Rudolph Bike Park, located within the Wood County Park district, is a new community and family friendly hub. This bike park creates a space for everyone, from beginners to those who have been around the trails a time or two. All skill levels are accommodated by the multiple tracks that enable everyone to sharpen their skills. A pump track is a looped sequence of rollers and berms—swoopy, banked turns—for bike riders. It’s designed to maximize your momentum, so you can ride it with minimal pedaling. Rudolph Park has free admission and also offers camping, geocaching, bouldering, hiking and kayaking. Open from 8am until 30 minutes after sunset. For more information visit wcparks.org or call 419-353-1897. —OJ
Merrill Rainey writes award-winning board book
Local children’s author and illustrator Merrill Rainey recently received the Good Housekeeping 2022 Award for Best Board Books for Children for his book “ROAR! I’m a Dinosaur!” He is also the author of a series of books called “Color Cut Create,” which allows older children to assemble characters and backgrounds for interactive play. You can find out more about his books at littlerainey.com. —MK
New upgrades for Burnham Park
A $400,000 grant that the city of Sylvania and Sylvania Recreation received from the state of Ohio Capital Improvement Community Recreation Project Grants program, as well as an additional $19,821 grant awarded to Sylvania Recreation by “GAMETIME Cares” will allow for upgrades to Burnham Park. Renovations include removal of a gazebo and the addition of new playground equipment for visitors of different ages. Some of the new playground equipment will be installed in the area closest to Maplewood Ave. and will be intended for children ages 2-5. The area of the playground catering to older children will receive new swing sets. For more information about Burnham Park, visit their website or call Sylvania Recreation’s main office at 419-882-1500. —SK
Recycle your styrofoam in Toledo
Lott Industries began taking Styrofoam for recycling at the end of July 2022. Prior to this, the nearest recycling center accepting Styrofoam was in Ann Arbor. They accept styrofoam at their location: 3350 Hill Ave. on Monday–Friday from 8:30-11:45am and 12:45-2:30pm. Drop-off is on the west side of the building under the red canopy near the back of the building. To learn more about acceptable forms of styrofoam to recycle, read our full story at toledoparent.com. —PM
A new year typically brings with it the pressure to look ahead. This year, I want to look back at what I’ve accomplished. You see, this time last year I completed a YearCompass New Year’s Resolutions journal (see more about this in “My Favorite Things” below), which prompted me to think about what I’d like to focus on, and it specified to “dream big.” Among the things I wanted to do in 2022 that I actually made progress on? Here are just a few:
Joining a local community group to build connections: Check! I joined the Toledo Writer’s Workshop and am loving it.
Make more time for reading: I made myself do it by joining a book club through the Toledo Museum of Art.
Vacation to a state you’ve never been to: I went to Maine, and I one-upped myself by going to Quebec after that!
As I look over my goals, many of them are still in progress (writing the first draft of my novel, for one…it is 15 percent complete though!), but that’s okay. I truly think if I hadn’t dreamt big by writing down what I really want, I wouldn’t have even taken the first steps toward doing any of these things.
That’s what I would like to encourage our readers to do this year: don’t just look ahead. Also think of what you need to let go. Every year we grow and change, so every year we have to take that into account when we plan for the future.
One thing most of us think about during the new year is our health, whether it’s mental health or physical, so we have our local doctors weighing in on important practices in our Health & Wellness Guide. This issue also has a sweet feature about kids who go to work with their parents, a review of Barry Bagels downtown to celebrate the local chain’s 50th anniversary, and profiles on two of our favorite nonprofits.
Speaking of favorites, make sure to visit Toledoparent.com to nominate your favorite local businesses today!
Happy New Year! Erin Holden Assignment Editor Toledo Area Parent
My Favorite Things
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The Family Art Center has activities planned, but your child can also explore different art stations on their own, which is perfect for our 21-month-old.
These Mattel toys each have a different learning focus (Counting Koala, Play Together Panda, and so on).
To me, one of the best playgrounds in Toledo is the one at the Botanical Gardens.
This skincare kit includes a cleansing bar that isn’t just for your face; it works for the whole body!
YearCompass is a very thoughtful New Year’s tool. It is free and printable at yearcompass.com.
TMA Family Art Club – Held on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-5pm, the Art Club is a laid-back event for kids of all ages. The Family Art Center has activities planned, but your child can also explore different art stations on their own, which is perfect for our 21-month-old.
Linkimals – These Mattel toys each have a different learning focus (Counting Koala, Play Together Panda, and so on). Each addition to your collection can be linked to the rest, so they sing together. Townes loves them so much, especially Sloth and Penguin. We got him the new owl one for Christmas.
Toledo Botanical Gardens – To me, one of the best playgrounds in Toledo is the one at the Botanical Gardens.
YearCompass – As I already mentioned in my letter, YearCompass is a very thoughtful New Year’s tool. It is free and printable at yearcompass.com.
Truly Acne Kit – This skincare kit includes a cleansing bar that isn’t just for your face; it works for the whole body!
As parents across the country continue to struggle to find baby formula for their children, a new tool provides help in locating it while getting the best price.
Reasons for the shortage
The reason for what experts are calling “the worst formula shortage in decades” can be traced back to a reported contamination at the Abbott factory in Michigan in February, and the lasting supply-chain shortages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The factory resumed operations in July, and production has increased.
iReviews, a product review firm, launched an online shopping assistant in September as a browser add-on for Google Chrome to give parents a way of finding and purchasing formula without ever leaving their homes.
How it Works
The add-on allows parents to find in-stock baby formula and compare the prices from reputable sources. According to the iReviews website, the tool works by checking the stock and price of a preferred formula brand from the top online stores. For example, if you go to Amazon and search for baby formula, you can click on the brand you prefer and, in a matter of seconds, the add-on will check other top competitors to give you the best price along with in stock information. If the formula is out-of-stock, you can choose to receive a desktop notification as soon as it becomes available.
The iReviews site lists four simple steps to get started:
Download the official extension from the Chrome Store. On the page, you can see an overview about the extension, read about privacy practices and check reviews.
When the download is complete, head to Amazon to search for baby formula.
If your preferred baby formula isn’t in stock, you can choose an alternative page where the product is available.
To be notified when an out of stock item comes back in stock, click the small bell icon next to the price. You’ll need to log in with your Chrome account and give the extension permission to send you the notification.
There is an instructional video on the iReviews YouTube channel that takes you step-by-step through how to install the add-on and how to use it.
What parents can do while the formula shortage continues
The CDC has a dedicated web page for parents who are unable to find formula that includes guidelines for children under six months old and for children six months to 12 months old. Additionally, there are tips on the web page for families. View the page at cdc.gov..
Your Capricorn child can be quiet and serious while being quite interested in how to make money. This is a good time to let your child pick a themed birthday party which is a time to teach them the importance of sharing and connecting with others. If they’re old enough, ask your child and their friends to help plan the party. If your child is very young create a party around what interests your child. Capricorn children will tell you at a very young age what they want to be when they grow up. One of the challenges that Capricorns have as adults is balancing work and home life. A party game I always suggest for Capricorn children involves a parachute. First, you and the kids stand in a circle and pick up each side of the parachute, forming a circle.Have them hold the parachute, while you start pushing it up and down to create a ripple effect; then have them do the same and ask them what they felt. The important lesson here is for the kids to recognize how easily we affect one another, and that throughout life our actions and words affect others.That lesson about compassion is important because, as your child gets older, he or she will be the one spreading it throughout the world!
Barry Bagels Express at Imagination Station features countertop seating along two huge walls of windows that provide views of the river and downtown Toledo.
Barry Bagels is a Toledo area classic, and now families can enjoy the local chain’s most popular menu items in a new “express” location adjacent to Imagination Station in downtown Toledo.
Founded by the late Barry Greenblatt, Barry Bagels is a regional favorite serving tasty deli-style sandwiches, soups, salads, and — of course — bagels. The family-owned business celebrated 50 years in business in November, and we visited its newest franchise location for an early lunch on a recent Saturday.
The kids menu includes a “bagel dog,” a hot dog served nestled inside a custom shaped bagel.
New location, same favorites
Barry Bagels had a presence downtown for several years in The Junction building at the corner of Summit and Jefferson, but in Spring 2021 the store moved to Imagination Station as part of the science center’s $11 million renovation that included construction of the KeyBank Discovery Theater.
With a public entrance off Summit Street, the new location offers better visibility for the downtown Barry Bagels, according to Tim Melroy, regional manager for the branch of Sodexo Catering Services that oversees food services for Imagination Station.
The “express” designation simply means the restaurant offers a scaled down version of the menu found at the bigger corporate locations, and they do not offer catering. All food is still made fresh on site, according to Melroy, including the bagels. “Even though we have a smaller, condensed menu, most of the popular items are available,” he noted.
Barry Bagels Express at Imagination Station features countertop seating along two huge walls of windows that provide views of the river and downtown Toledo.
A bagel with a view
The new Barry Bagels location is bright and modern, with high ceilings and countertop seating along two huge walls of windows that provide nice views of the river and downtown Toledo. My kids loved sitting on the tall stools to look out through the front windows where Summit intersects with Adams Street while they ate lunch. For those with younger children who might provide concerns about toppling off the high stools, the center of the restaurant also offers standard height tables and chairs.
Barry Bagels is a fast casual restaurant, where guests order at the counter before seating themselves. The employees were friendly, repeating our order back to us for accuracy several times.
The menu features a variety of deli sandwiches, extras such as potato salad and mac and cheese, breakfast sandwiches known as “eggels” and bagels with cream cheese. Most deli sandwiches cost around $8, with an option to “junior size” your selection (subtract $1.25). While the regular menu already offers plenty of crowd pleasers, there is also a kids menu with five choices, each of which comes with a juice box and chips ($5.45-$6.45). For the littlest eaters, a bagel with butter ($2.10) also is a safe choice that won’t break the bank. Soups are available Monday through Friday, but not on Saturdays due to reduced operating hours.
My oldest son ordered the pizza bagel, a classic I fondly remember from frequent visits to the old Westgate location of the bagel deli as a child. A thick layer of melted mozzarella covered the tomato sauce and pepperoni, and he declared that it tasted just like pizza.
My daughter had high praise for her lunch of chicken tenders and Miss Vickie’s jalapeño kettle-cooked potato chips, which she said weren’t overly spicy.
My other son ordered the bagel dog, which is served nestled inside a custom-shaped bagel. If you have a picky eater, be advised that the bagel “bun” comes topped with a generous portion of poppy seeds. My son also said the hot dog was a bit chewy, so he might like to try something different next time.
The BLT I ordered on a honey wheat bagel featured crisp, fresh bacon piled high, and was delicious and filling. My husband opted for the roasted turkey on a plain bagel, topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and pickle. As a person who is suspicious of any menu boasting saucy sandwiches, he appreciated that he was able to customize his selection with his choice of toppings (hold the mayo).
Beverage options include soft drinks and fresh Caribou Coffee, and an assortment of cookies, cakes and yogurt parfaits are also available to accompany your meal.
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The bacon came piled high on the BLT on the honey wheat bagel.
Barry Bagels Express at Imagination Station features countertop seating along two huge walls of windows that provide views of the river and downtown Toledo.
Barry Bagels Express at Imagination Station features countertop seating along two huge walls of windows that provide views of the river and downtown Toledo.
Barry Bagels Express at Imagination Station features countertop seating along two huge walls of windows that provide views of the river and downtown Toledo.
Barry Bagels Express at Imagination Station features countertop seating along two huge walls of windows that provide views of the river and downtown Toledo.
Turkey sandwich on a plain bagel at Barry Bagels.
The Barry Bagels Express at Imagination Station has a public entrance off Summit Street.
The kids menu includes a “bagel dog,” a hot dog served nestled inside a custom shaped bagel.
Bottom line
We were in and out of Barry Bagels in less than 30 minutes, and our bill for a family of five came to $42 for lunch. While we didn’t visit the science museum that day, it’s great to know there is a fresh, fast and affordable dining option available there, even if you just need a quick bagel snack for an exhausted kid and a coffee for a tired parent after a visit highlighting play and discovery.
The Book Festival provides ample opportunity for attendees to engage with authors and peers while learning about writing, illustrating and publishing.
Returning for a second year, the Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival will be held on March 18, 2023 at Rossford Junior/Senior High School. NWO Teen Book Festival is a local organization, started by Denise Phillps, owner of Gathering Volumes (an independent bookstore in Perrysburg), with the mission to “encourage a love of literature in Northwest Ohio teens, and to keep them reading by introducing them to authors and engaging them with thoughtful and fun discussions.”This year’s Festival will feature some authors from last year’s event, as well as new authors.
Award-winning author, Jack Cheng, focuses on technology-minded work, attend the Book Fest from Detroit, MI alongside Mackenzie Phillips
What to expect
Free and open to all attendees age 11 and up, participants are invited to spend the day with authors, beginning with a keynote speaker and transitioning to break-out sessions, interactive games, shopping and even a chance to pitch your own book idea. Activities also include an escape room and autograph sessions (for books purchased on site or brought from home).
“Kids have the opportunity to not only play games with the authors but also to get to know them and ask questions.” Shannon Holleran, a volunteer committee member for the event, adds, “This is a really unique opportunity for the kids to have a chance to pitch a book idea to published authors and receive feedback in real time.”
“We are trying to fill a gap. There really isn’t anything else like this in our area, and it’s a wonderful way to continue to encourage teens and tweens to keep reading and writing.” Holleran says.
At least twenty authors will be presenting, half of which will be returning authors from last year. All authors have been published by major publishing companies. Returning authors will include
Cinda Williams Chima is the author of science fiction series The Seven Realms, The Shattered Realms and The Heir Chronicles. Denise Phillips, founder of NWO Teen Book Festival and owner of Gathering Volumes.
Chelsea Bobulski and Mindi McGinnis. Bobulski lives in Perrysburg and has found success with young adult novels with books ranging from romance to romance-thrillers. McGinnis, last year’s keynote speaker, is also planning to return. She is a 2016 Edgar Award winner, considered the most prestigious award for mystery, nonfiction and film, presented by Mystery Writers of America.
Bring your class
Free lunch is provided for attendees. Those wanting to attend are strongly encouraged to register online at nwoteenbookfest.com, but those who don’t register in advance will not be turned away. The only cost for attendees is to purchase books, if they desire. Cash and cards are accepted.
NWO Teen Book Festival also offers bus sponsorship. If a teacher or leader at a school would like to arrange a trip for the students that will require utilizing buses and drivers, NWO Teen Book Festival will help by providing a scholarship to cover associated costs. The bus sponsorship and agreement are also on the event website’s homepage.
“We really want this to be accessible to as many teens and tweens as possible,” says Holleran. “So if a school or organization is interested in bringing a class or group, we have a way to help them get here.”
Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival. 9am-3:30pm. Saturday, March 18. Rossford Junior/Senior High School, 701 Superior St., Rossford. [email protected]. nwoteenbookfest.com
Introducing Rudolph Bike Park
Merrill Rainey writes award-winning board book
New upgrades for Burnham Park
Recycle your styrofoam in Toledo
