When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or in this particular case, in the absence of Barry’s Old School Irish, find the next best place to get your Irish music fix.
On Sunday night, that place was Temple Bar and Grill on East Ave. My husband and I joined many other Barry’s regulars there that night, where we headed to catch a performance by one of our favorite Irish musicians, Dave North. It was like Old Home Week when we walked in and saw many of our Barry’s friends gathered around the bar. We really weren’t too surprised, though; Temple Bar has long been known for offering up Irish music on Sunday nights, and Dave North has been a regular performer there for decades. We’ve all enjoyed his shows at Barry’s, and were happy to follow him downtown.
Walking into the bar that night and seeing so many familiar faces helped fill the hole in my life created when Barry’s closed almost two months ago. We counted a good dozen Barry’s regulars among the Temple Bar faithful that night, and we spent a delightful couple hours enjoying a few pints and reconnecting with friends.
Temple will never replace Barry’s, but as we await the return of our favorite Irish pub to Webster (soon, please, Danny and Jess!) it’ll do in a pinch.
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I always wonder every year how the Webster Recreation Center can make their very popular Pumpkins on Parade event better than the year before. And every year they’ve surprised me.
As usual, the number of jack-o-lanterns lining the one-mile long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center was impressive. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chris Bilow estimated there were at least 600 of them, a good percentage of which were created by community members and dropped off in the last few days. And the activities offered for family fun in the big field at the end of the hike — a slide, “photo booth,” corn maze, a bonfire and free donuts and cider — were a welcome distraction for all the kids who still just wanted to run around in their costumes.
But this year’s trail also featured more twinkly lights, and some new and spooky decorations, many of them sporting an alien theme. It was fun to listen to the reactions of the kids who walked by the glowing green spaceship levitating a cow, and the witches huddled around their cauldron stirring their brew.
Bilow made sure to credit the Webster Parks Department for the new decor. The Recreation Center staff carved a lot of the pumpkins and set them along the path, but the “parks guys” strung the new lights, and created the alien habitat and spooky passageways.
Bottom line, a huge amount of effort by a lot of people makes this community event the success it is every year. Thank you to all, and I challenge you to try to make it even better next year.
I couldn’t take photos of all of the jack-o-lanterns, but click here for a gallery of many of my favorites, and more highlights from the evening.
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I’m going to head-up today’s mailbag with a few events which I haven’t mentioned in any recent posting, including this brand new one I only just learned about this week.
Webster Schroeder High School’s National Honor Society will be hosting a Trunk or Treat at the school on Sunday Oct. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. The NHS kids promise candy, popcorn, cotton candy and creative costumes. They’ll also be accepting donations for the Pirate Toy Fund, so if you can help, bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event.
Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Rd. The Trunk or Treat will be held in the GOAL parking lot, which is on your right as you approach the Schroeder main entrance from Ridge.
Veterans and active-duty service personnel are invited to a free Veterans Day spaghetti dinner in appreciation for their service.
The dinner will take place Thursday, Nov. 9 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue. Reservations are required, so attendees are asked to call the school at (585) 216-0093 to reserve seats. If you’d rather pick up a meal and not eat at the school, you can also call to reserve a takeout order.
The dinner includes spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert. Attendees and pickup orders are asked to enter the school’s back parking lot off of Rt. 250, behind the cafetorium.
The next meeting of The Visionaries will be held on Wednesday Nov. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
The Visionaries is a support group for community members who struggle with vision issues — macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, or others. Members share their interests and opportunities with others, encouraging those with visual impairment to get the most out of their lives.
The Visionaries began in 2000, and at one time boasted as many as 80 members. In addition to regular monthly meetings, the group has taken outings to attractions like the Memorial Art Gallery, Geva Theatre, and Pike Stained Glass Studio. For their December 6 meeting, the group will return to the Memorial Art Gallery and in January will meet at the Webster Public Library.
There’s no need to register for any meeting, just come by and join in. For more information on The Visionaries, contact Ed Wilkonski at (585) 265-4167 or email wingstwofly@rochester.rr.com.
The library will be closed on Friday Nov. 10 for staff training, and will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 22 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Caps for Sale fundraiser is coming up Thursday Nov. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hats will be $10 for children’s sizes and $15 for adult sizes and all proceeds benefit the Webster Public Library programs.
Also on Saturday Nov. 11, the library will hold their annual Vintage and Collectible Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Book prices will start at $8 and prices are firm.
November 22 marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. On Wednesday Nov. 15, MCC history professor Mark Sample tells the story of that tragic day and discuss some of the conspiracy theories. The hour-long program begins at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required.
The next Webster Business Spotlight program will focus on Schutt’s Apple Mill, on Thursday Nov. 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. Please register here.
The Webster Art Club Fall Show is going on right now at the library, through the end of November. This group meets for Open Art every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center and has meetings with guest artists and demos on the second Wednesday of each month. New members are always welcome. For more information click here.
The next benefit spaghetti dinner at the Masonic Lodge is Friday Nov. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the lodge, 30 Orchard Street.
This month’s dinner will benefit the Webster Thomas Titans Cheerleaders organization. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. You can eat in or take it to go. Call (585) 872-3500 with questions.
The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters will host an Indoor Arts/Crafts Sale at the Webster Recreation Center, Saturday Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 30 vendors will be there. Proceeds will benefit WSPS, a non-profit organization which provides Webster seniors with rides to their medical-related appointments.
The West Webster Fire Department invites community members to help clean up the Lake Rd. memorial honoring fallen WWFD firefighters Lt. Mike Chiapperino and Tomasz Kaczowka, on Saturday Nov. 18 at 9 a.m.
Please bring gloves, weed trimmers, takes and trash bags. The memorial is located on Lake Rd. just past Sandbar Park.
I won’t go into much detail about any of these following events since I’ve written about them before, so if you want to find out more about any of them, check out the flyers below or just search for it on the blog.
DEA Drug take-back Saturday Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Justice Court, 1002 Ridge Rd.
Family Scavenger Hunt, Saturday Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Webster Recreation Center
Santa’s Garage Sale at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd., from Nov. 2 to 4.
A Concert Apparel and Coat event, Sat. Oct. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
Friends of Webster Trails’ annual Hot Cocoa Hike, Saturday Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Gosnell Big Woods Preserve.
Pumpkins on Parade, Saturday Oct, 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
The Village of Webster’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, Saturday Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The All in For Comfort Care Casino Night, Friday Nov 3 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at The Lodge at Shadow Hill in Ontario.
The Webster BID’s annual Bourbon Bash, Saturday Nov. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harmony House.
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I was visiting recently with some new friends over at the Woodside Nursery School, located at the United Church of Christ on Klem Rd., who told me about a “magic gardening” activity they designed for their young charges.
Some of the “magic” seedsThe magic pumpkin patch in bloom
The students first planted “magic” pumpkin seeds — fallen leaves cut into stars, hearts and butterflies — in the Magic Pumpkin Patch outside of the school. Then, during the day, parent volunteers and school board members helped the magic seeds “grow” by replacing them with little pumpkins, perfectly sized for little hands. You can just imagine the squeals of delight from the students and the wonder in their eyes when they saw the magic garden filled with miniature pumpkins.
Check out some of these adorable gardeners:
Olivia
Matthew
Brody
Caleb
Miss Amy with students
Colin finding his pumpkin
In the next several months you’re going to be hearing more in my blog about the parent co-operative Woodside Nursery School, which has been serving our community since 1956 from the same location at the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. I didn’t know anything about them until my visit, and was rather surprised they’ve been around this long. I’ve encouraged them to keep sending me news about what’s going on over there, so stay tuned for more cuteness coming across your computer screen.
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As we get closer to Halloween, I know that there are SO MANY events coming down the pike that you want to make sure your kids have a chance to check out. Make sure these two, happening this coming Saturday Oct. 28, are atop your list.
The first is the Village of Webster’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, an annual tradition in the village which draws thousands of kids and adults to walk through the streets and trick-or-treat dozens of village businesses.
The day begins with a costume contest at Village Hall from 11 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the Trail from 11:30 to 2:30. There’s a pet costume contest as well (a judge will be walking along Main St. keeping an eye out for contestants!). The Webster Museum will have special treats, the Webster Volunteer Fire Department will host their open house with displays, fire hats and equipment for the kids to explore, and there’ll be wagon rides behind Gazebo Park.
And don’t forget to take the short side trip down Lapham Park to visit the Webster Museum, where the folks there are cooking up some special events for the kids.
And of course, I’ll be out there with my camera trying to take as many photos of kids (and adults) in costume as possible, so watch for me. I especially love to see entire families dress up together. Moms and dads often have some of the most creative costumes.
Saturday evening, Pumpkins on Parade returns to the Webster Recreation Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
This is a super fun family event where participants stroll along the mile-long Chiyoda Trail behind the Rec Center, which is lined with hundreds of creatively carved, humorous, scary and downright weird jack-o-lanterns. At the end of the path, there’s free cider and donuts and a bonfire, a family photo area, and for the kids, a hay maze and roller slide. And it’s ALL FREE. (Here’s the Facebook event page for more information.)
To make this event the success it always is, the Rec Center needs a LOT of jack-o-lanterns. So grab some pumpkins today or tomorrow and get carving! You can drop off your finished creations on the trailer parked outside the Rec Center (1350 Chiyoda Dr.) on Friday Oct, 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Saturday Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Multiple pumpkins are both welcomed and encouraged. Each pumpkin gets a raffle ticket for the chance to win a Fall Themed Raffle Basket (be sure to stop inside the Rec Center after dropping off your pumpkin to fill out a ticket!)
Once again, I’ll be there with my camera, so keep an eye out for me. And have FUN!
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The luncheon was held at the Webster Arboretum on Schlegel Rd. Most of the drivers and their significant others were present, along with the WSPS support staff and board members. Also in attendance were the Webster Town Supervisor Representative Kim Doyle and Daphne Geoca, Senior Coordinator of the Webster Parks and Recreation Dept.
Chances are you’ve seen the WSPS automobile driving around town. Based at the Webster Recreation Center, the Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters is a group of volunteers who provide transportation for retirees and disabled residents who live within the Webster School District. They help residents get to and from medical and dental appointments, and provide rides to pharmacies, banks, barbers, hairdressers and tax preparation services.
WSPS drivers and dispatchers have provided a record number of rides through September 30, 2023. Logging 2,940 volunteer hours, the drivers gave 3,113 rides, spanning 38,240 miles driven — just shy of the organization’s record year of 2022.
The volunteer drivers are the backbone of the organization; without them the service would not exist. Webster is indebted to them for their community spirit and service. These selfless volunteers are always happy to help and assist the retirees and disabled folks living in the Webster School District.
Karen Kinyon, Laure Barr, Kim Doyle and Julie Schillaci
Deb Gerlach, Larry Bovenci and Craig Dominas
Mike Donovan and Jay Watson
The Town and Village of Webster have supported WSPS for several years, recognizing the real need for the WSPS services. Several local businesses and service organizations also support the organization.
Currently WSPS has 57 volunteer drivers but with the number of seniors and disabled folks in the Webster School District increasing, they’re always in need of more volunteers. For more information on how you can join the team, call 585-216-7829 or visit the group’s website.
A big thank you to the Karpus Family Foundation which funded this year’s luncheon, and to the local which donated gifts for the drivers, including Wendy’s, Abbott’s Ice Cream, Tim Hortons, Corona’s Mexican Restaurant, Jiffy Lube, Wegmans and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. And always a big thank you to Vision Hyundai of Webster, which subsidizes the WSPS vehicle. (And my thanks to Dave Norton for the great report and photos.)
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Yet another Webster graduate is making a name for herself.
Webster Schroeder graduate Samantha Hake ’08 recently won an Emmy for her work as a producer on the National Geographic film The Flagmakers, described on the website as “an intimate glimpse into the people whose hands make America’s most recognizable icon.” (Read more about the film here.)
Samantha wrote,
As a producer, I worked on this film for over three years with Co-Directors Sharon Liese and Academy Award Winner Cynthia Wade. I am extremely proud of the beautiful and poetic film that we created, all while navigating dozens of different languages among the subjects and a raging pandemic that tested our resolve to capture compelling stories while keeping our cast and crew safe.
The film screened at festivals nationwide and was shortlisted for an Academy Award before being nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy.
Samantha with Co-Director Sharon Liese
After graduating from Schroeder, Samantha went on to study television, radio and film at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School. During her senior year at college, she was accepted into the SULA program, a Los-Angeles-based professional program initiative, where she worked at a commercial production company on Super Bowl commercials.
After college, she met director Sharon Liese and has worked alongside her to edit, shoot and produce several projects. (Read more about Samantha’s film career on her IMDB profile.)
Samantha received her Emmy at the 44th annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards Ceremony held Sept. 28 at The Palladium Theater in Times Square. She described the experience as “truly a night of full, proud hearts.”
The saying goes, “it’s an honor just to be nominated” and it really is true. I felt so privileged to be in a room with and to be recognized by the most esteemed, ambitious, and creative filmmakers in the industry. When they announced that The Flagmakers won the award for outstanding short documentary, I know our team at home watching and our team at the ceremony all cheered together. Filmmaking is such a collaborative storytelling process and it’s an amazing feeling to share the recognition with everyone involved.
Other projects Samantha has completed include Parker, a short documentary which, after premiering at Sundance earlier this year, was chosen as the only documentary in the Sundance Short Film Tour that screened in theaters nationwide. She’s also the co-executive producer on a new four-part true crime/cult documentary series which will be airing soon.
In the meantime, you can stream The Flagmakers on Disney+.
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The very moving and heartwarming Wreaths Across America ceremony will be expanding in Webster this year to two more cemeteries.
Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to place a wreath on the grave of every veteran in the country. Last year, the movement reached Webster; on Saturday Dec. 17, more than 300 adults and children gathered at the official Wreaths Across America ceremony at Webster Union Cemetery to help lay more than 650 wreaths. (Click here to read my blog about that day.)
Cherie Wood, Wreaths Across America’s Location Coordinator for Webster, recently told me that the effort will not only be returning to Webster Union Cemetery this December, but also to Union Hill and Webster Rural cemeteries.
The good news is, that means hundreds more veterans will be recognized on National Wreaths Across America Day on December 16, 2023. The not so good news is that hundreds more wreaths will need to be sponsored in the next few months to honor those veterans.
The effort is off to a strong start thanks to the Webster Garlic Festival, held in September. Almost 100 vendors filled the Rec Center gymnasium and outdoor walkways, and an estimated 3,000 people attended. It was a very successful event, especially considering it was the first Garlic Festival held in a few years. The proceeds were shared among Wreaths Across America; the Blue Star Mothers, who create care packages to send to our deployed servicemen and women; and the Gold Star Mothers, who support emotionally and physically injured veterans.
PLUS, in addition to the money raised from vendors and admission, our generous community members sponsored 400 wreaths during the festival.
As I said, that’s a good start for this year’s Wreaths Across America effort. But we’re adding two new cemeteries this year; almost one thousand veterans are buried in Webster Rural Cemetery alone, and another 56 at Union Hill. Together with Webster Union Cemetery, we’re talking almost 1,700 veterans.
We’re going to need more wreaths.
Individual wreath sponsorships are just $17, and $5 from each will go directly to the Blue Star Mothers, who will use the funds to prepare and ship care packages to deployed servicemen and women (every dollar you donate stays in Webster). This is a great chance for families to honor their own veteran relatives who are buried in these three cemeteries.
The east-side entrance to the Webster Baptist Church on South Ave. is getting a bit of an upgrade, thanks to the efforts of Eagle Scout candidate Hunter Kurosawa.
For several days over the last week or so, Hunter and his team of adult and Troop 113 Scout volunteers have been installing bricks along the drainage ditch lining the side of the church building. They’ve already worked almost 14 hours over two long days and are planning at least one more before the project is finished.
There are about 200 bricks in all, but 13 of them are rather special; individually-engraved memorial bricks, purchased by Webster Baptist Church parishioners in memory of loved ones.
Hunter Kurosawa with the memorial bricksSome of Hunter’s helpers mix concrete for the retaining wall
Hunter landed on this particular project after having little luck with other organizations. He wrote,
I was looking for an Eagle Project at the zoo, through NEQALS, and through Webster Trails. … Then I got an email from my Scoutmaster saying (Church Moderator Diana) Marchner had a project at the Webster Baptist Church. She had contacted the Scout Advisor that I am using.
I was so happy to have a project. We went to meet her to talk about what she was looking for and I was really excited about the project. Mrs. Marchner was so nice and so happy to find someone to take on the project. It is a lot of new skills for me to learn and it is so nice to be working with Mrs. Marchner.
Apparently Marchner feels the same way.
“I can’t tell you how impressed I am with this young man … and Scout advisors,” she wrote. “I am totally amazed at how professional and dedicated to perfection they are. I really lucked out having this Eagle Scout candidate.”
The entire project has been … well, a project.
Before even placing the bricks, the site had to be dug out, cleared of stones and leveled with gravel. Some of the stones have to be cut to size before they’re all set in place with polymeric sand and pitched at a two-degree angle to allow for water runoff.
they are using Polymeric Sand so that they can be replaced as the bricks get engraved. Also Polymeric Sand helps in deterring the growth of weeds between the bricks.
There have been several challenges to overcome along the way. After digging out the site, his team discovered a plastic pipe they had to remove, and found an electrical conduit needed replacing to bring it up to code. Then they had to build a retaining wall to hold the bricks in on the south edge. All before they could even begin to lay the bricks.
But overcoming obstacles is all part of completing a successful Eagle Scout project. (And learning new things like how to mix concrete and build a retaining wall.)
The memorial bricks program is part of an ongoing fundraising initiative by the 166-year old Webster Baptist Church to raise money for needed repairs and upgrades. Bricks are still available; they cost $150 each (but larger donations are more than welcome) and they can be personally inscribed. If enough bricks are purchased, the hope is to use them to build a new sidewalk leading to the front door. It’s estimated that would take about 1,500 bricks.
You might say that Hunter Kurosawa is helping the Webster Baptist Church take a step towards maintaining a strong faith community.
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The Webster Village calendar hasn’t started to slow down too much yet, evidenced by these three events scheduled for the coming weeks.
The first is a brand new event brought to you by the Webster BID, a Health and Wellness Fair scheduled for Saturday Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Village Hall community meeting room, 28 W. Main St.
This is a free event showcasing all of the amazing health and wellness businesses and professionals in our community. Stop by for a few minutes, stop by for an hour and find out more about the goods and services available in Webster to keep you and your family healthy.
This year’s Village of Webster Trick-or-Treat Trail is Saturday Oct. 28.
This is an annual tradition drawing thousands of kids and adults into the village to walk through the streets and trick-or-treat dozens of village businesses. Dress up the kids — or the whole family — and come on down.
The day begins with a costume contest at Village Hall from 11 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the Trail from 11:30 to 2:30. There’s a pet costume contest as well (a judge will be walking along Main St. keeping an eye out for contestants!). The Webster Museum will have special treats, the Webster Volunteer Fire Department will host their open house with displays and equipment for the kids to explore, and there’ll be wagon rides behind Gazebo Park.
And of course, I’ll be out there with my camera trying to take as many photos of kids (and adults) in costume as possible, so watch for me.
Capping off the Village event scene for this fall, the Bourbon Bash returns to the Harmony House on Saturday Nov. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Local distilleries like Black Button and Smokin Tails along with distributors such as Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace and others will be available for sampling. Village of Webster restaurants such as The Coach, BC’s Chicken Coop and more will be featuring samples of their goods to complement the bourbons. ID is required at entry and raffles of Bourbon products will be available for purchase.
Tickets are $30, are limited and sell out fast. Click here to get yours. Proceeds to benefit The Harmony House Renovation Fund.
All of these events are brought to you by the Webster BID. Check their website for more information and to sign up for a newsletter to keep up on everything that’s going on.
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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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I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
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