Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region

One Book One Community author to visit

ALLIANCE − Lynne Kelly, author of the 2024 One Book One Community selection “Song for a Whale,” will be at the Brush Performance Hall inside the Giese Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of the University of Mount Union at 7 p.m. Thursday.

For a complete conversation with Kelly, visit rodmanlibrary.com/oboc24-preauthorvisit.

Friends of Rodman Public Library set meeting, book sale

ALLIANCE − The Friends of Rodman Public Library will hold a meeting at 10 a.m. in the Rodman Auditorium, 215 E. Broadway St. Immediately following the meeting, a mini book sale and bake sale will be held in the children’s program room.

The following categories of books will be available: children's, hardback fiction, biographies, gardening, large print and hardback nonfiction. Puzzles, games and sheet music also will be available. All items will be sold by donation.

Canalway Classic Spring Peeper race is March 30

CANAL FULTON − Friends of Stark Parks is hosting the annual Canalway Classic Spring Peeper starting at 8:30 a.m. March 30 in St. Helena Park in Canal Fulton.

The Spring Peeper is a two-mile and five-mile race on the Towpath and Olde Muskingum Trails. For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/ctmenr3c.

Bazaar at senior center March 23

CANAL FULTON − Northwest Senior Center, 853 Locust St., will host a Spring Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 23.

Homemade crafts, soup, local merchant raffles and lunch will be available. Proceeds will benefit the Senior Center.

Library sets music jam session, AI info session

CANAL FULTON − The Canal Fulton Public Library, 154 Market St. NE, will host the following programs:

• Music jam session from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 25: Musicians are invited to join in a jam session at the library. Bring acoustic instruments for an afternoon of bluegrass music. All skill levels are welcome. This is a drop-in program; registration is not required.

• What is AI & Chat GPT? from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 25. Learn about how it works and what is just science fiction. Registration is required for this program; call the library at 330-854-4148 (option 3).

• Teen Pizza and Game Night at 5:30 p.m. March 27. Youth in grades 6 through 12 can enjoy pizza and Jackbox party games. Bring your own device to play. Registration is appreciated, but not required.

• From Canal Fulton to Mars from 2 to 3:30 p.m. March 30. Canal Fulton native Tim Schlernitzauer shares his experiences of designing part of the landing gear for the Mars Science Laboratories, “Curiosity,” and “Perseverance,” and other space-related stories. Registration is required for this program; call the library at 330-854-4148 (option 3).

Canton Kidfest is March 30

CANTON − Canton Kidfest, a day of indoor family fun at the Canton Memorial Civic Center, 1101 Market Ave. N, will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30.

Admission is $5; kids younger than 3 get in free. The event includes inflatables, video games, magic shows, crafts, characters, an Easter egg hunt, food, games, contests, prizes and baby races. For more information, call 330-489-3090 or visit https://tinyurl.com/ms4rdrxf.

Applications being accepted for community wellness grants

CANTON – Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery is offering two $2,500 program grants.

Ideal applicants will develop and/or continue programs that promote resiliency and offer youth positive socio-emotional and/or educational experiences. According to Search Institute research, “Out-of-School Time” programs focused on activities such as mentoring, athletics, the arts, academic support, and life skills positively impact youth development.

Previous applicants are not eligible to receive the award for two consecutive years. Email proposals to Proposals@StarkMHAR.org by 5 p.m. April 5. Read the application guidelines and other information found at StarkMHAR.org (see “Initiatives” under the “Our Impact” section).

Civil War Roundtable sets program on Lincoln’s bodyguard

LAKE TWP. − The Stark County Civil War Roundtable will host a first-person presentation of “Ward Hill Lamon − Lincoln’s Bodyguard” by John Spaziani at 7 p.m. Thursday at United Methodist Church, 3088 State St. NW.

Irish and Scottish music Saturday

MINERVA − An Evening of Celtic Music and Dance will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Roxy Theatre, 114 N. Market St.

The music of Ireland and Scotland will be performed on pipes, penny whistle, fiddle, guitar, bodhran and bouzouki. Bealtaine from Pittsburgh, as well as the dancers of the Eternity Irish Dance Troupe, will be featured. Baked goods from Ireland and Scotland will be available by donation.

Concert tickets, $10 each, are available at the Minerva Chamber office, 203 N. Market St. Unless the show is sold out, tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call 330-868-7979 or email denise.freeland@minervachamber.org.

Coffee with a Cop is Thursday

MINERVA − The next Coffee with a Cop event will be at 8 a.m. Thursday at Kishman’s Fresh Market IGA, 202 E. High St. The Coffee with a Cop program lets community members ask questions, bring concerns, get to know Stark County Sheriff’s Office members and learn more about how the office serves the community.

For more information, contact the Sheriff’s Office’s director of community engagement at 330-430-3889.

Crime Prevention Breakfast set for March 27

PLAIN TWP. – The Exchange Club of Canton-Stark County will host its annual Crime Prevention Breakfast at 8 a.m. March 27 at First Christian Church, 6900 Market Ave. N.

The Crime Prevention Breakfast highlights outstanding service of individual law enforcement officers and acknowledges citizens who have worked with law enforcement and the court system in solving or preventing crime.

Awards will be given for the Canton City Police Department Office of the Year, Stark County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year, Community Police Officer of the Year, and the Stark County Crime Prevention Citizen of the Year. New this year, The Exchange Club is partnering with Stark Mental Health and Addiction Recovery agency to award the Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year and Crisis Intervention Team Champion of the Year.

Keynote speaker for this year’s breakfast is Gino Haynes, community organizer for Canton for All People and leadership and development consultant for Legacy Consulting. As a community organizer, Haynes focuses on improving relations in underserved neighborhoods in downtown Canton. Haynes was also part of the ystark! Twenty Under 40! Class of 2023.

Tickets are $20. Area businesses and community members are asked to attend, but to also purchase and donate tickets on behalf of local law enforcement officers who are invited to participate. Buy tickets at cantonchamber.org or by contacting Ashley Winter at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce at 330-456-7253.

Wilderness Center names new director of education

SUGAR CREEK TWP. − Michael Hensley of Dalton has been named The Wilderness Center’s director of education.

Hensley was the programs manager and lead naturalist for Erie MetroParks and focused on providing quality nature and conservation education to underserved communities, along with nature and outdoor recreational activities for Erie County residents.

Hensley received his bachelor's degree from West Liberty University in community and outdoor education. He also holds certified interpretive guide and certified interpretive trainer certifications through the National Association of Interpretation.

Stark Parks to offer activities

Stark Parks will offer a variety of upcoming spring programs and activities. Visit StarkParks.com for class information and registration for all events and programs.

• Adventure Kids: Fairy Frenzy will be 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 3 to 5 and 1 to 2 p.m. for ages 6 to 9 on Wednesday, as well as 11 a.m. to noon for ages 3 to 5 and 1 to 2 p.m. for ages 6 to 9 on Saturday at Exploration Gateway, Sippo Lake Park-East, 5712 12th St. NW, Perry Township. Kids will make a fairy garden, learn animal fairy tales, and meet a creature of the mystical forest. The program is free, but registration is required.

• Identitrees: Trees on Skis will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Quail Hollow Park, 13480 Congress Lake Ave. NE, Lake Township. Travel on cross-country skis to learn about the common trees of Ohio in the park. All ski equipment and boots will be provided. If there’s no snow, participants will hike around the park identifying trees. The program is free, but ski rental is $5, payable by cash at the door. Registration is required.

• Marvel at the Moon Hike will be from 8 to 9 p.m. March 26 at Petros Lake Park, 3519 Perry Drive SW, Perry Township. Marvel at the full moon of March, the Worm Moon, during the hike. Learn about moon phases and how this satellite affects our day-to-day life. The program is free, but registration is required.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region