One of The Beacon’s most popular promotions, the Catawba-Marblehead Parade of Homes, is happening this weekend. It’s a bit smaller than in previous years due to the super-hot real estate market locally. There are still several beautiful properties to look at so enjoy the tour.

I attended the funeral services of former Port Clinton Mayor and Port Clinton High School Guidance Counselor Tom Brown on Saturday. It had to be one of the most personal services I can remember. Tom’s two children, Kim and Mike, gave very moving eulogies as did six of his grandchildren.

Ben Parker’s long and arduous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease ended last week. He and his family lived in Bellevue. Many will remember him as the iconic lead singer of the Island Band “Ben Dover & The Screamers.”

Bernie Wise of Port Clinton was selected from among 176 entries who found Wylie Walleye hiding in the ad for Arter Furniture on Page 6A in last week’s Beacon. So, Bernie wins our weekly $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores.

Each 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.thebeacon.net and let us know where he is!

Also, Wylie Walleye is eager to answer our community’s questions, keep sending them in to P.O. Box 176 or emailing them to askwylie@thebeacon.net. He has a wonderful time swimming around Lake Erie Shores here in Ottawa County getting information for you all.

Don’t forget about Memory Lane, featuring historical photographs of our area. If you’d like to submit your own, please send them with a written explanation to memories@thebeacon.net or mail to P.O. Box 176.

The Beacon has always been residential delivery, with fuel prices as they are we are doing a research of the area on who wants the paper and who does not. Please take the time to cut out the subscription form on page 2A this week and mail it back to The Beacon, P.O. Box 176, Port Clintion, OH 43452. We would greatly appreciate it.

Arts in the Park will be held this weekend at Port Clinton’s Lakeview Park. Hosted by the Port Clinton Artists’ Club, the event will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its next “Business After Hours” networking event tonight (Thursday, Aug. 4) from 5-7 p.m. at Bistro 163.

Ottawa County United Way Development Director, Jessica Singerling, will be the featured speaker at “Business Over Breakfast” Friday, Aug. 5 at the Ottawa County Resource Center. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 and the program will begin at 8 a.m. Call the Chamber to make reservations at 419-898-0479. Cost of the breakfast is $5.

When my family first moved here in 1961, our first boat was an 18-foot Lyman. We learned quickly that Lyman Boats and their unique lapstrake design was the boat built for Lake Erie and its chop. There will be a special Lyman Boats Cruise-In this Saturday, Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. at Marblehead Estates and Yacht Club on Sandusky Bay.

Margaret Farkas with the Beautification Committee for the City of Port Clinton is looking for volunteers to help with weeding the hill at Waterworks Park.  It has unfortunately been overlooked and we need to get it back in shape. If you could let her know when or if you are available to help them out, you can call Farkas at 419-573-2277 or 419-732-3171.

Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Lab and education partners across South Bass Island will host Lake Erie Awareness Day on Thursday, Aug. 11 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The tour includes the Aquatic Visitors Center, the Boardwalk Restaurant, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, Cooper’s Woods Preserve, the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center and South Bass Island State Park.

The Ottawa County Improvement Corporation is hosting its 27th annual Experience Ottawa County event on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at Twin Oast on Catawba. Local vendors will be stationed to showcase their products, while you enjoy food and drinks from local eateries – all at Twin Oast. It will be an evening of networking, vendors, entertainment and guests to celebrate the sights, sounds and fine dining around Ottawa County.

Congratulations to Katerina Fillmore of Port Clinton, who is one of eight first-year student-athletes to continue their women’s soccer career at Baldwin Wallace University.