COMMUNITY DRUMS UP PRIDE

Point Place touts its many treasures

North-end neighborhood parties hearty throughout June

6/1/2014
BY KRIS TURNER
BLADE STAFF WRITER
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    Children line the curb as the Zenobia Shrine hat rolls by down Summit Street in the annual parade.

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    • Children line the curb as the Zenobia Shrine hat rolls by down Summit Street in the annual parade.
    Children line the curb as the Zenobia Shrine hat rolls by down Summit Street in the annual parade.

    Point Place knows how to party.

    The quiet neighborhood in North Toledo is spending the month celebrating its businesses and sense of community through a slew of activities that run through June 28. The Point Place Days 2014 festivities kicked off last week with garage sales, a pancake breakfast, and Saturday’s annual parade.

    Decked out Saturday in a pirate hat with red feathers, grand marshal Joyce Ejhinger said this year’s theme is about finding the treasures in Point Place.

    “It’s all about the people,” she said. “It centers on community and brings us together to celebrate.”

    PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to view

    Just before noon, lines of boats, floats, and classic cars packed Summit Street. Jack Green sat in the shade in his red 1949 Jeepster waiting for everything to kick off under the clear sky.

    Mr. Green, a member of the Zenobia Jeepsters, said he attends about 50 parades a year around Toledo. He said it’s important to support the city and all it has to offer.

    Kristina Ritenour, her daughter-in-law Amanda Ritenour, and Amanda’s daughter Anna, 2, wave to the passing fire trucks.
    Kristina Ritenour, her daughter-in-law Amanda Ritenour, and Amanda’s daughter Anna, 2, wave to the passing fire trucks.

    “It’s great to have people out and see everyone,” he said.

    A Lost Peninsula Marina float passes by, a nod to the area’s proximity to the water.
    A Lost Peninsula Marina float passes by, a nod to the area’s proximity to the water.

    Tom Stagner, parade chairman, said the only way the annual parade comes together is through the help of several volunteers. The festivities grow every year. This year topped out at 80 participants with 1,500 people marching, and up to 15,000 expected to watch.

    This is the 24th annual parade.

    Jim Nowak, Point Place Business Association president, a main parade sponsor, echoed Mr. Stagner.

    “I always like to think about it as the people,” he said. “We have a tremendous spirit of volunteerism in Point Place.”

    A Point Place resident for 60 years, Evelyn Erdman said she came out to support local businesses and her neighbors in the parade. She moved to Point Place when her husband became a firefighter, and she said she’s loved living there ever since.

    A passing firefighter waves to Cassius Voltz, left, 10, of Point Place, and Emiliano Lizcano of Perrysburg. This is the 24th annual parade for the north end community.
    A passing firefighter waves to Cassius Voltz, left, 10, of Point Place, and Emiliano Lizcano of Perrysburg. This is the 24th annual parade for the north end community.

    “It’s a place I never thought I’d live because I was a south-ender all my life,” she said.

    At 2 p.m. today, nine community members will be honored posthumously for their contributions to Point Place. George Green, Sr., a firefighter and Navy veteran who survived Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 and died in 2004, is among those being recognized.

    “He was a great leader, and he was highly respected,” granddaughter Heather Bacon, also of Point Place, said. “His funeral procession was over three miles long.”

    A full list of events can be found at ppbaonline.com/​point-place-days.

    Kris Turner can be reached at: kturner@theblade.com or 419-724-6103.