Tag Archives: Webster NY

New village store embraces the whimsical side of shopping

27 Nov

Today is Small Business Saturday, and there are so many cool things happening with our village merchants, you’re going to want to block off most of your day to check them all out.

The most exciting is that a brand new business, Whimsies, has opened on East Main Street. Whimsies doesn’t have a sign outside yet, but you’ll find it right next door to Lala of Webster, at 32 East Main St. (in the former Chandeliers Boutique). Whimsies is actually kind of an extension of Lala’s; or as owner Lisa Schlonski describes it, a gift shop operating under the Lala umbrella.

Lisa is still unpacking and organizing her merchandise, but really wanted to open her doors by Small Business Saturday. When everything is in place, the new store will be stocked with some of the more whimsical and “snarky” items that you can find right now at Lala’s, and will also feature a wide selection of vintage and “penny” candy.

The new shop already looks great, even though it’s not where Lisa would like it to be quite yet. You’ll definitely want to check it out today, because everything in the store (and in Lala’s) is 20% off.

Checking out the new Whimsies is just one good reason to head into the village today. Not that anyone should NEED an excuse to support the Village of Webster’s small businesses, but in honor of Small Business Saturday, you’ll find that pretty much everyone has specials going on. Here’s a sampling, from some of my favorite village shops:

Crafty Christy’s Boutique is our village’s newest small business (aside from Whimsies). At 7 West Main St., it’s kind of hidden down in the back parking lot across from the gazebo, but is getting a lot of attention. Anyone who wanders down there to check it out today will find some extra special surprises.

Christina Barnum is offering shoppers buy one/get one free Christmas earrings, and the chance to sign up for three craft classes for the price of two. Christina is also also accepting clothing donations for HOPE House, and will give a free gift to anyone who makes a donation. (Click here to see the current HOPE House wish list).

The North Bee, at 27 North Ave., is actually celebrating its 3rd anniversary today. In honor of the anniversary, you can get buy one/get one free CBD products and check the Facebook page for a 30% coupon good in store for any one item.

Village HandWorks is another fairly new business. It opened in September at 19 East Main St., next door to the Village Quilt Shoppe. Owner Jenn Ratcliffe has so many percentage-off specials that I can’t really include them here, but suffice it to say, if you’re looking for gifts for someone in your life who loves to knit or weave or appreciates hand-crafted winter-wear, you’ll want to spend some time at Village HandWorks.

Jenn, by the way, is super-dedicated to supporting — and giving back to — our town and world community. Not only does she offer products from local artisans, but she also stocks items from companies like FAZL. Their mittens, hats and socks are crafted by women in India and 30% of the profits will benefit Indian orphanages.

PLUS, if you buy anything at Village HandWorks or Nest Things (right down Main Street), you can wrap it for free at Village HandWorks.

I also heard recently from the Village Quilt Shoppe, 21 East Main, where Vanetta and Monique are offering 30% off all full-priced merchandise, and a few very tempting gift certificate specials. And Jonathan at Yesterday’s Muse bookstore, 32 West Main, emailed to tell me all about his shop’s brand new website and coupon offerings. You can see them for yourself here.

Whew. That was a lot of information, and it was just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the great small businesses we have here in town that deserve our support, today and every day.

I hope you noticed — for EVERY ONE one of those businesses I wrote about today, I was able to tell you the owners’ names. That’s because the folks who choose to open businesses here in Webster are not just merchants. They are Webster residents and our neighbors. They help make up the fabric of our community. They participate in our holiday events, support our sports teams and feature products from local artisans. They do things like give back a portion of their proceeds to Indian orphanages.

You won’t find those things in any big box store.

Please show your love to small businesses today. They’re great places to find unique gifts and stocking stuffers.

As for me, I don’t know for sure how much shopping I’m going to do today, but I did stop at the bank yesterday to prepare ….

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

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Santa’s visit to Bella’s Bumbas workshop: a follow-up

26 Nov

You may remember a few weeks ago reading a blog about how Santa himself visited the Bella’s Bumbas workshop here in Webster to help build a Bumba for one very lucky child in Connecticut.

During his visit, Santa was assisted by several young elves, who showed him how to craft one of Bella’s Bumbas’ miniature wheelchairs from the wheels up.

I’m happy to report that the special Santa-built Bumba has been received by Tate, the young man for whom it was being built. Check out the photo below; it’s easy to see how delighted Tate is with his newfound mobility. What you can’t see is how Santa and all his elves signed it underneath the seat.

Click here to read the blog I wrote about Santa’s visit to the workshop.

Santa working on the Bumba
Tate with his Santa-built Bella’s Bumba

While Santa was there, he also signed another Bumba, specially built for young Josué in Mexico. Josué has also received his autographed Bumba.

Josué in his Santa-autographed chair

Bella’s Bumbas is run by Webster residents Marty Parzynski and Rebecca Orr, dedicated to building miniature wheelchairs for children with a wide variety of mobility issues. In the four years since Marty built the first Bumba for their niece Bella, they’ve shipped close to 2000 chairs to children in more than 50 countries, often adapting the chairs for each child’s individual needs, and charging the parents only for shipping.

Their efforts are changing young lives all over the world.

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

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Giving back on this Thanksgiving Day

25 Nov

A reader messaged me the other day, asking where she might find a neighborhood food pantry where her family could make a food donation. It got me thinking that many people out there could benefit from that information, especially at this time of year when we’re feeling so thankful for what we have, and want to help those in our community who are not so fortunate.

HOPE Ministry, housed at Holy Trinity Church, is the largest food pantry currently operating in town. The ministry has an extensive pantry, complete with fresh produce, and is open four days a week for any Webster resident who needs assistance.

Donations of food, hygiene and cleaning products are accepted during their open hours (but please no household donations). Hours are Monday 5 to 7 p.m.; Tuesday 10 a.m. to noon; Wednesday 3 to 5 p.m.; and Thursday 5 to 7 p.m.

Their current wish list includes:

  • chunky soup
  • canned cannellini beans
  • canned mixed vegetables
  • canned pineapple
  • body wash
  • aluminum foil

HOPE Ministry also has two floors of clothing for all ages and in all sizes. They’re always in need of gently used children’s clothing, toddler underwear and socks, and right now would love to get more hats and gloves (especially men’s).

HOPE Ministry is located at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Rd., and there’s a cart outside for “contactless” donations.

Webster is also home to four “little free food pantries.” These are small, stand-alone pantries filled with non-perishable food items, where the concept is “take what you need, leave what you can.”

The pantries are hosted by the congregations of four local churches and can be found in the church parking lots. They’re at the Webster Baptist Church on South Ave, Immanuel Lutheran Church on West Main St., the United Church of Christ on Klem Rd., and St. Martin’s Church on Bay Rd.

Donations can be made at any time; just drive up, open the pantry and put in your donations. So maybe next time you head to Wegmans you pick up an extra half dozen cans of veggies, a few boxes of cereal, maybe some extra spaghetti, and swing by one of these pantries on the way home.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends. May your day be filled with family and the blessings that life brings.

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

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The holidays in Webster Village: beer, shopping, Santa and a parade!

18 Nov

It’s getting cold out, but the holiday season in Webster is heating up, with a cool NEW event and some great improvements on an old favorite.

For starters, the village’s brand new “Hops and Stops” beer tasting event invites participants to not only enjoy some great craft brews, while also visiting many of our small businesses for some early Christmas shopping.

Hops and Stops will be Saturday Nov. 27 (not coincidentally Small Business Saturday). Glass pickup is at Finns Automotive, 44 East Main St, beginning at 2:45 p.m. Cost is $20 (tickets here). Please bring proper ID and you can’t pick up anyone else’s glass since they’ll also need to show an ID.

The beer walk itself runs from 3 to 6 p.m. There will be craft beer at some stops and food at others. These businesses will be participating:

  • Bernardi & Co. CPA
  • Webster Interiors
  • Woodland Silkscreen and Embroidery
  • OHHH, LORDEE! Everything Sauce
  • Village Vape or Smoke
  • The Modified Collective
  • Carl’s Pizza Kitchen
  • Crafty Christy’s Boutique
  • Dunkin’ Donuts
  • The Coach
  • BC’s Chicken Coop
  • The Cobblestone on Main
  • Barry’s Old School Irish
  • Lattimore Physical Therapy
  • Filling Station Pub & Grill

Kudos to the Webster BID for coming up with this great idea to get people out and shopping on Small Business Saturday!

Click here for more information and to get tickets.

White Christmas is Back!

Last year’s “reverse” Holiday Parade of Lights was fun, but I think everyone is excited to know that the REAL Parade of Lights will be returning the evening of Saturday Dec. 4. The parade is the highlight of a whole afternoon of holiday entertainment and activities planned during the Village of Webster’s White Christmas celebration.

This year’s event will feature something really fun: the gazebo in Veterans Park will be transformed into the North Pole for the day, complete with twinkling lights, elves, candy canes and much more. Santa will be there to greet the kids from 3 to 5 p.m. Kids can bring their letters and give them right to Santa or deposit them in his North Pole mailbox.

The Parade of Lights will begin at 6:30 p.m., winding its way from Phillips Rd. west down Main Street.

All of your White Christmas favorites will also be back this year, including carriage rides, hot cocoa, cookie decorating, storytime with Jason Poole from the Webster Public Library, caroling, and much more, including a “Toy Land,” for which everyone is encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate.

Put this one on your calendar, folks. (Maybe we’ll actually get some snow this year.)

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

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Webster community mailbag

17 Nov

I’ve got an important update from the PTSA/One Webster team that’s working on a float for this year’s Holiday Parade of Lights.

They need lights for the float!

They’ve actually been getting a good response from people interested in helping create Santa’s Workshop and who want to help build the float (read more about those opportunities in this blog here) but they desperately need lights for the float. After all, it is the Holiday PARADE OF LIGHTS.

They’ve made it very easy to contribute to the effort. Click this link here to order the lights directly (there are several price options) or donate any amount.

Speaking of fun events, I’ve heard from the organizers of the annual Greater Rochester Peep Show.

This show, which usually takes over much of the Webster Recreation Center in early April, had to go virtual these last few years. Now that it looks like the 2022 Peep Show might be a little more normal, they’re already ramping up to make it the best ever.

They’e currently looking artists to create a poster (rules are posted on the Peep Show website) and prizes will be awareded: $100 for first place, $50 for second place. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 25. They’re also looking for sponsors, vendors, and community groups or entertainers who would like to present demos at the show. Come January, they’ll start asking for volunteers.

As for all you Peep Show display makers, get to the drawing board and start planning your incredible displays. April will be here before we know it!

For more information about the 2022 Greater Rochester Peep Show, click here.

Get your books here, folks!

Now here’s a great chance to pick up some perfect holiday gifts for the reader in your family, and not drop a lot of dough.

The Friends of the Webster Public Library will be holding their Winter Holiday Book Sale beginning Saturday Nov. 20.

Winter and end-of-the-year holiday season books (hardcover, fiction and nonfiction) will be featured at this sale, including music CDs, DVD movies and Blu-Rays for children and adults. And everything is priced between 50 cents and $2.

The sale will run for several weeks (or until the books run out) during regular holiday hours.

Purchases may be made at the circulation desk. All monies raised will go to support library programs and initiatives.

In this month’s History Bit from the Webster Museum, a message of thanks.

NYA-WEH is “thanks” in the Seneca language. If we struggle to find things to be thankful for this year, we would do well to consult the Thanksgiving address of any of our native people, the Haudenosaunee.

A thousand years old, the words are still spoken before and after ceremonial and governmental gatherings. The speakers’ language and words may vary, but the message is the same: we must name and thank everything in the natural world that sustains us.
The address includes the people, the earth, the waters, the plants, the animals, the sun, moon and stars and the creator they believe to be responsible for all these gifts.

Each gift is named and thanked and honored by the refrain “now our minds are one.“ Consensus on gratitude!

The Webster Museum’s permanent Seneca exhibit now includes objects identified in the Seneca language.

The museum is open for your enjoyment (and maybe some new vocabulary…) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m.. Nya-weh for visiting!

By the way, I did mention above that Webster’s White Christmas in the Village will be back this year, It returns Saturday Dec. 4, complete with the Parade of Lights in the evening.

A more complete blog will follow shortly!

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

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To the Core Pilates opens in Towne Center

15 Nov

Now, I’m no stranger to working out. I walk, run, do a little weightlifting, a little yoga. But Pilates? Had no clue what it was. So when I sat down for a chat the other day with Erin Ferrante, owner of the new To the Core Pilates studio, I thought I should let her know that right off the bat.

To her credit, she didn’t laugh, or even giggle. On the contrary, she assured me that’s not unusual; a lot of people around here don’t know much about Pilates.

I came to realize that that example of non-judgmental acceptance pretty much sums up Erin’s approach to her new business and the people who walk through her door: everyone is welcome, no matter what shape you’re in or where you are in your fitness goals.

Even if you know nothing about Pilates.

To the Core Pilates opened on Oct. 4 in Towne Center plaza (Target plaza) next door to Visionworks. It’s a dream come true for owner Erin Ferrante, who first fell in love with Pilates when she was living in Aspen, Colorado several years ago. When she came back home to Wayne County, she brought that passion for Pilates with her, along with a dream of opening her own studio. She even had her eye on a plaza she knew very well from her Wayne County youth.

She remembers, “I said, ‘Mom I just want to move home and open a Pilates studio in Webster Plaza. A couple years later, here I am.”

She started small, first offering classes in an under-used building at Thornbee Farm in Walworth, owned by her aunt and uncle. The venture was extremely successful. She soon realized she needed more room, and was ready to take the next step. She found an 1800-sq. foot studio space in Towne Center, and started introducing what she calls a “very west coast fitness regimen” to the greater Webster community.

“There’s not really Pilates around here,” she explained.

A lot of people don’t know what it is. I’ve found that’s been one of the biggest things. People know how to lift weights around here or do burn boot camp. Pilates is a type of exercise where we focus on slow, controlled toning exercise. We do things that are high intensity but it’s a very low-impact workout.

So basically, Pilates stresses low-impact flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance. Which is pretty much why everyone can do it, regardless of fitness level.

I’m trying to help people understand that they don’t have to jump around to get a good workout. … The high impact stuff is not good for your joints and muscles. … The awesome thing about Pilates is we use very low weights, very high reps. I want to teach people that good exercise, maybe three days a week, clean eating and a little bit of walking is going to get them to the goals they’re looking for.

“I want people to feel like this is really a welcoming community when they come in the door,” she added. “No matter what their fitness level is, we can help them.”

It’s an approach that’s already winning a lot of fans, like Maria Derks. Packing up from an intense Barefoot Boot Camp class, she agreed with Erin, calling the atmosphere at To the Core Pilates as “very intimate. (Erin) makes me feel special,” she said. “She wants to make us all feel welcome.”

To the Core Pilates is located at 1028 Ridge Rd. (Towne Center plaza), next door to Visionworks in the plaza’s northwest corner. Classes offered include Pilates, core, yoga and high-intensity Barefoot Boot Camp. Plus, this coming Wednesday Nov. 17, Erin will also be hosting a special Nourish: Body & Mind nutrition workshop led by Erica of Revive Your Tribe, designed especially for women.

Visit the To the Core Pilates Facebook page and Instagram (@tothecore_pilates) for more information.

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

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Webster community mailbag

7 Nov

I have to ‘fess up right away that some of these items did not actually come through my mail. But they are some fun random events I wanted to share with you.

First, a photo of my friend Laureen Anthony-Palmer, from a party held Friday at the Webster Public Library in her honor. It was Laureen’s last day at the library; she and her husband will soon be moving down to Kentucky to be closer to their new granddaughter.

Laureen’s official title was Library Assistant, but that really doesn’t thoroughly reflect everything she did there. In her 18-year career with the library, Laureen managed the career collections, organized the collection drives for things like coats and Bella’s Bumbas materials, helped manage the library’s social media and sent regular PR emails to traditional media outlets.

That’s how I got to know Laureen. She regularly peppered my inbox with newsy bits from the library, and we worked as a team to help people learn more about the library and the greater Webster community.

I will miss seeing her smiling face (or at least her smiling eyes) when I wander over to the reference desk, but congratulate her for making the right decision. Family is paramount.

Godspeed, Laureen. It’s been great working with you.

It was a perfect fall day for a hike Saturday, and more than 100 people took advantage to participate in a family-friendly scavenger hunt at Four Mile Creek Preserve.

The event was co-hosted by the Friends of Webster Trails and the Webster Recreation Center. At the registration table, kids picked up one of three age-appropriate scavenger hunt sheets, then explored the preserve’s 3/4-mile long Blue Trail to locate and cross off as many of the items as possible. Everyone got a fun prize when they returned with their completed (or even partially completed) sheet.

This was a great event on so many levels. It gave families a fun way to help their kids exercise their bodies and minds in an outdoor activity. It introduced many people to a natural area they’d never been to before. And it was an opportunity to learn more about the great work the Friends of Webster Trails does.

An inspiring look at Miracle Field

If you didn’t get a chance a few weeks ago to catch the video created by Channel 8 WROC-TV about Rochester Challenger Miracle Field, I suggest you grab a cup of coffee, sit back and click on the link below.

The 30-minute long video, filmed in part at Miracle Field’s Heroes Helping Heroes event in July, is an excellent introduction to Miracle Field and the tremendous opportunities it provides to individuals with physical and/or cognitive challenges. It’s entertaining and inspiring, and will make your heart smile.

To find out more about Miracle Field and how you can help, visit their website.

Going, going, GONE!

Finally, here’s a great way to grab some early holiday gifts, and support a good cause at the same time.

Webster Comfort Care Home is hosting an online charity auction featuring jewelry, art, hockey games, restaurant gift cards, a two-night stay at an Upstate cabin, and more cool stuff.

Bidding is going on right now, through Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. For more information and to participate, click here.

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

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A photographic tour through Barry’s Old School Irish history

5 Nov

Barry’s Old School Irish is celebrating its 10th anniversary Saturday night.

There’s not much more I can say about this little Irish pub which I have not said before. How Barry’s has changed the face of Webster. How Barry’s has positively affected so many lives. How Danny and Jessica have become like family.

Several weeks ago I took my most recent stab at putting my feelings into words when I posted this preview of Saturday’s festivities. I have struggled since to come up a different way to note this remarkable occasion.

What I came up with is this photo retrospective from the last ten years. They begin with a shot of the unsightly bulding before Danny and Jessica purchased it, when the plumbing shop was still in business. There are photos from every anniversary (except #9, which didn’t really happen during the pandemic) and several special events, and concludes with the beautiful pub we have come to know and love.

  • Remember the old plumbing shop?
  • This was after the plumbing shop owner died and it was being prepared for a new owner,
  • The day before Barry’s officially opened. Look at the blank walls.
  • Look how young these kids were
  • Grand opening ribbon cutting
  • Grand opening
  • Maley’s surprise baby shower
  • Pre-Maley
  • Great Guinness Toast 2012
  • Great Guinness Toast 2012
  • An early traditional session, featuring local Irish music royalty Marty O’Keefe and Ted McGraw
  • First anniversary
  • First anniversary
  • Candlelight vigil for West Webster. 12/27/2012
  • 12/27/2012
  • 12/27/2012
  • Oops. This is a duplicate
  • Dan and Jess with Ted McGraw and Marty O’Keefe, 2012
  • Barry’s Crossing playing for the Great Guinness Toast 2012
  • 2nd anniversary
  • 2nd anniversary
  • 2nd anniversary
  • Guinness Toast 2013
  • Guinness Toast 2013
  • 3rd anniversary
  • 3rd anniversary
  • 3rd anniversary
  • New Year’s Eve 2013
  • New Year’s Eve 2013
  • 4th anniversary
  • 4th anniversary
  • 4th anniversary
  • 5th anniversary
  • 5th anniversary
  • 5th anniversary
  • 6th anniversary
  • 6th anniversary
  • 6th anniversary
  • 6th anniversary
  • 7th anniversary
  • 7th anniversary
  • 7th anniversary
  • 8th anniversary
  • New pews!!!
  • Barry’s today.
  • Compared to 2011

Here are some thoughts from Danny and Jess, taken from the Facebook event page.

Jessica and I are excited to celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of Barry’s Old School Irish with everyone!

This little Irish Pub is special for so many reasons. A dream of ours to open after honeymooning in Ireland, which became a reality at 20 and 24 years old. We’ve brought 3 crazy kiddos into this world since the year we opened Barry’s- our kids have quickly gained MANY aunts and uncles from our community. We are so thankful to all those who call Barry’s home and are blessed to have made so many wonderful friends that have become family to us. We’ve shared a lot of lasting memories together in these 10 years, now let’s make a few more on November 6th during our Anniversary Party!

Here are some details, but you can find more information on the event page:

• 7 to 10 p.m.: live Irish Music by Sean & Sarah of Barry’s Crossing! They were our first ever musicians to play at the pub, and for a long time were the “house band.” They haven’t played together in a long time, and are reuniting for this performance.
• Irish Whiskey reps. in with samples & give-aways
• Irish Dancers in to perform
• Give-aways from Guinness, Proper 12, Magners, and more
• Bagpiper making an appearance

Barry’s Old School Irish is located at 2 West 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 Twitter.

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Webster community mailbag

3 Nov

I’m going to start today with a few notes from the Webster Recreation Center, which has two fun events coming up this weekend.

The first is Friday Nov. 5, when Webster Parks and Recreation celebrates its 10th anniversary on Chiyoda Drive. The Rec Center officially opened on Oct. 1, 2011 in a newly renovated building which was formerly the Xerox Recreation Center. Its previous home was the much smaller Ridgecrest facility on Ebner Drive.

It was a great move for the Rec Center and for the Town, as the new facility offered a LOT more space indoors and outdoors for programs and community events. In the years since the move, the Town of Webster has taken full advantage of the property, adding an ice rink, the First Responders Playground and great community events like the Mud Run and recent Pumpkins on Parade. And, of course, a huge variety of fitness classes inside the facility.

The entire community is invited to a grand, all-day birthday party on Friday to help celebrate. And I mean ALL DAY, like from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are free fitness classes, a dance party, carnival games, a community group fair, bounce house, and much more. Click here to see the whole schedule.

The Webster Recreation Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Dr., off of Phillips Rd.

It’s not part of the anniversary celebration, but the Rec Center is also hosting a family scavenger hunt on Saturday Nov. 6 at Four Mile Creek Preserve, at the corner of Phillips Rd. and Lake Rd.

Sign in between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and then look for clues around the park. Each participant will receive a scavenger hunt answer key, which can be turned in at the end for a fun prize.

Three skills levels will be offered for children ages 2 to 12. Cost is $5 per child; please register ahead of time by clicking here (look for program #301205) and you can pay at the event. All proceeds will benefit the Friends of Webster Trails to support the maintenance and improvement of our awesome Webster trail system.

Get your museum trees soon!

The Webster Museum has started taking reservations from individuals and organizations who want to decorate one of their miniature Christmas trees for this year’s Festival of Trees, and word is the trees are going fast.

If you’re interested in participating, don’t delay in making your reservation. Call Kathy at (585) 313-3709 and leave a message with your name and phone number. Calls will be returned in the order they are received.

Please be prepared to supply the following information when you get a call back:

  • caller’s name, email and phone
  • decorator’s name, email and phone
  • any special requests (like location or lighting)

In the meantime, stop by and see the museum’s new exhibit honoring our veterans, and some of poetry written in war time. The museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster, and is open from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Hot Cocoa Hike

The Friends of Webster Trails will host their annual Hot Cocoa Hike this Saturday Nov. 6, beginning at 7 p.m.

This year’s hike will take place at Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve, located on Whiting Rd. north of Shoemaker. Arrive anytime bewteen 7 and 8 p.m. and hike your way to some free hot chocolate. This is not a guided event, but the whole path is lighted and will be easy to follow.

Click here to get more details and to register. There’s no charge but the Friends would like to know how many people to expect.

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And while we’re talking about the Friends, I’d like to extend a personal thank you to those blog readers who recently joined the Friends of Webster Trails as new members. (You know who you are.)

As a frequent trail user myself, I’m a huge fan of what this all-volunteer organization does to maintain and build new trails in Webster. As such, I frequently write about them in my blog.

Apparently, after my most recent Friends of Webster Trails blog, in which I once again encouraged everyone to become members, several of my wonderful readers actually did so. Last week I got an email from Denise Bilsback, the Friends’ membership chair, who told me that they had an uptick of new members in October, and nine of them cited my blog as one of their reasons.

So thank you for helping me know that my blog is making a difference. But even more than that, thank you for supporting the Friends of Webster Trails.

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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.

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Webster Marching Band is #1 in the state!

2 Nov

This is why they’re called “The Pride of Webster.”

On Saturday, our very own Webster Marching Band blew away the competition at this year’s state championships, held at the Carrier Dome, earning the title of State Champion of the Large School 2 Division. It’s the first time the band has held the title in more than 30 years.

The band competed against eight other schools in their LS2 division, who attended from all over the state. At the end of the day, only 11 points separated the nine schools. But Webster stood alone at the top, with 90.8 points, a full 1.7 points ahead of second-place West Seneca. 

It was a very satisfying end to a VERY long day for the band members and their parent helpers.  

“Championship day is a FULL day,” wrote Band Director Jerbrel Owens. “We start early in the morning with a hearty breakfast and we then take the long drive to Syracuse. We are on a tight schedule so the students need to move quickly, warm-up, and move again until it’s our time to enter the Carrier Dome.” 

Bowens, himself a Webster grad and former Marching Band member, wrote the winning program, called “Unbroken.” 

Writing it was very fun, but most importantly it was written specifically for our students, which makes them successful as well as challenges them a bit. I believe that this is where the success began. We also work closely with a drill writer who wrote the drill just for our students which made it even more successful. We as staff gave them a “vehicle” and the students drove away with it and won!

I am honored to have written this show for them. 

Bowens’ long history with the band made it easier for him to create the perfect program for this year’s musicians and performers.

I marched in this program from 2009 to 2011, and I came back in 2016 to teach the drumline. This year was different. The same kids that were 6th graders when I came back were the student leaders this year, who I believe led their sections to success. All of the students understood the goal, agreed on that goal and achieved that goal.

This is all on the students. When the time starts at each show, it isn’t the staff anymore, it’s all on the kids. They deserve all of the applause for their actions as a TEAM. 

The Webster Marching Band, now in its 36th season, is made up of 66 student musicians and performers drawn from all four Webster secondary schools: Spry Middle School, Willink Middle School, Webster Schroeder High School, and Webster Thomas High School. Each band season begins with extensive training in the spring, followed by the summer parade season, and finally an eight-week competitive season. The band participated in six competitions this year, and not only did the Pride of Webster win every single one of them (also an historical achievement), they improved their score every week. Breaking the 90 barrier was a fitting end to an outstanding season.

After the performance, the band’s seniors and drum major assembled on the field with the other bands to hear the scores and receive their award. They were welcomed home on Halloween evening with a Webster police and fire department escort to celebrate their championship.

Congratulations to the all of the Webster Marching Band musicians and performers. Your hard work payed off big time. You truly do make Webster proud.

For more coverage of this great accomplishment, check out this video from Channel 8 WROC-TV.

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