Family briefs

Serenity Farm Benefit for the Barn fundraiser to be held online
        Serenity Farm Equestrian Center has moved its annual Benefit for the Barn fundraiser online for 2020. The virtual auction will take place in two parts, with Part 1 going live Monday, June 15.
        Like so many other non-profits, Serenity Farm has been struggling too with changes brought on by COVID-19. To protect the health and well-being of riders, volunteers and staff, programs were canceled and fundraisers have been restructured. Therapeutic riding programs are set to resume in July.
        All proceeds from the auction will support equine-assisted therapy programs for individuals throughout the region. To view items and place bids visit, www.biddginowl.com/SerenityFarmEquestrianCen.
        Serenity Farm is located at 21870 Lemoyne Rd., Luckey. Visit www.serenityfarm.org to learn more.
 
Film & Literary Fest canceled for this year
        Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty about having large gatherings and resources required to plan in-person and virtual events, the American Presidents Film & Literary Festival scheduled for this fall has been canceled.
        The festival board and committees will instead focus on planning the 2021 festival, which will take place Sept. 25- Oct. 3, 2021 at various locations in Fremont.
        In announcing the cancellation, the festival board of directors thanked those who have supported the festival for their continued support as the festival continues next year. Donations for the 2021 festival can be sent to American Presidents Film & Literary Festival, 2228 Hayes Ave., Suite A, Fremont, OH 43420.
        The American Presidents Film & Literary Festival is organized by the Liberty and Learning Foundation, Fremont City Schools, Birchard Public Library and Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
        The festival’s goal is to provide a place for expanded national and international understanding of the history and current events that have and continue to shape and influence the President of the United States. Utilizing the site and community of America’s first presidential library and museum, filmmakers, film professionals and authors inspire audiences to explore, understand, critique and analyze the people, places, politics and power surrounding the American Presidency.
        For info, visit americanpresidentsfilmfestival.org, and follow on Facebook and Twitter at @ampresfilmlit.
 
Alzheimer’s Assn. to present virtual programs
        The Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter is offering several virtual educational programs to help the community and families impacted by the disease.
        Presentations, which cover a variety of topics, are held at different times during the day via videoconferencing. Topics include safety issues in the home, communication, COVID-19 challenges, long-distance caregiving and information about the disease itself. The programs run about an hour and are geared toward anyone experiencing signs of memory loss or their family members who may be concerned.
        All programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. To register, call 800-272-3900. The schedule includes:
        • June 15, 5 p.m. – Caregiving from Afar.
        • June 16, 2 p.m. – 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s.
        • June 16, 3:30 p.m. – Simple Communication Tips for Caregivers.
        • June 17, 11 a.m. – COVID-19 and Caregiving.
        • June 17, 3:30 p.m. – Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers.
        • June 18, 6:30 p.m. – Healthy Living for your Brain and Body – Tips from the Latest Research.
        • June 19, 4 p.m. – Activities at Home.
        Visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900 to learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association.
 
Block Party canceled
        The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) has canceled its annual Block Party this summer due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. The popular indoor and outdoor community event, which drew more than 10,000 people last year, was scheduled for July 18.
        “For the past seven years, we have welcomed the entire community to TMA for the Block Party. This summer, because of the pandemic, we regret that we must cancel this large, public event to safeguard the health of everyone involved,” said Adam Levine, TMA’s Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey director. “Our priority continues to be the safety and well-being of Museum staff, volunteers and visitors, and we will work diligently to bring this beloved event back to our community bigger and better than ever next year.”
        Although the Block Party is canceled, TMA is making plans to offer a variety of outdoor programs throughout the summer, which may include family activities, special entertainment, glassblowing opportunities and demonstrations, and more.
        Mike Deetsch, the Museum’s Emma Leah Bippus director of education and engagement, added, “The Block Party is about bringing people together on TMA’s campus. While safety precautions preclude large gatherings, the spirit of the Block Party will be at the core of the dynamic outdoor programming our team is developing.”
        Specific details will be determined and announced as the Museum learns more about government regulations in coming weeks. Included in the considerations will be the special event permits required by the City of Toledo, which will follow Gov. Mike DeWine’s guidance on permissible size gatherings.
        The Museum has been closed to the public since March 15 due to COVID-19. Reopening efforts at TMA, including decisions involving programs and events, are led by a task force composed of staff members from key operational areas of the Museum.
        Updates about new summer programs will be posted at toledomuseum.org and on the Museum’s social media (Facebook and Twitter).
 
State Senate passes Swim lessons bill
        On June 10, the Ohio Senate passed House Bill 65, which included an amendment by State Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) to ensure children have access to swim lessons and certified swim instructors have the ability to continue teaching lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic.
        Current law only allows for swimming lessons to be taught at public pools, many of which will not open this year because of the pandemic.
        “With many public pools closed across the state and because of burdensome government regulation, we are running out of time to allow Ohio’s children to take life-saving swimming lessons,” Gavarone said. “Drownings are increasing, and I’ve been working aggressively over the past couple weeks to find an alternative way to update the law quickly for this summer, and I am glad we found an opportunity to do that in House Bill 65.”
        The amendment will allow certified swimming classes to take place at a residential swimming pool without requiring the instructor to obtain a public swimming pool license.
        The swim instructor must be certified by Infant Self Rescue (ISR), American Red Cross or any other nationally accredited organization that operates in all 50 states.
        House Bill 65 will now be sent to the Ohio House for a concurrence vote.