BY JOHN SCHAFFNER

‘Tis the season of giving. Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) is partnering with its neighbor, Ida Rupp Public Library, to sponsor a Giving Tuesday Open House community event on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Activities for all ages will occur at both the OCCF office and the library next door, 306 and 310 Madison Street, Port Clinton.

Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools, along with the Ottawa County Community Advocacy Center and St. John’s Church in Oak Harbor, will be hosting a special QPR Suicide Prevention Training session on Monday, Nov. 21 starting at 6:30 p.m. at Oak Harbor High School. QPR stands for “Question, Persuade, Respond.”

It is not a form of counseling or treatment. Rather it is a program designed to offer hope through positive action. By learning QPR, you will be better prepared to see warning signs and behaviors of people who are in trouble. You will also learn how to respond quickly and aggressively to those warning signs and hopefully prevent a tragedy.

Sydney Holliday from Marblehead was selected from 159 entries who found Wylie Walleye hiding in the ad for the Port Clinton Chamber and Main Street Port Clinton “Sip and Shop” on Page 6A in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations Sydney. 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. You can find the digital edition of the paper here. If you find him, follow this link, and let us know where he is.

You might be our next winner!

By the way, the downtown Port Clinton “Sip & Shop” is this Saturday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. See more information in their ad on page 8A of this week’s Beacon.

The free ELMS Community meals sponsored by Peace Lutheran and St. Thomas Episcopal churches are back and tonight’s the night (Thursday, Nov. 17) starting at 5 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on E. Second St. in Port Clinton. They will be serving a traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings. Carryout only.

The Benton-Carroll-Salem School District will hold its annual Senior Citizens Holiday Luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Oak Harbor High School. The program will begin at 11:15 a.m. with performances from the B-C-S Music Department followed by Lunch at noon. Lunch is only $2 and payable at the door. Senior citizens will need to call 419-898-6210 to make their reservation.

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 at 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 and bring along with you a non-perishable food item to be donated to the local food pantry.

The Port Clinton Lions Club’s Holiday poinsettia sale is happening now! The 6 1/2-inch pots are $8.50, 8 1/2-inch pots are $16.50. Colors: red, white, pink, marbled, and jingle. Call Lorna Garber (630-881-8230) by Tuesday, Nov. 22 to order a beautiful plant!

The Village of Oak Harbor will be holding its “Old Fashioned Christmas” parade and holiday season kickoff on Saturday, Dec. 3 starting at 4:40 p.m. Santa will be arriving by fire truck and the community Christmas Tree will be lit up by the jolly old elf himself at the Log Cabin.

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be visiting Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton this 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.

Local historian and author Richard Norgard gave a fascinating presentation at Kiwanis last Wednesday. He has studied and written about the history of the prison ship “Success,” which ran aground off Port Clinton while being towed here from Sandusky many years ago. While still visible, the ship was set afire by vandals. The history of the ship built in the 19th century was absolutely fascinating.

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.