By JOHN SCHAFFNER

Larry Schultz, Helen McConnell and Horst Herzog. Three people who had a lot to do with a lot of the “behind the scenes” things in eastern Ottawa County, all passed away last week. For a lot of people, Larry Schultz was “Mr. Catawba” as the caretaker of John Braun Park. He was also a key member of the 1960 undefeated Port Clinton High School football team. Most folks who knew him as just a “really nice guy.

Helen McConnell, along with her late husband, Bob, started a real estate company in Port Clinton in the 1980s. I remember her as being very skeptical of The Beacon at first, but ultimately came on board as a regular advertiser. She was always very nice to me.

Finally, Horst Herzog, who was a really quiet “behind the scenes” kind of guy… but another very nice guy. I will miss them all.

We have had some interesting problems with our local home delivery carriers in the way of unexpected turnover. It is our objective to deliver every residence from Oak Harbor High School east to the Marblehead Lighthouse. We will have new delivery people in Port Clinton and Oak Harbor starting this week.

Our requests of you are: If you don’t get one and you would like home delivery, please call us at 419 732-2154. We also have had a handful of folks who prefer to pick one up at a store or restaurant. If you are in that mode, and you prefer NOT to receive delivery, Call us also at 419-732-2154. Thank you.

The Yankee Air Museum is dispatching its flagship, the Boeing B-17G “Yankee Lady,” to Port Clinton on Saturday Aug. 8. The Museum’s award-winning World War II heavy bomber is visiting Liberty Aviation Museum at 3515 E. State Rd., Port Clinton, adjacent to the Erie-Ottawa International Airport. The plane will arrive at approximately 10 a.m. from its base at historic Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich., and begin offering self-guided tours and Air Adventure rides.

Brionne Stantz of North Olmsted was chosen from among 142 entries who found Wylie in the ad for Otterbein North Shore on Page 6B in last week’s Beacon. So, Brionne 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.

This Tuesday, Aug. 4, Bistro 163 will reopen its doors to the Ottawa County community in its original form as a “pay it forward” restaurant. Located inside the Sutton Center, at 1848 E Perry St., Bistro 163 will return to its founding business model, working to increase food security and offering all neighbors a place to eat and come together as one community. At Bistro 163, everyone is welcome to eat a meal. Patrons are encouraged to pay more than the suggested menu price, so that others may enjoy a meal. Those who are unable to pay are encouraged to give their time in return for service.

Have outdated electronics or clothing items that are still usable or in rough shape? Take them to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge this Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for the Refuge Recycle Round Up. This is a fantastic opportunity to keep these items out of the landfill. Those wishing to participate may recycle their items for $10 per carload (cash only). Volunteers will be following the CDC social distancing guidelines including wearing masks, and recyclers are encouraged to do the same.

Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting the drop off location with the help of Recycle I.T. USA Toledo LLC and Clothes Bin Ohio.

The Jefferson Street renovation is going well in Port Clinton, but city crews were a bit surprised when they began installing a water pump along the Portage River. They unearthed a lot of fill from many decades ago along the river, including glass bottles and other materials from a bygone era. The workers stored the items at the city garage so Curator Peggy Debien of the Ottawa County Museum can check them out.

The Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating Village-Wide Garage Sale Days in Oak Harbor on Aug. 21-22. A complete list of sales will be available on www.oakharborohio.net starting Wednesday Aug. 19. Please follow the suggested guidelines for social distancing and sanitation. If you would like to be added to the list, please call the chamber office at 419-898-0479 or email your information to chamber@oakharborohio.net.

The 2020 Port Clinton Fullbackers are having a Fundraiser Raffle with an Aug. 15 drawing at 5 p.m. on the Facebook page for the PC Fullbackers. Tickets are $20, or six tickets for $100. The prizes include a $750 and $500 gift cards for Fin Feather Fur Outfitters, log benches, a Barrel of Booze and a four-angler fishing charter.

The Ottawa County Transportation Agency (OCTA) is a general public transit system that provides curb-to-curb, advanced reservation, shared ride service to anyone in Ottawa County who wants transportation for any reason. OCTA vehicles operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. They are currently offering free public trips to anywhere they go, which are all the counties Ottawa touches (Erie, Lucas, Sandusky, Huron). For more information or to schedule a trip call 419-898-7433.

Miami University in Oxford, Ohio awarded degrees to students during a virtual spring commencement experience May 16-17. Steven Kast of Port Clinton, and Gina Moravec of Marblehead were listed among the graduates. Congratulations.

Otterbein Senior Life resident, Jeanne Infield enjoys an outdoor visit on a beautiful Summer day.