Tag Archives: Missy Rosenberry

Webster community mailbag

18 May

I’m told that the Village Wine and Food Walk, hosted by the Webster Village Business Improvement District (BID) on Saturday May 10, was a big success. Thanks in part to some perfect weather (sunny skies and in the mid-70’s), all 300 tickets were sold out and participants started arriving at BC’s Chicken Coop a full 20 minutes before the 4 p.m. start time to check in and get their wine glasses and wrist bands.  

Twelve village merchants participated in the walk, along East and West Main and even to Salvatore’s on North Ave., where the BID had a DJ providing dance music.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Harmony House and their restoration project.

Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election

The Webster Central School District Annual Budget Vote and Election of Board of Education Candidates takes place Tuesday, May 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gym, 875 Ridge Road, Webster. 

Qualified voters of the district who will be unable to attend the polls on the day of the vote may wish to use an absentee ballot. Voters must apply for the ballot in advance. Applications are available at websterschools.org or from District Clerk Heather Murphy, 119 South Avenue, Webster, (585) 216-0001. 

Absentee ballot applications cannot be mailed into the district at this late date, but can be dropped off to the district clerk the day before the vote.  

Webster CSD’s Business Department web page contains information on the proposed 2025-26 budget and the three candidates running for the three board of education seats up for election.

Grab dinner after you vote!

The Webster Marching Band will host a BBQ Dinner Fundraiser at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., on Tuesday May 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. (during the school budget vote).

Dinner includes BBQ pulled pork, salt potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread and a drink for just $19 (plus processing fees). Meals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.

Interested in learning how to clean and preserve headstones?

Webster Union Cemetery will be hosting a Headstone Cleaning Class on Saturday June 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm.

Participants will learn how to properly clean a headstone, and hear stories about some of our town’s founders and more colorful  residents. All supplies will be provided. Just bring rubber gloves, and wear something you don’t mind getting wet.

Class size is limited. If you’re interested, email Cherie Wood at WebsterWreaths@iCloud.com.

Webster Union Cemetery is located at 345 Webster Rd.

Village Parks Committee wants your opinion

The Village of Webster Parks and Recreation Committee is looking for community input on potential upgrades to Schantz Park. The park is located between Hawley Drive and State Road, and has a basketball court, tennis courts, baseball fields and playground equipment.

Residents are invited to share your thoughts on a brief form, and let the committee know what amenities you would like added to the park. And while you’re there, take a few minutes to fill out the other quick survey you’ll find there, sharing your opinions about all of our village’s other parks as well.

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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 5/18/2025)

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Enjoy fashions and food, support local charities

17 May

There’s still time to register to attend this year’s Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show on Sunday June 1, sponsored by the Women’s Club of Webster.

In addition to the beautiful fashions on display, courtesy Chico’s at Pittsford Plaza, participants will enjoy a delicious luncheon, with choices of a crisp apple salad with chicken, chicken French with lemon sauce, or Reuben sandwich. All choices include a beverage, rolls and butter. There will also be basket raffles and a 50/50 raffle, all to benefit local charities.

The donation is $37.00 per person. Please mail your choice of entree, names of people you wish to sit with, and check payable to the Women’s Club of Webster to Bonnie Travis, 1065 High Vista Trail, Webster, NY 14580. Reservations are due by May 21.

The luncheon and fashion show will be held on Sunday, June 1 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd., beginning at 11:30 a.m. Questions can be directed to Bonnie at (585) 671- 2345. All proceeds will be donated to the many local charities supported by the Women’s Club of 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 5/17/2025)

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Village businesses coming and going

16 May

Sheesh. You go away for a month and so much business news happens, I’m having a hard time staying on top of it.

I’ve recently found out about several businesses planning to set up shop in the village, and at least one which has moved out. I want to eventually connect with all of these business owners to get photos and more details about their plans, but in the meantime, here’s a quick rundown of what I know:

Kiss me cookie is moving into the former Mane Street Beauty Lounge location at 15 East Main St. This little bakery calls itself “a boutique bakery in Webster NY specializing in gourmet cookies, cupcakes and unique creations!” You can find them on Facebook here and on their website here.

Uncle Buck’s Scratch Kitchen has moved from their small space at 9 South Ave. to a much more spacious location at 2122 Empire Blvd. (the former India House restaurant). Hopefully this means their business is expanding and they needed more room.

But 9 South Ave. will not be vacant for long. ROC City Empanadas is planning to move in sometime soon, and hopes to hold a grand opening in June.

Mabel Jane’s Vintage Consignment & Furniture is now open at 10 North Ave., featuring “quality pre-loved furniture, antiques and collectibles.”

Finally (and this is not Webster Village — or even Webster — news) Elvio’s is now open at 1350 Empire Blvd. on Irondequoit Bay, across from K2 and Bar Bill. It’s a coffee shop and live music venue with a Portuguese-inspired menu.

As I said, I’m going to try to connect with all of these businesses in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for more information.

AND as long as we’re talking about great Webster Village business news, I recently saw that Brimont Bistro is back in business at 24 W. Main St.

In April, a severe water leak from a neighboring building filled Brimont’s basement with two feet of water, destroying everything in it. But a few days ago, owner Greg Cody posted on Facebook, “Brimont Bistro is finally back open after over five weeks being shut down after a water breach from neighbors building. We have made some menu changes and changes to our lunch service. Please visit our website for more details. It’s nice to be back to work!!!”

And finally in Webster business news, the Webster Chamber of Commerce has announced that Bauman’s Farm Market and Greenhouses has been honored as their May Business of the Month.  

The Bauman family has a long Webster history, which began in 1908 when Joe and Emma Bauman bought the property at an auction. Subsequently, the property has been a farm to dairy cattle and then to fruits and vegetables. Jim and Barb Bauman have been operating the farm since 1984 and have added a bakery, twenty greenhouses, and more.

(Pictured below: Webster Chamber Board Chair Tim Shortsleeve (L) presented the May Business of the Month award to the Bauman family.)

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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 5/16/2025)

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Chorus of the Genesee, Rochester Rhapsody unite for one beautiful concert

15 May

Get your tickets now for what promises to be an incredible afternoon of music and merriment.

Two of Rochester’s premier a cappella choruses (which both hail from little ol’ Webster), the Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody, will join forces (and voices) on Saturday, May 31 for “Harmony in the House.”

This annual musical treat features both of these outstanding choruses and several a cappella groups performing everything from classic hits to contemporary favorites. Plus, there’ll be door prizes, raffles, a bar, snacks and plenty of free parking.

The show will be held at Our Lady of Mercy High School, 1437 Blossom Rd., Brighton, and begins at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 online in advance and $25 at the door. Click here to get your tickets, or call 585-748-4592.

“Harmony in the House” is a fundraiser for the Harmony House, a beautiful historic building constructed in 1899, which both groups call home.

For more information about how you can help, email RochesterCOG@gmail.com for details.

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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 5/15/2025)

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I’m baaaack!!

14 May

You probably didn’t even miss me.

For the last month, (until two days ago) I’ve actually been blogging from across the pond — in Prague, Czechia to be specific. My husband Jack had secured a 6-week Fulbright Specialist consultant position in that beautiful city, which he started on April 1. Ten days after he got there, I joined him, and had four wonderful weeks to explore and discover, and become part of the community of Prague, before returning to Webster very early Tuesday morning.

I knew there was no way I could take a vacation from blogging for that long. So, before I left town I worked hard on writing a handful of blogs in advance, and scheduled them to post automatically. It was business as usual the rest of the time, connecting with the community through emails and texts to find blog topics. In short, I posted something every day I was there. There were a few night owls who might have wondered why I was cross-posting them to Facebook at, like, 1 a.m. (7 a.m. Prague time), but otherwise I hope no one noticed any difference.

This was actually our second trip to Prague. Back in October, when we were pretty sure that Jack would be awarded the Fulbright grant, we decided to visit the city for a few weeks to get to know it. When we got there, we were tourists. By the time we left, we felt like part of the community. We had learned so much about the city, the tram system, the best beer gardens, and even got comfortable using some of the language.

Thanks to that experience, when we got to Prague this time, we already felt like we were part of the community. Plus, the fact that we were familiar with the basics — the money, the public transportation, the grocery stores and most popular tourist attractions — meant we were free to explore even more deeply and discover things we hadn’t done in October.

Jack’s Fulbright work left us plenty of time to do that exploring. We took day trips to the Pilsner Urquell brewery and a cute little town called Český Krumlov. I went on a river cruise and did a Haunted Old Town guided tour. We went to a monastery beer festival on Jack’s birthday, and had a traditional Czech dinner at a restaurant for mine. We enjoyed the Easter markets, went to a Witches’ Night festival, cheered on some marathon runners, saw a light show projected on a building, saw peeing statues and a huge rotating Kafka head. We drank a lot of really good (and inexpensive) beer. We had the luxury of time to really discover many more things than we had seen in October. I was even able to keep up with my half marathon training, running miles in a nearby park. (Not easily; Prague is exceptionally hilly.)

Plus, we had visitors, so we were able to play tour guide and introduce them to some of our favorite places in the city. But our guests had also done their own research and guided us to places and things we hadn’t seen and done before. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Even five years ago, there was no way we could have imagined that we’d spend more than a month living in a city in which we didn’t know the language, in a country I’d have had a hard time finding on a map. Now, though, I would definitely say that Prague is one of my favorite places to visit.

By the way, I did keep a travel blog for friends and family. It’s called “Czeching out Prague.” It goes into much more detail about what I did on our adventure and has a lot more photos. If you’ve made it this far, you might be interested in reading that. You can see it here.

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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 5/14/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

12 May

The Webster Recreation Center will be holding a Family Fun Night on Friday, May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.

The evening’s festivities will include lawn games, dancing, food, and lots more. Police, fire department and Town of Webster highway trucks will be present, as well as community group booths, tattoo artists, food trucks and a concession stand. There’ll even be an “Instrument Zoo.”

There’s no cost to attend and registration is not necessary. Just come on by and bring the family!

*****

Color Webster Green has scheduled two very interesting programs in the next few weeks.

The first is an outdoor workshop called Magnificent Monarchs, on Saturday, May 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Charles Sexton Park. Color Webster Green member Geri McMahon will be presenting this family-friendly event. Everyone who attends will go home with fun stickers, and some milkweed seeds to plant in their yards.

There’s no charge, and registration is optional, but it might be nice to let the Color Webster Green folks know how many are planning to attend.  

The second is a Refuse District Discussion on Thursday, May 29 from 7 to 8 p.m.

This is an online discussion to start a conversation about refuse districts. Since this is an initiative that needs a lot of buy-in from the community, Color Webster Green is trying to see if folks are interested in pushing for this. It’s already been implemented in Brighton and Pittsford.

The discussion will start with a short presentation on what refuse districts are and how it came about in Brighton. The meeting will be online via MS Teams at this link. 

*****

The Webster Museum has some new items in their store, which you’ll want to check out next time you’re there. They’re scenic photo cards picturing several beautiful features of the Webster area, including the Harmony House, the pier, historic homes, and others.

The cost is three cards for $5.40, or $2.15 each, tax included. Cash or check, please.

The Webster Museum is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. They’re located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.

*****

The next Breakfast Before Business Meeting of the Webster Chamber of Commerce will be Friday, May 30 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast for Chamber members, guests, and visitors who are interested in investigating Chamber membership. 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, your opportunity to briefly introduce yourself. This is the largest monthly Chamber networking event in the Greater Rochester area, with 70 to 90 attendees. Reservations are required. Click here.  

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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 5/12/2025)

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Webster Schroeder Musicals’ Hadestown a big winner at Stars of Tomorrow

11 May

Did you see the very exciting announcement on Facebook?

At the recent Stars of Tomorrow Recognition Ceremony, held Friday May 9 at the Auditorium Theatre, Webster Schroeder Musicals earned no fewer than nine awards for their production of Hadestown (Teen Edition), which they presented in February. (Click here to read the blog I wrote back then about this incredible show.)

Specifically, Hadestown received recognition for “Excellence” for the:

  • Dance Ensemble
  • Acting Ensemble
  • Vocal Ensemble
  • Production Crew
  • Production Design, and
  • Overall Production

And these students were recognized for “Achievement in a Leading Role”:

  • Maura Ugine as Persephone
  • Ava Brown as Eurydice
  • Rory Goodwin as Hades
  • Alex Mansuy as Hermes
  • Rowan Murphy as Orpheus

Plus Webster Schroeder’s Hadestown was named a Top 10 Large School Production.

Plus plus, Ava Brown (who played Eurydice) was one of a select number of students chosen to represent Rochester — and Webster Schroeder — in the Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound program at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in June. That is a huge honor.

Congratulations to the cast, crew, pit musicians and creative team for making Webster proud yet again.

Stars of Tomorrow is a program dedicated to “supporting the process of growth and learning, encouraging commitment, discipline and teamwork, and acknowledging excellence.” High schools in Monroe and surrounding counties with fall or spring musical productions are invited to participate in the program. A team of trained and qualified adjudicators evaluates productions, providing students and directors with written feedback and rubric scores in a variety of production areas.

At the recognition ceremony, participating schools have the opportunity to perform a selection from their musical on stage at the Auditorium Theatre. 

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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 5/11/2025)

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May History Bit: Meet the Webster Museum (Part 3)

10 May

The next stop in our History Bits Tour of the Webster Museum’s permanent exhibits is the office of W. Roy “Bob” Hawley. 

W.R. Hawley was born in 1881 to George Nelson Hawley and Mae Hawley, who owned a prosperous general store. He could have chosen to take that over when he grew up, but instead, in 1910 he opened Hawley’s Hardware Store at 17 West Main St., and later moved it to the corner of Lapham Park. When it closed more than 50 years later in 1965, it was the oldest retail business in the village or town of Webster.

In addition to running his store, W.R. was also actively involved in the Village of Webster’s political and social scenes. In 1931 he was elected village mayor, a position he would hold for the next 34 years.

Among the original items you’ll see when you visit Mayor Hawley’s office at the museum are the roll-top desk which sat in his office at the back of the store, and the store’s ornate cash register.

Adjacent to Mayor Hawley’s office is the museum’s tribute to the many apothecaries and their pharmacists who have served our town. 

Next to a recreated drugstore, complete with an apothecary cabinet, apothecary bottles and mortar and pestle, are biographies highlighting some of Webster’s best-known pharmacists. They include George Mason, who in 1884 built the block at 5 East Main St. and opened a combination drug and grocery store on the first floor; and Milton Case, who owned the Webster Drug Store in the 1930s and served as village mayor for several years. You can also read about Walter Weiner, who bought the Webster Drug Store from Milton Case, and Frank Lucas, who ran the Lucas Rexall Drug Store for 43 years. 

Stay tuned for the next stop on our museum tour of Webster in July when we take a closer look at our town’s dairy industry. 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 5/10/2025)

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Marty Parzynski, of Bella’s Bumbas, honored with Heart of Service Award

9 May

Anyone who has been reading my blog for a while knows all about Bella’s Bumbas. You’ve read how Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, the driving force behind this Webster-based grass-roots organization, have dedicated their lives to providing the gift of mobility to children all over the world who have disabilities, by building miniature wheelchairs.

For years now, Marty and Rebecca have operated mostly under the radar. But recently, Marty got some very well deserved recognition when it was announced that he was one of the five recipients of the 2025 ESL Heart of Service Award.

The annual award is sponsored by the ESL Federal Credit Union and News 10 NBC, its purpose to “seek out and recognize outstanding volunteers in our community … Men, women, and children who give their time and efforts to help make our community better.”

The award’s website gives a short explanation of why Marty was recognized, saying,

When Martin’s great niece was born with spina bifida, he and his wife, Rebecca were inspired to find a way to help her become more independently mobile and set out to design a wheelchair just her size. From there, Martin began designing additional designs for wheelchairs that help children with over 70 mobility challenging disabilities and enlisting a team of volunteers to construct them, sending them to kids across the globe, free of charge (recipients only pay for shipping).

Today, there are over 3000 Bella’s Bumbas helping to provide mobility for children in over 68 countries.

Congratulations to Marty for this well deserved recognition!

Thank you, also, by the way to everyone who attended the spaghetti dinner fundraiser held last Friday at the Webster Masonic Lodge. Rebecca reports that through donations, raffles and food sales, Bella’s Bumbas was able to raise more than $3,800 to help with construction costs for the new barn they’re building for much-needed space. The amount raised broke the record for Masonic Lodge spaghetti dinners.

Stay tuned for announcements of future fundraisers, and how you can help Marty and Rebecca and Bella’s Bumbas continue their amazing work.

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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 5/9/2025)

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SparX Robotics team had strong showing in Albany

8 May

SparX Robotics Team 1126, made up of students from both Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas high schools, recently competed in the Tech Valley FIRST Robotics Competition in Albany. The event was held March 26 to 29 at the MVP Arena and brought together 56 high school robotics teams from across the region, out of state and Quebec, and even as far away as Türkiye.

The team traveled to Albany that Wednesday, with students, mentors, and several supportive parents all making the trip. Thursday was spent practicing and preparing, with official matches taking place on Friday and Saturday. This was SparX’s second competition of the season, after competing earlier that month at the Finger Lakes Regional at RIT. In total, the team has played 18 matches so far this year. 

The team’s next event will be the Flower City Frenzy on Saturday, June 7 at East High School in Rochester. 

SparX competed with their robot, affectionately named Luisa, in honor of a beloved mentor who recently passed away. The team finished in 18th place, with four wins, four losses, and one tie, and no disqualifications. Team members worked hard all weekend and represented Webster with pride.

The robot’s driver, Nathan, and operator, Zela, worked side by side on the edge of the field. Austin programmed Luisa for the autonomous period, which is when the robot runs on code alone at the very beginning of the match. Lance supported the robot as the technician, and Jessica served as the team’s coach on the competition floor for every match.

SparX Robotics is sponsored by the Webster Central School District, Xerox Corporation, Bosch, and Boulter, along with many other generous local businesses and families, including MKS, Wegmans, Crossfield Heating & Air, Lavoro Group, OptiPro, VitalSigns, ASQ, and the Watson, Fici and Gramlich families.

You can meet the SparX team and see Luisa up close at Community Arts Day on May 10 in the gym, where the team will be selling baked goods, holding a raffle, and collecting donations to help support future competitions.

Want to support these future innovators, too? Consider mentoring the team or making a donation. To contact the lead mentors for mentoring opportunities and to donate, visit the team’s website.

Click here to learn more about FIRST Robotics and follow the exciting world of competitive robotics. You al also watch SparX’s Tech Valley matches here.

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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 5/8/2025)

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