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Successful Jazz Fest 2017 in the books

24 Jul

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I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that the Webster Jazz Fest keeps getting bigger every year. Pretty soon they’re going to have to move the stage another couple hundred feet down West Main to fit everyone.

It’s hard to believe that this year’s event was the 10th annual, and in that time, our little Jazz Fest has really grown into something that’s pretty well respected. Sure, it’s no Rochester Jazz Fest, but the two-day event features high-quality entertainment, great food courtesy our increasing variety of village restaurants, and — at least two years in a row now — nice weather.

Here are a few photos from the evening. Click here to see more in a gallery.

 

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Summer fun in the neighborhoods and village

19 Jul

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On the theme of summer fun, Jill Nelson sent me these photos from a street party her Creekbend Lane neighbors enjoyed last weekend, complete with a bounce house and an ice cream truck.

(I’m thinking I need to move to that neighborhood.)

They don’t LOOK like kids, but….

Thank you to Sylvia Hungerford for this delightful photo of one of my favorite bands ever, whom she called a “ragtag group of musicians.” It was taken at this year’s Webster Kiddie Parade during the Firemen’s Carnival weekend.

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This group, led by Jeannette Altavela leads the kiddie parade every year, and just have tons of fun. Sylvia wrote,

 

It is a fun event where we dress in costumes and let our hair down. The antithesis of formal parade guidelines, there are none. You can be out of line, out of step, mingle with the crowd and enjoy the children parading the route with their costumes. What fun it is.

For the first time in years I had to miss the kiddie parade, so I appreciate Sylvia sending along this photo. I also got several other photos from some of my readers, which I’ve put in a slideshow below. The first two are from Amy Weetman and the three others from Rebecca Parzynski and her amazing Bella’s Bumbas.

If anyone else has some photos you’d like posted, please send them along!

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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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Jazz and Santa in one weekend. This is Webster!

18 Jul

jazz fest 2016

This weekend’s Webster fun is so spectacular that I’ve already looked at the long-term forecast — especially given how unsettled the weather has been so far this summer — and it’s looking pretty good.

So get your quad chairs and coolers ready, because the 10th Annual Webster Jazz Fest returns to the village this Friday and Saturday.

Here are the details:

Friday night July 21: Jazz in the Pubs

Live music will be featured all around the village in five different pubs and entertainment venues, at staggered times so you can hop from one to another:

  • Gregg Herman & Geoff Smith, 6:30-8 pm, Sweet Wood BBQ
  • El Rojo Jazz, 7-8:30 pm, The Coach Bar & Grill
  • Marco Amadio, 7-9 pm, The Brimont Bistro
  • Em K Jazz, 7:15-8:45, Barry’s Old School Irish
  • Amanda Ashley, 8 – 10 pm, Pub 235
  • Paradigm Shift, 9-11 pm, The Coach Bar & Grill

Saturday July 22: Jazz on the Street

West Main Street will come alive with music, cafe tables, restaurant service, and hundreds upon hundreds of quad chairs and jazz fans spread as far as the eye can see.

Entertainment begins at 6 pm. Here’s the schedule:

  • 5-6 pm, The Mambo Kings
  • 6:15-7:45 pm, Walter Chatman and the Joyful Music Experience
  • 8-9:15 pm, Jimmie Highsmith Jr.
  • 9:15- ??, Cabo Frio

Hope for good weather, and make sure you’re in town for the fun!

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santa at the market

Now that summer is in full swing, so is Webster’s Joe Obbie Farmer’s Market. If you haven’t been there yet this summer, this is definitely the weekend to go, especially if your kids already have their Christmas lists started, because Santa will be on hand for the market’s annual Christmas in July event.

The Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday through October from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm in the Webster Towne Center Plaza (Target plaza) in front of Old Navy. Regional growers provide locally-grown veggies and fruits, baked goods, plants, maple syrup, honey, meats, and hand-crafted items.

And, this Saturday, Santa will be arriving at 10 am, and there’ll be a special performance by the Webster Village Band.

Check out the Farmer’s Market Facebook page for more information.

P.S. I understand that Santa will be arriving on a Webster Fire Department vehicle, which my firefighter son will be driving. Is there anyone out there who would be able to snap a photo or two of Santa and Sean for me?

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BC’s Chicken Coop has new, bigger location

17 Jul

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After six and a half years on South Avenue, Brandie Rauber and Christina Wasson have finally found a bigger and better location for their popular village restaurant, BC’s Chicken Coop, now at 159 West Main Street.

Brandie and Chris opened The Coop in November 2010, jumping on the chance to take over the old pizza shop at 9 South Avenue shortly after it closed. Since then they’ve been cooking up the tastiest fried chicken and ribs this side of the Mississippi. (That’s not just my opinion. Their wings have won awards.)

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Chris Wasson and Brandie Rauber at the new Coop

In the years since, they became strong Webster supporters, building the kind of rock-solid, community-focused business that Webster desperately needs.

But they also struggled at times with health and financial issues, and the small space they had to work with didn’t make things any easier.

Their perseverance was finally rewarded at the end of June when they moved into their beautiful new, bigger and more visible restaurant on West Main.

There’s a lot to love about the new place. For starters, it’s about twice the size of the South Avenue location, which means a much bigger kitchen and more than four times the seating capacity. That’s plenty of room for people to stretch out and relax with a soda or water while their dinner is being cooked up fresh.

There’s also a public bathroom and plenty of parking right outside the front door, two things they didn’t have at all before.

Chris and Brandie have had to make some adjustments as they settle inIMG_5169. For example, on South Ave., everything was packaged for take-out, but now orders might need to be put in baskets to be served at a table. On the plus side, thanks to more storage space, now they have room to prepare some things ahead and don’t have to worry about running out of food.

What’s remained the same is the Coop’s outstanding menu. I’m a huge fan of their cornbread and juicy fried chicken, with a coating so flavorful I could eat all by itself.  But their ribs and wings are also highly rated. And they cook everything to order, using locally-sourced products.

It’s been a tough road, but Brandie and Chris have finally found themselves — and the Coop — in a pretty good place right now.

Judging from the constant stream of customers in and out of the Coop before and after the Firemen’s Parade last Thursday, it’s clear lots of people are excited about the move. Some were perhaps discovering the Coop for the first time, now that it’s so much more visible and accessible.

It’s been a dream come true for Brandie and Chris, and they’re grateful to Webster for helping them get there.

“This was the end goal, to do something like this,” Brandie said.

“I think that all of Webster from the get-go has pulled for us,” Chris said. “They kept us alive so that we could do this and we were determined not to leave Webster because of it.”

“I think it’s going to be like this forever,” she added.  I certainly hope so.

BC’s Chicken Coop is located at 159 West Main Street in Webster.  Click here to visit their Facebook page, or call 585-265-1185.

 

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Photos from the Firemen’s Parade

14 Jul

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For the first time in my memory, rain threatened to dampen the annual Webster Firemen’s Parade on Thursday night. Fortunately it never came, but it the threat of nasty weather might have shortened it. At a little less than 90 minutes long, I swear there were fewer marching groups this year (everyone missed the Shriners and their little cars) and the crowds also seemed to be smaller.

But it was a terrific event, and the cooler, overcast skies were a lot more comfortable than the stifling heat we sometimes get.

Here’s a gallery of photos from the event. Towards the end of the parade we were having a little fun with the marching firefighters, so make sure to check out all the pictures for a couple that might make you smile. Plus, if you were there, you and your kids might be in one as well.

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Big week for food and fun in Webster

10 Jul

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Let’s hope the weather holds this week, because there are a lot of fun events coming up.

This week, of course, is when the Webster Firemen’s Carnival returns to town, kicked off with the huge Firemen’s Parade which will take over Main Street in the village on Thursday evening.

You can find all the details here about the Kiddie Parade, the Firemen’s Parade, and the carnival, but here are a few highlights:

  • Wednesday: Carnival opens at 6 pm at Firemen’s Field on Main Street. Featured attraction is a Craft Beer Night.
  • Thursday: The Firemen’s Parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. , starting at Phillips Road and continuing down Main Street to Firemen’s Field. The carnival is open from 6 pm till late.
  • Friday: Carnival opens at 6 p.m., featuring live entertainment in the beer pavilion.
  • Saturday: The Kiddie Parade will be held beginning at 12 noon (this appears to be a change from previous years when it was held Wednesday night). Registration begins at 11 a.m. at Spry Middle School. The carnival runs through midnight with live entertainment, rides, games, food and drink, a bike raffle, and fireworks to end the night.

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And don’t forget about the Webster Marching Band Boosters’ second annual Food Truck Rodeo, scheduled for this Friday July 21 from 5 to 9 pm in Webster Schroeder High School’s front parking lot.

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.

At least 11 food trucks will be on hand, including Macarollin, Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza, Rob’s Kabobs, The Meatball Truck Co., Midnight Smokin’ BBQ, Meat the Press, Le Petit Poutine, WingNutz, Abbott’s Frozen Custard, Kona Ice, and Smoothies Plus.

There will also be face painting for the kids, a visit by a West Webster Fire Department truck, and live music provided by the Aaron Rizzo Trio. 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 Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Road.

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Webster Community Mailbag

8 Jul

mailbagThis week’s mailbag is packed with news from the St. Martin Lutheran Church, the Webster Village Band and the town and village of Webster. So grab your calendar, and keep reading!

 

Pulled Pork Drive Thru BBQ

St. Martin Lutheran Church is holding a Pulled Pork Drive Thru barbecue on Saturday, July 15 from 4:30 until gone at the church on 813 Bay Road, Webster. Pull into the parking lot, place your order, and the dinner will be delivered to you in your car.

The take-out dinner includes pulled pork, roll, salt potatoes, cole slaw and cookie for $9.00. Proceeds support the church’s annual Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 children and teens in Monroe and Wayne counties.

Webster Village Band 

The Webster Village Band‘s summer schedule is off to a strong start thanks to recent nice weather. Their most recent concert was held at the United Church of Christ last Wednesday, and was well attended.

Their next two appearances are their regular Thursday night gig at the band shell on Phillips Road, Thursday, July 20 beginning at 7 p.m., and their always popular Christmas in July concert at the Joe Obbie Farmer’s Market (Kohl’s/Target Plaza) on Saturday morning, July 22 beginning at 10 a.m.

The Webster Village Band is directed by Tom Indiano and Associate Director Sue Siegmund. Their concerts are always free and always open to the public. Here’s a quick slideshow of photos from last Wednesday’s UCC concert and last year’s Christmas in July.

Town Hall Renovations are Progressing

Supervisor Nesbitt has provided an update on the Town Hall renovations. He writes:

All of the exposed asbestos has been removed, and now the crews have started on demolishing walls, ceilings, and floors.

There will be new restrooms for men and women installed, along with the updating of offices and the common rooms all around town hall. The new door entries are being installed so the wind does not catch the doors and break them anymore. There will also be more security put in place for our employees’ safety. Cameras will be installed in the building common areas and overlooking the parking lots for security of all.

The Police Department is seeing a complete face lift of their operation complete with cameras, new booking area, new locker rooms for the officers, upgrades to the detention area, and new flooring throughout the department.

So far, operating from the temporary offices in the Van Ingen Court Building seems to working out well. Remember that all Town Hall functions have been moved to the Van Ingen building (behind Town Hall) until construction is completed later this year. So bring all your business there, and make sure to have a smile for all the Town Hall employees who are enduring through it all!

Webster Waterfront Art Festival

Make sure to mark your calendars for the third annual Waterfront Art Festival, scheduled for Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 at North Ponds Park. Dozens of vendors will gather with high-quality craft items and good food, and entertainment will be provided throughout the day.

The best place to find parking is at the Xerox lot off of Phillips Road, where a free shuttle bus will take you to the park and back.

Summer in the Village

The summer village music scene is heating up. There have already been three concerts at the gazebo, and the Friday night series continues for the next two months, the next one scheduled for July 28 at 7 p.m., featuring the fusion sounds of The Ryan Johnson Project.

On the weekend prior to that, the 10th annual Webster Jazz Festival returns to Main Street on July 21 and 22.

Nationally acclaimed Fusion Jazz great Cabo Frio headlines the weekend, with other acts including The Mambo Kings, Walter Chatman, Jimmie Highsmith Jr, Paradigm Shift, El Rojo Jazz, Marco Amadio and many more.

Movies in the Park is also celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Upcoming features include Tuesday night movies for kids like The Batman Lego Movie, and Disney’s Big Friendly Giant, and Saturday night date-night movies like Casablanca and the Out of Towners. The movies take place in Gazebo Park on North Avenue.

The music and movies are all sponsored by our local businesses, members of the Webster Business Improvement District. Click here for more details about all of these special events, and many more.

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Webster Village Band is back in action

26 Jun

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The Webster Village Band concert season has officially begun!

Inclement weather held off last Thursday night, allowing the Webster Village Band to perform their first concert of the season at the band shell on Phillips Road.

I’m told that attendance at the concert was quite good, which makes my heart smile. Perhaps Webster village and town residents are finally hearing about this wonderful musical group and realizing what a treasure we have in our community.

 

The band performs most Thursday nights throughout the summer. Upcoming dates are July 6 and 20, and August 3, 10, 24 and 31. Concerts begin at 7 pm and audience members are encouraged to bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a cooler, and stretch out on the spacious lawn area in front of the band shell.  The concerts are free and open to the public.

If it rains, the concerts are moved to the Cherry Ridge Senior Center, 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd. (across from Webster Schroeder High School).  For the latest weather updates, check the group’s Facebook page.

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Santa conducts the Webster Village Band at last year’s Christmas in July concert

The band also has a few special performance dates coming up. They’ll be at the United Church of Christ on Klem Road in Webster on Wednesday, July 5 from 6:30-8:00 pm, and will return for their annual Christmas in July concert at the Farmer’s Market (Kohl’s/Target Plaza) on Saturday July 22 at 10 am.

 

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Webster celebrates summer today

24 Jun

fireworks-mdIt’s officially summer, and the town will welcome the season today (Saturday) with a grand celebration.

The Town of Webster’s annual summer party will be held at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, beginning at 4 p.m., and will feature food trucks, games, and inflatables for the kids.

The band Stateline kicks off the entertainment from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m, followed by Brass Taxi from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. A huge fireworks display caps off the evening’s festivities at 10 p.m.

There’s plenty of free parking in the Rec Center lot or across Chiyoda Drive at Xerox, and a shuttle will be provided all night long.

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An image from last year’s Waterfront Arts Festival

You’ll also want to mark your calendars right now for the third annual Waterfront Arts Festival, scheduled this year for July 29 and 30 at North Ponds Park.

The third annual Webster Waterfront Arts Festival will take place this year on Saturday, July 29th and Sunday, July 30th at North Ponds Park.

Artists from all over Monroe County will line North Ponds’ walkways, displaying an incredible variety of high quality craft items. There are food trucks, entertainment, a wine tasting booth and other exhibits.

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Welcome to a new journalistic colleague

23 Jun

lily brunnerI would like to send out a personal welcome to Lily Brunner, the new editor for the Webster Herald. 

Lily is taking over for Anna Hubbel, who will not be leaving the paper entirely, but will be scaling back her responsibilities.

According to Lily’s first-page article of introduction in this week’s edition, she’s a resident of Brighton and a brand spanking new graduate of Houghton College in Caneadea, NY (west of Hornell) where she earned a degree in communication. She originally wanted to become an elementary school teacher, she wrote, but halfway through her college career “started to discover my passion for working in media and communications.”

Lily is especially passionate about photography, so I think we’ll be seeing some pretty spectacular photos of local events in coming editions.

Welcome to Webster, Lily! I’m sure our paths will cross soon. I look forward to meeting you.

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