Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce

HELPING WINDHAM TORNADO VICTIMS; PORTAGE COUNTY EMA, PORTAGE FOUNDATION LAUNCH COUNTY DISASTER RELIEF FUND Looking for a way to help the community of Windham after this week’s devastating tornado? Please consider a monetary donation to the newly-created Portage County Disaster Relief Fund through the Portage Foundation. An EF1 tornado ripped through farm and residential areas of Windham Township on April 17, damaging numerous homes and displacing families. The Portage Foundation has teamed up with the Portage County Emergency Management Agency to form the Portage County Disaster Relief Fund. The foundation will be the hub that accepts all monetary donations in the event of large-scale disasters affecting Portage County citizens. Portage County EMA Director Ryan Shackelford said the Windham community will be notified when the application process for funding for persons impacted by the tornado opens, which he estimates will start in several weeks once residents have some idea of their financial condition. Donations to the Portage County Disaster Relief Fund will be accepted via credit card through the foundation website at: https://portagefoundation.org/pcdrf/ or through the foundation’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PortageFoundation. Checks may be made payable to the “The Portage Foundation” with a designation to “Windham Tornado.” Mail checks to The Portage Foundation, P.O. Box 623, Kent, OH 44240. Cash or check donations may also be dropped off at Portage Community Bank branches in the name of the Portage County Disaster Relief Fund. Find the bank locations here: https://www.pcbbank.com/about/locations-hours.html. The fund’s Donations Coordinating Team will provide direct payments to residents who go through an application process. Payments will be based on need. The team will be comprised of representatives from The Portage Foundation, the impacted area, Portage County EMA, Portage County Jobs and Family Services and other volunteer organizations. The non-profit foundation will receive five percent for administration of the fund and distributing donations.

Residents of Windham Township will see Portage County staff and vehicles in neighborhoods on Thursday, April 18, to assess damage from severe weather including a possible tornado that tore through the Bryant Road-State Route 303 area Wednesday night. The severe weather damaged property, closed roads, downed powerlines and disrupted traffic on the Ohio Turnpike. There were no reported injuries as of Wednesday night. The National Weather Service is expected to assess the site on Thursday, April 18, to verify if there was a tornado. PC EMA is also reminding residents that until further notice these roads are closed: Bryant Road between State Route 303 and State Route 82; and Windham-Parkman Road at Wolfe Road. Detours will be posted. Personnel assessing damages are part of a team with the Portage County Emergency Agency. The team anticipates working Thursday from the morning through the afternoon. EMA responded to the weather incident Wednesday night along with Windham Fire Department, Windham Police and Portage County Sheriff’s Department. Property owners can also report damage online at the PC EMA website:https://www.portagecounty-oh.gov/homeland-security-emergency-management/pages/storm-damage-reporting. Emergency Management agencies are charged with assessing damage to households, businesses and public infrastructure following natural, technological and man-made emergencies or catastrophic disasters. Doing an immediate survey of damage allows emergency managers to determine the extent of loss, suffering and harm to citizens, families and public infrastructure. If you have questions, call PC EMA at 330-297-3607.

Please use the following link to register for the Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce Community Yard Sales https://garrettsville-area-chamber-of-commerce.square.site

Celebrate Portage Accepting Nominations Help Celebrate Portage! recognize the good and great people and projects that make Portage County a great place to be! The 2024 awards are for events or projects that occurred in 2023. Nominate an event, person, or project that you are proud of! Community Hero The Community Hero Award recognizes an individual in Portage County whose courage, strength, and self-sacrifice in the service of a neighborhood/community benefits people who may never know them by name, but who will reap the rewards of their work. Community Service The Community Service Award recognizes programs or initiatives in Portage County that have demonstrated action in the community, involving community members - young people, adults and families - coming together to work on a common interest or community need. Community Improvement The Community Improvement Award helps to reveal and enhance the underlying identity of a community in Portage County. This would include historical renovations, beautification projects, art project, etc. Employee of the Year The Employee of the Year Award recognizes an individual in Portage County whose exemplary service in the completion of their everyday duties benefits their employer and people in our community who may never know them by name, but who will reap the rewards of their work. Youth Initiative The Youth Initiative Award recognizes school or community organizations that have developed, implemented, or led innovative programs of external engagement with community stakeholders. Health Initiative The Health Initiative Award recognizes programs in Portage County that have been developed and implemented in an effort to build better systems to provide all people the tools they need to reach their full potential for health and wellness. Winners and nominees are honored at the Celebrate Portage annual dinner. Deadline May 31th. Visit www.celebrateportage.org to nominate a person or organization and for further information on the events for 2024. Email celebrateportage@gmail.com with any questions.

The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce will be meeting on Wednesday April 3rd at 7:30 am at Sarchione Chevy. Please plan to attend

REMINDER --- MARCH 25th is the final day to order your "Total Eclipse of The Block" t-shirts. This is a fundraiser for the Buckeye Block Amphitheater. In addition, you will receive a pair of eclipse glasses with your shirt. Shirts can be mailed to your home address or picked up at The Villager 8088 Main Street in Garrettsville. https://garrettsvillechamber.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

Beer is everywhere, but many of us don't know what goes into making it or think much about its long history. Join the Garrettsville Library on Saturday, March 16 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. to learn what goes into your beer and it's impact. Limited to 25 participants.

Get ready for the Eclipse on April 8th! The Garrettsville Area Chamber is selling commemorative "Total Eclipse of The Block" shirts as a fundraiser for the Buckeye Block Amphitheater. In addition you will receive a pair of eclipse glasses with your shirt. Shirts can be mailed to your home address or picked up at The Villager 8088 Main Street in Garrettsville. Orders must be placed by March 25 to ensure delivery by the April 8th Eclipse!! https://garrettsvillechamber.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

It's BASEBALL Season!! Time for some Garfield Baseball swag!!! Proceeds from this site benefit the Garrettsville Youth Baseball League. Check out these great designs!! https://garfieldyouthbaseball.itemorder.com/shop/category/440241/

Registration is now open for the annual Community-Wide Yard Sale Weekend. Visit https://www.garrettsvillearea.com/page/garage-sale-weekend and complete your registration online today. Sale dates will be May 17-19, 2024.

If your kiddo is participating in the Lil' Dribblers Youth Basketball Tournaments at Windham High School over the next two weekends be sure to get your Tournament Shirt!! Villager Printing will be set up both weekends (Feb 10 & 17) but PRE-ORDERS ensure we have your size available! Questions? Call 330.472.7304 or email sales@villagerprinting.com Proceeds benefit the Windham Sports Boosters. https://lildribblers.itemorder.com/shop/home/

How about a book for your Valentine? The Friends of the Garrettsville Library Book Sale will be held on the following dates: Friends ‘Members Only’ Preview on Wednesday, February 14, from 2 to 6 pm; Open to the public Thursday, February 15, from 10 am to 6 pm, and Friday, February 16, from 10 am to 4 pm. Every day is Bag Day! Bring your own bag and fill it for $5.00. Don’t want a whole bag of books? Make a donation of $.50-$1.00 per item. All proceeds directly support our library! The Portage County District Library Garrettsville Branch is located at 10482 South Street.

NGCC's next distribution dates are Monday, February 5th from 3-5:30pm; and Wednesday, February 14th from 9-11:30am. If you are a current home delivery client, your delivery will arrive February 7, 14, or 21st. Please refer to the letter you received in January for your specific delivery date. 
 Existing clients of the NGCC should bring their photo ID with them when picking up their distribution. New clients should bring a photo ID and a utility bill in their name with an address that matches their ID. To sign up for home delivery, you must be an existing client, OR register as a client in-person on a distribution day.

In the heart of winter, where the temperatures can be chilly, we are delighted to extend warm congratulations to Cal's Restaurant & Pizza Express on their 41st anniversary! As many residents can say, Cal's had been a lasting destination for great food in our community. To make your winter evenings even more delightful, Cal's is offering two anniversary specials this Friday, January 19th, and Saturday, January 20th: 4pc Chicken Dinner - Includes choice of potato, garden salad, roll & butter - Only $10.99 Veal or Chicken Parmesan (2 Cutlets) - Served with a side of spaghetti, garden salad, roll & butter - Priced at $15.99 We encourage you to take advantage of these specials, allowing Cal's to take the chill out of your evening while celebrating their remarkable milestone. On behalf of the Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce, we want to express our heartfelt congratulations to Cal's Restaurant & Pizza Express. Your dedication to excellence has not only contributed to the success of your business but has also added warmth and flavor to our community. Here's to 41 years of success and countless more to come!

Due to the weather, Garrettsville Curtains Up Theatre has canceled the Friday, January 19 performance of "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" The weekend performances will go on as planned!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please note our holiday hours -- We will close Saturday, Dec 23 at 1 pm and reopen January 2, 2024 at 9 am.

The Garrettsville Area Chamber is on a mission to create a lively hub that celebrates our town and provides space for year-round activities. By becoming a recurring donor for this project, you're not just contributing funds - you're weaving yourself into the fabric of Garrettsville's legacy. Visit https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=537N22MGDBWL4 to setup your donation.

A lovely way to begin the holiday season! Join us for an hour of harp and hammer dulcimer music in the main room of the Garrettsville Library - December 04, 2023 - 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Registration recommended - Portage County District Library - Events https://events.portagelibrary.org/event/9370477

Don't miss the 2nd annual Fall Festival today from 11-3 at Garfield Elementary. Vote for your favorite scarecrows and chili, and pick up some great locally grown/produced items like cider, mums and fry pies!

Due to the weather forecast on Saturday, the Chamber Fall Festival and all events have been moved to JAG Elementary this Saturday from 11-3. Come out and enjoy scarecrows, chili, cider, and more! This event helps fund work at the Buckeye Block Amphitheater site.