Happy 94th Birthday, Annie Parker!

Annie Parker, a wonderfully kind and highly-respected Put-in-Bay resident, celebrates a spectacularly energetic life tomorrow, 20 May 2023, on her 94th birthday.

Ms. Parker is known for her beautiful singing, her participation in civic events, her dedication to healthy walks around South Bass Island, and her amazing contributions to collections of island history.

Please take a moment to congratulate Annie if you see her on the front porch of her home on Catawba Avenue.

In a 2017 ode composed to celebrate the Senior Center, Annie wrote:

“Where Old Friends Meet”

Bring your friends and your memories of that historic corner

and the street between the Lake Front and the churches.

John Nissen’s Fish Market where you sold your day’s catch.

Do you recall the three grocery stores on Catawba Ave.?

Post Office, Fire Department, Town Hall, Theatre, Dances, Card Parties.

Schnoor and Fuchs Groceries, Hardware, Drug Store,

Soda Fountain. Buy a pair of shoes or boots, candy,

School and office supplies.

At Ohio Edison’s appliance store, you could get a stove,

refrigerator, iron, toaster.

Long before the Jim Poulos school addition

kids walked to the Town Hall for gym class.

The Doctor’s Office/Home predated our present great EMS.

School and Churches steps away.

At Tony’s kids ate ice cream while adults had nickel

beer and watched one of the island’s first TV’s.

John Ladd, who was born in that corner house, can

explain how TWO big holes were landmarks for years.

Parker’s Garage provided free air and first aid when

the doctor was out of town.

Tomatoes among Joe’s canna flowers. And who could forget the apricot tree.

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial opens May 20 for 2023 Season 

Put-in-Bay, Ohio – Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial opens for the 2023 season on Saturday, May 20. The Visitor Center and Memorial will be open Thursday through Monday from 10am until 6pm.

Image by North Coast Aerial

Tickets to visit the Observation Deck of the Memorial may be purchased in the Visitor Center located at 180 Toledo Avenue and are $10 per person; children under 16 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.  The America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes are accepted and available for purchase in the Visitor Center.

Superintendent Rowles said, “Shifting to timed ticket sales from the Visitor Center will improve the overall experience by allowing visitors the opportunity to plan their visit and explore other areas of the park or South Bass Island.”  Seawall Restoration construction will continue in 2023 and the primary focus will be on the north side of the park along Bayview Avenue. When visiting, please be mindful of the additional construction related traffic so that your visit is safe and enjoyable.

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial was established to honor those who fought and died in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and to celebrate the long-lasting peace between the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. The Memorial, a Doric column, rising 352 feet over Lake Erie is 5 miles from the longest unarmed border in the world. It has an open-air Observation Deck 317 feet tall offering spectacular views of the Lake Erie Islands and Canada.