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ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS
Welcome to the 20th edition of Mantua Matters! Hard to believe that I have been doing this for 5 years now. I hope that you have enjoyed reading it, as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you each quarter.
This issue covers the last 3 months, news of upcoming events for the next 3 months and a few special items just for fun.
Please read and enjoy!!
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“THE MAYOR’S CORNER”
The Village is in negotiations with the Mantua Township Trustees to purchase/lease the old Fire Station on West High St. Our present Village Hall needs numerous costly structural repairs and is not a safe working environment for our employees.
The Village cooperated with the schools to ensure that they are ready to open on time. Superintendent Joe Iacano and I had several very productive meetings to settle utility issues.
Interface Services Growth Network, LLC, has been hired by the Village to provide services for Village growth. Joe Patermiti, owner, will be compiling information to network our resources. We look forward to working with him.
I hope everyone plans to attend the 31st Annual Mantua Potato Festival on September 10, 11 and 12 and has a great time.
……….Mayor Claude E. Hopkins
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“NEWS FROM THE HALL”
The Village is in the process of filing a Grant Application to obtain funds for a new building, which is desperately needed. This is a process which could take several years. They are also negotiating with the Township to purchase the old Fire Station. This can be renovated and used, temporarily, for Government Center, Council Chambers and Police Station.
The Village would also like to welcome new employee, Mary Pallone from Hiram. Mary has taken the position of Assistant Clerk/Treasurer.
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“VILLAGE MAINTENANCE CODE”
The Planning Commission recently presented a Maintenance Code to Village Council for approval.
Residents were very vocal in their stand on this Code, both for and against. Several public hearings were held by Planning Commission and Council and many comments, suggestions and ideas were voiced.
This legislation has now gone back to the Planning Commission for further evaluation.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATION MEETINGS
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VILLAGE HALL: Council 3rd Tue 7:00pm Finance 2nd Thu 6:00pm Safety 4th Sun 10:00am Service 3rd Tue 6:00pm Parks 3rd Mon 7:00pm Shade Tree 1st Tue 7:00pm PARK LODGE: Planning 3rd Wed 7:00pm Neighborhood
Watch1st Thu 7:00pm Potato Festival 4th Mon 7:00pm LEGION HALL: American Legion 3rd Wed 7:30pm Legion Auxiliary 2nd Mon 1:00pm FAITH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Lions Club 1st & 3rd Tue 7:00 pm If you would like your group’s meeting listed on the Community Calendar, send group name, day, time and place to Mantua Matters, 4736 E. High St. Mantua, Ohio, 44255.
We would also like to print your group’s upcoming events. MM comes out every three months, so keep that in mind when sending information.
IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE AREA OR A LONG-TIME RESIDENT, THESE ARE THE NUMBERS YOU NEED TO KNOW.
EMERGENCY 911 Village Hall 330-274-8776 Police Department 330-274-2251 Fire Department 330-274-3535 Income Tax 330-274-8776 Service Department 330-274-8188 Adelphia Cable 1-800-451-9737 Lodge Rental 330-274-8776 Water/Sewer Billing 330-274-8188 Mantua Township: Marie Stehli 330-995-8640 Shalersville Township: Dorothy Caldwell 330-274-3655 Zoning: Bill Zoller 330-274-3199 Trash Pickup: Universal Disposal 1-440-286-3173 Waste Mgt. Of Ohio 1-800-232-5749 Sunburst Env. Service 1-800-782-2475 P. C. Recycling 330-678-8808 --------------------------------------------------------
Council meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Brush pickup is the 2nd Monday of each month from May to October.
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“POLICE REPORT”
This report covers the months of May, June and July. There were a total of 188 cases, 130 traffic and parking cites, 477 warnings, and 10 criminal arrests.
There were 1,470 calls to dispatch, the vehicles were driven a total of 13,261 miles and there were 136 mutual aid calls.
Total Officer hours worked was 2,641 and total Dispatch hours 2,257.
A total of 185 assists, 51 open doors/windows, 93 suspicious persons or vehicles, 120 bar checks, 129 house checks and the Water plant, Sewer plant, reservoir and lift stations were checked a total of 1,395 times.
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“SCHOOL BUS SAFETY”
“The yellow school buses are on the road again with the start of school,” says the Mantua Police Department.
The Chief offers the following list of safety rules for children who are riding those buses to school:
When waiting for the school bus:
Always be on time at the bus stop. Always wait quietly and orderly so that the bus driver can see you. Always stand back and away from moving traffic. Never accept rides with friendly strangers who offer rides to school.
When getting on the bus:
Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop. Never crowd around the door of the bus. Go directly to a seat and stay there.
When riding on the bus:
Always be courteous to the bus drive and the other passengers. Remember where the emergency exit is and how to use it. Never put your head, arms or hands out the open window. Never throw food or trash on the bus seat, floor, or out the window.
Do not distract the bus driver.
When leaving the school bus: Wait in the seat until the bus comes to a complete stop. Always use the handrail by the bus door. Stay alert to any moving traffic. Never cross the road until it is safe to do so and the bus driver can see you.
“Be a safe passenger, who sets a good example and obeys all the school bus safety rules, and all of our children will get to school and back home safely.”
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“SOME TIPS FOR PARENTS”
Watch for kids darting out between cars and into intersections.
Obey the "school zone" speed limits. Use extra caution at school crosswalks, and obey crossing guards.
Watch for school buses loading and unloading students. Stop when you see the red lights flashing; it's the law.
Be sure your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult, and how to use 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Plan a walking route to school or the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossing and intersections with crossing guards. Test the route with your child.
Teach children - whether walking, biking, or signals, signs, traffic officers, and safety patrols. Remind them to wear appropriate safety equipment and be extra careful in bad weather.
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SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
“RIVERSCAPE 2004”
Mantua Village will once again be participating in the annual events along the beautiful Cuyahoga River. We look forward to this Saturday every year, as we join with you and your families in celebrating along and on our River.
This year, Mantua Village will host “Riverscape 2004” during the Potato Festival in September. This is a venue sponsored by the Upper Cuyahoga River Watershed Task Force. Mantua Village, Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department, along with over 100 other State, County and area agencies will come together with activities that are fun, educational and interactive for all.
These activities will include displays, demonstrations on the river, scenic river canoe trips, kid’s casting contests and much more. They will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2004, from noon to 6:00 pm.
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“STATE ROUTE 44 PROJECT”
This project is entering the final stages. Most of the Village portion, (traffic signal, downtown curb replacement, new manhole castings, turn lane & ADA crosswalk ramps) have been completed. ODOT has been busy surface grinding and repairing areas in preparation for the final surface paving. Weather permitting, all should be complete by early September. The final part will be landscaping and re-seeding along the construction areas after the paving is complete.
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“RESERVOIR BOOSTER STATION”
The new water booster station came on line the first of August. The improvements included 3 domestic service pumps, 1 fire pump and a back-up power generator. This improvement was long over due in providing better pressures and fire flows in the Northwest section of the Village.
As funding becomes available in the future, plans are to extend this pressure system into the Ambler & Fernway areas.
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“CURBSIDE BRUSH PROGRAM/WOOD CHIPS”
The monthly brush pickup is underway and will continue on the 2nd Monday of each month unless a holiday.
The last brush pickup this year will be on Tuesday, October 13th. Remember, wood chips are available to all Village residents. They can be picked up at the Service Department on East High St. beyond the river or contact us at 330-274-8188 for delivery.
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“LEAF PICKUP”
The leaves will soon be falling. Remember to get your clear leaf bags, free of charge, from the Village Service Garage, the Village Police Department or the Fire Station. Fill them with leave only, (no brush, bushes, etc.) and place them on the tree lawn. The Service Department will pick them up.
The Village is proud of the fact that over 95% of the bagged leaves from past years have bee recycled into nurseries and other area agricultural uses. This approach has saved the Village quite a sum of money. The key to the program’s success is the effort put forth by you, the citizen. The disposal of yard waste, like solid waste disposal, is quite an expensive alternative to a little elbow grease.
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“PLEASE NOTE”
The Village of Mantua will NOT be having a Fall clean-up this year. There will be a Spring pick-up in 2005. The date will be announced closer to the event.
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“SNOW REMOVAL”
We all remember how burdened we were with heavy snowfalls in past winters. The snow caused great concern for the safety of our children.
Many areas of the Village had sidewalks that were impassable - blocked by built-up plowed snow. Our citizens, then, and especially our children, were forced to make the unsafe decision to walk in the street.
So this winter, as your clean your driveways and lots, remember to keep the sidewalks clear. Don’t push the snow into the roadway, and be especially careful to keep traffic corners clear for visibility.
We must all work together to keep our sidewalks clear and snow piles low for safety. This is a community problem that needs our collective attention.
R. Edward Trego, Village Administrator
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“NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH”
The Watch took a couple of months off this summer, as many of our members were on vacation or otherwise busy. But, now it’s time to get back to work.
At our September meeting, we will be discussing our participation in the Potato Festival. We will have an information booth as we have had in the past, so please stop by and learn what Neighborhood Watch is all about.
We have finally come up with a design for use of the Memorial Bricks that we have been selling for the past couple of years. It has been approved by the Parks Board, and we are now awaiting a price from the contractor and hope to have it in place before the snow flies. It will be in the area at the West end of the new Trail Bridge, at the curve on E. Prospect. We will have a few samples of the bricks and order forms available at the Festival. Hope to see you there!
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“SOAP BOX DERBY DAY”
On Saturday, June 19th, High Street hill in Mantua, again became an exciting, fun-filled race track.
Derby workers were out very early, setting up the track, lining the street with bales of straw, and putting together the starting gate.
The Lions Club was set up, serving coffee and breakfast sandwiches in the morning and hot dogs, burgers, fries, etc. all afternoon.
After ten hours of racing, two tired but happy kids emerged winners. First in the Stock Division was Tyler Gallagher, age 13. And in the Super Stock Division the winner was Rickilea Murphy, age 12. Both winners are Mantua residents. They will compete, as Portage County Champions in the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron on July 31st.
This is the second year for the Derby in Mantua and we hope to repeat next year. The possibility has been raised, of making the Derby a week-end event with other groups and organizations participating.
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“AND NOW, THE REST OF THE STORY”
For Rickilea Murphy, the story didn’t end on High Street in Mantua. She had earned the right to compete in the Championship race at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio.
In spite of a 3-car crash during a practice run, she went on to win the National title in the Super Stock Division. She felt that the accident actually helped her win. She had to replace an axle and 2 wheels which seemed to improve her steering.
She credits her success to experience gained racing at many different rallies, learning how to keep a straight line, not to turn the wheel so much and where the high and low points are on the course.
A few weeks later, she appeared on the “Live With Regis and Kelly” morning show and raced both of them on the streets of New York.
Rickilea is the daughter of Debbie and Dean Olson of Mantua. She will enter the 7th grade at Crestwood Middle School this fall.
Congratulations, Rickilea, on a job well done!
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“FARMER’S MARKET”
The Rotary Club of Mantua is sponsoring a Farmer’s Market this summer. The dates for this market are September 18th and October 16th.
There will be 10 to 12 vendors featuring locally grown fresh vegetables and produce. They will also have mums, apples, jams and jellies, honey, maple syrup, pumpkins, gourds, and of course, potatoes.
So, please come on down, stock your fridge, get some great tasting veggies and support our local farmers.
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“HERE’S ENTERTAINMENT”
The Rotary Club will also be sponsoring a Variety Show on Saturday, January 29th. It will be held at the Hayden Auditorium in Hiram. Both children and adults are welcome to audition for this show.
Please watch for further details, time and dates for auditions, etc. We will have it posted on the TV channel and December issue of Mantua Matters.
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“THE HISTORY OF MANTUA PHARMACY, INC”
In 1952, Robert W. Zoller, then working at Triangle Pharmacy in Ravenna, realized the needs of Northern Portage County and opened Mantua Pharmacy. He located at 4637 W. Prospect St., across from what was once the old Post Office.
The Pharmacy building was owned by Cliff and Sally Newell, who had a Beauty and Barber Shop in part of the building and lived in an apartment upstairs.
The Zoller family, Bob, Tink, Bill, Bobby, and Barb moved from Kent to Mantua soon after the store opened. Bonnie, was born after the move to Mantua.
The Pharmacy was owned by the Zollers for 23 years, from 1955 to 1978, when Bob and Tink both retired.
During these 23 years of service to the Mantua area, it employed numerous people from the community. A few of these included, Ida Dixon, Betty McConnell and Marion Drummond, along with family members and various part-time help. Mr. John Martin worked many years as a Pharmacist. We apologize for anyone we may have missed.
(NOTE: Please see the article about Mr. Zoller elsewhere in this issue.)
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“MANTUA PHARMACY INC."
CHAPTER TWO
Richard Wiggers and Norman Sadowski purchased the Pharmacy from Bob Zoller in July of 1978. It was moved to its new location on Main Street in November of 1984, the name was changed to Mantua Station Drug and presently employs 10 to 12 people.
Major departments include:
Pharmacy - 24-hour emergency service, personal charge accounts, accepts most insurance plans, modern computer system with drug interaction screening, personal service and consultation (when the phone rings, you will get a real person - not an answering machine or buttons to push)
Cards and gift department - large selection of cards and gifts, including many collectibles.
Radio Shack dealer - carrying Radio Shack brands and other major electronics brands, Alltel cell phone agent, Dish Network satellite dealer.
General Merchandise - everyday and seasonal toy department, school and office supplies, household supplies, health and beauty aids, pet supplies.
Vitamins, Herbs and Wellness Center - large selection of natural vitamins and herbs, free use of computer system to find information on natural products, web site -www.mantuastationdrug.com for professional advice on natural medicines and dietary supplements.
Soda Fountain - one of the few soda fountains still in operation, serving ice cream cones, sundaes, phosphates and sodas. The back bar of the fountain was purchased from Quaker Square in Akron, originally from a local drugstore in the Akron area - age unknown.
Outside is the bright red caboose, a wooden caboose from the 1930’s, that traveled through Mantua as part of the Erie Railroad.
Our Store Motto - “Service you deserve, Quality you expect”.
The residents of Mantua are proud to have Mantua Station Drug as a valuable member of our Community.
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“A FRIEND REMEMBERED”
Robert W. (Bob) Zoller attended the College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University for 2 years before enrolling at Ohio State University and graduated in 1940 from the College of Pharmacy.
He immediately passed the State Board of Pharmacy test. He then managed 2 drugstores in Marion, Ohio. He also worked in pharmacies in his home town of Bucyrus, Ohio.
Prior to Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy. Before shipping out, he married Mary Alice (Tink) Perott. Bob and Mary Alice were high school sweethearts in Bucyrus.
Bob served on the DD-616 USS Nielde, as a Lieutenant and Boss Gunnery Officer. The USS Nielde made 13 round trips across the Atlantic including, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Southern France with several submarines to her credit. The Nielde ended it’s Atlantic campaign without any hits and absolutely no war casualties among the personnel.
Following his discharge from the Navy in 1945, Bob joined Hoard’s Pharmacy in Kent, Ohio, as a partner. In 1952 Bob, along with Jerey Stowe, Earl Likens and Wendel Perkins, started Triangle Pharmacy in Ravenna, Ohio.
He moved his family to Mantua and opened Mantua Pharmacy in 1955. The Zollers owned the Pharmacy for 23 years, until their retirement in 1978.
Bob was committed to his job - many times he would open the store after hours to fill prescriptions. His motto was - “If you want people’s business during the day, you should be willing to go out of your way to help them when they need you.
Bob and Mary Alice made many friends during their years of service to the Community.
Bob was a member of the American Legion and presented with a life membership in 1989. He was chairman of the Salvation Army for nearly 20 years, a member of the Elks and attended St. Joseph Church in Mantua.
Bob departed this earth on April 23, 1994, followed by his wife, Mary Alice (Tink) on December 1, 1998. They are missed.
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“HALLOWEEN”
The word itself, Halloween, has its origins in the Catholic Church. It is a corruption of ‘All Hallows Eve’. This is the night before ‘All Hallows Day’ (or All Saints Day), an observance in honor of saints.
But in the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31st. One story says that, on that day, the disembodies spirits of all those who had died the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. The Celts believed all natural laws were suspended during this time, allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living.
Not wanting to be possessed, the villagers would dress up in all manner of ghoulish costumes and noisily parade around the neighborhood in order to frighten away these spirits.
The custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840s by Irish immigrants.
The custom of trick-or treating is thought to have originated with a 9th century European custom called souling. On November 2nd, “All Souls Day”, people would walk from Village to Village begging for ’soul cakes’, made of square pieces of bread with currants. The more cakes you received the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors.
The Jack-O-Lantern custom probably comes from Irish folklore. As the tale is told, a man named Jack, who was known as a drunkard and trickster, tricked Satan into climbing a tree and then trapped him there.
When Jack died, he was denied entrance to Heaven because of his evil ways, but was also denied entrance to Hell because he had tricked the devil. Instead, the devil gave him a single ember, embedded in a turnip to light his way through the darkness.
The Irish used turnips as their “Jack’s Lanterns” originally. But when the immigrants came to America, they found that pumpkins were more plentiful than turnips. So the Jack-O-Lantern in American was a hollowed-out pumpkin, lit with a candle.
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SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS, INSTEAD OF SUGAR LOADED CANDY.
Give out single-serving packets of peanuts, cashews or mixed nuts
Give out small party favors/toys
Sugar-free gum or candy
Kids always need pencils, so give out the kind with the specialty erasers.
Small boxes of crayons
Individually wrapped string cheese snacks
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“LIONS CLUB NEWS”
New club officers for the year include: King Lion- Lynn Wright, 1st Vice President- Bob Sabo, 2nd Vice President- Jim Prohn, 3rd Vice President- Dave Gauch, Secretary- Patti Gauch, Treasurer- John McFarland, Lion Tamer- Jim Spence, Tail Twister- Brian Rooth,, Membership- Harold Ullman, Public Relations- John Evans, Two Year Directors- Bob Bard & Don Martin, One Year Directors- Michele Evans & Dan Osborne.
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The Crestwood Lions Club recently donated a $6,000 check to provide a Pilot Dog for someone in need. The check was presented by outgoing King Lion Tim McDermott to Lion Harold Ullman, the Sight/Hearing Pilot Dog State Chairman.
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The Lions Club would like to thank those who donated items to the Concession Stand during Little League games this summer. Thanks to McDonalds, Hayletts, and Portage Frosted Foods for donating food items to help make it successful.
The Lions are continuing the Stand in the Park during the Youth Football practice games for 5 nights a week until school starts. The schedule will then be 3 nights, Monday, Wednesday & Friday until October.
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The Lions would like to thank everyone that helped with the Soap Box Derby this year. Congratulations to Rickilea Murphy on winning the Derby and continuing on to Derby Downs to win there. Thanks to the Village of Mantua, the Mantua Police Department and the Soap Box Derby Committee who organized the event. A special thanks to Lion Don Martin who helped on both the Derby Committee and with the Lions to organize all the details.
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In the month of October, the Lions will be doing a diabetes and glaucoma testing at Mantua Station Drug. Watch for further details to be announced at a later date.
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It’s almost time again to “scare up” your old eyeglasses. Sight Night will be coming up during Halloween Trick or Treat. The Lions will visit homes in the Village collecting used eyeglasses. If you miss it, there are collection boxes located at various businesses in the Village to drop them off.
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Thanks to the community for continuing to support the Crestwood Lions Club. Look for the Lions Food Trailer at the Potato Festival this year and our float in the Festival Parade on Sunday. We will be raffling off a wood stove and BBQ grill during the Festival.
Contact Lion Harold Ullman with any questions about the Crestwood Lions Club.
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"SOME SAFETY TIPS FROM NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH”
WHAT TO LOOK FOR!
The stranger entering your neighbor's house when it is unoccupied may be a burglar.
Offers of merchandise at ridiculously low prices can mean stolen property.
Anyone removing accessories, license plates or gasoline from a car should be reported.
Anyone peering into parked cars may be looking for a car to steal or for valuables displayed in the car.
Persons entering or leaving a business place after hours may be burglars.
The sound of breaking glass or other loud explosive noises could mean an accident, housebreaking or vandalizing.
Persons loitering around schools, parks, secluded areas or in the neighborhood may be dangerous.
Continuous "repair" operations at a non-business location may mean stolen property being stripped, repainted or otherwise altered.
Open or broken windows at a closed business or residence whose owners are absent may mean a burglary in progress or already completed.
Unusual noises such as gunshots. screaming, sounds of combat, abnormally barking dogs. Anything suggestive of foul play, danger or illegal activity should be reported.
Any vehicles moving slowly and without lights, or following a course that appears aimless or repetitive is suspicious in any location. Occupants may be "casing" for places to rob or burglarize, or could be drug pushers or sex offenders.
Parked, occupied vehicles containing one or more persons are especially significant if observed at an unusual hour. They could be lookouts for a crime in progress.
Vehicles being loaded with valuables are suspicious if parked in front of closed businesses or untended residences...even if the vehicle is a legitimate looking commercial unit. To move more freely without suspicion, more and more professional thieves are "customizing" their vehicles with special signs.
Always be aware of your surroundings and report anything that appears suspicious to your local police.
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“ARTICLES WANTED”
As I remind everyone, in each issue, this is YOUR paper. It is about Mantua, its people, places and events.
If you have anything you would like to hear about, any ideas or suggestions, please let me know. Write to me c/o Village Hall, 4736 E. High St., Mantua, OH 44255. Or you may call at 330-274-8737.
If you belong to an organization or club, I would be happy to print any information on your meetings or upcoming events.
Bye for now, see you in December!
……………Diane Hura, Editor