Several years ago I learned that 50% of the residences east of Port Clinton are owned by folks who have a primary residence somewhere else. In November, the lure of Lake Erie wanes quite a bit and consistent use of those homes, cottages and condos does too. The Beacon has long struggled to determine what homes to deliver and what homes NOT TO DELIVER, especially on Catawba and Marblehead. Our simple rule will be “No car in the driveway, no delivery”. However, we don’t want to “not deliver” to residents who want delivery. So, if you DO WANT The Beacon delivered, and you don’t receive it, please call us at 419-732-2154, or better yet, send us an email with your address to circulation@thebeacon.net. In the meantime, we will add to our business deliveries, particularly on Catawba, Marblehead and Portage Township. Thank you for your assistance.

The BIG STORY in Ottawa County is absolutely a Oak Harbor Rockets football team at 12-0 and making an historic run at a State Championship! They play Orrville in Elyria on Saturday night for the regional finals. There will be a giant Tailgate Party on Friday night from 6-8 p.m. at The Hartford House in downtown Oak Harbor. The players will be there, as will the Rocket band. A $10 buffet will also be available along with a cash bar until 10 p.m.

Ted Wierzba of Port Clinton is our winner this week in our “Find Wylie” contest. Ted was chosen from 77 entries who found Wylie hiding in the ad for Firelands Symphony Orchestra on Page 6A.. So, Ted wins our weekly $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores. Each week we generally 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 the contest.

Downtown Port Clinton’s 4th Annual Sip & Shop will be held this Saturday, Nov. 23 from 4-8 p.m. Get in some early Christmas shopping and have a sip or two along the way by getting a drink in a MORA cup at downtown bars and restaurants. Many of the downtown businesses will have prize giveaways, as well.

The annual “Kids for Christmas” charity event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Mr. Ed’s Bar & Grille on West Lakeshore Drive. For over 10 years, they have been providing children and families in Ottawa County with gifts, clothes and a warm meal for Christmas.

Last year, they raised over $40,000 and helped over 50 local families. Donations can be made to: Kids for Christmas, Att. Chassey Turner, 255 W. Lakeshore Dr., Port Clinton Ohio 43452.. All donations are tax deductible.

The Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Port Clinton are hosting a Holiday Mixer on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 5-7 p.m. at The Clinton House. The first two guests are free, additional guests are $10 per person. You are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the local food pantry.

The 16th Annual “Tree-A-Rama” Charity Auction will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Mon Ami. The silent auction starts at 2 p.m. and the grand live auction at 4 p.m. They are looking for donations of decorated Christmas trees (tabletop to full size), wreaths, centerpieces or any other appropriate auction item. This event is the No. 2 fundraiser for the local Salvation Army, second only to the Red Kettle Campaign. To donate, contact them at 419-732-2769.

The Port Clinton Knights of Columbus will be conducting a Red Cross Blood Drive at Denny Bergeman Hall, 109 E. Perry St., Port Clinton on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from Noon to 6 p.m. Donors should call 1-800-Red Cross to make an advance payment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

The 2019 Beacon Mitten Tree is up. For over 30 years, The Beacon has had a Christmas Tree decorated with gloves, scarves, caps and, of course, mittens that we pass along to the Salvation Army for distribution to needy families, helping keep heads, hands and hearts warm this winter. You can bring your donation to The Beacon office at 205 SE Catawba Rd. next to the Goodwill store. Thank you.

The American Red Cross will be having two blood drives in the Magruder Hospital Conference Center: Friday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Dec. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: MAGRUDERHOSP, or call Rachel at 419-732-4061. Also, the Magruder VIP On the Go is offering a bus trip to see the award winning play Jersey Boys on Saturday, Jan. 25. Come join your friends for a special 1:30 p.m. Saturday Matinee at the beautiful Conner Palace in Playhouse Square, Cleveland.  Seats are on the Main Floor of the theater.

Arrive in downtown Cleveland with a chance to enjoy lunch on your own in the theatre district before the show. Cost for the trip including main floor ticket and bus transportation is $120. Deadline for ticket payment is Monday, Dec. 23. The trip will depart from the County/City Complex 1868 E. Perry St., Port Clinton at 9:45 a.m. with an approximate return at 5:30 p.m.

These trips are not limited to just VIP members. Family and friends, as well as the general public, may participate in the trips. For further information or reservations contact Marty at 419-265-2479 or Michele at mmueller@magruderhospital.com

Clinical Dietitian Kimberly Leneghan M.S.,R.D.,L.D., from Magruder Hospital will be guest speaker for Oak Harbor TOPS #0949. She will speak on nutrition and weight loss on Monday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Library. Public is invited to attend.

For the last 10 years, Mike and Ginger Schenk have hosted a memorial run in memory of their daughter Jessica. The 10th and “Final” Jessie Schenk Memorial Turkey Chase will be held Saturday, Nov. 30 at Resort at Erie Landing. It is a 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Jessica Schenk Scholar/Athlete Memorial Scholarship.

Pre-Registration is $27 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. For more information and for registration, search Jessie Schenk Memorial Turkey Chase online.