Stacy Maple will soon step away from the day-today operations of the highly-rated Bistro 163 restaurantin Port Clinton’s Sutton Center, but she won’t have to go very far in assuming her new duties as area director of the United Way of Ottawa County.

“The United Way offices are just down the hall from Bistro 163,” said Maple, with a laugh.

That’s a good thing, in the event Maple wants a freshly-made lunch or is putting together a new menu. Maple said that while the United Way will get her undivided attention, she plans to continue as a Bistro 163 board member and will help create menus.

Babbette “Babs” Klacik will be the new general manager of Bistro 163, taking over the day-to-day operations. Maple said there won’t be any major changes.

“We will still strive to make people comfortable when they walk through the door, and confident they’ll enjoy a wonderful meal,” she said.

United Way of Greater Toledo (UWGT) and its office in Ottawa County has announced Maple will oversee the fiscal development and community engagement strategies for United Way in Ottawa County (UWOC).

Maple is replacing the retiring Chris Galvin, who served as Ottawa County Director of United Way for 25 years.

Galvin will continue on the board of the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership – formerly WSOS – and a new post on the Portage Township Zoning Commission.

“Chris Galvin and I talked about her retirement late last year, and she was one of the people who encouraged me to go after the opportunity with United Way,” said Maple. “Galvin’s vote of confidence was huge for me. It’s always a good thing to have people in your corner telling you that you can do it.”

Maple said her most difficult task will be following Galvin as director of United Way.

“Her legacy here is positively awesome,” said Maple.

“My job will be to show people just how large the United Way really is in Ottawa County, and how it can be even more impactful in our community. We’re under the umbrella of United Way of Greater Toledo, but we want people to understand that United Way of Ottawa County supports 13 charities here that work to make our community better.”

Maple’s five-star rated restaurant Bistro 163, a payit- forward eatery, focused on feeding every patron, no matter their economic status or ability to purchase their meal. Bistro 163 was named “Best Nonprofit” in Ottawa County in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

“Having worked with Stacy over the past several years, I have been truly impressed with her collaborative nature and creativity in addressing community problems,” said Ed Carlson, UWOC advisory board chair.

“I believe she is the perfect individual to lead United Way in Ottawa County as we work with partners and community entities to improve the lives of our county’s residents,” Carlson said.

Maple, 46, and her husband, Criss, have two sons, Christian, 16, and Noelton, 12. Maple plans to continue her “Maple in the Morning” show on WPCR and WPIB digital radio.

Maple is a graduate of Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Atlanta, Ga. She is also an active member of the Emergency Food Shelter Board, Friends of Ottawa County Parks, American Culinary Federation, Slow Food USA and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.