Stacy Turner
Local Artists Add Fun Flair to Mantua
Mantua - “We just finished another mural, and I’m so excited to show you guys!” Local photographer and Mantua business owner Holly Michelson (@fivefivemediaco) shared via online video. Michelson, the creative visionary behind Five Five Media Company unveiled the latest work of outdoor art to make an impression in...
Battle of the Beards Comes to Summerfest
Garrettsville - The Great Gathering of the Beards Beard Battle will be coming to Garrettsville’s Summerfest during the first weekend in August. Not surprisingly, the Barber of G’Ville sponsors this unusual event with the assistance of the Bearded Sinners Beard Club.
The competition will take place at Summerfest -- on...
JAG Grad Attends West Point Academy
Garrettsville - “From an early age, we joked he’ll end up in the military because of how his mind works,” Mantua resident Jason Wysong noted. “We didn’t realize that would actually come to fruition,” his wife Carolyn added. They shared that that their son, Nolan, began considering attending a...
Celebrate Independence Day in Hiram
Hiram - When Ed Frato-Sweeney and Willard Greenwood stepped down after many years of planning the family-friendly holiday events, then Covid-19 cancelled last year’s gatherings, it left a big void in the Village of Hiram. But just as countless first responders have stepped up around the country to help...
Art on the Hill Returns to Mantua
Mantua - Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation (DMRC) is excited to announce the return of their popular, award-winning, arts and crafts show, Art on the Hill, on Saturday, July 10th from 10 am until 6 pm on East Prospect Street in Mantua Village.“We’re really looking forward to the excitement and...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At their last meeting, the school board recognized the 2021 retirees from the district. Among them, Sally Benner (28 years of service); Lorraine Calapa (21 years); – Cheryl Goggin (21 years); Carol Gries (31 years); Tommy Kessler (33 years); Laura Phelps (31 years); Mary Jo Stoneburg (28...
44 Feed & Seed Opens in Mantua
Mantua - Cole Benjamin, owner of the newly opened 44 Seed & Feed store in Mantua, has always been interested in livestock. The Mantua native has grown up with large and small livestock through 4H as well as his family’s cattle farm. After high school graduation, Cole headed west,...
Mantua Village News
Mantua - At the last meeting on May 18th Council amended Ordinance 2021-27, which seeks to place a .5% increase in residents’ income tax collected. If approved by voters at the November 2nd election, the half-percent increase would be devoted to law enforcement and public safety. It was noted...
Mantua Township News
Mantua Twp. - Jan Oros from the Zoning Commission noted that the Zoning book has been updated. She said that once the final update has been reviewed, it will be copied and redistributed. Next, the township’s custodian, Susan Lilly, inquired about whether building rental fees were less expensive for...
Barn Artist Returns To Mantua
Mantua - Local barn artist and historic barn aficionado Dr. Robert Kroeger will be returning to Mantua this fall. If you recall, the artist visited last fall to visit local barn owners and learn the stories behind the distinctive structures. Kroeger has recently released a book called ‘Historic Barns...
Beloved JAG Teacher and Coach John Bennett Retires
Garrettsville - John Bennett, long-time teacher and coach in the James A. Garfield School District, shared that he’s been an athlete since the age of five, when he began playing baseball on the team coached by his father. He honed his skills, and played all the way through high...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - As a result of the failure of Issue 6 this spring, the School Board discussed options and considerations for the district’s financial situation. Superintendent David Toth noted that the district has made cuts of over two million dollars over the last 5 years. In addition, the planned...
Hiram College Adds 11-Year to Basketball Roster
Hiram - Recently 11-year-old Haley Kimble celebrated a big win when she became the newest, youngest member signed to the Terriers Women’s Basketball team. According to Hayley’s mom Kelly Kimble of Thompson, Ohio, her daughter is a huge basketball fan. Several years ago, Hayley participated in a program through...
Rotary Awards Kim Marfy as 2021 Unsung Hero
Mantua - Each year the Rotary Club of Mantua honors an Unsung Hero. According to Rotary President Dean Olson, this is an individual who exemplifies the virtues of the Rotary organization. The person must demonstrate the ideal of service above self, seeks opportunities to assist others, maintains high ethical...
Hiram Village Council News
Hiram - At the last meeting, Resident Ann Patella noted that she’s taken on the task of creating a database of the veterans’ names and grave locations in preparation of the Village’s Memorial Day service at Fairview Cemetery. She noted that of the 250 veterans interned there, 22 graves...
New Mural Unveiled at Crestwood Intermediate School
Mantua - A new mural has been added to the wall at Crestwood Intermediate School, that artist Amanda Wascovich describes as “modern, whimsical graffiti.” The word ‘believe’ is larger than life and filled with images depicting sports, hobbies, foods, pets -- all images inspired by CIS students.
“The idea of...
Mantua Township News
Mantua Twp - At their last meeting, Trustee Chairman John Festa reported that the American Legion is planning a Memorial Day service at the Township’s West Lawn Cemetery at 11 am on Monday, May 31st. It was noted that the Crestwood band, the Scarlet Guard, would be in attendance,...
Spring Sale at Hiram Farm
Hiram - Mark your calendars for the annual Flower Sale at Hiram Farm -- Wednesday through Friday, May 5th, 6th, and 7th. Each day, the sale runs from 10 am until 3 pm. As in previous years, the sale will offer annuals in flats and pots, with your favorite...
Rotary Hosted Successful Sidewalk Spring Chalk Drawing Contest
Mantua - In what is becoming an annual harbinger of the season, the second annual Easter Chalk Drawing Contest took place over Easter weekend, when local amateur artists came out to help the season spring forth on local sidewalks. This is the second time the Rotary Club of Mantua...
Hiram Village News
Hiram - At the last meeting, Ed Frato-Sweeney noted that 2021 Commencement for Hiram College students will take place on May 15th. While only graduates will be allowed in Martin Field House for the ceremony, their families are invited to watch commencement via live stream on the football scoreboard...
Hiram Township Trustee News
Hiram Twp. - At the last meeting, trustees heard from residents Brian Tayerle, Ryan Dustman and John Osborn. They attended in order to volunteer their services to improve the baseball field at Hiram Rapids. Since no teams have used the field for some time, the infield became overgrown with...
A Night of Sunshine – Rotary Club of Mantua
Mantua - The past 12 months have been difficult for organizations that depend on fundraising to finance their community service. When the Crestwood Middle School Sunshine Fund approached the Rotary Club of Mantua to help make up for their inability to do their in-person events we sympathized, but said...
Art Hits the Sidewalks in Mantua this Weekend
Mantua - To help make the holiday weekend more colorful, the Mantua Rotary Club will be hosting a sidewalk chalk competition on Saturday, April 3rd. The first ever, friendly competition takes place in front of the Crestwood High School from 1:30 - 3:30 pm, and provides aspiring chalk artists...
Forage + Feather Welcomes New Owner Artisan
Mantua - When Forage + Feather opened its doors last August at the historic Mantua Grain building (4690 East Prospect), the shop provided visitors with the ability to browse among jewelry, body products, and home furnishings curated from over a dozen local artisans under one roof. Shop founders Tracy...
Local Folks Grows Hope with Maple Syrup
It’s maple syrup season, and as Ohio is ranked fourth in US production of maple syrup production, it’s a sure bet you’ve seen trees tapped throughout the community. But did you know that a group of dedicated folks in Hiram are harvesting maple syrup to support farmers in communities...
Portage Park District Acquires 325 Acres In Hiram Township
Hiram Township – Portage Park District recently acquired and has permanently conserved 325 acres in Hiram Township, formerly owned by the Carlisle Family. The property is located on the south side of State Route 82 and runs a mile south to meet the adjacent Headwaters Trail, a hike and...
Hiram Village Council News
Hiram - At the last regular meeting, Council heard from Lisa Taddei, a representative from Ohio Edison on the power company’s plans and specifications for power line improvements within the Village. Ms. Taddei noted that the easement requests presented to Village residents were part of a larger plan to...
Local Woman’s Mission to Help Kids
Mantua - Angela Smith of Mantua recently started an organization called iTELLsecrets. Her purpose is to help children learn the difference between good touches and bad touches, to help protect kids from sexual abuse. Strikingly, among cases of child abuse reported to law enforcement, 93% of victims knew the...
Five Five Media Co Now Open in Mantua
Mantua - A new shop opened its doors recently in Mantua, though the occupants are no stranger to the village. Five Five Media Company, Holly and Matt Michelson’s photography and videography business has been in operation since 2011, so while this isn’t a new business, it’s definitely a new...
Mantua Quick Mart is Open For Business
Mantua - Peter Patel, shop owner, is no stranger to convenient stores. He owns and operates another Quick Mart in Ravenna. When the opportunity arose to purchase the former Circle K store in Mantua, Patel was happy to transform the chain store to an independent business.
The former location had...