Family briefs

Travel Circle series offers a virtual trip around the globe
 
        Join Maumee Valley Adventurers each Saturday in January, February and March for a virtual trip around the globe as local presenters share their experiences traveling to far-flung destinations.
        Cosponsored by Metroparks Toledo, the long-running winter program series typically alternates between Wildwood Preserve and Oak Openings Preserve. Because of the ongoing health crisis, however, the partners have decided that January presentations will be online. Whether in-person presentations will resume in February and March will be decided each month based on the status of COVID-19 in Lucas County.
        Log on at 2 p.m. each Saturday in January for a new weekly presentation. Following are the dates, topics, presenters and links to join the programs:
        • Jan. 15: “Beaches, Boating and Biking,” by Scott Grenerth. Webinar ID: 898 7772 9101; phone: +1-312-626-6799 or +1-646-558-8656.
        • Jan. 22: “Where's Namibia,” by Judy Pfaffenberger. Webinar ID: 831 3741 8583; phone: +1-301-715-8592 or +1-312-626-6799.
        • Jan. 29: “Spain (and a bit of Portugal) during a Pandemic,” by Rose and Andy Kandik, Webinar ID: 889 3539 2846; phone: +1-312-626-6799 or +1-646-558-8656.
        Learn more about the programs online at metroparkstoledo.com/discover/blog/posts/travel-circle-online-series-brings-the-world-to-you.
       
LEGO Cup Challenge
        Kids can enjoy time constructing and learning more about STEM with the Wood County District Public Library’s LEGO Cup Challenge on Saturday, Jan. 15.
        Drop by the Walbridge Library, 108 N. Main St., any time between 2 and 4 p.m. to take part in the challenge. Participants will be given a cup of LEGO blocks and an item or structure to build using as many of the blocks in their cup as possible. After building, creations will be put on display for library patrons to see.
        No registration is required.
        Children’s book birthdays
        WCDPL is celebrating book birthdays all winter long.
        Join the library for a birthday celebration for A.A. Milne, author of the beloved “Winnie the Pooh” books and characters, from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 at the Bowling Green and Walbridge libraries.
        For more information, call 419-352-8253, email woodkids@wcdpl.org or visit wcdpl.org.
 
Owens Community Band
beginning rehearsals
        Owens Community College’s Community Band will begin rehearsals Monday, Jan. 31 at 3:30 p.m. at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA), 7270 Biniker Dr., Perrysburg.
        The band, under the direction of Larry Clapper, is open to community members and local band students through the college’s Work and Play program, which requires a $25 participation fee.
        Anyone interested can register in person at 2:45 p.m. before the first rehearsal or at owens.edu/workandplay (search “band”).
        The band will rehearse from 3:30-4:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through May 25 and perform two Sunday concerts in the CFPA Theatre on dates to be announced. Its repertoire consists of standard band literature, music from Ohio Music Education Association required lists, marches, show tunes and patriotic selections.
        For more information, contact Owens’ Fine and Performing Arts department chair Jeremy Meier at jeremy_meier@owens.edu or 567-661-7277.
 
Elementary art classes
        The Oak Harbor High School Art Department is sponsoring another round of Elementary Art Classes in February.
        Students in first through fourth grade may sign up for the four-week program, which will include clay, acrylic painting, glazing, drawing and watercolor painting. Classes will meet in the high school art room (Room 609), from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesdays Feb. 1 through Feb. 22. Masks are required.
        The cost is $30 per student. For questions or to RSVP, email egilbert@bcssd.com. Spaces are limited.
 
Presidential History
Book Club to meet
        The Presidential History Book Club at Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, located at Spiegel Grove, Fremont, will meet monthly on Wednesdays in 2022 to read and discuss titles about the American presidency and related topics.
        All are welcome to participate in this free club. Meetings are at noon and will take place in-person and virtually. Participants can bring their lunch. To join virtually from a computer, smartphone or tablet visit https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/128601789. The Access Code is 128-601-789.
        The 2022 meeting dates and book titles are:
        • Jan. 26 and Feb. 23: “Confederates in the Attic,” by Tony Horwitz.
        • March 30 and April 27: “Destiny and Power: George Herbert Walker Bush,” by Jon Meacham.
        The May 25, June 29, July 27, Aug. 31, Sept. 28, Oct. 26 and Dec. 7 titles have yet to be announced. The club will not meet in November due to Thanksgiving.
        Historian Dustin McLochlin, Ph.D., leads the club. Hayes Presidential is closed on Wednesdays, however, McLochlin will give book club participants access to the building for this event.
        Richard and Kathy Smith sponsor the Presidential History Book Club.
        For information about the club, contact McLochlin at 419-332-2081, ext. 230, or dmclochlin@rbhayes.org.
        For information about the Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, call 419-332-2081 or visit rbhayes.org.
 
Blood donations needed
        The State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS) is joining the American Red Cross in raising awareness about a national blood supply crisis.
        Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.
        “The current blood shortage has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, decreased blood donations, and an increased usage of blood and blood products to treat an increasing number of trauma cases,” said Rob Wagoner, EMS Division director. “Many hospitals and blood collection facilities are also experiencing staffing challenges due to COVID illness and quarantine requirements, which further add to the challenges of blood collection in these times.”
        Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments, and donors of all blood types – especially type O − are urged to make an appointment now to give in the weeks ahead.
        Make an appointment to donate blood at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 REDCROSS.
 
SafeSplash to
open in Perrysburg
        SafeSplash + SwimLabs, Holland, has signed a lease and franchise agreement to build a second location in Perrysburg Township that is expected to open later this year.
        The 6,000 square-foot swim school will be built at the new French Quarter Square, taking shape off SR 20 (Fremont Pike) in the township at the site of the former Holiday Inn French Quarter property.
        Chris Peters, owner and operator, and his wife, Marianne, of Whitehouse, opened their first swim school in June 2019.
        The current swim school in Holland and the new one in Perrysburg are under a franchise agreement with Streamline Brands, which has some 250-plus locations throughout the country.
        The Perrysburg location will feature a swimming pool for lessons but won't have Endless Pools like the Holland location. The entire focus will be teaching swimming skills to all ages and abilities, Peters said.