The Garden Conservancy Open Days

Cheryl Grimm

After an 11 year hiatus, Ohio is now 3 years back into the Garden Conservancy schedule of Open Days tours, a showcase of exemplary private gardens throughout the state. This year, six northeast gardens will be open for the public to stroll through for inspiration, relaxation, and a day in nature. Beginning June 27th with 4 gardens, including Akron, Bath, Peninsula, and Stow. An Ellet garden will be open on August 8, and the final Open Days garden will be open, September 26 in Sullivan.

A New Leaf in Downtown Kent

Diane Stresing

For over four decades, the windows of McKay Bricker Framing & Black Squirrel Gifts have beckoned to shoppers and passers-by, the bright displays a visual reminder of Kent’s reverence for the arts. Inside, amid the constantly-rotating merchandise and vast array of framing supplies, regular shoppers knew they’d find owner Cass McKay Walker.

Standing Rock Cultural Arts Presents Shakedown V.2

Cameron Mack

Imagine yourself in the mid-1970s. You’re a young person who stumbles across a band unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. Their music tells stories of strange places, long journeys, love, freedom, and life lived outside the repressive rules of society. You put on your most comfortable walking shoes, your favorite bell-bottom jeans, grab your backpack, and head out to the highway with your thumb in the air. Before long, a psychedelic-painted bus pulls over, and just like that, you’re on the road with a traveling community following the music wherever it goes. You are transformed into a free spirit on a life-changing adventure.

Scams in the Digital Age: A Survival Guide

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

In an earlier article on Objectivity, we emphasized the value of staying calm, collected, and attentive to details. These qualities allow us to see situations clearly instead of emotionally. In the digital age, objectivity is not just good practice—it is a powerful defense against scams.

Developing Self-worth & the Power of Community

Cameron Mack

The Kent Community Timebank has been described in many ways, but one thing is clear: the organization’s five core values are Assets, Re-Defining Work, Reciprocity, Social Networks, and Respect. At its heart, the Timebank builds community by helping members naturally support one another through everyday exchanges that meet individual and community needs or wants.

Objectivity And Computational Thinking

Paul S. Wang Ph.D.

We all know that being objective is good. In fact most people are often confident in their own objectivity. However, such confidence can be severely challenged in the information age, with an overload of data coming our way from all directions. How do we tell the lies, half truths, and propaganda from facts? As responsible netizens, how do we stop rumors, sensationalism and get the facts out?

Cannabis Talk

Reefer Sadness

A lot has changed over the last several years in the world of cannabis. What hasn't changed? Government's inability to acknowledge the medical benefits of the plant. Ohio—and many other states—have legalized cannabis for medicinal and adult use. Some states are medical-only, while others remain stuck in the "Reefer Madness" stone age. Strangely, since legalization in Ohio, not much seems to have changed.

What Are Stablecoins and the New GENIUS Act?

Paul S. Wang Ph.D.

The new law is the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act) which passed congress with bipartisan support. It is the first major U.S. federal law that specifically and comprehensively regulates a type of cryptocurrency, namely stablecoins. It is a landmark signal that society is moving into the digital age full steam, not just in communication and commerce, but in how we define and transfer money itself.

Gorge Metro Park Closing

Diane Stresing

If you’ve enjoyed gawking at the“falls” at Gorge Metro Park, or more accurately, the dam spillway, well, hang on to that memory. The popular park, with an entrance at 1160 Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls, was expected to close on July 14, 2025 and remain closed for several years as the last dam on the Cuyahoga River is being removed.

Where are you @ in the Digital Age

Paul S. Wang Ph.D.

The digital age revolutionized many parts of our lives. The Internet transformed the world into a global village where communications are efficient and instant. In this village, our frequent and abundant interactions naturally created a shared culture. One notable feature of that culture is the usage of special symbols such as @, /, \, #, and so on.

Cyber Attacks, Online Scams, and You

Paul S. Wang Ph.D.

In the digital age, our security has two aspects–in the physical space and in cyberspace. Most of us are more familiar with the former but much less with the latter. Yet both are equally important. Of course, it is essential for everyone to become more knowledgeable about cyber attacks and on-line scams, because they can cause harm, even disaster, to businesses and individuals.

Standing Rock Cultural Arts, the Kent, Ohio staple for community & art

Cameron Mack

It starts as all great stories do—small, hopeful, and full of wonder. A few dreamers in Kent, Ohio, gathered in a modest space with an idea. Not just any idea, but a living, breathing promise: to give art a home, to let creativity flow unrestricted, and to carve out a place where community and expression walk hand in hand.

Cookies You Can’t Eat

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

We all love cookies, sweet and tasty! But here, we are talking about a different kind of cookie–the cookies used by websites and browsers. Such cookies are stored data to make your web surfing easier, more effective and efficient.

Creating World Music in Strange Times

Mike Hovancsek

Creative people had to find ways to adapt back in those dark days of the covid shutdowns. How do you keep yourself from going mad? How do you hold the creative community aloft when you can’t even be in the same room with each other?

Nature’s Timelessness: Reflection, Friendship, and Freedom

Cameron Mack

Each year, I’m deeply moved by the vibrant colors and reflective power of the fall season. Fall is the season of renewal—not the fresh blossoming of spring, but a different kind of renewal that invites introspection. The changing leaves and crisp air seem to stir memories of the past, often bringing to mind losses and moments that shaped us.

Computing Is in Your DNA!

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

In modern times, the term DNA is one of the most well-known and for good reason. We use DNA to store and pass on genetic information to the next generation. In fact, all known living organisms do it with DNA, including bacteria, viruses, plants, and animals.

Pour Some SugarCane On Me: Timothy Koehler; a Musical Odyssey

Cameron Mack

There are few musicians who embody the spirit and soul of Kent’s music scene quite like my good friend Timothy Koehler. His ongoing story is one of passion, creativity, and a deep love for music that transcends generations.

A Chat on Smartphones

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

The concept of a smartphone began in the 1990s with devices like the IBM Simon (1994), which combined a mobile phone with a touchscreen, calendar, and email capabilities. Although basic by today’s standards, it laid the groundwork for future smartphones. A few years later, Palm Pilot was released.

Honoring Dr. Gregory Bambeck: Unlocking the Secrets of Metabolic Health

Cameron Mack

Dr. Gregory Bambeck was a visionary in the field of molecular biology whose work on metabolic dysfunction has left an indelible mark on science and medicine. Born on March 27, 1950, in Canton, Ohio; Gregory Bambeck died this first week of September 2024.

Kenge Kenge Orutu System

Kenge Kenge Orutu System is more than just a band; it is a living embodiment of the rich cultural heritage of the Luo tribe, one of the Nilotic communities in Kenya. The name "Kenge Kenge" itself translates to "make a loud joyous noise," a fitting description for a group that has dedicated itself to preserving and promoting the vibrant traditions of their people through music and dance.

Social Capital - Jason Blyler

Dr. Patrick O'Connor

Scouting has been around for over 100 years and hundreds of packs and troops across America have been developing young people for generations. In 2019, girls were accepted into Boy Scouts leading to a name change of Scouting America effective 2025.

Enduring the Legacy of “Free To The People”

Cameron Mack

Kent Free Library stands as a testament to both the enduring legacy of Andrew Carnegie and the tenacity of the Kent community. Originally built in 1902, this iconic structure owes its existence to the philanthropic wave initiated by Carnegie, who funded the construction of over 2,500 libraries worldwide in 52 years.

Hello, How Do You Reboot?

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

Oh, no it froze again! I know how annoying it is when your computing device suddenly stops working, not responding to any input, from the mouse, touch screen/pad, or keyboard. You could call the help desk but that would be troublesome and very time consuming. Often, the help desk would suggest that you reboot your device.

Standing Rock Cultural Arts Is Expanding!

Standing Rock Cultural Arts recently received the opportunity to expand their space for arts, educational, and community programming. This option came to them with a 5-year lease for Suite D directly next to our current gallery at 300 N. Water Street.This new space encompasses 1,600 square feet – almost twice as much as their current space and features original wood floors and 14-foot ceilings!

The Heart of Community Support: Exploring the Impact of Kent Social Services

Cameron Mack

Kent Social Services (KSS) is a cornerstone in our community, dedicated to “feeding the body and spirit of vulnerable people in the community through the provision of hot meals, groceries, and a caring attitude.” The building, which previously housed the L&K Restaurant, has a long history of serving food to the community. KSS began in 1920, but the "hot meal" program started in 1990, thanks to Sister Jordan Haddad.

What’s All the Buzz About AI?

Paul S. Wang Ph.D.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has once again become a hot topic in recent days. The main cause of all the buzz was the public release of generative AI (GAI) systems such as ChatGPT, which represented a major breakthrough in AI technologies.

Enjoying Fresh Air and Local Sights-- Who has time for that?

Diane Stresing

It’s the truest of truisms: time is the most precious thing we have, and we simply can’t make more of it. But it is possible to develop habits to make the most of the time we have. For me, that means finding time to hike – or at least to enjoy some fresh air and different scenery – every day. Every day?!?! Yes, I know it sounds crazy. How do I manage this habit?

Kevin Hockett

Dr. Patrick O'Connor

Social Capital aroundKent is a feature that celebrates the many people who provide social capital in the Kent area. It is rooted in the Road Less Traveled (RLT) series from aroundKent. The RLT subjects in that feature and this one share a few common traits. They display a “quiet confidence” and have turned what they love into what they do. The first segment of this feature celebrates Kent teacher and coach Kevin Hockett.

Keeping Pace with the Digital Times

Paul S. Wang Ph.D.

Throughout history, human beings have been making changes in order to overcome challenges and improve lives. The digital revolution is the latest of the most significant and large scale changes. They include the first industrial revolution (1784), the technical or second industrial revolution (1870), and the information and telecommunications or the third industrial revolution (1969), also known as the digital revolution. The trend goes on with increasing speed.

Mother Neighborhood of Kent

Doria Daniels

Nestled inside the Southwest boundaries of an 1865 Old Settlement map of land once owned by the abolitionist John Brown and known then as Franklin Mills is a small multicultural community of immigrants whose ethnic backgrounds and cultures merged over decades to become the melting pot of what we descendants have designated as Historical South End Kent.

Socially Responsible Sweatshop

Heidi Weisel

The Socially Responsible Sweatshop of Kent (SRS) is dedicated to fighting food insecurity in Portage County, Ohio. They also support our environment using vintage sewing machines to create beautiful, useful, sellable items from textiles otherwise destined to the landfill. Supplies are donated by individuals and companies who support the SRS mission. The created items are lovingly crafted and priced affordably, with one hundred percent of the proceeds from sales donated to local agencies to fight food insecurity (hunger).

aroundKent Collection of Photos

Matt Keffer

Take a look back at over ten years of photos taken by aroundKent photographer, Matt Keffer.

The Road Less Traveled and the Social Capital Profile

Patrick O'Connor, Ed.D.

Social capital is a set of shared values and resources that allow individuals to work together to effectively achieve a common purpose. It is commonly used to describe members of a community who live harmoniously and in unison. Social capital includes charity, philanthropy, and the many types of volunteering people do. Most charitable giving (81%) is done by individuals. Foundations (14%) and corporations (5%) contribute the rest.

For a Business Owner, the Last Step is Sometimes the Hardest One

Chris Cooper, Director, Ohio Employee Ownership at Kent State University

Every business owner will exit their business in one way or another. It can happen on their timeline, or it can be forced by circumstances – but it will happen. The question is whether they will be driving the process, or if circumstances (and other people) will be doing the driving. How “last, and greatest, test of entrepreneurship” is handled will go a long way to defining the future of the business, and the legacy of the owner.

This CAT Can See through You

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

We often say that computational thinking (CT) is important in the digital age and CT can even save lives. Here we talk about a different CT, Computed Tomography, whose sole purpose is to see inside your body as a medical tool. And this CT may very well save your life.

Ohio's new Ambassador to The Garden Conservancy

Cheryl Grimm

I have just recently taken on the privilege of being the Ohio Ambassador to The Garden Conservancy. My delightful duties entail touring gardens and meeting their gardeners in hopes of their allowing visitors during the Conservancy’s annual Open Days Tours. Garden glimpses will follow as tour dates near.

Amazing Ray’s Place

Dr. Patrick O'Connor - Life Long Learning Connection

Ray’s Place remains the “go-to” place in Kent. Now in its 85th year, People from around the area, from Kent and from Kent State University continue to meet up with family and friends. Lively conversation, good food and many beverages are always on the menu at Rays. Ten years ago, the book “Meet Me at Rays: A Celebration of Ray’s Place in Kent, Ohio” was published in honor of the 75th anniversary.

Computational Thinkers Do It Virtually

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

We say modern computers are universal machines. That is because a computer can do almost anything as long as a program can be written for it. Here we will focus on using computers to imitate reality through simulation. Computer simulation is a technique that uses computing to build models that mimic or imitate real-life systems in order to investigate, study, understand, gain experience, or otherwise deal with those systems.

TikTok Not the Problem: Data Privacy Is

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

TikTok is a popular short-form video app that has raised concerns about its potential threat to US national security, as highlighted by both the Trump and Biden administrations. The controversy revolves around data security and privacy concerns. In this article, we will delve into what TikTok is and explore the concept of privacy protection, which is crucial for everyone in the digital world, particularly for computational thinkers.

STARCHILD

Lisbeth Justice

“It takes a village to raise a child” – this saying has been used almost to the point of being considered trite. Nevertheless, the message is still relevant, especially in the case of STARCHILD, the vision of an innovative, intergenerational child development and lifelong learning center which the local nonprofit, LoveLight, Inc., is working to bring to fruition.

Let's Chat About AI

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

The recent media coverage of ChatGPT has once again raised the profile of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and people’s attention to this developing technology. But what really is AI? its goals, implications, technologies, and applications? Citizens in the digital age, computational thinkers in particular, should have a basic understanding and appreciation.

“Woke” U. You Woke?”

Elliott Ingersoll, Ph.D.

An ongoing development in academia is what some refer to as “wokeness.” But what, actually, is “woke” anyhow? Initially, I naively thought it meant sleep hygiene that prepares one for the day ahead. Wrong. Being “woke” refers to “waking to” (and supporting) social justice reflected in movements like Black Lives Matter and concern for LGBTQ+ issues.

Don’t Stop–Do It Again!

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

The universe and the world around us work with rhythm and repetition. Sunrise and sunset; the seasons; you get out of bed, go to work or school, come back home and go to bed at night. Many things repeat regularly—songs and music have reprises, visual arts and architecture designs also use repetition of patterns, animals breath in and out, their hearts go on beating. All that is not surprising. But, what if I tell you that repetition is also a powerful way to solve problems?

The Kent Community Poetically Reflects on Thirty Years of the Haymaker Farmers' Market

Jessica Jewell, MFA, PhD

This past summer, the Wick Poetry Center at Kent State University created Market Stanzas (haymaker.marketstanzas.com), a community arts project in partnership with the Haymaker Farmers’ Market in celebration of their thirtieth anniversary. Funded by the Kent Rotary Foundation, MarketStanzas placed Kent State University undergraduate students at the market throughout the summer to collect community stories, memories, and other creative writing about the Haymaker Farmers’ Market. Each visitor’s contribution was then uploaded to a growing community poem.

A Walk Across The Day: A gifted musician’s august traverse

J.C. Richardson

For those that have followed the indelible career of multi-cultural musician, Kent’s very own Mike Hovancsek, we surely anticipate listening to something entrenched in the unknown, and possibly the insecure, as if dropped off into secluded, crepuscular woods and challenged to find our own way through.

Computer Programming by Chickens and Rabbits

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

The modern computer brought us the information age and a digital universe. Because it’s a universal machine, a machine that can be programmed to do anything computable, its impact on the world and civilizations everywhere is much more profound than any other machine. Thus, a clear understanding of programming is important for Computational Thinking (CT). Here, we will give a simple explanation of programming with an easy-to-grasp example. An appreciation of program writing can show us many effective ways to solve problems that are useful in different areas, even our daily lives.

Kent State University College of Public Health leads the first LGBTQ+ Specific Community Needs Assessment in Ohio.

Andrew M. Snyder BSN, MPH

Over the past two years, the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment worked to capture as many local LGBTQ+ voices as possible. The goal was to collect data and organize it into a format that could help community partners (such as homeless shelters, schools, churches, universities, counselors, hospitals, and other service providers) and community leaders and members to make better decisions that are more aligned with the actual needs of LGBTQ+ people in Greater Akron.

Conversations with Mary Hughes, featuring Bob Mayfield with North Water Brewing

Mary Hughes

In this episode of Conversations, Mary chats with Bob Mayfield with North Water Brewing about his 2+ decades in Kent and all of the great things happening locally.

New Nature Play Space & Story Trail at Dix Park

Andrea Metzler

The Portage Park District opened two new family-focused amenities at Dix Park on August 6, 2022, for the community to enjoy! Present to cut the ribbon on this great space were representatives of Portage Park District, Portage Park District Foundation, Reed Memorial Library and Ravenna United Fund.

Summit Artspace Expands Partnership with Kent State Through Faces of Akron Project

Grace Carter

Internationally-renowned artist and beloved Kent State University faculty member Kirk Mangus (1952-2013) loved painting people he knew from memory. “When I go into the studio, I paint and draw from memory, observations, and interpretations. This process transforms the images into an abstract realm—a dream world where memory and legend take on a different perspective. Anything is possible,” Mangus remarked in 2012.

Computational Thinking 15 - Time For Location, Location, Location

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

In the information age, a wonderful thing is the automatic navigation for automobile driving. This much appreciated capability results from the convergence of advanced computing and space technologies. The core technology is the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that can precisely fix positions anywhere on/near Earth. In fact GNSS is a global infrastructure that enables applications in many areas, making our economies more efficient and effective.

Psychic Income From a Road Less Traveled

Patrick O'Connor, Ed.D.

One common characteristic of Road Less Traveled (RLT) subjects is their community involvement and contribution to others….often those most in need. They do this incognito with little fanfare or attention. And they like it that way. Often their community service is an extension of their careers. In some ways there is a very fine line between their personal and professional lives.

Computational Thinking 14 - Face To Face With The Interface

Paul S. Wang, Ph.D.

Computers, the Internet, and the Web changed our lives in significant ways. We often can’t do without them. We control such powerful systems through their user interfaces to make them work for us. Interfaces are not limited to computers or computing. In general, the easier it is to control any given system through its interface the better. This article focuses on the interface from a computational thinking (CT) perspective, giving it the proper attention it deserves.

The Last Dreamer 1927-2022

Patrick O'Connor, Ed.D.

Frances Mae Resik Rottman joined her many departed family members and friends on April 24, 2022. She received an appropriate and well earned send off on April 30. Four generations of relatives and friends mourned and celebrated together. It was a stunning turnout for someone who lived 95 amazing years. As often happens at such times, an unexpected event comforted those attending. A poem/prayer she read each day was found by her daughter. The poem and the origin of it follow the eulogy delivered at her service. Her life was chronicled in her Road Less Traveled, The Last Dreamer, which appeared in AroundKent magazine in fall, 2018 (vol.16), which can be read after the Eulogy.

Transforming Akron Into a Dynamic Urban Destination Through the Arts

Curated Storefront is an ongoing series of public art exhibits that activate empty storefronts with art installations in downtown Akron. For the past six years, Curated Storefront has activated 29 spaces with 118 exhibits featuring the work of 165 regional and international artists and personally engaged over 5,000 individuals through guided educational tours, virtual live-stream and in-person events. To date, 13 of the 27 buildings activated with exhibits were commercially developed or revitalized post project start.

Visual Art Showcase - Kwamé Gomez

Mark Keffer, MFA

The vast array of approaches to artmaking produces a perpetually engaging arena for communication and expression. Myriad mediums, philosophies, styles and motivations create a field of inquiry that exists without limits. Even artists working in the same medium, covering similar territory, will generally produce very distinct outcomes.

Visual Art Showcase - Samantha Bias

Mark Keffer, MFA

Photography is a ubiquitous medium in contemporary society, and one that most people have the means of creating at any time. The quickness and ease of photography today produces an endless stream of mundane, throwaway images that generally remain in digital format, never intended to be printed. This state of affairs can make the sight of a thoughtfully and carefully created hard copy photograph even more special. When the subject transcends the cursory and the printing process produces a physical object of esthetic weight, the experience of the photograph can be a rich and multifaceted discovery.

Wisdom from The Road Less Traveled

Patrick O'Connor, Ed.D.

This edition of the Road Less Traveled features wisdom from subjects featured in aroundKent Magazine. Wisdom is a quality or concept most people have grown accustomed to hearing. It is often associated with people who have lived long, successful lives. It is difficult to describe as it is one of those “you know it when you see or hear it” qualities. Most people know and have known people they describe as wise and seek their wisdom. But what exactly is wisdom?