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Mother’s Day is a popular day to treat mom to a nice brunch or dinner out. But let’s face it, sometimes we’re looking for something a little more meaningful than another overpriced meal while battling the crowds or wrangling your children around a table.
You may be reading this to get ideas on something special to do with your mom, or maybe you are a mom yourself looking for things you want to do so you can start dropping the hints to your family now. No matter what you or your mom enjoy, Toledo has something for everyone.
Celebrate the incredible mother’s in your life with Believe Center Inc. and Believe Center: Rana Sana.
Believe Center, 1 Aurora L Gonzalez Dr., Toledo.
Clara J’s Tea Room Mother’s Day Teas
Enjoy tea at Clara J’s with mom on either May 10 or May 11 at 11am-1:30pm.
Clara J’s. 219 W. Wayne St., Maumee.
Mother Daughter Brunch at Vision Church
Enjoy brunch, a raffle and fellowship at this fundraiser.
Vision Church South Toledo Campus, 1630 Broadway St., Toledo.
Enjoy a delicious brunch with mom. Ticketed.
5242 Angola Rd, Toledo.
Make reservations at Black Rock for the all-you-can-eat buffet.
Black Rock at Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe St., Toledo.
They are open on Mother’s Day from 11am-4pm. Mom’s get in free and a free gift for the first 100 moms. Mimosas are also available for purchase.
19255 W. Portage River S. Rd., Elmore.
Enjoy a memorable Mother’s Day dinner at Assembly. Make reservations online.
Assembly American Brasserie, 101 N. Summit St., Toledo.
Bring the whole family together for a special celebration of mom. Purchase tickets online.
Maumee Bay Brewing Co., 27 Broadway St., Toledo.
Heather Downs Country Club will be open to the public for a Mother’s Day Brunch. Paid reservations are required.
Heather Downs Country Club, 3910 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo.
Treat Mom to a morning she’ll cherish. Reservations are taken online.
Brim House, 444 N Summit St., Toledo.
Mother’s Day at Schedel Gardens
Free admission for moms on Mother’s Day and a gift for the first 100 moms who enter.
Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, 19255 W Portage River S Rd., Elmore.
Mother’s Day: Mud Hens vs. Saints
Come early for a pregame Moms & Mimosas brunch on Mother’s Day. There will also be a women’s hat giveaway. Ticketed.
Fleetwood’s Tap Room, 28 N St Clair St., Toledo.
City View Events Center will host a Mother’s Day Brunch with painting, bouquet making and more. Ticketed.
City View Events Center, 26 Main St., Toledo.
The Sylvania Community Orchestra presents a free community concert.
Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Blvd, Sylvania.
All aboard the Glass City Pearl!. Mother’s Day river cruise—BOGO for moms with the purchase of a ticket. 11am and 2pm.
Copper Moon Studio Gallery and Gifts
Create a glass project with mom! Ages 4-Adult. They are open Mother’s Day 12-5pm.
8007 Airport Hwy., Holland.
Peace, Love, and Pottery Studio
Choose a piece of pre-fired bisqueware to paint; walk-ins welcome. Open on Sundays 12-5pm. Arrive by 3:30pm to create until 5pm.
6750 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania.
Pack a picnic and enjoy the beautiful grounds and amazing butterfly house. Open on Saturday: 10am-4pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.
11455 Obee Rd., Whitehouse.
Get out and enjoy one of the many beautiful parks in the area. There is now a metropark within 5 miles of every Lucas County resident.
Open dawn to dusk
Manis and Pedis
Make an appointment at your favorite nail salon to have a mani and/or pedi with mom.
Many locations throughout the area.
Enjoy a stroll through the beautiful museum and maybe have lunch in the café. Open 11am-5pm on Sunday.
2445 Monroe St., Toledo.
Stress much? If it’s the end of the school year, the answer is probably yes. For teens, it can become hard to juggle school obligations with social commitments. Even fun events like prom, sports, banquets and band and choir concerts can become overwhelming when combined with final exams, class projects and standardized tests.
“The end of the year means different things to different ages. High school can be stressful as is, let alone when the finish line comes into sight!” said Justin Fults, director of Student Services and Well-Being for Perrysburg Schools.
“The end of the year brings with it a variety of events that can also generate additional stress,” he said.
Parents may need to keep an eye on the calendar and find ways to help their teens manage the daily routine in a healthy way. Exercise, sleep and nutritious meals can be extra important at this time.
“Observe your child’s behavior and look for changes in their mood, physical health, eating habits, engagement in various activities. These might provide the right sort of clue that they need to decompress,” Fults said.
Fults noted that the end of the year is also a time when students may have increased fears of missing out (FOMO). Decisions are made regarding admission into clubs and organizations like the National Honor Society. Social events, such as prom, provide a plethora of choices, from dates to dresses.
“There is always the question of ‘the dress’ that is sure to create some anxiety,” Fults said. “Prom can carry with it a fear of missing out, even if deciding to go with a date or group of friends.”
“For seniors, there is monumental pressure that can be self-imposed in making choices about their ‘next step’,” Fults said. “No one wants to make the ‘wrong choice’, even though the adults know that there really is not a ‘right choice’, only ‘right choosing’. No senior in high school is deciding their life’s work at 18. They need to keep their choices in proper perspective and maximize whatever opportunity they have in front of them.”
“Students are often stressed at the end of the year about grades,” said Stacie Wachowiak, counselor at Sylvania Schools. “State testing is stressful and occurs at the end of the year, about a month before semester exams. So trying to juggle everything, in addition to having a social life and maintaining friendships can be overwhelming and stressful.”
While teens may be tempted to put off their obligations and assignments until the last minute, Wachowiak said that this only compounds the problem.
“Avoidance and procrastination are some of the worst things teens can do. Although it provides temporary relief in the present moment, it makes any anxiety or stress worse in the long run and leads to a cycle of avoidance until students reach a breaking point,” she said.
“Time management is extremely important, and that includes scheduling down time and time off their devices. There is a significant amount of research to support this.”
Self care needs to be a priority to help alleviate the tension.
“Two of the biggest factors students have control over to help set them up to be at their best is sleep and what they eat. Without these two needs being met, students can’t problem solve and tackle daily things effectively,” she said.
“Very few teens get the appropriate amount of sleep. It is recommended that students get somewhere between eight and ten hours of sleep. This is often unrealistic due to their number of commitments, but trying to prioritize a consistent bedtime and wake up time is very helpful.”
Positive stress relievers can include: keeping a journal, exercising, spending time outdoors, meditating, limiting excess caffeine, limiting screen time and spending time with family and friends
Wachowiak encourages parents to be understanding of their teen’s feelings as the school year winds down to a close.
“Be open to talking about what they are going through and listening to them. Often parents, without knowing it, are dismissive of what teens are experiencing. They may be quick to say ‘everything is going to be fine’ or ‘there is nothing to worry about’,” she said.“Most often, our kids are simply looking for validation and a listening ear.”
The weather is finally warm and the sun is in the sky. On these beautiful days in Northwest Ohio it’s inevitable that we all want to be outside, and one fun way to spend time outdoors with friends and family is having a picnic.
You’re not sure what to pack for a picnic? Don’t worry! We’ve picked out some of the best places in the Toledo area to fill your picnic basket.
The first part of making a perfect picnic is finding the perfect bread for the sandwiches. Look no further than Country Grains Bread Company. Country Grains Bread Company makes all natural breads from scratch. They offer some vegan bread types as well, so there are options for everyone at Country Grains Bread Company. Check out their Facebook page for more info.
What better way to pair off homemade bread than with delicious fresh deli meat from Zavotski Custom Meats & Deli. Zavotski’s carries a wide variety of deli meats and also makes their own deli salads. If you aren’t in the mood to make your own sandwich, you can pick up one of their made-to-order deli sandwiches or ready-to-eat meals. Be sure to grab some fresh cut meats to throw on the grill while you’re there!
Another great local butcher shop is Kilgus Meats. They specialize in homemade kielbasa, sausage and lunch meats.
The Toledo Farmers’ Market is the perfect spot to stop for produce for your picnic. If you haven’t been to the Toledo Farmers’ Market, it’s a great spot to visit especially during the summer months. The market is open every Saturday at 525 Market St., Toledo. At the Toledo Farmers’ Market you will find a wide variety of area vendors selling fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, wine, coffee, flowers, and more! You will find your freshest and most local fruits and veggies here.
For a variety of sides stop by Sautter’s Market located in Sylvania and Waterville. Sautter’s has some great homemade sides made fresh in their deli which would be a perfect addition to any picnic. A favorite among many is their potato salad. If you want to add some chips and dip to your picnic, Sautter’s Mexicali dip is a tasty choice.
Walt Churchill’s Market is another great go-to for picnic sides. In their deli, they claim on their website that 90% of their spreads, salads, side dishes and prepared food is made in store.
After you have picked up your sides at Sautter’s Market, be sure and peruse their wine selection and check out their closeout shelf for good deals. Joseph’s Beverage Center is another local spot with a wide wine selection. Find your next favorite wine, sparking wine or champagne at this family and locally owned business.
Maybe wine isn’t your choice of drink. If you’d rather bring a six-pack, shop local and check out Maumee Bay Brewing and their diverse selection of craft beers. For a refreshing summer drink, try their Bayside, Lemon Shandy. In this shandy, they combine their Classic Buckeye Lager with a sweet lemonade.
Wixey Bakery has been around since 1930, and there’s a reason it’s still one of the most popular bakeries in Toledo. Wixey’s uses their original recipes and hand-crafted technique to create amazing desserts including brownies, cupcakes, cookies, and pastries. Stopping by Wixey’s will help you put the perfect finishing touches on your picnic.
It’s never too early to start planning for summer vacation. Sometimes, it’s the easiest way to get through the last few months of the school year. While the first place that comes to your mind is probably not the Midwest, there are some pretty awesome places where you can spend summer break within just a few hours of Toledo!
Hocking Hills State Park is a beautiful gem for those who love the outdoors. Only about 3 hours from Toledo, this park offers beautiful scenic hiking trails, some of which are alongside cliffs. There are many waterfalls and caves to explore as well. The park also does a great job providing fun extracurricular activities like rock climbing, zip-lining, canoeing, camping and train rides.
Looking to add some educational fun to your spring break? Check out some of the fully guided hiking tours where you and your family can learn about the history of land, the trees and plants and geology. Hocking Hills offers a variety of lodging options including cabins and cottages, bed and breakfasts, hotels and inns and even treehouses for rent.
13178 St. Rt. 664 S. Logan. 1-800-462-5464 & 740-385-9706. [email protected].
Ann Arbor is just a quick hour drive north with many great little shops and artistic opportunities to check out. Additionally Ann Arbor offers some great educational outings to various museums. The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History’s Dinosaur Discoveries exhibit is open through the summer. Along with many amazing exhibits, the museum also has a planetarium.
Another museum to visit would be the Kelsey Museum of Archeology which features exhibits sharing artifacts and education on Classical, Egyptian and Near Eastern archeology.
Want a museum with a bit more hands-on opportunities? Check out Ann Arbor’s Hands-On Museum that focuses on inspiring young minds to discover science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).
A stroll around Ann Arbor will take you to a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, dessert spots, bookstores and clothing shops.
Just a couple hours to the east and you’ll find a lot of great ways to spend spring break in the Cleveland area. Downtown Cleveland offers a little bit of everything for everyone. If your family loves sports, why not catch a Cleveland Guardians game? Or if you’d prefer a more educational experience, there are many museums in Cleveland such as Great Lakes Science Center, NASA Glenn Research Center and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Of course, Cleveland is the home of rock and roll, so if you and your family love music then the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a definite must see. For those interested in the arts, Playhouse Square and Cleveland Orchestra are great choices to see a performance. A
While there are definitely some great outdoor options in Cleveland, like the Cleveland Metroparks and Cleveland Cultural Gardens, if you drive just a little further south you’ll find Cuyahoga Valley National Park that offers over 33,000 acres of wildlife with many beautiful hiking trails.
Shipshewana is at the heart of Amish country in Indiana and is about a two hour drive from Toledo. The town offers a little bit of everything for everyone. While many people visit Shipshewana to shop at their large flea markets and auction, there are also lots of fun activities the kids will enjoy like spending time with animals at the Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park and Stutzman Dairy Farm.
Buggy and carriage tours will take you around the town or even the countryside if you’d like. For a little nightlife entertainment, be sure to check out the Blue Gate Theatre, a large venue that brings in world-famous performers and Amish Musicals.
For the outdoor adventurer, be sure to visit T & L Country Canoes, LLC to take a canoe ride down the scenic Fawn River.
Only a couple hours southeast, you can find Mohican State Park. This state park offers thousands of acres to explore. The landscape and waterscape are beautiful and Clear Fork Gorge, Lyon’s Falls and Mohican State Scenic River are all must-sees!
Visitors can enjoy numerous hiking trails, fishing, hunting, mountain biking and even tubing along the river. This would be a great trip for the outdoor fans!
3116 State Route 3, Loudonville.
About an hour away, Sandusky offers a lot of great options for fun spring break activities. Perhaps the most well known spot would be Cedar Point. Your adrenaline seekers will love to spend a day at the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World”.
After spending a day at Cedar Point, check out the Merry-Go-Round Museum which is a really unique chance to learn more about carousels and the work that goes into making them. Another stop for your thrill seeking fans is the Ghostly Manor Thrill Center which has a little bit of everything including a haunted house, roller skating, virtual reality games, an escape room, XD 4D theater, bounce houses and an arcade.
If you are looking for even more fun in Sandusky, a visit to the largest indoor waterpark in the Midwest, is a great time for the whole family. Kalahari has water slides and rides, games, pools, a lazy river and even a spa and swim up bar for the adults in the family.
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