Summer in the Village of Webster is really ending on a high note.
Tonight, Friday Aug. 20, the Gazebo Concert series continues with a performance by Grammy-nominated smooth jazz artist Jimmie Highsmith Jr. and his band.
The concert begins at 7 p.m., and audience members are encouraged to bring their chairs, blankets, and coolers for two hours of fine music. There’s no charge.
Saturday afternoon Aug. 21, the Village Wine Walks return. These are always very popular events, where participants stroll through the village, stopping at several businesses along the way and sampling a nice variety of wines. This year’s event should be even better attended as it begins in the afternoon for the first time. Partticipants can pick up their wine glasses and begin their mini-wine tour at Finn’s Automotive, 45 East Main Street, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Webster Special Police.
Looking forward to next week, Movies in the Park return on Tuesday Aug. 24, with a showing of Honey I Shrunk the Kids Gazebo Park. The movie will begin around 8:15.
All of these events are brought to you by the Webster BID. Visit their website for more details about all of these and sign up for the BID newsletter so you’ll stay informed about all upcoming events. (Like the Jazz Fest in September!)
The primary reason for today’s mailbag is to remind everyone about a great new music event that’s happening this weekend. It’s called the Webster Jam on the Bay and it’s sponsored by the Damascus Shriners, those fine folks who host the huge Cruise Nights every summer.
The ticketed event will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday Aug. 20 and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday August 21, at the Damascus Shrine Center, 979 Bay Road in Webster.
In addition to the five bands, food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Advance-sale tickets for Friday night are only $10 ($15 at the gate). Tickets for Saturday cost $45 in advance ($50 at the gate). But you can also get a two-day pass for just $45. Proceeds raised will benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international hospital system devoted to transforming the lives of children through expert care and research.
Click here to get more information, see the whole schedule in detail, and order tickets.
This next event isn’t happening until Sept. 18, but it’s going to be so much fun for the entire family, I wanted to let you know about it ASAP.
I should actually be more specific. It’s going to be so much MUDDY, WET, SLIPPERY, LAUGHING, MESSY fun for the entire family.
It’s the first-ever Family Mud Run, obstacle course and fitness trail, sponsored by the Webster Recreation Center and Wegmans. The flyer with all the information is to the left, but basically, we’re talking a non-competitive, untimed, half-mile slog through water and mud, with some challenging obstacles. It’s only $5 per person, and there’ll be giveaways and snacks afterwards.
Can you imagine how delighted your kids will be if you tell them, “Hey guess what? Why don’t we all go down to the rec center, run through some mud puddles, and get super dirty…just for fun?!?!” Bonus points when they find out you’re going to do it with them.
You’ll want to register ahead of time, and choose a time slot between 10 a.m and noon. Register for program #301202 on the Parks and Rec website.
Make sure to get this one on your calendar. And of course, it doesn’t matter if it’s raining. ‘Cause you’re running through MUD anyway!
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to knit or crochet, or improve your skills, check out the weekly Sit & Stitch gathering, Mondays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the library.
Bring your yarn and needles or hook, your knitting, crocheting, tattiong, needlepoint, lap quilting — whatever you’re working on — and the Sit & Stitch ladies will patiently answer all your questions, help you gain confidence and learn new skills.
All ages and skill levels are welcome. You don’t even have to register. Just show up! The library is located at the back of Webster Plaza, 980 Ridge Rd.
If you think you know the Webster Museum, read on, because you haven’t seen the new and IMPROVED Webster Museum.
This Saturday Aug. 21, the museum is opening its doors to the public again after a long hiatus thanks to the pandemic. And boy, is it looking spiffy, both inside and out.
The first things that will greet visitors on Saturday are two gorgeous gardens that flank the front door. Volunteers worked for weeks weeding the overgrown and unsightly gardens, prepping the beds, then choosing and planting a beautiful variety of shrubs, annuals and perennials in anticipation of this week’s grand opening.
The spiffiness continues inside, where display cases have been refurbished, walls have been painted, and exhibit spaces have been re-imagined. Many of the tried-and-true exhibits, especially those representing Webster’s basket-making and apple industries, have remained pretty much the same. But several other exhibits have been updated or changed out, and new ones are being planned highlighting Webster’s bakeries, dairies and gas stations.
Webster Museum president Tom Pellett reports there have also been other, less evident changes. “The museum is also “revamping our attack … to be more educational,” he said.
“We (older folks) are getting to be the only people who actually went into the old stores in the exhibits,” he explained. “There are a lot of people who arrived late, like in the 70s, that have no idea what some of the older areas were like here.” Plans include adding audio-visual components to help support that mission.
The museum kicked off its grand re-opening with a special members-only event last Sunday introducing the current exhibit, honoring the life and works of Webster artist Ward Mann. In a half-hour presentation, Ward’s son Craig — who flew up from North Carolina — and former art teacher Dick Kane detailed Mann’s early life, career as a Xerox engineer, and how he ultimately discovered his true passion: art.
Mann was a talented, versatile and well-known artist who lived and worked and painted in Webster from 1961-2005 and also had a studio in the artist colony at Rocky Neck, Massachusettes.
A team of 20 volunteers worked for months conducting research, coordinating with the Mann family, gathering the materials and compiling the exhibit. The result is an impressive presentation which includes 21 original Ward Mann canvases displayed throughout the museum, original sketchbooks, biographical information and a slideshow of many more pieces from Mann’s collection. The pieces on display represent all of Mann’s chosen media: sketches, watercolor, oil and pallet knife.
At the event, Pellett noted that it’s been 17 months since “the door slammed shut” back in March 2020. It was an unfortunate situation, but he added that being closed for so long “allowed us to do some things not normally done because of visitors.” Still, he added, “It’s so good to be back.”
Ironically, when the museum closed those many months ago, staffers were readying a brand new exhibit which would have introduced the community to a famous and highly respected local artist: Ward Mann.
“The public never saw it,” Pellett said. The downtime, however, clearly helped museum staff members build an even more in-depth and meaningful exhibit.
The Webster Museum will welcome the public back on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., then again on Saturday Aug. 28. Regular museum hours will resume in September, when the museum will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. The Ward Mann exhibit will be here for just six weeks, so don’t miss it.
The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.
Below are two of the paintings in the Ward Mann exhibit, and a slideshow of some of the other museum exhibits and gardens.
These two paintings are on display along with 19 other original works, memorabilia and hundreds of slide-show images of works not on display. Ward himself donated MINUTEMAN to the Webster Museum in 1977. Ward’s sons Craig and Kim donated ROCHESTER JUNCTION at the installation of the exhibit.
I make it a habit to stop at every lemonade stand I encounter when I’m walking or biking, or even driving. I like encouraging young entrepreneurs, and adding to the thrill they get from earning a few dollars. If you feel the same, then you’re going to enjoy hearing about this very special lemonade stand.
It was set up at the corner of South Ave. and Park Ave. in the Village of Webster, at the home of Doug and Patty Pucci.
It was no ordinary lemonade stand, however. Not only was it about the most official-looking stand you’ll ever see — complete with an American flag, pinwheel, umbrella for shade and an “open/closed” sign — it also raised almost $500 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Nixie-Blu and a thirsty customer
The proprietor was 6-year old Nixie-Blu Howes, who was in town this summer with her mother, visiting her grandparents. Like any kid, Nixie-Blu loves the idea of making money, even though she said, “I don’t know what I want to spend it on.” But it was also her idea to donate half of her lemonade stand proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, in part because her aunt works there.
Just setting up shop in a highly visible location wasn’t enough, however. Nixie-Blu also made her own signs and posted them on trees throughout the neighborhood, pointing patrons to the stand.
Nixie-Blu first set up her lemonade concession when she was visiting in April. You may have noticed the stand and advertisements back then, and perhaps you even stopped by. This summer, however, she was really able to up her sales game when her grandpa Doug surprised her with the fancy new wooden stand.
The lemonade concession was open pretty much every day for the few weeks that Nixie-Blu and her mother were visiting. Business was steady; the stand attracted walkers and motorists nearly nonstop, paying what they wanted for their cup of lemonade. Nixie-Blu never set a price, instead asking her patrons to donate any amount they want to give. If they didn’t happen to have any money, she’d even give you some for free
Because kindness always begets kidness. And that’s the sweetest deal there is.
It’s so great to see life returning back to normal, bit by bit. One of the more recent signs of that is the return of Webster Village Band to the Harmony Park bandshell in a concert scheduled for Thursday Aug. 26.
The Webster Village Band is one of those hidden gems in our community. I mean, the performances are free, and they’re held in a park where you can stretch out a blanket or set up some chairs and enjoy the music while sipping some wine and juice boxes. And the music is superb.
Normally there are several concerts every summer, held on Thursday nights. But because of … well, you know … things have been on hold for a while. But next Thursday Aug. 26, beginning at 7 p.m. the band is back, with a beautiful performance that will remind us of how much we missed them. And did I mention it’s FREE?
In the event of rain, the concert will be held at Cherry Ridge Senior Center, 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd. in Webster (across from Webster Schroeder High School).
Here’s a little bit of Village Band history, if you’re interested:
In 1967, at the behest of Village Councilmember Gerry Barrett, the Webster Village Board agreed to create the Webster Village Band as a Village entity and asked Stan Maruszak to lead it. In the following years, Sue Siegmund began to assist Stan in Music Direction as the Associate Director and Marcia Naukam assisted in Band Administration.
When Stan passed away in late 2004, a group of band members worked together to continue the operation of the band and establish a band management relationship with the Village Board. Currently, the band has about 60 members and is led by conductor Tom Indiano and associate conductor Sue Siegmund. In 2017 the band celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Tomrrow’s going to be a fantastic day for a garage sale. Or better yet, a GIVEAWAY.
St Martin Lutheran Church 813 Bay Road, is holding a used furniture giveaway on Saturday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They’ll have several items from displayed in the parking lot, free for the taking. Items will include chairs, a leather sofa and love seat, lamps, end tables, coffee tables, wall shelves, and a dining room hutch. Come explore and take away.
Get there early because you know they won’t last long.
Spooky & the Truth
Tonight’s (Friday night’s) concert at the gazebo has been rescheduled for tomorrow night (Saturday Aug. 14) due to the threat of rain.
The concert will feature Spooky & the Truth, and will begin at 7 p.m. at the gazebo on North Ave. Bring your quad chairs, blankets and coolers and enjoy the beautiful evening of free music.
Looking ahead, the Village Quilt Shoppe is marking its second anniversary. Plans are to hold their celebration on Friday and Saturday, September 10 and 11. Among other events those days, Ruthann Stillwell will be doing a trunk show of some of her and Susan Rooney’s patterns. There will be a demo on a curved table runner, refreshments, and specials.
Edna Struck Memorial Park is the charming little grassy median where Lapham Park makes a slight jog at the corner of Elm St, on the east side of the village. It’s named in honor of Mrs. Struck, who made it her passion to tend the plants on the island for years.
In February of 2019, someone was driving down Lapham Park much too fast and — instead of navigating the jog in the road — decided to drive right through the park, mowing down the trees and plants, and inflicting significant other damage.
For two years now, the village has been working to refurbish the median, including planting more trees and flowers and reinstalling the large stone and memorial plaque honoring Edna Struck. The repairs began in earnest last fall when workers leveled the plot and put down some new topsoil. Then the trees were planted, and finally this spring, flowers and a new boulder.
The work is finally nearing completion. About the only thing left to do is reinstall the memorial plaque, but that, too, should be happening soon.
So, the little pocket park is looking nice again. I think Edna herself would be pleased.
I get a lot of emails from the Webster Public Library, and I joke with my friends over there about that. (It’s really not their fault. They just have SO MUCH cool stuff going on.) Sometimes the emails come so fast and furious, I can’t keep up with them, and they languish in my inbox for a few weeks, or until the next batch comes in.
BUT, having said that, one I received recently deserves some special attention. It read:
The Webster Public Library has partnered with KultureCity to make the library sensory inclusive!
This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with a sensory issue that visit the library. Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions.
The certification process entailed the staff at the Webster Public Library be trained on how to recognize those guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads will also be available to all guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. These individuals will also be able to have use of a dedicated sensory area with a sensory station for those who may need a quieter and more secure environment.
Prior to visiting the library, families can download the free KultureCity App where one can view what sensory features are available and where they can access them. Also, on the App is the Social Story which will provide a preview of what to expect while visiting the library.
This. Is. Huge.
So many in our community silently struggle with sensory issues. Their prevalence is masked in large part by the fact that people with these sensitivities often avoid places where they anticipate having issues, and when children are in a potentially troubling environment, hyper-aware parents are on guard to steer interactions in a safe direction.
No one should have to worry that sensory overload will ruin a fun and educational trip to the library. Every adult and child should be able to enjoy the library as the welcoming, comforting, nurturing place that it is.
Thank you, Webster Public Library, for being so understanding and accommodating.
Every time I hear about some event coming up in our neck of the woods, I add it to my blog notebook so I remember to mention it in a blog, or at least in a mailbag.
I’m going to start with the Webster Jam on the Bay, a brand new music festival brought to us by the Damascus Shriners, those fine folks who host the huge Cruise Nights every summer.
The ticketed event will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday Aug. 20 and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday August 21, at the Damascus Shrine Center, 979 Bay Road in Webster.
In addition to the five bands, food and beverages will be available for purchase. (And we all know how good the eats are at the Cruise Nights!)
Advance-sale tickets for Friday night are only $10 ($15 at the gate). Advance tickets for Saturday cost $45 in advance ($50 at the gate). But you can also get a two-day pass for just $45. Proceeds raised will benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international hospital system devoted to transforming the lives of children through expert care and research.
Click here to get more information, see the whole schedule in detail, and order tickets.
If you love barbershop music, and music in general, you’ll will want to mark Thursday Aug. 12 on your calendar. At 6 p.m. that evening, members of Webster’s own Chorus of the Genesee and several local barbershop quartets will present an after-hours concert at the Webster Public Library.
The library has featured the barbershop quartet community a few times this year, most recently on National Barbershop Quartet Day in April when they posted a video to their Facebook page. And in February, Laureen and Doreen highlighted the Chorus of the Genesee and their home base, the Harmony House, in one of their outstanding “Let’s Explore Webster” videos.
The videos are great, but it’s nothing like seeing these guys in person. The harmonies will blow you away.
The concert begins at 6 p.m., but you’ll want to get there a little early because that’s when the library closes. There’s no cost, and registration is recommended, but not required. You can register here.
I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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