Garfield High School’s Freshman Introduction Event Sets the Stage for Academic Success
The week before the start of school, on August 23rd, high school students at James A. Garfield High School organized a freshman-year introduction day for the incoming class of 2027. The event had been in production for many months prior, during these students’ G-men time; this is a period throughout the school day when students can participate in numerous...
Portage County Health District Alerted to an Increase in Toxic Mushroom Exposures
The Ohio Poison Center has been responding to an increased number of serious toxic mushroom exposures across the state of Ohio, including Portage County. Many of the cases involve backyard foraging for mushrooms. Cases associated with liver injury have been tentatively identified as exposure to Amanita bisporigera, otherwise known as Destroying Angel (a type of poisonous mushroom found in...
Garfield G-Men: The Legacy Continues
Though the G-Men football program consistently ranks among the most impressive in the area, every year the community is left wondering: How will this team fare without the seniors? This year was no different. The class of 2023 left Garfield High School as the new winningest class of all time for G-Men football. The class was loaded with athletes...
Planning on G-H Rotary Mural Continues, Reverse Raffle Discussed
The August 28, 2023 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary was held at the dining table of McCumbers-Brady Realty, with a nearly full house of members and guests Kim Bass–speaker, and Jamie Loew–of Middlefield Banking Company. There was a brief report on the arrival of the new Rotary Exchange student, Sarra Masters and her activities at Rotary camp. Also, there is...
Explore Shalersville’s History this Sunday
For everyone who has been posting questions about Shalersville’s one room schools on Facebook, the museum will be open this coming Sunday, September 3, from 2-5 pm. Drop in and chat with curator Judy Richardson and/or browse through a 2021 Shalersville Historical Society calendar which has pictures, maps and descriptions of those 9 one room schools. You may be...
Get Septic Smart!
Preventative maintenance of your septic system not only extends the life of the system, but also protects your investment, our water resources, and public health. Join the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District and Geauga Public Health during national “SepticSmart” week for a free, in-person SepticSmart program on Tuesday, September 19th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm at the Geauga...
Twentieth Century Club to Explore “All Around Town”
Ladies of the Twentieth Century Club of Garrettsville met on August 24, 2023 at the home of newly-elected president Kathy Countryman for their annual Summer Get Together to launch the new 2023-2024 club year. This event traditionally is an occasion for connection and conversation as well as introducing the programs and program booklets for the upcoming year. Since the...
Mantua Rotary To Hold Third-Annual Poker Paddle Event
Rotary Club of Mantua announces their Third Annual Poker Paddle event for Saturday September 16. Kayakers and even canoers can participate by paddling from Camp Hi in Hiram to Buchert Park in Mantua Village, while along the way paddlers are collecting a five card poker hand. The three top hands win cash prizes: $500 for first place, $250 for...
Small Businesses Invited to Free OSHA Trainings Provided by Kent State Geauga
Workers’ rights. Employer responsibilities. Risks, hazards. Protection, prevention. How should small businesses make sense of it all? Kent State University at Geauga is offering a free pilot training program for small businesses in underserved rural communities to help ensure safe and healthy workplaces. As part of its ongoing leadership commitment to regional workforce development, Kent State Geauga is now accepting...
Crestwood Cheer Squad to Perform at 2024 Citrus Bowl with Help From Maggie’s & More
The Crestwood Varsity Cheer squad has been invited to perform at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida in January 2024. According to Jessica Irvine, Head Cheer Coach, the squad earned this honor in a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) competition at Bowling Green State University during the summer. “Each day, the girls were evaluated on what they learned,” Irvine explained....
Local Author Publishes Second Book of Windham High School Sports History
Windham author George Belden has written his second book of tales of the greatest athletic teams and events in Windham High School history. The book is being published by Amazon, and will be available on the Amazon website September 1. The cost is $14.99. The Windham Bombers, Volume Two has 350 pages filled with stories of Bomber heroes, as they...
Geauga County Fair’s 4-H 5K Steps Off September 3rd
On Sunday, September 3, 2023, runners will gather at The 201st Great Geauga County Fair to run in the 5th annual Great Geauga County Fair 4-H 5K and Fun Run. Running on a picturesque route through Ohio’s oldest continuous county fair, these runners will be helping support the yearly operations of four 4-H clubs in the county including Geauga...
It’s Tournament Time in Garrettsville
What? It’s Not March Madness at all. You say the season has just started? Au contraire, mes amis. It’s an Amish youth (14 and under) softball tournament AND a Whiffle Ball tournament comin’ down the pike, like nothing you’ve ever seen before. For sure. These folks are not mad at anybody; they’re just inviting the whole neighborhood to...
Streetsboro Quilt Guild to Host Annual Show September 29th and 30th
Streetsboro - The Streetsboro Quilt Guild is preparing for its annual judged quilt show. It will be held at the Faith Baptist Church, 9890 Route 43 in Streetsboro, on Friday, Sept. 29th and Saturday, Sept. 30th. The public is invited to enter quilts, wearable quilted items or quilted art pieces in the show. Although it is a judged show, entrants...
United Way of Portage County Welcomes Seven New Board Members
United Way of Portage County is pleased to announce the appointment of seven new members to its Board of Directors. These new directors will provide strategic direction for continued growtharound United Way’s mission – to unite people and resources to improve the quality of life of families and individuals in Portage County. New board members are: George DeBord, Chief Financial Officer of the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County Jeff Fowler, a community volunteer who has served on several Portage County boards, including University Hospitals Portage Foundation, Coleman Professional Services and Coleman Foundation Lori Graham, Compliance & CRA Officer for The Middlefield Banking Company Anthony Horton, Director of Personnel for Kent City Schools Melissa Koher, Human Resources Officer for Hometown Bank Dana Lawless-Andric, Associate Vice President, University Outreach & Engagement at Kent State University Mary Ann Schaefer, Manager of Administrative Services at The Davey Tree Expert Company “We welcome these...
Freedom Twp Historical Society News
Freedom Twp. - Freedom Township Historical Society is busy preparing for a September 12th program on Freedom’s 8 one-room school houses. We are searching for any pictures of the schools, students or teachers, the kid hack drivers or any other information you’d love to share with us. Nothing is too unimportant or insignificant, so please call 330–527–7669, and leave...
Eagle Scout Improves Signage at Hiram Field Station
Recently, James A. Garfield graduate Alex Cooper was recognized for completing his Eagle Scout project at Camp Chickagami in Parkman. Alex’s project was to modernize trail signage at the Hiram College James H. Barrow Field Station. According to Alex, “The College was looking to replace older, outdated trail signage, and needed new signs to clearly delineate the trails for local...
4-H is Much More than Livestock: 2023 County and State Sewing Winners
Portage County 4-H Clothing Judging and 4-H Fashion Revue is held annually to choose those who go on to represent Portage County at the State 4-H Fashion Revue in Columbus, which takes place at the Ohio State Fair. Members are judged on construction, fit, fashion, design, grooming, posture and poise, personable qualities, project book completion and interview with judges....
National Band Brings Tour to Windham
Windham - Seventh Day Slumber is an alternative Christian rock band known for their hit singles “Caroline” and “Oceans from the Rain”. The album hit No. 1 on the BillboardHeatseekers Albums chart and No. 26 on the Top Christian Albums chart. They are currently traveling around the country and plan to bring their “Recovery Tour” to Windham Ohio on...
Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society
Ravenna - The Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will meet on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at the Portage County Historical Society, 6549 N. Chestnut St in Ravenna Ohio at 10:00 a.m. The chapter will have a business meeting followed by a program presented by chapter member, Cathy Mayer. Mayer will present a program on “Shaping Your Family Story:...
Clothing Collection & Free Clothing Giveaway
Mantua - St. Joseph Cares of St. Joseph Church in Mantua will be holding their next Clothing Collection the weeks of August 20 & 27. Donations of diapers (especially size 4, 5 & 6), baby wipes, clothing, shoes, accessories, and bedding for all ages in good condition will be accepted (no pillows or furniture please). Donations may be placed...
Immersive Art and Melodic Landscapes: Join the Hiram Historical Society for ‘Ordinary Magic’ Program
Hiram - Hiram Historical Society’s fourth program of 2023 will be held August 20, 2023 at 8 PM at the Hiram Historical Society Century House 11617 St-Rt 700 (also St Rt 82), Hiram, OH 44234. “Ordinary Magic: A Sunday in the Cuyahoga Valley” presented by Amber Kempthorn ‘00 Hiram College Alumni. She will give a short artist talk and then...
50th Anniversary of Tolkien’s Death at Portage County District Library
Garrettsville - We’re going on a Tolkien adventure! J.R.R. Tolkien is considered the father of the fantasy genre, and as the 50th anniversary of his death on September 2 approaches, conferences will commemorate and new books are set to be published to honor his life and legacy. The Portage County District Library will also honor his life by embarking...
G-H Rotary Update
Garrettsville - The August 14, 2023 meeting was held on Delores McCumbers’ birthday and she ended the gathering with selections from her tasty cake. Preceding that was a report from Owen Bass on his progress toward next year becoming the first local outbound Rotary Exchange student in quite a number of years–applications, meeting with the president of Rotary International,...
NPower Services to hold benefit “Under A Harvest Moon – An Evening of Dining, Music and Dancing”
Novelty - NPower Services, a nonprofit organization that serves adults with disabilities, is holding its first benefit dinner and concert from 6 - 10 p.m., Sat., Oct. 28, 2023 at the EOUV Hall (8636 Pekin Road, Novelty, Ohio 44072). Wheelchair accessible. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $65 per person (at Eventbrite or at NPowerServices.com) and include a sit-down...
Portage Prepares Celebrates 10 Years of Continuous Service With Special Giveaway at Randolph Fair
Ravenna - There will be cake and candles this week to mark a decade of continuous service to Portage County residents by Portage Prepares, the online education and real-time information social media provided by the Portage County Emergency Management Agency. To celebrate the anniversary, PCEMA wants to reach 5,000 friends on the Portage Prepares Facebook page with a free weather...
Scouting Runs in the Schaefer Family
Nelson Twp - Scouting means a great deal to the Schaefer family. And not just because Kyle Schaefer recently earned the Eagle Scout designation, the highest accomplishment in scouting. By earning the Eagle Scout rank, Kyle joined his older brothers in earning this top honor, something that makes it even more special. His father, David Schaefer participated in scouting...
Garrettsville Village Council Sets Trick-or-Treat Date, Discusses Training Reimbursement Policy
Garrettsville - The Garrettsville Village Council convened on the evening of August 9, 2023. Present at the meeting were Councilpersons Chris Knop, Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Sheri Johnson, Richard Beatty, and Mark Brady, alongside Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Fiscal Officer Donna Love, and Mayor Rick Patrick. A public hearing was held to deliberate on Ordinance 2023-15, focused on enacting section...
Grit and Grind: The G-Men Soccer Way
Garrettsville - After the conclusion of the 2022 season, immediate questions arose regarding the boys’ soccer team’s roster size for the upcoming year. A soccer team typically consists of 11 players on the field at once. Losing 5 skilled seniors out of a total of 15 players will naturally raise concerns about player availability. With other popular fall sports...
Reel in the Fun: Join Hiram’s Officers for Cops and Kids Fishing Day
Hiram - In a 2021 survey, 57 percent of U.S. participants interviewed indicated that the best thing about fishing was enjoying the sounds and smells of nature. In comparison, 54 percent of participants said that getting away from the usual demands of life was what they enjoyed most about fishing. The third best reason given was, not surprisingly, catching...
