August 2023 Akron Life Magazine

VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 8

AUGUST 2023

FRESH PLATE 20 PLACES FOR DELICIOUS HEALTHY EATING

SMART MONEY DISCOVER LEADERS IN FINANCE

AUG. 2023 $4.95

DOWNTOWN AKRON EXPERIENCE CULTURAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS NEW SKILLS CAREER TECHNICAL SCHOOLS OFFER HANDS - ON LEARNING

PAGES

AUGUST 2023 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 8

Pages start here

On The Cover

| 22 Fresh Food | photo by Meghan Winkler

[ FEATURE ]

22 CLEAN PLATE In the summer in The 330, there are bountiful fresh, healthy dishes and drinks that pop with flavor. From cooking an Ohio pork chop over fire to using Ohio hydroponic greens in dynamic salads, these restaurants and cafes make nutritious eating delicious.

The Fruit Stand photo by Meghan Winkler

4

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

PAGES

32

10

41

EDUCATION

AGENDA

UNTAPPED

Career technical schools

[ the essential social digest ]

Country Boy Brewing

[ DEPARTMENTS ]

06 MAIL BONDING 07 FROM THE PUBLISHER Stay Strong

08 RADAR [ seen + heard ]

09 UPFRONT Home Grown

10 AGENDA [ the essential social digest ] 11 Entertainment listings

+ Calendar of events 14 High Notes: The Vindys 21 Flash: Celebrity Cuisine

40 GOOD EATS [ notable food + drink ] 40 Restaurant listings 41 Untapped:

Special Sections 32 EDUCATION Career technical schools offer experiential learning.

36 LEADERS IN FINANCE

47 DOWNTOWN AKRON Gather for cultural events and fun.

Country Boy Brewing 42 Uncorked: St. James Winery

59 PARTING SHOT Summit County Fair

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

5

PAGES MAIL BONDING

Tell us what's on your mind.

Comments? Got something to say about an article you read in Akron Life?

Or maybe you want to tell us about something great happening in the area.

Send comments and suggestions to: Akron Life, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313, and please include your name and address.

Or email them to editor@bakermediagroup.com.

We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

HAVE AKRON, WILL TRAVEL

FOUNDER

Don Baker Jr. [ 1940-2018 ] PUBLISHER

Colin Baker cbaker@bakermediagroup.com C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R

William L. Teckmyer III w teckmyer@bakermediagroup.com MANAGING EDITOR

Get Your Face In Our Magazine

Kelly Petryszyn kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com

Send us pics of yourself with a copy of Akron Life and end up on this page!

Images and descriptions can be sent to editor@bakermediagroup.com.

A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

Alexandra Sobczak asobczak@bakermediagroup.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Tylar Calhoun tsut ton@bakermediagroup.com CO N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S

Aaron Fowler Eric Van Sant CO N T R I B U T I N G PHOTOGR APHER POWERED BY

Meghan Winkler SALES

Bunny Lacey Steve Tyson Ben DiCola sales@bakermediagroup.com EDITORIAL /PHOTOGR APHY INTERN

Maggie Harris C I R C U L AT I O N

circulation@bakermediagroup.com 330-253-0056, ext. 104

WHE T HER YO U WANT TO HOS T O R AT T E N D A

AUGUST 2023 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 8

V I R T U A L E V E N T,

(ISSN No. 74 470 5787 1)

33 0 T IX O F F E R S BOTH EASE AND E N T E R TA I N M E N T .

YO U R T I CKE T TO LO C A L E V E N T S

330tix.com 6

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

akronlife is published monthly by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2023© by Baker Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permission. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed envelope and sufficient postage.

Baker Media Group, LLC and akronlife accept no responsibility for unsolicited material. Subscription rates: Continental U.S., One year —$19.95, Two years —$34.95. Call for Alaska, Hawaii or international rates. Single issues available by calling the circulation department or visiting akronlife.com/store. $3.95 each plus $3.50 shipping & handling. Editorial, advertising and business offices: (330) 253-0056, fax (330) 253-5868.

PAGES FROM THE PUBLISHER

[ Publisher | Colin Baker | cbaker@bakermediagroup.com ]

Stay Strong Here’s how I wrestle with kale while dreaming of a milkshake.

As someone striving to live a healthier lifestyle, I struggle with the inevitable temptations during a night out at a restaurant. That’s when my promises to myself to eat healthier turn into a comedy of errors and my inner fast food junkie masquerading as a dedicated vegetarian is revealed for the world to see.

Going to a restaurant has become akin to stepping into a labyrinth where every path leads to a plate of fries or dessert. Often it takes everything in me to resist the dessert menu or choose greens as a side instead of fries. If I am at Yours Truly Restaurant, I get the Notso fries with cheese — I have no defense over them. I’m glad I don’t live close to one of its locations.

I’ve begun to dread the server’s approach, their notepad poised for action. Do I stick to my guns and order a salad? Or do I surrender to the allure of a milkshake with peanut butter and hot fudge? It’s a predicament worthy of a Greek tragedy.

There have been many nights when my family has come together for a late dinner, and we have wanted something fast and easy. In my head, I am thinking about Swensons Drive-In, but I know the healthier choice is a salad from Aladdin’s Eatery.

I try to tell myself, If we go to Swensons, I’ll get the veggie burger, and that has to be healthy. But the veggies on top of the Salad Boy probably don’t cancel out the cheese and two sauces.

As I sat in our office writing this column, a staffer brought in a box of doughnuts,

and apple and Boston cream pies sat in the conference room. I thought several times about getting up to look at the doughnut selection, but if I stood over them, I would have had no defense against that first doughnut, which would most likely have led to another. I realized it’s better to not even look.

Eating healthy when dining out is like walking a tightrope. The balancing act between succumbing to temptation and sticking to your health goals is a perilous journey, but I make healthy choices most of the time. Restaurants sometimes prioritize taste and not what’s healthy, and why wouldn’t they? Their jobs are to make you happy, and that is likely going to include lots of butter instead of some kale.

Last year, I went through a stretch of time when I was dining out a lot. I thought I was making healthy choices, but unfortunately during a routine physical, the numbers were telling me something else. The doctor said my cholesterol was high. I was baffled and thought that it must be inaccurate. I made some adjustments between then and my next test, and one was not eating out as much. My cholesterol came back down into range. But that doesn’t mean I have to cut out eating out entirely. Find healthier restaurants on pg. 22.

Colin’s son, Bodhi, with kale

In the end, my healthy eating journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about perseverance. And if sometimes that perseverance is wrapped in a tortilla and smothered in salsa, well, at least I can say I’m enjoying the journey.

[ Publisher Colin Baker is a retired racing driver and gearhead. ] Comments? Email them to Kelly Petryszyn [kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com].

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

7

PAGES RADAR words and photo

by Maggie Harris

seen + heard

Flavor Pack Pav’s Creamery knows choosing a flavor is tough, so it makes it easier with ice cream flights. Pick four flavors from its 30-plus options made on-site daily. Try classic strawberry with fresh berries, mint chocolate chip with dark chocolate chips, birthday cake with sprinkles and chunks of white cake, and double dark raspberry with dark chocolate raspberry truffles. Or go for maximum flavor with Nutella s’mores — Nutella ice cream swirled with marshmallow fluff, dark chocolate flakes and crushed graham crackers. Bath, Cuyahoga Falls, Green, North Canton and Portage Lakes, pavscreamery.com

Hoop Dreams

8

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

Fans of the former northern Indian restaurant Jaipur Junction can enjoy its rebirth as Blu Basil in Hudson with a new owner and updated space. Take in renovated features like fresh blue walls, elegant lighting and leather seating in the 15-year-old spot. Dig into new dishes like Indian-inspired sizzling fries poutine and fried chunky spinach chaat that has onions, tomatoes and chutneys, or stick with traditional tandoori chicken marinated in yogurt, garlic, ginger and lemon juice. Don’t forget a dessert of savory gulab jamun cake balls soaked in honey syrup. 180 W. Streetsboro St., Suite 5, Hudson, theblubasil.com

photo provided by Blu Basil

Akron has its own “Fab 5.” The tight-knit friendships of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School basketball teammates get spotlighted in the new LeBron James origin story movie, “Shooting Stars,” which in July became the most streamed original movie on Peacock. The inspirational coming-of-age film tells the story of James, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Sian Cotton and Romeo Travis battling obstacles to put Akron on the map and claim victories, with the team winning three state championships and a national championship. Locals can recognize film locations including Spring Hill Apartments, The University of Akron, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Buchtel, Kenmore and Garfield high schools and Swensons Drive-In. See how the Fab 5’s success forged James’ path to becoming the top pick in the 2003 NBA draft and how he has kept those friendships despite the fame. peacocktv.com

Global Taste

PAGES UPFRONT

[ Managing Editor | Kelly Petryszyn | kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com ]

Home Grown Eating fresh is challenging but rewarding.

photo by Meghan Winkler

My 17-month-old, Izzy, was running around my friends Mark and Anja’s backyard at a cookout in early summer, and she stopped at the strawberries in the garden. Anja plucked some berries off the vine and gave them to Izzy, who promptly devoured them with red juice dribbling down her face and onto her white floral romper! Anja walked away, but Izzy wanted more. She sat in the grass by the strawberry patch, signaling Anja to pick a few more for Izzy to wolf down. It was so sweet to see Izzy learn how delicious it is to eat food from the source at such a young age, and it’s a big responsibility to set a good example when it comes to healthy eating.

Get some help with eating local and clean from our feature on pg. 22 that’s full of restaurants and cafes that strive to follow the farm-to-table model.

When you start feeding a baby solid food, the pediatrician tells you to avoid processed food and added sugars. While I didn’t have the energy to puree fruits and veggies, a lot of what we give Izzy is preservative-free, organic, no sugar added or fresh. I am not as strict about my food. It’s fascinating how we start with a clean diet and muck it up with processed and fried food. The healthiest I’ve ever eaten was when I was pregnant.

I had to avoid alcohol as well as processed foods like lunch meats and hot dogs. I stayed on a diet into the second trimester and picked it up for a while a few months after Izzy’s birth.

care I put into them. What I’ve learned is it’s not about never treating yourself, but it’s about starting fresh with each meal, trying to work in cleaner foods, exercising moderation and celebrating good choices.

A few hacks that have worked for me are eating vegetables as sides with dinners — they really fill you up — and having salads for lunch and snacking on fruit. What I struggle with is grabbing packaged foods when I’m on the go and nighttime snacking. But if I haven’t kicked it already, it’s likely not happening. I try to buy lower calorie options, but often sweets end up in the house, and I’m a goner. Plus, if there’s wine in the fridge, I’m often having a glass at night.

“They’re a little lighter, lower calorie,” says executive chef Logan Johnson on why you should choose a salad. “In the summertime, it’s a great not-heavy meal.”

In the summer, it can be harder with parties and cookouts filled with tantalizing options.

I have no control when it comes to cheesy dishes and the dessert table. And when I eat out, I order what looks best, which often isn’t the healthiest, so I try to eat healthier at home and give myself a free pass when I’m out. And I’ve realized I can give Izzy veggies, but like most kids, she’s more likely to choose fries and mac and cheese. But I can keep offering fresh food. A wonderful thing about summer in Ohio is there are fresh peaches, berries, ears of corn and more. Plus, eating peppers and tomatoes from my garden is so rewarding after the

It helps when healthy options taste great, and our feature points you to restaurants and cafes that source cleaner ingredients and serve fresh, from-scratch dishes like the Fresh Summer Veg salad I had from Butcher & Sprout. The house-made cucumber-lime vinaigrette gave it a citrusy pop, and the kale blend wasn’t bitter. I ate it all up and felt great after.

At Pitchfork, many proteins come from the owners’ Ashland farm.

“The stuff from their farm — you can tell the difference,” says executive chef Mary Clarke Morris. “They’re not factory-farmed animals. They live freely on the farm.”

She says when your ingredients are sustainable, it not only tastes better but you feel better about eating it. With recipes and 20 spots, including juice bars, smoothie cafes and farm-to-table restaurants, our guide helps you make healthy choices and celebrate places in our community that are leading the way.

[ Managing Editor Kelly Petryszyn is an adventure seeker, forever a dreamer and an avid supporter of #TeamFiona. ] AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

9

AGENDA

AUGUST 2023 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 8

Agenda

the essential social digest

Get a workout while trying this quickly growing water sport. Aug. 19 Silver Creek Metro Park, Lake House and Pheasant Run Area, 5000 Hametown Road, Norton, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Aug. 30 Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park, Lot C6, 6194 Christman Road, Green, 4-6 p.m. $15. summitmetroparks.org

10

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

photo provided by Summit Metro Parks

8/19 & 8/30 Beginner Stand-up Paddleboarding

AGENDA

NOTE: Dates, events, locations, times and prices are subject to change. Please call ahead.

Through 8/13 “Twelfth Night” Watch this Ohio Shakespeare Festival performance of this comedy on select nights. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 7:30 p.m. green show, 8 p.m. performance. $15-$35. ohioshakespearefestival. com

Through 8/27 “As the World Weds: Global Wedding Traditions” This Kent State University Museum exhibit features pieces of clothing beyond white dresses that are incorporated in wedding ceremonies around the world. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff and all on Sundays, otherwise $6 general public. kent.edu/museum

Through 9/16 Summer Exhibitions Take in exhibitions such as Patricia Zinsmeister Parker’s “I Did It My Way,” Joseph T. Dick’s “The Art of a Lifetime,” Debra DeGregorio’s “Disorganized Attachment,” Susan Yingling’s “Place,” “The Art of Rex Mitchell,” “Human: Nature” and “Social Justice.” Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron.

Friday noon-7 p.m. & Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. summitartspace.org

Through 9/21 Workout on the Plaza Get active during outdoor workout classes like yoga, kickboxing, line dancing, Zumba, Pilates, boot camp and more. Cascade Plaza, Akron. Days and times vary. Free. downtownakron.com

Through 9/30 “Brick Flicks” Check out this Lego exhibit, featuring Lego scenes from beloved movies and work by winners of a Lego contest.

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. 6-8 p.m. $5$15. mckinleymuseum.org Through 9/30 “World of Wonders: Weird Science Laboratory” This exhibit with work by pop funk sculptor Clayton Bailey is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Polsky Building, 225 S. Main St., Akron. 4-8 p.m. curatedstorefront.org

Through 10/7 Roller Skating on the Plaza Listen to music as you skate on select dates. Cascade Plaza, 1 Cascade Plaza, Akron. 5-8 p.m. $2 rental skates. downtownakron.com

Through 10/31 “Connections: Love & The Ties That Bind” During any tour of the Manor House, check out this exhibit about the Seiberling family, the marriages of F.A. and Gertrude’s six children and the connections they made. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. TuesdaySunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. stanhywet.org

Through 1/7/2024 “A Way to Win: Paul Brown’s Innovations” View this new exhibit at the Paul Brown Museum. Massillon Museum, Paul Brown Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon.

Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

11

AGENDA

8/1 & 8/8 Music by the Lake Listen to a performance by the Metro Parks Ensemble while enjoying nature. Munroe Falls Metro Park, Lake Area, 521 S. River Road, Munroe Falls & Silver Creek Metro Park, Lake House and Pheasant Run Area, 5000 Hametown Road, Norton. 7-8 p.m. summitmetroparks.org

8/1-8/6 AKRON RUBBERDUCKS VS. SOMERSET PATRIOTS Cheer on the Akron RubberDucks, our minor league baseball team affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Times and prices vary. Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. akronrubberducks.com 8/1-8/7 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Celebrate enshrinement

week at a parade, a Bluecoats performance, a fashion show and more engaging events. Times and prices vary. profootballhofef.com

8/2 Jim Ballard and the Strangs Jam to this rock band during the Live & Local series. Cascade Plaza, 1 Cascade Plaza, Akron. 7-9 p.m. lock3live.com 8/3 Inlet Dance Theater Watch this performance with dance themes from the Philippines as a part of the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival.

Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 6:30 p.m.

Free. akronartmuseum.org

12

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

8/3-8/5 Summit County Italian-American Festival Take in live music, a fireworks show and more. West Bowery Street, Akron. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Free. lock3live.com

8/4 & 8/5 GroundWorks DanceTheater View a performance during the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival that honors the legacy of the founding artistic director of Ohio Ballet. Firestone Park, 1480 Girard St., Akron. 8:45 p.m. groundworksdance.org 8/4 & 8/11 Friday Matinee Escape the heat and watch “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and “DC League of Super-Pets.” Barberton Public Library, 602 W. Park Ave., Barberton. 2 p.m. Free. barbertonlibrary.org 8/4, 8/5, 8/11, 8/12, 8/18 & 8/20 “All Shook Up” Elvis’s music comes to life in this show inspired

by Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and performed by the Millennial Theatre Project. Akron Civic Theatre, Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $20-$25. akroncivic.com

8/4, 8/11, 8/18 & 8/25 Lunchtime Yoga Relax with some beginner-friendly yoga at the Massillon Museum each Friday. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. 12:30-1:15 p.m. $6 class, $15 three classes. massillonmuseum.org

8/5 Concert for Legends: Zac Brown Band Catch this Grammy Award-winning country band during its From the Fire Tour. Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, 1835 Harrison Ave. NW, Canton. 8 p.m. $49$240. hofvillage.com

8/5 Jazz under the Stars Hear Clevelandbased performer Nick Puin and his band, including Dave Zamos, Jim Noel, Steve Stanziano and Karen Casey, during this event hosted by Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach. Uptown Park, Medina. 7-9 p.m. Free. ormaco.org

8/5 KENT BLOSSOM MUSIC FESTIVAL CONCERT The Kent Blossom Chamber Orchestra performs and then does a sideby-side performance with the Cleveland Orchestra. Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls.

6 p.m. Free-$30. kent.edu/blossom 8/5-8/28 Down to Earth Yoga Focus on

relaxation and strength during these sessions on select dates. Sippo Lake Park, 5712 12th St. NW, Canton. 10 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. $8. starkparks.com

8/5-9/17 “Hilary Gent: Waters of Motherhood” View latex paintings inspired by

natural landscapes. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org

8/5 & 9/2 Peninsula Flea Browse handmade and vintage items from artists and collectors at this flea market. Heritage Farms, 6050 Riverview Road, Peninsula. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. heritagefarms.com

AGENDA

8/6 TRY IT: KAYAKING Test out kayaking by maneuvering on the water in a relaxed environment. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. summitmetroparks.org 8/7 Summer Kids Movie Series Families can

8/10, 8/17, 8/24 & 8/31 Summer Serenades Concerts Small groups of performers from the Canton Symphony Orchestra perform at local parks.

Quail Hollow Park, 13480 Congress Lake Drive, Hartville; Faircrest Park, 1001 Faircrest St. SW, Canton; St. Helena Heritage Park, 125 Tuscarawas St., Canal Fulton; Stadium Park, 1305 Stadium Park Drive NW, Canton. 6:30 p.m.

Free. starkparks.com

8/11 & 8/19 Intro to Archery for All Ages

Try out the sport of archery at this program open to both beginning and experienced archers. Aug. 11 Silver Creek Metro Park, Archery Range, 89 Eastern Road, Doylestown, 5-6:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 Liberty Park, Tinkers Creek Area, 10303 AuroraHudson Road, Streetsboro, 10-11:30 a.m. and noon1:30 p.m. $10. summitmetroparks.org

watch “Turning Red,” as well as a sensory-friendly viewing that employs dimmed lights and lower sound. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. sensory cinema viewing. $2. cantonpalacetheatre.org

8/10 & 8/24 Forest Therapy Walk Unwind during this nonstrenuous guided walk while appreciating the natural world. River Styx Park, 8200 River Styx Road, Wadsworth & Medina Marsh, 4266 Fenn Road, Medina.

6-7:30 p.m. Free. medinacountyparks.com

Explore Gervasi Vineyard’s winemaking facility, then enjoy four wine tastings and four chef-selected bites.

Gervasi Vineyard, the Crush House, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. $29. gervasivineyard.com

8/9 & 8/23 Hooks & Books Discuss what

8/11 Growing Up Akron Attend this family-friendly

8/12-10/15 “TEN POINT PERSPECTIVE” Check out pieces by the Artists of Group Ten. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. TuesdaySaturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org

you’ve been reading while you sew or knit at this event at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 and 2 p.m. Aug. 23. White Rabbit Galleries, 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton.

Free. barbertonlibrary.org

fundraiser for Child Guidance & Family Solutions that includes a buffet, entertainment and more. Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. 6-9 p.m. $35 children-$80 adults. cgfs.org

8/10 New Wave Nation Rock out to some ’80s tunes during this performance. Gervasi Vineyard, Pavilion, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 8 p.m. $19-$29. gervasivineyard.com

8/11 Zoso Jam out to this Led Zeppelin tribute band

8/10-8/12 “The Encounter: Akron” Watch a

8/11 & 8/12 DAYTON CONTEMPORARY DANCE CO. Watch this performance during the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival that honors the legacy of the founding artistic director of Ohio Ballet.

Goodyear Heights Metro Park, 2077 Newton St., Akron. 8:45 p.m. akrondancefestival.org

cast of Northeast Ohio performers during this work choreographed by Kimberly Bartosik and developed in partnership with Rubber City Theatre. Guzzetta Hall, 228 E. Buchtel Ave., Akron. Thursday-Friday 7 p.m. & Saturday 3 p.m. Free-$10. nccakron.org

as well as Neil Zaza. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron. 7 p.m. $5. lock3live.com

8/12, 8/19 & 8/26 Winery Pairings Tour

8/13 History Hike: Deep Lock Quarry

Learn about the history of our quarries, canals and railroads while checking out the Ohio & Erie Canal and a century-old sandstone quarry. Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park, 5779 Riverview Road, Peninsula.

9-11 a.m. summitmetroparks.org

8/13 Music at the Lodge: Hip to That Listen to this Cleveland-based jazz duo while enjoying nature. The Lodge at Allardale, 141 Remsen Road, Medina. 2-3 p.m. Free. medinacountyparks.com

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

13

AGENDA words and photos by Alexandra Sobczak

High Notes: The Vindys Youngstown-based nine-piece band The Vindys delighted listeners at Stark Pride Festival in Canton’s Centennial Plaza June 10. Skillfully blending jazz into a driving rock sound on tracks from its 2021 album, “Bugs,” the band showcased its revered musicality and energy. Lead singer Jackie Popovec offered encouraging words about pride to the crowd before the band played “Wrong With Me” from its 2017 album, “Keep Going.” instagram.com/high.notes.live

14

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

AGENDA

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

15

AGENDA

8/13, 8/20 & 8/27 Distillery Tasting Tour Go behind the scenes of the distillery at

Gervasi Vineyard during a tour, then enjoy three spirit tastings and take home a shot glass. Gervasi Vineyard, the Still House, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 3 p.m. $21. gervasivineyard.com

8/15 & 8/22 MUSIC IN THE PARK Enjoy performances by the Metro Parks Ensemble while out in nature.

Furnace Run Metro Park, Brushwood Area, 4955 Townsend Road, Richfield & Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park, Lot C4, 5550 Christman Road, Green. 7-8 p.m. summitmetroparks.org 8/15-8/20 Akron RubberDucks vs. Erie SeaWolves Cheer on the Akron RubberDucks, our

minor league baseball team affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Times and prices vary. Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. akronrubberducks.com

8/15 & 8/29 Yoga in the Pavilion Relax with this outdoor flow led by Yoga Strong. Gervasi Vineyard, the Pavilion, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 6-7 p.m. $15. gervasivineyard.com 8/17 Akron Roundtable: Richard J. Kramer Catch a presentation by the chairman, CEO and president of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St., Akron. Noon. $25. akronroundtable.org

16

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

8/17 Annika Chambers Take in a performance by this award-winning blues singer. Akron Civic Theatre, Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7 p.m. $25-$30. akroncivic.com 8/17 Bob James Concert Hear this Grammy Award-winning jazz keyboardist. Gervasi Vineyard, Pavilion, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 8 p.m. $45-$55. gervasivineyard.com

8/19 & 8/30 Beginner Stand-up Paddleboarding Get a workout while trying this quickly growing water sport. Aug. 19 Silver Creek Metro Park, Lake House and Pheasant Run Area, 5000 Hametown Road, Norton, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Aug. 30 Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park, Lot C6, 6194 Christman Road, Green, 4-6 p.m. $15. summitmetroparks.org

8/20 Skoops and Spirits Indulge with Skoops 8/18 Dirty Deeds Rock out to this AC/DC tribute

Ice Cream frozen desserts and Gervasi Vineyard spirits. Gervasi Vineyard, Villa Grande, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 2 p.m. $39. gervasivineyard.com

8/18 & 8/19 Monster Bash Film Festival and Expo Watch eight movies including “The War of the

8/20 & 9/24 VINTAGE BASE BALL Cheer on the Akron Black Stockings during a game of vintage “base ball.”

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. Noon-4 p.m. stanhywet.org

band and Walking in Circles. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron. 7 p.m. Free. lock3live.com

Worlds” and “The Blob,” shop from vendors and more.

Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton.

Friday 3 p.m.-midnight & Saturday noon-midnight. $5$40. cantonpalacetheatre.org

8/19 PorchRokr Music and Art Festival Jam out to nearly 150 local bands and artists at this outdoor music and art festival. Highland Square, Akron. 11 a.m.8 p.m. highlandsquareakron.org 8/19 The Fantasy Prom Don elegant attire and re-create your perfect prom at the Akron Civic Theatre’s annual gala. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron.

VIP reception 5:30 p.m. & gala 6:30 p.m. $150-$250. akroncivic.com

8/22 Brown Bag Lunch: Scott Edwards

Listen to this presentation titled “The Art of Jack Nicholson on Screen.” Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. 12:10-12:50 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org

8/25 The Anniversary Film Series Mark

the release of “Animal House.” Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. 7:30 p.m. $7. cantonpalacetheatre.org

AGENDA

8/25 The University of Akron Marching Band Family and Friends Preview Performance Get in the Akron Zips spirit with

“Ohio’s Pride” marching band. InfoCision Stadium, 375 E. Exchange St., Akron. 6 p.m. uakron.edu

8/25-12/17 “Posing Beauty in African American Culture” View over 100 photographs

spanning the 20th and 21st centuries and focusing on African and African American beauty. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. TuesdaySaturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff and all on Sundays, otherwise $6 general public. kent.edu/museum

8/26 Akron Pride Festival Celebrate LGBTQplus pride while enjoying live entertainment, food trucks, a parade and more. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. akronpridefestival.org 8/26 Glow Paddle Bring your kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard for a fun trip after dark.

Chippewa Yacht Club, Longacre Lane, Chippewa Lake. 8-9:30 p.m. Free. medinacountyparks.com 8/26 Glow Trail Challenge Wear glow-in-thedark accessories and run or walk 4 miles in the dark.

Fry Family Park, 2533 Farber St., Magnolia. 8:15 p.m. $5-$10. starkparks.com 8/26 & 8/27 Art on the Green Peruse work

by over 140 artists at this 41st annual juried fine arts and crafts show presented by the Hudson Society of Artists. Joann Fabrics Green, corner of state Route 91 and Terex Road. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. hudsonsocietyofartists.com

8/27 Fall Hiking Spree Kickoff Hike the

Seneca Trail with naturalists to get a start on the 60th annual Fall Hiking Spree. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Noon-3 p.m. summitmetroparks.org

8/27 Yoga on the West Terrace Relax with

a yoga class then take a stroll through the gardens.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 10:30-11:30 a.m. $12 members, $16 nonmembers. stanhywet.org

8/29-9/3 Akron RubberDucks vs. Bowie Baysox Root for the Akron RubberDucks, our

minor league baseball team affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Times and prices vary. Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. akronrubberducks.com

8/31 In the Heartland Enjoy the music

of the Michael Stanley Band. Gervasi Vineyard, Pavilion, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 8 p.m. $19-$29. gervasivineyard.com

8/31 “The Room” 20th Anniversary

Commemorate the anniversary of this film with a special appearance by Greg Sestero. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. 6 p.m. cantonpalacetheatre.org

8/31 Stanislav Golovin Faculty Recital Hear

The University of Akron’s assistant professor of music perform on clarinet. Guzzetta Recital Hall, 228 E. Buchtel Ave., Akron. 7:30 p.m. uakron.edu

9/1-9/3 Akron Pizza Festival Sample slices from local pizza parlors, enjoy live music, play cornhole and more. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron.

Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m., Saturday noon-10 p.m. & Sunday noon-6 p.m. Free-$5. akronpizzafest.com

The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory

Family owned and operated since 1875, with chapels in Fairlawn and Cuyahoga Falls. Now celebrating the sixth-generation of family leadership in dedicated service to the city of Akron.

Complimentary Live Streaming. Virtual Arrangements. Digital Tribute Wall and Guestbook

Fairlawn • Cuyahoga Falls • 330-867-4141 • www.billowfuneralhomes.com AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

17

AGENDA

18

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

AGENDA

Through 9/16 Summer Exhibitions Take in exhibitions such as Patricia Zinsmeister Parker’s “I Did It My Way,” Joseph T. Dick’s “The Art of a Lifetime,” Debra DeGregorio’s “Disorganized Attachment,” Susan Yingling’s “Place,” “The Art of Rex Mitchell,” “Human: Nature” and “Social Justice.” Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron. Friday noon-7 p.m. & Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. summitartspace.org

Joseph T. Dick, “The Arrival”

Debra DeGregorio, “Above Below”

Patricia Zinsmeister Parker, “The Mystique of Matisse”

Jean Kondo Weigl, “Dock of the Bay”

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

19

20

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

AGENDA FLASH

Celebrity Cuisine

1

Over 1,000 guests attended the 31st annual sold-out Celebrity Cuisine event hosted by the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank April 18 at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. Local celebrities like Food Network champ Stephan Baity, Crosby, Stills & Nash drummer Joe Vitale Sr. and En-rich-ment Program of Canton executive director Betty Smith donned aprons to serve attendees food and drinks from 40 restaurants and purveyors.

Individual donations were matched by community members Jeanne Bauhart, Bill Lemmon and Kristen Manes. Local band Hey Monea performed. The event helped raise nearly $112,000 to provide meals for 448,000 people.

2

3

4

Photos provided by the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank 1. Local band Hey Monea performed.

2. Betty Smith served guests.

3. Stark County Court of Common Pleas judge Natalie Haupt, a celebrity chef for the event, chatted with Erica Banks and Charron Otis.

4. Canton TikTok star Dereck Malone, a celebrity chef for the event, posed with food bank staffer Faith Barbato and Shelley Meeks.

5. Food bank staffers Cody Stanley and Nathan Kreis enjoyed a Milk & Honey Candy & Soda Shoppe treat.

6. The Bistro of Oakwood’s chicken dish was a fan favorite.

5

6

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

21

by Kelly Petryszyn and Alexandra Sobczak photos by Meghan Winkler

Clean Plate In the summer in The 330, there are bountiful fresh, healthy dishes and drinks that pop with flavor. From cooking an Ohio pork chop over fire to using Ohio hydroponic greens in dynamic salads, these restaurants and cafes make nutritious eating delicious.

Counterclockwise: Apple and avocado, caprese, Fresh Summer Veg and roasted beet salads

22

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

Go Green Less than 50 miles from Butcher & Sprout in Cuyahoga Falls, Great Lakes Growers in Burton has a hydroponic greenhouse where the kale, arugula and spinach grow that end up on your plate at the farm-to-table restaurant.

These vitamin-rich superfoods are good for weight loss, heart health and lowering cholesterol, but executive chef Logan Johnson knows they can be bitter. So he tosses the greens blend in extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to make it more palatable while still being nutritious.

“It tones it down a little bit,” he says. “I love adding kale.

It’s a great superfood to add in salads, adds a nice crunch too. … It’s really rich in antioxidants, high in fiber.”

With seasoned greens and flavorful toppings, Butcher & Sprout’s nourishing salads are wholesome alternatives to heavy sandwiches. New this season is the Fresh Summer Veg salad ($13), which is inspired by a simple cucumber, red bell pepper and Vidalia onion salad Johnson’s mom used to make. He punches it up with Cleveland goat cheese and summery sunflower seeds instead of carbloaded croutons over the seasoned greens blend. He makes a cucumber-lime vinaigrette with vinegar and pulverized cucumbers and limes for striking flavor.

“It reminds you of a hot summer day,” Johnson says. “It’s very bright, vibrant.”

For some indulgence, the roasted beet salad ($10) features beets from Middlefield, Ohio, Cleveland goat cheese and a balsamic glaze joined by walnuts candied in a sugary syrup and roasted. It all gets tossed with the seasoned arugula for a delectable salad.

“The balsamic is a very rich flavor, and the goat cheese is very creamy. The two balance out,” says president and co-owner Cassie Testa. “The beets add more of an earthy tone.”

+3

Salad Spots •

Crave, 156 S. Main St., Akron, eatdrinkcrave.com

•

D.B.A., Dante Boccuzzi Akron, 21 Furnace St., Akron, danteakron.com

•

Grazers, 123 N. Water St., Kent, grazerskent.com

Johnson opted for a bolder blue cheese for the new avocado and apple salad ($14) that pops with slices of red onion, which are pickled in-house for six hours, creating a garnish with a pungent flavor that “smacks you in the face,” he says. There’s a play of sweet and salty with green apples, Craisins and chopped smoked cherry bacon over the seasoned greens blend. A creamy house-made avocado vinaigrette mellows it out, as do avocado slices in the dish that fuels you without weighing you down.

“There’s a lot of crunch, a lot of freshness. … Avocado, it’s great omega-3s,” Johnson says. “It’s a nice refreshing, light salad.” KP 1846 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, butcherandsprout.com AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

23

Liquid Boost For over a decade, Shamiko and Eddie Mealy have been juicing fruits and vegetables.

“We’ve always been very health-minded,” Shamiko says. “We would work out, and then we’d do a juice.”

Now, the Canton-based couple encourages others to view making healthy choices as a “diaita,” which is Greek for “a way of life,” and that is why they named their Canton store Diaita Cold-Pressed Juice. It opened in 2015 and has more than 20 healthy juices and wellness shots available 24 hours a day in vending machines.

The Mealys make Diaita’s juices in-house, using a heat-free masticating juicer that grinds down organic fruits and vegetables before they press them. The no-sugaradded juices include fresh ingredients like local apples, which help digestion; greens, which are beneficial for bringing the body into its natural alkalinity; and carrots, which are good for eyes, Shamiko says.

“We don’t eat a lot of vegetables anymore because we fast food to death,” she says.

“This way, you can just drink it and get nutrients.”

Each juice serves a particular purpose. A popular pick is the Upbeet ($11), which is beets, apples, carrots and lemons, and Shamiko says people have reported it helped lower their blood pressure. Another is the Hall of Fame ($12), which is kale, collard greens, cabbage, apples, cucumbers, celery, romaine, parsley and lemons, and she says it can boost immunity and has helped customers with cancer through chemotherapy.

“We’ve had a couple customers tell us if they don’t drink it, they get really sick,” she says. “But if they do the Hall of Fame during chemo, they’re fine after.”

Diaita offers detoxes and cleanses like the 1 Day Reboot ($62), which includes the Upbeet and Hall of Fame juices, as well as the 24 Carrot, which contains carrots, oranges, apples, lemon, ginger and turmeric and can improve vision, and the Refresh, which contains apples, lemons and ginger and can help digestion.

A drink that’s particularly popular for those nursing a hangover is the charcoal lemonade ($11), made from lemons, alkaline water, activated charcoal, clay, lavender and maple syrup.

“The charcoal will help to absorb the toxins from the alcohol,” she says.

Customers have stopped by around 2 a.m. when they’ve felt sick and around 3 a.m. after a late-night workout because Diaita juices help them.

“It’s a great place to implement some of the things that your body is missing,” Shamiko says. AS 4919 Whipple Ave., Canton, diaitajuice.com

+3

Good-for-You Drink Cafes

24

•

Fairlawn Nutrition, 55 Ghent Road, Fairlawn, instagram.com/fairlawnnutrition

•

Nectar Smoothie Cafe, 3939 Massillon Road, Uniontown, nectarsmoothiecafe.com

•

Restore Cold Pressed, 34 Park Lane, Hudson, restorecoldpressed.com

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

Clockwise: Hall of Fame, 24 Carrot and Upbeet juices AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

25

Left to right: Passion fruit margarita, black bean, beet and walnut burger, chocolate MyGlow collagen smoothie and avocado BLT 26

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

Earth Grown When you eat at Mustard Seed Market & Cafe, the freshness you taste is a product of 40 years’ worth of strict standards — there are no artificial colors, saccharin or harmful chemical preservatives used in foods, and all meats are raised without growth hormones and antibiotics.

“Trans fatty acids are not healthy for you at all,” says Abraham Nabors, the director of education and standards. “Those golden ingredient standards matter to our health.”

Mustard Seed sticks to these guidelines while preparing dishes for its menu of from-scratch stir fry bowls, tacos, sandwiches and more in its upstairs Highland Square cafe.

A fan favorite is the avocado BLT ($15).

“It’s a tried-and-true BLT recipe that America knows and loves, but we add our healthy touch to add healthy fats and avocado to it,” Abraham says.

“The reason why people love it so much is that we use quality ingredients,” adds CEO Gabe Nabors.

Choose between nitrate- and nitrite-free bacon, turkey bacon and coconut bacon, which is made with marinated dried coconut flakes that are “smoky, sweet, savory and salty,” Abraham says. It comes with crisp lettuce, a juicy tomato slice, bread-and-butter pickles, mayo and soft avocado on griddled handmade sourdough. Cool off with a Berry Delicious smoothie ($6), which includes blueberries sourced from Mustard Seed’s Blueberry Hill Family Farms in Glenmont, Ohio.

The protein-packed purple-hued black bean, beet and walnut burger ($13) catches eyes. Beans, beets, walnuts and brown rice combine to create a thick veggie patty that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s served on a whole-wheat vegan bun and topped with butter lettuce, bread-and-butter pickles, roasted red pepper aioli and garlicky greens, which combine garlic, Earth Balance butter and a blend of broccoli, snow peas, kale and Swiss chard.

“It’s a very nutrient-dense garlicky green saute,” Abraham says, “that makes it packed full of vitamins and minerals.”

Dine out on the patio with a passion fruit margarita ($12), made with 100 percent passion fruit puree, a house-made sour mix and tequila. “It’s really clean, flavorful and smooth,” he says.

No matter what you order, you can enjoy the taste of high-quality freshness.

“We’re really proud of our sourcing and of the quality of what we’re able to use,” Abraham says. “They can get food that makes the brain and tummy happy.” AS

: Chocolate MyGlow Collagen Smoothie: Ingredients 8 ounces organic coconut milk 4 ounces frozen organic bananas 2 scoops chocolate MyGlow collagen powder Instructions

867 W. Market St., Akron, mustardseedmarket.com

+3

Vegetarian Places

•

Bam Healthy Cuisine, 2185 E. Maple St., North Canton, bamhealthycuisine.com

•

Good Roots, 2027 S. Main St., Akron, goodrootsohio.com

•

Soulful Vegan, 1720 Merriman Road, Suite M, Akron, thesoulfulvegans.com

1.

Pour coconut milk in a blender, and put in frozen bananas.

2. Add chocolate MyGlow collagen powder.

3. Blend on high.

4. Pour into a cup, and enjoy with a glass straw!

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

27

Pit Stop While attending Kent State University, Jason Carpinelli wished there was a convenient spot that offered healthy vegan food and fresh fruit. So in 2021, he opened one — the Fruit Stand, which now has locations in Kent, Cleveland and Broadview Heights.

“Kent needed … a quick, affordable fruit bowl,” he says. “Most college students aren’t cutting up a bunch of fruit.”

The spot offers bowls ($7.99-$9.99) with a smoothie, sliced fruit, oatmeal or pound cake base, which people can then top with fresh fruit — melons are popular during the summer — crunchies like graham crackers, nuts or chia seeds and drizzles like peanut butter made from just peanuts and sea salt or honey made in Ohio’s Amish Country. It sources fruit from a Cleveland supplier for maximum freshness.

“We’re buying from the same company that sells to grocery stores, but the only difference is we’re using it the same day,” Carpinelli says.

The most popular pick is the dairy-free smoothie base, which is made by blending coconut cream and fruit puree, with no added sugar. The wildberry acai smoothie, made with strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry and acai purees, shines.

of tangy. So we add the other berries to make it taste a lot better and still get the health benefits of acai,” he says. “They’re loaded with antioxidants, fibers, vitamins, minerals. It’s a superfood.”

One summery bowl starts with a peach smoothie base and is topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries and peaches, as well as chocolate peanut butter granola and coconut flakes.

“You have the smooth texture of the smoothie base and then a crunchy granola,” Carpinelli says.

The granola, which is made by a Millersburg bakery, also comes in flavors like birthday cake, vanilla and blueberry almond, and they’re all made with coconut oil instead of butter or margarine. More drizzles include almond butter from Nosh Butters in Cuyahoga Falls or Nutella for a healthy treat. Carpinelli has seen a customer at the Kent location getting a breakfast bowl and at the Cleveland store that night getting a dessert bowl for a nourishing boost.

“Fruit is an all-day type of thing,” he says.

“We’re trying to be as simple and as clean as possible.” AS 175 E. Erie St., Suite 201, Kent, thefruitstandohio.com

“Acai by itself is very tart, not sweet, kind

+3

Nutritious Bowl Destinations

28

•

Fresh Planet, 116 Tallmadge Circle, Suite C, Tallmadge, fresh-planet.com

•

Poke & Roll, 3464 Hudson Drive, Cuyahoga Falls, eatpokenroll.com

•

Sandy Bottom Bowls, 2345 Fourth St., Cuyahoga Falls, facebook.com/sandybottombowls

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

Peach smoothie bowl with strawberries, blueberries, peaches, chocolate peanut butter granola and coconut flakes

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

29

Fire Place Grass-fed cows, chickens and pigs raised on pastures at Brunty Farms in Ashland are sent to the family’s Akron-area Farmer’s Rail butcher shops to become specialty meats and cuts. Those, along with extra animal cuts, are sent to the Bruntys’ new Pitchfork restaurant in Bath where executive chef Mary Clarke Morris goes to great lengths to cook as sustainably as the animals were raised.

“That’s part of my job, to incorporate things you typically wouldn’t sell in the butcher shops and try them here so almost nothing goes to waste from the animals,” says Morris, giving the example of fat that renders down with herbs into herbed tallow butter ($4) for steaks.

Her signature is creating demi-glaces in an intricate days-long process. She starts by roasting beef bones and onions, parsley and garlic scraps, and then boiling and reducing it overnight. Morris then strains, reduces and chills it and discards the fat that rises. She infuses the rest with pink, green and black peppercorns and bay leaves to create a peppercorn demi ($7). Add that to a two-inch, 18-ounce double-cut bone-in pork chop ($38) from Ashland that gets seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked over a flame and local cherrywood on the grill, leaving a char. Brighten it with streetstyle Szalay’s Farm & Market corn ribs ($10), with cotija, cilantro and a house-made zesty sauce, and cleanse your palate with a white peach rosemary spritz ($12) from the in-house Eden bar.

: Summer Gazpacho : Ingredients Tomatoes Seedless cucumbers Red and yellow bell peppers Vidalia or purple onions Zucchini Red wine vinegar Kosher salt Few cracks of pepper grinder

“It’s a lot of flavor explosions,” Morris says. “You will taste that animal did eat grasses, the salt and pepper bringing that out, the cherrywood smoke, the meat resting and those juices dispersing, your different levels of that peppercorn sauce and corn.”

For the decadent French-inspired pappardelle bourguignon ($38), Morris reduces a dark red wine and cognac and adds a demiglace and reduces it more. She adds New York prime filet, wild mushrooms from Alchemy Market Garden and fresh thick Ohio City pappardelle pasta and cooks it down and tops it with Brunty Farms maple bacon and fennel fronds. Pair it with Eden red blend ($9 glass), which has easy tannins and dark fruit notes that complement the sauce.

Starting in August, Pitchfork’s downstairs lounge opens with a chef ’s table with views of the kitchen where you can see chefs cook from-the-Earth fare over a fire.

“It’s more small batch,” she says. “Doesn’t it feel good to eat something that’s foraged from around where you live?” KP Corner Provisions, 1070 Ghent Road, Akron, visitcornerprovisions.com/pitchfork

+3

Clean Eating Restaurants •

Blue Door Cafe & Bakery, 1970 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, bluedoorcafebakery.com

•

Darby’s on Fifty-Nine, 2764 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, darbyson59.com

•

One Eleven Bistro, 2736 Medina Road, Unit 110, Medina, 111bistro.com

Instructions 1.

Wash all vegetables, and put all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Puree to the thickness you want. If you want it thinner, add more tomatoes or some water. To bring the soup together more, add crostinis or crusty bread chunks.

2. Chill in the refrigerator until cold.

3. Serve in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh herbs like basil and parsley.

Enjoy it with crusty bread.

30

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

Pappardelle bourguignon and Eden red blend

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

31

EDUCATION

by Kelly Petryszyn

Engaged Learning Career technical schools offer an experiential alternative to standard universities.

photos provided by Portage Lakes Career Center

After graduating from Jackson High School, Tristan Sanderson took some time off because he didn’t think traditional classroom learning and lectures at a fouryear university were for him. He looked to people he knew, who are welders, for career inspiration. They are successful, and he found it fascinating how they make something new out of raw materials.

32

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

“It’s interesting hard work. myriad life stages from just It’s not just sitting at a desk,” graduating high school to he says. “I needed somechanging a career midlife. thing a little more hands-on “If you are not sure that that required a little more college is right for you … critical thinking.” come give us a try,” she says.

At age 20, he enrolled in the “Within a year, we can give 10-month welding program you a certificate, a license. at Portage Lakes Career You can learn an enormous Center in Green. Lisa amount. You will have a Tripney, assistant superinsolid skill that you can take tendent at the career center, with you. You will not be in says opting to pursue career a massive amount of debt.” technical education has subTripney, Sanderson and stantial benefits for those in Laurie Norval, school

director of Akron CNC Training Center in Akron, share insights on why students should consider a career technical school and what to expect.

IN DEMAND A trade can be overlooked as a career path, but the need is great. For example, there is a high demand for CNC machinists now, and the area is rich with opportunities.

EDUCATION

When tire factories were prevalent in Akron, many machining companies set up operations in Northeast Ohio, Norval says.

“Within an hour of Akron — north, south, east and west in our circumference — there’s 1,100 machining companies,” Norval says. “Additionally, the average machinist is 50 and above, so they keep retiring. There’s

way more jobs than people qualified to do the job.”

The training center works to help close that gap by training people to be machinists in a four-month program. Machinists make components and parts out of metal using a CNC mill or lathe. The school is located inside the OGS Industries manufacturing

plant, where parts and components are made for the military, airline and automotive sectors. Companies utilize the CNC center to train employees because they can’t find experienced employees. Those who have a low income or are unemployed may qualify for free tuition through Ohio Means Jobs.

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

33

EDUCATION

Portage Lakes Career Center also offers a CNC manufacturing technologies program, and it works to add programs to respond to needs for specific employees in the local job market. That’s why they added the emergency dispatcher program, which provides a safe place for students to learn if they can handle the stressful job.

Employers work with the career center too.

The career center is one of 49 Ohio Technical Centers, and it’s also a Center for Training Excellence that offers contract training for employers. They use its facilities to help their employees get certifications like ServSafe for restaurant workers. And employer and industry advisory committees help keep each program up to date, so students can enter the job market equipped. “[They] come in each year at least once and take a look at not only our curriculum,” Tripney says, “but they advise us as to what’s new, what’s trending, what’s leaving that particular industry so that the folks that we’ve pulled from the industry to teach maintain current industry standards.”

34

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

CAREER READY Students can leave career technical schools not just after completing a program but after earning certifications or licensures, which all programs at the career center offer. For example, for welding, Sanderson received two American Welding Society D1.1 structural welding code steel qualifications, one general welding certificate and an OSHA 10 certification. Other career center programs, which vary from part-time to full-time, include cosmetology, esthetician, nail technician, automotive service technician, HVAC, culinary and hospitality, EKG and phlebotomy, and practical nursing.

Health care students work in a nursing lab to practice patient interactions, and it has a new high-tech Anatomage table.

“It’s a huge table that allows you to look at what a human looks like inside,” Tripney says.

“It is a lot of active learning. You’re not just listening to someone tell you what you’re going to do. You hear it, you learn the safety of it and then you go do it.”

Other learning environments that mirror the real world include a salon with areas for hair, nails and estheticians, a manufacturing lab with CNC lathes and mills, a kitchen and Neon Lime restaurant that has the same point-of-sale system as Green restaurants, an area with HVAC systems, a car garage, a welding lab and a dispatch area that uses the same CAD dispatch program as Summit County.

While the welding program utilizes a textbook, lectures and educational videos, Sanderson didn’t mind because they were all relevant to welding and bypassed the general education component that many degrees require. He enjoyed working in the welding lab, where students were taught skills and made projects like tiered trays. To make those, students worked in stations that included cutting metal, bending it, heating and twisting it and welding pieces of the trays together, which was Sanderson’s role. “[It’s] going from zero knowledge of the trade,” he says, “to over the course of the year, being able to do stuff all on my own. … I learned stuff that is going to stick with me no matter

EDUCATION

Akron CNC Training Center photos by Maggie Harris

At the CNC center, students take classes to learn blueprint reading, shop math, CNC computer programming, CAD, inspection and more. They utilize these skills during labs that use the school’s CNC mills and lathes in the OGS plant, where they learn how to operate and set up the machines. Tests include making metal projects.

“We don’t do term papers, book reports, library projects,” says Norval.

“Everything that we teach is trade knowledge.”

LASTING WORK

Bolivar, which provides new and used cryogenic bulk tanks and assemblies.

He cuts old pipes and brackets off used tanks and welds on new brackets and caps before they’re re-piped. Sanderson is happy he found a job that engages him.

“For years, it’s been, You go to college and make a good life for yourself,” he says.

“Blue collar, manual labor jobs, it’s a little more fulfilling to work a career like this because you’re doing something with your hands.”

Tripney says a career center can provide a fresh start as it did for an evening nail technician student and single mom who had to navigate life after a divorce.

She completed the program and got employed doing what she wants with a schedule that works for her new life.

In today’s uncertain economy, many technical jobs offer a rarity: job security.

Norval says that’s reason enough for locals to look into switching to CNC machining, which several have done after “Within a year, we have the opportunity to totally transform someone’s life,” being laid off. Once a CNC machinist, Tripney says. “They are successful, are they can advance to positions like CNC programmer, inspector or business owner. happy doing what they want to do, are going to a job that feels right for them.” “[They should consider] the high demand and long-term prospects for employment Akron CNC Training Center, 1169 till they retire,” she says. “You could start Brittain Road, Akron, akroncnc.com; Portage Lakes Career Center, 4401 at 30 and work for 35 years. It’s very Shriver Road, Uniontown, plcc.edu secure.”

Not even three weeks after graduating from the career center, Sanderson got a job as a welder for Eleet Cryogenics in

+3 MORE CAREER TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

MAPLEWOOD CAREER CENTER: Adults who need a high school diploma can earn one in months through its free adult diploma program in which they can also learn a new skill including medical coding and billing, module welding or precision machining. Other adult programs include electrical systems and dental assisting.

7075 state Route 88, Ravenna, mwood.cc MEDINA COUNTY CAREER CENTER: Qualified Medina County graduates 18 to 24 years old can enroll tuition-free in adult education programs including EMT, law enforcement, state tested nursing aide, HVAC and more options that can be completed in months.

1101 W. Liberty St., Medina, mcjvs.edu STARK STATE COLLEGE: Choose from over 200 associate degrees and certificates, with a wide range of programs including bookkeeping, legal assisting, computer programming, surgical assisting and construction technician. Programs can be online or in-person, and most go one year but can be applied toward an associate degree or beyond. Akron, Canton and North Canton, starkstate.edu

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

35

FINANCIAL PLANNING

LEADERS IN FINANCE 2023 You trust your financial planner with your hard-earned money. Find distinguished experts who can help you build wealth to pay your expenses and invest in your retirement, your home, your travels, your education and more. Whatever your life plan, these leaders in finance can help you chart the course.

W3 FINANCIAL GROUP: BREAKING BARRIERS AND SETTING STANDARDS

W3 FINANCIAL GROUP: BREAKING BARRIERS AND SETTING STANDARDS

WISDOM, WEALTH, WORTH At W3 Financial Group, we foster a culture of innovation, constantly seeking new opportunities our clients, and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving financial WISDOM, for WEALTH, WORTH landscape. Our dedication to integrity, transparency, and client satisfaction is at the core At everything W3 Financial we foster a culture of innovation, constantly new It is of we Group, do, building long-lasting partnerships based on trust seeking and reliability. opportunities our clients, and stay ahead of the in a rapidly evolving financial this relentlessfor pursuit of excellence that positions uscurve as a front-runner in the finance industry. WeOur firmly believe that through transparency, education andand open communication landscape. dedication to integrity, client satisfaction with is atour the core valued clients,we wedo, canbuilding alleviate their concerns regardingbased the management purpose of of everything long-lasting partnerships on trust andand reliability.

It is theirrelentless finances. pursuit of excellence that positions us as a front-runner in the finance this industry.

We firmly believe that through education and open communication with our Our experience has taught us that maintaining regular meetings to discuss our clients' valued clients, we can alleviate their concerns regarding and purpose of wealth is the cornerstone of reducing financial stress.

We the are management dedicated to delivering their finances. unbiased and proactive guidance, ensuring that our clients stay on track to achieve their goals.

Above all,has we taught foster an of transparent and constant communication, Our experience us environment that maintaining regular meetings to discuss our clients' allowing our clients to freely express their thoughts and concerns at any time. wealth is the cornerstone of reducing financial stress. We are dedicatedgiven to delivering unbiased and proactive guidance, ensuring that our clients stay on track to achieve their IT'S TIME.. FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE goals. Above all, we foster an environment of transparent and constant communication, W3 Financial Groupto is freely a teamexpress of Certified professionals whose role is allowing our clients theirFinancial thoughts Planner™ and concerns at any given time. to offer an unbiased view of your total financial picture. We look at your taxes, inflation, IT'S TIME..

FOCUS ON YOUR spending, savings, investment returns, risk FUTURE protection, and cash flows. Financial planning is not a onetime event, rather, an ongoing process.

W3 Financial Group is abut team of Certified Financial Planner™ professionals whose role is

W3FI A CIA G O P.CO 33 . 3 .3

W3FI A CIA G O P.CO 33 . 3 .3 36

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

to offer anPlanning unbiased viewthrough of yourW3 total financial picture. look at your taxes, inflation, Fee-Based offered Wealth Advisors, LLC, We a State Registered Investment spending, savings, investment returns, riskthrough protection, andAdvisers, cash flows. planning Advisor.

Third Party Money Management offered Valmark Inc., aFinancial SEC Registered Investment Advisor.event, Securities Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. W3 is not a onetime but offered rather, through an ongoing process.

Global Accounting provides only tax and accounting. W3 Financial Group, LLC, W3 Wealth Advisors, LLC and W3Planning Global Accounting are separate entities from Valmark Securities, Inc. and Valmark Fee-Based offered through W3 Wealth Advisors, LLC, a State Registered Investment Advisers,Third Inc. This been prepared forthrough informational purposes only, and is notRegistered intended Advisor.

Partymaterial Money has Management offered Valmark Advisers, Inc., a SEC to provide, and should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice.

The services an W3 Investment Advisor.

Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA,ofSIPC. appropriate professional should sought regarding your individualGroup, situation.

Global Accounting provides onlybe tax and accounting.

W3 Financial LLC, W3 Wealth Advisors, LLC and W3 Global Accounting are separate entities from Valmark Securities, Inc. and Valmark Advisers, Inc. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice. The services of an appropriate professional should be sought regarding your individual situation.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

37

38

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

39

GOOD EATS

AUGUST 2023 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 8

Restaurants [ notable food & drink ]

B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner A Alcohol available T Takeout available V Valet parking W Wheelchair Accessible $ average entrees less than $6 $$ average entrees between $6-$10 $$$ average entrees between $11-$16 $$$$ average entrees are $17 or higher Information subject to change.

Please call ahead to verify location, hours and events.

Akron Family Restaurant Neighborhood meeting place, homey atmosphere, reasonable prices. 250 W. Market St., Akron, 330-376-0600 $$ B, L, D, T, W Aladdin’s Eatery Outdoor dining area, tasty Mediterranean cuisine. 782 W. Market St., Akron, 330-535-0110; 1991 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-4640; 44 Park Lane, Hudson 330-656-0560; 3895 Medina Road, Fairlawn, 330-665-3102 $$$ L, D, A, T, W Al’s Corner Restaurant Old World comfort food served cafeteria style. Cabbage rolls and sausage made locally are a favorite. 155 Second St. NW, Barberton, 330-475-7978 $$ L, T, W Alexander Pierce Restaurant Fine dining menu of steaks, house-made pastas, calamari misto and cavatelli alla vodka in an intimate speakeasy-style atmosphere. 797 E. Market St., Akron, 330-529-2003 $$$ D, A Barley House Hot and cold deli sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, soups and more. 222 S. Main St., Akron, 330-374-0925 $$ L, D, A, T, W Basil Asian Bistro Menu features Thai, Chinese and Korean dishes, as well as sushi and Vietnamese specialties.

585 Market Ave. N, Canton, 330-4523888; 145 W Liberty St., Wooster, 330601-0885 $$$ L, D, A, T, W The Battleground Authentic Mexican food in an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. It specializes in tortillas and salsa that are made fresh daily.

Guests can enjoy street tacos, pozole, carnitas and delicious flan for dessert. 425 Cherry St., Kent, 330548-9019 $$$ B, L, D, T, A, P Beau’s Grille Well-regarded, innovative menu at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn.

3180 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-86740

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

5218 $$$$ B, L, D, A, T, W Beau’s on the River Stunning views of the falls with floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary decor. Fusion eclectic cuisine, lunch buffet and Sun. brunch. Sheraton Suites Akron Cuyahoga Falls, 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-920-7530 $$$ B, L, D, A, T, W Belgrade Gardens Famous for fried chicken and homestyle cooking. 401 E. State St., Barberton, 330-745-0113; 3476 Massillon Road, Uniontown, 330-896-3396 $$$ L, D, A, T, W Bellacino’s Known for grinders, pizza, pasta and fresh salads. Full bar, patio and banquet room with dance floor.

3657 Fishcreek Road, Stow, 330-6783000 $$ L, D, A, T, W Bender’s Tavern Largest restaurant wine selection in Stark County. Menu features seafood. 137 Court Ave. SW, Canton, 330-453-8424 $$$$ L, D, A, T Bianca’s Ristorante Italian Traditional Italian, juicy steaks and fresh seafood. 4284 Beverly Hills Drive, Brunswick, 330-225-0927 $$$ L, D, A, T, W Big Eu’es BBQ Known for delicious barbecue meals and Kool Aid pies.

The takeout spot also has a small dining area. 1730 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 234-706-6700 $$ L, D, T Big Eye Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar Menu offers a variety of sushi as well as salads, soups, appetizers, cooked entrees and vegan options to suit everyone at your table. 2965 W. Market St., Fairlawn, Suite L, 330-8364433 $$$ L, D, A, T, W The Bistro at Gervasi Vineyard Situated on a 55-acre estate in a renovated historic barn that overlooks a beautiful lake. Serving rustic Italian fare using only fresh and seasonal ingredients. 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330-497-1000 $$$ L, D, A The Bistro of Green An upscale dining establishment with a diverse menu that features some of Akron’s finest cuisine and gluten-free options made from fresh ingredients. Has a large selection of wine, beer and cocktails, and the inviting atmosphere offers a memorable experience. 3459 Massillon Road, Uniontown, 330-8961434 $$$$ D, T, A

Bistro on Main House-made desserts, hand-cut steaks and fresh pasta.

1313 W. Main St., Kent, 330-673-9900 $$$ L, D, A, T, W Block 7 Bar & Grill Fresh-ground burgers, unique sandwiches, onion rings and more. 524 W. Tuscarawas St., Barberton, 330-745-7677 $$ L, D, A, T, W Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern Creative American fare in six nature-inspired dining environments. Sun. brunch buffet. 8960 Wilcox Drive, Twinsburg, 330-486-2583 $$$$ L, D, A, T, W Blue Door Cafe & Bakery Chef-driven sandwiches, quiche, crepes, housemade pastries and rotating specials made using local ingredients. Voted No. 1 brunch in Ohio. Drive-thru available. 1970 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-926-9774 $$$ B, L, T, A Berlin Farmstead Enjoy regionallyinspired homestyle meals including the all-you-can-eat Barn Raising Buffet with mashed potatoes and a salad bar. 4757 Township Road 366, Berlin, 330-893-4600 $$ B, L, D, W, T Bob’s Hamburg Classic family diner with affordable favorites such as the BBQ Bonanza burger. 1351 East Ave., Akron, 330-253-2627; Inside Ray’s Pub, 801. W. Market St., Akron, 330805-1456 $ B, L, D, W, T Boiling House Authentic Louisiana seafood boils with king crab legs and lobster tail. A unique sushi menu diversifies the offerings. 1 W. Exchange St., Suite 150, Akron, 234571-9692 $$$$ L, D, T Bomba Taco & Bar Chef-inspired Latin tacos, international rice bowls and creative desserts like mango mojito sorbet and churro ice cream sandwiches. 3900 Medina Road, Akron, 234-466-7180 $$$ L, D, A, T Bombay Sitar Fine Indian cuisine. Food is natural and prepared fresh daily.

5111 Fulton Drive NW, Canton, 330305-0671 $$ L, D, T, W Bricco Open since September 2003, this restaurant is known for its eclectic seasonal menu, wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes. 1 W. Exchange St., Akron, 330-475-1600 $$$ L, D, A, T, V, W Bricco in Kent Menu is modeled after the original Bricco in downtown Akron. A la carte brunch on Sun. 210 S. Depeyster St., Kent, 330-677-1335

Go t

o

.com nlife ore akro m

w to vie aurants st e r . a re a ents & ev

$$$ L, D, A, T Brew Wall Sample a vast amount of pour-it-yourself beers and wines while you nosh on wood-fired pizza and more from the crew behind Antonio’s Pizza. 3161 Heritage Center Drive, Copley, 330-576-6880 $$$ L, D, A, W, T Brubaker’s Pub Specialty sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, appetizers and a full bar. Bottomless soup and salad special. 4005 Medina Road, Montrose, 330-666-8021; 5823 Darrow Road, Hudson, 330-650-9401; 3939 Massillon Road, Green, 330896-8803; 4141 Bridgewater Parkway, Stow, 330-475-1525 $$$ L, D, A, T, W Burntwood Tavern Owned by the same couple that runs the other Burntwood locations, this restaurant’s menu features steaks, sliders, smoked, planked and woodgrilled food. 2291 Riverfront Parkway, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-794-7085; 4320 Everhard Road NW, Canton, 234-2099746; 3750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 234-466-7372 $$$$ L, D, A, T, W The Cabin Upscale Italian within the Mario’s International Spa and Hotel complex. 35 E. Garfield Road, Aurora, 330-562-9171 $$$$ B, L, D, A, T Cafe Bricco This menu is a smaller version of the one at the original Bricco location downtown.

DoubleTree Hotel, 3150 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-835-2203 $$$ B, L, D, A, T Cafe Tandoor Casual atmosphere, Indian cuisine. 96 Barrington Town Center, Aurora, 330-562-5334 $$$ L, D, A, T Cana Valley Winery Check out this winery’s 13 varieties. Bring in your own food. 5665 Waterloo Road, Atwater, 330-596-3017 $$$$ D, A Canal Tavern of Zoar Fine casual dining in Zoar’s original tavern and inn.

Features steaks and chops, seafood and Zoar-inspired German cuisine, as well as draft brews and extensive wine list. Sun. brunch. Patio bar and dining along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. 8806 Towpath Road, NE, Bolivar, 330-874-4444 $$$ L, D, A, T Casa Del Rio Mexican dining. 839 High St., Wadsworth, 330-335-4001; Express location, 2927 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-849-5160 $$ L, D, A, T Caston & Main Brew Yard This cozy, casual gastropub with a fireplace and two

GOOD EATS UNTAPPED

by Aaron Fowler

Country Boy Brewing Lexington | Kentucky

While most local beer drinkers know neighboring Kentucky for Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. and its classic Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, the Bluegrass State is also the home of another top craft brewery — Country Boy Brewing.

Over a decade ago in 2012, four Kentucky residents founded the brewery. Country Boy Brewing runs one of the largest production breweries in Kentucky. While the brewery first began operations in Lexington, expansion grew five years later to a larger brewhouse in Georgetown featuring a production facility, taproom and offices. In June a third location opened in downtown Louisville.

Later this month, this Kentucky favorite debuts on store shelves in central and northern Ohio with exciting Country Boy Brewing releases that craft beer fanatics can look forward to trying.

SHOTGUN WEDDING As one of the brewery’s yearround core offerings, this English brown ale ($10.99, six-pack cans) is aged on vanilla beans and comes in at an extremely enjoyable 5.5 percent alcohol by volume. Don’t let its low ABV trick you. Shotgun Wedding’s abundant vanilla flavors are balanced out thanks to its roasted malt body.

COUGAR BAIT Easily the brewery’s smoothest selection is this blonde ale ($10.99, six-pack cans) that comes in at 4.9 percent alcohol by volume. It’s brewed with Munich malts, delivering in stride as a balanced light option with subtle hop presence for all occasions, wherever the day may take you.

OKTOBERFEST In time for the festivities, this seasonal release ($10.99, sixpack cans) starts things off with one of the best styles of the year. The aptly named offering is brewed with both German hops and yeast while utilizing American malts to create a fullbodied 4.5 percent alcohol by volume lager with sweet caramel richness that admirers have grown to appreciate from the style.

Find Country Boy Brewing beers at select Acme Fresh Market, Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Fishers Foods, Giant Eagle and Heinen’s locations, as well as craft beer stops such as Mustard Seed Market & Cafe and 101 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.

[ Aaron Fowler is the key account manager at Cavalier Distributing. ] Comments? Email them to Kelly Petryszyn [kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com].

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

41

GOOD EATS UNCORKED

by Eric Van Sant photos by Maggie Harris

St. James Winery St. James | Missouri

Located in Missouri’s Ozark Highlands wine country, St. James Winery was established in 1970

by Jim and Pat Hofherr.

The Ozarks are rooted in Italian heritage, as Italian immigrants settled there in the late 1800s. The region began to produce high-quality Concord grapes, primarily used for juice and jelly. By 1922, the area had over 200 wineries and 1,000 acres for wine, and Missouri became the second-largest wine producer in the United States.

With a commitment to sustainability, St. James Winery has a state-of-the-art irrigation system to minimize water consumption and uses a lowenergy fermentation and storage system. It also uses screw cap closures to avoid the issue of hard-to-recycle cork closures.

Since its founding, St. James Winery has become the mostawarded winery in Missouri, and it’s best known for its fruit wines, including these options.

[

BLACKBERRY SWEET WINE Made from hand-picked blackberries, this wine ($9.99) is fresh and sweet. Enjoy it chilled or on the rocks with club soda and a blackberry garnish for a refreshing summer spritzer.

STRAWBERRY SWEET WINE Fresh vine-ripened strawberries are used for this summer classic ($9.99). Serve it to friends and family chilled or with pound cake.

PEACH SWEET WINE Peaches picked fresh from the orchard are used for this delicious sweet wine ($9.99).

Serve it chilled, and enjoy it on its own or with some spicy cheeses.

Find these St. James Winery wines at select Giant Eagle, Acme Fresh Market, Heinen’s and Discount Drug Mart locations.

]

Eric Van Sant is a sales manager at Heidelberg Distributing Co. Comments? Email them to Kelly Petryszyn [kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com].

42

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

GOOD EATS

outdoor patios with fire features offers a large variety of craft beer including 32 taps, with wine, specialty cocktails and 140-plus bourbons, whiskeys and spirits including rare selections. The chef-driven menu offers house-made flatbreads, sandwiches and beer cheese, as well as Sun. brunch. 5010 S. Main St., Akron, 330-882-CASK (2275) $$$ L, D, A Ceedo’s Eatery Traditional Middle Eastern food — kosher and halal — including shawarma and falafel, stuffed whole lamb, hummus, tabbouleh and kibbeh.

Closed Mon. 4147 Bridgewater Parkway, Stow, 330-940-2424 $$ B, L, D, T Cellar 59 Wine Bar & Wine Shop The menu in this renovated 19th-century farmhouse features small plates, desserts, bottles of wine and craft beer. Closed Sun. and Mon. 3984 Kent Road, Stow, 330-6882684 $$$ L, D, A, T Chalet in the Valley Located in the heart of Amish Country and known for its authentic Swiss and Austrian cuisine.

While the menu features a new spin on sandwich classics like the Chalet deluxe Reuben or Rachel, it’s famous for schnitzels, which come in six different varieties: weiner, chicken, schwein, jaeger, kase and Reuben. 5060 state Route 557, Millersburg, 330-893-2550 $$$ L, D, T Cool Beans Cafe Try a peaches and cream frappe for breakfast, a sun-dried tomato turkey sandwich for lunch or take home a warm quart of soup for dinner at the community staple on the Medina square. 103 W. Liberty St., Medina, 330723-7174 $$ B, L, D, T Corkscrew Saloon Specializes in fresh seafood, steaks and chops, prepared by executive chef Ryan Marino. Live entertainment Wed. nights. 811 W. Liberty, Medina, 330-725-0220 $$$$ L, D, A, T Craft Social Bar A large variety of craft beer, cocktails, wines and whiskeys that accompany upscale bar food.

Watermark Building, 1846 Front St.,

Suite G, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-805-2826 $$$ D, A, T, V Crave Creative comfort foods, slightly eccentric with bold tastes served up in a sensational setting. 156 S. Main St., Akron, 330-253-1234 $$ L, D, A, T, V Crave Cantina Latin fare meets global tacos at this modern, artistic eatery from the owner of Crave in downtown Akron. Pair your eclectic taco choices with a rum flight of your choice. 2097 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-9402000 $$$$ L, D, A, T The Crush House at Gervasi Vineyard A modern industrial building that houses a state-of-the-art winery facility, wine bar and eatery. Perfect for a fun lunch, casual dinner or late snack. 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330-4971000, ext. 5 $$ L, D, A D’Agnese’s at White Pond Akron Contemporary Italian food served in a classy yet casual setting.

Live entertainment. Full service catering. 566 White Pond Drive, Akron, 234-678-3612 $$$ L, D, A, T Danny Boy’s If you love the Rat Pack, you’ll love this menu. Try the Old Blue Eyes Mac & Cheese or the Chairman of the Board Calzone. 6081 Dressler Road N, Canton, 330-4993726; 10 Tallmadge Circle, Tallmadge, 330-633-7844 $$$ L, D, A, T Darby’s on Fifty-Nine Rustic dining with an assortment of dishes, including crispy calamari and filet mignon sliders, complemented by craft beer. 2764 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-922-7540 $$$ L, D, A, T Dave’s Cosmic Subs Sign the walls at this sub shop, featuring psychedelic and music memorabilia. 186 N. Main St., Hudson, 330-342-5666 $$ L, D, T D.B.A., Dante Boccuzzi Akron Modern American food in a rock ‘n’ roll palace setting. Several menu items can be ordered in varied portion sizes, based on your appetite. Vegetarian and vegan options available. Order a drink and relax on the restaurant’s spacious patio.

21 Furnace St., Akron, 330-375-5050 $$$$ D, A, T, V Deli Ohio Fresh deli sandwiches made with all-natural products from throughout Ohio. 328 Walnut Ave. NE, Canton, 330453-7777 $$ L, D, T Der Dutchman A family-friendly comfort food restaurant in Amish Country

offering a seniors’ menu, house-made pies and options for vegan and other diets. 720 state Route 97 W, Bellville, 419-866-7070 $$ B, L, D, W, T Desert Inn Family-owned since 1970.

Specializes in family-style shish kebabs.

204 12th St. NW, Canton, 330-456-1766 $$$$ L, D, A Diamond Deli A local favorite with fat sandwiches and fresh soups. 378 S. Main St., Akron, 330-762-5877 $ B, L, A, D (Saturdays only), T Diamond Grille Akron’s oldest steakhouse, 1950s-style decor. All steaks are handcut, and seafood is flown in fresh. 77 W. Market St., Akron, 330-253-0041 $$$$ L, D, A, No credit cards Divine Food Spirits Wine Casual and upscale American fare, a scratch kitchen and a wide drink selection. 2752 Hudson Drive, Cuyahoga Falls, 234-334-4400 $$$$ D, A, T Dominic’s Italian Restaurant Since 1987, Dominic Carrino has been using the finest products available for his pizzas, as well as burgers, paninis and other lunch and dinner options. Carrino is also the owner of JoJo’s Sports Bar, located directly behind the Italian restaurant. 221 S. Jefferson St., Medina, 330-725-8424 $$ L, D, T, P Dontino’s Fine Italian Cuisine Homestyle Italian cuisine, popular community meeting place. 555 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron, 330-928-9530 $$ L, D, A, T El Campesino Authentic Mexican cuisine.

Carryout or delivery available. 4360 Kent Road, Stow, 330-686-5561; 9169 state Route 14, Streetsboro, 330-6269777; 4048 Lincoln Way E., Massillon, 330-477-8731 $$$ L, D, A, T El Fogon Mexican Grill Traditional Mexican fare from the owner of El Campesino in Canton and Perry Township. Full bar and weekly margarita specials. 1080 Interstate Parkway, Green, 330-644-7700 $$ L, D, A, T El Rancho Traditional Mexican fare made fresh from scratch each day. 4065 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-922-8112; 1678 W. Exchange St., Akron, 330-8643300 $$ L, D, A, T El Rincon Authentic Mexican cuisine. 720 S. Main St., North Canton, 330-497-2229 $$ L, D, A, T Fred’s Diner Well-known North Hill stop for breakfast and lunch. 930 Home Ave., Akron, 330-535-3733 $ B, L, T Fresco Mexican Grill and Salsa Bar Mexican cuisine including gig burritos, tacos, warm soups, quesadillas and more.

Known for its beer selection and extensive salsa bar. 100 E. Erie St., Kent, 330-677-2588 $$ L, D, A, T Fronimo’s Downtown Located within the Canton Arts District, it prides itself on serving creative food. The menu features small plates such as lettuce wraps or tempura cauliflower, salads, sandwiches and entrees. 315 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, 234-640-8665 $$ D, A The Galaxy Restaurant Diverse selection AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

43

19 | ISSUE

1 | JANU

ARY 2021

OCTOBER

S WIN NER OF THE VOR 330 FLA AWA RDS

OD HOME

Ta

RT FO

VE FA OUT

CARRY

GET COMFY

HUN AN USE OF R AME N U NK ATS -FR IED ND PAN BUN S POR K photo by

Tylar Sutton

of Italy e t s

10

A

NG

MFO

19 | ISSUE

2021

to

r vo sa

15 comfort ing

RI

CO

VOLUME

AD PEP SQU ORS 5 EDU CAT IRE INSP SMI LES

S

B

POP -UP GS WED DIN DS LOV EBIR WAY FIND A

dis he s

VOLUME

ES 330 HOM IBLE INC RED H WIT HOU SES A VIEW

TH E BE ST RS IN LA W YE ER A AM IC EDG E CUT TING KSU ’S INS IDE IGN NEW DES TION HUB INN OVA

DOLCE IN CANTON ZOL A NTOWN GORGON CA DOW AT LUC un Tylar Calho photo by

SPRIN

G 20

21

MAY 2021

VOLUME

'S IG N E R A DE S R PI E C E E T MAS

5 19 | ISSUE

POW ER MOV ES A DAN CE CEN TER SHA KES UP THE AL NAT ION MOD EL PLA Y GRO UND AIN ENT ERT KID S WIT H FUN SUM MER CAM PS

ON A

MISSION

rsist Locals pe

the od against

ALLI SON BATH SMIT H'S HOM E DREA M

SPR ING GLO W REV IVE A SKI N AT MED SPA

ds

photo by Joy Smith

Allison

MY Meet KIMSON HEN DER lar of the Bipo ct Proje Butterfly n Tylar Sutto photo by

TIN G CU LTI VA HYGG E OF TH E JOY

ES EJAPAN EAT A ZE N ED RE TR INS PIR

The Magazine of The 330

RIC A HIS TO SH INE S RK LA ND MA

2020

FALL

yy!! t i t C i hee C of tth JULY 2021

S E R ISE HOUS H T S G BA R N I E H W TO NE

VOLUME

sstt oof e B e B er Uncov ith w magic ’s 0 The 33 e favorit things

CRYS TAL JOS MAD RILE REW and AND TOW NE'S E HOM BARN photo by

O AN OT ITE INT SP AN INV BL E PA RT Y VA UN BE LIE

ES UP GR AD ST YL ISHUR OF FIC E TO YO

19 |

ISSUE 7

Tylar Sutton

akronlife.com

LIVI NG CAN TON FAM E HAL L OF URN S FES T RET WN DOW NTO AKR ON K GET A LOO LIFE AT CITY GOA L MON EY ION TAK E ACT & BEC OME EE DEB T-FR

INT O A CH EC K BE D & BATH TA R FIV E-S Krakora Amara er at finds wond LA ALL EY UMBREL sville in Loui n Tylar Sutto photo by

MARCH 2021 S 20 YEA

RS!

UL O S R E B RUB AKR ON

VOLUME

20 | ISSUE

2 | FEBR

LIF E CEL

EBR ATE

VOLUME

UARY 2022

kron G How A

19 | ISSUE

3

y Stir Craz Mix up

e Map ot on th

cookin

g at hom

e with

local ing

redients

+ recipe

s

330 HOM ES GET D INS PIRE

BY SIX UNI QUE SPA CES

TO P S DE NT IST 20 21

PUM P IT IMP ROV E RT YOU R HEA HEA LTH

SCAN ME

BE ALE RT TO

HOW FOR WAT CH 9 COV ID-1 SCA MS

FAC ES OF THE 330 MAP MON EY PLA N FOR URE THE FUT

S GAR DENFLOWER S VIG EO BLE ed with and EDI Salad craftLET TUC E REE NS, n Tylar Sutto photo by

MIC ROG ONE FIR EST LDE R BUI TIR E r photo by

Daniel Mainze

AKR ON

VOLUME

20 | ISSUE

3|

LIF E CEL

EBR ATE

S 20 YEA

SEPT EMBE

RS!

MARCH 2022

VOLU

SURPKEETRS

MA

0 THE 33 ORES IN IALTY ST 8 SPEC

R 2021

TI M E S H OW

ISSUE ME 19 |

9

ERTS, 18 CONC FALL IS CATCH BACK! D EVENTS TH TS ARE AN THE AR S, EXHIBITS AL MUSIC

scan to subscribe

STO RY TIM E MAK E A FAM ILY T POD CAS TOP S DEN TIST 202 2 CAM P HTS SPO TLIG ENT ERT AIN KIDS THIS SUM MER

HAP PY AY BIR THD N FAIR LAW ATE S CEL EBR RS 50 YEA RSE FUL L COU N TIRE TOW B GOL F CLU

GOOD EATS of dishes in a creative building.

Fantastic desserts. 201 Park Center Drive, Wadsworth, 330-334-3663 $$$ B, L, D, A, T Garretts Mill Diner Breakfast items, sandwiches, soup and house-made ice cream. 4226 Hudson Drive, Stow, 330-926-1344 $$ B, L, T Gasoline Alley Eclectic menu featuring pizza, sandwiches and sauerkraut balls. 870 N. Cleveland Massillon Road, Bath, 330-666-2670 $$$ L, D, A, T George’s Lounge Handcrafted food made from fresh ingredients and housemade sauces. Known for substantial gourmet burgers, or you can create your own. Menu also includes handscooped milkshakes that come in classic flavors like strawberry, vanilla and chocolate, along with unique flavors like maple cream, creamy mocha and Dutch apple pie. 229 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, 330-4520029 $$ B, L, D, T, A Girves Brown Derby An Akron favorite since 1941. Hardwood-fired freshcut steaks, seafood, wine, craft beer and full-service bar. 4670 Everhard Road, Canton, 330-494-4413; 5051 Eastpointe Drive, Medina, 330-721-1731; 9230 state Route 14, Streetsboro, 330-626-2171; brownderbyusa.com $$$$ L (only on weekends), D, A, T, W Golden Dragon Chinese fare. Also offers traditional Japanese cooking and sushi. 1634 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-929-1109 $$ L, D, A, T Greatness Cafe Healthy and delicious options — smoothies, paninis, salads with house-made dressings and juices all paired with positive affirmations and a welcoming atmosphere — in the Massillon Museum’s lobby. 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. $$ B, L, T, W Green Diamond Grille & Pub Upscale dining without upscale pricing. Specializes in steaks, chops, baby back ribs and seafood. 125 Second St. NW, Barberton, 330-745-1900 $$$ L, D, A, T Grinders Above & Beyond Family restaurant. Grinders, burgers, dinners, appetizers and pies. 1671 N. Main St., North Canton, 330-4974800; 3114 Whipple Ave., Canton, 330-477-5411; 1212 W. Maple St., Hartville, 330-587-4280; 1820 W. State St., Alliance, 330-821-6665; 404 E. Lincolnway, Minerva, 330-868-7824; 500 W. Main St., Louisville, 330-8759700 $ L, D, A, T Guiseppe’s Pizza Family-owned pizzeria known for its Sicilian-style square pizza. 14 E. Caston Road, Akron, 330644-8842 $$ L, D, T Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery Serving homestyle meals since 1966, we are known for our pressure fried chicken, fresh mashed potatoes, house-made salad dressings, 21 varieties of pies and more. Carryout and curbside pickup. 1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 330-877-9353 $$$ L, D, T, W

Hopocan Gardens Barberton-style chicken. 4396 W. Hopocan Ave., Barberton, 330-825-9923 $$ L, D, A, T, No credit cards House of Hunan Common favorites to spicy specialties. Oriental decor.

2717 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330864-8215; 18 Public Square, Medina, 330-722-1899 $$ L, D, A, T Hudson’s Restaurant Neighborhood restaurant and bar serving fresh, chef-driven dishes. Family-friendly atmosphere. 80 N. Main St., Hudson, 330-650-1955 $$$ B, L, D, A, T The Jetty River Bar and Grill Located on the north end of the Sheraton Suites, it is a posh place to have dinner and a drink with a view. Choose from a menu of casual salads, flatbreads and small entrees. 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-920-7544 $$$ L, D, T, A, P Jilly’s Music Room All gluten-free menu of creative American tapas in a sophisticated setting. Live music, concerts and events Wed. through Sat. 111 N. Main St., Akron, 330-5763757 $$, D, A, T, W Kasai Japanese Restaurant Sushi, hibachi, noodles, don buri, agamono and more. Finish your meal with tempura cheesecake. 295 Weatherstone Drive, Wadsworth, 330-334-7141; 3875 Massillon Road, Suite 300, Uniontown, 330-899-9788 $$$ L, D, A, T Ken Stewart’s Grille Widely recognized as one of Akron’s finest. Upscale, eclectic cuisine. Emphasis on steak and seafood. 1970 W. Market St., Akron, 330-867-2555 $$$$ L, D, A, T, V Ken Stewart’s Lodge Casual, Adirondackstyle atmosphere, eclectic cuisine.

1911 N. Cleveland Massillon Road, Bath, 330-666-8881 $$$$ D, A, T Ken Stewart’s Tre Belle Italian atmosphere and authentic cuisine.

Specialties include an antipasto bar, big drinks and an extensive wine list.

1911 N. Cleveland Massillon Road, Bath, 330-666-9990 $$$ D, A, V, T Kennedy’s Bar-B-Que Pit-smoked ham, pork, beef, turkey, pulled pork sandwiches topped with cabbage relish, bean soup, chili and Troyer’s pie by the slice. 1420 Seventh St. NW, Canton, 330-454-0193 $ L, D, T Kingfish A posh yet sleek interior features the freshest seafood of North Coast. Dress is business casual.

Reservations recommended. 115 Montrose West Ave., Copley. 330-7772005 $$$$ D, A Lanning’s Restaurant Elegant dining atmosphere with a beautiful view.

More than 150 types of wine. 826 N. Cleveland Massillon Road, Bath, 330666-1159, 330-864-2553 $$$$ D, A, T, V Larry’s Main Entrance English-pub style, burgers of note. 1964 W. Market St., Akron, 330-864-8162 $$ L, D, A, T Laziza High-end Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare, plus steak and seafood dishes and a full bar. Acorn Alley, 195 E. Erie St., Kent, 330-677-

7000 $$$ L, D, A, T Lembo’s Italian Restaurant Weekday lunch salad and pizza buffet, Italian specialties, chicken and sandwiches.

Daily specials, lunch specials, kids’ menu. 1186 Canton Road, Akron, 330-733-7586 $$$ L, D, A, T The Leopard Eclectic menu with American, Asian, French and Italian influences. Features seven-course chef’s table. 600 N. Aurora Road, Aurora, 330-562-2111 $$$$ D, A, T, V Leo’s Italian Social Nosh on comfort food Italian favorites with a chefdriven twist. With everything from wood-fired pizza to certified angus beef strip steaks, it’s a great spot for groups to dine inside or on the large patio with bocce. Also take in live music. 2251 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-400-4427 $$$$ B, L, D, T, A, P Lizardville Large selection of draft and bottled beers, whiskey and cigars to enjoy on site or take home. Try the Wild Western burger and a glass of Weller Antique Winking Lizard Edition. 21 and over only. 79 Springside Drive, Akron, 330-6441782 $$ D, A, T The Lockview Traditional American favorites. Fresh menu with spotlight on gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. 207 S. Main St., Akron, 330-252-5128 $$ L, D, A, T Luca’s New York Style Pizza Pizza, calzones, stromboli, cheesesteaks and subs. 3451 Darrow Road, Stow, 330-688-9595 $$$ D, T Lucca Downtown Locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Tuscan Italianinspired menu. Now managed by Tony Ly, who also owns Basil Asian Bistro. Call for reservations. 228 Fourth St. NW, Canton, 330-456-2534. $$$$ L, D, A, T Lucia’s Steakhouse Fresh seafood, signature garlic butter-topped steaks, Italian favorites and Lucia classics, like house-made lump crab cakes or cubanella and long, hot peppers.

4769 Belpar St. NW, Canton, 330-4929933 $$$$ D, A Lucci’s Voted best pizza in Portage County. The family-owned shop has been serving New York-style pizza with house-made sauce, freshly made dough and a variety of toppings for over 30 years. Also offers wings, chicken tenders and fries, Stromboli and breadsticks and pretzel bites. 2457 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 234-571-0053, 405 E. Main St., Kent, 330-673-9833 $$ L, D, T Luigi’s Restaurant An Akron icon. Open late. Serves superb Italian cuisine, salads and award-winning pizza.

Voted best pizza and best Italian restaurant by Akron Life readers.

Party trays and sheet-pan pizzas available with 24-hour notice. 105 N. Main St., Akron, 330-253-2999 $$ L, D, A, T, No credit cards Lukity Country Inn Homestyle comfort food. 2697 Manchester Road, Akron,

330-753-5983 $$ B, L, D, T Magic City’s Remarkable Diner Chef-driven breakfast and lunch menu with surprising twists on diner classics, like the smoked salmon and Brie omelet. 451 Fairview Ave., Barberton, 330-983-9787 $$ B, L, T Maize Valley Winery & Craft Brewery Sample wine by bottle or glass, as well as craft beer. Taste 100-plus types of cheeses. Appetizers and sandwiches. 6193 Edison St. NE, Hartville, 330-877-8344 $$ L, D, A, T Michael’s AM Casual, family-style dining.

Full breakfast and lunch menu featuring daily specials. 1562 Akron Peninsula Road, Akron, 330-929-3447 $$ B, L, T, No credit cards Mike’s Place Unique atmosphere, extensive menu. 1700 S. Water St., Kent, 330-673-6501 $$ B, L, D, A, T Missing Falls Brewery Located in the historic BF Goodrich factory, Missing Falls Brewery is the latest addition to Akron’s craft brewery scene. Offering sixteen craft beers, a spacious taproom, an open brewery concept, and a family friendly environment in a turn of the century piece of Americana. Oh, did we mention artisan pizza too? 540 S. Main St., Suite 112, Akron, 234-231-1000 $$ A Mulligan’s Pub Local antique decor, award-winning ribs, extensive menu.

4118 Belden Village St. NW, Canton, 330-493-8239 $$$ L, D, A, T Mustard Seed Market & Cafe Mezzanine overlooking the Highland Square natural foods market. Menu reflects same strict standards as the market, with naturally raised meats, freerange poultry and foods free from artificial flavors, colorings and preservatives. Full bar and juice bar. Live music on weekends. Sun. brunch. 3885 W. Market St., Montrose, 330-666-7333; 867 W. Market St., Akron, 330-434-7333 $$$ L, D, T Nepali Kitchen Authentic Nepali cuisine like paneer pakora alongside familiar Asian favorites like chicken curry and chow Mein. 399 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron, 330-631-1112 $$$ L, D, W, T New Era Restaurant A mainstay of the Akron area. Heavenly paprikash and other Hungarian favorites. 10 Massillon Road, Akron, 330-784-0087 $$ B, L, D, A, T Niko’s Sandwich Board Cafe Menu of fresh salads, small-batch soups and handcrafted sandwiches, including several veggie, vegan and gluten-free selections. 1947 W. Market St., Suite 104, Akron, 330-794-5444 $$ L, D, T 91 Wood Fired Oven Upscale casual West Coast atmosphere. Pizza and pasta are specialties. Patio dining. 1983

Go to akronlife.com to view more area restaurants & events.

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

45

Easton St. NW in Washington Square Plaza, North Canton, 330-498-9191; 5570 Fulton Drive NW, Canton, 330497-9111 $$$ D, A, T Nomz Café Provides customers with farm-fresh, local eats that showcase favorites like the ham and cheese breakfast sandwich and the chicken sandwich marinated in Thirsty Dog Brewing’s Citra Dog beer that are made from scratch inside the Northside Marketplace. 21 Furnace St., Akron, 330-286-1315 $$$ B, L, D, T, A Oak and Embers Tavern Southern-style barbecue brisket, pork, ribs and chicken with signature drinks including the Devil’s Grandma and the Revolver. 7774 Darrow Road, Hudson, 234-602-1056 $$$ L, D, W, A, T The Oaks Lakeside Casual dining, fabulous ambiance in 1914 estate.

Outdoor dining with water views.

5878 Longacre Lane, Chippewa Lake, 330-769-2601 $$$$ D, A 111 Bistro House Manager Meghan Pender and Executive Chef Anthony Scolaro own this eatery which features starters, soups and salads, sandwiches, pasta and entrees, as well as an extensive wine, craft beer and cocktail list. Weekend brunch available. 2736 Medina Road, Medina, 330-952-1122 $$$$ D, A, T One Red Door Decadent menu featuring gourmet pizzas, share plates such as bacon-wrapped roasted dates and burgers. 49 Village Way, Hudson, 330342-3667 $$$$ L, D, A Papa Gyros Greek Grill Authentic Greek fare, wine and beer. 3939 Massillon Road, Green, 330-899-0707; 4760 Everhard Road, Canton, 330-4971100; 320 W. State St., Alliance, 330823-7773; 2045 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, 330-456-9000; 1 N. Hawkins Ave., Akron, 330-247-2475 $$ L, D, A, T Papa Joe’s Iacomini’s Extensive wine list, fine Italian fare, seafood and steaks.

1561 Akron Peninsula Road, Akron, 330-923-7999 $$$ L, D, A, T Primo’s Deli An Akron mainstay since 1979. Try their famous corned beef sandwich or spicy Italian sub, and finish with a slice of house-made carrot cake. 1707 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron, 330-745-9056 $$ L, D, A, T Pub Bricco The menu features gourmet hamburgers, appetizers, salads and drinks served in a pub atmosphere in the Merriman Valley. 1841 Merriman Road, Akron, 330-869-0035 $$ L, D, A, T R. Shea Brewing Traditional and experimental beers with brewpub fare in the Merriman Valley and Canal Place. 1662 Merriman Road, Akron, 330-794-5654; 540 S. Main St., Suite 214, Akron, 234-571-5036, $$ L,D, A, T The Rail High-quality Ohio beef used for burgers. Top with specialty condiments like truffle butter or sunflower-basil pesto. Veggie burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, milkshakes, and local and craft beers.

3265 W. Market St., Akron, 330-86446

akronlife.com | AUGUST 2023

7245 $$ L, D, A, T The Ramp Restaurant Unique entrees include seafood pasta and French pork chop. Dine on the back deck for a waterfront view of Portage Lakes.

3719 S. Main St., Akron, 234-678-6370 $$$$ L, D, A, T Rasicci’s Pizza Deep-dish pizza, fried chicken and jojos from owner Rick Rasicci. 513 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron, 330-923-1999 $$ L, D, T Ray’s Place Great burgers, hearty dinners and the area’s largest selection of foreign and domestic beer in the bottle and on draft. 135 Franklin Ave., Kent, 330-673-2233; 25 Ghent Road, Fairlawn, 330-835-2233 $$ L, D, A, T The River Merchant Kent’s riverfront restaurant offers guests a beautiful dining experience with a chefinspired menu, a wood-fired oven and a wine and beer market. Try favorites like the Nashville hot chicken gyro or the smoked salmon flatbread. Guests can also sip cocktails like the PB Banana Split or a selection from its extensive beer, wine and spirits menu. 911 N. Mantua St., Kent, 330-968-6376 $$$$ B, L, D, T, A, P Rizzi’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Northern Italian recipes shine at this familyowned restaurant with fried chicken that has garnered its own trademark.

2809 Copley Road, Copley, 330-6661221, 330-668-2626 $$ L, D, T Rose Garden Restaurant Authentic Indian and Nepali meals include curry and gulab jamun, a sweet deep-fried cheese dessert, in the space that was formerly Everest Restaurant. 2033 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 234-7066630 $$ L, D, W, T Rosewood Grill Seasonally inspired. Fresh appeal of a local farmers market. 36 E. Streetsboro St., Hudson, 330-6562100 $$$$ L Fri/Sat only, D, A, T Serenite Restaurant Fine French dining includes oysters, escargot, duck confit and smoked salmon. Socially conscious mission with a staff made up of people in recovery from addiction. 538 W. Liberty St., Medina, 330-952-2611 $$$ L, D, A, T Shawarma Bros. Get a taste of authentic shawarma lamb, chicken or beef in a rice bowl or on pita bread and falafel, then finish off your meal with baklava at this affordable takeout restaurant.

1808 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 234-334-3996 $$ L, D, T Sisters Century House Historic building overlooks Ohio Canal. Known for twice-baked potatoes. 123 S. Canal St., Canal Fulton, 330-854-9914 $$ B, L, D, T Skyway Drive-In Restaurant A West Akron tradition. Drive-in burgers, fast fare.

2781 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-8362806; 951 E. Turkeyfoot Road, Green, 330-896-9350 $ L, D, T Social at Stone House Welcoming guests with craft cocktails and a global menu in a pre-Civil War mansion. Enjoy

a relaxing dinner of dishes like the prosciutto arugula flatbread or the Sriracha Caesar salad in a themed rooms or the Overlook lounge featuring a view of Massillon. Be sure to order an artfully garnished cocktail like the JD Manhattan or gimlet. 824 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, 330-8090461 $$$ L, D, T, A, P Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant Established in 1926, this landmark features wrought-iron ice cream parlor chairs and high-backed booths. Try the Bittner! Homemade soups, salads and sandwiches. Kids’ menu and vegetarian options. 1401 Fulton Road NW, Canton, 330-4526844 $ L, D, T Tail Gators Sports Pub & Grille This sports pub and grill features burgers, wings and the longest happy hour around.

469 College St., Wadsworth, 330-3345151 $$ L, D, A, T Taqueria La Loma Traditional Mexican street food in a colorful environment and market. The house special, the al pastor, features a rub with a secret recipe that gives the pork a smokysweet flavor. 459 Darrow Road, Akron, 330-784-9300 $$ L, D, T, A Tong-Tong First Chinese restaurant in Hudson and Stow area. Family-style dining. 1646 Norton Road, Stow, 330655-2550 $$ L, D, A, T Totally Cooked To-Go Comfort foods, soups, made-to-order sandwiches and salads, and desserts. Menu changes weekly. 388 S. Main St., Akron, 330-294-1102 $$ B, L, D, T Trecaso’s Mary Coyle Strong pasta selection. Six-time winner of Pasta Yule’s best red sauce. Highland Square spot known for several ice cream options. 780 W. Market St., Akron, 330-253-1511 $$ L, D, T Twiisted Sushi and traditional Japanese food, with gourmet burgers and steaks, salads, appetizers, desserts and a full bar. 985 Boardman Alley, Medina, 330-661-0606 $$$ D, A, T Twisted Citrus The daytime eatery offers breakfast and lunch dishes with a twist. It puts unique spins on classics like French toast, with its Maui Waui French toast featuring a pina colada compote or the breakfast nachos with chorizo, black beans, nacho cheese, pico de gallo and avocado.

1649 N. Main St., North Canton, 330305-9680 $$ B, L The Twisted Olive Casual classic ItalianAmerican fare grilled or baked wood-fire ovens. Indoor and outdoor seating. 5430 Massillon Road, Green, 330-899-0550 $$$ L, D, A, T Vaccaro’s Trattoria Traditional Italian cuisine with a twist on nouveau.

Famous since 1957. An Italian and Akron classic. 1000 Ghent Road, Akron, 330-666-6158 $$$ L, D, A, T Valley Cafe Owned by a five-star gourmet chef. Features friendly service, dishes made from scratch and famous cabbage soup. 1212 Weathervane

Lane, Akron, 330-865-0101; 101 High St., Wadsworth, 330-331-7555 $ B, L, D (Wadsworth only), T Vasili’s Greek Cuisine A welcome addition to Akron’s restaurant scene, Vasili’s provides big flavors and huge portions at a reasonable price with excellent customer service. The moussaka is excellent, and the baklava is decadent. 1702 Merriman Road, Akron, 330-864-0722 $$ L, D, T Village Inn Chicken Formerly Milich’s Village Inn, under new ownership with the same great fried chicken, hot sauce and coleslaw recipes. 4444 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Barberton, 330-825-4553 $$ L, D, T Village Gardens Restaurant and Pub Family restaurant. House-made meals, including house-favorites Macedonian bean soup, chicken vlaki and chicken paprikash. Full-service lounge. 2437 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-5751 $ B, L, D, A, T Vinifera Wine-to-Whiskey Extensive beverage list with an enomatic wine dispenser system of more than 60 wine selections, more than 80 whiskey and bourbon options and food. 3236 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 234-571-0233 $$$ D, A, T Virtues Signature foods such as a tempura calamari appetizer, specialty pizzas, filet mignon and other gourmet items with high nutritional values on Summa Health System Akron Campus. 525 E. Market St., Akron, 330-375-7444 $$$ B, L, D, A, T, V Waterloo Restaurant Eclectic menu.

Famous for the Waterloo Big Apple and French onion soup. 423 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 330-773-5158 $$ B, L, D, T Water Main Grille Sandwiches, soups and dinner platters. 339 Main St., Wadsworth, 330-331-7757 $$ L, D, T The West Side Bakery Specialties include cakes, pastries and cookies. Breakfast items include scones, muffins and yogurt parfaits. All sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups are made from scratch. 2303 W. Market St., Akron, 330-836-4101 $ B, L, T Wolf Creek Tavern Housed in the former Loyal Oak Tavern, this restaurant serves craft beer, wine, salads, wraps, burgers, pasta, steaks and house-made pie. Kids menu. 3044 Wadsworth Road, Norton, 234-5714531 $$$$ L, D, A, T Yours Truly This award-winning restaurant is family-owned and operated, with an emphasis on customer service and family-friendly dining. Try the burgers and breakfast items. 36 S. Main St., Hudson, 330656-2900; 3725 Medina Road, Medina, 330-722-5800 $$ B, L, D, A, T Please send any changes or corrections to kpetryszyn@ bakermediagroup.com.

DOWNTOWN

AKRON PLACES | EVENTS | ADVENTURES

photo: Blaak Media

WELCOME TO DOWNTOWN AKRON.

Akron is a diverse, multicultural city and at its heart, downtown provides the perfect backdrop to honor, celebrate and share the valuable cultural treasures our friends and neighbors contribute to our city.

Experience the vibrancy firsthand at any of several downtown festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including the Downtown Akron Lunar New Year Celebration, Downtown Akron Sakura Festival, Juneteenth Celebration, African American Cultural Festival, Summit County Italian-American Festival, Akron Pride Festival, Diwali Festival, Akron Latin Festival and others. Get a taste of it at unique small businesses serving Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, Indian, barbecue and many other kinds of cuisine downtown. Be inspired by it when you visit arts and cultural organizations bringing performers, artists and creators downtown every day.

Downtown Akron is a place of connection and belonging. It is home to more than 30 Black-owned businesses and more than 30 womenowned businesses. Here you find the Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Art Museum, Akron Marathon, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Nightlight, Akron RubberDucks and The University of Akron. It is the heart of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Summit County, with the vibrant Towpath connected to Summit Lake in the south and to Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the north. Downtown is also home to Lock 3, soon to become the flower of downtown — a beautiful public space like Akron’s own Central Park.

There is so much to love about downtown Akron. We hope you will find inspiring ways to connect on these pages and know that you belong here.

2

d o w n t o w n a k r o n . c o m | D OW N TOW N A K R O N PA R T N E R S H I P

SCAN THIS CODE TO UNLOCK MORE GUIDES TO THE CITY.

Diwali Festival

photos: Blaak Media

photos: DAP staff

The 2022 Diwali Festival provided a shining example of embracing all community members by welcoming more than 500 people for a celebration of one of the major religious holidays in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. It’s a festival of lights, symbolizing inner light that overcomes spiritual darkness. Come for the next Diwali Festival in November.

UNKNWN 3v3 Courtyard Classic Who shot the very first free throw on Main Street? Who had the first dunk? These questions and many others were answered in July at the first UNKNWN 3v3 Courtyard Classic basketball tournament and block party. Sponsored by the UNKNWN apparel store started

by LeBron James and his friends and presented by Nike with support from DAP, the city and the Knight Foundation, the event welcomed 2,000 visitors downtown for an afternoon of basketball, food and an exclusive Nike LeBron sneaker release.

photos: DAP staff

Boa Mistura Refreshes STEM Plaza “If you don’t look back / the future never happens” is a phrase from Akron native Rita Dove’s poem, “Dawn Revisited.” It’s also the phrase that comes into focus based on where you stand in relation to the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School plaza. The colorful public art installation was created in 2019 by the internationally acclaimed art collective Boa Mistura, with extensive input from students at the middle school. In 2023, Boa Mistura returned to work with students and DAP to refresh the vibrantly painted space.

photo: Tim Fitzwater D OW N TOW N A K R O N PA R T N E R S H I P | d o w n t o w n a k r o n . c o m

5

Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival

Downtown Akron Fall Fest

Cascade Plaza is the site of the Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival that’s loosely inspired by the show “Gilmore Girls” and brings fans from all over the region to Akron. The festival transforms the plaza into an approximation of Stars Hollow, the show’s fictional town. In 2022, the event drew 4,000 visitors for coffee, themed activities, crafts, photo ops, vendors and Gilmore-esque surprises. Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival is back Nov. 4.

DAP launched the inaugural Downtown Akron Fall Fest in October 2022, welcoming 2,000 people to Main Street for music, food, pumpkin decorating, a riddle activity, magic and a screening of “Hocus Pocus.” Downtown organizations sponsored about 16 trick-or-treat stations, including the Akron RubberDucks, Akron METRO RTA, Lock 3, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Akron Children’s Museum, The University of Akron and others. Downtown Akron Fall Fest returns Oct. 21.

photos: Talia Hodge

photos: Chris Rutan

Downtown Akron Sakura Festival In mid-April, the third annual Downtown Akron Sakura Festival brought 6,000 visitors to the Towpath Trail to witness the flowering of over 450 Japanese cherry blossoms planted by the city of Akron with support from the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio. The festival celebrates the contributions of Asian Americans to our community, the beauty of nature and the coming of spring. The community presented Japanese music, art activities, Japanese dancers, food, a story walk and more. Be on the lookout for the Sakura Festival in April 2024.

photo: DAP staff

photo: Richard Walter

photo: Richard Walter

photo: DAP staff

photo: DAP staff

D OW N TOW N A K R O N PA R T N E R S H I P | d o w n t o w n a k r o n . c o m

7

Akron Pride Festival In 2021, the Akron Pride Festival expanded to downtown Akron and quickly became downtown’s largest festival, drawing upward of 30,000 people each year. The Pride Festival is an inspiring expression of Akron’s celebration of diversity, inclusion and community. Beginning with the Equity March on Main Street, the Pride Festival features local and national entertainers, music, vendors, art, community groups and fireworks throughout a colorful joyous day for all. Attend this year’s festival Aug. 26.

photo: DAP staff

8

Photo: Blaak Media

d o w n t o w n a k r o n . c o m | D OW N TOW N A K R O N PA R T N E R S H I P

photo: DAP staff

photo: DAP staff

Downtown Akron Lunar New Year Celebration The 2023 Downtown Akron Lunar New Year Celebration welcomed more than 2,000 guests for an evening of performances, culture and food at the Akron Civic Theatre. In its second year, Lunar New Year drew an audience as diverse as Akron, with community members of all ages, ethnicities, genders and backgrounds welcoming in the Year of the Rabbit. See you in 2024 for the Year of the Dragon.

photos: Blaak Media

D OW N TOW N A K R O N PA R T N E R S H I P | d o w n t o w n a k r o n . c o m

9

THE PEANUT SHOPPE

3'$ /$ -43 2'.//$ Specializing in Fresh Roasted Peanuts, Deluxe Nut & Party Mixes, Old-Fashioned Candies and raw nuts. Gift packaging available! $ 'RZQWRZQ $NURQ 6WDSOH 6LQFH

Specializing in Fresh Roasted Peanuts, Deluxe Nut and Party Mixes, OldFashioned Candies and Raw Nuts.

Gift packaging available! A Downtown Akron Staple Since 1933!

Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed Sun. & Mon.) 203 S. Main St., Akron 330-376-7020 10

Specializing in Fresh Roasted Peanuts, Deluxe Nut & Party Mixes, Old-Fashioned Candies and photos: Talia Hodge Juneteenth Celebration Juneteenth continues to grow as an observance, a holiday and a celebration of Black joy in Akron. The Downtown Akron Juneteenth Mix and Mingle at the Knight Stage drew 300 people for an evening of food, community and connection, and the Juneteenth Celebration Saturday welcomed upward of 1,200 people to Cascade Plaza for crafts, activities, dance, music and more.

Join the celebration in 2024.

d o w n t o w n a k r o n . c o m | D OW N TOW N A K R O N PA R T N E R S H I P

Find things to do downtown.

photo: Talia Hodge

JOIN US DOWNTOWN

photo: Crave

Find a place to eat downtown.

photo:Chris Rutan

About Downtown Akron Partnership DAP’s mission is to build and promote a vibrant and valuable downtown Akron that is welcoming to all. Follow DAP for information about all things downtown Akron, from programs and events to business development and ambassador services. downtownakron.com

PARTING SHOT

by Maggie Harris, photo provided by Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio and Summit Memory/ Akron-Summit County Public Library

“

Lasting Amusement Akron, 1885

”

Once a two-day gathering of farmers trading their fall harvests, the Summit County Fair has expanded into six days of foods on a stick, thrill rides and over-the-top grandstand entertainment. In 1850, the first fair took place on the Akron courthouse grounds, and big draws were horses and oxen plowing contests, in which the animals also pulled loaded wagons, stone boats and stumps as spirited betting ensued. From 1875 to the mid-1920s, the fair moved to the pictured Fountain Park and a racetrack was built, attracting several visitors who came by horse-drawn buggies. In 1957, the fair found its current home in Tallmadge and now utilizes 35 acres with 30 buildings, including a museum with antique farming equipment. Today, lemon-eating contests, egg-and-spoon races and demolition derbies are among the many amusing events at the annual fair, which took place July 25 to 30.

AUGUST 2023 | akronlife.com

59