Sorry to hear about the sudden passing of former Port Clinton Fire Chief, John Drummer. He worked for many years at Clinton Auto Parts with my old friend Jerry Lippus. While Fire Chief, the PC Fire Department grew in skill and stature. He will be missed.
What a tough night to choose what to watch on TV! First, the Browns play the Buffalo Bills on the NFL Network Channel while WGTE, Channel 30, will carry the documentary produced by Catawba Island resident Nick James on the Bi-Centennial Celebration of Oliver Hazard Perry’s victory in the Battle of Lake Erie. If you missed any of the festivities over Labor Day weekend, here is your chance to see what you missed. This special program will be aired at 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday, October 3).
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.