Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial will host a “Mock Redeclaration of War” at 11 a.m. Monday, June 18, to kick off the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. The Memorial is also hosting a series of free activities highlighting this important historic anniversary, said Memorial Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky.
On June 18, 1812, “an act declaring war between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Dependencies thereof and the United States of America and Their Territories” was approved by the Senate and the House of Representative of the United States of America.   “With the assistance of modern technology, on Monday, June 18, 2012, we will conduct a ‘mock redeclaration of war’ between our sister park, Signal Hill National Historic Site in Newfoundland, Canada, and Perry’s Victory marking the 200th Anniversary of the start of the War of 1812,” said Stransky.

In preparation for the fifth annual Catawba-Marblehead Parade of Homes, the annual Kickoff Party will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 5, at Crow’s Nest on Ohio 269 north of Ohio 163 in Danbury Township. The event will be a wine tasting featuring many local and international wines as well as heavy hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at The Beacon, Minuteman Press, Crow’s Nest, Mon Ami, Crabby Joes and Salvation Army, the beneficiary of the fundraiser. Pictured here are the principal organizers: John Schaffner (left), publisher of The Beacon; Jennifer Bailey, manager at Crow's Nest; and Maureen Saponari, director of the Salvation Army in Ottawa County.

The Port Clinton Women’s Club’s annual Arts and Crafts Show will be held on Sunday,
July 8, at Lakeview Park in Port Clinton. The show will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m.
A variety of artists and crafters will be participating the 29th annual show, with many unique items for sale. Some of the crafts on display include woodworking, ceramics, baskets, candles, jewelry and watercolor paintings. The Ottawa County Humane Society and Safe Schnauzer Rescue will also be on hand for those interested in giving a pet a home.

Club Red’s sixth annual “Sherry & Chocolates” event was hosted recently by the club’s founder, Cindy Amerine, at “Love on the Rocks,” the lovely home of Kim and Liz Skrinak of Catawba Island. The annual membership drive featured not only a home tour, but also speakers who shared information about Club Red and its mission to educate the public of the many Red Cross programs and services offered locally and across the country.  
Special guest, vocalist Carmen Miller, entertained the 75 women present with her fabulous rendition of “I Have Nothing.” Miller will be joined by local piano man Greg Fox during the cocktail hour of this year’s Club Red gala, “Black & White with a Splash of Red” to be held on Friday, July 20, in the Catawba Island Club Pavilion.  Tickets are on sale now for what is sure to be another sold-out Club Red affair. Ticket requests may be made by contacting this year’s ticket chairwoman, Marian Tavtigian, at 419-797-4151or the American Red Cross, 419-734-1100.

Rep. Randy Gardner’s efforts to fight Lake Erie algae problems received a major boost Monday when Gov. John Kasich signed legislation that includes Gardner’s $3 million Healthy Lake Erie Fund.
“I’m pleased to have Governor Kasich’s support for the Healthy Lake Erie Fund, and to have bipartisan backing to begin to attack this environmental and economic challenge facing our region,” Gardner said. 
There has been growing concern by travel and tourism-related businesses that the worsening algae problem in Lake Erie is impacting the region’s economy and forcing higher unemployment.