Area Author Receives Award Lila Csortos Honored for Telling Others’ Stories
Walbridge native and Toledo resident Lila Csortos, writing as Sara Shaw, earned national recognition for her book, Healing Your Life One Leaf at a Time, which won gold in religion/spirituality at the Florida Authors and Publishers Association Awards. The book features 19 true stories of resilience, including that of Vietnam veteran Robert Hamilton, for whom she established a Lake High School scholarship. Csortos also hosts the international podcast Chapter Chat with Sara and volunteers with Toledo’s Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center. She said she was “overwhelmed” by the award, judged by publishing professionals, librarians and educators.
Golf Outing Honors Founder, Raises over $37K for MS Research
The 2025 Mike Burkett Memorial Golf Outing, held at Belmont Country Club and hosted by Burkett Restaurant Equipment & Supplies, raised $37,555 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Founded in Toledo in 1977, Burkett has deep local roots and now serves northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The outing honors founder Mike Burkett, who battled MS for 34 years before passing in 2021. Over four years, the event has raised more than $137,000 to support MS research and patient care. “This event is more than a fundraiser — it’s a tribute to my father,” said CEO Jameel Burkett.
WGTE Wins Big with Three National Public Media Awards
WGTE Public Media earned national recognition by winning three Public Media Awards from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). Competing against over 300 stations nationwide, WGTE won in all three categories it entered: Historical Feature for Magic of the Old West End, Education for Taking Ownership of Your Health and Podcast for Rethinking Jails + Justice. Director of Content Creation Shane Potgeiter praised the team’s dedication to storytelling that strengthens community ties. NETA President Eric Hyyppa emphasized the importance of public media’s mission to serve with integrity, innovation, and purpose.
