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đŚ What to do with Christmas trees
Plus, Stowâs answer to the community rec center question

Today is Jan. 3, 2025.
Happy New Year! The Spotlight hopes everyone had a great holiday season to close out 2024. And with the turning of the calendar comes the turning of the weather: Those nice spring-like temperatures in the run-up to New Yearâs has given way to winter, with a heavy dose coming our way in a matter of hours. A Lake Effect Snow Warning starts at 7 a.m. this morning and runs through 7 p.m. Saturday, with 5 to 10 inches of snow expected; our high today will be 28 degrees and our low will be 20. Travel will be very difficult at times due to slippery road conditions and poor visibility, so donât go on the roads unless you have to and be extremely careful if you do.
SPOTLIGHT HOLIDAY SCHEDULING ALMOST OVER: This is a rare Friday edition of The Spotlight due to the New Yearâs holiday, but starting next week we will be back to our usual Thursday publication schedule. So the next edition of the newsletter will hit your inbox Thursday, Jan. 9.
REPURPOSE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE: The Stow Urban Forestry Commission encourages residents to recycle their live Christmas tree by taking it to the drop-off area in front of the Stow Community Gardens at 5070 Stow Rd. The drop-off site is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week through Tuesday, Feb. 28. Trees will be chipped into mulch that will be given back to residents free of charge. All tinsel, garland and ornaments must be removed prior to drop-off.
AND ANOTHER OPTION TO RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE: The Summit Metro Parks system has a tree recycling program to benefit wildlife habit, with live Christmas trees being chipped and those chips distributed on park trails. There are six areas set up in the parks where you can drop off your Christmas tree through Friday, Jan. 31. To find out where these areas are, call 330-867-5511 or go to this page. Look for the small signs that identify the drop-off locations. Remove all decorations from your tree prior to dropping off. On average, more than 2,000 live Christmas trees are collected by Summit Metro Parks for recycling each year.
STOW PLANNING AND ZONING SURVEY: The Preliminary Recommendations Report for the City of Stow Zoning Code Update is now available for public review and comment. This report will guide the Zoning Code Update, so providing your feedback on the recommendations is essential to ensuring that the new code addresses residentsâ issues and concerns.
âReader Spotlightâ 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 âReader Spotlightâ 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, donât fret: Subscribers have access to every edition of The Spotlight at www.stowmunroefalls.com. Check out back issues to catch up on everything thatâs going on in our communities â you never know what you might have missed!
â Several stories in this issue are only available to premium subscribers: A joint rec center with Hudson, Isalyâs diner update, fire department, Lego Day and more local news. Full access is just $2.99/month.
Sponsored by Brandon Heating and Air Conditioning
The Spotlight would like to thank the following benefactors for making our work possible: Brandon Heating and Air Conditioning
Schools
SMF shakeup: BOE President Nancy Binzel steps down from school board, cites âmental and physicalâ toll

Nancy Binzel
The Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education has another empty seat to fill. President Nancy Binzel has resigned from the school board effective Dec. 31, 2024, stepping down with 3 years remaining in her 4-year term. She had submitted her letter of resignation Dec. 17.
Binzel served on the school board for 5 years, including the last 2½ as president.
âIn that time, weâve been through a pandemic, secured operational money, built a community fieldhouse, approved a master facilities plan, and hired both a treasurer and superintendent,â Binzel told The Spotlight. âItâs been very worthwhile but also exhausting and has taken a toll on my mental and physical health.â
Binzel took over as president in August 2022 following the resignation of Jessica Wright.
While Binzelâs resignation ends her tenure on the board, she would have only been president through Dec. 31, 2024 either way. The new president could be elected at the boardâs organizational meeting Monday, Jan. 13.
The board will have 30 days from the effective date of the vacancy to appoint a new member to fill Binzelâs seat. That new member will serve only until the next election cycle (2025), not the remainder of Binzelâs term.
This is the second time in less than a year the SMF Board of Education will have to appoint a new board member, following the resignation of Jon Leissler last spring. Antoinette East-Jenkins was appointed to fill Leisslerâs seat in May 2024; her term expires Dec. 31, 2025.
Board of Education Member application process
If youâre interested in applying for the open seat on the Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education, the school district has set the following guidelines:
Interested individuals must submit a Notice of Interest, including a resume, by midnight Thursday, Jan. 9. These materials must be received by this deadline, not postmarked or mailed by that date.
Your Notice of Interest should confirm that you meet the minimum legal qualifications, including:
â Being at least 18 years of age.
â Being a registered voter residing within the Stow-Munroe Falls School District.
Additionally, applicants will need to answer four questions as part of their Notice of Interest:
1. Why do you want to be a member of the board? What drew you to this opportunity? Do you regularly attend BOE meetings?
2. Please describe your community service experience and how regularly you vote.
3. What unique contribution would you bring to this board?
4. Do you have experience or a passion that is not already represented on this board?
The submission address and/or email address for Notices of Interest, including a resume, and answers to the above four questions is: Patrick Goclano, Treasurer, Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, 4350 Allen Rd., Stow, OH 44224, or email [email protected].
Interviews will take place Monday, Jan. 13 starting at 5 p.m. at the Central Office of Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools at 4350 Allen Rd. in Stow. Upon arrival, candidates will sign in and be interviewed in the order of their sign-in. Each candidate will have a brief interview with the school board.
Following the interviews, the board may vote that evening to fill the vacancy.
Immediate questions can be directed to Patrick Goclano at [email protected] or by contacting the Stow-Munroe Falls Central Office at 330-689-5445.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE CHAMBER
Sponsored by the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce
Stow-Munroe Falls Business & Community Expo set for March 15 at SMF High School

Content provided by the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce
The Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the City of Stow, the City of Munroe Falls and the Stow-Munroe Falls School District, is excited to announce the Stow-Munroe Falls Business & Community Expo, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, located at 3227 Graham Rd. in Stow. The event is free and open to the public.
This highly anticipated biennial event is a showcase of businesses and organizations from the Stow and Munroe Falls communities. The Expo provides an excellent opportunity for residents to connect with local businesses, discover services and products, and learn about the many resources available in the area. The Presenting Sponsors include Brandon Heating and Air Conditioning and Western Reserve Hospital.
Attendees can look forward to:
Engaging Exhibits: Over 125 local businesses and organizations will showcase their offerings.
Networking Opportunities: Meet and interact with local entrepreneurs, city leaders and community members.
Raffle Prizes & Giveaways: Win exciting prizes while exploring the Expo!
The Stow-Munroe Falls Business & Community Expo highlights the strength and collaboration of the local community, emphasizing the value of supporting businesses in the area.
âWeâre thrilled to bring businesses, residents and community leaders together for a day that celebrates what makes Stow and Munroe Falls unique,â Julie McLain, executive director of the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber, said. âThis event showcases the vibrant local economy and fosters connections that strengthen our community.â
EXHIBITOR BOOTHS AVAILABLE!
Donât miss out on the opportunity to showcase your business or organization! Exhibitor booth spaces are now available. For more details about the Stow-Munroe Falls Business & Community Expo or to reserve an exhibitor booth, visit the Chamber website at www.smfcc.com. Spaces are limited, so act fast!
We look forward to seeing you there!

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