This is my third year going to the Rib White and Blue fest and it has gotten progressively better…read more Some of which is just learning and adapting. First trip out was early in the day. I was new to the area so did not realize Lock 3 was basically at the college campus. Then means that the vast majority of the buildings and what few restaurants were around are based on college being in session. So the trip was a little of a bust. Also did not go during the judging. Second trip went a little later in the afternoon but I went way to early to hear the bands play. So it was still fun, lots of great food, but only so so experience. So this last trip, went about 6:30 pm. Lots of space to still put up your chairs. Food and crowd were great. Managed to eat all the BBQ and funnel cake one needs. Grabbed some drinks sat down and listened to the band. Then when we were treated to one of the best fireworks experience I have ever had. It is not that they are New York quality, but they are still great and in your face close. It was amazing. the show went on for about 15 - 20 minutes. Once it was over and time to go, it took a few minutes to get the cars in the garage moving, but once all of the police were in place, it was off to the races and we were able to get out and down the street in short order. Police did a great job.

Walked down from work for lunch. I didn't have any idea which place to choose, so followed my nose…read moreto Big Boned BBQ. I'm a sucker for a good smoky smell! Ordered up a pulled pork sandwich meal with cornbread, slaw, & beans. Surprised that the sandwich came "pre-sauced", but added some of their spicy sauce to my sandwich & beans. This meal was WAY more than I needed for lunch. The pulled pork was smoky, saucy, and tasty. A little fatty, but still de-lish. The slaw was kind of sweet, & had bits of pineapple in it - a sure change of pace, and good. Cornbread was soft & sweet, almost cake-like. A little too much so, but good. Beans were mediocre, glad I spiced them up with sauce. Hope to return to the festival again before it ends. Need to check out some other competitors!

Confession my wife is 1/2 Greek and we had her mom along with us this year who was born in Greece…read more They both enjoyed the lamb shank and none of us could pass on the little donut balls that they bring around. My favorite and choice this year was Pastitsio which is a lasagne like dish but with wonderful spice seasoned into the meat. After filling up on the food and enjoying the live music we burned some calories walking through the shops, silent auction and garage sale in the basement. It's such a lively, warm community that you feel like an extension of it right away. Last piece of advice - try something outside your comfort zone maybe Dolmades or Spanikopita.

ANNUNCIATION IS CELEBRATING ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY!…read more The Annunciation Greek Festival is in its 58th year and is hosted by Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Akron. As I was reviewing information regarding local activities, this festival popped up. We all know that when we hear "Greek Festival", it is akin to ringing a dinner bell. The festival was scheduled to open up at 11 am and we arrived shortly before to get the "lay of the land". The one thing I really appreciated about this event is that it was free and parking was on site. I have never attended a "free" festival so this was a very nice surprise. There were two dining options available, (inside with a buffet style option and outside in the tent with individual items offered). We chose to eat under the tent although we would love to have been in a more open and airy space. We were "early birds" so we moved through the line with ease. We purchased gyros, salad, fries and beverages. The gyro was one of the best I have EVER tasted. The meat was fresh, had great texture and was appropriately seasoned. Those fries were perfectly prepared as they were cooked with the skin on and lightly seasoned. The salad was used to dress the gyro. Perfect! Most importantly, it wasn't overly salted and did not have that heavily processed taste. It was heavenly and I would love to return for dinner when the entertainment will be on and popping! Today's festival does not end until 11pm so you still have plenty of time to enjoy some great food, entertainment, and shopping. Don't just sit there, get moving!!

I saw them at the haymaker farmers market in Kent and tried a few things. I will definitely be…read moreback. Yes, of course the prices are much higher than in the supermarket, but consider that the animals are raised properly and the food is minimally processed and local . in other words, there's no chance of something weird being done to it along the assembly line, or feedlot, and the animals being in questionable health because of it, like with the enormous commercial farms that have the big brand names.(at the care that they provide the livestock is the minimum possible to turn the most profit.) Never mind, what's healthy for the consumer! This farm is raising food that tasted like food used to do when I was growing up 40 years ago . Beef tastes rich and beefy . The other meat is similarly good flavor like it is supposed to be, and you know you're not ingesting chemicals without knowing it or something that was irradiated. Eggs are completely different from the stuff you get in the supermarket unless you have been buying pasture raised organic eggs from there. If you are then there's no buying them from here you know for a fact they were local and are very fresh. Six dollars a dozen is worthwhile for food that is actually good tasting and nutritious. And you know it was not in the refrigerator for a month. It's a case of you get what you pay for so I have no complaint about the prices. They are reasonable considering everything you have to do to raise good food properly. And what good is Food if you don't enjoy it and it doesn't nourish you.? I don't think that's a wise use of money. Plus supporting your local business.

Raw milk can contain a variety of disease-causing pathogens, as demonstrated by numerous scientific…read morestudies. These studies, along with numerous foodborne outbreaks, clearly demonstrate the risk associated with drinking raw milk. Pasteurization effectively kills raw milk pathogens without any significant impact on milk nutritional quality.

I'm writing this review after hearing a deeply disturbing story from my younger sister, who was a…read morestudent in the Stow School District. Over the years, she visited this establishment multiple times through school-organized field trips. Her earlier experiences seemed educational and age-appropriate, but her final visit in 8th grade was traumatizing and completely unacceptable. On her first visit, she was a young child, excited to explore history. She remembers playing with wooden toys and engaging in fun, interactive activities. It was a harmless and enjoyable experience. On her second visit in 4th grade, the experience was still fairly lighthearted--she milked cows, churned butter, and watched glassblowers at work. It seemed like a continued effort to connect children with the past in a safe and engaging way. But her third visit in 8th grade took a shocking and horrifying turn. During this "A Fugitive's Path: Escape on the Underground Railroad" experience, my sister and her classmates were: Placed in shackles and treated like slaves Forced to simulate escaping through the Underground Railroad Exposed to the sound of blank bullets being shot into the air Surrounded by the cracking of whips Yelled at and intimidated by adults playing the roles of slave catchers or owners This wasn't education--it was trauma packaged as a learning experience. As her older sibling, hearing her describe the fear, humiliation, and confusion she felt during this simulation was gut-wrenching. I cannot understand how any school district, let alone an educational institution trusted with children's development, would approve of such a psychologically scarring experience. How could you slowly build a relationship with this place over several years, only to subject children--still minors--to a reenactment of slavery that includes the sounds of gunfire and whips? What kind of message does that send? What makes anyone believe that this is appropriate or effective? Let me be very clear: no child should ever have to go through this. Teaching about the horrors of slavery is important--but traumatizing children in the process is not education. It's irresponsible and deeply damaging. To the school district and the organizers of this program: What made you think this was okay? You crossed a line that should never be crossed. You failed these students. As a sibling, I'm heartbroken. And as a community member, I'm calling for serious accountability and immediate re-evaluation of what is considered "educational." This should never happen again--to any child, in any school, anywhere. This event took place in 2013-2014 school year however her trauma is still valid in 2025!!!!!!!!

My first time and what a great experience. The grounds were lovely although did need the grass cut…read more All of the employees were great with the exception of one who was not age appropriate and came off as mean.

Ellington Farms is a local family farm that was founded in 2010 and raises beef, chicken, and pork…read more The owners are sixth-generation farmers and studied animal science at Ohio State. They do not administer any growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics, and they provide specialized nutritious diets to their animals. Chickens are cage-free and roam pastures. The Ellington family sells their foods through their website, onsite market, and farmers markets. Food can be either picked up or delivered. Prices are OK, and they sometimes have sales. So far, I have purchased their brisket, bacon, beef round tips, and chicken. These foods were a high quality--very fresh and flavorful. Ellington Farms's other products include steaks, pork chops, ham, sausage, ground beef, and eggs. If you want to support a small local business that treats their farm animals well, then I encourage you to visit the website for current hours or to order food online.

Woolf Farms is a family-owned farm that grows fruits and vegetables, including apples, peaches,…read morenectarines, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, plums, pears, grapes, corn, asparagus, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, peas, potatoes, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and lettuce. Quite the list! I have never visited this farm in person, but I have bought many of their products online for delivery. They sell their products through their market, various farmers markets, Market Wagon, and their summertime CSA. They grow numerous types of apples. I have tried their granny smith, honeycrisp, ida red, melrose, gold rush, crimson crisp, evercrisp, golden delicious, nittany, cameo, pink lady, and sun crisp. Wow, that is a lot of varieties of apples! My all-time favorite apple is the evercrisp, which is a cross between the honey crisp and fuji apples. Seriously, these evercrisp apples are huge, juicy, sweet, and tart! I have also bought Woolf Farm's apple cider many times. For their apple cider, they press 10-15 varieties of apples. The cider contains no preservatives or added sugar, and it is treated with ultraviolet light rather than heat. This apple cider is very sweet and refreshing to drink, and it is probably the best that I have ever tasted in my life. Some of their other products that I have tried are strawberries and free-range eggs, which were also good. I do not know that their products are organic, but they taste good, and prices are average.

I bought a half quart if peaches from this business at the Cleveland Clinic Farmer's Market…read morerecently and 2 of the 4 were spoiled.

One of the Best Festivals If its kind in the country, In…read morethe era of $150.00 dollar attraction for the money. $10.00 is a great Deal Many stages of live entertainment , Hugh quality Crafters, great food, Love exhibitions , Any one who doesn't see the art of this festival needs to stick with Tractor pulls and flee markets!!!!

This is by far my favorite festival. All of the vendors sell high-quality merchandise and the food…read moreis delicious!

This is a great local find where you can choose your own lavender plants. They have a very well…read morelaid out establishment that is clean easy to find and very well maintained. It is very inviting and I noticed that every time I pass by here when this is in season, there are plenty of customers and many people who repeat coming time after time.

Lavender Trails is a former industrial site that has been transformed into beautiful lavender…read moregardens and pollinator habitat. For a nominal entrance fee, you get a guided tour and education about the different varieties (11 grown here), how it's grown, and how they're experimenting with soil. You can pick your own bundle for just $10, and also shop for artisan-made goods like lavender-infused honey and salt, essential oils, turned wooden vases, and more. Definitely worth the drive to be surrounded by such beauty, lovely aroma, and friendly staff. For those familiar with the area, it's right next to Will-Burt.