Crestwood Students Learn the Importance of Keeping Promises
Mantua - A rainy Monday morning was transformed into into a day full of promise when Alex Sheen spoke to students and staff at the Crestwood High School and Crestwood Middle School. Sheen founded the social movement and nonprofit organization because I said I would. Through because I said I would, individuals use promise cards to record and remember the...
Portage County District Library’s Big Read Book Discussions at Branch Libraries
Portage County District Library is once again partnering with Hiram College’s Lindsay-Crane Center for Writing and Literature to bring The Big Read to Portage County residents. This community-wide reading program will feature the title Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea. The Big Read book discussions will take place at various branch libraries in the month of October....
Portage County District Library Millage Request on November 3 Ballot
On Tuesday, November 3, 2015, Portage County District Library residents will vote on a 1 mill ballot proposal to provide funding for PCDL for five years. Portage County District Library currently receives no local funding and depends entirely on state funding which is now at about the same level as that received in 1998. State funding provides about 95%...
Short Takes: Go Out, Get Involved
Read Big! It’s not too late to participate in the BIG READ, a program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest being offered by Hiram College’s Lindsay-Crane Center for Writing and Literature and the libraries of the Portage County Library District. There will be authors, speakers, a dance troupe and Mexican food as well as discussion...
Portage County Gardeners’ Harvest Market A Success
The Portage County Gardeners' Center wants to thank everyone who supported their Harvest Market event. Craig Stevens of Ravenna won the helicopter ride raffle held during the event. The next phase of the fall fund raiser formally held in Oct. will now be Fri. Nov 13, 2015 from 4-8p.m. and Sat. Nov. 14, 2015 from 10a.m.-3p.m. at the Portage County Gardeners’...
ABLE Offers GED/ESOL Classes in Portage County
Ravenna - The Adult Basic & Literacy Education (ABLE) Program at Maplewood Career Center in Ravenna would like to welcome everyone back to a new school year! The ABLE Program is offering classes and materials for adults, free-of-charge for GED, ESOL, basic English and math skills, and transitioning into post-secondary education, training, or trade. We have trained instructors to help...
Geauga Fresh Farmers Market Looks for County’s Best at Annual Salsa Tasting Contest
Enter your favorite salsa in the Geauga Fresh Farmers’ Market Annual Salsa Tasting Contest on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 10-Noon. Customers and vendors are encouraged to enter – hot and sweet, fresh or cooked. Shop now for the freshest ingredients and please keep basic ingredients locally grown – zucchini, eggplant, peach, tomato, tomatillo, watermelon, cucumber and any other...
Crestwood Celebrates a Culture of Caring
Mantua - On a perfect sunny day earlier this week, students at Crestwood Primary and Crestwood Intermediate Schools celebrated the 6th annual International Day of Peace by making and planting pinwheels for peace at their combined campus. Crestwood Primary Principal Cindy Ducca shared, “Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by teachers in Coconut Creek,...
Collecting Fossils in Thermopiles, Wyoming
Perfect silence. It is 10:15 in the morning and I am on a hill twenty miles north of Thermopolis and a half a mile off the highway. We got here at 9:30 AM and the temperature was about 70 degrees. It was 49 just before dawn at the motel. By 11 AM it is at 85 degrees. Yes there...
Don’t Miss Mantua’s 42nd Annual Potato Festival!
Mantua - Starting this Friday, September 11th, the festival that almost didn’t happen this year definitely WILL be happening. Although as recently as April, the annual festival’s future was in peril when it was discovered that former committee members allegedly misappropriated funds. But due to a huge outpouring of community support, festival organizers report that all past due bills...
Drug Busts in Nelson Township Coincided With Willie Nelson Concert
Nelson Twp. – Township officials present at the first Nelson Township trustee meeting, held Wednesday, September 2nd, were Fiscal Officer John David Finney; Trustees Joe Leonard, Mike Elias, and Tom Matota; Anne Mae VanDerHoeven, Chuck Vanek, and Michelle Cmunt. After the meeting was called to order Finney presented the trustees with a number of items to be signed, among the...
Hiram Fire Department Received DHS Grant
Hiram - At the last meeting of the Hiram Village Council, Chief Bill Byers reported that the Hiram Fire Department has received a grant of $14,250 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. The money will be used to purchase firefighter protective gear, which is subject to a federally mandated 10-year replacement...
Extreme Rower Katie Spotz Speaks to Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary
The August 31, 2015 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club heard from a rock-star of the world of extreme rowers, Katie Spotz, who in a marathon 70-day adventure rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, from Africa to South America—alone! There were 30 ft. waves, there were freighters, there were scary encounters with unknown boats and individuals…but…there were also dolphins and...
Windham Township Trustee News
Windham Twp. - The Windham Township Trustees met for their monthly meeting on August 13th at 6:00pm at the Windham Township Town Hall with all trustees and fiscal officer present. The regular meeting had been rescheduled from August 6th at 7:00pm due to the unavailability of two trustees. Chairman Dann Timmons called the meeting to order. After the customary opening...
Mantua Center School Building Found To Be Structurally Sound
Mantua - It has now been officially determined that Mantua Center School is indeed structurally safe and basically built like a fortress, putting to rest a topic that has been the focus of debate in recent years. Mantua Township trustees and the Mantua Restoration Society (MaRSI) are working hard to begin restoring the historic building. “We now...
Cops and Kids Fishing Event A Success
Hiram - Hiram Police Department held its annual “Cops and Kids” fishing day event at Camp Asbury. The weather was perfect, the fish were biting, and lifelong bonds were made with Hiram Police Officers and children of the community. The intent of “Cops and Kids” Fishing Day is to bring community children closer to law enforcement officers and build...
Mantua Village Police News
Mantua - It’s been a busy summer at the Mantua Police Department. Interim Chief of Police Joe Urso stepped up to fill the void left as Chief Harry Buchert recovered from surgery. In addition to his new role as Interim Chief, Officer Urso continued to serve as Department’s Student Resource Officer at Crestwood Schools. In that role, Urso facilitated...
Collins and Pritchard Roads Ready for Chip & Sealing in Nelson
Nelson Twp. – Convening for their second meeting of August, the Nelson Township trustees were all present Wednesday, August 19th. Township officials present were Fiscal Officer John David Finney; Trustees Joe Leonard, Mike Elias, and Tom Matota; Anna Mae VanDerHoeven, Chuck Vanek. Michelle Cmunt was unable to attend the meeting. After the meeting was called to order, Finney presented the...
Severe Flooding Issues on SR 88 Discussed at Garrettsville Meeting
A public hearing was held before the August 19, 2015 village council meeting for public comment and discussion over proposed Ordinance 2015-28, which would amend Sections 1193.07 and 1193.08 of the Codified Ordinances of the village relating to restoration of non-conforming single-family dwellings. If existing structures that are non-conforming by today’s codes are damaged, passage of this ordinance would...
John Johnson Home More than a Historic Site
Hiram Township - The Historic John Johnson Home in Hiram Township means different things to different people. It’s a historic site for some; a pleasant backdrop to Monroe’s Orchard for others. But for believers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), this is holy ground. So say Elders Grant Howarth and Damon Bahr, who are hosting...
“Fall Into Savings Passports” Now Available!
While we hate to see Summer draw to a close we know that Fall is full of fun events. The Destination Geauga Office wants to help you enjoy all of those events even more, so we encourage you to get your “Fall into Savings Passport!” The cost of the Passport is $10 and it contains offers for 25 Geauga...
Car Cruises In Hiram And Garrettsville This Saturday
You won’t have to travel far this weekend if you are a fan of car shows. Beginning at 9 am on Saturday, the Hiram Police Car Show will take place in Hiram Village. Hot rod cars, trucks, food, music, trophies and family fun can be found on Hayden and Dean Streets! There is no registration fee, however, donations will be accepted...
The 2015 Geauga SWCD Rain Barrel Auction Begins!
Burton - The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District’s Annual Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign has begun marking the tenth year for this creative community initiative! Seven local artists and groups donated their time, talent, and materials to the District by painting 55-gallon plastic barrels to creatively transform them into beautiful, repurposed rain barrels! A rain barrel is a...
Garrettsville Rotary News
Recovering after their bang-up steak fry on August 3, the members of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary club got down to business on August 10. To wit : • The August 17 meeting will feature Cheryl Warren, District Governor, with a board meeting at 11:00 • The incoming exchange student will arrive on August 24; his mom has already called to get acquainted. •...
Robinson Health System officially changes its name to reflect integration
Ravenna – The future of Robinson Memorial Hospital includes a new name: University Hospitals Portage Medical Center. The Portage name signifies the heritage of Robinson as a county hospital and its stature as the only hospital located in Portage County. The new name is consistent with how University Hospitals identifies other community hospitals to reflect both their location and alignment...
Nelson Township Trustees News
Nelson Twp. – Area residents gathered at the Nelson Community House on Wednesday, August 5th for the first trustee meeting of the month. Township officials present were Fiscal Officer John David Finney; Trustees Joe Leonard, Mike Elias, and Tom Matota; Anna Mae VanDerHoeven, Chuck Vanek, and Michelle Cmunt. The meeting opened with light discussion amongst the trustees about the filming...
GPS It! Geocaching in Geauga Parks
Try your hand at geocaching, a high-tech game of hide and seek using GPS (Global Positioning System), with some help from some local geocaching fans. What: Geocaching in Geauga Parks When: Saturday, August 29 – 10 a.m. to noon Where: Big Creek Park, Donald W. Meyer Center, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon Twp. After an introductory presentation on the activity, members of the local...
Facet Salon & Day Spa to Hold Doggy Dip August 29th
Garrettsville - Facet Salon and Day Spa is holding their 2nd Annual Doggy Dip (wash) on August 29th from 12 till 4 pm. Bring your four-legged friends to Facet for a little pampering. It is just a donation of $10 per dog for a wash. The Groom Room will also be on board, offering Nail Trims for $10. Proceeds will...
Car Cruise to Include Book-Signing by #GarrettsvilleStrong Author
Garrettsville - Cruise through the past, present and future with #GarrettsvilleStrong author Pamela Montgomery during the Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Car Cruise. The festivities will be Saturday, August 22 at Garfield Plaza, 3-8pm, featuring live music by Blue Cadillac and Dennis Chandler, raffle drawings, and hundreds of classic and collectible automobiles on display… plus a #GarrettsvilleStrong book-signing...
Hero’s Rock Rises from the Rubble
Mantua - On March 7th, 2015 the weight of the winter snow took out the garage of Scott and Trish Snyder from Mantua. The garage housed their woodworking shop. The home of outrageous and unique rocking horses (Trott Wood Creations), was best known for their tribute rockers for children of fallen heroes (Hero’s Rock). Having just returned home from work...
