News Briefs Week of 5/10/2021
“Shrek the Musical”
Everyone’s favorite upside-down fairytale is coming to the Clay High School stage when Clay Limelighters present “Shrek the Musical,” May 21 and 22 at 7 p.m., and May 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at claylimelighters.org.
“Shrek the Musical” tells the story of the irreverent but lovable ogre who embarks on a life-changing adventure to return the banished fairytale creatures back to the kingdom of Lord Farquaad. Joined by a wisecracking donkey, the unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues the feisty princess Fiona, and learns that friendship and love aren’t only found in fairy tales. The musical offers theatrical fun for the whole family.
In compliance with state and local COVID-19 guidelines, seating will maintain social distancing.
Furniture giveaway
The Salvation Army-Port Clinton Service Center is distributing donated furniture for one day only, Saturday, May
15 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Salvation Army Port Clinton Service Center is a social service center and not a retail store, however, a local donor insists the furniture be given away, not sold, to those in need in Ottawa County, so the agency agreed to host the giveaway.
For more info, contact Maureen Saponari, director of the Salvation Army Port Clinton Service Center, at 419-732-2769 or Maureen.saponari@use.salvationarmy.org.
Memorial Day
observance set
The Genoa American Legion and Auxiliary will sponsor a Memorial Day Observance Ceremony Monday, May 31 at 9 a.m. at the Clay Township Cemetery.
State Sen. Theresa Gavarone will be the guest speaker. The ceremony will also feature the Genoa American and Genoa High School bands, a cannon salute by Taylor’s Battery and a dove release.
Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs, as seating is limited. Current Ohio/CDC COVID-19 protocols will be in place.
Following the ceremony, the Genoa American Legion will host a meet-and-greet with Sen. Gavarone at the Legion Hall, 302 West St.
Legion members also remind the community to support Poppy Day, which will be held in Genoa on Friday, May 28.
Memorial service
The Oregon Firemen’s Auxiliary Memorial Service for Oregon firefighters, city officials, city employees and police officers will be held Sunday, May 23 at 1 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 5330 Seaman Rd.
Mayor Michael Seferian, Fire Chief Dennis Hartman and Police Chief Brandon H. Begin invite the community to attend the event.
Nominations sought
The Ohio Department of Veteran Services is seeking nominations for the 2021 Veterans Hall of Fame. The nomination deadline is June 1.
Now in its 28th year, the Hall of Fame recognizes those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and continue to contribute to our communities, state, and nation through exceptional acts of volunteerism, advocacy, professional distinction, public service, or philanthropy.
Each year, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame inducts up to 20 veterans based on recommendations from an executive committee of veterans from throughout the state and approval from the Governor of Ohio.
The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for those who would be inducted posthumously.
To be considered, the veteran must meet the following criteria:
• Be a past or current Ohio resident;
• Have received an honorable discharge;
• Be of good moral character.
Visit dvs.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/dvs/hall-of-fame/nomination-form/nominations for more details.
Ottawa Co. Fair
is on for 2021
The Ottawa County Agricultural Society (OCAS) voted during the April board meeting to move forward with the Ottawa County Fair, which will run from July 19-25.
The schedule of events is being finalized, but the fair will be returning to a week-long running of junior fair events, camping, harness racing, and fan favorites, the demolition derby and OSTPA tractor pulls.
The fair will be following state health orders for masks and social distancing.
Returning to a more normal fair schedule brings the fair back from a modified, primarily junior fair schedule in 2020. Last year, the decision was made to focus efforts on one-day livestock judgings for each species, equestrian shows, harness racing, and limited vendor opportunities. With better guidance from the state and a full year of people working under mask and social distancing rules, the board felt it was possible to return to a full fair.
“This was a tough decision, with positives and negatives on both sides of the vote. Outside of public safety, the most important item to consider was the financial impact of the pandemic and the restrictions on the fair,” said OCAS Board President Sherri Kleinhans. “We are confident we can put on most fair events while following the state’s health orders. With sponsorship and public support, entertainment events can be financially viable. Many of our events are outdoors, and we feel the community is looking for activities they can do as families and to be supportive to the community.”
The OCAS looks forward to providing this opportunity to the community and requests the public follows the state health orders when in attendance, Kleinhans added.
For more info, visit ottawacountyfair.org and the Ottawa County Fair Facebook page.
Chicken BBQ
Ottawa County Republican Women’s Club 2nd Annual Chicken BBQ will be held Sunday, May 16 from 12-3 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 109 East Perry St., Port Clinton.
The meal includes a half chicken, baked potato, cole slaw, rolls and butter and dessert. The cost is $12. There will also be a baked sale and raffle. All proceeds go to state and local candidates.
Hearing set for
dissolving mental
health board
The Ottawa County commissioners will hold a virtual public hearing May 12 to discuss the withdrawal of the joint Mental Health and Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.
The commissioners are considering joining the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Sandusky & Wyandot Counties.
A plan for dissolving the Erie/Ottawa board calls for the dissolution to be completed by June 30 and for each county to form a new board or join an existing Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services Board by the same date.
Any cash balance or debt of the Erie/Ottawa board is to be proportionately divided between the two counties based on the 2020 property tax allocation.
The board will also form an oversight committee that will include one person appointed by each board of commissioners and one appointed jointly by the commissioners. The committee duties will include hiring staff to ensure contracts are fulfilled through Dec. 31, review and oversee the proper division of assets and ensure patients receive treatment until the dissolution date or Dec. 31, whichever comes first.
Anyone wanting to provide written comments to the Ottawa County commissioners may mail them to 315 Madison St., Room 100, Port Clinton, OH. 43452 or email them to rslauterbeck@co.ottawa.oh.us by May 11 at noon.
To access the meeting call 312-626-6799 mtg ID 3427603931# or use the zoom link at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3427603931.
Waterkeeper meeting
After cracking out of their shells, two or three tiny birds nestle into an area the size of a quarter. As they grow, their nest, woven mostly out of old spider webs, accommodates by stretching.
The life and times of the hummingbird and other back-yard favorites, as well as how to attract them, will be discussed at 7 p.m. May 13, at the monthly meeting of Lake Erie Waterkeeper, held virtually.
Speaking and answering questions will be Bernie Place, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited on Monroe Street, in Toledo. Orioles, due to last May’s cool temperatures, nested in northwest Ohio, in larger numbers than usual, said Place.
More than 50 million people in the United States feed the birds, which gives humans joy and stress relief, he said. The hobby is second only to gardening in popularity, and both activities grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
Also speaking will be Sandy Bihn, president of LEW. She will explain how harmful algae blooms began blanketing Western Lake Erie 25 years ago, why they continue to do so, and what can be done to end the pollution.
LEW is a citizens' advocacy group working to clean Lake Erie of the annual algae scourge that disrupts boating, fishing, swimming, and can poison drinking water. The meeting’s Zoom access code is at www.lakeeriewaterkeeper.org.