Ava’s Labor of Love Benefit event, originally scheduled for August 29 and August 30, has been changed to a one day event to be held Saturday, August 30 only. The venue has also changed to Waterworks Park, at the corner of Perry and Jefferson Streets, in Port Clinton. The public is invited to this free event being held from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on August 30. Event activities include a classic car show, kid’s tent, music, raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Food will be available for purchase on site and monetary donations will be accepted throughout the day. The Arnold, Jones and Fritz families thank the City of Port Clinton for providing a location for this benefit. Ava’s Labor of Love Benefit was organized to raise money to offset the expenses associated with Ava Arnold’s treatment for Alper’s-Huttenlocher Syndrome, a very rare neuro-degenerative disorder. This syndrome has no known cure and causes liver failure, dementia, severe seizures and all over regression in muscle tone. Tragically, 18-month old Ava Arnold passed away while preparations for this event were being made. This event now serves the dual purpose of raising money and celebrating the beautiful, but all too short, life of baby Ava. For additional information call Carmen at 419-341-2154.
A Star Spangled Banner Year has been planned for Perry’s Victory Heritage Festival sponsored by The Perry Group, the folks who brought us the Tall Ship Festival and Battle of Lake Erie reenactment last year. Most of the events will be at Put-in-Bay on Saturday, September 6 starting with a wreath laying ceremony at the battle site. There will be a 12 noon reception at The Keys Restaurant, a special Historic Weekend Parade starting at 2:15, a military reenactment at 3 p.m., a special roundtable conversation about the War of 1812, a concert by the Toledo Symphony at the monument at 6 p.m., and a Harbor Illumination at dusk sponsored by the Perry Group.
A reminder that Trinity United Methodist Church in Port Clinton is continuing to host Lifetree Café, a unique ministry featuring DVDs and discussion groups every Sunday at 6 p.m. The presentation this Sunday, August 31 is titled “Simplify Your Life” … how a Hollywood millionaire walked away from it all.
Stein Hospice is hosting the PK 5K Run themed “This Run’s for You, Mom” in honor of Patricia King Munn who passed away on September 30 last year. She was a frequent visitor to Lakeside and moved there permanently a few years ago. They owned and operated the Shade Tree and Paper Chase in Lakeside. She was also very active on a number of local committees and helped out at the Danbury Senior Center. The race will be held on Sunday, October 12. I got a nice note from Patricia’s daughter Katie Hamann, letting me know that they are very interested in obtaining sponsors for this event. To help sponsor the event, contact Amy Skolnik at Stein Hospice, 419-625-5269. Her e-mail is askolnik@steinhospice.org. For more information, contact Katie and Sandy Hamann at 419-797-6243.
Don’t forget our “Coffee with the Editor” session at Common Grounds every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. Lot’s of interesting local topics are discussed. We have arranged to turn the meeting into a “Town Hall” session once a month featuring Port Clinton Mayor Vince Leone. He is anxious to “correct the record” responding to the rumors on the proposed improvement projects downtown and in Waterworks Park. Also don’t forget that Common Grounds offers their gourmet coffee for just 99-cents with one refill or you can also get 10% off your order on Wednesday mornings.
The Port Clinton Harvest Festival will be held in downtown Port Clinton September 26-28. The committee is seeking vendors for their new Family Fun-zone area where there will be inflatables, pony rides, crafts, games, food and more. Churches, local businesses and organizations along with school clubs are encouraged to participate. For more information contact Amy Kelly at pcharvestfestival@gmail.com or phone 419-304-7297.
The 9th Annual Terry Heise Scholarship Golf Classic will be held again this year at Oak Harbor Golf Course on Saturday, September 20. Terry was a local business owner (Port Clinton Glass, still run by his family) who was also very active in the community and served many years as a football and baseball coach. For more information or to register, contact Terry’s son Eric at 614-738-4957 or e-mail ebheise1001@yahoo.com.