The Elmore Chamber of Commerce will present the 6th annual Tombstone Derby Saturday, Oct. 30 at Depot Park.
 The schedule of events includes:
 9-11 a.m.: Pumpkin-carving and pie-baking contest registration. Bring pumpkin entries to the Historical Cabin and pies to the Fire Station. Call Renee Thomas at 419-574-1559 for more information.
 Noon-1 p.m.: Registration for Adult Motorized Casket Races and kids’ battery-operated vehicles. Prizes will be awarded. Kids’ cars must have “stock” battery power.
 Noon: Pumpkin carving and pie judging contest. Pie pieces will be sold by the slice or a la mode after the judging. Pumpkins will be displayed at the Historical Cabin.

 1-7 p.m.: Haunted cabin – kid friendly.
 1-7 p.m.: Ghoulish food available, presented by the Historical Society.
 1-7 p.m.: Magical Market and Craft Vendors, along with fortune-telling and ghost stories.
 1-5 p.m.: Kids’ Magic School Adventure.
 2-5 p.m.: Voting for “Best of Show” motorized caskets and kids’ battery-operated vehicles.
 2-3 p.m.: Body Toss Contest ($1 per team) and Cadaver Toss Contest ($1 per entrant).
 3-4 p.m.: Pet Halloween Costume Contest, featuring prizes for Best of Show and Best Kid/Pet. Winners announced at 4 p.m.
 4-5 p.m.: Motorized Casket Drag Races (single elimination heats and final).
 5-6 p.m.: Kids’ Trails for Treats at downtown businesses (12 and under).
 6-7 p.m.: “Parade of Fools” and Tombstone Derby Casket Races. Parade through downtown includes motorized caskets, kids’ battery-operated vehicles, pets and kids in costume and decorated bicycles.
 7 p.m.: Derby and People’s Choice awards announced. There will also be a raffle drawing, with proceeds benefiting the fireworks fund.
 For more information, call Lowell Krumnow at 419-260-1282. For vendor information, call 419-350-8560.

Trick-or-treat at Riverview
 For the 10th year, Ottawa County Riverview Healthcare Campus, 8180 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor, will open it doors to the public for the annual Trick or Treat Night Sunday Oct. 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
 Little ghosts and ghouls are invited to trick or treat at the door of more than 100 Riverview residents’ doors. “This is a win-win for both Riverview and the community,” said Kendra German, Riverview Healthcare Campus administrator. “It gives families a safe, well-lit, warm place to trick-or-treat, and our residents have a ball getting to see all the different costumes. It something that they may have enjoyed in their own home and we are happy our Auxiliary has given us the opportunity to provide the experience right here in our building.”
 At 7:15 p.m., families can gather in Riverview’s Multipurpose Room where they are invited to enjoy cookies and punch. Trick-or-treaters can participate in the Costume Contest, which will include prizes for prettiest, funniest and scariest costumes, as well as the best baby contest.
 The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department will also be at the event to fingerprint children.
 The Auxiliary is donating $1,000 worth of candy, but there is always need for more. If you are interested in donating candy or money to this special event, contact Kim Geldien at 419-898-2851 ext. 200. All donors will be announced throughout the event and have their name displayed in our “Pumpkin Patch.”

Mall trick-or-treating
 Gather up the little ghosts and goblins and visit the Woodville Mall for mall-wide safe trick-or-treating Oct. 30 from noon to 5 p.m. Costumes are required.
 Other activities planned include a Halloween costume contest, scary crafts to make, face painting, musical entertainment and more. Those attending are invited to bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank.
 In addition, The Andersons will be hosting their storewide trick-or-treating during the same hours.
 Woodville Mall is located at Williston and Woodville roads, approximately a mile east of I-280 in Northwood. For more information, call the mall office at 419-693-0582.

Candy screening
 The Perrysburg Municipal Court will offer candy inspection on Halloween night, Sunday, Oct. 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The court is located at 300 Walnut St., Perrysburg.
 The candy will be inspected by the court’s security x-ray equipment to detect any foreign objects.
 Judge Dwight Osterud will have treats for the children. Court personnel and members of Perrysburg Court Law and Government Explorer Post #2306 will volunteer their time to staff the safety inspection.
 The Explorer Post provides a look into the world of law and government as a career choice for youths and offers the opportunity for them to participate in law and government activities. The Post is currently preparing to compete in the Ohio Mock Trial. For more information about the program call 419-872-7915, or visit www.perrysburg.court/Gen/explorer.
 The Perrysburg Municipal Court’s jurisdiction extends through the cities of Perrysburg, Rossford, and Northwood; the townships of Perrysburg, Lake, and Troy; and the villages of Luckey, Millbury, and Walbridge.

End of an era
 After nearly a decade together, a long time staple of the Toledo music scene, Resonant Soul, has announced that they are taking an indefinite hiatus from performing live and has scheduled their final concert for Oct. 23 at The Zodiac, 135 S. Byrne Rd. Toledo.
 The concert will also mark the release of their long-awaited, aptly-titled album “Truly These are the Last Days.”
The farewell concert will also feature live performances by fellow Toledo bands Saturnine Hello and Sattlelost. Saturnine Hello will also be releasing their new album that night.
 Tickets for the concert are $7 at the door. Resonant Soul’s new album, “Truly These are the Last Days,” along with all of their previous releases, are available for download on iTunes, along with all of their previous releases.

Candidate’s Night set
 The Northern Wood County Republican Club will hold a Candidate’s Night Oct. 25 at the Holiday Inn Express, located at SR 20 and I-75 in Perrysburg.
 Doors will open at 7 p.m. A brief business meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Annual Candidates Night State and county GOP candidates or their representatives will be on hand to share their plans for the final push to victory.
 For more information, contact Jerry Bannister, NWCRC treasurer at 419-874-5269 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit nwc.woodcountyrepublicanparty.com/.

Staying connected
 As another winter approaches, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) reminds consumers having difficulty paying their energy bills that several options are available to help stay connected.
 Through April 15, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has instructed the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities to reconnect or maintain services for residential customers either disconnected or threatened with disconnection.
 According to the “Winter Reconnection Order,” customers can have their service restored by paying the amount owed or $175, whichever is less, plus a $36 reconnection fee. This option is available on a one-time basis.
 For income-eligible households (detailed below), funds provided through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (E-HEAP) or other energy assistance programs may be used to pay the $175 charge. Customers must enter a payment plan for any remaining balance and apply for other available public benefits.
 In addition to the winter reconnection provision, the following federally and state-funded programs are available:
 • Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus), a revised percentage of income payment plan (PIPP Plus) that goes into effect Nov. 1. PIPP Plus is an income-based payment arrangement where customers at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay a percentage of their monthly income towards their electric and/or natural gas bills. Questions about the PIPP Plus program and requests for a new brochure that describes the program can be obtained by calling the OCC toll free at 1-877-742-5622 or visiting www.pickocc.org.
  • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), is designed to help income-eligible consumers at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay for their heating costs. Consumers can use this program one time per heating season. The benefit amounts may vary depending on individual circumstances and the amount of federal funding available.
 • Budget Billing allows consumers to spread energy costs over a 12-month period to have more uniform monthly payments. Consumers should contact their utility company to learn more about the program.
 • Payment Plans. When facing disconnection, consumers may propose to their utility company a payment arrangement that works best for them.
 For additional information about available assistance options, visit www.pickocc.org, or call toll free at 1-877-742-5622. For more information about the HEAP and electric PIPP Plus programs, call 1-800-282-0880.

Sweet Success gala
 The Carranor Hunt & Polo Club, Perrysburg, will be the setting for the 2010 Sweet Success Gala Nov. 5 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The event is the fifth annual fundraiser for Diabetes Youth Services (DYS).
 Proceeds raised at the event will help fund educational services for more than 3,000 children in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan living with type 1 diabetes. DYS teaches children and their families to manage their diabetes on a daily basis through summer camps and year-round programming. DYS is also the only area resource to local schools in providing training for school staff.
 The event will include gourmet grazing stations and a cash bar, along with live and silent auctions with prizes such as sports tickets and theatre and music experiences. Serving as host for the evening’s activities, and leading the live auctions will be Beth Rose of Beth Rose Auction, Toledo.
 Tickets are $85 per person. For more information about Diabetes Youth Services, to become a sponsor or advertiser or make a reservation for the gala, call 419-887-8739 or visit www.dys4kids.org.

Scam warning
 Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County has been alerted of an e-mail that is going around soliciting people for jobs and fundraising for Habitat for Humanity International.
 The Habitat for Humanity International office in Atlanta verified that this is a scam that has been going on for a few years and has resurfaced again.
 The scam e-mail from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it starts with “Hello Prospective Employee.” Anyone who receives the e-mail should forward it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 The national office of Habitat for Humanity International is trying to stop this scam.

Bell ringers needed
 All families, businesses and organizations looking to make a difference in the community this holiday season are invited to ring the bell for The Salvation Army.
 “Just two hours of bell ringing is equivalent to donating $122.09,” according Maureen M. Saponari, Human Services Director, The Salvation Army Port Clinton Service Center. “This is a great opportunity to reach out to our community and help The Salvation Army reach it’s goal of ‘Doing The Most Good.’”
 Last year The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign raised $52,908.22 to assist Ottawa County residents in need. Volunteers are needed at various locations in Genoa, Oak Harbor and Port Clinton.
 To volunteer or for more information, call Saponari at 419-732-2769 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fatherhood summit
 WSOS Community Action Commission will host a Summit on Fatherhood for parents and organizations that serve families in the area Nov. 1 at 9 a.m. at the Sandusky County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS), 2511 Countryside Dr., Fremont.
 The summit, which is open to any interested person, will address the issues facing fathers in the community. Social service providers, community leaders, and others will all gather to help develop strategies for improving the well-being of children.
 Space is limited, so reservations are required. To make a reservation, call Jill Butzin at 419-333-6031 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The program is funded through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

Haunting and hunting
 It will be an evening of Hunting and Haunting Oct. 30 at the Genoa Civic Theatre, located upstairs in the historic town hall, 509-1/2 Main St.
 Participants will go hunting at 6:30 p.m., picking up clues for a scavenger hunt that will take them all over town. Prizes will be awarded at the theatre at 7:30 p.m.
 The evening will also include ghost stories about Northwest Ohio, a snack, a movie and a tour of the theatre, if you dare.
 Call 419-855-3103 or visit www.genoacivictheatre.org for more information.

Brann fundraiser set
 A benefit fundraiser will be held for Tammie Brann Nov. 6 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pemberville American Legion H all, 405 E. Front St.
 Brann, a Pemberville resident, Eastwood alumnae and mother of twin boys, has been in a coma as a result of an Aug. 29 car accident. More information about her is available at caringbridge.org/visit/tammiebrann.
 The fundraiser will include a spaghetti dinner, silent auction and bake sale. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children (3 and younger are free). Supplemental funding from Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Chapter #30053 will be applied.
 To make a donation or for more information about the fundraiser, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Free rides to the polls
 Voters residing within the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority’s service area once again will be provided free rides to and from the polls on Election Day, Nov. 2.
 “TARTA has been providing free rides to and from the polls on both Primary and General Election days for several years,” said James K. Gee, TARTA’s general manager. “TARTA firmly believes anything it can do to help improve voter turnout and get people to the polls is a positive service to our community.”
 The free day is applicable across TARTA’s complete spectrum of services, including fixed line, Call-A-Ride and TARPS, the Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service for the disabled.
 On Nov. 2, from the first bus runs at 5:30 a.m. to the last bus runs at 11 p.m., all rides on TARTA will be free of charge.
 TARTA’s fixed-line service will follow normal routes. Riders are encouraged to determine in advance which route will get them to, or close to, their polling place. For help, call 419-243-RIDE (7433) in advance. TARTA riders should have their starting address and the address of their polling place available when they call.
 Suburban riders who use TARTA’s Call-A-Ride service also can call 419-243-RIDE (7433) to make arrangements to get to and from their suburban polling places. Suburban riders also are urged to have polling place addresses available and call to schedule a pickup time in advance.
 Physically challenged riders who use TARPS should follow their normal procedure and can call TARPS up to 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 1 to schedule rides to and from the polls on Nov. 2.

Halloween alternative
 Friendly ghosts, skeletons and witches will abound as Owens Community College hosts a variety of free games and activities as part of its fifth annual “Halloween Alternative” for children ages 12 and under on Friday, Oct. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center.
 Sponsored by the College’s Student Government, the child-friendly haunted evening will include arts and crafts activities, trick-or-treating, a “haunted” house, snacks and refreshments.
  All activities are free and area residents are welcome to attend with their children. For more information, call 567- 661-2569 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2569.

Tuned up for winter
    Penta Career Center, in collaboration with the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc., is sponsoring “Get Tuned Up for Winter – Your Body and Your Car” event for older adults Oct. 29 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Penta Career Center, 9301 Buck Rd., Perrysburg.
 The event will be held in the Automotive Technology area, behind the greenhouse. Admission is free but registration is encouraged.
    Activities that will take place at the event include brake, tire and fluid level inspections by students in Penta’s Automotive Technology program; a three-point safety inspection of vehicles through the CarFit program from AARP, blood pressure screenings from Penta’s Medical Technology students; healthy food samples from Penta’s Culinary Arts students; and fall floral arrangement ideas from Penta’s Floral Design & Greenhouse Production students.
    Older adults interested in participating in the Get Tuned Up for Winter event are encouraged to register by calling the Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. at 1-800-367-4935 or through e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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