2nd Annual Winter Writing Festival set for February 22, 2020
Ravenna - Do you love to write? Interested in working with other writers or learning more about writing in all its forms? Main Street Ravenna is hosting the Second Annual “Winter Writing Festival” on Saturday, February 22, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a variety of locations around downtown Ravenna. Kicking off at 10 a.m. this FREE event...
Renaissance Family Center Celebrates 10 Years
Windham - A little over 10 years ago a church had a vision for the old East Elementary School in Windham, a vision that would take a lot of faith to see come to fruition. Almost from its inception, it was a miracle how it all started to come together. On January 1, 2018 the Renaissance Family Center (RFC)...
Geauga County Job and Family Services Host Foster Parent Meeting
Geauga County has been experiencing an increase in the needs of families and children in the past several years. This has caused the demand for certified foster and adoptive parents to increase as well. There are many families in crisis in our own neighborhoods that require the supportive services of our agency. You and your family could be part...
Equi-Steps Uses Horsemanship to Promote Life Skills
Ravenna - It’s a horse of course. Or is it a course with a horse? Every girl dreams of having her own pony to ride, to spend time with and share a friendship. Karen Downie, owner of Equi-Steps an equine assisted learning program, is the epitome of that wide-eyed little girl all grown up using her passion to help others...
Mantua Village Council News
Mantua - At their November meeting, Council approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement to transfer the ownership and operation of the Village’s Water and Wastewater plants to Portage County. This took place after three readings over as many months, and several meetings and public forums in the months leading up to the introduction of the ordinance at Council meetings....
Garrettsville Chamber Sets 2020 Schedule of Events
Garrettsville - The board of directors for the Garrettsville area chamber of commerce met last week to set the 2020 schedule of events and establish membership rates for the upcoming year. New for this year was the addition of a home-based business category. The board feels that many home-based businesses could find a great benefit from networking with other...
Windham WVFD Joint Fire District Gets Organized for 2020
Windham - Windham Volunteer Joint Fire District Board met for the regularly-scheduled meeting last week. The board kicked off the New Year appointing Brian Miller as the Chairman of the board. They welcomed new member Cindy Cale who was appointed by the village to serve as their representative for the year. Cale takes Cheryl Taylor’s place on the board....
Hiram Township Trustee News
Hiram Twp. - At the last Township Trustee meeting, Fiscal Officer Diane Rodhe noted that the Audit with Charles E Harris is currently underway to clarify Fire and EMS contributions between Hiram Township and Hiram Village. Next, trustees voted unanimously to pay for HVAC Drawings ($95 per hour @ 20 Hours) and to pay $500.00 to Mike’s Electrical for...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The January 13, 2020 meeting of the Rotary Club of Garrettsville-Hiram took place at noon in Cal’s II, Sky Plaza, Garrettsville to deal with the following : Thoughts for the Doneley family. A report on the proceedings of the budget meeting, including a review of regular programs such as the Dictionary Project, scholarships, trash pick-up, RYLA, the bowling league, etc....
Fun Farce takes Flight at Aurora Community Theatre
Aurora Community Theatre continues its 60th anniversary tribute to the 1960s with the delightful farce, “BOEING BOEING”, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm Jan. 24 – Feb. 15. The theatre is located at 115 E. Pioneer Trail. Set in a Paris apartment, “BOEING BOEING” by Marc Camoletti, Beverley Cross, and Francis Evans tells the story of Bernard, a playboy architect...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - In their first board meeting of 2020, board members Timothy Herron, Bonnie Lovejoy, and Karen Schulz took their oath of office. The group then elected Karen Schulz to serve as school board president and Kristen Cavanaugh to serve as board vice president for 2020.The board then approved a motion to set the calendar for regular meeting dates,...
Portage Park District Launches Winter Programs
It is officially the Year of the Owl for the Portage Park District which recently launched their new Wild Hikes Challenge with a trek around the gorgeous Towner’s Woods. Winter weather has been unseasonably warm this year which has made for comfortable hiking conditions. On January 6, 2020 about 30 people met up to experience all nature has to...
Light Up Garrettsville Winner Announced
Garrettsville - This year VP Realty hosted ‘Light Up Garrettsville’ which was an opportunity for local residents to decorate their property for the holidays and share with the community. By being part of the contest, the homes were listed on a map that was provided online and at local venues for residents and visitors to explore the town of...
Mystery of Snowflakes Book Hike at Library
Garrettsville - Portage County District Library’s Garrettsville location is partnering with Portage Park District to present a program for preschool and early school age children, accompanied by an adult. Please join us for a “Mystery of Snowflakes Book Hike” on Wednesday, January 29 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Bring your favorite little learners to this “Owlbert- approved” Owlet...
Sara Title III Chemical Reporting Deadline Is March 1
Portage County – The Portage County Local Emergency Planning Committee in conjunction with the Portage County EMA reminds Portage County companies/facilities that the SARA Title III (Emergency Planning Community Right to Know Act) chemical inventory reporting deadline is March 1, 2020. The annual reports (FY 2019) are due to the State Emergency Response Commission c/o Ohio EPA, the Portage...
Garfield PTO Hosts Spaghetti Dinner & Student Art Show
The James A. Garfield Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization is a fully insured, non-profit volunteer organization made up of individuals consisting of parents, teachers and business owners in our community who come together to support and enrich the lives of our students. Over the last 3 years the PTO has provided over $100,000 in financial support to the students...
Volunteers Needed for Windham Girls on the Run program
Windham - The United Way of Portage County is excited to team up with our fabulous partners at Girls on the Run to provide a program at the Windham Renaissance Center. GOTR is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. In...
Amazing Job By Windham Students
To help those needing additional food for Thanksgiving dinner, the Windham District students held a four day food drive. Total items collected were over 1200, but Mrs. Johnston’s Jr. High class of only 15 students collected 263 food items and Mr. Stump’s high school class of 8 collected 188 items. The food give away was held at the Windham Church...
Brownie Troop Helps With Thanksgiving
Brownie Troop 80827, from Bristolville, collected 88 food items to help with the Thanksgiving food give-away that was held at the Windham Church of Christ on November 26th. Their hard work was appreciated by the 102 families who received food boxes to help with their Thanksgiving dinner. Pictured above (left to right) are: (front row) Emerald Mena, Faith Pitcher, Jazzmin...
Heart of a Helper: Salon NeXt hosts 5th Charity Open House
If we all give a little, we can all gain a lot. Whether it's to help feed the less fortunate or to put a warm jacket on child it gives a sense of accomplishment to our community to know our business owners find ways to help support local non-profits. Tina Reynolds, owner of Salon NeXt, recently hosted her 5th...
Crestwood Lion’s Club Presents Check To 4C’s Food Bank
Past District Governor Harold Ullman and Crestwood King Lion Rick Fredrick presented a check in the amount of $2,250 to Phyllis Bolen from the 4C’s Food Bank. These funds represent the profit from the Lions November craft show as well as donations from local businesses. The Lions Club has several fund raisers to continue to raise money to help...
Middlefield Shop with Cops
Middlefield - Each year, the Middlefield Police Department identifies families in the area who need some extra support at Christmas time. This year, the MPD officers volunteered several hours using donated funds to shop with children from 11 local families thereby giving the kids the ability to purchase gifts for others in their families. The time spent shopping, “cops...
Fall & Stebbins Automotive, Inc. Earns Trust Award
Mantua - Dean Stebbins Sr. from Fall & Stebbins Automotive, Inc. of Mantua, OH received the American Towman Trust Award in Atlantic City on December 61h, 2019 at the world’s largest trade show for towing professionals, the American Towman Exposition. A towing company that receives the award was nominated by a third party organization in the towing trade who...
Aveni Promoted in Middlefield
Middlefield - On Dec. 12 at the Village of Middlefield regular Council meeting, Officer Julie Aveni was recognized by Mayor Ben Garlich for her commitment and hard work for the Middlefield Police Department. At that time, she was promoted to Sergeant.
Windham Township Trustee News
Windham Township Trustees met for their first meeting of the year with all trustees and fiscal officer in attendance. The trustees chose Danny Burns as their chairman and Brian Miller as the vice chairman. The trustees approved the minutes, expenditures, and the allowed mileage reimbursement of $.57.5/ mile. They then, certified the road mileage of the township which is...
Over 450 Christmas Gifts Delivered To Seniors of Portage County
Portage County - More than 450 Seniors in Portage County received a visit and a special present through, Home Instead Senior Care’s Community Outreach Program – Be A Santa To A Senior. Through this program, the local Home Instead Senior Care office identified seniors all over the county who would not receive a visit this Holiday Season and, with...
Mantua-Shalersville Fire District News
Mantua - At their last meeting, Fire Board members unanimously passed a Resolution of Necessity, allowing Fiscal Officer Ashlee Hawkins to submit the required paperwork to the Board of Elections in time to permit a Fire Levy Replacement on the ballot for voters within the Fire District as early as March 2020. According to Fire Chief Matt Roosa, the levy...
Crafting with Marian’s “Personalized Reusable Water Bottle”
You’re invited to attend Crafting with Marian’s “Personalized Reusable Water Bottle” program at the Garrettsville Library on Saturday, January 18 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Participants will use glass paint, sponges and brushes to upcycle a glass bottle. It is a fabulous way to repurpose to help save the planet from excess discarded materials as well as provide...
Mantua’s St. Joseph Cares to Host “Unplanned” Movie Night
Mantua - In thanksgiving for the precious gift of life, St. Joseph Cares of St. Joseph Church in Mantua will be offering opportunities throughout the year to recognize and defend the most fundamental right that we all possess, the right to life. Our first opportunity will be the weekend before the national March for Life. On Saturday, January 18,...
Ring in the New Year with Free Classes in Portage County
Start your new year out right with the Aspire Program, a non-profit that has served adults in Portage County for over 30 years. Aspire has sites available throughout Portage County in the morning, afternoon, or evening, which provides:• HSE/GED Prep – Earn your high school equivalency at your own pace. Attend class with a certified instructor who will guide...
