BY JOHN SCHAFFNER

One of our area’s favorite destinations, Lakeside Chautauqua, will be celebrating its 150th anniversary this summer. Having visited there many times in my lifetime, I know it is an amazing and unique experience.

Don’t forget, the annual Catawba Island Club Boat Show is this weekend, Friday through Sunday, April 28-30.

Congratulations to the newly-elected members of the Port Clinton Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2023 includes Port Clinton Basketball Coach Ryan Hicks, record-setting tennis player Blake Troller and former state champion swimmer Mackenzie Stewart-Gluth. Hicks was a member of the State Finals basketball team of 2010 and was named 1st Team All Ohio.

Congratulations to Helen Puckett of Marblehead, who was selected from 179 entries who found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Friendship Famous Chicken on Page 1 in last week’s Beacon. Helen 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.

I’d like to say a few words about Ottawa County Transition Housing, Inc., the organization that operates Ruth Ann’s House for victims of domestic violence. I was asked to serve on their board over a year ago, and I’ve been able to see first hand what an incredible job they do. One of their bigger fundraisers is the Linda Hartlaub Memorial 5K Run and Walk which will be held on Sunday, May 28.

I’m sure many of you know about the Bauman Auto Group’s Annual Charity Raffle. Every year they give away a free car with 100% of the proceeds going to a number of local charities, including OCTHI, Joyful Connections, The Oak House, Back to the Wild, and ARC of Ottawa County. Raffle tickets are just $5.

I have been amazed this month with all of the vehicles with boat trailers behind them. Have you noticed? It’s another great indication of an early spring. The walleye fishing on the reefs must be good!

You’re invited to the Oak Harbor High School Ice Cream Social on Thursday, May 4 from 6-7 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Cafeteria. Pick a homemade ceramic bowl made by an Oak Harbor student and enjoy some delicious ice cream. Entertainment will be provided by Music Performance Group.  Tickets are limited and will be $15, benefitting the art club and a scholarship offered to an Oak Harbor graduate. Contact egilbert@bcssd.com to reserve your bowl today!

The Ottawa County Soil and Water Conservation District is holding its annual Fish Sale program. This is an easy and low cost way to stock your pond. Orders can be made until May 5 at ottawaswcd.com.

The Oak Harbor Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring an “all you can eat” French Toast and Sausage Family Breakfast on Sunday, April 30, at St. Boniface Catholic Church. Serving begins at 9 a.m.

Donation is $8 for adults, senior citizens $7 and children under 12 are $5. Carry-outs will be available. Proceeds will go to the Knights’ Measure Up Campaign to provide additional programs and services to people with developmental disabilities.

The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 4. To those who wish to pray in a religious setting, Resurrection Lutheran Church on East Catawba Rd., an active participant of the event, will have its doors open all day and will host an hourly oral prayer. The theme this year comes from James 5:16 and Romans 12:11, “Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much.”

Class A Performing Arts presents “Alice, Looking for Wonderland” at Oak Harbor High School Theater on Sunday, May 14th at 3 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and are reserved seating only. One show only. For tickets, call Don at 419-341-9007. There will be box office hours for pick up.