The Salvation Army-Port Clinton Service Unit is also accepting applications and donations for the “Tools for School Program.” The Port Clinton Service Unit’s “Tools for School” program will assist all school-aged children in Ottawa County that are in need of school supplies and book bags for the 2020-2021 school year.

Applications are available at The Salvation Army Office, United Way, The Sutton Center, Community Support, JFS and all Ottawa County Libraries.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is getting ready to begin work on improving S.E. Catawba Road (State Route 53) from the State Route 2 highway north to State Route 163, the gateway to the Catawba Peninsula. The entire stretch of road will be widened, and a turn lane will be added.

My wife Mary Alice is a “fireworks fanatic.” In spite of the many 4th of July fireworks show cancellations, we still managed to find a bunch of fireworks last weekend. Friday night, we watched the tremendous Catawba Island fireworks show from the 17th tee at the CIC golf course.

On Saturday, we went out and enjoyed the multiple fireworks displays from the south shore of the Portage River, just west of the Route 2 Bridge. I think I counted 6 or 7 different displays.

Teri Tooman from Oak Harbor was chosen from among 151 entries who found Wylie in the ad for OCTA on Page 3A in last week’s Beacon. So, Teri 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.

Tuesday, June 30 Riverview’s Infection Preservationist Jennifer Litz, RN, BSN, Wound Certified Nurse, and Administrator Kendra German, LNHA and “ALL Healthcare Workers at Riverview” were honored by the Oak Harbor Rotary Club, as the recipients of their 2020 “Service Above Self” award. Riverview was given this award for the staff’s dedication and fight against the COVID-19 on their Campus!

Bistro 163 in Port Clinton was recognized by Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague for its dedicated community service during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bistro 163’s commitment to providing free meals four days a week should be honored for its generous action in keeping members of the community safe and healthy during an unprecedented time. Sprague commended Bistro 163 on its numerous contributions to the area and Ohio.

Sadly, Ottawa County’s youngest Covid-19 victim was a 19-year-old young woman. She became ill in April. The woman was a patient at a long-term care facility in the county and her immune system had already been compromised before she contracted the virus, according to retiring Ottawa County Health Commissioner Nancy Osborn. Names of Covid-19 victims are not released.

The Salvation Army needs volunteers to ring the bell for the “Christmas in July” Red Kettle Campaign. This community event will take place on July 24 and 25 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. There will be several kettle sites set up with bell ringing volunteers needed at each site. The sites involved are: Twin Oast and Friendship Food Stores (both PC and Catawba locations). All proceeds will help support The Port Clinton Salvation Army Service Unit.

If you are interested in ringing the bell for “Christmas in July” or would like to make a donation please contact Director Maureen Saponari at 419-732-2769, 1834 East Perry Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452 or Maureen.saponari@use.salvationarmy.org.

The Ottawa County Museum, 126 W. Third St., Port Clinton, is closed until July 14 for the installation of a new heating and air conditioning system. The system is funded by a grant from the Stensen Memorial Foundation. The museum will reopen and resume summer hours on Tuesday, July 14.  Until Labor Day, the museum will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. Those visiting the museum are expected to wear face masks and wash hands upon entry. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by adults for the duration of the pandemic. Admission to the museum is free and the building is handicapped accessible. Reservations are recommended to ensure entrance because visitor numbers are strictly limited.  Reservations made be made with Curator Peggy Debien at 419-732-1039.

The Northwest Ohio Soil & Water Conservation Districts are pleased to offer a free at-home ‘Do-It-Yourself Jr. Conservationist’ summer program.  The program’s hands-on activities and registration can be found online at www.lucasswcd.org/jrcc.html. The soon-to-be Jr. Conservationist will have fun learning soil, water, plants, animals, community, nature exploration by completing the required number of activities in each category and submitting photos of yourself doing the activities or photos of the completed projects by Friday, Aug. 28.

Photos should be sent to your local County SWCD contact, who will send you a welcome message once you register. Upon completion of the program and received photos, you will be sent a certificate for free; and if you would also like a Jr. Conservationist t-shirt for $10 (Unless sponsored for free by your local SWCD). If you don’t wish to register or receive a t-shirt and certificate, you can still enjoy the activities on your own for free!!

The Ottawa SWCD will sponsor t-shirts for the first 50 Jr. Conservationists to complete the program in Ottawa County. If you are interested, contact Becky Simpson at the Ottawa SWCD at 419-898-1595, by e-mail at becky.simpson@ottawaswcd.com or visit www.lucasswcd.org/jrcc.html to register online.

The Leadership Ottawa County Board is trying something new. Due to limited access to community organizations because of COVID-19, the mission of Leadership Ottawa County will continue in a virtual format. They will be offering a Summer 2020 LOC Virtual Leadership led by Carrie Sanchez, LOC Program Director.

Plan to join leaders from across Ottawa County and beyond in this unique 8-week course. Check out the FAQs at www.bit.ly/2NoXF0P. A link to the application form can also be found at this site. Cost of the 8-week virtual course is $179, which includes your textbook and workbook, weekly virtual lessons, discussion boards with peers, and leadership simulations.

Class begins Tuesday, July 28 at 7-8 p.m. and ends Sept. 15. If you have questions, please email Carrie Sanchez at carrie.j.sanchez@gmail.com.

Benton-Carroll-Salem School District Director of Technology Devin Seslar was recently installed as the President of Oak Harbor Rotary Club at a banquet held at the Catawba Island Club. The objectives of Rotary include service to others and the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship united in the ideal of service.

Seslar began his career with the BCS School District in September 2014. He is a graduate of Edgerton High School and ITT Technical Institute in Fort Wayne. Seslar is also a volunteer with Mid-County EMS.

Otterbein residents get patriotic; the Uncle Sam is crafted by one of Otterbein’s own residents in their woodshop.