Alexa Thomas / Staff Writer

…continued from the print edition of the Stohion

     Freshman Aya Abbas used to visit SKIP’s Playground when she was younger. She discussed her memories of the experience. 

     “Every time I left my house when I was younger, I would ride my bike to SKIP Park and play there 24/7,” Abbas stated. “I could ride my bike or walk there, and it was always so fun to go. I was really sad when they took it down, but I’m so glad they’re reopening.”

     Abbas claimed that the only thing she did not enjoy about the old SKIP Park was it was only made out of wood, so she was more prone to splinters, and she would hurt her foot occasionally. She didn’t find it safe enough, and she hopes the new upcoming SKIP’s Playground will be much safer than the one previous. 

     Mayor Pribonic introduced the final footprint and equipment selection that was decided upon.

     “The new SKIP Playground components and amenities were ordered. Expected delivery of equipment is June 2022, and then, installation of the playground will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks.” 

     Prior to COVID-19, the administration had managed to acquire an estimated amount of $275,000 in pledged private donations for the project. As a result, Mayor Pribonic and the administration, along with the assistance of others, managed to raise a total of $656,000. 

     Abbas stated her feelings and input of the new SKIP Playground project.

     “I feel very happy and excited for SKIP Park to open back up again because it’s very close to my house, and I can take all my siblings. SKIP Playground was a very fun place to go, and I hope this new one will continue to be a nice and new environment for my family to enjoy, and I think parks are always fun to go to in general,” Abbas said.

     Abbas claimed she was in high spirits for the next park to reopen, and she is glad that the younger kids get to experience what she had when she was a child and begin to gather like she and her friends used to.

     “I hope all the little kids and my neighbors come back again and have a great time. I hope the park will be built more professionally than it was before, and I can’t wait to see it,” Abbas stated.

     SKIP Playground lives in the hearts of many and will continue to live in the hearts of more as the new and improved SKIP Park will be officially constructed in summer 2022. 

Makenzie Gash / Staff Writer

With Spring starting and Easter right around the corner, that leads into the fun activities that come with it.  One such activity is the Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the city of Stow. This will be taking place on April 9 from 10 am to 1 pm at Silver Springs Park.

      Residents can bring friends and family, meet the Easter Bunny and find Easter eggs with treats on the inside. Each family will have their own start time for the Scavenger Hunt and walk from station to station in a small section of the park to find 10 eggs. They will be given a map at the start. Each egg station is hosted by a local organization or a church who will fill their Easter baskets or bags full of treats. At the end of the hunt, they can meet and take pictures with the Easter bunny.

     This is a great time to get outside and see friends or family in the warm weather right as it starts to get nicer out. During the hunt and scavenging for eggs, kids run around trying to collect as many of the decorated or colored eggs that pop open and have a surprise in them. In the eggs there is always a treat, which could either be money in dollar bills or tiny candy pieces. There are eggs full of chocolate, mini chapsticks, keychains or dollars.

     Hunts have started many years ago and have been a big part of my Easter tradition with my family every year. The morning of Easter, my family and I wake up and go to church, and then come home; then, my sisters and I dye hard-boiled eggs while my parents go outside and hide eggs all over the yard in difficult places. Half an hour later, we go out and race to find them. No matter what you get, the hunt is still fun and makes parents happy. Any time is always is quality spending time with family and friends.

     Easter egg hunts have been going on for many years. The custom of the Easter egg hunt, however, comes from Germany. The origins date back to the late 16th century, when the Protestant reformer Martin Luther organised egg hunts for his congregation. The men would hide the eggs for the women and children to find. Then, over the years, the storyline has adjusted to be a more fun and modern day activity.

Community members can carry on this tradition by attending Stow’s egg hunt on April 9 or by organizing hunts of their own.