As of Tuesday, there have been 29 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ottawa County, with no fatalities. Governor Mike DeWine is going to allow Ohio to be back in business on a limited basis on May 1.

Hallelujah!

It had been a long haul in March and April dealing with this Covid-19 business. Obviously, The Beacon has suffered terribly with a loss of ad revenue, which is pretty much our only source of revenue as a free community paper. We so much appreciate our readers and the advertisers who have been able to hang with us through this thing.

Come May 1, let’s get this party started!

I lost another good friend last week in Lyman Stanton. He was a classmate at Port Clinton High School. I have played more rounds of golf with Lyman than almost anybody other than Dave Drusbacky. Lyman was the No. 4 golfer on the 1965 team that won Port Clinton High School its first ever Great Lakes League Championship. Lyman led that team shooting a round of 80 to lead the Redskins to that victory. Anybody who knew Lyman, whose mom was the geometry teacher back then, would say he was one of the nicest individuals they ever met. I would have to agree with that assessment.

Marla Himmeger of the Columbus area was chosen from among 97 entries who found Wylie hiding in the ad Otterbein North Shore on Page 3 in last week’s Beacon. So, Marla wins 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.

The Oak Harbor Rotary Club will be holding a very special community food drive this Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Rotary Shelter House at Veterans Memorial Park. Current shortages include: Peanut butter, jelly, canned meat and personal items.

A group of local folks got together on Easter Sunday to hold a very special non-denominational Ecumenical Service. The group managed to raise nearly $3,000 for the mission of Bistro 163, which has been quite busy feeding folks during this Covid-19 lockdown.

I heard earlier this week that my good friend Don Dougherty of Catawba celebrated his 84th birthday AND had a pretty serious heart attack and has been hospitalized. Get well soon Don! (Those poor nurses!)

I got a note from Roseann Hickman that the Ottawa County Women’s Club is seeking young ladies in need of funds for college or technical school can apply for a grant. Applicants need to be attending an Ohio college. You may pick up applications at the Job Store just east of Oak Harbor or request by email at roseann@cros.net. Deadline for application submission is Friday, May 15 by 5 p.m.

For the week of April 20 and beyond, Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools will be serving meals on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only. On Mondays and Wednesdays, students will get two days’ worth of meals. On Fridays, students will get one day of meals. They are making this change to limit the exposure of all involved in this process. Meals will continue to be FREE to all Benton-Carroll-Salem students.

The meal distribution site for all students will continue to be R.C. Waters Elementary School. Delivery of meals will still be available on the days we are serving meals. Call 419-898-6219 between 8-10 a.m. to request your delivery.

Kim Miller received the Spark Award from her partners at Otterbein Senior Life for her caring, concern and thoughtfulness towards residents. Kim was recommended for the award by a resident. Congratulations!