Submitted

Rae Bonner isn’t just the founder of Bonner Farms Natural Beauty -- she’s the heart, the hands, and the soul behind every single jar. And like most good stories, hers began right at home... on the family farm. When Covid hit, Rae was bundled up in the cold, selling farm-fresh meat...

Join us Sunday, April 26th from 1p.m.- 4p.m. at Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve in Portage County for a special opportunity to explore one of our most biologically diverse preserves as we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the division.  Eagle Creek is renowned for its dazzling array of...

Stanley “Bruce” Szabaga, 83, of Garrettsville, OH, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Lincoln House in Ravenna, OH. He was born on August 27, 1942, in Ravenna, OH. Bruce had lived in Ravenna, OH, Freedom Twp., OH, and Garrettsville, OH throughout his life. He was a kind...

The Portage Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the Leadership Portage County Alumni & Friends Endowment, a new fund dedicated to providing ongoing operational support to Leadership Portage County. The fund was spearheaded and generously seeded by David and Janet Dix, whose vision and commitment to community...

Corinne “Corky” Vondle of Garrettsville, born April 16, 1948, would like everyone to know that she has officially “relocated” as of April 12, 2026—no forwarding address given, but we’re certain it’s somewhere peaceful, maybe with a good view and plenty of room to keep an eye on all of...

This week at the Middlefield Senior Center, Dawn Damante, MHA, CDP, of University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, presented an informative session titled “Understanding Stress Later in Life” for local seniors. Dawn explained that stress does not simply disappear with retirement. In fact, later life often brings a unique set of...

The Portage County Pride Fund (PoCo Pride Fund), established in 2025 as a community response to the closures of area LGBTQ+ centers, will launch its portal for crisis grants on Thursday, April 2nd. The date was selected to coincide with the birthdate of Aidan Veney, a Kent resident whose...

This handsome boy found himself in a serious predicament when “both” of his owners passed away recently.  There was no one in the family that could take Lucky into their home, and he was at risk of being abandoned outdoors. Lucky must be part Irish because he was lucky enough...

Charlotte (née Pochedly) Jewell passed peacefully at age 103 in her home on March 21, 2026. A life-long resident of Freedom Township, she was very proud of her family's contribution to the history of the area. In her own words, "In 1917, Martin and Mary Pochedly and their three...

John H. Wolfe, 84, of Windham Township, Ohio, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. He was born September 16, 1941, in Bellevue, Ohio, to the late Herbert and Esther (Baum) Wolfe. John was a devoted servant of God, a cherished family man,...

Harold C. Gepper, 97, of Garrettsville, OH, went home to his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 26, 2026. He was born in Braceville Twp., OH on September 2, 1928, to the late Carl and Mildred (Bloomer) Gepper. He grew up in the Garrettsville area and graduated from Garrettsville High...

As Garrettsville SummerFest prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, organizers are turning their attention to a critical need behind the scenes: upgrading the festival’s aging electrical infrastructure to safely support its continued growth. What began in 2005 as a small-town gathering has evolved into one of the community’s most anticipated...