Club Red’s sixth annual “Sherry & Chocolates” event was hosted recently by the club’s founder, Cindy Amerine, at “Love on the Rocks,” the lovely home of Kim and Liz Skrinak of Catawba Island. The annual membership drive featured not only a home tour, but also speakers who shared information about Club Red and its mission to educate the public of the many Red Cross programs and services offered locally and across the country.  
Special guest, vocalist Carmen Miller, entertained the 75 women present with her fabulous rendition of “I Have Nothing.” Miller will be joined by local piano man Greg Fox during the cocktail hour of this year’s Club Red gala, “Black & White with a Splash of Red” to be held on Friday, July 20, in the Catawba Island Club Pavilion.  Tickets are on sale now for what is sure to be another sold-out Club Red affair. Ticket requests may be made by contacting this year’s ticket chairwoman, Marian Tavtigian, at 419-797-4151or the American Red Cross, 419-734-1100.

Rep. Randy Gardner’s efforts to fight Lake Erie algae problems received a major boost Monday when Gov. John Kasich signed legislation that includes Gardner’s $3 million Healthy Lake Erie Fund.
“I’m pleased to have Governor Kasich’s support for the Healthy Lake Erie Fund, and to have bipartisan backing to begin to attack this environmental and economic challenge facing our region,” Gardner said. 
There has been growing concern by travel and tourism-related businesses that the worsening algae problem in Lake Erie is impacting the region’s economy and forcing higher unemployment.   

Magistrate Louis P. Wargo III recently presided over a special session of the Ottawa County Municipal Court to recognize three graduates of its Benchmark Alcohol/Drug and Mental Health Intervention Court Program. The Court session, followed by a reception for the graduates and their supporters, honored the program’s graduates for their successful completion of the two-year court program.
“Since its inception nearly four years ago, the Benchmark Program has served the families and citizens of Ottawa County by addressing the County’s mental health and substance abuse issues,” said Judge Frederick C. Hany II.

Make dream journals and dream catchers at Ida Rupp from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 27. Discuss with other teens your dreams — at night or for your future and the world.
For teens entering grades sixth through 12th grade in the fall. No registration required.  
For information, call the library at 419-732-3212

A parade is forming at Ida Rupp Public Library at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21. Parades are lots of fun to watch and participate in. This program offers ideas on how to create a make-believe parade complete with “floats,” music and marching by using books, songs, props and parade-related activities.