By John Schaffner

The 2019 Ottawa County Fair starts its week-long run this Monday, July 15 at the Fairgrounds just east of Oak Harbor on State Route 163. I personally have some great memories of the Fair from back in my radio career at WRWR. Who can forget Fred Grimm and his magnificent Youth Press Corps. In the midst of our high-tech world, the Ottawa County Fair is a true slice of Americana, and is an annual Ottawa County tradition dating back to the 1960s.

An update on the Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast is scheduled to come out today at a presentation at the OSU Stone Laboratory on Gibraltar Island. Unfortunately, the update is not expected to be positive. Heavy spring rains, while diluting the lake and raising the water levels, also caused significant runoff in the tributary rivers that feed into the lake.

Elizabeth Stephens of Port Clinton is our winner this week in our “Find Wylie” contest. She was chosen from among 102 entries who successfully found our friendly fish in the ad for Ohio Living Vineyard on Catawba on page 5A in last week’s Beacon. Elizabeth wins a $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 the contest.

Several community informational meetings will be hosted by the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District on Thursday, July 25, regarding the special school levy that will be on the ballot August 6. They are: *Coffee Connections at Blackberry Corners, 10 a.m.; *Facebook Live on District Facebook Page at 5:30 p.m.; *Community Meeting at 6:15 p.m. at OHHS Auditorium. If you would like a Board member to come to your home to talk with you about the levy, please call the Board Office at (419) 898-6210 or call or email your questions at anytime to Superintendent Guy Parmigian … gparmigian@bcssd.com, or call (419) 898-6210. Also, Treasurer Cajon Keeton: ckeeton@bcssd.com, or (419) 898-6210.

They set a record last Sunday at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge for their weekly Sunday breakfast buffet. Nearly 500 people came through the serving line, and they didn’t run out of anything! It was also “very good.” I can say that from personal experience.

The Salvation Army needs volunteers to ring the bell for the “Christmas in July” Red Kettle Campaign, which will take place on July 26 and 27, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. There will be several kettle sites set up with bell ringing volunteers needed at each site. The sites: Twin Oast and Friendship Food Stores (both PC and Catawba locations). If you are interested in ringing the bell for “Christmas in July” or would like to make a donation, please contact Director, Maureen Saponari – 419-732-2769, 1834 East Perry Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452 or Maureen.saponari@use.salvationarmy.org.

Join in the fun this Friday, July 12 at 6 p.m. for Riverfront Live! Performing this week is David Ninke. The concert will be moving to Adams Street Park at the Gazebo. Riverfront Live! is a free summer concert series held on Friday evenings in downtown Port Clinton. Grab a lawn chair and join us for some great entertainment.

St. John Lutheran Church, 207 Adams Street, Port Clinton, is holding its Summer Day Camp July 15-19.  Counselors from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries will lead camp for kids in Grades 1-6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A separate camp for preschool and kindergarten aged children will be held 9 a.m. to noon on July 15-18. There is no charge for children to attend either camp. Registration forms are available at St. John or online at www.stjohnlutheranpc.com.

This Monday, July 15 at noon, Magruder Hospital will host an educational luncheon in the Conference Center.  The topic will be “Meet the Hospitalists” with Dr. Neeral Patel. Learn how hospitalists work and who the hospitalists are at Magruder. This luncheon is part of a monthly education series in the hospital’s conference center, which features a different topic and speaker each month. The luncheon series is open to the public. Cost is $6. The program is free if you do not wish to have lunch. An RSVP for the July program is required by noon on Friday, July 12, by calling 419-732-4061. Also, on Friday, July 26 the Magruder Auxiliary will have a Potluck Picnic at the Lakeview Park shelter for members and guests and anyone wanting to know more about the Auxiliary. The event is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and hot dogs will be provided by the hospital. Attendees are asked to bring table service, a drink and a dish to share. RSVP to 419-734-3131 ext. 3256.

Congratulations to Alyssa Peto of Port Clinton, a graduate of Port Clinton High School. She graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Arts: English.

Your new Mobile App is available for use! “Lake Erie Coastlines” is FREE! Just download it on your iPhone or Android device from the App Store. It is chock-full of useful information on local events, things to do and places to go. “Lake Erie Coastlines” … enjoy!