Catawba Island Magazine

on page

12

On the Cover… Dockside at Nor’ Easter Club AJE

3… Letter from the Press

4… Island Living

6… Lake Erie Monster

8… Cliff House

10… Police Beat

12… Township News

13… Fire Department

14… The Arts

16… Around Town

19… Horoscopes

20… Classifieds

on page

20

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Catawba Island Township: Police, Non-emergency

419-797-2422

Fire, Non-emergency

419-797-2424

Trustees & Clerks - 419-797-4131

Zoning Office - 419-797-4131

Maintenance - 419-797-2460

Ottawa County: Sheriff - 419-734-4404

Commissioners - 419-734-6790

Auditor - 419-734-6740

Treasurer - 419-734-6750

Building Dept.- 419-734-6767

Prosecutor - 419-734-6845

Recycling - 419-734-6783

Dog Warden - 419-898-1368

Emergency Mgmt - 419-734-6900

Regional Planning - 419-734-6780

Engineer - 419-734-6777

Schools: Board of Education - 419-732-2102

Bataan Elementary 419-734-2815

Middle School - 419-734-4448

High School - 419-734-2147

Bus Garage 419-734-1516

Immaculate Conception School

419-734-3315

Utilities: Sanitary Engineer- 419-734-6725

Time Warner Cable - 888-683-

1000

Ohio Edison - 800-633-4766

Verizon - 800-555-4833

Columbia Gas - 800-344-4077

Other Numbers: Magruder Hospital - 419-734-3131

Post Office - 419-732-3322

Visitors Bureau - 419-734-4386

Chamber of Commerce -

419-734-4386 ∞

June, 2010

Dear Friends,

Summer is finally here and you certainly can tell from the hustle and

bustle of visitors and residents alike zipping around our island just like

mayflies. Even if it’s a little buggy and muggy, still hope you enjoy the

start of this sunny yet sometimes stormy season!

We have yet another great issue this month with lots of interesting arti-

cles! Pamela Holt shares some fascinating information on “Bessie”, the

Lake Erie Monster on page 6. Laura A. Brown, our featured artist in

the Arts section this month, shares how she “captured” Bessie on page

14. With the help of local historian Don Rhodes, Pat Bristley tells the

tale of the old Cliff House. I share a special interview with a charming

Harbor Island couple and their quest to build their Catawba Island

dream home on the following page. We always have a great Police Beat

for you, the Fire Chief has some summer safety tips and there’s so

much more! So grab your shades, a spot in the sun and enjoy this

month’s issue of Catawba Island magazine!

We hope to see you at the Fire Department’s Chicken BBQ on Satur-

day, July 10th! Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

Thanks for reading! See you around town.

Dave & Andrea Elliott

Catawba Island Press

P.S. - Please don’t forget to thank our advertisers for bringing our little

publication to your mailbox every month! Be sure to tell them you saw

their ad in Catawba Island Magazine :o)

In the background: Perry’s Monument on Put-in-Bay taken from Pebble Beach, Catawba Island, by AJE

NAME_____________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_________________________________________________________________ CITY_______________________________________ STATE__________ ZIP___________

Mail to: Catawba Island Press, 9841 State Road, North Royalton, Ohio 44133 with a Check or Money Order made Payable to Catawba Island Press. Subscriptions can also be ordered online at www.catawbaislandmagazine.com Thanks for Reading!

June 2010 Catawba Island Magazine 3

Chris Thompson, owner of the Catawba Inn,

with Denny Kopp and local masseuse, Ann

Segaard on the deck of the Catawba Inn.

The Catawba Island Fire Department hose

testing in May. Pictured from left to right, top

row: Paul Ochs, Eric Heyob, Breann

Christiansen, bottom row: Steve Busby

and Fire Chief John Gangway.

Trudy Lang, Lori Wilson and Andrea getting

ready to head out for a day at the bay!

Interview with

Rick and Jan Feasel

By Andrea J. Elliott

Rick and Jan Feasel have always

shared a passion for the lake. ―We

contribute our love for the lake and

the water to Rick’s dad,‖ Jan said,

―His dad was the one who introduced

Rick to Lake Erie and to boating.‖

Rick first came to the area when he

was only two years old while vaca-

tioning with his family. He was born

and raised in Tiffin, Ohio where he

met Jan. They married when they

were only nineteen years old and

stayed in Tiffin. When they had their

two children, Laura and Jeff, they

enjoyed family time and numerous

boat outings on Lake Erie. ―Our kids

were practically raised on a boat.‖

Rick and Jan opened an auto repair

shop, Feasel’s Frame and Collision,

in 1982. Business was good and in

the early 1990’s they purchased a

cottage in Catawba Island’s Harbor

Estates on Eagle Drive as a weekend

retreat. They decided to upgrade

their cottage and in 2001 they moved

to Perch Row in Harbor Island on

Catawba with its waterfront dockage

to have their boat closer to them.

With their love of the lake, boating

and the area, they hoped one day to

build the perfect house for them-

selves, on the lake where they could

keep their boats in their backyard.

In 2001, the Feasels discovered an

older cottage nestled on Harbor Is-

land in Catawba Island Township.

Though it wasn’t exactly the lakeside

retreat they had in mind, it’s location

was ideal with a place for their boats

and the beautiful lake views. The

Feasels enjoyed many summers in

the old cottage until in 2008 when it

was clearly time for necessary reno-

vations. However, instead of repair-

ing their deteriorating vacation

home, they decided to make their

dream home a reality.

In October 2008, the Feasels demol-

ished the cottage and it was removed

from the island in less than a day.

With the expertise of architect and

builder, Chris Daniels of Daniels

Enterprises, Inc. out of Tiffin, they

began the endeavor of creating their

dream home. They also hired decora-

tor, Joe Danderand to assist with the

finishes. After a year of hard work,

the Feasel’s dream home was com-

plete. They sold their house in Tiffin

and moved into their new Harbor

Island dream home October 2009 as

full-time residents.

CONTINUED on NEXT PAGE

Catawba Island Magazine June 2010 4

Above left- Jan Feasel and her dream home on Harbor

Island in Catawba Island Township. Inset- The Feasel's

old cottage before it was removed..

rational lake views and sits off the

lower living area complete with a

kitchen that is accented by a lighted

deco-glass bar front with the texture

of cattails and a full glass-tile back-

splash. Both floors of the home offer

full back porches with glass rails

overlooking the dock housing the

Feasel’s boats. A custom wine glass-

shaped patio is accented by a com-

pass rose design Jan discovered on

Put-in-Bay. The only things left from

the old cottage they tore down are

the old kitchen cabinets that are now

in Rick’s workshop in the two-car

garage.

What’s it worth? ―We will never

sell,‖ Jan exclaimed, ―This is it!‖

Rick and Jan are far from retiring

and though they admit they may

have built their dream home too

soon, they enjoy living their dream

and have found Catawba as a place

to forever call home. ♥


The 3,800+ square foot Floridian-

style mini-mansion was clearly de-

signed for comfortable enjoyment

and is filled with exquisite features.

A waterfall chandelier gracefully

spirals above the two-story foyer that

leads to the living area with steps

that are topped by custom handrails

that were finished by Rick in his auto

shop. The main floor is an entertain-

ment mecca with a well-planned

granite and limestone kitchen open

to the lavish yet inviting great room.

Uniquely elaborate glass light fix-

tures and precision woodwork along

with other architectural details are

found throughout this thoughtfully

designed island retreat. A well-

crafted wood-clad office boasts Bra-

zilian cherry which is adjacent to the

craft room. The master bedroom

suite would trump any room at the

Bellagio with its plush accommoda-

tions, shimmering deco finishes and

designer details not to mention its

majestic sunrise views.

Steps or an elevator can lead you to

the lower level that offers two bed-

rooms designed as accommodations

for the Feasel’s children when they

visit. An exercise room offers inspi-

Above- The back of the Feasel’s Harbor Island dream

home. Right- The Feasel’s old cottage before it was

removed. Below- Detail of the great room.

CONTINUED from PREVIOUS PAGE

potentially up to two tons (depending

on who’s telling the tale). The crea-

ture has the ability to live on both

water and land and lurks within the

waters of Western Lake Erie from

Port Clinton, Sandusky, Huron, and

Vermillion on to Lorain, Ohio Re-

ports of sightings in Toledo and

Windsor, Canada have been claimed,

but not generally in the Eastern end

of the lake. The Lake Erie Monster is

also known as South Bay Bessie,

South Bass Bessie, or just Bessie and

links have been suggested to the

Lock Ness Monster, nicknamed

―Nessie.‖

One theory of the being’s creation is

a result of toxic pollutants spewing

into the Western end of Lake Erie

during the Industrial Revolution and

onward, causing the mutation of a

specific eel into a gigantic duplica-

tion of itself. Yet another theory,

according to David Davis, a fisheries

biologist for the Ohio Division of

Wildlife, is that the beast is a large,

aged species of a lake sturgeon,

which can grow to 7-feet in length,

weigh more than 300 pounds, and

can subsist over 150 years. As it is a

fish with large, bony plates, rather

than scales, its aged skin can assume

a reptilian appearance. His thoughts

are that perhaps its tail could be con-

strued as the neck of a great sea

monster and its fins could be imag-

ined as an undulating body when the

fish rises to the surface. The myth

grew even further when local swim-

mers reported occurrences of unex-

plained ―bites‖ while enjoying the

refreshing waters of Lake Erie.

And as legends go and as time

passes, the romance of the story be-

comes embellished by numerous un-

substantiated eye witnesses.



The Legend Endures

By Pamela Holt

The local legend of a Lake Erie cyrp-

tid began reportedly well over 100

years ago—that of a fierce, ugly,

coiling thing—a black, green, gray-

ish sea serpent, up to 50 feet in

length, over a foot in diameter and

Below - The cellar doors at Mutach’s, Marblehead, Ohio.

Background- Watercolor by Pat Bristley

On July 22, 1931, The Sandusky

Register reported that a sea serpent

had been captured in the waters of

Sandusky Bay. A New York Times

reporter who happened to be visiting

the town that Tuesday picked up on

the story. The story which followed

stated that two fishermen from Cin-

cinnati, Clifford Wilson and Francis

Cogenstose, noticed the creature as

it surfaced near their boat earlier

that day. Frightened, the two men

beat the beast over the head with an

oar, knocking it unconscious. They

then fastened a line to the creature’s

head and towed it to shore.

As their catch began to regain con-

sciousness, Wilson and Cogenstose

obtained a packing box large enough

to house the catch and coiled the

creature in, nailing on the cover for

safety. As the numerous scoffers

gathered around the box, neither the

beast’s capturers or any of the curi-

ous onlookers would chance opening

the box for fear of being attacked.

Police Captain Leo Schively, C.J.

Irwin and Mel Harmon, of the San-

dusky morning paper and E.L. Ways,

managing editor of a local afternoon

paper, claimed that they saw the ser-

pent as it was being boxed up and

joined the fishermen in describing it

as a large, snake-like beast, with a

black, dark green and white hide

resembling that of an alligator.

Word of Bessie’s capture made its

way to Harold Madison, the curator

of the Cleveland Museum of National

History, who traveled to Sandusky to

examine the catch, and determined

that the beast was nothing more than

an Indian Python. Wilson and Co-

genstose quickly skipped town and

further investigation revealed that

the men, one of whom had family ties

in Sandusky, worked for a touring

carnival. Despite all of these hoaxes

Bessie lived on, being sighted in

1960, 1969, 1981, 1983, 1985 and

1989. Flurries of sightings were re-

ported in 1990 including a sighting

by two Huron firefighters. ¹

In 1990 the small lakeshore commu-

nity of Huron, Ohio initiated a cam-

paign perhaps to capitalize on the sea

creature’s lore by passing a local

resolution claiming itself to be the

―National Live Capture and Control

Center for the Lake Erie Monster.‖ A

request was filed with the town of

Inverness, Scotland (located on Loch

Ness Lake and home of the fabled

Loch Ness Monster) to become a

sister city to Huron, Ohio.

Taking the small community’s

―monstermainia‖ yet a step further, a

local marina owner built a contain-

ment pen for the ―future home of the

Lake Erie Monster,‖ and a reward

was offered of over $102,000 in cash

and prizes for the live capture of the

beast. Additionally, an appeal was

made to the State of Ohio to issue a

―Monster-Hunting Permit‖ to the city

of Huron. Learning of the mischief,

The Wall Street Journal ran a cynical

article on July 29, 1993 suggesting

the city of Huron’s clever crusade

was an attempt to draw tourists day-

tripping to Cedar Point into their

town.

In 1994 Thomas A. Schofield, a

Huron, Ohio resident, created the

―essence‖ of the aquatic serpent by

creating a 35-foot replica—complete

with four humps, a spiked tail and

red fluorescent eyes—which he se-

cured into a marshland area west of

the Huron River and within eyeshot

of State Route 2. The reproduction

remained in the muddy site until Mr.

Schofield’s unfortunate death in

2004 when the serpent’s sculpture

disappeared.


Above - Used with permission. Great Lakes Brewing

Company. Cleveland, Ohio.

CONTINUED from Previous Page

CONTINUED on PAGE 17

The rambling structure was a three-

story frame building with a veranda

extending around the north and east

sides. There were dormers and

―eyebrow‖ windows on the third

floor.

In 1895, Ruh began running it as a

summer hotel called the Ruh House.

At that time, the structure had ten

guestrooms, living quarters for the

owners, and two dining rooms, A

carriage house provided buggy ac-

commodations for those driving to

the hotel, although guests often ar-

rived by lake boat. Since the Ruh

family was originally from Pitts-

burgh, at first their guests were all

Pittsburgh residents.

A newspaper article of June 28,

1895, told about the grand opening.

It said: ―The steamer Secor took an

excursion load of people to Ottawa

City Monday evening to attend the

formal opening of Mr. August Ruh’s

new hotel….Wideman’s orchestra

accompanied the party and a fine

time was enjoyed by all.

Cliff House

By Pat Bristley

Older residents of Catawba remem-

ber the Cliff House Restaurant that

stood at Catawba Point. The edifice

was built by August Ruh in 1890.



Above- The Cliff House October 1959.

Below - Vintage photo of The Cliff House.

In the 1940s, it was remodeled so

that it had more bathrooms and up to

date living quarters. A basement was

added. Catawba Islander, Bob Rho-

des helped dig out the basement.

After the war, Standard Products

sold Cliff House to Harry Knorr. He

opened a restaurant there. He in turn

sold it to Ray Lambert. At one time

the Cliff House was considered the

best sea food restaurant in Ohio.

Specialties of the house were Maine

lobster, Florida pompano, Maryland

soft-shelled crabs, and of course,

Lake Erie pickerel. The dining room

was converted from what had origi-

nally been the veranda.



CONTINUED on PAGE 18

Above- Watercolor by Pat Bristley

All speak in thorough praise of Mr.

Ruh’s new enterprise and his ability

to properly provide for his guests.‖

The structure served a variety of pur-

poses through the years. For several

winters it offered a place for the

―mail boys‖ to warm up, eat, and

occasionally spent the night. The

―mail boys‖ crossed Lake Erie ice in

all kinds of winter weather on foot,

from Put-In-Bay to Catawba Island,

in order to carry the mail.

Around 1909, it became the Cangney

Hotel. Captain Jack Cangney, who

arrived on Catawba in 1853, oper-

ated the Pittsburgh House across the

road from the Ruh House. After the

Pittsburgh House burned, Cangney

operated the Ruh House for a few

summers.

Edward Sprenger inherited it from

his Ruh grandparents. He equipped it

with a Delco light plant in 1921 that

provided the first electric illumina-

tion on Catawba Island. In 1922,

Sprenger changed its name to the

Cliff House. He used the building for

Saturday night dances, with music by

name bands he imported. It may

have been in that period that two

bowling alleys were added.

Before Sprenger sold the property to

Standard Products during World War

II, the Cliff House was leased to sev-

eral different people. In the late

1920s, Christina Mengel ran a tea-

room there. Christina was the sister

of Marie Rhodes, who ran Sunnyside

Tower Bed and Breakfast. Booth

Fisheries of Sandusky used it for a

while to house its fishermen. A Mr.

Stucky of Put-In-Bay operated a res-

taurant there.

Standard Products of Cleveland

made rubber parts for vehicles used

in the war. Cliff House, with its huge

plate glass windows overlooking

Lake Erie, served as a private club-

house for company executives and to

house specialty workers employed at

the nearby Standard Products plant.

Catawba Road south of Cemetery.

Subject was charged with DUI with a

BAC of .124 and other offenses.

May 7th A black Saab headed north

on Sand Road was seen driving off

the roadway. Suspect could not pro-

vide vehicle registration and denied

drinking; officer noted red eyes and

slurred speech. After poor results on

the field sobriety test driver was

charged with; DUI (BAC .209), pos-

session of marijuana, paraphernalia,

and marked lines.

May 8th Female reported medica-

tion missing from her purse which

was kept in a locker at the club

where she worked. Among the miss-

ing was Oxycodon and Opana. Re-

port made.

May 15th A driver stopped on Twin-

beach Road for crossing over the

edge line had lethargic movements,

bloodshot eyes and emitted a strong

odor of an intoxicating beverage.

Suspect refused breathalyzer and

showed poor coordination in the

field sobriety test. Ticketed for

marked lines and DUI.

Boaters reported a dock box and

wooden deck missing after returning

to their dock for the first time this

season. Manager speculated they

were blown off in a storm. Items

were seen near another craft where

its owners stated they recovered

them and did not know who they

belonged to. $40 was paid to reclaim

the items.

May 24th Patrol unit noticed what

appeared to be legs sticking out from

under a bush near the old lime kiln

on Cliff Road. Upon investigation an

apparently intoxicated subject told

officers that he was just laying in his

yard. Subject was transported to his

home approx. 1/2 mile from the

scene.

May 26th Four male suspects in

their late teens reportedly broke into

a local club and boarded several

May 6th Unlawful entry without

force. Neighbor on Cliff Road no-

ticed an open door to the house next

door and notified the owners in Flor-

ida. Kitchen in disarray, trash can

moved and frying pan used as well

as bathroom but nothing appeared

missing.

Motorcyclist from Medina, Ohio on

a 1996 Kawasaki was stopped on

Beachclub Drive for left of center,

failure to control and failure to dis-

play plate while traveling on West


POLICE CALL SUMMARY

for May 2010 276 incidents including:

3 Possession of marijuana

6 Speeding tickets • 5 DUI’s

Catawba Island Township Police Department


Excerpts from the Call Summary for May, 2010

inoperable license plate light. during

the stop alcohol was suspected.

Driver was charged with DUI

(BAC .103) and passenger was

charged with underage consumption.

∞



boats in the marina. Stolen items in-

cluded; liquor, cases of beer, filet

knives and a heat gun. Upon arrival

Police apprehended 3 subjects but

the fourth swam away only to be

caught the following day. Subjects

were charged with; underage con-

sumption, receiving stolen property,

trespassing, and obstructing official

business, with other charges pending.

May 28th At 1:56 a.m. the Coast

Guard was called regarding a possi-

ble boat accident on the West Harbor

break wall. Subjects were found on

the rock wall and CIVFD and ODNR

were contacted. Subjects were res-

cued and claimed the boat lost power

prior to drifted into the rocks.

Disorderly subjects were reported at

a local bar but fled prior to the arri-

val of Police. Last call had already

been made and the owner closed the

bar after the altercation.

Police responded to a disorderly call

at a local club. Subject had report-

edly passed out between two vehi-

cles after getting out of a cab and

became combative upon coming to.

Subject was restrained and taken to

the ER after calming down. The sub-

ject had been involved in prior disor-

derly at a different bar. Persistent

disorderly, possession of prescription

drugs and other charges were filed.

May 29th Jet ski accident in lake off

South Fairway Drive, two jet skis

were running together when one

turned into the other causing a t-bone

collision. Border Patrol, Coast

Guard, and Ottawa County Sheriff

Water Patrol all responded to the

scene. One subject was life flighted

with chest injury.

May 30th A 2006 Kia was stopped

at Route 53 near Wine Cellar road to

issue a warning for speeding and an

CATAWBA ISLAND BOARD OF

TRUSTEES MEETING

MINUTES – APRIL 27, 2010

Bills were approved and paid in the

amount of $58,442.26.

Fire Chief John Gangway stated the

Beachtown Condominiums in Gem

Beach has had the concrete put in

and it should be ready for the fire

department to take the trucks down

to the area.

Matt Montowski made a motion to

remove and donate to the Goodwill

recycling program a computer moni-

tor, a copy machine, speakers and a

fax machine and tower with the hard

drive removed seconded by William

Rofkar. All voted aye.

Matt Montowski suggested we look

at possibly adjusting the fee for ad-

vertising signs in commercial dis-

tricts. It will be looked into.

William Rofkar made a motion to

donate $200.00 to the American

Legion Post for Memorial Day

seconded by Matt Montowski. All

voted aye. Meeting adjourned.

MINUTES MAY 11, 2010

Bills were approved and paid in the

amount of $22,331.51.

The following correspondence was

received from the Ohio Division of

Liquor Control requesting whether or

not to have a hearing for the

Pottbelly Café LLC DBA Catawba

Café liquor license. Matt Montowski

made a motion to waive the hearing

for the Pottbelly Café LLC liquor

license seconded by William Rofkar;

all voted aye.

James Stouffer stated he would be

happy to work with the Fire Depart-

ment to make an effort to pull some

of the marina owners together to help

with the fire boat grant.

Matt Montowski received a call from

Phil Gutkoski on May 3rd regarding

the fish odor at the Holiday Village

and he and Pat Cerny went out to

visit him and they only smelled

bleach. Matt Montowski received

another call on May 6th and again

there was no odor.

Pat Cerny submitted her zoning re-

port for the month of April. Four

additions, two fences, one variance

application, one new home, one du-

plex, and one three unit building.

Meeting adjourned. ∞


MULCH LOADING

Saturdays 8 am to Noon

NO GRASS or LEAF

PICK-UP UNTIL FALL! Please do not leave your grass or leaves

on the side of the road. Thank you,

Maintenance Dept.

Please note: Meeting minutes contained here-

with are edited for space. The full version is

available through the Township Administration.

Got a clue where on Catawba this is? Time to go hunting

around the island to see if you can find it! Send your best

guess to [email protected] along with your

name or fill out this form or a copy and mail it to us at

Catawba Island Press, 9841 State Road, North Royalton, Ohio

44133. Deadline is June 28, 2010. If you're correct we'll

publish your name in July's issue along with the correct

answer. Good Luck!

Name____________________________________

Phone/Email______________________________

Address__________________________________

Your Guess: ______________________________

Last month’s photo was not the party center at LaMarin nor the turret on a

Sand Road cottage… it’s actually the Waterline Gift Shop at the Miller’s

Ferry Dock on the point. I enlarged the photo for those non-believers. Con-

grats to Karen Hull of PC, Mary K. Broestl-Steindam of Oak Harbor, Sally

Hall, Carrisa Trepka of Lakewood, John Black of PC, The King Family of MI

and those of you who did not want to be mentioned…. Try this month’s!! :o)

simple, but true. Please be patient,

observant and courteous to other driv-

ers, bicyclists and pedestrians. And, a

reminder, there is no passing in the

marked bicycle lane.

I enjoy riding motorcycles. You may

have noticed yard signs stating ―Look

Twice; Save a Life.‖ Please take an

additional two or three seconds when

checking for oncoming traffic at in-

tersections or private driveways. Mo-

torcycles are often difficult to see in

the cluttered background of other ve-

hicles, road signs and blind spots in

your own vehicle--Look Twice; Save

a Life.

Summer also brings two exciting

events to our firehouse; our annual

Chicken BBQ and Monte Carlo night.

The Chicken BBQ takes place Satur-

day, July 10th. We welcome you to the

firehouse and look forward to prepar-

ing our famous BBQ chicken for you

to enjoy at the station or to take home

from our drive-through.

Save the date for our Monte Carlo

Night on Saturday, August 21st; an-

other fun-filled community event.

These events are the fire department’s

only fund-raisers throughout the year.

The money raised, in addition to gen-

erous donations received, enable us to

provide EMS and firefighting ser-

vices without charge to the residents

and visitors of Catawba Island. We

appreciate your ongoing support.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

John Gangway, Fire Chief

June 2010

LETTER FROM THE CHIEF

Summer is in full swing on Catawba

Island. Homes, marinas, cottages,

campgrounds, ferry boats and road-

ways are teaming with residents and

visitors. With our population nearly

tripling with visitors this time of year,

the summer months present the most

challenging times for our volunteer

fire department.

I’ve listed a few seasonal reminders

to help residents and visitors safely

enjoy their summer season even more

on Catawba Island:

With the additional number of people

on the roads, patience is definitely a

virtue. Please remember to ―Move

right for sirens and lights.‖

I believe the Golden Rule applies to

most things in life, and safe driving is

no exception. ―Do unto others as you

would have them do unto you‖—

CIVFD CALL SUMMARY

for May 2010

1 fire (false alarm)

23 EMS runs

24 total calls


IMAGES ON DRIFTWOOD

Marblehead artist Laura A. Brown

hates to see driftwood tossed into a

beach bonfire. Brown prefers using

the Lake Erie flotsam as a vehicle to

create whimsical, one-of-a-kind

pieces depicting nautical and outdoor

images.

Like finding pictures in the clouds,

the talented artist sees a suggestion

of a shape in the wood and builds the

design from that starting point.

Brown is the artist-in-residence at

Desdemona’s Fine Art and Other

Cool Stuff, located in Bassett’s Plaza

next door to Newport Dry Goods.

The shop features her dramatic drift-

wood art, oil paintings and prints, as

well as the work of other local art-

ists, nautical décor, jewelry and gifts.

Brown has creative suggestions for

producing striking driftwood art-

work.

GATHER IT: ―Were I to give advice

to another artist about using this me-

dium I would start by suggesting

they take a ―little red wagon‖ and

some bungie cords to the beach,‖

says Brown. ―You can be a long

walk from the parking lot and come

across a great piece too big and

slimy to carry.‖

On a quest to gather wood she does-

n’t fuss about what to paint, looking

only at a piece’s suitability. Rotting

wood is obviously not usable.

Smooth and sun bleached is prefer-

able, but some bark texture can add

an interesting element to the artwork.

Surface size matters. Skinny twisting

roots are beautiful but may not pro-

vide enough of a picture plane.



Featuring Laura A. Brown

that are a ―given.‖ If you see fish

lips, a pelican’s head, or a hole that

could have crabs crawling out…start

there. The rest of the image can be a

stretch of the imagination if you’ve

got that one clever thing happening.

Build color the same as with any

other painting but realize that work-

ing on a rough surface means brush

handling will be a challenge. (You’ll

tear up brushes, so try economically

priced white nylon.) You can’t pull a

brush in the manner that you would

on a smooth flat surface. You must

change brush sizes and angles of at-

tack according to the cracks, nooks

and crannies involved.

Brown prefers to use oil paint but

acrylics also work. If you are using

acrylics do not seal first with poly-

urethane. Use an acrylic sealer in-

stead. You can put oil over acrylic,

but not acrylic over oil.

SIGN IT AND BE PROUD! Seal

the piece again after completion. If it

is displayed in weather and direct

sunlight it will last only 5-7 years. If

displayed under roof, it should last

indefinitely. ∞


Natural shapes are great but never

pass up old weathered planks.

DRY IT: Store your stash of drift-

wood for drying. ―Some people may

prefer the garage as bugs might be

involved, but I like to have the wood

stacked around my studio so I can

see it,‖ states Brown. ―Looking at it,

and flipping the pieces around, is

where the ideas come from.‖

The time involved in drying is a

judgment call. It can take a month or

six months depending on the size,

type of wood and how wet it was to

start with.

CLEAN IT: Some preparation can be

done before drying by hosing off the

loose sand. After it’s dry attack it

with a bench or wire brushes to re-

move debris. Use a shop vac to get

into holes and crevices.

SEAL IT: ―I’ve learned the hard

way to seal the wood before I paint

even though I will seal it again after

the painting is complete,‖ advises the

artist. ―The wood will darken slightly

when coated and this can really af-

fect the colors you choose.‖

Use satin polyurethane (mat is better,

if you can find it) as gloss detracts

from the image. Brush it on and use

a spray version for deep holes.

You’re not only preserving the

wood. You’re entombing any bugs

that weren’t bright enough to vacate.

PAINT IT: Use a color with slight

contrast to your background to

sketch in your idea. Begin with areas

Above - Before photo of “Bessie” driftwood art.

Left - Laura A. Brown with her completed “Bessie”

driftwood art.


Salvation Army Christmas in July

Bell ringers needed: Friday, July 23,

10am-8pm; Saturday, July 24, 10am-

8pm; Sunday, July 25, 10am-6pm.

Proceeds to go to our Christmas Toy

Program. For more information con-

tact Maureen Saponari 419-732-

2769. ∞

Port Clinton Farmer Market Main Street Port Clinton is looking

for vendors for the 2010 Port Clinton

Farmers Market.

Anyone interested in selling produce,

plants, baked goods, meats or canned

products, as well as artisans who rep-

resent their arts in the form of flow-

ers, plants and nature, please apply

by calling for a registration packet or

pick one up at the Port Clinton Area

Chamber of Commerce, 110 Madi-

son St. All items sold at the Port


Buckeye Council Celebrates Camp

Fire USA’s 100th Anniversary

Buckeye Council will celebrate with

an Open House to be held July 31,

2010 starting at 2 p.m. at 2100 Baker

Road, Fremont. We will be hosting

kids and family games, memorabilia

displays, swimming, canoeing, teen

bands, burying a time capsule. At

7:30 p.m., a ceremonial campfire

will be held honoring the past 100

years. ―This Centennial event will

be open to everyone. We really hope

to see Camp Fire alumni at our

event. ,‖ states Pam Babione, Ex-

ecutive Director. For more details

about Camp Fire USA Buckeye

Council centennial event, local pro-

grams or volunteer opportunities,

contact Pam Babione at campfirefre-

[email protected] or 419-332-8641.

∞

Clinton Farmers Market must be lo-

cally grown, made or assembled

items. The 2010 location will be at

the north end of Jefferson St.

(Farmers Market on the River) For

more information, please contact

Toni Garrett, 419-341-1610. ∞

FORD TRI-MOTOR RETURN-

ING TO PORT CLINTON OVER

JULY 4TH HOLIDAY

The Experimental Aircraft Associa-

tion (EAA) is bringing its restored

1929 Ford Tri-Motor airplane back

to Port Clinton on July 1-5, 2010.

Ford Tri-Motors were a common site

in the skies above the Lake Erie is-

lands region for many years. The

event will be hosted by EAA ―Tin

Goose‖ Chapter 1247 at the Erie-

Ottawa Regional Airport in Port

Clinton. The Ford Tri-Motor, nick-

named the ―Tin Goose,‖ was built by

the Ford Motor Company in the late

1920s. Flights during the Port Clin-

ton tour stop will be available for

$50 to EAA members and $60 for

nonmembers. A secure flight-

reservation system and complete in-

formation are available through the

Tr i -Motor t our webs i t e a t

www.flytheford.org or by calling the

toll free reservation line 1-800-843-

3612. ∞

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

With that rock-solid information, I

am confident the Lake Erie Monster

remains alive and well and comforta-

bly spending its winters in Mutach’s

cellar—and frolicking in the refresh-

ingly cool waters of Western Lake

Erie during the summer—nibbling

on the toes of unsuspecting tourists

and keeping our local and visiting

fishing enthusiasts alert for further

sightings. Currently there is no

physical evidence to support the ex-

istence of a Lake Erie Monster. ∞

¹ Crypto zoology A to Z

indicated in this statement or account

from Steve Sapp, owner of Mutach’s

Market in Marblehead, Ohio:

―Everyone knows the monster resides

beneath Mutach’s and has for over

100 years. He/she utilizes an ancient

subterranean fissure to go to and

from the lake (right across the street)

unobserved. Many children see the

caution signs on our cellar doors,

and want to go down to see the mon-

ster, but we tell them that even our

own employees will not go down

there, ever since one disappeared

over 70 years ago.‖

CONTINUED from PAGE 7


As a tribute to their father, his two

sons, Dale and Gerard, built and re-

leased a new monument of Bessie on

Father’s Day 2005, similar to their

father’s creation, including glow-in-

the-dark eyes. A 13-foot ―baby mon-

ster‖ was included in the water-borne

display. Reportedly the son’s tribute

was damaged and there is no knowl-

edge of its future.

As for Huron’s promotion of the

monster, no creature has been cap-

tured—dead or alive—and Inverness,

Scotland’s sister-city appeal was re-

jected, as well as the request to the

State of Ohio for a Monster-Hunting

Permit—with the cash reward never

claimed and since dropped.

Bessie has been marketed by the

Great Lakes Brewing Company in

the form of a local, seasonal beer

aptly called Lake Erie Monster, a

strong, hoppy Imperial India Pale

Ale.

Evidence of Bessie’s existence can

be found closer to Catawba Island as

It faced Lake Erie and the entrance

was on N. W. Catawba Road. Col-

ored postcards of the Cliff House can

still be found. They were given free

to visitors to the restaurant as adver-

tisement.

During the winter, a basement tavern

was open, but the main floor restau-

rant was closed. On February 27,

1961, flames leveled the exclusive

restaurant. The inferno started in the

basement. Caretaker, Clarence

Bishop, who lived in a basement

apartment, escaped in just his shirt

and pants. Owners, Mr. and Mrs.

Ray Lambert, were vacationing in

Mexico at the time.

The raging fire, visible from Port

Clinton, leveled the landmark. The

fire started shortly before midnight.

Once underway, it took about 15

minutes to engulf the building. Ca-

tawba firemen called for aid soon

after arrival at the scene. Firefighters

ran fire hoses across the road into

Lake Erie, which provided their ma-

jor water supply. The firemen had to

chop through the ice on the lake to

get to the water, stated Don Rhodes,

one of the firefighters that night.

It appeared for a time that they might

save most of the building. However,

the firemen could not train their

hoses on the fire, because the fire

was inside the walls and in the center

of the building. Water poured on the

roof did no good. Several interior

explosions occurred at the height of

the blaze. The roof came roaring

down soon after midnight.

Only one injury was reported – that

of a man tripping over a hose line.

Flames shot high into the night sky

attracting hundreds of spectators.

Light winds permitted firefighters to

save adjacent buildings.

By Monday morning, only a small

part of a rear wall was standing after

fire companies from Catawba, Port

Clinton, Lakeside and Marblehead

contained the blaze. Fire inspectors

poked through the ruins and decided

that the fire had started in the furnace

room. Spectators aimed cameras at

the big black hole in the ground that

was all that was left. Fire companies

remained at the scene until about 4

p.m. on Monday. The loss was esti-

mated at between $50,000 and

$100,000. ∞

Thanks to Don Rhodes, whose memories

of the Cliff House added much to the

story. He also provided newspaper arti-

cles and photographs of the Ruh House

and the Cliff House.

CONTINUED from PAGE 9


By Starr

GEMINI = TWINS

Double Pleasure

Double Fun

Gemini is the most Versatile sign of

the Zodiac. Very resourceful and

loaded with talents. Always looking

for better ways to improve the world.

The Gemini enjoys solving problems

and discovering new and interesting

things. Harmonious Signs are Aquar-

ius & Libra.

Gemini “The Twins”

May 21st thru June 20th

Indulge a ―whim‖ this month. It can

prove to be quite promising.

Cancer “The Crab”

June 21st thru July 22nd

Let things unfold naturally. Enjoy

what makes you happy without mak-

ing waves.

Leo “The Lion”

July 23rd thru August 22nd

You may feel like you’re still push-

ing that boulder, but in June you will

have the leverage to move beyond.

Virgo “Virgin”

August 23rd thru September 22nd

During June you might want to re-

think a situation and swallow your

pride. Patience is a virtue.

Libra “Scales”

September 23rd thru October 22nd

You’ll find a special opportunity to

help you succeed - Go with your in-

stinct.

Scorpio “Scorpion”

October 23rd thru November 21st

You’re a natural leader! In June your

qualities will allow you to prove this.

Sagittarius “The Archer” November 22nd thru December 21st

Now is the time to step back and

look at your life. It will help you get

on track for a positive future. It’s

Time!

Capricorn “The Mountain Goat”

December 22nd thru January 19th

June will be a turning point for the

Great Goat. It’s time to focus your

attention on important issues and

climb upward.

Aquarius “The Water Bearer”

January 20th thru February 19th

It may feel like failure, but the slow

road IS the best way. Hang in There!

Pisces “Two Fishes”

February 20th thru March 20th

Increased ambition is likely this

month. It’s time to explore all your

options.

Aries “The Ram”

March 21st thru April 19th

You possess the magic ingredient

this month - Mix well & savor the

moment.

Taurus “The Bull”

April 20th thru May 20th

Welcome ―constructive criticism‖ in

June. Helpful advice will generate

long-term success. ♥



Publisher's notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the

Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise "any

preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color,

religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or inten-

tion to make any such preference, limitation, or

discrimination." We will not knowingly accept

any advertising for real estate which is in violation

of the law. All persons are hereby informed

that all dwellings advertised are available on an

equal opportunity basis.

FOR SALE Piano, Studio Baldwin, 48 string, model

6000 w/Black satin finish. Expertly tuned & maintained.

Asking $2,200 NEGO. Email [email protected].

(4/10)

FOR SALE 2000 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer, 12’beam, twin

7.4L Mercruiser, 370hrs, color radar/chart w/GPS, 4

batteries $99,900. 419-797-4318 (4/10)

CATAWBA FREE HOUSE 100yr old Victorian Farm

House 3 br/2 ba Needs Siding & Furnace. Must be Moved

to your Lot. Serious Inquiries 419-797-6565 (4/10)

FOR SALE: Coffee table-brass/glass oval

34inX26inX15in high. Like new. $40. 419 734 4643.

FOR SALE: John Deere 5.0 HP 4 cycle, wheel driven,

bagger/mulcher mower. $50 419 734 4643

CATAWBA

BARGAINS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Ship & Shore Inc. Property Management Condominium and Residential, Home, Condo, Commercial Cleaning 419-797-

7035 [email protected]

SIDING & WINDOWS Henninger Construction

Vinyl Siding, Soffit Systems, Replace-ment Windows, 5 inch & 6 inch Seamless

Gutters, Gutter Guards. CALL GARY HENNINGER 419-798-4378

TOOL SHARPENING BLADERUNNER LLC,

Precision Tool Sharpening. Bob & Pam Rahm, Catawba Island, 3956 N Union

Drive 419-797-4829 [email protected]

SERVICE DIRECTORY BOAT SERVICES

Tom’s Marine Refinishing Hulls, Topsides, stripping and varnishing. 35 years Experience. Reasonable Rates.

Call 419-341-5350

COLLECTION SERVICE Turnkey Asset Recovery Solutions.

Low fee of 15% on Monies collected. Bryon Evans 419-341-8426 [email protected]

www.turnkeyassetrecoverysolutions.com

HANDYMAN SERVICES CAPTAIN FIX-IT

Keeping your land home on an even keel. Retired shop teacher

doing the honey-do list Free estimates 419-967-0520

Kurt Waggnor Painting, Drywall, Handyman Services,

Free estimates 419-559-1520

An ad in the Service Directory is only $96 for 6 months! For more info

contact Andrea at 440-724-8382 or [email protected].

To WIN, solve this puzzle and mail it to: Catawba Island Press, 9841 State Road, North Royalton, Ohio 44133 by 6/25/10. Winner will be drawn randomly from correct entries received and announced in the next issue. To solve “Island Hut Sudoku”, every letter in the phrase “ISLAND HUT” must appear within each of the nine columns and nine rows & in each of the nine boxes. Good Luck! ∞

NAME:__________________________________ ADDRESS:______________________________ _______________________________________ PHONE/EMAIL:___________________________

Congrats to Last Month’s Winner of the

Bay Point GC, Joy Roth of PC!

N U A

T D U L N H I

T N

A S H D I

U D L N

A U S

L A

S T D H I

H S I L T

Edited by Don Rhodes

CATAWBA ISLAND - Water view

w/Marina. 2744 SF, 4 yr old. 3 BDs,

bsmt, spacious 1st flr: Kitch, DR, fam

rm & Mst BD. 2nd flr: guest fam rm.,

2 BR, BA, office, 2.5 garage. Prof.

Decor, like new, Assoc Pool & club-

house. $389,000. Call 440-522-8796

Fairfield Glade, TENNESSE Double

Time Share on Mountains available

October 22- 29, 2010. Sleeps 8. Out-

door tennis, 5-hole golf course, indoor

pool & fitness club. $1,000/wk call

419-734-2356

BOAT FOR SALE Bravo 1, captains

choice thru hull, cuddy cabin, corsa,

mercury, marine stereo with Cd & amp,

quick and quiet exhaust, trim tabs and

indicator, dual battery, full cockpit

cover, depth finder, rare option 502,

2010 dock fees paid at Anchors Away

$22K 216-496-5260

For Sale-Historic Put-in-Bay Estate

Located on 5.41 Acres of woods,

trails, vineyard, and landscaped lawn

w/fishpond. Early American design

constructed of island native wood and

stone. A circa 1855 main stone house

w/FPLC & circa 1852 stone Guest-

house w/loft bdrm & bath, and wine

cellar are listed on The National Reg-

ister of Historic Places. An addt’l 2-

story stone barn w/2442 sq. ft. living

quarters. The lower barn level is di-

vided into several rooms, all heated

and A/C. Also includes a 4-car ga-

rage, tool shed & a large pole barn.

Main driveway entrance is automatic

gated. Appraised at $1,100,000. By

Appt. Only 419-366-0950. ∞

I A H L

N T D

N L D U S

I S

S U A D L

I A S T D

U H

A H N T L

I H T U N

Marblehead Majesty

32‖X39‖ Watercolor by James Werline

Documents

Catawba Island Magazine