The Beacon is publishing a bit early this week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. This February, The Beacon will be observing its 40th anniversary serving our communities. So many people, so many friends, so many great associates, so many great customers.

I know this year at the Thanksgiving table, my thoughts and my thanks will be to all of you. My sincere thanks for your loyalty and support.

We had a great time Saturday night in Millbury participating in the “Dancing with the Stars – Ottawa County Style.” It was an amazing event which has been held for 14 years as a fundraiser for the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center. They made almost $22,000.

Alex Morgan-Johnson and her partner Amelia Burkey won the event by raising over $10,000, nearly half the total for the event. Lynn James, dancing in the memory of her late husband Nick, won the Judge’s Award. Judges Debbie Hymore-Tester, Pat Adkins and Bert Fall were hilarious as the judges while Trish McCartney and Jaclyn Zajac did a great job as hosts.

Joan Windnagel from Mentor was selected from 159 entries who found Wylie Walleye hiding in the ad for Magruder Hospital on Page 6A in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations Joan. 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!

The Ottawa County Community Improvement Corp. will hold its annual Holiday Meeting and Mixer this Wednesday evening at Port Clinton Yacht Club. They will reveal their new Strategic Plan at the event.

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 Portage Fire District that serves the Oak Harbor area will be doing special safety inspections for businesses starting after the first of the year. For more information, contact Fire Chief Bennett Dorner at 419-898-3109.

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. RSVP to admin@portclintonchamber.com or call 419-734-5503 no later than Monday, Nov. 28, and bring along a non-perishable food item to be donated to the local food pantry.

The Village of Oak Harbor will be holding it’s Old Fashioned Christmas parade and holiday season kickoff this 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.

Port Clinton City Schools is looking for individuals to join their team. At the “We Are PC” Job Fair guests will learn about the district, state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities, and meet district leaders. Along with teachers, recent or Spring 2023 graduates, the school district is looking for staff members to help with transportation, food service, grounds & facilities and more.

Curious about the various job openings and what each position accomplishes? The Job Fair will be held on Dec. 15, from 5-7 p.m. at Port Clinton High School to learn more. Also, there will be an Online Job Fair available Dec 20 from 5-6 p.m. for anyone that can’t attend in person. Port Clinton Schools offer convenient work hours and benefits. Registration is available on the district website www.pccsd.net or use the event link bit.ly/WeArePCJobFair22 For more information call 419-732-2102.