Tag Archives: Village of Webster

Webster community mailbag, etc.

2 Jan

On my walk Thursday morning, I strolled through the village to see if any good blog ideas might jump out at me. It seems that everything is still slowly waking up again after the holiday season, so there’s not a whole lot to write about these days.

I did notice that the new Sweet Square Bakery on the corner of West Main and North Ave. now has butcher block paper in the windows, so something must be going on in there. (I sent them an email to see if I could get an update.) I peeked inside Caraglio’s Pizza on East Main, which has been “coming soon” for three months now, but it looks like they’re still a long way from opening.

There also seems to be some activity in the old Jeff’s Computer shop, so I’ll continue to keep an eye on that.

I also stopped in to chat with Mark Petzing at the Mary Wee Pub to see how things are going there, and he reports that business is strong. If you haven’t checked out the new pub yet (which replaced Barry’s Old School Irish at 2 West Main), make that one of your New Year’s resolutions. It’s a great place.

So, since there’s no real news to tell you about, here are a few mailbag reminders of events coming up in the next few weeks.

Great family events at the Webster Public Library

The Webster Public Library will host a Preschool Open House on Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. Representatives from preschools and nursery schools in the Webster area will be available to chat with parents and provide information about their programs. Registration is not required.

These schools will be there: Little Learners Preschool in Webster, NY, Penfield United Methodist Preschool, Positive Preschool, Webster KinderCare, Webster Central School District’s PreK, Busy Blossoms Daycare, Webster Montessori School, and Woodside Nursery School. 

On Sunday Jan. 19, the library will be hosting a brand new event called the Library Fan Fest, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Participants can visit five different literary realms: The Dragon’s Den (fantasy), The Queen’s Ball (Regency era), The Fairytale Forest (princesses & fairytales), Mythology Camp, and the Comics Cafe (comics & superheroes). Each realm will offer themed crafts, activities, treats, and more. Visit with live animals, have a tarot card reading, learn a Regency-inspired dance, get your face painted, visit the Candy Shoppe, meet characters from your favorite fairy tales and comics, and more. Costumes are highly encouraged.

This event is for literary lovers of all ages. There’s no charge, but you must register. Click here to do so.  

Families of Young Children Asked to Take Census

Parents/guardians residing within the Webster Central School District (CSD), and who have children ages birth to 5 years residing in the household, are being asked to take a brief young child census survey that will be used to forecast student enrollment for the foreseeable future.

Completing the census is a young families’ first connection with the school district. It enables Webster CSD to keep in contact with families as their children approach school age. When families share their email address with Webster CSD through the census, it enables the district to notify those families when their children are eligible for prekindergarten and kindergarten registration.

The form will be available on the Webster CSD website through January 6, 2025. Families who do not have access to a computer can participate by calling Student Registration at (585) 216-0029.

January Women’s Club program set

The Women’s Club of Webster will welcome local author Robin L. Flanigan as the speaker for its January meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Flanigan has written several books, including 100 Things To Do In Rochester Before You Die, an excellent guidebook for the Rochester region. The meeting will be held at Proietti’s Restaurant, 980 Ridge Rd. Social time begins at 11:15 a.m., followed by the meeting at noon, lunch, and Ms. Flanigan’s presentation.

Lunch costs $19 and will include a variety of Proietti’s pizzas, salad, a cannoli and camaraderie. New members WELCOME! Send check made out to WCW by January 9 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, 14519. If you have questions or think that your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

“Spring” musical season is upon us

The middle and high school musical season has crept up on us already. It begins on January 31 and Feb. 1 when the Willink Drama Club presents the classic hit Annie, Jr.

Based on the popular Tony-winning musical, the youth edition is a perfectly-sized adaptation for adults and kids of all ages. The spunky little orphan will warm the hearts of your entire family.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. I don’t think tickets are on sale yet, so stay tuned for that information.

The following week, Feb. 6 to 8, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., will present the hit Broadway musical, Hadestown. The “teen edition” of the movie is still a full-length production — a haunting, jazzy folk opera which follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice. Hadestown has only very recently been released, and Webster Schroeder is the first in our area to get it.

More to come about show times and tickets.

THIS JUST IN!

I “stopped the presses” for this fun event that just came across my Facebook feed from the Webster Recreation Center:

It’s their Buffalo Bills Hype Party, scheduled for Saturday Jan. 11. The time hasn’t yet been determined because we don’t yet know when the Bills will be playing, but it will run for two hours. (Don’t worry, the party will NOT be during the game!)

The party will feature:

  • FREE ADMISSION with a donation to Webster HOPE
  • Lala of Webster will be on site selling Bills gear
  • Bills Fan, Jeremey Andrzejewski will be emceeing, helping play music and running trivia
  • Buffalo Bills-themed lawn games
  • a mini living room with multiple TVs and old Bills media
  • Buffalo Bills-themed photo area
  • tailgate-type snacks

This is a family friendly, alcohol free event, which is absolutely free and open to the community. Stay tuned to the Webster Recreation Center Facebook page for an update on the event’s time.

GO BILLS!

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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 1/2/2025)

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Looking back at the year in blogs

31 Dec

As I like to do at the end of the year, a few days ago I took a stroll back through all of the blogs I wrote in 2024. It’s always a fun exercise, as I review all of the events, business openings and closings, people and places that I found to share with you all. They reflect the extraordinary diversity of people, places and events we have here in Webster, and how close-knit this town is.

We do NOT live in a boring town.

In the last 12 months, counting today, I posted 298 blogs. That sounds like a lot, but compared to 2023, when I posted 313 blogs, it seems I was slacking. But that number still reflects that I posted an average of 24 days every month — sometimes twice in one day. It’s also interesting (at least to me) to note that the blogs were viewed almost 240,000 times. Nine of the top ten blogs were about new businesses, the most popular one being the official announcement about the new Mary Wee Pub moving into 2 West Main. Actually, 6 of the top 12 blogs were about that corner.

My photo galleries following events like the Trick or Treat Trail and Fireman’s Parade were also big draws. But it always surprises me how many people also love learning about local history, because my History Bits are also very well read, and often spark the most comments.

If you’ve got a few minutes and would find it interesting, I’ve pulled out a handful of my favorite blogs from each month. If something really strikes your fancy and you want to read any of them again, click through the hyperlink.

January

January, 2024 started off slowly for me. I posted only 17 blogs that month. Among those was news of a new dog groomer (Polished Pup) opening on North Ave., and my first of several blogs about what was happening at 2 West Main (which was just being remodeled).

But I also re-posted an article I’d found in the Webster Recreation Center newsletter about the Man in the Yellow Truck, who selflessly picks up trash along Rt. 104. My other favorite from January was a story about a tow-truck parade held in honor of 88-year old Ruth Childs. It was one of those times when a call went out to the Webster community to make someone’s day special, and the community answered that call, big time.

February

In February, I posted an update from Danny and Jessica Barry about how their plans were progressing to open a new pub, because I’d been getting a lot of questions about that. This became one of those top-ten blogs.

Also in February, I featured the new Donutchew Bakery in BayTowne Plaza, and helped spread the big news that Webster won a $4.5 million grant from the State. But my favorite blog that month was probably when I joined a 5th grade class from Klem South Elementary at the Challenger Learning Center. What a fascinating experience that was.

March

March 2024 was a busy blog month. This was when I broke the news that another Irish pub would be moving into 2 West Main. The Bay Bridge celebrated a birthday in March, and I featured it and the bridge’s history in what would become one of most popular History Bits.

Two of my favorite blogs from March were about people in our community. The first introduced my readers to Gail, who’s been working at our local Burger King for 40 years. In the second one, I re-introduced everyone to the residents of one North Webster neighborhood who’ve been gathering outside for happy hour every night for more that four years (since the pandemic).

Other blogs that month were about when Santa kept his promise to one young girl on her birthday, Wreath Retirement Day, a preview of SpongeBob the Musical at Spry, memories of chalking and rainbows during the pandemic, the Willink Student/Parent Band celebrating 30 years, and an answer to the question “who takes care of the WEBSTER bushes?“

Told you it was a busy month.

April

Remember what happened last April? Something called a total solar eclipse. I didn’t write a lot about that before it happened (it was being covered to death elsewhere), but later that day I posted, “Boy, am I glad THAT’S over!” Another of my favorites that month was about how our community helped 91-year old Nanny celebrate her birthday by filling her front yard with gnomes.

That month I also provided a sneak peek at Schroeder’s upcoming musical, Little Women, l wrote about fostering cats for Lollypop (my favorite hobby), posted lots of photos from Community Arts Day, and highlighted Ron Kampff, who was named the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee’s Citizen of the Year.

May

May, 2024 was another busy month; I posted a whopping 33 blogs. That month I told you all about Deborah Mackay School of Dance’s 40th anniversary, the rededication of Edna Struck Park, the Blue Star Mothers Baby Shower for Military, and this year’s Oak Tree award winners. I also posted lots of photos from the Memorial Day Parade.

But my favorite thing that happened in May was that I finally got to meet my Pen Pal, a Greece second grader I’d been corresponding with through a Webster Recreation Center program.

June

Sometimes I use my blog to talk about more personal, decidedly non-Webster topics. I did that in June when I wrote about a bike ride I took along the Erie Canal Heritage Trail. I also met some very brave and resilient women, all fighting breast cancer, who had forged an unbreakable bond. I told their story in the Tale of the Traveling Pink Poncho.

Also in June, I highlighted the Webster Village Band and the Women’s Club of Webster, wrote a follow-up of the annual XRX Amateur Radio Field Day, viewed an extra special grad parade at State Rd. Elementary School. introduced readers to Webster’s post-secondary program at St. John Fisher College, and reported on the mock-DWI presentation held at Webster Thomas.

July

Sometimes my shortest blogs can be the most meaningful. One of those was in July when the Webster community came out for the funeral procession for fallen Cleveland police officer — and Webster native — Jamieson Ritter.

In July I also wrote about the Village of Webster’s new online newsletter and the Webster Public Library’s new BookBox program at Country Manor. I posted photos from the Firemen’s Parade and the greatly improved and expanded community garden at Webster Hope. I also gave everyone a sneak peek at the renovations taking place inside the new Mary Wee Pub.

August

August was a weird month. For almost two weeks my husband and I were out of the country on a Rhine River cruise, so I had written and scheduled about a dozen blogs in advance so I didn’t have to worry about doing so on vacation. I’ll bet no one even noticed!

Most of those pre-scheduled blogs benefited from not being date-specific, like the refurnished bus stop on Shoemaker Rd., and a fun look at where in the world (besides Webster) you can find the 14580 zip code. I featured the BlueFins Swim Team, wrote a follow-up from Webster Union Cemetery’s 200th anniversary celebration, and posted photos from the Webster Jazz Fest and the Village’s summery floral displays.

But my favorite blog in August was about Helen Miller Day, when dozens of friends and family members gathered at The Coach Sports Bar to honor the memory of Helen Miller, a long-time friend to Webster. I just happened upon the annual event and was delighted to learn more about this delightful woman and everything she did for Webster, including creating the mural and stained glass windows in the Village’s Community Meeting Hall.

September

The headline of my first blog in September was “Didja miss me?” It was one of those personal pieces, where I reviewed my recent Viking cruise along the Rhine (including some really pretty photos). But my most popular blog that month was about John and Bernadette Stebler. I met with them at Cherry Ridge Nursing Home to get their thoughts on the occasion of their 70th anniversary.

Also in September I posted some follow-up photos from the Webster Garlic Fest, got a preview of the new ROC Dance studio in the old Music Store on East Main St., featured a young Webster boy cast in OFC Creations’ production of The Boy From Oz, and shared some stories from when I took a 15-mile bike ride with some new friends through West Webster.

October

Believe it or not, I was out of the country for another two and a half weeks in October, and once again posted every single one of those blogs ahead of time. (You may have noticed the time stamp when I put them on Facebook was, like, 2:00 a.m.)

The Webster Marching Band once again earned the title of #1 in the State this year, news which I shared in October. I wrote about how the Webster Rotary helped RocMaidan pack backpacks with medical supplies to be shipped to the Ukraine. And my History Bit that month was a Halloween-inspired ghost story straight from the shores of Lake Ontario.

At the end of the month I posted an update from the almost-open Mary Wee Pub, and photos from Pumpkins on Parade and the village’s Trick or Treat Trail. But my favorite blog of the month was when I introduced my readers to Judy Braiman, who, as a tireless consumer advocate, has spent her life making our lives safer.

November

The advantage of having my own blog is that I can choose who and what I write about, and I definitely have my favorite topics. One of those is the Friends of Webster Trails. In November, following the Friends’ annual meeting, I posted a kind of summary of everything they’ve accomplished this year. And that was a LOT.

Also in November, I posted photos from the Webster Montessori School’s mini-Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, previewed Webster Thomas’ production of The Diary of Anne Frank, announced the opening of the village’s newest restaurant, Annette’s, and participated in a Murder Mystery Theater at the Webster Public Library.

In December I posted my favorite History Bit of the year, the story of the American St. Nick and how this former Webster resident helped bring Christmas cheer to the children of war-torn Luxembourg in WWII. A few days after that, I wrote about the afternoon that I joined 16 runner friends down in Seneca Falls for the best 5K ever, the It’s a Wonderful Run — complete with lots of fun photos, of course.

My two other favorite December polsts were the blog (and photos from) Wreaths Across America Day, and the touching stories I shared from my good friend Santa Jim, about how being a Santa is not always a jolly job. That one was titled “Is there a time for Santa to cry?“

Whew. If you’re still with me, thank you for reading this far. I hope you found it interesting to revisit some of this year’s blogs. And remember that if you ever think of something or see something that you think would make an interesting blog, PLEASE drop me an email. I rely on all of you to keep me busy.

Please have a safe and happy new year.

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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 12/31/2024)

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Where to recycle your Christmas tree

28 Dec

As I was walking yesterday morning, I saw that one family on my street had already deposited their Christmas tree at the curb, where it was awaiting pickup.

It made me a little sad to see that, because it signals that the holiday season has pretty much come to an end. But then another thought lifted my heart. This really wasn’t an end to that tree’s usefulness; when the Village picks it up in a few weeks, the tree will be recycled, and it may very well come back to my street next spring, as mulch for my garden.

So here I am, encouraging everyone to make sure to recycle your live trees, and help make my garden — and others — happy and healthy this spring. Here’s how and where to do that:

Village of Webster: The Public Works Dept. will collect your Christmas tree as part of their normal brush pick-up runs, the week of Jan. 6. Live trees only will be accepted, with ornaments and lights removed. And the tree CANNOT be in a bag or plastic cover.

Put your tree at the curb no later than Sunday night Jan. 5, because the crews will be making only one pass through the village.

Town of Webster: The Town does not seem to have updated last year’s tree recycling information on its website yet, but chances are nothing will have changed. Last year (and probably this year as well), trees were being accepted 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 Penfield DPW facility 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 west side of the Town Hall complex. 

Irondequoit: I can’t find any updated information about Irondequoit, either, but every year they collect trees at Helmer Nature Center, 154 Pinegrove Ave., through the middle of January. Make sure to remove all ornaments, lights, twine, string, wire, or bags from your tree.

Stay tuned to their Facebook page 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 12/26/2024)

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Webster Village Runners turned out in force for the It’s a Wonderful Run

15 Dec

Neither snow, nor rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night, nor biting cold will keep the Webster Village Runners from enjoying a fun wintry run together, and Saturday afternoon was no exception.

Nineteen of us from the Village Runners (including significant others) made the hour-long trek to Seneca Falls that afternoon to take part in the annual It’s a Wonderful Run 5K. It was the largest group we’ve ever had participate (so many that 12 of us even rented a van). Several of these friends were first-timers, who decided to attend because I regularly talk about how much fun it is. It always draws thousands of runners (this year the total was 4,800), and almost everyone dresses up in holiday attire, including bells, Santa hats, elf costumes and Christmas lights. I saw people dressed as Christmas trees and snowmen, the Grinch and a Yeti, a turkey, some Cindy Lu Whos and candy canes, and lots of tutus. Everyone at this race is in a jolly mood and more than happy to step in to take a picture of your whole group if you ask. And there was a lot of that.

And this is also a must-do event for any fan of the Jimmy Stewart classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s generally accepted that Frank Capra based his movie on the charming little village. There’s an It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, and the race actually begins on the bridge believed to be the inspiration for the one in the movie — plus, 84-year old Karolyn Grimes herself (who played Zuzu) starts the race by announcing the famous line, “Every time a bell rings, a angel gets his wings.”

True to its name, the It’s a Wonderful Run is more a run (or walk) than a race. For sure there are many runners who wiggle to the front of the pack to do their 4-minute miles, but many more thousands of us are content to walk most of the route, to experience everything there is to see and do along the way.

Seneca Falls village residents come out in force for this event. They set up fire pits and ring cow bells and give high-fives to all the runners. They hand out Fireball shots, vodka shots, whiskey shots, daquiri shots pudding and Jello shots. They hand out full cans of beer and hard seltzer, and mini bottles of Fireball. At one house, they were grilling hot dogs and handing them to the runners. At another, they were cooking up marshmallows or handing out fudge, cheese and crackers and chips and salsa. All through the beautiful little village, the houses are ablaze with Christmas lights and Christmas music blares from the porches.

So there’s not a whole lot of running involved; there is a lot of stopping and sampling the treats and taking photos of the beautifully decorated homes along the route. But this is not a race for time. This is a run for fun.

If you’re interested in seeing more photos from the event, click here for a gallery. I tried to capture some of the more outlandish costumes, and the sense of community generated by Seneca Falls as we all celebrate one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time.

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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 12/15/2024)

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Creative gift ideas from Village merchants

11 Dec

There are a lot of things I love about patronizing our small businesses here in the Village of Webster, especially at this time of year. For starters, they’re so much easier and faster to get in and out of, rather than spending an hour finding parking and getting lost in a big-box store. The owner is RIGHT THERE to help you out and answer your questions. And they always have unique and creative gift ideas.

One good example is M.O. Pasta at 5 East Main. Mike has come up with a great idea there to accommodate everyone’s gift-giving needs: a make-your-own-pasta-basket. Choose your basket, choose your pasta, choose your sauces, choose your oils, and make up a delicious gift, custom-tailored to your friend or family member.

But this next fun and gift idea really caught my eye — and my sweet tooth. They’re freeze-dried candies that kind of puff up into a completely different texture.

They’re called Frost Bites, and they’re being sold at Woodland Silk Screening & Embroidery at 5 West Main St. (lower level). You might recognize this shop as the home of “OHHH LORDEE” sauces marketed by owner Laurie Read. It’s her husband Gary Caufmann who’s come up with this latest treat, a fun new business as he looks forward to retirement.

Basically, freeze dying causes the candy to puff up, creating a texture that Laurie describes as “between a cheese puff and a malt ball.” They’re not sticky, and it can be done to most candies (be sure to ask if you don’t see your favorite). Right now there’s a wide variety on the Woodland shelves, including “Milkey Dudes,” “Snickles,” “Spicy Peach Crunchies,” “Charlie Chews,” “Peppermint Marshmallows,” “Candy Coated Tooties,” “Spicy Peach Crunchies,” and more. And at $5 a bag, they’re a lot less expensive than I’ve seen at craft fairs and farm markets.

But beware … they’re a tad addictive. (I took a bag of the M&M ones home, and they barely made it a day before I’d polished them off.) So if you want to grab some for stocking stuffers, you might want to wait until the week before Christmas or they might not go the distance.

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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 12/11/2024)

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Photos from Winter Wonderland

8 Dec

It was cloudy, snowy and cold on Saturday for the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland celebration. So, basically, we had perfect weather.

I for one was hoping that it would snow for Winter Wonderland this year. I can’t remember the last time we had an actual wintry day (even when it was called White Christmas), which always seemed a little sad for something which is named after snow. So even though it meant bundling up and making sure you had some hot chocolate to warm your hands, I thought the weather was perfect.

The snow made the village sparkle even more than usual, enhanced by the illuminated snowflakes on the light poles, which this year for the first time had been transformed into bright and beautiful candy canes.

I didn’t get out to check out all the activities as much as I usually do, but when I was in town, I was pleased to see a lot of families exploring Gazebo Park, popping into the shops, grabbing some hot chocolate from the Webster Thomas Honor Society volunteers, visiting the museum and taking part in the scavenger hunt. The Rochester Rhapsody carolers were popping in and out of the shops and restaurants, too, providing some beautiful holiday music.

I was especially pleased to see the new Mary Wee Pub packed most of the day. For sure, some people went in to just get out of the cold, but I’m sure so many others were taking advantage of the opportunity to check out the village’s newest business, and perhaps have a pint at the same time.

As usual, I took a BUNCH of photos, mostly from the parade. I hope you enjoy them, especially if you weren’t able to be there this year. Click here to see the whole gallery.

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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 12/8/2024)

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Wreath Day (and welcome-the-truck day) are right around the corner

6 Dec

National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday Dec. 14, is almost here.

On that day, community members will gather to lay about 2,100 wreaths on veterans’ graves at four cemeteries: Webster Union, Union Hill, Webster Rural and Holy Trinity cemeteries. It’s a solemn ceremony designed to remember these servicemen and women and to thank them for their sacrifices.

credit: G. Peck
credit: G. Peck

I hope that you and your family members are planning to join us (more details about the day are below), but in the meantime here’s an easy and delicious way to support Wreaths Across America:

Right now, at four Village of Webster businesses, you can pick up a coupon which, when presented at Jersey Mike’s Subs next week together with a $3 donation to Wreaths Across America, you’ll get a FREE REGULAR SUB.

What a super way to get an inexpensive, delicious lunch or dinner and benefit a great cause at the same time.

The coupons are available right now at M.O. Pasta (5 E. Main St.), LaLa of Webster (38 E. Main), the Village Quilt Shoppe (21 E. Main) and the North Bee (27 North Ave.). Just stop in and ask for yours, then take it (or several) to the Jersey Mike’s at 975 Ridge Rd. They’re valid from Wednesday Dec. 11 through Friday Dec. 13.

Help to welcome the wreaths truck!

The Wreaths Across America truck is expected to arrive in Webster sometime next week (possibly Wednesday, an 18-wheeler traveling from Maine (where the wreaths are created) to deliver our 2,100 wreaths. The plan is for it to pick up a police escort at the Roseland Fire Station (corner of Salt and Plank roads) and then continue to Webster Union Cemetery. 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.

It would be great if we could cheer the driver along as he comes through town. As I get more specific details, I’ll let you know!

National Wreaths Across America Day details

Wreaths Across America Day in Webster is Saturday, Dec. 14. The day will begin at noon at Webster Union Cemetery (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull) with a short ceremony, after which community members will spread out through Webster Union or head to one of the three other cemeteries to lay the wreaths.

Adults and children of all ages are encouraged to take part in this very moving ceremony. Start a new holiday tradition for your family; it’s a great way to teach your children about how important it is to remember and recognize our nation’s veterans. You can also follow the Wreaths Across America Facebook page to keep up on all the latest news, including updates on the arrival of the Wreaths truck.

To read more about what this moving event looks like, check out this blog I wrote after last year’s Wreaths Across America Day, which includes a whole 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 “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 12/6/2024)

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Winter Wonderland at the Museum

3 Dec

A few days ago I posted a blog with all (OK, most) of the details about this weekend’s Winter Wonderland festival in the Village of Webster. But I’d like to pull out for special attention a few things that are going on at the Webster Museum that day.

See, what I’ve discovered is that even though the Webster Museum has been around for many, many years, a lot of people still don’t know it even exists. And they’re especially surprised to learn that the museum is only about 20 steps off East Main Street on Lapham Park.

So if you’re one of those people, here’s your personal invitation to stop by the Webster Museum this Saturday Dec. 7 during Winter Wonderland. Here’s what they have going on:

  • The Museum’s Festival of Trees begins when the museum opens at 2 p.m. Continuing through the end of the year, visitors can vote for their favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree among 17 creative entries. (Online voting will also be available on the museum website.)
  • New this year, the museum will also feature a Memory Tree, where you can add an ornament with the name of a lost loved one or pet.
  • The Kittelberger “Bouquet a Month for a Year” flower cards will be available. For just $40, the card entitles you to one fresh bouquet every month for a year.
  • The holiday raffle returns with all sorts of wonderful prizes donated by Webster merchants. Cost is three tickets for $5.
  • And finally, you have to stop by the museum if just to see the beautiful and historic Burkardt Family Crèche in person. Each piece was meticulously carved between World War I and World War II, beginning in 1918 and completing the final piece in 1944. It offers more than a view of the nativity; it also tells a story of craftsmanship, survival, and family devotion. Read the whole story here, then see it for yourself at the museum.

The Webster Museum will be open on Saturday Dec. 7, during Winter Wonderland, from 2 to 6 p.m. It’s 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 12/3/2024)

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The Mary Wee Pub is officially open for business

1 Dec

It was about 10:30 a.m. the Friday morning after Thanksgiving at the new Mary Wee Pub — about 30 minutes after it opened — and there were already a half dozen people sitting at the new pub’s long bar, enjoying an early pint or just enjoying friendship.

That’s how excited everyone is about the news that the Mary Wee is finally open at 2 West Main Street in the Village of Webster.

For the last few weeks, owner Mark Petzing (of the Shamrock Jack’s family) has been hosting “soft openings,” which basically meant that if the door was unlocked, you were welcome to wander in. So the word’s been spreading quickly that there’s a great new place in town to get a pint of Guinness.

But those soft openings end on Monday Dec. 2 when Petzing invites the community to the Mary Wee’s official grand opening.

This day has been a long time coming. Petzing has been working since the middle of the summer renovating, updating and beautifying the former Barry’s Old School Irish Pub. The “final touches” seemed to drag on forever over the last few months, as anxious community members peered through the windows every day to see how close it was to completion.

Petzing has put his own twist on the interior design of his new pub, which is obvious the moment you step in the door. Those who knew the old Barry’s would hardly recognize the place.

For starters, the wall separating the bar from the former bakery area has been removed, opening up enough space for a much longer bar, which now wraps from the restrooms to the west wall. The two restrooms have been completely renovated and updated, and now stand side-by-side, one whimsically decorated to look like an Irish telephone box. There’s a digital jukebox, and three TVs streaming sports all the time. And the ceiling has been raised, which together with the new French doors and windows gives the entire pub a much more open, airy feel. Even though Petzing was working with the same square footage, somehow he’s managed to make the new pub feel so much bigger than the old.

Probably the most exciting new feature is the indoor/outdoor seating along the big, north-facing front window. That window’s been replaced with a garage door, which on nice days can be raised to accommodate patrons sitting inside and outside across from each other.

True to its name, Petzing characterizes his pub’s offerings as a “wee bit of everything.” The menu won’t be huge, but substantial, featuring appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and some Irish-inspired entrees. His nine taps include Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp, a few IPAs, Genny and Stella. A selection of bourbons, vodkas, gins and rums complement an expansive choice of Irish whiskeys. There will even be a wee bit of live music.

Petzing is very uncomfortable comparing his new pub to Barry’s Old School Irish, which closed in September of 2023. He knows as well as anyone the special place Barry’s held in the hearts of the local community, and still does. But there was no way he was going to avoid the obvious questions.

“People would say, ‘Is it going to be like Barry’s? Is it going to be like Shamrock Jacks?'” he said. “I say no, maybe a little of both, but it’s going to be the Wee. It’s going to be our place.”

“I loved Barry’s,” he added. “My wife and I always loved Barry’s. But it’s definitely different.”

Given the response he’s already seen, people have embraced the difference.

“The Webster community has been amazing,” Petzing said. “We’ve been welcomed with open arms; everybody’s been fantastic. The coolest thing for me right now is I’m meeting all sorts of people I never met before. … During this past week I’ve had a blast. It’s everything I wanted and more.”

Check out the new Mary Wee Pub for yourself during the grand opening, Monday Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Live music will be provided by Matthew Stephens from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.. Regular hours will continue to be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day (and perhaps later on the weekends).

Here are some photos from the pub:

I’ve posted this story before, but if you’re wondering how the unusual name “Mary Wee” came about, here’s the story, straight from Mark Petzing himself:

My grandmother Mary, I loved her. My grandmother was older and she liked whiskeys and bourbons. They would water down her whiskeys, and put a little around the rim. She’d always smile, the sweet little thing, she’d say “Oh, thank you.” And when my mom and my aunts weren’t looking, she’d say, “Mark, give me a wee bit more.”

So people ask why is it not “Wee Mary’s?” Because I want you to think about it. And it means nothing at all, but it means a ton to me. Come in and have a whiskey and I’ll tell you the story and we’ll laugh.

Make sure to look for the photos of Mary hanging at the end of the bar.

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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 12/1/2024)

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Details about this year’s Winter Wonderland

29 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. 7.

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 5:00 p.m., when he has to leave and get ready to ride in the parade.

Here’s a quick look at everything else going on that afternoon evening:

  • 3:30 – 5:30 PM – Horse drawn carriage rides; departing from Veterans Park
  • 3 – 5:30 PM – Scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, crafts, music performances from Rochester Rhapsody chorus and Jerry Christopher, hot cocoa and popcorn and​​​​​​​ more along Main Street
  • 4:30 PM – Storytime with Jason from the Webster Public Library (location TBD)
  • 2 – 8 PM – Holiday Craft Show; Harmony House 58 East Main Street. Free admission, more than 30 vendors, live music, and cash bar with holiday cocktails

And 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 2 to 6 p.m., and your chance to place your vote in the museum’s Festival of Trees. The very popular Museum raffle will also be back this year, so bring a little cash, put a chance in for some great prizes and support the museum!

A few event locations are still being finalized, and when they do, the Webster BID will be posting the final details and a map online at websterbid.com, so stay tuned for that.

Everything wraps up with the spectacular Parade of Lights which will begin at 6:30 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.

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 “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 11/29/2024)

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