Family briefs: The ‘Ghost-With-The-Most’ coming to Toledo; tickets on sale
Single tickets are on sale for the North American Tour of “Beetlejuice” – the edgy and irreverent Broadway smash hit musical comedy,
This production is part of the 24–25 Broadway in Toledo Series and will play the Stranahan Theater for eight performances Feb. 25–March 2, 2025.
Tickets start at $54 and will be available at BroadwayInToledo.com and StranahanTheater.com. Group ticket savings for 10+ are available by contacting Groups@ATGuild.org.
Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, the hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes.
For more information, visit BeetlejuiceBroadway.com or like Beetlejuice on Facebook at Facebook.com/BeetlejuiceBway/.
Winter Coat Fest
Helping Hands of St. Louis will hold its annual Winter Coat Fest Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Volunteers will spend the morning assisting men, women and children in finding winter clothing items inside Helping Hands of St. Louis Clothing Center, 443 Sixth St., Toledo, OH.
“Last year, we provided nearly 800 winter coats to individuals, along with hats, gloves and winter boots,” says Sue Shrewsbery, director of Helping Hands of St. Louis. “Anyone in need is welcome.”
Donations still needed include warm gloves for all ages and men's and women's XL and plus-sized winter coats, children's coats, gently used winter boots, especially men's sizes 10 and up, warm men's socks, and warm hats for men, women and children.
Winter Coat Fest donations will resume on Monday, Oct. 21, since the need continues through the winter months.
Various area churches, school and service groups are volunteering and many have donated winter items for the 15th Annual Winter Coat Fest.
To make special arrangements contact Carolyn Schnapp, Helping Hands Clothing Center Coordinator at 419-691-0613, ext. 105, or Sue Shrewsbery, Director of Helping Hands of St. Louis, at 419-691-0613, ext. 101, or email sshrewsbery@toledodiocese.org.
Genoa Kiwanis plan Halloween Costume Contest Oct. 28
The Genoa Area Kiwanis Club will sponsor Genoa’s Annual Halloween Costume Contest on Main Street in downtown Genoa on Monday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m.
The event is open to residents living in the Genoa Area Local Schools District.
Children are encouraged to arrive at the GenoaBank Parking lot at 6:30 p.m. Categories of judging will include Ugliest, Prettiest, Huggable, Storybook, Nursery Rhyme, Television and Creative Original.
Age categories include Preschool Ages 1 and 2, Preschool Age 3 and 4, Kindergarten and Age 5, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth and Sixth Grade, and Band.
First-, second- and third-place medallions will be presented in each category.
Cider and donuts will be served at the village gazebo following the judging. In case of rain, the event will be held at St John’s United Church of Christ, 1213 Washington St. Genoa.
The Genoa Area Kiwanis Club is looking for new members to help support its community projects. Call Larry Dean, Kiwanis president at 419-855-0096 for more details.
Toledo Doll & Bear Show
The Toledo Doll & Bear Show & Sale returns Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the TOCA Toledo (formerly Total Sports) 10020 S. Compass Dr., Rossford.
Early Bird access starts at 8 a.m.
The show will feature a wide selection of antique, vintage, artist and modern dolls and bears, along with a treasure trove of related items and accessories.
This year, the show will introduce the “Doll Club Gathering” event, where local doll clubs will provide insights and information.
Toledo’s own Good Bears of the World will be there, presenting an array of bears and critters eager to find loving new homes. There will also be door prizes and a whimsical Fairy Quest. Attendees can have their collectibles identified and valued for a small donation and take advantage of restringing services available for a fee.
Admission is $20 for Early Bird entry from 8-9:30 a.m. and $8 for adults starting at 9:30 a.m. Children 12 and under enter free, with the first 20 kids receiving a special gift.
Learn more at ToledoDollShow.net.
Sylvania Fall Festival
The 38th Annual Sylvania Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 19 from 4-10 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Sylvania.
On Saturday, experience the Nite Lite Farmers Market featuring craft & farmers market vendor booths, live music, and a cornhole tournament.
Sunday will feature a full day of events and activities including a parade, kids’ zone, music, craft and farmers market vendors and more.
Visit sylvaniachamber.org for more details.
Spooky Story & Slime
Visit the Walbridge Library for a story and some slime on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m.
Attendees will read “Frankenslime,” by Joy Keller and Ashley Belote, and then make some slime. They can then check out a book with the slime recipe and make their own at home.
The event is geared toward kids ages 5+.
The library is located at 108 N. Main St. Call 419-666-9900 or visit kelseynevius@wcdpl.org for more details.
Fall Dinner
A Fall Dinner will be held Saturday, Oct. 26 from noon-5 p.m. at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, 25877 Scheider Rd., Perrysburg.
The dinner will feature Middle Eastern cuisine. A dessert table will be available. The cost is $15 per person. Text RSVPs to 419-601-9495. Walk-ins are welcome. Dine in or carry out.
Guided tours of the Islamic Center will also be available.
Salvation Army Christmas Assistance
As The Salvation Army and the Marines Toys for Tots prepare to launch its Christmas season, they will be registering families for Christmas assistance in person Tuesday, Oct. 22-Friday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.
All applicants will need to register in person at The Salvation Army, 620 N. Erie St. Toledo. Applicants must be a Lucas County residents. Only one application per household will be accepted.
All applicants will need to bring a government issued photo I.D.; a birth certificate for each child 12 years and younger in their household (a printout from JFS will be accepted); proof of all other household members and proof of address.
Toys will be provided for children ages infant through 12 years old. Those households with no children or over 13 years may apply and will receive food assistance in the form of a Kroger gift card.
For more information, visit SalvationArmyNWOhio.org
Eerie Nights
As the leaves change colors and the weather cools, the ghosts and ghouls of Northwest Ohio will come out to play at Sauder Village’s Eerie Nights on Oct. 19, 25, and 26.
Area families – dressed in costumes – are invited for a fun-filled Halloween adventure as the village is transformed into a spooky storyland with pumpkins, spiders, shadow puppets, skeletons and more.
“Eerie Nights is the perfect Halloween event for families looking for a spooky, but not too scary, time,” said Matthew Walls, Village education manager. “Our interpreters will be out and about bringing historical Halloween traditions to life. Guests will have the chance to play with shadow puppetry, have their head read by a phrenologist, explore a cabinet of curiosities, and enjoy some s’mores while listening to a spooky story.
Trick-or-treat around our 1920s Main Street and play Halloween-themed parlor games. The best costumes will be awarded.
In partnership with Archbold Community Theatre, a haunted train ride will take guests around the village where they will be greeted by three ghostly historical figures: Annie Oakley, Thomas Edison and Johnny Appleseed.
Ghostly bites will also be available.
For rates, dates, hours, membership and ticket purchases, visit saudervillage.org.
Extravagant Works to hold grand opening
Extravagant Works Studios, a new business on the outskirts of the village of Pemberville, will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 1-4 p.m.
The new studio is the home of all things Bob Ross, with classes taught by Certified Bob Ross Instructor Nate Miller as well as Bob Ross-themed merchandise and painting supplies available to purchase.
Miller’s own artwork will be on display and there will be an opportunity to learn about upcoming classes. Individuals may register for classes by contacting calling 419-460-6884 or emailing extravagantworks@gmail.com.
More information about classes can be found at extravagantworks.com.
Miller became an official Bob Ross Certified Instructor four years ago and has been teaching classes in the Pemberville and surrounding areas ever since. He has also taught classes at the Bob Ross Workshop in Florida and the Bob Ross Experience in Muncie, Indiana.
Extravagant Works Studios is located at 531 East Front St., Suite 2.
HEAP Winter Crisis Program
The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern and the Ohio Inc Ohio Department of Development want to remind older Ohioans that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills during the winter months.
The Winter Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps assist low-income households or those that have a disconnection notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, require air conditioning, or those with an elderly household member (60 years or older) who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health. Qualifying medical conditions can include lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and others.
To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of up to seven members and 60% of State Median Income for a household of eight or more members to pay their heating bills. Applied directly to the customer’s utility or bulk fuel bill, the benefit can help manage heating costs.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment. Applicants will need most recent utility bills; a list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers); proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income types); proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members and proof of disability (if applicable).
Older Ohioans can reach out to the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio Inc, at 419-382-0624 for help with assembling the required documents and completing their HEAP application.
They may also visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online or to download a copy of the application.
HEAP benefits are applied to an individual’s energy bill after Jan. 1.
Applications for the Winter HEAP program must be received by May 31, 2025.
To be connected to a local Energy Assistance Provider, call 800-282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance) or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.