Health and Wellness Guide 2025

By

-

December 30, 2024

The beginning of a new year is a great time to set goals, especially when it has to do with your health. Local health and wellness experts share their goals for the new year and offer health-related advice for local families. Read on for their expert insights and inspiration for a healthier 2025.

Dr.Jon Frankel

Jon Frankel Dentistry
5012 Talmadge Rd., #100
419-474-9611
jonfrankeldentistry.com

What are your practice goals for 2025?

Frankel Dentistry: Changing Lives One Smile at a Time! At Frankel Dentistry, we truly love what we do — and it shows! Our passion, values and commitment to excellence drive everything we do. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to continue changing lives one smile at a time by delivering the best dental experience possible. Our core values guide us every step of the way: Always Better, Serve All, and GET (Gratitude, Encouragement, Trust and Owner Mindset). These principles ensure that every visit feels as special as the care we provide. For us, how we make our patients feel is just as important as delivering top-notch clinical care. It’s no surprise that many of our patients tell us they actually look forward to their appointments. That’s the Frankel Dentistry difference! Here’s to another year of creating confident, healthy smiles — one patient at a time.

What is one piece of health-related advice for families to keep in mind this year?

A Simple Health Tip for Families: Smile Your Way to Wellness! We’re glad you asked! A healthy mouth means a healthier body. It’s as simple as brushing and flossing daily, staying on top of regular dental check-ups, and being mindful of your oral care routine. By taking these steps, you’ll not only save time and money in the long run but also feel better and smile more confidently every day. Let’s make 2025 the year of happy, healthy smiles for the whole family!

What is something surprising about your practice that people might not know?

Frankel Dentistry Has a Legacy of Care and Innovation! Our story began in 1946 when Dr. Sheldon Frankel opened his practice right here in Toledo, Ohio, offering personalized, patient centered dental care. Fast forward to today, and while we continue to provide the same exceptional care our community has trusted for decades, there’s one exciting twist! In 2021, Frankel Dentistry became the very first 100% employee-owned dental practice in the United States. We’re proud to carry on Dr. Frankel’s legacy while pioneering a future where every team member has a stake in delivering smiles and exceptional service. That’s the Frankel way!

Beth Deakins

Executive Director of Healthy Living
YMCA of Greater Toledo
Various locations
ymcatoledo.org

What are your practice goals for 2025?

To help more families recognize their potential for health through our Healthy Weight & Your Child program, an evidence-based family weight-management program that emphasizes three elements: healthy eating, regular physical activity and behavior change to elicit a positive life-long lifestyle transformation.

What is one piece of health-related advice for families to keep in mind this year?

Making powerful changes to your family’s health doesn’t have to be complicated — small steps like incorporating more vegetables, choosing water instead of sugary drinks more often or moving together as a family can have lasting impacts on your overall health and wellbeing.

What is something surprising about the YMCA that people might not know?

In addition to sports and swimming, the Y has lots of other opportunities for families to get or stay active together. Check your local branch or our website, ymcatoledo.org, for more information.

Megan L. Cranor, DO

Lighthouse Way
Family Medicine
Lighthouse Way Family Medicine
7045 Lighthouse Way, Perrysburg
419-873-6836
mercy.com/find-a-doctor/physicians/megan-l-cranor/2561819

What are your practice goals for 2025?

We are looking to further grow our pediatric population in 2025. Though we already see many pediatric patients, we would like to see that number grow even further. We are work- ing on growing our partnership with Mom’s House to provide further education and health care to their clients.

What is one piece of health-related advice for families to keep in mind this year?

Please consider completing vaccinations and/or getting caught up with vaccinations. They protect the individual getting vaccinated, while also protecting others! Some people cannot fight off infections (think of those with cancer or immune disorders or organ transplant recipients, etc. and newborns, too!), and they rely on everyone to get vaccines to protect them. The more people that are vaccinated, the more that others can be protected from illness and death.

What is something surprising about your practice that people might not know?

We are a family medicine office that cares for individuals from birth through geriatric and beyond (i.e. we see patients from 1 day old to 100+ years old!). Though we highly encour- age vaccines, we will provide care to patients who choose not to vaccinate. We also admit our own adult patients at Mercy Perrysburg Hospital. There are not many physician groups in mod- ern medicine that see their patients in the office and the hospital settings. This provides exceptional continuity of care and allows us to know our patients well.

Dr. André Haerian

HLH Orthodontics
Various locations
419-882-1017
perfectbraces.com

What are your practice goals for 2025?

Deliver Exceptional Results: Commit to providing outstanding orthodontic care in a warm, welcoming and friendly environment. Embrace Innovation: Introduce and implement the latest advancements in orthodontic technology to enhance patient outcomes and experiences. Strive for Excellence: Continuously improve processes and services to ensure the highest level of care and satisfaction for every patient.

What is one piece of health-related advice for families to keep in mind this year?

Prevention is always more effective than treatment. Developing healthy habits early and investing time in your well-being can lead to a healthier, happier future.

What is something surprising about your practice that people might not know?

Many people may not realize the depth of work happening behind the scenes at our practice. The use of digital analytics to design and set up systems and brackets is like planning every move in a complex chess game with the final goal in mind. What truly sets us apart is our ability to adapt these meticulously calculated steps to the natural challenges that arise when working with biological variables. This precision and flexibility make all the difference in achieving exceptional outcomes.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Focus on what you can control, and let go of what you can’t. This mindset brings clarity, reduces stress, and keeps you moving forward.

Dr. Nick Goin, CACCP

CACCP
Innate Health Chiropractic
26580 N. Dixie Hwy, Ste 101, Perrysburg
419-872-2255
getinnatehealth.com

What are your practice goals for 2025?

At Innate Health Chiropractic our mission has always been to support the health and well-being of families in Toledo and beyond. In 2025, we’re focusing on growth — both in the care we provide and in the ways we serve our community.

Our goals include: Expanding Our Team: We’re looking to add more incredible doctors to our team, allowing us to serve even more families and create a broader impact.

Exploring a New Location: As our practice continues to grow, we’re planning to move into a larger space that will provide more opportunities to care for families and host community wellness events.

Deepening Our Family-Focused Care: From specialized pediatric care to prenatal wellness programs, we aim to empower families to thrive together at every stage of life. We are so grateful to our amazing community and excited for the opportunities ahead to make an even greater difference.

What is something surprising about your practice that people might not know?

Most people don’t realize that chiropractic care isn’t just for adults with back pain — it’s for the whole family! At Innate Health Chiropractic, we help newborns for colic, toddlers for developmental support, expectant mothers for pregnancy-related discomfort and parents or grandparents who want to stay active and pain-free. We’re proud to offer care tailored to each member of the family, helping everyone thrive together!

Visit Spangler Candy World for a Fun and Interactive Candy Adventure

By

Kim Krieger

-

December 23, 2024

Colorful interior of candt store. — Explore the sweet world of Spangler Candy, where history and hands-on fun await for all ages.

More than just a candy store, Spangler Candy World offers guests a real-life candy adventure! With interactive historical exhibits, STEM-inspired games, a big-screen adventure and delicious shopping, a visit to Spangler Candy World is a sweet day trip the whole family is sure to enjoy!

Located on the east side of the square in downtown Bryan, Spangler Candy World opened in late 2023 with 5,200 square feet of colorful displays, activities, and sweet aromas. This one-of-a-kind museum store offers unforgettable adventures for visitors of all ages.

1 of 13

A taste of history

At the heart of this unique attraction is the opportunity to discover the rich history of the people and products of Spangler Candy Company. The exhibits and historical artifacts offer guests a look at the challenge and adventure of candy manufacturing. Learn about the people, products, community, business philosophies, and unique experiences of the Spangler family and the company since its beginnings in 1906.

Explore the store

Interactive exhibits, colorful displays, and a big-screen factory tour and Dum-Dums Drum Man adventure await those who venture through the doors of this sweet shop. Children and adults will be inspired by the exhibits and activities that provide fun, challenging, and safe ways to experience and understand the candy-making process. The games and activities offer fun learning about the elements of candy manufacturing, from cooking and sorting to inspecting and shipping.

Many educational STEM activities offer interesting challenges throughout the store. Guests can play games using touchless control technology, operate a six-axis robot, and use additive color to change the hues of giant Dum-Dums. The learn-and-play kiosks offer candy-making games such as Speedy Delivery, Candy Cane Picker, Dum-Dums Inspector, Sorting Candy, Confectioner Apprentice, and Operation Candy Drop.

Big-screen factory tour

The Candy World Theater offers guests a spectacular factory tour as they sit in the big-screen theater to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of Spangler candy production intertwined with a fun adventure. Guests will enjoy captivating aerial views of Bryan, see close-up details of the candy-making process, and help solve the mystery when the Drum Man goes missing!

RELATED: One Weekend in Town: The Toledo Bucket List

The big-screen tour and adventure movie lasts about 15 minutes, and runs every half hour, starting 30 minutes after opening. Tickets for the show are available online or at the store for only $3 (ages 13 and up) and $2 (ages 4-12). Children ages 3 and under are free.

Sweet selfies

Take time to snap some sweet selfies and group photos while visiting Spangler Candy World! Favorite photo ops include becoming the Dum-Dums Drum Man and creating a conversation using props in the Sweethearts Chapel. Be sure to finish your visit with a trip to the Dum-Dums Water Tower photo op spot just a few blocks away!

Shopping

From clothing, water bottles, and toys to beach towels, totes, koozies, and candles . . . the gift shop offers a sweet shopping experience. Before heading home, you’ll also want to stock up on the delicious candy made by Spangler Candy Company, including Dum-Dums, Spangler Circus Peanuts, Necco Wafers, Sweethearts, Bit-O-Honey, Starburst Pops, and candy canes, all in a variety of flavors and package styles. Seasonal candy such as candy canes and Sweethearts are available year-round. The store also sells chocolates made by Dietsch Brothers Chocolates of Findlay.

Plan tour visit

Spangler Candy World is located at 131 South Main Street in Bryan – just an hour from the Toledo area. The store is open year-round Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with additional hours during the summer and winter holidays. The store is closed on Sunday. There is no admission fee to visit the candy-themed adventure land and guests will only need to pay for the movie and any gifts or candy they want to take home!

Families may want to extend their stay in the “Dum-Dums Capital of the World” to explore the unique downtown shops, locally owned restaurants, and beautiful parks. To learn more about all Bryan has to offer visit visitbryanohio.com

To plan your sweet day trip or learn more about Spangler Candy World visit their Facebook and Instagram pages or spanglercandyworld.com

What’s on Our Bookshelf this January

By

Lori Orlinsky

-

December 21, 2024

Lefty: A Story That’s Not Right

By Mo Willems and Dan Santat

Told in finger puppet style with a left and right hand, this book delves into the history of what it was like to be left-handed and why it was frowned upon. With humor and detailed illustrations that span the ages, Lefty is a love letter to every left-handed child who has ever felt left out. Ages 3-8.

Harriet Hound

By Kate Foster

Harriet is a young girl with an amazing superpower — when there’s trouble, she can magically summon the dogs from her family’s rescue shelter to save the day. Follow along as Harriet and her best dog friends use their talents and problem-solving skills to help out. A wonderful book to showcase neurodivergent kids as the hero of the story. Ages 6-9.

Sofia in Rome

By Maria Castellucci Moore

Book cover

Readers will love following Sofia on this epic journey through Rome as she discovers the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of the city that make her feel alive. This second book in the traveling mindfulness book series unites curiosity and wonder through exploring new places. Ages 3-8.

Beyond Mulberry Glen

By Millie Florence

Book cover

In this middle grade fantasy, 11-year-old Lydia and her friends embark on a journey to the Valleylands to save their family and their home. Infused with cottages, herbs, a library with shifting shelves and goblins, this story shows readers what results from hope and determination. Ages 8-12.

Dear Duck, Please Come!

By Sarah Mackenzie

Book cover

When Duck receives a letter from Rabbit saying “Please come, I lost my tooth,” Duck sets out on an adventure to find his tooth, enlisting help from Badger, Turtle, Squirrel and Mouse. A sweet tale about being there for each other.

This collection of books was gathered by freelance writer Lori Orlinsky, an award-winning, bestselling children’s book author and industry expert who lives and breathes children’s books.

Celebrate the New Year with Kids in Toledo

By

Shannon Merryman

-

December 20, 2024

Kids celebrating — Find family friendly fun in Toledo.

Dec. 27

Merry Swiftmas and Happy New Year

Keep the holiday spirit alive, Swifties! Join Green Bubble Gorgeous for a festive day celebrating Taylor Swift and the season’s cheer. Create 3 specialty projects to wrap up the holidays and start the new year in true Swiftie style.

Green Bubble Gorgeous, 194 E. South Boundary St., Perrysburg

Dec. 30

New Year’s Eve Eve

Join Toledo’s Science Center in welcoming 2025 by dropping 25,000 bouncy balls on New Year’s Eve Eve! Ball Drop at 2:25 pm. Tickets available at the door from 10:00 am until capacity is reached.

Imagination Station, 1 Discovery Way, Toledo

Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve at Forest View Lanes

Family bowling daytime parties throughout the day. Register online by December 30.

Forest View Lanes, 2345 Dean Rd, Temperance, MI

Noon Year’s Eve

Ring in the NEW YEAR at the stroke of NOON! Join the Toledo Zoo in the Main Plaza for crafts, an ice carving demo, and an apple juice toast as you watch the ball rise at noon. Make your 2025 Re-ZOO-lutions and watch your favorite animals enjoy their holiday treats! Reservations are required, available starting Dec. 24.

Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo

Noon Year’s Eve Puppy Ball Drop

Celebrate the New Year with your best friend — bring your dog to Zoom Room Perrysburg’s NYE Puppy Tennis Ball Drop! The ball drops at noon!

Zoom Room Dog Training, 27072 Carronade Dr., Perrysburg

Noon Year’s Eve Party

Join the Waterville Branch Library for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration! Wear your fanciest outfit and enjoy stories, crafts, and treats as we count down to noon.

Waterville Branch Library, 800 Michigan Ave., Waterville

New Year’s at the Library

Prepare to ring in the New Year with glitter slime, noise makers and confetti poppers.

Main Library, 325 N Michigan St., Toledo

Improving Lives Through Music Therapy and Therapeutic Music Lessons

By

Molly Klima

-

December 18, 2024

kids playing uke — Music therapy can help auditory processing, emotional regulation and coping skills.

Heart String Melodies has been helping people of all ages by providing music therapy and therapeutic music lessons since 2014. Started by Amy Foley, MMT, MT-BC, Heart String provides services in Northwest Ohio with offices in Toledo and Findlay.

Music therapy provides an opportunity to address an individual’s socialization, motor development, communication and sensory needs. Music therapists are board certified medical professionals, similar to physical and occupational therapists.

“Over our ten years in business, I have seen an increase in the awareness and understanding of the benefits of music therapy,” Foley explains, adding, “Participants and local community agencies generally have a better idea what music therapy is than they did ten years ago.”

Why music therapy?

Music engages both hemispheres of the brain which can help improve cognitive functions and assist with the development of language skills. According to the American Musical Therapy Association, music therapy enhances auditory processing, increases emotional regulation and teaches coping skills. Establishing rhythm with songs can help with memory recall and teach children basic knowledge such as colors, body parts, counting and shapes.

RELATED: Communicate With Your Baby Through Sign

Music is typically a non-threatening approach that most kids enjoy and easily connect with. Being a part of music therapy is a natural way for children to move and dance, engaging all of their senses and motor skills. Part of music therapy may include basic sign language which can improve the quality of life for a child and their family as it creates another avenue for communication.

“Music is a powerful medium as it is processed in multiple areas of the brain at once, allowing for quicker connections to be established,” Foley said. “In addition, music is often extremely motivating and rewarding to humans, allowing a participant to use their interest as a way to progress in other life goals.”

While music therapy and therapeutic music lessons may look similar, Foley said there is a difference, “Music therapy is typically focused on using music to enhance wellness or certain goal areas. Our therapeutic music lessons have an emphasis on learning an instrument, utilizing the support of the board-certified music therapist to adapt the instructional methods to the individual. In both services, instruments may be utilized such as guitar, piano, voice and percussion instruments. Music therapy may expand further with types of experiences including songwriting, movement, lyric analysis and using music as a tool for health.”

How to connect with the music?

Referrals to Heart String Melodies come from parents, teachers, physicians, caregivers and others. After a referral is made an initial, free consultation will take place to discuss services available and to answer relevant questions. Depending on the need, services can be provided at a Heart String Center, in-home or on-line. Heart String Melodies also offers contract services to bring their therapies outside of their Center to places such as schools, adult day centers, veteran’s organizations or hospice agencies.

Insurance coverage for music therapy is considered on a case by case basis. Heart String Melodies assists families in working with their insurance companies to evaluate the coverage or to provide additional resources that may cover the cost of their services.

Contact Heart String Melodies at [email protected] or 567-429-1909. Find them online and on Facebook heartstringmelodies.com.

A Letter to the New Year from Concerned Parents

By

Shannon Carpenter

-

December 18, 2024

Hey 2025,

So, it looks like you and all of us parents will be spending a lot of time together. As that is the case, perhaps we should set some expectations right at the beginning. I mean, COVID is what happens when we don’t properly communicate. Let’s not do that again.

For starters, let’s go over eggs. Some of us parents have teenage boys who eat eggs like they are Rocky and are training for Drago. Honestly, I’m sick of hearing about protein intake to make gains. It’s exhausting, but even more so for my bank account. And did you know those teenagers can also put away a whole loaf of bread and a gallon of milk in like a day? Once they invite their friends over, it’s like a swarm of locusts have come through, and it’s a biblical plague. That barren wasteland is what my grocery budget looks like.

Next, us parents are willing to negotiate for at least three months of no random family emergencies. No toddlers climbing the fridge or the mysterious car troubles where the mechanic explains that the North muffler is interfering with our catalytic converter. We don’t even know what that means. On behalf of parents, we are just asking for one-quarter of smooth sailing. Give us October through December, and you can go absolutely nuts in the spring. Hit us with “My basement is flooding” or “What do you mean my card is declined?”

Now, this brings us to the random kid sickness that comes out of nowhere. There is absolutely no reason any kid should get the flu in the middle of summer. Quit trying to make this a thing.

We have also had enough of unboxing videos please and thank you.

Now we are going to get a big ask. Parents are suffering from decision fatigue. Every day we are asked to decide the big and the small. Can I borrow the car? Where are my shoes? Can I eat dirt but not dinner? Parents are so unbelievably tired that we just can’t take it anymore. We have to decide what is for breakfast, lunch and dinner EVERY SINGLE DAY. Forever.

And let’s be honest, half the decisions we are making are completely worthless. Does it matter if we go to our mother-in-law’s house? Asking for a friend. Don’t rat me out, but seriously, do I need to be there inhaling secondhand smoke and being told that I’m not as fat as I used to be? That is a decision that never needed to be made.

Finally, again, on behalf of all parents, let’s talk about the overwhelming parental anxiety. Every single year, there are a host of world issues that seem poised over our heads like the sword of Damocles. Take some Zoloft 2025, we all need a break.

Sincerely,

All Parents.