New Superintendent Adam Fineske will be on the job when students return to school at Ottawa Hills in the fall. The Ottawa Hills Board of Education hired Fineske for the role. “I am extremely honored by the board’s selection and very excited to join one of the great school districts in Ohio,” said Dr. Fineske. He was most recently the superintendent of Sylvania Schools. Fineske’s three-year contract begins August 1.
Book Nook: Happy Birthday, America!
Books to help celebrate the red, white and blue
Celebrate the fight for our country’s freedom on the 4th of July. These stories can help your family remember how far we’ve come as a country as well as how we can live out the ideals of justice and the pursuit of happiness for everyone.
Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution
by Mara Rockliff
Pictures by Vincent X. Kirsch
In our house you will often hear Disney music playing, and one of my 6-year-old’s favorites is Mulan. So we were very excited to stumble upon a picture book about Mulan’s life. The artist, Song Nan Zhang, spent more than two years researching his watercolor illustrations that tell Mylan’s story with stunning beauty and accuracy. We are inspired by Mulan’s love and devotion for her family and her resiliency in the face of war and discrimination.
Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome
by Montague & Novak
This book lives up to its name: it is awesome! Your whole family will enjoy laughing along to Kid President’s silly stories and hilarious ideas for being a better citizen. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to go out and do some random (and fun) acts of kindness together before it’s time to go back to school.
Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony & Frederick Douglass
by Dean Robbins
Pictures by Sean Qualls & Selina Alko
After the signing of the Declaration of Independence, generations have worked to ensure that all people are treated as if they were truly created equal. This book shares the true story of two friends and their fight for equality— Frederick Douglass, who worked to free and ensure the rights of enslaved people, and Susan B. Anthony, who worked for the rights of women to vote and pursue their own happiness.
Blue Sky White Stars
by Sarvinder Naberhaus
Pictures by Kadir Nelson
In this book, author Naberhaus’ spare, poetic text inspires illustrator Kadir Nelson’s gorgeous paintings, reflecting the history, diversity and symbolism of America. Sweeping landscapes, like the Grand Canyon, and historical moments, like a civil rights march or the lunar landing, offer opportunities to talk with children about the symbols of freedom and democracy and their promise for all Americans
2019 July 4th Fireworks Roundup
3rd, Wednesday
Bowling Green Community Fireworks
Patriotic concert at 8pm | Fireworks at dusk
BGSU Intramural Field | Stadium Dr., BGSU Campus, Bowling Green
Free
Findlay Independence Celebration
4-11pm | Fireworks at 10pm
Hancock County Fairgrounds
1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay
Free
Fireworks at Biddle Park
9-11pm | Fireworks at dusk
Dorothy B. Biddle Park | Biddle Park Dr., Wauseon
Free
Perrysburg/Maumee Independence Day Picnic & Fireworks
Picnic 5-9pm | Fireworks blast off at 10pm
Ft. Meigs | 291000 W River Rd, Perrysburg
Free
Sylvania’s Star Spangled Celebration
6pm-midnight | Fireworks at 10pm
Centennial Terrace | 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania
Parking and admission prices vary.
4th, Thursday
Red, White and Kaboom 2019
4-11pm | Fireworks at 10pm
Downtown Toledo, Maumee River
Parking prices vary | Free admission
Put-in-Bay 4th of July Celebration
Noon-midnight | Fireworks at 10pm
Perry’s Victory and International Peace
Memorial | 93 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay
Parking and admission prices vary.
4th-5th
Thursday – Friday
4th in the 419 at Middlegrounds
Camping and canoeing, July 4, 3pm-July 5, 9am
Red, White and Kaboom display at 10pm Middlegrounds Metropark | 111 Ottawa St.
$50 for a family of 6
For more information, or to register, call 419-407-9700.
Space is limited.
4th-6th
Thursday – Saturday
Light Up the Point
All days, 10am-midnight
Fireworks at dusk
Cedar Point | 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky
Parking and admission pricing vary.
5th, Friday
Founder’s Day 2019
6-10:30pm | Fireworks at 10pm
Whitehouse Village Hall | 6925 Providence St., Whitehouse
Free
6th, Saturday
City of Oregon Boomfest 2019
Noon-midnight | Fireworks at dusk
Oak Shade Grove | 3624 Seaman St., Oregon
Free
12th, Friday
Delta Chicken Festival Fireworks
Fireworks at 10:30pm
Delta Municipal Park | 639 Taylor St., Delta
Parking and admission prices vary.
A Healthier Way to Take in the Rays
The next time you lather on sunscreen protection from the sun’s harmful rays, consider what you’re putting on your, or your child’s skin. Recent research has revealed potential dangers from the chemical components of commercial sunscreen.
Tamara Willingham, owner of Tamara TMC, in Maumee, Ohio, offers a healthier choice of sun protection, mineral sunscreen. “The idea with mineral sunscreens is to stay away from hormone disruptors because those chemicals are known to cause an imbalance in our bodies,” Tamara said. “We carry a handful of (sunscreen) lines that are safe for children, I put them on my own children.”
While conventional wisdom taught us to lather it on like paint to prevent the sun’s warm rays from harming our skin, modern ideas encourage us to get what the sun offers us— Vitamin D— in a healthy way.
Mineral and chemical
There are essentially two types of sunscreens; mineral and chemical. Chemical sunscreens can contain harmful components like, avobenzone, oxybenzone or octocrylene. These types of chemicals have proven to cause hormone imbalances and disrupt your body’s neurotransmitters.
“There’s quite a bit of research to state there is a higher risk of skin cancer with the use of chemical sunscreens,” Tamara said. “They’re actually disrupting our neurotransmitters (hormones). That’s how we regulate our bodies. We are organisms. We are humans and we tend to forget that.”
As a mother of four, Tamara’s mineral sunscreen inspiration stems from the safety of her own family.
“I know I don’t want to put chemical hormone disruptors on my skin or on my child,” Tamara said.
Tamara is passionate about the safety and protection of families, as well as the environment. The chemicals found in commercial sunscreens are extremely toxic to coral reefs, particularly affecting the algae.
“The mineral sunscreens we carry here are high quality,” Tamara said. “They’re safe. There are no chemicals in them. They’re safe for the environment and they’re safe for you.”. Super Salve Sunscreen, Babo, Mychelle, and Goddess Garden are all mineral based.
Benefits from the sun
Although the sun is something to be cautious with, your body needs it. “It’s important for people to actually get the sunlight without sunscreen,” Tamara said. “You need to get 10-15 minutes every day throughout the entire summer without sunscreen on. It’ll make a huge difference in your body being able to synthesize vitamin D. We need the sun, you just can’t overdo it.”
Prepare yourself for a fun-filled summer of outdoor activities and long days at the pool, with natural sun protection methods. Seek shade when you need to. Find a chic sun hat to impress the neighbors while protecting your face. Wear sun-clothes, and don’t forget to re-apply sunscreen.
Ten Destinations For Animal Encounters
Hoping to get an up-close experience with animals? You can do it without buying the farm! Here are some fun destinations where kids can touch and learn about animals. No chicken coops and stall mucking required!
Duke Farm Petting Zoo
44 Samaria Rd., Temperance
419-410-7193
Open 10-5PM
If the gates are open, stop in for a visit. Otherwise, call ahead to make an appointment. Learn about chickens, hens, rabbits, goats, donkeys, alpacas and more. Children can take a pony ride or follow the ducks and goats in the outdoor animal area, where they are given a cup of food to share with the animals. Outdoor pavilion and playground.
Admission $5 per person
The Butterfly House at Wheeler Farms
11455 Obee Rd., Whitehouse
419-872-1731
Open May-September
Open Monday-Saturday 10-4PM, Sunday 12-4PM
Over one thousand butterflies, with over 100 different species from North and South America and Asia. Learn about the life cycle of the butterfly, with experienced staff on hand to answer questions.
Adults 12-64: $10, Seniors 65 and up: $9, Ages 4-11: $8, 3 and under: free
577 Foundation
577 East Front St., Perrysburg
419-874-4174
Open daily 9-5PM
This historic property along the Maumee river features a dairy barn, log cabin, community gardens, geodesic biodome, and more. Visit the bird blind to learn observe birds and animals eating in their natural habitat. Stop by the indoor and outdoor honeybee hives, and learn about beekeeping from the local beekeeper. Classes and events held monthly.
Lagoon Deer Park
1502 Martins Point Rd., Sandusky
419-684-5701
Opens May 5th. May 5-Memorial Day open daily 10-6PM, Memorial Day-Labor Day open daily 10-8PM
Take a walk in this park that houses over 200 animals, including 6 breeds of deer, llamas, goats, sheep, elk, peacocks, emus, rheas, miniature donkeys, and Scottish Highlander. Feed is available for purchase to feed all animals.
Adults 13 and over $9, kids 3-12 $5. Children must be accompanied by at least one adult.
The Creature Conservancy
4950 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., Ann Arbor
734-929-9324
Open Saturdays and Sundays 1-5PM
Learn about ecology, biology, and conservation, all while viewing an amazing collection of animal ambassadors. Meet the sloth, three-banded armadillo, red-tailed boa,giant toad, Argentinian Tegu, cougar, and more at one of the weekend presentations. Check website for details and weekend presentation times.
Adults (13 and up): $10
Kids 2-12: $8
Limited outdoor viewing on weekdays from 10-6, free
The Petting Farm at Domino’s Farms
3001 Earhart Rd., Ann Arbor
734-998-0182
Open Wednesday-Friday 10-3PM, Saturday-Sunday 10-4PM
Learn what a barn looks like, inside and out, while interacting with a wide variety of animals, including sheep, goats, rabbits, ducks, horses, pigs, alpaca, llamas, horses, cattle and more.
Admission $6, Seniors 60 and up $5.50, kids 23 months and under free
Indian Creek Zoo
2744 Consear Rd., Lambertville
734-224-0390
Open Monday-Saturday 10-5PM, Sunday 12-5PM
This family friendly zoo offers a wide variety of animals and experiences, including camel rides, sloth encounters, and more. Learn about animals while exploring in this relaxed environment.
Adults: $12, Seniors (63 and up): $9, Kids 3 and up: $10, under two free
Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
2 Hippo Way
419-385-5721
Open daily 10-4PM
Visit the aquarium for a chance to feel a sting ray at the touch tank. At Nature’s Neighborhood, farm animals are available for meet and greets, and live animal shows provide entertaining and educational performances.
Adults: $21, Seniors (60 and up): $18, Kids 2-11: $18, Kids under two free
Calder Dairy | A Family Tradition Since 1946
9334 Finzel Rd, Carleton
734-654-2622
Open daily 10-7PM
Want to know where your milk comes from? Visit the cows at this dairy farm, where “the girls” are milked every day at 4PM. There is also a goat viewing area. Make sure to visit the country store, where you can purchase ice cream cones, milk shakes, and sundaes.
Full tours for groups of fifteen or more include wagon ride and ice cream, $10 per person. Visit website for booking information.
Sauder Village
22611 State Route 2, Archbold
1-800-590-9755
Opens May 1. Spring hours May 1-May 26: Tuesday-Friday 10-3:30PM, Saturday 10-5PM, Sunday 12-4PM
Summer hours May 27-September 2: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5PM, Sunday 12-4PM
This historic farm village can be a one day visit or a vacation destination, with food, shopping, camping, and inn available. Animals on site include sheep, goats, pigs, dairy cows, horses, and chickens. Visitors may see demonstrations on goat milking, beekeeping, wool spinning, and more. Take a horse and buggy ride, or view the farm village on a train ride. Check website for special event weekends.
Adults $18, Students (ages 6-16) $12, Seniors (60 and over) $16, Children 5 and under free. Sunday special: Adults $11, free admission for children under 16 with adult paid admission.