Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Beeker’s General Store, one of Ohio’s oldest operating general stores, will host its annual Miss B’s Day Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The event celebrates the life and times of Mildred Beeker, affectionately known as “Miss B.”
Part of Pemberville’s original “brick block,” the building, which is home to Beeker’s General Store, is celebrating 150 years this year. According to history, it was the first brick building built in the downtown area.
Built by A. Froney, Froney & Bruning and Hobart Bowlus were the first businesses established in the “double building.”
Mildred’s father, Fred, worked for the Zindlers for approximately 18 years. He later purchased the business with his brother-in-law, Charles Witker, with the store being known as Beeker & Witker.
In 1923, Fred Beeker became the sole proprietor. Mildred (Miss B) was an only child and had to report in to the store after school, helping out as needed. The store became her life — she never married — as she and her mother, Emma, continued the store.
After her mother’s death, the store became Mildred’s sole responsibility. A number of youths and locals helped her in the store on a part-time basis. However, she remained the staple until the age of 89, when she sold the store to one of those youths — Todd Sheets.
She continued to assist in the store for another five years and lived a full life to the age of 99, passing on Dec. 26, 2005. Sheets and staff decided a couple years back that the legend of “Miss B” needed to live on and be commemorated. Having been born March 22, 1906, Miss B’s Day is now celebrated on the Saturday closest to her birth date.
As part of this year’s festivities, Beeker’s will host a textile display with the theme “Celebrating the Life & Times of Miss B.” Local resident and friend of Mildred, Cindy Lohrbach, had the foresight to purchase and save some of Mildred’s dresses, and will be assisting Beeker’s display artist Michele Poturalski as they build this year’s display.
Other items on display will be Miss B’s childhood highchair, her play school desk (on loan from the Barnes Family), her wooden wagon that her father Fred constructed out of old wooden crates, and crochet handiwork made by Mildred herself, along with photos and other commemorative memorabilia.
“The store has created a number of product offerings in her honor, including Miss B’s Tea, a soap fragrance, quince jelly, infused honey, a limited handcrafted felted Miss B Mouse and her ever-famous grape juice,” Sheets said. “This year, the store will be adding to the mix — a new T-shirt commemorating the buildings’ 150-year anniversary.”
In keeping with tradition, all of the Miss B’s offerings have been produced by local designers, artists, and purveyors, he added.
The celebration will also include samples and refreshments.
Beeker’s is located in the heart of Downtown Pemberville at 222 E. Front St. Call 419-287-3274 for more information.
Schedel to host Easter Egg hunts
Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, Elmore, invites area children to an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 4, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunts will be held in two separate sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., rain or shine. Separate egg hunting areas will be designated for three different age groups between the ages of 1-12.
There will be special golden egg opportunities for both sessions.
Young participants should bring their own baskets. The event is free, but donations of canned goods for the Elmore Food Bank will be appreciated.
Other activities include photos with the Easter Bunny, a cookie-decorating station, food trucks, a bouncy house, face painting, and a baked goods sale.
Schedel is located at 19255 W. Portage River S. Rd., Elmore. Call 419-862-3182 or visit schedel-gardens.org for more information.
Tickets on sale for ‘The Great Gatsby’
The American Theatre Guild will present Ohio’s premiere engagement of the hit Broadway musical and global sensation, “The Great Gatsby,” in eight performances April 7-12 at Toledo’s Stranahan Theater.
Based on the beloved novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this production is part of the `25-26 Broadway in Toledo Series.
Tickets are available at BroadwayInToledo.com and StranahanTheater.com. Group ticket savings for 10 or more are available by contacting Groups@ATGuild.org.
Set in the Roaring Twenties, the story follows eccentric and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, who will stop at nothing in the pursuit of the lost love of his youth, Daisy Buchanan.
Become a fan of Broadway in Toledo on social media on Facebook @BroadwayInToledo, and on Instagram @BwayToledo.
NMGL Lil’ Scupper’s Kids Club returning
The National Museum of the Great Lakes is inviting its youngest visitors to explore, create, and discover through Lil’ Scupper’s Kids Club, a monthly program designed especially for children through age 6 and their caregivers.
Held on the third Thursday of the month at 11 a.m. in March, April, May, September, October, and November, Lil’ Scupper’s Kids Club takes place inside the museum’s Great Lakes Community Education Center. Each session features a community partner, bringing fresh stories, interactive activities, and engaging experiences that connect little learners to the region’s history and natural world.
This season’s partners include Nature’s Nursery, Frogtown Players, Maroks GlassRoots, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory. From live animal ambassadors and beach glass exploration to theatrical storytelling and hands-on crafts, each program is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, build early literacy skills, and create meaningful Great Lakes connections.
“Lil’ Scupper’s Kids Club is about cultivating the next generation of Great Lakes ambassadors,” said Cris Shell, experience manager with the National Museum of the Great Lakes. “Working with incredible community organizations allows us to create memorable experiences and a connection to the Great Lakes through place-based, playful, and accessible programming.”
The program is included with regular museum admission and is free for NMGL members and Museums for All participants (families receiving SNAP benefits).
NMGL is located at 1701 Front St., Toledo. Registration is required. For a full schedule and to register, visit nmgl.org/events.
Girl Scouts out and about selling cookies
Through March 29, local Girl Scout entrepreneurs will be out and about in the community holding drive-thru cookie booths, setting up cookie stands, and taking online orders to ensure cookie lovers enjoy all their favorites.
This year’s lineup includes the perennially popular Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, and the Lemonades — and the newest variety, Exploremores — inspired by rocky road ice cream.
Customers can plan their cookie shopping excursion by visiting gswo.org/findcookies and entering their ZIP code to find upcoming booths.
Purple Day Egg Hunt
The Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio, a nonprofit serving individuals and families affected by epilepsy across the region, will host its 3rd Annual Purple Day Egg Hunt Thursday, March 26, from 5-6 p.m. at its Maumee campus, 1701 Holland Rd.
Purple Day is an international grassroots effort to increase understanding and awareness of epilepsy. It is observed worldwide each year on March 26. The community event invites families across Northwest Ohio to gather for a fun, welcoming evening that highlights connection and inclusion.
The free event will feature a children’s egg hunt for ages 12 and under, crafts, refreshments, and door prizes. Admission is free and open to the public, and families do not need an epilepsy diagnosis to attend. The event will also feature purple decorations and family-friendly activities designed to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.
Doors open at 4:45 p.m. Parent or guardian supervision is required for all children. Free parking is available on site.
More information is available at epilepsycenter.org/purple-day.
Red Cross calls for blood, platelet donors
With spring just around the corner, the Red Cross encourages eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets during Red Cross Month this March.
The Red Cross will perform free A1C testing on successful blood, platelet, and plasma donations made now through March 31 (one result per calendar year).
In addition, those who come to give through March 31 will receive a $15 Amazon gift card by email. Details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/March.
Summer day camp for grieving kids, teens
Registration is under way for Hospice of Northwest Ohio’s summer day camp for grieving kids and teens ages 6-15.
The four-day camp, provided at no charge to participants, will be held July 27-31 at Camp Miakonda in Toledo.
Path Finders Camp provides opportunities for grieving kids and teens to interact with others who have experienced similar losses — in a safe, fun, and supportive environment.
A licensed counselor directs the camp. Campers are separated into groups by age, led by specially trained volunteers.
Through a variety of camp activities, campers will honor the memory of the person who died; normalize feelings and learn coping skills; participate in fun, outdoor games and activities; and make new friends.
Registration is required by completing an online application at hospicenwo.org no later than June 12. Space is limited.
Anyone interested in learning more about attending or volunteering at the camp can call 419-931-5623 or email pathfinderscamp@hospicenwo.org.
