Family briefs

Oh, What Fun!
        The 4th Annual Genoa Christmas Celebration will be held Sunday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. on Main Street in Genoa.
        The parade will line up at 5 p.m. on the baseball diamonds. After stepping off, it will start on Washington Street, making its way to 9th Street and onto Main Street, ending at the Genoa Town Hall.
        To participate, submit registration forms to Sprouse Insurance, 601 Main Street, by Nov. 22.
        Decorating Contest
        Light Up Your Holiday by participating in the Genoa Area Christmas Decorating Contest. Judging will take place Dec. 15. No registration is required. Prizes will be awarded for the best residence and best business.
 
Digital safety program
        The Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center will offer a presentation on keeping children safe online Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the center, 570 S. McKinley, Port Clinton.
        Speaker Scott Frank will discuss current trends, online risks and how to empower your child to make good choices on the web.
        Limited childcare will be available but must be reserved. For more information, call 419-301-0225.
        The Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center advocates for the stability and success of the children and families
in Ottawa County.
 
Mothers in Need
        Mothers in Need is hosting an open house and Community Baby Shower Saturday, Dec. 11 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
        Sponsored by the Our Lady of Toledo Shrine, the MIN program, located at 3447 Navarre Ave, Oregon, assists area mothers with material items for the care of their baby and young children. Items available to them range from diapers, bottles, clothing, formula, and some toys. These items are available by appointment by calling 419-213-0214 or by drop-in on Fridays from 1-2 p.m.
        The program is seeking baby blankets, onesies, and coats and gently used toys (for up to 5 years of age), diapers of all sizes, new baby bottles, sippy cups, baby food, and formula.
        A donation will enter the donor into a raffle for a $25 gift card. The community baby shower offers an opportunity to help moms in need in the Oregon and surrounding communities. This is especially helpful with the upcoming holiday season and cold weather.
        MIN is also in need of volunteers to expand its drop-in hours and donations of these much-need supplies. Local churches and community organizations are invited to become program sponsors and/or to collect items. A MIN representative will pick up items on a bi-weekly to monthly basis.
        MIN has speakers that will come to your church or community organization to speak about the program and the need in our community. To schedule a speaker call: 419-213-0214.
 
Emergency blood shortage continues
        As the holidays approach, and with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warning about a potential spike in flu cases this year, the American Red Cross continues to address an emergency blood and platelet shortage.
        Donors of all blood types – especially type O - are needed to help combat the lowest blood supply levels at this time of year in more than a decade.
        There is no blood donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free.
        Donors are urged to schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
        All who come to give Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email. Those who come to give around the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 24-28, will receive a pair of Red Cross socks, while supplies last.
        Red Cross blood drive and donation centers follow high standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. 
        Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:
        • Toledo Donation Center, Sunday and Monday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
        • Oregon: Nov. 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., ProMedica Bay Park Hospital, 2801 Bay Park Dr.
        • Curtice: Nov. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Jerusalem Township Fire Department, 9501 Jerusalem Rd.
        • Fremont: Nov. 30, 12:30-6:30 p.m., East Side Presbyterian Church, 1020 Kentucky St.
        • Stony Ridge: Nov. 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5520 Fremont Pike.
        Donors can save time by completing the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire using RapidPass on the day of donation from a mobile device or computer. Learn more at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
        To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification.
 
Holidays at the Manor House
        The 46th annual Holidays at the Manor House will return as an in-person event Dec. 4-12 at Wildwood Preserve. Reservations for time slots will be required this year to manage the number of people in the House at a time. Masks will be required. Admission is free.
        Online reservations are being accepted now.
        Each year, volunteers from the community transform over 30 areas of the 30,000-square-foot Manor House into a holiday wonderland.
        Visit Metroparks Hall on the same dates from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. to see the model train exhibit by the Swanton Area Railroad and Model Club. Reservations will not be required to see the trains; however, a limited number of people will be allowed inside the building at one time. Mask are required regardless of vaccination status.
        Also, enjoy a walk along the lighted trails on the grounds surrounding the Manor House.
        For reservations and more details, call 419-407-9810 or visit metroparkstoledo.com.
 
Downtown Fremont 
holiday happenings
        Downtown Fremont Inc. will host the Terra State Community College Holiday Events in Downtown Fremont to kick off the holiday season.
        The celebration will kick off with a Tree Lighting Friday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. at the corner of Front and State streets, by the Santa House.
        Before the tree lighting, from 5-7 p.m., Santa will be in his house for children to visit and tell him what they want for Christmas. Santa will also have hours from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27.
        The tree-lighting festivities will include dancers from Kassandra’s Dance Academy. The Garrison Restaurant will be roasting chestnuts and providing other holiday treats.
        For the tree lighting, Front Street between State and Croghan streets will be closed to traffic. Portable bleachers will be be available for seating. The Terra State Concert Choir will also be performing prior to and after the lighting.
        The following day will be Small Business Saturday – an effort which encourages people to Shop Small & Shop Local. From Nov. 26 through Dec. 20, for every $10 shoppers spend at participating downtown retail businesses, their names will be added into two drawings being held Dec. 21. The first name out will receive a $250 Think Fremont Community e-gift Card, redeemable at 35 downtown Fremont Inc. member businesses. The second name drawn will receive a $100 Think Fremont Community e-gift Card.
        Santa House hours
        Santa will also welcome young visitors in the House on the corner of Front and Croghan streets in December on Fridays from 5-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. Outside the Santa House, a mailbox will be located for children to mail Christmas letters to Santa and receive a letter back from the North Pole. No stamp required, but each envelope must have a return address.
        For more info, call 419-332-8696, visit DowntownFremontOhio.org or follow the organization on social media.
 
HealthCare.gov
Plan help available
        Federal navigators at with Get Covered Ohio want to remind consumers that now is the best time for shopping for and enrolling in health insurance through the federal marketplace.
        “We have appointments available now to help you check this off your list for 2022,” said Zach Reat, director of health initiatives at the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. “If you want coverage that begins Jan. 1, you must enroll by Dec. 15, so the time is now.
        “Shopping for health insurance can be a complicated process, but we’re here to make it easy for you,” Reat said. “Plus, four out of five consumers can find a plan for $10 a month or less.”
        Navigators like those working as part of the Get Covered Ohio campaign are certified and licensed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Ohio Department of Insurance. Not only are their services free, but they are required to be completely impartial when helping consumers shop for the best health coverage.
        Services are available in-person, online and by phone and in multiple languages.
        Open enrollment for 2022 health insurance plans runs through Jan. 15. Enrollment in Medicaid coverage for consumers with limited incomes, as well as special enrollment periods for consumers that experience life changes or loss of coverage or those with incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, is available year-round.
        Events and available appointment times to meet with a navigator are available at getcoveredohio.org or by calling 833-628-4467 or 833-NAV-4INS.