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Moss on the Rock
DJ’s Property Sells
Kim Morrisson and Ryan Stoiber from Frosty Bar have officially announced they purchased DJ’s ice cream parlor at the corner of Toldeo and Bath streets. It will reopen as Sweet Siblings, an Island Dessert Destination, in May of 2024! The name is to celebrate all of the amazing families that have worked for the Stoiber family through the years. Kim says she would like to decorate Sweet Sibs with current or vintage photos of employee siblings. Kim and Ryan are super excited to see what all their fabulous families have to offer. Please email photos to her at kim@frostys.com.
Thank You
Lake Erie Islands Conservancy members Mike Byrnes, Dino Uszak, Rudy Rence and Russell Brohl moved the remainder of LEIC and PIBTPD airport offices to the Duff Homestead one weekend last month! Put-in-Bay Township Park District Treasurer Courtney Blumensaadt helped pick new Leopold bench locations for Duff Homestead birding trail that were made by Lake Erie Islands Conservancy member Casey Carty. Mark Lekanka and crew worked on getting the front porch ready, and Mike Byrnes repaired and painted the walls in the upstairs conference room and got the Perry Group office ready with fresh paint and clean floors. Thank you all!
Monarch Butterfly Population
The population of those beautiful Monarch Butterflies that migrate through our island and winter in Mexico has dropped to the second-lowest level ever recorded according to officials at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán, Mexico. The estimate, based on the size of the butterflies’ hibernating forest area, has dropped by about 59% from the previous year, according to officials. Experts are pointing to extensive heat and drought as well as climate change for the major decline. Monarch butterflies face three primary threats, including habitat loss for their breeding and overwintering; the use of pesticides, which can be toxic to the butterflies or can kill their food source, milkweed; and climate change, which can shift their migratory patterns.
Congratulations to Miranda Krueger!
The ballots have been counted, and the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Miranda Krueger (PIBHS Class of 2012) was elected as the newest member of its Executive Board. A true Put-in-Bay native, Miranda’s lifelong passion for boating and her dedication to our island community make her an outstanding addition to the Chamber’s leadership team. Miranda is the owner/operator of Put-in-Bay Floating Tiki and a Realtor with Lakefront Living Realty. The Chamber wants to express their deepest gratitude to Sara Booker for her invaluable service during her term. Sara’s contributions, particularly her leadership in community events and fundraising, have left a lasting imprint on Put-in-Bay.
Local Boating Regulations Lifted
You might recall last month’s front page of the Put-in-Bay Gazette where there was a story about the US Coast Guard safety zone around the Lake Erie Islands and Sandusky Bay. The zone prohibited vessels from traveling through these areas without three days advance permission due to wintertime hazards. The very day the story came out in the Gazette, the restrictions were lifted due to extensive deterioration of ice coverage in the area and current warming trends
Childcare Needs Assessment
Ottawa County would like your help compiling data for a county-wide childcare needs assessment. If you would like to give your input go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/dbkwx5w and complete their survey.
Correction
The ladies in the EMT class would like to clear up something. In the recent competition to reassemble the human anatomy, THEY WON! The PIB Gazette reported that the guys won, but in reality, the guys lost by over 2 minutes. Great job ladies!
Swim/Sail Program Seeks New Board Members
The Put-in-Bay Swim and Sail Program is seeking new board members to help grow its program and continue its mission of improving swimming, sailing and water safety skills for all ages on the island. Whether you’re a family member, friend or relative of a past or current swimmer or sailor, if you share the program’s mission, you are wanted. Message or text Melissa Fiorilli at (216) 644-7017 for details about joining the program’s dedicated team.
Hiring for the 2024 Season?
Put-in-Bay is not just a destination for visitors, but also a place of opportunity for job seekers. If your business is looking to expand your team, the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce is ready to lend a hand. Send them your open positions and they will feature them on their website, connecting you with potential candidates who are ready to dive into island life and work. Simply email your job listings to marketing@visitputinbay.com, and they’ll take care of the rest.
April 8th Eclipse
The Lake Erie Islands are directly in the path of the eclipse that will take place on Monday, April 8th. This alignment offers an unobstructed view of the eclipse’s full phase, an opportunity that a mere 9% of the American population will experience from their location. This particular eclipse is set to last approximately 4 and a half minutes, making it significantly longer than the average total solar eclipse. Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial will offer a perfect backdrop eclipse viewing. Given the rarity of total solar eclipses in any given location, “A Monumental Eclipse” offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Attendees will be advised on how to safely view the eclipse, with recommendations for eclipse glasses and other viewing methods. Safety is a top priority to ensure everyone can enjoy the event without harm. The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in the year 2099.
Busy Traveling
Many Island folk were busy traveling this past month. Miranda Krueger and Drew Smercina took in the Pacific Coast Highway. Maria and Miyo Hristovski went skiing in Park City, Utah. Ava Rence from the Goat traveled from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands to Breckinridge, Colorado. John and Patricia Fisher and Dave Schafer, Bob and Andrea Gatewood, Ted and Betsy McCann, Marc Wright, Paula Garsteck, Roger and Joan Rhoad, Kim Morrisson, Jane Market, Carl and Chris Krueger, Jim and Maria Blandino Wehrheim, Dave and Jill Warga, Brian and Justine Cultice were all spotted in the Florida, Keys. Dave and Kat Kaiser-Holscott visited Larnaca, Cyprus. Susan Market from the Dockside shop at the Lime Kiln Dock and Cary Ferguson from Ferguson Gallery in Marblehead traveled to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. One of Dave Schafer’s stops this winter was at Old Forester Distilling Co. In Louisville, Kentucky. The Cultice’s, Koch’s and Rhoad’s were on a Western Carribbean Cruise. Jill and Steve Cooks spent time in Belize. Paul Jeris traveled to his 147th country, Tuvalu, a tiny nation in Oceania and the least visited country in the world. Amy and Peter Huston made a stop in Savannah, Georgia while on their way south. Marc Burr and his son Andrew recently traveled to the island of Belize to celebrate Andrew’s 32nd birthday and enjoy a little scuba diving. Steve and Sue Prahst from Mikes Drive on East Point enjoyed Little Cayman’s undeveloped charm. Little Cayman is one of three islands comprising the Cayman Islands. Scott and Dawn Bellinger were on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. Also visiting the Cayman islands were Simona Michael and Kevin Eden. They were aboard a cruise that also stopped in Mexico, Jamaica and The Bahamas. Mark Pillon from East Point was skiing at Zermatt in Switzerland. Joe, Suzanne, El and Lukas Kostura spent time in Sandestin in the Florida Panhandle. Jake and Renee Market, Brian and Justine Cultice, Ryan and Jenni Stoiber, Adam and Johnna Danes, and all of their children took a cruise to Mexico, Honduras and Belize. Also on that cruise were Jordan Market, Teddy Niese, George Stoiber, Karen Goaziou, Linda Mahoney and June Stoiber. Barry and Phoebe Koehler, Andy and Angela Christensen, Kristen and John Scarpelli, and all of their children spent time in Orlando during the school’s winter break. Joe and Roberta Scarpelli and their children were also in Florida over winter break.
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!
