Portage County Senior Center & Park District Team Up For Senior Turtle Hikes
The Portage County Senior Center, in coordination with The Portage Park District, would like to invite all seniors to join them for a fun opportunity to socialize with friends and get a little exercise, all the while enjoying the beauty of what our parks have to offer. Jennifer and Becca from the Portage Park District will lead the group...
Barn Artist Returns To Mantua
Mantua - Local barn artist and historic barn aficionado Dr. Robert Kroeger will be returning to Mantua this fall. If you recall, the artist visited last fall to visit local barn owners and learn the stories behind the distinctive structures. Kroeger has recently released a book called ‘Historic Barns of Ohio’ through Arcadia Publishing. “I visited many barns,” Kroeger...
Climb, Glide, and Play at Claridon Woodlands
Geauga Park District is excited to reopen its “ropes & boats” recreational offerings in the warming weeks of spring to come!Claridon Woodlands’ ropes course was a huge hit in its debut year, featuring platforms 32 feet off the ground linked by eight 23-to-32-foot-long challenge elements with fitting names like Wobbly Logs, Tarzan Stump Traverse, Ride the Wave and Wobbly...
Upcoming Community Events – Week of June 5
In Search Of EntertainmentCall Today!Ravenna Balloon A-Fair is calling all bands and entertainment. The Ravenna Balloon A-Fair is looking for Entertainment for our 42nd annual festival. We are looking for entertainment to perform on the courthouse lawn, Children’s Alley, and, of course, one of our many stages on Main Street in Ravenna and the main stage out at Sun...
Beloved JAG Teacher and Coach John Bennett Retires
Garrettsville - John Bennett, long-time teacher and coach in the James A. Garfield School District, shared that he’s been an athlete since the age of five, when he began playing baseball on the team coached by his father. He honed his skills, and played all the way through high school. He continued his athletic career at Hiram College, where...
DORA Explored for Garrettsville’s Main Street, Enacted at Special Meeting
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on May 12th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Sheri Johnson, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the meeting was held in person with no audience. The meeting was...
Magnolia Market Takes Root In Ravenna
Ravenna - If you have heard the buzz around town, there is a new event series in the making. Magnolia Market is a startup bi-weekly market that has a mission. The brain child of Pastor Norma from First United Methodist Church of Ravenna (FUMCR), and parishioners Kim Schwab and daughter Fallon Schwab-Davis, this looks to be a family fun-filled...
Newton Falls American Legion Post 236 Officers 2021-2022
Newton Falls - Darlene Freer, 2nd Vice Commander, American Legion 9th District issued the oath of office to the new officers of Newton Falls American Legion Post 236 at the posts monthly meeting held Monday, May 10, 2021.Pictured above from from left to right are: Gary Ruel, 1yr. Trustee, Walt Snyder, 2nd Vice Commander, Darlene Freer, 2nd Vice Commander...
Garrettsville To Replace Water Main Lines On SR 88
Garrettsville - The Village of Garrettsville’s Board of Public Affairs and Water Department will be replacing water main lines along South Street (State Route 88) beginning in May, 2021, and continuing through November, 2021. The company performing the work, Woodford Excavating, could begin construction as early as Monday, May 17. During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane and...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - As a result of the failure of Issue 6 this spring, the School Board discussed options and considerations for the district’s financial situation. Superintendent David Toth noted that the district has made cuts of over two million dollars over the last 5 years. In addition, the planned closure of the Crestwood Middle School stating next school year...
Providing Hope for Recovery in Windham
Windham - For years, Ted St. John had a dream. Some might say a lofty one, but nonetheless, a dream. He dreamed of seeing a residential recovery house for substance abuse in Portage County. His vision of a residential recovery house is well on the way to fruition. He’s recently established a nonprofit organization called Hope Town and through...
Hiram College Adds 11-Year to Basketball Roster
Hiram - Recently 11-year-old Haley Kimble celebrated a big win when she became the newest, youngest member signed to the Terriers Women’s Basketball team. According to Hayley’s mom Kelly Kimble of Thompson, Ohio, her daughter is a huge basketball fan. Several years ago, Hayley participated in a program through the Cleveland Clinic during which she met Darius Garland from...
St. Joseph Church Ox Roast Fair Plans Well Underway
Mantua - Last year was a tough year for all of us, but we made it. St. Joseph Church in Mantua is hitting the ground running with the Ox Roast Fair, which is being held on July 16th, 17th & 18th. They’ll have a few changes this year and maybe some last minute changes as the Diocese of Youngstown...
Flambeau Boosts Manufacturing Capability in Middlefield
Middlefield – Surges in demand for plastic parts led Flambeau, Inc. to invest significantly in its Middlefield operations recently, including the addition of three new presses. The injection molding machines range from 330-ton to 730-ton, and are primarily dedicated to manufacturing stock boxes and cases for Flambeau Outdoors™, ArtBin® and other packaging lines of products.The addition represents a company-wide...
In a challenging year, Newton Falls school leaders are helping students with ‘trauma-informed education;” lauded with award
Newton Falls - In a year where students, teachers, and staff were faced with unprecedented obstacles, Newton Falls is striving to rise above the struggles by increasing positivity among students - and prepare for more help for students this coming summer.Many schools throughout the nation realized the importance of ‘trauma-informed’ education - a type of education that includes training...
What’s the Buzzzz?
What’s the buzz at John’s Country nursery? Bees! Approximately 4 million bees. For the past couple of months the nursery has been taking orders for #3 bee packages and nucs (a 5-frame box with bees, a queen, and some production already in progress) In May all of those bees will arrive at the nursery for pickup by our local...
Red Cross In Need Of Blood Donations
As the nation transitions to a new, hopeful phase of this devastating pandemic and people resume some of their normal activities, the American Red Cross needs your help to avoid a summer donation slump.Individuals of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now to give blood, and in most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine...
Freedom Township is Going to the Dogs
That’s what we’re all going to be able to do real soon now, doggone it. Here’s the skinny : Duke’s K9 Dash N’ Splash at 6948 State Route 303 ,Windham, OH, 44288--in case you want to find it with your phone--it’s in Freedom Township, between Freedom Center and Drakesburg, is getting ready to open up, any day now. You will...
Geauga County Public Library Launches Live Online Job Assistance
Geauga County – GCPL is pleased to announce the launch of Brainfuse JobNowTM – a versatile online service designed to support every step of the job search process. JobNowTM features live online coaches who, among other things, assist in resume/cover letter preparation, and help patrons prepare for job interviews. To access JobNow™, please visit www.GeaugaLibrary.net and click on “Online Training.”JobNow™...
Finding Forever Homes: Ravenna Sanctuary uses Facebook to Help Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Re-home Farm Animals
Ravenna – When considering adopting a new pet from a local shelter, many limit their search to dogs, cats, and other traditionally domestic animals. However, with National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30th, Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary points out that these are not the only animals in need of our help and affection. In 2020 alone, Happy...
Win Win Win at Burton’s Century Village!
Burton - On July 3, the grounds at Century Village will be packed with winners. The Burton Middlefield Rotary, sponsor of the Maple Splash Raffle, will hold the final set of drawings for this fabulous fundraiser. The entire afternoon will be filled with excitement and activities. BMR is sharing this grand finale by offering opportunity to other area non-profits and...
Rotary Awards Kim Marfy as 2021 Unsung Hero
Mantua - Each year the Rotary Club of Mantua honors an Unsung Hero. According to Rotary President Dean Olson, this is an individual who exemplifies the virtues of the Rotary organization. The person must demonstrate the ideal of service above self, seeks opportunities to assist others, maintains high ethical standards, and respect of others, and finally volunteers their time...
JAG Custodians Named “Villagers of The Year”
Congratulations to the James A Garfield Custodians who have been named “Villagers of the Year”! This amazing group didn’t just sit back and wait for things to fall into place, they set their minds to thinking outside of the box, adjusting and figuring out how to they could make a difference for others during the shut-downs and the unknown times...
Early Bird Gets to See the Osprey
I will be the first to tell you I am not a morning person. But I do like new experiences and learning new things. When the Portage Park District hosted a bird watching event at the new Trail Lake Park I signed up. The best time to go birding is early in the morning so I made sure to...
Kent State University Geauga Memorializes Longtime Employee John Granny
Burton - Kent State University unexpectedly lost one of its most dedicated and longtime employees in July 2020. John Granny, director of Business Affairs for Kent State Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center, passed away suddenly after more than 30 years of service to the university. “John’s genuine smile and welcoming demeanor made him a beloved member of our campus...
Hiram Village Council News
Hiram - At the last meeting, Resident Ann Patella noted that she’s taken on the task of creating a database of the veterans’ names and grave locations in preparation of the Village’s Memorial Day service at Fairview Cemetery. She noted that of the 250 veterans interned there, 22 graves could not be located and 18 were missing markers. She...
Windham Village Council News
Windham - The Windham Village Council met recently with all the members of council in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Scott Garrett. Council members are President Lawrence (Mac) Cunningham, Cheryl Belknap, Cindy Cale, Cheryl Taylor, Terrie Altiere and Sherri Pennington. The village administrator is Deborah Blewitt, zoning inspector Tom Brett and solicitor is Tom Reitz. The...
The Portage County Literacy Coalition and Aspire Receives Grant from the Kent Rotary Foundation
The Portage County Literacy Coalition received a grant from the Kent Rotary Foundation for the Maplewood Career Center Aspire Program. The amount of the grant is $2,000 dollars. The grant from the Kent Rotary Foundation will be used for adult students in the Aspire Program to work towards their GED/HSE while working on a certification in the area of...
Mantua Historical Society Awarded OHRAB Grant to Preserve Historic Records
Mantua - The Mantua Historical Society will begin a project to improve the preservation and accessibility of its historical records through an inventory and the purchase of archival quality storage supplies. This project is supported in part by an award from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board, through funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), National...
James A Garfield Historical Society News
Garrettsville - The JAGHS met on April 19, 2021 for its first in-person meeting since May 18, 2020---HUZZAH! The group welcomed two new members, Tim Smith (hardly new to the area) and Linda Harring (in from Chagrin Falls). The treasury was reported to be healthy and the CD’s remain in their cozy financial institution. The meeting then opened up to...
