One of my favorite 5K races of the year returns to Village of Webster streets next Friday night, and I will definitely be there, as I have for the past several years.
It’s the First Responders 5K, and I especially like this event for a few reasons. First, it’s in the Village of Webster, so I don’t have to travel very far to participate. For that matter, since it begins at the south end of Fireman’s Field, I can walk to the start line from my house. PLUS the course runs right by my house. And a lot of my friends run this race with me, which always makes it more fun.
I also like supporting 5K events that raise money for good causes. The First Responders 5K benefits the First Responders Special Treatment Agency (FRST Agency), which is dedicated to helping first responders and their families deal with mental trauma.
The race is scheduled for Friday Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. It will BEGIN AND END at the south side of Fireman’s Field on Sanford St., and take racers through east-side village neighborhoods. Cost is $43, or $19 for active first responders (advance registration required). Each racer will also receive a t-shirt, and food and drink after the race.
My family will once again be setting up our “refreshment” stop on Fuller Ave., with water — and beer — so watch for our signs!
To register for the race, and for more information including a course map, click here . They’re also looking for volunteers, which is an easy gig and nets you a t-shirt, too. You can also find out more about that opportunity on the website.
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A few weeks ago Iposted a blog about the Village of Webster’s new online newsletter, View From Main Street. What I didn’t mention in that blog is that the Village has also recently updated its website.
Right from the get-go, website visitors are greeted with some photos highlighting the village’s summertime floral beauty. Below that, there’s an easy-to-navigate menu directing visitors to several of the most popular landing places on the site.
Also on that home page is basic information about where Village Hall is located, the office hours and phone numbers, plus a quick-view calendar of events.
And that’s all. That’s everything on the home page, which is great. It’s attractive, clear and clean. No trying to fumble through a lot of information you don’t need. Just choose the topic you have a question about — meetings, passports, residential services, what have you — and with one click, you’re there.
Combine the new website with the new bi-weekly newsletter, and Village of Webster residents have two great places to get Village 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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I don’t know what it was about this year’s Webster Jazz Festival, but on Saturday night there was a LOT more dancing in the street than I remember from any years past.
Perhaps it was the gorgeous weather, and it certainly had a lot to do with the great music coming from the stage. But I also think that the Jazz Festival has really found its groove (pun intended) and has become known as one of our village’s best family events of the summer.
Once again this year the event drew huge crowds, which seemed to grow bigger every minute as the evening progressed, this despite the Heroes and Hidden Heroes music festival taking place just down Main Street at Fireman’s Field. And those who did stay until after dark to watch Prime Time Funk close the show were treated to a charming display of twinkly lights strung along and across Main Street and through the trees.
Congratulations to the Webster BID for putting on another great event (and especially to Tom Spoonhower), to all the restaurants who set up shop to provide dinner, and to all of the performers for putting on an outstanding show.
Friday night’s Jazz in the Pubs was well attended, too, by the way. Even though the threatening forecast earlier in the day caused the street festival to be canceled, the pubs were packed as people hopscotched around the village to sample five different bands.
Click here to see my gallery of … well, only about 80 photos this time, all from Saturday night. There’s a lot of dancing.
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There was a local holiday — of sorts — celebrated last Thursday Aug. 1. It was Helen Miller Day, and even though it’s an annual event, you’re forgiven if it passed you by unnoticed. I wouldn’t have even known about it myself had I not happened upon the celebration that evening at Coach Sports Bar in the village.
There, gathered mostly in a far corner of the Coach patio, was a boisterous crowd of 30, all friends or family members of the late Helen Miller, who passed away in 2012. They come together every year on the first day of August to laugh, share stories, raise a pint and remember a lady who was a true friend to Webster.
Helen Miller was a long-time Webster resident and very involved in her community. Among other organizations, she belonged to the Iroquois Club, Webster Democratic Party, the Women’s Club of Webster, the Webster Softball League and two golf leagues.
But Helen was also an artist, perhaps best known for works of art which still grace our daily lives here in Webster, including the mural and stained glass windows in the Community Meeting Hall, and more stained glass at the Webster Volunteer Fire Department and Webster Arboretum.
Helen loved Webster so much and was such an important part of our community that in 2009, then-Mayor Jake Swingly proclaimed August 1 to be Helen Miller Day in the Village of Webster. And so it is that every year since 2012, when Helen passed away, her friends and family come together every August 1 to celebrate Helen Miller Day.
Her daughter Diane said the annual event is a celebration “of Mom’s love of people and life.” After all, according to her obituary,
Helen looked for any excuse to get everyone together to have a party. Thank you for teaching us to love with all our hearts, to laugh often to turn the negative to a positive, to enjoy every minute and share it all with family and friends. … Unforgettable is her positive attitude and ability to “Love You More.”
Helen Miller clearly had a kind spirit and a zest for life, setting an example for us all. And you know that if she’s looking down on these annual festivities, she’s smiling and laughing along with everyone else, and her heart is full.
And rest assured, on August 1, 2025, you’ll find me at the Coach, raising a glass to Helen Miller.
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last month, you already know about the Webster Jazz Festival coming up this Friday and Saturday.
The fun begins Friday night at 6:30 p.m. with “Jazz in the Pubs,” featuring five different bands playing in five different pubs, at staggered times so music lovers can travel from one to another to enjoy a wide variety of fine jazz. (Keep reading for the schedule.) And P.S. the Jazz in the Pubs street event has been cancelled due to the rain.
Then, Saturday night is the big-time party beginning at 4 p.m. with an outstanding lineup of musical entertainers performing on the West Main Street stage. Bring your folding chairs and coolers, and just set up camp for the evening along with thousands of your friends and neighbors.
Here are the schedules:
Friday Aug. 9
6:30 p.m.: Andy Calabrese and Peter Chwazik at Cobblestone on Main, 109 W. Main St. Calabrese is a pianist, educator and music producer and Rochester-based Chwazik is a bassist and guitarist.
6:45 p.m.: Sarah De Vallière at JoJo’s Webster, 42 E. 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.: Marvin Dolly & Mel Henderson at ROC Style, 5 W. Main St., performing “organic, funky grooves with street-level ambiance.”
7:15 p.m. Joe Chiappone & Vince Ercolamentoat Ploty’s Tavern, 27 West Main St., jazz guitar and saxophone.
8:15 p.m.:Bill Tiberio Band at the Coach Sports Bar, 19 W. Main St., original contemporary jazz in a multitude of styles.
Saturday Aug. 10
4:00 p.m.: CMD, re-imagining old rock and pop hits on piano, bass and drums
6:45 p.m.: Smooth jazz sounds from Judah Sealy, a graduate of School of the Arts and Roberts Wesleyan College
8:30 p.m.:Prime Time Funk, 10-piece powerhouse of passionate musicians who write, arrange, and perform a world-class combination of funk, jazz and R&B
By the way, there’s no admission charge for any of this.
To find out more about the 2024 Webster Jazz Festival, and read more about the featured bands, visit the Webster BID website.
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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).
Just in time for this weekend’s Jazz Festival, the Village of Webster is looking beautiful.
Up and down Main Street, brightly colored annuals are bursting from flower beds and overflowing the luxuriant baskets hanging from the light poles. Things look especially attractive in front of Village Hall, as well they should, since it’s going to be pretty much front-and-center during this weekend’s festival.
Together with the always impressive planters which dot the sidewalks and the twinkly lights strung through the trees, it’s a charming look for our little village, giving it a very welcoming, small-town feel.
Thank you to anybody and everybody who had a hand in planning, planting and maintaining these summertime gardens.
Here’s a selection of photos in case you haven’t been in the village recently:
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As we walk or drive through the Village of Webster, we often — well, usually — fail to notice and appreciate the history that surrounds us.
The Village of Webster’s Historic Preservation Commission has made it their goal to shine a spotlight on some of these historical treasures. One way they’re doing that is with their recognition of Historic Sites of the Month, honoring a property’s historical significance and its enduring role in our community’s evolution. In July, that distinction was awarded to The Auction House at 150 Orchard St.
Early Beginnings: From Lumberyard to Taylor Rental Center
The history of The Auction House begins over a century ago when it first operated as a lumberyard. This early incarnation laid the foundation for its later transformations, serving the local community’s needs through different eras.
In the late 1960s, Gabler’s Decorating Center operated at 150 Orchard St., becoming a popular destination for home goods. Originally selling fabric for drapes, wallpaper, and similar products, they opened a fashion department in 1970, selling dress patterns and fashion fabrics.
In November 1971, Ralph Henty opened a Taylor Rental Center at this location. Recognizing the growing trend of renting rather than owning, Henty’s center offered over 12,000 items for rent, ranging from champagne fountains to road rollers, tools, exercise equipment, and more. This became part of a network of more than 175 Taylor Rental Centers nationwide, reflecting the increasing mobility and practical needs of the modern consumer.
The New Look and Webster Tool & Die, Inc. also operated at 150 Orchard St. during the 1970s at different points during the decade.
1980s-1990s: A Hub of Business and Community Activities
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, 150 Orchard Street continued to serve as a central hub for various community and business activities. The Taylor Rental Center remained a fixture, adapting to the times by expanding its inventory and services. In 1993, Dave Bardusch of C.E. Bardusch and Son, Inc., took ownership of the center. Bardusch brought fresh energy and competitive pricing to the business, ensuring its continued relevance and success.
The property also played host to several community events and smaller businesses. It was a place where local residents could rent everything from camping gear to party supplies, making it an essential part of daily life in Webster.
2000s: The Birth of Ann & Co. Auction Gallery
On July 7, 2000, Ann Marszalek opened Ann & Co. Auction Gallery at 150 Orchard Street. This 8,000-square foot space, once a lumberyard, was transformed into a vibrant auction gallery. Marszalek, an accredited appraiser and licensed auctioneer, brought her expertise and passion for antiques and collectibles to the gallery. The venue featured regular auctions, a 1950s style café, parking for 200 cars, and storage facilities, attracting a diverse clientele and becoming a beloved local institution.
Marszalek’s involvement in high-profile events like the “Antiques Road Show” in Rochester underscored the gallery’s reputation and her professional acumen. The gallery became a place where history and commerce intertwined, offering a unique service to the community.
Present and Future: A Dynamic Business Hub
Today, The Auction House continues to be a dynamic business hub, housing a variety of enterprises. The historic building is owned by Ryan Ricketts and Kim Cimino, operators of A Cleaner Image, which offers a wide-range of residential and commercial cleaning services. Sorella Salon Suites, owned by Dana and Nikki Sorella also operates on the first floor. The historical significance of the space and adaptive reuse have made it a model of preservation and innovation. Future plans include the development of lofts and additional office space, ensuring that the property will continue to evolve and serve the community in new and exciting ways.
A Unique Story of Community and Commerce
The story of The Auction House at 150 Orchard Street is a testament to Webster’s resilience and adaptability. From its early days as a lumberyard to its current status as a thriving business hub, the property has continually evolved to meet the community’s needs. Each transformation has added a new layer to its rich history, making it an important landmark in Webster.
Click here to find out more about the Village of Webster Historic Preservation Commission.
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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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At long last, the Village of Webster has begun to publish a beautiful new online newsletter.
I say “at long last” because I’ve been waiting for this day ever since Karen Buck joined the Village of Webster administration team last November as Deputy Clerk. She had previously worked at the Town of Webster, where one of her responsibilities was to create a weekly newsletter.
Even I (whom everyone thinks is on top or EVERYTHING all the time) was able to pull a lot of great news and event items from that newsletter. So when Karen started working at the Village offices, I started looking forward to having her use her magic to do a similar publication for the Village.
And now we have it. The first Village of Webster newsletter, called View From Main Street, was published earlier this week. As expected, it’s packed with an incredible amount of useful information, including:
tips about the Village’s brush pick-up services
Village department updates
highlights from the ongoing Reimagine Webster project
the latest news from the Historic Preservation Commission
the Webster Jazz Festival schedule
passport processing tips
an upcoming pharmaceutical collection event
You can check out the whole newsletter here and check back at the Village of Webster website every two weeks for the latest edition.
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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).
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. 9 and 10, kicking off with “Jazz in the Pubs” Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. Five different bands are scheduled to perform at five 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.
Here’s the music lineup for both days:
Friday Aug. 9
6:30 p.m.: Andy Calabrese and Peter Chwazik at Cobblestone on Main, 109 W. Main St. Calabrese is a pianist, educator and music producer and Rochester-based Chwazik is a bassist and guitarist.
6:45 p.m.: Sarah De Vallière at JoJo’s Webster, 42 E. 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.: Marvin Dolly & Mel Henderson at ROC Style, 5 W. Main St., performing “organic, funky grooves with street-level ambiance.”
7:15 p.m. Joe Chiappone & Vince Ercolamentoat Ploty’s Tavern, 27 West Main St., jazz guitar and saxophone.
8:15 p.m.:Bill Tiberio Band at the Coach Sports Bar, 19 W. Main St., original contemporary jazz in a multitude of styles.
Saturday Aug. 10
4:00 p.m.: CMD, re-imagining old rock and pop hits on piano, bass and drums
6:45 p.m.: Smooth jazz sounds from Judah Sealy, a graduate of School of the Arts and Roberts Wesleyan College
8:30 p.m.:Prime Time Funk, 10-piece powerhouse of passionate musicians who write, arrange, and perform a world-class combination of funk, jazz and R&B
The Webster Jazz Festival is an outstanding event that really brings out the best the Village of Webster has to offer. The streets are packed with people, the hanging baskets and planters are in full bloom, and after dark the street is lined with twinkly lights. There’s dancing and drinking and eating, and so much fun for friends and family. Plus there’s no admission.
To find out more about the 2024 Webster Jazz Festival, and read more about the featured bands, visit the Webster BID website.
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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).
It’s been a long time, but the former Music Store at 18 East Main Street in the Village of Webster will soon have a new tenant: Caraglio’s Pizza.
Owner Tony Caraglio opened his first pizzeria 20 years ago, and now has seven locations in Fairport, Ontario, Gates, Greece, Hilton, and on Empire Blvd. in Webster. As a Webster resident, Tony says he’s been trying to find a location on the east side of town for about five years, and is excited about moving into the old, long-vacant Music Store.
It’s still early in the planning stages, but Tony expects to devote most of the building’s 3000-sq. ft. floor space to the kitchen and serving counter, while leaving plenty of room for restrooms and indoor seating. And he loves the “three huge windows” in front to entice people who walk along Main St.
“Being in the Webster village is very cool,” he said.
Turning the former Music Store into a pizzeria is taking longer and requiring a lot more work than expected, however.
“We were originally shooting (to open in) November, but that may not be doable,” Tony said. “When we take one step, when we try to look at something, sometimes we find something else we have to address first.”
Many of the challenges can be attributed to the fact the building is 130 years old. But that’s also made for some rather interesting discoveries. Like a newspaper from Nov. 15, 1892, which was stuffed into the wall for insulation.
“As we find stuff, we’re holding on to it,” Tony said, “and will be donating artifacts to the museum.” Those artifacts will help the museum track the history of what Tony affectionately calls “this old goat of a building.”
Work on the building is continuing apace, but it’s going to take a while longer. Because, Tony said, “I want to do it right the first time.”
Stay tuned for more updates about the new Caraglio’s Pizza coming to 18 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.
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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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