Airmail to the Islands -
Nice article describing how mail
gets to the islands. From today's Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. - December 31, 2006
2007 Ferry
Schedule Available - the
new 2007 Middle Bass Island Miller Boat Line ferry schedule is posted for
download/print on the
Miller Boat Line web site. - December 21, 2006
Home Page Reaches
300,000 Hits - On
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, one day before this site's 6th anniversary on Dec. 3,
the home page of this site recorded 300,000 hits. - December 2, 2006
Rattlesnake Island
First Day Covers 2006 -
The ones pictured
here went
through the U.S. Mail in mid-November with real Middle Bass Island Stamps -
December 1, 2006
Article and
Picture: MB'er Jay Musson, a Purple Heart Veteran -
Cleveland.com is featuring
Jay Musson, who has a home in the former Middle Bass Club, in their Road
Scholars series this week. Jay has a Purple Heart from his Vietnam days and
has the license plate "SHOT4U". - November 29, 2006
See Our Kristin Stanford,
the Snake Lady, on the Discovery Channel -Everything you've ever
wanted to know about the Lake Erie Water Snake (plus some other Put-in-Bay
tidbits) on the Discovery Channel
at the following dates and times:
On November 17, 2006,
Rattlesnake Island will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the issue of
its first local post stamps. The 2006 stamps feature An Island Home –
25˘, Griffing Air Service delivers the mail to the RI PMG – 50˘, and a
1928 Model A Ford with the island postmaster - $1.00. In addition, a
40th Anniversary stamp will feature The 1928 Ford Tri-Motor delivering
the mail - $2.00. The 2006 stamps feature photographs taken on the
island while the 40th Anniversary stamp features a still from a
Huntley-Brinkley TV report on the island and its battle with the POD
over its local post stamps. The Tri-Motor is delivering the first local
post stamped mail to Charles Busch, the island caretaker. - October 12,
2006
Ohio EPA OKs Destruction of Wetlands for Middle Bass Boat Slips -
State regulators yesterday
authorized the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to destroy 4.25 acres of
wetlands so it can increase the number of boat slips at the island’s marina.
When completed, the marina — which now has 130 boat slips — will have 360.-
October 6, 2006
Ash Borer Quarantine Extended to Middle Bass Island -
Ohio’s emerald ash borer
quarantine was expanded recently to include the Lake Erie islands. The state
Department of Agriculture said the Asian pest was discovered recently on Kelleys
and Middle Bass islands as well as in Seneca, Cuyahoga, and Warren counties. -
October 4, 2006
Ottawa County Indicts Middle Bass Man on Arson Charges -
An Ottawa County grand jury has
handed up an indictment of one count each of aggravated arson and arson against
a 57-year-old man, David E. Sovol , who allegedly started a fire at a home near his summer house
on Middle Bass Island. - October 3, 2006
2 New State Park
Articles in the
Cleveland Plain Dealer and
Akron Beacon Journal
- But the Plain Dealer misquoted
me. I didn't say anything like "the plan dooms the island from a tourist
perspective". What I said was that the main dock area (which is all I was
talking about) was the center of island tourism from the 1880s to 2000, and it's
a shame that the dock area will now never have tourist shops, restaurants, etc.
except perhaps one if and when the state re-opens the Lonz Winery building. -
September 7, 2006
Gov. Taft Visits Middle Bass and North Bass Islands on Aug. 24
- Mr. Taft and about 25 state employees, along with his wife, Hope Taft,
explored the beauty of remote North Bass Island first as they pedaled bicycles
with a group of reporters yesterday. Later in the day, the entourage was
shuttled by boat to nearby Middle Bass Island for an afternoon hike. - Aug. 26,
2006
State Park Update
- This ODNR
newsletter just appeared in the press wire this week, but seems to
be from last January. - August 16, 2006
Arson suspected in Middle Bass Island house fire- The
Ottawa County Sheriff's Office suspects arson might be the cause of
a Saturday house fire on Middle Bass Island, Sheriff Robert Bratton
said. The fire engulfed a vacant house at 450 Lake Road, he said. It
is the second fire at the house over an unspecified period of time.
August 1, 2006
Man arrested for allegedly beating up a woman
- A man was arrested
early Saturday morning at St. Hazards resort on Middle Bass Island
for allegedly beating up a woman, according to a Put-in-Bay police
report. - July 27, 2006
Pictures of
the July, 2006 Art Week
- The Sunset Cruise
on July 15 to benefit the island EMS and the Children's Art & Music
Events from July 17-22. July 24, 2006
Indian Claim to North Bass Island Land Not Dismissed
- A request from the
state of Ohio to dismiss the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma's claim to
fishing and hunting rights to Lake Erie was denied yesterday in U.S.
District Court in Toledo. - July 14, 2006
Artists on the Porch Weekend
July 22-23 -
The 3rd annual artist's weekend at
My Aunt Irma's
is coming up. I'll be there again selling the 3 island books in
the right column of this page. I'll also be selling Chad Waffen's
wonderful new picture book, Ohio's Lake Erie Islands,
which has many pages of great Middle Bass pictures. I'll also have
some
Middle Bass stamps, reprints of the
1977 Middle Bass Centennial book, an
East Point poster, and a new
Wehrle's Hall (Lonz) poster for sale. Other artists will be
offering photos, paintings, jewelry and many other great items. -
July 12, 2006
Middle Bass Island 2006 Annual Benefit is
on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - Featuring...
·
Sunset cruise aboard Miller Boat Line
·
The Jazz sounds of our own Ernie Rickard and band.
· Wine &
cheese, sparkling cider and a dessert buffet.
Benefit proceeds
go toward the purchase of an AED (automatic external
defibrillator) to be used by the Middle Bass EMS.
The contact
person is Katie Schneider 419-285-2810 or you can make a
check payable to Middle Bass Board of Education Benefit Gala
and drop it off at the generalstore with Eddie. Tickets are
$40.00 per person.
The boat
will leave at 8:00 p.m. and we are asking all to arrive by
7:45 and park at the parking lot near the state park
marina. The cruise will end at 10:00. - July 12, 2006
Boat Crashes
into/onto Mouse Island
- The Ohio Division of
Watercraft charged Keith Brown, 54, of Fort Lauderdale after his 41-foot Tiara
cabin cruiser struck the west side of Mouse Island, went onto the beach, and
landed in a clump of trees Monday night. Posted July 4, 2006; revised July 7 and
11,
2006
Monument Shut
After Granite Falls
- Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial at Put-in-Bay is closed
indefinitely while National Park Service officials determine whether the
352-foot monument is structurally sound. Toledo Blade 6/24/06 - Posted June 29,
2006
Watch For an Article About Jim Bretz Next Month
- The June, 2006 edition of the
Black Swamp Trader,
a free magazine available in many locations around the islands, will feature an
article about Jim Bretz using some of the
pictures from
this web site. - May 18, 2006
Lake Erie Islands shed their junk cars
- A roundup of junk
vehicles on Middle Bass will take place next month. About a dozen vehicles are scheduled to be
removed. The South Bass roundup was yesterday, and about 30 cars were removed.
See the
Plain Dealer and
wkyc.com articles.- April 26, 2006
Middle Bass Cleanup Day is May 6
- Once again My Aunt Irma's and
Walleyes will be sponsoring a clean-up day, May 6th from 9AM-3PM. Pick up your
assignment and garbage bags at Irma's. Hot dogs and beverages follow at Walleyes
for those participating. - April 15, 2006
Former Middle Bass Summer Resident John Hugh Virgil Evans, Jr Passes Away At Age
91 - John Evans, a
well-known Toledo architect and summer resident of Middle Bass Island , was the original chairman of the Burgundy Bay
architectural committee on Middle Bass Island in the 1960s and 1970s. His good taste was
unquestionable. His plan was for family oriented green space, unrestricted sight
lines, and restrictions on building styles and height. John played a key role in
Middle Bass Island development, and is remembered with great affection by those
who knew him. - April 4, 2006
Ford Tri-Motor for Sale on eBay
- Fans of the former Island
Airlines Tri-Motor (and others) should see the listing for stunning
pictures. - March 18, 2006
Speed Reduced on Erie Islands
- Gov. Bob Taft yesterday signed
a bill applying the brakes to motorists in unincorporated parts of South Bass,
Middle Bass, and North Bass islands. The bill establishes a maximum 35-mph speed
limit. The lower speed limit will take effect in 90 days, i.e., June 11. - March
14, 2006.
Hang on for
the Ride, Middle Bass
- Article from the Put-in-Bay Gazette, March, 2006, about ODNR's plans for the
Middle Bass Island State Park. - March 10, 2006
(Also see
ODNR's
Response from March 23, 2006)
Green Island History and New
Photos Available -
The new history includes two old postcard images and nine new pictures from 2005
that have all never been published before. (PDF, 1.4MB) - Originally published
3/9/06 and revised March 10, 2006
"Fishing Around the Bass Islands" on TV this Week.
If you get the
Sportsman Channel
on cable, or any of several other stations, the "Angling the Great Lakes"
series is about the Bass islands this week. It is being shown on Sunday 3/5,
Monday, Thursday and Saturday on the Sportsman Channel. If one of you can tape
this for me, please contact Mike Gora using the info on the
contact page. March 5,
2006
Jack's Lake Erie
Islands Humor - Jack
Qualman is a friend who sends me occasional cartoons or other island humor he has
created, so I decided to start publishing his creations. - March 3, 2006
Dredging Plan will be Focus of EPA Hearing in Port Clinton on March 9
- The Ohio DNR wants credit
from its wetlands restoration work at Middle Harbor on the Marblehead
peninsula to fulfill its offset requirements for a marina and campground
expansion project it has planned for Middle Bass Island. - February 24, 2006
Middle Bass Club
DVD (1928-31) and Newsletters Available- Lisa Fine, who
owns a cottage in the Middle Bass Club together with her husband, has discovered and
restored some wonderful old Middle Bass Club videos and is making them
available. Lisa's club newsletters also contain some previously
unpublished historic pictures. February 21, 2006
Lake Erie Islands Live
News Page - We
finally figured out how to consolidate a few live news feeds into a single page,
and the result is the first ever Lake Erie Islands live news page on any
website. Also see the separate page for the rest of
Ottawa County Live
News - Feb. 15, 2006, updated February 16, 2006
House Passes Speed Limit Bill for the Islands
- The House yesterday voted unanimously to set a 35-mph speed limit in all
unincorporated areas of North Bass, Middle Bass, and South Bass islands. The
bill, sponsored by Sen. Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green), is headed for Gov.
Bob Taft's desk. Toledo Blade - February 15, 2006.
New Ice Rescue Policy
- Ottawa County Sheriff Bob
Bratton implemented an ice-rescue policy this month that calls for arresting
anyone who goes back onto a frozen waterway after being rescued. It also calls
for anyone rescued from the ice three times in the same season to be sued in
small-claims court to recover rescue costs. Toledo Blade, Jan. 26, 2006 posted
February 6, 2006
Western Lake Erie Waterkeepers Urge Protest of Marina Expansion
- The group has distributed a letter
(PDF, 800kb) to all Middle Bass property owners asking them to protest against
the marina expansion. The full plans for the expansion can be viewed
here (PDF, 1800kb). - February 3, 2006
Miller Ferry Ran to Middle Bass Today
- The Miller Ferry made a single
round trip to Middle Bass today. This is the earliest that the ferry has run to
Middle Bass in many years. There were 6 vehicles on the trip to the mainland. On the 4PM return trip, there were 8 vehicles.
The Miller Ferry had asked for a minimum three car commitment to make the trip.
Like everyone from Put-in-Bay who has been riding the ferry this winter, the
passengers all had big smiles. -
February 2, 2006
Beer Ad - Earlier
today, I put a video of a beer ad (3MB) with the title So Your Son Wants To Be a Ballet
Dancer on the site so a friend could access it. It had been blocked by
her email filters. It has nothing to do with the islands, but if you are on a
high-speed link, you may enjoy it. February 2, 2006
Middle Bass and North Bass Unaffected by Precinct Cuts
- In Ottawa County, the number
of precincts will drop from 78 to 47 this May, but the islands will be
unaffected. That will save at least $11,000 in payments to poll workers. Middle
Bass Island has 91 voters in its precinct and North Bass Island is left with
just 11. "There's nothing we could do about that," the deputy director of the
elections board said. - January 27, 2006. There is also a later version of this
article in the
Toledo Blade on January 31, 2006
Middle Bass Island Website Guestbook has been turned off for new entries.
-
The guestbook had been in
operation for over five years but spambots had been putting in a lot of junk
entries with undesirable links. We replaced it with a different design last
summer in attempt to cut down on the spambots, but it didn't work. We did leave
all the valid old entries in the archives, however. - January 21, 2005
The Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay is running because the ice has melted
-
video clip at Cleveland.com.
But the Middle Bass ferry is not running, and the Put-in-Bay ferry may stop
again at any time. On the first trip of the "mid-winter" last Sunday, when they
took the Put-in-Bay out its dock downtown, they slowllllllllly made way through
the bay. The northerly wind the night before had pushed the remaining slush ice
back into the bay. With the overnight cold, the slush knitted into about a foot
to foot and a half of ice. When David Bianchi (the Captain) was asked if they
pushed or broke through (like an icebreaker), he said they broke through, and
that the boat actually rode on top of the ice. With good weather trips run into
the Lime Kiln dock. - January 17, 2006, updated January 19, 2006
Pictures of Middle Bass and Put-in-Bay in Ohio Magazine
- The January, 2006 edition of
Ohio Magazine has a great pictorial article on "The Best of Ohio". Winner of
"Best Place to See for Miles and Miles" is Perry's Monument. The article has two
pictures from the monument, one of Put-in-Bay, and one of Middle Bass showing
the Lonz Winery in the distance. - January 14, 2006
Wehrle's Dance Hall,
1888 - This
is the best picture of Wehrle's Hall that I have seen. It is also the picture in
my book Lake Erie Islands: Sketches and Stories.
To make all the detail visible, we left the image fairly large and you will have
to scroll it.- January 11, 2005
The Ultimate Pleasure
Boat? - This
is a dream boat I won't have at Middle Bass. So the web is the only way I could bring
it to you. - January 7, 2005
New
Pictures of the North
Bass Wedding in 1919
- 2 new pictures of the wedding
couple and the wedding party at the North Bass Island
wedding of Chester
Allen and Helen Cullen on September 6, 1919. I didn't realize I had these when I
posted the original pictures. - January 4, 2006
A heart-warming true
story of island life in 1886-87, never published before.
NOW AVAILABLE
The limited edition
Middle Bass Postcard Poster that was
available at the artist's fair at Aunt Irma's at the beginning of August, 2004
is still available, by special order only.
Four Other Books
in the Middle Bass Web Store- When did you last
have the opportunity to buy 3 different books with "Middle Bass" in the
original historical title (in addition to the Lonz of Middle Bass
book mentioned above)? All 3 are reprints and have great pictures, but none of these has
ever been reprinted before. The 4th is a Port Clinton reprint, but with a
full-page ad for Wehrle's on Middle Bass that we have touched up and put
on the back cover. Three of the books have LOTS
of Put-in-Bay pictures. The books are also available at the Lake Erie
Islands Historical Society on Put-in-Bay.
"Middle Bass, Ohio
1877-1977" Centennial Booklet from 1977.
