By John Schaffner

Depending on when you are reading this, Wednesday night was our 6th Annual Best of the Best Awards Gala. We had a little glitch with our planned location, so we had to make a strategic switch to Mon Ami. We met with the new management team there and they couldn’t have been more accommodating. Quinton and Donna Smith are working very hard there to bring Mon Ami back to its old history and glory. I think they will do it.

The Port Clinton High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner is this Saturday night at Catawba Island Club. I am personally very gratified with this year’s class, particularly the induction of the 1971 football team that went 8-1-1 and were champions of the Great Lakes League. Those were the days when Port Clinton regularly played big school teams like Toledo Whitmer and Oregon Clay. That team also produced a number of people who became great leaders here in Ottawa County like Jim Sass, Gary Quisno and Mike Matta.

Mark Mizla is our winner this week in our “Find Wylie” contest. He was chosen from among 89 entries who successfully found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for the Marblewood Homes in The Beacon last week. So, Mark wins a $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores. Each week we generally 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 the contest.

The Marblehead Merchants Group is having a Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you haven’t visited the Village of Marblehead to shop lately, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this event. The merchants of Marblehead really have something great going on.

I had a cousin who was my age pass away nearly 20 years ago from ALS. We have a local gentleman who is waging the fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease. His name is Chuck Dobrowolski. His friends will be holding a benefit “Shoot Out” and barbecue dinner on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Carroll Township Hall, 11080 W. Toussaint E. Rd. north of Oak Harbor. For more information, contact Connie Biro at 419-635-6729.

The Port Clinton Friends of the Cemetery will host their annual Chicken Barbecue this Sunday, Sept. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Adams Street Gazebo.

The Red Cross Bloodmobile is at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge today (Thursday, Sept. 26) from 1-6 p.m.; and at Catawba Community Hall on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. When you give blood, you save a life.

Actress Sarah Hernandez, who performed in the movie “Unplanned” will be the featured guest speaker at Heartbeat of Ottawa County’s “Feel the Beat” fundraising event on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. Classic Trendz will provide the entertainment for the Dinner/Dance. Tickets are $40 per person and can be acquired by calling 419-734-9359.

The Ida Rupp Public Library in Port Clinton will become New York City for a week from Sept. 26 to Oct. 6 by hosting the annual Manhattan Short Film Festival. Motion picture aficionados from all over the world will be gathering in local libraries to view these short films.

The 4th Annual Pathway Inclusion Center’s Blue Carpet Gala will be Saturday, Oct. 5 from 5-10 p.m. at Port Clinton Yacht Club. Tickets are $75 and includes strolling supper, two drink tickets, two game tickets and an opportunity to bid on their silent auction items. For more information, contact Megan Ebenger online at mborgio22@yahoo.com.

Magruder Hospital’s monthly Cancer Support Group will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 12:30 p.m. in the Conference Center. This support group is for anyone who has been impacted by cancer. There is a complimentary light lunch provided, so RSVP to 419-301-4317 by Monday, Sept. 23 if at all possible.

The Magruder Hospital VIP Club invites members and interested guests for their Fall Cookout at East Harbor State Park on Tuesday, Oct. 1st. The group will eat at noon and everyone should bring drinks, table service and a dish to share. Magruder will provide burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments. Please make sure to RSVP to 419-734-3131 Ext. 3147 by Thursday, Sept. 26 so we make sure we have enough burgers and dogs. For more information about the VIP Club as well as other hospital events and programs, visit www.magruderhospital.com or call Michele Mueller at 419-734-3131 Ext. 3147.

Your new Mobile App is available for you use! It is called “Lake Erie Coastlines” and it’s FREE! Just download it on your iPhone or Android device from the App Store. It is chock full of useful information on local events, things to do and places to go. “Lake Erie Coastlines” … enjoy!