Port Clinton and Oak Harbor both won big in the first two weeks of the high school football season. Even though they are in different leagues this year, it’s still a big rivalry game and it’s this Friday in Oak Harbor. Ought to be a good one and could have serious outcomes at the end of the season when it comes to State playoff time.

On the subject of Port Clinton sports, congratulations to Jared Rhode on getting the head coaching position for Redskins basketball. He’s been a longtime contributor to the Port Clinton program. Years ago, we used to have a group of old guys who played for a half hour in the auxiliary gym, and Jared was sometimes there as a high school player. I can still take him in the paint!

Based on a recent proclamation by Port Clinton Mayor Michael Snider, the fourth Thursday of September is now and forever recognized by the city of Port Clinton as Remember Me Thursday. This humbling event is in honor of the pets who never knew a forever home. Island Safe Harbor Animal shelter, the local dog shelter on State Road for unwanted pets, will host a small gathering in their sanctuary parking lot in remembrance of the shelter, rescue, and beloved pets that were lost this year.

Just a reminder, schools are back in session. Please be careful around school areas while driving and watch out for young children who may be darting out into the street while walking to school.

Students at Oak Harbor High School earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These programs celebrate students’ hard work in high school and showcase their strong academic performance. The academic honors for rural area, Black, Indigenous, and Latino students are an opportunity for students to share their strong academic achievements with colleges and scholarship programs that are seeking to recruit diverse talent. At Oak Harbor High School, two students received the National Rural and Small Town Award:  Braden Schimmoeller and Nicholas Slagle.

The folks supporting the rebuild of the Ford Tri-Motor behind the Tin Goose Diner and Museum are holding a Reverse Raffle and Buffet Dinner at Gideon Owen on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 6-10 p.m. The grand prize will be $5,000 plus an additional $3,000 in cash and prizes. For tickets, log onto www.TinGoose1247.org or call 419-566-0951. Tickets are $150 per person and only 150 tickets will be sold.