Independence of Portage County Opens New Facility
Ravenna - We all want to feel respected and valued for who we are as individuals and what we have to offer society. Those with intellectual disabilities are no exception and the new center built and opened on June 24th by the Independence of Portage County, Inc. is specially equipped to help its clients reach their full potential. “We are...
Windham Village Council News
Windham - Windham Village Council met for their regularly scheduled remote Zoom meeting. Anyone interested in attending, contacted the fiscal officer prior to the meeting so she could send out an invitation link to join the meeting. The meeting was called to order with all but one council member in attendance at the meeting’s start. The one council member who...
Garfield Grad Earns Two Awards While Completing Marine Boot Camp
A Garrettsville, OH native who excelled in track & field at James A. Garfield High School has translated her skills to rare achievement in her military service. US Marine Corps Private First-Class Mariah Vazquez recently scored the highest in Physical Fitness and Combat Fitness of her company. PFC Vazquez scored 600 out of 600 points, surpassing 161 men and...
Mantua Village News
Mantua - At their last meeting, council met virtually with the two candidates who expressed interest in filling the open seat vacated by David Sluka. Members of Council had the opportunity to pose questions to the two residents, Tammy Meyer and Wes Collins, before convening in executive session to vote on the appointment. Tammy Meyer, who desires to serve...
PCDL on November 3 Ballot- Issue #31
Portage County District Library (PCDL) will be appearing on the November 3, 2020 ballot as Issue #31. The Library is asking for a 1-Mill, 10-year property tax levy to supplement its operating budget. At present, PCDL is one of the only systems in the area that relies solely on state funding. Because it does not currently receive any money...
2020 – 2021 Bus Routes – James A Garfield Local School District
Editor's Note: The bus routes are provided by the school for publication. Please DO NOT call the Villager to complain about them. Bus 1 - Dreama AdkinsHigh School / Middle SchoolSTREET TIMESouthwood Apts 7:05Creekwood Apts 7:06South St 7:08Clover Lane 7:10Meadow Run 7:15North St 7:20Village Dr 7:25Vanderslice 7:26South St 7:30 Elementary SchoolSTREET TIMESouthwood Apts 8:00Creekwood Apts 8:02Clover Lane 8:06Meadow Run 8:10North St...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - Items sent to parents over the last few weeks: Crestwood has contracted with Akron Children’s’ Hospital for nursing services for school clinics. Together with ACH, they’ve developed protocols for students and families during the pandemic. First and foremost, they are asking parents and staff to complete a daily health check each morning before coming to school or sending...
Garrett’s Mill & Brewing Co. Gives Presentation at G-H Rotary Meeting
Shelli Buchanan was the presenter of information at the August 31, 2020 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club, via Zoom. She described the ongoing relationship with the folks from Restaurant Impossible who had come to Garrett’s Mill & Brewing Company earlier to assist in the reorganization and renovation which has brought the establishment to its current operating success. There have...
Hometown Church Explores Online Outreach and Rises to New Challenges
Ravenna - In every community across America there are small hometown churches representing a community of love and support for those in need of God’s word. You put on your Sunday best, shake the preacher’s hand, and take your seat at the pew to hear the morning message. Perhaps you go home and prepare a family dinner, as is...
Hiram Village News
Hiram - At their last meeting, Council unanimously passed Resolution 2020-21, by which they declared racism to be a public health crisis. As stated in the resolution, Council agreed that the principals of diversity, equality, and inclusion are central to a healthy community. Several guests joined the online meeting to comment in support of this measure, including Hiram College...
Hiram College Board of Trustees announces Dr. David Haney as interim president
The Hiram College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of David P. Haney, Ph.D., an established higher education leader, as interim president, effective September 1, 2020. Dr. Haney comes to Hiram College after serving two years as the President of Centenary University, a private liberal arts university in Hackettstown, New Jersey. Prior to his presidency at Centenary,...
Portage County Girl Scout Earns the Girl Scout Gold Award
Elizabeth Morisak, a Streetsboro resident and senior at Bio-Med Science Academy has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Elizabeth has been a girl scout for 11 years. During her time as a Girl Scout she has earned the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. The Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. For a girl to...
Starting a Year Like No Other
The start of a normal school year involves weeks of planning, teams of staff and countless people working behind the scenes to make opening day perfect for our kids. This year, however, has tested the best of us. Teams of employees have been working around the clock to ensure the safest environment for our students, staff and families.As we...
Dixie’s Diner is a Mainstay in Windham
Many say Dixie’s Diner is like going home after a long, extended absence. A family diner, owned by Ashley and John Eisenbarth is located in the old Sparkle Plaza. The day to day operations falls on Ashley’s shoulders, so she named the Diner after her Grandmother Dixie. Dixie is not only an important person in Ashley’s life, she is...
Be A Sidewalk Chalk Artist!
Ravenna’s 4th Annual Chalk Fest will take place on Saturday, September 12th (Sept 13th rain date) from noon- 3pm. The sidewalks of downtown Ravenna will become a colorful canvas created by artists. Painters of ALL ages will be working to create their incredible works of art. Bring your family and friends to create art in the company of others while...
Hiram Township Trustee News
Hiram Twp. - At a recent meeting, township trustees approved a Resolution placing a Road and Bridge 3 Mill Replacement Levy on the November 3, 2020 ballot. It was noted that voters must be registered by October 5th in order to vote in this election. If residents plan to cast their votes by mail, they must request an absentee ballot...
Sidewalk Chalkers Inspire Hope with Messages
Since March we have all struggled, and unfortunately, some have felt the effects of the pandemic more significantly than others. “We are All in this Together” is a phrase that resonates and is meant to encourage comradery. But this is a Catch-22, because how can we support one another if have to social distance for safety? Brandi Smallwood and...
Tips for Parents with Back-to-School Uncertainty
BE A ROLE MODEL Children feel our energy about topics so parents, how is your energy? If you are anxious, they will pick up on your anxious energy. If you are calm, they will take on that calm energy.Model healthy lifestyle choices for coping with stress such as eating healthy, getting in daily physical activity, getting plenty of sleep, and...
The Bill White Charity Bowling Tournament Donates to United Way of Portage County and Miller Community House
Kent - As a local entrepreneur and bowling champion, Bill White has worked in and owned many of the bowling alleys of Portage County over the years, including Twin Star of Kent (now known as Spins Bowl) and SkyLanes Bowling in Garrettsville. White hosted his 91st birthday in combination with a charity tournament at Skylanes this past February. The...
Children’s Advantage Opens New Facility
Ravenna – Children’s Advantage formally opened their Family Center on 5968 New Milford Rd. Ravenna on August 7th.The Family Center cost around $600,000 to acquire and renovate and was paid for with help from a $367,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and $125,000 from the Portage County Mental Health and Recovery Board. The...
Corn Maze Opens Early at Derthicks
Mantua - While Derthicks Corn Maze has been in operation for 15 years, many folks have made a tradition of visiting from near and far. This year, the Derthick family is delighted to once again invite visitors to the farm -- something they weren’t sure would happen due to Covid-19. “Being cooped up is no fun,” MaryEllen Derthick Hamlin...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At their last meeting, Superintendent David Toth showed a plexi-glass tri-fold, sharing that every student and teacher desk within the district would be equipped with one at the start of school. In addition, thanks to hard work by teachers and custodians, every classroom has been set up to ensure 6-feet space around desks in each classroom. Classrooms...
Garrettsville’s South Street Water Main Project Gains Momentum at Council Meeting
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on August 12th 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, however the meeting...
JAG Historical Society Cancels the 2020 Christmas Walk
Garrettsville - With the uncertainty of the destination of the Covid-19 pandemic, the James A Garfield Historical Society has reluctantly decided to cancel this years’ Christmas Walk. This would have been the Society’s 20th Walk. The slogan was to be “We Celebrate Our 20th in 2020”. Now the twentieth celebration will be postponed until the year 2022. (“We Celebrate Our...
Garrettsville Gangsters Are Hot Stove Class EE State Champs
Congratulations Garrettsville Gangsters the 2020 Class EE State Champions.Kneeling from left to right: Jacob Baczkowski, Ryan Stoller, Ethan Cmunt, Elijah Hatfield, Lenny Veccia, Coach Mike Paes.Standing from left to right: Coach John Demma, Coach Howie Moore, Anthony Demma, Aaron Craver, Brody Swigonski, Noah Eggert, Jake Britton, Kaiden Spade, Joseph Perrine, Scotty Hatfield, Coach Randy Ward.
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Just dying to get in? The Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club met on August 10, 2020 at the Old Baptist Cemetery on Maple Ave. in Garrettsville, as Tim Foor of Hallowed Ground Cemetery Preservation presented a Zoomed program about this historic location and the work he is doing there. Much of the neglect found in cemeteries everywhere is rooted in budgetary concerns...
Windham Township Approves Tentative 2021 Budget
Windham Twp. - The most recent Windham Township Trustees meeting was held outdoors with social distancing practices in play. The trustees first approved the tentative 2021 budget. A discussion was held on the particulars of the budget. The trustees did a 3% increase across the board, with the exception of healthcare. The trustees believe there will be a significant...
Forage + Feather in Mantua Now Open
Mantua - The waiting is over -- Forage + Feather Artisan Marketplace opened it’s doors on Wednesday, August 12th at the historic Mantua Grain building (4690 East Prospect). “We are SO EXCITED to open!” marveled shop co-owner Hedy Laverdiere. The shop features natural bath and body products from Laverdiere’s 3 Bees in a Hive company, as well as Blah to...
Giving it Our All helps Ravenna Businesses “Rise Up!”
Ravenna - Ryann Kuchenbecker, Executive Director for the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce took it to heart when she got phone calls from distressed business owners during the pandemic shutdown. Their financial livelihoods were being traumatically impacted, which in turn was a great disruption of the economic development of Ravenna, where in just the last five years many new...
Portage Development Board Distributes PPE Toolkits to Portage County Small Businesses
Ravenna - The Portage Development Board is assisting in the final distribution of the PPE Safety Toolkits, donated by JobsOhio, to our local small businesses! The donations will provide businesses of 100 employees or fewer the much-needed PPE in order to continue to operate within the state’s safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPE Safety Toolkits contain 100...
