Today is Dec. 23, 2022.

• Winter officially arrived Wednesday, and it's not kidding around: We're under a Winter Storm Warning until 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24. Here's what the National Weather Service says: "Multi-hazard winter storm with a combination of strong winds, very cold temperatures, snow, and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. Dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero." Hunker down, stay warm and be safe, everyone.

• Due to the Winter Storm Warning that went into effect at 1 a.m. today, the City of Stow has issued an emergency parking ban that took effect at midnight and goes until noon Sunday. The parking ban prohibits motorists from parking cars in the street, so that streets are unobstructed for essential functions such as snowplowing and emergency services. The City of Stow Public Service Department has planned for around-the-clock staffing and says its service vehicles are winter-ready. Crews began working continuously at 2 a.m. this morning and will do so through the end of the storm to combat ice and snow. The city advises everyone to stay off roadways for your safety and so that city crews are able to do their work unobstructed.

• With the winter storm hitting as you read this, the Summit County Sheriff's Office has this message for pet owners on its Facebook page: "Wind speeds are expected to reach 50-60 mph this weekend, with wind chills dipping as low as -25F. Please bring your pets inside in this weather. You are all they have." The Sheriff's Office says it does respond to calls of animal neglect in this weather and year-round.

Latest news in brief

Don't throw out that Christmas tree: Take it to be recycled for mulch – or leave it to the birds

Ever wonder what the best way is to dispose of your Christmas tree after the holidays? The City of Stow and the Stow Urban Forestry Commission encourage residents to bring their trees to the Christmas tree drop-off area in front of the Stow Community Gardens at 5070 Stow Rd. Once the tree is dropped off, Stow’s Urban Forestry employees will chip the tree into mulch and make it available free of charge to Stow residents at the brush recycling site behind the Community Garden area.

The Christmas tree drop-off area will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Dec. 26 to the end of February. Christmas trees will be the only trees accepted at this site. All ornaments, garland and tinsel should be removed from the trees prior to dropoff, and if you transport the tree to the area in a bag, remove the tree from the bag and take the bag with you.

On average, an estimated 800 Christmas trees are dropped off each year at this location, but many more are discarded with the regular curbside trash. You can help the City of Stow become more sustainable by placing your tree at the Christmas tree drop-off site.

Another option is to place your Christmas tree in your yard to provide shelter for birds during the winter months. At the end of the winter season, the tree can then be deposited at Stow’s brush drop-off site at 5070 Stow Rd. The hours for the brush drop-off site are 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second and fourth Saturday of each month, weather permitting.

More local news:

• Christmas trees will be picked up by the Silver Lake Service Department and recycled from Jan. 3 through Jan. 20. Residents are asked to leave their tree at the curb with all decorations and plastic bags removed.

• A Stow resident is needed to fill a vacancy on the city’s Planning Commission for a term of four years. An appointment to this vacancy is made by Mayor John Pribonic and confirmed by Stow City Council. The Planning Commission is responsible for reviewing the preparation of plans and maps for the future physical development and harmonious improvement of Stow and the design, location, removal, relocation and alteration of any public building or structure and public property. The commission meets twice a month to hold hearings and vote on applications, as described above, concerning the use, development and improvement of real property subject to city regulation. For an application for this opening, contact the Mayor’s Office at 330-689-2800 or visit https://stowohio.org/DocumentCenter/View/5826/Boards-and-Commissions-Application-PDF. Applications are due by Jan. 13, 2023.

• Stow residents are also needed to fill two vacancies on the Income Tax Board of Review for a two-year term. An appointment to the vacancies will be made by Stow City Council. The Income Tax Board of Review is charged with approving regulations and hearing appeals. The board will schedule hearings as needed and may affirm, reverse or modify the tax administrator’s assessment or any part of that assessment. Qualifications: Members cannot be employees, elected officials or contractors with the municipality at any time during their term or in the five years immediately preceding the date of appointment. For an application to these openings, contact the Clerk of Council Office at 330-689-2859 or https://www.stowohio.org/DocumentCenter/View/6142/Application---Income-Tax-Board- of-Review-PDF. Applications are due by Jan. 13, 2023.

• The Stow Fire Department's "10th Day of Holiday Safety" is: "Take a hint, clean out lint." January is the peak month for dryer fires. Make sure to clean your lint filter before and after each load of laundry. Don't forget about the dryer vent pipe, which should be cleaned once a year. Click here for more information. The department also says to remember to water your Christmas tree every day. For every inch of the trunk’s diameter, fill the stand with one quart of water. Go here for a video showing the dangers of not watering your tree, courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association.

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Community calendar

✂️ Wed., Dec. 28, 2-3 p.m.: Drop-In Tween Craft. What: Tweens ages 9 to 11 are invited to create a Galaxy Jar craft. All materials will be provided for this drop-in craft. No registration required. A limited number of take-home kits will be available immediately following the program while supplies last. Additional household supplies will be required for the take-home version, including acrylic paint and a funnel. Where: Story Time Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.).

🫧 Sat., Dec. 31, 10-10:45 a.m. & 11-11:45 a.m.: Bubble Show. What: Celebrate the end of the year with Sue Durante, the Bubble Lady, who will use common household objects to create bubbles of all shapes and sizes. A few select children may be chosen to stand inside a bubble. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register each child and adult who wishes to attend the program. To register, call 330-688-3295 ext. 5, visit events.smfpl.org, or stop by the library. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

🦅 Thurs., Jan. 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m.: Lake Metroparks Raptor Encounter. What: Celebrate National Bird Day with this program from Lake Metroparks and see live Ohio hawks, owls, falcons and vultures in person at the library. School-age children and their families will learn about these raptors' survival stories, their history and current conservation issues. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register each child and adult who wishes to attend the program (registration is free but required). To register, call 330-688-3295 ext. 5, visit events.smfpl.org, or stop by the library. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

👂 Mon., Jan. 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Free Hearing Screening. What: Reserve Hearing Center will offer free hearing screenings in the library's upstairs meeting room. Screenings last approximately 10-15 minutes per person. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration for this free program is required. To register, call 330-688-3295 ext. 4, or visit events.smfpl.org.

🌳 Mon., Jan. 16, 2-3 p.m.: Winter Tree Identification for Families. What: The Stow Parks & Recreation Department's first "Connect With Nature" program of 2023 explores how to identify trees in the wintertime. School-age children and their families will explore conifers and deciduous trees and learn about identifying trees by bark, needles, shape and twig. Attendees will then explore trees outside to test their skills. This program is in collaboration with the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. Where: Leona Farris Lodge (Silver Springs Lodge) at Silver Springs Park (5027 Stow Rd.) in Stow. Event is free, but registration is required at StowOhio.RecDesk.com (register only one member of your family).

✊ Mon., Jan. 16, 6-8:30 p.m.: MLK Day Movie: "Selma." What: Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the acclaimed film "Selma." Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register for this free program online at events.smfpl.org, or call the library at 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

Obituaries for Dec. 16-22

Madeline Carol LeeMadeline Carol Lee, 77, passed December 16, 2022. Born in Jumping Branch, West Virginia, Madeline had lived in the Stow area for most of her life.Read more

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Tom Hardesty's Christmas Special

A night to remember: Cherishing the sound of silence on a frigid Christmas Eve with my dad

At first, I didn't want to do it. It was the night of Christmas Eve 1983, and by this time visions of sugar plums were dancing in children's heads. My dad and I, as we usually did the night before Christmas, had stayed up late talking and reminiscing when he suggested that we go outside for a few minutes. Problem was, the temperature was 14 degrees below zero.

Dad said it would be a unique experience that I would never forget. So I relented, and we bundled up and stepped into the backyard of our house in Mogadore. The frozen snow crunched with every footstep as the arctic air enveloped us, turning our breath into clouds of icy droplets. Then we stood still and listened ... to the awesome silence. I was 15 years old then, and Dad was right: I will never forget it.

Read the entire account.

There's your final edition of The Spotlight for 2022 — we're going to take a week off for the holidays and return with our next edition Friday, Jan. 6. So Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, and I'll see everyone in 2023!

Tom [email protected]