Toledo Area Parent September Issue by Adams Street Publishing Co.

FREE SEPT/OCT. 2021

most read ONLINE

#toledokids

Kristen Fall

Editor’s Note Fall is Approaching, and We’re Back in School Again (IRL this time) As a transplant to the Midwest from Louisiana, I just can’t get enough of fall in this region. Last year, my heart was filled with childlike glee when I went apple-picking for the first time. I could drive around all day long looking at the changing of the leaves. Fall is my season. It’s also the beginning of my epic holiday decorating bonanza, a frenzy patiently endured by my husband (I like to think he secretly enjoys it). Most of all, I am looking forward to experiencing Northwest Ohio’s autumnal activities through the eyes of my now five-month-old son. It’s with that spirit that we put together an issue focused on Halloween Happenings and a guide to surviving the full-fledged return to in-person learning, complete with a Mom’s Survival Pack giveaway. We hope these guides serve you well this season. Other highlights include profiles on local author Tina DeBord and River Front Studios, practical tips on how to avoid added sugars, and online resources for parents. Our primary feature presents a cautionary tale about seemingly benign business “opportunities” that put many unsuspecting parents in debt. Multi level marketing can be difficult. However you choose to transition to this new season, I hope you find both insight and valuable ideas here to make the most of your family time. Happy fall, y’all. Erin Holden Assignment Editor —Toledo Area Parent

Kids Astrology By Kimmie Rose

Adams Street Publishing Co. Describe the most memorable Halloween costume you’ve ever worn. Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@toledoparent.com) I went as a trucker with a trucker hat, too small t-shirt, sleeves rolled up with a pack of cigs and jeans. I was seven months pregnant!

Aug. 23 Sept. 22

Your Virgo child is particular; they know what they like and definitely let you know what they DON’T like. Creatures of habit, these children do best with a set routine. This month, their creative switch will flip on! Make sure you know where your crayons and markers are; otherwise, they will be expressing their creativity on your furniture and walls! If you exhibit frustration, you might stifle their natural ability to create. Virgos are neatniks and will prefer simple surroundings without a lot of distractions. Go out and get an easel for them with some simple watercolor paints or crayons and let them create masterpieces! Designate a specific place to hang their creations and your little Virgo will grow up able to freely create. That nit-picky part of the self will fade away when your child realizes that you are excited about what they did. They will give you artwork that they feel is their best work!

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Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@toledoparent.com) I was a box of Jello.

Editorial

Assignment Editor Erin Holden

(toledoparenteditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Conchords STAFF WRITER Jeff McGinnis

(mcginnis@adamsstreetpublishing.com) I won a costume contest in my elementary school as a magician! Digital Media Nate Light (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Quailman from Doug Digital Marketing & Social Media Margot Jacobs (margot@adamsstreetpublishing.com)

the morton salt girl Contributing Writers Erin Holden, Jeff McGinnis, Kimmie Rose, Kiera Jacobs, Allie Bugaj, Evan Laslo, Julie Pompa, Jill Morgenstern, Kimberly Feldkamp, Emily Remaklus, Jason Buchanan, Laurie Bertke, Andrew Kersten, Erin Schoen Marsh

Advertising

Sales Suzanne Bell (sbell@adamsstreetpublishing.com) I was the Chiquitta banana lady Gabrielle Huff (ghuff@adamsstreetpublishing.com) wednesday from the addams family Bonnie Hunter (bhunter@adamsstreetpublishing.com) I don’t need a costume. Jenny Leach (jleach@adamsstreetpublishing.com) vampire of darkness, fangs and all!

Art/Production

Production Manager Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) A tylenol bottle

Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 Your bright eyed Libra child is really needing some alone time, longing to meet their own inner voice, no matter what age they are! The only possible roadblock is the one gift and curse that they came into this world with — their ability to sense the vibrations of other people. If you do not allow them to express themselves, they may bottle everything up. Because of their people-pleasing nature, they have a hard time balancing their need to help others with a desire for their own time. Because they are in a daydream mode and want to feel needed, they have a way of disappearing so there is no conflict. They will practice finding their balance this month, but their naturally overactive minds and tendency to focus on perfection and order can bring them anxiety. Let them learn to find their balance now so an obsession with orderliness doesn’t carry into their adult life. Remember to give them some reflection space. There are so many positives for Libra children this time of year that you will enjoy watching them grow into their own little individuals who still love to spend time with you! 4

• September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Senior Designer Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Vampire. Red contacts, dentist made fangs. satin and Sequined full length cape...you get the idea.

Administration

Accounting Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@toledoparent.com) I make costumes for others to wear and the coolest one was Gumby. Distribution Karena Adams (distribution@adamsstreetpublishing.com)

Advertising/General Info

For advertising and general information, call 419-244-9859 or fax 419-244-9871. E-mail ads to adsin@adamsstreetpublishing.com. Deadline for advertising copy 2 p.m. Friday before publication. Toledo Area Parent subscriptions are available by mail for $30 per year at Adams Street Publishing, 1120 Adams St., Toledo, Ohio 43604. One copy free per person per week; extra copies $1 each. Persons taking copies for any reason other than personal use are subject to prosecution. Letters to the editor must be limited to 300 words, are subject to editing, and should include the writer’s full name and phone number. Any letter submitted to the editor or publisher may be printed at the publisher’s discretion in issues subsequent to its receipt. Entire contents © 2021 by Adams Street Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Audited by

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Stella, 1and Vivian taking a stroll

visiting Madison and Olivia rk Oak Openings Pa

, Stevie, 10 and Drew ing joy en r he Fis 8 some summer fun!

Kids Eat Free!

If you don’t feel like cooking on those busy days, decide where to dine by picking a place where your kids eat free.

toledoparent.com

www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

Climate Change: A Family Conversation

Imagination Station is facilitating an important dialogue with their video, “Climate Change: A Family Conversation,” which is now available on the organization’s Youtube channel. This video is an opportunity for parents to discuss the topic of climate change with their children and how they and their children can make a difference in saving the planet.

Help TPS “Write the Future” In a partnership effort to unify our community’s public educational system with area businesses and stakeholders, the Toledo Public Schools Foundation launched the “Write the Future” campaign to fund student college and career readiness initiatives. The Owens Corning Foundation’s lead gift of $675,000 propels the “Write the Future” campaign halfway to its stated goal of $1.5 million. With a focus on expanding relationships with area businesses to foster mentoring for TPS students, the TPS Foundation has renewed and re-energized its endowment fund, which targets $2 million by 2025. Community support by local businesses and service providers is a benefit to both Toledo Public Schools’ mission as well as the entire surrounding community. TPS sees a responsibility to produce viable and qualified employees for the local workforce. To learn more and donate, visit www.giveTPSF.org.

The video features children posing questions to climate change expert Shyla Raghav and Dr. Kimberley Rain Miner, a climate scientist at NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, about the effects that are expected in our lifetimes if change is not made. “All over the world, you can see these changes happening. But the difference is that it’s happening in our life as opposed to these really long time periods, not thousands of years, which is the time frame we expect for Earth’s changes,” Dr. Miner explained.— KJ

Child Tax Credit Update Thanks to the 2021 Child Tax Credit, a provision added as part of the American Rescue Plan for pandemic relief, anyone with a child under 18 years of age is eligible for monthly payments (totaling up to $3,000 annually for each child age 7-18 and $3,600 annually for each child six and under). But what if you have given birth or are due to have a child in 2021? Rest assured, even if you don’t take this step to receive the payments monthly, you will receive the money in the form of a tax refund in 2022, unless you decide to opt out on the portal. Any household with an income under $440,000 qualifies for the assistance. Go to irs.gov for their tax credit portal.―— EH

Join the squad Mermaid Squad is the newest book series by Sherelle Gaston, a Toledo author whose goal is to teach children important values while furthering diverse representation in children’s books. Sherelle is a wife and mother of two, and her time working in children’s ministry inspired her to create books about people and prophets of the Bible that represent children today. From there, she started creating children’s book series to teach children the importance of God. Mermaid Squad and its coloring book counterpart are on sale. The first 100 orders will receive a special gift with purchase. For more insight on Sherelle’s work, search “The Greatest In the Kingdom” on both Instagram and Facebook. — KJ 6

• September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

New inclusive playground A huge milestone for our community was reached with the grand opening of the Perrysburg Inclusive Playground on July 31. Presented by Mercy Health, the playground is accessible to children of all abilities through the direction of Wood County Plays, a nonprofit that seeks greater playground inclusivity. The play area includes features like bucket seats for children who need more support for the swings and zipline, ramps for wheelchair accessibility and aids to help the visually impaired. Visit Rotary Community Park, 26350 Fort Meigs Rd., Perrysburg. Email: info@ wcplays.org. Check out wcplays.org to learn more about the organization and their upcoming playground project in Bowling Green. — EH

Explore STEM education

Toledo now has a new STEM charter school with the opening of Explorers Academy of Science and Technology at 1850 Airport Hwy., near St. Charles Catholic Church. The tuition-free school can enroll 300 kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Explorers Academy began its first year of classes on August 27. Learn more about their mission and future enrollment opportunities at explorersacademyst.com.

Books on the move

People Called Women recently opened a mobile bookstore that travels to festivals, parades and more to bring their mission directly to readers. As one of only 11 feminist bookstores in the country, they sell empowering books, postcards, t-shirts, and other related merchandise. The mobile store can come to any gathering to spread the joy of reading; the owner calls the bookstore a “food truck for your mind.” Contact People Called Women to invite them to an event or to visit a specific neighborhood by calling 419-787-0008 or follow them on social media. —AB

Artful beauty boutique

When Jess de la Mer and Elysian Beauty Bar combined forces, Iris Beauty Bar & Boutique was born. The Boutique (located at 2712 W. Sylvania Ave.) is a salon offering manicures and pedicures, hairstyles and cuts, makeup, lashes and more, as well as a showcase for local art and products. Treat yourself to their services by calling 419-490-6590 or visiting www.facebook.com/irisbeautybarandboutique. —EH

1st Tooth, 1st Visit

Early dental care can promote a lifetime of healthy smiles for your child.

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3036 W. Sylvania Ave. Toledo, Ohio 43613 419-474-0733

Good eats at Baba’s

Looking for local cuisine off the beaten path? For a unique bite, try Baba’s Eats, the Toledo area’s first Middle Eastern Taco food truck. Putting an unexpected twist on a few classic flavors, the truck offers vegetarian options as well. Find where they’ll be each week at facebook.com/babaseats419. —JM

Building alliances

Through a grant from the Toledo Community Foundation, the Strategic Alliance Partnership—a collaboration among the Sylvania Arts Commission, Sylvania Recreation Corporation, and Sylvania STEM Center— works to create new community spaces, benefits, and opportunities for Sylvania, innovatively facilitating the arts, athletics and sciences with a focus on community engagement and recreational activities. The partnership has plans for a Multigenerational Community Center which will offer a makerspace, space for robotics teams, classrooms, a community theater, field house, lap pool, family pool, community spaces and more. —EL

www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

tween the lines

advice for parents with children 10-16

Jessica Fuller (left) along with Paris Hilton display their #BreakingCodeSilence statements during a protest in Provo, Utah.

Breaking the Code of the Troubled Teen Industry Investigating behavior modification programs for children and teens By Julie Pompa

Local business owner and activist Jessica Fuller experienced a troubled childhood. Today, Fuller owns a small shop that provides healing crystals, and is collaborating with a local hair stylist to open a beauty bar and boutique. But as a child, she was sexually harassed by three boys while traveling to a sixth grade camp. She became suicidal and violent, causing family life to become very difficult. Over several years, her parents sent her to numerous schools and facilities in two different states for treatment. Fuller came to learn that she had entered the “troubled teen industry,” consisting of organizations created to control or change the behavior of young people. Family doctors, court systems and educational counselors, among others, advise parents on the myriad programs to help young people (including children as young as ten) and their families cope with children’s antisocial and unhealthy behaviors ranging from substance abuse to violent crimes. While many effective family programs exist, other intervention programs can have negative, long-term effects on young people. Boot camps, wilderness therapy and conversion therapy programs are among treatment practices that have been identified as ineffective and potentially damaging, even years after young people have left them behind. Roots of the movement The earliest examples of damaging programs date back to the 1950s 8

with an organization called Synanon. Its treatments included isolation, sleep deprivation and manual labor. Although Synanon was closed in 1991, its followers spun off similar programs, some of which have brainwashing-type techniques. Celebrity Paris Hilton is a product of the troubled teen industry. Her 2020 documentary, This is Paris, highlights a series of schools and treatment centers where she spent time during her teens. Reunited with several of the other young people who were at a Utah institution, and together they made public statements about their time there. She has testified in support of Utah’s Senate Bill 127 (which passed and was signed into law this past spring) to set new regulations for the state’s troubled teen institutions. The statements from this group and others began the organization #BreakingCodeSilence, part of a movement Fuller embraces here in Toledo. Breaking the silence in Toledo Today, Jessica Fuller is studying social work in preparation for a career in juvenile justice. She’s also a local advocate for Breaking Code Silence, an organization created by survivors to raise awareness of the problems in the troubled teen industry and protect young people from abuse. The organization was established in the fall of 2020 and named a national non-profit organization in the spring of this year. According to the organization, “Code Silence” is a term used by institutions to “control children through forced

silence, intended to socially isolate them until they reach a breaking point.” The organization incorporated the #BreakingCodeSilence hashtag to “encourage survivors of institutional abuse to stand up and testify about the abuse” at these facilities. The most critical objective of Breaking Code Silence, according to Fuller, is to “educate people about the troubled teen industry. We need to provide information so people will understand what happens and to help get young people out of these situations,” she said. To further spread the word, Fuller has become active in promoting Breaking Code Silence through social media. “The organization offers peer support and help in finding local resources,” she explains. Ultimately, Breaking Code Silence is building a funding base so survivors can get support in finding the counseling services they need after they have been through these programs. Families finding their way through the system For families wanting to find good, safe counseling and treatment programs for their kids, Breaking Code Silence stresses that appropriate treatment programs have been evaluated for effectiveness and assessed in large studies by independent researchers. They list a variety of programs that currently meet these standards. In addition, Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development is a registry of evidence-based programs that have scientific support. And the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention

• September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) is building community-based alternatives to confinement for young people moving through the court system. Help for young people One of the most important things a young person who is struggling can do is to talk about the experiences they’re having. They should be encouraged, not afraid, to talk to adults about the conditions within problematic programs. “I know that therapy is not the enemy,” said Fuller. “I’ve been betrayed by many programs, but the right program can be very, very beneficial.” She is also engaging in other pursuits, like journaling, music, outdoor activities, boxing and art. “These things have helped me a lot.”

Other accounts of kids having these experiences can be found on the Breaking Code Silence website, breakingcodesilence.net. Paris Hilton’s documentary, This is Paris, delves into her experiences within the Troubled Teen Industry. If you know a young person in an urgent situation who needs help, call 911. If the child has suicidal feelings, call 800-2738255 or text HOME to 741741. LGBTQ+ support can be found at the Trevor Project hotline at 866-488-7386. If you are a child being abused or know of a child being abused, call 800-422-4453.

EXCEPTIONAL FAMILIES for parents of children with special needs

Reflecting on COVID

How children with special needs have been affected By Emily Remaklus

We’re all aware of the adjustments children have had to make during the pandemic—wearing masks, schooling from home, social distancing and other accommodations—but what might not be readily realized is the immense impact the emergency health situation has had on children with special needs. As some COVID restrictions are easing, families of those children can start to breathe a sigh of relief. Understanding autism Children with special needs have unique challenges, but those with autism generally do better in a consistent routine. While COVID resulted in routines being altered, according to Kate Schwartz, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio, without going to school and interact with others, there were less opportunities for children with autism were prevented from developing social skills. As a social communication disorder, social skills are important to practice and to develop for those on the autism spectrum. Lacking of opportunities to practice social skills, or regression has been the result for many children. Schwartz explained that people with autism often “have a heightened sensory system, so wearing something extra that touched the face and ears (a mask) was uncomfortable. The tug on the ears to keep the masks secure could be magnified in a person with autism.” Introducing Eli The local family of a child with autism shared their experience going through COVID. Lisa Rozanski and her husband Scott are the parents of seven-year-old Eli, a child with special needs. Lisa explains that Eli, on the autism spectrum and is also nonverbal. She described Eli as a “very happy, lovable little boy. Everyone who meets him falls in love with him. He hugs with all his might… he touches everyone he meets. It’s awesome to watch.” Even so, Lisa clearly noticed the stress that the pandemic brought to her child.

Eli has always had problems with wearing additional clothing like gloves, hats, or sunglasses, so having a required mask made it tougher for the family to get out of the house. School routines shattered Like all schools in the spring of 2020, Eli’s school for children with special needs closed. Lisa explains that Eli “was used to a routine every day and going to school with friends, but then he was separated from them.” For Eli, it was difficult not to be in school. He didn’t grasp the idea of FaceTime or Zoom, so his interaction with other kids was limited during the school closure. “It was just a battle,” said Lisa. “At one point, we talked to the administration; we felt like our kids needed to come back (to school for in person learning).” Lisa faced some pushback and judgment from others who were concerned it was too dangerous to send children back to school, “but being back in school was what was best for [Eli],” she said. The school did open back up for in-person instruction in the fall, but it was on a half-day schedule with a lot of strict rules. Transitioning from COVID It seems that the 2021-2022 school year may regain some normalcy, which will help alleviate the stress that children like Eli and their families were feeling during the pandemic. While COVID hasn’t been easy for any of us, those living with autism have had an especially tough time. It is more important than ever to practice empathy and understanding toward these kids. The lifting of mask mandates in many settings has made a huge difference for these families to reclaim the ability to engage with the outside world. Visit acousticsforautism.com, particularly their Project iAM which helps grant scholarships to families for therapies, sensory activities, and more. Read the expanded story at Toledoparent.com

www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

G N I T EN

PRE

he t e m Ta sh o t u s R y g a 10 W ol Mor nin Scho Not ready for the morning chaos of getting everyone ready? Here are some ways to reduce morning mayhem. By Jill Morgenstern

My home recently underwent two years of renovations. And although the lengthy process had distinct disadvantages, there was one perk: a hole in the ceiling directly under my son’s bed. Rather than run upstairs and make sure his alarm had done its job, I was able to bang on the floor of his bedroom with a broom handle. This crude wakeup call saved precious moments for me every weekday. With a new school year arriving, you may also be dreading those early mornings. But even without a convenient hole in your ceiling, here are some ways that you can save time and hassle in the morning.

Get Kids to Bed on Time Everything runs more smoothly when kids get enough sleep. According to leading sleep expert Richard Ferber in his book Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems, the average six-year-old needs ten and a half hours of sleep and a ten-year-old needs an average of ten hours. While this may seem difficult with work, school schedules and after school activities, the closer you can get to giving your child this much needed rest, the easier mornings will run. A well-rested child will be easier to rouse and more compliant with instructions throughout the day, not just early in the morning.

Pack Lunch the Night Before Early mornings will go more smoothly if you don’t realize you are out of carrots five minutes before you’re scheduled to leave the house. Packing lunch the night before not only saves time in the morning, but it also allows an extra cushion for when expected items are not on hand, making mornings less hectic.

• September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Get as Much Done on the Weekends as You Can Mornings can run smoother if grocery shopping is planned for the week and clean clothes are ready and waiting. Some parents even go as far as picking out outfits for the week and lining up five sets of snacks for lunch boxes over the weekend, when timing is not so critical. Choose Clothing the Night Before Lining up the week’s clothing ahead of time is not feasible for everyone, but choosing clothing the night before saves much needed time in the morning. Not only does your child not have as much to think about during those groggy early mornings, but laundry emergencies such as a lack of clean socks can be taken care of the night before. Making sure shoes, hats and coats have a designated spot and are present and accounted for the night before will also help prevent morning mayhem.

Set the Alarm 10 Minutes Earlier Ten minutes may seem like a small amount, but it can make a huge difference when it comes to getting ready in the morning.

Keep Backpacks at the Ready Make sure and have a designated spot for the backpacks. Before bed the night before, make sure all homework is already inside and ready to go! One easy way to accomplish this is to train your kids to put their homework into their backpack directly after completing it.

7 8

Delegate Assign certain chores to your kids. Whether it’s picking out their clothes the night before or gathering snacks for their lunch box, kids should definitely be responsible for parts of the morning routine. In addition to making mornings run more smoothly, giving children more responsibility for readying themselves can provide a myriad of benefits including increased self-control and building problem-solving skills.

Make it a Game Try timing certain parts of their mornings. Some children will like the challenge of getting dressed faster today than they did yesterday.

Ban TV in the Mornings Even having the TV on and tuned to the news or weather can be distracting to children. If TV in the mornings is the habit at your house, try banning it for a week and see if it improves your morning routine.

Shower or Bathe the Night Before Especially if your child likes to lounge in the tub or shower, before or after dinner is a better time to bathe than mornings. Using some or all of these tips can help prevent morning mayhem. Just a little saved time in the morning can get your child off to a cheerier start to their day, entering the classroom with the best foot forward. Not to mention, starting your day off on a more pleasant note.

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www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

Discover iLEAD Spring Meadows,

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What makes us unique?

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• September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

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Cardan Montessori Center

OPEN HOUSE GUIDE

1555 S. Byrne Rd., Toledo 419-787-7376 or 419-215-8151 cardanmontessori.com Open House: Virtual interview and tours available now

Back in School Again Open House Guide

By Emily Remaklus and Erin Holden With school resuming this fall, so has a sense of normalcy. There’s no better time to review your options if you are looking for your child to attend a different school, or if they will just be starting their educational journey. Our Open House Guide provides parents with a list of options to suit different needs, from Montessori schools to those that provide income-based aid for families. Explore these centers of learning to help with one of the biggest decisions parents can make for their little ones!

Early childhood educators Jordan and Carmen Nathaniel discovered after having children that many Montessori schools were over their budget, and government childcare benefits did not offer them the opportunity to send their children to centers that offered more private and specific education. Wanting to give young, low-income parents the chance to send their children to a Montessori school, they opened Cardan Montessori Center. The Center accepts government benefits so that children in low-income households can have a quality Montessori education. Montessori studies come from Maria Montessori, who developed a way of education that allows children the freedom to learn through exploration, creating a sense of independence and a love for learning. The Cardan Montessori Center offers programs for children from infants to school-age. Jordan and Carmen Nathaniel’s ultimate goal is to open a chain of centers throughout the country so that underprivileged children nationwide can benefit from the Montessori Method.

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1555 S. BYRNE RD., TOLEDO, OH 43614 www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

Make the Most of Your Summer the Toledo Library Make the Most ofwith Your Summer

with the Toledo Library

The days are getting shorter. School is starting back up soon. Pumpkins, apple cider, and corn mazes are right around the corner. 419-671-0001|tps.org Satisfy your tastebuds. Squeeze a bit more fun out of your High School Open House Dates: Planning picnic or ashorter. backyard School is The days are agetting summer with help from the Toledo barbeque? Be the consummate Start High School: September 1| 5-6:30pm Lucas County Public Library. starting host with an fromPumpkins, the Toledo back upassist soon. apple Scott High School: September 1| 5:30-7pm Library. Master the craft of grilling or Go on a geocache adventure. cider, and corn mazes are right around Bowsher High School: September 8| 6:30-7:30pm become a cocktail connoisseur with Millions of geocaches are hidden books from the Library as your guide. the corner. Squeeze a bit more fun out ofWoodward High School: September 8|6-7pm around the world—including at all Toledo Library locations! Begin your ANSAT (Aerospace & Natural Science Academy of Toledo): Make yourwith summer campfires your summer help from the Toledo adventure by creating an account memorable. September 15|5-7pm with the Geochaching® app, then Nothing beats a fireside hang with Lucas County Public Library. Whatever your child’s interests academically, the Toledo Public Schools start exploring the outdoors at the family and friends, especially when system offers many resources to help them excel and find their niche. Library. storytelling is involved. Visit your From college prep to vocational training like carpentry, welding, auto Library location before your collision, aviation, medical technology, and animal science, “It’s offered Go onnearest a geocache adventure. Take a stroll along a StoryWalk.® campfire to find funny, silly, and Enjoy reading and fun as you wander scary stories to share. TPS.” Students who attend TPS also have endless opportunities for of geocaches are hidden around at along a pathway, following signsMillions to extracurriculars in athletics, the arts, and much more. the next page in the story. Found Create a summer soundtrack. the world—including at all Toledo LibraryTPS standards for early childhood education and special education at 19 locations, each StoryWalk® are second to none, and they are well-recognized for their Intervention Create the perfect playlist for your provides a new way to experience locations! Begin your adventure remaining sunny season activities by Response Teams (IRT) to help any student who is experiencing behavthe grounds and gardens of various using Freegal Music, a free music ioral and/or academic difficulties. No matter what your child is going Toledo Library locales. creating an account with the service from the Toledo Library with through, there are resources to help them overcome it and thrive. thousands ofapp, albums and unlimited then start exploring Though open house events took place in August and early September, Build your backyard oasis. Geochaching® streaming. parents who are looking to send their child to a Toledo Public School can Make the most of the outdoor space To make the your summer the outdoors atmost theofLibrary. around your home using resources always visit the website to learn more about the TPS mission and call to with the Toledo Library, all you need available from the Library. From land- to get started is your Library card. set up a time for a tour. scape design and container gardens Don’t have a card? Register online at to do-it-yourself projects, the Library Take atoledolibrary.org/card stroll along a StoryWalk.® and get nearly offers books to help you create an instant access to fun all of as the you Library’s Enjoy reading and wander outdoor retreat of your own. materials.

Toledo Public Schools

along a pathway, following signs to the next page in the story. Found at 19 locations, each StoryWalk® provides a new way to experience the grounds and gardens of various Toledo Library locales.

Learning Starts Here

Build your backyard oasis. Make the most of the outdoor space around your home using resources available from the Library. From landscape design and container gardens to do-it-yourself projects, the Library offers books to help you create an outdoor retreat of your own. Satisfy your tastebuds. Planning a picnic or a backyard barbeque? Be the consummate host with an assist from the Toledo Library. Master the craft of grilling or become a Enrolling Now cocktail connoisseur with books from the • Free Pre-K for eligible 4 year olds At Educare Academy Child Development Centers, we encourage Library as your guide. • Serving children from 6 weeks to 12 years children to explore their interests more deeply through exploring, asking questions, and having fun.

• 10 locations in the greater Toledo area

MakeOR your summer campfires CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE SCHEDULE A TOUR! www.educareacademy.com | 419-704-2009 14

memorable. Nothing beats a fireside hang with family • September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com and friends, especially when storytelling is involved. Visit your nearest Library location before your campfire to find funny, silly, and scary stories to share.

Children’s Discovery Center

Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School & Academy

3225 Pickle Rd., Oregon 419-693-0465| www.cardinalstritch.org/ Open House: November 7|noon-3pm Cardinal for a Day availability: Opens in October Since 1960, Cardinal Stritch has been a leader in the Toledo area for Catholic education, focusing on helping students reach their academic and personal excellence. This year, Cardinal Stritch celebrates their 60th Anniversary in Catholic Education as the only Preschool-12 Catholic school in the Toledo area. Cardinal Stritch offers a wide range of courses, giving students the chance to discover new interests from Preschool-12. These courses include core classes along with theology, French, Spanish, engineering technology, performing arts, visual arts, health and personal fitness, and L.I.F.E. (Looking Into Future Experiences) Program classes.

Children’s Discovery Center Locations in Toledo, Holland, Perrysburg, and Waterville 419-867-8570 | childrensdiscoverycenters.com Open House: Call for an appointment With centers throughout the Toledo area, Children’s Discovery Center is a great close option for many families. This early care facility is a place where students learn through exploration, and it works hard to support children and families in a creative Christian environment. Children’s Discovery Center has programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and offers a Discovery Express School for kindergarten-aged children. Additionally, Camp Discovery is a summer program designed for school-aged children. The school follows Reggio Emilia’s approach to learning, which focuses on creating strong, powerful and capable children. The Center’s educators are degreed teachers who have ongoing training during the year. The programs are all Step Up to Quality star-rated and the Centers have won various local and national awards.

The faculty members at Cardinal Stritch make learning fun as students transition to becoming independent learners from academy to high school. The school’s small group rotations help students with problem solving, independence and taking ownership of their learning. Cardinal Stritch also has college credit options through AP courses and their partnerships with Owens Community College and The University of Toledo for college-credit-plus classes. To emphasize the importance of community service and life-long stewardship, students participate in Stewards of Stritch (S.O.S.) which requires a certain number of community service hours each year. As for after-school activities, 98 percent of students participate in extracurriculars such as athletics, performing arts and enriching clubs.

Educare Academy Child Development Centers

10 locations throughout Toledo (419) 704-2009 | educareacademy.com Open House: Schedule a tour online With ten locations throughout Toledo, Educare Academy Child Development Centers make finding a local childcare option easy for parents. Children from infants to school age have a place at Educare. For parents with infants and toddlers, the school has partnered with Cuties Care, which provides diapers and wipes for little ones while at school, for an extra $10 a week. The school has also partnered with Lucas County Family Council and Great Lakes Community Action Partnership to provide Early Head Start and Head Start programs. Early Head Start is for children under three and helps prepare children for the transition to preschool, while the traditional Head Start program helps promote and strengthen school readiness for preschool-aged children. The Head Start programs help the children of low-income families to succeed when starting kindergarten. Free Pre-K is also offered for four-year-olds whose families meet certain income requirements. School-age children also have a place at Educare, where they can get assistance with homework, read, play games and engage in crafting activities before and after school. During the summer, the school-age kids participate in the Summer Camp program with learning opportunities and field trips.

www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

Partering with local employers and industry As we embark on a school year unlike any other in for onsite instruction and training our history, we’re thankful for the support and active ni rehto yna ekilnu raey loohcs a no krabme ew sA evitca dna troppus eht rof lufknaht er’ew ,yrotsih ruo ,ffats ruo ,srentrap ytinummoc ruo fo noitapicitrap ecaf ltps.org l’ew ,syawlaFacebook.com/TPSProud sA .seilimaf rieht dnTwitter.com/TPSProud a stneduts ruo strae1609 h ruo N. ni eSummit poh htiw St. semToledo, it ruo fo sOhio egnel43604 lahc eht .noitacude ot tnemtimmoc gnirevawnu na dna

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PS419

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Retired fire inspector Andre Tiggs

A public safety program, founded as a collaboration between Toledo Public Schools, Toledo Police, Toledo Fire and Rescue, the City of Toledo, and Owens Community College. PS419 is designed to introduce students to careers in the field of public safety. Interested students are paired with a personal mentor who is currently working for Toledo Police or Toledo Fire. The goal is to create a career pipeline of Toledo Public School graduates to become members of the City of Toledo public safety forces. Students who complete the program will earn their EMT certification. A high school graduate with that qualification will be ahead of others who are pursuing a similar career path.

Chief Danny Brown-Martinez

Where: Classes are held at Bowsher High School Collaboration at Work The program is fully supported by Dr. Romules Durant, CEO/Superintendent for Toledo Public Schools; Toledo Chief of Police George Kral; Toledo Fire Chief Brian Byrd; the City of Toledo and Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Owens Community College. Battalion Chief Danny Brown-Martinez and retired fire inspector Andre Tiggs oversee the program. All EMT certification is overseen by Owens Community College’s Center for Emergency Preparedness.

An individualized path that can lead to a career AND a college degree.

ENROLL NOW! 16

gro.spt

FOR MORE INFORMATION

VISIT TPS.ORG

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Art Class at RiverFront Studios.

Michael and Claire Puppos recently opened RiverFront Studios in Waterville.

Artistic Outlets

Waterville’s RiverFront Studios focuses on art and music

Small group piano lessons are among the offerings at RiverFront Studios.

By Laurie Bertke Parents looking for music lessons or art classes for their children can now find both in one convenient spot at RiverFront Studios in Waterville. Husband and wife team Michael and Claire Puppos recently moved their business to its new home at 36 North Third Street, and the couple is eager to share their love for the arts with the community. “What really sets us apart from other businesses that do either music lessons or art classes is that we do both,” Michael says. “I think we provide a low-risk environment where kids can try it out and see what they’re comfortable with, find what they love and feel like they’re supported and that they can also be creative at the same time.” Pandemic project The idea for the studio was born when Michael and Claire began offering online lessons in music and art as an outlet for

families stuck at home during the pandemic. Michael, a long-time music minister for St. John XXIII Parish in Perrysburg, who had taught piano lessons out of the couple’s home for years, moved those classes online. Claire, who left her job as an elementary school art teacher last fall to stay home with their two young daughters, decided to offer some art classes over Zoom. The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading the couple to offer inperson classes and camps at the Waterville Playshop over the summer while construction was completed on a permanent space for RiverFront Studios. New space, more classes Claire hopes to offer art classes during the day for homeschool families and possibly adults, as well as after-school programs exploring sculpture, drawing

and painting. “We’re going to be playing around with the space and (we will) see what works for our community,” she says. In addition to classes, the studio is available to host birthday parties and adult painting parties. Michael says the art studio was designed with two large, farmhouse-style tables to encourage collaboration and conversation among the students. “We wanted it to be a place where people could gather around a table together in a larger community,” he says. The piano studio is set up for small group lessons. “It’s basically a piano lab, outfitted with digital pianos with headphones,” says Michael. “I have five students coming in at a time, which has really been wonderful because they’re able to hear each other play, perform for one another, meet other kids that are doing things that they like to do, but they all have their own piano.”

Lessons offer activities to foster rhythmic literacy, pitch identification, music theory and ear-training coupled with engaging pieces of music. Demand for the arts Classes filled quickly over the summer, which Michael takes as a sign evidencing the appetite for the arts in the community. Music and visual arts lean on one another, he adds, so as the studio becomes more established, the couple hopes to develop programs to further combine both elements. RiverFront Studios. 36 N. Third St., Waterville. 567-318-4205. info@riverfront.studio.To view the latest schedule of classes, visit www.riverfront.studio

www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

Multi-Level Marketing Companies Think twice before joining the ranks By Jason Buchanan

Long before there was a “hustle culture,” there was the Tupperware Party and “Avon calling!” These direct sales companies lured stay-at-home moms to hawk their wares with the promise of added income and a vibrant social life. But opportunity proved that it could also quickly become an albatross for these eager entrepreneurs as unsold products littered their homes and resentment cluttered their social lives. Today, companies such as LuLaRoe and Color Street, built upon the same sales model of those staples of yesteryear, tout the same insidious promise. Then as now, multi-level marketing companies can become financial honey traps which can take advantage of the vulnerable among us. First, a bit of history The first major Multi-Level Marketing (aka Network Marketing Business) company was launched just a few short years after the Great Depression. With the economy in ruins and wary families seeking financial stability, Nutralite tempted average homemakers with the lure of added income but without the need for a formal education or formidable business start-up costs. Nutralite creator Carl F. Rehnborg, credited as the creator of the multi-levelmarketing model, has his products distributed to this day by Michigan-based Amway, which was founded in 1959 by Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos. In the decades since Amway (short for American Way) was founded, the company has faced ongoing accusations of nefarious pyramid scheme practices and spent millions in court to settle resulting suits. After seeing record revenue in 2013, Amway’s profits have been on the decline. Yet the possibility of being lured to an Amway conference endures, and now, thanks to the arrival of social media, modern day clones like LuLaRoe and Herbalife use Rehnborg’s model as a blueprint for moving their own products. These companies tout the same promise, more often than not with the same results: a significant loss of both 18

time and money at the precise moment in our lives when both are precious commodities. The “Be your own boss” facade As the post-Covid 19 economy finds working families struggling to weave a financial safety net, the prospect of making big money with little effort is more alluring than ever. According to the Federal Trade Commission, “Multi-Level Marketing companies sell their products and services through person-to-person sales.” With no brick and mortar storefronts, MLM participants instead sell their products from their own homes, the homes of their customers, or, more recently, online. Accordingly, MLM companies, such as make-up company Younique, frequently use the term “direct sales”, which implies a sense of empowerment. These companies turn a profit by one of two methods -- either by selling their wares to “retail” customers who are not part of the organization, or by conscripting new distributors and collecting commissions earned from those new distributors’ sales to “retail” customers. The best way to identify an MLM company is by determining the source of income: If a company earns its profits by recruiting new distributors instead of selling products, they are an MLM operator. Listening for a few key terms can provide some early warning signs. Language like “upline,” “downline,” and “levels” are good indicators that an organization is built on a pyramid structure. Likewise, upon being accepted into the fold, it is quickly made clear to new recruits that, in order to be successful, they will need to build inventory, and that reinvesting their revenue back into inventory will be critical to their success. When you see or hear these phrases, it’s time to take a moment to remember your reason for considering these companies in the first place: you wanted to make money. Spending your own money to house a company’s products while you sell them to others is antithetical to that goal.

Legal, but nefarious The difference between an illegal pyramid scheme and a legal multi-level marketing business is simple; if the focus is on selling products, it’s a legal MLM business, but if the focus is on recruiting more people, it’s a pyramid scheme. Even when the focus is on product, however, that doesn’t mean you’ll actually turn a profit; stories abound of salespeople with a garage full of unsold products, and the amount of time one sinks into the effort is often far greater than anticipated.

MLM companies harness the inherent artifice of social media to their advantage by telling salespeople to adopt a fake-it-til-you-make-it persona online, bolstered by unwavering optimism regardless of how bleak your sales may actually be. And with mission statements claiming to uplift, empower, validate, and ultimately build the self-esteem of women around the world, the positivity is saccharine. In the 2018 Vice article “How to Get a Friend Out of an MLM,” anonymous former Younique representative “Elle Beau” details how her experience with the company drove her and a few other like-minded writers to launch The AntiMLM Coalition website, mlmtruth.org, which is dedicated to exposing the ugly truth about MLM organizations. Mlmtruth.org is overflowing with resources devoted to helping others avoid repeating Beau’s mistakes, and the articles draw some startling correlations between MLM companies and actual cults that should be enough to make anyone take pause. Likewise, the Federal Trade Commission’s tips and advice, Busi-

• September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

ness Guidance Concerning Multi-Level Marketing, are indispensable resources for educating yourself and others about MLMs. Richard Eppstein, President of the Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan Better Business Bureau, has seen his fair share of both pyramid schemes and MLMs during his time at the BBB, and doesn’t mince words when it comes to calling out the problems. “Pyramids always collapse,” says Epstein. “They always collapse, and they always break down because, frankly, you run out of people.” He adds that word-of-mouth from former victims and outright rejection from skeptical friends complicate the seemingly-simple early task of recruiting two people, enacting a dominolike race toward collapse. “Then we get a call from the person who started the whole thing, furious at us because we put out an alert,” he says. “They’re going to sue us, and they’re threatening us, but then they disappear and we never hear from them again.” If you suspect someone you know may be ensnared in a pyramid scheme, discretion is paramount when it comes to confronting them. People don’t respond well to being told they’ve joined a cult, so the best approach is to direct them to the FTC, or sit them down to actually crunch the numbers; once hidden factors such as taxes come into play, the grass starts to look a little less green. There are time tested reasons to be wary of these business models, though some still insist that MLMs have provided them with an income and an outlet for socializing. Even so, these proponents appear to be the minority, and few individuals long to be viewed as “revenue streams” to their friends on social media. The best advice is to ask questions and be realistic about what is required for those who become distributors for MLM companies. The upside is always readily presented; however, at second glance, the potential downsides might not be worth it.

healthy kids Stop the Sugar Buzz New guidelines say no added sugar for kids under age two By Andrew Kersten

If you’re a parent, you now have another reason to say “no” to sugars for your children. According to recent dietary guidelines by the United States Agriculture Department and the Department of Health and Human Services, children under two-years-old should not have any added sugars included in their diets. These science-based guidelines are a part of a larger summary of general health suggestions updated every five years for Americans to promote healthy lifestyles. No sugar? Yeah, right. It’s easier than you think! Keep in mind that these guidelines are only recommendations to eliminate added sugars, which is different from naturally sweet foods such as strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, and melon. Even the “allnatural” or “organic” baby food brands that you may think are better for your children may contain some sort of added sugar. According to the Mayo Clinic, a good rule of thumb when looking at the nutrition label is to avoid words like fructose, sucrose, syrup, malt, molasses, honey, or fruit juice concentrate. Here are some alternatives to foods with added sugar: • Offering water or plain milk instead of sugary drinks. • Offering your child soft fruits such as bananas, ripe peaches and drained canned fruit (packaged in water or 100% juice, not syrup), rather than sugary juices.

So what should you do about those fussy eaters? If you start are concerned about your child’s diet, be sure to bring this up with your family pediatrician who can help troubleshoot and ensure your child is getting all the necessary nutrients to grow and develop. “Don’t create a punishment when they don’t want to eat, and try to encourage meals at the table,” says Brooke Treloar, MD, ProMedica Physicians Toledo Pediatrics. Dr. Treloar has been practicing pediatrics for over ten years and says that, as a parent, you should continue to put things on your children’s plates for them to try and then try to lead by example. “You should show your child what healthy eating is at the dinner table, and the whole family has to do it,” she adds. At younger ages, children’s taste buds aren’t fully developed, so experimenting with different foods is best to do at a younger age.

“There is a central role in health that is critical for us to think about our nutrition and how it affects our lives, not just five years from now, but in our day-to-day lives,” she adds. But what about birthdays? We get it— birthday cakes are a part of everybody’s birthday celebration. If you commit to the no-added-sugar guidelines, this can be a little difficult to navigate, not only for your children, but for everyone else at the birthday party. If you are unable to find any local bakeries that offer a desirable sugar-free option, don’t despair; simple alternatives are just a Google search away, like these: Sugar-Free Vanilla Birthday Cake that requires just under two hours to complete. This recipe calls for ingredients

such as erythritol (sugar substitute), almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Find it at Sugarfreesprinkles.com. Sugar-Free Chocolate Birthday Cake that takes less than one hour to complete and calls for Splenda in place of actual sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder. Find it at thebestcakerecipes.com. How can I learn more about these guidelines? If you would like to learn more about the current recommendations, visit dietaryguidelines.gov. The 164-page document is also summarized in these 10 most important highlights.

What do these added sugars do to younger kids? “When children consume foods that have poor nutritional value, it can easily lead to weight problems as they grow older” says Dr. Treloar. “Obesity can then lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or even fatty liver disease,” she adds, stressing that starting at an early age to avoid extra sugars in diets can lead to healthier kids as they grow older, and ultimately, a healthier adulthood.

•Forget the fruit snacks and offer freeze-dried fruit with no added ingredients. • Ice cream? No, thank you. Offer a plain, whole-milk yogurt parfait with fruit. • Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Forget about sugary cereals! Offer plain toasted oats, instead. • Cookies are tough for kids to refuse, but a whole-wheat mini bagel with cream cheese (for toddlers) is a good alternative.

www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

Smell My Elephant Children’s author inspired by nephew’s curiosity By Jeff McGinnis

Tina Ballon DeBord, author What’s your favorite activity to do with your family? Play board games. What is your favorite book to read to your kids? Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. What’s your go-to activity when you have a few minutes to yourself? It takes more than a few minutes— does mountain biking count? Describe your life in five words or less. So many things to do! What writer do you strive to emulate? Mary Oliver.

Writing has been a part of Tina Ballon DeBord’s life since childhood. In middle school she would jot down ideas on a pad, inspired by the lyrics she heard in songs. As she learned more about literature, those ideas began to crystalize into a love of poetry. She began writing poems herself and at the University of Toledo she earned an undergraduate degree in poetry, followed by a graduate degree from the University of Michigan. Transitioning into writing for children was “completely accidental,” DeBord explained. “I never aspired to write for children until I had kids of my own. And then, I saw that children have this way of just making stories appear all around, all day long, every day. That was something that I was fortunate to experience.”

Family inspiration

Smell My Elephant, DeBord’s whimsical and charming book, was inspired not by her own kids, but by her nephew, Beckett, when he was three years old. One day, Beckett walked up to DeBord’s sister-in-law and uttered a memorable phrase: “Smell my elephant’s head, mom!” “He was talking about his stuffed animal,” DeBord explained. “His mom wrote down the quote and repeated it to me, which expanded into an entire narrative [in my mind]. Though the narrative was made up, what he (Beckett) said was factual.”

What’s your favorite Toledo area hangout? The Metroparks. Favorite meal? Stuffed cabbage. Describe Toledo in a sentence. There is more to Toledo than meets the eye.

DeBord’s writing process is a bit unconventional. She came up with the book’s plot while raking leaves. “There’s something for me about staying busy, whether I’m riding a bike or hiking or walking the dog or doing yard work, that allows me to focus. Then I sit down at a computer later and loosely lay out the narrative,” she explained. The story she settled on was one of exploration, a curiosity that Fletcher— the book’s lead character, inspired by Beckett— embodies. “When I was coming up with the narrative, I was thinking of a little boy who just wants to explore his world. So he’s got this question, ‘Why does my elephant smell funny?’ And his whole purpose is try to come up with an answer to that question, and he asks everyone he knows.”

Sweetness at the center

Eventually, Fletcher comes to the conclusion that his elephant’s unusual smell is because he (and others) hug and love it so much. “There’s a sweetness that the publisher appreciated and really latched onto,” DeBord said. “And for them, it became a book about children and their love of stuffed animals. But when I was writing the book, I wasn’t really thinking about that. I was thinking about a kid who just wants to make sense of his world.” DeBord’s sister-in-law, Kim Jackson

DeBord, often drew sketches to relate anecdotes about her family, as a way of remembering the stories, so she was a natural choice to join the project as an illustrator. “I explained to Kim, ‘I don’t know if we can do anything with this, or if you’re even interested, but that quote stuck in my head. I think we’ve got a really interesting character here,’” DeBord said.

A good story

The end result is a delightful work that reaches a wide ranging audience, though DeBord admits the central theme she had built the story around isn’t what many audiences are taking from it. “For me, the story is about a character going on a mission to discover an answer to a puzzle. For others, the story is about the cute relationship between a child and a beloved stuffed animal. That feedback helped me calibrate my purpose as a children’s book author.” “Children and the parents who read to them usually just want a good story. Now, when I write, I aim to put the narrative first and the lesson last, if I intentionally include a lesson at all.” Smell My Elephant, 32pp, Sleeping Bear Press. Available at Amazon.com.

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digital age There’s an App for That!

A roundup of online support for parents By Julie Pompa

If there’s anything the isolation of the pandemic has taught us, it’s that our social connections are especially critical. Parents need to talk to others, compare notes and learn new things. During and after the pandemic, it has been vital to continue those connections, whether by Zoom calls, Facebook Groups or middle-of-the-night texts. And many more options to make those social connections have become available, most in the form of online contacts, apps or both. As we begin establishing new routines this year, many of those social connections have earned a place among our regular contacts. Here are some we’ve heard most about:

Good choices for everything parenting

BabyCenter (babycenter.com) provides everything you will need for all stages of parenting life – from getting pregnant to traversing the complicated domain Toledoparent.com, our own during baby’s first year. website, is continually being Some cool things availupdated with resources and able here include a baby tips for parents. You can also name generator, tracking follow us on Instagram and your baby’s development Facebook for the most recent through pregnancy, and additions, and to let us know localized groups (such what content you’d love to see as Ohio Moms). There is in the future! also a great deal of health information and reviews of baby products.

Toledo Moms toledo.momcollective. com is a locally focused parenting website for getting the most out of raising your kids in the Toledo area. A sister site of the national City Mom Collective, this page is filled with all the events and important information parents need to know. The group has a strong presence on social media, with Toledo Moms pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In fact, Toledo Moms won the Toledo Parent “2020 Family Favorites” award in the categories Local Parent Facebook Group and Local Online Influencer. Another “Family Favorites” winner was mommy blogger “Mom on the Go in Holy Toledo” (runner up in the Local Online Influencer category - www.momonthegoinholytoledo.com). This site is full of places around the region made for family fun.

Apps for easy contact

resources, products, events and groups. (Reminder: For many apps, you’ll need to request that the site does not sell your personal information). Peanut peanut-app.io is a social network for women throughout all stages of motherhood. Stories, connections and support about everything from pregnancy (questions for doctors, etc.), baby products and giveaways, as well as things no one told you. Parents can ask questions and start conversations. After downloading the app, do a simple search for Toledo to connect to other local parents.

Apps cover everything from conceiving and pregnancy to parenting and child rearing. Often, they provide regular emails with a variety of information, based on your child’s age. Many offer local and regional connections for

The Bump (thebump.com) In addition to everything you need from conception and pregnancy through parenting, The Bump offers product information (and deals), a registry and local boards (including Toledo Babies).

Facebook), the Old Orchard Family Group (on Instagram) and the Ottawa Hills Moms Group (on Facebook). MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) – mops.org – While they’re called Mothers of Preschoolers, they have expanded to include all ages of kids. They also partner with church communities and other organizations to expand their reach worldwide. You’ll find several in the Toledo area.

1. Rocket Ship________________ 2. Butterfly ___________________ 3. Elephant ___________________ 4. Pumpkin ___________________ 5. Playground Slide ____________ 6. Paper Plane ________________ 7. Crystals ____________________ 8. Guitar ______________________ 9. Backpack ___________________

Winner will be selected from all correct entries. Entries must be received by October 16, 2021. Winner will be notified by phone and receive $20 gift card to treasure hunt at ReStore. All 10 photos must be found and page numbers indicated to be considered correct. Sumit entries to distribution@ adamsstreetpublishing.com

10. Spider_______________________

Local websites and social media resources

HerHub & Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo – A web-based resource for connecting local women, resources, businesses and organizations, HerHub (www.419herhub.org) also connects to a variety of mom and family groups. MOMentum / Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo provides parenting support, community activities and playgroups, among many other services. The Mothers’ Center is on Facebook and online at www.motherscentertoledo.com. HerHub also mentions the MOMS Club of Perrysburg (on

www.toledoparent.com • May 2017 •

Focaccia’s

333 N. Summit St. Suite 100 Mon. to Fri. 7AM-3PM | Thurs. & Fri. 5PM-10PM | Sat. 9AM - 10PM Sun. 9AM - 3PM focaccias419.com

Focaccia’s Brunch Menu + New Patio A unique brunch menu, along with river and city views, on an outdoor patio. By Erin Schoen Marsh

I am a city girl at heart, and strolling through downtown Toledo brings me joy. From the Arts Commission Summer Spectacular to the Adams Street Block Party and Toledo Pride Live at the Park, downtown Toledo is pulling Toledo area families, including ours, to the city for daytime fun. Weekend brunch is an option Focaccia’s has added to the downtown offerings, along with a brand new patio, the Garden at Focaccia’s. When Prakash Karamchandani (PK), co-founder and owner of Balance Pan Asian Grille, posted photos on Facebook of his family brunch at Focaccia’s, we knew we needed to take our kids. I asked PK if I could include his photos with this article. He acquiesced, adding, “Honestly, it (the brunch at Focaccia’s) was really good. I don’t write reviews often...so it’s got to be really impressive to have me going to Facebook!” The Garden at Focaccia’s offers plenty of outdoor seating, either in the sun or under an umbrella. As an exceptionally pale family, we opted for the shade. Our waitress, Cassandra, was personable, patient and accommodating. She ushered us to the only available shaded table, cleaning it for us even though there were several clean and open tables in the sun. When we couldn’t decide on our meals because everything sounded delectable, she provided suggestions 22

based on customer popularity (she is a vegan). Cassandra stood out as a stellar server and made our experience more enjoyable. A Toledo tradition with a full rebrand After viewing PK’s post, I told the kids about the French toast with Lucky Charms. While it wasn’t available the day we visited, there were plenty of other kid-friendly options. Camille chose the beignets with fruit, after I explained they were essentially small doughnuts covered in powdered sugar and honey. Her brother wanted to order the same, but I assured him his little sister would share. He took a risk and ordered his first-ever chicken and waffles, requesting the maple syrup on the side. Both kids enjoyed their food, clearing their plates completely. I sampled their selections: The beignets were rich with the perfect amount of locally sourced honey. The sugar-pearled waffles were fluffy and sweet, and I didn’t think they even needed syrup. The house-brined chicken tenders tasted homemade and I finally understood the allure of the popular meal. My husband opted for the chicken fajita omelette with strips of chicken, peppers, onions, tomatoes, shredded cheese and salsa with focaccia bread on the side. Alex isn’t one to rave about

restaurants, but he delivered a rare compliment: “It was really good!” My latent German blood spoke to me when I read about the Cure All: a jumbo potato pancake buried beneath bacon, jam, sausage, peppers, onions and mushrooms and topped with cheddar cheese and two over-easy eggs. I requested the sausage gravy on the side, which I’m thankful for, as the meal was perfect without it. We were seated around 11am and most of the tables around us were drinking, so we figured it was socially acceptable to order drinks ourselves. Alex ordered the Prince with Empress gin, rosemary syrup, lemon and blood orange. After seeing several other customers with mimosa flights, I went with that to sample multiple takes on that champagne-based libation. The three varieties I tried included Daphne (muddled berries and bubbles), Whitney (peach juice, mango juice, OJ and bubbles) and Heidi (habañero syrup, bubbles, blood orange soda). They were all delicious, but Heidi was my top pick.

• September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Bottom Line:

Focaccia’s is the perfect downtown spot for a family weekend brunch, providing both indoor and outdoor dining options. The brunch menu offerings are unique and flavorful, and everything tasted house-made. The Garden at Focaccia’s offers views of both the cityscape and the river. Whether you are dining with your family or with friends, make sure to check out their extensive list of handmade cocktails.

The Short Course Outdoor dining: Yes. Online ordering: Yes. Carryout: Yes. Delivery: Yes. Kids’ Menu: No, but kid-friendly options.

Stevens Gardens 10am-6pm daily 4550 Weckerly Rd., Monclova 419-392-2065, facebook.com/farm. monclova Stevens Gardens offers seasonal fruits and veggies, along with lots of fall fun. They have a family friendly corn maze, hayrides, a cow train and corn cannon open Saturdays and Sundays 11am-7pm. Between the pumpkins, apples, mums and apple cider slushies, you won’t leave empty-handed or hungry.

Haunts and Happenings

By Kimberly Feldkamp

Oh fall, how we welcome you! With the crisp air, the colorful leaves and the fun of pumpkin patches, hayrides and all things Halloween. There’s much fun to be had this season. We’ve rounded up a spooktacular list of fall fun and haunted happenings for your family to enjoy.

Fleitz Pumpkin Farm 10am-7pm daily, September 8 - October 31 7133 Seaman Rd., Oregon 419-836-7613, fleitzpumpkinfarm.com

For the latest news on fall events, make sure to check out our events calendar at

toledoparent.com

Interested in apple or pumpkin picking? This is the place to go to pick out your own produce or find the perfect gourd. After a trip to the petting zoo, enjoy some apple cider and fresh homemade donuts. It’s the perfect way to spend a fall day, any day of the week!

Spend the day at Gust Brother’s Pumpkin Farm this fall picking out your favorite pumpkins, squash and gourds. Make sure to check out the farm animals and get some warm donuts and apple cider slushies. Free parking. Hayrides on Saturday and Sunday. Farmer Charley’s Kackleberry Farm Thursdays, 5 -10pm, Fridays, 5-11pm Saturdays, 12-11pm, Sundays, 12pm -10pm 6421 North Stoney Creek Rd., Monroe, MI 734-240-0825, kackleberryfarm.com Spend the perfect day at Kackleberry Farm: CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

MON - SAT: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

LA T

SUNDAY: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

U-PICK APPLES

TRADITI ON

IS TH

U-PICK PUMPKINS!

SEPT 11-OCT 31 $20/half bu or $30 bushel huge selection of varieties!

Cider Mill

Gust Brother’s Pumpkin Farm 9am-7pm daily 13639 Mulberry Rd, Ottawa Lake 517-486-2237, gustbrothers.com

Pumpkin Hill Open daily 4508 Curtice Road, Northwood It’s not fall without a trip to the pumpkin 419-467-5755 patch. Head to Fleitz Pumpkin Farm to find If you’ve never heard of Pumpkin Hill, your perfect pumpkin, wander through make it a must-do this fall. This family mini corn mazes and feed goats and owned business sells pumpkins, mums, chickens. Kids can check out the Craft Barn gourds, straw and more; plus, 100 perbefore hopping on a hayride for just $1. cent of the profits are donated to charity. There’s also a snack shack with homemade Spend a few hours at this fun venue AND apple doughnuts and apple cider. contribute to a great cause.

2790 US HIGHWAY 20A, SWANTON OHIO Airport Highway 1 mile west of Swanton

Fresh Homemade Donuts!

Johnston Fruit Farm 8am-7pm, M-Sat, 10-6pm Sunday 2790 US-20 ALT, Swanton 419-826-1453, johnsonfruitfarms.com

WE ALSO HAVE PIE PUMPKINS, MINI PUMPKINS, AND MANY KINDS OF DECORATIVE SQUASH FOR ALL YOUR FALL NEEDS.

Pumpkins & Squash for fall decorating

FREE Petting zoo

Flower picking

Apples $30/Bushel U-Pick Starts Sat. Sept. 11 APPLES FOR EVERYONE

Benefit For Toledo Area Food Banks Saturday Sept. 25Th | 10Am To 4Pm

(419) 826-1453 | mmm73105@gmail.com

www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 reserve a bonfire to stay warm, walk the 12-acres of corn maze, shop and eat. Enjoy the pumpkin patch, barrel train rides, hayride, Little Farmers Playland and more. Prices start at $8. Paint Your Own Pumpkin Saturday, September 25, 11am-1pm Sunshine Studios 305 Conant St., Maumee 419-891-8877, sunshinestudio.org Feeling crafty? Sunshine Studios has you covered with their pumpkin painting event! For $15 (and an additional $5 if you’d like to add lighting), the staff at Sunshine will have you feeling like Martha Stewart as you make your own unique pumpkin creations. Purchase tickets on their website to secure your spot.

Apple Stir Festival October 2-3, 10am-6pm MacQueen Orchards 7605 Garden Road, Holland 419-865-2916, macqueenorchards.com This festival has been a great way to kickstart the autumn season, and has plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. You can pick your own apples, tour the Giant Apple Cider Press, or take a wagon ride. Live performances, an apple pie baking contest, pony rides and bounce houses help to round out the festivities. Grand Rapids Applebutter Fest Sunday, October 10, 10am-5pm Downtown Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids applebutterfest.org In its 45th year, this traditional fall event is fun for the whole family. Enjoy making apple butter and experiencing farm exhibits, pioneer demonstrations, military and colonial life reenactments and feast on fall foods such as bratwurst, steel-kettle bean soup and apple creations. Fall on the Farm Saturday, October 9, 10am-5pm Sauder Village 22611 State Route 2, Archbold 419-446-2541, saudervillage.org Get ready to help with the harvest! Take a step back in time, roll up your sleeves and help in the gardens and the kitchens. At Fall on the Farm, children get a sense of farm life with hands-on activities such as churning butter, decorating pumpkins and food preservation activities. 24

• September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Sylvania Fall Festival Saturday, October 16, 4 -10pm Sunday, October 17, 10am -4 pm Main St., Downtown Sylvania business.sylvaniachamber.org/events Hosted by Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce, this Sylvania tradition is fun for all ages. Craft and food vendors, a parade and performances will keep everyone entertained at the 35th annual festival. Fall Festival: Truck or Treat at The Shops of Fallen Timbers Saturday, October 23, 12 - 3 pm 3100 Main St., Maumee Theshopsatfallentimbers.com Enjoy a fun afternoon at The Shops of Fallen Timbers filled with activities, food, and a costume contest. Trick-or-treating will be at large vehicles. The event will take place in front of Dillard’s at the mall’s main entrance.

Little Boo at the Toledo Zoo October 14-15, 10am-3pm 2 Hippo Way, Toledo 419-385-5721, toledozoo.org/boo A chance for toddlers and preschoolers to delight without the fright! The little ones come in costume to trick-or-treat throughout the zoo, while admiring all their favorite zoo animals. Crafts, games, puppet shows and character meet-and-greets will keep everyone entertained! Separate fee. Pumpkin Path October 16-17, 10am-4pm Toledo Zoo 2 Hippo Way, Toledo 419-385-5721, toledozoo.org/pumpkins Pumpkin Path is when the Halloween fun really comes alive! In addition to trick-ortreating for all ages, there will also be games, artistic pumpkin carving demonstrations, bounce houses and magic shows to entertain all the ghosts and goblins. Separate fee. Scarecrow Contest & Workshop October 1, 5-7:30 pm Carter Historic Farm 18331 Carter Rd., Bowling Green 419-353-1897, wcparks.org Join in on the fun fall tradition of building scarecrows and lighthearted competition! Build a scarecrow from scratch using our provided materials or bring your homemade scarecrow to Carter Historic Farm to enter in our 20th Annual Scarecrow Contest to win cash prizes!

Pumpkin Extravaganza Saturday, October 2, 9am-7pm Sunday, October 3, 11am - 6pm Johnston1235 E. Erie Rd., Erie, MI Erieorchards.com

Halloween Weekends September 17-October 31, 3pm 15600 Tunnicliffe Rd., Petersburg, MI 734-856-4972, koa.com/campgrounds/ monroe-co

Time for weekend pumpkin-picking at Erie Orchards and Cider Mill. There will be hayrides, a corn maze, pony rides and more. Sip on cider and munch on donuts during this fun, family- friendly event.

If you’d like to have a fall getaway with the fam, look no further than the Monroe County campgrounds near the OhioMichigan border. Guests who stay for a two-night minimum can partake in festivities like pumpkin carving and pet costume contests, trick-or-treating, mini-golf, magic shows and more!

Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp Saturday, October 23, 10am-3pm, Toledo Zoo 2 Hippo Way, Toledo 419-385-5721, toledozoo.org/jumpingpumpkins Zoo animals get to share in the Halloween fun when they find pumpkins in their exhibits. Some will make a meal and others will make a mess, but all of them will be using their natural instincts and displaying innate behaviors. Halloweekends at Cedar Point September 17-October 31, 10am-8pm 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky 419-627-2106, cedarpoint.com/halloweekends Daytime activities for younger kids include Tricks and Treats Fall Fest, while the nighttime scares of Haunts at Halloweekends— scary mazes, haunted houses, mysterious games, and other delights— are to be enjoyed by older kids at parents’ discretion. However you decide to enjoy Cedar Point’s Halloweekends, there is a little something for everyone!

ScreamAcres Haunted Attractions Dark to 10 pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October 29 Leaders Farm 0064 Co. Rd. 16, Napoleon 419-599-1570, screamacres.com Walk through ScreamAcres haunted fields, filled with terrifying monsters and research specimens that broke loose and mauled everyone around them! The PanDEMONium Project is a haunted, high-action activity for teens and adults. If those are too scary, head on over to the Barnyard for activities for children: face-painting, inflatables, pumpkin-picking and plenty of food options as well. See website for dates and times as they vary.

Trabbic Family Pumpkin Farm 1560 E Sterns Rd., Erie, MI 734-848-4049, trabbicpumpkinfarm.com Trabbic Family Pumpkin Farm is a yearround working farm with over 40 acres of pumpkins. The whole family will enjoy this farm that has been in the business for over 100 years with rides, donuts, cider, animals and a corn maze. Ohio Field of Fear 7-10:30pm, every Friday & Saturday night in October 3001 S. Crissey Rd., Monclova 567-402-0900, facebook.com/OhioFieldofFear

Spooky Science Live Virtual Event October 31, 3pm imaginationstation.org Members of Imagination Station can let their kids join in on Halloween festivities from the comfort of their homes! They’ll take in a spooky storytime, a Halloween demonstration, and a lesson on how to make their own creepy zombie wounds. Members of Imagination Station will receive a link one week in advance of the event.

If you’re looking for a frightful way to spend a fall evening, this could be it! Hop aboard a hayride for a haunted trip through a field of fear and then test your luck in a five-acre corn maze. A $20 combo ticket includes the haunted hayride and the corn maze. This terrifying event is not recommended for young children.

www.toledoparent.com • September/October 2021 •

calendar SEPT DAILY

GardenView U-Pick Flower Garden - Show up, check in and walk through three acres of gardens to pick a bouquet of your own design from over 30 varieties of flowers. $15. GardenView Flowers, 11160 S. River Rd., Grand Rapids. 419-982-8774. gardenviewweddings.com

MONDAYS Dave’s Metropark Mondays Join a free social run beginning at Lone Oak Shelter every Monday in August. 6:30-8pm. Secor Metropark, 10001 W. Central Ave., Berkey. 419-882-8524. davesrunning.com

TUESDAYS

Sylvania Farmers Market The weekly market finds a new home at Harroun Community Park. 3-7pm, through October. 5428 Main St, Sylvania. 419-283-7168. Search “Sylvania Farmers Market” on Facebook. Free

WEDNESDAYS Bowling Green Farmers Market Food trucks and live music team up with area vendors selling fresh produce. 4-7pm. 201 S. Main St., Bowling Green. 419-352-5059. Search “WLI’s Farmers Market - Bowling Green” on Facebook. Free Stroll the Street in Downtown Rossford - Visit arts vendors, food trucks, farm market booths, musical entertainment and more at this weekly event. 4:30-7:30pm. Ford Memorial Park, 146 Dixie Hwy., Rossford. visitrossfordohio.com. Free

Dance Fitness with Cari Break the boundaries of traditional workouts with this women-only class. $8. 7pm. Also held Saturdays at 9am. Routines Dance Fitness Studio, 2121 S. Reynolds Rd. 419-944-9292. coachcario.com

Westgate Farmers’ Market Stop by on Central Avenue, across from the COSTCO, for this weekly outdoor market. 3-7pm. 3408 W. Central Ave. toledofarmersmarket.com

Haskins Farmers Market A brand new weekly market in Downtown Haskins. Noon. Corner of Haskins & SR 582. 419-389-2776. Search “Haskins Farmers Market” on Facebook. Free

Perrysburg Farmers Market Local vendors offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, crafts and more. Rain or shine. 3-8pm. Downtown Perrysburg. 419-874-9147. perrysburgfarmersmarket. com Free

THURSDAYS

The Momentum Festival This popular riverfront festival features interactive artwork, live performances, educational demonstrations and many other forms of entertainment that the whole family can enjoy. Toledo’s Arts Commission always provides an incredible lineup meant to celebrate the talented artists who continue to make their mark on the Glass City. September 16-18. Water St. 419-254-2787. Find the updated list of attractions at momentumtoledo.org.

Picnic Lunch Cruise on the Sandpiper - Take a two-hour tour of the Maumee River, with lunch provided by Superior Catering. $28 for adults, $21 for children. 11am-2pm. 1 Jefferson, 419-537-1212. sandpiperboat.com

SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY 1 Oregon Rollin’ Food and Farm Market Stop out on the first Wednesday of the month for the best in local food trucks and fresh produce. 5-8pm. 2973 Dustin Rd., Oregon. embchamber.org Free THURSDAY 2 Movie in the Park at Wilson Park See the animated family flick “The Croods.”. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. 7-9:30pm. 3251 Otto Rd. Search “Movie in the Park” on Facebook. Free FRIDAY 3 First Fridays at Wood County Museum - Come out to the Wood County Museum for free museum admission every first Friday to see the four different exhibits on display. 10am-4pm. 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green. 419-352-0967. woodcountyhistory.org Free Solheim Cup Opening Ceremony Celebration - Multi-platinum artist Gwen Stefani headlines the Opening Ceremony Fan Fest at Promenade Park. $30-124. Opening ceremony begins at 5pm, concert begins at 8:15pm. 400 Water St. promenadeconcerts.com

• September/October 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

SATURDAY 4 Grito Fest 2021 - This street festival, hosted by the El Corazon de Mexico dance group and Latins United, will feature live music and dancing, as well as plenty of food. 3-11pm. Latino’s, 706 St. St Clair St., 419-283-1628. elcorazondemexicodance.com Solheim Celebration Day 2 Country superstar Chris Young headlines the second day of performances at Promenade Park. Singer-songwriter Eric Sowers will open. $25-85. Gates open at 5, Sowers performs at 6:15, Young performs at 8:30. 400 Water St. promenadeconcerts.com SATURDAY 11 Toledo Beer and Bacon Fest The ultimate beer festival, paired with the ultimate and universally loved food. Get 10 beer samples with admission. $30, $45 for VIP tickets. 4-9pm. Hungarian Club of Toledo, 224 Paine Ave., 419-698-5195. facebook.com/HungarianClubofToledo Yoga in the Garden Enjoy a relaxing yoga class surrounded by fresh flowers, hosted by Sheila Watson of Bee Free Yoga. $30. 8:30am. GardenView Flowers, 11160 South River Rd., Grand Rapids. 419-704-2100. beefreeyoga.com SATURDAY 18 5k at Put in Bay Join over 500 runners and take in some beautiful sights during this annual race. 9am-11am. Boathouse Grill, 218 Hartford Ave., Put-in-Bay, OH. Register at 5katputinbay.com.

Sundays at the Market

Sunday evenings at the Toledo Farmers Market are full of family fun, from delightful food truck fare to a variety of local vendors selling their wares. The Building Business Movement runs the Market with the purpose to support small businesses in our area. For a great opportunity to be supportive while treating yourself to all kinds of delicious foods, take a leisurely stroll downtown. 3-9pm. Sundays from September 5 until October 31. Toledo’s Farmers Market. 525 Market St. 419-255-6765. toledofarmersmarket.com

Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Concert - A celebration of Latino culture, music and food, featuring the presentation of the Cesar Chavez Humanitarian Award and Amigo Award. $10 in advance, $15 at entrance. Promenade Park, 400 Water St., 419-244-8440. adelantetoledo.org Islamic Center of Greater Toledo International Festival - The 20th anniversary of this event will see cultural experiences from over 20 different ethnicities celebrated under one tent. Also held Sunday, September 19. 25877 Scheider Rd., Perrysburg. 419-874-3509. icgt.org Free SUNDAY 19 Northwest Ohio Comic Show - Get ready for an afternoon of digging through long boxes, as well as local artists and door prizes. $3, kids 12 and under free. 10am-4pm. Tremainsville Hall, 2347 Tremainsville Rd. Search “Northwest Ohio Comic Show” on Facebook. Oak Openings Stampede - Don’t worry, cattle aren’t involved in this race through Oak Openings’ wooded trails. Choose between a 5k or 25k distance. $25 for 5k, $40 for 25k. 9am-noon. 5230 Wilkins Rd., Whitehouse. oakopeningsstampede.com SATURDAY 25 Roche de Boeuf Festival Waterville’s 48th annual festival includes a parade, fine arts on display, a car show, three stages of live entertainment and a kids’ area. 9am-5pm. 122 Farnsworth Rd., Waterville. watervillechamber.com Free

Sacred Harvest Festival - The fifth annual edition of Grand Rapids’ celebration of the Ohio music and artistic scene will be held over the course of three days, through Saturday, October 2. 24401 Poe Rd. W, Grand Rapids. sacredharvestmusicfest.com Free

OCT

SATURDAY 2 The End of Bullying Begins With You and Me - This day-long event builds an atmosphere where families can meet, bond and engage in a discussion about the harm that bullying can cause. Noon-7pm. Edgar Holmes Park, 1216 Ironwood Ave., 419-392-5640. Search “The End of Bullying Begins with You and Me” on Facebook. Free

THURSDAY 7 For King and Country - The popular Christian music act plays the Huntington Center with a show inspired by their latest album, Burn the Ships. $20-45. 7-10pm. 500 Jefferson Avenue, 419-321-5007. huntingtoncentertoledo.com

Tombstone Tour and Family Haunted Bike Ride - This annual event will take riders on a seasonally spooky trip through the Metroparks. 10:30am. Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, 4139 Girdham Rd., Swanton. 419-482-8225. mvadventurers.org

Movie in the Park at Birmingham Park - The 2020 family flick “Cats and Dogs 3: Paws Unite!” will be shown. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. 7-9:30pm. 2100 Knox St. Search “Movie in the Park” on Facebook. Free

SATURDAY 23 Duke Farm Fall Festival Trunk or Treat - Families can enjoy a trip in a horse-drawn carriage, get a chance to meet and pet all the animals and participate in a Trunk or Treat. 11m-4pm. 44 West Samaria Rd., Temperance. 419-410-7193. Dukefarmonline.com

SATURDAY 9 New Toledo Toy Show - Over 200 tables displaying thousands of collectible toys will be on display for the young and the young at heart. $5 general admission, Kids 12 and under free. Early bird admission at 7:30am: $20. 9am-3pm. Total Sports Rossford, 10020 S. Compass Dr., Rossford. midmichigansupershows.com

Toledo Doll & Bear Show - Both vintage and modern dolls and collectibles will be on display for kids and adults. $7, kids 12 and under free. 10am-3:30pm. Total Sports Rossford, 10020 S. Compass Dr., Rossford. toledodollshow.net

Oak Harbor Apple Festival - A parade, talent show, car show, cornhole tournament, baby contest and more will take place at this year’s two-day event. Also Sunday, October 10. Downtown Oak Harbor. oakharborohio.net Free

Toledo Sister Cities International Festival - Sample cultures from all over the world with this event featuring entertainment, food, crafts, vendors and much more. $5. 11am-4pm. SeaGate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave., 419-255-3300. toledo-seagate.com

SUNDAY 10 Grand Rapids Applebutter Fest - Historical reenactments, pioneer demonstrations, crafts, food and more will be on hand at the 44th annual celebration. $15 parking fee. 10am-5pm. Downtown Grand Rapids, OH. applebutterfest.org

SUNDAY 31 Whose Live Anyway? The stars of Whose Line is it Anyway? come to the Stranahan for an evening of improvised comedy. $38-58. 8pm. 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., 419-381-8851. stranahantheater.com

WEDNESDAY 13 It’s for the Birds and Moore This fundraiser for Nature’s Nursery is held in memory of volunteer and nature lover Davey Moore. $65 per person, $120 per couple. 5:30pm-9:30pm. The Pinnacle, 1772 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee. 419-877-0060. natures-nursery.org

marketplace

THURSDAY 14 Community Breakfast Fundraiser - Leadership Toledo’s annual breakfast returns to raise funds for the group’s tuition-free youth programs. 7:30-9am. Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel, 444 N. Summit St. 419-241-7371. leadershiptoledo.org

Toledo Out of the Darkness Community Walk - Join this walk to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. 9:30am-1pm. Promenade Park, 400 Water St. 419-360-1054. supporting.afsp.org Free

SATURDAY 16 Pumpkin Path - The Toledo Zoo’s annual Halloween tradition returns with more than 20 trick-or-treat stations, games, performances and more. 2 Hippo Way, 419-385-5721. toledozoo.org

SUNDAY 3 20th Annual Toledo Buddy Walk This annual fundraiser to support individuals with Down Syndrome is bigger than ever, with a tailgate-style theme. Adult walkers $20, Children $10. Noon-4pm. University of Toledo, 2801 Bancroft St. flipcause.com

Sylvania Fall Festival - A Nite Lite Farmers Market, live music, trick or treating, a parade on Sunday and more will be part of Sylvania’s two-day annual event. 4-10pm. Also 10am-4pm, Sunday, October 17. Downtown Sylvania. 419-882-2135. sylvaniachamber.org Free

For Rent Flexible Stay Studios – Toledo Siegel Suites, 6106 Trust Drive, Holland, OH Beautifully fully furnished Studios. Pet friendly w/ FREE utilities and Free cable. No lease, No Credit Check Required.Earn free days with our REWARDS program. Call now. 419-540-9029

help wanted

THURSDAY 30 Heart Ball - The Toledo branch of the American Heart Association’s annual event raises funds and celebrates the group’s fight to change lives for the better. 6-9:30pm. Location TBD. 419-740-9666. heart.org/toledoheartball