All Star Showcase Simply Amazing!
Garrettsville - If you weren’t at Iva L. Walker Auditorium on Friday, you missed one amazing benefit show produced by PMG Chocolatier. Between the tickets for the show, a 50/50 raffle, and the 94 gift baskets raffled during the show, over $6,400 was raised for the #GarrettsvilleStrong fund. Thank you Ed, Perry, Ted, Shanelle, Michelle, and the countless studios and...
GIS Invention Convention
Garrettsville - The 1st Annual Invention Convention was held at Garfield Intermediate School on March 21st for any 5th or 6th grader who wanted to submit an invention that would "make life easier" We had eighteen 6th graders and 26 5th graders participate. Using a rubric, Mr. Matt Sorrick (Hiram College), Mr. Larry Kuhlman (retired teacher), Mr. Ted Lysiak (superintedent),...
Garrettsville Summerfest Announces Idol Semi-Finalists
Garrettsville - This past Sunday, over 70 contestants competed in a closed audition, hoping to keep their dreams alive of becoming the next Garrettsville Idol. This was one of the largest competitions they have had in recent years and the judges, Danny Deakins, Wendi Brown and Jackie Rinearson were given the difficult task of selecting those who would move...
Garfield Hall of Fame
It’s that time again. The Garfield Hall of Fame is coming up on April 26 and the Class of 2014 is being announced. Ticket for the dinner and awards ceremony are available to the public. Call Sheri Johnson 330-527-5384. The honorees for 2014 are : *Faber A. (Rusty) Kearney, ’76 –Varsity letter winner in football, student coach of girls’ softball,...
“Peter Pan” Captivates Crestwood Crowd
Mantua - This past weekend, there was no need to travel as far as, “second star to the right and straight on till morning,” to visit Neverland, Captain Hook’s pirate ship, or the Darling children’s nursery. Audiences were easily transported there on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as the Crestwood High School Drama Club presented a musical adaptation of “Peter...
Rotary Report
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotarians have continued discussions on the Great Buckeye Block Fire in Garrettsville, the effects and the future actions that could be taken by both the local group and Rotarians across the district who wish to make contributions. Any funds raised will likely be channeled through the 6630 District to be utilized in specific projects denoting the Rotary presence...
Cause of Garrettsville Fire Officially “Undetermined”
Garrettsville - The Ohio State Fire Marshal announced last week that the cause of the March 22 fire which decimated the Buckeye Block on historic Main Street is officially undetermined. At the same time, the fire marshal’s public information officer, Michael Duschesne, noted that state investigators had taken into consideration that hot-seal repair/patch work was being done on a portion...
Report is Back on Mantua Center School
The Portage County Regional Planning Commission was asked by the Township to solicit community wants and needs regarding the potential renovation of the Mantua Center School property. The school, which was build in 1914, operated in that capacity until its closure in the early 2000s, at which time Township Trustees voted to purchase the building. Tentative plans for the...
Drug Task Force Speaks in Nelson Township on Area Drug Problems
Nelson Twp. - On Thursday, April 10, 2014 the Portage County Drug Task Force (PCDTF) visited the Nelson Community House for an educational forum on drug abuse in the region. Trustee Joe Leonard opened the forum and thanked folks for coming. He also explained why they were hosting the PCDTF. Leonard said, many of the area residents had requested...
Breakneck Creek Preserve Hike
Several hikers took advantage of the spring weather to join Park District Executive Director Christine Craycroft on a tour of the Breakneck Creek Preserve in Ravenna Township. This property is usually closed to the public because although it was acquired in 2002 with grants and donations, the Park District doesn’t have the funds yet to operate it as a park.
Garrettsville village council discusses fire, water and rebuilding.
Garrettsville - In their first council meeting since the fire on March 22 that destroyed a significant portion of downtown businesses, council was proactive in taking steps toward a rebuilding effort. Upon the recommendation of the planning commission, council approved Ordinance 2014-18, which waives zoning fees that would be charged in the rebuilding process for properties impacted by the...
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Garrettsville - On Monday night over sixteen concerned Portage County residents gathered for the first of many community meetings with the Portage County Drug Task Force. Led by Village Councilwoman Becky Harrington the meeting was a “barebones” version of the presentation delivered at a special meeting in Nelson Township on April 10th (coverage on page 6 in this week's...
Mantua Township News
Mantua Twp. - At a recent meeting in Mantua Township, the trustees announced that Spring Clean Up will be held on May 3rd from 7 am to 4 pm. Dumpsters will be available across from the Township Garage on Mantua Center Road for township residents to dispose of any unwanted items. Later in May, the township will provide document-shredding...
Mantua Historical Society News
Mantua - The Mantua Historical Society held its' last meeting on March 17th, where we featured a Show and Tell session after our meeting. Pictured is Sandy Engelhart who brought her family heirloom quilt, which was quilted with ten stitches to one inch, to show us. Among other items, Arlene Finley shared two brass banks (one lion and one...
Blossoms & Butterflies
Make your reservation today for the 15th annual Friends of WomenSafe Spring Luncheon, “Blossoms & Butterflies.” Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in the Banquet Room at St. Mary’s, 401 North Street in Chardon. Hear guest speaker Natalie Saikaly Ronayne, Executive Director of the Cleveland Botanical Garden, tell us about the interesting things happening at the Botanical Garden. The doors will open...
Crestwood Lions’ News
Mantua - The Crestwood Lions will begin their busy season with their food trailer by placing it at the Akron Soap Box Derby Rally Race on April 26-27th. More events at the Derby are scheduled during May & July. Closer to home, the Lions will be placing their trailer at the Garrettsville IGA on May 10th from 11:00 - 6:00. ...
Hiram College, Tri-C Partner to Create Seamless Degree Completion Programs
Hiram – Hiram College and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) will offer seamless degree completion programs through a partnership on the Tri-C Eastern Campus in Highland Hills. Tri-C students who meet admission requirements for Hiram College can complete bachelor’s degrees in accounting and financial management or business management immediately after earning an associate degree and without leaving Tri-C East Campus. Hiram...
Rebuilding Prayers
Garrettsville - A full complement of Pastors and Elders from houses of worship across the Garrettsville area, came together with members of the public on Friday, April 11 to join in seeking guidance and help in the renewal, rebuilding and restoration of the business district and the community affected by the March 22 fire in downtown Garrettsville. The Prophet...
Eggshelland Revived by the Euclid Beach Boys
Lyndhurst - Last year the Manolio family, who had been creating the mosaic art pieces from real egg shells in their front yard for 55 years, announced it would be the last year they would do it. The unexpected death of Ron Manolio, in the fall of 2012, made the 2013 display a tribute to the creator Ron Manolio,...
This is How We Roll
Alex Gage and Paige Collins topped the score board for the 9:00 Trio on March 22. They each shot games of 154. Alex also rolled a nice 414 series. Isaac Trickett was 46 pins over average with his 130 game. Kyle Lance was over his 75 average all three games, rolling games of 110, 114, and 84 for a...
Friends of Melana Foundation Makes an Impact in the Fight Against Children’s Brain Cancer
In 2009, the small community of Garrettsville, Ohio, lost a precious, bright young fourth grader named Melana Matson to a horrible disease called Diffused Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). This disease is an incurable and inoperable brain stem tumor that is located in the pons section of the brain. Prognosis is 9 to 12 months to live when the tumor...
Rotary Report
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club will be moving its time and venue for meetings to Cal’s II at 12:00p.m. Yet to be decided is whether it will be on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday on a permanent basis. Check it out and get involved with an active, community-oriented group seeking new members. Everyone is invited to the first Monday noon meeting...
Portage Park District Foundation Awards Environmental Heroes
Portage County - True heroes earn their place of honor by doing the hard work over the long haul and making repeated sacrifices for the benefit of others until the work is done… so to pause from their labors for a night of fine dining and a turn under the spotlight is a rare and welcome respite. Five heroes of...
Students Explore On Nature Treks
Mantua - Through a special program offered at Crestwood Intermediate School, students and their families have the opportunity to experience guided adventures in nearby natural areas. The goal of the program, called Nature Treks, is to share the natural world with families who don’t have the opportunity to experience it regularly. Each trek is led by Crestwood Intermediate teacher...
Hikers to Explore Unopened Parks
The Portage Park District will offer a special series of guided hikes at undeveloped parklands normally closed to the public. These are properties that have been acquired with grants and donations to conserve important natural areas for wildlife habitat and water quality protection. They are not yet open to the public due to a lack of adequate funding to...
Brigadoon is a Smashing Success
Garrettsville - This past weekend the cast and crew of Brigadoon’s hard work paid off, as they did four nearly sold-out performances of the musical over the weekend. The musical was under the direction of Joe Gaither. Last December, they held auditions for the musical and Megan Ryser landed the part of Fiona MacLaren, while Griffen Young landed the men’s...
Windham Township News
Windham Twp. - Windham Township Trustees met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday April 3, 2014 with all trustees in attendance, along with the fiscal officer, seven residents and two guests. The first item on the agenda after approving March’s expenditures and the minutes, was roads. The Road Supervisor Brian Miller reported that the roads held up well during...
“Love the Dress” Makes Prom More Affordable
Garrettsville - The James A. Garfield Sports Boosters held the first ever “Love the Dress” prom dress sale at the high school on Sunday April 6, 2014. The sports boosters were able to collect new and nearly new dresses and then resold them at a fraction of the price they originally sold for, making prom more affordable for many....
Hiram Township News
Hiram Twp. - At the recent meeting of the Hiram Township Trustees, the trustees discussed a request the three trustees received to meet with the members of the Hiram Village Council to jointly meet and discuss Hiram Township Resolution 2014-3, regarding annexation of a parcel of village-situated property. This resolution was presented to Hiram Village Council for consideration at...
Nelson Township Trustee News
Nelson Twp – Officials present at the April 2, 2014 trustee meeting were fiscal officer J. David Finney and township trustees Joe Leonard, Mike Elias, and Tom Matota. Also present were, Roads Supervisor Chuck Vanek, Zoning Inspector Anna Mae VanDerHoeven, and Community House Caretaker Michelle Cmunt. As the first order of business, Finney presented the minutes of the special meeting...
