The Dish on Being a Dad

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June 2, 2014

Being a father is hard work, yet these four dads want only one thing on the day dedicated to them: to spend time with their families.

Patrick Dougherty

Father to Roz, 5,
Hometown: Holland

Patrick Dougherty waited a long time to become a father. He and his wife, Katie, adopted Roz from China, after almost four years of patiently waiting, when Roz was just shy of nine months old. Patrick reflects on the first time he realized he was a dad: “When it really hit me was when we were in China. We went into our hotel room, and there was a crib sitting there. That was the moment I realized it wasn’t just a process anymore; it was real.” Patrick’s favorite part of Father’s Day is spending time with his wife and little girl. He explains, “Any day that I get to spend with Roz and Katie is great. It just makes me realize how lucky we are.” They don’t have any special traditions for the holiday, but, weather permitting, they will probably go outside and “mess around” which usually means riding bikes or throwing/kicking a big, inflatable ball back and forth.

Pete Mann

Father to Noah, 2, and expecting a baby boy in July
Hometown: Toledo

Pete Mann explains that his family doesn’t have any Father’s Day traditions because, as he says, “Well, I guess there’s only been two of them so far, so I’m drawing a blank here. They usually make me a nice card and make me dinner, pamper me a little bit. Oh, and my wife Sloan says, ‘Every year we go to Imagination Station for Father’s Day.’” He laughs and adds, “There’s your plug!” (Sloan, is assistant director of STEM education at Imagination Station). One of Pete’s favorite moments as a father involves watching Noah light up with excitement when he is doing what he loves. “Noah gets really into baseball and music. He listens to music, dances around, and plays his guitar. He gets so excited when he’s ‘rocking out.’ It makes me feel proud, since I play, watching him get so into his music.”

Spencer Bailey

Father to Evangeline (Eva), 7 months
Hometown: Sylvania

Spencer will be celebrating his first Father’s Day this year with his 7-month-old daughter, Evangeline (Eva). While Spencer says they don’t have any plans for the holiday, he reflects that his wife, Erin, “usually surprises me with something, so most likely she has something planned.” Spencer has one wish for his first Father’s Day, “I would just like to spend time with my daughter.” Spencer recently took Eva to the park for the first time, and he loved watching her smile as she tried her very first swing, and he hopes to be able to do that again with her for Father’s Day. For Spencer, being a dad means many things. “It means responsibility, it means fun, it means a lot of learning, and it means patience, lots of patience.”

Dominic Perna

Father to Aria, 3, and expecting a baby boy, Angelo, in June
Hometown: Sylvania

For Father’s Day, Dominic’s daughter, Aria, who is only three, likes to “write” her dad little notes and then “read” them to him. Besides spending time with his family for Father’s Day, Dominic says, “I like having my own day; it’s pretty cool. Being a father is tough–it’s hard work–and it’s nice to get a little recognition for that.” While being a dad can be exhausting, Dominic says his favorite part of fatherhood is hearing his daughter call him “Daddy.” He explains, “When I come home from work, if Aria is home, she’ll run up to me yelling, ‘Daddy!’ It’s like something out of a movie. It makes my heart melt.” To Dominic, being a father means being a mentor and providing for his family. He hopes that his children learn what it means to have a good work ethic and to hold solid values from watching him.

Welcome to West Side Bistro

By

Karen L. Zickes

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June 2, 2014

Nice atmosphere. Delicious food. Great music. After stopping in for dinner, I was feeling guilty I wanted my return visit to West Side Bistro to be kid free and with some fun friends. I have since ditched the guilt and made plans to have an adult night out in the near future!

Fun night out sans kids in tow

It’s true. Most restaurants these days are able to accommodate guests with children in tow; as it has been the growing trend for people to bring their children just about everywhere with them. Times have certainly changed. Being the youngest of six children, getting Burger King was a big deal. My children, however, are no strangers to restaurants. Then again, look what I do?

All that being said, sometimes you might just have a more enjoyable time with a group of adults and leave the kids for their own night of fun with the sitter. After all, an occasional break is good for everyone. West Side Bistro opened in January and is owned by Stan and Sherry Burton, and managed by Brian Gump; who has owned and managed many restaurants in his time. Though they have two high chairs available, Gump said their clientele is usually an older crowd.

If you didn’t know it was located in the strip mall, you may just miss it. With its frosted windows and covered patio, you would be hard pressed to guess it was nice inside. But once inside, you’ll say “Wow, how’d I miss this?”

We were there early on a Saturday and my kids and I certainly felt welcome. However, they didn’t offer a kids’ menu and if you have little ones, you won’t find kid friendly cups or changing stations in the restroom. My boys split one of the burgers and fries. It was a generous portion and delicious, but at $11.50 plus drink, I was glad I had two children that could split the meal and the cost. The kitchen had divided the meal in even portions on two plates without my asking. The thoughtful gesture was certainly noted. Artisan flatbread pizzas would have been another option for them to share.

We began our meal with calamari because it’s our family rule to try it everywhere we go. The breading and their signature sauce was yum, and gone as quickly as it hit the table. “It’s an eclectic menu, definitely,” said Gump. Not only are the appetizers unique, such as duck wings, chicken livers, and green beans tossed in a Szechuan sauce and peanuts, but so are the entrees. They offer burgers, salads, steaks, and a variety of fish and pasta dinners. I highly recommend the lobster fettuccine but I’ll have my eye on the pesto and shrimp rigatoni when I return.

Music, music, music

The kids and I had ventured out to dinner around 6pm to not make it a late night for my already exhausted boys. But just as we were heading out, many guests were streaming in and the musicians were preparing to start playing for the night. I LOVE music and I was so bummed to be leaving just as the fun was about to begin. Ahh.. next time.

According to Gump, Tuesdays are blues night, while Thursdays are jazz and Fridays and Saturdays are a mix of music. It appeared many of the people coming in had been there before and obviously knew what time to roll in so they could enjoy the music during and after their meal. I know for next time. There is also ample bar seating if you choose to stop in just for the music and not make it a big dinner out on the town.

Bottom Line: Though West Side Bistro is most likely not the first place you’d choose to drag your little ones, they will certainly accommodate you if you do arrive with them in tow. If you love music, you might want to time it right. Evenings out sans kids can certainly help maintain parental sanity.

The Short Course

Kid friendly: Better suited for older children; but high chairs available
To avoid wait: Anytime
Noise level: Moderate
Bathroom amenities: No changing station
Got milk? Yes
Kids’ menu? No

West Side Bistro
3324 Secor Rd. Suite 10, Toledo
419-531-2427
Tue-Thur: 3pm-11pm
Fri-Sat: 3pm-1am
Sun: 3pm-8pm
www.WestSideBistroToledo.com

Karen Zickes is a mom of three active children and freelance writer who resides in Holland, OH. She can be reached in
c/o [email protected]

Super Resource

By

Gina Gueli

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June 2, 2014

In many cases, when a parent has a child with special needs, they may have financial concerns about the affordability of summer camp in addition to the many other ongoing expenses for their child. Having a family member with Downs Syndrome, James Schade was already familiar with the overwhelming expenses that accompany a disability.

Schade started SuperSchade’s Foundation to allow children in these circumstances to go to an inclusive summer camp when his friend’s child with special needs wanted to participate in a similar program.

In addition to sending children to camp, SuperSchade’s Foundation also works as a liaison for families in the special needs community and helps them allocate the resources they need to navigate through the system. This year, SuperSchade’s is sponsoring the Chronic Care Connections of Greater Toledo Community Resource Guide as well as the 2014 Camp Programs Guide for people with disabilities.

In another altruistic effort, SuperSchade’s Foundation also helps sponsor a Sensory Friendly Family Movie at the Maumee Theater every quarter for all area children and adults with disabilities, complete with free soda and popcorn, as a way to give back to the community. Most movie nights are incredibly popular and usually include over 200 people in the special needs community.

To raise money last year, James hosted an annual golf outing which sent nearly a dozen area children with disabilities to camp. He will be doing the same this year.

To contribute to the SuperSchade’s Foundation, please consider participating in the golf outing at Giant Oaks in Temperance, Michigan on Saturday, August 23 at 1pm. For more information on the golf outing or movie nights, please visit superschades.org.

On the Road to Reading

By

Nadine Hariri

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June 2, 2014

The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and the Library Legacy Foundation are debuting a new initiative, Ready to Read, dedicated to improving the early literacy skills of preschool children.

The proper help and support will allow children to get ahead and be ready to not only read, but succeed in the classroom. Getting them started on the right foot is the goal and the library and LLF are ready to help the community do so.

The “Ready to Read” specialty van began pounding the pavement and delivering essential skills and training to neighborhoods that are not getting the help the need in April.

Local award-winning children’s book, Alphabet Under Construction, literacy kits, and technologies to stimulate and encourage reading will make Toledo a place that loves to read!

For more information on the Ready to Read van, please visit
toledolibrary.org or call Outreach Services at 419-259-5350.

Baby Love at The Toledo Zoo

By

Nadine Hariri

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June 2, 2014

A lot of things are “hatching” at The Toledo Zoo, including the birth of two saddle-billed storks in late February and early March.

The chicks are part of Africa’s largest stork species and the Toledo Zoo is only second in the nation to rear this rare species. They are currently growing and developing at the Zoo’s Avian Breeding Center and will return when they are able to survive on their own.

It doesn’t stop there. Add two ring-tailed lemurs and twin spotted-necked otter pups to the mix and you have more newborn cuties to add to your list of things to see at the zoo.

The lemurs were born to twin sisters on exhibit at the Zoo’s Primate Forest and their charismatic personalities will capture your little ones.

Watch the otter pups use their strong webbed paws to swim through the water and steal the attention from what’s going on around them!

The Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo. Visit toledozoo.org or call 419-385-4040 for more information and admission prices.

The Great American Backyard Campout

By

Nadine Hariri

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June 2, 2014

Save the date! As part of Northwest Ohio’s attempt to “Leave no Child Inside,” the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout will result in s’mores galore and memorable experiences for families.

The Wood County Park District’s “backyard” will open to host a night of fun with friends, a bonfire and a light breakfast in the morning. Participants should take their own tent and sleeping arrangements, as there is a limited amount of tents available for borrowing. Pack up your camping essentials and have some weekend fun outdoors with your children!

Saturday, June 28 from 6:30pm until Sunday,
June 29 at 10am. William Henry Harrison Park,
644 Bierley Ave., Pemberville.
Call 419-661-1697 ext. 1 for more information.
Register at www.wcparks.org. Free