Garfield Bands present “Sounds of the Season” concert
Students from James A. Garfield High School showcased their musical talents at the “Sounds of the Season” concert held on Sunday, December 10th, in the Iva Walker Auditorium. The event featured performances from various bands, each delivering a repertoire of holiday classics to an enthusiastic audience. The High School musicians took the stage at 2:00 pm, treating attendees to renditions...
Aurora basketball turns up the defensive pressure to beat Chagrin Falls
After the disappointing season the Aurora Greenmen boys’ basketball team had last year, they were ready to turn the page. The Greenmen started a new season by beating neighborhood rival Chagrin Falls 52-44 last Saturday evening at the Ralph L. Quesinberry Gymnasium. “I think any time you can start off on the right track it is big,” said Coach Cody...
Cardinal girls basketball drops close battle against Lions
The Cardinal Huskies girls’ basketball team knew there would be tough times ahead. Cardinal remained winless when it lost 41-37 against Chagrin Valley Conference rival Orange in a crossover game at the Cavs Elite Varsity Girls Action Showcase last Thursday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage Field House in Cleveland. “It was just silly mistakes,” said Coach Kim Domen. “Granted that is...
Making a Difference: O’Reilly Equipment’s Role in Special Needs Fishing Acknowledged
Paul and Jeff O’Reilly, co-owners of O’Reilly Equipment received recognition from County Commissioner Jim Dvorak on behalf of Burton Middlefield Rotary (BMR) this past Tuesday, Nov. 28, “Giving Tuesday!” In 2012, after witnessing a hunting event for special needs kids, Dvorak was inspired to do the something similiar in Geauga County. Dvorak, a Rotary member, brought the concept to the...
GHS National Honor Society’s recent endeavors
James A. Garfield High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society is actively pursuing its objectives this quarter. The student-led group initiated fundraising efforts in July with an all-donation car wash at the Sarchione Chevrolet parking lot, a recurring annual event for the society. Subsequently, the group organized a profitable school bake sale, yielding additional proceeds without incurring expenses....
Windham girls basketball prevails in the clutch, fends off Saint John
Sometimes the best way for a young team to learn is baptism by fire. The Windham Bombers girls’ basketball team survived a rally by Northeastern Athletic Conference Stripes Division rival Saint John, winning 61-55 last Thursday evening on their home Marty Hill Court. “We had a much better shooting night,” said Coach Jim Collins. “They play hard every night but...
JAG Band collecting donations for Tuscarawas Valley band families affected by November 14 accident
Shortly before 9 a.m. local time, on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, six people, three teenage students, two-parent chaperones, and a teacher from the Tuscarawas Valley School District, were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on an Ohio highway I-70. According to OSP, five vehicles -- including a charter bus carrying 54 Ohio high school students and chaperones, two commercial vehicles,...
Huskies basketball doomed by slow start, lose to Wolverines
The Cardinal Huskies boys’ basketball team’s season opener did not go exactly as planned, losing 61-24 against Chagrin Valley Conference and Geauga County rival West Geauga in a crossover game last Friday night at The Wolvarena in Chester. “From start to finish West Geauga had a game plan and stuck to it and did a good job of it,” said...
Indulge in holiday cheer at MaRSI’s ‘Christmas Dinner’
The Mantua Restoration Society (MaRSI) is holding their 2nd Friday Dinner, from 4 – 7pm, on Friday, December 8, 2023. The theme for this month’s menu is “Christmas Dinner”. Background music will be played by Skip Schweitzer and Cal Craig. The Mantua Restoration Society is not permitted to charge a set amount and cannot mention what similar food might...
Rotary Christmas tree auction makes Mantua shops merrier
If you missed the arrival last weekend of Santa and Mrs. C in Mantua, don’t fret. The holidays have just begun in this festive Village. On Thursday, the Village will once again host an evening holiday event with enough Christmas magic to expand even the grinchiest of hearts. It’s called Merry Evening in the Village, and it takes place...
Berkshire High School offers sports officiating class
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has suffered from a shortage of game officials for many years. Berkshire High School decided one way to solve that problem was to become the first school in Geauga County to offer a sports officiating class which started this fall. “We are not holding any of the students to decide to go on to...
Raven girls basketball hits offensive lull in loss against Colts
Although the Ravenna Ravens girls’ basketball team is in the second year of a new regime, they are still trying to figure out their offense. Ravenna’s offensive struggles showed when they lost 60-38 against Metro Athletic Conference rival Cloverleaf in their home opener last Friday evening at the James L. Coll Gymnasium. “It was at the tail end of the...
Aurora Chamber holds ribbon cutting ceremony for Vital Flooring
According to Vital Flooring & Renovations co-owner Keith Orndoff, there is never a good time for a small business to expand. Nonetheless, he and co-owner Daniel Johnson are taking the leap and officially opened a new store in Aurora last Friday morning. “We have been previously doing work out here for some clients and we just thought it was a...
Combating Hunger: Knights of Columbus’ Contribute to Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard
The Knights of Columbus were founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Haven Connecticut in 1812. The Order quickly spread to other Catholic Parishes across the United States. The St. Ambrose Council 11801 in Garrettsville Ohio is an active member of this organization. As part of the “Food for Families” initiative,...
Be a Santa to a Senior this holiday season
It’s the most magical time of the year! As Christmas seems to fill the hearts of others, decorations are placed and the joys of gift giving abound. For Home Instead, Christmas is truly magical as they kick off ‘Be a Santa to a Senior.’ This will be the 20th year for the program at our local Portage County Home...
Portage Genealogical Society to Meet
The Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the Portage County Historical Society, 6549 N. Chestnut St in Ravenna Ohio at 10:00 a.m. Members and guests are requested to tell the group how they share their genealogy research. If anyone has a favorite holiday recipe they would like to share, please...
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing & DeBord’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
In today’s busy world, it’s hard to find a plumbing and HVAC contractor you can trust and understands that your time is valuable! Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Debord’s One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning strives to provide the highest level of on-time customer service to each and every one of our clients. In fact, WE GUARANTEE IT! We have...
Local Parishes Prepare for Advent with Reconciliation Services
As the Advent season approaches, Northern Portage Catholic Parishes have announced their adoration and reconciliation schedules for parishioners seeking spiritual preparation for Christmas. Regular reconciliation sessions are set to take place throughout the week at various churches, providing opportunities for confession and spiritual guidance. Starting from Monday to Wednesday evenings, parishioners can attend confession sessions at St. Ambrose in Garrettsville,...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club delves into a feast of topics at post-Thanksgiving meeting
The latest assembly of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club, held on November 27, 2023, proved to be an eclectic gathering, featuring a wide array of discussions and announcements that captured the essence of community involvement and upcoming festivities. One of the primary highlights of the meeting was the comprehensive overview of various imminent events and projects. Among these was the imminent...
Midnite Madness ushers in Christmas season for Ravenna
Lately the Christmas holiday seems to arrive right after a family finishes its turkey during the Thanksgiving feast. Christmas once again came early for Ravenna when the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Ravenna Holiday Celebration Midnite Madness last Friday in downtown Ravenna. “It’s really meant coming home for the holidays in a sense,” Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce...
Crestwood girls basketball outlasts Garfield G-Men in overtime
he Crestwood Red Devils girls’ basketball team finally snapped a cycle of losing against their Portage County rivals. Crestwood overcame the Garfield G-Men in overtime, winning 47-44 in its season opener last Wednesday evening in Garrettsville. “I know for the girls that it is huge,” said Red Devils’ Coach T.J. Henderson. “This rivalry means a lot. It goes back to...
Wanda Hoffman reaches 500 coaching victories with Crestwood volleyball
It seemed that when Crestwood Red Devils’ volleyball Coach Wanda Hoffman’s coaching days were behind her when she resigned from her post as the varsity coach following the 2012 season after 25 years of coaching. But Hoffman was not finished with Crestwood yet, returning to the sidelines before the 2018 season and picked up where she left off. The...
Garfield teacher honored with brick at National Museum of Marine Corps
Garfield High School industrial arts teacher Chris Forgacs has never been one to seek accolades for his work. His impact on students has not gone unnoticed either and when 2003 graduate Amanda Owens stopped by her alma matter as a guest speaker for the Veteran’s Day Assembly on Nov. 3, she had a surprise for Forgacs, partnering with other...
Badger girls basketball stunned by Wolverines in season opening defeat
Forcing an opponent into committing 41 turnovers seems like a recipe for success. But the Berkshire Badgers girls’ basketball team squandered that advantage, losing 44-43 against Geauga County rival West Geauga in a Chagrin Valley Conference crossover game last Sunday afternoon at the Bernard Scott Academy’s Ohio Tip-Off Classic at Hiram College’s Price Gymnasium. “That’s where our inexperience showed in...
JAG Elementary Academic Honors for MP 1
4th Grade Merit Roll Grace Peterson, Baylee Alexander, Addy Bard, Eliot Mattingly, James Tushar, Nicholas Clancy, Zachary Nichols, Anthony Adorni, Baylee Krupansky, Oakley Davies, Jackson Garretson, Emmet Blunk, Nova Hennicke, Luke Lewis, Jacob Henderson, Serenity Borthwick, Jason Stachowski, Gracie Wareham, Lilliana Menteer, Jack Strok, Elizabeth Fogleman, Matthew Britton, Kennedy Schmitz, Cecilia Nastase, Raylan Schultz 3rd Grade Honor Roll Edgar Berry, Bryce Hirschbach,...
Greenmen wrestling ready to put their stamp on the season
Last season the Aurora Greenmen wrestling team underwent a transitional phase, adjusting to competing in Division I for the first time since the 2016-17 season and having a new coach. According to Coach Jeremy Johnson, the sky is the limit for an Aurora team hoping to finish in the top 10 as a team at the Ohio High School...
Think Local this holiday season
The holidays are here, and while we’re busy searching for the perfect gifts, it’s important to remember the significant impact of supporting local businesses. Beyond the big-name stores, our smaller neighborhood shops play a crucial role in keeping our communities strong. Shopping at local stores isn’t just about finding unique gifts. It’s about investing in our community’s success. Reports from...
Mrs Claus is coming to town
Mrs. Claus is visiting the Aurora Library! Visit the Aurora Memorial Library on Saturday, December 2 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for a chance to meet Mrs. Claus herself. There will also be a storytime, pictures, activities and a question-and-answer session with Mrs. Claus. Don’t forget your camera for this rare visit! This event is intended for infants to 10...
Schedule Your Merry Evening in Mantua Village
A Merry Evening in the Village will be held on Thursday, December 7 from 4:00- 8:00 PM. Come spend a pleasant evening in Mantua Village enjoying the Holiday spirit. Shops in Mantua Village will be decorated, stocked with Christmas items and open until 8:00. When you’re not shopping, the local restaurants will be offering food specials. The Crestwood High...
Crestwood School Board News
Recently, Crestwood Local Schools Treasurer Katie Hoffmeister provided the Board with a financial update. Hoffmeister noted that House Bill 33 (Community School Equity Funding Bill) was included in the Biannual Budget by the Ohio State Legislature. HB33 increases community school funding for brick-and-mortar schools by allocating to schools an additional $650 per pupil in both 2024 and 2025. Hoffmeister...
