Beck Suppliers and FriendShip Kitchen stations have donated a new Chevy Equinox to ProMedica Cancer Center, providing free transportation for patients of the Dorothy L. Kern Cancer Center in Fremont. About 10-15% of patients at the Kern Cancer Center use public transportation by Great Lakes Community Action Partnership. With the new vehicle, the other 85-90% of patients can save time and money to get to their life-saving treatments.

“We didn’t hesitate. Beck Suppliers has a 72-year history of supporting our communities,” said co-owner Dean Beck. “Having undergone cancer treatments myself a few years back, I observed first hand the transportation challenges many patients encounter.”

The Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge works to support Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in three priority areas: Youth Development, Public Use Projects, and Land Acquisition and Restoration. This year is starting off with a 12-acre wetland purchase.

Their Land Acquisition and Restoration Program works with willing sellers to purchase areas with high conservation value between Oregon and the Sandusky Bay. The latest addition is next to the existing Turkey Run Unit at the intersection of Paulsen Road and W. Little Portage East Road between Oak Harbor and Fremont. The property will eventually become part of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex and be managed as part of the 266-acre Turkey Run Unit.

The Turkey Run Unit does not have any defined trails, but the public is welcome to wander within its boundaries. As the name implies – this is the area of the Refuge Complex where you are most likely to spot a turkey!

Yesterday was Ground Hog Day. It was also 2/2/22.

Deb Lautermilch of Marblehead was selected from among 121 entries who found Wylie hiding in the ad for Ciao Bella on Page 6 in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations to Deb, the winner of our weekly $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores.

Each week we 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 our weekly contest.

Benton-Carroll-Salem School District will be holding Kindergarten Registration on February 17-18, and Kindergarten Screening on June 6-7. To register incoming kindergarten students for the 2022-2023 school year, The office will be open for walk-in registrations on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 3:15 – 6:45 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 18 from 8-11:30 a.m. If you cannot make it during these times, please call the office at 419-898-6219. During registration, parents will receive enrollment paperwork and schedule a screening appointment.

The Danbury Parent Teacher Community Organization and the Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce are in need of sponsors for its Marblehead Purse Bingo on Saturday, March 5. Businesses are asked to support the event with merchandise, gift certificates or items for the Bingo Gift Bags to be distributed at the event. Contact Executive Director Teri Cassell at 419-702-7492.

Ottawa County Transitional Housing, Inc. is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 12. They will host a “Winter Wonderland Ball” at the Port Clinton Elk’s Lodge from 7-11 p.m. Tickets will go on sale soon at $35 per person and $60 per couple. They can be purchased at Visions in the Port Clinton Plaza or from TDH Enterprises inside the Sutton Center. The ticket price includes hot hors’doeuvres, soft drinks, tea or coffee. A cash bar will also be available.

Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools is pleased to announce new times for Sunday Fun Open Swims at the Oak Harbor High School Pool for all B-C-S students, families and community members. The pool and racquetball courts will be open on the following Sundays from 2-4 p.m.: January 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27; March 6 and March 13. Pool admission cost to be paid at the door for B-C-S students is only $1, and B-C-S adults will be $2. Racquet ball courts will be open to B-C-S adults only for an additional charge of $2 (limit 4 per court).

You can stroll Main Street in Marblehead on Saturday, Feb. 12 during the Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Walk. Tickets are $20 at the Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 110 W. Main St. Stop at any of the listed participants for wine and chocolates!

The Art Dock is introducing an innovative way to find your next creative experience in the Marblehead area. They’re hosting Art Classes at The Crow’s Nest, 2170 N. Buck Rd. Classes are with local artist Rebecca Booth of Arty Parties to Go! Cost per class is $42, which includes supplies. The theme on Thursday, Feb. 10 is Put Your Dancing Shoes On! On Thursday, Feb. 24 it is Dogwoods in Vase. Eat, drink, laugh, paint! Register online at artdock.org.

Early cabin fever? The parking lot at Catawba Island State Park was jam-packed with trucks, trailers and a few Ohio wildlife officers last weekend, and a couple of hundred anglers were cutting holes in the ice a few hundred yards offshore to probe for walleye. The best action had been early and late in the day. The west side of South Bass Islands was also dotted with ice shanties, and East Harbor panfish anglers have been having success for the last couple of weeks.

Port Clinton native Alexander Sprenger, a graduate of Lawrence School, earned academic distinction for the most recent semester at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Also, congratulations to Miranda Herevia (B.S. Nursing, Dean’s List) and Nicole Weaver (B.S. Nursing, Honors List) who were awarded honors for the Fall 2021 semester at Mercy College of Ohio.

Heidelberg University has announced students who have earned academic recognition on the fall semester dean’s list. Included on the list is Haylie Sewell, a freshman Business Administration and Computer Science major from Port Clinton.

The popular Swim Lessons at Port Clinton High School will once again be offered this spring at the PCHS Natatorium. Lessons will be under the supervision of PCHS teacher and swimming coach Danny Diaz. Swim lesson sign-ups will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 8-9 from 5-6 p.m. in the PCHS Natatorium. Flyers will be sent home with students with additional information or can be found at www.pccsd.net under the “News” section. For more information about swim lessons please contact Coach Diaz at 419-341-3969 or ddiaz@pccsd-k12.net.