There’s new stuff at this year’s Mud Run

7 Sep

Hey Mud Run fans, I just got an update from the Webster Recreation Center about this year’s event, and there are some fun changes in store.

For starters, runners do NOT have to sign up for a specific time slot this year. Once you’re registered (here), you can show up any time between 10 and 11:30 a.m. to go through the course (several times, if you’d like!), then enjoy the rest of the festivities.

When you complete the course, you’ll enjoy fried cakes from Herman’s (yum) and apples from Schutt’s. Plus, you’ll have plenty of time to check out the informational tables of these vendors and organizations who’ll be there:

  • Webster Library
  • Align Integrative Wellness
  • MVP Healthcare
  • Webster Thomas Cheer Club
  • Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Rochester
  • 3 B’s Beverages (who will be selling beverages)
  • MVPT  (Physical Therapy)
  • Diamond Collision
  • Webster Police Department
  • Webster Fire Department 

If you’ve never done the Mud Run, you should consider doing so. It’s a hugely fun family event that encourages kids and adults alike to get sloppy and muddy (and you KNOW how much the kids will enjoy that). It’s an easy one mile run/walk along the Recreation Center’s obstacle course/fitness trail which loops around the back of the facility. Some of the run will be through water and mud, and there’ll be a few challenging obstacles (which you can go around if you like).

It takes place on Saturday Sept. 20 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. from 10 to 11:30 a.m. It only costs $5 per person. Please register in advance so they know how many people to expect. Look for program #301202. Or you can call (585) 872-7103.

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

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(posted 9/7/2025)

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Webster Museum Vintage Sale returns

6 Sep

I’ve had several readers ask me about the annual Webster Museum Barn Sale, which usually takes place the same week as the NY Hope Garage Sale. But there was no sale last year, and it was sorely missed. So I’m happy to report that the Barn Sale is back for 2025!

Sort of.

Actually, this year’s sale will be a collaboration between the Webster Museum, who will fill one barn with vintage items, and a huge Estate Sale hosted by Jan and Phil Naujokas, who will fill the other barns with many other treasures. The sale will be held Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 11, 12 and 13, on the same Phillips Rd. property and in the same barns as always, which are owned by the Naujokas family.

Among the museum items for sale will include old high chairs, cranberry glasses, old newspapers and tools, treasures from past barn sales, some vintage pieces donated by museum volunteers, and many other unique items. Funds raised from any of those items will benefit the museum.

The Estate Sale and Vintage Museum Sale will be held on Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 11, 12 and 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 394 Phillips Rd. It’s worth stopping by just to see the historic property and its old barns. Picking up some bargains and historic treasures would be pretty cool, too.

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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 9/6/2025)

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Checking in with the Garlic Festival

6 Sep

Just a quick bonus blog this afternoon to report on my time this morning at the Webster Garlic Festival.

There are so many things going on this weekend, it’s hard to figure out how to fit them all in, but I definitely recommend you get yourself down to the Webster Recreation Center today (until 5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), because so much is going on. Like LOTS of food trucks, more than 150 vendors of all kinds (not just garlic), alpacas, balloon art for the kids and so much more.

Plus, you’re almost guaranteed to run across some friend or neighbor, because even this morning, when it was spitty rain, the place was packed. I got there in time to see the opening ceremonies, when Supervisor Tom Flaherty “crowned” the King and Queen of the Garlic Festival, and then I wandered around for a good 90 minutes just checking out all the booths (which filled the gymnasium, the community room and the huge side field) and chatting with people.

It’s only $5 and it benefits some really good causes. Unless you need handicapped parking — for which the entire front lot is reserved — they’ll ask you to park across the street at the Xerox lot, but it’s a short walk to the Rec Center from there or take a shuttle bus, which run frequently.

Here is a whole gallery of photos from today.

P.S. If you’re doing the Beer Walk in the village today, see you there!

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

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(posted 9/6/2025)

You’re invited to my Prague travelogue!

5 Sep

There’s still time to register for my Prague travelogue, scheduled for this coming Tuesday Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Webster Public Library.

As many of you might remember, I spent several weeks in Prague, Czechia earlier this year. I was accompanying my husband, who’d been awarded a Fulbright Specialist grant to work with a journalism organization headquartered in the city. Being there for that much time gave us a great chance to see pretty much all of the touristy things you need to see in that beautiful city. But also plenty of time to explore many not-so-touristy things.

That’s where the title of my talk comes from: Prague, Czechia: the Weird and the Wonderful. The wonderful portion of the talk will illustrate how stunningly gorgeous the city is, and feature the most popular tourist attractions. The weird portion will highlight several off-the-beaten-track — and rather unusual — attractions. And Prague has a lot of them.

Of course, I took a LOT of photos when I was there (it’s what I do) and came home with lots of stories to tell. Apparently, the kind folks at the Webster Public Library think that others might be interested and have asked me to put together this travelogue.

Two of the “weird” things I’ll be telling you about at the talk

So if you’re at all interested in seeing some (OK, a lot) of those photos and hearing about my adventures, please join me at the Webster Public Library next Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. It’s totally free to attend but please register here so they know how many chairs to set up. The library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the rear of the plaza.

If you can’t make it to that talk, I’ll be doing a second one at the Webster Recreation Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 10:30 a.m. It’s part of their regular Talks on Tuesday series. To register, navigate to the Recreation Center’s registration tab and click on the 55+ Programs box. Then search “Prague” as a keyword in the 55+ programs category. You’re looking for program #346940-J. If you have any problems, call the Rec Center art (585)-872-7103. They’ll take care of you.

I’d really love to see you there!

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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 9/5/2025)

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The Arboretum bridge is back!

4 Sep

Good news from the Webster Arboretum today. That beautiful bridge, which for some months has been closed as it underwent repairs, is back in business again, thanks in large part to the generosity of the Webster community.

Back in July I wrote about how the Arboretum had set up a GoFundMe page to help the non-profit Webster Arboretum Association raise the estimated $12,000 needed to reconstruct it. That effort raised more than $6,000 alone, and the donations are still coming in. The folks at the Arboretum are incredibly grateful for that support.

The newly refurbished bridge will be re-introduced to the Webster community at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at noon. All are welcome to attend and take a walk across the beloved bridge.

The Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd., Webster.

More news from the Arboretum

The Webster Arboretum will present their next educational program, all about Bonsai, on Tuesday Oct. 7 from 7 to 8 p.m.

The program will be presented by award-winning bonsai artist Mark Arpag, who will speak on the art of growing, developing and refining bonsai.

Mark has won national awards for his Eastern White Cedar, Balsam Fir and Larch and has a passion for native bonsai and stones. He’s especially interested in shohin bonsai and bonsai display. He has a large and fine quality collection of shohin bonsai as well as larger size trees.

The Arboretum expects a sell-out crowd for this presentation. It’s free to attend, but you need to register. Click here to do so.

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

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

(posted 9/4/2025)

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Webster NY Hope garage sale returns next week

3 Sep

The huge Webster NY Hope Garage Sale is coming up next week, from Sept. 10 through 13, and you want to put this on your calendar for sure.

The garage sale — held at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Rd., Webster — is Webster HOPE’s largest fundraiser, the culmination of a year’s worth of volunteer effort collecting, sorting and pricing items. Items are clean and organized, and include household items, crafts, tools, sporting goods, electronics, holiday, books, games, puzzles, toys, décor, floral, baby, pets, lamps, jewelry, collectibles, small furniture, office and more.

When I asked Webster Hope director Margery Morgan last year about the annual sale, she wrote,

It is more than a sale to us, as it allows us to be together as a community. We have a lot of fun and I think that’s reflected in the hospitality and laughter-filled sale days with the public.

I was never much of a garage sale person prior to our sale. But now I always check out other sales to “borrow” their sale display ideas. When you see our jewelry and picture displays you will see how volunteers take these ideas and create product displays. We have a lot of $1-2 items, a price even the dollar store can’t match anymore.

Here are the details:

  • Sale begins Wednesday, September 10, 6 to 8 p.m., Preview Night, Murphy Hall at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road. Admission is $10 for this special preview.
  • Thursday, September 11 and Friday, September 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 13, 10 a.m. to noon only, everything is half-price!
  • Cash, credit cards and Venmo will be accepted.
  • All proceeds go to Webster Hope.

Webster Hope serves the needs of residents in the 14580 zip code, providing food, clothing, household goods and furniture to those in need. 

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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 9/3/2025)

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We’re just days away from the Webster Garlic Fest

2 Sep

When we last visited the Webster Garlic Fest, I told you about all the great reasons to go to this year’s annual “stinkin’ good time.” Just today, as I strolled through the festival’s website and Facebook page, I found out about some fun NEW things happening this year that’s going to make it even better.

First, a reminder of the details:

The Webster Garlic Fest will return to the Webster Recreation Center on Saturday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 7.

This is a family-oriented festival for anyone who loves all things garlic. More than 170 vendors will be there this year, including crafters, food vendors, distilleries, wineries, food trucks, home goods merchants, and of course lots and lots of garlic growers. There are so many vendors that they’ll fill the gymnasium and spill out onto the Rec Center grounds. Many of them provide tastings, samples and demonstrations. (Click here for a complete list of vendors.)

But even if you’re not a big fan of garlic, there are a lot of non-garlic vendors, and plenty else to see and do. Like, you can cozy up to some alpacas and baby goats (who like to wear pajamas), and even a huge 70-year old tortoise. There’ll be demos, and Mr. Wally the Balloon Man will be there.

So here’s a new thing this year which is going to be kind of fun:

The Webster Garlic Fest Garlic Guys will be hiding in the booths. If you find one, you’ll be entered to win an Amazon gift card. The photo below shows what they look like, and if you really think they’re kind of cute, you can purchase one of your own at the One Nurses Menagerie’s booth. (Hint: If you go to the Webster Garlic Fest Facebook page, you might even be able to find out exactly what booths they’re hiding in!)

And this, too, is new this year: M.O. PASTA and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream have joined forces to create a “sweet garlic-y treat” which they’ll be unveiling at the Garlic Fest. So make sure to stop by their booths to find out more.

The Webster Garlic Fest will be held Saturday Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. There’s plenty of parking in the Recreation Center lot, and even more across the street in the former Xerox parking lot, where free shuttles will be transporting guests back and forth.

Single-day tickets are only $5, and children Under 12 are free. Click here to buy your tickets, or you can get them at the door. Proceeds from the Webster Garlic Fest will benefit

  • Wreaths Across America: Honoring and remembering veterans resting in local cemeteries on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 13, 2025.
  • Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 (military families): Building Care Packages for locally deployed service members and helping military families in our area.
  • Gold Star Mothers Rochester (mothers who have lost a child, spouse, sibling, or parent in active duty): Helping community veterans-in-need with meals, resources, and year-round support.

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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 9/2/2025)

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The Village Quilt Shoppe is celebrating a birthday

1 Sep

A bit of happy news came across my email the other day: Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti, owners of the Village Quilt Shoppe, are about to celebrate their cute little shop’s sixth anniversary. With all the business comings and goings of late, and all the empty storefronts, I’m happy to see a village business thriving.

That’s especially the case here, because Vanetta and Monique had a very rocky start. It’s a story I’ve told before, but it’s worth repeating to illustrate these ladies’ resilience.

Just three months after they opened their doors in August 2019, and just days before the Village of Webster’s White Christmas celebration, disaster struck when a water leak from the apartment above the shop came through the floor and destroyed much of their merchandise. They had to close for almost a month to regroup and restock. But, determined not to lose their dream shop, they persevered and survived that early setback.

Then COVID struck, and they had to close again for three more months. But thanks to a solid core of loyal customers, the little business navigated a global pandemic and came back stronger than ever.

To celebrate their anniversary, Vanetta and Monique are hosting a special celebration on Saturday Sept. 6. They’re calling it a Bingo Birthday Bash, and it will feature several games of Bingo, birthday cupcakes, lots of specials and a Whims Trunk Show. There will be two sessions, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Registration is required and space is limited, so click here to sign up soon.

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 E. Main St. in the Village of Webster.

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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 9/1/2025)

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Barry’s Irish Festival returns to Webster next weekend

31 Aug

It’s just about time to get your Irish on, Webster, because the Barry’s Irish Festival is returning to the Fireman’s Field on Friday and Saturday Sept. 5 and 6.

This is the sixth annual festival of all things Irish, brought to you by Danny and Jessica Barry, owners of Barry’s Old School Irish pub, which not too long ago graced the village’s four corners, where the Mary Wee pub is now.

This incredible event has become Rochester’s only Irish festival, evidenced every year by the huge crowds who come out for the music, dancing, food, Irish beers, arts and crafts and more. There are bagpipers, lots of stuff for the kids to do, a traditional Irish session, raffles, lawn games — even a kilt wearing contest.

The basic details are these:

  • WHEN: Friday, Sept. 5 from 4 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • WHERE: Webster’s Fireman’s Field, (entrances on Ridge Rd. and Sanford St.)
  • TICKETS: cost is $20, and tickets are valid for both days (16 and under free)

You can click here to buy tickets and for a detailed itinerary of both days’ events, but here are some highlights:

Friday’s events include:

Saturday’s fun includes:

Plus, there’ll be ten food trucks on site, a full beer and cocktail bar, spirit samplings, and more than 40 craft vendors. And as an extra incentive to bring your spare cash, bar tips will go towards local efforts to build an Irish Community Center, and a portion of raffle proceeds will be donated to Bella’s Bumbas.

Click this link for lots more information, and start digging through your drawers for your green shirts and St. Patrick’s Day bling!!!

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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 8/31/2025)

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Webster Theatre Guild is bringing the swamp to the Webster stage

30 Aug

Everyone’s favorite ogre is coming to Webster, when the Webster Theatre Guild brings the hugely popular Shrek the Musical to the stage in October.

Rehearsals began the first week of August for this blockbuster production, which will delight young and old alike. The cast includes 59 incredibly talented dancers and actors, ages 10 through 70+, drawn from respected theater groups from all over the city, including GEVA, Blackfriars Theater, Pittsford Musicals, School of the Arts and our very own Webster high schools. Webster Theater Guild president Jim Pringle said that usually the Guild is happy to get 70 people auditioning for a production. But for Shrek, 120 people auditioned, so you know that the ones who made the cut are the cream of the crop.

This is the show they’ve all been waiting for, he added.

Shrek the Musical is being directed by Bill Ambler, supported by choreographer Shari Bischoping and orchestra leader Laura Mueller. It will be presented in six shows:

  • Friday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
    (ASL Interpretation TBD)

All performances will be held at Bishop Kearney High School, 125 Kings Hwy South, Rochester.

Tickets are on sale now for a reduced price of $15 (plus handling fee). Click here to get yours now, because this will almost definitely sell out.

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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 8/30/2025)

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