ETC: The Kevin Prater Band to perform March 7 in Pemberville

The Kevin Prater Band will take the stage at the Pemberville Opera House Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door or in advance at Beeker’s General Store, 226 E. Front St. or by calling Carol at 419-287-4848.

The concert is part of the Pemberville Freedom Area Historical Society’s ongoing Live! In the House Concert Series.

From the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, The Kevin Prater Band delivers their unique “Coal-Fired Pure Kentucky Bluegrass,” with additions of Classic County, Grassed Up Vintage Rock, original songs and emotion-filled, Bluegrass Gospel music.

The band is frequently recognized and celebrated for its stellar harmonies and a cappella singing.

The Pemberville Opera House is located at 115 Main St. Visit www.pembervilleoperahouse.org for more details.

Spring Fever Symposium

Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, 19255 W. Portage River South Rd., Elmore, will host a Spring Fever Symposium Saturday, March 21, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Held in in conjunction with sponsor GenoaBank, the program will feature a number of topics and speakers, including:

• “What’s New in 2026,” presented by Jill Bench, of Bench’s Greenhouse, Elmore.
• “A Year in a Cut Flower Garden,” presented by Becca Matthews, of River Bend Homestead.
• “Companion Planting,” presented by Toledo Grows.
• “Invasive Insects and How to Handle Them,” with North Branch Nursery.
• “House Plants 101,” presented by Green Crow Plants.
• “Successful Gardening,” presented by Wolf’s Blooms & Berries.

Admission is $39.95, which includes breakfast granola bar, soup, salad, sandwich lunch with dessert, coffee and water.

There will also be raffles with a chance to win a Schedel membership, Bench’s Greenhouse Elmore gift cards and more.

To sign up, visit www.schedel-gardens.org/calendar.

Rossford Balloon &  Fireworks Fest expanding

With land use officially secured for its new festival site at the northeast corner of Crossroads Parkway and Bass Pro Boulevard, planning is now moving at full speed for the 2026 Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest – America 250. The three-day family free event is scheduled for July 17-19.

Following the success of the 2025 event — which welcomed more than 12,000 attendees — the 2026 festival is expanding to three full days and introducing several high-profile additions, including a patriotic drone show, Sunday Heritage Day celebration, and the “100 Years of Cars” showcase.

Sponsorships have officially and early commitments are strongly encouraged.

The 2026 event will feature hot air balloon ascensions and glows; two nights of choreographed pyro-musical fireworks; a patriotic drone show; Heritage Day with Ukrainian dancers, a polka band, and Eastern European cuisine; 100 Years of Cars show; Live music, food trucks, helicopter rides, VIP experiences, and more.

For a complete sponsorship packet, visit RossfordBFF.com.

WCCOA welcoming  Poetry Contest entries

The Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. is accepting entries for this year’s poetry contest. Any Wood County resident 50 years of age or older may participate. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, March 31 at 4 p.m.

The theme of this year’s contest is “Second Glances,” and poems should celebrate the heart and soul of Wood County citizens as they continue to celebrate their lives.

Entries must be submitted in English, double spaced, in a 12-point Times New Roman Font. They must be entirely the own author’s work, and never previously published, online or offline. All styles of poems are acceptable.

Two entries will be accepted per person. Poems are to have a title and the poet’s name, address and phone number, and should not be longer than one page.

Email entries to programs@wccoa.net

A Bowling Green State University Writing Professor will select winners. The winning poet will be notified by phone at the end of April. The grand prize will be a $100 gift card sponsored by Manor at Perrysburg.

After the winner has been announced, all poems will be posted for reading at www.woodcountycommitteeonaging.blogspot.com.

Children’s Luncheon with ‘Lady Washington’

Oregon-Jerusalem Historical Society will present a Children’s Luncheon with First Lady Martha Washington Saturday, March 7, from noon-2 p.m. at the Brandville School Museum, 1133 Grasser St., Oregon.

Children ages 5-15 with an adult guest are invited to the luncheon and presentation with “Lady Washington,” as Revolutionary War veterans affectionately knew her.

The cost is $15 per person. Register through Wednesday, March 4, at www.oregonohiorec.com and click “Online Registration” or call 419-902-5149. The program is limited to 50 registrants.

Yoga inside King Tut’s Tomb set

Imagination Station is unrolling yoga mats inside the King Tut exhibit Sunday, March 22, from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Stretch, breathe and find your inner peace among ancient wonders at “Yoga & Sound Bath Inside King Tut’s Tomb.” Led by Toledo Mindfulness Institute instructors, the class takes inspiration from the King Tut exhibit and delves into the mind-body connection through sequenced movements.

Yoga mats will be provided, though it’s recommended to bring blankets and pillows for the sound baths. Tickets are $35 and are available at https://tickets.imaginationstationtoledo.org/.

Imagination Station is located at 1 Discovery Way, Toledo.

TMA Poetry Contest

The Discover, Inspire, Create: TMA Poetry Prize is accepting entries until Sunday, March 8.

If you’ve ever been inspired by a work of art in the museum’s collection, this contest is for you. The museum has identified five artworks that entrants can use for inspiration.

 For full entry details, visit https://toledomuseum.org/learn/poetry-competition.

Self-defense & Confidence Workshop

Celebrate Women’s History Month with StrongHER: Women’s Self-Defense and Confidence Workshop, a free, hands-on program led by instructors from Elite Karate that focuses on personal safety, confidence and awareness.

Designed for teen and adult women, the workshop requires no prior martial arts experience and introduces participants to basic self-defense strategies through simple, effective techniques in a supportive group setting.

Participants will build personal awareness and confidence while learning practical skills they can apply in everyday situations.

The program will be offered Monday, March 30, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Locke Branch, 703 Miami St., Toledo. Visit toledolibrary.org for more details.

Toledo Symphony Orchestra returning to Sauder Village

Sauder Village and the Black Swamp Arts Council will welcome the Toledo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) to Founder’s Hall for the 36th year as part of TSO’s Neighborhood Concert Series.

On Thursday, March 12, TSO will perform a unique program including selections from “Les Misérables” and “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.”

Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

General admission tickets are $18 when purchased before March 12, or $20 at the door. Reserved Seating is $25, available until March 6. Students 17 and under can attend the concert free when attending with a paying adult, thanks to the generosity of underwriters, patrons, and sponsors.

To purchase presale tickets, visit saudervillage.org. For rates, dates, hours, event registration, memberships and more, visit saudervillage.org.