Village of Hiram

As part of a Village of Hiram Downtown Revitalization project, Hiram College students are leading a poster contest within the Crestwood and Garfield school districts. In the contest, which runs through the end of this month, the schoolchildren are creating their vision for Hiram’s downtown. The entries will be displayed on the Hiram campus at the beginning of March.

There is a panel of judges for each division in which there is an elementary school, a middle school and a high school in both the Crestwood and Garfield school districts. First-place prizes of $100 and second- and third-place basket prizes will be awarded at each of the six schools. Plus, there will be family fun prizes for everyone.

“It’s a really good opportunity for youth in our community to get a vision of what’s important in a downtown, what’s important in a place that we gather in,” Mayor Anne Haynam said. “These will be original artwork from our next generation, and we’re really excited to have them participate. This is a great collaboration with Hiram College and Hiram College students working on this.”

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The Hiram Police Department is again teaming up with the Mantua Police Department to put on their annual pancake breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at the Kennedy Center on the Hiram College campus. The all-you-can-eat menu includes sides and drinks. Donations will be accepted, which will go to the “Shop with a Cop” charity.

“It’s a great chance for Mantua folks to come out and meet their new officers,” Haynam said.

Alongside the pancake breakfast will be a Community Activities Fair in which local groups and those interested in forming a club can connect with others with similar interests.

“It’s a community-building event,” Haynam said. “Group leaders will be at tables, and folks can come in and learn about what other types of groups are in the village, groups like the Rotary Club and the historical society … it could be the knitting club. It’s a wide range of groups, a way to get people connected with each other.”

For more information, email Haynam at mayor@hiramvlgohio.gov.      

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Hiram College is downsizing by putting four of its properties in the village’s business district up for sale.

Said Haynam, “We’re really excited about the opportunity to attract some new businesses to the village.” 

Mantua Township

The Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation Reverse Raffle Fundraiser will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at Corners Catering & Event Center at 11845 State Route 44 in Mantua Township. Support the DMRC’s fundraising efforts with an evening of fun and food and the chance to win prizes and big money! The fee is $120 per couple. Purchase tickets at Jake’s Eats, Advanced Rehab, and Crooked River Flowers, Gifts, & More.

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This month’s fundraising dinner for the Mantua Restoration Society will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 13 in the Mantua Center School Gym at 11741 Mantua Center Rd. Dine-in or carry-out.

No charge, but donations are accepted. Please consider giving what you’d pay for a comparable meal at a restaurant plus tip. A variety of entrées are provided, including one supplied each month from Main Street on the River, as well as several salads and a variety of desserts – including homemade pies. All food is home-cooked and donated by MaRSI members – from soups to casseroles to cornbread to salads and desserts. Light piano music will be provided by Steve Stork. Note: This is not a free community meal but rather a fundraiser for the restoration society to help provide funds for the restoration and upkeep of Mantua Center’s historic buildings and sites. For more information, contact Susan Pollard at 330-586-8337.  

Village of Mantua

Do you want to help improve the Mantua community? Then the Mantua Rotary Club might be the place for you! The Rotary Club sponsors Safety Town at Crestwood Schools, among other philanthropic activities. The meetings, which are open to everyone, are held at 6:30 p.m. the first three Thursdays of each month at the R44 Coffee event space at 10675 Main St. in the village of Mantua. The next three meetings are Feb. 19, March 5 and March 12. 

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Visit Jake’s Eats and find out what exciting projects the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation will be tackling next! Your input is needed. Jake’s Eats is located at 4680 E. Prospect St.

The next two meetings will be at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20 and Friday, March 13 in the eatery’s upper room.

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Enjoy “Summer in February” for extended shopping hours from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. Live music and breezy-drink specials. Forget about winter for awhile with some summer attitude! (Mantua Township too.)

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Join in for the Wellness and Safety Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 at Crestwood Intermediate School at 11260 Bowen Rd.

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Upcoming events at Buchert Park at 4810 E. High St.:

• SAIL Class (Stay Active in Life) in the Martin S. Hura Lodge – 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 18, Feb. 25 and March 4. A gentle exercise class to get your blood flowing.
• Free lunch provided by Rebecca Moore from Boulder Crossing in the Martin S. Hura Lodge’s Crestwood Community Center – noon Wednesday, Feb. 18
• The Portage County District Library’s Bookmobile – 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. A wide selection of books; you can also order your favorites.
• Aging in Place in the Martin S. Hura Lodge’s Crestwood Community Center – 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. Cynthia Toth will share some tips. Free for all.
• Area Agency of the Aging in the Martin S. Hura Lodge’s Crestwood Community Center – 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. Theresa Niewiadomski from Direction Home will talk about the services provided by this agency. Free for all.
• Lunch on your own/Make Your Own Lanyard Craft in the Martin S. Hura Lodge’s Crestwood Community Center – noon Wednesday, Feb. 25. Bring a brown bag lunch and make a lanyard to hold your CCC nametag. $4 donation for materials. You can also show up at 1 p.m. if you just want to do the craft.

Garrettsville

The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce is planning a two-day downtown celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 17, which is St. Patrick’s Day. Local businesses will have entertainment and food specials. More details to come.

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Cellar Door Coffee Co. owners Derrick and Whitney Podboy recently opened Podboys Uptown, a family restaurant located at 8126 Main St. The official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. The eatery is open for breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week.

Village of Windham

The next village of Windham farmers’ market will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at the village’s Community Center at 9647 E. Center St.

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The next village council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Council Chambers at 9083 N. Main St. The public is invited.