Today is June 30, 2023.

• Good morning, all! We're still under an Air Quality Alert that we’ve been under since June 27 because of the Canadian wildfires, but there should be some improvement in air quality with less wildfire smoke. Expect a humid one today with a high of 86 degrees and a low of 70, with clouds and sun and a chance of widely separated afternoon thunderstorms. And we’re looking great for July Fourth: partly sunny and warm with a high of 84 and low of 66. Happy birthday, America!

Latest news in brief

Get the lead out: Munroe Falls is asking residents to assist with water-line mapping

If you live in Munroe Falls, the city needs your help. The Munroe Falls Water Department along with GLCAP (Great Lakes Community Assistance Partnership), in accordance with the Ohio EPA's Lead Service Line Mapping requirement, is asking residents to take part in helping the city determine the service line and plumbing materials currently in use at residences in Munroe Falls.

This is where you come in: The City of Munroe Falls would like you to take a short survey to tell the water department what the plumbing in your home is made of. If you're not sure, there are scratch-test instructions to guide you.

The Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the City of Munroe Falls will be contacting residents and making on-site visits beginning in July to determine service line materials. In doing so, it may be necessary to dig down to the service line at some homes to visually examine the water line. Any disturbances to lawns required to make these inspections will be fully restored once completed.

Visit this page to take the online survey, or go here for a paper copy of the survey.

More local news:

• While Stow lost two businesses this week with the closures of Tuesday Morning and Fawn & Fanny, it gained one with the recent opening of Trust and Heal Pharmacy at 3285 Kent Rd. in Stow Plaza. Trust and Heal, a full-service, locally owned pharmacy, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony June 21. According to its Facebook page, the company’s mission “is to be an integral part of the community providing pharmacy services and customized compounded medications for you and your family, including pets.” Jay Patel is the owner/pharmacist.

• The Independence Day festivities in our area won’t necessarily conclude on the Fourth of July. That’s because Silver Lake’s own celebration of the red, white and blue is waiting on deck: the Silver Lake Garden Club Festival, which will take place Saturday, July 15. 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. Go to this page to see the festival’s complete schedule of events.
  

• More on the Silver Lake Garden Club Festival: The event, a tradition since 1935, raises funds to beautify the village with flowers, shrubs and trees for 24 islands, as well as provides money for various programs such as the village’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting. The Garden Club has also funded the arboretum pergola and the gazebo on Christmas Tree Island, and it has contributed to the village’s recently dedicated Veterans Tribute Garden. If you would like to make a donation, go here for a Silver Lake Festival sponsorship to help support the Garden Club in its continued beautification of the village.

• The Stow Parks & Recreation Department’s second of three Connect with Nature: Playing and Pages Pop-Up in the Park events will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25 at Meadowbrook Lake Neighborhood Park at 5069 Hudson Dr. The festivities will include games, frozen treats, music, water balloons, and a free book (donated by the Rotary Club of Stow-Munroe Falls) for each child. Joining the fun will be Mayor John Pribonic, the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, Stow Fire Department, Stow Police Department, Stow Commission on Inclusion, Stow Arts Commission and Stow Law Director Jaime Syx. Admission is free for all ages, and there's no need to register.

• Well, it happened again. Nearly two months after the website VolcanoDiscovery reported a “seismic-like event” of about a magnitude 3 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale centered approximately 10 miles west-northwest of Stow, another magnitude 3 was reported June 24, this one centered nine miles south-southwest of Stow. The April 28 and June 24 events each had an estimated depth of around six miles, and VolcanoDiscovery labeled both as “likely no quake.” The website received two reports from Akron regarding the June 24 event, with both reports indicating a bed shaking. So we ask again: If these aren’t earthquakes, what are they?

• Fun fact from the Summit Soil and Water Conservation District: Dandelions are not native to North America. Early European colonists brought dandelions over as a source of food and medicine. Dandelion greens are highly nutritious, containing more vitamin A, K, calcium and iron than broccoli per 1 cup serving. A new addition to your salad, perhaps?

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Community calendar

🎸 Fri., June 30, 6-8 p.m.: Concert on the Green: Disco Express. What: The City of Stow continues its 2023 Concerts on the Green schedule with the best disco hits from the 1970s that are sure to get you on your feet dancing! Where: Stow City Center (3870 Darrow Rd.). Bring your lawn chair and enjoy food trucks, yard games and great music! Admission is free.

🌽 Sat., July 1, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Patriotic Farmers Market. What: Shop for fresh seasonal vegetables, baked goods and crafts from local growers and small businesses in our area. Where: Stow Community Church (1567 Pilgrim Dr.). Market will be open rain or shine.

🌊 Sat., July 1, 1-4 p.m.: Splash Bash. What: Join the Stow Parks & Recreation Department for a day of free water fun for the whole family. Splash Bash, one of the city’s #CelebrateStow events, will feature two huge water slides, a giant slip-n-slide, a foam cannon and foam pit, Stow fire engine with water hose spray, and Kona Ice Truck ice for purchase. Where: Stow City Center (3870 Darrow Rd.). Bring a towel and dress accordingly, because you’re going to get wet!

🚴‍♀️ Sat., July 1, 2-3 p.m.: Basic Bike Repair 101. What: Eddy's Bike Shop will present a basic tutorial on how to repair your bicycle. Some of the topics to be covered include: fixing a flat and inspecting tires; brake pad replacement or adjustment; reattaching a slipped chain and lubricating; bolt tightening; raising and lowering seats and handlebars. Where: Near the front entrance of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.), weather permitting. To register, call (330) 688-3295 ext. 4 or visit this page.

🚣 Sun., July 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Try It: Kayaking. What: Ever thought about trying your hand at kayaking? Then stop by this open house to explore the sport and try maneuvering out on the water in a relaxed atmosphere. For ages 13 and older; minors must be accompanied by an adult participant. Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park - Lake Area (521 S. River Rd.). Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and be able to swim. Also, wear clothes that can get wet and bring water, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Space is limited; kayaks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

🛝 Sun., July 2, 1-4 p.m.: Patriotic Picnic and SKiP Stow Kids’ Playground Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting. What: Part of #CelebrateStow Week, this community event will feature free picnic food and a fun celebration, including the ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. for the new playground. The festivities will also feature music with One T Entertainment and a photo booth. Where: Stow City Center (3870 Darrow Rd.). It’s the perfect lead-in to the city’s Fourth of July Parade two days later!

🥞 Tues., July 4, 7-10 a.m.: First Christian Church Pancake Breakfast. What: A Fourth of July breakfast that includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, real maple syrup, sausage patties, coffee, tea and juice. Where: First Christian Church of Stow (3493 Darrow Rd.). Cost is $6 for adults, and $3 for children ages 4 to 12. First responders and children ages 3 and under eat for free. Proceeds benefit local outreach ministries.

🏃 Tues., July 4, 7:30-9 a.m.: 43rd Annual Stow Firecracker Run. What: 5K and 2-Mile Fun Run featuring an out-and-back course along the Stow Fourth of July Parade route on Kent Road. Where: Race starts from Holy Family Church (3179 Kent Rd.). Cost to enter the 5K is $35 pre-registration, $40 day of race; fee for the 2-Mile Fun Run is $25 pre-registration and $30 day of race (race day registration starts at 6 a.m. at Holy Family). The race includes chip timing, free T-shirt, post-race refreshments and awards ceremony. Strollers are permitted in both races, but pets are not allowed to participate with race contestants. Visit this page to register and for more information.

🎆 Tues., July 4, 10 a.m.-noon: Stow Fourth of July Parade. What: The city’s annual parade celebrating Independence Day, sponsored by the City of Stow Parks & Recreation Department and the Kiwanis Club of Stow-Munroe Falls. This year’s event is expected to feature at least 100 entries in the parade and tens of thousands of viewers attending. Where: The parade steps off at the Stow Community Center (Target plaza parking lot, 4330 Kent Rd.), travels west down Kent Road past Holy Family Church and ends at Park Drive. This year’s parade theme is “Show STOW Spirit!”

⚡ Tues., July 4, 8:30-10 p.m.: Firefly Fireworks. What: Enjoy nature’s bioluminescent fireworks this July 4th! Learn about this charismatic insect through engaging activities, then catch some fireflies of your own. Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park - Tallmadge Meadows Area (1088 North Ave., Tallmadge). Bring your own flashlight and bug jar. Enjoy sparklers, while supplies last.

🍿 Wed., July 5, 2-4:30 p.m.: Movie: La La Land. What: Watch this 2016 romantic musical starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone as a struggling jazz pianist and an aspiring actress, respectively, who meet and fall in love while pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). No registration required.

🧘 Thurs., July 6, 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.

🎶 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.

Obituaries

James EuBank
With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of James EuBank, on June 24, 2023. He was born on January 10, 1975.
Read more

Doris Ann (Steele) Shallahamer
Doris Ann (Steele) Shallahamer, 88, of Stow, died at home with her family by her precious side, on June 21, 2023, from end stage renal failure.
Read more

Joan J. Gulajski
Joan J. Gulajski, 90, died June 22, 2023.
Read more

Comments from last week’s issue:

“We appreciate all the coverage of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. Keep up the great work!”

“It is nice to have local news and activities.”

Stow

City announces grand marshal, road closures for Stow Fourth of July Parade

The suspense is over. The grand marshal for the 2023 Stow Fourth of July Parade is … the 1991 SKiP Playground volunteers.

With the city celebrating the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new and improved SKiP Stow Kids’ Playground at Stow City Center on July 2, the volunteers who helped construct the original SKiP Playground 32 years ago will be honored as this year’s parade grand marshals.

The parade steps off from the Target plaza parking lot at 4330 Kent Rd. at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 4. The city has announced the following road closures in and around the parade area that day:

• Kent Road will be closed from Marsh Road to Englewood Drive from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and again from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Darrow Road will be closed from Graham Road to Pinehurst Road in Munroe Falls from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and again from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information, call Stow Parks and Recreation at (330) 689-5100 or email [email protected].

Stow

Pictured above is the new Stow welcome sign that greets motorists on Kent Road as they enter the city from Silver Lake. Crews have installed the welcome signs at 12 entry points into the city, so be on the lookout for these snazzy new enhancements as you make your way around town!

So another week is in the books. Our subscriptions keep trending upward, so please continue to spread the word about us so we can keep growing. We’re now just a little more than a month away from our one-year anniversary, and we appreciate everyone’s support during these first 11 months of existence. Have a happy and safe Fourth, and we’ll meet back here next Friday!

Tom Hardesty
[email protected]