Our Mitten Tree is now up and ready to accept decorations. Every year for the past 25 years (at least), we have collected gloves, mittens, scarves, hats and anything else we can fit on our tree to help keep needy heads, hands and hearts warm this winter. The Holiday Bureau will pick them up in early December for distribution. So, please bring in your contributions to our Mitten Tree to our office in the Beacon Place Business Center on Ohio 53 near the Goodwill Store.

First of all, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a very Merry Christmas. This is always a fun time for me because of all the young people we have gotten to know over the years who return home for the holidays. It is always a big kick to say hello and catch up.

At last report, the Salvation Army was running a bit short on its goal of garnering $55,000 for this holiday season. So, Mayor Debbie Hymore-Tester rolled up her sleeves and challenged Toledo Mayor Mike Bell to a fundraising challenge. It takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. today (Thursday, Dec. 22) at Bassett’s Market! We already know that Mayor Bell raised $167 in two hours of ringing the bell. So, our challenge is to beat that with Mayor Debbie!

We did it — we broke the 400 mark for donations to our Mitten Tree! We collected 182 pairs of gloves and mittens, 130 hats and 101 scarves for a total of 413 items to help keep heads, hands and hearts warm this winter. The good folks at the Salvation Army picked up the last load last Friday so our tree is now empty. Once again, we had many hand-made items this year so there is no doubt that our donors really put a lot of time and heart into this wonder Christmas tradition. Thanks to one and all.

Tonight there will be a little bit more on the line when Port Clinton plays at Oak Harbor in boys’ basketball. There will be a special drawing during the second quarter and at halftime, some lucky contestant will have a chance to make a lay-up, a free throw, a 3-point shot and a half-court shot to win a free 2-year lease on a Ford Escape from Tri Motor Sales in Oak Harbor. If you get this on Wednesday or early Thursday, you might want to call Tri Motors to register at 1-800-336-2931.

The Beacon’s annual Mitten Tree is beginning to fill up with Christmas decorations. Every year for the past 25 years (at least), we have collected gloves, mittens, scarves, hats and anything else we can fit on our tree to help keep needy heads, hands and hearts warm this winter. The Holiday Bureau will pick them up in early December for distribution. So, please bring contributions to the Mitten Tree to our office in the Beacon Place Business Center on Ohio 53 near the Goodwill Store.

Ryan Francis, the brother of local Chiropractor Dr. Kevin Francis, is in the military in Afghanistan. He is training Afghan troops there. He tells us that the Afghan soldiers are in need of clean socks, underwear and T-shirts. They are only issued one per person. They are also required to provide their own footwear. So, Dr. Francis has set up a collection box at his office at 122 W. Second St. in downtown Port Clinton across from the Post Office.