🔦 StowNut!

The donuts are back in town, the donuts are back in town.

Today is Jan. 9, 2025.

  • Good morning! We’ve been under winter’s icy grip for a week now, and it’s going to be more of the same today: Cold with sun and areas of low clouds, with a high of 25 degrees and tonight’s low dropping all the way down to 10. In other words, it’s January in Northeast Ohio.

  • 2025 STOW & MUNROE FALLS ARMED FORCES BANNER PROGRAM: Residents can honor a past or present member of the United States armed forces with a commemorative banner flying high above the streets of Stow and Munroe Falls. Sponsorship cost for each banner is $125; orders must be received by March 15. Honorees are not required to be current or past residents of Stow or Munroe Falls. Go here to order your banner.

  • “Reader Spotlight” is a forum where you can send us your comments, concerns and suggestions on anything going on in our communities of Stow, Munroe Falls and Silver Lake. Send your email to [email protected], put “Reader Spotlight” in the subject line, and please include your name and town (recommended but not required for publication). We will publish comments as we receive them.

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

⭐ Several stories in this issue are only available to premium subscribers: StowNut update, how to retire, new nursing home, Frostbite 5K and more local news. Full access is just $2.99/month.

The Spotlight would like to thank the following benefactors for making our work possible: Brandon Heating and Air Conditioning

Stow

The big reveal: City set for grand opening of the new Stow Community & Senior Center

The City of Stow will unveil the new Stow Community & Senior Center with an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. The newly renovated facility, formerly the Cornerstone Community Church, is located at 5344 Fishcreek Rd. The event is free and open to the public.

Stow Mayor John Pribonic will deliver remarks celebrating the grand opening, followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting to officially open the new center.

According to the city, the modified facility is designed to provide an enhanced space for fun, active and social programs that cater to the growing needs of Stow’s senior community, as well as a space for recreation, events and meetings for the community at large.

With its single-level design, spacious interior and ample parking, the new facility represents a significant upgrade from the previous senior center, located at 3968 Darrow Rd. “This [new] center is a testament to Stow’s dedication to meeting the needs of our community, particularly our seniors,” Pribonic said. “It’s more than a building; it’s a place where connections will flourish and new memories will be made.”

If you’re planning to attend, here’s what to expect:

  • Ribbon cutting at 1:45 p.m.

  • Tours of the new facility, which includes over 8,000 square feet of space, a large grand hall room accommodating up to 260 guests, a media suite, an activity hub, a modern kitchen and much more.

  • Light refreshments catered by The Center: Events and Catering in Stow.

  • Door prizes and giveaways.

  • Special music performance by the Stow-Munroe Falls High School string orchestra.

  • Nationally renowned magician Jason Alan, as seen on Penn & Teller.

Due to limited parking availability at the Stow Community & Senior Center at this time, a shuttle service will be provided for Sunday’s Grand Opening event. Additional parking will be available at Fishcreek Elementary School at 5080 Fishcreek Rd.

Politics

Back in the game: Gloria Rodgers appointed to seat on the State Board of Education

Gloria Rodgers

Gloria Rodgers’ political career is far from over.

Rodgers, a lifelong resident of Stow, lost her District 3 seat on Summit County Council — a seat she had held since 2009 — when she was defeated by Stow City Council Member Jeremy McIntire last March in the Republican primary.

But now she’s back in a new role:

  • In December, Rodgers was appointed to a spot on the State Board of Education by Gov. Mike DeWine.

  • The State BOE consists of 19 members. Eight are appointed by the governor, while 11 members are elected.

  • DeWine appointed Rodgers to an open seat due to another member’s term expiring.

  • As an appointed State BOE member, Rodgers represents all of Ohio in an at-large capacity. Elected members, meanwhile, represent their specific districts.

  • BOE Members, whether elected or appointed, may serve up to two consecutive 4-year terms.

  • Rodgers’ term on the State Board began Jan. 1, 2025 and ends Dec. 31, 2028.

According to ohio.gov, the State Board of Education sets the “direction for the Ohio Department of Education by establishing education policies and recommendations” and “is authorized to provide general supervision of the system of public education in the state.” It is also charged with establishing “priorities that will guide the development of policy to ensure high educational expectations for all Ohio students.”

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