Perrysburg Podcast

Today's episode is about pickleball in Perrysburg, and my guest is "Pickleball Paul," also known as Paul Smithers.

During our conversation, you'll hear how pickleball became so popular locally, where to play, how beginners can get started, why the game has become such a social activity for people of all ages, and more.

Whether you've never picked up a paddle or you already play regularly, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at one of Perrysburg's fastest-growing recreational activities.

Highlights from this episode

🏓 the history of pickleball in Perrysburg

🏓 where to play

🏓 beginner tips

🏓 some pickleball etiquette

🏓 a reminder to stay active as you age

🏓 and why pickleball is such a social sport

Links from this episode

• Perrysburg Pickleball Club Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/2105884833042311/
• Pickleheads App (Find a Player) https://www.pickleheads.com/
• Email the Host - Kim Newlove, [email protected]
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/newsletter
• Follow the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@perrysburgpodcast

List of Pickleball Courts in Perrysburg, Ohio

Outdoor Courts

• Perrysburg Municipal Park
• Rotary Community Park

Indoor Courts

• Fort Meigs YMCA
• Zion Lutheran Church (beginner classes Wednesdays from 2-6 PM)
• Grace Church (E. Boundary St.)
• Not mentioned today, but also available: PHCA (Perrysburg Heights Community Center)

Other Locations Mentioned - Outside Perrysburg

• Bowling Green pickleball courts
• Sylvania pickleball courts
• Holland pickleball courts
• Waterville pickleball courts
• Toledo pickleball courts at Rossford/Toledo Pickleball Club area

The Perrysburg Heights Community Association (PHCA) is a nonprofit community organization in Perrysburg Township that helps children, adults, and families through education, wellness, food assistance, recreation, and community support programs.

It started in 1991 as a response to concerns about children struggling academically in the Perrysburg Heights neighborhood. Over time, it grew from a small after-school tutoring effort in a construction trailer into a full community center offering:

• after-school reading and enrichment programs
• a summer camp
• a food pantry
• fitness and wellness activities
• volunteer opportunities
• GED support through partnerships
• health screenings
• a free primary care clinic for uninsured and underinsured patients

A big part of PHCA's mission is helping people access opportunities, resources, and support while building a stronger sense of community connection. It also serves as a hub where schools, nonprofits, healthcare providers, businesses, volunteers, and local organizations collaborate to help families in the Perrysburg area.

Paul Belazis has been a member of the Perrysburg community since 1987. He served as a member of the Perrysburg Heights Community Association PHCA board of trustees at its inception in 1991. He is the immediate PHCA Past President.

Perrysburg Heights Community Association (PHCA)

12282 Jefferson St. Perrysburg, OH 43551

419-874-4529

Website: https://www.phcaohio.org/

Follow PHCA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/phccofficial/

Community Partners Mentioned

• Perrysburg Schools
• Islamic Food Bank of Toledo
• Halim Clinic
• Halim Clinic at PHCA phone number: (567) 318-4609
• Penta Career Center Adult Education
• The Greater Toledo Community Foundation
• United Way of Greater Toledo
• Mercy Health Mobile Mammography

Ways to Support PHCA

• Volunteer
• Donate
• Become a reading mentor
• Help with the food pantry
• Schedule a tour
• Spread awareness about PHCA services
• Share this podcast episode

Other Links

• Email the Host - Kim Newlove, [email protected]
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/newsletter
• Follow the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@perrysburgpodcast

This is a Mother's Day themed episode. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in Perrysburg and beyond! This episode publishes on Friday, May 8, 2026, and Mother's Day in the United States is on May 10.

Note: Even though this episode celebrates Moms, Mother's Day can also feel complicated, painful, or bittersweet for some people. No matter what this holiday feels like for you, I hope there's something in this episode that resonates with you today.

This episode has three parts:

1. First: I peel back the curtain so you can get to know me better as a Mom
2. Second, I celebrate all types of mothers
3. Third, I share some of my personal favorite Mom-related things.

Links and resources mentioned

• Fort Meigs YMCA https://www.ymcatoledo.org/branch/fort-meigs/
• Barney Google song on YouTube
• Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
• The Parent Trap (movie)
• Bad Moms (movie)
• Forrest Gump (movie)
• https://mamadoctorjones.com/ (women's health channel)
• I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant episode (Mama Doctor Jones YouTube Channel)
• Email the Host - Kim Newlove, [email protected]
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/newsletter
• Follow the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@perrysburgpodcast

Today's episode is about the Fort Meigs Historic Site, and my guest is John Thompson. He's the Manager of Historic Programming and Head of Interpretation at Fort Meigs Historic Site.

If you've ever driven past it and thought, I should check that out sometime, this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll learn what to see and do at Fort Meigs, what not to miss inside the fort and museum, and how to experience it in a way that really brings history to life. We also talk about how the community uses the space and how to enjoy it while respecting its history.

Fort Meigs Historic Site

War of 1812 Museum and Reconstructed Wooden Walled Fort

29100 West River Road

Perrysburg, Ohio

Links from this episode

• Fort Meigs Historic Site https://fortmeigs.org/
• Ohio History Connection https://www.ohiohistory.org/
• War of 1812 Reenactment (Memorial Day Weekend – May 2026) https://fortmeigs.org/memorialday/
• Independence Day Event (July) https://fortmeigs.org/independence/
• American Revolution Event (August) https://fortmeigs.org/revolution/
• Life in Early Ohio (September) https://fortmeigs.org/earlyohio/
• The Foot of the Rapids Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foot-of-the-rapids/id1508380833
• Email the Host - Kim Newlove, [email protected]
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/newsletter
• Follow the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@perrysburgpodcast

🤝 SUPPORT FORT MEIGS HISTORIC SITE - PERRYSBURG, OH

• Volunteer https://fortmeigs.org/volunteer/
• Donate https://fortmeigs.org/donate/
• Membership information https://fortmeigs.org/membership/

Today's episode is about bike trails in and around Perrysburg, OH. I love riding my bike. If you like biking, too, this episode's for you! Best wishes for a safe and fun 2026 bike season.

Note: I use the terms bike trail, multi-use path, and multipurpose trail interchangeably in this episode. A list of trails and websites is below.

Multipurpose Trails in Perrysburg

1. Chessie Circle Trail at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve 29530 White Road, Perrysburg. To learn more, visit https://metroparkstoledo.com/trails/chessie-circle-trail/
2. Multi-use path along the Maumee River from Hood Park to the backyard of Ft. Meigs Battlefield.
3. Multi-use path that runs from the intersection of Hull Prairie and Roachton Roads to (1) Rivercrest Park, (2) Levis Commons, and (3) the City of Perrysburg Dept of Public Service.
4. Multi-use path along West River Road. It starts at the Fort Meigs Historic Site. Riders can reach the Perrysburg-Maumee Bridge or the multi-use path along the river from this path.

Perrysburg Slow Rollers Routes

• The Three Meadows Route
• The Locust Street Route
• The Bicentennial Route
• To learn more about the Perrysburg Slow Rollers, visit https://www.facebook.com/PerrysburgSlowRollers
• Listen to Episode 95 of The Perrysburg Podcast about the Slow Rollers https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/95

Bike Trails outside of Perrysburg

• Maumee Tow Path Trail to the Sidecut Metropark multi-use trail
• Wabash Cannonball Bike Trail (North Fork or South Fork) https://www.wabashcannonballtrail.org
• University/Parks Trail https://metroparkstoledo.com/trails/universityparks-trail/
• Beach Ridge Singletrack Trail in Swanton https://metroparkstoledo.com/trails/beach-ridge-singletrack-trail/
• Slippery Elm Bike Trail from Bowling Green to North Baltimore https://wcparks.org
• North Coast Inland Trail between Elmore and Bellevue. https://www.lovemyparks.com/parks/north-coast-inland-trail
• Tow Path Trail from Waterville to Grand Rapids. https://metroparkstoledo.com/trails/towpath-trail/
• Tow Path Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Akron, OH) and the "Bike Aboard Program" https://www.cvsr.org/explorer-program

Bike Shops

1. Wersell's Bike Shop in Toledo, OH https://wersellsbikeshop.com/
2. Spoke Life Cycles in Maumee, OH https://spokelifecycles.com/
3. Cyclewerks in Whitehouse, OH https://www.shopcyclewerks.com/

Parks Mentioned

• Bend View Metropark https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Blue Creek Metropark https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Cannonball Prairie Metropark https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Fallen Timbers Battlefield Park https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Fallen Timbers Monument Park https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Farnsworth Metropark https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Glass City Metropark https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Mary Jane Thurston State Park https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/mary-jane-thurston-state-park
• Maumee Bay State Park https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/maumee-bay-state-park
• Oak Openings Metropark https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Providence Metropark https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Roche de Bout Metropark https://metroparkstoledo.com/
• Wildwood Metropark https://metroparkstoledo.com/

Other links from this episode

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
• I Can Shine (formerly Lose the Training Wheels) https://icanshine.org/programs/camp-locations/ This program helps special needs riders around age 8.
• See where other Perrysburg residents ride: https://www.bikemap.net/en/l/5166516/
• Email the Host - Kim Newlove, [email protected]
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/newsletter
• Follow the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@perrysburgpodcast

This episode is dedicated to the teens and tweens of Perrysburg and their families. It is my hope that this episode will inspire you to read, write, and/or draw AND attend this year's Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival. To read the FULL show notes, visit https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/143.

The Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival is Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Toledo School for the Arts. To learn more about it, I sat down with Denise Phillips (Teen Book Festival Committee Member and Gathering Volumes Bookstore Owner) and 7 authors who will participate at the festival by giving talks and/or signing books.

You can learn more about the festival and register online at https://nwoteenbookfest.com/.

If you find this episode after the festival, or you live outside Northwest Ohio, I hope this episode still inspires you to read, learn, and create. See below for a list of books mentioned.

There are 8 interviews in this episode. Denise Phillips kicks off the episode with general information about the Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival. Then, we have 7 author interviews. They're all around 12 minutes each.

GUEST NAMES AND TIME STAMPS

• Denise Phillips 3:33
• Chelsea Bobulski 30:14
• Paul Coccia 42:25
• Mark Crilley 55:29
• Scoot McMahon 1:08:07
• Abbey Nash 1:19:44
• Natalie D. Richards 1:31:18
• Suja Sukumar 1:45:39

Links from this episode

• Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival website https://nwoteenbookfest.com/
• Gathering Volumes Bookstore website https://gatheringvolumes.com/
• Scoot McMahon on Instagram @scootcomics https://www.instagram.com/scootcomics/
• Email the Host - Kim Newlove, [email protected]
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/newsletter
• Follow the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@perrysburgpodcast

Books mentioned in this episode

• Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
• The Luminaries (trilogy) by Susan Dennard
• The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard
• Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
• Don't Get Caught by Kurt Dinan
• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton
• Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
• How Girls Are Made by Mindy McGinnis
• Stuart Gibbs books (Spy School, Moon Base Alpha Series, and more)
• How to Tell a True Story by Trisha Springstubb
• The Keeper by Kelcey Ervick
• A Deal with a Debutante by Chelsea Bobulski
• The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski
• Remember Me by Chelsea Bobulski
• All I Want for Christmas (series) by Chelsea Bobulski
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Berenstain Bears books
• Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer
• The Bear Fairy by Paul Coccia
• On the Line by Paul Coccia and Eric Walters
• Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia
• Leon Levels Up (Middle grade VR video game book) by Paul Coccia
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
• The Golden Compass series by Philip Pullman
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
• The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
• The Shining by Stephen King
• Akiko by Mark Crilley
• The Comic Book Lesson: A Graphic Novel That Shows You How to Make Comics by Mark Crilley
• The Two Pencil Method by Mark Crilley
• The Drawing Lesson by Mark Crilley
• Ninja Kaiju by Scoot McMahon
• Agents of Slam by Scoot McMahon
• Wrapped Up by Scoot McMahon
• Classic Comics: Archie and Jughead, Batman, The Fantastic Four, and X-Men
• Breathing Underwater by Abbey Nash
• Lifeline by Abbey Nash
• Little House on the Prairie (Series) Laura Ingalls Wilder
• The Chronicles of Narnia (Series) by C.S. Lewis
• 49 Miles Alone by Natalie D. Richards
• Goosebumps (Series) by R. L. Stine
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Other authors mentioned by Natalie D. Richards: Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Walt Whitman, Ernest Hemingway, Toni Morrison, and Barbara Kingsolver.
• When Mimi Went Missing by Suja Sukumar
• Authors mentioned by Suja: Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, and Nancy Drew
• Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon

In this episode of The Perrysburg Podcast, host Kim Newlove interviews Heather Gallant, Executive Director of The 577 Foundation. Located at 577 E. Front Street, this nonprofit arts and nature education center offers free access to its beautiful grounds, along with classes (for a fee), events, and opportunities to connect with others in the community.

Heather shares the history of the property, what The 577 Foundation is, and why it's such a special place in Perrysburg. You'll also hear about popular classes, ways to get involved, and plans for a future pottery studio.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, this episode will give you plenty of reasons to explore The 577 Foundation.

Links for this episode

• Website https://577foundation.org/
• Linktree https://linktr.ee/577foundation
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/577Foundation/
• Twitter (X) https://x.com/577Foundation
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/577foundation
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@the577foundation4
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/577foundation
• Email the Host - Kim Newlove, [email protected]
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/newsletter
• Follow the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@perrysburgpodcast

Kaizen Educational Group in Perrysburg offers comprehensive support for children with learning differences—all under one roof. In this episode, co-owners Jill Michaelson and Chelsea Siebenaler explain how their multidisciplinary team evaluates and supports children ages 2.5 through high school (and sometimes beyond).

Learn how Kaizen helps families navigate ADHD, autism, dyslexia, executive functioning challenges, and more through detailed evaluations, therapy, advocacy, and support. They also walk through their step-by-step process—from a free consultation to personalized recommendations—and explain how they empower parents with clear next steps.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to piece together services for your child, this episode introduces a local solution designed to simplify the journey.

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any learning differences, disabilities, or mental health conditions, nor does it replace advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified professional.

Every child is unique. If you have concerns about your child's development, learning, or behavior, please consult with a licensed healthcare provider, educational professional, or other qualified specialist who can evaluate your child's individual needs.

Kaizen Educational Group is a business in Perrysburg, located at 741 Commerce Drive, Suite 300. Their website is https://www.kaizeneducationalgroup.com. The information and opinions provided by Jill and Chelsae are their own.

Links from this episode

• Kaizen Educational Group website https://www.kaizeneducationalgroup.com/
• Kaizen Educational Group on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kaizen_educational_group/
• Kaizen Educational Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KaizenEducationalGroup/
• Kaizen Educational Group phone: (567) 205-9785 Kaizen Educational Group email: [email protected]
• Email the Host - Kim Newlove, [email protected]
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/newsletter
• Follow the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@perrysburgpodcast

This episode highlights a student-led, non-profit organization called Musicians for Causes. These high-school-aged musicians perform in the community and at local businesses. They're a great example of how young people in our community are stepping up—not just to showcase their talent, but also to make a positive impact locally.

• If you know of an organization or business who would like Musicians for Causes to perform, reach out via their social media or email.
• If you are a high school musician in grades 9-12 who might like to volunteer with Musicians for Causes, apply today.

• Musicians for Causes (M4C) Website https://sites.google.com/view/musiciansforcauses/home
• M4C Instagram https://www.instagram.com/musiciansforcauses/
• M4C Facebook https://www.facebook.com/musiciansforcauses/
• M4C email [email protected]
• Musicians for Causes phone 419-450-3235
• Good to Great by Jim Collins https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996
• Mr. Holland's Opus https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113862/
• Email the Host - Kim Newlove, [email protected]
• Sign up for our weekly newsletter on https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/newsletter
• Follow the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@perrysburgpodcast

🚧 Today's episode includes a conversation with the following individuals about Revitalize Perrysburg Phase 2 (a construction project in Historic Downtown Perrysburg):

• Zoe Williams, Director of Marketing, Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce
• Tom Haar, Staff Engineer/Revitalize Perrysburg Project Manager, City of Perrysburg Engineering Division
• Casey Kenworthy, Public Information Officer, City of Perrysburg
• Kim Newlove, Perrysburg Resident and Podcast Host

Our conversation was recorded Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Perrysburg Municipal Building.

According to revitalizeperrysburg.com, the project will preserve Perrysburg's history, improve accessibility, create beautiful public spaces, modernize infrastructure, and enhance the aesthetics of historic downtown Perrysburg. Phase 2 of the project takes place on Louisiana Ave between Third and Front Streets. The East side is under construction first, and the West side will be second.

Topics covered

• Phase One
• Phase Two
• Lane closures
• Memorial Day Parade
• Farmer's Market
• Homecoming Parade and Festival
• Outdoor seating at restaurants
• Shout-outs to all the folks doing the work behind-the-scenes
• How to find updates about the Revitalize Perrysburg Phase 2

We're all in this together (businesses, residents, visitors, and construction crews, etc) and we're going to get through it. If you want to avoid surprises or delays, look at the websites and social media channels mentioned in this episode. Plan ahead if you can. We will have a beautiful, revitalized Downtown Perrysburg when the project wraps up. 🎉

Mentioned in this episode

• City of Perrysburg's website (Current projects tab, Phase Two revitalization project information) https://www.perrysburgoh.gov/285/Current-Projects
• City of Perrysburg Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CityOfPerrysburg
• City of Perrysburg Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cityofperrysburg/
• City of Perrysburg on Twitter (X) https://x.com/PerrysburgGov
• Revitalize Perrysburg Website https://revitalizeperrysburg.com
• Revitalize Perrysburg Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576312167713
• Revitalize Perrysburg Instagram https://www.instagram.com/revitalizeperrysburg
• Perrysburg Chamber Of Commerce https://www.perrysburgchamber.com/
• Visit Perrysburg (Farmer's Market) https://visitperrysburg.com/
• Way Public Library https://waylibrary.info/ Local Historians mentioned: Richard Baranowski, Gary Franks, and Lloyd Swanson