Years lived in Toledo: 19
Occupation: Owner of Flying Rhino Coffee (& sometimes Chocolate)
My story, in one sentence: Love brought me to Toledo where I have had opportunities to work and play resulting in the growth of good friends, wisdom and a deep spiritual connection.
The best meal I had in Toledo was the half hog head at Degagé with five of my women friends.
Flower Day/Weekend at the Toledo Farmers’ Market is my favorite event of the year.
My favorite piece of local art is Judy Dilloway mural, on 11th and Adams St. The ode to the late-artist was painted by Maura Amato and some of Dilloway’s former students.
I’m at my most calm in Toledo when I’m connecting to nature, art, or animals, like at the Toledo Zoo.
The street I drive on/walk on most often is Adams St. in UpTown.
The best time I ever had in Toledo was at an outdoor Leon Russell concert in the parking lot at the old Westgate Shopping Center because I was new to Toledo, it was free, and [my late husband] Ralph and I were standing drinking beer arm in arm and feeling the music.
One thing I’ve always meant to do in Toledo, but haven’t, is sing in one of the big community choirs at Christmas.
If I could change one thing about Toledo, I would create more fun activities on the Maumee River. We are a river town but only a few events happen there. Most of the time I forget I live near the River. Let’s create some fun events that involve our neighboring cities that are also on the River.
If I knew I could get away with it, I would steal into the Fifth Third Field when it was closed on a warm summer night with a full moon on a Sunday when the bars are more quiet. I would sit in the middle of the field and take in the vast silence, and then I would
probably meditate right there.
When I’m away from Toledo, I can’t wait to have fresh produce from my farmer friends!
When I’m craving sushi, I like to go to Kira Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi. When I’m craving Mediterranean, I like to go to Sidon’s or Beirut. When I crave Mexican, I like to go to San Marco’s downtown. When I’m gluten-free craving pizza, I get Marco’s Pizza— they have the best GF pizza (I’ve tried them all).
If Toledo had a new motto, it would be “Crossroads of Diversity.”
The most underrated thing in Toledo is the Maumee River.
The most overrated thing in Toledo is the notion that downtown is unsafe. I’ve lived downtown for 19 years and it has always been a safe place. Today it is more safe than ever before. There are more people, more businesses and more nighttime venues.
The artists and musicians I love are Gene Parker, Jim Yarrito, Mark Wagar, Larry Mack, Robert Heindel (from Toledo), Leslie Adams, Toledo Symphony Orchestra and my singing group Sweet Harmony.
To find inspiration, I go to one of the Metroparks.
I always brag about Toledo’s infectiousness. All it takes is a willingness to get involved and connect.
Alison Wood-Osmun is the Toledoan I most admire, with her husband a close second. These two volunteer and contribute backbreaking labor to create community gardens, often spending their own money. And they do it out of love. Year after year they continue their efforts for the enjoyment of many in an effort to create a gardening community.
