ETC: Maumee Valley Adventurers to present Travel Circle Series

        Join Maumee Valley Adventurers and Metroparks each Saturday in January, February and March for a trip around the globe as local presenters share their experiences traveling to faraway destinations in the U.S. and abroad.
        There is an optional hike from 1-2 p.m., then stay for an interesting travel program beginning at 2 p.m.
        Programs are free. Reservations are not required.
The schedule includes:
        • Jan. 6 at Oak Openings: Starr and Carol Budzenski – “Transatlantic on the Queen Mary 2, Churchill's London and Edinburgh Scotland.”
        • Jan. 13 at Wildwood: Steve Lauer – “Exploring Australia and New Zealand.”
        • Jan. 20 at Oak Openings: Tim Schetter – “From Mexico to Canada: Five Months on the Continental Divide Trail.”
        • Jan. 27 at Wildwood: Ben Ayling – “The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Through the Photographer's Lens.”
        • Feb. 3 at Oak Openings: Cara Douglas & Anthony DiVitto – “Our Fantastic National Parks - Zion, Bryce, Yellowstone and Glacier.”
        • Feb. 10 at Oak Openings: Mike & Julia Walsh – “South African Safari Adventure.”
        • Feb. 17 at Oak Openings: Barbara Laird – “Hainan Island: The “Hawaii” of China.”
        • Feb. 24 at Oak Openings: Michael McGivern – “South Africa and Antarctica.”
        • March 2 at Oak Openings: “Judy Pfaffenberger - Cruising the Ionian and Adriatic Seas.”
        • March 9 at Wildwood: Laura Novotny, Todd Kime and Mark Lohman – “Waterfalls and New World Discovery: Hiking Havasupai and Driving the Cabot Trail.”
        • March 16 at Oak Openings: Tom Garey – “RAGBRAI 2023 and Walking Tour of NYC.”
        • March 23 at Wildwood:  Vince Walsh – “Discovering 4 Capitals in Central Europe: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna & Prague.”
        • March 30 at Oak Openings: “Christine Spengler - Rocketing through Italy.”
        For more information, visit metroparkstoledo.com/discover/blog/posts/travel-circle-series-brings-the-world-to-you/
 
Countdown to 2024
Party planned in Elmore
        Elmore Historical Society, with co-sponsors Tank’s Meats and the Elmore Volunteer Fire Department, will present a Countdown to 2024 Party Sunday, Dec. 31 beginning at 4 p.m. at Depot Park in the village.
        Admission is free to the celebration, which will include bingo, food and fun including Pin the Sausage on the Bun at 4 p.m.; a Sausage-Eating Contest at 5 p.m. and the Sausage Drop at 6 p.m.
        Food and drinks will be available while supplies last, by donation. BYOB.
 
Noon Year’s Eve celebration set at Zoo
        Ring in the New Year at the stroke of noon at the Toledo Zoo’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration, Sunday, Dec. 31 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
        Visitors will gather in the Main Plaza to enjoy crafts, an ice carving demo and an apple juice toast as they watch the ball rise at noon. They can also make their 2024 Re-ZOO-lutions, and watch their favorite animals enjoy holiday enrichment treats.
        The animal demo schedule includes:
        • 10:30 a.m.:  Brown bear enrichment, Komminsk Family Kodiak Ridge; Polar bear enrichment, Arctic Encounter.
        • 11 a.m.: Tiger enrichment, Tiger Terrace; Pied tamarin enrichment, Nature’s Neighborhood.
        • 11 a.m.-noon: Burmese python demo, ProMedica Museum of Natural History.
        • 11:30 a.m.: Cinereous vulture enrichment, Vulture Exhibit; Red Panda enrichment, Primate Forest.
        • Noon-1 p.m.: Armadillo demo, Nature’s Neighborhood.
        • 1 p.m.: Elephant training demo, Tembo Trail.
        • 2-3 p.m.: Giant Flemish rabbit demo, ProMedica Museum of Natural History.
        Reservations required and will be available beginning Dec. 24. Visit toledozoo.org/events/noon-years-eve for more details.
 
Museum closed for deep cleaning
        The National Museum of the Great Lakes will be closed from Monday, Jan. 2 through Friday, Jan. 12 for its annual deep cleaning.
        For more information, visit nmgl.org.
 
Total Eclipse of the Point
        Join Cedar Point for Total Eclipse of the Point – a celestial celebration as Cedar Point sits directly in the path of the total eclipse of the sun on April 8,
        Visitors can experience the thrill of select rides on The Boardwalk and savor specialty food and drinks at the Grand Pavilion Restaurant & Bar.
        Experience this rare and spectacular cosmic celebration with breathtaking views of the eclipse from the sandy shores of the beach or the elevated viewing decks at Grand Pavilion.
        More details to come at cedarpoint.com/events/total-eclipse-of-the-point.
 
Solar Eclipse 2024 Get Left in the Dark At Ohio State Parks
        Sleep under the stars and then stay to witness history. There are still camping spots available for experienced campers at many Ohio State Parks in the path of the total solar eclipse on April 8.
        “Our state parks provide a beautiful backdrop to all sorts of fun outdoor activities,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “Our campers can get a great spot for the total eclipse along with some expert programming from our naturalists and fun activities all weekend long.
        Programming planned for the total solar eclipse at Ohio State Parks include science projects, astronomy-related lessons, and observations about the impact of the eclipse has on wildlife.
        Ohio State Parks near or in the path of the total solar eclipse with programming available from April 6-8 include Maumee Bay St. Park and East Harbor State Park, among others.
        Reserve a camping spot before they’re all booked up by visiting ReserveOhio.com. Registrants are not permitted to make reservations for arrivals or departures on April 8. Campers must set their reservations to arrive on April 7 or earlier and depart on April 9 or later. 
        Follow ODNR’s Solar Eclipse website at ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/see-the-sights/solar-eclipse-2024/solar-eclipse-2024 to stay up to date on Ohio’s Total Eclipse of the Parks.
 
Walbridge Library programs
        Join Wood County District Public Library for the LEGO Block Parties on Saturdays Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2 and April 6 for construction time and learning about STEAM.
        Drop by the Walbridge Library, 108 N. Main St., any time between 2 and 4 p.m. to take part in the party. Race against time to build your best LEGO creation and build something new.
        Get constructing Rigamajig
        The WCDPL Rigamajig will be open for new constructions on Saturdays Jan. 13, Feb. 17, March 16 and April 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Walbridge Library.
        The Rigamajig Basic Builder Kit inspires kids 5 and older to follow their curiosity through collaborative, creative and open-ended play.
        No registration is required for either program. For more information, call 419-352-8253, email woodkids@wcdpl.org.