Alison Matas

Alison Matas writes for The Repository, covering Canton City Hall. She grew up in Kent and has worked for newspapers in New York, Missouri, West Virginia and Maryland—and she’s happy to call Stark County her new home. When she’s not writing, she’s usually rehearsing for an upcoming musical or choir concert, going for a run or attempting to cook.

Canton Blues Fest is back for another year

This year’s Canton Blues Fest will bring a “southern blues-rock guitar wizard” and a “modern swamp-blues master” to Stark County. The 18th annual outdoor festival is set for June 7 and 8 in Centennial Plaza (formerly Market Square). Friday night’s headliner is Tinsley Ellis, a guitarist who recently released his album “Winning Hand,” and Saturday night’s headliner is Kenny Neal, a multi-instrumentalist with a Louisiana sound. Both are touring the country this summer and stopping in Canton before making international appearances.

By Alison Matas / June 13, 2019

June '19 About Features On the Cover

Summer Adventures: At the Ice Cream Stand

Some of our favorite seasonal ice cream stands finally have reopened, and we couldn’t be more excited. Looking for a new place to try? We’re here to help: We’ve rounded up some of the best ice cream stands in Stark County. Sorry, ice cream stores—we’re skipping you this month in favor of places where we can order and eat outside. Here are some of our picks.

By Alison Matas / May 28, 2019

May '19 About Food & Dining Test Kitchen

Test Kitchen: Chilled Peach Soup with Fresh Goat Cheese

It’s almost summer (or, by the time you’re reading this, it hopefully will feel like it), so I’m skipping the oven this month and trying an entree that just uses a blender.

By Alison Matas / May 17, 2019

May '19 About Arts & Entertainment Culture Shot

“A Century of Sisterhood”

One hundred years of Massillon Woman’s Club history will be on display at the Massillon Museum this month. The exhibit “A Century of Sisterhood: A History of Massillon Woman’s Club” will open May 17 in the Fred F. Silk Community Room Gallery and run through June 23. The collection is expected to include between 40 and 50 pieces, mostly photographs.

By Alison Matas / May 13, 2019

April '19 About Food & Dining Recipes Test Kitchen

Test Kitchen: Coconut curry shrimp

I’m on an Indian-food kick at home, which started after I learned the frozen Indian meals you can buy at Trader Joe’s are pretty healthy and pretty delicious. (It’s been a busy winter.)

By Alison Matas / April 22, 2019

April '19 About Arts & Entertainment Culture Shot

“The Little Mermaid”

“The Little Mermaid,” presented by the Canton Ballet, is returning to the Canton Palace Theatre. Performed in 2015, the full-length ballet tells the familiar fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen and popularized by Disney.

By Alison Matas / April 5, 2019

April '19 About Features On the Cover Women in Business

Jennifer Jellison | Women in Business

When Jennifer Jellison was 4, she watched a dog get hit by a car on Cleveland Avenue.

By Alison Matas / March 27, 2019

March '19 About Food & Dining Test Kitchen

Test Kitchen: Glazed baked donuts

A few years ago, my friend Kelsey and I were having an adult sleepover and decided we wanted post-dinner donuts. We also decided we wanted to make them.

By Alison Matas / March 15, 2019

March '19 About Arts & Entertainment Culture Shot

Canton Artists League Show

This month, dozens of local artists will have their best pieces up for display in one place. March marks the return of the biennial Canton Artists League show held at the Canton Museum of Art. Members of the league—who range from professional to amateur—will showcase their work in the upper galleries of the museum. The art in the Visions 2019 exhibit will be judged and then awarded during a reception on March 3.

By Alison Matas / February 28, 2019

March '19 About Features Feast Awards On the Cover

MaryAnn Donuts | Donut Wars

There’s one thing that hasn’t changed in the more than 70 years MaryAnn Donuts Cafe has been around—the recipe for the cream that fills the shop’s chocolate, vanilla and maple creamsticks.

By Alison Matas / February 25, 2019