Jody Victor : Even though summer is winding down, we can still take advantage of the many warm, beautiful days ahead. If you have a home pool, you probably know most of the safety tips below, but it never hurts to read them again.

* Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim - this includes adults and children. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a course to learn or improve your ability to swim, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

* Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended.

* Install a phone by the pool or keep a cordless/cell phone nearby so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

* Learn Red Cross CPR and insist that babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for your child know CPR.

* Post CPR instructions and 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.

* Enclose the pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Openings in the fence should be no more than four inches wide. The house should not be included as a part of the barrier.

* Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over the fence.

* Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. Pole, rope, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended.

* Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.

* Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.

* if a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.

Be safe! Have fun!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : During the most recent decades, Kelleys has made major strides at establishing a well-balanced economy, which capitalizes on showcasing its uniqueness, while preserving its beauty, peacefulness, and historic nature. The development of parks and campgrounds by the State of Ohio, the building of excellent marinas, the opening of fine bed and breakfast hostelries, and the upgrading of old and building of new tourist and village-oriented businesses have been a major part of this renaissance. The reopening of a well-financed, state-of-the-art quarry operation helps measurably to support the new economy.

Though the year-'round population has grown slowly - now just over 350 - seasonal residents expand the numbers to over 3,000 during the spring, summer, and autumn months. Construction of scores of fine residences throughout the island have noticeably strained public services, but the widened tax base helps to offset the increasing demands upon the village coffers. Both air and water transportation to and from the island have kept up with the growing population needs. Even off-season, when the boat can no longer run, both high school students and other residents regularly use the air lines to attend school, go shopping on the mainland, and for total transport of goods to and from the island.

While there is no island doctor, a full-time paramedic is provided by St. Vincent/St. Mary's Hospital of Toledo and well-trained island volunteers serve as 'round the clock EMTs. emergncy health services, throughout the year, depnds mainly on the air connection. Though hunting and fishing remain the principle pursuits of the tourists, more and more camping, hiking, and just rest and relaxation are activities engaged in by island visitors. In 2001 Kelleys was designated as an Important Birding Area. Because of its location the island is an important stopping point for birds migrating to the south or north in the fall and spring. Bird watchers of all skill levels are enjoying the island more each year.

The tourist economy has "snowballed" in the past twenty years. On some summer weekends, it is estimated that more than 8,000 persons come to the island to enjoy what it has to offer. Excursion boats arrive daily and visitors wend their way along the tree-lined streets and by-ways, stopping at the geologic, archaeological, and historic sites with which the island abounds.

It was in the midst of and because of this rapid growth in tourism that, in 1980, the Kelleys Island Historical Association was organized. Its major purposes from the beginning have been to preserve the significant relics of the past and to inform both island residents and its visiors of the island's unique heritage.

The association's first major project was the total restoration of the German Reformed Church, known locally as the "Old Stone Church." This facility served as a museum, gift shop, meeting place, and headquarters for the Historical Association until 2006. It drew visitors and friends quite literally, from around the world. In the next few years, the finishing touches will be made to the association's most proud achievement to date - the all new Historical Museum next to the Old Stone Church. This new facility will house a growing collection of island artifacts.

Among the Historical Association's other activities are a lecture series, publication of a newsletter and historical items, design and sale of historically inspired mementoes, and a full schedule of fund-raising and social activities.

Most recently, the Historical Association has restarted an annual tour of island homes and buildings. In the last decade, the association has grown from a mere handful of interested residents and friends to a membership of well over 200, from throughout the United States and Canada. Governed by an elected Board of Trustees, the association charts the evolution of the island - to preserve and inform.

Kellyes Island began its history uniquely as a refuge for the Erie Indians from their Iroquois adversaries. Today, it is still a refuge for modern man from the hurly-burly of the outside world. Few places can claim such a special and rich heritage!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : The Kelleys Island population, who came from diverse cultures and backgrounds, engaged in an active social, cultural and religious life. The Kelley family's building of the large stone Town Hall in 1860 provided a space for theatrical and other public events, the records of which are found in the island's archives. By the end of the 19th Century, the Himmelein family of theatrical impresarios had established summer homes on the island and counted among their regular guests some of the greatest artists of drama and music, many of whom demonstrated their skills to local audiences.

A network of elementary schools was established in various parts of the island and, by 1901, an imposing school building was erected to take care of all grades of the burgeoning school population.Various nationality and ethnic groups formed their own religious organizations: Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox, German Reformed, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Evangelical United Brethern.

The "town," on the central south shore, included grocery stores, a butcher shop, a furniture and hardware store, a shoe shop, a bowling alley, various saloons, and private social clubs. Local farmers delivered their produce and milk to the islanders' homes, peach and apple orchards abounded, and a local physician attended to the islanders' health needs.

By the 1930s, however, the island had gone into a decline. Prohibition had nearly wiped out the vineyard and wine-making industry. Quarries, opened on the mainland, competed effectively with the island's stone and gravel business. By the late 1940s, the one remaining industry, commercial fishing, fell prey to both changes in the law and lake pollution. With its economy in a shambles, the island population dropped precipitously. By the 1950s, the permanent, year 'round residents, mostly retired persons, numbered less than 100. Most of the schools closed; all of the remaining students - often no more than a dozen - were gathered under the single roof of the Estes School building. Churches closed and many of their buildings were either torn down or used for other purposes.

By 1950, there were only two left - one serving the Roman Catholic population and the other the Protestant congregation. Attempts to revive the economy failed miserbly. For a short while, a portion of the quarrying operation was attempted, but, badly financed, it went bankrupt. Even an attempt to establish a mouse-trap factory came to naught.

While the other islands of Lake Erie, without the same economic background as Kelleys, thrived on the tourist trade, Kelleys languished. Without a population base to serve the growing tourist industry - or the funds to support this new endeavor - the climb back to prosperity was slow. More on Kelleys Island next time.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Kelleys Island (Erie County, OH), the largest American island in Lake Erie, lies some four miles off the coast of the mainland at Marblehead. First settled by the Erie Indians nearly a millennium ago, the first Anglo-American settlers arrived during the first decade of the 19th Century. However, the "Historic" era did not begin until the 1830s when the entire island was purchased by Datus and Irad Kelley (two brothers from the Cleveland area).

Under the guidance and leadership of the Kelleys throughout the 19th and well into the 20th Century, a diversified, productive, and profitable economy was built. General farming, viniculture and wine-making, quarrying, and commercial fishing drew settlers from both the United States and abroad. By the 1880s, a number of summer hotels and boarding-houses dotted the south shoreline, servicing the needs of vacationers from the US, Canada and Europe. Preserved guest registers attest to both famous and infamous visitors to the island.

By 1900 the permanent island inhabitants exceeded 2,000, most of whom were employed in the quarrying and vineyards, and wine-making operations dotted throughout the island. Foundations of houses and remnants of once well-traveled roadways lie silent among the second and third growth timber of these areas (southeast and south, west of Division, and on the northwest portion of the island).

Well into the 1920s, the island could boast of a thriving, and pretty much self-sufficient economy. For years timbers cut from island forests fueled the steamboats of the Great Lakes. Over 23 wineries, varying in size from family-run enterprises, to large operations, sent their wares throughout the world. Limestone, quarried in the west, north and east quarries, was shipped out to build the break walls of major Lake Erie ports and roads on the mainland. For many years, pelts of mink, fox, squirrel, and raccoon found lucrative markets. Commercial fishermen raised their nets to full catches two or three times a week in the waters around the island, supplying fresh fish to much of Ohio and neighboring states. More on Kelleys Island next time.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Many of you will be taking vacations soon - probably somewhere close to a beach or pool. Here are some safety rules for the beach - don't spoil your fun by failing to protect yourself.

* Protect your skin: Sunlight contains two kinds of UV rays - UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging, and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor containing a high rating such as 15 or more.

* Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly but make the heat's effects on your body worse.

* Watch for signs of heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse, and rapid, shallow breathing. Call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quidkly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure their airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.

* Wear eye protection: Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays. Be sure to wear sunglasses with labels that indicate that they absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.

* Wear foot protection: Many times, people's feet can get burned from the sand or cut from glass in the sand.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Here we are at our favorite place in the world, Sandusky Bay! We have lots of fun things to do and plans to get under way. But we still remember where we came from.

On July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks, and backyard barbecues across the country. And here are some interesting and fun statistics for this day.

2.5 million - In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.

304 million - The nation's population on this July 4th.

More than 1 in 4 - the chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to 17.6 million market hogs and pigs on March 1, 2008. this represents more than one-fourth of the nation's total. North Carolina (9 million) and Minnesota (6.7 million) were the runners-up.

About 4 in 10 - the odds that your side dish of baked beans originated from North Dakota, which produced 42 percent of the nation's dry, edible beans in 2007. Another popular fourth of July side dish is corn on the cob. Florida, California, Georgia and New York together accounted for 60 percent of the sweet corn produced nationally in 2007.

Nearly 3 in 4 - The chances that the fresh tomatoes in your salad came from Florida or California, which combined accounted for 73 percent of US tomato production last year. The ketchup on your burger or hot dog probably came from California, which accounted for 96 percent of processed tomato production in 2007.

Georgia - The state that led the nation in watermelon production last year (1 billion pounds). Other leading producers of this popular Fourth of July dessert included California, Florida and Texas, each with more than 400 million pounds.

$207 million - The value of fireworks imported from China in 2007, representing the bulk of all US fireworks imported ($217 million). US exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $14.9 million in 2007, with Japan purchasing more than any other country ($3.8 million).

Have a great Fourth!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Sandusky is a city in the state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. The municipality is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east. If you are a history buff like me, you'll be interested in that of Sandusky.

Fort Sandusky was a British trading and military outpost established around 1794. The Native Americans that inhabited the immediate surrounding area were the Seneca, displaced at the outset of the American Revolution. The generally accepted theory is that the name "Sandusky" is an Anglicization of the phrase "San Too Chee," meaning "cold water." A less accepted theory is that the city was named after a Polish fur trader by the name Antoni Sadowski or Jacob Sodowsky.

The Greater Sandusky area was a safe haven and a new start for the Firelands refugees of the Revolutionary War in Connecticut. Norwalk, the Huron County seat (just south of Erie County) is named for Norwalk, Connecticut, as is New London, a small town south of Norwalk.

Established as Portland in 1816, the name was changed two years later to Sandusky. Norwalk was also established in 1816; at the time, both were growing towns of unified Huron County. Not long after, thanks to the growth of both towns, Erie County, Ohio's second smallest (in land area), came into being. The county encompassed newly-rechristened Sandusky's far west side, Vermilion to the east, and Norwalk's northern line to the south.

Prior to the abolition of slavery in the US, Sandusky was a major stop on the Underground Railroad. As depicted in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, many slaves seeking to reach freedom in Canada made their way to Sandusky, where they boarded boats crossing Lake Erie to the port of Amherstburg in Ontario.

Downtown Sandusky was designed according to a modified grid plan known as the Kilbourne Plat after its designer. Hector Kilbourne was a surveyor who laid out this grid in downtown Sandusky. He was the first Worshipful Master of the Sandusky Masonic Lodge. The original street pattern featured a grid overlaid with streets resembling the symbols of Freemasonry.

Sandusky was the stie of groundbreaking for the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad on September 17, 1835. Currently, Battery Park Marina is located on the original site of the MR&LE Railroad. The tracks that ran through downtown Sandusky have since been removed due to most of the downtown industrial area being re-used for other purposes including mainly marina dockage. The coal docks located west of downtown still use a portion of the original MR&LE lines.

Sandusky is one of Ohio's most popular tourist destinations. The city is home to the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, an amusement park and entertainment management company, as well as its flagship amusement park, Cedar Point. Cedar Point features the world's second tallest and fastest roller coaster, Top Thrill Dragster.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : East Sandusky Bay is an extraordinary naturally functioning freshwater marsh located between Cleveland and Toledo. Together with Erie Metro Parks and the Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation, the Trust for Public Land protected 1,200 acres along the bay in a series of four phases over a two-year period. East Sandusky Bay is an important stop over point along one of the largest bird migratory routes in the eastern United States and now provides a natural recreation area and sanctuary close to Cedar Point Amusement Park. Under the management of Erie Metro Parks, the area is available for scheduled recreational, educational, and interpretive programming opportunities such as bird watching and observation of the American Bald Eagle; waterfowl, and wildflower identification; and wetland, forest, and meadow ecology.

This irreplaceable resource, with its hardwood forest, woodland swamp, cattail marsh, and open-water habitat, is a prime location for bird watching and is home to nesting bald eagles. Within easy access to Cedar Point Amusement Park, this nature preserve along East Sandusky Bay provides a quiet sanctuary for relaxation and recreation. Something different to try when you're at the Bay!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : We'll be spending this weekend at our summer house on the Bay - and who knows what Sunday - Father's Day - will bring! I've often wondered just how Father's Day got started. Here's what I found out.

In the United States, the first modern Father's Day celebration was held on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia or on June 19th of the same year, in the state of Washington. Today, Father's Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June.

In West Virginia, it was first celebrated as a church service at Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South, now known as Central United Methodist Church. Grace Golden Clayton, who is reported to have suggested the service to the pastor, is believed to have been inspired to celebrate fathers after the deadly mine explosion in nearby Monongah the prior December. This explosion killed 361 men, many of them fathers and recent immigrants to the United States from Italy. Another possible inspiration for the service was Mothers' Day, which had been celebrated for the first time two months prior in Grafton, West Virginia, a town about 15 miles away.

Another driving force behind the establishment of Father's Day was Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd, born in Creston, Washington. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, as a single parent reared his six children in Spokane, Washington. She was inspired by Anna Jarvis's efforts to establish Mother's Day. Although she initially suggested June 5, the anniversary of her father's death, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June. The first June Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, WA, at the Spokane YMCA.

Unofficial support from such figures as William Jennings Bryan was immediate and widespread. President Woodrow Wilson was personally feted by his family in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge recommended it as a national holiday in 1924. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson made Father's Day a holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The holiday was not officially recognized until 1972, during the presidancy of Richard Nixon.

In recent years, retailers have adapted to the holiday by promoting male-oriented gifts such as electronics, tools and greeting cards. Schools and other children's programs commonly have activities to make Father's Day gifts.

According to business researchers, Americans are expected to spend $11 billion on gifts for Father's Day in 2008. Looks like most fathers can expect something nice on Sunday.

Happy Father's Day!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : America's fastest growing motorcycle rally - Ohio Bike Week - is being held June 6-15 in Sandusky, Ohio. This event boasts over 100 live free bands, national acts, fireworks, motorcycle parades, block party vendors, the Broken Spoke Saloon, EFC cage fighting, thrill night, world record attempts, and much more. Here's how it all started.

The North Coast Thunder Rally idea began with the Ohio State H.O.G. Rally in 1999 and 2000. Follwing the conclusion of the rally in Sandusky, community interest continued and the North Coast Thunder Rally began. In 2006, North Coast Thunder Rally was rebranded as Ohio Bike Week and mass marketed at a wide variety of other biker rallies, motorcycle events, and international motorcycle shows in the area.

Ohio Bike Week has become a 10-day venue planned around the dates for the Roeder Harley-Davidson AHDRA Buckeye Nationals. By combining the rally with this racing venue they provide an experience that appeals to motorcyclists, racing fans and the general public.

The Thunder Rally offers many days of great activities, entertainment and rides - many at no charge. Rally attendees also receive discount rates at local hotels, free rally guides, and an armband that gets a wide variety of discounts and offers from local businesses, restaurants and destinations. For more info go to www.ohiobikeweek.com.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : If you are looking for a 2-to 4-day or even a week trip somewhere close but still near water, try Sandusky, Ohio. With over three million visitors to the city of Sandusky each year, this historic downtown is a beautiful, charming, and enchanting place to visit.

Established in 1818, the central business district has one of the most beautiful collections of historic architecture in the medwest. Many buildings can be found on the National Register of Historic Places. You can stroll through this waterfront downtown, leisurely going in and out of the many antiques and collectible stores. Eat at a local restaurant. Shop at a unique gift store. Find almost any service you might need!

Downtown Sandusky is also well known for its beautiful parks. Sandusky is an Ohio "Tree City," and has won many competitions for its floral displays. There are many parks located downtown, both on the water and off Washington Street. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening in one of the park picnic areas, or just take a break in one of the park gazebos. Historic Architecture and Downtown Parks Walking Tour brochures are available at venues throughout the Downtown area.

Downtown Sandusky also boasts several attractions and museums. The Maritime Museum, Merry-Go-Round Museum, Follett House Museum, Eleutheros Cooke House, and Sandusky Library are all well worth a visit.

Fish off the Jackson Street Pier and have lunch at beautiful Shoreline Park on the waterfront. Relax at Schade/Mylander Plaza, or visit the "Boy with the Boot" statue. Marvel at the working floral clock in Washington Park.

You can also enjoy all of the sites and attractions aboard the new Downtown Main Street Trolley. The Red Line Trolley does a continuous loop through the downtown area.

For a schedule of special events held in the downtown area go to www.ci.sandusky.oh.us and have some fun this summer.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : If you will be celebrating this Memorial Day weekend on or around water, here are some general safety tips from the American Red Cross that should get you through without mishap.

* Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never seim alone. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

* Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.

* Read and obey all rules and posted signs.

* Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a US Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PVD) when around the water.

* Watch out for the dangerous "too's" - to tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, to much strenuous activity.

* Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less that chest deep).

* Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth charges, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices.

* Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

* Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.

* Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.

* Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgement, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.

* Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.

Have a great Memorial Day!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : This Saturday, May 17th is Armed Forces Day. Here's what it's all about. On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department - the Department of Defense. The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows. Here is what some former presidents and other individuals have said about our men and women in uniform over the years.

"Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense."  Former Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson

"The heritage of freedom must be guarded as carefully in peace as it was in war. Faith, not suspicion, must be the key to our relationships. sacrifice, not selfishness, must be the eternal price of liberty. Vigilance, not appeasement, is the byword of living freedoms. Our Armed Forces in 1950 - protecting the peace, building for security with freedom - are "Teamed for Defense..."  General Omar N. Bradley - Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

"Armed Forces Day this year should serve to emphasize the practical application of unification in action, and to remind us of the continued need for unity in our Armed Forces and among all of our citizens in the interests of security and peace." Robert D. Lovett - Former Secretary of Defense

"...Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to guard." President John F. Kennedy, 1962

"Armed Forces Day, above all, honors the dedicated individuals who wear the uniforms of their country. Each serviceman, wherever he may be, whatever his task, contributes directly and importantly to the defense of the nation. the task of each one is the task of all the Armed Forces: to protect the freedoms which underlie the greatness of America." General Earle G. Wheeler, 1967 - Former Chairman, Joint chiefs of Staff

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Have you made plans for a vacation this year? How about a trip to the Carribbean right here in Ohio? With a tropical Caribbean theme, Cedar Point's Castaway Bay will make you feel like you just landed on an island paradise upon entering the lush indoor waterpark resort. The centerpiece of Castaway Bay is its elaborate enclosed waterpark with a five-story structure featuring a vaulted wood ceiling that covers a natural setting of plam trees, huts, inland lagoons and plenty of wet and wild water adventure.

The resort hotel features 237 hotel rooms and suites including family-oriented units, a 38,000-square-foot indoor waterpark loaded with water activities for all ages, a day spa, fitness center, 6,000-square-foot state-of-the-art arcade, a craft and child activity center, three restaurants, retail shops, adjacent marina and space for meetings, group events and birthday parties.

Highlights of the huge indoor waterpark include:

Cargo Crossing - Interactive play area in which you have to cross a pool of water using floating lily pads and a cargo net.

Castaway Bay Wave Pool - A 100,000-gallon wave pool that generates 3-foot-tall waves which you can body surf. A cascading waterfall serves as a scenic backdrop.

Creature Cove - Pool area offers basketball hoops and numerous flotation devices.

Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse - A gigantic multi-story interactive play area with more than 100 different elements, including a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket that drenches you every two minutes with a downpour of water.

Mango Melee - One of four water slides located within the Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse.

Toddlers' Tide Pool - A children's play pool with a tandem slide, water pipes, spraying gadgets and sea creature play structures designed especially for kids.

Tropical Twister - One of four water slides located within the Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse.

Tropical Tube Slides - Three indoor/outdoor covered body slides.

For info on hotel reservations, day passes, and availability go to www.castawaybay.com. Have some fun this summer!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : The North Coast of Ohio - of the US - is right in our backyard. The US Coast Guard patrols it and we vacation on it. Here are some highlights of two more counties for you to visit this summer along the shores of Lake Erie.

Lake County - The Lake County Getaway Renaissance offers $50 million in new/renovated hotels, B&B's and unique dining on the east side of Lake Erie. Renaissance Quail Hollow Resort is Ohio's newest premiere retreat. Unique, stylish, eclectic lakefront/riverfront and gourmet dining, European style tea rooms, Ohio's second largest winery, and a microbrewery restaurant, are coastal samples of a delightful, fresh, relaxing getaway. USA's largest arboretum, Holden at 3400 acres, is part of 15,000 acres. Nature preserves, beaches, sand dunes, bird watching, a high caliber park system, and two Ohio designated scenic rivers add credence to Lake County's claim as Lake Erie's last frontier. Lake County also features the Fairport Lighthouse & Marine Museum, a National Historic Site.

Ashtabula County - Nestled along 27 miles of Lake Erie shoreline, Ashtabula County, Ohio is a haven for travelers looking for affordable family vacation sites. Discover the harbor district of Ashtabula with quaint shops, Maritime and Underground Railroad Museums and views of the Ashtabula Harbor Light. Conneaut offers exceptional wildlife viewing along the shoreline and the Conneaut Lighthouse. Geneva-on-the-Lake features summertime fun at this historic resort district, featuring amusement park rides, miniature golf, go-karts, waterslides, nostalgic dinners and more. Inland discover the 16 covered bridges, both historic and new, AC&J train ride and other historic buildings synonymous with the Western Reserve architectural style. Ashtabula County also produces over 65 percent of Ohio's grapes and has developed a hard-earned reputation for developing some outstanding domestic wines; sample them at 17 wineries. When visiting stay at one of many bed & breakfasts, motels, hotels, a lakeshore cottage or one of 18 campgrounds.

Jody Victor