The Cocoon receives funding to fight domestic violence
The Cocoon, Wood County’s comprehensive domestic and sexual violence protection agency, provides emergency shelter and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, stalking and sexual harassment along with supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. For fiscal year 2021-2022, the agency received a $200,000 award through the Ohio Capital Budget that will provide necessary funding for the program. The Cocoon’s 24/7 crisis hotline is often the first step toward escaping an abusive situation. To learn more about The Cocoon, visit www.thecocoon.org or call 419-373-1730. —LB
Outdoor Story Trail Invites Wandering Readers
Since September, The Black Swamp Conservancy has hosted a new interactive mix of reading and the outdoors with StoryWalk, an installation of 24 permanent story panels. StoryWalks are an innovative and delightful way for children and adults to enjoy the outdoors while reading a story.
Conservancy educators have selected stories that complement nature and the surroundings of the lush prairie garden. Each month the story trail will feature a different book. They’ll also hold a monthly drawing of a name from the visitor sign-in sheets to give away a copy of the featured book. The current book on display is Megan Warner Lloyd’s Finding Wild. Upcoming titles include Kenard Pak’s Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn, Cynthia Rylant’s In November, and Marion Dane Bauer’s Winter Dance. Black Swamp Conservancy. 4825 Sugar Ridge Rd,, Pemberville. 419-833-1025. blackswamp.org —TV
Chris Varwig steps up for the OSBA
The Ohio School Boards Association’s (OSBA) recently selected Toledo Public Schools’ board member Chris Varwig as its 2022 president-elect nominee. If elected, Varwig will become OBSA president in 2023.
Varwig got her start on the school board when she was elected in 2013, with valuable expertise stemming from her membership in the OSBA’s Board of Trustees, Federal Relation and Northwest Region Executive Committee. She has played a significant role in these positions, having instituted and been involved in programs like the Parent and Student Voice, fine arts festivals, the Toledo Public Schools Foundation and others that have greatly impacted the Toledo area.
“I am humbled and honored to have been nominated as the 2022 OSBA president-elect,” said Varwig. “While I look forward to continuing to serve Toledo Public Schools and my community, I am excited to work with colleagues from across Ohio as we continue to advocate for and bring progress to public education.” —AR
Summit Academy selects new director
The Toledo Summit Academy has selected Marquita Murphy as the school’s new director for the 2021-2022 school year. Murphy, working in education for over a decade teaching and leading other educators, has also served as an instructional coach and Title 1 teacher for Summit Academy for the past two years. “I am looking forward to getting all my students and staff back together again,” said the new director, referring to the past year’s virtual instruction during the pandemic. “I want my students to love learning and to enjoy the education we are providing.”
Summit Academy enrolls students in grades K-12 and specializes in teaching diverse learners. With her myriad talents, both in and out of the classroom, Murphy is a great choice for the position. —AR
Mysteries and Christmas cookies!
Fans of classic, cozy murder mystery novels and delicious home-baked cookies should stop by Perrysburg’s Gathering Volumes on November 13. Author Darci Hannah, the creator of the Beacon Bakeshop series of mysteries, will discuss her new book “Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off.” Appropriately, the event will feature an actual Christmas Cookie Bake-Off, with local bakers submitting their crumbly creations. The event is a fundraiser for the Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival, an event dedicated to giving teens a chance to meet and discover new authors. It will be held in April at Rossford High School. $10 donation to be a taste tester. 2:30pm-4:30pm. 196 E. South Boundary, Perrysburg. 567-336-6188. gatheringvolumes.com —JM
