Today is March 24, 2023.

• Well, spring is here -- and we'll have the rain to prove it the next couple days. It's going to be cooler with a morning shower today, with a high of 49 and low of 43. Then we're going to have showers and thunderstorms Saturday, warming up to a high of 64 and dropping to a low of 35. We could get showers again Tuesday, but other than that it should be dry most of next week. And judging by the number of flooded yards in our area the last couple days, we need all the dry days we can get.

Latest news in brief

Yes, that's a helicopter transporting trees that you'll see flying over Call Road next week

If you see a tree-toting helicopter flying back and forth Monday, March 27 and Tuesday, March 28 in the area of Fox Den Golf Course on Call Road in Stow, your mind isn't playing tricks on you. It's really a helicopter carrying trees. According to the City of Stow, a private company, Energy Transfer, has an easement on the Fox Den property that runs north to south through the course, and there are about 54 trees on the easement through the course that need to be cleared. Energy Transfer, using its tree-clearing subcontractor Midwest, will begin dropping the trees throughout the course today.

And this is where that helicopter comes in: On March 27 and 28, the company will transport the cut trees by helicopter to a staging area across Call Road, near the Fox Den driving range. The helicopter is being used for transport, instead of heavy trucks and equipment, to incur as little damage as possible to the golf course. The trees will then be chipped on-site and hauled away.

Fox Den Golf Course will be closed both days that the helicopter is operating (March 27-28). Motorists may be affected by intermittent road closures and minor delays as the helicopter transports trees across Call Road. This is expected to occur routinely throughout the day between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. March 27 and 28, so it would be best to avoid the area if possible.

In the more than 17 years that the City of Stow has owned the course, this type of easement clearing has never been done. To remediate, Fox Den will plant more than 50 new trees in the area where the old trees will be removed.

More local news:

• Here's some fantastic news: According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 21 cities in Northeast Ohio had zero traffic deaths in the five years covering 2016 to 2020 -- and Munroe Falls was one of them. Munroe Falls, with a population of 5,044, joined Macedonia and Reminderville as the only Summit County cities to have no traffic fatalities in that five-year span. Nearby Tallmadge (4 years), Twinsburg (3 years) and Hudson (2 years) were also among the nine Summit County cities that made the list.

• The Spotlight reported last week that The Basement Sports Bar & Grill was "coming soon" to the former Beef 'O' Brady's space at 3732 Darrow Rd. in Stow. We can now narrow that down a little: The Basement plans to open the first week of April. The Stow location is the franchise's ninth, joining Cuyahoga Falls, three in Akron, Twinsburg, Brimfield, North Canton and Sagamore Hills.

• Calling all superheroes (that means you, kiddos): It's time to grab that costume, limber up and get ready for the Stow Parks & Recreation Department's Superhero Training program! Superhero Training will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at Leona Farris Lodge (Silver Springs Lodge) at Silver Springs Park (5027 Stow Rd.). Come and enjoy a fun-filled day with superheroes -- and wear your favorite superhero attire (optional). The event will include photos with superheroes, treats, games and activities. Superhero Training is open to Stow residents only, costs $25 per child (space is limited), and only two adults per child can attend. Go here to register.

• Want to sponsor one of those Stow traffic signal boxes with the cool art on them? You can, and here's how: Phase 3 of the project , with 15 boxes planned for this year, begins in the spring with installation scheduled to be completed by June 23 -- and the Stow Arts Commission is offering sponsorships to residents and businesses. There are three sponsorship levels: $50, $250 and $500. Private and business sponsorships are entirely voluntary, and all proceeds will go to Stow Arts Commission-based projects. The traffic signal box art is an ongoing program by the City of Stow through the Stow Arts Commission. Go here for more information and sponsorship registration.

• The Stow Woman’s Club is inviting women from Stow and surrounding communities to attend its next meeting Thursday, April 6. Scott Baughman will present a program about the Goodyear Blimp. Meetings are held at 1 p.m. the first Thursday of each month from October to May at the Stow Community Church at 1567 Pilgrim Dr. (lower level). The club awards scholarships to women graduates of Stow-Munroe Falls High School.

• The Stow High School class of 1973's 50th reunion will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4 at Roses Run Country Club at 2636 N. River Rd. in Stow. The reunion's planners are looking for classmates, so if you are part of this class or know someone who is, contact Gail Moseley at [email protected] so you can be included in the event.

• The Friends of the Library now have a book donation bin for clean books, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. The bin is located in the library lobby right next to the daily book sale carts.

• It's official: Bow Wow Beach is open for the 2023 season. The dog park at 5027 Stow Rd. in Silver Springs Park opened March 22. You can take Rover and Fluffy to frolic in the 7.5-acre park from 8 a.m. to sunset daily through Dec. 1 (weather permitting). Go here for more information.

With the closure of the Stow Sentry this month, The Spotlight is your only local news source. If you haven't already, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription. Thank you!

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Community calendar

🎭 Fri., March 24, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., March 25, 7:30 p.m.: Matt's First Real Wedding. What: Theatre performance by the Stow Players. Original play written by Brandi Eaton (directed by Alex Nine). Where: Heritage Barn at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.) in Stow. Seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance, and attendees are asked to arrive early to avoid interrupting the show. Go here for tickets.

🧩 Sat., March 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Friends of the Library Puzzle and Game Sale. What: Don’t miss fantastic bargains on pre-owned puzzles and games; these items are in beautiful condition and ready to incorporate into your next game night. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). This sale is free and open to the public.

🎻 Mon., March 27, 7-8:30 p.m.: Sandbox Percussion. What: Free concert at the library. Described as “exhilarating” (the New York Times) and “utterly mesmerizing” (The Guardian), Grammy-nominated ensemble Sandbox Percussion brings out the best in composers through their unwavering dedication to artistry in contemporary chamber music. Sandbox Percussion captivates audiences with performances that are both visually and aurally stunning, solidifying them as leaders in the fields of contemporary music and percussion. Brought together by their love of chamber music and the simple joy of playing together, Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum and Terry Sweeney engage a wider audience for classical music through multidisciplinary collaborations with today’s leading artists. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register, go here or call 330-688-3295 (there are no seats open at the moment, but a waiting list is available). This free program is sponsored by The Tuesday Musical Association.

📚 Tues., March 28, 10 a.m.-noon: Book Donation Day. What: Bring your good, clean, used books and puzzles to the back door of the library. Curbside pickup service will be available. Materials will be used by the library or sold at the Friends’ Book Sale. Proceeds benefit library programming, and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Donate 10 items or more and receive a pass to the next Friends’ Presale. This free pass is only issued at the back door of the library on Book Donation Days. If you are unable to accommodate this date and time, call Joan at 330-388-0355 to schedule an appointment to drop off donations.

🍿 Wed., March 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Family Movie Night: The Bad Guys. What: Bring the whole family to watch this fun, animated movie on the big screen. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Feel free to bring blankets and pillows for the kids. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register your family members who wish to attend the program here, or call the library at 330-688-3295 ext. 5.

🐰 Sat., April 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Bunny Trail Hop. What: Free event sponsored by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department that ends with you getting to meet the Easter Bunny! Each family will receive a map of the bunny trail when they check in at registration (park at the baseball fields). Families will follow the bunny trail, walking (hopping) a loop through Silver Springs Park; be aware that there may be portions of the trail not conducive to strollers. Churches and organizations will have booths set up along the way with games, activities and goodies. At the end of the trail, you will meet the Easter Bunny! Where: Silver Springs Park (Young Road entrance) at 5238 Young Rd. The Bunny Trail Hop, suitable for children 10 and under, is broken down into six 30-minute time slots between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; pick one half-hour time frame to arrive per family/group (only one registration is needed for your whole family). Go here to register (note: program is full at the moment, but call Parks & Rec at 330-689-5100 for cancellations/waiting list). Attendees should be sure to dress for the weather -- and bring a basket to fill!

🎨 Sat., April 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Mini Masterpieces. What: Children ages 5 to 8 are invited to learn about a famous artist and then will use what they have learned to create their own mini masterpieces. April’s artist will be Vasily Kandinsky. Participants will learn about abstract art and create a mobile using Kandinsky’s colorful circles. Where: Story Time Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register for this free program here, in person at the Children’s Desk, or by calling 330-688-3295 ext. 5.

📚 Mon., April 3, 3-5 p.m.: Book Donation Day. What: Bring your good, clean, used books and puzzles to the back door of the library. Curbside pickup service will be available. Materials will be used by the library or sold at the Friends’ Book Sale. Proceeds benefit library programming, and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Donate 10 items or more and receive a pass to the next Friends’ Presale. This free pass is only issued at the back door of the library on Book Donation Days. If you are unable to accommodate this date and time, call Joan at 330-388-0355 to schedule an appointment to drop off donations.

📚 Tues., April 4, all day: Library Giving Day. What: If you’re in a position to donate a one-time or recurring monthly gift of $10, $25, $50 or more to the Library Foundation, it will support significant projects that improve the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library building and expand services. These are projects that fall outside the library’s operating budget. To donate online, visit www.smfpl.org/givingday.

👮 Wed., April 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Meet the Ohio State Highway Patrol. What: Stop by the library's lobby to meet Trooper Pham from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Trooper Pham will be answering questions and sharing information about public safety and the OSHP, including exciting career opportunities. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). This program is free, and registration is not required.

🧑‍⚕️ Wed., April 5, 1:30-3 p.m.: Diabetes: An Epidemic in Disguise. What: Learn the facts of diabetes, how it affects our community and what we can do to prevent it. Presented by Kayla Baxendell, pharmacy resident. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). This free program is co-sponsored by Western Reserve Hospital. Go here to register, or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🐰 Thurs., April 6, 6:30-9 p.m.: Cocktails & Cottontails Adult Egg Hunt. What: Easter egg hunt for adults 21 or over, sponsored by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department. The event will feature "Hoppy Hour" and live music from 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed by the egg hunt and prizes from 7:30-9 p.m. Each guest will hunt for eggs filled with treats and raffle tickets to submit for prizes. Where: Fox Den Golf Course (2770 Call Rd.) in Stow. Cost is $35 per person and includes heavy appetizers and two drink tickets. Bring your basket and a flashlight, and be sure to dress for the weather because the egg hunt is outside. Register here.

Obituaries for March 17-23

Carol BaumannCarol Baumann, 77, went home to be with the Lord March 22, 2023.Read more

Eugene Francis BegueEugene (Gene) Francis Begue loved to tell his children, “A family that prays together, stays together,” so it was a blessing to his wife and children, that Gene died peacefully at home in Stow, Ohio, on Sunday, March 19, 2023, as The Rosary was prayed with him.Read more

Walter William DudaWalter William Duda, 84, passed away March 18, 2023, after a brief illness.Read more

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Stow

State of the City: Pribonic says Stow is 'poised well for the future' after bouncing back from Covid in 2022

Stow is back to normal.

That was the clear takeaway from Mayor John Pribonic's message at his State of the City address March 21 at the Acker-Moore Memorial Post. In his presentation, Pribonic detailed the city's accomplishments in 2022 as it recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic and laid out his vision for 2023, including focusing on the needs of residents, keeping Stow at the forefront of economic and business development, building strong partnerships with local businesses and supporting departments that keep the city's neighborhoods safe, with a primary goal of enhancing residents' quality of life.

"2022 was a pivotal year," Pribonic said. "We moved away from virtual and back to in-person. Our celebrations returned to normal. ... We are poised well for the future."

Among the highlights, according to the mayor:

• The city welcomed 18 new commercial and retail businesses in 2022, while residential development continued to grow with two subdivision additions and expansions.

• Income tax collections increased more than 10% in 2022 as the city ended the year with adequate balances in all of its major funds.

• A Parks and Recreation Master Plan project that will provide a guide for the Stow Parks and Rec system for the next 10 years.

• Began development of a long-term Capital Budget financing plan for the city for the period 2023-2027. When completed, the plan will enable the city to more efficiently schedule and undertake needed capital improvements each year.

Go here for all things State of the City.

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