The Port Clinton High School Alumni Association’s Alumni Weekend was an unqualified success, particularly on Saturday night when all of the decades from the 1940s to the Class of 2020 participated. The oldest was Joanne Lasky Hockin of the class of 1942. I also ran into Greg Collister from the class of 1978 who came all the way from his home in Thailand!

Each decade held their own party in downtown Port Clinton, and then got together at the M.O.M. area for live music and a bunch of school spirit. It was tremendous. And 1967 classmate Jeff Bugbee even had a “Welcome Alumni” sign in front of his Perry Street home held up by his inimitable flamingos.

One of the most family-friendly weekends of the season is the Oak Harbor Apple Festival in downtown Oak Harbor on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9- 10. Village officials expect more than 25,000 visitors within a two-block walking area. Watch the crowning of the Apple Festival’s Royalty Court on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m., followed by the beautiful baby contest, the Grand Parade at 2 p.m., Cornhole Tournament, talent show and The Junk Band in the beer tent to round out the day’s entertainment.

Sunday hosts the Classic Car Show, 5K Run, Kids 1 Mile Fun Run, and local performers to make for a family fun day. There are mechanical rides, over 130 vendors and many other activities — and no admission fees. Ride the $1 shuttle from Oak Harbor High School. The website is OakHarborAppleFestival.com.

Sandi Jordan from the Columbus area was selected from among 127 entries who found Wylie hiding in the ad for Bay’s Edge Bait and Tackle on Page 8A in last week’s Beacon. So, congratulations to Sandi, the winner of 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.

The first-year Arts Garage in Port Clinton could get a little workout heading into the Christmas season, with the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council asking its members to lend their time, treasures and talent to host a Christmas Market on Monday, Nov. 1. Early reports have the market featuring Christmas decor, ornaments and decorated Christmas trees.

Workshops are planned for kids and adults to build a gingerbread house, cookie decorating, wreaths and other fun events.

To make it work, volunteers will be needed to help with setting up, workshops, and decorating the TAG building, 317 W. Perry St. That means informational meetings at TAG on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department and the Ladies Auxiliary will kick off the autumn season with the Cedar Meadow Children’s Fall Walk for kids of all ages this Saturday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited to meet behind the Catawba Fire Station for the nature walk, pumpkins, cider and donuts.

A very spicy event in Marblehead will be the inaugural Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Oct. 23 at James Park, a fun day of music, games and a chance to win prizes and vote for your favorite chili from noon to 5 p.m. The chili will be dished out starting at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Call the Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce at 419-702-7492 and receive the Commemorative Soup Mug. Chili chefs who want to compete in the inaugural bash, or craft vendors eager to exhibit, can email info@themarbleheadpeninsula.com.

Beginning Monday, Oct 4 the Port Clinton High School Natatorium will once again be open to members of the community who would like to take a morning swim Monday through Friday between 6-7:15 a.m. (when school is in session) running through May 2022. Due to the later start this year, the swim price pass has been adjusted: $100 for one semester, $200 for the year. Monthly pass cost remains the same at $30 per month. Morning Swim Passes are on sale now at the Port Clinton Board of Education Office, 811 S. Jefferson St., open 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.   Swimmers must purchase their pass prior to swimming on Oct 4. Please call 419-732-2102 for more information.