It might just be me, but it feels like the first half of this year is just flying by. After all, it’s already Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. While many families are taking advantage of the long weekend and have headed out for a bit of camping, kayaking, joining relatives for a family picnic, or some other version of a mini-vacation, there are just as many folks who have decided to remain close to home

And while none of these may be as exciting as visiting another country or bungee jumping off a cliff, there are quite a few things happening in our fair village this weekend to help keep boredom at bay.

First, for the sports fans, we have a baseball tournament hosted by the Woodmore Select ball teams with approximately 20 teams from surrounding communities participating.

The tournament for 12- and 14- year-olds began Wednesday night and will run through the weekend. There will be two games starting at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Games will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and play will continue throughout the day.

Monday will be championship day with games again starting at 10 a.m. The tournament is being played on the diamondslocated behind Woodmore Elementary at 800 West Main St. Price of admission is $2 per day or $5 for a tournament pass.

For the treasure hunters, the Woodville All-Town Garage Sales are Thursday through Saturday. Print copies of the official roster are available at McDonald’s and at the Sunoco and Marathon gas stations. The roster can also be found on Facebook at @WoodvilleAllTownGarageSales. Included in that list are a mini book sale at the library and a garage sale fundraiser for the Woodville Food Pantry. A look at the items listed for each sale indicates that there is something for just about everyone. 

For those who love to shop, the village has the first farmers market of the season on Saturday morning. Vendors will be bringing everything from plants and produce to arts and crafts and syrup to mushrooms. Even the food pantry will be bringing homemade baked goods as a fundraiser.  The market runs from 9 a.m. until noon at Trail Marker Park on South Cherry Street. The list of vendors can be found on Facebook at @WoodvilleFarmersMarket43469.

For those craving a taste of carnival food, Frank’s Fries will be at Country Creek Greenhouse from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The greenhouse is at 1283 East Main St.

For those who wish to gather to observe the true reason for this holiday weekend, Woodville’s Memorial Day Parade will return after a two-year hiatus. The parade will step off at 8:30 a.m., beginning at Elm Street and proceeding east on Main Street. There will be a brief stop at the Portage River Bridge to drop a memorial wreath in the river.

The parade will continue onto Bridge Street and then west on First Street to end at Veterans Park where there will be a brief service to honor our fallen soldiers. 

Following the service, everyone is invited for a free community breakfast with friends and neighbors. The breakfast will be held in the gym at Solomon School, 305 West Main St. Donations will be accepted. 

And finally, for those out for a stroll or some other form of exercise, the military banners have returned to the light poles lining the streets of town. The banners feature members of our community, past and present, who have served in any branch of the military.

For anyone not able to attend the parade in Woodville, there will also be a Memorial Day parade in Elmore later in the morning Monday. It will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Woodmore High School and proceed down Toledo Street. There will be a stop at the Harris-Elmore Public Library where attendees can listen to a speech given by the American Legion. At the conclusion of the speech, the parade will travel down Clinton Street then Rice Street to Augusta Street and will return to the high school.  

A little reminder for navigating village streets in search of garage sales — local schools are still in session through Friday; students will be walking to and from the school.

Garbage pickup in the village is today. And last but not least, mail carriers also need access to customers’ mailboxes. 

The Woodville Buckeyes 4-H Club will be holding several donation drives this summer for the Humane Society of Sandusky County. The first one will be at the farmers market on Saturday. Items on the Humane Society wish list include dog and cat food, treats, non-clumping cat litter, blankets, toys, and cleaning supplies. A longer list is posted on the club’s Facebook page at @WoodvilleBuckeyes4H. Donations may also be dropped off at the Woodville Library.

The American Legion Post in Elmore will kick off Ohio Bike Week with an Honor Ride to the Sandusky Veterans Home on Saturday The event is open to all motorcycle riders wishing to honor military veterans. Residents at the home will vote for their favorite bikes and the winner will receive a trophy.

Registration starts at 11 a.m. at the Legion on Veteran Avenue in Elmore where food and beverages will be available. After a blessing of the bikes, the escorted ride will depart at 12:30 p.m., and arrive at the Veterans Home at 1:30 p.m. The fee to participate is $20 per bike and $10 per passenger. Proceeds will benefit the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky and American Legion Riders Chapter 279.

The Ohio Veterans Home requires masks when interacting with the residents. 

Contact Rene Dix at 419-307-0914 or via email at rene.dix@email.com.