Our 41st Annual Bowling for Kids Event has a brand-new twist – Glow Bowling! Picture this: lights down low, bowling under black lights, and a whole lot of glow-in-the-dark fun. It’s a glow-up like never before! Join us for this exciting event, register your sponsorship or team, and let’s make a positive impact on young lives together. Let’s Glow Bowling and light up the lives of the youth we serve!
Stacy Shaw with Children’s Mentoring Connection was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks.
Sportsman Lanes in Findlay Saturday, March 23, 2024 – Three Sessions: 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Sunday, March 24, 2024 – Three Sessions: 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM.
One lane has been donated to allow for any mentor/mentee match (past or present) to bowl together. Watch for registration information to come.
You can participate by becoming a sponsor, creating a team, registering as a player, or making a donation. Visit bowlathon.net.
Sunoco Pipeline has informed us that they will need to close Union Township Road 56 between Union Township Road 25 and Hancock County Road 313 beginning Monday, March 11 through Friday, March 15th for pipeline repair work.
This will be a full closure and traffic is advised to find an alternate route.
We’ve received reports that vehicles are failing to slow and yield the right of way to pedestrians at mid-block crossings and intersections. We would like to remind those operating a motor vehicle, as well as pedestrians, to do their part. Here are some tips to keep everyone safe:
– Motorists should check crosswalks before turning at intersections.
– When traffic control signals are not in place, not in operation or are not clearly assigning the right of way, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to yield to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk, when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
– Pedestrians should only be crossing with the white signal on the pedestrian signal at intersections.
– Mid-block crossings and the yellow warning lights are present to alert motorist to pedestrians in these crossings.
– No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle, which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
– Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Please do your part to help keep our downtown area safe.
OASC believes in the power of senior centers to make a difference in the lives of older adults in their communities. To that end, the Senior Center of the Year Award was established to raise awareness about the impact Senior Centers have on their community and recognize best practices.
Executive Director, Carolyn Copus, said the requirement to receive the award was to provide the mission and vision of 50 North and to present an innovative best practice used at 50 North.
According to Copus, 50 North has served Hancock County since 1970, supporting seniors with the resources and opportunities they need to live with health and purpose. The organization has grown and changed so much in the past 54 years. Our mission has stayed the same, enriching lives and supporting independence for older adults in Hancock County.
50 North’s vision is to have highly effective utilization across all services and program spaces, excellent financial strength through future levy renewal, elimination of debt, and a fund for capital expenditures. To be indispensable to the community with expanded public awareness of our services and programs and to be the “go to” place for older adults in Hancock County. Also, to continuously pursue excellence via great staff, board members and stewardship as well as regularly implement solutions for unmet needs in the community.
50 North helps older adults and their families in Hancock County navigate some of life’s biggest transitions: from work to retirement, from good health to chronic conditions, and from full independent living to receiving some support to remain in their homes.
50 North offers solutions to those 50 and older in Hancock County in five key areas: activities, chores, nutrition, outreach, and wellness.
The best practice area 50 North highlighted was the wellness program. 50 North’s wellness programs are designed to encourage well-being and optimal health through movement, strength training and self-awareness. The wellness center provides members with a supportive network of people focused on their health and wellness needs.
Through cardio and strength training equipment, 37 group exercise classes, walking track, WellBeats (a virtual presentation of group exercise classes projected on the wall), VibePlate (improves balance, coordination, posture, and increased bone density), Hydro Massage Bed and Lounger (water and pressurized jets to help massage muscles and soft tissues in the body), personal training, and professional consultation on fitness, nutrition, and disease management, 50 North encourages members to live happier, healthier lives.
Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio provides physical therapy sessions at 50 North two times a week at a cost. Free fall risk screening by licensed physical therapists is offered as well.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, active people generally live longer and are a less risk for serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers.
In 2023, 2,723 members utilized the wellness center 106,929 times throughout the year. Membership grew by 22 % and the utilization of the wellness center increased by 28% from the previous year.
50 North’s wellness programs educate, motivate, and inspire adults 50 and older to remain active. Increased overall well-being, quality of life, and socialization are key benefits to participating in 50 North wellness programs.
According to Copus, “this award gives recognition to 50 North’s board members, staff, volunteers, members, and Hancock County for the great job everyone does for the areas older adults. People are treated like family and all are taken care of.”
Copus said, “It is an honor to receive the award on behalf of the board, staff and volunteers. This recognition is for the phenomenal job they do every day!”
The purpose of the OASC is to support and enhance the ability of Ohio’s senior center network to effectively serve older adults by providing education, mentoring and training to senior center and aging network staff. OASC provides educational programs, workshops and seminars throughout the year, including the annual conference, regional workshops and educational events cosponsored with other organizations. Staff members can be certified on one of three levels based upon experience and educational achievements.
The Findlay Fire Department is suggesting you put fresh batteries in your smoke detectors over the weekend when you move your clocks ahead for the Daylight Saving Time time change.
We spoke with Inspector Eric Wilkins, who told us there’s nothing in our houses more important to our safety than a smoke detector.
He says batteries should be replaced every six months and smoke detectors last about ten years before they should be replaced.
Instead of “smoke detectors save lives”, Inspector Wilkins says he says “working smoke detectors save lives” because if it’s not functional it isn’t going to help.
He says when they have a fire in which a smoke detector didn’t go off to alert the occupants it’s usually because of human error, such as dead batteries or the detector was taken down because it was going off during cooking and wasn’t put back up.
People are also urged to have carbon monoxide detectors in their home as well.
The Hancock Historical Museum invites visitors to experience the 1990s through the eyes of 90s kids who grew up in Hancock County.
Now open to the public, the new exhibit “Growing Up ‘90s: Hancock County Edition” explores highlights of emerging technology, music, movies, local hangouts and fashion.
“We [staff] have enjoyed watching generations before us reminisce with our previous exhibits featuring the 1950s and 1960s rock and roll bands,” said Joy Bennett, Museum curator and archivist.
“Several of us on the Museum team are 90s kids and couldn’t wait to feature growing up in our generation.”
Growing Up ‘90s: Hancock County Edition is a polaroid of a time when children rode bikes and stayed out until the streetlights came on, spent time with friends at the mall, and ate at Pizza Hut with BookIt® coupons for dinner.
The exhibition includes artifacts including clothing, toys, technology, posters, books and school memorabilia.
The exhibit includes a growing digital component on the Museum website featuring photos, videos, memories from the 90s in Hancock County and a song playlist with over 17 hours of 90s greatest hits.
Community members can contribute by submitting personal photos, videos and stories about the 90s in Hancock County.
This can be done by visiting the Museum website and completing an online form.
“The 1990s are such an important period in the lives of Gen Xers and Millennials,” said Bennett.
“We’re seeing a lot of 90s nostalgia on social media, making now a great time to present an exhibit of all things 90s.”
The Hancock Historical Museum located at 422 W. Sandusky St. in Findlay, Ohio is open weekly 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday thru Friday and 1 – 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for students and free to members.
For more information, visit Hancockhistoricalmuseum.org, call 419-423- 4433 or follow the Hancock Historical Museum on Facebook and Instagram.
Miller Brothers Construction of Archbold is the apparent, successful low bidder for the contract to construct a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at County Road 99 and Interstate 75, Findlay.
The successful bid was $30.8 million.
The contract is expected to be officially awarded in approximately two weeks once a review of the bidding documents is complete.
Construction will begin early this spring and conclude in 2026. The specific schedule will be finalized once the contract has officially been awarded.
“This project ensures the expected economic growth in this area of the county will be supported by the infrastructure,” said Chris Hughes, ODOT District 1 deputy director. He cited the support of officials with the city of Findlay and Hancock County as critically important in moving the project forward. “We’re grateful to the city and county for seeing the need for a modern interchange design at this location,” he said.
A public meeting to share the construction schedule and traffic impacts will be held next month. Details will be announced when finalized.
The project will construct an additional bridge to the south of the existing County Road 99 bridge over I-75. The new structure will provide three westbound lanes. Additional improvements will be made along the County Road 99 corridor at the intersections with Technology Drive, Speedway Drive, and Ventura Drive. A shared-use path for bike and pedestrian traffic will be constructed along the south side of County Road 99 and will utilize the original bridge structure for crossing over I-75.
A DDI shifts the eastbound and westbound traffic to the other side of the bridge at signalized crossovers which eliminates left turns across traffic and the left-turn traffic signal phase. The benefit is that all traffic can enter the interstate in a free-flow movement to the ramps.
Registration is underway and volunteers are needed for Camp 911 in Hancock County.
Camp 911 is an interactive safety camp for kids who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2024 and helps them learn basic safety.
At Camp 911 children will learn different safety lessons, such as bike safety, stranger danger and so much more while interacting with local first responders.
Surprise visitors will make an appearance throughout the week to keep the kids engaged with the program.
They will grow in their independence as they experience camp through hands-on activities.
Camp 911 is a joint effort led by local emergency response agencies, including Hanco, Findlay Fire and Police Departments, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Hancock Public Health.
The camp will be held June 10-14 at First Presbyterian Church at 2330 South Main Street in Findlay.
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and Blanchard Valley Center/Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities is hosting numerous activities so that everyone in Hancock County can help celebrate.
“March is our gateway month,” said Blanchard Valley Center Superintendent Kelli Grisham. “It’s the gateway to spring, and the gateway to providing people with developmental disabilities the recognition they deserve. We are fortunate that we have an inclusive society in Hancock County. I’m grateful for the acceptance and the opportunities that are provided to the people we support. March is the month when we recognize the greater DD community, which includes my staff, our dedicated providers and the businesses that employ people with developmental disabilities.”
BVC’s Nadine Weininger has some details on the monthly events and they are listed below as well.
The Hancock County activities in March include:
March 5 – Findlay City Council will issue a proclamation at 6 p.m. at city hall.
March 7 – The Hancock County Commissioners will issue a proclamation at 9:30 a.m. at the county building.
March 7 – Aktion Club is hosting a hot dog drive-thru fundraiser.
March 11-15 – Spirit Week. Blanchard Valley Centers hopes businesses and schools join them in showing their support for inclusion. Spirit Week events are: Neon Monday, Y2K Tuesday, Celebrity Wednesday, Rock & Roll Thursday, and Disney Friday.
March 12 – Advocacy Day at the Ohio State House. Hancock County advocates will visit with legislators to discuss important issues impacting the DD community.
March 26 – Celebrity Basketball Game. Our Special Olympic basketball players and local celebrities clash at 7 p.m. at Findlay High School. The halftime show will feature an escape artist act. The people Blanchard Valley Center supports will be reading in elementary schools throughout the county. The guest readers will visit more than 20 classes in Hancock County to read Who’s New at Lou’s Zoo by JoAnn Dickinson.
Pop-up popcorn stands are scheduled with local businesses around Findlay for their staff and guests to enjoy. A display board will be up at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library from March 1-15.
A high-flying adventure is promised Friday, March 8, at the next presentation in University of Findlay’s “Fridays at Findlay” lecture series, “The Biggest Week in American Birding: Birding Means Business.” The event, open to the campus and community, will take place in Winebrenner, TLB Auditorium on the UF campus. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. for a breakfast buffet with the presentation from 8 to 9 a.m.
The informative and lively discussion will feature experts with the Black Swamp Bird Observatory: Kimberly Kaufman, executive director, and Mark Shieldcastle, research director.
Ohio is home base for the nation’s largest birding festival – the Biggest Week in American Birding, May 3-12, 2024, which is expected to draw more than 100,000 human visitors to watch as millions of beautiful birds migrate through Northwest Ohio.
Kaufman and Shieldcastle will discuss the importance of bird conservation in the ecosystem – and how bird tourists pump $40 million into the regional economy.
From tiny songbirds to majestic bald eagles, Ohio plays a vital role in the survival of hundreds of bird species and millions of migratory birds each year.
“And the birds give back to us in myriad ways, performing valuable ecosystem services such as seed dispersal, plant pollination, and keeping insect populations in balance,” Shieldcastle explained. “They also bring health and wealth to Ohio through the joys of birding and the economic impact of birding tourism.”
Sponsored by Premier Bank, the Fridays at Findlay lecture series encourages continued educational opportunities for members of the community, the campus, and alumni.
Register online by March 7 at www.findlay.edu/FridaysAtFindlay or call University Advancement at 419-434-5334 for more information. The fee is $12 for adults and $6 for students.
