Tag Archives: Missy Rosenberry

Concert at Harmony House will benefit Coach employees

7 May

We all know about the disastrous fire at The Coach Sports Bar on Tuesday, March 18. It started behind the bar, and despite the quick response and hard work of the Webster Volunteer Fire Department and others, the fire tore through the place, leaving this village landmark devastated. While the building is still structurally sound, the heat, smoke and water damage means that it will have to be gutted.

Owner Fritz Sierk is committed to rebuilding and reopening as soon as possible. But in the meantime, all of his employees — including some who have been there for decades — are now out of work.

In true Webster fashion, our community is coming together to support those employees, with a benefit concert on Sunday, June 1 at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. in the Village of Webster.

The concert will be held from 1 to 5 p.m., and feature two bands:

Guest bartenders from The Coach will be serving the drinks, there’ll be a 50/50 and prize raffles, and Coach-themed merchandise for sale. The Uncle Buck’s food truck will also be there, cooking up a special menu for this event

Tickets are $20 cash, available only at the door (ATM on site) and will be first-come, first-served.Patrons must be 21 or over to attend the event. Parking is available at the Harmony House, along with municipal parking across the street.

ALSO, on Sunday May 18, Cobblestone on Main restaurant and the Mary Wee Pub are joining forces to host a fundraiser at Cobblestone, 109 W. Main St. in the Village of Webster, from noon to 3 p.m.

There’ll be raffles, giveaways, brinks and food, all for your donation of $20.

All proceeds from both events — the concert and the Cobblestone party — will go to The Coach employees. Fritz put it best when he wrote on Facebook,

The people that work for The Coach are the reason it is there and running. Insurance will do very little if anything for them, and unemployment only goes so far. I, and all the employees of The Coach Sports Bar all thank everyone who have reached out with condolences, well wishes, thoughts and prayers. We will all see you back there as soon as we can!

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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 5/7/2025)

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Beverly Voos wins Retiree of the Year Award

6 May

Congratulations to retired Spry Middle School teacher Beverly Voos for receiving the Retiree of the Year award at the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) annual statewide Representative Assembly in Rochester last weekend.

Bev was recognized in large part because she is active in various capacities with NYSUT. Closer to home, is also president of the Webster Retired Educators Association.

Here’s a little bit about Bev from the NYSUT Awards booklet:

After a more than 20-year career working in computer science, Beverly Voos decided to begin a second career as a teacher. She earned her master’s degree in Math, Science and Technology, and started teaching middle school students in the Webster Central School District.

The Webster TA member retired in 2013 and got to work advocating with NYSUT’s daytime army in Retiree Council 6. Voos because co-chair of NYSUT’s Retiree Advisory Committee where she fights not only for issues that are important to retirees, but also to in-service educators, including NYSUT’s campaign to fix Tier 6.

Voos also spends her retirement servicing as an instructor for NYSUT’s Education & Learning Trust, a role in which she provides professional learning opportunities to other educators. Voos has served on a variety of NYSUT committees, has participated in NYSUT’s annual Committee of 100 lobby day in Albany, and is also a social justice instructor. When she’s not doing the work of the union, Voos enjoys spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, and traveling.

Below, Bev is pictured with the NYSUT officers after receiving the award,captured from the Jumbotron by Jeanne Coonan.

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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 5/6/2025)

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Blue Star Mothers honored military families with baby shower

5 May

For a few hours on Sunday April 27, 15 military families (including a set of twins) were showered with gifts, sweet treats, fruit, chips and sandwiches when the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter NY8 (BSM NY8) held their Baby Shower for Military.

The annual event, held at the Cottreal-Warner American Legion Post, is designed to recognize and provide for young mothers and expectant mothers in local military families. The event was open to active duty, veterans and military spouses of active duty service members, who were expecting or have children up to six months old. For many of these mothers, this may be the only baby shower they get, since they’re usually stationed far away from their close relatives. And since they relocate frequently, they may not have all of the baby supplies and equipment they collected for their older children.

This is the 8th year the Blue Star Mothers have held this shower. They work hard all year long, shopping for new baby clothes, diapers, high chairs, Pack and Plays, toys, books and many other gifts. This event also gets huge support from the local businesses and community members, who donate gifts or money for gifts, hand-craft hats and booties, and provide pampering services during the shower. Each family left with their car filled to the brim with wonderful gifts.

Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans. The Baby Shower for Military is one of the most important service projects of the Blue Star Mothers Rochester Chapter. It’s just one small way to say thank you and give back to those who have served our country, and given so much to us.

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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 5/5/2025)

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Webster Museum celebrates National Preservation Month

4 May

May is a pretty neat month. After a cold, gray winter, we’re finally getting some warm temperatures, sunshine and flowers. But May is particularly special for the folks at the Webster Museum, who are commemorating National Preservation Month, a time to swap out old exhibits for new, and to offer some special programs.

National Preservation Month is a time when the museum focuses on Webster’s visible history, as seen in historic buildings and illuminated through oral histories. Here’s what’s in store in the next few weeks:

History and a Cup series

The History and a Cup programs focus on oral history; long-time Webster residents tell their stories in a comfortable, give-and-take atmosphere. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sandwich and enjoy some soft drinks and cookies as they sit back and listen to the stories.

Three programs have been scheduled this month, each one on a Wednesday, from noon to 1 p.m. There’s no charge for these events and registration is not needed.

  • Wednesday May 7: Jon Anderson and Bill Ruoff: Jon and Bill have lived in the Village of Webster for mofre than 50 years. Both have been Village trustees, and Bill was a Village mayor.
  • Wednesday May 14: John Gonzalez: John Gonzalez is married to Shari, daughter of Bruce and Mary Hegedorn, and has been actively involved in the Hegedorn family businesses for many years. John will share his experiences and what it was like working with Bruce Hegedorn and Bill Gray.
  • Wednesday May 21: Surprise guest! Stay tuned here and stay in touch with the Webster Museum website for more details.

Learn about cobblestone buildings

Ever wonder about those beautiful cobblestone homes and businesses that dot our town? Cobblestones are a unique and interesting building material. You can learn more about these beautiful structures when the Webster Museum welcomes Walworth Town Historian Gene Bavis on Sunday May 18 to talk about these remarkable structures, which are scattered throughout many towns and villages in Webster New York.

The talk begins at 2 p.m. at the Webster Museum. No registration is necessary and free refreshments will be provided.

Historic property plaque presentation

At the Webster Town Board meeting on Thursday, May 15, the museum will be presenting a historic property plaque to the former Village train station.

National Preservation Month is a time when the museum celebrates those who have preserved historic houses, barns, outbuildings, bridges, statues and cemeteries. The museum has presented more than 80 plaques to the Webster properties that answer the question, “would the original owners recognize the property?” The plaque is a thank you from the Town of Webster and the Webster Museum for maintaining the integrity of the property. (There’s a map of these properties at Webstermuseum.org and paper maps available at the museum. The Historic Properties Committee of the museum is working on updating the map.)

The old train depot is now located on May St. and is a child care facility called Expressive Beginnings. The presentation will take place at the Webster Town Board meeting on Thursday May 15 at 7 p.m.

Finally, while you’re out and about, stop by the museum to see their new exhibit highlighting many of Webster’s historic plaque properties with photos and descriptions. And if you’re at the Webster Public Library, check out the exhibit there featuring a model of a cobblestone house with other information on cobblestone construction.

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.

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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 5/4/2025)

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Community Arts Day returns next weekend

3 May

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about Community Arts Day (CAD), highlighting all of the fun, family-friendly displays, activities, crafts and community booths that make this one of my favorite events of the whole year. It’ll be held at Webster Schroeder High School on Saturday May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I recently got an email from Stacie Peters, one of the driving forces behind this event, reiterating a lot of those same points of interest, but adding several others. I share that email with you today pretty much in its entirety … because she said things better than I could, basically.

Stacie wrote,

CAD is a PTSA-sponsored event, created in 1976 as a joint venture with each of Webster’s schools that raises money to support cultural arts activities in the buildings.

Our amazing volunteers are what make this event so successful each year! Each school building has its own CAD rep who helps get volunteers and information out to the families. More than 300 volunteers include many of our middle and high school students who earn service credits. We even have volunteer spots for our 4th and 5th graders to help out this year.

We are extremely grateful to Michael Roller, Webster Director of Fine Arts who has worked closely with our CAD team in ensuring this day is a huge success. Our partnership with Michael connects us to all of the 11 building art and music teachers who put so much of themselves into this day. And we can’t forget our “behind the scenes” team of helpers, our incredible custodians. Head Schroeder custodian Jeff Germano and his team are the superheroes who help us days ahead of the event, day of the event and take down after the event. We can’t thank them enough for all their hard work.

Returning favorites… 

  • Scholastic book fair 
  • Student talent show 
  • artwork by all grades at each school exhibitors 
  • Sparx Robotic showcase
  • instrument donations
  • carnival games 
  • sand art
  • dance performances
  • karate demos
  • 40 craft vendors

Some new items…

  • We have a brand new flower sale where you can purchase a beautiful flower plus a pot with accessories that can be added 
  • Our One Webster Art Project this year will be all about the endangered monarch butterflies! Butterfly kits were given to each building for students to paint butterflies. The final exhibit will be near the cafe wall at CAD. 
  • We will have theater performances by many of the school musicals that were held this year! Buildings that are performing will be singing a song of their choice from their musical.
  • Flag Performance by the Webster Colorguard
  • Big news for our families with littles: the inflatables are back !

Food:  

  • Sweet treat table at the main entrance
  • concessions (pizza, snack items) in the cafeteria 
  • Mr. Snowy cotton candy by the gym
  • the Schroeder special ed classes who work daily in the Ridge Cafe (located in the library) will be selling beverages such as coffee, tea and hot cocoa . 

My favorite thing to see at Community Arts Day is all of the artwork created by our talented students. Every school and every grade from kindergarten to senior year is represented.

There’s still time to sign up to volunteer. Adult and student volunteers are what make this event a success. Students receive community service hours for volunteering.

Community Arts Day 2025 will be held at Webster Schroeder High School on Saturday May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s no admission, and remember that this event accepts only cash for payment (for things like the bake sale and plant sale). Craft vendors will accept debit and credit cards.

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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 4/19/2025)

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Webster Library to host Volunteer Fair

2 May

The Webster Public Library will host their annual Volunteer Fair next Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to noon.

I know for a fact that our community is a very giving one, and both teens and adults are always on the lookout for volunteer opportunities. The Volunteer Fair is a great way to check out some of these opportunities at almost two dozen local agencies, all in one place and one time, and meet with the directors of these local agencies one-on-one to ask all your questions.

Here are the organizations that have signed up to be there:

  • Baywinde Senior Living Community
  • Color Webster Green
  • CP Rochester
  • Friends of the Webster Public Library
  • Friends of the Webster Trails
  • Girl Scouts of Western New York
  • Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity
  • Lasagna Love
  • Lifespan
  • Literacy Rochester
  • Maplewood Nursing Home
  • Never Say Never Foundation
  • North East Joint Fire District – Webster Fire Department 
  • St. Ann’s Community
  • Trillium Health
  • URMC/Meals on Wheels
  • VFW Webster Post 943 & American Legion Webster Post 942
  • Webster Arboretum Association
  • Webster Comfort Care Home
  • Webster Community Chest
  • Webster Hope
  • Webster Museum

Registration is recommended if you would like to be reminded about the fair but not required. Attendees can come any time during the fair and ask questions and get information. If you are unable to attend, information about the attending organizations will be available at request.   

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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 5/2/2025)

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Webster Museum announces History and a Cup series

1 May

Judging by how well my local history blogs are received, and the traffic I get to my Webster History Bits link, a LOT of you out there like to learn about Webster history. To you, I say, put this month’s History and a Cup series at the Webster Museum on your calendar.

Three programs have been scheduled, each one on a Wednesday, from noon to 1 p.m. The focus of these programs is on oral history; long-time Webster residents tell their stories in a comfortable, give-and-take atmosphere. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sandwich and enjoy some soft drinks and cookies as they sit back and listen to the stories. There’s no charge for these events and registration is not needed.

Here’s the schedule:

Wednesday May 7: Jon Anderson and Bill Ruoff.

Jon and Bill are both graduates of Irondequoit High School who have lived in the Village of Webster for over 50 years. Both have been Village trustees, with Bill serving as Village Mayor. Jon is currently the Immanuel Lutheran Church Historian.

Wednesday May 14: John Gonzalez

John Gonzalez is married to Shari, daughter of Bruce and Mary Hegedorn, and has been actively involved in the Hegedorn family businesses for many years. John will share his experiences and what it was like working with Bruce Hegedorn and Bill Gray, who eventually became partners.

Wednesday May 21: Surprise guest! Stay tuned here and stay in touch with the Webster Museum website for more 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 5/1/2025)

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Grab a great spaghetti dinner, help out Bella’s Bumbas

30 Apr

A quick update today about Bella’s Bumbas‘ efforts to expand their operation and how you can help.

As I first wrote about the project in this blog a month ago. Rebecca Orr and Marty Parzynski, — the irrepressible force behind this amazing organization — are running out of room in their small workshop space. They’d like to demolish the old garage behind the house and build a brand new, spacious barn.

They estimate the cost for the big project will be about $60,000. Thanks to incredible support from the Webster community, they’re about halfway to their goal, but they have a long way to go. So they’ve worked up a few fundraisers to help them achieve their goal.

The first is this weekend, a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, Friday May 2 at the Webster Masonic Lodge, 30 Orchard St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children and you can eat in or take out (cash only, please).

But there will be much more than just pasta on Friday! Rebecca tells me that more than 30 items and baskets will be raffles off, including squish marshmallows and Trace Bourbon, gift certificates and pet lovers’ baskets, baby essentials and movie night baskets, and much more. Plus there’ll be Bella’s Bumbas merchandise for sale and a few Bumba wheelchairs for the kids to try out.

If you can’t make it to the dinner but would like to help out, here are a few other ways you can do that:

  • Send a donation check directly to Bella’s Bumbas LTD, 1170 Ridge Rd. #208, Webster, NY 14580. Please mark “WEP” on the check note to indicate it’s for the Workplace Expansion Project. (Donation receipts provided on request.)
  • When the time comes, volunteer to help with some manual tasks during the construction, like cleaning out the old garage. Keep an eye on the Bella’s Bumbas Facebook page for updates.
  • Are you a business owner? Gary Inzana from Top Tier Recruiting and Consulting has donated $1,000 and is challenging other businesses to match or exceed his donation and set their own challenge.

Visit the Bella’s Bumbas website to read more about their story and the incredible things they’re doing for our world’s children.

By the way, they’re now accepting bids for building the 30′ x 22′ pole barn/garage, driveway removal and replacement, a roll-off Dumpster for debris removal, industrial style shelving, and other parts of the project. For more information and to offer an estimate, email bellasbumbas@gmail.com.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “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 4/30/2025)

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Remembering Willow Point

29 Apr

I suspected that my blog — and subsequent article in last week’s Webster Herald — about Willow Point Park would strike a chord with a lot of my readers. After all, Webster’s very own little amusement park was very popular during its 30-year life, and well loved by both adults and children. Indeed, I’ve received some fun and touching emails, a few of which I’d like to share with you.

Sharon F. wrote,

My Dad worked at Haloid’s (which was later named Xerox) and he would take our family to Willow Point Park every summer for his Haloid work picnic. Seeing your article on the park this morning brought a flood of memories back.

Jackson T. wrote,

I worked there for one summer during my first year at the UR and managed the golf driving range, a notable and very popular feature that you did not mention.  This was a very busy part of the park, and it even provided the visual excitement of watching golf balls being picked up from that huge, sloping lawn while people were still hitting other ones in that vicinity.

My favorite memory, though, came from Jean Palermo, who wrote:

Amazing that this article came out today as my husband (Samme) and I celebrate 58 years of meeting at Willow Point Park on April 16, 1967. We’ve been married for 55 years.

Jean sent me this photo that she and her husband took at a Willow Point photo booth in 1967.

If you’d like to explore a little deeper into Willow Point, you might be interested in this short movie, created by Frank Laloggia, a local filmmaker better known for his 1988 film, Lady in White. Apparently it was one of the first films he made, and it’s very much a tribute to the old park.

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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 4/29/2025)

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Keep those cards and letters coming!

28 Apr

Time is running out to achieve the ambitious Mail Call: Letters From Home goal set at the beginning of this month to collect 1,000 letters and notes for our deployed service members.

During this month-long challenge, community members have been encouraged to stop by one of a dozen businesses throughout Webster which are hosting mailboxes (like the one above) and fill out a card with a simple message of thanks, or we’re thinking of you, or we’re proud of you. The messages will then be sent overseas this June inside care packages prepared by the Blue Star Mothers of Rochester.

The month is almost over and Cherie Wood, the project’s organizer, reports she’s counted 800 cards and letters so far. So we really need to step up these next few days, Webster, and put this great initiative over the top!

We still have a few days to make that happen, so when you’re out and about today or tomorrow, consider stopping by one of these businesses to fill out a message and put it in the mailbox:

  • 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.

Can’t make it this week? The mailbox at Town Hall will be up until May 16, and the folks at Lowe’s will be hosting their mailbox all year, so loom for it when you stop in for your gardening supplies.

Cherie has high hopes that once she’s had time to collect the mail from all of the mailboxes, the messages will number well over 1,000. So, given the incredible response she’s seen from our community, she’s already planning to run the Mail Call project again next year.

So start saving your blank cards (without them “we would have been sunk,” Cherie said) and talk to your clubs and groups about having card-making parties. Teachers, this would be a great class project! The more, the better, because every single one of these positive messages from home will brighten the day for a deployed service member.

Town Hall
Lowe’s

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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 4/28/2025)

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