September 2025 Gazette: Put-in-Bay Island Diary August ’25

putinbay.com is proud to present the Put-in-Bay Gazette’s Island Diary. For the best South Bass Island journalism, visit putinbay.news and subscribe to the Gazette today!

Island Diary August 2025

Fri., Aug. 1st – The winds of yesterday die down and the regatta sailors are happy to get out on the lake. A waterspout with its thin twisting column of air reaching from the dark clouds to the lake below is spotted off the West Shore. Rides on one of the last Ford Trimotors in existence are available at Put-in-Bay Airport. Across the street at the corner of Langram and Meechen, the world’s largest rubber duck is on display. It’s Hibachi night at the Keys. Off the water, the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club hosts nightly socials, including a Mount Gay Rum Party.

Sat., Aug. 2nd – At 9 a.m. the world’s largest rubber duck is only half inflated and looks like it’s sleeping. A mass for Jeff Bykowski is held at Mother of Sorrows. Lots of people say this is one of the busiest Saturdays of the season. The I-LYA’s Ladies’ Tea takes place at the PIB Winery Ice House. Later the club hosts a Tito’s Vodka party. Over on Isle de Fleurs, the Middle Bass Poker Kayak Day is going on as part of Island Green Week. A big thank you goes to organizer Tina M. Larson for her ten years of putting on this wonderful event with all her volunteers to benefit the Put-in-Bay Township Park District.

Sun., Aug. 3rd – It’s the last day to get your photo taken with the huge rubber duck. The Put-in-Bay Township Park District and the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy dedicate the Duff Vineyard Preserve right after lunch. There’s an 85th birthday party for Marv Booker at his home on East Point in the afternoon. The Sunglass Ladies, Laurie Utterberg and Anne Spettel sponsor the antique car parade pre-parade, and Gary Milson sponsors the post parade in honor of his beautiful wife Lori Milson. Renee Market gives a tour of the ruins of the Hotel Victory at the State Park after the dinner hour.

Mon., Aug. 4th – The island’s weeklong Vacation Bible School begins at the Cornerstone Room of Mother of Sorrows Church.

Tue., Aug. 5th – It’s a nice day at the Bay, but quiet. Renee Fultz is selling tickets for Wednesday’s Pig Roast at the Nature Center.

Wed., Aug. 6th – The Governor is on hand to celebrate the reopening of the renovated Aquatic Visitor Center and former state fish hatchery on Peach Point on the west end of PIB harbor. The cupcakes are worth the price of admission (both are free). The Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center’s Pig Roast fundraiser at Das Lokal Biergarten at the Goat is sold out. The EMS, police and firemen are called to help a man who fell into the water and hit his head at Crew’s Nest dock in front of the club. Barb Hunter from Fox’s Den and Bill Boag from the West Shore, and others go for a sunset boat ride with Danny Drake from Getaway Inn. The last bingo night of the season takes place at the Town Hall.

Thu., Aug. 7th – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, H2Ohio and Ohio Sea Grant, in partnership with The Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory and Shores & Islands Ohio, host the fifth annual Lake Erie Awareness Day. This free, family-friendly event invites visitors to explore interactive stations across South Bass Island: Perry’s Monument, Nature Center, State Park, Duff Homestead and Aquatic Visitors Center. Each location features engaging activities highlighting Lake Erie’s cultural, historical and ecological significance. The LEIHS Museum’s annual fundraiser auction takes place at Heineman Winery.

Fri., Aug. 8th – The Streets and Safety Committee will meet on August 8th, 2025, at 8 a.m. for the discussion of criteria pertaining to Liquor License Appeals. Council meeting As part of Green Week, naturalist Renee Market gives a free Lonz Winery Cellar Tour on Middle Bass. Visitors can also tour the lighthouse on the south end of the island at Put-in-Bay. The Barbershop Quartets perform at the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club. $683 in donations benefit the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy and the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center.

Sat., Aug. 9th – The Battle of Put-in-Bay Volleyball tournament takes place at McCann’s Field. There’s a golf outing at Saunders Resort sponsored by the PIB Yacht Club. Two boats catch fire in Put-in-Bay harbor. At Bill and Alice Boag’s home on the West Shore, there’s a special party for island folks who were born in 1945.

Sun., Aug. 10th – The line for the ferry at one time hits Airline Dr. at the southwest corner of the airport. Kelleys Island takes Game 2 over the Blue Marlins team from Put–in-Bay, after losing Game 1 of the Lake Erie Islands Softball League Championship.

Put-in-Bay Quick Links

• Things To Do At Put-in-Bay
• 2025 Put-in-Bay Event Calendar
• Our Favorite Places To Eat At PIB
• Put-in-Bay Ferry Service

Mon., Aug. 11th – Dan Savage announces at the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum board meeting that he will be stepping down as its director at the end of this season. At the airport, there’s lots of activity as set up begins for Bash on the Bay on Wednesday and Thursday. The LEI Softball League season comes to an exciting conclusion Monday night as Kelleys Island defeats the PIB’s Blue Marlins 15–3 in the decisive Game 3 of the championship series.

Tue., Aug. 12th – PIB Twp. Port Authority chairman Rick Ziebarth is in Port Authority Secretary Beth Turner’s office at the airport as the Put-in-Bay airport is officially closed for Bash at the Bay. For Bash at the Bay eve, the downtown businesses and docks don’t seem as busy as in years past. Jacob Seaman (PIBHS Class of 2025) is off to BGSU where he will be a twirler in the BGSU Falcon Marching Band. The grocery distribution for kids is today, not on the usual Wednesday due to the Bash on the Bay.

Wed., Aug. 13th – There is just enough rain in the early morning hours and a cool down overnight to make for a pretty nice day for Bash on the Bay. The staff at Miller Boat Line’s downtown office sings “Happy Birthday” to Dave Bianchi. A half block away, Bash headliner Luke Bryan arrives at the Crew’s Nest office dock. Put-in-Bay entertainer Bob Gatewood sings “Friends of the Bay” on stage at the Bash. The last Lobster Mania takes place at the Boardwalk for the 2025 season.

Thu., Aug. 14th – There’s perfect weather with a one percent chance of rain for today’s Bash concert. Attendance seems to be light compared to previous years.

Fri., Aug. 15th – The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society holds its annual fundraiser art auction at the patio at the Crew’s Nest in the late afternoon. The tall ship schooners Liberty Clipper and When and If 1939 are making their way through the Great Lakes on a summer cruise and arrive and give sunset cruises. A cruise out to Leamington is scheduled for members of the yacht club.

Sat., Aug. 16th – The PIB Property Owners Association meeting takes place at the Senior Center in the morning with guest speakers Ottawa County Sheriff Stephen Levorchick and PIB Police Chief James Kimble. Among the topics are the infamous July weekends, sheriff calls statistics for this year, drugs, electric scooters and many other police related topics. When asked about renewing the police contract with the township when it ends this December, Levorchick said he would be presenting a contract in two weeks. There’s a Paint and Sip event at the Lonz Mansion at the Middle Bass State Park. Some nasty dark clouds bring rain to the island in the late afternoon.

Sun., Aug. 17th – Lake Erie is essentially bath water right now with most of the surface water slightly about 80 degrees. Someone posted the all time record in one area was 86.2 degrees recorded back in 1988. Remember that in January, the lake was 95% ice covered. The two tall ships, Liberty Clipper and When and If 1939, have just the right breeze to give rides out on the channel between PIB and Middle Bass. The Boardwalks 2025 Weekly Specials end for the season.

Mon., Aug. 18th – Miller’s ferry schedule changes with the last trip leaving PIB at 8 p.m. and Catawba at 8:30 p.m. Fr. Bob from St. Paul’s begins his vacation.

Tue., Aug. 19th – The Village’s Water and Sewer Committee meets in the morning to discuss the storm sewer systems around the downtown area. During the meeting a hard rain begins to fall. Artist Sarah Cochran presents an acrylic pour painting program at the Erie Islands Public Library.

Wed., Aug. 20th – It’s a cloudy cool windy day for the ice cream social sponsored by the PIB Property Owners Association at the Gazebo in DeRivera Park. Today marks the end of special delivery summer meals for island kids. The topic at the Garden Club’s August meeting at PIBYC is Orchid Care.

putinbay.com Top Lodging Picks For 2025 At The Bay

Thu., Aug. 21st – There’s a fundraiser to purchase a police K-9 dog for the Village. Weinies & Tinis takes place at the Round House Bar Back Patio. There are food, games, raffles, face painting and dog watercolors by Celeste Mycoskie. All dogs are welcome, too. A little under $7,000 is raised. The two PIB School 1st graders, Evie Cultice and Greta Koehler, help this year’s PIBHS seniors, Lukas Kostura and Cody Kowalski, to paint the Senior rock in front of the school.

Fri., Aug. 22nd – As the day progresses, the weather gets better and it looks like a good weekend is beginning to take shape. Diane Nemec makes her Mom’s recipe for Blackberry Pie! Unfortunately, she doesn’t drop a piece off to her friends at the Gazette.

Sat., Aug. 23rd – The weather is extremely comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold. The Yacht Club’s 2025 Progressive Dinner scheduled for this evening is canceled. The Perry Group has a 240th Birthday Party for Oliver Hazard Perry at PIBYC. After an informative talk about Commodore Perry, guests viewed his travel desk that the organization purchased for display at the Monument Visitor Center. On this date in 1932, the Beebe House Hotel at Put-in-Bay was destroyed by a massive blaze. The Beebe House Hotel was located on what is now the lot across from the Dairy Isle.

Sun., Aug. 24th – The large majority of people on South Bass Island do not accept the invitation from the P.I.B. Run Club to join them in the morning at the DeRivera Park Gazebo for a 3-mile run or walk. It is, however, a gorgeous day on Put-in-Bay. Across the border on Pelee Island there’s a community breakfast at the Legion and a watercolour painting workshop with island artist Rob Tymstra at the Legion. The breakfast is free for the first 50 guests, but donations are gladly accepted by the Pelee Island Heritage Centre.

Mon., Aug. 25th – There’s a taste of fall in the air. Today begins Lobster Fest at the Boardwalk. Susan Market from Dockside and Blu Drift takes her staff to the mainland for an outing. For the next five days there are lobster specials like Lobster Linguine, Lobster Newburg and Filet Mignon with a Lobster Claw. At least three waterspouts are spotted as unruly clouds pass over the islands shortly after dinner time.

Tue., Aug. 26th – It’s the first day of school for Put-in-Bay students. The enrollment count is 77 students from Preschool to 12th Grade. There are 10 Preschoolers, 38 K through 6th, 28 Junior & High School students and one Student at Vanguard. Cameo Pizza is closed for their employee appreciation day.

Wed., Aug. 27th – The Put-in-Bay Township Board of Trustees attend a meeting with the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office to pass a joint resolution concerning the Put-in-Bay Roads Resurfacing Project for the Ohio Public Works Grant/Loan Application Cooperation Agreement.

Thu., Aug. 28th – The September issue of the Put-in-Bay Gazette is printed early due to the Labor Day holiday being so early. Put-in-Bay’s volleyball team has an away, non-conference match vs. against Waite in Toledo.

Fri., Aug. 29th – As part of PIB Science Days you can learn about Monarch butterfly migration at the South Bass Island Lighthouse.

Sat., Aug. 30th – The 2025 Annual Membership Meeting of PIBYC takes place at the club in the morning, and later it’s Luau night with blender drinks.

Sun., Aug. 31st – Laureen Mooney from the West Shore turns 75. –The Rev. Keith Owen conducts services at St. Paul’s on as part of a pulpit swap with Chapel of the Transfiguration in Whitefield, N.H. while Fr. Bob is on vacation.

Putinbay.com is proud to present the Put-in-Bay Gazette’s Island Diary for July 2025, in the August 2025 issue of the Gazette.

To subscribe to the Put-in-Bay Gazette please visit their website by clicking here.