Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Elliston Zion United Methodist Church host its first “Lunch and Learn” Thursday, April 20, at 11 a.m. at the church, located at 18045 W. William St. (off Elliston Trowbridge Road), Graytown.
Speaker Cathy Boldt from the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio will speak on “Eating Healthy.” Lunch and fellowship will follow. Attendees are invited to bring a side dish to share.
RSVP to Julie, health ministry coordinator at 419-276-4018.
For more information or to purchase a ticket, call 419-691-2254.
Otterbein Pemberville hosting "Keys & Cocktails"
Otterbein SeniorLife Pemberville will present “Keys & Cocktails Dueling Pianos,” Thursday, April 9 at 20311 Pemberville Rd.
The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails and dessert stations, followed by Dueling Pianos at 6:30 p.m.
From toe-tapping classics to crowd favorites, the dueling pianists will take requests and turn the evening into an interactive musical celebration.
“Whether you’re exploring senior living options or just curious about what life here feels like, this is a relaxed and welcoming way to get to know our community,” said Shannon Benge, director of marketing.
Seats are limited. Reserve a seat by Monday, March 30, by calling Benge at 419-250-7865.
Bourbon and Bags FUNraiser
The East Toledo Senior Center will hold a Bourbon and Bags FUNdraiser on Thursday, April 9, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 1001 White St.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., food served at 6 p.m. and games begin at 6:30 p.m. Men and women are invited.
The cost is $45 per person and $40 for seniors age 60 and better. Admission includes 10 rounds and a cover-all round. Attendees must be age 21 or older to participate.
Dinner and pastries will be provided by Mike Armstrong. Refreshments will be available including beverages (soft drinks, beer and bourbon cocktail). There will be a limit of two drink tickets per person.
Guests will have the chance to win either a designer handbag or a top-shelf bourbon.
Senior Resources celebrating March for Meals
Each March, Ottawa County Senior Resources joins organizations across the country in celebrating March for Meals—a monthlong campaign recognizing the vital role nutrition programs play in the lives of older adults.
Through this partnership, Senior Resources delivers more than 360 meals each weekday to seniors throughout Ottawa County.
Beyond providing nutritious, balanced meals, Senior Resource’s Home Delivered Meal drivers serve as a critical lifeline— offering wellness checks, responding when someone has fallen, assisting during mental health crises, helping secure pet food for beloved companions, and more.
Seniors able to travel to congregate meal sites also receive nutrition along with valuable social interaction and companionship.
Throughout March, community partners are joining Senior Resource drivers on delivery routes and at senior centers to help raise awareness, connect with the seniors and experience firsthand the impact of this essential service.
This annual campaign is also intended to help recruit new volunteers from the community and to increase fundraising from local businesses and supporters.
For more information, call Ottawa County Senior Resources at 419-898-6459.
Senior Center plans New Orleans trip
The East Toledo Senior Center with the help of Diamond Tours, will host a trip to New Orleans departing Sunday, Oct. 11, and returning Saturday, Oct. 17.
The cost is $954 per person, based on double occupancy. The price includes motorcoach transportation, six nights lodging including four consecutive nights in New Orleans; a guided tour of New Orleans, a relaxing riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River; a visit to the historic French Quarter; a visit to the Nation World War II Museum; gaming at New Orleans’ casino; admission to Mardi Gras World and more.
A $75 per person deposit to hold a spot is due by June 1, with the balance due by Aug. 4. This trip is open to all adults aged 21 and older. For more information call 419-691-2254.
Magruder VIP organizing trips
Magruder VIP Club – a hospital-based membership club where seniors 60 years old and older receive discounts on goods and services offers trips for seniors as well as family and friends, along with the general public.
One-day bus trips include:
Registration made through 1018 Travels directly by calling Stephanie Kozak at 419-685-7058.
Multi-day bus trips via Diamond Tours:
International trips in 2027 include:
Representatives from Collette Travel will give a presentation on May 19 from 1-3 p.m.
For further information or reservations contact kpalmer@magruderhospital.com. Mary Ann at 419-656-3947 or Kim at kpalmer@magruderhospital.com.
Deadline nearing for WCCOA Poetry Contest
The Wood County Committee on Aging is accepting entries for its annual poetry contest through 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.
The theme for this year’s contest is Second Glances, “ Finding New Meaning in the Familiar.” Any Wood County resident age 50 and older can participate.
Poems should share stories of “finding meaning in a second glance.” Judges will look for poetry that celebrates the heart and souls of Wood County seniors as they continue to celebrate their lives.
Entries should be submitted in English, handwritten or typed double spaced in a 12-point Times New Roman font. Submissions should be entirely the poet’s own work, and may never have been published online or offline. All styles of poems are acceptable. Poems should not exceed one page.
Two entries per person will be accepted. Poems must include a title as well as the author's name, address and phone number on each page.
Submit entries to the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc., 140 S. Grove St., Bowling Green, OH 43402, or via email programs@wccoa.net.
All poems will be placed in a bound book and shared with entrants. Winners will be contacted by phone and will be announced at the end of April on the WCCOA blog and website. The first-place winner will receive a $100 gift card provided by The Manor at Perrysburg. The runner-up will be awarded a $50 gift card provided by Wood Haven.
Learn more at wccoa.net.
Winter heating aid closes March 31
Residents in need of winter heating assistance have until Tuesday, March 31, to apply for help through the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) Winter Crisis Program.
The Winter Crisis Program offers utility bill assistance for electric and heating bills for residents of Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties. The program can help households avoid a utility shut-off, reconnect a utility, or provide bulk fuel supplies such as propane, wood and fuel oil for households with less than a 25% bulk fuel supply.
The Winter Crisis Program is available for households at or below 175% federal poverty guidelines (e.g., $27,387.50/household of one; $56,262.50 household of four), or 60% of state median income for households with eight or more members.
Scheduling and details regarding the Winter Crisis Program are available at www.glcap.org/utilityhelp or by calling 419-273-4212.
FirstLight Home Care celebrates grand opening
FirstLight Home Care held a grand opening celebration March 5 at Toledo Pickle.
FirstLight Home Care serves clients in their homes throughout the region, offering a wide range of services such as personal care, companionship, respite care and specialized dementia care.
Brian Epstein, franchise owner/operator of FirstLight Home Care, spoke about the company’s mission to meet the growing local need for trusted home care services. He emphasized FirstLight’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for clients by delivering tailored care plans focused on safety, comfort and independence, while meeting clients where they are.
Community partners, including representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association, shared remarks highlighting the importance of quality home care and community support for individuals living with memory-related conditions. Local leaders and organizations in attendance underscored the value of home care in helping families maintain peace of mind while keeping loved ones at home.
For more information about FirstLight Home Care Northwest Ohio, visit Sylvania-Perrysburg.FirstLightHomeCare.com.
