Page 10 - Lake Front News June 18-July 1 2020 Edition

Page 10/LAKE FRONT NEWS/June 18 - July 1, 2020
Entertainment & Pastimes
In The Time of Social Distancing
Compiled by Catharine Hadley, Arts and Entertainment Editor, catharinehadley@gmail.com
Continued from page 1
honest about another thing – I like it, but I don’t want to work too hard at it.
I found a Facebook group called Ohio Backyard Bird- ing. Kim Kaufmann of the Black Swamp Bird Obser- vatory is the group admin- istrator. She, and many of the members, have been a great resource. I can take photos out my living room window while sitting on my sofa, and then post them so I can ask what sort of bird it is. The group mem- bers offer all sorts of advice about how to safely and humanely support and ex- plore the wildlife.
Watch the sunset from West Bay on Kelleys Island on a kayak paddle offered by Island AdvenTours.
social-distancing things you can do,” Bryan Floro, owner, said. The Port Clinton location, 3134 W. Harbor Road, will be open at the beginning
of the season for hourly rentals. Children can still participate in the “gem mining.” Floro said the only thing the children will touch is the sluice boxes, which will be sani-
tized between uses.
There will be a few minor chang-
es. The number of people allowed in
the building will be limited. Plans are not finalized for the opening the Oak Harbor location, or for their spectacular Full Moon Paddles.
This year, visitors will find a new option – a stand-up paddleboard that is 16 feet long that can accom-
The Rose Plate at The Goat on Put-in-Bay
of trail that include 21.5 miles in Lorain, 15.7 in Huron, 21.6 miles in Sandusky, and 3 miles in Ottawa counties. Some areas are crushed gravel, and some are asphalt.
I recently talked to a woman who said she and her hus- band enjoyed bicycling at East Harbor State Park. They were surprised when they came around a curve headed into a parking lot, where dozens of deer had congregated.
Picnicking Tips
Just like every year, this season is the perfect time for a picnic. Unlike every other year, we have to take extra precautions to stay safe and healthy. Here are just a few:
Plan ahead and bring plenty of your own disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, and perhaps even soap and water for washing your hands. Plastic trash bags that you use to cover surfaces can later be used to clean up before you leave.
You might want to avoid using a picnic table or bench. The idea of a blanket on the ground might sound like a charming return to childhood. It also might sound like a literal pain in the backside. If so, plan ahead and bring portable chairs.
The main rule of food safety is “keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.” That means hotter than 140 degrees, or colder than 40 degrees. Food can sit out for up to two hours if the day is temperate. If it’s very hot, cold foods won’t last as long.
If possible, put cold drinks in one cooler and cold food in another. That will help the cold food stay cold for a longer period of time, since people tend to reach for drinks more often. Get the coolers out of your vehicle and into a shady spot.
If you choose to use a grill, use a food thermometer.
Online Art Show
The local arts scene is paused in the physical world, but in the online world it is more active than ever. The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council has been holding the GP- CAAC Viral Art Show page on Facebook. Local artists can submit their work, and let viewers know whether the work is for sale. Some of the work has also been posted on the arts council’s webpage.
Here’s one of my latest favorite quotes: “Who we buy from now will decide who’s standing later.”
Thanks to all my friends who helped me with these ideas. I am very grateful.
Every attempt is made to provide accurate information, however, we encourage you to double check the details of these events!
Brummer’s in Vermilion has added a selection of fine wines to their assortment of candy and gifts.
There was one unexpected benefit from my window birdwatching: I was able to text my neighbors to tell them a skunk was in their front bushes right before the mail delivery person was due to arrive.
Some of my friends who are “real” birders have been posting amazing photos that they took of birds at Mead- owbrook Marsh, the Marblehead Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve, and the Ottawa National Wildlife Ref- uge.
Stroll Through The Herndon Sculpture Gardens
Another pleasant way to enjoy both art and the out- doors is by visiting the Charles Herndon Galleries and Sculpture Gardens on Kelleys Island. You can walk through the gardens while viewing dozens of sculptural works. “It’s in the neighborhood of 150,” Herndon said. “There are stone sculptures, steel sculptures, cement fig- urative work, and bronze figurative work.” The stone for several of the works came from Kelleys Island. All of the work in the sculpture garden is for sale.
One of the words used to describe the works in the sculpture garden is “diverse,” the artist said. “There’s a wide variety of different types of sculpture ... I have a favorite, but I’m not going to tell anybody what it is,” he said.
The area wildlife also seem to enjoy the spot. Several birds, including bald eagles, often visit the sculpture gar- dens as well. “It’s a nice nature spot,” Herndon said.
He said the gallery is now open, but with some re- strictions. “We’re not allowing more than five people in the gallery at a time, and they all have to wear masks.” Herndon recommends that visitors who would like to spe- cifically visit the gallery call ahead for hours, or perhaps for an appointment. The website charlesherndon.com has the phone number, plus directions to the site. The online store has been busier lately. Prints of his paintings have been some of the most popular items. The artist also works in painting and photography.
Kayaking
While we’re making the most of our outdoor time, seeing the area by water is an interesting alternative. The Portage River Paddling Company offers one- and two-person kayaks, canoes that sit three or four people, and stand-up paddleboards.
The jackets, paddles, and watercraft will all be disin- fected between uses. “It’s one of the greatest
modate up to 10 people. “It’s called the ‘Paddle Ship.’ It’s very cool,” Floro said.
Kayak On Kelleys Island
Visit peaceful places and preserves on Kelleys Island when you join one of the two daily kayak tours offered by Island AdvenTours. The island-based business offers a se- lection of both Hike/Bike and kayak tours.
The kayaks used by Island AdvenTours are safe and unsinkable utilizing Sit-on-Top kayaks, which are com- fortable for both the novice or experienced paddler. One of the daily tours offered explores the North Pond, and Alvar Preserve on the rocky north shoreline of Kelleys Island. It lasts approximately 2 hours, travels two miles and allows for stretching and exploring breaks.
An evening sunset paddle travels one way, starting at the Kelleys Island State Park and ending with a spectac- ular sunset viewed from West Bay. This paddle excursion offers shuttle service to return participants to their vehi- cles. “The north shore sunset tour offers an exciting view of the pristine shoreline of Kelleys Island with lots of wild- life,” stated Island AdvenTours owner Dawn Soldner. “It is offered every evening, weather permitting.”
To reserve your kayak tour or bike/hike phone 419-708- 4228 or search for Island AdvenTours on Trip Advisor or
Air B&B.Ottawa County Barn Quilt Trail
Ottawa County Barn Quilt Trail is a fun way to see art while remaining in your vehicle. The 17 “quilts” are made of wood, and painted in mostly-traditional quilt patterns. See “Stars in the Attic,” “Mariner’s Compass,” “Egg Bas- ket,” and more. You’ll find five in Benton Township, three in Salem Township, two in Carroll Township, and one in each Portage, Harris, Bay, Danbury, Catawba, Allen, and Erie townships. For information and the addresses, visit https://ottawacountyhistory.org/community/barn-quilt-
trail.
African Safari Wildlife Park
The African Safari Wildlife Park is open. Although the walk-through portion of the park remains closed, visitors can enjoy the drive-through portion, the gift shop, the re- tail store, and the outdoor-seating restaurant. You can see hundreds of exotic animals in the 65-acre park.
Biking
The Northcoast Inland Trail will eventually extend from Lorain to Toledo. At this point, though, there are patches
Re-enactors on the grounds of Perry’s Monument at Put-in-Bay
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