WATCH: Garfield High School’s 2020 Virtual Commencement
Congratulations to the James A. Garfield High School Class of 2020! Austin Evan ArmstrongMandolin Win Arnett £Austin Paul Babuka »Camron Ian Hobart BackEthan James BakerJoseph Ryan Ball *~Kaylie Elizabeth BatesAlyssa Rae BellHannah Elizabeth Bittence *§+Kannon Douglas BorrelliJesse Edward Bounds £Preston Allen Chase Brainard £Maya Nicole Brown ~Kage William Callahan ~Mason Michael Cebulla *§+Hannah Frances Chartier *~Madison Ann ClarkLucas Xavier ClemensTalon...
A Day To Remember
A Memorial Day unlike any in living memory. No parade, no marching band, no families waving from street corners and driveways and front porches, no speeches at the Veterans’ Memorial on Maple Ave. No listening crowds, no walkers to Park Cemetery, no trumpets echoing “Taps” from hidden locations. The unofficial opening event of the Summer revealed a world, a...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The Rotary Club of Garrettsville-Hiram met in the cloud on May 13, 2020 to discuss, among other things, returning to meeting Mondays at noon in Cal’s II, Sky Plaza, Garrettsville. Final word will be out ASAP, to coincide with general opening of restaurants. In other business : The co-operation with Toastmasters for instruction in public speaking for students is still...
Garrettsville Farmers’ Market Launches Produce Perks Nutrition Incentive Program
Fresh, healthy produce is now more affordable in Garrettsville for people shopping with SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps). Garrettsville Farmers’ Market is excited to announce the launch of the Produce Perks program, which provides a dollar-for-dollar match to SNAP customers to spend on fruits and vegetables. The program helps our community members using federal benefits stretch their grocery...
Say What?!? Garrettsville Used to Hold Record for Largest Red Oak
Garrettsville - Most people who have grown up in the Garrettsville area know that the Lifesaver was invented here. We were known for producing the most maple syrup in the world and the great train robbery of 1935, but few people are aware that Garrettsville had the largest Red Oak tree in the World. Yes, the world! The tree was...
Garrettsville Delays Road Projects Out of Caution for Budget
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on May 13th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, Tom Collins and John Chambers. The meeting and public hearing were held via Zoom (courtesy of the Villager) and live-streamed on Facebook due to...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The Rotary Club of Garrettsville-Hiram met remotely on May 6, 2020 to discuss the following: What to do about Memorial Day observances is being considered by Council and others normally part of the activities, possibly including live streaming, volunteer musicians to perform “Taps” and a recording of the Garfield Pride playing the National Anthem; more news later. The Nelson-Garrettsville Community Cupboard...
Garrettsville Farmers’ Market to open as scheduled!
That’s right! We will open our summer season as planned (with some small adjustments) on June 4, 2020! There is much info and many recommendations for COVID-19. Thankfully, farmers’ markets are able to operate under the essential category identified by Governor DeWine and we believe that with added precautions, new procedures and proactive steps to protect market customers,vendors and volunteers...
State Budget Cuts Impact J.A. Garfield
Garrettsville - On Tuesday, May 5, Governor DeWine announced significant cuts to public education due to a shortfall in tax collections due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This will certainly have a direct impact here at JAG. I wanted to communicate to our community the impact of these cuts as well as address other questions you may have. The cuts Governor...
Portage Libraries Plan Phased Reopening
Portage County District Library is beginning its phased reopening procedure. While it will be some time before we are able to operate in the way that our patrons are accustomed to, we are taking steps to make sure that when we do open our doors, we will be able to keep our communities and our staff safe. We are currently...
Local Seamstress Uses Gift to Help Others
When Covid-19 became big news, local seamstress Debbie Chanson became aware that hospitals needed masks by a request made on Facebook. She reached out and was provided with a pattern and began making masks at no charge for EMS, Firefighters, Doctors, and Medical staff. Since that time, Debbie Chanson has made over 750 masks, with the goal of making...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The Rotary Club of Garrettsville-Hiram zoomed into action online with the usual suspects in attendance electronically. Items under discussion included the following : The status of the summer Snack Pack program remains in flux but G-H Rotary will still be involved. Grant applications for the district are in the process of being updated. This coming year’s budget is being adjusted...
Woodcarver Donates Custom Furnishings to St. Ambrose Church
Garrettsville - Back in the days of Moses, God called upon master craftsmen and woodworkers to dedicate their giftedness for His purposes and the greater good. From the ancient tabernacle to the Ark of the Covenant and all the tabernacle’s furnishings, every detail was carried out by the craftsmen God appointed for the task. Today, skilled craftsmen still hear...
JAG To Celebrate Seniors During The Month Of May
Garrettsville - The JAG Graduation Committee has put plans in place to celebrate the Class of 2020 beginning this week and culminating with a special graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 31st at 2pm. Starting this week, Garfield teachers will be delivering yard signs to every senior’s yard. Parents are encouraged to take pictures of thier kids next to the...
Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard Continues To Fill Area Need
The Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard is thankful for the monetary support and food donations we have been receiving. Your support has allowed us to make a tremendous impact in the JAG community. Working with the Akron Canton Foodbank and local retailers, we have been able to stretch these funds -- every $5 donation we receive pays for 20 meals...
Garrettsville Family YMCA Offers Child Care For Area Essential Employees
Garettsville - The Garrettsville Family YMCA was granted a special pandemic day care operating license and has been able to operate their childcare service for the essential employees in our area. This has provided much needed relief for many parents who are unable to perform their jobs from home. “We are delighted to provide this service to essential employees,” said...
Friends of Melana 5K / 1 Mile Goes Virtual for 2020
The Friends of Melana Foundation was established in honor and memory of Melana Matson, a Garrettsville resident, who lost her battle with brain cancer in 2009 at the age of nine. The foundation holds 5K/1mile fundraisers for childhood cancer research each year during Garrettsville’s SummerFest. Because of the pandemic the foundation is holding a virtual race event this summer beginning ...
Deadline Extended for Garrettsville Area Chamber Scholarships For Garfield HS Graduates
The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that it will be awarding two (2) $1,000 scholarships to college-bound graduates, and two (2) $500 scholarships to graduates pursuing further education at a trade/technical school. The decision of the Chamber’s Scholarship Committee is final and will be based on the following criteria: Student desire/goals GPA School activities, outside interests and community/volunteer activities A...
JAG Alumni Banquet Canceled for 2020
The James A. Garfield Alumni Reunion Banquet scheduled for Sept. 19, 2020, has been canceled. The next alumni banquet will be held on Sept. 18, 2021. The classes of 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000 and the classes of 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991, and 2001 will be honored at the 2021 banquet. Alumni who would like to receive...
Assistance With Homeschooling
Shannan Jursa State Farm would like to assist in providing the use of our copiers and printers, as well as wifi to families in need. If you have a need please reach out to Shannan about how you can access the office or get access to the wifi to contact teachers or administration. To keep everyone safe wifi would be...
Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard Expands Efforts in JAG District
Garrettsville – As an increasing number of area residents find themselves affected by the “Stay at Home” order in effect for Ohio, the Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard (NGCC) is seeing an increase in new clients seeking assistance due to food insecurity. In March the NGCC partnered with the James A. Garfield Local School District to provide over 6,000 additional...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary tip-toed into the 21st Century under duress, when a limited number of members got together online (zoom) to discuss a limited number of topics relating to the current situation vis-a-vis the novel corona virus/ Covid-19. There was discussion of the legal ramifications of the rules of isolation as they pertain to meetings of government entities and other...
Carlson Funeral Homes is Prepared to Safely Care for Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Garrettsville - Carlson Funeral Homes remains committed and prepared to safely care for the families it serves during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Whenever possible, Carlsons will continue to enable families to participate in the rituals that are most important to them. And according to the CDC, at this time, there is no known risk associated with being in the...
Garrettsville Chamber Selling Gift Cards for Garrettsville to Support Member Businesses
The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce is helping to support our member businesses that have been forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering gift cards. If you normally dine out or shop at a local establishement, purchase a gift card today for use later ~ all proceeds from the sale of these gift cards go directly to respective...
A Message from Garrettsville Mayor Rick Patrick
Dear Residents, I have received many phone calls, emails and texts wanting to know what I know about the corona virus and how it is affecting our Village. I am not in direct contact with Governor DeWine but I do receive updates through Portage County EMA Director Ryan Shackleford almost daily. I must commend Governor DeWine for what he is doing...
Local Experts Share Their Gifts Online
As people are encouraged to stay home and schools and local business close their doors, many people are finding new, safer alternatives to continue doing what they love. For example, while local zoos and other family-friendly locations have closed their doors to in-person visits, experts have moved online to share about the animals they care for with online visitors...
Food Cupboards Put Protocols In Place To Protect Volunteers & Clients
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to affect our region, the health and safety of the community is our primary concern. Area foodbanks are taking action to protect the volunteers and the neighbors being served. The Nelson-Garrettsville Community Cupboard has made adjustments to their upcoming distributions - during the month of April, clients will be asked to remain in their vehicles...
It Takes a Village
Garrettsville - The James A. Garfield Local Schools, Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard, People Tree, SkyLane Bowling and Garrettsville United Methodist Church are working together to feed Garfield students during the state-mandated school closure. Full details have been announced through the Garfield Schools. Here’s how to help right now: Support our mission to “shut the door on hunger” in our district by...
Stalking Opponent Speaks at Local High School
Garrettsville - Last week, nationally recognized victim advocate Debbie Riddle spoke to juniors and seniors at James A. Garfield High School to shed light on the topic of stalking. According to Riddle, stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Riddle explained that stalkers use non-criminal behavior...
