School News By Steve Poe, Superintendent
What can we say about this last month of 2020? Will we be glad when this year is done? How will we remember the year of 2020?
The year 2020 began as usual until we heard news about a Covid-19 virus in late February. Soon afterward, things really changed. Governor DeWine ordered all schools to close. With little advance notice, schools were forced to devise plans for teaching lessons remotely. No one was sure if or when we would return to school. A couple weeks in March turned into a couple of months, and we finished the year not returning to school at all. The class of 2020 had to cancel their senior class trip and postpone their graduation ceremony till Thursday, June 18th, with only immediate family in attendance. We organized a parade for our seniors on the day they were scheduled to graduate in May.
In addition to the affect Covid had on our schools, we cannot forget the impact it had on bars, restaurants, retail shops, and travel in 2020. The tourist industry in this area took a major hit!
Despite all this, we could choose to remember the “positives” of 2020: bicycle sales sky rocketed; boats, campers and tents were in demand; and people got out of the house and enjoyed the outdoors more. Restaurants had limitations, so families gathered around the dinner table again! It even seemed that neighbors and friends were more talkative. I will bet that ‘random acts of kindness’ possibly increased in 2020!
This holiday season, let’s count our blessings. There is much to be thankful for.
I am thankful for the cooperation, flexibility, sacrifice and resilience we have all demonstrated in fighting this pandemic. With the year 2021 fast approaching, let’s continue to sacrifice, stay diligent, and not let our guard down. The fight is far from over. We want 2021 to be the year we returned back to ‘normal.’
Library News
What’s Happening at Your Local Library?
We will be celebrating “Patron Appreciation” beginning December 1st. We love our patrons! We truly appreciate your support!
As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to stop by for a special sweet treat. Each treat will be individually wrapped just for you to enjoy in the comfort of your home! Available while supplies last.
Thursday, Dec. 3rd: Make-n-Take Cinnamon Stick Ornaments. This is an adult/teen project with a Facebook demo. Kits will be available at the library.
Tuesday, Dec. 8th at 5:30 p.m.: Words and Wine Book Club. We’ll share a book we have read from the comfort of our homes while enjoying a beverage of our own choosing. We can’t wait to hear what you have been reading the past month! It’s easy to sign up. Just click the link and register your name and email address, or call us at 285-4004 and give us your email address. Preregister for this Zoom event to be included.
Thursday, Dec. 10th: DIY Snowy Mason Jars. Librarian Kim Pugh is extremely excited by this simple but beautiful tealight holder that you will be able to make in the comfort of your own home. Kits will be available in the library with all the supplies you will need. This kit will be available while supplies last. To assist you in your DIY venture, a Facebook video will be posted before the kits are made available.
Thursday, Dec. 17th: Christmas Storytime. Join Librarian Karen Wilhelm as she shares a Christmas story, The Night Before Christmas.
The previous piece is published in this month’s Put-in-Bay Gazette. The Gazette has been producing incredible independent Put-in-Bay island news for over 40 years. If you have any interest at all in what is happening on South Bass Island, we urge you strongly to subscribe to the Put-in-Bay Gazette. One-year online subscriptions are only $15, and print subscriptions are available as well. To subscribe please click here.
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