NY Forward grant recipients announced

25 Jun

You may remember last year when there was a lot of news about the $4.5 million NY Forward grant from New York State which the Village of Webster won for improvements to our downtown business district. The grant was secured in large part to the efforts of the Webster Economic Development Alliance (WEDA), headed by Matt Chatfield.

We received the huge grant a year ago February, and over the following months, WEDA collected proposals for projects all around our village from business owners and community members. Those proposals were whittled down to 21 projects, ranging from building a conservatory to improving Veterans Memorial Park to enhancing the Harmony House and more. Community members were given lots of opportunities to vote for their favorite projects.

I recently learned that the final winning proposals were announced about a month ago; 11 different projects which will improve local businesses, village green spaces and more.

Here’s the list:

  • Enhance Veterans Memorial Park for Events and Community Use ($1,100,000): Make improvements to Veterans Memorial Park that will optimize it for use as a performance venue and enhance ADA accessibility in the park.
  • Optimize Harmony House for Performances ($1,010,000): Update the historic Harmony House to enhance ADA accessibility and make it more conducive to performances and events, strengthening the presence of performing arts in downtown Webster.
  • Create a Multipurpose Conservatory at Kittelberger Florist & Gifts ($546,000): Create a conservatory at Kittelberger Florist & Gifts that can be used for retail as well as workshops and educational programs to complement the existing business. Rooftop solar panels will also be installed to enhance the sustainability of the building.
  • Enhance the Visitor Experience through Wayfinding Signage ($381,000): Install wayfinding signage at key locations throughout the downtown core to provide directional and locational information to visitors and to strengthen downtown Webster’s sense of place.
  • Create a Gateway to the North End Business District ($310,000): Enhance the connection between Main Street and the North End Business district by incorporating artistic lighting under the Route 104 bridge to create a gateway feature.
  • Establish a Small Project Grant Fund ($289,000): Create a matching grant fund to support smaller-scale improvements and renovations to enhance properties and businesses in the NY Forward Area.
  • Create a Hojack Trail Gateway ($289,000): Create a gateway at the intersection of the Hojack Trail and North Avenue to highlight the trail connection, create a sense of place and enhance safety for those accessing the trail.
  • Renovate Community Spaces at Immanuel Lutheran Church ($255,000): Enhance the community spaces at Immanuel Lutheran Church by modernizing the spaces and enhancing comfort to increase utilization by the community.
  • Modernize Commercial Spaces at 39 West Main Street ($161,000): Modernize and reconfigure the commercial spaces at 39 West Main Street to optimize the layout, right-size the spaces for the market, and enhance accessibility to attract future tenants to the downtown core.
  • Transform 7 South Avenue for Retail Use ($89,000): Renovate the interior and exterior of 7 South Avenue to optimize for retail use, bringing a new business into a vacant space and adding vibrancy to the Main Street Business District.
  • Invest in Marketing for Downtown Webster ($70,000): Develop a platform for information on parking, events, and promotions, along with digital marketing content and print collateral to promote downtown Webster and enhance awareness of businesses.

All of these improvements should make our little village even more beautiful and welcoming in the years to come.

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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 6/25/2025)

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Thank you, educators, from the Mary Wee!

24 Jun

It’s been a long school year, and these last few days, with the extreme heat, have been especially difficult. As we celebrate this last week of school, our district administrators, teachers and support staff deserve a huge round of applause, and our heartfelt thanks.

But the folks at the Mary Wee Pub, 2 West Main St. in the Village of Webster, believe they all deserve even more than that. That’s why, through this Friday June 26, if you’re a staff member at any school in any district, show your ID at the Mary Wee and your first drink is on them — and we’re talking beer, wine or well drink.

And “staff member,” by the way, includes everyone: teachers, teaching assistants, aides, bus drivers, PTs, OTs, food service, speech therapists, social workers, secretaries, psychologists, security, counselors, coaches, librarians, custodians, nurses, and administrators.

So enjoy a drink to celebrate the last days of school, with thanks from the Mary Wee Pub for a fantastic school year.

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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 6/24/2025)

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Webster Village Band’s summer concert series begins soon

23 Jun

The Webster Village Band concert season is just about upon us.

The band’s first FREE concert is Thursday, July 3 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Village Band Shell at Harmony Park on Phillips Rd. It’s the first of three concerts this summer, the other two scheduled for Thursday Aug. 7 and Thursday Aug. 28.

Here’s what you can look forward to from this year’s performances:

  • July 3: “The Classics,” featuring music from The Music Man, Sinatra, the Carpenters, with a little big band and Gilbert and Sullivan to top it off.
  • Aug. 7: “At The Movies,”’ highlighting movie soundtracks from many well-known composers.
  • Aug. 28: “The Band Concert,” a concert of traditional band standards plus music from Billy Joel and Jim Brickman.

These concerts are always free and open to the public. They always begin at 7 p.m. and audience members are encouraged to bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a cooler, and stretch out on the spacious lawn area in front of the band shell to enjoy some beautiful music under the evening summer sky.

I’ve always thought of the Webster Village Band as a hidden gem in our community. These musicians have been performing and providing free concerts for our village for 58 years now. It’s exactly the kind of thing that makes small-town life so special.

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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 6/23/2025)

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News from the Women’s Club of Webster, and a party invitation

22 Jun

At last week’s monthly meeting of the Women’s Club of Webster, the club officially installed the 2025/26 slate of officers (pictured above). As first vice president, I was honored to be among them, and I look forward to serving in that role for my second year before I (probably) move on to additional responsibilities.

I first attended a luncheon meeting of the Women’s Club of Webster in September, 2023 as that month’s guest speaker. I learned a lot about the club that day, and made some new friends. I came away very impressed with the group, and joined shortly thereafter. Less than a year later, I was elected first VP, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to help the club grow and support its charitable mission.

One of the things I’ve learned in my time with the Women’s Club is that a whole lot of people have absolutely no idea that the club exists. So I try as often as I can to help spread the word. And today, that message includes a personal invitation to all of my readers.

Next month, the Women’s Club of Webster is celebrating its 60th birthday. We’re throwing a party for ourselves, and are inviting anyone from the Webster community to join us, meet the members, and find out more about the club and the charities it supports.

The party is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Curry Building at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd. It’s not going to be a fancy event; we’ll be providing snacks and munchies and beverages, and there will probably be a few speeches and a photo board, stuff like that. But mostly it’s just an informal social gathering to help introduce us to the community of Webster.

So please put the party on your calendar and plan to stop by even for a little bit to enjoy some snacks and comfortable conversation. I hope 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 6/21/2025)

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Elephant and Piggie in “We Are in a Book!” starring …

21 Jun

Here’s a quick little story that’s just too cute not to share.

On Friday I was substituting in the library at State Rd. Elementary School. As part of the day’s lessons, the library teaching assistant and I were acting out We Are in a Book!, one of a series of beloved children’s books by Mo Willems, starring Elephant and Piggie.

As we prepared to do so for one class, Officer David Herrle, Webster’s School Resource Officer, popped his head into the library to say hi. I immediately had an idea, and asked him if he had ten minutes to spare. To his credit, without knowing what I had in mind, he said yes. I quickly finished my lesson, then sprung my idea on him:

HE would play the part of Piggie.

With book in one hand and a stuffed Piggie in the other, Officer Herrle presented a polished cold-read performance of We Are in a Book! to the delight of the second graders who sat before us. It was a great way to show these kids that police officers are pretty cool, fun-loving people, 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 6/21/2025)

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Radio Club Field Day will broadcast again from Kent Park

19 Jun

If you’re interested in amateur radio even a little bit, you’ll want to head out to Kent Park next weekend, June 28 to 29, to check out the annual XRX Amateur Radio Club Field Day. It’s a day when radio operators from all over the area come together to practice their skills totally “off the grid.”

Held on the fourth weekend in June every year, Field Day is an nationwide event, held simultaneously with 1000 similar stations across the US and Canada over a 24-hour period and involving more than 30,000 radio amateurs. Operators communicate via voice, Morse code and computers connected to transmitters.

On Field Day, operators are challenged to transport their equipment away from their homes, set up in a park or remote area, rebuild their stations, put up antennas and broadcast in quasi-emergency conditions, without drawing electricity from RG&E or using the internet or cell phones. The ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio, describes Field Day as “a picnic, a camp out, practice for emergencies, an informal contest and, most of all, FUN!”

The challenge is simply to contact as many other stations as possible during a 24-hour window, overcoming any challenges thrown by weather or technical problems along the way.

After last year’s very successful effort, Field Day Chair Bob Karz is excited about this year’s possibilities.

He wrote,

Last year was quite spectacular for us. We made contacts in all 50 US states and every Canadian province plus several foreign countries to boot. We also had a record number of visitors which we hope to repeat this year.

Conditions for radio communications should again be excellent this year. We’ll continue using voice and Morse code of course but will have increased emphasis on computer based communications which accounted for nearly half our contacts last year.

The XRX Radio Club will be operating from the lower soccer fields of Kent Park on Schlegel Rd. The club typically sets up several broadcast stations, complete with generators, computers, transmitters, and all manner of antennas. (Click here to check out the blog I wrote last year’s Field Day.) Set-up will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28 and the exercise starts at 2 p.m. It continues through 2 p.m. on Sunday, and visitors can stop by anytime.

And visitors are more than welcome to stop by. These radio amateurs are always happy to share their passion with interested onlookers, and you may even get the chance to make an “on-the-air” contact yourself.

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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 6/19/2025)

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Kick off your summer of reading with the Webster Public Library

18 Jun

No one can get kids excited about reading than our very own Webster Public Library.

That commitment will be on full display on Tuesday, June 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., when the library will host its Summer Reading Kickoff Party at Charles Sexton Park (formerly North Ponds).

The annual event features games and crafts, treats, storytime with Jason and more. But mostly, this is a great chance to find out more about this year’s Summer Reading program, called “Color Our World.”

The program runs from June 24 through August 29 and is for all ages. You can participate virtually or in-person, but regardless, the same great prizes and fun await you. The more minutes you read (or listen), the more you earn. Reach milestones along the way to earn prizes and complete a full reading log to enter to win a grand prize at the end of the summer. There are even some additional challenges to earn more chances to win. 

You can sign up at the kickoff party, or stop into the library anytime they’re open and pick up a Summer Reading bookmark to get started. To participate virtually, download the Readsquared app or click here.

All ages are welcome to attend the kickoff party. There’s no charge, and no registration is necessary.

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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 6/18/2025)

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Grad parades celebrated the Class of 2025

17 Jun

How many of us (especially those of us who grew up far from Webster) have longed to walk the halls of our old elementary schools and remember what it was like “back then”?

This year’s senior class got a chance to do that Monday when the graduate parades — one of our district’s most fun and meaningful traditions — returned to the elementary schools. It’s a day when our Webster Thomas and Schroeder seniors hop on buses and go revisit the elementary schools where they began their Webster School careers.

I had the good luck to be substituting in the library at State Rd. Elementary on Monday, so I was able to see this year’s parade. It was June of 2018 when most of the seniors last walked the State Rd. halls. But this week, as the class of 2025, they walked proudly through them again, and judging from the reaction of the young students who lined the halls in welcome, you’d think they were conquering heroes.

Nodding to the fact that it’s sometimes difficult to recognize these tall, mature adults for the freckle-faced young people they once were, each senior wore a sign with his or her name and post-graduation plans. As they paraded down one hall, then another, they passed hundreds of cheering and applauding preK through fifth grade students. Every so often the parade was slowed when a graduate stopped to take a photo or get a long hug from a favorite teacher.

What a wonderful way to celebrate our seniors, congratulate them on their success, and remind them how much they’ve accomplished.

Here are some more photos from the State Rd. parade:

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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 6/17/2025)

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What’s your vision for Webster’s future?

16 Jun

The Town of Webster is looking for your input.

The Town of Webster is updating its Comprehensive Plan, and they want to hear from you. A successful Comprehensive Plan requires substantial public input and community engagement. They’re hoping to get those through various community events forums and surveys, to gather we hope to gather feedback and ideas to help shape Webster’s Bicentennial Plan.

There’s a survey out there right now that they’d like everyone to fill out, and the deadline has been extended to July 30 to accommodate as many participants as possible.

The Comprehensive Plan, developed in accordance with New York State law, will establish clear objectives for the community’s future development while protecting its natural and cultural resources. The plan emphasizes smart growth principles including mixed-use development, diverse housing options, sustainable infrastructure, distinctive community character, improved mobility, and climate resilience.

Through extensive community collaboration, the plan aims to create a guiding document that will identify long-range recommendations for future land use, zoning, housing, transportation, economic and community development, open space preservation, and more.

You can read more about the project on the project webpage, and you can see a recap of the public meeting held in April by clicking here, where you’ll also find the survey.

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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 6/16/2025)

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Chorus of the Genesee invites you …

15 Jun

Are you a guy who loves to sing?

Webster’s very own Chorus of the Genesee invites you to sing some a cappella music with them this Tuesday evening during their Guest Night.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday June 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.

You don’t even need to read music. If you can sing a tune, they’ll show you the rest.

Please RSVP here, or you can call (585) 259-3590 and they’ll save you a seat. If you won’t be sure whether you can make it until that evening, feel free to just walk in without RSVPing. Make sure to plan to stay for pizza afterwards, too.

If you have any questions, email RochesterCOG@gmail.com

The Chorus of the Genesee is a non-profit, educational organization devoted to preserving the original American art form of barbershop harmony. The Chorus rehearses every week at the Harmony House in Webster, but performs all over the greater Rochester area and participates in choral events all over the country. A portion of their proceeds support both local and national service projects.

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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 6/15/2025)

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