May 2025 Gazette - Looking Back By Jeff Koehler

It’s hard to believe this year marks the end of the first quarter of the 21st Century. It seems like yesterday that Y2K and Millie, the first island deer, were in the news.

As we recall, things were quite a bit different back in 2000. There were very few cellphones, no social media, only dial-up internet, no electric bikes and scooters and no Goat Soup & Whiskey, Mojito Bay, Cameo Pizza, Margarita’s on the Rocks, Park Place Boat Club, and many other places that we now think have been around for ages.

A lot has gone on in the last 25 years. Three things that especially stand out are the collapse of the patio at Lonz Winery on Middle Bass, the water scare of 2004 and the Covid summer of 2020. All had negative impacts on visitation to the island. Positive highlights were the Bicentennial Celebration of the Battle of Lake, the release of the Commodore Perry quarter and the Ohio State Marching Band performances.

Aside from the big highs and lows were the little things. You can’t find a telephone booth anymore. Pool bars are here and probably to stay. The water tower has cellphone antennas on it. The Village Docks are more modern. There are webcam cameras in multiple places. There’s a new terminal at the airport. There are more police and sheriff officers than ever before. The island roads are much better. Ice fishing in the winter isn’t the same. There are several new parks, but Shady Path in Cooper’s Woods has seen better days. The deer population has exploded. The Crescent is no more and Delaware Avenue is one way with angle parking for golf carts. Many of our friends have gotten older or have departed. Others have replaced them. Remember Dairy Air Bob, the Cargo Net, Bay Carts, Village Bakery and Tony’s? We could go on and on.

There are things that are pretty much the same and you could easily switch these with the same experience 25 years ago and never know what year you were in. Renting a golf cart and touring the island hasn’t really changed. Riding the Lime Kiln bus into town is the same. Exploring Perry and Crystal caves hasn’t changed a bit. Going up in the Monument is certainly the same experience it was 25 years ago. The only difference with the community swim and sailing lessons for the kids is the people. There’s not much of a change with getting a pizza and beer at Frosty’s. Afternoons at the Round House haven’t really changed either.

We can only imagine how different it will be in 2050, 25 years from now. It would be great if we could fastward to 2050 and see what this article will look like then.