Ravenna’s Loaves and Fishes
Ravenna - Ravenna is on the rise! This lovely town of roughly 12,000 is home to unique businesses, unique history and a caring community. The Loaves and Fishes outreach program is an example of the care that is evident in Ravenna. Loaves and Fishes is a program aimed at food-insecure people in the area, all are welcome to participate. This...
Community Resource Connect Event
Ravenna - On Friday, July 30, 2021, Portage County Housing Services Council is proud to present its second Community Resource Connect event. The event planning is a collaboration of staff from numerous agencies such as Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority, United Way of Portage County, Coleman Professional Services, The Haven of Portage County, Portage County Job & Family Services, PARTA,...
5th Annual Art on Main is Scheduled for August 7 in downtown Ravenna!
Ravenna - Ravenna Creates... Art on Main! is scheduled for Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 11am-7pm on Main Street in beautiful, historic downtown Ravenna! Typically held in June every year, Art on Main was rescheduled this year due to the pandemic. “We didn’t want to wait another year to bring people downtown to enjoy art, wine and fun” said Brian Hare,...
The Portage County Literacy Coalition and Aspire Receives Grant
The Portage County Literacy Coalition received a grant from the Portage Foundation for the Maplewood Career Center Aspire Program. The amount of the grant is $3,500 dollars. The grant from the Portage Foundation will be used for adult students in the Aspire Program to work towards their GED/HSE while working on a certification in the area of retail/customer service...
Straw Bale Gardening in Ravenna
Ravenna - Please mark your calendar and join us LIVE and in person at SWCD, 6970 State Route 88 Ravenna, Ohio, on Saturday morning, June 19th from 9:30 to 11:00. What is Straw Bale Gardening? Straw bales can be used like raised beds in the yard so that no additional soil is needed. That’s good news for older...
Portage County Senior Center & Park District Team Up For Senior Turtle Hikes
The Portage County Senior Center, in coordination with The Portage Park District, would like to invite all seniors to join them for a fun opportunity to socialize with friends and get a little exercise, all the while enjoying the beauty of what our parks have to offer. Jennifer and Becca from the Portage Park District will lead the group...
Magnolia Market Takes Root In Ravenna
Ravenna - If you have heard the buzz around town, there is a new event series in the making. Magnolia Market is a startup bi-weekly market that has a mission. The brain child of Pastor Norma from First United Methodist Church of Ravenna (FUMCR), and parishioners Kim Schwab and daughter Fallon Schwab-Davis, this looks to be a family fun-filled...
Red Cross In Need Of Blood Donations
As the nation transitions to a new, hopeful phase of this devastating pandemic and people resume some of their normal activities, the American Red Cross needs your help to avoid a summer donation slump.Individuals of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now to give blood, and in most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine...
Finding Forever Homes: Ravenna Sanctuary uses Facebook to Help Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Re-home Farm Animals
Ravenna – When considering adopting a new pet from a local shelter, many limit their search to dogs, cats, and other traditionally domestic animals. However, with National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30th, Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary points out that these are not the only animals in need of our help and affection. In 2020 alone, Happy...
The Portage County Literacy Coalition and Aspire Receives Grant from the Kent Rotary Foundation
The Portage County Literacy Coalition received a grant from the Kent Rotary Foundation for the Maplewood Career Center Aspire Program. The amount of the grant is $2,000 dollars. The grant from the Kent Rotary Foundation will be used for adult students in the Aspire Program to work towards their GED/HSE while working on a certification in the area of...
Portage County Senior Center News
The 2021 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutritional Program planning is in full swing. The Portage County Senior Center is once again the distributor for this voucher program that awards $50 worth of coupons to lower income Portage seniors aged 60 and up to use for purchase of fresh locally-grown fruits and veggies. Seniors who participated last year may have already...
Ravenna Lions Collecting Plastics
Ravenna - The Ravenna Lions are joining the challenge to help dispose of some of the common plastics that enter your house but aren’t acceptable for traditional curbside recycling…It’s the TREX Recycling Program - The aim is to divert certain kinds of plastics from landfills and turn them into sturdy wood alternative products. The Ravenna Lions will be hosting a...
The Main Street Ravenna Virtual Winter Writing Festival Was A Hit!
The Main Street Ravenna “Virtual” Winter Writing Festival was a great way to spend a few hours each Saturday in February learning about writing short stories, poems, and children’s books. Main Street Ravenna would like to thank our presenters who joined us virtually this year! Holding the event virtually worked out well and each workshop was well-attended! We had attendees...
Ravenna’s Easter Drive Thru is Egg-cellent!
Ravenna - “Fluffy Bunny ears!” said 4-year-old McKenna McQuiston, with joy, as she got to meet the Easter Bunny and get a bag full of eggs and treats on Saturday morning at Ravenna City Park. Around 300 children were pre-registered for the event and it seemed they were all excited to celebrate the Spring holiday on such a beautiful...
Ravenna Chamber Seeking Honorary Way Nominations
The Ravenna Area Chamber of commerce is seeking nominations for the Honoray Way. Honorary Way is a means to publicly and temporarily honor distinguished citizens and good Samaritans for their achievements by ceremonially naming the street after them. The Honorary Way bench and street sign can be found at the corner of S. Park Way and W. Main St. –...
Tree Roots Fail, but Community Ties Stand Tall
Weather and life are common themes. The end of Winter paves the way for Spring, a season of rebirth. But March 2021 it seems will not “go gentle into that good night.” With only a few days left in March you may be wondering where is the Lamb? Because Ravenna and I (personally) have experienced the bite of the...
Portage County Celebrates Ohio 4-H Week
Since 1902, youth in Ohio 4-H clubs have followed the motto to “Make the Best Better” and Portage County Commissioners recognized the impact of 4-H by proclaiming March 7-13, Ohio 4-H Week. In Portage County, more than 1,000 youth participated in 4-H in 38 community clubs and a variety of statewide Special Interest Clubs (SPIN Clubs) in 2020. “We had...
NOSH Around Ravenna
NOSH: a verb, meaning: to eat enthusiastically! Are you hungry yet? Spring is almost here and our restaurants need our support now more than ever. Main Street Ravenna is working to keep feet on the ground downtown with the “Nosh Around Ravenna” program. Presented by Portage Community Bank, Nosh Around Ravenna is a unique and fun way to visit participating...
Portage Foundation Accepting Grants And Scholarship Applications
The Portage Foundation will begin accepting grant and scholarship applications now through April 16, 2021. On-line applications for grants and scholarships are available at: https://portagefoundation.org/grants-and-scholarships/. “We are thrilled with the individuals that established endowed grant funds and scholarships at the Portage Foundation” says Debbie Smeiles, president. “Because of their support, we are able to provide approximately $40,000 in spring grant...
Marching to the Beat of Community Need
Ravenna - On my drive home from running errands, I was thinking about what I would have for dinner. Leftovers. Would I throw something in the microwave? Would I cook a gourmet meal fit for a Queen? (If my feet weren’t too tired.) This is what people do on a regular basis plan what they’re going to have for...
Thank You From The Portage County Senior Center
Dear Portage County 4H members, and friends of the community, I cannot express enough the happiness you have brought to our Portage County Seniors during our recent “Valentine’s/Birthday” drive-thru event. With the help of Portage County Extension 4H coordinator Ashley Hughey, you all really made a difference in the lives of our seniors. It’s no secret that the senior population...
Home Instead In Search of Caregivers
Ravenna - At Home Instead, we believe that being a caregiver is the most special gift you can give to another. Aging seniors want to remain as independent as possible, yet their loved ones worry about their safety, emotional well - being and health. As a Home Instead CAREGiver - You will be able to not only help care...
Experience of Life Creates a Novel
Life. It is such a fragile thing and such a beautiful gift. Many people become parents not knowing what to expect and hoping the best for their children. Happiness, health, and that they know they are loved is what they pray for, but we never know which turn the road will take. In the case of the Furness family,...
Reed Memorial Library Open for Browsing
Ravenna - The Reed Memorial Library Board of Trustees recently voted to broaden access to library services, no longer requiring an appointment and making materials directly accessible once again. “We are going back to the “grab-and-go library model we adopted in June,” explained Library Director, Brian C. Hare. Library patrons are asked to keep their visits brief. Meeting rooms, study...
Portage County Administration Building Reopens; Treasurer’s Office Remains Closed
Ravenna – Portage County Commissioners reopened the County Administration Building to the public beginning Jan. 25, 2021 from 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. Offices under the direction of the Commissioners were advised to bring back staffing from when the COVID-19 pandemic moved operations remotely. Board of Commissioners President Sabrina Christian-Bennett advised citizens with business at county offices to...
Portage CIT Officers of 2020
The Mental Health & Recovery Board is proud to announce the 2020 Crisis Intervention Team Officers of the Year awarded by the Portage County Police Chief’s Association: Officer Josh Bartholomew, Streetsboro PD; Officer Matthew Butcher, Kent City PD; Officer Scott Krieger, Ravenna PD. The officers were recognized for practicing the communication and de-escalation techniques they learned during their CIT training...
2021 Sportmen’s Dinner benefits Haven of Portage County
The ninth annual Sportsmen’s Dinner will be held Jan. 30 at Portage Community Chapel, 6490 S.R. 14, Ravenna. This year’s event will be a hybrid event—both an in-person and virtual experience. We want everyone to experience the event in a way that works best for them. This event, for anyone who loves the outdoors, is an evening full fun with...
Portage United Way Accepting Grant Applications for Income Focused Programs
Ravenna - United Way of Portage County (UWPC) invests funds raised during its annual campaign through a volunteer led review and recommendation process. Grant Review Volunteers engage in a process that matches community needs with evidence based best practices and program interventions. Volunteers review applications and make COVID-19 compliant site visits. They meet to select the most effective programs...
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...
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...
