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Barbara Hendel: Holiday shopping season in high gear

The Blade - 12/3/2020

Dec. 3--BRIGHT holiday lights, loud music, and a lot of people can be barriers to enjoying the fun for individuals on the autism spectrum. Bittersweet Inc. in Whitehouse, for adults and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, teamed with two area Target stores for a sensory friendly holiday shopping opportunity.

They gathered for one hour before the stores opened on Nov. 18 at Target in Rossford and at Spring Meadows. The lights were dimmed, the music turned off, and foot traffic was limited during the sensory-friendly shopping experience.

DEVOON gift shop located on Adams Street next to Manhattan's Pub 'n Cheer, will be closing by the end of the year, according to owner Sandy Blackstone Carman. It's one of the many local small businesses affected by the pandemic. That, and a temporary few street closings for various reasons this past year, she said.

She is hoping to relocate in the future but for now, it's time to close. Many folks have stopped by for discounted items, especially after having brunch on Saturday or Sunday next door at Manhattans.

Barbara Hendel

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Masks are worn in the shop and gifts are all magnificently wrapped free of charge. Devoon hours are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday noon to 6:30 p.m.; Friday noon to 5:30 p.m. or by appointment.

LOCALLY owned apparel shops are also opportunities for special gifts and many offer online shopping. Sophia Lustig, Meigs, Ragazza, and many more, are there to help. These local shops have also been active community supporters, so perhaps it's time to return the favor.

THERE are many other local shops around town, too, so please consider supporting them. You can shop online, get curbside pickup, or go to the stores which have social distancing and masks requirements. Go to the art galleries, gift shops at the Toledo Museum of Art, Imagination Station and the Toledo Zoo, wine shops, florists and more, including salons and unique stores like Wild Birds Unlimited.

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NATURE'S Nursery Center for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, like many nonprofit organizations, is struggling to raise funds during these pandemic times. But executive director Allison Schroeder came up with a new fund-raiser idea.

Earlier in the spring they were contacted about a baby barred owl that had fallen from a high nest at a local Metropark. The owl was checked to make sure it was OK, then with the help of a local tree company, it was reunited with its family in the nest. The story inspired Ms. Schroeder to write about the event in her One Special Owl: A Nature's Nursery Animal Rescue book illustrated by local cartoonist Don Lee. It talks about the rescue but also explains what the nursery does and that wild animals are meant to stay in the wild and not be taken in as pets, she said. Hopefully this book will be the first of a series of animal rescue books.

One Special Owl is available in paperback on Amazon at amzn.to/2JX2eki for $20. Prints can also be purchased at the Flying Joe in Levis Commons (2130 Preston Parkway Perrysburg) and at the Whitehouse Nutrition Spot (6790 Providence Street, Whitehouse). All proceeds benefit Nature's Nursery. For more information go to natures-nursery.org, contact aschroeder@natures-nursery.org, or call 419-344-2988.

IN the meantime, be sure to shoot pictures of you and your family having fun during these holidays and send them to me to make others' holidays bright.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124

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(c)2020 The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)

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