Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Gibsonburg Donut Mile – a race featuring “3 donuts. 3 laps. 1 mile” – will be held Friday, June 27, at 6 p.m. at Williams Park, located at E. Stone St. The popular confectionary contest is held each year during the Gibsonburg Homecoming, which this year runs June 25-28 in the park.
The course is a timed 1-mile running or walking event around the 1/3-mile path at the Williams Park Quarry. Participants will eat a donut from the “world-famous” Ideal Bakery, run/walk a lap, eat a donut, run/walk a lap, eat a donut and run/walk a lap.
Awards will be presented to the top times in the following divisions: youth girls, youth boys, adult female and adult male. Special awards will also be presented to the participants with the best donut costumes.
Race day entry is $20 and begins at 5 p.m. at the Williams Park enclosed shelter house. Registration includes a T-shirt, while supplies last.
Post run, participants and spectators can enjoy the Homecoming Festival, which will feature carnival rides, games, vendors, food, a beer tent and live entertainment.
For more information, visit gibsonburgohio.org.
Portage River Festival
The annual Portage River Festival will be held Sunday, June 22, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., rain or shine, at Ory Park, corner of Rice and Ottawa streets in Elmore.
Earlier that day, the Portage River Bicycle Tour presented by Maumee Valley Adventurers, will depart from Woodmore High School at 7 a.m. The tour follows the meandering Portage River. This is flat country - biggest hill is a highway overpass. With routes of 10, 31, 62 and 100 miles, the tour offers distances for all riders - novice to expert. Sign up at register.mvadventurers.org/portage-river-tour.
In addition to food, fun and local vendors, Portage River Festival highlights include:
Teen Trivia Challenge
Teens can visit the Walbridge Library for an Art IQ: Trivia Challenge on Wednesday, June 25, at 4 p.m. in the Meeting Room. The library is located at 108 N. Main St.
During the game, teens can test their knowledge of art, with topics like movies, music, the Grammy Awards and more.
This program is geared toward ages 13 and older. Participants will have the chance to win prizes. No registration is required. For more information, call 419-666-9900.
‘Live Well, Age Well’
The Toledo Lucas County Public Library and UToledo Health are empowering older adults with the knowledge and tools to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives with the “Live Well, Age Well: Senior Health & Services Expo,” Tuesday, June 24, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.at Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St, Toledo.
The program, part of TLCPL’s recurring Main Library Takeover series, will bring together a diverse array of experts, organizations and community partners to provide valuable resources and insights tailored to older adults' needs.
Local health experts with UToledo Health will present nearly a dozen sessions throughout the event, covering such topics as medication affordability, fraud prevention and healthy eating. Advance registration for these sessions is encouraged but not required.
A dozen organizations and community partners are also available to answer questions, share resources and provide health screenings, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Area Office On Aging and Mobile Meals of Toledo, among others.
“Live Well, Age Well: Senior Health & Services Expo” is free and open to the public.
Main Library Takeovers are supported in part by the Library Legacy Foundation.
Visit toledolibrary.org/takeover for more information.
Beware of Ohio BMV scam now circulating
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has received reports of a possible texting scam being perpetrated on Ohioans from scammers claiming to be from the agency.
Ohio residents have reported receiving text messages from scammers claiming to be from BMV and informing the recipients that they have an outstanding traffic ticket. The text then instructs the recipient to pay immediately to avoid a license suspension. This particular scam is a phishing attempt that is being reported by drivers nationwide and is designed to trick residents into giving up personal or financial information.
“If you receive this text, do not fall for this scam,” said Ohio BMV Registrar Charlie Norman. "Do not click any links and delete the text. Ohio BMV will never send you a text demanding payment or requesting your personal information.”
Ohioans can report scam attempts to the Federal Trade Commission by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency.
‘Camp Delaware’ screening canceled
Due to lack of interest, the film screening of “Camp Delaware” scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, has been canceled.
“Camp Delaware” chronicles the recruitment, training, battles, bravery and service of the regiment. The film is a recording of a stage production. It incorporates speeches of political figures of the day, letters from the soldiers and sounds of popular music of the era will bring the unit’s story to life.
Call 419-332-2081 or visit rbhayes.org for details.
Free Fishing Days
Ohio’s annual Free Fishing Days will be held Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15.
Free Fishing Days give all residents a chance to fish at any public waterway without a license, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. This includes Lake Erie and Ohio’s public lakes, reservoirs, streams, and rivers.
“I encourage everyone to pick up a fishing rod this weekend and create memories with family and friends,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.
June 14 and 15 is the only weekend of the year on which residents 16 years old and older can fish public waters for free without purchasing a fishing license. Anglers under 16 can fish for free year-round and are not required to hold a license. All other fishing regulations, size requirements, and bag limits apply during the special weekend.
Use the HuntFish OH mobile application or visit the Go and Do fishing page at ohiodnr.gov to explore public fishing destinations.
Performers invited
The Wood County Committee on Aging (WCCOA), Inc. is seeking local performers for an event celebrating the creative endeavors of older adult artists in Northwest Ohio. The event will be presented in the Wood County Senior Center, 140 South Grove St., Bowling Green in August.
“Arts Abound, Perennial Pursuits!” will showcase various art forms pursued by community members who are compelled to create or engage in the arts as vital and meaningful components of quality of life. Visual art contributions will also be displayed the week of Aug. 18-22 in conjunction with the public performance. Intergenerational presentations are welcome; all performance levels are welcome.
Solo and group performers are encouraged to apply for inclusion by Monday, July 28. The performance date is Friday, Aug. 22 from 6-8 p.m. Presentations from one to five minutes in duration will be considered, and can include musical performance, spoken word, vocal pieces, dancing, acting, and other performing arts. Sound amplification, piano, and 20’ by 15’ informal stage space is available. Rehearsals will be conducted Friday, Aug. 8 from 1-3 p.m.
To access an application, visit wccoa.net or contact the WCCOA Program Department at 419-353-5661 or programs@wccoa.net.
Stand-up comedy series debuts at Cedar Point
For the first time at Cedar Point, guests can sit back, relax and laugh their way through a new style of entertainment at the Palace Theatre in Frontier Town.
Hoots & Hollers, an exclusive stand-up comedy series, features nationally touring comedians who have performed on “America’s Got Talent,” “Late Night,” Comedy Central and some of the top comedy clubs across the country.
Hoots & Hollers is a collaboration with Secret Society Comedy, a Cleveland-based pop-up comedy club that’s produced over 475 shows at more than 60 venues across Northeast Ohio. With an “exclusively inclusive” underground vibe, Secret Society showcases the next generation of nationally touring comedians in intimate spaces that feel less like a show and more like a shared experience of laughter.
Running Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through Aug. 31, Hoots & Hollers offers shows at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. The first two shows will feature content appropriate for ages 14 and older while the 9 p.m. show will be suitable for ages 21 and older. All shows are free and included with park admission.
Visit cedarpoint.com for complete details, including the lineup of comedians and dates.
