It’s that time of year to clean out the gutters, start mowing the lawn and look forward to warm weather. Spring is the start of many activities in the Village of Marblehead and around the area. Within the village, we have seen change in the business environment over the winter with the retirement of Ben and Wendy Richmond. After decades of success, we all wish Ben and Wendy many more enjoying their retirement. With this departure has brought new opportunities. The former gallery building is now the home to Cruisin' Tunes Endless Summer. Another new business in the village is Sumthin’ Fishy serving Lake Erie Perch located next to McCallum Gallery.

Dr. Dino Santacroce, a urologist with the RoMIUS Institute of Northwest Ohio, has recently joined the Magruder Hospital Medical Staff, specializing in adult urology. According to Mike Long, president and CEO of Magruder, Sanatcroce is adding a much-needed service to the community.
“For several years now, the majority of people within the community have had to leave the area for urology services,” said Long. “When the RoMIUS Institute approached us about bringing their services to Magruder, we saw this as a great opportunity for Magruder and the community."

The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council and local art enthusiasts Cathy and Bob Adorni, long-time friends of the late Thomas Kinkade, have “popped” open an art gallery in downtown Port Clinton. The display, “Come Share the Light,” features the Adornis’ extensive collection of Thomas Kinkade’s art.

In celebration of Memorial Day, the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce would like to help honor those who have served or are serving our country. The Chamber of Commerce will once again display veterans’ pictures at the Oak Harbor Flat Iron Park from May 23-30.
If you would like your military personnel’s picture displayed on an 11x17 poster along with a red, white and blue bow for $10, call 419-898-0479 or stop by the Chamber office at 161 W. Water St., Oak Harbor. All net proceeds will be donated to Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio. Information and payment deadline is May 18. 

Officials from Ohio University and the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies will visit the area on May 17 to unveil a report that cites the Skills for Life Marine Trades program as a contributor to the area’s economic development efforts.

The group chose to release the report in May in recognition of Community Action Month across the nation. The report will be released during a presentation that begins at 11 a.m. on May 17 at the Ottawa County Resource Center, 8043 W. Ohio 163, Oak Harbor.

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge will be offering bus trips to various points of interest on both Ottawa and Cedar Point NWRs throughout the month of May. Seating is limited and you must make a reservation by calling the Visitor Center at 419-898-0014. Buses will leave from the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center parking lot at 7 a.m. and trips will last about 3 hours. Refuge staff will be driving the bus and will gladly interpret refuge management and your wildlife experience during the tour.
Morning trips — from 7 to 10 a.m. — are as follows: May 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17.  Two afternoon trips, from 1 to 4 p.m. will be held on May 12 and 13.
For information about the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge events, call 419-898-0014, visit the refuge's website, http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ottawa or connect with us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OttawaNWR. The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge entrance is located 16 miles west of Port Clinton on the north side of Ohio 2.

Tomi Johnson, broker associate with Howard Hanna Real Estate, was again named to The “Very Best of  the Best” of Howard Hanna for 2011. This honors the top 1 percent of sales associates in the company. This impressive group represents the finest in real estate, not only at Howard Hanna but in the industry. Additionally this group received the 2011 National Sales Excellence Award from the Realty Alliance, signifying that they are among the top agents in this prestigious group of independent brokers.
The honors were presented during the gala finale while on the “Great American Tour” with Hanna Travel. To celebrate their success, the “Very Best” women were draped with Mink wraps and the “Very Best” men were presented custom made sport coats and Koa- wood boxes engraved with their name.
A 32-year veteran of the real estate industry, Johnson was also awarded the Pinnacle of Performance the highest of the sales awards, by the Ohio Association of Realtors. Johnson’s goal is to provide the “Very Best of the Best” service to her clients and customers. She can be reached for a private consultation regarding your personal real estate goals on her direct line at 419-341-0276. 

Chef Vincent Tropepe will be at the Ida Rupp Public Library to talk about his autobiographical cookbook “From Behind the Kitchen Doors” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9.
Tropepe won all three titles in each nominated category designated annually by the United States Culinary Congress, a first in USCC. The categories are Best French Bistro Northeast Territory, Humanitarian of the Year and Chef of the Year 2011 for a second consecutive year, also first in USCC history.

Two Terra State Community College students were among those recognized at the 2012 All-Ohio Academic Team Luncheon on April 26 in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium. The annual event is sponsored by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, Phi Theta Kappa and the All-Ohio Advisory Council. Sherry Peterson, of Port Clinton, was named to the first team while Michael D. Ontko, of Oak Harbor, was selected to the third team. Both received All-Ohio medallions, certificates and lapel pins. Peterson was awarded $1,000 and Ontko received $250.

“Receiving acknowledgement from the governor of Ohio, the OACC and Phi Theta Kappa at the State Senate epitomizes my value as a student and representative of Terra State and Phi Theta Kappa,” Peterson said.
Ontko agreed.
“It was an amazing day spent with so many good people,” he said. “I was very happy to hear Governor Kasich speak.”
Peterson will graduate May 4 with an Associate of Applied Business in Office Administration/Executive. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational management at Tiffin University beginning this fall. Eventually, she hopes to earn a master’s degree in developmental education, possibly at Bowling Green State University.
Ontko will also graduate Friday with an Associate of Applied Science in Social Work/Social Work Assistant. He plans to attend Spring Arbor University this fall and later work toward a master’s degree in social work at The Ohio State University. The U.S. Army veteran hopes to build a career working closely with armed forces veterans.
Both were honored to be nominated for the All-Ohio distinction.
“Learning that I would be acknowledged on the State Senate floor as one of the top 10 students in the State of Ohio was surreal,” Peterson said. “I never dreamed such an honor would become a part of my story.”
Ontko was humbled.
“I was very excited and overwhelmed to think that of all the students at Terra State, someone felt so highly of me to nominate me,” he said.
Peterson is the mother of Kasey and Jay Peterson.
Ontko and his wife, Traci, are the parents of James, Reid, William, Jessica, Rebecca and Cheyenne.
Honda of America Mfg., Inc. was the event sponsor.

The Book Exchange, downtown Port Clinton, is under new management. New owner Michael Fitzgerald — a long-time supporter and employee in the Port Clinton community — said he is excited and anxious for a fresh start for the store. He was previously involved as a partner in the business and has now taken over all responsibility of the store.
Weighing in on all options, Fitzgerald contemplated closing the store, but the outpour of support from the fellow downtown merchants and previous customers spoke volumes that they wanted the store to remain a piece of downtown Port Clinton.