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Moss on the Rock
86 Deadstock is Live
Exciting News for the Hospitality Industry! 86 Deadstock, the premier hospitality marketplace, is officially LIVE! If you’re a small business owner in the restaurant, food truck, or hospitality sector, this is the perfect platform to save money and make some extra cash. This revolutionary app was created and developed by Jeremy Fitzgerald, son of Mr. Ed Fitzgerald and former owner of Put-in-Bay Subway.
List your dead stock inventory and turn it into revenue – it’s simple and effective. Check out the amazing deals and items already available! Anyone can purchase items listed but only businesses can items for sale, so there’s very little risk like you would find other sale sites like Facebook Marketplace. Simply search for the 86 Deadstock app in the Apple Store and Google Play Store and use verification Code is 86DS419.
Lake Level For 2025
The Army Corps of Engineers predicts plummeting Great Lakes water levels to be below average for boating season. Lake Erie water levels are expected to be 9 to 13 inches below last year and just above or just below long-term averages. Four of the five Great Lakes, Erie being the exception, are already below their long-term average levels to start February.
Island Real Estate
Prices of Lake Erie Island real estate have gone up over the last five years. Top gainer last year is Middle Bass with a +7.2% increase and an increase of +41.2 for the last five years. The typical home value there is #302,207. Put-in-Bay follows with an increase last year of 3.7% and a five year increase of 48.2%. The typical home value at Put-in-Bay is now $457,658. Kelleys Island’s homes went up 13.1% last year and 55.3% over the last five years. The typical home price on Kelleys is $399,472.
We’re Hiring!
Do you know someone who would make a great sailing or swimming instructor? Put-in-Bay Community Swim & Sail Program is seeking passionate and skilled instructors to join our crew for the upcoming season! We offer competitive pay and island housing during the season. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at pibswimsail@gmail.com.
Traveling
Islanders were busy traveling this past month and were spotted all around the world.
Chris Cooper and family were seen watching the speedboat races on the Manatee River in Florida. Barry and Phoebe Koehler took their kids to Orlando where they enjoyed Universal Studios. Patti Bauer, Donna Martens and Scott and Dawn Bellinger, all Miller Boat Line employees at the Lime Kiln Dock in the summer, spent time together in Florida. Diane Nemec and PIB’s mayor, Judy Berry, were spotted at the yacht club in Sarasota. The Cultice, Stoiber and Bodenbender families spent time in Crystal River, Florida. John and Carol Rees from New Colony Lane in Duff’s Wood were also in Florida.
Billy, Allie and Liam Market were in South Carolina attending Leah Market’s wedding. Dianne Smith from the South Shore went snow shoeing in Wyoming. She was the oldest her guide had ever taken.
The Virgin Islands were another popular place for visitors from Put-in-Bay. Summer residents Mike and Peggy Russell enjoyed St. John, as did Caroline, Liesl and Cal Jackson who flew from their winter digs on St. Croix to visit Jack and Lorraine Zimmerman who stay there during part of the winter. Dave Schafer from Ashley’s Island House spent a few days in St. Croix where he visited Scott and Caroline Jackson at The Goat.
Further west, Emily and Paul Easterling from the Anchor Inn visited Jamaica.
Spotted enjoying Amsterdam in Holland were Michael and Amanda Goaziou McCaffrey from the Candy Bar, and Karen Goaziou and Linda Mahony. They also visited Max Hristovski in Luxembourg. Also in Europe were globetrotters Dave and Kathy Holscott from the Goat Biergarden, who were spotted in Cyprus and Malaga, Spain.
On the other side of the world south of the Equator, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia were blessed with visits from Sue Thwaite and Viktoriya Zakharova. Bob and Jody Frimel from Pinky’s Pond also vacationed in New Zealand.
Monument Staffing
Most everyone is aware of President Trump’s federal job cuts being made by Leon Musk’s DOGE department. Among the cuts were several full-time employees at Cuyahoga Valley National Park which also works with Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial. The status of federal jobs for full-time, part-time and seasonal employees at the Monument are still up in the air as Trump recently announced more job cuts are to come.
Ice Safety Assembly
On January 10th, the Island Fire Department and EMS held an assembly at PIB School to educate students about ice safety. As the lake freezes and islanders begin setting up ice shanties for fishing, it’s crucial for everyone to understand the potential dangers and precautions. The assembly included demonstrations on checking ice thickness, recognizing safe and unsafe ice conditions, and emergency procedures in case of ice-related accidents. Students were encouraged to ask questions and actively participate, ensuring they left with a solid understanding of how to skate, ice fish, and enjoy the ice safely.
Renting the Lodge on North Bass
If you’d like a vacation on a really quiet island in Lake Erie, you might want to consider the Lodge on North Bass Island. After having to keep the lodge closed for repairs all last summer, the ODNR is happy to announce that it will be rentable again this summer. Reservations went live on February 4th. Reservations will run May 23rd through October 1st this year. To make your reservation please call (419) 609-4124.
Adamov Book Honored
One of Bob Adamov’s latest books is “Alone At Home.” It’s the senior version of “Home Alone” the popular series of movies. Bob’s book is not one of his Emerson Moore mysteries/adventures, but something quite different. “Alone At Home” recently received The Literary Titan Gold Book Award. The Literary Titan Gold Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned. Bob says he’s already working on a sequel.
NRO Cadets Begin Training
A new generation of leaders is stepping up to safeguard Ohio’s natural spaces as 11 cadets begin their journey to become Natural Resources Officers (NROs) with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The signing day signified their commitment to becoming NROs ahead of their first day of training at the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Peace Officer Basic Training Academy on Monday, Feb. 10th. Following training at OSHP Peace Officer Basic Training Academy, the cadets will advance to specialized training. Among the cadets was Put-in-Bay’s very own Sophia Schroeder (PIBHS Class of 2017). Sophia is the daughter of Marie Schroedeer and Brit Schroeder. NRO’s responsibilities include law enforcement, public service, education and public relations – ensuring the safety and enjoyment of millions of visitors annually.
Chase suspect to be sentenced
The Marion man who allegedly led PIB police on a wild automobile chase on Put-in-Bay in July, is set to be sentenced in March after pleading guilty. The chase began at PIB School, and continued around the downtown park hitting a golf cart, then out to the State Park and finally ending in Victory Woods. The man faces up to three years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. A three-year driver’s license suspension is mandatory, and the court could suspend his license for life. The man will remember his visit to Put-in-Bay for the rest of his life.
Good News for Middle Bass
Twenty-one taxing districts in Ohio have property taxes that don’t exceed $950 a year per $100,000 of home value. Once again, and like most years, the lowest tax rate is on Middle Bass Island, part of the multi-island Put-in-Bay Township. The taxes there amount to $713 per year for every $100,000 of home value, a $153 decrease from the previous year. Neighboring Kelleys Island has Ohio’s second-lowest property tax rate, at $792. The islands are the only places in the state with rates below $900.
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!
