Putting for a Cause
Ravenna - It was brisk and overcast on Saturday but that did not stop over 50 people from coming out to support the Main Street Ravenna fundraiser being hosted at the Birdie Shack. Having a benefit is difficult given the current social distancing procedures, but the regeneration group came up with a “putterrific” idea. In place of the annual Savory...
Local Farmers Provide Support & Hope
Ohio Relief Haulers, a nonprofit organization the aims to help farmers battle against natural disasters like flooding or fires, was begun in 2017 by Travis and Brittany Hamlin. The couple, who run the Hamlin Livestock Ranch in Rootstown, have farming in their blood; Travis is part of the multi-generational Derthick’s Farm in Mantua. As the couple cares for their young...
Emergency Relief Fund Helps Students Stay on Course Despite COVID-19 Disruptions
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everyday life for everyone. For some, it’s minor. For others, it’s catastrophic. Here on the Kent State University at Geauga Campus, economic hardships caused by the pandemic have threatened to derail many students’ academic plans and their hopes for a better future. Consider just a few examples: One student (a single mother) had her hours cut...
Love for Old Cards
Holiday greeting cards are a timeless tradition and a special gift. But what to do with them after the season has passed?Breathe new life into old cards – your own from home, or those provided for you – during our Greeting Card Upcycle workshop on Tuesday, November 10, 6 to 8 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center. Artist Brigitte...
Trick-or-Treat Drive-Thru is a Spook-tacular Success
Ravenna - Three little voices sweetly chirped Trick-or-Treat! from the back seat holding their Halloween bags out the car window, excitedly hoping for candy to add to their growing collection. Lily, 8, dressed as Rapunzel and Sophia, 6, a dancer sang Yay! and Thank you! in unison as their tiny sister Una, 2, Princess Poppy from Trolls, dropped a...
Freedom Twp. Hisorical Society Ready for Class
Freedom Twp. - The Drakesburg Schoolhouse # 2 looks just about ready for “in-person” classes right now…and considering that it first appeared on the Portage County tax maps in 1874, that’s pretty darned good, considering that it also housed township equipment, sheep & other critters, a church and lots of trash over the years since the township schools were...
Outstanding in Your (Corn) Field
As autumn comes to a close, you may be working your way through your own Fall Bucket list. And if a visit to a corn maze is in your plans, then you’re in luck! The area is fortunate to have several corn mazes that are open through the end of October. Mazes are listed in alphabetical order; please call...
Garrettsville Council Sets New Rates for Cemetery
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on October 14th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, John Chambers and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the meeting was held in person with no audience. The meeting was...
People Tree Holiday Program 2020.
We know it seems early, but if you or your family need help this season, it is time let us know! People Tree provides Christmas gifts for children 14 years old and younger, not being served by another group, who live in the JAG School system and the Windham School system. We also provide Holiday food for anyone who would...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The following items were under discussion at the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary meeting on October 19, 2020 via zoom :Sponsorship for the November 13 Rotary Raffle are still coming in, are much appreciated and still available. See any Rotarian. Ditto for tickets for the event. Tickets are available at McCumbers-Brady Realty, The Business Works and Middlefield Bank. Great odds for winning....
WVFD News
Windham - The WVFD Fire District met for their regularly scheduled meeting recently, with one member absent from the board.The board approved the minutes and expenditures. They opened the floor up to anyone who would like to speak. There were no pre-approved guests to speak. An employee wants to go to medic school and would like the board to...
Popular Library Puzzle Exchange is Back
Ravenna - Reed Memorial Library has brought back its monthly Puzzle Exchange, modified to fit within current pandemic restrictions. “The monthly exchange is a longstanding library event and very popular with our community,” related Alison Shelley, Children’s’ Outreach Coordinator. “Everyone has really missed the puzzle exchange since COVID-19 hit. We’ve worked hard to bring this event back safely under...
An Apple A Day
Although many plans have been altered this year due to covid-19, your autumn tradition of picking apples is still a wonderful option. You’ll get outside with your family or friends, enjoy freshly picked local fruit, and make some memories. And who knows, maybe an apple a day, along with hand washing and mask wearing, can keep the doctor --...
Burton Middlefield Rotary Hosts JEEP Invasion!
Geauga County - On Sunday, Oct. 11, the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield held an extremely successful JEEP invasion event benefitting local veterans. Led by Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand, his deputies, other law enforcement agencies, many military Jeeps, more than 140 Jeeps began at the Mayfield Road DriveIn and headed east to tour some of the most scenic areas of the county. Each...
Girl Scout Troop #90206 Earns Bronze Award
Garrettsville - Garrettsville Girl Scout Troop #90206 is proud to announce the completion of their Bronze Award project, a Free Little Pantry. The pantry is located at 8233 Park Avenue in Garrettsville and is available to everyone 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The pantry operates on a “take what you need, give what you can” system...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At the last School Board meeting, Crestwood High School Principal Dave McMahon recognized two impressive students for their excellent achievements. He shared that CHS senior Allison Sabol had been recognized as a National Merit Commended Scholar and CHS senior Zoe Simmons had been selected as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist. The board and superintendent joined McMahon in...
Autumn is in Season as Ravenna plans October Events
Ravenna - When all is said and done it is time to have some fun! There will be many different events happening during October that residents of Ravenna have cause to get excited over. As the foliage changes during this pleasant time of year it will be interesting to see how Ravenna’s seasonal events adapt for citizens to have...
Support Geauga County Public Library by Staying Home and Reading
You are cordially invited to attend the Geauga County Library Foundation’s first non-event on Friday October 23, the Stay at Home and Read Fundraiser. It is unlikely that for some time the Geauga County Library Foundation will be able to host in-person events or book sales that we depend on for fundraising. In order to raise money for the library,...
Hiram Village News
Hiram - As Covid-19 continues to be an issue, local communities have adapted to ensure that local government services continue for their residents. In Hiram Village, residents continue to have the opportunity to safely participate in local committee and council meetings. In fact, the Recreation and Park Board will meet on Thursday, October 8th at 4:30 pm. Residents also...
Zoom Rooms to the Rescue!
Burton - What’s a Zoom Room? It’s an innovative delivery method for an effective college education during a pandemic via remote instruction. Zoom Rooms are providing the way forward for local students seeking to further their education at the Kent State University Geauga Campus in Burton. Proving that “necessity is the mother of invention,” the COVID-19 pandemic is revolutionizing the...
DMRC Needs Your Help!
Mantua - Since 2007, the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation (DMRC) has been helping fund projects in Mantua in an effort to breath new life into the historic village. From smaller scale projects like the addition of planter boxes, park benches and bike racks throughout the village to providing matching funds in support of larger projects; the DMRC is committed...
ODOT Proposes Roundabout at SR82 & Chamberlain
Mantua Twp. - In an effort to improve safety in Mantua Township, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) proposes the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of State Route 82 and Chamberlain Road. According to documentation provided by ODOT, this intersection has been chronically identified on the Highway Safety Program list since 2012 due to a clear pattern...
Windham Village Council News
Windham - The Windham Village Council met recently via Zoom with all village council members in attendance. Zoning Inspector Tom Brett was excused for personal reasons. They added 10.4 to the agenda, the hiring of part- time police officer Jeff Scott. Council approved the minutes and the financial report as presented by fiscal officer Cheree Taylor. Income tax collected for the...
Fire Prevention Kits Delivered To Area Fire Departments
Shannan Jursa State Farm was selected to help the National Fire Prevention Association and State Farm by providing community toolkits to support two local fire departments with fire safety educational materials. This year’s theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.” We are pleased to provide grant funding to supply volunteer and paid fire fighters with public safety...
Artist Robert Kroeger Tours Portage County Barns
Portage County - Artist and barn aficionado Robert Kroeger, from Cincinnati, visited Portage County last week in order to tour some of the area’s notable historic structures. ‘Barn scout’ and Mantua resident Heather Paisley prompted the visit. Barns are near and dear to Paisley, who was raised on a 90-acre farm in Gustavus in Trumbull County. A lover of...
R44 Improvements Continue in Mantua
Mantua - Those who adhere to the Stephen Covey idea that ‘What you do has far greater impact than what you say,’ may see that thought in action in Mantua these days. Restoration 44 opened its doors in May of 2019 offering coffees, teas, and a welcome meeting spot, its open doors invited those from near and far to...
Windham Puts a 1.5 Mills Replacement Levy on the November Ballot
Windham - Windham Board of Education (BOE) met for their regularly scheduled meeting last week with all but one member in attendance. The board approved the usual -- minutes, expenditures, and financial report. Superintendent Aireane Curtis said, they are placing a replacement 1.5 mills on the ballot in November. Residents can look for it under Issue 29 on the...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary zoomed into discussion of their yearly fundraiser, the Reverse Raffle, deciding the NEW and IMPROVED format during this ?Wild? and ?Crazy? year at their meeting on September 21, 2020. Sponsors will be particularly key this year as the procedure moves to a hybrid situation, with actual tickets available from members (Get yours right away. Don’t miss...
Library Levy a Do-or-Die Issue on the November 2020 Ballot
While all eyes are focused on the 2020 presidential election on voting day, don’t lose sight of what’s at stake at the local level. In particular, pay attention to Portage County District Library Issue #31, appearing on the November 3 ballot. The survival of the county’s five branch libraries — including Garrettsville Library — could be at stake. Why is...
Windham’s Student Food Pantry is in the Running for the Neighborhood Assist Grant
Windham - Windham School’s Student Food Pantry is in the top 200 for a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist Grant. The application was submitted by Crystal Hickman. On the application, Hickman stated, that the student food pantry focuses on meeting the needs of the students. They knew the kids had two meals a day during the week because they...