Today is April 7, 2023.

• After getting put through the weather wringer the last couple weeks, we could sure use a quiet period -- and it looks like we're going to get one. It's going to be mostly sunny today with a high of 50 and low of 28. Easter Sunday looks good, too, with a high of 60 and low of 36 under sunny skies. In fact, the forecast calls for sunshine all the way through next Thursday, with temps rising into the mid-70s by the middle of next week. Just what the doctor ordered.

• By the way, if you're looking for an AC tune-up or maintenance this summer, be sure to get a quote from Brandon. They've been huge supporters of local news because they believe in our community. Click on their ad below to learn more.

Latest news in brief

And there will be a next time: Wicked weather keeps tearing through the area, so here are some tips to help mitigate the impacts

It's certainly been a wild weather ride the last couple of weekends.

As if the storms weren't bad enough two weeks ago, they were even worse Saturday, April 1, when winds approaching 70 miles an hour — in another words, almost hurricane force — ripped through the area. The extreme winds brought down trees, cut power to many residents, forced streets to be closed off, and generally wreaked havoc all over the place.

Graham Road was closed from Route 91 west to Oak Road, Dirker Boulevard was closed at Graham Road, and Edgewood and Ritchie roads were closed to through traffic, among other issues in the area. Detours due to road closings were ongoing for several days, while FirstEnergy crews worked feverishly to rectify power outages in the area.

Since we've endured wicked weather two weekends in a row now and spring has only just begun, it might be a good time to brush up on what to do if you lose power:

• Leave the refrigerator closed.

• Don’t use up all of your cell phone battery.

• Candles are unsafe -- use flashlights.

• Never run a generator inside a home or garage.

• Turn off or disconnect appliances and electronics. When power resumes, it often returns with surges or spikes that damage the appliances and electronics.

It's also important to remember that when arriving at an intersection with the traffic lights out, treat it as a four-way stop.

Anyone needing to access Stow police or fire service for a non-emergency should call the non-emergency phone line at 330-689-5700. For future storm reference, you can report and track outages here and get storm information from FirstEnergy here.

More local news:

• Because of how hard-hit we've been by the recent storms, the City of Stow Service Department is providing a one-time curbside collection of storm-related brush (sticks, limbs, partial trees) for residents. Requests for pickup will be taken through noon TODAY. You must have your materials on your curb (not in the street) by 7 a.m. Saturday, April 8. Your brush should be in piles but not tied; limbs/trees should be in 4 foot lengths or less. To sign up, click this link to go to the Brush Pick Up Request online form.

• Storm cleanup has only added to our already-robust spring yardwork chores list. And right at the top is mulching -- but the City of Stow Urban Forestry Commission is doing its part to ease that workload just a bit. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6, the City of Stow will provide residents with free mulch-loading days where city staff will load your pickup trucks and trailers for free at the city's Brush Drop Off site at 5070 Stow Rd. No brush dropoff or loading of mulch by hand will be allowed on these days. Free mulch is also available outside those two dates while supplies last, except then it must be hand loaded. Hours of operation to hand-load mulch at the Brush Drop Off site are 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every second and fourth Saturday. Free mulch is available for Stow residents only, a photo ID is required for proof of residence, and residential and commercial contractors are prohibited from using this site.

• The City of Stow is supporting the Harvest for Hunger Campaign with a Fill'er Up Food Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. TODAY at the Stow City Hall parking lot at 3760 Darrow Rd. The primary items in need at this drive-thru event are boxed cereal, canned beef stew, canned soup, canned tuna, canned vegetables, peanut butter, hygiene items and paper items. Monetary donations can be made here.

• We always hear how "the show must go on." Well, at Lakeview Intermediate School in Stow, the show -- in this case, the school musical "Frozen Junior" -- is indeed going on this month. The Spotlight received this email from an appreciative Lakeview parent: "The only reason they are performing is because of one parent’s perseverance -- Mrs. Becca Moskovitz. She made sure the musical happened this year. Our beloved music teacher, Melody Oberschlake, was not able to oversee the school musical this year due to maternity leave. Mrs. Moskovitz, the musical’s assistant director, knew the importance to the students and made sure it took place. I believe a musical has taken place most school years since its inception in 2005. Amie Gabel, a current Lakeview teacher, is responsible for starting the tradition. As a parent of a sixth grade self proclaimed theater geek, I am grateful for Mrs. Moskovitz and her perseverance!! The musical brings students (and families) together that may not have normally crossed paths." Hannah Backus-Marzano is now the musical's director. Performance dates for "Frozen Junior" at Lakeview Intermediate (1819 Graham Rd.) are 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 14; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15; and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 16. The performances are open to the public; tickets cost $7 for floor seats and $4 for bleachers. Tickets are available on the Hometown Ticketing App (it’s the same app used for SMFCSD sporting events). Tickets will also be available at the door. Well done by everyone at Lakeview for ensuring that the show goes on!

• Munroe Falls residents, you're about to join your Stow neighbors on "water watch." City-wide hydrant flushing starts next week in Munroe Falls, and during this time it is recommended that residents monitor the water coming out of faucets for discoloration or sediment that can be kicked up by the flushing process. If this happens, don't worry: This is normal and not a public health concern. Most residents will not see any change in their water. However, if you do see discoloration, allow your water to run until it is clear, and do not launder light-colored clothing until the water has cleared. City-wide hydrant flushing is performed annually by the Munroe Falls Water Department.

• Arbor Day is Friday, April 28 -- and in Stow, that means the Tree Festival Drive-Thru Event at Stow City Hall (3760 Darrow Rd.). From 6 to 8 p.m. that day, Mayor John Pribonic and members of the Stow Urban Forestry Commission will hand out one 3-gallon seedling (4-5 feet tall) and a City of Stow Tree Festival Tote Bag full of additional Arbor Day goodies to each vehicle -- and it's all free! Participants may take only one seedling per family/address/vehicle. Go here to register (registration is required). For more information, call the urban forestry department at 330-689-5120.

• The Acker-Moore Memorial Post in Stow is looking for crafters and vendors for its "Spring Into Summer" craft show, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at the Post's facility at 3733 Fishcreek Rd. Cost is $40 for a single booth or $70 for a double booth ($5 extra for electric). Contact [email protected] for more information.

• Ever wonder what to do with that item you think is recyclable but have no idea where to take it? Now you do: The ReWorks recycling center at 1201 Graham Rd. (at the Route 8 overpass) in Stow is hosting its "Recycling Days," a six-day event to collect hard-to-recycle materials that require special handling. The program will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 25-27 and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 2-4. Accepted materials are glass bottles and jars, cooking oil (liquid only), campaign signs, string lights (no LED strips), and televisions and electronic devices. Register here to bring electronic devices to ReWorks Recycling Days. This event is available to Summit County residents and businesses only. Go to this page for more information.

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Community calendar

🐰 Sat., April 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Bunny Trail Hop (rescheduled from Saturday, April 1 due to inclement weather). What: Free event sponsored by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department that ends with you getting to meet the Easter Bunny! Each family will receive a map of the bunny trail when they check in at registration (park at the baseball fields). Families will follow the bunny trail, walking (hopping) a loop through Silver Springs Park; be aware that there may be portions of the trail not conducive to strollers. Churches and organizations will have booths set up along the way with games, activities and goodies. At the end of the trail, you will meet the Easter Bunny! Where: Silver Springs Park (Young Road entrance) at 5238 Young Rd. The Bunny Trail Hop, suitable for children 10 and under, is broken down into six 30-minute time slots between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; pick one half-hour time frame to arrive per family/group (only one registration is needed for your whole family). Go here to register. Attendees should be sure to dress for the weather -- and bring a basket to fill!

🦉 Thurs., April 13, 7-8:30 p.m.: Connect with Nature: Owl Prowl. What: If you liked the Stow Parks & Recreation Department's "Learn OWL About It!" program in February, then you're going to love its Owl Prowl event. The Owl Prowl will start at the Heritage Barn with naturalist Judy Semroc giving a talk focused on owl species present in our area. You’ll also get tips for spotting owls during the day and learn about where they like to roost. After the indoor program, Judy will lead a hike to listen and look for this elusive nighttime avian predator. While two main species of owls can sometimes be heard or seen, there is no guarantee that will happen -- which is why it's especially important to maintain quiet during the walk to the woods in trying to view these amazing birds. Where: Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.). The event is free, but registration is required; go here to register. The Owl Prowl is in collaboration with the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library.

📚 Sat., April 15, 10 a.m.-noon: Book Donation Day. What: Bring your good, clean, used books and puzzles to the back door of the library. Curbside pickup service will be available. Materials will be used by the library or sold at the Friends’ Book Sale. Proceeds benefit library programming, and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Donate 10 items or more and receive a pass to the next Friends’ Presale. This free pass is only issued at the back door of the library on Book Donation Days. If you are unable to accommodate this date and time, call Joan at 330-388-0355 to schedule an appointment to drop off donations.

🧏 Sat., April 15, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Celebrate American Sign Language Day with the Greenleaf Family Center. What: Celebrate American Sign Language Day by learning some ASL basics with the Greenleaf Family Center. Among the topics discussed at this free program will be Deaf culture, including what is appropriate and what isn’t; using polite words to refer to a Deaf or hard of hearing person; and what it means to be Deaf or deaf. Common questions that will be covered include: Why do we use a big D or a little d? What do I do if I meet a Deaf person? How do I act? Where do I look? What if there is an interpreter? Attendees will also learn the alphabet in ASL and how to spell their names. In addition, attendees will learn how to say “hello” and “goodbye”, “please”, “thank you” and “you’re welcome,” as well as some library-related words such as help, library, book, computer and more. There will also be candy rewards (let the library know of any allergies). Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is required. To register, go here, call 330-688-3295 ext. 5, or stop by the library; register each child and adult who wishes to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

🦸 Sat., April 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Superhero Training. What: Stow Parks & Recreation Department event where kids can enjoy a fun-filled day with superheroes -- and wear their favorite superhero costume! (optional). Program includes photos with superheroes, treats, games and activities. Where: Leona Farris Lodge (Silver Springs Lodge) at Silver Springs Park (5027 Stow Rd.). This event is open to Stow residents only, costs $25 per child (space is limited), and only two adults per child can attend. Go here to register.

🎤 Tues., April 18, 6-7 p.m.: City of Stow Inclusion Committee Meet and Greet. What: Meet the committee members of the City of Stow Commission on Inclusion and learn about what they have accomplished for our community. Come with questions, ideas or suggestions; committee members will be on hand to give a short presentation about the background of the commission and answer your questions. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register for this free program, go here or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

📚 Wed., April 19, 4-6 p.m.: Book Donation Day. What: Bring your good, clean, used books and puzzles to the back door of the library. Curbside pickup service will be available. Materials will be used by the library or sold at the Friends’ Book Sale. Proceeds benefit library programming, and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Donate 10 items or more and receive a pass to the next Friends’ Presale. This free pass is only issued at the back door of the library on Book Donation Days. If you are unable to accommodate this date and time, call Joan at 330-388-0355 to schedule an appointment to drop off donations.

🌎 Thurs., April 20, 6-7 p.m.: Ohio Through Time: A Presentation on Ohio's Geologic History. What: Molly Hunt, a geologist and paleontologist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geological Survey, will invite guests to explore the deep geological history of Ohio. Spanning more than 200 million years, Ohio’s fascinating past includes dynamic events and curious creatures. This family-friendly program is for all ages and includes the opportunity to view and touch Ohio rocks, minerals and fossils. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register for this free program, go here or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🌎 Sat., April 22, 10 a.m.-noon: Connect with Nature: Earth Fest. What: Celebrate Earth Day with the Stow Parks & Recreation Department. Program will include guided hikes at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. to explore signs of spring and marvel at the beauty of nature, and there will be representatives on hand from Summit County Master Gardeners, Rubber City Reuse, Summit Soil and Water Conservation District, and City of Stow Urban Forestry to share information. Attendees can also make seed balls with the Master Gardeners and learn about the Summit Metro Parks' Wild Back Yards Incentive Program. There will also be a scavenger hunt for the kids. Where: Adell Durbin Park (3300 Darrow Rd.) Earth Fest is free for all ages, and there's no need to register.

Obituaries for March 31 - April 6

Cynthia Lea CalerCynthia Lea Caler, 69, passed away April 3, 2023.Read more

Gregory T. PeelerGregory T. Peeler, passed away March 28, 2023, peacefully in his sleep.Read more

Sponsored by the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Program, Elite Business Awards shape tomorrow's success stories -- and honor today's

By Julie McLain, Executive Director

May is a pivotal time of year. Graduations, wedding season, awards, etc. Our communities are ramping up for a variety of celebrations as we head into the summer. As I reminisce, in May of 2014 I graduated from the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce Adult Leadership Program; together with my 11 other classmates, we grew as leaders in our businesses and communities, developed lifelong friendships, and made huge strides in our personal and professional lives as we navigated our careers and all the changes and challenges that come along with life. Being involved in that program opened my eyes to all the intricacies of leadership and helped me understand my leadership style, build my confidence and learn how I can make an impact in my own way.

Fast-forward to now: The Chamber is launching our next Leadership Program on Thursday, April 20. This eight-month program is an opportunity to take a deep dive into leadership competencies, including your leadership style, appreciative inquiry, divergent conversations, building strategic partnerships, and economic development. Working hand in hand with alumni and Heart to Heart Leadership (www.htohleadership.org) of Akron, this program is an excellent opportunity at an affordable price. If you are a business owner looking for training to offer to employees or an employee looking for a leadership program to grow your skills, this is it. Our businesses and communities need emerging leaders, and these skills are important personal and career building blocks. If you are interested in learning more, contact the Chamber office at [email protected] or check out our website at www.smfcc.com. Don’t wait too long, however: The deadline for this cohort is Friday, April 14!

Speaking of leaders past and present, the Chamber, in collaboration with the Cities of Stow and Munroe Falls and the SMF School District, will be hosting The Elite Business Awards on Wednesday, May 24. The awards program is a signature community event and is "A Celebration of Leadership and Legacy" in our communities. Nominations open Monday, April 10. We are seeking nominees for the following awards: Business(es) of the Year, Emerging Leader Award (for those under age 45), the Mayor(s) Awards, The Good Neighbor Award, and the NEW Bruce Redmon Legacy and Leadership Award. Criteria for each award will be available on our website at www.smfcc.com or by calling the Chamber office at 330-688-1579. Sponsorships and tickets for the event, which will be held at the Kent State University Hotel and Convention Center, are on sale NOW. Tickets include dinner, FREE parking, entertainment, and program. Go to this page for more information. We hope you will join us for The Elite Business Awards on May 24!

That's it for another Friday. Thanks to everyone for signing up — we just eclipsed the 2,000-subscription mark! Keep spreading the word about us, because we're growing by leaps and bounds. And this can't be stressed enough: The more paid subscriptions we get, the sooner we can roll up our sleeves, get into the city halls and give you the kind of "inside government" reporting that is the cornerstone of local journalism — and democracy. Have a great week ahead, and I'll see everyone back here next Friday!

Tom [email protected]