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Letters to the Editor, Aug. 17, 2014

By
Dock David Treece
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I enjoyed reading your Aug. 10 cover story on the water crisis.

The word “sediment” is mentioned two times in your article. Strangely missing from the evaluation of future water quality and algae blooms is the continuing role of Maumee River-dredged sediment being dumped into Lake Erie. The major contributing factor, in my opinion, is sediment dumping.

I have been trying unsuccessfully to get regional officials to address the problem of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dumping sediment in Lake Erie. The Corps of Engineers dredges 800,000 cubic yards of sediment on average annually from the Maumee River and the ship channel. This sediment contains phosphorus and nitrates from farms and sewage treatment from as far away as Indiana.

The Corps then uses “open lake” dumping to dispose of these dredged sediments because it is the “least expensive method of disposal.” Tell that to those who during the latest water crisis lost wages, businesses that lost income and the Toledo water customers who face increased water treatment costs.

Dredged material dumped into Lake Erie visibly contributes to reduced water quality and provides the necessary ingredients for algae blooms. Continued phosphorus and nitrate loading of Lake Erie will not help improve water quality. We need to permanently keep dredged material out of Lake Erie and not use it as a garbage dump.

— David J. Neuendorff , Toledo

McGinnis: Remembering Robin

By
Jeff McGinnis
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The brightest light has dimmed, and our world will forever be darker for the loss.

There are performers whose genius transcends their chosen art form. Individuals who are so brazenly, blindingly brilliant that their ability acts as a one-man revolution, a sign of what can be done. It is a testament to Robin Williams that I could be referring to so many different aspects of his career, and his life, with those last two sentences.

To see him onstage, on television, on film, was to regard a talent that felt more like a force of nature. Williams hit pop culture like a hurricane, tearing up expectations and redefining comedy in the process. There will never, ever be another like him. That is just one of the reasons why his loss stings so much. In a world where so many play like copycats, Robin Williams was a true original.

Like many of the iconic figures of comedy, his first real exposure was through stand-up. Williams first took to the stage in the early 1970s, his wild imagination bursting at the seams every chance he had to be in front of an audience. His natural ability at blending both physical and verbal punchlines together made his presence utterly hypnotic.

But Williams was so much more than just the wacky guy. Though the sheer power of his imagination were the batteries that drove his engine, his skills as an actor and comedian were finely honed through years of training. Coming out of Juilliard in the late 1970s, Williams burst onto the Hollywood scene to find many producers had little clue what to do with him.

It took the foresight of Garry Marshall to cast the relatively-unknown actor as the alien Mork in an episode of Marshall’s hit nostalgia-com “Happy Days.” The character was such a smash that Williams was quickly moved to his own wildly popular spin-off, “Mork and Mindy,” which firmly established him as a rising star.

The big screen was the next natural step, as no screen could ever be big enough to contain the power of Williams’ creativity. His first starring role was as the iconic sailor-man “Popeye” in Robert Altman’s live-action adaptation of the classic cartoons. Throughout the next three decades, he would add multiple iconic characters to his repertoire, from the Genie in “Aladdin” to the father-in-drag in “Mrs. Doubtfire” to the role he was in some ways born to play — Peter Pan — in Steven Spielberg’s “Hook.”

Early on, though, it became apparent that Williams did not want to simply rest on his laurels in over-the-top comedic roles. Though his career featured plenty of fairly standard Hollywood comedies, Williams would routinely pop up in a cutting dramatic role, or a film that wore a frown under its cheerful exterior.

His boisterous on-air persona in “Good Morning Vietnam” was tempered by the horrors his character experienced outside the studio. He was quiet and determined in Penny Marshall’s outstanding 1990 drama “Awakenings.” He won his Academy Award in 1997 for playing the relatively withdrawn mentor to Matt Damon’s hero in “Good Will Hunting.” And in 2002, he pulled off one of the best years of his career with chilling turns in Christopher Nolan’s “Insomnia” and Mark Romanek’s “One Hour Photo,” possibly the best performance of his career — all while tearing up the stage with an unforgettable stand-up tour that culminated in the classic “Live on Broadway” special on HBO.

Over the years, the impression grew that Williams the man and Williams the public persona were not too dissimilar. His regular appearances on talk shows showed that his lightning-quick wit was still a wonder to behold. Johnny Carson chose Williams as one of his last guests at the end of his “Tonight Show” run, and Williams’ appearance on “Inside the Actor’s Studio” was one of that show’s most popular episodes. Many comics have an “off” day now and then. Williams, though, was seemingly always “on.”

Williams was just as generous with his time toward causes he believed in. He was a regular performer on USO tours. Along with pals Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg, Williams was one of the public faces of “Comic Relief,” a charity which would raise millions for the homeless through shows on HBO.

But all this is just listing his accomplishments. The truth is, no summary could possibly capture what Robin Williams — the performer, the comedian, the man — meant to the world. That can be seen in the outpouring of love and grief from hundreds of his fellow performers and millions of fans in the hours since his passing. The idea that we will never again see that wonderful mind at work, that remarkable ability to summon a laugh from nowhere, that smile that always seemed to hide a twinkle of mischief — it’s too sad to truly contemplate.

The world is unfair. No one who could bring such happiness should have to suffer the way he did. We laugh, the saying goes, that we may not cry. Maybe it is only through remembering the laughter, the brilliance, the joy in bringing joy — maybe only then can we move past our own tears.

Goodbye, Robin. And thank you so, so much.

Holiday with Heart fundraiser scheduled for Dec. 7 at Toledo Club

By
Jeff
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For many, the Holiday with Heart Charity Gayla is among the most anticipated events of the year, organizers say, offering an opportunity to raise money for local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) causes while enjoying a fun, fancy evening out.

Taglined “the premier social event for LGBT community and friends,” the 37th annual event will take place Dec. 7 at The Toledo Club, 235 14th St. Tickets are $75.

“Holiday with Heart is the only formal affair for the local LGBT community and I feel that sets us apart from any others,” Rick Cornett, a member of the group’s board of directors, wrote in an email to Toledo Free Press. “It is nice to get all glammed up and go to The Toledo Club to help raise funds for great causes. I feel it is a perfect way to jumpstart the holiday season in style and meet new people while doing so. We are very proud that we are the oldest and longest lasting LGBT fundraiser in the entire state of Ohio now.”

Attendees can expect an elegant evening with a served dinner, dancing, DJ Richie, live entertainment, a photobooth from Grand Lubell Photography, a silent auction and plenty of networking and socializing opportunities, said Cornett, who has attended the event since 1991.

“Tickets go fast and we highly suggest you get your reservations in early to assure you get seated with your group,” he said. “We’ve sold out for the past five years and The Toledo Club maxes out at 300 guests.”

Among this year’s beneficiaries are Why Marriage Matters Ohio.

“We are very excited to be helping them for the first time,” Cornett said. “They are making great strides to help legalize gay marriage in Ohio and we want to help them achieve this last major hurdle in the gay rights movement for equality for all LGBT people.”

Another first-time beneficiary is Mpowerment, a Toledo social group for gay, bisexual and transgender men ages 18-29 as well as resource for HIV prevention education. The remaining funds raised will go to the Holiday with Heart fund at the Toledo Community Foundation.

The fund was established in 2011 in memory of Gayla co-founder Dick Flock. So far, more than $27,000 has been raised. Once the goal of $100,000 is met, the fund will be used to support local LGBT causes year-round, Cornett said.

“We encourage anyone that can’t attend the Gayla to make a donation toward this fund and remember us in your estate planning, or make a donation in honor of a loved one who has passed,” Cornett said.

Many straight allies also attend the Gayla, committee member Billy Mann said.

“It’s a very welcoming atmosphere and a good blend of allies who aren’t necessarily LGBT, such as friends, family, business professionals,” he said. “It’s a really good mix of people.”

Mann said he looks forward to dressing up and having fun while knowing he’s making a difference by giving back to local charities.

“We in the gay community love going out to nightclubs and there’s a great dance scene in Toledo, but we so rarely get to slow dance with a partner and be one-on-one with them. The Gayla is a nice formal setting for that,” Mann said. “There’s really no other event like it. It really kicks off the holiday party season.”Toledo Free Press is a media sponsor of the Gayla.

For more information, visit hwhcharitygayla.org.

Sandpiper ‘Pride Ride’ returns to Toledo Pride for second year

By
Toledo Free Press
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A new Toledo tradition will again unite with an established city favorite at this year’s Toledo Pride.

For the second year in a row the Sandpiper will offer rides during Toledo Pride weekend.

“It’s such an honor to be asked to participate during Pride Week,” said Mary Dalby, owner of the Sandpiper. “Last year went really well and everyone had such a fun time.”

The Sandpiper has offered boat rides to the public down the Maumee River for 30 years. People from all over the region can rent the boat for a variety of occasions or buy tickets to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

These are just a few reasons that Toledo Pride organizers wanted to get The Sandpiper on board.

Toledo Pride Event Director Lexi Staples said she’s been wanting to get the local cruise boat involved with Toledo Pride since 2011, the first year the event was held Downtown at Promenade Park.

“We noticed that the Sandpiper was close by and we really wanted them to get involved,” Staples said. “People really enjoyed themselves and seemed to be excited about it.”

Staples said about 60 seats per ride were filled last year and this year they are looking to fill more.

“The Sandpiper can fit up to 240 seats and we are hoping to fill every seat for every ride,” she said.

Staples is also hoping to add a twist on a few of the rides.

“This year we are in the works of having a drag queen on a few of the rides,” she said. “We are really excited.”

Four rides will be offered hourly from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 23. Each ride will be about 40 minutes long. Familyfriendly rides will be offered in the earlier time slots. Entrance for the Sandpiper is located on the Jefferson Street side of Promenade Park.

Tickets are $6 each or two tickets for $10. Children age 3 and younger are free. Riders are able to reserve seats in advance by visiting www.sandpiperboat.com or calling the office at (419) 537-1212.

Two new Downtown events to bookend Pride weekend

By
Jeff
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New this year at Toledo Pride will be Friday night kickoff party KISS ‘N’ Drag and an extended Sunday Funday, both happening Downtown at Promenade Park.

KISS ‘N’ Drag will start at 9 p.m. Aug. 22, immediately following the Nite Glo 5K at the University of Toledo.

92.5 KISS FM hosted KISS ‘N Drag last year at a local bar, but so many people came some had to be turned away, said organizer Phillipe Taylor of “The Morning Rush.” This year, the station partnered with Toledo Pride to host the event at Promenade Park until 1 a.m. The event will feature music by DJ 3 PM and drag performances, including one by Demetrius Nicodemus of “The Morning Rush.” Admission is $8, or $5 with a canned food item with proceeds donated to Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. Attendees must be 18 or older.

On Aug. 23, the Toledo Pride parade starts Downtown at noon on Washington Street and ends at Promenade Park, where entertainment will start around 12:45 p.m. and last until midnight. The parade gets bigger each year, said parade coordinator Torie Thorne, and will include motorcyclists, mopeds, floats, mascots including Muddy the Mud Hen and more.

New performers this year include Bird’s Eye View Circus Space and TTown Tassels burlesque show. The main drag show will kick off around 10 p.m. Arctic Clam will play around 8 p.m. followed by Eryn Woods, Rye Rye and Pastele with drag performances between, said Event Director Lexi Staples. Cost is $5 for adults before 7 p.m., $7 after 7 p.m., or $20 for a three-day pass plus T-shirt. Children younger than 18 are free.

“Rye Rye did a music video with M.I.A. and is really well-known. Pastele just came off VH1’s “Make A Band Famous.” And Eryn Woods is this poppunker with a mohawk dyed bright ridiculous colors,” Staples said.

“We also want to really support local and make sure we have enough time in the day to get a lot of Toledo artists on stage as well. Everyone is a headliner to me.”

A CD of the music from past five years of performers will be sold for $7 with proceedings benefiting Pride Center 419, Toledo’s LGBTQ community center located at the Collingwood Arts Center, Staples said.

Sunday Funday has also expanded and will feature a full slate of food, drinks and entertainment from 3-10 p.m. Aug. 24 at Promenade Park following the free family-friendly activities planned for noon to 3 p.m. Cost is $3 for adults and free for children younger than 18. Organizers said the event grows each year and this will be their biggest and best yet.

“Hopefully everyone comes from the run to KISS ‘N’ Drag,” Thorne said. “It will be a great kickoff to the Saturday event and Sunday will be a good follow-up for the whole weekend. I’m really excited.”

Laura Emerson returns to Toledo TV news at NBC 24

By
Tom Konecny
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Veteran newscaster Laura Emerson, who co-anchored FOX Toledo News from its 1996 inception through 2012, returned to Toledo news on WNWO NBC 24 on Aug. 10.

Emerson joins Jim Blue as co-anchor during the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts, with Blue continuing his joint duties as managing editor.  General Manager John Nizamis said Emerson will anchor Sunday through Thursday, with Blue handling Monday through Friday, so that viewers see “a member of our A-team covering all the nights that really matter.”

Laura Emerson. Photo Courtesy NBC 24

Laura Emerson. Photo Courtesy NBC 24

Emerson spent the past three years in Paducah, Kentucky, with NBC affiliate WPSD, where she anchored the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.  Paducah’s TV market size is comparable to Toledo by combining three cities in different states into one market, but Toledo is where Emerson wanted to be.

“I’m not here by accident,” Emerson said.  “I really want to be here.”

Emerson said her former station “had a good news operation,” but the opportunity to return to Toledo and work specifically at NBC 24 was too good to pass up.

“I see this as an opportunity and it’s going to take a lot of time,” Emerson said.  “We have an owner that likes to win, and has turned other stations around.  A lot of things are going in the right direction.  This station has suffered from some years of neglect.  They’ve allowed their news presence to shrink and that’s something we need to rebuild now.”

Station officials say they are thrilled to have someone of Emerson’s caliber who knows the area and who is well respected.

“When Laura came into the equation, it made so much sense,” Nizamis said.  “And it gives us a little more credibility than bringing in someone new.  How can we go wrong with that?  I could not be happier, because the level of experience and maturity, coupled with Jim — as we start to surround them with other talent — that they’ll really be role models for our younger talent.”

Having worked in Toledo before, Emerson is well aware of NBC 24’s modest position in local television ratings, which makes the task at hand all the more desirable.

“I’m in this to eventually make some gains and have some wins,” Emerson said.  “One of the reasons I’m not afraid is because I went through the same thing with FOX Toledo.  At least here there’s a news presence, and it does have some history, which is more than what we started with at FOX Toledo.”

Emerson said she never really wanted to leave Toledo in the first place.  As a result of FOX Toledo’s eventual sale to another owner, its news department was closed in 2012 and WTOL-11 assumed a shared services agreement to operate FOX Toledo News, forcing Emerson to look elsewhere for work.

Emerson was on the cover of the Jan. 1, 2012, Toledo Free Press at the time she was leaving Toledo and moving to a station in Kentucky.

Emerson described Paducah as a smaller town experience, but with some similarities.

“But I definitely missed the diversity, the shopping, the restaurants, the larger town amenities,” Emerson said.  “I miss the art community here, and we had a decent art community in Paducah.  (Toledo) has the reputation of being a Rust Belt industrial city from the outside but until people come here they have no idea.”

Emerson officially started on the job Aug. 4, and has already run into colleagues enthusiastically welcoming her back to the area.

“It’s been reunion week for me,” Emerson said.  “I have friends at the other stations.  I have an equal number of friends at 11 and 13, and feel more connected to them because of the movement of personnel (after FOX Toledo’s sale in 2012).”

NBC 24 also made significant internal moves back in April, bringing in five top level managers from a Fort Wayne station.

“I’ve met all of the people from the Fort Wayne, Indiana station, and it’s exciting to see how cohesive the group is, how they like each other,” Emerson said.  “I don’t know how we got so lucky to have a group of people that likes to work together so much.  So often in this industry there are people with different goals that don’t get along.  Here, they’re on the same page.  I think that will service us well in the future.”

NBC 24 chose not to offer nonstop daytime news coverage of the recent water crisis on the notion that there wasn’t enough material to sustain the effort.  Nizamis said their decision was appreciated by some in the public.

“We evaluated our performance on the water crisis against ourselves,” Nizamis said.  “The other guys are better equipped to do the things they do.  We just want to be better.  That’s the kind of progress we’re looking to make.  I don’t want to make any bold predictions or promises, because then you start letting people down.  We stay in the moment, acknowledge where we are and what we need to do.  Hopefully people will start to take notice in the next 60 to 90 days.”

Area man aims to raise funds to re-open private club The Diplomat

By
Jeff
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After disrepair, alleged theft and vandalism forced the closure of private gay men’s club The Diplomat, a local pastor wants to help the owner raise up to $20,000 to repair and re-open the Toledo business.

The club, located at 1313 N. Summit St., closed in January or February after alleged employee theft made it impossible to make ends meet, said owner Brock Ali.

The Diplomat. Now closed, this private gay men's club sits on North Summitt Street. Toledo Free Press Photo

The Diplomat. Now closed, this private gay men’s club sits on North Summitt Street. Toledo Free Press Photo

Ali, 28, took over ownership of the Toledo business as well as a Grand Rapids, Michigan, club of the same name about four years ago after his great-uncle, who started both, retired and moved to California with his partner.

“It had always been a successful, profitable business,” Ali said. “Things slowly fell into disrepair there (in Toledo) and over this past winter I just had problem after problem after problem. And with the weather, we were slow and short on capital.”

Ali, who lives in Grand Rapids, said he struggled to adequately oversee the Toledo location over the winter when he had car trouble and couldn’t make it to Toledo regularly. He said employees at the Toledo club stole money and flat-screen TVs from the business.

“My real problem with Toledo was the workers went in and cleared it out,” Ali said. “They knew I was vulnerable. Stealing money started slow but then I started to notice it more and more. Eventually I had to close it down.”

Ali said the employee he asked to file a police report may have been involved with the thefts and he’s not sure a report was ever filed. Toledo Police records for the property show a report of petty theft in November, and reports for disorderly conduct and breaking and entering in October.

Ali said the Grand Rapids location opened in 1980 and the Toledo location opened around 1994, offering a sauna, steam room, massage rooms, whirlpool, private rooms and more. The Grand Rapids location is in good condition and doing well, Ali said.

The Rev. Dewey Edwards, 50, an openly gay pastor at Temple of Christ Universal Life Church, said he frequented The Diplomat in Toledo since he was a young man. After noticing vandalism, he contacted Ali.

“He’s been a customer in the past and tracked me down,” Ali said. “Honestly I haven’t gone and looked at it. I’ve just heard reports of it. I did call the police about that. I just haven’t really known what to do or where to go about it.”

Ali estimates between $10,000 and $20,000 in repairs would be needed to re-open the business. Donations are needed as well as expertise in drywall, painting, roofing, electrical and more.

“For me, it would mean a lot to be able to keep the business running for my great-uncle,” Ali said. “He created the business out of a real need for a clean and comfortable atmosphere where guys can get away and socialize and so on. I know there are a lot of customers who utilized that business and it means a lot to them. As a business owner, I want to be able to provide that to them. It shouldn’t have gone the way that it did. Things were so fragile and just in one moment of vulnerability, we got kind of taken advantage of.”

That’s why Edwards said he offered to help Ali raise money to preserve the business.

“It was just a safe haven and it’s something we need here in Toledo, especially for the younger generation coming up who need somewhere to go,” he said. “And it’s historic. We can fundraise to help bring it back to the way it should be.”

For more information, contact Edwards at (567) 218-8731 or [email protected].

German American Festival welcomes new, old favorites

By
Matt Liasse
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Grammy-nominated The Alex Meixner Band will headline the 2014 German American Festival (GAF), set for Aug. 22-24 at Oregon’s Oak Shade Grove. Meixner’s program, “Fascinating Rhythms of the World,” dabbles in styles of music including Slavic folk, jazz, pop and classical styles from Latin America, Africa and other sections of Europe.

Festival Chairman Tim Pecsenye instantly knew Meixner would fit in at the festival.

“He’s a high-energy performer and an excellent musician,” Pecsenye said. “Crowds sure do enjoy him quite a bit.”

Photo Courtesy German American Festival

Photo Courtesy German American Festival

This will be Meixner’s first time at the festival. Returning performers include Austrian Express, The Brothers Grimm, Euro Express, Jay Fox Band and Polish-American Concert Band, performing on three stages.

The festival is celebrating its 49th year complete with bratwursts, ears of sweet corn, sauerkraut, assorted cheeses, pretzels and dinner rolls — all prepared by volunteers.

“My favorite thing about the festival is we have no outside vendors,” Pecsenye said. “All of our volunteers prepare the food.”

The festival, operated by the German-American Festival Society and sponsored by seven German-and-Swiss-American societies in Toledo, is spread across 10 acres and is intended to promote German and Swiss cultures. General admission is $8. Discount advance purchase admission tickets are available for $7 online at www.germanamericanfestival.net or www.gafsociety.org/fest.htm. Two-day admission is $10 and three-day admission is $15, both available online

Festival hours are 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a parade and opening ceremonies at 8 p.m. Aug. 22, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Aug. 23 and noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 24.

Activities and contests

Always a crowd favorite, the Hummel Look-Alike contest will take place  Sunday afternoon. Children select a an M.I. Hummel figurine to dress like and will pose for a panel of judges. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded to each age category.

“People love kids,” Pecsenye said. “You can dig up a Pavarotti to sing the National Anthem somewhere and then you put a 7-year-old kid that does it instead and people will just think the [kid’s] just wonderful.”

Another favorite is the Brezellessen, the pretzel eating competition. The fun will be in the Hofbräuhalle 9 p.m. Saturday.

Other entertainment includes a 50/50 raffle with prizes awarded each evening, rides, face painting, clowns and a free German-language worship service Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. Plenty of food will be available including potato pancakes, bratwursts, potato salad, strudels, pastries and more.

“There’s no festival that has as many different brats as we do,” Pecsenye said, who enjoys his with sauerkraut and mustard.

Designated driver program

Drinks include plenty of imported beer, including: Augustiner Bräu Maximator, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen, Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock, Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock, Ayinger Oktoberfest Bier, Ayinger Weizenbock and more.

Cocktails are available as well, including the So Schmeckt Deutschland, a drink that looks like the German flag. Wines, like the Schlink Haus Auslese, Kabinett and Dornfelder, will also be available.

In order to be safe, the festival will also include the designated driver Program for anyone who is not drinking and over the age of 21. The guests services booth will distribute coupons to  those drivers to be used for three discounted 20 oz. soft drinks.

Shuttle service

GAF shuttle tickets are available for $6 and shuttles will depart from various locations in the area.

Shuttles will depart from Bar 145, 5305 Monroe St., Berger’s Old Tyme, 1742 W. Laskey Road, Mayfly Tavern, 4532 N. Summit St., Anchor Inn, 4950 Suder Ave., The Attic on Adams, 1701 Adams St., Ye Old Cock ‘n’ Bull, 9 N. Huron St., Belle Wine and Martini Lounge at Levis Commons in Perrysburg and Lucas County Rec Center, 2901 Key St. Complimentary service is available at Icons Eatery & Entertainment, 3105 Navarre St. (from 6 p.m. to close on Aug. 22, 2 p.m. to close on Aug. 23 and noon to close on Aug. 24) and Pub 51, 5110 Woodville Road, Northwood.

Shuttles will run from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Aug. 22 and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Aug. 23. The last shuttle departs from pickup locations to the festival grounds at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. A special Sunday shuttle will depart from Bar 145 only from 2-10 p.m.

LGBTQ community center marks first year

By
Jeff
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Almost one year ago, a community center focused on the needs of Toledo’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community opened at the Collingwood Arts Center.

The space, called Pride Center 419, was a long-held dream of many in Toledo’s LGBTQ community and its organizers hoped to offer a place to hang out, referral services, meeting space, a hygiene pantry, an LGBTQ library and more.

“It’s not exactly what we thought it would be, but it’s been so successful in a way we didn’t really expect,” said Toledo Pride Foundation Executive Director Lexi Staples. “We expected to have to run a lot more programming, but I think just the space is what was needed — a safe space for people to be able to use and have their meetings.”

Rick Cornett works on a hygiene pantry at Pride Center 419. Toledo Free Press File Photo

Rick Cornett works on a hygiene pantry at Pride Center 419. Toledo Free Press File Photo

Toledo Pride Foundation member Torie Thorne agreed.

“It’s going not how we thought it would go, but not in a bad way,” she said. “I think because we never had a clear-cut idea of what it would be, it got to turn into what it is without us being like, ‘No, that’s not what we wanted to do.’ You don’t always know what the community needs and it was able to become what was needed kind of on its own.”

The launch

The Pride of Toledo Foundation and Equality Toledo worked in conjunction with various local LGBTQ organizations to launch the center, located in a rented room at the Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd. The center officially opened Sept. 5 and is coordinated by Sherry Tripepi of Equality Toledo along with Staples and Thorne.

The center is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, staffed by Thorne, during which time people often stop by to pick up or drop off hygiene products, browse the library or drop off donations and more.

One limitation has  been there isn’t someone available to staff it daily, Tripepi said.

“It’s been well-utilized, but I think it definitely has more potential,” Tripepi said. “Hopefully we’ll continue to grow.”

A one-year anniversary party for the LGBTQ community and allies is planned for 6-8 p.m. Sept. 11. Refreshments will be served.

The space gets used an average of 15 times per month, Staples said.

Among the groups that have utilized the space are Equality Toledo, Why Marriage Matters Ohio, Young Gay & Proud, Holiday with Heart Charity Gayla, Toledo Pride, Owens Community College Gay Straight Alliance, AIDS Resource Center, Rainbow Area Youth and more.

The space has been used for meetings, movie nights, HIV testing, parties and more. Any nonprofit group can use the space for free, Staples said. The group does not have to be affiliated with the LGBTQ community.

The space is open for use on a first-come, first-serve basis by emailing [email protected].

Besides serving as a meeting space, Pride Center 419 offers an LGBTQ book and video lending library. A hygiene pantry is also available with many free items for both men and women.

Donations to the library and the hygiene pantry are welcome.

The center also serves as a resource for information and referrals for LGBTQ support groups, churches, charities, health services and more. Any LGBTQ group is welcome to leave brochures, business cards, newsletters, magazines and promotional items. A community bulletin board is also offered to post announcements and notices on upcoming events.

Hygiene pantry

The hygiene pantry has been a much-utilized resource, Staples said.

“We thought when we started it we would, and it has definitely turned out to be something that’s very needed,” Staples said. “People can usually get assistance or money to get food, but to get those things to make sure you’re clean and fresh are harder to come by.”

Young, Gay & Proud group meets at Pride Center 419 once a month. Photo Courtesy Christopher Coleman

One group that regularly uses the space is Young, Gay & Proud (YGP), a peer support group geared toward African-American males ages 13-24 led by co-facilitators Christopher Coleman, Kennyetta White and Marlon Barbour.

The group, which is open to anyone, started a year ago with three attendees meeting at Coleman’s home. Now it averages 25 youth at monthly meetings at Pride Center 419, Coleman said.

“If they are having problems at home, once a month they can come and be themselves, get some food, some health products, maybe some health services they didn’t know were in the community,” Coleman said. “We try to be a one-stop shop as far as life skills and life needs for them.”

“They need somewhere to go and someone to believe in them. YGP offers a safe place to express what they are going through that day, week, month, year. To be able to have a voice, to not hide behind a curtain of sexuality, to bring a boyfriend and just live, laugh, enjoy.

The group’s recent one-year anniversary party included a candlelight vigil for 16-year-old Tyler McIntoush of Toledo, who was shot and killed in July. Although to Coleman’s knowledge McIntoush never attended a YGP meeting, he considered him a member of the group and many of his friends were regular attendees.

Possible safe house

Coleman hopes one day to be able to offer a safe house for local LGBTQ youth without a place to stay.

“One of the No. 1 demographics experiencing homelessness not just here but in the country are gay youths,” Coleman said. “In a perfect world, they would come out and their parents would be accepting and talk about it and process it with them, but that’s not always the case. Many are kicked out by those who don’t understand it and don’t want to hear it.”

During the upcoming Toledo Pride, a CD of music from the past five years of Toledo Pride will be made and sold for $7 with proceedings benefiting Pride Center 419, Staples said.

Other groups, including a men’s support group and a transgender support group, are talking about meeting at the space, Staples said.

“There’s talk of all kinds of stuff and I believe people will make it happen,” she said. “We’re very excited to promote our one-year anniversary party and we’re very excited that we’re 1 year old.”

Birmingham Festival celebrates ‘strong ethnic neighborhood’

By
Toledo Free Press
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The 40th annual Birmingham Ethnic Festival will welcome home participants from Hungary, Italy and across the world.

“Everyone talks about coming home for festival, so we decided it would be a good theme” said Betsy Ujvagi, who organizes the festival.

The weekend-long celebration calls attention to the rich ethnic heritage of Consaul Street, which was nearly demolished in the 1970s.

“Forty years ago there was a proposed overpass which would’ve knocked down all the buildings on one side of the street,” Ujvagi said. “A lot of people in the neighborhood came together to stop that from happening, and they all wanted Toledo to know they’re there, so they started the festival to talk about the cultural lifestyle.”

This will be the first trip to America for several international participants. A group of these guests will tour Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.

One newcomer is folk artist Izbeki Gabriella Cseuz, who will teach traditional embroidery of the Hungary’s Southern Great Plain. Cseuz will also bring an exhibition of folk art from Algy? and Csongrad County artists.

The festival’s unofficial kickoff will be the 19th annual waiters race set for 7 p.m. Aug. 15. Teams of four are challenged to carry trays with full pitchers and glasses of beer as quickly as they can without spilling.

Ujvagi stated this event used to be on a Saturday night prior to the festival becoming a two-day event.

Guests are encouraged to sample ethnic foods offered by vendors from across the globe. A few noteworthy items are stuffed cabbage, chicken paprikas and homemade kolbasz sandwiches. Those worried about overindulging will have plenty of opportunities to burn calories.

Ujvagi estimated there will be eight different performing groups, including Hungarian dancers, a Mexican singer and some Irish bands.

The Gyanta Orchestra from New Jersey will perform again this year. This orchestra is one of the premier Hungarian folk music groups in the United States.

Modern rock music is featured later in the evenings, with headlining  Shout!’ a Beatles tribute.

“The interesting area on Saturday night is the Calvin United Church of Christ lot, where Hungarian folk dancers and musicians gather to literally sing and dance the night away,” said Imre Bertalan, an event organizer.

Bertalan has been involved with the festival since its second year, after coming to Birmingham as the community organizer and becoming pastor of Calvin United. He remembers the protests that originally overturned plans for the Consaul Street overpass.

“It was a very strong ethnic neighborhood. There were instances where people came out of St. Stephen’s Church and out of their homes to stop trucks on the street and protest,” Bertalan said.

“We’re super impressed we’ve made it 40 years, and it’s only gotten bigger and better,” Ujvagi said.

The festival runs from noon-10 p.m. Aug. 16 and noon-9 p.m. Aug. 17. Admission is free.

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