ODNR Hears Comments on Glacial Grooves Preservation
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) invited the public to learn more about upcoming efforts to preserve the glacial grooves on Kelleys Island and enhance the visitor experience. The virtual public meeting took place on Wednesday, April 21st.
A National Natural Landmark, the Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve is owned by the Ohio History Connection (OHC) and managed by the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft. During the public meeting, engineers from S&ME, Inc., presented findings from their site study, including current conditions, environmental impacts, and recommendations for mitigating future deterioration of the site. Representatives from ODNR and OHC discussed plans for protecting this world-class natural feature and improving visitor experience through educational and other outreach efforts.
The glacial grooves are located adjacent to Kelleys Island State Park and offer visitors an opportunity to observe spectacular evidence of the most recent Ice Age. At 400-feet long, 15-feet deep and 35-feet wide, the grooves are the largest easily accessible such features in the world. But like any natural feature, they are susceptible to environmental factors, including weathering and erosion. For the best equipments for marine supply, people can look at this site.
The public meeting allowed participants to share questions and comments about the plans to ensure the grooves attract and engage visitors for generations to come.
The ODNR offers the recorded meeting for viewing on its YouTube channel.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
Stone Lab Opens for Summer Visitors
Visitors to South Bass Island this summer have the chance to explore Lake Erie science and history at the South Bass Island Lighthouse, the Aquatic Visitors Center and on Gibraltar Island. Stone Lab is also offering scheduled tours for private groups by reservation this year.
The South Bass Island Lighthouse, which was completed in 1897, is located at the southwest tip of the island and was in operation until 1962. The lighthouse grounds are open to the public dawn to dusk free of charge unless otherwise posted, with physical distancing protocols in place. Tours for groups of five or fewer are offered on Fridays from 9-9:30 a.m., 9:30-10 a.m., 10-10:30 a.m. and 10:30-11 a.m. (or by appointment) starting May 7th, at a cost of $5 per person (free for children 3 and under). The tour registration form is available at go.osu.edu/lighthouse.
The Aquatic Visitors Center is an educational facility in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, giving visitors of all ages the chance to explore Lake Erie’s complex ecosystem through hands-on activities and aquaria containing live Lake Erie fish. Children ages 15 and younger can borrow fishing gear and fish for free off the 100-foot pier. AVC tours for up to 10 people happen on Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. (or by appointment) starting May 18th. The cost is $5 per person, and free for kids 3 and under. More information and the tour registration form are available at go.osu.edu/avc.
Science and history tours of Gibraltar Island are offered Mondays and Thursdays at 10-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m. (or by appointment) starting May 6th. Groups of up to ten people tour the island, including Perry’s Lookout and the glacial grooves and see the outside of Cooke Castle before learning more about Stone Lab programs. Registered guests meet at the Boardwalk Restaurant dock, 341 Bayview Ave. Put-in-Bay, Ohio, 15 minutes before their tour is scheduled to start. Tours are $10 per person, free for children 3 and under, plus $6 for round-trip fare to Gibraltar Island, payable to the water taxi driver. The tour reservation form is available at go.osu.edu/gibraltar.
Private groups of up to ten people are also able to schedule Lake Erie Science Tours for their group, which range from one-hour island cruises on a Stone Lab vessel to half-day trips to neighboring Lake Erie islands. A complete list of tour options, along with cost information and a link to the reservation form, is available at go.osu.edu/sciencetours.
To comply with The Ohio State University’s COVID-19 protocols, face masks must be worn properly (over nose, mouth and chin) at all times, including in outdoor settings, even when individuals can maintain 6 feet or more of physical distancing. Full details for required Personal Safety Practices on Ohio State properties are available at safeandhealthy.osu.edu/personal-protection-hygiene.
Gibraltar Island and the South Bass Island Lighthouse are owned by The Ohio State University, and all three attractions are managed by Ohio Sea Grant & Stone Laboratory. For more information on scheduling your trip, visit go.osu.edu/SLtours.
Located on the 6.5-acre Gibraltar Island in Put-in-Bay harbor, Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and the research, education, and outreach facility of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. The Ohio Sea Grant College Program is part of The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. For information on Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab, visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu.
American Legion Post 542’s 100th Anniversary
American Legion Post 542 was established May 8th, 1921. The members continue to support the local community in various ways. There are several activities planned to celebrate the anniversary in 2021 beginning with a Veteran’s Meet and Greet on May 22nd at the Goat Soup and Whiskey from 1 to 3 p.m. The Legion members look forward to getting to know local veterans and sharing information about resources for veterans. The Post will share plans for the annual Memorial Day activities and honoring those who served with a recognition at Maple Leaf Cemetery. The rifle volley and playing of taps at the cemetery is always a moving tribute.
Throughout the summer Legion Post 542 will continue to hold monthly meetings. Over the past year the Legion joined the high-tech methods of other organizations offering an opportunity to participate in the meetings using ZOOM. The Legion is coordinating the refurbishment of the WWII cannon at DeRivera Park. We will hold a rededication when it returns to the island with a fresh coat of paint.
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.
This piece of Put-in-Bay journalism has been provided to putinbaylodging.com courtesy of the Put-in-Bay Gazette, Put-in-Bay’s only local newspaper. Visit their website putinbay.news for more information and to subscribe!
