Akron Life February 2022

AKRON LIFE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS!

VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 2 | FEBRUARY 2022

RUBBER SOUL How Akron Got on the Map

PUMP I T IMPROVE YOUR HEART HEALTH

FACES OF THE 330

MONEY MAP PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

FEB. 2022 $3.95

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FIRESTONE TIRE BUILDER photo by Daniel Mainzer

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FEBRUARY 2022 | VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 2

Pages start here

On The Cover | 24 Rubber Soul | photo by Daniel Mainzer

[ FEATURES ] 18 FACES OF THE 330 Meet some of the people who help build our community. 24 RUBBER SOUL After the unveiling of the rubber worker statue on Mill and Main streets, we reflect on our rubber roots.

Rubber Worker Statue photo by Brendan Baker

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49 UNCORKED Toledo Spirits Co.

12 AGENDA [ the essential social digest ]

46 UNTAPPED Chocolate Volcano

[ DEPARTMENTS ]

08 MAIL BONDING

Special Sections

12 AGENDA [ the essential social digest ] 12 Entertainment listings + Calendar of events

32 FINANCIAL PLANNING Reach your goals no mater your age.

09 FROM THE PUBLISHER Let It Snow

45 GOOD EATS [ notable food + drink ] 45 Restaurant listings 46 Untapped: Chocolate Volcano 49 Uncorked: Toledo Spirits Co.

36 GO RED FOR WOMEN

10 RADAR [ seen + heard ]

11 UPFRONT Family Record

40 HEALTH & WELLNESS Take control of your heart health.

51 PARTING SHOT Winter Wonderland

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M A I L B O N D I N G

Tell us what's on your mind.

VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 12

FINDING FAMILY A new Portage County group home helps foster youth feel at home

DECEMBER 2021

330 FLAVOR AWARDS

FOUNDER Don Baker Jr . [ 1940-2018 ]

AKRON LIFE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS!

VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 2022

STOW & KENT EXPLORE NEW SPACES & THINGS TO DO IN THE TREE CI TY TOP DOCTORS 2021

Comments? Got something to say about an article you read in Akron Life ? Or maybe you want to tel l 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.

KELLI CONNELL Program Manager at Group Home photo by Shane Wynn FRESH TASTE

PUBL I SHER Colin Baker cbaker@bakermediagroup.com CREAT IVE DIRECTOR William L. Teckmyer III wteckmyer@bakermediagroup.com MANAGING EDI TOR Kelly Petryszyn kpet ryszyn@bakermediagroup.com ASS I STANT EDI TOR Alexandra Sobczak asobczak@bakermediagroup.com GRAPHIC DES IGNER Tylar Calhoun tsut ton@bakermediagroup.com CONTRIBUT ING WRI TERS Brendan Baker Aaron Fowler Mike McKenney SALES Bunny Lacey Steve Tyson Ben DiCola sales@bakermediagroup.com CIRCUL AT ION ci rculat ion@bakermediagroup.com 330-253-0056, ex t . 104 CONTRIBUT ING PHOTOGRAPHER Meghan Winkler

5 B E S T N E W R E S T A U R A N T S T O T R Y N O W

ST I LL F IGHT ING DOCTORS & NURSES STAY STRONG IN THE COVID- 19 BATTLE

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS OVER 225 OF YOUR FAVORITES ALL STARS STUDENT ATHLETES EXCEL IN CLASS & ON THE F I ELD FOREVER MORE DREAM WEDDINGS COME TO LIFE

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F R O M T H E P U B L I S H E R

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

Let It Snow

February brings fun and memories.

This is my favorite time of year to go skiing. Typically, the snow is at its best and crowds are below the peak around the sec ond week of February. I started skiing when we moved to Oregon when I was 7 years old. My first experi ence was when my mom booked a week at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. If you have ever been to Portland, Oregon, on a clear day, you know the mountain I’m talking about. It’s the snowcapped one that serves as the backdrop of the city. Timberline Lodge is also a recogniz able landmark. It’s where the movie “The Shining” was filmed. Thankfully the indoor scenes were set in another hotel, because if I was given the keys to room 237, I may have run and never returned. While at Timberline, my brother and I took skiing lessons. But we only wanted to go fast and hit jumps. For that reason, we always got the young instructors who were willing to take us hunting for jumps. At the time, it felt like I was jumping 10 feet in the air and landing on a pillow. I was easy to spot on the mountain, too. I was the kid with his jacket wide open, my poles straight out to the sides and my skis pointing straight down. I would make two turns on every run, one coming off the lift and another at the bottom of the mountain. Everything else was straight, as fast as I could go. Skiing quickly became my favor ite sport while living in Oregon. I have been lucky enough to ski in some incredible places since. One of my favor ite ski destinations is Steamboat Springs in Colorado. My family has a history there,

and it is such a unique western town. My Uncle Mike lived there for many years, and we always had fun skiing with him because he also liked going fast. He tried to beat us to the bottom of the hill by getting off the lift as quickly as possible and trying to lose us on a trail. We had to be ready, because when the chair got to the top, he was gone. We chased him, never knowing which run he was going down next. But you don’t need to travel west for that kind of excitement. Boston Mills/ Brandywine is right here in our backyard. After I moved from Oregon, I thought my skiing days were over. Then I got involved in ski racing at Boston Mills and joined the junior race team, learning more about ski ing than I ever had. What I love about Boston Mills/ Brandywine is the accessibility it offers, and

it is a less expensive place to learn to ski. The instruction is as good as you will get anywhere, but it is about a third of the price of those large western destinations. In addition to February featuring the best snow, it’s also American Heart Month. Taking part in a sport like skiing can be great for your heart (just don’t overdo it). Check out the health and wellness story on pg. 40 for more tips on how to implement heart-healthy habits in your life. My kids learned to ski at Boston Mills/ Brandywine, and I took snowboarding les sons there. Give it a try. With the Winter Olympics kicking off this month, what a great time to start a new activity while getting out and experiencing the wintery weather. I say, Let it snow!

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

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R A D A R

by Kelly Petryszyn photo provided by Akron Symphony Orchestra

20 YEARS

AKRON LIFE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS!

THEN & NOW: AKRON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

seen + heard

Holiday 2002, by Tara L. Pecic: Each year the Akron Symphony Orchestra strives

to create concert programs that not only entertain but also provide cultural enrich ment, bringing people and families together with a new sense of appreciation for each other and the arts. Gospel Meets Symphony will cel ebrate community spirit when over 200 voices from area churches join the orchestra to create a powerful and mesmer izing program dedicated to prais ing God. Every year the Akron Symphony Orchestra continues to expand its musical offer ings, to embrace diverse interests and to stretch its repertoire and technical capabilities. March 5, 2022: In addi tion to continuing the tradition of Gospel Meets Symphony, which falls on June 18 this year, the Akron Symphony Orchestra continues to embark on groundbreaking collabora tions, including pairing orches

GO FIGURE Get inspired by figuring skat

FREEDOM FIGHT While Ohio was an Underground Railroad hotbed where residents helped thousands of freedom seek ers escape slavery, it was also rife with slave catchers, many from neighboring Kentucky. Released in January, “The Reverse Underground Railroad in Ohio” book (History Press, $21.99) by David Meyers and Elise Meyers Walker presents detailed stories of thwarted break aways and stopped captures. Read about 600 Oberlin-area abolition ists who helped freedom seeker John Price escape his captors at a Wellington hotel. Among heart breaking failed escapes, these tales of resistance make this book a testa ment to Ohioans standing up for justice. arcadiapublishing.com

tra musicians with effects pedals from Akron based EarthQuaker Devices for a specially commissioned work, “Confluence,” composed by Jon Sonnenberg and Jake Gunnar Walsh. During the piece, orchestra musi cians on piccolo, cello, horn, violin and more play through handmade elec tronic EarthQuaker devices to create effects like changes in pitch, delays, distortions and echoes. Collaborations with different parts of the community are at the heart of the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s programming, says conductor Christopher Wilkins. “It enriches the community that we live in,” he says, “but community also enriches the musical experi ence. When you share it with people, that’s when it’s most alive.” See the cutting-edge classical, electric mashup in a March 5 show, which also features pieces by other inno vative composers, including Haydn’s “Earthquake” and Dawson’s “Negro Folk Symphony.” E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, akronsymphony.org

ing star Alysa Liu while watching the Winter Olympics Feb. 4-20, and take a spin on a new local ice rink. Glide through the frosty air with free skate rentals outside the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center through Feb. 28. Break at a nearby food truck or the hotel’s indoor Zamboni Cafe snack bar to complete your winning winter outing. Weather-permitting, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, East Erie Street, Kent, kent.edu/ kentskates, Other downtown rinks: Akron through Feb. 21, Canton through February, Cuyahoga Falls through Feb. 21

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U P F R O N T

[ Assistant Editor | Alexandra Sobczak | asobczak@bakermediagroup.com ]

Family Record

History can come alive through stories.

While I’ve only scratched the surface, I’ve learned so much from Babi already. For instance, she loves Christmas Eve because her parents would decorate the tree and surprise her and her siblings with it on that day. My mom and uncle went sledding dur ing their Christmas spent in Austria. In the United States, a community of Czech immi grants helped them find housing and jobs. Babi and Papa had to go back to the Czech Republic to gather more of their belong ings — some that are family heirlooms — because they couldn’t pack much at first. My list of questions kept growing. As a storyteller, I felt anxious at the idea that I hadn’t written any of this down. And on top of that, Babi is 79. I’m hoping for many more years with her, but I also had to think logistically: How am I going to pre serve all these stories before it’s too late? Then I learned about the Akron Stories project. Founded by Miriam Ray in part nership with Art x Love and various Akron institutions, the project has grown into a rich collection of oral stories from Akron rubber workers and their descendants, with over 100 personal accounts. Together, they create an auditory mosaic of Akron history. The project amazed me, and I realized that recording Babi’s stories as she tells them aloud in her own words is the perfect way to preserve that history for my family. It’s been incredible hearing more of her stories. They’ve given me a renewed appre ciation for the opportunities and privileges I’ve experienced by simply growing up in a place where I knew the language. It wasn’t an easy process for Babi and her family, and it makes me even more grateful that they selflessly embarked on that journey to give our family a better life.

Many of my family members are from the Czech Republic — and I don’t have to go very far back to learn about my family’s heritage. To me, the story begins with my grand mother, who lived in the Czech Republic until she was 26 years old. I call her “Babi,” an informal Czech word meaning “grandma.” Her name is Cindy — before she arrived in America in 1968, it was Zdenka — but to me, she’s just Babi. At the time of her move, the Czech Republic was under Soviet occupation, and she and my late grandfather, John, who I called Papa, were searching for a better life for their family. They left their parents and siblings behind, which devastated Babi. They left the Czech Republic with their kids — my mom, Romana, who was 5, and my uncle, Alex, who was 7 — under the guise of going on vacation. They spent some time in Austria before moving to the United States. They didn’t know any English, so my mom and uncle started school with out understanding what was being said, and Babi and Papa did the same at new jobs. They eventually picked up English and moved to Cleveland, and the rest is history. Despite learning that through school proj ects and random inquiries throughout the years, I realized my understanding of the whole process was still lacking. I began wondering about the details: What was life like for them in the Czech Republic? What did they pack, and what did they leave behind? How did they find housing? Did they have a sense of community when they arrived here, or did they feel alone?

photo by Romana Sobczak

And she is only one of many who have great stories to tell. Check out the Rubber Soul story on pg. 24, which shares the unique history of Akron rubber workers throughout the years. Consider supporting the Akron Stories project by buying merchandise or a commemorative brick for the side walk near the project’s kiosks and rubber worker statue by Alan Cottrill on the cor ner of Main and Mill streets. If you or your loved ones have stories about working in the rubber industry, consider tell ing them. Find out more at akronstories.com. Digging into your own history can be eye opening, whether it be about your family or the place you live. And as Babi contin ues to teach me more, I know one thing — I’ll never get tired of learning about my family’s story.

[ Assistant Editor Alexandra Sobczak is passionate about inclusivity, correct grammar and pop music. ]

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FEBRUARY 2022 | VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 2

Agenda the essential social digest

2/18 Cory Grinder and the Playboy Scouts This Cleveland-based honky-tonk band comes forth with a new album of old-school Bakersfield-style country, full of hard driving trucker tunes, country waltzes and hillbilly jams. Akron Civic Theatre, Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $20. akroncivic.com p16

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

Remote Akron Art Museum

Explore the museum’s collections online. Kiddos and those wanting to get creative can craft via video lessons. akronartmuseum.org/at-home Akron Civic Theatre The Civic has an assortment of live performances from all over with its Live Virtually portal. Check its Facebook every week for local musicians’ streams, events, stage shows and other performances. facebook.com/akroncivic Akron-Summit County Public Library Sit kids down for regular storytimes with children’s librarians or various book talks via videos on its Facebook page. Books are available inside or for curbside pickup. facebook.com/akronlibrary Akron Symphony Orchestra Theron Brown, an Akron-based jazz musician, and Thomas Moore, director of marketing for the Akron Symphony Orchestra, discuss different jazz-centered topics in their new podcast, “Backstage at the Hi Hat,” available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more. akronsymphony.org Akron Zoo Visit the zoo digitally to enjoy live keeper talks, animal encounters and presentations from local experts. akronzoo.org ArtsInStark Check Facebook for videos with fun things to do at home including crafts and dance lessons, music performances and book readings. facebook.com/artsinstark Apollo’s Fire Indulge in music, art and literature with the Music for the Soul video series from the Cleveland Baroque orchestra. The group posts past concert videos, interviews with people like the Grammy Award-winning conductor Jeannette Sorrell and related readings. See shows through a digital portal or in person. apollosfire.org

Hazy Wife, Hazy Life IPA hoto by Tylar Sutton

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

WINNERS OF THE 330 FLAVOR AWARDS

VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 2021

POP -UP WEDDINGS LOVEBIRDS F IND A WAY

PEP SQUAD 5 EDUCATORS INSPIRE SMILES

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GET COMFY

HOUSE OF HUNAN TONKATSU RAMEN AND PAN-FRIED

PORK BUNS photo by Tylar Sut ton

PURE BL I SS INDULGE IN 7 LUXURIOUS SPA TREATMENTS

ART OF HEAL I NG DON BAKER JR.’S WIFE ON MOVING THROUGH GRIEF

FACES OF THE 330 MEET LEADERS SHAPING OUR COMMUNITY

@akronlifemag

FEBRUARY 2020

VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2

AME A look back at the NFL’s start in Canton

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Featuring Larry Csonka,

Paul Warfield and “Mr. Hall of Fame” Joe Horrigan

PLAN

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Canton Symphony Orchestra The orchestra is offering fun ways to connect virtually. Watch mini-concertsmini concerts and learn about the issue of diversity in classical music during the “Orchestrating Change” podcast. cantonsymphony.org Gage House Sessions Grab your favorite drink and enjoy an evening with local musicians via Gage House’s live sessions. Check out previous shows from artists including Madison Cummins and Ben Gage, who both make for evenings of soothing tunes. facebook.com/ gagehousesessions Jilly’s Music Room The Akron music venue is hosting select Streaming Fridays on its YouTube channel. Watch the livestreams and visit the online store to order dinner, tip the band, make a donation and buy merchandise. jillysmusicroom.com Magical Theatre Co. The Barberton theater company is offering game nights and educational videos. Children can also enjoy stories read by local theater veterans during Magical Storytime. magicaltheatre.org Ohio Shakespeare Festival Check out its venture, Ohio Shakespeare Festival Radio Plays, in which the troupe adapts plays and short stories for livestreaming. facebook.com/ ohioshakespeare Rubber City Theatre Dive into the world of online theater with its Shakespeare in the Living Room series in which professional actors perform Shakespearean works using props they found lying around their homes. facebook. com/rubbercitytheatre Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens The North American Reciprocal Museum Association is offering virtual tours of the first floor of the Manor House at Stan Hywet. Guests can tour the most impressive floor without leaving their homes. stanhywet.org

Summit County Historical Society of Akron, OH Learn about historical figures on their birthdays, join virtual book talks, view artifacts and more on its Facebook page. facebook.com/ summitcountyhistoricalsociety

Through 3/27 “More is More: Visual Richness in Contemporary Art” Viewers who look closely are rewarded at this Akron Art Museum exhibit of intricate art with rich patterns, ornate surfaces and unexpected details. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday, Friday Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $3-$12. Gallery admission is free Thursdays. akronartmuseum.org Through 4/3 “Pop Op” See pop and op art from the Canton Museum of Art’s collection and lenders, with featured artists including Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein and Clevelander Julian Stanczak. 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 nonmember adults. cantonart.org Through 4/30 Countryside Winter Farmers’ Market Shop from local farmers, food entrepreneurs and artists at Countryside’s indoor farmers market on select Saturdays. Old Trail School, 2315 Ira Road, Bath. 9 a.m.-noon. countrysidefoodandfarms.org Through 5/15 “The 10,000 Things” Cleveland artist Jordan Wong melds inspiration from Asian art with graphic design, iconographies and his musings on triumph and growth. The exhibit features brightly colored large-scale vinyl printworks. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday, Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $3-$12. Gallery admission is free Thursdays. akronartmuseum.org Through 8/7 “Textures: The History and Art of Black Hair” The Kent State University Museum features an exhibit that connects the history, fashion and art of Black hair. 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 Sundays, otherwise $6 general public. kent.edu/ museum 2/2 Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets This band is made up of Pink Floyd’s formidable drummer and co-founder Nick Mason along with other musical legends Gary Kemp, Guy Pratt, Lee Harris and Dom Beken. Aptly named after Pink Floyd’s second album, fans can be treated to songs from Floyd’s iconic early catalogue up to the 1972 album “Obscured by Clouds,” including the epic “Echoes.” Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $60-$105. akroncivic.com 2/2 Andrea Rose Teodosio Foundation Angel ART Auction Enjoy an evening of art, amazing food and great music while supporting the Andrea Rose Teodosio Foundation. John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St., Akron. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $75-$125. andrearose.org 2/4 CVSR Ales on Rails Beer Tasting Excursion Climb aboard for a two-hour train ride through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park while enjoying four beer selections paired with light appetizers. Seating is assigned. Commemorative glass is included. You must be at least 21 years of age. Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence. 6:30 p.m. $50-$60. cvsr.com

Summit Metro Parks Explore different topics, including animals, plants, different habitats and more, through virtual events. summitmetroparks.org

Weathervane Playhouse Sign up for virtual workshops and

classes for all ages that focus on dancing, acting and more. Also view short films on the theater’s YouTube channel. weathervaneplayhouse.com Events Through 2/12 “Surreal by Nature” This exhibition combines the new work of Akron Soul Train artists-in-residence Jonah Jacobs and Maria Uhase, who have both arrived at vastly different interpretations of nature as each worked in their fall residencies. Akron Soul Train, 191 S. Main St., Akron. Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. akronsoultrain.org Through 2/21 WinterBlast at Lock 3 The city of Akron provides winter activities for adults and children, like Ohio’s largest outdoor seasonal ice-skating rink, polar cub kids’ rink, reindeer run slide, polar indoor mini golf, the magical train and more. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron. lock3live.com Through 2/27 “Continuum: Historical Resonances in Contemporary Art” Five special pairings of past and present works encourage surprise and delight. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday, Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $3-$12. Gallery admission is free Thursdays. akronartmuseum.org Through 2/28 Featured Musicians at the Still House Gervasi features a variety of talented musicians at multiple venues on the estate. Visit The Still House for live performances Wednesday-Sunday evenings all year long. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. Free. gervasivineyard.com Through 3/6 “Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross” This comic book artist has produced some of the most iconic images for the Marvel Universe today, including Captain America, Spider-Man, Black Panther and more. See art from his recent book, “Marvelocity,” and learn about Ross through childhood drawings, sketches, head busts and more. 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 nonmember adults. cantonart.org Through 3/26 Haymaker Farmers’ Market Enjoy the winter season of this year-round market by shopping indoors for local food, art, handmade products and more. United Methodist Church of Kent, 1435 E. Main St., Kent. Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. haymakermarket.com

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2/4, 2/11, 2/18 & 2/25 Dinner on the Train Experience the luxury of the golden age of rail travel aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. This excursion is an experience to remember. Whether you are looking for a date night or an evening with friends, this is the perfect way to dine in sophisticated comfort. Passengers must be 21 and over. Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence. 6:30 p.m. $105-$120. cvsr.com 2/4-2/26 “Something Rotten” Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadows of the rockstar known as “the Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theater involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. See the production by the Hudson Players on select dates. The Hudson Players, 41 S. Oviatt St., Hudson. $15. hudsonplayers.com 2/5 Chocolate Wine Pairing Visit Gervasi Vineyard for rich chocolate desserts paired with Gervasi’s award-winning wines. Gervasi Vineyard, the Villa Grande Ballroom, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 2-3 p.m. $39. gervasivineyard.com 2/5 Zoso with Ravenwood Zoso: the Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience formed in 1995 to perform the most accurate Led Zeppelin live show since the real thing. Band members have been carefully selected to portray both the appearance and playing styles of their Led Zeppelin counterparts. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $20. akroncivic.com 2/5 All Grateful Dead Show featuring the JiMiller Band JiMiller blends blues, country, Cajun, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz and bluegrass into a musical Americana. However, the band is best known for its freeform improvisation rock that was made famous by the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers. Akron Civic Theatre, Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $20. akroncivic.com 2/5 Jim Ballard & The Strangs with Jon Mosey Trio An Akron native, Jim Ballard has long been a part of the Northeast Ohio music scene. The lineup of the Jon Mosey Trio is Mosey on guitar, vocals and songwriter, Tb Player on bass and Erik Diaz on drums. Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $5-$10. jillysmusicroom.com 2/6 “The Story Quest” Royal storyteller Everett Hickenbottom has spun 999 tales in as many nights for the queen. He recounts two adventurous tales before getting help from the audience to imagine one final wondrous story. This charming production includes loads of audience participation and hilarious puppets. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 2:30 p.m. $5- $14. akroncivic.com 2/6 Celine Opdycke & Dan Bruce: An Afternoon of Jazz Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach and the Wadsworth Public Library present guitarist Dan Bruce and jazz vocalist Celine Opdycke in a program of jazz tunes arranged for guitar and voice. The program is free, but reservations are recommended. Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth. 3 p.m. ormaco.org 2/6 The Art of Coping: Clay Monsters Have a worried little one? Give them some extra support through creative and relaxing activities taught by Karin Coifman, a clinical psychologist, who can help with the healthy expression of emotion and the building of coping and communication skills. Akron Artworks, 1684 Merriman Road, Akron. 5-6 p.m. $22. akronartworks.com

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AGENDA

2/8 Violinist Joshua Bell and Soprano Larisa Martinez Joshua Bell is one of the world’s most recognized and in-demand classical musicians. Larisa Martinez is the operatic soprano who debuted to acclaim at Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall in 2019 and has performed extensively with Andrea Bocelli. Together, they are coming to Akron as one of the first stops on their first tour as a married couple. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $25-$70. tuesdaymusical.org 2/11 Second Friday: Art for the Heart Pair up with someone you love for an evening of cupid approved shareables and a tour of the collection every half hour, included in museum admission. Boxed appetizers and drinks are available for purchase. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday, Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Gallery admission is free Thursdays. akronartmuseum.org 2/11 Galentine’s Day Wine Pairing Event Leave your significant others at home and come kick it at Gervasi Vineyard. Gather your girlfriends for a fun wine pairing event in the Villa Grande ballroom. Enjoy four scrumptious small bites paired with Gervasi’s award-winning wines. Gervasi Vineyard, the Villa Grande Ballroom, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 2-3 p.m. $34. gervasivineyard.com 2/11 Miller & the Other Sinners Experience the soul empowering music of Miller and the Other Sinners. Hailing from Buffalo, New York, the group brings a fresh blend of roots music, southern soul, blues, rock and R&B. Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $5-$10. jillysmusicroom.com

2/11-2/27 “Charlotte’s Web” Based on E.B. White’s classic story, this show centers around the tender, life-changing friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte who manages to save his life. This show, which runs on select dates, is full of love, devotion and heartwarming humor. Players Guild Theatre, 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton. $25. playersguildtheatre.com 2/12 Owl Be Your Valentine Visit animals who are enjoying guest-built Valentine’s Day enrichment, listen to keeper talks and make your own Valentine’s Day card. Whether you are spending Valentine’s Day with that special someone or just looking for a fun family outing, you can swoop by the zoo for this wild event. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $9. akronzoo.org 2/12 “Wine, Cheese and Chocolate, Darling!” Celebrate life’s little pleasures at this unique and immersive tasting event that showcases numerous different wines, both domestic and international. Patrons can enjoy wines from dry to sweet, white to red and champagne to port. Tastings will be paired with different cheeses and chocolates from local purveyors. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7 p.m. $45. akroncivic.com 2/12 Grape Escape Wine-Tasting Train: Gervasi Vineyard Climb aboard this two-hour train ride through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and enjoy four wine selections with light appetizers. This excursion is for passengers 21 and over. Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence. 6:30 p.m. $60-$70. cvsr.com

2/12 The Ladies Night Jam to the Ladies Night, Northeastern Ohio’s high energy all-male tribute to the music of pop divas, featuring songs by Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and more. Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $5-$10. jillysmusicroom.com 2/12 Hard Day’s Night Since 1996, Hard Day’s Night has been entertaining Fab Four fans across the country. Hailing from Cleveland, Hard Day’s Night performs favorites from the entire Beatles catalog, complete with period instruments and several costume changes. The Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. 8 p.m. $15. thekentstage.com 2/17 Third Thursday: Games with “More is More” and “Continuum” Learn more about the “More is More” and “Continuum” exhibitions with a self guided game night. Fun yet challenging puzzle packets are available at the front desk after 6 p.m. Complete them all for a chance to win a themed prize. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 6-8 p.m. akronartmuseum. org 2/17 “Handel’s Israel in Egypt: A Dramatic Oratorio” In addition to being a colorful showpiece for the virtuoso players and chorus of Apollo’s Fire, this work is a gripping emotional journey, from plagues and pyramids to the crossing of the Red Sea. The Israelites’ daring escape from Egypt comes to life with reverence and triumph through Handel’s sumptuous music. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1361 W. Market St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $10-$70. apollosfire.org 2/17-3/13 “The Color Purple” With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, “The Color Purple” is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. It was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Score. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron. $12-$35. weathervaneplayhouse.com 2/18 Beer & Brats with Special Goulash The German Family Society of Akron hosts an evening of homemade food and desserts available for purchase, as well as a cash bar. No reservations are necessary. German Family Society of Akron, 3871 Ranfield Road, Kent. 5:30 p.m. germanfamilysociety.com 2/18 Cory Grinder and the Playboy Scouts This Cleveland-based honky-tonk band comes forth with a new album of old-school Bakersfield-style country, full of hard driving trucker tunes, country waltzes and hillbilly jams. Akron Civic Theatre, Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $20. akroncivic.com 2/18 Marc Lee Shannon & My Other Brothers Akron-area touring veteran and studio musician Marc Lee Shannon will release “Lucky 7,” a collection of seven new soulful songs. “Lucky 7” is the follow-up to Shannon’s 2018 album, “Walk This Road.” Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $5-$10. jillysmusicroom.com 2/18-2/20 Akron Home & Garden Show For 28 years, the Akron Home and Garden Show has featured an exposition where local homeowners can find the latest products and ideas for their next home and garden project. E.J. Thomas Hall, 77 E. Mill St., Akron. akronhomeandgardenshow.com 2/18-2/21 Medina Ice Festival This annual event, one of the largest ice festivals in Ohio, offers frozen fun for everyone. Now in its 27th year, the festival, produced and run by Elegant Ice Creations, showcases over 100 ice sculptures sponsored by local businesses. The event takes place rain or shine, and all carvings are left on display throughout the weekend. Medina Square, 2 Public Square, Medina. mainstreetmedina.com

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AGENDA

2/19 Tracy Byrd and Aaron Tippin Tracy Byrd became a household name in the country music scene in 1993 when his third single, “Holdin’ Heaven,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart. The album also included the remake hit of Johnny Paycheck’s “Someone to Give my Love To,” cementing Byrd as a traditional country troubadour. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. 7 p.m. $49-$69. cantonpalacetheatre.org 2/19 Back & Forth: Foo Fighters Tribute Spend an evening enjoying a tribute to the mighty sound and energy of the Foo Fighters. Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $5-$10. jillysmusicroom.com 2/20 “Fun Children’s Music from a Preschool Teacher!” Mr. Jeff is a former Pre-K teacher at Shaw JCC of Akron, who earned his Child Development Associate Credential. Mr. Jeff had the privilege of teaching a classroom of 16 students, 4 and 5 years old, on a daily basis for three years. Reading, theatrics and music are Mr. Jeff’s three main passions, and he brings those elements to the forefront of his classes and performances. Akron Civic Theatre, Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 2:30 p.m. $8-$14. akroncivic.com 2/21 President’s Day at the Akron Zoo Enjoy free admission, and the Summit County Historical Society of Akron, OH will be on the grounds with a fun activity. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $9. akronzoo.org 2/23 Dazzling Dahlias Learn how to grow colorful, stunning dahlias during this virtual presentation hosted by the Summit County Master Gardeners. 6:30 p.m. Free. summitmastergardeners. org

2/24 “Let’s Get Happy Paint Night” Grab a pal and be inspired by things like flowing rivers and happy little trees, just like the legendary Bob Ross himself with an Akron twist. There is sure to be a happy accident or two. Akron Civic Theatre, Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 6 p.m. $45. akroncivic. com 2/26 Midwinter Tunes Break the midwinter blues with a free celebration of music and community in Akron. The Akron Art Museum’s festival features musical acts, visual artists and community partners all hailing from Northeast Ohio. Music, ice carving, food trucks and festive lighting add spark to the wintry season, while pop-ups and activities are bound to warm up guests inside. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 4-8 p.m. akronartmuseum.org 2/26 Jeffrey Osborne with Lalah Hathaway Jeffrey Osborne is a Grammy-nominated singer songwriter, musician and lyricist. He is the former drummer and lead singer of the American R&B and soul group L.T.D. Lalah Hathaway is a soul, R&B and gospel singer. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $38-$78. akroncivic.com 2/27 Jazz Brunch & Fundraiser Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach invites you to enjoy a jazz brunch featuring vocalist Barbara Knight. Savor either a mimosa or a bloody mary, then tuck into a hearty brunch. Stroll around and bid on auction items that benefit ORMACO’s outreach programs. Soak in the music and then enjoy an array of desserts. Mama’s Market & Eatery, 7249 Wooster Pike Road, Seville. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $45. ormaco.org

2/27 Bourbon and Bites Try three of Gervasi Vineyard’s bourbons paired with four delicious bites from our culinary team. Gervasi Vineyard, the Villa Grande Ballroom, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 2-3 p.m. $39. gervasivineyard.com 3/1 Harlem Quartet with pianist Aldo López Gavilán The acclaimed Harlem Quartet, founded by violinist Ilmar López-Gavilán, is joined by Ilmar’s brother, pianist, and composer Aldo López-Gavilán. The powerful concert reunites the Cuban-born brothers in Afro-Cuban jazz and a piano masterpiece by Robert Schumann. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron. 7:30 p.m. $19-$49. tuesdaymusical.org 3/2 Crash Test Dummies 30th Anniversary Tour It’s been 30 years since Crash Test Dummies recorded its debut album, which garnered its first big hit and a Juno Award for Group of the Year. The Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. 8 p.m. $45-$60. thekentstage.com 3/4 Zach Williams with special guest Anne Wilson Grammy Award-winner Zach Williams and his signature blend of southern rock, country and faith-filled songwriting are truly unlike anything else in contemporary Christian music today. He and rising star Anne Wilson can’t wait to bring the Spring ’22 Tour to Akron. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $22 and up. akroncivic.com 3/5 EarthQuaker Symphony A special collaboration with Akron’s own EarthQuaker Devices presents the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s talents in a way they have never been heard, as Jon Sonnenberg and Jake Gunnar Walsh use EarthQuaker’s effects pedals to fuse electronica and acoustic instruments, emulating innovators like Haydn and Beethoven. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron. 8 p.m. $15-$60. akronsymphony.org

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2022

THE 330 IS A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLEWHO CARE. We care about our culture and artistry, our businesses and institutions and our families, friends and neighbors. When you put a face on a business, every interaction becomes more than a transaction — it becomes a connection. Whether they’re helping us find a home, giving us peace of mind in senior living or teaching our future artists, the people of The 330 keep us all connected in our quests for good lives. The 2022 Faces of The 330 introduces some of the people who help build our community on expertise, service and compassion. Their names and faces reflect a wealth of talent and pride of place that make our region unique.

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FACES OF THE 330

P reparing students for creative careers is our priority here at the Myers School of Art at The University of Akron. We are a vibrant and fully integrated Art + Design school where students and faculty collaborate across disciplines. The school offers 9 majors and 12 minors. Engaged faculty, a stellar visiting artist program and extensive annual travel opportunities ensure student success beyond graduation. The school maintains exceptional job and Check our website for upcoming events, exhibitions and public lectures this year. We look forward to welcoming you. Myers artists featured clockwise from top left: Jared Faust, Tim Bekelesky, Max Markwald, Kayla Weinman, Alexandria Couch, James Edwards. Mary Schiller Myers graduate school placement rates. — Janice Troutman, Director, Myers School of Art

THE FACE OF ART + DESIGN

School of Art, The University of Akron 330-972-6030 uakron.edu/art

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FACES OF THE 330

T he continuing COVID-19 pandemic has made us reflect on our lives, forcing us to ask tough questions and look at the bigger picture. Serving others takes many forms from volunteering at a nonprofit to service through a job. The greatest acts of service come from The 330’s first responders and front-line workers. We applaud our brave doctors and nurses, as well as our beloved police, firefighters and EMS crews, who continue to serve bravely. You inspire us. The pandemic has made the staff at the Billow Co. reaffirm our commitment to serving you. A call goes out in the middle of the night when a death has occurred, and the staff at Billow Co. will be there on your darkest night. We will help you usher in new dawn by paying tribute to your loved one. We serve because it is our calling. It is a sacred duty. We remain humbly and loyally at your service, just as we have since our company was founded in 1875. When you need us the most, we promise you our very best. The Billow Co. 330-867-4141 billowfuneralhomes. com Why do we serve?

THE FACES OF ETERNAL SERVICE

Darcie Swango, Cur t Padrut t, Pierce Drobney, Stacy Bi l low, Nathanael Bi l low and Grant Sieber t

photo by Tylar Calhoun

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FACES OF THE 330

D anbury Senior Living has been offering resort-style living to Ohio seniors since 1997, and the results of that longevity show. Its residents and families agree that Danbury is the best of the best when it comes to senior care. With chef-prepared meals, resident focused life enrichment activities and 24/7 nurses and care companions, Danbury is the clear move to independent living, assisted living or memory care. A Danbury resident shares: “Everyone from every department of this building has been so kind to me and helps me with what I need every day. I do not want to live any other place, and I am happy this is my home now.” adequately express my appreciation for everything they do for her. Moving mom into this facility has immensely improved her quality of life, and that’s because of the kind, compassionate, loving staff.” A Danbury family member says: “My words cannot If it’s time to make a senior living community your new home, give Danbury a call today. One of these “Faces of The 330” is waiting to help you navigate the transition. Danbury Senior Living 888-432-6279 danburyseniorliving.com choice when it’s time to make the

SENIOR LIVING THE FACES OF

Bob Pont ius, Stacy Mize, Marge Sul l ivan and Morgan Vacula

photo by Meghan Winkler

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FACES OF THE 330

I n 1948, Nickitas “Nick” Thomarios started a small painting company to serve Greater Akron residents. His business grew into the commercial fields and incorporated in 1969. Since the construction group was added in 1994, the development, growth and diversity of projects have expanded the company to a new level. Nick taught his son, Paul, to paint houses alongside him at an early age. After graduating from The University of Akron, Paul grew the business by adhering to the key components of quality and integrity his father instilled in him. Under Paul’s leadership, the Thomarios team has grown into an international powerhouse of construction, coatings, powder coatings and parking garage at Akron Children’s Hospital, Paul helps build his father’s vision of making Akron a great place to live, one project at a time. Thomarios recently renovated office space for Babcock & Wilcox in the former Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. headquarters in Akron. The renovations utilized existing space to house approximately 650 employees and create new office and common spaces that help them work efficiently. Thomarios historic restoration. From the Saturn V rocket to the LED-lit

CONSTRUCTION THE FACES OF

330-670-9900 thomarios.com

photo by Meghan Winkler Jim Larkey, Mike Chislow, Tom Cont i and Cindy Vel tr i

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FACES OF THE 330

B eth Rodgers began her professional career in real estate in 1989, training and studying under the tutelage of her mother, Jane Mariani. Rodgers’ dedication, training and work ethic launched her into leadership positions, including 2021 president of the Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS™, state director with Ohio REALTORS and numerous chair and committee positions at the local, state and national levels. Rodgers has also received many awards, including REALTOR of the Year, Golden Community Service Award, Outstanding Women in Business and the Ohio REALTORS President’s Sales Club recipient, 1990-present. Her designations include Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer Representative, At Home with Diversity and Senior Real Estate Specialist. She is not only active in her industry but is a dedicated volunteer in her community as well. Rodgers successfully represents sellers and buyers by being consumer-centric, fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities, offering professional advice and advocating on behalf of clients. Having served thousands of families in the last 30 plus years, Rodgers is proudly representing her second generation of clients.

THE FACE OF REAL ESTATE

Beth Rodgers 330-607-3987 bethrodgers.com

photo by Meghan Winkler

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HISTORICAL 330 RUBBER

a k r o n l i f e . c o m | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 SOUL

photo by Daniel Mainzer, Mainzer Photography

How Akron Got on the Map

by Brendan Baker, historical photos courtesy of Daniel Mainzer, Mainzer Photography

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HISTORICAL 330

THERE ARE ASHES OF INDUSTRIES LEFT BEHIND THROUGHOUT THE RUST BELT AND ONCE-THRIVING CITIES THAT ARE NOW IN DECAY. WHILE OTHERS WERE NOT SO FORTUNATE, AKRON HAS SURVIVED AND EVEN THRIVED IN THE FACE OF OBSTACLES. In the 1850s, the biggest enter prise in Akron was agriculture. That industry helped usher in what we would become most well known for — rubber. The beginning of the rubber era was like a gilded age for this city. Much of the culture we have today comes from the people who worked in the rubber factories and the rub ber barons’ massive fortunes. They are the results of the blood, sweat and tears of a diverse labor force. It was good fortune that Benjamin Franklin Goodrich met an old friend in Jamestown, New York, a meeting that changed the course of history and the fate of Akron, a city that was a Lieberth has been research ing how the city became the Rubber Capital of the World, spending hours and hours combing through archives and old news clippings at The University of Akron’s library short train ride away. Akron historian David

He notes that most people thought Goodrich saw a bro chure about Akron on a train, but he found new information that proves differently. Lieberth: I just ran across this magazine in the library. It was called Topics , and it had a story written by a guy named James Braden in 1929. He had first-person inter views with people who knew how Dr. Goodrich came to town. There’s always been some confusion about that. B.F. Goodrich was from Jamestown, and he knew a guy named Clement Barnes, who had been a friend of his when one day in Jamestown. Dr. Goodrich said, How is your town doing? He knew that Barnes had married a woman from Akron and had moved here. Barnes said, You know, it’s a coming city. It’s only a few hours away on the train. You should come and take a look. So that is what Goodrich did. When he got to town, Goodrich they were growing up. They met on the street had a meeting at the bank in what is now the Everett Building. There were 22 people and one law firm that got together, sometimes they call it 23. And they raised $13,600. That would be the equivalent of about half a million dollars today. Here’s the important part. Goodrich came here because he had the capital. He had a group of people invest in him. And with that $13,600, plus his

own resources, he was able to get a building along the Ohio and Erie Canal which he could use for water supply. By the early 20th century, Akron was leading the way in rubber. Rubber companies B.F. Goodrich, Goodyear and Firestone were well-established, along with General Tire and others later on. By the 1910s, Akron was the fastest growing city in the country, Lieberth says. This was all because of the tire and rub ber companies located here. The rubber companies had made an unprecedented move, sending recruiters to West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and other southern states to find workers during the early growth period between 1910 and 1920, according to Lieberth, because they were in dire need of workers. men. When you look at the pictures of these early rubber workers, for example, you see them pulling tires by hand, and it took a lot of brawn, a lot of muscle to build a tire. They needed about 70,000 people to run all the rubber companies during that time. As the auto industry took off, so did the tire industry in Akron. The town was busy and bustling as restaurants and businesses catered to rubber workers along Market, Bowery and Main streets for the big three (Goodyear, B.F. Goodrich and Firestone). But it wasn’t without conflict. But the kind of workers they needed were strong

and the Akron-Summit County Public Library.

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