Around Ottawa County - The Beacon | Port Clinton News, Marblehead News, Oak Harbor News, Lake Erie Islands News

The Jet Express: Ferrying Passengers for 25 Years

The Lake Erie islands have long been a popular vacation spot for Ohioans and beyond. Up until 25 years ago, the limited schedules of the traditional ferry lines cut short the stay for those who traveled to the islands for a simple day trip. However, in 1988, Put-in-Bay Boat Line Co., also known as The Jet Express, was established by four partners who envisioned an expanded service to the islands. The partners strove to create an innovative ferry service that would provide outstanding customer service, late night service to Put-in-Bay, and the fastest passenger ferry on the Great Lakes. Their dreams became a reality in the spring of 1989 when the Jet Express began service to Put-in-Bay from Port Clinton.

The Moving Wall

The Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial at International Park in Toledo

Last week the Moving Wall was at International Park in Toledo. The Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a model of the memorial in Washington, DC, includes the names of every soldier killed during the Vietnam War. For those who have seen the memorial in Washington, and for those who had never experienced the stark black wall etched with 58,253 names, it was indeed a moving experience.

The Wall was escorted into Toledo by an honor guard of a thousand motorcycles. Throughout the week visitors streamed through the exhibit that was set up along the riverbank of the Maumee River. At the Wall on Friday Vietnam era vets were gathered in clusters sharing memories, honoring their fallen comrades, talking to visitors and visiting exhibits that were part of northwest Ohio’s Vietnam Era Veterans Appreciation Week.

“We want to recognize and honor the service of the men and women who answered their nation’s call-those that served in Vietnam as well as those who served in other capacities,” was the mission stated for the week.

The Wall and exhibits and some ceremonies were open for the public to express their support and long-overdue respect for those who served in a war that defined and divided a generation.

Other events were exclusively for Vietnam era vets, for spending time with each other sharing what only other vets could understand about serving during war and then returning to a nation that was troubled and confused and often did not honor their service.

Flag formed from the handprints of Vietnam Era veterans honored at the Vietnam Era Veterans Appreciation Week opening ceremonies.

Perhaps the Vietnam Era Veterans Appreciation Week in some part helped with the healing of those who served and those at home.

For more information on the Wall, go to www.themovingwall.org.

For veterans’ support services in Ottawa County, contact www.co.ottawa.oh.us/veterans or 419-898-2089 or800-610-8872.

Ottawa County’s sons listed on the Wall:

1 LT Thomas Henry Carstens, Port Clinton
SP4 James Michael Davenport, Port Clinton
MAJ Clyde Wilson Enderle, Port Clinton
PFC David Michael Kesterson, Port Clinton
LCPL William Laurence Matthews Jr., Port Clinton
SGT. Glen Allan Millinger, Oak Harbor

Art Fair in Port Clinton

Saturday’s Art Fair on Madison Street, sponsored by the Greater Port Clinton Area Artist’s Council, enjoyed perfect spring weather for wandering and shopping. A highlight for youngsters was the booth sponsored by Ottawa County Recycling. Children decorated recycled CDs and placed them as scales on a fish wall hanging that will be displayed at August’s Art in the Park.

Art Fair in Port Clinton

Events Calendar

June 1-30

•“The Amazing Grape Race”, wineries along the Lake Erie Shores & Islands Wine Trail

June-Aug Wed & Sat

•8 a.m. Gentle Gem Yoga, Gem Beach, Port Clinton

June-Aug, Mon &Wed

•8:30 a.m. Beach Yoga, Main Street Beach, Vermilion

June 13, 20, 27

•Stone Lab Guest Lectures, Put-In-Bay

June 13-14

•Wolcott House Tours, Marblehead

June 13-25 Mon & Tues

•South Bass Island Lighthouse tours, Put-In-Bay

June 13-29 Wed & Sat

•Aquatic Visitors Center Tours, Put-In-Bay

June 13-15

•Daytime Island Hopping Cruise, Sandusky

•Beach Yoga, Firefly Beach Resort, Huron

June 13, 15

•Cooking Class, The Studio, Huron

June 13

•A California Wine Dinner, Chez Francois, Vermillion

•Explore the Estuary by Canoe or Kayak, Old Woman Creek Boathouse, Huron

June 14

•Erie Shores Cruisers, Bassett’s Market parking lot, Port Clinton

•Summer Fish Fry, Knights of Columbus, Port Clinton

•An Evening with Tony Arata and special guest Annie Mosher, The Listening Room, Port Clinton

•Friday Night Party Cruise, Jackson St. Pier, Sandusky

•Party at the Plaza, Schade-Mylander Plaza, Sandusky

June 14, 15

•Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial Exhibit 1813-2013, Maritime Museum of Sandusky

•Live Music, Paper Moon Vineyards, Vermillion

June 14-16

•NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, Norwalk

•Festival of the Fish, Downtown Vermillion

June 15

•Perry’s Longboat Christening, Shelby St. Boat Ramp, Sandusky

•Beer & BBQ Father’s Day, Rosie’s Bar & Grill, Port Clinton

•Family Fun Day, Community Market, Port Clinton

•The Amazing Raise, Miller Ferry, Port Clinton

•Lakeshore Corvette Club Car Show, Liberty Aviation Museum, Port Clinton

•Singer-Songwriter Shootout with headliners Annie Mosher and Erin Thomas, The Listening Room, Port Clinton

•8th Annual Pooch Parade, DeRivera Park Gazebo, downtown Put-In-Bay

•2013 Kids Fishing Day, Sportsmen’s Migratory Bird Center, Oak Harbor

•Rise of the Guardians, Sandusky State Theatre, Sandusky

•Boppin’ on the Basin, Huron Boat Basin, Huron

•Wooden & Classic Boat Show, Paper District Marina, Sandusky

•Race at Sandusky Speedway, Sandusky Speedway, Sandusky

•Live Music, Quarry Hill Winery, Berlin Heights

June-Oct Saturdays

•Sandusky Farmer’s Market, City parking lot at Hancock & Market St., Sandusky

June 15-16

•War of 1812 Dress Making Workshop, Put-In-Bay

June 16

•Chris Smith 5k Challenge, Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky

•Sunday Afternoon Live Entertainment, Mon Ami, Port Clinton

•Marblehead Lighthouse Tour, Marblehead Lighthouse, Marblehead

•Acoustic Coffee House Sunday, Slater’s Madison St. Pub, Port Clinton

•Jose DeRivera Founder’s Day, DeRivera Park, downtown Put-In-Bay

June 16-Sept 29 Sundays

•All you can eat Sunday breakfast, Elk’s Lodge, Port Clinton

Sherry & Chocolates a success

American Red Cross Club Red annual membership drive

Photo Left to right: Karen Blizzard, Club Red Chair; Lynn Majce, Club Red Co-Chair; Cindy Amerine, Club Red Founder and Sherry & Chocolates Hostess; Beth Leggett, American Red Cross of Ottawa County Director

American Red Cross of Ottawa County’s Club Red held the 7th Annual “Sherry & Chocolates” event Thursday evening at the home of Jim and Susan Finn on Catawba Island. The annual membership drive event entertained 85 guests and was hosted by Club Red founder Cindy Amerine. The evening featured a tour of “Rosecliff”, the picturesque Finn home. Guests also enjoyed the skit, “After the Glow,” performed by Miss America 1963, Jackie Mayer, along with Brian Dickman and Jeff Kearney.