Story by Ryan Struhar

Portage County is known for being the home of the Kent State Golden Flashes, but what people do not know is that there are other areas in the county than

just Kent State University. Surrounding areas of the university and within the county are Randolph, Suffield, and Mogadore.

Within these areas, there are residents who have been in the area for their entire 65-year life who live in the community and the area in which they live and work. Making their livelihood off of.

And with it being fall that means one big thing, it is voting and election season here in the country, as states and counties start their election process and voting process.

“We have a great spirit of togetherness here,” said Laurie Warner who is the owner of Randolph Home Furnishings. Warner has been in Randolph her whole life and raised a family there. Her store is heavily involved in the community, and she says that they have been very blessed to have the success of the business that they had within Randolph.

Warner went on to say that she feels that within her community she does not have any real issues. She has raised kids who have gone through the school system, and she said that the system was a great school system. And when it comes to, she said that it is great and that she loves what she does.

Suffield

Duma Meats is located in Suffield, Ohio. Duma Meats is an old-fashioned market, which sells fresh beef, chicken, and pork. As well as homemade sausage, hams, and bacon.

“I like that we can all come together in a time of need,” said Seth Frient who is 19, a Kent State student, and works at Duma Meats. Frient has been in the community his whole life.

In Suffield they are trying to pass a levy for the schools. A levy has not been passed   in the area’s school system for 35 years, said Frient. The schools in the area are losing teachers left and right as well programs the school used to have. The levy would be a great thing for the students.

“Education is what you make of it,” said Frient. Although there may be some negativity surrounding the schools, the schools have great teachers, and that they deserve all the support they can get, Frient said.

Mogadore

As well as their football team. Driving through the community you will see signs that will have something to do with football. The signs often have something to deal with playing with heart, grit, and toughness. 

The area does not have many local businesses to visit. One of the few local businesses in the area was a place

called the Wildcat Cafe. The cafe is a diner and if you walk across the hall in the diner, you are immediately entering a sports bar.

 

One of the issues within the community is the understaffed nature of these places. All the local businesses that were visited had an issue with the low employment. In the Wildcat Cafe there were only two workers working, one in the diner portion and the other in the bar portion, all of them handling their customers by themselves with no one to help.

The community does have a great sense of togetherness, but that still does not stop all the employment problems happening in the area.

No one wanted to go on record to speak with us.

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Portage County residents have spoken, history needs to be preserved 

By Julianna Garganta

The citizens of the Village of Mogadore, Suffield and Randolph Townships would like to see little change for their towns, but hope their reputations and history remain true.

In one month, the 2022 midterm elections will take place. According to CBS News, this election will potentially be seen as the most consequential in years.

With the soon-to-be elected government officials taking their rightful seats and critical issues being passed, new ways and regulations of life will go into effect. This will impact the lives of all Americans, especially here in Ohio.

Although the residents living throughout these three locations do not seem fazed by the upcoming elections, they hope the kindness, fair opportunity and harmony that they have seen for years continues through change and history will be preserved.

Mogadore

Driving into town, the immediate sense is family. Banners hoisted on utility poles highlighting Mogadore High School varsity football line the streets along with inviting words that represent the community.

At the top of Hale St., signage, in school colors, reads:

“Small Village Big Dreams”

With seven schools located in the village, parents and officials want to teach their kids young the importance of remaining true to your roots.

Along with the cross-country high school athletes, who were running around the fields of Lions Park, was a small family enjoying their time at the playground.

“The village is very sweet. Their school system is really good, I like school here and they take good care of the kids too,” said Oliva M., Mogadore resident of 16 years.

Near a quaint farmland lies Duma Meats Inc. and Farm Market, a family owned and operated 4th generation business.

Although the owner, Dave Duma, did not want himself or his customers to speak nor get on camera, we met with Duma’s floor manager and Kent State sophomore business major Seth Frient.

“I really enjoy how this community can all come together during times of need. We have been trying to be very active within our schools, and I think that is very important as well,” said Frient.

Suffield

Neighboring the Village of Mogadore, ten minutes southeast, is the tight knit community of Suffield.

Home of Wingfoot Lake State Park and the Goodyear blimp base, the heart and people of this township shine brightly.

While attending their daughter’s tennis match at Wingfoot Park, Portage County residents and Kent State alumni Michael and Cindy Chrin reflected on their home, recalling memories over the past 30 years of residency.

“I am a special-ed preschool teacher in Ravenna and have been a teacher for 33 years. I love it,” said C. Chrin. “The culture in the schools have changed, but I think we as leaders have to make an impactful difference,”.

The school systems in these communities, especially since they are smaller than others in bigger Portage County cities, play a crucial role in the lives of children. Although the schools are changing, teachers and officials must recall the proper ways to take care of their students.

Having been born and raised here for 52 years, Matt Harper says Portage is his roots. Readers note: this source also did not want to be pictured.

“I believe this area is making strides to grow, a lot of good things are happening. It is a smaller community, so you get to know your neighbors. This is a great place to live,” said Harper.

Along with many residents of Portage that have shared the same sentiments, Harper says there is nothing he sees as problematic or that he would like to see change for as a result of the upcoming midterm elections.

Randolph

Corn fields, farmland, curvy roads and minimal businesses were the sights as the final destination of Randolph Township got closer.

Although one of the most popular staples during any election are yard signs, residents in all three of these areas did not partake. However, one barn display takes the cake.

Driving through the town, a blue-shaded barn was spotted with a huge makeshift sign pasted onto its side.

TRUMP, in all caps on the side of the barn, easily notified bystanders of the owner’s feelings. The name of our 45^th President of the United States filled the entire barn, top to bottom – side to side, and must have been 8×12 sheets of white paper lined up.

With just a simple but loud statement being made by this resident, it could be a sign for which way Ohio will go in current and future elections.

Moving into town, Laurie Warner, the owner of Randolph Home Furnishings, also did not want to be shown on camera or photographed. However, did relate her message of community and why Portage County means so much to her.

“I have lived here my entire life, 65 years. We have a great spirit of togetherness, and we have each other’s backs here,” said Warner.

With Randolph Township being her and her family’s roots, Warner says she just wishes for the community to grow in the right direction but to remain in good standing with its history.

The residents of Mogadore, Suffield and Randolph, throughout this process, have seemed to be a bit fearful in sharing their stories on camera – whether it be a business owner having a poor experience with the media 20 years ago, or just the comfortability aspect of it all. Having spoken with dozens of individuals of all ages, the feel for what these communities will look like after the current election and those in the future remains true.