The following 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.
News From Other Islands
Middle Bass
Out of Service
The Sonny-S is currently undergoing extensive repairs and a hull refit. As a result, it is temporarily out of service. It is unclear exactly when it will be able to begin operating again, but it is hoped to start near the end of June. In the meantime, USCG Licensed Captain Marty Harayda from Inter-Island Charters will be running back and forth between MBI (Sonny S Dock) and PIB until the Sonny-S is back in service. The cost is $9 each way. Payment options include cash, credit or Venmo. Call (419) 656-1226 for more information.
MBI Library Open
The Middle Bass Town Hall Library opened for the season on Saturday, May 21st. Hours are Saturdays and Mondays 10 a.m. to noon, and Thursdays 1 to 3 p.m. Pick up an interesting book for the next rainy day! Thanks goes Barbara Buzzard Nostrant and volunteers to help with the library!
Phone Directory
Middle Bass Islanders are getting a new island phone directory this month.
Pickleball
The Middle Bass Town Hall board is working on striping the existing basketball half-court to facilitate its use as a pickleball court by supplying paint and marking the court appropriately. When completed, players will have to bring their own rackets, balls and nets
Kelleys Island
Islanders Mourn Stanley
Kelleys Islanders are up in arms about someone killing their beloved wild turkey, Stanley, who was shot by someone with a bow and arrow. Stanley may be one of the oldest wild turkeys on earth according to one post on social media. The West Bay dedicated a sunset canon celebration in his honor. Someone suggested Stanley be stuffed and given to the historical museum with his story. Another posted, “There is a special place in hell for the bow hunter.”
Carmen Lee Welcomed To Kelleys Island
On Tuesday, May 24th, the people of Kelleys Island welcomed a new ferry, the Carmen Lee. The Carmen Lee is the largest vessel in the Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line fleet. There was a christening ceremony complete with a bottle of Champagne broken over the bow/stern.
North Bass
North Bass Tour Waiting List
This month’s golf cart tour of North Bass Island on Wednesday, June 22nd, sponsored by the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society is booked up, but you can get on a waiting list just in case someone cancels. To get on the list, call the museum at (419) 285-2804.
Pelee Island
Pelee Islander Back In Service to US
Not since 2019, people can board a boat, cross over Lake Erie and stop at Pelee Island and/or Leamington or Kingsville in Ontario, Canada. This is made possible by the ferry, Pelee Islander, getting back in service from Sandusky’s Jackson Street Pier. The resumption of trips from Sandusky to Pelee Island means Americans will no longer have to make the +/- 4-hour trip via Detroit/Windsor to go to their cottages on the island.
By mid-June, passengers can expect more trips, possibly even daily.
According to officials, only passengers and no vehicles will be transported because the dock isn’t ready yet. All passengers will need to show proof of vaccinations and must still have passports to go through the normal customs process.
Airport Opens For Border Crossing
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) resumed services at 47 small airports including the one on Pelee Island on May 2nd. To travel to Pelee from the U.S., you will need a passport, proof of Covid vaccination and a completed ArriveCan application that you fill out on your cell phone.
Pilot Program For Golf Carts
The Pilot Program for Golf Carts, the program which allows golf carts on Pelee Island’s roads, has be continued for this season. Golf Cars with the mandatory municipal registration permit will be allowed on municipal roadways for which the prescribed rate of speed is 50 kilometers per hour (31 miles per hour) or lower for the 2022 season.
The Dog and Goat Restaurant
The Dog and Goat Restaurant did not open on Victoria Day weekend as expected. The owners still had too many things to finish properly before they were 100% ready to welcome customers.
Parking Passes
Pelee Island requires passes for the use of Municipal Parking Lots during the season. New passes for the 2022/23 season are available now. Passes can be purchased for $30 online or at the Municipal Office, East Park Campground or Scudder Marina during business hours
For further details visit: https://www.pelee.org/community-2/parking-passes/
Celebration for Dick Holl
The family of Dick Holl, would like to take this opportunity to let his friends know that they have arranged a casual get together in his honor on Pelee at the Legion Hall on Sunday, August 14th, from noon until 3:00.
Water Service Fees
Effective June 1, 2022 water service fees on Pelee island went up.
For further details please visit http://pelee.org/municipality/by-laws/ or call 519-724-2931.
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!
