Schedel Gardens to host annual Easter Egg Hunt April 8

        Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, 19255 W. Portage River South Rd., Elmore, will host an Easter Egg Hunt for kids ages 1-12 Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., rain or shine.
        Admission free and open to the public, with canned goods donations accepted for the Elmore Food Bank.
        Egg hunts will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Three separate egg-hunting areas will be designated for kids in various age groups. There will be special golden egg opportunities for both sessions. Children should bring their own baskets to collect eggs.
        The Easter Bunny will be on hand during the event hours to greet children and pose for photographs. Other activities scheduled include face painting; an Easter Egg cookie decorating station; a game station with the Harris-Elmore Library; a petting station with chicks, bunnies, ducks and goats (11 a.m.-1 p.m.); a kids’ painting workshop (fees apply) plus kettle corn, baked goods, a food truck and more.
        Event sponsors include GenoaBank, North Branch Nursery, Taylor Automotive Family and Materion Corp.
        For more information, visit schedel-gardens.org or call 419- 862-3182.
 
Plant & Garden Swap
        Join the Genoa Branch Library for a Plant & Garden Swap on Saturday, April 8 from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
        Participants will drop off plants and other garden materials such as planters and gently used tools to exchange with others. One plant earns a one green ticket, and one piece of garden material earns a a yellow ticket. Tickets can only be redeemed for an item in the same category.
        Labeled plants and garden extras may be dropped off at the library, located at 602 West St., from 9:30 a.m. Monday, April  through Friday, April 7 at 3 p.m. Tickets will be handed out at drop off. No additional materials will be accepted on Saturday.
        Plant/tool distribution begins at: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8.
        Each month, the Harris-Elmore and Genoa Branch libraries offer fun, free crafts and programs that allow community members to get involved. A full list of programs is available online at harriselmorelibrary.org.
        For more information, call the Harris-Elmore Library at 419-862-2482 or the Genoa Branch Library 419-855-3380.
 
Glass City Dance Party
        Glass City Singles will present a Sock Hop Dance Party Saturday, April 15 at the Ballroom Company, located at 2558 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
        Free dance lesson will begin at 6 p.m., followed by open dancing from 6:30-10 p.m. Dress up for a chance to win the best outfit contest.
        Admission is $10, which includes dance lesson and snacks. Attendees may bring their own beverages and dishes to pass, if desired.
        For more information, visit GlassCityDanceParty.com, follow ToledoDJ Tom on Facebook or email ToledoDJTom@gmail.com.
 
“Who Dunnit?”
        The Toledo Swiss Singers, one of the area’s oldest singing groups, will be asking the question, “Who Dunnit?” at their eighth annual dinner-theatre mystery event, which will be staged Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7.
        The performances, titled “Who Kicked the Bucket?” will center around a murder at the home of Monica and Marvin Moneybags — will take place at The Chalet at Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., in Oregon.
        Attendees will need to be on the lookout for a mysterious cold-blooded killer on the loose. Who is the victim? When does it happen? Which character is responsible?
        “Who Kicked the Bucket?” will challenge audience members to use evidence provided and make keen observations to carefully conduct their own investigations.
        Dinner will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 with the theatre presentation following, and the presentation will begin 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, with dinner served after the first act. The menu will include Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, glazed baby carrots, salad, dessert and roll with butter. A cash bar will also be available.
        Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children 13 and under. All sales are final. No refunds.
        Limited tickets are available. No tickets will be sold at the door. Reserve seats by calling or texting Elaine at 419- 206-0975.
 
Fireworks Fund Reverse Raffle
        The Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce has a history of providing quality family friendly events to the community, including the annual Oak Harbor Independence Day Celebration.
        To help offset the rising costs of this event, the Oak Harbor Chamber Foundation will hold a Reverse Raffle Saturday, May 13 at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds, 7870 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
        Doors will open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., with drawings to being at 6:30 p.m.
        Tickets are $50 and include admission, a dinner, and a chance to win cash and prizes, including a top prize of $2,500 cash. Only 250 tickets will be sold. Additional meal tickets are available for $20.
        In addition to the raffle, the evening will include games, sideboards and a Chinese auction. All proceeds raised will benefit the Oak Harbor fireworks show, which will be held July 3.
        Tickets are available at the Oak Harbor Chamber Office, 161 W Water St., or from any board member. Admission is open to ages 21 and older.
         The chamber welcomes raffle items and donations for the event. Call 419-898-0479 or email chamber@oakharborohio.net to purchase a ticket or donate to the event.
 
Brandville School Complex opens
        Beginning April 5, Brandville School Museum Complex, located at 1133 Grasser St., Oregon, will open to the public for the spring and summer seasons Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
        OJHS will be accepting donations for the May Rummage Sale Wednesdays, April 5-April 26. Call Kitty at 419- 376-9491 for more information.
 
African Safari open for season
        African Safari Wildlife Park welcoming visitors for its 55th season.
        “Early spring is a great time to visit the Park because most of our animals are totally unbothered by the chilly-to-mild weather,” said Park director Kelsey Keller. “You may even be lucky enough to witness the birth of a deer or alpaca!”
        The park’s Drive-Thru Safari, which features zebras, bison, llamas, alpacas, elk, exotic cattle, emus and more, is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with the last car admitted at 4 p.m. The park’s warm-weather animals, such as giraffe and antelope, will generally not be visible unless the air temperature is above 60 degrees.
        The Walk-Thru Safari, which features gibbons, lemurs, kangaroos, warthogs, parrots, camel rides, educational animal shows and animal-feeding experiences, will open in mid-May.
        Learn more at africansafariwildlifepark.com or the park’s social media platforms.
 
Ladies Night Out        
        The East Toledo Senior Center, 1001 White St., will hold a Ladies Night Out Friday, May 12 from 6-10 p.m.
        The cost is $20, which includes food, four drink tickets, a photo booth, vendors, raffles, a live auction and more. The event is open to ages 21 and older.
        Direct sale vendors are still being accepted for the event. There is no cost to participate, however, a $25 auction item is required. Contact Brenda Holdren at 419-691-2254 for more information.
        All proceeds raised will benefit programs and services for senior citizens.
 
Toledo Fringe Fest
        The Collingwood Arts Center’s annual “Fringe Fest” will be held Saturday, April 22 from 6-10:30 p.m.
        The mission of Toledo Fringe Fest is to be a collaborative catalyst for cultural development, filled with original artists connecting with diverse audiences.
        “We are excited to bring a wicked lineup of funky artists and installations set through the halls and creative spaces housed inside of our sprawling historic building,” said Artistic Director, Lexi Hayman-Staples.
        The event will feature cocktails, mocktails, burlesque, comedy, drag, live painting, games and more. Tickets are $12 and are available at brownpapertickets.com. Discounts are available for groups of five or more. VIP Golden Tickets, priced at $25, buy Green Room access and a mystery bonus room. Attendees must be 18 and older.
        The Collingwood Arts Center is located at 2413 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo.
 
Food Truck Fridays
        Burkett Restaurant Equipment & Supplies is hosting “Food Truck Fridays’ at their 28740 Glenwood Rd., Perrysburg, location on Fridays through July from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
        Regional Account Representative Michelle Greer, who organized the events, said, “We supply many of the area food trucks and commercial kitchens with equipment and smallwares and wanted to give our customers the chance to provide another lunch option for the community and businesses in the area.”
        Burkett will also be offering a $10 off promotion on anything in the store’s showroom for customers who spend at least $10 with the food truck on site.
        “While we do sell to commercial businesses, we also have a large variety of smallwares and other items people can use in their home kitchens every day, like cheese shredders, pizza pans, ladles, measuring cups, and cutlery,” she said.       
        One truck will be on site to serve the community every week. The upcoming schedule includes:
        Apr. 7 - Street Tacos, Mexico Lindo y Querido
        Apr. 14 - Toledo Chuck Wagon
        Apr. 21 - Baba’s Eats
        Apr. 28 - Loaded Gastro & Co
        May 5 - Toledo Let’s Eat
        Any schedule changes will be posted on Burkett’s Facebook page. Burkett’s showroom is open to the public Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit burkett.com for more details.
 
Volunteers needed for Ohio sandhill crane survey
        A volunteer-driven sandhill crane survey to locate breeding birds in Ohio is seeking observers to help with the count on Saturday, April 15.
        The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife is coordinating the project as part of the Midwest Crane Count with the International Crane Foundation and Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative.
        Ohioans interested in volunteering should contact a county coordinator by visiting obcinet.org/get-involved/ohio-crane-count. The time commitment includes the time it takes to scout an area, a virtual training, and the morning count. Birders of all abilities who can identify a sandhill crane can participate. A vehicle is also required. Participation in pairs and some experience using the eBird community science platform is preferred.
        The sandhill crane is listed as threatened in Ohio, but their population has increased in recent years. Sandhills can be secretive during their nesting season, and the count is an effort to better track Ohio’s breeding crane population.
        Locally, this year’s count will occur in Lucas and Ottawa counties, which have habitats where sandhill cranes typically nest, such as wet meadows, shallow marshes, bogs, and other wetlands.
        Ohio’s cranes are seasonal residents that migrate south for the winter. They feed during daylight hours on grain, insects, birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. They migrate at high elevations in large flocks, often composed of hundreds of birds. The range of these native birds extends from Mexico and Florida into Alaska and Canada, depending on the season.
 
Anniversary parade planned
for Rossford celebration
        Plans are underway for a special 125th Anniversary Parade for the City of Rossford.
        Residents, performers, bands and other interested groups are welcome to register to join the parade on Saturday, July 29 at 10 am.
        The parade will begin and end at Rossford’s Veterans Memorial Park, 300 Hannum Ave. Those interested in being part of the parade can register online at https://form.jotform.com/230735661465156.
        The parade will feature a “follow-along” format, encouraging children and adults to join the end of the parade as it returns to Veterans Park. Those who follow along are invited to decorate their bikes, scooters or golf carts and be entered into a drawing to win one of several prizes. Winners will be announced at Vets Park following the parade.
        Food trucks will be parked in the park after the parade.
        For a complete list of activities for Rossford’s 125th anniversary, visit rossford125.com.