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As high school seniors and their parents spend the upcoming school year planning their futures and choosing their colleges, they may want to sharpen their focus and take a look at Stark County.

Stark County is home to five — yes, five — highly respected colleges and universities.

It’s something locals often take for granted. It’s not common for so many places of higher education to be so concentrated in one county.

Brides and grooms agonize over the details of their wedding — what they’ll serve, how they’ll decorate, what their attendants will wear — but they often give too little thought to one of the most fun and memorable aspects of the big day: getting there in style. Darcey Lohman, a wedding planner for Big City Bride in Chicago, offers some fun options.

1. Ciao, mama!

“There’s a guerilla aspect to what’s happening here in Canton and with the artists in Massillon. When the economy tanked, it forced people to be more creative, to hustle with less. Some people have really shown their mettle.” -Joseph Close

Working in an old garage-turned-studio, using discarded junk found by dumpster diving, and driven to create new work whether or not anyone is buying, scruffy-yet-savvy Joseph Close personifies the downtown bohemian artist.

“Fashion was not only supposed to make women beautiful, but to reassure them, to give them confidence, to allow them to come to terms with themselves.”

– Yves St. Laurent

Whatever your mood, it seems Gervasi Vineyard & Italian Bistro has the ambience to match.

Among the choices:

The Bistro in a restored 1800s barn, offering upscale dining in a lively atmosphere.

The downstairs “cantino di vino,” with an intimate wine cellar atmosphere.

The romantic “balconatta” loft, where plush love seats beckon.

The festive outdoor Piazza, with a casual patio menu, fire pit, live music, bocce and yard toss.

What could be more fun for a bride-to-be than creating a registry? It’s like a fantasy shopping trip, and those beautiful household items will be the backdrop for a couple’s married life. It may be tempting to just take that registry gun and zap half the items in the store, but a little planning is key. Here are some tips for doing a registry right.

    Ah, life is good.
    Idyllic summer days spent at your lakeside cottage with the children and grandchildren create memories you hope will last throughout their lives.
    And it's an experience you hope you can pass on to the future generations of your family.