The Ottawa County Community Foundation has formally welcomed Crown Battery (Hal and Diane Hawk) as the newest member of their Business Partners Giving Society at the “Benefactor” recognition level. Said Hal upon receiving the recognition, “Di and I feel giving back, whether time or money or a combination, is a vital part of making our home in Ottawa County.

“It’s part of our daily DNA and should be a part of everyone’s. We must support the community in which we reside or work. Period!”

The OCCF also announced 121 scholarships totaling $152,197 to local students. Finally, they announced that my friend Mike Schenk, General Manager of Resort at Erie Landings, is the newest member of the Foundation Board of Trustees.

I was very sad to learn of the passing of Mary Gordon of Port Clinton. She was the wife of local photographer Bill “Flash” Gordon. She was a very nice and friendly person and died too young.

Memories…This is the 44th anniversary of the Blizzard of ’78. It was a doozie.

Nancy Gurney was selected from among 122 entries who found Wylie hiding in the ad for Immaculate Conception School on Page 3 in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations to Nancy, the winner of 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.

Ottawa County Transitional Housing, Inc. is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 12. They will host a “Winter Wonderland Ball” at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge from 7-11 p.m. Tickets will go on sale soon at $35 per person and $60 per couple. They can be purchased at Visions in the Port Clinton Plaza or from TDH Enterprises inside the Sutton Center. The ticket price includes hot hors’doeuvres, soft drinks, tea or coffee. A cash bar will also be available.

How time flies! The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council and the City of Port Clinton really created something special last year when they teamed up to convert the grungy, old city service garage into The Arts Garage, a much-needed home for the local arts scene.

That was a year ago. The Arts Garage has become a rousing success at 317 W. Perry St. In artist’s circles, that means it’s time for a celebration party!

We won’t have to wait, either. The first anniversary of TAG will be Monday, Jan. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Be sure to attend, but first RSVP by sending an email to: ottawacountyarts@gmail.com.

The Resort at Erie Landing off Darr-Hopfinger Rd.is taking reservations for a special Pre-Valentine Dinner, Dance and Show Celebration.

“Treat your special someone to dinner on Friday, Feb. 11 and have a wonderful meal — and more — in a romantic setting,” said Schenk, who has developed the into a premier recreational vacation site on the Portage River.

The evening’s cost per person is just $48.50 for Veal Oscar, CAB tri tip steak or perch. Call 419-734-2460 for the perfect date night. After dinner, go dancing and enjoy the performance of father/daughter duo of Rennie and Esther Kauffman.

Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools is pleased to announce new times for Sunday Fun Open Swims at the Oak Harbor High School Pool for all B-C-S students, families, and community members. Racquetball courts will also be open to adults during these times.

The pool and racquetball courts will be open on the following Sundays from 2-4 p.m.on January 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27; March 6 and March 13. Pool admission to be paid at the door for B-C-S students is only $1, and B-C-S adults will be $2. Racquet ball courts will be open to B-C-S adults only for an additional charge of $2 (limit 4 per court). A lifeguard and site director will be on-site to ensure safety.

The Oak Harbor Rotary Club will be holding its Annual Scholarship Fundraiser, a Reverse Raffle & Casino Night on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds on SR 163 east of Oak Harbor. The Grand Prize for the Reverse Raffle will be $2,500, plus lots of other gaming activities including a Silent Auction, a 50/50 Raffle and a wheelbarrow full of “liquid refreshments.”

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner catered by Ole Zims will be served starting at 6 o’clock. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased from just about any Oak Harbor Rotary member.

The Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a Job Fair on Wednesday, March 9th at Port Clinton High School. They are inviting local high schools and the general public to participate in this hiring event for Chamber members. Call the local Chamber office to reserve your spot.

Congratulations to Hannah Glass of Oak Harbor, one of more than 600 students awarded undergraduate and advanced degrees and certificates at Youngstown State University’s Fall Commencement. Glass earned a Master of Business Administration in Business Leadership. Also, congratulations go out to Drew Kopchak of Port Clinton, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics; and Erin Lavelle of Marblehead, who graduated with a Master of Arts in Education – Educational Technology, both from Baldwin Wallace.

Don’t forget the Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the Holiday Inn Express just north of the intersection of SR 53 and SR 163 on Friday, Jan. 28, also from noon to 5:30.

The popular Swim Lessons at Port Clinton High School will once again be offered this spring at the PCHS Natatorium. Lessons will be under the supervision of PCHS teacher and swimming coach Danny Diaz. Swim lesson sign-ups will be held on Feb. 8-9 from 5-6 p.m. in the PCHS Natatorium. Flyers will be sent home with students with additional information or can be found at www.pccsd.net under the “News” section. For more information about swim lessons please contact Coach Diaz at 419-341-3969 or ddiaz@pccsd-k12.net.