Everything you ever wanted to know about Toledo...

but were afraid to ask!

I came upon a site recently that has held my interest tremendously. I hope it will intrigue you just enough to explore our wonderful city - even if your exploration is done through a computer.

The Toledo History Museum has recently been awarded non-profit status and is getting ever closer to becoming a reality.

I am taking the liberty of copying portions of a most interesting list of Toledo's claims to fame. I bet there are some items you recognize here, but would have never connected them to little ol' Toledo, Ohio.

Singer Theresa Brewer is from the east side of Toledo and attended Waite High School. Ms. Brewer has recorded nearly 600 different song titles, released on over 150 vinyl singles and more than 80 albums. Do you remember? Put another nickel in the nickelodeon....

One of the best rock and roll bands in the country during the late 1950s and early 1960s was Johnny and the Hurricanes. All of the members of the original Hurricanes were from the Toledo area. Their leader, Johnny Paris, was from Rossford, Ohio, just across the Maumee River.

Actor, Jamie Farr of M*A*S*H fame, hails from Toledo, having grown up not far from where Riverside

Hospital stands.

The Toledo Mud Hens got its name when it used to play weekend games at Bay View Park, which was surrounded by marshland, home to the strange birds that are also known as the American coot.

Dominic Labino, of Grand Rapids, OH was a well known glass blower around the world but he also developed the glass fibers to insulate the Apollo, Mercury, and Gemini spacecrafts. His invention of pure silica fiber was used to make the tiles that cover our space shuttles.

On January 15, 1936, the first building to be completely covered in glass was constructed in Toledo. It was a building for the Owens-Illinois Glass Company and marked a milestone in architectural design that eventually led to the International style of architecture.

And the list goes on and on. We are proud of Gloria Steinem, The Griswolds, Anita Baker, Danny Thomas, George Carruth, Jason Cameron, Gretchen Bleiler, Katie Holmes, Devin Vargas and Art Tatum.

Toledo, Ohio is a city that is so rich in history that it makes my head spin. There are so many corners of this city that hold wonderful tales of times gone by. Everything from grand balls in mansions near the river to recent awards from the United Nations.

And maybe this isn't everything you ever wanted to know, but if you're really curious pack a suitcase and come for a visit. I did that several years ago and haven't left. It's home, it's 'mine', and I'm staying put.