The following 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.
Moss on the Rock
Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce Supports Mask Wearing
Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce announces the following statement: “We join Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands, and others in Ohio to do our part by wearing masks and promoting social distancing. By following these guidelines, we can all help keep Ohio and our island a safe place to visit, live and work.”
Cardinals Release Braswell
At the end of June, former Youngstown State wide receiver Jermiah Braswell drove an orange Camaro off a seawall and into the lake at the end of Conlan Road. He was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Braswell was to be a rookie this coming season with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. He was immediately cut from the team’s roster. We have to add, Braswell took responsibility for the incident and returned to the island shortly after the incident to apologize to the property owners, Dave and Sheri Murphy, where the incident took place. Sheri later posted that she and Dave were impressed that he was brave enough to “face the music.”
Heat Is Driving Warmer Temperatures in Great Lakes
Lake Erie has broken record high water temperatures over the past few weeks. Water temperatures in the Great Lakes are running 6 to 11 degrees above average right now, setting records for mid-July on lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. The warmer water could spawn waterspouts and toxic algae blooms. Record warm water is in place on four of five Great Lakes with some water temperatures flirting with 80 degrees. Persistent summer heat and light winds have allowed the lakes to heat up and this might lead to more lake-effect snow later in fall and winter.
2020 Census Update
Do you have a building or house that was unoccupied on April 1st? Maybe your summer house? The online form doesn’t deal with that. You have to CALL IN and speak to a representative. Just a few questions. With so many rental and seasonal uses and businesses on the Island, the Census Bureau needs to get them all counted. It really DOES affect the benefits the islands get. Call in your season or rental houses: 1-844-330-2020.
New Presbyteral Moderator at Mother of Sorrows
The Very Reverend Jeffrey R. McBeth was recently appointed Presbyteral Moderator for the Mother of Sorrows Parish at Put-in-Bay and Saint Michael the Archangel Parish on Kelleys Island. The appointment was effective July 1st. This appointment is in addition to Father McBeth’s current responsibilities of Pastor, Saint Peter Parish, Huron and Dean of the Our Lady of the Lake Deanery.
Are you an Out-of-State Fisherman Staying on the Islands?
Ohio has announced that out-of-state anglers coming to fish for Lake Erie walleye must quarantine for 14 days at a home or hotel if they’re coming from states reporting positive Covid-19 testing rates of 15 percent or higher. Those states right now are Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina and Texas.
Four Liquor Permit Holders Cited
Four Put-in-Bay liquor permit holders were cited in July for violating the Ohio Department of Health’s coronavirus safety protocols. All four were accused of “creating a condition that creates a risk of illness,” but the county health department has not cited any businesses on Put-in-Bay for safety violations. Believe it or not, but one of the bars was cited for two six-man teams to play volleyball on their outdoor court. The agent told them they could only have five-man teams play.
Wear Your Seatbelt
One of the biggest problems at Put-in-Bay is people not wearing their seatbelt when riding in golf carts. Again this month, we heard of several falls off carts. Injuries were involved. Like elsewhere in Ohio and the rest of the world, the pavement is hard at Put-in-Bay. Stay buckled in and don’t let your driver drive carelessly.
No Jet Service to Kelleys Island & Sandusky
Early last month, it was announced that due to Covid-19 concerns and high water conditions at the dock in Sandusky, service to and from Kelleys Island, Cedar Point and Sandusky will not take place this season. Service will continue between Port Clinton and Put-in-Bay.
Nearly One Mile of Piping
Did you know that Miller Boat Line’s new ferry, Mary Ann Market, now under construction, has nearly one mile of piping in her?! Pipe is needed for fuel, hydraulics (ramps, steering, thruster), compressed air, sanitary and potable water, bilge, ballast, firemains, sprinklers, lube oil, fills/vents, engine cooling, shaft cooling, drains, exhaust and handrails.
The Weekend Formerly Known as Christmas in July
Unlike some of the previous years, Saturday, July 25th, was a pretty uneventful day at Put-in-Bay. Christmas in July is officially an event of the past. However, we did notice a few people still dressed up in their Christmas garb. Pasquale’s even decorated their building with some holiday spirit. We can only help to think Teri Winchester would be smiling knowing some still have the Christmas spirit.
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!
