Aurora

The groundbreaking ceremony for Aurora Park at Geauga Lake took place Oct. 23. The city purchased approximately 47 acres of lakefront property at the former SeaWorld site from Industrial Commercial Properties in 2024.

“It was a great event,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said of the event that drew 50 to 60 people.

Because a section of the park spills over into Bainbridge Township, the Bainbridge Trustees had to approve Aurora’s preliminary design plan for the park, which they did. Design work is underway as plans move forward for Phase 1a construction. The first phase is expected to include:

*Renovation of existing gatehouses into open-air pavilions.

*Renovation of the existing pier and pavilion.

*Installation of a kayak launch for rentals.   

*Creation of open grassy areas for gatherings with family, friends and the community.

For more information, contact Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin at 330-995-9126 or millerr@auroraoh.com.

*****

Aurora’s 19th annual Turkey Trot 5K & Mashed Potato Mile will be held Thursday, Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Day. Both the 5K and one-mile races will start in the Aurora High School parking lot at 109 W. Pioneer Trl. – the one-mile at 8 a.m. and the 5K at 8:30 a.m. For fees and to sign up, visit auroraoh.com.

*****

Tickets will go on sale Nov. 6 for “Breakfast with Santa,” which will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Bertram Inn & Conference Center at 600 N. Aurora Rd. To purchase tickets, visit auroraoh.com.

*****

Aurora’s annual Veterans Day program will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park on W. Garfield Rd.

*****

The grand-opening celebration for Homewatch CareGivers will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3 in the PNC Bank building at 251 W. Garfield Rd. #288. The ribbon cutting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Meet the team. There will be refreshments, raffles, prizes and older-adult resources. RSVP to allaboutaurora.com or 916-388-4169.

*****

The grand opening and ribbon cutting for Home Instead, an in-home senior caregiving business at 9 E. Garfield Rd., was held Oct. 9.

*****

The city’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Festival will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 at Bicentennial Park at 115 E. Pioneer Trl. The actual Christmas tree lighting is at 5 p.m.

*****

The deadline is Dec. 6 to register your home or business for Aurora’s second annual Holiday Lights Tour. To register, visit auroraoh.com. 

*****  

Aurora City Council supported granting a conditional zoning certificate to a new business, Accanto Health, for an inpatient medical facility at 700 Walden Pl., the former site of a University Hospitals medical facility.

*****

City council approved proposed compensation for the mayor and council for the years 2028-31.

Streetsboro

The Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business & Community Awards will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 at Boulder Crossing Health and Rehabilitation at 9411 State Route 43. The cost of $20 per person includes an evening of celebration, elegant hors d’oeuvres along with beer and wine service. The three awards are:

*Growth Award (Workforce Development)

Purpose: To recognize a business that grows success by investing in its people and developing the workforce of tomorrow.

• This award celebrates organizations that prioritize employee development, training and education. By helping individuals grow, these businesses strengthen their own future and enrich the Streetsboro economy.

*Enhancement Award (Chamber Bright Star)

Purpose: To honor a Chamber member who enhances the local business community through active engagement and support of the Chamber’s mission.

• This award recognizes a member who champions the Chamber’s vision by attending programs, supporting fellow businesses and helping the Chamber grow stronger. Their actions enhance the Streetsboro business environment by fostering collaboration and connection.

*Enrichment Award (Community Impact)

Purpose: To celebrate those who enrich Streetsboro by giving back through service, volunteerism and community impact.

• This award honors individuals, businesses or nonprofits whose contributions have a lasting impact on the quality of life in Streetsboro. By serving others and inspiring involvement, they enrich the heart of the community.

City of Ravenna

The Chamber’s Ravenna holiday celebration, “Midnite Madness,” will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 downtown. The event will include the Balloon A-Fair Light Up Parade, Santa & Mrs. Claus, a Christmas tree lighting, a sleigh/hay ride, an elf workshop, holiday vendors and much more! For information on sponsorships, vendors and food trucks, visit ravennaareachamber.com or email ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.

*****

The Chamber’s 10th Annual Holiday Raffle will be Friday, Nov. 28. There will be more than $2,000 in prizes, including a one-night stay at Mountaineer Casino, a Nintendo Switch 2 and a Kitchen Deep Cleaning/Gift Certificate. Winners will be randomly drawn and announced virtually through Facebook Live. Tickets cost $5 ($25 for six) and are on sale at ravennaareachamber.com or in person at the following locations:

*Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce

*Books a Go Go

*Sandi’s Creative Corner

*Print & Sign Express

*Bean and the Baker

*Guido’s

*Hometown Bank

*Horseshoe Diner

*Jonathan Floyd

For more information, visit ravennaareachamber.com.

*****

The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce’s Coffee Talk is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Horseshoe Diner at 250 W. Main St. The next Coffee Talk is Nov. 12. To register, email ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.

Ravenna Township

Ravenna Township’s road projects have been completed for the year. More than 4½ miles of roads were chip-and-sealed and striped, and more than 15 miles of roads were crack-sealed.

*****

Plans are proceeding nicely with the gas station/convenient mart/car wash that will be located on state Route 59 across from Walmart.

“They’re going to go over safety plans with the fire chief,” township Chair Vince Coia said.

*****

Ravenna Township and the City of Ravenna are still working to iron out a JEDD agreement.

*****

The Red Cross will have a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 in the township’s public meeting room at 6115 S. Spring St.

*****

The township’s Trunk-or-Treat was Oct. 29 at Ravenna Township Hall.

“We had about 20 trunks,” Coia said. “Despite the weather being threatening, we still had a good turnout.”

Shalersville

A letter from the Portage County Treasurer highlighted delinquent land in Shalersville’s Bolingbrook allotment. After review, the land is deemed unusable for township purposes, though an adjoining lot owner may find a use for it.

*****

The Shalersville Township Trustees are working with State Representative Heidi Workman and Portage County Regional Planning about getting a grant to pave Shalersville Park’s football field parking lot.

*****

The township road crew supervisor, Dean Englehart, gave his two-week notice. Lloyd Harper was promoted to replace him.

*****

Rich McIntyre is retiring from Crestwood Youth Football and Cheers (CYF&C). Robert “Bob” Brannen will be stepping in as his replacement. CYF&C generously donated $400 to Shalersville Township and will be removing the hot water heater as part of its winterization process.

*****

The Christmas Potluck Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Shalersville Historical Society at 4122 Twinsburg Warren Rd. All are welcome to join in the holiday cheer.