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Webster community mailbag

3 Nov

Packed mailbag today, to let’s get right into it. Some of these are repeats of events from previous mailbags, so I’ll try to keep them brief.

Webster’s very own SparX Robotics Team 1126 is hosting an Open House on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the South Cafeteria at Webster Thomas High School. Attendees will have a chance to get up-close and personal with this year’s robot, plus go behind the scenes with tours of the production and CAD areas. Former SparX members are especially welcome, to reconnect and meet the current team members.

SparX will also be collecting bottles and cans during the event. And remember that bottles and cans can be dropped off year-round at Nickel Back Bottle & Can Return, 659 Ridge Rd, Webster. Please remember to label your bags for the team to get credit.

Plus, this Sunday, Nov. 8, SparX will be hosting a Flapjack Breakfast at Applebees in Webster from 8 to 10 a.m. Tickets are $10 per person, available at the door. This is a tasty way to support the team!

Storytime at the Museum

On Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Webster Museum, elementary-school aged children are invited to hear a story and learn a bit of history from Mrs. Nesbitt, a retired elementary school teacher. From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Mrs. Nesbitt will lead a discussion about the historic one-room school house located at the back of the museum, and teach children about communication methods over the years, including the telephone. Please register ahead of time. Parents must remain in the museum during the event.

The Webster Museum will also be honoring veterans in two ways this year.

Also on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m., Steve Wendell of Honor Flight will make a presentation. Honor Flight of Rochester is a non-profit organization which serves veterans in Monroe and surrounding counties. Steve will share how to get started on the process to join an Honor Flight. Steve has been on 12 Honor Flights and went as Guardian with his father, who served in World War II. Two local veterans who have taken Honor Flights will also be on hand: Bob Steinorth, who was in the Vietnam War, and Navy submariner Dave Baird. The program is an open program for veterans to tell their stories. Refreshments will be provided.

The program is free and handicapped-accessible.

Also, the museum will be open on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday Nov. 11. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and fill out a star on the museum’s interactive display to honor veterans that you know.

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

Community Office Hours

Join Town Supervisor Alex Scialdone and other Webster representatives to talk about the local issues that matter most to you. The next scheduled Community Office Hours are Monday, Nov. 9, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with Deputy Supervisor Nick Hunter at the Webster Town Board Room, 1002 Ridge Rd.; and Thursday, Nov. 12, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with Supervisor Alex Scialdone at Liberty Lodge at Finn Park, 850 Maple Dr.

Note that there is no formal presentation at these events. It’s just your chance to hang out with your representatives, ask your questions and present your concerns. You don’t have to register; just show up.

Craft show to benefit WSPS

Here’s another reminder about this weekend’s indoor craft sale at the Webster Recreation Center to benefit the Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters. It happens Saturday Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rec Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

Ladies Night at JF Jones

JF Jones Jewelers s hosting a special “Ladies Night,” after-hours evening “just for you and your favorite girls” on Thursday Nov. 12 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

It promises to be a fun night of “shopping, sipping and dreaming.” It’s your chance to see JF Jones’ newest merchandise and latest styles, try on some pieces you’ve had your eye on and enjoy some time just for you and your girlfriends. Enjoy charcuterie, champagne, and a sweet dessert while you browse. Plus, the first 50 ladies who attend and create a wish list will receive a free gift bag.

Please RSVP here so they can plan enough food and treats for everyone. JF Jones Jewelers is located at 1170 Ridge Rd. (in the plaza next to Heart to Heart Bride).

Family Scavenger Hunt

Don’t forget about the Family Scavenger Hunt on Saturday Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Kent Park, 1700 Schlegel Rd. Participants can choose their own adventure as they explore the park, completing a fun scavenger hunt along the way. Three different skill levels will be available for kids aged 2 to 12, so children of all ages can participate, and every child will earn a prize.

Cost is $5 per child, and please preregister at the Recreation Center website. You can pay when you get to the hike. Sign in anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The hunt will take place rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Proceeds will be donated to the Webster Arboretum to help improve Webster’s trails.

Vintage Book Sale

The Friends of the Webster Public Library’s next Vintage Book Sale is Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library, 980 Ridge Road. Shop more than 200 fiction and nonfiction books published between the 19th early 21st centuries. Prices start at $8.

Proceeds from the sale support the library.

Help the Webster Chamber help our community

The Webster Chamber of Commerce is collecting hats, mittens, scarves, gloves, and socks for Webster HOPE. You can drop items at the Chamber office, bring them to any Chamber event, or order them on Amazon.com and have them shipped directly to the Chamber (1110 Crosspointe Lane, Suite C, Webster). Here are some links to make it easy: Amazon.com: : Cushioned Crew Socks and Winter Beanies & Gloves Combo Pack, Bulk Pack for Men Women.

The Chamber would also like to invite area businesses — especially those investigating membership in the Chamber — to attend the next Eat, Drink & Connect. This is a casual get-together, a chance to meet current members and find out more about Chamber membership.

This month’s Eat, Drink & Connect will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Beyond Cuts, 33 North Avenue in Webster.

The opportunity to host one of these events is a Chamber member benefit, earning increased visibility for the hosting business. Make sure to bring a door prizes when you attendm which will increase your business’ visibility. You might even be a winner. Check out photos from October’s Eat, Drink & Connect here. There’s no fee to attend, but registration is required.

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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 11/3/2026)

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News and family-friendly events from the Friends of Webster Trails

21 Oct

The autumn edition of my Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) newsletter popped up in my email box the other day, and as usual, it was packed with lots of great updates about how much the Friends have accomplished in the last several months. And as usual, I’d like to share some of those accomplishments with you all.

But first, I want to highlight two family-friendly events the Friends have scheduled in just a few weeks.

The first is a Family Scavenger Hunt on Saturday Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Kent Park, 1700 Schlegel Rd., held in conjunction with the Webster Recreation Center.

Participants can choose their own adventure as they explore the park, completing a fun scavenger hunt along the way. Three different skill levels will be available for kids aged 2 to 12, so children of all ages can participate, and every child will earn a prize.

Cost is $5 per child, and please preregister at the Recreation Center website. You can pay when you get to the hike. Sign in anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The hunt will take place rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Proceeds will be donated to the Webster Arboretum to help improve Webster’s trails.

***

That evening, the Friends will host their annual Hot Cocoa Hike, held this year at State Road Nature Preserve, 1571 State Rd.

This free, self-guided, family-friendly hike will be about one mile from start to finish, and includes a stop along the way for (you guessed it) hot cocoa! The path will be clearly marked, and there will be lights along the way to help guide you, but please bring a flashlight to help out as well. (And your own travel mug.)

Participants are asked to plan to leave the parking lot between 7 and 8 p.m. so that you can arrive at the hot cocoa stop by 8:30 p.m. The trail will begin on the right-hand side of the parking lot. Please leave your dogs at home.

There’s no cost, but please register here so the Friends have enough hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Now, on to the newsletter

If you enjoyed hiking any of our trails this summer, you’ll notice how great they’re looking — and keeping them looking great has been a challenge with all the windstorms knocking down trees left and right. The dedicated FWT volunteers have been working hard all summer to maintain these trails. Here are some highlights:

  • Habitat/ReTree Project: Volunteers planted 151 native trees and shrubs. The purpose of this project is to restore and protect the forests in Webster by planting native species, improving wildlife habitat, and making local woodlands more resilient to insects, diseases, and other threats. Thanks to the Ciena Corporation, who provided some volunteers for this project, for the Girl Scouts, who potted some seedlings, and to RG&E for donating nursery stock.
  • Bird Sanctuary Trail: This was much improved over the summer with lots of new gravel and the installation of new drainage pipes. Soon the Friends also plan to install a dog waste station at the Orchard St. trailhead.
  • Gosnell Big Woods Preserve: In addition to doing some much-needed cleaning along the fence line, FWT volunteers were able to rescue a wounded osprey, with help from the Braddock Bay Birding Observatory.
  • Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve: The Whiting Rd. Red Trail now has a new boardwalk, thanks to the efforts of Maria Frick, who completed it in June for her Eagle Scout project.

The newsletter also had a rather interesting analysis of who’s actually using the trails. Hikers by far comprise the greatest number of users (and runners from my running group are included among them), at 64%. They’re followed by dog walkers at 29%, and bikers are 7%. And a separate tally of the number of people using the paths around Charles Sexton (North Ponds) Park counted an amazing 4,000 a week.

If you include yourself among these folks who use our trails, and you aren’t yet a member of the Friends of Webster Trails, please consider showing them some love by becoming a member. It doesn’t cost much (really, just $15 for an individual or $20 for a family) and the funds go directly to making our trail system better for everyone to enjoy.

You can find out more about the organization and see an interactive map of all the trails at the Friends of Webster Trails website.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 10/21/2026)

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Enjoy a hike and hot cocoa with the Friends of Webster Trails

14 Oct

The Friends of Webster Trails are finalizing their plans for their next Hot Cocoa Hike, which will be held this year on Saturday, Nov. 7 at State Road Nature Preserve, 1571 State Rd.

This free, self-guided, family friendly hike will be about one mile from start to finish, and includes a stop along the way for (you guessed it) hot cocoa! The path will be clearly marked, and there will be lights along the way to help guide you, but please bring a flashlight to help out as well. (And your own travel mug.)

Participants are asked to plan to leave the parking lot between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. so that you can arrive at the hot cocoa stop by 8:30 p.m. The trail will begin on the right-hand side of the parking lot.

To help everyone enjoy the evening, please leave your dogs at home; you can bring them back to enjoy the trail another time.

The motto for the evening is carry in, carry out; please take everything you bring with you when you leave. There’s no cost, but please register here so the Friends have enough hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Remember,

  • this is a self-guided hike
  • bring your own travel mug and flashlight
  • wear comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear

This is a really fun way to explore one of Webster’s newest trail systems, and a great way to meet some of your like-minded neighbors.

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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 10/14/2026)

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Hojack Trail improvements officially introduced to the community

6 Sep

About two dozen people attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday afternoon marking the official re-opening of the greatly improved Hojack Trail.

As you probably know, the Hojack is Webster’s premier Rails-To-Trails trail. Part of the former Hojack Railroad, the trail runs almost five miles from the northwest of town to the southeast, between Lake Road and Phillips Road. Several connections to other trails can also me made from the Hojack, including the Vosburg Hollow Nature Trail, John Ungar & Michael A. Johnson Trails, Charles E. Sexton Memorial Park, and the Bird Sanctuary Trail. It’s one of the most popular trails in the Webster trails system.

For several months through last summer and fall and into this spring, volunteers from the Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) worked hard, resurfacing the entire stretch between Holt and Drumm roads, improving drainage, and adding plantings, signage and benches. The work was made possible with a large grant, which was matched by two anonymous donors. Those improvements were officially introduced to the Webster community at Thursday’s ribbon-cutting.

FWT Board Member Ben Wisniewski welcomed the assembled guests, and reminded everyone about the trail’s rich history, which goes back to 1875 when the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad — the “Hojack Line” — came through town.

He said,

By the 1890s, the railroad was the center of the village, with a large station there. Four daily trains took passengers to Sea Breeze and into Rochester, while freight was shipped out of town. The golden age of the railroad transformed Webster and the entire area. But times changed, cars and trucks become the dominant means of transport, and the railroad eventually closed.

Passenger trains stopped running to Sea Breeze in 1929, and in 1964, less than 100 years after the Webster Station was built, this section of the Hojack Line closed.

It wasn’t until the 1990s when a local movement began to turn the old rail bed into the rail trail we love today. The Friends of Webster Trails was established in 1997, charged with maintaining the new Hojack Trail.

The Friends have created many more trails in the years since, but the Hojack has always been one of the most popular. But there were often times when the trail would get very muddy, flooded and sometimes become impassible. FWT has long wished to improve the trail surface, but the cost to do that was a huge stumbling block.

Then, in early 2025, the stars aligned. FWT became aware of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Trails Maintenance Fund for Western New York, which provided a large chunk of the needed funds. And when two very generous community members stepped forward to provide the funds required to make up the difference, the work could begin.

In addition to the resurfacing, the FWT added two new kiosks with maps and trail information, wayfinding signs, point-of-interest signs, new trees and shrubs and access bollards, all designed and built by FWT and its community partners.

The Hojack really is a beautiful trail, and the crown jewel of our extensive trail system. We owe a huge debt to the Friends of Webster Trails for all the work they’ve done to really bring it up to snuff so that we can all enjoy it for years to come.

***

We have an amazing trail system in our town, and I hope you can see now that the Friends of Webster Trails are the folks to thank for that. These dedicated volunteers are committed to planning, maintaining, and promoting our trails, and advocating for the preservation of the natural character of Webster’s open spaces.

If you’re a regular user of any of Webster’s 28 miles of trails, please consider showing them some love by becoming a member of the Friends. It doesn’t cost much (really, just $15 for an individual or $20 for a family) and the funds go directly to making our trail system better for everyone to enjoy.

You can find out more about the organization and see an interactive map of all the trails at the Friends of Webster Trails website.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 9/6/2026)

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Where have all the robins gone?

29 Aug

Believe it or not, a few days ago I was musing this exact question. We always see a lot of robins welcoming spring, but this time of year they seem to have disappeared.

Then, by chance (or fate), I got my monthly informational email from the Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) which very neatly answered that question, and assured me that they’re still around. They’re just doing what they do during the summer.

Specifically, the Friends wrote,

During spring and summer, robins are often seen hopping across lawns, searching for earthworms and insects. As summer progresses and the ground becomes dry and hard, their diet shifts toward fruits and berries, which are often found in wooded areas and shrubs.

Mid-to-late summer is also molting season for adult robins. They replace their worn feathers, which can leave them looking a little scruffy. During this time, they tend to be quieter and more secretive, helping them stay protected while they grow new feathers. As fall approaches, robins begin forming large social flocks. These groups can number in the thousands or even tens of thousands. Flocking helps robins locate food, stay warm, and watch for predators.

And when you don’t see them much in the winter, it’s not necessarily because they’ve migrated south — well, at least not very far south. Some might travel only a short distance based on food availability, while others migrate further. But rest assured, when the ground begins to thaw again and the earthworms and other insects wake up, they’ll be back, welcoming spring.

So, if you haven’t seen many robins lately, don’t worry, they haven’t disappeared. Look toward wooded areas and berry-producing shrubs, and you may find them gathering in large flocks.

More news from the Friends

Remember all of the work the Friends of Webster Trails recently put into improving the Hojack Trail? For several months through last summer and fall and into this spring, workers resurfaced the entire stretch between Holt and Drumm roads, improving drainage, and adding plantings, signage and benches. 

They’re finally ready to show it off.

On Thursday, Sept. 3 from 4 to 5 p.m., the Friends of Webster Trails will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially introduce the improvements to the Webster community. The event will be held at the Hojack Trail crossing on Klem Rd. (just west of Park Vista Trail). The community is cordially invited.

This would be a great time, by the way, to take a quick hike on the Hojack, which is the FWT’s September Trail of the Month. The Hojack connects with several other trails, including the Michael A. Johnson and John Ungar trails, giving you the opportunity to extend your hike and explore more of Webster’s trail system.

P.S. YOU, TOO CAN BE PRIVY to these interesting bits of nature news and notices when you become a member of the Friends of Webster Trails.

If you’re a regular user of any of Webster’s 28 miles of trails, please consider showing them some love by becoming a member of the Friends. It doesn’t cost much (really, just $15 for an individual or $20 for a family) and the funds go directly to making our trail system better for everyone to enjoy.

You can find out more about the organization and see an interactive map of all the trails at the Friends of Webster Trails website.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 8/29/2026)

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Arboretum Poetry Trail blends nature and art

13 Jul

Next time you take a walk through the Webster Arboretum on Schlegel Rd., you might find yourself stopping for more than just the flowers and trees. You might just lose yourself in rhyme.

Placed along the Arboretum’s gracefully winding paths is a series of five poems, the work of area authors, posted on handsome plaques adjacent to some of the park’s most picturesque features. They’re part of the Arboretum’s Poetry Trail, a community-driven space that blends the natural beauty of the park with local literature.

Opened in May 2025, the trail was spearheaded by Rochester-area poet Ron Friedman, who worked closely with the Arboretum’s Board of Directors to determine which poems would be used, where they would be placed and how the plaques would be designed. Ultimately, 11 poems were selected from hundreds submitted the previous spring, the chosen poets reflecting a variety of ages and talents, including one near the pond, called “If I Were a Butterfly,” written by preschoolers.

The trail currently features five of the chosen poems, each printed on a handsome brown plaque. In addition to the poem, there’s also a QR code which links to a recording of the poet reading his or her work. Reading the poem along with the author is a very calming experience. (The preschoolers’ poem doesn’t have a QR code, but you can see a video of the children reading it here.)

The trail itself stretches for a little less than a half mile, winding past the pond and the smaller gazebo, and across the covered footbridge. It only takes about 20 minutes to walk its length, depending on how long you pause to contemplate each poem. Most of the plaques are placed right on the gravel trail, which makes them very accessible. They’ve been installed at natural resting points, highlighting several of the Arboretum’s most beautiful locales.

In addition to the preschoolers’ butterfly poem, the four other poems are “Messages From the Garden” by Heidi Nightengale of Auburn, “Haiku Spring” by Rachel Ikins of Baldwinsville, “She Who is Sealed is Plastic” by Karen Faris of Rochester, and “Dear Arboretum in Webster” by Bobbie Dumas Panck of Malone.

Ron has six additional poems in reserve, which are currently “on the road,” having traveled to the Webster Schroeder High School library, the Webster Library, Monroe Community College, and the Before Your Quiet Eyes bookstore on Monroe Ave. He plans to rotate five of those into the Arboretum soon, to keep the trail engaging and feature a greater variety of poets. The posts themselves will remain in the same locations.

The map indicates the approximate location of each poem (click on it to enlarge it). The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

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(posted 7/13/2026)

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).

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News from the Friends of Webster Trails

16 May

It’s a sure sign of spring when the Friends of Webster Trails (FWT) volunteers start ramping up their trail maintenance efforts. I learned all about them in the most recent Friends newsletter, which popped up in my email box the other day, my quarterly reminder of how lucky we are to have this organization in our community.

A large portion of the spring newsletter reviewed last year’s improvements to the Hojack Trail, the five-mile long former railroad bed that stretches from Lake Rd. at Forest Lawn to Phillips Rd. Those efforts included adding drainage and resurfacing the entire stretch between Holt and Drumm roads. It caused a little bit of disruption when portions of the trail had to be closed, but the results are fantastic. The trail has been busy all winter with walkers, runners, bikers, and cross-country skiers enjoying the new surface and improved drainage.

The work isn’t done quite yet, though. Later this spring, the Friends will be installing signage at each road crossing, and interpretive signs highlighting the history and the habitat of the trail. They’ll also be adding benches and planting scores of small trees and shrubs. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned for later this summer, to officially reintroduce the new, improved Hojack to the community.

Improvements to the Hojack Trail were just a small part of what the Friends of Webster Trails accomplished last year, including:

  • Painting the kiosk at the Bird Sactuary Trail, and adding a map and history panels;
  • Adding an extension to the Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest Green Trail;
  • Blazing a new side trail at the John Ungar and Michael Johnson Trails;
  • Adding a bridge at Vosburg Hollow (thank you Eagle Scout Jacob Bowen), connecting that trail from the Hojack to Gosnell Big Woods; and much more.

Plans for this spring and summer are no less ambitious. Upcoming projects include improving the Red, Blue and Green Trails at Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest; adding a new boardwalk and walking stick station to State Rd. Nature Preserve; keeping the trails free from downed trees; and many more. And of course, the Friends’ ReTree volunteers will continue their incredible work, raising and planting a variety of native trees.

We have an amazing trail system in our town, and I hope you can see now that the Friends of Webster Trails are the folks to thank for that. These dedicated volunteers are committed to planning, maintaining, and promoting our trails, and advocating for the preservation of the natural character of Webster’s open spaces.

Our trails provide close, easy, and free opportunities for exercise and to spend time in nature for people of all ages. If you’re a regular user of any of Webster’s 28 miles of trails, please consider showing them some love by becoming a member of the Friends. It doesn’t cost much (really, just $15 for an individual or $20 for a family) and the funds go directly to making our trail system better for everyone to enjoy.

You can find out more about the organization and see an interactive map of all the trails at the Friends of Webster Trails website.

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(posted 5/16/2026)

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).

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Pfft. What’s a little snow? Get out for a hike!

3 Feb

Winter is actually a great time of year for a hike. Our already beautiful local parks and preserves become even more spectacular under a layer of snow. They’re so unbelievably quiet and peaceful that sometimes the only thing you can hear is the ice cracking under your boots. As long as you’re bundled up against the cold and have some good boots (and traction cleats), a winter hike is nothing less than food for the soul.

If you like that idea but aren’t sure where to start, the Friends of Webster Trails would like to invite you to a stroll through one of our town’s newest trail systems, the State Road Nature Preserve. The hike is scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 7 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the preserve, 1571 State Rd.

The family-friendly, guided hike will take participants through most of the preserve’s trails (measuring a bit more than one mile). If there’s snow (which there likely will be), you’ll look for animal tracks as you traverse a hidden trail network. Make sure to dress in layers and have traction devices for your feet if necessary. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.

There’s no charge for the hike, but please register here so the Friends know how many to expect. More information about winter hiking safety can be found here.

Can’t make it to State Rd.?

If you like the idea of a winter hike but can’t make it to the State Rd. guided hike this weekend, consider the Friends’ Loop of the Month, described in the Friends’ February newsletter:

With winter conditions still in place, flatter trails are often the best choice when dealing with ice and snow. Consider starting at Gosnell Big Field. From there, you can follow the connector path into Vosburg Hollow, then continue on to the Hojack Trail. This loop is approximately 2.5 miles,with the option to add extra distance by heading farther along the Hojack Trail before turning back. This loop offers flexibility, scenic views, and a great way to enjoy the trails safely during the winter months.

If trail conditions are icy, an easier option is to walk through Vosburg Hollow, cross the bridge, through the parking lot, up the connector trail  onto the Hojack Trail. Be aware that Vosburg Hollow includes a few hills that may be slippery in winter conditions, so use caution.

Trees in your way on the trail?

If you ARE a regular hiker and frequently enjoy Webster’s amazing trail system, no doubt you’ve come across a tree or two blocking the path. Ash trees especially like to topple in high winds.

If you do see something like that, the Friends would really like to know about it. You can email them here, with the following information:

  • The preserve name
  • The trail where the tree is located or drop pin
  • A photo if you can. That way they can bring the proper equipment to take care of the job.

Extra eyes on the trails help the Friends respond more quickly and keep the trails safe for everyone. (And P.S. try to avoid walking in the woods during high winds.)

Become a Friend

If you’d like to keep tabs on all of the latest news from the all-volunteer Friends of Webster Trails, including advance notice of special events, consider joining the organization and you, too, will get their monthly newsletter. It’s only $15 for individuals, $20 for families, and worth every penny. Click here for more information.

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(posted 2/3/2026)

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).

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Looking back at the year in blogs

30 Dec

As I like to do at the end of every year, a few days ago I took a stroll back through all of the blogs I wrote in 2025. It’s always a fun exercise, as I review all of the events, business openings and closings, people and places that I found to share with you all. They reflect the extraordinary diversity of people, places and events we have here in Webster, and how close-knit this town is.

In the last 12 months, counting today, I posted 334 blogs. That works out to about 28 blogs every month. And thanks to the wonders of the Internet, I managed to keep up that pace even though I was in Prague for six weeks. It’s also interesting (at least to me) to note that the blogs were viewed more than 238,000 times. Fourteen of the top twenty blogs were about new businesses, the most popular one being an update on The Coach renovations — which was my best-read blog of the year.

As in previous years, my photo galleries following events like the Trick or Treat Trail and Fireman’s Parade were also big draws, and my History Bits — highlighting local history — are also still very popular.

If you’ve got a few minutes and would find it interesting, I’ve pulled out my favorite blogs from each month. My posts have run the gamut from special events to special people, new businesses to new trails. But you’ll notice that many of my favorite blogs are the ones where I share personal stories and everyday moments, the kinds of things that may not seem very exciting, but are what make our lives interesting and meaningful.

If something really strikes your fancy and you want to read any of them again, click through the hyperlink.

My two favorite blogs in January were about local history: the Irondequoit Bay Bridge and the first of my six-stop History Bit Webster Museum tour. The bridge blog was a follow-up on two blogs I’d posted the previous March when the Bay Bridge celebrated a birthday. Like those, this one about how the bridge had won an award also garnered several “likes.”

In February I caught up with a village neighbor of mine who will often hitch up her dogs to a dogsled and run them through village neighborhoods. This was a good example of a great community story which I was alerted to by one of my readers. Usually the best blog ideas come from my readers.

Jack’s Happy Hour celebrated its five-year anniversary in March. I first wrote about this nightly gathering of Brooksboro Dr. neighbors in 2022, when they were celebrating the occasion of having come together for a beverage every night for 1000 days straight. Last March they marked five straight years of gatherings. Every. Single. Night. For five years.That was definitely worth a blog.

In April, I posted what would become one of my most popular History Bits, about Willow Point Park. So many people fondly remember the old amusement park and shared a lot of memories. That month I also highlighted Webster Schroeder graduate Adam Marino, who was playing Frankie Valli in OFC Creations’ production of Jersey Boys.

My two favorite blogs in May were both personal reflections. I wrote about my recent trip to Prague, and how I successfully completed my first (and only) half marathon upon my return. Both were extremely memorable experiences. One of them I would like to do again. I’ll leave it to you to guess which one.

In June, my favorite blog was probably the shortest, when School Resource Officer David Herrle joined me in a dramatic reading of Mo Willems’ We Are in a Book, starring Elephant and Piggie. I was substituting at State Rd. Elementary when he happened to pop into the library and I corralled him. I love showing that police officers are fun-loving people, too.

I highlighted the WEBSTER bushes in July, the ones that welcome visitors to town on Rt. 104. They have some interesting history. I also enjoyed highlighting an unusual benefit to living in the Village of Webster when I wrote about how the Webster Marching Band practices at Spry Middle School during the summer and provides my own personal band concert.

In August, I followed up another blog idea submitted by a reader when I attended a Front Porch Pickin’ social event on Millcreek Run. I wrote a History Bit about the Forest Lawn Train accident, and shared some thoughts about some trail riding my husband and I did in Penn Yan and Waterloo, where we saw some beautiful scenery and explored some Civil War history.

I was honored to be invited to Jack’s Happy Hour again in September when the Brooksboro gang celebrated their 2,000-night anniversary. (They SAID it would be their last time, but I don’t think it was….) The whimsical Holt Rd. skeletons were back in action for Halloween, and I had to share this year’s cleverness with everyone. Also in September, I introduced everyone to young Pierson Farina and his “Returns for a Reason” initiative in which he collects returnables and donated the funds to local nonprofits.

In October I featured Judah Sealy — who doesn’t live in Webster but plays every year at the Webster Jazz Festival — who landed the role of Clarence Clemons in the new Bruce Springsteen movie. I also wrote another more personal piece about my running buddies and two races we did together that month.

In November, I caught up with Fritz Sierk, owner of The Coach, for an update on his repairs and renovations. It proved to be my best-read blog of the year. I also gave everyone a behind-the-scenes look at one of my favorite local organizations, the Friends of Webster Trails, when I tagged along to watch the installation of a trail counter. And I visited those crazy Holt Rd. skeletons again, who for the holiday season had been transformed into the Rockettes.

Finally, in December I posted my annual gallery of photos from the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights festivities. People love these galleries and it makes me feel good that I’m able to share events like this with people who can’t attend, especially those who now live out of state. And just a few weeks ago I wrote what might be my favorite blog of the entire year, about when a representative from Toter/Wastequip came to town and presented Pierson Farina with his very own “Returns For a Reason” toter, making his biggest Christmas wish come true.

Whew. If you’re still with me, thank you for reading this far. I hope you found it interesting to revisit some of this year’s blogs. And remember that if you ever think of something or see something that might make for an interesting blog, PLEASE drop me an email. As I said, the best blog ideas come from my readers.

Thanks again for reading, and all of your likes, comments and messages. Please have a safe and happy new year.

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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 12/30/2025)

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Discover winter hiking in Webster

29 Dec

It seems to me that this winter has already been a whole lot snowier, a lot earlier, than the last few years. Which means it’s the perfect time to get out and do some hiking on our Webster trails, ’cause as pretty as they are in the spring and fall, they’re exceptionally beautiful in the snow.

The Friends of Webster Trails has some great thoughts about doing just that. For starters, they’ve introduced their first-ever First Day Hike at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve (403 Whiting Rd.). The family-friendly guided hike will be about an hour over easy or moderate terrain. Dress in layers and have traction devices for your feet if necessary. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.  

Please register online for this event so they have an idea of how many to expect.  

The Friends’ “Loop of the Month” for January is the Hojack Trail. For winter hiking, a flat trail is a good choice, and the newly refinished Hojack Trail is an excellent option. You can create a walk of up to five miles by including the Michael A. Johnson Trail and the John Ungar Trail. And remember—if you get tired, you can always turn around when you reach your limit.

For you really dedicated hikers, how about signing up for the WNY Winter Hiking Challenge? This year’s challenge runs through March 20 and features 32 trails. Hikers need to earn 50 points to receive a cool finisher patch, a sticker and bragging rights. Many of the featured trails are in the Rochester area, and Four Mile Creek Preserve in Webster is among them. Click here to check out their website and register.

If you’re doing a lot of hiking this winter, consider picking up a Wegmans Passport to start logging your hikes and discovering new places to hike. Passports are available at Webster Wegmans stores and through Webster Parks and Recreation. Or you can download one here.

And, the Friends remind us, don’t forget to bundle up! Winter hiking can be more challenging, so a little extra preparation goes a long way. Be sure you’re familiar with the trail, check the forecast before heading out, and allow extra time, as hikes often take longer than they do in warmer weather. Dress in layers and wear sturdy footwear with good traction.

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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 12/29/2025)

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