Portage County Veterans Services to host summer picnic July 18
The Portage County Veterans Services will be honoring all local veterans of the armed forces by hosting its first annual picnic on July 18 at Ravenna City Park at 165 Oakwood Street at 11 a.m. “One of the big things we wanted to do was outreach to recognize our veterans, find our veterans and assist them in getting whatever benefits...
G-H Rotary Report
The June 29, 2026 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary covered a range of interests, opening with a party ( Oh, those Rotarians, always “Out there”). The public celebration of 100 years birthday party will be held at the South Street (Bill Phelps) Park on July 26 and everyone is invited. There will be picnic food–hot dogs, chips, cookies, etc–and...
Garrettsville Eagles Present Scholarships
The Garrettsville Eagles Scholarship Committee presented three $1,500 scholarships on June 10th, 2026. All of the recipients this year are graduates from James A Garfield High School. This year’s recipients are: Olivia Grcar, Jaxon Cushing and Conner Hunt.
Portage Historical Society plants heritage tree to recognize America’s 250th anniversary
The Portage County Historical Society has a new addition to its vast collection of historical items celebrating the history of the United States, as it planted a white swamp oak heritage tree on behalf of the America250 Ohio Commission on April 30. “What was nice about it was that we worked closely with the Portage County Commissioners,” PCHS President Debbie...
Crestwood High School resurrects alumni boys’ soccer match
Before the beginning of the 2026 boys’ soccer season, the Crestwood Red Devils will celebrate the history of the program by reviving the alumni boys’ soccer match on July 21 at Jack Lambert Stadium at 6:30 p.m. “I am excited to be bringing it back,” Coach Amanda Parsons told The Weekly Villager on June 28. “It is going to be...
Portage County Historical Society celebrates 75th anniversary
The Portage County Historical Society held a day of celebration as they were recognized for their 75th anniversary last Saturday at 6549 North Chestnut Street in Ravenna. “It is very meaningful because our history is ongoing,” PCHS President Debbie Sunderland said. “It is strong, and we need to let other people know, a lot of people don’t even know that...
Fallon Schwab-Davis aka “DJ Krooze” to emcee America250 celebration
The City of Ravenna’s plans to unite the community for its America250 celebration, recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States. The celebration will be headlined by Ravenna resident Fallon Schwab-Davis aka “DJ Krooze”, who will emcee the event on July 11 beginning at 11 a.m. on the Courthouse Lawn. “I think it is going to be way bigger than...
We’re All Invited
Sip N Shop Vendor Applications Being Accepted Call Today Sip n Shop on Main is taking applications for the event on July 25th from 2-7pm . Contact Jackie at rinearson05@frontier.com for an application Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays Surviving Death “ A Journalist Investigates Evidence For An Afterlife” by Leslie Kean. Share a stimulating hour exchanging impressions & opinions at...
Zachary D. Peterson Memorial Scholarship Awards Scholarships
The Zachary D. Peterson Memorial Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Zachary D. Peterson Memorial Scholarships. This year’s awards recognize eight outstanding students from Crestwood and Windham High Schools who will be attending Maplewood Career Center this fall to pursue careers in AutomotiveService Technology or Small Engine Repair fields. Representing Crestwood High School are Gianna...
Art on the Hill & Wine Tasting Too! Returns to Mantua Village
Mantua Village’s award-winning arts and crafts street festival hits the pavement Saturday July 11 on E. Prospect Street. The annual event is both a vibrant public gathering and an important fundraiser for the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation (DMRC), the nonprofit dedicated to sustaining the Village’s unique personality and historic character. Art On the Hill brings together residents and visitors alike...
Shalersville Township Board of Trustees hosts Bitdeer for public forum
The Shalersville Township Board of Trustees hosted representatives from Bitdeer, a global company specializing in infrastructure, bitcoin mining, data center development and advanced computing, last Tuesday evening at Shalersville Town Hall to present their case of the benefits of building an artificial intelligence data center. Prior to Bitdeer’s presentation, Trustee and Vice Chairman Ron Kotkowski made a motion for the...
JA Garfield Historical Society News
Allison Powell of the James A. Garfield National Historic Site–Lawnfield–in Mentor was the presenter for the local James A.Garfield Historical Society’s program on Victorian weddings.. She opened with a predictive poem on weddings in general and proceeded to illustrate how wedding customs developed in the United Kingdom–Britain specifically–because Queen Victoria, the nation’s longest ruling monarch until Elizabeth II, was the...
Ravenna Scavenger Hunt returns in concert with America250 celebration
As the City of Ravenna hosts a day of festivities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual scavenger hunt will also be a part of the celebration scheduled to begin on July 11 at 11 a.m. “It is going to be a great day to not only celebrate America but learn more about Ravenna and just...
M.O.R.E. Café Hosts Community Event
On Saturday, July 11th at 5 pm, the folks at M.O.R.E. Café will be hosting ‘MORE than a Walk,” and you’re invited. For those unfamiliar with the Hiram eatery, the M.O.R.E. Café provides differently abled adults with meaningful work, inclusive events, and social connections. The event begins with a one mile walk around Hiram Village and will provide attendees with...
We’re All Invited
Sip N Shop Vendor Applications Being Accepted Call Today Sip n Shop on Main is taking applications for the event on July 25th from 2-7pm . Contact Jackie at rinearson05@frontier.com for an application Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays Surviving Death “ A Journalist Investigates Evidence For An Afterlife” by Leslie Kean. Share a stimulating hour exchanging impressions & opinions at...
Transforming Site of Historic Loss into New Community Gathering Place
Community leaders, residents, project partners and elected officials gathered June 18 to celebrate the opening of the Buckeye Block Amphitheater, marking the completion of a project years in the making on one of the village’s most historically significant sites. The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new amphitheater, located on the site of the former...
Ravenna Parks & Recreation Department welcomes DEK of Hearts to perform at America250 concert
After a day of festivities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in the City of Ravenna, the Ravenna Parks & Recreation Department will host a concert featuring the country music band DEK of Hearts at Sunbeau Valley Farm 3248 Brady Lake Road on July 11 beginning at 7 p.m. “This event is big for the community,” Ravenna Parks & Recreation Director Chris...
Former West Park Elementary becomes Portage Leadership Academy
The building formerly known as West Park Elementary will open its doors once again to students for the 2026-27 school year, as Portage Leadership Academy, which held its grand opening last Saturday morning at 1071 Jones Avenue in Ravenna. “It has been incredibly exciting,” Superintendent Darryl Lindsay told The Weekly Villager. “The first week we had the building I was...
Freedom Township Historical Society News
Freedom Township Historical Society will be holding its first Open House of the season on Saturday, June 27 from 10 - 2 at our school museum, 7276 St Rt 303. We have several new exhibits including two wedding dresses donated by Kathy Cain that were worn by her mother and her aunt. Also we recently acquired artifacts from the...
Happy Birthday Garrettsville Rotary
Festive, it was at the Garrett’s Mill Brewing Company on June 11, 2026, celebrating the 100th birthday of Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club; 1926–2026 is a landmark stretch for any organization, particularly one so connected to the community and so involved with good works. Guests were there representing grand pooh-bahs of District 6630: 2027-2028 District Governor Richard Arlen Cole, Jr.,and District Governor...
Hiram alumni Swartz brothers reflect on historic 1983-84 season
As Hiram College displays a commemorative plaque in the William H. Hollinger Hall of Fame celebrating the 1983-84 Presidents’ Athletic Conference title team, alumni Russ and Rod Swartz have fond memories of that season. “It is hard to believe that it was 42 years ago now,” Russ told The Weekly Villager on June 12. “It doesn’t seem like it was...
Mantua Shalersville FD Celebrates 125 Years
“What does it mean to be brave? To do what you have to do when other people are counting on you.” Author unknown Back in 1901, the Mantua Hose Company #1 volunteer Fire Department was formed by a group of roughly thirty residents who lived and worked in Mantua. They saw the need to work together to help protect residents,...
Louise Grace Masters
On Monday, May 11, 2026 Louise Grace Masters, of Nelson Township, a loving wife, Mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and devoted friend to many, passed away at the age of 81, and is now celebrating her eternal life with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and also is reunited with her loving husband of 60 & 1/2 years, George E....
ART on Main Festival celebrates 10 years of progress
Only 10 years ago, Main Street Ravenna collaborated with Main Street Kent to develop its own summer art & wine festival. Fast forward a decade later, the ART on Main Festival has become an annual summer tradition, having just celebrated its 10th anniversary last Saturday afternoon on Main Street in downtown Ravenna. “We are really excited for this to be...
G-H Rotary Report
And the beat goes on. Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary returned to community work after their festive birthday party on June 11, 2026 and came up with the following enterprises to pursue: • The Storybook Trail set-up is proceeding, with holes being dug and filled by posts to mount pages to be read by those on the trail. • The public celebration of the 100th...
Garrettsville Tractor Parade
The Garrettsville Tractor Parade, which will be held on June 27 at noon, features everything from antique tractors to enormous modern combines. Put on your red, white, and blue and bring the whole family as we celebrate America's 250th Anniversary. For more information, please visit the Garrettsville Tractor Parade Facebook page, stop in at 8028 State St, Garrettsville or call...
THE VILLAGE NETWORK TO ASSUME OPERATIONS OF PORTAGE COUNTY JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES GROUP HOME
After seven years of serving youth in foster care through a locally operated group home, Portage County Job and Family Services (PCJFS) announced today that it will transition operation of its residential program on Brady Lake Road to The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health organization serving youth and families. The Village Network will assume oversight of the home...
Jason Wills named new Red Devil girls’ basketball coach
Crestwood High School science teacher Jason Wills has largely stayed in the background for the Red Devils’ athletics programs. He now takes the stage front and center, having been selected as the new Crestwood girls’ basketball coach on May 14. “Initially when all of this went down, I had some of the players approach me and ask me if I...
We’re All Invited
Sip N Shop Vendor Applications Being Accepted Call Today Sip n Shop on Main is taking applications for the event on July 25th from 2-7pm . Contact Jackie at rinearson05@frontier.com for an application Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays Surviving Death “ A Journalist Investigates Evidence For An Afterlife” by Leslie Kean. Share a stimulating hour exchanging impressions & opinions at...
Streetsboro Board of Education votes to reinstate club activities and middle school sports
In the wake of the Streetsboro School District’s failure to pass a $7M five-year operating levy in May, the Streetsboro Board of Education approved a pair of motions to return club activities and middle schools sports to the School District last Thursday evening at Streetsboro High School. “If we are in a place about bringing back clubs, minimum participation ensures...