Another great Community Arts Day in the books

12 Apr

The WCSD’s annual Community Arts Day, which took place Saturday at Webster Schroeder High School, is one of those events where I have to spend at least the first half hour just wandering around, figuring out the lay of the land. That’s because there’s so much going on, often at the same time. While dance groups frolic across the main stage, the talent show might be happening in the cafeteria. While SparX is demonstrating one of their robots in the gymnasium, small ensembles might be performing in the recital room. The organizers did their best to try to keep the conflicts to a minimum, but with so many talented groups wanting to strut their stuff in front of the Webster community, that was not always possible.

But, as you can see from all of the photos I took, I did the best I could to catch as many performances as possible, and lots of smiling faces at the information tables set up by dozens of community groups and businesses.

The organizers changed things up quite a bit this year. The first thing I noticed was that the usual table locations for all of the community groups had been moved around, which I realized when I stumbled upon the Webster Museum display pretty much right inside the front door. There were several places where kids could make crafts, including the new (to me), dedicated “kid’s zone” in the small auxiliary gymnasium. And there were some other new elements, like the “Spoken Word Poetry” opportunity where budding poets could share their work on stage.

But the main difference I saw was the explosion of crafters. One full half of the gymnasium was filled with craft vendors, and others lined nearby hallways. That took me a little by surprise, since to me it represented a shift in focus away from our students’ art and dance and musical accomplishments. But clearly the organizers knew what they were doing, because the halls were packed with people this year — and they probably raised a lot of money from all those craft vendors.

As always, though, our students’ artistic achievements were the real stars of the show. From the simple elementary school watercolors to the Schroeder and Thomas high school AP students’ pencil drawings, the talent flowed from the displays placed in the cafeteria, the hallways and the library. Some of them were so extraordinary, they stopped me in my tracks. And it was fun to see the pride and delight on the younger kids’ faces when they saw their own artwork on display.

If you weren’t able to make it out there this year, check out my Facebook photo gallery (and if you don’t have Facebook you can see the gallery here). The photos do a pretty good job capturing the Community Arts Day magic.

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(posted 4/12/2026)

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Get your free trees, courtesy of the Sierra Club

11 Apr

Here’s a great way to beautify your property and help the environment at the same time, and it won’t cost you a thing.

It’s the 6th annual Sierra Club Tree Giveaway. On Saturday April 25, members and volunteers for the local chapter of the Sierra Club will be stationed at Webster Park to hand out free trees to the public. 

What a great way to show your love to our planet. Trees provide beauty, shade, food and housing for all of us earthlings. Planting a tree is one way to be a grateful steward of our earth, and — not for nothing — nurturing a tree is nurturing your soul.

Your species options this year include white oak, white pine, paper birch, white cedar and serviceberry. Come early for the best selection.

Planting instructions will be included. All trees are bare-root, so please bring a bag or container of water to keep the roots wet until the tree can be planted. 

The event will be held rain or shine on Saturday April 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Webster Park (corner of Lake and Holt roads). Sierra Club members will also be at Seneca Park, Northampton Park and Genesee Valley Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. if you find yourself closer to one of those parks that day.

This is the sixth year that the Sierra Club has held this event. The trees are free, but members will also be grateful for any small donations.

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(posted 4/11/2026)

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There’s lots going on at Annette’s

10 Apr

My husband is a huge fan of jazz, and apart from when the Webster Jazz Festival comes to the village every summer, opportunities to see jazz locally are few and far between.

So I was very excited to learn from a friend that Annette’s Restaurant on West Main St. in the Village of Webster hosts jazz bands twice a week. After she shared that news with me, it was only a few days later that we decided to head down there after dinner to check out the scene. We were not disappointed.

The band that Saturday evening was the Darryl Parker Quartet, who filled the cozy space for two hours with smooth jazz and blues favorites. We met up with some friends and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere — pints, appetizers and pleasant conversation. The ambiance at Annette’s is a perfect complement to jazz performance. It’s small and intimate, so it’s easy to hear the music. The audience members were clearly all there to hear the musicians, so it was like we all were sharing the musical experience.

Annette’s hosts live jazz bands every Tuesday and Saturday night. The Darryl Parker Quartet will be there pretty much every Saturday, and Tuesday’s bands will rotate among Indigo Breeze, Melvin Henderson & Paradigm Shift, the Stewie Evans Trio, and others. There’s no cover charge, but reservations are a good idea.

Daryl Parker Quartet
Indigo Breeze

BUT THERE’S MORE!

Annette’s also has brought regular live comedy to the village. The most recent show featured Dario Joseph, Cindy Arena and Kevin Markman. Information about upcoming shows can be found on Annette’s website or Facebook page.

PLUS, one Saturday afternoon each month, Grateful Line Danze Crew comes to Annette’s from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for line dancing. They teach anyone who wants to learn, and the music is 80’s and 90’s (think Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, that kind of thing).

So check out Annette’s, at 27 West Main in the Village of Webster, ’cause there’s lots going on!

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(posted 4/10/2026)

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Learn more about firefighting at WVFD RecruitNY Open House

9 Apr

We all respect and appreciate the hard work our volunteer firefighters do, and their dedication to protecting our homes and businesses. But few of us have really been behind the scenes to find out more about WHO these local heroes are and specifically what kinds of tasks they perform.

It’s easy to think that volunteer firefighters are larger-than-life figures who spend their entire lives fighting fires and doing nothing else. But those men and women you see in the turnout gear? They’re people like you and me who have normal jobs. They’re bus drivers, teachers, IT professionals, retirees, electricians … and next weekend they are cordially inviting you to meet them in person and — even better — consider joining their ranks.

On Saturday, April 18, the Webster Volunteer Fire Department, located at 35 South Ave. in the Village of Webster, will be hosting a RecruitNY Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Ave. station. The informal, drop-in event is designed for community members who want to get involved or simply learn more. There’s no set schedule and no pressure, just an open opportunity to meet the members, explore the equipment, learn about some of the procedures and and see what it means to serve your community.

If you’ve never been in a firehouse, you might be surprised by what you see there. Yes, it’s built to function as an all-hazards emergency response station, but it’s also a place to gather. There’s a workout facility, community meeting space, a big kitchen. … Paul Spatola, one of the event’s organizers, wrote that, “Our members’ kids are running around the firehouse all the time, it’s awesome!” 

Bring your spouse and children along as well, because, obviously, volunteering is not just a personal commitment, but a family commitment as well. So bring along anyone who would be part of your journey. There’ll be plenty to see and experience for all ages.

And don’t worry if you don’t want to be one of those firefighters who actually run into a burning building (but you might!). There’s a role for everyone. Some members serve as interior firefighters, others contribute as exterior firefighters or fire police. Everyone plays an essential role in keeping our community safe.

And also don’t worry — there’s no expectation to commit on the spot. If you’re interested, you’ll be connected with a Webster Fire peer recruiter who can guide you through the process at your own pace, from learning more to applying, to on-boarding. So even if you’re just curious, stop by and ask some questions. You won’t be pressured into anything.

Paul wrote, “So many people do not take the hardest step — applying — because they don’t know what they don’t know. We’re your neighbors. Come say hi and ask us about the department. Ask us why firefighters love being firefighters.”

“We’re looking for people in our community who are interested in doing the hard work, who are team-oriented and goal-focused. People who want a bit of excitement, and a lot of camaraderie. Is it hard? Yes. We do hard things, and we’re good at. We’re proud of our tradition of service to the community. We want our community to be proud of that service, and want them to get involved to support and join us. 

So stop by next Saturday to check out the fire station and meet some of the firefighters. Perhaps you’ll want to join the Webster Volunteer Fire Department family. And by the way, the West Webster Fire Department is also looking for new members, so if you live on the west side of town, reach out to them for more information!

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(posted 4/9/2026)

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Community Arts Day returns this weekend

8 Apr

One of my favorite community events of the entire Webster year is returns this weekend.

Of course, it’s Community Arts Day (CAD), scheduled for Saturday April 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School. CAD is the Webster Central PTSA’s annual celebration of the arts, a showcase of the musical and artistic talents of our K-12 students. It’s basically a great big show-off day, a family-friendly festival with displays of art, musical performances, dance, a talent show, demonstrations and more. PLUS there are carnival games, community group exhibits, a bake sale, craft booths and lots of food. Plus, the admission is FREE.

I was checking the CAD Facebook Page for the latest news, and saw that a lot of our favorite CAD features will be returning. (Well, at least a lot of MY favorites.) For example, I love watching our Webster SparX Robotics team demonstrate their robots. They’ll be back in the gymnasium from 10 to 11 a.m. The Webster’s Got Talent talent show is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. in the cafeteria, when very brave young entertainers get up in front of the audience to strut their vocal or dancing or musical stuff. And of course, thousands of clay sculptures and paintings, drawings and wire art, baskets and floral art will be on display in panels stretching all through the Webster Schroeder hallways.

And I especially like stopping by all of the information booths set up by community business, organizations and agencies. It’s my annual check-in with my buddies at the Friends of Webster Trails, Webster Library and Webster Museum, among many others. (And if you have never seen a child trying to figure out how to use a rotary phone, you really should stop by the museum table.)

Here are a few other notes of interest you’ll find at this year’s Community Arts Day:

  • There are three collection tables this year:
    • Soles4Souls, a Tennessee-based nonprofit which turns unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunities for people in need. 
    • Project Prom, which provides gently-used formal attire to middle and high school students who might not be able to afford nice clothes for their prom, ball or other school dance.
    • Band/Orchestra Instrument Donation, where community members are encouraged to donate your gently-used band or orchestra instruments for students in need who can’t afford to buy their own.
  • The Kids Zone, where kids can make Earth Day cards, color some coloring pages, make some orgami, play with LEGOS and puzzles, and get a temporary tattoo.
  • Spoken Word Poetry, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your favorite poem (whether slam, dub, narrative, performance, beat, hip hop, rap or other) and share it with the CAD audience.
  • School musical performances: all four secondary schools and three elementary schools will perform a sample of the dramas and/or musicals they performed this year. So if you missed seeing On the Town at Webster Schroeder or Disney Descendants at Willink Middle School, or any of this year’s performances, catch a little bit of each at Community Arts Day.

Plus, there’s so much more going on all day. You can check out the entire schedule below, and all the latest news is posted on the CAD Facebook page.

Community Arts Day 2026 will be held at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd. on Saturday April 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s no charge for admission and there’s plenty of parking.

I was out of town last year for Community Arts Day, so I didn’t get to take any photos. But here’s a Facebook gallery from 2024. (And if you don’t have Facebook, you can access those photos here.)

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(posted 4/8/2026)

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Raising the curtain for 90 years

7 Apr

Huge congratulations to the Webster Theatre Guild (WTG), which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this weekend.

This amazing community theater group has been entertaining audiences since 1936, with at least one production every year, and sometimes two or three. (There was that one glitch in 2020, but I think we can forgive the WTG for not staging a show that year.) Their repertoire has spanned timeless classics like The Music Man and The Sound of Music, plus lesser-known shows that never fail to surprise and delight. The organization also supports artistic endeavors and development through student scholarships and grants to the Webster PTSA and Webster Central School District.

The Guild’s mission is to provide area residents the opportunity to both attend and to participate in quality theatrical performances. Being an all-volunteer organization, they would not have been able to achieve this kind of longevity without community support. And they’re hoping that the greater Webster community will continue to show that support by attending a big anniversary party they’re throwing this weekend.

The event is a fundraising musical revue called “90 Years in 90 Minutes.” More than a dozen actors will perform seventeen musical numbers from shows the WTG has staged in recent memory, including Guys and Dolls, Once Upon a Mattress, The Sound of Music, The Music Man, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Jekyll and Hyde, and Shrek. It will feature some of the most talented theater actors in our area. including many WTG veterans.

“90 Years in 90 Minutes” will take place this Saturday evening, April 11, at the Damascus Shrine Center, 979 Bay Rd. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a silent auction, wine pull and cash bar. A family-style pasta dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the revue at 7 p.m. The evening will conclude with the announcement of the show the Guild has selected for their fall musical, which is scheduled for six performances this October at the Bishop Kearney Auditorium.

Tickets are $40 for the dinner and show, and can be purchased online here. The link will take you to a PayPal site, but even if you don’t have PayPal, you can use your credit or debit card. Please order soon so they know how many people to expect, and to make sure to reserve your seat, ’cause this one’s going to be popular!

Here are a few shots from previous productions:

Shrek, 2025 (Myers Creative Imaging)
Oklahoma, 2023 (Samper Images)
Addams Family, 2019
(Myers Creative Imaging)

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(posted 4/7/2026)

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

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Kindness across the waves: a flag’s final voyage

6 Apr

Today I bring you a heartwarming story of kindness, respect and reconciliation.

The story was told to me by Webster resident Kathy Hertzel, whose father Bill served in the Pacific Theater in WWII. In November 1944, after fighting on the island of Leyte in the Philippines, he removed a silk battle flag from the body of a fallen Japanese soldier. Such battlefield souvenirs were common among Allied servicemen. 

The red disk in the center of the large flag, symbolizing the Rising Sun, was surrounded by names and symbols written in Japanese kanji. They included the soldier’s name – Matsujiro Yonaiyama – and well-wishes from family members and friends. A bullet hole and blood were also still visible. Bill realized the profound personal significance of what he had found, so he folded the flag carefully and tucked it inside a leather pouch to keep it safe during the long trip home after the war. 

Bill stored the pouch in his dresser, bringing it out only occasionally to show visitors. Kathy remembers how carefully her father took care of it, making sure she knew it was a precious artifact that should be respected. As a young girl, she was fascinated by the flag, slowly yellowing with age, and often wondered about the young man who wore the flag so bravely as he fought in the war.

For years, the flag remained mostly forgotten, until 1978, when Bill showed it to a Japanese colleague. She was able to translate some of the writing, including the soldier’s name. That discovery gave the flag a human identity. 

Bill died later that year, so he was never able to continue his search. But in 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in the Pacific, his daughter Kathy took up the cause. 

Her first efforts – writing to the Japanese consulate in New York City and the U.S. Ambassador to Japan – fell on deaf ears. Several years later, a friend suggested she contact a colleague of hers in California whose roommate was Japanese. That attempt was much more successful. 

The roommate, Tishi Washizu, agreed to help. He carried photos of the flag back to Tokyo, where the national newspaper Asahi Shimbun picked up the story. On January 28, 2000, Shigejiro Yonaiyama saw the article, recognized his brother’s name and contacted the local newspaper bureau; they, in turn, relayed the message to Kathy.

Kathy knew it was imperative that the flag be returned to the family, so she quickly arranged for its journey home. After carefully packing the heirloom, she sent it back to where it had started more than 55 years before. In an accompanying letter, she wrote, “It is with much joy that I send this flag on its final voyage.”

On March 19, 2000, the flag was placed in the hands of Matsujiro’s brother and nephew, and that same day it was presented at Matsujiro’s empty grave.  

Here’s an especially touching twist to this story: the family never knew what had happened to Matsujiro. They’d been told that he’d died when the ship carrying him from Manchuria to Leyte sank, and never even knew the time or place of his death. All they had received to remember him by was an empty box with his name on it. Now, thanks to the efforts of Kathy Hertzel and many others, the memory of Matsujiro Yonaiyama lives on, in a battle flag which hangs proudly on a shrine in his brother’s home.

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(posted 4/6/2026)

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Webster community mailbag

5 Apr

A couple of events from my friends at the Webster Chamber of Commerce today.

The first is the announcement about their next Eat, Drink & Connect event. These networking events are hosted monthly by Chamber members are great opportunities to develop current business connections and start new ones. They’re also a chance for Chamber visitors to socialize with Webster Chamber members and find out more about the organization.

The April event will be hosted by Metro Mattress at 975 Ridge Road in Webster, on Wednesday April 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Members and professionals interested in doing business in Webster, and are prospective Chamber members, are invited to attend these events. Bring a door prize to increase your business’ visibility and maybe you’ll even win something! There’s no fee to attend. but registration is required.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce also hosts a Monthly Meeting with a breakfast buffet for Chamber members, guests, and visitors who are interested in investigating Chamber membership. April’s meeting (complete with a hot breakfast buffet) will be held on Friday, April 24 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Webster Golf Club, 440 Salt Rd. The Monthly Meetings are opportunities to network, meet new contacts, develop current business relationships, learn, and earn visibility for your business or organization. Every attendee also participates in pass-the-mic. This is the largest monthly Chamber networking event within the Greater Rochester area, with 80-100 attendees. Bring a door prize for increased visibility and your business card, to take your chances on winning a door prize! Online reservations are required by Thursday, April 23 at noon.  

Arboretum presents program on lawn care

Carl Schimenti, the Urban Environmental Specialist for the Cornell Turfgrass Team, will visit the Webster Arboretum on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. to present a program on Lawn Care and Management. Learn lawn care basics such as grass type, water needs and weed control with pre- and post-emergents, fertilizing do’s and don’ts and mowing tips. Please register at thewebsterarboretum.org.  This presentation will take place at The Webster Arboretum 1700 Schlegel Rd in Webster.

Musical BINGO!

The Webster Recreation Center invites community members who are 55+ to a fun and exciting “Singo Bingo” game on Friday April 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The game is a musical twist on the classic game of bingo. Sing along to your favorite tunes while matching song samples to titles on your Bingo card. Fantastic prizes await. Cost is $3 per participant and registration is required. Visit the Rec Center’s registration page and search for activity #141086.

The Webster Recreation Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

Also at the Rec Center

Here’s a look at this month’s Talks on Tuesday series:

  • Tuesday April 14: Golf Injury Prevention
    • Physical therapist Stephen Spencer will discuss golf-specific injuries and share effective strategies for prevention. Register for Activity #146940-O
  • Tuesday April 21: Turning 65 and Medicare Options
    • Jon Jordan from my Diligent Advisors will take you through the various Medicare options from the key
      components A, B, C, & D to coverage choices and the enrollment process.
  • Tuesday April 28: Gardening Pain Free
    • Gardening is great for the body and mind—but bending, kneeling, and lifting can strain the back, knees, and shoulders. This talk teaches simple body-mechanic tips, gentle warm-ups, and easy positioning strategies to help seniors garden more comfortably, avoid injury, and enjoy the season with less pain and more confidence. Register for Activity #146940-Q

Talks on Tuesday programs are designed for community members aged 55+, and are held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The programs are free but registration is required.

Harmony in the House returns

Plans are being made and songs are being rehearsed for Harmony in the House 2026, the annual joint concert of The Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody. This year’s musical extravaganza will be held Saturday, May 30 at Our Lady of Mercy High School.

More details to come about that, but there are a couple of ways you can help right now:

  1. Buy an advertisement in the Show Program. Over 600 audience members and performers from Webster/Greater Rochester will see your ad. You’ll be mentioned on our social media sites as well. Prices range from $15 to $250 and the program will be printed in full color. Place your ad HERE or send an email to RochesterCOG@gmail.com if you have questions. Deadline for ad submissions is April 14.
  2. Buy tickets for the show. You can get them here.
  3. Make a direct donation to the Harmony House Renovation Project (your donation is tax-deductable)

Questions? email RochesterCOG@gmail.com

WCCH Mother’s Day Raffle (you’re her favorite, right?)

Here’s news about a great Mother’s Day raffle to benefit the Webster Comfort Care Home (WCCH).

  • First prize ($500+ value) is the ultimate self-care bundle includes WOW hair products, a gift certificate to Evie Boutique, a beautiful candle, and more in a Thirty-One Catch All Bin to help one lucky winner relax, refresh, and feel pampered!
  • Second prize ($125 value) includes a big bottle of Prosecco, two insulated wine glasses, wine charms, sassy sticky notes, and a soft, cozy afghan, everything you need to unwind in style.
  • Third prize ($50 value) is a sweet little treat! It includes a candle, dream pillow, sassy sticky notes, and $20 in gift cards to Lala of Webster for a little extra something special.

Tickets are $25 each, 3 for $60 or 6 for $100, and are available at the WCCH website. Drawing will be held on May 3 at 10 a.m. Click here to get your tickets.

Good books, cheap

The Friends of WPL’s Spring Book Sale takes place Wednesday, April 22 through Saturday April 25.

The first day of the sale, April 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 Thursday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hardcover books will be $1 each and paperbacks are only 50 cents each. Thursday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, April 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.

And don’t forget about this library event…

The Webster Public Library’s annual Diverse Abilities Resource Fair has been scheduled for Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to noon.

If you’re looking for resources for your loved one with a disability, this is a great opportunity to meet and chat with representatives from several Rochester-area organizations which offer all sorts of programs and support. All ages are welcome. Registration is not required but recommended if you would like a reminder. To register, call 585-872-7075 or visit websterlibrary.org.

Got expired drugs?

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, April 25 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.

The Webster Health & Education Network (WHEN) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving Webster families for 30 years. Research shows that the longer a young person waits before trying drugs or alcohol, the less likely they are to become addicted later in life. WHEN works to delay, decrease, and prevent substance use by underage youth. 

It’s chicken barbecue time again!

St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Spring Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, May 2 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:30 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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(posted 4/5/2026)

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

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News(letter) from the Town of Webster

5 Apr

I got my most recent Town of Webster newsletter emailed to me the other day, and in case you don’t yet get this in your email box, I wanted to pass along a few of the more interesting notices that it included.

The first is about a new “News and Information Survey” the Town has created to gauge how people are choosing to receive their news about Town political and social events — like email, local news (like the Herald), Facebook, maybe blogs…? The goal is to improve accessibility to important Town information.

The survey is only ten questions long and will take about five to ten minutes. It will be open through Monday, April 20. Click here to take the survey.

Community Office Hours

Supervisor Scialdone is continuing to host regular Community Office Hours, and now he’s invited Deputy Supervisor Hunter and Councilwoman Wright to do a few of them, too. These are your opportunities to let your Town representatives know what’s important to you.

The next office hours and who will be there are:

  • Supervisor Scialdone: Wednesday, April 8, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Curry Building at Webster Arboretum (1700 Schlegel Road)
  • Deputy Supervisor Hunter: Wednesday, April 15, 5 to 6 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center (1350 Chiyoda Drive)
  • Councilwoman Wright: Tuesday, April 21, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center (1350 Chiyoda Drive)
  • Supervisor Scialdone: Tuesday, April 28, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Liberty Lodge at Finn Park (850 Maple Drive)

Note that there is no formal presentation at these events. It’s just your chance to hang out with our local Town representatives, ask your questions and present your concerns. You don’t have to register; just show up.

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This most recent newsletter also includes news about some upcoming events, including:

  • Singo BINGO at the Webster Recreation Center on April 17 for the 55+ crowd;
  • the Diverse Abilities Resource Fair at the Webster Public Library on April 18; and
  • the Friends of the Webster Public Library Spring Book Sale from April 22 to 25

So check out the newsletter for yourself to learn more about these, and click here if you’d like to sign up to get the newsletter emailed to you so you can stay in the know.

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(posted 3/5/2026)

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

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Community encouraged to join April’s “Mail Call Challenge”

4 Apr

So I’ve already posted a few times about this year’s Mail Call: Letters From Home challenge, which is returning this year. In earlier blogs I asked for donations of blank cards, and invited community members to start writing out notes in anticipation of the mailboxes being placed throughout Webster.

Well, “Mail Call” 2026 has officially begun, and this year’s Mail Call Challenge has become a real challenge in a couple of ways.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this amazing project, here’s some quick background:

Mail Call: Letters from Home is an initiative from Wreaths Across America Webster. First introduced last April, it was designed to bring some joy to our local service members stationed abroad. Community members were encouraged to write out cards, letters and notes for the troops, which would then be shipped overseas in care packages prepared by the Blue Star Mothers of Rochester. Mailboxes were set up in a dozen Town and Village of Webster businesses to collect the messages. Organizer Cherie Wood was hoping to get 1,000 cards. The community came through big time, ultimately filling out an amazing 1,558 cards and letters. It was an amazing outpouring of love from our Webster community, and Cherie was blown away by the response.

So of course she wants to do even better this year, and would love to see even more cards and letters filled out for the troops. Plus, the local businesses which are hosting the mailboxes have thrown down the gauntlet to see which business can collect the most cards. Perhaps you can help your favorite business come out on top by dropping your cards off at their mailbox. At the end of the month, the winning business will get a handsome certificate, major bragging rights, and will be highlighted in my blog.

Here are where the boxes are located this year:

  • American Legion Cottreall-Warner Post 942: 818 Ridge Rd (back entrance).
  • Jersey Mike’s Subs: 975 Ridge Rd.
  • Key Bank: 1848 Empire Blvd.
  • Key Bank: 980 Ridge Rd.
  • Lowes Home Improvement: 900 Five Mile Line Rd.
  • M.O. Pasta: 5 E. Main St.
  • Lala of Webster: 38 E. Main St.
  • Village Quilt Shoppe: 21 E. Main St.
  • Webster Recreation Center: 1350 Chiyoda Dr.
  • Webster Town Hall: 1000 Ridge Rd.
  • Kittelberger Florist: 263 North Ave.
  • The North Bee: 27 North Ave.

All of the cards and letters collected during this special month-long event will be placed in care packages sent out in June by the Blue Star Mothers.

So get your family, groups and neighbors together and start writing some thank you messages! Or when you see one of those mailboxes while you’re shopping, pause for a minute to fill out a card.

And by the way, Cherie says she’s “frightfully low” on blank cards, so if you have any you can spare, please drop them off in the basket next to one of the mailboxes.

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Here are some tips when you’re writing your messages:

  • The messages can be from adults and kids.
  • Cards and letters should be addressed: Dear Service Member.
  • Include words of encouragement, and how much you appreciate their service.
  • Include your first name and your town. The service members like to know where the cards come from.
  • Spread the word to the groups in your life: Scouts, businesses, schools, social groups, sports teams, churches, etc. This challenge will take all of us.

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(posted 4/4/2026)

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).

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