Moss on the Rock
Gora Goes Virtual with Island History
The Stewardship Network’s guest speaker this past December 9th was Mike Gora from Middle Bass. Mike gave an hour-long virtual presentation about the islands in Lake Erie that was extremely interesting. Mike is a long-time summer resident of Middle Bass Island and its historian for the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society at Put-in-Bay. Mike enjoys writing about local history and finding buried facts and stories. His most recent book, “Early Adventures at Put-in-Bay…” provides new evidence that the original Put-in-Bay harbor in the 18th century was probably today’s Burgundy Bay between Middle Bass and Sugar Islands. Mike also runs the Middle Bass Island website at www.middlebass.org.
Stone Lab Update
Stone Lab Director Dr. Chris Winslow recently announced some program updates, including news about the expansion of Stone Lab’s South Bass Island research laboratory. The first phase will begin with an array of mesocosms being installed next spring adjacent to the historic Put-in-Bay State Fish Hatchery.
The first project will likely test uptake rates of the algal toxin microcystin into sport fish at various concentrations to help determine the risk of consuming fish during Harmful Algal Blooms. If you’re not familiar with what a mesocosm is, it is any outdoor experimental system that examines the natural environment under controlled conditions. In this way mesocosm studies provide a link between field surveys and highly controlled laboratory experiments.
Monarch Sign Taken
Jackie Taylor was shocked to learn that someone stole the Monarch Island sign on Kelleys Island! This sign was on the corner of Monaghan and Hamilton! She is working on a replacement, which will cost $150.
Music Festival in Key West Cancelled
The 17th Annual Put-in-Bay Music Festival at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, which was to be held in February, 2021, has been cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19. Will the 2022 festival still be the 17th Annual…or the 18th Annual (minus one)?
Happy to be Back
Annie Parker is back on the island after spending several weeks going through rehab at Edgewood Manor in Port Clinton. She broke her femur when she tripped over a bedspread and had to be Life Flighted off the island. When she came home to Put-in-Bay, her daughter Connie from Oregon, OH was with her much of the time. Connie has cooked and frozen loads of delectable foods for her to nuke, plus has supplied her with home- canned peaches for dessert. Daughter Marsha, who lives on the island, spends time with her and does the laundry, lots of vacuuming and other cleaning chores. Sons Matt, Ben, Roger and DJ have all pitched in to help her. Now she is walking throughout the first floor of the house, spatial distancing and hibernating until Covid is gone.
Put-in-Bay EMS
The township has recently upgraded their disinfection systems at the EMS facility to better serve the public and their crews. With the addition of a new electrostatic sprayer and UV lights in the EMS station HVAC system, they are continually working to keep their crews and patients healthy.
Social Media Clichés
We had a strange “friend request” on Facebook on Christmas Day. It was from a longtime former islander. There was only one problem, she passed away some months ago.
PIB Chamber of Commerce Looking for Executive Director
With Peter Huston’s retirement from the PIB Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber is beginning the search for a new Executive Director. For inquiries about the job, please direct your correspondence to: pibcctreasurer@visitputinbay.com or brian@visitputinbay.com
PIBYC Cancels Winter Doldrums
Put-in-Bay Yacht Club’s flag officers and board of directors are sorry to announce they cancelled the in-person Winter Doldrums event in Sandusky this month. More info will be coming out about their board meeting and town hall meeting that they typically hold that weekend. In the meantime, they wish everyone to stay healthy and have a Happy New Year.
PIB Vol. Fire Dept. Lights Up!
PIB firemen were out one night in December training with their newly upgraded aerial lights. Lighting the scene during calls is a real safety concern. From photos posted on the Internet, the bright lights really do their job.
Update on Ty Burgess
We want to all wish a speedy return to the island for Ty Burgess who is in rehab care/therapy at Edgewood Manor in Port Clinton. Ty can’t receive visitors due to Covid concerns, but if you’d like to send him a note or card I’m sure he’d enjoy receiving them.
Ty Burgess
C/O Edgewood Manor
1330 Fulton St., Room 303
Port Clinton, OH 43452
Beavers on Kelleys Island
There is much evidence that beavers have come to Kelleys Island. They’ve felled several big trees by the State Park Beach. We’ve also had a report about a beaver on Middle Bass, but have not yet confirmed it.
Nature & Wildlife Center Addition Complete
The building addition at the Nature & Wildlife Center is complete! Thanks to everyone who supported the center in this expansion; it could not have been done without the islands’ amazing community! Workers at the center are now hard at work getting ready for the big reopening next season. New displays will include live animal exhibits, a geology display, a wildlife viewing window with a focus on native birds and plants, a new kids’ corner, and a mural on the back wall by Janet Stearns from Middle Bass! They cannot wait to reopen to the public to share the new space and be able to offer improved programming and education for the community and its visitors! 2021 is looking good for the Nature & Wildlife Center!
No Increase in Resort Tax in 2021
The State Legislature isn’t prepared to pass legislation that would raise the Resort Area Gross Receipt Tax. According to officials, the legislature is not interested in passing legislation that would include any increase in taxes.
Congrats!
Congratulations to John J. Briggle who has just published his sixth book titled “CREATION 101: A Study Guide of the Creation of the Earth, Universe, and Beyond,” available on Amazon.com. The name says it all about what the theme of the book is. Interestingly, he includes short insertions about Crystal and Perry Cave on South Bass Island, and the glacial slide on Kelleys Island.
Winter Delivery
The Forge is now offering delivery! Their entire espresso, food and bar menu is now just a click away. Visit theforgeputinbay.hrpos.heartland.us to see the available menu.
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 click here.
This piece of Put-in-Bay journalism has been provided to putinbayreservations.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!