ETC: Oregon Community Theatre to present “The 39 Steps”

        Oregon Community Theatre will present “The 39 Steps” Oct. 29 and 30 and Nov. 5-6 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. at Fassett Auditorium, 2035 Starr Ave., Oregon.
        The cast is under the direction of Amy Spaulding-Heuring. Kevin Harrington is producing the show.
        Admission is free as a thank you to the community for supporting OCT over the past 34 years. For more information or to reserve a free ticket, visit octshows.org or call 419-691-1398
        In “The 39 Steps,” a man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she’s a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps” is hot on the man’s trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale. A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, “The 39 Steps” promises to be an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure.
        Season highlights
        OCT’s upcoming season also includes:
        • Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” Feb. 18-20 and Feb. 25-26, 2022.
        • Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” April 29-30 and May 1,6 and 7 and 2022.
        • Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” – Children’s Production, July 7-10, 2022.
        For more information, visit octshows.org.
 
Apple Butter Stir
        The Oregon Jerusalem Historical Society (OJHS) is sponsoring an Apple Butter Stir Saturday, Oct. 2 and Sunday, Oct. 3 at Maumee Bay Bed and Breakfast, 9855 Jerusalem Rd., Curtice.
        Participants can choose to be involved in the apple peeling (using mechanical apple peelers), cooking, stirring and/or canning process. Volunteers giving one hour of their time or more will receive a freshly canned jar of apple butter.
        Saturday will be peeling and cooking day, using large outdoor kettles. Activities will begin at 1 p.m.
        Sunday will be stirring and canning day. Stirring will run from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., after which the apple butter will be jarred. Families with children may want to come out from 1-3 p.m. activities including croquet, marbles, old-fashioned butter making and wagon rides.
        Volunteers interested in participating may call the OJHS at 419-693-7252 and leave a message or email ojhs1963@gmail.com to register.
        The two-day event is free and open to the public. Ample free parking will be available. Apple butter can be purchased at Brandville Museum Complex, 1133 Grasser St., Oregon once the two-day event is over.
 
Live! In the House
        Singer Kathy Johnson will perform Saturday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pemberville Opera House, 115 Main St. The opera house is handicap accessible.
        The concert is being presented as part of the Live! In the House Concert Series.
        Johnson’s music ranges from heartfelt to hilarious – an entertaining mix of her own originals, folk, vintage country and cowboy songs, old rock and roll and more.
        Tickets are $12 and are available at Beeker’s General Store, 226 E. Front St., Pemberville, at the door and by calling Carol at 419-287-4848.
        For more information, visit pembervilleoperahouse.org.
 
Haunted GLOW Trail
        The American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES) international high school students are planning a Haunted GLOW Trail Fundraiser Oct. 8 and 9 from 6-10 p.m. at in Parking Lot #7 at Maumee Bay State Park, 1400 State Park Rd., Oregon.
        In addition to the glow-in-the-dark haunted trail, food and games, the event will also be a Hygiene for Humanity Backpack Drop-off point. Kids donating new hygiene items or a new or gently used backpack will receive a free game ticket.
        Admission will be $5 for ages 6-15, $10 for ages 16 and up and free for kids 5 and younger. Proceeds will benefit Maumee Bay State Park, World Affairs Council of NOW and educational programs for ACES students.
 
Pigeon Forge trip
        The East Toledo Senior Center, with Diamond Tours, is hosting a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee June 20-24, 2022.
        The cost is $579, based on double occupancy. The cost includes transportation via luxury motorcoach, four nights of lodging, four breakfasts and dinners, six shows, a guided tour of Great Smokey Mountains National Park, free time in historic downtown Gatlinburg and more.
        A $75 per person deposit is required. Call 419-691-2254 to arrange in-person payment, or mail payment and travelers’ information to the East Toledo Senior Center, 1001 White St., Toledo, OH 43605.
 
Electric quilt software
available at library
        Wood County District Public Library patrons now have access to new Electric Quilt software.
        The new user-friendly Electric Quilt 8 (EQ8) software enables users to design their own quilts using the 6,000+ included blocks and fabrics or add their own to create something custom. Patrons can print their fabric yardage, rotary-cutting charts, templates and foundation patterns to sew their own masterpieces.
        The Electric Quilt software is available at the Walbridge and Bowling Green libraries. To use the software, stop at the main desk at the Walbridge library or the Information Services Desk on the second floor of the Bowling Green library.
        For more information, call 419-352-5050 or email woodref@wcdpl.org.
        These resources were provided by The Electric Quilt Company, headquartered in Bowling Green, and founded in 1991 by Dean Neumann, professor of mathematics at Bowling Green State University, and Penny McMorris, corporate art curator for Owens-Corning Corporation and producer/host of several PBS quilting shows.
        McMorris debuted the novel Electric Quilt software on a segment of her MBGU-TV program, “Great American Quilt.” Now in its eighth version, Electric Quilt is the leading quilt design software in the world.
 
History Roundtable
        The remaining three sessions of Hayes Presidential Library and Museums’ History Roundtable with Mike Gilbert this season will cover the Kennedy family, Northwest Ohio tales and historical ghost stories.
        Spots are still available for this online-only program led by Gilbert, a local historian and retired teacher.
        Sessions are held from 10-11:30 a.m. Online admission is $5 per session. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.
        Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. To register and pay, contact Julie Mayle at jmayle@rbhayes.org. Those who register will receive a link to join the live program. Those who cannot attend live online will receive a link to the recorded program.
        The schedule of remaining sessions is:
        Saturday, Oct. 9 – The Fitzgerald and Kennedy Dynasties. One of the greatest political dynasties in American history will be the focus in this exciting look at the individuals behind the Fitzgerald and Kennedy families 
        Saturday, Oct. 16 – Northwest Ohio Stories. Murderers, gangsters and heroes abound in these exciting tales of Northwest Ohio.
        Saturday, Oct. 23 – Historical Hauntings. In one of the more popular presentations, take a look at historical hauntings from around the world.
        For information, call 419-332-2081, visit rbhayes.org or follow Hayes Presidential on social media.
 
Charity Chocolate Crawl
        United Way in Wood County (UWWC) will host its fourth annual Charity Chocolate Crawl on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 3-7 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to visit more than 20 restaurants, retail shops and local nonprofits throughout downtown Bowling Green, with each location sharing a signature sweet treat.
        Tickets, otherwise known as Golden Passports, are $15. Proceeds support UWWC and its community partners’ ongoing work to strengthen education, financial stability, health and housing resources for Wood County residents.
        Recommended health and safety precautions / measures will be in place for this event.
        Tickets are available online by visiting United Way in Wood County on Facebook and clicking the events tab.
 
Night at the Derby
        The Wood County Museum will host an in-person derby-themed gala fundraising event Saturday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.
        Tickets are $55 for members and $65 for non-members. Hats and bow ties are encouraged, with prizes for the best hat and best dressed. Tickets are available online at woodcountyhistory.org or call the museum at 419-352-0967.
        There is also an opportunity to participate in a virtual silent auction. View the virtual silent auction at www.32auctions.com/WCMGala2021
        The online auction is open for bids until Oct. 9 at 5 p.m., at which time it will go offline and transition to a live event for those attending the in-person gala. Bidding is open until 8 p.m. that night. Not able to attend? Museum staff is available to help facilitate proxy bids on behalf of donors. Auction winners will be contacted via email.
        The Museum is seeking to raise $15,000 to continue its education programs, new exhibits, collections care and more. Those who cannot attend the gala can still support the museum with the purchase of a “non-event” ticket at $55 person or make a donation from the auction site www.32auctions.com/WCMGala2021 or at woodcountyhistory.org
        For more information, visit woodcountyhistory.org or follow the Wood County Museum on Facebook and Instagram.
 
Ghost tales by lantern light
        Enjoy a spooky evening at Spiegel Grove with lantern tours through the dark wooded grounds and stops in the historic Hayes Home during Spirit Stories at Spiegel Grove on Friday, Oct. 29.
        At each stop, hear spine-chilling tales of ghosts, legends and other-worldly phenomena from across Ohio and beyond. Warm yourself by the campfire and enjoy popcorn, apple cider and hot chocolate.
        Inside the Hayes Presidential Museum, get a picture with a ghost to remember your frighteningly fun evening in our spirit photography booth. You can also check out the special exhibit “Ohio: An Unnatural History,” which features mythical creatures, ghost stories and more from across Ohio.
        Lantern tours, which last about an hour, are offered from 7 to 10 p.m., with the last tour leaving at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 for non-members and $10 for Hayes Presidential members. Advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased online at bhayes.org/events/2021/10/29/events/spirit-stories-at-spiegel-grove/.
        Tickets will also be sold at the front desk, pending availability.
        Those who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 must wear a face covering inside the museum and Hayes Home and when physical distancing is not possible outside. There could be additional safety protocols added. For updates, visit rbhayes.org.