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Photos from Winter Wonderland

8 Dec

It was cloudy, snowy and cold on Saturday for the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland celebration. So, basically, we had perfect weather.

I for one was hoping that it would snow for Winter Wonderland this year. I can’t remember the last time we had an actual wintry day (even when it was called White Christmas), which always seemed a little sad for something which is named after snow. So even though it meant bundling up and making sure you had some hot chocolate to warm your hands, I thought the weather was perfect.

The snow made the village sparkle even more than usual, enhanced by the illuminated snowflakes on the light poles, which this year for the first time had been transformed into bright and beautiful candy canes.

I didn’t get out to check out all the activities as much as I usually do, but when I was in town, I was pleased to see a lot of families exploring Gazebo Park, popping into the shops, grabbing some hot chocolate from the Webster Thomas Honor Society volunteers, visiting the museum and taking part in the scavenger hunt. The Rochester Rhapsody carolers were popping in and out of the shops and restaurants, too, providing some beautiful holiday music.

I was especially pleased to see the new Mary Wee Pub packed most of the day. For sure, some people went in to just get out of the cold, but I’m sure so many others were taking advantage of the opportunity to check out the village’s newest business, and perhaps have a pint at the same time.

As usual, I took a BUNCH of photos, mostly from the parade. I hope you enjoy them, especially if you weren’t able to be there this year. Click here to see the whole gallery.

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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).

(posted 12/8/2024)

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Winter Wonderland at the Museum

3 Dec

A few days ago I posted a blog with all (OK, most) of the details about this weekend’s Winter Wonderland festival in the Village of Webster. But I’d like to pull out for special attention a few things that are going on at the Webster Museum that day.

See, what I’ve discovered is that even though the Webster Museum has been around for many, many years, a lot of people still don’t know it even exists. And they’re especially surprised to learn that the museum is only about 20 steps off East Main Street on Lapham Park.

So if you’re one of those people, here’s your personal invitation to stop by the Webster Museum this Saturday Dec. 7 during Winter Wonderland. Here’s what they have going on:

  • The Museum’s Festival of Trees begins when the museum opens at 2 p.m. Continuing through the end of the year, visitors can vote for their favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree among 17 creative entries. (Online voting will also be available on the museum website.)
  • New this year, the museum will also feature a Memory Tree, where you can add an ornament with the name of a lost loved one or pet.
  • The Kittelberger “Bouquet a Month for a Year” flower cards will be available. For just $40, the card entitles you to one fresh bouquet every month for a year.
  • The holiday raffle returns with all sorts of wonderful prizes donated by Webster merchants. Cost is three tickets for $5.
  • And finally, you have to stop by the museum if just to see the beautiful and historic Burkardt Family Crèche in person. Each piece was meticulously carved between World War I and World War II, beginning in 1918 and completing the final piece in 1944. It offers more than a view of the nativity; it also tells a story of craftsmanship, survival, and family devotion. Read the whole story here, then see it for yourself at the museum.

The Webster Museum will be open on Saturday Dec. 7, during Winter Wonderland, from 2 to 6 p.m. It’s located at 18 Lapham Park 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).

(posted 12/3/2024)

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The Mary Wee Pub is officially open for business

1 Dec

It was about 10:30 a.m. the Friday morning after Thanksgiving at the new Mary Wee Pub — about 30 minutes after it opened — and there were already a half dozen people sitting at the new pub’s long bar, enjoying an early pint or just enjoying friendship.

That’s how excited everyone is about the news that the Mary Wee is finally open at 2 West Main Street in the Village of Webster.

For the last few weeks, owner Mark Petzing (of the Shamrock Jack’s family) has been hosting “soft openings,” which basically meant that if the door was unlocked, you were welcome to wander in. So the word’s been spreading quickly that there’s a great new place in town to get a pint of Guinness.

But those soft openings end on Monday Dec. 2 when Petzing invites the community to the Mary Wee’s official grand opening.

This day has been a long time coming. Petzing has been working since the middle of the summer renovating, updating and beautifying the former Barry’s Old School Irish Pub. The “final touches” seemed to drag on forever over the last few months, as anxious community members peered through the windows every day to see how close it was to completion.

Petzing has put his own twist on the interior design of his new pub, which is obvious the moment you step in the door. Those who knew the old Barry’s would hardly recognize the place.

For starters, the wall separating the bar from the former bakery area has been removed, opening up enough space for a much longer bar, which now wraps from the restrooms to the west wall. The two restrooms have been completely renovated and updated, and now stand side-by-side, one whimsically decorated to look like an Irish telephone box. There’s a digital jukebox, and three TVs streaming sports all the time. And the ceiling has been raised, which together with the new French doors and windows gives the entire pub a much more open, airy feel. Even though Petzing was working with the same square footage, somehow he’s managed to make the new pub feel so much bigger than the old.

Probably the most exciting new feature is the indoor/outdoor seating along the big, north-facing front window. That window’s been replaced with a garage door, which on nice days can be raised to accommodate patrons sitting inside and outside across from each other.

True to its name, Petzing characterizes his pub’s offerings as a “wee bit of everything.” The menu won’t be huge, but substantial, featuring appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and some Irish-inspired entrees. His nine taps include Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp, a few IPAs, Genny and Stella. A selection of bourbons, vodkas, gins and rums complement an expansive choice of Irish whiskeys. There will even be a wee bit of live music.

Petzing is very uncomfortable comparing his new pub to Barry’s Old School Irish, which closed in September of 2023. He knows as well as anyone the special place Barry’s held in the hearts of the local community, and still does. But there was no way he was going to avoid the obvious questions.

“People would say, ‘Is it going to be like Barry’s? Is it going to be like Shamrock Jacks?'” he said. “I say no, maybe a little of both, but it’s going to be the Wee. It’s going to be our place.”

“I loved Barry’s,” he added. “My wife and I always loved Barry’s. But it’s definitely different.”

Given the response he’s already seen, people have embraced the difference.

“The Webster community has been amazing,” Petzing said. “We’ve been welcomed with open arms; everybody’s been fantastic. The coolest thing for me right now is I’m meeting all sorts of people I never met before. … During this past week I’ve had a blast. It’s everything I wanted and more.”

Check out the new Mary Wee Pub for yourself during the grand opening, Monday Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Live music will be provided by Matthew Stephens from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.. Regular hours will continue to be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day (and perhaps later on the weekends).

Here are some photos from the pub:

I’ve posted this story before, but if you’re wondering how the unusual name “Mary Wee” came about, here’s the story, straight from Mark Petzing himself:

My grandmother Mary, I loved her. My grandmother was older and she liked whiskeys and bourbons. They would water down her whiskeys, and put a little around the rim. She’d always smile, the sweet little thing, she’d say “Oh, thank you.” And when my mom and my aunts weren’t looking, she’d say, “Mark, give me a wee bit more.”

So people ask why is it not “Wee Mary’s?” Because I want you to think about it. And it means nothing at all, but it means a ton to me. Come in and have a whiskey and I’ll tell you the story and we’ll laugh.

Make sure to look for the photos of Mary hanging at the end of the bar.

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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).

(posted 12/1/2024)

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Details about this year’s Winter Wonderland

29 Nov

The Village of Webster’s annual holiday fun festival, Winter Wonderland, returns to Main Street, Gazebo Park and Village Hall next weekend, on Saturday Dec. 7.

All of your family favorites will be back for the afternoon and evening, including carriage rides, crafts for the kids, cookie decorating, live music, story time, and a visit with Santa, culminating with the always spectacular Parade of Lights down Main Street.

Everything starts at 3 p.m., when Santa will welcome children in the warm Village Hall Community Meeting Room until 5:00 p.m., when he has to leave and get ready to ride in the parade.

Here’s a quick look at everything else going on that afternoon evening:

  • 3:30 – 5:30 PM – Horse drawn carriage rides; departing from Veterans Park
  • 3 – 5:30 PM – Scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, crafts, music performances from Rochester Rhapsody chorus and Jerry Christopher, hot cocoa and popcorn and​​​​​​​ more along Main Street
  • 4:30 PM – Storytime with Jason from the Webster Public Library (location TBD)
  • 2 – 8 PM – Holiday Craft Show; Harmony House 58 East Main Street. Free admission, more than 30 vendors, live music, and cash bar with holiday cocktails

And while you’re in town for the festivities, make sure to walk up the short block to the Webster Museum (18 Lapham Park) where there’ll be live music from 2 to 6 p.m., and your chance to place your vote in the museum’s Festival of Trees. The very popular Museum raffle will also be back this year, so bring a little cash, put a chance in for some great prizes and support the museum!

A few event locations are still being finalized, and when they do, the Webster BID will be posting the final details and a map online at websterbid.com, so stay tuned for that.

Everything wraps up with the spectacular Parade of Lights which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Kircher Park and travel west down Main Street to Fireman’s Field. It’s always amazing to see all of the fire trucks, bands, community group floats — everyone and everything — parade by, covered in twinkling Christmas lights.

I’ll be walking around with my camera, so if you see me, smile nice!

Here’s a link to my gallery from last year’s Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights.

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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).

(posted 11/29/2024)

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Another great Village newsletter!

21 Nov

The Village of Webster posted their latest bi-weekly newsletter on Monday, and once again it’s packed with great features about local businesses and upcoming events.

In this week’s View From Main Street newsletter, you’ll see:

  • photos from the Village’s Veteran’s Day ceremony
  • a business spotlight featuring Performance Hobbies
  • a look at the Village’s newest restaurant, Annette’s
  • info about this year’s Festival of Trees at the Webster Museum
  • a preview of the Winter Wonderland holiday festival
  • a list of upcoming Village meetings

And that’s just THIS week!

Since the newsletter was introduced in August, View From Main Street has become a valuable source of local news and information, and seems to continue getting better each time. So make sure to check it out.

Click here to see the newsletter, then check the Village of Webster website every few weeks to see the latest edition. Just click on the “news” link and it will bring you there.

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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).

(posted 11/21/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

17 Nov

Celebrate the holidays with a good book

The Friends of the Webster Public Library will be hosting their Holiday Book Sale from Nov. 27 through Dec. 23 during normal library hours. A nice selection of gently-used books with winter themes will be available at great prices.

And don’t forget about the The Friends of the Webster Public Library’s annual hat sale is going on now through Saturday Nov. 23. Adult hats start at $8, children’s hats at $4. Buy one for yourself, buy some for gifts and support the library!

Cookies cookies, cookies!

The Women’s Club of Webster’s super-popular Holiday Cookie Sale returns to the Webster Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out, which is pretty quickly).

Proceeds from the sale benefit the club’s scholarship funds and many other programs and not-for-profit organizations in the Webster community.

Country Gardeners‘ holiday sale coming soon

The Country Gardeners of Webster will hold their annual Garden Club Holiday Sale on Saturday December 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive.

This huge sale features fresh wreaths, arrangements, poinsettias, centerpieces and gifts that are created by hand by the club members. This is always a very popular event, so you want to get there early.

The Webster Arboretum will also be there with an information table, holiday plants and a holiday raffle.

The sale is the Country Gardeners’ annual fundraiser, so think about decorating your own home, and purchasing gifts for family, friends and holiday hostesses. Admission is free.

Will it actually snow this year?

I’ll be writing a more in-depth blog about this soon, but here’s your reminder that Webster’s Winter Wonderland returns to the streets of the Village of Webster on Saturday Dec. 7 from 3 to 6 p.m.

This very popular family-friendly event features carriage rides, crafts for the kids, cookie decorating, live music, story time, and a visit with Santa at the Village Hall. Then, at 6:30 p.m., make sure to get your spot for the Parade of Lights along Main Street.

Details are still being finalized, so watch for a more complete blog soon. Let’s hope we actually get some snow this year and it really LOOKS like winter.

Mark your calendar for Breakfast with Santa

The Webster Lions Club’s Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa has been scheduled for Sunday Dec. 8 (note the new date; it’s been scheduled for the first Sunday in December for years).

It will be held at Webster Schroeder High School from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Santa and his elf will be there for the children, as well as the Lion Club’s Lion. Plus, there’ll be lots of great raffle items and free vision screening for kids ages 6 months to 12 years. And of course, breakfast: pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted.

The Pancake Breakfast with Santa Fundraiser is one of the ways the Lion’s Club earns money to help those in need. This year, donations will be made to the Webster Community Chest, Webster Hope and other charities.

Looking ahead …

The Webster Quilt Guild would like me to tell everyone that they’ve scheduled their annual Quilt Show on April 12 and 13, 2025 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, 1460 Ridge Rd.

This is a big year for the club; they’re celebrating 50 years of quilting together. Next year’s show will feature more than 200 quilts, both past winners, new quilts, and a display of our the quilts they made for the Breast Cancer Coalition and Asbury Storehouse will be available. Plus there will be some great raffles.

Admission is only $5 for adults, and under 12 are free.

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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).

(posted 11/17/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

8 Nov

Chris Perfetti has made it

If you’re a fan of Abbott Elementary, then this first mailbag item will interest you.

One of the best characters on that show is Jacob Hill, played by Chris Perfetti. What you may not know is that Chris is a 2011 Webster Schroeder grad. You may have seen him in Schroeder’s annual musicals (my favorite was when he was the Cat in the Hat for Seussical). He’s had many roles in TV and film since graduating, but his work on Abbott Elementary has become his breakout role, and has won him a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Several weeks ago, Chris was featured in the New York Times, in their “What actors do on Sundays” column. My husband, a regular NYT reader, shared the link with me, and the link should work for everyone, NYT subscribers or not.

Click here to see the article. (Photo above courtesy the New York Times).

The Diary of Anne Frank Coming to Thomas Stage

Webster Thomas High School will present the moving drama The Diary of Anne Frank later this month.

The play is based on Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, the true story of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who kept a diary while hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II.

I’ll be writing more about the production soon, but I wanted to give you all a heads-up because tickets are on sale now.

Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nov. 21 to 23 at 7 p.m. each evening, at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Rd. Seating is reserved. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online in advance here. Tickets are digital and can be printed at home.

More to come.

Festival of Trees

I’ll have a more detailed blog or three about the Village of Webster’s annual Winter Wonderland festivities. But I always like to give a social shout-out to the Webster Museum and their annual Festival of Trees, which they host during the event.

The Festival of Trees will be held on Saturday, December 7 during Winter Wonderland. Museum visitors will be invited to vote for their favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree among 17 beautiful and creative entries which have been set up throughout the museum. (Online voting will also be available at webstermuseum.org.)

The museum will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. with live music beginning at 4 p.m.

Also this year, the museum invites everyone to help decorate their “Museum Memory Tree” by hanging an ornament with the name of a loved one or pet whom you’ve lost. The museum is also resurrecting its popular holiday raffle (so bring some cash), and will be offering the also very popular Kittelberger Florist “bouquet a month for a year” coupon booklet.

It all happens Saturday, Dec. 7 during the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland.

New hats and old books

A few quick reminders from the Webster Public Library about some programs this month:

  • The Friends of the Webster Public Library’s annual hat sale is going on now. Adult hats start at $8, children’s hats at $4.
  • A Vintage Book Sale will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prices start at $8.
  • This month’s community collections are cookbooks and recipes, and the Keeping our Promise donation station.

Mark your calendar for Breakfast with Santa

The Webster Lions Club’s Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa has been scheduled for Sunday Dec. 8 (note the new date; it’s been scheduled for the first Sunday in December for years).

It will be held at Webster Schroeder High School from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Santa and his elf will be there for the children, as well as the Lion Club’s Lion. Plus, there’ll be lots of great raffle items and free vision screening for kids ages 6 months to 12 years. And of course, breakfast: pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee.

The Pancake Breakfast with Santa Fundraiser is one of the ways the Lion’s Club earns money to help those in need. This year, donations will be made to the Webster Community Chest, Webster Hope and other charities.

Rec Center 55+ Monthly Newsletter

I recently got emailed my copy of the Webster Recreation Center’s 55+ newsletter, which is always packed with great programs for all of us taking full advantage of our active later years.

There is SO MUCH STUFF that I’m not going to go into too much detail here, just highlight a few things, and recommend you check out the newsletter for yourself and sign up to have it delivered monthly to your email box.

  • Technology Workshop, Tues. Nov. 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. FREE
  • Doctor’s Orders entertains during lunch on Wed. Nov. 13. FREE
  • Muslim Countries Wanderings, the Tuesday Travelogue on Nov. 12 (registration required)
  • The Lunch Bunch is going to Applebee’s on Nov. 15
  • The Holiday Party is scheduled for Wed. Dec. 11

And that’s just a sampling. Check out the newsletter for yourself to find out lots more.

Yum. Cookies.

The Women’s Club of Webster’s super-popular Holiday Cookie Sale returns to the Webster Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out, which is pretty quickly).

Proceeds from the sale benefit the club’s scholarship funds and many other programs and not-for-profit organizations in 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).

(posted 11/8/2024)

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Annette’s Restaurant to open this weekend

7 Nov

I’ve been hearing from some friends that they’ve seen people inside the new Annette’s Restaurant and are wondering if it’s open yet.

Well, sorry, I found out that it isn’t officially open QUITE yet. They’re inviting some friends and family members in on Friday night to give their staff some practice and iron out some kinks. But the restaurant won’t be open for everyone else until this Saturday, Nov. 9.

Owner Nan Kent told me that beginning Saturday, Annette’s will be open for lunch and dinner. You can check out the menu here, but Nan was particularly excited to tell me about a few of the desserts, an apple/pear tart and a flourless chocolate cake. The rest of the menu looks pretty delicious, too.

I don’t need to tell you more about Annette’s here; just stop on in and check it out for yourself. The restaurant’s hours will be Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 to 9:30, and closed Sunday and Monday. They’re already taking reservations (call 585-645-6002).

Annette’s is located at 27 West Main St. in Webster (the former Mozzeroni’s). Visit the website here for more information.

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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).

(posted 11/7/2024)

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Photos from the Trick or Treat Trail

26 Oct

What a spectacular autumn day we had Saturday for the Village of Webster’s annual Trick or Treat Trail. The gorgeous sunshine and not-too-hot, not-too-cold temperatures brought thousands of adults and children to the streets of the village. I think our small business owners enjoyed the day as much as the kids, although some of the first-time participants were a bit unprepared for the number of trick or treaters that would come by.

I spent a few hours walking around taking photos. Perhaps you and your kids are in one of them! Click here to see the whole gallery.

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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).

(posted 10/26/2024)

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Plans are in motion for this year’s Festival of Trees

17 Oct

Yes, it’s only the middle of October, but the Webster Museum is already thinking ahead to the holidays, and their annual Festival of Trees.

This year’s Tree Festival will begin on Saturday, Dec. 7, which is (not coincidentally) the same day as the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland holiday event. Starting that day and through the end of the year, museum visitors can vote for their favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree among 15 to 20 beautiful and creative entries. (Online voting will also be offered.)

But before that can happen, individuals, families and organizations need to step up and do some decorating! Two $25 prizes will be awarded for the trees getting the most votes.

If you’re interested in participating, call Gwen Hoffman at (585) 738-6221.

By the way, the museum is also looking for a few additional music groups willing to share their talents during the Winter Wonderland festivities at the museum.

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Quick addendum to this blog: the museum has a great program coming up tomorrow (Saturday Oct. 19).

Beginning at 2 p.m., Jon Gonzalez, President of Bill Gray’s and grandson of Bruce Hegedorn will be providing an update on the redevelopment of the former Hegedorn’s Plaza and sharing a few thoughts on business in Webster, past, present, and future.

Following this talk, back by popular demand, the Palma brothers will be in to share their expertise and insight into the history and value of the items you bring in. There’s no charge for either presentation.

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park 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).

(posted 10/17/2024)

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