Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Jake & Cooper’s Bark Park has announced the kickoff of the third year of its “Tough Topics in a Safe Space” informal discussion series.
“Narcan/CPR Training” will be the topic of the talk which will be presented Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 7-8 p.m. at the Bark Park, located outside the Eastern Community YMCA 2960 Pickle Rd., Oregon. In the event of rain, the program will move inside to Suite D in the YMCA. (YMCA nonmembers are asked to bring a state photo ID.)
Members and nonmembers are welcome. No pups will be permitted in the event the talk is moved into the YMCA.
The guest speaker for the discussion will be Kelly Stoudinger, a medic with Sandusky County EMS. Attendees will learn how to use Narcan in the event of an opioid overdose, and how to perform CPR. CPR certification cards will be available for a $27 administrative fee.
For more information, visit JakeandCoopersBarkPark.com.
Medicare Enrollment Informational Program
The Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. is working with the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) to ensure local seniors have all the information they need for this fall’s Medicare open enrollment.
A representative from OSHIIP will present a talk on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 1 p.m. at the Wood County Senior Center, 140 South Grove St., Bowling Green.
Seniors are invited to learn about the recent changes to Medicare and how the Oct. 15-Dec. 7 Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period can work for them.
Attendees will also get tips on how to enroll for 2026 coverage in a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) and/or a Medicare health plan and will be able to see if they qualify to save an average of $3,900 on their prescription drug costs.
No RSVP is needed. Contact the Social Services Department at the Wood County Senior Center by calling 419-353-5661 or 1-800-367-4935. Call OSHIIP directly at 1-800-686-1578 with any questions.
Walk to Defeat ALS
Hundreds of people are expected to lace up their sneakers for the 2025 Walk to Defeat ALS Toledo, which will be held Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Glass City Pavilion, 1001 Riverside Drive, Toledo.
Registration is open. Participants are encouraged to fundraise to advance the fight against ALS. Registered participants who raise $100 or more will receive a commemorative T-shirt. To learn more, to register or donate, visit als.org/WalkToledo.
Lily Lowndes of 13ABC Action News (WTVG-TV) will emcee the event.
Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS robs people of the ability to walk, talk and eventually breathe.
Through an extensive network, the ALS Association is on the ground in all 50 states providing support for people living with ALS and their loved ones by ensuring they have access to critical care programs and services.
Walk to Defeat ALS is the world’s largest signature event focused on supporting people living with ALS and their families. Through fundraising efforts, the ALS Association has been able to accelerate the fight against ALS by funding the development of new treatments, by discovering new ALS genes, by creating new global research collaborations, and by significantly expanding access to ALS care.
Community Lab Screening
Magruder Hospital’s next monthly Community Lab Screening will be held Thursday, Sept. 11, in the Conference Center of the hospital at 615 Fulton St., Port Clinton. Appointments are required and run from 8-11:30 a.m. Enter through the Main Entrance at the front of the hospital and take the Conference Center Elevator up to 1.
The main lab test includes a CBC, CMP and lipid profile, which includes liver and kidney function, fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, HDL/LDL, triglycerides and a complete blood count (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood) for $50.
Add-ons tests are available:
This lab screening is held on the second Thursday each month. Appointments are required and may be made by calling 419-301-4304.
Participants are asked to fast for 12 hours prior to their appointment time; drinking water is permitted. No insurance is accepted – payment can be made by cash, check or credit card (no American Express).
Eastern Y offering Healthy Living Programs
The Eastern Community YMCA, 2960 Pickle Rd., Oregon, is offering a slate of Healthy Living Programs open to Y members.
They include:
The 12-week program meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. beginning Sept. 15. The program fee is $25
The 12-week program meets Mondays at 11 a.m. beginning Sept. 8.
The 12-week program meets Monday and Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 22.
The program fee is $25 for each program. To register, or for more information, email healthyliving@ymcatoledo.org or call 419-725-7844.
Researchers seeking input on 'Difficult Conversations'
Sandra Faulkner, Ph.D., professor in the Bowling Green State University School of Media and Communication; Wendy Watson, professor in the BGSU School of Health and Human Services, and graduate student researchers are interested in how older adults (55 years of age and older) talk about difficult topics in their friendships, family, romantic, and peer relationships.
The purpose of this project is to collaborate with older adults in Wood County to develop a set of best practices for talking about difficult topics and develop a workshop for how to discuss difficult topics in close relationships.
Group interviews in a focus group style will be conducted at the Wood County Committee on Aging, 140 S. Grove St., Bowling Green, or virtually via Zoom. Groups will include six to 10 people. Participants will talk informally with researchers to share thoughts on these subjects and to discuss them with peers.
Sessions will be held Thursday, Sept. 11, at 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m. The online Zoom session will be held Sunday, Sept. 28, at 1:30 p.m.
To register, call the WCCOA Programs Department at 419-353-5661 or email programs@wccoa.net. For more information, contact Sandra Faulkner at sandraf@bgsu.edu or 419-372-1998.
Ask the Expert
Mercy Health’s monthly Ask the Expert series continues Thursday, Sept. 18, when Dr. Lysz Aenmer, from Mercy Health, will discuss back-to-school nutrition, and Shacara Sneed will lead a presentation on suicide prevention in recognition of Suicide Awareness Month.
The program, which is offered virtually, will be held from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Zoom Meeting ID: 975 5220 8436. There is also a phone-in option available by calling 1-646-931-3860.
