I always called her “Mom.”

Paulette Weirich from Oak Harbor passed away on Monday. I first met her in the mid-1970s while doing play-by-play for Oak Harbor High School wrestling. Her sons, Phil and Steve, (former Oak Harbor Police Chief) were exceptional wrestlers back then. She was also active with the Chamber of Commerce there as well, and when I attended their functions, she was always ready with a hug.

She was a super great lady and I will miss her, as will her children and grandchildren.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns in Europe went silent, ending World War I. Today is the day we salute all veterans and thank them for their service. Today is Veterans Day.

The Liberty Aviation Museum will salute military veterans with free admission today (Nov. 11) and on Saturday, Nov. 13, along with a 15% discount at the museum gift shop.

Mary Alice and I made a visit last week to the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. It was an amazing visit and I encourage everybody to make a visit there when they can. It’s worth it.

Richard Koblin of Oak Harbor was selected from among 126 entries who found Wylie hiding in the ad for Bassett’s Market on Page 3A in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations to Richard, 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.

It is now the Christmas Holiday Season. The Port Clinton Post Office is holding an “Operation Noelle” Toy Drive. Residents are encouraged to drop off a new unwrapped toy anytime during their business hours now through Friday, Dec. 3.

There will be no school hours on Friday, Nov. 12 at Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools. That day has been set aside for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

There will be two opportunities to give blood and save a life next week. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge next Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Friday, Nov. 19 at Magruder Hospital from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Ottawa County Genealogical Society meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 5:30 a.m. at the Ida Rupp Public Library. The program speaker will be Tom Neel on “The Ladies of the Club – Your Ancestors and Their Social Groups.” The public is welcome to attend.

Immaculate Conception School in Port Clinton will hold its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 12 at 9:45 a.m. on the Veterans Circle of the Ottawa County Courthouse lawn. The children of ICS are practicing their favorite patriotic songs and fifth graders are writing essays from the heart expressing what being a Veteran means to them.

In the case of bad weather, the ceremony will be help inside at Immaculate Conception Church. Immaculate Conception School officials are especially welcoming honored veterans to join them in celebrating the bravery and heroism of those that have given of themselves for the freedom we all enjoy each and every day.

The Salvation Army’s “Coats for Families” program will run through January.  This program is based on donations from the general public of new coats only. Last year, The Salvation Army collected and distributed over 570 coats to local families in Ottawa County.

This is the 27th year this program has been providing coats to the local residents. Collection areas for new coats is at The Salvation Army’s office. If you would like to donate new coats or are in need of a new winter coat, please call The Salvation Army at 419-732-2769.

The Danbury Parent Teacher Community Organization will team with the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce for the 2nd annual Marblehead Reverse Raffle on Saturday, Nov. 13 at St. Mary’s Social Hall in Marblehead, with a grand prize of $10,000. The $125 tickets are now on sale and include a prime rib dinner from the Marblehead Galley at 6 p.m. and raffle at 7 p.m. For information call the chamber’s Director Teri Cassell, 419-702-7492.

The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Director’s Meeting & Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Canoe Club Wine Bar, 5831 E. Harbor Rd., Marblehead. Tickets are $30. To RSVP call 419-702-7492 or email: info@themarbleheadpeninsula.com.

The Board of Trustees of the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau is accepting applications for new members that if elected would join the board at the beginning of 2022. The Board of Trustees is a volunteer body that has responsibility to oversee the operations of the visitors’ bureau and provide input to the staff team to help fulfill the organization’s mission to grow the region’s tourism economy.

At least two of the 15 seats on the bureau board will be up for election with the voting taking place at a meeting on Friday Nov. 19. Interested individuals should contact Lake Erie Shores & Islands President Larry Fletcher for an application.