Mary Alice and I had a great time last weekend participating in our 55th PCHS Class Reunion. Got to see a number of old friends. Bob Rice might have come the furthest from Texas.

Twice each year, as the earth circumnavigates the sun, the equator lines up directly perpendicular to that fiery ball of light and heat. They call it “the equinox.” Most call it the first day of spring or the first day of fall. Today is that day. I am happy to report that our weather the last two weekends has been spectacular, and the water temperature off Marblehead remains 73-degrees. The thermal effect from Lake Erie will keep us warmer for some time to come.

Frances Miketa from Northeast Ohio was selected from among 165 entries who found Wylie Walleye hiding in the ad for Marblehead Galley on page 8A in last week’s Beacon. So, Frances 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!

This Sunday, September 25th from 10:30 to 1:30 is the Port Clinton Friends of the Cemeteries annual BBQ chicken dinner which is being held at the gazebo on Adams St. Dinners are $12.00 and walk up and drive thru are both available.

It brought back a lot of great memories when I heard that Genoa Area Local Schools is naming their football stadium and football field. Legendary Comet Hall of Fame coach, teacher, guidance counselor and administrator, Jim Firestone, is also being honored by the district with the naming of the football field, “Jim Firestone Field.” Both will be officially dedicated prior to the kickoff against Lake High School on September 30th at 6:40 pm. Longtime school supporter and partner in education, GenoaBank, has agreed to purchase naming rights to the high school football stadium. Jim Firestone was one of my favorite interviews back in my radio days. He is Genoa’s all-time winningest football coach, compiling a record of 109-60-6 as head coach from 1959-76. He became head coach at the age of 24 and won three championships in five years (30-3-2 league record) in the Suburban Lakes League. Coach Firestone’s 1975 team was the school’s first 10-0 team and allowed just 32 points the entire season, cultivating a 20-game unbeaten streak. I was fortunate to broadcast several classic “Celestial Bowl” games between the Comets and the Rockets.

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile is 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. They will also be at the Catawba Township Community Hall this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a tremendous need for blood donors right now.

Anglers interested in learning the art of fly fishing and practicing their skills are invited to participate in instructor-led classes at Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Classes will be held during September on a half-mile section of Cold Creek. Beginner and intermediate classes are offered. Beginner programs are for those with little to no experience fly fishing, while the intermediate clinics are for anglers with casting experience or who have taken a beginner program in the past. The beginner program is scheduled for Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., or 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Instruction by Division of Wildlife staff and volunteers focuses on understanding the needed equipment and learning to cast. Intermediate classes are held on Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with 60 spots available. These classes focus on advanced casting techniques and fly tying. Attendees of both the beginner and intermediate classes can test their newly acquired skills by fishing for the abundant rainbow trout found in Cold Creek. Fly rods, reels and flies will be provided, but you may bring your own equipment if you wish. Each angler may catch and keep up to three trout during the introductory class, and one trout at the intermediate class. A medium-sized (40 quart is ideal) cooler with ice is recommended to transport harvested fish.

The Port Clinton High School Spooktacular is back in 2022, and PCHS students and staff have made plans for the event to be bigger and better! Due to the growing popularity of the event, Spooktacular will be a Trunk or Treat event and PCHS students will once again make this the center of Halloween fun. Little Goblins and Ghosts can once again gather in their Halloween costumes for the Spooktacular event on Wed, Oct 26 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm at Port Clinton High School. All children, infants to grade 5, must be accompanied by an adult. Children will trick or treat and have activities in the parking lot area (bus loop) between the high school and middle school. Parking is available in the main parking lot off Jefferson Street and the Performing Arts Center lot off of 10th Street. PCHS Spooktacular is sponsored by PCHS Key Club and National Honor Society. Donations of candy will be greatly appreciated from any community group or individual that would like to donate. These items can be brought to Port Clinton High School or call 419-734-2147.

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 this Saturday, September 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.

Since Autumn officially arrives today, 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.