GPA: Education briefs

Owens Community College Band to present Christmas concert
        The Owens Community College Band will present a free Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. in the Center for Fine & Performing Arts Theater.
        The program will feature selections of popular Christmas music including medleys of carols, Leroy Anderson's “Sleigh Ride,” and the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” Other selections will include the patriotic “Lest We Forget,” honoring our veterans; a medley of music from the new movie “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” a saxophone solo, and much more.
        Refreshments will be served shortly after the concert in the theater lobby, where the Cherry Street Mission Ministries will have a display and accept donations to support their work.
        For more information, call Owens Community College Department of Fine & Performing Arts at 567-611-7081.
 
Nominations sought
        The Alumni Association of Morrison R. Waite High School is seeking nominations for the 2020 Distinguished Waite Alumni Awards.
        Recipients will be recognized at the 56th Annual Purple and Gold Celebration April 4 at St. Michael’s Centre in Oregon.
        The award, established in 1982, recognizes Waite graduates who have maintained alumni status for at least 10 years and who have excelled in their fields of employment and have gone above and beyond leading and serving their communities and country.
        To nominate a Waite High School graduate, call Dave Yenrick, Waite Alumni Association Chairman at 419-697-1949 or david.yenrick@gmail.com. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, Dec. 1.
 
Senior Christmas Luncheon
        The annual Eastwood Senior Citizens Christmas Luncheon is set for Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Riverview Banquet Centre, 405 E. Front St.
        Doors open at 11 a.m., with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Call Jenny McNair or Laurie Ruch at 419-833-6411 by Tuesday, Nov. 26 to make a reservation. If there is inclement weather, the lunch will be moved to Dec. 4.
 
Chicken Dinner
        Lake Athletic Boosters will present a chicken dinner Friday, Dec. 6 in the Lake High School cafeteria, prior to the Lake vs. Woodmore basketball game.
        Dinners, prepared by Butch Molnar & Country Catering, will be available from 4-6 p.m. Dinners include chicken, potato, vegetable, cole slaw, rolls, dessert and beverage. The cost is $8.50 for adults and $6 for children and seniors 65 and older.
        Tickets are available from any junior high or high school athlete or at concession stands. Proceeds raised benefit the Lake Athletic Boosters and Lake student athletes.
 
Santa Shop
        The 2nd Annual Santa Shop will be held Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Old Pemberville Elementary School, 120 College Ave.
        All items will be $10 or below. Shopping helpers will be available to assist young shoppers. Children and adults are welcome to shop. A gift-wrapping station will be available.
        Pictures with Santa will be available for $5 from 2-4 p.m.
        Bring a non-perishable food item and receive a ticket for a chance to win a prize.
       
Walk-In Advising Day
        Terra State Community College will host a Walk-In Advising Day Thursday, Dec. 12 to help students enroll in classes for the Spring 2020 semester. Hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. in Roy Klay Hall.
        During the event, new and returning students will apply for admission if they have not already done so, take appropriate placement tests, meet with an advisor, enroll in classes and receive assistance with financial aid. Students needing to do all of the above should come in no later than 5:30 p.m.
        No appointment is necessary. Current students who have not yet registered may walk-in. Visit www.terra.edu to register or contact the Terra State Admissions and Advising Office at 419-559-2349 or admissions@terra.edu.
 
Lake seeking nominations for Distinguished Alumni
        Nominations are being accepted for the 2020 Lake High School Distinguished Alumni Awards.
        Applications are available in the high school office or online at www.lakeschools.org. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 31.
 
Sunday Fun Open Swims at Oak Harbor High School
        Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools has announced new times for Sunday Fun Open Swims at the Oak Harbor High School Pool, open to all B-C-S students, families, and community members starting on Jan. 12, 2020.
        The pool will be open from 2-4 p.m. Sundays Jan. 12, 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 1, 8 and 15. Racquetball courts will also be open to adults during these times.
        Pool admission cost, to be paid at the door, is $1 for students and $2 for adults. Racquetball courts will be open to B-C-S adults only for an additional charge of $2 (limit four per court). A lifeguard and site director will be on site to ensure safety.
        Sunday Fun times will be cancelled if Ottawa County is on a Level Two or Level Three Snow Emergency as announced by the Ottawa County Sheriff.
        For more info, call Oak Harbor High School Assistant Principal Alison Wolf at 419-898-6216.
 
Theatre Workshop touring to classrooms
        The Children’s Theatre Workshop has a new program for Toledo theatre audiences: a theatre for young audiences tour.
        Professional adult actors will perform “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” a 30-minute play, for child audiences throughout Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
        Rebecca Schmidt performs the iconic princess Snow White, with Trina Friedberg as the Evil Queen and Alex Zerby as the Stage Manager/Huntsman. Students in the audience will be coached by the team of teaching artists to not only watch the play, but participate as performers themselves.
        Performances are designed for audiences of one or two classrooms at a time and are $80 per performance or $150 for two performances.
        Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is available for booking now, for performances starting mid-December through the end of May 2020. For more information, visit www.ctwtoledo.org/touring or email the office at office@ctwtoledo.org
        CTW’s Touring Program is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
        For additional information, contact the CTW office at 419-244-5061.
 
Owens to participate in Help-Portrait event
        In partnership with United Way of Greater Toledo, Owens staff, students and alumni will gather with community volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Owens Learning Center Downtown Toledo to donate their time and skills to create memorable professional portraits for those in need.
        Walk-ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
        Photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists and volunteers will gather to take part in this event to mark the 10th annual Help-Portrait worldwide event.
        Help-Portrait began in 2008 as an idea that transformed into a movement in just three months. The idea behind Help-Portrait is to find someone in need and take, print and deliver the portrait.
        Celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart formed Help-Portrait, a non-profit organization, as he looked for a way to use his skills and expertise to give back to those who may not have the opportunity for a professional photo. The idea is that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh and return their dignity.
        In the last 10 years, more than 75,442 volunteers have given more than 381,856 portraits. Help-Portrait is a global movement in more than 2,803 locations in 67 countries.
        The annual Help-Portrait event takes place on the first Saturday of December each year in addition to special events.
        This event is made possible through contributions made to the Owens Community College Foundation.
        The Owens Learning Center Downtown Toledo is located at 1301 Monroe St., Toledo. For additional information or questions, please contact Krista Kiessling at krista_kiessling@owens.edu.
 
Terra State holiday concerts
        The Terra State Music Department has announced a pair of concerts to be presented during the holiday season.
        Attendees can enjoy coffee and light refreshments at A Jazz n’ Fusion Coffee with a performance from the Terra State Jazz Band and Fusion Ensemble on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 4 p.m. in the Terra State Recital Hall, D122. Admission is free for the concert.
        The last concert of the Fall 2019 semester will be “Handel’s Messiah” performed by the Terra Choral Society, Toledo Choral Society and The Toledo Symphony on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. in the Rosary Cathedral in Toledo. For more information and tickets, call 419-246-8000 or visit toledosymphony.com.
 
Jingle & Mingle Luncheon
        Lake Schools will present a Senior Citizen Jingle & Mingle Luncheon Friday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. at Lake High School.
        Seniors are invited to enjoy lunch and performances by Lake Flyer students.
        To RSVP and or request transportation, contact Lisa Feather at 419-661-6526.
 
Basic Machine Program
        Vanguard Sentinel Adult Workforce Development, 1306 Cedar St., Fremont, will offer a 15-week Basic Precision Machine Program in early 2020.
        Classes, scheduled for Jan. 13-April 22, will meet Monday and Wednesday from 6-8:30 p.m. The cost is $850, which includes tuition, books and supplies.
        To register, call 419-448-1212, ext. 3008.