BY JOHN SCHAFFNER

One of the biggest and most impactful business events for many local businesses, the annual Mid-American Boat Show and Fishing Expo, will be taking place this weekend at Cleveland’s IX Center from Thursday through Monday, January 16-20. We published a very large list of local vendors in last week’s Beacon. We have literally thousands of people who make their living either directly or indirectly from boat owners. Fisherman’s Central, who will be opening a giant outdoors retail store in the old Walmart Store this coming spring, is the main sponsor for the event.

Even though the news regarding the missing 14-year-old Harley Dilly wasn’t good on Tuesday, I believe it was very special that so many residents joined in on the search and tried to help. There were organized searches, vigils and prayer-groups throughout Ottawa County as the effort to find him became a massive community event.

Cheri Katynski of Port Clinton is the winner this week in our “Find Wylie” contest. Cheri was chosen from among 71 entries who found Wylie hiding in the ad for Otterbein Senior Life in Marblehead on page 5B in last week’s Beacon. So, Cheri wins our weekly $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores. Each week we hide Wylie Walleye in an ad and our readers, when one of them finds him, can either bring in a contest entry cut out of the paper or log onto our website www.thebeacon.net and let us know where he is, thus entering, and possibly winning our weekly contest.

Otterbein North Shore resident, Ronald McCauley, recently wrote this about what life is like at Otterbein: “Otterbein-Marblehead is a magical place. It is a Family style community where everyone has opportunity to participate and work together in many activities and experiences. I have the opportunity each week of driving the Otterbein Bus as a volunteer. The ‘wheels of the bus go round and round’ as we travel to a different shopping destination each week. As I grow older, I stand tallest beside the bus when offering my hand to help someone up or down the steps and carrying their groceries. As I look back upon life, the moment I assist others in the spirit of love, I cannot do an act of love too soon for someone, because we never know how soon it will be too late.”

Magruder Hospital’s monthly Cancer Support Group will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 12:30 p.m. in the Conference Center. Meeting on the 4th Wednesday each month, this support group is for anyone who has been impacted by cancer. There is a complimentary light lunch provided, so please RSVP to 419-301-4317 by Monday, January 20 if at all possible. This support group is a way for patients, caregivers and family members to connect with others to share information and resources. For more information about support groups and other events visit www.magruderhospital.com and click on the events calendar. Also on Monday, Jan. 20, at noon, Magruder Hospital will host an educational luncheon in the Conference Center. Detective Sergeant Corbin Carpenter with the Port Clinton Police Department will present a program on scams. Learn what scams are circulating, how to spot them and what to do if you or someone you know gets caught in one. This luncheon is part of a monthly education series which features a different topic and speaker each month. The luncheon series is open to the public and the cost is $6. The program is free if you do not wish to have lunch. To make sure we have enough seating, please RSVP for the January program by noon on Friday, January 17, 2020 by calling 419-732-4061.

The Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for their annual awards which will be held this spring. The award categories are: Lighthouse Award (business that has made an outstanding contribution in their field); Beautification Award (A business that has contributed to the aesthetic enhancement of the community either at their place of business or elsewhere in the area; New Business (best new business launch for 2019); Outstanding Citizen (individual who has contributed to the citizens and/or the well-being of the local business community); finally the Chamber Member of the Year.

The Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is holding a Business Open House Thursday, Jan. 16 from 5-7 p.m. at Catawba Jewelers at Harbor Light Landing.

The following local students earned Dean’s List recognition this past term at Terra Community College: Oak Harbor: Ilse Corona Jimenez, Sierra Fox, Samantha Michael, Karli Reifsnyder, Jeb Shook, Mackenzie Sigurdson, Kennedy Tabbert and Jacqueline Witt. Port Clinton: Breann Christiansen, Angela Delp, Tara Euler, Payton Evans, Carissa Levine and Eric Wammes.