Family-to-Family Education Program registration under way
Registration is now open for the Portage County Family-to-Family Education Program, a free, 12-week class for families and others who have a loved one with a mental illness. The class will run every Tuesday starting March 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the Church of Aurora located at 146 Chillicothe Rd. in Aurora. A national program through NAMI, the class is...
Burton-Rotary will be Flipping in Pancake Town USA
Burton - The Burton-Middlefield Rotary will be flipping pancakes again this March for the 64th year starting Sunday, March 1st, and continuing every Sunday in March. The Rotary Club will be serving their delicious pancake breakfasts that include real Geauga County maple syrup at Berkshire High School in Burton, Ohio from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Berkshire High School...
Sew with the Seambusters
Ravenna - The Edinburg Seambusters 4-H sewing club will be hosting a community service project on Monday February 16th, President’s Day (NO SCHOOL) from 1 to 4 pm at Reed Memorial Library in Ravenna. Club members invite boys and girls ages 8 to 18 to come sew chemo caps for cancer patients. The caps will be donated to Akron General...
Hiram Police Department Receives Grants
Hiram - The Hiram Police Department is pleased to announce the acquisition and approval of the Ohio Criminal Justice Services Justice Assistance Services Law Enforcement grant. The grant will fund the acquisition of 2 in-car dash mounted video recorder units for 2 of Hiram PD patrol cars. The total project is budgeted at $4,134.60. The approval of this grant...
Valentine’s Day Expectations, by the Numbers
Let’s face it. Valentine’s Day can be more nerve-racking than heartwarming. What’s an appropriate gift? Should it be cute? Romantic? Nostalgic? How much should you spend? Commercials for vacation destinations, restaurants, jewelry, teddy bears, flowers, chocolates and even pajamas add to the pressure. Maybe there’s safety in numbers. Breaking this commercial holiday down into percentages may just help you navigate...
Garfield Students Participate In Math 24 Competition
Math 24 is a fast-paced competition where students are given four digits on a card and told they have to use each one (only once) in some combination to total 24. Points are awarded for the level of difficulty -- the quicker a student solves the combination, the further they advance, and can add, subtract, multiply, or divide with each set of numbers presented. Students compete in grades 4-8 throughout the county. Pictured are the competitors and high school proctors sent from Garfield School District.
Whispers from the Woods
Phenology for February in Portage Parks • Full moon (Snow Moon or Hunger Moon) – Feb. 3rd New Moon – Feb 18th • Look in the southeast sky for the stars in the constellation Scorpio’s tail, Shaula and Lesath. American Indians referred to them as “The Harbingers of Spring”. • Look for the conjunction of the moon, Venus, and Mars...
Actress Monica Potter Calls Garrettsville “Home”: New Flagship Store Opens on Valentine’s Day
Garrettsville - Valentine’s Day celebrates love, passion and beauty. So it’s fitting that Cleveland native and Hollywood actress Monica Potter is opening her new flagship store in Garrettsville on February 14. Monica Potter of NBC’s “Parenthood”, dramatic comedy and movie fame will welcome visitors to her new flagship store, Monica Potter Home, at 12724 State Route 88, Garrettsville, from...
Windham Jr/Sr High School Honor Roll – 2nd Nine Weeks
Sixth Grade Shawn Barber, Gavin Bervish, Isaiah Consolo, Clay Dean, Payton Ihrig, Morgan Lovett, Christian Manista, Isis Post, Jared Purdy, Kaylee Regan, Mercedes Riffle, Jessica Riley, Morgan Showalter, Breena Smith, Seth Strausbaugh, Adam Thomas, Madison Wiley Seventh Grade Blaze Angle, Mason Angle, Jazelle Artman, Danny Chambers, Paige Collins, Abigail Forsythe, Brevin McCrae, Annetta Sanders, Ashley Simmons, David Stout, Dawson Swearingen, Megan Turk, Ericq...
Windham Volunteer Fire Department Plagued with More Drama
Phil Snyder voiced his opinion on the four member board. Snyder said, “I am duly elected by official action of council to serve on this board (fire) and I oppose any decision made by a four-man board, due to not having enough representation from the village.” This went into a lengthy discussion with many people voicing opinions.
Newton Falls Kindergarten Registration
Newton Falls - Registration for children entering the Newton Falls School System for the 2015-2016 school year was held in February and the beginning of March. If you have not yet registered your child for next year’s kindergarten, it is important that you do so immediately as there is a mandated screening time which will take place at the end of April.
Garrettsville Mayor reviews 2014 in ‘State of the Village’ report
Garrettsville - The January 14th Garrettsville village council meeting began with council re-electing councilman Tom Hardesty as Village Council President. Mayor Patrick then addressed council with a State of the Village report (see below). Mayor Patrick also asked for and was granted council’s approval for his 2015 mayoral appointments.
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.”
