Tag Archives: Village of Webster

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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(posted 10/3/2025)

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.

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)

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(posted 10/1/2025)

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.)

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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 9/26/2025)

Village of Webster awarded Preserve NY Grant

25 Sep

The Village of Webster was recently named one of 31 recipients of a Preserve New York Grant.

Awarded annually since 1993, Preserve New York Grants provide funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that need technical, professional assistance to guide a variety of preservation projects. According to the Preservation League website, the grants “support important arts and cultural initiatives, as well as economic development related to our state’s arts and cultural heritage.”

The Village of Webster received $14,320, which will be used to fund a Cultural Resources Survey.

The press release from the Village explains that,

A cultural resources survey is an inventory of historically and/or architecturally significant buildings, sites, structures, and landscapes in a community. The results of a survey can serve as an excellent tool for local planning efforts, heritage tourism, economic development, and to help inform the Village of Webster Historic Preservation Commission of historically significant resources within the Village. The results of the survey will also help determine whether there is a National Register eligible historic district(s) or individual properties within the village. The Landmark Society of Western New York will serve as consultants to complete the survey.

Josh Durso, member of the Village of Webster’s Historic Preservation Commission, said,

“This grant gives the Village of Webster an important opportunity to document and preserve our history. It will not only help us share our community’s story but also guide future planning and development.”

As a huge fan of learning more about our village’s history and doing all we can to preserve and appreciate it, I congratulate the Village of Webster for going after and securing this grant.

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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 9/14/2025)

September History Bit: Spry turns 100

16 Sep

This month’s History Bit is perfectly timed for the start of the school year, highlighting the century-long educational legacy of the building now home to Spry Middle School.

The Spry Middle School building, located in the Village of Webster at the corner of South Ave. and Sanford St., turns 100 years old this week. It was built in 1925 to serve not as a middle school as it is now, but as the town’s high school, replacing the Webster Union Free School located just across the street. The new Webster High School welcomed its first students on September 17 of that year. 

The building’s design was distinctive, shaped like the letter “W”. Despite recent additions and renovations, you can still get a sense of its original shape if you stretch your imagination.

In 1962, R.L. Thomas High School was constructed to serve the town’s growing population, and Webster High School was converted into Webster Junior High. It held that designation until 2001, when the building was renamed Spry Middle School in honor of former superintendent Edward W. Spry.

The Spry building is the oldest building within the Webster Central School District still in use for educational purposes. It continues to adapt to the town’s growing population and student needs, most recently in 2019 with the construction of a new “cafetorium,” a combined cafeteria and performing arts center, designed to provide a modern space to replace the nearly century-old auditorium.  

If you’d like to find out more about the Town of Webster’s educational history, it’s on full display at the Webster Museum, from its recreated 1900s-era one-room schoolhouse, to its extensive collection of old high school yearbooks. Right now the museum has a “Webster Winners” display of banners, trophies, photographs, letter sweaters and more, recalling our school’s many athletic achievements.   

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, and is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. There is no admission charge. (Photo above courtesy Webster Town Historian Lynn Barton.)

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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 9/16/2025)

Village of Webster welcomes Small Block Wine and Spirits

14 Sep

The Village of Webster finally has its own liquor store.

Small Block Wine and Spirits opened about two weeks ago at 205 North Ave., right off Rt. 104 between Pub 235 and Salvatore’s.

Opening the new shop was a two-year long process for owners Mario and Kailin Cristofori. Mario calls it their “little passion project,” a reflection of their love for wine and desire to share that love with the Village of Webster.

“I’m not a wine savant,” Mario admitted, but “we’ve been to Napa, to Sonoma, and I’ve been to Tuscany in Italy. … A lot of the things on these shelves are what we’ve had or from vineyards we’ve visited. I’ve probably tasted 75% of the wines that are here.”  

The new shop is small but mighty. When you walk in you might be surprised by the limited selection compared to the much larger liquor stores in our area. But that’s the way Mario likes it.

“We didn’t want to go for the typical liquor store footprint, where we have boxes lined up and really congest the (floor space),” he said. “We’re trying to keep it clean and simple and easy to find what you’re looking for, and have variety where at least everybody can find something in a jam.”

Which explains, in part, how they chose the name Small Block. They first heard the term several years ago when they were touring the Hess Persson Estates in Napa Valley. It was there they learned that a “small block” was “a little section of the vineyard that they block off for friends and family or is a very small vintage they don’t sell,” Mario explained. “They keep it for themselves. That’s kind of the vibe.”

Mario’s worked hard to stock his shelves with a little bit of everything, starting with a nice selection of wines from New York State, California, Oregon, Australia, France, Chile and Spain, including a line of organic wines, at prices ranging from $7.99 to $77.99. But there are also box wines; ready-to-drink seltzers, vodka iced tea, and vodka lemonade; chilled wines, Prosecco and champagne; and lots of spirits — bourbons, whiskeys, tequila, gin, Scotch and more.

“I won’t have everything for everybody,” Mario admits, but he does take suggestions if there’s something in particular you’d like him to carry. And since it’s the only liquor store in the Village of Webster, “it’s certainly a convenience for anybody who lives in the area. …I think there’s a big opportunity for anybody who lives east of here because the next liquor store to the east is eight miles. This is very convenient getting right off 250,” he added.

Mario and Kailin proved their commitment to the village just a week after they opened, when they took part in the Village of Webster’s Beer Walk, where they handed out samples of — well, wine, of course.

It won’t be the last time you’ll see them at special events. “As much as the village has, we’ll be involved,” Mario said, “in any and all events.”

Small Block Wine and Spirits is located at 205 North Ave., between Pub 235 and Salvatores. It’s open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, check out their Facebook page here. You can also call 585-236-1080.

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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 9/14/2025)

Returns for a Reason makes every bottle and can count

12 Sep

A young Village of Webster boy is making the world a better place, one returnable at a time.

Pierson Farina — not quite 11 years old — has been collecting returnable bottles and cans for a long time, often snagging them out of his neighbors’ recycle bins. At first it was just a way to get a little spending cash and maybe build up his savings. But about three months ago, he decided to double down on his efforts and start putting those nickels to better use.

He established Returns for a Reason, which he describes as “a weekly returnable drop-off and pick-up.” He first decided what organizations he wanted to support: St. Rita School, Spry Middle School, G.R.A.S.P. Animal Rescue, Lollypop Farm, Webster NY Hope and the Webster Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD). Then he made up some flyers and started distributing them to all of his neighbors.

His plan is to make a donation every time he collects $100. In the first three months since he began Returns for a Reason, he’d already reached his first $100 goal. He chose the WVFD by random as the first beneficiary; “I put my finger on (the list) and it landed on the fire department,” he said.

Last Monday, Pierson was invited to the fire station, where he was greeted by Chief Brian Smith, who accepted the donation check. He told Pierson, “That is awesome. That work is truly inspiring. You share the same commitment for the community that the fellow firefighters do, so we definitely appreciate it.”

Justin Ientilucci, president of the Firemen’s Association, was also on hand. As a thank-you, Ientilucci presented Pierson with some “swag” — t-shirts and a cap — telling him, “The world should be filled with a lot more people like you, because a lot of people wouldn’t do things like this, especially at 11 years old.”  

Pierson was also rewarded with a front-row seat on a fire truck for a ride through the village. (You might have heard him sounding the horn.)  

Returns for a Reason is just the most recent example of Pierson’s entrepreneurial spirit. He was only 6 or 7 years old when he started a garbage can toting and cleaning service for his neighbors, a business he’s still running.

“We’ve had discussions about money,” his mother Cathy said. “How it’s good to make money, good to save money and good to help others, too. I think he’s kind of got that mindset that people need help.”

Pierson is well on his way to raising his second $100, which he’s planning to donate to Lollypop Farm. “I’m pretty sure I’m halfway there,” he said. If you want to help out, stash your returnables in your car, and the next time you’re in the village, drive down Dunning Ave. and look for the bin with the Returnables for a Reason flyer attached to the front!

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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 9/10/2025)

Webster community mailbag

9 Sep

We’re going to start today’s mailbag with a look at what’s happening at the Webster Public Library this month.

  • Some beautiful music is in store on Friday, Sept. 12 when the Gold & Ivory Flute Duet performs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. They play flute and piano music in styles ranging from the classical era to American pop. Registration is required.
  • This month’s community collection is picture frames. If you’ve got some you really don’t want, and could use a few others, bring them by the library and swap them out.
  • September’s Donation Station is accepting diapers to be donated to Webster NY Hope.
  • Family Fun Night on Monday, Sept. 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. will celebrate the start of Star Wars Reads Month in October with Star Wars-themed crafts and activities. All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
  • Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. will be a Play-Doh Play Morning. It’s National Play-Doh Day, so stop by for a morning of creativity and fun. All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
  • This month’s Drop-in Crafts will be autumn-themed. Stop in Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to make something fun. All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
  • Children in grades 4 to 12 and adults are invited to Make it Monday on Sept. 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. This month the craft night features Perler Bead Bookmarks. Registration is required.
  • The next meeting of the Teen Library Club is Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Teens in grades 6 to 12 who like books, games, crafts, sharing your ideas, taking surveys and hanging out with your friends are encouraged to join. Click here to register.

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The Village of Webster’s annual September 11th Memorial Ceremony will be held Thursday Sept. 11 beginning at 6 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 28 North Ave. This is always a very nice ceremony, and will feature patriotic music by the Webster Village Band.

On Saturday Sept. 13 the Village of Webster will host a Health and Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lattimore Physical Therapy, 70 Barrett Drive.

This free event will showcase many health-related businesses and professionals in our area. Learn more about all aspects of health and wellness, including physical, mental, environmental, social and financial health.

Also on Saturday Sept. 13, the Village will host a free shredding event from 11 a.m. in the Lattimore Physical Therapy parking lot.

This is a drive-through event, accepting paper only (staples do not need to be removed). Paper must be placed in cardboard boxes or paper bags, with a limit of five boxes per vehicle.

Click here for more information about the health fair and shredding event.

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Also on Saturday, Sept. 13, there’s a pharmaceutical collection event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eastway Wegmans, 1955 Empire Blvd.

Accepted Items include:

  • pills and liquid medications
  • prescription medications
  • over-the-counter medications
  • empty medicine bottles
  • ointments and creams
  • sprays and inhalers
  • EpiPens, sharps and syringes

Syringes/sharps must be in approved sharps containers or sturdy alternatives (two liter plastic bottles, rugged laundry soap bottles, etc.). All containers should be capped and labeled “SHARPS”.

Appointments are not required for this drive-up pharmaceutical event.

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There’s also a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off on Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 7:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the Webster Highway Dept., 1005 Picture Parkway.

Residents may properly dispose of up to thirty (30) gallons of chemicals, such as paint, automotive fluids, fertilizers, household cleaners, and pool chemicals at no charge.

Registration is REQUIRED. Click here to learn more and schedule an appointment.

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The United Church of Christ on Klem Rd. is hosting a special performance titled “They Live On…in Word and Song to Support Mental Health,” on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. The community program will support those in various stages of caregiving and loss.

“They Live On…in Word and Song” features excerpts from Patricia Nugent’s memoir — They Live On: Saying Goodbye to Mom and Dad –paired with nine original songs by singer/songwriter Michael Jerling.

The performance will be held at the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served immediately after the performance. A CD of the readings and music will also be made available at the event. Tickets are $20, a donation to the church’s mission of supporting mental health awareness and education. Click here to get yours. For more information, email office@uccwebster.org.

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St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. and will continue until all dinners are sold out.

Dinners will include a half chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and cookie, and will cost $15.

The event will be drive-through only and there will be no advance sales; first-come, first-served. Cars should enter the parking lot, follow the signs, and purchase dinners using exact payment of either cash or
check. Cars will then pick up boxed dinners.

Proceeds from the BBQ will support both St. Martin’s Little Free Pantry and Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.

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Looking ahead to October, the Country Gardeners of Webster will be holding a “Frightful and Delightful” Halloween-themed flower show on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Webster Presbyterian Church, 550 Webster Rd.

Explore floral designs, artistic crafts, an array of horticultural specimens and other surprises. Get ready to decorate your home for the Halloween season! Admission is free and there’s plenty of parking.

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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 9/9/2025)

The Village Quilt Shoppe is celebrating a birthday

1 Sep

A bit of happy news came across my email the other day: Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti, owners of the Village Quilt Shoppe, are about to celebrate their cute little shop’s sixth anniversary. With all the business comings and goings of late, and all the empty storefronts, I’m happy to see a village business thriving.

That’s especially the case here, because Vanetta and Monique had a very rocky start. It’s a story I’ve told before, but it’s worth repeating to illustrate these ladies’ resilience.

Just three months after they opened their doors in August 2019, and just days before the Village of Webster’s White Christmas celebration, disaster struck when a water leak from the apartment above the shop came through the floor and destroyed much of their merchandise. They had to close for almost a month to regroup and restock. But, determined not to lose their dream shop, they persevered and survived that early setback.

Then COVID struck, and they had to close again for three more months. But thanks to a solid core of loyal customers, the little business navigated a global pandemic and came back stronger than ever.

To celebrate their anniversary, Vanetta and Monique are hosting a special celebration on Saturday Sept. 6. They’re calling it a Bingo Birthday Bash, and it will feature several games of Bingo, birthday cupcakes, lots of specials and a Whims Trunk Show. There will be two sessions, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Registration is required and space is limited, so click here to sign up soon.

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 E. Main St. in the Village of Webster.

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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 9/1/2025)

Webster community mailbag

29 Aug

Just a few events in today’s mailbag … We’ll lead with this item I just received today from the United Church of Christ on Klem Rd.

They’re hosting a special performance titled “They Live On…in Word and Song to Support Mental Health,” on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. The community program will support those in various stages of caregiving and loss.

“They Live On…in Word and Song” features excerpts from Patricia Nugent’s memoir — They Live On: Saying Goodbye to Mom and Dad –paired with nine original songs by singer/songwriter Michael Jerling.

Nugent has presented widely on the topics of caregiving and loss. A native of Irondequoit, her mother Amelia Nugent was active in local politics and real estate, and her father Nicholas Nugent was Athletic Director at the Rochester School for the Deaf. Michael Jerling of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. has been described as a “songwriter’s songwriter…an artist who performs his songs with an uncommon ability to deliver them with power and grace.”

This collaboration between two artists employing two different forms of creative expression gives voice to the universal human experience of letting go. The performance initially debuted at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs to a sold-out room. This is their first performance in the Rochester area.

The performance will be held at the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served immediately after the performance. A CD of the readings and music will also be made available at the event. Tickets are $20, a donation to the church’s mission of supporting mental health awareness and education. Click here to get yours. For more information, email office@uccwebster.org.

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The Women’s Club of Webster is ramping up their 2025/26 season with the announcement that their first luncheon will be held on Thursday Sept. 18 at the Ontario Country Club, 2101 Country Club Lane.

This month’s speaker will be Dan Lyon, Fraud Prevention Manager at Lifespan, who will lead a musical game called “Name That Scam.”  Inspired by “Name That Tune,” it features music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, cleverly linked to scams for an educational twist.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Mr. Lyon’s presentation. Menu choices for the luncheon include: Chef’s Dip (beef, onions, provolone, lettuce and tomato on French bread), Chicken Waldorf Sandwich (chicken salad, apples, candied walnuts,  grapes, melted Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato on a croissant) or House Salad (greens, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber). All choices include hot and cold drinks and French fries. 

Cost of the luncheon is $27. Send your check, made out to the Women’s Club of Webster, by Sept. 11 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Please make sure to indicate your menu choice. You do not have to be a member of the Women’s Club to attend, but new members are always welcome!

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Nan Kent, owner of Annette’s Restaurant, would like me to let you all know that she’s introducing a $15 lunch special starting in September.

The menu includes a selection of salads:

  • Annette’s Seasonal Salad Seasonal — fruit, arugula, tomatoes, red onion, blue cheese crumble and choice of homemade dressing
  • House Caesar — chopped romaine, shredded Parmesan, house-made croutons, Caesar dressing
  • Lunch Wedge — fresh bacon, tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, blue cheese dressing, balsamic glaze

Some handhelds:

  • House Burger — lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar
  • Black Bean Burger — arugula, tomato, red onion
  • Parmesan-crusted cod — cole slaw and one side
  • Caesar Wrap — chopped romaine, shredded Parmesan, house Caesar dressing

Other options will include a soup & salad, grilled chicken and wings & fries.

Specials will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Annette’s is located at 27 West Main St. in the Village of Webster. For more information about the specials, including vegetarian options, stop by or call 585-645-6002.

These next events have appeared in previous mailbags, but I’m re-posting them as reminders:

Don’t forget about the Village of Webster’s Fall Kick-off on Saturday, Sept. 6. Three special events have been scheduled that afternoon and evening beginning at noon when the Red Hot and Blue Band hosts their annual St. Jude’s Benefit Concert. This year they’ll be joined by Sarah De Vallière and The Tug Hill Band.

At 4 p.m., the ever-popular Beer Walk returns to the village, where you can sample beer, cider and food from local businesses AND AT THE SAME TIME, there’ll be a car show on West Main, featuring a wide variety of cars from classic cars to hot rods.

This is all sponsored by Webster’s Business Improvement DistrictClick here to find out more details on their website.

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St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. and will continue until all dinners are sold out.

Dinners will include a half chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and cookie, and will cost $15.

The event will be drive-through only and there will be no advance sales; first-come, first-served. Cars should enter the parking lot, follow the signs, and purchase dinners using exact payment of either cash or
check. Cars will then pick up boxed dinners.

Proceeds from the BBQ will support both St. Martin’s Little Free Pantry and Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.

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The Webster Comfort Care Home’s annual Casino Night has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd.

“Mayor” Pete Kennedy will emcee this fun night, which will feature gaming tables, a silent auction, raffles, cash bar, appetizers, desserts and a soft pretzel station. Tickets are $75 per person and must be purchased by Sept. 12.

 Click here for tickets. All proceeds benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home.

Interested in helping out by becoming a sponsor? Click here for details: Casino Night Sponsorship Packages.

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(posted 8/29/2025)