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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.

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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 1/3/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

13 Dec

Have your kids had a chance to see Santa this year? If not, no sweat. Santa will be at Never Say Never Stables this Saturday and Sunday Dec. 16 and 17, from noon to 2 p.m. both days, visiting with the kids and the horses. (Including an adorable reinhorse!)

In addition to the chance to talk with Santa, this FREE family-fun event will also feature hay wagon rides, a make-your-own reindeer snack station, a take-home treat for the children, and photo ops with all of the animals, including horses, goats, ducks, chicken, bunny and guinea pig.

Never Say Never Stables, located at 906 Maple Dr., is a small family-owned horse farm offering children’s lessons, fun programs, and parties on a more personal, “not-so-commercial” scale. It is also home to the Never Say Never Foundation, 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. 

Spaghetti Dinner

The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters (WSPS) is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on January 5, 2024 at the Webster Masonic Temple, 30 Orchard Street.

Dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m., and includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread, drink and dessert. Cost is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 12 and under. You can eat in or take out.

All proceeds go to supporting the WSPS, a local non-profit providing rides for Webster School District Seniors to their medical appointments.

This notice from the Webster Schools:

Families of Young Children Asked to Take Census

Webster CSD is surveying the community to forecast student enrollment for the foreseeable future.

Anyone in the district who has children residing in their household ages birth to 5 years old is asked to
complete the brief online census. Families who don’t have access to a computer can participate by calling Student Registration at (585) 216-0029.

The annual young child census is available now on the district website and will be available through Jan. 6, 2024.

New benches on the Hojack

Shout-out to Cole Featherly, from Scout Troop 262, for his fine work on three new benches he built for the Hojack Trail as part of his Eagle Scout Project.

Cole also installed two similar benches in the new Michael A. Johnson Nature Preserve. Some of the benches have additional small tables.

The project was suggested and funded by the Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) using a grant from the Webster Rotary , and supervised by FWT Scout liaison Pat Fulkerson. Keep an eye out for them as you’re hiking the trails this season!

Finally, here are a few final reminders about special events at the Webster Museum and the Webster Public Library.

The museum is holding a great fundraiser which will make a perfect gift idea. It’s called “12 Months of Flowers,” and is being offered in conjunction with Kittelberger Florist.

Purchase a “12 Months of Flowers” card for $40, cash or check only, at the museum during their regular hours, or email jannaujokas1@yahoo.com. You’ll receive one bouquet of flowers, each month, for 12 consecutive months. Bouquets are valued at $15 and must be picked up at Kittelberger Florist, 263 North Ave, Webster. What a great way to brighten every month of the new year for someone special (or yourself)!

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park (just steps off of East Main St.). They’re open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

And don’t forget about the Friends of the Webster Library Holiday Book Sale, happening right now.

There’s a table set up through Dec. 21 (unless everything sells out before then) with gently-used books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles. Stop by next time you’re at the library and check some things off your shopping list.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza.

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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 12/13/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

7 Dec

First, this reminder from the Webster Museum about a great holiday fundraiser … which also makes a great gift idea.

It’s called “12 Months of Flowers,” and is being offered in conjunction with Kittelberger Florist.

Purchase a “12 Months of Flowers” card for $40, cash or check only, at the museum during their regular hours, or email jannaujokas1@yahoo.com. You’ll receive one bouquet of flowers, each month, for 12 consecutive months. Bouquets are valued at $15 and must be picked up at Kittelberger Florist, 263 North Ave, Webster. What a great way to brighten every month of the new year for someone special (or yourself)!

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park (just steps off of East Main St.). They’re open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

This reminder from the Women’s Club of Webster that they’re always welcoming new members.

The mission of the Women’s Club is to make a positive difference in the lives of Webster community members, primarily through fundraising. The list of organizations and scholarships the club supports is impressive, including the Webster Comfort Care Home, the Webster Museum, service awards for high school students, the Webster Library, Webster NY Hope and many more.

If you’ve never been to a meat raffle (they’re HUGE in Buffalo), then you’ve missed out on a unique and entertaining experience.

For not a whole lot of money, you can win some big bunches of steak, bacon, pork, sausages … and much more.

This particular meat raffle is being hosted as a fundraiser for the Webster Wolves baseball team on Saturday Jan. 20. Check the flyer for more details.

There’s lots of stuff going on at the Webster Public Library this month, starting with the annual Friends of the Webster Library Holiday Book Sale.

There’s a table set up through Dec. 21 (unless everything sells out before then) with gently used books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles. Stop by next time you’re at the library and check some things off your shopping list.

Also going on this month at the library:

  • Music and Movement Story Time on Tuesday Dec. 12 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
  • Family Night on Monday Dec. 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. Bring the whole family and make a penguin egg puppet. No registration is required.
  • Make it Monday for Teens, Monday Dec. 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. This month, make a sock snowman. Registration is required. Click here.
  • Teen Library Club, Wednesday Dec. 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Kids in grades 6 through 12 are invited to learn how to become more involved in the library and the community. Registration is required. Click here.
  • For adults: Tending to Life — Blue Christmas, Saturday Dec. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. Sharon Willow talks about grief and the holidays. Registration is required. Click here.
  • Holiday Music in the Library, Saturday Dec. 16. At 10:30 a.m., the Madrigalia Carolers will perform in the main library (no registration required). At 1 p.m. the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra will perform in the Community Room. Registration is required for that performance. Click here.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza.

‘Tis definitely the holidays at the Webster Recreation Center!

Santa will be there from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 9 to welcome children of all ages. He’ll wait for everyone, so no need to show up at right at the beginning; stop in anytime between 1 and 3 p.m.

And while you’re there — whether you see Santa or not — you can drop off your letter to Santa in the mailbox anytime between Dec. 9 and 19. And guess what!! Santa will actually write a return letter which you can pick up at the Rec Center beginning on Dec. 21.

And if your kids like cookies, check this out: Stop in anytime on Saturday Dec. 9 between 8 a.m. and noon (before Santa gets there) for a Stay ‘n Play Cookie Decorating Party. It’s free and no registration is necessary.

And you won’t want to miss the Senior Singers Holiday Performance on Tuesday Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. This FREE performance of holiday classics will have you singing all day. This is a community event, so bring your friends and family! More to come about this in a future blog.

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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 12/7/2023)

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Winter Wonderland at the Webster Museum

29 Nov

A few days ago I posted a blog with details about this weekend’s Winter Wonderland festivities in the Village of Webster on Saturday Dec. 2. But I wanted to separate out the Webster Museum for special treatment because they have a lot of cool stuff going on that day, even before the festival starts.

The museum’s fun-filled winter celebration kicks off with a book sale and signing by local author Bill Schoff, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A retired Plank Rd. North Elementary teacher, Bill has authored four wonderful books of fun poetry for the child in all of us. For this special event, all of Bill’s books are on sale for $10 each, cash or check only.  Bring your own to be signed, or purchase one at the museum on the day of the signing.

Beginning at 4 p.m., the museum will have live music, featuring The Saxophone Therapy Project until 4:45, followed by The Goodwin Family from 5 to 5:45 p.m., providing instrumental music with a sing-a-long.

The Festival of Trees officially opens this Saturday as well. Fifteen beautifully decorated miniature Christmas trees have been placed throughout the museum, and community members are encouraged to see them all and vote for your favorite. They’ll be on display through Dec. 31, but if you can’t make it to the museum before then, you can also vote online at the museum’s website. (That link will be posted soon!)

Many local nonprofit organizations have worked hard to create these beautiful trees, and prize monies will be awarded. So stop on down and cast your vote!

The spectacular Burkardt Family Crèche will be on display for the month of December.  Handcrafted in Germany between WWI and WWII, it was shipped to the Burkardt family in Webster at the end of the war. You can read more about it in this blog I wrote about it last year.   

Finally, here’s a unique holiday gift idea which will delight someone you love, and benefit the museum at the same time. It’s called “12 Months of Flowers,” and is being offered in conjunction with Kittelberger Florist.

Purchase a “12 Months of Flowers” card for $40, cash or check only, at the museum during Winter Wonderland and receive one bouquet of flowers, each month, for 12 consecutive months. Bouquets are valued at $15 and must be picked up at Kittelberger Florist, 263 North Ave, Webster. What a great way to brighten every month of the new year for someone special (or yourself)!

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park (just steps off of East Main St.). They’ll be open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 2.

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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 11/29/2023)

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November History Bit: Where did Webster’s slogan come from?

28 Nov

It’s a phrase most residents of the Town of Webster know well: Webster is “Where Life is Worth Living.” But have you ever wondered how and when that slogan came about? 

Several years ago, Town Historian Lynn Barton looked into the question, and uncovered an excerpt from the 1926 Webster Union and High School Handbook for Students, Teachers and Parents, which attributes the slogan to “an enterprising Ad Club.” 

According to Webster Chamber of Commerce president Barry Howard, the Ad Club refers to an organization that promoted Webster businesses in the early 1920s. It was similar to the current Chamber of Commerce, which was formed in the early 1930s.

As well known as that slogan is, many may not realize that it really only refers to the Town of Webster. The Village of Webster has its very own: the village is “Where Life Keeps Getting Better.” You’ll see that motto proudly displayed on the sign outside the Village offices on West Main St. 

You, too, can proudly display our town’s slogan, on a “WLiWL” bumper sticker available for just $1 at the Webster Museum, or with a t-shirt, mug, apron, water bottle or more, available at the museum’s online gift shop (think Christmas gifts!).

The Webster Museum is located at 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 to learn more.    

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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 11/28/2023)

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Details about next weekend’s Winter Wonderland

25 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. 2.

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 5:30 p.m., when he has to leave and get ready to ride in the parade.

From 3 to 6 p.m., stop by the North Pole at Veterans Park (Gazebo Park) where all sorts of activities will be happening. The carriage rides will begin there, there’ll be crafts for the kids, hot cocoa, cookie decorating, dancing, games and more, including story time with Jason from the Webster Public Library from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

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 4 to 5:45 p.m., and your chance to place your vote in the museum’s Festival of Trees (more information to come about that).

Everything wraps up with the spectacular Parade of Lights which will begin at 630 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. (It’s always an adventure as well to see if the huge inflated snowman on the one fire truck will make it under the traffic light safety.)

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

(posted 11/25/2023)

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News from the Webster Museum

16 Nov

Before I get into details about a couple of interesting new exhibits at the Webster Museum this month, I want to let you all know about a special event honoring veterans, being held Sunday Nov. 19.

It’s called Vietnam, A Time to Listen, A Chat with Ron Gentle. At 2 p.m. Sunday, the museum will welcome US Air Force veteran and Webster resident Ron Gentle, who will share some of his experiences from his time serving in the Vietnam War, a pivotal time in American history. When you’re there, you’ll see Ron’s uniform, along with two others from World War II in a display case right off the main lobby.

Just around the corner from that case is a fascinating new exhibit honoring Webster resident Gary Morgan, who passed away recently leaving many friends, family members and memories.

Gary had collected many of his memories in several binders which he filled with stories about his life and what Webster was like back when he was growing up during World War II. Among them are the time when he and his friends used to ride their bikes down to the old canning factory to interact with the German POWs who had been transported there to provide labor. And the time when a huge four-engine plane buzzed the town repeatedly, flying so low that “you could see the guns sticking out and the airmen inside.” Later he would learn that the pilot was Lt. Alan Hermance, a young Webster man who was just saying goodbye before heading overseas. (Hermance never came home from the war; he went down in the very same B-17 that he flew over the town.)

The museum folks hope that Gary’s friends will visit and take time to read his memories, of going to school, of building cars with his father and his real passion, race car driving.

Alongside the binders are a collection of replicas of Webster buildings and houses that his sister Morgan Retzel had made. They’re incredibly detailed and interesting.

Another new exhibit explores the history of Sawyer’s Hall, which provided a wide variety of entertainment to Webster residents from 1909-1952.

Finally, remember to visit the Museum during Webster’s Winter Wonderland, and vote for your favorite mini Christmas tree during the museum’s annual Festival of Trees. It begins Saturday Dec. 2 and voting runs through Dec. 31. More details to come about this!

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30. For more information, visit the website, and like them on Facebook.

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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 11/16/2023)

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November’s historic Site of the Month: the “Schroeder House”

11 Nov

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. In November, that distinction was awarded to the home at 27 Lapham Park, fondly known as the “Schroeder House.”

The home is owned by Karen Sullivan, who lives there with her son Shane Callahan. The 2-1/2 story Victorian home was built in 1900 by Anthony Smith, and stands out thanks in large part to its prominent wrap-around porch. The porch originally featured ornate gingerbread trim (which can be seen in the historical photos below), and sided with wooden clapboard, which has been preserved under the current siding.

The house has changed hands several times over the years, and at one time was owned by Herbert W. Schroeder, who served as Webster schools superintendent from 1959 to 1969, and after whom Webster Schroeder High School was named. The house fell into disrepair in the early 2000s, but was lovingly rescued by Karen Sullivan in 2003. Sullivan has worked tirelessly over the past two decades to bring the house back to its former glory.

photos show the house c. 1905-1910

The house features the original oak hardwood floors, much of the original trim, dual staircases and butler’s pantry. Major improvements include total restoration of the front and back porches, with which Karen had a lot of help from her father, Ray. Karen’s son Shane also restored the summer porch several years ago. A recent full kitchen remodel gives the house a signature modern look while keeping the original character.

Sullivan’s hard work is evident in every corner of the house. Her goal of preserving the history of the “Schroeder House” has always been foremost in her mind while making any changes to the century-old Victorian.

Karen writes, “Over the last twenty years, the journey to restore this beautiful home has been a privilege. I am grateful the Historic Preservation Commission has recognized this property as Site of the Month.”

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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 11/11/2023)

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Photos from the Trick-or-Treat Trail

28 Oct

What an incredible day it turned out to be.

Despite vartook part in the ying predictions about how much rain we were going to get on Saturday, skies were bright and beautifully sunny for the entire duration of this year’s village Trick-or-Treat Trail. As usual, thousands of children and their families took advantage of the gorgeous weather to wander up and down Main Street, North and South avenues to show off their costumes and collect candy. And as usual, I was there — for a while — with my camera, snapping as many photos as I could.

It’s always fun to see what new trends would be showing up in costume, and I was fortunate to have my daughter at my side to identify all the video game characters for me. Not being able to pop into Barry’s Old School Irish in between my photo rounds made me a bit sad, but I was pleased to see so many new businesses participating.

Many thanks to the Webster BID for hosting this great event every year and for all of the businesses and community agencies which joined the fun.

Click here for a gallery of more than 100 photos from the streets, the fire station and the museum. Sorry if I didn’t get around to snapping your child’s photo, but feel free to email one to me and I can add it to my 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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 10/28/2023)

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