Tag Archives: Missy Rosenberry

Photos from Winter Wonderland and the Parade of Lights

3 Dec

It would be nice if one year — just one year — it would snow for the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland festivities. Some wintry flakes would certainly enhance the holiday atmosphere. But in the last few years, at least it didn’t rain.

This year we didn’t even get that lucky. At least for most of the afternoon it was just cloudy, but shortly before the parade started it began to sprinkle and did so for pretty much the entire evening. The cold, rainy weather didn’t seem to turn many people away, however. It seemed to me there were a lot more people this year, more families making cookies and crafts in Gazebo Park, more kids dancing around with Denise and listening to Jason from the Public Library tell stories. And the lines to see Santa and take a wagon ride were — as always — quite long.

Kudos especially for the Webster Village Hall staff for the beautiful backdrop they created for Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Community Meeting Room, and for taking a photo of every family who visited. (Keep an eye on the Village website or Facebook page for when the photos are posted. I’m not sure where they’ll be.)

Thank you to the Webster Business Improvement District for another great year. This is always such a great family event with so many things to do and see, from the crafts, cookies and hot chocolate to the live performances by the Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody.

And of course thank you to the Webster Volunteer Fire Department for the always spectacular Parade of Lights. It’s always a delight to see how much fun the participants are having as they march their costumes, and how much fun the spectators have as each sparkling truck or float rolls by. Even if they are huddled under overhangs and umbrellas.

Click here for this year’s 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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 12/3/2023)

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900 people. One week. One trail.

1 Dec

That was one of many remarkable statistics I learned at the recent Friends of Webster Trails annual meeting.

According to a trail counter, over a period of just ONE WEEK last summer, 900 people visited Gosnell Big Woods to hike the trails there. That’s a pretty amazing statistic, especially compared to the number of people who have actually become members of the Friends.

That was another statistic which always surprises me. The Friends currently have 245 members, a number which delighted the board members because it finally broke the 200 mark this year. But I think it’s disappointing, given how many people use the trails regularly.

Among those members, only a small proportion do all of the “heavy lifting” to create new trails and keep the current ones hike-able. And they do TONS of work every season, providing their own tools to do so. This year, for example, the Friends volunteers:

  • created a new trail and rerouted an old one at Four Mile Creek
  • supervised the building of a new boardwalk at Four Mile Creek
  • held numerous special events including the Hot Cocoa and Trees Along the Trail hikes
  • planted more than 250 trees and shrubs in five parks as part of the ReTree Project (330 hours of work)
  • Opened the new Michael A. Johnson Trail and expanded the new State Rd. Nature Preserve trails
  • Started planning the also new Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest trails

And there’s always work going on behind the scenes like updating maps, working with the Town to install parking lots, working with Eagle Scouts to build boardwalks, benches and kiosks, and so much more. Given the huge number of people who use the trails, it’s no wonder these volunteers are constantly working to keep them maintained.

The Friends have some funds saved up, and Town helped a little bit for the first time this year, but a good chunk of their funding comes from the individual and family memberships. So …

I don’t want to be obnoxious, but c’mon folks! If you use and enjoy these trails, please show the selfless Friends of Webster Trails volunteers some love this holiday season and join. Then every time you’re out on a hike, enjoying our town’s natural beauty, you can proudly say, “I helped make this so.”

Family memberships are only $15 per year, and an individual membership is only $10 … for the whole year! You can click here to join online or click here to print off the form to send by mail. It makes a great gift idea for the hard-to-buy-for nature lover in your family., by the way.

The annual meeting was held at the Hickory Bark Trail near the Webster Public Library

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 12/1/2023)

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Webster community mailbag

30 Nov

Let’s start today with news of a fundraiser for the Webster Athletic Association at DiBella’s Subs on Empire Blvd.

The flyer gives the details, but basically, if you order from DiBella’s in store or online between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, 20% of your check will go to the WAA. You’ll need to use code WAA20. See the flyer for more details.

Bernardi & Co. CPA, at 40 Barrett Drive, is hosting a free financial seminar designed for individuals and small businesses who could use a little advice.

The seminar, about Saving and Investing, is scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bernardi & Co. offices, and there’s no cost. But please RSVP as space is limited.

Email Elena@bernardiCPA.com to reserve your spot. If you have any questions, call 585-217-9393.

The Women’s Club of Webster will hold their 29th annual Christmas Cookie Sale on Saturday Dec. 9 in the Webster Public Library community room.

The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until the cookies are sold out. This is always a highly anticipated event, so you might want to get there early. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the club’s scholarship funds and their support for many other programs in the Webster community.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the back of Webster Plaza. For more information, please contact Peg Berry at 203-645-9352.

If you’d like to get more involved in the Women’s Club, here’s your chance: the club will be hosting their December Holiday Party on Thursday Dec. 21 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd.

The event begins with a social at 11:15 a.m., followed by the meeting at noon, lunch at 12:30, then “holiday gaiety” and an optional gift exchange. If you’d like to participate in the gift exchange, the gifts should not exceed $10. The luncheon buffet will feature assorted wraps, tossed salad, fruit salad and a cookie.

Special guest at this meeting will be Rochester folk musician Allen Hopkins.    

Cost for the luncheon is $27. Send your check made out to WCW by December 14 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Questions? Phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303. And remember, new members are always welcome!

The beautifully melodic Senior Singers will host their annual Holiday Concert at the Webster Recreation Center on Tuesday Dec. 19 at 11 a.m.

The Senior Singers is a lively group of older adults who come together at the Rec Center every Tuesday to rehearse and perform music. There’s no cost; they just do it for the love of music. (If you want to read more about them, click here to see the blog I wrote.)

There’s no charge to attend the holiday concert, and registration is not necessary, So plan to take a moment out of your day and stop by to hear some beautiful music,. (And perhaps consider joining this fun group.)

The Webster Recreation Center is at 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

This news from the Webster Chamber of Commerce:

At their October monthly meeting, the Webster Chamber honored TYS CPAs, LLP as their November Business of the Month.

TYS manages the accounting needs of their clients and goes beyond tabulation to point out opportunities for business growth and supports them through the process. They developed a ‘TYS Emerge‘ process, specifically for the Construction Industry. TYS also extends a promise to its clients, offering a fixed-rate, guaranteeing results, removing the escalating threat of hourly billing. In addition to serving the Webster Chamber, TYS volunteers at the Jefferson Avenue Elementary School, in Fairport. As he presented the award, Chamber President and CEO Barry Howard said, “TYS Co-Owner Tim Shortsleeve has been very active in the Chamber, assuming leadership roles. Currently, Tim serves on the Webster Chamber Board of Directors as Chair-elect, part of a six-year commitment, and is active on the Personnel Committee. He has also provided educational sessions for our members and visitors.“

Every month, the Webster Chamber of Commerce identifies a member business or organization which has excelled within their industry, given back to the community, and been active in the Chamber to be honored as Business of the Month. In the photo above, Webster Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Carolyn Montanaro (left) presents the November Business of the Month award to TYS partner Tim S. Shortsleeve (center) and Staff Accountant Brenda Zornow (right).

This important information also from the Chamber of Commerce:

Deadlines Approaching for Health Insurance Enrollment for January 1 Start 

The Webster Chamber of Commerce has offered no-fee health insurance enrollment assistance since 1938 and wants the public to be aware of the approaching deadlines to receive health insurance on January 1.

  • December 07 Medicare Annual Enrollment deadline: Medicare recipients have until the deadline to make a plan change for 2024. 
  • December 15: last day for Qualified Health Insurance (Including NYS Marketplace) for new or renewing participants for a January 1st effective date.

Health insurance enrollment is challenging. In addition to deadlines, you have many health insurance carrier options to consider. Plus, each carrier offers different plans to align with individual needs. The Webster Chamber staff will help you through this insurance enrollment process, helping you select the plan that best fits your needs. Chamber membership is not required and you do not need to be a Webster resident. 

To meet the deadlines to start health insurance on January 1 and to select the best-fit health insurance option for you, follow these steps:

  1. Call 585-265-3960 to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with Chamber staff.
  2. Watch this introductory video.

The Webster CSD has announced the dates for this spring’s school musicals, the theater lovers will want to get them on your calendars.

  • Willink Middle School will present Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo on Feb. 2 and 3
  • Webster Schroeder High School’s production of Catch Me if You Can will be held Feb. 8 to 10
  • Spry Middle School presents Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical March 8 and 9
  • Webster Thomas High School will stage DreamWorks’ Shrek the Musical from March 21 to 23
  • (this one’s a drama) Webster Schroeder Theater Company will present Little Women from April 25-27

As performance dates near, you can check the Webster CSD website for details … plus I’ll be posting them here on my blog, so stay tuned.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/30/2023)

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November History Bit: Where did Webster’s slogan come from?

28 Nov

It’s a phrase most residents of the Town of Webster know well: Webster is “Where Life is Worth Living.” But have you ever wondered how and when that slogan came about? 

Several years ago, Town Historian Lynn Barton looked into the question, and uncovered an excerpt from the 1926 Webster Union and High School Handbook for Students, Teachers and Parents, which attributes the slogan to “an enterprising Ad Club.” 

According to Webster Chamber of Commerce president Barry Howard, the Ad Club refers to an organization that promoted Webster businesses in the early 1920s. It was similar to the current Chamber of Commerce, which was formed in the early 1930s.

As well known as that slogan is, many may not realize that it really only refers to the Town of Webster. The Village of Webster has its very own: the village is “Where Life Keeps Getting Better.” You’ll see that motto proudly displayed on the sign outside the Village offices on West Main St. 

You, too, can proudly display our town’s slogan, on a “WLiWL” bumper sticker available for just $1 at the Webster Museum, or with a t-shirt, mug, apron, water bottle or more, available at the museum’s online gift shop (think Christmas gifts!).

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org to learn more.    

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/28/2023)

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Details about next weekend’s Winter Wonderland

25 Nov

The Village of Webster’s annual holiday fun festival, Winter Wonderland, returns to Main Street, Gazebo Park and Village Hall next weekend, on Saturday Dec. 2.

All of your family favorites will be back for the afternoon and evening, including carriage rides, crafts for the kids, cookie decorating, live music, story time, and a visit with Santa, culminating with the always spectacular Parade of Lights down Main Street.

Everything starts at 3 p.m., when Santa will welcome children in the warm Village Hall Community Meeting Room until 5:30 p.m., when he has to leave and get ready to ride in the parade.

From 3 to 6 p.m., stop by the North Pole at Veterans Park (Gazebo Park) where all sorts of activities will be happening. The carriage rides will begin there, there’ll be crafts for the kids, hot cocoa, cookie decorating, dancing, games and more, including story time with Jason from the Webster Public Library from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

While you’re in town for the festivities, make sure to walk up the short block to the Webster Museum (18 Lapham Park) where there’ll be live music from 4 to 5:45 p.m., and your chance to place your vote in the museum’s Festival of Trees (more information to come about that).

Everything wraps up with the spectacular Parade of Lights which will begin at 630 p.m. at Kircher Park and travel west down Main Street to Fireman’s Field. It’s always amazing to see all of the fire trucks, bands, community group floats — everyone and everything — parade by, covered in twinkling Christmas lights. (It’s always an adventure as well to see if the huge inflated snowman on the one fire truck will make it under the traffic light safety.)

I’ll be walking around with my camera, so if you see me, smile nice!

Here’s a link to my gallery from last year’s Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/25/2023)

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St. Martin Church to host an Evening with Santa

24 Nov

One of my favorite events of the entire year — and not just the holidays — is coming up very soon.

It’s the annual St. Martin Lutheran Church Evening with Santa, on Friday Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m., and I love it for so many reasons: there’s free pizza and cookies, crafts and games for the kids, and it’s my chance every year to get a photo with Santa.

But what’s really neat about this event is that the church puts it on not just for their parishioners, but for all their fund-raiser event patrons, their neighbors and their families, and for pretty much everyone in the community who’d like a fun evening out with the kids.

The highlight of the evening, of course, is Santa himself. And I mean, the REAL Santa, whom you might know from the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland festival and Parade of Lights. Every child will have an opportunity to talk with Santa and tell him their secret wishes (you can skip the mall lines). Bring your phone and take as many photos as you want, but St. Martin will also be taking photos for everyone, and they’re really good. It’s a great opportunity for a beautiful family photo.

Children can decorate their own Christmas cookies, listen to Santa himself read The Night Before Christmas, enjoy some games, write a letter to Santa and sing along with Santa. And everyone gets free pizza.

When the lights dim, Pastor Kory will read the Christmas Story to children of all ages. It’s all absolutely free, but participants are asked to bring a few non-perishable food items for the St. Martin Little Free Pantry food cupboard.

It all happens Friday Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd., Webster. Santa will arrive by fire truck just before the event, so make sure to be there early and bring your camera!

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/24/2023)

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Santa is coming to the village on Small Business Saturday

24 Nov

Got a bonus blog for you all today, because I want to remind everyone that Santa himself will be strolling through the Village of Webster on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25.

Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to show our small business owners how much we appreciate them, and to find creative gift ideas it’s hard to find anywhere else. But this year, for the first time, the day’s going to be extra special, because Santa will be in town, walking up and down Main Street and North Ave., checking out some shopping bargains for himself. (I mean, he does have Mrs. Claus and the elves to shop for). He’ll even have one of his elves with him, handing out treats for the kids.

Santa’s plans are to be in the village from 10:30 a.m. to noon, then again from noon to 1:30. So bring the kids, take some photos, and get some Christmas shopping done!

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/24/2023)

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Happy Thanksgiving, my friends

22 Nov

This Thanksgiving, like most of us, I’m thinking about all of the things and people I’m thankful for in my life.

Of course, my husband and three children top the list. And I could add a lot of other, smaller, things that are making my life enjoyable, like my friends, Tiny Titans kids, the kittens I’m fostering, the ability to travel, and my continued good health.

But definitely in the top 10? My blog and all of my blog readers, whom I have come to consider my extended family. Your continued support, your kind comments and emails, have given me a real purpose in life.

So thank you, my blog readers and friends, for helping keep me busy and happy. (And special thanks to Lydia and Emmie McKibbon for the artwork which briefly greeted walkers along Dunning Ave. before the rain washed them away.)

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/22/2023)

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Check out this shop on Small Business Saturday

21 Nov

In honor of Small Business Saturday this weekend, I’d like to highlight a small business in the Village of Webster which I haven’t written about recently: Yesterday’s Muse Books.

I first wrote about Yesterday’s Muse in December 2008, shortly after owner Jonathan Smalter opened his bookshop at 32 W. Main St. I remember being thoroughly charmed and impressed by the variety of books and how well organized they were.

If you do some quick math, you’ll notice that Yesterday’s Muse is about to celebrate its 15th anniversary. I thought it was a great reason to revisit this delightful village shop.

Not familiar with Yesterday’s Muse? Jonathan wrote this description:

We carry a wide selection of interesting material in most categories, with particular strength in literature, history and local interest. We also focus as much as possible on visually stunning or unique editions, whether that means attractive bindings, great illustrations, or unusual formats. Our stock is primarily used and antiquarian … but we also carry new stock, especially around the holidays, or when sourced from local authors (e.g., Blair Kenny’s books about the Rochester mob are always in stock, and we are currently the exclusive online seller for all of those).

Jonathan is a member of three prestigious national bookseller organizations — the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America, the Independent Online Booksellers Association and the American Booksellers Association — which all have strict qualifications and codes of ethics. He’s incorporated new technologies into his day-to-day operations, allowing customers to shop online or in-store seamlessly. The store is carefully organized and cataloged for easy browsing, which creates a more relaxed shopping experience. And there’s something for everybody, from the bargain hunter to the seasoned collector.

If you’ve been a regular Yesterday’s Muse customer, you’ve probably noticed that the quality of Jonathan’s offerings has increased steadily, especially in the last few years as he’s acquired some impressive collections.

He continually finds ways to keep his customers happy and well-read. He recommends books all the time, and makes sure those recommendations are always in stock, which sometimes means ordering new books directly from publishers. He works with colleagues around the country to track down quality, affordable copies of his most popular titles. For the holidays, he’ll soon be releasing a holiday catalog, which will some fun non-book items like totes, socks, and advent calendars. And next time you’re in, look for his specials:

  • buy two, get one free for all fiction and children’s books
  • buy three, get one free for all nonfiction titles (equal or lesser value)
  • the $10 and under and $5 and under shelves
  • discounted book bundles that share a common theme

And look for the Yesterday’s Muse table at Roc Holiday Village this year — the first time Jonathan is participating.

After 15 years, Jonathan isn’t planning to go anywhere anytime soon.

I like having a shop in Webster. I grew up here. My wife grew up here… I remember the bookstore that used to be on Main Street during my childhood. I worked in the bookstore that shared a parking lot with Coach in the ’90s and 2000s, and I feel like Webster Village should always have a book shop. … I hope that those who live in and around Webster consider us part of the community, and I certainly appreciate all the support we’ve received over the years, which has come in all sorts of forms.

Yesterday’s Muse Books is located at 32 W. Main Street in the Village of Webster. You’ll want to stop by on Small Business Saturday, because Jonathan will be celebrating his anniversary with cake (first-come, first-served!), 15% off everything all day AND a $15 gift certificate for the first 15 customers (with purchase — one per customer).

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/21/2023)

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Karen Buck joins Village of Webster office staff

20 Nov

A huge Village welcome to Karen Buck, who joined the Village of Webster staff last week as the new Deputy Village Clerk.

Karen is taking over for current Deputy Clerk Jo O’Neill, who’s retiring at the end of December to spend more time with her family and new grandchild.

Karen joins the Village team after working for 19 years with the Town of Webster as Cable Director. Her duties in that position have recently encompassed all sorts of communication programming, including creating a weekly newsletter and maintaining the Town’s website and social media platforms.

It was in that capacity that I’ve gotten to know Karen, as our paths would cross occasionally at different events around town. But I’ve especially appreciated the weekly Town newsletter she’d send out, packed with special event flyers and other important Town information. It was well crafted, extremely informative, and always a valuable resource for me as I was putting together my mailbag blogs.

So now Karen has brought those talents to the Village of Webster, and the Town’s loss is definitely the Village’s gain. In addition to her deputy clerk duties including payroll, passports and other administrative odds and ends, Karen will work with the Village Board and Webster Business Improvement District to develop new ways to communicate with Village residents, including creating a regular Village newsletter, and expanding the Village’s social media platforms.

So, welcome to the village, Karen. We’re lucky to have you here working for us, and I look forward to working with you.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/20/2023)

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