Tag Archives: Local business

Reconnecting with “the boys” — part 3

29 Aug

Those of you who have been following my story of how I became acquainted with “the boys” will be pleased to read this latest installment. (Not familiar with the story? Check out this blog first, then this one to fill in the blanks.)

Early Monday morning, while I was still hugging my first cup of coffee and trying to wake up, I got an email from Tony, one of my original “boys.” Apparently one of the group had seen my blog on Facebook and told the gang about it. They were still meeting at Burger King every day, and he invited me to stop in some morning.

No way was I going to wait for “some morning.” It took me less than a half hour to get myself together and drive to Burger King.

As usual, I was welcomed with big smiles and open arms. Carl brought me a coffee and everyone filled me in on how the group’s been managing. Some old friends have passed away, very few new ones have joined. After bopping around from Hegedorn’s to Bill Gray’s to Guida’s to McDonald’s, they finally settled into the Burger King in Webster Plaza, where they’ve been for more than ten years. The pandemic didn’t even slow them down. When they couldn’t gather in a restaurant, they brought folding chairs and set up in a parking lot, tailgate-style.

The conversations haven’t changed much, focusing mostly on solving the problems of Webster and the world at large. By now, the boys have pretty much got all those problems solved. But that won’t keep them from their regular morning meetings, because, they all agreed, getting together with old friends is a great way to start the day.

And meeting up with old friends was a great way to start my week.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/29/2023)

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Foley Agency named August Historic Site of the Month

27 Aug

As we walk or drive through the Village of Webster, we often — well, usually — fail to notice and appreciate the history that surrounds us.

The Village of Webster’s Historic Preservation Commission has made it their goal to shine a spotlight on some of these historical treasures. One way they’re doing that is with their recognition of Historic Sites of the Month. In August, that distinction was awarded to the Foley Insurance Agency.

The frame building at 9 East Main St. which we now know as Foley Insurance was built about 1898, and served as a post office until 1914. Inside, there are still several design elements from its days as a post office, including mail slots for letters and packages.

After the post office closed, the building housed several other businesses, including a cigar store, law offices and a construction agency. During that time, in 1921, Harold K. Foley began his career in real estate. With a partner, he purchased the insurance business of Jayne and Mason, later buying out the partner and operating under his own name out of offices on the second floor.

In 1940 Foley purchased the building, did some remodeling and moved his business to the main floor, where Foley Insurance remains today.

When Harold died suddenly in 1949, the business was handed to his wife Dorothea and their son Tom. Today, her great-granddaughters Sheila Foley Hanna and Meghan Foley Bloom run the business and are continuing the legacy. In 2021 the Foley Agency, family-owned since day one, was recognized by the Webster Chamber of Commerce for its 100th anniversary in the community of Webster, truly an amazing achievement, and perhaps the only business in town to achieve that milestone.

To read more about the history of Foley Agency Insurance, visit their website, and to see a list of previous Webster Historic Preservation Commission Historic Site of the Month honorees, click here.

Photo circa 1900
Photo circa 1920s (courtesy Foley Agency)

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/27/2023)

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Photos from the Jazz Festival

20 Aug

Another excellent Webster Jazz Festival is in the books.

The weather could not have cooperated any better Saturday night when thousands of jazz lovers filled West Main Street to enjoy an afternoon and evening of great music, presented by some very talented musicians. The food and beverage vendors lining the street were kept busy all night, and the pubs and restaurants that stayed open during the festivities definitely saw increased traffic. And I have to say, the village never looks more beautiful than on Jazz Festival night, with the white lights twinkling in the trees and stretched across West Main.

It was especially nice to see so many children in the audience, dancing to the music along with their parents and grandparents, clearly having the time of their lives.

A lot of effort goes into this annual festival, and we have Tom Spoonhower and the Webster Business Improvement District to thank for that. They do a great job every year showing the entire Rochester area how vibrant — and charming — the Village of Webster is.

Click here to check out my gallery of photos from Saturday night.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/20/2023)

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Kinecta presents donation to Wreaths Across America

18 Aug

Here’s a quick shout-out to Kinecta Federal Credit Union for their great “Kinecta Kindness Award” program and their decision to recognize a terrific local organization that’s close to my heart.

On Wednesday Aug. 16, Kinecta presented a $250 check to Wreaths Across America Webster, an organization committed to placing a wreath on the grave of every one of the 3,000 veterans who rest in Webster’s seven cemeteries.

The donation will be used to sponsor wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves at Webster Union Cemetery on National Wreath Day, December 16, 2023. Plus, $5 from every sponsorship will be passed on to the Blue Star Mothers of Rochester to help build care packages for our locally deployed service members.  

Wreaths Across America Location Coordinator Cherie Wood and Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 president Amy VanDerwerken were on hand to accept the donation.  

Kinecta supports and employs both veteran and active duty service members, proving their commitment to the Wreaths Across America Webster and Blue Star Mothers (military families) causes. Kinecta Federal Credit Union is dedicated to supporting the community, providing both resources and volunteers for all sorts of community projects. Look for them volunteering at the Webster Garlic Fest, September 9 to 10 at the Webster Recreation Center, and helping the Webster community lay wreaths on National Wreath Day at Webster Union Cemetery.

The Kinecta Kindness Award program recognizes acts of kindness throughout the community. Wreaths Across America was nominated by Kinecta employee Kimberly Barkley.

Pictured above (L-R) are: Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 president Amy VanDerwerken, Wreaths Across America Webster Location Coordinator Cherie Wood, Financial Advocate IV and Active Duty Army National Guard member Rob Seay, and Kinecta Community Program Manager Andrew Myers. Not Shown:  Assistant Retail Services Manager Ashley Michaels.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/18/2023)

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4th annual Barry’s Irish Festival is Sept. 16

14 Aug

The entire Village of Webster was saddened by the recent news that our favorite Irish Pub, Barry’s Old School Irish, will be closing its doors in just a few weeks — at least for the short term (we hope).

But the GOOD news is that we can celebrate the pub and all things Irish with Danny and Jessica Barry at the 4th annual Barry’s Irish Festival, scheduled for Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at their farmhouse in Hilton.

This has become a very popular, family-friendly festival for everyone who loves Irish culture, from dancing to music, vendors of Celtic crafts, bagpipers, and of course good Irish brews. There’s always plenty for the kids to do, lots of good food, raffles and games.

You can click here for a lot more details about what’s on the schedule, but here are some highlights:

All day:

  • Food trucks: Webster Hots, Netsin’s Ice Cream, Red Osier, Cheesy Eddie’s, Rustic Taco, Fried Dough and Desserts
  • beer truck
  • craft vendors
  • The Talking Tent where you can explore Irish history
  • Jameson Irish Whiskey reps
  • Clonakilty Irish Whiskey reps
  • the Raffle Castle

Entertainment:

  • 10 a.m.: traditional Irish music session
  • 11:40 a.m.: Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums
  • Noon: Connemara Social Club
  • 1 p.m.: Jamieson Irish Dance will teach some Irish Dance steps for the kids
  • 1:30 p.m.: Peg Dolan and Sharon McHargue
  • 2:30 p.m.: Jamieson Irish Dance
  • 3 p.m.: Lucky Enough and Everheart
  • 4:30 p.m.: Celtic Cross
  • 5:30 p.m.: Young School of Irish Dance
  • 6 p.m.: Dave North Trio
  • 7:30 p.m.: Gavin Barry and the Rebel Banjo Circus
  • 9 p.m.: 1916

Other highlights:

  • Yoga class courtesy Ryan Barry (10 a.m.)
  • Pick-up soccer game (1 p.m.)
  • Roc City Gaelic on hand to demonstrate hurling
  • Kids’ activities and crafts (noon to 2 p.m.)
  • Corn hole tournament (3 p.m.)
  • Proper 12 Irish Whiskey sampling (2 to 8 p.m)
  • Parade led by the Gates Keystone Police Pipes & Drums (4 p.m.)
  • S’mores kits for everyone (7 p.m.)
  • green and gold eggs hidden throughout the grounds with raffle prizes
  • raffles every hour

The 4th annual Barry’s Irish Festival takes place Saturday Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at The Barry Patch Farm, 2668 Brick Schoolhouse Road, Hilton. Tickets are available at the pub for $15 (2 West Main St., Webster), and can be purchased online here. You can also get them on the day of the festival, when they’ll be $20. Kids 16 and under are free.

Visit the event’s Facebook page for more information, and if you have any questions, email Danny and Jessica at Barrysirishpub@gmail.com.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/14/2023)



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Webster community mailbag

8 Aug

I’m going to lead today’s mailbag with an event I only just learned about myself when I was reading through the Town’s Webster This Week newsletter.

It’s the Water Lantern Festival, being held this Saturday Aug. 12 at Charles Sexton Memorial Park (formerly North Ponds). It’s one of hundreds of similar festivals held world-wide every year by an organization called One World Lantern Festival, which describes it as:

an incredible experience where thousands of family, friends, and strangers celebrate life together. Water Lantern Festival brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one emotional and memorable night. You’ll cherish these moments as you witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns and the lights reflecting upon the water.

Participants design their own lanterns, and are invited to inscribe their “hopes and dreams, or a letter to a loved one,” or any other meaningful message, and then send them floating out onto the water. I imagine the scene of countless illuminated lanterns floating on the pond will be spectacular.

Webster’s Water Lantern Festival will begin at 6 p.m. with food trucks, music and activities. Lantern designing begins at 8:30 p.m. and launch is from 9 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $26.98 (plus processing fees and taxes) and include a lantern kit, a commemorative drawstring bag, playing cards, conversation cards and access to the food trucks and music. IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, you should get your tickets by Wednesday Aug. 9, because the price goes up after that to $45.99 and even higher on the day of the event.

Click here for more information about the festival and ticket options.

The Village of Webster’s next and last-one-of-the-summer Family Games Night is this Friday Aug. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gazebo Park on North Ave. These great — and totally free — family events feature giant games, sidewalk chalk, great food and drink, and Dancing With Denise. Come for just a short time, come for the entire event; you and your kids will have a blast.

Remember to visit the Webster BID website regularly to keep up to date on village events.

Webster NY Hope has published this month’s wish list, which includes:

  • toothbrushes
  • toilet paper
  • pasta
  • cooking oil
  • towels (used or new)
  • socks for all ages
  • underwear for all ages
  • queen sheets

Items can be dropped off at Webster Hope, 1450 Ridge Rd., during their normal operating hours, Monday from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Webster Marching Band‘s next Bottle and Can Drive happens this Saturday Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All you have to do is place those bags outside your house or at the end of the driveway, with a little note indicating they’re for the band, and they’ll be whisked away for a good cause.

Or, if you plan to be out and about on Saturday, you can drop them off at the collection site, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road, by 3 p.m.

OR, you can call the Bottle and Can Hotline (234-8684, option 1) ANYTIME to arrange a pickup at a time convenient for you.

The United Church of Christ‘s last Caring Community Concert of the summer takes place this Wednesday Aug. 9 when 8 Days a Week performs.

These concerts benefit local nonprofit organizations. There’s no admission, but each week the church collects a free-will offering benefiting that week’s chosen non-profit organization. This week’s concert will benefit the Friends of Webster Trails.  

The concerts all begin at 6:30 p.m., and food concessions begin at 6. The concerts are held on the United Church of Christ front lawn, at 570 Klem Rd. (In case of rain it’s moved indoors.)

Finally, looking ahead, these two events take place in a few weeks:

The Steam Police will sponsor a blood drive in the Spry Middle School cafeteria on Friday Aug. 18 from 1 to 6 p.m. There’ll be food, drinks, t-shirts, raffle prizes, and a whole lot of gratitude.

For an appointment (always a good idea), visit redcrossblood.org and use the keyword “SPRYMS” or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

An electronics recycling event is scheduled for Saturday Aug. 19 on the Xerox campus off of Orchard St. (near the Rec Center). TICKETS ARE REQUIRED for this event, and you can sign up here for the time slot you want.

Some slots are already booked up, so sign up soon.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 8/8/2023)

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More thoughts about Barry’s Old School Irish

29 Jul

The word “close” is not in our vocabulary.

That was perhaps the most important, and most encouraging, part of the message Danny and Jessica Barry posted to Facebook and Instagram Wednesday morning as the news began to sink in that Barry’s Old School Irish in the Village of Webster will be closing in September. And it was a comforting statement, to say the least.

The message was clear: Yes, Barry’s is closing, but only temporarily. Plans are in the works to bring it back even bigger and better than before.

If you’re not on Facebook or Instagram, and didn’t see the recent article in the Democrat and Chronicle, here’s the gist:

Opening and running a very successful Irish pub was their original dream. Having done that (in spades), now they want to focus full-time on the next stage of their dream, producing and packaging their very own Barry’s Irish Cream Liqueur. To do that, they need a bigger space where they can house both their production facility and the pub.

In their Facebook message, they wrote,

We’re blessed to have this opportunity to launch Barry’s Irish Cream, which is literally the bottling of all the love and warmth this Barry’s Irish Pub Family has created together. … We can’t wait for the day to bring these two dreams under one roof, that is going to be one heck of a story and one heck of a party. Barry’s will be built for the long haul! read the entire message on their Facebook page.)

The Barrys really want to keep their new operation in Webster, which is great news for our town and all of us who have come to consider Danny and Jess extended family. And until they open again, they’re making plans for several events throughout the year to “keep our pub family/community together, to keep the hugs and handshakes flowing.”

The first will be the 4th annual Barry’s Irish Festival on September 16. Tickets for that will available soon online and at the pub, and I’ll be posting more details in a future blog.

We’re all saddened to the core that Danny and Jessica’s friendly pub will no longer be anchoring our village’s four corners. But we’re gladdened to know that we have not seen the last of them, and I think speak for us all when I say we’re excited for them as they embark on this new adventure.

Danny and Jessica concluded their message on Wednesday with this:

Cheers to our Pub Family, and let’s rock this thing!

Rest assured, my friends, we — your pub family — are ready, willing and excited to take this ride with you.

Danny and Jessica have set a closing date for Saturday Sept. 9. Stay tuned for details about special events leading up to that final day, and the big celebration that will inevitably happen that 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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/29/2023)

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Quilters come together to help others

21 Jul

Here’s another nice story about how a local business is doing great things to help the community — in this case the global community.

On the third Tuesday of every month, Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti, owners of the Village Quilt Shoppe, host a “charity day.” For four hours, a handful of crafters sit around the tables at the back of the shop, carefully cutting and sorting hundreds of small fabric squares. The squares are then assembled into individual quilting kits, which are packaged up and shipped to Honduras.

Their destination is an foundation called One Common Thread, whose mission is to help Honduran women make quilts, which they can then sell to support their families.

Monique explained that the lap-sized quilts are created by English Paper Piecing, a method especially designed for hand-sewing, a necessary requirement for Honduran women who often don’t have a sewing machine, let alone electricity. The Quilt Shoppe volunteers work from patterns specifying how many of each color piece are required for each quilt, cut them all, separate them by color, then sort them into individual quilt kits.

Depending on how many helpers show up, Monique said, she can assemble and ship as many as six kits every month.

Monique and Vanetta began holding their charity days about two and a half years ago, after one of their former employees brought One Common Thread to their attention. They’ve adapted their efforts along the way as they’ve learned the most efficient ways to help.

“At first we had people drop off fabric, and we would just send fabric,” Monique said. “But upon talking with them we found it was more beneficial to cut the fabric up. So then we would send them squares. Then we realized we could print the patterns out and make kits.”

She estimates that the first year they shipped more than 50 yards of fabric. Then, thousands of pre-cut squares the following year, and about 30 kits since then. And they’re not planning to slow down anytime soon.

“Being a small business owned by two women, we want to help other women have a better life,” Monique said. “We try to look for charities where we help women empower their lives.” 

Vanetta and Monique welcome anyone to stop in on Charity Tuesdays to help out. You don’t need any quilting or even crafting experience, since most of the work involves sorting squares into kits. The next one is on Aug. 15, beginning at 10:30. If you’d like to help out at home, you can pop in and pick up a bag of fabric, complete with instructions, to cut into squares.

They also take donations of thread and hand-sewing needles, and monetary donations to help with shipping. (No fabric donations, thanks — they have plenty of fabric!)

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. To learn more, check out their website here or call (585) 626-6916. And definitely log onto the One Common Thread website to see some of the beautiful finished quilts and the women who are benefiting from them. You’ll also read about other ways you can help this wonderful organization.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 7/21/2023)

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Hope grows at Simply Crepes

16 Jul

There’s a very special garden growing in front of the Simply Crepes restaurant on Bay Rd. It’s special not only because of its beauty, but because it shows what great things can be accomplished when our community comes together.

The lush vegetable garden fills 18 raised beds surrounding Simply Crepes’ front patio, almost 300 square feet of growing area. They’re thick with eggplants, peppers, herbs, beans, radishes, beets and tomatoes. And the harvest is all earmarked for Webster NY Hope and the families that agency serves.

The project was conceived by Simply Crepes’ owner Pierre Heroux. A gardener himself, he had the beds installed — complete with an irrigation system — when the restaurant first opened two years ago, and has had his eye on doing something with them from the very beginning.

“My wife and I have had gardens at our home all the time,” he said. “So for us to put another garden in our ‘home’ was kind of a natural. But the reality is we’re in the restaurant business. We’re not really in the gardening business.”

Instead, he decided to have the gardens benefit the community which has been supporting his restaurants for 20 years.

After investigating various Rochester-area agencies which might benefit from the gardens, he ultimately connected with one right in town: Webster NY Hope, which provides food, clothing, household goods and financial assistance to families in need.

After consulting with Hope staff members about what herbs and vegetables would best benefit their food pantry, Heroux purchased all the plants. Hope volunteers then planted them, and are doing all the weeding, separating, pruning and harvesting. Some of the lettuce has already been harvested and given to a Ukrainian family.

The staff at NY Hope are happy to put in the work and are thrilled to have the ready supply of fresh herbs and vegetables.

NY Hope Director Margery Morgan said, “We continue to have our own garden at Holy Trinity, and now the one at Simply Crepes is a great reminder of what businesses can do to make a difference for the community.”

Simply Crepes general manager Nick Ferraro and owner Pierre Heroux

For Heroux, giving back just seemed like the right thing to do. He said,

There’s a lot of food insecurity in this community, a lot more than we know of. So I thought if we could create something to give back to those folks in need, it would be a good thing.

It’s a joy to give back to the community. It’s just pure joy. There’s nothing like it to know that you’re able to help people.

Simply Crepes‘ Webster/Penfield location is at 1229 Bay Rd., near Wegmans. They also have restaurants on Schoen Place in Pittsford and South Main St. Canandaigua.

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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 7/16/2023)

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News from Revelle’s Home Decor

11 Jul

I heard some news the other day about one of our village’s newest businesses, Revelle’s Home Decor, and it’s kind of a good news/bad news situation.

The GOOD news is that business is good for Revelle’s. The BAD news is that means they’ve already outgrown their new place on East Main Street.

Revelle’s Home Decor only opened two months ago at 5 East Main, right next to the (also brand new) M.O. Pasta. I stopped in there several times and always had a wonderful chat with owner Peggy Revelle, who clearly was looking forward to becoming an integral part of the local business scene and participating in Village events.

So the loss of Revelle’s is really a loss for the village. But, as I said, this is good news for the family-owned business. Clearly, business has been so good that they’ve already realized they need more space for all the things they want to do, including featuring more new furniture and local crafters and vendors. Peggy also said their paint parties have really taken off, and they need a lot more space for them.

Revelle’s has already found a new space in Ontario at 1864 Rt. 104 East, less than a mile east of Ontario Center Rd.

In anticipation of the move, Revelle’s Home Decor’s Webster Village store is now closed. But in just a few weeks — sometime in August — you can visit their much bigger shop in Ontario, just 10 minutes down Rt. 104.

In the meantime, another business is already planning to move into the empty Revelle’s space, so stay tuned for news about that.

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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 7/10/2023)

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