News Briefs

Quilters to meet
The Maumee Bay Country Quilters Guild will meet Tuesday, April 2, at 6:45 p.m. at Northwood Church of God, 3375 Curtice Rd., Northwood.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Guild member Maggie Trzinski will lead those present in creating a Forever Quilt by imprinting a design made of serged decorative threads onto clay. She will then fire, color and refire the pieces and return them to the creators in May. Participants may bring a flat textured button to use for additional impressions.
Visitors and new members are welcome. The visitors’ fee is $10 and yearly membership is $35.

Eclipse closure
The Ottawa County Board of Elections office will close Monday, April 8, at noon in observance of the solar eclipse. Normal office hours will resume Tuesday, April 9. Call 419-898-3071 for more information.

Chicken bar-b-que
The Oak Harbor Masonic Lodge #495 will hold its 21st annual chicken bar-b-que fundraiser Sunday, April 28, at the shelter house at Veterans Memorial Park, 300 Finke Rd., Oak Harbor.
Meals will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. or until sold out. The cost is $15, which includes a half-chicken, baked potato, green beans, roll and butter and a brownie prepared by Roots Chicken, of Fremont. Dinners will be served carryout only.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward the annual college scholarship offered by the lodge to a graduating Oak Harbor High School senior.
The dinner is being conducted on a pre-sale basis; however a limited number of first-come, first-served meals will be available on the day of the event.
Tickets are available from any Masonic Lodge member or contact Andrew Haley at 419-707-4067.

Special use permit
topic of meeting
A public meeting to discuss an application by a behavior health company for a special use permit to purchase The Landings assisted living facility is scheduled for April 10 at the Oregon Senior Center, 4350 Navarre Ave.
Two meeting are planned at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Wreath committee
fundraiser set
On April 6, the Ottawa County Wreath Committee will host its annual chicken dinner and silent auction to benefit Wreaths Across America. The dinner will be held at the Port Clinton Elks Lodge with dinners being sold starting at 5 p.m. until sold out. Follow the committee Facebook page for more information.
All money raised will go to bringing Wreaths Across America back to Ottawa County in 2024.

Refuge to begin prescribed burns

The staff of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is notifying the public that the refuge is entering its spring prescribed fire season.
The prescribed fire season typically runs between late March and May 15.
During this time smoke may be visible above refuge properties throughout Ottawa and Lucas counties.
Prescribed burning on the refuge is conducted to improve wildlife habitat and reduce the accumulation of fuels that lead to uncontrolled wildfires.
Ottawa NWR has historically treated between 100 and 800 acres annually with prescribed fire. A prescribed fire during this time period is especially productive for habitat management and brush control, according to the refuge.
Local officials have been informed of the planned burns. Prescribed fires will only be conducted when conditions allow for safe implementation.
Questions concerning the prescribed fire season may be directed to Refuge Manager Jason Lewis or Private Lands Biologist Jeff Finn.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats.