A pair of “powerhouse Walleye anglers” and octogenarians, John Stefano and Dr. John Bodie celebrated birthdays this week. Why am I not surprised they were both born in the middle of hot months for walleye fishing in Lake Erie!?!?!

The Ottawa County Veterans Service Office is open again, assisting veterans to obtaining benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The office helps veterans to file for service-connected disability, appeals, pensions, death pension, healthcare, education, home loan guaranty, life insurance, burial benefits and discharge reviews.
An important service is providing temporary emergency financial assistance for veterans and their dependents for living expenses, including rent, utilities and food. Call 419-898-2089.

Deb Lautermilch of Marblehead was chosen from among 112 entries who figured out that Wylie Walleye was not hidden in an ad in last week’s Beacon. So, Deb 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.

Riverfront Live! returns on Friday, June 5 at 6 p.m. and at a new location, the Madison Street area hosting Meals on Madison (M.O.M). this summer. Performing this week is the Ottawa County Bluegrass Band. Riverfront Live! is a free summer concert series held on Friday evenings in downtown Port Clinton.
The Ottawa County Bluegrass Band has been playing together since the late 1990’s. The band is made up of father Joe Mitchell Sr., sons Dennis and Joe Jr. from the Port Clinton area and family friend Vern Brink from Gibsonburg.

Otterbein Senior Life resident, Bob Redd, enjoys a visit with family while social distancing.

I spoke Tuesday morning with Jeff Koehler, publisher of the Put-in-Bay Gazette. He told me that there was very little difference in traffic on the Island over the weekend compared to a normal Sunday crowd. Much of the activity was limited to outside activities. But the village docks were full and the people were back…not 100%, but people were back.

The Ottawa County Republican Party has rescheduled its Lincoln Day Dinner for Thursday, Sept. 3 at 5:30 p.m. at Catawba Island Club in Port Clinton. Captain Guy Gruters, a pilot who was a POW for five years during the Vietnam War, will provide first-hand experience on the “Price of Freedom.” The cost is $50 per person, which includes dinner. There will be a cash bar. Deadline for reservations is Aug. 8. Contact ShirLee Eberle at 419-310-3182 or steberle6@gmail.com

The Ottawa County Republican Party will have a new home this summer, moving to 130 East Second Street in downtown Port Clinton, reports Chairman Jill Stinebaugh. Party officials are hoping to settle in some time in early July. Stinebaugh also noted the Ottawa County Republican Women’s Club will host its annual chicken barbecue on Sunday, June 28 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in downtown Port Clinton.

There will be dine-in and carryout dinners, and a bake sale.

The National Rifle and Pistol Matches for 2020 have been cancelled until 2021, but shooters can make an appointment to visit the new rifle store at Camp Perry, the Ohio National Guard facility just west of Port Clinton. Rifle buyers can begin scheduling appointment-only visits this week at 419-635-2111.

Due to COVID-19 and current guidelines for physical distancing at mass gatherings, the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel its fireworks show on Friday, July 3. Director Valerie Winterfield said it was not an easy decision for the board. Many factors were considered, but ultimately public safety is their utmost priority.

The show may be postponed until a later date in 2020. If so, that will be announced to the public as soon as more information becomes available.

Terra State Community College has announced its spring quarter Dean’s List. They include: From Oak Harbor … Haley DelaHamaide, Hannah Lee, Samantha Michael, Karlie Reifsnyder, Jeb Shook, Mackenzie Sigurdson and Kennedy Tabbert. From Port Clinton … Breann Christiansen, Payton Evans, Dakota Labret, Tristen Laird and Marshall Parker. Finally, from Marblehead … Kathy Shiets and Cade Wilhite.

Drive-In Worship continues to provide local folks and visitors the chance to enjoy Sunday services in Port Clinton, with Rev. Annette Dimond and Trinity United Methodist Church of Port Clinton hosting the parking lot services on Sundays at 9 a.m. The Worship Wagon is parked in front of Bistro 163 in the Sutton Center parking lot.