Family Briefs

Mercy Health – St. Charles anniversary celebration
        Mercy Health – St. Charles Hospital will hold a 70th Anniversary Celebration Thursday, Oct. 19 from noon-1 p.m. in the Main Hospital Lobby.
        The celebration will include a special prayer service led by Deacon Dan Waters, Mercy St. Charles director of missions. Craig Albers, Mercy St. Charles president, will offer comments, and hospital CFO Jeff Ziviski will introduce Judy and Joe Zargo, daughter and son-in-law of St. Charles Hospital’s first patient, Lester Christian, who was admitted Oct. 19, 1953.
        The event will also include refreshments and t-shirt giveaways.
 
Local author to hold book signing
        Cody Kistler and his friends discovered a mysterious coffin buried beneath the neighborhood elementary school.
        When a host of sinister forces are unleashed upon their unsuspecting city of Fremont, a ragtag group of self-proclaimed ghost hunters spring into action.
        This is the premise of “Fremonsters,” a fantasy horror novel aimed at kids in the middle grades, written by Fremont native Amy Marie. The story follows the group around Fremont, including in the Hayes Museum and Spiegel Grove, the grounds of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
        Marie will sign copies of “Fremonsters” on Friday, Oct. 27, in the museum auditorium at Hayes Presidential. The book signing will take place from 6-8 p.m.
        Copies of the book are available in-person at the Museum Store or in Hayes Presidential’s online store at rbhayes.org/store/books/fremonsters/?back=products.
        The book signing will take place during Spirit Stories at Spiegel Grove. The book signing is free, but tickets are required for Spirit Stories. Book signing attendees do not have to participate in Spirit Stories.
        For information on Spirit Stories, visit httpsrbhayes.org/news/2023/07/27/general/hear-creepy-stories-from-around-ohio-during-lantern-walk/.
        Hayes Presidential is located at Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues. For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org.
 
Toledo Zoo Harvest Fest
        The Toledo Zoo’s Harvest Fest – a monthlong celebration of all things fall – continues with something for everyone to enjoy.
        Throughout October, visitors can experience giant pumpkin displays, seasonal food and beverage offerings, musical entertainment and much more.
        Highlights include:
        • Oct. 19 and 20 — Little Boo presented by Meijer (Separate fee, reservations required). Toddlers and pre-school-aged children are invited to safely trick-or-treat throughout the Zoo while enjoying animal shows, strolling magic, and more.
        • Oct. 21 and 22— Pumpkin Path presented by Ohio Council of Community Schools (Separate fee, reservations required). Children of all ages will delight in trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving demonstrations, character appearances, magic shows, and more. Be a conservation superhero and bring a reusable container to collect treats made with sustainably produced palm oil, supporting orangutan habitat preservation. The Zoo proudly supports the teal pumpkin initiative by offering alternative treats at every station.
        • Oct. 27 — Roar & Pour (Bourbon tasting, separate fee, reservations required). Experience Harvest Fest after-hours at this adults-only event which features live music, fire pits, and ambassador animals for all guests to enjoy. Sip and stroll the garden area to learn about and sample varieties of bourbons and whiskeys, each paired with small bites. Spirits representatives will be on hand to share knowledge and answer questions. Bourbon and whiskey cocktails will also be available.
        At the cigar lounge in the gardens, an expert will help guests choose a cigar tailored to their taste. While this add-on is available when purchasing tickets, or on site, the cigar lounge is open for all guests to enjoy.
        • Oct. 28 — Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp. Witness the joy as Zoo animals enjoy the gourd-y goodness of pumpkins.
        Other Harvest Fest activities, included with Zoo admission are:
        • Pumpkin-carving demos on Saturdays and Sundays.
        • Animal demos on Saturdays and Sundays.
        • Pumpkin-carving classes on select Sundays (Free, but preregistration required).
        • Character meet-and-greets on Saturdays and select Sundays,
        • Musical entertainment on select Saturdays and Sundays.
        Harvest Fest will have an extra layer of excitement with adorable animal additions. The latest Zoo arrivals include Franklin, the Giraffe calf; twin Amur tiger cubs and African elephant bull, Ajani.
        For more information about Harvest Fest and to make reservations for select events, visit toledozoo.org/harvest-fest.
 
Lucas Co. DD, Goodwill partner in donation drive
        The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is again partnering with Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Inc. in a donation drive.
        On Oct. 15-16, residents are encouraged to take donations of clothing or household items to any Toledo area Goodwill store or donation station and mention that the donation is on behalf of Lucas DD and its FAN Network. For every donation made, Goodwill is donating a $25 voucher to Lucas DD. Those vouchers go directly into the hands of individuals served by the Board that need them most.
        Locally, donations may be taken to the Goodwill store at 3249 Navarre Ave., Oregon.
        “We are grateful to our friends at Goodwill for this wonderful partnership, particularly given our shared missions of enhancing the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Lucas DD interim superintendent Michele Myerholtz. “As we go into the colder weather months, the generosity of these vouchers will be felt by so many of those we serve.”
        Visit lucasdd.org/fans-network to learn more about the Lucas DD FAN Network.
 
Free Shoulder Screening
        Free shoulder screenings will be offered at the Magruder Orthopedic Clinic on Friday, Oct. 27, from 1-3 pm. The screening will include an x-ray, consultation with an orthopedic nurse practitioner or orthopedic surgeon, and a chance to meet with a physical therapist.
        The Magruder Orthopedic Clinic is located at 611 Fulton St., Suite G, Port Clinton. Appointments for this screening are required and can be made by calling 419-732-4061.
 
LCCS Trunk-or-Treat
        Lucas County Children Services, Friends of LCCS, and more than 50 community partners will hold a Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, Oct. 14 from noon-2 p.m. at the former site of Libbey High School, 1250 Western Ave., Toledo.
        The event is intended to provide a safe, daytime trick-or-treat opportunity for LCCS children and families in the community.
        More than 85 “trunks” will line the grounds, along with a fire engine, SWAT vehicle, Halloween-themed maker space, selfie station, and other surprises. About 2,500 children in costume are expected. An estimated 300,000 pieces of candy will be handed out, along with toothbrushes, hats, gloves and socks.
 
African Safari admission discount
        Through Oct. 30, African Safari Wildlife Park is offering 50% off general admission to guests who show proof of admission to amusement parks and water parks in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region (including Cedar Point, Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge) from this month.
        With this discount, general admission to the Park is $12.98 on Saturdays and Sundays, and $11.48 on weekdays.
        General park admission includes unlimited trips through the Drive-Thru Safari, home to zebras, bison, deer, camels, alpacas, exotic cattle breeds and emus, as well as Dinosaur Takeover, which features over 20 moving, roaring, life-sized dinosaurs.
        “This is a terrific time to visit the park, since most of our animals love the autumn weather and are much more active this time of year than they are in the summer,” said keeper supervisor Makayla Kopriver. “If you’re in the area for some fall fun, you’ll definitely want to take a trip to see us.”
        Acceptable proof of admission to an amusement park or water park includes digital or printed tickets or receipts. This offer may not be combined with any other promotions or discounts.
        Visit africansafariwildlifepark.com for more details.
 
“Socktober” donation drive
        Wanting to help a family out this holiday season, but not sure how?
        Taylor Automotive is sponsoring Hannah’s Socks, Inc. again for a “Socktober” donation drive. Participants can drop off brand new socks at any of Taylor Automotive’s seven locations in Toledo, Perrysburg, Findlay and Lima.
        Donation boxes, hampers or tubs can be found inside each establishment at the customer service desk.
        “Socktober is a national ‘sole-warming’ movement that gives everyone an easy and fun way to help those in need within their very own community. Our goal is to provide 10,000 pairs of socks in November as a result of the drive, which would exceed previous years,” said Hannah’s Socks executive director Susan Perry.
        Men, women and children's socks donated must be in new condition and will be sent to schools, agencies and shelters.
        Hannah’s Socks, Inc, founded in 2004, annually provides more than 55,000 pairs of socks to those in need within a 50-mile radius of Toledo. As of July 1, 2023, Hannah’s Socks, Inc. has merged with Susie’s Coats for Kids, which allows Susie’s Coats for Kids and Hannah’s Socks, Inc. to provide brand new socks, hats, gloves and coats to the same population. Visit hannahssocks.org and susiescoats.org for more information.
 
Halloween Party at Camp Miakonda
        Spooky season will be in full swing for the Erie Shores Council’s annual community Halloween Party, presented by the Rotary Club of Reynolds Corners.
        The event is open to the public and will take place over two days at the historic Camp Miakonda, located at 5600 W. Sylvania Ave. in Toledo. Guests can choose to attend Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. or Sunday, Oct. 22 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Admission includes haunted cabins, haunted trails, trick or treating, a huge display of inflatable characters, hayrides, and more.
        “This is one of our most anticipated events of the year,” said Scout Executive and CEO Ed Caldwell. “We typically have more than 2200 people from the community join us for affordable, family-friendly spooky fun.”
        Advance tickets can be purchased for $7 each at ErieShoresCouncil.org/HP. Tickets will also be available at the door for $10 each. Children ages 2 and under will be admitted free of charge.
 
Department of Aging online job trainings
        Ohioans age 55 and older will have the opportunity to obtain job training, designed to empower older adults to find opportunities in the modern workforce, through the Ohio Department of Aging’s (ODA) Senior Community Service Employment Program Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
        Beginning Oct. 12 and continuing over the next four months, ODA SCSEP provider Vantage Aging will host a series of online workshops for older Ohioans who are looking to re-enter the workforce.
                Registration is required. Upcoming workshops will cover the following topics:
        • Developing a Winning Mindset – Nov. 9.
        • Job Search Strategies for Older Workers – Dec. 14.
        • Seniors, Computers, and Cybersecurity – Jan. 11.
        “Older workers are a valuable asset to Ohio’s workforce,” said ODA Director Ursel J. McElroy. “They bring skills and years of experience to the workplace, have a strong work ethic, and they are likely to find work enjoyable and fulfilling. We are proud to support these upcoming job seeker workshops and encourage participation among older Ohioans looking for new and exciting opportunities to put their talents to use.”
        SCSEP is a paid community service and work-based job training program for Ohioans 55 and older who are unemployed. Learn more about the program on ODA’s SCSEP webpage, aging.ohio.gov/care-and-living/staying-active/staying-active-catalog/senior-community-services-employment-program.
        To learn more about the upcoming job workshops or view other upcoming events through Vantage Aging, visit vantageaging.org/events.
 
BGSU receives grant to continue Wood Co. Safe Communities program
        For the 10th consecutive year, Bowling Green State University has received an Ohio Traffic Safety Office grant to continue the Safe Communities of Wood County program, which works to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths and injuries in the county through analysis and educational outreach.
        This year's grant totals $46,200, including an additional $4,200 for distracted driving and local school programming. Funding runs through Sept. 30, 2024.
        Money from the grant supports ongoing education and awareness initiatives around the use of seatbelts, operating a vehicle impaired, motorcycle safety, distracted driving and pedestrian awareness. Safe Communities of Wood County also participates in community events and outreach opportunities at local businesses and professional organizations.
        Through BGSU, Safe Communities of Wood County maintains partnerships with individuals from law enforcement, local governments, schools, businesses and community organizations to create awareness and prevention of death and injuries caused by traffic crashes.
        For more information and to get involved, contact Sandy Wiechman, program coordinator, at swiechm@bgsu.edu.