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Halloween Happenings

By
Kimberly Feldkamp
-

Oh fall, how we welcome you! With the crisp air, the colorful leaves and the fun of pumpkin patches, hayrides, and all things Halloween. There’s so much fun to be had this season. We’ve rounded up a spooktacular list of haunted happenings and fall fun for you and yours to enjoy. The only problem might be fitting it all in!

Pick a Pumpkin Patch

Johnson Fruit Farm

8am-7pm, daily.
2790 US-20 ALT, Swanton
419-826-1453 | johnsonfruitfarms.com
Interested in apple or pumpkin picking? This is the place to go to pick out your own produce or find the perfect gourd. After a trip to the petting zoo, enjoy some apple cider and fresh homemade donuts. It’s the perfect
way to spend a fall day any day
of the week!

Stevens Gardens

10am-7pm, daily.
4550 Weckerly Rd., Monclova
419-392-2065
facebook.com/farm.monclova
Another family-owned business,
Stevens Gardens offers seasonal fruits and veggies, along with lots of fall fun. They have a family friendly corn maze that’s open daily, along with hayrides, a cow train and corn cannon, open 11am-7pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Between the pumpkins, apples, mums and apple cider slushies, you won’t leave empty-handed.

toledo-halloween
Alivianna, 11, Genoa

Country lane tree Farm

11am-4pm, Saturdays and Sundays
throughout October.
Fall Family Festival, Panic in the Pines*
3525 North Bolander Rd., Genoa 
419-461-1298 | countrylanetreefarm.com
You’ll find something fun for everyone here! Hit one of the area’s largest pumpkin patch. Admission is $5 for adults, $10 for kids ages 3-10; under 2 are free. Feed baby goats, observe a beehive, milk a real cow and more with the price of admission. If you dare for a scare, stick around for the Panic in the Pines Haunted Hayride and Trail *October 13,14, 20,21,27 &28. Tickets are $20. Not recommended for small children.

Fleitz Pumpkin Farm

10am-7pm, daily.
7133 Seaman Rd., Oregon
419-836-7613 | fleitzpumpkinfarm.com
It’s not fall without a trip to the pumpkin patch. Head to Fleitz Pumpkin Farm to find your perfect pumpkin, wander through mini corn mazes and feed goats and chickens. Kids can check out the Craft Barn before hopping on a hayride for just $1. There’s also a snack shack with homemade apple doughnuts and apple cider.

Aloisa, 4 mo., Ottawa Hills
Aloisa, 4 mo., Ottawa Hills

Fall
Festivals

Apple Stir Festival

10am-6pm. Friday-Saturday, October 6-7.
MacQueen Orchards
7605 Garden Rd., Holland
419-865-2916 | macqueenorchards.com
For more than 30 years this festival has been a great way to kickstart the autumn season. Join in on family festivities with apple picking, touring the Giant Apple Cider Press, and riding in wagons. Live performances, an apple pie baking contest, pony rides and bounce houses will keep everyone entertained.

Greenfield Hallowe’en

Various times. October 13-15, 19-22, 26-29.
The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI
800-835-5237 | thehenryford.org
Adventures unfold along a path lit by 1,000 jack-o-lanterns. Each step draws you and yours into storybook spookiness with characters like the Headless Horseman, dancing skeletons, singing pumpkins, craft beer, warm apple cider and fresh doughnuts. $13.75/members,
$17/non-members. Free/2 and under.

Fall on the Farm

10am-5pm. Saturday, October 14.
Sauder Village
22611 State Route 2, Archbold, Ohio
419-446-2541 | saudervillage.org
Get ready to help with the harvest! Take a step back in time, roll up your sleeves and help in the gardens and the kitchens. At Fall on the Farm, children get a sense of farm life with hands-on activities.

Sylvania Fall Festival

11am-4pm. Sunday, October 15.
Downtown Sylvania | sylvaniafallfest.com
Don’t miss this annual fall tradition, perfect for kids of all ages. Enjoy food and craft vendors, kids’ activities and games and a fun parade through downtown Sylvania.

I Love Olander Day

Noon-4pm. Sunday, October 1.
6930 W Sylvania Ave., Sylvania
419-882-8313 | olanderpark.com
Head out to Olander Park for a fun packed afternoon, a fall farmers market, food trucks, face painting, kids crafts, and wagon rides all in celebration of fall. Park at Tam-O-Shanter and stroll around the lake with your family. This event is FREE to everyone.

Folklore & Funfest

4-9pm. Saturday, October 14.
Wood County Park District,
Historical Center & Museum
13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
419-352-0967 | wcparks.org
A don’t-miss event in its 28th year, the Wood County Parks Folklore and Funfest is free for the family. There will be wagon rides, crafts, live music, kids games in Booville, scarecrow alley, spooky trail, nocturnal nature tent, storytelling and much more. No registration needed.

Little Firefighters and a couple of puppies!
Little Firefighters and a couple of puppies!

Olander Park 20th Annual Halloween Hike

6pm. Saturday, October 28.
6930 W. Sylvania Ave., Sylvania
419-882-8313 | olanderpark.com
Kids collect treats at 20 stations as storytellers tell friendly tales. Not intended to scare children. Kids 12 and under, accompanied by an adult. Admission is a $2 donation.

Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp

10am-3pm. Sunday, October 29.
Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-5721 | toledozoo.org
Zoo animals get to share in the Halloween fun when they find pumpkins in their exhibits. Some will make a meal and others will make a mess, but all of them will be displaying natural behaviors.

Jack 5, Nick 1, Toledo
Jack 5, Nick 1, Toledo

PiPs: Scaredy Bats

10-11am, October 27
Wood County Park District,
W.W. Knight Nature Preserve
20539 White Rd., Perrysburg
419-353-1897 | wcparks.org
Halloween fun for the little ones:
Preschoolers in the Parks and their adult enjoy a story, activity and short hike.
This is a free program, but registration is required.

ScreamAcres

Haunted Cornfield
Dark to 10 pm. Fridays,
Saturdays & Sundays, through October 29.
Leaders Farm 0064 Co. Road 16, Napoleon
419-599-1570 | screamacres.com
Teens looking for a fright: make your way through a haunted cornfield, monster-infested laboratories, and more. Not recommended for young children. Tickets are $20.

Tombstone Tour &
Family Haunted Bike Ride

11am, 12:30pm and 2pm. Sunday, October 22.
Oak Openings Preserve, Whitehouse
register.mvadventurers.org
A family bike event that covers three to five miles of haunted trail. The Maumee Valley Adventurers haunted ride is designed for families with children ages 12 and under. Wear your costume and bike helmet.

Amaya, 11, Aubrey,9, Wyatt, 4, Maumee
Amaya, 11, Aubrey,9, Wyatt, 4, Maumee

Frightfully Fun Stuff

Little Boo at the Toledo Zoo

10am-3pm. Thursday-Friday, October 19-20.
2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-5721 | toledozoo.org/boo
A chance for toddlers and preschoolers to delight without the fright! Little ones come in costume to trick-or-treat throughout the zoo, play games and make Halloween crafts. Separate fee.

Pumpkin Path

10am-4pm. Saturday-Sunday, October 21-22.
Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-5721 | toledozoo.org/pumpkins
Pumpkin Path is when Halloween fun really comes alive! In addition to trick-or-treating for all ages, there will also be games, artistic pumpkin carving demonstrations, bounce houses and magic shows to entertain all the ghosts and goblins. Separate fee.

Fall Family Fun Nights

6pm-8:30pm. Friday-Saturday, October 20-21.
Sauder Village
22611 State Route 2, Archbold, Ohio
419-446-2541 | saudervillage.org
The tricks begin once the sun goes down during Fall Family Fun Nights at Sauder Village. Treat your family to Halloween hayrides, pumpkin painting, evening train rides, hot cocoa and more! Space is limited, register early to save your spot.

Boo on the Boat

10am-2pm. Saturday, October 28.
Museum of the Great Lakes
1701 Front St., Toledo
419-214-5000 | inlandseas.org
Your ghouls and goblins will have loads of Halloween fun aboard one of Toledo’s most historic haunts, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship. Come in costume to trick-or-treat from the pilot house to the galley and everywhere in between. Museum admission required.

Olander Park 20th Annual Halloween Hike

6pm. Saturday, October 28.
6930 W. Sylvania Ave., Sylvania
419-882-8313 | olanderpark.com
With the generous support of Meijer, superheroes and Pokémon will bound all around Lake Olander at TOPS’ most popular family event! Kids collect treats at 20 stations as storytellers tell friendly tales of the Enchanted Evening. The Hike is family-friendly and not intended to scare children. Open to kids 12 and under, accompanied by an adult. Admission is a $2 donation for ages 3 to 12; 2 and under FREE. All admissions are donated to Sylvania Area Family Services.

Park at Tam-O-Shanter and enter on Vicksburg Avenue or use the Olander walk-in gates. Event is rain-or-shine so dress appropriately.

Amaya, 11, Maumee
Amaya, 11, Maumee

Halloween
Safety Tips

Sponsored by
Laborer’s Local 500

Ensure your little monsters are safe this Halloween by following a few safety tips before you head out to trick-or-treat:

 The perfect fit. Make sure costumes fit properly to avoid trips or falls. Look for brightly colored costumes, attach reflector strips to costumes and bags and carry glow sticks or flashlights.
 Safety first. Older kids should trick-or-treat in groups and adults should accompany younger kids. Make sure you discuss an approved “zone” with older kids and give them a time to be home before they head out to trick-or-treat. Talk about what to do if they are separated from their group.
 Light the way. Only visit houses that are well lit. If you’re passing out candy at home, turn on porch lights and make sure the path to your front door is clear and well-lit.
 Just treats.
Before your kids eat any candy, make sure you inspect it. Toss any that appear to be open and if in doubt, throw it out.

Music education and instruments for all children

By
Erin Schoen Marsh
-

With the cuts to public education funding over the years, many schools have been forced to make hard decisions, resulting in many districts eliminating art and music education. A local nonprofit, BeInstrumental, has been working for the last decade to fill that artistic void, providing music education and instruments to students at little or no cost.

Keeping music alive

School administrators, in response to tightened budgets, chose the core curriculum subjects— English, math, science, history— over art. Research shows that studying music is linked to language development, improved test scores and increased IQs. Music education allows students to practice skills that can be translated into real life experience and applied to other classes.

“Music provides a basis for children to use skills that are in everyday life: listening skills, working as a team, learning to interpret and respond to stimulus, working on social skills in a group setting, participating effectively with peers, and learning from other students,” explains Carol McElfresh, executive director of BeInstrumental.

Studies also show that learning and practicing music facilitates learning in traditional academic areas, such as English and math. “Children learn the best way to approach a difficulty through music instruction,” continues McElfresh. “It has been shown that as children study music, they do better in other classes, and there is a direct correlation between music and math. They also learn expanded attention with reading, comprehending and interacting with a text.”

BeInstrumental’s goal is “to provide music education to children in the community who have little or no access to music,” says McElfresh. The nonprofit works with the University of Toledo and local schools to provide instruments, tuition, and scholarships for after-school music classes.

The teachers of BeInstrumental, certified music teachers or professional musicians, provide group classes in keyboard, guitar, and piano, with eight to 15 students in a class. “Students progress through a standard curriculum— learn notes, basic songs, learn to play with two hands. The next year they can move onto more difficult music,” McElfresh says.

Music mentors

Mentoring brings in local performers who talk with the kids about what it’s like to be a professional musician and the many options for pursuing music as a career.

“Damen Cook, local drummer, has come in and done demonstrations for us,” McElfresh continues. “He shows different types of instruments, we have Q & A time, and they discuss what musical professions are available.”

The nonprofit, celebrating its 10-year anniversary, assists approximately 100 local students each year. While BeInstrumental has received grants to purchase instruments, the organization also takes donations. Individuals can donate instruments and BeInstrumental will ensure that they are functional and then loan them, for free, to students for the school year.

Scholarships for tuition are need-based; parents simply fill out a standard application and based on household income, BeInstrumental can cover up to 100 percent of the tuition costs.

If families “have other extenuating circumstances, we will consider partial tuition,” adds McElfresh.

OPEN HOUSE GUIDE – PART ONE

By
Emily Remaklus
-
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Choosing the right school is key to a successful education and future endeavors. Check out these local schools to determine if one might be the perfect fit for your child.

West Side
Montessori School

7115 W. Bancroft St. Toledo
419-866-1931
montessoritoledo.org/blog/fall-open-house/

Open House: 9-10:30am.
Tuesday, November 7
West Side Montessori inspires children of all ages to discover their full potential and focuses on creating independent and self-motivated graduates. Unique to West Side Montessori is the world language curriculum. World languages are introduced to students at three years old, and then lead to an immersion program in upper grades. Additionally, West Side Montessori creates lessons that are geared towards each student’s learning style. Children work at their own pace and choose work based on their own interests and abilities.

Maumee Valley Country Day School

1715 S. Reynolds Rd. Toledo
419-381-1313 | mvcds.org/page

Open House: 1-3pm. Sunday, November 12.
Maumee Valley Country Day School is the only Preschool (30 months) – 12th grade accredited, co-educational, independent school in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Maumee Valley’s rich tradition of excellence in education, as measured by the strongest test scores in the region, remains at the core of our program. Students learn in an environment where each is challenged to think creatively and work collaboratively to find answers to relevant, real-world problems. Along with academics, arts, and athletics, Maumee Valley provides students with the opportunity to develop their personal narratives, which help give them a leg up when applying to colleges. One hundred percent of graduates are admitted into a four year college, and most get into their first choice school.

Horizon Science Academy

2600 W. Sylvania Ave, Toledo
419-474-3350 | horizontoledo.org
Call to schedule a private tour.

A K-12 college prep charter school, Horizon Sceince Academy is an effective learning community. With a mission to prepare students to succeed in college and the world by offering high-quality college prep, STEM education, Horizon is a perfect choice for many students. The school also partners with local universities and busineses to give students opportunities to improve their skills and become successful in life.

St. Francis de Sales

23 23 W. Bancroft St, Toledo
419-531-1618 | sfstoledo.org

Open House: 1-4pm. Sunday, November 12.
A Catholic college prepatory school for young men, St. Francis de Sales promotes the academic, spiritual, social and physical development of students in the sprit of St. Francis de Sales, who challenges “be who you are and be that well.”

Toledo Christian Schools

2303 Brookford Dr, Toledo
419-389-8700 | toledochristian.com

Open House: 1-3pm. Saturday, November 11.

For over forty years Toledo Christian Schools have created a balance between academic excellence and Christian education. From preschool to high school, students receive a well-balanced and well-rounded educational experience. Along with academics, Toledo Christian provides numerous opportunities for young athletes, artists, and those interested in serving their community.

Notre Dame
Academy

3535 W. Sylvania Ave. Toledo
419-475-9359 | www.nda.org/

Open House: 11am-2pm.
Sunday, November 5.
Notre Dame Academy focuses on empowering young women, from 7th to 12th grade, to become leaders and serve their communities. With numerous community involvement opportunities, a strong athletic program, and various artistic organizations, Notre Dame has something for all girls. Additionally, this high school focuses on helping students grow in their faith through campus ministry, and to become career ready with their International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

Brain Bright Therapy offers new treatment options

By
Emily Remaklus
-

Danielle Nelson, a local occupational therapist, is bringing new neurological therapy practices to the Toledo area. Brain Bright Therapy focuses on treating the root of neurological and psychological conditions, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dementia, and sensory processing disorders, among others. Although these conditions vary greatly, the treatments and exercises that Nelson uses in her practice all strengthen the brain, which in turn helps alleviate some of the symptoms.

New techniques and new approaches

Nelson had been working as an occupational therapist for seven years when she decided to take an opportunity to train in Chicago with functional neurologists. “I saw results I had never seen before. To be able to see new techniques and a new approach to treatment is why I opened the clinic,” she said.

With no prior business ownership experience, she spent the first half of 2017 dedicated to getting Brain Bright Therapy off and running, opening the doors August 1. By the end of one month, Nelson was already seeing positive results in her patients.

Brain Bright Therapy offers free consultations that allow Nelson to determine the best way to address presenting issues. If a patient decides to proceed at the clinic, she typically suggests meeting three days a week for a month and then slowly decreasing the meeting days. By meeting three times a week, patients have quicker progress, shown through data collected during pre-therapy and post-therapy assessments.

Strengthening the brain

Brain Bright Therapy focuses on strengthening specific parts of the brain– the root of psychological and neurological conditions. For example, someone with autism has an imbalance in the brain. The left side of the brain, the half that focuses on logic, is overworked, which can result in meltdowns. Therefore, Nelson would focus on strengthening the right side of the brain, to relieve pressure from the left hemisphere. To do this, Nelson uses physical activities done with the left side of the body, which is controlled by the right hemisphere of the brain. This could be as simple as drawing shapes and figures with the left hand.

Additionally, Brain Bright Therapy provides a number of other exercises that use modern technology. During a tour of the facility, Nelson shared a “whack-a-mole” type exercise that works with lights. The patient hits the light when it flashes, which helps test reaction times.
Brain Bright Therapy exercises are geared towards school-aged children through adults.
For more information or to contact Danielle Nelson for a consultation,
visit brainbrighttherapy.com or call 419-410-4341.

New app lets you find a sitter fast

By
Jeff Klima
-

For parents looking for babysitters in the Toledo area, there’s a new app: Bambino is an on-demand babysitting app that uses referrals from people you trust. Families looking for a sitter fill out a profile with info about your children. Then browse through a list of local sitters in your area and search based on recommendations, rates and location. Those interested in being a babysitter can sign up, complete a profile and gather recommendations. Book and pay sitters on the Bambino app through Venmo. Right now, as the app is growing in the area, you can use it for free!

Check it out today at share.bambinoapp.com/mecnWJv.

New NW Ohio service delivers groceries to your door

By
Jeff Klima
-

Finding it tough to get out of the house to pick up groceries or other sundry items?
Let the shopping come to you. Instacart, a new delivery service in NW Ohio, allows you to shop online at area stores and the service will pick them up and deliver them to you in about an hour. You don’t need a membership for the service and you can order items for delivery up to a week in advance. The service, which offers free delivery on the first order, is available throughout Northwest Ohio.

To learn more or place an order, visit instacart.com.

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