HAPPY Fourth of July! As we celebrate Independence Day, remember those who have fought for our freedoms.
MEMBERS of the 350th Evacuation Hospital, Detachment #1 gathered for a reunion and anniversary recognition last week at Don Juan on Dussel Drive. Thirty years ago the 350th Evacuation Hospital was activated during Operation Desert Storm. Maj. Carolyn Nagy was the commander of the detachment located in Toledo and responsible for mobilization readiness. She believes they were the only reserve unit activated from the Toledo area.
"We were mobilized in November, 1990, and arrived in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 8, 1991, eventually traveling to the King Khalid Military City where we set up a 400-bed hospital," she said.
The hospital, located 70 miles from Kuwait, was in support of the ground troops. Besides caring for American soldiers, the 350th also handled sick call, clinics and an emergency department; attended to wounds and medical needs, and performed over 5,000 redeployment physicals.
Among the 18 guests who traveled from Pennsylvania, the Columbus area, Strongsville, Lima and northwest Ohio were Rodney Smith, Michele Monhollen Hoste, Cathy Middleton, Diana French, Marlene Downs, Mary Jane Stahl, William Buford, Michael Metzker, Kurt Rife, Jim Canterbury, Lori Ayres, Darlene Nicholson, David Leck, Mike Orticari, Jay Thomas, Carla O'Leary and Maj. Nagy, who is a member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, which inducted its first honorees in 1992.
There are 20 Ohio veterans selected for the hall of fame annually, based on their service to the community since leaving the military. Maj. Nagy was inducted into the Class of 2020, joining 895 other members. She is one of only 71 women.
A National Desert Storm War Memorial will be located in Washington. No government funds will be used to build the memorial. Therefore, they are seeking funds contributed under the 350th’s name. Contact Carolyn Nagy at cenagy@buckeye-express.com.
SUMMER is in full bloom.
THE Crosby Festival of the Arts fine art show, which started in 1965 at Toledo Botanical Garden, formerly the Crosby Gardens, was once again held after a pandemic break last year. Heralded as Ohio’s oldest outdoor juried art festival, the three-day juried show last weekend benefited Toledo GROWs.
But it was a bit different this year for pandemic safety: A one-way traffic pattern to view the art was set, tickets were timed and there was social distancing.
In addition to the fabulous art from artists who worked in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture and wood, there were local specialty artists: Sunshine Studios, Toledo School for the Arts and Unruly Arts.
Best in Show went to Joel Fremion, a mixed media artist from Ossian, Ind.
Many artists reported their best sales ever at this show, as people were hungry to purchase artwork, according to Yvonne Dubielak, executive director of Toledo GROWs. She also reported that despite the rain Friday evening, 400 to 500 people came to get first dibs on the art. The weather was great Saturday and Sunday, which brought a steady stream of people. In total over the weekend, there were 8,000 visitors.
Adding pep to one's step was live music from Quick Trio with Michelle Shelton, Aayan Naim, the Jon Roth Band, Tim Oehlers, and Chloe and the Steel Strings.
Concessionaires offered refreshments: Deet's BBQ, Eric's Ice Cream, Frenzy on the Go, Island Noodles, the Leaf and Seed, the Loaded Chicken, Snowie Summers, Susie Lynne’s Lemonade and Heidelberg's trailer with adult beverages including Earnest Brew Works beer.
Lead sponsors included the Ohio Arts Council, Barkan and Robon, Ltd., 13abc, The Blade, Betco, Dana, Hartmann-Bogan Financial Planning, Meijer, The Andersons, Toledo.com, and Toledo Detroit Outdoor. Also, WGTE, Ace Diversified Services, KeyBank, and William Vaughan, Toledo Tent and Childers Limousines.
The nearly $65,000 raised supports Toledo GROWs and its work in community gardens and education.
Starting Aug. 1 and running through Oct. 2 are Toledo GROWs Harvest Dinners sponsored by Buckeye Broadband. Dinners are at local unique settings with food supplied by Toledo GROWS and prepared by local chefs. Chef Elias Hajjar is at Poco Piatti on Aug. 1; Cynthia Bunch is at Brookwood Metropark on Aug. 16; Karen and Labib Hajjar are at the Toledo GROWs farm on Aug. 24; Chef Bunch is at the Glass City Metropark on Sept. 13; Moussa Salloukh is at Souk Mediterranean Kitchen and Bar on Sept. 26; and Chef Pam Weirauch prepares brunch at Toledo GROWs on Oct. 2.
In addition to growing a community garden, Toledo GROWS sells its produce through its community supported agriculture program.
For more information, call 419-720-8714 or go to ToledoGROWs.org.
THE Toledo Sail and Power Squadron started the boating season early with a Shakedown Cruise on May 21-23 on South Bass Island at the Crew’s Nest at Put-in-Bay. The unseasonably warm weather was appreciated by all. Members arrived by boat and the Jet Express.
The highlight of the weekend was the boat renaming ceremony for TSPS executive officer Rickie Waugh’s new boat, ROYALTY, with officiant Nelson Evans, past mayor of Perrysburg, who was accompanied by his wife, past commander Felicia Evans. Following the ceremony, 24 guests dined in a private room at the Crew’s Nest overlooking the bay. What a great way to kick off the boating season!
But these folks are also dedicated volunteers, as they host classes for boating safety and navigation. They also remind everyone to abide by the rules when on the water – use life jackets, don't drink while “driving” and abide by the traffic of the water just as one abides by road traffic, for everyone's safety.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.
First Published July 4, 2021, 10:30 a.m.
