Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region

Easton Kauffman, 11 and sister, Felicity, 9 hold tight to a kite on a very warm and very windy day during a familey outing at Weis Park in Canton.  Thursday,  February 23, 2023.
Easton Kauffman, 11 and sister, Felicity, 9 hold tight to a kite on a very warm and very windy day during a familey outing at Weis Park in Canton. Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Author of ‘The Children’s Blizzard’ to visit Alliance library

ALLIANCE – Melanie Benjamin, author of “The Children’s Blizzard,” will speak at 7 p.m. March 23 at Union Avenue United Methodist Church, 1843 S. Union Ave. She will give remarks about “The Children’s Blizzard,” which is Alliance’s One Book One Community selection for 2023, as well as talk about her writing process and her other works. She will sign books following her talk.

The backdrop of “The Children’s Blizzard” is a winter storm that struck the Great Plains in 1888. Based on oral histories of survivors, the novel partly follows teachers and students as the storm bears down on their schoolhouse.

"The Children's Blizzard," by Melanie Benjamin.
"The Children's Blizzard," by Melanie Benjamin.

Related programs are planned at Rodman Public Library ahead of Benjamin’s visit.

At 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, Robb Hyde, president of the Alliance Area Preservation Society, will present “Local Schoolhouses and the Three Rs in 19th-Century Alliance."

At 2 p.m. Saturday, Youngstown meteorologist Eric Wilhelm of WFMJ will present “The Children’s Blizzard and Weather Prediction.”

Registration is required for the library events; visit rodmanlibrary.evanced.info/signup.

Canal Fulton library offers tech tips, trivia, painting and Irish dancing

CANAL FULTON – The Canal Fulton Public Library, 154 E. Market St., will hold the following programs this week:

  • Tiny Tech Tip Series, 4 p.m. Mondays in March: Join the tech trainer for 30 minutes to learn tips on topics such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, basic symbols, mouse buttons and touchpads.

  • Marvel Cinematic Universe Trivia Party, 6 p.m. Tuesday: Test your knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The event will include trivia, snacks, and prizes. Registration is encouraged.

  • Pour Paint, 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday: Create unique works of art by pouring paints on canvas. For grades K-5. Registration is required.

  • Irish River Dancing and Fun, 11 a.m. to noon Saturday: Eternity Irish Dance Troupe will perform. Enjoy Irish-themed treats and crafts after the show. This event is for all ages. Registration is required.

To register, call 330-854-4148

Tea with the Curator, Science Saturday at McKinley Museum

CANTON − The McKinley Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, will host Tea with the Curator from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday.

Executive Director Kim Kenney will present “Canton’s Women: Celebrating the Contributions of our Foremothers” as she looks at the contributions women have made to Canton’s history over the past 200 years.

The event includes breakfast sweets, coffee/tea, a program and admission to the museum. The cost is $20 per person. Pre-registration is required; call 330-455-7043.

On Saturday, the museum will offer its Science Saturday program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where visitors will learn about the creatures in Ohio’s wetlands, the migratory birds that come into Ohio during the beginning of spring and how wetlands are vital to humans. Activities and crafts will be available for kids of all ages.

Autism fundraiser features professional wrestlers

DALTON – Dylan's Annual Autism Awareness Fundraiser will be held at 7 p.m. March 18 at the Dalton High School gym, 177 N. Mill St.

The family friendly pro wrestling show features seven matches and two former WWE stars. Proceeds benefit the Autism Society of Greater Akron, which encompasses Stark, Summit, Wayne, Medina and Portage counties.

General admission tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Limited front-row seating is $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Limited second-row seating is $15 in advance; $18 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. For advance tickets, visit www.aswalive.com or call 330-417-5275.

GiGi's Playhouse silent auction, raffles still open

JACKSON TWP. – Bidding is still open for silent auction items and various raffle packages for GiGi’s Playhouse's largest fundraiser of the year, “A Night Out with the Cleveland Keys.” In-person tickets for the event on Saturday are no longer available.

To place a bid or donate, visit https://gigisplayhouse.org/canton/a-night-out/. GiGi’s Playhouse provides free educational, therapeutic and vocational programs for people with Down syndrome.

Stark DD Walk for Awareness is Friday

JACKSON TWP. − The Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities will kick off National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with the third annual Walk for Awareness on Friday at Belden Village Mall, 4230 Belden Village St. NW.

Massillon Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry and Stark DD Superintendent William Green will welcome people with disabilities, families, friends and supporters at center court beginning at 10:30 am. This event is free and open to the public.

During the walk, visitors can stop by interactive stations throughout the one-mile indoor mall loop to learn about Stark DD services. People who may be interested in a career as a direct support professional for people with disabilities can learn about current career opportunities. Stark DD’s Help for Good T-shirts will be for sale for $10 each.

MassMu history discussion group meets Tuesday

MASSILLON – The Massillon Museum’s History Discussion Group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the museum, 121 Lincoln Way E.

Moderator Chris Craft will lead a discussion about retail establishments in Massillon’s past. No reservations are necessary. Attendance is free and open to the public. Liebermann’s pastries and coffee are available for a donation. For more information, call 330-833-4061 or visit massillonmuseum.org.

Free firearms safety and education classes offered

MASSILLON – The Stark County Sheriff’s Office is announcing four opportunities to attend a Firearms Safety & Education class at the Stark County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Training Center, 143 First St. NE.

All classes are free, but availability is limited and registration is required. Classes will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 25, June 17, Aug. 12 and Oct. 21.

The comprehensive basic firearms course will cover the safe handling of firearms, proper storage and maintenance. The course also explains Senate Bill 215, which legalized constitutional carry, as well as concealed handgun licensing laws and basic shooting fundamentals.

The classroom portion will be six hours, followed by two hours of range time. Each student who successfully completes the program will receive a certificate.

Attendees must sign a liability release waiver prior to the beginning of the course. They must provide their own handgun in .22LR - .45 ACP in good working condition and 100 rounds of ammunition each. Hearing and eye protection are available, but students are encouraged to bring their own. Targets, handouts and other materials will be provided.

To register, visit the Stark County Sheriff’s Office website, click on “Community Training,” and follow the prompts to select the course. For more information, call the sheriff’s office at 330-430-3889.

Paws and Prayers Pet Rescue set for March 25

AKRON – Paws and Prayers Pet Rescue will hold a Paws Vegas 2023 casino game night fundraiser to benefit the Cuyahoga Falls nonprofit organization's medical fund for animals.

The event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. March 25 at Todaro's Party Center at 1820 Akron Peninsula Road. It will feature appetizers, an open bar, casino games, wine pull and raffles.

Tickets are $75 for a single, $70 for a couple, or purchase a table for $550 (eight seats) or $650 (10 seats). Ticket prices do not include Eventbrite fees. Ticket sales end March 18. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door. Tickets can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/4z48m2ps.

North Canton Lions craft show March 25

NORTH CANTON – The North Canton Lions Club will hold a Spring Craft and Artisan Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 25 at Hoover High School, 525 Seventh St. NE.

The cost is $50 for a 10-foot-by-5-foot space. Add $5 if electricity is needed. Contact Bill Humphrey at 330-497-1694 or nclionscraft@gmail.com for more information.

Aaliyah Kauffman, 4 of Canton is windblown while enjoying a warm day at Weis Park in Canton.  Thursday,  February 23, 2023.
Aaliyah Kauffman, 4 of Canton is windblown while enjoying a warm day at Weis Park in Canton. Thursday, February 23, 2023.
Royce Kauffman, 19 months, stops to take in the view during a family outing to Weis Park in Canton.
Royce Kauffman, 19 months, stops to take in the view during a family outing to Weis Park in Canton.
Luana Kauffman, 8, gives sister, Aaliyah, 4, a push on a swing at Weis Park in Canton on an unseasonably warm February day.  Thursday,  February 23, 2023.
Luana Kauffman, 8, gives sister, Aaliyah, 4, a push on a swing at Weis Park in Canton on an unseasonably warm February day. Thursday, February 23, 2023.
Matthew Kauffman of Canton carries a kite for kids Luana, 8 and Easton, 11, during a family outing at Weis Park in Canton.  Thursday,  February 23, 2023.
Matthew Kauffman of Canton carries a kite for kids Luana, 8 and Easton, 11, during a family outing at Weis Park in Canton. Thursday, February 23, 2023.

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