Jim Amato passed away surrounded by his family last Saturday. Jim had been struggling with ill health for several years. His family was legendary in Port Clinton and Ottawa County. His father owned Sam Amato’s Port Clinton Sales and Service for many years here.

Jim managed the local Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge dealership for years with his father. He was also active in the community and was a Past Commodore of Port Clinton Yacht Club. What I remember most about Jim was when he had an opinion about something, he would not hesitate to let you know what it was. Underneath that sometimes gruff exterior was the heart of a very good man.

According to NOAA, the Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) in the western basin of Lake Erie has grown since October 28. It now stretches from Maumee Bay to the mouth of the Portage River in Port Clinton. There has also been algae growth in the Portage River upstream from Oak Harbor. There will be a meeting of Lake Erie Water Keepers at the Toledo Yacht Club, 3900 N. Summit Street in Toledo tonight (Thursday, Nov. 10).

Seven fishermen had to be rescued this past Saturday when the winds on Lake Erie jumped into the 30-45 knot range. All are okay but a kayaker was lost in the Cleveland area.

Marla Himmeger from Central Ohio was selected from 171 entries who found Wylie Walleye hiding in the ad for Bassett’s Market on Page 3A in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations Marla. You win our weekly $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores.

Each week we hide Wylie in an ad for our readers to find. If you find him, log onto our website, www.thebeacon.net, and let us know where he is. You might be our next winner!

The Board of Directors for the Humane Society of Ottawa County currently has an open seat. Board members have the responsibility for the management of the Humane Society of Ottawa County. Anyone interested in serving on this board must complete an application. Applications are available on request by contacting the shelter at 419-734-5191 or email HSOCpets@gmail.com.

Nominees for this open seat will be provided to the Humane Society membership at their annual meeting for a vote. The annual meeting will be held Jan. 5 at the Ida Rupp Public Library. Applicants are invited to attend the next regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting, to be held Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. at the library. If you have any questions, contact the shelter at 419-734-5191.

The Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is bringing back its Annual Holiday Mixer on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Island Port @ The Jet Express. Parking is free in the Jet Express parking lot. Admission is $20 per person. RSVP to admin@portclintonchamber.com or call 419-734-5503 no later than Monday, Nov. 28. Bring along with you a non-perishable food item to be donated to our local food pantry.

The Port Clinton Chamber and Main Street Port Clinton will celebrate the Grand Opening of Nutrition by the Lake, 124 W 2nd Street. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held today (Thursday, Nov. 10 at noon. Nutrition by the Lake is a full-service café offering high protein meal replacement shakes, hot & iced coffee, made to order waffles, healthy energizing teas, protein snack and more.

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be visiting Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton on Friday, Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The need for blood is extremely high in our area and new blood supplies are very much needed.

The Ottawa County Community Foundation is hosting a Bundle Up Clothing Drive for the month of November. They are seeking new clothing items for kids of all ages. You can drop off a donation at the OCCF office at 303 Madison St., Port Clinton every Wednesday during the month from noon to 3 p.m. Other drop off points will be any of the community libraries in Ottawa County.

Stand-up Comedian Lee Hardin will be performing his “Christmas Sweater” comedy show at Playmakers Civic Theater on Friday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.

The Mazurik Boat Access ramp and parking lot will be closed for renovations on Friday, Nov. 11, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The Mazurik Boat Access is located at 8957 East Northshore Blvd. in Marblehead. Boaters looking for a nearby public access ramp on Friday, Nov. 11 are encouraged to visit East Harbor State Park, or Catawba Island State Park. The ramp will be closed as part of ongoing construction as the Division of Wildlife replaces asphalt near the Mazurik Access. The closure is scheduled to last one day. During this time, no vehicles will be permitted in the parking lot or boat ramp.

A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house was held last Saturday for All Elite Sports Complex located at 712 N. Locust St., Oak Harbor. All Elite Sports Complex is a fully functional indoor turfed training facility that specializes in baseball, softball, soccer and conditioning. The 4,000 square foot facility features current and former college athletes as instructors to train 10-18-year-old student athletes.

Their goal is to enhance the student’s skills to help them successfully achieve the next level of competition. They also offer team rentals of either half or the whole facility. This will ensure teams have a place to practice in the winter out of the harsh Ohio weather. You can reach them at 419-463-4464, email allelitesportscomplex@gmail.com, on Facebook or at www.allelitesportscomplex.com.