Victoria Luhring

Rachael Ray Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for Ohioian hit hard by Jobloss.

This is one of the Best Articles about the Event I could find thanks to Nick's Article we can get the details.

Written By: Nick Zaino

RACHAEL RAY/Matt SullivanA lot of states are hard pressed by the recession these days, Ohio more than most. "The effect on our city has been outrageous, to the restaurants and everything else," Allen Willoughby, director of Your Father's Kitchen, the Wilmington, Ohio's local soup kitchen, told Holidash on Wednesday. For many, the economy has hit hardest at the dinner table. When talk/cooking show host Rachael Ray heard about one community in particular that was struggling to get back on its feet, she decided to pitch in.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Ray made a stop in Wilmington, as part of a road trip she is doing with Cincinnati native Nick Lachey; the two are visiting 20 cities in 10 days for "The Rachael Ray Show." But Ray didn't just pop by for a visit.

"She said, 'We've got a bigger surprise for you. If you go out in your kitchen right now, Carter Oosterhouse is out there and he wants to redo your kitchen.' So we went out and we were really surprised," says Willoughby.

Over the course of nine days, Oosterhouse (the resident handyman on "The Rachael Ray Show"), Lachey, and a whole crew rebuilt the space, installing new shelves and appliances and, according to Willoughby, generally making it an easier space to work in. During the remodel, people were fed at a kitchen at the First Baptist Church in Wilmington.

The do-gooding didn't stop there. Ray, in conjunction with Sara Lee, will also be making sure the place has food for the next year, and the help couldn't have come at a better time. The day that Holidash spoke with Willoughby, the kitchen had served nearly 500 people. Six months ago, a big day would have been 200. "I was so overwhelmed, because we've never done that," said Willoughby. "It was so timely for them to redo our kitchen and our dining room and make more space, because we made it. It took us more time but we made it today."

Willoughby is excited to provide more well-rounded meals now that Sara Lee is providing food. "We'll get their pies and all their breads and bakery goods and meats," he told us. "It's going to be great."

Wilmington has been hit with a 15 percent unemployment rate after parcel delivery service DHL and other businesses left town, and the soup kitchen set up to help those in hard times was having its own problems keeping up with demand. The Enquirer said the kitchen is seeing as many people in one day as it did in one week compared to this time last year.

"The town has been devastated," Ray told the Enquirer, "We want to do something for them that will last much longer than one meal, one day."

The continuing commitment to Our Father's Kitchen is a nice touch. It's easy for celebrities to drop in for a day and help out while the cameras are rolling, and indeed, the stop will be featured on an episode of Ray's show, to air the day before Thanksgiving. But helping to feed people most in need for a year is something to be proud of.

Want to know how you can help? Contact FeedingAmerica or Share Our Strength to find food banks and soup kitchens in your community.
Article by Nick Zaino

Holiday Parade and Kris Kringle Village Launch Holidays in Downtown Toledo

TOLEDO - Toledo 's annual Holiday Parade will march the streets of downtown again this season, thanks to a partnership involving The Blade, Buckeye CableSystem, Taylor Automotive Group, and other prospective sponsors. And that will be just the start of a glittering expanded two-day event for the entire family.

For the 22nd consecutive year, the city will herald the start of the winter holidays with the largest balloon parade in the Midwest . Enthusiastic marching bands, capering clowns, strutting equestrian units, Festive dance troupes and more will step offat Summit and Jefferson Streets at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 28, traveling north on Summit Street to Jackson Street and finishing on Huron Street at 12:30 p.m. Along the way, children - of all ages - will enjoy a festive selection of multi-storied helium balloons, fun floats and, of course, the parade's biggest star: Santa Claus! It is one day each year that is guaranteed to lift spirits and brighten outlooks.

But in these troubled times, one day may not be enough. So The Blade and Buckeye CableSystem are expanding the festivities to two days and three events:

• "Up, Up, Hurray", the annual Parade, will take place Saturday, November 28.
• Breakfast with Santa,a sweepstakes, will entertain winning families at the Imagination Station (formerly COSI ), the morning of the parade.

• Kris Kringle Village, a two-day attraction at the Erie Street Market, Saturday and Sunday, November 28 & 29, will feature kids activities, live entertainment, holiday vendors, horse-drawn carriage rides, live reindeer and more.

"Downtown Toledo will be Holiday Central for families eager to launch the season," said Joseph H. Zerbey IV, Vice President/General Manager for The Blade. "The Blade and its partners are proud to serve as Santa's helpers in sponsoring this expanded celebration."

The annual Parade attracts hundreds of participants each year. With the addition of Kris Kringle Village, more sponsors and volunteers are needed then ever before.

"It will take 300 or more volunteers along with substantial financial support from the business community to get the Parade down the street and the Village up and operating. We encourage anyone with an interest in supporting either or both of these events to contact us." Zerbey added.

Interested parties wishing to sponsor bands and units in the parade, or to participate as a volunteer, should contact the Parade hotline at 419-290-8629, email Parade organizers at holidayparade@toledoblade.comor visit toledoblade.com/parade. Businesses interested in being a Parade or Village sponsor should contact Mike Mori at The Blade at 419-724-6380 .
By: Great Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau

How to Have a Neighborhood Christmas Light Contest;

If your annual outdoor Christmas displays rival those in the movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," then organizing a Christmas decorating contest in your neighborhood might be just the thing to get you in the holiday spirit. Follow these steps to channel your inner Clark Griswold and create some Christmas memories to remember.

"This is also a great way to sell your home. Showing potential buyers the neighborhood family christmas spirit. Stage Your Christmas Lights to sell your home - deplaying your home with class and spirit will bring buyers."

1. Step 1 :Determine different categories for participation and judgment. For example, you might divide the contest into Most Creative Use of Lights, Best Yard Display and Overall Grand Prize Winner categories.
2. Step 2 :Circulate a flyer announcing the contest throughout your neighborhood in early November. Ensure you include details such as your contact information, the date when the decorations need to be up and the different categories for judgment.
3. Step 3 :Select an impartial judge or judges to determine the winner of the decorating contest, and then supply them with the categories for judging. To ensure fairness and impartiality to all families who are participating, you might consider asking your town supervisor or village mayor to select the winners.
4. Step 4 :Collect a small donation from each of the participating homeowners to purchase the judge or judges of the contest a token gift for giving your neighborhood their time during the busy holiday season.
5. Step 5 :Ask local businesses to supply prizes for the winning homes. Consider asking garden stores or tree farms to donate a free Christmas tree for the grand prize winner, and local bakeries to donate Christmas cookies for the other category winners.
6. Step 6 : Decorate your own house with as much pizzazz and color as possible. Incorporate music, if your electrical lines will allow it, and as many twinkling lights as your house can hold. The adage "go big or stay home" clearly applies here.
7. Step 7 : Instruct the homeowners to hang a clearly visible sign on their doors on the night of judging, to designate their home as a contest participant. This way, the judge(s) will know to complete an assessment of their decorations.
8. Step 8 : Consider hosting an informal hot chocolate and cookies open house in your home for all participating families following the judging activity. The winners can be announced and prizes awarded.
   
   by: EHow contributing writer

Celebrate Holiday Tours -Beauty of Christmas With Holiday Lantern Tours at Sauder Village

Archbold, OH - Reservations are being taken for "Holiday Lantern Tours," an opportunity to experience a turn-of-the-century Christmas at Sauder Village! Again this year, family and friends will be gathering to hear stories of the past and make memories together as they experience holiday celebrations of yesteryear. Advance reservations are needed for this popular holiday event to be held on November 28, December 5, 11 and 12.

"During our annual Holiday Lantern Tours guests are invited to take time out from a busy season to share in the Christmas traditions of long ago," shared Kim Krieger, Media Relations Specialist at Sauder Village. "With a personalized tour, engaging stories from the past and the magical experience of visiting the village by candlelight, guests can truly experience the warmth and beauty of the Christmas season."

On these four special evenings in the Historic Village the flicker of a candle-lit lantern will light the way as a costumed interpreter takes small groups on a journey back in time. Along the way guests will be invited to experience the holiday customs and celebrations in Northwest Ohio in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Because this is a personalized tour, guests will be encouraged to ask questions and interact with the guide - making each tour a truly unique experience!

In the 1910 Homestead guests will meet Mrs. Grime and hear stories about her preparations for Christmas. Our young school teacher will welcome guests to the District 16 School and encourage them to help make a paper chain to decorate the school for the Christmas season. While visiting the Village church guests can join in a hymn sing and will receive a special gift appropriate to the late 1800s. At the Elmira Depot guests can visit with the station master to learn more about what happened in a depot at the turn of the century. Guests can visit the baggage room filled with traditional gifts and citrus fruits and hear stories about the importance of the railroad.

The Holiday Lantern Tours last approximately 90 minutes and will be repeated every half hour from 4:00 - 8:30 p.m. While the Holiday Lantern Tours are family-oriented programs, the tours may be too long for children under six years old to enjoy.

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required for this special program. Cost is $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for students ages 6-16. Special group and Village Membership rates are available for this holiday program. Reservations for the Holiday Lantern Tours can be made online at www.saudervillage.org or by calling Sauder Village at 800.590.9755.

Shopping is also a key part of the holiday experience for many Village guests. The Village Gift Shop, Lauber's General Store and Threads of Tradition Quilt Shop will be open on the evenings of the Lantern Tours. From items hand-crafted by the artisans at the Village to unique books, toys and home décor items - guests are sure to find many distinctive gifts while enjoying a pleasant, unhurried shopping experience. There are also some special shopping events planned for the holidays including a Children's Christmas Shopping Event on Saturday, December 5^th with special gift items and free gift wrapping from our Junior Historians.

In addition to the Holiday Lantern Tours, Sauder Village is also offering a number of special Holiday Classes again this year including making a quilled snowflake, mittens and a gingerbread house. Class details and registration information is available online.

For more details on Holiday Lantern Tours, classes or shopping at Sauder Village call 800.590.9Greater Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau 755 or visit the Village website at www.saudervillage.org
By: Great Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau

The 8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended. With this news also comes added revisions that will make it possible for others to qualify.

Now- It's not just for First Time Home Buyers - You may qualify
Now - They have raised the wage cut off point.

Basics to the Homebuyer Tax Credit - Extended and Revised.

Do You want to know if you qualify for the Home Buyer Tax Credit now that it has been extended and revised. It does allow more Home buyers a way to qualify.

See Video of the 8,000 Tax Credit and the 6,500 Tax Credit.