Village of Mantua

The Mantua Village Council will hold an open meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 and welcome your comments on the DORA proposal. The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce has requested that the downtown area be designated as a “Designated Outdoor Recreational Area,” which would exempt that area from open-container laws. Customers could take their alcoholic beverages outside a restaurant, like their cups of coffee, shop at the stores, go to the farmers market or relax on the greenspace. They are still subject to all laws regarding rowdiness and littering. This would only be available during limited hours. For more details, attend the village council meeting.

*****

Stop by the green space downtown between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (next to R44 Meats & Deli at 10686 Main St.) for some family fall fun – games, pumpkin bowling, decorating pumpkins and enjoying some free donuts and cider. See what the Mantua-Shalersville area offers in social services and volunteer opportunities! Looking for food, housing or utility help? Stop by and see what’s happening.  

 *****

The Poetry Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the Wine Shop (down below, not on top) at 4667 E. Prospect. Read a poem or write your own. Poem lovers unite; join others who appreciate the beauty of words (and a glass of wine). The club meets the last Wednesday of each month.       

*****

The Portage County District Library Bookmobile will be at Buchert Park at 4810 E. High St. at 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 22, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5. Check out new books, return old ones, meet new friends and participate in library programs!

*****

Upcoming events at the Crestwood Community Center inside the Martin Hura Lodge at Buchert Park at 4810 E. High St.:

*Get those creative juices flowing with a Fall Fun Craft at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. There is a $4 fee to cover materials.

*The Portage Health District will provide a free immunization clinic for flu, pneumonia and Covid from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. Enjoy puzzles, word games and scavenger hunts while you have refreshments afterwards. There will also be a raffle basket, free drawings and prizes.

*A free lunch will be provided by Los Venados, the Mexican restaurant located at Mantua Corners, at noon Wednesday, Oct. 29.

*Drop in for some games, prizes and even a raffle basket at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.

*Stay Active and Independent for Life – SAIL into the future with exercises designed for those 65 and older. Stay mobile and energetic. Join in at 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 22, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5.  

*Lunch on your own or bring a dish to share. Meet at noon Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Mantua Township

Pumpkin Paint Night will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20 at Los Venados, a Mexican restaurant at the corner of state Route 44 and state Route 82 at 11697 State Route 44. For some family fun, bring the kids and pick a pumpkin, paint it and enjoy some dinner! Kids get a pumpkin, paint supplies, a kid’s meal and a soda. Adults get a pumpkin, paint supplies and a large margarita. The cost is $25 per person. Reservations required. To reserve a spot, contact Nancy at 330-281-3776. Group discounts available.

*****

Stop by Los Venados, a Mexican restaurant at 11697 state Route 44, between noon and 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 for Truck-or-Treat and a vendor show. There will be an animal costume contest at 2:30 p.m. and a kids costume contest at 3 p.m. Best Decorated Truck/Tent winner announced at 4 p.m. To pre-register for the costume contests and for details about setting up a trunk or tent as a vendor, contact Nancy at 330-281-3776.

*****

A fundraising dinner for the Mantua Restoration Society will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 inside the Mantua Center School gymnasium at 11741 Mantua Center Rd. Dine-in or carry-out. No charge, but donations accepted. Please consider giving what you’d pay for a comparable meal at a restaurant plus tip. A variety of entrées provided, including one supplied each month from Main Street on the River. Several salads and a variety of desserts, including homemade pies. All food is home-cooked and donated by the MaRSI members – soups to casseroles to cornbread to salads and desserts. There will be light piano music provided by Steve Stork. Note: This is not a free community meal but rather a fundraiser for the society, which helps 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.  

Nelson

The Nelson Township Trustees passed a resolution regarding the implementation of cybersecurity for all township employees, which is scheduled for June 2026.

“Everyone is getting hacked,” township Chair Anna Mae VanDerHoeven said. “We have to watch our passwords whether they’re on computers, phones or what have you. We just want to make sure no one takes our money without our knowledge.”

*****

The inside of the Nelson Township Community House was repainted.

*****

A new electric furnace and heat pump were installed in the township maintenance building at Pixley Park. This was funded by a grant from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council.

Freedom

Anderson Road in Freedom Township will soon be resurfaced.

“As soon as the turnpike bridge is open on state Route 88, the project will all be done at one time,” township Chair Tom Mesaros said. “That’s good news for the people who live on Anderson.”

*****

Trunk-or-Treat will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at Town Hall at 8966 State Route 700.

Village of Hiram

The Greendale Couch Farm Open House and Fundraiser was held Oct. 11.

“They’re doing a rebranding, refocusing,” Mayor Anne Haynam said of the organic farm that will be made into an education center. “They had a model of an 1830s barn that’s going to be moved from Hiram Township into the village. It will be deconstructed this fall and reconstructed next spring.”

There were also demonstrations of, and discussions about, what kind of apples are used for cider making. The dessert was cooked in a solar oven.

Sixty-eight people registered for the event.

*****

Hiram Village Council is on second read for an increase in water and sewer rates.

“This is a replacement for rates that were not implemented between 2022 and 2027, so we’re revisiting that issue,” Haynam said.