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June History Bit: Webster Walkabout Adventure Lab

9 Jun

Summer is the perfect time to take a walking tour of the Village of Webster and explore its history. The Webster Museum has a fun and interesting way to do that: the Webster Walkabout Adventure Lab. It’s an activity for the whole family that gets everyone outside to learn a little history and get some exercise along the way. 

The Webster Walkabout is based on geocaching, the very popular outdoor treasure-hunting activity that uses global positioning system (GPS) coordinates to hide and locate containers called geocaches. 

Typically, the hidden geocaches are physical containers containing trinkets to reward the finder. The Webster Walkabout Adventure Lab is different; participants are led to a series of virtual caches; in this case, five sites of historical significance to the founding of the Village of Webster. At each stop, the game prompts you to answer a question by typing in a word that can be found on a sign or plaque nearby. The correct answer unlocks the clue to the next location. Some of the walkabout stops even include videos.

The tour is about a mile and a half long and will take about 90 minutes. When you’re all done, you’ll be given a code to unlock a special bonus puzzle geocache located at the museum. 

In order to play the Adventure Lab, you need a smartphone (iOS or Android) with the Adventure Lab mobile app installed, with a data plan and cell service.  You’ll also need to sign up for a free account on geocaching.com. To open this Webster Walkabout in the Adventure Lab mobile app, type in labs.geocaching.com/goto/WEBSTER.

Read more about this and other fun ways to learn about Webster history by visiting the Webster Museum website at webstermuseum.com. Better yet, visit the museum any Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. It’s located at 18 Lapham Park. 

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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 6/9/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

4 Jun

A couple of fun things coming up this weekend are atop my mailbag.

The first is the Webster Recreation Center’s annual Summer Celebration, this Saturday June 8 from 4 to 10 p.m.

This excellent family-friendly event features a bounce house, food trucks, live music, and fireworks at the end of the night. It’s free and no registration is necessary.

The Rec Center’s Music at the Arboretum series continues on Thursday, June 20 with a performance by Jazz Generation, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is free (but weather-dependent). Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, plus snacks and drinks if you’d like!

Looking ahead at the Rec Center, mark your calendars now for the Summer Splash party on Saturday July 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the First Responders Spray Park on Chiyoda Dr. Rich the Magic Man will be there with foam bubble fun, and there’ll be free snow cones for all.

Then on Wednesday July 31, come out and see the beautiful new and improved Sandbar Park during Sandbar Splendor from 5 to 7 p.m. There’ll be lawn games, food trucks, raffles and music.

SPEAKING OF THE SPRAY PARKS…

Webster’s two spray parks are now open for the season, at Ridgecrest Park (off of Ebner Drive) and the beautiful, First Responders Spray Park near the Webster Recreation Center on Chiyoda Dr.

The First Responders Park (pictured here) is especially fun for kids and families. It’s a firefighter-themed playground and splash pad, with a nearby pavilion. The splash pad has all sorts of water-fun features including a fire hydrant, a dalmatian fountain and fire truck slide.  

Ridgecrest’s spray park is a smaller facility, but is just a short walk from the center of the village. It also boasts an adjacent playground and skate park.

    Also coming up this weekend is a program at the Webster Arboretum especially designed for those of you who love peonies.

    The Arboretum will present a Program about peonies, the “queen of flowers,” on Sunday June 9 at 6:30 p.m. Arboretum board member George Riehle will give a tour and present the program, focusing on the care and cultivation of peonies and tree peonies. Please register at the Webster Arboretum website.

    The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

    ALSO on Sunday June 9, the Webster Museum will present what has become one of their most popular programs, the Antiques and Collectibles Roadshow.  

    If you’re curious about the value or origin of an antique you own, bring it to the museum on June 9 at 2 p.m. and the Palma Brothers will use their expertise to provide some insight. There’s no cost, you don’t need to register, and free refreshments will be provided.

    The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.

    Finally, this notice which I actually got in my SNAIL MAIL: the Summer Concert Series at Cherry Ridge is back.

    The first concert is scheduled for Wednesday June 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring the Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Gates open at 5 p.m., and food will be available for purchase beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs, and make sure to pre-register here so you can skip the line. There’s no cost for this community concert.

    Looking ahead, on Tuesday Aug. 6, 8 Days a Week takes steps up on the Cherry Ridge stage, so make sure to mark your calendars now.

    Cherry Ridge is located at 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd., across from Webster Schroeder High School. 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 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 6/4/2024)

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    Historic Forest Lawn neighborhood recognized

    20 May

    Every May, to recognize National Historic Preservation Month, the Webster Museum honors a historic property with a handsome plaque. This year, that honoree was not an individual property, but an entire neighborhood.

    At the Webster Town Board meeting on Thursday May 17, Sharon Pratt from the museum’s Historic Properties Committee presented a plaque to the Forest Lawn neighborhood, represented by current Forest Lawn resident Mark Gunther.

    Forest Lawn is a lakeside community neighborhood with its own mayor and a long history. Samuel Pierce, an early settler, bought and farmed 73 acres along the lake beginning in 1850. His son Horace and an attorney friend, George D. Forsyth, saw potential commercial opportunities in developing the land due to its proximity to the lake and proposed a railway line. In 1888, the Forest Lawn community began with the construction of a hotel. Shortly after, the land was divided into lots which were sold for summer cottages. In the years since, the cottages were all replaced with permanent homes. It is that date — 1888 — which is inscribed on the plaque.

    The plaque program grew out of a survey of historic properties which a small group of museum volunteers tackled about more than 20 years ago. They especially were looking for homes that were built before 1902 which had enough of their historical integrity that their original owners would still recognize them.

    The list they came up with was a long one. There were so many properties that it took a few years to compile their information, going to each house in turn, filling out a form and taking photos. In 2007 they decided to take all that information and propose a commemorative plaque program to the town. It would be a great way to recognize the town’s visual history, they argued, and a way for the town to say thank you to the homeowners who are putting in the time and effort to maintain the homes so they retain their original charm.

    The town agreed. In 2008 the Historic Properties Committee presented its first 10 plaques, and have continued the program with the Town’s blessing every year since, handing out several plaques every May to commemorate Historic Preservation Month.

    Most of the plaques that have been presented have gone to homes and business properties, but the committee has recently decided to start recognizing entire neighborhoods as well. Forest Lawn is the first historic neighborhood to receive that recognition.

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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 5/20/2024)

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    Museum news: History and a Cup, yardsticks and cameras

    8 May

    Judging by how well my local history blogs are received, and the traffic I get to my Webster History Bits link, a LOT of you out there like to learn about Webster history. To you, I say, put this month’s History and a Cup get-together at the Webster Museum on your calendar.

    The focus of this year’s History and a Cup series is the Webster Village neighborhood formerly known as “Indian Village” due to its street names: Pontiac, Seneca, Mohawk and Iroquois.

    Located on the south side of the village, the neighborhood was developed by Wilmorite in the early 1950s, the first settlement in the village helped by The GI Bill after WWII to build homes that were affordable for the many veterans coming home from the war. The small, pre-fab homes were built by National Homes in Indiana.

    On Wednesday, May 15 from noon to 1 p.m., Gary and Marlene Lazzaro, who grew up in Webster, will share stories of their life and their business, Kitchen and Bath Expressions. Coffee, tea and cookies will be served, you are welcome to bring a bag lunch with you if you would like. There’s no charge and registration is not necessary.

    On Sunday, May 19, the museum is planning to host a larger program about Indian Village, from 2 to 3 p.m., also no charge.

    While you’re at the museum, make sure to check out the current exhibit: yardsticks.

    “A Measure of Webster Businesses” takes a look back at historic Webster businesses through those ubiquitous promotional yardsticks that graced nearly every Webster household.  Along with the kinetic yardstick display, other memorabilia from local businesses, old and new photos, and brief biographies round out this latest retrospective look at Webster’s history.

    This fascinating exhibit grew from the discovery of a box of yardsticks collected from Webster businesses. Inspired by the yardsticks, the museum volunteers started to assemble other promotional items from these same businesses. The search turned up a variety of pieces from small items such as calendars and thermometers to a chair and card table with the names of Webster businesses across the top.

    To put all of these companies in a historical perspective, a timeline of each of the “yardstick” businesses has been researched and is on display. The final piece of this exhibit is a slide show of receipts and newspaper ads from Webster businesses.

    What a neat way to look at Webster history. If you’re a longtime resident, many of the business names will sound familiar, and if you are new to the area, it’s an opportunity to see the businesses that had an impact on our community.

    By the way, If you were fascinated with the Quirky Camera exhibit when it was at the Webster Public Library, you’ll be even more amazed at the expanded Quirky Camera exhibit now on display at the Webster Museum. It’s well worth a visit to see many unusual and previously working cameras that undoubtedly sparked creative flare for photography in previous generations.

    The Webster Museum, located at 18 Lapham Park, is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.

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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 5/8/2024)

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    March History Bit: Happy Birthday Bay Bridge!

    14 Mar

    The Irondequoit Bay Bridge celebrated a birthday last month.

    On Feb. 3, 2024, the Bay Bridge turned 54 years old. Stretching almost a half mile long, the bridge was christened on a snowy day in 1970, which was reportedly so cold that the celebratory wine froze in the glasses before it could be raised. 

    Seven months later, on a much sunnier and warmer late August day, the bridge was officially dedicated with not one, but three ribbon cutting ceremonies; one held at the Irondequoit end, a second in the middle and a third at the Webster end.

    The project took about two years to build, and apparently much of the discussion during the process centered around what to name the new span. Many ideas were suggested, including naming it after Donald Holleder or even calling it the Hiawatha Bridge. But state regulations didn’t allow any project using state money to be named after a person, so ultimately it became known only as the Irondequoit Bay Bridge.  

    Interestingly, the plows waiting on that icy February morning to spread some salt across the newly opened bridge were not the first vehicles to cross. 

    As reported Sept. 9, 1970 in the Webster Herald, 

    The first “man” across the bridge made it on Feb. 3 at 4:28 a.m. via Union Hill Ambulance. He was then one-year old Kevin Lohse of Greensboro Drive who had stopped breathing. The ambulance was conducted by a police car driven by Sgt. Gil Kunzer whose idea it was to remove the bridge barriers, thus saving needed time and perhaps the youngster’s life. 

    Young Kevin, healthy and happy, attended the ribbon cutting ceremonies in August.

    Discover more fascinating bits of local history at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org.

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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 3/14/2024)

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    Webster community mailbag

    2 Mar

    Strap in, folks, ’cause this is a long one.

    Good food for a good cause

    Boy Scout Troop 262 will be hosting their “Famous Spaghetti Dinner” on Saturday March 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Firemen’s Exempt Bldg. on Sanford St.

    Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 10. You can eat in or take out. And bring extra cash for the bake sale!

    News from the Friends of Webster Trails

    The Friends of Webster Trails, working with the Village of Webster, are proud to introduce the newly updated informational kiosk where the Hojack Trail meets 250 (North Ave.).

    The kiosk was built by Eagle Scout Alex Groff in 2018, and for some years it held temporary postings. But recently, the Village gave the kiosk a professional makeover and it looks great. On one side is an aerial photo of the area from years ago, provided by the Webster Museum, which shows some prominent industries. QR codes are provided if you want to find out even more. On the other side is a map from about the same time, and more photos. It all illustrates the reason for the Hojack railroad and its importance to the area.

    New swag at the Museum

    If you love the Webster Museum, you’re going to love the new promotional items they’ve just introduced. There’s a nice selection of new mugs and caps, which join an already impressive variety of fun, museum-themed merchandise including stickers, t-shirts, water bottles, aprons, bags and more. (I know you want a WLiWL sticker.)

    Click here to see the whole collection. You can’t buy this new merchandise online, so stop by and visit the museum at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. They’re open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

    Carlsen named CWZ Elementary PE Teacher of the Year

    Webster CSD is proud to announce that Danielle Carlsen has been selected as the 2024 Central Western Zone Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. 

    The State Road Elementary School PE teacher was recommended for the award by one of her colleagues who felt that Carlsen exemplifies a true professional in the field of physical education at the elementary school level. 

    Petitions available for BOE candidates

    The Webster CSD Budget Vote and Election of Candidates is Tuesday, May 21 at Webster Schroeder High School. Anyone wishing to run for the board of education (BOE) may pick up a nominating packet from the district clerk’s office, 119 South Avenue, Webster, any weekday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Petitions must be returned to the district clerk’s office no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, April 22. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will each serve three-year terms beginning July 1.

    Questions about candidacy or eligibility may be referred to District Clerk Heather Murphy at (585) 216 0001 or heather_murphy@webstercsd.org.

    Here are some important dates to remember:

    • April 16: BOE adopts budget to be put before voters, 6 p.m.
    • May 7: Public hearing on proposed 2024-25 budget, 6 p.m.
    • May 21: WCSD Budget Vote and Election of Candidates; polls open 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Webster Schroeder High School gym, 875 Ridge Road.

    Webster Chamber of Commerce invites you

    The Webster Chamber of Commerce has two events coming up this month, and business owners are all welcome, whether you’re a member of the Chamber or not.

    On Wednesday March 6, the next Webster Chamber Eat Drink & Connect will be hosted by Chamber member Monroe Piping & Sheet Metal.

    Network with Chamber members and visitors while enjoying refreshments and door prizes. A brief introduction to the business world of Monroe Piping & Sheet Metal will also be provided by the owner and Chamber board director Dan Dunn.

    This great networking event will be held at the Webster Chamber office, 1110 Crosspointe Lane (Suite C), from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There’s no cost, but preregistration is requested. Please register here.

    Then, coming up on Friday March 22 is the next Monthly Breakfast Program meeting. Network with an many as 90 business and organizational leaders during the monthly Webster Chamber breakfasts. In addition to networking before and during the breakfast, an informative program is always planned, along with a time to “pass-the-mic” so everyone has an opportunity to be visible. Visitors and members are welcome.

    These meetings are always held at 7 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center. Please register here.

    A few reminders

    Here are some reminders about events I’ve already mentioned in a previous mailbag, but want to make sure you remember them.

    • The Thomas vs. Schroeder Charity Basketball Game will be this Wednesday night March 6 at Webster Thomas High School, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The family-friendly event will pit Thomas/OWL staff and faculty against Schroeder/GOAL staff and faculty in a friendly winner-take-all-bragging-rights game. Concessions will be available. Admission is only $5 (suggested donation), and all proceeds will benefit Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.  Additional donations would be greatly appreciated as well.
    • The next general meeting and luncheon for the Women’s Club of Webster will be held on Thursday March 21 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd. Janine Sanger, Executive Director of WHEN:DFCC, Webster Health and Education Network will be this month’s speaker. The event begins with a social mix-and-mingle at 11:15 a.m., followed by a brief meeting at noon and lunch at 12:30 p.m., and the presentation. The cost is $24. Send your check made out to WCW by March 14 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Questions? Phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.
    • The Friends of the Webster Public Library will hold its third annual Vintage and Collectible Book Sale on Thursday March 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The books are priced between $8 and $200. (Prices are firm.) A variety of books on Rochester, World War II, poetry, sports, movies, religion, classics, biographies, juvenile and adult fiction will be available. Many of the books are rare, unusual and in good to better condition. All proceeds from the event will benefit programs of the Webster Public Library.

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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 3/2/2024)

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    February History Bit: Webster’s camera, the Winpro

    18 Feb

    Most longtime Webster residents are already pretty familiar with the industries our town is best known for, like baskets, apple growing, and fruit evaporating. But how many realize that Webster also had a thriving camera-making business? 

    From 1948 to about 1954, Webster Industries, Inc. produced the only camera ever made in Webster. It was called the Winpro, and was the first point-and-shoot 35 mm camera made entirely of molded plastic. The factory was at 36-38 Commercial St., near where Response Care, Inc. is now located.

    Local camera aficionado Frank Calandra owns several Winpro cameras. In an article he wrote for the Webster Museum website, he says they were made from lightweight Tenite plastic (which, ironically, was invented by Kodak). He notes, however, that “the grade Winpro chose gave them a strong, stable, attractive product. Cameras were made in either gray or black Tenite and proved to be quite rugged.”

    They were so sturdy, Frank said, “As a publicity stunt, Winpro cameras were dropped from tall buildings and survived intact and in working order. None of their competitors, which included Argus, Kodak and Ansco dared attempt such a feat. “

    The Winpro proved to be a very popular camera, especially for novice photographers. At the attractive price of just $10.95, more than 150,000 were sold in the first two years. This despite stiff competition from several manufacturers of the day, including the photographic powerhouse operating just ten miles to the west in Rochester.  

    The camera was produced in Webster until about 1954, when the company fell on hard times and was sold to Zenith Film in Horseheads, NY.

    Frank still owns several Winpro cameras, which he says were so well made that they’re still in working order, and still take nice photos. You can check out his collection, on display now at the Webster Museum. You can also read Frank’s article about Webster’s own Winpro camera on the Webster Museum website, webstermuseum.org, under the “History” tab. 

    The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, and is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

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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 2/18/2024)

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    Carriage block follow-up

    22 Jan

    I’m always a bit surprised and pleased to see how many of my readers seem to be very interested in our local history. My recent History Bit about carriage blocks was the most recent example of that. I’ve received a lot of “likes” on the Facebook posts about them, and many comments. And what’s been especially cool is that several people actually were able to add to our knowledge of Webster carriage blocks, point out a few which I’m not sure even the Webster Museum knew about.

    In that original post from about a week ago, I highlighted the three blocks I knew about then — one on Corning Park in the village, another in front of the Holt Homestead at 757 Holt Rd., and a third in front of 394 Phillips Rd. Thanks to my readers, I’ve since learned about three others.

    The first of the three is the smallest, basically no more than a small cement block adjacent to the driveway entrance way of 183 East Main St., in the Village of Webster. Jeannette Chambers, the home’s former owner, wrote, “We always had fun as kids jumping from it or standing on the step pretending to be the doorman. You couldn’t park under the portico because your front door driver side would hit the step.” The house was built in 1917, so it probably dates to then.

    The second has been a bit more elusive. I’m told there’s a carriage block at 1319 Lake Rd., just east of Mama Lor’s Restaurant, tucked back on the property, adjacent to a fence. I went by there to see if I could find it and photograph it, but couldn’t locate it. Stay tuned if you’re interested in learning more about that one. (update: I’ve since learned that the home’s owners recently did some landscaping and have removed that small piece of Webster history.)

    This third one is the most interesting. It’s not a concrete block, but instead a fancy cast-iron step that sits in front of the home at 1771 Lake Rd. It sports not only two steps, but a decorative hitching post as well (or, as one reader suggested, it might be a grab bar). It’s marked with dates from the late 1800s.

    Thank you to everyone who chimed in to let us all know about these treasured pieces of Webster’s history. Webster’s carriage steps collection is a great illustration of how different they can be.

    If you know of any others in town, please let me know!

    And now, a history riddle

    Piggybacking this little bit of Webster history, I bring you a plea from the owner of one of Webster’s oldest and finest homes, the Whiting home at 351 Holt Rd.

    The property’s current owner, Tom and Gwen Wiederhold, are trying to dig up old photos of their home. Tom writes that he knows there are still Bowman and Whiting families in the area but doesn’t know how to contact them. He reached out to me to help spread the word and see if any of my readers can help. If you can, please email Tom at thomaswiederhold@ymail.com

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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 1/22/2024)

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    January History Bit: Webster carriage blocks

    9 Jan

    If you’ve ever walked or driven down Corning Park in the Village of Webster, you’ve passed by a little piece of history which you might not have noticed. It’s a carriage block, and it sits in front of the home at 34 Corning Park.

    In the time when horses and buggies were the main forms of transportation, anyone other than very athletic riders and passengers faced some difficulty dismounting horses, stagecoaches or buggies, which rode several feet off the ground. The solution: a carriage block, also known as a horse block. Basically, they were step stools, bridging the large gap between ground and vehicles, making mounting and dismounting much easier.  

    These helpful steps were commonly found in front of homes, churches, train depots and businesses. They were made from a variety of materials, including cast iron, wood, even marble. Many, however, like the one on Corning Park, were fashioned from simple concrete.

    You won’t see many of these around town – in fact, there are only three that we know of – because once they became obsolete, most of these vestiges of 19th century history were removed. The two others that have survived the passage of time are in front of 394 Phillips Rd. and the Holt Homestead at 757 Holt Rd.

    Discover more fascinating bits of local history at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

    (posted 1/9/2024)

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    Where can I volunteer in Webster?

    3 Jan

    Thank you to everyone who responded so enthusiastically to my recent Facebook post about my plans to research and blog about volunteer opportunities in Webster. I got several suggestions (most of which were already on my list), and a few ideas about some great organizations to blog about in the future.

    But I was especially pleased by the large number of people who said they were looking forward to seeing the list. I’ve always known that Webster is a giving community, but the response to that one post has been heartwarming.

    I give 100% credit for this idea to Tom Traub, who himself volunteers for the Friends of Webster Trails and other initiatives. In his email, he wrote,

    The strength of a community is not only what  businesses we see, but all of the volunteering going on behind the scenes that is mostly invisible except for a few really involved … the pay will be terrible, but the benefits will be priceless to those who find their passion or niche.

    I couldn’t agree more.

    So, what follows is what I’ve pulled together so far about the many ways you and your family can volunteer in Webster. I’ve chosen at this point NOT to include service organizations like the Kiwanis or American Legion which do great things for the community, but generally require membership. Plus, while all of these organizations will gladly accept monetary donations to support their causes, I’ve tried to focus on hand-on volunteering opportunities. Click through to the website/Facebook hyperlink to find out more.

    This is NOT an exhaustive list. If you see that I’ve missed something, please let me know.

    Bellas Bumbas
    1170 Ridge Rd. #208

    Bella’s Bumbas, run by Webster residents Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, is dedicated to building miniature wheelchairs for children with a wide variety of mobility issues. To date, they’ve shipped 2,650 chairs to children in 66 countries, often adapting the chairs for each child’s individual needs, and charging the parents only for shipping.

    How you can help: Volunteers help pack chairs; write “kids cards” (every child gets a handwritten card); help clean, vacuum, and dust the workshop once a week; transport chairs within the U.S. and internationally and stateside; and other tasks.

    FoodWEBster

    The goals of FoodWEBster are to promote food security, minimize food waste, support small scale food production, increase self-reliance, and help protect the local environment by nourishing a healthy ecosystem.

    How you can help: share educational resources, facilitate peer-to-peer food gifting and mutual aid, and promoting and organizing pro-environmental conversations and events.

    Friends of Webster Trails (FWT)
    1350 Chiyoda Dr.

    FWT focuses on building and maintaining recreational trails and protecting the natural character of the Town’s open-space lands through sensible management, education, and low-impact access. Assists in planning, maintaining, and promoting recreational trails in the Town of Webster.

    How you can help: FWT is always looking for trail workers, especially for their monthly trail clearing and building work parties. New board members are also welcome.

    Gathering Place Webster

    Offers a wide range of community programs with “that serve the community with “a unique twist.” It exists in part to serve as an on-ramp to volunteering for those who aren’t sure where to start.

    How you can help: Some recent Gathering Place Webster projects have included a pet food pantry, outdoor pantries, community garden outreach programs, filling grocery bags, packing Easter baskets, stuffing back to school backpacks, bag lunch outreach for the chronically homeless, free community Sunday suppers and sorting toy donations. Check the website for more.

    Heritage Christian Stables
    1103 Salt Rd.

    Offers equine-assisted horseback riding and non-riding horsemanship lessons, inclusive to people of all abilities, designed to enrich a person’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being, while also building confidence and self-esteem.

    How you can help: The continued success of the therapeutic horsemanship program relies heavily on volunteers, which help to run lessons year-round. Riders may require as many as three people to assist them – one “side walker” on each side of the horse and one “horse leader” responsible for guiding the equine. Experience is not required. All necessary training is provided.

    Home Start Hope

    Home Start Hope provides brand new, essential household items to women and their children transitioning to independent living from emergency shelters in Rochester, NY.

    How you can help: Stock their shelves by shopping their Target registry or by donating gift cards; get involved as a volunteer or board member; organize a donation drive; attend, sponsor or donate items for their fundraisers.

    Lap Robes for Veterans

    Cut and sew lap robes, which are then distributed at Honor Flights, area hospice homes, hospitals, and veterans outreach centers as a small gesture of warmth and comfort for the men and women who have served our country. Coordinated by two Webster women, the group meets once a week in Irondequoit to cut fabric and sew it around the edges. Then a “thank you for your service” label is hand-sewn in the corner.

    How you can help: Anyone who loves to sew is invited to join the group. Click the link above to contact the organizers for more information.

    Lasagna Love
    https://lasagnalove.org/

    Neighbors helping neighbors by preparing and delivering home-cooked lasagnas for families who are struggling due to lost income, lost childcare or other life difficulties. There’s no cost to the families.

    How you can help: Join the cooking team and make some lasagna!

    Making Spirits Bright

    A referral-based adopt-a-family organization providing gifts every holiday season for families in need. The organization works with area school counselors and social workers to identify families that need assistance, get wish lists from each of the family members and begin collecting items.

    How you can help: “Adopt” an individual, or adopt a whole family, and fill a wish list. Volunteer wrappers are also needed once all of the gifts are collected. Bookmark the website and stay tuned to my blog next Christmas season for your next opportunities.

    Maplewood Nursing Home
    100 Daniel Dr.

    Long-term care nursing facility in the Village of Webster.

    How you can help: Volunteers are needed to transport residents to meals and activities, spend time visiting, assist with games and events, help on outings, bring in fun crafts, run our book club, offer cooking demonstrations (with tastings, of course), share their musical talents and more!

    Meals on Wheels
    2180 Empire Blvd.

    Meal delivery service to support our senior neighbors to extend their independence and health.

    How you can help: Become a driver! Your visits provide more then just meals; they provide socialization and safety checks. Become a regular delivery person, adopt a route with your club or business, or become a seasonal sub. Kitchen help is also needed.

    Never Say Never Stables
    906 Maple Dr.

    The Never Say Never Foundation is a not-for-profit equine-assisted program that provides life-enriching, horse related experiences to children and teens living with long term illness, special needs and/or other serious life challenges.

    How you can help: Volunteers are trained to act as support staff, helping children be safe in and around the barn and animal enclosures. Volunteers monitor activity and offer encouragement to the participants. They may care for the horses and animals and take on many chores around the barn.

    Rochester Challenger Miracle Field
    Ridge Park, 1000 Ridge Rd. (P.O. Box 826)

    Provides people with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier-free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.

    How you can help:

    Volunteer positions are available for all of Miracle Field’s sport leagues for anyone who can commit to coming every week as coaches, or even on a fill-in basis. No experience is necessary in any sport, just the desire to help players take turns and have fun.

    Miracle Field also hosts special events for the special needs community such as a Halloween Party, Holiday Kickball with Santa, and a Valentine’s Dance. Volunteers for those events can help with planning, decorating, and generally facilitating the event for players and families. Volunteers with experience in fundraising, grant writing, creating programming, managing social media, and other areas are also needed.

    Webster Health Education Network (WHEN)
    119 South Ave.

    WHEN Works with the Webster School District, Town of Webster and community resources to promote healthy, substance-free behaviors and lifestyles in the Webster community by supporting drug education and awareness initiatives.

    How you can help: WHEN could use some project-specific volunteers to help Webster kids grow up strong and substance free. You don’t have to be a member to lend a hand; help design a youth coalition, join the information table team, or join the welcome wagon. Community members are always encouraged to join the coalition. Meetings are held monthly.

    Webster Arboretum
    1700 Schlegel Rd.

    The goal of the Webster Arboretum Association, Inc. is to create and maintain a park-like setting dedicated to quiet reflection and passive recreation through the beauty found within the sights, smells and sounds of nature through educational, conservational and recreational opportunities for all ages.

    How you can help: Weeding, mulching, landscaping, general maintenance and park improvement projects.

    Webster Assoc. of Senior Program Services (WSPS)
    1350 Chiyoda Dr.

    A group of volunteers who provide transportation for retirees and disabled residents who live within the Webster School District.

    How you can help: Drive residents to and from medical and dental appointments, other health-related trips such as pharmacies, as well as banks, barbers, hairdressers and tax preparation services.

    Webster Business Improvement District (BID)

    Organization of mostly Village of Webster businesses responsible for creating a vibrant, clean and safe business district. Its mission is to “help create a positive and welcoming business atmosphere within our community to enhance the community’s overall perception of the Village and to help foster economic stability and growth.”

    How you can help: Community members are welcome at the monthly meetings. Express your opinions, ideas for future events, put in your two cents about how things are being run. You can also sign up to help out with community events like Family Games Night, Trick or Treat Trail, and the Webster Jazz Fest.

    Webster Comfort Care Home
    700 Holt Rd.

    Provides end-of-life comfort care, symptom control and pain management for residents while being a source of respite care for the families.

    How you can help: Opportunities include resident care volunteer, house cleaner (2 times a month), social media liaison, maintenance person, party planner (especially if you love fundraising), newsletter designer (Canava expert). Hands-on training is provided for all volunteers.

    Webster Community Chest
    1000 Ridge Rd.

    Provides information and referrals, emergency financial assistance, food assistance, summer camp scholarships, high school senior awards for community service, and financial aid to organizations whose programs benefit Webster residents.

    How you can help: Lots of ways! Coordinate a food collection, help stuff envelopes for the annual campaign, join a committee (like marketing/PR or fundraising), help with meal center distribution, become a board member, help plan the next Greater Rochester Marshmallow Peep Show in March, and more.

    Need more ideas? Visit the Community Chest’s Volunteer Appreciation night on Tuesday Jan. 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Webster Public Library.

    Webster Food Pantries

    Webster has four free food pantries, located at Immanuel Lutheran Church (West Main), St. Martin Lutheran Church (Bay Rd.), Webster Baptist Church (South Ave.) and the United Church of Christ (Klem Rd.). The concept is to take what you need, leave what you can.

    How you can help: You can drop off non-perishable food items any time at any of the pantries. Look for them in the church parking lots.

    Webster Girl Scouts

    Girl Scouting aims to empower girls through the development of five essential skills: goal setting, money management, people skills, decision making, and business ethics.

    How you can help: Become a troop leader/chaperone, cookie volunteer, service unit volunteer, camp/seasonal volunteer or more.

    Webster Public Library
    980 Ridge Rd.

    Enhances our community’s intellectual and creative pursuits by providing expertise and an eclectic collection of books, periodicals, digital media, and so. much. more.

    How you can help: The Friends of the Public Library offers many volunteer opportunities for adults. The all-volunteer organization promotes and supports library, services, facilities and needs through community events, programs, the lobby bookstore and a semi-annual book sale. Additional opportunities for teens include assisting with children’s/teen Programs, dressing as a character for a children’s program, dusting and cleaning tables, cleaning books, clerical support (cutting scrap paper, sharpening pencils etc.), folding brochures, and more.

    Webster Museum and Historical Society
    18 Lapham Park

    Dedicated to educating and introducing Webster’s heritage to our community through research, collection preservation, educational programs and exhibits.

    How you can help: Volunteers are needed in many areas, including as greeters and docents, helping with publicity and other writing tasks, setting up exhibits, managing computer files, and others.

    Webster NY Hope
    1450 Ridge Rd.

    Serves the needs of residents in the 14580 zip code, helping to provide food, clothing, household goods, furniture and financial assistance to those in need.

    How you can help: Volunteers help restock the food pantry, sort clothes, and meet with clients.

    Webster Volunteer Fire Dept./Northeast Joint Fire District
    35 South Ave.

    Provides fire, rescue and EMS services to the Village of Webster, East Webster and Northeast Penfield.

    How you can help: The invitation to become a member and join the volunteer firefighting team is always open. Other opportunities are also available; send along a Facebook message or find an application on the website for more information.

    West Webster Fire Department
    1051 Gravel Road

    Provides fire, rescue and EMS services to the residents of West Webster and northwest Penfield.

    How you can help: From Cpt. Tom Woodward: We are always looking to add people who are passionate about serving their community. Send us a message on Facebook or find an application on our website to find more information.

    Wreaths Across America

    The mission of Wreaths Across America is to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in the country. The simple act of placing a wreath helps assure that these veterans are never forgotten.

    How you can help: The next wreaths Across America Day is Dec. 14, 2024. Community members are encouraged to attend the ceremony that day at Webster Union Cemetery and help lay wreaths in one of three (or more) Webster cemeteries. In the meantime, wreath sponsors are needed to make sure we have enough wreaths for every veteran in those ceremonies. Click on the link to find out how you can sponsor a wreath.

    * * *

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

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    (posted 1/3/2024)

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