Safety in Pools and Sandboxes

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May 1, 2015

With the arrival of summer comes the season of backyard sandboxes and wading pools. Having your own sandbox or wading pool provides convenient and safe fun close to home. However, germs and bacteria can grow and spread through sandboxes and pools if they are not properly cared for and cleaned.

Sandboxes harbor funguses like ringworm and parasites, such as roundworm and tapeworm, said Jeffrey G. Miner, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Bowling Green State University.

The main source of parasites are animal feces in the sand. The best way to keep the sandbox from becoming a litter box is to keep it covered when not in use. Parasites can survive for a long time, but Dr. Miner says that winter conditions should kill most of them. However, changing the sand at the beginning of the season wouldn’t hurt, and washing hands when children come indoors is always a good idea.

A second potential issue with sandboxes, said Dr. Miner, is lead paint contamination. Lead paint chips could be in the sandbox if dirt from around a home painted with lead-based paint is used or if the sandbox is close to the house. Simply place the sandbox away from the house, and buy sandbox sand at a home and garden supply store.

Wading pools without filters can also collect bacteria. Mary Clifton, recreation programs administrator for the Ohio Department of Health, recommends emptying wading pools when not in use. Many different types of bacteria can grow in pools, so keeping them empty and dry between swim sessions is the best practice.

If a child has a fecal accident, the pool should be immediately cleaned with a light bleach solution. Otherwise, no special chemicals or cleaners are necessary.

Backyard sandboxes and small wading pools provide hours of safe fun for kids of all ages. Making sure that they are clean and kept clean will ensure that germs and bacteria, and the health problems they cause, are kept at bay all season long.

Holey Toledough is Full of Flavor

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Digital Media

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May 1, 2015

Gourmet donuts have arrived on the food scene in Toledo. Chris Ritter, owner and head baker of Holey Toledough, is handcrafting a host of flavorful donuts that will kickstart your morning.

After eight years of experience as a line cook, Ritter wanted to start his own business that would combine his passion for food and his desire for creative control. He started with a basic yeast donut recipe, and over the course of eight months, refined the precise texture, density and shelf life. Since he makes the dough, fillings and toppings from scratch with no added preservatives, shelf life is critical.

Ritter’s two-year-old daughter is his official taste-tester. He has 15 different flavors, with maple bacon, s’mores and apple fritters the most popular. He rotates through flavors based on the season and has 6 to 8 flavors in production at a time.

Holey Toledough donuts are available at Toledo Farmer’s Market and Westgate Farmer’s Market,
via wholesale orders and at local favorite coffeehouses DK Eats and Treats, The Flying Joe
and Black Kite Coffee. Ritter’s goal is to open a storefront for his bakery,
somewhere downtown or in the Westgate area.

Toledo Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Program

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Digital Media

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May 1, 2015

“Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is no mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself,” noted psychologist, Havelock Ellis once said. Toledo Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Program caters to children and young adults with typical, special needs, and Down Syndrome, allowing them to experience musical joy and express themselves through movement. “Students with Down Syndrome and other like levels of ability and interest, experience the sheer joy of movement and music. The program’s benefits include improving muscle tone, developing motor skills and balance, appreciating music and rhythm and using these skills to direct body movement, and developing emotional well-being and social skills,” says Ann Heckler, teacher of the program.

Ann Heckler has taught classical ballet for more than 30 years. She had always wanted to develop a dance program for children with special needs, so she started the Adaptive Dance program in 2009, gaining inspiration from an existing program at The Boston Ballet. The Adaptive Dance Troupe of the Toledo Ballet performs annually at the Toledo Ballet Showcase, Sunset Communities, and various other invitations at local events. Financial scholarships are available thanks to a generous grant from the Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon Foundation.

To request more information on the Adaptive Dance program,
please contact i [email protected]

2015 Birthday Guide

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Digital Media

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May 1, 2015

These Toledo area parents went all out to celebrate the little smiles on these pages! From cupcakes to party favors, every detail was carefully thought out for these birthday bashes. Read on and get inspired!

Delaney Martin

AGE: 4

THEME:
Mermaids, with a Pirate Twist

HOSTED BY:
Parents Matthan and Brooke Martin, West Toledo

SWEETS & TREATS:
Mom made Blue Jello Shooters topped with a sliced star fruit garnish. 7 Little Cupcakes in Perrysburg provided starfish and clam sugar cookies, a two-tiered fondant cake and key lime cupcakes on tiered stands. Beautiful and delicious!

LOCAL FLAIR:
Delaney’s mom loves to support local business when planning any celebration. “Shops like Oh Zilly Me! ([email protected]) and 7 Little Cupcakes (7littlecupcakes.com) are just two of the many amazing local businesses in the Toledo area. They provide something special you cannot find in a big box store.”

ACTIVITIES:
The day was warm and sunny, perfect for an outdoor celebration. Activities included digging for treasure in a bucket of sand which also included creepy critters and posing with props like patches, pirate hats and mustaches. The kids loved playing pirates in the cabin of the play ground and the adults played a few rounds of corn hole.

DÉCOR:
The children went under the sea with a scale backdrop, custom door signs, a pirate banner, cake decorations and paper jellyfish, and mermaid favor boxes with pearl embellishment were all made by Delaney’s mom, owner of She's Crafty (shescraftyshop.com).

FASHION:
Delaney felt like the a mermaid in a dress created by Oh Zilly Me!

PHOTOGRAPHER:
Delaney’s mom.

PARTY FAVORS:
A gorgeous hand beaded bracelet made by Oh Zilly Me! Sarah did an amazing job making child-size, sturdy bracelets for the girly guests. The favors also included mini telescopes, pirate patches, undersea and pirate stickers, as well as mermaid tattoos. Upon arrival, each guest received a pirate hat to wear and bring home.

Kyler Koopmans

AGE: 7

HOSTED BY:
Parents Corey Koopmans and April McDonald at Glass Bowl Lanes in Toledo

THEME:
WWE

SWEETS & TREATS:
A supersized rice krispy treat and a WWE cake that his aunt made.

ACTIVITIES:
2 hours chock full of glow bowling.

DÉCOR:
WWE print outs, water bottles, favor bags and WWE wrapping paper was used for the tablecloths.

PHOTOGRAPHER:
April

PARTY FAVORS:
WWE coloring photos, crayons, candy and VIP badges for the party.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
“Having a theme party is so unique and special,” said McDonald, “Our son will remember thi

The Canticle Center

By

Athena Cocoves

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May 1, 2015

The Canticle Center, housed in the former Franciscan Academy building next to Sylvania Northview High School in Sylvania, opened in February. The Center will house classrooms, studios and the graduate school offices for Lourdes University and additional office space for the Sophia Center.

Lourdes University students will use this additional space in a variety of ways. The Canticle Center has art studios, music studios, a computer lab, student and staff lounges and a gym for intramural sports.

The Sophia Center is part of the Sylvania Franciscan Ministries, a group of programs that address the physical, mental and spiritual needs of individuals in Sylvania. The Sophia Center offers individual and group counseling, as well as educational testing. They will have a private, dedicated entrance to counseling rooms and group therapy rooms in the Canticle Center.

Both Lourdes University and the Sophia Center are sponsored ministries of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, which was founded in 1916.

Local Resource for Learning

By

Athena Cocoves

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May 1, 2015

The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a rich local resource for learning about our natural surroundings and the creatures that live there. This season, consider participating in one of many field trips offered by the organization. The Ottawa NWR offers activities specifically for children, including swamp tours, arts and crafts, and guided nature walks. The programs can also supplement classroom curriculums and accommodate groups of any age. All events and programs are free, and transportation funding may be available to your group.

Call Visitor Services Manager Justin Woldt at 419-898-0014 to
schedule your trip. Visit facebook.com/OttawaNWR or onwra.com.