Akron Life May 2023

VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 5

MAY 2023

STAR STRUCK

Meet 5 celebrities who are repping The 330 and giving back

KING’S COURT INSIDE LEBRON’S HOUSE THREE THIRTY RAPID GROWTH SHOP & DINE AT NEW CUYAHOGA FALLS SPOTS NEW TUNE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON REMIXES ITS JAZZ PROGRAM

MAY 2023 $4.95

“BACHELOR IN PARADISE” STAR MICHAEL ALLIO photo by Talia Hodge

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MAY 2023 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 5

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On The Cover | 20 Personalities | photo by Talia Hodge

[ FEATURE ] !" STAR STRUCK

Local celebrities are proud of their 330 roots. Meet five stars who are giving back and repping the community on the big stage.

Marcus Martin in “Aladdin” photo by Deen van Meer

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#" AGENDA [ the essential social digest ]

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[ DEPARTMENTS ]

#" AGENDA [ the essential social digest ] ## Entertainment listings + Calendar of events #% Inside Look: House Three Thirty

"% MAIL BONDING

Special Sections

)! EDUCATION Revamping a jazz studies program )*

"' FROM THE PUBLISHER Strong Drive

BEAUTY GUIDE Protecting your skin from the sun )' CUYAHOGA FALLS Discover new dining and shopping *( FOREVER YOUNG Competing in CrossFit in your 50s

$# GOOD EATS [ notable food + drink ] $# Restaurant listings $! Untapped: Hightower Brewing Co. $$ Uncorked: Duplin Winery

"( RADAR [ seen + heard ]

"& UPFRONT Shine Bright

$& PARTING SHOT Roy Rogers

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MAIL BONDING

SPRING !"!#

Tell us what's on your mind.

SUSTAINABLE SLEEK BEAUTY

FOUNDER Don Baker Jr . [ 1940-2018 ]

APRIL 2023

VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 4

TREAT YOUR PETS WITH GLAMOUR SHOTS, CUTE CLOTHES

photo by Lisa Buie, Pixel Perfect Productions MELINDA and JOE SCALFARO'S MODERN LAKE TOWNSHIP HOME

Comments? Got something to say about an article you read in Akron Life ? Or maybe you want to tell us about something great happening in the area. Send comments and suggestions to: Akron Life , 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313, and please include your name and address.

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PUBLISHER Colin Baker cbaker@bakermediagroup.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR William L. Teckmyer III wteckmyer@bakermediagroup.com MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Petryszyn kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Alexandra Sobczak asobczak@bakermediagroup.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tylar Calhoun tsutton@bakermediagroup.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Aaron Fowler Eric Van Sant

AMAZING AKRON ! CENTRIC LOFT

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Spoil Your Pets

HIT THE ROAD NEARBY

SPRING FAMILY TRIPS

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CHILL OUT SIP 5 WARM WEATHER OHIO BEERS

SOKA THE BERNEDOODLE photo by Meghan Winkler

AMAZING ILLUSIONS MAGIC ENCHANTS

IN AMISH COUNTRY

HAVE AKRON, WILL TRAVEL

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Send us pics of yourself with a copy of Akron Life and end up on this page! Images and descriptions can be sent to editor@bakermediagroup.com.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

[ Publisher | Colin Baker | cbaker@bakermediagroup.com ]

Strong Drive

Improving my golf skills is all about the long game.

For a while now, I’ve been play ing golf. Although I’ve made some progress, I still feel like a complete beginner. But this year, I’m deter mined to take my game to the next level. I’ve been putting in the work, hitting the driving range and practicing my swing. I started a new golf training called Nitroswing. It’s a training program that uses speed, repetition and feedback from a machine that looks like it should belong in a gym instead of being used for golf instruction. It was developed by Frank Campitelli of Medina, who taught himself golf using this machine and later became the senior long drive champion. After using the Nitroswing, I am hitting the ball with more power and feel strong. This isn’t the first time I have looked for some instruction or gadget to help me become a better golfer. I have a whole basement full of junk that is supposed to fix your swing, yet somehow, I still play about the same. The golf improvement industry loves people like me. I’m willing to spend money with very little convincing if you somehow can show me your gadget will make a differ ence. I fall for it every time. I got my golf improvement gadget addic tion from my dad. It must be a hereditary disease. He didn’t spend his money on instruction and high-dollar fixes but rather on cheap little trinkets he would find online and at golf shows. He also made and invented a few of his own clubs, most of them being weird putters of all different shapes and sizes.

He probably had a point because most ama teurs should spend 70 percent of their time on putting to really improve their game. Unfortunately putting isn’t as much fun to practice as picking up the driver and smash ing the ball. As I step onto the course for my first round of the season, I can feel the excitement building inside of me. I take a deep breath, line up my shot and swing. The ball flies through the air, landing softly on the green. I can’t help but smile. This is it, I think to myself. This is the year I’m finally going to improve. But then, reality sets in. My next shot slices wildly to the right, landing in the rough. I’m frustrated, but I shake it off and try again. The rest of the round doesn’t go quite as well as that first shot, and I finish the day feeling a bit disappointed. But I’m not discouraged. I know that improving my golf game is a process, and it’s not going to happen overnight.

As I continue practicing, I find myself drawn to one of the most inspiring tales I’ve come across — that of Ben Curtis, the unexpected winner of the 2003 British Open. He had 300 to 1 odds to win that year. Curtis was a relatively unknown player in the golf world, with few people outside of his immediate circle even aware of his exis tence. And yet, he managed to outperform some of the biggest names in the sport and come out on top. His victory is a testament to the power of hard work and determina tion. You can read more about Curtis and other local celebrities on pg. 20. Looking back on my journey, I realize that I’m no Curtis, and the key to improving my golf game is simply putting in the time and effort. I certainly will put in the effort. It’s the time that seems to always elude me, but I will try.

[ Publisher Colin Baker is a retired racing driver and gearhead. ] Comments? Email them to Kelly Petryszyn [kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com].

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RADAR

by Shawn Davis

seen + heard

Yee Haw Even the Rubber City has cowboys. A country band with Akron roots, the Shootouts released its latest album, “Stampede,” Feb. 24, which is when it played the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Full of features by country legends like Jim Lauderdale and Marty Stuart, this album keeps the Rust Belt on the bluegrass-country map. Despite the big names, the band stays down to-earth with tracks like “Feelin’ Kind of Lonely Tonight.” It gets listeners dancing with the infectious crescendo of country swing performed by guitarist Brian Poston and bassist Kevin McManus, and it’s all wrapped up with the revelry of vocalist Emily Bates and lead singer and guitarist Ryan Humbert. shootoutsmusic.com

photo by Jamie Escola

Place to Watch Dinner and a show mean something different at the new Pitchfork in Bath, where oysters get shucked and charcuterie boards get assembled in front of you at a 14-seat bar. The 160-plus-seat restaurant from the team behind the Farmer’s Rail artisanal food market and butcher shop opens its full dining room this month with a live fire grill. Try octopus ceviche with jalapeno and a corn tostada and pick from the 36 self-serve wines on tap at the in house Eden wine bar. It’s in the new Corner Provisions complex that has a new Pav’s Creamery and Cafe 36 coffee shop, so leave room for des sert and coffee. 1070 Ghent Road, Akron, visitcornerprovisions.com

Play Hard Witness waterfalls, hip whips and grand slams as the Akron Roller Derby season rolls on. See Akron Roller Derby All Stars like Finnish-Her and Valkillree and AK Rowdy Rollers like Olive Pain and Ambitchous jam through the Black Rose Rollers in bouts at the Summit County Fairgrounds May 20. They face the Lehigh Valley & Quad County at the fair grounds June 10. Grab a beer and cheer on the tough teams as they play the full-contact sport and smash, crash and bash their way to victories. 1050 North Ave., Tallmadge, akronrollerderby.net

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UP F RON T

[ Managing Editor | Kelly Petryszyn | kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com ]

Shine Bright

Local celebrities’ connections to Akron make an impact.

hand sanitizer dispensers in bathrooms. Akronites are everywhere in pop culture too, from James playing for the Los Angeles Lakers to Dove’s book, “Playlist for the Apocalypse” gracing The New York Times ’ list of 100 notable books of 2021. Almost all the stars trace their start back to seeing examples of others living their dreams and being encouraged to do the same. Martin felt that he could make it to Broadway because of the people at Weathervane and beyond who supported him, and he loves to return the favor. “I was that kid in my bedroom in Akron singing along to Broadway musicals, imag ining I was onstage,” he says. “So to now get to inspire the kids that look like me, that’s the best part.” U.S. Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes followed in her politician parents’ footsteps, and she speaks to young people about internships and being a congresswoman and even hears their concerns to take into consideration when legislating in Washington, D.C. As a young Black congresswoman, she’s faced several obstacles but has broken many bar riers and is cognizant that her example is instrumental in helping others believe in their potentials and press on no matter what stands in their ways. “It has to take society being willing to change the way they think and what they think the face of leadership is. It does look like someone like me,” she says. Perhaps someone in The 330 or people on the pages of this magazine are inspiring you. These stories are a testament that when people feel represented, they are bolstered to go after their dreams, do incredible things and give back.

photo by Kelly Petryszyn

impact of the foundation’s incredible work. James and the foundation team are doing it because they care about the community. As we caught up with local celebrities for “Star Struck” on pg. 20, what astounds me is that each keeps a connection to The 330 and takes opportunities to uplift the com munity, because they care about it too. Read how British Open champ Ben Curtis is coaching aspiring golfers in Kent, “Bachelor in Paradise” star Michael Allio is developing a revolutionary treatment to a side effect of chemotherapy and “Aladdin” Broadway star Marcus Martin taught young actors at Weathervane Playhouse where he got his start. I had the pleasure of talking to Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Rita Dove, and her words about Akron’s influence moved me. “Growing up I felt that Akron and Ohio, in general, was such a wonderful place to live because it was a place of becoming. Things were always moving and growing,” she says. “It was a city where the world moved through.” In our daily lives, Akron is everywhere, from the tires on our cars to the Quaker Oats on our breakfast tables to the Gojo

After a transformation into House Three Thirty, the iconic Tangier is almost unrecognizable aside from the Cabaret that was kept in its original Las Vegas style. The LeBron James Family Foundation made it into a modern showpiece with striking crystal chandeliers, curved velvet sofas and stylish event spaces. But despite all the glamour, I think House Three Thirty’s most influential spot is the Happy, Happy Room. It’s basic at first glance — an employee supply room with lip balms, snacks, toothbrushes, deodorants, feminine products and more — but to someone who may be struggling to secure those things, it’s a path to dignity. Plus, there’s a living room-style break area and a salon staffed with a hairstylist, braider and barber in addition to laundry, financial counsel ing, mentorship coaching and more. The concept of the room and House Three Thirty as a whole is radical — it’s built with employees in mind first. It’s taking a chance on the approach that designing a facility and a business model around employee sat isfaction will result in a thriving business. What I love about it too is that it’s a com munity center open to everyone, so for the first time, the public can experience the

[ Managing Editor Kelly Petryszyn is an adventure seeker, forever a dreamer and an avid supporter of #TeamFiona. ]

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AGENDA

MAY 2023 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 5

Agenda the essential social digest

photo provided by Kent State University

Through 7/23 “Head to Toe”

Get a glimpse of items like coats, hats and shoes from the museum’s permanent collection. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. & Sunday noon- 4 p.m. Free, students, staff and all on Sunday, otherwise $6 general public. kent.edu/museum

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NOTE : Dates, events, locations, times and prices are subject to change. Please call ahead.

Through 5/7 “Accessible Expressions Ohio” View pieces made by artists with disabilities in this juried exhibit presented by Art Possible Ohio. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org Through 5/13 “Detumescence” Take in works by the Cleveland-based artist Bedel Tiscareño, a Mexican American painter and sculptor. KSU Downtown Gallery, 141 E. Main St., Kent. Free. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. kent.edu/galleries Through 5/14 “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” See this Pulitzer Prize-winning piece by Tennessee Williams performed by the Ohio Shakespeare Festival. Greystone Hall, 103 S. High St., Akron. Thursday-Saturday 8 p.m. & Sunday 2 p.m. $5-$50. ohioshakespeare.com Through 5/14 “Good Hope” Peruse wall-size pieces by a South African illustration studio. Pieces are inspired by the artists’ hometown environments. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Wednesday, Friday Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $12 adults. akronartmusuem.org Through 5/28 “Davon Brantley: Awaken in the Garden My Love” See drawings, oil paintings, sculptures and installations by Davon Brantley. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org Through 5/28 “Pathfinders: Kent State University School of Fashion Alumni” Check out diverse approaches to fashion by Kent State University alumni who have at least six years of experience a ! er graduation, such as Jules Acree, Deanna First, Keama Garrett, Joshua Hupper, Miyako Nakamura and Anne Skoch. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, sta " and all on Sunday, otherwise $6 general public. kent. edu/museum Through 6/17 Spring Exhibitions Browse art from the exhibits at Summit Artspace, including “Black Spaces: Defying Social Constructs,” “Women’s Art League 90th Anniversary,” “The things we carry,” “Artists of Rubber City Juried Exhibition” and more. Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron. Friday noon-7 p.m. & Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. summitartspace.org Through 7/2 “Tigers vs. Bulldogs: Origins of a Historic Rivalry” Learn about the history and rivalry between the Massillon and Canton professional football teams of the early 20th century at this exhibit that displays photographs and artifacts from both teams. Massillon Museum, Paul Brown Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org Through 7/23 “Head to Toe” Get a glimpse of items like coats, hats and shoes from the museum’s permanent collection. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, sta " and all on Sunday, otherwise $6 general public. kent.edu/ museum

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AGENDA

Through 8/27 “As the World Weds: Global Wedding Traditions” This Kent State University Museum exhibit features pieces of clothing beyond white dresses that are incorporated in wedding ceremonies around the world. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, sta " and all on Sundays, otherwise $6 general public. kent.edu/museum 5/2-5/7 Akron RubberDucks vs. Portland Sea Dogs Cheer on the Akron RubberDucks, our minor league baseball team a " iliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Times and prices vary. Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. akronrubberducks.com 5/2-7/23 “Borderless: Artist Migration from the CMA Collection” View pieces that tell stories and journeys of artists who have experienced migration, immigration and displacement. Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton. Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 1-5 p.m. Free members, $8 adults. cantonart.org 5/2-7/23 “Finding Home: Four Artists’ Journeys” Check out more than 150 drawings, paintings, linoleum block prints and digital mixed media works by Frances Jetter, David Macaulay, James McMullan and Yuyi Morales, who depict the immigration experience. Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton. Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 1-5 p.m. Free members, $8 adults. cantonart.org

5/3 & 5/4 May 4 Commemoration The 53rd commemoration of the May 4, 1970, shootings at Kent State University includes events like a lecture series, a screening of the film “Young Plato,” a candlelight walk, a performance by the Kent Chorale and more. Kent State University, 800 E. Summit St., Kent. kent.edu/may4 5/4 Good Garden Talks: Healthy Garden Soil & Compost Learn about using organic waste materials to create healthy soil during this event hosted by Summit Metro Parks in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron and Ohio State University Extension. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron. 6:30-7:30 p.m. summitmetroparks.org 5/4-9/30 “World of Wonders” This exhibit with work by pop funk sculptor Clayton Bailey is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Polsky Building, 225 S. Main St., Akron. 4-8 p.m. curatedstorefront.org 5/5, 5/12, 5/19 & 5/26 Lunchtime Yoga Relax with some beginner-friendly yoga at the Massillon Museum each Friday. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. 12:30-1:15 p.m. $6 class, $15 three classes. massillonmuseum.org 5/6 Classy Canvas Get inspired at this adults-only event that guides you through painting a scene of nature’s beauty. Registration is required. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron. 10-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m. summitmetroparks.org

5/6 In Concert with Joe Lovano Listen as Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, composer and producer Joe Lovano performs with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. HUG Event Center, 133 Merriman Road, Akron. 7 p.m. $10-$35. akronc3.org 5/6 Putt Around Downtown Play a round of mini golf at downtown Kent businesses during this event by Main Street Kent. Downtown Kent. Noon-5 p.m. $15. mainstreetkent.org 5/6, 5/13, 5/20 & 5/27 Winery Tours Explore Gervasi Vineyard’s winemaking facility, then enjoy four wine tastings and four chef-selected bites. Gervasi Vineyard, the Crush House, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 1:30-2:30 p.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m. $27. gervasivineyard. com 5/7 Biggest Week Bird Walk Hike with a naturalist to celebrate the Biggest Week in American Birding. Bring binoculars. Cascade Valley Metro Park, Valley View Area, 1212 Cuyahoga St., Akron. 8-10:30 a.m. summitmetroparks.org 5/7 The Righteous Brothers Watch a performance by this musical duo, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. 6 p.m. $45-$75. cantonpalacetheatre.org 5/7, 5/21 & 5/28 Distillery Tasting Tours Go behind the scenes of the distillery at Gervasi Vineyard during a tour, then enjoy three spirit tastings and take home a shot glass. Gervasi Vineyard, the Still House, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 2-3 p.m. $17. gervasivineyard.com

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AGENDA

5/10 Twilight Walk Explore the grounds during the evening with the education sta " or on your own. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Free members, $13 general admission. stanhywet.org 5/11 A Return to Bach’s Coffeehouse Take in pieces such as Vivaldi’s “La Notte,” Telemann’s concerto for flute and recorder and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6. First United Methodist Church, 263 E. Mill St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $10-$73. apollosfire.org 5/13 Richard Fly Memorial Catfish Fishing Derby Kiddos ages 4 to 15 can compete in this fishing competition. Petros Lake Park, 3519 Perry Drive SW, Canton. 8 a.m. starkparks.com 5/13 Sweat Now, Wine Later Adventure Race Embrace your adventurous side with this race that involves both kayaking and running or walking. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 9 a.m. $75. gervasivineyard.com 5/10 & 5/24 Hooks & Books Discuss what you’ve been reading while you sew or knit at this event at 6 p.m. May 10 and 2 p.m. May 24. White Rabbit Galleries, 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. Free. barbertonlibrary.org 5/13 Special Needs Fishing Derby Children and adults can compete for trophies, which are awarded to those who catch the three largest fish. Firestone Metro Park, Little Turtle Pond, 2400 Harrington Road, Akron. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. summitmetroparks.org

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FINANCIAL PLANNING: SEEING THE BIG PICTURE FINANCIAL PLANNING: SEEING THE BIG PICTURE

IT’S ABOUT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE; NOT JUST YOUR PORTFOLIO The complexities of managing your money go beyond an investment portfolio. Working with an accredited financial planner may help you take a broader view of the path to your financial destination. Not only will it help you more clearly define your goals in all the key areas of your financial life, but also the specific steps along the way such as: z Bringing order to and solidifying your control over your financial affairs z Eliminating or substantially reducing income, excise, capital gains, gift, estate, and generation skipping taxes z Managing your assets in line with your needs and objectives z Assuring the continuance of your lifestyle through retirement planning IT’S ABOUT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE; NOT JUST YOUR PORTFOLIO The complexities of managing your money go beyond an investment portfolio. Working with an accredited financial planner may help you take a broader view of the path to your financial destination. Not only will it help you more clearly define your goals in all the key areas of your financial life, but also the specific steps along the way such as: z Bringing order to and solidifying your control over your financial affairs z Eliminating or substantially reducing income, excise, capital gains, gift, estate, and generation skipping taxes z Managing your assets in line with your needs and objectives z Assuring the continuance of your lifestyle through retirement planning z Managing risk to you and those you care about z Managing the value of your business interests z Creating a legacy for those you care about DEMYSTIFYING THE FINANCIAL PLANNING PROCESS z Managing risk to you and those you care about z Managing the value of your business interests z Creating a legacy for those you care about DEMYSTIFYING THE FINANCIAL PLANNING PROCESS People often procrastinate about planning because they view it as too complex. Our team of Certified Financial Planner™ professionals at W3 Financial Group helps you simplify the process by sitting down with you to identify your issues, review alternatives, recommend solutions, manage the implementation, and then monitor your plan. Give us a call and we can People often procrastinate about planning because they view it as too complex. Our team of Certified Financial Planner™ professionals at W3 Financial Group helps you simplify the process by sitting down with you to identify your issues, review alternatives, recommend solutions, manage the implementation, and then monitor your plan. Give us a call and we can Fee-Based Planning offered through W3 Wealth Advisors, LLC, a State Registered Investment Advisor. Third Party Money Management offered through Valmark Advisers, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. W3 Global Accounting provides only tax and accounting. W3 Financial Group, LLC, W3 Wealth Advisors, LLC and W3 Global Accounting are separate entities from Valmark Securities, Inc. and Valmark Advisers, Inc. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice. The services of an appropriate professional should be sought regarding your individual situation. Fee-Based Planning offered through W3 Wealth Advisors, LLC, a State Registered Investment Advisor. Third Party Money Management offered through Valmark Advisers, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. W3 Global Accounting provides only tax and accounting. W3 Financial Group, LLC, W3 Wealth Advisors, LLC and W3 Global Accounting are separate entities from Valmark Securities, Inc. and Valmark Advisers, Inc. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice. The services of an appropriate professional should be sought regarding your individual situation. show you how easy it is to get started. W3 FINANCIAL GROUP ° 330.836.3805 show you how easy it is to get started. W3 FINANCIAL GROUP ° 330.836.3805

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MAY 2023 | akronlife.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

50 Years of Expertise Akron Monument & Granite Co.

Akron Monument & Granite Co. is proud to announce that its founder and owner, Jim Leone, is celebrating his 50th year in the monument business, o ! ering families personalized service creating monuments that honor their loved ones. Leone takes the time to carefully work with each family to select a unique monument that truly captures their loved one’s essence. Leone’s old-fashioned values have helped Akron Monument & Granite Co. maintain its small business approach, with a single showroom, sales sta ! and the same secretary who has been with Leone since 1975. He o ! ers up-to-date cremation options like monuments that go on top of buried urns and upright monuments with cored-out cavities that will protect cremains. He is committed to making sure every family receives the highest quality of care during their di " cult time. During the uncertainty of 2020, Akron Monument & Granite Co. saw a rise in demand for pre-needed monuments. Leone worked with each family to choose the type, color, size, lettering and design, sketching it out and sending many to Milano Monuments, a Cleveland-area partner. Milano craftspeople etch, carve and engrave the design into granite monuments. Leone takes pride in creating lasting monuments that honor the memories of loved ones for generations to come. One example of Leone’s commitment to creating lasting monuments is the request to redo the upright monument for Simeon Prior, the founder of

former Northampton Township. A descendant had noticed that Prior’s headstone was faded and unreadable. Akron Monument & Granite Co. redid it, reproducing a granite monument with all the same lettering and adding more lettering on the back, including a genealogy. Now the Prior family legacy will endure for many years to come. Leone is passionate about helping people and is proud to have served families for 50 years. He believes that each customer deserves personal attention, and that’s why he takes care of one customer at a time. His grandfather, an Italian immigrant, built

the building that Akron Monument & Granite Co. still operates out of today, adding a sense of family history and tradition to the business. He has assisted more than 10,000 clients since 1973. An important reason why Leone is recommended by so many people is that he can o ! er some of the best products and services available to his customers. Leone’s commitment to personal attention and family history makes Akron Monument & Granite Co. a unique and trusted business in the community.

Akron Monument & Granite Co. | 590 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron | 330-252-1746 | akronmonumentgranite.com

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akronlife.com | MAY 2023

AGENDA

5/14 Mother’s Day 5K Celebrate your mom by running, jogging or walking this stroller-friendly course. Munroe Falls Metro Park, Lake Area, 521 S. River Road, Munroe Falls. 8-10:30 a.m. $20 kids 14 and under, $30 adults. summitmetroparks.org 5/15 The Wood Brothers with Shovels & Rope This New York-based group plays folk, gospel, blues and jazz. Also enjoy a South Carolina folk duo. Goodyear Theater, 1201 E. Market St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $39.50-$55. goodyeartheater.com 5/17 Red Cross Blood Drive Make an appointment to donate blood. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Carriage House Reception Hall, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. stanhywet.org 5/19 Senior Saunter Enjoy a leisurely stroll while soaking up nature. A ! erward, sip a beverage and have a conversation about nature. Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. Noon-1:30 p.m. summitmetroparks.org 5/19-7/7 “Threads of Connection: Recent Fiber Works by Members of Weave a Real Peace” View artistic creations and traditions from countries like Argentina, Ghana, Guatemala, India and more. KSU Downtown Gallery, 141 E. Main St., Kent. Free. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. kent.edu/galleries 5/20 Citizens of Hale Plant Sale Browse herbs, perennials, pollinator-friendly plants and more during this sale, and also enjoy cra ! ing projects and encounters with the farm’s animals. Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. halefarm.org 5/20 In Concert with Bobby Watson Take in tunes by this Grammy Award-nominated saxophonist, composer, bandleader, educator and producer. HUG Event Center, 133 Merriman Road, Akron. 7 p.m. $10-$35. akronc3.org 5/20 Quick Start Kayak Learn about kayaking techniques and safety during this two-hour program. Sippo Lake Park, 5300 Tyner St., Canton. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $15 Stark County residents, $20 non-residents. starkparks.com 5/20-21 & 5/23-28 Public Plant Sale Beautify your garden with perennials, baskets and more. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. stanhywet.org 5/21 Winners Concert Audience members can vote on people’s choice award between the first- and second place winners from Tuesday Musical’s 2023 Scholarship Competition. Guzzetta Recital Hall, 157 University Ave., Akron. 2:30 p.m. tuesdaymusical.org 5/23-5/28 Akron RubberDucks vs. Bowie Baysox Cheer on the Akron RubberDucks, our minor league baseball team a " iliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Times and prices vary. Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron. akronrubberducks.com 5/28 Yoga on the West Terrace Relax with a yoga class then take a stroll through the gardens. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 10:30-11:30 a.m. $12 members, $16 non-members. stanhywet.org 6/1 Ballet at the Vineyard Watch a Cleveland Ballet performance from the covered pavilion with a glass of wine and light appetizers. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 6-8 p.m. $125. gervasivineyard.com

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Fairlawn • Cuyahoga Falls • 330-867-4141 • www.billowfuneralhomes.com

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LEBRON JAMES’ story and photos by Kelly Petryszyn

“It’s no secret about how he and Gloria grew up and some of the hardships that they had. He is on a mission to provide the resources that he and Gloria struggled with at times,” says Michele Campbell, executive director of the foundation. “Everybody can contribute. But I don’t think everybody’s been given that message in this world. You just have to take the time, care, learn and reach people where they are.” Employees staff a first-of-its-kind Starbucks Community Store in a cafe area decorated with Akron-centric murals and the JPMorgan

LeBron James has said it can feel like no one cares about you when you grow up in the inner city. His LeBron James Family Foundation’s new House Three Thirty, a retail, dining, entertainment and event facility that opened March 30 in Akron, flips that script by

putting employees first, giving them opportunities to find their passions and gifting the community a showpiece. It doubles as a job training facility, with the first cohort of 44 employees including I Promise parents, high school students, teachers, volunteers and friends of James and his mother, Gloria.

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HOUSE THREE THIRTY

LeBron James’ Home Court

Chase Community Space that provides finan cial advice, both of which are now open. More spaces will open throughout the year and beyond. The former iconic Tangier event center has been completely transformed into a stylish, modern space with striking light fixtures and cushy seating in spots like the family room lounge. It has 13 rentable event areas such as a dark wood den, a basement wine room and the redone Smucker Hometown Hall banquet room with large windows that let in natural light. The Cabaret is preserved in the Tangier’s

original Las Vegas style and will host shows again. Opening June 2, LeBron James’ Home Court museum will display never-before-seen memorabilia and a model of the Spring Hill apartment he and Gloria lived in, the Sweet Shop with a soda fountain-style counter will sell local Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream, NORKA beverages, Metropolis Gourmet Popcorn and more and a first-of-its-kind retail shop will sell products from James and local entrepreneurs and James’ wife Savannah’s BBZ Juicery will get a standalone space in 2024. Also find a fast-causal Taco Shop by Old El Paso and a sports bar that is set to

open in 2024. Plus, there’s a teaching kitchen, and there will be plenty of community programming. The employees get support through a sup ply room with deodorants, toothbrushes and more, laundry, a hair salon and access to mentorship coaches teaching life skills and leadership. Plus, they can learn every job in the facility to gain more experience. Campbell chats with us about how House Three Thirty is changing lives.

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How does House Three Thirty help employees overcome barriers? Michele Campbell: Five of our I Promise School teachers train after work. Not having time to eat, we’ve made sure we’ve done that here. You would say, I’ve got to go take a child to practice. Well, take the child to prac tice, come here, and we’ll catch you up on what you miss. What I found is a lot of jobs aren’t flexible to allow people to be their best at work and be their best at home. That’s what I think is really important to us. It’s under standing that if you take public trans portation, maybe it’s not on time. It’s beyond your control. So how do we allow that not to be a barrier for you? How does it help employees develop their dreams? MC: Every morning when I come in, you hear different stories. I love it here. I’m so excited to be at work. I made my first Starbucks drink. I learned about myself today. I tasted caviar for the first time today. Sometimes everyday life gets so busy that you forget to dream because it’s about get up, go to work, get kids to school, whatever it might be. I feel like what this training model has done is allowed people to experience and pause for a moment and dream. … Everyone has a tal ent. Having someone that believes in you and gives you opportunities to find that — I think that’s lost. There’s something that makes you and every single child tick. Let’s find that together. What does House Three Thirty mean for the community as a whole? MC: Revitalizing Akron is important to us. We really, truly believe that we’ve worked hard to have something in here for everyone. We want our community to be proud of this so when you have out-of-town guests, you can come here. Making it a des tination was really important and investing in our community. facebook.com/housethreethirty To read more and view more photos, go to akronlife.com.

Clockwise: The Taco Shop, the Sweet Shop, Starbucks Community Store and bathroom

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Clockwise: The Family Room, the Wine Room, the Cabaret, the Den and Akron mural

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MAY 2023 | akronlife.com

by KELLY PETRYSZYN and ALEXANDRA SOBCZAK STAR STRUCK

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Local celebrities are proud of their 330 roots. Meet five stars who are giving back and repping the community on the big stage.

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PEOPLE’S VOICE

Emilia Strong Sykes was at Akron City Council meetings when she was just a baby in the belly of her trailblazing mother, Barbara, who was the first Black woman on Akron City Council. Growing up watching her mother and her father, Vernon, be politicians, both serving periods as an Ohio state representative in the same seat, Emilia saw the effects of long hours and pressures of the public eye. So she thought politics weren’t the right fit for her. Instead, she was a gymnastics state champion and earned a law degree and a master’s degree in public health. But when Vernon became term-limited in 2014, he asked Emilia to run for his seat. After seeing the other candi dates and realizing she was the best fit, she couldn’t resist her call to service. At just 28, she was elected as a state representative, becoming the first Black woman under 30 to serve in the Ohio Legislature. “I’m really grateful to this community. It raised me. It gave me confidence and strength,” says the now-37-year-old. “I felt like I owed it to the community to give back.” Emilia has carved her own groundbreaking path. She was Ohio House Minority Leader, and this year she was sworn in as U.S. representative of Ohio’s 13th congressional dis trict, which includes Akron and parts of Stark and Portage counties, becoming the first Black person to represent that district. She introduced her first piece of legislation, the bipartisan RAIL Act, which advocates for railroad safety, following the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment. In between trips to Washington, D.C., Emilia lives in Akron and loves to talk to the neighbors she represents.

“Representation is a really significant part of young people being able to imagine themselves in different places. It also helps break down the stereotypes of who the world gener ally believes can be in positions of power. I told a group of high school-age girls about my experience with not being able to get into the Statehouse because I was told I didn’t look like a legislator . That does not and should not stop you. It’s their problem that they can’t see the beauty, the grace, the grit, the tenac ity, the strength inside you. Just keep going. Put your head up, shoulders back and just continue to be the wonderful person that you are. You can’t help but think it’s truly incredible that I’m here and the sacrifice people who look like me have made for me to be in a position like this and be an advocate for all people. Wherever I can help level the playing field, I’m absolutely willing to do it because it really changes the quality of life, the character of the community and the ability for folks to live their American dream. Akron has such an interesting group of really dedicated folks who work hard, who care about themselves and oth ers. It is truly a blessing to be from Akron and be raised here. I go to church in the neighborhood, I go to grocery stores, the nature trail. People stop me and tell me what they need. I see the challenges from our communities, and I want to be a part of the solution.” — as told to Kelly Petryszyn

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EMILIA STRONG SYKES

photo by Talia Hodge

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LOVE AGAIN

Michael Allio wrote, Find one thing that brings you joy today, on a Post-it note he stuck to his mirror after his wife, Laura, died from breast cancer in 2019. “You need to be able to find one thing that makes you laugh, makes you excited,” says the now-38-year-old who was with Laura for 16 years and raises their son, James, now 6. “Then you realize there’s so many more of those around you. It starts to build hope.” The hope of finding love and happiness again prompted the Copley resident and co-founder and vice president of Mascot Workwear to become a season 17 contestant on “The Bachelorette.” But Allio exited the show after an emo tional FaceTime during which James said it felt like his dad didn’t want to see him. Hope was still there, so Allio set out to find love again on the recent eighth season of “Bachelor in Paradise,” for which he requested to be joined by former “Bachelor” contestant Danielle Maltby, whom he had formed an online friendship with. He bonded with Maltby over losing a significant other, as her fiance died 12 years ago, and the pair left the beach together. The nurse practitioner moved to Cleveland in February to be near Allio and James. Allio keeps busy with his L4 Project nonprofit that he founded in Laura’s honor to sell inspirational apparel that raises awareness and helps fund nonprofits support ing those fighting cancer and their families. He also has a company, Saint James Therapeutics, which developed a formulation to treat a chemotherapy side effect, Hand Foot Syndrome, which Laura had and causes severe blis tering and swelling. Allio patented it, and universities are interested in taking it through clinical trials. He talks about love, loss and hope.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that time heals. I don’t believe time heals. There’s always going to be this hole. You just learn how to operate better with it in exis tence. The most important part for me is to continue moving forward. It’s a very difficult thing, but there is hope. The life of a widower is a little bit complicated. … We live in a very bittersweet world. I can see Danielle and James’ relationship flourish, them growing closer, while simultaneously I feel sad that Laura isn’t with me to be able to see these milestones that James is going through. Danielle is somebody that could relate to where I was mentally and emotionally. She’s also someone that exhib its a lot of characteristics I look for in a life partner: passionate about causes, ambitious, caring, nurturing, compassionate. I left for Chicago for about a decade, and it was during that time when I realized the amazing community that’s in Akron. I feel like I’m needed here. Anybody that knows Laura knew that she was a huge advocate for not only cancer research and patient support but a ton of causes throughout Northeast Ohio. When you go through something like chemotherapy … you start to identify things that are wrong with the sys tems and the areas that you can help. Hopefully at the end of this, we can do our little piece and make treatment and quality of life better for people who are fighting for their lives. I have a calling and a drive for purpose.” — as told to Kelly Petryszyn

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MICHAEL ALLIO

photo by Talia Hodge

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WORDS SPEAK

At just 10 years old, Rita Dove decided she was going to read the biggest books on the bookshelf in her Akron house — a two-volume set by William Shakespeare. She wasn’t daunted because her parents always encouraged her. “They didn’t say, That’s too hard. They said, You’re reading — great! They left me to figure it out for myself,” recalls the now-70-year-old acclaimed poet. “They instilled in us a respect for reading. You enter into it with openness.” She also read Louis Untermeyer’s “The Golden Treasury of Poetry” and began writing poetry herself but never shared her writing. She played the cello, was a majorette and read lyrical works, like Tennessee Williams’ plays — at a young age, she was developing the musicality that makes her writing famous. When Dove was a Buchtel High School 11th grader, her teacher, Margaret Oechsner, took some students to meet poet John Ciardi, and she realized becoming a writer was a possibility. Dove’s accolades include a Pulitzer Prize for “Thomas and Beulah” about her Akron grand parents, a National Humanities Medal, the National Medal of Arts and a position as U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress — the first Black person and the youngest person to receive that honor. Her 2021 collection, “Playlist for the Apocalypse,” features groups of poems on topics like the passage of time, the concept of ghettos, the last 50-some years of life-changing moments in American history and Dove’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Now the Henry Hoyns professor of creative writ ing at the University of Virginia, Dove returns to Akron to see

family and attend her high school reunions. She is proud to call Akron her hometown. “Akron is pretty much everywhere in my work. Living there was a privilege and a joy. As the Rubber Capital of the World … the rest of the world had pieces of Akron. I wanted to get at the way the American dream was channeled through Akron in my poems. I composed [“Playlist for the Apocalypse”] to be read over time, just as over time each poem came to fit into the book. Like a playlist, you can feel like, I need a laugh today, so I’m going to stick with “Family Reunion” or “Shakespeare Doesn’t Care.” But you can also say, Today I’m angry and look at A Standing Witness, Angry Odes or dip into the ghetto poems and see how we trap ourselves and how we are trapped by others in our own biases. I’m hoping it can invigorate, appall and comfort. Poetry saved me whenever it touched upon some thing that I thought no one else felt. … I felt like I needed to write those poems [about MS] to explore the ways in which chronic illness can affect a person’s life and how you can get through it. It was a way of coping. … I had to learn to live with this disease — this was my personal apocalypse. I really don’t believe poetry is something that belongs in the ivory tower, that you have to have a certain number of degrees to appreciate it. I’m hoping my poetry is always accessible. It’s about human beings. It’s about life. Poetry uses language to point out the silences behind the language. All the unsayable things we cannot figure out a way to articulate — poetry does.” — as told to Kelly Petryszyn

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RITA DOVE

photo by Fred Viebahn

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MARCUS MARTIN

photo by Deen van Meer

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WISH GRANTED

Marcus Martin wanted to play the Genie in “Aladdin” ever since he was watching the Tony Awards as a 16-year-old in Akron and saw James Monroe Iglehart perform a song from his award-winning portrayal. “To see another plus-size African American actor owning the stage and commanding the attention of everyone in that room and also everyone watching on TV across the world — it was just mind-blowing,” says the now-25-year old actor. “I was like , That’s a role that I think I can do one day. I’m a little bit too young right now. … But give me a few years. ” Martin was one jump ahead of his dream, preparing for his audition after his graduation from Baldwin Wallace University in 2020 before the role was even available. His hard work paid off — he was cast as Genie in the pro duction that began touring in 2022, bringing its magic to theaters throughout the United States, including the Connor Palace in Cleveland in March. Before the show’s local run, Martin, who lives in New York, taught a jam packed workshop at Weathervane Playhouse, where he got his start in acting when he was 6. It’s all because he loves his roots living in Akron, Fairlawn and Copley. “If you cut me, instead of blood, it will be pizza sauce from Luigi’s [Restaurant] that might come out,” Martin laughs. “Akron is part of my DNA and always will be.” He discusses his dream role and what got him there. “[Weathervane] is really where I fell in love with theater. That’s where I perfected my craft, and that really prepared me for where I am now. ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ — the show means so much to me. [Weathervane] did it for 20-something years in a row.

I got to play Joseph my junior and senior years of high school, which was such an honor and a privilege. I learned a lot. Joseph prepared me for Genie in a way because that was my first time really leading a show. Here I am, playing my dream role. When they told me, I was just over the moon. I was speechless. It was a moment that I had been working for, praying for and preparing for for so long. I still can’t put it into words. Genie’s big iconic number, ‘Friend Like Me,’ is a beast. It is a marathon. It is a 10-minute number. There is tap dancing involved. There is singing. There’s jumping all over the place. In order to build my stamina to do that eight times a week, over the summer, I was running on the treadmill while singing. I love making audiences happy. Something about being able to transport a group of people to a totally different place … make them laugh, make them cry, make them feel everything in a short amount of time — that’s really beautiful to me. So many people have invested in me, and so now with me being able to have these accomplishments, it feels like I can give them a return on their investment. … They believed that I can make my dreams come true, so now that I have made my dreams come true, I get to share it. Getting to represent Akron on the big stage has been a joy.” — as told to Alexandra Sobczak

To see videos and additional content from the interviews, visit akronlife.com.

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