The congregation of Crosspoint United Methodist Church (CUMC), 9687 Portage Street NW, Massillon, 44648, is planning a celebration of its recent chartering and the purchase of its first church building and is inviting the local community to join in. Some of the planned festivities for May 19 and May 20 include a performance by Mark Lee Townsend, Sunday worship, a cookout, and several children’s activities.

Join Metro Parks staff and local residents for an upcycling reception, Friday, June 1, from 7 to 9 p.m., at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron. The free event will include refreshments, raffles, giveaways and an opportunity to mingle with participants from upcycling programs who created the works of art. A recently completed community art project of 1,500 origami peace cranes will also be unveiled.

Here is a list of upcoming Akron Red Cross blood drives in the Northeast Ohio area.

The public is invited to the Massillon Public Library for a free showing of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” at 6 p.m. May 14 as part of The Big Read 2012

Tadmor Shriners will hold a comedy murder mystery dinner theatre “Mayhem and Mystery” at  May 12 at 3000 Krebs Drive, Akron,  44319. Cash bar opens at 5 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $38. All seats are reserved. For info call 330-644-8984.

Enjoy a delicious soup and salad dinner and get a sneak peek at the items for the 26th Annual Lake Center Christian School Auction from 5-8 p.m. May 5. at the Kaufman Center on the LCCS Campus,12895 Kaufman Ave., Hartville.
 

The meal and viewing is hosted by the freshman class. The menu includes a selection of soups, various salads, a drink and homemade dessert for $8 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under.

For more information, call the Kaufman Center at 330-877-4391.

Rain or shine, area youth can spend a Saturday morning casting into freshly stocked waters to see what fish they catch. Each will have to bring along a rod, reel and bait, but may also catch a prize from among those awarded in various age categories at the upcoming events.

“Fish bite, even when it’s raining,” said David Ruwadi, park division foreman of Jackson Township Public Works.

Advance registration for the inaugural Mother’s Day 5K, a fundraiser for the Metro Parks Foundation, ends Friday, April 27. The event is Sunday, May 13 at 8 a.m., at the Lake Area in Munroe Falls Metro Park, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls. The advance cost is $20/person for ages 15 and up. Day-of registration is $30/person. All participants 14 and under are FREE.

In anticipation of Earth Day, the Akron Post Office is partnering with Neoshred and the Better Business Bureau for a morning of free document shredding.

When: Saturday, April 21
Time: 9 a.m. — noon
Where: 895 E. Tallmadge Avenue Akron, 44310
 

Campers can shop for bargains and sell their own gently used gear during a special garage sale campout scheduled for April 20, 21 and 22 at the Portage Lakes State Park campgrounds.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow will headline a concert at Kent State University on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at Dix Stadium in Kent. The “Centennial Campaign” concert to benefit the Campaign for Change Scholarship Fund serves as a celebration of the conclusion of Kent State’s Centennial Campaign, a $250-million fundraising effort timed around university’s 100th anniversary in 2010 and the largest campaign in Kent State’s history.

The Friends of the Portage Lakes Library will sponsor its Spring 2012 Book Sale Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Library, 4261 Manchester Road, New Franklin.  Proceeds benefit library programs. 

“Just Another Day” Student Video Contest will be put on by the Akron Art Museum. The goal is to make a short film in two weeks. It is for ages 13-19 and all entries shown at Akron Art Museum.

The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), the state’s official source for free and unbiased Medicare information and counseling, will hold a “Welcome to Medicare” event in Stark County at the Mercy Medical Center Mercy Hall Auditorium in Canton on April 11 at 6 p.m. to help new and soon-to-be beneficiaries understand the basics of Medicare, Lieutenant Governor and Department of Insurance Director Mary Taylor announced. The auditorium is located at 1320 Mercy Dr. NW. Please call 1-800-223-8662 to RSVP.
 

The Dragon Dream Team, Ohio’s first and only all breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, is having its third annual Breast of Friends fundraiser on Saturday, April 14.  The event, Black White and Pink All Over, is going to be held at St. Joseph’s Family Center, 610 West Exchange Street, Akron.  The evening will include over 250 silent and live auction items including sports packages, vacation getaways and a "Design Your Own Dragon Boat Adventure Party."

Online registration is open for the Canal Fulton Rotary's Mother of All Races annual 5K run and first 10K run scheduled for May 5.

Lace up with the Firestone Park YMCA, the City of Akron, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund and the Akron Racers on Saturday, April 14 as they kick off the 2nd Annual Just A Run InThe Park race. The event will take participants through the famous Firestone Park Shield in Firestone Park in Akron.

The monthly meeting of the Canton Weavers and Spinners Guild will be on April 11 at 6 p.m.

AKRON  The Akron Zoo will hold their annual Breakfast with the Bunny event on March 31, April 1 and April 7 from 9 - 11 a.m. The event includes breakfast, a visit from the Bunny and an outdoor egg hunt. Reservations are required and space is limited.

Here are some events to celebrate Easter in the Greater Akron area in the coming weeks.

UPDATE: Springfield's Easter Egg Hunt is March 31.