Put-in-Bay OSU Classcam on Gibraltar Island continues to deliver wonderful views of Put-in-Bay Harbor. This one from late Monday afternoon was worth framing!
Thanksgiving Week Environment at Put-in-Bay Still a Treasure to Behold
Kaleidoscope, by Berni Steinbach
Thanksgiving Week is upon us. Make time for comfort and rejuvenation!
The proverbial time for reunion, appreciation, and sharing feels subdued this year. Indeed, a poem entitled, “November,” penned in the last century by Ruby Archer, captures the draining sentiment many know as 2020 winds down:
Our twilight month November is,
The evening of the year.
The brilliant summer noontide left
A pallor soft and clear.
From political weariness to health concerns to media fatigue to financial stress, 2020 will be remembered as a time of mixed emotions with a few brief shining highlights–and the latter not even for many. However, amidst the dark and gloomy one can make space in one’s sensibilities for persistent treasures around us. The people who care for us, the people we love, the people who extend helping hands, the people who remain strong and steadfast during trying times–all brighten our internal landscape.
It must be noted, too, how profound an impact the physical environment has upon us. It is so easy to mentally bypass the blossoms, the fields, the lanes, the structures all around, wherever we go or wherever we stay. A deliberate look beyond the dashboard, beyond the computer screen, and past the cellular telephone b
rings an epiphany of sorts. Yes, the eyes can take in the geometry and color of the environment and deliver to our perception a revitalized sense of presence. John Muir wrote in 1911, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.”
I
n this context, I encourage you to re-discover the treasures which bring us all, collectively, into a realization of thanksgiving. Peace and health be yours!
Photos by Donna Steinbach
Put-in-Bay Weather Explained
Wind intensity snapshot on 15 November 2020
Put-in-Bay weather is changeable, to say the least. Hereabouts, as elsewhere in the United States, one often hears the refrain, “Just wait ten minutes . . .” However, the dynamic forces which affect Lake Erie are known for creating incredible natural drama. Sunrises, sunsets yes, but also water spouts, gigantic ocean-like swells, flooding, low-water advisories, rip currents and near hurricane force winds. TV newscasters and National Weather Service broadcasts typically highlight the fundamental data. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) presents detailed reports which clarify the complexity of our environmental experience.
Sunday, 15 November 2020, is one particular day of interest in this context. NOAA puts it this way: “On Sunday, November 15th, a very potent upper level trough and strong 160 knot jet streak resulted in a deepening surface low down to 980 mb moving northeast across the Great Lakes region. The wind field ahead of this trough was particularly intense with upwards of 120 knots at 500mb and 70 knots at 850mb.” Standard surface pressure is 1013.2 millibars or 29.92 inches on the barometer. Divide the pressure value by 33.864 to get inches mercury.
For detailed analysis, including charts and photographs, visit https://www.weather.gov/cle/event_HighWind_Severe_20201115
Miller Ferry Schedule TBD in December
Miller Ferry schedule (Put-in-Bay) for the remainder of November and through 6 December is certain. However, Miller Boat Line will determine at a later date what the operations will be after 6 December 2020. The ferry schedule for Middle Bass Island is available at Miller Boat Line’s Middle Bass page.
Strong Winds Return on Thursday
URGENT WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Cleveland OH 211 PM EST Wed Nov 18 2020 Lucas-Wood-Ottawa-Sandusky-Erie-Lorain-Cuyahoga-Hancock-Seneca- Huron-Medina-Wyandot-Crawford-Richland-Ashland-Marion-Morrow- Including the cities of Toledo, Bowling Green, Port Clinton, Fremont, Sandusky, Lorain, Cleveland, Findlay, Tiffin, Norwalk, Medina, Upper Sandusky, Bucyrus, Mansfield, Ashland, Marion, and Mount Gilead WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM EST THURSDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of north central, northeast and northwest Ohio. * WHEN...From 10 AM to 5 PM EST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Conservancy Shopping at Butterfly House on Thursday
Show your Bass Islands pride!
Lake Erie Islands Conservancy will set up a table to sell Conservancy calendars, tote bags, and bird seed as well as a few items from the LEI Nature and Wildlife Center at the Butterfly House Shopping Day on Thursday, November 19, 2020 from 2:00-5:30pm.
For those who ordered bird seed from the Conservancy, it was delivered to the island thanks to Titgemeier’s, Miller Boat Line, Heineman Winery, and Russell Brohl. Delivery to your island home should be in the next few days. Thanks to Mike Byrnes, Talii Steidl, and Elora Hubner for helping us get started with deliveries!