Experience Akron-Canton 2020 Updated Digital Publication

AKRON-CANTON

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE REGION 2020

UPDATED DIGITAL PUBLICATION Navigating the region’s new normal

SMART MOVES

Meet the people who are glad they made Akron-Canton their new home.

Reasons We

LOVE

Akron-Canton

EAT, SHOP, LEARN, LIVE . . . ENJOY!

Summit, Portage, Stark, Medina, Carroll Counties and nearby communities—the best the region has to offer.

Ren Camacho, Akron-Canton Airport President and CEO, moved from Cleveland to Canton in 2018.

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CONTENTS

Most places, organizations, and businesses in bold are live linked. Ads are also linked. Click on Letter from them throughout the Steve Millard and Denny Saunier publication for the most current information on the Akron-Canton region.

6 LOVE

How much do we love Akron-Canton?

Let us count the ways. Read on.

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16 EAT 24 TOAST 28 SHOP 30 PLAY 32 COMPETE 34 CHEER

With more than 1.2 million people, Akron-Canton is one of the country’s top 50 metropolitan areas with a complex economy that leverages our rich industrial history with an emerging innovation economy that is positioning our region for success in the 21st century. We invent things, make things and get things to market.

Ride the rails, mountain bike, birdwatch, hike, run. Your next great escape is right here.

46 ENJOY 52 CREATE

56 SMART MOVES 11

Mary Ellen Icaza

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Tumi Oredein 2

sense of place is important to all of us. Where we choose to live has a profound impact on our access to amenities, on the opportunities that shape our careers and how our families and friends engage in quality time together.

Akron-Canton is one of our country’s “great places.”

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A

56 LEARN

Early Education

You can enjoy an outstanding quality of life here. World-class assets in arts, culture, education, dining, recreation and healthcare are within easy reach. Traffic delays are minutes, not hours.

Homes are affordable, and loft apartments in our two vibrant downtowns are reasonable.

Nationally-recognized colleges and universities abound. Within minutes, you can be kayaking on the water or biking through a national park.

Welcome to Akron-Canton! We are excited to help you learn more about all that our region offers and why we are so proud to call it home.

Whether you want private or public, boarding or day, we have just the right schools for your family.

They made the move to Akron-Canton.

Let them tell you why.

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Tom Arth

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Christy Bolingbroke

E XP E R I E N C E A KR O N-CANTON

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Chelsea & Shawna Fibikar

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Dr. John Langell

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Steve Millard, President & CEO

Michael Lehman

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Rhonda Larimore

Dennis Saunier, President & CEO

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CONTENTS

Most places, organizations, and businesses in bold are live linked. Ads are also linked. Click on them throughout the publication for the most current information on the AkronCanton region.

62 LEARN

Higher Education

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Powerhouses of research and pathways to success, our colleges and universities move us forward.

84 GROW

100 CONNECT

Publisher: John Schambach

102 GIVE 108 EMBRACE 112 TRAVEL 116 HONOR

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Tanya Arthur

Operations Manager: M. Melinda Myer Operations Assistant: Beth Koblitz Principal Photography: Bruce Ford, except where noted.

Copyright © 2019

by Live Publishing Company.

All rights reserved.

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Dr. Vidhi Adlakha 4

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Teri Wilson

E XP E R I E N C E A K R O N-CANTON

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Simone Gabbianelli

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Don McCord

Greater Akron Chamber 388 S. Main St. Ste. 205 Akron, OH 44311 (330) 376-5550 greaterakronchamber.org Contact: Lori Krohn lkrohn@greaterakronchamber.org

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Barry Dunaway

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Ren Camacho

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any form or means without written permission from Live Publishing Company.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information and listings contained herein, Live Publishing Company, the Greater Akron Chamber and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce assume no liability for errors or omissions.

They made the move to Akron-Canton.

Let them tell you why.

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Senior Writer: Mary Ethridge

Production Manager: Gail Smith

128 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Dr. Nkosi Mason

Project Director: Jeff Ritter

Art Direction & Designer: Frank Cucciarre

118 LIVE

SMART MOVES

Project Manager/Editorial Supervisor: Gail Kerzner

Marketing and Ad specialist: Ruth Krise

Whether you’re looking for a sleek downtown loft or a farmhouse in the country, your corner of contentment awaits.

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Photo by Bruce Ford.

Published for the Greater Akron Chamber and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce by Live Publishing Company.

Our Midwestern friendliness and our many organizations make it easy to meet others and get involved.

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On the Cover: Ren Camacho, Akron-Canton Airport president and CEO. See Ren’s SMART MOVE on page 114.

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Ralph and Janelle Lee

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce 222 Market Ave. N. Canton, OH 44702 (330) 456-7253 cantonchamber.org Contact: Collyn Floyd collynf@cantonchamber.org

Proud to call Akron-Canton home today.

And every day.

Every day, in countless ways, the people of Akron-Canton are making this a great place to live, work and play. We’re excited to see what you do every day. And we’re proud to be a part of it.

Contact Jeffrey Herold Relationship Strategist 330-375-8383 jeffrey.herold@pnc.com pnc.com ©2019 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 0618-0106

LOVE Creativity, cooperation and innovation are healthy here.

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Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Balloon Classic

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EX P E R I E N C E A KR O N-CANTON

CORUTESTY OF THE CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Need a Reason to Live Here? We Have Plenty.

W

elcome to Akron-Canton. We’re the birthplace of many phenomenal people and things—LeBron James, pro football and PURELL® among them. The trip between the downtowns of Akron and Canton is only 23 miles. We’re linked by many things: an airport (shout out, CAK), an area code (330), the Towpath Trail, I-77 and the many lovely communities in between us. But primarily, we’re connected by a shared belief in the power of creativity, cooperation and innovation. Not only do we honor those here, we support them. Whatever your bliss, you’ll find someone in Akron-Canton to help you follow it.

And we’re a fun, quirky, welcoming place to live—a unique confluence of history, hard work and heart that inspires love and loyalty in its people.

Come meet us and read some of the reasons we love Akron-Canton. Start here with LOVE and find MORE LOVE throughout the publication. Just follow the HEART.

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We ’re the hometown of the Goodyear blimp. The blimp. The one you see flying over Super Bowls, the Oscars and World Series games. Currently, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has three hightech, semi-rigid ships (or dirigibles to be precise). We often see the beloved blimps sailing the skies over Akron, headquarters of Goodyear. And the Airdock, an enormous blimp assembly hangar on the outskirts of town, is a landmark.

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Pro football was born in Canton in 1920. In anticipation of the NFL’s 100th anniversary in 2020, construction on the $900 million Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village is well underway. The village is a mixed-use development on a 200-acre tourism site in the city. At its heart is the Hall of Fame Museum. The new Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and Entertainment Complex is complete. Other components will include the National Youth Football and Sports Complex with eight fields equipped with the latest technology, a hotel, a waterpark, a training center, the Black College Hall of Fame and a player care center.

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The $12.9 million Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton is also underway and is scheduled for completion by the Centennial in September 2020.

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The highlight of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, including Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls, is the ceremony when inductees receive the Gold Jacket, the mark of a champion among champions. The gold color is proprietary, and the formula is kept under lock and key. One enshrinee wore his jacket while meeting the Pope. Another wore his to play Family Feud. Quite a few enshrinees have chosen to be buried in their jackets.

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The Lincoln Highway, our nation’s first transcontinental road, traverses Stark County and winds through the heart of Canton. In 1913, Frank Seiberling, founder of Goodyear, helped push its creation (no surprise there). Turn one way and drive to New York; turn the other and head to San Francisco. The road, which has been designated a U.S. Scenic Byway, is dotted with vintage shops, gas stations and motels.

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Greater Akron is a major site on the map of punk music.

DEVO of “Whip It” fame and The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde are probably the most well-known of the punk/new wave musicians to come out of 1970s Akron, but they weren’t alone. In a matter of a few years, major labels signed Akron’s Chi Pig, the Waitresses, Tin Huey, the Bizarros, the Rubber City Rebels and Rachel Sweet. Stiff Records in London released an Akron compilation album.

Clubs in London held Akron nights. New York’s CBGB waived cover charges for Akronites. The Village Voice put it this way in 1978: “Something is obviously going on out there.”

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We’re the hometown of yet another icon—LeBron James. Although he now plays in Los Angeles, he’ll always be our hero. It’s what the man does off the court that rocks our world.

Last year, his LeBron James Family Foundation partnered with Akron Public Schools to open the I PROMISE School, a public school for disadvantaged, atrisk students. The curriculum is infused with STEM and hands-on learning, and the whole family receives social support services such as GED classes and a food pantry.

It’s working. The inaugural classes of third and fourth graders performed exceptionally well on their first set of district assessments. Ninety percent met or exceeded individual growth goals in reading and math, outpacing their peers across the district. Slam-dunk.

“There’s something special about this city we call home. And we’re lucky. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to have a great experience.

Grab some friends and go to the Akron Art Museum, drop by the Zoo, go catch a Zips game. The list goes on.”

—LeBron James, in a letter to his I PROMISE students.

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About 25 years after the punk thing, Akron’s Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney formed the blues-y rock band The Black Keys. In 2011, their album El Camino and its hit single “Lonely Boy” won three Grammy Awards. After a five-year hiatus, the group dropped a new album in June 2019 called Let’s Rock. Their soulscratching songs have been featured in big budget movies and TV shows plus dozens of commercials for brands such as Samsung, American Express and Victoria’s Secret.

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The indie music scene in Akron-Canton is “massive” and “booming,” according to (among others) Noisey, the Vice channel’s popular show about music.

Last summer, Vice reported on the PorchRockr Music and Art Festival, which takes place each August in Akron’s Highland Square. Bands literally play on front porches and lawns. (See photo on page 9)

COURTESY OF THE LEBRON JAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION

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The Canton Music Block hosts live music Friday and Saturday nights in venues along Cleveland Avenue downtown. Listen to blues, jazz, ’90s dance party hits, and New Wave. Check out Buzzbin, George’s Lounge, Auricle and more.

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The Canton Blues Fest, produced by the Canton Regional Chamber in June, is one of the largest free blues festivals anywhere. In 2019, 18 performers lit up two stages. The fest drew 8,000 attendees from across Ohio, 12 states and Canada.

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We’re home to those who make what the music makers master.

Mollard Conducting Batons ♥ EarthQuaker Devices (guitar pedals) ♥ S.I.T. Strings Co. (handcrafted strings)

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♥ Panyard (steel drums) ♥ Audio-Technica U.S. Inc. (audio equipment)

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The Summit, 91.3, is an award-winning adult alternative station and part of the Akron Public Schools. It plays everything from King Tuff to Jason Isbell.

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The oldest Krispy Kreme store in the nation is on South Maple Street in Akron. The vintage sign reads, “Hot Do-Nuts.” Yes, please.

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Ohio is considered the home of presidents (We’ve had eight.). The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum in Canton is dedicated to our 25th president and features an historical library, planetarium and an entire exhibit hall devoted to Stark County history. Learn some presidential history and meet the Laughing Lady

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Canton righted a wrong in 1996 when it became home to the First Ladies National Historic Site in the former home of Ida Saxton McKinley, wife of the president. Amazingly, until then there was no site dedicated to the vital role first ladies have played in American history. The site is home to the National First Ladies’ Library. It is considered part of the National Park Service.

PHOTO BY SHANE WYNN

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of Meyers Lake, a creepy automaton from a bygone amusement park.

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You may run up and down the 108 steps of the McKinley National Monument in Canton—many people do. But not with a pro trainer. No business is to be conducted there. After all, it’s the final resting place of President McKinley and his family.

Inventors have always hung out here.

Perched at the summit of the Cadillac Hill in Akron stands the gabled house where Thomas Edison married hometown girl Mina Miller in 1886. North Canton is the headquarters of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

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A Canal Runs Through Us. The Ohio & Erie Canal ran through Summit and Stark counties in the early 19th century, sparking business development along its route. Although railroads displaced the canal as transportation more than a century ago, we’re enjoying it in new ways today. The Ohio & Erie Canalway is a National Heritage Area. The 87-mile Towpath Trail, which follows the original canal, is a favorite hiking and biking spot that winds through downtown Akron, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and south through Stark County’s Massillon to Bolivar. Parts of the original locks are visible along the trail, and several have been repurposed. The

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♥ First Lady Ida McKinley and President William McKinley

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Canton had three gold medal Olympians from 196876: Ronnie Harris (boxing), Dave Wottle (track) and Phil Hubbard (basketball).

Mustill Store Visitors Center in Akron is a restored canal-era general store and home. In Canal Fulton, visitors can take a ride on the St. Helena III, a real canal boat. Canton’s Sippo Lake Park has interactive displays about the canal’s history.

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Garrettsville in Portage County is the birthplace of the poet Hart Crane (1899-1932). His father, Clarence, invented Life Savers candy in 1912. Sweet.

Here are some of our favorite spots in the CVNP: Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, an 87-mile restored section of the canal’s original towpath. Bike or hike it.

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The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs between Akron and Independence to the north. Download the Train Tracker app for an audio tour of the park as you ride. Bring your bike, hop off and ride the trails

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We’re also the birthplace or hometown of many talented Americans, including: ♥ The O’Jays ♥ Steph Curry, LeBron James, C.J. McCollum and Larry Nance Jr. of the NBA. ♥ Rita Dove, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and onetime U.S. poet laureate ♥ Performer Marilyn Manson (Born Brian Warner) ♥ Singer Boz Scaggs ♥ Jack Parr, the original host of The Tonight Show ♥ Tom Batiuk, creator of the “Funky Winkerbean” and “Crankshaft” comic strips ♥ Actress Melina Kanakaredes (CSI, Providence) ♥ Musician and artist Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO) ♥ Judith Resnik (killed in the 1986 Challenger explosion) ♥ Actor John Lithgow (The Crown, 3rd Rock from the Sun) ♥ Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys ♥ Mother Angelica, religious leader ♥ Gold Jacket Hall of Famers: Marion Motley, Paul Brown, Len Dawson, Alan Page and Dan Dierdorf 10

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The Ledges at Virginia Kendall, an ancient geologic formation of mostly sandstone, is a dramatic and dog-friendly spot for hiking. Catch the sunset from the Overlook.

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The Inn at Brandywine Falls. Overlooking the 67-foot Brandywine waterfall, the inn was built in 1848 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Renovated and restored, CNN named it one of its 10 favorite inns.

28 COURTESY OF STARK PARKS

COURTESY OF SUMMIT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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We Have Our Own National Park.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is 33,000 acres of natural magic along the Cuyahoga (Kai-uh-HOAGuh) River. No matter where you are in Greater Akron, the park is less than 20 minutes away.

COURTESY OF 21ST CENTURY ARTISTS, INC.

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The award-winning Stark Parks feature lakes, reservoirs and more than 100 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails in 15 parks on more than 8,000 acres of land in Stark County.

Whatever floats your boat or moves your feet, you’ll find it there.

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We have the River of the Year. In 1969, our Cuyahoga River was so toxic it caught fire, which drew national attention and ignited the modern environmental movement. Today, it is sparkling and alive with kayakers, blue herons and edible fish. Its turnaround is so remarkable the conservation group American Rivers gave it its highest honor. We also embrace our history, tongues in cheeks. So, try the Burning River Pale Ale from the Great Lakes Brewing Co. or paddle with Burning River Adventures, based in Cuyahoga Falls.

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The Akron RubberDucks is our AA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Canal Park in downtown Akron is the team’s home. Watching baseball’s rising stars on a warm summer night with a bellyful of burgers is a slice of heaven. Fireworks, special events and mascots—all for as low as $5 a ticket—make it one of the best family bargains on the planet.

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The Canton Charge is a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers and plays in the NBA’s G League. Its home games are played at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. For as little as $8, you can watch up-and-coming stars before they hit the big time. #ChargeUp.

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Akron is the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s where founders Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith first met in 1935 in the Gate Lodge of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. Dr. Bob’s home is now a museum. The Gate Lodge is also open to the public. Each June, tens of thousands of recovering people make the pilgrimage to Akron to celebrate Founder’s Day.

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The Greater Akron soul has a totem of sorts in the Merriman Valley. It’s an ancient burr oak used by Native Americans as a guidepost when portaging between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers.

Today, we call it The Signal Tree.

Catch the vibe at the Signal Tree Fest during the summer, billed as a celebration of what makes Greater Akron unique.

“Come (to Canton) for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and stay for the amazing national historic sites and museums, outdoor recreation, vibrant art, music and food scene as well as great special events and festivals.” —Ohio.org

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Respect Rubber.

There’s a t-shirt seen around Akron with a simple message: “RESPECT RUBBER.” Akron was once considered the rubber capital because the major tire companies called it home. Rubber still lives here, just in a brainier form.

The University of Akron is considered one of the top three polymer programs

in the world. Bridgestone Americas has begun construction on an Akron plant to make all its hightech Firestone race tires. The new Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center is going up across the street from the $100 million Bridgestone Americas Technical Center on the city’s south side.

Goodyear still anchors the east side in its new $160 million world headquarters. In the past 15 years, several smaller players, including Hankook Tire America, have opened technical centers in the region. The one-time headquarters of the B.F. Goodrich Co. has been converted into Canal Place, home of Bounce Innovation Hub.

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We’ve mentioned Life Savers, tires and AA, but check out these other things AkronCanton has given the world: ♥ Dum-Dums® (Akron Candy Company) ♥ The vacuum cleaner (Hoover) ♥ The Cozy Coupe® (Little Tikes) ♥ PURELL® Hand Sanitizer (GOJO Industries) ♥ Twinkle Polish® (Malco) ♥ The Frog Sandbox® (Step2) ♥ DayGlo Paint® (RPM) ♥ Rust-Oleum® (RPM) ♥ Wound golf balls (B.F. Goodrich) ♥ P.F. Flyers (B.F. Goodrich) ♥ Liquid Crystal Displays for watches (KSU) ♥ Toy marbles (S.C. Dyke) ♥ First space suits for U.S. astronauts (B.F. Goodrich) ♥ Root Candles (A.I. Root) ♥ Blue Tip matches (Ohio Match) ♥ The paper negative (Abel Fletcher) ♥ Tapered bearings (Timken) Other Greater Akron-Canton inventions include: ♥ Grade levels in schools ♥ Quaker Oats ♥ Police patrol wagon ♥ The cantilevered bridge (Massillon Iron Bridge Co.) ♥ Iris-recognition systems in ATMs (Diebold Nixdorf)

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Brewster Cheese in Stark County is the largest producer of Swiss cheese in the nation, accounting for one-third of the American-made supply.

MARY ELLEN ICAZA Stark Library, CEO/Executive Director Moved from Montgomery Village, MD to Canton in 2018.

Biggest surprise: The small-town feel here; we always run into people we know. And we’re amazed at the incredible cultural opportunities like the Canton Symphony Orchestra and the Canton Museum of Art. The opening of the museum’s current exhibit, From Darkness to Light, was wonderful.

Best attractions for visitors: Everyone always thinks of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but we also have the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, the National First Ladies’ Library, Stark Parks Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake and the Akron RubberDucks.

Day-off fun: My husband, Javier, and children, Christian and Victoria, and I enjoy the local festivals, like the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Balloon Classic and the Greek Fest.

On the community climate: There is a strong collaborative spirit in Stark County. And the Library has terrific relationships with all of our local school districts and educational organizations like the Early Childhood Resource Center.

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The City of Alliance’s nickname “the Carnation City” dates back to 1876 thanks to local doctor and horticulturist Levi L. Lamborn. Lamborn embarked on a career in politics, which soon brought him to a race against his personal friend, William McKinley, for their local congressional seat.

Before each debate, Lamborn would present McKinley with a scarlet carnation, considered exotic at the time. After McKinley’s assassination, it became the state flower of Ohio. Each year, the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival honors that history.

COURTESY OF GOJO INDUSTRIES

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#BurnRubber The Akron Marathon is an athletic extravaganza. It started out in 2003 with 3,500 runners. Since then, it has expanded to a three-race series over four months with numerous blue-chip corporate sponsors. About 12,000 runners, along with 120,000 spectators, participate in the marquee marathon in September.

An 8K and one-mile race are held in June, and a 10K and half marathon take place in August. The blue line that marks the Marathon route has woven itself into Greater Akron culture and become synonymous with the marathon itself.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon race series takes place in late April on the same weekend as the NFL draft. Proceeds from the marathon, half marathon, team relay and Draft Day 5K benefit the Timken Cancer Center at Aultman Hospital.

New in 2019: a 5K Kickoff race in September to celebrate the start of football season. In October, a Rivalry Week 4-miler pits school against school. Winners get scholarship money from the marathon.

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Each spring, thousands of people converge on Hinckley in Medina County to celebrate the return of the buzzards (turkey vultures) that roost in 12

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the township’s ledges. The event includes hikes, skits, contests, crafts and general hilarity.

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The Nightlight Cinema in downtown Akron shows cult, indie and foreign films.

This nonprofit promotes cinema and community.

It now has 24 art studios, four galleries and 40 pieces of public art.

Its First Friday monthly celebration boasts live music and performances all year.

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The Akron Art Library lets you borrow artwork by local and international artists.

As a partnership between the Akron Art Museum and the Akron-Summit County Public Library, the art library engages the community with real art and artists. The Stark Library lets library card holders “check out” bicycles as part of its “BikeSmart” program, which has seven hubs in the county. The program won the Innovation Award from the Ohio Library Council.

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The Massillon Museum has art, yes, but it also displays artifacts such as Oscar the Skeleton, Native American pottery and a 100-square foot miniature circus hand carved by a dentist using tools from his practice.

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“Akron, Ohio, should be on your radar . . . Though it’s a city, Akron also has that bucolic, small-town charm going for it.”—Vogue.com

The Canton Arts District creates a vibrant downtown.

The ELEVEN—a collaboration between ArtsInStark and the Pro Football Hall of Fame—is in the midst of installing 11 pieces of public art throughout downtown Canton representing 11 key moments in pro football.

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The Troll Hole Museum in Alliance houses the Guinness World record troll collection plus more than 10,000 troll memorabilia items in artistic settings with murals, grotto, waterfalls and outdoor sculptures.

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Most of the nation calls the stretch of grass between the sidewalk and street a tree lawn, but we call it a devil strip. No one is sure of the origin of this dialectical quirk, but it inspired an eponymous and cheeky arts and culture publication in Akron.

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The chapel at Canton’s Mercy Medical Center was constructed in what was a pool at the former mansion of H. H. Timken, a Canton industrialist. Much of the

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COURTESY OF VISIT CANTON

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original tile remains and was built into the design of the chapel.

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The Akron Zoo is a lot like Greater Akron itself—big, but not too big. It has 700 animals representing 90 species on 50 acres in west Akron. It’s expanded 200 percent in the last 15 years, but it remains comfortably navigated in a day. Its new Pride of Africa exhibit opened in June 2019. Next summer: A Wild Asia exhibit.

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Hoover Park in North Canton was once a campground for the Hoover family of vacuum cleaner fame. From 1921-29, “Boss” Hoover held sales conventions there, and hundreds came from across the nation to attend. Now, the 36-acre park is owned and preserved by Walsh University.

2:00 p.m.

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Fast Times Roll at the Soap Box Derby.

Every summer for 83 years, hundreds of kids aged 8-17 have swarmed east Akron seeking the thrill of the hill. Derby Downs is the world headquarters of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby and the site of the annual championship race and weeklong festivities.

The derby has been the subject of documentaries, feature films and even an episode of Bewitched (FYI: Season 3, episode 16). If all this brings to mind the Little Rascals puttering in orange crates, take another look. Today’s cars look like brightly colored bullet trains, and racers are practically supine in their cars. The first 53.75 feet of the track

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carry a 16 percent grade. (That’s plenty steep.)

The derby also offers a STEM-based curriculum for educators and puts on the Gravity Racing Challenge for STEM students across the country.

The track is also used for community and corporate events.

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“Linda,” the eerie photorealistic painting by Chuck Close, isn’t quite as recognized as the blimp, but she’s had a place of honor at the Akron Art Museum since the 1970s. The museum’s unwavering focus on contemporary art from 1850 onward has allowed it to develop one of the finest collections of its kind in the country.

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The “Morning Breeze” sculpture by Jerry Peart welcomes visitors to the Canton Museum of Art. The giant loops and swirls make it a popular landmark and meeting spot. Inside, the museum’s acclaimed collection focuses on American watercolors and works on paper from the 19th century on and contemporary ceramics from the 1950s forward.

TUMI OREDEIN GOJO Industries, Product ManagerDispensers

Getting to the region: While I’m originally from Virginia, I met my wife on a trip to Las Vegas. She lived in Akron. After a few years, I made the trek to Ohio and started my career at GOJO Industries.

Biggest surprise: The quality of restaurants in Akron. Some of my favorite spots are Crave in downtown Akron and La Loma in Tallmadge.

Day-off fun: The outdoor festivals are favorites: the Pizza Fest, Rib Fest and Art Expo.

Tips for newcomers: Make time to enjoy all the local events. Whatever you like to do—hiking, eating, listening to music, attending a play— we have it.

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EX P E R I E N C E A K R ON-CANTON

56

The University of Akron’s mascot is a kangaroo named Zippy. She’s one of only eight female mascots in the country. She may look adorable, but she can pack a punch.

You go, girl.

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Greater AkronCanton is lucky enough to have not just one but two of the atmospheric theaters by renowned architect John Eberson still in operation. Locals know to look up when visiting Akron Civic Theatre and the Canton Palace Theatre. Their ceilings are spangled with lighted stars and clouds that actually move across the sky. The theater interiors replicate exotic gardens at night.

Built in the 1920s, the heyday of such grand theaters, both are lovingly restored and maintained.

59

The University of Akron’s steel drum band was one of the first such university bands in the nation.

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COURTESY OF TWINS DAYS FESTIVAL

Moved from New Jersey to Akron in 2015.

“You’re never far from a live performance, art gallery or public art installation in Akron, Ohio . . . Today’s Akron has a creative vibe that cannot be ignored.”

—The Lonely Planet, Oct. 2018

55

The annual Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg is the largest gathering of twins (and other multiples) in the world. 20,000– 30,000 attended in 2019, generating more than $5.4 million for the local economy.

Twinsburg, in northern Summit County, was founded in 1819 by twins Moses and Aaron Wilcox.

A century ago, Akron’s Northside District between downtown and the Towpath Trail was the city’s speakeasy and redlight district. Thankfully, the action there today is family-friendly; it’s developed into a hip residential, arts and entertainment district. Luigi’s, an Akron landmark, anchors the district.

The Northside Marketplace mixes established retailers such as Rubber City Clothing Co. with startups. A farmers’ market is open all year on the lower level.

Bicycle shops help cyclists hop on the

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COURTESY OF CANTON PALACE THEATRE

57

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Towpath Trail only 100 yards away.

Northside Lofts provide elegant, urban living.

TubaChristmas, Akron. Tucker Jolly (Yes, that’s his name.) founded the event 40 years ago and later created TubaSummer.

Canton Palace Theatre

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The Balloon A-Fair has filled the September skies over Ravenna with colorful hot air balloons annually for 40 years.

The festival celebrates one of the city’s first industries—toy balloons, which were manufactured by Oak Rubber Co.

62

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Balloon Classic attracts more than 50 balloonists from throughout the United States. In summer 2019, more than 130,000 spectators viewed the colorful balloons flying over Stark County.

63

The annual William Carlos Williams Poetry Competition at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) draws hundreds of entries each year from medical students/poets across the country. Williams (18831963), a great American poet and family physician, exemplified the symbiotic relationship that can be possible between science and art.

The humanities were built into the curriculum at NEOMED from its founding in 1973.

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Each year, Light Up Downtown in Canton features all your favorite holiday characters in main stage show that lights up the skies with fireworks and lights up your spirits with musical acts and a ho, ho, ho-liday visit from the Man in Red. Following the show, stroll up and down 14 blocks of downtown Canton enjoying sleigh rides, food and drink, singing and dancing performances and more!

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Each Christmas season, more than a hundred tubas, decorated with tinsel and lights, join to play holiday favorites. If you have a tuba, you’re welcome to join

Akron Civic Theatre

66

The downtown Akron skyline includes old-fashioned grain silos. They were built in the 19th century by German immigrant Ferdinand Schumacher who had a crazy idea to market oats for breakfast (Quaker Oats). The silos and factory are now business offices and a University of Akron residence hall.

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Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron is not named for some guy named Stan. Loosely translated from the Old English, Stan Hywet means “stone hewn.” That’s a reference to quarried property on which the 65-room mansion was built more than a century ago by a co-founder of Goodyear. Take a look.

USA Today called it the best historic home tour in the nation.

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Kent State University’s Fashion School is consistently rated one of the top five in the nation and one of the best in the world. Its campus museum has more than 40,000 pieces of apparel dating from the 18th century to today.

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The Hartville Marketplace and Flea Market draws two million visitors a year. It was named one of the top 20 flea markets in the nation by Flea Market Insider magazine. Produce, antiques, comic books, homemade treats—it has a lot of everything. If visiting the area, try the broasted chicken at the Hartville Kitchen. Crispy and delicious.

Don’t forget to look for

MORE LOVE

throughout the publication.

Ohio’s premiere living history museum nestled in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley. Just 10 miles from Akron and 30 miles from Canton.

• • • • • •

Experience life in the 1800s Craft & trade demonstrations 32 historic structures Heritage breeds and gardens Seasonal Special events all year Rental opportunities

Hours July - Aug. | Thurs. - Sat. | 10am-4pm Sept. - Oct. | TBD visit our website Advance online tickets required

www.HaleFarm.org 2686 Oak Hill Rd , Bath, OH 330-666-3711 15

EAT

Take-out or socially distanced, our food scene flourishes.

Crave, Akron 16

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COURTESY OF CRAVE

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery

Baxter’s Bar, Akron

KB: Not snooty and always evolving for the better. There’s everything from high-end, white-tablecloth gourmet to amazing cheap eats.

There’s everything from Nepali Kitchen—a hole-in-the-wall gem founded by refugees in Akron’s North Hill—to iconic, old-line steak places such as the Diamond Grille on the edge of downtown, which was founded in 1941 and is a favorite of pro golfers. There’s The Blue Door Bakery & Cafe in Cuyahoga Falls with croissants luscious enough to rival those in Paris; Bob’s Hamburg, which got new owners in 2019; and a growing craft brewery scene, including HiHO Brewing Co., a family-friendly place in Cuyahoga Falls that offers eats and events such as Zumba & Brews. Our area also has its fair share of wineries, including Sarah’s Vineyard, across from Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls. Then there are fine dining places such as Ken Stewart’s Grille in West Akron, DBA Downtown and Sérénité Restaurant & Culinary Institute in Medina, and well . . . I could go on.

COURTESY OF BASIL

EAC: What are some of the most exciting developments you’ve seen?

Basil, Canton

KB: There’s been a growing indie scene where chefs and chef-owners prepare fresh, inventive food. It includes early entrants such as Moe’s, the Blue Door, Chowder House and Russo’s—all in Cuyahoga Falls; D’Agneses’s Italian restaurant on White Pond in West Akron, Bricco, DBA and Crave in downtown; and the Bistro of Green, along with

places such as Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern in Twinsburg and the Bistro on Main in Kent.

Newer indie spots worth trying include the Merchant Tavern in Akron’s Merriman Valley, Arnie’s Public House in Akron’s Wallhaven neighborhood, 35° Brix and Twisted Olive in Green and the Valley Café in downtown Wadsworth—now serving dinner.

Also, try Bistro 111 in Montville Township and Bricco, Laziza, and Treno in Kent, along with Crave Cantina, which opened in Cuyahoga Falls in 2018.

EAC: Are there more?

KB: Another exciting development involves our southeast Asian refugee and immigrant community whose members have opened their own restaurants, such as Lyeh’s Thai Kitchen, Nepali Kitchen and Everest Nepali and Indian Restaurant and the Global Kitchen on Tallmadge Circle. We have a rich ethnic food scene here, and these Southeast Asian refugees have deepened it.

The Square Scullery is part of the area’s food truck scene and in 2019 opened a “ghost kitchen” in Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood that offers delivery and carryout.

Akron’s Edgar’s restaurant got a makeover in 2019 thanks to Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.”

The eatery, at the city’s J.E. Good Park golf course, revamped its menu and décor.

The area continues to attract regional restaurant groups, with the Chef Art Pour company out of 17

PHOTO BY JIM CARNEY

COURTESY OF TESTA COMPANIES

xperience Akron-Canton (EAC) and Katie Byard, food writer at the Akron Beacon Journal EAC: How would you describe what’s going on in Akron?

COURTESY OF HARTVILLE KITCHEN

Dante Boccuzzi (DBA), Akron

Hungry? Read on About the Akron and Canton Food Scenes.

E

COURTESY OF TAGGART’S

PHOTO BY SHANE WYNN

COURTESY OF BLU PLATE

EAT

Blu Plate, Akron

Luigi’s Pizza, Akron

Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant, Canton

Chagrin Falls opening Leo’s Social Club, an Italian, family-style place in Cuyahoga Falls.

We’re also lucky to have a variety of home-grown coffee shops, including the new Asterisk in Cuyahoga Falls and Café Arnone in Fairlawn, which has food—and gelato!

that Swensons was “America’s best burger,” which bought the place national recognition. But some people passionately prefer Skyway’s burgers and fare.

At Stricklands Frozen Custard on Triplett Boulevard, you can eat your treat while taking in a view of a hulking blimp hanger. Where else but in Akron?

If you’re a fried chicken fan, check out one or more of the four Barberton chicken houses: Village Inn Kitchen, formerly known as Milich’s and actually in Norton, Belgrade Gardens, Hopocan Gardens and White House Chicken. All serve chicken fried in lard, a tomato and rice concoction called hot sauce and vinegar-based coleslaw. Serbian immigrants brought the method of frying in lard to the area.

pasta. Russo’s has Italian and Creole eats. The Diamond Grille can get pricey, but you can pay about the same as chain steakhouses and get a much higher quality. Or you could try the Circle L. Steakhouse at the Galaxy in Wadsworth. Kingfish in Copley Township has yummy seafood. Wise Guys Lounge & Grill is an old-school spot with a big wine selection.

One of my favorites is Giuseppe’s Italian Ristorante in Northfield.

EAC: What are some “musts” for newcomers to the area?

KB: Luigi’s is an iconic, familyfriendly Italian spot dating back to 1949. A social media frenzy was created in 2017 when a place with the same name in Scotland closed.

Fans of our Akron’s Luigi’s panicked that our landmark was closing. Look for the toy bandbox—featuring a Barbie doll as the lead singer—above the front door inside the restaurant.

Fred’s Diner is an old-school breakfast-and-lunch diner in Akron that celebrated 30 years in 2019.

Flury’s Cafe is another one of my favorite places for breakfast. The Ido Bar & Grill in Akron’s Firestone Park neighborhood is a mom-and-pop stalwart for breakfast and lunch.

I also like to take friends to Julian’s Cafe in Goodyear Heights. Dan Julian, the owner, is a peach.

He grows his own tomatoes for tomato-sandwiches.

Both the Mustard Seed Market cafes in Montrose and in Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood offer a wide variety of natural and organic foods. At the cafe in Highland Square, you can eat on the outside deck of the store’s second floor overlooking West Market Street.

EAC: What places define the area?

KB: Definitely Swensons. The famed journalist R.W Apple wrote in Forbes 18

EX P E R I E N C E A KR ON-CANTON

EAC: What’s a great place for a casual bite with kids?

KB: Immediately, I think of Trecaso’s Mary Coyle, an Akron institution with ice cream, pizza and more in Highland Square and the old-school Dontino’s La Vita Gardens (Get the homemade EAC: What’s a great place for a pasta.) in Akron’s North Hill. Ray’s special meal such as an anniversary Place in Kent is a kid-friendly twoor graduation? story spot with a looong menu.

Gasoline Alley in Bath Township is KB: I like Beau’s on the River inside small, so be prepared for crowds on the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga weekends.

Falls. It has gorgeous views of the Panini’s Bar & Grill in Stow and Cuyahoga River. Or Beau’s Grille in Canton and Winking Lizard Tavern Fairlawn (inside the Hilton) and Papa in Copley, Peninsula and Canton are Joe’s in Akron’s Merriman Valley, delightful. Mike’s Place in Kent (also which has its own wine shop and with a huge menu) has a fun decor. consistently good American and Look for the full-size Star Wars Italian eats at a range of price points. X-Wing fighter outside. The area’s Wolf Creek Tavern is housed in an Rockne’s locations are good bets 1840s-era building. Its basement bar with kids. Honeymoon Grille and was a speakeasy during Prohibition. the Ramp (with a booth made from The Rosewood Grill in Hudson has a a boat and a view of the water) are nice atmosphere with good food in a Portage Lakes kid-friendly places. former grain mill. Treno in Kent, which Pav’s Creamery locations in opened in 2018, is in a converted train Cuyahoga Falls, North Canton and station that previously housed the old Green have limited food menus, but Pufferbelly eatery. lots of ice cream and milk shakes— Vaccaro’s Trattoria in Bath including boozy ones for the adults.

Township has some of the best Italian The Falls spot evokes an old-time fare around. Get the homemade ice cream parlor.

EAT

PHOTO COURTESY OF BENDER’S TAVERN INC.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CANTON FOOD TOURS

Basil

Barb Abbott, creator of Canton Food Tours

Jon and Elizabeth Jacob, owners of Bender’s Tavern Inc.

Canton Food Tours Highlights Hot Spots.

O

n a vacation in Scottsdale, AZ in 2010, Canton native Barbara Abbott went on a guided tour of the area’s restaurants, and it was there she had her “eureka” moment. Why wouldn’t such a thing work in Canton?

After all, the city has a sophisticated food scene, a rich history and a thriving arts culture. Abbott has always been a fan of her hometown.

Such a venture would be a perfect way to show it off while doing something she loves—eating great food.

With guidance from the Small Business Development Center at Kent State University, Abbott launched Canton Food Tours in 2012. It was a hit from the start. To date, she and her team have taken thousands of people on tours of Canton area restaurants.

Abbott’s most popular tour is The Hall of Fame City Food Tour, an evening walkabout in the downtown Canton Arts District. It takes a little more than three hours and makes four stops, which vary from tour to tour. At the restaurants, participants get curated entree small plates— something the restaurant wants to showcase—which could mean a seasonal dish or longtime fan 20

EX P E R I E N C E A K R ON-CANTON

favorite. They get to meet the chef and restaurant staff. The stops are choreographed so the food is served quickly once the group is seated.

Drinks are an option, and since Canton is one of a handful of cities in Ohio to have a “DORA” (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), guests can take those beverages with them on their walk.

see a show or how to check out our wonderful art galleries.”

A highlight of the tour is a visit to Bender’s Tavern (the oldest restaurant in Canton) for a cup of its trademark turtle soup and a seasonal dish. Other restaurants on the itinerary may include George’s Lounge for burgers and Lucca for farm-to-table Italian dishes.

Abbott said the food scene in Stark County is diverse and vibrant with one-of-a-kind spots such as Gervasi Vineyard in Canton and the Hartville Marketplace.

Along the way, the tour guide— either Abbott or one of her staff— points out interesting landmarks and shares historical facts.

“We talk football, President McKinley and public art, but in a way that is fun and interactive,” she said. “We also recommend great places to

Abbott likes to remind visitors that the William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, the National First Ladies Historic Site and the Pro Football Hall of Fame are within three miles of each other—a do-able walk in decent weather.

Among the “musts” for newcomers are old favorites such as Bender’s and Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant, as well as unique standouts such as the Angry Avocado and Kennedy’s BBQ, which has a smoker adjacent to the restaurant. The Rail, at Belden Village Mall in North Canton, boasts local beef that makes delicious and creative hamburger options.

A visit to the Still House at the

Gervasi property wows with its architecture patterned after a 17th century Italian church.

“Food tours combine four things: food, fun, adventure and learning.

We start at one end of the city and work our way to the other, eating, drinking, and socializing along the way,” said Abbott.

Group tours are offered Mondays through Saturdays with three to four restaurant stops, dessert and a take-home goodie bag. Taxes and restaurant staff gratuities are included in the price, which is $60 or $65, depending on the number of people in the group. She’s had groups as small as two and as many as 55, and she can even do bus tours. She customizes the tours as the client wishes.

To find out more about Canton Food Tours, visit cantonfoodtours. com or call (330) 495-0929.

MORE LOVE 70

In Akron, the unmistakable scent of roasting nuts wafts down Main Street from the Peanut Shoppe, a downtown Akron stalwart since the 1930s. If you’ve never had fresh warm cashews on a cold day, you haven’t lived.

71

In Canton, the Ben Heggy Candy Company has been a tradition since 1923. Its store on Cleveland Avenue NW features yummy handcrafted chocolates and caramels. Heggy’s Nut Shop on West Tuscarawas features freshly roasted nuts and ice cream made with 14 percent butterfat from local dairies.

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Sauerkraut balls are to Greater Akron what wings are to Buffalo or cheese steaks are to Philly. No holiday party is complete without the savorybut-tart treat of deep-fried meat and sauerkraut. And every selfrespecting Cantonian loves a Bittner from Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant. It’s ice cream swirled with chocolate sauce and salty pecans.

Bliss in a dish.

74 ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Other Greater Akron-Canton treats include: Strickland’s frozen custard Barberton chicken (greasy, juicy and served with fries and “hot” rice) Luigi’s cheese-smothered salad Skyway’s SkyHi burger Bender’s turtle soup (with a shot of sherry!)

Swensons’ Galley Boy Norka Soda (Akron backwards.

Five flavors) Steak at Baker’s Café Square pizza from Pizza Oven

75

Ultra-rich black soil known as muck, created by receding glaciers thousands of years ago, makes Hartville the perfect place to grow water-heavy vegetables such as celery and radishes. So called “muck farms” dot the area and sell seasonal produce to visitors. Try the Muck Monster line of spices and rubs inspired by a local legend.

21

EAT

More Restaurants, Wineries and Breweries MEDINA COUNTY

*

Bender’s Tavern, Inc. 137 Court Ave. SW, Canton (330) 453-8424

High & Low Winery 588 Medina Rd., Medina (844) 466-4456

Bubbas 33 4721 Dressler Rd. NW, Canton (330) 492-2233

A Cupcake a Day 115 W. Liberty St., Medina (330) 389-1247

Jilbert Winery 1496 Columbia Rd., Valley City (216) 781-4120 Molly’s Tea Room * Miss & Gift Shop 140 W. Washington St. #6, Medina (330) 725-6830

PORTAGE COUNTY Arnie’s West Branch Steak House 5343 State Route 14, Ravenna (330) 297-1717

Burntwood Tavern 4320 Everhard Rd. NW, Canton (440) 247-3030 Canton Brewing Company 120 3rd St. NW, Canton (330) 409-0343 Deli Ohio 328 Walnut Ave., Canton (330) 453-7777 Desert Inn 204 12th St. NW, Canton (330) 456-1766

Black Iron Grille 7291 State Route 43, Kent (330) 552-3126

George’s Lounge 229 Cleveland Ave, NW, Canton (330) 452-0029

*210Bricco—Kent S. Depeyster St.,

Gervasi Vineyard 1700 55th St. NE, Canton (330) 497-1000

Ste. 100, Kent (330) 677-1335 Kent Cheesemonger 155. E. Erie St., Kent (330) 593-5619

*

Mazzulo’s Market 302 Aurora Commons Cir., Aurora (330) 562-3200 Ray’s Place 135 Franklin Ave., Kent (330) 673-2233

STARK COUNTY 91 Wood Fired Oven 5570 Fulton Dr. NW, Canton (330) 497-9111 1983 E. Maple St., North Canton (330) 498-9191 Baja West Coast Kitchen 6174 Promler Ave., North Canton (727) 470-8482 Basil Asian Bistro 585 Market Ave. N, Canton (330) 452-3888 22

Golden Corral 4910 Dressler Rd. NW, Canton (330) 493-6120 Gregory’s Family Restaurant 2835 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton (330) 477-1296 H2 Wine Merchants 427 Tuscarawas St. East, Canton (330) 805-3212 Heggy’s Nut Shop Inc. 3200 W. Tuscarawas St., Canton (330) 454-6611 Jerzee’s All American Bar & Grill 2531 Fulton Dr. NW, Canton (330) 456-9977 5252 Dressler Rd. NW #5260, Canton (330) 497-4100 John’s Bar & Grill Inc. 2749 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton (330) 454-1259

E X P E R I E N C E A KR ON-CANTON

Kozmos Grille 37 First St. SW, Massillon (330) 832-8807 La Pizzaria Restaurant, Inc. 3656 Dressler Rd., Canton (330) 477-4700 Michael D’s/Demario’s Pizza 1411 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton (330) 477-1000 Milk & Honey Candy & Soda Shop 3400 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton (330) 492-5884

Samantha’s Restaurant 4954 Portage St. NW, North Canton (330) 499-9700 Sparta Steak House and Lounge 1101 12th St. NW, Canton (330) 454-6343 Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant 1401 Fulton Rd. NW, Canton (330) 452-6844 Thatsa Wrapp 600 6th St. NW, Canton (330) 452-9727

Bomba Tacos and Rum 3900 Medina Rd., Akron (234) 466-7180 Bricco—Akron 1 W. Exchange St., Ste. 100, Akron (330) 475-1600 Cappabianca’s Natural * Food Market 4946 Darrow Rd., Stow (330) 650-1588 Casa D’Angelo Restaurant 893 E. Aurora Rd., Macedonia (330) 467-9699

Mission BBQ 4490 Everhard Rd., Canton (234) 209-9913

The Original Steaks and Hoagie 4460 Belden Village St. NW, Canton (234) 521-7265

Corner Cup Coffeehouse 3019 Graham Rd., Stow (330) 608-2462

Moe’s Southwestern Grill 5440 Whipple Ave. NW, North Canton (234) 714-9819

The Twisted Olive 5340 Massillon Rd., North Canton (330) 899-0550

(330) 762-5877

Mulligan’s Restaurant & Pub 118 Belden Village St. NW, Canton (330) 493-8239

Table Six Kitchen & Bar 6113 Whipple Ave. NW, North Canton (330) 305-1666

Napoli’s Italian Eatery 221 Market Ave. N, Canton (330) 452-7456 Old Carolina Barbecue Co. 4710 Everhard Rd. NW, Canton (330) 499-3080 Old School Pizza 1912 Woodlawn Ave. NW, Canton (330) 915-8118 Original Arcade Coneys 215 W. Tuscarawas St., Canton (330) 454-2294 Pizza Oven/Papa Bears 4084 Holiday St. NW, Canton (330) 493-3377 Rooster’s Canton, Inc. 4335 Dressler Rd., Canton (330) 546-7001 Salumeria Di Torre Italian 425 Tuscarawas St. E, Canton (330) 488-5763

SUMMIT COUNTY

Deli *378Diamond S. Main St., Akron El Gato Taqueria 209 Main St., Akron (330) 253-4323 Place on Market *549Frank’s W. Market St., Akron (330) 376-8307 and Granary *915Grape Home Ave., Akron

Akron Coffee Roasters 30 N. High St., Akron (330) 318-8018

(330) 633-7223

Akron Family * Restaurant

4073 Medina Rd., Akron (330) 670-6303

250 W. Market St., Akron (330) 376-0600 House *222TheS. Barley Main St., Akron (330) 374-0925

*255TheE. Basement Waterloo Rd., Akron (330) 724-0477 Beau’s Grill *3180 W. Market St., Akron (330) 867-5218 Beau’s on the River *1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls (330) 920-7550 Plate - Blu+Jazz *45BLU E. Market St., Akron (330) 252-1190

Hyde Park Prime * Steak House

Music Room *111Jilly’s N. Main St., Akron (330) 576-5960 Ken Stewart’s Grille *1970 W. Market St., Akron (330) 867-2555

*115Kingfish Montrose West Ave., Copley (330) 777-2005 Lock 15 Brewing * Company 21 North St., Akron (330) 683-6010

*105Luigi’s N. Main St., Akron (330) 253-2999 Market Street Grill & * Pub 1677 E. Market St., Akron (330) 733-6279

CelebrateLife!

COURTESY OF CANTON FOOD TOUR

at Gervasi Vineyard

Cultured Coffee and Waffles Montrose Bar and Bricco * Grill *1841PubMerriman Rd., 4073 Medina Rd., Akron (330) 666-4131

*

Mustard Seed Market & Café 867 W. Market St., Akron (330) 434-7333 3885 W. Market St., Akron (330) 666-7333 Ohio Brewing Company 804 W. Market St., Akron (234) 208-6797 Old Carolina * Barbecue & Catering Co. 620 Ridgewood Crossings Dr., Akron (330) 665-4222 Pad Thai 12 E. Exchange St., Akron (330) 434-1888

*

Panera Bread/ Medina Road 3895A Medina Rd., Akron (330) 670-9347 The Peanut * Shoppe of Akron 203 S. Main St., Akron (330) 376-7020

Akron (330) 869-0053 R. Shea Brewery *1662 Merriman Rd., Akron (330) 794-5654 540 S. Main St., Ste. 214 Akron (234) 571-5036

DINE

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PLAY

Experience the beauty of a unique Tuscan-inspired, upscale winery resort featuring wine tours, samplings, boutique shopping, luxurious suites and exceptional cuisine at three distinct restaurants.

Visit our NEW coffeehouse, distillery and cocktail lounge

330.497.1000 • CANTON, OH • GERVASIVINEYARD.COM

The Rail 3265. W. Market St., Fairlawn/Montrose (330) 864-7245 Stricklands Frozen Custard Inc. 419 Heathrow Dr., Cuyahoga Falls (330) 620-4400 Drive * InSwensons Restaurants 680 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron (330) 928-3797

*532TheW.Tangier Market St., Akron (330) 376-7171 Thirsty Dog * Brewing Company

An American Twist on Italian Open Monday–Saturday for Lunch & Dinner

Reservations or walk-in seating Located in Green, OH

h appy hour WEEKDAYS 2-6 PM

$5 Select Appetizers $5 Well Drinks and Martinis $5 off a Bottle of Wine $2 Select Domestic Beers $1 off a Glass of Wine

3 3 0 . 8 9 9 . 0 5 5 0 • T H E T W I ST E D O L I V E . CO M

529 Grant St., Akron (330) 252-2739 West Side * Bakery—Akron

A S E A S O N F U L L O F C E L E B R AT I O N ! *40 Years of Gerhardt

2303 W. Market St., Akron (330) 836-4101

* A P l a n e t ’ s o dy s s e y * BA RO Q U E BA S H *SUNRISE WITH C A N T O N S Y M P H O N Y C H O RU S 3 3 0 . 4 5 2 . 2 0 9 4 / / w w w. c a n t o n s y m p h o n y. o rg

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* C E L E B R AT I O N O F C A N T O N S Y M P H O N Y O RC H E S T R A H o l i day p o p s A B B E Y ROA D

* N E W E C O N O M Y PAC K AG E f o r a l l f i v e m a s t e rw o r k s

Akron Chamber member *Note:Greater Stark County restaurants are members of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce 23

TOAST Salute, Nazdrowie, Cheers.

In any language, to your health!

COURTESY OF SANDY SPRINGS BREWING COMPANY

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Sandy Springs Brewing Company 24

EX P E R I E N C E A KR ON-CANTON

Uncork and Unwind I

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GERVASI VINEYARD

t’s an astonishing 55 acres of Tuscany in the middle of a quiet Canton neighborhood. Gervasi Vineyard, which started a decade ago as a modest local winemaker, keeps expanding and has grown to become a destination winery resort where visitors can sip, sup and stay.

The Still House at Gervasi Vineyard

The Still House, Gervasi’s new distillery where its own liquors are served, is housed in a mission-style, white-washed building made to feel like an Italian chapel. (It’s a coffee shop during the day.)

Red Horse Winery

The family-run resort has added a new boutique inn called The Casa, which has 24 fireplace suites with private verandas. That’s in addition to Gervasi’s rustic Villas, which was named Best Wine Country Hotel by USA Today two years in a row. Each Villa is comprised of four suites with fireplaces, heated travertine floors and Tuscan décor. The Farmhouse is the property’s original 1830s house that sleeps up to eight.

3272 Industry Rd, Rootstown: Fourth-generation family farmturned-vineyard, orchard. Casual menu, live music on weekends.

Three distinct restaurants—The Crush House, The Bistro and The Piazza—offer plenty of choices, from rustic Italian dishes to barinspired sandwiches. There’s also a boutique with specialty foods and gifts. Concerts and other events are held on-site.

Gervasi Vineyard is just one choice on a tour of Akron-Canton’s magnificent wineries. Here’s a select list of other wineries to get you started:

The Winery at Wolf Creek

2637 S. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Barberton: Hillside vineyards planted with European grape varieties.

Picnics welcomed, games provided.

Sarah’s Vineyard Winery

Gervasi Vineyard

1204 Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls: Sustainable farming within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Art gallery, full menu.

Filia Cellars

3059 Greenwich Rd., Wadsworth: Dry red from another family vineyard in California. Whites made in Ohio.

Events, live music.

5326 Fairland Rd., Barberton: Second-highest point in Summit County. 100 percent fruit wines plus more traditional varieties.

Barrel Run Crossing

Nauti Vine Winery

3950 S. Main St., Akron: also home to Mucky Duck Brewery. Views of the Portage Lakes, classes, parties.

Thorn Creek Winery

155 Treat Rd., Aurora. Food and wine on seven acres of heaven.

High & Low Winery

588 Medina Rd., Medina: Its motto?

“It’s all about sass, not class.” Full menu and vineyard seating.

Michael Angelo’s Winery

5515 Broadview Rd., Richfield: Focused on small-lot varietals and wines from regions that showcase these grapes. Food, signature treats from sister bakery.

Maize Valley Winery and Brewery

6193 Edison St. NE, Hartville: A 700acre working farm, market, tasting room, café. Special events such as Hot Air Balloon Lift Off.

The Winery at Perennial Vineyards

11877 Poorman St. SW, Navarre: Complete vineyard and winery; tastings daily, light menu. Tasting room in an 1850s-era post-andbeam structure.

Cherry Road Winery

1133 27th St. N.W., Massillon: Opened in 2016. Tasting room on site of Continued on page 26 25

TOAST

Cocktails: It’s 5 O’Clock right here.

Continued from page 25

production facility. Order food in. Gift store sells locally made products. Live music and painting parties.

SECRET LOCKET

St. Germain (elderflower-infused liquor), premium vodka and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice.

410 Martini Lounge, 410 Market Ave. N, Canton

Newman Creek Cellars

28 Charles St. SE, Massillon: In the heart of downtown Massillon. Order food in. Wine-making supplies and make-your-own-wine classes.

INFUSED MANHATTAN

Maker’s 46 premium Kentucky bourbon, with a house-made infusion of Cinzano Rosso vermouth, fresh rosemary and orange peel.

Bonefish Grill, 6341 Strip Ave. NW, North Canton

Al-Bi Winery

29 N. Smith St., Dellroy: On the shores of Atwood Lake. 30 varieties, from dry to sweet.

SPANISH OLD FASHIONED

Bourbon, Pedro Ximenz Sherry, Angostura Bitters, Aztec bitters Crafted Cocktail Co., 991 High St., Wadsworth

Creekside Cottage Winery

WHITE COSMO

8818 Cleveland Ave SE, Magnolia: Housed in a 100-year-old home on an acre. Appetizers and sandwiches. Live music on weekends.

School House Winery

455 Schneiders Crossing Rd. NW, Dover: 1880s one-room schoolhouse located near Amish Country on land with pond. Appetizers, pizza, subs.

Live music on weekends.

Limoncello, Cointreau, blood orange, cranberry Old 97, 1503 Kenmore Blvd., Akron

THE BLACK SQUIRREL

Blackberries, vodka, fresh lemon juice and mint Nineteen10 Restaurant & Lounge, Kent

NEW YORK FLIP

Bulleit Bourbon, ruby port, egg white, simple syrup, nutmeg Northside Speakeasy, 31 Furnace St., Akron

Get Your Beer Here.

B

eer fans. We’ve got you covered. The Summit Brew Path is back for its third year, highlighting 22 craft breweries in Summit, Portage, Stark and Medina Counties.

The Brew Path, a passport-style trail, has been a rousing success. In 2018, about 2,500 completed the sudsy journey, which was held from March to the end of the year.

Hundreds more visited at least some of the stops. Use #SummitBrewPath on Twitter to see highlights of their travels.

The reason for the Brew Path’s success is simple: people here make really, really good beer.

Some local favorites include Hoppin’ Frog Brewery’s Barrel-aged B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal Imperial Stout and Thirsty Dog’s Twisted Kilt. All finishers are entered into a drawing, and the grand prize winner is announced at the Summit Brew Path Bash in January.

Or to see how our southerners do it, check out Hall of Fame Hops, the self-guided ale trail through the breweries of Stark and Tuscarawas counties. Try Paradigm Shift’s Island Juice Coconut Cream Ale and Muskellunge Brewing Co.’s Walleye Kolsch.

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A 6-pack of Beer Facts The Canton Brewing Co. is a revival of an 1880s-era brewery. Its Cascade beer, from the original recipe, is rumored to have been the beer over which the National Football League was formed.

The grand prize of the first Summit Brew Path was a brown t-shirt that recipients made good fun of. This year, it’s $2,000. Way to up your game.

Royal Docks in Canton has a British flavor because the Canton blokes who founded it lived across the pond for a bit. They loved the vibe and decided to bring it home.

Bloody brilliant!

Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. got its name from the owner’s Labrador retriever who galumphed into a brainstorming session of the crew to lap up his bowl of water. Light bulb.

R. Shea Brewing’s Tire Swing Trouble Brown Ale was named after an employee who had an accident on, uh, a tire swing.

MADCAP Brew Co. in Kent is known for its punkish aesthetic and its motto: “No Masters. No Snobs.”

SHORT DRIVE LASTING

MEMORIES AT

THE

PRO

FOOTBALL

HALL

OF

ProFootballHOF.com | @ProFootballHOF

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame did such an amazing job with this place. And rightfully so because of how popular football is in America... Once I parked and started walking inside, I couldn’t stop smiling! The excitement took over.”

Yelp.com review

GET BACK IN THE GAME! The Pro Football Hall of Fame was voted Best Attraction for Sports Fans in America. Be captivated by the Super Bowl Theater, “A Game for Life” holographic experience, interactive displays, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, the 326 Bronzed Busts and more. Plus take a picture with the real Super Bowl LV Lombardi Trophy!

Plan Your Visit Now at ProFootballHOF.com

FAME

PHOTO BY SHANE WYNN

PHOTO BY SHANE WYNN

Hartville Children’s Shoppe

The joys of shopping now and forever.

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Dirty Bikes

Akron Honey Company

Shopping in Akron-Canton: It’s a Spree-for-All! Urban and Eclectic, Northside Marketplace is Akron’s Own.

Back during Prohibition, Furnace Street was the area of town where all sorts of unsavory things went on.

Now, it’s all about the savory. And the lovely. And the locally made. It’s where people go to get that one-ofa-kind gift or a special meal crafted with love and skill.

“The idea behind the Northside Marketplace is simple—community,” said Joel Testa, president of the Testa Companies, who developed the shopping area and the nearby Northside Lofts and the Courtyard

by Marriott. It’s a place where local vendors inspire each other and shoppers meet neighbors, making the remarkable a reality.

The marketplace serves as a retail incubator of sorts where entrepreneurs get the tools and support they need to grow their businesses and increase exposure.

In turn, shoppers get an urban, eclectic shopping experience they won’t 28

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find anywhere else. It opened in late 2017 with support from the Knight Foundation and local investors.

Shoppers are welcome to just hang out in the social lounge or shop at nearly 70 area vendors selling locally made food, handmade goods and handpicked treasures.

Current vendors include Rubber City Clothing, the place to buy your sly, pro-330 gear and Akron Honey, which sells condiments and honey from local apiaries. (Try the autumninspired West Akron.)

Hit Retail Gold in Hartville

The village of Hartville, situated between Akron and Canton, has nearly two million visitors a year—about twice as many as the famous Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Why? That’s an easy answer: shopping.

Although small (pop. 3,000) and rural in character, Hartville boasts bigtime retail. The year-round Hartville Marketplace and Flea Market is the

COURTESY OF HARTVILLE CHILDREN’S SHOPPE

SHOP

largest of its kind in Ohio, with three acres of indoor shopping and 12 acres outside for as many as 1,200 vendors.

The Marketplace’s South Side Market, which opened in 2018, sells fresh produce, Amish cheeses, meat and gifts. At more than 300,000 square feet, Hartville Hardware & Lumber is the largest independent home center store in the nation. Check out the three-lane, drive through lumberyard and the 1,830-square-foot Idea House.

If shopping makes you hungry, just pop into the Hartville Kitchen, an Amish-inspired restaurant with homey dishes such as real mashed potatoes, homemade gravies and made-from-scratch soups.

Beyond the big tourist draws, Hartville has many charming shops perfect for an afternoon of browsing.

The Hartville Chocolate Factory is an old-fashioned shop where the sweet smell of warming chocolate fills the air. A trip back in time is on the agenda at Victorian Rose Apparel and Gifts. The shop looks like an

1880s English country house, with floral wallpaper and period décor.

Doreen Leaf Designs, a bridal salon, features the work of the well-known Stark County clothing designer.

Restaurants and Retail Abound in Belden Village

Just north of Canton along I-77 is Belden Village, Stark County’s bustling restaurant, retail and hotel hub. With an abundance of national and local stores, including Belden Village Mall, it’s no wonder this Jackson Township shopping mecca stays hopping seven days a week.

Belden Village is your stop for entertainment, too. If you want the ultimate game-watching and gameplaying experience, don’t miss a visit to Canton’s brand new Dave and Buster’s. And the late-night set can head to the M Bar for great music, martinis and mixed drinks.

Medina Means Antiquing

Medina’s town square—with its gazebo, green space and historic buildings—is exquisitely charming.

It’s a no-chain zone with dozens of intriguing mom-and-pop shops and restaurants in the square’s environs.

Medina Antique Mall, 2797 Medina Rd.: 52,000 square feet with more than 500 dealers.

Brothers Antique Mall, 6132 Wooster Pike Rd.: uncluttered with homey display rooms; more than 100 dealers.

Medina Depot Antiques, 602 W. Liberty St.: housed in the historic 1894 train depot; 100plus dealers.

This-n-That Antiques, 234 N. Broadway St.: about 40 sellers one block north of the town square.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARTVILLE COLLECTIBLES

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARTVILLE COLLECTIBLES

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARTVILLE LUMBER

Hartville Hardware & Lumber

Clothing Boutique

Stroll Our Malls

Summit Mall in Fairlawn is anchored by Macy’s and Dillard’s. It has the only Apple store between Cleveland and Columbus.

Check out Banana Republic and Ann Taylor.

Chapel Hill Mall is home to Archie, the gigantic snowman who made his first holiday appearance at the mall 50 years ago. He’s an Akron thing. Visit J.C. Penney and Journeys.

Belden Village Mall in North Canton draws shoppers from across Northeast Ohio.

Chico’s and Coach are popular stops.

Pandora

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If you to want buy homegrown and homemade, you’re in luck. CraftyMart is the Akron-based craft fair made cool. Bi-annual, multi-venue fairs showcase more than 70 of the best local handcrafters around. The Downtown Canton Flea, held the third Saturday of the month from May to September, is “for makers, by makers.” And the 720 Market is a series of curated, open-air markets around North Canton. They showcase “local makers, bakers, brewers, growers and more.”

12 Tempting Shopping Spots First and Main, Hudson: an outdoor shopping center with a mix of national and local retailers. For gifts, try Gracylane. Find women’s clothing at J Jill.

The Learned Owl, Hudson: a booklover’s bookstore. On two levels. Independent.

The Fashion School Store, Kent: one-of-akind designs created by students at Kent State University’s top-ranked fashion school.

Avenue Arts Marketplace, Canton: galleries and studios featuring the works of local artists. Adjacent to the Kathleen Howland Theatre.

Lucky Shoes, Fairlawn, Canton: Top-brand, stylish men’s and women’s shoes with oldfashioned service. Stride Rite for kids on site.

Fresh, new trends matched with comfort, fit and value. Family-owned since 1919. Largest shoe store in the state. Locations also in Canton, Strongsville and Columbus.

The Toys Time Forgot, Canal Fulton: a trip down memory lane with all the fun stuff you remember.

Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, Akron: Eight buildings filled by the flowing, curvilinear works of famous metal artist Don Drumm himself and 500 other handpicked artists.

Main Street Modern, Canton: A buyer and seller of high-end mid-century furniture and decorative arts. On three floors.

The Village of Peninsula: luscious art galleries, charming gift shops and scenic eateries. Cycle, drive or take the train.

Century Cycles, Peninsula and Medina: Whether you’re seeking trail or asphalt, one of America’s best bike shops.

Print & Press Shop and Studios, Canton: Handcrafted goods in paper and fabric

by Midwest artisans plus locally themed souvenirs.

Woodsy’s, Kent: the area’s largest independent music store in a city known for its rock and blues scene.

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PLAY

Kids underfoot? There are options.

COURTESY OF AKRON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Akron Children’s Museum

Bring the Kids. . . We’re a “No Boredom” Zone, A

kron Children’s Museum allows kids to climb, jump, scoop, splash and build—just for starters. There’s a quake table, a wind tunnel, excavation station and marble runs.

Magical Theatre Company, Barberton, is a professional resident and touring company just for kids. Its home is a gem of a restored century-old theater on the city’s main drag.

are cared for according to the highest standards of the American Zoological Association (AZA), of which the Akron Zoo has been a member since 1989. It takes part in the AZA’s significant conservation projects.

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, Akron, has three hiking trails, gardens, a suspension bridge and two ponds. A 10,000-square-foot center with exhibits, live animals and presentations allows visitors to touch, listen and learn.

The zoo can be easily navigated in a few hours and is handicapped accessible. For those with sensory processing needs such as autism, it offers special tools and services. Check out its many events such as Boo at the Zoo and Wild Lights.

Akron Zoo sits on 77 acres, 35 of which have been developed into spectacular exhibits and gardens designed to bring visitors close to more than 700 animals. Its new Pride of Africa exhibit has lions, gazelles and more. Its Wild Asia exhibit, with Sumatran tigers and red pandas, opens in 2020. All the animals

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, Canton, is a multi-faceted tribute to the 25th U.S President, who was assassinated in 1901. It contains his important papers and historical artifacts. The Stark County Story has a life-sized Street of Shops that replicates a town from McKinley’s time. Its Discover World is an interactive

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COURTESY OF AKRON ZOO

PHOTO BY CHRIS RUTAN

Magical Theatre Company

Otter Slide at the Akron Zoo

MORE LOVE 77 COURTESY OF AMCKINLEY MUSEUM

Do you want to have Thanksgiving dinner with Abraham Lincoln? Hale Farm & Village in Bath Township is your place. It’s the original homestead of Jonathan Hale, a Connecticut native who migrated to the Western Reserve in 1810. The open-air interpretive museum has historic structures, farm animals and early American craft and trade demonstrations.

McKinley Museum

science center that takes visitors on the journey of our planet. An authentic mastodon skeleton found in Canton during construction of a building is on display. Take part in a simulated fossil dig, capture your shadow, interact with live animals and study Indian artifacts. The HooverPrice Planetarium has more than 60 projectors that show a meteor shower, asteroids, constellations and more.

Make sure to visit the solemn memorial to President McKinley.

Beech Creek Botanical Gardens & Nature Preserve in Alliance has been designed to help both children and adults better understand the natural world. Kids will especially enjoy the Amazing Garden Plant Science Center with more than 20 hands-on learning stations designed to convey key horticultural and environmental concepts. Adults will like the various botanical gardens and hiking trails.

Yogi Bear is in the house at Jellystone Park in Uniontown, between Akron and Canton. Bring your own RV or tent or stay in one of its eight cabins. When you stay overnight, admission to the park’s attractions— including its enormous swimming pool and Gem Mine— is covered.

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COMPETE Stay buff and battle-ready.

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Welcome to the 3-3-GO! C

Akron Marathon

elebrate your competitive spirit in the Akron-Canton Metroplex.

AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AKRON MARATHON RACE SERIES A blue line along Akron streets isn’t some weird traffic rule. It marks the route of the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon Half Marathon & Team Relay, the marquee event of this race series. The blue line has woven itself into the cultural fabric of the community. There are Blue Line lunch specials, Blue Line tees and even Blue Line donuts. The race is also a prime fundraiser for the hospital through sponsorship of Hero Zones, which feature young patient superheroes who have overcome severe illnesses.

The marathon began in 2004 as a simple event with fewer than 4,000 runners. But over the past 16 years, it has grown into a multi-race series with about 15,000 participants.

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The fun begins in June with the National Interstate 8K & 1-mile race and continues in August with the Goodyear Half Marathon and 10K. The capstone race takes place on the last Saturday in September. In September 2019, the race took place on the grounds of the historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, built more than a century ago by the founder of Goodyear.

HALL OF FAME MARATHON

Four races make up this series that celebrates the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. It all begins with a 5K on the NFL Draft Day in April.

The following day is a marathon, half marathon and team relay. A 5K in September coincides with the start of football season. A Rivalry Week 4 Miler in October celebrates the fierce high school rivalries in the region. Take part in three of the four

events, get a sweatshirt, a glass and bragging rights. Proceeds benefit the Timken Family Cancer Center at Aultman Hospital, sponsor of the series.

UP, UP AND AWAY 5K

Part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, this race draws hundreds of walkers, runners, parents pushing strollers and trotters with their dogs. Hot air balloons, in town for the weekend’s Balloon Classic, float overhead as participants traverse the course.

The Kent State University at Stark campus is the perfect setting for runners and walkers.

HUNTINGTON TOWPATH CENTURY RIDE

Take a 101-mile bike ride on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail while raising money to help develop

PHOTO BY KEN ROBINSON

connector trails. Ride through the heart of the Canalway, which Congress has designated a National Heritage Area. Begin in Cleveland on the banks of the Cuyahoga River, travel south through downtown Akron and wind up in New Philadelphia.

SUMMIT METRO PARKS FALL HIKING SPREE

COURTESY OF CANALWAY PARTNERS

COURTESY OF HALL OF FAME MARATHON

Hall of Fame Marathon

Beaver Marsh

Check out these trail stops— favorites of cyclist Dan Rice, president and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.

Settler’s Landing/Canal Basin Park area in the Cleveland Flats

Towpath Trilogy

MATCHSTICK CHALLENGE

Run a 5K, 10K or half marathon as part of the five-day Wadsworth Blue Tip Festival each June. The festival starts with a parade and the lighting of a 20-foot high matchstick.

Wadsworth was once home to the Ohio Match Co. which made the famous Blue Tip matches.

Beaver Marsh in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Richard Howe House in downtown Akron St. Helena III canal boat in Canal Fulton Fort Laurens in Bolivar

Hike eight or more of 15 designated trails during the three-month spree to earn a hiking staff of completion shields. At 56 years old, this is the oldest event of its kind in the nation.

STARK PARKS HEALTHY ADVENTURES

It’s three clubs in one. Take your pick: Hike 100 miles in Stark Parks, run 150 miles or bike 250 miles.

Once you meet your goals within the county parks, log miles on city, township or national trails. Each year, the individual groups have a kick-off event, monthly membersonly events and a year-end banquet.

Pop-up events such as the Ice Cream Hike are part of the deal.

Swag too.

THE TOWPATH TRILOGY

To conquer the Towpath Trilogy, begin with a half marathon in April, tackle a 10-mile and 10K run in June and end with a marathon along the historic Towpath Trail at the height of leaf season in October. Enjoy fall in this National Heritage Area.

Protection for the most important things in your life.

Call 11--877 724--8069 for a free quote, 877--724 or visit us at 100 Rosa Parks Drive in Downtown Akron.

33

CHEER They’ll be back and badder than ever

COURTESY OF CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

The Canton Repository Grand Parade-Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival 34

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The Roar of the Crowd I

f you’re a sports fan, we have a place for you— lots of them.

PHOTO BY DAVID MONSEUR

Holler at the Hall of Fame Game

University of Mount Union Football

COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION ATHLETICS

The Akron RubberDucks

Every summer, luminaries of the NFL light up Canton, as the best of the game are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Festivities go on for two weeks, and most are open to the public. One of the highlights of Enshrinement Week is the NFL exhibition game in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on the grounds of the HOF. The game launches the NFL’s pre-season and often involves teams associated with current inductees.

The newly renovated 23,000-seat stadium is part of the $900 million Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village. The stadium is used for high school games, events and concerts the rest of the year.

RubberDucking at Canal Park

Ah . . . baseball. The roar of the crowd, and the quack of the bat. Come to Akron’s Canal Park to watch up-and-coming players on the Cleveland Indians AA team. Whether they’re up-and-comers on the brink of their major league break or major leaguers getting their groove back, the team always wows the crowds. Silly mascots, whiz-bang fireworks and far-out food are all part of the RubberDucks experience, perfect for family time or an outing with co-workers. The park, in downtown Akron, has a full-service restaurant, luxury suites and picnic areas.

Charge On at the Canton Memorial Civic Center

The Canton Charge, powered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, is part of the NBA’s G League. The Charge spells fun for the whole family. This season, the team plays 24 home games at the Canton Memorial Civic Center, which has four concession stands for snacks during the games.

Pozzie, the fuzzy yellow mascot of the team, makes appearances at games and community events. He is, according to his bio, “the classic scrappy underdog.” Honestly, it’s kind of hard to tell what he is besides tons of fun.

All In at Progressive Field

The hot Cleveland Indians team plays at Progressive Field, just a 35-minute drive from downtown Akron. The field is one of the most fanfriendly ballparks in major league baseball. From the raised bullpens that provide clear views of warmups to the interactive Kids Clubhouse, the field provides far more than a ballgame.

Blast Off at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse

Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland is home to the AHL Monsters, the AFL Gladiators and, of course, the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Fieldhouse (formerly the Q) re-opened September 30 after a $185 million renovation with a concert by Akron’s own Black Keys. The renovations transformed both the exterior and interior of the building, adding eight new fan hospitality destinations, wider concourses and the latest cutting-edge technology. When the Fieldhouse isn’t hosting the world’s best athletes, it draws crowds with its A-list concerts.

Hope’s High at FirstEnergy Stadium

Hey, the Cleveland Browns are definitely on the upswing this season after a few, um, dismal ones. And FirstEnergy Stadium on the shores of Lake Erie is a great place to see a game. Northeast Ohio fans never, ever give hope. This is the year.

Soap Box Derby 35

CHEER

SMART MOVE

Thrills and Hills at Derby Downs

Derby Downs has been the home of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby since it was built for that purpose in 1936. It lies on a natural hill on the eastern fringes of Akron Executive Airport. USA Today and National Geographic have called the derby an “icon” of Americana.

Each summer, hundreds of racers and their families from around the world converge at Derby Downs for fellowship, fun and competition.

The racers reach speeds in excess of 30 mph, which may not sound fast until you’re sitting in a small car, dropping down a 16 percent grade.

The track and its outbuildings can now be rented for community and corporate team-building events.

The University of Akron (UA)

InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field. Home to Division I Zips football and other UA teams.

TOM ARTH The University of Akron, Head Football Coach Moved from Chattanooga, TN to Akron, OH in 2018.

Cub Cadet Field at FirstEnergy Stadium. Home to UA men’s and women’s soccer teams. The men’s team is a national title contender.

On living in Akron: I grew up in Northeast Ohio, so moving back to Ohio was a homecoming for me and my family.

Out-of-town visitor picks: Our football games at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field! The University of Akron has a beautiful campus.

Day off fun: I don’t get a lot of time off, but when I do, I love to spend time with my five beautiful children and my loving wife.

On the sports climate: Ohio residents are die-hard sports fans.

The community has shown great support for our team and our school.

Tips for newcomers: Check out The University of Akron campus.

36

Kent State University (KSU)

Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. Home to KSU’s volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and wrestling teams.

Dix Stadium. Home to Golden Flashes football.

University of Mount Union

Mount Union Stadium.

Home to the school’s storied football team, 13-time national champions. ESPN named the Purple Raiders one of the top 50 football programs in the history of the game.

Malone University

Osborne Hall. Home to the Division II Pioneers’ basketball and volleyball teams.

Pioneer Park. A multi-field recreation and athletic facility, is currently under construction.

Walsh University

The Cecchini Center. Home to Division II Cavaliers men’s basketball, women’s basketball and volleyball.

Milazzo Field and Dan McCallion Track. Venue for Walsh’s soccer team as well as track and field. Football is played at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

MORE LOVE 78

The rivalry between Canton McKinley and Massillon’s Washington high schools is one of the longest and fiercest in the nation. They’ve been playing each other for 130 years, and more than 20,000 fans show up to the annual game.

There have been movies made about it. And every baby born in Massillon is gifted a stuffed tiger (Washington’s mascot) from the high school’s athletic director.

79

Valley City in Medina County is hopping during its annual Frog Jump. More than 700 frogs. Lots of squealing. Plenty of ribbiting. Good times.

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The University of Akron’s men’s soccer team, onetime national champs, has cultivated many of Major League Soccer’s best players. There are 20-25 UA grads in the MLS in any given year.

E X P E R I E N C E A K R ON-CANTON

BREATHE Get out and get moving.

COURTESY OF STARK PARKS

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Cycling in Stark Parks 38

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

PHOTO COURTESY OF STARK PARKS

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”

—Henry David Thoreau

A

sk anyone. Our parks are one of the very best things about living here. We have the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the only national park in Ohio. We have state, metro and city parks; rivers and lakes; marshes and ponds; wildlife preserves and the unique Towpath Trail. More than 50,000 acres. You’re bound to be in your element.

WATER

The Portage Lakes

With their recreational restaurant and entertainment options, the Lakes have a vacay vibe all year, and the water is the center of it all. The area is anchored by Portage Lakes State Park.

Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, or bring your own.

Fish at the Nimisila Reservoir, a peaceful place to plant a pole.

Take a wake surfing lesson on the East Reservoir.

Learn to SCUBA dive at Atlantis Outfitters.

Tour the lakes on a pontoon boat from Portage Lakes cruises.

Sippo Lake Park

Between Canton and Massillon, Sippo Lake is home to a marina. It’s the perfect stop for fishing, boating or just cooling off after a hike on

the Sippo Lake Trail. Bring your own fishing pole or boat or rent them.

Canoes, kayaks, row boats, motor boats, paddle boards and pedal boats are all part of the marina’s livery. starkparks.com

The Cuyahoga River

Fifty years ago, the Cuyahoga (Kai-uh-HOAG-uh) River was so polluted it caught on fire. Today, it is sparkling, healthy and delightful for watersports.

The Cuyahoga River Water Trail is divided into five sections with varying degrees of difficulty. There are several access points along the trail. Check cuyahogariverwatertrail. org for more information.

Burning River Adventures in Cuyahoga Falls rents kayaks and guides trips. paddletheriver.com Float the River, also in the Falls, rents inner tubes, and it shuttles

you back after your two-hour float. floatheriver.net

Atwood Lake Park (9500 Lakeview Rd., Mineral City)

Atwood is one of the state’s top lakes for sailing and boating. It features 28 miles of shoreline and a wide, sandy beach with many amenities. Fish from your boat or the pier. There are three public launch ramps, plus cabins and camper lots for those who want to stay overnight. @woodpark.mwcd.org

West Branch State Park (5570 Esworthy Rd., Ravenna)

The park’s large 2,650-acre lake with its many forks and coves is extremely popular with fishermen, swimmers and boaters. The lake is designated for unlimited horsepower. Boat rentals, gasoline and supplies are available at the marina. Five launch ramps provide access to the lake. ohiodnr.org 39

PHOTO BY ROB BLAIR

BREATHE

Springfield Bog Metro Park

AIR

Wait and Watch

Grab your binoculars to be reminded where tweeting really started.

Springfield Bog Metro Park, Akron, is a prairie habitat that draws Northern Bobwhites.

Hinckley Reservation has swallows, Belted Kingfishers and Rubythroated hummingbirds.

You’ll find wild turkeys and migratory waterfowl at Walborn Reservoir in Alliance. Check out a nesting family of bald eagles from a special observation deck.

Blue herons, largest in North America, arrive in spring to nest in the Merriman Valley of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Akron.

Purple Martins swoop over the Nimisila Reservoir in the Portage Lakes.

Flutter here

The Butterfly House at Beech Creek Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve in Alliance has 21 species of butterflies native to Ohio plus 60 species of nectar

and host plants that support them. beechcreekgardens.org The Butterflies of North America exhibit at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron puts visitors up close to several species—including the Monarch, Red Fritillary and Black Swallowtail—which rotate throughout the exhibit over the summer. stanhywet.org Both places help you get up close to feed the butterflies.

Fling it

Let your freak Frisbee fly at one of the many courses in the region’s parks. Here’s a sample of the disc courses in the region. Visit discgolfunited.org for a more complete list.

Arboretum-Spiker Park 3220 38th St. NW, Canton

Lincoln Park (Oak Ledges) 505 Lincoln Park Dr. NW, Massillon

Wildwood Park 500 Stertzbach Rd., Louisville

Sabo Park 499 4th St. SW, Brewster

Minerva Bicentennial Park 310 Murray Ave., Minerva

Hudson Springs Park 7095 Stow Rd., Hudson

Silver Creek Metro Park 5000 Hametown Rd., Norton

Portage Lakes State Park 5031 Manchester Rd., Akron

Roscoe Ewing Park 599 Berkshire Dr., Medina

Boettler Park 5300 Massillon Rd., North Canton

West Branch State Park 5570 Esworthy Rd., Ravenna

Veteran’s Park 1801 Schneider St. NE, Canton

See Stars

The Fred F. Silk Planetarium at the Wilderness Center in Wilmot (9877 Alabama Ave. SW) is home to the Wilderness Center Astronomy Club, which holds public viewing nights the first Friday of every month. twcac.org The Astronomy Club of Akron Observatory at Portage Lakes State Park (5031 Manchester Rd.) holds both scheduled and impromptu stargazing parties. acaoh.org The Cuyahoga Astronomical Association at Letha House Park in Continued on page 42

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COURTESY OF STARK PARKS

BREATHE

COURTESY OF FLOAT THE RIVER

COURTESY OF CUUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Kayaking

Float the River Continued from page 40

Spencer (5800 Richman Rd.) holds public viewing nights at its rural observatory. cuyastro.org The Hoover-Price Planetarium in the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum (800 McKinley Monument Dr., Canton) has 60 projectors that show dozens of constellations and more during a 30-minute presentation. mckinleymuseum.org

Catch Big Air

Akron Skate Park

990 Derby Downs

Akron BMX Track 1000 Service Rd.

Hudson Skate Park

(renovated park opening spring 2020) Stow and Middleton Roads

North Canton Skateboard Park 241 7th St. NW

Bike Aboard!

Municipal (Minerva) Skate Park Brock Ave. and U.S. 30

EARTH

Live on the Ledge

Much of Northeast Ohio’s unique geology is on display at our ledges— perfect for waterfall gazing and climbing to that sunset overlook.

Ritchie Ledges at Virginal Kendall Park. A photographer’s dream of the river valley. (1000 Kendall Lake Rd., Peninsula) Whipps Ledges: Where the buzzards come home to roost each spring. (1039 Bellus Rd., Hinckley) Liberty Park Ledges: Cliffs, caves and a boardwalk across wetlands.

(9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg)

Medina Skate Park

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park: Pass the Devil’s Icebox to see Cascade Falls. (12440 OH-282, Garrettsville)

Wadsworth Skate Park

Ride High

West Park (Canton) Skateboard Park 1022 8th St. SW

855 Weymouth Rd. 616 West St.

Stonewater (Kent) Skate Park 459 Stonewater Dr.

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Seeing nature from atop a horse is an experience like no other. None of the parks rents horses, but there are many stables nearby.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Riders can take several trails from short loops to a 4.5-mile, difficult run. nps.gov Towpath Trail: Ride from the Stark/ Summit county line to Cherry Street, then along the parallel Olde Muskingum Trail for six miles to Forty Corners. Horseback riders may also use the southern section of the trail between John Glenn Grove and the Stark/Tuscarawas county line. ohioanderiecanalway.com Silver Creek Metro Park: Ride two easy loops a little more than three miles each. (5000 Hametown Rd., Norton) Walborn Reservoir: Enjoy a fivemile network of trails with views of the reservoir. (11324 Price St. NE, Alliance) Whitacre Greer Park: This park has more than 2,000 acres reserved exclusively for equestrians with four separate trails ranging from .4 to 3.3 miles. (4290 Irish Rd. NW, Waynesburg)

Quail Hollow Park: This is a moderate, five-mile trail, good for beginners. (13480 Congress Lake Ave, Hartville) Letha House Park: The Great Horned Owl Bridle Trail is a 1.6-mile loop through restored wetlands, also good for birding. (Chatham Township) Headwaters Trail: Part of the Portage County Park District, the 8.5-mile trail is a portion of the Buckeye Trail that circles Ohio.

(10647 Freedom St., Garrettsville) Shaw Woods, Working Lands Park: Four loops and trails, less than a mile long each, includes boardwalks and water crossings. (7075 Beery Rd., Ravenna) West Branch State Park: 20 miles of bridle trails plus an equestrian camp specially designed for overnight campers with horses. (5570 Esworthy Rd., Ravenna)

Sippo Valley Trail runs 10 miles between Massillon and Dalton, in Wayne County. starkparks.com Quail Hollow Park, (13480 Congress Lake Ave. NE) has a natural surface mountain bike trail complete with challenges such as rock gardens, bridges and inclines. starkparks.com Reagan Park, Medina City Parks, offers 10 miles of mountain bike trails, from easy to advanced. 855 Weymouth Rd.

Lace Up

With hundreds of miles through myriad habitats, there’s no shortage of beautiful places to hike in Akron-Canton. Here are a few recommendations: Brandywine Gorge Trail (8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills): Cross a boardwalk that clings to the side of sandstone cliffs to make a 1.8 loop. Stop on a deck for spectacular view of Brandywine Falls.

The Little Cuyahoga

Cycle It

There are hundreds of miles of bike trails in the Akron-Canton region.

Get started here.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Bike Aboard program lets you bike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, then hop on for a relaxing ride back. (You can also do this with a kayak.) Cost is $5. cvsr.org The historic Towpath Trail, which follows the path of the old Ohio & Erie Canal, is 87 miles. It runs from Cleveland south through downtown Akron and through Stark County.

Bike it, hike it, run it, love it.

Hampton Hills, Summit Metro Parks, has seven miles of mountain biking trails with no pedestrians. (2925 Akron-Peninsula Rd.) The 34-mile Summit Metro Parks Hike & Bike Trail follows the line of an old railroad between Cleveland and Akron. summitmetroparks.org Portage Hike & Bike Trail, Portage Parks District, is the major east-west link between major regional trails. co.portage.oh.us

Your Perfect Instagram Shot Awaits.

Kayaking on Nimisila Reservoir, 5034 Christman Rd., Green The Overlook deck at Cascade Valley, Cuyahoga Street, Akron Glacier Cave at Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg Daffodil Trail in bloom at Furnace Run, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield Prairie in bloom at Springfield Bog, 1400 Portage Line Rd., Akron The quarry steps at Deep Lock Quarry, 5779 Riverview Rd., Peninsula The Mindfulness Walk entrance at Petros Lake Park, 3519 Perry Dr. SW, Canton The bridge on the Middlebranch Trail at Martindale Park, 4125 Martindale Rd. NE, Canton The Locktender’s house at the Lock 4 Trailhead on the Towpath Trail, 6600 Block of Erie Ave. NW, Canal Fulton Paddling though the tunnel in Deer Creek Reservoir, 14514 Price St. NE, Alliance Thanks to: Lindsay Smith, marketing and PR manager, Summit Metro Parks and Caitlin McCulley, marketing assistant at Stark Parks 43

BREATHE Tree Farm Trail (2075 Major Rd., Peninsula): The whole loop is 2.75 miles and breaks out into a meadow with a lovely view of the tree line to the southwest.

The Gorge Trail (1160 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls): Old Maid’s Kitchen (also known as Mary Campbell cave) is an easy half-mile walk from the parking lot, but the trail quickly becomes rugged as it passes through stunning ledges.

COURTESY OF STARK PARKS

Quail Hollow Woodland Swamp Trail (13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville): Pine and deciduous trees surround visitors as they cross marshy areas on a boardwalk.

Canal Fulton Towpath

Mahoning Valley Trail (14514 Price St. NE, Alliance): This 4.5-mile scenic trail offers fishing access to the Mahoning River and a great view of a bottomland hardwood forest. Cross a 260foot free-span bridge to start your hike.

Wetland Loop at Wolf Creek Environmental Center (6100 Ridge Rd., Sharon Center): This quarter-mile trail takes visitors on a boardwalk directly into a wetlands ecosystem.

THRILLS & CHILLS Watch the capture and banding of birds at Canton’s Sippo Lake Park or Wadsworth’s Wolf Creek Environmental Center. Learn why banding is important to conservation, and watch as the birds are released back into the wild. 5300 Tyner St., Canton, and 6100 Ridge Rd., Wadsworth.

Borrow snowshoes (free!) at Liberty Park Nature Center in Twinsburg. 9999 Liberty Rd. Find a series of 20 different caches that have been placed in parks in Stark County for the Cache4Coins GeoTour.

Take an archery class at the Walborn Reservoir.

11324 Price St. NE, Alliance.

During the holiday season, ride the Polar Express.

Travel to the North Pole via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Drink hot cocoa, greet elves and meet Santa. cvsr.org Take a steep sledding trip downhill—at night—at the Oxbow Area of the Cascade Valley Metro Park in Akron.

837 Cuyahoga St. Rock out at a summer concert in Lock 3 Park—it’s Akron’s own Central Park.

CHILLS

Get centered on a mindfulness walk at Petros Lake Park.

This one-mile walk travels through different habitats and features 10 stations—including a Zen sand garden, stacking stones and a labyrinth. 3519 Perry Dr. NW, Canton.

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COURTESY OF SUMMIT METRO PARKS

THRILLS

Children feeding chickadees at Brecksville Nature Center During winter, pick up some birdseed at the Brecksville Nature Center and hand feed chickadees. Stand still. And they’ll alight on you for a snack. 9000 Chippewa Creek.

Take a family yoga class at the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm in Akron. 1828 Smith Rd. Go on a guided tour of the 40-room H.B. Stewart Manor House and grounds at Quail Hollow Park. 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville.

Wander through the unique geologic, biologic and hydrologic features of the Herrick Fen Nature Preserve, one of the last remaining boreal fens (marshy areas) in Ohio. 8260 Seasons Rd., Streetsboro.

Enjoy outdoor performances by the region’s best dance companies at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival at Akron area parks. akrondancefestival.org

FIRE

Camp

If the crackle of a campfire sparks your imagination, you’re in luck.

The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park handles all overnight reservations for the park.

It offers five primitive camping sites for hikers and cyclists. They include a fire ring, wood and chemical toilets. For those who’d like things a little cushier (and indoors), the Stanford House (ca. 1843) offers whole house or single room accommodations from May through October. (6093 Stanford Rd., Peninsula). You must make a reservation through the conservancy. conservancyforcvnp.org Other hot spots for camping in the parks include:

Connect B nature I I in Summit Metro Parks

Discover nature today at 6 parks and over 50 miles of trails .

Nimisila Reservoir Metro Park (5550 Christman Rd., Green) has 29 individual campsites near the eastern banks of the 800-acre reservoir.

Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table, and six sites have electricity. Three are ADA accessible.

Reservations may only be made online through Reserve America (reserveamerica.com) or in person at the park district’s administrative offices (975 Treaty Line Rd., Akron).

Rivers Edge, near the Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead in Massillon, has a primitive camping area along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail for hikers and bikers. Reservations are not required, but visitors must call when they arrive to check in with the Park Ranger. (330) 353-2377 Quail Hollow Park (13480 Congress Lake Avenue, Hartville) has a primitive camping area for groups up to 25 people. The area has fire rings and picnic tables. Reservations required. starkparks.com West Branch State Park (5570 Esworthy Rd., Ravenna) has 29 fullservice sites, 155 sites with electricity and 14 non-electric sites. Heater showers, flush toilets and laundry facilities.

summitmetroparks.org 45 SMP Image ad '20 - Experience Greater Akron 4.625x10 FINAL.indd 1

6/18/20 2:00 PM

ENJOY IRL or online, the show does go on

PHOTO BY ROGER MASTROIANNI

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Blossom Music Center

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COURTESY OF CANTON BALLET

Canton Ballet

New to the Akron-Canton Arts Scene? Start Here.

L

ive music from The Cleveland Orchestra to PorchRokr; art from Marcel DuChamp to Halston. Broadway shows. Indie films. Nu jazz and arena rock. We have it all and more. Enjoy!

We Hit the Right Notes

Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center—Sit on the lawn, sip wine and hear one of the world’s truly great symphonies.

COURTESY OF VISIT CANTON

PorchRokr—This festival is what it sounds like, only cooler. Bands rock it on front porches all over Highland Square.

Canton Music Block

Canton Music Block—Each Friday and Saturday night, a block in downtown Canton reverberates with live music of all types at various venues.

Lock 3—This park in downtown Akron, adjacent to the Akron Civic Theatre, hosts concerts from May to September and events all year. It’s Akron’s Central Park.

Akron, Canton and Alliance Symphony Orchestras—You don’t have to go far to hear inspiring music played by professionals. Visit a local park in summer to hear their free concerts, gifts to their home communities.

PorchRokr

PHOTO BY SHANE WYNN

Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival—Akron honors its rich musical history at this annual festival that features music by local and national artists at several venues over a weekend each summer.

Tuesday Musical—This longtime Akron organization brings some of the world’s best music to the community. All students can attend concerts for free, and its Decompression Chamber

brings concerts to high-stress environments.

Sing Stark!—This multi-ensemble choral arts organization engages people of all ages through innovative choral music programming.

Broadway at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall—Home to the Akron Symphony and Tuesday Musical, E.J. Thomas hosts a series of Broadway shows that shouldn’t be missed.

We’re Light on Our Feet

Canton Ballet—With the School of Canton Ballet, a company of more than 35 pre-professional dancers and an expansive repertoire, this is a highly regarded company and training ground for serious students.

The Ballet Theatre of Ohio—It’s the largest classic ballet company in Northeast Ohio with a broad classical and contemporary repertoire at various venues.

The Neos Dance Theatre—Based at The University of Akron and the Oberlin Center for the Arts, Neos is a nonprofit professional company that performs both classical and contemporary choreography.

We Color the World

Canton Museum of Art—Check out the museum’s exceptional permanent collection of American watercolors and contemporary ceramics.

The Akron Art Museum— Focused on art from 1850 onward, the museum is free on Thursdays.

Visit the inspiring Bud and Susie Rogers Garden.

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ENJOY Massillon Museum—Known as MassMu, this is where art and history intersect. Check out its mini-museum about Paul Brown, the famous football coach and Massillon native.

The Downtown Akron Artwalk— Travel by foot or trolley to discover two dozen destinations for art appreciation (and shopping!).

THE ELEVEN MARKS CANTON AS THE NFL’S HOME TURF If you walk around downtown Canton, you can’t miss them—striking outdoor art installations (murals and sculptures) representing the greatest moments in the history of the National Football League. There will be 11 in total when all are installed by 2020, just in time for the NFL to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Nine are currently complete or in progress. The ELEVEN is a $2.2 million public art project of ArtsInStark and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The 11 sculptures, their statuses and locations are: Birth of the NFL (1920) DONE, Corner of 2nd St. SW and Cleveland Ave. SW Red Grange Turns Pro (1925) DONE, Market Ave. N (Phoenix Rising building) The NFL Draft (1936) DONE, Corner 4th St. NW and Cleveland Ave. NW Reintegration of Pro Football (1946) DONE, 237 Cleveland Ave. NW 1958 Championship Game IN PROGRESS

Formation American Football League (1959) Pete Rozelle Named Commissioner (1960) AFL/NFL Merger (1966) DONE, Corner of McKinley Ave. NW and 3rd St. NW (Eric Snow YMCA) The Ice Bowl (1967) IN PROGRESS Super Bowl III (1968) DONE, 1001 Market Ave. N (Cultural Center for the Arts) Monday Night Football (1970) DONE, 101 Central Plaza S (Back of Chase building)

State of the art technology.

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We’re Dramatic

Canton Players Guild—The troupe of professional actors puts on such crowdpleasing shows as Sister Act, Shrek: The Musical, and A Christmas Carol.

Magical Theatre Co.—Based in a gemlike theater in Barberton, it is the only professional resident and touring theater for youth in Northeast Ohio. none too fragile theater—Some of the edgiest theater you’ll find in Northeast Ohio, its Akron-based productions are always compelling.

Porthouse Theatre—The theater, affiliated with Kent State University, presents outdoor musicals and dramas on the grounds of Blossom Music Center. Picnic before the show.

The Nightlight Cinema—On Akron’s High Street, patrons can sip a drink and watch fascinating, independent films with like-minded folk.

Ma’Sue Productions—An Akron theater company created in 2011, it celebrates traditional and original African American stories. Its productions take place at various venues in the region.

Exciting entertainment.

Historic beauty & architecture.

The Canton Arts District—This downtown area boasts 30 art galleries, studios and specialty shops plus a wide range of public artwork on display.

605 Market Ave. N, Canton, OH 44702 Ph: 330.454.8172 www.cantonpalacetheatre.org info@cantonpalacetheatre.org

Carnation City Players—The 60-yearold Alliance stalwart features community productions such as Matilda The Musical and Frozen. Its home is the Firehouse Theater, which was once an actual fire station.

Stark County’s Arts Scene Is a Destination.

T

SMART MOVE

here’s no doubt Canton and Stark County have created a vibrant arts scene. And now it’s time to tell art lovers across Ohio and the nation about it.

ArtsInStark—the county arts council—and Visit Canton, the visitors’ bureau, have developed the means to get their message across far and wide.

In 2017, a change in state law allowed Stark County to increase its hotel tax from 3 to 6 percent, a move that brought an additional $1.5 million annual revenue for Visit Canton. As part of that increase, Visit Canton agreed to give one-sixth of its share of the new hotel tax to ArtsInStark, or about $500,000 annually, to increase tourism.

The money can be spent on promoting events, rent, permits and some other direct event costs.

COURTESY OF CANTON MUSEUM OF ART

In early 2018, the two groups came to a 10-year agreement to use funds from an increase in Stark County’s hotel tax to cover costs and marketing for events and arts organizations. Its goal is to reach people outside of the county who might not otherwise know about the area’s offerings.

Canton Museum of Art

CHRISTY BOLINGBROKE

Funds are awarded through a grants application process that Visit Canton runs.

NCCAkron (National Center for Choreography at The University of Akron), Founding Executive/Artistic Director

The message is coming through loud and clear. In 2018, the first year, a total $347,900 in bed tax grants generated nearly $4.5 million in visitor spending, according to ArtsInStark and Visit Canton. If you love the arts, Stark County is worth a trip.

Moved from San Francisco to Akron in 2016.

MORE LOVE

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The world-famous Cleveland Orchestra has its summer home at the Blossom Music Center, an outdoor amphitheater.

Blossom also hosts rock, country and indie concerts all summer presented by Live Nation. Pack a picnic or get food there. It’s a Greater Akron-Canton must.

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Each June, Clay’s Park Resort in Canal Fulton plays host to The Country Fest, a three-day music festival featuring top country talent from across the country that draws over 15,000 attendees nightly. Grab your camping gear and stay on-site all weekend at one of Clay’s Parks campsites.

Out-of-town visitor picks: I take guest dance artists to the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival. I’ve taken my nephew to the Akron Children’s Museum and my grandmother to First Ladies National Historic Site. In between activities, I have an unofficial culinary tour where we hit up Swensons, Mustard Seed Market & Café, Chill Artisanal Ice Cream, Blue Door Café & Bakery, Table Six Kitchen + Bar, and Lock 15 Brewery, among others.

On the business/arts climate: The long history of business and artistic innovation along with community pride and spirited leadership creates a fertile environment. Support from foundations, state arts agencies and individuals create possibility. You can run a technology start-up, be a working artist and a parent—or even build the country’s second national center for choreography.

Tips for newcomers: Experience Akron-Canton through the art made here. Enjoy community-based theater companies like New World Performance Lab and Gum Dip Theatre and public events like PechaKucha Akron.

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Akron Symphony

PHOTO BY JEFF KLAUM

COURTESY OF AKRON SYMPHONY

ENJOY

Blu Jazz

THE ARTS IN AKRON-CANTON

If you check out our arts calendars (summitlive365.com and ArtsInStark.com) for any single week, you’ll find hundreds of options for artsy stuff to do—concerts, lectures, exhibits, films, plays and much more. Here are a few morsels in the cultural feast that we found in a typical week in September.

Kick Back Blu-esday Tuesday Blues Jam at Blu Jazz+, Akron The Who at Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls Close Encounters of the Third Kind, outdoor movie at Glendale Cemetery, Akron Doug & PJS Dueling Pianos by Sing Stark, Canton Brewing Co.

BRASKO with Diamond Kites & LVRBOY, Musica, Akron Sing Stark! (pop-up chorus) by Sing Stark, Canton Brewing Co. Thursday Night Music Club, Hale Farm & Village, Bath The Who’s Tommy, Weathervane Playhouse, Akron

Smokey Honey Blues Band, Buzzbin, Canton

Chicago, Players Guild Theatre, Canton

Beatles vs. Stones, Kent Stage

Wine and Paint at the Akron Zoo

The Kent State University Museum One of the top 10 fashion and costume collections worldwide

Maid Marion, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Greystone Hall, Akron Think Big FUSED: Garden Gallery of Art and Metal, Stan Hywet Hall, Akron Be Inspired by Art, Yoga at Meditation at the Akron Art Museum Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad, Canton Museum of Art Luce, Nightlight Cinema, Akron Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4, Akron Symphony Orchestra, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron Jason Vieaux and Adam Barnett-Hart, guitar and violin, Tuesday Musical, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall Canton’s 24-Hour Theatre, Avenue Arts Marketplace and Theatre Pandemonium4 Flutes at Guzzetta Hall, The University of Akron Highland Square Film Fest Workshop, Akron

Conveniently located on the KSU campus at the corner of E. Main and Lincoln Streets, 515 Hilltop Drive in Rockwell Hall. Visit www.kent.edu/museum for details or call 330.672.3450.

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Kent State Glass@50, exhibitions celebrating KSU’s School of Art glass program

Art for All . . . and All for Art. N ew Cultural Plan Highlights Accessibility and Support.

The arts contribute $1.4 billion to Greater Akron’s economy and unmeasurable pleasure to area residents in and outside city limits.

And now, for the first time in Akron’s history, the community is creating a cultural plan that specifically outlines ways to make its arts and culture community stronger and more accessible to all.

Developed by Designing Local of Columbus and facilitated by ArtsNow in Akron, the goal of the plan is to increase access to arts and culture for residents in all 24 of Akron’s neighborhoods and to support artists and cultural organizations toward that goal. The GAR Foundation and the

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation awarded $100,000 each to fund the plan.

Through in-person interviews, neighborhood gatherings, online surveys and more work done in 2019, residents made their concerns and desires known.

Among the findings: Residents want the arts to be accessible to people of all abilities and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. They also want more ways to create art and share it. And those with disabilities, visible or not, should have more ways to participate in the art world both as artists and appreciators.

Work in that area has already

begun through such groups as the nonprofit Center for Applied Drama and Autism, but the plan calls for an expansion of these efforts across the community.

Older adults said they want earlier cultural events such as matinees, safe transportation, increased seating in parks and more emergency phone stations. They’d also like more ways to participate as artists.

Many mentioned the city should recognize artists as small business owners and support them as such by holding workshops on business matters for example. More art in public spaces was another item on residents’ wish lists.

As of press time, the draft of the plan is open to public comment at akronculturalplan.com. The final plan will be presented to the City of Akron in January 2020.

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CREATE Quiet breeds creativity. There’s an art explosion in the making.

COURTESY OF SUMMIT ARTSPACE

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Sculptor Ron White in his Summit Artspace Studio 52

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COURTESY OF ARTSNOW

Christi Birchfield’s Arm and a Leg, Akron Soul Train

The creative spirit flourishes in Akron-Canton.

W hether you’re a poet or printmaker, you’ll find more than inspiration here.

Akron-Canton arts and artists are supported by many groups and foundations, including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Akron is one of 26 cities that benefit from the foundation’s generosity because the Knight family launched its newspaper empire in the city. The Knight Foundation’s Priya Sircar told NPR the 2019 response to the Knight Arts Challenge challenge was strong.

“We’ve been so excited to see all the different types of things people are working on in Akron,” she said. “We think of it as our spiritual home for the Knight Foundation.”

Among the finalists, with their projects: The Druk Fusion Band: to bring people from different cultures together to experience live music Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: to allow passengers to engage with art aboard a selfpropelled train car

COURTESY OF DRUK FUSION BAND

SUPPORT

Druk Fusion Band

Roots of American Music: to document and build awareness of regional music performed in historical locations House Guests: to bring art directly into people’s homes by pairing artists with everyday citizens for dialogues and meals ArtsInStark runs an annual fund drive that supports the Stark County’s largest arts organizations: Canton Ballet, Canton Museum of Art, Canton Symphony, Massillon

Museum, Canton Palace Theatre, Players Guild and Sing Stark!.

ArtsInStark also provides grants for smaller arts organizations, individual artists and other nonprofits. It also oversees the Cultural Center for the Arts, which houses arts organizations in downtown Canton.

ArtsNow is not a grant-awarding organization, but it provides vital resources to and advocates for artists and their supporting partners in Summit County. It also: • provides residents with information about the diverse arts and culture offerings.

• aggregates and analyzes data about arts and culture to drive sector improvement.

• convenes and connects artists and others to strengthen the sector’s impact and relevance.

• builds and strengthens funding for arts and culture.

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CREATE Summit Artspace is a community art center that brings together in one location some of the best local artists, arts organizations and educators of Greater Akron.

Its downtown studios are filled with potters, quilters, painters and sculptors. Artists can rent studio space and use shared areas. The BOX Gallery features the works of Artists of the Rubber City, a visual arts nonprofit. Summit Artspace also operates two artists’ enclaves in Barberton: the Art Center on Tuscarawas and Nine Muses Art Gallery.

Strung by Shawna, Owner

The Canton Arts District downtown is filled with more than 30 galleries and studios as well as restaurants and cafes. The city and county support the District and its artists by providing tax credits to spur investment and by sponsoring numerous events. The First Friday party every month features live music plus performances and displays. Avenue Marketplace and Theatre includes a gallery area featuring art and jewelry by local artists, 15 individual artist studios/ galleries and The Kathleen Howland Theatre.

Moved from Davenport, IA to Canton in 2018.

TIME

CHELSEA FIBIKAR The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, EHS Associate

SHAWNA FIBIKAR

Biggest surprise: We can look online and find such a variety to choose from—either for a date night or a family activity. That’s special, considering we live eight hours from family.

Out-of-town visitor picks: We love vintage stuff like the Bomb Shelter and Main St. Modern. We’re also foodies and have a soft spot for the Angry Avocado and Cultured Coffee and Waffles.

Day-off fun: Riding our bikes on the towpath and doing DIY or crafty things. We love the 720 Market or attending a place like Glazed and Amused in North Canton.

On the business climate: We love the small-town atmosphere of North Canton and local support the community offers businesses.

We also have a strong culture of rebuilding an area of the city to promote the arts through music, fine arts and handicraft.

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Come aboard the Akron Soul Train, a fellowship program for creative types and their allies. Although the actual village of refurbished rail cars and shipping containers is still in the works, the programs are rolling along. Fellowships from one to six months have been awarded to numerous artists since the idea won the Knight Arts Challenge in 2016.

The poets, musicians and visual artists receive the space, funding and time they need to create. In turn, they share their work with the broader community through public events.

TOOLS

Our libraries are far from stuffy, dusty places you remember from childhood. Ours are buzzing with energy and brimming with creative tools.

The Akron-Summit County Public Library has a Library of Things you

COURTESY OF STARK LIBRARY

SPACE

Sewing and Quilting Machine

TechZone@Main 3D Printer

can check out and use in your home.

You can borrow an original work of art from the Akron Art Library for up to four weeks. You can borrow novelty cake pans, a waffle-maker or a blender. So, if you have a sudden urge to bake Big Bird cupcakes or a culinary showstopper, you’re in luck.

The library also has the TechZone@ Main that has professional grade recording studios, a 3-D printer, laser engraver, vinyl printer, green screen, photo box and a crafting/sewing area that even has a button maker.

Design computers with Adobe Creative Cloud are also available.

Supplies are low cost; check out prices at akronlibrary.org.

Kudos: First in the U.S. to be certified as sensory inclusive by Kulture City.

Not to be outdone, the Stark Library has its Maker Studio, complete with a computerized sewing machine, embroiderer, circuit maker badge/button maker, Cricut press, 3-D printers, grommet machine and VHS/DVD converter.

More information is available at starklibrary.org.

Kudos: Rated in top 1 percent of all libraries by the Library Journal for four consecutive years.

COURTESY OF AKRON-SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

SMART MOVE

DOWNTOWN AKRON HAS IT ALL! DOWNTOWN AKRON HAS IT ALL! ENTERTAINMENT • EVENTS • SHOPPING • DINING • ART • RECREATION ENTERTAINMENT • EVENTS • SHOPPING • DINING • ART • RECREATION Akron’s First Artisan Ice Cream Shop Open All Year • All Ice Cream Made on Premise

downtownakron.com

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30 N. High Street, Akron & 11 Public Square, Medina downtownakron.com Vegan options always available chill-icecream.com

Coming Soon! INDULGE CHOCOLATES

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INDULGE CHOCOLATES a spirited younger sister company to Chill Ice Cream downtownakron.com #downtownakron a spirited younger sister company to Chill Ice Cream

A place where children learn through play.

Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-4:00pm Saturday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm Admission: $5/person

akronkids.org 216 S. Main Street, Akron

AKRON ART MUSEUM

ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH MODERN & CONTEMPORARY ART photo: Joe Levack/Studio Akron

Present this ad to the front desk for one free admission.

The University of Akron

Hower House O • O • O • O • O • O • O • O •

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Affordable Family Fun And Entertainment all year round downtownakron.com downtownakron.com

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EARLY EDUCATION

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COURTESY OF AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

With new challenges come new skills.

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Akron Public School stude udents 56

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Early Education F

COURTESY OF AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Canton Country Day School

COURTESY OF LEBRON JAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION

Akron Public Schools

I PROMISE teacher and students

OUR SCHOOLS START RIGHT

Children who attend preschool are much better prepared than those who don’t. The Akron Public Schools preschool/early learning program provides children ages 3-5 with an affordable, structured curriculum to set them up for success as they enter kindergarten. Most students attend for free; others pay a nominal fee.

The program operates morning and afternoon. Full-day services may be available for children with specialized needs, such as hearing impairment and autism.

Children as young as 18 months can attend Canton Montessori School, which fosters the development of basic trust and assists in the development of individual personality, based on the Montessori method. The school accepts students through elementary school age.

Being within or adjacent to a national park has great advantages for Akron-Canton area school students of all ages. The Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center, managed by the National Park Service and the Conservancy for the park, hosts hundreds of area schoolchildren each year through overnight and day education programs. Photography classes hone their craft there, biology classes study the flora and fauna, and everyone gets a deeper connection to the natural world through the center’s engaging programs. All programs meet Ohio

OUR SCHOOLS IGNITE

The Jackson Academy for Global Studies, part of the Jackson Local Schools in Stark County, operates under the idea that preparing globally competent students begins with a rigorous curriculum.

Through its program, based on the International Schools Studies Network model, students: Work to become fluent in one of three world languages: Chinese, French, or Spanish.

Travel to experience different cultures.

Learn through real world projects.

Develop 21st century work skills such as effective use of technology, critical and creative thinking, collaboration and communication.

Complete a senior capstone project based on their academy work.

academic content standards for the recommended grades listed.

You can hike the ledges to study geology, find your muse alongside professional poets, learn the history of the Ohio & Erie Canal or just commune with Mother Nature. cvnpedu.org.

The Lippman School (K-8) in Akron boasts a renowned cross-cultural education, including partnerships with the Northern Cheyenne Nation in Montana and a sister school in China.

The world languages program at the middle school at Canton Country Day School uses authentic texts, music, technology and everyday 57

COURTESY OF CUYAHOGA VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

COURTESY OF CANTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

aith-based or all girls; boarding or public—whatever type of school you’re looking for, Akron-Canton has it.

EARLY EDUCATION

LEARN

OUR SCHOOLS EXCEL

Hudson High School, Twinsburg High School and Revere High School in Summit County; Jackson High School and Hoover High School in Stark County; Aurora High School in Portage County and Highland High School in Medina County were ranked in the top 50 public high schools in the state by U.S. News & World Report in 2019.

Western Reserve Academy, a coed school in Hudson, was named the best boarding school in Ohio and the #2 private school overall

by Niche.com.

COURTESY OF MCCC

Old Trail School in Bath Township received an “A” rating on Niche.com

Senator Portman visits MCCC’s Precision Machine Lab.

Medina County schools were ranked first in Ohio in college and career readiness by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative think tank based in Columbus.

The ranking is based on test scores, certification and program completion rates. The Medina County Career Center (MCCC) helps thousands of students through more than 25 advanced career technical programs.

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COURTESY OF AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

objects to help students master the language and become confident speakers. This applied learning curriculum fosters a curiosity and a love of the language by bridging language and providing insight into the varied cultures.

North High School CCA

Akron Schools Plus Business Equals Success.

College and Career Academies Propel Economy

M

embers of the Akron Public Schools’ (APS) Class of 2019 had more than a diploma and good wishes in hand when they graduated from high school this spring. They also had highly valued credentials tucked into their back pockets.

As a group, APS students earned a total of 1,440 industry certifications—a stunning 1,500% increase from 2018.

The certifications included 30 credentials in industries and skills such as customer service, automotive mechanics, Cisco, phlebotomy and Adobe Photoshop.

also bring the business community into the schools, creating a shared solution to each group’s individual challenges

This remarkable growth took place because of a robust town-gown effort that marries the needs of students with those of the local business community and broader job market.

The CCAAs were developed with the nonprofit Ford Next Generation Learning, a nonprofit that has helped create such academies across the country. In developing career-specific academies, APS worked with Ford and ConxusNEO, which tracked regional economic data to identify skills in high demand. Based largely on that data and community input, each school was given two to three academies each with three to five pathways, ranging from biomedical engineering to dance. The CCAAs include the Akron Early College High School, which allows students to earn college credit while still in high school.

APS Superintendent David James said the certifications, which recognize training in a specific skill or industry, are a vital part of the districts’ new College and Career Academies Akron (CCAAs). The CCAAs, now at every Akron high school, allow students to study through a career lens, applying basic and advanced learning to indemand fields of their choice. They

“We need to serve our community as well as our students,” said James. “Our students graduate with exactly the skills our businesses need to evolve.”

Continued on page 60

St. St.Hilary Hilary School School

The The Future FutureBegins Begins Here Here

THE FUTURE BEGINS HERE

EENNVVI ISSI IOONNI INNGG | | EENNGGAAGGI INNGG | | EEMMPPOOWWEERRI INNGG

Serving students in grades K-8, St. Hilary School’s curriculum blends tradition and innovation to challenge and accommodate students of diverse learning abilities. Enhancing the core curriculum are classes in Spanish, French, Chinese, religion, art, music, physical education and technology. Advanced math and enrichment classes are also available.

Leading the way to the future through faith and service, traditional and innovative teaching methods, cutting-edge science and technology facilities and equipment, three foreign languages, career careerexploration explorationcourses, courses,enrichment enrichmentand andextracurricular extracurricular opportunities, opportunities,and andmuch muchmore more

Students have the opportunity to participate in service projects, competitive academic events, extracurricular activities and sports throughout the school year. A state-of-the-art media center, digital communication lab, iPads, Chromebooks and career elective courses help to provide a cuttingedge learning experience for students. Guidance, remedial tutoring, speech and hearing therapy, a nurse-staffed clinic, a daily hot lunch program and extended care are among the amenities offered.

Serving Servingaarange rangeofoflearners learnersiningrades gradesK-8 K-8 Over Over$150,000 $150,000inintuition tuitionassistance assistanceawarded awardedannually annually 529 529plan planfunds fundsmay maypotentially potentiallybe beused usedtoward towardtuition tuition

To learn more, call (330) 867-8720, ext. 343.

Comprehensive ComprehensivePreparation Preparationfor foraaComplex ComplexWorld World 645 645Moorfield MoorfieldRoad, Road,Fairlawn Fairlawn| |330-867-8720, 330-867-8720,ext. ext.343 343| |st-hilaryschool.org st-hilaryschool.org

You need talent.

We’re preparing your future workforce. l

l l l

Academies and career pathways at every high school Career exploration and education Community partnerships and collaborations Practical experiences and job training

Connecting community to the classroom akronschools.com | 330.761.1661

© 2019 Akron Public Schools. The Akron Board of Education does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed or ancestry, age, gender, marital status, or disability in employment or in its education program activities.

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Continued from page 58

The academy model emphasizes small learning communities, uniting students, teachers and businesses in developing and carrying out the curriculum. Dozens of businesses and nonprofits of all sizes, including Akron Children’s Hospital and the American Red Cross, have signed on as CCAA partners.

“There are very few opportunities to make a difference on such a grand scale as this,” said Gene Whaley of Keystone Technology Consultants of Akron, a CCAA partner. “We are excited about what the future of Akron will look like when there is a continuous flow of career ready workers.”

New Superintendent Leads Canton City Schools

COURTESY OF CANTON CITY SCHOOLS

Stream or Download Free with Your Library Card Movies Magazines Music Audiobooks Ebooks

Browse online or in the app Jeffrey Graham, Canton City Schools Superintendent

The Canton City Schools have been re-energized by the arrival of a new superintendent. Jeffrey Graham, 52, took the helm in April 2019 and has spent the first few months listening to the concerns of parents, teachers and students of Stark County’s largest district. It has 8,650 students and 2,240 employees.

Graham has spent 26 years in education, 19 of those in leadership positions. His last eight years have been in urban districts in Northeast Ohio, including Parma and Lorain.

He was most recently a regional superintendent in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

In an interview with The Canton Repository, Graham noted the large number of staff members who are graduates of Canton City Schools.

“There’s something very special about a school community which graduates high quality students who return to give back to their city,” he said.

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ST. SEBASTIAN Educating students since 1929, from preschool through 8th grade, St. Sebastian Parish School continues to focus on the directive outlined in its’ mission statement of “excellence in education and commitment to Christ”. Students participate in handson problem-based learning that is cross-curricular and features collaboration and critical thinking in the classroom and in the school’s Innovation Lab. They have the opportunity to learn about coding and 3-D printing in the Technology Learning Lab and the 1:1 Chromebook program provides technology that personalizes the learning environment for every student in grades 5-8. Outside the classroom students can participate in many extra-curricular activities and will reach out to others in need throughout the community through various service projects.

INSPIRING THE CRITICAL THINKERS OF TOMORROW

A STEM Designated School NEW INNOVATION LAB SERVICE LEARNING SCIENCE OLYMPIAD ENRICHMENT ROBOTICS

CHROMEBOOKS POWER OF THE PEN CODING STEWARDSHIP

IPADS STEM EDUCATION 3D PRINTING ...AND MORE!

To learn more, call (330) 836-9107 or visit www.stsebastian.org/school.

5 0 0 M U L L AV E N U E 330.836.9107

A K RO N , O H I O 4 4 3 2 0 W W W. S T S E B A S T I A N . O R G

OLD TRAIL SCHOOL

Small Moments Big Experiences Old Trail School is a co-ed, independent day school, Toddler-Grade 8, dedicated to creating a distinctive culture where each child feels known and cared for. Schedule your personalized visit to learn more.

Old Trail School is a co-ed, independent day school for children age 2 through Grade 8, dedicated to creating a distinctive culture where each child feels known and cared for. A playbased Early Childhood Program and a Project Based K-8 curriculum provide students with a strong academic foundation that encourages them to ask questions and think critically. Their 62-acre campus in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the perfect setting for purposeful, intentional curriculum and a meaningful student experience that gets children outside and brings the park in, while focusing on the School’s Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Goodness and Service.

Contact admission@oldtrail.org.

61 Old Trail School Ad - Quarter Page Ad for August.indd 1

6/18/2019 2:38:53 PM

HIGHER EDUCATION

LEARN

Online or on campus, knowledge reigns here.

COURTESY OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Kent State University’s Fashion School 62

E X P E R I E N C E A K R ON-CANTON

COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Higher Education P

owerhouses of research and pathways to success, our colleges and universities move us forward.

The University of Akron The University of Akron, established in 1870, offers in-demand associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and law degree programs. According to a 2018 study, UA had a $2.7 billion economic impact on the Northeast Ohio region in fiscal year 2016-2017, supporting 36,732 jobs, or one out of every 47 jobs. The increased lifetime earnings for UA students are projected at $1.263 million, a return on investment that is almost five times the cost of earning a degree.

UA is home to the world’s first College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, offering one of the largest and best-known research and academic programs in the world dedicated to the study of polymers—long chains of molecules that make up mainly rubbers and plastics.

UA’s College of Engineering produces some of the most soughtafter, job-ready graduates in the

country. In fact, 93% of spring 2018 graduates were employed or seeking additional education within six months.

Akron Law’s intellectual property, trial advocacy and part-time studies programs were ranked among the top 50 in the country by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020 rankings.

Bragging Rights

¢ The University of Akron led all Northeast Ohio universities in internship and job placements according to a 2018 survey of 101 organizations in the region. ¢ 92% of spring 2018 undergraduate degree recipients are employed or seek additional education within six months. ¢ 18,000+ employers nationwide recruit UA students for internships, co-ops and part- and full-time employment.

COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

New In-demand Degree Programs The bachelor of science degree in allied health care administration is an online degree program that prepares students, as well as those who already have an associate of applied science degree for supervisory or management roles in the growing health care industry.

The bachelor of business administration degree in business data analytics meets the growing demand for professionals who can gather, sort and interpret large amounts of data to help businesses solve problems and operate more effectively.

The bachelor of science degree in computer information systems cybersecurity option is the first four-year degree program among public universities in Ohio that meets the need for experts who can protect data, computers and networks from an array of threats. It is also among the first cybersecurity degree tracks in the country to include courses in applied cryptography, which are typically offered at the graduate level.

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HIGHER EDUCATION

COURTESY OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

LEARN

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY Kent State University (KSU), founded in 1910 in Portage County, is a national public research university, continually ranked in the top tier of best national universities

by U.S. News & World Report. The Kent Campus is located on the banks of the Cuyahoga River and combines a friendly, small-town ambience with proximity to metropolitan centers. Kent State offers more than 340 undergraduate programs of study and nearly 200 master’s and doctoral programs of study.

With eight campuses in Ohio and locations across the globe including New York, China, Italy, Switzerland and India, Kent State helps students find their passion and purpose so that they may shape the world. Kent State is one of the largest university systems in the nation. With a total

enrollment of more than 38,000 students, including more than 1,700 international students from 100 countries, the university offers an environment where pushing limits and freedom of expression thrive.

Kent State’s worldwide alumni family exceeds 247,000.

Kent State University at Stark is the university’s largest Regional Campus. Founded in 1946, Kent State Stark students receive an affordable university education on a beautiful 200-acre campus with a private college feel. Stark County’s only public university, Kent State Stark serves more than 7,250 students year-round. In addition, 900 high school students from the Stark County area take advantage of the College Credit Plus program.

Bragging Rights

¢ Kent State’s Fashion School is ranked No. 15 in the world and No. 5 in the nation. ¢ For the 10th consecutive time, Kent State has earned the 20192020 Military Friendly® School designation for its Kent Campus. ¢ Kent State received a perfect overall score as an LGBTQfriendly campus on the Campus Pride Index, the premier national benchmarking tool for creating safer and more LGBTQ-friendly learning environments at colleges and universities.

Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

COURTESY OF NEOMED

Founded in 1973, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) opened its campus in Portage County to its first class in 1977. It consisted of 42 students from a Greater Akron consortium of state universities in Northeast Ohio: The University of Akron, Kent State University and Youngstown State University.

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NEOMED has grown to include three colleges of its own (College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy and College of Graduate Studies) and nine higher education partnerships, including its Greater Akron consortium with other colleges and universities. Providing education,

research and service, NEOMED improves the health, economy and quality of life of the diverse communities of Northeast Ohio. The total enrollment consists of nearly 1,000 future medical professionals, most of whom return to live and work in Northeast Ohio.

NEOMED has graduated more than 4,600 medical students—Doctors of Medicine (M.D.), Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Philosophy (Ph.D.) and other health professionals and researchers—more than half of whom practice in Ohio and are now contributing to economic development and providing excellent care to the patients in the region.

New Director Named for Kent State’s Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute. director of the institute since 2018 and a faculty member and researcher at Kent State since 2011. He said the future of liquid crystals will be its applications in biology and medical science as well as sensors and active, responsive systems.

“Liquid crystal research is moving more toward biology and toward materials that respond to their environment in unique and unexpected ways,” he said. “These are the new frontiers for the field.”

COURTESY OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

Think about liquid crystals, and a flat screen television may be the first item that comes to mind. Yet the future of liquid crystal science will see it pairing more strongly with biology than displays, predicts the new head of Kent State University’s Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute.

Torsten Hegmann, Ph.D., was named the new director of the Institute, effective July 1,

Torsten Hegmann, Ph.D. 2019, having been selected for his research accomplishments, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for social impact.

Hegmann has been an associate

Bragging Rights

¢ Offers six research-focused areas. ¢ Rural Medicine Program enhances students’ medical education by offering education and training in rural medicine. ¢ In 2018, The College of Pharmacy won several national awards in the annual Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge, a competition designed to engage students and faculty to develop creative ideas and initiatives to raise public awareness about the importance of medication adherence. ¢ Pathways to Pharmacy one-week program educates students in pharmacy compounding, patient counseling, over-the-counter products, vitals training and careers in pharmacy.

EXPERIENCE THE UNDENIABLE

WWW.KENT.EDU

At Kent State University our students are learning what’s now so that they may be what’s next. Powered by purpose they rise to explore, discover and create, knowing that collaboration inspires innovation.

Research and study conducted here tackle the greatest challenges of today – and tomorrow – to create a brighter future.

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, KENT STATE AND KSU ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION. KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER, IS COMMITTED TO ATTAINING EXCELLENCE THROUGH THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF A DIVERSE WORKFORCE. 19-P-BRAND-824

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF STARK STATE COLLEGE

SMART MOVE

Stark State College Stark State College offers affordable, quality education that propels students of all ages to career success or launches them toward advanced degrees.

Northeast Ohio Medical University, President Moved from Salt Lake City to Aurora/ Rootstown in 2019.

Biggest surprise: The genuine friendliness of the local residents and their incredible sense of community.

Out-of-town visitor picks: I would take them cycling on the extensive biking trails, on a tour of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, followed by a wonderful meal at one of the many amazing bistros and restaurants.

Day-off fun: Triathlon training and horseback riding.

On the business/arts climate: The Akron-Canton region has a thriving business environment composed of both established industry leaders and talented entrepreneurs. The arts climate is active and growing, offering an eclectic and large number of studios, galleries and music venues to meet everyone’s tastes.

Tips for newcomers: Take the time to visit the many galleries, shops and dining establishments that make this area unique. Enjoy a beverage at one of the areas many microbreweries and wineries. Most important, get to know the locals who are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality.

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As a regional community college, Stark State’s strong partnerships move Akron, Canton and surrounding communities forward through economic development initiatives such as Strengthening Stark and Elevate Greater Akron, community liaisons with entities such as Mercy Medical Center and Akron Children’s Hospital, employer partnerships that include the FirstEnergy Power Systems Institute and academic partnerships such as Direct Connect with The University of Akron.

Bragging Rights

¢ Lowest tuition in the area ¢ Small class sizes for one-on-one attention ¢ Professors with real-world experience

Life Doesn’t Always Unfold in a Straight Line.

Just ask Angeline Main, “I’m so happy with who started out at Stark everything Stark State has State College, took a done for me to get to this winding detour through point. It’s a proud moment other stops—including for me.” the U.S. Air Force—and Stark State’s partnership Angeline Main ended up back at Stark pipeline with NEOMED State. Now she’s on a straight shot is just one of the many academic to success, taking her new associate partnerships the College’s high-quality degree to the doctoral pharmacy programs allow it to foster, with more program at Northeast Ohio Medical than 30 agreements for easy transfer University (NEOMED). on the books, including one with The “When I came out of the military, I Ohio State University. said, ‘Hey, I’m back. Help me get on my “Stark State,” Angeline said, career path,’” Angeline commented. “prepared me well for this journey.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STARK STATE COLLEGE

DR. JOHN LANGELL

The College meets the critical need for skilled employees with indemand programs (cybersecurity, for example) and standout facilities such as the WR Timken Advanced Manufacturing Lab and a community dental clinic on the Stark County main campus. In Summit County, Stark State has state-of-theart medical labs and IT equipment, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) training site and more.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION

Bragging Rights

¢ About 98% of undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid, and nearly 87% receive need-based aid. The University also offers more than $30.7 million in grants and scholarships each year. ¢ Recent curricular additions include programs in biomedical, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical The University of Mount Union engineering; nursing and a second-degree accelerated The University strives to make its The University of Mount Union, BSN; risk management and exceptional educational experience a private institution founded insurance; and a master’s of accessible to students of all financial in 1846, offers a rigorous and education. backgrounds.

Its increasingly diverse relevant academic program that ¢ Mount Union has a network campus community benefits from a is grounded in the liberal arts of more than 18,000 alumni student-centered approach and array tradition. Mount Union’s nearly across the world. Notable 2,300 students can select from 56 of activities for cultural, civic, and social alumni include actress Carrie development. Students experience broad-based and career-specific Coon; ESPN SportsCenter outstanding opportunities for success undergraduate majors as well as anchor Antonietta Collins; and after graduation, both in the workforce master’s programs in physician Dr. Shuvo Roy, co-inventor of and in graduate study. assistant studies and education the world’s first implantable and a doctoral program in artificial kidney.

For more information, visit mountunion.edu. physical therapy.

SPEND LESS. EARN MORE. GO FURTHER. SPEND LESS. EARN MORE. GO FURTHER.

Debt-free,

trained and certified starkstate.edu — Kennedy H., COTA/L Occupational therapy assistant grad Gerontology certificate American Sign Language certificate

GO FURTHER. SPEND LESS. EARN MORE. GO FURTHER. SPEND LESS. EARN MORE.

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Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences is the only health care system-affiliated college in Northeast Ohio and has the longest running nursing education program in the region. The College is focused on preparing students to become successful practitioners and leaders in the healthcare field.

Located near downtown Canton, the College shares a campus with Aultman Hospital, Stark County’s largest hospital and the area’s only

Magnet-designated facility. As part of this renowned health system, Aultman College students receive unparalleled clinical and learning experiences.

Aultman College offers programs in nursing, radiography, social work, medical assisting and health sciences, as well as community education courses. Nearly 340 fulland part-time students are enrolled.

¢ Aultman College’s nursing program consistently ranks high on national and statewide lists. Most recently, it was recognized as a best value RN program. ¢ Social work students can minor in healthcare or substance abuse; Aultman College is among only a handful of institutions nationally that offer these focused minors. ¢ Radiography and nursing graduates consistently exceed state and national averages on licensing exams.

Students Gain Unique On-the-Job Experiences.

Julia Nyland Thanks to Aultman College’s relationship with the Aultman Healthcare Delivery System, students can gain real, hands-on medical experience with patients as early as their freshman year.

Julia Nyland is working toward her bachelor’s degree in nursing, and she works in the Laboratory Services Department at Canton’s Aultman Hospital, where she’s employed as a lab technician and phlebotomist— someone who draws blood and prepares it for testing. Nyland is just one of many Aultman College students who is working positions throughout Aultman’s Healthcare Delivery System as patient care technicians and physical therapy assistants and in areas like the critical care unit, emergency room and inpatient units. Students help by picking up hours before or after classes that might otherwise be difficult to fill.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF AULTMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Bragging Rights

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WALSH UNIVERSITY

Walsh University Founded in 1960 by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, Walsh University is an independent, coeducational, Catholic, liberal arts and sciences institution. As a nationally recognized Catholic university, Walsh’s ultimate mission is to develop leaders in service to others. Walsh offers nearly 100 undergraduate majors and minors as well as nine graduate programs, 22 NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic teams and a beautiful campus situated on 136 park-like acres in North Canton, OH. An active global learning program and satellite campus just outside of Rome, Italy, provide students an international perspective.

Bragging Rights

¢ 94% of graduates are either employed in their field or attending graduate school within six months after graduation. ¢ New interdisciplinary research institutes focus on issues of community health, food insecurity and hunger, civic engagement and community development. ¢ Walsh awards nearly $30 million in grants, scholarship and other institutional support each year.

WA L S H U N I V E R S I T Y Walsh Students Conduct High-Impact Scientific Research on National Stage.

Advanced research opportunities are becoming the norm for students enrolled in Walsh University’s Division of Math and Science. Through collaborations with top research facilities such as Alabama’s HudsonAlpha, the Left to Right: Walsh University University of Pittsburgh and Biology Professors Dr. Michigan State University Thomas Freeland and Dr. Grand Rapids Research Adam Underwood with Center, students have Alumnus Daniel Rasicci ’18 work in the University’s participated in hands-on lab Bioinformatics Lab. internships, published their own research and presented nationally among some of the most recognized members of the scientific community—all before they enter graduate school.

Last year, Walsh’s research attracted the attention of renowned healthcare institutions including the Mayo Clinic and St. Jude Children Research Hospital, with a record number of students presenting research nationally in cancer research, environmental science and genome annotation critical to the field of personalized healthcare.

WU

here

MATTER

Nearly 100 Majors & Minors

Nine Graduate Programs Dozens of Online Programs & Certificates

Scholarships Available

NCAA Division II Athletics

Schedule your campus visit today!

www.walsh.edu/yourfuture

#walshu

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HIGHER EDUCATION

LEARN

SMART MOVE

Malone University

MIKE LEHMAN, PH.D Kent State University, Director, Brain Health Research Institute Moved from Jackson, MS to Hudson in 2019.

Biggest surprise: The region is much more vibrant and progressive than I had anticipated. My previous knowledge of Akron was based on its being the “Rubber Capital of the World.” I was unaware of the transition from a post-industrial region to a vibrant innovation center.

Out-of-town visitor picks: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, May 4th Visitor Center at Kent State University, a performance at the Akron Civic Theatre.

Celebrating more than 125 years of higher education, Malone University is a Christian university for the arts, sciences and professions in the liberal arts tradition, affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church. With more than 14,000 living alumni, Malone provides a transformative, faith-integrated environment that equips its graduates with the skills necessary to serve, engage and transform the communities in which they live and work.

Malone University once again ranks among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest in a recent survey by U.S. News & World Report, achieving #75 among 173 institutions for 2018. Malone is also identified by U.S. News as a Best Value School, ranking 33rd among colleges and universities in the Midwest. College Consensus recently

selected Malone as one of five institutions in Northeast Ohio to be included on their “Best Colleges in Ohio” list, and Washington Monthly again included Malone on their “Best Bang for the Buck” list based on its performance with graduation rates, test scores, price of education and graduates’ salaries. In 2019, the first-time pass rate for bachelor of science in nursing graduates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) was 100% for the second consecutive year; similarly, in 2017, social work graduates passed the licensure exam at a rate of 100%, 29 percent higher than the national average.

The University has had four faculty Fulbright Scholars in the last ten years, and 80% of the full-time faculty have earned the terminal degree in their discipline.

On the business/academic climate: We are fortunate to have innovative, forward-thinking dynamic leaders and entrepreneurs.

Tips for newcomers: This is a fantastic place to live where you can make a difference!

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF MALONE UNIVERSITY

Day-off fun: Hiking The Ledges Trail in the CVNP and enjoying the Akron Art Museum, Kent State University’s May 4 Visitor Center and Kent State’s Fashion Museum.

Profile: Jack Hazen, Head Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Coach

Is my financial plan working?

A Stark County native, longtime coach Jack Hazen has served Malone for more than 50 years. His legendary achievements include serving as head coach of the men’s cross country team for five decades and women’s cross country head coach for more than 25 years. During his tenure, Coach Hazen captured five national championships and numerous conference championships, and his men’s team still ranks as the all-time winningest program in the NAIA. He has coached more than 325 All-Americans in cross country and track & field. This represents more than 80% of the All-Americans in all of Malone athletics history. Coach Hazen was honored in 2012 by being selected to the staff working with the United States distance team at the London Olympic Games.

“The athletic field is like a classroom.

As a coach, I feel responsible to teach my athletes about running, God, and life.” —Coach Hazen

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Bragging Rights ¢ Malone’s Zoo & Wildlife Biology major is one of few programs in the country offered in a liberal arts university setting. Students gain skills in animal husbandry, animal training, scientific research and environmental monitoring utilizing local natural resources and Malone’s collection of small mammals, reptiles and birds. ¢ The annual Research Symposium gives students the opportunity to work closely with faculty members to formally present their own research, showcasing the academic and creative work that prepares undergraduates for graduate-level education. ¢ A distinctly Christian environment that welcomes all students regardless of where they are on their faith journey, Malone’s faith-integrated curriculum helps students understand how faith applies to all areas of life, including intellectual, spiritual and community pursuits.

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CARE

Hurray for our healthcare heroes who’ve carried the load with courage and grace.

COURTESY OF AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Akron Children’s Hospital 72

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Be well and thrive.

O

ur healthcare system includes nationally ranked providers, booming biomedical companies, an innovative medical and pharmacy school and robust research universities.

SUMMA HEALTH Summa Health is a patient-centered population health management organization that provides integrated and coordinated care and a superior experience for Northeast Ohio patients. Summa Health was formed in 1989 with the merger of Akron City and St. Thomas Hospital, and encompasses a network of hospitals, community-based health centers, a health plan, a physicianhospital group, multi-specialty group practice, research and medical education and the Summa Foundation.

There are more than 1,000 licensed inpatient beds on Summa’s campuses: Akron City Hospital, Summa St. Thomas Hospital, Summa Barberton Hospital and Summa Rehab Hospital.

Summa is committed to the principles of population health management, using coordinated, patient-centered care to improve the patient experience, improve the health of the community and lower care costs. This is accomplished when a team of clinicians work collaboratively in the treatment of the patient and in concert with the patient to make real lifestyle changes and implement preventative healthcare measures.

During the two years of construction of the seven-story tower, Summa employed about 180 tradespeople on the job and in peak days about 250 skilled laborers. Consisting of some 340,000 square feet, the new hospital features 108 private patient rooms, 11 state-of-theart operating rooms and 67 same-day surgery suites. The Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Center for Breast Health offers 12 private exam rooms in a nurturing environment. More than 50 unique works of art, all with Ohio ties, are spread throughout the facility.

Bragging Rights

¢ Serves more than one million patients throughout its fivecounty region each year in comprehensive emergency, acute, critical, outpatient and long-term/home care settings. ¢ Is the largest employer in Summit County, with more than 7,000 employees. ¢ Summa Health’s Accountable Care Organization, NewHealth Collaborative, has been recognized for achieving a significant multi-million dollar savings in the CMS Medicare Shared Savings Program. ¢ The new seven-story tower serves as the new face of Summa Health and provides a new “front door” to the Akron Campus.

COURTESY OF SUMMA HEALTH

Seven-story Tower Rises.

The transformation to a population health organization has required many organizational changes.

Summa Health is investing $350 million in facility improvements across the system, including the 2019 completion of a new patient center at Summa Akron and significant renovations at Summa Barberton.

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CARE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

SMART MOVE

AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

RHONDA LARIMORE Akron Children’s Hospital, Chief Human Resources Officer Moved from Pittsburgh to Akron in 2018.

Biggest surprise: The area’s not flat.

There are trees and hills. We can kayak, hike and bike within minutes of where we live.

Being from Pittsburgh, I am a football and hockey fan. I’ve never really loved baseball, but having the Akron RubberDucks right downtown made me a fan. Now I even love the Cleveland Indians (but that’s the only Cleveland sport that will have my love).

Out-of-town visitor picks: Biking on the Towpath, including putting the bikes on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train for a longer ride.

Neighborhood benefit: I chose to live in downtown Akron in the Northside Lofts. Within walking distance, I have the Northside Marketplace with about 70 small businesses, an awesome original boutique, several music venues and several restaurants. Having the Akron Art Museum close is an added benefit.

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Akron Children’s Hospital has been caring for children since 1890, and its pediatric specialties are ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report. With two hospital campuses, four health centers and 50-plus primary and specialty care locations throughout Ohio, the independent pediatric health care organization is making it easier for today’s busy families to find the high-quality care they need. In 2018, Akron Children’s provided more than 1.1 million patient encounters. It also operates six neonatal and two pediatric units in regional hospitals with which it partners. Through its Children’s Home Care Group, nurses provide thousands of in-home visits, and School Health nurses manage more than a half million clinic visits for students in 300-plus area schools.

The Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute is focused on new and future treatments that will continue to improve the health of the region’s most valuable resource: our children.

Learn more at akronchildrens.org.

Bragging Rights

¢ Provides more than 1 million patient visits annually. ¢ Focuses exclusively on children and serves them with quality patient care, education, advocacy, community service and medical research. ¢ Opened three new health centers in Mansfield, North Canton and Boston Heights in 2019 to bring pediatric primary and specialty care closer to home, with a fourth site to open in 2020.

Bringing Specialty Care Closer to Home For Levi and Joshua Detweiler, spending less time in the car means they can spend more time being kids. Akron Children’s Hospital’s new health centers help patients like them access the same kid-focused care they get at Akron Children’s Hospital but without the travel time.

“We can get care right here in our own backyard,” said mom Kate Detweiler of the new North Canton Levi (left) and

site. “Having this new facility so close means Joshua doesn’t have to miss so much school and we don’t have to carve out extra time to go to downtown Akron for care.”

The health centers feature primary care and specialty services in North Canton, Boston Heights and Mansfield, with another slated to open in Portage County in 2020.

Joshua Detweiler (right)

More best friends.

Childhood goes so fast. From wellness visits, to sports and rehabilitation services made specifically for growing bodies, we’re here to help your family make the most of every moment – from birth to graduation day.

Learn more at akronchildrens.org/morechildhoodplease

More childhood, please.

CARE

AULTMAN HOSPITAL

With 300 locations serving seven counties across the region—spanning multiple hospitals, outpatient facilities, physician offices, therapy locations and hospice care—Aultman opened its first freestanding emergency department in Massillon in fall 2019.

Aultman Health Foundation provides comprehensive health care services including heart, cancer and emergency care, along with a broad spectrum of other health care specialties and services.

Summa Health System, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Moved from Englewood, CO to Akron in 2018.

Biggest Surprise: The rich history, sense of community and beauty of the area.

Out-of-town visitor picks: Absolutely! The Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Vineyards, Tow Path hikes, Cedar Point, Stan Hywet, The Blue Door, Angel Falls Coffee Co. . . . too many places to mention!

On the nonprofit climate: The nonprofit climate is vibrant and very focused on enhancing the health and economic wellness of the community. If there is a community need, you can bet there is an organization that is focused on it. In addition, a well-kept secret is the amount of innovation that is occurring in this area. It is great to experience a community that is so poised to make a difference in the lives of the people it serves!

Tips for newcomers: Spend time exploring the area. It is full of treasures!

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A 2015 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jerome Bettis, visits with a patient.

Bragging Rights

¢ Constructing the $28 million Timken Family Cancer Center for state-of-the-art, comprehensive cancer care in the Canton community. ¢ Includes more than 7,000 employees and over 800 active physicians. ¢ Offers 1,032 private beds for the comfort of patients and their families.

The Timken Family Cancer Center Difference Aultman’s cancer care for more than 4,000 treatments for patients. The Aultman radiation infusion at Cancer Center provides multiple locations a full range of cancer will be enhanced by services that encompasses constructing The the cancer journey—from Timken Family Cancer diagnosis to survivorship.

Dr. Shilad with survivors Center, a state-ofTheir board-certified the-art comprehensive center on the physicians specialize in all aspects of Canton campus. Improving the patient cancer care including surgical, medical, experience and advancing clinical radiation and interventional oncology. care, the center will bring together all All patients can access nurse providers, care teams and services navigators to help guide them through into one convenient location. This will the complexities of care, social workers, allow Aultman to continue to be the dieticians, therapy services, fitness and community leader in the fight against yoga classes, support groups, financial cancer. counseling and assistance, survivorship Annually, Aultman diagnoses about programs, palliative care, hospice and 1,500 new cancer cases and provides grief support.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AULTMAN HOSPITAL

TANYA ARTHUR

Aultman’s wide variety of unique, state-of-the-art services range from complex TAVR and Watchman heart procedures to comprehensive medical, surgical, interventional and radiation cancer care to roboticassisted surgeries and more. It also participates in clinical research, pioneering future cardiac and cancer treatments. Aultman also serves as a teaching hospital, offering seven different residency and fellowship programs in interventional cardiology, cardiovascular disease, OB/GYN, radiology, orthopedics, family medicine and internal medicine.

COURTESY OF AULTMAN HOSPITAL

SMART MOVE

Aultman Hospital, Stark County’s first hospital, opened in 1892. The nonprofit hospital has more than 7,300 employees across the health care system and more than 885 active physicians.

Keeping

you safe Ready for you… now more than ever.

SMART MOVE

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER Mercy Medical Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, operates a 476-bed hospital serving Stark, Carroll, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas counties and parts of southeastern Ohio. It has 620 members on its medical staff and employs 2,500 people. Mercy has been serving the community for over 110 years.

DR. VIDHI ADLAKHA Mercy Medical Center, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Moved from Philadelphia to Canton in 2018.

Biggest surprise: I live in downtown Canton and have a great view of the city buildings. My favorite architecture is the four gorgeous hand carved angels around the clock tower in the middle of the city.

People are friendly, and it’s always a nice vibe walking around Canton in the evening.

Day-off fun: My favorite place is Gervasi Vineyard, where people can mingle, eat, drink and socialize around the beautiful lake.

On the arts climate: Since I live in downtown Canton, I have the luxury of just walking down to the city’s “First Friday” celebrations. I am always impressed by the art scene created by local artists and vendors.

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Stark county’s only Catholic hospital, Mercy operates outpatient health centers in Alliance, Carroll County, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Louisville, Massillon, North Canton, Plain Township and Tuscarawas County. Mercy provides over $20 million in community benefit. In 2018 alone, Mercy treated 650,630 patients with 63,814 emergency department visits, 12,506 surgeries and 1,376 births.

The hospital is proud to have nationally recognized Centers of Excellence in Emergency Chest Pain, Cancer, Emergency Services/ Trauma, Orthopedics, Surgery & Robotics, Dental Services and The Heart Hospital at Mercy Medical Center.

Mercy manages its own network of medical professionals. Their qualified, board-certified doctors have offices throughout all of their communities. Call (330) 489-1333 or visit cantonmercy.org/procare

Mercy Professional Care Physician, Cory A. Brown, DO, Mercy Primary Care Jackson

Bragging Rights

¢ Mercy Cancer Center is one of only 16 facilities nationwide to earn the American College of Surgeons Outstanding Achievement Award four or more times in a row. This distinction is unmatched in Ohio. ¢ The Heart Hospital at Mercy Medical Center is home to the nation’s only heart catheterization lab, located directly in the Emergency Department. It also has the nation’s first accredited chest pain center. ¢ Mercy is the only Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service 4-Star rated hospital in Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Carroll counties.

Heart Catheterization Lab Breaks Records.

Dr. Ahmed Sabe angioplasty. is a Harvard-trained Why is an ED catheterization interventional cardiologist lab so different from typical and medical director of The catheterization labs? Dr. Sabe Heart Hospital at Mercy explains, “Patients entering the Medical Center. He could ED for a heart attack must be Dr. Ahmed Sabe boast of a decorated career and Dr. Frank transferred to a cath lab. That with numerous regional and Kaeberlein transfer takes staff, equipment national recognitions. But and time, often 20 or 30 perhaps his greatest achievement was minutes. Those precious, lost minutes establishing the nation’s only heart mean increased heart damage, patient catheterization lab in the Emergency risk and loss of lives. That is simply Department (ED), posting recordunacceptable, and Mercy has provided breaking times from heart attack to the solution.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MERCY MEDICAL CENTER

CARE

Since 1908, H E R E

F O R

Y O U

+ Quality + Accessibility + Compassion + Affordability CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE: • The Heart Hospital at Mercy Medical Center • Emergency Chest Pain Center • Cancer Center • Emergency Services/Trauma Center • Orthopedic Center • Surgery & Robotics Center • Dental Services Conveniently Located Health Centers In: Alliance, Carroll County, Jackson, Lake, Louisville, Massillon, North Canton, Northeast Canton, Plain and Tuscarawas County

CantonMercy.org

In Network with AultCare & AultCare’s PrimeTime Accepting most major insurance plans: cantonmercy.org/insurance-information

Mercy Professional Care Physicians - Accepting Patients Looking for a primary care physician, experienced heart doctor, or other specialty physicians? cantonmercy.org/procare

CantonMercy.org/Telehealth

Mercy

Telehealth

MERC Y

MEDICAL C ENTER A Ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System

CARE Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Medina Hospital

Trainer Matt LeBeau and Nurse Diane Moriconi

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GENERAL

Personal Training Makes the Difference.

LifeStyles, a medically based fitness program at Cleveland Clinic Akron General’s Health & Wellness centers in Bath, Green and Stow, helps members incorporate overall wellness into their lives. The staff includes exercise physiologists, athletic and personal trainers, registered dietitians and wellness experts.

For Diane Moriconi, RN, a nurse at Akron General, the expertise of one of LifeStyles’ personal trainers in Green has been life-changing. Struggling to feel well after three years of battling a rare heart condition called myocarditis, she was exhausted and overweight when she signed up for a program that offered nutrition counseling and personal training. She just wanted to lose weight and be able to walk across a room easily.

“Initially I found the whole experience to be intimidating. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do much, and the gym was not exactly my favorite place to be,” she recalls.

However, her trainer, Matt LeBeau, took a patient and positive approach to the challenge, and today, about a year and a half later, she is down 81 pounds.

“I haven’t felt this strong or healthy in years!” she says. “Matt helped me get my life back, and I will be forever grateful for that.”

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Cleveland Clinic Akron General, a not-for-profit healthcare organization, was founded in 1914 as Peoples Hospital and affiliated with Cleveland Clinic in 2015.

Akron General’s main campus in downtown Akron is anchored by a 532-registered-bed teaching and research medical center. Akron General also has Health & Wellness Centers in Bath, Green and Stow, offering a variety of integrated outpatient services, including 24-hour emergency departments, primary and specialty care practices, and medically supervised exercise programs. The hospital opened a new state-of-the art main campus Emergency Department in 2018, more than tripling the size of its emergency department and greatly enhancing patient experience.

Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital, originally the four-bedroom home of the Theodore Weidner family, opened in 1944. Today, the hospital is a modern 171-bed hospital located on the I-77 corridor to the Medina community. Part of the Cleveland Clinic since 2009, the hospital features the latest technology and procedures with more than 600 physicians on the medical staff covering more than 40 areas of specialization. Cleveland Clinic has invested more than $126 million in Medina Hospital, including new operating rooms, a wound center clinic and a $1.7 million remodel of the Intensive Care Unit in 2017.

Each ICU room is now equipped with cameras that allow intensive care specialists to monitor patients overnight.

Bragging Rights

Cleveland Clinic Akron General ¢ Invested $6 million in upgraded radiation oncology technology in 2019 to bring the latest state-ofthe-art care to cancer patients. ¢ Recently certified as an Advanced ThrombectomyCapable Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, an important validation of the quality care it provides for stroke patients. ¢ Opened a walk-in clinic where patients can get prompt care for sports or exercise-related injuries without having to go to the emergency department.

The Sports & Ortho Injury Care at the Stow Health & Wellness Center offers treatment without an appointment for patients age 7 and up. ¢ Partnered with the One-in-Six Foundation and Stewart’s Caring Place in 2019 to increase access to prostate cancer screening blood tests and education in the community. ¢ Expanded its residency education program to open up more spots to train primary care doctors, which are in critically short supply across the country.

Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital ¢ Celebrating its 75th anniversary of serving the Greater Medina area in 2019. ¢ Received a $500,000 donation from a Medina couple to fund the creation of a new center for healing and wellness that will offer more integrative medicine options, including acupuncture, massage therapy and nutrition counseling. ¢ Offers a Healthy Medina program to help local residents and workers at several local employers with wellness initiatives and challenges.

65 OR OLDER?

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MEDICARE CAN BE COMPLICATED. LEARN MORE ABOUT PRIMETIME AND OUR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS. VISIT www.pthp.com/request AND A FREE PRIMETIME BROCHURE WILL BE MAILED TO YOU.

CALL 1-800-577-5084 (TTY: 1-800-617-7446) TO SPEAK WITH A SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR TO SCHEDULE A ONE-ON-ONE MEETING AT OUR OFFICE.

’S

PrimeTime PrimeTime Customer Customer Service Service is is available available Monday-Friday Monday-Friday from from 8:00 8:00 a.m. a.m. to to 8:00 8:00 p.m. p.m. (October (October 1-March 1-March 31, 31, we we are are available available 77 days days aa week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00p.m.), or visit www.pthp.com.

Our plan does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00p.m.), or visit www.pthp.com. Our plan does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, or disability disability in in its its health programs or or activities. activities. English: English: ATTENTION: ATTENTION: IfIf you you speak speak English, English, language language assistance assistance services, services, health programs sex, age, age, or free of charge, are available to you.

Call 1-800-577-5084 (TTY 1-800-617-7446).

Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: si habla español, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-800-577-5084 (TTY 1-800-617-7446). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene tiene aa su su disposición disposición servicios servicios gratuitos gratuitos de de asistencia asistencia lingüística. lingüística. Llame Llame al al 1-800-577-5084 1-800-577-5084 (TTY (TTY 1-800-617-7446).

1-800-617-7446). 繁體中文 (Chinese): 繁體中文 (Chinese): 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-800-577-5084 (TTY (TTY 1-800-617-7446).

1-800-617-7446). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-800-577-5084 H3664_PTHPCAK20_C

CARE

SMART MOVE

WESTERN RESERVE HOSPITAL Western Reserve Hospital, based in Cuyahoga Falls, is Northeast Ohio’s only physician-owned hospital, offering a full range of healthcare options and services. The hospital is committed to providing the safest, highest quality, lowest cost healthcare available and improving the overall health of the communities it serves.

Western Reserve also works closely with local organizations, businesses, schools and first responders to

implement effective, far-reaching programs for families and children.

Over the last few years, it has expanded specialty services to meet the region’s increased demand in areas like endocrinology and gastroenterology and has added staff to its vascular surgery practice.

Western Reserve Hospital has specialty physicians in offices in Summit, Portage and Cuyahoga counties.

Bragging Rights

NKOSI MASON, M.D.

¢ Added two physicians to its endocrinology practice in 2018 to meet the needs of the increasing number of people suffering from diabetes, osteoporosis and endocrine-related issues. ¢ Added staff to treat digestive diseases including hernia, gallstones, Crohn’s disease, GERD and ulcers. ¢ Expanded its vascular surgery practice to diagnose and treat disease of the arteries and veins including aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, blockages, complications from diabetes, varicose veins, dialysis access and carotid stenosis.

Cleveland Clinic Akron General Center for Family Medicine Moved from Wooster, OH to Wadsworth (previously lived in New York).

Tips for newcomers: Get a good winter coat and snow tires. But don’t let winter stop you from taking advantage of all there is to do!

Out-of-town visitor picks: Blossom Music Center, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a RubberDucks baseball game, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Day-off fun: I am a real foodie! I love the Saffron Patch for Indian food, Fleming’s for steaks or Sarah’s Vineyard for pizza and wine. And I love doing yard work! That’s not something you do in New York City.

On the healthcare climate: Having so many great healthcare institutions is one of the highlights of this area.

I am proud to be part of providing essential services to the community and to work at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, which is committed to training the next generation of physicians.

Proudly serving our community for over 20 years!

NO INSURANCE? NO PROBLEM! We provide quality, affordable care in: MEDICAL • DENTAL • WOMEN’S HEALTH PHARMACY • BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurances are also accepted.

Visit axesspointe.org to find the location nearest you!

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Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) ¢ NEOMED’s newest degree program, Modern Anatomical Sciences, offers a one and two-year track for students to earn a master’s degree in the rapidly-expanding field of visual and virtual anatomy. ¢ NEOMED will be hosting the 2020 National Brain Bee, a neuroscience competition in which high school students from across the U.S. will compete for “Best Brain.” ¢ The SOAR Free Clinic, which provides free primary care and medication management services to uninsured and underinsured area residents, will expand its operations from three Saturdays per month to every Saturday, plus additional weekdays.

COURTESY OF NEOMED

Bragging Rights

Northeast Ohio Medical University Is Expanding Yet Again!

Construction is underway on a new, $24 million, 87,000 square-foot medical office building and academic learning center. The new facility will include medical offices, a patient-simulation center and the new home to the STEM+M (for medicine) Bio-Med Science Academy. Also, $12 million in renovations and development will take place in the south corridor of its main building and on the fourth floor of its Research and Graduate Education (RGE) Building.

The new medical office building will double the size of Wasson Center for Clinical Skills Training, Assessment, and Scholarship, which trains health sciences students and professionals from throughout Northeast Ohio. Also planned is a drive-thru to the Rootstown Community Pharmacy and the addition of a local dentist (Yunbelievable Smiles) to serve the community.

Construction should be completed by September 2020.

Summa Health

Safe, Strong and Serving Our Community In these challenging times, Summa Health employees remain essential and dedicated to serving our community. We are actively hiring qualified individuals to join our team in the following positions:

Summa offers • Meaningful Work • Competitive Pay • Excellent Health Insurance • Retirement Benefits • Paid Time Off & More

Visit summahealth.org/careers to learn more and apply for rewarding opportunities or call 330.375.3255 to speak with a human resources representative.

EEO/AA Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disables. Drug and Nicotine Free Facilities

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No matter the weather, we bloom where we’re planted.

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

COURTESY OF BOUNCE INOVATION HUB

GROW

Bounce Innovation Hub cafė featuring “Historic BF Goodrich,” a painted mural by Lizzi Aronhalt.

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Strive and Thrive in the Akron-Canton Metroplex.

B

including Kay Jewelers, Zales and Jared The Galleria of Jewelry.

Every day, 40 percent of our workforce crosses county borders to get to work. In the cities and towns along the I-77 corridor and beyond, businesses are thriving, bold thinking is rewarded and our two communities are coming together as never before.

Shearer’s in Massillon is a leading contract manufacturer and private label supplier for the snack industries on five continents. It has 10 production facilities in the United States and Canada. Its manufacturing facility in Massillon was the first platinum LEEDcertified operation in the industry.

Take a closer look.

We’ve leveraged our significant history in advanced materials science and manufacturing. From nanotechnology-based adhesives and specialty steels to liquid crystal biosensors and racing tires, our new economy is a natural outgrowth of our heritage.

We sit at the gateway of the Utica and Marcellus shale play, teeming with abundant, reliable, low-cost gas. By 2020, 35 percent of all U.S. natural gas will come from Ohio and nearby states.

Akron-Canton boasts the largest concentration of plastics, chemicals and rubber manufacturing plants, machines and materials in North America.

Our polymer and chemical workforce is 150 percent of the U.S. average.

More than 65,000 metal and plastic production workers are employed at Akron-Canton companies. We have 30,000 engineers and engineering technicians.

There are more than 20 Fortune 1,000 companies in Northeast Ohio, including The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Diebold Nixdorf and The Timken Company.

A 2019 report by Go.Verizon named Greater Akron among the top 50 regions for innovation.

Goodyear Polymer Science Center at The University of Akron

There are more than 60 colleges and universities within a 50-mile radius of Akron-Canton, including large state schools, small liberal arts institutions and community colleges.

The College of Polymer Science and Engineering at The University of Akron is ranked among the top three in the world.

Kent State University is home to the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, AMLCI. The AMLCI builds on the University’s 50 years of liquid crystal research to embrace a broader array of materials and devices that interact and respond to the environment.

Bridgestone Americas is building a new factory for its Firestone racing tires across from its $100 million technical center in south Akron.

In the past dozen years, several smaller players, including Hankook Tire America, have opened technical centers in the region.

Canton is home to TimkenSteel, a leading steel manufacturer of world-class, custom clean steel.

Akron is home to Signet Jewelers, the U.S. headquarters of the world’s largest jewelry retailer. It has 3,500 stores under several banners,

Kenan Advantage Group, located along I-77 near CAK Airport, is North America’s largest tank truck transporter and logistics provider, delivering fuels, chemicals, specialty products, food products and industrial gases to all 48 contiguous states, Canada and Mexico.

The Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising at Kent State University is considered among the top five in the nation.

We have an emerging concentration of music-related manufacturers, including EarthQuaker Devices (guitar pedals), S.I.T. Strings and Panyard steel drums that builds on our place in music history.

Northeast Ohio has five of the eight major Ohio interstate highways, four of the seven airports, three Class 1 railroads and six deep-water ports. More than half of the nation’s retail outlets are within a day’s drive from Akron-Canton, which explains in part why we are home to many trucking companies.

More than 600 healthcare and biomedical companies call Greater Akron home, employing more than 230,000 and investing more than $1 billion in new developments.

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COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

oth Akron and Canton are fine places to do business. We have visionary leaders, rich histories of innovation and a roll-your-sleeves-up work ethic that doesn’t quit. But together we create something much bigger. Literally, of course: the Akron-Canton Metroplex has 1.2 million people, the fourth largest combined Metropolitan Statistical Area in Ohio and among the top 50 or so in the nation. And collaboration also provides us many new ways to manage and market our shared resources such as the Akron-Canton Airport, Interstate 77 and the incredibly popular Towpath Trail. Together, we can better compete for state and federal resources and attention.

COURTESY AKRON PRIDE FESTIVAL

COURTESY OF LEADERSHIP STARK COUNTY

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Leadership Stark County

Akron Pride Festival

Diversity enriches our community.

A

kron-Canton was built on the strength of multicultural populations. Diversity enriches all of us personally and professionally, and it enhances our community in myriad ways. AkronCanton is diverse. And it’s been that way from its earliest days when many immigrants came to work on the Ohio & Erie Canal and railroads.

The Akron Public Schools translates all of its announcements into 60 different languages.

The International Institute of Akron in Akron’s North Hill welcomes new Americans and helps them settle into their homes in Greater Akron.

Project Blueprint is a volunteer leadership development program of the United Way of Greater Stark County. The 10-week course is designed to increase involvement of underrepresented groups on local nonprofit, public-sector boards and committees.

Community Aids Network/ Akron Pride Initiative (CANAPI) empowers an inclusive community through education, awareness and outreach while eliminating stigma and HIV transmission.

Elevate Greater Akron and Strengthening Stark (see story p.93) underscore Akron-Canton’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Opportunity Akron, part of Elevate Greater Akron, is focused on eliminating barriers to minority inclusion. An inaugural Inclusion Summit in September 2019 covered the details of Opportunity Akron.

Diversity on Board, presented in collaboration with United Way of Summit County and Leadership 86

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Akron, provides leadership development, education and board-matching services to advance racial/ethnic minority representation on nonprofit and public boards.

The Young Black Professionals Coalition (YBPC), an Akron nonprofit, focuses on the development of future leaders, including high school and college students.

The Akron Urban League’s Ignite program works with job candidates to meet the demands of employers. Its new mentorship program, ConnectSuccess, includes training and professional development to help ensure sustainable relationships, employment, personal, and professional growth.

The Greater Stark County Urban League uses a 4-pillar strategy to help meet local needs: Education and Youth Empowerment, Economic Empowerment, Health and Quality of Life Empowerment, and Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment.

The Stark County Minority Business Association is dedicated to enhancing partnerships between minority business members and majority owned businesses to create greater economic impact. The SCMBA

recently elected Leonard Stevens as their new CEO. ATHENA chapters in Summit and Stark counties bring women leaders together by offering leadership programming and an opportunity to connect with women leaders in the area as affiliates of ATHENA International.

Coming Together Stark County is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote diversity, equity and tolerance in the county.

The Latino Business League, Inc. is a nonprofit based in Canton and committed to promoting the advancement and development of the Latino Community of Northeast Ohio.

Stark County Community Action Agency is dedicated to promoting economic self-sufficiency among low-income families and individuals and expanding youth employment and internship opportunities.

Women’s Network Community Leadership Institute (CLI) is a program in partnership with Women’s Network of Northeast Ohio and Leadership Akron.

The program is for women professionals who want to expand their leadership skills while incorporating community awareness and involvement.

D DeeeHOFF Serves D HOFF Serves

The Akron-Canton Metroplex D

eHOFF Realtors and DeHOFF Development Company look forward to a bright future filled with opportunity in the real estate industry. yy. Cutting edge business practices combined with a customer service focus has propeled the company for over 50 years. As the Akron-Canton Metroplex continues to grow and its needs evolve and expand, DeHOFF will continue to support Northeastern Ohio by strengthening neighborhoods, increasing the housing supply and initiating and facilitating quality commercial real estate development throughout the region.

Above: The Akron-Canton Metroplex combines Summit, Portage, Stark and Carroll Counties into 1 large MSA.

The Akron-Canton Metroplex Benefits Include: • ‘Population is power’ power,,’ and identifying the AkronCanton area as a single market will increase its competitive advantage nationally nationally.

• Combines Akron and Canton for a market close to 1.5 million people, making it the fourth largest (MSA) Metropolitan Statistical Area in Ohio.

• Home to headquarters of Goodyear, Timken, Diebold, First Energy, A. Schulman and Bridgestone Technology.

Technology echnology.

• Includes 8 universities and colleges: The University of Akron, Kent State University, Stark State College, University of Mount Union, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Hiram College, Walsh University, and Malone University University.

• Increases economic development opportunities in partnership with Akron-Canton Airport.

For more information contact: Dan DeHoff at 330.499.8153 or ddehoff@dehoff.com | dehoffdevelopment.com For For more more information information contact: contact:Dan Dan DeHoff DeHoff at at 330.499.8153 330.499.8153 or or ddehoff@dehoff.com ddehoff@dehoff.com || dehoffdevelopment.com dehoffdevelopment.com For more information contact: Dan DeHoff at 330.499.8153 or ddehoff@dehoff.com | dehoffdevelopment.com

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We have a talent show every day of the year.

T

he College and Career Academies of Akron Public Schools (see story p. 58) is just one way the education and business communities of Akron-Canton work together to nurture talent.

Our talent pipeline is robust. We have more than 25 colleges and universities that award more than 20,000 bachelor and 13,000 associate degrees each year. Four major community colleges award 9,000 certificates and degrees annually.

The Timken Company, Vice President-Tax. Moved from Findlay, OH to North Canton in 2017.

Biggest surprise: The number of global businesses and industries located here. I am also impressed by the number of quality higher education institutions—Kent State, The University of Akron and Stark State to name a few. I also love the Akron-Canton Airport! It’s so easy to get in and out, and you are one short plane ride from many large international airports.

Day-off fun: We adopted a baby boy in November 2018, so we enjoy him and spending time with new friends, cooking or walking the local farmers markets.

We also enjoy playing golf in Hudson and at Glenmoor Country Club and Firestone.

On the business/nonprofit climate: Working for The Timken Company, I have been able to get involved by serving on the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s board. I have seen first-hand all of the effort, commitment and passion that goes into making the Akron-Canton community better.

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Stark State College offers more than 230 associate degrees and certifications in business, education, engineering technologies and many other fields. Based in North Canton, it also has satellites in Akron, Barberton, Alliance and downtown Canton, and it offers several online courses. The private Malone University in Canton, Walsh University in North Canton and University of Mount Union in Alliance together have more than 6,600 students.

The colleges and universities work with the business community directly in many ways: UA’s Workforce Training Solutions is a liaison between the University and surrounding corporations.

As a connecting partner, the Workforce Training Solutions department inventories all available intellectual and physical resources of the University, and offers a performance consulting service to companies.

The Center for Corporate and Professional Development at

Stark State College

KSU helps companies meet talent development needs with customized on-site employee training and public professional development programs and certifications.

The Corporate University at Kent State University at Stark offers professional development courses, customized employee training, organizational consulting, research and assessment projects and business counseling and training to more than 5,000 employees annually.

Kent State Tuscarawas in New Philadelphia is home to Business and Community Services, which provides training solutions for business, industry and organizations taught by subject matter experts.

Stark State’s Workforce Training and Development program helps business leaders who are seeking trained and qualified workers to add to their workforce or ways to train the current workforce.

UA’s College of Engineering serves the research and development needs of small local companies and large global corporations. It offers unique partnership opportunities and uses its broad expertise to address realworld problems.

COURTESY OF STARK STATE COLLEGE

TERI L. WILSON

The University of Akron (UA) and Kent State University (KSU) together have about 65,000 students at all levels of study. Kent State Stark in Jackson Township is the largest of KSU’s regional satellite campuses. KSU also has a campus in Tuscarawas County.

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter 89

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Business Connections— We Mind our Businesses.

City of Akron, Economic Development Department akronohio.gov

Greater Akron Chamber Young Professionals Network greaterakronypn.org

Rubber Division—American Chemical Society (ACS) rubber.org

Akron-Canton Airport akroncantonairport.com

The Home Builders Association akronhba.com

SCORE akron.score.org canton.score.org

Jackson Township Economic Development jacksontwp.com

Shale Directories LLC shaledirectories.com

Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® akronclevelandrealtors.com Akron Development Fund, Ltd. greaterakronchamber.org Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau visitakron-summit.org

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Global IT Director, Digital & Analytics Moved from Rome, Italy to Akron in 2019.

Biggest surprise: People genuinely helped us. Greater Akron’s vibrant, active, open environment makes it easy to feel at home. Since I am from Rome and moved in January, I had never experienced cold winters, so I was surprised at the perfect organization and preparation that made even extreme weather a low-impact phenomenon.

City of Kent, Economic Development Department kentohio.org

Alliance Area Development Foundation allianceadf.com

Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) manufacturingsuccess.org

ARCHAngels (Akron Regional Change Angels) Network uakron.edu/archangels

Massillon Development Foundation massillondevelopment.com

BOUNCE Innovation Hub bouncehub.org Business Resource Network thebrn.net City of Canton Economic Development cantonohio.gov Canton Development Partnership dwntwncanton.com Canton Innovation District HQ innovationdistricthq.org Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce cantonchamber.org Canton, the Utica Capital uticacapital.com Cascade Capital Corp. cascadecapital.org

Day-off fun: With children 5 and 7, we explore the Towpath step by step and with a fantastic ride designed for all ages and types of riders. Sports is embedded in the culture, and we happily engaged with the local community for soccer, basketball, gymnastic games and tournaments.

Central Portage County Visitor & Convention Bureau centralportage.org

On the business climate: People are open, willing to listen and participate.

Many large, multinational companies here value an open and sharing culture, and countless volunteer opportunities reflect this culture.

Downtown Akron Partnership downtownakron.com

Tips for newcomers: Be open and immerse yourself in this highly welcoming community.

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JumpStart, Inc. jumpstartinc.org

Akron Urban League akronurbanleague.org

BioEnterprise Corp. bioenterprise.com

SIMONE GABBIANELLI

JobsOhio jobs-ohio.com

ConxusNEO conxusneo.jobs Development Finance Authority of Summit County developmentfinanceauthority. org

Downtown Canton Special Improvement District dwntwncanton.com Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) Akron ecdi.org/locations/Akron Greater Akron Chamber greaterakronchamber.org

City of Medina, Economic Development Department medinaoh.org

Small Business Development Center cantonSBDC.org Small Business Growth Network cantonchamber.org Stark Area Regional Transit Authority SARTAonline.com Stark County Association of Realtors starkrealtors.com Stark County Building Industry Association BIAstark.com Stark Community Foundation starkcf.com

Medina County Convention & Visitors Bureau visitmedinacounty.com

Stark County Minority Business Association starkminoritybusiness.org

Medina County Economic Development Corp. medinacounty.org

Stark County Port Authority starkcoohio.com

Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium (NEOTEC) neotec.org Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) oeockent.org Ohio Means Jobs— Medina County medinacountyworks.com Ohio Means Jobs— Portage County co.portage.oh.us/ Ohio Means Jobs— Summit County summitomj.org Ohio Means Jobs—Stark and Tuscarawas Counties omjwork.com

Stark County Regional Planning Commission co.stark.oh.us Stark County Safety Council starkcountysc.com Stark Economic Development Board starkcoohio.com Stark Entrepreneurship Alliance starkalliance.com Strengthening Stark strengtheningstark.com Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development Office co.summit.oh.us Team NEO teamneo.org

Ohio Small Business Development Centers Export Assistance Network exportassistance. development.ohio.gov

The University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) uakron.edu/uarf

Ohio Small Business Development Center/Summit Medina Business Alliance akronsbdc.org

ystark! Young Professionals ystark.org

PolymerOhio polymerohio.org Portage Development Board portagedevbd.org Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) ptac.ohio.edu

Visit Canton visitcanton.com

early 150 years ago, B.F. Goodrich opened a nine-story tire factory on South Main Street in Akron. Today, his factory has been radically transformed, but he’d surely recognize the spirit of entrepreneurship that flourishes within its walls.

Once called the Akron Global Business Accelerator, the renovated factory was re-christened the Bounce Innovation Hub in 2018 to reflect the region’s resiliency and industrial heritage. Its founding mission was to help young, techoriented companies—and it still does that. But in spring 2019, Bounce threw open its doors to entrepreneurs of any stripe.

Its new 27,000-square-foot Generator is a first-floor co-working and makerspace for the entire community. That makes Bounce the region’s first open innovation hub.

COURTESY OF BOUNCE INOVATION HUB

Feeling brilliant?

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The Generator includes options for coworking and private office space, conference rooms, a creative coop, a makerspace, an event room, a café and an esports facility. You can rent a desk for a day or a year, meet in the café for coffee or print your wedding invitations in the makerspace. Bounce’s aesthetic is industrial chic. Much of the décor was created by local artists using materials salvaged from the original B.F. Goodrich factory.

The upper floors of Bounce include about 275,000 square feet of office, lab and light manufacturing space.

The hub is home to more than 50 companies and organizations, including participants in its techoriented accelerator and incubator programs. Both BioEnterprise and MAGNET have offices in Bounce.

(The former’s program focuses on supporting biomedical companies, while the latter helps manufacturers with their design, engineering and production processes.)

“We’re bringing the community together in new ways,” said Mayor Horrigan. “That’s how innovation happens.”

For Home Improvement Projects Now is the time for great home improvement projects. Reinvent some of your spaces in ways you’ve never imagined. Whether it’s adding a wine room, patio, walkway or outdoor fireplace, brick does it all! The result of any brick addition is more usable and enjoyable space for your home, and the potential for increasing your home’s resale value.

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COURTESY OF COLTENE WHALEDENT

Akron-Canton rises to meet the new economy.

I

PHOTO BY RAY STEWART

Elevate Greater Akron team touring Coltene Whaledent.

n 2017, leaders from the City of Akron, the County of Summit and the Greater Akron Chamber had a frank discussion about the area’s economic development.

Just a few miles south, the leaders of Stark County were doing the same. Both groups had a general idea of what was working and what wasn’t, but they needed clear-eyed, unvarnished specifics.

Sarah and Jim Porter, keynote speaker and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Dennis Saunier and Rick McQueen at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 105th annual dinner.

Activate your idea

Build

your

business

Find your space 92

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PROGRAMS, SERVICES, OFFICE SPACE AND COWORKING

for entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, freelancers and creatives

Memberships available — join today!

526 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44311

www.bouncehub.org

Thanks to a grant from the GAR Foundation in Akron and the Stark Community Foundation in Canton, both groups hired outside consultants to assess the markets based on data, local interviews and studies of emerging practices in other metro areas.

The results of those studies were remarkably similar. They found that while many good things were happening, new economic plans were needed to face the demands of the modern economy.

The leaders rose to the occasion.

The results are Elevate Greater Akron and Strengthening Stark, two programs shaping the economic future of the region.

Elevate Greater Akron

Elevate Greater Akron is transforming the culture of economic development and expanding opportunity for all businesses, organizations and residents. The City of Akron, the Greater Akron Chamber, Summit County, the GAR Foundation and other partners are working to position the Greater Akron Region on a new upward trajectory in an era of rapid global change by: connecting local companies to resources to support their growth; creating economic opportunity and being intentional about inclusion to the benefit of all residents; creating/reinvigorating innovation and making it easier to start new businesses; focusing on the revitalization of downtown Akron and the growth of job hubs; and creating a unified culture of economic development. These five new fundamentals are pushing Greater Akron toward a new legacy.

Strengthening Stark

Based on demographic and economic trends, Strengthening Stark recommends specific actions to help the Stark County economy grow and prosper. The Stark Economic Development Board (SEDB) was asked to lead the creation of a county-wide plan.

The Strengthening Stark Economic Competitiveness Plan is made up of four focus areas: business growth; talent development; quality places and processes. There are 21 specific initiatives within those focus areas.

Economic development entities and community partners from across the county have assumed responsibility for much of the plan’s development, and SEDB will oversee measuring the progress of the plan and communicating that progress to the community.

Be part of a team that

Makes a Difference

28768 Akron Chamber Ad_REV.indd 1

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Start Something.

W e’re in the Business of Big Ideas.

Marathon Petroleum Company, General Manager, Canton Refinery Moved from Findlay, OH to Canton in 2018.

Visitor picks: Bike along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath and visit Canal Fulton. Explore downtown Canton’s antique, vintage and handmade furniture places, such as John Strauss Furniture Design, Main St. Modern, Urban and Loft Studio and Gallery, Buckeye Salvage and Marshalls Antique Warehouse. Visit the MAPS Air Museum and Pro Football Hall of Fame. Have lunch at Deli Ohio, dinner at Gervasi Vineyard and ice cream at Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor.

On the business climate: Marathon Petroleum’s Canton Refinery is uniquely positioned to process Marcellus and Utica Shale condensate crude oil, helping drive both our local economies. Further, we achieved more ENERGY STAR awards than any other refinery for energy efficiency and exceptional performance in environmental protection.

Tips for newcomers: Get The Canton Repository to see what’s happening.

Participate in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement festivities, ArtsInStark happenings, Canton Blues Festival and Friday Night Live events.

Get brochures from the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

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Enviroscapes, Inc.:

Founders: Josh Wong, Barry Rosenbaum Current Officers: Barry Rosenbaum, Kevin White

Founder and CEO: Todd Pugh

This young advanced materials company, nurtured by the Bounce Innovation Hub and The University of Akron Research Foundation, has commercialized ShearGrip, a bioinspired dry adhesive made up of ultrathin nanofibers. The dry adhesive can be repositioned and often reused, unlike traditional sticky tapes or reactive glues. In early 2019, AAI launched its Pinless brand of consumer products, which includes dry erase boards, photo paper and bulletin/ collage boards, and is expanding its product line with industrial tapes and medical applications.

Chill Ice Cream Founders: Zachary, Patrick and Jeremy Jurowski

In 2015, the Jurowski brothers who today range in age from 22 to 29, took their childhood love of homemade ice cream and went pro by opening a shop in downtown Medina. Sales were so good, they opened a shop on Maiden Lane in downtown Akron in 2016. Most flavors of their all-natural, artisan ice cream appeal to sophisticated palates—think habaneros, sage and basil. But there are plenty

of kid-friendly choices such as chocolate milk and cookies.

The City of Akron supported the Akron opening through the Downtown Akron Partnership pop-up program.

Enviroscapes began in 1987 with a single $5-per-week mowing client. Since then, the company has grown to rank in the top 2% of landscape companies nationwide. It handles residential and commercial jobs of all kinds across four states. Services include custom design, installation and maintenance.

In the winter, the company handles snow removal. Enviroscapes is headquartered in Stark County’s Louisville and handles about 2,600 clients at a time, including oil and gas companies, utilities and homeowners.

BioflightVR Founders: Randy Osborn, Jim Reeves and Rick Shorten

BioflightVR develops virtual reality teaching programs for the healthcare industry. The three founders—each with an expertise in either software, entertainment or education—began the company in Los Angeles. In 2017, Rik Shorten relocated to Northeast Ohio, and the company opened a co-headquarters in Akron’s Bounce Innovation Hub. BioflightVR’s 2016 pilot program with the emergency department of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles was successful and has since expanded to 11 hospitals.

EarthQuaker Devices Founders: Jamie Stillman and Julie Robbins (CEO)

EarthQuaker Devices has been so successful globally that it won the prestigious U.S. Small Business Administration’s Exporter of the Year Award in May 2019.

EarthQuaker was born when rock guitarist Jamie Stillman began building special-effects pedals in the basement of his west Akron home and selling them online. He hired his first employee in 2010, and his wife—Julie Robbins—left banking to become chief executive.

Today, EarthQuaker has more than 50 employees and operates out of 15,000-square-foot space in downtown Akron. EarthQuaker devices are available in more than 800 retail locations, including Guitar Center and Sweetwater.

COURTESY OF CHILL ICE CREAM

DON McCORD

Akron Ascent Innovations (AAI):

Seifert Companies Stark County’s Seifert Companies began with the vision of a single engineer who found an immediate need in the local market for engineering and machine design. In the past 30 years, the company has expanded to include four divisions, including a Microsoft Gold certified IT operation. Its Seifert Associates division is a full-service technical staffing firm. It has an office in Nashville but maintains its primary operations at its Massillon headquarters.

BABE magazine/ VineWorks Marketing Founder: Da’Shika Street

VineWorks Marketing, led by Da’Shika Street, is a five-year-old venture that helps companies with

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BABE MAGAZINE

Founder: Tim Seifert

Connect with

our Community

brand management. Street discovered help and inspiration at the Akron Urban League’s School Entrepreneurial Empowerment Center and other community resources like the Small Business Administration. Still, she felt there was a need for a unique kind of peer-to-peer guidance for women in her shoes. So two years ago, she launched Black & Brilliant Entrepreneurs magazine, or BABE, a vibrant quarterly, digital magazine for African-American female entrepreneurs.

For more than 70 years, FedEx Custom Critical has called Northeast Ohio home.

We are a proud employer in the AkronCanton community. customcritical.fedex.com © 2020 FedEx

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Canton Innovation District

Gigabits and Big Ideas I

n the New Canton Innovation District, Super-high Connectivity Fires Up Growth.

The new Canton Innovation District, opened early this year, is a fastpaced world. Really fast. The new 12-block economic development project downtown boasts access to internet speeds of 100 gigabits a second—10-100 times faster than most wireless systems. If you’re starting up a business that requires the transfer of a lot of information quickly, it’s a dream.

COURTESY OF JUMPSTART INC.

The Canton blueprint is the first in Ohio to set up overlapping redevelopment and innovation districts, combining the rehabilitation of historic buildings

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with new access to high-speed broadband and business support resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Hale, Canton district manager for JumpStart Inc. JumpStart is a Cleveland-based nonprofit helping to fund and guide the district.

A state law—passed in 2016 with the help of some Canton entrepreneurs— allows private sector organizations such as Innovation District members to hook up to OARnet, a high-speed connection previously reserved for academic institutions.

“Whatever it is they need, we’ll help them with it. They’ll have the space and support to grow,” said Hale. “It’s about nurturing them, bringing them to where they were meant to be.”

There are plans for Terragraph technology in the district, put in place by Agile Networks of Canton and developed by Facebook, RADWIN and Intel.

The exceptionally high-speed internet is a tasty carrot to lure entrepreneurs to downtown Canton.

(A carrot analogy seems appropriate since the district’s headquarters is located in the former Frank’s Produce building on Court Avenue.)

Organizers believe the combination of super high-speed internet and cool, rehabbed buildings will draw energetic people with big ideas into the district’s accelerator and incubator programs, said Linda

The incubator and accelerator programs, which are meant for high-tech businesses, last for 12-15 months, she said. Low-cost rent, pitch competitions, classes and guidance from small business experts are just some of the perks.

These programs focus on tech, but the district itself is open to entrepreneurs of all sorts.

“Whatever it is they need, we’ll help them with it.

They’ll have the space and support to grow,” said Hale.

getting to know its people, its companies, the region’s strengths and weaknesses, where opportunities exist and trying to help everyone find their fit, fulfill their needs and get ahead.

Q & A WITH ROBERT DeJOURNETT

Robert DeJournett was named the Greater Akron Chamber vice president of opportunity and inclusion in May 2019. DeJournett has been heavily involved in diversity and inclusion issues in the region for years. Here’s a glance into his plans to advance diversity and inclusion.

Q: What does your role mean for the Akron community?

A: I spend a great deal of time in the community,

Q: Where does your work fall under the Elevate Greater Akron initiative?

A: The goal of Elevate Akron’s Opportunity Akron is to assist businesses owned by minorities—including African-Americans, women, veterans, LGBTQ, and more—to be more connected, have more opportunity and thrive.

We are looking to create a central place where we will have a comprehensive and searchable list of these minority-owned businesses, what they do and how to engage with them.

Q: What is the Greater Akron Chamber doing to mirror Opportunity Akron internally?

A: We are intentionally increasing diversity in our membership, staff and board. We are also excited to announce a new Opportunity Inclusion Committee of 40 people who represent various members of the chamber.

Q: Where do you see Akron in one year?

A: This problem didn’t arrive overnight, and it will not be solved that quickly either. It’s going to take great commitment and work to get there. While we will not have arrived in a year, we will start moving the needle forward.

(Taken from an interview with Focal Point Media)

MORE LOVE 83

We’re a gateway to everywhere. Greater Akron-Canton is within 500 miles of 42 major cities. That means manageable weekend getaways. Our central location allows businesses to move their products with speed and ease.

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We’re also a gateway to Amish Country, which begins in southern Stark County. You can shop for handmade furniture, eat old-style, homemade food and enjoy the peaceful farmland south of Canton.

MAGNET is proud to join the Greater Akron Chamber, the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and ConxusNEO in our support of the Manufacturing and Growth in the Akron-Canton MetroPlex.

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Q & A WITH BARBARA BENNETT

In January 2019, Barbara Hammontree 2019, Barbara Bennett joined the Hammontree Canton BennettRegional joined the Chamber of Canton Regional Commerce Chamber ofin the newly created Commerce in the position of Director of newly created Education position of Initiatives.

Director of Barb is responsible Education Initiatives. for connecting Barb is responsible businesses and for connecting education systems as part systems of the Chamber’s businesses and education as part of the strategic goal to expand region’sthe talent Chamber’s strategic goalthe to expand region’s pipeline.

Here’s Here’s more about her work: talent pipeline. more about her work:

Proximity to Key U.S. Markets.

A

lmost 50% of the U.S. population and 55% of all 500 miles miles all manufacturing manufacturing plants plants are are within wihin 500 of Akron-Canton.

TORONTO 208 mi.

BUFFALO 184 mi.

DETROIT 116 mi.

CHICAGO

COLUMBUS

INDIANAPOLIS

109 mi.

260 mi.

A: Currently there is a gap in connecting our local and regional businesses with our school systems in a more intentional and robust manner. Education systems mean everything from early childhood through university and adult education programs. More engagement and relationship-building of businesses with our schools enhances the prospect of keeping young talent in our community.

209 mi.

LOUISVILLE

Q: Tell us about a successful project that’s underway.

A: We are currently organizing and conducting industry-sector roundtable discussions. We have launched the manufacturing industry cluster with a select group of CEOs who are visionary leaders. The group has come to realize that more advocacy in presenting manufacturing as a career pathway to students is needed, as manufacturing is over 15% of the local economy.

Q: Where do you see the most opportunity moving forward?

A: I see great opportunity in formulating programs that allow every student in our county some type of experiential learning through partnerships with our local businesses. This also aligns with goals of other organizations which presents opportunitiesfor forcollaboration, collaboration,as asone one present opportunities organization cannot do it alone.

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61 mi.

PHILADELPHIA 343 mi.

WASHINGTON D.C.

200

283 mi.

298 mi.

300

400

500 ATLANTA 531 mi.

Distance rounded to nearest mile. Calculated on Distance-Between.com to find the distance between cities and Akron. Map not to scale.

20 Largest Employers in Akron-Canton 1.

1.

Akron Children’s Children’s Hospital Akron Hospital Akron Public Schools Akron

2.

2. Akron Akron Public Schools Akron 3. Aultman Hospital

3. Canton Aultman Hospital Canton 4. Cleveland Clinic Akron

4. General Cleveland Clinic Akron Akron General Akron Nixdorf Inc. 5. Diebold

Canton 5. North Diebold Nixdorf Inc. North Canton 6. FirstEnergy Corporation

6. Akron FirstEnergy Corporation Akron Mark Inc. 7. Fresh 7. Canton Fresh Mark Inc. Canton 8. The Goodyear Tire &

Company 8. Rubber The Goodyear Tire & Akron Rubber Company Akron Stores Inc. 9. Jo-Ann

9. Hudson JOANN Stores Inc. Hudson 10. Kent State University

10. Kent State University

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CINCINNATI

Q: What is the focus of Education Initiatives? initiatives?

A: It’s understanding the needs of industry sectors, then assisting and ensuring schools can respond to those needs, now and in the future.

We see this as an important piece of sustaining and growing our economy.

393 mi.

30 mi.

AKRONCANTON

Q: What needs in the community led to the Chamber creating your position?

NEW YORK

CLEVELAND

321 mi.

11. MAC Kent Trailer Mfg. Alliance 11. MAC Trailer Mfg. 12. Mercy Medical Center Alliance Canton 12. Mercy Medical Center 13. Pcc Airfoils LLC Canton Minerva 13. PCC Airfoils LLC 14. Shearer’s Minerva Foods Inc. Massillon 14. Shearer’s Foods Inc. 15. Signet Jewelers Massillon Akron 15. Signet Jewelers 16. Stark AkronCounty Canton 16. Stark County 17. Summa Canton Health System Akron 17. Summa Health System 18. Summit Akron County Akron 18. Summit County 19. Timken Akron Co. Canton 19. Timken Co. 20. The University of Akron Canton Akron 20. The University of Akron Akron

COURTESY OF MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY

AKRON-CANTON PLAYS WELL WITH SHALE. The Akron-Canton region is perfectly positioned to play a major role in the ongoing United States Shale Revolution, believes Hall, Kistler & Company. They should know. They have been serving companies in the oil and gas industry as certified public accountants and consultants for over 75 years.

Keith Arner, CPA, CVA and Andy Griffin, CPA report why the region and industry are vital to the United States and the world at large: Major Capital Investments: Since 2011, over $70 billion has been invested in oil and gas shale energy in projects in Ohio and Pennsylvania, including ethylene plants, cracker plants and pipelines.

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Location:

The area is centrally located between Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus and Toledo as well as manufacturing centers such as Youngstown and Erie.

In addition, 70% of polyethylene users in North America are within 700 miles of the region.

Infrastructure:

Canton is a crossroads for Interstate 77 and U.S. Route 30, and the area boasts the rapidly growing Akron-Canton Airport and multiple railroads.

Related Industries: The region is home to companies in the polymers, plastics and chemical industries and has long been a major player in the steel industry.

Skilled Workforce and Technical Education: There are over 65,000 metal and plastic production workers and over 30,000 engineering and engineers technicians in the region.

Schools like The University of Akron (world-renowned polytechnic and polymer programs) and Stark State College (Well Site Training Center) provide a solid technical background.

Serving the oil and gas industry since 1941 Serving the oil and gas industry since 1941 Serving Serving the oil oil and and gas gas industry industry since since 1941 1941 Servingthe oil and gas since 1941 Serving Serving the the oil oil and and gas gas industry industry since since 1941 1941 Serving Serving the the oil oil and and gas gas industry industry since since 1941 1941 Serving Serving the the oil oil and and gas gas industry industry since since 1941 Serving theandoil and gas,industry since 1941 1941 Business Advisory , O&G Audit Accounting

Serving the oil and gas industry since 1941

, Financial Statements ,O&G O&GAudit Auditand and Accounting , , O&G Audit and Accounting Accounting , , O&G O&G Audit Audit and and Accounting Accounting , O&G Accounting Business Valuations , , O&G O&G Audit Audit and and Accounting Accounting , Financial Statements , , O&G O&G Audit Audit and and Accounting Accounting , , Financial Financial Statements Statements , , Financial Financial Statements Statements ,,, O&G Audit and Accounting Due Diligence , Financial Statements Financial Financial Statements Statements O&G Audit and Accounting ,Financial BusinessStatements Valuations ,, Financial Statements , Business Business Valuations Valuations , , Business Business Valuations Valuations ,, Financial Statements , , Business Business Valuations Valuations ,Financial Business Valuations Statements Due Diligence , Business Business Valuations Valuations ,, , Due Due Diligence Diligence , Due Due Diligence Diligence ,, Business Valuations , , Due Due Diligence Diligence Valuations ,Business DueDiligence Diligence ,, Due Due Diligence ,,Due Diligence Due Diligence

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HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas 220 Market Avenue South • Suite 700 • Canton OH 44702 HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas

HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas 220 Market Avenue South • Suite 700 • Canton OH 44702 HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas 330-453-7633 HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas •• ••Suite •• ••Canton 220 220 Market Market Avenue Avenue South South Suite 700 700 Canton OH OH 44702 44702 220 220 Market Market Avenue Avenue South South Suite 700 700 Canton OH OH 44702 44702 •• ••Suite •• ••Canton 220 220 Market Avenue South South Suite Suite 700 700 Canton Canton OH OH 44702 44702 330-453-7633 HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas 220 220Market Market MarketAvenue Avenue Avenue South South Suite Suite 700 700 Canton Canton OH OH 44702 44702 HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas HallKistler.com/oil-and-gas 330-453-7633 330-453-7633 220Market MarketAvenue Avenue South ••• Suite Suite 700 OH 44702 330-453-7633 330-453-7633 700 •••Canton Canton 220 South 330-453-7633 330-453-7633 220 Market Avenue South Suite 700 Canton OH OH44702 44702

330-453-7633 330-453-7633 330-453-7633 330-453-7633 330-453-7633

330-453-7633

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CONNECT

COURTESY OF ystark!

Never has reaching out been more important and rewarding.

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Mix it up and get inspired.

O

ne of the best things anyone can do for their career—and for their life—is to meet others with innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. Mix, mingle, learn and grow with other young professionals in Akron-Canton.

YPN provides members an indepth opportunity to access and learn from established leaders like Jessica Sublett (Bounce Innovation Hub), Gregg Mervis (Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau) and Nicole Mullet (ArtsNow). YPNs also meet up with like-minded peers dedicated to making Greater Akron and themselves the best they can be.

Events are geared toward those ages 21-39. For more information, email ypn@greaterakronchamber.org.

30 for the Future Awards

For thirteen years, the 30 for the Future program has recognized stellar individuals ages 25-39 for their professional accomplishments and community contributions to Greater Akron. Nominees submit comprehensive leadership documents, which are thoroughly 1 00

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PHOTO BY VICKI LANTZ

Greater Akron Chamber’s Young Professionals Network (YPN)

30 for the Future 2019

reviewed by a selection committee.

The recipients are honored at an event each fall, during which the audience is introduced to these talented young professionals through video interviews.

Young Professionals of Akron

The Young Professionals of Akron (YPA) is open to anyone “young” and growing in their career. YPA is focused on connecting young professionals to each other and to the city through community and

social events. It plays a vital role in attracting and retaining young talent to the region. Visit ypakron.org

Torchbearers Akron

Torchbearers Akron was established in 2003 to strengthen the connection between Akron area nonprofits and emerging leaders based on the belief that this helps to attract and retain talent to the region. Torchbearers have the opportunity to network with other young leaders who share a passion for the strength of the

helping to feed individuals in the community who are struggling with hunger. CORE members meet February through October. Each event consists of volunteering in the Foodbank’s warehouse and networking afterward at a local venue. Visit akroncantonfoodbank. org/core

Emerging Leaders United

Formerly known as the Young Leaders Society, this group recognizes young leaders who value the importance of philanthropy and believe in and support the work of United Way Summit County.

Members channel their talents and passion to advance the common good while expanding their social and professional networks.

ystark!

ystark! is a program of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, committed to improving the community through knowledge, leadership, and participation of its young professionals. ystark! is focused on offering networking, professional development and civic engagement opportunities to attract, retain and engage young professionals in Stark County. There is no membership fee. To join and receive a weekly email of upcoming events, visit ystark.org

Networking, leadership training and volunteering are all aspects of the program. Visit uwsummit.org/ emerging-leaders-united

Young Black Professionals Coalition (YBPC)

COURTESY OF AKRON FOOD BANK

The YBPC is a nonprofit organization focused on the personal, professional and social development of future leaders, including high school and college students. YBPC is focused on improving the minority community by providing tools to enhance overall wellness through a variety of workshops, social activities and continuous education.

Visit ybpc.info

CORE

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s young professionals group, CORE, engages motivated, energetic young professionals interested in growing their professional network while

COURTESY OF ystark!

Individuals under the age of 40 who make a yearly, undesignated gift of $250 or more are eligible to join Emerging Leaders United.

Canton Girl Gang

The Canton Girl Gang (CGG) is a female-led initiative that aims to create a commUNITY of local entrepreneurs, professionals and movers and shakers who are supportive of one another, uplifting in their words and purposeful in their actions. CGG has created a platform for these people to reach the community of Canton through speaking engagements, business driven events and workshops led by experts in their field. Visit on Facebook and Instagram.

United Way of Greater Stark County Young Leaders Society

United Way Young Leaders Society (YLS) is a group of passionate young professionals who come together to educate, engage and inspire individuals across Greater Stark County. They harness their time and talents through mentorship, fundraising and volunteerism to activate education initiatives and build a better community. Visit uwstark.org

Leadership Stark County Spotlight Program

Twenty Under 40!

Twenty under 40!, a signature ystark! event, recognizes young professionals across various sectors of the business, civic, government, arts, education and nonprofit communities. Recipients represent what it means to be an engaged, committed young professional in Stark County, each demonstrating dynamic leadership and social responsibility in their workplaces and community at large. Visit ystark.org The nomination process takes place each spring, with a review committee comprised of diverse community leaders. The recipients are honored at an event each June.

Torchbearers Akron

Leadership Stark County offers two Spotlight sessions a year, with fall and spring sessions. This program, for young professionals in their 20s and 30s, is geared towards individuals who are ready to take their career and community involvement to the next level. It is a great option for employers to cultivate leadership potential and expose young professionals to leadership competencies. Apply online at Leadershipstarkcounty.org

North Canton Jaycees

The North Canton Jaycees is a non-profit organization of men and women ages 18-41 who are dedicated to making a difference in themselves and the community while gaining valuable leadership and management skills in the areas of community service, business, international involvement and individual development. The Jaycees organization was established to provide opportunities for young adults to develop personal and leadership skills through service to others. Visit northcantonjaycees.org.

COURTESY OF TORCHBEARERS AKRON

community, enhance leadership skills and participate in various volunteer service projects. Visit torchbearersakron.com

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GIVE

Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank 1 02

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Our deep concern for one another attests to our community’s strength and resilience.

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Generosity in AkronCanton Is in our DNA. W Helping community foundations in the region is a great way to dive right in.

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank needs help on all levels, from serving on boards to packing up groceries. The counties’ Developmental Disabilities Boards, and county United Way agencies are all waiting for people like you. The list goes on.

Akron Community Foundation akroncf.org

For 64 years, Akron Community Foundation (ACF) has been a trusted way to give to a favorite cause through a variety of charitable funds. For instance, the donor-advised fund is an alternative to establishing a private foundation. You choose your favorite nonprofit, and the community foundation will make sure your gifts reach your targets, whatever and wherever they may be. ACF can also connect you to like-minded neighbors and local nonprofits in your area of charitable interest.

COURTESY OF THE CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

e open our hearts and our wallets to others in need. It’s an ideal place to be a philanthropist and to work alongside others who share your vision and passion.

Judith E. Barnes Lancaster, ESQ and her family. She was the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Salute Award of Merit Recipient.

Stark Community Foundation Since 1963, when Stark Community Foundation was formed, hundreds of thousands of people’s lives have been enriched through grants and scholarships totaling more than $170 million. Stark Community Foundation has been the community’s trusted partner in giving to over 760 individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits that have created funds to impact the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible.

Leadership Akron and Torchbearers

leadershipakron.org and torchbearersakron.com Leadership Akron inspires, strengthens and empowers leaders through a variety of programs that build leadership skills, community awareness and connectivity. One of these, Insight Akron, offers relocated leaders a one-day crash course in Akron to jumpstart their community involvement.

Torchbearers develops emerging leaders and connects them with Akron-area nonprofits. It also helps to retain emerging leaders. Torchbearers and Leadership Akron have a partnership to strengthen Greater Akron by enriching and supporting

COURTESY OF UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

starkcf.org

United Way of Summit County Volunteer

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SMART MOVE

community leaders from high school through retirement.

Leadership Stark County leadershipstarkcounty.org

Leadership Stark County develops a corps of motivated leaders with a lifelong commitment to community trusteeship through training in leadership skills and education about the community. Their leadership programs engage and educate Stark County’s community leaders through a range of programs tailored to meet business and community needs, including a 10-month Signature Program, Spotlight for Young Professionals, Youth Leadership Academy, Board Matching, Encounter Bus Tour and Executive Coaching.

United Way of Summit and Medina uwsummit.org

BARRY DUNAWAY Leadership Akron, President Moved from San Francisco to Akron in 2018.

Biggest surprise: I’ve been overwhelmed by the residents’ passion and commitment to move our community forward by working together.

We’ve also been surprised by the endless number of first-rate options of free activities, like concerts at the Akron Art Museum, Jazz at Lock 4, and the Akron Symphony concerts held at Akron parks.

Out-of-town visitor picks: Blossom Music Center in the summer. We pack a picnic and a few bottles of wine to enjoy on the lawn before a concert by The Cleveland Orchestra, one of the finest orchestras in the world.

Day-off fun: We live on the Portage Lakes and love it. We just walk out of our front door and decide if we are going to boat, swim, kayak, paddle board or just sit on our patio with family and friends and enjoy the natural beauty.

On the nonprofit climate: I’ve been so encouraged by the openness to collaborate with other nonprofit organizations. We are working with limited resources, so we need to work together to maximize our collective impact.

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United Way of Summit and Medina takes on issues that matter most to children and families by focusing on four Bold Goals for the community: Raising third grade reading scores for Akron Public School (APS) students Raising four-year graduation rates among APS high schoolers and increasing college and career readiness among graduates Financially empowering Summit

County’s working poor families Fighting the opioid crisis by reducing ER visits due to drug overdose.

With a century of experience in Greater Akron, United Way can count on the support of partners from across the public, private and nonprofit sectors and thousands of volunteers eager to create lasting change.

United Way of Greater Stark County uwstark.org

United Way of Greater Stark County knows that when children succeed in school, families earn a stable income and more people have access to quality health and human services—we all win. That’s why they fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in their community. More than 370,000 people make their homes in Stark and Carroll Counties; in 2017, more than 200,000 were helped by their programs and in 2017, over 200,000 of them were helped through their programs.

Habitat for Humanity of Summit County hfhsummitcounty.org

Habitat for Humanity of Summit County (HFHSC) focuses on bringing people together to build Continued on page 106

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In Akron-Canton, we take care of each other. Two-thirds of the area’s young professionals surveyed by the Ohio Policy Center “felt like they could make a difference” here.

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company holds an annual global week of volunteering with its employees from Akron to Africa.

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The Akron Community Foundation honors an exceptional supporter each year with the Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award. It is one of Greater Akron’s highest honors.

COURTESY OF AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Akron Community Foundation On the Table community conversation at the Exchange House

Going the distance for our communities.

At Dominion Energy Ohio, going the distance for our customers means more than just delivering safe, affordable natural gas. It means being a positive force in the communities we serve. Our EnergyShareÂŽ program has raised $7.8 million and helped more than 82,000 people in Ohio alone. These resources, combined with more than 8,400 volunteer hours from our employees, have benefited organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Greater Cleveland Urban League, the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and The Salvation Army.

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GIVE Continued from page 104

homes, communities and hope along with supporting sustainable and transformational development. In the past 30 years, HFHSC has built over 200 homes and has housed more than 300 adults and 500 children.

Through their homeowners program, deconstruction projects, critical repairs program and ReStore, HFHSC restores neighborhoods and cares for people and the environment. Volunteers are needed to build homes, assist with office work and work in ReStore.

Habitat for Humanity of East Central Ohio habitateco.org

Since 1988, they have helped over 500 families achieve the dream of homeownership. Over 2,200 individuals live in the homes built and renovated by Habitat for Humanity volunteers and future homeowners in East Central Ohio.

Approximately 1,800 of these

individuals are children.

International Institute of Akron iiakron.org

The International Institute creates and implements programs that assist the foreign-born in integrating into society. It also promotes awareness of the value of diversity and international communication.

Programs include ESL and citizenship classes, translation and interpreting, reception and placement of new refugees and more. Volunteers help with tasks such as assisting in the classroom and organizing the donation room.

Community Support Services cssbh.org

Community Support Services offers hope and healthcare to Summit County adults living with mental illnesses. The agency offers caring mental health services, to assist individuals to live the life they desire.

Services include psychiatry case management, residential treatment and other supportive measures to assist individuals.

CommQuest Services commquest.org

CommQuest is proud to be one of the largest behavioral health organizations in Ohio, providing hope to more than 20,000 clients on an annual basis through their various programs and services, thanks to the hard work of their 475 dedicated employees. CommQuest Services provides clients a full spectrum of services that includes prevention, mental health, substance abuse and social services. The integration of these services allows them to better treat the complex needs of each client.

Be a Better Me Foundation beabetterme.org

The Be A Better Me Foundation

COURTESY OF LEADERSHIP STARK C0UNTY

A Strong Place to Launch.

A Safe Place to Land.

akronymca.org Leadership Stark County retreat 1 06

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COURTESY OF LEADERSHIP AKRON

is a community-based foundation designed to help empower and encourage youth, on and off the right path in life, to see the good in themselves and others. Too many youth these days do not have positive role models and influences in their everyday lives. The Foundation’s goal is to provide hope and influence in our next generation to prove to them that they can make an impact in their lives, families and community. They also work to strengthen the relationship between police and the community.

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

akroncantonfoodbank.org The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is a nonprofit organization with a vision of a thriving community free of hunger. It is the source of emergency food for nearly 500 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other hunger-relief programs that directly serve individuals and families in an eight-county region.

In 2018, the Foodbank helped provide access to food for 24.5 million meals to its network of hunger-relief partners.

Leadership Akron group activity

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Renee Powell, the second African-American woman to compete on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour is head professional at Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, the course built by her father decades ago. In 2011, she launched Clearview HOPE, dedicated to helping female veterans through golf.

TOGETHER, WE ARE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HUNGER &

hope.

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Kent State University was founded with a charitable gift, the foundation of the 53-acre William S. Kent Family Farm.

Since 1963, the Stark Community Foundation has been a most-trusted philanthropic partner, enriching thousands of lives through grants and scholarships totaling more than $170 million.

Nearly 800 individuals, families, companies and nonprofits have set up funds through the foundation.

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Dozens of volunteers take part in the Purse Project of the Greater Stark County United Way. They collect donated purses and personal care items to give to women and girls in need across the area.

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The United Way of Summit and Medina was founded 101 years ago as a Community Chest after World War I.

1 IN 7 INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLE WITH HUNGER IN OUR AREA. Learn more at akroncantonfoodbank.org 107

COURTESY OF AKRON ROTARY CAMP

EMBRACE

Akron Rotary Camp 1 08

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Diversity makes the world go around and a community stand strong.

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

AKRON ZOO: QUIET SPOKEN HERE

In 2017, the Akron Zoo became the first zoo in Ohio (and second in the country) to be certified as sensory inclusive by KultureCity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating acceptance and inclusion for all.

For visitors who struggle with autism or stress triggered by crowds, lights and noise, the zoo’s program makes all the difference. Visitors with sensory challenges can check out free sensory bags filled with items to help them reduce stress: fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones and a card with icons to assist communication. Calming, weighted lap blankets are also available.

Zoo staff and volunteers have been trained to interact with people with sensory challenges and provide help if needed. Special areas around the zoo that can become loud and crowded have signs alerting visitors that they are entering a “headphone zone.” Quiet zones and a private room are available when someone needs a break.

COUNTY DD BOARDS

The four separate developmental disability boards of Summit, Portage, Medina, and Stark counties provide services to thousands of people with disabilities and their families.

Although services vary with each board, all four provide lifespan support for people with disabilities to work, live and learn as equal citizens in their communities.

COURTESY OF AKRON ROTARY CAMP

Community Support Services

COURTESY OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Amy Belles and son Carson experience sensory inclusion at the Akron Zoo.

COURTESY OF THE AKRON ZOO

Greater AkronCanton embraces people of all abilities.

From early interventions for young children to daycare for older adults, the boards oversee wellcoordinated, continuous care. Transportation, residential services, daycare and employment support are available through the boards’ various programs. For families, they offer a guiding hand as they navigate them to the most appropriate services.

For employers, they offer a solution to production and staffing issues. For the entire community, they offer a way to live a richer, more inclusive life.

UNITED DISABILITY SERVICES (UDS)

For 70 years, UDS has been serving individuals of all ages with all types of disabilities—from the mildest to the most severe.

Akron Rotary Camp 10 9

EMBRACE Here are some of its programs:

COURTESY OF PEGASUS FARM

The All-Star Training Club, an integrated, competitive sports program (sanctioned by the Special Olympics).

The Toy and Resource Center, which loans developmental toys and resource materials.

The Taste Buds division, a catering service that offers the region tasty boxed lunches and provides employment for the disabled.

An employment service that helps Northeast Ohio businesses reach their production and employment goals.

AKRON ROTARY CAMP

Day camp, weekend respites, sibling camps and weeklong camps for children and adults take place at the Rotary campgrounds at Rex Lake and at the Happy Day School in Portage County.

HATTIE LARLHAM

Hattie Larlham, an independent, nonprofit organization, offers medical, residential, recreational and work training services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The organization provides 24/7 services to children and young adults at the Hattie Larlham Center in Mantua (Portage County) and to adults in community-based homes throughout Ohio.

Hattie Larlham provides work training for adults with disabilities at three Hattie’s Doggie Day Care and Boarding locations and through contracted manufacturing services for local businesses. One of its primary goals is to make the region’s workforce more inclusive.

CADA

Akron’s Center for Applied Drama and Autism (CADA) is dedicated 1 10

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Pegasus Farm

to providing theater-based opportunities for people on the autism spectrum, adults and youth with disabilities and their associated communities.

Using theater games, improvisation, role-playing, character study, mask work and playback theater, CADA encourages individuality. Creativity and originality are supported through student-created puppet performance, playwriting and video production. Visual art, dance and music are all key components in theatrical productions and give students an opportunity to expand their artistic gifts and interests.

LOVE, ANDREW

The Love, Andrew Autism Foundation is a Canton-based nonprofit that teaches and encourages inclusion, acceptance and comfort for children with autism.

Love, Andrew provides funding and support for the construction of sensory neutral environments in public schools, where children with autism and other sensory processing disorders can visit to de-escalate when overwhelmed. Everything about each of these “Star Rooms”™ is designed and constructed to contribute to their well-being.

provide exceptional physical and psychological benefits. Each year, it serves more than 500 individuals from eight counties—mainly ages four to 20—who face emotional, behavioral, cognitive, developmental or physical challenges or a combination of these conditions.

The farm is certified as a Premier Center by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International.

GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE

Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Canton is one of 46 locations of a Chicago-based nonprofit designed to increase positive awareness of Down’s through national campaigns and educational programs. It is a place for parents/caregivers to share ideas and network. Gigi’s aims to help parents maintain high expectations for their child. It offers therapeutic programs to improve fine and gross motor skills, developmental fitness and speech.

COURTESY OF SUMMIT DD

The Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, in cooperation with the Akron Area YMCA, offers children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to experience all the friendship, fun and excitement of camp.

PEGASUS FARM

Pegasus Farm in Hartville is dedicated to the idea that equine-assisted activities

Summit DD cares.

Making Meaningful Connections In Our Community Summit DD coordinates the essential services that people with disabilities rely on to reach their goals. We listen, identify outcomes and then connect people to the support that helps them work toward their goals.

SummitDD.org:

Find out how Summit DD is making meaningful connections in our community . . . one person at a time.

Developmental Disabilities

TRAVEL If you need to go, we can get you there.

And we’ll be thrilled when you come back.

COURTESY OF AKRON-CANTON AIRPORT

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

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You can get there from here—and back again.

W

hether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, across town or around the world, you’ll find the coming and going simple and affordable.

NEAR OR FAR, TRAVEL EASILY CAK

Located just eight miles from downtown Akron and ten miles from downtown Canton, AkronCanton Airport (CAK) offers nonstop service to 11 destinations aboard your favorite airlines: American, Delta, Spirit and United. Plus, you have access to hundreds of international destinations with just one stop.

CAK is small enough to be easily maneuvered yet large enough to get you where you want to go.

Shorter lines and fewer crowds lead to less confusion and easier travels.

The lines may be short, but the list of amenities at CAK is long. From a free business lounge to a fun play area for kids, there are many pleasantries to be found throughout the bright, clean terminal—all to help make your travel experience even more enjoyable.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AKRON-CANTON AIRPORT

Akron-Canton Airport TSA service

Once you arrive at CAK, passenger pick-up/drop-off and ground transportation are conveniently located at the front door. With on-site car rentals, ride share and shuttles available, you’ll be on your way in no time.

No trips planned yet? That’s okay, you can still enjoy one of the airport’s community events throughout the year such as the CAK 5K on the Runway, CAK Travel Forum or CAK Parents Tour.

WE CAN’T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU TO NORTHEAST OHIO. CLE

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport—about 35 miles northwest of Akron—offers about 140 nonstop departures to more than 35 markets. It serves about 9 million passengers each year and is the busiest airport in Ohio. It is easily reached from Akron via the interstate.

AKR

Akron-Canton Airport children’s play area

The Akron Executive Airport (AKR), formerly the Akron Fulton Airport, is on the city’s east side and serves private planes, including corporate jets. The airport includes two runways—6,337 feet and 2,300 feet—and is home to 15 hangars for corporate 113

COURTESY OF AKRON METRO RTA

TRAVEL

SMART MOVE

Metro RTA Dash Bus

REN CAMACHO Akron-Canton Airport, CEO/President Moved from Cleveland to North Canton in 2018.

Biggest surprise: Akron’s revitalized downtown and food scene and Canton’s fruitful collaboration with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and downtown’s Centennial Plaza. And people have been willing to lend a hand, understanding the importance of CAK as a regional asset.

Out-of-town visitor picks: After touring your CAK hometown airport, including the MAPS Air Museum, an Akron RubberDucks game, Lock 3 concert, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, CVNP, Summit County Metroparks and Akron Civic Theatre make my Akron list. In Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and McKinley Museum & Monument are mustsees. Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor and Muggswigz Coffee in Canton and Pav’s Ice Creamery and Mary Ann’s Donuts in North Canton have tasty treats.

Day-off fun: Shooting hoops with my 13-year-old twin boys, hiking, visiting the Akron Zoo and regional museums and shopping at the 720 Market in Canton.

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EX P E R I E N C E A K R ON-CANTON

aircraft and 75 planes housed in condo hangars. The airport can support 70 planes a day.

AKR is undergoing a strategic rebranding. Part of the effort includes promoting existing tenants, including the services of fixed-base operator Summit Air, a concierge for airplane maintenance, and flight school American Wings. Meanwhile, Stark State College is planning to establish a commercial driver’s school on seven acres of airport land. Students will graduate with a Commercial Driver’s License.

There are 15 other smaller airfields in Greater Akron to serve private pilots and passengers.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Akron METRO Regional Transit Authority, celebrating 50 years of serving Summit County, transports nearly six million passengers a year.

Its home base is the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center on S. Broadway St. downtown. Real-time tracking on any mobile device allows riders to keep a close eye on their bus. You can text your bus stop ID to 321-123 to find out when the next bus is leaving from your stop or download the MyStop app to watch your bus move on an e-map and sign up for alerts. On weekdays, METRO’s

DASH service runs a loop from its transit center, through downtown Akron, to The University of Akron and back. The service is free.

The Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) has 34 fixed routes throughout Stark County and to Akron and Cleveland. It serves nearly 2.5 million passengers a year, and ridership has grown 15 percent in the past decade. It has transit centers with WiFi in downtown Canton, Massillon, Belden Village and Alliance. SARTA offers such high-tech rider tools as PinPoint, Google Transit and GoLine Trip Booking that allows riders to get their information and make arrangements online. Students can ride SARTA to Stark State and other schools and universities for less than a dollar a day.

Greyhound Bus Lines operates out of the same transit center on Broadway as METRO. It includes a café, an ATM and a community room.

Amtrak has lines/stops in Cleveland and Alliance (just southeast of Canton) for passenger and cargo transit.

METRO RTA

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The MAPS Air Museum in North Canton features more than 130 educational displays in its collection of acquired artifacts, interactive exhibits and historical archives in its own library. The museum currently has more than 50 aircraft, including a B-26 Marauder from World War II, which took thousands of hours to refurbish. It is a working museum that repairs and restores the historical aircraft on site.

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A gift to Barberton Community Foundation is a gift to your future, your neighbors, and your community. Together we will improve the quality of life of Barberton residents, now and forever.

Museum & Gift Shop Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Sunday 11:30 am - 4:00 pm

Admission:

Join us and be a part of this promise as we create a legacy of giving to do good.

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2260 International Parkway, North Canton, Ohio 44720 330.896.6332 ÂŤ www.mapsairmuseum.org 115

HONOR

We come from a long line of explorers, inventors and brave-hearted souls. We’ve got this.

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

History lives here. We honor it.

A

COURTESY OF HALE FARM & VILLAGE

kron-Canton has been the home of inventors and industrialists, poets and punk rockers, canal rats and Chippewas. And it’s the final resting place of the 25th President of the United States.

Hale Farm & Village in Bath Township is an outdoor living history museum that was once the homestead of one of the area’s first white settlers. It has 32 historic buildings, farm animals, handcrafting demonstrations and heritage gardens.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, built by the founding family of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, is a 65room example of the American Country Estate period set on 70 acres of green space and historic gardens in Akron. USA Today called the guided tour the best historic home tour in America. The Manor Cool thing: Tap in at the Maple Sugar Festival, complete with pancake breakfast. House, constructed in 1912-15, is in the Tudor Revival style. The English wrhs.org

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E X P E R I E N C E A KR ON-CANTON

garden was done by pioneering female architect Ellen Biddle Shipman and is one of the only Shipman gardens open to the public.

The Gate Lodge is the site of the first meeting of Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson, founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

!

Must go: Ohio Mart, an outdoor market with Elizabethan flair and Deck the Hall, one of the largest lights displays in Ohio. stanhywet.org

Colonel Simon Perkins Jr., the son of Akron’s founder, built a Greek Revival home in west Akron in 1837 that is known today as the Perkins Stone Mansion. It is open for selfguided and guided tours from April to December. Across the street is the 1830 home of abolitionist John Brown. Perkins farmed 1,300 head of sheep with Brown’s assistance, thus earning the name of Mutton Hill.

Tickets include both homes.

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Don’t miss: a sheep herding demonstration with border collies. summithistory.org

A 96-foot-high dome of pink granite in Canton marks the final resting place of William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States. The bodies of McKinley and his wife lie side by side in two polished, dark-green, granite sarcophagi.

The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum is adjacent to the tomb, which is open from April to November during museum hours.

!

Try this: Kids can slide down a firepole at the museum’s Street of Shops, a replica of a historic town that includes a fire station. mckinleymuseum.org

COURTESY OF SUMMIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

COURTESY OF VISIT CANTON

William McKinley Tomb

Perkins Stone Mansion

The Canton Classic Car Museum isn’t just for car lovers. Pack up and journey through 20thcentury America through the auto.

The museum has more than 40 automobiles and loads of historical memorabilia. Cars on display include a 1901 curved-dash Oldsmobile and a 1970 Plymouth Super Bird.

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The John Lowrie and Mary Helen Beatty Museum in Ravenna sits on the grounds of the Portage County Historical Society. It showcases the area’s history from the days of Native Americans to modern life.

!

Be sure to see: The early 19th Century outhouse. portagecountryhistoricalsociety.org

Check out: The 1911 Ford Model T, America’s best-selling automobile. cantonclassiccar.org

The First Ladies National Historic Site consists of two properties in downtown Canton, the home of First Lady Ida Saxton-McKinley and a visitor center. Visitors learn about how the position of First Lady has evolved over time. Tours start at the visitor center where you’ll find The National First Ladies’ Library, the foremost repository of scholarly research about the First Ladies of the United States.

MORE LOVE 94

The Carroll County seat of Carrollton boasts the McCook House, the family home of the “Fighting McCooks”—three brothers and their 15 sons who all fought for the Union in the Civil War.

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Just for Kids: One Saturday a month the museum puts on a special program for kids ages five to 12. firstladies.org

First Ladies National Historic Site Visit the Victorian, ancestral home of of First First Lady Lady Ida Ida Saxton McKinley. Also located at this historic site site is is the the Education andandResearch hosts Education ResearchCenter, Center, which which hosts changing museum museumexhibits exhibitsand and films about the lives films about the lives and and legacies of America’s Ladies. legacies of America’s FirstFirst Ladies.

205 Market Avenue South Canton OH 44702 | 330.452.0876 www.nps.gov/fila | Home to the National First Ladies’ Library 117

LIVE Staying at home has never been more comfortable.

PHOTO BY JOE ALBERT

Remember to click on places, organizations and businesses in bold.

The Historic Onesto, Canton 1 18

EX P E R I E N C E A KR ON-CANTON

Find your happy place in Akron-Canton.

W e’re big—we have 1.2 million people. But we’re not too big—no long commutes or traffic jams. There are so many amazing places to live in Akron-Canton, we can’t list them all.

But we’ll give you a geographic and economic sampling.

Medina County

One of the fastest growing and wealthiest counties in Ohio, Medina is situated between Akron and Cleveland.

Three small cities are scattered among 18 rural townships.

PHOTO BY CASCADE LOFTS

Medina

Cascade Lofts

Home to a storybook downtown, the city works hard to maintain its small-town charm.

Population: 26,000 Median Home Value: $142,000 Check out: The shops and restaurants on Medina Square.

Wadsworth

A rapidly growing city, its population increased 10 percent from 2010 to 2018.

Population: 23,700 Median Home Value: $184,000 Go to: The five-day Blue Tip Festival each June.

Brunswick

The largest and most northern city in Medina County draws people who work in Akron and Cleveland.

Population: 35,000 Median Home Value: $142,000 Born there: Natalie Sideserf of Texas Cake House

Sharon Township COURTESY OF THE TESTA COMPANY, JOEL TESTA

Once wide-open farmland, Sharon has some of the area’s most magnificent homes.

Northside Lofts

Population: 4,200 Median Home Value: $296,800 Enjoy: Concerts at the charming Sharon Center Circle.

Hinckley Township

Home of the spectacular Hinckley Reservation park with its ledges.

Population: 8,000 Median Home Value: $313,000 Go to: The Ledges where the buzzards return each spring.

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LIVE Portage County

This county makes up the eastern part of the Akron-Canton region. It has two college towns, a medical school, working farms and small cities. It’s traversed by two east-west interstates.

Kent

The city is home to the main campus of Kent State University and has a great music scene and plenty to do.

Population: 30,000 Median Home Value: $139,000

Ravenna

The seat of Portage County, the business base is a mix of light industry, retail and small businesses.

Population: 11,500 Median Home Value: $125,300 Go to: The annual Balloon A-Fair.

Aurora

Kayaking under Haymarket Bridge Main Street Hudson

This affluent area is in both Akron’s and Cleveland’s orbit.

Population: 16,230 Median Home Value: $281,000 Born there: Actress Ann Heche

MORE LOVE DOWNTOWN DIGS

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Akron and Canton are spending more than $110 million between them to reinvent their downtowns. Canton’s major downtown housing renovations to date have cost about $60 million.

The latest downtown rebuilding in Akron includes an estimated $40 million to develop the Bowery block and $31 million for Main Street improvements.

Some examples: Akron’s Bowery Block project is redeveloping six buildings near Lock 4 into 100 apartments and retail space.

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COURTESY OF MAIN ST. KENT

Insider info: It’s home to the Davey Tree Expert Co., thus the nickname “Tree City.”

E X P E R I E N C E A KR ON-CANTON

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From neighborhood news to sports, shopping, dining and entertainment, we cover every local angle to keep you in the know and on the go!

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LIVE Summit County

Between Cleveland and Canton, Summit County is diverse with city, suburban and rural living options.

Akron (Population: 198,000)

Downtown: Central city is becoming the first choice of millennials, students and empty nesters.

Average Rent: $835/month Go to: A concert at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron.

Firestone Park

Ellet: This community has bluecollar roots but has in recent years attracted white-collar professionals with families.

Average Home Value: $107,000 Yum: Strickland’s Frozen Custard on Triplett Boulevard Merriman Hills: Stately homes built mainly in the 1920s for tire executives still grace this elegant neighborhood.

Average home value: $262,000

Goodyear Heights Clock Tower

Insider info: Portage Path was briefly

the western boundary of the United States.

Highland Square: Known as the artsiest Akron neighborhood, it’s where singles mix with families. Sixty percent are renters.

Average Home Value: $121,385 Hangout: Mustard Seed Market and Café Fairlawn Heights: An affluent corner of Akron so named because it sits on a hill overlooking West Market Street near the city of Fairlawn.

Average home value: $236,400 Yum: Westside Bakery Firestone Park: Harvey Firestone designed this stable community in 1915 for employees of his tire company.

Average home value: $102,585 Insider info: The park at its heart is the shape of the Firestone shield.

Continued on page 124

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Visit gohiocommute.com 122

E X P E R I E N C E A K R ON-CANTON

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LIVE DOWNTOWNS GO UPSCALE. New Apartments Offer Luxury Living in the Heart of Things.

N

ot so long ago, the term “downtown living” in Northeast Ohio was an oxymoron of sorts. After dark, our downtowns were sort of, well, dead. No longer. Many Akron-Canton residents have been leaving the quiet of suburbs for the liveliness and convenience of downtown life. And area developers are betting many more will follow in their footsteps.

As this issue went to press, the finishing touches were being put on Akron’s Bowery Project, a $42 million renovation of six vacant Main Street buildings between West Bowery Street and the Civic Theatre.

The Bowery is a mixed-use development that includes retail and office space along with an intimate theater adjacent to the Civic. At its heart are 92 apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units. The project is expected to generate $245 million in economic impact and more than 2,000 jobs in Summit County over 20 years, according to a recent report.

The Onesto Hotel in downtown Canton once hosted the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Al Capone. Today, it’s been converted into upscale apartments with magnificent views of the city. It retains much of the hotel’s original grandeur and finishes such as marble and brass.

The one- to two-bedroom units range from about 800 to 1,500 square feet.

The Bliss Tower Lofts, adjacent to the Onesto, has 55 fully updated luxury loft apartments with spacious open-concept floor plans, modern features and glass walls that offer stunning views of downtown.

Continued from page 122

Sherbondy Hill: Once called Lane Wooster, the neighborhood recently was renamed to honor one of Akron’s founding families.

Average Home Value: $75,914 Insider info: Sherbondy Hill cemetery dates to 1907.

Barberton

Once strictly blue collar, Barberton is blossoming. It has a hospital, a children’s theater, art galleries and intriguing shops.

Population: 26,072 Median Home Value: $86,800 Fun fact: Barberton is known as The Magic City and has claimed purple as its civic color.

Cuyahoga Falls

The Falls, as it’s called, is revitalizing its downtown, and the main drag— State Road—has plenty of shopping.

Population: 49,247

The Hercules Apartments is just a few blocks from the center of downtown Canton. It has 90 apartments, with more in the works.

The aesthetic is industrial chic, honoring the building’s history as the Hercules Engine Co. plant. The plant’s original smokestack is a striking centerpiece of a two-story common area.

The resounding success of The Cascade Lofts, apartments built in an old tire factory on North Street in Akron, has led developer Tony Troppe to add 20 apartments to the upper floors of the Everett Building on the corner of Main and Market in downtown Akron. Originally built in 1871 as an opera house, Troppe first restored the Everett 20 years ago and attracted business tenants. He now wants to complete the work-play-live equation.

(The Everett Building is across Market Street from Troppe’s new Blu-tique Hotel and near his Musica coffee shop/concert venue.)

Barberton MumFest

There are other projects also in the early stages. Joel Testa, who developed the Northside Lofts, wants to turn the former hotel at Cascade Plaza into apartments. The Weston Group is applying for historic tax credits to convert the former YWCA/CitiCenter Building on High Street into 60 apartments.

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E X P E R I E N C E A K R ON-CANTON

COURTESY OF CITY OF GREEN

Just south of the Everett Building—and across South Main Street from the Bowery Project—architect Tom Ryback is in the early stages of converting the Law Building into 112 apartments.

Summer fun in Green

COURTESY OF CITY OF BARBERTON

Barberton Mobile Community Access & Response Center is decked out in famous Barberton purple.

Median Home Value: $121,700

Population: 22,285

Check out: the new Falls River Square.

Median Home Value: $328,800

Green

A city that’s seen rapid growth, Green was voted one of the best places to live by Businessweek.com.

It is situated between Akron and Canton, and near the Portage Lakes.

Happy distraction: The Learned Owl on Main Street is a booklovers bookstore.

Twinsburg

Population: 25,700

Halfway between Akron and Cleveland, Twinsburg is an unusual mix of a strong industrial base and a suburban vibe.

Median Home Price: $173,600

Population: 19,068

Happy distraction: Hiking at Boettler Park

Median Home Value: $209,900

Hudson

COURTESY BEAU’S GRILLE

Fun fact: Twins Moses and Aaron Wilcox founded the town.

Between Akron and Cleveland, Hudson has the feel of a New England town and has preserved its history as a settlement of the Western Reserve.

Beau’s on the River, Cuyahoga Falls

Urban, grrn living along the Towpath Trail LoftsAkron.com

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330-376-6460 125

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SMART MOVE

Stark County

Known as “America’s Playing Field,” Stark County residents are big sports fans. Its primary cities are Canton, Alliance, Massillon and Louisville, but it also has many rural areas and thriving suburbs.

Canton (Population: 70,500)

Central City: With the conversion of historic buildings into upscale lofts and apartments, downtown attracts millennials and empty nesters.

Hartville

Market Heights: Off Market Ave. between 30th St. NW and 37th St. NW, this neighborhood took off in the 1920s.

Insider info: The first recorded deed was in 1813.

Moved from Cincinnati, OH to Canton in 2017.

Jackson Township

One of 15 Stark County townships, Jackson is set between Akron and Canton. People work in both cities. It has many elegant, newer houses and is Canton’s retail hub.

Population: 3,000 Median Home Price: $145,000 Yum: The Hartville Chocolate Factory

Carroll County

In the foothills of the Appalachians, Carroll county is hilly and rural. No big cities here, but plenty of lovely lakes and beautiful vistas.

Carrollton

Carrollton, the county seat, is about 25 miles southeast of Canton.

Population: 3,035 Median Home Value: $100,400

Median Home Price: $212,900

Must go: The Algonquin Mill Festival in the fall has crafts, food vendors and tours of the mill complex.

Looking ahead: The amphitheater in North Park is planned to open in 2020.

Minerva

Part of three counties (Stark, Columbiana and Carroll), Minerva is a historic village along the Lincoln Highway (S.R. 30) with plenty of charm.

Population: 3,640 Median Home Value: $85,100

Rendering of Jackson Amphitheatre/ North Park COURTESY OF CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

E X P E R I E N C E A K R ON-CANTON

Look up “small town” in the dictionary, and you’ll find Hartville.

Although its growing, it still maintains the feel of its rural roots. Home to one of the biggest flea markets in the country.

Population: 40,049

On the arts climate: In Canton, the arts and culture scene is a big attraction. First Friday, sponsored by ArtsInStark, is a sea of visitors, guests and community residents. Art displays, artists and free events abound. It’s in its 12th year and is growing.

126

Voted the best place to live in Stark County by Niche.com, residents like its conveniences and housing options.

Historic Ridgewood: With its brick-lined streets, 1920s homes and old-fashioned lampposts, this neighborhood is the definition of gracious.

MAGNET South Director of Client Engagement

Tips for newcomers: Visit both Canton and Akron. Both have a lot to offer.

North Canton

Median Home Price: $143,900

Recent sale: $149,900

Day-off fun: Hanging with friends in downtown Canton for early morning coffee, eating at one of the downtown restaurants, shopping at the farmers market and walking and exercising at Monument and Stadium Parks. We also enjoy drinks and good music at one of the many bars and art displays and history of Canton.

Average home value: $125,700

Population: 17,277

JANELLE LEE

Biggest surprise: First, the getting around town easily with no traffic.

Second, the warm, friendly people.

The community, neighbors and colleagues welcomed us to the region.

We felt right at home.

Population: 32,210

Don’t miss: Everything downtown has to offer.

Fast fact: Ridgewood has a homeowners association.

Kenan Advantage Group, Chief Human Resources Officer

Once a booming canal town, Massillon has a fascinating museum, a historic downtown and a passion for high school football.

Recent rent: $1,265/month

Recent sale: $319,900

RALPH LEE

Massillon

Go here: The Sandy Springs Brewing Co. is a stunning place with lovely overnight accommodations.

PROSPEROUS | PROGRESSIVE | | PROMISING

PRO GRESSIVE | PROMI

PROSPEROUS PROSPEROUS | PRO GRESSIVE | PROMISING

PROSPEROUS | PROGRESSIVE | PROMISING

MORE LOVE

Green, Ohio Where Business is Growing.

Continued from page 120

97

The former Market Square in Canton is being Investment is happening everyday in the City of Green. Contact us to find o transformed into Centennial Plaza in time for the 100th anniversary celebration of the NFL in Green, Ohio Where Business is Growing.

2020. This new “Central Park of Canton” project, at The City and arches its partners recently doubled the size of the CAK International a cost of $12.9 million, features 75-foot that Green, Ohio Where Business is Growing.

Investment is happening everyday in thebusiness City of Green.expansion.

Contact us to find out why.

Business Park, further opportunities for suggest a football, a café, a covered stage, fire pits Theenhancing City and itsInvestment partners recently doubled theussize ofwhy.the CAK Internati is happening everyday in the City of Green. Contact to find out and sculpture.

Come see why Green is the right place for your business to call home.

Business Park, further opportunities for business expansion.

The City and its partners recently doubled the size of the CAKenhancing International Green, Ohio Where is home.

Grow Come see Green is the right place for yourBusiness business to call The BLU-tique Hotelenhancing project on opportunities Main Street Business Park, further forwhy business expansion.

Green, Ohio Where Business is Growing. converted the historic United Building into a Come see why Green is the right place for your business to call home.

71-room boutique hotel.

Investment is happening everyday in the City of Green. Contact usPt PROSPEROUS PROGRESSIVE

98

Investment is happening everyday in the City of Green. Contact us to find out why.

99

PROGRESSIVE The former Akron City Center Hotel has been PROSPEROUS converted into more than 100 apartments by PROGRESSIVE • Equidistant between Akron and Canton PROSPEROUS PROMISING Testa Companies. Testa has also added new units to • Three exits off I-77 its existing Northside Lofts development.

The City and partners recently doubled the size of the CAK International • itsHome to the Akron-Canton Airport Business Park, further enhancing opportunities for business expansion.

Come see• whyTop Green performing is the right place for your business to call home. schools The former Hercules Engine Company plant The City and its partners recently doubled sizescattered of the CAK International • Business parksthe and sites available and Onesto Hotel in downtown Canton PROSPEROUS PROGRESSIVE PROMISING

100

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have been converted to luxury apartments with Come see why Green is the right place for your business to call home.

330.896.6614 • PO Box 278 • Green, OH 44232 gorgeous views. The latest entrant in the downtown 330.896.6614 • PO Box 278 • Green, OH 4423 The City and its partners recently doubled the size of the •CAK International planning@cityofgreen.org • www.cityofgreen.org www.facebook.com/cityofgree living space is Bliss Lofts, adjacent to the Onesto. planning@cityofgreen.org • www.cityofgreen.org • www.faceboo PROSPEROUS PROGRESSIVE PROMISING 330.896.6614 • PO Box 278 • Green, OH 44232 330.896.6614 • PO Box 278 • Green, OH 44232expansion.

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Value INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

VaAlLuUe E V

Value

Akron AAA.......................................... 33

Hale Farm & Village...........................15

Akron Art Museum........................... 55

Hall, Kistler & Company................. 99

Akron-Canton Airport..................... 41

Hower House...................................... 55

Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank..........................................107

Kent State Stark Conference Center......................................................13

Akron Children’s Museum............. 55

Kent State University...................... 65

Akron Children’s Hospital..............75

The Kent State University Museum................................................ 50

Akron Civic Theatre........................ 55 Akron Public Schools..................... 59 Akron-Summit County Library...60 Akron YMCA..................................... 106 Akron Zoo..............................................31 Apple Growth Partners................. 123 AultCare................................................ 81 Acorn Corner, Kent, Ohio

Aultman.................................................77 AUI/Associated Underwriters Insurance.............................................. 89

LLC

c on s tr ucti o n s e rv ic e s

AxessPointe........................................ 82 Barberton Community Foundation.......................................... 115

LLC

const r uc t i oLLC n s er vi ce s c on s t ru ct i o n s e r v i c e s

Better Business Bureau....................15 The Belden Brick Company.......... 91

General Contracting | Management Construction Management Facilities Management General Contracting | Construction Construction Management Facilities Management | General Contracting | || Facilities Management Blu Jazz+................................................21 World Headquarters | 175 E. Erie St., Suite | Kent, OH 44240 | www.MetisConstruction.com World Headquarters |303 175 E.St., Erie St., 303 Suite | Kent, OH 44240 World Headquarters | 175 E. Erie Suite |303 Kent, OH 44240 || 330.677.7333 www.MetisConstruction.com | 330.677.7333 www.MetisConstruction.com | 330.677.7333 Blu Plate.................................................21 Blu-Tique Hotel...................................21 Bounce Innovation Hub................. 92 Canal Place.............................................. 1 Canton Museum of Art.....................51 Canton Palace Theatre................... 48

Office Retail Medical Industrial Investments Development Site Acquisition 1031 Exchanges

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce............................................37 Canton Symphony.............................23 Cascade Lofts................................... 125 Chill Ice Cream.................................. 55

Timothy J. Putman President 330-495-0600

Wick Hartung Broker, V.P. 330-495-0601

Call our team of professionals for all your real estate needs!

330.498.4400

City of Green..................................... 127 Cleveland Clinic Akron General....9 DeHoff Development Company..87 DeVille Apartments & Builders Inc. .................................. 127

4065 Fulton Dr NW, Canton 330.498.4400 putmanproperties.com 128

E X P E R I E N C E A K R ON-CANTON

MAPS Air Museum............................ 115 Mercy Medical Center..................... 79 Mercy Medical Center/ Medicare.gov...................................... 79 Mercy Professional Care Physicians............................................ 79 Metis Construction Services....... 128 Metro RTA............................................ 115 Northside District.................. Inside Front Cover NEOMED.................................................. 3 NEOMED The New Center............... 3 Ohio Light Opera................................51 Old Trail School.................................. 61 PNC Financial Services..................... 5 Presper Financial................................71 Pro Football Hall of Fame..............27 Putman Properties.......................... 128 The Canton Repository.................. 121 SARTA/Stark RTA............................ 127 St. Hilary School............................... 59 St. Sebastian School........................ 61 Stark Economic Development Board..................................................... 95 Stark Library....................................... 68 Stark State College...........................67 State Farm/ Meghan MacDonald........................ 122

Downtown Akron Partnership..... 55

Summit County.................................. 89

Downtown SID/Canton Regional Chamber................................................ 19

Summit County DD........................... 111

Flex-Team Staffing........................... 89

Saylor Putman Sales Associate 330-495-8292

Malone University...............................71

Summa Health........................................ ........................... 83, Inside Back Cover

First Ladies National Historic Site........................................ 117

Jim Bednar Spencer Hartung Sr. Sales Associate Sales Associate 330-417-9034 330-936-0276

MAGNET................................................97

Dominion Energy.............................105

FedEx Custom Critical................... 95

Est. 1985

Lock 3.................................................... 55

Summit County Historical Society.................................................. 55 Summit Metro Parks........................ 45 Twisted Olive......................................23

Gervasi Vineyard...............................23

The University of Akron.................. Outside Back Cover

Gohio Commute............................... 122

Walsh University............................... 69

GOJO Industries................................ 93

WKSU......................................................13

Summa Health

Safe, Strong and Serving Our Community In these challenging times, Summa Health employees remain essential and dedicated to serving our community. We are actively hiring qualified individuals to join our team in the following positions:

Summa offers • • • • •

Meaningful Work Competitive Pay Excellent Health Insurance Retirement Benefits Paid Time Off & More

Visit summahealth.org/careers to learn more and apply for rewarding opportunities or call 330.375.3255 to speak with a human resources representative.

EEO/AA Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disables.

Drug and Nicotine Free Facilities

e s ri W

THE N WE

M HIGH. I A

E

HIG HE R .

When rubber reigned in our city, we offered the world’s first courses in rubber chemistry, and one of the nation’s first engineering co-op programs.

When the country went to battle, we helped develop synthetic rubber for Allied forces.

And when the region was said to rust, we led the world in polymer science and advanced materials.

Now, we’re raising up leaders in biomimicry, corrosion engineering, cybersecurity, sustainability and more.

Ready to meet every challenge, to forge new paths and climb new heights, we are Akron — and we keep rising.

See for yourself at uakron.edu/visit