Barry’s Old School Irish, 2 West Main St., jazz guitar and saxophone.
  • 6:45 p.m.Sarah De Vallière at Cobblestone on Main, 109 W. Main St. An award-winning composer, classically-trained pianist and outstanding singer-songwriter, performing “cinematic folk rock with nuances of jazz and pop.”
  • 7:00 p.m.: Marco Amadio on the piano at Brimont Bistro, 24 W. Main St.
  • 7:15 p.m.: Paradigm Shift at Ploty’s Hometown Tavern, 27 W. Main St., performing “organic, funky grooves with street-level ambiance.”
  • 8:00 p.m.: Guitarist Deepak Thettu and Friends at The Coach Sports Bar, 17 W. Main St. Another graduate of Webster Schroeder High School.

Saturday Aug. 19:

  • 4:00 p.m.: Nicholas Brust, bandleader, composer, a premier saxophonist of his generation, and graduate of Webster Schroeder High School
  • 5:45 p.m.: Tyler Scott Owens, Rochester-based vocalist and songwriter
  • 7:00 p.m.: Smooth jazz sounds from Judah Sealy, a graduate of School of the Arts and Roberts Wesleyan College
  • 9:00 p.m.: Simple Pleasures, a high-energy group led by Grammy-nominated saxophonist Jimmie Highsmith, Jr.

This is always a huge event, so you’ll really want to be a part of it.

To find out more about the 2023 Webster Jazz Festival, visit the Webster BID website.

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(posted 7/30/2023)

Barry’s Old School Irish is closing

23 Jul

The Village of Webster’s very own Irish pub, Barry’s Old School Irish, is closing.

Danny and Jessica Barry announced the news this morning on their Facebook page, and it’s already spreading like wildfire. For those like me, who consider Danny and Jess extended family, the news came as a kick in the gut. Since Barry’s opened almost 12 years ago, the pub has become kind of like village’s living room, where families and friends came to gather for a pint, parties, live traditional Irish music … it’s been like a second home.

But while the news comes as a shock for us all, it’s an exciting development for the Barrys. It’s just the next big step in their journey which began with opening their pub and is now expanding with the production of their Barry’s Irish Cream.

The Barrys have been working on their Irish Cream brand for a good year now, and most of us know they’ve arranged to have it produced in Ireland. But they’ve been struggling with finding enough time and space to both run the pub and start marketing their Irish Cream full-time here in the states. The only way to do that is to expand.

So the good news is, Barry’s Old School Irish is not closing forever. It’s just going to be moving, to a bigger location where Danny and Jess can work together to continue to fulfill their original dream — running a traditional, family-oriented Irish pub — while also building their new dream of selling their original Irish cream. Even better news is they’re looking to find a place in Webster, and that is, Danny said, “100% guaranteed.”

The timeline for the move is still up in the air, but we do know that the last day for Barry’s Old School Irish as we now know it will be in September, so stay tuned for more about the big party planned that day. In the meantime, visit the Barry’s Old School Irish Facebook page, where Danny and Jess will tell you more about their exciting news.

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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 7/23/2023)

Uncle Buck’s is ready to open!

20 Jul

I don’t usually post two blogs in the same day, but I found out some exciting news yesterday.

I happened upon the Uncle Buck’s food truck serving up dinners at the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market at Charles Sexton Park, where Geoff and Carrie Buckert told me that they’re finally ready to open the doors of their new scratch kitchen to the public.

Well, kind of.

They’re starting out slow, for now opening just one day a week, for their Fish Fry Fridays (and more)! Every Friday (starting this week, July 21), you can get a battered or broiled fish fry, their famous boardwalk fries (or baked potato) and coleslaw for $17. Or if fish isn’t your thing, there will be several other items on the menu each week. Check out this week’s menu below.

The fish fries will be served from 4:30 to 8:30, and I have a feeling they’re going to be very popular, so you might want to call ahead.

Uncle Buck’s is located at 9 South Ave., in the former Carl’s Pizza Kitchen location. For more information, check out their website or 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)

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(posted 7/20/2023)

Up ahead in the village: music, games and BED RACES!

19 Jul

The Webster Business Improvement District (BID) has a few great events on the schedule this weekend, and has just announced the exciting return in September of the Bed Race!

First up is the next Friday Night Concert at the gazebo on North Ave. This week’s concert features Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross, a Celtic rock band playing music from Ireland and Scotland. Celtic Cross is a regular visitor to Barry’s Old School Irish, so you may have seen them there and already know that they pack a lot of energy.

Next Friday, the Friday night concert will feature the Beatles tribute band 8 Days a Week. Visit the Webster BID website for additional dates.


This Saturday night July 22, mark your calendar for the BID’s first Family Games Night. In the past, these very popular family fun nights took place on Main Street, but this one has moved to Gazebo Park, where the Friday night concerts happen.

There will be plenty for both kids and adults to enjoy, including Zumba for the kids (and adults), some fun activities from Roc Dance, sidewalk chalk, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, Cornhole and more.

It all happens Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Gazebo Park.


AND THIS JUST IN!

Details have just been announced for the Bed Race, which is returning to East Main Street on Sept. 16. Here’s the announcement from the BID website:

The Bed Race is back!! Grab 4 friends or family members as runners and one “sleeper”(5 people total) and construct a bed to race an obstacle course on East Main St in the Village of Webster. Hosted by the Business Improvement District along with Webster Rotary, Webster Lions Club and Webster Kiwanis, this event is to help raise money for the Webster Community Chest. Merchants on Main St will also be celebrating with a Sidewalk Sale on the day of the event. The Junior event is for ages 14-19 years and will be run separately from the senior event.

I’ll post more details soon, but in the meantime, visit the BID website for rules and registration information.

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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 7/19/2023)

Photos from the Firemen’s Parade

14 Jul

Despite a heavy downpour earlier in the day and some rather threatening clouds in the west around parade time, the weather was pretty spectacular for this year’s Firemen’s Parade Thursday night. Thousands of people lined Main Street to watch the annual spectacle.

The parade, which lasted about 75 minutes, was heavy on fire trucks and emergency vehicles, much to the delight of the children in the audience. Several local businesses and community agencies also took part, throwing candy by the handful along the way — much to the delight of the children in the audience.

As usual, I took a few photos. Click here for a full gallery.

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

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(posted 7/14/2023)

The Village is bloomin’ beautiful

13 Jul

The Village of Webster is charming pretty much all year, but it’s particularly beautiful during the summer months.

This time of year the flower beds are in full bloom, the big planters lining the streets have grown tall, and the hanging baskets on the light poles are overflowing with color. The Village Hall gardens are looking spectacular, as are the flowering shrubs and gardens down at the little pocket park at North Ave. and Rt. 104, welcoming visitors to the village.

Maintaining all of these plantings takes a lot of time and effort. On my morning walks I often see the watering guy puttering around town in his golf cart, diligently poking a watering wand up into each and every planter and hanging basket.

So thank you, Village employees for keeping our little corner of the world so beautiful. Your efforts are appreciated.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (@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 7/13/2023)

News from Revelle’s Home Decor

11 Jul

I heard some news the other day about one of our village’s newest businesses, Revelle’s Home Decor, and it’s kind of a good news/bad news situation.

The GOOD news is that business is good for Revelle’s. The BAD news is that means they’ve already outgrown their new place on East Main Street.

Revelle’s Home Decor only opened two months ago at 5 East Main, right next to the (also brand new) M.O. Pasta. I stopped in there several times and always had a wonderful chat with owner Peggy Revelle, who clearly was looking forward to becoming an integral part of the local business scene and participating in Village events.

So the loss of Revelle’s is really a loss for the village. But, as I said, this is good news for the family-owned business. Clearly, business has been so good that they’ve already realized they need more space for all the things they want to do, including featuring more new furniture and local crafters and vendors. Peggy also said their paint parties have really taken off, and they need a lot more space for them.

Revelle’s has already found a new space in Ontario at 1864 Rt. 104 East, less than a mile east of Ontario Center Rd.

In anticipation of the move, Revelle’s Home Decor’s Webster Village store is now closed. But in just a few weeks — sometime in August — you can visit their much bigger shop in Ontario, just 10 minutes down Rt. 104.

In the meantime, another business is already planning to move into the empty Revelle’s space, so stay tuned for news about that.

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

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(posted 7/10/2023)

Friday night concerts are back, and other mailbag news

6 Jul

The Village of Webster summer season officially kicks off this Friday July 7 with the first in the Friday Night Gazebo Concert series, featuring the Red Hot and Blue Band.

RHB plays Americana, Roots, and Blues Rock music that will get you dancing and bring back a lot of great memories.  

Coming up later in the summer at the gazebo:

The concerts begin at 7 p.m. at the gazebo on North Ave. and admission is free. Bring the whole family, some folding chairs and a blanket, and a cooler if you’d like, then enjoy some beautiful music.

Here’s a quick look at what else is being planned in the village this summer. For more information about all of these events and more, visit websterbid.com.

Webster NY Hope sends along this important message:

We are seeing more Webster households in need of assistance with food and hygiene items. Therefore, we are having a food and garage sale donation drive-up on Saturday, July 22 from 10-noon.

Hope volunteers will be collecting items behind Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road, near the  Knights of Columbus building. Tax receipts available on request. We suggest entering from Phillips Road, and drop-off for garage sale and food donations will be on your right. You don’t even need to leave your car.

Garage sale is scheduled for Sept. 13 to 16. More to come about that.

That same evening, Saturday July 22, Hope is holding a fundraiser at the Panera restaurant in Towne Center Plaza, from 4 to 8 p.m. Just mention Webster Hope as you order and Hope will receive a donation to help low-income Webster residents.

Covid couldn’t deter the Class of ’71

Thanks to the pandemic, the RL Thomas Class of ’71 had to postpone their 50th reunion. But undeterred, they they decided to throw themselves a 70th birthday party instead.

The event was held on Saturday June 24 at Schutt’s Apple Mill, and featured food trucks, two alumni bands, a cornhole tournament, foosball tables, horseshoes, hay rides, and a memorabilia table. More than 160 folks attended, and for six hours played games and did a lot of talking and reminiscing.

Thanks to Dave Eckler for the report and photos!

The R.L. Thomas Class of ’71 will be holding a 70th Birthday Bash on Saturday June 24 at Schutt’s Apple Mill from 5 to 7 p.m. Thanks to COVID, the class was unable to hold its 50th reunion, so they’ve decided to celebrate their 70 birthdays together instead.

Caring Community Concerts begin next week

The United Church of Christ‘s Caring Community Concert series returns next week.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations. The first one, scheduled for Wednesday July 12, will feature Allegro, and proceeds will benefit the Webster Hope Food Pantry. (See the flier below for the whole schedule.) 

There’s no admission, but each week the church collects a free-will offering benefiting that week’s chosen non-profit organization.

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.)

For more information about the concerts, click here.

More concerts, more concerts, more concerts

The Summer Concert Series at Cherry Ridge is in full swing. The next concert is scheduled for Tuesday July 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring Eight Days a Week. The concerts are held outside, and the grounds open up at 5 p.m. with food available for purchase. So bring your lawn chair and enjoy some beautiful music.

On August 8, the GateSwingers Big Band will perform, also beginning at 6:30 p.m.

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 (@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 7/6/2023)

Webster Firemen’s Carnival returns next week

3 Jul

When the orange water barrels, rolls of snow fencing and trash bins start showing up at Firemen’s Field, you know it’s almost time for the carnival.

Without a doubt, the highlights of the Webster summer event schedule are the Firemen’s Carnival and parade. This year’s carnival is scheduled for Wednesday July 12 through Saturday July 15, with the parade on Thursday night.

You can check out all the details about what will be happening — and when — at the NEJFD website and Carnival Facebook page but here are some of the highlights:

Wednesday July 12:

  • Craft Beer Night in the Beer Tent

Thursday July 13:

  • Firemen’s Parade begins at 6:30 p.m.
  • North Forty plays in the Beer Tent

Friday July 14:

  • Zac Brown Tribute Band plays in the Beer Tent

Saturday July 15:

  • Kiddie Parade at noon, beginning at Spry Middle School
  • Rich the Magic Man entertains at the fairgrounds
  • Free kids’ bike and grill raffle
  • Knight Patrol playing in the Beer Tent
  • Fireworks at midnight

And of course, games, rides and food every night. Admission is free, and to save money on rides, you can buy advance sale tickets through the Carnival Facebook page. You’ll also want to follow that page for more details and regular updates.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (@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 7/3/2023)

Webster community mailbag

22 Jun

Summer is officially upon us, and Webster has teed up a whole schedule of live music, festivals and special events.

But first, this important community event: The Webster Health Education Network (WHEN) is sponsoring a drug take-back event on Saturday June 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Webster Wastewater Treatment Facility , 226 Phillips Rd. This is your chance to safely dispose of unused, expired or unwanted medications. Only pills will be accepted; please no liquids or sharps.

Learn more at Whendfcc.org

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And since we’re talking about doing good things for our community, here’s Webster HOPE’s Home’s June Wish List:

  • canned pineapple
  • canned beets
  • dish soap
  • laundry detergent
  • cooking oil
  • ketchup, mayonnaise
  • shampoos and conditioner
  • diapers (size 4 and 5)

Webster HOPE is located at 1450 Ridge Rd., and open Monday from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Find out more at websternyhope.org.

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Schutt’s Apple Mill‘s Summer Celebration returns on Saturday July 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.

This is a great family-friendly event complete with a food truck, ice cream, a bounce house, magic show, animals, face painting, wagon rides and lots more.

There’s a charge for some of the activities, but there’s lots of free stuff for everyone.

Schutt’s is located at 1063 Plank Rd.

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The Summer Concert Series at Cherry Ridge is in full swing. The next concert is scheduled for Tuesday July 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring Eight Days a Week. The concerts are held outside, and the grounds open up at 5 p.m. with food available for purchase. So bring your lawn chair and enjoy some beautiful music.

On August 8, the GateSwingers Big Band will perform, also beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Registration is requested. Click here to do so.

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The Friday Night Gazebo Concert series in the Village of Webster is coming together. Here’s the schedule:

  • July 7: The Red Hot and Blue Band
  • July 21: Celtic Cross
  • July 28: Eight Days a Week

The concerts run from 7 to 9 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park on North Ave. in the village, and are free. Bring a lawn chair and blanket and a cooler if you’d like! Information about more concerts as they’re added can be found at websterbid.com

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The United Church of Christ’s Caring Community Concert series is returning this summer, beginning July 12.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations through free-will donations. The first one will feature Allegro, and proceeds will benefit the Webster Hope Food Pantry. The rest of the summer features:

  • July 19: Ruby Shooz
  • July 26: Prime Time Brass
  • Aug. 2: Dady and Ryan
  • Aug. 9: 8 Days a Week

There’s no admission charge, but each week the church collects a free-will offering benefiting that week’s chosen non-profit organization.

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On July 22, mark your calendars for the Summer Splash Family Event from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Responders Splash Park, on Chiyoda Drive next door to the Rec Center. If you’ve never been to this spray park before, you owe your children a chance to check it out because it’s good for hours of water fun. The event will include a bubble foam machine and Rich the Magic Man, plus FREE Snowie Ice sponsored by Gleason Orthodontics.

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The 50th annual Waterfront Art Festival returns on Saturday and Sunday July 29 and 30 at Charles E. Sexton Park (formerly North Ponds). It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and features quality fine art and crafts stretching all along the park’s beautiful, shaded pathways.

There’s live music, food vendors, free alcohol tastings, dozens of local artisans and plenty of free parking. Admission is only $5, with children 12 and under free.

Click here for more information.

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Looking ahead to August, mark your calendars for the Webster Jazz Fest, scheduled for Friday and Saturday August 18 and 19. More information to come about that, but you can check out details in the meantime as they’re posted at websterbid.com.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (@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 6/22/2023)