Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region

Barista competition Saturday

AKRON – Muggswigz Coffee and Tea Co., 373 S. Main St., is sponsoring a barista competition from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday. There will be two competitions: a Solo Barista and a Duo Barista Team. Prizes are $500 to first place, $200 to second, and $50 to third.

To learn more about the competition, to purchase spectator tickets, or to register as a competitor, check out the Facebook page, "Ohio Barista Champs." Tickets are available on Eventbrite by searching for "2022 Ohio Barista Champs."

Mount Union to present band concert

ALLIANCE – The University of Mount Union Concert Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Brush Performance Hall in the Giese Center for the Performing Arts. The Concert Band is open to Mount Union students and faculty as well as students and teachers from local high schools and local musicians. This event is free and open to the public.

Mother's Day 5k is May 7

BREWSTER – The Mother's Day 5k, hosted by Fairless High School Student Council, will be 9 a.m. May 7 at Fairless High School, 11885 Navarre Road. SW.

The Fairless Mother’s Day 5k is a family-focused 3.1-mile walk/run that starts and ends in the Fairless High School athletic complex and loops through Brewster. The student-organized event is dedicated to appreciating mothers and increasing engagement in the Fairless community.

This is a stroller- and family-friendly event. Participaants will receive T-shirts and medals while supplies last. All participants will receive a finisher’s medal upon completion of the 5k. The top three males and females overall will receive a plaque upon completion of the 5k. Race day registration and packet pickup is at 8:30 a.m. Start time is 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit a community organization. Register through May 2 at https://tinyurl.com/3u9japdf. Sign up to volunteer at https://forms.gle/cuszrZoX1Rqfrrod8.

McKinley Museum sets events

CANTON – Wm. McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, will hold a free virtual book discussion with Gretchen Sorin, author of "Driving While Black," from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2pa9e7ar.

On May 5, NASA engineer Nicole Smith, project manager of all the Orion testing at the Space Environments Complex at NASA Glenn Research Center's Plum Brook Station, will present Artemis I: NASA returns to the Moon, a program in the Soup at Six series. The price of $20 includes soup, bread, beverage, dessert and program. Registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/2jrfu94u.

The museum's final Science Saturday until fall will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 14 and will be Marvel Mania. Come dressed as your favorite Marvel character. There will be activities and crafts. This event will be open-house style and will be free with admission to the museum.

Hunger Task Force hosts game night

CANTON – Milestone Game Bar, 312 Cleveland Ave. NW, will host a game night May 1 to raise money to fight hunger in Stark County.

The event is being held in partnership with Kent State University’s class of Business Consulting & Practicum. The first round of games begins at noon and ends at 3 p.m., and the second round begins at 4 p.m. and finishes at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $25 per person and include one gourmet hot dog, a side, and a non-alcoholic beverage. To register and pay online, go to Starkhugner.org/gamenight, or send a check, payable to Stark County Hunger Task Force to P.O. Box 20941, Canton, Ohio 44701.

Orchestra sets concert

CANTON – The Canton Symphony Orchestra will present Music for Humanity: Beethoven’s Ninth performance at 7:30 p.m. April 30 at Zimmermann Symphony Center, 2331 17th St. NW.

The orchestra will feature Vaughan Williams' "Serenade to Music" and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9," along with Grammy Award-winning composer Joan Tower's "Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 1." Tickets are $20, $30 and $50. For more details, visit cantonsymphony.org or call 330-452-2094.

Dance is May 1

CANTON – Canton Country Music will hold its next dance May 1 at the Polish American Club, 1605 Henry Ave. SW. Music will be provided by Kenny Eddy Band. The doors open at 1 p.m. for social hour. Music is from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 at the door.

Reception set for ex-inmates

CANTON – A welcome-home reception for those recently released from incarceration and prison will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Drop In Center, 1492 Cherry St. SE.

The homecoming reception is to provide information about services for them to succeed and overcome barriers in society, according to the Stark County Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Outreach Project, which is sponsoring the event. Make reservations at 330-949-1927. All service-providing agencies are invited to participate.

Author to speak

DOVER – Edgar-nominated author Robin Yocum, known for his fiction set in Eastern Ohio and the Ohio River Valley, will present a program titled "Mining the Hills of Eastern Ohio for Murder and Mayhem" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Dover Library, 525 N. Walnut St.

Yocum will discuss his books and how his roots in the Ohio River Valley have influenced his fiction. A book signing will follow the program held in the library's Community Room. Register online at www.doverlibrary.org or call the library at 330-343-6123.

Blues competition Saturday

JACKSON TWP. – The Northeast Ohio Blues Association will host a blues challenge Saturday at the Eagles, 6979 Sunset Strip Ave. NW. Doors will open at 3 p.m., and food service will be provided by the Eagles Club.

Ten blues acts, consisting of bands and solo/duo performers, will compete for cash prizes and association sponsorship at the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

Arbor Day celebration Saturday

LOUISVILLE – The Louisville Tree Commission will hold its annual Arbor Day celebration at 10 a.m. Saturday at Metzger Park Gazebo, 1420 S. Nickelplate St. Louisville is a "Tree City, USA" designee.

Grazing Workshop is Thursday

MALVERN – The Eastern Ohio Grazing Council will host a Grazing Workshop at 6 p.m. Thursday at Straight A’s Ranch Supply, at 9036 Leopard Road.

Topics include fencer chargers, proper grounding, wireless scales, environmental liability insurance, and watering-system options. Registration is requested. Contact Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District at 330-627-9852 to register.

Brown Bag Lunch Talk topic is Newark Earthworks

MASSILLON – The Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, will host a Brown Bag Lunch program April 26 featuring John L. Low, a storyteller and director of the Newark Earthworks Center. His program will begin at 12:10 p.m. and conclude at 12:50 to accommodate those who attend on their lunch hours.

The Newark Earthworks are the largest geometric earthen enclosures in the world. Built by people of the ancient Hopewell Culture between 100 B.C. and 500 A.D., it was part cathedral, part cemetery, and part astronomical observatory.

Admission to Brown Bag Lunches is free and no reservations are required. The Museum provides free cookies and coffee for attendees. Guests can purchase sandwiches, salad, and smoothies at Greatness Cafe in the Museum lobby or they can bring their own lunches.

Pegasus Farm plans workshop

NORTH CANTON – Pegasus Farm invites parents and caregivers of a child or youth who experiences special needs to an information session with several key community organizations that provide important services and programs for families.

The Making Community Connections: Supporting Families Through Partnerships & Collaboration program will be 9 a.m. to noon April 30 at Walther’s Twin Tavern, 430 Applegrove St. NW.

The session is free and open to the public. Reservations at www.PegasusFarm.org/familyworkshop are required due to limited seating. Refreshments and networking will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The program will include speakers from community organizations such as Care Team Initiative, Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities, State Support Team – Regional 9, The ARC of Ohio, Stark County Family Council, Sharing Solutions, and Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty.

Coffee with a Cop is Friday

PLAIN TWP. – The next Coffee with a Cop program organized by the Stark County Sheriff's Office will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Samantha’s Restaurant, 6326 Market Ave. N.

The Coffee with a Cop program provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions and to learn more about how the Sheriff’s Office serves the community.

The community is invited to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know the members of the Stark County Sheriff’s Office better. The Coffee with a Cop program is a national initiative.

For more information, call 330-430-3889. Citizens can also communicate with the Stark County Sheriff’s Office using the mobile app, which can be downloaded for free via the app store on any smartphone by searching Stark Sheriff Ohio.

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