Hello Mansfield! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Balloonfest, Rockstar Magic, and Junior Archivist Bootcamp + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A summer celebration returns: In Ashland, BalloonFest returns June 25–28 with hot air balloons, music, axe throwing, helicopter rides, and $10 monster truck rides. Opening ceremonies begin 6:15 p.m. June 25 -- catch the BalloonFest highlights.
Supporting hospital excellence: Bob and Jan Archer donated $1 million to UH Samaritan Medical Center, establishing an operations fund supporting provider recognition and engagement, and the lobby was named for the couple -- see the donation details.
Street repair plans ahead: Mansfield will resurface 23 miles of streets in 2026, a roughly $5 million effort funded by the long-standing pothole haters tax from the 1980s, according to Mayor Jodie Perry -- see the paving schedule.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Quick fun nearby: Acres of Fun is the no-brainer play pick this week, with go-karts, mini-golf, laser tag, a full-on roller rink, and a big arcade to keep everyone moving. It’s a short Wooster hop that turns “what should we do?” into “why are we leaving so soon?”
Garden glow-up, anyone? If your porch pots or backyard beds are looking a little meh, Country Lane Greenhouse (Homegrown Potatoes) is the low-key fix, with healthy starts, vibrant blooms, and friendly vibes that make choosing easy. Swing by this week, stock up, and let Mansfield see your garden glow.
Spin some joy: Because some weeks call for low-effort delight, Richland Carrousel Park is your instant mood lift with a hand-carved carousel, cheerful organ tunes, and a gift shop that somehow makes you nostalgic and snacky at the same time. Bring kids, bring a date, or just reclaim your inner eight-year-old.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎸 Rockstar Magic @ Mansfield Richland County Public Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:30 PM – Rockstar Magic delivers a classic magic show with a little arena swagger, all sleight of hand, quick patter, and reality-bending reveals. Grownup fun, no cartoon top hats, just smart illusions, dry humor, and that little jolt of impossible you actually want to talk about after.
📚 Junior Archivist Bootcamp @ Mansfield Richland County Public Library | Thursday (6/25) at 2:00 PM – Introduce the kids to life before the cloud was a forecast at Junior Archivist Bootcamp, where they learn how media was archived pre-digital. Think photo negatives, tape labels, and boxes that weren't virtual. You get nostalgia, they get useful skills, everyone wins.
🎈 Ashland BalloonFest @ BalloonFest | Thursday (6/25) at 5:00 PM – Ready to watch gigantic hot air balloons turn our quiet sky into a box of crayons? Ashland BalloonFest is a free, family-friendly excuse to look up, snap too many photos, and remember patience is a virtue when you’re herding kids, lawn chairs, and snacks.
🍓 Grandpa's 26th Annual Strawberry Feast @ Grandpa's Cheesebarn & Sweeties Chocolates (Ashland) | Friday (6/26) at 9:00 AM – Strawberry season in Ashland means Grandpa's 26th Annual Strawberry Feast, where everything short of the parking lot is berry flavored. Nibble from shortcake to shakes to strawberry jalapeno cheese, then settle in for the Chardon Polka Band, courtyard lunch, and comfort of a climate-controlled room.
🚁 Helicopter Rides @ Freer Field (Ashland) | Friday (6/26) at 4:00 PM – BalloonFest is great from a lawn chair, but it is better from a helicopter. Hop a five-minute spin over Ashland for $60, first come, first served, sign up before 6 pm for $10 off, and bring a buddy since seats fly in twos and threes.
🎭 RYOT: Gilbert & Sullivan's H. M. S. Pinafore @ Theatre 166 | Saturday (6/27) at 7:00 PM – Think you know your Gilbert and Sullivan? RYOT’s H.M.S. Pinafore sails into the Renaissance Theatre with romance, mistaken identities, and social satire that still floats, all carried by a shipshape cast of local students in grades 2–12, directed by the ever capable Lori Turner.
🔎 On the Case with Chase: Scavenger Hunt @ Little Sprouts Playhouse | Sunday (6/28) at 10:30 AM – Need to burn a toddler’s energy before nap time? Little Sprouts is hosting a Chase-themed scavenger hunt where pint-sized detectives follow clues, crack the case, and snag a prize. Perfect for Paw Patrol devotees ages 0 to 6, and yes, adults can enjoy coffee-in-hand spectating.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Mansfield report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers between 2am and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 77%
Showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. This house is wildThis sprawling 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath brick home offers over 2,700 square feet in Lexington school district’s Royal Oak neighborhood. A newly updated eat-in kitchen shines with quartz counters, subway tile, stainless appliances, and a butler’s pantry. The family room brings a gas log fireplace, while French doors open to a glass-wrapped sunroom and shaded patio with sunset views.
Take a peek inside → |
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