- Op-Ed Contributor. “I cannot stress how frustrated people are with this topic,” Ohio Farm Bureau vice president Jack Irwin told Cleveland.com. Truer words on the topic of data centers have not been spoken and it has become the rare issue that seems to be uniting the left and the right.
- Sally Kelly. July is here, and so is the heat. Do not forget to contact the Portage County Community Action Council to schedule an appointment to see if you qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program. This program does not only provide assistance to help pay heating bills but also has money available for the cost of air conditioning.
- Sandy Engle. Due to a desire to increase focusing, and social interaction skills, this fall all students and staff at Waterloo School District will be undergoing a 'Digital Diet.'
- Simon Varner. If you’ve been keeping up with the column, you will know that my wife Jill and I have been expecting our first child. Well, the wait is over! Early in the morning on March 22, our baby boy was delivered happy, healthy and loud. Really, you should have seen the sunrise peaking into the room as it happened; it was beautiful.
- Shirley Mars. There were days when we all wondered if summer would ever come. Well, it came. Summer is in full swing, and my advice…wear sunscreen! Some may remember that “song” from the late 1990s written by a man named Baz Luhrmann [yes, the director] entitled “Wear Sunscreen.”
- Master Gardener Volunteers. Weeds are "plants in the wrong place," but they can provide immense benefits to your garden's health, local wildlife, and even your kitchen. While aggressive invaders still require management, many common weeds actively work to improve your soil, feed essential pollinators, and offer medicinal or nutritional value.
- Tom Hardesty. Retirement was always something that happened to other people. When I was growing up, I would hear my mom and dad talking about how so-and-so at work was going to retire.
- Mike D. Ah, that wonderful warm weather that we have all been waiting for is finally here in Northeast Ohio. Along with baseball, cookouts, camping trips, and swimming holes, it brings with it the classic outdoor music season.
- Laura Nethken. As with every year, Dave and I were eagerly anticipating the start of the camping season. Maybe even a little more this year. We have a new-to-us camper and a new-to-us campground and we really just want to get settled in and relax. We won't be seeing our usual summer friends every weekend anymore, but we are looking forward to making new friends on our new adventure.
- Kathy Baker. Our nation, as you cannot help but know, is in the midst of celebrating the anniversary of its founding, which was 250 years ago. We’ve been seeing reminders of this milestone everywhere: Red, white and blue signs, decorations and streamers.
- Cathy Klein. The Edinburg Historical Society, Edinburg Parks and Recreation Committee, and the Edinburg Township Trustees will host an Old Fashioned Fourth of July Ice Cream Social at Edinburg Town Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4.
- Master Gardener Volunteers. Pollinators such as birds, bees, butterflies, and some small mammals help produce about one out of every three bites of food we eat. By helping plants reproduce, they also support ecosystems and many of the natural resources people depend on.
- Nicole Sweet. Summer is here, Bomber Country. School is out, and the weather is so much warmer – we welcome June with open arms! Barbecues, bonfires and summer fun. Here are some exciting events and important information coming up in our little town.
- Letter to the editor. In yesterday’s paper I read that my church, United Church of Christ, has been eliminated from the Pentagon’s list of approved faith denominations in what seems to be their latest attempt to control the religious freedom of our military.
- Mary Louise Ruehr. Once in a while I like to escape into Amish romance. It’s comforting, it’s clean and wholesome, and there’s almost always a happy ending.
- Sandy Engle. Sixty senior citizens walked 7 to 12 miles a day with the Great Ohio Climate March to bring greater awareness of the dangers of horizontal shale drilling on public lands and mega data centers.
- Mike D. If you own a venue and want live performances included in this roundup, please email me at miked@theportager.com. I’ll want to know who you have booked, the date, time, and any costs or restrictions. If you know of a venue that provides live music, please contact me and I’ll take it from there.
- Jackie Loreta-Rinearson. The Garrettsville Curtains up Theatre is proud to announce that the cast of “Pride & Prejudice” is in rehearsals. The show runs Aug. 1, 2, 7 and 8. Thank you to the sponsors: Ryser Insurance, Middlefield Carter Lumber and Jeff Rinearson Health Insurance.