Woodwind quintet in Brewster
BREWSTER – As part of the free, family-friendly Summer Serenades series, a Canton Symphony Orchestra woodwind quintet will perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 8 at Bimeler Park, 105 Wabash Ave. N.
Bring a chair or blanket for seating, your favorite picnic food and games. No registration is required. For updates on the day of the concert, visit starkparks.com/serenades or cantonsymphony.org/summer-serenades.
CommQuest elects new board member
CANTON – Nonprofit behavioral health organization CommQuest Services has elected Susie McKelvey to its board of directors.
McKelvey is the executive director of student services for the Stark County Educational Service Center. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education before beginning her career as an intervention specialist with Minerva Local Schools.
The board re-elected Madison Connor with Employers Health and Nicole Morrett of Timken Co. to second terms. Amanda Sterling from Metallus was re-elected for a third term.
ASCEND appoints new executive director
CANTON – ASCEND, a nonprofit mental health services organization, has appointed Emily Meinhart as its new executive director.
Meinhart has more than 13 years of professional experience in the insurance and nonprofit sectors. As executive director, she will lead ASCEND in advancing its mission of promoting mental wellness and providing meaningful support to the Stark County community.
ASCEND offers mental health classes and services daily at the agency’s Canton location, 116 Cleveland Ave. NW, Suite 200.
Movies at Centennial Plaza
CANTON ‒ The Canton Palace Theatre’s Centennial Plaza Movie Series continues Wednesday evenings through Aug. 5 at Centennial Plaza, 330 Court Ave. NW.
Entertainment for the free, family-friendly movies begins at 6:15 p.m., with movies beginning at 7 p.m. each week, rain or shine. Guests may bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Movie snacks will be available for sale on-site each week.
Free Zumba sessions
CANTON ‒ Zumba in the Park, free outdoor fitness classes at the National First Ladies Library & Museum’s First Ladies Park, 205 Market Ave. S, will be from 6 to 6:45 p.m. June 29, July 6, July 20, Aug. 10 and Aug. 24. Wear comfortable workout clothes and bring your own water. Instructor Christina Callahan is a registered nurse and certified Zumba instructor. Register at eventbrite.com.
100 Years of Education Centennial Celebration
CANTON – Heritage Christian School and the Canton Lincoln High School Alumni Association are hosting a 100 Years of Education Centennial Celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 18 at the school building at 2107 Sixth St. SW. The building served first as Canton Lincoln High School and now as Heritage Christian School.
Everyone is invited, but reservations are required online at HCScanton.org/100 by July 8. Attendees can join alumni and community members for a luncheon at 11 a.m. ($25 ticket per person) or come for the program at 12:30 p.m., featuring memory highlights from both schools and the LHS alumni choir and band (complimentary ticket required). Self-guided tours start immediately following the program.
Heritage Christian School serves students from 3 years through eighth grade. In 2026, the school earned the Hartshorn Dignity of Life Award silver designation from the Center for Christian Virtue. From its origins in 1926 through its final graduation in 1976, Lincoln High School served as one of four high schools in Canton.
Myers joins Canton’s Ohio State Highway Patrol post
COLUMBUS – Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper Timothy A. Myers recently was promoted to sergeant and was recognized by patrol Superintendent Col. Charles A. Jones during a ceremony at the patrol’s Training Academy. Myers transferred from his previous assignment at the Lisbon post to serve as assistant post commander at the Canton post.
Myers began his patrol career in September 2015 as a member of the 159th Academy Class. As a trooper, he earned the master trooper designation and the Criminal Patrol Award, both in 2024. Myers earned a master’s degree in criminal justice-homeland security administration and a bachelor’s degree in applied science.
Concerts at Jackson Amphitheater
JACKSON TWP. ‒ E5C4P3, a Journey tribute band, will perform from 7:30 to 10 p.m. July 10 at the Nash Family Jackson Amphitheater, 7454 Community Parkway NW, as part of the Summer Concert Series. Bring a blanket or chair for seating. Visit www.jacksonamphitheater.com for more information and to buy tickets.
Dirty Deeds Xtreme AC/DC Tribute Band will perform from 7:30 to 10 p.m. July 2. For tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/3vfdjmh8. This show is rescheduled from June 6 due to inclement weather. Original tickets will be honored. If you cannot attend the rescheduled date, tickets can be moved to any other Summer Concert Series concert in the schedule.
Music at Duncan Plaza
MASSILLON ‒ The Massillon Summer Concert Series will feature the band La Flavour performing from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. July 3 at the Duncan Plaza amphitheater downtown during the city’s Third of July Celebration. Admission is free.
History discussion group topic is Fourth of July celebrations
MASSILLON – The Massillon Museum’s History Discussion Group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon July 7 in the Fred F. Silk Community Room. Moderator Mandy Altimus Stahl will lead a discussion about Fourth of July celebrations, picnics, and summer vacations. Guests are encouraged to bring mementoes and photographs. No reservations are necessary.
Attendance is free and open to everyone; new participants are always welcome. Pastries and coffee are available for a donation.
Music and food trucks
NORTH CANTON ‒ Erin Nicole Neal and The Chill Factors will perform a free concert from 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 2 under the North Canton City Hall portico, 145 N. Main St., as part of the Summer Series Live at the library. Food trucks will be Thai It Up and Freaky Fruits.
Cooking class
NORTH CANTON – North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., will offer the program “No Recipe? No Problem” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 30. In this live cooking demonstration, learn how to use basic ingredients, flavor combinations, and simple techniques to create meals on the spot and sample a dish prepared during the program. Register at ncantonlibrary.org.
Free concert at Plain amphitheater
PLAIN TWP. – Josee McGee & BadJR Band will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. July 2 at the Plain Township Amphitheater, 2600 Easton St. NE. For more information, visit plaintownshipamphitheater.com. The amphitheater opens at 5 p.m. Parking is free.
Stark Parks programs
Stark Parks has a variety of programs and activities. Visit StarkParks.com for class information and registration for all events and programs unless otherwise noted:
This article originally appeared on The Repository: News from around the Canton region | Stark County community briefs
Reporting by Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
