Jake’s Is Back
Mantua - As Mantua locals welcomed the New Year, they happily welcomed the return of an old friend as well when Jake’s Eats, the local comfort food purveyor and hangout, re-opened its doors in mid-January. When the previous tenant, Millers of Mantua closed their doors, Jodie Fiala and Kim Sumwalt didn’t have much to do to in order to re-open...
SweetheART Auction a Smashing Success
Mantua - “Community Center? I hope to tell ya! Look at it; look at all the people who are here. There ain’t no more places to park, so many people. We’ve needed this—a place to gather-- for a long time”, she said, directing her friend to the old principal’s office. “That was Tom Rauber’s office. I ought to know,...
Addiction Helpline Available for Portage County
Portage County - Residents in need of addiction treatment and support can call the Addiction Helpline for Portage County, being operated by Townhall II with funding from the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County. The phone number is 330.678.3006 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Dealing with addiction can seem overwhelming for the person...
J.A. Garfield Students Are “Too Good for Drugs”
Garrettsville - Kindergarten students learn the importance of keeping their bodies healthy during an interactive “Too Good for Drugs” lesson at James A. Garfield Elementary School. The classes, funded by the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County, are taught by instructors from Townhall II and are offered to all the county school districts. Representative Sarah LaTourette recently observed...
Sweet heARTS Walk Features Local Artisans
Mantua - Looking to add a unique piece of local art to spruce up your home? Than look no further than the Sweet heART Walk at the Mantua Center School on Saturday, February 11th. The historic building will be open from noon until 5, and will be filled with local treasures. Those treasures will be available at both a...
Freedom Township Trustee News
Freedom Twp - After the Pledge of Allegiance, the January 5, 2017 meeting was called to order by Chairman John Zizka at 7:32 p.m. The fiscal officer was unable to be present for the organizational meeting. In the absence of the fiscal officer, the 2016 chairman will conduct the meeting until a chairman is selected for 2017....
JA Garfield Expands Accelerated Offerings For 2017/18 School Year
The James A. Garfield Local Schools have always taken great pride in providing an outstanding education for every student. The District released a Quality Profile in 2016 (this can be found on the district website) that showcases a tremendous value on a well-rounded education. One critical component of a strong educational program is its ability to adjust to the...
Regional Economic Development Meeting
Garrettsville - On January 26 the newly formed Regional Economic Development Committee held their first meeting. Led by Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce president (and JAG Superintendent) Ted Lysiak, committee members included Nelson trustee Joe Leonard, Windham trustee Larry Kuhlman, Garrettsville council members Tom Hardesty, Debbie Glass-Wordell and Becky Harrington, as well as local business...
Hiram Township News
Hiram Twp - At their last meeting, Township Fiscal Officer Diane Rodhe noted that ODOT provided information to the township regarding municipalities ordering up to 120% of the current salt bid. After some discussion, trustees passed a motion authorizing Road Supervisor Tom Matota to review the options provided and to purchase up to 120%, providing it is available at...
In Pictures: 8th Count Dance Center presents Peter Pan
On February 1, 2017 the 8th Count Dance Center showcased their students' talent in a wonderful Peter Pan ballet that took a captivated audience on a journey to Neverland.
“Complementary & Alternative Medicine” Program at Garrettsville Library
You’re invited to attend the program “Complementary & Alternative Medicine” on Monday, January 30 from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Presented by Dr. Haidy Kamel of Cuyahoga Community College, this program will provide attendees with an overview and information about this topic. Seats are limited, so register early. Call 330-527-4378 to register or for more information. According to Dr. Kamel,...
Garrettsville – Hiram Rotary Report
The Rotary Club of Garrettsville-Hiram met on January 23, 2017 in Cal’s II, Sky Plaza, Garrettsville. VP/President-Elect, Amy Crawford, conducted the meeting, as President Delores McCumbers was prepping for her trip—leaving the next day-- to India with a Rotary International program. Member Mike Dobran passed around newly-issued cards available delineating James A. Garfield Core Values and Beliefs :...
J.A. Garfield Historical Society News
The James A. Garfield Historical Society met on January 16, 2017 at the historic Mott Building, Main St., Garrettsville to conduct the following business: The new awning on “the Bonnet Shoppe”, the group’s research center, is now on the building; the sign to be attached next is undergoing a paint-matching procedure to confirm its gorgeousness and should be up soon. The...
Model Home a Model of Energy Efficiency
Hiram - A model home in Village Gate Community is a model of energy efficiency in new home construction. Trading out cement block and traditional plywood for Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) block, Slab Shield, Low-E house wrap, recycled cellulose, oriented strand board, Trex deck boards and other ‘green’ construction materials allows this “Eco-Home” by Big Sky Homes to...
Mantua Township News
Mantua Twp. - At their last meeting, Trustee John Festa shared the MSFD monthly report. He noted that call volume at the Department increased, with crews responding to 141 more calls than the previous year. While he noted the Department is handling more calls than usual, he complimented the men and women on what a great job they...
Area Scouts Honored At Winter Banquet
360 Arrowman and guests of Wapashuwi Lodge, Order of the Arrow, formerly of the Greater Western Reserve Council, Boy Scouts of America, met for their annual and final Winter Banquet recently at DiVieste Banquet Hall in Warren, Ohio. Wapashuwi Lodge has more than 300 members from over 90 Boy Scout Troops of the former Greater Western Reserve...
“Cookin’ up a Storm” Program at Garrettsville Library
You’re invited to join us for February’s “Cookin up a Storm” program on Monday, February 6 from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm at the Garrettsville Library. This month’s food theme will be Italian food. We’ll be using titles from the PCDL collection to discover new Italian recipes. Participants are asked to bring an Italian dish to share with the...
Comma Queen Offers Up Confessions
The Book Club of the Garrettsville Branch of the Portage County District Library recently hosted a queen at their pot luck supper, held in the meeting room on January 17, 2017. The royal personage was Mary Norris, author of Between You and Me—Confessions of a Comma Queen (available at the library). The excellent repast (Good soup, John)...
Trainwrecked: News from Garrettsville’s 20th Century Club
The January 19, 2017 meeting of the Twentieth Century Club of Garrettsville was held at the Garrettsville United Methodist Church, 8223 Park Ave., Garrettsville. Greetings to all came from the president, Karen Miller and secretary pro tem, Karen Ziarko, called the roll. A note from absent member, Jan Boehm, was read. The occasion was Guest Night and the...
Take Your Sweetheart on a Sweet heART Walk
Mantua - Make plans to spend Saturday, February 11 at the Mantua Restoration Society’s first Valentine’s event where they’ll be something for everyone. Beginning at noon, you can share the love as you and your honey stroll from room to room, perusing the creations of local artisans. The highlight of the event is a live auction at 1:30. That’s...
“Fired in Freedom” Exhibit Opens in Hiram
Hiram – “Fired in Freedom,” a showcase of ceramic works from nearly 20 artists, runs through Feb. 22 at the Hiram College Gelbke Fine Art Gallery, 12000 Winrock Road, Hiram. The exhibition features ceramic pots and sculptures that were fired in a Freedom Township wood-fired kiln. The artists range from university professors and independent ceramicists to students and nationally recognized...
Attention Portage County Farmers
If you’re a farmer, growing your product is only part of your business. Connecting your products with the people who want them is another crucial part. To aid in this endeavor, Portage County Regional Planning will host an informal meeting that aims to connect local farmers with potential buyers of their products. “It’s our hope to share with local...
Garrettsville – Hiram Rotary Report
Starting the new year off right, the Rotary Club of Garrettsville-Hiram wishes to again thank all of the businesses, groups and individuals who helped make the Reverse Raffle fund-raiser such a success...once more, with feeling: Steve Barton, Bob and Darlene Jackson, Chuck and Connie Evans, Crist Miller, Middlefield Bank, Ellerhorst Russell Insurance Agency, Mallory DeHaven Carlson Funeral Homes and Cremation...
Send Our Military Your Valentines Appreciation
Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services is once again celebrating our Operation Valentine. 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...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At their first meeting of 2017, the Board voted to elect Debbie Soltisz as the 2017 School Board President, with Todd Monroe as Board Vice President. In addition, the Board voted to change the regularly scheduled monthly meetings to take place in the CHS library on the second Tuesday of each month. As such, the February meeting...
Community Food Cupboard Celebrates its 5th Anniversary
Garrettsville - The Nelson-Garrettsville Community Cupboard (NGCC) celebrates its fifth anniversary in February. That means — despite being a struggling not-for-profit organization totally reliant on community donations, dogged by growing demands, suffering a devastating fire, then rebuilding again — the NGCC endures to carry out its mission. The community is invited to NCGG’s Fifth Anniversary Open House from 10 am-2pm...
New Projects Bring Savings and Facelift to Garfield Schools
Garrettsville - If you have been in our buildings you know that our custodial and maintenance staff do an outstanding job of keeping them looking spectacular, but there is only so much our staff can do to maintain an aging building before some changes need to be made. As you drive by our campus over the coming weeks you...
Start Talking — “Hidden In Plain Sight”
Looks can be deceiving. That’s the message behind a unique traveling exhibit created by the Bath and Copley Township Police Departments. The display is called “Hidden in Plain Sight.” The departments constructed what appears to be at first glance the bedroom of the average teenager. But amidst the clutter of clothing scattered on the floor, school supplies on a...
Read To Succeed National Winners
Windham - Mr. Pennell’s grade 6 class earned the Read to Succeed Award from Achieve 3000. Achieve 3000 is a program where students receive differentiated instruction according to their reading capabilities. Mr. Pennell’s class goal is for each student to complete five articles a week, earning a 75% or higher on their assessments. Students have the opportunity to read...
20th Century Club News
The ladies of the Twentieth Century Club of Garrettsville held their January 5, 2017 meeting at the home of Mary Furillo, with Jan Chalker serving as co-hostess. It was cool!...literally and figuratively. The temperature outside was in the single digits, while inside, a fascinating tale of traveling the Appalachian Trail held everyone’s interest. The meeting began by answering...
