January is National Mentoring Month
At its most basic level, mentoring helps because it guarantees a young person that there is someone who cares about them. (Mentoring.org) What a simple statement. And this basic level is where each one of our match relationships begins. Building a friendship. The volunteer showing that the youth can depend on him; that he will be there when needed; that...
2021 Wild Hikes Challenge: Celebrating 30 years as Portage Park District
The Portage Park District is pleased to present the Wild Hikes Challenge, a program designed to encourage healthy recreation in our parks and trails while showcasing Portage County’s rich natural heritage that we are working to conserve. In 2021, we challenge you to complete either 30 hikes or 30 miles in our parks to celebrate our 30th anniversary as...
Local Man Competes at National Level
Kent - Recently, Jack Edwards from Martial Arts Ohio competed in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Masters competition in Orlando, Florida. Edwards explained that despite many setbacks that could have easily derailed his plans, he persevered, and it made all the difference. He came to jiu-jitsu as an adult, setting aside the fear of trying something new or...
Hiram Township Trustee News
Hiram Twp. - At a recent meeting, it was determined that Fiscal Officer Diane Rodhe would submit proof of purchase for safety uniforms, road safety signs, fire safety equipment, and registration fees for the OTA conference to the MORE Grant, which was due by the end of 2020. In other news, a copy of the State Employee Rights for...
Crestwood Distributes Food and Holiday Cheer
Mantua - A week or so before the final meal distribution before the Christmas, Jennifer Bujak-Hirsch, Director of Nutrition Services at the Crestwood Local School District had an idea. The Crestwood Local School District has provided over 300,000 meals since the pandemic began in March. And while local families have appreciated receiving breakfasts and lunches, she thought, after a...
Who Will Be The Villager of The Year?
The Weekly Villager, in conjunction with the Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce, is looking for “The Villager of The Year”. As we all dealt with the ever changing world of Covid in 2020, we saw the best (and sadly, sometimes worst) of people. Some just dealt with things, moved on and waited to see what was coming next, while...
Local Man Shares UFO Experience – Part II
You’ll recall from the first part of Joe’s story, which appeared in the December 25th issue, where he shared what he experienced one night on Shanks Downes Road on his way home from work. You’ll remember that Joe set the phone aside, and didn’t think about them again until he sat down to remove old contacts and download photos...
Portage County DD Board Honors Hattie Larlham Employee with Community Service Award
Mantua – Hattie Larlham employee Maggie Wooten has been selected as a recipient of the Earl and Mary Lohr Community Service Award presented by the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This award recognizes high-performing professionals and engaged citizens in the developmental disabilities services field. Award recipients have a known reputation for providing exemplary advocacy, services or supports to individuals...
Mantua Township Trustee News
Mantua Twp. - At a recent meeting, Township Fiscal Officer Susan Skrovan noted that CARES Act funds must be used by 12/31/20, necessitating the need to have another meeting prior to the end of the year in order that invoices for applicable products and services could be gathered and checks issued prior to year’s end. Trustee Matt Benner noted that...
People Tree Sharing Program Gives Thanks!
What a year 2020 has been. The needs in our community have never been greater and the generosity of our community rose to meet the challenge. Wednesday, Dec 9 saw a drive thru distribution of Christmas gifts, food, personal items and coats at the Faith Free Evangelical Church on Windham Parkman Road. With the help of the Church, Sky Plaza...
Giving Thanks from NGCC
This holiday season, amidst the vast uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, NGCC has a great deal to be thankful for. Our community is a generous and special place, our volunteers give unconditionally and our patrons always demonstrate a genuine thanks for the services they utilize. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped NGCC...
Windham School Board News
Windham - Windham Board of Education (BOE) held their most recent meeting via Zoom due to the high COVID-19 numbers. They had all board members in attendance, along with the superintendent and the treasurer. A discussion was held on an Ohio house bill that looks good initially, but when delved into, it takes more money from already financially strapped...
Hiram Village News
Hiram - At the last meeting with Police Chief Brian Gregory, Village Council noted that the number of traffic stops is lower than average, with fewer motorists due to Covid-19. He added that although this year’s Shop with a Cop program looked different. The Hiram and Garrettsville Police Departments were still able to grant Christmas wishes by shopping for...
Supporting each other in grief
Our community recently suffered a tragic loss of young life. The board extends sympathy to the families and friends of those involved in this incident. We also recognize that many other people in our community have experienced loss throughout the year and wish to offer support and comfort to all. It’s always hard for families to know how to talk...
Main Street Ravenna Announces a Virtual Winter Writing Festival for 2021
Ravenna - If you love to write or think you might like to write, join us Saturdays in February for a virtual version of the “Winter Writing Festival’’! Due to the pandemic, Main Street Ravenna and Reed Memorial Library have had to make changes to this fun event for writing in all its forms and decided to go virtual...
Treasurer Announces Portage Property Tax Collection Processes For Winter 2021
Ravenna – With winter property tax collection season fast approaching, Portage County Treasurer Brad Cromes provided an update today to his office’s pandemic operations plan. As has been the case since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the Treasurer’s Office will not accept in-person tax payments this winter. “While we are excited about recent progress toward vaccine distribution, health experts continue to...
Local Man Shares UFO Experience
At the close of this year, even the most positive among us has had trouble dealing with 2020. With a global pandemic changing the way we live, political upheaval, racial divides, and an election fraught with venom and strife, even the threat of murder hornets don’t faze us after all that 2020 has dumped on our doorsteps. So learning...
Haven of Portage County’s Warming Center Will be Open During Winter Months
Ravenna - Those experiencing homelessness will have a place in our community to come in out of the cold this winter. The Haven of Portage County’s Warming Center, with the support of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Portage Community Chapel, will be serving those experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect by providing a safe and warm place to...
Those in Need Deserve Hope Indeed
The food drive will benefit the Amelia DiGirolamo Center of Hope whose goal is committed to elevating the nutritional level of low-income citizens in Portage County where food pantries are not present. They offer hot meals at no cost 5 days a week and “typically serve 75-100 individuals per day.”
What sets this food drive apart from traditional ones is that instead of stopping at Thanksgiving or Christmas time, it will continue the collection of donations through the new year. People do not just eat during holiday times, they eat 365 days a year. Institutions like the Center of Hope can function thanks to charitable donations and funds to help those who have none.
Shop with a Cop: 2020 Style
“We hold this is a very special program dear to our hearts,” explained Hiram Police Chief Brian Gregory. He explained that former Hiram Police Chief Ed Samec began the program eight years ago in an effort to build bonds between local officers and some of the children and families they serve. “’Shop with a Cop’ builds a bond that is essential to community policing; the program also provides much needed holiday cheer for deserving families experiencing hardship,” Chief Gregory continued. “There should be no child that feels the sense of confusion and the feeling of going without during the holiday season,” he added.
Portage County Reaches Level 4 Purple Status on Ohio Public Health Advisory System: Residents and Businesses Urged to Take Precautions
As of 12/03/2020, according to the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, Portage County is at Level 4 Status with HIGH Incidence for sustained activity related to the Indicators. Portage County has now triggered 6 out of the 7 key indicators: Indicator 1- New Cases per Capita (High Incidence 648/100k population)Indicator 2- New Cases IncreaseIndicator 3- Non-Congregate CasesIndicator 4 -ED VisitsIndicator...
A Thanksgiving to be Grateful For…Midnight Madness
Ravenna - If you went to sleep the night before Thanksgiving with dread over not getting to celebrate the holiday with family then you are not alone. I woke up with apprehension at the idea of even getting out of bed. But then my dog licked my face and I smelled coffee brewing. I remembered my husband, Aditya, had...
Mantua Celebrates Christmas in the Village
Mantua - This holiday season, shopping local is even more important, as area restaurants and businesses move forward amidst a pandemic. Local folks have appreciated the convenience of having access to small stores close to home during this strange year, appreciating that much of what they spend at local shops remains in the community. According to data gathered by...
Windham Council Meets Through Zoom
Windham - Windham Village Council voted at the recent meeting to continue to hold their meetings via Zoom until July 2021. Council has had some members with Covid-19 and village employees with it as well. The financial report was given. Taxes collected this year are $396,019.34, and expenditures for October were $207,449.35, leaving a balance of $1,857,662.04 as of...
NGCC is making a difference in our community
The number of families and individuals who live in hunger in the United States is on the rise and sadly Portage County is not exempt from this statistic. The Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard has been fortunate to have the support of our community which allows us to help our neighbors in need make ends meet. As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
On the eve of snowfall, the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary met a’la Zoom to discuss the following topics : The club is searching for Zoom speakers to enliven the meetings and, possibly, to embark upon an interview format, visiting local sponsors of the group’s activities and other local businesses and individuals. Video interviews would then be posted on the Rotary Facebook page...
The Case For Community Is Now More Than Ever
In the coming weeks, many of you will receive a letter asking you to support your community foundation. To some, the claim that the foundation is representing the community might seem like a stretch. I could begin this letter by explaining that the Portage Foundation just awarded seven grants to the community totaling $21,442 and 60 scholarships to students...
Portage Senior Center Update
Due to increased COVID-19 numbers in the area, the Portage County Senior Center will temporarily “pause” most inside activities. They will remain open, however, with mandatory pre-screening health calls, in addition to symptom checks when entering. Please call 330-297-3456 for questions, concerns, or to confirm the current schedule. Please stay tuned to current state and local updates, and when...
‘Tis The Season to Give Back to Aging Adults in Portage County
Ravenna - At a time when it may be more important than ever, Home Instead’s® seasonal favorite Be A Santa to a Senior returns stronger than ever with new options for community participation. Program coordinators evaluated the important holiday program and made adjustments with the safety of donors, seniors and volunteers in mind. With seniors in Portage County more isolated...
You Can Help Spread Holiday Cheer
While 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, the Christmas season can be especially difficult for children in foster care. That’s why Portage County Job & Family Services (PCJFS) is seeking your help in providing a memorable and magical Christmas for the 200 Portage County children currently living in foster care placements this season. Your gift...
