We’ve had 9 more Covid-19 deaths in Ottawa County in the last week. The vaccine continues to trickle into our area. This week, the providers, Magruder Hospital, the Ottawa County Health Department and the Kroger Pharmacy have been able to embark upon Phase 1B of the vaccination plan, inoculating residents 80 years old or older. They should be able to move forward with the 75-plus population shortly, hopefully by the end of the month.

Many in Port Clinton know Jack Nitz, a teacher, coach, Dean of Students, Principal and Director of Student Services at Port Clinton City School District. His career took place over 40 years until his retirement this past June.  Because of his dedication to the students and staff of the Port Clinton City Schools, the Board of Education honored his career by naming the Port Clinton High School Media Center, “The Jack Nitz Academic Center” or “The J.A.C.”

In a surprise ceremony, a small group of school officials surprised Jack with the help of his family on Thursday, Jan. 21. Jack actually joined the faculty at PCHS in 1966, when I was a senior. Now 54 years later, I still consider Jack and his wife, Janice, close personal friends, even though they are so much older than me!!! Congratulations!

Brie Randleman of Sandusky was chosen from among 101 entries who found Wylie hiding in the ad for Howard Hanna on Page 6B in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations Brie. You are 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.

If you haven’t heard, Ohio Senator Rob Portman has decided not to seek re-election in 2022. He was a friend to many here in Ottawa County and a friend of Lake Erie, for sure.

The BCS Music Boosters hope you can join them for their annual Dueling Piano Night, featuring Main Street Dueling Pianos! This fearless, professional musical team performs an all-request show with a healthy dose of interactive comedy thrown in to entertain any audience. The show is on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 7-10 p.m. Song requests can be made through the comments on the livestream. Please invite and share with all your friends so they can have a virtual “packed house!”

The Port Clinton Lions Club is having a Chicken Bar-B-Q on Sunday, Jan. 31. It will be carryout only at the Knights of Columbus, 121 E. Perry St., Port Clinton, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Call Lorna Garber for tickets. 630-881-8230.

Otterbein Senior Life resident, Betty Kovach manages to practice social distancing as she paints on the computer while zooming with her family.