The Village of Webster held a brief, but well attended, Veterans Day ceremony this morning at Veterans Park on North Ave. It was actually so brief that when I arrived around 11:15, it had already concluded. But it was nice to see all of the veterans and their family members still hanging about, chatting, hugging, and clearly enjoying celebrating the warm and not-yet-rainy day with others.
After the ceremony, the veterans and their families were invited to drive around the back side of Village Hall and grab a lunch, catered by Brimont Bistro, handed to them through their car windows by Village employees.
Thank you, Village of Webster, for this kind gesture. But mostly, thank you veterans for your service.
The Village of Webster’sWhite Christmas celebration is taking on a new name and a new ’round-the-world theme this year.
The day-long event, scheduled for Saturday Dec. 3, has been re-christened “Webster’s Winter Wonderland.” The Webster Business Improvement District (BID), which organizes the festival every year, has been working hard with the Webster CSD and the Webster PTSA to add a multicultural flavor to the very popular annual event.
All of the best parts of White Christmas are still planned, including Santa, festival wagon rides, carolers, the bell choir, and of course, the Parade of Lights. Veterans Memorial Park will once again be transformed into Santa’s Workshop with cookies, hot cocoa, storytime, crafts, and the jolly old elf himself visiting with children at the gazebo.
The exciting new twist on the festival, the ’round-the-world activities, will take place on East and West Main streets, which will be closed for the afternoon and evening. The BID is inviting our local business owners to each represent a different country and set up displays (either inside our outside) highlighting their chosen country’s winter holiday traditions. The displays might just be informational, or they might include crafts, take-away items, and even ethnic cuisine.
Several businesses have signed up already. For example, Mozzeroni’s Pizza will be representing Italy, Barry’s Old School Irish has chosen (you guessed it) Ireland, and Finn’s Garage will be showcasing Japan.
Details are still being hammered out, so stay tuned for those. But definitely put this on your calendar right now, because it’s going to be one of the best festivals of the Webster year.
Webster’s Winter Wonderland will take place on Saturday Dec. 3 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. in the Village of Webster. The incredible Parade of Lights, hosted by the Webster Volunteer Fire Dept. (thank you WVFD!) begins at 6:30 p.m.
For this month’s Webster Museum History Bit, I introduce you to a piece of museum furniture that you might recognize from your school days.
Do you remember library card catalogs? Before the days of computers and electronic catalog records, these bulky wooden cabinets held individual cards for every book in the library’s collection. To find the book you wanted, you had to find the right drawer and flip through the cards.
One of those classic card catalogs has been creatively repurposed at the Webster Museum, to the delight of visiting children and adults alike. It was donated to the museum several years ago by Spry Middle School, and has found a new life as a kind of surprise cabinet, thanks to the hard work of museum volunteer Carol Saylor.
Each of the cabinet’s 25 drawers now holds a different historical curiosity. They’re all very small items, of course, and run the gamut from jewelry and household objects to toys and personal grooming items.
The cabinet has become a regular stop on school tours of the museum, and the children enjoy taking turns pulling open a drawer and examining the tiny objects inside. (Most adults are rather fascinated as well.)
Next time you’re at the museum, discover for yourself how much history has been packed into those very small drawers. (Three examples are pictured below.)
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.
I was thinking about small-town life the other day.
As a relatively new Village of Webster resident, I’m still in that early-in-a-relationship, giddy phase when it comes to the simple pleasures of village life. Great restaurants and pubs are just a short walk away. Tons of special events and live music gigs are right around the corner. Neighbors come together around fire pits on warm summer nights. The streets sparkle with holiday lights every winter.
But as I thought more about it, and about what REALLY makes small-town life different and special, I kept coming back to one thing: our small businesses.
When I look down the Village of Webster’s main streets, one word that comes to mind is “charming.” And that’s not just because of the white twinkly lights in the trees (but they definitely help). It’s because of all of the small businesses that line the sidewalks.
Inside and out, our village’s small businesses are just downright cute. The owners take great pride in making their front window displays colorful and inviting, and on pleasant days many will even set up shop on the sidewalk. Inside, the variety of clothing, books, health and beauty products, crafts, toys and gift items is outstanding. And if you have a question about anything, chances are good it’s the owner who’ll be there with a smile to answer it.
So this year I’m making a pledge to shop local this holiday season, and give back to the small businesses that make our town and village so liveable.
I’m embarrassed to admit this is a new concept for me. Like many, I’m a big Walmart/Target/Kohl’s holiday shopper. But in recent years the gifts I’ve been finding in the big-box stores have gotten kind of … predictable. I need to get more creative.
So I’m going to shop small as much as possible this year. It doesn’t hurt that Webster has so many wonderful little stores with an impressive variety of gift ideas. I figure I’ll avoid the Black Friday shoppers, go out on Small Business Saturday, and get my entire list taken care of in one day.
I hope you’ll join me. Even if (or especially if) you just need stocking presents, step into a small shop you’ve never been in before and I guarantee you’ll find something unique and perfect.
Do you still have some candy left over from Halloween? Consider trading it in at Webster Pediatric Dentistry’s Candy Buyback, happening through this Thursday Nov. 10.
Turn your candy in for a prize, and they’ll make a donation to the Webster Community Chest. You can also enter to win an Amazon gift card.
Webster Pediatric Dentistry is located at 39 West Main St. in the Village of Webster.
Two — count them, TWO — craft fairs are coming your way.
The first is this coming Saturday Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive.
More than 30 vendors will be there, and proceeds will benefit the Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters. Check out the flier below for more information.
The second craft fair is being held at Schlegel Elementary School on Saturday Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will benefit the Schlegel PTSA. More information on the flier below.
The Village of Webster will hold a Veteran’s Day ceremony this Friday Nov. 11 in Veterans Memorial Park on North Ave.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., after which the Village Board will host a free takeout lunch for all veterans, current military personnel and their families, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the parking lot behind 29 South Ave.
Absentee ballots are now available for the Webster Central School District Capital Project Vote on Dec. 13.
Qualified voters of the district who will be unable to attend the polls on the day of the vote, for reasons outlined on the absentee ballot application, may wish to use an absentee ballot. Voters must apply for the ballot in advance. Absentee ballot applications are available from District Clerk Cynthia Cushman, 119 South Ave., Webster.
All absentee ballot applications must be RECEIVED by the district clerk at least seven business days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the vote if the ballot is to be picked up personally by or for the voter.
The Webster CSD Capital Project Vote takes place Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gymnasium, 875 Ridge Rd., Webster.
Here’s a look at what the Webster Public Library has going on this month:
Do you know about Naloxone? This is an emergency medication, a nasal spray, that can save the life of a suspected opioid/heroin overdose patient.
An upcoming FREE online Naloxone training session, hosted by the Webster Health & Education Network (WHEN), will teach local residents how to administer Naloxone. The class will be held via Zoom on Monday Nov. 14 from 6 to 7 p.m. You can get more information and register online here.
Veterans Day is fast approaching, and the Webster Museum has planned a great program to honor those who have fought for our country.
On Saturday November 19 at 2 p.m., Chuck Baylis, Executive Director of the Military History Society of Rochester, will present “A New War, a New Story,” his stories from the Vietnam War, gleaned from his experience as a Special Forces medic during that war and his subsequent research.
There will also be time for stories of other veterans’ experiences and for refreshments, and time to view a display of Vietnam memorabilia, including the Michael Geisler collection.
Cider, donuts and apples from local farms will be served.
Also to honor our veterans, an in-person Reading of the Names ceremony will take place in Washington, D.C. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial beginning November 7. Every name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be read in order of which it appears on The Wall, including five Webster boys who lost their lives in the Vietnam War: Leonard Coles, Rex Daniels, Donald Holleder, Peter Kaulback and David Semmler.
The estimated time of the reading of Webster memorials is noted below:
The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. The museum is handicap accessible and open to the public Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2-4:30 pm.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The Webster Museum’s annual Festivalof Trees has returned.
Right now the trees are all still in storage, eagerly awaiting businesses, organizations and individuals to step up and sponsor them for this year’s Festival of Trees, wondering what pretty things creative minds plan for decorating this year.
If you’d like to answer your tree’s call, please phone Sharon Pratt at (585) 347-4202. Reserve soon, as these trees go fast!
Trees can be decorated by sponsors during the museum’s regular open hours, 2 to 4:30 p.m., on November 26, 29 or December 1. Community members can start voting for their favorite trees on Saturday Dec. 3 during the Village’s Winter Wonderland festivities. More information to come about that.
There’s a lot to celebrate for some of our Village of Webster businesses, beginning this weekend at Lala of Webster.
Believe it or not, Lala is celebrating its fourth anniversary this Friday and Saturday Nov. 4 and 5. In the last four years, the shop has doubled in size, opened a sister store, Whimsies, right next door, and always seems to be busy. Every time I visit the shops there’s something new to look at, and I always find them a great place to find holiday gifts.
In celebration of the anniversary, both Lala and Whimsies will be hosting an open house on Friday and Saturday, and offer 30% off all items. Plus, they’ll be giving away a beautiful gift basket. Fill out the entry form you see here and make sure to bring it with you when you shop.
Lala’s is located at 38 East Main Street in Webster. (Click here to read the blog I wrote when Lala opened.)
Cassano Studio has expanded to a second location in East Rochester.
Cassano Studio, owned and operated by Chad Cassano, specializes in teaching voice and acting workshops to children and adults with disabilities. Chad has operated his Village of Webster-based studio for about four years, but just recently opened up a second studio at The Piano Works mall in East Rochester.
The new studio is double the size of his original space, has a blackbox theater, two recording booths and an additional podcasting room.
Chad writes that he chose The Piano Works specifically because of its historical significance. He also said, “I also wanted to network alongside people who are already working with people with special needs, which is definitely something I wanted to concentrate on.” Between the two studios, Chad now has more than 120 students.
Click here to read the blog I wrote about Cassano Studio earlier this year, including lots more about how Chad found his calling to help those with special needs find their voice.
The Village Quilt Shoppe, at 21 East Main, will host a Holiday Open House on Saturday Nov. 19 at 11 a.m.
There will be several demos, some great holiday gift ideas and the reveal of five new patterns, which will be featured in December’s upcoming classes. There’s no charge for the event, but Vanetta and Monique are asking that you register ahead of time. Give them a call at 585-626-6916, email them at thevillagequiltshoppe@gmail.com, or stop in and see them!
They’ll also be collecting non-perishable food items at the open house for Webster Community Chest, and will be collecting them all month.
Speaking of anniversaries, our village’s very own award-winning Irish pub, Barry’s Old School Irish, will celebrate its 11th anniversary with a huge party on Saturday Nov. 19, beginning at 7 p.m.
More details to come about that, but — as always — there will be live music, Irish dancers, bagpipers, giveaways all night, an official Irish whiskey toast, and more. You definitely want to put this one on your calendar right now, because it’s always a great time.
Cassano Studio has expanded to a second location in East Ro
Finally, I picked up this exciting news when I was wandering around the village during the Trick-or-Treat Trail.
M/Body fitness studio is opening up a new location in Webster. It will be offering cycling, barre, yoga, boxing, pilates, HIIT and more.
The new studio will be located at 44 East Main St., and plans are to be up and running later this month. Much more to come about that.
This wonderful grassroots organization has been bringing holiday joy to local families for nine years now. They started in 2014 helping just 13 families. Last year they brightened the lives of 375 families, providing winter gear, beds, bedding, household necessities, food and gifts.
But Making Spirits Bright needs community support to make all this happen. They’re looking for businesses, groups and individuals to adopt families’ lists (two family members or more). If you’re interested, or know someone else who might be, email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com. They’ll be happy to send more information.
If you can’t commit to adopting a family, here are a few other ways you can help:
They need beds. A LOT of beds. They’re collecting twin, full and queen-size mattresses, box springs and frames that are in GOOD condition. Email thegoodnessinitiative@gmail.com if you have a donation, and they’ll schedule a time with you to drop them off.
Adopt one person. You may be as specific as you’d like regarding age and gender identity. They can’t guarantee you’ll get an exact match, but they’ll try their best to accommodate wherever possible.
Organize a Drive. Host a donation drive to collect items like toiletries, cleaning supplies, wrapping paper, boxes, tags, gift cards and feminine hygiene items.
Purchase from the Community List. You can purhcase one item for one person or several items for numerous people. The list is typically posted on the Making Spirits Bright Facebook page by mid-November.
Make a monetary donation. The organization appreciates any monetary donations, large and small, which are used to ensure all the needs of the families are met. Contributions can be made via PayPal with a credit or debit card here (a PayPal account is not needed to make a donation).
The Village of Webster’s annual Bourbon Bash takes place this Saturday Nov. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 E. Main St.
Sample bourbons and whiskey from local and national distilleries, complemented by food samples from local restaurants.
This very popular event is brought to you by the Webster Business Improvement District and Webster Wine and Spirits. Tickets are $25 and are limited. They might already be gone, but you can check here to see if there are any left.
Santa’s Garage Sale is happening this weekend as well, at St. Martin Lutheran Church on Thursday and Friday Nov. 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is all about Christmas and holiday decorations, which you can pick up at some really good prices. (Certainly better prices than you’ll find in the stores.) There will also be other holiday decorations and toys.
St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd., Webster. Click here to read more about this great event.
Don’t forget about the Friends of Webster Trails’ Hot Cocoa Hike this Saturday Nov. 5.
This fun, free, self-guided hike will take place at Four Mile Creek Preserve (corner of Phillips and Lake roads), from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It’s about 1.5 miles long and will include a stop for hot cocoa. The trail will start at the parking lot and be marked by lights along the way.
Please leave your dog at home, bring a flashlight and your own travel mug.
In honor of Veterans Day, Spry Middle School will once again welcome One Webster veterans and active duty service members and their families to a free, in-person dinner in their honor.
On Thursday Nov. 10 from 4 to 6:30 p.m., students and other volunteers will serve up spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert in the school’s cafetorium. Reservations are requested. Please call Spry Middle School at 216-0093.
The event is sponsored by Spry Middle School Builders Club, Webster-Fairport B.P.O. Elks #2396, Spry Middle School Student Council, Wegmans, Walmart, and Hegedorn’s in appreciation of the service of local veterans and active duty service members.
What a spectacular day it was yesterday for the Village of Webster’s annual Trick-or-Treat Trail! So many children and their adults came to town for the event that I do believe business owners were a bit overwhelmed, some of them running out of candy pretty early.
I tried to make three or four rounds of the streets and take pictures of many of the outstanding costumes. Sorry if I didn’t see you and your kids, but please feel free to send along your photos and I can add them to the gallery.
Usually it’s during the summer months that the special events pile up so fast I can barely mention them all. But summer’s got nothing on this coming weekend.
Things start off on Friday evening, Oct. 28, with a Community Food Truck Rodeo to benefit the Webster Montessori School. As you can see on the poster here, the trucks that you’ll find include Pop Up & Eats, Waffles R Wild, Al Dente Mobile Pasta, Marty’s Meats and Kona Ice.
The rodeo takes place at the school, 1310 Five Mile Line Rd. (next door to Bauman’s Farm Market) from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.
It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful autumn day on Saturday, Oct. 29 for these next few events:
At 10 a.m., The Friends of Webster Trails is hosting a Cars Along the Creek Hike at Four Mile Creek Preserve, at the corner of Phillips and Lake roads.
The two-hour guided hike will introduce participants to the many abandoned cars you can see along the preserve’s trails. Apparently the land on which the preserve is now located was once used by the local youth as a makeshift racetrack in the early 1960s. Among the cars you’ll see are:
* 1951 Chevrolet Styleine Deluxe Bel Air * 1961 Ford 500 Galaxy Club Victoria * 1959 Nash Rambler * 1959 Chevy Bel Air * 1954 Plymouth Belvedere Suburban * 1949 Green Nash Airflyte
The hike is free, and begins at the parking lot on Phillips Rd.
One of the Village of Webster’s most popuar events, Halloween in the Village, returns this Saturday, beginning with a costume contest from 11 a.m. to noon at Village Hall.
The Trick-or-Treat Trail begins at 11:30 a.m., where children can stroll the village streets and trick-or-treat at dozens of village businesses. Look for the orange pumpkins in storefront windows to see which businesses are participating.
The Festival Wagon will be taking riders along Main Street, and don’t forget to get your pet involved in the fun; the Pet Costume Contest, complete with prizes, takes place on Main St. at 1 p.m. (Click here for a recap of last year’s Trick or Treat Trail, including lots of photos.)
While you’re in town for the Halloween festival, make sure to stop by the Webster Volunteer Fire Department during their open house. They’ll have candy, of course, but this is also a great opportunity for your kids to visit with real firefighters, climb into a fire truck, see some demonstrations, and get a fire hat.
The Fire Department is at 35 South Ave. Just look for the big red trucks in the driveway.
ALSO on Saturday during Halloween in the Village, take the short stroll down to 18 Lapham Park and stop into the Webster Museum. They’ve put together a scavenger hunt and a contest, and have some Halloween treats for everyone. Plus, there will be plenty of helpers there to give you a tour through the museum if you’d like one.
Then, after the village Halloween, how about taking in some great music at the New Horizons Combined Band Concert at Willink Middle School.
New Horizons is a really cool band which welcomes all adults, even those with no musical experience. These enthusiastic concert and symphonic band musicians will be performing their fall, combined concert at Willink, on Publisher’s Parkway, beginning at 4 p.m.
There’s no charge. Check back here in a day or two for a more complete blog about this great organization.
And here’s your Saturday evening entertainment:
The Webster Recreation Center’s Pumpkins on Parade is Saturday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
This is a very fun, family-friendly event where young and old can take a leisurely walk along the Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center and view hundreds of creatively carved jack-o-lanterns. At the end of the trail, there’ll be music, a kids’ slide, a mini hay maze, a bonfire, free cider and donuts, a family photo area and kids’ activities. Plus, professional pumpkin carver Eric Jones, t
The festival is totally free. The Webster Recreation Center is on Chiyoda Drive, off of Phillips. Click here to read more about this great event.
…and if you get to all of these events on Friday and Saturday, plan on sleeping late on Sunday. You’ll need the rest.
BUT THERE’S MORE!
If you need to work off some of that candy and good food, the Webster Parks and Recreation Department has got you covered.
They’re hosting their third annual Halloween-themed fitness class sampler on Sunday from 9 to 10:30 a.m., which is absolutely free and open to the community. This year’s theme is disco, and the instructors will be handing out funky glasses and disco ball necklaces until supplies run out.
I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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