John Papcun was a giant of a man … literally and figuratively! He was a star basketball player for both Port Clinton High School and the University of Toledo. He used his engineering degree from UT to become the chief in that specialty for Ottawa County. He then served as an Ottawa County Commissioner. On top of all that, he was a great community contributor in many areas. He fought long and hard with ill health the past few years, and passed away last week. His passing leaves an amazing legacy.

Also a fond farewell to Ralph Burnstine of Catawba, the owner of Timely Printing. He was a solid business owner, former pilot and outdoorsman (member of the Oak Harbor Conservation Club). In addition, he was a genuinely nice guy!

The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry is requesting help to move to their new location. The Food Pantry had been located in the Portage Resale Center Complex at 301 W. 2nd St., Port Clinton. After many years at there, Portage Retail Center’s growth plans required The Food Pantry to relocate.

Its new location will be at 129 Maple St., the retail area located behind City Market and McDonalds. Parking is readily available and the location provides a larger space, which will allow a waiting area inside the building. They plan on moving to this new location on Saturday, Feb. 11, starting at 9 a.m., as long as the weather co-operates. They are looking for helpers and financial support.

The Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will be having its 3rd Annual Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Walk on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 1-5 pm. This is a fun event for both Valentines and Galentines! The cost is $20 per person and tickets need to be purchased in advance by calling the Chamber office at 419-702-7492.

Wylie’s back! Congratulations to Bob Lynch of Marblehead for being selected from 232 entries who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Bassett’s Market on Page 3 in last week’s Beacon. Bob wins our weekly prize of a $25 gas gift card provided us by the Friendship Stores throughout the area. We will continue to hide Wylie each week in an ad. To enter the contest, look for the link on our website, www.thebeacon.net.

On Monday, Jan. 30, the front entrance doors to Magruder Hospital have opened again. Magruder’s teams have been getting ready to welcome the public back in to its facility. Both the Fulton Street Café and the Auxiliary Gift Shop will be open for the public to come in and enjoy. At this time, masking is still required within the hospital.

United Way of Greater Toledo will celebrate 211 Week beginning Monday, Feb. 6 with educational programming, public awareness campaigns, and fundraising events culminating on 211 Day, Saturday, Feb. 11. This is the local and national day of recognition for 211, a free information and referral service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Throughout 211 Week, United Way encourages area residents to learn more about the service and how they might help themselves, family and friends, neighbors, employees and coworkers. The local event will be held at Twin Oast Restaurant on Catawba from 4-9 p.m.

Congratulations to the Oak Harbor Wrestling Team for finishing 7th in the 57-team Maumee Valley Invitational last weekend.

Also, congratulations to PCHS senior athlete Adam Thorbahn, who recently signed a letter of intent to play College Football at the University of Findlay. He is also the leading scorer on the Redskin basketball team and closing in on being the highest scoring Port Clinton basketball player in history.

St. Paul Lutheran Church, 9789 W. Oak Harbor Southeast Road, will be selling frosted heart shaped Valentine sugar cookies as well as chocolate chip cookies. The heart-shaped cookies are the same recipe as the popular apple-shaped cookies they sell at the Oak Harbor Apple Festival.

Cookies need to be pre-ordered and orders will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 3. Orders can be placed by calling Jodi Regal at 419-276-9124. You can also send your order requests to the church at the above address. Please include your name, contact information and number of dozen cookies you would like. Cost of the cookies is $7 per dozen for the valentine cookies and $6 per dozen for the chocolate chip. Cookies will be available for pick up on Saturday Feb. 12 at the church from 9 a.m. –1 p.m. Proceeds from cookie sales will be used to support its youth programs.

The Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors for their popular “Purse Bingo” event scheduled for Saturday, March 11. It is a fundraiser for the Danbury Parent Teacher Organization and the Chamber. For more information on how your business can participate, contact Teri Cassell at the Chamber office, 419-702-7492.

The Oak Harbor Music Boosters will again host their 8th annual Dueling Pianos Fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Denny Bergeman K of C Hall on E. Perry St., Port Clinton. The cost is $50 per person, which includes a buffet dinner, drinks, silent auction and 50/50 raffle. For more information, contact Amy Holcomb at 419-262-6254 or Kim Zetzer at 419-341-4663.

Congratulations to the following local students who have earned Dean’s List honors at Bowling Green State University: Caitlyn Prentice and Madison Garcia, both of Port Clinton.