Home for the Holidays: Settling Into the Cozy Months
Home for the Holidays
Settling into the cozy months
As I’m writing this, my family and I are in the throes of prepping for the last weekend of the Holly, MI Renaissance Festival. Matt and I have our costumes already, since I fortuitously happened upon a going-out-of-business sale of a costume shop. I spent time going through a costume box from Matt’s childhood, which gave us a hodgepodge of options for Townes (now 18 months old): a random gnome hat (or as Townes pronounces it “moan hat”), a cape and a peasant style blouse with sleeves that are way too long. We’ll make it work!
While we are still enjoying fall by hitting all the best pumpkin patches and apple orchards, decorating our home, and baking up a storm, it’s also time to get serious about shopping for holiday gifts. For those of you who like to shop local, as I do, take a look at our Holiday Gift Guide, which features unique options that have the added benefit of supporting local makers and entrepreneurs.
Along with that helpful guide, we have the latest news on Universal Pre-K in Toledo, a review of Coop’s Downtown, tips for safe sleep practices for infants and a calendar filled with holiday fun. No matter how you’re celebrating this cozy season, I hope your holidays are filled with love, family and restorative times together.
Happy Holidays!
Erin Holden
Assignment Editor
Toledo Area Parent
A Few of My Favorite Things:
Disability Friendly Guide
Any parent of a child with disabilities knows that it isn’t always easy to find the resources you need. The Toledo area has an abundance of programming, resources and businesses that help children of all abilities. We’ve listed some of the inclusive, welcoming organizations that truly shine bright in our community.
Ability Center of Greater Toledo
5605 Monroe St., Sylvania
419-885-5733
abilitycenter.org
The Ability Center of Greater Toledo (ACT) has a multitude of programs to promote independent living to families, youth and young adults. Thir new Youth and Family service line helps connect families of young children (ages 0-12) with other families through community activities and parent groups. Community-based Independent Living Skills Classes are focused on supporting teens and young adults on their journey to independence. Youth explore new recreation activities in the community and at ACT.
These activities are not only unique experiences for the young participants, but they also provide a chance to develop crucial social skills. Past activities have included trips to Cedar Point, bowling,the movies, sporting events, game nights, and exploration of local festivals, just to name a few.
Visit abilitycenter.org to discover all the organization has to offer
youth with any type of disability.
Toledo Lucas County Public Library
20 branches | 419-259-5200
toledolibrary.org
TLCPL has partnered with the Ability Center of Greater Toledo (ACT) with programs like the DREAM Project, a program that ensures a wide variety of children’s books about and written by people with disabilities.
The Library also offers ASL classes for teens, disability etiquette training sessions, sensory and mindfulness activities, and Rhythm & Rhyme Storytime for children of all abilities. Not only does the Library continue to add inclusive programming, but they have been steadily making their facilities more accessible. For instance, they have upgraded check-out stations, restrooms and print stations to be ADA compliant. And they have created useful tools for people with visual impairments and those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. There are further plans to expand accessibility throughout TLCPL’s branches in the near future.
To learn more about what inclusive programs your local branch offers,
visit the library’s website today.
Georgette’s Grounds & Gifts
311 Conant St., Maumee
419-891-8888
georgettes.org
Also an offshoot of Sunshine Communities, Georgette’s Grounds and Gifts is passionate about employing people of all abilities in their kitchen, with customer service, and within the unique gift shop (it is connected to the coffee shop, but it also has its own entry in
back). Georgette’s serves up coffee house favorites and delectable sweets, which you can enjoy as you take in the amazing selection of gift items created by both local and nationally recognized artists.
Their offerings range from artisanal soaps and candles to jewelry and home decor a little something for everyone.
Learn more about the organization’s history in our Exceptional Families story on page 8
in this issue!
Sunshine Studios
305 Conant St., Maumee
419-891-8877
sunshinestudio.org
An art studio that welcomes people of all abilities, incomes and artistic skill levels, Sunshine Studios is an integral part of the community. Their affordable public art classes led by Art Studio Manager, Larry Knight, are highly recommended by all who attend, and the wares created by Sunshine’s artists in the studio are always a unique choice for the holidays and beyond.
From mugs and plates to a variety of textiles, the home decor options are both eye-catching and practical. You can even commission a custom-made piece! Whether you take a class, rent the space, or purchase a gift, you’ll be supporting a wonderful mission of inclusivity with Sunshine Studios.
Help Me Grow Ohio
419-665-3322 | 800-755-GROW
helpmegrow.org
Michigan:
800-EARLYON | 1800earlyon.org
Early Intervention works with families with children from birth to age three who have developmental delays or disabilities so that they have the best possible start in life. Early Intervention professionals work with you and your child to identify strengths and needs, addressing concerns as early as possible with services right where you live, play and spend your day. Making a referral is the first step for parents and caregivers who have questions or concerns about their child under the age of three. One referral opens the door to many programs and resources that support families.
Contact Help Me Grow to make a referral today!
Fire Safety for a Safe and Happy Halloween
According to the United States Fire Administration’s records, an average of 9,200 fires are
reported in the country over a three day period around Halloween. As the holiday approaches, Ohio’s State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon has made it a point to advise families on how to have fun and stay safe while celebrating.
Many of Reardon’s strategies for staying safe this Halloween focus on how families can prevent fires from candles, which are responsible for more than one-third of home fires caused by decorations. For instance, Reardon is urging families to use alternatives to real candles when possible (i.e. battery-operated candles, glow-sticks, etc.), supervise children around real candles and other sources of open flames, and ensure that exits are accessible and not covered by decorations.
Additional fire safety measures for which Reardon has advocated include providing children
with a refresher on the stop, drop, and roll sequence that can be used if clothing catches on fire and making sure that home smoke detectors are functional.
For more resources on how to practice fire safety, visit the Fire Marshal’s website.
Trunk-or-Treats & Trick-or-Treats in the Toledo Area
Looking for some fun trick-or-treating activities in the Toledo area? We’ve put together a list of trunk-or-treats, along with trick-or-treat times in our region. As a note on safety to our readers, please also take a moment to read about the increased risk of fires during Halloween, which we’ve written about here.
Trunk or Treat at First Unitarian Church
Saturday, October 22
4-6pm
3205 Glendale Ave.
419-381-6999
Dress up yourself, your children, and/or your vehicle! Prizes will be awarded for best children’s costume and trunk decoration. All are invited to stop by for some spooky fun!
Lucas County Canine Care & Control 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 22
2-4pm
Lucas County Canine Care & Control
410 S. Erie St.
419-213-2800
Trick-or-treat in the parking lot of the Lucas County Canine Care and Control Center! Stop by to see some decorated trunks, visit food trucks, play games, and capture your memories at a photo booth. Costumes are encouraged and furry friends are welcome to attend!
Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 22
6-8pm
Iron Bandogs Le/mc Glass City
1758 W. Sylvania Ave.
Attend this family friendly trunk or treat event by setting up a trunk and/or bringing your kids! Free cotton candy, hot chocolate, apple cider, and doughnuts will be provided. Hot dogs, chips, and pop will be available for purchase.
CPC Trunk or Treat Community Event
Saturday, October 22
6:30-8:30pm
Christ Presbyterian Church
4225 W Sylvania Ave.
419-475-8629
All are invited to attend for trick-or-treating, playing games, and enjoying snacks! In case of rain, the event will be moved indoors.
Candy Crawl
Sunday, October 23
4-6pm
Christ UMC
5757 Starr Ave.
419-691-9701
Dress up in your costume and drive around to collect cotton candy at this family friendly drive-through event!
Trunk or Treat
Thursday, October 27, 5:30-7pm
Waite High School
301 Morrison Dr.
419-671-7000
Ages 13 and under are invited to this trunk-or-treat event at Waite High School! The event will be happening rain or shine. If you are interested in decorating a trunk or passing out candy, call the East Toledo Family Center at 419-691-1429.
Toledo Trick or Treat Times
Defiance – Halloween parade October 29, beginning at 7 pm
Delta – October 31, 5:30-7pm
Holland– October 31, 6-8pm
Pre-school Trick-or-Treat, October 28
Maumee – October 31, 6-8pm
Monclova Township – October 31, 6-8pm
Oregon – October 31, 6-8pm
Arbors at Oregon Trunk or Treat: October 20, beginning at 6pm
Ottawa Hills – October 31, 6-8pm
Pemberville – October 31, 5:30-7pm
Perrysburg – October 31, 6-8pm
Rossford – October 31, 5:30-7:30pm
Sylvania/Sylvania Township – October 31, 6-7:30pm
Tiffin – October 30, 3-5pm
Toledo– October 31, 6-8pm
Trunk or Treat October 22, 6-8pm
Trunk or Treat (CPC) October 22, 6:30-8:30pm
Waterville – Oct. 31, 6-8pm
Whitehouse – October 31, 6-8pm
School Days: Fall 2022 Guide to Educational Opportunities in Toledo
When it comes to educational opportunities in Toledo, there’s plenty to talk about. Whether it’s the monumental expansion of Toledo School for the Arts, an open house spotlight on St. Francis de Sales High School, or the exciting news about universal pre-k options in our area, our region should be proud of all we have to offer.
St. John’s
5901 Airport Hwy.
419-865-5743
sjjtoledo.org
St. John’s provides students with a Catholic education in the Jesuit tradition, but it is so much more than that. The school’s academic success and focus on serving others make it an excellent choice for students. Retired Air Force Colonel Mark Swentkofske was recently named the school’s 12th president. An alumnus himself, Swentkofske says, “Our mission as a Jesuit school has always been to educate and develop young men as Christian leaders with Ignatian spirituality who desire to give back to their communities. St. John’s has always been steadfast to this mission during changes in leadership and changes in our world. I recognize the Toledo community has high expectations of SJJ and our graduates which I intend to exceed.”
To learn more about the school’s mission and to take a virtual tour, visit their website today. Open House: Call to make appointment
Toledo School for the Arts
333 14th St.
419-246-8732
ts4arts.org
Open House: Saturday, November 5
With a dual emphasis on academics and the arts, TSA offers a truly integrative approach to learning. If your child is interested in visual arts, dance, music, creative writing or theater, this tuition-free charter school sponsored by Bowling Green State University is one to seriously consider, especially given all the improvements the school has been making with its $9 million expansion. Titled The Next Big Thing, the expansion has created new studio
spaces, cafeteria, classrooms, and a community portal, allowing TSA to expand programming and increase community engagement.
Visit the school’s website to find out more about their curriculum, plus all the extras that make TSA a winning choice for the artistically inclined student: TSA First Fridays art expos, the TSA Beat Podcast and gift shop items created by the students themselves, just to name a few amazing programs. To RSVP to their November 5 Open House, click on “enrollment” at ts4arts.org.
St. Francis
2323 W. Bancroft St.
419-531-1618 | sfstoledo.org
At St. Francis, they not only want to be the best school, but the best school for each individual student. From the teachings of St. Francis de Sales, they encourage students to ‘be who you are and be that well.’ This motto, imprinted on the hearts of the students and faculty, has formed their educational philosophy. Students at St. Francis understand that myPREP is “my path, my journey, and my plan for education.” myPREP (Professional Readiness Education Program) is the school’s innovative, individualized approach to education, where students can explore areas of interest and go deeper into their passions. The goal of myPREP is to ignite the love of learning in students of all grades.
Open House: Call to make appointment