Subscribe | Get featured

Rise and shine, Mansfield!

In today’s planning-your-week edition: Maple Syrup Festival, leprechaun felting class, and Newman Technology’s $74M expansion + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Mansfield protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

State parks tap sweet season: Malabar Farm’s 49th annual Maple Syrup Festival returns to Lucas near Mansfield on multiple March dates, featuring hands-on demonstrations and treats, with free events and cash encouraged for local vendors — see dates and details.

Parents’ voices spark change: Zan’s Mission partnered with EverCare ABA to bring in-home therapy to Ashland and Richland counties, responding to long waitlists. The nonprofit helps Mansfield families with intake and links to care — read the full story.

State-backed manufacturing growth: Newman Technology plans a $74 million expansion on Mansfield’s north side, adding 70 jobs and investing in stamping press technology. Hiring starts this summer, with expansion details expected soon — get all the details.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Join the Ashland County Polar Plunge
• Experience the revolutionary musical 1776
• Identify invasive species, explore native alternatives
• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• A home warranty that actually pays is 50% off right now

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 We got your back

Soup that saves Tuesday: Asian Taste ladles brisket pho with rich beef-bone broth, topped with bright herbs, alongside refreshingly light summer rolls. Consider it an easy, cozy upgrade for the weeknight slump when you’d rather not cook yet still crave something fresh.

Cozy fiber fix: Whether you knit, crochet, or felt your stress into something useful, Alpaca Meadows offers soft yarns, roving, spinning wheels, and low-key classes, all overseen by very fluffy supervisors. Expect inspiration, ample stash potential, and the chance to meet an alpaca with kinder color critiques than your friends.

Comfort food anytime: Breakfast all day, rotating specials and soups, and fresh Amish pies keep Mansfield Family Restaurant in the comfort zone when you’d rather not think… just eat. For peak cozy, pair the crispy broasted chicken with a hot cup of Pearl Coffee, then let the day slow down.

What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →

📆 Our favorite events this week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

📿 Fused Glass Pendant Workshop @ Kingwood Center Gardens | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:30 PM – St. Patrick’s Day vibes call for making a shamrock fused glass pendant with Juli Parsons. All materials included, you do the fun part, the kiln does the hot stuff, and pickup happens later. Members save a bit, register online, and skip the green beer.

❄ A Winter Day at the Cabin and Blockhouse @ Richland Early American Center for History | Friday (3/13) at 9:00 AM – Step into the cabin and blockhouse for a day of old-school living, cooking from scratch, and 18th-century games that don’t need a tutorial. Expect crackling hearths, hearty bites, and actual conversation, the kind you remember, with just enough frontier grit to feel earned.

🏠 2026 Mid-Ohio Home Show @ Richland County Fairgrounds, Mansfield, OH 44906, United States | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Kitchen stuck in 1994, or sick of that drafty hallway? The Mid Ohio Home Show has been Richland County’s weekend tradition since 1950, with vetted pros, practical ideas, and free admission. Swing by the Improveit booth, and you might score the makeover of your choice.

🧶 Second Annual Spring Craft Show @ The Ashland Kroc Center | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Think you can leave with just one thing? The Kroc Center’s second annual spring craft show packs 40+ vendors slinging alpaca goodies, local honey, baked treats, fresh flowers, home decor, tumblers, Tupperware, Mary Kay, and more. Vendors are full, your tote bag won’t be.

🍁 Maple Madness Tour @ The Ohio State University at Mansfield | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats Ohio spring like mud, salamanders, and hot maple syrup. Wander OSU Mansfield’s sugarbush, tour the 1,200-tap sugarhouse, then cash in on free pancakes with Ohio State syrup, family-friendly activities, and a nature walk that earns your carbs. Free, outdoors, dress for it.

☘ Leprechaun Felting Class @ Alpaca Meadows | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Trade the plastic shamrocks for a needle felting class where you sculpt a cheeky leprechaun from alpaca and wool, no experience required. They provide the alpaca, wool, and tools, you bring patience and mild stabbing. Space is limited, so snag a seat.

🇺 1776 @ The Mansfield Playhouse | Sunday (3/15) at 2:30 PM – Brush up on your Revolutionary gossip with 1776, the spirited musical where Congress sweats, argues, and somehow sings its way to independence, presented with The Mansfield Playhouse. It is like history class, but with harmonies, powdered wigs, and blessed air conditioning.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/9 1776 @ The Ohio State University at Mansfield – 7:30 PM
• 3/13 Chlurichaun @ Mansfield Liederkranz – 5:45 PM
• 3/14 Meal & Melodies @ Ashland Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall – 5:30 PM
• 3/14 The Magnavox’s and more @ The Mothership – 6:00 PM
• 3/14 Mansfield Symphony: A Night at the Oscars @ Renaissance Theatre – 7:30 PM
• 3/14 Jessica Hannan @ Backroom Bar and Grille – 8:30 PM
• 3/15 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration @ The Cove Coffee Shop & Pizza Company (Ontario) – 2:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• This free tool makes it easy to find a financial advisor
• Got debt? See if you qualify to pay up to 45% less
• See if you can get a lower car insurance rate
• Protect your pet (and your wallet) with Spot

📻 Mansfield report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 66°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 66. Southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 72°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 16%

A slight chance of rain showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Access cash without selling your home 🏠

A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your house.

Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much tax-free cash your home equity’s worth, with no commitment required.

This house is wild

Over 2,000 square feet deliver versatility, including a mother-in-law suite with 1 bed, 1 bath, a full kitchen, and a fireplace living room. Separate garage and exterior entrances enhance privacy. The main home offers 3 bedrooms, two living rooms, a partially finished lower level, and a fenced yard with an inground pool and patio. Recent siding, roof, and windows.

Take a peek inside →