Local Youths Participated In National Bible Bee Competition
For the third year in a row, local youths headed to Sevierville, Tennessee to take part in the 2013 National Bible Bee Competition sponsored by the Shelby Kennedy Foundation. At a regional testing site in August, five area young people – Ronnie Matthews of Girard, and siblings Nathanael, Joshua, Caleb and Hannah-Abigail Toth of Newton Falls – secured top qualifying...
Midnight Madness In Ravenna on Friday
Ravenna – Shopping the day after Thanksgiving has become the ‘stressful norm’ in our chaotic American lives as we hit the trail running in our quest to find ‘that perfect gift’ for everyone on our shopping list. BUT it doesn’t have to be that way. After more than 31 years as a family celebration in downtown Ravenna, Midnight Madness...
Ravenna Balloon A-Fair Lighted Christmas Parade on December 7, 2013
Ravenna - Ravenna Balloon A-Fair's annual lighted Christmas Parade “Treasures Under The Tree” (sponsored by Fortis College) will take place in downtown Ravenna on Main Street at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 7. Line up begins at 6pm at the corner of Main Street & Myrtle and at East Plaza parking lot. The parade includes themed floats, dancing and marching...
Think Outside The Box This Christmas
As the holidays approach, Christmas lists are compiled and the Black Friday Frenzy kicks into full gear, maybe it’s time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?...
Local businesses help make holiday gatherings festive
Time is in short supply during the holiday season. Between the shopping, cooking, baking and wrapping, there seems to be precious few hours to tackle anything else. Those who desire an old-fashioned, homemade holiday can still experience all of the seasonal magic by deferring some of the work to local businesses. Decorating Much of the splendor of the holiday season comes...
Make the most of Black Friday shopping
Black Friday is one the biggest shopping days of the year, and is often the perfect time to begin holiday shopping and save money on incredible deals. Thousands of eager shoppers will leave their homes in the early morning hours and wait in lines at stores in order to grab the best prices of the season, while retailers will...
“This Is How We Roll”
There’s nothing quite like seeing the face of a bowler who has just shot his or her first 200 game – and I got to see it twice last week. In his second game, Adam Norris rolled 200 on the nose. It was obvious from the look on Adam’s face that he hadn’t realized quite how well he was...
Rotary Report
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary met on November 18, 2013 to gain a final accounting of the success of the November Reverse Raffle and to air their thoughts on additions and corrections for next year…the tradition continues! Thank you’s will be going out to all donors and contributors. The club also agreed to sponsor the Power of the Pen competition at the James...
An Apple Walks into a Bar…
What do you do when you’ve got a plethora of apples? That was the question this fall at the Turner house, where we’ve been buried in apples since autumn first began. Over the previous few years, our ancient apple orchard didn’t bear much fruit due to insect problems, overzealous pruning, or late frosts. That all changed this year, in...
J.A. Garfield Historical Society News
Garrettsville - The James A. Garfield Historical Society met on November 18, 2013 in the historic Mott Building for their regular monthly meeting to conduct the following business : The historical marker grant commemorating the 1935 train robbery in Garrettsville has been approved by the Ohio Historical Society. Julie Thompson, who spearheaded the local effort through her senior “capstone” project...
Kiwanis Welcomes New Members
Newton Falls - The Kiwanis Club of Newton Falls welcomed seven new members this year. Some members were invited to join by friends; others wanted to take part in the many activities that benefit Newton Falls residents and children, especially after reading the newspaper articles about this service organization. We asked these members why they joined or what activities they...
Giving Thanks to a Local Hero
Mantua - In this season of giving thanks, Frank Iannaggi, owner of the G & C Bakery in Mantua, is giving thanks for his wife, his five daughters, and his gorgeous grandchildren; the newest of whom was born this month. If you know Frank, or you’ve ever had the occasion to talk with him, you’ve most likely never heard...
Residents Express Ire at Absentee Trustee
Nelson Twp - Meeting at 7:15pm on November 20, trustees Tom Matota and Joe Leonard were in attendance for a special meeting scheduled to decide the fate of two proposed amendments. Outgoing trustee Jim Turos was once again absent. After the November 6 meeting, the trustees followed up with Township legal counsel Chris Meduri for advice on two proposed amendments....
Free Water Monitoring Conducted by Concerned Citizens Ohio
Shalersville - Free well water monitoring will be conducted the first Sunday in December, Dec. 1, 2013, at Sand Hill Stable 4311 State Route 303, just west of the 303/44 intersection. This is the first testing since the start of the new quarterly testing schedule. Trained water monitors from Concerned Citizens Ohio will test for chemicals and salts that can...
Mantua – Shalersville Area Chamber News
Shalersville - The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber met for their monthly meeting at the Shalersville Town Hall last Wednesday November 20, 2013. President Christine Pittsinger called the meeting to order. After brief introductions were made, the guest speaker, Peter Young from Benefits 1 was introduced. Mr. Young talked about the up and coming changes to workers compensation and other insurance...
Burton Village Celebrates the Holidays
Burton - The Burton Chamber of Commerce will host Country Hearth Christmas Nov. 29 & 30, Dec. 1, 7 & 8 in Burton Village. The log cabin in the park will be the hub of activity over the five-day event offering horse drawn carriage rides. Come snuggle up to the roaring fire in the fireplace, relax on a rocker...
Amish Home Craft & Bakery Holiday Open House
Middlefield - Amish Home Craft & Bakery will host their 7th Annual Holiday Open House from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm on November 29 & 30 at 16860 Kinsman Road (State Route 87) 1.5 miles east of Middlefield. Enjoy free coffee and cookies as you get your holiday shopping off to a great start. Local crafters will be setting...
Applicants Sought for Park District Board
Portage County - The Portage Park District currently has two openings on its governing Board of Commissioners with a third opening anticipated in 2014. Park District Board members are appointed by Portage County Probate Court Judge Thomas J. Carnes, who is currently seeking applications from interested individuals. The Board meets regularly once a month, with additional meetings scheduled as...
Surprise Quilt Winner at Restoration Society Dinner
Mantua - In early November, the Mantua Restoration Society, Inc.,(MaRSI) held its last fund raiser of the year at the Mantua Center School building. As a fundraiser, the potluck dinner also included a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and the drawing for a beautiful Mantua Center School-themed quilt by local quilter, Ellie Monroe. In a surprise twist, the name on the...
Restoration & Redemption for Garrettsville’s Buckeye Block Building
Garrettsville - The holidays are prime time for devastation-turned-redemption dramas. For a real-time example, look no further than downtown Garrettsville and its restored historic district on Main Street. A little before-and-after reminder is in order, now that buildings are beautiful, lights are twinkling, and businesses are bustling. Just three short years ago, Main Street was in shambles. The sagging Buckeye...
Crestwood School Board Report – November 2013
Mantua - At the recent School Board meeting, the Board approved the resubmission of the Five-Year forecast for the fiscal years ending June 20, 2014 through 2018. The forecast was submitted to the Ohio Department of Education, as required by law. Continuing, the Board approved the first reading of several new and revised Board policies. Items included were several...
“This Is How We Roll”
Isaac Trickett rolled a 122 game last week, 49 pins over his average of 73. Isaac was over average his other two games as well, with scores of 80 and 103, putting him 86 pins over average for the day. Paige Collins continued her hot streak with a 157 game and 396 series. Alex Gage rolled a nice 137...
Newton Falls Kiwanis Club Welcomes New Members
Newton Falls - The Kiwanis Club of Newton Falls welcomed seven new members this year. Some members were invited to join by friends; others wanted to take part in the many activities that benefit Newton Falls residents and children, especially after reading the newspaper articles about this service organization. We asked these members why they joined or what activities they...
Windham Village Council Holds Special Meeting
Windham - Windham Village Council called a special meeting for Tuesday November 12, 2013 at 6pm to finalize the financing of the new building and property they are purchasing at 9083 North Main Street Windham, Ohio. That being said, the meeting did not start until after 7pm because they did not have a quorum and they decided to hold...
GCRTA Luncheon
The Geauga County Retired Teachers Association will meet on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 for a luncheon and meeting at Century Grille at Grandview, 13404 Old State Road (Rt 608), Middlefield, Ohio 44062. Gathering time at 11:15 AM, followed by the business meeting at 11:30, and lunch at 12:00. The menu will consist of Chicken Marsala, fettuccine alfredo, corn, split red-skinned...
Brosius Road Chip/Seal On Hold Until Spring
Garrettsville - At the November 13th village council meeting, Mayor Rick Patrick introduced Nelson Township Trustee Tom Matota. Matota addressed council about the issues over chip/seal to Brosius Road that the township and village share responsibility for. Matota explained his understanding of how ODOT divided up roads for maintenance. Matota also stated it appears that Nelson Township’s assigned responsibility...
Fire Board Approves Three for EMS Schooling
Windham - The WVFD Joint Fire District met for their regularly scheduled meeting recently with all board members present. Chairman Linda Rininger called the meeting to order. The board approved the minutes, the bank reconciliation and the expenditures for the month of October. Fire Chief Mike Iwanyckyj asked for an executive session before giving his report. He cited personnel issues...
Rotary Report
Elf Helpers, sign up for your Santa delivery of Christmas gifts ASAP. Garrettsville-Hiram Rotarians are co-ordinating the personal visits by the “right jolly old elf” again this year. For many families, it is a tradition stretching across generations, so you’ll want to make sure that you sign up and get the packages that you’d like to be delivered to...
Holiday Youth Performances at Geauga Theater
While the classic “Miracle on 34th Street” is gracing the Geauga Theater stage in December, the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild will also be featuring class performances to celebrate the holiday season. Students have been practicing lines, warming up their voices and preparing costumes and decorations. Three performances will be offered to spotlight the talented youth in our community. “A Charlie...
Hiram Police Department Receives Award
Hiram - Last Wednesday in Independence, the Hiram Police Department received the prestigious American Automobile Association (AAA) Platinum Award for community safety programs and education. The national award is given annually to recognize police departments for their efforts toward improving roadway and pedestrian safety. The award was bestowed on the Department by local and national AAA representatives. While quite an...
