Ottawa County CASA and Joyful Connections are teaming up to host The Amazing Island Raise, Put-In-Bay style, on June 15. This is for all of the Amazing Race fans out there that want to solve clues, complete challenges and win great prizes while enjoying the fun and sun of Put–In-Bay.

Teams of 4-6 adults will race against one another to see who has what it takes to be an Amazing Race champion. Teams will ride the Miller Ferry to the Island where the clues and challenges will take place. Once the winner has been declared, the teams can remain on the Island to enjoy the rest of the day and return on the ferry when they are finished.  The entry fee of $30 per person will cover the cost of transportation to the island as well as a team t-shirt. The fun will begin at 11 a.m. and the group will depart for Put-in-Bay at noon.

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. .