FEATURE

AN ALTERNATIVE by Frank Rose

FROM TIME TO TIME our people try to get Akron/Canton and Cleveland involved in joint activities, causes, publications, etc. Sometimes, it works, and in some areas it won't work. Why and what seems to happen? I have some bunches.

First of all, where major league sports are involved, we all refer to the Indians, Browns, Cavaliers, etc. as ours probably a range of 150 miles east, south, and west. Those who were raised in this area know no difference. I use the Cleveland airport and refer to it as my home airport, though I live in the Akron area. The Coliseum and Blossom are both closer to Akron than Cleveland in distance and do not use the "term" Cleveland in their name. They are neutral

Bones

What I'm getting at is the genuine feeling of togetherness we feel with Canton, Massillon, Kent, Ravenna, even Warren! Think about it: all through high school you grew used to your sports and other activities involving schools 95% of the time from the above named areas. Cleveland schools have never really been involved with these. Consequently, during your important image and growth years, you were accustomed to Central playing Canton McKinley, Ravenna playing Springfield, Stow playing Perry, Walsh playing Canton Central Catholic. These schools and areas became home to you Barberton and Massillon!!

I think it is time we recognized that we are one economic and social unit and that the Cleveland area is another. We have to build our organizations within our own socio-economic boundaries, basically Summit, Stark, Wayne, Portage, and Medina counties and even the fringes in Mahoning, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Carroll Counties.

There is some logic in trying to develope a Community Center here in Akron to help better serve our area with an outreach alternative to bars, baths, or churches. I'd like to see a place where a person, for a small membership fee, could drop in to read, watch TV, play ping-pong, drink coffee or pop, have rap sessions, counselling, etc. Those groups who wished to have chapel services could also meet there. Bars, being primarily a night time function, serve a real purpose and certainly are a desireable asset. However, they certainly are not in a position to provide the type services I'm suggesting are also needed.

My theme: We need to start to develope the Metro Akron/Canton image. We have a local paper now, two fine churches, several real nice bars, and a lot of nice people. In that group are a lot of people that won't go into a bar, bath, or church for their "coming out" or use of their spare time. We owe them, espec ially our younger people, an alternative. If you are interested in participating in such a project drop me a line care of: Akron-Canton GOLD, P.O. Box 9113. Akron, Ohio 44305.

BOSTON HAIRCUTTING SAYS Akron Canton GOLD advertising "PULLS"

GET HIGH ON GOLD!

ARRON CANTON ARRON-CAN ANTO GOLD

$7.00чr

INTEGRITY/CLEVELAND

Gay Episcopalians and your friends Join us in Cleveland for fellowship on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 8 p.m. Held at The Trinity Cathedrai, Prospect Street In Akron call either: 376-5254

entrance. 867-3354

SUBSCRIBE NOW *******

for that hot summer look

or

**↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑†††††††††††

www

BOSTON

HAIR

CUTTING

Located at Quaker Square Akron For an appointment call 253-6075.