Rec Center’s Summer Celebration is this weekend

3 Jun

Regardless of how warm it’s going to be this week, it’s not really summer yet (and for that matter it’s hardly been spring). But that’s not keeping the Webster Recreation Department from hosting its annual Summer Celebration this weekend, Saturday June 7.

The Town of Webster’s annual Summer Carty will be held at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, beginning at 4 p.m., and will feature food trucks, live music, family activities, and inflatables for the kids.

This year’s food trucks will include:

  • Bruster’s of Webster
  • Curbside Quesadilla
  • Macarollin’
  • Nancy’s Fried Dough
  • Roc Bowlevard
  • Tony Tomato’s Wood Fired Pizza
  • Uncle Bucks
  • Vasko’s on Park

Dr. Jem will kick off the music, followed by ZBTB (Zach Brown Tribute Band), who’ll take the stage at 6 p.m. The evening concludes with a fireworks display at 9:45.

Here are some other important reminders:

  • First Responders Park, First Responders parking lot and the Recreation Center CLOSE at 4 p.m.. Nearby walkers may want to consider driving because you won’t be able to cut through First Responders parking lot due to fireworks set-up. 
  • The main Recreation Center lot will be for handicap parking and elderly drop-off only. All othe parking will be across Chiyoda Drive in the Xerox lots. AND there’s no shuttle service.=, so plan to walk in from those lots. (Don’t worry, helpers will be there to direct traffic.)
  • Food trucks & bounce houses open at 4 PM. Bounce houses are free, food trucks take cash or credit. Bounce houses will close exactly at 8:45 p.m. for safety reasons.
  • For any onsite emergencies look for the pop-up tent with the RED WPRD flag on top or the two safety tents.

The Summer Celebration is free, no registration is required, and the entire community is invited. And it will be held rain or shine.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars now for these other family fun events from the Rec Center:

  • This summer’s Music at the Arb series kicks off Thursday June 19 with a performance by Josh Ketchum. Thursday July 19 features Chelsey Berry and Mark Cellura, and on Thursday August 14, The String Brothers. These concerts are all held in the Webster Arboretum gazebo, begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
  • This year’s wet and wild Summer Splash event will be held Saturday July 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Responders Spray Park on Chiyoda Dr. This is free family water fun which includes snow cones, Rich the Magic Man and bubble fun. No registration is required.
  • The 2025 Mud Run is scheduled for Saturday Sept. 20 (times TBD). I’ll have a lot more in my blog later about this, because I LOVE LOVE this event.
  • Sandbar Summer Splendor has been scheduled for Tuesday Aug. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sandbar Park on Lake Rd. Lots of summer family fun planned here; more information to come.
  • Finally, say goodbye to summer at the “See Ya Summer Kids Concert” with Mr. Loops on Thursday Aug. 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Sandbar Park. This is also free and open to the community.

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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 6/3/2025)

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Webster Park lodge renamed in honor of Jamieson Ritter

2 Jun

In a ceremony held last Friday, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello officially renamed Lakefront Lodge in Webster Park in honor of fallen police officer and Webster native Jamieson Ritter.

While serving as a police officer in Cleveland, Ritter was killed on July 4, 2024 as officers attempted to serve a warrant. He was just 27 years old. His funeral was held several days later at Falvo Funeral Home in Penfield. The Webster community came out in force to honor him as his funeral procession wound its way through the village towards Falvo.

Ritter was a 2015 graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School. He graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. As a member of the Ohio Army National Guard, he deployed to Syria in 2022 and returned to continue his service as a police officer with the City of Cleveland before he was killed. 

Several Monroe County officials spoke at the ceremony, praising Ritter for his bravery and selflessness in serving his community. In his remarks, Executive Bello said,

I hope that people will take time to learn about Jamieson when visiting this newly renamed lodge in Webster Park. He was a true American hero whose ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty will be remembered  by the people he served and by the residents of Monroe County.  

Ritter’s mother and father also attended the ceremony, saying, “The remembrance of Jamieson’s sacrifice means the world to our family. We are touched by the collective support of the County Executive, law enforcement, and legislature to rename the lodge in support of and in memory of first responders.” 

The newly renamed Jamieson Ritter Memorial Lodge, formerly the Lakefront Lodge, is just north of the intersection of Holt and Lake roads.

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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 6/2/2025)

Surprise! FWPL volunteers receive recognition at potluck lunch

1 Jun

On Saturday, what was expected to be just your average potluck lunch provided by, and for, Friends of Webster Public Library (FWPL) volunteers, took an extra special turn when two long-time volunteers — Peg Ehmann and Mary Alice Moore — were surprised with special recognition and awards.

FWPL Vice President Gail Dominik presented the award to Peg, saying,

Peg has served in many capacities over the years. She has served as president vice president treasurer and secretary. … Peg has been involved in many committees such as the book sale committee, spelling bee committee, by-law updating committee, nominating committee, fundraising committee and signage committee, to name a few. She has attended numerous meetings with the Monroe County Friends Council and NYLA Empire State Roundtable where ideas and strategies for successful Friends groups were shared, and then brought those ideas back to implement them with our group. Today Peg is not only a member of the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Webster Public Library but also serves on the Webster Public Library Board of Trustees and WPL Foundation.

In presenting the award to Mary Alice, FWPL Board Member Ruth Tetlow said,

Mary Alice was the book sale coordinator for 16 book sales beginning in the spring of 2007. She increased the awareness of the Friends and book sales with publicity ideas that are still used today. Mary Alice set the standard for successful book sales with her attention to details, her open and welcoming manner and her snicker doodle cookies. Mary Alice has served on many committees, volunteered for numerous events, attended meetings and offered her guidance to the Friends even when she was in Florida for the winter. For the past several years, Mary Alice has managed the Sign-Up Genius account which organizes the volunteers by shifts to work the book sale. In addition to working with the friends, Mary Alice serves on the Advisory Board of the Friends of the Webster Public Library, the Webster Public Library Board of Trustees and the WPL Foundation.

Appropriately, each honoree received a book or audiobook, inscribed with an individualized dedication recognizing their service. Once Peg and Mary Alice have a chance to read them, the books will become part of the library’s permanent collection.

Before the luncheon, two other long-time volunteers who were not able to attend — Richard Reid and Deb Suffoletto — were also recognized. Deb also received a book, and Richard an audiobook (his preferred mode of reading).

In concluding remarks, Gail said,

Richard, Deb, Peg and Mary Alice are all active in promoting and increasing the awareness of the Webster Public Library to the community. … The most important aspect of their contribution to the Friends is their friendship to one and all. They are always available to help, to listen, to advocate, to praise, to guide and be not only a Friend of the library, but more importantly, a friend to all.

Congratulations to all of the honorees, and thank you for all you do to help make the Webster Public Library the invaluable community resource it is.

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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 6/1/2025)

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Mabel Jane’s brings mid-century modern decor — and more — back to the village

31 May

The Village of Webster’s newest shop caters to customers who really like the old.

The new Mabel Jane’s Vintage and Consignment shop opened in mid-April at 10 North Ave., just steps from the village’s four corners.

Mabel Jane’s features two rooms and more than 1200 square feet packed with pre-loved furniture, antiques and collectibles. It’s the realization of a long-time dream for owner Sharon Kruger, an extension of the Loyal Helper Group, a business which she’s owned for 9 years.

I help people downsize and move; sometimes they’ve moved to Heaven. After we get them situated, they ask, “What do I do with what’s left?” I help them find a home for it without putting it in the dumpster. We help them donate some, sell some.

And now, Sharon has a dedicated shop in which to do that.

I’ve always wanted a shop, not because I’m taking all their stuff here. That’s too much work and cost for them. But there are special pieces that you can’t necessarily sell in the month that you’re working with them, so we could bring them in here.

Sharon also takes items on consignment from the community, so there’s a wide variety of, well LOTS of stuff, and inventory turns over daily. Plus, the prices are very reasonable. Friends have actually suggested to her that she raise them, but she doesn’t want to do that. “I want my inventory to change,” she said, “and I want it to get into someone’s hands.” 

The 10 North Ave. location most recently housed Mod 4 U, which specialized in mid-century modern decor. That shop closed in February, and Sharon said that people are happy to see a similar shop fill the empty space.

“Robert (Verrone) was here before,” Sharon said, “and he had some great mid-century modern. This has got that and more. And it’s not all vintage, there’s some new stuff.”

So basically, it’s like one big estate sale right in the heart of the Village of Webster.

Sharon is still trying to sort out her hours, but right now Mabel Jane’s is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and usually one other day during the week. The best way to find out when she’s there is to visit Mabel Jane’s Facebook page or Instagram (mabel_janes_), which are both updated regularly.

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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 5/31/2025)

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Webster Museum receives $2,500 donation from NBT Bank

30 May

The Webster Museum and Historical Society received a generous donation Thursday morning when representatives from NBT Bank presented the museum with a check for $2,500.

The presentation was part of NBT Bank’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new branch located at 1075 Ridge Road (in the plaza with Corona’s Mexican Restaurant, next to Great Clips).

Donations like this are a key part of NBT Bank’s commitment to supporting the communities they serve. With each new branch opening, the bank selects a local nonprofit organization to receive a donation.

During the check presentation, Market Manager Lindsey Meyers praised the museum’s efforts, saying:

The Webster Historical Society’s passion for keeping Webster’s history alive, and the dedicated effort within the community, is really something special. Their commitment to the Webster School District and other organizations makes them a staple in both Rochester and Webster. We are honored and privileged to partner with you today.

Webster Museum President Tom Pellett expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that while there are no immediate plans for the funds, they will go a long way toward supporting the museum’s mission.

“It’s gifts like this that keep us—a nonprofit, all-volunteer museum—going,” he said. “It enables us to keep the museum open for free, so we’re always thankful.”

Also attending the presentation were Webster Museum volunteers Sharon Pratt and Deb Oakley; Webster Town Historian Lynn Barton; Webster Town Supervisor Tom Flaherty; Webster Chamber of Commerce President Barry Howard; Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President Bob Duffy; and several NBT corporate representatives.

NBT Bank, which recently merged with Evans Bank, is expanding its presence in Upstate New York. The new Webster location is the first NBT branch in the Rochester area. When asked why Webster was chosen, Shauna Hyle, Executive VP of Community Banking, explained:

We really like the Webster community. We had a subsidiary in downtown Rochester, and many of our employees lived in Webster. That gave us some insight into the area, and we felt it was a great opportunity to re-enter this market.

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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 5/30/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

28 May

The Webster Marching Band’s next Bottle and Can Drive is this weekend, on Saturday May 31.

There’s a very good chance you got a flyer about this tucked into your door (the band boosters are very good at canvassing the neighborhoods). You can attach this to your bags of returnables and leave them at the end of the driveway for pick-up between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. But even if you didn’t get a flyer, no worries; you can take your bags to Webster Schroeder High School on Ridge Rd., where band members will be happy to take them off your hands!

The band’s next door-to-door drive will be in August, but you don’t have to wait until then to get your returnables out of your garage. Simply call 585-234-8684 (option 1) to arrange a personal pick-up.

And mark your calendars for these upcoming Marching Band events:

  • July 9-12: Firemen’s Carnival sausage stand
  • Aug. 14: Food truck rodeo at Firemen’s Field
  • Aug. 16: Summer bottle and can drive
  • Oct. 4: Autumn Fanfare at Webster Schroeder

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Here’s an event that’s actually happening in Fairport, but I know is well supported by our Webster community members:

The Fairport Angels Annual Blood Drive will be held Wednesday, June 18 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. John of Rochester gymnasium, 8 Wickford Way in Fairport.

This annual blood drive is held in memory of the “Fairport Angels” — Hannah Congdon, Bailey Goodman, Meredith McClure, Sara Monnat and Katie Shirley — all Fairport High School seniors lost their lives 18 years ago in an accident only five days after their graduation day. The drive is a way to keep their memories alive and help others.

This is a very popular blood drive, so pre-registration is recommended so the Red Cross can adequately staff the drive. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or click here and enter “Fairport Angels” to schedule an appointment. To save additional time, up to 15 minutes can be saved by clicking here and completing a Rapid Pass.

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Here’s another reminder about the upcoming Webster Senior Singers concert, scheduled for Tuesday June 10 at 11 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center.

The Senior Singers is a enthusiastic group of older adults who come together at the Rec Center every Tuesday to sing, socialize and — four times a year — share their love for music with the greater Webster community. There’s no charge to attend the concert, and registration is not necessary. So bring a friend, a grandchild, or come solo, and take a moment out of your day and stop by to hear some beautiful music.

The title of the concert is “A Musical Revue,” which means that you’ll hear a lot of tunes you know, performed by the chorus and several soloists. The concert will be about an hour long.

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Everybody of all ages is invited to attend the Senior Singers concert, but this following event, also at the Rec Center, is for seniors only.

It’s the 55+ Golden Gala on Friday, June 20 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Basically, it’s a senior prom with dancing, a live band, a photo booth, an appetizer bar and a dessert bar. The event is sponsored by Kittelberger Florist, who’ll be providing flower corsages for the attendees.

So grab your sweetheart and make it a romantic afternoon. (Golden glam attire is suggested, but not required!)

Cost is $18 per person, and registration is required by June 10 (register for program #243001).

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Finally, the United Church of Christ has announced this year’s Caring Community Concert series, and it’s a good one.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations through free-will donations. The first one, scheduled for Wed. July 9, will feature 8-Days-a-Week and proceeds will benefit Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters. (See below for the whole schedule.)

The UCC has been sponsoring these concerts for, like 20 years, and through free-will offerings have raised tons of money for local non-profit organizations. People are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic if they wish. There’s also a concession stand selling soda, hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, and a weekly “special.”

The concerts all begin at 6:30 p.m., and food concessions begin at 6. The concerts are held on the United Church of Christ front lawn, at 570 Klem Rd. (In case of rain it’s moved indoors.) So put these concerts on your calendar now and plan to enjoy some great music for a good cause.

Here’s the rest of this summer’s schedule:

For more information about the concerts, click here.

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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 5/28/2025)

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Half was enough for me, thank you.

27 May

Today’s blog is a thank-you to all of my friends and readers who have been following my journey as I trained to run my first-ever (and only) half marathon, and a report about my experience.

It was a long haul; I started training in earnest the first week of January, completing at least three training runs every week for the following (almost) five months. I ran in the snow and the sleet, I ran in Florida when we took a short February respite from winter, and didn’t even take a break when I spent a month in Prague.

My goal was the Buffalo Half Marathon on Sunday May 25, part of “Marathon Weekend” held in Buffalo every Memorial Day weekend. My daughter lives in Buffalo, so we went up Saturday and stayed overnight with her, which was wonderfully convenient since the race started at 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning. (We got up at 4:30.)

It was a very cool morning, about 45 degrees, but the skies were bright blue and cloudless, which was a big relief given the frequent rainy weather we’ve had of late. My husband Jack dropped me off near the start line around 6 a.m., then found a place to park and scouted out a spot along the race route to cheer me on.

Given that I knew this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, I started taking photos to help me remember the day. Having never done a race of this magnitude (5,000 people), everything was new to me. And downtown Buffalo was gorgeous in the morning sun, so I had to take some photos of that, too.

I had an enthusiastic cheer squad. My daughter and her best friend surprised me at one turn. My sisters-in-law camped out at another corner where I ran by them twice, and Jack managed to do some jogging of his own, posting up at four separate locations to see me run by multiple times.

The race route took us through city neighborhoods, through parks, by the Key Bank Center and all the way out onto the pier. It was a beautiful route on a beautiful day. I didn’t necessarily notice all the sights as I ran by because I was often focused on the wide variety of funny and encouraging signs people had made. (Like, “Smile, remember that you paid to do this!” and “Thanks to tariffs, this race is now 28% longer!”)

My goal when I stepped up to the start line was to finish the 13.1 miles in two and a half hours, a pretty achievable goal for a first-timer, I thought. Well, I’m pleased to report that my final time was 2:24.05, almost 6 minutes below my goal. I ran faster every mile of those 13 miles than I had at any time during my training. AND I placed 5th in my 65-69 age group. A race-day atmosphere will do that to a person.

So all in all, it was a fun experience. I wore a tutu and a fun shirt my friend designed, I smiled a lot, danced to some music along the route, laughed with some of my fellow runners, saw some beautiful scenery, and finished the race strong. I got to ring the “PR bell” at the end of the race and take the requisite post-race-holding-the-medal photos. I got a great shirt and left the post-race party with an armload of drinks and snacks. And my husband bought me flowers.

Thank you, Buffalo for a well-managed race, and I’ll see you again next year. But this time, I think I’ll run the 5K instead.

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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 5/27/2025)

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Photos from the Memorial Day Parade

26 May

What a gorgeous day we had Monday for the Village of Webster’s Memorial Day Parade. Given the capricious spring weather we’ve been having, the comfortable temperatures and cloudless sky were a pleasant surprise, and pretty much perfect conditions for the marchers and onlookers.

I always wish there were as many people lining the streets for this parade as there are at the Firemen’s Parade in July, but I estimate there were a few thousand out there enjoying the sunny weather, young and old, many dressed in their Memorial Day finest.

This is not a very long parade, and I think some of the fire trucks turned off the route before they made it to me, but I tried to get photos of pretty much everything else.

And of course the parade is just a precursor to the nice remembrance ceremony held afterwards at Webster Rural Cemetery.

Thank you to all of the veterans, Scouts, band members, first responders and others who participated in today’s events, and who took the time to help us honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Click here to see more photos.

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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 5/26/2025)

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I finally got to meet my pen pal

25 May

I had the pleasure of participating once again this year in a fun inter-generational pen pal program through the Webster Recreation Center.

The program, organized by Recreation Supervisors Julie Schillaci and Daphne Geoca, connected 20 Webster seniors with a classroom of second graders at Autumn Lane Elementary School in Greece. I took park in the program for the first time last year, and enjoyed it so much that when word came in September that it was starting up again, I immediately signed on. It’s a great opportunity to help young people improve their writing skills and find out that writing can actually be FUN.

Shortly after the school year began, each participating senior was matched with a student, and we received our first hand-written letters in late September.

Over the next seven months, we received, and responded to, three more letters. I don’t know about the ones the others were getting, but mine were covered in bright colors and rainbows, flowers and stickers. Alisha would draw pictures of my foster cats, and even drew a rather accurate representation of Prague when she knew I was visiting there.

Alisha and I wrote about her travels to visit her family, how she likes to play soccer, the ladybug project she was working on, and the concert she had coming up. She asked me what my favorite color was, my favorite flower, and if I took a bus to school. But the last letter was my favorite, because it included an invitation to an end-of-program reception when we would finally be able to meet each other in person.

And so it was on Friday May 16, the other seniors and I traveled to Autumn Lane Elementary and finally got to meet our pen pals. We gathered in the school’s gymnasium, the kids sang us some songs, and several of the students went up to the microphone to tell us all how much they enjoyed getting our letters. Several of us seniors also took to the mic, saying pretty much the same thing: we LOVED getting the letters.

After all the festivities, the kids served us some drinks and snacks, and we had some time to sit and chat. I showed her some photos from Prague, and she told me how she was graduating to another school next year. The conversation flowed easily, like we were good friends who hadn’t seen each other in a while. And we had to break it off much too soon (after all, the kids had to get to P.E. class).

I felt fortunate to be part of the program again this year. I’m already looking forward to doing so again next year, and helping inspire another young writer.

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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 5/25/2025)

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St. Rita Fiesta returns next weekend

24 May

I’ve always loved a good home-town festival. That’s why I love the annual St. Rita Fiesta; even more than the Firemen’s Carnival, it brings me right back to the days of the fair I looked forward to every summer when I was growing up in small-town Owego.

The 70th annual St. Rita Fiesta will take place on Friday May 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday May 31 from 2 to 9 p.m. at St. Rita Church, 1008 Maple Drive in West Webster.

Everyone’s favorite features will be back this year, including the famous Fiesta Food Tent with the also famous fish fry (Friday only) and Chicken BBQ (Saturday only), carnival games, mini golf, book sale, plant sale, gift basket raffles, Dunk the Deacon, food trucks (including Schutt’s), sweet treats, ice cream, fried dough, kettle corn, the money wheel, foam dart league, corn hole and much more. Plus, the pony rides for the kids are back by popular demand.

Live music will be provided this year on Friday by D.E.T. (Different Every Time) from 6 to 9 p.m., and on Saturday, Count It All Joy from 3 to 4 p.m. from All In Brass Band from 5 to 6 p.m. and Open.G from 6 to 9 p.m.

There’s actually so much stuff going on both days that you’ll want to visit the Fiesta Facebook page or website to see all the details. Or check out the flyer below, but the website has a whole lot more info. Admission is free, and there’s plenty of free on-site parking, with handicap spaces available. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Veterans Outreach Center.

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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 5/23/2025)

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