1812 was both the topic and the venue as Ottawa County Historical Society members and guests gathered at the Island House’s 1812 Food and Spirits Dining Room for their annual spring meeting. 

War of 1812 scholar Louis Schultz of Sandusky and The Columbus Academy in Gahanna gave an informative presentation about the ‘Forgotten War,’ and displayed some of his extensive collection of related artifacts.  Schultz is the author of the current War of 1812 on the Ohio Frontier exhibit at The Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont.

Schultz related many examples of how misdirection and missed communications, coupled with treachery both foreign and domestic, added to the difficulty of fighting the War. The necessity of traversing the Great Black Swamp made it difficult to get troops where they needed to be and to find food for both animals and men.  When the battle of Lake Erie started,  Commodore Perry overcame his own strategic blunders to win the day, though Schultz said the Battle had no real impact on the war.  Although the British and Americans’ result was essentially a draw, it was the Native Americans who really suffered the greatest defeat, losing territory and influence. 

The Ottawa County Historical Society welcomes new members interested in their mission of discovering and preserving local history.  For information, visit www.thekeepershouse.org

On Tuesday, April 30,  three volunteers from the Ottawa County CASA program traveled with Connie Cornett, Executive Director, to Columbus to join with other CASA programs in the State of Ohio to celebrate CASA Day in Ohio. A reception was held in the Supreme Court building and the Honorable Justice Judith French was the host for the event. Rosalyn Barnhill, JoAnn Behlke, and Mary Hall, all dedicated volunteers in the Ottawa County program, listened to presentations from the Justice, the Ohio Attorney General’s office and the Office of Families and Children.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and these volunteers are trained to advocate for children that are abused or neglected. Volunteers investigate all there is to know about a child and then become the “voice” of that child in the courtroom. John Davis, president of the Youth Advisory Board, a group of young people aged 14-24 that have experienced foster care, expressed his appreciation for the CASA volunteer that has helped guide him to the success he is experiencing today.

Attorney General Mike DeWine has committed $2 million to the statewide Ohio CASA to grow the program throughout the state. During a year-long state wide listening sessions, these volunteers were found to be crucial in helping courts make decisions on the best interest of the children served according to a report released by the Attorney General’s office. Jennifer Justice, Director of the Office on Families and Children, stated that local job and family service offices need to work in conjunction with local CASA programs to serve the needs of the most vulnerable children in the state and that those agencies truly appreciate the commitment of the volunteers to the kids.

Ottawa County CASA is currently recruiting volunteers for a new class of CASAs.  Volunteer training is scheduled to begin soon, so if you have a few hours a month to give to a child in need please contact the CASA office at 419-301-0225 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

On Saturday, May 4,  Ottawa County residents may bring their old appliances and scrap metal for recycling.to the Ottawa County Fairgrounds at Ohio 163, Oak Harbor, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Items accepted include washing machines, dryers, ovens, stoves, hot water heaters, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, dehumidifiers, furnaces, air conditioners, water fountains, etc. Items made of steel, such as grills, lawn mowers, and propane tanks will also be accepted. Televisions, computers, computers and electronics will not be accepted at this collection. This collection is free to all Ottawa County residents and appliances with CFC’s (Freon) will be accepted. All of these items will be taken to a scrap metal yard.

For general recycling information, District recycling collections or sponsored events log onto the OSS Solid Waste District’s website at www.recycleoss.org or on Facebook.

On Tuesday, May 7, the spring primary election will be held. In the city of Port Clinton there are two contested offices. Democratic candidates for City Council Ward 1 are Ronald D. Aukerman (incumbent) and Karen A. O’Keefe. Democratic candidates for City Council Ward 4 are Gary Philabaum and Gabe Below.

The information sent with the water bills was inaccurate.  The voting locations for the election are:

For wards 1A and 1B, Bataan Memorial Elementary School, 565 W. Sixth Street.

For 4A and 4B, Ottawa County Health Department in the City County Complex, 1856 East Perry.