News Briefs

Museum to offer
Veterans Day specials
Liberty Aviation Museum is offering free admission to veterans, active-duty military and their families Saturday, Nov. 9 through Monday, Nov. 11. The museum is located at 3515 E. State Rd., Port Clinton.
In addition, the Museum Gift Shop (nick-named “the PX”) will extend 20% off of purchases to everyone.
“This is a great way to thank a veteran and to get a head start on holiday shopping,” said museum administrator Connie Nieves.
The museum offers gift certificates that can be applied to future purchases or museum admission or perhaps toward a seat on a flight of “The City of Port Clinton,” the museum’s vintage 1928 Ford Tri-Motor Aircraft, next season.
For more information, call 419-732-0234, or visit their libertyaviationmuseum.org.
To book the aircraft for a regular flight for a group or organization, call 440-781-9618 or email events@libertyaviationmuseum.org.

‘Sounds of the Stadium’
The 425-member Bowling Green State University Falcon Marching Band will perform its annual “Sounds of the Stadium” concert Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. at the Stroh Center.
Led by Jon Waters, professor and director of marching and athletic bands, the performance by the largest band in BGSU history will feature music from all of this year's football halftime shows, plus other Falcon fan favorites.
General admission tickets are available for purchase online at BGSU.edu/the-arts/tickets. Admission for BGSU students is free with a University ID presented at the door.
With 75% of members representing majors outside of music, the current Falcon Marching Band is the largest student organization on campus. The band performs at a variety of functions, including BGSU events, athletic competitions, regional marching band shows, parades and other activities.
To support the dedication and talent of band members for years to come, BGSU is continuing its work to raise $1.5 million for a state-of-the-art turf practice field for the Falcon Marching Band.
Thanks to the support of Board of Trustees Chair Drew Forhan ’81 and BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers, every donation to the practice field project will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $60,000.
For more information about the BGSU Falcon Marching Band, visit BGSU.edu/fmb.

McDonald’s honoring
veterans on Nov. 11
McDonald's restaurants in Toledo will be recognizing Veterans Day by offering current and former military members free breakfast food.
Participating McDonald's restaurants will offer a meal to all veterans, with a valid military ID, on Monday, Nov. 11. For breakfast, veterans can enjoy a free Egg McMuffin or Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit, with a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea or coffee.
The deals are only available via dine-in or drive-thru; they are not available in the McDonald’s app. Breakfast meals are only available until 10:30 a.m.

Elections board to meet
The Ottawa County Board of Elections will meet Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. for a board meeting to address provisionals, absentees, and any other business that comes before the board. The meeting will be held at the Board of Elections office located at 8444 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor, in the Veterans Memorial Building.

Habitat fundraiser set
Habitat for Humanity of Wood County, Inc., will present the “Hard Hats & High Heels Gala,” a dinner and fundraising event, on Nov. 22 from 6-10 p.m. at the historic Nazareth Hall, 21211 W. River Rd., Grand Rapids.
The fundraising event will include food, live entertainment and charitable giving. In addition to a silent auction, a live auction, hosted by Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn will offer additional exclusive items and experiences.
The gala is open for ticket reservations. RSVP by Nov. 15 to reserve a spot. Visit wchabitat.org/gala to reserve a seat. Those who can’t attend may support Habitat’s work and may make a donation by calling 419-481-8100.

Special session
for school board
The Genoa school board will meet in special session Nov. 13 at 5:45 p.m. in the administration building, 2810 N. Genoa Clay Center Rd.
Board members will enter executive session but it is uncertain if they will be taking any action.
Bill Nye, district treasurer, said the session is being held to discuss the hiring and compensation of an employee.

Veterans Tenant
Tuesday planned
Veterans facing housing challenges are invited to attend “Veterans Tenant Tuesday,” a free event providing one-on-one legal consultations with experienced attorneys.
The event, set for Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Toledo Lucas County Library, 325 N. Michigan St., aims to support veterans with housing-related issues, including landlord disputes, lease concerns, rent escrow questions, eviction record assistance, and more.
• Attendees must bring a copy of their lease.
• Each attendee will have 20 minutes with an attorney.
• Legal advice can cover a range of housing concerns, such as lease renewal and landlord-related issues.
Registration closes on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Registrants will receive a confirmed appointment time. Call 419-245-1400 or visit toledo.oh.gov/tenant-tuesday.

‘Bubble Up’ personal
care drive under way
Taking a personal, grassroots approach to providing neighborly support for those in need, the Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) will hold a “Bubble Up” personal care product drive in November.
The Foundation is seeking donations of new full-size and travel-size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream, dish soap, laundry detergent, laundry softener, cleaning supplies and sanitizer wipes.
“In OCCF’s anniversary year, it was very important for us to do something tangible – something very personal and hands-on – to impact people across the breadth of Ottawa County,” said trustee and Bubble Up coordinator Brenda Haas. “When someone struggles to put food on the table, sometimes the necessities — soap, deodorant, toothpaste — go by the wayside. Our 2024 ‘Bubble Up’ drive is a simple way to help.”
Many nonprofits that have participated in the OCCF community grants program will serve as donation distributors. Personal care donations will be filtered to a variety of community groups including area food pantries, counseling centers, churches, the Family Advocacy Center, etc., for need-based distribution. Two years ago, OCCF held a similar countywide coat drive – “Bundle Up” – which provided thousands of cold weather gear items for Ottawa County students and families.
“Bubble Up” donations may be dropped off at any Ottawa County library, including all Ida Rupp Public Library locations (Port Clinton, Marblehead, and Put-in-Bay), Harris-Elmore Public Library locations (Elmore and Genoa) and the Oak Harbor Public Library, during normal business hours.
Personal care items and/or monetary donations may also be dropped off directly to the OCCF office, 306 Madison St., Port Clinton, any Wednesday in November from noon-3 p.m. Visitors will receive a 25th anniversary gift of appreciation (while supplies last) and may ask questions of OCCF trustees, take a tour of the “Little Blue House” and enjoy light refreshments.
“We anticipate a tremendous response to ‘Bubble Up,’ because Ottawa County residents and businesses are remarkably generous to their neighbors,” said OCCF Executive Director Shea McGrew.
For information, visit ottawaccf.org, email ottawaccf@gmail.com or call 419-635-7750.

Genealogical Society
to meet Nov. 16
The Toledo Polish Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at St. Michael’s School Hall, 420 Sandusky St., Toledo.
Jeep historian for UAW Local 12, will discuss “The Importance of Jeep in Toledo.” The public is welcome.

Self-care Through
the Holidays, Winter
“Self-care Through the Holidays & Winter Season” will be the topic of a presentation Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 7-8 p.m. at the Eastern Community YMCA, 2960 Pickle Rd., Oregon.
Christina Cavaliere, MSW, LISW, clinical social worker/therapist will lead the discussion, which is part of the ongoing “Tough Topics in a Safe Space,” informal discussion series sponsored by Jake & Cooper’s Bark Park. Cavaliere will offer tips for surviving the holidays and winter doldrums.
Dog park members and nonmembers are welcome; no dogs are permitted in the YMCA. For more information, visit JakeandCoopersBarkPark.com.

Water district
awarded grant
The Ohio Water Development Authority has awarded $11.7 million through low-interest loans to Ohio communities to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.
The Authority funded 10 projects in October that will provide improvements and replace aging infrastructure.
Locally, the Northwestern Water & Sewer District is receiving $1,663,080 at 3.31 percent interest for 20 years for the construction of 3,000 feet of waterline along Farnstead Drive in the City of Northwood to replace aging waterlines.

Spirit of Wood
County Awards
to be presented
Six individuals from across Wood County will be honored with Spirit of Wood County Awards. The Wood County Commissioners will present the awards on November 17 at 2 p.m. in the Alvin L. Perkins Atrium, at the Wood County Courthouse Complex.
The 2024 award recipients include Bloom Township resident Amanda Barndt, Agricultural Leadership; Bowling Green residents Randy Gardner, Education for Civic Responsibility, Floyd Craft, Industrial/Economic Development, Alan Mayberry, Liberty Through Law/Human Freedom and Andrew Kalmar, Self-Government. Rick Ruffner from Webster Township was selected for the Lyle R. Fletcher Good Citizenship Award.
The Spirit of Wood County Awards are presented to current and former citizens of Wood County in recognition of outstanding service to their communities and Wood County. The County Commissioners have been honoring outstanding citizens since 1987. Nominations are accepted throughout the year. For more information regarding the awards, visit the county’s website at www.woodcountyohio.gov.