Tag Archives: Village of Webster

Details about the Trick-or-Treat Trail in the village

18 Oct

The Village of Webster’s ever-popular Trick-or-Treat Trail returns to downtown streets on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In case you haven’t heard about this great event yet, here’s what it’s all about:

Basically, for three hours on what is usually a beautiful autumn Saturday afternoon, children and their adults can wander the village, popping in and out of businesses, trick-or-treating. Full costumes are expected of course, and not just for the children! It’s always fun to see entire families dressed up, often as a common theme. I love taking photos of cool parents who get into the spirit.

The trick-or-treating will begin at 11 a.m., and the costume contest runs from 11:30 to 12:30. Don’t worry about missing out on any of the village festivities, because it only takes a few minutes to file through the Community Meeting Room and have your photo taken for the judging.

So grab your kids, get everyone into costumes (including you, too, Mom and Dad), then stroll through the village, visiting friendly merchants who will be handing out candy. (Participating businesses will have a pumpkin sign displayed in their window.) This is a great chance to check out some of the newer businesses in town, or even some older businesses you’ve never been in before.

And make sure you stop by the Webster Volunteer Fire Dept., because they’ll be holding their annual open house, complete with demonstrations, free fire hats, and candy of course. And turn the corner on Lapham Park to take the short walk to the Webster Museum. The volunteers there always have some sort of scavenger hunt planned.

New to the Trick-or-Treat Trail this year are a photo op display by Kittelberger Florist, ice cream treats from Netsins Ice Cream and a Halloween-themed lunch menu at Webster Hots

Keep an eye out for me and my camera; I’ll be wandering the streets, too, taking photos of as many kids and families in costume as I can. Then I’ll post a really big follow-up photo gallery. (Click here for my gallery from last year.)

The Trick-or-Treat Trail is sponsored by the Webster Business Improvement District. Stay tuned for more information about future village events, including the Bourbon Bash on Saturday, Nov. 22 and the Winter Wonderland celebration (with the ever-popular Parade of Lights) on Saturday, Dec. 6.

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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 10/18/2025)

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A little bit of Halloween, a little bit of Christmas

14 Oct

‘Tis the season for creative and scary Halloween displays, and a short time ago one of my readers wrote to me about the one he’s set up in front of his 1108 Everwild View home. He’s put a lot of work into it and he’s pretty proud of it, and he tells me it’s become a neighborhood favorite. But since he lives at the end of his cul-de-sac street, he doesn’t get a lot of traffic, so he thought I might help him spread the word.

I went by the other night to check it out (it’s best at night) and it is pretty neat. Apparently Brian built a lot of the pieces himself. Here are a few more photos from it, but you’ll want to stop by to see it for yourself to get the full effect.

The ever-changing and ever-growing display was born during COVID, and started with just a few elements. It was part of Brian and his wife’s idea to make sure the neighborhood kids could still enjoy Halloween, even during a pandemic shut-down.

They devised a celebration just for the kids on the street, friends and family members. Homeowners would put tables at the end of their driveways, and the kids would stop by each one to trick-or-treat. In the past (depending on the year) the event has also included a food truck, and often a special appearance by the fire department.

Six years later, the Turnquists continue to delight the neighborhood with their spooky display, and are still making the holiday extra special for the neighborhood’s kids. If you’d like to drive by, Brian will have the display lit up Sunday through Thursday from dusk until 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from dusk till 10 p.m. (weather permitting).

Sign up now to participate in the Parade of Lights

Despite all the really cool Halloween decorations popping up everywhere, it is not yet actually Halloween, but our Webster Volunteer Fire Dept. has already started planning for the ever-popular and spectacular Holiday Parade of Lights.

The parade is always the highlight of the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland festivities, which this year will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and ALWAYS draws a huge crowd, no matter how cold it is.

More details to come, but for now, if your business or organization wants to participate this year, you gotta sign up. To do that, click here, and fill out the form.

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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 10/14/2025)

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Lovely You Aesthetics opening soon

14 Oct

A warm Webster welcome to Lovely You Aesthetics, one of the village’s newest businesses.

Owned and operated by Carla Ann Scheiber, FNP-BC, Lovely You is located at 82 North Ave. She’ll be offering a wide variety of services including bio repeels, chemical peels, micro needling, Botox, fillers, personal skin care evaluations, weight management and more.

The location is a beautiful old house built in 1914 which still holds much of its original charm including leaded glass, stained glass windows, and coffered ceilings. And despite the fact it hasn’t been strictly a private residence for a long time, every room still exudes that at-home feeling.

The final touches are still being completed on making every room perfectly suited for the new business. Eventually, the there will be two treatment rooms downstairs, four treatment rooms upstairs, and two bathrooms.

“It’s a nice big space,” Carla said, “and we’re going to grow into it.”

Carla’s been offering beauty-care services for a while, working out of the house and rented space. But this is her first brick-and mortar location, and she’s very excited to have found it. But it almost didn’t happen.

“When I started this,” Carla said, “I really saw myself in Webster or Penfield. I live in Ontario and have a lot of roots in Webster but I couldn’t find anything. So I started to widen my search. I found a space to lease in Pittsford, but after months and months of trying to get the zoning approved, they rejected me.”

But it was fate, because it turned out “it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Literally the next day my realtor sent me this (listing), and it was for sale.” She’d found the perfect place, a beautiful house, in a village which has welcomed her with open arms.

For now, Carla will only be joined by two other injectors as she builds her business. But in the future she’d love to add a massage therapist and aesthetician to her team, to build it into a “real medical spa.”

Her approach is already very people-focused.

“You’re not going to come here and get a sales pitch,” she said. “You’re gonna know us, we’re going to educate you, we’re going to actually care about you, building that trust and that education component so that people can make informed decisions.”  

Carla will be hosting a grand opening celebration on Friday, Oct. 17, so that’s a great opportunity to check out Lovely You Aesthetics for yourself. It all starts with a ribbon cutting at 3 p.m., followed by a “happy-hour-style” open house from 3 to 7 with signature cocktails, finger foods, vendors, raffles, giveaways and merch bags. She’ll officially open for business the next day, Saturday Oct. 18.

In the meantime, you can find out more about her new business on her website and Facebook page. You can also connect with her on Instagram (lovely.you.aesthetics).

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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 10/11/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

12 Oct

Some weeks I barely have enough ideas to fill three or four days of blogs. This is not one of those weeks.

Some days I only have a handful of items for one of my mailbags. This is not one of those days.

So in the interest of making today’s mailbag easier to compile for me, and easier to read for you (without a whole lot of extraneous information), How about this … I’ll bullet-point everything, and if you need any additional information about any one of them, click through the handy link in each listing.

We’ll start with stuff happening in October:

  • If you’re a guy who likes to sing, consider stopping by Guest Night at the Chorus of the Genesee on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. Join the guys to sing ‘a cappella’ music — you don’t need to read music! If you can sing a tune, they’ll show you the rest. No need to register, just walk on in the Main St. entrance. If you’re early, someone will meet you at the door. If you get there on-time/late, follow the signs upstairs to the rehearsal room. There’s singing until 9 p.m., then refreshments and socializing. If you have any questions, call 585.259.3590, or email RochesterCOG@gmail.com. If you can’t make it Tuesday night, feel free to show up any Tuesday night at 7 p.m. (but there’s no promise of refreshments!)
  • Did you know? October 15 is National White Cane Safety Day. The observance celebrates the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and recognizes the important symbol and tool of independence, the white cane. As the story goes, in 1930, George Bonham watched a man who was blind attempting to cross a street. The man’s cane was black, and motorists couldn’t see it, so Bonham proposed painting the cane white with a red stripe to make it more noticeable. But was he the first to think of this? Ed Wilkonski, from the Visionaries Low Vision Support Group in Webster, sent me the whole story. If you’re interested, click here.
  • Webster Health and Education Network will host a DEA National Drug Take Back event on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Town Court, 1002 Ridge Rd. This will be a drive-through event so you don’t even have to get out of your car. 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.
  • St. Martin Lutheran Church will host their next Pulled Pork Drive-Thru on Saturday Oct. 18 from 4:30 p.m. until they run out. Dinners include pulled pork, salt potatoes, roll, cole slaw and cookie for just $15. Pull into the parking lot, place your order using exact payment, and the dinner will be delivered to you as you drive up in your car. Proceeds will support the church’s annual Christmas Stocking Project. St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd.
  • Frank and Greg Palma’s Antiques and Collectibles Roadshow returns to the Webster Museum on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. If you’re curious about the value or origin of a favorite piece, the Palma brothers will share their expertise and insight into the history and value of your items. Free refreshments provided. The museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster.

The October community exchange table will have spooky stuff — bring your old and unused spooky stuff and swap it for different spooky stuff.

The Friends of the Public Library’s Fall Book Sale takes place Oct. 22 to 25. The first day of the sale — Wednesday — is members only, and the public can shop Thursday through Friday. Hardcover books will be $1 each and paperbacks are only 50 cents each. Visit the Friends of Webster Library web page for hours and more information.

On Saturday Oct. 18, celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Come see amazing dancers, listen to fabulous singers and musicians, sample delicious food, and enjoy celebrating with the community. The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. and registration is required. All ages are welcome.

Teens and tweens in grades 4 to 12 are invited to a night of spooky fun on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with activities, treats and more. Costumes are encouraged! Registration is required.

This year’s Library Trick-or-Treat event will be held Friday, Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There’ll be a trick-or-treat trail set up through the entire library, with a spooky maze at the end. Come any time, and costumes are encouraged. All ages are welcome and no registration is required.

Looking ahead to November

  • The Women’s Club of Webster‘s annual Card Party is Tuesday Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.at Glendoveers, 2328 Old Browncroft Rd. Play cards or a game of your choice. Participants will enjoy Danish and coffee in the morning, and a buffet lunch. Door prizes, raffles, 50/25/25 drawings and more. Donation is $45 and reservations are required by Tuesday, October 28. Click here for more information.
  • Spry Middle School students and staff will host their annual free spaghetti dinner for Webster veterans, active duty service members and their families on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. It will be served in Spry Middle School’s cafetorium, 119 South Avenue, and feature a complimentary meal of spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert. Reservations are requested. Call Spry Middle School at (585) 216-0093. Click here for more information.
  • The Webster Arboretum will present a program called Bird Seed Ornaments: A Family Affair on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 135 Chiyoda Dr. Bring the family and join the members of the Arboretum to learn how to make “bird cookies,” the perfect little snack for the birds in your yard. They’re easy to make and fun to watch the birds enjoying them. Visit the Webster Arboretum website for more information.

Whew.

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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 10/12/2025)

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Village Quilt Shoppe hosts silent auction to benefit One Common Thread

8 Oct

I’ve written here many times about The Village Quilt Shoppe, at 21 East Main St., ’cause it’s one of my favorite shops in town, run by two wonderful people, Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti. And more than once in those blogs, I focused on how this little shop is spreading love around the world, through their support of One Common Thread.

One Common Thread’s mission is to empower women in Central America — specifically Honduras — by giving them the opportunity to work and and earn an income, which helps set a new standard for their children.

How Vanetta and Monique do this is simple:

  • First, their customers generously donate fabric and 3” squares.
  • Volunteers meet regularly at the shop to create kits from those donations and send them to One Common Thread in Honduras.
  • The women there learn the art of English Paper Piecing (EPP), hand-basting hexagons that they are paid for individually.
  • Once enough hexagons are made, they’re sewn into kits or quilts, then returned to the U.S. to be sold.

The income these women earn allows them to provide essentials such as food, diapers, formula, stoves, beds, tin roofs, cement floors, and tuition for their children’s education. In some cases, it even helps them attend trade school themselves. For many, this is their first chance to gain financial independence and self-confidence.

The Village Quilt Shoppe has proudly sent fabric, kits, needles, and thread for more than four years. But they’d really like to do more.

Recently, the shop received some of the women’s finished products, which inspired them to host a Silent Auction to continue supporting this incredible organization. The auction will be held from Oct. 14 through 28. Auction items will be on display at the shop, 21 East Main St., for in-person viewing and bidding. Items will also be listed on the Village Quilt Shoppe website, and bids can be placed by calling the shop at 585-626-6916.

Proceeds from the auction will help Vanetta and Monique cover packaging and shipping costs, and any left over funds will be donated directly back to One Common Thread.

Here are just two images of some of the items available for auction. Check the website to see more.

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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 10/9/2025)

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Sign up now for the Webster Museum’s annual Festival of Trees

7 Oct

Yes, it’s only October, but the Webster Museum is already thinking ahead to the holidays, and their annual Festival of Trees.

This year’s Tree Festival will begin on Saturday, Dec. 6, which is (not coincidentally) the same day as the Village of Webster’s Winter Wonderland holiday event. Starting that day and through the end of the year, museum visitors can vote for their favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree among 15 to 20 beautiful and creative entries. (Online voting will also be offered.)

But before that can happen, individuals, families and organizations need to step up and do some decorating! Two $25 prizes will be awarded for the trees getting the most votes.

Spots are filling up quickly, but there’s still time to get involved. If you’re interested in decorating a tree, call Gwen Hoffman at (585) 738-6221.

By the way, the museum is also looking for a few additional music groups willing to share their talents during the Winter Wonderland festivities at the museum. So call Gwen if you’re interested in doing that as well.

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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 10/7/2025)

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So what’s up with Roc City Empanadas?

6 Oct

There’s been some chatter on social media in recent weeks about the new Roc City Empanadas restaurant on South Ave. in the village. Luis Carrasquillo — better known as “Munchie” — opened the restaurant in early July and for a while did some brisk business. But then the open hours became sporadic, and more recently, it almost seems like it’s closed permanently.

Well, the sporadic summer hours were due to the fact that Luis was juggling his new restaurant responsibilities with a very busy food truck schedule. When that started to slow down, he started to focus more on the restaurant. But when the restaurant went dark again in early September, people started to question whether Luis was really committed to the village.

But here’s the real story, which I tell with Luis’ blessing, because he really wants people to know what happened.

About a month ago, Luis was involved in a frightening accident. He was on the shoulder of Five Mile Line Rd., helping a friend secure a fence to her trailer, when another driver struck him. The impact sent him flying ten feet.

Luis suffered a compound fracture to his leg and was losing blood rapidly. A veteran who happened on the scene applied a tourniquet, most definitely saving his life.

Last I spoke with Luis (about two weeks ago) he’d already had six operations to try to save the leg. I don’t know where things stand now (I’m trying to get in touch with him again), but I do know one thing: Luis Carrasquillo feels blessed.

Not angry, not depressed, not despondent. Blessed.

Luis’ religious faith is rock-solid, and he’s certain that God was with him that evening, not only because he survived the accident, but because so many other things went RIGHT. Like how he was thrown clear of the traffic and not into the roadway. Like how the tourniquet (which belonged to his friend) just appeared on the ground next to her crushed vehicle. How the veteran showed up and knew how and where to apply it. The ambulance got there in record time. And most important of all, how one of the MRIs revealed a growth in his forehead which was causing him headaches.

Luis still has a long road ahead, but he wants everyone to know that his commitment to the Village of Webster — his home — is unwavering.

“I want the people to know, don’t give up on me,” he said. “”I don’t want people to be sad. I am so happy with my lord and my community and I love all of you guys. … and I want to find the veteran and give him a hug.”

As Luis recuperates, he hopes that friends and family will be able to keep the restaurant open three or four days a week, mostly on the weekends, offering pretty much his entire menu. Those same friends and family are also working with the United Way to create a GoFundMe. So keep an eye out for the OPEN sign, and stay tuned for more information about that fund-raising effort.

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Update!

One of my readers (“Pooch”) posted a comment last night (which you can read below) saying the restaurant happened to be open last Friday, and he spoke to Luis’ son Angel. The GREAT news is that Luis was scheduled to be released last weekend. Let’s hope that happened.

Pooch continued,

Store hours will continue to be sporadic until Luis recovers. Please hang in there! Try to get there when they are open. Luis’s faith is really strong and he wants everyone to know that he apologizes for the delay in getting the store open with regular hours, but it will happen! Luis is a strong strong man, and a man of his word…

Thanks Pooch!

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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 10/6/2025)


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Webster community mailbag

3 Oct

Town leaf collection schedule announced

The Town of Webster has announced that leaf collection will begin in mid-to-late October, following the conclusion of paving and drainage projects, and depending on how many leaves have fallen and weather. Crews will begin working in Zone 1 to Zone 5, and then back to Zone 1. Highway crews make several passes throughout the season.

Make sure to place leaves at the edge of your lawn (NOT in the roadway, gutters, or drainage ditches), do not bag them, an Don;t place brush, rocks, wood, plastic, or other foreign material with your leaves

Announcements will be made ahead of the final pass. After the final pass, any leaves will need to be taken care of by residents through their refuse collection company or another means.

The Village of Webster hasn’t announced any specifics for their leaf collection efforts yet, but you can check the Village website for updates.

Webster Chamber hosts networking event

Webster Chamber of Commerce members host monthly after-hours networking events to earn visibility for their business/organization. Members and those investigating Chamber membership are welcome to attend. 

The next After Hours event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Marina Auto Group, 943 Ridge Road. This event is also being hosted by Marina family member Rose Gabriele Angell of RE/Max Plus. There’s no fee to attend, but registration is required.

WHEN will host fall Drug Take-Back event

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. 18 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.

Save some lives — give blood

The American Red Cross has four blood drives in Webster these next several weeks:

  • Friday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Rd.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1 to 6 p.m., Webster American Legion, 818 Ridge Rd.
  • Thursday Oct. 16, 1 to 6 p.m., Webster Firemen’s Building, 172 Sanford St.
  • Saturday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd.

You don’t need to have an appointment, but it will speed things up a bit. Click here to make yours.

St. Martin’s announces next BBQ event

Good food is in store at St. Martin Lutheran Church when they host their next Pulled Pork Drive-Thru on Saturday Oct. 18 from 4:30 p.m. until they run out.

The take-out dinner includes pulled pork, salt potatoes, roll, cole slaw and cookie for just $15. Pull into the parking lot, place your order using exact payment, and the dinner will be delivered to you as you drive up in your car.

Proceeds will support the church’s annual Christmas Stocking Project reaching over 500 children and teens in Monroe and Wayne counties. St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd.

The Friends of the Webster Public Library’s Book Sale will be held Wednesday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 25. The first day of the sale — Oct. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. — is exclusively for Friends members. Membership can be purchased at websterlibrary.org or at the door.  

All are welcome to attend the book sale on Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hardcover books will be $1 each and paperbacks are only 50 cents each. Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon are Bring-Your-Own-Bag Sale days, when you can fill your bag with books for only $5. All are welcome to attend the BYOB Sale days.

Proceeds from the sale support the library.

Fashions and fun

The Women’s Club of Rochester will host their annual Fashion Show/Luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Penfield Country Club.

In addition to some great fashions from J. Jill and a delicious luncheon, there’ll be an auction, 50/50 raffle, and a Lottery Board. Guests will arrive at 11 a.m., lunch is served at noon, and the fashion parade begins at 1 p.m. Menu options include apple crisp with salad and roll, a “mile-high” Reuben, or C=chicken French.

Tickets are $37 per person, and reservations must be made by October 23. Send your check, made out to the Women’s Club of Rochester, and meal selection to Margaret Zanghi , 2 Onyx Drive, Penfield, NY 14526.

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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 10/3/2025)

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SparX Robotics hosts community open house

1 Oct

The community is invited to an open house hosted by the One Webster SparX robotics team on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. at Webster Thomas High School. This event is a great opportunity to see the incredible talent and innovation of the SparX team, which is made up of students from both Webster Thomas and Webster Schroeder high schools.

The team will be fresh off the Rah Cha Cha Ruckus competition held on September 28. This local event gives robotics teams a chance to use last year’s robots to practice their skills and get new members up to speed.

Images from a few of this year’s competitions

The SparX Open House will give students an opportunity to showcase their robotics projects and share their experiences in STEM education. This is also an opportunity for students to connect with community leaders and inspire the next generation of innovators. For anyone interested in serving as a mentor, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the program. (If you’re interested but can’t attend the open house, email team coach David Schenk at david_schenk@webstercsd.org.) 

The SparX team competes annually in the FIRST® robotics competition. The team will receive this season’s new challenge in January, where they will be tasked with building a robot to compete in a high-pressure, specialized game with other robots.

About FIRST® Robotics

The FIRST robotics competition is a global competition that combines the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology. It’s run by the nonprofit organization FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), which was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen. Each year, teams of high school students, along with professional mentors, are given a new, action-packed game to play with their robots. They receive a standard “Kit of Parts” and have just six weeks to design, program, and build an industrial-sized robot to complete the game’s specific tasks.

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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 10/1/2025)

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Got any shoes you don’t need?

26 Sep

As a runner, I’m finding that I go through running sneakers pretty quickly. To some extent (like many of you, probably), when I get a new pair, all my other ones drop one rung down the usefulness ladder, relegated to walking sneakers, then schlep-around-the-house sneakers, then gardening sneakers. But when my used sneaker collection starts number four or five pairs, that system falls apart.

So right now I have a growing pile of worn out sneakers in the corner of my closet. But they won’t be there for much longer, because at the last Webster Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, I met Ruby Black.

In her day job, Penfield resident Ruby Black works full time as the Director of Community and Employee Engagement at Volvo Cars Rochester. But it’s her part-time job working with Designer Shoe Warehouse and its partner organization, Souls4Souls, which reflects her real passion.

Soles4Souls is a Tennessee-based nonprofit which turns unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunities for people in need. They have four key initiatives:

  • 4Relief, providing footwear and clothing to people in crisis situations, 
  • 4Opportunity, helping entrepreneurs in developing countries create sustainable businesses through shoe sales, 
  • 4EveryKid, delivering new shoes to children experiencing homelessness, and
  • 4ThePlanet, keeping shoes and clothing out of landfills to benefit both people and the environment.

Ruby has focused her efforts on collecting and distributing footwear to those in need, spending much of her free time gathering, sorting, and bagging shoes. She’s been collecting shoes for five years now, through donation boxes placed in businesses throughout the city. Last year, her efforts hit a huge milestone of 10,000 pairs, and this year she fully expects to reach 11,000.

Here in Webster, Ruby’s donation boxes are located at

  • LA Fitness, 929 Holt Rd.
  • Garber Chevy , 740 Ridge Rd.
  • Burn Boot Camp, 1847 Empire Blvd.
  • LaLa of Webster, 38 E. Main St.

(I recently learned that Friday Brighton Hair Design Tat 80 East Main St. in the village is also collecting shoes, but I don’t know if it’s for the same program.)

So next time you’re ready to ditch that old pair of shoes, drop it by one of these locations instead. Soles4Souls will take shoes of any style, size or condition. New and gently used shoes are especially helpful for the 4Opportunity program.

Other ways you can help is to host a shoe collection box at your workplace or special event, help spread the word about Soles4Souls and its mission, and participate in Ruby’s annual fundraising run, where every $20 raised provides a new pair of sneakers to children experiencing homelessness in the U.S. (The run is held every May, but you can also send monetary donations through that link.)

* * *

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

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(posted 9/26/2025)

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