Tag Archives: Local business

Webster community mailbag

26 Mar

There’s still time to sign up for this month’s Webster Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Before Business meeting, scheduled for this Friday March 28.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast for Chamber members, guests and visitors interested in investigating Chamber membership. The March breakfast will be held on Friday March 28 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. The monthly breakfasts are opportunities to network, meet new contacts, develop current business relationships, learn, and earn visibility for your business or organization. Every attendee participates in pass-the-mic time when you’re invited to (very briefly) introduce yourself and your business.

This is the largest monthly Chamber networking event in the Greater Rochester area, with 70 to 90 attendees. Reservations are required. Click here to do so.

Shopping and Hopping

Quilters and crafters, take note:

The Village Quilt Shoppe is participating in a Fantastic Four Shop Hop from April 3 to 5.

They’re teaming up with Fluffy’s Quilt Patch Plus, Jackie Lynn’s Fabric Center, and Sadie Quilts to offer

  • 15% off all bolted quilting fabric (1/2 yd min. cut)
  • Demos & goodie bags
  • Passport giveaway – Pick up your passport at the first shop you visit and turn it in at your last stop.
  • Grand Prize: 16 yards of fabric
  • Additional Prizes: Four 2nd & 3rd place winners, plus several 4th place prizes

PLUS, If you love this idea of a Shop Hop, then you’ll love this: The Village Quilt Shoppe is also participating in an All-New York State Shop Hop taking place throughout May and June.

More than 50 shops throughout the state are participating. To take part, you’ll need to purchase the All New York Shop Hop Magazine, available at the Village Quilt Shoppe or on their website. In the magazine, you’ll find a Shop Hop Passport which includes all the event details including,

  • Maps to help you navigate your journey
  • A list of stores by region for easy planning
  • Shops participating in Shop Hop Sundays
  • Special Shop Hop hours so you can visit as many stores as possible
  • Exclusive patterns included just for participants  

Plus, there’s a special New York-themed fabric, which can also be purchased in the quilt shop or online, with pre-orders available now for pickup starting May 1.

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 East Main St. in the Village of Webster, at the corner of Lapham Park.

Women’s Club announces April luncheon

The April luncheon meeting of the Women’s Club of Webster will be held on Thursday April 17 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd.

This month’s speaker will be Diane S. Miller, Associate Broker with the Re/Max Realty Group, a veteran real estate agent with over 38 years’ experience in local real estate. Diane will be sharing information on the current crazy real estate market, as well as tips for people thinking of making a move, tips for those wanting to age in place safely and tips for organizing life information to reduce stress, and more.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Diane’s presentation. Cost of the luncheon is $22 and will include a buffet featuring assorted deli subs (ham, turkey roast beef, cheeses, lettuce and tomato) Country Club chips, and a cookie. Friendship and camaraderie are included at no charge. New members are more than welcome.

Send your check made out to the Women’s Club of Webster by April 10 (FIRM) to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. If you have any questions, or you think your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303. She will hold your place.

Looking ahead to warmer weather, the Webster Arboretum will present a program on Thursday April 24 all about Orioles and Hummingbirds.

The talk will be presented by Liz Magnanti, the owner of The Bird House in Pittsford. Orioles and hummingbirds spend their winters in Central and South America and migrate back to North America in the spring for breeding season. Learn all about these beautiful birds and how to attract them to your backyard.

The presentation begins at 7 p.m. and will take place in the Curry Building. The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd. Click here to RSVP and to learn about future Arboretum programs.

Books books books (cheap books!)

The Friends of the Webster Public Library’s Book Sale will be held April 30 through May 3. The first day of the sale, Wednesday April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m., is exclusively for Friends Members. A Friends membership is required to attend this Book Sale and Vintage Book Sale. Membership can be purchased at websterlibrary.org or at the door.

All are welcome to attend the Book Sale on Thursday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hardcover books will be $1 each and paperbacks are only 50 cents each. May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 3 from 10 a.m. to noon are Bring-Your-Own-Bag Sale days, when you can fill your bag with books for only $5. All are welcome to attend the BYOB Sale days.

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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 3/26/2025)

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The Village of Webster has a new bridal shop

24 Mar

A warm Village of Webster welcome to Pittsford Bride, which recently opened at 20 West Main.

Two years after Heart to Heart Bride left the village’s four corners, it’s absolutely wonderful to see astonishing beautiful wedding dresses, flowing with elegant grace, displayed in large picture windows along Main Street once again.

Pittsford Bride Owner Oksana Budak opened her new boutique about three weeks ago, and is already making a name for herself for the individualized services she provides her brides-to-be. 

Even if a customer chooses something off the rack, “We (can) do incredible custom changes to any dress,” Oksana said. “I can do a dress without sleeves, with sleeves, I can change the fabric … I can change everything.” The goal is for each bride to create a gown that works best for her body and fits her special vision. 

“It will be a totally different dress, but it will be her dress,” she said. 

Despite its name, Pittsford Bride is not an expansion of an existing shop. Oksana originally opened Pittsford Bride less than a year ago in the Clover View Plaza on Monroe Ave. It didn’t take her long, however, to decide that the very large space was not really what she envisioned for her boutique. She started looking around for a smaller, “cozier” location. When she discovered the newly renovated space on the Village of Webster’s Main Street, she knew it was perfect. 

In the plaza, she said, the shop seemed to get lost in the mix of all the other signs and stores, and it was more a destination rather than something people would just happen across. 

“Here, people are walking,” she said. “They stop, they look in the windows, they take pictures, ask me some questions. I like to see people walking.” 

Although the new shop is “cozier” than the one in Pittsford, it’s still plenty spacious enough to accommodate friends and family members who want to help the bride say “yes” to the perfect dress. There’s a comfortable seating area in front, a large changing room and a display room.

Oksana calls her dresses “more couture” style, with a lot of hand-crafted beading detail. “It’s a unique collection different from other stores, for brides who want to be different,” she said. She also has a small selection of mother-of-the-bride dresses and prom dresses. 

Photos courtesy Kitsul Studio, Mariah Vanhoover Photography and Kate Rasskazova

In her own words, this is what Oksana would like everyone to know about her shop:

Our Exclusive Services at Pittsford Bride

At Pittsford Bride, we are dedicated to making every bride’s dream come true with our personalized services and expert craftsmanship.

  • Professional Tailoring – Our in-house tailor works exclusively for our boutique, ensuring expert alterations and customizations in a short time frame. Brides who purchase their gowns from us receive special pricing and discounts.
  •  Custom-Made Dresses – Every dress in our boutique can be personalized to reflect your unique vision. Whether it’s adding extra lace, modifying the silhouette, or changing fabrics, we can create a gown that is truly one of a kind.
  •  Rush Orders – the bride need a dress quickly? We offer rush delivery options for brides with tight timelines.
  •  Gowns Under $1,000 – We believe every bride deserves to feel special, regardless of budget. Our boutique offers a selection of beautiful gowns under $1,000.
  •  Wedding Dress Rental –  Our rental service includes alterations, ensuring a perfect fit for your big day.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 585-414-8779 or visit Pittsford Bride’s website.

Oksana does plan to eventually change the name of her shop, but is waiting to do so until the end of the bridal season so it’s not too confusing for her current customers. She still hasn’t figured out what that new name will be, thought, so for a little while at least, we’re going to have a gorgeous little taste of Pittsford right here in downtown Webster.   

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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 3/24/2025)

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Community encouraged to join April’s “Mail Call Challenge”

23 Mar

Webster, are you up for a challenge?

Wreaths Across America, in partnership with the Blue Star Mothers ROC and the Gold Star Mothers Rochester, have thrown down a month-long challenge for the entire Webster community. It’s called “Mail Call! Letters From Home,” and its goal is ambitious: to collect 1,000 cards and letters from Webster to be sent to our local service members deployed overseas.

Two times a year, the Blue Star Mothers send care packages to our local service members who are deployed overseas. The service members say their favorite items are the cards and letters, even more than the toiletries and snacks. These simple messages keep them going, when home seems very far away.

One service member said he kept a young student’s card in his backpack throughout deployment. “Whenever I was scared, and didn’t feel like I could go on,” he said, “I’d take out that crayoned card, and know someone was thinking of me.”

You can imagine, then, the joy we can all spread with 1,000 cards and letters. THAT’s what the Mail Call challenge is all about.

All next month, more than a dozen Mail Call mailboxes will be placed at businesses throughout Webster. Community members are encouraged to write a personal note (or several) and deposit them in one of the boxes. If we work together, we can easily achieve that goal of 1,000 letters.

Here are some tips:

  • The messages can be from adults and kids.
  • No envelopes are needed (they add extra bulk to the care packages).
  • Starting April 1, look for the special “mail boxes” stationed throughout Webster. (A list of locations is below.) Drop in the card you made at home, or take a moment to fill one out while you’re at the store.
  • Cards and letters should be addressed: Dear Service Member.
  • Include words of encouragement, and how much you appreciate their service.
  • Include your first name and your town. The service members like to know where the cards come from.
  • Spread the word to the groups in your life: Scouts, businesses, schools, social groups, sports teams, churches, etc. This challenge will take all of us.
  • Go ahead and start now, and look for the mailboxes beginning Tuesday, April 1.

You can also plan to stop by the Webster Public Library on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a community-wide card-making event in the Community Room. All supplies will be provided, and no registration is required. If you can’t make it to the library on Saturday, you can make a card/letter at home, or stop at the table in the library between Monday, April 7 and Saturday, April 12 to create a card/letter. Then drop it off in a special mailbox at the library.

Here are where all of the mailboxes will be located; they’ll all be in place by April 1.

  • American Legion Cottreall-Warner Post 942: 818 Ridge Rd (back entrance).
  • Jersey Mike’s Subs: 975 Ridge Rd.
  • Key Bank: 1848 Empire Blvd.
  • Key Bank: 980 Ridge Rd.
  • Lowes Home Improvement: 900 Five Mile Line Rd.
  • Mama Lor’s Cafe: 1891 Ridge Rd.
  • Pearl Vision: (Wegmans plaza) 900 Holt Rd.
  • Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria: 195 North Ave/ (Rt 250)
  • Village Quilt Shoppe: 21 E Main St.
  • Webster Public Library: 980 Ridge Rd.
  • Webster Recreation Center: 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
  • Webster Town Hall: 1000 Ridge Rd.

All of the cards and letters collected during this special month-long event will be placed in care packages sent out in June by the Blue Star Mothers.

By the way, this project would not be successful without the enthusiastic support of the Webster Lowe’s, who donated 13 mailboxes, 13 posts, post brackets and buckets filled with cement to stand them in. And Vital Signs who made all the mailbox wrappers, and did so at a very generous discount.

The Mail Call! Letters From Home initiative is a joint effort by Wreaths Across America Webster, Blue Star Mothers ROC NY8 (military families), and Gold Star Mothers Rochester (who have lost a child on active duty).

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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 3/23/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

20 Mar

Let’s start today’s mailbag with a few items from the Webster Public Library.

A reminder that the library’s Vintage Book Sale takes place on Saturday March 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop more than 200 fiction and non-fiction books, published between the 19th and early 21st centuries. Prices begin at $8.

Also, all this month the library is hosting their first-ever Irish American Heritage Month Book Sale. It lasts only until everything is sold, so get there soon to choose from a selection of books about Irish history, travel, culture and folklore, plus coffee-table books, Ireland-themed puzzles and Irish music CDs.

Both book sales benefit the Friends of the Webster Public Library.

And remember that this month’s free community exchange is GAMES. Bring in a game that you don’t use anymore, and pick up a new one! Plus, the Donation Station benefits the library’s Free Food Pantry, and the Seed Library is now open.

Got stuff to shred?

The Finger Lakes Federal Credit Union will sponsor a free community shredding day on Saturday May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Webster branch, 815 Ridge Rd. It’s open to small businesses and individuals in the Webster area. Please bring the papers in disposable (preferably recyclable) boxes or bags.

Wine Walks return

The Village of Webster has scheduled the next Wine Walk for Saturday May 10.

These are very popular events where you stroll the village, popping into businesses to sample wines and snacks from our local merchants.

Participants must be 21 and an ID is required. More information to come, but you cal also stay up to date on the latest at the Webster BID website.

Are you a guy who loves to sing?

The Chorus of the Genesee is hosting a New Members Night on Tuesday March 25 at 7 p.m., at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.

Come meet the guys and join them for an evening of singing a cappella music. You don’t even have to be able to read music. If you can sing a tune, they’ll show the rest. Click here to R.S.V.P., and if you have any questions, you can call 585-259-3590 or email RochesterCOG@gmail.com.

Some additional reminders …

All of the following announcements were previously included in this community mailbag, so click on that link if you’d like any more information about …

  • The Webster Public Library will host its annual Special Needs Parent Resource Fair on Saturday April 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. This event is especially for parents and caregivers who are looking for community resources to support their loved ones who have special needs.
  • Anyone wishing to run for the Webster Central School District Board of Education may pick up a nominating packet from the district clerk’s office, 119 South Avenue, any weekday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Petitions must be returned to the district clerk’s office no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, April 21.
  • The Webster Arboretum will present the program Invasive Insects on Thursday March 20, from 7 to 8 p.m., presented by Camille Caceci, the Invasive Species Project Coordinator with Finger Lakes PRISM.
  • The Webster Comfort Care Home is hosting an 80’s Prom and Dance Party on Saturday April 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Shadow Lake Golf Club, 1850 Five Mile Line Rd. Music will be provided by Hall Pass and DJ Lesh.

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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 3/20/2025)

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March History Bit: Meet the Webster Museum (Part 2)

2 Mar

In Today’s History Bit, we take a closer look at another of the Webster Museum’s permanent exhibits, the Webster Candy Kitchen. 

Located adjacent to the Witmer’s Variety exhibit, the Candy Kitchen is the second stop for museum visitors as they stroll down the Village of Webster’s recreated Main Street. 

Founded in 1908 by Charles Papapanu, the Candy Kitchen was located at 14 East Main Street, and was a fixture in the village for 65 years. It was a popular teen hangout and beloved sweets shop, known for its dizzying selection of penny candies, including taffy, peanut brittle, nougats, ribbon candy, caramels and dozens more. It was especially known for its molded chocolate Easter bunnies, and every year the owners donated a huge chocolate rabbit for the annual Kiwanis Easter Egg hunt. 

In 1940 the owners added a classic soda fountain, further cementing the Candy Kitchen’s popularity among both young and old. 

(photos courtesy Webster Town Historian Lynn Barton)

Tragedy struck in September 1973 when a discarded cigarette sparked a fire which destroyed the Candy Kitchen. Not having enough insurance to cover the damage, the owners had to close the shop.  

But the beloved Webster Candy Kitchen lives on at the Webster Museum, where many of the salvaged items from the shop are on display. The recreated soda fountain, complete with soda and topping dispensers and ice cream dipping cabinet harken to a time when kids would gather after school. Candy molds, a taffy pulling hook and ribbon candy maker remind us of when just a few pennies would buy a bag filled with sweets, a treasure beyond compare for any child. You can see them all – and read about them all – at the Webster Museum. 

Stay tuned for our next stop along Main Street in the next few months, when we remember another beloved and long-standing village business. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Webster Museum on the website, webstermuseum.org. Or stop by for a personal tour. 

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the village, and is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. There’s no admission charge.  

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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 3/2/2025)

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Webster community mailbag, etc.

2 Jan

On my walk Thursday morning, I strolled through the village to see if any good blog ideas might jump out at me. It seems that everything is still slowly waking up again after the holiday season, so there’s not a whole lot to write about these days.

I did notice that the new Sweet Square Bakery on the corner of West Main and North Ave. now has butcher block paper in the windows, so something must be going on in there. (I sent them an email to see if I could get an update.) I peeked inside Caraglio’s Pizza on East Main, which has been “coming soon” for three months now, but it looks like they’re still a long way from opening.

There also seems to be some activity in the old Jeff’s Computer shop, so I’ll continue to keep an eye on that.

I also stopped in to chat with Mark Petzing at the Mary Wee Pub to see how things are going there, and he reports that business is strong. If you haven’t checked out the new pub yet (which replaced Barry’s Old School Irish at 2 West Main), make that one of your New Year’s resolutions. It’s a great place.

So, since there’s no real news to tell you about, here are a few mailbag reminders of events coming up in the next few weeks.

Great family events at the Webster Public Library

The Webster Public Library will host a Preschool Open House on Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. Representatives from preschools and nursery schools in the Webster area will be available to chat with parents and provide information about their programs. Registration is not required.

These schools will be there: Little Learners Preschool in Webster, NY, Penfield United Methodist Preschool, Positive Preschool, Webster KinderCare, Webster Central School District’s PreK, Busy Blossoms Daycare, Webster Montessori School, and Woodside Nursery School. 

On Sunday Jan. 19, the library will be hosting a brand new event called the Library Fan Fest, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Participants can visit five different literary realms: The Dragon’s Den (fantasy), The Queen’s Ball (Regency era), The Fairytale Forest (princesses & fairytales), Mythology Camp, and the Comics Cafe (comics & superheroes). Each realm will offer themed crafts, activities, treats, and more. Visit with live animals, have a tarot card reading, learn a Regency-inspired dance, get your face painted, visit the Candy Shoppe, meet characters from your favorite fairy tales and comics, and more. Costumes are highly encouraged.

This event is for literary lovers of all ages. There’s no charge, but you must register. Click here to do so.  

Families of Young Children Asked to Take Census

Parents/guardians residing within the Webster Central School District (CSD), and who have children ages birth to 5 years residing in the household, are being asked to take a brief young child census survey that will be used to forecast student enrollment for the foreseeable future.

Completing the census is a young families’ first connection with the school district. It enables Webster CSD to keep in contact with families as their children approach school age. When families share their email address with Webster CSD through the census, it enables the district to notify those families when their children are eligible for prekindergarten and kindergarten registration.

The form will be available on the Webster CSD website through January 6, 2025. Families who do not have access to a computer can participate by calling Student Registration at (585) 216-0029.

January Women’s Club program set

The Women’s Club of Webster will welcome local author Robin L. Flanigan as the speaker for its January meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Flanigan has written several books, including 100 Things To Do In Rochester Before You Die, an excellent guidebook for the Rochester region. The meeting will be held at Proietti’s Restaurant, 980 Ridge Rd. Social time begins at 11:15 a.m., followed by the meeting at noon, lunch, and Ms. Flanigan’s presentation.

Lunch costs $19 and will include a variety of Proietti’s pizzas, salad, a cannoli and camaraderie. New members WELCOME! Send check made out to WCW by January 9 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, 14519. If you have questions or think that your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

“Spring” musical season is upon us

The middle and high school musical season has crept up on us already. It begins on January 31 and Feb. 1 when the Willink Drama Club presents the classic hit Annie, Jr.

Based on the popular Tony-winning musical, the youth edition is a perfectly-sized adaptation for adults and kids of all ages. The spunky little orphan will warm the hearts of your entire family.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. I don’t think tickets are on sale yet, so stay tuned for that information.

The following week, Feb. 6 to 8, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., will present the hit Broadway musical, Hadestown. The “teen edition” of the movie is still a full-length production — a haunting, jazzy folk opera which follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice. Hadestown has only very recently been released, and Webster Schroeder is the first in our area to get it.

More to come about show times and tickets.

THIS JUST IN!

I “stopped the presses” for this fun event that just came across my Facebook feed from the Webster Recreation Center:

It’s their Buffalo Bills Hype Party, scheduled for Saturday Jan. 11. The time hasn’t yet been determined because we don’t yet know when the Bills will be playing, but it will run for two hours. (Don’t worry, the party will NOT be during the game!)

The party will feature:

  • FREE ADMISSION with a donation to Webster HOPE
  • Lala of Webster will be on site selling Bills gear
  • Bills Fan, Jeremey Andrzejewski will be emceeing, helping play music and running trivia
  • Buffalo Bills-themed lawn games
  • a mini living room with multiple TVs and old Bills media
  • Buffalo Bills-themed photo area
  • tailgate-type snacks

This is a family friendly, alcohol free event, which is absolutely free and open to the community. Stay tuned to the Webster Recreation Center Facebook page for an update on the event’s time.

GO BILLS!

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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 1/2/2025)

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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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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 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)

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 12/11/2024)

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Wreath Day (and welcome-the-truck day) are right around the corner

6 Dec

National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday Dec. 14, is almost here.

On that day, community members will gather to lay about 2,100 wreaths on veterans’ graves at four cemeteries: Webster Union, Union Hill, Webster Rural and Holy Trinity cemeteries. It’s a solemn ceremony designed to remember these servicemen and women and to thank them for their sacrifices.

credit: G. Peck
credit: G. Peck

I hope that you and your family members are planning to join us (more details about the day are below), but in the meantime here’s an easy and delicious way to support Wreaths Across America:

Right now, at four Village of Webster businesses, you can pick up a coupon which, when presented at Jersey Mike’s Subs next week together with a $3 donation to Wreaths Across America, you’ll get a FREE REGULAR SUB.

What a super way to get an inexpensive, delicious lunch or dinner and benefit a great cause at the same time.

The coupons are available right now at M.O. Pasta (5 E. Main St.), LaLa of Webster (38 E. Main), the Village Quilt Shoppe (21 E. Main) and the North Bee (27 North Ave.). Just stop in and ask for yours, then take it (or several) to the Jersey Mike’s at 975 Ridge Rd. They’re valid from Wednesday Dec. 11 through Friday Dec. 13.

Help to welcome the wreaths truck!

The Wreaths Across America truck is expected to arrive in Webster sometime next week (possibly Wednesday, an 18-wheeler traveling from Maine (where the wreaths are created) to deliver our 2,100 wreaths. The plan is for it to pick up a police escort at the Roseland Fire Station (corner of Salt and Plank roads) and then continue to Webster Union Cemetery. 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.

It would be great if we could cheer the driver along as he comes through town. As I get more specific details, I’ll let you know!

National Wreaths Across America Day details

Wreaths Across America Day in Webster is Saturday, Dec. 14. The day will begin at noon at Webster Union Cemetery (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull) with a short ceremony, after which community members will spread out through Webster Union or head to one of the three other cemeteries to lay the wreaths.

Adults and children of all ages are encouraged to take part in this very moving ceremony. Start a new holiday tradition for your family; it’s a great way to teach your children about how important it is to remember and recognize our nation’s veterans. You can also follow the Wreaths Across America Facebook page to keep up on all the latest news, including updates on the arrival of the Wreaths truck.

To read more about what this moving event looks like, check out this blog I wrote after last year’s Wreaths Across America Day, which includes a whole 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)

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 12/6/2024)

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The Mary Wee Pub is officially open for business

1 Dec

It was about 10:30 a.m. the Friday morning after Thanksgiving at the new Mary Wee Pub — about 30 minutes after it opened — and there were already a half dozen people sitting at the new pub’s long bar, enjoying an early pint or just enjoying friendship.

That’s how excited everyone is about the news that the Mary Wee is finally open at 2 West Main Street in the Village of Webster.

For the last few weeks, owner Mark Petzing (of the Shamrock Jack’s family) has been hosting “soft openings,” which basically meant that if the door was unlocked, you were welcome to wander in. So the word’s been spreading quickly that there’s a great new place in town to get a pint of Guinness.

But those soft openings end on Monday Dec. 2 when Petzing invites the community to the Mary Wee’s official grand opening.

This day has been a long time coming. Petzing has been working since the middle of the summer renovating, updating and beautifying the former Barry’s Old School Irish Pub. The “final touches” seemed to drag on forever over the last few months, as anxious community members peered through the windows every day to see how close it was to completion.

Petzing has put his own twist on the interior design of his new pub, which is obvious the moment you step in the door. Those who knew the old Barry’s would hardly recognize the place.

For starters, the wall separating the bar from the former bakery area has been removed, opening up enough space for a much longer bar, which now wraps from the restrooms to the west wall. The two restrooms have been completely renovated and updated, and now stand side-by-side, one whimsically decorated to look like an Irish telephone box. There’s a digital jukebox, and three TVs streaming sports all the time. And the ceiling has been raised, which together with the new French doors and windows gives the entire pub a much more open, airy feel. Even though Petzing was working with the same square footage, somehow he’s managed to make the new pub feel so much bigger than the old.

Probably the most exciting new feature is the indoor/outdoor seating along the big, north-facing front window. That window’s been replaced with a garage door, which on nice days can be raised to accommodate patrons sitting inside and outside across from each other.

True to its name, Petzing characterizes his pub’s offerings as a “wee bit of everything.” The menu won’t be huge, but substantial, featuring appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and some Irish-inspired entrees. His nine taps include Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp, a few IPAs, Genny and Stella. A selection of bourbons, vodkas, gins and rums complement an expansive choice of Irish whiskeys. There will even be a wee bit of live music.

Petzing is very uncomfortable comparing his new pub to Barry’s Old School Irish, which closed in September of 2023. He knows as well as anyone the special place Barry’s held in the hearts of the local community, and still does. But there was no way he was going to avoid the obvious questions.

“People would say, ‘Is it going to be like Barry’s? Is it going to be like Shamrock Jacks?'” he said. “I say no, maybe a little of both, but it’s going to be the Wee. It’s going to be our place.”

“I loved Barry’s,” he added. “My wife and I always loved Barry’s. But it’s definitely different.”

Given the response he’s already seen, people have embraced the difference.

“The Webster community has been amazing,” Petzing said. “We’ve been welcomed with open arms; everybody’s been fantastic. The coolest thing for me right now is I’m meeting all sorts of people I never met before. … During this past week I’ve had a blast. It’s everything I wanted and more.”

Check out the new Mary Wee Pub for yourself during the grand opening, Monday Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Live music will be provided by Matthew Stephens from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.. Regular hours will continue to be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day (and perhaps later on the weekends).

Here are some photos from the pub:

I’ve posted this story before, but if you’re wondering how the unusual name “Mary Wee” came about, here’s the story, straight from Mark Petzing himself:

My grandmother Mary, I loved her. My grandmother was older and she liked whiskeys and bourbons. They would water down her whiskeys, and put a little around the rim. She’d always smile, the sweet little thing, she’d say “Oh, thank you.” And when my mom and my aunts weren’t looking, she’d say, “Mark, give me a wee bit more.”

So people ask why is it not “Wee Mary’s?” Because I want you to think about it. And it means nothing at all, but it means a ton to me. Come in and have a whiskey and I’ll tell you the story and we’ll laugh.

Make sure to look for the photos of Mary hanging at the end of the bar.

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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 12/1/2024)

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