Today is Dec. 2, 2022.

• Welcome back! It's going to be milder and breezy today, with a high of 50 degrees and low of 46. Then we're looking at rain on Saturday and lows dropping all the way down to 21. Expect rain again on Tuesday and then a little snow Thursday as winter's grip starts to take hold.

Latest news in brief

Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony in memory of deceased children will be held Dec. 11 at Silver Springs Cemetery

Every December, on the second Sunday at 5 p.m., an annual Candle Lighting Ceremony is held at the Christmas Box Angel of Hope Children’s Memorial at Silver Springs Cemetery (5080 Stow Rd.) in Stow. This year’s ceremony will take place from 5-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. Bereaved parents around the world will honor their deceased children by lighting candles on this day, which has been designated as the Worldwide Candle Lighting in memory of all children who died too soon.

If you have purchased a brick, you will receive an invitation to this event. However, family and friends as well as the general public are welcome to attend.

Those attending are invited to bring flowers to lay at the base of the Angel statue. Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly.

More local news:

• If you are a senior, have a senior, or know a senior at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, the Stow Schools Foundation's scholarship portal will open Tuesday, Dec. 6. Beginning that day, SMF High School seniors can apply for scholarship money, with more than $100,000 available for higher-education endeavors. Last day to apply for scholarships is Jan. 16, 2023. Go to stowschoolsfoundation.org for more information.

• Jillian Martin, a 2022 graduate of Stow-Munroe Falls High School, was honored as a GoBowling ambassador on the GoBowling.com float at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Martin was a state bowling champion for the Bulldogs in 2019 and is a freshman bowler at the University of Nebraska. She rode the GoBowling.com float with a Huskers bowling teammate.

• Looking for a fun night for the family? You might try the Stow Parks & Recreation Department's Harry Potter Train Rides, which will take you on a short train ride through the Holiday Lights at Stow City Hall Campus and then proceed to three other stations for snacks, games, and stories. The event will take place Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.). Both the 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. time slots are full, but check with the Parks & Rec Department for cancellations at 330-689-5100. Cost is $5 per person (Stow residents only).

• Stow Parks & Rec's Princess & Superhero Train Rides will take place Thursday, Dec. 8, at Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.). The program is similar to the Harry Potter Train Rides: You will go on a short train ride through the Holiday Lights at Stow City Hall Campus and then proceed to three other stations for snacks, games, and stories. Also, as with the Harry Potter program, both time slots (6 p.m. and 7 p.m.) are full at the moment, but you can call 330-689-5100 to see if there are any cancellations. Cost is $5 per person (Stow residents only).

• Take a ride back in time at the Heritage Park Holiday Drive-Thru, which takes place from 6-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, in the Heritage Barn area of Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.) in Stow. Drive through to see the homes decorated as they would have been when they were built, and view a bustling farming village complete with carolers, a town crier, farmers, villagers, visual demonstrations by the Historical Society, a historic St. Nick with a treat for the kids, and more. Also, starting that same day, lights will be on each evening from 5-10 p.m. through Jan. 2, 2023. The drive-thru and lights are hosted by the City of Stow Arts Commission in collaboration with the Stow Historical Society.

• Stow Parks & Rec's Polar Express Train Rides will take place Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.). Like with the other two train rides, the Polar Express takes you on a short train ride through the Holiday Lights at Stow City Hall Campus and then proceeds to three other stations for snacks, games, and stories. This program is also full right now, but call Parks & Rec at 330-689-5100 to see if there are any cancellations in either the 6 or 7 p.m. time slots. Cost is $5 per person (Stow residents only).

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Community calendar

🎄 Fri., Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m.: Tree Lighting & Sparkle In The Park. What: Munroe Falls Park Board's annual tree-lighting event at Guise Park (38 Guise Park Dr.) in Munroe Falls. Sparkle In The Park, which will feature sparkly displays at Guise Park like the Candy Cane Tree located at the Gazebo, will run through Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.

🎅 Now through Wed., Dec. 14: Santa's Mailbox. What: Program sponsored by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department lets residents write letters to Santa Claus! Just drop your letter into Santa's Mailbox located outside Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.). You must include a legibly written self-addressed stamped envelope if you want to get a return letter from the jolly old elf. For more information, contact the Stow Parks & Recreation Department at 330-689-5100.

🎄 Sat., Dec. 3, 5-9 p.m.: Glow with Stow Holiday Lighting. What: Tree lighting at Stow City Center (3760 Darrow Rd.) at 6:15 p.m., along with other highlights including ice sculpture carving, singing, local food trucks, a train ride, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, making toys in Santa's Workshop, and the display of lights at Stow City Center. For more information, visit https://stowohio.org/calendar.aspx?EID=693.

🧩 Sat., Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 4, 1-4 p.m.: Friends of the Library Puzzle and Games Sale. What: Get bargains on pre-owned puzzles and games at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Admission to the sale is free and open to the public.

🇺🇸 Tues., Dec. 6, 6:30-8 p.m.: Remembering Pearl Harbor. What: On the eve of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, a representative from MAPS Air Museum of North Canton will discuss the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, which prompted the U.S. to enter World War II. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register, visit events.smfpl.org or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🎺 Wed., Dec. 7, 6:30-8 p.m.: Riverfront Community Band. What: A holiday concert to celebrate the season as the Riverfront Community Band, formerly the Bethany Concert Band, performs in the Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register online at events.smfpl.org or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🚂 Thurs., Dec. 8, 6:30-8 p.m.: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad - 50 Years of Operation Serving Passengers in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. What: For over 50 years, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has carried passengers through the heart of Northeast Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park on its vintage railcars. Join Trainman Eddie (Edward) Svec for a presentation on the unique history, sites and specialty trains that the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has to offer. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register, visit events.smfpl.org or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🧸 Fri., Dec. 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Teddy Bear Sleepover. What: Have you ever wondered what your stuffed animals do at night? Find out when you leave your bedtime friends in the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.) overnight. Drop off your stuffed animals in the Children's Department no later than 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, and the library will photograph their adventures. Photos will be shared the next day during a stuffed animal story time in the Stow-Munroe Falls Room at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9. This event is for ages 2 to 5. Register each age-appropriate child that wishes to attend the program at events.smfpl.org or call 330-688-3295 ext. 5.

📖 Sat., Dec. 17, 10:30-11 a.m.: Winter Fun Story Time. What: Winter-themed story time for children and their families. Stories, songs and rhymes will be geared toward children aged 2 to 6. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is required. Register online at events.smfpl.org, or call the library at 330-688-3295 ext. 5. Only register the name of the age-appropriate child.

🎮 Sat., Dec. 17, 1-4 p.m.: Game On. What: Adults 18 and over can drop in at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library for an afternoon of board games. They'll have Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride on hand, but feel free to bring your own. Not a fan of board games? They'll have their Nintendo Switch running, with games from Madden to Mario. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is not required for this event.

Obituaries for Nov. 21 - Dec. 1

Marie Laura HoltMarie Laura Holt, educator, was born on February 25, 1936, in Newark, New Jersey, and passed away on November 29, 2022.Read more

Gordon BellingerGordon Bellinger, 86, of Munroe Falls, sadly passed away/left us on November 29, 2022.Read more

Kenneth M. UnrueKenneth M. Unrue, 74, died November 24, 2022.Read more

Mary Grace “Nonni” TestaMary Grace “Nonni” Testa, 90, died November 19, 2022.Read more

Roy E. JonesRoy E. Jones, 79, of Stow passed away on Nov. 23, 2022.Read more

Dorothy E. (Dunlevy) CostenDorothy E. (Dunlevy) Costen, our precious, beautiful, loving mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 88 on Friday, November 25, 2022.Read more

Stow

Back and forth: Pribonic vetoes measure on meeting requirements, then council overrides it

The power struggle between Stow City Council and Mayor John Pribonic continues. After Pribonic scored a victory in the Nov. 8 general election when voters passed Issue 25, a term limits measure that gives Pribonic the opportunity to serve an extra four years as mayor, council put one in the win column late last month with an override of Pribonic's veto of a measure requiring all city boards and commissions to hold their meetings in council chambers (first reported by the Akron Beacon Journal on Nov. 25).

Pribonic vetoed the measure, which was initially passed Nov. 10, on the grounds that it was an overreach of council's power under the city charter. But on Nov. 23, council overrode Pribonic's veto, voting 5-2 to pass the ordinance. The measure also requires boards and commissions to broadcast their meetings with equipment in the chambers.

• In his veto, Pribonic cited section 3.04 of the city charter, which reads: "The Mayor shall supervise the administration of all the affairs of the Municipality and the conduct and administration of all departments except Council, Clerk of Council, Department of Finance and Department of Law."

• Council President Jeremy McIntire (At-Large) countered with section 4.18 of the city charter: "Where organization, powers, and duties of departments, boards and commissions are not expressly provided herein they shall be as provided by resolution or ordinance of Council."

• The new meeting requirements must be followed by city boards and commissions by Feb. 23, 2023.

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And there's your first Spotlight of December as we mark our four-month anniversary as a publication. Let us know about any events that are going on and any other tidbits you're aware of, and we'll be sure to include them in a future edition of The Spotlight. Have a great week ahead, and I'll see everyone next Friday!

Tom [email protected]