Get the scoop – virtually – on wildlife surveys in Geauga Park District
Research conducted by Geauga Park District staff will be on display this December during an informative virtual program hosted by Naturalist Linda Gilbert. All you have to do is register in advance in order to receive an emailed link for Research in Our Parks: Survey Results on Sunday, December 12, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Participants will join Naturalist Linda to...
Garrettsville Library’s Hybrid Book Club Meeting In-Person and via Zoom
The Book Discussion Club of the Garrettsville Library will meet in-person in the meeting room, with face masks and while practicing social distancing, and also via Zoom on Tuesday December 21 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Registration is required to attend this group meeting. Those interested in attending this meeting should register by using the “Upcoming Events” online...
Crestwood NHS Chapter Make Activity Bags for Local Hattie Larlham Residents
Mantua - The Crestwood High School (CHS) chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) recently assembled 60 activity bags for residents at the Hattie Larlham Center for Children with Disabilities, a local organization that also provides care and support throughout Ohio. “Most people think that the National Honor Society is just a collection kids who graduate with honors, but it’s...
Barn’s Storied Past Lives On
Ravenna - Gary Jones is the proud owner of a historic Mail Pouch Tobacco barn visible on State Route 88. The barn, which was originally built in 1906, still proudly extolls the Mail Pouch Tobacco message to, “Treat Yourself to the Best”. Mail Pouch Tobacco barns like this one are historic structures with one or more sides painted with...
James A Garfield Historical Society News
The James A.Garfield Historical Society met on November 14, 2021 in the historic Mott Building on Main St. in Garrettsville to discuss a variety of topics, among them : The annual Christmas party to be held on December 13 at 6:00 p.m. at Cal’s, Sky Plaza, Garrettsville, members responsible for their own meal; good time, good food, good heavens, come...
Portage County Job & Family Services Announces Upcoming Outage of Ohio Benefits System
Ravenna - The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has scheduled an outage of the Ohio Benefits system on Friday, December 3, 2021. The Ohio Benefits Worker Portal will be inaccessible on this date. As a result of the outage, Portage County and other counties throughout the state will be unable to process applications or reported changes on TANF,...
Crestwood Primary School Dedicates “Little Library” to Terri Lawless
Mantua - On November 11, Crestwood Primary School (CPS) held a dedication ceremony of a new “Little Library” box in memory of Terri Lawless, a former staff member who passed away earlier this fall. A true community effort, the Gilles family donated the materials and construction; the staff at CPS donated the funds to purchase a bench that reads,...
Portage Senior Center News
The Portage County Senior Center is holding registration for all Portage Seniors aged 60 and up who wish to join friends on December 8th, for their annual Holiday celebration. They are also holding an official “Ribbon-Cutting” ceremony to celebrate their new slate-topped pool table. The day’s events start early, with bingo to begin at 10 a.m., also a few...
On Small Business Saturday, Everyone Wins
For many hard-core shoppers, the thrill of Black Friday shopping ushers in the official start of the holiday shopping season. Others avoid the crowds and wait to find deals online on Cyber Monday, but that shopping shortcut may not be as productive as it’s previously been. That’s because current supply chain issues with labor shortages, material availability, and delays...
Midnight Madness Festivities Take Place Friday In Ravenna
For those of Portage County who do celebrate Christmas, how do you welcome in the Christmas Season? For many, it is putting up the tree and decorating the house. For others it is a day of frantic shopping to take advantage of the Black Friday sales. Still, there are people that begin the season with volunteerism and good deeds....
Windham Township Trustee News
Windham Twp. - The Windham Township Trustees met for their regularly scheduled meeting with all pertinent folks in attendance. The meeting was called to order. The trustees approved the minutes and expenditures for the month of October. There were no guests willing to speak, so they moved on to roads. Brian Miller, road supervisor reported that they did ditch work...
Mini Golf At The Library
Ravenna - If you were asked to list the activities you expect to do at a library, might the list include read and research? Most likely. Might it include Miniature Golf. Not likely at all. Yet, that is exactly what will be occurring at Reed Memorial Library on November 20 and 21. Intrigued? You bet this reporter is! The event...
Garrettsville Youth Football League Supports Military Vets
Garrettsville - On November 4, RJ Rettig, President of Garrettsville Youth Football League, presented a $400 check to Freedom House in support of local homeless veterans. With Veterans Day being observed November 11, Rettig said they wanted to make the donation as part of their patriotic duty. Freedom House is a nonprofit social service organization offering transitional housing at a...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At the final Board meeting in October, Superintendent David Toth shared that the District’s first Career Fair had been held at the Central Administration office (at the former Middle School). Toth noted that several area companies were present, seeking employees and providing an opportunity for CHS students to ask career questions and find employment. The success for...
Windham Village Council News
Windham - Windham Village Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting recently, with all council members in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Scott Garrett. Fiscal Officer Cheree Taylor presented the financial report. Year to date, the village has collected $365,560.18 in income taxes. The expenditures for the month of September were $155,822.11 leaving the bank reconciliation...
Suicide Loss Day Event
The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Portage County is holding an event those who have been affected by suicide loss on Saturday, November 20 from 1-3pm. The event will include a screening of a short documentary on grief and the healing journey that follows a suicide loss over time. A discussion will follow and local resources will be provided. The Suicide...
AMVETS Make Donation To Heritage Accord
This past Wednesday, Heritage Accord received quite the shot in the arm. This came in the form of a check, for $10,000! This generous donation was given by the AMVETS. The ceremony was held at high noon, at the Newton Falls Community Center. Connie Smith Talcott was on hand to receive it on behalf of Heritage Accord, it was...
Garrettsville People Tree
Applications for this years People Tree will be going out shortly. Kids 14 years and younger residing in the Garrettsville or Windham school districts are eligible to participate. If you have moved and would like to update your information or would like to sign up, please call Judy at 330-687-0630 or email garrettsvillepeopletree@gmail.com asap. Please remember, you can only receive holiday...
Hiram Village Council News
Hiram - At the last meeting, Council approved a resolution allowing for the advertising for bids for a contract for the collection of recyclable materials within Hiram Village and Hiram Township. Bids were due by 1 pm on October 29th. Contracts are requested to cover the duration of three years, with an option for a two-year extension, to begin...
Christmas Shoe Box Time!
Garrettsville United Methodist Church will be collecting Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. This mission offers a fun way to share God’s love with children around the world through a shoe box full of gifts. Instructions and labels are available at the church and online at samaritanspurse.org/occ. Filled and labelled shoe boxes can be dropped off November 15-22 at the following...
95 Years of Halloween Fun… and Counting
Newton Falls - “I could do this every year!” exclaims first-time judge Susan Holub. Those of us in Kiwanis were delighted with comments like this from the crowd, since this was the 95th year for the Kiwanis annual event, though this was not quite a cakewalk. Because of covid-19 concerns, Kiwanis had to re-think what to do for the...
NGCC Goes from “Zero to 100” with help of local donors
Garrettsville - Last spring NGCC presented a challenge to the community. If they were able to secure 100 recurring monthly donations of just $5 each they would be able to purchase a van and expand their services to include delivery for those in need. A call was made to the community, and it was answered! In just four short weeks...
John Granny Memorial Patio Dedication
Geauga County – Join Kent State University Geauga Campus as it dedicates the newly installed John Granny Memorial Patio on Friday, October 22, 2021, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The ceremony will take place outdoors, near the patio, at the Geauga Campus in Burton. John Granny was the Director of Business Affairs and Operations and worked enthusiastically for Kent State...
Local Heroes Honored in Village Cemetery
Mantua - Last Monday, Bonnie Zoller Collier and Tim Benner looked on as an impressive black stone was set on a foundation in Mantua’s Hilltop Cemetery on a crisp autumn morning. The large marker represents the local servicemen who were killed in action while fighting on behalf of the United States military forces. While the names of five servicemen...
Hiram Student Crowned Junior Miss Agriculture
Hiram - As Portage County’s Junior Miss Agriculture, seventh-grader Layleh Furner has the opportunity to shine a light on agriculture in her hometown of Hiram. No stranger to the pageant scene, Furner traveled to over 50 local festivals during her reign as the Potato Festival Junior Miss in 2018-2019. At each festival, she picked up a special charm to...
These Are Holly Days
Two Saturdays of premier holiday shopping return to The West Woods Nature Center this November 6 and 13 during Geauga Park District’s ever-popular Holly Days Artisan Boutique & Mistletoe Market! Mark your calendars to browse one or both Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A list of regional artisans and their selection of handmade Nature-themed items will be posted...
WVFD News
Windham - The WVFD Fire Board met recently with all board members in attendance. Board members are chairperson Cindy Cale, Brian Miller and Jake Bowden. The fiscal officer is Jenn Derthick. The meeting was called to order and the board approved the minutes, and expenditures, before opening up the floor to guests. Lt. Nick Bushek and Mile Polichena were there...
Garrettsville Family YMCA to Host a Veterans Benefit Event on November 12
Garrettsville – The Garrettsville Family YMCA will host a Veterans Benefits Event on November 12, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at its location at 8233 Park Avenue, Garrettsville. The Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Center & Mobile Vet Center will be onsite and provide free services to veterans and their families. The customized vehicles, which are equipped with...
History In A Phone Call
Newton Falls - How much history can you fit into one half-hour phone call? If you are talking with Dr. Everard Smith of Wilmington, NC-consider it a challenge accepted! Dr. Smith informally serves as historian and advisor, especially of the USO buildings, to Heritage Accord. You may recall, Heritage Accord is the association raising money to renovate the Newton...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At a recent meeting, the School Board accepted the resignation of Charles McDougall “under protest” in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 3319.15 and 3314.103. In public comment, parent Kathleen Slacas spoke advocating mask usage within the district’s schools. She asked the board to respect Science and set a good example for the students. In addition, Slacas shared documentation,...
