I’d like to address this message to our business community. I’d like you to think about our communities without receiving The Beacon. As you may know, we have begun our 40th year of publishing positive news about Ottawa County. I just attended a regional Publisher’s Conference. The company owner that audits The Beacon and many other publications noted that of the 22 different categories that he works with, only 4 have seen reduced readership since 2001.

They include Metro daily newspapers and consumer magazines. For well over 2,000 consecutive weeks, The Beacon has published stories and photos about local students who have scored 1,000 points in their basketball careers, contributions from community organizations that have given back big dollars to the community, events that impact all of us and new businesses who have chosen to make their way right here in Ottawa County.

The pandemic hurt many people here, and many small businesses, including The Beacon. I’d like to take this opportunity to restate our mission to support the small business community. We hope you will consider doing the same.

We’ve decided to try something new in The Beacon…ASK WYLIE. Yes, our favorite fish has answers for you…any questions you can think of. Just email askwylie@thebeacon.net.

MJ Phillips was selected from among 151 entries who found Wylie Walleye hiding in the ad for Port Clinton Elks on Page 6A in last week’s Beacon. MJ wins our weekly $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores. Each week we hide Wylie in an ad for our readers to find. When one does, they 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!

Are you exploring the possibilities of starting, buying or expanding a business? Discover what it takes by charting your course with “Small Business Basics” presented by the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra State Community College. It’s a free three-hour seminar that will answer your questions and take the confusion out of your efforts and help you avoid costly mistakes. They will be held on the first and third Wednesday of April through November. To register contact Miranda Hoffman at Terra by calling 419-559-2210 or email her at mhoffman05@terra.edu.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is awarding more than $28,000 in grants for new or improved children’s literacy trails, including the Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve on Catawba. The grants, awarded as part of ODNR’s Recreational Trails Grant Program, will fund trail and trailhead construction, maintenance, and storybook signage for each trail. Similar to ODNR’s Storybook Trails at 11 state parks, the local trails will promote the benefits of early literacy and a heathy lifestyle. “These trails give families a new and exciting way to get outdoors and spend time,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “I’m excited that even more communities will be able to build these trails and encourage children to learn in a really fun way, all while teaching them the importance of protecting our natural resources.”

Last chance for Lake Erie perch, cod and shrimp dinners at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church on Friday, April 1 from 4 – 6 p.m. All dinners are prepared to order. Lakeview dining is popular this season and take out dinners are available. Lake Erie perch are $17 while cod or shrimp are $12. Full dinners include French fries or pierogi. No reservations needed. Homemade baked goods will also be available to benefit the church. St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church is located at 505 E. Main St., Marblehead, adjacent to the Marblehead Lighthouse. For questions, call or text Jane Danchisen Pittman at 540-327-4502.

Meanwhile, the Port Clinton Knights of Columbus are opening up their Friday Lenten Fish Fries for dining in at the Denny Bergeman K of C Hall in downtown Port Clinton. You can still carryout if you want to. They serve their delicious fish dinners from 4-7 p.m.

Ida Rupp Public Library is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Thursday, April 7 from 6–7 p.m. at the library. Each age group will have a different location in the library to search so everyone will have a chance to find something. All children ages 12 and under are welcome with a parent or guardian.

Marblehead Peninsula visitors will feel the heat on Saturday, April 9, as the Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Chili Walk & Cook-Off from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 by calling the Chamber at 419-702-7492, allowing people to sample the contest chili at all participating businesses and vote for their favorites. Buy tickets early and received a commemorative Chili Crock donated by Main Event Sponsor, the Marblehead Soap Company, while supplies last.

Kindergarten through third grade students in R.C. Waters Elementary School in the Benton-Carroll-Salem Local School District in Oak Harbor will be on the short list for the Drug Resilience Education Awareness Mentorship (DREAM) program. It is a program developed by the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Ohio Task Force Commanders Association, and the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, with support from RecoveryOhio.

The pilot program will later expand to older age groups. “The DREAM program provides Ohio educators, local law enforcement officers, parents, guardians, and others with a new opportunity to have important age-appropriate discussions with kids about drug use and how it can negatively impact their futures,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “The new DREAM program is another tool to help reinforce the drug-free message early and often.”

Set your calendar for a special Red Cross Bloodmobile at Catawba Township Hall, 3307 North West Catawba Rd., on Saturday, April 23 from 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

B-C-S Local School District has given a name to the new Grades 4-6 addition being built at R.C. Waters, calling it Oak Harbor Intermediate School. Oak Harbor Intermediate will be attached to R.C. Waters by the Cafeteria. It will be bid in May with groundbreaking to occur in July. Seventh graders will have their home at Oak Harbor High School beginning in August. Grades 4-6 move into the Oak Harbor Middle School building when completed. The Oak Harbor High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is currently looking for nominations for the 2022 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Nomination forms can be found on the B-C-S website (www.bcssd.com ) under the Athletics tab. These nomination forms must be received by April 30 to be considered for induction in 2022. Once completed, nomination forms should be emailed to halloffame@bcssd.com, or submitted to the high school main office.

Oak Harbor American Legion Post 114, 221 Park Street will hold Lake Erie Yellow Perch Fish Fries on Fridays during Lent. Fish Fries will be April 1, April 8 and April 15 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. or sold out. Public is welcome to eat in or carry out.

We just want to let our wonderful community know and understand with patience that The Beacon has a new delivery driver. If you do not get The Beacon and you want it please call into the office at 419-732-2154.  If you received it and do not want it, also call into our office at the number listed. Thank you for understanding Ottawa County’s loyal readers.