The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting celebration at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 for the completed Facade on Main Street in Mantua.
Archive
Round Two: Rockin’ and rollin’ in Kent, plus a tribute to Paul Murphy
I recently finished reading Chas Madonio’s book “Bars, Bands, and Rock ‘n Roll: The Golden Era in Kent, Ohio,” which was published by Kent Historical Society Press in 2022. Like I said awhile back, I had a stack of books to get through, so I got to Chas’ eyewitness account of the wild Kent bar scene in the 1960s and ’70s a little late.
Around Windham: Fall is the new New Year
Hello Windham Family! Post-Labor Day in Bomber Country always seems to be a turning point or symbolic start of a new year. September has a back-to-school/new year vibe that is hard for me to ignore. Author Gretchen Rubin first remarked that “September is the other January” in her book “Happier at Home.” Gretchen noted that “Each year, Labor Day was a milestone that provoked self-evaluation and reflection.”
Grant helps Bent Tree Coffee install high-end crane
Bent Tree Coffee Roasters in Kent recently installed a new overhead crane system at its roastery with help from a $25,000 grant from JobsOhio and Team NEO. The project cost $30,000 in total.
Around Edinburg: Celebrating Ravenna’s new book store
On Aug. 30, I celebrated the Grand Opening of my bookstore in Ravenna, Books a Go Go. I could not have dreamed of a better day and cannot thank the members of the community enough for coming out to show their support. Thank you as well to the Main Street Ravenna organization and the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce for putting together a great Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Documenters: Mantua Village Council meeting for Sept. 16, 2025
The first order of business of the council was to hear a report from Tia Rutledge from Portage County Water Resources. She provided an update on the current project in the village to replace the water mains.
Davey’s SEED campus to take training to new heights
Davey Tree’s new SEED (Science, Employee Education and Development) Campus has left no leaf unturned in its quest to turn the old Oak Knolls Golf Course and the Franklin Elementary School grounds into a high-tech facility dedicated to research, personnel training and the innovative development of tree and plant care.
Around Charlestown: Residents walk a mile for vets and Charlestown gets ready for fall
Charlestown residents recently participated in the “One Mile for the 22” walk. Spearheaded by Portage County Auditor Matt Kelly, the event is a one-mile walk intended to draw attention to the heartbreaking statistic that every day in the U.S. there are 22 veterans who lose their life to suicide.
Registration to open for Live Wreath Workshop events soon
September is early to be thinking about the winter holiday season, but now’s the time to sign up for Carrie Paulus’ unique Live Wreath Workshops.
Op-ed: A shared journey of hope and renewal
September is National Recovery Month and a time to honor those in recovery from addiction and the skilled, compassionate professionals who support them in their journeys.
Davey Tree’s new campus home to a variety of research opportunities
Now, 145 years later, Davey Tree continues to honor that virtue with the addition of its impressive 200-acre, solar-powered SEED (Science, Employee Education and Development) Campus at 6700 OH-43 in Kent, right across the street from Davey Tree’s headquarters.
County roundup: Updates from work in Brimfield, plus news from Atwater, Mogadore and Suffield
New “Welcome to Atwater” signs were constructed and installed on state Route 183 in the township by Eagle Scout candidate Jacob Simonetti. Boxed and Branded, owned by Joseph Simonetti, Jacob’s brother, donated landscape timbers used for the project.
One for the Books: A little bit gothic
Do you like dark stories? Maybe a bit scary, a little paranormal? Or maybe with just a bit of magic? Try these novels.
Rooted Ramblings: Fall chores
By Michelle Smith, Portage County Master Gardener Volunteer Fall is often a bittersweet time for gardeners. As we enjoy the cooling weather and beautiful color of the autumn leaves, we lament the fact that we will soon be away from our gardens. On the other hand, the end of season also frees us from back-breaking labor and hours of weeding under the hot sun. Like they say, it’s complicated. What shouldn’t be complicated, though, are your fall chores. As we […]
Cocoon Makers looking for new home
After more than 13 years as an organization, the Cocoon Makers are looking for a new home. The Cocoon Makers were started by two women, Linda Hall and Marilyn Pol, who had a shared concern for homeless members of their community. The group began making what it called cocoons, or quilted bedrolls for homeless individuals, but now makes a variety of projects for different organizations. Hall has since passed and Pol has retired from the group, but the Cocoon Makers […]
Around Garrettsville: Fall Festival and Oktoberfest join forces
The Garrettsville Fall Fest merged into the Garrettsville Oktoberfest, and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 it will be held in downtown Garrettsville. There will be accordion music from noon until 2 p.m., with local restaurants serving up some traditional Oktoberfest foods such as Oktoberfest beer, kielbasa sandwiches, hasenpfeffer with potatoes, schnitzel, kraut balls and pretzels at Garrett’s Mill, with Slim & Jumbo’s offering wurst platters and schnitzel. The Eagles Club will offer wurst, cabbage and potato pancake […]