Cardinal senior forms bond with an unusual friend
Communicating is nothing out of the ordinary for Emma Geesling. The Cardinal senior isn’t afraid to connect with her fellow bandmates while on the football field on a Friday night. She is also willing to help instruct her younger teammates on the volleyball court where Geesling played as defensive specialist for the last four seasons. Her leadership and communication...
Judge Eklund Conducts Swearing-In Ceremony at Hiram College
Over 40 people from six local communities gathered to witness the swearing-in ceremony of elected officials at Koritansky Hall on Hiram College’s campus last Friday evening. Ohio Eleventh District Court of Appeals Judge John Eklund officiated the event; other notable guests included Portage County Commissioners Anthony Badalamenti, Sabrina Christian-Bennett, and Mike Tinlin. At the event, Hiram Village Council President Chris...
Jakacki spurs Terriers basketball past Hawks for first home win
The Hiram College Terriers men’s basketball team had struggled to find momentum at the start of the season but found that spark after junior guard Trent Jakacki ignited the team with a breakout performance by scoring 46 points, helping the Terriers defeat Hilbert College 91-83 for their first home victory of the season last Friday evening at Hiram College’s...
Berkshire girls basketball bogged down by third quarter in loss against Wickliffe
There is always that one game that can serve as a turning point in a season for any team. That game came for the Berkshire Badgers girls’ basketball team when they suffered from another lackluster second half, losing 41-26 against Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division rival Wickliffe last Thursday evening at Wickliffe High School. “Every game has been more of...
Berkshire girls basketball shoots it from deep for Lady Badgers Charity Challenge
According to Char Kuchta, one of the things her late son, Kyle, loved most was playing basketball. After he passed away in 2017, Kuchta stayed connected with the Berkshire Badgers basketball programs and the Badger girls are now hosting a three-point fundraiser this season to donate funds to the Kyle Strong Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Geauga County,...
Shop with A Cop program brings cheer to local kids for a dozen years
On Saturday, December 9th, the Hiram and Garrettsville Police Departments teamed up to help make the holidays a little brighter for some local families. “We had a total of 29 children participate this year,” Hiram Village Police Chief Brian Gregory noted. “That’s the largest number we’ve ever hosted during Shop With a Cop’s 12 years.” As in past years, school...
Twentieth Century Club Marks Year’s End with Joyful Festivities
The Garrettsville’s Twentieth Century Club concluded its club year with a festive gathering at Nasreen Kitko’s home. The hostess received assistance in preparing the diverse and delightful meal from co-hostesses Karen Ziarko and new member Kathy Watson. The roll call was answered with “my Christmas wish,” resulting in a series of aspirational responses. These varied from hopes for relief from...
B-M Rotary holds annual Christmas party
The Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield held its yearly Christmas Party at the Veteran’s Legacy Woods Park in Newbury Township on Dec. 13. The event was attended by 42 members, spouses, friends, adult children, and past Rotary members who were invited to catch up on old friendships. Food, snacks, decorations and table settings by the event committee were over the...
Rockets wrestling sweeps tri-match against Falcons and Bulldogs
Fast starts are never a bad thing in any sport. For the Streetsboro Rockets’ wrestling a team, getting off to quick starts in dual matches makes all the difference and it showed when they defeated Metro Athletic Conference rival Woodridge 48-27 and then overpowered Field 57-22 in a tri-match last Thursday evening at Streetsboro High School. “It’s early and we...
Aurora’s Howard Hanna hosts holiday gift raffle
The Howard Hanna Real Estate Company has always been very active in charity fundraising. One of the Company’s favorite charities to raise money for has been the Howard Hanna Children’s Free Care Fund and they held a holiday gift raffle which raised approximately $3,000 last Monday at the Aurora location. “We have had a lot of great success with community...
Pictures with Santa event grows with student volunteers from JAG Schools
On December 2nd, State Farm Agent Shannan Jursa hosted her 10th Annual Pictures with Santa community event. After three years of the event being semi-private, for such a big milestone Shannan wanted to not only re-open the event to the public but grow the event as well. The event hosted many new faces, most of which were the 26 student...
Historic diner back on the map
As of October 2023 Ravenna has welcomed the newest addition to the downtown area, The Horseshoe Diner. Woodie and Sue Goodnight, a salt of the earth couple, took over the vacant space in the Buckeye Mall to turn it into a place where you can “catch up with old friends and make some new ones.” The Horseshoe Diner had its...
Berkshire bowling fueled by a quick start tops Wildcats
According to Berkshire Badgers boys’ bowling coach Kevin Johnson, when everything is clicking, his squad can bowl with the best of them. Berkshire looked the part when it defeated Mayfield 2036-1496 last Thursday afternoon at the Rosewood Bowling Lanes in Oakwood. “We put them away early and really did not even give them a chance to come back,” Berkshire’s third-year...
Updates from the November BPA Meeting
The November Board of Public Affairs meeting, led by Board President Ed Maresh, commenced at 6:30 p.m. on November 7th, saw the attendance of officials including Board Members Ben Coll and Michael Sherer, Solicitor Michele Stuck, Water Superintendent Jeff Sheehan, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Fiscal Officer Donna Love. Residents Marcia Grenig and Amy Turos were also present. Marcia Grenig expressed...
Aurora Chamber of Commerce recognizes Business and Person of the Year
It was that time of year again as the Aurora Chamber of Commerce held its annual holiday luncheon, honoring LayerZero Power Systems and Tony Dockus as the 2023 Business of the Year and the 2023 Person of the Year, respectively, last Friday afternoon at the Bertram Inn Hotel & Conference Center in Aurora. “We were extremely flattered, quite honestly, and...
Red Devils basketball responds swiftly to take down Mogadore Wildcats
It had been a while since the Crestwood Red Devils boys’ basketball team faced off against its former Portage Trail Conference County Division foe Mogadore. The Red Devils greeted their old conference rivals by beating them 66-44 last Saturday afternoon in Mantua. “This is a great rivalry game,” said Coach Josh Jakacki. “We miss this rivalry and I wish there...
Garfield G-Men basketball cools off after hot start, loses against Waterloo
The Garfield G-Men boys’ basketball team is still searching for its first victory of the season. The G-Men stayed winless, losing 40-38 against Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference and Portage County rival Waterloo Vikings in a crossover game last Friday evening at the JAG Fieldhouse. “Both teams came out on fire and it was a high-scoring first quarter,” said Coach Andy...
Leadership Portage County hosts Jingle & Mingle
Leadership Portage County welcomed the Christmas season by hosting its annual Jingle & Mingle event last Thursday evening at the Over Easy at the Depot Restaurant in Kent. Having always hosted events throughout the year for community connection, LPC Executive Director Andra Polasky said in an email to The Weekly Villager that the holiday event was a way to bring...
Lights, Camera, Action!
In Garrettsville, the spirit of the holiday season shines bright, transforming the town into a twinkling spectacle. Throughout the area, decorated trees, inflatables, light-adorned fences, roof outlines, silhouetted trees, Santas, Rudolphs, Nativity scenes, and even gift-delivery helicopters adorn the landscape. Sequenced lights and flashing displays add to the festive ambiance, creating a dazzling sight that rivals the illuminated celebrations...
Rocket girls basketball tames Colts in conference showdown
It’s been only three games, but the Streetsboro Rockets girls’ basketball team is off to another fast start. The Rockets remained undefeated when they overwhelmed Metro Athletic Conference foe Cloverleaf 65-30 last Friday evening at Streetsboro. “Cloverleaf had some good returning players from last year so we knew they had a couple of kids that could score, and they definitely...
Singing Stars: A Journey of Discovery
The Cardinal School District is thrilled to announce that they have not one, but two young students who have been accepted into the “Ohio Music Education Association Children’s Chorus” located in Columbus, Ohio. The Huskies will be represented by Audrey Aguillo and Ailyn Shantery who will make the trip to the Columbus Convention Center on February 1st to participate...
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...
