I was honored to attend the memorial service for Lock Zeis on Saturday. It was a beautiful service for a very special man. He was Mayor of Port Clinton following the resignation of Gordon Cooper in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He told me the story of how he was offered $250 cash and a bottle of premium scotch for calling off Police Chief Hank Jacoby on following up his investigation of Rosie and her nefarious enterprises. He called Solicitor Doug Meyer to his home and told him to donate his $250 to the St. John Lutheran Church Christmas Fund, and he would do the same at Immaculate Conception. However, they would drink the Scotch! RIP Lock.

Congratulations to Brooke Rodwancy, owner of The Gristmill in Port Clinton, for finishing in the top three in the National Association of Bars and Restaurants Industry “Top Bartender” awards in Las Vegas. I’ve seen her work here in our very own Ottawa County and she is most deserving of this ads. Stop by sometime soon and watch her work. She’s good, fast and very creative!

Just learned abut the passing of Jim Even, past Grand Knight of the Port Clinton Knights of Columbus Council 1750. I remember that nothing ever seemed to rumple Jim. He was always smiling, friendly and calm.

Brenda Rickle was selected from 121 entries who found Wylie Walleye hiding in the ad for Colin’s Welding on Page 5B in last week’s Beacon. Brenda wins our weekly $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores. East 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.the beacon.net and let us know where he is!

After being pre-empted…postponed…etc. by the Covid pandemic. The Pt. Clinton Rotary Club with major support from Gideon Own Wine Company is hosting their 11th Annual Pizza Challenge on Monday April 25 from 4pm-7pm at Gideon Owen. Celebrity Judges determine best specialty pizza, High School judges let us know which is the best pepperoni in town. YOU vote for the People’s Choice. If you are a pizza vendor and would like to participate, please contact Duane Waite, the Pizza Challenge Chairman via email at waite@thirdplanet.net or call 419-797-9006. Tickets: Adults $12 Children under 12 @ S6. Proceeds fund scholarships for Pt Clinton & Danbury HS students

Everyone loves Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, and crowds of birders will enjoy their visits during the Biggest Week in American Birding on May 6-15. Local folks can put our best foot forward by helping to keep the area clean and beautiful. There’s some work involved, but we often encounter some amazing wildlife in the process. The Black Swamp Bird Observatory’s Highway Cleanup and Grounds Beautification is Sunday, April 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., with a hot dog lunch served afterward. Knee boots and gloves are recommended and bring a friend or two. RSVP to jasminecupp@bsbo.org or call 419-898-4070.

The Biggest Week in American Birding and its host, the Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO), will kick off the May 6-15 exposition with a celebration! Executive Director Kimberly Kaufman will have a gala at Maumee Bay State Park Lodge on Saturday, May 7 from 6-9 p.m. to mark the 30th anniversary of the BSBO with her presentation, “Reflections of the past. Visions for the Future,” and the BSBO fundraising drive for a new Education Center.

Featured keynote speaker is internationally famous birding author Kenn Kaufman.

San Juanita “Janie” Taylor, who has helped Bataan Intermediate School students and staff for more than 25 years as a general aide, is retiring. She has been a smiling face who helps to greet students and families to the Bataan Intermediate Office and becomes a kind helper in the cafeteria. Taylor began her career with the Port Clinton City Schools in 1995 in the cafeteria. Through the years she has served as an aide, cafeteria server, summer intervention program, summer work crew and cleaning staff. Taylor has also been part of the schools’ Champions for Children program for the summer camp, program assistant and Champions substitute.

The children, staff and parents will all miss her smiling face and dedicated service to the Port Clinton schools.

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. The 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. There are many deserving student-athletes ready to be recognized!

The bunny will hop in Oak Harbor this Saturday, April 9 at 2 p.m. at Adolphus Kraemer Park, across from the U.S. Post Office. The Easter Egg Hunt for kids 12 and under will be followed by a candy hunt downtown. Kids can be photographed with the Easter Bunny at the Portage Fire Station. The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce event is sponsored by Croghan Colonial Bank, Magruder Hospital, Mid-County EMS, NW Ohio Propane, Subway, Community Markets, McDonalds and Rainbow Acres Educational Daycare.

The Memorial Day weekend is a busy time in Port Clinton — but it’s also a time for clubs and organizations help support the holiday weekend by becoming a Friend of the Walleye Festival at Waterworks Park, which is held on May 26-30. Names of the supporting organizations will be announced throughout the festival, as well as on a banner at the entrance to the festival. Call the Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce at 419-734-5503.

Everyone loves a firework show, and Oak Harbor has long been known for its lavish display on the night before the Fourth of July, always a great beginning to the area pyrotechnic shows that follow the next evening. To be able to afford this year’s fireworks, which have soared in cost, the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce is holding the Oak Harbor Fireworks Fund Reverse Raffle on Saturday, May 14 at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds Hall.

The Oak Harbor Chamber has $50 tickets, which includes dinner and more than $5,000 in raffle prizes. Additional meal tickets are $10. Call 419-898-0479 for information.

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

Ida Rupp Public Library is hosting its annual East Egg Hunt today (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 this 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 the Main Event Sponsor, the Marblehead Soap Company, while supplies last.

Set your calendar for a special Red Cross Bloodmobile at Catawba Township Hall, 3307 Northwest Catawba Road, on Sat. April 23, 2022 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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 8 and April 15 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. or sold out. Public is welcome; eat in or carry out.

We’ve decided to try some new sections in The Beacon…ASK WYLIE. Yes, our favorite fish Wylie Walleye and his friends Peachy Perch and Cautious Catfish have answers for you…any questions you can think of. Just email askwylie@thebeacon.net and he will do his best to give great advice or guidance.

Another new section is Memory Lane. Yes, we are asking anyone to send in a picture of old memories from all of Ottawa County to print in the Beacon. We are also looking for anyone interested in sponsoring this section to reach out to memories@thebeacon.net. Wyle the Walleye can not wait to see these pictures and the wonderful sponsorships that will start pouring in. Any business or individual can sponsor either section for a simple $35.00 per week.

Wylie of course is just wanting to remind all our small businesses owners that continue to support Facebook instead of their hometown small business community newspaper to reach out to a sales representative at the beacon, another small business, to market themselves, where you will reach 1.4 million readers which is well more than the 799 views currently occurring on Facebook. Peachy Perch and Cautious Catfish suggest to all in our community, print local, shop local, dine local and of course stay local to the small area businesses, including. THE BEACON trying so hard to keep it going in these trying times.