Today is July 21, 2023.

• Good morning! After a night of severe thunderstorms, we’re in for a kinder, gentler day today. Expect times of clouds and sun with a thundershower, with a high of 76 and a low of 58. We haven’t seen much in the way of dog days yet, but they could be on the way with a gradual warm-up next week, topping out at 89 degrees Wednesday. So we’re not scorching … yet.
  

• Correction: In last Friday's issue, we reported that Minuteman Press of Stow purchased Copy Print and will take over their location on North Water Street in Kent. In fact, Minuteman only bought Copy Print's client list, and the downtown Kent location will be leased out to a new tenant.
  

• 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!

Latest news in brief

Moving right along: With signal work done, Graham/Fishcreek project moves on to the road construction phase

The heavy lifting is underway with the Graham/Fishcreek Intersection Improvement Project. This week saw the completion of the signal work at the intersection, with the new signals activated and all the old signal equipment removed.

At the same time, the actual roadway construction got underway, which includes removing the traffic islands, implementing access management, improving commercial driveways, upgrading pedestrian amenities, new sidewalks, resurfacing and new pavement markings.

The project is on schedule to be completed by the end of summer. The City of Stow says the project was needed for highway safety and updating signal equipment along with roadway and sidewalk improvements.

For questions about the project, contact the City of Stow Engineering Department at (330) 689-2719 or [email protected].

More local news:

• Attention Stow residents: If your water has looked discolored the last few days, that’s because the City of Akron had a plant shutdown July 18 for repairs, causing a fluctuation in water pressure. The City of Stow says the water is safe to drink, although it might not be aesthetically pleasing. Questions may be directed to the Stow Water Department at (330) 689-2889.

• The upcoming local festivals are lining up, and they’ll be here before you know it. There’s the Stow Summer Sunset Blast on Sept. 2 and 3, then there’s Paw Fest 2023 on Sept. 17. And here’s another community event to circle on your calendar: the 44th annual Stow Historical Society Harvest Festival, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1 at Silver Springs Park at 5238 Young Rd. The event will feature over 40 crafters and artisans selling their products inside the Heritage Barn and on the park grounds. SHS volunteers will serve a variety of food in the Heritage Barn as well. The Stow Historical Society preserves the history of Stow through historic home tours, educational programs and the annual Harvest Festival. Go here for more information.

• The third and final installment of the City of Stow’s 2023 Team Up 2 Clean Up program, where residents can volunteer to assist with trash pickup along major roads in the city, will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Collecting trash along the city's roadways will help prevent pollution from entering storm drains that lead to local lakes, rivers and streams. You will be working with a small group and assigned an area to pick up trash along streets and sidewalks. If you helped last year, dig out your green safety T-shirt; if you're new to the group, advise your preferred T-shirt size when registering. Go here to register for the Aug. 26 program. Packet pickup, which will include your T-shirt, supplies needed and the area you are assigned to work in, will be from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, and from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25. Trash bags, latex gloves and T-shirts will be provided; you may want to bring gardening or work gloves. Questions may be directed to Teresa at (330) 689-2700.

• If you’re heading to a City of Stow Concert on the Green event, keep in mind that the SKiP Playground parking lot will most likely be full due to the popularity of the new playground. Parking is available at the Stow City Hall parking lot, which is a short walk to the concert lawn. Park only in designated parking spaces, not on the grass, street or along curbs.

• Parks maintenance crews have been blowing mulch in at the Stow parks this week, and work may be ongoing. The city advises residents to keep their distance while crews are working.
  

• Munroe Falls’ Stuff the Bus drive for schoolteacher supply items began July 17 and runs through Friday, July 28. Deliver donations to Munroe Falls City Hall at 43 Munroe Falls Ave. Visit this page to see the list of supplies and snacks that are needed in this campaign.

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Community calendar

🧶 Sat., July 22, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Crafts at the Stow Community Farmers Market. What: Craft with the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library at the Stow Community Farmers Market. The library will lead you in a fun, nature-inspired activity as you shop. Where: Stow Community Church (1567 Pilgrim Dr.). No registration required, just drop in.

🌳 Tues., July 25, 6-7:30 p.m.: Connect with Nature: Playing and Pages Pop Up in the Park. What: Stow Parks & Recreation Department event for kids featuring games, frozen treats, music, water balloons, and a free book (donated by the Rotary Club of Stow-Munroe Falls) for each child. Joining the fun will be Mayor John Pribonic, the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, Stow Fire Department, Stow Police Department, Stow Commission on Inclusion, Stow Arts Commission and Stow Law Director Jaime Syx. Where: Meadowbrook Lake Neighborhood Park (5069 Hudson Dr.). Admission is free for all ages, and there's no need to register. Rain date is Wednesday, July 26. This is the second of three Playing and Pages Pop Up in the Park events of the summer.

🍿 Wed., July 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Family Movie Night: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. What: Bring the whole family to watch this animated movie on the big screen. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Popcorn and drinks will be provided (while supplies last). Feel free to bring blankets and pillows for the kids. Registration is not necessary.

🧘 Thurs., July 27, 6-7 p.m.: Yoga on the Green. What: Embrace your wellness with this yoga program presented by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department. Instruction will be provided by Flourish Yoga and Wellness of Stow — just make sure to bring your own yoga mat and water. Where: On the Green at Stow City Center (3870 Darrow Rd.; parking at SKiP Playground). Program is free for the community and will take place every Thursday from June 8 to Aug. 10. Go to this page to register. Note: For inclement weather, the program will be moved to Flourish Yoga and Wellness at 3037 Graham Rd. in Stow. Registrants will be notified of this change by email.

⛺ Sat., July 29, 1 p.m.-Sun., July 30, 11 a.m.: Tent Camping for Families. What: Families with children ages 13 and younger are invited to join naturalists for a fun and relaxing overnight tent camping experience. Activities include guided nature hikes, campfires, S'mores and games. Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park - Lake Area (521 S. River Rd.). Bring your own camping equipment, including food, sleeping gear, toiletries and chairs. No gear? No problem! Request a free camping kit with essentials during registration (available while supplies last). Advance registration is required — call (330) 865-8065 to reserve your family’s spot.

🌙 Sat., July 29, 8:30-10 p.m.: Nature Night Hike. What: Bring your flashlights for this 1-mile twilight hike. We will keep our eyes and ears open for owls, frogs and other nocturnal animals. Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park - Lake Area (521 S. River Rd.).

🪄 Mon., July 31, 6-6:45 p.m. & 7:30-8:15 p.m.: The Alans Magic Show. What: Families with children of all ages can join magicians Jason and Stacy Alan at 6 or 7:30 p.m. for a high-energy magic show with plenty of audience participation and lots of laughs.  Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is required; to register, go here or call the library at (330) 688-3295 ext. 5. Register each child and adult who wishes to attend the program.

🚓 Tues., Aug. 1, 6-8 p.m.: National Night Out 2023. What: Stow and Munroe Falls residents are invited to this annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our communities safer, more caring places to live. Entertainment will include a Bounce House, slide, police vehicles, and raffle by Target. Where: 3800 Darrow Rd., next to Fire Station #1. National Night Out, established in 1984, is held simultaneously across the country the first Tuesday of August. For more information, visit nationalnightout.org.

🎶 Tues., Aug. 1, 7-8 p.m.: Music by the Lake. What: Sit back and enjoy a free performance by the Metro Parks Ensemble, an all-volunteer group that plays a variety of music from current and past decades such as traditional marches, big-band standards, Broadway musicals, classic TV theme songs, children’s films and more (program varies each month). Where: Maple Beach Shelter at Munroe Falls Metro Park - Lake Area (521 S. River Rd.). Bring your own chairs and blankets, and a picnic if you prefer. Presented by Wayside Furniture. Note: Performances are not held during inclement weather. If it’s raining or wet weather is in the forecast, call the ensemble’s info line at (330) 865-8060 after 4 p.m. Aug. 1 for concert status.

🎺 Wed., Aug. 2, 7-8 p.m.: Riverfront Community Band. What: Enjoy a free concert to wrap up the summer as the Riverfront Community Band, formerly the Bethany Concert Band, returns to the library. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register, visit this page or call the library at (330) 688-3295 ext. 4.

🦇 Wed., Aug. 2, 8:30-10 p.m.: Bat Night. What: Fantastic flying insect controllers, also known as bats, are some of the most fascinating and beneficial creatures of the night. Learn about these amazing mammals as we attempt to catch live bats with nets for observation and data collection. Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park - Lake Area (521 S. River Rd.). Meet at Shady Beach Shelter.

🧘 Thurs., Aug. 3, 6-7 p.m.: Yoga on the Green. What: Embrace your wellness with this yoga program presented by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department. Instruction will be provided by Flourish Yoga and Wellness of Stow — just make sure to bring your own yoga mat and water. Where: On the Green at Stow City Center (3870 Darrow Rd.; parking at SKiP Playground). Program is free for the community and will take place every Thursday from June 8 to Aug. 10. Go to this page to register. Note: For inclement weather, the program will be moved to Flourish Yoga and Wellness at 3037 Graham Rd. in Stow. Registrants will be notified of this change by email.

Obituaries

June Pulcini
June Pulcini, 91, died July 10, 2023. with her family by her side in Mansfield, Texas.
Read more

Donald L. Channell
The family of Mr. Channell is preparing his obituary. It will appear here when completed.
Read more

Comments from last week’s issue

“Enjoy ‘The Spotlight’ as a smaller version of the Stow Sentry, keeps us informed of local happenings.”

“This gives us a better feel for what the city offers it’s residents and what it views as the major points of communication that are important. Thank you.”

“I look forward to reading your publication every Friday. Keep up the good work”

Stow

Get ready for the big dig: A nearly 3½-mile rebuild of Darrow Road will get underway in 2025

The Graham/Fishcreek Intersection Improvement Project is just the undercard compared to the main event that’s coming: The City of Stow plans to reconstruct Darrow Road from the southern corporation limit to Norton Road — a project length of 3.4 miles.

The city plans to begin construction in 2025, with project duration extending through 2026. The project is sponsored by the City of Stow and funded by the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study, the Federal Highway Administration, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and local funds.

The proposed improvements include:

• Installing new sidewalks and curb ramps in areas where they are missing to improve pedestrian mobility and connectivity.

• Reconstructing and resurfacing the pavement.

• Replacing curbing.

• Replacing catch basins and installing new storm sewers.

• Installing new pavement markings and signage.

• Upgrading the traffic signals, including upgrades to pedestrian amenities and crosswalks and optimizing signal timing.

• Adding a new path connection to provide more direct access from Darrow Road to the existing Metro Parks bike trail.

Like any road project, it’s going to affect your commute: The city says small portions of proposed right-of-way may be required in isolated and sporadic locations.

The city also says any environmental impacts from the construction should be minor. The project plans to minimize impacts to wetlands, streams and waterways/floodplains along the project corridor, and impacts to Maple Lawn Cemetery on the east side of Darrow Road are being avoided.

Comments or questions about the project can be made by Friday, Aug. 25 to Stow City Engineer James McCleary at (330) 689-2719 or [email protected]s.

Schools

Getting closer: Site variance approvals mean construction on the new fieldhouse should begin soon

Ground hasn’t been broken yet on the new fieldhouse that’s going in between Stow-Munroe Falls High School and the stadium, but the construction phase drew nearer last week when the Stow Planning Commission granted several site variances to district officials and the project’s architect.

While a groundbreaking date has not been announced, the facility itself continues to take shape on the planning board:

• The fieldhouse will cover more than 2,500 square feet, but that’s only the beginning: An expansion is already planned that will extend the building west all the way to Bulldog Stadium.

• The facility will feature a weight room and a multi-purpose room that can be used by all of the school’s 28 athletic programs, while a family resource center with mental and behavioral health resources is also planned.
  

• A tax anticipation note that the school district took out on its permanent improvement fund is paying for most of the $5.3 million project. Private money from businesses and the community will also be used; contact the SMF Board of Education if you’re interested in contributing to the project.

Meanwhile, the location of the fieldhouse means the school’s marching band will need a new practice field. And to that end, re-grading work is already underway to construct one in the large open space adjacent to the high school along Graham Road.

And we’re done. As you just read, there’s a whole lot going on in our communities right now, and there’s a lot more just over the horizon. Keep us posted on anything that’s going on with your club, group or organization — The Spotlight will be happy to publish whatever you’ve got. Have a great week ahead, and we’ll do this again next Friday!

Tom Hardesty
[email protected]