Family briefs: Historical society redesigns website, plans Haunted History Tour

        The Oregon Jerusalem Historical Society announced the launch of its redesigned website, www.ojhs.org.
        The Society’s Digital Media Committee, led by Kathleen Pollauf, OJHS vice president, worked to bring history to the digital age with the help of graphic designer Kerri Brimmer, of Brimmer Design. The Society welcomed Jillian Keller as Digital Media Manager.
        The easy-to-navigate website makes it easy to step back in time to peruse photos and read stories about the region’s history as compiled by Josephine Fassett in her history book entitled, “History of Oregon and Jerusalem,” dated 1961.
        Visitors may also register for membership, purchase tickets to events, browse and purchase from the online store and make a donation to the OJHS.
        Haunted History Tour
        OJHS has partnered with Oregon Rec to present a free, fun, family activity entitled, “Oregon’s Haunted History Tour: Featuring Ghost Towns and Cemeteries.” Registration is available on the Oregon Rec website, www.oregonohiorec.com.
        The tour activity will be posted on the OJHS website from Oct. 1-28. Participants may complete the tour as a timed event or at their leisure.
        Additionally, OJHS is accepting local family stories and history for posting on the website. Email ojhs1963@gmail.com to submit stories or obtain more info.
 
Country Lane Fall Fun Days
        Country Lane Tree Farm, located at 3525 N. Bolander Rd., Genoa, will present Family Fall Fun Days Sept. 26 through Oct. 31 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
        In addition to a U-Pick Pumpkin Patch, families can milk a cow; feed goats, fallow deer, mini cows and Lulu, the farm’s huge pig. They can also hold bunnies, ducks and chicks; kiss a llama and meet peacocks, chickens and more.
        Hand-led pony rides and barrel train rides will be available every day.
        New for 2020, there will be a Tiny Tots Straw Climb in the Family Game Area.
        Learn more and get updates on www.facebook.com/Farmfun1.
       
Seneca Co. residents receive Hayes discounts
        Adult Seneca County residents can enjoy some physically distanced fun at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums with a discounted site pass to tour the home and museum this month.
        Seneca County residents will receive a discounted rate of $15 for a site pass, which is a savings of $5 on regular admission, through Wednesday, Sept. 30. Residents must show identification that includes their Seneca County address.
        This promotion coincides with a special display of items from the Leiner Hat and Cap Store in Tiffin. The display is located in the Local History Gallery in the lower level of the museum.
        Hayes Presidential has a collection of hats and other items from the historic business, and some of these items are featured in the display. The landmark store was open for 140 years and closed in 1992.
        The site pass includes a guided tour of the historic Hayes Home. Seneca County residents who would like to reserve a tour spot in advance at the discounted rate can call 419-332-2081 to do so. Walk-ins also are accepted.
        The display and discounted site pass are sponsored by National Machinery Foundation.
        Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Hayes Presidential has increased cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Staff have implemented additional plans for the safety of visitors, including additional cleaning and disinfecting, a smaller maximum capacity of people, sneeze guards at the front desk and museum store and physical distancing measures.
        Staff clean and disinfect the museum multiple times a day and regularly wipe down counters and high-touch areas between points of sale at the Museum Store. Touchless hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the museum and library building.
        Visitors are asked to maintain 6 feet of physical distance between their household group and other visitors. Face coverings are required in all facilities, per Gov. Mike DeWine's July 22 order.
        The museum and home tour capacity has been reduced to allow for adequate physical distancing between groups.
        Additional safety guidelines may be in place when visitors arrive.
        Funding for additional cleaning and disinfecting supplies has been made possible through a grant from the Sandusky County Communities Foundation. Jerri and Chuck Miller of Fremont also have generously donated disposable masks for visitors who need them.
        For information, call 419-332-208, visit rbhayes.org or follow HPLM on social media.
 
Weatherization assistance
        Fall is upon us, and in a few more months, winter will be here. Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) is reminding residents that weatherization can significantly improve their comfort, health, and expenses this winter.
        Available for eligible residents of Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca and Wood counties, the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) through GLCAP offers no-cost insulation and other measures to improve home safety, energy usage, and utility costs. In 2019, GLCAP weatherized more than 143 homes in HWAP’s six-county service region.
        “Many homes in our area are still lacking sufficient insulation, which leads to major energy loss during the winter months,” GLCAP Housing & Energy Director Terry Jacobs said. “At no cost for eligible residents in our service region, we can add insulation to walls, attics and other areas, and conduct other services to reduce energy loss and improve the comfort and safety of the home.”
        The program is available to residents at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines (e.g. $25,520 annual income/household of one; $52,400 annual income/household of four).
        Those who are interested in the program may visit www.glcap.org/weatherization for more information, or call 419-333-6101.
 
Jim Brickman Comfort & Joy
        Grammy-nominated songwriter and pianist Jim Brickman is donating to theatres across the United States this holiday season by performing a virtual concert series.
        Brickman will present “With Comfort & Joy at Home Live! Virtually,” on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $125, $75 or $40, and include an interactive Zoom room, a meet-and-greet and Christmas gifts delivered to your door. Tickets are on sale Sept.18 exclusively at www.jimbrickman.com
        A portion of each ticket purchased to this live event will benefit Broadway in Toledo. Fans and their families can enjoy this unique virtual concert experience from the comfort of home, while supporting the American Theatre Guild during this challenging time.
        Brickman will bring the LIVE concert experience up close and personal by blending yuletide memories and holiday carols with his own hit songs such as, “The Gift,” “Sending You A Little Christmas,” “Angel Eyes” and “If You Believe.”
 
Virtual art class signup
        Registration is now open for a variety of virtual art classes offered by the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) this fall. Both adults and youth have the opportunity to engage in an array of new classes via live-stream sessions or one-day virtual workshops.
        Registration for these classes and workshops is now open. The deadline to register for Session 1 is Thursday, Sept. 24. Registration for Session 2 closes on Thursday, Oct. 27.
        “The Toledo Museum of Art looks forward to continuing our tradition of quality art instruction this fall,” said Mike Deetsch, the Museum’s Emma Leah Bippus director of education and engagement. “These classes can be a fun way to explore a new medium or an opportunity to increase skill and hone technique in an artist’s area of interest.”
        Young minds will be delighted and challenged by creating masterpieces in the Big and Little: Egypt class, designed for children three to five-years old and their grown-ups. In the Mythical Creatures class, instructor Amanda Speer will lead children ages 8 to 10 years old in creating their own mini villages, filled with mythical creatures. Speer says, “This class is so popular because it combines things young children like to do the most, including using their imaginations, experimenting with color and inventing unique creatures.”
        Adult creatives will enjoy participating in virtual classes featuring lost wax glass casting, glass engraving, acrylic painting, jewelry-making, drawing, plus many more options. Detailed information on more than 20 virtual art classes and workshops can be found on the TMA website at tickets.toledomuseum.org.
        To register for an art class or workshop, visit tickets.toledomuseum.org or call 419-254-5080. The Museum has a number of scholarship opportunities available for youth and adult students, which cover 100% of the registration fee for most classes. Scholarships are competitive and the volume of submissions is high; applying does not guarantee automatic approval. For more information on art class scholarships, visit toledomuseum.org/education/classes.
 
Food Truck Fundraiser
        The Northwest Ohio Gold Star Family Memorial Monument invites the community to a “take it to go” Food Truck Fundraiser.
        The event will take place at Signature Harley-Davidson on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Many veteran- owned local food trucks will be on site including The Iron Bean Coffee, Kona Ice and The Saucy Slamwich, with other food truck owners planning to participate, according to Veronica Mora, Gold Star Spouse and Committee Chair.
        Plans call for the monument to be built to honor fallen service members and the families they left behind. Laser-etched paver bricks will be available for purchase during the food truck event. The bricks will be placed around the memorial and adorn the walkway once it is built at Riverside Park in downtown Perrysburg. They are priced at $150, $600, and $1,200.
        “We are honored to help the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation establish this monument in our community as they continue their mission to place these monuments in as many communities as possible in all 50 states.” said Brittinee Huntley, marketing director for Signature Harley-Davidson.
        The black granite monument features two sides. One side bears the words “Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrifice a Loved One for our Freedom.” The other side tells a story through the four granite panels such as: Homeland, Family, Patriot and Sacrifice. The scenes on each panel are a reflection of each community's Gold Star Families and their fallen heroes. At the center of this tribute is a silhouette of the loved one who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
        Social distancing and face coverings will be encouraged during this outdoor event at Signature Harley-Davidson. A tent will be available to enjoy food truck purchases, rain or shine.
        To make a donation or for more info about the monument and the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, visit hwwmohf.org or the local monument webpage at hwwmohf.org/monument/Perrysburg-oh.html.
 
Stroll the Street 2.0
        The Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau (RCVB) has extended “Stroll the Street 2.0 – Food Truck Fiesta” through Sept. 30. The weekly event, held Wednesdays from 4:30-7:30 p.m., features food truck vendors parked along Dixie Highway into Downtown Rossford. Food trucks are spaced out from Ford Memorial Park to the Rossford Recreation Center with signage for safe distancing as patrons wait in line.