By 1812Blockhouse
C’mon, admit it. Once and a while you just have to purchase that chocolate bar at the gas station to have your occasional “fix.”
Chocolate is, of course, a part of a good life. Technically, it refers to a food product made from roasted and ground cacao pods. Cacao has been consumed in some form since the Olmec civilization (19th to the 11th centuries B.C.).
These days, it is a key part of Spring Into Chocolate Weekend at Charles Mill Lake Park, which runs from Friday, May 20 through Monday, May 23. The schedule of events is as follows:
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By 1812Blockhouse
This a special edition of our Literary Mansfield series, in which we look at the lives and works of Mansfielders and Richland Countians who have contributed to the world of words. Authors, poets, playwrights, lyricists, and other wordsmiths are featured.
As the home of two Pulitzer Prize winners, the area is known for good writing and for being a good subject for fiction and non-fiction alike.
Today we’re sharing with you titles of books about Richland County or Richland Countians published in late 2019 to present day and available for purchase. Click any for more information and online purchasing. We rook the liberty of including a new biography of the sibling of a well-known Mansfield figure, John Sherman.
We suggest taking one of these works into nature to read.
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By 1812Blockhouse
Mansfield and Richland County were well represented when the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Contest Award winners were announced on Thursday.
In fact, Richland Source’s Curt Conrad was named the 2021 OPSWA Sportswriter of the Year for Division 1 publications (Division 1 includes publications with over 10,000 daily circulation as well as websites). The Division 2 award was made to another north central Ohioan, Rob McCurdy of the Marion Star.
Other awards won in Division 1 by Richland Countians included:
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By 1812Blockhouse
Each year, Preservation Ohio, the state’s original and oldest statewide historic preservation organization, compiles and publishes a list of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.
The 2022 list, announced today, includes 13 locations around the Buckeye State including houses, a neighborhood, a church, a former county courthouse, a former school, a lake, and more.
And for 2022, that list includes a site in Mansfield for the very first time.
More…Announcements, Featured, Historic Preservation, Park Avenue West
By 1812Blockhouse
From time to time, we feature information here at 1812Blockhouse about interesting events and happenings within an easy drive of Richland County. We call this series “In Our Backyard.” Of course, we regularly feature the many extraordinary places to visit right here in Richland County and encourage our readers to get out and experience what is on offer in our own backyard.
Today we’re suggesting one of our shortest possible road trips — just 35 or so miles from Mansfield, and perhaps even a shorter driving distance from Bellville and Lexington. We’re also talking about a rarity — a brand new museum that commemorates the life of a President of the United States.
The Warren G. Harding Presidential Library & Museum has been the focus of local, regional, and national attention before and after its recent opening. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
If you live in Mansfield, there’s a chance that you might live near a residence that was bought out of a book.
A Sears catalog, to be exact.
With Sears in the news this last week with the impending closure of the store at Richland Mall, we are joining those reflecting back on the long history of that retail chain in Mansfield. One unique connection between the two was in the large number of houses which were purchased from Sears and erected along city streets.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
Ohio State University Executive Vice President and Provost Melissa L. Gilliam announced today that Norman Jones, dean and director of Ohio State Mansfield, will now serve as vice provost and dean for undergraduate education.
In the new role, Jones will lead the vision for challenging and transformative academic experiences for Ohio State undergraduate students on all Ohio State campuses, and be responsible for guiding the development of undergraduate educational experiences and outcomes.
Jones’ appointment is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees and would begin on July 1.
A professor in the Department of English, Jones has served as dean and director of Ohio State Mansfield since 2017. As dean, he is responsible for leading the promotion, direction and support of teaching, learning and research for the 640-acre campus.
More…Appointments, Featured, OSU Mansfield, The Ohio State University
Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has confirmed nine additional wild white-tailed deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in northern Marion and southern Wyandot counties. Five were bucks, and four were does. Testing was performed on hunter-harvested deer during the 2021-22 season, as well as through a planned operation in February and March to obtain additional samples.
Since the fall of 2020, 11 wild deer have tested positive for CWD, all in Wyandot and Marion counties. Nine were confirmed in Wyandot County, and two were confirmed in Marion County. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer and other similar species, including mule deer, elk, and moose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans.
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By ODNR
Discovery School in Mansfield has been dedicated in April as an official WILD School Site, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Discovery School is the 198th WILD School Site dedicated in Ohio and the fourth in Richland County. Students at the school planted native wildflowers, maintained bluebird boxes, and removed invasive plants. This private pre-K to sixth-grade school sits on 40 acres of woods, fields, and streams and is focused on nature-based learning. Every classroom has a door to the outdoors.
An outdoor classroom allows classes to be conducted outdoors and students frequently spend time observing nature and wildlife throughout the property. A vernal pool was cleaned out and now serves as a study site for students to learn about seasonal changes. Taking hikes to identify area plants and animals is also popular with students.
More…Discovery School, Featured, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
All Things Business, History & Tourism
By 1812Blockhouse
Saturday brought the Secret City Tour sponsored by Downtown Mansfield, Inc., a component part of Saturday and Sunday’s RichHistory Weekend.
As in years past, a sampling of historic buildings in the downtown area were readied for these “sneak peek” tours. Buildings on this month’s edition included 87 West Fourth Street, 111 North Main Street (Second Floor), 137 North Main Street, 100 North Main (Second Floor), 130 North Main (Second Floor), 193 North Main, and 25 North Park.
The aim of the event is not only to provide an opportunity for Mansfielders and others to experience local history, but to demonstrate the potential of these spaces as redevelopment opportunities – the kinds of opportunities that can be fueled with recent downtown living grant funding provided by local civic leaders.
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From Renaissance Performing Arts Association
In a masterful finale concert like no other, the Mansfield Symphony celebrates the season and honors the past on Saturday, May 14 at 8:00 PM with “1001 Nights”. The concert will feature the Mansfield Symphony Chorus and special guest vocalists, Heidi Kirschenheiter-Vega (soprano) and Andrew Potter (Bass), on both classic and innovative works that will catch the attention of all music-lovers.
“We are very excited to bring to all of you our 1001 Nights concert. The title is a direct reference to Scheherazade, one of the most exotic, sensual, and thrilling pieces of music ever written. With virtuosic solos by our own concertmaster, Victor Beyens, and many other of our principal instruments, this piece is not only a thrilling way of telling a beautiful story but also a showcase of your incredible Mansfield Symphony” said Mansfield Symphony Conductor, Octavio Más-Arocas.
More…Concert, Featured, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, Renaissance Theatre
By 1812Blockhouse
While streetscape work continues in downtown Shelby as a part of that city’s three-part downtown makeover, another major portion of that effort came closer to reality this week.
On Wednesday, construction bids were opened for the new Black Fork Commons Plaza (conceptual images above). Three qualified bids were received, the lowest submitted by Simonson Construction of Ashland.
The Black Fork Commons Plaza will include a fountain/splash feature for kids, a plaza, and a pergola/outdoor fireplace. The price tag is $1.2 million, which has been fully raised. Engineering is underway. The Plaza’s cost is $1.6 million, and it too has been fully funded with 12 local donors. The fundraising was kicked off by the Shelby Foundation’s gift of $250,000.
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By 1812Blockhouse
This summer, travelers in Ashland and Richland Counties are bound to see crews from Ohio Edison “up in the trees.”
Ohio Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. electric company, is conducting its annual tree trimming and other vegetation management work throughout its 34 county service area. According to the company, this year’s $21.6 million tree-trimming program will help keep power flowing to customers by helping to prevent tree-related outages, such as those that can occur during the spring and summer storm season.
Already in 2022 some 300 miles of lines have been addressed. There’s still another 4,400 miles to go of tree trimming along high voltage power lines in the company’s service territory.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
With the start of summer term, The Ohio State University is updating its COVID-19 protocols based on the state of the pandemic and federal, state and local guidance.
While the university continues to require that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, Ohio State will be shifting to a voluntary testing program for the summer starting on Monday, May 9. Masks remain optional in most indoor spaces.
The university’s COVID-19 response is always subject to change. Throughout the pandemic, Ohio State has followed guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health as well as federal, state and local policy.
The Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website is regularly updated to reflect current guidance.
More…Featured, Public Health, Student Health, The Ohio State University
By 1812Blockhouse
The Mansfield Division of Police is looking for a man wanted on a Felony warrant.
According to a press release from the Division posted on Monday afternoon, the man, Michael A. Childress, is suspected in another recent shooting in the city of Mansfield.
The release reads in part: “The Mansfield Division of Police responded to a 911 call for assistance at the Moto-Mart at 1050 West Fourth Street on Sunday morning, May 1, at approximately 2:51 AM, in reference to a 31-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. Once at the location, officers located the victim, Kenneth D. Norris (B/M, 31 years old), near the door of the business suffering from a bullet wound to the head. The victim was immediately transferred to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and was left in the care of hospital staff. No further information on his condition is available at this time.
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