The Museum is totally run by volunteers and friends, (over 300 of them). Guided tours can be taken 6 days a week. One of the many very knowledgeable and friendly tour guides will show you all there is to see, in this massive collection of airplanes, equipment, and war memorabilia. Volunteers work on and restore aircrafts that are donated to the museum. Some have been in 'restoration' for 6- 10 years. Dilligent workers strive to restore every possible detail to it's original condition. This is a Vietnam era helicopter, single blade.
There is even a Russian 'Mig" that they will let you sit in for a great photo opportunity. This is one of several open cockpit bi-planes on display. This is a replica of the plane made famous by Snoopy; the "Sopwith Camel" which really flies. It has only one engine speed, so it is controlled by switching the engine on and off. This is a 'Smart Bomb' made by Goodyear aerospace. It had the ability to be guided to it's target. This is a reconnaisance plane used during the Vietnam War. It still flies, but the armaments are not real. Several real jet engines are also on display, with one 'cutaway' to see the interior workings. There is also a model room, with thousands of models on display. There is a memorabilia room, where many exhibits have been donated, and are currently on display. The museum is a great bargain, at only $8 general admission, and discounts are also available. The tour takes approximately two hours, and maybe a little longer if you want to see everything. It is well worth checking out for the entire family. The museums hours are: Sun. 11-30 am-4pm Tues-Sat: 9am-4pm. Closed Mondays. Group tours and catered events can be arranged, just call 330-896-6332 or 877-627-7247 Website: www.mapsairmuseum.org 
Stark and Summit County residents have a special little "Gem" right here in their own backyard. The MAPS AIR Museum is located on the West side of the grounds of the Akron-Canton Regional Airport, and is accessible from Massillon Rd, about 1 mile South of Greensburg Rd.
The Ohio Canal was originally created in the early 1800's to transport goods, and materials North from Lake Erie all the way South across the state of Ohio to the Ohio River. It was completely hand dug, with the aid of farm animals. It was fed with water from the Cuyahoga, and Tuscarawus Rivers, (which run beside it much of it's length). Many Canal Boats traversed the canal, being pulled by mule or oxen, using ropes to pull the heavy boats down the canal from the adjacent towpath. The boats had to go through many different locks, as the surrounding terrain changed. The Canal became obsolete in the late 1800's, early 1900's as steam powered railways took over. Today, most all of the locks are gone, except for their concrete moorings, but most of the canal still has water, and the towpath has been turned into a bike/hike trail that is most enjoyable to ride or walk. The terrain is mostly very level, so it is an easy path for even beginning bikers and hikers to navigate. This bridge, near Manchester Rd is where the path starts. (Nesmith Lake is on the other side of the bridge.) This section extends down to past the southern borders of Barberton. There is another section, that is not yet connected, that starts not far from there in Clinton, goes through Canal Fulton, and Massilon. The path is lined with crushed limestone, and is easy to navigate. This was also the site of the Indian Portage, where they carried their canoes to travel from lake to river. The placard tells of Chief Hopocan, who fought in this area, and signed many of the early treaties. Plant life, frogs and turtles can be seen along the canal. The water no longer flows as it once did, because the locks are not used to control the water flow any longer. This was a very enjoyable bike ride. The path is shaded nearly the entire length, which makes it pleasant to ride even on fairly hot days. If you would like to explore this path, it is about a 6-7 mile stretch, with parking on Manchester Rd. near Nesmith lake. Take the family out for a bike ride. Even the little ones will be able to keep up on this level path. 
Portage Lakes is a series of small lakes, connected by channels and man made canals. There are 9 connected lakes, and 4 others that feed in or out of the system to the Ohio Canal, and Muskingum river. The 9 lakes have 21 miles of shoreline, and were built as a feeder system to the Ohio canal to help maintain the 4ft depth of the canal for transport of goods South to the Ohio river. Originally, the lakes fed the canal, and served as drainage and flood control for the area.
The shoreline became populated with mostly small summer cottages, a few hotels, canoe liveries, and several small restaurants. The cottages were built with mainly summer occupancy in mind, and there was no building code. Gradually, the old summer cottages gave way to larger, and more permanent housing.
Every year, at Portge Lakes, they put on a boat parade for the 4th of July celebration. Above is one of the entries from this year, decorated like a viking ship.
Some cottages were demolished, and some were merely "built around", or added on to, leaving the original core structures intact. This was done, mainly to comply with the new laws for septic systems. If part of the old structure and foundation remained, then the existing septic system could still be used. If it was completely torn down, then the septic would have to meet new requirements, and many times there was not enough land available to comply.
Today, the transformation of Portage Lakes from summer cottages to beautiful permanent residences is nearly complete, with only a very few of the old, unimproved residences remaining. The ones that were built around or added onto present some unique challenges to home inspectors, and realtors. Sometimes, very old plumbing and electrical systems have been built over, disguised, or hidden by the new construction or improvements, so great care must be taken when inspecting these. Although most of the time improvements were done properly, there are still some out there that weren't. As properties changed hands, many of these "improvements" have no record of how or when they were done.
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It is often said that "You get back what you give". But sometimes you don't get back what you give. Especially if it is given in the wrong spirit, or frame of mind.
When we give away something in business, it is usually because we want or expect to get something back (more business, more referrals, etc.) But what if we change that business model just a bit, and decide that we are going to give- without the expectation of getting something back?
In other words, start doing things because we care, or have a passion for them, and because we want the best for people we know and associate with.
Not because of what THEY can do for US. Don't you think people would notice that kind of attitude, and respond to it much quicker, than the typical "I'll do this for you, if you do this for me" thing that we all get into the habit of doing every day? Just some food for thought.
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Kevin is truly an experienced home inspector with great communication skills. He's been inspecting homes in Ohio for over 22 years! Specializing in First Time Buyers, Warranty & Investor Inspections.
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