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Moss on the Rock
30+ Year Old World Record No More
The Guinness World Record for the longest bar in the world held by Put-in-Bay’s Beer Barrel Saloon for more than 30 years is no more. The Humble Baron, an on-site restaurant and music venue, at the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, south of Nashville set the new record with a 518-foot long bar. The Beer Barrel’s bar is 405 feet long.
Calling All Vendors!
Don’t miss the chance to be a part of the 49th Founder’s Day at Put-in-Bay! Join us on June 10th and showcase your goods to thousands of visitors on the island. From artwork to handmade crafts and unique items, we welcome all types of vendors to be a part of this annual celebration. Get your business noticed and connect with potential customers at this exciting event. For more information on how to become a vendor, visit https://www.visitputinbay.com and fill out the vendor application. We can’t wait to see you there!
EMT Graduation Ceremony
The Put-In-Bay EMS will hold a brief graduation ceremony for Nate Jones, Lucas Guy and Bree Reynolds on Tuesday, May 9th, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the EMS facility These young men recently completed EMT school and will be serving their community. Snacks and beverages will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Survivor Casting Call Coming to Put-in-Bay
Do you have what it takes to be the next SURVIVOR? Cleveland’s CBS 19 will be holding an open casting call for Survivor 47 and future seasons at The Boardwalk and The Keys on Put-in-Bay. Super Fans, First Timers, and everyone in between, please join us on Thursday, June 15th at either the Boardwalk or The Keys from 12-4 p.m. for your chance to be cast on this epic reality show!
Chamber Spring Member Meeting
Save the date for the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce’s first member meeting of 2023! It’s on May 15th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club. The Chamber has only two member meetings per year, so please try your best to attend.. Plans for 2023 including events, the 2023 marketing campaign and more will be shared. Be sure to save the date for their fall meeting on October 16th, too.
Congratulations
PIB School science teacher Missi Kowalski reports three of her students recently received the highest rating possible, “Superior,” and two more got the next highest rating of “Excellent” for their State Science Fair projects. Having five students make it to State is amazing for any school, let alone one as tiny as PIB. Missi says she couldn’t be more proud of all their accomplishments this year!
Nature’s Nursery Program
Nature’s Nursery will be at the Put-in-Bay Town Hall on Wednesday, May 10th, at 3:15 p.m. to have a program for the public with critters from their Wildlife Rehabilitation Center located in Whitehouse, Ohio. This program is sponsored by the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, Lake Erie Islands Conservancy and the Miller Boat Line. Come on out and learn more about Ohio’s wildlife!
Camping Discount
Ohioans age 60 or older and Ohio residents age 18-59 with a disability are eligible for the Golden Buckeye Card. You get 50% off camping fees Sunday through Thursday and 10% off camping fees Friday and Saturday at Ohio State Parks including the ones on the islands. To request a card please visit https://aging.ohio.gov.
USS Cleveland (LCS31)
On April 15th, the USS Cleveland (LCS31), a Littoral Combat Class Navy vessel, was christened in a ceremony in Marinette, Wisconsin. When work on the ship is completed, it will be coming through the Great Lakes and pass by the Lake Erie Islands.
PIBPOA Meeting Set for May 20th
The Put-in-Bay Property Owners Association will hold its first meeting of the year on Saturday, May 20th, at 10 a.m. at the Senior Center. They plan to have Peter Huston from the Great Lakes Island Alliance, Wendy Chambers from the PIB Chamber of Commerce and Shea McGrew from the Ottawa County Community Foundation as speakers. Plans for our June meeting include hosting representatives from the township and village to discuss policing on the island. Please check the Put-In-Bay Property Owners Association Facebook page or the the group’s website, PIBPOA.com for the more information. By being a member of PIBPOA, you will have a voice on island issues and be kept informed of the latest news, meetings, and events.
Set Your Timer for Pyrate Fest XV (June 23-25)
Ahoy, land lubbers! Pyrate Fest XV is anchorin’ at Put-in-Bay, promisin’ a swashbucklin’ good time for the whole crew! Come and enjoy a weekend full of pirate antics, mermaid sightings and booming cannons in the downtown park. Embrace your inner buccaneer, don your finest pirate attire, and partake in lively demonstrations, a kids’ treasure hunt, and more! New this year, set sail aboard the majestic Lettie G. Howard tall ship for a day of adventure on the high seas. Chart your course to Pyrate Fest XV and discover the thrilling treasures of Put-in-Bay! If you are interested in vendor registration information, please contact coordinator@visitputinbay.com. Each event has a dedicated form for vendors, so it’s a pretty easy process.
Ohio’s Island Wine Festival (June 17th)
For those who love wine, there’s a new event in June. It’s Ohio’s Island Wine Festival on Saturday, June 17th, at Heineman Winery. Savor the flavors from the local vines, plus selections from other Ohio wineries. Wine Festival! Delight in local and regional wines at the historic Heineman’s Winery. Explore the Crystal Cave and learn about wine making from the Heineman Winery vintners. Raise a glass and indulge in an unforgettable day of wine and island charm. We’ll have more info in June’s issue about the event.
PIB Parks Among Grant Recipients
One of the recipients of a Competitive Funding Grant (CFG) through the Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Solid Waste Management District was announced at the April 12 Board of Directors meeting. The Put-in-Bay Township Park District requested $4,760 for a project to provide additional waste containers for the new preserves on Put-in-Bay-Morrison and Duff Woods. The containers would be made of 100% recycled plastic. The program was created to provide funding to local governments, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations for solid waste programs. The deadline for the next group of grants is June 30th.
Thank You!
Thank you to the sponsors for this year’s Lake Erie Islands Browns Backer’s Draft Day 5K race that took place on the island on April 30th…….Century 21 Bolte Real Estate, Checker Cab, It’s Your Race, Joe’s Bar, Mr. Ed’s Bar, Maumee Valley Movers, NSS Life Family Matters, Topsy Turvey’s, Boardwalk Family Businesses, Bolte Insurance, Fish Bowl, Goat Soup and Whiskey, Heineman’s Winery, Island Club Rentals, Put-in-Bay Gazette, Ashley’s Island House, Bird’s Nest, C. Edwards, Inc., First National Bank, Island Air, Island General Store, Margarita’s on the Rock, Miller Boat Line, Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center, Pro Class Construction, Put-in-Bay Cameo’s Pizza, Put-in-Bay Daily, Put-in-Bay Brewery Company, Put-in-Bay Watercraft Rentals, Put-in-Bay Winery, Put-in-Bay Yacht Club, The Sand Bar and the Shuttleworth Family.
Swim/Sail Info
The Put-in-Bay Community Swim/Sail Program Board and Program Director Colleen Mooney have been working hard this winter to get the program ready for the 2023 Season. See the PIBCSS ad on page 16 in this issue for registration info. The PIBCSS Program is currently seeking highly motivated and experienced sailing instructors to round out its team for this summer. If you know of anyone who might be interested in spending part of their summer on the island, call or text Melissa Fiorilli at 216-644-7017 or email pibswimsail@gmail.com.
Pride at Put-in-Bay (June 12)
Celebrate love and unity at Put-in-Bay’s first ever Pride event, where everyone is welcome! Join us for a vibrant day filled with laughter, color and good vibes. Kick off the festivities with a 10 a.m. fun-filled Color Run, then make a splash at the Sand Bar Pool Party from noon to 3 p.m. Get ready for a night of giggles and anticipation at the Boathouse Comedy Show (5 to 6:30 p.m.) with guest comedians Molly Kearney from SNL and Carly Kane, followed by a dazzling parade at 8 p.m. featuring antique cars and fabulous drag queens. Cap off the night with the legendary Drag Show at the Round House Bar at 9 p.m. with special guest “Sushi” from Key West. Put-in-Bay Pride promotes a safe, inclusive and family-friendly (during non 21+ events) atmosphere for the entire LGBTQ+ community and allies. Join us for a day of celebration and joy!
Ottawa County Grand jury issues indictments
After a recent session of the Ottawa County Grand Jury, indictments were returned against two individuals involving incidents involving Put-in-Bay according to Prosecuting Attorney James VanEerten. Jaiya Murphy, Toledo, was charged with one felony count of possession of drugs, after agents of the Ohio Investigative Unit allegedly found her in possession of methamphetamine last summer on Put-in-Bay. Darius Bowles, Eaton, Ohio, was charged with one felony count of trafficking in drugs, after agents of the Ohio Investigative Unit allegedly found him in possession of marijuana that was packaged for distribution last summer at Put-in-Bay.
Don’t Get Mixed Up!
We found these on the Internet recently. “Bob Gatewood, Reel Bar, Kelleys Island, May 20 2023 | AllEvents.in Bob Gatewood Hosted By Bob Gatewood Songs and Shows. Event starts on Saturday, 20 May 2023 and happening at Reel Bar, Kelleys Island, OH.” and “AllEvents.in THE ANTONES | PUT-IN-BAY Hosted By Adam Vasquez. Event starts on Friday, 28 April 2023 and happening at The Beer Barrel Saloon, Kelleys Island. ”We all know the Reel Bar and the Beer Barrel are on good old Put-in-Bay, but apparently others don’t. Make sure you don’t get Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay mixed up.
Jet Express Island-Hopping Day Passes
By popular demand, the Jet Express, the high speed ferry that serves Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island and Cedar Point, has added Island-Hopping Day Passes to its ferry service! With this one pass, you gain access to unlimited trips to any Jet Express location for an entire day! The pass is perfect for anyone looking to pack as much island exploration into their vacation as they can! They’re available now! Find them at Jet-Express.com.
Joe Blumensaadt Competes In NW Ohio All-star E-sports
PIB High School junior Joe Blumensaadt was one of five players selected from the Northwest Ohio E-sports Region to participate in the Spring 2023 E-Sports Allstar Competition last month. Joe, who started playing video games as a young child, was chosen by an E-sports coaches poll as one of twenty top players in the state.
Where are they now?
David Mettler, PIBHS Class of 1985, retired from The Ohio State University’s maintenance staff and now lives in the Florida Panhandle where he works as a part-time TSA agent at the airport outside of Destin.
Tina Fastzkie Brown, PIBHS Class of 1977, and her husband Richie are taking time out from their business in Sandusky and are at the halfway mark on their “trip of a lifetime” on their Grand Banks trawler doing the “Loop” (through the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi, around the tip of Florida, up the Atlantic coast and then back into the Great Lakes).
Island Articles
Here are some island articles from the past month, including a great hit from MSN and two from World Atlas, from Katrina Reed at Miller Boat Line.
Ohio’s Most Charming Beach Towns – World Atlas
10 Best Lake Towns in the United States – MSN
Middle Bass Island – Long Weekends
13 Best Small Towns In Ohio For A Weekend Escape – World Atlas
Great Lakes Islands Alliance aims to advocate for residents across the islands – The Helm Sandusky
Families Invited To Reunion In July
If your family can trace their ancestry back to the Fuchs, Ohlemacher, Stoehr, Dodge, Gump, Parker, Heineman, Schnoor and Traverso island families, you and any close family friends are invited to a reunion and celebration of life at Heineman Winery Wine Garden on Wednesday, July 19th, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Check out the ad on page 13 of this issue for complete details.
Mark Your Calendars
The Mother of Sorrows sponsored Bingo night will be starting on Wednesday, June 14th at 8:00 p.m., in the Town Hall.
Bingo will be held every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. thru at least August 9th.
Bingo night is a great time for the whole family to be together and have fun.
All are welcome and when you come bring a friend.
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.
