Webster’s Memorial Day Parade, kind of the unofficial kick-off to the summer season, takes place on Memorial Day, Monday May 27.
Here are the details:
9:00 a.m.: All groups participating in the parade will assemble at Spry Middle School on Sanford Street. All active duty and ex-service men and women are invited to take part in the parade. Any veterans who would like to ride in the bed of an Army truck are asked to be at Spry by 9 a.m.
9:50 a.m. (approx.): Parade arrives at Webster Rural Cemetery.
The Remembrance Ceremony will begin at approximately 10 a.m., or whenever everyone arrives and gets settled.
9:30 a.m.: Parade moves out from Spry, down South Avenue, turning west on Main Street and proceeding to Webster Rural Cemetery.
In addition to honored active military members, auxiliary members and veterans, also expected to march in this year’s parade are the Webster High School Marching Band, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, firefighters and more. Click here to see a gallery of photos from last year.
This is always a very nice parade, and the ceremony that follows it at Webster Rural Cemetery is always moving. I highly recommend bringing your children to see both the parade and the ceremony, so they might begin to understand the huge debt we owe our servicemen and women.
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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.
And when I heard that this year’s festivities were going to be even bigger and better than ever, I immediately put it on my calendar.
The 69th annual St. Rita Fiesta will take place on Friday May 31 and Saturday June 1 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), the Sweets Booth, carnival games with prizes, inflatables for the kids, the money wheel and pull tabs, a plant sale, book sale, and lawn games.
PLUS Irish dancers, karate and Robotics team demos, a talent show, an inflatable archery game, art station, the “Dunk the Deacon,” and live music from Roll the Dice, All In Brass Band and Count On It All Joy.
PLUS PLUS this year, the Fiesta is introducing pony rides for the kids, and is bringing back line dancing. Newer attractions will also include a mini golf course, giant spin art, a corn hole tournament and free bingo. And don’t forget to take a chance (or several) on the raffle baskets and $5,000 Spectacular Raffle Drawing.
Basically, there’s a TON of stuff going on both days for children and adults. Admission is free, and there’s plenty of free on-site parking, with handicap spaces available. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels.
Here are the details:
69th annual St. Rita Fiesta, Friday May 31 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday June 1 from 2 to 9 p.m. Check the flyer below for details on when your favorite activities are happening. You can also visit the Fiesta Facebook page or website for regular updates
St. Rita Church is located at 1008 Maple Dr. in West Webster.
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That’s the message the great local group Color Webster Green wants to share with you at a free composting workshop being held at the Webster Recreation Center from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday June 1.
Color Webster Green is a group of Webster residents committed to helping our community be more green, improve energy efficiency and use environmentally-friendly practices. They invite everyone in the community — adults, kids, whole families — to join that effort and learn about composting at the hour-long workshop.
Doug Carney from Impact Earth will make a presentation all about composting, including the benefits, dos and dont’s, and how to get started. It will take place in room 303 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr., and light snacks will be provided. Registration is NOT necessary.
Please bring the kids. It’s good for them to learn at an early age how important it its to care for our environment. And they can even plant a seed in compost to take home.
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Every May, to recognize National Historic Preservation Month, the Webster Museum honors a historic property with a handsome plaque. This year, that honoree was not an individual property, but an entire neighborhood.
At the Webster Town Board meeting on Thursday May 17, Sharon Pratt from the museum’s Historic Properties Committee presented a plaque to the Forest Lawn neighborhood, represented by current Forest Lawn resident Mark Gunther.
Forest Lawn is a lakeside community neighborhood with its own mayor and a long history. Samuel Pierce, an early settler, bought and farmed 73 acres along the lake beginning in 1850. His son Horace and an attorney friend, George D. Forsyth, saw potential commercial opportunities in developing the land due to its proximity to the lake and proposed a railway line. In 1888, the Forest Lawn community began with the construction of a hotel. Shortly after, the land was divided into lots which were sold for summer cottages. In the years since, the cottages were all replaced with permanent homes. It is that date — 1888 — which is inscribed on the plaque.
The plaque program grew out of a survey of historic properties which a small group of museum volunteers tackled about more than 20 years ago. They especially were looking for homes that were built before 1902 which had enough of their historical integrity that their original owners would still recognize them.
The list they came up with was a long one. There were so many properties that it took a few years to compile their information, going to each house in turn, filling out a form and taking photos. In 2007 they decided to take all that information and propose a commemorative plaque program to the town. It would be a great way to recognize the town’s visual history, they argued, and a way for the town to say thank you to the homeowners who are putting in the time and effort to maintain the homes so they retain their original charm.
The town agreed. In 2008 the Historic Properties Committee presented its first 10 plaques, and have continued the program with the Town’s blessing every year since, handing out several plaques every May to commemorate Historic Preservation Month.
Most of the plaques that have been presented have gone to homes and business properties, but the committee has recently decided to start recognizing entire neighborhoods as well. Forest Lawn is the first historic neighborhood to receive that recognition.
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Congratulations to Webster Comfort Care Home (WCCH), honored as the May Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.
Located at the corner of Holt and Klem roads, WCCH has been a sanctuary for terminally ill patients, providing free hospice care, since 2003, The dedicated staff members and volunteers there uphold the dignity and ease the suffering of its residents, while supporting their loved ones in a warm, home-like atmosphere.
Julianne Groff, MSW has been the Executive Director of WCCH since December 2021. She was prepared to assume this role from her professional experiences serving through UR Medicine Hospice. To continue to provide this level of around-the-clock care, Julianne engages the skills and hearts of 14 staff members and more than 56 weekly volunteers. This team includes Board Chair Jackie Carosa, Esq, Primary Nurse Cheryl Hosey, and Volunteer Coordinator Ruth Rappaport-Kristal.
WCCH also provides a safe and supportive learning environment for promising future nurses and physician assistants through collegiate internships.
Beyond one-on-one care, WCCH has hosted weddings, birthdays and pet visits, celebrating life daily. Groff likes to say, “We laugh more than we cry.”
The Comfort Care Home relies in large part on community donations to fulfill its mission. Right now they’re especially looking for wheelchairs and walkers, which can be re-purposed or donated to causes around the world. Click here to find out about other ways to help.
Pictured above: Webster Chamber of Commerce Bard Chair Carolyn Montanaro (2nd from left) presents the award to WCCH representatives Cathy Gearinger, Julianne Groff, Amanda Parsons and Scott Gosert.
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All of your favorite special events are coming back to the Village of Webster this summer, thanks to the efforts of the village’s Business Improvement District (BID).
The official summer schedule was recently announced, with events planned pretty much every month beginning in June, through the end of the year.
Wine Walk fans will be pleased to hear that the next Wine Walk will be held on Saturday June 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. The logistical problems which caused the last Wine Walk to be unexpectedly canceled have been worked out, so put this date on your calendar now. Tickets will be available soon; keep an eye on the Webster BID website for when they do, because it always sells out.
Family Game Night and Beer Garden (Saturday July 27 from 4 to 7 p.m.)
Webster Jazz Festival (Aug. 9-10), featuring the New Prime Time Funk, Judah Sealy and more.
Health Fairand Shredding Event (Saturday Oct. 12)
Trick or Treat Trail (Saturday Oct. 26)
Bourbon Bash (Saturday Nov. 2)
Winter Wonderland (Saturday Dec. 7)
As we work our way through the spring and summer, more events will be added (I hope the Bed Races will be rescheduled), so stay tuned. The BID website will be updated regularly, so be sure to bookmark that, and “like” the Webster BID Facebook page. And of course, as I find out more, I’ll pass along the information.
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A few years ago I wrote a blog about a unique band that draws its members and directors from all over the Rochester area, and welcomes adult musicians of all ages, regardless of how long they’ve been playing their instrument.
The group is called Eastman-Rochester New Horizons, and it prides itself on being a no-audition program open to beginning and experienced musicians of all levels. Members enjoy rehearsing, playing, singing and performing with others in bands, small ensembles, orchestras and/or a chorus. It was founded by Roy Ernst in 1990 and is affiliated with the Eastman Community Music School.
I was reminded of the program recently when I found out New Horizons will be presenting their spring concert this coming Wednesday, May 22, at Eastman Theater. The symphonic band concert will feature international music from Scotland, Spain and Italy, and include pieces from Edvard Grieg to Cole Porter.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and it’s totally free and open to the public. You might just see some people you know, from the musicians in the ensembles to former band directors from our area, including conductor Larry Neeck, a retired music teacher from Willink Middle School.
The New Horizons program includes bands, orchestras, a choir, big band, jazz ensembles, and many smaller ensembles. You won’t see them all on Wednesday night, but what you will see is a bunch of very talented musicians who simply love making music and love sharing it with their community.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 22 in the Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theater, 26 Gibbs St.
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Got a lot of sensitive documents that need shredding?
The Village of Webster is hosting a free shredding event on Saturday May 18 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot behind Village Hall and the Webster Fire Department.
This is a drive-through event; volunteers will be on hand to unload your car. Paper only will be accepted, and staples DO NOT need to be removed. Paper needs to be placed in cardboard boxes or paper bags (not plastic). Limit is five boxes per vehicle.
This notice from the Webster Central School District:
The Webster CSD Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education election takes place Tuesday, May 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gym, 875 Ridge Road.
Good food is on tap at Heritage Square Museum on Friday May 31 when the museum hosts a chicken barbecue, from 4 p.m. until they’re sold out.
On Sunday June 2, the museum will be hosting an ice cream social. I don’t know many details about this, but I DO know that there will be live music between 2 and 4 p.m. featuring oldies and pop favorites from Cheap Datez.
Never heard of this wonderful living history museum just minutes from our village? Click here to read the blog I wrote about it.
June is shaping up to be a busy month at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd.
Learn the ins and outs of composting at one of two workshops, on Wednesday June 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. or Tuesday June 25 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Each workshop will provide instruction on how to be successful with home composting, including what can be composted, container types and troubleshooting. Once your scraps have been composted, you’ll receive ideas on how to best use this valuable resource. Plenty of time will be allotted for questions.
The presenter is Barbara Cummings from the Wayne County Master Gardener Program, an expert on the topic. Both presentations will take place at the Curry Building located in The Webster Arboretum at 1700 Schlegel Road. No registration or fee is required. Come early because “a rind is a terrible thing to waste.”
On Sunday June 9 at 6:30 p.m., join Arboretum board member George Riehle when he gives a tour and program about peonies, the “queen of flowers.”
George’s presentation will discuss the care and cultivation of peonies and tree peonies. Learn how to grow and care for this elegant flower to ensure beautiful blooms year after year. This is a talk and walk, and will be held rain or shine. Go to theWebster Arboretum website to register.
The Music at the Arb series continues this summer when Jazz Generation performs at the Arboretum gazebo on Thursday June 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Jazz Generation is Eli Behlok and Jim Allchin, an acoustic duo featuring the warm sounds of nylon string guitars. Eli and Jim create a welcoming ambiance with a unique mix of world jazz music, including popular American jazz standards, melodic Brazilian bossa novas, fiery Spanish guitars, bluesy French gypsy jazz and some surprising originals.
Because the performance is outdoors in the gazebo, it is weather-dependent. Snacks are available for purchase, but you can bring your own, and remember your chairs, blankets and beverages. There’s no cost for admission, and all are invited.
Finally, this nice story about how our local Girl Scouts came through AGAIN to support our deployed service members.
For those of us who ordered Girl Scout cookies this year, we stopped thinking about them when they FINALLY arrived on our doorstep. But the 13 third graders from Brownie Troop 60344 (based at Klem North) were just getting started.
All through April, whenever they set up shop at Walmart or Lowe’s, the young ladies would not just sell cookies to all of us who didn’t get enough thin mints. They also took orders for cookies to be included in care packages being put together by the Blue Star Mothers for our locally deployed troops, which will be mailed out in June. Service members love Girl Scout cookies, as you can imagine. And even after they’ve been bounced around the world, and even if they arrive in crumbs, they’re still treasured.
The troop has done this for several years, collecting donations for the care packages. But this year they went over and above, getting 263 boxes donated!
So thank you to the Brownies, and to all of the community members who stopped by the troop’s cookie tables this season and dropped some extra cash.
By the way, the same evening when we took the photo of the donated cookies, the Brownies were holding their regular meeting, where they worked with Mary Ann O’Mara to make 45 greeting cards for the troops, which will also be included in the care packages.
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May is National Historic Preservation Month, so it’s only fitting that for this month’s History Bit, we take a closer look at one of the Village of Webster’s most historic and stately buildings: the Harmony House at 58 East Main St., which celebrates its 125th birthday this year.
The Harmony House earned its musical nickname from its best-known tenants, the Chorus of the Genesee. However, the building is officially known as the Webster Grange Hall, and was built in 1899 as a meeting place for Webster Grange #436. The lot was purchased for $450, chosen for its location near the heart of the business district, where it had direct access to the railroad via Kircher Park.
The Webster Grange was one of the largest and most important local organizations in the history of the town and village of Webster. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Webster was primarily an agricultural community, the Grange served an important role in bringing farm families together for education, entertainment, and social gatherings. It was said to have been the largest Grange in the country; by 1930 the organization had 1,046 members (out of a town population of 4,778) and was said to have been the largest local Grange in the world.
In addition to the regular Grange meetings, the Hall was rented out for a wide variety of community events through the years including dances, movie nights, minstrel shows, festivals and a flea market. In June 1952, the Church of the Good Shepherd also started holding services there.
The Chorus of the Genesee entered the picture in March 1974 when the Rochester Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America purchased the building for $45,000. The Chorus has continued to call the Grange – Harmony House – home for the last 50 years. The building also still functions as headquarters for the Webster Grange.
The Grange Hall’s design and layout remain virtually unchanged in the last 125 years, and it’s recently been placed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. But it is definitely showing its age, and funds are being raised right now to begin much-needed renovations.
You can help by attending the annual Harmony in the House joint performance by the Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody, Saturday May 18 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, visit the Harmony House on Facebook or call 585-259-3094.
Discover more fascinating bits of local history at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org.
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Asher Simpson, a second grader at DeWitt Road Elementary School, was honored on May 2 at the Do The Right Thing Awards ceremony.
The Do The Right Thing Award is a program of the Rochester Police Department that seeks to foster positive relationships between local law enforcement and youth in the community. The award recognizes youth for their bravery, courage, and valor, such as volunteering, aiding law enforcement or other first responders, acts of heroism, leadership, and positive role model behavior.
The award distinguishes school-aged children who strive to make good choices, do well in school, give back to their community, or demonstrate a “turn-around” or improvement in their behavior, and to publicly highlight these students and their stories in the news and social media to show that good kids are newsworthy.
The Webster Police Department nominated Asher for the award due to his bravery during a police event that occurred while he was in a store where a theft was taking place.
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I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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