News July 2021

Put-in-Bay News July 2021

Put-in-Bay Piratefest A Success

Hold Fast! Put-in-Bay Pirate Fest returned to the shores of Put-in-Bay for three days of adventure, fun, and entertainment. The thirteenth annual island event kicked off Friday evening, June 25th, with the launch of the Pyrate Pub Crawl sponsored by Malibu Rum. The rain did its best to wash the day away but this popular event saw over 100 seafaring Pirates brave the storms to visit some of the favorite Put-in-Bay Bars. Many even braved the weather to officially open the event during the flag-raising.

Also on Friday, Rudy and the Island Girl of WPIB broadcast live from Heineman Winery to a new record of over 12,000 listeners! Saturday brought plenty of sunshine, boatloads of visitors, and Pyrates of all ages to the island. De- Rivera Park was filled from end to end with events, entertainers, and good times. The sunshine made for a great backdrop as cannons rang out, laughter filled the air, and the streets came alive with the classic Pirate call Aarrrrg!

Bob Gilmore’s crew had cannons on display, plenty of reenactors showed visitors what daily life was like, vendors sold their Pirate goods, and mermaids even made an appearance. Sunday was the annual Pirate Fest Kids Day. This year Captain Jack Sparrow and his Krew helped kids talk like a real Pirate, learn to wield a sword, and even swore some young Pirates in training into his Krew. Not to mention kids could design, make, and keep their very own Pirate Flag!

The day came to an end as kids stormed the Park in search of treasure during a real treasure hunt. Alas, the sun has set on this year’s event, but fear not, Pirate Fest XIV is already in the works for 2022. Be sure to save next June 24th to the 26th on your calendar and come be a part of our Krew. Piratefest continues to be one of the most popular Put-in-Bay Events! Until then, remember to always be yourself. Unless you can be a Pirate. Then, always be a Pirate! Check out the Diary June 2021 for more info!

Fly The Ford Tri-Motor! Take a Flight Back in Time!

Liberty Aviation Museum’s 1928 Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT “City of Wichita” / “City of Port Clinton” is scheduled to depart the Liberty Aviation Museum & Tin Goose Diner at the Port Clinton Airport for flight experiences at Put-in-Bay Airport for three days July 16th, 17th & 18th, 2021 (weather permitting)! Take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of flight in the world’s first mass-produced airliner! The flight usually lasts about 15 minutes with an additional 5 to 10 minutes on the ground.

Times for all dates will be between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are for an air tour around the island. All flights depart and return to the same location. Ticket prices are $77 per adult (walk-up rate), $72 advance online; children 17 & under $52 walkup/advance. Right seat upgrade may be available for $165 (restrictions do apply and may not be available at the Put-in-Bay tour stop). In addition, you can always upgrade your seat the day of the flight in the event that you are interested in the right seat. Right seats are not available for pre-bookings.

Five dollars from every seat sold during this tour stop will fund the THF’s Port Clinton Ford Tri-Motor Restoration at the Liberty Aviation
Museum Book your flight online at https://www.eaa.org/shop/ Flights/FlightRegistration.aspx call 1-800-359-6217, or by email flytheford@eaa.org. If you have any questions, call us at the Liberty Aviation Museum at (419)732-0234.

Put-in-Bay News July 2021 – Moss On The Rock

Island Green Week If you’re into the natural history of the islands, you won’t want to miss Island Green Week that runs August 7th through 15th. It’s a week filled with numerous “Green” events. There will be a detailed list of all the events in the August issue of the Put-in-Bay Gazette. Book early! Put-in-Bay Hotels are sure to be sold out for this week-long event!

Ship House Tours On Sunday, July 18th, between 1 and 4 p.m. there will be tours of the famous Benson Ford Ship House. Tours will cost $25 and are open to the public. Please check www.visitputinbay.org for more information.

Wine and Roses Tour On Wednesday, July 14th, at 3 p.m. the Put-in-Bay Garden Club’s Wine and Roses Tour will take place. Four local businesses will host, provide libations, small appetizers, and tips on how they keep their grounds and gardens looking spectacular. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED and space is limited. Contact Sheri Murphy at 419- 348-0383 for more information.

LEIHS Resale Shop The Resale Shop certainly appreciates all the items brought to the shop. However, they would appreciate it if donors would please call Marsha or Terri ahead of time before dropping items off. Sometimes they just don’t have enough room for everything. Thank you for your consideration. The number to call for dropoffs is 419-285-0097.

Support PIBCSS? There’s an easy way to support the Put-in-Bay Community Swim/Sail Program this month. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $20 each which gives you a chance to win a 2022 season ferry pass and a once-a-week round trip ticket for one vehicle from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The drawing will be held on July 10th.

Get Your Clambake Tickets! It’s never too early to think about reserving tickets to the Put-in-Bay Vol. Fire Department’s famous clambake dinner which
happens September 18th, from Noon to 5 p.m. In years past, this event has been sold out fast and by the day of the event. All reserved tickets must be picked up by 1 p.m. on the day of the event otherwise they will be resold. Call today and reserve tickets 419-285-7805 or even text those orders to 419-606- 5197. All proceeds raised will be going for upgrading equipment. Thank you in advance for the support.

Put-in-Bay Yacht Club New Member Reception Are you a new member at the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club? Have you been a member for years and want to come to celebrate with the Club’s new members and show them how great our club is? Join the fun at the New Member Reception on Saturday, July 3rd, at 10 a.m. at the clubhouse. Please RSVP if you’re planning to come.

New Full-Time Officer The Put-in-Bay Police Dept. is happy to welcome Michael Wheeler as a new full-time Sergeant. Sgt. Wheeler brings almost 20 years of law enforcement experience to the department. He has been a SWAT and field training officer as well as a supervisor with his previous department.

It’s All About Mayflies There’s a podcast called North Coast Chronicles, part of the Coastal News Today produced by one of the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy members Helen Brohl. In a recent session, there’s an interview with Conservancy member Dr. Carmen Trisler about burrowing mayflies – something we are all enjoying right now! We have seen the purple martins gorging on mayflies and feeding their young mayflies in the nest thanks to a nest box camera from Dave Marshall on the West Shore.

The turtles in the new indoor pond at the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center also enjoy mayfly snacks!  take a listen to the interview at mayflies! Thanks, Helen, Carmen, and their sponsors, the Middle Bass Dock Company and Miller Boat Line!

Combining Forces Howard Hanna real estate agents Lee Hisey on Middle Bass Island and Rudy Cooks on South Bass Island/Put-in-Bay are now working together to provide Howard Hanna’s powerful real estate marketing services to all of the Lake Erie Islands! Get the BEST marketing for your home from Ohio and our region’s largest brokerage! Contact Lee Hisey at 440-315-6000 or Rudy Cooks at 419-341-6376.

Road Closing FYI State Route 357 between Portsmouth and Pinky’s Pond will be closed for most of July.

Chan & Boo Stevens Leaving Put-in-Bay

Sayonara from Chan & Boo Stevens Like many newcomers, the Chan and Sally Stevens families arrived by boat in the late 1960s. They first stayed at the public docks when Chan’s Sea Scout Troop came with some of their “Navy,” which consisted of several boats that were donated after a want ad was placed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The pride of the fleet was Admiral Byrd’s barge used at the North and South Poles which had been converted into a 40-ft. cruiser. When the Crew’s Nest opened in the 1970s, the Stevens started docking there.

Around 1978, Sally, who would always take the ferry rather than ride Chan’s 42-ft. Matthews to the island, saw a house she liked, the first large house east of Perry’s Monument. They bought it and started restoration. The first floor had settled three inches and the second story and tower walls were just studs. Over the winter, a future island newspaper editor worked with them finishing the interior.

In 1983, Chan and Sally’s son, Chan Jr., began renting mopeds at the foot of the Doller Dock where the Boardwalk is today. In 1985, he added five Put-in-Bay golf cart rentals which along with Skip Duggan’s 15 carts, brought the total on the island to 20. “We are to blame for the start of the growth,” said Chan who was becoming more involved in his son’s company. “We are to blame because we started putting carts [that were available to rent] at the yacht club, hotels, marinas, and stores which then paid a commission on sales.”

Soon the businesses caught on and started renting their own carts. Chan even financed two other cart rental companies on the island, and so the flood of carts began. Chan, who was becoming more and more involved with the business, designed and built the first 6-passenger gas carts two years before Club Car and EZ-Go produced them. He did this by cutting a 4-passenger cart in two, lengthening the frame 37”, and then adding a seat. When the lease ran out at the Doller Dock about 1986, Chan, Jr. got 3/4 acres in the Village rezoned from Agricultural to Commercial, and Harbour Square was born. It was the first “shopping center” in the Lake Erie Islands.

It almost never happened because the architect filing the building permit in Columbus called it a “shopping center,” for which the state required 300 to 400 paved parking spaces, street lighting, fire lanes, and an 80-ft. Entrance. Chan Jr. met his wife on Put-in-Bay and they had several children in short order.

Not fitting into the housing at Harbour Square, they moved to Cincinnati. This meant the children left the business to the father, reversing the normal procedure. After Sally passed away in 2000, Chan’s second wife, Boo, came onto the scene a couple of years later. Even before his first marriage in his early dating days as a young man, Chan dated a divorcee who had one child.

Several decades later, Chan ended up marrying Boo, that child’s babysitter. Shortly after they were married, Chan suffered a heart attack and a five-way bypass, and they decided to cut back and sell Harbour Square. It only took several years and four sales before one owner stuck! Next came the carriage house on Chapman Rd. with rental apartments, cart sales, and a service garage.

Daughter-in-law Sue took over the rentals after Chan kept “double booking.” With health problems becoming more serious, Chan, aka Green Jeans, decided to sell and cut back. The carriage house sold in 2020 and the big house sold on June 23rd, 2021. The Stevens said “sayonara” and drove off the island at the end of June. Thanks to all for the friends, memories, and help over some 50 years. It’s been a good run!

News July 2021 Thank You(s)

Put-in-Bay Pooch Parade

I would like to thank the sponsors, volunteers, and participants who helped make this year’s Pooch Parade a great and fun event. Hope the pooches enjoyed the treats! Please patronize those businesses that support this worthwhile event, including The Crew’s Nest, Mossbacks, Miller Boat Line, Joe’s Bar, Surf Shop, Put-in-Bay Brewing Co., Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center, The Boardwalk, The Keys, Hooligans, The Carriage House, The Goat Soup & Whiskey, Island General Store, Tipper’s, Topsy Turvey’s, the Shirt Shack and Reel Bar.

They are the ones who make this event possible and the reason Put-in-Bay remains as one of the best places to visit after COVID 19. Thank you again and mark your calendars for the 2022 Pooch Parade for Saturday, June 11th. Thank you, Chairman Kathy North

Swim Sail Spaghetti Dinner

Special thanks to all the sponsors of this year’s Community Swim/Sail spaghetti dinner fundraiser: Ahoy Inn, The Boardwalk Family Restaurants, Cameo Pizza, Candy Bar, Chicken Patio, Dairy Isle, Gwena Market, Heineman’s Winery, Island Hardware – The Shops at Compass Pointe, Island Parasailing, J.F. Walleyes – Middle Bass Island, Jessica Dress, Jessie’s Jewelry, Joe’s Bar & Restaurant, Kayak the Bay, Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center,

Local Color, Lovella, Misty Bay Boutique, Paratus Air, Perry’s Cave – Family Fun Center, Put-in-Bay Surf Shop, Put-in-Bay Winery, Reel Bar, Relaxation at my Fingertips, The Round House Bar, Rudy Cooks – Howard Hanna, The Shirt Shack, South Bass Island Quilter – Jill Cooks, Susan Byrnes Photography, The Boathouse Bar & Grill – The Picnic Basket, The Goat Soup & Whiskey, Topsy Turvey’s, The Zerbey Family, Laureen Mooney, Family and Friends, and The Fiorilli Family. The event was a great success and again Brandy Marriott and Colleen Clark were the master chefs this year.

Put-in-Bay Beach Clean Up

Thanks go out to those who participated in the beach clean-up sponsored by Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory. The group removed eight pounds of trash from the shoreline along the north side of downtown Put-in-Bay. The most common items they found were plastic pieces at 111 pieces, followed by 73 foam pieces, 41 food wrappers, 37 cigarette butts, 28 straws, and 21 bottle caps.

This cleanup is the first of several more cleanups happening on the island as part of the Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory Talking with Our Tourists: A Marine Debris Awareness Initiative funded by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. The project is using signs, outreach events, a skip the straw campaign, and beach cleanups to educate island visitors about the harms of plastic pollution.

So far we have educated 3,500 people and removed 520 pounds of trash. The next cleanup will be July 7th from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the South Bass Island State Park Beach. Programs such as this help maintain the Put-in-Bay Beaches in mint condition.

Officials Brief Put-in-Bay Property Owners On Carts and Covid

At 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 19th, president Bob Smith welcomed sixty members of the Put-in-Bay Property Owners’ Association (PIBPOA) to the June meeting. He thanked Perry Cave for hosting the meeting at the Perry Cave Pavilion and announced that talks are ongoing with the Homeland Security Agency regarding a visit to their Port Clinton facility.

He then introduced Mayor Jessica Dress. She was pleased to note the recent openings of the Town Hall and Senior Center and praised the understaffed Village Dock and Bathhouse workers who are doing a great job. Her major problems are golf carts and crowd safety so she and the Village Council are reaching out to the business community for assistance. A 10 p.m. curfew for carts in the Village is under consideration. The depleted police force had 15 officers last year and six this year. One new officer has been hired.

Members suggested that the Put-in-Bay golf cart rentals should be more easily identified by number and rental agent, that more police presence is needed in the township, and that a special telephone number for reporting golf cart violations to the police should be created. Township Trustee Chris Cooper noted that an agreement has been signed to purchase property behind the EMS land so that additional storage can be created and traffic access to the site simplified. Ottawa County will widen and pave Catawba “from the Goat to Joe’s” in the Fall of 2021. Langram Road will be paved the following Fall. The Trustees have agreed to pay for more police protection in the township.

Changes in the cemeteries will include the replacement of pillars, fence repair, and the addition of a new mower which “will keep cut grass from around the headstones.” Erosion caused by storms and high water is a major problem throughout the Township, especially on Middle Bass. Repair costs of $1 million are partially offset by a $640,000 grant.

The fish gut collection box on Trenton remains problematic. Each time it is removed and cleaned it costs $2000. It has to be cleaned in hot weather to avoid the odor. There are no easy solutions since the mercury-containing fish guts cannot be freeze-dried or composted for
re-use as fertilizer. The EPA has similar regulations regarding the disposition of lawn waste that may contain dangerous herbicides.

Bob Smith then thanked Patrick Rogers for his considerable help in assisting the Ottawa County Health Department to fly to Put-in-Bay with the Covid-19 vaccine last January. Reporting for the EMS Patrick noted that 10 new EMTs have been hired and that blood draws, only by reservation, are now available. Life Flight membership applications are available at the office and are also being mailed out by St. Vincents. Responding to a question he said that Telemed connections with doctors “is in the works.” He noted that the care of island residents is the first priority of the EMS.

The last speaker, Police Chief Jim Kimble, sparked applause by announcing that the Police Department has selected AT&T to operate all police calls, including 911. The previous provider did not improve service and failed to build another cell tower. The recruiting reports are less cheerful. New recruits often leave police training academies with a $5000 tuition debt and are asked to provide their own uniforms and weapons. They receive minimum wages and face public hostility. So police forces nationwide are receiving fewer applications.

The Sylvania, Ohio chief expects 200 test takers for the police academy exam; this year he had six. The number of carts increases; the number of officers decreases. So the Chief has asked businesses to reduce the number of rental carts and has asked for help from the State Highway Patrol, the Sheriff, and Homeland Security. Good news? The Coast Guard has agreed to escort arrested people off the island and into the care of the Ottawa County Sheriff so our officers do not have to escort suspects to the mainland.

However, the island is no longer shielded from crime by the lake. Mark Hummer, the Sheriff of Lake Township and a long-time associate of Chief Kimble said “if it is happening on the mainland it is happening on the island.” Chief Kimble told a bizarre story of an apparent rehearsal of a drive-by shooting.

The apparent victim would not press charges after the would-be assassins were apprehended attempting to escape. They have been asked not to return. When asked what one single item the department most needed his immediate answer was “a ballistic shield!” This is a transparent shield-like device to protect officers attempting entry into a hostile building.

President Smith thanked the speakers and announced that the July Meeting would be on Saturday, the 24th, hopefully at the Senior Center at 10 a.m.

Great Lakes Islands Summit

The 5th Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Islands Alliance will be held here on the island from October 3rd to 6th, 2021 The Alliance is a group of people from numerous islands, both in the U.S. and Canada, in the Great Lakes who come together to discuss co as reported to news July 2021. Common interests, challenges, problems, and solutions. The summit will bring together 100+ island leaders including government officials, business and education leaders, and residents along with other island advocates to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with island living.

Any island residents are welcome to attend. The annual summit also serves as the member meeting of the Great Lakes Island Alliance (GLIA), a bi-national network of Great Lakes island communities. Be involved…Become a sponsor! By sponsoring this event you will help: Foster peer-to-peer connections between island communities Share innovative solutions to island-specific challenges.

Participants learn from each other by sharing tools and case studies on topics including tourism and economic development, cultural and historical preservation, workforce housing, and environmental conservation. For information on being a sponsor, donating an item, or sponsor a specific part of the conference like a keynote speaker, coffee breaks, or field trips, please direct inquiries to Peter Huston, Project Manager, Great Lakes Islands Alliance, GLIA@Stewardshipnetwork.org. Please consider sponsoring, supporting, or attending this worthwhile event.

Sunset Cruise

Cruise Around the Islands, A Put-in-Bay Ferry Jet Express sunset cruise will depart Port Clinton at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 15th, and
cruise past the Catawba shoreline, Marblehead, and the historic lighthouse…then continue on past the islands of Kelleys, Rattlesnake, Sugar, Green, and the Bass Islands before enjoying the sunset on the way back into Port Clinton.

The Jet will be traveling at high speed to reach the different points of interest and then slow down to enjoy the sights! Toft’s Ice Cream Parlor in Port Clinton will be providing everyone with one ice cream cup or cone of their choice during the cruise. The cost is $20 per person, kids 5 and under are free.

This truly unique cruise is sponsored by the Jet Express and benefiting the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce. Another cruise is also scheduled for Thursday, July 22nd, and will feature the Boardwalk’s famous lobster bisque. Tickets are $25. A great way to spend your vacation at Put-in-Bay!

News July 2021 Tidbits

DeRivera Park B-Dock dockmaster John Galvin got a call from a random person during the Memorial Day storm inquiring that since the ferries were shut down, would one of the boats on the Put-in-Bay Boat Docks come to get him because he had a hotel reservation. John is amazed he gets calls like this.

The aviary at the Butterfly House at Perry’s Cave is 4,000 sq. ft. It is one of the most popular Put-in-Bay Attractions. The word for butterfly in French is papillon and in German Schmetterling. Construction continues on the mesocosm facility and the new shop building at the Stone Lab facility on Peach Point! You can read more about these changes to the lab at https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu.

Irresponsible people driving rental carts in the middle of the night is becoming more and more of a problem. Early in June, Bobbi Dobos was minding her own business when a golf cart came crashing through the woods by her house. She heard crunching and popping as it hit trees and downed branches. She contacted the cart rental company to let them know to check over the cart for damage when it was returned.

Lack of help has been a problem this summer, and for the first time, we’ve seen restaurants close for one or two days a week to give their employees a break. Belated thanks go to Sandy Funtal and Brian Hovey who donated wildflower seeds to make plantable seed balls for the
May 9th Plant Sale at the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center.

The Jolly Roger Sailing Club hosted the 2021 AYC Carson Cup Regatta recently and PIBYC received the Ship Shape Award, Brooklyn Marriott and Ava Heineman placed 2nd place with their 420, plus got the Most Improved Award, and Jack Calfee won the Jr. Carson Cup.
We’re seeing more and more electric bikes on the island. It just might be the wave of the future!

Did you know there are 75 buoys in Put-in-Bay harbor that can accommodate up to 50-ft Boats, plus another six buoys accommodate 52-ft. To 100-ft. Vessels? Nick James tells us the Amphicars are planning on being at Put-in-Bay on Monday, July 26th.

Please consider sponsoring Boom on the Bay the Put-in-Bay fireworks show to be held on July 4th with a donation. If interested please contact Ty Winchester at tw@pasqualescafe.com or Kendra Koehler at 419-341-2725. The fireworks and barge are more expensive than ever and every little bit of support counts. Let’s entertain the community and visitors island style with a big bang boom!

It looks like work on the Monument seawalls will not begin this coming month as anticipated. Officials at the Monument tell us work will not begin until the spring of 2022. Thanks to Melissa Fiorelli who spearheaded the Put-in-Bay Community Swim/Sail Programs Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on June 18, 2021, at the yacht club. It was a fantastic fundraiser, plus there were lots of raffle prize winners!

Kudos to parent volunteers Brandy Marriott and Colleen Clark who cooked the delicious spaghetti. If you like snakes, you’ll want to plan now to attend Kristin Stanford’s Wild Tuesdays presentation at the Nature and Wildlife Center on August 3rd from 1 to 3 p.m. Kristin knows more about snakes than anyone else on the island.

You are invited to a fundraiser for Larry Larson at the Getaway Inn at 210 Concord Ave. on Sunday, August 1st, from 2 to 5 p.m. Larry was diagnosed with ALS. Food and drink will be provided and there will be a 50/50 Raffle, Wine Pull, and 1979 Volkswagen Bug convertible for auction.

Perry Peace Memorial News July 2021

Peace Memorial During the month of July, Perry’s Monument park rangers will continue offering a daily slate of programs. Monday through Thursday on the hour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. there are Ranger Talks on the back porch about the building of the Memorial, Peace, the natural environment, and of course the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lake Erie. Stop by the Visitor Center to see the times and topics of each talk.

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, park rangers and volunteers will present historic weapons demonstrations at the memorial. Come see the uniforms, weapons, hear a little about the war, and then see and hear the fire. Every day at 1 p.m. there is a Junior Ranger program. Topics change daily so stop in the Visitor Center to find out the topic of the day.

On weekdays there are historic and learn to fish camps. These are drop-in programs to learn about historic weapons, care of the wounded,
ropes and knots, sewing, historic games, and many other topics. These will be on the lawn behind the Visitor Center. Learn to fish camp takes
place along the south seawall. Here you can learn about the different kinds of reels and other equipment.

Learn about fish and get to cast a line and see if you can catch anything. Special Programs in July July 4th: Come watch the community fireworks from the grounds of the Memorial.

July 8th at 3 p.m.: Join O.H. Perry, Robert Barclay, a Memorial builder, and the widow from the battle to hear their stories.

July 17 & 18th – Carronade Weekend: Come see a reproduction of the gun that helped win the Battle of Lake Erie. Park Rangers and volunteers will give demonstrations of carronade firing and small arms on both Saturday and Sunday. 11 a.m. – Small Arms Demonstration
12 p.m. – Carronade Demonstration 1 p.m. – Jr. Ranger Program: Join the Army 2 p.m. – Carronade Demonstration 3 p.m. – Small Arms Demonstration 4 p.m. – Carronade Demonstration 5 p.m. – Small Arms Demonstration

July 31 – World Ranger Day: Come walk the grounds and see the international flag collection. Each flag represents a country that has lost Park Rangers in the line of duty protecting their parks from many different hazards. The Junior Ranger Program will highlight the many different jobs Park Rangers do and the threats they face every day around the world. One of the top kid-approved attractions at Put-in-Bay!

Sports News July 2021

Adelaide Aquilla placed third in the shot put at the USA Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Thursday, June 24th, 2021. The Ohio State University Junior is headed to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

She will be representing Middle Bass Island, St. Raphael Elementary School, the Village of Put-in-Bay, The Ohio State University, Gibraltar Island, South Bass Island, Green Island, Magnificat High School in Rocky River, The Isle of St. George (North Bass), Starve Island, West Sister Island, The Middle Bass Island General Store, the gas dock at The Middle Bass Island State Park, J.F. Walleye’s, the continental United States, and the parts of the United States that are not attached to the continental United States (as well as its territories and provinces).

That is a lot of weight to carry. Fortunately, Adelaide is very strong. The woman’s shot weighs 8.8 pounds. She can throw it over 62 feet. You have to be powerful to “put the shot,” but just as important is your balance, coordination, and fine motor control. To compete you have the power of a weight lifter combined with the grace of a ballerina. Adelaide has both. She also has the support of a great family and extended family. Parents Jared and Tracy as well as brothers Jonas and Ambrose could not be happier or prouder of her.

Adelaide was a solid field competitor at Magnificat High School. She was fortunate to attend OSU. She was a “walk-on” to the OSU track and field program. Adelaide had promise but expectations were, she might score a few dual meet points here and there. However, under the coaching of Lorain County Native Ashley Kovacs, she blossomed over the last three years. Adelaide is a hard worker. During the Covid Pandemic, she spent hours training on Middle Bass Island.

Her father, Jared, welded together a weight lifting station in her Grandfather Paul Aquilla’s garage. It sat alongside Paul’s fish cleaning
table, circular saw, battery jump boxes, miscellaneous tires from long-forgotten trucks, a 1984 13-ft. Boston Whaler, three different brands of chainsaws, coffee cans full of every nut, bolt, wingnut, screw imaginable, zip ties, random sheets of plywood, and industrial shelving holding boxes of obscure marine hardware from the 1970s.

Her doorstop was the propeller nut of a decommissioned 300-ft. Lake Erie freighter. Adelaide trained and sweated remotely, working out mostly alone in the summer of 2020. Come 2021 the payoff was remarkable. In the last 12 months, she has dominated her events, winning the Division I Big Ten Championship, National Indoor Championship, and the Outdoor National Championship. Great coaching and the support of her fellow OSU teammates took Adelaide to the next level.

The Olympics will be one chapter in a fine young woman’s life. The best is yet to come. Adelaide, you will be cheered at the MBI General Store and J.F. Walleyes. You have made Middle Bass (and all the islands in the western basin of Lake Erie) proud. There is something special in the water of Lake Erie. “Go ADA!” Yet another interesting tidbit about Put-in-Bay!