Tag Archives: Village of Webster

Finns Garage is under new ownership

24 Jan

These days, it can be hard to find a mechanic who’ll do a good job at a reasonable price and not try to up-sell you on every little thing.

We were fortunate to find one of those trustworthy mechanics when we moved to the Village of Webster four years ago: Finns Automotive at 45 East Main Street. So when I got the email from owner Kevin Finn that after 20 years in business he had sold the shop, I got a little panicky.

But then I walked down there, chatted with Kevin about his decision and met the new owner, James Robinson. When I left, I was feeling much better.

Kevin and his wife Susan have actually been thinking about selling the business for the last three years and have been actively looking for a new owner most of that time.

“I felt it was time,” Kevin said, “as long as I was healthy and we were able to financially do it. … We’re looking forward to some other endeavors. For me it includes spending time with the BID (Webster’s Business Improvement District) in addition to some other volunteer work.” He and Susan are also looking forward to having more time to visit with family and friends and doing some traveling.

The shop’s new owner, James Robinson, is actually a longtime Finns Automotive customer. He brings to the business a 24-year history of working with cars, beginning when he was just 14 years old, and he studied automotive mechanics at MCC. He plans to “keep (the shop) the same as it is,” especially looking forward to working with all of the customers who have come to trust Finns to take care of their vehicles.

And as a sign of that trust, he’ll be keeping the “Finns Automotive” name.

Kevin Finn has already received a lot of handshakes and pats on the back in support of his decision, and with thanks for being a valued part of the Village of Webster business community. He’s planning to be at the shop for several more weeks, so stop in to congratulate him and say hello to James.

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(posted 1/24/2024)

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Polished Pup joins Webster’s grooming scene

17 Jan

There’s a new dog groomer in the Village of Webster, ready to help even the dirtiest of dogs become fresh, clean, and polished.

It’s called the Polished Pup, located at 181 North Ave., next door to Salvatore’s Pizzeria. It’s owned and operated by Mackenzie Kinley who, you could say, started her business at a rapid clip.

At just 19 years old, Mackenzie’s route to becoming a small business owner was a rather circuitous one, quickly turning from a traditional college career to entrepreneurship. Shortly after graduating from Webster Thomas High School in the spring of 2022, Mackenzie went south to Coastal Carolina University to study either marine biology or forensic psychology. Quickly realizing that neither was right for her, she withdrew after just a month.

She was pretty sure back then, however, that what she really wanted to do was work with dogs. “I always loved them and grew up with them,” she said. “I knew this was a passion of mine.” Becoming a veterinarian didn’t appeal to her (“I couldn’t handle seeing them pass away and in pain”). Instead, grooming felt like a perfect fit. She started saving for her own apartment, studio and equipment, signed up for grooming school and officially opened the Polished Pup last August.

Even though she’s only been in business for about five months, Mackenzie’s already developed a steady clientele. She attributes her early success to the personal attention she gives to every one of her canine clients.

“It’s a basic thing,” she said, “but I really do care about them. … I only do two dogs a day and I go at their own pace. I tell my clients two hours baseline instead of one, to really make (the dog) feel comfortable.” Mackenzie added that she uses all natural products — shampoos, conditioners, sprays and treats — “to keep them healthy and happy.”

“I really hope that once a dog starts coming here, they never leave, they never have to go anywhere else.”

The best way to get in touch with Mackenzie and the Polished Pup is to text her at (585) 645-9200. For more information and to see lots of cute puppy photos, check out her Facebook page and website and her Instagram feed at @polished_pup.

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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 1/17/2024)

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An update from 2 West Main

10 Jan

If you haven’t been through the Village of Webster’s four-corners recently, you may not have seen all the changes happening at 2 West Main St., the former Barry’s Irish Pub.

It’s been cleared out and opened up so much that Barry’s regulars might not even recognize it. The bar is gone and the wall between the bar and the old bakery area has been removed. The sliding door separating the kitchen from the dining area and all of the kitchen equipment are also history. The whole space looks twice the size of the old Barry’s.

The building’s owner, Greg Chambery (who also owns Maplewood Nursing Home) reports he’s had a lot of interest in the corner, but there’s nothing signed yet. Rest assured, though, he loves this village as much as we all do, and knows full well that everyone is anxiously awaiting to hear good news about what will follow in Barry’s footsteps. “I’ve got a heart for the village,” he said, “and want to make that corner something that people are proud of.”

As for Danny and Jessica Barry and their plans for opening a new pub? I haven’t heard anything about that yet, either. For now, they’ve been having great success marketing their Barry’s Irish Cream, but may very well be working in the background on securing a new pub location.

When I hear anything, I’ll let you know.

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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 1/10/2024)

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January History Bit: Webster carriage blocks

9 Jan

If you’ve ever walked or driven down Corning Park in the Village of Webster, you’ve passed by a little piece of history which you might not have noticed. It’s a carriage block, and it sits in front of the home at 34 Corning Park.

In the time when horses and buggies were the main forms of transportation, anyone other than very athletic riders and passengers faced some difficulty dismounting horses, stagecoaches or buggies, which rode several feet off the ground. The solution: a carriage block, also known as a horse block. Basically, they were step stools, bridging the large gap between ground and vehicles, making mounting and dismounting much easier.  

These helpful steps were commonly found in front of homes, churches, train depots and businesses. They were made from a variety of materials, including cast iron, wood, even marble. Many, however, like the one on Corning Park, were fashioned from simple concrete.

You won’t see many of these around town – in fact, there are only three that we know of – because once they became obsolete, most of these vestiges of 19th century history were removed. The two others that have survived the passage of time are in front of 394 Phillips Rd. and the Holt Homestead at 757 Holt Rd.

Discover more fascinating bits of local history at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org.

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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 1/9/2024)

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Christmas on the Hojack

22 Dec

In these last few days before Christmas, the holiday spirit can be found pretty much everywhere. Even along the Hojack Trail.

Margaret Supinski was hiking on the Hojack last week between Van Alstyne Rd. and Vosburg Hollow, when she came across these gaily decorated pine trees along the trail. What a nice way to share the spirit of the season and brighten the day of everyone who walks by.

 As long as we’re talking unusual Christmas trees, I’d like to tack this small item here as well.

This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations in my neighborhood, a hand-made tree with a large bulb marking each day in December. As the days and weeks count down to Christmas Day, a new bulb is illuminated to mark the number of days left.

It’s set up in front of a house on Dunning Ave. I go by it every morning on my walk and just love watching the lights creep up to the top. I imagine a few children taking turns every morning, screwing in the next bulb as they excitedly count down the days until Christmas.

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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 12/22/2023)

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Webster Village Band will host its holiday concert next week

9 Dec

The Webster Village Band is proud to present their annual Community Holiday Concert on Saturday Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School. 

This year’s holiday concert will be the first led by the band’s new director, Andy Kittelson. Kittelson recently replaced long-time conductor Tom Indiano, who retired last summer after leading the band for more than 18 years.

Kittleson is an award-winning instrumental music teacher in the Wayne Central School District, which many people might recognize from his frequent work with local theater productions, the Kodak Concert Band. He’s also very involved with the New York State School Music Association. He and the band have prepared an outstanding program of about a dozen holiday tunes and medleys, including a sing-along at the end, guaranteed to put everyone in the holiday spirit.  

The performance begins at 2 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 850 Ridge Rd., and is expected to run about 75 minutes. There’s no cost to attend.

The Webster Village Band has been making beautiful music for more than 55 years. Now more than 50 members strong, the band also performs three summer concerts at Harmony Park, two concerts at Cherry Ridge, and at the Village of Webster Sept. 11 ceremony. 

The annual Community Holiday Concert marks the end of the band’s 2023 holiday season, which begins in mid-October. They’ll take up their instruments again in March, and are always looking for more community members to join their musical family. For more information, contact Sarah Newman at senewman76@gmail.com.

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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 12/9/2023)

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Photos from Winter Wonderland and the Parade of Lights

3 Dec

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

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

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

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

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

Click here for this year’s gallery of photos.

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

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(posted 12/3/2023)

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Winter Wonderland at the Webster Museum

29 Nov

A few days ago I posted a blog with details about this weekend’s Winter Wonderland festivities in the Village of Webster on Saturday Dec. 2. But I wanted to separate out the Webster Museum for special treatment because they have a lot of cool stuff going on that day, even before the festival starts.

The museum’s fun-filled winter celebration kicks off with a book sale and signing by local author Bill Schoff, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A retired Plank Rd. North Elementary teacher, Bill has authored four wonderful books of fun poetry for the child in all of us. For this special event, all of Bill’s books are on sale for $10 each, cash or check only.  Bring your own to be signed, or purchase one at the museum on the day of the signing.

Beginning at 4 p.m., the museum will have live music, featuring The Saxophone Therapy Project until 4:45, followed by The Goodwin Family from 5 to 5:45 p.m., providing instrumental music with a sing-a-long.

The Festival of Trees officially opens this Saturday as well. Fifteen beautifully decorated miniature Christmas trees have been placed throughout the museum, and community members are encouraged to see them all and vote for your favorite. They’ll be on display through Dec. 31, but if you can’t make it to the museum before then, you can also vote online at the museum’s website. (That link will be posted soon!)

Many local nonprofit organizations have worked hard to create these beautiful trees, and prize monies will be awarded. So stop on down and cast your vote!

The spectacular Burkardt Family Crèche will be on display for the month of December.  Handcrafted in Germany between WWI and WWII, it was shipped to the Burkardt family in Webster at the end of the war. You can read more about it in this blog I wrote about it last year.   

Finally, here’s a unique holiday gift idea which will delight someone you love, and benefit the museum at the same time. It’s called “12 Months of Flowers,” and is being offered in conjunction with Kittelberger Florist.

Purchase a “12 Months of Flowers” card for $40, cash or check only, at the museum during Winter Wonderland and receive one bouquet of flowers, each month, for 12 consecutive months. Bouquets are valued at $15 and must be picked up at Kittelberger Florist, 263 North Ave, Webster. What a great way to brighten every month of the new year for someone special (or yourself)!

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park (just steps off of East Main St.). They’ll be open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 2.

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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 11/29/2023)

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

28 Nov

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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(posted 11/28/2023)

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Details about next weekend’s Winter Wonderland

25 Nov

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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(posted 11/25/2023)

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