Over 1,000 area K-12 grade students participated in this year’s Venner McCormick Essay Contest. Students answered the question, “If you had three wishes, what would they be?” for a chance to earn up to $200. For the last 19 years, this essay contest has honored the lives of Ruth Blank Venner and Mary Jane Blank McCormick. Venner served as President of the Friends of the Library (FOL) non-profit organization that supports development and programming for Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. Venner’s sister, Mary Jane Blank McCormick, was added to the essay contest and FOL Memorial Project in 2010. Leon Blank, brother of Venner and McCormick began this contest and memorial project as a way to honor his sisters, as well as to promote reading among youth. This year’s winning essays run the gamut of fiction and nonfiction. The wishes range from whimsical to tear jerking, requesting the ability to fly, silence, invisibility, college education, money for foster homes, magical pencils that can write anything, the ability to eat and not gain weight, and money trees.

 K-2 Grade Winners

First Place- Sophia Meier

Second Place- Jonah Czerniaswki

Third Place- Drew Young

3- 5 Grade Winners

First Place- Brendan Moloney

Second Place- Ra’Shaun Seaberry

Third Place- Bryan Li

6– 8 Grade Winners

First Place- Catie Dangler

Second Place- Bryce Ruddock

Third Place- Delaney Rimer

9– 12 Grade Winners

First Place- Kate Cherry

Second Place- Taylor Lonas

Third Place- Jenna Schilling

Read the winning essays, please visit www.toledolibrary.org or
https://web2.toledolibrary.org/getattachment/-/2015-Winning-Essays.pdf.aspx

The Republic Services recycling trucks are getting a facelift, decorated by Jordan Huynh’s creativity and passion for making the earth a cleaner place. Jordan’s “Keep the Earth Clean” artwork was chosen to adorn the side of recycling trucks in Toledo. His colorful design, inspired by his desire to eradicate landfills, shows a  blue recycling bin, happy to collect all the recyclables. Jordan’s design was chosen out of 300 entries by Toledo Public School students from kindergarten through eighth grade. In addition to having his artwork featured on Republic Services trucks, Jordan also received an iPad mini and a one year family membership to the Toledo Zoo.

Calling all Grandmasters, International Masters, FIDE Masters, Candidate Masters, chess clubs, and chess enthusiasts. The Toledo Museum of Art is offering the perfect hang out for chess players, and those interested in the game, to come and face off against each other. The Cloister Gallery will transform into a chess playground,  open to anyone who wants to play or watch and learn. The Museum will provide the sets; however, you can also bring your own and you can also see various chess boards from the World Chess Hall of Fame collection on display in the Play Time exhibit. If you are part of a chess club, feel free to make the Museum your summer gathering place.

Chess exhibitions will be held every Friday from 4-8pm through
September 4 in the Cloister Gallery at the Toledo Museum of Art,
2445 Monroe Street. These events are free and open to the public.
[email protected],
419-255-8000