September 2019 - Toledo Parent

Supporting Local Families for 27 Years

FREE September 2019

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e d i u G l o o After Sch

Where to go and what to do after the bell rings

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Snow Plow Parenting

What it is and how to tell if you’re doing it, p16 Therapy Dogs in School

Why Fido can be good for the classroom

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• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

ONLINE

FOLLOW US: toledoparent.com Toledo’s Award-Winning Parent Newspaper Volume 27 • Issue 9 September 2019

Where to go and what to do after the bell rings

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uide G l o o h c S r Afte

Find, like and follow us /toledoparent

We’re celebrating kids and family #toledoparent on Instagram!

Then follow what we like! /toledoparent

2019

GUIDE

Back to School Guide

The school year is just getting started. As you begin new routines, our guide offers tips and tricks to help make this school year a great one

P9 Transition Time

Helping kids ease into new routines

Snow Plow Parenting

By Lindsey Melden

What it is and how to tell if you’re doing it, p16

departments #showandtell

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what’s briefly happening

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Digital Age

Video games can be beneficial

tween the lines 7 exceptional families 8 healthy kids 18 calendar 21 — compiled by Sarah Emily

marketplace 23

commentary food fight 20

recycle this paper For our children's future ...

Downtown Eatery Serves Up Quite A History Great food and a ghostly good time at The Café

By Karen L. Zickes

On the cover Cole, 4, Oregon

SEPTEMBER giveaway The beloved PLAYMOBIL toys are now available for the toddler and preschool crowd! PLAYMOBIL’s new PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3 sets - made with little hands in mind are geared toward children ages 1.5 and up.

PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3 encourages imaginative play and creativity and promotes child development. This month, we’re giving one lucky reader a PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3 Zoo, which includes a monkey enclosure with a swing and a cave shelter, and a penguin enclosure with slide.

Visit toledoparent.com to enter.

Congratulations

to August’s Winner

Bonnie Jones

www.toledoparent.com • September 2019 •

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Adams Street Publishing Co. What was your favorite school year extracurricular activity?

We’re celebrating kids and family

KIDS HOROSCOPE

#toledokids on Instagram!

Want to be featured on our IG? Use the hashtag #toledokids and your pictures could end up on our page.

August 23 September 22

By Kimmie Rose

Your Virgo child is very particular: they know what they like and will 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 to the ‘On’ position, so make sure you know where the crayons, markers, paint and paper are! Foster their natural ability to create. Virgos are neat freaks and will prefer simple surroundings without a lot of distractions. Get an easel for them with some simple watercolor paints or crayons and let them create masterpieces. Be sure to have a specific place to hang what they make. With encouragement, your little Virgo will freely create as that nit-picky part of them fades away.

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@toledoparent.com) TENNIS.

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@toledoparent.com) SWIM TEAM.

Editorial

Assignment Editor Kimberly Feldkamp

(toledoparenteditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com) DECA. Associate Editor Athena Cocoves (athena@adamsstreetpublishing.com) DETENTION. Calendar Sarah Emily (calendar@adamsstreetpublishing.com) HARMONY ROAD SHOW CHOIR. Web Guru Courtney Probert (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MARCHING BAND/FLAGLINE. Contributing Writers Katy M. Clark, Kimberly Feldkamp, Susan Gibney, Cheryl Maquire, Erin Marsh, Lindsey Melden, Rachael Moshman, Emily Remaklus, Kimmie Rose, Karen Zickes

Advertising

Sales Coordinator/Classifieds Jenny Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com) GERMAN. Sales Bonnie Hunter (bhunter@adamsstreetpublishing.com) JOURNALISM. Suzanne Bell (sbell@adamsstreetpublishing.com) 9TH GRADE YEARBOOK. Katie Emans (kemans@adamsstreetpublishing.com) BALLET.

Art/Production

Weight Loss That Works September Back to School Special! $199 membership “Everything I’m now doing is because of Profile. I got immediate results from this plan, which I think was my biggest motivation. Between that and my coach, who helped hold me accountable, this plan truly worked for me.”

– Jana H - 80 lbs. Lost

Production Manager Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) ART CLASSES AND VISITING THE LIBRARY. Senior Designer Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) DECA, BATON CORP., GYMNASTICS, DANCE CLASSES. Graphic Design Anita Tipton (atipton@adamsstreetpublishing.com) VICA & ART. Kelli Miller (kmiller@adamsstreetpublishing.com) SOFTBALL. Norwin Lopez (nlopez@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CAUSING TROUBLE.

Administration

Accounting Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@toledoparent.com) GYMNASTICS....I WAS A SLINKY. Distribution Hanna Wagner (distribution@adamsstreetpublishing.com) VOLLEYBALL.

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 © 2019 by Adams Street Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

Also publishers of:

Audited by

3430 Secor Rd | Toledo, OH

419-365-6910 •profileplan.com/toledo 4

• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

As childhood evolves so do we.

Check out some of our favorite moments on social media and send your most loved photos to production@adamsstreetpublishing.com

rris, 5 , Toledo

Ryan Lillian Ha

Toledo laczewski, 16mo,

Aurora and Reese Ma

Brynleigh, 9, Bexley, 6, Bostyn Hanudel, 3, of Rossford

“I am a (your zodiac sign) and that’s why__”

Nevaeh, 3, Ryan, 1,

Self-Motivated learnerS All behavior is motivated. Babies are naturally motivated from birth to move and learn from experience.

How can parents help to sustain that motivation and support their children’s natural curiosity in order to develop self-motivated life-long learners?

Provide quality every day experiences for your babies and young children by investing time in their development. Talk to your children.

Give your children the vocabulary to express themselves, to think. Get moving! A trip to the grocery store can be a learning adventure for a small child if you approach it from a child’s perspective instead of a task to be completed.

Encourage and allow your children to try and fail without judgement or over-protection in order to develop self-confidence. Focus on their emotional health. Self-motivated

Toledo

SuPPORT naTuRal cuRiOSiTy Of cHildRen advertorial

learners are confident. Never assume your young children don’t understand.

They may not be able to read books but they can read you!

Once children enter school they will likely be measured by achievement.

However, researchers predict that the key to success is not the scores our culture obsesses over. It is how a child experiences and feels about success or failure. What are your child’s motives?

Is he driven by a need to prove competence, to please you, or animated by a passion for learning?

Stay connected emotionally with your children as they grow. Encourage effort and experimentation. In order to thrive each child needs the confidence to reach beyond without unrealistic or arbitrary adult expectations. Each child can enjoy the rewards of discovery, of self-motivated learning.

Jen Schoepf Head of School

Toledo Campus 7115 W. Bancroft St. Toledo, OH 43615

Perrysburg Campus 13587 Roachton Rd. Perrysburg, OH 43551

West Side Montessori

jschoepf@montessoritoledo.org

www.toledoparent.com • September 2019 •

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Stock the Supply Pantry

Did you know that teachers spend their own money— often as much as $500 per year— on school supplies for their classroom? To assist with this issue, The University of Toledo is leading efforts to provide Old Orchard Elementary teachers with supplies for their students. Following a model developed by Grace Church, UT has organized a donation drive to stock teachers’ supply cupboards. Donations can be dropped off at several campus locations through September 26 and teachers can access the supplies starting in October. Old Orchard Elementary is the pilot school for this pantry program but UT hopes to expand to more schools in the future.

Find more information, visit utoledo.edu/education.

Lateral Gig

With the back to school shopping completed for your kids, maybe now you want to pick up something new for yourself. Check out Lateral Gigs, a local female owned company helping to spread Toledo love. Offering screen printing, embroidery, engraving and super cute clothing, stock up on some threads from Lateral Gigs’ Mom Life Collection to help you adjust to the new school year. If you’re going to be caught in a messy bun and t-shirt in the carpool line, you’ll want to be sporting one of these. Shop online at lateralgig.com/collections/ shop-the-mom-collection

What’s All the hoopla?

We get it - you want to read more but it’s not always easy to squeeze in a trip to the library.

Did you know you can get digital movies, ebooks, music and more with your library card?

It’s worth taking a minute to explore hoopla, a digital media service offered by the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. Borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows on your computer, tablet or phone. You can stream things immediately or download for later. Check out up to 10 titles per month. toledolibrary.org/emedia

Mother’s Center Open House

Calling all moms! If you’re looking for a way to find “your village”, meet more mom friends and feel more connected to others in the parenting trenches, mark your calendar for the annual Mother’s Center of Greater Toledo open house, Thursday, September 5, from 10-11am at the West Toledo YMCA, or for an evening meet-and-greet at Sip Coffee, that same day, from 7-8pm. Learn more about this nonprofit that brings mothers together for support, fun, friendship and more. Find out more about the group, including weekly meetings, social events, community outreach, babysitting co-op, and the executive mommas group for working mothers.

FYI: 6

• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

September 1st = only 115 shopping days until Christmas!

tween the lines

advice for parents with children 10-16

Strategies for Communicating with Teenagers

New Director Named

Toledo Lucas County Public Library has named a new director. In early August, the Library Board of Directors named Jason Kucsma as the Library system’s Director. Kucsma, working as the acting director since February, was hired in 2015 as the Deputy Director. In his new role, Kucsma will lead a team providing world-class library services to the diverse communities of Lucas County.

Accepting that your 15-year-old is no longer five

By Rachael Moshman

I have worked in child care centers with babies, toddlers and preschoolers for years. I also teach college level early childhood education courses. With the advent of dual enrollment programs, I now have high school students in my college courses. It has become quickly apparent that communicating with teens requires different skill sets than those needed for small children or adults.

Here are some strategies that have been effective in communicating with teens.

Grab their attention.

Today’s teens are constantly multitasking. They eat lunch, do school work, text multiple friends and download their favorite music, all at the same time.

You’ve got to be interesting to compete with that! Do the unexpected from time to time. I’ve even showed up for class wearing a blue wig to grab the attention of my teen students.

Give them the benefit of the doubt.

Ready, set, Launch into fun!

Just in time for shorter days and cooler weather, a new family entertainment and action park is opening in Toledo. Launch, an action park franchise, will open in the Westgate Towne Center later this fall. Mixing sports and entertainment, the 23,000 square foot facility will provide children, teens and adults with endless fun including wall-to-wall trampolines, a ninja-style obstacle course, laser tag arena, rock climbing wall and full redemption video games. There will also be an in-house restaurant where guests can make their own fresh to order pizza.

Launch Action Park, 3234 Secor Road.

Whole Foods is Now Open

Grocery shoppers, rejoice! The doors have finally opened at Toledo’s Whole Foods Market. The long-awaited store opened in early August.

Whole Foods Market is known for its natural and organic products, high quality standards and commitment to sustainable agriculture. Whole Foods Market’s rigorous quality standards prohibit hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. The Toledo store also offers locally sourced options, grab-and-go prepared foods and natural and organic grocery items.

Whole Foods Market, 3420 Secor Road, 567-803-7001

Start off assuming that they are mature enough to handle the information.

You can always scale it back later, if needed. Addressing them on a younger level from the beginning can be insulting and can send up defensive walls. I speak to the teens in my college class in the same manner as I speak to the adults, and then, if it seems warranted, I bring it down a notch.

Ask them to repeat the information back to you.

The high school students in my classes were asking me the same questions repeatedly. I started asking them to recite the information I was teaching back to me. I also told them to write it down.

This reduced the repetitive questions.

Don’t attempt to compete with electronics.

Trying to talk when they are playing with their phone, tablet or other devices is useless. I’ve noticed that many young people seem to go deaf once they have electronics in their hands! Many times I’ve had to softly put my hand on a stu-

dent’s arm to get their attention. Make sure your teen is focused on you before you attempt to ask a question, give instructions or have a conversation.

Find some common ground.

I had a student who was extremely withdrawn. She entered class at the last minute and rushed out as soon as it was over. She didn’t voluntarily participate in discussions and gave one word responses when called on. When I brought up one of my favorite authors in class, the student told me that she had read one of his books and asked for my suggestion on which one to read next. After that, she started opening up in class. Sometimes it takes finding something in common to open the lines of communication.

A few other tidbits

Sometimes teens feel like they just can’t talk to their parents. I’ve had teenage students come to me with issues big and small that they were embarrassed, ashamed or afraid to discuss with their parents. A few students have told me that they simply didn’t want to worry their parent with the problem. Make sure your teen has other responsible adults in their life who they can turn to when talking to you is just out of the question for them.

Teens want to have strong relationships with their parents. Numerous times, I’ve heard them express jealousy of another students close relationship with a parent.

They tell their friends everything. I’ve overhead some very private information being exchanged between pals. If you want to know what is going on with your teen, get in good with their friends!

Teen communication revolves around texting. If you don’t know how to text, learn. In fact, ask your child for help!

Then start texting them daily.

My own daughter is eleven. Working with my teenage students has provided good preparation for her teen years, which are right around the corner. My texting speed is improving each day!

www.toledoparent.com • September 2019 •

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EXCEPTIONAL FAMILIES

Anything.

Delivered.

Anytime.

for parents of children with special needs

An Unlikely School Employee

Thanks Toledo!

Therapy dogs bring needed support to students

By Emily Remaklus

Daily Specials on Facebook! @SmokeysBBQroadhouse

ICE O H C ’S E L PEOP

winner

Ask us how to pull a coke from the 1950’s

Teachers and staff members work hard to ensure that students have the help they need during the school year. Sometimes, however, it takes an unlikely school employee to help students. Therapy dogs are being used more in schools to address students’ emotional needs.

Unlike service dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks in order to help someone with a disability, therapy dogs work to help with emotional needs of people in schools, hospitals and other settings. The dogs’ presence can create a calming effect on humans.

Devin and Sara’s story

2018

Mon-Thurs: 11am-7pm | Fri: 11am-8pm | Sat: 10am-8pm | Closed Sunday 954 Phillips Ave., Toledo Oh | 419-720-7387 | www.boydsretrocandy.com

Creative Kids Free Art Class for KIDS! Provides an opportunity for children/adolescents to express themselves creatively through art and identify positive coping skills!

Siblings & Caregivers Welcome!

CALL US TODAY TO FIND OUT WHEN THE NEXT SESSON TAKES PLACE Located at NAMI Greater Toledo 2753 W Central Ave (next to Food Town use glass door on left side of building

Registration REQUIRED! Please visit www.namitoledo.org or contact Kristen Zientek 419-243-1119 ext 203 or kzientek@namitoledo.org

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One young boy who has benefited greatly from a therapy dog is Devin, a Blissfield 5th grader. Devin has autism, ADHD, and anxiety. His therapy dog, Sara, helps him stay calm in upsetting situations, which in turn helps to keep him safe. Prior to receiving Sara, Devin had run into traffic trying to get away from loud noises or large crowds. It was after those scary incidents when his mother decided to research therapy dogs.

Unfortunately therapy dogs are very expensive and it can take a long time to arrange to have one trained and placed in a home. Devin’s family was put on a waiting list for two years. Last spring he reached the top of the list. To help offset the costs, Devin’s teacher Nicole Lundquist put together a fundraising effort at the school. Lundquist explained, “On the day of the event, money from all the students began to pour in. Many donations had notes attached from students that told why they felt it was so special to donate...When it was time to count the donations, it was clear that we had surpassed the goal.”

Whitmer High School’s future addition

Other area schools are also working to bring therapy dogs to their facilities.

Whitmer High School recently finished raising funds to help pay for a therapy dog. Washington Local Schools currently has two therapy dogs in the elementary schools who come to visit classes, help to soothe students who need some time to decompress, and teach students how to care for a companion properly.

Katie Peters, a Whitmer High School teacher and therapy dog handler, said a therapy dog at the high school works with teens in ways that are similar to how the dogs work with younger children.

“High school students come to us facing struggles and hardships at home. It has been proven that interacting with a ther-

• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

apy dog for five minutes can lower blood pressure, diminish physical and emotional pain and release endorphins that have a calming effect that relaxes the student.

Students who are ‘in the zone’ with a dog are much more likely to open up and ask for the help they need.”

Whitmer High School applied in February for a therapy dog and has been approved by the Assistance Canine Training Services of New Hampshire. With the help of Meyers Auto Wash, the school was able to raise $10,000 to cover the cost of the dog, supplies and training. Additionally West Toledo Animal Hospital volunteered to help with the canine’s care.

The school is currently waiting for the agency to find a dog that matches the school’s needs and will, hopefully, receive their therapy dog this fall. The community response has been very supportive. For students that have allergies or might be afraid of dogs, counselors will be informed and the dog will be kept away from those students.

Peters, who will be the dog’s handler, will be required to then go to New Hampshire for a week long training.

Once Peters has the dog, her classroom will be its home base. While she is teaching, one of four other trained faculty members can walk the dog through the hallways and take it to other classrooms to meet with students. Additionally, the dog will attend many events in the community throughout the year.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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e d i u G l o o After Sch

Boys & Girls Club 2250 N. Detroit Ave., Toledo, OH 43606 419-241-4258 bgctoledo.org With a belief that success is within the reach of every child, the Boys & Girls Club works hard to provide a safe place where children can learn and grow through new experiences, various programs and adult mentors. The club focuses on helping kids become productive, caring and responsible citizens. Programs include Power Hour, an after school homework help program, Cadet Corps, a weekly brainstorm and goal making session for kids 7-9 years old, Leadership Development clubs for kids of all ages, Computer Technology, Sports and Fitness, and Arts and Crafts.

Endless options to keep kids engaged outside the classroom

By Kimberly Feldkamp With the school year underway, as the routine sets in, you may be looking for after school programs to help your children discover new interests and talents. Or perhaps you simply need ideas for things to do once the bell rings. We’ve got you covered! Read about these organizations that will keep kids engaged and excited about learning outside the classroom. Plus, find ideas about places for field trips— perfect for the class during school hours or for the family on the weekends.

l o o h c s After ties Activi

Elite Karate Academy 10 S Holland Sylvania Road, Ste. 202, Toledo 419-930-8050 facebook.com/ EliteKarateAcademy Offering karate, fitness kickboxing and self defense seminars, Elite Karate Academy has something for everyone.

The Little Ninjas class for youngsters (ages 3-6) helps improve focus, discipline and coordination while the Juniors (ages 7-12) helps improve concentration while building confidence.

If your teen is looking to try something new this year, check out the Teens class, which can help improve self esteem in a positive atmosphere.

Other options include a fitness kickboxing class, a demonstration team that performs throughout the Toledo area and a competition team for those who really want to showcase their skills.

Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts

Home of the Toledo Ballet and Toledo Symphony 5327 Monroe St., Toledo 419-471-0049 toledoballet.com

1838 Parkwood Ave, Toledo 419-246-8000 Toledosymphony.com

The Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), home of the Toledo Ballet and Toledo Symphony, is dedicated to providing exceptional live music, dance performances and education for the region. With deep community roots and a combined 155 years of serving 260,000 individuals annually through performances and educational programs in Toledo and surrounding areas, TAPA presents new and invigorating programs and integrate the performing arts through shared educational missions. This fall, check out what Toledo Ballet and the Toledo Symphony School of Music have to offer. The young, and young-at-heart, are welcome to learn new skills and join a family of people who enjoy the arts!

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l o o h c s r e Aft Continued s Activitie

Ridge Run Vaulters

24789 Hull Prairie Road, Perrysburg 419-779-5922 ridgerunperrysburg.com

Sylvania Children’s Center 3421 Talmadge Road, Toledo 419-537-1122 Sylvaniachildren.com

Serving children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old, Sylvania Children’s Center is a great option if you’re looking for a place where your child will be engaged, cared for and allowed to grow and develop at his own pace. Sylvania Children’s Center gives kids the opportunity to explore, create, play and learn while developing positive self-concepts as they discover the world around them.

Early and extended care is available.

Everyone can vault! 7-week small group classes are forming now at Ridge Run Vaulters in Perrysburg. Equestrian Vaulting is a sport for a wide range of ages that combines gymnastics and dance on the back of a moving horse.

Controlled in a circle from the ground on a long line by a lounger, vaulting is done on soft footing and practiced first on a stationary barrel before moving on to the horse. The sport teaches harmony with the horse and promotes overall fitness, balance, coordination and teamwork. As one of the safest and most affordable equestrian sports, vaulting can be competitive or recreational, individual or team. No previous gymnastics, dance or horse experience necessary.

Find more information online at ridgerunperrysburg.com.

New Heights Gymnastics & More 6539 Weatherfield Ct., Maumee 419-795-2132 Newheightstoledo.com

New Heights Gymnastics & More is a great after school option for kids with energy to burn!

With two locations (Maumee and Wauseon), state-of-the-art facilities and multiple options, your child can hone their skills, build confidence and have fun at the same time. New Heights offers gymnastics classes for young beginners as well as highly competitive teams, cheerleading and tumbling programs, American Kenpo Karate and a Ninja Zone, for kids ages 3-12 that combines martial arts, gymnastics, obstacle course training and freestyle movement.

Call today to make an appointment for a private tour of SCC! S.T.E.A.M. activities naturally a part of our day! It’s who we are!

26+ Years of Excellence in Early Childhood Education & Care FIND US!

ENROLL TODAY FOR FALL • Degreed, Experienced Professional Teachers who build meaningful relationships with your child!

• Morning & Afternoon Sessions/Early & Extended Care • Accredited by the NAEYC, & awarded SUTQ 5-Star by the State of Ohio

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• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

3421 TALMADGE RD. • TOLEDO, OHIO (419) 537-1122 • sylvania-children.com inspire@sylvania-children.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Field Trip Destinations EMU Planetarium 303 Strong Hall, Ypsilanti, MI. 48917 734-487-4144 emich.edu/planetarium/

Load up the bus and take a field trip north for a day of exploration and learning about stars, dark matter, the planets and the constellations at Eastern Michigan University’s Planetarium! Built in 2011, this 37-seat facility has a domed ceiling that features shows on a variety of space-related topics. The planetarium is in use Monday through Thursday, September through April, for University Astronomy courses, but visits for outside groups can be scheduled for Fridays and some weekends during the school year. Budget friendly, the Planetarium field trips only cost around $2 per person.

Johnston Fruit Farms 2790 US-20 ALT, Swanton 419.826.1453 johnstonfruitfarms.com

The fall is a perfect time to get out and enjoy a tour at Johnston Fruit Farms. The local, family-owned farm offers behind-the-scene tours to groups of 12 or more, hayrides, and a chance to pick pumpkins and apples. You’ll also find delicious peaches, donuts, you-cut sunflowers and a free petting zoo.

With a class of students, or just your family, this is one farm you’ll want to visit.

. . . “s t r o n g b e g i n n i n g s”

Register TODAY for All FALL Classes !

Fun & Affordable Classes from NW Ohioʼs Leader in GYMNASTICS & NINJAZone Education - Visit Us TODAY

Olander Park

6930 Sylvania Ave, Sylvania 419-882-8313 olanderpark.com/ olanderpark/olander-park

SAFE, FUN, & PROFESSIONAL Instruction

Sylvania’s Olander Park is a great place for kids to play, learn and explore nature around them. Offering a 28 acre lake, which is a great spot for fishing and boating. Additionally, a 1.1 mile paved path surrounds the lake which is a nice spot for walkers, joggers, rollerbladers and bicyclists. Kids will love the four playgrounds at the park, and older kids and adults can enjoy the two sand volleyball courts. The park also has spaces to rent for weddings, meetings and reunions.

GYMNASTICS (Girls & Boys, Ages: Walking & Up) NINJAZONE (Ages: 4 & Up) IN WAUSEON SINCE 1998 & ...

NOW IN MAUMEE !

6539 Weatherfield Court Maumee, OH 43537

419-795-2132 www.newhtsgym.com

CONTINUED ON P. 12

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Field Trip Destinations Continued

KARATE • FITNESS KICKBOXING • SELF-DEFENSE SEMINARS

THANK YOU

for Voting us Best Martial Arts Program!

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL! 4 WEEKS FOR $99+ A FREE UNIFORM

ELITE KARATE ACADEMY OFFERS A VARIETY OF AGE-SPECIFIC CLASSES. LIL’ NINJAS (Ages 3 - 6) • JUNIORS (Ages 7 - 12) TEENS (Ages 13 to 17) • ADULTS (Ages 18+)

Toledo Botanical Garden

5403 Elmer Dr., Toledo, OH. 43615 419-536-5566 metroparkstoledo.com/ explore-your-parks/toledo-botanical-garden The Toledo Botanical Garden is a beautiful 60 acre area with numerous garden displays, offering many opportunities for visitors to learn about a variety of annuals and perennials. The gardens also host the Artisan Village which includes original sculptures located throughout the grounds. Kids can explore nature through pioneer living activities and hands-on plant exploration.

NOW ENROLLING! SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER AVAILABLE. POSITIVE, FAMILY FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.

(419) 930-8050 10 S. HOLLAND SYLVANIA RD, STE 202 | TOLEDO, OH

Toledo Zoo 2 Hippo Way, Toledo 419-385-4040 Toledozoo.org

We are lucky to live in a city that has an awesome zoo.

With over 700 different species of animals, the Toledo Zoo is a great place for both kids and adults to learn about the world of animals. Be sure to explore the aquarium touch tank that allows kids to get an up close look at the ocean’s wonders. For an additional fee, visitors can sign up for Behind the Scenes Tours to see the Zoo from the perspective of a zookeeper, an awesome opportunity for a kid with the desire to someday work with animals.

29 Years Teaching of Dance

CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 3RD Classes for ages 2 and up Use of Tap and Ballet Shoes with registration.

Personal and Rewarding Recitals.

Performances outside of the dance center.

TAP • BALLET • TECHNIQUE • JAZZ • HIP-HOP • TUMBLING LYRICAL • CHEER MODERN • COMBINATION CLASSES

CALL TODAY!

419.473.0999 | 2437 TREMAINSVILLE RD. MINIMOTIONSDANCE.COM

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Sauder Village

22611 State Route 2, Archbold 419-446-2541 saudervillage.org Put the cell phones down and take a step back to simpler times. At the historic Sauder Village, visitors explore what it would have been like to live over 200 years ago. Costumed guides may convince you that you are in a different era.

Visitors can explore historic homes and shops, such as the one-room school house, Dr. McGuffin’s office, a printer, a cider mill, and much more. Craftsmen, located throughout the village, provide working demonstrations with glass, metal, fiber, wood, and clay. Be sure to stop by and visit the farmyard animals.

Mon. - Sat. 10am - 7 pm Sun. 10am- 6pm

Stevens

Gardens

Corn Maze, Petting Zoo, & Straw Maze are OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

Fall Family Fun on the Farm

Pumpkins • Mums • Gourds & Squash Indian Corn • Corn Stalks Straw Bales • Homemade Jam

Local Honey • And More!

Hayride Cowtrain & Corn Cannon

run Sat-Sun 11am - Close

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www.toledoparent.com • September 2019 •

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• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

Swimming Safety Learning a critical life skill

By Susan Gibney

Chris Peters holds an impressive list of personal and professional accomplishments, but the one he’s most proud of is opening a new swim school in Northwest Ohio. “My heart sinks when I hear about a drowning,” said the owner/operator of SafeSplash + Swim Labs. “That’s why we’re here. My passion is to start kids swimming when they’re babies and keep the skills going when they’re adults. Learning to swim is a critical life skill – something that can save a life.”

Peters, who qualified for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 backstroke, is organizing fundraisers to help sponsor youngsters whose families cannot afford swimming lessons. “We are also constantly looking for third party funding – no child should be turned away because of cost.” The school is exploring offering lessons at other pools in the community. “If they can’t get to us, we want to take lessons to them,” he said.

Peters, the former head coach for the University of Toledo women’s swimming team, led the Rocket teams that broke numerous school records, set MAC Conference records and qualified for the NCAA Championship Meet and the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. Before coaching at UT, Peters served as an assistant coach for men’s swimming at the Ohio State University.

In addition to a 15 meter indoor swimming pool, the school features two smaller, endless wave pools that allow swimmers to learn in an individual setting. In-pool cameras and mirrors capture 360-degree views of each stroke.

Pool-side video analysis provides swimmers with instant feedback—while displaying their strokes side-by-side with the world’s best swimmers—to help students become more efficient and faster in the water.

Dream come true

The self-professed “optimist and go-getter” called building the swim school, an “ultimate dream.” His wife, Marianne, Director of People and Performance for Savage and Associates, a

Q+A WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY/KIDS? Family basement night, where we play ping pong, darts and foosball.

We also enjoy going out to eat together and going on family walks with our dog, Charlie.

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO ACTIVITY WHEN YOU FINALLY HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO YOURSELF? Swimming!

DESCRIBE YOUR LIFE IN FIVE WORDS. Chaotic. Fulfilling. Family.

Caring. Ambitious.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TOLEDO HANGOUT? The Toledo Metroparks and my house.

Chris Peters, owner/operator of SafeSplash + Swim Labs.

DESCRIBE TOLEDO IN A SENTENCE. Toledo is a family friendly area that I’m proud to call HOME.

local investment advisory and insurance firm, is credited by Peters for “taking a chance” to truly make a difference in people’s lives. Marianne helps manage the business and lends a hand, teaching swimming lessons on weekends.

“I’ve never been much of a corporate guy, I prefer to be hands-on and being in the pool is definitely my happy place,” Peters explains. His other favorite place is his home in Whitehouse, where he and Marianne live with their two children, Sydney, 13 and Cole, 11.

“Opening a new business is draining but my wife and I always make time for family,” Peters said. Those that work for him know that he will drop everything to attend his son’s swim meets or daughter’s soccer games or volleyball matches. “No doubt, this is a tough year but my family knows they always come first.”

SafeSplash + Swim Labs is SafeSplash + Swim Labs is located at 1510 Spring Meadows Drive in Holland. For more information or to schedule lessons, call 419.370.2801.

www.toledoparent.com • September 2019 •

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Snow Plow Parenting The New Helicopter Parent The importance of failure in parenting

By Erin Marsh

As generations change, new titles are developed—Baby Boomers, GenX, Millenials— along with parenting techniques. Helicopter parenting, the practice of hovering anxiously near your children, monitoring their every activity, is now considered a thing of the past.

What is Snow Plow Parenting?

The newest parenting term is “snow plow parenting,” which is associated with affluent and middle-class parents who eradicate obstacles in their children’s paths so they aren’t faced with failure or frustration. It’s the “everyone gets a trophy” parenting concept.

Helicopter parenting evolved into “intensive parenting,” which translates to constantly monitoring children and always educating them, filling up afternoons and weekends with lessons, tutors and traveling sports. Snow plow parenting is essentially intensive parenting raised to a higher level.

Studies show that parents now spend more money on child rearing than any previous generation. Other sociological data reveals that working mothers

spend as much time doing hands-on activities with their kids as stay-at-home moms did in the 1970s.

Mounting evidence reveals this overthe-top education doesn’t necessarily benefit children, and parents, particularly mothers, are feeling the pressure of being all things to all people. Mothers must excel in the workplace and then come home to be supermom, completing all the activities of a stay-at-home mom in a quarter of the time.

This parenting fervor does not end with high school graduation either. In a new poll of parents with children ages 18 to 28 by The New York Times and Morning Consult, 75% of parents had made appointments for their adult children, such as doctor visits or haircuts, and the same percentage had reminded their kids of deadlines for school. 11% said they would contact their child’s employer if their child had an issue.

16% of those with children in college had texted or called them to wake them up so they didn’t sleep through a class or test. 8% had contacted a college professor or administrator about their child’s grades or a problem they were having.

Toledo-area professors share their experiences

Local professors and administrators confirming this shift in parenting were reluctant to be quoted for this article due to fear of parental backlash.

One administrator at a nearby university admits he regularly receives phone calls from parents about safety concerns.

Most of those concerns are unwarranted and amplified by social media, but that doesn’t diminish parental worry and involvement.

A professor at a nearby college confessed that she regularly receives phone calls and emails from parents asking about assignments and grades. They make excuses for their children’s missing work and argue about grades. The professor is often blamed for the mistakes of her students.

Students now “grade” their teachers, explained yet another professor from a local university, who learned quickly that her students’ grades directly impacted their reviews of her. When students earned anything less than an A, the reviews reflected that. While students

are ready to take the credit for their high grades, they refuse to accept the blame for less-than-perfect scores.

Operation Varsity Blues

A recent college bribery scandal, codenamed Operation Varsity Blues, reveals the extreme— and criminal— choices some parents made to snow plow obstacles from their children’s paths to college. Fifty parents are charged with varying levels of fraud, from bribing SAT proctors to paying off college coaches to get their children into elite colleges.

The parents then went to great lengths to ensure their children never realized their involvement and manipulation.

According to the investigation, one father lied about his son being on the water polo team to increase his perceived extracurriculars and his chance at gaining admittance. Another mom paid someone to take the ACT for her son-and then pretended to proctor the test herself, at home, so her son would think he was the test-taker.

How does snow plow parenting begin?

Wondering how “snowplow parenting” begins while raising young children? It starts early, putting your child on a waitlist for an elite preschool, making sure your toddler never encounters frustration on playdates or in the classroom. Once your child enters

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• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

elementary school, it morphs into running assignments to school when your child forgets, calling teachers when a grade is less than stellar, and confronting a coach when your child doesn’t make the team.

This may seem like acceptable behavior when raising young children, and perhaps it is as they transition into school-age, but at some point, the child needs to learn to deal with failure and become responsible for his/her own choices. When your child forgets a large assignment and is docked points for tardiness, he will learn from his mistake. If he knows mom/dad will bail him out, then he learns that his mistakes do not merit negative consequence and, on a deeper level, he internalizes that someone else is at fault, not him.

Failing to stop the snow plow effect by high school often leads to it continuing into college, and then into the workplace. It’s a parenting habit that is difficult to break.

If young adults do not learn life skills by the end of high school, they will be illequipped to face the real world in college and beyond.

The GenX and Baby Boomer generations love to complain about Millenials who can’t take responsibility for their actions, assume every mistake is the fault of someone else and are unable to take any sort of criticism.

But did those generations not create the issues commonly associated with Millenials? When “everyone gets a trophy,” is it not surprising Millenials would have a hard time facing any perceived failure, even something as trite as constructive criticism? And if a parent always bailed them out in a time of need, it’s not a stretch to understand how the young adult would have trouble accepting the blame for a mistake. If mom always delivered, and then she didn’t, isn’t it really mom’s fault?

Importance of failure Learning to solve problems, take risks and overcome frustration are crucial life skills, child development experts say. If parents don’t let their children encounter failure, the children won’t acquire those skills. We learn just as much, if not more, from our mistakes as we do from our successes.

When a first-grader is obligated to eat a lunch he doesn’t like because he forgot his bagged lunch at home, he is much more likely to remember his lunch in the future.

When a 20-year-old fails to finish a paper on time and receives a zero, he’s likely not going to make the same mistake again.

We all make mistakes; the true test of growth is whether or not we can learn from and improve on those blunders. Not everyone can be a winner, and no one is perfect.

As parents, we perform a disservice to our children if we let them believe anything else.

Young people are experiencing record rates of anxiety, in part due to their lack of problem-solving skills and their inability to experience failure. Clearing the path in order to avoid failure does not help them to develop those important life skills. Instead of preparing the road for the child, we need to focus instead on preparing the child for the road.

www.toledoparent.com • September 2019 •

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healthy kids

Investing in Your Family

g n i t a c o v Ad s d i K r u o Y For

THE JMJ PROGRAM

Honoring Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Speech and language developmental concerns

By Emily Remaklus

Monthly Meetings to Strengthen Your Family’s Togetherness and Faith Life

WHERE: ST. JOHN’S JESUIT 5901 Airport Hwy near US 23, Toledo WHEN: Saturdays; 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (includes lunch)

TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED  Good Listening and Communication Skills: Share and discuss strategies for nurturing open dialogue with your children and teens.

 Understanding Developmental Stages of Growth: A discussion of the stages of psychological, sexual, moral, and faith growth in your children.

 Recognize God at Work in Your Life and Family Life: Renew your appreciation of your own vocation and supporting the vocations of your children.

 The Main Themes of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises: St. Ignatius of Loyola invites us to explore God’s personal love for us--faithful, tender; sin, mercy, our call to build with Christ the Kingdom of God; discipleship, suffering & dying, resurrection, on-going life in the Holy Spirit. This piece is the spiritual foundation of the entire JMJ program.

 Develop Various Forms of Family Prayer: Learn how to prepare your family for a consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (done in May).

DATES

SEPT. 14 OCT. 12 NOV. 2

JAN. 11 FEB. 15 MAR. 14

APR. 25 MAY 16

(no December meeting)

NOTE: The JMJ Program is open to all Christians who are parents with children, from very young to adult ages; also to Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and those with no religious affiliation but are open to Jesus and learning from His values. Participation in this program is for parents only.  Facilitators: Mrs. Sandy Harding, Fr. Bernie Owens, and various married couples or individual men or women with valuable experience in parenting; outside lecturers also.  Cost: (covers lunch, speakers and related costs) $200/individual; $325/couple. Initial deposit of $25 due by September 11. Balance due

by October 12. Payment plan available by request. Checks payable to: Fr. Bernie Owens.

Mail it with your name(s), street address, city, ZIP code, and email address no later than September 11 to Fr. Owens at 604 Scenic Circle, Holland, OH, 43528.

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For many parents, worrying is a part of the job description. After all, you have the responsibility of caring for and making sure your child is happy, healthy, and safe. But what happens when you notice something that you think is wrong, and the experts don’t seem nearly as concerned as you do? Trust your gut!

Advocating for your child is not always easy, but is definitely necessary.

Speech and language development

Young children reach milestones quickly as they grow and develop, and one area where they reach milestones is in speech and language development.

This is often an area where parents have questions and concerns about their child’s progress.

Leigh Carr, a certified Speech Language Pathologist, has spent many years providing evaluations and treatment for children from birth to 18 years old with communication disorders. “Children begin communicating from the moment they are born with their first cry,” she said. “It is extremely important to be aware of speech and language developmental milestones children reach by various ages in order to ensure your child is demonstrating those skills.”

One of the first milestones is reached at just 2 months. At that age, children are typically cooing, crying for attention, turning their heads towards sounds and smiling. Throughout the rest of their very early childhood, children develop quickly and reach other language and speech milestones relatively quickly.

An easy resource for those wanting to learn more about specific milestones is the Milestone Tracker mobile app which explains what is expected at each age and allows you to determine if your child is on track, developmentally.

Stimulating language skills Some children develop more quickly, or more slowly, than others.

If parents are concerned about their child’s speech and language development, Carr suggests that parents try to stimulate those skills. One way to do

• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

this is by simply reading to the child every day. Another good way is by labeling objects and actions. For instance, at bathtime if the child is looking at the soap, you might say “Here is the soap”.

This helps them connect the object with the word for the object. It also can help children’s language skills develop when you hold objects close to the mouth while explaining what they are.

Young children then have a visual of the mouth movement which helps them imitate the sounds.

Carr explained “We know that many children who demonstrate delays in development will catch up in time without skilled intervention... however, children who receive early intervention have better outcomes due to skilled therapy, facilitating your child’s progress and maximizing their potential.”

Advocating for your child

Despite the fact that many children with delays will eventually catch up to their peers, it is difficult for parents to see their child struggling. Carr recommends communicating any concerns with the child’s pediatrician right away and scheduling an appointment sooner rather than waiting for the next checkup. Often, pediatricians may not be as concerned with the perceived developmental delays as the parents. Sometimes a pediatrician may just recommend a “wait and see” approach.

“As a parent, they can request a referral for an evaluation by a speech language pathologist, physical or occupational therapist or audiologist, as appropriate based on concerns,” said Carr.

Knowing your child best, do what you believe is right for your child, even if that means disagreeing with the pediatrician’s “wait and see” approach.

Leigh Carr can be contacted at 567-343-0073 or premierpediatrictherapy1@gmail.com.

To download the Milestone Tracker mobile app, please visit cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app. html.

www.toledoparent.com • September 2019 •

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THE CAFÉ

27 Broadway St. Toledo 43604 The Historic Oliver House 419-243-1302 Mon-Sat: 8a.m.-3:30p.m. mbaybrew.com/thecafe

Great food and a ghostly good time at The Café

The kids and I made the most of summer, with hopes that it might somehow make the season last longer. (It didn’t work.) One sunny, summer afternoon we ventured downtown for an adventure at the historic Oliver House and the nearby Middlegrounds Metropark.

If you haven’t been to either place, it’s time you check them out!

Historic Oliver House

The Oliver House, located on Broadway not far from the high-level bridge, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It opened in 1859 and was considered a modern hotel for its time in an area of downtown called the Middlegrounds. It has been home to many things including a medical center during the Spanish-American War. I’ll get back to that in a bit.

Currently, the Oliver House is home to The Café, Rockwell’s Steakhouse, Maumee Bay Brewing Company, Mutz Sports Bar and several other businesses.

After our fabulous lunch at The Café, the kids and I enjoyed meandering through the Oliver House admiring the beautiful architecture and checking out the Toledo Brewing Hall of Fame & Museum. We then spent time at the Middlegrounds Metropark, on the river, just steps from the Oliver House. Enjoy a great breakfast or lunch at The Café and then have yourselves a little adventure, like we did!

Unique experience and delectable food

Petit Fours Patisserie and Café is often simply referred to as The Café; which most people call it for short. Though we did not indulge in any pastry or bakery items, I hear they are scrumptious.

The décor is described as ‘contemporary minimalist’. With the painted brick 20

Downtown Eatery Serves Up Quite A History

By Karen L. Zickes

walls, brushed metal tables, tile floor, open ceiling and local art on the walls, I agree with that description.

There is a unique triangular courtyard with many dining tables, but my kids had their fill of the extreme heat so we stayed indoors where the air was conditioned. Rodney, our enthusiastic and personable server, made our visit even more enjoyable. When he heard we had never dined at The Café he was beyond excited to tell us how everything, including the salad dressing, is made in house, and how everything on the menu is delicious. We did not try everything on the menu, but I can say that the items we DID sample were fresh, flavorful and made us want to return.

We began our meals with cheddar broccoli soup, gazpacho, and their famous tomato bisque. We loved them all, but oh that bisque . . . one of the best we’ve had yet.

The regular lunch menu is very large and includes nine salads, 12 hot and seven cold sandwiches, burgers, soups --you name it! The sandwiches are served with chips and a pickle, but you can always substitute fries or soup or salad. The kids enjoyed the Hot Italian, Rueben, and three cheese grilled cheese with caramelized onions. I, on the other hand, tried the Oliver House Wagon Wheel. Picture this: an English muffin with American cheese, either bacon, ham, or gyro meat, dipped in egg, and grilled. That is an item you don’t find on every menu, and it was very good.

They do have high chairs and kids’ menus as well, so the family is certainly welcome. Breakfast options for the younger set include meals with eggs, fruit, French toast, etc. and are only

$4.99. Lunch options range from BLT’s to hot dogs, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, etc. and are $5.99.

Paranormal activity

We heard that the Oliver House is considered to be “haunted.” Once we started asking questions, Rodney and another server couldn’t wait to share with us some of the things that they themselves had experienced. We heard many stories about a gentleman who may have been there during the Spanish-American war, and he always appears in full uniform. They call him “The Captain.” Ask around when you are there. Someone on the staff will be able to share a story or two with you. Or maybe you’ll have a sighting yourself!

The Bottom Line: Get out with the family and do something different. It’s a short jaunt downtown to The Café and you can extend the visit by walking through the historic Oliver House, and maybe spend some time along the river at Middlegrounds Metropark. The service is personable, and the food will be worth the trip. Take home some pastries while you’re there, too!

The Short Course Kid-friendly: Yes. To avoid wait: Anytime.

Noise level: Moderate.

Bathroom amenities: Changing station in BOTH men’s and women’s restroom.

High chairs? Yes. Allergies? Be sure to alert server to precautions can be made during food preparation.

• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

{ September

2019 }

All calendar events are subject to change, cancellation and limited size. Calling ahead for confirmation is recommended.

1 SUNDAY Beads and Baubles - Kids can create jewelry and other art using a variety of beads and found objects. This art project will be offered at the Toledo Museum of Art Family Center located in the Education Wing of the museum through Saturday 9.7. Hours vary. Toledo Museum of Art, 2455 Monroe St. 419-255-8000. toledomuseum.org Free

2 MONDAY Labor Day Bridge Walk - Take a stroll with the Toledo Metroparks for a holiday walk across the Maumee River.

The walk will lead families on a 3.5 mile loop that will take about two hours.

Meet at International Park by the Docks.

1-3pm. International Park, 26 Main St. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com Free Pre-Game Picnic at Hensville Get outdoors for the holiday with the family. The Mud Hens will play their last game of the regular season and a picnic option will be offered. $20-$25. Noon4pm. Hensville, 406 Washington St. 419- 725-4367. hensvilletoledo.com

3 TUESDAY Prairie Walk - Take a guided tour of the prairie at Slippery Elm Trail Preserve.

A naturalist will draw attention to blooms, insects and animals busy making their winter homes. 6-7:30pm. Slippery Elm Trail, 14810 Freyman Rd., Cygnet.

419-353-1897. wcparks.org Free

4 WEDNESDAY Toddler Trails - Take a slow-paced walk through Wildwood with your youngster. Register. $2. 10-11am.

Wildwood Preserve, 5100 Central Ave. metroparkstoledo.com Nickelodeon’s JoJo Siwa Concert The popular teen entertainer brings her fun DREAM Tour to Toledo’s Huntington Center. From Youtube fame to television star, this young superstar knows how to put on a great show. $47.50-$67.50.

7pm. Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave. 419-255-3300. jojodreamtour.com

5 THURSDAY Mom’s Center Open House Find about West Toledo YMCA Mother’s Center, a local nonprofit that brings together area moms to talk about community while offering support in all things parenting. 10-11am. YMCA, 2110 Tremainsville Rd. motherscenter.net Free

6 FRIDAY Art Crawl - Young babies and toddlers with an adult are invited to explore the galleries and work on an art project at the Family Center after the tour. $7-$10.

6-7pm. Toledo Museum of Art, 2455 Monroe St. 419-255-8000. toledomuseum.org Free Black Swamp Arts Festival This three day festival brings together art, food and live music all on one street!

Three stages offer music over three days.

Hundreds of fine artists will show their wares amid festival food and family activities. Don’t forget to visit the Youth Arts Village for arts and crafts on Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm. Festival hours are 10am-midnight, Friday - Sunday.

Downtown Bowling Green, Wooster & Main St. blackswampfest.org Free First Free Fridays - Take a self-guided tour of the grounds that once housed countless ‘poor farm’ inmates. The Pestilence House tells the grim tale of the limited care given to victims of TB, while the exhibition “For Comfort & Convenience” completes the picture of early mental health care and all its failings.

10am-4pm. Wood County Historical Center, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green. 419-352-0967. woodcountyhistory.org Free 48th Toledo Gem & Rockhound Show - Explore countless rare rocks, minerals and gemstones from vendors.

There will be children’s games and activities too. $5 admission (12 & up.)

2-8pm, Friday. 10am-6pm, Saturday.

11am-5pm, Sunday. Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.

419-531-8124. toledogemandrockhoundclub.com

7 SATURDAY Apple Fest - Head north to Erie Orchards for a fun day of apple picking, pony and hay rides, a petting zoo, a corn maze and bounce houses. Don’t miss the bbq chicken dinner offered Sunday evening. Crafters and more will set up booths on site too. Hayrides cost $5.

9am-7pm. Saturday. 11am-6pm. Sunday.

Erie Orchards, 1235 Erie Rd., Erie.

734-854-4518. erieorchards.com Free 2nd Grito Fest - Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off at Latino’s. The El Corazon de Mexico Ballet group will perform along with Grupo Illusion and more.

Authentic food and drink will be available. $5. Latino’s, 706 S. Saint Clair St. 419-283-1628. facebook.com/ elcorazondemexico 10th Anniversary - Perrysburg Musical Theatre will celebrate ten years of performances. Enjoy a musical review, highlighting some fan favorites. 6pm. $10. St. Timothy’s, 871 E. Boundary St., Perrysburg. 419-874-5704. perrysburgmusicaltheatre.org

Captain of the Crossing Guard This light-hearted children’s play follows Monica during her time leading the crossing guards at her school. $15. 2-4pm.

Valentine Theatre, 410 N. Superior St. valentinetheatre.com

8 SUNDAY License to Drive - Visitors will create car inspired art, creating license plates and bumper stickers using found objects, stickers and beads. This art project will be offered at the Toledo Museum of Art Family Center located in the Education Wing of the museum through Saturday 9.14. Toledo Museum of Art, 2455 Monroe St. 419-255-8000. toledomuseum.org Free

9 MONDAY Our Animal Friends Series This series, for kids 2-4 with an adult, will meet every Monday morning and incorporate a variety of educational tools including stories, crafts, games and outdoor education. Register in advance. $42. The series 10am-10:45am.

577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg. 419- 874-4174.

577foundation.org Crafternoon - Kids, 5-10 years with an adult, will create fun craft projects together. All materials will be provided.

The craft should keep kids busy for an hour or so. 3:30-4:30pm.

King Library, 3900 King Rd., Sylvania. 419-259-5200. events.toledolibrary.org Free Half Pint History - This 90-minute educational event combines history with storytelling, games, songs and movement. Open to ages 3-6 years with an adult. $3. 10:30-noon. Sylvania Heritage Village, 5717 Main St., Sylvania. 419-517-5533. heritagesylvania.org Youth Pottery - This class for kids 5-7 years will focus on the core basics of ceramics. Students will hand build pottery and decorate each piece using colorful glazes. $75. 4:30-5:30pm. Mondays through October 21. 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg.

419- 874-4174. 577foundation.org Youth Pottery - Ages 12-17 will learn the basics of hand building, receive instruction on the pottery wheel and make use of more advanced tools and techniques in this six week course. $95.

6-7:30pm. Mondays through October 21. 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg. 419- 874-4174.

577foundation.org

12 THURSDAY Tales & Trails - Take a walk on the wildside with your youngster, enjoy a story and the outdoors. Register. $2.

10-11am. Wildwood Preserve, 5100 Central Ave. metroparkstoledo.com

Nature’s Nursery Fall Open House

Sunday, September 15, 1-4pm Nature’s Nursery 7790 Co Rd 152, Whitehouse Calling all animal lovers! Don’t miss Nature’s Nursery Fall Open House. Bring the family to this free event on Sunday, September 15, and learn more about Nature’s Nursery, a nonprofit supporting wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education. At the Open House you can meet Education Ambassadors and learn about wildlife rehabilitation services that help injured, orphaned or ailing wild animals. There will be live animal education programs, too. Did we mention it’s free?

STEM Day in the Park Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 9:30 am-2pm Perry Field House, 801 N. Mercer Road, Bowling Green

Exercise your body AND your brain at the 10th annual STEM in the Park event on Saturday, September 28. STEM Zones throughout Perry Field House will provide hands-on activities for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering and math. While families participate in active learning, the hope is to spark interest and awareness of STEM fields. This year the event will include an all new Eco Zone featuring earth-centric activities explaining the importance of protecting the environment.

Auditions for First Presbyterian Youth Theatre - Students in grades 2-4 are able to audition for the fall production of Goldilocks & the Three Bears and the play The Three Little Pigs.

Rehearsals will run mid-September through early November with performances on Saturday November 16.

Auditions start at 6pm. First Presbyterian, 200 E. Broadway, Maumee.

419-350-4721. adventures-in-education.net Free

www.toledoparent.com • September 2019 •

21

14 SATURDAY Kids Day at Hayes: Leaves of Spiegel Grove - The Presidential Museum is home to over 1000 trees.

Kids will play scavenger hunt games, make crafts and explore the campus. $3 for non-members. Adults are free. 1-2pm.

R.B. Hayes Museum, Spiegel Grove, Fremont. 419-332-2081. rbhayes.org Enrichment Day: Paws and Play Visit the Toledo Zoo for an afternoon of education and animal play. Visitors will learn more about the animals and how they behave through various demonstrations and lectures throughout the park.

Admission prices vary. 10am-5pm.

419-385-5721. toledozoo.org Free

Art Car Show at TMA Explore countless art and specialized cars at the Toledo Museum Car Show, held outdoors on the museum campus.

After, wander indoors for a look at the American Car Culture exhibition. Noon3pm. Toledo Museum of Art, 2455 Monroe St. 419-255-8000. toledomuseum.org Free Kids Weekend - Make a stop at Erie Orchards for a fun weekend of family activities. Pick your own apples in the field, visit the petting zoo and bakery. A special magic show will be held both Saturday and Sunday from 1-5pm. Hayrides cost $5. 9am-7pm. Saturday. 11am-6pm.

Sunday. Erie Orchards, 1235 Erie Rd., Erie. 734-854-4518. erieorchards.com Free

19th International Festival The festival features over 20 international organizations all under one giant tent. From games and dancing, music to food, this event has everything. Parking on site is $5. 11am5pm. Saturday & Sunday. Islamic Center, 25877 Scheider Rd., Perrysburg. 419-874-3509. icgt.org

15 SUNDAY Finger Painting - The Art Museum has a place for kids to create artwork, play, read stories and hang with friends. The Family Center makes dreams come true with countless activities open for kids to use at no cost.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. This week’s planned activity explores finger painting techniques and connects kids to colors and early art education. Finger Painting offered through Saturday 9.21. Hours vary.

Toledo Museum of Art, 2455 Monroe St. 419-255-8000. toledomuseum.org Free

17 TUESDAY Sharing Nature - Adults will learn from educator and Free Forest School Director Eleanor Kemp with a presentation about her experiences at the Forest School. A naturalist will lead kids on a special program during the adult’s lecture. Register now for a space.

7-8:30pm. Knight Preserve, 29530 White Rd., Perrysburg.

419-353-1897. wcparks.org Free

18 WEDNESDAY Homeschooler’s Book Discussion - Teens will discuss the book “Children of Blood and Bone”

by Tomi Adeyemi. Participants are expected to read the book prior to the book club discussion. Copies available at the Waterville Library. 2-3pm.

Waterville Library, 800 Michigan Ave., Waterville. 419-259-5200. events.toledolibrary.org Free

19 THURSDAY Art Loop: Momentum The Arts Commission’s three day festival Momentum brings a crowd downtown to Promenade Park. To kick off the fest, Art Loop offers $1.50 bus rides to over a dozen venues, each offering an exhibition, live performance or other arts activity. Take a self-guided tour at no cost with the help of the Art Loop guide now available. 5:30-9pm.

Various locations. 419-254-2787. theartscommission.org Free Youth Pottery - This course open to ages 8-11 years will teach students the basics of pottery. Students will make use of the Pottery Barn, create fun hand-built ceramics and decorate each piece using slips and glazes. $95.

4-5:30pm. Thursdays through October 24. 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg. 419- 874-4174.

577foundation.org

Lecture: Losing Our Fresh Water Dr. Bill Hintz from the Lake Erie Center will discuss his research regarding Lake Erie and our fresh water sources. The lecture will explore keeping our lake clean and keeping humans safe. 7pm.

Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bayshore Rd., Oregon. 419-530-8360. utoledo.edu/nsm/lec Free

20 FRIDAY Momentum Friday - Head down to Promenade Park to view contemporary art installations, interactive art projects and other live performances throughout the day. Chaka Khan performs after 6pm. Tickets for the concert are $15$20. All day. Promenade Park, 250 Water St. 419-254-2787. theartscommission.org Free 41st Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival - This three day festival features a parade, vintage market, live music, carnival games and a dedicated area. Historical reenactors will set up in Hedges Boyer Park at the Heritage Village, offering a look back in time to the Civil War and pioneer era. Live music with Wolf Creek Risin’, Lake Plains Barbershop Chorus as well as a special drum ceremony by the Southeastern Water Spider Drum group. Full schedule online. $3 entry to the Heritage Village.

Ages 12 and under are free. All day.

Friday - Sunday. Downtown Tiffin, E. Market St. & Hwy. 231. Hedges Boyer Park, 180 Summit St., Tiffin. tiffinfestival.com Free

21 SATURDAY Harrison Rally Day - Celebrate the town’s heritage with a morning parade, family games and crafts, art vendors, food trucks and live music. 9:30am-4pm.

Downtown Perrysburg, Louisiana & Front St. 419-874-9147. visitperrysburg.com Free Wooden Pumpkins - Create a decorative hanging pumpkin with your child. $25. 2-3:30pm. Awakening Minds, 317 S. Main St. 419-302-3892. awakeningminds.org

22 SUNDAY I Love Olander Day! - Spend some time at the Sylvania park celebrating community and fun. Activities include games and crafts for the kids, live music, food trucks and more. Noon-5pm.

Olander Park, 6930 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania. 419-882-8313. olanderpark.com/iloveolanderday Free

27 FRIDAY Family Center Visiting Artist Artist Dani Butler, of Butler Baby and Co., will demonstrate her use of fabric and textiles in her baby items. Kids will be given a hands-on activity during the demonstration. 6-7pm. Toledo Museum of Art, 2455 Monroe St. 419-255-8000. toledomuseum.org Free

Add your event online at

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• September 2019 • www.toledoparent.com

28 SATURDAY 46th Roche de Boeuf Festival The Waterville fest features regional performers, food vendors, art vendors and a parade. In addition, a Pioneer Arts area will showcase crafts and trade demonstrations and storytelling from the early 1800s. The annual car show will award Best in Class, People’s Choice and Award of Excellence prizes. 9am5pm. Downtown Waterville, Farnsworth & Anthony Wayne Trail. 419-878-5188. watervillechamber.com Free Pumpkin Fest - Visit the farm and orchard to pick pumpkins and apples.

Check out the petting zoo, bakery or take a hayride with family. The hot apple donuts are amazing! Hayrides cost $5.

9am-7pm. Saturday 9.28. 11am-6pm.

Sunday, 9.29. Erie Orchards, 1235 Erie Rd., Erie. 734-854-4518. erieorchards.com Free

29 SUNDAY Pioneer Life in Ohio - Visit Fort Meigs for historical reenactors demonstrating early pioneer crafts, cooking, and trade skills like smithing and candle making. $8-$10. 9:30am-5pm.

Ft. Meigs, 29100 W. River Rd., Perrysburg. 419-874-4121. fortmeigs.org

30 MONDAY Teen Book Club - Teens will meet to discuss new and classic books, perfect for learning more about different cultures, social movements, and historical people that are sure to appeal to ages 13-18.

Also there will be nachos! 6-7pm.

Kent Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd.

419-259-5200. events.toledolibrary.org Free

Mondays

Family Storytime - Stop by for a weekly storytime with other families from the community hosted by the Maumee Library.

7-7:30pm. Maumee Library, 501 River Rd. 419-259-5200. toledolibrary.org Free

Tuesdays

Downtown Sylvania - Support local food producers at this weekly outdoor market. 3-7pm. Maplewood & Main St. 419-30-1212. downtownsylvania.org Free

Wednesdays

Stroller Rolls - Spend an hour outdoors on a guided nature walk that is 100% stroller-friendly. This weekly group meets at the Mallard Lake Area. 10:30am.

Oak Openings, 4139 Girdham Rd., Swanton. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com Free

Fridays

Library Playdate - Kids with a grown up can socialize with other young kids and play educational games. Open to 5 years and under. 10-10:45am. Sylvania Library, 6749 Monroe St. 419-882-2089. toledolibrary.org Free

Whitehouse Community Market Downtown Whitehouse comes alive with vendors throughout the spring, summer and fall. 4:30-7:30pm. Village Plaza, 6751 Providence St. 419-877-5383. whitehouseoh.gov Free

Market Days at LEC- The Lake Erie Center in Oregon will host a weekly Farmers Market featuring fresh produce, jewelry, kettle corn, gourmet coffee, candles, bread, and more. 3-6pm. Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bayshore Rd., Oregon.

419-530-8360. utoledo.edu/nsm/lec

Thursdays

Saturdays

Perrysburg Farmers Market Market days May through early October. Downtown Perrysburg, Louisanna & Indiana. 3-8pm. perrysburg-farmers-market.com Free Tiny Tots Thursdays - Sing and play games while making a craft. Themes change weekly. Reservations requested.

Toddlers 2 & up. 10:30-11:30am.

Learning Express Toys of Maumee, 3100 Main St., Maumee. 419-878-2446. learningexpress.com Free

Toledo Farmers Market One of the area’s largest, this year-round market features everything from artisan pastries, fresh veggies, ice cream and seasonal fruits. 8am-2pm. Toledo Farmers Market, 525 Market St. 419-255-6765. toledofarmersmarket.com Think Tank Workshops These intensive workshops for kids ages 7+ will explore everything from anatomy to astronomy and beyond. $6-$8.

Admission $11-$13. Imagination Station, 1 Discovery Way. 419-244-2674. imaginationstation.org

marketplace FOR SALE 1-2 LOTS FOR SALE AT WOODLAWN CEMETERY. Serious Inquiries call 419-8855050

works at healing the whole body, not just treating a specific symptom.

See what one of our satisfied patients had to say about her experience:

WHOLE BODY HEALTH FOR EVERY BODY “Wonderful experience with acupuncture... my daughter just hasn’t been feeling well, and it’s the first time in a month that I haven’t heard out of her mouth “my back hurts” when she wakes up.

Looking forward to our next appointment!”

- Karen W, Satisfied Mother of Patient

EVENTS MINDFUL YOGA – All levels welcome.

Thurs. Oct 1st, 4:30 – 5:30. 1415 Miller Ave. (Calvary Church) 1st class is FREE! $10.00 each session

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BRINGING LIFE CHANGING RELIEF TO A NATION IN NEED.

WHEN? SATURDAY, SEPT. 14 10:00AM

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This story is just one of many successes at Tamara TCM Wellness Clinic. Many conditions are effectively treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

FAMILY FUN WALK

Call to book with one of our highly trained Licensed Acupuncturists.

THE HAITI HUSTLE IS MORE THAN A WALK, IT’S A CAUSE!

419.345.4996

2 mile walk featuring a treasure hunt and all sorts of kid fun.

All proceeds from the Haiti Hustle will be used to support DEXA Haiti Relief.

You will bring medical care to hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti.

Tamara TCM Wellness Clinic 120 W. Dudley St. Maumee, Ohio 43537

www.TamaraTCM.com Pins not your thing?

We offer massage too!

www.toledoparent.com • September 2019 •

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