putinbayohio.com is proud to present the Put-in-Bay Gazette’s “Moss on the Rock”. For the best South Bass Island journalism, visit putinbay.news and subscribe to the Gazette today!
Moss on the Rock
On the Ballot in November
Petitions to run for public office in November had to be to the Ottawa County Board of Elections by August 9th, but weren’t official until August 17th. In the Village, Mayor Judy Berry will be running unopposed for that position. Two incumbent Village Council members, Pam Stephens and Fred Cerny, will run unopposed. In the Township, incumbent Trustee Chris Cooper will run unopposed. No one filed to run for the fiscal officer of the Township. Billy Market, JR Domer and Karen Goaziou will be on the ballot for the three school board seats that will be voted on. Exact details on any real estate tax levies for the islands will not be available from the Board of Elections until September 8th.
Matching Funding for Duff Homestead
The Put-in-Bay Township Park District will soon be completing the purchase of the Duff Homestead and Bayfront Preserve! Thanks to all who have contributed or donated to this effort and the Duffs for working with us! The Lake Erie Islands Conservancy has pledged/received $15,000 toward the anonymous Challenge grant of $20,000 so far to fix up the home for reuse once purchased. We have a donation from Dianne Smith of $5,000 in memory of her late husband Robert Smith and a $10,000 pledge. We only need $5,000 more! Contact the Conservancy at leiconservancy@gmail.com or 419-366-2087 if you can help out! Look for a dedication next spring of the Preserve and new office/maintenance/visitor center for PIBTPD and LEIC.
Did You See It?
The last part of July and the first part of August, the U.S. The Geological Survey was using autonomous surface and underwater vehicles in the Western Basin of Lake Erie to improve fishery surveys across the entire lake in cooperation with several public, private, and non-profit partners in both the U.S. and Canada. A wind and solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicle called a Saildrone Explorer equipped with several environmental sensors both under and above the water, including a fisheries echosounder that uses sound to detect fish, much like a fish-finder on a fishing boat, and is operated by Saildrone, Inc.
Calling All Artists
Put-in-Bay is excited to host the annual Art in the Park event on Sept. 9th. This beloved tradition celebrates the vibrant arts scene in our community and beyond, turning DeRivera Park into an open-air gallery showcasing the work of talented artists and artisans. Vendors are invited to join in! This is a fantastic opportunity to display your artwork, engage with art enthusiasts, and be a part of the thriving Put-in-Bay art scene. Whether your specialty is painting, pottery, jewelry or any other art form, we would be thrilled to feature your work. Don’t miss this chance to share your creativity with our community and visitors. Secure your spot at Art in the Park today! Email events@visitputinbay.com for info.
Back to the Wild
Back to the Wild will be on the island on Monday, Sept. 11th, 2023, at 3:15 p.m. at the Put-in-Bay Town Hall to have a program for the public with critters from their Wildlife Rehabilitation Center located in Castalia, Ohio. This program is sponsored by the Put-in-Bay Recreation Committee, Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, Lake Erie Islands Conservancy and Miller Boat Line. Come on out and learn more about Ohio’s wildlife!
48N48 World Record Official!
IT’S OFFICIAL!!! 48N48 is officially the Guinness record holder for the fastest journey by plane through all 48 contiguous US states. This record shows a team of 11, including Aaron Wilson (PIBHS Class of 1999), on the certificate, but truth be told, there were a lot more team members out there across the country that made this happen! A HUGE thanks to everyone involved in all 48 states!
Tuesday Chess Tournaments
Chess teacher Jeff James has set up a chess tourney Tuesday afternoons in September in the Goat’s Biergarten. Anyone who is interested can stop by from noon to 4 p.m. for a game or two or three. Jeff has chess boards for everyone, so no need to bring your own unless you have your own lucky board and pieces. Jeff is promoting double elimination blitz play. When all is said and done there will be valuable prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places!
Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center Perks
Did you know about the business membership perks at the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center? All employees of their business members get FREE admission into the Nature & Wildlife Center! See the list below of all of the business members and if you are an employee, let the folks at the Center know when you come in. If you haven’t made it in yet this summer, make sure to come by! The Center is open 11-5 Monday-Saturday. Member companies are Aquascape Inc., Boathouse Bar, Brave Wilderness, Carpets by Otto, Duff’s Workshop, Erie Island Carts, First National Bank, Fox Stone Products, Inc., Frederick Agency, Frosty’s Bar, Gilbert Heating, Air Conditioning, The Goat Soup & Whiskey, Heineman Winery, Indian Creek Zoo, Island Photography, Island Transportation, Joe’s Bar, Kelleys Island Audubon Club, Miller Boat Line, Mossbacks/ Fishbowl, OE Meyer, Park Hotel, Penny Plus Store, Put-in-Bay Investments, Put-in-Bay Real Estate, Put-in-Bay Surf Shop, Reel Bar, Topsy Turvey and Yardworks.
Woody’s Harvest Fest October 1st
Woody’s Harvest Fest will take place on Sunday, October 1st, from noon to 5 p.m. at Das Lokal, the Biergarten at the Goat. Enjoy a traditional turkey dinner for $20 and listen to polka music from Phil Yan’s Polka Band while enjoying an imported beer or glass of wine. 100% of all sales will benefit the Duff Homestead renovation and/or vineyard purchase. Woody Widmar was a longtime member of the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy. So come out, have fun and support a really good cause.
Resort Tax Liens
Put-in-Bay Village Council has been stymied for years because information about what businesses pay and don’t pay the Resort Area Gross Receipts Tax was not public information. Recently, it came to light that the State of Ohio has filed liens against several island businesses that owe back resort tax. The total amount owed is close to $500,000, an amount that would go a long way to help the Village’s general fund concerns.
Time To Start Planning for Christmas
The Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center and the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, are putting together the traditional Holiday Bazaar on Thursday, November 16th, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Put-in-Bay Town Hall. Start getting stuff ready for sale at this fun event. Finish up your holiday shopping with unique gifts from local small businesses and artisans. The Conservancy will have its 2024 calendars for sale and the Nature and Wildlife Center will bring their gift ideas! For interested vendors: $10 per space. Call or text Lisa Brohl at 419-366-2087 or email at leiconservancy@gmail.com to reserve your spot!
Time To Do Your Homework
There’s a “Mo Betta Travel Put N Bay Bus Trip” scheduled to come to Put-in-Bay on Saturday, September 30th, from Akron, Ohio. The tour promotion says “Join Mo Betta Travel for the 5th annual Put In Bay Wine Festival Bus Trip.. This trip is packed with fun..Join the party bus to the Put N Bay Wine Festival. The Bus trip price includes round trip transportation to and from Put In Bay. There will be wine given out on the bus as well as a gift bag with snacks. Put-in-Bay’s 19th Annual Wine Festival is located at the Put-in-Bay Winery on Bayview Avenue just west of the Boardwalk Restaurant. The event starts at 11:00 AM on Saturday thru 6:00 PM. Admission is $10.00 per person and includes a souvenir wine glass.” There’s only one problem! There’s no Wine Festival that day at the Put-in-Bay Winery. There is, however, the Island Hops & Vine Festival in the downtown park that day. After checking various websites that list island events, several of them still had the Wine Festival on that date. Sounds like some homework needs to be done.
Lists
Put-in-Bay made a few lists on the Internet recently. It made the “7 Underrated Destinations In Ohio To Avoid Summer Crowds” and the “Remote and Off-The-Beaten-Path Destinations” lists. A recent list of “America’s Favorite Affordable Honeymoon Destinations” ranked the country’s top 150 budget-friendly honeymoons spots, and the village of Put-in-Bay claimed the 63rd spot.
Fly Repellants
If you’re being eaten alive by those flies that sometimes ruin a day on an island beach or out on your boat, you may want to try some alternative repellants other than bug spray. Try cinnamon essential oil, citronella essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, or clove essential oil. Mix them with water in spray bottles or wipe the oil straight onto your body.
Indictments
After a recent session of the Ottawa County Grand Jury, indictments were returned against the following individuals, according to Prosecuting Attorney James VanEerten:
Sabah Jabir Al-Talaquani was indicted on three counts of rape and one count each of felonious assault and kidnapping after he allegedly raped a victim repeatedly while holding the person against their will on Put-in-Bay last month.
Frederick Kahlil Shears, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Addie May Kuney, Adrian, Michigan, were each indicted on charges of assault of a peace officer and resisting arrest, after an incident on Put-in-Bay late last month which left an officer with facial injuries.
Heather Elizabeth Lopez, Lorain, was charged with theft and theft of motor vehicle, and Joseph Klanac, Amherst, was charged with receiving stolen property and impersonating a police officer, in July, after the two were involved in the theft of a golf cart owned by the Put-in-Bay Police Department.
Jacob Seaman Twirls In England
PIB High School student Jacob Seaman was in England in August taking part in the International Baton Twirling Federation. Jacob participated in the Men’s Junior class in solo, 2 baton and 3 baton. With Jacob were his mother K.C. and Jeff Bast who cheered him on. Jacob was privileged to have this opportunity and experience for international travel and competition, plus he had a chance to see some of the highspots in England.
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!
