ETC: Oregon Community Theater set to kick off 2024-25 season

        Oregon Community Theatre will kick off its 2024-25 season with “Once Upon a Mattress,” which will be staged Oct. 11 and 12 and Oct. 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m. in the Fassett Auditorium, 3025 Starr Ave., Oregon.
        Maria Mohler will direct the production. Individual tickets, available online, are $18 and $16 for students (under 18) and seniors. Gold section tickets are an additional $5 per ticket. At-the-door tickets are an additional $3 per ticket.             
        OCT’s season will also include “Misery,” directed by Kevin Harrington, presented Feb. 14-15 and 21-23; “Into the Woods,” directed by Amy Spaulding Heuring, presented April 25-26, 2025 and May 2-4; and “Seussical Jr.” directed by Beth Giller in summer 2025.
        Season memberships are available for $40. Visit octshows.org for tickets and more details.
 
Hayes wreath-laying
        Celebrate President Rutherford B. Hayes’ 202nd birthday at the annual wreath-laying ceremony with U.S. military representatives Sunday, Oct. 6, at Hayes’ tomb at his estate of Spiegel Grove.
        The ceremony is at 2 p.m. and will last about 35 minutes. Admission is free.
        The U.S. Army Reserve will send officers representing President Joe Biden to lay the wreath and speak during the ceremony.
        President Hayes’ birthday is Friday, Oct. 4, and military representatives always lay the wreath on the Sunday closest to his birthday.
        For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org.
 
Maumee Bay Haunted Trail
        The highly anticipated Maumee Bay Haunted Trail is back at Maumee Bay State Park, offering thrills, chills, and a memorable experience for the community Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12. Sponsored by SOAR (Strengthening Opportunities, Abilities, and Relationships) and Christ United Methodist Church, this spooky trail promises two nights of eerie excitement, all while supporting local initiatives.
        The event kicks off with a Trunk-or-Treat on Friday from 5:30-7 p.m. The event is free and open to the community. Families are encouraged to bring their children for a safe and fun opportunity to gather candy from festively decorated trunks before the haunted trail begins.
        A Sensory-Friendly Trail will be open from 6-7 p.m. both evenings. The trail will offer a sensory-friendly experience, ensuring all guests can enjoy the event.
        Get ready for a thrilling adventure on the half-mile “Trail of Lost Souls” through the spooky forest, open from 7-7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Watch out for witches, ghouls, and perhaps a few zombies along the way. After your journey, cast your vote for the best scene.
        In addition, attendees can enjoy raffles, games, prizes, and more. Food will be available from local favorites Maybe Cheese Born With It,  PAWS Smoke Grill, and Baba’s Eats food trucks, and baked goods will also be available for purchase.
        Trail admission is free for children under 4, $7 for ages 4-12 and $10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online.
        Community support
        Christ United Methodist Church will have a donation box on-site to collect hygiene products and non-perishable food items. Donors will receive a game ticket for their generosity. Donations benefit SOAR, programs for individuals with disabilities, Christ United Methodist Church’s initiatives (such as 419 Cares, Mana Pantry, and Community Kitchen), and Friends of Maumee Bay State Park.
        “We are thrilled to host this exciting event again this year,” said Jeremiah Diegel, pastor at Christ United Methodist Church. “The Maumee Bay Haunted Trail not only brings joy and excitement to our community, but it also supports the important work that SOAR and Christ United Methodist Church are doing. It’s a chance to have fun while making a difference.”               
        Maumee Bay State Park is located at 1400 State Park Rd., Oregon. The event will be held in lot #7. Learn more at
facebook.com/events/862191005435878/
 
Museum ships to close Oct. 31
        The National Museum of the Great Lakes’ museum ships, the James M. Schoonmaker and the Tug Ohio, will remain open through Oct. 31, before they close for the season.
        The boats will close for the winter on Nov. 1 and will reopen May 1, 2025. The museum’s winter hours will also begin Nov. 1, and the museum will be closed on Tuesdays until the spring.
        “We're excited to welcome visitors for one more month of maritime adventures aboard our boats,” said Kate Fineske, the museum's executive director. “This is your last chance to explore these historic ships this year, so don't miss out.”
        For more information or to plan a visit, visit nmgl.org.
       
Feather tree, skull planter workshops
        Beeker’s General Store, located in downtown Pemberville, will host a vintage Feather Tree Class Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m.-noon.
        Acclaimed feather tree artist Dennis Bauer, of Bellevue, will lead the class, assisted by floral designer Michele Poturalski, of Downtown Deco.
        Participants will learn the German history of the goose feather tree as they make their own 18-inch tree. This is a beginner’s class. The cost is $50 per person, which includes all materials, Christmas tea and cookies. Participants can choose an authentic green or white tree featuring pre-dyed goose feathers.
        Pre-registration and payment are required by calling Beeker’s at 419-287-3274. Class size is limited.
        Beeker’s is located the corner of Front and Water streets in the 148-year-old building, part of Pemberville’s original “Brick Block.”
        Skull Planter Class
        Downtown Deco, 106 Water St., Pemberville, will  host a Halloween Succulent Skull Planter Class as a part of Pemberville’s Boo-Tique BBQ Bash, Thursday Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m.
        Designers Michele Poturalski and Todd Sheets will instruct the 45-minute class. Participants will learn the tricks of planting and maintaining succulents as a part of the workshop.
        The workshop cost is $45 per person and includes all materials/supplies. Pre-registration and payment are required by calling Downtown Deco at 419-287-4305. Class size is limited.
 
Library programs set
        The Walbridge Branch Library, 108 N. Main St., will present Camp-in-a-Box – a STEAM-focused, hourlong program designed for ages 6 and up, on the following Mondays at 6:30 p.m.:
        • Oct. 14 – “You’ve Got Rhythm.”
        • Dec. 16 – “Tell Me a Story,”
        Evening storytimes
        Evening storytimes will be presented at the Walbridge Library WCDPL at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 16-Dec. 18. Storytimes will include picture book readings, songs, games and activities. Contact the Children’s Place at 419-352-8253 or email woodkids@wcdpl.org for more details.
        Mango Languages learning
        Learn a language with the new Mango Languages database from the Wood County District Public Library.
        The platform offers more than 70 world languages and includes native speaker audio and cultural tidbits. Users need a WCDPL library card and to create a Mango profile to start learning.
        Included in Mango Languages are:
        • American Sign Language.
        • Little Pim. Designed to be friendly, fun, and enhance early language development, Little Pin offers courses for children ages 0-6 and provides essential building blocks of a foreign language to kids.
        Start using Mango Languages at wcdpl.org/mango-languages. For more information or help, call 419-352-5050 or email woodref@wcdpl.org.
 
Trunk-or-Treat
        St. John Williston will present a Trunk-or-Treat Sunday, Oct. 20 from 2-4 p.m. The church is located on W. Toledo Street (SR 579), Williston.
        The event will feature games, hayrides and prizes. Community members are invited to decorate their trunks and join in.
 
Swiss Singers to open 156th season
        The Toledo Swiss Singers, one of the area’s oldest singing groups, will open their 156th season at their fall concert Sunday, Nov. 17.
        The concert, titled “United in Song & Spirit,” will feature songs themed for peace, joy and the holidays, along with traditional Swiss songs (including yodeling).
        The special Sunday-afternoon concert begins at 3 p.m. with an authentic Swiss Menu sold a la carte before and after the performance at The Chalet at Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon. Items for sale include German and smoked brats, shredded chicken sandwiches, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and more, with assorted homemade desserts. A cash bar will be available. Doors open at 1 p.m.
        Concert tickets can be purchased online at yodeltoledo.com. Tickets are $15, with $6 tickets for children under 13.
       
Hiking Challenge under way
        Ottawa County is home to several outdoor recreation destinations. As a way to highlight these destinations, the Park District of Ottawa County is teaming up with the Ottawa County Health Department to offer an Outdoor Hiking Challenge program running through Nov. 30.
        Participants will earn a Campfire Mug by hiking nine of 13 Ottawa County hiking destinations. Hikes will be self-guided and on the honor system. A series of Guided Walks will also be offered throughout the autumn season. Record hikes on the log sheet (Guided Walks may also be recorded on the log sheet). Completed log sheets must be received by Dec. 5 to earn a Campfire Mug.
        Visit ottawacountyparksoh.org/outdoor-hiking-challenge for more details.