Family briefs

Wood Co. Historical Center & Museum adopts new name, logo
        The Wood County Historical Center & Museum is emerging from quarantine with some exciting initiatives and topping the list is a new name and logo – the Wood County Museum.
        The shorter name was adopted because of ever-changing communication needs and technology, according to Marissa Muniz, museum marketing and events coordinator.
        “Today, most people get their information on small screens, such as smart phones and tablets, where simplicity is important for clarity and readability,” Muniz said. “The new logo will be easier to identify the museum on these smaller screens as we usher in a new era.”
        “The simpler name better reflects what the museum is actually doing, which is being an ever-evolving repository of learning for things about Wood County, Ohio, and the County Home,” she said.
        The new logo pays tribute to the original infirmary site depicting the iconic porch railings that adorn the north and east sides of the building. Although the current porches and railings were rebuilt in 2008, the design mimics the original railings that were built around 1900. Local graphic designer Abby Bender designed the new logo.
        The Wood County Museum is also taking a more active role on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.
        The new name and logo are part of the Museum’s first phase of the rebrand. A new website will follow shortly. For more details, call 419-352-0967 or email marketing@woodcountyhistory.org.
        The grounds of the Museum, which is located at 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, are a public park maintained by the Wood County Park District and are open daily at 8 a.m. until 30 minutes past sunset.

Talk on W.Va. urban legends
        West Virginia towns have turned cryptid creature sightings -- from Mothman to the Flatwoods Monster -- into bona fide tourist attractions.
        Dee Elliott, a graduate student in Bowling Green State University’s popular culture program, is including research into these sightings and how they have become tourist hotspots in her thesis, “Monstrous Urban Legends of West Virginia.”
        She will discuss her research during a free online-only program at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18. The event coincides with the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums’ special exhibit, “Ohio: An Unnatural History.”
        The discussion about the folklore monsters Elliott studies – Mothman, the Flatwoods Monster and the Grafton Monster – will include hands-on interviews and observational research collected in the West Virginia towns of Point Pleasant, Flatwoods and Grafton that are the core of her thesis project.
        The thesis seeks to figure out why and how small towns like these use local legends in order to draw in tourists from around the world and how the legends have affected communities around the world.
        To join the program online, visit https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/170533229 on your computer, tablet or smart phone. You can also call in from anywhere in the United States at 1-224-501-3412 and enter the access code: 170533229.
        Do not do both. Calling in and signing in online at the same time will create an echo that will make it difficult for you to hear the presentation. New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/170533229
        For info, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org.
 
Singer/songwriter to
perform at Garden Party
        Beeker’s General Store and Riverbank Antique Market announced that singer/songwriter Tim Tegge will be a part of Pemberville’s Garden Parties, which are held the fourth Tuesday of the month, rain or shine, from 5-8 p.m. through September along Front Street in downtown Pemberville. The next event is set for July 28.
        Tegge, of Bowling Green, who plays acoustic guitar and harmonica, will be performing his original music with members of his band The Black Swamp Boys. Visually impaired, he sees the world in a unique way, reflecting his perspective in some 140 original songs which are funny, sad, poignant, and thought-provoking.
        A number of vendors will also be on hand for the Garden Party.
        To inquire about becoming a vendor, call Beeker’s General Store at 419-287-3274.
 
Benefit Poker Run
        A Poker Run to benefit Jim Depner, who was in a severe accident at home on Father’s Day, June 21, will be held Saturday, Aug. 15.
        Depner, the owner of Rt. 51 Custom Cycle in Genoa, underwent brain surgery as a result of the incident. He was released from the hospital July 9 to go home and begin outpatient rehabilitation.
        Cars are welcome at the event, which will start and end at Rt. 51 Custom Cycle, located at 23095 SR 51. Registration will be held from 10 a.m.-noon. Starts will be staggered due to COVID-19. The last motorcycle in will be at 4 p.m.
        Poker is $20 per hand, which includes a meal. Non-rider meals will be $5.
        The event will also include live music, raffles, food and beer.
        For more info, call 419-855-2255.
 
Dart Frog Dash
going virtual
        Toledo Zoo’s Dart Frog Dash is going virtual.
        This year, participants can choose their own time, course and run or walk. They still get the swag and remain a proud supporter of the Toledo Zoo too.
        Here’s how it works:
        Step 1: Register to participate by visiting toledozoo.org/dartfrog.
        Step 2: Pick up a race packet (including t-shirt, bib and Zoo admission ticket good through 12/31/20) at Dave’s Running in Sylvania on Aug.19 or 20.
        Step 3: Run or walk the distance on a course of your choice sporting your race t-shirt and bib. Then, post a picture to Facebook or Instagram using #DartFrogDash5k and tag Toledo Zoo.
        Step 4: Enter your official time on the race page to download and print your custom finisher certificate.
        Cost to participate is $25 for 5k walk/run; $15 for Kids’ Run (1K).
        Register by Friday, Aug.14 to receive a Dart Frog Dash t-shirt.
        Learn more at toledozoo.org/dartfrog or call 419-385-5721 ext. 2091.
       
Toledo Zoo, TARTA partnership
        Toledo Zoo and TARTA have entered into a new partnership to help keep the community connected.
        On Mondays, beginning July 13 and continuing through Aug. 31, Toledo Zoo will contribute to covering TARTA services from the TARTA hub in downtown Toledo to the Zoo’s main entrance. Service will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.
        As of July 13, Toledo Zoo will restart free admission Monday for Lucas County residents with valid proof of residency. Zoo gate hours will be 10 a.m.-noon and the park will close at 2 p.m.
        “The best partnerships add value to all of the partners,” said Toledo Zoo president & CEO Jeff Sailer. “It will be exciting to see how this partnership could grow in the future.
        TARTA general manager Kim Dunham said “community partnerships with both public and private organizations will be critical to the revitalization of a robust public transit system in our region. Our partnership with the Toledo Zoo is a prime example of TARTA’s renewed commitment to excellence, a new business model and to providing the transportation that our region deserves.” 
        Visit http://tarta.com/routes/ for more details.
 
Ticket refund help
        Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is encouraging Ohioans to notify his office if they haven’t received ticket refunds for events canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
        The health crisis has prompted the cancellation of tens of thousands of events across the country, leaving many ticket buyers unsure about refunds. Depending on the cancellation and refund policies in place at the time of purchase, Ohio’s consumer protection laws may provide an avenue to obtain refunds.
        “We’re ready to go to bat for you if you’re stuck in refund limbo,” Yost said. “Give us a call because we might be able to help get your money back.”
        Most venues, performers and sports teams are working to reschedule events and will honor the original tickets on the new dates. When events cannot be rescheduled, ticket sellers have generally refunded the ticket price, including most fees, or issued credits for future ticket purchases.
        Ohioans who bought tickets for events that were canceled and not rescheduled should first contact the ticket seller to request refunds. If those attempts prove unsuccessful, consumers should submit complaints to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-282-0515 or OhioProtects.org.
        Yost’s Consumer Protection Section actively monitors complaints and offers an informal dispute resolution program in an effort to resolve disagreements between consumers and sellers. If a business violates state consumer protection laws and refuses to remedy the situation, the attorney general may pursue enforcement action in court.
 
Pierogi & Polish
foods drive-up
        The Northwest Ohio Polish-American Festival committee will sponsor the first Great Pierogi & Polish Favorites Drive-Up on Sunday, July 26 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at Club 16, 316 King Road, Holland.
        “With the cancellation of the Northwest Ohio Polish-American Festival due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we searched for a way to have an event that wouldn’t compromise the health and safety of the participants and still allow for people to indulge in the great Polish food they enjoy at our festival,” said Tom Pruss, president, Polish-American Community of Toledo (PACT). “We can’t have our Polish festival, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have our great Polish food.”
        Presented by the Quintessential Event Co., caterers and restaurants will have safe and convenient curbside pick-up with offerings that include Polish dinners, frozen and refrigerated pierogi by the dozen in traditional and contemporary flavors, as well as heat-and-serve individual and family-size portions of Polish favorites like kielbasa, Golabki (stuffed cabbage), city chicken, cabbage and noodles, bigos (Hunter’s stew), czarnina, potato pancakes, and more.
        Vendors expected to participate include Stanley’s Market, Tata's Pierogi of Elk Grove, Illinois., Czapski Kitchen & Catering, Lost Village Pierogi, Pierogi Palace of Cleveland, and Srodek's Campau Quality Sausage Co. of Hamtramck, Michigan.
        Patron Saints Brewery of Toledo will be offering their beers brewed especially for the festival, St. Hedwig’s and St. Anthony, Pruss said. A free festival t-shirt will be given to each order placed, he said.
        Orders must be placed online by 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, and must be prepaid. Costs vary by vendor and items
ordered. To order, visit DoYouLovePolishFood.com. For more information, call 888-504-8103.
        PACT is accepting donations to the capital campaign for the Polish Cultural Center. Visit PolishCulturalCenter.org/donate and using the secure PayPal feature, or mail a check payable to Polish Cultural Center, P.O. Box 291, Waterville, OH 43566.
        For additional information on PACT, or to become a member, visit PolishCommunity.org or call 419-836-0556.
 
New ENT office
        Wood County Hospital has opened a new ear, nose, throat specialty office, Wood County ENT, at 1616 East Wooster St., Suite 38, Bowling Green.
        Physicians Gary Coleman and Afser Shariff and nurse practitioner Kaitlin Hanus will be seeing patients in the new office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
        The providers treat many ear, nose and throat conditions and have over 35 years of experience with patients in Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
        The new office has three spacious patient rooms, an allergy room, a procedure room, an audiology room for in-office hearing tests and a retail space with hearing aids and testing.
        To make an appointment, call 419-728-06279.
 
Greenhouse grant
        Anne Grady Services, a non-profit organization serving children and adults with intellectual disabilities, received a $2,500 grant from Good Shepherd Foundation of Ohio for the purpose of restoring their greenhouse.
        The goal of the project is to start using the greenhouse to create a therapeutic experience through horticultural practices. Anne Grady Services will not only restore the greenhouse, but will also purchase seeds and planting supplies such as pots, soil, fertilizer and gloves.
        The project will be ongoing, as they plan to sell and grow plants, along with using the vegetables and spices in their kitchen. The project will be headed by Audrey King, the nonprofit’s volunteer resources coordinator in collaboration with Jackie Ellis, director of day program.
        “We are extremely grateful for the support and generosity from the Good Shepherd Foundation of Ohio. The greenhouse restoration will allow us to provide a meaningful, therapeutic experience for our clients and we are eager to begin serving them in this way,” King said.