BY JOHN SCHAFFNER

Sorry to report the passing of my friend, classmate and football teammate Steve Horn. Despite his three-year battle with cancer, Steve always had a smile on his face, and positive things to say every time I saw him.

He leaves behind a terrific legacy of family members and friends. I will miss him, and so will so many people who knew him over the years.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 was the 81st anniversary of Pearl Harbor. It was also the 80th birthday of my brother, Chuck. Our family always had a problem determining which was the greatest American Tragedy! Anyway, Happy Birthday Brother!

Barbara Steele of Marblehead was selected from 165 entries who found Wylie Walleye hiding in the ad for Botson Agencies on Page 3 in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations Barbara. You win our weekly $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores.

Wylie is going on vacation for the rest of the year. I hope he doesn’t get a sunburn!

The Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department has added to their volunteer family. Chris Boyd completed certification as Volunteer Firefighter. Kevin Howe, Scott Tanner, Jason Waggoner, Chris Scott and David Amerine became certified as EMRs (Emergency Medical Responders).

Marty Auxter completed EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification. All of them were required to complete a course, take a practical test, a written test and pass the requirements established by National Registry and the State of Ohio for EMR and EMT. Congratulations to each of them for all their hard work and desire to give back to the community.

Congratulations to Kendra German and her staff of Riverview Nursing Home. U.S. News just released their 2022-2023 Best Nursing Homes, with updated ratings and profiles of more than 15,000 skilled-nursing facilities. Ottawa County Riverview Nursing Home is among the elite 16% of facilities that earned a “High Performing” rating, the highest possible achievement. A High-Performing rating means that a home is eligible to strengthen its promotional efforts by displaying a U.S. News-trademarked Best Nursing Homes award “badge” (logo) on websites, social media, advertisements, recruiting materials, mailings, and other promotional media.

Shores and Islands Ohio currently has two board positions open. These positions are open to anyone in Ottawa County in a relative tourism related business. If interested, please download the application below. For any questions, email Emily Dunfee at emily@rescuemarine.com or call 419-798-4635.

Immaculate Conception Church in Port Clinton is hosting a special event this Sunday. Author of the book “Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Mission: 5 Steps to Winning the War Within,” by Dr. John R. Wood, will be speaking starting with 7 p.m. Dr. Woods said “I promise it will be an experience that will help all of us encounter the Holy Spirit in a life changing way so we can ‘set the world ablaze’ as St. Catherine of Siena said we are called to do.”

We were able to pass along checks to Stein Hospice and The American Heart Association from the 2022 Chick Schaffner Memorial Charity Golf Classic held at Catawba Island Club last June. This was our 33rd year and thanks to our friends at Materion, we have been able to raise close to $500,000 over that time.

The Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Port Clinton will celebrate the Grand Opening of Lola’s Vintage Lakehouse, located at 221 Buckeye Blvd. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 16 at noon. Lola’s will be a 5,000 sq. ft. vintage shopping experience and will be opened by Lisa Smith.

First National Bank announces that applications for their 2023 Customer Scholarship Program are now available. The applicant or the applicant’s parents, legal guardians, or grandparents must be an established customer who has had a relationship with First National Bank for at least 1 year.

The $1,000 scholarships are for a graduating senior who attends a school in our local market area and plans to attend a post-secondary accredited school for a 2-year or 4-year degree in the immediate school year following graduation.  The 2023 deadline to submit the completed application is Feb. 24. For more information and to download an application, please visit www.fnblifetime.com/2022/12/05/first-national-bank-announces-2023-scholarship/ or stop by any of their local branches.

My apologies to the North Coast Concert Band that held its annual Christmas Concert at the Port Clinton High School Performing Arts Center last Sunday. I promised to help publicize it and forgot to last week.

The Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is bringing back its Annual Holiday Mixer tonight (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 per person.

The Port Clinton Kiwanis Club will be hosting the local Rotary and Lions Clubs at the annual “Tri-Club” Holiday mixer on Wednesday, Dec. 14. The event will be held at Ala Carte After Hours in downtown Port Clinton.