Four Massillon men who grew up on Massillon’s west side during the mid-1900s will return to speak at MassMu’s September Brown Bag Lunch. They will be telling different stories from those they related at their popular August program, when the size of the audience required that the large exterior door to the lawn be opened to accommodate additional guests outside. This time, a changing display of west side photographs will be projected on the wall of Gessner Hall throughout the presentation, and Johnnie Maier will greet guests on arrival with live ethnic music typical of Columbia Heights entertainment.

The panelists are Rudy Turkal, Massillon historian and memorabilia collector, who grew up amidst the ethnic diversity of Columbia Heights; Mel Herncane, who feels that being raised on Massillon’s west side was the best thing that ever happened to him; attorney Tom Ferrero, whose Columbia Heights family owned the iconic Venice Spaghetti House; and west-sider Fred DeGordon, who was the catalyst for the panel discussions.

Marva Dodson’s scheduled September presentation will be postponed until 2023 to accommodate her medical situation, but visitors can see her CHARISMA Collection in the Museum's Aultman Health Foundation Gallery through November 9.

The program will accent MassMu’s second-floor local history gallery exhibit, which has been refreshed with historic west side photographs and artifacts representing businesses, bands, military heroes, and schools.

Admission to a Brown Bag Lunch is free and no reservations are required. Guests may bring their own lunches; purchase sandwiches, a salad and smoothies at Greatness Cafe in the Museum lobby; or simply enjoy complimentary cookies and coffee.

What − MassMu Brown Bag Lunch Program, “Growing up on the West Side”

Where − Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way East, downtown Massillon

More −massillonmuseum.org or 330-833-4061