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Volume 29 Number 42
www.thebeacon.net
Thursday, December 1, 2011
First responders ready to face off Plans under way for Emergency Service Olympics Why wait until July to watch the Olympics from London when members of the Port Clinton area emergency services will be competing in their own special athletic competition in January? According to event organizer and Port Clinton City Councilman Mike Snider, the first Emergency Services Olympics was a huge success. “Spending time with the area’s bravest and finest I learned that even though they often cross paths at the scene of an emer-
gency, in many cases there were members of the Police Department that didn’t know the names of the members of the Fire Department and vice-versa,” Snider said. “When you think about it, a car crash or house fire isn’t necessarily a place for social courtliness. So, when I took this idea to then Police Chief Blohm and Fire Chief Johnson I had two goals in mind — have fun and get better acquainted with other members of the area’s emergency services. I believe we accomplished that and
more which has led to greater communication and flow of information on and off an emergency scene.” The second annual Emergency Services Olympics is a nine-event challenge pitting members of the Port Clinton Police Department, Ottawa County Sheriff ’s Office, State Highway Patrol and other area law enforcement agencies against members of the Port Clinton Fire Department and
BEACON FILE PHOTO
The fire, EMS and police departments faced off at Harbor Lanes in See OLYMPICS 2A January for the first area Emergency Service Olympics.
TREE A RAMA
More than just decor at charity auction The Salvation Army will present the eighth annual Tree A Rama Charity Auction at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at Mon Ami Restaurant and Winery. Besides wreaths, centerpieces and trees, there are some impressive auction items up for bid. Newport Dry Goods has donated the grand package worth $1,500: four-hour service in Richie’s Limousine for up to 22 people for a wine tasting at Firelands Wintery, cocktail party and hors d’oeuvres by Creative Cuisine, a $200 gift certificate from Newport and special VIP discounts and shopping hours at the store. Other items include 2012 Season Pass for The Jet Express, a $200 gift certificate from South Shore Marine, bikes, manicure, spa packages, passes to Put-in-Bay on the Miller Ferry, Monsoon Lagoon passes, passes to Bay Point, $350 Tony Packos basket, facial, massage packages, Jacuzzi suite, weekend package from Erie Island Resort, boat dock at Catawba Landings and passes at The Great Wolfe Lodge. All proceeds go to the Salvation Army’s toy program, serving more than 1,900 children last year with more than 6,000 toys. The silent auction starts at 2 p.m. with a regular auction kicking off at 4 p.m. To donate a tree, centerpiece, wreath or gift package, or for information, call The Salvation Army at 419-732-2769 and speak with Director Maureen Saponari.
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING FEAST Volunteers gathered at Trinity United Methodist Church in Port Clinton last week to serve up the annual Port Clinton Area Community Thanksgiving Day Feast.
By JOHN SCHAFFNER
Tell Tales
Spread the warmth with Mitten Tree donation The Beacon’s annual Mitten Tree is beginning to fill up with Christmas decorations. Every year for the past 25 years (at least), we have collected gloves, mittens, scarves, hats and anything else we can fit on our tree to help keep needy heads, hands and hearts warm this winter. The Holiday Bureau will pick them up in early December for distribution. So, please bring contributions to the Mitten Tree to our office in the Beacon Place Business Center on Ohio 53 near the Goodwill Store. nnn
Ryan Francis, the brother of local Chiropractor Dr. Kevin
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Francis, is in the military in Afghanistan. He is training Afghan troops there. He tells us that the Afghan soldiers are in need of clean socks, underwear and T-shirts. They are only issued one per person. They are also required to provide their own footwear. So, Dr. Francis has set up a collection box at his office at 122 W. Second St. in downtown Port Clinton across from the Post Office. nnn
Hubert Mussehl was selected as our “Find Wylie” winner this week. He found our friendly fish hiding in the ad for Sweet Home Eatery on n
OTTAWA COUNTY 4A
page 6A last week. Hubert wins a $20 gift card from Friendship Food Stores. We’ve hidden Wylie again this week. If you find him, just drop off an entry form at our office in the Beacon Place Business Center, or hit the Find Wylie icon at www.thebeacon. net. nnn
The Christmas Parade sponsored by the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Port Clinton is Saturday at Noon. A Doggie Costume Contest is on the agenda and registration for decorated pooches starts after the parade in front of The Island House. A n
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donation to the Humane Society of Ottawa County is all that is required to show off your canine family member for the holidays. The winner gets a trophy and other “goodies.” nnn
And while you are downtown and doing a little shopping, Cathy Allen and friends will be wrapping gifts at the Ottawa County Museum on West Third Street from noon to 5 p.m. The cost is a donation to the museum. There will be homemade cookies, cocoa and tea and guest may visit the museum while their gifts are being wrapped. Donations of gift wrap and rib-
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The Marblehead Volunteer Fire Department is having its annual Children’s Christmas Party from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Station on Main Street. Santa will be there plus they will have games, cookies and punch. nnn
There will be a Conestoga Neighborhood meeting and potluck in Port Clinton from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Sutton Center. Everyone is
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CATAWBA MINI STORAGE Hours: 8:00 - 4:30 Monday - Friday
bons are also welcome. For nformation, call Museum Curator Peggy Debien at 419-732-1039.
4789 E. Muggy Rd. Port Clinton, OH
www.catawbaministorage.com
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