Robert Edward Evans
Robert Edward Evans, age 91 of Freedom Township, passed away July 17, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born January 20, 1934, in Wayland, Ohio, to parents John Reese and Hilda Marie (Philipp) Evans. Robert graduated from Freedom High School in 1951, the final graduating class from Freedom High School. He then proudly served his country...
Exploring Inclusively!
Do you have someone in your life with a developmental disability? Register to bring them to Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve this month as Naturalist Nora Sindelar prepares to tailor an exploration of Geauga County's incredible variety of insects just for them! This season’s Inclusive Experience through Geauga Park District is slated for Wednesday, August 6, from 10:30 to 11:30...
Let’s Hunt Dragons!
Can you catch a dragonfly to study its sensational body up close? Join local dragonfly and damselfly expert and Geauga Park District Naturalist Linda Gilbert at Claridon Woodlands for two hours you won’t soon forget on Sunday, August 3, during her Dragon Hunting Hike starting at 1:30 PM! Together you’ll explore the park's wetland habitats, discover what dragonflies inhabit the area,...
Hiram Village: Picnic in the Parks
The Recreation and Parks committee of Hiram Village invites all to the Summer Picnic in the Park series. There are two more free concerts left! On Sunday, Aug. 3, northeast Ohio's very own Swap Meet, will take the stage, playing their repertoire of hillbilly, swing, and more. For Aug. 17, Bent String will grace the park with their blues,...
Maplewood Career Center Offers Adult Evening Classes
Maplewood Career Center’s Adult Education Department offers occupational classes for adults in the evening. Classes include: Cosmetology; Dental Assisting; Phlebotomy; Medical Billing & Coding; Industrial Maintenance: Electrical, Mechanical, or Fluid Power; Welding Technologies; Modular Welding; or Precision Machining. We have scholarships available for adults for most of our classes listed. Don’t forget our 36- week Welding Technologies program is Pell...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary met on July 21, 2025 with the following items to consider: The Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary met in airconditioned comfort at Cal’s II to discuss he following topics : * Information to go to the district newsletter…poster featuring Owen Bass * Tickets for the Guardians baseball game * Samples of lockbox models and their features–more consultation with first responders–keys or codes, applications for...
We’re All Invited
Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays “THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SOLUTION. A scientifically proven program for preventing strokes and heart disease” by Richard Morre, MD PhD. Share a stimulating hour exchanging impressions & opinions at our book review & discussion, 10am, the 1st & 3rd Mondays each month. Presented by Dr J Patella: Garrettsville YMCA, 8233 Park Ave,...
Grand Opening of Healthy Hearts Wellness and Yoga Saturday
Mantua Village welcomes Healthy Hearts Wellness and Yoga studio to their new location at 10702 Main St. Krystal began her love for yoga in 2020 when she started taking classes at Essentialzen. She saw firsthand how yoga made such an impact on healing the mind, body, and spirit. The way that those teachers helped her, inspired Krystal to want...
Windham Hosts Cruisin’ For Cairo Parade This Saturday
The Windham community will come together in a heartfelt show of support for 16-year-old Cairo Svanovec, a Garfield High School student who has been courageously battling stage four adenocarcinoma for the past two years. A car parade will be held in her honor on Saturday at 12 p.m. along State Route 303, providing friends, neighbors, and supporters a chance...
Cardinal fields first varsity girls’ golf team in school history
Since taking over the Cardinal Huskies’ golf program five years ago, Coach Mike Topalian has reshaped things and built a solid foundation for the boys’ team. His efforts are also bearing fruit with the girls, as the Huskies will have its first girls’ varsity golf team in school history this year. “It is something that I have been wanting to...
Crestwood boys’ basketball promotes Andrew Mertz to head coach
Filling the shoes of longtime Crestwood Red Devils boys’ basketball Coach Josh Jakacki is no easy feat for anyone. Andrew Mertz will attempt to carry the torch, having been approved as Jakacki’s successor by the Crestwood Board of Education on June 27. “I am very excited for the opportunity,” the first-year coach said. “I have had most of these guys...
Thriving Together in Ravenna
You may have noticed by now how this reporter often chooses her topics…yep, the good ol' drive-by! On my weekly grocery trip into town, I noticed that the Portage County Health Department (next to Marc's) had a Farmers' Market. Again, the car pulled in of its own volition. (Maybe I should get that checked?) Not yet the size of...
Freedom Township Historical Society displays barn photos
To celebrate the bicentennial of Freedom Township, the Freedom Township Historical Society is presenting a glimpse of the storied past of the community. Thanks to the efforts of FTHS member Judy Thornton, there will be a photo display of almost every barn that has existed in Freedom Township at the FTHS Building on 7276 State Route 303 lasting until...
UH Portage Medical Center & Raven Packs offer summer food markets
For the second straight year, University Hospitals Portage Medical Center and Raven Packs are finding ways to provide low-income families with fresh food. The organizations are bringing summer farmer’s markets which offer fresh produce to different locations across the Ravenna community. “This year we are serving eight different communities in Ravenna,” Raven Packs Founder Laura Wunderle told The Weekly Villager...
Robert “Bob” J. Moss
Robert “Bob” J. Moss, 71, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 23, 1954, in Braxton Co., WV, to the late Harl and Lois Moss. He was also known as “Bob” or “Mossman”, and lived a life of dedication, heroism, and heart—a man who...
Debbie “Deb” Luzicka
Debbie "Deb" Luzicka passed away Tuesday July 15th at UH Portage, she was born January 14th 1960, she was 65 years old. She was preceded in death by her daughter Jennifer and her brother Randy Ellison She lovingly left behind her husband John, her daughter Holly and her two grand daughters Andrea and Samantha, Burnell and Linda Ellison as well as...
Cecil “Jim” James Moore
Cecil “Jim” James Moore, born September 27, 1942, in Belington, W.V., to the late Lloyd and Leora (Shahan) Moore. He passed on to be with His Lord and Savior on a beautiful Sunday morning, July 13, 2025. He left this world in the comfort of his home with his wife, Patricia A. Moore (McPherson), one month and day before...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary met on July 21, 2025 with the following items to consider: * The presentation by Owen Bass on his experiences as a Rotary exchange student in India. His time in a place where there were challenges regarding virtually any sort of cultural and/or language interaction was a learning and growing experience from beginning to end. There were mountains,...
For The Love Of Books
As usual, this past week I loaded up my recycling to take to the community recycling area in Paris Township. This is the hub of Paris, locate near the corner of Newton Falls Road and Route 225. This also is the site of Shearer Community Center and the Paris Fire Department. There are also some ball fields in the...
We’re All Invited
Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays “THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SOLUTION. A scientifically proven program for preventing strokes and heart disease” by Richard Morre, MD PhD. Share a stimulating hour exchanging impressions & opinions at our book review & discussion, 10am, the 1st & 3rd Mondays each month. Presented by Dr J Patella: Garrettsville YMCA, 8233 Park Ave,...
Construction of the Buckeye Block Amphitheater Begins!
The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that construction of the Buckeye Block Amphitheater will officially begin by the end of July 2025. This milestone marks a major step forward in the revitalization of downtown Garrettsville, with The Pattie Group providing professional landscaping and hardscaping, and Hummel Construction building a 32-foot by 28-foot stage and band shell....
TownHall II & Neighborhood Development Services break ground for Serenity House crisis center
Mental health outreach will soon be more accessible to Portage County residents. TownHall II Integrated Health Services and Neighborhood Development Services officially broke ground on the site for the new Serenity House crisis care center at 3761 Lovers Lane in Ravenna last Thursday morning. “It is a day of just being so grateful and thankful for our community collaborators that...
Ohman Family Living offers early work experience to Cardinal students
Ohman Family Living has discovered that finding eager employees is not just restricted to young adults but also the students. It has established a strong work experience program with Cardinal High School, offering part-time employment to students interested in entering the workforce early with an interest in caregiving. “It is not only that but it acts as a job, so...
Crestwood grad Ethan Thompson wins SkillsUSA National Championship
Recent Crestwood and Maplewood Career Center graduate Ethan Thompson has a bright future. The Red Devils’ alum was crowned the 2025 SkillsUSA National Champion in the industrial motor control category on June 27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. “It is hard to even put into words,” Thompson told The Weekly Villager on July 11. “It was such...
Alaina Davis jumps in as new Ravenna girls’ soccer coach
As Alaina Davis’ playing career drew to an end, she wanted to still keep soccer as a key part of her life. Just months after graduating from Malone University, Davis has landed her first coaching job by becoming the Ravenna Ravens girls’ soccer coach. “It is really exciting,” Davis said. “I have played soccer since I was 8-years-old and I...
Windham Board of Trustees Discuss Need For New Fire Siren
One of the matters discussed at The Windham Township Board of Trustees’ meeting last Thursday evening at the Windham Town Hall was whether the Township needed a new fire siren. Portage County Regional Planning Committee Member Denise Cain was in attendance as a concerned citizen and raised the issue of the Village not having a fire siren of its own....
Crestwood alum Brittany Dye takes the helm as new Athletic Director
Even the best laid plans can change quickly. Brittany Dye’s plans for the fall season seemed to be set in stone at Hiram College but opportunity knocked and opened the door for her to return to her alma matter, having been approved as Crestwood’s new Athletic Director by the Board of Education on July 8. “It is an honor and...
Five 4’s Distillery Military Suicide Awareness Event and Fundraiser
Time to check in on one of our favorite businesses in Newton Falls, The Five 4’s Distillery. This reporter sat down with Niki Reid for a bit of catch-up and to get the tea on an upcoming event. Niki is a bartender there, and her husband is one of the co-owners. They have been steadily growing the company by...
Crestwood Board Discuss State & Federal Changes to School Funding
At a special Board meeting on July 8th, the Crestwood School Board heard from District Treasurer Katie Hoffmeister who shared financial information based on recent state budget developments as they relate to school funding. She thanked the Board for moving their monthly meeting, which was originally scheduled for July 22 to earlier in the month to comply with a...
Colletta R. Stanley
Colletta R. Stanley, 85, of Windham, OH, went home to her Lord and Savior Wednesday, July 9, 2025. She was born October 26, 1939, in Elkins, WV, to the late Ruben and Edith (nee Collett) Hebb. She was raised in Windham, and was a proud graduate of Windham High School, belonging to the class of 1957. Colletta met the love of...
