Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region

Popular children's programs return to library

ALLIANCE − Three of Rodman Public Library’s most popular children’s programs – Wee Read, Storytime, and Family Fun Nights – will run between Jan. 16 and April 6 at the Main Library.

No registration is required to attend any of the three programs, which feature different themes and activities each week.

Wee Read will be at 6:30 p.m. Mondays and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Children up to 2 years old and their parents or caregivers are invited. Wee Read includes stories, finger plays, music and movement.

Storytime, intended to encourage lifelong readers through stories, music, movement, and activities, is open to children ages 3-5, and their adult companions at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Evening Storytime sessions will be held each Tuesday as part of Family Fun Night.

Family Fun Nights, offered at 6:30 p.m. Children will listen to stories before participants break into small groups to visit various stations where they will play games, complete challenges and create crafts.

Canal Fulton library sets events

CANAL FULTON – The Canal Fulton Public Library’s Third Tuesday Book Discussion will cover “The Rose Code” by Kate Quinn at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

A Chinese New Year Celebration will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23. Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year and the Year of the Rabbit at this all-ages party. To register, stop by the information desk or call the library at 330-854-4148.

A Burns Night Celebration will be 6 p.m. Jan. 24. This is an evening dedicated to all things Robert Burns. Register in advance for this program at the information desk or call the library at 330-854-4148.

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Monday

CANTON − The 48th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration, “Stop the Hate! Stop the Violence!”, will be at noon Monday at the Edward “Peel” Coleman Center, 1400 Sherrick Road SE. The program is free and open to all of Stark County.

The event is sponsored by The Leila Green Alliance of Black School Educators. Keynote speaker will be Elder Patty Stokes Williams of Union Baptist Church. Honorees are Hammer & Nails Ministries Faith-Based Mission; Kim Brown, Board Member At Large, Canton City School District; Mr. C’s Mastery Cutting Barbershop; George Lancaster, School Community Worker at STEAMM Academy @ Hartford and Senior Pastor Zion’s Temple Church of God. Special performance by Canton Community Choir under the direction of Christopher Gales.

For further information, contact chairwoman Stephanie Rushin Patrick at 330-495-2658

Ballet performances this weekend

CANTON – The Stabrova Youth Ballet Company and Ohio Conservatory of Ballet will present “Alice in Wonderland” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $27, $32, or $39 plus fees. All seats reserved. To buy tickets, visit cantonpalacetheatre.org or call 330-454-8172.

Pet appreciation event at McKinley Presidential Library and Museum

CANTON – McKinley Presidential Library and Museum will hold its secnd annual Pet Appreciation event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 28.

Several presidential pets have made it into the history books, such as President William Howard Taft’s pet cow and President Calvin Coolidge’s pet raccoon. In that spirit, the museum is honoring President William McKinley’s birthday by hosting special activities throughout the day related to pets: Pet themed storytime and crafts, pet plush adoptions, Presidential Pets presentation by Education Director Ally Carlson, and local crafters who specialize in animal items.

This event will coincide with President McKinley’s other birthday celebrations, which include a special wreath-laying ceremony, science and planetarium shows.

Visitors are encouraged to donate pet supplies for the museum's partnering organizations during January. Donate through Jan. 27 and receive $1 off admission price (per household). Donate items on the day of the event and receive $2 off admission price (per household).

Orchestra concert Sunday

CANTON – The Canton Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Umstattd Hall at McKinley High School, 2331 17th St. NW.

The concert is Portrait of Scheherazade by Quinn Mason; Piano Concerto, No. 5, Op. 103 in F Major “Egyptian” by Camille Saint-Saëns (featuring pianist Sheng Cai); and Scheherazade, Op. 35 by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

For tickets, starting at $10; call the box office at 330-452-2094. Children and college students attend free.

Tribute concert Saturday

JACKSON TWP. – Spotlight Entertainment will present A Tribute to Michael Bublé, Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond at LaPizzaria, 3656 Dressler Road NW, on Saturday.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seats reserved; reservations required. Make reservations at eventbrite.com or call the box office at 330-327-2087. Cost for dinner and show is $42.50. Cash bar available.

Three featured male vocalists will sing the Bublé/Manilow/Diamond songbook with two female background vocalists, backed by a five-piece live band.

All tickets purchased in the same transaction will be seated together at tables of eight or more. If you would like to sit with a friend or family member who purchased their tickets separately, email stardustdinnertheatre@gmail.com or call 330-327-2087. No seating will be changed the night of the show.

Introductory sessions for cross country skiing, snowshoeing

LAKE TWP. – Stark Parks will be providing rentals and brief introductory sessions for cross country skiing and snowshoeing this winter at Quail Hollow Park, 13480 Congress Lake Ave. NE, weather dependent.

The cost is $20 for cross country ski rentals for the first visit and $10 each time after this season. It is $10 for snowshoe rental. Rentals are for two hours. Cash or check only.

To know when conditions are right and the Ski Shop is open, sign up for winter activity email alerts at https://starkparks.com/winter.

Stark SWCD to host Symbiotic Wetlands Program

MASSILLON – The Stark Soil & Water Conservation District will host a Symbiotic Wetlands Program from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the USDA Service Center Conference Room, 2650 Richville Drive SE.

The program will offer details on wetlands such as stormwater retention, flood control, recreation opportunities, and improving water quality, along with how to protect wetlands by minimizing pollution and reducing runoff.

Visit www.starkswcd.org or call 330-451-7645 to register.

Exhibition, workshop, artist’s receptions at Massillon Museum

MASSILLON – The Massillon Museum has scheduled the following events:

• Noon Tuesday: A podcast will be posted at MassillonMuseum.org of an interview with photographer Coty Giannelli talking about his “Days with Delsie” exhibition.

• Saturday through March 19: “The Art and History of Soul Food” student photography exhibition will be in the New Fred F. Silk Community Room Gallery. A reception will be 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 5, coinciding with Celebration in Art reception.

• Noon to 1 p.m. Saturday: Flower Print Painting Workshop with Lepley & Co. for ages 8 and older. Register at MassMu.org/Tickets or 330-833-4061. Cost is $35 ($32 Massillon Museum member) per person and includes all supplies

• 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday: Artist’s reception for “Coty Giannelli: Days with Delsie” exhibition. Free and open to the public in Studio M. No reservation needed. The photography exhibition is based on life as a caregiver.

Anime Afternoon, Family Movie Night at library

MASSILLON – Massillon Public Library, 208 Lincoln Way E, will present Anime Afternoon in the library’s Teen Lounge from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Teens in grades 7 through 12 are invited to watch Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki. No registration is required for this free program, and refreshments will be available. For more information, contact Susan Baker at 330-832-9831, ext. 312.

Family Movie Night will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium. The movie will be "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile." Admission is free and free popcorn will be served.

Canton Audubon Society to meet; public welcome

PERRY TWP. – The Canton Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Exploration Gateway/Perry Sippo Branch Library at Sippo Lake Park, 5710 12th St. NW.

Members will share photographs of birding adventures around the U.S. and world, book reports, backyard bird visitors, and their expertise. Everyone interested in nature and birds is invited. Families with children welcome.

Give blood, enter Super Bowl contest

The American Red Cross will hold the following blood drives in Stark County:

• Alliance: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 31, University of Mount Union, 420 Simpson St.

• Canal Fulton: Noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 27, Schalmo Family YMCA, 976 Canal St. S

• Jackson Township: 2 to 7 p.m. Jan. 31, RiverTree Jackson, 7373 Portage St. NW

• Lake Township: Noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Grace United Church of Christ, 13275 Cleveland Ave. NW

• Massillon: 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Knights of Columbus 554, 988 Cherry Road NW

• Perry Township: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Richville United Church of Christ, 6125 Richville Drive SW

In partnership with the National Football League, those who give blood, platelets or plasma from Jan. 1 through 31 will be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.

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