Bittersweet and two local Target stores are collaborating to provide a sensory friendly holiday shopping experience for individuals with autism. This event has been a tradition for seven years.
On Wednesday, November 8, the autism community is invited to shop the Target in Rossford, 9666 Old US 20, and the Target in Holland, 1465 E Mall Dr., one hour early. From 7-8am, the lights will be dimmed, the music turned off and foot traffic limited to help create a sensory experience for anyone with sensory processing challenges.
Bittersweet Development Director, Julie Champa, said in a press release, “We are delighted to partner with Target for the seventh year in a row to offer this special sensory friendly shopping experience to our community. Our mission at Bittersweet extends beyond the lives of our participants, reaching into the local community and the world, so this event is close to our heart each holiday season. We look forward to seeing everyone on November 8th, and we are very grateful for Target’s continued support!”
Bittersweet, Inc. is an Ohio based nonprofit organization that has been serving adults and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders since 1983. The three locations are in Whitehouse, Lima and Pemberville.
This event is free and open to the local autism community. Target. 9666 Old US 20, Rossford. Target. 1465 E Mall Dr., Holland.
Mind your manners! Good advice, right? But how will anyone know what manners need minding if they are not taught? Prestige School of Protocol aims to do just that.
Photo provided by Precious Jewel.
Precious Jewel, founder of the school, has helped children and young women hoping to make a good impression. Many of her clients aspire to prepare for college, join a sorority or simply strengthen the familial bond.
“Prestige School of Protocol is not only an etiquette academy and finishing school that teaches etiquette and social graces to women, children, families, and organizations, but as a certified etiquette consultant, I also focus on womanhood, image, and strategy,” Jewel said.
“Before receiving my certification, I taught etiquette and social graces to young girls for years. I was just not officially certified yet,” she said. “I would provide lessons to young girls and peers my age in the areas of professionalism, poise and confidence.”
“I first launched as a virtual only school servicing mostly adult women in various states and other countries like South Africa,” she said.
From social media to social occasions
Photo provided by Precious Jewel.
Jewel grew her business through social media, where she quickly gained thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok. This allowed her to collaborate with beauty experts and fashion companies like Tom Ford in New York and Louis Vuitton in Paris, while connecting with other consultants in the industry.
Jewel’s approach to the business shifted recently, from social media and online accounts to local events and classes.
“I decided to stop influencing and marketing my services nationwide and start focusing on marketing my services to those in the Toledo area so that I may work with students, adults, schools and groups in person. At first I was nervous because I originally assumed that we did not have the demographic that would actually be interested in my services.”
Currently, Jewel is planning a “Princess Tiara Fashion Show and Etiquette Tea” for February and March of 2024, where girls ages 4 to 11 will learn about social graces and poise at the Maumee Indoor Theater.
“To my surprise, many have been supportive of my school’s upcoming program. Local area businesses have donated so many amazing prizes for the winners of our fashion show. This experience has made me realize that I should have begun in-person programming in Toledo a lot sooner,” she said.
A multi-generational approach
Jewel takes her role as mentor seriously, and often hosts gatherings for girls where she teaches ontopics like writing thank you cards and letters, setting a table, or arranging flowers. She finds that tea parties and slumber parties are the perfect opportunity to educate girls on self-care, or introduce a topic like fine dining or selecting a personal fragrance. She often hears comments from her social media followers, who tell her that they wish they had someone in their lives who would have taught them about etiquette, dating, and femininity.
Photo provided by Precious Jewel.
“Growing up, I had a village of women who were very proactive about teaching my sister, cousins and I about womanhood, and made sure we received the opportunity to enjoy girlhood,” Jewel said. “From influencing on social media, I realized that many did not have these experiences.”
This inspired her to offer virtual charm school webinars. This November, she will be hosting “Generations of Beauty”, a multi-generational conversation for young girls and women of all ages to learn from beauty experts and stylists while sharing tips and tricks learned along the path of womanhood.
One day, Jewel hopes to open a brick and mortar school where she could offer programs, services, and day camps for women and children.
“I do miss providing an online space of generational connectedness, where women and girls all over the age spectrum could bond over the positive experiences of womanhood,” she said “ From bonding over family recipes to sharing familial traditions, I have always loved what I do. I am planning on creating the same experience in person.”
Swanton Library continues to offer virtual do-it-at-home book clubs for all ages. All participants get to keep the book. The four age categories are: grades K-3, grades 3-5, grades 5-8 and grades 9-12.
Each book comes with a blank review form, a few questions and a few small activities or crafts that tie into the book. The main requirement is that participants read the book. As for the rest, do as much or as little as you want. Visit the library to pick up your free packet, either in person or via curbside service.
There will be a post for each book on splyouth.org for anyone who wants to discuss the book.
If a participant does not want to go online, they can fill out the included review sheets and get them back to the library, and they will post your comments. Everyone who either posts online or brings back anything included with the book will get a small prize at the library!
The books are:
Grades K-3: Diary of a Pug: Pug Blasts Off by Kyla May. Baron von Bubbles, aka “Bub,” is the self-proclaimed cutest pug on the planet! Things he loves: fashion, peanut butter, and his human, Bella. Things he does NOT love: Nutz the squirrel, baths, and the rain. When Bella enters the Inventor Challenge, Bub helps her craft the best project ever. But … Nutz gets on Bub’s nerves and makes him ruin Bella’s project. If Bub wants to make it up to Bella, he’ll have to stand up to Nutz – and the rain – once and for all!
Grades 3-5: Brave Like My Brother by Marc Tyler Nobleman. When Charlie’s brother, Joe, is called up to fight in World War II, he promises to write letters to ten-year-old Charlie as often as he can. It won’t make up for not being there to help Charlie out with the neighborhood bullies, but it’s all Joe can do… When Joe is sent on a secret mission with the one soldier he can’t stand, he will have to face risks that place their mission – and their lives – in grave danger… Will Joe’s letters give Charlie the strength to stand up for himself and be brave, too?
Grades 5-8: Icebreaker by Lian Tanner. Petrel is an outcast, living on an ancient icebreaker that has been following the same ocean course for three hundred years. The ship’s crew has forgotten its original purpose and has broken into three warring tribes. Everyone has a tribe except Petrel… She has survived by living in the dark corners of the ship, and speaking to no one except two large rats, Mister Smoke and Mrs. Slink. When a boy is discovered on a frozen iceberg, the crew is immediately on alert. Petrel hides him on board, hoping he’ll be her friend. What she doesn’t know is that the ship guards a secret… and the boy has been sent to seek and destroy it.
Grades 9-12: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. When the Time Traveller courageously stepped out of his machine, he found himself in the year 802,700… In this unfamiliar, utopian age creatures seemed to dwell together in perfect harmony. The Time Traveller thought he could study these marvelous beings – unearth their secret and then return to his own time – until he discovered that his invention, his only avenue of escape, had been stolen…
For more information, call 419-826-2760, visit splyouth.org orswantonpubliclibrary.org or visit the library. Swanton Library is located at 305 Chestnut Street in Swanton.
Winter is upon us, and stores are already stocking up on Christmas trees and holiday decorations. Before you know it, holiday music will be playing on the radio! To channel the holiday spirit, review this list of things to do for the entire family this season.
The Toledo Metroparks offers multiple opportunities to gather your loved ones, friends and family to enjoy the brisk winter air while gliding on the ice. Enter your name and email to receive announcements and updates for the first full ice skating season at The Ribbon in the Glass City Metropark. The Ribbon is a 1,000 foot loop trail with rolling hills and soft curves that connects to a 5,000 square foot skating pond. Oak Openings Preserve offers ice skating at Mallard Lake during the daytime only. Pearson Metropark offers ice skating day or night with new lights added near the lake!
Holidays In The Manor House Wildwood Preserve Metropark 5100 W Central Ave. metroparkstoledo.com December 2-10 | 10am-8pm
Holidays In the Manor House is back for its 48th year. Volunteers decorate the 30,000-square-feet of the Georgian colonial revival mansion in holiday regalia and invite the community for free tours. Wagon rides, s’mores, music, a trail decorated with holiday lights and other activities will be held throughout the week.
Perrysburg gets into the holiday spirit with its Countdown to Christmas Festival! As downtown streets fill with food trucks, craft pop-up tents and other activities, kids can enjoy an exclusive kid’s area. Check the Facebook page for continuous updates!
Visitors are invited to celebrate the soldiers who fought in the War of 1812 while enjoying holiday music, refreshments and hands-on activities.
Lights Before Christmas The Toledo Zoo 2 Hippo Way November 17 – December 31 | 3-8 p.m. (Monday-Thursday) & 3-9 p.m. (Friday-Sunday) The Zoo closes one hour after last admission to allow guests to finish their visit.
The holiday season in Toledo includes the Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas. The annual light spectacular returns for its 38th year with more than one million lights included in 200+ illuminated animal images throughout the zoo. The six-week event begins with the lighting of an 85-foot Norway spruce that has over 35,000 LED lights.
Take the kids to the ice slide in the Amphitheatre or take a ride on the Holly Jolly Express Train (open weekends, weather permitting) and the African safari themed carousel. Santa will be available for photos each day until December 23!
Admission is $29 for adults (12-59), $26 for kids (2-11) and seniors (60 and up). Children under two get in free! Reservations are required for all members and non-members. Toledo Zoo members receive unlimited visits throughout the Lights season.
This two-race event is for everyone, regardless of their age! 5k registrants will receive a custom bib with timing chip, wearable swag, a collectible cup and admission to Lights Before Christmas on December 10! Kids who participate in the Fun Run get a free ice slide pass!
Cost to participate in the Polar Paws & Santa Claws 5K is $35, plus a processing fee, and the price increases after November 13. Cost to participate in the Polar Paws Kids Cub Run, open to ages 12 and under, is $15.
Participants are encouraged to don their best holiday attire and light-up accessories as they run the race. Runners should pick up their packets on Thursday, December 7 and Friday, December 8 at Dave’s Running Shop, 5700 Monroe St., Sylvania from 3–6:30pm.
Bowling Green Holiday Parade Main Street, Downtown Bowling Green November 18 | 9am
The annual celebration is back with the theme “Holiday Sparkle” and will once again be broadcast live on WTOL 11, with Jerry Anderson as one of the MC’s!
Miracle on Main Street Downtown Sylvania 5651 Main St. 1-833-724-3560 December 1 December 2
Attendees can enjoy the crisp winter air in Downtown Sylvania on an Art Walk featuring local vendors. Finish your holiday shopping while supporting local shops. Santa will be available for the kids to share their wish lists. Participate in the annual tree-lighting ceremony on Friday evening.
On Saturday, the annual Miracle on Main 5k takes place in the late afternoon with continued holiday shopping.
Holiday Light Parade and Holiday Hustle 5K 601 Conant St. November 26 | 6pm
Runners, walkers and all the holiday fanatics unite in Maumee for some of the best lights the Toledo area has to offer. Beginning with the Holiday Hustle 5K walk/run where participants don their best holiday attire while navigating the circuit beginning at the Maumee Indoor Theater.
Race day registration is from 3-5pm at the theater. Early Bird Rate is $20. After November 12, the rate is $25. Race day fee is $30. The Elf Fun Run will take place at 4:45 pm before the Holiday Hustle. The entry fee is $10. Register by contacting [email protected].
After you cool off and stretch out, gather the family and line the city streets of West William, Conant and West Wayne for the Holiday Light Parade.
Organized by the Village of Whitehouse, bring the entire family out for some outdoor fun. In addition to the 5K run/walk, there will be a tree lighting ceremony with a parade, beer garden and activities for the kids.
The cost to participate is $35 from November 1 to race day. Proceeds benefit Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
Head over to Handmade Toledo for the holiday-edition of Maker’s Mart. Vendors will offer unique hand-crafted items, handmade supplies and packaged food products.
Winter Festival of Crafts Franciscan Theatre & Conference Center 6832 Convent Blvd. 419-517-8950 December 10 | 10am-4pm
For several hours, explore the best that local vendors have to offer to finish up your Christmas shopping list! All crafts are made locally and there will be ZERO imports!
Visit with Santa Little Blessings Veteran and Community Outreach 5725 Sterns Rd. 419-779-0342 lbveteranoutreach.org December 3 | 1-5pm
Bring the kids so they can share their wish lists with Santa and capture pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus!
Pet Photos with Santa 6611 N Dixie Hwy., Ste. 115, Perrysburg November 25 & 26 from noon – 2pm 5236 Monroe St., Ste. E December 2 & 3 from noon – 2pm
Bring your furry four legged friends so they can meet Santa Paws! Pictures are $20, with $10 of the sale going directly to the Toledo Humane Society. Please only bring well-behaved dogs and have them on a leash.
DIY Holiday Wreath Workshops Hoen’s Garden Center & Landscaping 1710 Perrysburg Holland Rd. December 5 | 6:30pm
Now you can add your own creative touch to a fraser fir wreath. The cost is $28 per 18″ wreath and $32 per 24″ wreath. Both sizes will fit a standard door.
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums Spiegel Grove 419-332-2081 rbhayes.org December 21 | 5-8pm
Visit Fremont’s top historical site to learn about the holiday traditions of President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes as you tour their home! Providing a realistic experience, the house will be decorated to model an 1800s Christmas.
Be sure to see the “Hayes Train Special” model train display in the museum auditorium!
Stranahan Theater and Great Hall 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. November 22 | Doors open at 5:30pm. Show begins at 6:30pm.
The Peanuts gang takes center stage in November at the Stranahan Theatre for the audience to relive the holiday classic. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the gang will sing, dance, and discover the true meaning of Christmas!
Meet and greet photo experiences are available for additional cost.
Stranahan Theater and Great Hall 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. 419-381-8851 stranahantheater.com November 30 | Doors open at 6:30pm. Show begins at 7:30pm.
You haven’t experienced a cappella like this. This group of nine flex their singing prowess while entertaining the audience with their joyful sense of humor. And yes, you’ll hear some of your favorite Christmas songs!
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Stranahan Theater and Great Hall 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. 419-381-8851 December 13| Doors open at 6:30pm. Show begins at 7:30pm.
The annual Christmas concert makes its annual stop in Toledo! This year’s show will feature classic Christmas hits from the Mannheim Steamroller holiday albums along with multimedia effects.
Jam along with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Huntington Center! Experience a remarkable performance filled with lights and instrumentals. Tickets range from $42 to $112.75.
Christmas at the Peristyle Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle 2445 Monroe St. 419-255-8000 December 2 | 8-10pm
Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season with the Toledo Symphony and jazz musician Tony DeSare.
A Christmas Carol Toledo Repertoire Theatre 16 Tenth St. 419-243-9277 toledorep.org December 1-3
As they have done for nearly 40 years, The Toledo Repertoire Theatre will stage the Charles Dickens classic. Tickets, $19.75 to $29.75.
The Nutcracker Stranahan Theater & Great Hall
4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. 419-246-8000 December 9 | 2 & 7pm December 10 | 2pm
Enjoy the longest running production of The Nutcracker in North America when The Toledo Ballet takes center stage for this 83rd running, a rendering of E.T.A. Hoffman’s story with fresh choreography and Tchaikovsky’s score performed live by the Toledo Symphony.
A Motown Christmas Stranahan Theater and Great Hall 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. 419-381-8851 stranahantheater.com November 20 | 7:30pm
It’s Christmas with a Motown twist. Hear some of the best holiday classics from members of the most legendary groups like The Temptations, The Miracles and The Contours. This is sure to be a nice grandparents outing with the kids! Ticket, $49 to $69.
Central Catholic High School Presents Sounds of Christmas Show The Valentine Theatre 410 Adams St. 419-242-2787 valentinetheatre.com December 10 | 3-5pm
Central Catholic presents an annual Sounds of Christmas show at the Valentine Theater with feature performances by the Central Catholic Glee club, Mixed Chorus, String Orchestra, Concert Band, Alumni Glee Club and Irish Dance Team. Ticket, $7- $10; $5 for student tickets.
Silver Screen Classic Film – “It’s a Wonderful Life” The Valentine Theatre 410 Adams St. 419-242-2787 valentinetheatre.com December 15 | 7:30pm December 17 | 7:30pm
Watch The Valentine’s showcase of It’s a Wonderful Life, a classic film shown on the big screen. Tickets $5 online or in-person one hour before showtime.
A Swingin’ Christmas Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater 2445 Monroe St. 419-255-8000 toledomuseum.org December 16 | 8pm
Enjoy the sounds of Christmas, led by Andrew Bishop!
Enjoy this free concert featuring the Maumee Community Band. Everyone is welcome!
Pinecone Snowy Owl
Washington Branch Library – Community Room B 5560 Harvest Ln. December 18 | 3:30-4:30pm
Bring the kids to learn how to create an owl out of cotton and pine cones to keep them company on cold, wintry days. For kids ages 6-10.
No Sew Cozy Sock Critters South Branch Library – Community Room
1736 Broadway St. December 19 | 4:30-5:30pm
Who doesn’t like warm, cozy socks during the winter? Kids ages 11-17 can gather to learn how to craft their own pair for themselves or as a gift for someone else!
Snowman Spectacular
South Branch Library – Community Room
1736 Broadway St.
December 21 | 2:30-2:45pm
Kids ages 6-10 gather to make their own adorable snowmen!
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is getting a head start on holiday sweets! This event offers baking tips, vendors with bakeware available to purchase, tips to prepare for holiday baking, as well as a sample box of treats to take home. Attendees will also get to take home a sample box of sweet treats!
Nativity Festival St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
428 N. Erie St. 419-243-4214 stpaulstoledo.org Thursday & Friday 4-7pm Saturday Noon-4pm
The Nativity Festival at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from November 24 – December 21 presents over 300 nativity scenes throughout the building, live music and sweets every Friday morning, with Christmas craft-making for kids on Saturdays.
Throughout November, Swanton Public Library is offering events and activities for kids of all ages. Kids of all interests are represented through these November event, whether they love anime, reading, cosplaying or hanging out with animals.
More information on each event can be found by calling 419-826-2760, visiting splyouth.org or swantonpubliclibrary.org or visit the library at 305 Chestnut Street in Swanton.
November & December In-Person Storytimes at Swanton Library for Preschoolers
Swanton Public Library offers in-person storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at the library on Tuesday mornings this month. Ages 2 and under must have attending guardian. Registration is not required.
Program times and days include:
V is for Veteran’s Day – November 7 at 10:30 am. Celebrate fall this session!
Winter Holidays – Tuesdays, November 28, December 5, 12, and 19 at 10:30 am. Celebrate winter and all the holidays that come with it!
Reading Paws: Read with Barli at SPL
During this event,children have the opportunity to sign up to read to a certified therapy dog for 20 minutes. This is a great chance for kids to improve reading skills and have fun reading with a friendly dog at the same time!
Meet Barli, a newly certified therapy dog, on Thursday, November 16 from 6-8 pm. Kids can read to Barli in 20-minute slots; six slots are available. Call 419-826-2760, come into the library or visit the website to register.
November YWCA Book Buddies for Grades K-5
Elementary-age children are invited to join the YWCA for fun with books and activities on Wednesday, November 30 at 4:15 pm. Kids will also receive a take-home kit including the book!
Toys for Pets with FCHS at Swanton Library
Families are invited to make toys and kennel pads for the dogs and cats of the Fulton County Humane Society! Show up at the library anytime between 3:30-5:30 pm on Wednesday, November 29. A few of FCHS’s animals will be at the event for attendees to test their toys with! All supplies provided. No registration necessary. They will also be collecting donations for FCHS; if you need ideas they have a wish list at the library and posted on their website.
Youth Chess and Games Club at Swanton Library
Kids and teens are invited to join librarian and chess player Jason on Mondays, November 13 and 27 at 4:15 pm, to learn more about the game. Club participants can also request any board or card game available in the library to play! Youth Chess and Games Club is open to all interested youth.
STEAM Club on Fridays for Grades K-12 at Swanton Library
Kids and teens in grades K-12 are invited to join the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) club on Fridays in November between 4:30-5:15 pm at the library. Attendees will get to play with robots, build with Legos, create art, and more! The club will not meet on November 24.
New! Poetry Club at Swanton Library for Grades 5-12
All young and aspiring poets are invited to come to the Swanton Public Library from 4:15-5:15 pm on Fridays, November 3 and 17. At the event, there will be discussion about all different kinds of poetry and how to write them. No registration required for this free event.
Cosplay Club for Teens at Swanton Public Library
Teens can interact with other teens interested in cosplay and fandom while crafting and designing costumes together at Cosplay Club. This club meets at the library on Tuesdays, November 14 and 28 at 4 pm.
Anime Club at Swanton Library for grades 6-12
From 4-5:30 pm on Wednesday, November 15, the library is holding an afternoon of anime. They will show three episodes of anime chosen by the attendees. All shows must be available on the anime streaming service Crunchyroll in order to be shown. There will be snacks, including Japanese treats, and drinks provided. No registration required for this free event.
Holidays In The Manor House
Lights Before Christmas
Bowling Green Holiday Parade
Holiday Light Parade and Holiday Hustle 5K
Christmas Village 5K & Reindeer Dash
DIY Holiday Wreath Workshops
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Straight No Chaser – Sleighin’ It Tour
The Nutcracker
