Today is June 9, 2023.

• Morning all! Expect hazy skies today due to continuing smoke from the Canadian wildfires, with a high of 74 degrees and low of 55. Then, at long last, beneficial rain is on the way Sunday when we are forecast to get a thunderstorm in spots that afternoon. Also expect periods of rain Monday morning, which should further help alleviate the recent dry conditions. And to think it wasn’t that long ago we wished it would stop raining …

Latest news in brief

A work of art: New mural paying homage to the Cuyahoga River is unveiled in Munroe Falls

Munroe Falls has its first public mural.

The latest civic addition was unveiled June 2 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Float the River’s drop-in point, located on the south side of the Cuyahoga River opposite Brust Park on Route 91. Float the River, an ecotourism company based in Cuyahoga Falls, commissioned the new mural, most of which is painted along the side of a large shipping container and features the river itself along with native fish, insects and floaties — representative of the inner tubes that the company rents for people to, well, float the river.

The most eye-catching part of the mural, however, just might be what’s depicted on the door of the container: A giant butterfly that almost beckons visitors to stand between its wings for the perfect photo-op.

The mural was painted by Stow-based artists Anne Geraghty and Kimmy Henderson, who team up under the name Mobile Creatives Ohio. Geraghty and Henderson’s artistry is also featured at Stow fitness center Tyrannosaurus Flex and on the corrugated shed at Stow City Center.

More local news:

• Graham Road/Fishcreek Road Project Update: The Graham/Fishcreek Intersection Improvement Project signal work began May 8, shortly after the signal poles arrived. All the underground signal work was completed by June 1, which was the original scheduled delivery date for the signal equipment. However, not all the signal equipment has been delivered, so final signal installation will begin immediately upon arrival. Construction over the summer months will include removing the traffic islands, implementing access management, improving commercial driveways, reconstructing signals, upgrading pedestrian amenities, new sidewalks, resurfacing, and new pavement markings. The project was awarded last August to Shelly and Sands, Inc., and signal items were ordered last fall. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of summer. According to the City of Stow, this project was needed for highway safety: The signals were over 30 years old, and all equipment needed to be updated. For more information, contact the City of Stow Engineering Department at 330-689-2719 or [email protected]s.

• Speaking of construction, there’s going to be some traffic backup on Darrow Road for the next month or so. Dominion East Ohio Gas has contracted for construction work to start Tuesday, June 13 as part of its project for M&R Station and mainline replacement and removal of Pinehurst Station. Construction is expected to continue for approximately 25 days. Most of the work will be within Stow city limits and as far south as Pinehurst Road in Munroe Falls, with thru traffic affected during this time. Traffic flows on Darrow Road will be maintained but down to one lane at times. Flaggers will be present north and south of the construction areas. Expect delays, and of course use caution through construction zones.

• As you’re busily making your July 4th plans, be sure to clear space on your calendar for Sunday, July 2. Because that’s the big day for the Patriotic Picnic and SKiP Stow Kids’ Playground Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting, which will take place from 1-4 p.m. at Stow City Center at 3870 Darrow Rd. The community event will feature free picnic food and a fun celebration, including the ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. for the new playground, as part of #CelebrateStow Week. It’s the perfect lead-in to the city’s Fourth of July Parade two days later.

• ReWorks’ Household Hazardous Waste Collection has begun for the 2023 season. Summit County residents can take their household hazardous wastes generated in their homes to ReWorks’ facility at 1201 Graham Rd. in Stow; these hazardous waste drop-offs will be accepted from 2 to 7 p.m. each Thursday through Sept. 28. Commonly used products like batteries, cleaners and automotive oil are considered household hazardous waste, along with items that have words like caution, corrosive, flammable or poison on the label. For more comprehensive guidance on what is accepted during these collections, visit www.summitreworks.com/hhw. Final decisions about acceptable items are made at the ReWorks facility by on-site technicians. For more information, visit www.summitreworks.com, call 330-374-0383 or email [email protected]m.

• The Munroe Falls Park Board is promoting a fundraiser to facilitate improvements, enhancements and maintenance of the amenities at Guise Park. And to that end, you can have your name and/or personal message immortalized on a personalized engraved brick at the Guise Park playground — and the playground recognition bricks are now available for purchase. Any individual or business can buy a 4x8-inch engraved brick with up to three lines of text (maximum of 18 characters per line) for $100. The bricks will be installed at the playground walkway. Go to this page for order forms and more information.

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Community calendar

🎸 Fri., June 9, 6-8 p.m.: Concert on the Green: Back 2 The Future '80s Tribute Band. What: The City of Stow continues its 2023 Concerts on the Green schedule with an '80s tribute featuring an impressive repertoire of songs from iconic musicians. Where: Stow City Center Campus (3870 Darrow Rd.). Bring your lawn chair and enjoy food trucks, yard games and great music! Admission is free.

🌳 Sat., June 10, 10 a.m.: Hike and Write. What: Outdoors program presented by the Munroe Falls Park Board and Kent State University's Wick Poetry Center. Attendees will enjoy a 90-minute guided hike to reflect on and write about the beauty of the Cuyahoga River and our place within the natural landscape. Be sure to bring a notebook and something to write with. Where: Brust Park (154 N. Main St. in Munroe Falls, along the north bank of the Cuyahoga River). This program is open to all ages.

🎶 Tues., June 13, 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. Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park, Lake Area (521 S. River Rd.). Performances are not held during inclement weather. Call the ensemble’s info line at 330-865-8060 after 4 p.m. June 13 for concert status.

🧘 Thurs., June 15, 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 Campus (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., June 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Family Movie Night: Puss In Boots: The Last Wish. What: Bring the whole family to watch this animated movie on the big screen. Popcorn and drinks will be provided (while supplies last). Feel free to bring blankets and pillows for the kids. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). No registration required.

🍣 Fri., June 16, 7-9 p.m.: ToshoCon 2023. What: Toshokan: The Japanese word for "library." ToshoCon: A mini-convention for anime and manga fans ages 12 to 17. Program features cosplay and art contests with prizes, panel discussions, candy sushi-making, anime trivia, and more. Anime merchandise will be available for purchase from JC Comics and Anime of Cuyahoga Falls. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Registration is required for this free after-hours event, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the Hudson Library & Historical Society, and JC Comics and Anime. To enter the Anime Art Contest, be sure to register here first. Bring your hand-drawn art or a printout of your digital art with you to ToshoCon.

🧶 Sat., June 17, 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.

🍿 Mon., June 19, 6-8:30 p.m.: Juneteenth Movie: Hidden Figures. What: Celebrate Juneteenth with a screening of the film about three African-American women at NASA who were instrumental in the launch of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). No registration is required.

📚 Tues., June 20, 6-7:30 p.m.: Connect with Nature: Playing and Pages Pop-Up in the Park. What: Stow Parks & Recreation Department event for kids featuring games, frozen treats, music, water balloons, and a free book for each child. Joining the fun will be Mayor John Pribonic, the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, Stow Fire Department, Stow Police Department, Stow Commission on Inclusion, and Stow Law Director Jaime Syx. Where: Crestdale Park (4570 Timberdale Dr.). Admission is free for all ages, and there's no need to register. Rain date is Wednesday, June 21. This is the first of three Playing and Pages Pop-Up in the Park events of the summer.

🐕 Wed., June 21, 6:30-8 p.m.: All-Ages Pet Show. What: Show off your best friend and view all the great pets of Stow and Munroe Falls at this outdoor event for all ages. Participants will receive certificates indicating what makes their pets special, and three special pets will be chosen as "favorite pets" in a popular-choice vote. Shot records are required for any pet that will be outside of a cage. Records must be presented during event check-in that night in order to be permitted to participate. No livestock permitted. Spectators are welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring towels, blankets or chairs to sit on while showcasing their pets. Where: Front lawn of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.), weather permitting. Go here to register (registration is required). There is no rain date for this event.

🧘 Thurs., June 22, 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 Campus (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.

🦎 Fri., June 23, 11 a.m.-noon: Connect with Nature: Backyard Safari. What: This is the first 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 the June 23 program focusing on amphibians and reptiles. Where: Leona Farris Lodge (Silver Springs Lodge) at Silver Springs Park (5027 Stow Rd.). This free event will have outdoor exploration components, so come ready to be outside and possibly get a little dirty! 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., June 24, 9 a.m.-noon: Puzzle Sale at the Stow Farmers Market. What: The Friends of Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library will sell pre-owned puzzles at the Stow Farmers Market. These puzzles are in excellent condition and are priced to sell. Where: Stow Community Church (1567 Pilgrim Dr.). All money raised will be used for programming at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library.

Sponsored by the Hudson Garden Club

Obituaries

Christopher D. Malone
Christopher D. Malone, age 48 of Stow, passed away June 2, 2023 at UH Cleveland Medical Center. He was born May 20, 1975 in Akron, Ohio to Timothy and Janis Malone.
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Yolanda (nee Merlitti) Bujorian
Yolanda Bujorian, 93, of Munroe Falls, OH passed away peacefully June 2, 2023. She was born April 1, 1930 in her North Hill Akron home to Pasquale and Filomena Merlitti.
Read more

Marvin Edward Powell
Marvin Edward Powell went home to his savior on April 28, 2023.
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Nicol Ingeborg Jehn-Zabel
Nicol Ingeborg Jehn-Zabel, 50, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday morning, June 1, 2023.
Read more

Comments from the previous issue

“All the great community events. Perfect!”

Stow

Coming to a street near you: City embarks on its nearly $5 million summer road improvement project

You’ve probably noticed it already as you’ve driven through the city: orange cones, lane shifting and yellow vests.

Yep, the City of Stow’s Roads & Sidewalks Improvement Projects are underway, part of an infrastructure initiative that includes the City Center Project (SKiP Playground construction and surrounding improvements) and the continuation of park and facility improvements.

Here’s the price tag for the road and sidewalk projects budgeted this year, according to the city:

• Over $2.4 million in asphalt resurfacing for roads

• Over $1.3 million in concrete replacement for roads

• Over $900,000 in sidewalk maintenance, improvement and additions

• Over $110,000 in roadway striping

The summer road improvement project concentrates on residential roadways throughout the city since main thoroughfares are typically covered by state grant funding with a small local match. Residential roads are selected for the project based on a rating system that evaluates pavement distress, including cracks, potholes, rutting, weathering and ride quality.

Also, the city-wide sidewalk improvement program introduced two years ago continues this year with installation, leveling and repair at no cost to the property owner.

“I thank our service crews and service department for all of their hard work each year,” Mayor John Pribonic said. “This year’s road projects and sidewalk improvements will enhance our roadways and neighborhoods in a significant way.”

Silver Lake

Pictured above is the newly minted Veterans Tribute Garden that sits adjacent to Village Hall on Kent Road. The VTG was formally dedicated with a Memorial Day ceremony that was attended by approximately 175 people and featured a flyover by two U.S. Air Force F-16 jets. Nicely done, Silver Lake!

SPOTLIGHT ON THE CHAMBER

Sponsored by the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce

And the winner is: Area businesses recognized at Elite Business Awards

By Julie McLain, Executive Director

The Elite Business Awards, a key economic development signature event for the Chamber, were held May 24 at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center (a Chamber member business) to a capacity crowd of 200 business leaders and representatives from both the City of Stow and the City of Munroe Falls, and the SMF City School District. This key dinner event is to celebrate our business community and all that they do not only in their businesses but also as leaders in our communities. The theme for this year’s event was Legacy and Leadership.

A variety of awards were presented during the evening highlighting the “Legacy and Leadership” theme, and all businesses who were nominated or awarded were pleasantly surprised to receive their honors. Emotions were high! Josh Taylor, president of TTR Shipping in Stow, and Kamron Kheder, Munroe Falls Center LLC in Munroe Falls, received the Mayor’s Award from each city. There were several nominees for the Business of the Year Award, including Float the River and The Upside Collective; the Business(es) of the Year awards were given to Wendy Supple, vice president of operations for Brandon Heating and Air Conditioning in Stow, and Penny and Paul Young, owners of Young’s Screen Printing and Embroidery in Stow. Cameron Cunert, manager of People’s Bank in Munroe Falls, accepted the Business of the Year Award for that city. Superintendent Tom Bratten had the honor of announcing Craig and Lori Wilhoit, owners of Baine Enterprises, as the winner of the Good Neighbor Award for their ongoing support of the school system.

In addition to the above awards, we also had two new awards added this year. The Emerging Leader of the Year Award, to recognize an up-and-coming leader in our community under the age of 45, was given to Dave Segen, owner of Bellacino’s Pizza and Grinders. The Bruce Redmon Legacy and Leadership Award, created to recognize a leader and business owner in our community who helped create a Chamber initiative or program with significant impacts on both the Chamber and the community, was awarded to Keith Redmon of Redmon Funeral Home. Keith was on hand to accept this award on behalf of his late father, Bruce Redmon, a past president of the Chamber who created the President’s Club in 1987. Since 2012, 100% of the donations to the President’s Club have been designated specifically for graduating seniors of employees of Chamber-member businesses. To date, the President’s Club Scholarship Program has awarded close to $35,000 in scholarships to students as part of this workforce development program. Members may join the President’s Club at any time; however, we are currently having a basket auction for those who join the President’s Club before Friday, June 30. The winner of the drawing will receive a summer patio basket valued at $500. The drawing will take place June 30.

Moving into the second half of the year, the Chamber is going to have some fun and is in the midst of planning our Annual Golf Outing, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 25 with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Sign up your foursome today for golf or to sponsor this fun event! We will see you there!

That’s all for another week. A great big hello to our new subscribers, a hearty thank you to those who have continued to support us, and our customary request to spread the word about The Spotlight throughout the community. This is your newsletter, and the more readers we have, the more connected we’ll be. Have a great week ahead, and we’ll meet back here next Friday!

Tom Hardesty
[email protected]