People

When Gary Stone was 10 years old, his mother was driving down the New York State Thruway when a flat tire caused her to pull over and tie a handkerchief around the radio antenna.

Cliff Philen was repairing transmissions in Kent before Mitch Stout was born. Now, 45 years later, both men work in the same six-bay garage — Philen as the master drivetrain specialist, Mitch as the general manager who came home after two years rebuilding Rolls-Royces in Florida.

Hiram Farm has grown leaps and bounds since it first opened back in 2009. At that time, a dedicated group of parents and professionals sought to start a program for adults on the autism spectrum and those with developmental disabilities to give them a place to be in nature while learning real-world skills.

When the Suffield Elementary School principal job opened up in 1999, Shawn Bookman was hesitant to apply. At that time, Bookman was a fifth grader teacher in the Springfield City School District with two young children.

After her retirement over 35 years ago, Angie Reedy decided to dedicate her life to volunteer service in the Ravenna area, and the community is stronger for it.

The Portage County Farm Bureau recently honored Dale Nething with its Distinguished Service Award. Dale and his son, Don, are co-owners of Maplecrest Farms on Knapp Road.

Randolph resident Cindy Laford has been bird sitting, grooming and rescuing birds for 28 years and continues to be astonished at their intellect. Recently her son visited and said, “This coffee is horrible.” Cindy replied, “Then take it back.” He responded, “Naw, I’ll just drink this foul-tasting stuff.” Maynard, a blue and gold macaw, replied, “Coward.”

At any given Special Olympics Ohio Portage County cheer practice, coach Ashleigh Lawrence and the athletes can be seen goofing around and dancing, but most of all, working hard.

Samantha Stephens paused in the lobby of Schneller, a one-of-a-kind company on Powdermill Road in Kent.

Many of you may have already heard, but we recently lost our oldest community member with the passing of Evelyn Shewell. Evelyn turned 100 years old this past August and was awarded with a proclamation from the Edinburg Ohio Historical Society. 

Tucked into the rural countryside of Rootstown is the home of Rodhe Sport, a shot put-, hammer- and discus-throwing facility, where Olympian and inventor Justin Rodhe coaches world-class throwing athletes and handcrafts training gloves used by professional athletes around the world.  

Kent’s longtime mayor, Jerry Fiala, who had served for more than a decade since his election in 2009, died Sept. 30 at the age of 82.

David Shea, executive director of Community Action Council of Portage County for 26 years, is stepping down Oct. 22. Taking the lead role is former county treasurer John Kennedy.

Pet owners sometimes face issues financially providing for their companions. Deirdre Reaves of Kent knows this problem all too well. Twelve years ago, Reaves was facing the possibility of parting with her dog, Dink. 

Ben Risney made his first chainsaw sculpture at 21, when he felled a tree in the family cow pasture and carved a bear head with the wood.

Three generations of the Campbell family competed at the Randolph Fair Sheep Shearing Contest this year.

Laurene Jae Jackson has packed a lot into her 81 years on the planet.

Portage County recently celebrated the achievements of its 4-H youth participants at the Portage County 4-H Life Skills Awards at the conclusion of judging for the Life Skills Projects in July. The awards recognize the exceptional dedication and hard work of the county’s 4-H members.