🎉 Education and culture collide - Portage County

Good morning, Portage County. Here's a statistic that might make you sit up straighter: 2,100 Cleveland high school seniors just received golden tickets to their future, courtesy of Tri-C's groundbreaking direct admission program. It's like Willy Wonka threw open the gates to higher education, except instead of chocolate rivers, students get access to life-changing scholarships and academic support.

Meanwhile, our region is serving up quite the cultural feast this weekend. While 150+ fabulous felines are strutting their stuff at Akron's Knight Center (yes, even the hairless ones have swagger), Apollo's Fire founder Jeannette Sorrell is preparing to share a deeply personal story that bridges Holocaust survival to baroque masterpieces. Talk about a weekend that hits all nine lives of Northeast Ohio's artistic spirit.

🌤 Sky Skoop

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Ravenna

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🎓 Cleveland high school seniors get automatic tickets to community college. Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) has offered direct admission to 2,100 Cleveland Metropolitan School District seniors, launching a groundbreaking partnership to simplify college access. The program eliminates application barriers and provides personalized resources like advising and financial aid workshops to support students' transition to higher education. While 70 seniors have already committed to enrolling, Tri-C expects numbers to grow significantly before fall 2025, potentially increasing their typical CMSD enrollment by 2-3%. The initiative comes as Tri-C seeks to combat a decade-long enrollment decline of 33%, while offering eligible students access to the Say Yes Scholar program with up to $2,500 in scholarships.

🏡 Real Estate Reveals

Foreclosure investment opportunity available

This foreclosure property is available for purchase through Auction.com, presenting an excellent opportunity for potential investors in the neighborhood. By saving this listing on the site, you can receive important updates on property status, auction details, and any winning bid amounts.

Spacious nature retreat near universities

This stunning 4-bedroom home, listed at $649,000, is nestled on 1.87 private acres in a quiet cul-de-sac, perfect for those seeking tranquility amidst nature. Its open floor plan showcases high ceilings and honed hardwood floors, complemented by a chef's kitchen with quartz counters, a luxurious master suite with a spa-like bath, and ample outdoor space, including a screened porch and a fenced yard—great for pets and relaxation—all conveniently located near NEOMED and Kent State University.

Prime lot near downtown Kent

Discover a prime residential lot of 0.3331 acres just a short stroll from downtown Kent, listed at $55,300. This level property, featuring mature trees and ready-to-go utilities, offers a fantastic opportunity for building your dream home or making a smart investment, with the potential to split the land for even more possibilities.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🎭 Jan. 17 - Murder Mystery Mayhem: Theater chaos takes center stage in this hilarious comedy at Aurora Community Theatre, where an amateur troupe hilariously attempts to stage a murder mystery on January 17 at 115 E Pioneer Trail.

🧘 Jan. 20 - Silent Retreat Day: Find inner peace at SHINE Ohio's day of silence, featuring yoga, meditation, and healing practices. Retreat to a cozy bed and reset your spirit on January 20 at this Kent sanctuary.

🎯 Jan. 23 - Lake House Trivia Night: Put your thinking cap on and join the fun at Lake House Kitchen + Bar's weekly trivia night! Challenge friends and neighbors while enjoying great food and drinks every Tuesday at 7508 OH-43 in Kent.

🎨 Jan. 23 - Cardinal Wine & Paint Night: Unleash your inner artist at West Main St Winery's Cardinal Sip and Paint night! For just $25, enjoy expert instruction and all supplies while creating your masterpiece on January 23 in Ravenna.

🏀 Jan. 23 - Red Devils vs Cardinals: Catch the hometown rivalry as the Crestwood Red Devils face off against Cardinal Local at Crestwood Central Offices. Join the community spirit on January 23rd at 10880 John Edward Dr, Mantua.

🥫 Jan. 25 - Monthly Food Pantry: Help stock local pantries and hearts at Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry's monthly distribution. Visit 263 S Prospect St in Ravenna on January 25th to access food and hygiene essentials for income-qualified households.

🌾 Jan. 25 - Winter Farmers' Market: Warm up your winter Saturday at Kent's cozy indoor farmers' market! Local vendors gather at the UU Church's Hobbs Hall (217 N. Mantua St) from 10am to 1pm with fresh produce and artisanal goods.

🎳 Jan. 26 - County Singles Bowling Tournament: Calling all bowlers! Roll into the new year at Spins Bowl Kent for the Portage County USBC Handicap Singles tournament on January 26. Stay tuned for complete tournament details coming soon.

🙏 In Remembrance

Alice Giorgio

Alice Giorgio, a lifelong resident of Ravenna, passed away on January 13, 2025, at Vista Veranda. Born on May 24, 1929, to Italian immigrants, she was deeply involved in her community through various church and social organizations, including the Immaculate Conception Parish and the Italian-American Club Ladies Auxiliary. Alice graduated from Ravenna High School in 1947 and married Carl T. Giorgio in 1952, with whom she raised her family. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was preceded in death by her husband and several siblings. Funeral services will be held on January 16, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church.

Virginia G. Buchkoski

Virginia Buchkoski, a cherished mother and friend, passed away on January 3, 2025. Known for her love of arts and crafts, she was especially talented in crocheting and baking, creating beloved treats for family gatherings. Virginia had a passion for animals, music, and connecting with her "dooder" and "2%er" communities, which she considered her second family. Survived by her children, siblings, and many nieces and nephews, she will be deeply missed for her warm spirit and creativity. A celebration of her life will be announced later, as her legacy of love continues in the hearts of those she touched.

Ralph Earl Newman

Ralph Earl Newman, 92, of Aurora, passed away on January 9, 2025. Born on April 30, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of the late Edward A. and Eleanor Louise Newman. Ralph is survived by his wife Ellen, their two sons Kurt and Mark, and four grandchildren. A memorial gathering will take place on January 18, 2025, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, followed by a memorial service and burial. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to local Lutheran churches or ministries.

SHIRLEY MARIE KITELINGER

Shirley Marie Kitelinger, 90, of Streetsboro, OH, passed away on January 10, 2025. Born on November 10, 1934, in Windham, OH, she was the daughter of William and Elsie Goss. Shirley was married to William “Bill” Kitelinger for 74 years and dedicated her life to family, serving as the head cook at Windham Exempted School District and being actively involved in her church. She is survived by her daughter Diana, grandsons Daniel and Timothy, and great-grandchildren Wyatt, Hunter, and Emelia, along with many relatives and friends. A viewing will be held on January 15, 2025, followed by a funeral service on January 16, with her burial at Windham Township Cemetery.

ROBERT D. HOFF

Robert Derwood Hoff, born on August 24, 1948, in Elizabeth City, NC, passed away on January 11, 2025. He was a dedicated family man known for his integrity, love, and sense of humor. After serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Kennedy, he earned a degree in Business Administration and became President of a plumbing buying group in Ohio. Robert spent the last 17 years of his life happily residing in Garrettsville, OH, with his wife, Linda. He is survived by his immediate family and many extended relatives, with a private Celebration of Life planned in his honor.

Sharon Ann Merrill

Sharon Ann Merrill passed away on January 7, 2025, leaving behind her beloved children, eight grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Old Grandma.” She was preceded in death by her husband, John Merrill, and her son-in-law, Jon Lake. Sharon cherished her family, enjoyed knitting, and loved spending time at Lake Milton. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. In accordance with her wishes, she will be cremated, with a graveside service scheduled for January 20, 2025, at Standing Rock Cemetery.

🍞 Daily Bread Crumb

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

-Philippians 4:13