News Briefs

Foundation grants
The Sandusky County Communities Foundation (SCCF) announced the recipients of the 2023 Community Grant Awards.
For the fifteenth consecutive year, the foundation has awarded grants to non-profit organizations for projects that benefit Sandusky County residents. These awards total $1,079,442.59.
This year, 12 community organizations were awarded a total of $71,863.93. The recipients include the Village of Woodville, Amateur Radio Emergency Service Sandusky County, Bellevue Schools, City of Clyde, Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, Heartbeat Hope Medical, Our Lady of The Pines, Sandco Industries/ Sandco’s Sweeties, Sandusky County Habitat for Humanity, Stemtown Historical Society and Museum, Trinity United Methodist Church and United Way of Sandusky County.
At the event, the foundation also provided a final disbursement of $2,900 from the SCCF Mental Health Fund to the Out of the Darkness Foundation.
The foundation awarded $50,800 in scholarships throughout 2023. Since its inception in 1998, it has facilitated over $4.67 million in local awards.
About the Sandusky County Communities Foundation
The Sandusky County Communities Foundation was established in 1998 to enhance the well-being of the people and communities of Sandusky County by managing permanent investments for philanthropic goals. The foundation provides an efficient, effective structure for linking charitable interests with programs and services and offers several options through which gifts can be made to benefit Sandusky County communities and organizations.
To learn more, or to donate, visit sanduskyccf.org or contact Andrea Gibson at 419-332-1591 or director@sanduskyccf.org.

P.E.R.I. chapter to meet
P.E.R.I. Chapter #93 will meet Thursday, Nov. 16 from 1-2:15 p.m. at the Hungarian Club of Toledo, 224 Paine Ave., Toledo. Additional parking is available across the street at the Birmingham Branch Library (use the spaces farthest from the library entrance).
The meeting will address questions regarding O.P.E.R.S. benefits. There will also be a discussion of the Northwest Ohio Aggregate Coalition regarding utilities (bring latest gas and electric bills).
All P.E.R.I. members, pre-O.P.E.R.S. retirees and retirees of Lucas County and other cities close to Lucas County are welcome.
Masks welcome. Refreshments will be available during the break.

Singles dance planned
Glass City Singles Veterans Day Dance will be held Saturday, Nov. 11 at The Ballroom Company, 2558 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
The theme for the dance will be Roaring 20s. A free dance lesson will be offered at 6 p.m. Open dancing will be held from 6:30-10 p.m.
Dress in Roaring 20s garb. Admission is $12, which includes the dance lesson and snacks. Attendees may bring their own beverages. A special gift will be presented to all veterans. The event will also include drawings and prizes.

Museum offering for
admission for military
The National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering free museum admission to retired and active military on Saturday, Nov.11 in observance of Veterans Day. Visitors must present a valid military ID or proof of veteran status on the day of their visit.
NMGL is located at 1701 Front St., Toledo. Visit nmgl.org.

Free admission at
African Safari for
vets, military members
Between Friday, Nov. 10 and Monday, Nov. 13, African Safari Wildlife Park will offer free admission to current members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Friends and family riding in the same vehicle will be admitted for the discounted price of $10 per person.
“The bravery, selflessness and sacrifice of our military and veterans inspires us all,” said park director Kelsey Keller. “As a symbol of our gratitude, we invite military and their families to enjoy a day of fun and learning at the park.”
The park will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on these dates, with the last car admitted at 4 p.m. A valid military ID is required to redeem this offer, which may not be combined with any other discount or promotion.

Holiday Wine Tasting
The Hungarian Club of Toledo, located at 224 Paine Ave., Toledo, will host a Holiday Wine Tasting event on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Credit card, check or cash will be accepted.
Rachel Nasatir, of Cutting Edge Selections, will guide attendees through the unique characteristics of the wines that will be offered for tasting and purchase.
Wines will include international, American and local selections. The Hungarian Club will provide appetizer pairings with the wines.
The cost is $20 per person. Make reservations by calling Kris Rudy at 419-693-4776 or Peter Ujvagi at 419-691 6958 email hungariancluboftoledo@gmail.com.

Menards Toy Drive
In the spirit of Christmas, the Oregon Menards and other local stores are serving as a drop site for new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to children in need during the holiday season.
“We have participated in this wonderful opportunity for a number of years now and are excited to put smiles on the faces of less fortunate children in the community again this year,” said Menards spokesperson Jeff Abbott.
Drop boxes are located at the exit door of all stores. Collected toys will be distributed by local nonprofits.
The Oregon Menards is located at 3100 Brown Rd.

Swiss Singers concert
The Toledo Swiss Singers, one of the area’s oldest singing groups, will open their 155th season at their fall concert Sunday, Nov. 19 at The Chalet at Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
The special Sunday-afternoon concert begins at 3 p.m. with desserts sold à la carte before and after the performance at The Chalet at Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Road in Oregon. The concert, titled “Home for the Holidays,” will feature songs themed for home and the holidays, along with traditional Swiss songs.
Tickets are $15, with $6 tickets for children under 13 and may be purchased online at yodeltoledo.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Pumpkin composting
For the third year in a row, the Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Solid Waste District will hold a Pumpkin Composting Collection at the county fairgrounds in all three counties.
Throughout November, there will be drop off bins located in the fairgrounds of each county where residents are able to drop off their pumpkins and gourds used for seasonal decorations. Pumpkins will then be delivered to Andre Farms in Wauseon to be composted, returning nutrients back to the soil.
Pumpkins decompose at a much slower rate when they are landfilled. Their nutrients also stay confined to the landfill, losing their potential to help nourish the local environment.
In partnering with Go Zero, the District ensures that seasonal pumpkins and gourds have a more sustainable end. The initiative also helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill.
Bins will be open to the public throughout November during daylight hours. Bins are only for pumpkins and gourds, no other yard waste.
The locations of the bins are as follows:
• Ottawa County Fairgrounds, 7870 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
• Sandusky County Fairgrounds, 744 North St., Fremont.
• Seneca County Fairgrounds, 100 Hopewell Ave., Tiffin.

Applications sought
Wood County Probate Court Judge David Woessner is accepting letters of interest and resumes for appointment to the Wood County Park District Board of Commissioners.
Letters of interest for appointment, as well as resumes or supporting material, must be received at the Wood County Probate Court by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27. The Wood County Probate Court is located on the second floor of the Wood County Courthouse. The mailing address is Wood County Probate Court, One Courthouse Square, Bowling Green, OH 43402. Emailed material may be sent to probatecourt@woodcountyohio.gov.

Ornament decorating
The Oregon Tractor Supply store, 3942 Navarre Ave., will hold an ornament craft decorating activity Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact the store at 419-691-2715 for more details.