Family briefs - Former Journey lead singer Steve Augeri to headline Boomfest

Those attending may bring lawn chairs, however coolers are not permitted.

“We are excited once again to partner with the local business community and the GAF to present a fun event for Oregon-area families,” said Oregon Mayor Mike Seferian. “This event has grown over the last few years and we hope to continue building on this Oregon tradition in the future.”

Pig roast fundraiser

The fourth annual Great Gardens & ‘S’Wine! – an old-fashioned pig roast combined with a wine tasting and live music to benefit the nonprofit Schedel Arboretum & Gardens in Elmore – will be held June 23.

The lively outdoor party will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person or $400 for a table of eight which includes roast pork and all the fixings by Swig Gastropub in Perrysburg, four wine tickets and dancing to the rock, soul and groove of the Distant Cousinz band.

Rudolph Libbe Companies is presenting the event.

In addition to food, wine, live music and dance, handcrafted beers by Catawba Island Brewing Company and a complimentary cigar, as well as cigars for sale by the Cigar Affair in Maumee (smoking is permitted only away from the main tent) will be available.

All proceeds from the event go toward educational programs and workshops offered annually at Schedel Gardens. “We are especially focused on ensuring that nature is a part of the lives of young people. To that end, money raised at Great Gardens & ‘S’Wine goes in part to supporting the Schedel Summer Science Camp which is a free program for middle school kids,” said Schedel Executive Director Rod Noble.

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit schedel-gardens.org or call 419-862-3182.

Gibsonburg Homecoming

It's back!

The Gibsonburg Homecoming (and its famous beer tent) is returning June 22-24 at Williams Park.

Hosted by the Gibsonburg Volunteer Fire Department, the three-day celebration kicks off Thursday, June 22 with Hayden James taking the stage from 7-10 p.m.

The celebration will include rides, games, vendors and family activities.

Entertainment continues Friday night with Stranger Than Fiction on stage from 8 p.m. to midnight. Saturday’s entertainment will be a two-for-one show – The TJ Gabet Band will perform from 7:30-9:15 p.m., followed by The Sean Williams Band at 9:30 p.m. Last call will be at 12:30 a.m. Open to 21 and older with valid ID to enter (strictly enforced). Rain or shine the tent will be rocking. Other highlights will be a 5K run, a three-day rolling 50/50 raffle and more.

Community garage sales will also be going on.

For more info, visit gibsonburgohio.org.

GroveFest set for June 24

Experience nature through hands-on activities, live animal presentations and more during “GroveFest: Nature at the Grove” on June 24 at Spiegel Grove, the grounds of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. The free annual nature event, which runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., highlights Spiegel Grove, a 25-acre state park and the estate of President Rutherford and First Lady Lucy Hayes, who loved nature and the outdoors. The couple had chickens, cows and gardens on the property.
Nature-related organizations will have crafts and activities for kids, and there will be live animal presentations from the Toledo Zoo and Back to the Wild wildlife rehabilitation center of Castalia. Food will be available on the grounds for purchase or a donation.

South Creek Clydesdales will offer horse-drawn wagon rides through Spiegel Grove with guides sharing points of interest on the property. Wagon rides are $3 for adults, $1 for kids ages 6-12 and free for kids age 5 and younger.

The tentative schedule of events includes:

• 10 a.m. – Booths with activities and food open. Wagon rides will be available until 2 p.m.

• 11 a.m. – Live animal presentation, Back to the Wild.

• Noon – Corn-grilling demo, Rimelspach Farms.

• 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. – Walking tour of the grounds.

• 1 p.m. – Live animal presentation, Toledo Zoo.

• 2 p.m. – Booths close.

Visitor parking is off-site only. For parking info, visit rbhayes.org or call 800-998-7737.

The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is America’s first presidential library and is located at Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues. The facility is affiliated with the Ohio History Connection.

For info, visit rbhayes.org, like HPLM on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hayespresidentialcenter and follow on Twitter at @rbhayespres and Instagram at rbhayespres.

38th Portage River Fest set

The Elmore Historical Society will hold its 38th Annual Portage River Festival on Sunday, June 25 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Depot Park.

The Historical Society has put together a unique schedule this year featuring something for young and old alike.

Once again, the Portage River Bicycle Tour will be held in conjunction with the festival. It will kick off with registration at 7 a.m. at Woodmore High School. The tour follows several routes at different distances for any cycling enthusiast. Register at register.mvadventurers.org.

The Redneck Garden Tractor Pulls will be back for the ninth time after a one-year hiatus. This year will be the eighth annual Charles and Murlyn Schneider Car Show and Cruise-in. The first 50 vehicles to register will receive a commemorative dash plaque.

The Historical Society is proud to bring back the second annual “Art in the Park,” featuring artwork and photography of Woodmore elementary, middle school and high school students.

Other highlights include:

• Heidi's Twirlers will again entertain with their individual skills and synchronization.

• The Harris-Elmore Fire Department and EMS will offer a “Jaws of Life” exhibition, as well as an open house and tour of the fire station as part of the festivities.

• Kids of all ages will be thrilled and amazed at family-friendly magic performed inside the Historical Society Barn.

• At 2 p.m. at the basketball court, learn about pickleball – a fun game for kids of all ages that is taking the country by storm. Elmore village employees have recently added a pickleball court to the existing basketball court.

• Kids can have fun during the day playing fun games, games of skill and a bounce house.

• The annual craft and artisan show kicks off at 11 a.m. The kitchen opens at the same time. Back by popular demand, the historical society will be selling smoked roast beef sandwiches. There will also be fresh cut french fries, hot dogs and Coney dogs, smoked sausage, baked beans, shredded chicken sandwiches, cole slaw and the society's traditional ice cream with fresh strawberry topping.

For more details about the car show, call Roger Schneider at 419-862-2978 or John Class at 419-266-1274. For festival info, contact Rick Claar at 419-377-0700 or rcmdiv@aol.com or visit elmorehistoricalsociety.com.

A wild time for Dad

African Safari Wildlife Park is offering all fathers free admission in honor of Father’s Day this Sunday, June 18. Using the coupon code DAD, any father with at least one child will be granted the special offer.

"We have lots of animal dads out in the Drive-Thru this Season" said Josh Adkins, the Park Foreman. "It's always a great sight to see the fathers helping raise their young. Avalanche, our white male bison, has been a great dad this season to his offspring."

Offer is only valid on Sunday, June 18, 2017. Please note - All dads must have at least one child with them. Visit AfricanSafariWildlifePark.com for details.

Music in the park

The sound of music will ring through Lake Township’s Friendship Park Friday evenings through Aug. 11 at the annual Music in the Park Summer Concert Series.

Concerts, presented by Friends of Lake Township Parks, begin at 6:30 p.m. The schedule includes:

June 23: Watermelon Men (sponsored by Cornerstone Credit Union).

June 30: Genoa Legion Band.

July 7: Swingsters Band.

July 14: Wolf Creek Risin’ (Sponsored by Wood County Committee on Aging).

July 21: Bridge County Bluegrass.

July 28: Deutschmeister Band.

Aug. 4: TBA.

Aug. 11: Ron Bloomfield & the Kentucky Boys.

In case of rain, concert will be held in the Lake Township Hall next to the park, which is located at 27975 Cummings Rd., Millbury. The only exception is the June 30 concert, which will be canceled if there is inclement weather, due to the size of the band.

Admission is free; freewill offerings will be accepted. Bring a lawn chair. Refreshments will be available. Proceeds benefit Friends of Lake Township Parks.

Toledo Swiss Festival

The Toledo Swiss Festival will be held Saturday, June 24 from 2 p.m.-midnight at Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon.

Deutschmeister Band will perform from 3-6 p.m., followed by Sweet Time Band from 7-11 p.m. There will also be special performances by the Bavarian Sports Club D’Holzhackerbaum Schuhplattler Gruppe.

Food, beverages, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Admission and parking is free. The public is welcome.

Cat adoption specials

June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month and to celebrate, the Wood County Humane Society (WCHS) is offering several adoption specials throughout the month to help its cats find their forever homes.

All month long, any cat age 7 months or older will have its adoption fee reduced by half. And each week, the organization will host a “staff favorite” whose adoption fee will be waived. More info about the adoption specials, including the identity of the weekly “staff favorite,” can be found on the organization’s Facebook page or/and website, woodcountyhumanesociety.org.
All adoptable cats at The WCHS have been spayed/neutered, have been microchipped, and have received age-appropriate vaccinations. Cats adopted from The WCHS are required to leave in a carrier at the time of the adoption. Carriers can be purchased at the shelter.

Fill the Truck drive

Lil' Rascals, 2513 Woodville Rd., Oregon, has teamed up with Easter Seals for a Fill the Truck Clothing Drive June 23 and 24.
Drop off items between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tax-deduction receipts will be available for donations.

Kids’ and adult clothing, shoes, purses, bedding, towels, coats, dishes, picture frames, knickknacks and other items will be accepted.

Call 419-690-0610 for info.

Project Wisdom Retreat

The Wood County Committee on Aging (WCCOA) will hold a retreat entitled “Project Wisdom” Friday, June 23 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the 577 Foundation, located at 577 East Front St. in Perrysburg. The event is sponsored by StoryPoint Senior Living.

The morning will begin with registration and light refreshments at 8:30 a.m.

The schedule includes:

• 8:45 a.m. – Chair Yoga and Meditation.

• 9:30 a.m. – Presentation: “Wellness, Purpose & Abundance with Young Living Essential Oils.”

• 10:45 a.m. – Speaker Barb Roose will share about how to plant seeds of happiness and joy in life.

• Noon – lunch.

• 1:15 p.m. – Choice of quiet time to journal and explore the grounds, or talk on “Nurturing Your Creative Side.”

• 2:30 p.m. – Program ends.

Seating is limited to 25. Cost to register is $15. For info or to register, call the WCCOA Program Department at 800-367-4935 or email programs@wccoa.net.

Demonstration Days

Enjoy free family fun and historic demonstrations at the Wood County Historical Center & Museums’ “Demonstration Days” June 24 and 25. The center is located at 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green.

Admission to the event and museums is free all weekend.

Members of the Wood County Amateur Radio Club will hold their annual Field Day in the Boom Town area of the center grounds at 2 p.m. Saturday and, weather permitting, through the night until Sunday at 2 p.m. Every year, more than 40,000 amateur radio operators throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate radio science and its importance to our communities.

There will be a pioneer picnic and 1860s-era outdoor games Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m. The public is welcome to pack a lunch to enjoy on the grounds. The museum will also be open 1-4 p.m. both days.

For more info about the event, call 419-352-0967 or visit woodcountyhistory.org.

Otterbein Grill and Go

Otterbein Portage Valley is hosting a Grill and Go Tuesday, June 27 at 11:30 a.m.

Enjoy Chef Reggie’s home cooking straight off the grill and entertainment by local musician Jake Pilewski, whose smooth singing voice and command of the keyboard make for easy listening.

There is no charge for this lunch and musical show but space is limited. Call today to RSVP 419-833-8917.

Old fashioned 4th of July fun

The Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce will present a community Independence Day celebration Monday, July 3 along the Portage River in the village’s downtown. Festivities begin at 5 p.m.

The celebration will include food entertainment, giant inflatables, food vendors, a Royal Duck Race, 50/50 drawings and a beer tent, all capped off by a fireworks display. Admission and parking are free.

Organizers are seeking volunteers to help clean up Tuesday, July 4 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Meet at the riverfront on Mill Street.
For info, call the chamber at 419-898-0479.

Grant to help pets

Ottawa County Senior Resources has received a $2,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America to support its client pet support program.

Funding will be used to provide food, supplies and care for area clients with pets – all of which can be financially and physically burdensome.

“We have found that our senior clients who have pets and are receiving home-delivered meals are much happier, more content and healthier when they know their pet is safe, happy and feed,” said Dianne Martin Mortensen, Director for Senior Resources.

In total, Meals on Wheels America has granted $300,000 to 193 local Meals on Wheels programs through the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets initiative this year. Funding is made possible in part through a donation from Banfield Charitable Trust (BCT). To date, the grant program has distributed more than $2.4 million in funding and pet food donations.

This is the ninth year that Senior Resources has received the Pet Program Grant. The Home-Delivered Meal Program, one of the many programs and services provided by Ottawa County Senior Resources, has benefitted greatly by grants such as these from the Meals On Wheels America organization.

K-9 meet-and-greet, family fun event set

Rustic Grounds coffee house and wood shop, 624 Main St, Genoa, will host Ohio’s first pit bull K-9 officer, Leonard and his handler, Clay Township Police Chief Terry Mitchell for a meet-and-greet Saturday, June 24 from 10 a.m.-noon at the gazebo in the center of the town’s shopping district.

K-9 units from across the country will also be on hand. In addition to the meet-and-greet, several “stations” will be set up to collect donations for continued support of the K-9 units. There will also be face painting, photo opportunities and other family-friendly activities.

Rustic Grounds will be adding a K-9 Roast as a permanent staple to their growing list of bagged retail coffees. One-dollar from the sale of every bag will be added to a fund to benefit area police K-9 units.

Kayak & Canoe Event

On Saturday, June 24, the Village of Oak Harbor and the Oak Harbor Redevelopment Group will present a Kayak & Canoe Event in conjunction with the official ribbon-cutting for the Oak Harbor Interurban Overlook & Kayak Launch.
The event will be held from noon-5 p.m. at the end of Church Street in downtown Oak Harbor. Rain date will be July 8.
The event will begin with a brief history by John Liske at noon, followed by a kayak safety demonstration at 12:15 p.m. and a presentation on kayak and canoe guidelines by ODNR at 12:45 p.m.

From 1-2 p.m., there will be free use of kayaks, double kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards from the Portage River Paddling Company.

A Kayak Poker Run with prizes for the top 30-plus hands will run from 3-4 p.m. The entry fee is $10 for a single kayak, $15 for a double kayak, $15 for a canoe or $5 for those who bring their own kayak or canoe.

From 3-5 p.m., there will be a free kids’ fishing derby for ages 15 and under, with prizes for the biggest catch, the smallest catch and most fish caught. Participants should bring a pole and tackle; bait will be provided.

Prize announcements will be made at 5 p.m.

For more details or to register for the poker run and fishing derby, call 419-707-2285.

Benefit for the Barn

Serenity Farm Equestrian Center will present “Benefit for the Barn,” Saturday, July 22 at 6 p.m. at VFW Post #9963, 109 N. Main St., Walbridge.

Tickets are $25, which includes dinner, dessert and drinks. The event will also include live and silent auctions, raffles and more. Proceeds raised will benefit Serenity Farms. Located in Luckey, the equestrian center has been serving the community for 16 years.

For info, call 419-833-1308 or visit serenityfarm.org.

Liam, Emma are #1

Liam and Emma topped the list of the Social Security Administration’s most popular baby names in Ohio for 2016.
The top five boys’ and girls’ names for 2016 in Ohio were:

Boys – Liam, Noah, Carter, William and Mason.

Girls – Emma, Ava, Olivia, Charlotte and Harper.

Nancy A. Berryhill, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced last week that Noah and Emma were the most popular baby names in the U.S. Check out Social Security’s website -- www.socialsecurity.gov-- to see the top national baby names for 2016.

The agency began compiling the baby name list in 1997, with names dating back to 1880. At the time of a child’s birth, parents supply the name to the agency when applying for a child’s Social Security card, thus making Social Security America’s source for the most popular baby names.

To read about the winners for the biggest jump in popularity and to see how pop culture affects baby names, go to https://www.socialsecurity.gov/news/press/releases/.