Mama Lor’s now open on Lake Road

18 Nov

One of Webster’s best-loved restaurants has just gotten better. The very popular Mama Lor’s Cafe has opened a second location.

On October 1, Mama Lor’s officially opened at 1319 Lake Rd., in what used to be Doc’s Beer Hall, and before that, the Lake Road Country Store. Just ten minutes away from the original location at 1891 Ridge Rd., owners Mike Pompa, Lori Rosenzweig and Jonathan Oliva have created yet another comfortable, family-friendly restaurant that’s already becoming an integral part of the Lake Rd. community.

The new Mama Lor’s Cafe is a tad smaller than the original location, but that’s hard to tell when you walk through the front door. Unlike Ridge Road, which is divided into three distinct areas, the new restaurant’s dining room has an open floor plan, comfortably seating 80 customers. Another 40 can be accommodated on the big front patio.

The restaurant still offers many of its most popular breakfast, lunch and dinner menu items and specials, including the extremely popular fish fry. But, in a nod to its closer-lo-lake-Ontario location, some new seafood options have also been added. A full bar stretches along one wall, featuring a wide selection of liquors, and regional canned, bottled and draft beers.

One main thing that hasn’t changed with the new Mama Lor’s is the business’ commitment to community. It’s a commitment that goes back to when — and why — Lori opened the original Mama Lor’s in 2012, replacing the old Union Hill Country Grill.

Mike Pompa said that Lori used to work at the Country Grill and saw how much it drew the community together. “While it was vacant, it was always on (Lori’s) mind to resurrect that area, to bring it back to what it was,” he said. “She knew the community was huge over there. She loved the community, she loved seeing people.” Converting the old store into a restaurant seemed like a great way to create that community again.

The community responded in kind, both in good times and (especially) bad. During COVID, for example, Mike said that cars would be backed up in the parking lot waiting for the waitresses to deliver to-go orders.

That community focus was a big reason Mike, Lori and John decided to expand the business to Lake Road, just six miles from the Ridge Road location.

Historically, the Country Store and Doc’s Beer Hall “had a huge following,” Mike said. “Everyone we talk to says ‘I used to come here.’ When they closed down, we had the opportunity to do the same thing in this area,” to rebuild that sense of community.

Now that the business is up and running smoothly, the partners are looking at continued improvements over the next several weeks and next year. They include covering the patio, adding a heated front-door walkway, and creating an “express room” with a separate entrance for take-out orders, grab-and-go sandwiches, and maybe even beer and ice cream.

The new Mama Lor’s has already been warmly welcomed by many Ridge Road regulars. Now Mike hopes that Websterites on the north and west sides of town — who may not be familiar with the original restaurant — will now also get to know and love Mama Lor’s.

After all, the more the merrier for a business which strives to be a welcoming gathering place for the entire Webster community.

Ariana Amico behind the bar
Sound dampeners on the ceiling and walls helpo keep the noise down
Plenty of regional brews to choose from

The new Mama Lor’s Cafe is located at 1319 Lake Rd., Webster. They’re open Monday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here to visit their webpage and here to see them on Facebook.

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

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(posted 11/18/2022)

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Cobblestone presents check to Miracle Field

17 Nov

Dan and Sarah Bresnahan, co-owners of Webster’s Cobblestone on Main restaurant, presented a very large check (both in size and amount) to Challenger Miracle Field on Wednesday morning.

The check represented part of the proceeds from the first-ever Webster Oktoberfest, held Sept. 16 and 17 at Webster Fireman’s Field. Cobblestone on Main provided the beer, wine and soft drinks for the festival. The check for $8,000, presented to Miracle Field co-founder Ron Kampff, represented the proceeds from those sales. Several staff members, and even some regular patrons who had volunteered for the two-day event, were also on hand at the presentation.

Dan Bresnahan said the partnership with Miracle Field is exactly the kind of community collaboration they’ve been looking for.

“We are really excited to have been a part of the first Webster Oktoberfest,” he said. “Our goal was to find a local organization to partner with so we could give back to the community. Challenger Miracle Field is a fabulous organization, with great leadership, and one we feel aligns with our mission and values.”

He added, “There are so many great organizations, but these guys are amazing for what they’ve done for individuals with disabilities and inclusivity.”

There’s no shortage of projects at Miracle Field which can benefit from the donation. “We’re always making improvements,” Ron Kampff said. Right now, for example, plans are in motion to install stadium lights so athletes can hold night games. The cash might also help fund the many special events and sporting programs the organization runs all year long.

Kampff said he was especially grateful to Oktoberfest organizer Mike Spang for the opportunity to get the community involved and help bring attention to Miracle Field and its mission.

The Webster Oktoberfest benefited our community in so many ways. Not only did it bring another great festival to the Webster summer calendar (which I hope will become an annual event), it supported an incredibly worthy organization. It raised thousands of dollars for Miracle Field, but more importantly, people walked away from that festival knowing more about the life-changing opportunities the organization provides for children and adults with disabilities. Many thanks to Mike Spang, long-time organizer of the Irondequoit Oktoberfest, for bringing his experience and skills to Webster.

Cobblestone on Main is located at 109 West Main St. in the Village of Webster. Click here to visit their Facebook page.

Pictured above are (front row L-R) Evelyn Fonda, co-owner Sarah Bresnahan, Brenda Baleno, Ron Kampff, Mike Spang, Allie McLaurin; (back row) Tom Wright, Joe Baleno, Dan Bresnahan. Evelyn and Allie are Cobblestone employees. Brenda, Joe and Tom are regular customers who volunteered at the festival.

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(posted 11/17/2022)

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Get your ugly on at this year’s Winter Wonderland

16 Nov

In a blog I posted last week, I told you all about some of the changes in store for the festival formerly known as “White Christmas.”

In a nutshell, in addition to all of the features everyone has come to love about White Christmas — including Santa, carolers, the bell choir, the festival wagon and the Parade of Lights — the newly christened “Webster’s Winter Wonderland” on Saturday Dec. 3 has also taken on an around-the-world theme.

But here’s an extra special, really fun wrinkle in the festival that I didn’t mention before: the Ugly Sweater Spectacular! (I just made that name up, so don’t hold the village to it.)

Everyone who attends the Winter Wonderland activities, and especially the parade, is encouraged to wear an ugly sweater. Even if your group is marching in the parade, you can all wear ugly sweaters. You don’t even have to go out and buy one. (They’re often hard to find this time of year.) Just take an old sweater and hang stuff on it! There will be a photo booth set up on Main Street in front of Lala’s where you and your family members can get your photo taken with your creative attire.

Getting the whole village to dress up in ugly sweaters will be tons of fun, but there’s also an ulterior motive. The Webster Business Improvement District, who brings you this holiday celebration every year, is hoping that next year we can set a record for the largest gathering of ugly sweaters and launch our little village into the Guinness Book of World Records. The record right now is about 3,500. We can certainly beat that.

So start making those sweaters, and stay tuned for more details about Webster’s Winter Wonderland, scheduled for Sat. Dec. 3.

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

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(posted 11/16/2022)

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Barry’s Old School Irish celebrates 11 years

15 Nov

Do you remember this corner?

If you lived in Webster, say, 12 or 13 years ago, you might remember this unusual garden, complete with a mini-waterfall. It stood  at the the village’s four corners, welcoming visitors to our main business corridor. It adorned the storefront of the Living Plumber at 2 West Main St., and it stood for as long as I can remember.

That is, until the Living Plumber’s owner passed away, the village cleared it away, Danny and Jessica Barry moved in, and committed to turning that corner into something really special: a friendly little Irish pub.

For a long time now, it’s been clear to all of us that the Barrys have done that and so much more. With Barry’s Old School Irish, they’ve created a super-friendly, welcoming pub for the whole family. A place where you can set up your computer in the middle of the day to work while listening to musicians jamming in the corner. Where everyone who comes in is immediately considered part of the family.

Barry’s Old School Irish has not only changed that corner for the better, it has changed our village.

This weekend, on Saturday Nov. 19, Danny and Jessica Barry will celebrate their little pub’s 11th anniversary. The party begins at 7 p.m. with live music by Irish rocker Billy Herring, Jameson Irish Whiskey reps will be on hand all night with samples and giveaways, dancers from the Jamieson Irish Dance school will perform, some bagpipers will be stopping by, and the Official Toast (always an epic event) takes place at 9:30.

I’m pleased and proud to say I’ve been an extended member of the Barry’s Pub family since before they even opened, when I popped in to interview the new owners for this blog and took that iconic picture of them holding the sign that would soon adorn the outside of their pub. There were no pictures on the walls, no musicians in the corner, no cheeseburgers on the grill or soup in the pot. Just two young kids with a dream which they continue to expand upon every single day.

If you STILL haven’t stopped by this little Irish corner of the world, at 2 West Main Street right smack in the middle of the village, you’re missing something special.

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

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(posted 11/11/2022)

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Dr. Steve Cochi inducted into Lacrosse Hall of Fame

14 Nov

Dr. Steve Cochi, Webster lacrosse star of the 1960s and Centers of Disease Control infectious disease star during his long professional career, spent a busy November 5 weekend reuniting with former teammates and being honored by the local chapter of USA Lacrosse.

Dr. Cochi led the 1969 Webster Ridgemen to the championship of the Upstate Lacrosse Conference, scoring six of his team’s seven goals, including the sudden-victory fourth overtime winner against Fayetteville-Manlius of the Syracuse area. He subsequently became Webster’s first college All-American honoree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, matching his high school feat of setting his team’s then all-time scoring record.

A large contingent of Webster lacrosse folks attended the awards banquet of the Greater Rochester Area Chapter of USA Lacrosse, the governing body of the sport, including a table of his fellow ’69 Ridgemen. His family filled another table, and a third included five of Webster’s previous eight local Hall of Fame selectees.

Dr. Cochi recounted the impact of his Webster team experience, including the leadership of Coach Bill Guerrera, who had sadly passed away just that previous week.

According to his biograohy from the National Library of Medicine, Steve’s post-Webster career with the CDC encompassed “more than 22 years working in the field of immunization. As Acting Director of the National Immunization Program at CDC he had a major impact on the prevention of virtually every one of the vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) disease, measles, mumps, pertussis, polio, rubella, varicella, and tetanus.”

The weekend included a Friday evening pizza-and-soda gathering at Thomas High School, arranged by present THS coach Rob Ruller and included additional former teammates Bill Southwell and Mike Martin as well as other members of the Webster lacrosse community. Fond memories of Coach Guerrera and recollections of events of the title game and the rest of the season were stimulated by a grainy and jumpy tape partially salvaged from the original film. That relic of ‘wooden-stick lacrosse’ can be accessed via YouTube here.

Steve Cochi wore #88.

Thank you to Dave Moore for submitting this follow-up.

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

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(posted 11/14/2022)

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Thank you, Scouts!

11 Nov

When Wreaths Across America Day comes to Webster Union Cemetery on Dec. 17, some little hands will be helping place the more than 650 wreaths on the graves of veterans who are buried there.

The young ladies of Brownie Troop 60344 , all second-graders, will be one of several Scout troops leading community members in the Pledge of Allegiance that day, before fanning out into the graveyard to lay wreaths.

Troop co-leader Daniela Viavattine wrote that this year she and her co-leader Linda Meyers are “putting a big emphasis on the service aspect of Girl Scouting.”

The girls will be learning who veterans are and why we have a day to honor their service and sacrifice. The wreath fundraiser and wreath laying event is a great way to connect their new knowledge to how they can honor veterans right here in our community.  We are looking forward to participating this year!

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in the country. This year, the movement has reached Webster, where efforts are under way to place a wreath for each of the more than 650 veterans resting at Webster Union Cemetery.

Local organizers have not yet reached their goal, so they can use your help. Sponsoring a wreath only costs $15, and $5 from every wreath sponsorship will go directly to the Blue Star Mothers, who will use the funds to prepare and ship care packages to deployed servicemen and women who don’t have access to everyday supplies. Click here to go online to sponsor a wreath, or email WebsterWreaths@icloud.com to request a form. Sponsorship deadline is Monday, November 21.

In the back-and-forth emails the troop leaders and I had about their Wreaths Across America involvement, Linda Meyers told me about another great community service these young ladies recently provided, and another way in which the Brownies are learning about veterans.

Earlier this week the girls worked with Mary Ann O’Mara, Pat Miller and Cheryl Quinn to make greeting cards for veterans. Mary Ann, Pat and Cheryl provided all of the materials, and even sent each girl home with some Christmas cookies from Sweet Jude’s bakery.

The cards will be delivered to the Veterans Outreach Center Christmas card program, which collects Christmas cards from children to give to veterans.

This was the second time Brownie Troop 60344 worked with Mary Ann and Pat to make cards. The first was back in February when the girls made Valentine’s Day cards for the residents of The Maplewood nursing home.

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

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(posted 11/11/2022)

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Thank you veterans, from the Village of Webster!

11 Nov

The Village of Webster held a brief, but well attended, Veterans Day ceremony this morning at Veterans Park on North Ave. It was actually so brief that when I arrived around 11:15, it had already concluded. But it was nice to see all of the veterans and their family members still hanging about, chatting, hugging, and clearly enjoying celebrating the warm and not-yet-rainy day with others.

After the ceremony, the veterans and their families were invited to drive around the back side of Village Hall and grab a lunch, catered by Brimont Bistro, handed to them through their car windows by Village employees.

Thank you, Village of Webster, for this kind gesture. But mostly, thank you veterans for your service.

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

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(posted 11/11/2022)

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White Christmas is now “Webster’s Winter Wonderland”

10 Nov

The Village of Webster’s White Christmas celebration is taking on a new name and a new ’round-the-world theme this year.

The day-long event, scheduled for Saturday Dec. 3, has been re-christened “Webster’s Winter Wonderland.” The Webster Business Improvement District (BID), which organizes the festival every year, has been working hard with the Webster CSD and the Webster PTSA to add a multicultural flavor to the very popular annual event.

All of the best parts of White Christmas are still planned, including Santa, festival wagon rides, carolers, the bell choir, and of course, the Parade of Lights. Veterans Memorial Park will once again be transformed into Santa’s Workshop with cookies, hot cocoa, storytime, crafts, and the jolly old elf himself visiting with children at the gazebo.

The exciting new twist on the festival, the ’round-the-world activities, will take place on East and West Main streets, which will be closed for the afternoon and evening. The BID is inviting our local business owners to each represent a different country and set up displays (either inside our outside) highlighting their chosen country’s winter holiday traditions. The displays might just be informational, or they might include crafts, take-away items, and even ethnic cuisine.

Several businesses have signed up already. For example, Mozzeroni’s Pizza will be representing Italy, Barry’s Old School Irish has chosen (you guessed it) Ireland, and Finn’s Garage will be showcasing Japan.

Details are still being hammered out, so stay tuned for those. But definitely put this on your calendar right now, because it’s going to be one of the best festivals of the Webster year.

Webster’s Winter Wonderland will take place on Saturday Dec. 3 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. in the Village of Webster. The incredible Parade of Lights, hosted by the Webster Volunteer Fire Dept. (thank you WVFD!) begins at 6:30 p.m.

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

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(posted 11/10/2022)

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What’s in that drawer?

9 Nov

For this month’s Webster Museum History Bit, I introduce you to a piece of museum furniture that you might recognize from your school days.

Do you remember library card catalogs? Before the days of computers and electronic catalog records, these bulky wooden cabinets held individual cards for every book in the library’s collection. To find the book you wanted, you had to find the right drawer and flip through the cards. 

One of those classic card catalogs has been creatively repurposed at the Webster Museum, to the delight of visiting children and adults alike. It was donated to the museum several years ago by Spry Middle School, and has found a new life as a kind of surprise cabinet, thanks to the hard work of museum volunteer Carol Saylor.

Each of the cabinet’s 25 drawers now holds a different historical curiosity. They’re all very small items, of course, and run the gamut from jewelry and household objects to toys and personal grooming items. 

The cabinet has become a regular stop on school tours of the museum, and the children enjoy taking turns pulling open a drawer and examining the tiny objects inside. (Most adults are rather fascinated as well.) 

Next time you’re at the museum, discover for yourself how much history has been packed into those very small drawers. (Three examples are pictured below.)

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 Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 11/9/2022)

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Small businesses: the backbone of our village

8 Nov

I was thinking about small-town life the other day.

As a relatively new Village of Webster resident, I’m still in that early-in-a-relationship, giddy phase when it comes to the simple pleasures of village life. Great restaurants and pubs are just a short walk away. Tons of special events and live music gigs are right around the corner. Neighbors come together around fire pits on warm summer nights. The streets sparkle with holiday lights every winter.

But as I thought more about it, and about what REALLY makes small-town life different and special, I kept coming back to one thing: our small businesses.

When I look down the Village of Webster’s main streets, one word that comes to mind is “charming.” And that’s not just because of the white twinkly lights in the trees (but they definitely help). It’s because of all of the small businesses that line the sidewalks.

Inside and out, our village’s small businesses are just downright cute. The owners take great pride in making their front window displays colorful and inviting, and on pleasant days many will even set up shop on the sidewalk. Inside, the variety of clothing, books, health and beauty products, crafts, toys and gift items is outstanding. And if you have a question about anything, chances are good it’s the owner who’ll be there with a smile to answer it.

So this year I’m making a pledge to shop local this holiday season, and give back to the small businesses that make our town and village so liveable.

I’m embarrassed to admit this is a new concept for me. Like many, I’m a big Walmart/Target/Kohl’s holiday shopper. But in recent years the gifts I’ve been finding in the big-box stores have gotten kind of … predictable. I need to get more creative.

So I’m going to shop small as much as possible this year. It doesn’t hurt that Webster has so many wonderful little stores with an impressive variety of gift ideas. I figure I’ll avoid the Black Friday shoppers, go out on Small Business Saturday, and get my entire list taken care of in one day. 

I hope you’ll join me. Even if (or especially if) you just need stocking presents, step into a small shop you’ve never been in before and I guarantee you’ll find something unique and perfect.

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

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(posted 11/8/2022)

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