Webster community mailbag

22 Feb

Looking ahead to events and warmer weather next month — and this coming summer — in today’s mailbag!

Win a pair of Beats headphones

In an effort to reach out to a younger audience and impress upon them the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, the Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) has instituted a Beats headphone giveaway via Instagram.

It’s easy to enter; just visit @WHENdfcc on Instagram, and post a picture of you doing something happy and healthy, like going for a walk, playing a sport, etc. Comment and tag two friends, follow WHEN on Instagram and share the WHEN post to your story. See more about this great giveaway on Instgram or click here.

Wednesday March 3 is the last day to enter.

Looking forward to summer!

Enough with this snow. Here’s something to help you look past all that.

The Webster Business Improvement District (BID) has announced its summer lineup of Friday night gazebo concerts, beginning in July:

  • July 18: The Earthtones
  • July 25: The Sarah DeValliere Band
  • Aug. 1: It’s My Party
  • Aug. 8: The Red Hot & Blue Band
  • Aug. 22: Eight Days a Week

Plus, the Webster Jazz Festival returns Aug. 15 and 16.

The gazebo concerts begin at 7 p.m. at Veterans Park on North Ave. and admission is free. Bring the whole family, some folding chairs and a blanket, and a cooler if you’d like, then enjoy some beautiful music. Check out the BID website to stay up to date on details for these and all this summer’s village events.

News from the Arboretum

The Webster Arboretum has a beautiful new website which is very much worth a few minutes to check out. The new design is very easy to navigate, highlighting the trails, gardens and wildlife which abound in this beautiful natural area.

Scroll down a bit to read about this year’s slate of educational programs, a different one every month through November, ranging from hummingbirds to lilacs, bonsai trees to hydrangeas.

I’ll let you know more about each of these as they get closer, but here’s what’s happening in March:

  • Invasive Insects, Thursday March 20, 7 to 8 p.m.: Presented by Camille Caceci, the Invasive Species Project Coordinator with Finger Lakes PRISM. Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to our environment, and as scientific professionals, hobbyists, or passersby, we encounter them almost every day. But what makes a species invasive? How many are there? Learn more about them at this fascinating presentation.

The presentation will take place at the Curry Building at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd. Prior registration is requested for all these programs. They’re all free and will be held rain or shine. Visit the Webster Arboretum website for more information and to register.

And ALSO, mark your calendars now for the Arboretum’s annual Spring Plant Sale, Saturday May 10 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Women’s Club March luncheon will feature Webster history

Sharon Pratt from the Webster Museum will be the guest speaker at the next Women’s Club of Webster luncheon, Thursday March 20 at the Nutcracker Family Restaurant, 2159 Empire Blvd., Webster. Sharon will speak about what life was like for women in Webster’s early days.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Sharon’s presentation. Enjoy a buffet featuring roast beef, roasted chicken, rice pilaf, pasta primavera, salad, hot mixed vegetables, hot and cold beverages and warm camaraderie.

Cost of the luncheon is $25. Send check made out to WCW by March 13 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, 14519. If you have any questions, or you think your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303. New members are always welcome.

WCSD prekindergarten lottery is open

Registration for Webster Central School District’s 2024-25 prekindergarten lottery is now available online. Registrations will be accepted through Friday, March 14 at 10 a.m. Children who are 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025 but who are not eligible for kindergarten, are eligible for prekindergarten enrollment for the upcoming school year.

Webster CSD PreK is a play-based program that engages students in social and emotional skills with a heavy emphasis on communication. The district offers both full-day and half-day options for families. Locations are determined by the lottery and according to the child’s home catchment for kindergarten.

For more information and to complete registration, please visit Webster CSD’s prekindergarten web page at www.websterschools.org/prek.

Lots to do in March at the library

Here’s a quick look at what’s happening at the Webster Public Library in March:

  • Vintage Book Sale, Saturday March 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop more than 200 fiction and non-fiction books, published between the 19th and early 21st centuries. Prices begin at $8.
  • The free community exchange in March is GAMES. Bring in a game that you don’t use anymore, and pick up a new one!
  • The Donation Station in March will benefit the Webster Public Library’s very own Free Food Pantry, located on the sidewalk right by the front door. Bring in non-perishable food items to help keep the pantry stocked.
  • The Seed Library will be open for the season on Monday March 3

For adults:

  • St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Saturday March 1, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Celebrate the Emerald Isle with music from the band Merriwick, Irish tea and beautiful pictures of Ireland! Registration is required.
  • Growing Orchids in Rochester, Saturday March 8, 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Learn about orchids and how to grow them in Rochester in anticipation of the 2025 Genesee Region Orchid Show. Registration is required.

For teens and tweens:

  • Make It Monday: Glass Bead Suncatchers, Monday March 10, 6 to 7 p.m. Grades 4 and up are welcome. Registration is requested.
  • Teen Library Club, Wednesday March 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hang out with your friends and get more involved in the library and the community. For grades 6 to 12. Registration is requested.

For kids and families:

  • Flute Storytime, Saturday March 15, 2 to 2:30 p.m. Join flutist Jaclyn Breeze for a 30-minute program featuring two picture books and flute pieces. No registration required.
  • Spring Equinox Drop-In Crafts in the storytime room. Friday March 21 and Saturday March 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All ages are welcome and registration is not required.

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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 2/22/2025)

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Apply now to be a Garlic Fest vendor

21 Feb

Hot on the heels of the recent announcement that registrations are being taken for this year’s Community Arts Day, I also got an email from the organizers of the Webster Garlic Fest that plans are ramping up for that tasty festival, too.

This year’s Webster Garlic Fest is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 7 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

This festival keeps getting bigger and better every year, and organizers continue to open up more and more spots for vendors. This year, 160 spots are available for vendors to set up inside the Rec Center or along the pathway outside. Applications are now being accepted for Garlic Fest vendors, and if you’re at all interested, I suggest you apply really soon, because spots fill up quickly for this very popular festival. Click here to apply.

If you’re not familiar with the Garlic Fest, it’s a great family festival for anyone who loves all things garlic. The Rec Center gymnasium and grounds outside are packed with crafters, food vendors, distilleries, wineries, food trucks and, lots and lots of garlic growers. Many of them provide tastings and samples. And even if you’re not a big fan of garlic, there’s lots of other neat things there. In past years there have been baby goats (in pajamas), alpacas, a huge 70-year old tortoise, Mr. Wally the Balloon Man, a comedian and entertainers.

This year’s schedule of vendors and entertainment won’t be finalized for a while, so stay tuned. In the meantime, bookmark the Webster Garlic Fest website to stay up on the latest.

All proceeds from the Webster Garlic Fest benefit:

  • Wreaths Across America: Honoring and remembering veterans resting in local cemeteries on National Wreaths Across America Day, this year happening on 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 2/21/2025)

Get your group together and help Pick Up Webster Park

20 Feb

Monroe County has scheduled its 15th annual Pick Up the Parks initiative on April 12, and once again, Webster Park has been included in the effort.

This annual effort is designed to help clean up our county’s parks from the winter accumulation of trash and debris, help reduce litter entering our local waterways, and help get the parks looking great for spring and summer.

Volunteers will be asked to do specific jobs, including:

  •  Picking up trash/litter and/or loading up trucks to take trash off-site
  •  Raking/picking up debris (leaves, sticks, and rocks)
  •  Additional duties such as sweeping shelter & lodge areas and hard surfaces, and mulching & weeding may be available at some locations

The event takes place on Saturday April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. to get signed in. At 9 a.m. the park supervisor will begin distributing jobs and locations within the park. The event will be held rain or shine.

In order to register yourself or a group, return this form by e-mail to MCParks@monroecounty.gov. Form must be submitted prior to March 28th 2025 to be consider a part of this year’s clean up

The County of Monroe maintains 22 parks throughout the county, and hope each year to field at least one clean-up group in each.

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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 2/20/2025)

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Neighbors helping neighbors

19 Feb

Here’s a quick note about how one local business has — once again — shown what it means to be part of a community.

Recently the Webster Community Chest needed a sign to post at their Phillips Village Food Pantry. They reached out to McAllister Sign, Inc. on Ridge Rd. to do the job.

Chris and Mark McAllister not only did a terrific job designing and creating the sign, but also donated their talent, time, and of course the sign itself, to the Community Chest.

The Webster Community Chest is grateful to the McAllisters for their generous donation, and the entire Webster community thanks them for being an outstanding example of community support.

They are truly neighbors helping neighbors.

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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 2/19/2025)

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Register now for Community Arts Day

18 Feb

I know that spring is just around the corner when I start receiving emails from the organizers of Community Arts Day (CAD). And since this year it seems like spring will NEVER arrive, it’s rather appropriate that CAD has been scheduled later than usual.

This annual event, held at Webster Schroeder High School, is a family-friendly festival which showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and invites dozens of community groups to display their great contributions to our community.

Normally, Community Arts Day is held in mid-April, but this year (thanks to some scheduling issues) it’s been moved back to Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. So it’s a little later this year than usual, but the time is NOW to start planning for it.

Registrations are now being taken for community groups, vendors and performers who’d like to participate in this year’s Community Arts Day. There are also several opportunities to become event sponsors or make an in-kind donation. Click here to find out more and to register your group.

Organizers are also looking for interested community members to join the planning committee and help make this event a success. Email CAD@websterptsa.org to find out more about volunteer opportunities,

Community Arts Day is a Webster PTSA sponsored event, created in 1976 as a joint venture with each of Webster’s schools to raise money to support cultural arts activities in our 11 buildings. CAD showcases our children’s artistic, vocal, musical, and theatrical talents. It also involves the whole community in a day to celebrate cultural arts, bringing in 2000+ people to enjoy activities from art displays, musical performances, craft demonstrations, community exhibits, craft vendors, sweet treats, a carnival space, and more. So make sure to put Saturday, May 10 on your calendar now for this year’s Community Arts Day.

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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 2/18/2025)

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Got antiques?

17 Feb

Here’s some good news for any of you who were disappointed to discover that — thanks to the really stinky weather last Sunday — the Webster Museum decided to postpone their very popular Antiques and Collectibles Roadshow. You’ll be happy to hear that it has been rescheduled for this coming Sunday Feb. 23.

If you’re curious about the value of a favorite piece, you’re invited to bring it in and Frank and Greg Palma will take a look at it, and share their expertise and insight into the history and value of the item.

The program begins at 2 p.m. at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the village. There’s no admission charge, and free refreshments will be served.

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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 2/17/2025)

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Show some love to your favorite trail

15 Feb

If you love our Webster trails, then I hope you’ve already become a member of the Friends of Webster Trails, the terrific all-volunteer organization who are committed to maintaining, and building, our great trail system. But if you REALLY love our trails and are looking for even more ways to show that love, the Friends have a great opportunity for you to consider.

The Friends of Webster Trails have put out a call for more volunteers to sign up as trail stewards. It’s really not a tough job. Trail stewards help maintain a particular trail (for example the Green Trail at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve) by hiking it regularly, reporting maintenance issues and helping resolve them. Stewards are also asked to participate in trail workdays and propose upgrade projects.

It’s a great opportunity to help support this excellent organization and show some love to your favorite trail. If you’re interested, click here to email the Trail Chair, Linda Siple, and she’ll get back in touch.

To find out more about the Friends of Webster Trails and all the great things they do for our town, visit their website here.

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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 2/15/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

12 Feb

A quick reminder from the Town of Webster to start off today’s mailbag: If you haven’t recycled your Christmas tree yet, you can still do so through Friday, Feb. 28 at the Webster Highway Dept., 1005 Picture Parkway. As soon as you see the gas pumps, look to the left and you’ll see a sign directing you to the drop-off spot.

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If you need something to keep the kids busy during the upcoming February break, consider the Fun Camp hosted by the Webster Recreation Center, Tuesday Feb. 18 through Friday Feb. 21.

The kids can spend their break playing games, making crafts, playing in the gym and more. Break camps provide a safe, fun, and active program for children in grades K-5. Drop-off is any time after 8 a.m. and pickup is before 5 p.m.. Children must bring lunch, snacks, water bottle, and wear sneakers every day.

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Also, these notes from the Webster Recreation Center’s 55+ activities calendar:

This month’s next Tuesday Talk, scheduled for Feb. 25, will welcome Sharon Pratt from the Webster Museum, who will talk about Webster’s history through the years, including how it is that our town, once a part of Penfield, became Webster.

Coming up in the next few months, the Talks on Tuesdays will feature NASA Ambassador Jim Porter talking about The Big Bang (March 18), Jeff Taylor presenting a travelogue from South Korea and Taiwan (April 8) and Doug Thiele giving tips on making your money go further (date TBD).

The Talks on Tuesdays program is designed to bring older adults a wide range of topics to keep our minds sharp and alert while meeting new and interesting people. They’re offered Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. Admission is free but registration is required. For more details, check out the newsletter here.

These talks are just a few of the dozens of different programs offered by the Rec Center designed to keep older people active and educated. They include gaming, dancing, age-appropriate exercising, singing, parties, Lunch Bunch field trips and much, much more. Click here to see the Webster Recreation Center newsletter for details.

More from the Rec

Here are a couple of other reminders from the Webster Recreation Center about ways you can enjoy the winter weather on their grounds:

Cross Country Skiing: There’s a groomed track at the Rec Cen tger which can be used during the day, and the lights will be on from 5 to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays! Make sure to bring your own skis.

Ice Skating Rink: The lights are always on at the ice skating rink in the evenings; just bring your own skates. And of course you can skate during the day.

Walking Paths: Two plowed walking/running paths are cleared for winter at Charles E. Sexton Park and the Recreation Center.

Coming up in March

St. Martin Lutheran Church will host a free Mardi Gras Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday, March 4 from 5 to 7 p.m., to thank the community for supporting their missions over the year.

Dinner will include unlimited pancakes and syrup, plus sausages and applesauce. Participants are invited to come dressed in Mardi Gras style. Beads will be provided, and you can make your own masks.

The event will be held at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd. Everyone is invited to this family-friendly event, so bring your friends. There’s no cost, but a free-will offering of a boxed or canned good for the church’s Little Free Pantry would be gratefully accepted.   

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CDS Wolf Foundation will be hosting their 18th annual Strikes for Abilities Bowling Party at Bowlero bowling alley on Empire Blvd. on Sunday, March 9 from noon to 3 p.m.

Sponsorships and tickets are now available from $250 ($50 per person for your team), up to $10,000. And if you can’t make it to the event, you can make a direct donation to CDS. All proceeds will support the Wolf Foundation’s mission to make a lasting impact on the lives of veterans, senior citizens and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Click here for more information.

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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 2/12/2025)

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Young Life students and adults traveling to El Salvador on mission trip

11 Feb

Wishing safe travels to the adults and students who will be traveling from Webster to El Salvador on Wednesday for a service trip with Young Life.

Forty-one high school students and adults — from Young Life, Browncroft Community Church and Grace Road Church — will be participating in the nine-day trip, which will take them to a rural part of the country called Baja Lempa in the village of Taura.

Dustin Bailey, one of the trip’s organizers, wrote,

The village has about 50 families and Young Life has helped bring clean water, medications, vitamins, create food supplies, built houses, built bathrooms, and generally brought much hope to this region. This year, we hope to build a home for a family that currently lives in a home that pales in comparison to many of the sheds in our backyards. We will also help with the greenhouse in their community that provides nutrition to the children and a way to make money through sales to a local farmer’s market. We will spend much time with the children of the village to play and share joy together.

The 26 high school students and 15 adults going on the trip will be challenged to grow in their faith, learn how to serve others, and maybe have a greater appreciation to the many blessings we have in Webster.

This is the 16th year in which Young Life has made this trip. The photos (provided by Dustin) are from the group’s packing day last Saturday morning, and from a previous mission trip.

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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 2/11/2025)

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Chorus of the Genesee makes Valentine’s Day extra sweet

10 Feb

Want to REALLY impress your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? Ask some of the dapper gentlemen from Webster’s Chorus of the Genesee to show up at her (or his) workplace and personally serenade her with a romantic song.

The Chorus will once again offer their Singing Valentine service this Valentine’s Day weekend, Thursday February 13 through Saturday February 15.

For only $50, a quartet of crooners will descend on your sweetheart’s workplace, hair salon, home, restaurant — wherever you need them to go — and surprise your Valentine with a long-stemmed rose, a personalized card, and two romantic love songs.

Songs will be delivered between 1 and 9 p.m. on Thursday Feb. 13, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday Feb. 14 and 15.

To schedule your Singing Valentine, call the Chorus of the Genesee at 585-734-1328. Cost is only $50 for a memory that will last a lifetime.

In the photo above, which I took several years ago, members of Ra-Cha-Cha (Ed Rummler, Dave Bay, Lee Shepter and Mike McKain) sing to Stacey Gitsis at the Bay Front Restaurant.

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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 2/10/2025)

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