It’s always heartening to see how dedicated our young people are to helping out our community and those in need.
The latest example of this is coming up Wednesday, Jan. 14, when the Webster Thomas and Webster Schroeder varsity hockey teams come together for their first-ever joint One Webster Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
The theme is “ONE night, ONE cause, ONE check, ONE community,” its goal to bring together student-athletes, families, and the broader community for a shared cause.
Admission to the game is $1, with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. In the days leading up to the game, players will sell luminary bags for $5 each at their schools during free periods and lunch blocks. Students and community members are encouraged to decorate the luminary bags in honor or in memory of loved ones affected by cancer. All decorated bags will be displayed at the rink on the night of the game. Additional luminary bags and Hockey Fights Cancer T-shirts will be available for purchase at the arena during the event.
Community members who are unable to attend the game but wish to support the cause may donate online here.
Webster Thomas held its own Hockey Fights Cancer Night last year, and raised $1,600 for cancer research and support services. Organizers hope that partnering with Webster Schroeder this year will significantly increase that impact and raise $3,000 this year.
The Hockey Fights Cancer Night is Wednesday, Jan. 14 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Webster Ice Arena, 865 Publishers Parkway.
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It’s a fairly short mailbag today; the new year is ramping up slowly, apparently.
GO BILLS!
The Buffalo Bills are in the playoffs, which means it’s time to celebrate at the Webster Recreation Center’s Buffalo Bills Hype Party!
This second-annual family-friendly event returns to the Rec Center on Friday, January 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free with a donation to Webster Hope (see below for a list of desired items).
There is SO MUCH fun planned, including:
souvenir laminated photo trading cards for all attendees from WeTheHobby
Music and trivia from Jeremy Andrzejewski (Mr. Brightside, anyone?)
Food (tailgate style, of course)
Vendors
Buffalo-themed lawn games
a Bracelet-making station
Temporary tattoos
Buffalo Bills stickers
and so much more.
Everything happens from 6 to 8 p.m. this Friday night at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr., off of Phillips.
Meet the new supervisor
Head back to the Rec Center on Saturday, Jan. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to meet and chat with Alex Scialdone, the Town of Webster’s new supervisor. He’ll be holding his “community office hours,” so bring your questions and concerns, or just pop in to congratulate Alex on his win.
Library program features famous female cyclist
Cyclists and history lovers alike will be very interested in this special program coming up at the Webster Public Library on Thursday Jan. 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
It’s a presentation by local bike enthusiast Karen Lankeshofer about Elsa von Blumen, a famous Rochestarian and female bicyclist in the 1880s.
Von Blumen was a Rochesterian who, in the 1880s, raced high-wheeled bikes against horses, skaters, male cyclists, and eventually a growing number of women cyclists. Her first professional bike race was against a horse in Rochester’s Driving Park. From Rochester, she went on to race throughout the entire Eastern United States for a decade. Succeeding at the male-dominated sport at the time, von Blumen helped pave the way for other women to find the courage to break social taboos.
Connect and network with the Webster Chamber of Commerce
The Webster Chamber of Commerce has three events coming up, great opportunities for local business owners to connect with others and help bring exposure to their businesses.
The first is a New Year Open House on Friday Jan. 9. This will be a breakfast buffet, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Chamber office, 1110 Crosspointe Lane, Suite C. This is a great opportunity for Chamber members, guests and visitors who are interested in investigating Chamber membership. Bring a door prizes for visibility and your business card so you can take your chance on one of the amazing door prizes! Registration is required.
The next is the Chamber’s monthly “Connect at Noon” networking event, this month scheduled for Wednesday Jan. 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd. These events are hosted by different Chamber members to acquaint others with the member’s place of business. Members and those investigating membership are welcome to attend. There’s no fee but registration is required.
Finally, the Webster Chamber’s regular Monthly Meeting (featuring a hot breakfast buffet) will be held Friday Jan. 30 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. Members, guests and visitors interested in pursuing Chamber membership are welcome to attend. These meetings are a chance to network, meet new contacts, develop current business relationships, learn, and earn visibility for your business or organization. Bring a door prize and your business card for your chance at winning. Reservations are required by Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Reminder about the Souper Bowl
A quick reminder about the Webster Comfort Care Home’s“Souper Bowl,” going on through Feb. 2. For just $15, you can order a quart of delicious soup, prepared by one of 11 different local restaurants and shops. (Check the website for choices.)
For another $5, you can even add four dinner rolls from Proietti’s to your order. And for just $5 more, you can add two oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies. So basically, you can get an entire delicious meal for just $25, while supporting the Comfort Care Home at the same time. PLUS, order five or more quarts and you’ll be entered to win a one-hour massage at Wellness 360.
Souper Bowl 2026 is pre-order–only, from Dec. 29 through Feb. 2. Orders must be received by Feb. 2 at 9 a.m. and can be picked up on Saturday, February 7, from 10 a.m. to noon at Webster Presbyterian Church, 550 Webster Rd. Click here for more information and to order.
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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).
A local dance school has found a heartwarming way to share the joy of dance with children in need.
The dance families at Spins Dance Studio recently packaged up and shipped out 143 dance costumes, leotards, skirts and accessories to Tutus for Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization based in Northern New Jersey.
Tutus for Tomorrow collects new and gently-used dancewear and donates it to kids who need it. It was established by high school students Dusty and Naia Narula in late 2024, who work with nonprofit studios, studios in low-income areas, and individual dancers. Through their donations, they help make dance more welcoming and accessible for all.
The Spins Dance Studio effort was organized by Linda Meyers, whose daughter Julia dances with the school. Linda wrote,
I was clearing out Julia’s dress-up closet and was trying to find a way to recycle her dance costumes, most of which had only been worn once. I didn’t have any luck finding a local organization, and a couple of the organizations I emailed didn’t reply, but Tutus for Tomorrow did!
She approached dance studio owner Shannon Carey-Wollshleger with the idea, and Shannon embraced it enthusiastically, Linda said. So in December, Linda posted a flyer and set up a collection bin at the studio.
The donations started rolling in almost immediately. By the end of the month, they’d collected more than 140 pieces of dancewear, so many that they covered Linda’s entire family room floor when they were all spread out. With help from Julia and her best friend Lilliana, and Linda’s mom Nancy, they sorted all of the donations and packed them all up into four large boxes, which shipped out last Friday.
The collected dance wear items filled a roomLinda Meyers with her daughter Julia
Tutus for Tomorrow founder Naia Narula was thrilled when Linda wrote to her to tell her the boxes were on their way.
Naia wrote,
Wow — thank you so, so much. I am genuinely blown away by your generosity. Four boxes and around 150 items is incredible, and I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the time, care, and thought you put into collecting and sending everything. Please know that these donations will absolutely find good homes. Even as Tutus For Tomorrow continues to grow and evolve, the heart of the work has always been making sure dancewear gets into the hands of dancers and programs who truly need it, and these items will make a real difference for so many students.
Kudos to the entire Spins Dance Studio family for making a difference in the lives of young dancers.
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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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Now here’s a fun evening for anyone who loves to dance — or would like to learn.
The Webster Schroeder High School jazz bands will be hosting an evening of swing dancing on Monday, Jan. 12 in the Schroeder cafeteria.
Live jazz music will be provided by talented Schroeder jazz musicians, and the dance floor will be open for all to join in the fun. And do NOT worry if you don’t know how to swing dance. Alla Levi and Marty Steinhauser will be presenting a pre-dance introductory swing dance lesson from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.
There’s no admission cost, but it is a fundraiser to help raise money to help bring a visiting artist to the school. So appetizers, desserts and refreshments will be available for purchase (cash only please) and additional donations will be gratefully accepted.
So put on your dancing shoes and join your friends and neighbors to learn — and dance — some swing dance moves! Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Rd.
Here are a few photos from last year’s event:
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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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I got an email from the Village Quilt Shoppe recently, which was just packed full of news about what this little shop accomplished in 2025, and a sneak peek at things to come.
But what really caught my attention was the news about how successful their One Common Thread initiative was in 2025.
One Common Thread’s mission is to empower women in Central America — specifically Honduras — by giving them the opportunity to work and earn an income. The income allows the women to provide essentials such as food, diapers, formula, stoves, beds, tin roofs, cement floors, tuition for their children’s education, and much more. (My blog here tells you more about the organization.)
In their email, Village Quilt Shoppe owners Monique Liberti and Vanetta Parshall reported they were able to send 20 boxes — each holding three or four sewing kits — along with dozens of spools of thread and needles to women in Honduras.
They added,
Our charity work will continue in 2026, and if you’re free on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, we would love your help assembling kits. Whether you can stay all day or just for an hour or two, many hands truly do make light work.
Looking ahead to 2026, Vanetta and Monique have plans for several clubs, lots of exciting classes, “Sewcial” days, retreats and new fabric coming in every month. Basically, the shop is kind of like a quilter’s playground. Click here to see their full calendar. Or better yet, stop by the shop and check it out for yourself.
The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 23 East Main St. in the Village of Webster, at the corner of Lapham Park. (They’re closed for the holidays until Jan. 6.)
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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).
If there’s one positive about the unusually cold and wintry weather we’ve been having this year, it’s that the Webster Recreation Center has been able to get their beautiful outdoor ice rink prepped and ready for skating.
The rink, located at the Webster Recreation Center at 1350 Chiyoda Dr. (just north of the village off of Phillips Rd.), is big — 52 ft. by 104 ft. — offering plenty of room for skaters of all abilities. Plus, it’s totally FREE for anyone to use. You don’t even have to be a member of the Rec Center. There’s even a warming shed where you can sit to put on your skates. You’ll want to bring your own skates, though, because rentals are not available.
The rink can be used at any time of day, and it’s even lit at night. And did I mention it’s FREE?
If you’re ever wondering if the rink is open, there are a few easy ways to find out. You can visit the Webster Recreation Center’s Facebook page, where the rink’s status will be posted, or (even easier) you can call the ice rink hotline at 585-872-7103 (option 3). There’s always a sign posted on the rink as well saying whether it’s open or closed.If it’s closed, please stay off the ice, because if the ice is too thin, the liner could get damaged.
Have fun and share the ice with everyone who’s there!!
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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).
The 2025 Webster Museum Festival of Trees has concluded, and after counting and re-counting, the winners have been announced.
This year’s contest included 20 mini-trees, beautifully decorated by these organizations and individuals:
American Legion
Gwen Hoffman
Jack Foundation
La La’s
Spry Lego League
The Webster Citizen’s Action Group
The Webster Republican Committee
Webster Arboretum
Webster Comfort Care
Webster Community Chest
Webster Country Gardeners
Webster Democratic Committee
Webster Firemen Ladies’ Auxiliary
Webster Grange
Webster Museum Volunteers
Webster Quilt Guild
Well Field Preservation
Women’s Club of Webster
Wreaths Across America
More than 630 votes were tallied in person and online, and I can tell you from personal experience, it was not an easy choice.
Taking first place this year, with 84 votes, was the tree decorated by the Webster Comfort Care Home. (This is the third year in a row that Webster Comfort Care has taken the top spot. We’re talking a dynasty here.) Coming in a close second with 78 votes was the Go Bills! tree designed by Webster Museum volunteer Gwen Hoffman. I didn’t vote for this one, but I thought it might be a fan favorite.
In third and fourth places were the Webster Quilt Guild with 61 votes and the Webster Community Chest with 58.
GO Bills!Webster Quilt GuildWebster Community Chest
The Webster Museum hosts the very popular Festival of Trees every year. Voting typically opens in early December on the day of the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland and runs through the end of the year. It offers a great chance for local organizations to have a little fun with tree decorating, while drawing some attention to their cause. And having 20 beautifully lit and decorated trees sprinkled throughout the museum makes the museum really sparkle during the holidays.
Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated.
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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).
September and the next school year are still far away, but parents with preschoolers should start thinking about signing up for a preschool sooner rather than later, because many fill up rapidly.
The process can be overwhelming, trying to decide among the many options, comparing prices, staffing and facilities. The Webster Public Library wants to help make that process a lot less frustrating, with their annual Webster Area Preschool Fair.
It’s scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library, 980 Ridge Rd. Representatives from more than a dozen preschools will be available to chat and provide information about their programs. The participating preschools are located in Webster or a surrounding township and/or have a number of Webster students already attending their school.
No registration is required. Just stop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Plus, if you’re bringing your little one(s) with you, come a bit early to enjoy storytime at 10:30 a.m., then stay and make a craft anytime between 11 a.m and 4 p.m.
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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).
As I like to do at the end of every year, a few days ago I took a stroll back through all of the blogs I wrote in 2025. It’s always a fun exercise, as I review all of the events, business openings and closings, people and places that I found to share with you all. They reflect the extraordinary diversity of people, places and events we have here in Webster, and how close-knit this town is.
In the last 12 months, counting today, I posted 334 blogs. That works out to about 28 blogs every month. And thanks to the wonders of the Internet, I managed to keep up that pace even though I was in Prague for six weeks. It’s also interesting (at least to me) to note that the blogs were viewed more than 238,000 times. Fourteen of the top twenty blogs were about new businesses, the most popular one being an update on The Coach renovations — which was my best-read blog of the year.
As in previous years, my photo galleries following events like the Trick or Treat Trail and Fireman’s Parade were also big draws, and my History Bits — highlighting local history — are also still very popular.
If you’ve got a few minutes and would find it interesting, I’ve pulled out my favorite blogs from each month. My posts have run the gamut from special events to special people, new businesses to new trails. But you’ll notice that many of my favorite blogs are the ones where I share personal stories and everyday moments, the kinds of things that may not seem very exciting, but are what make our lives interesting and meaningful.
If something really strikes your fancy and you want to read any of them again, click through the hyperlink.
My two favorite blogs in January were about local history: the Irondequoit Bay Bridge and the first of my six-stop History Bit Webster Museum tour. The bridge blog was a follow-up on two blogs I’d posted the previous March when the Bay Bridge celebrated a birthday. Like those, this one about how the bridge had won an award also garnered several “likes.”
In February I caught up with a village neighbor of mine who will often hitch up her dogs to a dogsled and run them through village neighborhoods. This was a good example of a great community story which I was alerted to by one of my readers. Usually the best blog ideas come from my readers.
Jack’s Happy Hour celebrated its five-year anniversary in March. I first wrote about this nightly gathering of Brooksboro Dr. neighbors in 2022, when they were celebrating the occasion of having come together for a beverage every night for 1000 days straight. Last March they marked five straight years of gatherings. Every. Single. Night. For five years.That was definitely worth a blog.
In April, I posted what would become one of my most popular History Bits, about Willow Point Park. So many people fondly remember the old amusement park and shared a lot of memories. That month I also highlighted Webster Schroeder graduate Adam Marino, who was playing Frankie Valli in OFC Creations’ production of Jersey Boys.
My two favorite blogs in May were both personal reflections. I wrote about my recent trip to Prague, and how I successfully completed my first (and only)half marathon upon my return. Both were extremely memorable experiences. One of them I would like to do again. I’ll leave it to you to guess which one.
In June, my favorite blog was probably the shortest, when School Resource Officer David Herrle joined me in a dramatic reading of Mo Willems’ We Are in a Book, starring Elephant and Piggie. I was substituting at State Rd. Elementary when he happened to pop into the library and I corralled him. I love showing that police officers are fun-loving people, too.
I highlighted the WEBSTER bushesin July, the ones that welcome visitors to town on Rt. 104. They have some interesting history. I also enjoyed highlighting an unusual benefit to living in the Village of Webster when I wrote about how the Webster Marching Band practices at Spry Middle School during the summer and provides my own personal band concert.
In August, I followed up another blog idea submitted by a reader when I attended a Front Porch Pickin’ social event on Millcreek Run. I wrote a History Bit about the Forest Lawn Train accident, and shared some thoughts about some trail riding my husband and I did in Penn Yan and Waterloo, where we saw some beautiful scenery and explored some Civil War history.
I was honored to be invited to Jack’s Happy Hour again in September when the Brooksboro gang celebrated their 2,000-night anniversary. (They SAID it would be their last time, but I don’t think it was….) The whimsical Holt Rd. skeletons were back in action for Halloween, and I had to share this year’s cleverness with everyone. Also in September, I introduced everyone to young Pierson Farina and his “Returns for a Reason” initiative in which he collects returnables and donated the funds to local nonprofits.
In October I featured Judah Sealy — who doesn’t live in Webster but plays every year at the Webster Jazz Festival — who landed the role of Clarence Clemons in the new Bruce Springsteen movie. I also wrote another more personal piece about my running buddies and two races we did together that month.
In November, I caught up with Fritz Sierk, owner of The Coach, for an update on his repairs and renovations. It proved to be my best-read blog of the year. I also gave everyone a behind-the-scenes look at one of my favorite local organizations, the Friends of Webster Trails, when I tagged along to watch the installation of a trail counter. And I visited those crazy Holt Rd. skeletons again, who for the holiday season had been transformed into the Rockettes.
Finally, in December I posted my annual gallery of photos from the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights festivities. People love these galleries and it makes me feel good that I’m able to share events like this with people who can’t attend, especially those who now live out of state. And just a few weeks ago I wrote what might be my favorite blog of the entire year, about when a representative from Toter/Wastequip came to town and presented Pierson Farina with his very own “Returns For a Reason” toter, making his biggest Christmas wish come true.
Whew. If you’re still with me, thank you for reading this far. I hope you found it interesting to revisit some of this year’s blogs. And remember that if you ever think of something or see something that might make for an interesting blog, PLEASE drop me an email. As I said, the best blog ideas come from my readers.
Thanks again for reading, and all of your likes, comments and messages. Please have a safe and happy new year.
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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).
It seems to me that this winter has already been a whole lot snowier, a lot earlier, than the last few years. Which means it’s the perfect time to get out and do some hiking on our Webster trails, ’cause as pretty as they are in the spring and fall, they’re exceptionally beautiful in the snow.
The Friends of Webster Trails has some great thoughts about doing just that. For starters, they’ve introduced their first-ever First Day Hike at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve (403 Whiting Rd.). The family-friendly guided hike will be about an hour over easy or moderate terrain. Dress in layers and have traction devices for your feet if necessary. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.
Please register online for this event so they have an idea of how many to expect.
The Friends’ “Loop of the Month” for January is the Hojack Trail. For winter hiking, a flat trail is a good choice, and the newly refinished Hojack Trail is an excellent option. You can create a walk of up to five miles by including the Michael A. Johnson Trail and the John Ungar Trail. And remember—if you get tired, you can always turn around when you reach your limit.
For you really dedicated hikers, how about signing up for the WNY Winter Hiking Challenge? This year’s challenge runs through March 20 and features 32 trails. Hikers need to earn 50 points to receive a cool finisher patch, a sticker and bragging rights. Many of the featured trails are in the Rochester area, and Four Mile Creek Preserve in Webster is among them. Click here to check out their website and register.
If you’re doing a lot of hiking this winter, consider picking up a Wegmans Passport to start logging your hikes and discovering new places to hike. Passports are available at Webster Wegmans stores and through Webster Parks and Recreation. Or you can download one here.
And, the Friends remind us, don’t forget to bundle up! Winter hiking can be more challenging, so a little extra preparation goes a long way. Be sure you’re familiar with the trail, check the forecast before heading out, and allow extra time, as hikes often take longer than they do in warmer weather. Dress in layers and wear sturdy footwear with good traction.
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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).
I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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