“Why I Love Toledo, Ohio” 21 Reasons
My Dad comes from a large family in Toledo with my Dad serving in the Air Force, I grew up in Shreveport, LA and Roswell, NM. So, I did not have a chance to grow up around all the aunts, uncles and cousins.
I did visit once in 1973 on my way to upstate New York for 1 day, I really did not get see any of the cousins just my grandmother.
However, I did go in 1994 to the Young reunion and I have, since, returned just about every year. I realized what I was missing and as a babyboomer, feeling my mortality, I know now how important it is to stay connected to your family.
It always amazes me how many people I am related to!!
In San Diego, people always ask me why are you going to Toledo for vacation.
Below are the 21 reasons “I Love Toledo, Ohio!”
1. Of course the people: down to earth, warm, hospitality that is over the top. List to follow.
2. Aunt Sharon, Uncle Howard: my parents always said to me “No finer people exist”, and they were right. I am always welcomed with open arms to their home, treated like a king and entertained.
3. Shelley and Duane Ditmer: First Cousin and her husband and Minder, their golden lab.
4. Misty Ann: Their daughter, blonde and beautiful, she visited us once in California and she looked more SoCal then the girls here.
5. Nick and Justina: Shelley’s Son, great boat.
6. Rob and Lucy Young: Great time on their deck and around their fire pit drinking Budlight with their friends…
7. Bonnie and Dan Baxiley: You never see Lucy w/o Bonnie. They are truly attached at the hip.
8. Kelley and Kristen: Rob and Lucy’s girls, dark haired beauties and when you get both in the same room it is non-stop laughter. Throw in Dana, Dan and Bonnie’s daughter, and the three of them should go on the road.
9. J&D’s Side Trip Neighbor Bar on Sylvania Ave: This is a neighborhood bar owned by my cousin Judy and her boyfriend, Don, it is truly like “Cheers” everyone does know your name. The drinks are inexpensive and beating cousin Rick on the electronic bowling game. Fun just does not get any better.
10. Cousin Nancy and her son Rick: What can I say, Nancy is great and Rick is a never ending piece of work. Love them both.
11. The Toledo Mudhens: This is the Detroit Tigers’ Triple A minor league team. New ballpark built downtown with stadium seating and all the fun of any major league game I have ever been to.
11A. Muddonna: Their mascot, picture to follow.
12. Restaurants: Where the food is great, service is quick and the meals are inexpenisve. List below…
13. Tony Packos Downtown: Being a boomer, we watched M*A*S*H (side note: it has been 26 years since the final episode), the Mudhens and Tony Packos both were made famous by Klinger (Jamie Farr, who really is from Toledo). Great Hungarian sausage with chili.
14. El Sueno Mexican Restaurant: Great Magaritas and they really put on a show with the sombrero, ice cream etc.
15. Mayberry Cantina in Sylvania: Wow! Breakfast on a Sunday, food was excellent, was served immediately, and great service.
16. INKYS Italian Food: First time I had been, and the owners are neighbors of Uncle Howard and Aunt Sharon! Everybody eats about 1/3 and took the rest home. Great food, great prices.
17. Everybody cuts their own grass: No landscapers needed, even though the grass is cut every 4 days. Everyone has pride in their yard.
18. High School football: Fall Friday nights are spent rooting for your favorite team. The local channels cover each game, just like it is college or pro.
19. College Football: 95% in Toledo are Ohio State fans, the rest are Michigan fans. They paint their houses, cars, mailboxes, and dogs with the Ohio State colors. This rivalry really overshadows USC vs UCLA. The city must be a ghost town on game day.
20. Eagles Landing Golf Course: 2nd time to play there…$22 with cart, they still do not believe me in California.
21. Gas Prices: Gas is only $2.42 per galloon. How can gas be almost $1.00 cheaper than here in San Diego!
