Tag Archives: town of webster

Where to recycle your Christmas tree

2 Jan

According to the metrics I’m seeing on my blog page, a lot of people are searching Google for information about how and where to recycle their Christmas trees, and the search results are directing them to Webster on the Web.

Unfortunately, I’ve learned from experience that people don’t look at the dates posted next to their search results, and don’t notice when the information they’re seeing is two years — or more — old. So I figured it might be a good idea to put some updated information out there so I don’t get any more angry emails.

Here’s where you can recycle your Christmas tree (2023 edition)

Village of Webster: The Public Works Dept. will collect your Christmas tree as part of their normal brush pick-up runs, which take place during the first full week of every month. The next two scheduled runs will begin Jan. 9 and Feb. 6.

Put your tree at the curb no later than the Sunday night before pick-up week, because the crews will be making only one pass through the village.

Town of Webster: According to the Town’s website, you can drop your tree off at the Town Highway Department, 1005 Picture Parkway. Follow the signs for the drop-off location when you get there, and make sure you’ve removed all the lights and decorations.

Penfield: According to the Town of Penfield website,

The Department of Public Works is accepting non-artificial trees for recycling at the Highway Garage located at 1607 Jackson Road. Trees can be dropped off at any time, being placed just to the right side of the facility gates. Look for the sign labeled “X-Mas Trees.” All trees will be ground up and made part of the mulch pile, which is available on the westside of the Town Hall complex. 

Irondequoit has a Trees for Trails program, which is described on their Facebook page:

Holiday Tree Recycling at Helmer Nature Center! Starting December 26, bring your trees to our parking lot for recycling. The trees will be transformed into wood chips to control erosion on our trails. Volunteers will be on hand to help unload your tree and load them into the chipper on Saturday January 14 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Make sure to remove all ornaments, lights, twine, string, wire, or bags from your tree. And note that they cannot accept any trees after 1 p.m. on Jan. 14.

Helmer Nature Center is located at 154 Pinegrove Ave.

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

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(posted 1/2/2023)

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Wreath Day is almost here

14 Dec

We’re just a few days away from Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday Dec. 17, when the Webster community will come together to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran resting in Webster Union Cemetery.

We’re talking 650 wreaths, so we really need a lot of help from the community. This is a great opportunity for entire families to come out to honor our veterans, and perhaps begin a brand new holiday tradition. The ceremony will begin at noon at the cemetery, 345 Webster Rd., at the corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull. Click here to sign up, and plan to arrive a little early so you don’t miss any of this solemn observance.

In the meantime, stay tuned for news about when the Wreaths Across America truck will be driving through town to deliver our wreaths to Webster Union Cemetery. The latest update indicated the truck might be arriving as soon as Thursday afternoon, or perhaps Friday morning. We’d like to get as many Webster residents out on the streets as possible as the truck passes, to cheer it on. The Webster PD will be providing an escort, and the fire departments are hoping to hang a huge flag between two ladder trucks, depending on how much lead time they have to set it up.

I’ll post more details as soon as I get them on my Webster on the Web Facebook page.

Here’s a fun side note: the truck drivers, who transport about 3 million wreaths from Maine to more than 3,700 cemeteries all across the country, all volunteer their time, their trucks, and the cost of gas. So when they arrive at each town, it’s customary to present them with a gift bag as our thanks.

Webster Union Cemetery and the Blue Star Mothers have put a thank-you bag together for our driver, filled with snacks, Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards, nuts and everything in between. Location Coordinator Cherie Wood said that it’s kind of got “the entire junk food aisle of Wegmans” in it and weighs about 20 pounds.

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

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 12/14/2022)

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Senior Singers make beautiful music at the Rec Center

8 Dec

Singing just for the fun of it.

That’s the philosophy behind the Senior Singers, an enthusiastic group of older adults who meet every Tuesday at the Webster Recreation Center to sing, socialize and — two or three times a year — share their love for music with the greater Webster community.

For almost 40 years, the Senior Singers have offered older adults a no-cost, no-stress opportunity to rehearse and perform music. Comprised of both men and women 55 and over, the group rehearses every Tuesday at 11 a.m. in a small room at the Recreation Center from September through June, taking two months off during the summer. And two or three times a year, especially before their summer break and at holiday time, they move into the Center’s large multipurpose room to present community concerts, performing Broadway show tunes, old standards and holiday favorites.

The group is expertly led by Sylvia Vazzana. A long-time member of the chorus, Sylvia only stepped into the directorial role recently, a consequence of the pandemic.

Before the pandemic hit, the group was going strong, with about 20 regularly-attending members. But like everything else, during the shutdown, they had to stop meeting for a while. When they were finally able to reconvene, the group had dwindled to only 9 members. And they had lost their director.

“We used to have a director from Hochstein,” Sylvia remembered. When she didn’t return, “I went in to (Senior Coordinator Daphne Geoca) and said, ‘I’m a musical director. I’d be very happy to volunteer my time.'” Since then, the group has become stronger than ever, boasting about 25 members.

Sylvia is assisted by her husband Tom, who usually acts as emcee for the concerts. She, Tom, the singers and the musicians who accompany them, are all volunteers.

The concerts are true crowd-pleasers. At their end-of-season concert last June, the group performed a selection of classics and old-time favorites, including “No Business Like Show Business,” “Second-hand Rose,” “Good ‘Ol Summertime,” “Memories,” and a ragtime piece on the piano. Their holiday concert is coming up next Sunday, Dec. 20, and will be packed with vocal and instrumental holiday favorites.

And don’t be fooled. Even though the chorus members have put a lot of years behind them, their voices are still strong and beautiful. “They’ve all been singing for many, many years,” Sylvia noted.

But that doesn’t mean you need to have a lot of experience to join the group. No auditions are necessary; the only things you really need are the desire to make beautiful music and make a lot of new friends.

At the June concert, Tom captured the Senior Singers philosophy best when he told the audience, “Music has the power to make you smile and bring us to all types of tears. It can carry us back in time and inspire us to dance in the moment. For all our happiest days and our saddest, there is music. We love to entertain you. We love show business.”

The Senior Singers will present their Holiday Performance on Tuesday Dec. 20 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr., beginning at 11 a.m. There’s no charge and registration is not necessary. So take a moment out of your day, stop by to hear some beautiful music, and perhaps consider joining this fun group.

Rehearsing for the holiday concert
Tom and Sylvia Vazzana
Rehearsing for the holiday concert

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

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 12/8/2022)

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Webster community mailbag

1 Dec

Now that December is upon us, holiday events are coming fast and furious.

Several opportunities to visit with Santa are coming up in the next few weeks.

  • St. Martin Lutheran Church will host its annual Evening With Santa on Friday Dec. 2, 6 to 8 p.m. at the church, 813 Bay Rd. The event includes games for the kids, cookie making, free pizza, story time and free photos with Santa. The evening is free, but participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the St. Martin food cupboard.
  • Santa will be at Webster’s Winter Wonderland this Saturday afternoon Dec. 3, greeting children at the gazebo on North Ave. from 2:45 to 5:45 p.m. And after your visit, make sure to check out all the Santa’s Workshop activities, and the ’round the world displays on Main Street. Click here for the full schedule.
  • The Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd., will host a Breakfast With Santa on Sunday Dec. 4 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Breakfast (and of course your visit with Santa) are free, but donations will be accepted to benefit Webster Hope, Webster Community Chest and Lions Club charities.
  • On Saturday Dec. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m., Santa will pop up again, this time at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. (off of Phillips). This free event will feature hot cocoa and a cookie station. No registration is required.

Still gift shopping? While you’re at Webster’s Winter Wonderland this Saturday Dec. 3, stop by the Harmony House at 58 East Main St. to check out their Holiday Craft Fair and Open House. Before, during and after the parade there’ll be lots of crafters, live music, beverages and snacks. Click here for more details. The event is sponsored by the Webster Grange and the Chorus of the Genesee.

Also from Dec. 3 through Dec. 8, the Webster Thomas High School/OWL PTSA will sponsor a book fair at Barnes & Noble Webster in Towne Center Plaza. All week, when you present the Book Fair ID# 12641403 at checkout, the PTSA will get a percentage of your purchases. To kick off the event, this Saturday Dec. 3, you’ll enjoy some live music presented by Thomas students from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Webster Public Library has all kinds of fun events scheduled this month, from crafts to storytimes to live music. Check out the flier below for some details, but here’s one I want to highlight:

On Tuesday Dec. 6 from 7 to 8 p.m., the Chorus of the Genesee will present a free holiday concert at the library. The Chorus will be sharing a cappella music that spans traditional barbershop to contemporary to some holiday selections. The concert is free, but the library would like to make sure there’s enough seating, so please register here.

Just a few days ago I got the latest edition of the Webster Senior Center newsletter. It’s packed with news of all sorts of great events for the 55+ gang, including exercise classes, Talks on Tuesday, a holiday ball at the Doubletree and more. I wanted to highlight two events, however …

  • first is the Senior Singers annual Holiday Show, scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. This would be a great opportunity to find out more about this group and meet some of the members if you’re at all interested in joining. IN any case, it will feature some beautiful holiday tunes. Admission is free,
  • second is the Holiday Party on Wednesday Dec. 21 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $8/person and registration is required.

Now some important information from the Webster Central School District:

The district will run its annual Emergency Preparedness Early Release Drill, designed to test the district’s plan for the early dismissal of students, on Friday, December 23.

Parents should be prepared for their children to be dismissed early that day. Below are the bus departure times for that Friday Dec. 23 day only:

● Schroeder, 3:15 p.m. departure
● Thomas, 3:15 p.m. departure
● Spry, 3:15 p.m. departure
● Willink, 3:15 p.m. departure
● DeWitt, 2:10 p.m. departure
● Klem North, 1:50 p.m. departure
● Klem South, 2:00 p.m. departure
● Plank North, 1:50 p.m. departure
● Plank South, 2:00 p.m. departure
● Schlegel, 2:10 p.m. departure
● State, 2:10 p.m. departure

For parents/guardians who pick their student(s) up from school, the pick-up window will also be different that day. cConsult your school newsletter/ notifications for details.

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As we enter the winter months, Webster CSD reminds families of its closing and early dismissal protocol. Closing and cancellation information is available through a variety of sources:

● online at websterschools.org
● social media at Facebook.com/WebsterCentralSchools and Twitter @wcsdproud
● parent/guardian notification through ParentSquare
● local media

If the district needs to dismiss early, bus riders will return home in the same order as a regular school day. Parents are asked to be prepared with a plan in the event of an early dismissal and discuss it with their children.

Weather conditions vary widely across the district. Parents/guardians are the final authority in deciding whether or not to send a child to school. Weather-related absences are legal absences; however, parents are required to notify schools if their children will
not be attending.

When school is closed due to weather, all aquatics, community education classes, and evening activities are cancelled as well. WonderCare may be an exception; consult their website and social media pages for updates.

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The district is surveying the community to forecast student enrollment for the foreseeable future. The annual young child census launched on the district website December 1. If you have children residing in your household who are birth to 5 years old, please visit websterschools.org to complete this brief census. Don’t delay! The census closes Jan. 6, 2023.

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In an effort to create a more welcoming environment for all families, the Webster CSD is offering free English as a Second Language (ESL) class to the community.
 
The adult ESL class is open to any adult interested in learning English as a Second Language. To support our growing number of families in Webster due to the war in the Ukraine, the class will be taught by a Ukrainian speaker; however, individuals from all language backgrounds are welcome and participants do not need to reside in Webster. 
 
The class takes place Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road. The class is ongoing so students may attend as many or as few as they wish. No registration is required, and there’s no charge.
  
For more information, call (585) 467-7683 or visit https://oaces.net/enroll-now/

Finally, this notice from the Town of Webster:

In January 2023, the Town will formally start the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan. This was last done in 2008. In anticipation of this venture, they are trying to get as much feedback from Webster citizens as possible.

The Town has developed a short, simple, 6-question survey and are hoping to get more than 2,000 surveys completed by Dec. 31. To participate, click the link above.

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

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 12/1/2022)

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Let’s cheer on the Wreaths Across America truck!

30 Nov

Wreath Day is almost here!

As you’ve read here several times, Wreaths Across America is coming to Webster, joining the effort to place wreaths on the graves of every veteran in the country. On Dec. 17, Wreath Day, volunteers will gather at Webster Union Cemetery to help lay wreaths on the resting places of 650 veterans. (Keep reading to find out how you and your family can volunteer.)

But before we can place the wreaths, they have to be delivered, and THAT will be an exciting and awe-inspiring event.

Sometime in the next week or two, an 18-wheeler traveling from Maine (where the wreaths are created) will be arriving in Webster to deliver our 650 wreaths, driving through town and up to Webster Union Cemetery at the corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull. The truck is part of the Wreaths Across America “Honor Fleet,” made up of hundreds of trucking companies who volunteer their drivers, equipment and time to deliver almost three million wreaths every year to every corner of the country.

We don’t know (yet) exactly when the 18-wheeler will be arriving, but when it does, we want to give it a HUGE Webster welcome. Of course we hope as many people as possible can get out on the roadways to cheer on the truck as it passes by. But also, with enough advance notice, the Webster PD will give the truck an all-sirens-blaring escort through town, and our Webster volunteer fire departments will hang a huge flag from their ladder trucks for the semi to drive under.

We don’t know how much lead time we’ll have to let everyone know when the truck will be arriving and what its route will be. But as soon as I find out, I’ll post something on this blog AND on my Webster on the Web Facebook page. Updates will also be posted on the Wreaths Across America Facebook page.

So keep an eye out for updates, and let’s get excited about welcoming the Wreaths Across America truck to Webster.

Wreath Day is Saturday Dec. 17, and the community is invited to help lay the 650 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Webster Union Cemetery. This would be a great way to honor our heroes and start a new family tradition. Click here to sign up.

To read more about Wreaths Across America at Webster Union Cemetery, visit the website here or Facebook page here.

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

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 11/28/2022)

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New indoor dog park will serve dogs AND their humans

22 Nov

Today I’d like to offer a sneak peak at a brand new business opening soon which will be of particular interest to dogs and the humans they love.

It’s called Woofs Canine Club and Indoor Dog Park, located at 187 West Main St. (at the corner of Barrett Dr.), in the former World Gym.

If you’re not familiar with the concept of an indoor dog park, you’re not alone. There aren’t many of them out there, even here in Rochester, where an indoor park makes a lot of sense. And this one is even different from the ones that ARE out there. Owner Christine Gigante has taken the idea of an outdoor dog park and, she says, “put a spin on it.”

What she means by that is that while Woofs will have the amenities you’ve seen at your average outdoor dog runs, like separate areas for large and small dogs, and lots of agility equipment on artificial turf, Christine will also be focusing on the human component of every dog/owner relationship.

Christine wants to make sure that dog owners get as much out of their visits as their dogs do. She recognizes that getting together with other dog owners has a huge social benefit, so she’s carving out areas for a cafe, pool table and a dart board so people can relax and have conversations while their dogs are getting some exercise. There will even be a small gym area so owners can get a workout while their dogs are getting a workout. (Both the cafe and gym will be separated from the run area by low walls so owners can watch their dogs play.) She’s even thinking about occasionally bringing in food trucks to help build the community.

“If I build it for the dogs, I automatically build it best for the humans,” Christine said. “It’s about getting quality time in your life back.”

Downstairs, a smaller room is being turned into a kind of private “V.I.P.” (very important pup) dog park which can be reserved for dogs with special needs. Next to that is space for a groomer and a photographer.

There’s still plenty of work to be done, but Christine is hoping to open in early December. Admission is membership-based, with day passes and packages available. Click here for more details, and I’ll let you know when Woofs is officially open!  

This former World Gym workout space will be the new dog park
The smaller room downstairs will be the V.I.P. area

A now a second, somewhat related part to this story:

A little while ago, Christine Gigante entered a contest called “Fab Over 40.”

The contest, sponsored in part by NewBeauty magazine, has invited women to submit their photos and stories for a chance to win $40,000, a two-page spread in the magazine, and a spa vacation.

Anyone can vote for their chosen contestant, and the really cool thing is that the contest also benefits the National Breast Cancer Foundation. While you do have the option to vote once a day without making a donation, if you DO choose to make a donation, your contestant will receive one vote for every dollar you donate.

So if you donate $10 to the Breast Cancer Coalition, your contestant will get 10 votes.

Christine has made it all the way through to the semi-finals, and has asked me to pass along the news. If you’d like to add your votes — and donations — to the cause, you can click here to see Christine’s page. (She would use her winnings to help build the new dog park.) Voting started this week and will run through Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.

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

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 11/22/2022)

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Local Nurse Corps veteran recognized

20 Nov

In this month of November, when we make a point to recognize and thank our nation’s veterans, here’s a nice story about one of Webster’s own.

On Friday Nov. 11, Town of Webster Deputy Supervisor Patti Cataldi and Cherie Wood, from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Canandaigua Chapter, attended the Veteran’s Day ceremony held at the Maplewood nursing home. They made the trip especially to present a Certificate of Appreciation to Maplewood resident Marie Gyles.

Marie had been invited to a Thank You Celebration held on July 30 at Webster Union Ceremony to recognize first responders, veterans and the military. But due to COVID restrictions, she was unable to attend. So Cataldi and Wood brought the certificate to her.

Marie Gyles was a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. In her remarks at the presentation, Cataldi explained,

The U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps was the nation’s first integrated uniformed U.S. service corps. It fulfilled an urgent need for nurses during World War II. During that time many nurses were called to military service to care for soldiers overseas, creating vacancies of approximately 17,000 nursing positions in civilian hospitals in the United States. Many hospitals were on the verge of collapse. In 1943 President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Nurse Training Act to provide accelerated nursing training. The federal government covered the cost of tuition, room and board, a monthly stipend and the Cadet Corps uniforms. By 1945, Cadet Nurses were providing 80% of the nursing care in the hospitals in the United States. The Corps celebrated the 75th Anniversary of their creation in 2018.

Marie began her training and was admitted to the United States Cadet Nurse Corps in August 1944 at just 18 years old. She began working as a registered nurse at a tuberculosis hospital in Auburn. She later worked in maternity and pediatric care at Wilson Hospital, where she had trained for the Cadet Corps.

Cataldi also pointed out that the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps remains the only uniformed corps members not to be recognized as veterans. An amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act is pending approval, so hopefully that will soon change.

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

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 11/20/2022)


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Mama Lor’s now open on Lake Road

18 Nov

One of Webster’s best-loved restaurants has just gotten better. The very popular Mama Lor’s Cafe has opened a second location.

On October 1, Mama Lor’s officially opened at 1319 Lake Rd., in what used to be Doc’s Beer Hall, and before that, the Lake Road Country Store. Just ten minutes away from the original location at 1891 Ridge Rd., owners Mike Pompa, Lori Rosenzweig and Jonathan Oliva have created yet another comfortable, family-friendly restaurant that’s already becoming an integral part of the Lake Rd. community.

The new Mama Lor’s Cafe is a tad smaller than the original location, but that’s hard to tell when you walk through the front door. Unlike Ridge Road, which is divided into three distinct areas, the new restaurant’s dining room has an open floor plan, comfortably seating 80 customers. Another 40 can be accommodated on the big front patio.

The restaurant still offers many of its most popular breakfast, lunch and dinner menu items and specials, including the extremely popular fish fry. But, in a nod to its closer-lo-lake-Ontario location, some new seafood options have also been added. A full bar stretches along one wall, featuring a wide selection of liquors, and regional canned, bottled and draft beers.

One main thing that hasn’t changed with the new Mama Lor’s is the business’ commitment to community. It’s a commitment that goes back to when — and why — Lori opened the original Mama Lor’s in 2012, replacing the old Union Hill Country Grill.

Mike Pompa said that Lori used to work at the Country Grill and saw how much it drew the community together. “While it was vacant, it was always on (Lori’s) mind to resurrect that area, to bring it back to what it was,” he said. “She knew the community was huge over there. She loved the community, she loved seeing people.” Converting the old store into a restaurant seemed like a great way to create that community again.

The community responded in kind, both in good times and (especially) bad. During COVID, for example, Mike said that cars would be backed up in the parking lot waiting for the waitresses to deliver to-go orders.

That community focus was a big reason Mike, Lori and John decided to expand the business to Lake Road, just six miles from the Ridge Road location.

Historically, the Country Store and Doc’s Beer Hall “had a huge following,” Mike said. “Everyone we talk to says ‘I used to come here.’ When they closed down, we had the opportunity to do the same thing in this area,” to rebuild that sense of community.

Now that the business is up and running smoothly, the partners are looking at continued improvements over the next several weeks and next year. They include covering the patio, adding a heated front-door walkway, and creating an “express room” with a separate entrance for take-out orders, grab-and-go sandwiches, and maybe even beer and ice cream.

The new Mama Lor’s has already been warmly welcomed by many Ridge Road regulars. Now Mike hopes that Websterites on the north and west sides of town — who may not be familiar with the original restaurant — will now also get to know and love Mama Lor’s.

After all, the more the merrier for a business which strives to be a welcoming gathering place for the entire Webster community.

Ariana Amico behind the bar
Sound dampeners on the ceiling and walls helpo keep the noise down
Plenty of regional brews to choose from

The new Mama Lor’s Cafe is located at 1319 Lake Rd., Webster. They’re open Monday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here to visit their webpage and here to see them on Facebook.

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

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 11/18/2022)

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Cobblestone presents check to Miracle Field

17 Nov

Dan and Sarah Bresnahan, co-owners of Webster’s Cobblestone on Main restaurant, presented a very large check (both in size and amount) to Challenger Miracle Field on Wednesday morning.

The check represented part of the proceeds from the first-ever Webster Oktoberfest, held Sept. 16 and 17 at Webster Fireman’s Field. Cobblestone on Main provided the beer, wine and soft drinks for the festival. The check for $8,000, presented to Miracle Field co-founder Ron Kampff, represented the proceeds from those sales. Several staff members, and even some regular patrons who had volunteered for the two-day event, were also on hand at the presentation.

Dan Bresnahan said the partnership with Miracle Field is exactly the kind of community collaboration they’ve been looking for.

“We are really excited to have been a part of the first Webster Oktoberfest,” he said. “Our goal was to find a local organization to partner with so we could give back to the community. Challenger Miracle Field is a fabulous organization, with great leadership, and one we feel aligns with our mission and values.”

He added, “There are so many great organizations, but these guys are amazing for what they’ve done for individuals with disabilities and inclusivity.”

There’s no shortage of projects at Miracle Field which can benefit from the donation. “We’re always making improvements,” Ron Kampff said. Right now, for example, plans are in motion to install stadium lights so athletes can hold night games. The cash might also help fund the many special events and sporting programs the organization runs all year long.

Kampff said he was especially grateful to Oktoberfest organizer Mike Spang for the opportunity to get the community involved and help bring attention to Miracle Field and its mission.

The Webster Oktoberfest benefited our community in so many ways. Not only did it bring another great festival to the Webster summer calendar (which I hope will become an annual event), it supported an incredibly worthy organization. It raised thousands of dollars for Miracle Field, but more importantly, people walked away from that festival knowing more about the life-changing opportunities the organization provides for children and adults with disabilities. Many thanks to Mike Spang, long-time organizer of the Irondequoit Oktoberfest, for bringing his experience and skills to Webster.

Cobblestone on Main is located at 109 West Main St. in the Village of Webster. Click here to visit their Facebook page.

Pictured above are (front row L-R) Evelyn Fonda, co-owner Sarah Bresnahan, Brenda Baleno, Ron Kampff, Mike Spang, Allie McLaurin; (back row) Tom Wright, Joe Baleno, Dan Bresnahan. Evelyn and Allie are Cobblestone employees. Brenda, Joe and Tom are regular customers who volunteered at the festival.

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

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 11/17/2022)

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Enjoying a gorgeous autumn afternoon

25 Oct

I cannot recall, in recent memory, when we’ve had a more beautiful autumn. The colors are outstanding, the warm temperatures downright delightful, and the stretch of sunny weather has been unbelievable.

I was out and about Tuesday afternoon running some errands, when I decided on the spur of the moment that I needed to do SOMETHING to take advantage of the gorgeous … well, gorgeous everything. So as soon as I got home I dragged my husband to Four Mile Creek Preserve to take a short hike.

Four Mile Creek is probably my favorite Webster hiking trail. It’s flat and just the right length, and even though all of our trails are incredible at this time of year, the Four Mile Creek trails are especially incredible.

I was also inspired by upcoming Cars Along the Creek hike taking place there Saturday morning. This is a very interesting trek hosted by the Friends of Webster Trails, where trail steward Dennis Kuhn will lead participants in a two-hour hike and point out six abandoned cars which hikers can see along the trails. (Click here to read more about this weekend’s hike.)

I can’t make Saturday’s hike, unfortunately, so I figured I could revisit some of those cars myself while we were hiking.

The trails were just as spectacular as I expected, and I couldn’t resist taking a lot of photos. I also saw three of the six cars those lucky hikers will see on Saturday, and I checked out the bridge the young daredevils must have used to drive them onto the property 60 years ago.

Enjoy some photos from the afternoon, and consider taking in some of this beauty, and history, for yourself this weekend at the Friends of Webster Trails Cars Along the Creek Hike, 10 a.m. Saturday morning at Four Mile Creek Preserve, corner of Phillips and Lake roads.

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(posted 10/25/2022)

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