Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Memorial Day committee still looking for recent veterans
Jerry Eversman, the chairman of the Oregon Memorial Day ceremony committee, is still looking for Oregon-area veterans of the last 30 years to join him at Clay High School on Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m.
Veterans of the Vietnam chapter will be there too.
Whether the veteran served honorably in any of the military branches, regular or reserve, or National Guard, Eversman said they would like them to join the group on April 10.
Any veterans with questions can call Eversman at 419-266-7776 or email him at jeversman@aol.com.
Hands to Larger Service Day set
The inaugural Wood County 4-H Hands to Larger Service Day will be held Sunday, April 6, from 1-4 p.m. at the Wood County Fairgrounds, 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green.
The large-scale community service event will feature 4-H members, families, volunteers and the public working together on projects benefiting eight local organizations.
The event will follow an open house format, allowing volunteers to arrive at any time and stay as long as they wish. Several organizations will offer service projects during the day including Flag City Honor Flight, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, local nursing homes/senior citizen centers, Wood County Agricultural Society, Wood County Committee on Aging, Wood County Humane Society and the Wood County Dog Shelter.
The event will aim to provide hands-on service experiences, promote volunteerism, and showcase 4-H's commitment to community engagement.
Falcon Cam spots two eggs in Wood County
For the 15th consecutive year, a pair of peregrine falcons have returned to the Wood County Courthouse clock tower to lay their eggs, just two blocks from the Bowling Green State University campus.
As of Monday, March 31, the Falcon Cam perched atop the clock tower spotted two eggs in the man-made nest, which is designed to draw the birds back every year. Peregrine falcons typically lay three to four eggs per season, which take roughly 33 days to hatch, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The Falcon Cam – which provides a 24/7 bird's-eye view livestream of the sights and sounds in the nest – is made possible through a continued partnership between BGSU and the Wood County Commissioners.
The peregrine falcon has served as the official BGSU mascot since 1950, when Freddie Falcon made his debut. Freddie's sister, Frieda Falcon, appeared a few years later in 1966. The idea to designate the falcon as the university’s mascot originated in 1927 when alumnus Ivan “Doc” Lake suggested the name due to the bird’s fierce speed and courage.
To view the 2025 Falcon Cam livestream, visit BGSU.edu/falconcam.
Mercy Health, Cigna reach agreement
Mercy Health has reached a new multi-year commercial insurance agreement with Cigna that keeps all Mercy Health physician practices, acute care hospitals, urgent care centers, ambulatory surgery centers and additional care sites in-network.
“We believe that access to quality health care services is vital for our community members. After several months of negotiations, we are pleased to have reached a new agreement that protects our patients’ access to affordable, compassionate care close to home,” said Dr. Miguel Morillo, interim chief clinical officer, Mercy Health – Toledo. For more details, visit mercy.com/cigna-updates.
‘Welcome to Medicare’
The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), the state of Ohio's official Medicare resource, will host a free “Welcome to Medicare” virtual educational event on Tuesday, April 8, from 11 a.m.-noon. The event is for Ohioans new to Medicare or those who need a Medicare refresher.
A program of the Ohio Department of Insurance, OSHIIP representatives will provide an overview of Medicare, Part A and B benefits, Part D prescription drug coverage, Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, eligibility, enrollment, financial assistance, and important deadlines.
Registration is required and can be completed at insurance.ohio.gov, where access to OSHIIP's other educational and individual counseling services is available. OSHIIP staff can also be reached at 800-686-1578 and oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov.
Volunteers sought for Midwest Crane Count
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is seeking volunteers for the fifth annual Midwest Crane Count on Saturday, April 12. The Division of Wildlife is collaborating with the International Crane Foundation and Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative to conduct the survey.
The Division of Wildlife, along with partners and volunteers, will count the numbers of sandhill cranes seen or heard in specific counties in Ohio. This year’s crane count takes place in 33 counties. These locations have habitats where sandhill cranes typically nest such as wet meadows, shallow marshes, bogs and other wetlands.
A sandhill crane is a tall wading bird characterized by a long neck and bill. It is mostly gray in plumage with a red patch on its forehead. It is often recognized by its rolling bugle call.
The sandhill crane was once extirpated (disappeared) from Ohio but returned to Wayne County in 1987 and has been slowly expanding since.
Ohioans interested in volunteering should contact a county coordinator. Contact information is available at obcinet.org/get-involved/ohio-crane-count/.
