2013's Most Eligible Singles

Someone here is afraid of ketchup. Another has  a bunny named Poopers. And another hates birthday candles. Honestly. We can’t make this stuff up. Meet About magazine’s fourth class
of Most Eligible Singles – and all their personalities – in the pages that follow.

Vanessa Drozda
Age: 37
Occupation: Independent owner and operator of Vida Design Salon, where I am hair and makeup designer. Also, I am a color adviser for Joico.
Resides: Jackson Township
Community activities: Volunteer for various local events. Also taught PSR (Sunday school) at St. Barbara’s Church in Massillon. I now attend St. Peters Church downtown, which I love. My next venture is to teach yoga at a place where people normally wouldn’t have the financial means or accessibility to do so.
Describe your perfect mate: I enjoy being with someone who is very motivated and driven, yet likes to have fun and has a great sense of wit and humor. Someone who is educated, bright and is open to new things. Someone who likes to spend time with our families and friends and loves to travel. He has to be trustworthy and stay true to his word. He would understand how important it is to make time for one another and is a gentleman that knows how to treat a lady.
Describe your perfect date night: My perfect date night would be to get dressed up and go to dinner somewhere nice and then go see a play, a show, or concert. Then maybe go for a glass of wine and good conversation.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): Health, Marie Claire, Yoga Journal, People Style.
One thing you can’t live without: Yoga! I discovered yoga a few years ago, and it has completely transformed my life. There is a body, mind and spirit connection that I was not getting out of my traditional workouts. I am very eager to begin teaching and bring the positive energy of yoga into others’ lives!
Most people don’t know: I am of Italian descent, and it has always been my dream to go to Italy. In 2013, I intend to make that dream come true. As incentive to myself, I just got Rosetta Stone language, and I am learning Italiano!
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... Dog. She is such a lover! So if she doesn’t like you, it’s not a good sign.
Favorite place in Stark County: Gervasi — it’s like a little paradise.
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? Dogs
Dancer or wallflower? Dancer
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
Beer or wine? Wine — my favorite is Piové Riesling from Gervasi
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate – Lindts 85% dark is my favorite
Winter or summer? I live for summer!! I’m a July baby
Beach or mountains? It’s just not a vacation unless there’s a beach!
Books or movies? I’m always reading a book!
Texting or calling? Texting, but if it’s aN involved conversation, just call!
Eyes or smile? Smile :-) I love a sense of humor
Mac or PC? PC
Hot or cold? Hot, I hate being cold
Drama or comedy? Comedy, because I love laughing and smiling!
Morning or night? Morning — early bird catches the worm
White or wheat? Wheat — I’m a health food nut

Mark Butterworth
Age: 41
Occupation: Ohio director, Herbert W. Hoover Foundation; Instant Replay Communicator, NFL
Resides: Canton
Community activities: J Babe Stern Center board of directors; Domestic Violence Project, Inc. board of trustees; Kickball League of Ohio; First Friends Youth Basketball coach.
Describe your perfect mate: A laid-back woman with a beautiful smile who can laugh at herself, who can wear jeans or an evening gown, who dances like no one is watching, who likes to hold hands, who is spontaneous, funny, intelligent and trustworthy – my best friend.
Describe your perfect date night:  The perfect date night is great conversation over dinner followed by an incredibly fun night out together laughing. Not wanting the night to end, the “perfect” comes in with the hopeful and anxious anticipation of a follow up text from her ...
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated, Runners World.
One thing you can’t live without: My children.
Most people don’t know: I really enjoy baking and I don't like scary movies, at all, ever.
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... dog.
Favorite place in Stark County: Jogging on the Stark Park Trails.
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? Dogs - my black lab is a feisty, attention grabbing 3-year-old spaz
Dancer or wallflower? I'm definitely a dancer, although most people say I should be a wallflower
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook, when used appropriately
Chocolate or vanilla?  Vanilla everything from milkshakes to cupcakes – including white chocolate!
Winter or summer? Few things beat out a white blanket of snow that muffles out the world
Beach or mountains? A week at the beach is therapy for the soul
Books or movies? Movies are a must, either in the theater or on blu-ray
Texting or calling? Texting for sure – It’s a quick and easy way to let someone know you are thinking about them
Eyes or smile? A smile speaks a 1,000 words!!
Mac or PC?  If Apple and Best Buy had a kid ... his name would be Mark!
Hot or cold? I'm very warmblooded so cold is fine – my house is set at 68 degrees in the winter.
Drama or comedy? I’d rather go to the theater to experience a Drama and watch a comedy at home.  Overall, I prefer a Thriller or a Rom-Com – where good prevails and the nice guy gets the girl.
Morning or night?  Yes – I am the rare exception of a night owl and an early bird.
White or wheat? Wheat for everything except for pizza!

Chris Solomon
Age: 48
Occupation: I sell cars for Jeff’s Motorcars in North Canton.
Resides: Plain Township
Community activities: I am connected to the community through my work at Jeff’s Motorcars, with various charity auctions and civic activities through the year.
Describe your perfect mate: I don’t think people can be perfect. But an essential quality is chemistry! If you are with the right person, then the time you spend together just flows naturally. He does have to be a nonsmoker though.
Describe your perfect date night: When I look forward to seeing him again for the next date night.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): Consumer Reports, cooking magazines, fashion magazines.
One thing you can’t live without: Laughter – if you can't find something to laugh about daily, then you're too stressed.
Most people don’t know: I have my real-estate broker’s license.
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... Independence.
Favorite place in Stark County: I don’t have just one particular favorite place. It depends on if it’s dinner, exercising, a night out or just a place to get together with good friends.
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? DOGS, I am allergic to cats  
Dancer or wallflower? Dancer
Facebook or Twitter? Neither!
Beer or wine? Wine
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
Winter or summer? Summer
Beach or mountains? Beach
Books or movies? Movies
Texting or calling? Calling ... I’m not a fan of texting because you don’t always know the context in which the text was meant.
Eyes or smile? Smile – I think when someone smiles, it’s a window into their true personality
Mac or PC? PC
Hot or cold? Hot
Drama or comedy? Comedy – I love to laugh and to make people laugh
Morning or night? I fluctuate on this one
White or wheat? Normally white, but I’m trying to be more health conscious, so I’m switching to wheat

Laura Keller
Age: 30
Occupation: Registered nurse
Resides: Canal Fulton
Community activities: Church
Describe your perfect mate: A guy with strong leadership qualities and a Biblical worldview.
Describe your perfect date night: Dinner.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): Nursing 2012, Ohio magazine.
One thing you can’t live without: Prayer.
Most people don’t know: I am left-handed.
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... Family.
Favorite place in Stark County: Stark Parks.
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? Cats
Dancer or wallflower? Wallflower
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
Beer or wine? I don’t drink alcohol
Chocolate or vanilla? Twist
Winter or summer? Summer
Beach or mountains? Beach
Books or movies? Books
Texting or calling? Texting
Eyes or smile? Smile
Mac or PC? PC
Hot or cold? Hot
Drama or comedy? Comedy
Morning or night? Morning
White or wheat? Wheat

Daniel Williams
Age: 45
Occupation: Certified fitness trainer (Group training, boot camps, kickboxing, cardio fusion), personal training and corporate fitness trainer for Mercy Medical, Diebold and Kenan Advantage Group
Resides: Perry Township
Describe your perfect mate: A woman  who is sincere and loyal. A woman who enjoys the simple pleasures but also would like to experience new and exciting things together. Someone who is independent but still can depend on me for anything.
Describe your perfect date night: I would love to get dressed up and go to a nice wine bar and sit and have drinks and just talk like no one else is around, and then have a amazing dinner and listen to great live music.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): Men's Health, Success Magazine.
One thing you can't live without: Other than my daughters, my 5-hour Energy drink.  
Most people don't know: My youngest daughter (Clara) and myself always watch Disney Channel together and our favorite show is “Good Luck Charlie.” Well, even when she isn't with me, I watch that show by myself. It is hilarious!
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... Daughters, they are my life and I would love to share them with someone special. I promise, that someone will adore them!
Favorite place in Stark County: The McKinley Monument. I take my clients there for workouts when the weather is nice, and I love to run the steps for a great workout myself. It’s an amazing place!
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? Dogs – My daughters and I have A dog
Dancer or wallflower? I am a Dancer – very social and outgoing
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook – Can't live without it!
Beer or wine? Wine!
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate  
Winter or summer? Summer over Winter, but Fall over all seasons!
Beach or mountains? I like driving through the mountains to get to the beach!
Books or movies? I like to read, but a good movie that moves and inspires is great! Plus you can share a movie with someone else.
Texting or calling? Texting for short conversations, but if you really want to talk and express feelings, it’s best to call and hear a real voice
Eyes or smile? Both! Eyes and a smile define a person ... if they are amazing then you can't take your eyes off them!
Mac or PC? I have a PC, but AM seriousLY considering a Mac
Hot or cold? Cold for a good night’s sleep, but Hot to get through the day!
Drama or comedy?  That's hard to choose ... But a feel-good comedy would be my favorite
Morning or night? Mornings ... a good morning gets the day started off right!
White or wheat? White

Jonathan Morris
Age: 46
Occupation: Lawyer
Resides: Perry
Community activities: Have served on various nonprofit boards of directors, including United Way, ABCD and FREED.
Describe your perfect mate: Smart, fun and attractive.
Describe your perfect date night: Big steak (medium rare), great red wine, laughter, dancing and, oh yeah, a girl.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): Nothing fun, mainly legal stuff — except for Highlights for my nine-year-old daughter.
One thing you can’t live without: Family.
Most people don’t know: I ran my second marathon this year; well, actually people do know because I keep bragging about it.
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... Pet bunny rabbit named Poopers.
Favorite place in Stark County: Stadium Park walking/running trail – in spite of the geese.
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? Dogs by a landslide
Dancer or wallflower? Dancer extraordinaire – just watch your toes
Facebook or Twitter? Neither really
Beer or wine? Tough call, depends on setting ... beer by a nose, I guess
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate for everything except ice cream, then vanilla
Winter or summer? Easiest question yet: Summer!
Beach or mountains? Beaches (kinda goes hand-in-hand with the summer thing)
Books or movies? Movies (boy was I tempted to lie on this one!)
Texting or calling? Old school, calling; although texting is growing on me – who knows maybe Facebook or Twitter will be next
Eyes or smile? Smiles are nice; pretty eyes are magic
Mac or PC? PC
Hot or cold? You should be able to answer that yourself by now
Drama or comedy? I’ll take a good laugh anytime!
Morning or night? Night owl
White or wheat? Wheat

Stephanie Gallagher
Age: 28
Occupation: Graduate teaching assistant, University of Akron; bartender at Picciano’s
Resides: Plain Township
Describe your perfect mate: Someone who is ambitious, confident and intellectual. Also, a positive outlook on life is a must!
Describe your perfect date night: Dinner and drinks downtown.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): None.
One thing you can’t live without: Chapstick.
Most people don’t know: I’m terrified of ketchup. No, I never had a traumatic experience, before you ask. I’m just afraid of it. I don’t know why.
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... sense of humor. Someone once told me I had absolutely no sense of humor, and it was probably the meanest thing anyone has ever said to me. I think one of the greatest joys in life is making people laugh, and I try to do it as often as possible.
Favorite place in Stark County: Kent Stark. Since graduating, I’ve stayed close with all of my professors and maintain close connections there and visit often. During finals, it’s still my home away from home.
THIS OR THAT?
Dancer or wallflower? I LOVE to dance!
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook. 140 characters is just not enough!
Beer or wine? Martinis!
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate – from Heggy’s!
Winter or summer? Summer
Beach or mountains? Beach – There’s nothing like reading a good book on the beach
Books or movies? Books ... I won’t watch a movie unless I’ve read the book first
Texting or calling? Calling – I always prefer to hear someone’s voice
Eyes or smile? Eyes – A genuine person smiles with their eyes
Mac or PC? Mac ... I can’t figure out Apple products!
Hot or cold? Hot ... If it isn’t 90+ degrees, I’m freezing
Drama or comedy? Comedy. I love quoting funny lines from movies!
Morning or night? I’m a graduate student – I’m awake but tired for both
White or wheat? Doesn’t matter, I love carbs!

Tim Carmany
Age: 27
Occupation: Artist
Resides: Plain Townsip
Community activities: Organized Canton Prom, New Grams Eve, opened my own gallery.
Describe your perfect mate: Someone who knows when to kick my ass and when to go with the flow.
Describe your perfect date night: Probably a Friday night.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): ESPN, Nat Geo.
One thing you can’t live without: Arizona Green Tea.
Most people don’t know: I hate birthday candles.
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... Sisters.
Favorite place in Stark County: The Hub on Sixth Street!
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? Dog. Singular. More than that is a problem.
Dancer or wallflower? Ha! Dancer
Facebook or Twitter? Twitter
Beer or wine? Gin
Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla
Winter or summer? SUMMER
Beach or mountains? BEACH
Books or movies? Movies
Texting or calling? Call me
Eyes or smile?  Smiles ... Lots of them
Mac or PC? Split
Hot or cold? Hot
Drama or comedy? Comedy
Morning or night? Night
White or wheat? Wheat

Kristen Petrilla
Age: 33
Occupation: Director of community relations and education, Quest Recovery and Prevention Services
Resides: Canton
Community activities: Volunteer at Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Center; Junior League of Stark County; Aultman Women’s Board; Community Harvest, board member; YStark.
Describe your perfect mate: Someone who has a good grip on life. As my friend, Kate, would say, “someone who drives their own bus.”
Describe your perfect date night: Exploring the local scene. Stark County has an amazing group of local businesses from restaurants to shops, and they are really great to check out.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): Unfortunately, About is the only magazine I subscribe to.
One thing you can’t live without: My amazing friends!
Most people don’t know: I don’t know how much of a secret it is, but I am a big nerd and a grammar junkie. I know the difference between your and you’re.
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... mom and dad (not that you wouldn’t, because they are pretty cool).
Favorite place in Stark County: Downtown Canton
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? Both
Dancer or wallflower? Dancer!
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
Winter or summer? Neither, fall in Ohio is the best season – I love sweater weather!
Beach or mountains? Both
Books or movies? Books
Texting or calling? Calling
Eyes or smile? Definitely the smile
Mac or PC? PC
Hot or cold? Hot
Drama or comedy? Comedy
Morning or night? Morning
White or wheat? Wheat

Holly Mueller
Age: 28
Occupation: Director of public relations for WRL Advertising
Resides: Plain Township
Community activities: Stark County Women’s Impact Group; Canton, Massillon, Greater Akron and Jackson-Belden chambers of commerce; PRSA and Canton Advertising Federation member; Jackson Local Schools Foundation board member; committee member for the Canton Palace Theatre Association.
Describe your perfect mate: It’s always been about someone who makes me laugh. Physical connection is important; however, sense of humor, a strong sense of self-confidence and a great conversationalist would be perfect!
Describe your perfect date night: I’m a hopeless romantic – and a compulsive planner (it’s in my DNA)! So, a perfect date night would be for a man to take the initiative and plan the entire thing. Whatever the activity, a man who can plan is so attractive.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): Of course, I love reading About! I also enjoy reading Glamour, People, Time, Newsweek – and I like browsing Pinterest for decorating and fashion ideas.
One thing you can’t live without: My mom.
Most people don’t know: I love to play the piano, sing and write music. I’m saving up to buy a baby grand one day!
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... bucket list. I have a lot of things on there that I’m excited to do – and am constantly finding new and amazing things to add to it. Dance at Brazil’s Carnival, fly to a Seattle Bed and Breakfast on a whim, ride a train through Europe. Just a few!
Favorite place in Stark County: Lake O’Springs; my dad used to take me fishing all the time there when I was little. Some of my best childhood memories are fishing with him.
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? Both!
Dancer or wallflower? Dancer
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
Beer or wine? Wine
Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla
Winter or summer? Summer
Beach or mountains? Beach
Books or movies? Books
Texting or calling? Calling
Eyes or smile? Smile
Mac or PC? Either – I have a PC, but love my iPad and iPhone
Hot or cold? Cold
Drama or comedy? Comedy
Morning or night? If I’m on vacation – morning. I love waking up early and taking advantage of every minute. If I’m working – night! I love going home and relaxing after work.
White or wheat? White

Aaron Joseph
Age: 34
Occupation: Owner of Horizon Audio, Alliance
Resides: Plain Township
Community activities: The Phoenicians Club, Alliance Chamber of Commerce, First Friends basketball league, Diamond indoor soccer league.
Describe your perfect mate:  Attractive, honest, faithful.
Describe your perfect date night: It’s not so important what we do as it is that we leave each other wanting more.
What magazines do you subscribe to (besides About, of course): None
One thing you can’t live without: I've learned to be content with what I have.
Most people don’t know: I haven't completely grown up yet. I read comic books regularly, and I am a perennial Wiffle ball home run derby champion.
If someone wants to date you, they must also like your ... dog Winston.
Favorite place in Stark County:  Monument Park.
THIS OR THAT?
Dogs or cats? Dogs
Dancer or wallflower? Somewhere in between
Facebook or Twitter? No thanks
Beer or wine? Beer
Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla
Winter or summer? Summer
Beach or mountains? Beach
Books or movies? Movies
Texting or calling? Calling
Eyes or smile? Smile
Mac or PC? Mac
Hot or cold? Cold
Drama or comedy? depends on my mood
Morning or night? Morning
White or wheat? White