News Briefs Week Of 5/23/2022

Program offers tour of
Walbridge Watershed
Where does the water we use every day come from? Families can learn about the importance of the Walbridge Watershed and tour the Watershed distribution site with the Wood County District Public Library and the Northwestern Water & Sewer District on Wednesday, June 8 at 1 p.m. at the library, 108 N. Main St.
Registration is required. To register, call 419-352-8253, email woodkids@wcdpl.org, or register online at wcdpl.org.

Flag retirement
VFW Post 4906 Greater Birmingham Auxiliary, along with The Exchange Club, Boy Scout Troop 57 and the Toledo Fire Department will hold a U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony Saturday, June 18 from 9-11 a.m. at Veterans’ Memorial Corner, 2161 Consaul St., Toledo.
Community members are invited to bring or drop off old, torn, faded and no longer usable American flags to be properly retired.

Free Legal Clinic
The Ohio Justice Bus will be at the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center, 570 S. McKinley Dr., Port Clinton Monday, May 23 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Justice Bus is a mobile legal aid office and technology hotspot that allows legal aid and pro bono attorneys to travel to and provide legal services to Ohioans at no cost to clients.
The Justice Bus is partnering with Ohio KAN (Kinship & Adoption Navigator) to offer free legal advice to OhioKAN clients and Ottawa County residents.
Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk privately to an attorney about civil legal issues, including family law matters related to adoption and kinship care.
For more information, visit ohiojustiebus.org.

P.E.R.I. meeting
P.E.R.I. Chapter #93, Lucas County District 1 Meeting, May 26, 1-2:15 p.m. at the Hungarian Club of Toledo, 224 Paine Ave., Toledo. Additional parking is available at the farthest parking area at the Birmingham Library, 203 Paine Ave.
The guest speaker will be from Palmer Energy, who will discuss gas and electric utilities with Northwest Ohio Aggregate Coalition. Attendees are invited to bring their gas and electric bills. In addition, there will be information and answers to questions about pensions, HRAs, medical and pharmacy insurance, medical denials and the latest state legislative information.
All chapter and P.E.R.I. members, guests and any new O.P.E.R.S., P.E.R.I. retires are welcome.
Masks are required. Bring COVID vaccine registration cards. Refreshments will be available during the break.

Memorial Day
observance set
A Memorial Day observance will be held Monday, May 30 at 11:30 a.m. at the Allen Township/Williston Cemetery, Martin-Williston Road.
Guest speaker will be State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, who has served the 89th district since 2019. The Genoa Area High School Band will perform, and a flyover will take place during the ceremony, presented by VFW Post 7510.
A tent with chairs will be provided, however, attendees are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs.

Wreaths for Veterans
Car Show May 29
Wreaths Across America will present a “Wreaths for Veterans Car Show Sunday May 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Friendship Park, 27975 Cummings Rd., Millbury (by the township administration building off SR 795).
Registration is $10. All money raised will go toward Wreaths for Veterans.
The event will feature music by Cruisin’ Zeake, who will offer a Memorial Day tribute to all veterans. In addition, there will be raffles, door prizes and food available for purchase.
Wreaths Across America welcomes donations from businesses, individuals and families who want to sponsor wreaths for veterans. Mail donations to Wreaths Across America, 5802 Taylor Ave., Walbridge, OH 43465.
For more information about the show, call Jeff Pettit at 419-838-6855 or visit cruisinzeake.com.

Wreaths Across
America exhibit
Nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) is proud to announce its Mobile Education Exhibit’s national tour will be arriving in Ohio this month, thanks to support from Meijer.
Bowsher High School, 2200 Arlington Ave., Toledo will host the exhibit Monday, May 23 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The WAA exhibit is free and open to the public.
The MEE brings the local community, veterans, active-duty military, and their families together through interactive exhibits, short films, and shared stories. The exhibit serves as a mobile museum, educating visitors about the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes as well as serving as an official “welcome home” station for Vietnam veterans.
Visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/mee for more info.
Sponsoring a wreath
Sponsor a veteran’s wreath any time for $15 at wreathacrossamerica.org. Each sponsorship goes toward a live, balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero in December as part of National Wreaths across America Day.

Memorial Day
Ceremony set
A Memorial Day Observance Ceremony will be held Monday, May 30 at 9 a.m. at the Clay Township Cemetery, 439 S. Opfer-Lentz Rd.
Guest speaker will be Robert E. Stewart, president of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #35.
The event is sponsored by the Genoa American Legion and Auxiliary with Genoa American Legion and the Genoa High School bands. The observance will also include a cannon salute by Taylor’s Battery and a dove release.
Those attending may bring a lawn chair, as seating is limited.
The Legion also reminds area residents that Poppy Day will be held in Genoa Friday, May 27.
Stewart served in the U.S. Army from 1969-72, serving with the 25 Infantry Division, 1/27th Wolfhounds, in Vietnam/Cambodia from 1970-71. He sustained serious wounds in Cambodia in June 1970.
His medals include the Bronze Star with “V” device and oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation with “V” device and oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Unit Citation for Valor and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He is a 100% Disabled Combat Wounded Veteran.
Stewart has served as the president the Lucas County Veterans Service Commission and president of the Ohio State Association of Veterans Service Commission. He was an inductee to the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor, class of 2009.
In addition, he is the author of the poem, “The Silver Rose,” which is to be displayed by the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. Stewart wrote the poem to honor his brothers who were exposed to Agent Orange in “The Nam.”
Stewart, who is retired after working 44 years as an engineer on N&S Railroad, and his wife of 44 years, Rose, have three sons.

Quilters to meet
The Maumee Bay Country Quilters' Guild will meet Tuesday, June 2 at 6:45 p.m. at the Northwood Church of God, 3375 Curtice Rd., Northwood.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Visitors and new members are welcome. The visitors fee is $10; yearly membership is $35.

Humane Society
adoption promotion
The Toledo Humane Society (THS) has reached capacity. With it being “kitten season,” THS is receiving calls daily from good Samaritans who find orphaned kittens and pregnant, and nursing cats in need of immediate help, in addition to the number of pets who come in through owner surrenders and our cruelty department each day.
This has left the shelter with little to no room to accept animals without appointments at this time. Through the immediate future, THS is running a “Doggone it...Get Meowt of Here!” promotion, where all cats 6 months and older will have $20 adoption fees and dogs 6 months and older will have $50 adoption fees.
While kittens are not currently part of the promotion, animal lovers can can still adopt two for the adoption fee of one.
All pets adopted from the Toledo Humane Society are spayed or neutered, have received age-appropriate vaccines, are dewormed, and microchipped.
The shelter’s foster department is in desperate need of more foster families. THS provides the supplies, while fosters supply the time, love and home for their temporary guest(s). For more information on fostering, visit toledoumane.org.

Barber school
bill passes in
Ohio House
House Bill 542, introduced by State Rep. Lisa Sobecki, D-Toledo, passed the Ohio House during session this week by a vote of 82-0.
The bill contains revisions to Ohio’s barbering and cosmetology laws, including reducing the minimum age to start barbering school to 16.
“Currently, young Ohioans can begin cosmetology school at age 16, but have to wait to age 17 to begin barbering school. HB 542 lowers the age for barbering school to 16 to be consistent,” said Rep. Sobecki.
HB 542 was introduced to harmonize Ohio’s barbering and cosmetology laws; in 2013 the two professions were put under the jurisdiction of the newly merged State Cosmetology and Barber Board.

Road project
Ottawa County has contracted with Kokosing for pavement improvements to Nissen Road between State Rt. 579 and the Lucas County corporation limit.
Traffic will be restricted to one lane during construction.
Work is scheduled to start May 23 and continue through June 3. Crews will be on site from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Emergency vehicles, buses, and local traffic will be permitted access.