Tag Archives: Village of Webster

Photos from the Memorial Day Parade and ceremony

25 May

Memorial Day 2026 dawned gray and cool in Webster, but the gloomy weather did little to dampen the annual Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony.

Hundreds of community members lined South Ave. and Main St. to watch the parade, which was led by local veterans, who received much applause and many a “thank you!” They included this year’s honorary grand marshal, Bill Ruoff, an Army veteran who served in the elite 82nd Airborne Division, and who also served as Mayor of the Village of Webster. They were followed by first responder units from Webster, West Webster and Penfield, Boy Scouts, and of course the Webster Marching Band. It all made for a rather short (only about 10 minutes long), yet meaningful parade.

Marchers gathered at 9 a.m. at Spry Middle School, where they lined up for the mile-long parade. It traveled along South Ave to Main Street, then west to Webster Rural Cemetery for the remembrance ceremony.

It was a very nice ceremony, as usual. It’s always the same every year, but the solemn prayers and speeches always manage to remind the assembled crowd what this day is really all about — not barbecues and family gatherings and a three-day weekend, but to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I am always especially heartened to see all the children in attendance, who (I hope) are being taught the real meaning of Memorial Day.

Thank you to all who organized and participated in today’s events.

Click here for a Facebook gallery with some photos from the parade, memorial ceremony, and many of the community members who came out to honor our veterans. Or if you don’t have Facebook, click here.

* * *

(posted 5/23/2026)

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).

Memorial Day Parade details

18 May

Webster’s Memorial Day Parade, kind of the unofficial kick-off to the summer season, takes place on Memorial Day, Monday May 25.

Here are the details:

  • 9:00 a.m.:  All groups participating in the parade will assemble at Spry Middle School on Sanford Street. All active duty and ex-service men and women are invited to take part in the parade. Any veterans who would like to ride in the bed of an Army truck are asked to be at Spry by 9 a.m.
  • 9:30 a.m.:  Parade moves out from Spry, down South Avenue, turning west on Main Street and proceeding to Webster Rural Cemetery.
  • 9:50 a.m. (approx.): Parade arrives at Webster Rural Cemetery.
  • The Remembrance Ceremony will begin at approximately 10 a.m., or whenever everyone arrives and gets settled.

In addition to honored active military members, auxiliary members and veterans, also expected to march in this year’s parade are the Webster High School Marching Band, Boy Scouts and (hopefully) Girl Scouts, firefighters and more. Click here to see a gallery of photos from last year.

This year’s honorary parade grand marshal is Bill Ruoff, an Army veteran who served in the elite 82nd Airborne Division, and also served as Mayor of the Village of Webster.

This is always a very nice parade, and the ceremony that follows it at Webster Rural Cemetery is always moving. I highly recommend bringing your children to see both the parade and the ceremony, so they might begin to understand the huge debt we owe our servicemen and women.

Refreshments will be served following the service, at the American Legion Post 942, located at 818 Ridge Road.

* * *

(posted 5/18/2026)

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).

Comfort Care Home’s Father’s Day raffle will make you his favorite

17 May

You know your dad is the best. So how ’bout you try to win a great prize for him in the Webster Comfort Care Home’s Father’s Day Raffle?

Tickets are now available for the raffle, which runs through Sunday, June 14. And the grand prize “Thrill of the Grill” bundle, is amazing, starting with a 28-inch Blackstone grill. Plus, the lucky dad will receive:

• Two camp chairs
• Four-pack of seasonings & spice rubs from The Spice Lab
• Three Dinosaur BBQ sauces
• Headlamp
• Coleman 50-quart rolling cooler
• Life is Good Smashed Burger set

Basically, your dad could host the best tailgate party in the neighborhood.

Tickets are one for $25, three for $30 and six for $100. Click here to get yours.

***

Webster Comfort Care Home, located at the corner of Holt and Klem roads, provides free hospice care to the terminally ill of our Webster community. The dedicated staff members and volunteers there uphold the dignity and ease the suffering of its residents, while supporting their loved ones in a warm, home-like atmosphere. It’s an amazing agency that does great things for families experiencing the some of the most difficult times of their lives.

* * *

(posted 5/17/2026)

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).

The Village’s first Wine Walk of the summer is next weekend

8 May

The first Village of Webster Wine (and Food) Walk for 2026 is coming up fast. It’s scheduled for Saturday May 16 from 4 to 7:00 p.m.

This is always a great time to get together with friends and stroll the streets of the Village of Webster, popping into businesses and sampling so. much. wine. and lots of great snacks. Tickets are $23.18 (including the Eventbrite fee) and are available online only. You’ll need to register ahead of time (click here), and you’ll be provided with a digital ticket which you can present on your phone or print.

This event always sells out, so if you think you want to attend get your tickets soon.

Event check-in will be at Annette’s Restaurant,  (27 West Main St.). PLEASE have your ticket ready and make sure you have your ID, because you will not be allowed to proceed without showing it. At check-in, you’ll receive your souvenir wine glass and a map of the stops. From there, feel free to start wherever you’d like.

The Wine Walks are brought to you by the Webster Business Improvement District (BID). They haven’t published a preview of this stops yet, but you can check the website for updates.

Remember, participants MUST be 21+ and you MUST have your ID.

* * *

(posted 5/8/2026)

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).

May History Bit: Historic Preservation Month

4 May

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

During Historic Preservation Month, the museum honors Webster’s architectural legacy and the oral traditions that illuminate our shared past. A highlight of this month is the presentation of commemorative plaques, recognizing excellence in the preservation of historic residences, outbuildings, and public landmarks.

The plaque program grew out of a survey of historic properties which a small group of museum volunteers tackled more than 20 years ago. They were especially looking for homes built before 1902 which answered the question, “Would the original owners recognize the property?” In the years since the program began, the museum has presented more than 80 plaques to the Webster properties which have maintained their historical integrity. They’re kind of a thank you from the Town of Webster and the Webster Museum for maintaining the integrity of the property.

Later this month, the museum’s Historic Properties Committee will present this year’s plaque to the home at 121 East Main St. in the Village of Webster (at the corner of Dunning). The majestic American Foursquare-style home was built in 1913 by Dr. William Stanton, and several reminders of his early practice can still be seen inside, including the waiting room, operating room and the basement laboratory. For the past three generations, the Swingly family has lived in the home and maintained its original character. They recently decided to sell the architectural gem, however, which will now be cared for by its new owners, Cory and Christy Boyer.

So this month, take the scenic route. As you travel through our town and village, take a moment to notice the historic landmarks that define our everyday landscape. And if you’d really like to learn more about Webster’s fascinating history, stop by the Webster Museum. It’s located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

* * *

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 5/4/2026)

Webster community mailbag

3 May

There’s so much mailbag stuff coming through my email these days, I really should consider doing these more often …

Our first mailbag nugget this week is an interesting look at Webster history, sponsored by the Webster Museum this Wednesday, May 6. It’s the first in their three-part History and a Cup series, taking place all this month as part of National Historical Preservation Month.

  • On Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m., Webster native (and former Village Mayor) Jake Swingly will talk about growing up in the village. He’ll also very likely tell you more about his beautiful home on East Main St., where his family has lived for three generations and which will be honored later this month with a historic plaque. (You can read more about that in tomorrow’s blog.)
  • On Tuesday, May 12, also at noon, Webster attorney Dave Corretore and his mother, Carolyn Corretore (retired Lucas Pharmacy pharmacist), will speak.
  • The final installment of the History and a Cup series will be Wednesday, May 20, and the speaker then is a surprise.

During these history chats, museum volunteers set up small tables, each with a plate of cookies, water and coffee. Attendees are welcome to bring a sandwich and eat lunch during the talks. The museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.

Craft Sale!

Our Village of Webster Fire Department will be holding a Craft and Vendor Sale this Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Webster Fireman’s Building on Sanford St., across from the south side of Fireman’s Field. All proceeds will benefit the WVFD.

From the library

Here are a few events especially for seniors at the Webster Public Library:

  • A Matter of Balance workshop series begins on Tuesday, May 5. The seven-part series is a combination of group discussion and movement designed to help older adults reduce their fear of falling, increase confidence levels and increase physical activity. Classes will be held May 5, 19 and 26, and June 2, 9, 16 and 23. Please register here for each class you plan to attend.
  • Rochester Oratorio Society’s Harlem Renaissance Revisited, Saturday, May 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. The Resonanz Ensemble of the Rochester Oratorio Society looks back a century and more to the Rochester region’s Golden Era, the 1920s and 30s, through a narrative program of solo vocal and choral music. Registration is required.
  • Lifespan’s “Together Today” Memory Cafe will be at the library on Wednesday, May 27 from noon to 2 p.m. Caregivers and their partners living with dementia are invited to attend for lunch, socializing and entertainment from local musician Chip Milligan. This is a FREE event is but registration is required.

Find out more about these events and other events and resources for seniors by subscribing to the library’s new Senior Newsletter. You’ll find the sign-up link here.

Here’s a quick look at what else is going on at the Webster Public Library this month:

  • This month’s community exchange is mugs! Check those cabinets for ones you never use and swap them for something new to you.
  • The community Donation Station in May will be collecting new toothbrushes and toothpaste. The Webster Food Insecurity Coalition will distribute donations to Webster families in need.
  • The Friends of the Public Library have scheduled a Vintage Book Sale for Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will feature more than 200 fiction and non-fiction books, published between the 19th century and the early 21st century. Some titles include first editions, early printings, and books that appear to have been signed by the author. Many include dust jackets and nearly all books are in good or better condition. Prices start at $8 and prices are firm. All proceeds will benefit the Webster Public Library.
  • Saturday May 9 is Love Your Library Day. Celebrate your love for the WPL with crafts, a scavenger hunt, temporary tattoos, face painting, snacks, and a storytime at 10:30 a.m., featuring some special Webster High School guests.
  • Mike O’Brian, the “Getaway Guy,” will present a talk on Spring and Summer Getaways on Monday, May 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is required.
  • This month’s Make it Monday for teens and tweens is Glass Magnet Buggles, on Monday May 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. Grades 4 through 12 and adults are welcome. Register here.
  • Outdoor storytimes have ramped up for the summer! They take place at Ridge Park, 1000 Ridge Rd., every Wednesday from May 20 through Sept. 9, from 9:30 to 10 a.m. All ages are welcome.

Get some flowers for Mom!

The Webster Arboretum Association’s Spring Plant Sale is back, scheduled for Saturday, May 9 from 8 a.m. to noon.

This sale is just blooming with beautiful, healthy live plants which are grown by local garden clubs and local commercial growers in local soil, so they’re going to grow in your garden, too. Garden Club members will also share their favorite plants from their own gardens. This is the perfect opportunity to grab a Mother’s Day gift. The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Also, next week, on Tuesday May 12, the Arboretum will present a program on Companion Planting, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Companion planting is a gardening practice where plants are grown together for mutual benefit, such as deterring pests, attracting beneficial insects, improving soil health, and maximizing space. There’s no charge, but please click here to register for this event.

The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Meet the Supervisor

Supervisor Scialdone is continuing to host regular Community Office Hours, opportunities to let your Town representatives know what’s important to you.

The next office hours are:

  • Monday, May 11, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Webster Town Board Room (1002 Ridge Road)
  • Tuesday, May 26, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Webster Public Library (980 Ridge Road)

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.

Get your tickets now for the Wine Walk

The next Village of Webster Wine Walk is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. I will very likely be writing up another blog about this fun event in the next several days, but in the meantime, if you’d like more details, click here. If you already know that you definitely want to attend get your tickets soon because the Wine Walks always sell out.

Dinner and a vote

If you’re planning to come out to Webster Schroeder on Tuesday, May 19 for the WCSD budget vote (and you definitely should), don’t worry about grabbing dinner, because the Webster Marching Band has got you covered.

The band will be hosting their annual BBQ dinner fundraiser on Tuesday, May 19 at Webster Schroeder High School, where the vote will be taking place. Dinners will include chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, a roll and water, and will be provided by Chiavetta’s.

Tickets are $15, and you’ll want to order your ahead to guarantee your meal, since only a limited number will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for anyone who did not reserve ahead of time. Click here to get your tickets.

More good food for a great cause

The Webster Comfort Care Home will be the beneficiary of the Webster Masonic Temple’s monthly spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Friday, June 5 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Enjoy a full meal including: salad, bread, spaghetti with your choice of sauce, meatballs, ice cream, a cookie, and a drink (bottled water, tea, and coffee). Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children and can be purchased in advance (click here) or at the door. While you’re there, check out the bake sale and raffles, all to benefit the Comfort Care Home.

The Webster Masons hold a spaghetti dinner on the first Friday of every month from October through June and each benefits a Webster charity or not-for-profit organization.

ALSO from the Webster Comfort Care Home, the community is invited to their new “Yoga in the Yard” classes, which will be held on Sundays June 7, July 12 and August 16 from 9 to 10 a.m. Registration is not necessary, and there’s no charge for these sessions, but donations would be gratefully accepted.

The Webster Comfort Care Home is located at 700 Holt Rd.

Happy news from the Chamber

Finally, this bit of happy news from the Webster Chamber of Commerce:

At the Webster Chamber of Commerce’s April Monthly Meeting, Community Bank, N.A. generously donated $3,500 to help fund the Webster Community Chest’s Meal Center. The Meal Center provides recipe-based meals to our neighbors suffering from food insecurity. This is much needed as demand has increased to more than two times the 2025 levels. Pictured (L-R) are Michael Grenier, Ginny Nguyen, Bob Fenton and Ryan Johnson.

* * *

(posted 5/3/2026)

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).

Mother’s Day, brought to you by the Village of Webster

2 May

Looking for a great way to celebrate your mother this Mother’s Day? The Village of Webster’s got you covered. From memorable gifts to delicious desserts to live music and dinner out, the options are … well, not endless, but plentiful.

If you’re looking for a unique gift, start at Lala of Webster. Lala is an adorable gift shop at 38 East Main Street, whose shelves are full of great ideas for Mom, from fashion to jewelry, personal care items to home decor, “I-love-my-pet” stuff, “I love-my-wine” stuff, and so much more. What I especially like about Lala’s is that the prices are reasonable. It would be a great place to bring your kids shopping if they want to get something extra special for Mom.

Jojo Wine & Bistro is right next door to Lala’s on East Main, a great place to take Mom to lunch or dinner. They have live music on Thursday nights, too, in case you want to celebrate Mother’s Day early.

And Jojo is just one of the great restaurants in the village that would make for a memorable Mother’s Day dinner. They include:

If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, there are even more options. Check out my Village Directory for more ideas.

If you’re planning a Mother’s Day brunch, make sure to get your breads and sweet treats from the Village Bakery & Cafe (44 E. Main St.), Sweet Square Bakery (3 W. Main St.), or the brand new Sweet Shenanigans bakery (15 E. Main St.). And never forget The Goodie Shop (83 North Ave.) for hand-made candies, cookies and Mike’s famous three-layer ice cream cakes.

I’m sure I’m forgetting something, so let me know if I need to add to these lists. There are just so many great village businesses it’s hard to highlight them all.

* * *

(posted 5/2/2026)

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).

Webster’s a bit cleaner thanks to Color Webster Green

25 Apr

Thank you to the volunteers from Color Webster Green (CWG) who have been spending some of their free time recently cleaning up our town.

Last Tuesday evening, four dedicated volunteers pulled on their heavy gloves, grabbed some garbage bags and scoured the eastbound Bay Rd. 104 off-ramp for trash. They called the effort “Walking With a Purpose.” Becky Collins, one of the event’s organizers, wrote, “We picked up so much trash we could barely haul it back to our cars! Lots of people honked their horns and waved or shouted out thanks for cleaning up.”

Last Saturday April 18, Color Webster Green also participated in the annual “Pick up the Parks” event organized annually by Monroe County. For three hours that morning at Webster Park, a dozen CWG volunteers (including four children) collected a total of six huge bags full of trash, including a broken chair, a 1970-era jump rope, acrylic nails, broken pieces of a plastic sled, many broken pieces of glass bottles, beer cans, single-use heating pads, doggy bags, and several pieces of fireworks containers. 

Color Webster Green is planning to meet every month — probably on Tuesday evenings — to pick up trash. If you’d like to join them, you can get updates on the schedule at the CWG website and Facebook page.

* * *

(posted 4/25/2026)

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).

A quick update on The Coach

23 Apr

If you’ve passed through the Village of Webster recently, you’ve likely noticed that renovations to the The Coach Sports Bar are still a work in progress. Both the inside and outside have a ways to go before the taps start flowing again at the popular local hangout.

It’s been more than a year since the devastating St. Patrick’s Day, 2025 fire that tore through The Coach. It started behind the bar, and while the building remained structurally sound, the heat, smoke and water damage meant that the whole place had to be gutted. Owner Fritz Sierk was originally hoping that he’d be able to reopen in time for the Super Bowl last February (which he fully expected the Bills to be playing in). Clearly, that date came and went as unexpected delays and construction hurdles kept pushing the reopening date down the road.

But things are finally nearing completion and Fritz says he hopes to open in a “couple of weeks.” And when he finally does, the wait will most definitely have been worth it.

Some of the highlights of the new space include a larger, more comfortable bar space with better lighting; a large overhang on the back deck to accommodate smokers, replacing the old “smoking hut” which had to be removed to enlarge the bathrooms; a small, fenced-in patio at the east end of the building, providing additional seating; a 140-inch LED wall replacing the four huge TVs on the west wall of the seating area; and there are two new “garage-door windows,” very much like the one at the Mary Wee Pub across the street.

But Fritz is especially proud of those new bathrooms. They’re much larger and completely updated, and feature individual rooms with doors, rather than stalls.

Fritz is really looking forward to showing off the “new” Coach to the community.

“I’m excited to finally open,” Fritz said. “It’s been long enough. The place is just amazing. It’s certainly not the old Coach but I think it’s got enough personality to be good. I like the openness, the ‘Mary Wee’ windows, the soffit around the bar … and the bathrooms are incredible.”

In the end it’s still going to be the same, familiar Coach that we all know and love. Just a little bit better.

* * *

(posted 4/23/2026)

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).

The doctor will see you now — at the Webster Museum

16 Apr

If you’re interested in hearing more about the history of medicine in Webster, you’ll want to attend a fascinating talk this Sunday afternoon, April 19, at the Webster Museum.

The talk, which begins at 2 p.m., will be presented by Dr. Colin Scott, a retired medical practitioner and museum volunteer, who has been conducting extensive research into medical practices throughout history. On Sunday he’ll share some of that research, including stories of the lives of local doctors, nurses, and patients over the years, focusing especially on the 1800s.

Dr. Scott will begin his talk by tracing the development of North Penfield and Webster, using three Webster physicians as guides: Dr. Oliver Reynolds, Dr. John Dunning and Dr. Charles Reitz. You’ll hear about the Pultneyville skirmish and how Webster was on the front lines in the War of 1812; about the Reynolds’ Corner Building and its focus on patent medicine production and distribution; about Dr. Oliver Reynolds’ medical practice, and how he was removed by the Monroe County Medical Society because of his patent medicine business; about Dr. John Dunning and his drive to improve the educational facilities in Webster and surrounds; and how Dr. Reitz provided a kind of bridge between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Throughout this tale, Dr. Scott will trace the evolution of 19th-century medicine, illustrating the era’s pivotal shifts with a curated slideshow and an exhibit of authentic medical instruments.

The presentation will begin at 2 p.m. No registration is necessary. Refreshments will be served. The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park, in the Village of Webster.

* * *

(posted 4/16/2026)

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).