Fifty years ago in 1974, Mark Horsnell of Christchurch, New Zealand, came to Ravenna as an AFS (foreign exchange student). His host family was the Sam and Ruth DiPaola family. He attended Ravenna High School as a senior with his host sister, Maria DiPaola. While at Ravenna, the football team won the Metro League, he lived through a large snowfall (something he never saw in New Zealand), attended the prom, was on the debate team and visited Quebec, Canada, as a member of the French Club.
When he returned home to New Zealand, he went to the university in Christchurch for one year. He then received a scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education to complete a five-year course of study at Japan University in Tokyo.
After graduation, he began his career in 1982 working at Barclays Bank in Tokyo. In 1984, he got a position with the New Zealand Dairy Board in Tokyo before transferring to the one in New Zealand. After a time in Wellington, New Zealand, he started his own business as a beekeeper, extracting honey, working with pollination and selling bees. He sold the business and retired in 2015, spending his time traveling the world.
He has returned to Ravenna many times, and his host sister, Maria, and her husband, Greg, have been to New Zealand to visit Mark. He came to Ravenna in August of this year to visit for two months, and the DiPaolas enjoy his visits.
The Ravenna Kiwanis is hosting a jewelry bingo fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Grace Episcopal Church at 250 W. Cedar Ave. in Ravenna. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature games, baskets, 50/50 raffles, refreshments and jewelry, and the event benefits the service projects and scholarships of the Kiwanis Club of Ravenna. The $10 entry includes two boards. Tickets, courtesy of Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home, are available at Eric Schlaubach State Farm, located at 323 E. Main St. in Ravenna, or from any Kiwanis member. The event is open to the public.
Immaculate Conception Parish Hall will host its monthly spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at the hall, located at 251 W. Spruce Ave. in Ravenna. It’s such a deal for $12 at the door. Dinners include spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread and butter, drink and dessert. Dine in or take out. They accept cash, checks or credit cards, and the dinners are open to the public.
The Auxiliary of University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna is sponsoring its annual Craft Show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 on the first floor of the hospital at 6847 N. Chestnut St. Parking is free, and the public is invited. There will be 42 tables to browse and buy from.
Any questions, contact Pat Wilcox at 330-297-7971 or Jane Minard at 330-296-4568.
The Portage County Gardeners’ Fall Craft Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Gardeners’ Center, located at 5154 S. Prospect St. in Rootstown. In addition to the wares and handmade goods of local crafters and vendors, there will also be a special drawing, door prizes, lunch, raffle and bake sale. Cash and checks only, and the event is open to the public.
The Salvation Army will hold its annual “Kettle Kickoff” on Thursday, Nov. 7. Site to be announced. Watch this column for more information. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m.
They are hoping for a successful bell-ringing season this year with bell ringers and donations. More to follow.
The Haven of Portage County has a new name. As of Sept. 16, it became known as Shepherd’s House. More than a shelter, the new name captures the heart of who they are and the work they do.
On Nov. 15, they will be doing a fundraiser called “Dueling Pianos” at the Immaculate Conception Parish Hall in Ravenna. Read my column for further information.
The Auxiliary of the University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna will host its 37th annual Celebration of Lights on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the UH Portage Medical Arts Building, Room 150, located at 6847 N. Chestnut St. in Ravenna.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with music of the season by a local school choir and a 20-minute Reflection Program at 7 p.m., followed by a candle processional walk and reception with refreshments in the hospital main lobby.
For recognition opportunities such as the Walk of Trees, Keepsake Angels and Light a Light, contact committee co-chair Angie Reedy at 330-297-7228. Celebration of Lights is the Auxiliary’s largest fundraising event, directly supporting its efforts to improve patient care and services at the facility.
Call Angie Reedy at 330-297-7228 with your Ravenna news.
