Tag Archives: Village of Webster

Webster community mailbag

7 Oct

Got a packed mailbag today; Webster’s a busy place in the autumn.

Halloween fun for your doggy friends

Woofs Canine Club and Indoor Dog Park is sponsoring a Halloween Fun Run on Monday, Oct. 12 at Charles Sexton (North Ponds) Park to benefit local pet rescues.

For just $10 you’ll enjoy a dance party, kids’ activities, a dog costume parade, adoption event, raffles, and a one-mile community fun run.

It all happens on Monday Oct. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. Check the flier for details. Register early for just $10, because the price goes up to $15 on the day of the event.

More community office hours

Join Town Supervisor Scialdone and other Webster representatives to talk about the local issues that matter most to you. The next scheduled Community Office Hours are Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Town Board Room, 1002 Ridge Rd.; and Monday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Town Board Room.

If you can’t make it to this one, no sweat; they’re scheduled regularly. Note that there is no formal presentation at these events. It’s just your chance to hang out with the Supervisor, ask your questions and present your concerns. You don’t have to register; just show up.

Chamber events

The Webster Chamber of Commerce’s next Eat, Drink, & Connect event is Wednesday, October 14, hosted by Howard Hanna – Webster (1930 Empire Boulevard, Suite 200). Registration is required.

Also, the Chamber is collecting hats, mittens, scarves, gloves, and socks for Webster HOPE. You can drop items at the Chamber office (1110 Crrosspointe Lane, Suite C, Webster), or order them on Amazon and have them shipped directly to the Chamber. Just search for “bulk” hats and mittens and “bulk” socks.

Women’s Club announces October meeting

The next meeting of the Women’s Club of Webster will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 at Bill Gray’s Restaurant, 964 Ridge Rd.

Tracy Dennis, Benefits Counselor for the Webster Community Chest, will be the featured speaker. Tracy will talk about the Community Chest’s mission and activities that address the needs of our Webster neighbors experiencing emergencies and food insecurity. 

Social time begins at 11:15 a.m., followed by a business meeting at noon, lunch at 12:30 p.m. and Tracy’s presentation at 1 p.m.  Attendees can choose one of two lunch options, a cheeseburger or grilled chicken sandwich. Side dishes will include tater tots, macaroni salad, coffee, soda and dessert. Cost is $20. Please mail your check by Oct. 8, made out to the Women’s Club of Webster, to Mary Malone, 606 Galbro Circle, Webster, 14580. 

New members are always welcome.

What’s happening at the library?

Lots of stuff happening at the Webster Public Library in October, of course.

For starters, their annual Trick or Treat Event will be Friday, Oct. 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Families are welcome, and costumes are encouraged. No registration is required.

Here are some other highlights this month

  • Drop-in LEGO fun for kids and families, Friday Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
  • Halloween Dance on Friday Oct. 30 from 10 to 11 a.m. All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
  • The Make-it Monday craft night is Oct. 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. This month’s craft is a fall button and puzzle piece art. For grades 4-12 and adults. Registration is required.
  • For adults: Un po’ di storia: Rochester’s Italian American Community in Historical Perspective. Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is required.
  • T(w)een Halloween Night, Wednesday Oct. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Activities, treats and more. Consumes are encouraged. For grades 4-12. Registration is required.
  • This month’s Community Exchange is purses and wallets.
  • The October Donation Station will be accepting non-perishable food items for the library’s Free Food Pantry.

Next book sale at the library

The Friends of the Webster Public Library will host their next Book Sale from Oct. 21 through 24.

The sale begins on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 4 to 7 p.m., open to members of the Friends. A Vintage Book Sale will also be held at this time for the general public.

The sale opens up to everyone on Thursday Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. On Friday and Saturday you can fill a bag with books for just $5.

Plus, the ever-popular Kittelberger’s Bouquet Cards will be sold at the library from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3

The pumpkins are back

I’ll be posting a longer blog about this later, but mark your calendars now for the Webster Recreation Center’s annual Pumpkins on Parade, Saturday Oct. 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Stroll along the Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center through hundreds of illuminated jack-o-lanterns, then finish off your evening with cider and donuts, a hay bale maze, lawn games and more.

And if you REALLY enjoy making jack-o-lanterns, sign up for the Rec Center’s Family Carving Night on Friday, Oct. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is only $5 per person, and all carving supplies, pizza and water will be included in the registration.

Clean out your medicine cabinets

Webster Health and Education Network, together with the Town of Webster and the Webster Police Department will host a DEA National Drug Take Back event on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Town Court, 1002 Ridge Rd. (behind Town Hall; look for the blue roof). Clear out your medicine cabinet to help to keep Webster safe. This will be a drive-through event so you don’t even have to get out of your car! 

This is your chance to safely dispose of unused, expired or unwanted medications. Registration is not required, but if you register you’ll get a reminder via email about the event. You can register and get more details here.​

The verrrrrrry popular Village of Webster Trick or Treat Trail will be held ON HALLOWEEN DAY this year, Saturday Oct. 31.

I’ll provide some more details about this soon, but here are the highlights:

  • Costume Contest from 11 a.m. to noon
  • Trick-or-Treat Trail, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Museum Scavenger Hunt and candy-corn-guessing contest
  • Webster Volunteer Fire Dept. open house

Museum Tree Festival

The Webster Museum is starting to plan for this year’s Tree Festival, held in conjunction with the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland festivities on Dec. 5.

The Webster Museum is currently taking sign ups to decorate one of their 20 miniature Christmas trees, which are distributed throughout the museum. You can sign up as a community organization, a school group, a family or just yourself. Trees and lights are provided. Creativity and ornaments are up to you.

Visitors to the museum will be voting on their favorites and prizes will be awarded. The museum is also looking for musical groups to perform during the festival. If you’d like to decorate a tree or volunteer your musical talents for this much anticipated event at the Webster Museum please call Gwen Hoffman @ 585-738-6221.

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

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(posted 10/7/2026)

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Work has begun on improving Schantz Park

3 Oct

I picked up a bit of rather exciting news from the Village of Webster’s Sept. 8 newsletter, which reported that plans are in motion to bring some much needed improvements to Schantz Park.

Schantz Park is nestled between State Rd. and Hawley Dr. on the south side of the Village of Webster. It’s a multi-use recreational space which features a baseball diamond, basketball court, a few picnic tables and grills, and a playground. There are also some old tennis courts which haven’t been usable for years and are rather an embarrassment.

The whole park has needed some attention for quite a while, and work has begun on a whole list of improvements. According to the newsletter, at their August 27 meeting, the Village Board voted to accept a bid from Kircher Construction for work for stage one of the project, work on the basketball court’s concrete pad and installation of a toddler basketball court.

The existing basketball court will be removed and a new 30 x 60 concrete pad will be installed in the same area. The toddler basketball court will feature two partial half courts, with a high-performance, waterproof VersaCore surface and shorter hoops.

The basketball courts are just the start of many improvements planned for the park. They include:

  • a proposed walking trail around the perimeter of the park
  • new playground equipment and new safety surface
  • pickleball courts where the tennis courts are now
  • expanded parking area
  • replacing the baseball field with soccer goals and obstacle course equipment

The map below shows these and other proposed improvements. Residents can continue to offer their comments or questions about the project using this online comment form.

The toddler basketball court is part of the Little Legends project, in partnership with the Rochester-based Knox & Nash Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports families navigating pregnancy, NICU, and infant loss. It was established by Codi and Andrew Mrozek in memory of their twin boys, Knox and Nash, who passed last January due to Twin to Twin
Transfusion Syndrome. Codi is coach of the Webster Schroeder girls basketball team, and also a teacher in the district.

Codi and Andrew’s mission is to improve bereavement care for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss, a loss in the NICU, and the loss of one or all twins or multiples. They plan to honor their sons with the new Little Legends playground and toddler basketball court at Schantz Park.

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(posted 10/3/2026)

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).

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Webster Museum’s 250 America celebration is this weekend

29 Sep

Today, another reminder about a great family event being hosted by the Webster Museum this weekend, on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. It’s called the Celebrating America 250 Festival, an opportunity to honor our nation while exploring the rich history right here in our own backyard.

The festival will highlight Webster’s agricultural, business, educational and pioneer history, giving residents a chance to learn more about the people, places and stories that helped shape our town.

You’ll start your historical tour by picking up a bag of pennies at the museum entrance. Then stroll through the museum and parking lot (weather permitting) to experience almost two dozen displays and hands-on “old-timey” activities. Each one will cost one cent.

For example, you can:

  • taste some dried apples and vote for your favorite apple variety
  • learn to make a friendship quilt
  • practice your letters on a slate in the one-room schoolhouse (be the first to find the mouse in plain sight!)
  • peer through a stereoscope (which is kind of like a View-Master)
  • play with some vintage toys and try some pioneer games
  • learn to make butter in the kitchen
  • buy some penny candy at Witmer’s Variety Store
  • get an ice cream cone at the Candy Kitchen

There will also be several other special activities, including a performance by the Genesee Country Fiddlers, a Children’s Broomstick Drill led by Michael Grenier (at 1 p.m.), a student art display, a skit about “How Webster Became Webster,” and a cake-cutting by Town Supervisor Alex Scialdone (at 2 p.m.).

And as a special treat, the museum has created a new display for their 8,000-year old wooly mammoth molar, so you can check that out and read about where it was found in Webster.

The museum folk continue to add more exhibits and activities, so plan to arrive early, stay late, and celebrate our town’s — and our nation’s — rich history. It all happens this Saturday Oct. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. Admission to he event is free.

Basically, this is a great opportunity for the whole family to get better acquainted with the Webster Museum, while having a lot of fun learning about our town’s history.  

(Militia photo credit: Joe Altieri)

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(posted 9/29/2026)

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).

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A quick update on “Returns for a Reason”

28 Sep

You all remember Pierson Farina.

He’s the Spry Middle School 7th grader who established his own fund-raising operation a little over a year ago which he calls “Returns for a Reason.” His goal is to collect returnables from family members, neighbors, schoolmates, strangers — anyone and everyone — and every time he raises a good chunk of money, he donates it to some worthy organization.

Since Pierson started Returns for a Reason, he has raised $1,550, which he’s donated to several community agencies: The Webster Volunteer Fire Department, Lollypop Farm, Honor Flight Rochester, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Tunnels to Towers. He also saw a need at his school, Spry Middle School, and donated $300.00 for them to purchase more bike racks for the many kids that ride their bikes to school. 

Most recently, Pierson presented $250 cash to the Knights of Columbus for their “Coats for Kids” program, to help purchase winter coats for children in need.

If you’d like to help Pierson continue his charitable efforts, stash your returnables in your car, and the next time you’re in the village, drive down Dunning Ave. and look for the green Returns for a Reason bin on the front walk.

Thank you to J. Stewart Coon, Pierson’s very proud grandpa (who also happens to be the chairman of the Coats for Kids effort) for this update. And stay tuned for more information about Coats for Kids coming up very soon.

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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 9/28/2026)

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There are goats in them thar’ park

27 Sep

Have you seen the goats at Milton Case Park?

The Village of Webster recently imported about a dozen goats to Milton Case Park to help control invasive vegetation. The park is located between South Ave. and Wood St., behind Spry Middle School.

The goats came from Kaizen Ridge Farm in Victor, and are tasked with eating their way through 11 acres of invasive vegetation clogging the park and its trails, including poison ivy, multiflora rose and Japanese knotweed. According to the Village of Webster’s September 8 newsletter, “goat landscaping” is an “eco-friendly solution … a natural way to manage land without chemicals, heavy machinery, or fuel.”

“Goats can also access hard-to-reach areas, ensuring a thorough and efficient clearing,” the newsletter added. “They graze on unwanted plants without the need for herbicides, leaving the land healthier and more sustainable.”

The goats arrived on the weekend of September 20, and are being contained inside an electric fence. They’re expected to remain on site for about two weeks. They’ve been a draw for local residents, who’ve been stopping by the enclosure to say hi. The Village reminds everyone however, not to try to pet the goats or tamper with the fence, and keep your dog on a leash while you’re in the park.

The Village introduced their new goatscapers at a “Meet the Goats” event on the 20th, where attendees could get up-close and personal with the four-legged lawn-mowing crew. Thanks to Mary White for these photos from that day:

The goats are just the first step in the underbrush clearing chore; the Village’s Department of Public Works is planning to hire new staff this fall to help clear remaining brush and poison ivy.

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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 9/27/2026)

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Sip ‘n’ Shop this week to benefit the Women’s Club

21 Sep

Now here’s an event I want to pull out for special attention because it’s gonna be a lot of fun, AND it benefits an organization near and dear to my heart, the Women’s Club of Webster.

It’s called Sip, Shop, Savor and Support, and it’s being hosted by Lala of Webster this Thursday, Sept. 24 on behalf of the Women’s Club. It’s an evening of coming together as a community to have fun with friends, meet new people, and benefit a good cause at the same time.

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 24, shoppers are asked visit Lala’s and purchase items worth $15 or more to be included in raffle baskets being prepared for the club’s Card and Game Party on Tuesday Sept. 29. The party is one of three big fundraisers the Women’s Club hosts every year, which also include the Christmas Cookie Sale in December at the Webster Public Library, and the Fashion Show every spring.

As a thank you for your donation, shoppers will receive 20% storewide on items over $10 (excluding final sale items).

BUT THERE’S MORE! After you’re done shopping, head next door to Jojo Bistro & Wine Bar for live music, and 20% off your bill when you show them your Lala receipt.

Sounds like a great date night to me.

I’ll be there through the whole event with a smile and information about the Women’s Club for anyone who might be interested. Please come by and say hi!

Lala of Webster is located at 38 East Main Street in the village.

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By the way, the Women’s Club is gearing up for their October meeting, scheduled for Thursday, October 15 at Bill Gray’s Restaurant, 964 Ridge Rd.

Tracy Dennis, Benefits Counselor for the Webster Community Chest, will be the featured speaker. Social time begins at 11:15 a.m., followed by a business meeting at noon, lunch at 12:30 p.m. and Tracy’s presentation at 1 p.m.

Attendees can choose one of two lunch options, a cheeseburger or grilled chicken sandwich. Side dishes will include tater tots, macaroni salad, coffee, soda and dessert. Cost is $20. Please mail your check by Oct. 8, made out to the Women’s Club of Webster, to Mary Malone, 606 Galbro Circle, Webster, 14580. 

New members are always welcome, and warm camaraderie is included at no 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 9/21/2026)

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The Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market is moving!

18 Sep

I heard some big news recently about the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market, which right now calls Towne Center Plaza its home every Saturday morning. Next season, the market will be returning to the Village of Webster.

Beginning June 12, 2027, the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market will be setting up at Spry Middle School, in the cafetorium parking lot right off of South Ave. It’ll still be on the same day (Saturday), at the same time (8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and will have the same vendors you’ve come to know and love, plus some new ones.

The parking at Spry will be much easier and more plentiful, and I’ve heard unconfirmed reports that there will be food trucks at the new location as well. (Still trying to get more information about stuff like that.)

It’s also basically going to be right across the road from me, so I’m all for the move!

As I find out more about this change, I’ll let you all know.

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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 9/18/2026)

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September History Bit: Celebrating America’s 250th birthday at the Museum

17 Sep

This month’s History Bit is more like a history “chunk,” as the Webster Museum invites the entire community to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary by exploring the rich history right here in our own backyard.

From 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, the museum will host its Celebrating 250 America Festival, highlighting Webster’s agricultural, business, educational and pioneer history, giving residents a chance to learn more about the people, places and stories that helped shape our town.

Almost two dozen displays and hands-on activities will be set up throughout the museum and (weather permitting) in the front yard, giving visitors not only the opportunity to not learn about Webster history, but also try some “old-timey” activities for themselves.  

For example, you can taste some dried apples and vote for your favorite apple variety, practice your letters on a slate in the one-room schoolhouse, peer through a stereoscope (which is kind of like a View-Master), play with some vintage toys, churn some butter and help make a paper quilt.  

The kids will especially enjoy buying penny candy at Witmer’s Variety Store (the museum will provide the pennies), getting an ice cream from the Candy Kitchen, painting a pumpkin, and joining the Children’s Broomstick Muster led by Michael Grenier, which takes place at 1 p.m.

But there’s more! At 2 p.m., Colin Scott will introduce us to Webster and talk about how Webster became Webster; at 2:30 p.m. there’ll be cake, and at 3 p.m. the kids can sit down for Story Time with Mrs. Nesbitt.  

Basically, this is a great opportunity for the whole family to get better acquainted with the Webster Museum, while having a lot of fun learning about our town’s history.  

It all happens on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. Admission to the event is free. For more information, visit the Webster Museum website.

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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 9/17/2026)

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An update on the NY Forward grant

15 Sep

Just yesterday, as I walked through the village, I got to wondering whatever happened to that $4.5 million NY Forward grant that we heard so much about a few years ago.

The grant, you might remember, was awarded to the Village of Webster for improvements to the downtown business district. It was secured in large part to the efforts of the Webster Economic Development Alliance (WEDA), and landing it was a long process involving proposals, committees, focus groups, and lots of opportunities for input from community members and business owners.

After receiving the award, more meetings and input sessions ensued to decide where and how to use the hard-won funds. Ultimately all the proposals were whittled down to 21 projects, and community members were given several opportunities to vote for their favorite ones. Last year, New York State selected 11 projects to receive the funding.

But then, I heard pretty much nothing about that money and when it was finally going to be spent. So it was with great interest that I read an article in the most recent Village of Webster newsletter which outlined the next steps.

The 11 projects which were chosen are:

  • Enhance Veterans Memorial Park for Events and Community Use — $1,100,000
  • Optimize Harmony House for Performances — $1,010,000
  • Create a Multipurpose Conservatory at Kittelberger Florist & Gifts — $546,000
  • Enhance the Visitor Experience through Wayfinding Signage — $381,000
  • Create a Gateway to the North End Business District — $310,000
  • Establish a Small Project Grant Fund — $289,000
  • Create a Hojack Trail Gateway — $289,000
  • Renovate Community Spaces at Immanuel Lutheran Church — $255,000
  • Modernize Commercial Spaces at 39 West Main Street — $161,000
  • Transform 7 South Avenue for Retail Use — $89,000
  • Invest in Marketing for Downtown Webster — $70,000

According to the newsletter, on Aug. 13 the Village of Webster signed initial consultant agreements for three of those projects:

  • Veterans Memorial Park
    • Make improvements to Veterans Memorial Park that will optimize it for use as a performance venue and enhance ADA accessibility in the park.
  • Wayfinding signage
    • Install wayfinding signage at key locations throughout the Village to provide directional and locational information to visitors and to strengthen downtown Webster’s sense of place.
  • Marketing
    • Develop a platform for information on parking, events and promotions, along with digital marketing content to promote the Village and enhance awareness of businesses.

The Village promises additional opportunities for public engagement with the projects. Stay tuned for more information.

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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 9/15/2026)

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Another flood sale at the Quilt Shoppe?!

15 Sep

It’s happened again, but fortunately this time it wasn’t as bad.

You may remember that back in 2019, just months after the Village Quilt Shoppe opened at 21 East Main St. in the Village of Webster, a water leak from the upstairs apartment came through the floor and ruined much of their merchandise. They had to close to regroup, but came back strong thanks to their very loyal customers.

Well, it happened again. Another water leak from the same apartment. This time, though, it only affected some of their fabrics. So once again, the Village Quilt Shoppe is having a “Flood Sale.” Monique and Vanetta have washed all of the affected fabric, cut it into convenient one-yard and two-yard pieces, and are selling it for $7 a yard (cash only).

So stop on down to the shop at 21 East Main St. (on the corner of Lapham Park) and grab some bargains.

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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 9/15/2026)

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