Windy weather drove the ceremony inside, but the May 9 dedication of the colorful “Kid’s Cabin Murals’ at the Wolcott Keeper’s House proceeded as planned. Visitors to the site at 9999 E. Bayshore Road near Marblehead took pictures of the new murals and inserted their faces into photo silhouettes of first lighthouse keepers Benajah and Rachel Wolcott. The project was designed by Jodie McCallum of Jodie & Company Gallery in Marblehead, and underwritten by the Port Clinton Rotary Foundation.  The design was transfered by Dennis Kennedy, then the colors mixed and applied by Danbury Public School art students under the direction of art teachers Sande Measimer and Lea Mark with assistance from Grant McCallum. Jerry Davenport did the lettering and applied the Rotary logo.

Rotarian John Madison noted that the Rotary was involved with the Keeper’s House since its purchase in 1989 when the late Earl Wiseman, also a member of Rotary was president of the Ottawa County Historical Society. Rotarian Ro Chapman, along with Karin Messmer, brought the Wolcotts’ stories to life with their reenactments as Benajah and Rachel. The late Bob Armbruster and Harry Holzapfel were key participants in the docent program that keeps the history alive for visitors to the House. Nearly two dozen Rotarians have been active with the Keeper’s House over the years.

The Daisy Day festivities at the House included music by John Wilkie, children’s entertainer and Lakeside summer resident, and free balloons were available for young visitors.

    The summer season for the Keeper’s House starts on Monday, June 1, and it will be open for tours from 1:00-5:00 Monday through Friday until  August 28. Visitors are welcomed to visit the outdoor murals anytime. The Keeper’s House is a project of the Ottawa County Historical Society, and is supported by donations, fund raising, and grants.