This first item today is for anyone interested in learning more about the Forest Lawn neighborhood, up there along the lake, which has a surprisingly multi-faceted history.
On Wednesday May 17, the Webster Museum will host the next in their History and a Cup series. Beginning at noon, fourth-generation Forest Lawn resident George Forsyth will tell stories about growing up in Forest Lawn and the home he now lives in, built by his grandfather Walter Forsyth.
George was surrounded by family including his Uncle, Judge C. Benn Forsyth who authored the Forest Lawn book. His stories, will be include his memories as a child. He will bring photos and try to answer all your questions. Bring a sandwich for lunch, and the museum will provide coffee, lemonade and cookies.
Forest Lawn is a lakeside community neighborhood of permanent residents with its own mayor. 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. Wealthy judges and lawyers from Corn Hill soon discovered the area. They would commute to the city by trolley for business, while their families enjoyed summers at the lake.
On Sunday, May 21 beginning at 2 p.m., the museum will hold an Open House to highlight their new Forest Lawn exhibit. Mayor Caley Ferguson will speak at 3 p.m.
If you can’t make it to either of the presentations, plan on stopping by the museum some other time. Their Forest Lawn exhibit will be up all summer. The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Check out the website for more information, and “like” the museum on Facebook.
* * *
The 3rd Annual Duck Derby, sponsored by Webster Comfort Care Home, is this coming Saturday May 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Webster Park Beeches Pavilion.
Buy your tickets for $5 and watch them race down the creek to see which one wins (or don’t, because you don’t have to be there to win). This is always a fun morning, with family activities, refreshments, an egg hunt, kids’ games, story time with the Webster Public Library at 10:30, and Yolickity.
This is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for Webster Comfort Care Home, so buy a duck … or ten ducks. Click here to purchase your ducks. Special prizes will be awarded to ducks #500, 1000 and 1500.
Questions? Call (585) 872-5290.
* * *
There’s still time to get tickets for the concert on Saturday May 20 featuring two of Rochester’s premier a cappella choruses (which both call Webster home), the Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody. The two groups will join their voices for “Harmony in the House,” a musical treat featuring both choruses and several a cappella quartets. The choruses will perform together and separately, and quartets from both groups will fill your heart with a variety of musical favorites. Plus, there’ll be door prizes, raffles, a bar, snacks, and plenty of free parking.
Tickets are $18 for the 3 p.m. matinee, and $20 for the 7 p.m. show. Following the evening performance, everyone is invited to hang around for the annual “Afterglow,” a fun party with food, drinks, more singing and socializing. Click here to get your tickets, or call 315-391-4911.
“Harmony in the House” is a fundraiser for the Harmony House, a beautiful historic building constructed in 1899, which both groups call home. The Harmony House is located at 58 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.
* * *
Calling all girls interested in joining Girl Scouts!
Girl Scouts of Webster New York will be holding a Unicorn Party just for you on Tuesday, May 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd.
All kindergarten (including pre-K students registered for kindergarten) and first-grade girls are invited to learn more about the Girl Scouts, and enjoy unicorn-themed crafts and games. There’s no charge.
* * *
The Friends of the Webster Public Library have come up with a great new event for bibliophiles. It’s their very first Vintage and Collectible Book Sale on Saturday June 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event will offer more than 140 books in good or better condition at very attractive, fixed prices. There are lots of first editions or first printings, published anytime from the late 19th century to the previous decade of the 21st century. Books from authors in the Library of America series and from the NY Times Best Seller list will be displayed. You’ll find books about Rochester and upstate New York; a good-sized assortment of books about war and its weapons; a few Tolkien items; some juvenile fiction ranging from the Bobbsey Twins to Harry Potter; many, many books about music, art, popular culture, animals, health, business, and history, along with biographies and even a couple of books we find hard to describe but they sure look interesting.
The sale will be held in the Community Room of the library, 980 Ridge Rd.
* * *
Here’s a fun way to support Miracle Field and enjoy some great music at the same time.
It’s the Challenger Miracle Field Blues Night, scheduled for Thursday, June 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Monroe Golf Club in Pittsford. Tickets are $75 which includes hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, a Mission Moment, and more. Please RSVP and get your tickets by May 25 by clicking here.
* * *
The first Village of Webster Wine Walk will be held on Saturday, June 3 from 4 to 7 pm. starting at Jo Jo Bistro and Wine Bar.
Tickets are $15 and will only be available online, but I don’t have a link for that yet. As soon as I get one, I’ll pass it along. Or stay tuned for details at WebsterBID.com. Hopefully they’ll be updated shortly. But in the meantime, get this on your calendar now.
* * *
email me at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (@missyblog)
You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.
(posted 5/14/2023)
Tags: Challenger Miracle Field, Chorus of the Genesee, Duck Derby, Friends of the Webster Public Library, Girl Scouts, Harmony House, Missy Rosenberry, Rochester Rhapsody, Village of Webster, Webster Comfort Care Home, Webster museum, Webster NY, Webster Public Library, Wine Walk
webster on the web 