5 things you might have missed: 11-18

Top stories from this weekend's editions of The Blade

Senator John F. Kennedy, (D-Ma.)waves to onlookers after landing at Toledo Express Airport during the 1960 Presidential campaign.

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Senator John F. Kennedy, (D-Ma.)waves to onlookers after landing at Toledo Express Airport during the 1960 Presidential campaign.

1.  Memories of John F. Kennedy’s 1960 visit to Toledo remain fresh for area residents

When John F. Kennedy arrived — nearly two hours late for this scheduled campaign stop — the “roaring throngs” welcomed him to Toledo.

It was Nov. 4, 1960 — the final days of the young Democratic senator’s presidential campaign against Vice President Richard Nixon.

About 1,200 people greeted the future president at Toledo Express Airport. Others caught a glimpse of his passing motorcade as it wound through the city. A reported 25,000 smashed around the courthouse, where the crowd barely parted to let the candidate through.

Days later, he would be elected president. Three years later, he would be dead.

Memories remain fresh and sadness still lingers 50 years after President Kennedy’s Nov. 22, 1963, assassination in Dallas. READ MORE

Toledo Mayor Mike Bell is preparing to leave office on Jan. 2. He says he plans to travel, do some volunteering, and that he will ‘like being a normal person again.'

2. Toledo mayor has no regrets about his term

To the last day of his first, and only, term in public office, Mike Bell is unapologetic and unregretful.

And soon, he will be a liberated man.

Mayor Bell — a popular man who attained rock-star status with supporters who donned T-shirts bearing his face — confidently proclaimed on Election Night that he would win re-election. Instead, the political independent and former fire chief who drew the ire of Democrats and unions from almost day one in office is preparing to leave office on Jan 2.

Voters decided to instead give that office for the next four years to D. Michael Collins, a district councilman from South Toledo, former police officer, former union president, and former college professor.

“I can sit here on Nov. 14 and say we have a balanced budget from a $48 million deficit, we have a rainy-day fund, we have a surplus, so for me, mission accomplished,” Mayor Bell said last week from behind the desk in his 22nd floor office at Government Center. “I really don't have any regrets. None. I have had time to think about it and there are none, zero. In fact, I feel liberated.” READ MORE

Members of the Anthony Wayne High School band followed by a Frosty the Snowman balloon during the 26th Annual Blade Holiday Parade

3. Holiday parade downtown makes everyone recapture childlike spirit

Kaleb Evans eased his way up to the side of the road and enthusiastically high-fived several members of a local marching band.

As parade clowns and costumed cartoon characters approached, the Toledo toddler quickly served up the most adorable smile a 2-year-old can muster and politely held out a little knapsack that was soon filled with all kinds of candy treats.

The boy may be young, but he’s already a well-seasoned parade veteran, said his grandmother, 50-year-old Shirley Hardison. The Blade’s 26th Annual Holiday Parade in downtown Toledo on Saturday was already her grandson’s fourth parade. READ MORE

Selling, loaning, or giving away art that museums acquire over the years is the result of the natural process of acquiring works that for various reasons no longer fit the artistic mission.

4. Toledo Art Museum selling works that no longer fit its collection

First things first.

This story is about a concept that is a true tongue twister to anyone encountering the word for the first time:

Deaccession. It is pronounced dee-AK-session — except everyone seems to say it a different way.

In simple terms, it’s the museum equivalent of cleaning out the attic and holding a garage sale.

It’s a common practice, but in the context of the dark financial shadow hanging over the Detroit Institute of Art, the public perception could be that there is more at stake when Toledo art aficionados see works from the beloved Toledo Museum of Art going on the auction block.

So TMA leaders are getting out in front of the issue and making it clear that the latest round of deaccession is business as usual and is in no way a harbinger of troubled times at the venerable Monroe Street institution. READ MORE

5. Toledo Symphony astounds with nontraditional show

The Toledo Symphony wowed a big Peristyle audience Friday night in its third Classics series concert by going way off the traditional philharmonic playbook.

The orchestra’s program, Four Seasons with a Twist, was the vibrant result of brilliant planning, exquisite music-making, and the irresistible drama of tango.

It’s sure to be the talk around town for a long time, a highlight of the whole season, and, we can hope, inspiration for more innovation by a group that already has shown a willingness to commit to and execute artistic risks. READ MORE