Today is July 7, 2023.

• Good morning! We officially entered the dog days of summer July 3, and while today won’t be a typical dog day — you know, unbearably hot — we’re still going to have a high of 81 degrees with sun and some clouds. The dog days run through Aug. 11, so there’s still plenty of time for those scorchers to come barking.
  

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

Latest news in brief

It’s (almost) that time of year again: Stow Summer Sunset Blast is coming Labor Day weekend

It’s less than two months away, so it’s time to start thinking about it: the City of Stow’s 16th Annual Stow Summer Sunset Blast. The city’s end-of-summer celebration will take place Saturday, Sept. 2 and Sunday, Sept. 3 at Silver Springs Park at 5238 Young Rd. The festivities will run from 5 to 10 p.m. both nights.

As always, the popular community event will feature music, vendors, festival food, kids activities, craft beer, entertainment — and, of course, Sunday night’s spectacular Grand Finale Fireworks Show to conclude the weekend.

Parking and admittance are free, while there will be costs for the Kids Entertainment Area — $5 for the petting zoo and $5 for the rock wall and inflatables. Go here for the complete schedule of events. Also:

• The City of Stow is now accepting Summer Sunset Blast vendor agreements from food businesses, other businesses, community groups, churches and other organizations. Visit this page if you’re interested in being a vendor at the event.

• Sunset Blast sponsorship opportunities are also available by going here.

More local news:

• Something else that’ll be here before you know it: National Night Out 2023. Stow and Munroe Falls residents are invited to this annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. This year’s event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 3800 Darrow Rd. by Fire Station #1. Entertainment will include a Bounce House, slide, police vehicles, and raffle by Target. The organization’s mission statement reads as follows: “National Night Out is an annual event designed to strengthen our communities by encouraging neighborhoods to engage in stronger relationships with each other and with their local law enforcement partners. The goal is to heighten crime-prevention awareness, build support and participation in local anti-crime programs and most importantly, send a message that our neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. It’s also the perfect opportunity to get to know your neighbors even better.” National Night Out, held the first Tuesday of August, was established in 1984 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. For more information, visit nationalnightout.org.

• You know that cool art you see on traffic boxes all over Stow? Well, art from Phase III of the traffic box project can now be yours. The call went out to each of the local “box artists” — many of whom are residents of Stow — to provide prints of their unique work, and the Stow Arts Commission is offering a limited-edition, numbered series of ready-to-frame 8×10 prints, all individually signed by the artists. All prints will sell for $25 each, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Stow Arts Commission Grant fund, which is available to any Stow resident. Visit this page to shop online and for options on how to place your order (when ordering, remember the number of the art piece or pieces you wish to purchase). Prints can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Stow Parks and Recreation office at City Hall at 3760 Darrow Rd. Phase I and Phase II prints are also available for purchase.
  

• The Rotary Club Of Stow Munroe Falls’ annual Stuff the Bus drive will take place Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29 at the Stow Giant Eagle at 4300 Kent Rd. and the Stow Marc’s at 3732 Darrow Rd. All donated classroom supplies go to support teachers across the SMF School District.
  

• Bow Wow Beach Party, supporting One Of A Kind pet rescue, will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, July 23 at Silver Springs Park in Stow. Bring your pup for some summer fun and Kona Ice!
  

• The Stow-Munroe Falls High School wrestling team’s golf outing fundraiser will take place Sunday, Sept. 10 at Sunny Hill Golf Course at 3734 Sunnybrook Rd. in Kent. Start time is 1 p.m. Cost is $70 for an individual and $280 for a team of four (lunch will be provided). Registration is due by Tuesday, Aug. 1. Make checks out to Stow-Munroe Falls High School and send to: Craig Wilson, 224 Van Buren St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. For more information, contact Craig Wilson at (330) 524-5038 or JR Stewart at (330) 690-1422.

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Community calendar

🎶 Tues., July 11, 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. July 11 for concert status.

🧘 Thurs., July 13, 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.

🐛 Thurs., July 13, 8-10 p.m.: Nighttime Search for Caterpillars. What: Discover the secret lives of these soft-bodied, protein-packed insect sausages, the vital role they play in our ecosystems, and how you can (and should!) host caterpillars in your own backyard. Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park - Tallmadge Meadows Area (1088 North Ave., Tallmadge). Bring a handheld black light if you have one.

🐿️ Fri., July 14, 11 a.m.-noon: Connect with Nature: Backyard Safari. What: This is the second of the Stow Parks & Recreation Department's two Backyard Safari events of the summer. Children ages 8 to 11 will learn about the animals we see in our backyards with hands-on exploration, games and activities, with this program focusing on mammals. This free event will have outdoor exploration components, so come ready to be outside and possibly get a little dirty! Where: Behind the Heritage Barn at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.) — look for the tent near Heritage Lake (do not enter the barn, just park and walk to the lake area). Go to this page to register. Program is in partnership with the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. For more information, call the Stow Parks and Recreation Department at (330) 689-5100.

🏃 Sat., July 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Silver Lake Garden Club Festival. What: Silver Lake celebrates the Red, White & Blue with the Garden Club Festival, a tradition since 1935. The day’s activities get underway with the Fun Run at 9 a.m. (signups start at 8:45 a.m.) and will conclude at 4 p.m. In between, the festival will feature a parade at 11:40 a.m., pontoon boat rides on Silver Lake, the Silver Lake Singers and Akron Big Band, sailboat races, and swim races at the dock. Where: Various locations in Silver Lake village. Go to this page to see the festival’s complete schedule of events. Note: The Silver Lake Garden Club Festival raises funds to beautify the village. To make a donation, go here for a Silver Lake Festival sponsorship to help support the garden club in this endeavor.

🎸 Wed., July 19, 6-8 p.m.: Concert on the Green: Tripper. What: The City of Stow continues its 2023 Concerts on the Green schedule with Tripper, featuring a variety of genres including classic rock, blues, and rhythm & blues. Where: Stow City Center (3870 Darrow Rd.). Bring your lawn chair and enjoy food trucks, yard games and great music! Admission is free.

🧘 Thurs., July 20, 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 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.

Obituaries

Steven Frederick Meyerson
Steven Frederick Meyerson was born on October 2, 1962. He was 60 years of age and passed away on June 30, 2023.
Read more

Comments from last week’s issue:

“I look forward to reading your articles & calendar keeping us updated. Although we miss the Stow Sentry, I feel more informed with your emails than accidently running over my newspaper soggy at the end of the driveway👍🏽🤣👌🏽”

Education

No drama this time around: SMF School Board selects Mark Baxter for open seat

The last time the Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education had to vote to fill an opening, it deadlocked 2-2, forcing the issue to be decided by Summit County Probate Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer.

This time, things went far more smoothly as the board voted 3-1 on June 26 to appoint Mark Baxter to fill the seat vacated by Lisa Johnson-Bowers, whose resignation was effective June 1. Baxter will fill out the remainder of Johnson-Bowers’ term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2023, although he could choose to run for his own term in the November general election.

“It’s an honor and privilege to serve,” Baxter said. “I want to see if I am of help to the board and our students and dedicated staff before any decisions on standing are made. It’s a new experience for me, and one I want to both give what I can in service and enjoy.”

• Baxter was chosen from an original candidate field of seven, which was then narrowed to two prior to the June 26 vote.
  

• A native of England, Baxter brings a wealth of experience in education to the SMF board, having taught economics and business in several high schools in and around Manchester, England for 12 years.
  

• He also taught as an adjunct in the associate degree program at Ohio Technical College in Cleveland.
  

• You might also recognize his name from The Spotlight: Having been a journalist in the UK, he has contributed articles for our publication.

“I am excited about some of the work ahead for the board,” Baxter said. “Work will be progressing on the new field house, and I am especially interested in student representation on the board, as I have formerly been a trustee of the British Youth Council and am a passionate member of the global Scouting movement. As a former high school teacher and school governor, I am committed to delivering the best quality educational experience possible for our children and young people.”

Stow

Project for a new and improved runway is about to get off the ground at KSU Airport

The Kent State University Airport is getting a facelift.

A total of $5.2 million in upgrades to the flight facility at 4020 Kent Rd. in Stow was recently approved by the Kent State University Board of Trustees. The project will be paid for with $4,630,176 committed by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Ohio Department of Transportation, and $578,147 in university funds.

• The project will feature rehabilitation and reconstruction of the airport’s runway.
  

• The runway will be closed for about six weeks during construction, which is scheduled to begin in August.
  

• The public airport, located four miles west of the Kent State campus, has served the community since 1917. It is owned by Kent State University, which uses the airport for its College of Aeronautics and Engineering.

And that’s all for this week. We hope you enjoyed this latest issue of The Spotlight, and if there’s anything coming up with your group or club that you want to include in future editions, just drop us an email and we’ll make sure to get it in. See you next Friday!

Tom Hardesty
[email protected]