Jane Spriestersbach picks the St. Paddy’s Day drawing winner hosted by the Catawba Island Historical Society.

CATAWBA ISLAND – The Catawba Island Historical Society held the first of its 2022 membership drawings on St. Paddy’s Day. Included were all its current annual members. The “Luck of the Irish” was with Bill and Miriam Forquer, whose name was drawn by Jane Spriestersbach, Curator of the Society’s Catawba Union Chapel Museum.

The purpose of the drawings is to broaden the base of the Historical Society by attracting additional annual members. Separate events are held for those with lifetime memberships. The Society funds Union Chapel Museum with these membership dues, allowing it to open its doors to the public without charging for admission.

This year’s prize for the March drawing was a signed and framed print by local watercolor artist Patty Cable Wildman. It depicts a whimsical summer picnic at Union Chapel as if built on the Lake Erie shoreline. Recently deceased historian, Don Rhodes, is portrayed as one of the picnic participants.

A second drawing is scheduled for both annual and lifetime members of the Historical Society. It will be conducted in May when Union Chapel Museum opens for its fifth season. More detail will be provided later, but the prize is slated to be a sumptuous group dining experience at a renowned entertainment venue.

Miriam Forquer grew up in Fostoria, Ohio and visited Catawba Island often as a child. After introducing her husband, Bill, to the area, they bought a property in the Gem Beach Community. They currently live in Columbus, but frequently visit the Catawba Peninsula. They became Curator and annual members of the Historical Society in November of 2021.

“Miriam and I joined the Historical Society because we love Catawba and the Museum does such a wonderful job telling the Island’s stories,” said Bill Forquer. “Union Chapel is historic in its own right, and a perfect place for doing this. We are proud to be supporting members of the Historical Society’s efforts. Go for a visit and we think you will feel exactly the same way.”

More information about becoming a member of Catawba Island Historical Society is available on their website: www.catawbaislandhistoricalsociety.com.