Toledo Lucas County Public Library Kids Writing Contest

November 11, 2022

pexels-yaroslav-shuraev-5607369 — Pexels photo by Yaroslav Shuraev

“Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere.” – “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966)

Even if you did not witness the Great Pumpkin in your favorite pumpkin patch on Halloween, there is still time to participate in other fall festivities for some amazing prizes.

The Toledo Lucas County Public Library is hosting the Ruth Blank Venner and Mary Jane Blank McCormick Youth Writing Contest for students in grades K-12. Stories can be written about anything as long as they include the word “pumpkin.”

Prizes will be awarded thanks to the generosity of the Library Legacy Foundation. Grand prizes for the writing contest include a Nintendo Switch Lite for students in grades K-8 and Beats Studio Buds for students in grades 9-12. Second and third place for grades K-5 will receive Soundcore by Anker- Life 2 Neo Headphones and grades 6-12 will receive Soundcore by Anker- Life Note C Earbuds. Honorable mentions will receive a T-shirt and Rocketbook notebook.

Writers must submit original work and not exceed the maximum of 500 words. Entries can be made online, dropped off at any TLCPL location or mailed to Youth Services at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, 325 Michigan St. Submissions must be turned in by Saturday, November 19, and can be written or typed in 12+ point font.

For more details regarding the writing contest and to download an entry form visit the Toledo Lucas County Public Library website.

As my favorite Peanut Linus, says, you never know what prizes a pumpkin can bring you. Who knows? Maybe the Great Pumpkin will appear, rise out of his pumpkin patch, and fly through the air with his bag of toys.

Salvation Army Needs Volunteer Red Kettle Bell Ringers

Sneha Kamath

November 10, 2022

The Salvation Army of Greater Toledo is a faith-based organization that aims to help individuals, families, and communities in the region become healthier, safer, and more productive. Some of the organization’s routine projects include rent and utility assistance, counseling, arts and educational programs, activities for older adults, drug rehabilitation, and spiritual services.

Now, as the holiday season begins, the Salvation Army of Greater Toledo is preparing for “Make Change Happen.” In this holiday fundraising campaign, volunteer red kettle bell ringers stationed at various stores in the area help collect donations that will later serve local families in need. The history of red kettle bell ringing dates back to 1891, when Salvation Army’s Captain Joseph McPhee collected funds in an iron pot to provide a free Christmas dinner for San Franciscans in need.

Continuing Captain McPhee’s legacy, this year’s red kettle bell ringing will happen from Friday, November 25 through Saturday, December 24. Volunteer shifts will be available from 9am-6pm, Monday-Saturday. With options to register as a family or group, ringing a red kettle bell is an excellent opportunity for children to volunteer during the holidays. This family friendly volunteer opportunity can instill a sense of community in children and could become a new family tradition for the holidays.

Those who are interested in volunteering to ring a red kettle bell can sign up to do so at RegisterToRing.com or contact Laura Henthorn ([email protected]; 419-241-1138, ext. 105). For more information about the Salvation Army, visit SalvationArmyNWOhio.org

UpLyfting Kids Through Participation in Sports

Andrew Kersten

November 8, 2022

Laranga says UpLyft is designed to help those who may not be able to afford sports to participate without needing to spend money on equipment.

A local organization is using sports to improve the lives of youth in Northwest Ohio. UpLyft Toledo, a non-profit charity, collects and donates used sports equipment to underprivileged kids in various schools, organizations, and other programs so that they have the necessary equipment to participate in sports and fitness.

“It’s so important to raise awareness in the community that these types of situations exist where people are not getting to enjoy the benefits of what athletics bring,” says Matt Slomka, board member for UpLyft Toledo. “Who doesn’t have a garage full of old stuff that could go to a good cause?”

Driving Down Costs of Sports to Increase Participation
According to Project Play, more than 76 percent of kids ages 6-12 and more than 73 percent of kids ages 13-17 were involved in some sort of organized sport in 2020. Unfortunately, the cost to participate is high, and parents are feeling the burden. Parents are spending an average of $693 per year for one child to participate in organized sports with some expenses exceeding $9,000.

Founder and President of UpLyft Toledo, Bill Laranga, set his sights on one goal: don’t let the cost of sports equipment hinder the ability of kids to get involved in sports. He personally believes that getting your child involved in athletics is invaluable to their growth and development.

“They provide a platform for kids to learn life’s most important lessons and concepts, such as being a good teammate, being depended on, perseverance, and working through adversity,” says Laranga.

Since UpLyft’s inception in 2017, the organization has donated more than $120,000 worth of equipment as the result of countless community drives, most recently at Rogers High School in August. UpLyft teamed up with Micah Hyde’s Imagine for Youth Foundation to collect and donate hundreds of pairs of cleats and roughly 50 pairs of shoulder pads, among other items that went to the varsity, junior varsity, and little league football teams. For those who don’t know who Hyde is, he was a former football player in Fostoria and is now playing for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. According to the foundation’s website, Hyde’s foundation helps financially disadvantaged kids thrive academically and athletically by providing them with necessary supplies, resources and equipment.

This is one of several donation drives UpLyft arranges during any given year. Each drive aligns with seasonal sports, so fall would focus on collecting football and soccer equipment, spring would focus on baseball equipment, and winter would focus on hockey and basketball, etc. The goal, according to Slomka, is to collect and donate $30,000 worth of equipment throughout 2022. So far, they’ve reached about $15,000.

Getting involved
If you’d like to help support UpLyft Toledo, you can do so by making a monetary donation on their website here. Additionally, volunteers are the backbone of the organization. Slomka says about 10-15 volunteers are needed for each drive. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities here.

If you have equipment that you no longer want and need picked up, or if you need more information on where to drop off equipment, email UpLyft Toledo.

Wixey Center for Wellness brings Meditation to the Community

Emily Remaklus

November 7, 2022

We live in a world where, unfortunately, chaos seems to be a common theme. People are often so busy with jobs, school, and extracurricular activities that it can be difficult to slow down and focus on ourselves. Rachel

Wixey, founder and owner of Wixey Center for Wellness, has found that meditation can provide adults and children with skills to live a happier and healthier life.

The power of meditation

Wixey Center for Wellness came to be when Rachel Wixey discovered meditation around 2008. She dedicated her time to a daily meditation practice and soon discovered that there was a direct correlation between meditating and her physical health, happiness, and peace.

Wixey explained, “As I continued my practice and experienced the effects of meditation, I wondered, ‘Why didn’t I have this as a kid?’ Why didn’t I have this in my youth? This sent me looking.” What she found was that there were organizations in the area that were teaching educators how to deliver Mindfulness Curriculum to K-12 youth.

Wixey decided to take the prerequisite coursework for a year-long teacher certification in meditation, and through her coursework she found a strong interest in the neuroscience behind meditation and in being trauma-informed. She completed her training as a Certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator, and she also underwent additional training in trauma awareness.

Now she is using her knowledge and expertise to serve our community through the Wixey Center for Wellness, where she offers private client services for individuals, couples, and families. These private sessions focus on how people relate to themselves and to others, along with the practices to support positive and balanced relationships.

Additionally, she offers classes through the center such as her five-week series called Introduction to Meditation, which teaches participants the neuroscience of what is happening in the brain and to the nervous system when stressed, as well as meditation practices that help with self-regulation.

Meditation for children and teens

Wixey also provides wellness services for schools and businesses. She is certified to work with youth K-12 and enjoys working with teenagers and young adults. Often when working with schools, she holds professional development and training for the adults in the school because, as she explained, “there are two ways we are able to bring the benefits of meditation to youth in the classroom. One is through explicit mindfulness curriculum, and the other is through the embodied, regulated adult teaching them. Children require a regulated adult to attune to their own regulation, so this becomes priority-one in my mind as I approach my work in schools.”

Wixey has found self-regulation to be one of the biggest benefits of meditation for young people. “One of the biggest reasons I do what I do now is because no one told me in my youth how to self-regulate,” she recalls. “Brain development in kids and teenagers is not complete for them to fully self-regulate on their own; however, these practices support them in developing this part of the brain in a healthy way.”

Along with self-regulation, Wixey explained that the benefits of meditation also include improved nervous system health to balance the other systems of the body. Strengthening relationships is another benefit. Impulse-control is also improved with regular meditation, as well as emotional regulation. Wixey stated that with regular meditation, “We experience less agitation, and less being carried away by the intense emotions of judgment, anger, fear, doubt, worry, and so on.”

Learning meditation opportunities

When asked if she had any additional information she wanted readers to know, Wixey explained, “For anyone reading, if the material speaks to you here, then engaging in this type of practice would probably be supportive for you. A lot of times I hear one of two things: ‘I’ve tried to meditate and it doesn’t work for me’ and ‘I believe there are benefits to meditation. I just don’t know where to begin.’ My Intro series answers both.”

The registration for her last class of this year is open now, and the Intro series begins on November 22.

“I envision a world with more and more people who are self-aware and self-regulated. It’s possible, and I believe that it’s in our future.”

For more information about Wixey Center for Wellness, please visit www.rachel-wixey.com, or wixeycenter on Facebook and Instagram.

Considering the HPV vaccine for your child?

Mishal Charania and Erin Holden

November 4, 2022

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been recommended and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration since 2006. According to the Centers for Disease Control, children between the ages of 11-12 should receive two doses of the shot. It is approved for ages nine through 26, but the tween years are ideal. Even so, a study from the CDC found that only 58.6 percent of adolescents between the ages of 13-17 were fully vaccinated in 2020.

While this is an uptick in vaccinations from previous years, there is still much stigma around this vaccine. IHA Ann Arbor pediatrician Dr. Omkar Karthikeyan has made sure to prioritize conversations around the HPV vaccine with his patients and their families. “I still do see a surprising amount of resistance to this vaccine, albeit far less than I did a few years ago,” Dr. Karthikeyan says. “This often occurs even among families who otherwise get all the other recommended vaccines. I think it boils down to people viewing HPV as an STD, and most hesitant parents are just uncomfortable thinking about their 11-year-old in that way.”

Dr. Mara Perch, a pediatrician with Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo, adds that many parents think of the vaccine as a kind of “greenlight” for sexual activity, which is an unfortunate way to look at a preventative measure. “We want to get across to the parents that the best thing is to give their child the vaccine before they’re sexually active, because their body does a better job of building that immune response before they’ve come in contact with any of these viruses.”

HPV is classified by the CDC as “a group of more than 150 related viruses that infect men and women. These common viruses infect about 13 million people, including teens, every year.” Contracting HPV can lead to multiple types of cancers including throat, anal, cervical, vaginal, vulvar and penile cancers.

Dr. Perch explains that “the most common [HPV vaccine] is Gardasil, which targets four strains: 6,11,16 and 18. Those are the strains that essentially are causing 90 percent of anal cancers, oral cancers, and vaginal cancers.”

She says that most people will come into contact with some strain of HPV in their lifetime, as there are so many different strains. Often your body will rid itself of the infection on its own without you even noticing any symptoms. It’s the lingering, potentially dangerous strains that can cause cancer down the line, which is why being protected by the vaccine is vital.

“The thing about HPV is that it can lie dormant for years, or even decades, without causing any symptoms,” Dr. Karthikeyan says. “Over that time, one can spread it to others, or begin to develop cancerous changes which may not be evident until they are very far along.”

Most people receive vaccines at a younger age, including the HPV vaccine. “The key with the HPV vaccine is to get kids vaccinated before they’re exposed,” Dr. Karthikeyan said. “For a virus that is transmitted via direct, often intimate, contact, it’s best to give this vaccine long before that’s even on anyone’s mind.”

Taking the HPV vaccine later than what has been medically recommended (after a person’s 15th birthday) leads to less effectiveness and potentially a higher likelihood of contracting the virus when exposed.

“This was evidenced by the update to the dosing regimen about three to four years ago,” Dr. Karthikeyan explains. “Those starting the series prior to their 15th birthday, ideally at age 11, as recommended, only require a two-dose regimen, as opposed to those 15 and older, who require the three-dose regimen.”

Dr. Perch also notes that it is just as important for boys to receive the vaccine as it is for girls. “There’s been a lot of new information over the last ten years about its protection against oral and anal cancers, and those are the ones that we worry most about in the male population.”

For most patients, the side-effects from the vaccine are very mild. The CDC states that the most common side-effects include pain, redness, fever, dizziness/fatigue, nausea, headache and muscle/joint pain. Overall, parents and adolescents considering getting this vaccine should consult their primary care provider to further understand the benefits of the vaccine.

“Prior to the vaccine, about 60-80 percent of all people were carriers of the HPV virus. That’s a pretty enormous number,” says Dr. Karthikeyan.“The current HPV vaccine is estimated in some large studies to be about 97-100 percent effective in those populations who have not already been exposed. It is estimated that about 14 million cases of HPV are transmitted in the U.S. each year, and this translates to tens of thousands of preventable cancer diagnoses. There is no debate within the medical community on this one. We highly recommend it, without reservation.”

2022 Holiday Gift Guide: Buy Local in Toledo

Julie Pompa

November 1, 2022

Our local businesses and organizations can provide all you need for creative, thoughtful gifts this holiday season. So stay local and happy shopping!

Tasty treats and new traditions

Georgette’s Grounds and Gifts

311 Conant St., Maumee
419-891-8888
georgettes.org

This Maumee shop has an incredible story and mission. Georgette’s is famous for its breakfast and lunch menus, but also for its legendary coffee, roasted locally and grown in developing countries. As for the “Gifts”, Georgettes features unique items and necessities for shoppers of all ages. The restaurant and gift shop are staffed by people with developmental disabilities, fulfilling the mission of “Georgette” herself, a local parent who, with her husband Roy, founded Sunshine Children’s Home.

Clara J’s Tea Room & Neapolitan Gift Shop

219 W. Wayne St., Maumee
419-897-0219
clarajsat219.com

There’s no better time than now to plan for a proper tea (at any age!). Recent attention on the United Kingdom with the succession in the Royal Family is piquing interest in everything British. So, head for Clara J’s Tea Room in Maumee for your next party! Proper Tea is perfect for a kid’s party, with lunch choices that fit nicely with small hands. Stop by the Neapolitan Gift Shop for a holiday gift or the perfect tea to remember your day!

Finding your personal style

Hip to the Groove Boutique

5665 Main St., Sylvania
567-246-2077
hiptothegroove.com

In downtown Sylvania, Hip to the Groove Boutique, is the brainchild of Lori, a makeup artist/singer, and boutique owner Wendy. So, it’s natural that the fun boutique features music and art and that a portion of the shop’s sales benefit local musicians. Look for new, vintage and hip women’s and men’s clothing, accessories and gifts for everyone. Or get a gift card so your special person can pick out something on their own!

House of Dow

1501 Adams St.
419-214-0944
facebook.com/houseofdow

Create a great new look with vintage or resale items from House of Dow. Visit the UpTown Toledo shop and explore everything – men’s and women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories, housewares, local vintage items and kids’ treasures — to create your own look!

We’ll Frame It

328 W. Dussel Dr., Maumee
419-897-0591
wellframeit.com

For a meaningful holiday gift, you can go to the locally owned We’ll Frame It shop, which offers framing not only for photos, but also for items you want to display (check out their homepage for a glimpse of framed arrowheads, for example!). Whether you want to display your child’s artwork from a school project, a family heirloom, or simply give your family portrait the beautiful treatment it deserves, We’ll Frame It is the place to go.

The gift of relaxation

The Perfect Match Candles

theperfectmatchcandles.com

Anytime is the perfect time for a candle. And Perfect Match Candles will, well, find the perfect fragrance match for you! This Woodville-based business offers all-natural candles for your home, from exotic (Island Sunset or Blue Volcano) to fruity (Black Raspberry & Vanilla to Blueberry Muffin) to year-round favorites (Lavender, Maple Whiskey Toddy, Snickerdoodle and Vanilla Lace & Pearls). They can name a special scent after your business, event, or after a person to create a delightful surprise.

Ahava Spa and Wellness Center

34 S. St. Clair St.
419-241-5877
ahavaspa.com

What better holiday (or any day) treat than pampering yourself? Downtown Toledo’s Ahava (which means “cherished one”) offers a range of services, including massages, body and skin treatments, waxing, nail care and hair care, so you can accomplish pretty much everything here. Plus, it’s in a welcoming, tucked-away location that’s great for the spirit. How about a parent-kid haircut appointment?

Find your fun

Boochy Mama’s Natural Living Boutique

130 10th St.
567-318-2240
boochymama.com/naturallivingboutique

This downtown Toledo shop is filled with locally and women-made natural living items that are perfect for a gift or for self-pampering. In addition to their signature kombucha, they feature organic teas and herbs, essential oils, clothing for kids and adults and home items from many local producers.

JC’s Comics N’ More

6725 W. Central Ave.
419-531-6097
jcscomicsnmore.com

For 37 years, JC’s Comics N’ More has supplied Toledoans with all aspects of pop culture and is ready to add you and your kids. Whether you want the quintessential first edition of the Marvel star you collected as a child or are looking for a new genre of comic book, JC’s has lots of options for you. You’ll also find free days, unboxing events and any guidance and support you might need. Find them in Sylvania Township at West Central and McCord.

Learning Express Toys and Gifts

5577 Monroe St., Sylvania
419-885-3959
learningexpress.com

Customers will always find the perfect toy for their little loved ones at Learning Express Toys and Gifts! The local business, located within the Promenade Shops, reopened a remodeled location last fall, and owner Rene Rusgo is excited to help visitors find everything they need for the holiday season. Follow Learning Express Toys and Gifts on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok for the latest news.

Make community connections

Toledo Zoo

2 Hippo Way
419-385-5721
toledozoo.org

Make the Toledo Zoo your family getaway throughout the year with a membership that includes family days, demonstrations and enrichments, as well as events like “Lights Before Christmas.” Help with conservation programs or adopt an animal. Run and shout through the tunnel or find the biggest fish in the Aquarium. And be sure to look for special treasures in the gift shop!

Toledo Museum of Art Store

2445 Monroe St.
419-255-8000
toledomuseum.org

To find the best items to encourage the artist in your kids, visit The Museum Store at Toledo Museum of Art! Find coloring and activity books, toys to awaken the imagination and apparel to pay homage to a favorite artist. Check out the many special items (from works of art to gift ideas) that will delight everyone on your list. And don’t forget the option of a Museum membership!

Science2go

1 Discovery Way
419-244-2674
imaginationstationtoledo.org

This shop at Imagination Station in downtown Toledo provides fun times with science education on the side. Kids can build a rocket, solar balloon or bee habitat, put together mystery jigsaw puzzles and even construct a building. Plus find all your Imagination Station logo items, games and art, or a mystery box containing who knows what! Shop in person or online.

Experience gifts

Mini Motions

2437 Tremainsville Rd.
419-473-0999
minimotionsdance.com

Is your child interested in studying dance? Mini Motions offers renowned programming for kids as young as two! Little ones will get to improve their gross motor skills through guided creative movement, while older children can become adept at tap, jazz, ballet, tumbling, and more! To learn more about tuition and upcoming schedules, visit their website.

Toledo Symphony’s Musically Me Classes

1838 Parkwood Ave.
419-246-8000
toledosymphony.com

For children ages 0-7, the eight-week music classes are a meaningful, fun and educational gift at only $90. Designed to be enjoyed by caregivers and kids alike, the upcoming sessions include “Rhythm of the Rhyme” and “Best of Sandra Boynton.” Check out their website to see the most up-to-date schedule.

Gold Fish Swim School

4959 N Holland Sylvania Rd
(419) 495-5736

Looking for an experiential holiday gift option that gives families the ability to spend quality time together and gives a child an invaluable life skill? Consider swim lessons as a holiday gift for the little fish in your life. This is a perfect gift for children of all ages — from infants through 12 years-old. Swim lessons are a gift that keeps on giving! This year, Goldfish Swim School Sylvania is offering several holiday packages including the “Big Splash” package:

2 Months of Group Lessons
Annual Membership Fee
2 Drop In Lessons
Goldfish Tote Bag
Bubbles Plush Toy
Goggles OR Swim Diaper
Choice of Shoe Charms OR Sports Towel
Coloring Book

Dive into Goldfish with a savings of $85 this holiday season! Visit the website to learn more about holiday package options!

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