OregonFest set for Sunday, May 21 on Dustin Road
Dustin Road in Oregon will once again be filled with the familiar sights and sounds of OregonFest on Sunday, May 21 from noon to 6 p.m.
While the festival will be held on Sunday, there will be amusement rides on Dustin Road all weekend (Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m.). Ride wristbands are $20. Individual tickets are $1 each (rides average three to four tickets).
In keeping with this year’s theme, “Bringing History to Life,” members of the Oregon Jerusalem Historical Society will be the grand marshals of the parade.
The festival will include the Dunn Car Show, food trucks, contests, local vendors, Touch-a-Truck, a Business Fair, Quality of Life Tent, an Eco-Fair area featuring environmentally conscious or “green” vendors, services and information, a Grand Parade at 4 p.m.
As always, the Naturally Oregon Plant Exchange will precede the festival, from 9-11 a.m. Participants are invited to bring extra plants they’ve divided from their spring yard work and trade for what others bring. Plant drop-off will be held from 9-10 a.m., with the exchange being held from 10-11 a.m. Learn more at oregonfestoh.com/naturally-oregon.
For more details about OregonFest, visit oregonfestoh.com.
Toledo Botanical Garden Artist Village May Sale
The Artist Village at Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer, will be buzzing with activity during the Annual May Sale Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The sale will feature:
• Pottery Seconds Sale – Toledo Potters Guild.
• Plant Sale – Garden Club Forum.
• Art and garden decor- Unruly Arts, Stained Glass Guild, Photo Arts Club, Branching Out Studio.
• New exhibits in the galleries of Toledo Artists Club.
• Plants for kids – Maumee Valley Herb Society.
Admission and parking are free.
Wood Co. Hospital plans programs
Wood County Hospital offers a Positively Pink Women’s Health Series, designed to provide women with the information they need to live a long, healthy and happy life.
Positively Pink covers a range of health-related topics important to women in the community.
Events in the series begin with social time, a few vendors offering pertinent health information on popular women’s health topics, blood pressure screening and snacks, followed by an expert speaker who presents a topic to improve women’s health or offer solutions to common problems women face.
The next Positively Pink program, set for May 18, will focus on the aging process, and what women can do to treat common skin problems and reveal a more youthful glow. Social time will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. Wood County Hospital is located at 950 W. Wooster St., Bowling Green
Registration for this event is free but required and can be done online at WoodCountyHospital.org/classes - Community Wellness or by calling Wellness Services at 419-354-8887.
Positively Pink is designed to provide women with the answers needed to live a long, health and happy life.
Self-defense class
Wood County Hospital Wellness Services is offering a free self-defense class Thursday, May 25 from 5:30-9 p.m.
During this class, participants learn ways to make their home more secure, tips for safe travel and how to avoid looking like an easy target.
Experts from the Bowling Green Police Division will share prevention strategies to help lower the risk of becoming a victim. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn self-defense techniques that can minimize the effects of assaults. Although physical participation is not required, active participation is encouraged.
Children 11 and older are welcome, if accompanied by an adult.
Pre-register for the class by emailing wellness@woodcountyhospital.org or call Wellness Services at 419-354-8887.
50th Old West End Festival
The 50th Annual Old West End Historical Festival will be held June 2-4.
This year’s festival will include a tour of five historic homes, offered on Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the tour, or $10 for a single house. Admission is free for children 12 and younger. Advance discount tickets are available at several locations. Visit toledooldwestend.com/festival for more information.
Festival highlights include:
• Friday-night Glow Roll featuring bikes and golf carts which will travel throughout the Old West End starting at 8:30 p.m.
• Art Fair on the Toledo Museum of Arts grounds.
• Marketplace on Woodruff Avenue.
• Food & Beer Garden.
• Entertainment at three locations.
• Neighborhood garage sales.
• Children’s activities.
• King Wamba Carnival Parade (Saturday at 10 a.m.).
• Old West End 5K Run/Walk (Sunday morning). Register and get more information at toledooldwestend.com/festival or call 419-509-5778.
WCCOA to offer six-week program
The Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. will present a Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSM) Workshop Tuesdays, May 23 through June 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wood County Senior Center, 140 S. Grove St., Bowling Green.
The six-week, evidence-based course includes a course manual and relaxation CD. The course fee is $20.
During this workshop, participants will learn how to do more of what they want to do by finding practical ways to deal with symptoms and challenges, setting their own weekly goals, making a step-by-step plan to improve their health, making better eating and exercise choices, understanding new treatment options, and discovering better ways to talk to their doctor and family.
CDSM is developed by Stanford University and licensed by the Self-Management Resource Center.
To register or for more information, call the WCCOA Programs Department at 419-353-5661, 800-367-4935 or email programs@wccoa.net.
To learn more about WCCOA programs and services, visit wccoa.net.
Hard Hat Tours, author, cartoonist visit
On Saturday, May 20, the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) will bring back their popular Hard Hat Tours and will welcome special appearances from “Know Your Ships” author, Roger LeLievre, and artist and cartoonist, Don Lee for book signings and caricatures.
“Last year, we introduced our exclusive, behind-the-scenes Hard Hat Tours as a way for visitors to set foot in our museum vessels spaces typically off-limits to everyday guests. They are back this year by popular demand,” said Ellen Kennedy, the museum’s Director of Education and Visitor Experience. “This year, we are kicking off their return by also welcoming Mr. LeLievre and Mr. Lee, who both have made significant contributions to the Great Lakes community through their knowledge, education and love of Great Lakes freighters.”
The Hard Hat Tours are a small-group, behind-the-scenes experience featuring the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, the Museum Tug Ohio and the museum’s newest artifact, the St. Marys Challenger Pilothouse, which is still undergoing restoration efforts.
Those participating will have the opportunity to take a deep dive into the ships’ inner workings and visit “hard-hat only” locations.
Between 1 and 3 p.m., LeLievre will be available to sign copies of the newly released 2023 “Know Your Ships: Guide to Boats & Boatwatching on the Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Seaway.”
Lee will be offering personalized freighter caricatures to visitors as well as signing his new children's book, “Boats Can't Jump: The Story of the Soo Locks.”
LeLievre and Lee will be stationed in the museum’s lobby; there is no cost to meet them. Books will be available for sale in the museum store or can be pre-purchased from the NMGL online store and picked up at the event.
Hard Hat Tours are $50 for NMGL members and $65 for nonmembers. Each behind-the-scenes experience will last approximately two hours. Space is limited to eight individuals per tour, so advance registration is encouraged.
The National Museum of the Great Lakes is located at 1701 Front St., Toledo. For more information, visit nmgl.org/events or call 419-214-5000.
Donations sought
The Ability Center is seeking wheelchairs and transport chairs to assist people in need. Donations of gently used equipment or financial contributions are welcomed.
To donate, drop off items at 5605 Monroe St., Toledo or call 419-885-5733.
Habitat accepting applications
Habitat for Humanity of Wood County is accepting applications for affordable homeownership opportunities in Northwood, Rossford, Weston and Wayne for 2024.
Apply or get more information by visiting wchabitat.org/home or call 419-481-8100.