Shocking Fire Lights the Nightscape - Lakeside Pavillion Saved

A quick security guard called for firefighters to catch the fire in its early stage.  Lakeside Pavilion has been part of the landscape of Lakeside Chataqua resort for at least a hundred years.  A large portion of this building is wood, so the quick response of EMS workers, and security guard, Ed Cochenour, saved the evening.  The damage is being called minimal.

As per local hardware store owner John Starcher's, comment on the fire article appearing in the Port Clinton News Herald:

"I went by there just now - the damage appears to be RELATIVELY small. I'm sure they will be able to restore the pavilion with no problems. "Could have been a whole lot worse" was the initial thought I had as I looked at it. A huge shout out to the security guard who caught it, to the Lakeside and Marblehead crews for their quick response and excellent knock-down of the flames, and to the members of CIVD for providing backup when called upon. You all deserve high praise!”

Lakeside Chataqua is such an integral part of this area, that, even though the fire was quickly doused, locals were apprehensive.  The fear of something happening to a beloved building which holds lots of memories is alarming.  The recently constructed viewing decks should be in relatively good shape.  A romantic view enclosed with a white spindle railing and gingerbread trim above is also a gathering place for get togethers.  Sitting areas and picnic tables offer gracious moments with family and friends, and a view of Lake Erie.

Speculation on the cause of the fire whispers a possible electrical problem, though no one has come up with concrete proof of the cause. Cochenour made the call that evening, and help arrived in ample time. The Catawba Township Firefighters, and the Lakeside Volunteer Fire Department worked together to get the flames under control

Tom Derby, chief financial officer of the Lakeside Organization made two comments according to the Port Clinton News.  First Tom said that it looks like the damage wasn't too bad.  When asked for a dollar figure to assess the cost of the repairs, Derby couldn't say.  He merely stated that it looks like the repair will cost a lot of money.  The insurance adjustments will be coming across his desk in due time.

The Pavilion, like so many other parts of Lakeside Chataqua, is part of a long heritage dating back to the 1800’s.  Originally it was a Methodist Retreat where campers constructed tents and camped out for meetings of Methodist Churches across the nation.  Now, Lakeside Chataqua functions as a major player in local employment, tourist accommodations, and cultural events for the Marblehead Peninsula and surrounding areas.  It’s a relief that the fire damage was minimal.

Funding from Multiple Sources bring Eco Friendly Improvements

East Harbor State Park gets a Face-lift

Sources at Port Clinton News Herald report that state funding in corroboration with Ducks Unlimited will provide a connection between East Harbor and Middle Harbor.  A total of $683,000 comes from multiple sources.  The Department of Natural Resources and Ducks Unlimited join with a plan for expanding a 400 acre pond into a water fowl area where the depth of the water can be controlled toward the end of attracting various species of waterfowl.

The history of this area speaks of a time that the waters around East and Middle Harbors were an open inlet to Lake Erie.  A dike constructed there separated the two harbors and created a more shallow water basin. 

The fowl friendly environment will be accomplished by removing an antiquated dike and establishing new controls for raising and lowering the water levels as needed.  No details are provided for this part of the project which is expected to be completed by spring.

More good news tells of the sorely needed renovation of the bath house on East Harbor.  Six hundred thousand dollars are allocated to the East Harbor Park improvements.  Established in 1947, the perimeter of the park is 1,500 feet of Lake Erie beach, a marina, campgrounds, and wetlands.

These improvements should give a leg up for local businesses that have recently suffered due to the poor economy. A marina with boat lifts and other accommodations for boats are tucked in with a nearby cluster of businesses.  Crabby Joe’s Restaurant is there offering a waterfront patio along with a bar and indoor dining.  Another, nearby restaurant lounge known as the Crow’s Nest is just around the corner.

The expansion of this formerly sleepy little fishing area has been remarkable.  As the baby boomers retire to this area, the cultural aspects of the community are also growing.  This includes events and celebrations of historical landmarks unique to the Marblehead Lakeside Peninsula


Index for more articles on Great Lakes and Surround Journal.

Ottawa County Airport Shortest Airline

Hopes for Expansion Sky High

Airport Gets a Lift Off with Expanded Facilities

Local

Erie Ottawa Regional Airport adds Museum and Restaurant  

Many of the locals of Marblehead Penninsula are quite familiar with the “Tin Goose.”  Though she’s a relic from a bygone day, fascination continues to turn eyes and faces skyward.  The airport is located in the quaint and tiny burg of Gypsum, which is in itself a historical area.  The inception of the dream to open a museum at this tiny airport  goes back to the pilot James Parker, whose love of aeronautics gave the dream its take-off in 1995.  Sadly, Parker died shortly after the EEA “Tin Goose” Chapter was established.

Recently, thanks to a donation from the George V. Woodling Foundation the south east corner of the airport is getting a facelift.  A brand new historical museum is under construction and is slated to open this summer.  Liberty Aviation Museum’s flying B-25 bomber from WWII receives a new home there.

In keeping with the historical theme, a fully restored 1950’s diner opens its doors to the public,   A restaurant inside will also be open to the public this summer.

Restaurant Facility  Front Burner Plan Status

Shuttle to Surrounding Islands Nickname

Uncle Bill Didn't Know Power Plants Caused the Decline in Fishing

Fishing trips could go all the way to the horizon.

Dearly departed, Uncle Bill was the best boatman I’ve ever known.  He could take the waves and motor across Lake Erie with such grace.  It was a sad day when he decided to hang up the old fishing cap, and retire the boat for good.  He’d seen the best of the fishing days, and knew Lake Erie from end to end.

He knew the shallow spots, and hidden obstacles beneath the surface.  More than that, he knew the islands’ best fishing spots.  An hour long boat ride may take the fishing excursion to the most northern points where 45 feet of water was as deep as a line could go. A double header cast down into the depths and reeled back almost always yielded two good sized perch. 

I’d bait my minnies, all the while feeling sorry for them, and never catch a thing.  In the meantime, the men folk filled up a twenty four by thirty six inch pallet of gleaming golden perch enough for a winter’s worth of good eating.

 Uncle Bill knew the best perch fishing spots, and when and where to caste.  In the fall we’d walleye fish.  That’s when I caught my one and only walleye.  It was with much pride that I got to brag about “skunking” the men folk.

It was a very sad day when returning to the campground and seeing the empty spot where his camper used to be.  After that, not much time went by and he passed on.

He never knew the reason for the decline in fishing successes.  He blamed the netters on the Canadian side of Lake Erie.  I wish I could tell him that it’s going to get better now. 

The coal fired power plants were responsible for the death of many perch and walleye.  It was a long debate on the part of First Energy.  Cleaning up the waterways meant job loss, but the exorbitant cost to improve the water intake systems made closing down a more viable alternative.

Our fishing tours always began on the bay side

In Uncle Bill’s day, Lake Erie boasted an estimated eight million fish.  More recently, that number dropped to around twenty million according to the Port Clinton Herald Newspaper.

If I could talk to Uncle Bill, I’d get to tell him how the water cooling systems at the various power plants killed bait fish, and sucked in walleye.  Now, eight of the plants will be shut down.  I could tell him how ecologists and charter captains are looking forward to an immediate difference.

We could look forward to being in walleye heaven, the kind of heaven that Uncle Bill would have liked best.

Gayle Beidenbach's Wintry Day Photo Shoot

To know Gayle is to be charmed with her multifaceted personality.  She has many interests, and can't stand a dull moment.  Expect to see more of Gayle's adventures and Marblehead folklore on Great Lakes and Surround Journal in the future.

Fisherman Tales of the Nightmare Kind - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

Fisherman Tales of the Nightmare Kind - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com