Family briefs: Sandusky County Bicentennial events to begin in August

        Due to the ongoing health concerns and restrictions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandusky County Bicentennial events scheduled for May, June and July will be rescheduled to later dates.
        The bicentennial committee plans to kick off the celebration with its August events, as long as restrictions are lifted and it is safe for the events to take place. The committee is monitoring the situation and following the governor’s orders and guidelines.
        The Cotillion Affair Bicentennial Ball scheduled for Saturday, May 16, the historic walking tour of downtown Fremont scheduled for Saturday, May 30, and any other bicentennial events planned in June and July will be rescheduled. Announcements will be posted at the bicentennial’s website, bicentennial2020.org.
        The bicentennial events are planned to begin Saturday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 2, with the State of Eight Vintage Base Ball Tournament hosted by the Spiegel Grove Squires, the vintage base ball team at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. Details are to be announced.
        The following weekend, Friday, Aug. 7, and Saturday, Aug. 8, will be the Black Swamp Historical Festival at White Star Park in Gibsonburg. This event will include fireworks, live music, historical reenactors, food trucks and vendors and more.
        For information on the Sandusky County Bicentennial, visit www.bicentennial2020.org. Like the bicentennial on Facebook at @SanduskyCounty2020.
 
“Team Thunder” visits planned
        Serenity Farm Equestrian Center’s Team Thunder is getting back to business on May 15.
        “We are excited to announce that the mini therapy horses which make up Team Thunder will be visiting various care facilities throughout Northwest Ohio,” said Amanda Cajka, executive director of Serenity Farm, located at 21870 Lemoyne Rd, Luckey. “We hope that these no-contact visits will lift the spirits of residents and the caregivers who are working tirelessly each and every day.”
        For more information regarding Team Thunder visits, call 419-833-1308. Learn more about Serenity Farm at www.serenityfarm.org.
 
Polish American Festival canceled
        The board of the Polish-American Community of Toledo (PACT) has voted to cancel the 2020 festival, which was scheduled for May 29-31 at Club Sixteen, 316 King Rd., Holland.
        The festival is a significant fundraiser for the ongoing efforts to build a Polish Cultural Center in land donated by the Northwest Ohio Building Trades Council near their building along Front Street near I-280 across from the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
        PACT president Tom Pruss stressed that between PACT and other area Polish organizations, there are still a number of Polish events yet to come this year, especially in October, which is Polish Heritage Month.
        For additional information on PACT or to become a PACT member, visit PolishCommunity.org or call 419-836-0556.
 
Gibsonburg summer events canceled
        In a letter to village residents, Gibsonburg Mayor Steven Fought announced the cancellation of a number of summer events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
        “No one could have predicted the environment that we find ourselves in today,” the mayor said. “However, we are doing the best we can, given the circumstances that surround us. We are actively working with the local health department as well as the State of Ohio and the Governor’s office as this situation develops.
        Cancellations include:
        • Sculpture in the Village (June 13).
        • Fishing Clinic/Fishing Derby (June 20).
        • Homecoming Festival (June 24).
        • Village-wide Garage Sales.
        • Sculpture in the Village Arts & Wine Festival (Aug. 8).
        In addition, all summer youth programs in Gibsonburg Parks are on hold or canceled.
        “Should things change, efforts will be made to determine if the programs can start in a safe manner and follow all the necessary rules in accordance with safe social distancing,” the mayor said.
        “Canceling these events and programs is the last thing I wanted to do; we have stressed over these topics for weeks, hoping and praying for a better outcome,” the letter said. “I am crushed by the reality of having to essentially shut down all the fun in the Village of Gibsonburg for the summer. However, I am committed to ensuring that our village comes out of this pandemic in good shape and that our residents are safe.”
        Mayor Fought reminded residents that Gibsonburg parks are open for walking and fishing, including Silverock Park, where residents can walk, hike, fish and boat. Social distancing guidelines should be followed.
        All playgrounds and basketball courts will remain closed until Gov. Mike DeWine’s orders allow them to be reopened.
       
Friends of Maumee Bay cancel show
        Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Antique Tractor, Classic Car & Classic Bicycle Show, typically hosted by the Friends of Maumee Bay State Park on the first Saturday of June, is canceled.
        “The group anticipates and looks forward to planning the return of this show in 2021,” said Bob Textor, event co-chairman. “We would like to thank everyone who participated and the businesses that supported past shows.”
 
Crosby Festival rescheduled
        To ensure the health and safety of the artists, vendors, and 10,000 or more patrons who attend, the 55th Crosby Festival of the Arts, scheduled for June 26-28 at Toledo Botanical Garden, has been rescheduled for Oct. 10 and 11 at the Lucas County Recreation center indoor facility.
        Further details, including show hours, artists, amenities, and tickets will become available later this summer.
        The annual fine arts festival, presented by Toledo GROWs, features works by more than 200 artists from across the country and is heralded as Ohio’s oldest outdoor juried art festival.
        “In this most unusual time, our community needs the beauty created by these artists more than ever,” said Yvonne Dubielak, executive director of Toledo GROWs. “We know that many arts festivals are being canceled for this summer, and we are making every effort to provide an opportunity for the artists to showcase and sell their work. Many patrons look for their favorite artists at this show year after year. We are happy to be able to make these accommodations to keep everyone safe this year.”
        Proceeds from the show support Toledo GROWs and their work in the areas of education, community gardening, and urban agriculture.
        Visit toledogrows.org for more details.
 
Virtual grief support
        In the absence of face-to-face bereavement support group meetings due to the COVID-19 emergency, Hospice of Northwest Ohio is offering virtual bereavement group sessions and private counseling sessions to those in the community who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
        Anyone interested may call the Hospice bereavement team at 419-661-4001 to schedule a time for a virtual assessment to help determine which group would be most beneficial.
        All bereavement services are provided free of charge and are available to anyone in the community, whether or not they have had previous involvement with Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Meetings are conducted by hospice’s team of professional counselors.
        To learn more about grief and loss, visit www.hospicenwo.org.
 
Family & Child Abuse Prevention Center grant
        The Board of Trustees of Greater Toledo Community Foundation has approved a $5,000 grant from the COVID-19 Response Fund to Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center.
        The grant will be used to provide trauma counseling and educational services for children and families who are under insured/uninsured through the center’s Long-Term Services Program. The program assists children and families who have experienced trauma and have completed other programs through the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center but are still in need of additional services.
        Founded in 1974, Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center works to promote healthy relationships, break the cycle of family violence and to make every home a safe home. For more info, or to support the center’s community efforts, contact Dr. Christie Jenkins at 419-292-2927, ext. 305 or visit www.fcapc.org.
 
Mud Hens’ Virtual Education Day
        The Toledo Mud Hens will present a virtual field trip for junior high and high school students on Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m.
        The Mud Hens have teamed up with organizations from around the area to help teach kids about baseball, math, music, art, reading, history, science and more…while they are safe at home.
        The virtual event will feature engaging videos from the Mud Hens, Imagination Station, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Sauder Village, the Toledo Opera, Findlay Mazza Museum, Metroparks Toledo and the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
        A link will be provided online at www.mudhens.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
 
“Life on Lake Erie”
        The Ohio Lake Erie Commission is seeking submissions for its 28th annual “Life on Lake Erie” photo contest, which invites amateur photographers to submit their favorite photos of Lake Erie and surrounding landscapes.
        The contest is open to amateur photographers who are at least 18 years old and who submit original photos of Ohio’s Lake Erie watershed, taken between Aug. 1, 2019 and July 31, 2020,
        Entries may include photos of the lake itself or surrounding landscapes, boating, swimming, people, wildlife or events around the lake, for example.
        The entry form and official contest rules can be found online at https://lakeerie.ohio.gov. The deadline to enter the contest is July 31.
        Winning entries will be announced at the fall meeting of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. Winning photographs may be displayed on the commission’s website, social media platform and publications to promote Lake Erie, and at photography-viewing tours throughout Ohio with Lake Erie partner organizations.
        The Ohio Lake Erie Commission works to preserve Lake Erie’s natural resources, to protect the quality of its waters and ecosystem, and to promote economic development of the region.
 
Graphic novel book discussion
        On Wednesday, May 27, the Wood County District Public Library’s Graphic Novel Night book discussion will meet at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Neil Gaiman’s “Snow, Glass, Apples” via Google Meet.
        The discussion group is open to longtime fans of graphic novels as well as those who are just curious about the format.
        The library had introduced Graphic Novel Night prior to closing due to the coronavirus pandemic crisis. “Some of our other book groups successfully transitioned to online programs, so we decided to give it a try with this one as well,” said Marnie Pratt, Assistant Coordinator of Information Services.
         “While the ‘Snow White’ story inspired Gaiman, don’t assume ‘Snow, Glass, Apples’ is for children. Gaiman drew on the original Grimm Brothers’ stories, which were definitely more for adults,” Pratt added.
        To receive instructions for joining in the Google Meet book discussion, email woodref@wcdpl.org. Download the novel from either Hoopla, which allows multiple people to borrow eMedia titles simultaneously, or from the Ohio Digital Library, which allows only one borrower at a time for a title. Find more info at wcdpl.org/emedia.
 
Support Local Ohio
        Tourism Ohio has launched a new campaign, Support Local Ohio, to encourage consumers to buy from Ohio businesses, many of which have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
        The Support Local Ohio microsite offers links to local restaurants, retailers and attractions which Ohioans are encouraged to support through carryout, online orders, gift card purchases and more. The site also features fun and educational virtual reality tours for thrill-seekers, nature lovers, art and culture enthusiasts, and families.
        To find a local shop or restaurant to support, or to have your business featured, visit Ohio.org/SupportLocalOhio.