Is there a time for Santa to cry?

22 Dec

If you’re a longtime Webster resident, you’ve likely seen, and maybe even visited with, Santa Jim.

I write about him often. I like to call him “Webster’s Santa,” because he shows up at so many Webster events. For example, he’s a regular at the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland, and St. Martin’s Evening With Santa, and the Joe Obbie Farm Market’s Christmas in July celebration.

Those occasions are always filled with joy and holiday spirit, and Santa Jim is always the smiling, “Ho-Ho-Ho”-ing, jolly old elf that everyone expects. But in his role as a professional Santa, many of his visits are not as joyous. Sometimes, Santa is asked to call on those living through some of the worst times of their lives.

Recently, Jim told me some stories from a few of those occasions, which he has graciously allowed me to share with you all. The first one has particular significance to us in Webster. Here it is in Jim’s own words.

Above, Santa and Mrs. Claus visit with Kylie and Kacie Chiapperini (then ages 2 and 4) in the days following the shooting in late December, 2012. (photo provided by Kim Chiapperini)

Delivering joy following tragedy

I know you recall that terrible morning, Dec. 24, 2012, that the two West Webster firemen were shot and killed, two others wounded. Firefighter and police officer Mike Chiapperini left his wife Kim and their two very small children that morning.

Mike had previously bought Christmas presents for his children and left them at the West Webster fire station. Unfortunately he was never able to pick them up that day and put them under the family Christmas tree.

A few days after Christmas I received a phone call from one of the officers at the West Webster Fire Dept. He asked me if Santa would deliver the Christmas gifts that Mike had left there to the Chiapperini children. Of course I would.

Arrangements were made, and Santa was to arrive at the Chiapperini home via fire truck. Numerous fire trucks and police vehicles with lights and sirens escorted Santa to the Chiapperini home, and firefighters and police officers accompanied Santa to the front door. A very somber Kim met us at the door. The Chiapperini children, not quite understanding what was happening, took the gifts and eagerly opened them. The excitement and joy of a family Christmas for them was definitely not there. We spent a few minutes talking with Kim, tears and hugs were everywhere. These brave men and women, Webster’s best, who protect us every day, were deeply moved being at the Chiapperini home. It was a somber ride back to the station.

The kindness of strangers

There was a young man with a very caring wife and two or three young children. He had been suffering from ALS for a long time and was in his last days. The hospital let him go home to spend his last Christmas with his family. The family had exhausted most of their finances and all of their holiday spirit.

One of my young female colleagues at work had a friend who knew the family. The friend organized an amazing group of young women volunteers who provided an entire Christmas for this family.

On a cold, damp day in mid-December, a dozen cars lined the driveway and road in this Rochester suburb. The women gathered on the young man’s front lawn. They’d brought everything they needed to provide the family with a memorable Christmas, including two Christmas trees. They set up one in the front yard, trimmed with colored lights, which the young man could see from his hospital bed in their living room. They brought the second tree into the house, which the ladies also decorated. Another group of women arrived bearing a full Christmas dinner plus enough groceries to feed the family through the coming days.

They had kept me hidden in my car down the road until I was to make my entrance. When my call came, I walked towards the house accompanied by a few of the ladies carrying arms filled with wrapped gifts for the children. Their mom had not had time to shop for any Christmas presents.

Santa made his grand entrance, jolly, singing, cheerfully wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, but in reality his heart sank into his boots. The young man had the biggest smile on his face. The kids were excited to see Santa; now they had a real Christmas tree and all the presents. Mom just cried. The family was happy, if only for a few minutes. The young man couldn’t communicate well, but we could see what this meant to him. You just knew everyone’s heart was breaking knowing what lay ahead.

That day a few unidentified young women answered a call. There were no TV cameras, no 6 o’clock news interviews, just these beautiful ladies. These young women brought gifts of love and compassion — they were the real gifts givers of Mira. We all left feeling that we had brought something more than a tree and a few material gifts to this family who were facing such a dark future.

That’s when you get into your car and just sit there for a few minutes. Think about what just happened and shed tears for them.

I’m not sure if he made it to Christmas.

His last Christmas

I received a phone call one sunny fall afternoon from a young mother. She told me about her young son, I think he was about 5 or 6. She told me that he had a terminal disease and would not make it to Christmas. She told me how much he loved Christmas, and they had decorated his room and set up a small Christmas tree there.

She asked me if Santa could make a special visit to see her son. Of course he could.

Santa arrived at the house, where extended family members let me in. They told me that the young boy’s time was near and led me to his room. I recall the room was very dim except for the lights on a small Christmas tree. His mom took me over next to the boy’s bed and told him that Santa was there to see him.

I really didn’t see any reaction from him. I told him what a good boy he’d been. I recall holding his hand and telling him about the North Pole, Mrs. Claus and maybe the reindeer. Mom, Dad maybe a few others were in the room and we all sang Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. We joined hands and said a prayer for him. Santa wished him a Merry Christmas, told him I needed to get back to the reindeer and left the room. I had a short conversation with the family; they assured me that the young boy knew that Santa was there.

There have been more special Santa visits similar to the above ones. It’s really sad when everyone around you is celebrating one of the most joyous days of the year and others may be living some of their darkest days. Santa needs to keep his emotions in control and always portray the Jolly Old Elf, but when he returns to his sleigh and reflects on these special visits, a few tears could possibly fall.

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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 12/21/2024)

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Webster Community Chest named Chamber Business of the month

20 Dec

Congratulations to the Webster Community Chest, honored as the December Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

One of the Chamber’s longest-tenured members, the Webster Community Chest has been serving the Webster community for more than 75 years, guided by their mission: “Serving people and organizations in need in the greater Webster community by providing services and resources.” 

The Community Chest began as the Webster War Chest in 1942, during World War ll. It supported local residents serving overseas, along with their families. Six years later, it became a New York State charitable organization.

Today, more than 100 volunteers and two part-time benefits counselors work to provide a variety of services to the Webster community, including emergency food assistance, end-of-month meal kits, food delivery to local food cupboards, financial assistance during crises and emergencies, annual high school scholarships to reinforce volunteerism, summer camp scholarships, and Meals on Wheels subsidies. As examples of the Chest’s vast reach into the Webster community, nearly 11,000 end-of-month meal kits have been provided in 2024 and more than 750 Meals on Wheels meals were purchased.

If you’d like to join the Webster Community Chest in their mission to help your Webster neighbors in need, click here to learn more about the organization and explore volunteer opportunities.

Pictured above: (L-R) Webster Community Chest representatives Michael Grenier, Steve Yahoodik, Mary Kay Barrett and Sharon Pratt accept the award from Webster Chamber Board Chair Tim Shortsleeve.

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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 12/20/2024)

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Friends of the Library hit an impressive fundraising mark

18 Dec

The Friends of the Webster Public Library reached an amazing milestone on Wednesday when they presented a check for $20,000 to Library Director Adam Traub.

That’s an impressive amount in itself, but even more so is the fact that the donation brought the total year-to-date donations from the Friends to $80,000.

Wow.

But a number like that really doesn’t mean much to many of us until we realize that without those volunteer-driven funds, the library quite possibly could not run many of the programs that we’ve come to know and love. Funds raised by the Friends, for example, support story hours, Night Out at the Library, STEAM Adventure, and many special programs like the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra Holiday Concert.

Chances are you’ve helped the Friends in their quest to raise funds for the library by supporting one or more of their many fund-raising ventures. They include the spring and fall book sales, the lobby bookstore, the vintage and collectible book sales, last month’s hat sale, the Kittelberger flower bouquet cards, and sales of t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and other merchandise. 

So thank YOU, Webster community, for your generous support of the Friends of the Webster Public Library. And thank YOU, Friends, for all of your hard work helping make our library the great place that it is.

Pictured above: (Kneeling): Adam Traub, Library Director. (Middle row): Jenny Paxson, Library Liaison to the Friends; Ginny Nguyen, Town Board Liaison; Eileen Brookins; Linda Wilson; Deb Suffoletto; Peg Ehmann: Ruth Tetlow;  Brenda Rubenstein; and Gail Dominik. (Back row): Richard Reid; Mark Johns, Monroe County Legislator; and Ted Cole.

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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 12/18/2024)

Our community once again made Webster’s Wreaths Across America a success

16 Dec

The Webster community has done it again.

At Saturday afternoon’s Wreaths Across America ceremony, several hundred adults, children, veterans, active military and first responders gathered at Webster Union Cemetery to honor our veterans at the 2024 Wreaths Across America Day, proving once again what a generous and caring community Webster is.

Local Wreaths Across America organizer Cherie Wood was delighted by the amazing response from the Webster community. It was that support that allowed Webster’s Wreaths Across America effort to expand to a fourth cemetery this year. Last December 1,350 wreaths were placed at three Webster cemeteries: Webster Union, Webster Rural and Union Hill. This year, Holy Trinity joined that list, and among the four cemeteries, volunteers placed an amazing 2,100 wreaths on Saturday morning.

The ceremony began promptly at noon. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and a moment of prayer, Wood explained how Wreath Day is not just a local occurrence, but was happening at the exact same time at almost 5,000 cemeteries across the country, in foreign battlefields and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“Today almost five million wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves today, including here in Webster,” Wood said, reminding everyone that, “We are not here to ‘decorate graves.’ We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives. Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful nation.”

Following Wood’s remarks, representatives from each of our nation’s armed services placed ceremonial wreaths in memory of those who served, and those who are still listed as Prisoners of War or MIA. It was especially moving when Dorothy Reid and Grace Allen, from Gold Star families, placed the Army wreath. Dorothy lost her son, and Grace lost her father, in Afghanistan.

Family members of veterans who are resting at Webster Union Cemetery were invited to enter the grounds first to place wreaths on their loved one’s graves, followed a few minutes later by the rest of the volunteers. Wood encouraged each participant to say the veteran’s name out loud before placing the wreath, and take a moment to thank him or her for their service.

She explained,

It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Wreaths Across America has a saying: A person dies twice. Once when they take their last breath, then again when their name is said for the very last time. Many of our veterans no longer have family to remember them. Today, we, the Webster community, will become their family. They will not be forgotten. Not on our watch.

After placing the wreaths at Webster Union, volunteers were invited to drive to Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity to help place those wreaths.

The heartwarming support from the Webster community has even been noticed by the National Wreaths Across America organization. In 2023, Webster placed in the top 4% of the country for the number of veteran wreaths placed in one town. Webster has a lot to be proud of.

For sure, I was very proud of my community that day, and I especially appreciated seeing entire families attend the event, involving their children in this solemn ceremony. It’s a great way to teach them how important it is to remember and honor our fallen heroes.

Click here to see an entire gallery of photos.

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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 12/16/2024)

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Webster Village Runners turned out in force for the It’s a Wonderful Run

15 Dec

Neither snow, nor rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night, nor biting cold will keep the Webster Village Runners from enjoying a fun wintry run together, and Saturday afternoon was no exception.

Nineteen of us from the Village Runners (including significant others) made the hour-long trek to Seneca Falls that afternoon to take part in the annual It’s a Wonderful Run 5K. It was the largest group we’ve ever had participate (so many that 12 of us even rented a van). Several of these friends were first-timers, who decided to attend because I regularly talk about how much fun it is. It always draws thousands of runners (this year the total was 4,800), and almost everyone dresses up in holiday attire, including bells, Santa hats, elf costumes and Christmas lights. I saw people dressed as Christmas trees and snowmen, the Grinch and a Yeti, a turkey, some Cindy Lu Whos and candy canes, and lots of tutus. Everyone at this race is in a jolly mood and more than happy to step in to take a picture of your whole group if you ask. And there was a lot of that.

And this is also a must-do event for any fan of the Jimmy Stewart classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s generally accepted that Frank Capra based his movie on the charming little village. There’s an It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, and the race actually begins on the bridge believed to be the inspiration for the one in the movie — plus, 84-year old Karolyn Grimes herself (who played Zuzu) starts the race by announcing the famous line, “Every time a bell rings, a angel gets his wings.”

True to its name, the It’s a Wonderful Run is more a run (or walk) than a race. For sure there are many runners who wiggle to the front of the pack to do their 4-minute miles, but many more thousands of us are content to walk most of the route, to experience everything there is to see and do along the way.

Seneca Falls village residents come out in force for this event. They set up fire pits and ring cow bells and give high-fives to all the runners. They hand out Fireball shots, vodka shots, whiskey shots, daquiri shots pudding and Jello shots. They hand out full cans of beer and hard seltzer, and mini bottles of Fireball. At one house, they were grilling hot dogs and handing them to the runners. At another, they were cooking up marshmallows or handing out fudge, cheese and crackers and chips and salsa. All through the beautiful little village, the houses are ablaze with Christmas lights and Christmas music blares from the porches.

So there’s not a whole lot of running involved; there is a lot of stopping and sampling the treats and taking photos of the beautifully decorated homes along the route. But this is not a race for time. This is a run for fun.

If you’re interested in seeing more photos from the event, click here for a gallery. I tried to capture some of the more outlandish costumes, and the sense of community generated by Seneca Falls as we all celebrate one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time.

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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 12/15/2024)

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Webster Chamber of Commerce helps Webster NY HOPE help our neighbors

14 Dec

We all already know what an incredibly kind and giving community Webster is, especially during the holiday season.

A perfect example of that giving spirit was in full evidence on Thursday afternoon when the Webster Chamber of Commerce delivered more five than fully stuffed boxes and bags of hats, gloves, socks, neck warmers and more to Webster NY HOPE for distribution to our neighbors in need.

Some of the hundreds of donated items

The Chamber has been collecting the items since October. Members were encouraged to bring items to the monthly breakfast meetings and Eat, Drink and Connect networking events, or deposit them in the collection box at the Chamber offices on Crosspointe Lane.

In just that short time, the Chamber managed to collect almost 500 pieces of winter wear, including 195 pairs of socks, 115 children’s and adults’ hats, 35 neck warmers, 113 pairs of kids’ gloves and mittens, 24 pairs of adult gloves, plus five hat and gloves sets, and more. On Thursday afternoon Chamber President Barry Howard and Administrative Assistant Barbara Baldwin dropped them all off to very grateful staff members at Webster NY HOPE.

The donations will also be greatly appreciated by our Webster neighbors in need.

“We have 600 people signed up for our Christmas program this year,” Hope Director Margery Morgan said. “There’s a big need in Webster.”

Howard agreed. “We know that this is Webster, but you have to understand, we have a lot of people in need, even in Webster. We have a lot of people that go hungry, a lot of people who don’t have clothing, a lot of people who don’t have adequate housing. We have too much of that.”

Click here to find out how you can help Webster NY HOPE make this year’s holiday season a happy one for our neighbors 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)

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(posted 12/14/2024)

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The day the American St. Nick visited Luxembourg

13 Dec

Here’s a charming story about a very special Christmas gift delivered to the children of war-torn Luxembourg.  

At the center of our story is former West Webster resident Richard Brookins, who in December 1944 was a corporal in the 28th Infantry Division. That fall, he and his unit were stationed in the small village of Wiltz, Luxembourg for a respite after a difficult battle in the Hürtgen Forest. Wiltz had recently been liberated after a four-year occupation by the Germans. It was a fairy-tale-beautiful village, but the residents had suffered under the German occupation.

Richard’s friend and fellow soldier Corporal Harry Stutz learned that during the occupation, the town had been unable to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. The holiday was fast approaching and the soldiers decided to throw a party for the children of Wiltz to celebrate. They sent out printed invitations and arranged for special treats including chocolates and candy from their rations. 

Still, one thing was missing: St. Nicholas himself. Brookins agreed to do the honors.

The nuns provided Brookins with a priest’s surplice (which had to be returned by 4 p.m. for Mass), a bishop’s miter, a broken and taped-up shepherd’s crook and a rope beard. He rode in the back of an army jeep accompanied by two young girls, his angels. They arrived at the castle where the children, their teacher, their parents, and villagers waited with much excitement.

The children performed skits and sang songs to honor St. Nicholas. Private Hank Fiebig played his guitar and the soldiers passed out donuts and bags of treats. St. Nicholas walked around, smiled at the children, and spoke small phrases that he remembered from his high school German class. To the children, this was the real St. Nicholas. It was the happiest day the village had seen in years. 

But the story does not end there. The people of Wiltz never forgot the day the American St. Nick came to town. After the village had recovered from the war, the townspeople started to annually recreate the American soldiers’ party for the children. Each year St. Nicholas, wearing glasses similar to Richard’s, would ride a jeep into town accompanied by two angels and greet the children with chocolates and treats. 

Then, in 1977, a village official wrote to Brookins and asked if he would consider coming back once again to reprise his role as St. Nicholas. This time, he wore a professionally-made cloak, carried a steel shepherd’s crook painted gold, and sported a much more realistic beard.

Brookins returned to Wiltz seven more times before he passed away in 2018 at the age of 96. But the people of Wiltz still remember him fondly, as every year, they celebrate St. Nicholas Day by recreating the day the American St. Nick came to town.  

If you subscribe to the Webster Herald, you’ll see this story in this week’s edition. But there wasn’t any room there to include this really cool follow-up.

Turns out that Richard Brookins was the father-in-law of Webster Museum volunteer Eileen Brookins.

This year marked the 80th anniversary of the original party in 1944. In honor of that occasion, Eileen and her husband Dave traveled to Wiltz to participate in the celebration. After she returned home, she shared this account of the day:

The town welcomed us with open arms. They honored the soldiers of the 28th who put on the party so many years ago with a joyful celebration! The town dedicated a room to their story in the local museum. They also  commissioned a local artist, Marco Zorzi, to paint pictures of the original event. These pictures were used to dedicate postage stamps in honor of those American soldiers. The local brewery dedicated its Christmas ale with a logo of the original photo of the American St. Nick coming through the tunnel into the castle. The American ambassador came to participate in a wreath laying at the memorial to the 28th. 

My favorite part, of course, was the parade through town leading St. Nicholas into the castle area. The town takes special care to reenact this moment in time exactly as it was. After St. Nicholas arrived, wearing glasses that looked remarkably like the ones Richard wore, he spoke to the children, letting them know he had been informed that they had been good boys and girls. Then the children proceeded to come to him and share their wishes for Christmas. They each left with a bag full of wonderful goodies to remember this day.

The band played American Christmas songs as the people enjoyed traditional food and drink. It was a noisy and happy celebration where I could feel the memory of the soldiers and Dave’s father very close by. I am sure they were smiling and amazed that their small act of kindness is still remembered and still brings such joy to the children.

Here are some more photos from that memorable day in 2014, and several others from Eileen and Dave’s trip this year:

  • St. Nicholas Day, 1944
  • St. Nicholas Day, 1944
  • The visit was front page news in Stars and Stripes
  • This year’s visit from St. Nicholas
  • Dave and Eileen Brookins
  • 1944 invitation to the St. Nicholas party
  • 1944 Invitation to the St. Nicholas party

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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 12/13/2024)

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A busy Saturday ahead

12 Dec

As we creep closer to Christmas, the special events start coming fast and furious. But this Saturday in particular seems to be packed with them. Here’s a quick rundown (and remember, they all happen this Saturday Dec. 14):

  • Afternoon with Santa at the Webster Recreation Center, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Rec Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. Get a photo with Santa, drop off your letter in his mailbox, and enjoy music, cookies, and Christmas story time. The event is free and no registration is required.

Holiday performance by the Webster Village Band, 3:00 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. Enjoy some beautiful holiday season music, complete with a singalong AND a performance of The Night Before Christmas narrated by Barbara Midura. Admission is free and there’s LOTS of parking.

  • National Wreaths Across America Day, 12 noon Webster Union Cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. Bring your whole family and join your Webster neighbors as we lay 2,100 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Webster Union, Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity cemeteries. Click here to read more about this amazing day. *
  • Santa Visits Never Say Never Stables, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 906 Maple Dr. In addition to visiting with Santa, this FREE family-fun event will also feature hay wagon rides, petting and pictures with the horses and animals, Christmas carolers, Rocky the Reindeer Mini Horse. The event is open to the public, and there’s no appointment needed. Donations accepted for Never Say Never Foundation.
  • Cookie Sale at the library, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Women’s Club of Webster’s will be holding their annual, super-popular Holiday Cookie Sale  from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out, which is pretty quickly). Proceeds from the sale benefit the club’s scholarship funds and many other programs and not-for-profit organizations in the Webster community. The library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza.
  • Caroling at the Webster Public Library, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Members of the Rochester Oratorio Society sing holiday carols throughout the library while dressed in Victorian costumes. No registration required, just stop in to enjoy the carolers (any buy cookies!).
  • Holiday Book Sale at the Webster Public Library: OK, this event is ongoing through Dec. 23, but worth mentioning again. The Friends of the Webster Public Library are hosting their Holiday Book Sale  during normal library hours. A nice selection of gently-used books with winter themes will be available at great prices.

So this is ALL happening this Saturday, all over town. So there’s no reason for the cold weather to keep you inside.

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(posted 12/12/2024)

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Creative gift ideas from Village merchants

11 Dec

There are a lot of things I love about patronizing our small businesses here in the Village of Webster, especially at this time of year. For starters, they’re so much easier and faster to get in and out of, rather than spending an hour finding parking and getting lost in a big-box store. The owner is RIGHT THERE to help you out and answer your questions. And they always have unique and creative gift ideas.

One good example is M.O. Pasta at 5 East Main. Mike has come up with a great idea there to accommodate everyone’s gift-giving needs: a make-your-own-pasta-basket. Choose your basket, choose your pasta, choose your sauces, choose your oils, and make up a delicious gift, custom-tailored to your friend or family member.

But this next fun and gift idea really caught my eye — and my sweet tooth. They’re freeze-dried candies that kind of puff up into a completely different texture.

They’re called Frost Bites, and they’re being sold at Woodland Silk Screening & Embroidery at 5 West Main St. (lower level). You might recognize this shop as the home of “OHHH LORDEE” sauces marketed by owner Laurie Read. It’s her husband Gary Caufmann who’s come up with this latest treat, a fun new business as he looks forward to retirement.

Basically, freeze dying causes the candy to puff up, creating a texture that Laurie describes as “between a cheese puff and a malt ball.” They’re not sticky, and it can be done to most candies (be sure to ask if you don’t see your favorite). Right now there’s a wide variety on the Woodland shelves, including “Milkey Dudes,” “Snickles,” “Spicy Peach Crunchies,” “Charlie Chews,” “Peppermint Marshmallows,” “Candy Coated Tooties,” “Spicy Peach Crunchies,” and more. And at $5 a bag, they’re a lot less expensive than I’ve seen at craft fairs and farm markets.

But beware … they’re a tad addictive. (I took a bag of the M&M ones home, and they barely made it a day before I’d polished them off.) So if you want to grab some for stocking stuffers, you might want to wait until the week before Christmas or they might not go the distance.

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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 12/11/2024)

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Webster welcomes the Wreaths Across America truck

10 Dec
Gary Root and Pat Benson

If you happened to see an 18-wheeler making its way along 250 Tuesday afternoon, escorted by several Webster police cars with lights flashing, you saw the Wreaths Across America truck! It was delivering our 2,100 wreaths, to be placed on veterans’ graves at Webster Union, Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity cemeteries this coming Saturday Dec. 14.

My regular blog readers know the story about how Webster is participating in Wreaths Across America again this year, but in case you need some background, click here.

WPD officers met the truck at the Roseland Fire Station on Salt Rd. in Penfield and escorted the truck up Rt. 250, through the village, and all the way to Webster Union Cemetery, where the wreaths were unloaded in preparation for Saturday’s ceremony. The truck is part of the Wreaths Across America “Honor Fleet,” made up of hundreds of trucking companies who volunteer their drivers, equipment and time to deliver almost three million wreaths every year to every corner of the country.

Our volunteer driver this year was Pat Benson, from JR Kays trucking in Clarendon, PA, accompanied by his friend Garry Root. Town Councilwoman Patti Cataldi, Holy Trinity representatives Gary and Lori Smith, and Webster’s Wreaths Across America coordinator Cherie Wood accompanied the procession as it wound its way through town,.

A huge shout-out to the WPD officers who volunteered their time to provide the escort and give the Wreaths Across America truck a memorable Webster welcome: Sgt. Andy Frate, Tom Turner, Kyle Arseneau and Erik Rynders.

It was a great kick-off to what will be a very moving ceremony when the Webster community comes together to remember and honor our nation’s veterans this Saturday Dec. 14. I hope you can join us. Everything begins at noon at Webster Union Cemetery, then continues afterwards at Webster Rural, Union Hill and Holy Trinity. Find out more details at the Webster Wreaths Across America Facebook page.

The WPD officers with Patti Cataldi (left), Gary and Lori Smith and Cherie Wood

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(posted 12/10/2024)

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