Hendel: Libbey House continues tea tradition

TOLEDO is filled with rich history and many buildings have been preserved so people in the community can tour the buildings, many which hosted soirees back in the day.

THE Libbey House Foundation and Women of the Old West End presented a Harvest High Tea on Sept. 22 at the historic Libbey House.

Outside of the nearby battlefields at Fallen Timbers and Fort Meigs, the house, built in 1895, is the only National Historic Landmark in the proper city of Toledo. It was the home of Edward Drummond Libbey, a businessman who revolutionized the glassmaking industry in the United States. He founded the Toledo Museum of Art, with his wife, Florence Scott Libbey, in 1901.

There were three seatings to accommodate everyone, many who wore hats for the occasion. Teas, tea sandwiches, and desserts made by the Women of the Old West End were served.

Among the guests were Nicole Beat , Violet Beat , Cathi Lloyd , Deb Thomas , JoAnne Greebel , Cookie Westmeyer , Diane Shull , Judy Uhrman, Susan Conda , Marcia Kolbeck , Eric and Alaina Wright , Vickie Geha , Laura Bahnsen , and Toni Moore ’s family including Melissa Moore Farrell , Sarah Moore Boylan , Tamra Janatowski , Beth Moore Johnson , Christie Moore Lowe , Corri Saad , Sunny Moore Masterton , and Mary Waldo .

The $3,200 in proceeds go to preserve and maintain the Libbey House and support Women of the Old West End programs.

Tickets for the Winterfest High Tea and House Tour on Dec. 8 are on sale. Go to libbeyhouse.org .

TALES of past people and events in Toledo are all part of the mystique during the History and Hops, a step back in time at Toledo’s Historic Oliver House, a Greek revival style hotel built in 1859 overlooking the Maumee River. It is the last surviving hotel designed by Isaiah Rogers, the American architect often regarded as the inventor of the modern hotel with all the amenities such as running water, gas lights, and fireplaces in each room.

Historian Ted Ligibel and storyteller Tedd Long will provide the rich history of the iconic landmark complete with rare artifacts and a behind-the-scenes tour. It may also include other early Toledo sites including the Middlegrounds and Swan Creek and who knows? Maybe a few tales of spirits since it is close to Halloween.

The evening includes a tasty plated dinner with a cash bar of over 45 specialty wines. The next dinners are Sunday at 6 p.m. and Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. Call 419-243-1302 or email info@mbaybrew.com.

THE 4th annual Fall into Rotary Park event is 11:30 to 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at Perrysburg Rotary Community Park, 26350 Fort Meigs Rd. The park includes the Welch Family Pickleball Complex, the Steve Hopkins Tennis Complex with lighted courts, a covered pavilion with public restrooms, a playground for children, a walking/jogging track, and athletic fields.

The free event is by the Perrysburg Rotary Club and Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation with presenting sponsor McGivern Jewelers. Other sponsors include Asset Protection Corp. and Skotynsky Financial Group, LLC.

Activities include BGSU’s Freddie and Freida Falcon, face and pumpkin painting, balloon animals, trick or treat stations. a childrens Halloween costume contest, and gently used books from The Way Public Library to take home.

Doughnuts, cider, and hot chocolate will be served, and Off the Rails Food Truck will offer food for purchase.

Nonperishable food for the Perrysburg Heights Community Pantry will be collected: macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, peanut butter or cheese crackers, single serve fruit cups; oatmeal packets, pasta sides, and manual or electric can openers.