Community Roundup: New fish sculpture moves into Port Clinton park

New fish moves into Water Works Park

PORT CLINTON - Water Works Park is home to a new sculpture. On Dec. 4, city employees placed the fish-shaped sculpture near the Lake Erie Love sign north of Perry Street.

The work was donated by the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, with help from the Stensen Fund.

The first sculpture is at North Madison Street. The GPCAAC received help from the Ottawa County Community Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council for that project.

Both sculptures were designed by GPCAAC member Josh Zetzer and fabricated by Cody Gabel. The works are designed to be receptacles for plastic bottles that people find near the waterfront. They have ports that will accept the bottles, which can later be retrieved by volunteers for recycling. 

Oak Harbor Christmas drive nominations being accepted

OAK HARBOR - On the heels of the Thanksgiving holiday food drive and hand-delivery of more than 50 meals to residents, members of the Oak Harbor Police and auxiliary plan to continue their spirit of giving with a 2020 Christmas Drive. The third-annual drive supports families in need in the village and helps to provide gifts for children on Christmas morning.

“Christmas is a special time of year, so we reach out to numerous residents and families to ensure they feel the holiday spirit,” said Oak Harbor Chief of Police Eric Parker. “We have developed a great community relationship, and we have been able to be an extension of the American Legion Post 114 to make things possible.”

The police auxiliary will be accepting nominations of residents who might need holiday assistance. Residents wishing to nominate an individual or family must contact the department to provide the name and address of the community members who could benefit from the program. Typically, a few days before Christmas, members of the Oak Harbor Police Department and Auxiliary deliver the gifts to residents. 

According to Sergeant Taylor Beck, the point-person for the effort, the drive was originally launched in 2018, so residents knew they were “not forgotten during the holidays.”

Financial donations for the Christmas drive are welcome and necessary to make this program a success. Beck noted the department is very fortunate to receive support from residents and the American Legion Post 114, allowing the department to also take Christmas gifts to the elderly members of the community who may not have family close by, live alone or could use some holiday cheer.

"With everything that has happened this year, it is so important that we look for ways to take care of our neighbors," said Mayor Quinton Babcock, expressing his gratitude to the Oak Harbor Police Department for doing just that. "The department and its auxiliary go above and beyond to take care of our community." 

Due to COVID-19, the department is asking for monetary donations only for this year's drive. Donations may be dropped off to the Oak Harbor Police Department. Residents also may call the non-emergency line, 419-898-2055, preferably 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., to request a donation pick up or to make a nomination. As a COVID-19 precaution, the Oak Harbor Police Department, 146 N. Church St., is closed to the public. Staff will come outside and address anyone in need.

Fremont Exchange Club, Patrol post partner for project 

FREMONT - The Fremont post of the Ohio Highway Patrol and the Fremont Exchange Club are partnering for “Project Night Night.”

The community program looks to comfort young children who troopers come in contact with after dark. Mary Nossaman of the Fremont Exchange Club delivered three bags filled with new books, stuffed animals and a blanket to Fremont post Trooper Allison Young during the Exchange Club’s December meeting.

“This is one of the many ways troopers at the Fremont patrol post are involved in the communities they serve,” said Lieutenant Brent Meredith, Fremont post commander. “We are grateful to be part of such a wonderful program. The program will help the club and the patrol engage the community by promoting good will to the children who reside in or travel through Sandusky County. “