The Arc Lucas County offers information and training for families and individuals with developmental disabilities. Funded by the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, The Arc has announced its 2012 What Next? Life Skill Series for young adults ages 17 to 25. Focusing on topics including relationships and finances, the workshops are free for those who are eligible for Board services. Meant to educate youth on the transition into adulthood, the sessions begin January 24. To register visit www.arlucas.org or call 419-882-0941. 5605 Monroe St., Sylvania.
Giving back
What if $2 could offer a woman and her baby a safe, clean delivery process, decreasing infection and promoting healthful births in third world countries? Birthing Kits began as a service project, when Emilie Owens, president of Toledo’s Zonta International club, heard the statistics and stories about the harsh conditions women who give birth in Kenya, Africa face every day. “We assembled around 200 kits during our first process. There’s a piece of plastic for the women to sit on, gauze, a razor to cut the umbilical cord, a cloth, a bar of soap, etc. This makes the process much easier for these women who have been using whatever they find, and it really cuts down on infection,” says Owens. Support from Zonta has been overwhelming. “The women have been so generous with their help, our regional division packaged 780 kits, and donated their own funds to ship the kits to Africa,” Owens explains. But, how much does it cost to ship the kits to Africa? “Around $400,” says Owens. “It was mind-boggling, I never thought it would be so much.” While Owens’ Zonta Club has generously continued the donations, Owens hopes to raise funds from outside sources. For more info or to make a donation email Owens at [email protected].
Out and about
Skippyjon Jones is a little kitten with big ears and big dreams! With an active imagination, Skippyjon could be a bird one day and a llama or a whale the next — anything but a Siamese cat! Donning his mask and cape, Jones transforms into Skippito Friskito, the most acclaimed canine sword fighter in all of Mexico. This enchanting musical will be brought to life on Friday, January 13, at 10am and 12:15pm and Saturday, January 14, as part of Lourdes University's Theater Vision program at The Valentine Theatre. In addition to Skippyjon, Treasured Eric Carle stories will grace the stage on Wednesday, January 25, and Thursday, January 26, as The Very Hungry Caterpillar is joined by favorite characters from classic Carle stories including Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? and Papa Please Get the Moon for Me for an educational and entertaining hour of fun at The Valentine. 10am and 12:15pm on Wednesday and 10am on Thursday. For more info visit www.lourdes.edu or call 419-824-3986. The Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St.
Fossil Fest!
Share the thrill of discovery with your children as they uncover keys to the past during a real fossil dig. Truckloads of newly dug shale from the nearby quarry will fill areas of the Sylvania Historic Village with local geologists on hand to help with fossil identification. There’s also a Dino-Egg Hunt, Dino-Fun Run and fun carnival games. The Toledo Gem and Rockhound Club and the Imagination Station will have displays, demonstrations and hands on activities. 11am-4pm. Main St.
Sylvania Historic Village. www.cityofsylvania.com
Pinkalicious The Musica
Fans of all things pink (we imagine there are more than a few devotees of the hue among Toledo’s under-10 set!) will get to see what happens when love for this rosy shade goes to fun — and hilarious — extremes in Pinkalicious The Musical, coming to the Valentine Theatre this month. The songs all revolve around Pinkalicious, the title character of the popular book series, and what happens when her passion for the shade turns into “pinkitis,” an illness that changes her skin into her favorite color. How she solves her predicament becomes the center of this wonderful show. 1pm and 3pm showings. $5-$8. Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St. 419-242-2787. www.valentinetheatre.com
Old time diner, good time food
The summer days I treasured most were the ones that conspicuously lacked the usual scheduled activities, appointments, pressing errands and a never-ending to do list. One such day this past summer we seized the “free day” opportunity and enjoyed a leisurely afternoon in the historic village of Waterville, Ohio.
A bit of yesteryear
I have passed through Waterville many times over the years but had never spent time walking through the downtown shops and galleries. My kids and I enjoyed the historic buildings, unique shops, and the friendly people we met wherever we meandered that day. We even took a respite at Farnsworth Metro Park on the river. My children especially enjoyed that. The afternoon was ours to explore — no rush, no commitments.
Burger joint with personality
Our exploring left us hungry by early afternoon so I heeded the advice of a few friends to try Koral Hamburg. In the 1800s the building that is home to Koral Hamburg in downtown Waterville was a stagecoach stop. The restaurant has been in business since 1926, and changed the name to Koral Hamburg in the early 80s when the Koralewski family took ownership. Fifteen years ago, Jay and Melody Surdasky purchased the restaurant and though they kept the name, they gave it the current 50s/60s theme. They have been awarded bragging rights for best burger in town on several occasions.
The restaurant’s outside charm and character was outdone by that on the inside. The red and white checkered floor coordinated with the painted booths lining the walls and the tables in the center. A plethora of pictures and posters from days gone by adorned every wall. Whether it was a classic Coke sign, or pictures of the Three Stooges and I Love Lucy, they gave the old-fashioned diner unique character. Add to that a painted tin ceiling, jukebox, and an old-time soda fountain for shakes and malts, and
it’s a dining experience that feeds all -your senses.
Bring your appetite
Owner Jay Surdasky will be the first to let you know their quarter pound burgers are made with only fresh ground chuck made from the highest quality ingredients. “It’s all about the food,” said Mr. Surdasky. Though they have salads, homemade soups, and tasty coleslaw on the menu, customers come for the burgers, onions rings, secret recipe chili, and of course, dessert. There are a variety of other wonderful sandwiches on the menu, too. The Cod fish sandwich seemed to be popular the day we were in, and Surdasky said the Reubens, stacked with corned beef, are very popular as well.
My bacon cheeseburger for $4.75 was big and flavorful. Surprisingly, the kid burgers weren’t much smaller! For children 12 and under they offer hamburgers, hot dogs, or grilled cheese with a pop, chips, and Tootsie Pop for only $3.75. Kids eat free Tuesday and Thursday evenings with one kids meal accompanying each adult platter and large drink purchase. On Mondays and Wednesdays the Koral Quarter Pounder is only $1.25 — quite a bang for the buck. “We try to give back to the customers and keep our prices low,” said Surdasky.
Despite 15 more restaurants opening in a three mile radius of Koral Hamburg over the years, they have adapted and survived and continue to serve almost 50,000 customers every year. “We are always thinking of something new to keep it interesting,” he said. For instance, the Koral Kupcake has been popular with the locals. The “bun” is made of yellow cupcake, a chocolate brownie serves as the hamburger, and the condiments are made of icing. We would have loved to try one, but after finishing the fabulous chocolate malt served in the 26 ounce tin, we were more than full.
My kids joke that we’ll have to return and have my husband try their Kardiac Burger (two four-ounce patties, four pieces of bacon, and two kinds of cheese — intense!). It comes complete with sirens and such. I may pass on the Kardiac Burger myself, but I’m thinking the homemade carrot cake and double chocolate cake are a must try.
Bottom Line: Slow your pace and experience an old time diner and burger joint that takes you back in time. The kids are guaranteed to love the food and desserts, and it’s a fun, yet affordable outing for the entire family. Stick around for a bit and enjoy the small town atmosphere and the wonderful nearby metro park, too.
Koral Hamburg
12 N. 3rd. St. Waterville, Ohio
419-878-7007
www.waterville.wix.com/koralhamburg
Mon-Sat: 11am-8pm
Sun: 11am-7pm
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].