At the recent Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) Annual Celebration, Denise Tenison was announced as the Richland SWCD 2020 Volunteer of the Year.
Denise is a long-time volunteer with Richland SWCD. She is a Precipitation, Lake and Stream Monitor Volunteer. Born in Mansfield, she and her husband of 34 years, Denny, live outside Lexington not far from Clear Fork Reservoir and have two adult children.
Prior to 1998, Denise conducted lake monitoring for the District while on Clear Fork Reservoir. She resumed volunteering again for the District in 2015. She has been joined by her husband, Denny, and her daughter Christina, on her volunteer activities; she and Denny now kayak out to two sites on the Clear Fork to collect data twice a month. More…
Awards and Honors, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
By 1812Blockhouse
It was a different kind of Thanksgiving in Mansfield 100 years ago.
For one thing, Mansfielders could travel to watch professional football being played on Thanksgiving Day for the very first time. Three of those games were played in Ohio, including contests between the Akron Pros and Canton Bulldogs; the Elyria Athletics and the Columbus Panhandles; and the Dayton Triangles and the Detroit Heralds.
What was on the average Richland County dinner table that day?
Most likely, it wasn’t a turkey. More…
On November 18, the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Board of Governors met for their monthly meeting.
Members heard a facilities update from Steve Earnest, Mid-Ohio ESC’s Executive Director, among other business items. The presentation given by Earnest centered on updates to the Mid-Ohio Conference Center, Print Shop, and the Mid-Ohio ESC facilities. Possible future usages of the facility along with recommended upgrades were a focus of the presentation and discussion. Among the topics discussed were: More…
Applications are being accepted through January 15 for the next Natural Resources Officer training academy, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The department is seeking to fill at least 15 positions.
“Natural Resource Officers have an essential role in helping our department fulfill its mission,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. ” We are looking for individuals with a great passion for the outdoors and a drive to serve the community through public service.”
The diversity of this career path offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for future ODNR employees. Natural resources officer duties include law enforcement and public service, as well as education and public relations for ODNR’s divisions of Parks and Watercraft, Forestry, and Natural Areas and Preserves. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Mansfield’s unique and strong connection with pioneer nurseryman Johnny Appleseed is an important element of local history.
While Johnny moved away in later life, and is buried in Fort Wayne, Indiana, his connections to this area remained strong. His name has appeared on a local shopping center; on an Boy Scout Council; and on a historic marker in Mansfield’s Central Park and monument in South Park near the Blockhouse.
Richland County is also a key part of the Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway.
1812Blockhouse has followed stories related to Johnny’s fame as well as artifacts related to his life and legend. That has included the fate of the former Johnny Appleseed Education Center and Museum on the campus of Urbana University in Urbana. More…
Featured, Johnny Appleseed, Mansfield History, Richland County History
Renaissance Performing Arts is pleased to announce an addition to its December event line-up called ‘Winter Wonderland Showcase.’
The Winter Wonderland Showcase features performers from the Richland Academy of the Arts, Pioneer Performing Arts School, and the Renaissance’s youth troupes MY Theatre (Mansfield Youth Theatre) and RYOT (Renaissance Youth Opera Theatre). Two performances will be held on the Renaissance stage on Saturday, December 12 at 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM.
The performance will include selections from The Nutcracker, including a variation on “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and the Chinese, Arabian and Spanish dances. Amongst many other vocal and dance songs will be “Carol of the Bells,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” and “Step into Christmas with The Puppini Sisters.” A Rockette number, “The Man with the Bag,” will be featured at the end of the program. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
In a news release on the City of Mansfield website, it was announced this week that two trees have been designated with Heritage Tree status by the City’s Shade Tree Commission.
The City of Mansfield Heritage Tree Program, launched in 2019, is based upon the “National Big Trees” program recognizing Heritage Trees of each species within the City of Mansfield Corporation limits.
The city received ten (10) nominations, which were initially visited by the Shade Tree Commission and then forwarded onto a volunteer who utilizing a “Biltmore stick”, provided accurate measurements and a thorough evaluation of the tree which was nominated. The Commission members at their June 2020 meeting approved the trees to be officially recorded as Heritage Trees
and will make bi-annual awards. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
At this time of the year, 1812Blockhouse creates and shares Richland Holiday Central, a place where local holiday events and more are shared for our readers.
On Saturday evening, the 2020 Edition went live and can be accessed here and via the link on our home page.
You will find a regularly updated list of Richland County Christmas happenings — including a note when, as happened twice this past week, a planned-for event is canceled.
There’s more — a collection of local holiday scenes from the last four years; a Christmas music player to set the mood; and a secret collection of fun holiday links hidden on our website, where you can track Santa via NORAD radar (NOTE — that goes live on December 1) or visit the jolly guy’s workshop with several online games!
We all know that 2020 has brought all of us a different kind of holiday season. Not here. There’s not the slightest mention of viruses, or politics, or anything of the kind. We wish our readers a beautiful and meaningful time as we remember together that there are things larger than ourselves worth remembering and celebrating.
1812Blockhouse, Featured, Holidays, Richland Holiday Central
Mayor Tim Theaker and Parks and Recreation Manager Mark Abrams have announced the City of Mansfield’s very first Light Up Mansfield Holiday Light Decorating Contest.
Get into the holiday spirit with a friendly, fun and festive competition. In order to be a part of Mansfield’s first Light Up Mansfield Holiday Light Decorating Contest, contestants must register their home on the map of local light displays. Registrations should be done by December 10, 2020, to be included on the local map.
Follow this link: https://forms.gle/dTQdNeUNB8E1VyW28 to register your home’s light display. This form and information will be on the City ofMansfield Parks and Recreation Facebook page at:www.facebook.com/mansfieldparksandrecreation. More…
By 1812Blockouse
One sector of the economy substantially and disproportionately impacted by the current pandemic is that of arts and cultural institutions. Across the country, and right here in Richland County, these organizations are trying to keep doors open and bills paid so that when the pandemic passes, they will have survived intact.
As we shared in a story earlier this week, the Richland Performing Arts Association alone has lost 25 percent of its anticipated revenue this year, which is approaching $500,000 in total. The Association has varied programming this year, introducing new ways for audiences to experience the arts.
In a Friday announcement on its Facebook Page, the Mansfield Playhouse, Ohio’s second oldest continuously producing community theatre, itself shared some difficult news. The Playhouse has decided to stop current productions until further notice and it is safe for staff, actors, and audience to return. This is its second such shutdown this season. More…
Coronavirus, Featured, Mansfield Playhouse, Performing Arts, Renaissance Theatre
By 1812Blockhouse
We continue our series “Everything You Always Wanted To Know About,” where we dive into weeds to bring you details on Richland County ‘s geographical, cultural, and scenic landmarks. In particular, we are continuing our look at the county’s collection of highways and byways.
Today, we look at a state highway which may not be the most exciting route in Ohio, but nevertheless starts (or stops, depending on your perspective) in Delaware County, travels through several other counties, and finishes within a stone’s throw of Lake Erie.
We’re talking about Ohio State Route 61, which has its southern terminus at the US36/State Route 37/Interstate 71 intersection near Sunbury. It travels from that point over 91 miles to a junction with US Route 6 near Huron and Vermilion. More…
By FARNOUSH AMIRI Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Gov. Mike DeWine — after promising a veto — failed to convince lawmakers Thursday not to pass legislation that would limit the powers of his administration and health officials as the virus’ spread across Ohio reached new peaks.
At hand was a Senate bill that would ban the state Department of Health from issuing mandatory quarantine orders enforced against people who are not sick or exposed to disease — such as the order announced by the governor Tuesday setting a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The bill passed with a 58-to-30 vote on partisan lines.
When the bill reaches DeWine’s desk, he will veto it out of “moral obligation,” he said. The House would then need 60 votes to override a governor’s veto. Both chambers are currently controlled by a Republican majority. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Thursday afternoon each week brings the release of additional information about the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio, particularly updates from the Ohio Public Health Advisory System and details about levels of the virus in public and private school settings.
The virus’ widespread nature statewide and locally is evidence in those statistics.
For the sixth week in a row, the number of counties at Level 3/Red grew and now stands at 72 — including Richland County (see below). Most of the counties at lower levels are in southeast Ohio, but those counties also include adjacent Huron County. More…
Coronavirus, Featured, Public Health, Richland County Schools, State of Ohio
Renaissance Performing Arts has begun its annual year-end fundraising campaign in conjunction with the Richland Gives online philanthropic event for area non-profits.
Richland Gives is an online giving event designed to encourage everyone to contribute to local nonprofits they care about through a single giving website. Hosted by the Richland County Foundation, Richland Gives builds capacity, grows philanthropy, and makes our community stronger. The campaign began on November 16 and will culminate on December 1, 2020, at 7:00 PM.
The pandemic has dealt a devastating blow to the arts sector this year. The Renaissance has lost 25 percent of its anticipated revenue, which is approaching $500,000 in total. More…
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Ohio Senate lawmakers approved a measure banning the execution of the severely mentally ill during a lame duck legislative session on Wednesday.
The state House legislation, introduced by GOP Rep. Brett Hillyer, of Uhrichsville, informally passed during a Senate session after receiving broad support from Republicans and Democrats in the General Assembly.
Senate President Larry Obhof, a Medina Republican, supported the bill but believes most Ohioans support the death penalty for some cases and so he wouldn’t support abolition of capital punishment, spokesman John Fortney said last week. More…
