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Moss on the Rock
PIB Flu Shot Clinic
On Saturday, December 13th, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Put-in-Bay Fire Station, the Ottawa County Health Department (OCHD) will hold a Flu Shot Clinic. Covid vaccines will be available depending on supply. Call the OCHD to schedule your appointment at (419) 734-6800. Please have your insurance information available when making your appointment. The Clinic will be weather permitting.
Help for Jamaica after Melissa
Lance Saunders is helping organize a relief effort for those effected in Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa. Items can be donated until December 14th. Drop-off boxes are located at the Lime Kiln Dock, Miller’s Catawba Dock and Topsy Turvey’s. If you have questions please contact Lance at (419) 515-1463. Items needed include: Food – Canned items, rice, flour, old fashioned oats, dried kidney beans, protein powder, tea, coffee, beef sticks, peanut butter, brown sugar, crackers, cookies and candy (no chocolate due to heat). Toiletries – Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, female hygiene products, bar soap, and hand sanitizer. First aid – Tylenol, Aleve, cough and cold medicine, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, baby/adult diapers and wipes, mosquito repellant, disinfecting wipes, tarps, flashlights, batteries and solar powered lights. Clothing – New underwear and socks, pants, shirts, shoes and dresses (new or gently worn). Children’s items – Small toys, puzzles, books and juices.
Attention Island Deer Hunters!
With the recent introduction of deer hunting on the island, please take a moment and review Ohio’s hunting rules. There are a lot of residents on the island and not a lot of open space. There is a great resource from Kelleys Island that paraphrases the law that can be viewed by using the link http://bit.ly/4oYkZT6/.
Also the Ottawa County Sheriff’s office can assist with the removal of wounded or deceased deer from your property. Simply call the non-emergency dispatch number at (419) 734-4404. You can also be added to the deer call-out lst for the meat. Those who are on the list will be responsible for the removal and proper disposal of the carcass.
Open Positions in the Village
The Village of Put-in-Bay began advertising for a new police chief to replace James Kimble. Requirements for the job are: The Chief of Police shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Police Department and shall plan, direct, supervise and coordinate the law enforcement activities of the Village. Administrative direction is provided by the Village Mayor. To view the complete job description for the position visit: www.villageofpib.com/employment.
The Village of Put-in-Bay is also looking for a Part-time Zoning/Code Enforcement Inspector — This role works under the Village Planning Commission and requires varied hours based on demand. To view the complete job description for the position visit: www.villageofpib.com/employment.
putinbayohio.com Quick Picks
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You’re Invited To Friends Of The Bay
The putinbay.com team was scoping out the scene in Fort Myers Beach, FL in November for the upcoming Friends Of The Bay event taking place January 30 through February 1, 2026! Put-in-Bay Paul Jeris, and Brad and Angie Ohlemacher from Joe’s Bar and the Bird’s Nest Resort were scouting out locations to fill out the itinerary for the huge Friends Of The Bay getaway this coming January. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it! If you’re feeling at all envious of the putinbay.com gang enjoying some fun in the sun, there’s an easy fix. Book a room now for Friends Of The Bay II Jan. 30-Feb. 1! Read our blog up above for more info!
https://putinbay.com/friendsofthebay/
PIB Fitness Winter Funding
PIB Fitness has a very special announcement. With the help of the PIB School, PIB Recreation Committee, PIB Township, Village Police and PIB Firefighters enough funds were raised to cover all PIB Fitness membership costs for the winter months (Nov 1st- April 30) again this year!! This program started two years ago and each year has seen increases in participation (year 1: 123 participants, year 2: 168 participants). If you would like details about using the facility, please contact Alec at (239) 206-7597.
PIBYC Will Be Open For Winter
Again this winter, the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club will be open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Bayview Room Bar will be open Wednesdays 5 to 9 p.m, and Saturdays, 5 to 9 p.m., with some Saturdays open earlier and closed later. The Galley hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. on both Wednesdays and Saturdays. Watch for other special events at the club at different times and dates. Remember, there will be only credit card sales for the winter. For club office hours email is the best way to reach the manager (manager@pibyc.org).
B-Dock Replacement
B Dock at DeRivera Park in Put-in-Bay’s harbor is being replaced with a completely renovated and modernized facility, which will include 1,100 linear feet of new fixed docks, capable of accommodating up to 75 vessels, plus marina improvements for boats over 26 feet in length, including utilities and flexible mooring. The project will include the construction of an ADA-accessible ramp and entrance, plus the renovated dock will meet higher safety standards and will also be designed to achieve Ohio Clean Marina standards. The project is funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
2026 putinbayohio.com’s Best Places To Stay!
- Island Club Rentals (islandclub.com) – 216-898-9951
- Commodore Resort (commodoreresort.com) – 419-285-3101
- Bird’s Nest Resort (birdsnestresort.com) – 419-285-6119
- Put-in-Bay Condos (putinbaycondos.com) 216-898-1105
- Victory Station Hotel (putinbayvictorystation.com) 419-285-0120
Volunteers Needed at St. Paul’s
Can you help at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for the winter? In order to keep the church and pantry open 24-7 this fall and winter, some extra help is needed. St. Paul’s is seeking volunteers for various roles during the winter season, including church walk-throughs, cleaning, service setup and communion duties. If you can help, please contact Fr. Bob Solon at St. Paul’s.
New Battery Recycling Program
The Put-in-Bay Property Owner’s Association is sponsoring a trial of a Battery Recycling Program for the island. There is a recycling bucket at Island Hardware & Market where you can drop off all types of household batteries (alkaline and lithium), except for 9v batteries. This program was developed by P.O.A. Board Member, Suzanne Dershem.
Recertified as Gold Tier
Congratulations to The Boardwalk and The Upper Deck for recertifying as a Gold Tier Ohio Clean Marina! With over 40 best environmental practices implemented they are committed to keeping Lake Erie great by going over and above on requirements to earn certification. They have a done great job helping to reduce marine debris by reducing plastics and straws in their business practices.
Conservancy Christmas Gift Ideas
The Lake Erie Islands Conservancy has their new 2026 Calendars for sale for $20. You can pick one up by contacting Lisa Brohl at (419) 366-2087 or stopping by the Island Hardware Store. They can be mailed to you as well with postage added. Lisa also has Duff Homestead Stationary by Sarah Cochran, Island Grape Jelly, Magnets by Elizabeth Schweitzer in addition to t-shirts and hats available, plus there are a few bags of wild bird seed for your winter bird feeders for sale as well. A gift membership for the Conservancy is always a great idea. www.lakeerieislandsconservancy.org.
Traveling
It’s just the beginning of the travel season for island folk. Terry and Lesa Jenkins from Victory Woods enjoyed a west coast cruise that took them to Cabo. Dave Schafer from Ashley’s Island House was on the first of five cruises he has planned for this winter and at the end of November he was in Vegas and Wyoming. Adam and Acka Riley from the Goat enjoyed some time in Key West with their son Dylan. Pat Thwaite was in San Francisco and Colorado. Bob and Andrea Gatewood were also in San Francisco, plus Napa Valley in California. Scott and Caroline Jackson were in Colorado for a week and Scott later headed to New Orleans for a couple of days. Also making a quick trip to Colorada was Mariah Loud. Paul Jeris from the Island Club and Bryan Kasper from Shiphouse Vodka visited Paul’s 150th and 151st countries, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Simona Michael, her son Emil and daughter Emma, and Chef F headed to Havana, Cuba. Kelly, Dallas, Jess, Andy and Rachel Mohn were in Kentucky where they went kayaking through a cave in Kentucky – The Gorge Underground.
Going Digital
Both the Crew’s Nest and the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club are offering members the opportunity to go digital when it comes to billing, messaging, membership and more. After using the new systems, a few bugs needed to be worked out, but it looks like members will embrace the new way of doing things.
What An Honor!
Put-in-Bay has made another internet list. This time, Put-in-Bay has been named the “Ohio’s Most Fascinating Small Town.” The post went on to say, “Nestled on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, Put-in-Bay stands out as one of Ohio’s most captivating small towns-frequently named among the “best” and “coolest” in the state and the nation. With a population of just over 150, this tiny resort village punches far above its weight in history, natural beauty, and vibrant entertainment.”
The previous piece is published in this month’s Put-in-Bay Gazette. The Gazette has been producing incredible independent Put-in-Bay island news for over 40 years. If you have any interest at all in what is happening on South Bass Island, we urge you strongly to subscribe to the Put-in-Bay Gazette. One-year online subscriptions are only $15, and print subscriptions are available as well. To subscribe please visit the Put-in-Bay Gazette subscription form. This piece of Put-in-Bay journalism has been provided to putinbayohio.com courtesy of the Put-in-Bay Gazette, Put-in-Bay’s only local newspaper. Visit their website putinbay.news for more information and to subscribe!
