Local Groups Meet to Connect Communities Along Headwaters Trail
This was the third meeting of the group, which includes a collaboration of local mayors, city and township officials, and community organizations from Aurora, Garrettsville, Hiram Village, Hiram Township, Mantua Village and Mantua Township. Their mission is to connect these contiguous communities via improvements to the Portage Parks District Headwaters Trail, which runs through each locality.
Holpuch Dentistry Sinks its Teeth into a New Generation
‘Dr. Drew,’ as his office staff affectionately calls him, says that following in his uncle’s footsteps was more accidental than planned, but the timing was right for him to bring the dental practice forward in a new generation. “At first, it was an opportunity to work here with my uncle, starting last July. But then, what with his health issues, by September Uncle Jim decided to hang up his drill and simply retire.”
Garfield Calamity Days
In all aspects of our organization we exceed minimum expectations. Our test scores reflect teachers and students going above and beyond. The condition of our grounds and buildings reflects doing much more than just the minimum. With new testing for students, higher standards and the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, this is no time to lower our expectations to a minimum.
Upcoming Portage Parks District Events
Wanted Frog Watchers! The Portage Park District needs your help as we join forces with Hiram College in Project FrogWatch. Project FrogWatch USA is a citizen science program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that provides individuals, groups, and families with an opportunity to learn about wetlands in their communities and report data on the calls of local frogs...
Endowment Gifts to Aid in Science and Math at Hiram College
A large portion of that support originated from two single sources: a generous, $867,000 estate gift from Cleveland businessman Stan Proctor and a gift of $500,000 from an anonymous donor. “We are exceedingly grateful to Stan Proctor. Mr. Proctor was a beloved member of the Board of Trustees who believed in the teaching mission of Hiram College. Through his work on the board, he knew first-hand the transformative power of a Hiram education,” said Hiram College President, Lori Varlotta. “Thanks to these most recent gifts, that power will continue to transform the lives of students – and those who teach them – for many years to come.”
Operation Valentine: Send a Valentine to a Hero Overseas
Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services is one of nearly 1000 Veterans & Family Memorial Care providers nationwide who sponsor the annual VFMC Operation Valentine initiative. The project is simple and meaningful, according to Dr. Michael E. Carlson. “Students and individuals throughout the community write messages to the troops on Valentine Cards, Cut-Out Hearts, or whatever they like and we make sure that they are delivered to our brave men and women serving overseas.”
Donation to the Library by the Garrettsville Eagles
The Library will be using the monies to buy new books to be housed mainly at the Garrettsville and Windham Libraries. The rest of the libraries that make up the Portage County District are Aurora, Randolph, and Pierce-Streetsboro. The library data base includes Kent and Reed Memorial Libraries to facilitate free exchange of material.
Local Man Takes Epic Journey Along Appalachian Trail
“Through it all, I want to be a blessing to those who suffer from the havoc of Parkinson’s by walking the over 2,180 miles of the Appalachian Trail,” Garrettsville native Don Havener said. “It’s my goal to try and raise $100 per mile for the Ohio Parkinson Foundation, an organization that has been such a blessing to my brother during his five year struggle with the disease”.
Geauga Fresh Farmers’ Market holds Annual Meeting
Burton - The Geauga Fresh Farmers’ Market, in its fourteenth year, will hold its 2015 annual organizational meeting from 10am to noon Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Patterson Center, Claridon Troy Road, at the north end of the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton. Farmers, producers and artisans who are interested in the market for the coming season are...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Family Week meetings with James A. Garfield Elementary School principals have been forestalled by snow events but prospects are good for a rejuvenation and re-invigoration of the program, involving more kids and parents.
Wanted — Frog Watchers!
The dates for this years FrogWatch training will be January 29th and February 5th (Thursdays) from 7:00-9:00 pm. If volunteers would like to become certified, they will also need to take the certification exam on February 12th at 7:00 pm. We will hold our sessions at the James H. Barrow Field Station (Hiram College). There is a fee of $5.00 fee for the training, course materials, etc.
The Garrettsville Curtains Up Theatre Presents “Cheaper By The Dozen”
“Cheaper by the Dozen”, is a true story of a family of 12. “Cheaper by the Dozen” is based on a story written by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth. It tells the story of Frank Bunker Gilbreth and Lillian Moller Gilbreth, and their twelve children. The book focuses on the many years the family resided in Montclair, New Jersey. The title comes from one of Frank Sr.’s favorite jokes: it often happened that when he and his family were out driving and stopped at a red light, a pedestrian would ask, “Hey, Mister! How come you got so many kids?” Gilbreth would pretend to ponder the question carefully, and then, just as the light turned green, would say, “Well, they come cheaper by the dozen, you know,” and drive off.
Chamber’s #GarrettsvilleStrong Fund Breaks $84K Mark
2014 was an interesting year for the Village of Garrettsville and our member businesses. On March 22nd our historic Main Street business district experienced a devastating fire that reduced over 150 years of history to rubble in what felt like mere moments. In the wake of the disaster, our community and supporters from across the globe united to help raise funds to aide in rebuilding Main Street through the Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce’s #GarrettsvilleStrong fund; and get business owners back on their feet through the People Tree & Garrettsville United Methodist Church’s joint efforts.
A night of recognition during Garrettsville council meeting
At the December 10th Garrettsville Village Council meeting, Mayor Patrick called Garrettsville police officer Timothy Christopher forward as he read Resolution 2014-38, which recognizes the seven years of service of police dog Taz and authorized retirement of the canine. It further authorized officer Christopher’s assumption of ownership in exchange for $1. Taz was retired earlier this year for health reasons. He now resides with his handler, Officer Christopher and his family. Christopher thanked the mayor and council for their dedication and continued support of the canine program and, though he will not be the canine handler any more, he will still be involved in a supervisory capacity. Officer Keith Whan will be Garrettsville Police’s new canine handler.
JAG Students Shine at Winter Concert
Sounds of the season resonated through the Iva Walker Auditorium this past Sunday as the High School Concert Band, High School Choir and Middle School Combined Concert Band played for a standing room only crowd.
How State Funding Effects Local School Districts
Given reductions in state spending on education, the State of Ohio has implemented state-guaranteed transitional aid to districts with declining enrollment. This “guarantee” means that the State of Ohio offers a promise to pay each district the amount of state funds the district had received in the previous year. “On the flip side,” remarked Jill Rowe, Crestwood District Treasurer/CFO, “it also means that the state feels that the district should not be getting 36% of the revenue it received in the previous year, but that the state will pay or “guarantee” the district these funds in good faith.”
Hattie Larlham receives a wheelchair accessible van
“People with developmental disabilities need to have access to the community,” said Hattie Larlham CEO Dennis Allen. “They like to go to a variety of places and this vehicle makes that happen.”
Hiram College Students share Field Station research at International Neuroscience Conference
“We presented with undergraduates from many different schools and had the opportunity to go and explore the posters and presentations from the Ph.D. and M.D. level,” Emily Mortimer said. “It was interesting to see where we could potentially be in the future. Being able to attend a conference like this one is one of the many perks of attending Hiram College.”
G-Men Mobile Now Available
Parents and students can download the application for free through Apple iTunes and Google Play app stores. Developed by Blackboard Inc., the app is also expected to be popular with alumni, incoming students, and other members of the James A. Garfield community.
Who will be the next Ravenna Balloon A Fair Grand Marshal?
Written nominations for Grand Marshal should be submitted no later than February 6, 2015. Mail to: Ravenna Balloon A Fair, Attention Parade Committee, and P.O. BOX 454, RAVENNA, OHIO 44266. For more information, call 330-296-FAIR.
W.V.F.D. Joint Fire District News
The WVFD Joint Fire District met for their regularly-scheduled meeting with all board members in attendance. The board approved the November minutes, expenditures, bank reconciliation and the temporary appropriations totaling $713,000.
Hiram Township News
At the last meeting of the Hiram Township Trustees, Assistant Chief Mark Kosak thanked village and township residents for their votes in support of the Fire Department’s latest ballot issue. Kosak announced that as of January 1st, the department will begin 24 hour staffing, with two firefighter/EMTs on staff around the clock. Due to the increase in staffing, response times should see a reduction.
Cavalier Technologies Caters to the Neighborhood
Whether for home or business, Cavalier Technologies is positioned as the local one-stop tech shop. The simple pricing structure for residential and business labor rates vary only according to whether it’s on-site (housecalls) or in-shop. Contact Chris Cavalier for more information at chris@garrettsvillecomputersrepair.com or 330-569-4196, or browse his website at garrettsvillecomputersrepair.com.
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At the last meeting of the Crestwood School Board, a brief discussion occurred at the start regarding the proposed 2015-2016 school year calendar. The proposal put forth recommends that the first day of instruction for students begin on August 19th, with the last day of instruction held on May 20th. Superintendent David Toth remarked that a change...
Stille Nacht. Heilige Nacht.
On Friday, December 12, the Hiram Men’s Chorus, directed by Jose Gotera, the Hiram Women’s Chorus, directed by Damaris Peters Pike, and the Hiram Community Chorus will present a musical program of seasonal and Christmas favorites—“Silent Night” in both English and German—at 7:30 p.m. in the Hiram Christian Church (corner of St. Rte 82 , St. Rte. 305 and St. Rte 700), free and open to the public.
Local Students Experience Holiday Performance on Wheels
“It’s important for our children to experience life outside of school, within their global community. It’s a nice opportunity for them to get dressed up and enjoy something wonderful with their peers.” - CPS Principal Cindy Ducca
James A. Garfield Teacher is One of Twenty-Five Chosen to Participate in ‘Auschwitz: The Past is Present’ Program
The Institute for Visual History and Education and Discovery Education have selected Steven Howell, a teacher at James A. Garfield High School in Garrettsville, as one of only 25 teachers from around the world to participate in a unique professional development program in Poland as part of Auschwitz: The Past is Present.
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The plan for benches to be placed along the Headwaters Trail, involving Eagle Scout projects and grant money being made available through Rotary District 6630 and donations focused on reviving and rebuilding in the village is still taking shape but it’s in good shape.
Jingle Bell Jog brings Healthy Holiday Fun!
Mantua - Let's start the holiday season with festive exercise, jolly visits with Santa, and joyous holiday-themed activities! Jingle Bell Jog offers a 5k race that is timed for the competitive, but can be walked for those who prefer to take in the spirit of this holiday event at a more relaxed pace. Participants are encouraged to dress in...
Discover Christmas Treasures at the Secret Attic
With new items added regularly, you never know what treasures await at Mantua’s Secret Attic on East Prospect Street in Mantua. The shop is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 am - 6 and Saturdays from 9 am - 3 pm. For more information, visit the shop’s Facebook page.
