What’s happening in our community (updated Aug. 10)

Monday morning meditation & movement to continue for free

Bowling Green Parks and Recreation is excited to continue Monday Morning Meditation and Movement. The community is invited to join certified yoga and meditation teacher, Maria Signorino, the natural resource specialist, at Simpson Garden Park in the Healing Garden for meditation and light movement. The events will take place Monday mornings from 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. from Monday, Aug. 3, through Monday, Oct. 5. There will be no session held Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Program dates:

Monday, Aug. 10, 17, 24, 31
Monday, Sept. 14, 21, 28
Oct. 5

This program is open to adults and those 16 and older. For participants younger than 16, an adult must be present. A yoga mat or beach towel are required to participate. Each session will be 45 minutes and catered to the group’s needs. Classes will be cancelled due to rain or extreme weather.

By practicing a variety of mindfulness techniques, grounding, and light movement, attendees will connect with themselves, their community, and the earth.

This event is free and open to the public and does not require registration. For any questions, contact Maria Signorino at msignorino@bgohio.gov.

Exchange Club to learn about Bobcat Basics, Tuesday, Aug. 11

Danya Claes, student wellness coordinator for Bowling Green City Schools, will be the speaker at the Exchange Club’s noon meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Beckett’s Burger Bar Barrel Room.

Claes is currently in her third year in this role and she leads district-wide efforts that support the whole child, including social-emotional learning, positive behavioral interventions and supports, attendance incentives, and other programs that promote student well-being and success. She coordinates district partnerships with community organizations that connect students and families with prevention education, mental health therapy, case management, and other supports.

A key part of Claes’s work is coordinating Bobcat Basics, the district’s student pantry. Bobcat Basics supports students and families across all five BGCS buildings by providing essential items such as clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food. The pantry is stocked through community donations, and all donations directly support families in need within the Bowling Green school community. Through her work, Claes helps remove barriers that may impact a student’s ability to succeed so students can come to school healthy, supported, and ready to learn.

The Exchange Club meets weekly with local guest speakers. Guests are always welcome to join club members for lunch. The cost for lunch is $13 per person.

Wood County Museum to host talk over sports during WWII, Tuesday, Aug. 11

The Wood County Museum is pleased to host Sam Sprunger for a talk over sports during World War II on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m., at the Wood County Museum. Admission will be $7 per person or free for museum members. The price includes the talk, with light refreshments, and a self-guided tour of the museum’s exhibits. This talk is part of the Wood County Museum’s America250 lecture series.

Sprunger’s talk will examine how WWII fundamentally reshaped athletics, as major sporting events were suspended, athletes were drafted into military service, and leagues were forced to adapt for survival. Sprunger will explore the cancellation of global competitions such as the 1940 and 1944 Olympics and the World Cup, the rise of women’s sports – most notable the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League – the merging of professional teams like the Steagles, and the shift toward military base athletics. Despite these challenges, sports remained a crucial source of morale and unity on the home front during wartime.

Sprunger is a history educator with over 15 years of teaching experience and a lifelong passion for sports. Known for his deep knowledge of Purdue basketball and Chicago Cubs baseball, he brings enthusiasm and insight to both the classroom and the field. In addition to teaching, Sprunger has coached football and baseball for students of all ages. Outside of his professional work, he stays busy supporting his children at sporting events year-round, traveling with his wife, and contributing to the “Dad Lounge” and “Boiler Maker Lounge” podcasts.

To make reservations, visit www.woodcountyhistory.org or call 419-352-0967.

Wood County Safe Communities to host ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ event, Wednesday, Aug. 12

Wood County Safe Communities, in partnership with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and other local law enforcement agencies, will host a kick-off event for “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” with guest speakers to emphasize the importance of driving sober in Wood County.

The event will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. at the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, 1960 E. Gypsy Lane Road, Bowling Green. It marks the start of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign, running Aug. 19 – Sept. 7. The campaign aims to educate people about the dangers and consequences of driving impaired.

Event speakers will include a Wood County Safe Communities representative, Judge Alyssa Blackburn, Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, and Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Shawn Fosgate.

During the campaign period, law enforcement agencies across Wood County will participate in increased enforcement efforts. Officials emphasize that the goal is not just enforcement but saving lives.

Whether someone is driving, riding, or hosting, it is important to make plans in advance. Before drinking, plan a safe and sober ride home. Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking. If someone is hosting a gathering, they should make sure all guests have a sober ride home. If people see impaired drivers, they should call 911. Everyone should also always wear their seatbelt – it’s one of the best defenses against impaired drivers.

Sauder Village to host North America’s largest annual rug hooking event, Aug. 12 – 15

Sauder Village will host its 30th annual Rug Hooking Week, Aug. 12-15, filling Founder’s Hall with more than 400 handmade rugs and drawing thousands of visitors to Archbold.

Recognized as North America’s largest annual rug hooking event, Rug Hooking Week brings together fiber artists from around the world for four days of exhibits, classes, and shopping. Visitors can see the work up close, meet the artists behind the pieces, and browse vendors selling fiber arts supplies and patterns not available anywhere else.

A highlight of the 2026 show is an exhibit curated by Miller titled, “Greenfield: An Original W.W. Kent Design,” which features a never-before-seen pattern by architect and early rug hooker William Winthrop Kent Miller – owner of W. Cushing & Co., a fiber arts store in Wells, Maine – found the pattern in her store between two filing cabinets and identified as Kent’s original design for a hooked rug that was never published. Miller’s exhibit features 47 unique rugs based on that pattern, each made with different color palettes and in different sizes.

Other exhibit highlights include “Early History of Rug Hooking,” also curated by Miller as an homage to the evolution of the art form, and “Celebration 36,” an annual juried showcase curated by online publication “We Like Rug Hooking,” plus exhibits inspired by America’s semiquincentennial.

The exhibit is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission to the exhibit is included with regular Historic Village admission – $28 for adults, $22 for students ages 4-17, free for children 3 and under – which also gives guests access to Sauder Village’s historic buildings, artisan shops, and restaurants. Exhibit-only tickets are $15 for adults and $11 for students.

For more information, visit www.saudervillage.org or call 1-800-590-9755.

Toledo Museum of Art to host free program about Gilbert Baker Pride flag, Friday, Aug. 14

The Toledo Museum of Art will host “Pride Flag Talk with Curator Diane Wright” on Friday, Aug. 14, from 3 – 3:30 p.m. in the Crystal Corridor of the Glass Pavilion. The free program is open to all visitors.

Wright, senior curator of glass and contemporary craft at the TMA, will explore the origins of the Gilbert Baker Pride flag, its symbolism, and its role as a symbol of LGBTQIA+ pride, visibility, and community.

The Pride flag was created in 1978 by artist and activist Gilbert Baker at the request of San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, who wanted a symbol of pride for the LGBTQIA+ community. Baker’s original design featured eight colors, each representing a different element of the community. The flag was first flown at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978.

A Pride flag is currently on view in the Glass Pavilion’s Crystal Corridor, featuring the original eight stripes. The hand-sewn, hand-dyed version of the Baker flag owned by the museum is extremely light sensitive. In some cases, TMA displays this commercially made version of the Pride flag in order to preserve the original version in the museum collection.

For more information, call 419-255-8000 or visit toledomuseum.org/events.

Free ‘Perrysburg Hearts the Arts’ festival returns Aug. 15-16

The Guild of Artists & Artisans (The Guild), producer of the internationally recognized Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, is pleased to announce the return of the Perrysburg Hearts the Arts fine art fair, presented with support from the Perrysburg Area Chamber of Commerce. The free, two-day event will take place Aug. 15-16 in downtown Perrysburg along Louisiana Avenue and 2nd Street.

The 2026 festival will feature 100 jury-selected artists from across the Midwest, live music, food trucks, and a variety of family-friendly activities, including the Kids Zone, presented by Lakeside Interior Contractors, Inc.

Artists working in a range of media – including jewelry, ceramics, painting, glass, photography, fiber, drawing, and more – will exhibit and sell original artwork throughout the weekend. Every participating artists has been selected through a competitive jury process, helping to ensure a high-quality showcase of fine art.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet and shop from a selection of local and regional artists. Returning crowd favorites include Allison Greenberg, ceramics, Bowling Green; Scotty Jones, fiber, Kokomo, Indiana; and Margie Matheson, jewelry, Toledo.

The Guild is also pleased to welcome artists exhibiting at Perrysburg Hearts the Arts for the first time, including the glass artistry team of Jieun and Jon Zapiecki from Norwalk, Connecticut and ceramic artist Savanah Conrad from Ann Arbor. Their work adds to the mix of artistic styles and media that visitors can explore throughout the weekend.

Beyond the artist booths, attendees can enjoy live musical performances throughout the weekend while sampling a variety of food trucks, including sweet treats, hot dogs, fresh lemonade, and more. Families are invited to explore the Kids Zone, presented by Lakeside Interior Contractors, Inc., where Ohio Guidestone will host free hands-on art activities for children. Face painting and additional family-friendly entertainment will round out the festival experience.

Perrysburg Hearts the Arts is free to attend and offers an opportunity to shop directly from artists, discover one-of-a-kind pieces, and support independent creatives while enjoying one of northwest Ohio’s downtown districts.

For more information, visit PerrysburgHeartstheArts.com.

Free lecture to discuss Prohibition, Saturday, Aug. 15

The Grand Rapids Historical Society has announced a 250th lecture series celebrating 250 years of American history. The programs arranged chronologically from Fallen Timers to the Vietnam War are taking place from April through October. The next lecture will be given in the old firehouse at 24232 Front St. in Grand Rapids.

The topic of the next program of the series scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m., will be moral reform and Prohibition, presented by Dr. Joshua Steedman. He specializes in early American history and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Toledo, where he studied multinational interactions in the nineteenth-century Great Lakes region.

There will be 13 programs presented as part of this lecture series. Admission is free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to help celebrate this milestone birthday of the country by attending these programs.

BG Chamber of Commerce to present free ‘Learn, Network, Succeed’ series

The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce and the Maumee Chamber of Commerce, has announced the “Learn, Network, Succeed” training series, a collaborative educational program presented by Meta.

The three-part series is designed to help business owners, nonprofit leaders, marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs strengthen their marketing and communication strategies while building meaningful connections with customers, supporters, and employees.

Each one-hour session will provide practical tools and actionable insights that participants can immediately apply to their organizations.

Training schedule:

Tuesday, Aug. 18 – Nonprofit marketing
- Hosted by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce
- Veterans Memorial Building, 520 Conneaut Ave., Bowling Green
- Participants will learn fundraising strategies, Meta advertising techniques, and audience engagement best practices to help nonprofits expand their reach and impact.
- Coffee and donut holes will be provided courtesy of Biggby Coffee of Bowling Green.
Tuesday, Oct. 27 – Communication builder
- Hosted by the Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce
- Cutting Edge Countertops, 1300 Flagship Dr., Perrysburg
- Participants will define their target audience, map the customer journey, and explore effective communication strategies using social media platforms and Messenger tools.
Tuesday, Jan. 19 – Creative builder
- Hosted by the Maumee Chamber of Commerce
- Participants will focus on developing a strong brand identity and creating engaging content for Facebook and Instagram, including best practices for Reels and short-form video content.

For all sessions, doors will open at 7:45 a.m. for networking, with programming taking place from 8 – 9 a.m.

All sessions will be facilitated by Darlenne Helena, a digital marketing strategist, content creator, and founder of Helena Media, a social media agency that has helped brands build meaningful online connections since 2020. With more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of marketing and technology, Helena has managed over $5 million in social media advertising spend and helped hundreds of brands connect with audiences through organic and paid social media strategies. She has also built an online community of more than 160,000 women founders on TikTok.

As a Meta certified lead trainer and public speaker, Helena has partnered with Meta since 2021 to deliver digital marketing education to business owners and professionals at more than 750 events nationwide. She empowers entrepreneurs and organizational leaders to strengthen their digital presence and amplify their voices.

Registration will open about a month before each of the events and will be available through the participating Chamber websites. These training courses are intended for current chamber members. If someone is not currently a member of one of these chambers and would like to be, contact its office directly.

Next Howard’s Club H free store to take place on Thursday, Aug. 20

The BG Free Store take place at Howard’s Club H, 210 N. Main St., Bowling Green, and offers clothing, food, toiletries, books, kitchen items, and more for free. The store sets up on the third Thursday of every month from 6 – 9:30 p.m.

To donate, contact 440-296-6405.

Upcoming dates:

Aug. 20
Sept. 17
Oct. 15
Nov. 19
Dec. 17

Free lecture to discuss Dresden Howard, Saturday, Aug. 22

The topic of the next program of the series, scheduled for Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., will be Dresden Howard, presented by Peter Wilhelm. A Henry County native and fifth-generation German descendant, Wilhelm holds both a BS in History and German and an MA in Archival and Local History from Bowling Green State University. His published thesis, “The Draining of the Black Swamp,” explores the transformation of northwest Ohio. Wilhelm taught U.S. History and Cultural Geography at Northwest State Community College from 20026-2012 and has co-developed national conferences on Indian Removal. He continues to research and publish local history.

Free concert in Grand Rapids to feature the North Coast Big Band, Sunday, Aug. 23

Due to demand, The North Coast Big Band will return for its 26th appearance as part of the Rhythm on the River Arts Series in Grand Rapids on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 4 p.m. The series is sponsored by the Grand Rapids Historical Society, and the band will be performing in the Wright Pavilion, located on the towpath between the canal and the Maumee River, at the end of Lincoln Street, behind LaRoe’s Restaurant.

The 16-piece Big Band, under the direction of Gary Keller, was formed in 1987 by members of the North Coast Concert Band when some members of the band stayed after rehearsal to read through big band music. The group’s repertoire includes traditional big band music from bands led by Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. They also perform swing, jazz, and pop music from different decades and tunes arranged by local artists. The band includes five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, bass, piano, and drums.

This Rhythm program was sponsored by members of the historical society.

The programs are free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and join the historical society in this setting alongside the Maumee River and be ready to hum and tap along to tunes from yesterday and today. In case of rain, the program will be moved to the old fire station, father west on Front Street.

Indigenous Caldecott Medal-winning author Rebecca Kunz to visit BG as In the Round guest, Friday, Sept. 18

This fall, In The Round welcomes illustrator Rebecca Kunz, 2025 Caldecott Medal winner for “Chooch Helped” for a presentation Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at a location to be determined.

Kunz is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and of European descent, she earned a BFA in painting from the College of Santa Fe in 1998 and now lives in the foothills of Santa Fe County with her husband and three daughters. She grew up in Oklahoma and is a multi-media artist and the owner of Tree of Life Studi.

Kunz works at the intersection of climate justice and cultural awareness. Within her layered surfaces, she draws upon tribal mythology and archetypal symbolism. She infuses Cherokee mythology into her work where she is in conversation with each folk tale as a living and ever-changing story.

As these myths are woven into each of her pieces, they serve as hard-working and flourishing historical narratives. A visual storyteller, animist, and folklorist, she hopes to illuminate awareness about our shifting cultural climate and to inspire solutions to the social and environmental issues of today.

Kunz likes to push back against sentimental chronicles, and her goal is to spark a contemporary conversation about active myth.

Started in 2022, In the Round is a celebration of the creativity and persistence of indigenous people. It brings in noted indigenous speakers for talks both on campus and in the community.

Eastwood all-class reunion set for Saturday, Sept. 19

Eastwood’s Alumni Association (EAA) reunion committee has announced a save-the-date for the next Eastwood all-class reunion celebration on the evening of Saturday, September 19. All EHS 1959-2026 and pre-Eastwood alumni are invited. For more information, see the EAA link on the Eastwood website or the alumni Facebook page.

BG Municipal Utilities electric customers may receive $75 for recycled appliances at drop-off event, Saturday, Sept. 26

Bowling Green Municipal Utilities electric customers have two opportunities to earn cash while responsibly recycling old, inefficient appliances through a limited-time Efficiency Smart promotion. Customers can receive $75 by scheduling a free appliance pickup between now and Sept. 30 or earn $100 by participating in an appliance drop-off event on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Two ways to recycle old appliances:

Drop-off event
- Bring a working dehumidifier, window air conditioner, or mini fridge to the drop-off event and get $100 per unit responsibly recycled.
- Note: Bring a recent copy of an electric bill to participate in the program and receive an incentive. Everyone who pre-registers will also be entered into a drawing to win an energy efficiency kit – see sign-up details below.
- Event details: Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9:30 a.m. – noon, at the parking lot outside of the Bowling Green Public Works garage. People should use the entrance at 1040 N. College Dr. to enter. Signs will be set up to direct customers to the correct parking lot.
Efficiency Smart pick-up
- Schedule a free pick-up for working refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, or window air conditioners between now and Sept. 30 and get $75 per unit responsibly recycled.

All refrigerators and freezers must be empty and free of food residue. Units that are moldy, infested with bugs, or not empty will not be picked up.

Participants must be Bowling Green Municipal Utilities electric customers to be eligible. There is a limit of four units recycled per household, per year. Bowling Green Municipal Utilities electric customers can ask questions or register by calling Efficiency Smart at 877-889-3777 or by visiting efficiencysmart.org/BGPromo.

Wood Lane Residential Services to host ‘Purses for a Purpose’ fundraiser, Thursday, Oct. 22

The community is invited to join Wood Lane Residential Services for a spooky night out at Purses for a Purpose on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in City Park. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and costumes are encouraged.

Each ticket gives people an opportunity to win one of the designer purses that will be displayed. There will also be a Louis Vuitton raffle, live auction, silent auction, basket raffles, a 50/50, and more. Tickets also include dinner and desserts. A cash bar will be available. Tickets are $50 each or $600 for a VIP table for 8. The VIP table includes one drink ticket per person and a special VIP raffle.

All proceeds from the event go towards the independence and quality of life for those that Wood Lane Residential Services serves.

To purchase tickets, contact Kristie Peek at kpeek@wlrs.org or 419-353-8481. Tickets may also be purchased through eventbrite.com.

Weekly ‘Queer Coffee’ event to be hosted at Grounds For Thought on Sundays

“Queer Coffee” is held at Grounds For Thought, 174 S. Main St., every Sunday at 2 p.m. This event aims to be inclusive for anyone who is in the LGBTQ+ community, allies, friends, and family. Attendees can play board games, chat about life, and sip on coffee, tea, or lemonade.

Make new ‘Fiber Friends’ with weekly creative program at WCDPL on Tuesdays

The Wood County District Public Library, 251 N. Main St., invites all knitters and crocheters to join “Fiber Friends,” every Tuesday at 10 a.m., in the second floor programming room.

Fiber Friends is a social program that meets every week to chat and create. People of all skill levels are welcome. Even if someone has never picked up knitting needles or a crochet hook, they can learn the basics to get started on their newest hobby.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their current project or start a new one. Coffee will be provided.

No registration is required. For more information, call 419-352-5050 or email woodref@wcdpl.org.

Just Baby ‘N Me storytimes at library on Tuesdays

Just Baby ‘N Me is a lap-sit storytime ideal for babies. This unique storytime will be on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.in The Children’s Place at the Bowling Green Library.

This lap-sit storytime is great for babies from birth through early walkers (12 months). The focus during storytime is on rhymes, songs, finger plays, and exploring short books together, and is meant to facilitate interaction between you and your baby to develop their language and early literacy skills.

Wood County District Public Library hosts family storytime on Thursdays

Families are invited to enjoy storytime indoors at the Wood County District Public Library on Thursdays from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Attendees can visit the Bowling Green library Children’s Place for picture book readings, songs, games, and activities.

For any questions, contact the Children’s Place at 419-352-8253 or email woodkids@wcdpl.org.

Posted by: Lindsay-Jo Douglas on August 8, 2026.on August 10, 2026.