The Toledo Museum of Art hosted a wonderful party in the Peristyle for the Kentucky Derby last week.

There were several local restaurants donating bites to eat and serving up their own versions of the hot brown while mint julips flowed from every crevice–thanks in part to Woodford Reserve Bourbon.

Both women and men were in their Derby Best.

And the hats were breathtaking!

When it was time for the race, a sea of bonnets rushed into the Peristyle.

It was an exciting race. Congrats to “Animal Kingdom!”

As the party began to end many Derby revellers were found on the front steps of our beautiful museum. It was a grand to-do… and one I hope happens again next year.

Toledo Museum of Art | 2445 Monroe Street | (419) 255-8000

Last night started out with dinner at the original Tony Packo’s on Front Street and was finished off by some T-Town Hockey! D. and I were joined by his parents, his brother & wife (currently living in Denver), and our friends S. and A. from New York City.

What a fantastic night! Both Packo’s and the Huntington Arena were packed full of entirely pleasant people, out enjoying themselves. Dinner was great, watching hockey was fun, and we really enjoyed knowing our friends from out of town were having a great time in Toledo.

Last week my friend S. invited me out swimming. In a quarry. On the East Coast swimming usually involves the ocean or pools, so I was excited to try something new. We drove to Centennial Quarry because it was close by.

The first thing I noticed was the smell of the water… fresh and scented like plants. The water was remarkably clear with visibility several feet down. And until I realized school was back in session, I was struck by how pleasantly empty the place was. Yet, there was something  unnerving about the stillness of the water and I kept expecting a mummified hand to grab my feet from below and pull me under. My imagination gets the best of me sometimes.

Afterwards, we met up with friends at Manhattan’s where Thursday’s happy hour boasts half price drinks and appetizers. No mummies.

Centennial Quarry | 5773 Centennial Road, Sylvania | (419) 885-7106

Manhattan’s | 1516 Adams Street, Uptown Toledo | (419) 243-6675

Baseball. It’s the most all American of ALL American sports.

When I asked if there was to be a “half-time” and “dancing girls” I *really* should have been deported right there and then. Luckily there was a darling little girl singing (see above) and my transgression was either forgotten or dismissed as simply being in the moment. SO! MUCH! AMERICA!

YEAH!!!

Toledo Mudhens | Fifth Third Field | 406 Washington Street | (419) 725-4367

Friday night, J. hosted a group of friends in her office’s suite at the new arena. This was more than my first time seeing the Walleye play–it was my first hockey game ever.

There were people dressed like furries, posing for photos.

And a fight… someone should break it up!

Snacks were yum, and the Lucas Co. Arena is very nice.

D. and R. had their minds set on walleye sandwiches. Supposedly, the condiment bar is epic. That’s a lot of mayo!

And at the end of the night, Toledo Walleye won the game! Great job!

…but stop all the fighting.

Toledo Walleye | at the Lucas Co. Arena | Downtown Toledo!