Tag Archives: Village of Webster

Webster community mailbag

27 Nov

Just in time for gift-giving, the Friends of the Webster Public Library will be holding their Winter Book Sale beginning Tuesday Nov. 29.

The Friends sold the event in their press release better than I could:

Don’t let the hustle and bustle of the holiday season wear you down! The Friends of the Webster Public Library have the perfect solution to your holiday stress. The Friends are holding a Winter Holiday Book Sale at the library. Gently used books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles for adults and children will be available for purchase.

The sale begins Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m. and runs during regular library hours for the next several weeks . . . or until sold out! Children’s items are in limited supply so shop early for the best selection and help support the library! All monies raised will go to support library programs and initiatives.

Free Breakfast With Santa

The Lions Club will hold their annual Breakfast With Santa on Sunday Dec. 4 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, english muffins, juice and coffee. Raffles and gift certificates will also be available.

There’s no charge, but donations will be accepted (and encouraged) to benefit the Webster Community Chest and other Webster Lions Club charities.

St. Martin Evening With Santa

Here’s another opportunity to get a free photo with Santa, plus cookies and pizza (if you prefer that over breakfast).

St. Martin Lutheran Church on Bay Road will hold its annual “Evening with Santa” holiday event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Fri. Dec. 2, Have your family holiday picture taken in a professional photo setting at St. Martin with Webster’s own Professional Santa, the same Santa as seen in Webster’s White Christmas & famous Firemen’s Parade of Lights. Pictures will be available on the spot and they’re absolutely free. (No need to wait in long lines at the mall or pay for a photo.)

Santa will arrive by fire truck, and will be handing out candy canes to all of his visitors. Bring your own camera for selfies with the elves, watch the children tell Santa their most secret wishes, help the children decorate their own Christmas cookies and write a letter to Santa, and listen to Santa read “The Night Before Christmas.”

There will be lots of games for the children, free pizza, and later, hear Pastor Korey read the Christmas Story as written in the Gospel of Luke.

Families who attend are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for the church’s Food Cupboard, to help another family enjoy their holiday season just a bit more.

Christmas Cookie Sale

The Women’s Club of Webster will hold their 28th annual Christmas Cookie Sale on Saturday Dec. 10 in the Webster Public Library community room. The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until they’re sold out.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the club’s scholarship funds and other Webster community programs. The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd., at the rear of Webster Plaza.

Webster’s Winter Wonderland Details

Well, you’re going to have to wait another day or two for these, but rest assured you’ll get the full line-up here shortly. But I do want to make sure you remember to 1) wear your ugly sweaters all day, 2) bring a nonperishable food item to drop off at Village Hall to benefit Webster Hope, and 3) stop by the Webster Museum to vote for your favorite decorated mini-Christmas tree.

More to come. Stay tuned!

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

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(posted 11/26/2022)

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Local Nurse Corps veteran recognized

20 Nov

In this month of November, when we make a point to recognize and thank our nation’s veterans, here’s a nice story about one of Webster’s own.

On Friday Nov. 11, Town of Webster Deputy Supervisor Patti Cataldi and Cherie Wood, from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Canandaigua Chapter, attended the Veteran’s Day ceremony held at the Maplewood nursing home. They made the trip especially to present a Certificate of Appreciation to Maplewood resident Marie Gyles.

Marie had been invited to a Thank You Celebration held on July 30 at Webster Union Ceremony to recognize first responders, veterans and the military. But due to COVID restrictions, she was unable to attend. So Cataldi and Wood brought the certificate to her.

Marie Gyles was a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. In her remarks at the presentation, Cataldi explained,

The U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps was the nation’s first integrated uniformed U.S. service corps. It fulfilled an urgent need for nurses during World War II. During that time many nurses were called to military service to care for soldiers overseas, creating vacancies of approximately 17,000 nursing positions in civilian hospitals in the United States. Many hospitals were on the verge of collapse. In 1943 President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Nurse Training Act to provide accelerated nursing training. The federal government covered the cost of tuition, room and board, a monthly stipend and the Cadet Corps uniforms. By 1945, Cadet Nurses were providing 80% of the nursing care in the hospitals in the United States. The Corps celebrated the 75th Anniversary of their creation in 2018.

Marie began her training and was admitted to the United States Cadet Nurse Corps in August 1944 at just 18 years old. She began working as a registered nurse at a tuberculosis hospital in Auburn. She later worked in maternity and pediatric care at Wilson Hospital, where she had trained for the Cadet Corps.

Cataldi also pointed out that the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps remains the only uniformed corps members not to be recognized as veterans. An amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act is pending approval, so hopefully that will soon change.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/20/2022)


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Cobblestone presents check to Miracle Field

17 Nov

Dan and Sarah Bresnahan, co-owners of Webster’s Cobblestone on Main restaurant, presented a very large check (both in size and amount) to Challenger Miracle Field on Wednesday morning.

The check represented part of the proceeds from the first-ever Webster Oktoberfest, held Sept. 16 and 17 at Webster Fireman’s Field. Cobblestone on Main provided the beer, wine and soft drinks for the festival. The check for $8,000, presented to Miracle Field co-founder Ron Kampff, represented the proceeds from those sales. Several staff members, and even some regular patrons who had volunteered for the two-day event, were also on hand at the presentation.

Dan Bresnahan said the partnership with Miracle Field is exactly the kind of community collaboration they’ve been looking for.

“We are really excited to have been a part of the first Webster Oktoberfest,” he said. “Our goal was to find a local organization to partner with so we could give back to the community. Challenger Miracle Field is a fabulous organization, with great leadership, and one we feel aligns with our mission and values.”

He added, “There are so many great organizations, but these guys are amazing for what they’ve done for individuals with disabilities and inclusivity.”

There’s no shortage of projects at Miracle Field which can benefit from the donation. “We’re always making improvements,” Ron Kampff said. Right now, for example, plans are in motion to install stadium lights so athletes can hold night games. The cash might also help fund the many special events and sporting programs the organization runs all year long.

Kampff said he was especially grateful to Oktoberfest organizer Mike Spang for the opportunity to get the community involved and help bring attention to Miracle Field and its mission.

The Webster Oktoberfest benefited our community in so many ways. Not only did it bring another great festival to the Webster summer calendar (which I hope will become an annual event), it supported an incredibly worthy organization. It raised thousands of dollars for Miracle Field, but more importantly, people walked away from that festival knowing more about the life-changing opportunities the organization provides for children and adults with disabilities. Many thanks to Mike Spang, long-time organizer of the Irondequoit Oktoberfest, for bringing his experience and skills to Webster.

Cobblestone on Main is located at 109 West Main St. in the Village of Webster. Click here to visit their Facebook page.

Pictured above are (front row L-R) Evelyn Fonda, co-owner Sarah Bresnahan, Brenda Baleno, Ron Kampff, Mike Spang, Allie McLaurin; (back row) Tom Wright, Joe Baleno, Dan Bresnahan. Evelyn and Allie are Cobblestone employees. Brenda, Joe and Tom are regular customers who volunteered at the festival.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/17/2022)

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Get your ugly on at this year’s Winter Wonderland

16 Nov

In a blog I posted last week, I told you all about some of the changes in store for the festival formerly known as “White Christmas.”

In a nutshell, in addition to all of the features everyone has come to love about White Christmas — including Santa, carolers, the bell choir, the festival wagon and the Parade of Lights — the newly christened “Webster’s Winter Wonderland” on Saturday Dec. 3 has also taken on an around-the-world theme.

But here’s an extra special, really fun wrinkle in the festival that I didn’t mention before: the Ugly Sweater Spectacular! (I just made that name up, so don’t hold the village to it.)

Everyone who attends the Winter Wonderland activities, and especially the parade, is encouraged to wear an ugly sweater. Even if your group is marching in the parade, you can all wear ugly sweaters. You don’t even have to go out and buy one. (They’re often hard to find this time of year.) Just take an old sweater and hang stuff on it! There will be a photo booth set up on Main Street in front of Lala’s where you and your family members can get your photo taken with your creative attire.

Getting the whole village to dress up in ugly sweaters will be tons of fun, but there’s also an ulterior motive. The Webster Business Improvement District, who brings you this holiday celebration every year, is hoping that next year we can set a record for the largest gathering of ugly sweaters and launch our little village into the Guinness Book of World Records. The record right now is about 3,500. We can certainly beat that.

So start making those sweaters, and stay tuned for more details about Webster’s Winter Wonderland, scheduled for Sat. Dec. 3.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/16/2022)

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Barry’s Old School Irish celebrates 11 years

15 Nov

Do you remember this corner?

If you lived in Webster, say, 12 or 13 years ago, you might remember this unusual garden, complete with a mini-waterfall. It stood  at the the village’s four corners, welcoming visitors to our main business corridor. It adorned the storefront of the Living Plumber at 2 West Main St., and it stood for as long as I can remember.

That is, until the Living Plumber’s owner passed away, the village cleared it away, Danny and Jessica Barry moved in, and committed to turning that corner into something really special: a friendly little Irish pub.

For a long time now, it’s been clear to all of us that the Barrys have done that and so much more. With Barry’s Old School Irish, they’ve created a super-friendly, welcoming pub for the whole family. A place where you can set up your computer in the middle of the day to work while listening to musicians jamming in the corner. Where everyone who comes in is immediately considered part of the family.

Barry’s Old School Irish has not only changed that corner for the better, it has changed our village.

This weekend, on Saturday Nov. 19, Danny and Jessica Barry will celebrate their little pub’s 11th anniversary. The party begins at 7 p.m. with live music by Irish rocker Billy Herring, Jameson Irish Whiskey reps will be on hand all night with samples and giveaways, dancers from the Jamieson Irish Dance school will perform, some bagpipers will be stopping by, and the Official Toast (always an epic event) takes place at 9:30.

I’m pleased and proud to say I’ve been an extended member of the Barry’s Pub family since before they even opened, when I popped in to interview the new owners for this blog and took that iconic picture of them holding the sign that would soon adorn the outside of their pub. There were no pictures on the walls, no musicians in the corner, no cheeseburgers on the grill or soup in the pot. Just two young kids with a dream which they continue to expand upon every single day.

If you STILL haven’t stopped by this little Irish corner of the world, at 2 West Main Street right smack in the middle of the village, you’re missing something special.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/11/2022)

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Thank you veterans, from the Village of Webster!

11 Nov

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.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/11/2022)

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White Christmas is now “Webster’s Winter Wonderland”

10 Nov

The Village of Webster’s White 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.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/10/2022)

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What’s in that drawer?

9 Nov

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.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/9/2022)

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Small businesses: the backbone of our village

8 Nov

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.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/8/2022)

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Webster community mailbag

7 Nov

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.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/7/2022)

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