Woodland Wednesdays: Oh Deer, is that Oak Wilt?
Many factors contribute to forest economics, but managing forest health is key to the potential value of your woodlot. Join us for an in-person Woodland Wednesdays program on February 21st at 6:00 pm at the VFW Post 1055, 6000 New Milford Road, Ravenna, OH 44266 for “Oh Deer, Is That Oak Wilt?” This program will provide an update on...
Celebrate Heart Month with this No-Cost Heart-Health Test from University Hospitals
February is Heart Month, a great time to schedule an easy, no-cost test to learn more about your heart health. University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at UH Portage Medical Center is one of nearly 20 locations across Northeast Ohio offering no-cost calcium scoring. Calcium scoring is a computerized tomography (CT or CAT) scan of the heart. It’s a non-invasive...
Employers Help Employees with Mental Health
Mental health is essential to a person’s overall health and well-being. A healthy mind and body can help individuals work to the best of their ability and reach their full potential. The pandemic has given employers an opportunity to be more supportive and understanding of the difficulties employees may be experiencing, however, a stigma still exists concerning mental health conditions....
2020 Winter Writing Festival Winners Announced!
Ravenna - “I’m not sure who is teaching those ninth graders, but whoever it is, does a good job. Reading these five pieces, I felt inspired!” wrote David Dix, high school judge of the 2nd Annual Winter Writing Festival Student Writing competition held this spring as part of the 2nd Annual Winter Writing Festival festivities in downtown Ravenna on...
Portage County Republican Women’s Club Monthly Meeting
The Portage County Republican Women’s Club first meeting of 2019 will be held on Monday, January 21st. 6;30 p.m. at Susie K’s Tea Room, 145 E. Main Street, Ravenna, OH 44266. Our speaker will be Faith Lyon, Director Board of Election. Reservation and dinner selection are required. Please call 330 687-4067. The Club meets...
Savory & Sweet in the County Seat showcased locally owned restaurants in Ravenna and Portage County
Ravenna - Main Street Ravenna would like to thank all of the locally owned and operated restaurants from Ravenna and around Portage County who participated in the first annual Savory & Sweet in the County Seat Event on October 10th. The event, held at the Immaculate Conception Hall in downtown Ravenna, was a showcase of the special, locally owned...
Portage County Genealogical Society
Ravenna - The Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, March 24, 2019 at the Portage County Historical Society at 10:00 a.m. The society is located at 6549 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna, Ohio. Our guest speaker will be Thomas Neel. Mr. Neel is the Library Director of Ohio Genealogical Society. He is a lifelong resident of...
Susie K’s Café Celebrates 30th Anniversary
On the week of January 21st Susie Kohl welcomed the community to mark her 30th anniversary of being open at her namesake business, Susie K’s Café and Tea Room. Menu specials and original recipes from her 30 plus years of experience in the industry were a highlighted part of her Café’s celebration. Kohl said with a little side smile, that...
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...
Youth Leaders Develop Positive Messaging & Drug Prevention Campaigns
Portage County high school students gathered in February to brainstorm ways to support their fellow students and to make their school environments more positive at the annual Youth Leadership Summit hosted by Townhall II and the Mental Health & Recovery Board. Portage County Commissioner Sabrina Christian Bennett was on hand to welcome the students from Kent, Ravenna, Rootstown, Southeast, Streetsboro,...
We’re All Invited
Community Calendar Aspire Programs Mondays & Wednesdays The Portage County Maplewood Aspire Program will begin offering GED, Adult Diploma and ESOL classes at the Kent Free Library on Wednesday, January 3rd from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays during this time. Prospective students are required to first attend an orientation session prior to entering class...
Portage Foundation Accepting Grants And Scholarship Applications
The Portage Foundation will begin accepting grant and scholarship applications now through April 16, 2021. On-line applications for grants and scholarships are available at: https://portagefoundation.org/grants-and-scholarships/. “We are thrilled with the individuals that established endowed grant funds and scholarships at the Portage Foundation” says Debbie Smeiles, president. “Because of their support, we are able to provide approximately $40,000 in spring grant...
A Little Wine… And A Ghost or Two…
Ravenna - Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? Or a glass of good wine? Or some local history? Maybe some live music? If any of those appeal to you, then Ravenna has just the place for you! Located at 234 West Main Street in the historic section of downtown Ravenna, the West Main Winery and Brewery is a...
Independence of Portage County Opens New Facility
Ravenna - We all want to feel respected and valued for who we are as individuals and what we have to offer society. Those with intellectual disabilities are no exception and the new center built and opened on June 24th by the Independence of Portage County, Inc. is specially equipped to help its clients reach their full potential. “We are...
Ice Cream Parlor Sweetens up the Town
Ravenna - We all need a little sugary pick-me-up sometimes and having a sweet treat can be the bright spot in everyone’s day. Vance’s Carriage House Creamery, the new hand-dipped hard ice cream shop, has just the flavor you will need to bring a smile to your face. Happiness seems so tricky to come by and yet joy can easily...
Ravenna’s Loaves and Fishes
Ravenna - Ravenna is on the rise! This lovely town of roughly 12,000 is home to unique businesses, unique history and a caring community. The Loaves and Fishes outreach program is an example of the care that is evident in Ravenna. Loaves and Fishes is a program aimed at food-insecure people in the area, all are welcome to participate. This...
United Way of Portage County Awards Grant to Offer Dinner for Front-Line Workers
Ravenna –United Way of Portage County (UWPC) continues to support the needs our community during this health emergency. UWPC and The NEW Center team up to provide dinner for front-line workers in Portage County. The NEW Center at NEOMED was awarded $840 to feed dinner to University Hospital staff in Ravenna, as well as Rootstown’s Fire Department and EMT,...
Primary Election Day Extended
Portage County - According to the Portage County Board of Elections, the Primary Election, which was originally scheduled for March 17th, will be concluded on April 28, 2020. The March election day was blocked by the State in an attempt to restrict public gatherings and limit the spread of Covid-19. Since several localities had key initiatives on the ballot, the...
The Path To Passion Returns to Toys
Ravenna - For about a year and a half, Ronn Gehring has been following his passion in Ravenna. But it hasn’t always been that way. His interest in collectible toys began with Star Wars and GI Joe figures in the 80’s. And while collectible toys have always been a hobby, he didn’t consider pursuing it as a career until...
Awareness for Alcohol Use Problems & Treatments
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This was developed to raise awareness and understanding of the causes and treatment of alcoholism, one of the country’s top public health issues. Alcohol is the most used substance by both youth and adults in the U.S. The consequences of drinking can affect everyone and poses enormous health and safety risks. While some adults may...
We’re All Invited
JAG Kindergarten Registration Register today! It’s time to register for a Screening appointment if your child will be 5 years of age by August 1, 2024. To complete online documents, visit our website, www.jagschools.org, click on Menu, scroll down to the FinalForms link. Please call Kristine @ the Elementary office, 330-527-2184, for a screening appointment on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Book Review...
Portage Park District Foundation Seeks Nominations For Annual Environmental Awards Dinner
Ravenna - The Portage County Environmental Conservation Awards Dinner steering committee is seeking nominations, due by March 6, for awardees to be honored at the event. Nominations for this year’s awards will be considered based on their contributions to Portage County’s environment through education, green business, green building/development, stewardship or environmental activism. Visit the Portage Park District’s website at portageparkdistrict.org...
Portage Senior Center Update
Due to increased COVID-19 numbers in the area, the Portage County Senior Center will temporarily “pause” most inside activities. They will remain open, however, with mandatory pre-screening health calls, in addition to symptom checks when entering. Please call 330-297-3456 for questions, concerns, or to confirm the current schedule. Please stay tuned to current state and local updates, and when...
Suicide Loss Day Event
The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Portage County is holding an event those who have been affected by suicide loss on Saturday, November 20 from 1-3pm. The event will include a screening of a short documentary on grief and the healing journey that follows a suicide loss over time. A discussion will follow and local resources will be provided. The Suicide...
We’re All Invited
JAG Kindergarten Registration Register today! It’s time to register for a Screening appointment if your child will be 5 years of age by August 1, 2024. To complete online documents, visit our website, www.jagschools.org, click on Menu, scroll down to the FinalForms link. Please call Kristine @ the Elementary office, 330-527-2184, for a screening appointment on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Book Review...
In Search Of A Good Night’s Sleep
Ravenna - Whether it’s difficulty falling asleep or problems staying asleep, a poor night’s sleep is a bad way to start the day. I enjoy helping people who find themselves tossing and turning when they should be snoozing. Typical problems I treat run the gamut from insomnia to narcolepsy and include everything in between, such as sleep apnea, sleepiness, sleepwalking...
Connecting With The Community One China Hutch At A Time
Ravenna - In 1970 a woman named Isabel Jones decided to give her new son-in-law a few lessons in furniture restoration. Little did she know a fuse had been lit for a life-long hobby that would one day turn into, The Corner Station. The antique store, run by Alan and Karen Balog, is a highlight to visit in the...
Haven of Portage County’s Warming Center Will be Open During Winter Months
Ravenna - Those experiencing homelessness will have a place in our community to come in out of the cold this winter. The Haven of Portage County’s Warming Center, with the support of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Portage Community Chapel, will be serving those experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect by providing a safe and warm place to...
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...
Tree Roots Fail, but Community Ties Stand Tall
Weather and life are common themes. The end of Winter paves the way for Spring, a season of rebirth. But March 2021 it seems will not “go gentle into that good night.” With only a few days left in March you may be wondering where is the Lamb? Because Ravenna and I (personally) have experienced the bite of the...
