This is a great follow-up for anyone who liked my recent blog highlighting our village’s holiday decorations.
The Webster Public Library has just posted a new video in their Let’s Explore Webster series. (You can view it above.) It’s called Holiday Time in the Village, hosted by our favorite library video personalities, Laureen and Doreen. They took their stroll through the village during the daytime, so I think you’ll see several things in their video which were not in mine.
Check it out, and while you’re on their YouTube page, check out ome of the other videos they’ve posted there. You just might learn something about our town you didn’t know before!
It was a beautiful night for a walk last night, so in between football games, my husband and I extracted ourselves from the couch and wandered down into the village to check out the sights.
I love how Webster looks at holiday time. It just sparkles from end to end, making an already charming village look even more so. If you haven’t walked along Main Street after dark recently, you owe it to yourself to do so; it will help brighten what for most of us is a pretty bleak holiday season.
But there’s also another reason to make the trip: many of the local merchants are participating in a Christmas Decorating Contest. Community members are invited to drive or walk through the village to check out all the decorations, then go online to the BID website to vote for the most colorful, the most creative and the one which most embraces the spirit of the season. You can also see photos of the entries on the BID website.
Here are several photos I took on our walk.
And here’s a quick note about a Webster Public Library program which the whole family will enjoy.
It’s a “Holiday Storytime Extravaganza,” a staff-wide holiday storytime special. It premieres Monday night at 7 p.m. on YouTube. Click here to join the fun.
This is the first time the library has done anything like this, so it should be filled with a lot of surprises. Get your kids in their PJs, boot up the laptop, and tune in.
We can’t go to the schools to enjoy holiday concerts this year, but no worries. Next week, the Webster Thomas High School Select Choir is bringing the concert to us!
On Thursday Dec. 10, the Webster Thomas Select Choirwill present a holiday concertvia Facebook Live from 3:30 to 4 p.m. The event is hosted by the Webster Public Library and can be found via their Facebook page.
These kids’ beautiful voices will just blow you away. It’s a perfect way to kick-start your holiday season.
You do not have to have a Facebook account to see this concert, so put it on your calendar now and log in next Thursday. Questions? Email the Webster Public Library at webster.reference@libraryweb.org.
And while you’re on the library’s Facebook page, poke around a bit for information about some other fun activities the library has coming up.
Like their Gingerbread House Contest, for example. Starting Dec. 7, you can vote for your favorite, and help crown the Best Gingerbread House in Webster.
And theVirtual I Spy Game, which is designed for kids of all ages. On Monday Dec. 14 from 4 to 4:30 p.m., a series of I Spy challenges will have your kids racing throughout the house to find an object that matches the game’s description. Participants will also enjoy some I Spy puzzles. Click here to register for this online event.
Finally, just for fun, check out this video of library staff members showing their silly side:
This year it’s more important than ever to get a flu shot. It’s one less disease we have to worry about as the pandemic worsens.
If you haven’t had yours yet, you can get one at the Webster Public Library this Wednesday Nov. 18, from 11 to 12:30 p.m.
There’s no cost, but you’ll probably want to bring your insurance card.
Picture the Holidays with the Webster Museum
Pooh on the pandemic. The Webster Museumis determined to continue its 20-year tradition of celebrating the holidays with our community.
This year they’re inviting everyone to share photos of what makes you happy during the holidays. Their website explains,
What brings you joy? Do you dress up your pets? Make your own ornaments or special treats? Decorate your house or yard? Have family traditions? If it makes you happy, it will make others happy too!
Take a photo, then share it with all of Webster in one of two ways. You can email your photo to photos@webstermuseum.org or upload them (on the website).
They’ll be updating their gallery regularly. I’m going to be adding one of my own, from one of our favorite family traditions. You’ll want to check it out.
I know, I know, it’s going to feel like summer again for the next few days. BUT, rest assured, Monday’s cold and snow-showery weather will be back again very soon. So now is a good time to stock up on some good reads for the winter months.
The Friends of the Webster Library are ready to help.
Beginning this week, the Friends are hosting their Bundle ‘n Bag Sale. Just like it sounds, bundles and bags of gently used books will be for sale during regular library hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a wide variety of fun and unique Bundles ‘n Bags of fiction and nonfiction books for children and adults, starting at just $1.
The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd. All proceeds from the sale will benefit library programs.
Looks like it’s going to be a nice evening for the Friends of Webster Trails’ autumn Hot Cocoa Hike, this Saturday at Whiting Road Nature Preserve.
This has been an annual tradition for as long as I can remember, and thankfully the pandemic has not cancelled it entirely. There will, however, be a few changes.
As always, the event will be at night and your path will be guided by candle light. But there will be no gathering in the woods at the end of the trail while you enjoy your hot cocoa. Instead, you’ll pick up your hot cocoa packet which you can then enjoy at home with your family.
This year’s event will be Saturday Nov. 7 at Whiting Road Nature Preserve (on Whiting Rd. north of Shoemaker) and will be a loop of approximately two miles. Participants are asked to walk the trail between 7 and 9 p.m. Also, please click here to registerso they have enough supplies.
Remember to social distance, bring a mask, dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.
Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Village of Webster will hold a Bring a Can or a Case Food Collection and Hat, Mitten and Scarf Collection on Saturday Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.
One of Immanuel’s biggest social ministries is the Backpack Program, which provides food to more than 50 children in five Webster elementary school buildings. This drive will support the Backpack Program and the church’s Little Free Pantry.
Immanuel Lutheran Church is located at 131 W. Main St., at the corner of Daniel Drive.
The Webster Museum is presently closed to the public, but there has been a buzz of activity within. Volunteers Deb Oakley, Bill Schoff, Carol Yahoodik and Diana Strassman have been inventorying the attic and found a number of duplicate items not related to Webster’s history. In September, a “Vintage Sale” of some of those items was held in the museum parking lot and sales totaled $677.
The annual Barn Sale was held in September on Jan and Andy Naujokas’ historic property, which earned another $2,900.
Now would also be a great time to become a member of the Webster Museum or renew your membership. In honor of Susan B. Anthony’s visit to Webster, the museum will be giving away a limited edition Susan B. Anthony Barbie doll, unopened and in its original box.
To enter, simply join or renew your Webster Museum membership by December 14. On December 15, one entry will be selected at random with the hope of Susan arriving at the winner’s home before Christmas.
Stay tuned for details about the museum’s online Christmas program. If you make your own ornaments, dress up your pets or decorate your yard, they’ll be looking for your photos. More details about that, and about the Susan B. Anthony doll giveaway can be found on the museum’s website.
Do you know a great teacher who deserves to get some extra special recognition? How about nominating him or her for an Oak Tree Award?
Co-Sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA) and the Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award recognition program is an annual award that is designed to recognize teacher excellence in Webster Central Schools.
Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award.
Award nominees must meet the following criteria:
Currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster Central School
Have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in Webster Central Schools
Plan to continue to teach the next school year in, or retire from Webster Central Schools
Be a member of both the Webster Central PTSA and the Webster Teachers’ Association
If you haven’t done so yet, you HAVE to check out the Webster Library’s YouTube channel. It’s absolutely PACKED with informative and fun videos for everyone. There’s Storytime with Jason, book reviews, music, crafts, experiments, puppets, library program information and lots, lots more.
But one of the best features of the channel is the library’s “Let’s Explore Webster” video series. These are entertaining and informative video tours of some of Webster’s best features. Some of the more recent videos have explored the John Unger Nature Trail (part of their trails series), the Arboretum, Webster Park and the Hope Ministry.
I joined Laureen and Doreen from the Webster Public Library for the Explore Village Parks video.
As a member of the Village of Webster’s Parks and Recreation Committee, I was very happy to help Loreen and Doreen put together this video. One of the things I’ve learned in my tenure with the committee is that many people, even village residents, don’t realize that our village actually boats six parks. One of them even has a half mile of nature trails.
This video is a great opportunity to learn more about our village parks, even if you already thought you knew everything about them.
Here’s a direct link to the Explore Village of Webster Parks video. Enjoy! And while you’re there, make sure to check out all the other videos on the channel as well.
I’ve got a couple of items for you today, the first coming from our friends at the Webster Public Library.
Their last pop-up book sale of the year will take place this Saturday Oct. 10 from from noon to 3 p.m. in the library parking lot (because the library itself is not open that day). This is especially great news since last week’s sale had to be cancelled because of the weather. This Saturday’s weather, in contrast, looks spectacular.
Fill a bag for just $3 — both cash and checks will be accepted.
This is a great chance to stock up on books for the long winter months ahead. Teachers, this is a great opportunity also to add to your classroom libraries.
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St. Martin Lutheran Church on Bay Rd. will host a pulled pork drive-through BBQ on Saturday Oct. 24, from 4:30 until they sell out.
The take-out dinner includes pulled pork, roll, salt potatoes, cole slaw and cookie for just $10. Proceeds will support the church’s annual Christmas Stocking Project reaching over 500 children and teens in Monroe and Wayne counties.
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.
St. Martin Lutheran Church is located at 813 Bay Rd.
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The biannual Webster Community Blood Drive is coming back into town next Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.
This is the drive advertised by all those big white signs posted around town. It’s always a very popular blood drive, in part because in the past, donors could participate in several raffles for prizes donated by local businesses.
In April, at the height of the pandemic, organizers decided to turn the tables and support our local businesses — who were having a hard time staying afloat — by encouraging donors to purchase gift cards, which were then donated to our local first responders.
That was so successful that this month’s drive will be much the same. Gift card and cash donations will be accepted for our first responders for anyone who would care to donate.
So basically, by attending next week’s blood drive, you’ll be saving lives through your blood donation AND through your support for first responders.
The two-day drive will be held on Wednesday Oct. 14 and Thursday Oct. 15, from noon to 7 p.m. each day. It’s in a new location this time, at the Webster Firemen’s Building on Sanford Street, behind the Firemen’s Field.
To assure proper social distancing, appointments will be required. Log onto redcrossblood.org to sign up.
Count on the Webster Public Library to come up with yet another creative idea to bring the excitement of reading directly to young children.
Their latest brainstorm is outdoor, in-person storytimes at the amphitheater at Harmony Park on Phillips Rd. This month, the library will host six storytimes — three on Tuesday afternoons and three on Thursday mornings — each lasting a half hour. The event is geared to children up to age 5, but all are welcome.
The storytimes are scheduled on Thursdays Sept. 10, 17 and 24 from 9 to 9:30 a.m. and Tuesdays Sept. 15, 22 and 29from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. The events are free, but registration is required, and spots are limited.
The Harmony Park amphitheater is better known as home to our Webster Village band.
Social distancing guidelines will be enforced at each storytime. Please bring a blanket that is large enough for all family members to sit on. Masks are required for all adults and children over 2. Please register all children in your group, including babies. Walk-ins will not be permitted.
These special events are being made possible in large part through the support of our village trustees. Usually the Village of Webster charges $50 each time a group wants to use the amphitheater, but the village has waived that charge for the library.
Harmony Park and the amphitheater are located on Foster Drive, off of Phillips Rd. just south of Ridge. For more information and to register, click here.
It pains me just a little bit to post this first notice, because it’s a tacit admission that winter is not too far off, but it’s a very important message.
The Webster Public Libraryis hosting its second annual COAT DRIVE, to benefit Homeless Connect Rochester.
A large box has been placed in the library’s lobby, where you can donate your gently used (and clean!) coats of all sizes and types. The collection will run through Sept. 15 and the coats will be distributed to those residing in shelters and on the streets of Rochester.
Beginning Sept. 8, the Webster Public Library will have new hours, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here are a few other updates/reminders about the library’s services:
Curbside Service continues to be available whenever the library is open. Contact the library with questions by email at webster.reference@libraryweb.org or by phone at 585-872-7075.
Online programs are being offered. Check the website calendar for details. Any updates will be posted on the website slider and the WPL Facebook page.
Donations of books, DVDs, and music CDs are being accepted, but NO magazines, textbooks, or computer books. Two boxes maximum per day.
NO DMV at the library for the remainder of 2020.
Remember to wear your mask!
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Webster Parks and Recreation has cooked up a fun way to say goodbye to summer.
It’s a socially-distanced food truck picnic on Wednesday, Sept. 9 (the day before school starts) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Miracle Field playground, 1000 Ridge Rd., Webster. Kid-friendly meals will be available from The Meatball Truck and Wraps on Wheels. The playground will be open, so you can buy lunch, relax on your last day of summer freedom, and play.
Picnic tables will be socially distanced or bring a blanket to sit on. All ages are welcome and registration is not required. Please note: Masks are required, however, while ordering.
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More good food will be on the menu when St. Martin Lutheran Church hosts its fall drive-through chicken BBQ on Saturday Sept. 19 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Dinners of half-chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, and butter are available for $10. The event this year will be drive-through only. Cars will enter the parking lot, follow the signs, and purchase tickets using exact payment. Cars will then proceed to the front entrance to pick up boxed dinners. Dinners will be assembled according to CDC recommendations. Due to current health restrictions, pie slices and other desserts will not be available.
Proceeds will support St. Martin’s our Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.
St. Martin Lutheran Church, is located at 813 Bay Rd. in Webster.
There are several ways for you to help out your community — and environment — in today’s mailbag.
Bottle and Can Drive
For starters, the Webster Marching Band will hold their next bottle and can drive on Saturday August 22 at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd.
Bottles and cans can be dropped off at the high school from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. If you have any that you’d like to have picked up before then, simply call the Bottle and Can Hotline at 234-8684, select option 1, leave a message, and someone will be in touch to pick up your returnables.
Food Drive
That same day, Saturday August 22, Immanuel Lutheran Church at 131 West Main Street in Webster will host a non-perishable food drive. All donations will be used for the church’s Little Free Pantry and the WCSD Food Backpack Program.
Click on the poster above for more information about items they particularly need. The drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Blood Drive
Another local opportunity for you to help save lives with your blood donation will take place on Tuesday Aug. 25 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Volunteer Fire Department Firemen’s Building, 172 Sanford Street. To set up your appointment, call 1-800-Red-Cross.
Electronics Recycling
The next local electronics recycling event will be held at Xerox on Saturday August 29 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
The last time one of these drives was held at Xerox, the line of cars stretched down Phillips Rd. So organizers are requesting that everybody pre-register for this drive. Click here to do that.
Items that will be accepted include cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, audio video equipment, and small devices. There’s a limit of four TV monitors per car.
Book Sale!
The Webster Public Library will hold a pop-up book sale on Thursday August 13 from noon to 4 p.m. outside the library on Van Ingen Dr.
All books will be $1 each. Please bring cash, wear your mask, and follow the social distancing guidelines that are laid out at the sale.
Movies and Concerts Return!
The Village of Webster is squeezing as much summer out of this year as they can.
Movies in the Gazebo Parkseries will return with two showings in the coming week in Veterans Memorial Park on North Ave.
Monsters University will be shown on Tuesday Aug. 11, and Charlie Wilson’s War with Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman on Saturday Aug. 15.
Both movies will begin at dusk, around 9 p.m. To encourage social distancing, the park will be marked off with specific “family areas” spaced six feet apart in the grass. There will be plenty of room for chairs and/or blankets within each spot and facial masks must be worn when outside your family space. There will be room for about 60 family spaces and are first-come, first-served. You can place your chairs or blankets in a space to reserve it on movie or concert days anytime after 2 p.m. the day of the event.
No popcorn will be served so feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks.
And the (abbreviated) Friday Night Concert Series is back, too!
Friday Aug. 21 will feature Super Mini Prime Time Funk with Ronnie Leigh on vocals and sax, Dave Cohen on drums, Andy Calabrese on keys and Ron France on bass.
Friday Aug. 28, the Juday Sealy Band will take the stage. Recently Judah, a School of the Arts grad, released his highly anticipated single called “Off The Charts” which spent two months on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart. The group also features Webster HS graduate Deepak Thettu on guitar.
The Bill Tiberio Band returns Friday Sept 4, with Bill Tiberio on alto and tenor sax, Scott Bradley on trumpet and keyboards, Vinnie Ruggiero on guitar, Phil Lake on drums and Geoff Smith on bass.
The concerts are from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information visit websterbid.com.
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
Monsters University will be shown on Tuesday Aug. 11, and Charlie Wilson’s War with Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman on Saturday Aug. 15.
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