Ohio State’s national championship is a week old already. Don’t know about you but I already am pretty tired of hearing major media folks moan about the pass interference call that kept the Buckeyes’ hopes alive in the first overtime last Friday night.
In the interest of being up front, I’ll have to admit to not being a diehard Buckeye fan. When they have a good season, I follow them. When they don’t, I don’t.
I didn’t even think they would win Friday night. I hoped they would, but there’s no way they could have been expected to win.
It was a close call, no doubt. There’s also little doubt that interpretation of what took place is tainted by one’s sympathies. Was it a good call? It was good enough.
What is really aggravating is how selective are the memories of the East Coasters who have spent the week whining about it.
They ignore the interference call made against Ohio State at the other end of the field in the second overtime. That (again with a jaundiced view) did not look like pass interference but it was called, giving the Hurricanes a first down and goal.
They also ignore the pass interference committed against the Buckeyes during their last possession of regulation play. Replays clearly showed the receiver’s jersey being pulled … no call was made.
That forced Ohio State to punt the ball back to Miami. They moved quickly downfield to tie the game and force the overtime.
Point being, Enough already! Ohio State won the game, the national championship game.
When Winter comes can Spring be far behind?
Thankfully, no.
Already the days are getting longer. Heavy clothing is disappearing from the stores in favor of bathing suits. Soon herbicide and rototiller commercials will be appearing on TV.
What it all means is that warmer weather will be here soon … and with it, the boating season.
If you operate a boat you need to take a safe boating course. I mean you really NEED to take a safe boating course … the State of Ohio says you need to take a safe boating course.
That is, if you were born since January 1, 1982. The regulations say that anyone born after that date has to successfully complete an approved boating safety course in order to operate a vessel powered by a motor of more than ten horsepower. That includes personal watercraft (PWC’s), jetskis.
Fortunately there are a number of courses in the area you can attend to meet the requirement.
Flotilla 10-03 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has three separate 9-hour classes planned. Each consists of three 3-hour classes. Each course meets federal and state requirements.
The first of the courses gets started this weekend, January 11, and continues on the 18th and 25th. That one will be held at Steinle Cadillac on West State Street in Fremont. It lasts from 9 a.m. to noon.
Another begins at Sentinel Career Center south of Tiffin. It will be held on Wednesdays, January 15th, 22nd and 29th and runs 7 to 10 p.m.
A third USCGAux course is planned for Tuesdays, February 4th, 11th and 18th.
You’ll learn about the safe way to trailer your boat, dock it without knocking pieces off, what those red and green things floating in the water mean, and who has the right of way and how to tell.
For these, instruction is free. There is a $25 charge for materials (some very informative books) for the first member of the family to sign up. Additional family members can take the course for $12.50 each.
That family thing is important, too, since boating is generally a family activity. Kids are welcome and encouraged. If they are under 16, they have to be with an adult also taking the course.
The neat part is that students under 18 will get their money back after they complete the course successfully.
For more information you can call Hank Elchert, 419-447-7331, Marion Drake, 419-618-4415 or Phil Steinle, 419-332- 6272.
The Fostoria Power Squadron presents a two-day safe boating class. Unfortunately, it started last Wednesday, so if you did not get started then, you’re out of luck for that one.
I would suggest, though, if you’re interested and live closer to Fostoria than Fremont or Tiffin, you could call 419-423-4419, 419-894-6219 or 419-354- 0804 to see if they have any more courses planned for this spring.