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Charlestown / Around Charlestown / Opinion

Around Charlestown: Up close with nature at the Charlestown Summer Festival and Cruise In

- Ruth Ann Bartholomew

Charlestown United Methodist Church invites you to attend Family Vacation Bible School Sunday Aug. 16 at 9:30 a.m. All ages will enjoy this mini VBS experience. The theme is "More Than Enough." You and your child will visit different stations where a story, craft, game, music and service project will reinforce the message that God provides for our needs and calls us to share generously with others. The morning will conclude with a complimentary lunch after which all children may visit our FREE school supply store. There is no cost, however, if you are able, please bring a non-perishable food item to help stock our CUMC Blessings Cupboard. The church is located at 6408 Rock Spring Rd. Ravenna.


If you didn't make it out to the 23rd Annual Charlestown Summer Festival and Cruise In, you missed a fun afternoon. The winner of the Grand Prize Raffle, which included a Blackstone Grill, a $150 Duma Meat gift card and grill accessories was Susan Robenstine. 

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Chief Porter in the dunk tank. Ruth Ann Bartholomew/The Portager
Several children got to hold Outback Ray's large yellow snake named Sponge Bob. Others made free make it and take it crafts. Free book bags were handed out by Charlestown United Methodist Church. The DJ kept the music playing and gave prizes to winners of hula hoop and trivia contests while Fire Chief Randy Porter was "dunked" several times by lucky throws.

The Cruise In was well attended with 46 entries. The winner of the Best of Show, and $100 courtesy of Iron Ink Tattoos, was Eric Tancak with his 1950 Mercury 8.

Other winners were: Best Original/Restored/ Chet Wiley -1967 Chevy Belair 2 door;  Most Unique/Jim Nanassy - 1923 Ford T-Bucket;  People's Choice/ Bob Adamson - 1936 Ford Pickup; Best on 2 Wheels/ James Martin 1984 Harley XLS Roadster;  Best Car 1900-1965/ Cliff Paugh - 1950 Mercury Coupe;  Best Car 1966-present/ Fred Brucker - 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner;  Best Truck1900-1965/ Larry Pennell - 1951 Chevy Truck; and Best Truck 1966-Present/ Pat Petit - 2002 Ford Lightning SVT.

The Festival, sponsored by the township Activity Committee in conjunction with the Township Trustees and the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department, is a family friendly, free and fun event.


If you have any events, news or announcements to share with the community, please contact at ruthannbartholomew@yahoo.com or text me at 330-281-3723.

Ruth Ann Bartholomew

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