A fund-raising meal featuring jambalaya will be held at the Mantua Knights of Columbus Hall on S.R. 44, just north of S.R. 82. The meal will include cornbread, rolls, dessert and beverage. There will also be musical entertainment. The dinner will benefit Katrina Relief, specifically the Westside Mission of New Orleans, La. It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Reservations are requested.

In February, 28 people from the Mantua area went to the Westside Mission to help with the rebuilding effort. They came away from that trip so impressed with the work of the mission and its founder, the Rev. Vance Moore, and so inspired by his dedication and compassion that they plan to return to the Westside Mission in February 2009.

The rebuilding efforts in the Gulf region will not be complete for another 20 to 30 years, if then. The devastation is beyond comprehension. Participants are asking you to please help them with this important task. Your donations will go directly to help the people, with every dollar you give going directly to rebuilding projects. Their motto is "A hand up, not a hand out."

You may call Ellie at 330-274-0711, Lois at 330-274-8128, Phyllis at 330-274-8478, or Katie or Don at 330-560-3311, or send e-mail to Jill at corbetjr@hiram.edu.

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Congratulations to the Crestwood Middle School Students of the Month for April: sixth grade -- Jessica Felker, Roger Pierce, Julia Pfaff, George Baran, Breanna Benner and Conner Nemec; seventh grade -- Emma Cline, Joseph Cavanaugh, Tolly Tramont, Jeremiah Poole, Victoria Chiller and Austin Cash; and eighth grade -- Rachel Vaught, Ian Lamb, Amber Henwood, Dan Buchanan, Karlie Lieberth and Drew Seneff.

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The Neighborhood Watch Yard Sale is happening from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Maps may be picked up at Mantua Station Drug after 8 a.m. or at any of the homes. You might find some real goodies at this yard sale.

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The Rotary Club of Mantua had an interesting evening Tuesday when they hosted the District Group Study Team from Germany. Past District Gov. Jim Frame introduced the team leader, Klaus Kuhn, a member of the Rotary Club of Clausthal and a retired professor at the Technical University of Clausthal, where he concentrated on radioactive waste management.

Team Leader Kuhn in turn introduced the team members: Carsten Lange, who is head of the city purchasing department; Markus Prestin of Hanover, who is employed as a project leader for a consultant company that focuses mainly on the healthcare sector; Denis Schmid, assistant chief of staff in the transportation venues of Madgeburg; Stefan Schubert of Gottingen, who is a senior information technology project manager in credit risk management; and Mark Zimmerman of Hildesheim, Lower Saxony, leader of the real estate unit of a savings bank and department manager.

This group study team will be involved in Friday's program at the district conference next weekend at the Bertram Inn in Aurora and will remain in the district until the end of the month. Extensive plans have been made for them to visit important cultural places and events, including opportunities for each team member to visit and collaborate with people of like professions. Being a member of Rotary provides a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to and supportive of many outstanding programs such as this.

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Attending the latest meeting of the Rotary Club of Mantua are, from left, Mark Zimmerman, team leader Klaus Kuhn, Past District Gov. Jim Frame, Markus Prestin, Denis Schmid, Stefan Schubert, Carsten Lange and Past Rotary President Virginia Goodell.

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So long for now.

For Mantua news, contact Virginia Goodell at 330-274-2376 or vgoodell@aol.com.