I was very sad to learn about the passing of two old friends, Kevin Kelley and Bill Becker. I got to know Kevin as a young man who crewed on his dad’s sailboat back in the 70s and 80s. I remember being surprised to hear that he had become a triathlete. He was a big guy! Also Bill Becker, a longtime local resident in Port Clinton. His wife, Donna, worked for us for a couple of years, and did a great job.

The Port Clinton Kiwanis Club is bringing back their popular Evening at the Races starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge. Tickets are $25 each (not $30 as indicated last week) and are available from any Kiwanis member (including myself) or can be purchased at Our Guest Inn on E. Perry St. from Mike Snider. They will also be available at the door the night of the event.

I hate to say I told you so, but here I go again. Remember last Labor Day weekend when I wrote here that we shouldn’t think the season over? Since then we have had some incredibly nice weather and even the trees changing colors cooperated nicely. Welcome to November.

Jessica Williamson was selected from 165 entries who found Wylie Walleye in the ad for Bayside Comfort on Page 1A in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations Jessica. 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 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. in 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.

The men of Immaculate Conception Church in Port Clinton will be once again hosting their annual Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, Nov. 5 in the school gym starting at 5:30 p.m. As one of the official tasters from years past, I can tell you from personal experience . . . It’s really good!

Father Andrew Bartek, who became the rector of Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Marblehead in 2017, will be moving on. The popular reverend, a late in life priest who livened up the rectory in his short time in Marblehead, where he was also the chaplain of the Village of Marblehead police force, is being transferred to a larger parish in Campbell, Ohio, near Youngstown. His last Sunday mass will be shared on Nov. 27.

Don’t forget the Big Band Dance honoring our Veterans is Sunday, Nov. 13 in the Port Clinton High School Cafeteria from 2-5 p.m. tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at Mary’s Blossom Shop or by calling John at 419-967-0516. The event is sponsored jointly by the Veterans Dance Committee, American Legion Post 113 and the Ottawa County Veterans Service office.

I really enjoyed being “The Announcer” for the recent Playmakers one night event re-creating a radio murder mystery program titled “Broadway is My Beat.” I listened to it on the radio broadcast later, and the radio production was terrific. It transported me back to my childhood with the transistor radio under my pillow.

Oak Harbor schools’ Fall parent meeting for anyone in a 7-12 winter sport will be 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 in the High School cafeteria. Also, Fall Sports Awards will be Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium. Athletes are asked to dress appropriately with respect for the event, no shorts, jeans or hats.

Please bring a dessert to share.