Annette’s Cafe to replace Mozzeroni’s in the village

16 Aug

The Village of Webster is getting a cafe.

Work will begin soon on the village’s newest little restaurant, Annette’s, which will be taking over the Mozzeroni’s location at 27 West Main St.

If you’re at all familiar with the Pultneyville Deli on Lake Rd. in Williamson, you already know the kind of quality, home-cooked meals that you’ll find at Annette’s, because the owner, Nan Kent, also owns the Deli. She said that her plans are to be open for lunch and dinner, offering “unique sandwiches, salads, pizzas, comfort food and a few starters. Much of our food at the deli is homemade, and we want to bring that same quality to Annette’s.”

Renovations to the old Mozzeroni’s will begin on Sept. 1. Nan said,

We are changing out the old floor, tables, paint colors and freshening up the location to give it some warmth & character. We are working on some new menu dishes in the kitchen in Pultneyville, including a retro reuben, blueberry pizza and some vegan dishes. We are also bringing a few of our best-selling sandwich items from the deli. 

She hopes to be able to open sometime in October, but added, “these things take as long as they take, so it may be November.”

As for the name? It fits perfectly with the new cafe’s small town, family-oriented approach.

Nan explained, “Annette’s is named after my late mom, who together with my dad raised five kids, and she had a hard and fast rule that we all sat down and ate dinner together every night.” 

Sounds like Annette’s is going to be a perfect fit for the Village of Webster. Stay tuned for more updates.

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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 8/16/2024)

Village introduces new website

15 Aug

A few weeks ago I posted a blog about the Village of Webster’s new online newsletter, View From Main Street. What I didn’t mention in that blog is that the Village has also recently updated its website.

Right from the get-go, website visitors are greeted with some photos highlighting the village’s summertime floral beauty. Below that, there’s an easy-to-navigate menu directing visitors to several of the most popular landing places on the site.

Also on that home page is basic information about where Village Hall is located, the office hours and phone numbers, plus a quick-view calendar of events.

And that’s all. That’s everything on the home page, which is great. It’s attractive, clear and clean. No trying to fumble through a lot of information you don’t need. Just choose the topic you have a question about — meetings, passports, residential services, what have you — and with one click, you’re there.

Combine the new website with the new bi-weekly newsletter, and Village of Webster residents have two great places to get Village news.

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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 8/15/2024)

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August History Bit: Webster Union Cemetery

14 Aug

Webster Union Cemetery, located at the corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull Rd., is one of the richest historical sites in Webster. 

Farmland was donated for the first known burial in 1817, when a Webster child needed a place to rest. It was originally called The Burial Ground, Lakeside, Union Cemetery of Webster. Since this caused some confusion between other areas near Webster, especially Union Hill Cemetery, the name was officially changed to Webster Union Cemetery in April 1954.

In 1859, Webster’s first settler, Abram Foster, was buried there at the age of 90. He was the first of many prominent families to come, including the Burnetts, Curtices, Fosters, Pelletts, Woodhulls, Whitings, and Wrights. Veterans from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are buried there as well.

The cemetery is also stunningly beautiful. In 2008 it was awarded the Historic Landscape Award from the Landmark Society of Western New York, and was listed on the National List of Historic Places in 2022.

This month, Webster Union Cemetery celebrates 200 years as an active burial ground, and community members are invited to the party. 

On Saturday Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors are invited to stroll Webster Union Cemetery’s beautiful grounds and “meet” some of Webster’s earliest settlers. Talk to a suffragette fighting for women’s right to vote, a 1918 Spanish flu victim, Civil War soldiers, shopkeepers, boardinghouse owners, and even a Revolutionary War spy. You’ll also have a chance to learn headstone cleaning and preservation. Admission is free. 

Webster Union Cemetery is located at 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull). Find out more about all of Webster’s historic cemeteries 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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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 8/14/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

13 Aug

You’re going to see a lot of repeats in this week’s mailbag, because there are a LOT of great events still coming up this summer.

Let’s begin with news from the Webster Recreation Center. Earlier this month they sent out their 55+ August newsletter, and while I won’t tell you everything that’s in (you can click on the link and read it for yourself), there are a few things I want to highlight.

The first is their Talks on Tuesday series, which is a variety of FREE lectures and presentations for adult learners over age 55. They run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday, and registration is requested. But you do NOT have to be a member of the Rec Center to attend. Click the link above to see what’s coming up.

The Rec Center’s final Music at the Arb concert is coming up Thursday Aug. 22 when popular local entertainer Sarah De Vallière takes to the Arberetum’s gazebo stage. The concert will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., and it’s free and open to the community. There’s plenty of room for music lovers to relax in chairs or on blankets, with a cooler at their side filled with drinks and snacks.

The Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Rec Center at the Red Wings

This Friday Aug. 16, the Webster Recreation Center will be partnering with the Red Wings to host a Webster Community Night. The focus will be on our community that evening; Supervisor Tom Flaherty will be throwing out the first pitch, and Webster-based musician Sarah De Vallière is singing the national anthem. (Yes, the same Sarah De Vallière I talked about above).

The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are only $10; click here to get yours.

Webster Union Cemetery turns 200

Here’s a reminder about a great opportunity to learn more about Webster history by actually speaking to some of its earliest settlers. (Well, not really. But we can pretend.)

On Saturday Aug. 17 From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Webster Union Cemetery will celebrate its 200th anniversary. Visitors are invited to stroll Webster Union Cemetery’s beautiful grounds and chat with some of the people who founded our town. Talk to a suffragette fighting for women’s right to vote, a 1918 Spanish flu victim, Civil War soldiers, shopkeepers, boardinghouse owners, and even a Revolutionary War spy. You’ll also have a chance to learn headstone cleaning and preservation.

The celebration will take place Saturday Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Webster Union Cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull). Admission is free.

Read more about this important celebration in this blog.

Free rabies clinic

On Wednesday Aug. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Town of Webster is partnering with Monroe County Department of Public Health to host a free rabies vaccination clinic at the Webster Highway Department, 1005 Picture Parkway.

All dogs in the Town of Webster are required to be licensed with proof of a current rabies vaccination.

Support the Marching Band. Eat good food

The Webster Marching Band will host a Food Truck Rodeo on Thursday Aug. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fireman’s Field, 172 Sanford St.

The band promises at least 13 food trucks and vendors, more than 30 draft vendors, a kids’ play place ($10 per child), free face painting, vendor raffles and a 50/50 drawing. The band will also be offering a preview of their 2024 show, “Death of a Star,” with performances at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Chamber of Commerce Breakfast is Aug. 23

The Webster Chamber of Commerce’s next monthly Breakfast Before Business Meeting, is Friday Aug. 23 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. 

There’s a new location! Beginning this month, the meetings will be held at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

The meetings begin with networking time. Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m., and afterwards, every attendee will get a chance to introduce themselves at pass-the-mic time. Door prizes will also be awarded, and you can get even more recognition for your business if you bring one to add to the pot.

These events are open to the public as well as Chamber members. Cost is $19 and reservations are required. Click here to do so.

Blood drives near you

Several blood drives have been scheduled in our area over the next month. Here’s the rundown:

  • Thursday Aug. 29, 1-6 p.m., Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.
  • Wednesday Sept. 4, 8 a.m. to noon, Bay View YMCA, 1209 Bay Rd.
  • Friday Aug. 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Laurelton Fire Dept., 405 Empire Blvd.
  • Tuesday Sept. 10, 1-6 p.m., St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd.
  • Wednesday Sept. 11, 1-6 p.m., Webster American Legion, 818 Ridge Rd.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to sign up and learn more about the August and September giveaways. Or log onto redcrossblood.org.

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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 8/13/2024)

Steve’s Custom Canvas is Chamber’s August Business of the Month

12 Aug

Congratulations to Steve’s Custom Canvas & Upholstery, honored as the August Business of the Month by the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

Steve’s Custom Canvas, owned and operated by Steve Palis, is a homegrown business spanning over three decades, providing our community with marine, auto and awning needs for canvas, upholstery, waterproofing and repairs. It’s located at 765-B County Line Rd. in Ontario.

Upon presenting the award to Palis at the Chamber’s July Breakfast Before Business meeting, Chamber President & CEO Barry Howard applauded the business, saying, “Steve has been able to maintain his business over the past 33 years because of his craftsmanship. He also delivers his skill reliably, with a commitment to his customers.”

Palis started his business in May 1991 at Sutters Marine on Empire Boulevard. (Fun fact, Palis needed canvas for his boat, so he bought the business which could do the work and paid the previous owner to train him to do his own service.) In the beginning, he operated out of a 20-foot trailer, with a rain shed for working on boats. Business growth led him to move to his present location at 765-B County Line Road, Ontario. Over the years, Palis has added to employment opportunities in our area, with up to four staff members, working on a variety of unique service projects.

Palis ‘additional commitments to the greater Webster area include Boy Scouts, Irondequoit Fish & Game Club and the Webster Chamber of Commerce.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce Events and Honors Committee presents a Business of the Month award to one of their member businesses at each of their monthly breakfast meetings. It’s one way the Chamber helps keep their member businesses and organizations visible throughout the Webster community.

The next breakfast meeting is this Friday Aug. 23, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. Network with as many as 90 business and organizational leaders before breakfast, enjoy an informative program and then take part in the “pass-the-mic” time, when everyone has an opportunity to be visible.

Visitors and members are welcome. Please register here.

Pictured above: Webster Chamber of Commerce Chair Chamber Chair Carolyn Montanaro, presents the plaque to Steve Palis.

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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 8/12/2024)

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Photos from the 2024 Webster Jazz Festival

11 Aug

I don’t know what it was about this year’s Webster Jazz Festival, but on Saturday night there was a LOT more dancing in the street than I remember from any years past.

Perhaps it was the gorgeous weather, and it certainly had a lot to do with the great music coming from the stage. But I also think that the Jazz Festival has really found its groove (pun intended) and has become known as one of our village’s best family events of the summer.

Once again this year the event drew huge crowds, which seemed to grow bigger every minute as the evening progressed, this despite the Heroes and Hidden Heroes music festival taking place just down Main Street at Fireman’s Field. And those who did stay until after dark to watch Prime Time Funk close the show were treated to a charming display of twinkly lights strung along and across Main Street and through the trees.

Congratulations to the Webster BID for putting on another great event (and especially to Tom Spoonhower), to all the restaurants who set up shop to provide dinner, and to all of the performers for putting on an outstanding show.

Friday night’s Jazz in the Pubs was well attended, too, by the way. Even though the threatening forecast earlier in the day caused the street festival to be canceled, the pubs were packed as people hopscotched around the village to sample five different bands.

Click here to see my gallery of … well, only about 80 photos this time, all from Saturday night. There’s a lot of dancing.

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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 8/11/2024)

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The Town of Webster has a new emailed newsletter

10 Aug

Last week I posted a blog about the Village of Webster’s new online newsletter. (If you haven’t seen it yet, you really have to check it out.) It’s going to be a valuable resource for all of us who love the village, its people and events.

Just after the Village of Webster introduced its newsletter, the Town of Webster followed suit with a digital newsletter of its own.

The Town of Webster used to have a beautiful weekly newsletter. When it was discontinued late last year, it left a gaping hole in the “what’s-happening-in-the-community” information stream that many of us had come to appreciate. So I was excited to see that the Town is finally trying to fill that hole.

Anyone familiar with that weekly Town newsletter will immediately notice that the new newsletter’s layout is quite a bit different, and it’s not as comprehensive. But it does touch on several topics, including news about Town facilities, Town meetings, road closures and community events.

Specifically, the first newsletter, sent out Aug. 1, included

  • a piece about sewer upgrades
  • 2025 budget workshop information
  • details about closure of Plank Rd.
  • a reminder about the Webster Community Night at the Red Wings game
  • a rabies vaccination clinic
  • a “good news” story about a woman celebrating her 100th birthday
  • the town meeting schedule

In Supervisor Flaherty’s July 24 editorial in the Webster Herald, he wrote that

Our goal is to integrate an interactive aid to promote effective communication of Town events, news and good news into how the Town communicates with its citizens … The plan is to have this newsletter go out every first day of the month.

I think the effort is a good start, but I’d love to see a newsletter sent out more frequently than once a month. And as it matures, hopefully it will be expanded to include lots more information about people and events happening in our town.

Click here to sign up to receive the newsletter. (I can’t seem to find a link to the actual newsletter on the Town web page; if anyone sees such a link, please let me know.)

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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 8/10/2024)

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Happy Helen Miller Day!

9 Aug

There was a local holiday — of sorts — celebrated last Thursday Aug. 1. It was Helen Miller Day, and even though it’s an annual event, you’re forgiven if it passed you by unnoticed. I wouldn’t have even known about it myself had I not happened upon the celebration that evening at Coach Sports Bar in the village.

There, gathered mostly in a far corner of the Coach patio, was a boisterous crowd of 30, all friends or family members of the late Helen Miller, who passed away in 2012. They come together every year on the first day of August to laugh, share stories, raise a pint and remember a lady who was a true friend to Webster.

Helen Miller was a long-time Webster resident and very involved in her community. Among other organizations, she belonged to the Iroquois Club, Webster Democratic Party, the Women’s Club of Webster, the Webster Softball League and two golf leagues.

But Helen was also an artist, perhaps best known for works of art which still grace our daily lives here in Webster, including the mural and stained glass windows in the Community Meeting Hall, and more stained glass at the Webster Volunteer Fire Department and Webster Arboretum.

Helen loved Webster so much and was such an important part of our community that in 2009, then-Mayor Jake Swingly proclaimed August 1 to be Helen Miller Day in the Village of Webster. And so it is that every year since 2012, when Helen passed away, her friends and family come together every August 1 to celebrate Helen Miller Day.

Her daughter Diane said the annual event is a celebration “of Mom’s love of people and life.” After all, according to her obituary,

Helen looked for any excuse to get everyone together to have a party. Thank you for teaching us to love with all our hearts, to laugh often to turn the negative to a positive, to enjoy every minute and share it all with family and friends. … Unforgettable is her positive attitude and ability to “Love You More.”

Helen Miller clearly had a kind spirit and a zest for life, setting an example for us all. And you know that if she’s looking down on these annual festivities, she’s smiling and laughing along with everyone else, and her heart is full.

And rest assured, on August 1, 2025, you’ll find me at the Coach, raising a glass to Helen Miller.

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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 8/9/2024)

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Another reminder about the Jazz Festival

8 Aug

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last month, you already know about the Webster Jazz Festival coming up this Friday and Saturday.

The fun begins Friday night at 6:30 p.m. with “Jazz in the Pubs,” featuring five different bands playing in five different pubs, at staggered times so music lovers can travel from one to another to enjoy a wide variety of fine jazz. (Keep reading for the schedule.) And P.S. the Jazz in the Pubs street event has been cancelled due to the rain.

Then, Saturday night is the big-time party beginning at 4 p.m. with an outstanding lineup of musical entertainers performing on the West Main Street stage. Bring your folding chairs and coolers, and just set up camp for the evening along with thousands of your friends and neighbors.

Here are the schedules:

Friday Aug. 9

  • 6:30 p.m.: Andy Calabrese and Peter Chwazik at Cobblestone on Main, 109 W. Main St. Calabrese is a pianist, educator and music producer and Rochester-based Chwazik is a bassist and guitarist.
  • 6:45 p.m.: Sarah De Vallière at JoJo’s Webster, 42 E. Main St.An award-winning composer, classically-trained pianist and outstanding singer-songwriter, performing “cinematic folk rock with nuances of jazz and pop.”
  • 7:00 p.m.: Marvin Dolly & Mel Henderson at ROC Style, 5 W. Main St., performing “organic, funky grooves with street-level ambiance.”
  • 7:15 p.m. Joe Chiappone & Vince Ercolamento at Ploty’s Tavern, 27 West Main St., jazz guitar and saxophone.
  • 8:15 p.m.: Bill Tiberio Band at the Coach Sports Bar, 19 W. Main St., original contemporary jazz in a multitude of styles.

Saturday Aug. 10

  • 4:00 p.m.: CMD, re-imagining old rock and pop hits on piano, bass and drums
  • 5:15 p.m.: Sofrito, Latin jazz quintet
  • 6:45 p.m.: Smooth jazz sounds from Judah Sealy, a graduate of School of the Arts and Roberts Wesleyan College
  • 8:30 p.m.: Prime Time Funk, 10-piece powerhouse of passionate musicians who write, arrange, and perform a world-class combination of funk, jazz and R&B 

By the way, there’s no admission charge for any of this.

To find out more about the 2024 Webster Jazz Festival, and read more about the featured bands, visit the Webster BID website.

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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 8/8/2024)

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The village is bloomin’ beautiful

7 Aug

Just in time for this weekend’s Jazz Festival, the Village of Webster is looking beautiful.

Up and down Main Street, brightly colored annuals are bursting from flower beds and overflowing the luxuriant baskets hanging from the light poles. Things look especially attractive in front of Village Hall, as well they should, since it’s going to be pretty much front-and-center during this weekend’s festival.

Together with the always impressive planters which dot the sidewalks and the twinkly lights strung through the trees, it’s a charming look for our little village, giving it a very welcoming, small-town feel.

Thank you to anybody and everybody who had a hand in planning, planting and maintaining these summertime gardens.

Here’s a selection of photos in case you haven’t been in the village recently:

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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 8/7/2024)

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