Wood County Hospital to host free ‘Family Cooking Night,’ Monday, June 15
Wood County Hospital is inviting local families to roll up their sleeves and join in a hands-on cooking experience at Family Cooking Nights, taking place at Wood County Hospital on Monday, June 15, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
This interactive event brings kids and caregivers together to prepare a simple, nutritious meal while learning practical cooking skills and healthy eating habits. Participants will discuss meal prep ideas, explore the new dietary guidelines, and enjoy working side-by-side preparing food.
Family Cooking Night also supports the Wood County Health Department’s Fatherhood Community Passport program, aimed at strengthening family engagement and encouraging positive parent-child interactions through shared learning experiences.
The event is free and open to area families, though advanced registration is required. Space is limited.
Families can expect a welcoming environment focused on connection, learning, and a good meal. For more information or to register, visit the hospital’s Facebook page or call 419-354-8887.
Teri Laurer from Wood County Hospital to address Exchange Club, Tuesday, June 16
Teri Laurer, RN, MSN, director of wellness and community outreach and volunteer coordinator at Wood County Hospital, will be the speaker at the Exchange Club’s noon meeting on Tuesday, June 16, at Beckett’s Burger Bar Barrel Room.
Laurer earned her BS in Nursing from BGSU and the Medical College of Ohio, and her MS in Nursing from Lourdes University. She has been part of the Wood County Hospital team for over 18 years.
Throughout her career, Laurer has partnered with employees, employers, and community members across northwest Ohio to develop and deliver prevention programs, screenings, and educational opportunities that support healthier communities. She believes wellness should be engaging, meaningful, and accessible. Her goal is to meet individuals where they are and support them on their personal journey to better health.
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.
Bowling Green Civil Service Commission to meet on Tuesday, June 16
The Bowling Green Civil Service Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 16, at 2 p.m., in the council chamber in the City Building, 305 N. Main St.
The purpose of the meeting is to review, modify, add, and/or recommend changes to civil service rules, take all actions necessary to establish eligibility and certified lists, establish testing procedures and processes, establish passing examination scores, accept requests to waive out of hiring processes, and/or certify or refuse to certify names of candidates deemed eligible for consideration for hire or promotion to classified positions.
Action will also be taken, as necessary, to modify, add, accept, or abolish job descriptions, and to establish classified positions, and/or schedule and/or establish the requirements for types of hiring or promotional examinations.
Wood County to host free America 250 Block Party at Courthouse Square, Tuesday, June 16
Wood County will host an America 250 Block Party at Courthouse Square on Tuesday, June 16, from 4 – 8 p.m., offering an opportunity to join the nationwide celebration of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary.
This community-wide event will include guided tours of the historic Wood County Courthouse – reservations required, live music from local veterans, food trucks along Court Street, kids games and activities, and treats served by Wood County elected officials. The evening will conclude with a patriotic concert by the Bowling Green Area Community Bands at 7 p.m. on the courthouse lawn.
Residents are encouraged to save the date, join the celebration, and bring a chair for the concert. Additional details will be announced.
Tours of the courthouse will feature access to both public areas and lesser-known spaces that are typically not available for viewing. Tour guides Judge Matthew Reger, Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, and former Wood County Auditor Michael Sibbersen will share historical context and personal stories connected to this landmark.
Tours will depart every 30 minutes from 4 – 5:30 p.m., with advance reservations required and groups limited to 15 participants. To schedule a tour, email akrukowski@woodcountyohio.gov or call 419-354-9210.
The Block Party at Courthouse Square is part of Wood County’s ongoing America 250 festivities, supported by county government and the Wood County Economic Development Commission.
A list of America 250 events presented by communities and organizations across Wood County is available at www.WoodCountyOhio.gov.
BG Chamber and Belleville Brothers’ announce pork-a-lean fundraiser for BG BOOM Festival & Fireworks, Wednesday, June 17
The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and Belleville Brothers’ Meats announce the return of their annual pork-a-lean fundraiser in support of the BG BOOM Festival and Fireworks. The 2026 event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, from 4 – 7 p.m., and is located at the Northwestern Ohio Tractor Pullers Association property at 1150 Haskins Road. The location is the same as last year. Also like previous years, this event is donation-based.
The pork-a-lean fundraiser will be operating as a drive-through. Guests will be directed via signage on where to line up and place their order. People can stop by to see their friends and neighbors and enjoy Belleville Brothers’ pork-a-lean sandwiches.
More details on the BG BOOM Festival and Fireworks, including a schedule of events, other fundraisers, sponsorships, and games and attractions at the festival, will be made available as the event draws closer and can be found at https://www.bgchamber.net/bg-boom/.
BG Kiwanis Club to honor ‘Police Officer of the Year,’ Thursday, June 18
The Bowling Green Kiwanis Club is pleased to welcome Detective Alyssa Shimel of the Bowling Green Police Division as the featured speaker at its meeting on Thursday, June 18.
The meeting will be held at noon in the Slater Family Ice Arena Lounge on the campus of Bowling Green State University. The public is invited to attend, with lunch available from 11:30 a.m. for $17.
During the meeting, Shimel will be recognized as the Bowling Green Kiwanis Club’s “Police Officer of the Year.” Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about her service to the community, her work within the Bowling Green Police Division, and the role law enforcement officers play in promoting public safety and community well-being.
The Bowling Green Kiwanis Club is proud to recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving others. The Police Officer of the Year award honors local law enforcement officers whose outstanding service and leadership have made a meaningful impact on the Bowling Green community.
For more information about the Bowling Green Kiwanis Club or to learn how to become a member, visit www.kiwanisbg.org.
Pemberville’s Cruisin’ Night rescheduled to Thursday, June 18
The Pemberville Independent Merchants Association (PIMA) announced plans to reschedule the first of the Pemberville Crusin’ Nights for 2026.
Originally. scheduled for Thursday, June 11, the event has been moved to Thursday, June 18, due to the weather forecast and predicted temperatures. The event, from 5-8 p.m. in Downtown Pemberville, will feature classic cars, ‘50s and ‘60s music, food and drinks. The shops will also be open until 8 p.m. Cruisin’ Nights will also be held July 9 and Aug. 13.
Follow PIMA on Facebook for updates and the latest news.
Free viewing of ‘Jurassic Park’ to take place at the Virginia Theater in North Baltimore, Thursday, June 18
Keeping with the prehistoric theme of the 2026 summer reading program, the North Baltimore Public Library will present a free showing of the classic film “Jurassic Park.”
Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum, “Jurassic Park” follows a group of experts invited to a revolutionary theme park featuring cloned dinosaurs. When a power failure allows the prehistoric creatures to escape their enclosures, visitors must fight for survival as the island descends into chaos.
The movie will be shown on Thursday, June 18, at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Theater, 119 N. Main St., North Baltimore. Theater doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and concessions will be available for purchase.
Admission is free and the community is invited to join the library for an evening of adventure, suspense, and dinosaurs on the big screen.
Lunch in the Park to continue Friday, June 19
The Parks & Recreation Department has announced the return of “Lunch in the Park,” bringing food, live music, and community atmosphere. Events will take place in June and July on Fridays at 11:30 a.m. at the Martin and Kiwanis Shelters in City Park, weather permitting. Lunch will be available for purchase from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., with live musical entertainment until 1 p.m.
Attendees can look forward to an expanded recreational area featuring activities for all ages. Guests can enjoy games such as cornhole, box hockey, giant Jenga, and more, offering an outing for families, coworkers, and friends to kick off the weekend early and enjoy a lunch outdoors.
In the event of inclement weather, activities will move indoors to the Veterans Building atrium.
On Friday, June 19, Jeff Tucker will play guitar, Beckett’s Burger Bar will have lunch available for purchase, and the event will be sponsored by Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, Brookdale Senior Living, and Bates Recycling.
For a full schedule, click here.
For questions or information, contact Ivan at 419-354-6223 or ikovacevic@bgohio.gov.
Benefit concert to feature musicians from BGSU faculty and Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Friday, June 19
Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg, will host an evening concert on Friday, June 19, at 6 p.m., which will benefit PCU Food Pantry.
The program will feature Toledo Symphony Orchestra’s Emily Dietz with BGSU faculty Robert Satterlee and Caroline Eva Chin performing Johannes Brahms’ “Horn Trio” in E-flat.
Brahms’ “Horn Trio” in E-flat is rich and expressive. Unlike a standard piano trio, this work replaces the traditional cello with the horn – an instrument especially close to Brahms’ heart. His father played the horn beautifully, and Brahms himself was also proficient with it.
BGSU faculty Katherine and Keith Phares will also share two vocal duets by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “The Last Invocation” and “The Love-Song of the Birds,” both are settings of the poems by Walt Whitman.
The Vaughan Williams duets offer a blend of lyric beauty, intimacy, and wonder, pairing the composer’s expressive musical language with Whitman’s poetic reflections on love, longing, and the human spirit.
Cash donations will be collected at the concert, and 100% of the money received will go to PCU Food Pantry, which serves northern Wood County. A reception will follow the concert. No RSVP is needed. The community is invited to experience an evening where melodies, voices, and musicianship meet in support of neighbors throughout the community.
For more information about this event, call the church office at 419-874-4346 or email secretary@zoarlutheran.com.
Toledo Rep staging ‘Fiddler on the Roof,” June 19-21
The Toledo Repertoire Theatre will present “Fiddler on the Roof,” at the Tenth Street Stage, 16 Tenth St. Toledo, weekends June 5-21.
Click for tickets and showtimes.
The award-winning tale of Tevye the Dairyman and his family’s struggles in a changing Russia is a true musical theatre tradition. Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof is the brainchild of Broadway legends, Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince; songwriters, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick; and bookwriter, Joseph Stein.
Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.
Free America 250 lecture to discuss the Underground Railroad and northwest Ohio, Saturday, June 20
The Grand Rapids Historical Society has announced a 250th lecture series celebrating 250 years of American history. The programs arranged chronologically from Fallen Timbers to the Vietnam War will take place from April through October. The speakers will be featured in the auditorium of the historic Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St. The next lecture will take place on Saturday, June 20, at 7 p.m.
The topic of the next program of the series will be the Underground Railroad and northwest Ohio, presented by Dr. Josh Steedman. Steedman specializes in early American history. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Toledo, where he studied multinational interactions in the 19th-century Great Lakes region. A faculty member at Defiance College, he draws on experiences in K-12 education. Beyond academia, he enjoys illustration and music and lives in Waterville with his wife and their two pets, Bernie and Lucy.
There will be 13 programs presented as part of this lecture series. Admission is free and open to the public, and people are invited to help celebrate this milestone birthday of the country by attending these programs.
Free ‘Rhythm on the River’ concert series to return, Sunday, June 21
The Grand Rapids Historical Society is sponsoring another season of the “Rhythm on the River” music series in Grand Rapids. The first program will be presented by HayFire on Sunday, June 21, from 4 – 5:30 p.m. The concerts will be presented in the Wright Pavilion located on the towpath between the canal and the Maumee River, at the end of Lincoln Street, behind LaRoe’s Venue.
This classic country group is part of the 17 groups that make up Spitler Cooksey Entertainment. HayFire has been playing together for six years. Members of the band are Rick Spitler on drums, Benton Cooksey on lead guitar and vocals, and Dan Long on bass guitar and vocals. About a year ago, they added Barbi Cooksey on lead vocals. Some patriotic selections will be included in the concert to help celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
The concert is free, and everyone is invited to bring their lawn chairs or blankets and join the historical society in this setting alongside the Maumee River for classics from the country genre. In case of inclement weather, the program will be moved farther west on Front Street to the old fire station.
Free concerts in the park continue Sunday, June 21
The Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Department’s ‘Concerts in the Park’ series will take place on select Sunday evenings in June and July, with performances beginning at 7 p.m. In addition to the live music, attendees can enjoy an expanded recreational area featuring interactive activities. Guests are invited to take part in games such as cornhole, box hockey, giant Jenga, and more.
To further enhance the experience, a variety of food trucks will be on-site, offering a selection of summer snacks and desserts. Concerts will be held at the Needle Hall Stage in City Park, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, performances and activities will move indoors to the Veterans Building atrium.
The musical performer of the night will be the Jeff Tucker Band. BD’s Lemonade King food truck will also be at the event. Sponsors include Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, Ohio Logistics, and Lanny Milligan Donor Directed Pooled Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
For a full schedule, click here.
Next Howard’s Club H free store to take place on Thursday, June 25
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:
- June 25
- July 16
- Aug. 20
- Sept. 17
- Oct. 15
- Nov. 19
- Dec. 17
Outdoor play addressing issues surrounding homelessness to be presented in Toledo, Saturday, June 27
Issue Box Theatre will present two performances of Rachel Daley’s “Infinity,” a play that uses real life stories to raise awareness and end stigma surrounding homelessness.
“Infinity” will be presented:
- Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m. in International Cove at Glass City Metropark, 1505 Front St., Toledo. Attendees should bring chairs and blankets. Theere will be pre-show activities starting at 1 p.m.
BG Chamber of Commerce to host ribbon cutting at Easystreet Cafe, Tuesday, June 30
The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce has announced the ribbon cutting for Easystreet Cafe in Bowling Green. The official ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 30, at 11 a.m. at 104 S. Main St.
Easystreet Cafe, known for its French onion soup and onion rings, has officially reopened after a fire temporarily closed the restaurant in January 2026. Its menu features burgers – including bison and elk, steak, seafood, pasta, sandwiches, and more. The business and its upstairs bar, The Hideaway Cocktail Lounge, employ approximately 50 staff members.
Easystreet Cafe will celebrate 39 years in business as of November of 2026.
The newly refreshed Hideaway Cocktail Lounge feature remodeled restrooms, updated furnishings, and Bowling Green’s only leopard-print pool table. The Hideaway is also available for rent for private parties, and catering is provided by either Easystreet Cafe or Call of the Canyon.
The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, visit bgchamber.net/rsvp or call the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce at 419-353-7945.
Wood County District Public Library Foundation to host annual Novel Night Benefit, Thursday, July 16
The Wood County District Public Library’s annual Novel Night Benefit, hosted by the WCDPL Foundation, will be held on Thursday, July 16, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in Bowling Green City Park. Funds raised during Novel Night go toward the purchase of new books and other materials to educate, inspire, and entertain the community.
Novel Night is an opportunity for sponsors and donors to gather together for a fun evening while raising money for the library. Appetizers will start the night alongside silent auction items up for bid. The evening will then move to a live auction, featuring items and experiences.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased for $100 by cash or check at the first floor checkout desk at the Bowling Green library or online at wcdpl.org/novel-night.
People who may want to support Novel Night financially rather than attend the event can become sponsors. Major sponsors of $1,000 or more are recognized on a plaque inside the library and on the WCDPL website. The library is appreciative of gifts of any amount. People can donate or sponsor Novel Night by visiting wcdpl.org/novel-night.
The WCDPL Foundation’s annual benefit began in 2009 at Schedel Arboretum and Gardens to help with the increasing need for funds to purchase new library materials.
For more information on Novel Night, visit wcdpl.org/novel-night.
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.
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.
