Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region
'Civil War Christmas’ at library
ALLIANCE – The Haines House Underground Railroad Museum will present a holiday program, “A Civil War Christmas,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Rodman Library Auditorium.
“A Civil War Christmas” is a multimedia presentation created by Beth Gray and Robb Hyde in 2001, the first Christmas after the Alliance Area Preservation Society bought the Haines House. They discovered how many of the Christmas traditions and music in America have their roots in the mid-19th century, and many are closely tied with the events of the Civil War.
The Haines House program will offer a year-by-year survey of Christmases through the war and the songs they inspired, along with accounts of Alliance area soldiers and their Christmas experiences on the battlefront. Gray and Hyde will be joined by several friends and board members of the Haines House for a performance of the holiday songs.
Registration is required. Call 330-821-2665, ext. 107, and leave your name and contact information. For online registration, visit rodmanlibrary.evanced.info/signup. The event will also be available through Facebook live and will be archived on Rodman Public Library’s page.
Clothing sought for distribution
CANTON – Community Partners will present “An Unforgettable Christmas 2” event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Edward Peel Coleman Center, 1400 Sherrick Road SE. Hats, gloves, coats and toys will be distributed, and Santa will make an appearance. Masks are recommended, but not required. Donations are being taken; drop-off is at the Peel Coleman Center. To donate or get more information, call 330-489-3350.
Dover library presents ‘It’s a Wonderful Movie’
DOVER – Storyteller Chris Hart will appear at the Dover Library at 6:30 p.m. Monday portraying Frank Capra, the director of the popular holiday movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” As Capra speaks to a group of acting students on the 40th anniversary of the release of the movie, he shares many behind-the-scenes stories about the production, the cast, and the history of this Christmas classic. The program gives the audience a chance to “live” in Bedford Falls, the setting of this beloved holiday masterpiece.
This program will be held in the Community Room at the library, 525 N. Walnut St. Register online at www.doverlibrary.org or call 330-343-6123.
Groups treat area veterans
CANTON – The Molly Stark Chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists and the Madison McKinley U.S. Daughters of 1812 combined efforts to honor veterans at the Canton VA Clinic for Veterans Day. Members Debbie Hinton, Sharon Snowden, Jonna Nesbella, BJ Lysic, Carol Jones, Kay Upole and Judith Smith set up tables outside the clinic to distribute 100 Subway sandwiches, along with snacks, to veterans visiting the clinic. Veterans could choose to pick up a ham steak. Some ham steaks left over were donated to SAM Center so veterans could enjoy for Thanksgiving.
Sharon Snowden is state regent of OSDAC, while Debbie Hinton is state president of Daughters of 1812, and both groups are passionate about helping and honoring veterans. These groups combined to clean benches at the OVMP last May, set up tables with fruit and cookies at the Clinic last spring, and present 50th Commemoration Pins of the Vietnam War to veterans. Both groups presented JROTC Medals to Green High School cadets as well. Member BJ Lysic was presented an award for her outstanding service to veterans at the state meeting in October.
OHP picks trooper, dispatcher of year
JACKSON TWP. – Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper George S. Ksenich has been selected as the 2021 Trooper of the Year at the Canton Post and selected as the 2021 Cleveland District Trooper of the Year. The selection of Ksenich, 32, is in recognition of outstanding service during 2021 at the Canton Post. Fellow officers stationed at the Canton Post chose Ksenich based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude, and cooperation with supervisors, peers, and the public. Ksenich joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2016, and upon graduation, he has served solely at the Canton Post. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University.
Dispatcher Christopher B. Trout has been selected for the 2021 State Highway Patrol Telecommunications Award at the Canton Dispatch Center. The selection of Trout, 20, is in recognition of his outstanding service during 2021 at the Canton Dispatch Center as a Dispatcher. Post management and his peers chose him based on his technical job knowledge, ability, enthusiastic work attitude, teamwork and prompt and courteous response to the public’s requests for information and assistance. Trout joined the Highway Patrol in 2017 and has served solely at the Canton Post. He is a 2010 graduate of Fairless High School and attended Kent State University.
Holiday events at Massillon library
MASSILLON – Massillon Public Library will host several holiday activities Tuesday. A visit with Santa will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Local History and Duncan rooms. Visitors are invited to take photographs. No registration is needed. All ages are welcome, and the event is free and open to the public.
A “Holiday Crafternoon” will be from noon to 3 p.m. in the auditorium. Guests will create their own waterless snow globes. All supplies will be provided, and no registration is required. The program is free and open to anyone 18 or older. For more information about this program, contact Miranda Greathouse at greatmi@massillonlibrary.org or 330-832-9831, ext. 304.
A Vinyl Night Holiday Party will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the library auditorium. Guests can bring their favorite Christmas or seasonal vinyl LPs and 45s to share, especially weird or schmaltzy tunes. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate or just listen. There may be trivia and prizes. No registration is required. Light refreshments will be served. For more information about this free program, contact Sherie Brown at 330-832-9831, ext. 314. or brownsh@massillonlibrary.org.
Anime event Saturday in Massillon
MASSILLON – Massillon Public Library will host Anime Afternoon from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday via Zoom. The session is open to teens in grades 7-12. Registration is required. The library hosts Anime Afternoon with a new anime each third Saturday of the month. For more information or to register for this program, contact Susan Baker at bakersu@massillonlibrary.org or 330-832-9831, ext. 312.
Civil Air Patrol cadets earn awards
NORTH CANTON – Two Stark County cadets with North Canton Composite Squadron 278 have earned a prestigious Civil Air Patrol award. Cadet 2nd Lt. Claire Gerber and Cadet 2nd Lt. Lauren Hobe received the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award and joined the ranks of cadet officers.
Gerber is a senior at Marlington High School. She is a member of All-Ohio 99s (an all-female pilot organization), a member of East Central Ohio Pilots Association, and a student pilot at Aerotrek Flight Academy. She is also a lifeguard at Louisville YMCA. She is a Ruritan rising senior scholarship recipient. Gerber is the only one with a volunteer service ribbon in her squadron. Further, the ribbon stands for 60 hours, then each clasp is another 60 hours.
Hobe is a senior at Hoover High School. She is on the varsity team for cross country, swimming and track. She volunteered putting together packets for parents in Akron Children’s Hospital NICU. She served as first sergeant.
The Gen. Billy Mitchell Award is the second milestone in the cadet program and marks the completion of Phase II, the Leadership Phase. To earn the Billy Mitchell Award and the grade of cadet second lieutenant, a cadet must complete the promotion eligibility requirements.
Gerber and Hobe have passed two comprehensive exams covering leadership theory and aerospace topics, completed the Cadet Physical Fitness Test, gone to an Encampment and met specific leadership expectations. Within Civil Air Patrol, Mitchell Award winners are eligible for scholarships, Cadet Officer School and Civic Leadership Academy. Any cadet who has earned this award, and who later enters CAP’s Senior Member program, is eligible for immediate promotion to CAP Second Lieutenant at age 21. Cadets who receive the Billy Mitchell Award are also eligible for advanced placement to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class) should they choose to enter the US Air Force. Only 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets will obtain the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award.
Holiday light displays at Beech Creek
WASHINGTON TWP. – Beech Creek Gardens invites the public to visit Nature’s A-Glow to celebrate the holiday season. The botanical garden has been transformed into a natural winter wonderland of light displays for guests to wander through.
Nature’s A-Glow continues Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 19, as well as every day Dec. 26-29 from 5-9 p.m. Admission to Nature’s A-Glow is $8. Beech Creek members and children 2 and younger receive free admission. Four-legged friends may stroll the displays with their owners.
For more information about Nature’s A-Glow, visit beechcreekgardens.org/natures-a-glow. Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve is at 11929 Beech St. NE, one mile east of state Route 62.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region
