Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region

Application deadline for Master Recycler Program is Friday 

BOLIVAR − The Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Recycling District will hold its annual Master Recycler Program on select Tuesday evenings and some Saturday mornings from Sept. 6 through Oct. 11. The program location is split between the district office in Bolivar and several local facilities. 

A course fee of $40 is required to cover the cost of food, supplies and transportation, but financial assistance may be available. The deadline to apply is Friday, and applications are available on the district’s website at www.timetorecycle.org/masterrecycler. 

The goals of the program are to provide comprehensive training in solid waste management practices and related sustainability issues, improve overall understanding and participation in district programs, and empower participants to reduce waste and cultivate partnerships in the local community. Participants are also required to volunteer at least 20 hours at various community events such as farmers markets, festivals and litter cleanups to receive official certification and may continue to represent the district at events to further expand outreach and recycling opportunities. 

Those interested in participating must be residents of Stark, Tuscarawas or Wayne County or work at a business/institution or attend a college/university located in those counties. Residents must be 18 or older to participate, though the district would consider a 17-year-old if accompanied with a parent or designated guardian. For more information, visit www.timetorecycle.org/masterrecycler or call 800-678-9839. 

American Sign Language course offered 

CANTON TWP. – TRIAD Deaf Services will offer an eight-week Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) Level 1 course at the Canton Township Community Center, 210 38th St. SE, from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays starting Sept. 3 and ending Oct. 22.  

Registration costs $80, and full payment for the course is due by Sept. 6. Payments can be made with Venmo, check, or cash in person at the TRIAD office, 408 Ninth St. SW, Suite 2100, Canton. The cost of the book is not included in the registration cost, and students will be informed two weeks before the course starts which book to order. Those who are interested or have questions about the course can contact Danielle at dpartin@triadds.org. 

Music at Spring Hill    

MASSILLON – Spring Hill Historic Home, 1401 Springhill Lane NE, will host a free, outdoor concert by Brian Stahl at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Stahl is a folk singer/songwriter who crafts his own songs with acoustic melodies and whose style has been compared to Jim Croce and Cat Stevens. The community is welcome; bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Several picnic tables will be available.

Donations are welcome. Light concessions will be available for purchase, cash only, but outside food and drink are permitted.

Bouquet workshop

MASSILLON − Lepley & Co. will present a "Build-a-Bouquet" workshop at the Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 20.

Anyone 8 or older may attend. Participants will receive guidance on the basics of flowers and floristry and learn about flowers. People with all experience levels will each take home a custom bouquet.

Register at MassMu.org/Tickets or call 330-833-4061 by Thursday. The fee is $35 ($32 per Massillon Museum member).

MAPS dinner dance Saturday  

GREEN – The Military Aviation Preservation Society (MAPS) Air Museum, 2260 International Parkway, will hold a dinner dance Saturday, featuring the music of LaFlavour's "Five Decades of Hits." Guests may attend for dinner and dancing, or for dancing only.   

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., with dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets for both dinner and dancing are $21.72 per person; advance reservations are required for this option. Order tickets and make reservations at www.mapsairmuseum.org or laflavour.org or call 330-896-6332, ext. 110. The deadline for orders is 1 p.m. Aug. 19.

No advance ticket purchase or reservations are required for dancing only, and the cost is $10 per person at the door. Admission for dancing only opens at 6:30 p.m. Seating for both options is first-come, first-seated. No outside food, beverages, or alcohol are permitted. The MAPS snack bar will be open throughout the event. 

Bands at amphitheater 

JACKSON TWP. – The Chris Higbee Band will perform from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Jackson Amphitheater, 7454 Community Parkway NW. 

E5C4P3, a Journey tribute band formed in 1993, will perform from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 3. To buy tickets for either concert, visit www.jacksonamphitheater.com. 

Back-to-school event at farmers market

JACKSON TWP. – The Farmers Market at St. Stephen Church, 4600 Fulton Drive NW, will have a "Back to School" event from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

The Aultman Hospital WOW van will be on site with information for parents and children returning to school. All children 12 and younger visiting the market that day will receive a free gift. St. Stephen also holds a summer outdoor worship service each Thursday following the market at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

Healthiest Soil Contest  

MASSILLON – Stark Soil & Water Conservation District is searching for Stark County’s Healthiest Soil.

Contestants can stop by the district office to pick up a standardized 4-inch cylinder, which can used to collect a uniform sample. Detailed instructions on proper sampling are available at starkswcd.org. Samples can be dropped off at the district office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  

District staff and soil scientists will conduct soil health assessment tests to determine the healthiest soil. The district is at 2650 Richville Drive SE, Suite 100, Massillon. For more information, call 330-451-7645.  

Oil paintings on display 

MASSILLON − Daric Gill will display oil paintings on reclaimed wood in the exhibit "The Absolutes" in the Massillon Museum’s Studio M, 21 Lincoln Way E, through Sept. 21. 

The museum will host a reception for Gill from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 27. The free event, open to all, will be concurrent with Massillon’s Last Saturday event. A podcast interview with the artist is at MassillonMuseum.org. 

Gill holds a master of fine arts degree from the University of Cincinnati in sculpture and interdisciplinary art, and a bachelor of fine arts degree from Columbus College of Art and Design in sculpture and painting. He is a former adjunct professor at the Columbus College of Art and Design. 

Overdose Awareness Day event is Saturday 

PERRY TWP. − The Stark County Health Department and community agencies are joining for a community event to highlight substance use disorder and overdose awareness.

The Walk Together: Overdose Awareness Day event will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Petros Lake Park, 3519 Perry Drive SW. International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31. Residents can find out more information about the event at https://savestark-starkcohealthoh.hub.arcgis.com.  

Residents will be walking the mile-long Mindfulness Walk on the grounds of Petros Lake Park. Along the trail, residents can visit 10 activity stations, which will include a memorial rock painting, writing a note of thanks and sharing a story. 

The event will also host a yoga class by Y12SR whose instructor has received treatment and recovery for a substance use disorder. The Y12SR class combines the practical tools of 12-step programs and cognitive addiction methodologies with the art and science of yoga. Residents will also have the chance to engage with community agencies and pick up a naloxone kit.