Staff Reporter

Garrettsville - It’s fairly common for someone to ride their bicycle across the country. It’s quite another when that someone is a survivor of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer... with an ilieostomy.An ostomy is a surgically created opening from an internal organ such as the intestines...

Camp Ravenna - Early Saturday morning almost 200 people sacrificed sleep when they arrived at 7:30 a.m. at the Renaissance Family Center for a tour of Camp Ravenna.  The excited folks enjoyed coffee and donuts while they waited on the buses to take them to see first hand what...

Hiram - Want a place where you can take a minute to sit down, relax. and enjoy the cool sweet taste of Frozen Yogurt?If you would be willing to take a moment of your time to fill out a short questionnaire, a local frozen yogurt cafe could be...

Windham - The children of Windham’s KT Elementary preschool were treated to a visit from Yo-Yo the Clown.  Steve Blasko from Youngstown has performed for over 40 years.  He demonstrated for the children how he transforms himself into a clown. Teacher’s Aide Ms. McLean and a student, Briah Daniel,...

Ravenna - Ravenna Stadium was the site of this year’s Relay for Life event to benefit the American Cancer Society...which is to say, benefits us all.Groups from all over Portage County were in evidence : the BOMB (Bunch O’ Mighty Believers) of the Garrettsville UMC, Suffield UCC, Ravenna GE...

Aurora - Aurora Memorial Library would  like to  remind teens that there is still time to sign up to see authors Lisa and Laura Roecker (pictured above) discuss their debut novel, The Liar Society, a murder mystery set against the backdrop of an elite private school.  The authors will...

Windham - The state budget is in and said what everyone hoped it wouldn’t say -- big revenue losses for the Windham School District. The board of education (BOE) was hoping it would not come down to loss of jobs but after running on bare bones the last few...

Scholarship Applications Being AcceptedApply NowChiropractic Center of Garrettsville is happy to announce that they will be offering a scholarship to senior athletes at James A Garfield High School for the fourth year. The scholarship will be for $725. It may be used as the student needs. Applications are available...

Ravenna - There’s a new administrator at Portage County’s nursing home, The Woodlands at Robinson in Ravenna. When Christa Mayes took the position on April 1, The Woodlands was home to 65 residents. As of April 29th, there were 80. The Woodlands is on the grow, so anyone considering...

The Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club was recently privileged to hear from two very able competitors in the Four-Way Test Speech Contest.  Both entrants were from James A. Garfield High School and each gave a presentation worth of recognition. Travis Gorby, freshman, was first up and got an immediate audience response by...

I have written nearly 60 columns for the Weekly Villager since June, 2008.  The focus of my articles has always been patient centered. Equipping my readers with topical subjects makes them better patient/consumers and, by extension, happy, well-cared for patients. This time I am going to step out of...

Garrettsville - If  you enjoy Saturday Night Live humor, you’ll enjoy James A. Garfield’s final drama production of the year titled “The Test” by Cliff McClelland. This play chronicles a series of scenes all devoted to the idea that we must face so many tests in our lives here...

Rows and rows of brilliantly colored flowers lined the sidewalk as Doodle Dog scampered through town, each stem straight and proud like vibrant guards standing at attention during a parade. Each blossom turned toward the sunlight, the painted petals brightening like a sea of miniature Easter hats. He bounded...

“I’m having a problem with my cable company and can’t resolve the issue. I was told to contact my local franchise authority, but I can’t seem to locate a contact number. Can you help me?” Many of the Newton Falls Public Library staff also have cable service and were...

“Rain, rain, go away...”  If only a simple song could get rid of this rain, my job would be so much easier.  Unfortunately, the vineyard is starting to see some problems with all of this rain. As I mentioned in last week’s article we are getting ready to plant more...

Garrettsville -  First responders make a living out of helping others in their time of need. Now, a support group has been formed to show gratitude to local firefighters in appreciation for all they do. Stacy Collins is a founding member of the newly formed Garfield Women’s Auxiliary associated with...

Mantua - On Thursday, April 21, a luncheon was held at Mantua Hilltop Church to honor all those who volunteer at the Food cupboard. The Council Members provided a delicious luncheon of salads, desserts and croissants. 40 volunteers attended plus a few honored guests who had been active in...

Summerfest committee announces the “First Couple” for their First Annual SummerFest Wedding held at this year’s event in late June. Wedding Bells will  chime when Jennifer Brown walks down Main Street to meet her prince, Harry L. Cales Jr., at the main stage. The nuptials will take place on...

Nelson Twp - Spring has returned. We made it through another winter. As you drive around Nelson Township, you can once again see the green grass and flowers blooming everywhere. To keep Nelson looking great, remember to start collecting all the things in your yard that you no longer...

Mantua - Eighty CMS Band students participated in the annual Solo and Ensemble Contest April 9, 2011 held at Crestwood Middle School. Students in grades seven and eight performed 47 solos and in 22 ensembles. CMS Middle School band students received 57 Superior and 13 Excellent ratings. Each performance...

Hiram - Brush pick-up for 2011 will be the last full week of April, May, June, July, August and September.  The amount of brush should be no more than two men can load in 15 minutes. Tree branches and brush should be no longer than 8 foot. Leaves and...

Garrettsville - News flash! It is still raining  )--; So take advantage of the Boardwalk and you can see Mother Nature do her over-the-Falls thing... It is spectacular (---; Meanwhile, we have a private investor, buyer, for Paul’s Lumber property all 14.8 acres of the complex.  I firmly believe this...

Nelson Twp. -  Nelson Township Trustees met for their regularly-scheduled meeting at the community house with trustees Joe Leonard, Bill Wilson and Jim Turos and fiscal officer J. David Finney present. Fire Chief Dave Friess was in attendance to request permission to use the parking lot at Pixley Park...

Hiram - On May 1st, at 3:00 in the afternoon, there will be a memorial service honoring the life and works of William “Bill” Hollinger, at Hiram College’s Price Gymnasium, on the eponymous Hollinger Court, where he spent not inconsiderable time and achieved more than sports victories. Memorials are about...

Newton Falls - The Newton Falls High School Drama Department will complete the 2011 season by presenting the comedy “Soda Shop Angel” authored by Shirley McNichol.  The production will be presented on Friday and Saturday, May 6th & 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.  The cost...

Spring has come to Portage County, and gardeners across the county are getting together plans and plants for another year.  The Portage County Master Gardeners are also making preparations for their annual event, Celebrate Spring.  The event, which includes a plant sale, silent auction, and expert gardening advice, will...

Scholarship Applications Being Accepted Apply Now Chiropractic Center of Garrettsville is happy to announce that they will be offering a scholarship to senior athletes at James A Garfield High School for the fourth year. The scholarship will be for $725. It may be used as the student needs. Applications are available...

“Mid pleasures and palaces, Wherever we roam, Be it ever so humble, There’s no place like home.” Does this apply when it’s the home itself that is roaming? What a way to spend a day!  The Schultz family homestead–now owned by Don Wolff–was scheduled to hit the road at about 9:15 on the morning...

The Weekly Villager staff is working hard to wrap up the transition to our new office space. Individual articles from this week's paper will not be posted online, instead we encourage our online readership to take advantage of our digital archive. We intend to return to our standard posting schedule...

Mantua - The Portage County Soap Box Derby is hosting a Derby Clinic on April 17th from noon to 2 pm. The clinic will be located at the Shalersville Town Hall on the corners of SR 303 and SR 44. The clinic is for people interested in finding out more...