The Port Clinton/Marblehead/Catawba Island business community suffered a tremendous loss last Thursday when we learned of the passing of Mel Ayers, who was instrumental in bringing Ciao Bella and Nagoya (and subsequently The Que) to our area.

I remember telling him he was crazy when he told me his idea in bringing a Japanese Steak House to our area. Boy was I wrong! Mel was always so friendly and helpful when you walked in the door. He will be missed!

The Algae Bloom has returned. I received a message from the Lake Erie Waterkeepers with a satellite photo showing that most of the Western Basin is green with algae. The Western Basin runs basically from Pelee Point west to the Detroit River and Monroe, Michigan.

The Ottawa County Veterans Service Office is hosting a Silent Watch here in Ottawa County to show solidarity with veterans in their fight against suicide. The Silent Watch will be held at Veterans Park in Port Clinton on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you would like to volunteer to stand watch, please contact the Ottawa County Veterans Service Office at 419-898-2089 to reserve a time.

Now that we are past Labor Day weekend, we are seeking feedback from our readers who receive home delivery of The Beacon each week, and those who don’t. We know that there is a significant number of residences in our area occupied by individuals who spend much of the fall and winter months in warmer climates and don’t want newspapers piling up on their driveways…and neither do we. So, if you wish to stop delivery of your Beacon for the winter, please send an email to Tina at classifieds@thebeacon.net, or give her a call at 419-732-2154. Thanks.

Mary Lou Wenmoth was selected from among 169 entries who found Wylie Walleye hiding in the ad for The Lake House on Page 8A in last week’s Beacon. So, Mary Lou 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 wesite, www.thebeacon.net and let us know where he is!

The fourth annual Rex Rutledge Memorial Golf Scramble will be held at the Oak Harbor Golf Club on Saturday, Sept 17.  This is a scramble with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.  All proceeds benefit a scholarship fund for students who are members of the Oak Harbor Golf Team and are planning to further their education. Rex loved golf and he enjoyed mentoring young people and helping them improve their game.

He was active in the Oak Harbor community, especially as director of the BCS Food Pantry. He is remembered by everyone as a wonderful friend, and he is greatly missed by all who knew him. Team entries can be made at the Oak Harbor Golf Club or by calling the Club at 419-898-1493.

Entry fees include sandwiches at the turn, and a meal at the end of the round. There are many prizes, a 50/50 drawing (tickets being sold prior to and during the event), and fishbowl auction items, giveaways, and live auction items – including an autographed Nick Bosa Ohio State jersey.

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be very active in Ottawa County in the coming weeks. They will be at the Holiday Inn Express on SR 53 N this Friday from noon to 6 p.m. The following Friday, Sept. 16, they will return to St. John Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor from noon to 5 p.m. Then back to the Holiday Inn Express on Friday, Sept. 23, again from noon to 6 p.m.

St. John Lutheran Church in Port Clinton is seeking Vendors for its annual Fall Festival. It will be held Saturday, Oct. 15. Artists, crafters and businesses are welcome. All merchandise must be new or crafted and no ‘flea market’ or ‘garage sale’ items. For information contact Monette Garn, Vendors and Publicity Chair monettegarn@gmail.com or 419-635-5863.

Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is holding a very special fundraiser raffle. You can now enter to win a signed eagle photo from Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp contest winner Jen Beck, framed and mounted with a 2022 stamp featuring her beautiful eagle photo! Entries will be sold for $5 each from now through Thursday, Oct. 13. The winning entry will be drawn on Friday, Oct. 14 during National Wildlife Refuge Week.

The Port Clinton High School graduating class of 1967 will hold their 55th Class Reunion the weekend of Sept. 16-18. The initial gathering will be on Friday at 4 p.m. at The Brickhouse downtown. A group will be also be headed to the Port Clinton football game that evening. On Saturday, the classmates will get together at Port Clinton Yacht Club with social time beginning at 4:30 p.m. The final event will be the traditional get-together at the home of 1967 Student Council President Jeff Bugbee on Perry Street.

Port Clinton High School Marching Band Alumni are invited to join in the fun of the Annual Alumni Band Night playing with the Port Clinton Marching band during halftime of the football game vs. Willard on Friday, Oct 7. There is no All-School Alumni Weekend this year.

Congratulations to Briana Carlson and Caitlyn Wamsley of Port Clinton who were named to the President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University for the summer term, both earning a grade point average above 3.7. Ashley Rickey, also from Port Clinton, earned Dean’s List honors.