Today is May 12, 2023.

• Morning, all! Your Mother's Day weekend is going to start out on the rainy side today: Cloudy with a shower in the p.m., with a high of 80 degrees and a low of 60. Expect morning rain Saturday, but your Mother's Day plans Sunday should be safe: Cloudy and a high of 73. Then outside of a chance of rain Tuesday, next week should be sunny all the way through Thursday. Yep, it looks like we've turned the corner.

Latest news in brief

Hello, old friend: Orange barrel season is here as Graham/Fishcreek Intersection Project gets underway

Ask any Ohioan how many seasons there are in a year, and the usual answer will be five: spring, summer, fall, winter and orange barrel.

And if you've hit the intersection of Graham Road and Fishcreek Road this week, you know that orange barrel season is in full swing. Construction at that intersection began Monday, May 8, and the project includes:

• Removing the right-turn lane islands

• Maintaining access to all commercial driveways

• Resurfacing the intersection

• Reconstructing the traffic signals

• Upgrading pedestrian crossings

The City of Stow is advising motorists to put down the distractions (read: cell phones) and drive slowly through the work zone. Yes, these projects add a measure of inconvenience to our commute, but safety comes first.

Note: The project is off to a rather auspicious start following a water main break at the intersection May 10. Read more on that ongoing situation further down this issue of The Spotlight.

More local news:

• The Silver Lake Veterans Tribute Garden, adjacent to Village Hall at 2961 Kent Rd., will officially be dedicated on Memorial Day, May 29. This short dedication ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m., is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

• Here's a fun evening for the kiddos: the Stow Parks & Recreation Department's Connect with Nature: Playing and Pages Pop Up in the Park event, which will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 at Crestdale Park at 4570 Timberdale Dr. The festivities will include 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. Admission is free for all ages, and there's no need to register.

• The City of Munroe Falls will hold two public hearings to discuss council and mayor compensation. The first will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, and the second will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6. Both hearings will be held at City Hall (upstairs) at 43 Munroe Falls Ave. and will take place prior to the regular city council meeting. Call 330-688-7491 ext. 222 for more information.

• The Silver Lake Service Department is currently flushing fire hydrants in the village. The hydrant flushing will last approximately four weeks, and residents should observe water changes and run water until its clear while the flushing program is in progress.

• As you try to keep up with your lawn care this month after all that April rain, here are a few yard tips for May from the Summit Soil & Water Conservation District: Mow high at 3 or 4 inches and let clippings lie on the lawn -- save money, time and prevent over-application of nutrients by letting the grass clippings add nitrogen to the soil as nature's fertilizer; if Japanese beetle grubs are an issue and soil conditions are right, apply Milky Spore to control the population (one application lasts 10 years); and reduce or eliminate pesticides to protect animals and children.

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Community calendar

🌳 Sat., May 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. What: Stop by the library's lobby to meet representatives from the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Find out about upcoming programs, ask questions, and learn about this natural treasure in our community's backyard. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). This program is free, and registration is not required.

📄 Sat., May 13, 10-11:30 a.m.: Estate Planning Basics. What: Attorney Jason M. Jordan will cover the basics of estate planning. Learn about the four foundational documents, wills and more. Jason is dedicated to ensuring that his clients understand these important documents and that their assets are protected. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Register for this free program here or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🌳 Mon., May 15, 6-7 p.m.: Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation. What: Spend the evening with Fran Kitchen, founder and director of Operation Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation in Akron. Fran will bring several of her rescued animal ambassadors and share their roles in the ecosystem of Northeast Ohio. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register, go here or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4. This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

🌳 Tues., May 16, 7-8 p.m.: Connect with Nature: The Music of Birdsong. What: Learn how to sort out the avian singers in the chorus at this program presented by the Stow Parks & Recreation Department in partnership with the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. Join Lisa Rainsong, a professional musician, educator and naturalist, as she guides adults and teens ages 12 and up in the identification of birds and their musical repertoire. Where: Heritage Barn at Silver Springs Park (5238 Young Rd.). Cost is $5 per person for Stow residents and $8 per person for non-residents. Go here to register.

📄 Wed., May 17, 7-8 p.m.: Mastering the Interview. What: Learn how to prepare for in-person and virtual interviews as well as how to answer some of the most challenging interview questions. Additionally, attendees will learn what to bring and how to dress for an interview. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). Go here to register or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🌳 Thurs., May 18, 6-8 p.m.: What’s Bugging Your Trees?! An Update on Insects and Diseases Impacting Trees & Forests in Northeast Ohio. What: Join Ohio Division of Forestry's Forest Health Manager Tom Macy for a talk on the insects and diseases that currently impact Northeast Ohio's forests. Some of the topics to be covered include beech leaf disease, oak wilt, hemlock wooly adelgid, and the spotted lanternfly. 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., May 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Native Plant Festival: What: Join Summit Metro Parks staff and local native plant nurseries at the event's new location in Munroe Falls to discover the vital role of native plants in our ecosystem. Browse a wide variety of plants available for purchase, or attend an educational session to learn how to incorporate native plants into your landscaping. Attendees can also receive a free seedling while supplies last. Where: Munroe Falls Metro Park (521 S. River Rd.). Food will be available for purchase from D-Bo’s Grill and Henry’s Creamery. Go here for more information.

🐢 Tues., May 23, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.: Drop-In Turtle craft. What: In celebration of World Turtle Day, stop by the library and make your own turtle craft to take home. The craft is intended for ages 2 to 8 and available while supplies last. Where: Community Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). No registration required.

🏠 Wed., May 24, 6-8 p.m.: Homebuying 101. What: Join local real estate professionals to learn the basics of the home-buying process. Find out the current state of the market, how to become financially prepared, get information about closing costs, and much more. Speakers include Lindsey Riley, realtor at Cutler Real Estate, and a representative from Cross Country Mortgage. Where: Stow-Munroe Falls Room at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (3512 Darrow Rd.). To register for this free program, go to this page or call 330-688-3295 ext. 4.

🎸 Sat., May 27, 6-8 p.m.: Concert on the Green: Overboard the Love Boat Band. What: The City of Stow kicks off its 2023 Concerts on the Green schedule with the best yacht-rock hits of the '70s and '80s. Where: Stow City Center Campus (3870 Darrow Rd.). Bring your lawn chair and enjoy food trucks, yard games and great music! Admission is free.

Obituaries for May 5-11

Frank Earl Folmer, Jr.Frank Earl Folmer, Jr., born May 1, 1931, died May 7, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Earl Folmer, Sr. and Margaret Folmer (McChan) of Akron.Read more

Terry D. LawrenceTerry D. Lawrence, (70), passed away peacefully at home Monday, May 8, 2023, after a long illness. Read more

Kenneth H. HarrisonKenneth H. Harrison 82, passed away on May 8, 2023, due to complications of Alzheimer's.Read more

Martha Jane (Stone) OsgoodMartha Jane Osgood (Stone), 90, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023 surrounded by family.Read more

“I feel so connected to my community. This newsletter is imperative.. ”

“I enjoy the Spotlight post very much!! Thank you for sharing the current goings on!!!”

Tom: This is exactly what we're going for. Thank you!

Stow

Law of unintended consequences strikes again: Boil alert still in effect after water main break in Graham/Fishcreek construction zone

The water main break that occurred May 10 at the intersection of Graham and Fishcreek roads has been repaired, but the boil-water alert that was issued that same day is still in effect in the affected area until further notice, according to the City of Stow.

If you are in the affected area, the city says do not drink the water without boiling it first. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

• An announcement will be made on the city's website when the boil alert has been suspended and boiling water is no longer required. Bacteria testing routinely takes 24 hours from time of sampling for results.

• The water main erupted while the contractor was working on the Graham/Fishcreek Intersection Project, which began May 8.

• For more information, contact the City of Stow Water Department at 330-689-2889. Follow CDC guidance for this boil-water advisory.

That's all, folks! We hope you enjoyed this latest issue of The Spotlight, and if you have any news for us, send it our way at the email address below. Have a great Mother's Day weekend and see you next Friday!

Tom [email protected]