Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Caleb Cuevas of Port Clinton who was one of 293 individuals who found our friendly fish in the ad for OCTA in last week’s Beacon. Caleb wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores as well as a beautiful decorative nautical floor mat from “Capn’s Custom Carpets” at Fort Firelands. We’ll definitely be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

The Port Clinton Community Band gave a concert last Sunday afternoon before an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd at Port Clinton Yacht Club. The group will again be performing again this Monday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. at Lakeview Park. I told director Rod Miller that he was my “second favorite local sousaphone player” right behind Jon Waters, director of bands at THE Ohio State University. He reminded me that he has one more “i-dotting” than does the Elmore native. Anyway, bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the free concert. In case of bad weather, the concert will be moved to the PCHS Performing Arts Center.

The 5th Annual Chemo Pub-Crawl will be held this Saturday, Aug. 10. The “crawl” starts at OurGuest Inn at 220 E. Perry Street and goes to the area’s top pubs including: The Bait House, McCarthy’s, Madison St. Pub, Rosie’s Kokomo Bay and the Jet Express Bar. Afterward, they will have a “Celebration of Life” at OurGuest Inn from 8-11. For more information, call OurGuest Inn at 419-734-7111 or go to their Web Site at www.pcchemocrawl.com. Also that day, they will have a Duck Drop starting at 11 a.m. You can purchase a Duck Ticket for $10 each which gives you either a round trip ferry ticket on the Miller Ferry or a day pass to Monsoon Lagoon. You can purchase your tickets at OurGuest Inn or Mutach’s Market. 

Fun and good food will be on the agenda when Ottawa County’s Democrats host a picnic next Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Bay Township Hall on State Route 53 south of Port Clinton. The meal will begin at 6 p.m. with hot dogs, burgers and all the trimmings. Guests are asked to bring a side dish. Table service will be provided so just come and enjoy the fellowship and meal. It is a kid-friendly event. It is free and reservations are not required. 

There will be another in the “Lunch & Learn” series at Otterbein North Shore next Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 12 noon. The topic will be “The Joy of Woodworking” and the speaker will be Robert Querns, a resident of the community who was a wood-working teacher before he retired. He will also highlight the many community uses for the Otterbein North Shore Wood Shop. They are asking that reservations be made by this Friday, Aug. 9, by calling 419-798-8250. Otterbein will also be hosting the Marblehead Chamber Business After Hours event next Thursday, Aug. 15.

Look out!!! The Port Clinton High School Class of 1978 is holding their 35th Class Reunion this weekend, with their premier event happening Saturday night at Port Clinton Yacht Club. I was the “Voice of the Redskins” on radio back when this class was winning championships. PCHS has 2 outstanding athletic classes in 1977 and 1978, and the football teams from 1975-77 went 7-3, 9-1 and 8-2 during that golden era. Many of the members of this class have remained extremely close over the intervening 35 years. Have fun, kids!

The Danbury High School Class of 1988 will be holding its 25 year reunion on Saturday, August 17. They are, of course, looking for classmates they have lost track of over the years. Any member of that class who wants more info on the reunion, contact Robert Lenthe at RLenthe@yahoo.com. 

Sharon Mefferd, longtime member of the board with the Friends of Port Clinton Parks wrote me this week asking me to write an item about their Annual Flea Market/Garage Sale to be held on Saturday, Aug. 17. Crafters and families interested can set up a 12’ x 12’ space for only $15. The sale will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeview Park. The Friends will serve a pancake breakfast and a hot dog lunch. For more information or to become a vendor, contact Sharon at 419-734-2954. She also sent us a note to tell us that Jacob Hastings, Sharon’s grandson and son of former PC resident Wendy Mefferd Hastings, was the pitcher for the Circleville American Legion team that finished second at the State Tournament.

Speaking of Port Clinton and City Council, I would like to congratulate Margaret Phillips for her appointment and intention to run for a 3rd Ward Council position. She will be running against Trish McCartney, thus a race between two of my favorite people.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Bonnie Hicks of Port Clinton who was one of 224 individuals who found our friendly fish in the ad for Recycling 101 on page 7A in last week’s Beacon. Bonnie wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores as well as a beautiful decorative nautical floor mat from “Capn’s Custom Carpets” at Fort Firelands. We’ll definitely be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

The Sixth Annual Appetite for the Arts will be held this weekend at the Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport. The event, sponsored by the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council and Lake Erie Shores and Islands, will be chock full of artwork from local artists, kids activities, food and music. For more information and their entire schedule, log on to www.portclintonarts.com. The Airport is going to be a busy place the next few weekends. The “Warbirds over Port Clinton” featuring some of the neatest model airplanes you will ever see, will be held Aug. 24 & 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Then on Labor Day weekend, the traveling monument honoring the Tuskegee Airmen titled “Rise Above” will be at the airport Aug. 29 through Sept. 1. It is the second visit by the exhibit. They are back by popular demand. 

Tonight (Thursday, Aug. 15) is the Marblehead Chamber Business After Hours to be held at Otterbein North Shore Retirement Center from 5-7 p.m. Call the Chamber to make a reservation. Also, there will be a complemetary rib lunch at Otterbein tomorrow (Friday, Aug. 16) featuring the music of Jimmy “Cleat” Bolger. But you must call in your reservation a.s.a.p. at 419-798-8250.  Otterbein is also hosting their monthly stroke support group entitles Gathering of Stroke Champions on Tuesday, Aug. 20. The program will be “Ways to increase mobility and independence”. The program starts at 2 p.m.

Fun and good food will be on the agenda when Ottawa County’s Democrats host a picnic tonight, Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Bay Township Hall on State Route 53 south of Port Clinton. The meal will begin at 6 p.m. with hot dogs, burgers and all the trimmings. Guests are asked to bring a side dish. Table service will be provided so just come and enjoy the fellowship and meal. It is a “kid-friendly” event, it is free and reservations are not required. 

The Redskin Bowling Parents Club is holding their annual fundraiser at Star Lanes at the Harbor this Saturday evening from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Community members, adults and youth, are invited to participate and bowl for two and a half hours for only $5. To reserve a lane, contact Kevin at Star Lanes at the Harbor, 419-734-1001.

The Ottawa County Genealogy Society will meet this Tuesday, Aug. 20, at a new location…the Liberty Aviation Museum, 3315 E. State Rd. A tour of the museum will begin at 4 p.m. followed by an optional dinner at the Tin Goose Diner. Guests and Guests and members are invited to join the group for their summer outing. 

Avery’s Café at 306 Main Street in Marblehead is holding a Pig Roast this Saturday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Ottawa County. Cost is only $10 and the meal will consist of roasted pig, baked beans, cole slaw, a dinner roll and dessert. The animals at the Shelter will appreciate your support and you will appreciate the good meal There will be another event supporting the animals of the Humane society on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Community Markets Store on Maple Street in Port Clinton. “Raining Cats & Dogs” will be the theme and it will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are asking for donations of pet supplies and/or $$$. Each school-age youngster depositing pet supplies in the Dog House will receive a ticket for a chance to win at $25 back-to-school gift cart from Wal-Mart. 

The Friends of Port Clinton Parks are holding their Annual Flea Market/Garage Sale this Saturday, Aug. 17. The sale will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeview Park. The “Friends” will serve a pancake breakfast and a hot dog lunch. For more information or to become a vendor, contact Sharon Mefferd at 419-734-2954. 

The Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating the Semi-Annual Village-wide Garage Sale for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23 & 24. A complete list of sales will be available at the Oak Harbor Chamber office and at the Oak Harbor Public Library. You can also download a list by logging on to www.oakharborohio.net starting this Wednesday. If you want to participate with a sale, there is a $3 minimum donation and they need to receive your information by this Monday, Aug. 19. For more information, call Valerie Winterfield at 419-898-0479.

The second of three big weekends has arrived at Carl Keller Field otherwise known as the Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. you can witness some of the most incredible electronically controlled airplanes flying over the airfield. The event is titled “Warbirds Over Port Clinton” with many of the model airplanes having been modeled after the great airplanes of World War I and II as well as newer…yes, even jets! Admission is $7, with kids 14 and under and WWII vets getting in for free. Your admission will also gain you access to the Liberty Aviation Museum. Of Course, next weekend, the traveling museum for the Tuskegee Airmen will be at the airport from Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 29-Sept. 1. 

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Karen Terry of Marblehead who was one of 166 individuals who found our friendly fish in the ad for Bassett’s Market on page 3A in last week’s Beacon. Karen wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores as well as a beautiful decorative nautical floor mat from “Capn’s Custom Carpets” at Fort Firelands. We’ll definitely be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

I recently wrote the text of a promotion ad for The Beacon. Here it is: With the Cleveland Plain Dealer pulling back newspaper distribution to 3 days per week, and rumors abounding in regards to several area publications, I feel somebody ought to speak up on behalf of newspapers, at least community newspapers like ours. Over the last 15 years, since the proliferation of the internet, paid circulation newspapers have seen their subscriptions drop dramatically, up to 8% per year. That is why you hear people say “Newspapers are dead”! That’s the bad news. The good news is FREE community newspapers like ours have had ZERO reduction in circulation and readership. Our latest audit just completed shows that nearly 80% of the households who get The Beacon READ The Beacon…AND is read by over 2 people per household. Meanwhile, our website just keeps getting better and better, updated every day, sometimes several times a day with new and fresh community news items. The Beacon was “hyper-local” before the term was coined. So when you hear “Newspapers are dead” … don’t believe it. Free community papers like The Beacon are alive and well, thank you…and we don’t have to worry about losing readership to our own website. OK…time to step off my soap box!

We sure had a good time at Gem Beach Rocks VI last Saturday. They had another great crowd, sold lots of 50/50 tickets, T-Shirts and lots of beer. The four bands all did a great job and deserve a lot of credit. It has become such a big event, they need 200 volunteers to pull it all off. Congratulations to the new Ottawa County United Way Development Director Lisa Dubbert and her team for putting it all together. We have a great photo gallery of the event up on our website, www.thebeacon.net.

Madge Davids, former Catawba Island resident, is turning 90 a month from now on Sept. 22. I am told by her son Jeff and his wife Marianne that she would normally come home to celebrate but because of her health, traveling has become an issue. I am certain she would love to hear from many of her friends back home. Her address is: Madge Davids, 5195 Williams Drive, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. 

Next Thursday will be another special “Lunch and Learn” program at Otterbein North Shore. Clinton Mauk, lecturer, author and historian, will present an entertaining overview of The Battle of Lake Erie and the impact it made on the formation of this part of America. They request RSVPs by Monday, Aug. 26, by calling 419-798-8250. 

It’s hard to believe that the fall sports season has already begun. Girls tennis and boys soccer have started having matches and high school football starts next week. We will have our annual Football Preview Section next Thursday in our Aug. 29th edition. We will also feature the arrival of the Tall Ships to western Lake Erie with a special “Coastlines” edition. 

The Port Clinton High School Class of 1973 is having their 40th reunion this Saturday, Aug. 24, at Catawba Island Club. If you were a grad that year and would like to learn more about the reunion this weekend, contact Angie Zeis Dale at zeis1973@gmail.com.  

The Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating the Semi-Annual Village-wide Garage Sale for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23 & 24. A complete list of sales will be available at the Oak Harbor Chamber office and at the Oak Harbor Public Library. You can also download a list by logging on to www.oakharborohio.net starting this Wednesday. If you want to participate with a sale, there is a $3 minimum donation. For more information call Valerie Winterfield at 419-898-0479.

Speaking of docks, there is a new boating destination in Ottawa County. It is Oak Harbor. The new floating docks are just part of recent improvements in downtown Oak Harbor that have been accomplished through the Downtown Revitalization Committee. Future downtown and riverfront developments are being planned at their bi-weekly meetings. Their goal is to complete the projects without using taxpayer dollars and donations have funded the projects thus far. The Committee is conducting a survey of the community and those will be available at various locations throughout Oak Harbor in the coming weeks. For more information, contact Committee Chairman Mike Shadoan at 419-706-6034. 

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Sandy Sesher of Port Clinton who was one of 237 individuals who found our friendly fish in the ad for Jack Bradley Realty  on page 4C in last week’s Beacon. Sandy wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores as well as a beautiful decorative nautical floor mat from “Capn’s Custom Carpets” at Fort Firelands. We’ll definitely be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

Playmakers Civic Theatre, 604 W. Sixth Street in Port Clinton, will present a pre-season fund raiser tonight and again on Saturday night, Aug. 29 and 31. It is a production of the play “Mom’s Gift”, a brand-new play by award winning playwright Phil Olson. The storyline goes like this…Mom dies, but shows up at her husband’s birthday party as a ghost on a mission. Like the Angel in “It’s a Wonderful Life”, she has to accomplish a special task to earn her wings. The cast includes Matt Parker, Brenda Hensley, Katherine Gauthier, Mara Mossman, Louise Retzer, Todd Puckett and Sylvia Chappell. Tickets for the show are $15 per person, but free to anyone who has purchased a Playmakers season ticket for 2013-14. Curtain time is 8 p.m. both evenings. For reservations, call 419-734-5044 or go online at www.pcplaymakers.org. 

The Humane Society of Ottawa County is happy to announce that they have received a grand from the Ottawa County Community Foundation in the amount of $1,000 to help low income families have their pets spayed or neutered. To find out if you qualify, contact the Humane Society at 419-734-5191 or stop by the shelter at 2424 E. Sand Rd. east of Port Clinton. 

I received a note from Janett Calland of Catawba who is a member of the Ohio Daughters of 1812. She had actual ancestors who fought in the War of 1812. She told us that the president of the National Society of United States Daughters of 1812 may be in attendance this weekend for the official observances. 

The 8th Annual Golf Tournament for the Scholarship Fund of my old and good friend and fellow Kiwanian, the late Terry Heise, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Oak Harbor Golf Club. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. They will have a $100,000 hole-in-one hole and two players are guaranteed to win a 2-night hotel stay. For more information, call Terry’s son Eric at 614-738-4957 or e-mail him at ebheise1001@yahoo.com. Terry was a friend, coach and mentor in the community and his scholarships go to student athletes who share those traits. 

The Port Clinton High School Class of 1968 will hold their 45th reunion on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Port Clinton Yacht Club. Activities are planned for both Friday night and Sunday morning as well. For more information, contact Jim Bergeman at jbergeman@roadrunner.com or Dean Rothaar at srdh50@gmail.com. 

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be making another visit to our area on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Catawba Township Community Hall on Northwest Catawba Rd. They will be there from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and walk-ins are always welcome. 

Next Thursday will be another special “Lunch and Learn” program at Otterbein North Shore. Clinton Mauk, lecturer, author and historian will present an entertaining overview of The Battle of Lake Erie and the impact it made on the formation of this part of America. 

It’s hard to believe that the Fall Sports Season has already begun. Girls tennis and boys soccer have started having matches and high school football starts next week. We have our annual Football Preview Section in Section C of The Beacon this week. 

Madge Davids, former Catawba Island resident, is turning 90 a month from now, on Sept. 22. I am told by her son Jeff and his wife Mariann that she would normally come home to celebrate but because of her health, travelling has become an issue. I am certain she would love to hear from many of her friends back home. Her address is: Madge Davids, 5195 Williams Drive, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. 

One final note…school has started, which means the youngsters will be walking to and from school and darting from in front of school buses. Please take car to drive extra careful around schools and buses. Let’s keep our kids safe!

If you haven’t seen it, we have some wonderful photos of all of the activities over the weekend on our website, www.thebeacon.net. One was an aerial photo of the Pathfinder leading the Green Island Race fleet out of the Portage River on the way to the starting line Sunday morning. Thank you, Roger Fair! Also, if you haven’t yet seen them on Facebook, we have several incredible videos of THE Ohio State University Marching Band rolling into Put-in-Bay for their appearance there on Sunday afternoon, thanks to PCHS Band Director and OSU Band Alumni, Rod Miller. Check them out.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Dave Rhineberger of Fremont, who was one of 199 individuals who found our friendly fish in the ad for Fairway Villas on page 12C in last week’s Beacon. Dave wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores as well as a beautiful decorative nautical floor mat from “Capn’s Custom Carpets” at Fort Firelands. We’ll definitely be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

Every year at this time, we go through the same attempt to change the mindset of many of our readers. Labor Day is NOT the end of the summer season! Thanks to the thermal contribution of Lake Erie, the southern shores tend to remain warmer than the rest of Ohio. So, what that all means is…we will probably have AT LEAST six more weekends of beautiful and warm weather here. So get it out of your head that the season is over! This is the most beautiful time of year here!

My favorite band, The Travelin’ Lounge Lizards, will make their triumphant return to Put-in-Bay for two major performances at Tony’s Garage. Sometime this year, Island troubadour Ray Fogg and Boat House Manager Andy Christiansen purchased the local bar on the corner and are working hard at making it an Island staple. Both have long-standing ties with the Island and were around when the Lounge Lizards were headliners at The Roundhouse. It ought to be fun, Friday and Saturday night. It is also the “official” Historic Weekend on the Island as several thousand boy scouts will make the grounds of Perry’s Monument their home for the weekend. 

Otterbein North Shore is holding a special version of “Art for the Heart” this Friday, Sept. 6, from 1-3 p.m. The focus will be on Mixed Media Collage art, which can be really anything. And doing it is good for you. Call today and make a reservation by calling Otterbein North Shore at 419-798-8203. Also, next Tuesday, Sept. 10, they have another in their “Lunch and Learn” programs. Tuesday’s program is titled “Successful Aging – The Top Five Tips”. You are asked to call and make a reservation for that program also. The lunch is “on the house”. 

The Humane Society of Ottawa County will have a business meeting and board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at Ida Rupp Library in Port Clinton. Humane Society members and others who would like to become members are welcome. They are always looking for new ideas for fundraising. 

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be making another visit to our area on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Catawba Township Community Hall on Northwest Catawba Rd. They will be there from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and walk-ins are always welcome. 

Also next Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Bloodmobile will be at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Marblehead from 12 Noon to 5 p.m.  Give the gift of life. It will make you feel good. 

Also next Wednesday will be Stadium Night for the Port Clinton High School Soccer Boosters. They will have their 6th Annual Chicken Barbecue at True-Lay Stadium serving from 4-6 p.m. To honor the living and the fallen in remembrance of the events that took place on 9/11/2001, they will be honoring local First Responders and Veterans before their match. Pre-Sale tickets are just $8, $10 at the door. To get your tickets in advance call 419-341-9556 or 419-554-1333. 

St. Paul United Church of Christ in Oak Harbor is hosting a community sale and vendor table sale at the church located at 165 Toussaint Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. The sale will have garages sale tables featuring household items, clothing, toys, baby gear, electronics, sports equipment, books, paintings, bikes and more. Vendors will include Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Mary Kay, Origami Owl, Rock-it-Out Nutrition, Xabee and others. They have over 20 tables sold for the event. A concession stand will also be open for food and snacks. For more information, call Jackie Timmons at 419-898-2045. 

The 8th Annual Golf Tournament for the Scholarship Fund of my old and good friend and fellow Kiwanian, the late Terry Heise, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Oak Harbor Golf Club. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. They will have a $100,000 hole-in-one hole and two players are guaranteed to win a 2-night hotel stay. For more information, call Terry’s son Eric at 614-738-4957 or e-mail him at ebheise1001@yahoo.com. Terry was a friend, coach and mentor in the community and his scholarships go to student athletes who share those traits.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Kenny Sass of Port Clinton who was one of 276 individuals who found our friendly fish in the ad for Otterbein North Shore on page 4A in last week’s Beacon. Kenny wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores as well as a beautiful decorative nautical floor mat from “Capn’s Custom Carpets” at Fort Firelands. We’ll definitely be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

Mark the weekend of Sept. 28 & 29 down on your calendar. In conjunction with our sister paper, the Huron Hometown News, The Beacon is hosting a special Open House Weekend titled Erie-Ottawa County Home Tour. Be looking for a special tab to come out on Sept. 26. 

We received word from the Ohio Department of Transportation that State Route 2 between State Routes 53 and 163 will be reduced to just one lane of traffic from now until May of 2014 for mine remediation. The project is not scheduled to be completed until May of 2016. 

The Port Clinton High School Class of 1954 will hold their annual Fish Fry at the McAtee home, 1371 NW Catawba Rd., this Saturday, Sept. 14. Gathering time starts at 3 p.m. and the fish fry and potluck begin around 5 p.m. Any class members who have not been notified are invited to attend. 

Otterbein North Shore is holding a Bridge Players Gathering this Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 1-3 p.m. Ann Chimera, Club Director, is the host. Bring your group if you love to play bridge, or bring yourself if you’d like to learn how to play bridge. Social games and “duplicate” style games will be played with prizes awarded. They will also feature delicious appetizers. RSVP to Kirsten at Otterbein North Shore by calling 419-798-8203. 

The Humane Society of Ottawa County is setting up a speaker’s bureau. Any school or community organization who would like a talk from the Humane Officers or staff members to learn more about animal care, how to treat animals, volunteering at the shelter can contact Denny Hammond at 419-260-3105. 

The Ottawa County Genealogical Society will meet this Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. at Ida Rupp Public Library in Port Clinton. The speaker for the evening will be John Liske of the Oak Harbor Public Library’s Local History room. He will discuss the genealogical materials available at the Oak Harbor Library. 

St. Paul United Church of Christ in Oak Harbor is hosting a community sale and vendor table sale at the church located at 165 Toussaint Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 14. The sale will have garages sale tables featuring household items, clothing, toys, baby gear, electronics, sports equipment, books, paintings, bikes and more! Vendors will include Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Mary Kay, Origami Owl, Rock-it-Out Nutrition, Xabee and others. They have over 20 tables sold for the event. A concession stand will also be open for food and snacks. For more information, call Jackie Timmons at 419-898-2045. 

The 8th Annual Golf Tournament for the Scholarship Fund of my old and good friend and fellow Kiwanian, the late Terry Heise, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Oak Harbor Golf Club. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. They will have a $100,000 hole-in-one hole and two players are guaranteed to win a 2-night hotel stay. For more information, call Terry’s son Eric at 614-738-4957 or e-mail him at ebheise1001@yahoo.com. Terry was a friend, coach and mentor in the community and his scholarships go to student athletes who share those traits.

Mary Alice and I just got back from an intense 2-day conference hosted by the Independent Free Papers of America (IFPA) in Washington D.C. Sadly, there just wasn’t a lot of time to do any politicking, even though we were in D.C. All of the workshops at the Conference were excellent, and quite simply bodes well for the future of newspapers…particularly FREE newspapers like The Beacon. We are stepping up our efforts already thanks to the addition of Jasmine Cupp to fulltime status to work with our editor Donna Lueke. Jasmine will specifically be working on our Social Media presence and updating our website a couple of times a day. Welcome aboard Jasmine. We would like your suggestions. Look for a new “suggestion box” on our website, www.thebeacon.net.

Speaking of the Conference in D.C., The Beacon also won some awards from the Mid-Atlantic Community Papers Association (MACPA). We took first place for the best Web Site, first place for the best Blog (Telltales…I didn’t even know it was a Blog!). And third place for General Excellence for Community Papers. MACPA covers much of the eastern seaboard from D.C. to New York City and as far west as Ohio. 

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Maria Lopez of Gypsum who was one of 269 individuals who found our friendly fish in the ad for East Harbor Pooch Parlor on page 1B in last week’s Beacon. Maria wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

Here is a new idea for Kids today! Use recycled materials to create your own adventure environments. This evening, Thursday, Sept. 26, from 5-8 p.m. is Port Clinton’s first Pop-Up Adventure Playground. The event, sponsored by United Way in Ottawa County, provides kids and families with recycled and other materials for a fun-filled evening of play. It will be held tonight at Friendship Park at the corner of Perry and Jefferson Streets. All activity is free and open to all youth and their grown-ups!

My good friend Ann Duez, the owner of the Victorian Inn, will be one of the contestants for Ottawa County Stars Dance on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Camp Perry Clubhouse. Ann is having a huge Yard Sale this Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29. The hours for Friday and Saturday will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours for Sunday will be 9 a.m. to Noon. All the proceeds from the Yard Sale go to CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates. These folks help abused and neglected children in Ottawa County, and they do a great job. The Victorian Inn is located at 5622 E. Harbor Rd. (SR 163 East) in Danbury Township. 

We ran into a couple of old friends who have moved away and it was a couple of great reunions. When returning from D.C. at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Heather (Link) Merckens came running up to us. “Dave and Connie are here, and would love to see you.” And we did. Dave is a former science teacher and coach at Port Clinton High School. Connie was a teacher in the Danbury Schools. They looked great. Then on Monday morning, Joe and Jane Mansell stopped into The Beacon. They now live in Raleigh, North Carolina. Joe, a former Marina Manager, is in Real Estate, while Jane, a former Medical Records expert at Magruder, is now teaching and doing Medical Records work from home. They both noted how disappointed they were at how poorly downtown Port Clinton has become since they left here 20 years ago. I caught them up on the current efforts to revitalize Port Clinton and to develop Waterworks Park. 

Otterbein North Shore is holding an IPAD Class this Monday, Sept. 30. Beginners and experts are welcome. This is a good chance for folks to learn all the facets of tablet computing. They take you from where you are and give you help and encouragement toward where you want to be. Mary Alice has already told me she wants an IPAD for Christmas. Call Otterbein for details. 

The Port Clinton Baptist Church will hold Revival Services Oct. 6-8 beginning at 6 p.m. each night. The Church is located at 9785 Limestahl Rd., just off Fremont Rd. south of Port Clinton. Evangelist Dan Duffy of the Northcoast Baptist Association will be there. 

The Humane Society of Ottawa County is holding an “Adoptathon” at their Sand Rd. Shelter on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 1-5 p.m. There will be a Family Fun Day and Dog Wash, featuring free hot dogs and drinks. That day only, adopting a dog will be $8, $15 for two dogs, $20 for three dogs, and a $5 charge for a nail trim. 

The election season is upon us. This is the year for ward council candidates in Port Clinton and there is also a race for City Auditor. Whatever the issue, the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Port Clinton Business and Professional Women will host Candidate’s Night on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Elk’s Lodge starting at 7 p.m. Candidates from all over Ottawa County are invited to speak. Just contact the Chamber office at 419-734-5503.

Beginning this week, The Beacon will have new hours at our office located at 205 SE Catawba Rd. in the Beacon Place Business Center. Our new hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 to 4:30, and 8:30 to 12 Noon on Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Mary Jo Bennett of Marblehead who was one of 230 individuals who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Commons of Providence on page 8A in last week’s Beacon. Mary Jo wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

I received a call from old friend Luella Terp, who worked for many years as the clerk for Ottawa County Common Pleas Judge Donald Wargowski. She called to tell me that Judge Wargowski and his wife Faith have “come home” from their retirement place in Aiken, SC. They are now residents at Edgewood Manor in Port Clinton. Judge Wargowski introduced me to Founders Day in Toussaint. One of my first assignments at WRWR in 1972 was to cover the celebration of the founding of Toussaint by French explorer Etienne Brule in the 1600s. I think the Judge played the accordion while everybody raised a glass to salute the founding of Toussaint, Carroll Township and Ottawa County. The Celebration happens on Nov. 1st, “All Saints Day” (Toussaint in French). 

The election season is upon us. This is the year for ward council candidates in Port Clinton and there is also a race for City Auditor. Whatever the issue, the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Port Clinton Business and Professional Women will host Candidate’s Night next Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Elk’s Lodge starting at 7 p.m. Candidates from all over Ottawa County are invited to speak. Just contact the Chamber office at 419-734-5503. 

St. Paul United Church of Christ in Oak Harbor will be holding a giant Rummage Sale this Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church located at 165 Toussaint Street in Oak Harbor. They will have a great selection of anything you can think of or need at great prices. After 1 p.m., everything will go on sale at half price and clothes will be sold at $2 a bag. There will also be food for purchase and a raffle to win cash prizes. For more information, contact Jackie Timmons at 419-898-2045.

The Humane Society of Ottawa County will be holding an Adopt-A-Thon this Sunday, Oct. 6 from 1-5 p.m. at the newly remodeled Shelter on Sand Rd, at the corner of Christy Chapel Rd. It will be a family fun day, dog wash, and free hot dogs and soft drinks will be served. Dog Wash prices are $8 for one dog, $15 for two dogs, $20 for three dogs and nail trims for just $5. 

The Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their monthly Business After Hours at Catawba Brewing Company from 5-7 this evening (Thursday, Oct. 3). They are also observing “We Love Our Customers Day” on Friday, Oct. 11 for Common Grounds at the Sutton Center. The Chamber will hold a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. and Common Grounds, now run by RVI, will offer coffee tastings and free samples of their menu items. They are open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends.

The Port Clinton Athletic Boosters have set the date for their Annual Reverse Raffle. It will be Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. This is their ONLY fundraiser of the year. The Grand Prize will be $7,500. Tickets are $100 each which includes one Prime Rib/Chicken buffet dinner. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased for $20 each. They may be purchased from any Booster Club officer or by contacting Rich Kokinda (419-734-5231) or John Gluth, Jr. (419-732-8826). If you would like to donate an item for the live or silent auctions, contact Missy Cross (419-341-3656). 

There will be a special dinner and silent auction to benefit the Donna Follman Scholarship Fund on Sunday, Oct. 13 at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. Doors open at 4 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22.50 per person or $45 a couple. All proceeds benefit the Donna Follman Scholarship which assists families in the cost for the ARC of Ottawa County summer enrichment program. For tickets or information, contact Leslie Follman-Pollard at 419-307-3091 or Bob Follman at 419-307-0464. They will have entertainment provided by the Naked Bacon Band, along with a number of local vendors. 

Tickets are now available for the St. Joseph/Marblehead Knights of Columbus Clam Bake and Chicken Dinner to be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph’s Church Hall on Barclay St. in Marblehead. This year’s Clam Bake will benefit the Danbury Food Pantry. Tickets are $9.95 for a chicken dinner only and $19.95 for the Clam Bake which includes a dozen clams, a half-chicken dinner, sweet potato, corn on the cob and beverage. Extra clams will be available for $10 a dozen. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased by calling Bob Wisniewski at 419-734-5018 or Rich Kulaga at 419-732-7014. 

Elvis is in the house! At least he will be next Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Otterbein North Shore Retirement Center starting at 3:30 p.m. Don’t forget your Elvis Concert Scarf! They will have hors d’oeuvres and cold drinks as well. They ask for an RSVP by Friday. Call 419-798-8203.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Don Waggoner of Bellevue who was one of 241 individuals who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Jet Express on page 4B in last week’s Beacon. Don wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

Don’t forget Candidates’ Night tonight, at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. This is the year for ward council candidates in Port Clinton and a number of contested Township Trustee contests, particularly in Danbury Township where 4 candidates are running for two available positions. There is also a race for Port Clinton City Auditor. Whatever the issue, the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Port Clinton Business and Professional Women host Candidate’s Night tonight (Thursday, October 10) at the Elk’s Lodge starting at 7 p.m. 

Congratulations to Kim and Kenn Kaufman and all the folks at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, who are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this weekend. They have done an incredible job highlighting and protecting the migratory bird population throughout Ottawa County, making us one of the destination locations for birders from all over the world. 

Main Street Port Clinton will be hosting a Zombie Pub Crawl and Ball on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. sponsored by Heidelberg Distributing. Tickets are $10 and the first 100 sold will receive a free Zombie t-shirt. Tickets can be purchased at the Port Clinton Chamber office at 110 Madison Street downtown. The pubs participating in the crawl are the Bait House, Kokomo Bay, Mango Mamas, McCarthy’s, Mr. Ed’s, Papa Jimmies, Rosies and Slaters. The Zombie Ball will take place at 11:30 at Mango Mamas where prizes will be drawn and costume contest winners will be announced. America’s Best Value Inn and the Island House will be offering discounts for folks mentioning the word “Zombie” when booking. Taxi service will also be available to keep everybody safe. 

The Port Clinton Kiwanis Club will hold their second annual Night at the Races on Friday evening, Nov. 15, at Lock, Dock and Barrel on Buckeye Blvd. Tickets and horses are available from any Kiwanian you may see. Save the date for a night of great fun. And…speaking of Kiwanis…they welcome their newest member, Judy McKinney. 

This Sunday is the special dinner and silent auction to benefit the Donna Follman Scholarship Fund at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. Doors open at 4 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22.50 per person or $45 a couple. All proceeds benefit the Donna Follman Scholarship which assists families in the cost for the ARC of Ottawa County summer enrichment program. For tickets or information, contact Leslie Follman-Pollard at 419-307-3091 or Bob Follman at 419-307-0464. They will have entertainment provided by the Naked Bacon Band, along with a number of local vendors. 

Tickets are now available for the St. Joseph/Marblehead Knights of Columbus Clam Bake and Chicken Dinner to be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph’s Church Hall on Barclay St. in Marblehead. This year’s Clam Bake will benefit the Danbury Food Pantry. Tickets are $9.95 for a chicken dinner only and $19.95 for the Clam Bake which includes a dozen clams, a half-chicken dinner, sweet potato, corn on the cob and beverage. Extra clams will be available for $10 a dozen. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased by calling Bob Wisniewski at 419-734-5018 or Rich Kulaga at 419-732-7014. 

Port Clinton High School will conduct the OHSAA Mandated Winter Sports Parent Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at the High School. Parents and athletes of a winter sport are required to attend this meeting. 

The Ottawa County Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Ida Rupp Public Library in Port Clinton. Jana Sloan Broglin, author and certified genealogist, will present the program, “A Grave Situation”. Guests are welcome. 

The Port Clinton Athletic Boosters have set the date for their Annual Reverse Raffle. It will be Saturday, November 16 at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. This is their ONLY fundraiser of the year. The Grand Prize will be $7,500. Tickets are $100 each which includes one Prime Rib/Chicken buffet dinner. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased for $20 each. They may be purchased from any Booster Club officer or by contacting Rich Kokinda (419-734-5231) or John Gluth, Jr. (419-732-8826). If you would like to donate an item for the live or silent auctions, contact Missy Cross (419-341-3656).

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Brian Molnar of Put-in-Bay who was one of 273 individuals who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Bassett’s Market on page 5A in last week’s Beacon. Brian wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

The Port Clinton Business and Professional Women’s Celebrity Server evening will be held next Thursday, Oct. 24, at 1812 Food and Spirits from 6 to 8 p.m. My old friend Mike “Mad Dog” Adams will provide the entertainment. Proceeds help support the BPW’s Women’s Scholarship Program.

Who has the best Pizza in Ottawa County? This coming Tuesday, Oct. 22, is the 4th Annual Port Clinton Rotary Pizza Challenge to be held at the Moose Club on West Lakeshore Drive. It’s “all you can eat” pizza from 13 local pizza places all for just $10 for adults and $5 for seniors 65 and over and kids under 12. Doors open at 4 p.m. 

The Oak Harbor Athletic Boosters are holding their Fall Raffle. First place is a 39” Sony TV, second place is a 40,000 BTU Char Broil gas grill and third place is a $200 gift certificate to Tanks Meats in Elmore. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and can be purchased at Oak Harbor Hardware, Priesman Printers, Family Hair Center in Oak Harbor or by calling 419-8707-1342. The drawing will be held at halftime of Oak Harbor’s last home football game on Nov. 1.

The Port Clinton VFW Post 2480 will be holding their Reverse Raffle and Roast Beef Dinner this Saturday, Oct. 19. Just $25 gets you the dinner, one beverage, a raffle ticket and cover charge for the Ottawa County Bluegrass Band that will play starting at 9 p.m. Only 100 tickets will be sold with a $500 top prize as well as other prizes. You need not be a VFW member to participate. The raffle begins at 7 p.m.

“Pinot for Paws” will be held this Sunday from 5-7 p.m. to benefit the Humane Society of Ottawa County. This private wine tasting will be held at Firelands Winery, 917 Bardshar Rd. in Sandusky. Tickets are $15 which entitles you to 5 tastings, light refreshments and a silent auction. 

Port Clinton High School will conduct the OHSAA Mandated Winter Sports Parent Meeting tonight, Thursday, Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at the High School. Parents and athletes of a winter sport are required to attend this meeting. 

The Walleye Madness Committee is holding a special fundraiser at Mango Mama’s, 40 N. Madison Street in downtown Port Clinton this Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning at 8 p.m. The theme for this year’s event is “Conga for the Cause” with entertainment provided by the Island Doctor. Author Bob Adamov will also be on hand for a book signing. Admission is $10 and each ticket is entered into the Grand Prize Raffle valued at over $600. There will also be a separate raffle for a 40” TV. This year’s Walleye Madness Slogan is in keeping with the Battle of Lake Erie Bi-Centennial: “We have met the Walleye and they are Ours”! 

James D’Leon, an incredible pianist, will be the featured artist for the first of this season’s Firelands Musical Arts Series. His concert begins at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 19 at Firelands Presbyterian Church on East Harbor Rd. east of Port Clinton. Tickets are $15 at the door. Children and students are admitted free. 

I received a note from Dean Rothaar, PCHS Graduate from the class of 1968. He recently visited with classmate Jackie Robinson who is a resident at the Arizona Veterans Home. Jackie suffered a stroke some time ago which has affected his speech and mobility. He also lost a leg to diabetes. However, according to Dean, he still has that great smile and infectious laugh that many of his classmates will remember. Jackie didn’t graduate from PCHS, as he moved to Arizona after the Erie Army Depot closed in 1966. He went on to become a 3-sport star for Yuma High School. He no doubt would love to hear from old friends. His address is: Jackie Robinson-D233/B, C/O Arizona State Veterans Home, 4141 North S. Herrera Way, Phoenix, AZ 85012-1832. 

This Sunday, Oct. 20, is the Annual German Fest at Otterbein North Shore Retirement Community. It will be held from Noon to 2 p.m. The entry fee is $8 for a full meal or $6 for a half meal, dine in or carry out. They will also have entertainment by the Polka Pirates German Band, tours and golf cart rides and patio home tours. For more information, call 419-798-8203.

The Port Clinton Kiwanis Club will hold their second annual Night at the Races on Friday evening, Nov. 15, at Lock, Dock and Barrel on Buckeye Blvd. Tickets and horses are available from any Kiwanian you may see or can be purchased at The Beacon office at 205 SE Catawba Rd. Suite G. Save the date for a night of great fun!

Tickets are now available for the St. Joseph/Marblehead Knights of Columbus Clam Bake and Chicken Dinner to be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph’s Church Hall on Barclay St. in Marblehead. This year’s Clam Bake will benefit the Danbury Food Pantry. Tickets are $9.95 for a chicken dinner only and $19.95 for the Clam Bake which includes a dozen clams, a half-chicken dinner, sweet potato, corn on the cob and beverage. Extra clams will be available for $10 a dozen. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased by calling Bob Wisniewski at 419-734-5018 or Rich Kulaga at 419-732-7014.

The Port Clinton Athletic Boosters have set the date for their Annual Reverse Raffle. It will be Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. This is their ONLY fundraiser of the year. The Grand Prize will be $7,500. Tickets are $100 each which includes one Prime Rib/Chicken buffet dinner. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased for $20 each. They may be purchased from any Booster Club officer or by contacting Rich Kokinda (419-734-5231) or John Gluth, Jr. (419-732-8826). If you would like to donate an item for the live or silent auctions, contact Missy Cross (419-341-3656).

As long as you are downtown this Saturday, you might want to bring your ghouls and goblins to the trick or treat from 1-3 p.m. Youngsters need only look for the pumpkins in participating business windows and the orange and black balloons. Over 250 kids participated last year and they are looking for more this year. Oh by the way, kids…don’t forget to bring your family with you!

After all of that, you can participate in the Zombie Pub Crawl and Ball presented by Heidelberg Distributing starting at 7:30. The Port Clinton Chamber office at 110 Madison Street downtown will be open at 6 to help transform all participants into zombies. Tickets to participate are $10, and the first 100 sold will get a Zombie Crawl T-Shirt. Participating pubs include The Bait House, Mango Mamas/Kokomo Bay, McCarthy’s, Mr. Ed’s, Papa Jimmies, Rosie’s and Slater’s.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Cheri Katynski who was one of 81 people who figured out that we forgot to hide our friendly fish hiding in any of the ads in last week’s Beacon. Cheri wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

Last week told you about the appeal made by the local Salvation Army for 2,000 square feet of space for toy distribution prior to the Holidays. The message got all the way to Indonesia and Ralph Ruta, owner of Harbor Light Landing on State Route 53. Salvation Army now has their sorting and distribution space. I love this time of year, because we get so many of this kind of heartwarming story. 

The Port Clinton Business and Professional Women’s Celebrity Server evening will be held TONIGHT (Thursday, October 24) at 1812 Food and Spirits at The Island House from 6 to 8 p.m. My old friend Mike “Mad Dog” Adams will provide the entertainment. Proceeds help support the BPW’s Women’s Scholarship Program.

Edgewood Manor Nursing Center will be hosting trick or treat for area children 10 and under this Saturday, Oct. 26 starting at 2 p.m. A panel of judges will award prizes for the top 3 costumes. There will be cider and donuts for all. 

This Sunday, Oct. 27, the Oak Harbor Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring an “all you can eat” French Toast & Sliced Ham Family Breakfast at St. Boniface Catholic Church beginning at 9 a.m. They will also have homemade rolls, homemade applesauce, coffee, hot chocolate and juice. Donation is $6 for adults, $5.50 for senior citizens and $3 for youngsters under 12. 

There will be a “Bingo For Boo Bash” this Thursday, Halloween Day, at 12 Noon, October 31 at Otterbein North Shore. They will have a complimentary lunch and entertainment along with “Boo Bingo” with lots of prizes. Reservations are required; call 419-798-8250. 

The Jonathan T. Pope Memorial Scholarship Biddy Wrestling Tournament will be held on Sunday, November 3 starting at 1 p.m. at Port Clinton High School. Weigh-ins begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 2. The entry fee is $20. The event is an Ohiowrestler.com Top 20 Tournament and is open to all wrestlers aged 12 and under. For more information, call James Mullens at 419-341-4336. Barbecue Traveler will be serving Chicken Dinners the day of the tournament.

The Port Clinton Kiwanis Club will hold their second annual Night at the Races on Friday evening, Nov. 15, at Lock, Dock and Barrel on Buckeye Blvd. Tickets and horses are available from any Kiwanian you may see. Save the date for a night of great fun.

Tickets are now available for the St. Joseph/Marblehead Knights of Columbus Clam Bake and Chicken Dinner to be held this Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph’s Church Hall on Barclay St. in Marblehead. This year’s Clam Bake will benefit the Danbury Food Pantry. Tickets are $9.95 for a chicken dinner only and $19.95 for the Clam Bake which includes a dozen clams, a half-chicken dinner, sweet potato, corn on the cob and beverage. Extra clams will be available for $10 a dozen. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased by calling Bob Wisniewski at 419-734-5018 or Rich Kulaga at 419-732-7014.

The Port Clinton Athletic Boosters have set the date for their Annual Reverse Raffle. It will be Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. This is their ONLY fundraiser of the year. The Grand Prize will be $7,500. Tickets are $100 each which includes one Prime Rib/Chicken buffet dinner. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased for $20 each. They may be purchased from any Booster Club officer or by contacting Rich Kokinda (419-734-5231) or John Gluth, Jr. (419-732-8826). If you would like to donate an item for the live or silent auctions, contact Missy Cross (419-341-3656). 

The Oak Harbor Athletic Boosters are holding their Fall Raffle. First place is a 39” Sony TV, second place is a 40,000 BTU Char Broil gas grill and third place is a $200 gift certificate to Tanks Meats in Elmore. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and can be purchased at Oak Harbor Hardware, Priesman Printers, Family Hair Center in Oak Harbor or by calling 419-8707-1342. The drawing will be held at halftime of Oak Harbor’s last home football game on Nov. 1.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Garrett Lee of Marblehead who was one of 203 people who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Slater’s on page 5A in last week’s Beacon. Garrett wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

This weekend is the Jonathan Pope Memorial Scholarship Biddy Wrestling Tournament at Port Clinton High School. They will have a Barbecue Traveler Chicken Dinner on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. or until they sell out. Price of the chicken dinner is $8. The weigh-ins start at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening. The actual wrestling tournament takes place Sunday morning beginning at 9:30. The tournament is an OhioWrestler.com Top 20 point scoring event. 

You can now get your tickets for the “Evening at the Races” event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Port Clinton on Friday, Nov.r 15, at Lock, Dock & Barrel on Buckeye Blvd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchase from any Kiwanian or at The Beacon office, next to Goodwill in the Beacon Place Business Center on State Route 53 North. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes appetizers, betting opportunities and a guaranteed good time! 

Bill Auxter, Director for Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra Community College is offering a free 2-hour seminar “Small Business Basics” at the Ottawa County Resource Center on State Route 163 between Oak Harbor and Port Clinton next Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. To register, call him at 1-800-826-2431, extension 2210. 

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be making a visit to Port Clinton this coming Monday, Nov. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Port Clinton Moose Lodge, 1106 W. Lakeshore Drive. What a great way to kick off the holiday season by giving the gift of life to a total stranger!

The Port Clinton High School Hall Walking Program will start on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Community members interested in walking the high school should arrive between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday morning when school is in session. Doors of the PCHS Performing Arts Center open at 8:15 a.m. Walking ends at 9:30 a.m. Parking is available adjacent to the Performing Arts Center off Tenth Street. For the first session, physical therapists from Edgewood Manor will be present to offer stretching tips to participants. For more information, contact Jan Gluth at 419-732-2102, ext. 8.

The Humane Society of Ottawa County’s Poinsettia Sale runs November 1-24. The poinsettias come in 3 different sizes: 4.5 inch pots with 3-4 blooms are $5; 6.5 inch with 5-8 blooms are $10; 7 inch with 8-12 blooms are $15; They are available in 4 different colors, white, red, pink and marble. Orders will be ready for pickup on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the shelter during Santa photos. Order forms will be available at the shelter on Nov. 1st. All poinsettias are purchased from Bench’s Greenhouse in Elmore. 

The Port Clinton Athletic Boosters Annual Reverse Raffle will be Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. This is their ONLY fundraiser of the year. The Grand Prize will be $7,500. Tickets are $100 each which includes one Prime Rib/Chicken buffet dinner. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased for $20 each. They may be purchased from any Booster Club officer or by contacting Rich Kokinda (419-734-5231) or John Gluth, Jr. (419-732-8826). If you would like to donate an item for the live or silent auctions, contact Missy Cross (419-341-3656). 

The Oak Harbor Athletic Boosters are holding their Fall Raffle. First place is a 39” Sony TV, second place is a 40,000 BTU Char Broil gas grill and third place is a $200 gift certificate to Tanks Meats in Elmore. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and can be purchased at Oak Harbor Hardware, Priesman Printers, Family Hair Center in Oak Harbor or by calling 419-8707-1342. The drawing will be held at halftime of Oak Harbor’s last home football game this Friday, Nov. 1.

Tuesday is Election Day throughout the country. It is what we in the media call an “off-year” election, meaning most of the races and issues are extremely local. But that is where good government begins. So get out and vote. If you don’t, and things don’t go the way you would like to see them go, you have only yourself to blame.

The Port Clinton Firefighters Association Inc. is hosting their annual Feather Party this Saturday starting at 6 p.m. at the Fire Station on State Street. A donation is $1, or you can get 6 for $5. First place wins $250, second place wins $150, third place gets $100, and 4th place gets a smoke detector and fire extinguisher donated by S& D Industrial Supply. 

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Peggy Walko from Marblehead who was one of 201 people who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Ace Hardware on page 7A in last week’s Beacon. Peggy wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

State Representative Chris Redfern will host a Town Hall discussion at Ida Rupp Public Library in Port Clinton this Monday, November 11, at 9:45 a.m. Chris holds Town Hall meetings throughout Ottawa and Erie Counties. He will also provide a brief overview of actions in the legislature for area residents to learn about and discuss. The event is free and open to the public. 

Magruder Hospital will be hosting a special Community Diabetes Event, “Celebrating the Seasons” today from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in their Conference Center. Laura Tyson, a certified personal trainer will talk about Physical Fitness & Diabetes. The cost is $8.50 and you can RSVP today at the Fulton Street Café.

Get your tickets for the “Evening at the Races” event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Port Clinton on Friday, Nov. 15, at Lock, Dock & Barrel on Buckeye Blvd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchase from any Kiwanian or at The Beacon office, next to Goodwill in the Beacon Place Business Center on State Route 53 North. Tickets are $25 per person which includes appetizers, betting opportunities and a guaranteed good time! 

Veterans Day is Monday. Many of our local Veterans groups will be doing something to observe this special day. The Port Clinton American Legion is having their annual Veterans Stew on Monday starting at 12 Noon. They will serve until they run out. The Port Clinton VFW Post 2480 is holding a Food Drive/Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, Nov. 16. They are looking for teams of 4 people. Each team will be given a food drive scavenger hunt packet with a map of the city and a check list of items collected. They will be going door-to-door asking for donations of non-perishable food items. Every year, the VFW receives a list of the Port Clinton Area Veterans in need from the County Veterans office. That is who will receive these food items…a great way to help thank our Vets for their service in protecting the freedoms that we hold so dear. For further information, contact Teresa Sloan at 419-734-1360.

The Ida Rupp Library will host Chris Verich, a Senior Outreach Specialist of the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel this afternoon (Thursday, Nov. 7) at 1 p.m. He will speak about energy choices for local residents. 

This Sunday, Nov. 10, the Oak Harbor Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring an “all you can eat” Pancake and Sausage Family Breakfast at St. Boniface Catholic Church beginning at 9 a.m. The Knights will be serving a menu including homemade rolls, homemade applesauce, coffee, hot chocolate and juice. Donation is $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and $3 for kids under 12. 

The Humane Society of Ottawa County’s Poinsettia Sale runs through Nov. 24. They come in 3 different sizes and 4 different colors...white, red, pink and marble. Orders will be ready for pickup on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the shelter during Santa Photos. Order forms will be available at the Shelter. All poinsettias are purchased from Bench’s Greenhouse in Elmore. The Humane Society is also conducting a telephone campaign between the hours of 4 and 9 p.m.

The Port Clinton Athletic Boosters Annual Reverse Raffle will be Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. This is their ONLY fundraiser of the year. The Grand Prize will be $7,500. Tickets are $100 each which includes one Prime Rib/Chicken buffet dinner. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased for $20 each. They may be purchased from any Booster Club officer or by contacting Rich Kokinda (419-734-5231) or John Gluth, Jr. (419-732-8826). If you would like to donate an item for the live or silent auctions, contact Missy Cross (419-341-3656). 

There will be an informational meeting for the Men’s Rec. Basketball in Port Clinton next Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. at Port Clinton City Hall. There will be a discussion on league fees, starting date, game times and other questions will be answered at this time. If you have any questions concerning this meeting, call the PC Rec. Dept. at 419-734-5522, Extension 6, or Lee Horne at 419-573-9432.

Friday, Nov. 8, bring your I-Pad and lots of questions for a special I-Pad Workshop hosted by Otterbein North Shore Retirement center starting at 10 a.m. No RSVP necessary…just show up. Otterbein will also be holding a special Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. this Monday, Nov. 11. All veterans and the general public are invited.

The Port Clinton High School Hall Walking Program starts this Tuesday, Nov. 12. Community members interested in walking the high school should arrive between 8:15 and 8:30 every Tuesday and Thursday morning when school is in session. Doors of the PCHS Performing Arts Center open at 8:15 a.m. Walking ends at 9:30 a.m. Parking is available adjacent to the Performing Arts Center off Tenth Street. For the first session, physical therapists from Edgewood Manor will be present to offer stretching tips to participants. For more information, contact Jan Gluth at 419-732-2102, ext. 8.

The members of the Terra Choral Society will be holding a “Stage Door Canteen Dinner/Dance fundraiser at the Bierkeller Pub, 600 Southwest Street in Bellevue on Saturday, Nov. 9. They will feature the big band sounds of the Terra State Jazz Band, and a chicken or meat loaf dinner. Proceeds will be used for the Terra Choral Society’s travel to the 2014 National Memorial Day Choral Festival in Washington D.C. Tickets are $25 per person.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Bob Pence from Danbury Township who was one of 178 people who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Young’s Carpet One on page 1B in last week’s Beacon. Bob wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

I attended the kickoff breakfast for the 2013 Red Kettle Campaign for the local Salvation Army unit. They still need volunteers to ring the bell. Just two hours of bell ringing is equivalent to donating over $100. The campaign starts on Monday, Nov. 18, and runs through Dec. 24. Their goal is $64,000, and is much needed. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Director Maureen Saponari at 419-732 ARMY (2769).

You’ve heard of Black Friday? How about Small Business Saturday? Well, now we have a new one…Giving Tuesday! It is the day now designated to create a national day of giving at the start of the holiday season. Joyful Connections in Ottawa County is a local non-profit group that will be participating in “Giving Tuesday” on Dec. 3. They are asking you to visit their website, www.joyfulconnections.com, click on the “Donate Now” button and make a donation. Joyful Connections is a local nonprofit agency in Ottawa County that serves children and families for safe visitation and exchanges. 

The 9th Annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah, under the direction of Craig Dieterich, will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church on Adams Street in Port Clinton. The community choir, along with professional soloists and orchestra, will present this time-honored Christmas Classic. All singers are welcome to be part of the choir. Rehearsals will be at St. John from 8-9 p.m. on Nov. 14, 21, Dec. 5 and 12. 

The Ottawa County Genealogical Society will meet this Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Ida Rupp Library in Port Clinton. Speaker for the evening will be Derek Davey, who will discuss “Breaking Brick Walls A-Z”. He is a professional genealogist, teacher and speaker who teaches at Lourdes University.

Island Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary will be holding a special “Challenge Bowling Match” with the Danbury Police Department on Monday, Nov. 18. It will be held at 20th Century Lanes in Oak Harbor at 7 p.m.

The Humane Society of Ottawa County’s Poinsettia Sale runs through Nov. 24. They come in 3 different sizes and 4 different colors...white, red, pink and marble. Orders will be ready for pickup on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the shelter during Santa Photos. Order forms will be available at the Shelter. All poinsettias are purchased from Bench’s Greenhouse in Elmore. The Humane Society is also conducting a telephone campaign between the hours of 4 and 9 p.m.

The Port Clinton Athletic Boosters Annual Reverse Raffle will be this Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. This is their ONLY fundraiser of the year. The Grand Prize will be $7,500. Tickets are $100 each which includes one Prime Rib/Chicken buffet dinner. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased for $20 each. They may be purchased from any Booster Club officer or by contacting Rich Kokinda (419-734-5231) or John Gluth, Jr. (419-732-8826). If you would like to donate an item for the live or silent auctions, contact Missy Cross (419-341-3656). 

There will be an informational meeting for the Men’s Rec Basketball in Port Clinton tonight (Thursday, Nov. 14) at 6 p.m. at Port Clinton City Hall. There will be a discussion on league fees, starting date and game times and other questions will be answered at this time. If you have any questions concerning this meeting, call the PC Rec. Dept. at 419-734-5522, Extension 6, or Lee Horne at 419-573-9432.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Phyllis Sampson from Port Clinton who was one of 194 people who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Playmakers Civic Theatre on page 8A in last week’s Beacon. Phyllis wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

First National Bank employees and customers will be celebrating the Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry with a food collection for the local food pantries from now though the Thanksgiving Holiday. Just stop by any of their area locations and drop off a non- perishable food item. 

Trinity Women’s Christmas Bazaar (not your ordinary church bazaar) will be held this Saturday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Adams Street Church. They will have local artists and crafters, Grandma’s Kitchen and Grandma’s Attic. Many one-of-a-kind items will be offered along with a bake sale. 

We are very sorry to hear abut the passing of Juanita Cooper in Naples, FL. She was the wife of former Port Clinton Mayor and auto dealer Gordon Cooper. She was just a very, very nice lady. For years, she and Bonnie Hudec ran the office at Gordon Cooper Motor Sales. Juanita was 91.

The Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department is also holding a food drive from now until Dec. 18. Just drop off any non-perishable item to the lobby of the Township Building on Cemetery Road. There are also donation forms for the Holiday Bureau in the lobby there. These forms need to be filled out and mailed by Dec. 1. 

Hall of Fame applications for Port Clinton High School in academic/alumni as well as the Athletic Hall of Fame are being requested and the deadlines are drawing near. Nominations for the Academic Hall of Fame must be in no later than Jan. 31, 2014. Nomination forms are available at the high school office or online at www.pccsd.net. 

Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season begins, Otterbein North Shore is inviting folks for an afternoon of pampering and new ideas on Nov. 22 starting at 1 p.m. Participants will be treated to a chair massage, cooking demonstration, holiday decorating ideas, and a tour of one of their models all decorated for the holiday.

December is about family and giving back. Mel and Barb Ayers are doing just that at Ciao Bella. “Since opening last April, they report an overwhelming amount of local support and would like to show their appreciation by providing FREE KID’S DINNERS from Dec. 1st through Dec. 24. All you need to do is bring in a new toy, which will be donated to Toys for Tots. A FREE dinner for each toy donated! All the donated toys will go to children locally.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Gene Kaple from Port Clinton who was one of 148 people who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Portage Re-Sale Center on page 1A in last week’s Beacon. Gene wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

We are delighted to hear that Kelly Rigoni is back and ready to continue the pursuit of her dream at Hot Shots Photography & Design in downtown Port Clinton. Kelly was severely injured in a car accident on Sept. 29. It has been a long recovery period for her, but she is excited to get back to her photography duties.

Ferguson Gallery will hold their 15th annual Open House this weekend starting Friday from 10-6, Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 10-5. They are introducing a beautiful new Christmas ornament titled “Fire & Ice”. Rick Dziak will be at the Gallery on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. They will also have snacks and beverages served all weekend. 

John Ritter, a Port Clinton native and son of Dr. Kraft Ritter, has received a significant honor. John is a Geology professor at Wittenberg University in Springfield. He was recently named the 2013 Ohio Professor of the Year. The school says that John Ritter is known for teaching in a way that engages students in hands-on practical experience and collaborative research.

The North Coast Concert Band and North Coast Big Band will present a holiday concert this Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Port Clinton High School Performing Arts Center starting at 3 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. 

Congratulations to Morgan Snyder, a 2013 graduate of Danbury High School, who is now a member of the Student Senate at Ashland University. She is the daughter of Vicki Snyder of Marblehead. 

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Dec. 8 from 11-4. It will be “Brunch with St. Nick” at the Fine Art Creations for Community Causes Art Studio at 136 W. Water Street in Oak Harbor. They will have a bake sale that day also to benefit the “No Kid Goes Hungry Fund”.

The Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department is also holding a food drive from now until Dec. 18. Just drop off any non-perishable item to the lobby of the Township Building on Cemetery Road. There are also donation forms from the Holiday Bureau in the lobby there. These forms need to be filled out and mailed by Dec. 1.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Linda Donich of Marblehead who was one of 56 people who noted that with the early deadline last week, we forgot to hide found our friendly fish! He just wasn’t there!  Linda still wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website, www.thebeacon.net. 

The Compassionate Friends of Ottawa County will participate in an annual worldwide event designed to honor the memories of all children, regardless of age, who have died. They are joining this Sunday, Dec. 8, with hundreds of organized memorial services around the world for the 17th Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting, now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world. The local ceremony will be held at 6:45 p.m. at Children’s Memorial in Lakeview Park in Port Clinton. They will feature music, readings and refreshments. The candles are first lit at 7 p.m. local time, just west of the International Date Line. When the candles burn out in one time zone, they are lighted in the next, creating a 24 hour wave of light around the world. For more information, contact Roseann Hickman at 419-308-4960. 

I spoke Monday with my friend Bill VanderGiessen, grandfather to Devin Kohlman. He told me that he went to the Post Office earlier in the day and collected literally thousands of cards and letters from around the world sent to wish Devin’s family all the best. Devin’s brave battle not only united Port Clinton and Ottawa County, it also moved people from everywhere. Lexi, Devin’s mom, just got back from a well earned “time out” down in Florida to recharge her batteries. 

Ottawa County Senior Resources will celebrate its 5th Annual Holiday Open House and Resource Fair this Friday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds. Appetizers and beverages will be served throughout the event. Entertainment will be provided by Crimson Lights. They will also feature senior care and service providers from Ottawa and surrounding counties. There will also be a host of other events. For more information contact Senior Resources at 419-898-6459 or 1-877-898-6459. The event is free and open to the public. 

Just a reminder that Santa will be at the Humane Society of Ottawa County Shelter, 2424 E. Sand Rd this Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. So bring your pets and children to get their picture with Santa. For $7 you will get a nice 5x7 print.

Also this Saturday, Mutach’s Market on the way to Marblehead will be holding a Kiddie Craft Day from 12 Noon to 3 p.m. at their location on the corner of State Route 163 and North Shore Blvd. The event will be hosted by Theresa Reineck, a Mutach’s employee, who has experience with sea-glass creations. She will be assisting the children in making a “beach bulb” holiday ornament. The cost of participation is $2 per child with all of the proceeds going toward purchasing pet food and cleaning supplies for local animal shelters. 

They are having another I-Pad Class at Otterbein North Shore this Friday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m. Bring your fully charged I-Pad and join the group who are learning together. 

This Sunday, Dec. 8, from 11-4, it will be “Brunch with St. Nick” at the Fine Art Creations for Community Causes Art Studio at 136 W. Water Street in Oak Harbor. They will have a bake sale that day also to benefit the “No Kid Goes Hungry Fund”.

The Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department is also holding a food drive from now until Dec. 18. Just drop off any non-perishable item to the lobby of the Township Building on Cemetery Road. 

Be sure to mark Saturday, Dec. 14, on your calendar for the annual Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Cookie Walk to be held in the School gym. They will have hundreds of cookies of many varieties that you can purchase by the pound. For more information or to donate cookies, call the Parish office at 419-734-4004. 

December is about family and giving back. Mel and Barb Ayers are doing just that at Ciao Bella. “Since opening last April, they report an overwhelming amount of local support and would like to show their appreciation by providing FREE KID’S DINNERS from Dec. 1st through Dec. 24. All you need do is bring in a new toy, which will be donated to Toys for Tots. A FREE dinner for each toy donated! All the donated toys will go to children locally.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Paul Patterson of Port Clinton who was one of 109 people who found our friendly fish in the ad for Ciao Bella on page 10A in last week’s Beacon. Paul wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website 

There’s nothing like Christmas cookies for this festive time of year. This Saturday, there will be two Cookie Walks. The annual Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Cookie Walk will be held in the school gym. They will have hundreds of cookies in many varieties that you can purchase by the pound. Also, the Humane Society of Ottawa County is holding a Cookie Walk at Peace Lutheran Church, 900 Jefferson Street in Port Clinton, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will have some treats for your pets also. 

Our friends at Otterbein North Shore Senior Lifestyle Community are holding a special holiday open house this Saturday from 2-4 p.m. They will have an appetizer buffet created by their Executive Chef Ron LaPointe, kids crafts, carolers, nativity scenes, and all kinds of good things. Speaking of Otterbein North Shore, I have been asked to be the featured speaker at their Breakfast of Champions this coming Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 9 a.m. I am not sure what I am going to talk about, but I am certain it will be immensely interesting. 

The Oak Harbor Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring their annual Breakfast with Santa at St. Boniface Catholic Church this Sunday, Dec. 15 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The all you can eat Family Breakfast and Children’s Christmas Party menu includes: eggs and ham, homemade rolls, homemade applesauce, coffee, hot chocolate and juice. A donation of $6 is requested for adults, $5 for senior citizens and $3 for children under 12. All proceeds benefit the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau. 

Waldo Pepper’s is excited to introduce Nathan Gonyer as their new Executive Chef. “He is very creative and follows our tradition of cooking with fresh ingredients,” says owner Mike Miller. Gonyer has served as Sous Chef at two highly reputable locations in Las Vegas. Waldo Peppers has now been here over 4 years and has developed a great reputation for great food and service year around. We’re glad you are here and welcome Nathan!

A number of local businesses and organization are competing to win the 2013 Gift of Lights for the best decorated tree. Christmas trees are located on the Adams Street boulevard. Trees have been donated by the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the City of Port Clinton, Compassionate Friends, Diversified Insurance, Edgewood Manor, the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, Keith Fleming, Lake Erie Shores and Islands, Oliver H. Perry Masonic Lodge 341, Peace Lutheran Church, the Port Clinton Artists’ Club, the Port Clinton Women’s Club, Slater’s Madison Street Pub and Team Devin. The number of donations garnered by each group will determine the winner. Proceeds go to The Oak House. The deadline for voting is Friday, December 20. Ballot boxes are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, Port Clinton City Hall, the Book Exchange, Coffee Express, McCarthy’s, Perfect Color Hair and Tan, Slater’s Madison St. Pub, Underwood’s Grill and the Wide World Shoppe.

Santa Claus is coming back to Oak Harbor. He will be at the Log Cabin on Friday, December 13 from 6-8 p.m. 

Sunday, December 15, Port Clinton High School’s Touch of Class, an a cappella vocal group, will be hosting a holiday dinner and concert fundraiser in the PCHS Cafeteria. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. with dinner at 5 p.m. followed by the concert. Touch of Class will perform about a 30-minute concert along with providing background music throughout dinner. Tickets are $10 for a student-served spaghetti dinner complete with salad, garlic bread and dessert. Proceeds will go directly to offset the costs of bringing in a professional a cappella group to Port Clinton for a Spring concert. 

The Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department is also holding a food drive from now until Dec. 18. Just drop off any non-perishable item to the lobby of the Township Building on Cemetery Road.

The Beacon’s website got hacked last week. We were only down for an hour or so, but there are a lot of problems that have come up since that incident; one of them was the Find Wylie contest entry icon. Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Adele Kreutzfeld of Port Clinton who was one of 22 people who found our friendly fish in the ad for Portage Resale Shop on page 8A in last week’s Beacon. A lot more found him and tried to enter the contest online, but they were unable to when they got an error message. Congratulations to Adele for winning our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week and will hopefully have the website fixed by the time you read this. If you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website www.thebeacon.net. 

Grace Baptist Church, 325 S. Toussaint-Portage Rd. in Oak Harbor, will conduct its annual Christmas cantata at 6 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 22. The cantata is titled Star of Hope and is arranged by Steve and Jennifer Hall. It tells the powerful story of a blinded soldier and his family. Through his post war struggles, this blind vet will have the light of the world revealed to him. The program, under the direction of Pastor Rick Bickelhaupt, will combine choir pieces with a drama performance. All are welcome to attend this free concert. 

The entire community is invited to participate in a special Christmas dinner at St. Thomas Episcopal Guild Hall on E. Second St. in Port Clinton, just east of Jefferson. You can enjoy a delicious baked ham Christmas dinner with all the fixings tonight (Thursday, Dec. 19) starting at 6 p.m. The whole program is compliments of St. Thomas and Peace Lutheran Churches. 

A number of local businesses and organization are competing to win the 2013 Gift of Lights for the best decorated tree. Christmas trees are located on the Adams Street Boulevard. Trees have been donated by the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the City of Port Clinton, Compassionate Friends, Diversified Insurance, Edgewood Manor, the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, Keith Fleming, Lake Erie Shores and Islands, Oliver H. Perry Masonic Lodge 341, Peace Lutheran Church, the Port Clinton Artists’ Club, the Port Clinton Women’s Club, Slater’s Madison Street Pub and Team Devin. The number of donations garnered by each group will determine the winner. Proceeds go to The Oak House. The deadline for voting (donations) is Friday, Dec. 20. Ballot boxes are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, Port Clinton City Hall, The Book Exchange, Coffee Express, McCarthy’s, Perfect Color Hair and Tan, Slater’s Madison St. Pub, Underwood’s Grill and the Wide World Shoppe.

Our “Find Wylie” winner this week is Deanna Bogacki of Marblehead who was one of 66 people who found our friendly fish in the ad for Bassett’s Market on page 3A in last week’s Beacon. Deanna wins our weekly $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ll be hiding Wylie again this week, so if you find him, drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center or click on the Find Wylie Icon at our website www.thebeacon.net. 

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be making another visit to our area on Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Catawba Community Hall, 3307 NW Catawba Rd. from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. To make an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. Walk-ins are welcome after 10 a.m. Personal Identification is required. For more information, contact Linda Snyder at 419-797-6606. 

Some of you, (I won’t say who) will be getting an iPad for Christmas this year. The folks at Otterbein North Shore will be holding an iPad basic training course at their facility on North Shore Blvd. in Marblehead. Each time they meet, they start from the beginning and quickly get everyone up to speed. You can learn about all of the iPad’s useful and fun applications. The course will be held on Friday, Jan. 3 starting at 10 a.m.

Speaking of Otterbein, I had a great time there on Wednesday morning. I was the scheduled featured speaker for a morning breakfast. It actually turned into more of a table-talk chat with a handful of folks, but I definitely enjoyed it. It was what they billed as their Breakfast of Champions group. 

Planning is just about complete for the 2013 Walleye Madness at Midnight scheduled for downtown Port Clinton. It has become a true holiday tradition in downtown Port Clinton for literally thousands of folks to join the throng on North Madison Street to welcome the new year counting down seconds as Wylie slides down from the top of the crane. Then, of course, it’s all followed by fireworks. It’s all great fun, so join the celebration!

One very important event to the continuing growth of our local economy is coming up soon. The 2014 Mid American Boat Show will once again take up residence at the IX Center near Cleveland Hopkins Airport from Thursday Jan. 16 to Monday, Jan. 20, which is Martin Luther King Day. It really is an expo of the Lake Erie Lifestyle and we here in eastern Ottawa County are in the center of it all. I have often said that spending a day at the boat show allows me to see more friends and business associates than I would see strolling down Madison Street in Port Clinton, Main Street in Marblehead or Water Street in Oak Harbor.