25 Things to be Thankful for in Ottawa County, Ohio

by Faith Trombley, Media and Marketing Intern

Wildlife is a big thing for our community.

Here are some places that are doing what they can to try to preserve the wetland ecosystems in the county.

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Here you can see the lands and waters that are being used to conserve the fish, plants, and other wildlife in America.
Crane Creek Wildlife Research. Located on the second floor of the Sportsmen’s Migratory Bird Center, biologists conduct important statewide research for the management of wildlife that depend on the Ohio wetlands.
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. This area is used to help protect the wetland habitat for various species of birds.

Ottawa County is a very historic part of Ohio.

Here are some places with a lot of history that have led to what is our home today.

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is located on Put-In-Bay and stands at 352 feet high. A truly beautiful structure not only used to honor those who fought during the Battle of Lake Erie, but also the lasting peace held between the U.S., Britain, and Canada.
Perry’s Cave, also located on Put-In-Bay, is a cave that you can take an actual tour of. On the tour learn about a rare underground lake, limestone, and natural occurring structures called stalactites and stalagmites that have formed from hundreds of years of dripping water.
Head on over to Johnson’s Island to learn some cool things about the Civil War. Johnson’s Island was used as a military prison, roughly 10,000 men were contained here during the Civil War. Most of them being Confederate officers.
Back on the mainland in Danbury Township there’s a War of 1812 Battle site also known as Giddings Monument. This is a cemetery that is marked to honor those who fought and died during the War of 1812.

Our community is a big family.

These are just a few examples of how residents in Ottawa County come together to help those in need.

United Way of Ottawa County is a collaboration of community volunteers, health and human-service providers and donors throughout Ottawa County who are committed to changing lives. This year, they are hosting a Thanksgiving feast on Thanksgiving Day so those in need don’t have to be without a good meal or good company.
Other Agencies such as The Salvation Army helps those in need for the holidays. The holidays can be tough on families. The Salvation Army tries their best to get people to donate any spare change while walking in or out of the grocery store. That money goes to help those who may be struggling around the holiday season.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that has vision where everyone in the world has a nice place to live. Building, homes, communities, and hope is what they do best. Check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/HabitatOttawaCounty/

Recreation is big in Ottawa County.

We have lots of scenic views, good food, and year-round fishing.

Lake Erie is one of the biggest attractions in Ottawa County. People come from everywhere during the summer months. During the summer, jobs are available because of all the tourism that comes with the appeal of the lake. This is extremely helpful for the high school students in the area.
East Harbor State Park is personally one of my favorite places in Ottawa County. Not only is it close to home, but it’s got just about everything. Trails, a beach, views and so much more.
The Marblehead Lighthouse is the most photographed area in Ohio. Many travel from all over the country to climb the 77 steps all the way to the top to get a beautiful glimpse of the Lake Erie Islands.
Being from a small town having a choice between dining in and fast food is something I didn’t have, but after moving to Ottawa County in 2016 I now feel spoiled. We have everything. McDonalds, Taco Bell, Nagoya, and Avery’s Café are just four of many.
If you’re looking for some good coffee or a nice bubble tea head on over to R Coffee Corner in Port Clinton. They have a wide selection of milk teas, coffees, and pastries.
Fishing year-round sounds kind of silly, especially in Ohio where our winters are a bit unpredictable, but ice fishing is a big thing around Ottawa County. When the lake freezes over that’s when the fun begins. Tents and trucks dot the ice-covered lake like boats do during the summer.

Let’s go shopping!

Ottawa County is full of shops, each with their own personal touch.

Handcrafted soaps made from organic materials are the perfect warm and welcoming way to ease your mind, your body, and your soul. Do so at the Marblehead Soap Company located in Lakeside Marblehead.
Madame Rosie’s Boutique is a unique shop located in Marblehead that has new and old vintage style clothing and accessories.
Northern Exposure Gallery and Candle Co. started out as a hobby but has turned into a business boom for owners Billy and Kelly Rigoni. They make and sell tons of 100% soy candles in store and ship them around the country. Each candle has a unique Lake Erie theme giving all buyers a part of the lake no matter the time of year or location.
Pink Perch is quite possibly one of the cutest shops in Marblehead. They have everything from kitchenware to jewelry and clothes. Here you can find the perfect gift for anyone.
Mary’s Blossom Shoppe. As you can probably tell by the name Mary’s Blossom Shop is a flower store in Port Clinton. Mary’s has supplied the people of Ottawa County with beautiful floral arrangements since 1978.

Like many others, Ottawa County is my home.

Here are some reasons I’m thankful for my home.

My friends and family are here. I know this sounds basic, but my friends and family are my whole world. I am very close with those in my life. I wouldn’t get very far without their support.
Danbury is a very small school and I LOVE that. Because of the small size this allows for more one on one help with teachers and just overall more opportunities to those who might be overlooked in a bigger school.
I work at Toft’s Ice Cream Parlor located in the Bassett’s Plaza in Port Clinton. My favorite thing about working here is meeting new people from all over the globe every day.
For some time now I have wanted to be a journalist, and this internship is allowing me to test the waters before I head off to college. I am beyond thankful for my ability to take part in this experience.

About the Author

Faith Trombley is a Media and Marketing intern with the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation. As a senior at Danbury High School in Marblehead, OH, Faith is interested in broadcast media, journalism, and digital marketing. Faith is involved in choir and spends most of her time in Toft’s Ice Cream Parlor in Port Clinton. After graduation, she plans to attend Wittenberg University.