Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Northwood Local Schools will present its spring production, “The Wizard of Oz,” Feb. 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. and March 1 at 3 p.m. in the AAA Auditorium, 700 Lemoyne Rd.
Tickets are available online at the Northwood Local Schools website, www.northwoodschools.org/calendars/events/events/.
“The Wizard of Oz” is a timeless tale of friendship and finding your way home. Dorothy (Mya Calvillo) finds herself lost in the magical Land of Oz, and with the guidance of Glinda the Good (Jadyn Sime) and the help of Scarecrow (Ezekiel Paengrord), Tin Man (Ace Black), and the Cowardly Lion (Layla Cheaib), they make their way to see The Wizard of Oz (Alexander Mannon) and to escape the clutches of The Wicked Witch of The West (Emma Pendrey).
“Frozen’ luncheon, meet-and-greet set
Lake Music Boosters and Theater Department will present a Chicken Luncheon and Meet-and-Greet with the Lake High musical cast of “Frozen,” Sunday, March 8, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with the cast of “Frozen” and enjoy a meal before the 2 p.m. show.
The cost is $15 per meal. The menu includes baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cole slaw, bread rolls, drink and dessert.
‘Under the Sea’ Breakfast With Me
Join cast members from Woodmore High School’s upcoming presentation of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” at an “Under the Sea Breakfast With Me,” on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 9 and 11 a.m. at Woodville United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Parking is available behind Marco’s.
The cost is $5 per person. RSVP to Megan Rohrbacher at rohrbachermegan@yahoo.com or call 419-213-0169.
The Woodmore High School Drama Club, directed by Marcia Busdeker, will present “Disney's The Little Mermaid” March 12, 13, 14, and 15 in the K-8 cafetorium.
Kindergarten meetings, open houses planned
Toledo Public Schools invites parents and prospective kindergartners to an informational meeting and open houses on Thursday, March 5, from 5-7 p.m. at all TPS elementary schools.
Children who are 5 on or before Sept. 2 are eligible for kindergarten enrollment.
Parents/guardians who attend should bring ID, the child’s birth certificate and immunization records and proof of residency (lease agreement or mortgage statement).
Registration information is also available on the Enrollment page at tps.org. Parents whose student attended a TPS preschool may use the Returning Student link. If your student did not attend a TPS preschool, use the New Student link.
Oak Harbor planning Kindergarten Info Night
Kindergarten Information Night for the incoming class of 2039 (2026-27 school year), will be held Thursday, March 5, at 6 p.m. at the Oak Harbor K-6 Building, 250 N. Locust St. Enter through the Main Entrance.
Students entering kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 19. Incoming students need not attend the meeting.
Attendees will learn about kindergarten screening, pick up an enrollment packet and schedule their student’s screening appointment.
Kindergarten screening will be conducted on Thursday, April 2.
Distinguished Alumni to be inducted at Purple and Gold Dinner
This year, Morrison R. Waite High School is celebrating its 112th year as an educational institution in East Toledo.
At the 62nd Purple and Gold Dinner Celebration, six Waite graduates will be honored and inducted as Distinguished Waite Alumni. The honorees have distinguished themselves as successful adults in their respective careers. They include:
Waite High School Alumni’s 62nd Purple and Gold Celebration Dinner will be held Saturday, March 28, at the Bayside Hall, 2759 Seaman St., Oregon. A social hour and gift basket raffle will begin the evening’s festivities at 6 p.m. Soft drinks, beer, and wine will be provided. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m.
The six Inductees will be introduced as Distinguished Waite Alumni at approximately 8 p.m. and fellowship will follow from 9:30-10:30 p.m. A $50 per person reservation is required for the evening.
Additionally, on Friday, March 27, at 9:30 a.m., the six Distinguished Alumni will be presented to the Waite student body and staff at a special program in the school auditorium. Each inductee will have the opportunity to speak to the members of the audience about their high school life and how they achieved their lifetime goals.
For information regarding reservations and donations, contact David Yenrick, chairman, at 419-697-1949 or david.yenrick@gmail.com.
Vanguard Sentinel Aspire Program enrolling
The Vanguard Sentinel Aspire Program is accepting new students.
Upcoming orientations are scheduled in Fremont. Aspire classes are free for adults interested in improving their skills to prepare for the GED test, college, a career, an apprenticeship, a certificate training program or additional workforce training.
Classes help students improve reading, math, writing, technology, and basic skills. English language classes are also offered.
Orientation is required before starting classes. Students must register in advance and attend all days of orientation. During orientation, students work with an instructor to set goals, complete placement testing and develop an individualized learning plan. Orientation will be held at the Vanguard Adult Workforce Development Center in Fremont 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 3, 5, 10 and 12.
Call 419-334-6901, ext. 2701 or ext. 2716 to learn more about getting started with Aspire classes.
Youth Writing Contest at Toledo Library
Youths in grades K-12 are invited to participate in the Toledo Library’s Ruth Blank Venner and Mary Jane Blank McCormick Youth Writing Contest.
Students are encouraged to craft a story in response to this year’s topic: “You’ve become an animal! Do you have fur, feathers or scales? Where do you go? What do you do?”
“This year’s writing contest invites young people to let their imaginations run wild,” said Nancy Eames, youth services coordinator at the Toledo Library. “By asking students to imagine life as an animal, we’re encouraging creativity, curiosity and storytelling and giving kids a fun, accessible way to express themselves through writing.”
Leon W. Blank established the contest to honor the memory of his sisters and to promote reading among area youth. Now in its 29th year, more than 21,000 students have participated since the contest was first held in 1997.
The contest is open to students in Lucas County and adjacent counties only. Teachers may submit entries for their class, but only one entry per student. To enter, a story must meet the following guidelines:
Grand prizes are awarded in four categories that are organized by grade levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Prizes include $200 Visa gift cards for first place, $100 Visa gift cards for second place and $50 Visa gift cards for third place, plus a $25 Visa gift card for each branch finalist (one per location).
Entries are due by March 28 and can be dropped off at any Library location or submitted online.
For more information, visit toledolibrary.org/writing-contest.
Owens moving spring commencement to Huntington Center
In order to create the best experience possible for graduates and their families and due to increasing graduation numbers, Owens Community College will host its 60th Spring Commencement at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo.
The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 8. No tickets will be necessary, and graduates can invite as many guests as they wish.
“Moving to the Huntington Center allows us to bring everyone together for one unified celebration,” said Dr. Blake Renner, Owens vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “We are excited to host commencement at the Huntington Center and provide an inclusive, expansive celebration for our graduates and their families.”
In 2025, the college split five ceremonies over two days at its on-campus Center for Fine and Performing Arts, which seats 526 individuals in its mainstage theatre. In previous years, the college had held commencements in the gymnasium at the Student Health and Activities Center, which held thousands of graduates and guests in the bleachers and in seats on the floor. Unfortunately, the gym can no longer be configured to host a single, large ceremony.
Based upon projections, the Spring Commencement would have required at least seven ceremonies, split classes and guest limitations. More ceremony information will be shared at owens.edu/commencement.
Nominations accepted for Teacher of the Year
Nominations are being accepted through Tuesday, March 31 for the next Ohio Teacher of the Year.
Anyone may nominate one or multiple teachers. School administrators, colleagues, community members, parents, or students may submit a nomination from a district or school building. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Each qualified nominee will receive a copy of their nomination, a certificate of recognition, and an invitation to apply to the program after the nomination period closes.
Direct questions to Angela Dicke, Ohio Teacher of the Year program coordinator at angela.dicke@sboe.ohio.gov or visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LC33TQG.
