Donut Mile race, Homecoming celebration set in Gibsonburg

        The Gibsonburg Donut Mile race event will be held Friday, June 23 at 6 p.m., at Williams Park, E. Stone Street, Gibsonburg.
        Race day registration is $20. T-shirts will be available while they last. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. at the park shelterhouse.
        The course will include a timed, one-mile run or walk around the one-third-mile path around the Williams Park Quarry. Participants will start with a donut, and walk or run three laps, stopping for more donuts in between.
        Awards will be presented to the top times in the four divisions, including youth boys and girls under 18 and adult males and females. Special awards will go to participants with the best donut costumes.
        After the event, area families are invited to enjoy the Gibsonburg Homecoming Festival in Williams Park. The celebration will include carnival rides, games, vendors, food, a beer tent and live entertainment. The homecoming festival runs June 21-24.
        For more information, contact Marc Glotzbecker at 419-637-2634 or m.glotzbecker@gibsonburgohio.org.
 
Pemberville Party in the Park
        The Village of Pemberville will sponsor the 3rd Annual Party in the Park Sunday July 2 from 1-5 p.m. in Memorial Park.
        The celebration will feature two alternating bands, The Los Hermanos Band and The Aaron Dussing Polka Band, and a dance floor to polka the afternoon away.
        Four food trucks will be available – Los Agaves, Azo Heavenly Brew, The Saucy Slamwich, and OTR Smokehouse.
        There will also be yard games and a balloon twister. The Pemberville Community Pool and Splash Pad will be open and admission will be free during event hours.
        The Pemberville Party in the Park was started in 2021 by Mayor Carol Bailey and the Pemberville Village Council as a means to “getting back out there” after the coronavirus pandemic.
        “Each year it has grown in size and attendance,” Bailey said. “This year welcomes a second band; both bands heavily influenced by polka music.”
        Advertised as “free family fun,” the event is open to the public. “Attendees need only bring a chair to sit on and money for whatever food truck they wish to patronize; everything else is free – the bands, the games and even the Pemberville Community Swimming Pool and Splash Pad,” Bailey said.
Event sponsors include:
        Gold: Dave Hook.
        Silver: Amplex, North Branch Nursery, Pain Neuf Bakery, Write with Christina, LLC.
        Bronze: Groundskeeper Outdoor Solutions, Countyline Co-op and Car Care, Kuhlman and Beck, Baker Insurance, The Comfy Cactus, The Piano Works, Obie’s Flowers.
       
Portage River Festival
        The Elmore Historical Society will present the 43rd annual Portage River Festival Sunday, June 25 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Elmore’s Depot Park.
        The Quonset building will be open with vendors and historical displays.
        Food will be available in the Historical Barn from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Food trucks will also be set up from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
        Other festival highlights include:
        • Garden Tractor Pulling Contest at noon. Registration will be held from 10-11 a.m.
        • Schneider Car Show & Cruise-In on Ottawa Street, 10 a.m. Registration will be held at 10 a.m.; prizes will be awarded at 2 p.m.
        • Flea Market & Craft Show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on the Elmore Historical Society grounds and inside the Quonset building.
        • American Legion Riders Dice Run, 12 p.m. Sign up at 11 a.m.
        • Elmore Police Kids’ Bike Obstacle Course, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the basketball court.
        • Elmore Fire Department “Jaws of Life” Demo, 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot by the antique fire truck display.
        • Heidi’s Twirlers performing 3:30-5 p.m. on the basketball court.
        • Live music on the stage between the cabin and the barn, including Change of Plans from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Hi Class Riff Raff from 1-2:30 p.m. and Last Stand from 3-5 p.m.
        • Carnival games, a bounce house and entertainment at the Train Depot yard.
        • Various speakers from Magee Marsh, Frogtown Exotics, Ottawa County Parks, the Toledo Zoo and more at the stage next to the Historical Society Barn.
        For more information, visit https://sites.google.com/view/elmoreohiohistoricalsociety/home
 
Library sing-along
        Area families are invited to a enjoy a fun, interactive concert Friday, June 30 at 2 p.m. at the Walbridge Branch Library, 108 N. Main St.
        The Music Lady, Beverly Meyer, will get families singing, dancing, and moving to the music during the program. Meyer has been sharing songs with young children as The Music Lady Since 1996.
        No registration is required. For more information, call 419-352-8253, email woodkids@wcdpl.org or visit wcdpl.org/events.
 
Paddle the Pond
        Hop in a canoe or kayak and have fun on the pond at the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve, 29530 White Rd., Perrysburg on the second and fourth Mondays June through August from 4-7:30 p.m.
        Paddle the Pond events are perfect for family outings, as a comfort-builder for beginners or relaxing exercise. An instructor will be available for introductory safety and skills education. All boats, life-jackets, and paddles are provided. Canoes, kayaks, and gear are available on a first-come-first-served basis. No registration is required; call ahead to 419-353-1897 for special needs accommodations or groups.
        The W.W. Knight Nature Preserve is open daily from 8 a.m. to 30 minutes past sunset. Learn about Wood County Park District’s 21 parks and nature preserves and make the most of summer with adventure and wellness programs at wcparks.org or 419-353-1897.
 
Lindsey Sunflower & Homecoming Festival
        The Lindsey Homecoming Board, an Ohio non-profit corporation, will host the first-ever Lindsey Sunflower &     Homecoming Festival Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. at Wendelle C. Miller Park.
        Shuttles and additional activities will be available from Creek Bend Farms and The Suns Flower, both located in Lindsey,
        The celebration will also include food trucks, craft vendors, contests, 5K race, kids’ games, bingo, live entertainment, history, sunflowers and more.
 
AARP seeks nominees
        AARP is now accepting nominations for its 2023 Ohio Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors 50+ Ohioans who are sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.
        “AARP Ohio is excited to shine a light on 50+ Ohioans who are using what they’ve learned in life to make a difference in the lives around them,” said Holly Holtzen, state director.
        Nominations will be evaluated by AARP Ohio based on how the volunteer’s work has improved the community, reflected AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers. The award recipient will be announced in early fall.
        AARP Ohio Andrus Award for Community Service nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements:
        • Nominee must be 50 years or older.
        • The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must have been performed on a volunteer basis, without pay. Volunteers receiving small stipends to cover the costs associated with the volunteer activity are eligible.
        • The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must reflect AARP’s vision and purpose.
        • The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must be replicable and provide inspiration for others to volunteer.
        • Partisan political achievements, accomplishments or service may not be considered.
        • Couples or partners who perform service together are also eligible; however, teams are not eligible.
        • Previous Andrus Award recipients are not eligible.
        • Volunteers serving on the Andrus Award selection committee are not eligible.
        • AARP staff members are not eligible.
        This is not a posthumous award.
        Visit aarp.org/AndrusAward for more information and the online nomination form. The application deadline is July 15.
        Last year, AARP recognized 49 outstanding individuals and couples from around the country.
        To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.
 
Toledo Helps Ukraine continues refugee work
        As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to traumatize millions of innocent Ukrainians, Toledo Helps Ukraine (4UA.org) remains committed to bringing Ukrainian refugee families to safety in Ohio.
        On June 9, the 11th family assisted by THU arrived at Detroit Metro Airport. The Humeniuk family, from the Vinnytsia Region of Ukraine – Luidmuyla, Iryna, and Zlata Humeniuk were met at the airport by Toledo Helps Ukraine members. They had recently learned that the father of the family, Yaroslav, could not come with them on the flight, as he was not allowed to cross the border due to changing rules which include new exclusions for some individuals.
        “I cannot imagine all the emotions they are feeling knowing that Yaroslav is not able to travel with them to safety,” said Alona Matchenko, co-founder of Toledo Helps Ukraine.
        Toledo Helps Ukraine helps refugee families come to the U.S. through Uniting for Ukraine, a streamlined process that allows Ukrainian citizens who have been displaced by Russia’s aggression to apply for humanitarian parole in the United States.
        Under Uniting for Ukraine, the U.S. government allows people fleeing the war in Ukraine to seek refuge in the United States on a temporary basis known as humanitarian parole, with the support of a sponsor in the United States. The sponsor, or group of sponsors, provide financial support to meet the basic needs of someone fleeing Ukraine. They may also provide additional support, such as assistance enrolling in educational or training programs or securing employment.
        Sponsors can be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or other lawfully present individuals. This includes individuals on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and refugees. Groups of sponsors, nonprofits, educational institutions, and employers can also help sponsor people fleeing Ukraine.
        For more information on how you can help, visit www.4UA.org.