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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
Game Board is Inspiration for Shopping Local
Ravenna - Life is a game of chance. You shake the white die in your hand, kiss it for luck and give it a toss. You hear it clank against the board and peek open one eye in the hopes it is the number that you need. Sometimes you get money sometimes you lose money -- all in the...
Portage EMA Encourages Public To Review Draft County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Ravenna - The Portage County Hazard Mitigation Plan is currently being updated. It is necessary to update the plan every five years so that the county and participating communities remain eligible for pre-disaster and post-disaster mitigation grant programs.We are currently nearing the end of the plan update process and invite residents of Portage County to participate by reviewing and...
Mental Health & Drug Courts Receive Funding
The Portage County Specialized Dockets for mental health and substance use disorders each received a $30,000 grant from Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services through the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County. Specialized dockets are particular sessions of court that offer a therapeutically oriented judicial approach to providing court supervision and appropriate treatment to individuals. Certified...
Putting for a Cause
Ravenna - It was brisk and overcast on Saturday but that did not stop over 50 people from coming out to support the Main Street Ravenna fundraiser being hosted at the Birdie Shack. Having a benefit is difficult given the current social distancing procedures, but the regeneration group came up with a “putterrific” idea. In place of the annual Savory...
Trick-or-Treat Drive-Thru is a Spook-tacular Success
Ravenna - Three little voices sweetly chirped Trick-or-Treat! from the back seat holding their Halloween bags out the car window, excitedly hoping for candy to add to their growing collection. Lily, 8, dressed as Rapunzel and Sophia, 6, a dancer sang Yay! and Thank you! in unison as their tiny sister Una, 2, Princess Poppy from Trolls, dropped a...
Popular Library Puzzle Exchange is Back
Ravenna - Reed Memorial Library has brought back its monthly Puzzle Exchange, modified to fit within current pandemic restrictions. “The monthly exchange is a longstanding library event and very popular with our community,” related Alison Shelley, Children’s’ Outreach Coordinator. “Everyone has really missed the puzzle exchange since COVID-19 hit. We’ve worked hard to bring this event back safely under...
Autumn is in Season as Ravenna plans October Events
Ravenna - When all is said and done it is time to have some fun! There will be many different events happening during October that residents of Ravenna have cause to get excited over. As the foliage changes during this pleasant time of year it will be interesting to see how Ravenna’s seasonal events adapt for citizens to have...
Portage County Senior Center Slated To Re-Open In October
The Portage County Senior Center is busy prepping for a scaled back opening tentatively scheduled for some time in early October. In the meantime, the United Way of Portage County provided $1,000 to help with all of the additional opening supplies that will be needed. The seniors are anxious for some kind of opening, while also being conscious of...
United Way Kicks Off Annual Fundraising Campaign for Needed Services in Portage County
Ravenna – Each year, United Way of Portage County (UWPC) hosts a workplace campaign to collect donations from those working and living in our community, so we can provide funding to over 40 programs and services. Our 2020-2021 Campaign Kickoff event – Unite at the Drive-In - will be held on September 24, 2020 at Midway Drive-In in Ravenna!...
Functional Medicine Helps Patients Revive Health
Ravenna - “For typical doctors, functional medicine just isn’t on their radar,” Dr. Bill Blueter, a certified functional medicine practitioner, explained. “Patients are in the habit of going to the doctor every few months, where they hear their labs look great, but they return home and still feel unwell.” Once people understand that through functional medicine, our approach is...
