April 2020 - Toledo Parent by Adams Street Publishing Co.

ID K R ER VE N CO IN R W U T O S T TE EE N M CO

FREE APRIL 2020

guide 11

Find the perfect fit for your kids!

guide

COVID 19

Resources and updates for Toledo families

WHO ARE YOUR FAMILY FAVORITES?

VOTE NOW Through April 30th

• April 2020 • www.toledoparent.com

Toledo’s Award-Winning Parent Newspaper Volume 28 • Issue 4 April 2020

ONLINE

FROM THE PUBLISHERS

Find, like and follow us /toledoparent

Then follow what we like! /toledoparent

We’re celebrating kids and family #toledoparent on Instagram!

For the most up-to-date resources and news concerning COVID-19, visit us online at toledoparent.com/COVID-19.

APRIL giveaway Childcare & Preschool Guide

Don’t know where to send your little one next year? Check out your Toledo area options!

Summer fun giveaway! Protect your little one from harmful UV rays with My First UV Skinz rash guard (size 12/24 months), TrustyTrunks leak proof diaper cover whose patented design keeps accidents in and pool water, dirt and sand out (21-29lbs), and the iconic look of WeeFarers sunglasses, reimagined to protect young eyes (ages 0-2 years), so he can play safely in the sun with his new pail and shovel or flick water balloons with Splish Splash Catapult by HABA! Congratulations to our March Giveaway winner

Our cover kid contest winner

Liam Stasko Solheim, 3, Holland

Lynn Wainscott TOLEDO

PHOTO BY LYDIA SCHAEFER

most read online 1. Family Favorites

DIVE INTO FUN! 19

WHO ARE YOUR FAMILY FAV ING BEGINS ORITES? VOTMAR CH 15th

2. Free Toledo Meals and Delivery Options During Coronavirus

Still Learning after 28 years! To all loyal fans of Toledo Parent, We are all painfully aware of the dilemma across our country and our planet. The uncertainty of the situation, regarding both the effects on all of us and the duration, is stressful. At the same time, this downtime provides an opportunity to self-reflect and assess where we are in our lives and our relationships. We are poised to run a marathon, but we don’t know what the topography of the racecourse will be AND we also don’t know the distance of the race. Despite these challenges, we are confident that we will persevere. We have faced threats and financial crises before, and we’ve always managed to thrive and survive. Adaptation is in our blood (as we have been providing vital information for families for almost 30 years), and it is with that adaptive attitude that Toledo Parent is working through this situation with optimism for the future. We’re betting our future on you, our loyal readers, and we remain upbeat. Content delivery Toledo Parent staffers have been continuously uploading content on our website and social media platforms over the last weeks, reaching a great number of visitors with really unbelievable increases in first-time visitors (almost 10,000 NEW visitors in the last weeks). Our staff has embraced the opportunity to remain helpful, informative and relevant. We have reached out to restaurants and parks and others to update our fans on what is going on in those areas and we have had tremendous feedback from those entities about how we are connecting our community, a demonstration that our mission is working, DESPITE THE VIRUS. Distribution For obvious reasons, we are unable to deliver printed copies of our papers at many locations. We are still dropping printed copies at a limited number of locations and we are receiving assistance from restaurant pickup locations and delivery services to carry more printed copies to you as well. We are delivering our digital edition to our email subscriber list of over 10,000 addresses along with an additional 50,000 targeted email addresses, the online edition can be accessed anytime at toledoparent.com. We are recording podcasts with Toledo Area community members/leaders (including elected officials, restaurateurs, clergy and business owners) soliciting their advice, concerns, lessons learned and ideas on how to move through this. The podcasts are a new online feature, with a good response both from listeners and from interviewees, thankful for the chance to share their thoughts. Reaching Out We will get through this and in the recovery after this unprecedented situation is over, we will be stronger, continuing to work toward enhanced recognition and respect in our communities. We have heard from many readers and advertisers with information and updates about ongoing services. Kudos to everyone for digging in and continuing to stay positive and upbeat. Together we will get through this. Despite being ordered to remain apart, we are all experiencing stories of increased empathy and compassion for others, which, ironically, will actually bring us all closer together. Stay safe and let us hear from you. Keep reading!

Collette and Mark Jacobs, Publishers

3. Top 15 Educational Shows on Netflix For Kids

www.toledoparent.com • April 2020 •

Letter from the EDITOR

Adams Street Publishing Co.

What is your favorite birthday memory? Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@toledoparent.com) THE BIRTHDAYS OF OUR THREE KIDS.

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@toledoparent.com) SEE ABOVE.

Editorial

Assignment Editor Erin Marsh

(toledoparenteditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com) THE BIRTH OF MY SON.

Kids Astrology

Erin & family practicing kids yoga during COVID-19 quarantine. The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Parenting The world has changed drastically over the last few weeks, and along with it, so has parenting. Life is simultaneously busier and slower than ever. We may be limited in what we can do and where we can go, but we are also juggling parenting, teaching, working, cooking and cleaning...all without our normal “me time” outlets. Some parents have gone above and beyond, creating detailed daily schedules to keep their kid(s) busy and prevent them from falling behind. Others have refused to take over the role of educator, insisting it isn’t possible and that mental health is more important. Yet other parents are attempting to juggle working from home with teaching their child(ren) and feeling they’re falling short at every turn. Whatever path you chose, you’re making the best decision for your family’s sanity, and we’re here to support you along the way and provide resources to make life a tad easier. Feeling guilty about plopping the kids in front of the TV? Check out our Top 15 Educational Shows on Netflix for Kids and rest easy knowing the kids are still learning something. Unsure of how to talk to your kids about COVID-19? Michigander Heidi Alene Harris, Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education, shares her advice. Struggling to feed your kids without school meals? Or do you want to support local restaurants but money is a concern? We list free food resources and local restaurants offering free kids meals and/or free delivery. We offer ideas to beat boredom and how you can use this time of forced rest to tackle fun and practical projects, and that’s just the start. For regular updates on COVID-19 and resources to help during this time, follow us on Facebook or Instagram at @toledoareaparent and tag us in your quarantine antics with #toledoparents and #toledokids. Join our Facebook group Toledo Parent Support Group to share your own resources and ideas with other Toledo area parents.

By Kimmie Rose

March 21--April 19 Aries children are strong willed, motivated and full of energy. Your little Aries Ram will be especially antsy this month as the wonders of spring engage his/her adventurous mind. This child is tired of being cooped up inside the house and wants to get outside, find trees to climb and dirt to dig in! This is an ideal time to teach your little Aries about the interconnectedness of nature and human life. To encourage his/her natural curiosity, visit your local library and pick up a book about nature or spring. By reading, you are exercising their energy in a different way and teaching them why everything outside is changing. Bring them outside for yard work so they can burn off energy while enjoying the great outdoors. This is a great month to teach your little Aries patience and discernment for everything in life!

Also publishers of:

(digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MY 18TH - MY FIRST SURPRISE PARTY AND I WAS DEFINITLY SURPRISED! Contributing Writers Erin Marsh, Lindsey Melden, Kimmie Rose, Dina Sobhan

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Sales Coordinator/Classifieds Jenny Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MY GRANDDAUGHTER ZARIA’S BIRTH ON MY MY BIRTHDAY!! Sales Bonnie Hunter (bhunter@adamsstreetpublishing.com) THE NEXT ONE. Suzanne Bell (sbell@adamsstreetpublishing.com) WAKING UP TO ROSES AND A TEDDY BEAR IN BED. Katie Emans (kemans@adamsstreetpublishing.com) GRATZIS AND PINK DIAMOND EARRINGS FOR MY 18TH BIRTHDAY. Shannon Meyer (smeyer@adamsstreetpublishing.com) BECOMING A JEW ON MY 21ST. Darlene Euler (deuler@adamsstreetpublishing.com) 30TH SURPRISE PARTY.

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Advertising/General Info

For advertising and general information, call 419-244-9859 or fax 419-244-9871. E-mail ads to adsin@ adamsstreetpublishing.com. Deadline for advertising copy 2 p.m. Friday before publication. Toledo Area Parent subscriptions are available by mail for $30 per year at Adams Street Publishing, 1120 Adams St., Toledo, Ohio 43604. One copy free per person per week; extra copies $1 each. Persons taking copies for any reason other than personal use are subject to prosecution. Letters to the editor must be limited to 300 words, are subject to editing, and should include the writer’s full name and phone number. Any letter submitted to the editor or publisher may be printed at the publisher’s discretion in issues subsequent to its receipt. Entire contents © 2020 by Adams Street Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

SPEND YOUR BIRTHDAY WITH US!

2 Birthday Packages Available during Open Season: April thru July - End of September thru October

PARTY PACK #1 - $175 Take a Farm Animal Tour (approx. 2 hours)

Includes, holding baby chicks, ducks, and bunnies, feed large animals, a barrel train ride, a straw maze, and a pony ride.

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3525 N. Bolander Rd. Genoa OH • CountryLaneTreeFarm.com • 419.461.1298 4

Web Guru Courtney Probert

Administration

Our community may be virtual during this time, but that does not diminish its strength. Together we can make it through this unprecedented time. Virtual hugs, Erin Schoen Marsh Toledo Parent Editor

Associate Editor Athena Cocoves (athena@adamsstreetpublishing.com) ALICE IN WONDERLAND-THEMED16TH BIRTHDAY.

• April 2020 • www.toledoparent.com

2019

ites r o v Fa mily Fa

Vote for your favorite people and places. You may vote once per day now through April 30th.

Log on to

toledoparent.com

FRESH AIR FUN o Getting outside is good for all of

us and there’s plenty to do in the fresh air. Bonus for incorporating learning opportunities without kids realizing they’re doing school work!

Ideas to Help Beat Boredom

o Make a list of objects to find

(heart-shaped rock, giant leaf, wild flower) and send kids on a scavenger hunt.

We’ve got this, Toledo!

o Go exploring in the woods.

By Kimberly Feldkamp

Life is changing at a rapid pace as we grapple with COVID-19. There are a lot of unknowns as national and state leaders work to combat the spread of this virus. Each day, more things are being cancelled or shut down. Rumors are swirling that students could be out of school longer than three weeks.

o Take a hike. o Grab a magnifying glass and

go exploring at a creek.

o Have kids draw a map of the

BOREDOM BUSTER

As we all adjust to this new normal, there’s a lot to juggle, especially with students home for the foreseeable future. But this isn’t all doom and gloom. Look at this time with family as a chance to connect in a way you may not have had time to do in awhile. On those days when the siblings are bickering, the laundry is piling up and you’re going a bit stir-crazy, take a deep breath and know you’ve got this! Here are a few ideas to help.

o Make some

When we’re used to being able to go-gogo, being told to slow down and stay in isn’t always easy. Do your best to limit screen time and try a few of these to help keep boredom at bay. o Bust out the board games.

homemade playdough. o If you have the supplies,

neighborhood and use a compass to follow directions. o Play hopscotch. o Dig for worms.

make jewelry like friendship bracelets or necklaces. o Paint. o Let kids make their own books.

Try classics like Monopoly, Scrabble or Scattergories. o Put together a puzzle. Set it up in a

spot where you can work on it throughout the day and/or week if needed. Get the whole family to help. o Build a fort out of blankets and pil-

Have them create a cover, title page and fill the blank pages with their own fun stories. o Color, color, color. o Write a card or draw a picture

for a neighbor.

o Draw comic strips.

lows. Bonus: let the kids sleep there!

o Create an obstacle course inside or out! o Play card games: Rummy 500 (or

o Sort blocks or Hot Wheel

cars by color.

o Read books together. This is a great

5000), War or Go Fish.

time to try a chapter book if your kids are old enough.

o Build that complicated LEGO set.

o Go on a bike ride. o Take a walk. Try a route in

the neighborhood you’ve never walked before. Take a dog, offer to walk an elderly neighbor’s dog. o Break out the sidewalk chalk.

ING LIFE SKILLS LEARN

Try writing sight words or math problems in the driveway.

Not all learning has to be about what you learn from a book. Use this time as a chance to teach important life skills to your kids.

o Show your kids how to

o Teach them how to follow a recipe

a Google doc. Then have them write a note to a family member and share it.

from start to finish.

o Teach them how to do laundry.

If they’re old enough, show them how to run the washer and dryer. Younger kids can help fold. Toddlers can help match socks. o Have kids load and unload

the dishwasher.

o Show young kids how to set the table. o Teach your tweens and teens how to

balance a checkbook.

o Play hide-and-seek.

set up a budget.

o Run laps around the house.

o Roll change from a piggy bank. o Teach young students how to set up

o Teach young kids basic (and age ap-

propriate) kitchen skills: how to fry an egg, cook pasta, slice fruits and veggies. o If you have supplies on hand, work

on a project together: paint a room, show them how to fix the leaky faucet or how to check fluid levels in the car.

o Do some jumping jacks. o Splash in puddles

on a rainy day. o Jump rope.

o Shoot hoops. o Play soccer. o Toss the baseball.

o Have them help organize a space:

their closet, the playroom or basement, the pantry or the garage. (Or maybe all of the above!)

www.toledoparent.com • April 2020 •

Forté Music School Has Gone Online

Over 500 students are taking online music lessons so they never have to miss a “beat.” Have you always wanted your child to learn how to play an instrument but could never find the time? Well, we now have nothing but time, and Forté Music School is offering music lessons online to make learning safe and convenient. Students can still have hands-on, one-on-one instruction from an experienced Forté instructor while maintaining social distancing guidelines. Music lessons help sharpen the mind, incorporate new learning experiences, and--perhaps most importantly during this uncertain time--provide an emotional outlet. To help families retain a sense of normalcy, they can now log on and enjoy regular music lessons. New students are also welcome to begin lessons and instruments can be purchased online. The transition to the online format has been of little “treble” to the superb instructors at Forté. Using familiar, reliable platforms like Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime, teachers can guide students with ease. Some teachers even offer online lessons year-round, so students can stay connected from anywhere in the world. Parents and students alike are enjoying the transition. One parent exclaims, “[My son] enjoys the online lessons! He was so excited to see his teacher and to get involved again with his instrument after two weeks locked at home. He enjoyed having a change of pace with an activity he loves.”

Luna on Drums, student of Scott Hafferkampon

Director Virgil Lupu has been working around the clock alongside Heather Williams (office manager) and Bogdan Berindean (Assistant Director) to make sure all faculty and students have everything they need to make the transition to online smooth and enjoyable. “Music has such a healing power, one that is vital in uncertain times. I believe that our instructors provide such experiences, experiences that are especially beneficial at this time,” confesses Lupu. In initiating this transition, Lupu had to close the school for an early spring break. During this time, he and his staff created video tutorials for 3 different platforms, conducted phone and video call training sessions with all 35 teachers, and distributed iPads, keyboards, and method books to ensure every teacher had everything they needed.

Dealing with COVID-19 and housebound children By Phoebe Samuel Rapp

We live in a culture that values business, we wear our exhaustion like a badge of courage. In fact, if you have managed any level of balance, you might be regarded by others with an undercurrent of skepticism, if not outright suspicion. Perhaps COVID-19 can be seen as a way to force us to slow down...to enjoy the present moment. We as a species were running ourselves and our planet ragged, showing no signs of slowing down. The consequences on a microcosm of individual lives were not enough to force any significant change, and so we find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic. We are now trapped in our houses, with our families, our stockpile of toilet paper, a lot of time on our hands. Panic! Resignation. Repeat as needed. The panic that crept through the population is understandable. “How are we to go on as we had been?!” people keep asking, but that is the type of thinking that got us here to begin with. We were “functioning” at an unsustainable rate. Now forced to a screeching halt, we are left with nothing but lots of space (physical, emotional, intellectual). That is literally what is required to resolve the pandemic of COVID-19, but also the global pandemic of wearing our “busy-ness” like a badge. Once the panic wears itself out, we may find ourselves in a place of healing. With nothing but time, we can look to find what is truly of value, that which has been there all along but utterly drowned in our striving to keep up with contemporary expectations.

Piano Lesson with Melanie Zientek and her student Adam Elfadl

“I really couldn’t have done it alone. I am so grateful to have such reliable and hardworking staff,” Lupu credits. Forté Music School ONLINE MUSIC LESSONS. Available 7 days a week; $22.50 per 30-minute lesson. info@ForteMusic419.com. 419-471-2100. .ForteMusic419.com Rebecca McLean, a Mandolin Student of Ron Lawson 6

Coronavirus: Forced Rest

• April 2020 • www.toledoparent.com

The creativity required to adapt to our current circumstances is the hallmark of humanity. New ways to work, new ways to share community, new ways to spend time with loved ones...without strangling them. We have it within us; our species is resilient and brilliant when we tap into the space we normally don’t have time for. A few “old-timey” things to help stave off cabin ”The COVID-19 crisis is fever with kids: impacting us all. Our elderly n Go on a walk. Go further than you in nursing homes are unable normally would...why not? to receive visitors. Please join n Write a letter, perhaps to someone Leila as she writes letters to who might be alone right now.* seniors so they know they are n Read a big chapter book together. being thought of. Please scan n Have a family dance party. and email letters and pictures n Spring clean. to leilaspromise@gmail.com. n Bake something new. We will compile and send next n Cook a new meal using only the Friday, March 27th. Letters ingredients at hand. from all ages are appreciated! n Play “the exquisite corpse” game. #weareinthistogether” n Tell tall tales around the hearth. n Go to your room and journal, draw, or play alone to reset.

Check out some of our favorite moments from social media . Send your most loved photos to production@adamsstreetpublishing.com

Last month’s Cover Kid Contest was a huge success with tons of entries and lots of votes. The little cutie on the cover, Liam, was the winner of the FREE photo session with Lydia Schaefer of Dark Wing Photography!

3rd place

2nd place

Miles Gardner, 1, Toledo

Averie, 3, Maumee

4th place Torrance, 1, Temperance

6th place

Emerie, 2, Maumee

Want to be featured on our IG? Use the hashtag #toledokids and your pictures could end up on our page.

We’re celebrating kids and family

7th place

#toledokids

Quinn Harper, 2, Toledo

5th place

Skylar Adams, 4, Sylvania

on Instagram!

Willow, 5, Sylvania

Cole, 5, Kendyll, 5 Look at all of the flowers coming up!!

mo., Oregon

www.toledoparent.com • April 2020 •

Compiled by Erin Schoen Marsh

Bittersweet Farms Participants Win at Special Olympics Ohio Indoor Winter Games

Bittersweet Farms made a splash at the Special Olympics Ohio Indoor Winter Games, which took place February 21-23 at BGSU. Two Bittersweet participants, Beth Meyer and Matt Pierson, competed and brought home medals in swimming and basketball. Beth, a state-level Special Olympian in both swimming and skiing, won gold and bronze. A Special Olympian on the Lucas County D4 basketball team, Matt competed in the state basketball tournament at the Indoor Winter Games, and his team brought home the bronze. Bittersweetfarms.org

SIP Coffee Celebrates Three Years

SIP Coffee, located in the Cricket West Plaza, celebrated three years of serving the Toledo area. The locally-owned coffee shop is kid-friendly and one of the few places to offer local goodies, such as fresh bread from All Crumbs, bagels from Barry Bagels, and sweets from 2 Sharp Cookies, Cakes by Stephanie, Deb’s House, and more. They are currently open for curbside delivery! Siptoledo.com

Montessori School of Bowling Green Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Washington Local Students Learn Life Skills through Golf

Montessori School of Bowling Green, founded in 1980, celebrates 40 years of educating children 18 months through middle school. With 14 acres of land, Montessori School of BG offers art, music, physical education, world language, cultural sciences and a tailored math and language curriculum where each child’s ability is met and challenged. Montessorischoolbg.org

Starting in the 2021 school year, WLS elementary school students will learn about core values through the game of golf as part of the First Tee National School Program. The curriculum will be incorporated into the school’s physical education classes, using safe, fun lesson plans provided by the First Tee National School Program curriculum. Funding for the implementation of the program was provided by The Andersons Foundation. For more information, visit. firstteelakeerie.org.

S.T.E.A.M. activities naturally a part of our day! It’s who we are! 1st Tooth, 1st Visit

26+ Years of Excellence in Early Childhood Education & Care

Dr. Erin Knierim

VOTE 2019 orites FOR US! Fa mily Fav 8

3036 W. Sylvania Ave. Toledo, Ohio 43613 419-474-0733

• April 2020 • www.toledoparent.com

STATE-APPROVED PANDEMIC CENTER! FIND US!

Early dental care can promote a lifetime of healthy smiles for your child.

We make dentistry fun!

In an effort to show our appreciation & support for our essential workers, SCC has been designated as a

- 1 to 6 ratio - Detailed disinfecting procedures/processes - Degreed teachers - Extensive outdoor exploration

3421 TALMADGE RD. • TOLEDO, OHIO (419) 537-1122 • sylvania-children.com inspire@sylvania-children.com

ProMedica Urgent Care for Kids

Toledo now has an urgent care facility dedicated solely to kids: ProMedica Urgent Care for Kids where pediatric-trained providers are available to see your child for common conditions such as cold and flu, sprains and ear infections, with lab and X-ray results typically reported in 30 minutes. 25950 Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg. yourhealth.promedica.org

Bombay Kitchen Indian Street Food Opens on Monroe “Behind every success there is a hand of a woman,” quips Bombay Kitchen’s website touting the restaurant that opened in the midst of COVID-19 quarantine in the building that previously housed the Vietnamese restaurant, Amango. Bombay Kitchen is the first Indian street food restaurant in the West Toledo/Sylvania area. Offering carryout. 5228 Monroe St, Toledo. bombaykitchen419.com

ORTHODONTICS HAERIAN LUDWIG HANSEN SI MON

Georgio’s Grill Takes Over 5th Street Pub on Monroe

VOTE FOR US!

Georgio’s Grill, a new venture from the owners of the downtown Georgio’s Cafe, featuring lighter fare, recently opened in the former 5th Street Pub location on Monroe St, west of Whiteford Rd. The menu includes classic sandwiches, pasta, pizza (with from-scratch dough) and a short list of shareable desserts. Georgio’s Cafe is offering carryout and catering during COVID-19. 5577 Monroe St Suite D, Sylvania. georgiosgrill.com

Reopening of Briarfield Café in Maumee

Briarfield Café reopened last month after a fire in September of 2019 closed the business for five months. The restaurant has served the Maumee area for 15 years, and all of the customer favorites are back, including a variety of made-in-house soups, homemade chips, and fries, and the famous Briarfield Salad. Friday night fish dinners and family-style dinners are available for pickup during COVID-19. 3220 Briarfield Boulevard, Maumee. 419-865-7260. Briarfieldcafe.com.

2019 rites Fa mily Favo

sand, Sand, sun and

. Smiles -

MAUMEE 4413 Keystone Maumee, OH 43537 419.887.1247

LAMBERTVILLE 7928 Secor Rd. • P.O. Box 860 Lambertville, MI 48144 734.854.6221

S Y LVA N I A 6407 Monroe St. Sylvania, OH 43560 419.882.1017

www.perfectbraces.com

www.toledoparent.com • April 2020 •

tween the lines

EXCEPTIONAL FAMILIES

advice for parents with children 10-16

for parents of children with special needs

The Avalon Foundation

Tips on keeping your tweens (and you!) sane By Emily Remaklus

During the three week school closing, it can be tough to try and keep your tweens entertained, but we came up with some tips that will help keep everyone sane: Create a schedule for home. A benefit of homeschooling? Let those tweens sleep in a bit! No more cranky morning kiddos. Your schedule doesn’t necessarily need to follow the school schedule; you just need to get the schoolwork done. Teach some adulting lessons. During a typical school day, tweens are often too busy to learn some of the important lessons necessary for becoming an adult. This could be how to do a load of laundry, how to cook a meal, or even how to save money while shopping. A big bonus to this is that your household chore list might get a little shorter with help from your tween. Volunteer your time. Social distancing minimizes our opportunities for volunteering, but one way that a tween could brighten someone’s day is by sending a letter to a resident of a nursing home. With restrictions on visitors due to COVID-19, many nursing home residents would love to receive a letter. Bonus: this would be a great chance to teach your tween how to properly write a letter and address an envelope. Get creative! Use this time to allow your tweens to discover new interests. Break out that old guitar hiding away in the attic. Have your tween show off their art skills with a watercolor paint set. Let your tween play around with ingredients and create their own recipe. Or even let them use their phones to make their own movie! Creativity is not only fun but also a skill future employers will one day be looking for. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @toledoareaparent for more tips and updated information. Tag us in your best social distancing antics! Use the hashtag #toledoparents.

Kids Caring For Kids with rare diseases By Joy Hajjar

When Avalon Budd was 10 years old, she began a treatment for an extremely rare metabolic disease called Hypophosphatasia (HPP), commonly known as “soft bones.” Avalon had been living with HPP without any hope of treatment, but the FDA finally approved an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) that consists of several injections per week, dramatically improving the quality of life for children living with HPP.

support program was created by the Kids Caring for Kids (kc4k) Advisory Board with the guidance and expertise of a group of licensed professionals to address the needs of the entire family during this time of critical transition. After patients and families learn about The Avalon Foundation through various advocacy groups, they fill out a patient profile created by kc4k that details the patient’s challenges, likes, and dislikes so that the team can tailor the #PainBox specifically to the patient and his/her family.

The effects of treatment Those first three months of treatment The team of kids then plans, budgets, were excruciatingly painful, filled with shops, wraps and organizes the incenside effects and adverse reactions. Avative schedule in a personalized way lon insisted on giving for the patient and the up...until her family patient’s family. Parents put together an incenand patients extol the “If it’s hard for me tive plan they called a powerful success of the as a 10 year old, “PainBox,” reminding program because it is imagine how hard her that the payoff executed by kids — peerit is for kids even would be worth it. The to-peer caring is the key. younger than me!” PainBox encouraged – Avalon Budd “Kids this age have her to continue the such great ideas and treatment, a protocol passion; they just need which she follows to the outlet to give to the world,” explains this day, for the rest of her life. Jennifer Gruber, founding board mem“I remember the day when she got a ber and current Program Director. And ¼ inch off the ground...she could never from this, grew the kc4k Leadership jump or run before,” said Avalon’s Program. mother, Deborah Ayres, President of the foundation. “She went from a wheelKc4k Leadership Program chair part-time to the volleyball court in While under the guidance of the adult just six months! It was amazing, but it Board of Directors, the kc4k Leadership was also a heart-wrenching journey, not Program offers a formal way for young unique to us.” people to learn and grow while helping Avalon immediately felt the desire to share her incentive with other kids going through the same thing. Avalon, her family, and a group of friends joined together, and The Avalon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was born. #PainBox The goal of the #PainBox is to provide psycho-emotional help to patients and families beginning ERT. This

• April 2020 • www.toledoparent.com

other kids.

The Avalon Foundation relies heavily on volunteers of all ages--the board currently has approximately 10 members ages 10 to 16--and is a great opportunity for children and teens to give back and support struggling families in the Toledo area. The kids are currently planning an upcoming recruiting event this summer. Visit KidsCaringForKids.org to learn more.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

guide UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY

Summer Camps allow children to have educational experiences outside of the classroom, to practice social skills, and — perhaps most importantly — to get them away from technology and out of the house (and your hair!). Plus, summer camps are a blast! Whether you send your children to two, or more, camps each summer, the options below will offer something for every child you know.

COLLEGE OF PHARMACY 1000 N Main St, Findlay OH 45840 419-434-6610 findlay.edu/pharmacy/ pharmacy-summer-camp

CHILDREN’S THEATRE WORKSHOP COLLINGWOOD ARTS CENTER 2417 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo 419-244-5061 ctwtoledo.org/summer-2020

There’s something for everyone at The Children’s Theatre Workshop, offering creative and theatrical summer camps! Theatre day camps for ages 4-11 combine theatre fun with the typical wacky summer camp hijinks, while students ages 11-17 produce a short play in a week. Add improvisation camps, choreography workshops, costuming workshops and two summer musical productions, “Into the Woods” and “Dear Edwina, Jr.,” and you’ve got a summer PACKED with drama--the good kind!

CAMP DATES: Starting June 1 and ending Aug. 8. CAMP TIMES: 9:00AM-5:00PM, 1:00-5:00M and

University of Findlay Pharmacy Summer Camp is a five day long event where incoming high school juniors and seniors will learn about career opportunities in pharmacy, receive first-hand experience in Findlay’s state-of-the-art laboratories, meet other students who share your interest in pharmacy, meet College of Pharmacy faculty and staff, get to know the University of Findlay and the city of Findlay, and learn about pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and therapeutics.

evening options as well.

AGES: 4-18 years. CAMP COST: $80-$180; $10 off if you register by April 3.

REGISTRATION: Go to www.ctwtoledo.org/

guide

CAMP DATES: June 21 - 25. CAMP TIMES: Sunday 2:00PM – Thursday 3:00PM. AGES: High school juniors and seniors. CAMP COST: $395. REGISTRATION: Register on findlay.edu/pharmacy/pharmacy-summer-camp

summer-2020 for detailed information on the camps, payment plans, sibling discounts, FAQs, and the registration link. Need more information? Email office@ctwtoledo.org. Continued on P. 12 2020 Summer Camp Dates

2020 CAMP DATES Camp 1

Come THRIVE with us.... SUMMER CAMP ENROLLMENT

NOW OPEN! • • • • • • •

3530 Seaman Road OREGON OH 43616

419-691-6313

June 15-18

Camp 4

June 29 - July 2

Camp 3 Camp 5 Camp 6 Camp 7

Christian environment Nationally accredited through ACSI Step Up To Quality rated Ohio Healthy Program approved Weekly field trips Special guests and onsite activities Awesome teachers!! 1134 Professional Drive PERRYSBURG OH 43551

419-873-0870

www.thrivechildcare.org

June 9-11

Camp 2

Camp 8 Camp 9

June 22-24 July 14-17 July 20-23

Discounts for returning participants & multiple family members.

August 4-6

August 10-13 August 17-19

3 DAY CAMPS INCLUDE: Daily riding lesson, crafts, games, horse care, mock horse show, snacks, drinks, bring packed lunch $160 PER PARTICIPANT $5 Discount for returning campers & multiple family members 4 DAY CAMPS INCLUDE: Daily riding lesson, crafts, games, horse care, mock horse show, pizza party, t-shirt, snacks, drinks, bring packed lunch $225 PER PARTICIPANT $10 Discount for returning campers & multiple family members Camp is from 9:30-2 with check-in beginning at 9. Extended care is available

For more information call Hunters Run at 734-856-2404 9241 Secor Rd, Temperance, Michigan REGISTRATION FORM AVAILABLE ONLINE

HUNTERSRUNMHJA.COM

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COUNTRY LANE TREE FARM

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3525 N. Bolander Rd., Genoa (419)461-1298

THRIVE CHILDCARE

countrylanetreefarm.com In the Pony/Horse Camp, campers learn how to groom their pony/ horse and saddle up and ride for 30-45 minutes each day. The Farmer Day Camp allows campers to go “behind the scenes” to help with animal care and chores, including how to milk a real cow! Both sets of campers will enjoy daily barrel train rides, a straw maze, crafts, nature walks and more. As these are very personalized camps, the number of participants is limited. Each camp includes a t-shirt, pizza party and free admission to a Fall Festival Day!

3530 Seaman Road Oregon, OH 419-691-6316 1134 Professional Drive Perrysburg 419-873-0870 thrivechildcare.org

Camp Thrive is an action-packed environment for school-age children in a safe, loving, Christ-centered environment. The core of our camp is our camp counselors, who create an environment where relationships with Jesus and others are developed and valued. Children in Camp Thrive experience new things each day; they go on field trips each week, have onsite visitors, and engage in hands-on and group activities designed to encourage and inspire them.

CAMP DATES: June & July; 2, 3 and 5 day camps available (check website for details).

CAMP TIMES: 9:30AM - 1PM AGES: 5-12 yrs COST: $70-$250

CAMP DATES: June 1 to Aug. 14 CAMP TIMES: Centers are open 6AM-6PM; activities/field

REGISTRATION: Call 419-461-1298 to reserve a spot

($50 non-refundable deposit required that is then applied to camp cost).

trips start as early as 8:00AM.

AGES: entering 1st grade through 12 years old. CAMP COST: Varies; call for details. REGISTRATION: Call one of our locations to schedule a tour.

ST. URSULA ACADEMY 4025 Indian Rd., Toledo 419-531-1693 toledosua.org

SUA looks forward to seeing Happy Campers in grades preschool through 8th grade this summer! SUA enrichment camps include a variety of fun and educational topics—in several different sessions--that will run throughout June and July. Favorite camps, such as American Girl, will be offered once again, in addition to new camps! SUA’s athletic camps will also be offered and run by SUA’s very own coaches. Spend your summer with the Arrows at St. Ursula Academy!

CAMP DATES: Camps run throughout June and July.

CAMP TIMES: Times vary; see website. AGES: Pre-K through 8th grade CAMP COST: $35-$100 REGISTRATION: register online at toledosua.org

MAUMEE VALLEY COUNTRY DAYSCHOOL 1715 S. Reynolds Rd Toledo, Ohio 43614 419-381-1313 www.mvcds.org/summertime

Experience a one-of-a-kind, incredibly adventurous summer on the over 75+ acre campus of Maumee Valley! With over 30 class offerings to choose from, including Hobbit Camp, Ready Set First Grade, LEGO Masters Jr, Forest School Camp, Photography, Sculpture, Kids Yoga, Soup-A-Stars in the Kitchen, Harry Potter, Junior Chef, Shakespeare, Squishy Circuits, Tennis, Soccer, Basketball, and so much more, there’s sure to be a class your child loves. Class sizes are limited, so register today!

CAMP DATES: June and July (see website for dates). Camp times: 9:00AM - 12:00PM; 12:30PM to 3:30PM. Morning care 7:30AM - 9:00AM.

AGES: 2.5 - 16 years old. COST $139 - $299. REGISTRATION: Register online at www.mvcds.org/SummerTime

SYLVANIA RECREATION 7060 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania 419-882-1500 playsylvania.com

Sylvania Recreation offers a daily Summer Day Camp at Tam-O-Shanter during summer break, Monday – Friday. Various sport-specific camps are also offered for children of all skill levels. For additional details, go to playsylvania.com

CAMP DATE/TIME:

Dates and times vary; see our website. Ages: K-8 (some restrictions apply).

CAMP COST: $30 - $65. REGISTRATION: For detailed information OR to register visit: www.playsylvania.com.

2020 CAMP INVENTION JUNE 1 - AUGUST 16 K-6TH GRADE

All Activities are Inspired by our National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees Including: The Innovation Force • Deep Sea Mystery Farm Tech • DIY ORbit Registration: Email Erica at info@sleekacademy.us

519 Ordway Ave. • Bowling Green, OH sleekacademy.us • 419.378.3044 12

• April 2020 • www.toledoparent.com

Little Yogi Summer Camp PEARSON METROPARK & OPEN ARMS WELLNESS CENTER 3 DAY CAMP JUNE 24TH-26TH • $90 4 DAY CAMP JULY 6TH-9TH • $125

419-720-8604

2300 Navarre Ave, Suite 204 | Oregon OPENARMSMASSAGESTUDIO.COM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WEST SIDE MONTESSORI Toledo: 7115 W Bancroft Perrysburg: 13587 Roachton Rd. (419) 866-1931 | (419) 874-9385 montessoritoledo.org

West Side summer camp is filled with exploration of every sort! From gardening and cooking, to sports and games, to academic work in our Montessori classrooms, there is always something fun going on at camp. Campers learn about the world around them and develop their sense of independence and self-confidence through the variety of different and interesting experiences of summer camp within the Montessori environment.

CAMP DATES: June 3 to July 31. CAMP TIMES: 8:30AM -3:30PM. AGES: 13 months - 3rd grade. CAMP COST: $200/week REGISTRATION: montessoritoledo.org

OPEN ARMS WELLNESS CENTER

AT PEARSON METROPARK 761 S Lallendorf Rd., Oregon (419) 720-8604 openarmsmassagestudio.com

Little Yogi Summer Camp is presented by instructor Ashley J Hirzel, LMT, owner of Open Arms Wellness Center. Each camp introduces yoga and meditation to children through song, dance, games and crafts. Each day we do something different: nature hiking, fishing, water sports and playground activities. Immerse your little yogis in one of Open Arms’s 3 or 4 day Summer Camp!

CAMP DATES: June 24 - 26 or July 6 - 9. CAMP TIMES: 9AM - 1PM. AGES: 4-10 years. CAMP COST: $90 or $125. REGISTRATION: Contact Ashley at ashley.hirzel@gmail.com.

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CAMP INVENTION

WOOD COUNTY PARK DISTRICT W.W. KNIGHT NATURE PRESERVE 29530 White Road, Perrysburg

CARTER HISTORIC FARM 18331 Carter Road, Bowling Green 419-353-1897 wcparks.org

Half-day nature and farm camps with the Wood County Park District are for kids to learn, get dirty, and have fun. Nature Camp for ages 5 – 15 teaches nature and adventure skills, while Farm Camp covers farm chores while campers can play in a 1930s living history setting. Make the most out of summer with wcparks.org!

CAMP DATES: June 15-July 31. CAMP TIMES: 9:00AM – 12PM or 1:00PM – 4:00PM. AGES: Ages 5 - 15 years. CAMP COST: $65 per week. Ask about Camp

Toledo Christian School 2303 Brookford Drive, Toledo Grove Patterson Academy 3020 Marvin Avenue, Toledo Waterville Primary School 457 Sycamore Lane, Waterville 800-968-4332 invent.org/camp

The Camp Invention® program is the only nationally recognized, nonprofit summer enrichment program for kindergarteners through 6th graders that is inspired by the brightest thinkers around — the Inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame®. At Camp Invention, children are empowered to have big ideas while they take on STEM-based challenges that inspire them to question, brainstorm, collaborate with teammates and build invention prototypes.

CAMP DATES: June 8-12. CAMP TIMES: 9:00AM – 3:30PM. AGES: Grades K-6. COST: $235. REGISTRATION: Visit www.invent.org/camp or call 800-968-4332 to register. Use promo code LOCAL25 to save $25 (expires 3/31) or LOCAL15 to save $15 (expires 5/12). Continued on P. 17

Scholarships courtesy of the Cody Clayton memorial fund.

REGISTRATION: Register on wcparks.org.

University of Findlay Pharmacy Summer Camp 2020 June 21-25

Space is limited sign up today

This five day long event lets incoming high school juniors and seniors meet current pharmacy students, pharmacy professors and pharmacists. They’ll get a first-hand experience of what it takes to become a successful pharmacist. Must be graduating in the class of 2021 or 2022.

www.findlay.edu/pharmacy 14

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Navigating the Wilderness explores the beautiful nature preserves, streams, caverns and more of Northwest Ohio! Camp Discovery will provide real-life opportunities to work together to create a sustainable shelter, find food and water, identify safe and edible plants and berries, learn basic first aid. navigate and chart, and get creative with nature. The lessons and skills gained this summer will give children the tools they need to be responsible and creative thinkers in our area.

CAMP DATES: June 1 to August 14. CAMP TIMES: 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Extended hours 6:30AM - 6:00PM. AGES: Kindergarten graduates through 4th grade. CAMP COST: $228 per week REGISTRATION: Contact a location near you to request a registration form.

SLEEK ACADEMY 519 Ordway Ave., Bowling Green 419-378-3044 Sleekacademy.us

Sleek Academy will be hosting Camp Inventions from National Hall of Fame of Inventors summer programs the month of June! They include the following: DIY Orbit, Farm Tech, Innovation Force, and Deep Sea Mystery. In July and the first part of August, Sleek Academy summer camp kids will participate in K-6th grade S.T.E.A.M activities in the mornings and swim in our wading pools in the afternoon.

CAMP DATES: June 1 through August 16. CAMP TIMES: Full day 7:30AM-5PM; half day 7:30AM-11AM.

HUNTER’S RUN

AGES: 5 years to 13 years of age (K-6th grade). CAMP COST: Full day $130 per week; half day

9241 Secor Road, Temperance, MI 734-856-2402 huntersrunmhja.com

$70 per week. Daily rates available; email Erica.

Spend time outside enjoying 61 acres at Hunter’s Run Summer Camp. Kids will enjoy the safe, fun environment while receiving top quality equine training. Camp includes a daily riding lesson, as well as horse care, crafts and games. Each session has a show on the last day so campers can show parents and family what they’ve learned.

REGISTRATION: Email Erica at info@sleekacademy.us for enrollment form.

CAMP DATES: June 9 - August 19 (3 and 4 day camps).

CAMP TIMES: 9:30AM- 2PM with extended care available.

AGES: 4 - 12 COST: $160-$225. REGISTER: huntersrunmhja.com OTHER: Discounts offered for returning campers or those with multiple kids enrolled.

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7 Reasons to Send Your Child to Camp Fun for Everyone By Mary Ann Blair

Even though spring begins this month, summer camps are already quickly filled up. If you haven’t yet sent your child(ren) to a summer camp, here are seven reasons why you should consider it! With so many options, it’s easy to find a great fit for your child. From sports camps and art camps to STEM-based camps and more traditional overnight options, camps are designed to serve a variety of ages and interests. The length of camp can range from a few mornings for younger kiddos to weeklong sleep-away camps for older kids. Local churches, schools, and other organizations like SafeSplash, Toledo Zoo, and Imagination Station offer a wide range of camps (see our Summer Camp Guide in this issue, and online, for ideas). With a little bit of reading, you can easily find a camp well-suited for your child.

Camps provide kids with experiences they might not have access to in “everyday” life. Horseback riding. Paddling a canoe across the lake. Wilderness survival. Conquering a ropes course. Sleeping under the stars. Adventures are endless at camp, and your child will have an opportunity to try something brand new. For the youngest campers, trying a new craft activity or learning a new camp song can be so much fun! Camps are a safe place to practice social skills. It might be awkward or uncomfortable for your child during those first few hours of camp when they don’t know a single soul. After all, stepping into a new social environment can be challenging. But the ability to comfortably communicate with new people is a life skill that all kids need, and camp is a great place

to practice. Camps also provide kids with an opportunity to form friendships with a whole new group of peers they might never have met otherwise. Camps give kids a much-needed technology break. No matter how old your child is, they could probably benefit from a screen hiatus, especially during the summer months. Spending time outdoors, learning a new skill, having fun, and forming new friendships is good for the soul.

Sending kids to camp is beneficial for you, too. Driving away from your child(ren) on the first day might be a little gutwrenching, but entrusting your kids to someone else for a while can be truly beneficial. Maybe it will free up time for some overdue self-care or give you and your partner time to reconnect. Maybe it will provide an opportunity to hit the reset button with your tween or teen. After all, absence makes the heart grow fonder! Parenting is tough work, so don’t feel guilty if you enjoy this time to yourself. Chances are your kids are having a blast without you. Your child’s experience as a camper could help land a summer job in the future. Camps are staffed by amazing counselors who provide kids with all kinds of good, clean fun. Most of these counselors were campers once, too. Now they get to help a new set of youngsters make unforgettable summer memories, all while sharpening their own teamwork and leadership skills. Your child might have that same opportunity one day. Camp is just plain fun. So many adults have fond memories from their days spent at camp, and kids who have been to camp often say it’s a favorite part of their summer. Your kids are going to love it, and for that reason alone, it’s worth sending them to camp.

• April 2020 • www.toledoparent.com

digital age

Top

15Educational Shows on Netflix Learn from home during COVID-19 By Erin Schoen Marsh

Reality dictates that we juggle household duties with parenting responsibilities and--for many--working from home on top of that due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of feeling guilty for turning on the TV, put on one of these educational shows for school-aged children so you can get laundry done or respond to emails while knowing your children are still learning something. Bonus: they won’t realize they’re learning because it’s TV! After the kids have learned a little something from one of these Netflix shows (and you’ve regained your sanity), check out this list of everyday learning experiences that can be taught from home and help beat boredom.

one

13.

eleven

Whether you’ve been homeschooling for years or you’re new to the game, let’s be honest: there is no way we can educate our children from 9AM to 3PM straight every day...and nor should you feel you MUST.

Our Planet Breathtakingly beautiful, Our Planet covers climate change, animals, frozen worlds, jungles, coastal seas and more.

Dino Hunt and The Day the Dinosaurs Died Perfect for all the dinosaur fanatics out there! Travel with paleontologists as they search for dinosaur remains and scientists as they work to discover how exactly the dinosaurs became extinct. Brainchild SIX Brainchild covers topics that pertain to

StoryBots Join the StoryBots as they learn how to make music, why people look different, where planets come from and more. Special guest appearances from actors and musicians!

12.

slightly older kids, like social media, the science of selfies, superheroes, germs, dreams and more.

Justin Time and Justin Time Go! Both series follow the protagonist, Justin, who travels through time to witness famous historical events. A fun and imaginative cartoon that is so good that kids won’t realize they’re learning about history!

72 Cutest Animals This series examines the nature of cuteness and how being adorable actually helps animals survive in the wilderness.

Octonauts Decidedly for younger kids, Octonauts is perfect for those who love Paw Patrol and the like. Learn about the animals of the sea while joining the Octonauts on their underwater adventures!

4-teen

The Who Was? Show This live-action sketch-comedy series brings important historical figures, like King Tut, Marie Antoinette, and Pablo Picasso, to life in an entertaining and humorous way. DisneyNature Growing Up Wild Follow five baby animals from around the world as they grow and learn with their families.

#15

The Magic Schoolbus Rides Again This new series takes the beloved classic, The Magic School Bus, and updates it for this generation. Join Mrs. Frizzle as she and the kids learn about science with the help of the magic school bus! DisneyNature Oceans Watch deep-sea creatures in action, from swimming to eating. Hypnotic and beautiful!

8. Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History Kevin Hart, well-known comedian, highlights the fascinating contributions of black history’s unsung heroes using comedy to educate and entertain.

NINE

Night on Earth Using the best night-vision technology, wildlife at night is revealed. Watch the lion hunt and the bat soar as if you were really there!

Beat Bugs Beat Bugs is an adorable cartoon that mixes plot with classics. The perfect way to expose kids to a variety of music forms while learning a bit about science and history.

10.

Dream BIG Narrated by Jeff Bridges, this documentary explores the various giant feats of engineering around the globe.

www.toledoparent.com • April 2020 •

Ahoy Mate!

Show your favorite local businesses how important they are to your family.

2020

ites r o v Fa mily Fa

THEY NEED YOU! VISIT:

ToledoParent.com

TO VOTE UNTIL APRIL 30TH

• April 2020 • www.toledoparent.com

healthy kids How to Approach the Coronavirus Disease With Our Children By Heidi Alene Harris, Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education Children are like sponges and even if we do not realize they are listening, they absorb everything they hear. We know that the focus of every current adult conversation is the COVID-19. You cannot go anywhere without the topic coming up in conversation, hearing it on the news, or seeing it on social media. Children are overhearing bits and pieces about the spread of COVID-19 everywhere. When a public concern of this depth hits it is important that as parents we remember that it is not only impacting us as adults, but our children as well. The news on this virus can be scary, even for us to hear and see as adults, so it is important that we help alleviate potential fears by discussing the virus simply and honestly with children. Children need support from a trusted adult in order to directly communicate and process the information.

A few tips for parents on ways they can support children during this time: n Be

Honest.

n Keep

it Simple.

n Watch

Out for News Overload.

n Adults

Keep Calm, Too.

n Practice

It is important to make time to have conversations and follow child-initiated questions in an effort to help them process the information. Follow the child’s lead and respond to their questions as they come up and watch for behaviors that may display they need help processing what they may have seen or heard. Children may respond with a variety of emotions and it is important that we respond with love and attention.

Healthy Hygiene, such as washing hands. Reading children’s books about germs, such as Germs Are Not for Sharing by Elizabeth Verdick, helps children understand what germs are and practices to prevent spreading of germs. n Try

to keep to a routine or schedule as much as possible. During school closures, communicate daily the plan for how the children will be spending their day.

Mr. Rogers’ mom, Nancy Rogers, said it best when she said we can help our children process scary news by pointing out the people who are helping; the scientists, the doctors, the medical staff, and others. Mr. Rogers said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Our children are watching us and learning how to respond to situations based on how we respond, the best we can do as parents is help our children feel safe during this unsettling time. Refer to this parent resource, Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource, from National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and National Association of School Nurses (NASN) for other guidelines and procedures for supporting children.

www.toledoparent.com • April 2020 •

The Arabic Quilt

Local author tops Amazon’s new book list By Erin Schoen Marsh

Many mothers have dreamt of someday publishing a book; Aya Khalil made that dream a reality with the publication of her first children’s book, The Arabic Quilt. The story of young Kanzi, an Egyptian-Muslim immigrant struggling to find acceptance within her predominately white school, is a page from Khalil’s own history. Molly, the “mean girl” in the story, does not represent a single person from Khalil’s past but rather “all the racist people” she has encountered over her lifetime. Growing up Muslim in America Khalil expounds, “How can I begin to say this? So 20 years ago, when we first moved to Toledo, it was right around 9/11, so there was a surge in discrimination and racism. My parents sent us to an Islamic school...they were worried.” “Fast forward years later, when we had to choose schools for our own kids,” she continues. “We decided on public schools. While we are worried because there is another rise in Islamophobia,

we feel the teachers are more aware of what’s going on and they are trying to take steps to address these issues. We decided on Ottawa Hills — their diversity population has been on the rise in the past couple years — and I feel like they have been making a great effort to [create] a more inclusive environment for Muslims and children of color.” One of Khalil’s elementary school teachers strived to make her feel welcomed and accepted in the classroom with a project that was assigned to Khalil forming the basis of The Arabic Quilt. Khali recalls that before moving to Toledo, she attended public elementary school in another US community, “the teacher asked me to write my classmates’ names in Arabic. I went home and wrote everyone’s name in Arabic, and the kids copied them down and [our teacher] hung them all up.” Khalil recreated this project and received “a lot of positive feedback, and I thought, ‘This would be a cute story!’ So I wrote it down and made it into a book.”

What’s your favorite activity to do with your family? Visit our local Metroparks. What was your favorite book as a kid? Or one you love reading to YOUR kids? The Berenstain Bears...I have fond memories of my mom reading it to me and my brother.

NEW & FUN CANDIES TO DISCOVER! We have been growing our imported candies section & adding more pop culture items.

Mon-Thurs: 11am-7pm | Fri: 11am-8pm Sat: 10am-8pm | Closed Sunday

954 PHILLIPS AVE., TOLEDO OH | 419-720-7387 WWW.BOYDSRETROCANDY.COM 22

Best holiday memory from when you were a kid? My generation tries to make Ramadan more fun for the kids, so having iftar with the family. The Arabic Quilt is born After months of rejection letters and numerous revisions — with a final story that is significantly different than the original version — her book was published. Khalil was able to locate her former teacher via Facebook to share the good news: “I messaged her and she remembers me and the project! She told me, ‘It would be a dream for me to meet you in person now and sign the book!’” “Teachers can make such a difference,” Khalil continues. “I still remember this teacher from elementary school who made me feel SEEN. My brother and I were the only Muslims in the entire elementary school...nowadays it’s so different.” OK to be you “I try to raise my kids in a way that shows them it’s okay to be Muslim, to be different,” confesses Khalil. “It’s okay to be you. I try to teach them to stick up for

• April 2020 • www.toledoparent.com

What’s your go-to activity when you have time to yourself? Brunching with friends. Describe your life in five words or less. Never a dull moment. What is your favorite Toledo place to brunch? Fowl & Fodder Describe Toledo in a sentence? Quirky but lots of fun.

themselves, but also to ask for help when they need it. I was interested in writing a children’s book for that reason. It’s a fun way to address tough topics and facilitate discussion and talk about feelings.” Khalil hopes that with her book, “readers who are Arab or Muslim can see themselves. That’s why we made sure Kanzi has curly hair and a darker skin tone. I want students to have this discussion with their teachers and librarians about accepting one another, while encouraging kids to make friends with people who do not look like them, and yet still find similarity.” When Khalil isn’t writing, she’s raising her three children, Aminah (7), Muhammad (4) and Halimah (9 months), with her husband, Abdalrahman (Abdo) Algendy. They love traveling the world together as a family, and they’ve been to California, Egypt, Turkey, London, Mexico and Canada.

Free Toledo Meal and Delivery Options during Coronavirus The Toledo community bands together to provide food for kids

As Ohio students face three weeks--or more--of no school due to safety precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), feeding kids in need has become a top priority for the Toledo area community, and the city has banded together. Private businesses have graciously offered to provide free meals, and school districts are offering grab-and-go meal options for students.

By Erin Schoen Marsh

FREE DELIVERY/PICKUP

FREE MEALS FOR KIDS

Barry Bagels

3301 West Central Ave., Toledo 419-537-9377. 4024 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd., Sylvania 419-885-1900 barrybagels.com/Free delivery. Up to two kids meals FREE when a parent purchases any regular sandwich and drink.

Connecting Kids To Meal (Cktm)

15 meal sites across Lucas County 419-720-1106 connectingkidstomeals.org Check the website for meal sites. CKTM will also be distributing 12,000-weekend snack bags.

Deliver to neighborhood surrounding the Wayman Palmer YMCA, 2053 N 14th St, Toledo 419-536-7048 | fred@wspd.com toledobuffalosoldiers.org For as long as funding is available, the TBS and Chef Rhegness of Off The Rails will prepare and serve healthy breakfasts each morning thanks to the support of Mathews Ford in Oregon, Earnest Brew Works, ProMedica, and individual contributors.

Pork Belly Bbq

Fire Station Bar & Grill

6040 Knights Inn Pl, Maumee 419-491-9911. 11AM - 3PM firestationbarandgrill.com Offering FREE lunches to students enrolled in the free lunch school program.

Islamic Food Bank Of Toledo Pantry & Perrysburg Heights Community Association 12282 Jefferson St., Perrysburg Mon. - Fri., 10AM-12PM and 4PM - 6PM FREE single serve meals, breakfast items, brown bag items, dinner ingredients and more. No questions asked; available to all. Donations accepted online.

Local Thyme

6719 Providence St., Whitehouse

Off The Rails Food Truck & The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers MC

567-246-5014 localthyme.pub Call to ask for a FREE kids lunch box.

1616 E. Wooster St., Bowling Green 419-819-4465. 11AM - 1PM, Wednesday - Saturday. porkbelly-bbq.com. Offering FREE lunches to students enrolled in the free lunch school program.

Sidelines

Several Locations 2111 Mellwood Ave., Toledo | 419-474-0000 sidelinessportseatery.com 1 FREE kids meal (12 & under) with the purchase of an adult meal.

Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center

1222 Broadway St, Toledo 419-241-1655, 12PM, Tues. and Thurs. sqacc.org 100 free lunches for South Toledo students.

Tea Tree Asian Bistro

4100 Chappel Dr., Perrysburg 419-874-8828 Monday - Friday teatreeasianbistro.com Free children’s meals, no questions asked.

Toledo Hemp Center

4925 Jackman Rd, Toledo 419) 724-9588 Monday-Friday, 11AM-2PM Free grab-and-go lunches for any family who needs it. 50 lunches available/day. No purchase necessary.

Toledo Public Schools (Tps) & United Way

8 School Locations. Call or text United Way at 2-1-1 to reserve a meal. 11AM - 1PM Tps.org & unitedwaytoledo.org Families MUST CALL or TEXT to reserve meals. For all Toledo area students--not just TPS kids. Children will have access to breakfast, lunch, and weekend take-home meals. Register to volunteer to help at FeedToledoKids.org.

Washington Local Schools

All WLS elementary schools and the Preschool/ALC Building. 419-473-8251 Monday - Friday 11AM - 12PM and 5PM-6PM (not ALC) wls4kids.orgOffering FREE “Grab and Go” meals for all Toledo area kids under 18.

Balance Pan Asian Grille

Several Locations balancegrille.com. Order online, through the app, or by phone for free rapid pickup. Curbside pickup.

Firehouse Subs

5208 Monroe St., Toledo | 3248 Navarre Ave., Oregon. 419-704-6857. Order online or through the app for “Rapid Rescue to go.” Curbside pickup; call above number upon arrival.

Sautter’s Market contact@SauttersMarket.com

419-885-3505. Mon. - Fri., 9AM - 12PM Sautter’s Market, in cooperation with McCord Road Christian Church, is offering a FREE grocery delivery service for individuals over 60. Email (preferred) or call Sautter’s and employees will shop for and bag groceries for delivery on Mondays, 1PM-3PM, or Wednesdays, 6:30PM-8:30PM.

If you know of any other food resources, please send an email to our editor, Erin Schoen Marsh, at toledoparenteditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com or comment below!

marketplace

Sylvania Area Family Services

FOR RENT

Beautifully Fully Furnished Apartments. No Lease No Credit Check Required! Pet Friendly w/ FREE utilities & Free cable. Earn FREE rent! Call now! 419-540-9029.

5440 Marshall Rd. Sylvania 419-882-8415. sa-fs.org Will provide meal kits to Sylvania School District students in need with a 5 day supply of breakfast and lunch items per student. Call for pick up dates and times.

Call Today

Children’s Theatre Workshop May 1-2, 2020 at 7:00 pm May 3, 2020 at 2:00 pm 2417 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo 419-244-5061 Ctwtoledo.org

419.244.9859

to sell your stuff

In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Tickets are $8 for seniors and students (preschool - 12th grade) and $10 for adults. Purchase at www.ctwtoledo.booktix.com or at the door. Event subject to change please call ahead

LINE CLASSIFIEDS: Only $20 per month for 20 words or less. Each additional word is 40 cents each and any artwork will be $5 extra. DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS: Display classifieds with a box may be purchased for $25 per column inch. Photos are accepted with ads for an additional $5 per photo. DEADLINES: Ad copy must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. PAYMENT: Payment must be received before an ad can be placed. We accept checks, cash, money orders and credit cards (Visa/Mastercard). PHONE: 419-244-9859 E-MAIL: classifieds@adamsstreetpublishing.com REFUNDS: Sorry, NO REFUNDS given. MISPRINTS: Credit toward future ads.