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Moss on the Rock
Where Are They?
The treasurer of the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society & Museum, Dustin Heineman, recently filed a report with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department concerning two missing John Brown Collection photos from their archives. The total number of pictures in the collection should be 15 that came out of Hayes Museum in 2013. Currently there are two being reported stolen, photo #2 Wealthy Hotchkiss Brown, wife of John Brown Jr. and photo #6 Courthouse in Charleston. The police report (#2025017944) was filed with Ottawa County Sheriff Lieutenant Jerome Arnold with the unanimous vote of the museum board members
Citizens Research Group Presentation
If you missed the Citizens Research Group’s presentation at the Town Hall in April, it will be represented at the Put-in-Bay Property Owner Association meeting on Saturday, June 7th, at the Senior Center at 10 a.m. The group’s report is about what options the village and township have for improving government on the islands.
TIPS Training
Steve Heineman. the instructor for TIPS Training on Put-in-Bay, tells us Training in Intervention Procedures for Servers of alcohol is intended for servers of alcohol, owners and managers, and that this summer’s training is to be held at the Niagara Conference Center on Monday, June 16th, and Tuesday, June 17th, at 8:30 am.
The three-hour course includes: The effects of alcohol on the body, the server’s response to the intoxicated customer and the server’s legal and civil responsibilities. This information is reinforced with role-playing and a written test.
The cost is $60 per person and protects the server and the management with a certification that is valid for two years.
Please call Steve at 419/341-2501 to take advantage of this important and proven-effective training..
Back to the Wild 2025
Over 60 adults and children jammed the Put-in-Bay Town Hall to see the show from Back to the Wild on Monday, May 12, 2025. The kids enjoyed seeing the hawks, owls, turtles and snakes and competing to answer the questions asked by Jill Stokes and Molly McLaughlin of Back to the Wild. Back to the Wild is a wildlife rehabilitation center located in Castalia Ohio. They give great advice on wildlife encounters and have rescued a number of birds and animals from the islands in the past. Check them out at www.backtothewild.org. Thanks to the PIB Recreation Committee, the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, the Miller Boat Line, and the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy for making the show possible.
Volunteer for the
Middle Bass Music Festival
If you like music and fun, volunteers are needed for the 2025 Music Festival on Middle Bass Island! The festival takes place on Saturday, July 19th. Volunteers are needed for gatekeepers, t-shirt and raffle ticket sales, and more. If you or someone you know is interested and can spare just a couple of hours, please contact Ann Hicks at: hicksagma@gmail.com or text: 614 595-2917. Please include name, email and phone.
The North Bass Trip is Back!
The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society & Museum is sponsoring the very popular North Bass Golf Cart Trip on Tuesday, June 24th. Anyone is allowed to come, but space is limited, so make a reservation early by emailing director@leihs.org or calling or messaging (419) 285-2804. The tour will leave Put-in-Bay’s downtown Miller Dock (621 W Bayview Ave. Put-in-Bay) at 9am sharp. Get there early. If you’re late, you’ll miss the boat. The cost is $100 per person. Only 4-passenger carts will be taken on the ferry. No more than 4 people are allowed per cart.
Islander Art Sales
Would you like to sell your art? If you are a year-round or summer island resident, or a summer employee, you are welcome to be an art vendor on Saturday and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. this summer. Bring your own table and chair to the lawn beside Sweet Sibling’s porch. Your tent is welcome if you have one. The $5/day fee is used for advertising and donations to the Put-in-Bay Arts Council. Call/text Painter Sarah Cochran at 802/477-2091 or email sarah4cochran@gmail.com to register for dates you will be coming to sell your art.
Gibraltar Island Tours
Satisfy your curiosity with a peek inside Stone Laboratory on Gibraltar Island, The Ohio State University’s island campus on Lake Erie. Tour guides lead a walking tour of the island, including Perry’s Lookout, Stone Lab buildings and the outside of Cooke Castle and discuss current Lake Erie research at the lab. Tours cost $12 for adults and $6 for children. Water taxi departs at Boardwalk dock 15 minutes prior to tour time, $8 round trip in cash (subject to change). The tours are on Thursdays starting June 12th and run until August 14th, 10am to 12noon and 1 to 3pm.
51st Founder’s Day
Join the fun as the island puts on the 51st Founder’s Day in DeRivera Park. It’s a special event that honors the island’s founding by Hispanic merchant Jose DeRivera. From 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday, June 14th, immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant community spirit that has shaped Put-in-Bay. Explore a variety of vendor stalls, enjoy engaging activities, and learn about the island’s unique heritage. Whether you’re a history buff, a local resident, or a visitor, Founder’s Day offers a meaningful and enjoyable experience for all. The park brims with vendors offering a range of goods, from local crafts to delicious food, providing a taste of the island’s diverse culture and creativity. So come on out and enjoy the day.
Lake Erie Water Level
This summer Lake Erie’s water level should be very close to average or normal. Lake Erie’s current level in 4 inches higher than 1 month ago, 6 inches lower than 1 year ago, 24 inches below the highest average May level (2020), and 40 inches higher than the lowest May level (1934). The lake is expected to go down about an inch in the next month.
Perry Group 4th of July
The Perry Group has a fantastic lineup of events planned for this summer. The first is a reception at the Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial Visitors Center, Put-in-Bay on July 4th, 2024. Following the reception ticket holders will be escorted to the top of the monument for a spectacular view of the fireworks from 317 feet above the Bay. For info about going to the top, go to theperrygroup.org .
Put-in-Bay Highlighted as Top Ohio Getaway Destination
Put-in-Bay Daily reports a new roundup by Axios Cleveland puts Put-in-Bay in the spotlight as one of Ohio’s top destinations for a relaxing escape. Often compared to more well-known spots like Hocking Hills or Geneva-on-the-Lake, the island village is praised for its vibrant summer atmosphere, outdoor activities, and scenic charm. Located in Ottawa County and accessible by ferry, Put-in-Bay offers something for everyone — from water sports and wineries to family-friendly parks. The island’s biggest event of the season, Bash on the Bay, draws crowds every August. This year’s headliners include country stars Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt. Read the full list of Ohio getaways from Axios Cleveland: Axios: Ohio Getaways 2025.
Traveling
Island folk have been traveling the past few weeks. Ed and Paula Hubner were on a cruise to Alaska. Ray and Laura Fogg were in Greece with daughter Marissa. Scott and Caroline Jackson in Germany and Austria where they toured multiple breweries during their week stay. Dustin Shaffer was out in Arizona where he hiked in the desert mountains near Phoexix. Carol Makruski from Bay Designs and Norm Hindulak were out in Nevada and Utah where they eBiked in Zion National Park. Danny and Tamar Levine from Lovella traveled with their two daughters to Spain and Ibiza, an island off the coast in the Mediterranean. Russ and Lisa Brohl spent time in Canada on the north shore of Lake Erie where they visited Point Pelee, not to be confused with Pelee Island.
PIB Among Top Searches
Put-in-Bay Daily found this tidbit of info on the internet….Put-in-Bay has been named the #6 trending destination in the country for Memorial Day travel, according to a new report from HomeToGo. The island saw an 84% increase in search interest compared to last year, putting it alongside top lake towns and small coastal getaways.
Congrats Heineman Winery!
South Bass Island’s Heineman Winery can be proud for its wins at two wine competitions this past month. Of the 20 wines entered in the 2025 Ohio Wine Competition, 16 brought home medals, including 2 Double Golds (Moscato & Sweet Catawba) and 1 Gold (Sauterne) along with several Silvers and Bronzes. Nineteen Heineman wines were entered in the 2025 Great American International Wine Competition in New York. Fifteen came home with medals that include three Gold (Niagara, Sweet Belle & Pink Catawba), several Silver and a few Bronze medals, too. Congrats, Heineman Winery.
Celebrate National Trails Day on South Bass Island!
Join Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial and Lake Erie Islands Conservancy on Saturday, June 7th, at 9 a.m. at Massie Cliffside to celebrate National Trails Day. Preserve for a volunteer event to help care for the trails that connect us to nature. We’re calling on community members, outdoor lovers and trail stewards to lend a hand in giving back to the trails. Let’s work together to preserve and enjoy the beauty of our trails! Learn more and sign up to volunteer at https://ow.ly/vsWn50VY6SB .
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!
