Foundation expands bike access for seniors in Gibsonburg

Residents at senior housing complexes in Gibsonburg and Clyde have new opportunities for mobility, exercise and independence thanks to an initiative that provide access to tricycle bikes.

In the village of Gibsonburg, the senior center is located alongside Luther Meadow Senior Community, a 45-unit apartment complex for older adults. While many residents still drive, lack of access to a vehicle or transportation costs often limit their mobility. As a result, walking and biking have become important alternatives for reaching nearby destinations.

However, some locations—such as the local Dollar General—are considered too far to walk but easily reachable by bicycle. Access to bikes, including tricycles designed for stability, helps bridge that gap and allows seniors to travel more freely within the community.

The interest in biking also extends to recreation and wellness. Many older adults have expressed a desire to ride to White Star Quarry, a nearby park operated by the Sandusky County Park District, which features a walking and biking trail. Having access to bicycles supports not only transportation needs but also physical activity and overall well-being.

To support these efforts, the Sandusky County Communities Foundation awarded funding to Great Lakes Community Partnership (GLCAP) to purchase trikes, helmets and locks for use by residents, including a manual trike in Gibsonburg as well as an e-trike at the Clyde Senior Center.

The trikes are available for residents to borrow during senior center business hours, making them an easy and flexible transportation option.

Community members interested in using a trike are encouraged to contact the Gibsonburg  Senior Center at 419-637-7947 for more information or to reserve a trike in advance.

County fairs to  hold Senior Days

The Ottawa County Fair will celebrate seniors at Senior Day at the Fair Wednesday, July 22, from 10  a.m.-2 p.m.

Ottawa County Senior Resources invites those 60 and older to enjoy free admission and activities in the GenoaBank Entertainment Pavilion. Golf card rides will be available to and from the pavilion.

Highlights include:

• Juice, donuts and coffee at 10 a.m.
• Health screenings from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Bingosize at 10:30 a.m.
• Line dancing with “Special K” at 11:30 a.m.
• Entertainment with Muleskinner Band at 12:30 p.m.

Limited lunch vouchers for a sandwich and drink from the Oak Harbor Lions food booth will be available at 11 a.m. Limited ice cream vouchers will also be available.

Seniors can also enjoy wagon rides around the fairgrounds departing from the pavilion.

Learn more at www.ottawacountyfair.org.

        Wood County Fair

Senior Day at the Wood County Fair will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4. Visit the Wood County Committee on Aging’s Facebook page at facebook.com/wccoa for a complete lineup of events.

Highlights include:

• 9:50 a.m.: Coffee and donuts (first-come, first-served); Dixieland Band.
• 9:50-10 a.m.: Welcome and opening address; “National Anthem” by Sheila Brown and the SILKI dancers.
• 10-11 a.m.: Hey Fire, of Curtice (classic country, swing and 60s).
• 11-11:10 a.m.: Door prize drawing (must be present to win).
• 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: What the Hey, of Curtice (60s, 70s and Motown).
• 12:15-12:45 p.m.: Lunch.
• 12:45-1:30 p.m.: Lively Voices Choir.
• 1:45-2:45 p.m.: Ginger and the Snaps (oldies, pop, rock, country and blues).
• 3 p.m.: Door prize drawing (must be present to win).

Registration for lunch is encouraged. Call 419-353-5661 or email programs@wccoa.net to leave your name and phone number.

Free Program to focus on educating seniors

The Wood County Committee on Aging will present The Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) Program at the Perrysburg Senior Center beginning Aug. 5. The program celebrates healthy aging and educates older adults on a variety of topics.

The free program, open to anyone 60 or older, includes six weekly lessons that cover a wide range of topics. Participants will have an opportunity to meet new people and:

• Learn about the aging process and how to make healthy lifestyle choices.
• Celebrate this exciting stage of life and all the benefits that come with it.
• Discuss risk factors and behaviors older adults should avoid to stay healthy.
• Examine how alcohol, prescription medications and over-the-counter medications affect seniors differently and how they can avoid problems.
• Learn how to use simple tools to help one feel more empowered about their health and the healthcare they receive

Sessions will meet Wednesdays, Aug. 5 through Sept. 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. Perrysburg Area Senior Center, 140 W. Indiana Ave.

Each session will include refreshments. There will also be a gift card incentive for participants who successfully complete the program. Registration is required. To sign up, call the Perrysburg Senior Center at 419-874-0847.

To learn more about WCCOA programs and services, visit wccoa.net.

Ice Cream Social

The East Toledo Senior Center will hold its Annual Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, Aug. 12, beginning at 11:45 a.m.

The cost is $5 and includes lunch provided by Swisher Dogs, ice cream with toppings, and the option to Pan for Gold. The panning for gold will be done outside, so participants should dress accordingly as they will get wet.

Payment is required Friday, Aug. 7. Call 419-691-2254. The center is located at 1001 White St.

Ohio AG plans crackdown on romance scams

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson recently revealed plans for a statewide initiative to enhance the state’s response to romance scams and similar forms of financ6ial exploitation targeting older adults.

Wilson unveiled the initiative, which prioritizes digital forensics in the fight against these growing crimes, during the 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference presented by his office and the Ohio Elder Abuse Commission in late June.

“Romance scams are among the most devastating crimes targeting older Ohioans because they steal more than money – they exploit trust,” Wilson said. “This new initiative will strengthen our ability to identify offenders, connect intelligence across jurisdictions and provide Ohioans with an easier way to report suspected scams before more victims are harmed.”

The effort, known as the Romance Impostor Scams Forensic Initiative, is due to launch this in mid-July.

As part of the initiative, the Attorney General’s Office plans to establish a dedicated hotline for the public and law enforcement agencies to report suspected scams. The hotline calls, in turn, will help investigators from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to identify patterns across jurisdictions and provide support for law enforcement agencies with such cases.

More specific information about the initiative and the hotline will be shared as it becomes available.