Portage Parks Educational Programs and Hikes For The Month of September
Discover the Crooked River - 9/6/14 9:00am - 2:00pm Join Park District volunteer naturalist on a leisurely float down the Cuyahoga River enjoying the last days of summer. Meet at Camp Hi and we will be shuttled to Eldon Russell Park and make our way down to Camp Hi looking for king fishers, beaver, and maybe a river otter. Please...
Crestwood School News – August 2014
This Sunday, August 24th, from 5-8pm, Crestwood Schools will hold Community Day at Crestwood High School. Come for an evening of family fun, including bouncy houses, magic, balloon twisting and face painting. A pep rally will begin at 7pm. In addition, the fire and police departments will give tours of a fire truck and police car, and local organizations will be on hand to share community information. Please bring extra school supplies and new or gently used backpacks to “Stuff the Bus” for less fortunate families in the community.
Heads Up!
The James A. Garfield Local School District has got a TON of things—programs, activities, competitions, etc.—coming up. Here’s a quick look; check the district website for more info or watch for stories in The Villager. 8/20—the Elementary School addition is to be finished - Frantic activity 8/21—the Steering committee tours the facility - Frantic activity 8/23—the State Superintendent inspects the facility...
The Leaves, They’re Already A-Changin’
The Polar Vortex pattern that we experienced in January also caused cold temperatures in July. “There has been a frequency of cold fronts this summer, and the weather for June, July, and August has been substantially below normal,” Bowman said.
James A Garfield Local School District Bus Routes
Bus Route Information for the 2013/14 school year is now available! Note: Bus Route Information is provided to the Villager by the school district. Please DO NOT call the Villager with questions or concerns.
New Addition…New Traffic Pattern
This map should help provide some direction for everyone as you return to school on August 26. We will also have staff members at specific areas the first week back to assist everyone with these new traffic patterns.
Raccoon County Music Festival is set for Aug. 16 in Burton
Burton - Traditional music – bluegrass, old-time, blues, folk, polka, calypso and more – will be the centerpiece of a day-long festival on Saturday, Aug. 16 in the Geauga County village of Burton. The Raccoon County Music Festival, which runs from noon to 8 p.m. in downtown Burton, will feature performances on two stages, square dancing, spontaneous jamming and workshops...
6thAnnual Hometown Hoe-Down Tickets now onSale!
Middlefield - On September 27th, back by overwhelming demand… the TWO headliners at the 6thAnnual Hometown Hoe-Down will be the Whiskey Courage Band, and Blazin Bills amazing BBQ! On the 27thfrom 6pm-10pm, the Middlefield Market Pavilion (indoors) will transform into the perfect setting for some good ole’ fashion country fun! The evening starts with the BBQ blazing right outside...
Smart Back-to-School Shopping in the Digital Age
While August is crunch time for back-to-school shopping, peak shopping days for 2014 will likely be Wednesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 28, when summer clearance and back-to-school promotions converge. But the back-to school shopping season lasts through Labor Day (Monday, September 1), which retailers consider the Black Friday of the third quarter. Be a smart shopper. If you can hold out for major purchases until Labor Day, you may get your best deals a couple weeks after class has already begun.
Windham Village Places Two levies on November Ballot
Windham - Windham Village will place two levies on the ballot this fall. The first one is a 1.38 mill levy that is expected to generate $25,000 for the parks and recreation. The second levy is a .83 mill levy that is expected to generate $15,000 to continue subsidizing the Portage County District Library (PCDL, Windham branch only. The first...
Portage County parent starts local monthly support group for families and caregivers who have a child with mental illness
"It is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to be heard and acknowledged by others who have experienced the same things, create friendships and maybe even get a little advice. We’re not doctors but we know what you’re going through and how you feel," Martin said.
The 2014 Geauga SWCD Rain Barrel Auction Begins!
Here’s your chance to finally get a unique rain barrel while helping to protect our water resources. Don’t delay, bid on a barrel today! All proceeds will go toward the District’s environmental education programs.
Camp Ravenna: Future Missile Interceptor Site?
In what was termed by MDA representative Ken Anderson as a “capabilities race” rather than an arms race, these additional East Coast sites are being submitted to Congress for consideration in order to bolster the homeland’s capacity to defend itself "against threats from nations such as North Korea and Iran."
New Hope Arises from the Garrettsville Feed Mill
The willingness of Mike Maschek to see the town of Garrettsville become the best that it can be is something rare, something that is uncommon to find in most people. Maschek who was also the owner of the majority of the Buckeye Block, sees a connection with the March 22 fire, and the Feed Mill.
Ohio Health Benefits Celebrates Ten Years
“I really enjoy helping people by taking what most see as a complex, boring topic and explaining it to them in a friendly, understandable way."
The Harlem Ambassadors to Challenge the Garrettsville Inspectors in October: Tickets go on sale Monday, August 18th
Advance tickets go on sale Monday, August 18th and may be purchased online at garrettsvillearea.com/tix or at one of many area businesses including: The Villager (8088 Main St); Charles Auto Family (10851 North St); Miller’s Family Restaurant (8045 State St); Garrettsville DQ Grill & Chill (8013 State St); and the James A Garfield School offices when school returns.
Windham Township Trustee News
In other business, the Ohio National Guard's Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Site was selected as one of five possible sites for a missile defense site. The Missile Defense Agency, which operates under the authority of the U.S. Department of Defense, will be briefing local elected officials on August 5, 2014 at Reed Memorial library prior to a meeting open to the public. Brian Miller will attend on behalf of the township.
Woodlands Carnival A Success
Ravenna - The Woodlands at Robinson recently held a free community carnival on July 26th. The carnival was sponsored by Clear Path Home Health, Crossroads Hospice, Dean’s Funeral Home, Dr. David Uhall, J & J Mobile Music, NEAS Ambulance Inc. and Saber Healthcare. Highlights of the event included a visit from Slider, The Cleveland Indians Mascot who arrived via fire...
Upcoming Events at Portage Parks
Butterfly Hike: · Annual Butterfly Count for Towner’s Woods, conducted by the “Chrysalis in Time” the Northeast Ohio Chapter of NABA (North American Butterfly Association). 10:00 a.m. August 23rd. · Led by Judy Semroc and Larry Rosche, naturalists with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History · Collect and learn about butterflies as well as dragonflies and other interesting nature finds · If you...
Take A Hike!
Arrrooooo! Arrr00000! I saw a coyote out in the wild western edge of Portage County. It’ll be bucking broncos and tumbleweeds next, by gum! The occasion was a “two-fer” local attraction activity, as the Kent Lions held their annual corn roast at Beckwith’s Orchard and farm market ( I’m a die-hard Monroe’s Orchard and Farm Market customer myself, so it was all...
Hiram Grad Seeks to Bring Folks Together With New Business
Since opening the Hub, Henry and his team of ten employees have added a pool table and dart league, and offers daily specials. On Tuesday Tequila Night, Henry boasts they serve the best margaritas in town. Each Friday is Ladies Night, with special prices on martinis, and special drink offerings for the men, as well. The Hub also boasts of having 10 beers on tap, from the standard Budweiser and Great Lakes, to Blue Moon, Alchemy Ale, and Guinness.
2014 Ox Roast Wrap Up
This year’s 51sth Annual Ox Roast Fair the weekend of July 18-20 at St. Joseph’s in Mantua was a wonderful event despite some weather challenges. Mother Nature gave us a little bit of everything . . . a beautiful Friday, off & on showers for Saturday with cooler temps, and then a hot & humid Sunday. Crowds did not disappoint; the fun and entertainment were delightful and the food was delicious, as usual. Folks from the surrounding area and even out of state visitors enjoyed the hospitality of the Parish Community of St. Joseph. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported, volunteered, promoted, donated, and worked this year’s great event. This annual parish fundraiser directly supports the educational and sacramental ministries of St. Joseph Parish.
Community Celebrates Centennial
The Mantua Restoration Society, in conjunction with the Mantua Historical Society, is hosting the event on Saturday, to demonstrate what Carole Pollard refers to as, “the sweep of time the building has been through,” Both groups plan to have several exhibits throughout the building, highlighting world and local events that occurred throughout its century of life. In addition, a small classroom exhibit will showcase desks, materials, clothing and photos from the early life of the school. The event will include tours of the building, as well as ice cream and cake to celebrate the building’s historic 100th birthday.
Garrettsville – Hiram Rotary Report
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club members wished their local Rotary Student Exchange participant, Rachel Schwan, good luck and Godspeed on her adventure in Thailand for the coming school year. They also welcomed visitor Skip Schweitzer, columnist for The Villager.
Fill A Cruiser Next Weekend
Items requested are: #2 Pencils, erasers, crayons, markers, colored pencils, dry erase markers, highlighters, pens, rulers (standard & metric), scissors, glue sticks, white glue, small supply boxes, zipper supply pouches, over the hear headphones, book bags, spiral notebooks, 3 ring binders, composition books, loose leaf paper, 3x5 index cards, page protectors, pocket folders, sandwich bags, antibacterial wipes, boxes of tissues, brown lunch bags and anything else school related.
Campus of Excellence Update: School Construction is On Schedule and Under Budget
"Regardless of the obstacles, the addition is on schedule to open for students on August 26. Here are the latest developments on each component of the grant".
Ohio/Pennsylvania Quilt Shop Tour Begins August 21st
Participating shops include: Cottonpickers of Chardon; Craft Cupboard of Middlefield; Just Quilt It of Champion; Megen's Quilt Parlor of Albion; Olive Grace Studios of Fowler; Quilter's Fancy of Cortland; Tiny Stitches of Middlefield; and Village Quilts of Canfield.
Sink Your Teeth into this Summer’s Peach Social & Car Cruise
Garrettsville - The peach crop throughout Ohio is the pits this summer, but that won’t put a dent in the annual Peach Social and Classic Car Cruise sponsored by the Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce. Cruise Night at the Garrettsville-Freedom-Nelson Fire Station (8035 Elm St.) which will proceed as planned, 5-8pm on Saturday, August 9 (Rain Date: August 10). Mayor...
Student Laptop Pickup Dates Scheduled
Dates have been scheduled for parents to come in with their children to receive their laptops over the coming weeks. Our goal is to distribute all laptops before the first day of school on August 26.
Amish Buggy Classic Kicks-Off Middlefield’s Summerfest
Middlefield Activities Committee held their Annual Summerfest this past Saturday and it went off without a hitch. In past years, the event was held at the Municipal Center, this year it was moved to Harrington Square Mall Parking Lot. They roped off a section of the far parking lot for venders, creating a make- shift midway that housed plenty of vendors, an inflatable slide and a bounce house.
