Today is March 26, 2026.

• Good morning! March came in like a lamb this year, but today is going to feel lion-like as the end of the month nears, with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm late in the afternoon that could bring hail and damaging winds. Our high today will be 67 degrees before plunging to 34 tonight. Temps will then plummet to 23 degrees Friday night before things warm back up again, reaching the low 70s by next Wednesday. In other words, we’re in that time of year when we can get all four seasons in a single day.
  

• VILLAGE OF SILVER LAKE GAS AGGREGATION PROGRAM: The Village of Silver Lake’s gas aggregation with IGS Energy will have a new rate of $4.95 per MCF starting with the April 2026 meter reads and extending through March 2030. Residents were due to receive a letter in the mail from IGS around March 20; those who haven’t received theirs yet can go here for more information. Residents’ options are to do nothing to stay in the program, or opt out by Friday, April 10. Go to this page for more information on the village’s gas aggregation program.
  

• ATTENTION BICYCLISTS: The Village of Silver Lake reported March 19 that it has installed a bicycle repair station next to the picnic pavilion, adjacent to Village Hall at 2961 Kent Rd. The repair station allows cyclists to make adjustments to their bike or put air in the tires.
  

• NOT HAPPY WITH YOUR SUMMIT COUNTY PROPERTY VALUATION?: Summit County property owners who disagree with the county valuation of their property can file a complaint with the Board of Revision for a review of their property value — but time is running short. The deadline to file a complaint is Tuesday, March 31. Go to this page for more information, including how to obtain a complaint form (DTE 1) and ways you can submit it.
  

• MAY 5 PRIMARY ELECTION: The registration deadline for the May 5 Primary/Special Election is Monday, April 6. Go to this page for information on registration. Early voting begins Tuesday, April 7 and will be held at the Summit County Board of Elections at 1050 E. Tallmadge Ave. in Akron. Go to this page for the full schedule of early voting dates and hours. For information on absentee voting, go to this page. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5.
  

• “Reader Spotlight” is a forum where you can send us your comments, concerns and suggestions on anything going on in our communities of Stow, Munroe Falls and Silver Lake. Send your email to [email protected], put “Reader Spotlight” in the subject line, and please include your name and town (recommended but not required for publication). We will publish comments as we receive them.
  

• If you just subscribed or missed something in an earlier newsletter, don’t fret: Subscribers have access to every edition of The Spotlight at www.stowmunroefalls.com. Check out back issues to catch up on everything that’s going on in our communities — you never know what you might have missed!

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Stow

City plans series of pop-up events to coincide with construction of new amphitheater

Construction on the new Stow Amphitheater is scheduled to begin next month, and the City of Stow has a whole series of events lined up to celebrate the occasion. The city is calling it the “Building the Beat” series, and it will comprise seven different pop-up events that will take place on site during the early construction phase of The AMP, which will be located at 1680 Norton Rd. The series begins April 12 and ends in October.

Each of the seven pop-up events will be held in the parking lot area of the future amphitheater. They will be short and informal, featuring a variety of family-friendly activities along with small promotional giveaways.

Pop-up activities throughout the series will include interactive experiences, an open mic night for young performers, a pop-up dance party, children’s building activities and creative play opportunities, all of it starting with the “Dig into the AMP” kickoff celebration April 12.

Here’s the schedule of events:

• Sun., April 12, 1:30-3 p.m.: Dig into the AMP Kickoff Pop-Up

• Wed., May 20, 6-7:30 p.m.: Build the Buzz Pop-Up

• Tues., June 30, 6-7:30 p.m.: Kids Build the AMP Pop-Up

• Wed., July 22, 6-7:30 p.m.: Mini Mic Moment Pop-Up

• Wed., Aug. 19, 6-7:30 p.m.: Dress-Up + Photo Stage Pop-Up

• Wed., Sept. 16, 6-7:30 p.m.: Dance Freeze Party Pop-Up

• Wed., Oct. 7, 6-7:30 p.m.: Chalk the Countdown Pop-Up

“These pop-ups are about reminding the community that The AMP is no longer just an idea — it’s becoming a reality,” Mayor John Pribonic said. “After more than a year of planning and coordination, we’re excited to activate the space and invite residents to be part of the journey.”

All seven events are free to attend and open to the community.

Environment

Celebrating the home planet: Earth Fest scheduled for April 25 at Adell Durbin Park

The start of construction on Stow’s new outdoor performance venue isn’t the only thing that will be celebrated next month. The community is also invited to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day at the Stow Parks & Recreation Department and Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library’s annual Earth Fest event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 25 at Adell Durbin Park, located at 3300 Darrow Rd.

The event will feature a wide range of demonstrations, activities and giveaways. The schedule of programs includes:

• 10:15 a.m. – Stow Urban Forestry Commission: Invasive Species Identification Walk. Learn how to recognize and identify common invasive plants impacting our local environment.

• 10:45 a.m. – Stow Urban Forestry Commission: Pruning Walk & Talk. Watch a live demonstration as a tulip tree is expertly pruned, with tips and techniques shared along the way.

• 11:15 a.m. – Guided Spring Hike. Take a relaxing walk through nature as you explore the early signs of spring and enjoy the beauty of the season.

The organizations that will be on site for Earth Fest are:

• Stow Urban Forestry — Pick up a passport at the parks & rec booth and visit the organizations for your stamps, then return your passport for a free tree.

• Summit County Metro Parks — Learn about Wild Back Yards.

• Summit County Master Gardeners — Gardening information and activity.

• Rubber City Reuse — Educational materials at the library booth.

• Wild Ones — Native plants and home landscape.

• Summit Soil and Water Conservation District — Rain gardens and other water-quality methods for homeowners.

• Ohio Department of Wildlife — Wildlife habitats & native seed packs.

• EnviroScience

• Stow Parks & Recreation

• Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library — Craft: Bring an old T-shirt to make a bag.

• Summit ReWorks

• Greater Akron Audubon Society — Bird-matching game, bird craft, information.

• Traveling Tom’s Beverage Truck — Hot and cold beverages available for purchase.

Earth Fest is free to attend, and no registration is required. Additional parking will be available at the LaTuchie Tennis Center at 3200 Darrow Rd.

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