The Friends of the Port Clinton Cemeteries are undertaking a major fundraising campaign to pave the cemetery roads. This project called the Cemetery Friends Paving Project (CFPP) is contracting with Erie Paving of Sandusky, Ohio. The estimate from the company has come in at $75,000 for the Riverview Cemetery portion of the project. Due to the cost of this project, the paving will be completed in increments over a period of time. The city of Port Clinton has given complete approval for this project, but has made it clear that there are no monies available from the municipality. However, the city will complete the necessary infrastructure and groundwork as a means to help keep down the cost. This project is needed to eliminate the muddy driveways that visitors encounter during funerals and when visiting their loved ones in the cemetery. Paving the driveways will increase the accessibility and aesthetics of the cemetery.

Together in Education will be awarding two $500 scholarships to seniors graduating from the Oak Harbor High School who attended grade school at Carroll, Graytown, RC Waters or Rocky Ridge Elementary Schools.  Applications are available from the Oak Harbor High School Guidance Office.  The deadline for applications to be returned to RC Waters Elementary is Thursday, April 18.

The Senior Centers of Ottawa County and Walker Funeral Homes of Ottawa County are sponsoring a raffle for a trip to the Toledo Hollywood Casino. All proceeds will benefit the Ottawa County Senior Citizens’ Levy. The Hollywood Casino package includes a Limo ride to and from the Toledo Hollywood Casino, $500 in chips for the Hollywood Casino, and dinner for 4 at the Epic Buffet (located in the Hollywood Casino). There will also be cash prizes of $200, $100 and $50 for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners, respectively. 

Raffle Tickets sell for $5 per ticket and can be picked up from any Ottawa County Senior Center. Winners will be announced at the Spring Senior Day at Camp Perry on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. For more information, please contact Danbury Senior center at 419-798-4101.

Allen Twp

3-21-13 The Bank Of New York Mellon to Shawn M. Allarding, 19530 West State Route 579, $69,500.
Carroll Twp
3-22-13 Bradley Seitz to Daniel and Karen Spears, 8904 Canada Goose, $60,000.
3-22-13 Jeffrey and Kimberly Zetzer to Samuel and Herlinda Mills, vacant land West Bonnie Jean Drive, $35,000.

Catawba Twp

3-18-13 Tom Harpster and Keely Glaze Harpster to Jacob R. Meisler, 44440 East Island Pine Drive, $249,900.
3-20-13 Duane E. and Jeanette R. Frankart to Yvonne J. Parrot, 5469 Foxhaven , $153,000.
3-21-13 John T. and Vicky S. Glaze to David E. and Betty J. Hissong, 3063 North Hatteras, $29,520.
3-21-13 David E. and Betty J. Hissong to John T. and Vicky S. Glaze, 3047 North Hatteras Drive, $29,520.
3-21-13 John T. and Vicky S. Glaze to Thomas and Keely Harpter, 3047 North Hatteras Drive, $30,000.
3-22-13 ALZO LLC to SOM Center Plaza LTD, 2836 Nor Easter Drive, $644,900.

Clay Twp

3-19-13 Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to Joseph P. Badger, 23068 West Edgefield Drive, $16,830.
3-22-13 Dolores Currier to Michael Kosciuczyk, 23265 State Route 163, $17,500.

Danbury Twp

3-18-13 Jeffrey R. and Christine A. Lampert to Paul McLaughlin and Linn Steward, 1770 Merrimac, $86,400.
3-18-13 Barbara DiGioia to Joseph D. and Katherine M. Killen, 2085 Walleye Drive, $360,000.
3-19-13 Gordon and Goranka Bak to Joseph Virzi, 2086 Corchester Drive, $420,000.
3-20-13 Louisville Title Agency to Ronald C. and Susan A. Gedrich, 2461 South Harbor Bay Drive, $89,000.
3-21-13 C. John and Peggy J. Kronberg to Timothy and Jennifer L. Heffernan, 471 North Rockport Drive, $268,000.
3-22-13 Waite Bros LTD to Ronald J. Suchecki Sr. and Terri R. Suchecki, 630 Central Avenue, $250,000.

Elmore Corp

3-22-13 Charles A. and Rebecca J. Morgan to Federal Mortgage Association, 656 Rice Street, $86,667.

Erie Twp

3-21-13 Lacy L. Hager to Lacy L. Hager and Matthew B. Schimming, 1345 North Tettau Road, $135,680.

Genoa Corp

3-18-13 Shirley D. Lee to William Hamiester, 406 Superior Street, $59,500.
3-20-13 David L. and Leslie A. Clark to The Bank of New York, 4000 Windsor Court, $100,000.
3-21-13 Ronald E. Keaton II and Jennifer J. Keaton to US Bank National Association, 501 Superior Street, $40,000.

Marblehead Corp

3-19-13 Linda Zoundas to Rebecca Neubacher, 906 Church Street, $131,000.
3-20-13 The Richmond Foundation to William E III and Margaret Klaehn, 0 main Street, $10,000.

Port Clinton City

3-18-13 Timothy J. Perin to Holly C. Heileman, 605 East Second Street , $146,000.
3-19-13 Albert S. Benedict Jr. to John B. and Barbara Clark, 509 West Lakeshore Drive Apt A4, $109,000.
3-22-13 Thomas D. and Mary Ann Reed to Brad McGinnis, 1631 Water’s Edge Drive, $275,000.
3-22-13 Sarah Fitzthum nka Messa to Charles and Darla Guth, 2555 North Carriage Lane, $97,500.

Put In Bay Village School

3-19-13 John Donahue to Paul Jeris, 184 Sand Castle, $170,000.

Put In Bay Corp

3-19-13 Clare and Lucy Logan to Jeffrey F. and Jane L. Bringardner, vacant land Chapman Road, $55,000.

Salem Twp

3-18-13 Todd C. and Deborah S. Heiks to Federal National Mortgage Association, 280 South Manor Court, $206,667.
3-19-13 Amanda and Anthony Stewart to Federal National Mortgage Association, 9651 Moonlight Bay Lane West, $104,667.
3-20-13 National Bank of Ohio to James T. and Annette K. Schmit, and Beth A. Klima, 184 North Behlman Road, $95,000.

Justin Kleinhaus, 13, of Port Clinton, has been shooting Air Rifle as a member of the Ottawa County Shooting Stars 4H Club for 4 years and will be competing in the USA Jr. Olympics in Colorado Springs, CO, in April. 

Every Tuesday and Thursday Justin practices at the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) at Camp Perry with his 4H club. On April 6 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and April 7 from noon to 3 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on CR 17 in Oak Harbor is having a bake sale and garage sale to help support Justin’s trip.

The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra State Community College is offering a free, two-hour seminars, “Small Business Basics,” that will answer questions about starting, buying or expanding a small business. 

The next seminar is Wednesday, April 3, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Ottawa County Improvement Corporation conference room, 8043 W. S.R. 163, Oak Harbor.

St. Boniface Catholic School will host the annual Spring Fling on Saturday, April 27, 3 at 6 p.m. at the school gymnasium at 215 Oak St., Oak Harbor. Advance tickets are $25 per person, or a table for 10 for $200. Adult beverages and sodas will be available. 

The evening includes a dinner of chicken and /or ham, green beans, cheesy potatoes, rolls and butter and our famous St. Boniface apple pie. There will be a live DJ, silent auctions, live auctions of hand made treasures by each class,  raffles, a $500 Gas for Cash Bonanza drawing and a chance to be a contestant on “Let’s Make a Deal”. 

To reserve your tickets contact Sandy at 419-732-1728 or email sheschel@hotmail.com.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) recently selected Jeff Tyson as the Lake Erie fish management program administrator. Tyson has worked in ODNR Division of Wildlife fish management for nearly 20 years. He previously served as the Sandusky Fisheries Research Unit fisheries biology supervisor.

Did you hear about popular local singer Ron Howard? Ronnie is the lead singer in the band Cruisin’ and does other performance gigs as well. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, his auto caught fire and he lost everything, I mean everything. He lost the car, which also had all of his sound equipment inside of it. Then he found out his wife forgot to update their insurance premium and voila!!! … no insurance! Well, the good folks at Cleats on the way to Marblehead are holding a benefit for Ronnie on Sunday, April 7 from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $25 for a special buffet meal and are available at Cleats, Minuteman Press and at The Beacon. That afternoon you can hear Cruisin’, Colin Dussault, Smooth Groove and more. Definitely worth the price of admission.

Mr. Benjamin Cadigan reported for duty on Wednesday, March 20, wide-eyed and ready to take charge.  Ben was “Principal for a Day” at Immaculate Conception School.  The third grader took the place of I.C.S. Principal Connie Snyder for just one day. Ben wasted no time at all making a few small changes to the normal school day at I.C.S. First and foremost, everyone was permitted to give the school uniform a rest for the day and wear their jeans to school. Secondly, in the morning all of the classes had time in the gym to do an obstacle course designed by Ben, to play board games and popular playground games. Recess was fifteen minutes longer on Wednesday as well. Ben also helped, with Mrs. Snyder’s guidance, with many office tasks.

B-C-S Community Education invites families with children in kindergarten through 7th grade to enroll in the 2013 Summer Camps. Pre-registration has begun for the 2013 Summer Camps and must be returned by April 15th. Weekly camps will begin on Monday, June 3rd at R. C. Waters Elementary School. Camp times will be Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m..

The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce held their annual Easter Candy Hunt on March 23. Over 350 children came out to find their candy bags. 

We would like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their donations and help with our annual Easter Candy Hunt; 2012-2013 Apple Festival Royalty Court & Families, Amy Lutman – Royalty Coordinator, A Cut Apart, Batdorff Real Estate, Boy Scout Troop #316, Carroll Township, Charlotte & Harry Striker, Commodore Perry Federal Credit Union, Community Markets, Crosser Funeral Home, Debi Heiks, Dor-Way Antiques, Drown’s Dairy, Dr. Dennis Laub, Druckenmiller Agency, Fine Art Creations-Jackie Bodnar, Kurt’s BP, LDJ Nutrition, Lene’s Webb, Lexi & Emma’s Closet, Magruder Hospital, McDonalds, Medi-quip Repairs, Mill Street Brew, National Bank of Ohio, Oak Harbor Masonic Lodge, Oak Harbor Veterinary Hospital, Oak Harbor Police Dept., Portage Fire District & Firefighters, Radiant Windows and Remodeling, Rick Spangler, RvI, Inc., Spangler Motors, Sprouse Insurance, St. Bonore Financial, Subway, The Cure, The Village of Oak Harbor, Tom Knoop, Tri-Motors Sales & Service & US Bank.

Thank you!
Valerie Winterfield
Executive Director
Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce

Yes, I will grant you the fact that with the Easter Bunny scouting out places to hide eggs it does seems a bit strange to be reading a letter that is addressing a holiday that occurs in the middle of the summer.  However, planning for the annual Port Clinton Area 4th of July Celebration is a year-round activity.  Raising the necessary funds to implement the events associated with this annual celebration of our nation’s birth is the primary purpose of those plans and for that matter this letter.

March 28

The Gathering
WHAT: Free community meal, open to the public. Handicap access.
WHEN: 4:30 to 6:00 PM
WHERE: St. John Lutheran Church – Parish Hall, corner of Second and Adams Streets, Port Clinton
INFO: Community resource information is available to those interested.

Goodwill Donation Drive and Fashion Show
WHAT: Learn about Goodwill’s purpose and let the Ida Rupp Library staff teach you how to redesign, recycle, and rejoice in new fashions. Donate your clothing and get a $5 certificate to Goodwill. If you decide to be a model for the next program, the Goodwill Fashion Show, you’ll receive a makeover and an outfit on April 18. For all ages. Refreshments will be provided.
WHEN: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Ida Rupp Public Library, Port Clinton
INFO: Call Ida Rupp Public Library at 419-732-3212 for more information.

Al-Anon/Alateen  
WHAT: Twelve-step group for those affected by another’s drinking
WHEN: 8 p.m. every Thursday
WHERE: Trinity United Meth. Church, 135 Adams St. Port Clinton

Strength Training
WHAT: Strength training helps prevent age-related muscle loss, in addition to keeping bones and metabolism strong.
WHEN: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m
WHERE: Magruder Conference Center
COST: $4 per session
INFO: 419-732-4061

Art Class
WHAT: An art class for teens through adults continues this winter at the Danbury Senior Center. Local artist Lori Roberts-Cobbledick is the instructor. 
WHEN: Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Danbury Senior Center, Marblehead
COST: $10 per class
INFO: Call Lori at 419-798-0608.

TOPS 
WHAT: Take Off Pounds Sensibly; all are welcome
WHEN: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; weigh-in at 6 p.m. every Thursday
WHERE: 320 E. Third St., Port Clinton

Open Public Shooting
WHAT: Shooters, including aspiring new shooters, are invited to do practice shooting. 
WHEN: 5:30-8 pm, Tuesday and Thursday evenings
WHERE: Camp Perry Training Site, Port Clinton
INFO: Contact 419.635.2141 ext. 1101 or thecmp.org/3p/publicshooting.htm 
COST: $5/adult, $2/junior

March 29

GOOD FRIDAY

Fish Fry
WHAT: Lake Erie Yellow Perch fish fry. Includes french fries or onion rings, cole slaw, and dessert. Eat in or carry-out.
WHEN: 4-7:30 p.m.
WHERE:American Legion Post 114, 221 Park Street, Oak Harbor
COST: Sandwich $8, dinner $11.

March 30

Easter Egg Hunt
WHAT: Port Clinton Easter egg hunt. All youngsters ages 12 months to 10 years are invited to this event sponsored by the Port Clinton Parks and Recreation Department and Champions for Children.
WHEN: 10 a.m.
WHERE: Port Clinton courthouse lawn.
INFO: Jenn Porter at City Hall at 419-734-5522, Extension 8. 

Easter Egg Hunt
WHAT: Friends of East Harbor third annual Easter Egg Hunt. 
WHEN:.2 p.m. 
WHERE: East Harbor State Park, in front of Camp Store or at Lockwood Shelter House, in case of inclement weather

March 31

EASTER SUNDAY

April 1 

Rabbit races
WHAT: B.Y.O.R.
WHEN: 8 a.m.
WHERE: 989 E. Lockwood, Port Clinton

Tales for Toddlers
WHAT: 30 minutes of stories, songs, and finger plays intended for children ages 2 and 3 with a caregiver. No registration required.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. March and April
WHERE: Ida Rupp Public Library, Port Clinton
INFO: Call Ida Rupp Public Library at 419-732-3212 for more information.

Zumba
WHAT: Zumba classes
WHEN: 5:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays
WHERE: Magruder Hospital Conference Center, Port Clinton
INFO: call 419-732-4061
COST: $4 per class

Al-Anon/Alateen   
WHAT: Twelve-step group for those affected by another’s drinking
WHEN: 7 p.m. every Monday
WHERE: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 214 E. Second St., Port Clinton

April 2

WHAT: National Alliance on Mental Illness Anxiety & Depression Family Support Group 
WHEN: 6-8 p.m. 1st Tuesdays
WHERE: Conference Center, Magruder Hospital, Port Clinton
INFO: For more info call 419-732-6264 

Kids & Company 
WHAT: Kids can join Toni for a basic movement class emphasizing coordination, balance, flexibility, and posture.  For children ages 3, 4, and 5 without a caregiver. Caregiver must remain in the library during the program. No registration required.
WHEN: 4:30-5 p.m
WHERE: Ida Rupp Public Library, Port Clinton
INFO: Call Ida Rupp Public Library at 419-732-3212 for more information.

Pilates
WHAT: Pilates with Laura Tyson, instructor
WHEN: 9 a.m. Tuesdays
WHERE: The Ballet School, Madison St., Port Clinton
COST: $5  
INFO: For more information contact:  laura_tyson@roadrunner.com.
TOPS 
WHAT: Take Off Pounds Sensibly; all are welcome
WHEN: 6 p.m. every Tuesday
WHERE: Catawba Community Hall, 3307 NW Catawba Road

Yoga 
WHAT: Bring a mat and wear loose clothing for the class. Linda Green, instructor. 
WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday
WHERE: Magruder Hospital Conference Center
COST: $8 per class with sign up for the whole month or $10 per class
INFO: 419-635-2337

Strength Training 
WHAT: Strength training helps prevent age-related muscle loss, in addition to keeping bones and metabolism strong.
WHEN: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m
WHERE: Magruder Conference Center
COST: $4 per session
INFO: 419-732-4061

Sisters in Sobriety
WHAT: Sisters in Sobriety, a women’s AA meeting
WHEN: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. 
WHERE: Sutton Center, 1854 E. Perry, Port Clinton

Zumba
WHAT: Zumba 
WHEN: Tuesdays 6-7
WHERE: Danbury school, Marblehead
COST: $8 per class
INFO: For additional information contact Mrs. Henninger Monday–Thursday after 3:30 p.m. at 419-798-5195 or email henningerra@danbury.k12.oh.us. Information also available at www.danbury.k12.oh.us.

April 3

Babies and Books

WHAT: 20-25 minutes of stories, songs, finger plays, and rhymes. Intended for children ages 6 months to 23 months with caregiver. In the morning only play and social time will follow for those who participate in the program. No registration required. 
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesdays in March and April
WHERE: Ida Rupp Public Library, Port Clinton
INFO: Call Ida Rupp Public Library at 419-732-3212 for more information

WHAT: Zumba classes
WHEN: 5:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays
WHERE: Magruder Hospital Conference Center, Port Clinton
INFO: call 419-732-4061
COST: $4 per class

Jazz Night
WHAT: Wine, pasta, and live Jazz music featuring The Bob Smik Trio and special guests.
WHEN: Winter Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m.
WHERE: Slater’s Madison Street Pub, 111 Madison St., Port Clinton

ACA  
WHAT: Twelve-step group for adult children of alcoholics
WHEN: 7:15 p.m. every Wednesday
WHERE: Artisans Co-op, 138 E. Market St., Sandusky
INFO: Call Paul at 419-341-6888

TOPS 
WHAT: Take Off Pounds Sensibly. All are welcome.
WHEN: 6 p.m. every Wednesday
WHERE: Oak Harbor Library, 147 W. Main St., Oak Harbor
INFO: Call 419-276-0304

On March 19, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students from Danbury Middle School competed in the Ottawa County Academic Challenge at Benton Carroll Salem High School in Oak Harbor. Teams from Port Clinton, Oak Harbor, Put-In-Bay and Danbury competed in four rounds of questioning. The questions were in the areas of Language Arts, Literature, Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, Fine Arts, and Miscellaneous.

At its March 19th meeting, the Benton-Carroll-Salem Board of Education highlighted the efforts of Mrs. Carolyne Gilchrist, Coordinator of Ottawa County Project Lifesaver.  Gilchrist explained that Project Lifesaver is a non-profit enterprise that provides transmitter wristbands for both children and adults who are at risk of becoming missing or wandering due to a disability, or disease like Alzheimer’s. The wristbands emit an automatic radio signal every second, and that signal can be tracked over several miles. Project Lifesaver has been able to help locate missing children and adults in minutes rather than days. Almost 50% of the missing and wandering will perish if they are not located within 24 hours. Ottawa County Project Lifesaver is sponsored by the Port Clinton Lions Club, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, other agencies, and by generous donations. Gilchrist asked those who want more information on this program that can save lives to call 419 898-0400, extension 3133. B-C-S Superintendent Guy Parmigian extended his thanks to Gilchrist for her efforts, and for sharing this critical information that could be of benefit to all ages.

Home Instead Senior Care and Heartland Home Health and Hospice will be hosting a “Facts and Snacks” program for the Ottawa County community. The focus of event, which will be held the first Tuesday of the month, is to give the community continuing education about various topic surrounding aging. The “Facts and Snacks” program will be held at Riverview Healthcare Campus, 8180 West State Route 163, Oak Harbor. Participants can attend at 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room, side A.

Leadership Ottawa County (LOC) began their March 13 class at the Davis - Besse Training Facility north of Oak Harbor. This month's topic was business and economic development.  Dan Hartnett provided a behind-the-scenes look at the Nuclear Operations Training at Davis-Besse.  Class members observed operator training in the control room simulator. The training includes how to respond to any unusual event that might trigger a shutdown in an emergency situation. 

The class then traveled to the Ottawa County Transportation Agency (OCTA) where director Bill Lowe and Diane Schimming provided  information on day-to-day operations of public transportation in Ottawa County followed by a tour of the new facility. Participants were made aware of the diversity of transportation needs in the county.

Joanne Beasley, MBA, RHIA has recently been hired as the new Health Information Management Director at Magruder Hospital.

She comes to Magruder with over 10 years experience in healthcare.  Most recently she was the Director of Health Information Management at Samaritan Regional Health System in Mansfield, and prior to that she was the Manager of Health Information Services and the Privacy Officer at Wooster Community Hospital.  She has experience with the Cerner digital software that Magruder implemented in 2010.

The Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Ohio Chamber Symposium Thursday, April 25 at the Civilian Marksmanship Program at Camp Perry Training Site, Building 3.  Registration is at 11:30am, the workshop is from 12-1pm.  Todd Sarver with Steptoe & Johnson PLLC Attorneys at Law will be presenting Social Media:  The Brave New Workplace.

The legal impact of social media in the workplace will be reviewed including:

• hiring process
• monitoring employees
• employee (mis)conduct and termination  
• an interactive discussion about protected employee activities on-line
• review best practices and policy considerations for employer

To register the workshop, contact the Chamber at 419-734-5503 or email admin@portclintonchamber.com.  Registration deadline is April 19.