Today is Nov. 4, 2022.

• Is it May already? The weather has been great lately, and it's only getting better: It's going to be partly sunny and warm today with a high of 72 before dropping to 59 tonight. We'll be in the 70s all weekend, including 76 on Saturday, with no rain for the foreseeable future. No gales of November here – yet.

• Usually, The Spotlight publishes on Tuesdays. But that won't be the case next week since that's Election Day. So we're going to hold publication until Wednesday, Nov. 9, so that we can give you all the election results fresh that morning rather than wait several days when it's old news. We will return to our normal publication schedule beginning with our Friday, Nov. 11, edition.

• Speaking of Election Day, polls open Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

• And remember, it's time to fall back this weekend. Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, so move those clocks back one hour Saturday night before you go to bed.

Latest news in brief

State grant money coming to Stow and Silver Lake police to help fight violent crime

The Stow and Silver Lake police departments are among 24 law enforcement agencies in Ohio that will receive state funding through the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. Money from the grants, announced Wednesday, Nov. 3, by Governor Mike DeWine, is to help prevent and investigate incidents of violent crime, including domestic violence, gun violence, and human trafficking.

In this latest round of grant funding — the 10th under the program so far — the Stow Police Department will receive $330,689.60 for retention bonuses to aid in retaining the current staffing levels of 12 supervisors, five detectives and 25 officers.

The Silver Lake Police Department will receive $53,935.24 for retention bonuses for three supervisors, five full-time officers and five part-time officers.

“Local law enforcement agencies spend considerable time and resources to combat violent crime and make their communities safer,” said Governor DeWine. “By funding advanced technological tools and increased staffing through this grant program, we are supporting their mission and helping the cause.”

More local news:

• Due to the overwhelming response to the City of Stow's “Honor Our Veterans” Yard Sign Program in collaboration with Western Reserve Hospital, the city has run out of signs. But don't worry, more are on the way. Additional signs have been ordered and will be delivered to Stow City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 8. You can pick up a free sign after that date, or contact Teresa at 330-689-2890 with your address and one will be delivered to you. For more information on the Free Yard Sign For Veterans program, visit stowohio.org.

• Santa Claus is coming to town! Bellacino's Pizza and Grinders (3657 Fishcreek Rd.) in Stow will host Breakfast with Santa from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under; tickets go on sale Thursday, Nov. 10. Visit Bellacino's website Nov. 10 for more information and to purchase your family's tickets to meet Santa.

• Throughout November, you can help the Stow Police Department reach its fundraising goal for the 2022 Summit County Shop with a Cop by dining at Dairy Queen Grill & Chill (3645 Fishcreek Rd.) in Stow. All proceeds from rounding up your total bill will go toward Stow kids in grades K-6 who are participating in the Shop with a Cop program. You can also donate by purchasing raffle tickets for Shop with a Cop at the Stow Police Department records window, or ask for Officer Childers at 330-689-5700.

• The Kimpton Middle School Drama Club will present its production of "Oliver! Jr." at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11; 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. All showings will take place at Kimpton Middle School (380 N. River Rd.) in Munroe Falls. Tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased at Kimpton Middle School or at the door the days of the show.

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Community calendar

🧀 Sat., Nov. 5, 6-7:30 p.m.: Charcuterie Styling for the Holidays. What: Learn to create your own charcuterie board, courtesy of Jackie Halay from 2 Board Sisters. Bring your beverage of choice as you learn what to include on your board – and add your own personalized touch for the holidays. Where: Leona Farris Lodge (Silver Springs Lodge), 5027 Stow Rd. in Silver Springs Park. Program is for adults 21 and over. Cost is $30 per person. Go here to register.

🎥 Mon., Nov. 7, 1-4 p.m.: Veterans Day Movie: "Midway." What: Watch the classic World War II film "Midway" in the Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register online at events.smfpl.org, or call the library at 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🎥 Mon., Nov. 7, 6:30-8 p.m.: Family Movie: "Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank." What: Bring the whole family to watch this fun, animated movie on the big screen. Popcorn and drinks will be provided, and 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.). To register your family members who wish to attend the program, go to events.smfpl.org or call the library at 330-688-3295 ext. 5.

🎭 Fri., Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 13, 2:30 p.m.: "Dorothy in Wonderland." What: The worlds of Oz and Wonderland collide in this youth production (ages 8-17) presented by the Stow Players. Dorothy, Toto and the characters of Oz get caught in another whirlwind that sweeps them off to Wonderland, where they meet Alice, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, March Hare, the Cheshire Cat and many more. Where: Heritage Barn at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.) in Stow. Seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance. For ticket information, call 234-206-0128 or email [email protected].

📱 Mon., Nov. 14, 6:30-8 p.m.: Smarter Photos With Your Smartphone. What: Do you want to take photos on your phone or mobile device, but you aren’t quite sure how to do it? Or would you like to become more familiar with your device’s camera features, such as adjusting, editing, or sending photos that you took on your phone? Stop in for a very basic tutorial on mobile photography. Where: Community Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register, visit events.smfpl.org or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🚨 Thurs., Nov. 17, 7-8 p.m.: CSI Murder Mystery. What: There's been a murder at the International Crime Scene Investigators Association conference. It's your job to mingle with the other "CSIs" to ask questions, find and reveal clues, and solve the mystery. You'll get to play a character, who may turn out to be the victim, the murderer, or just another disgruntled CSI attendee. Where: Stow Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Costumes are optional. Event is for detectives ages 12-17. Register here.

🎭 Fri., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 20, 2:30 p.m.: "Dorothy in Wonderland." What: The worlds of Oz and Wonderland collide in this youth production (ages 8-17) presented by the Stow Players. Dorothy, Toto and the characters of Oz get caught in another whirlwind that sweeps them off to Wonderland, where they meet Alice, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, March Hare, the Cheshire Cat and many more. Where: Heritage Barn at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.) in Stow. Seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance. For ticket information, call 234-206-0128 or email [email protected].

🍂 Sat., Nov. 19, 2-3 p.m.: We're Going On A Leaf Hunt. What: Learn about fall trees and their changing colors through stories, hands-on activities and a scavenger hunt to find different leaves outside. This is a free program for children ages 4-8 and their families. Where: Leona Farris Lodge at Silver Springs Park (5027 Stow Rd.) in Stow. To register, visit StowOhio.RecDesk.com. Call the City of Stow Parks and Recreation Department at 330-689-5100 for more information.

Obituaries for Nov. 1-3

Bruce C. RedmonOn November 1, 2022, Bruce C. Redmon, surrounded by his family, finished the race set before him. (2 Timothy 4:7) Born in Urbana, Illinois, on October 10, 1940, he was raised in Syracuse, New York and moved to Silver Lake in 1955.Read more

Patricia “Patti” ThompsonPatricia “Patti” Thompson, 73, of Stow passed away on October 26, 2022 after a brief illness. She was born in Akron, the daughter of the late Joseph and Helen Reiner.Read more

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Stow

Fox Den makeover: Refurbished driving range is expected to fully open in the spring of 2024

Fox Den Golf Course is getting a new retail concession stand, sprinklers and irrigation equipment for its new driving range. City council voted Oct. 27 to agree to the upgrades at the course, which is currently being expanded following the purchase of adjoining property.

Stow Chief of Staff Nicholas Wren said earth-moving works on the new part of the driving range – which will be 1.5 acres when completed – will continue through next spring, with that new section opening to golfers around early July 2023 and featuring heated driving stalls.

• When the new range extension is opened, the original part will be closed for its own upgrade. The fully refurbished and extended range is anticipated to reopen in spring 2024.

• Mayor John Pribonic said upgrades had not made sense earlier because the land that the driving range is on was leased from private owners until the city bought it as part of the Hanson purchase, which will also include a new civic cemetery.

Feature

The long and winding road: Love of alpacas sends Stow couple down an unlikely career path

Siggi and Scott Westberg's neighbor had a problem with the three pet alpacas the couple kept at their Stow residence. Even though there was nothing in the city's laws that prevented them from having the animals on their property, the couple decided to search out another option.

And they found one: A new career.

• Both husband and wife quit their "day jobs" to focus on their passion: Raising alpacas.

• They bought Pure Passions Farm in Franklin Township in April, a 4.5-acre tract of land in Portage County near the border with Stow that provides plenty of room for their 21 alpacas.

• The Westbergs opened the farm to the public for the first time Oct. 29, and 300 people showed up. "I love educating people on alpacas, and I cannot get enough of the expression on children’s faces when they feed them,” Scott said.

Read Mark Baxter's full story here.

Mailbox

Reader: I like the spotlight a lot, it’s great to feel informed and actually I have gone to two events because of the nudge of the emails and I appreciate it thank you!

Tom: Yes! That's exactly why we're doing this. Helping people in Summit and Portage county live like locals. When we're on the same page (or email), we can really start to invest in the community in a more purposeful way. Going to events, bumping into each other and supporting local businesses and charities is crucial. Thanks for calling attention to our mission.

And ... we're done. I hope everyone enjoyed this latest issue of The Spotlight. We're certainly having fun digging up the news in our communities, and if there's anything you want us to look into, just let us know and we'll shine a light on it. Enjoy what should be a beautiful weekend, and I'll see everyone on Wednesday!

Tom [email protected]