Grapevine

October 1, 2026

by Alex Vukoder

We’ll start this month with some new music and big congratulations to Bath’s own Tony Paparella and his award-winning band Wishgarden on the release of their sophomore album, “Dusty Roads.”

Tony is the bandleader, lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for the eight-piece Akron-based indie roots rock band, which now performs about 60 shows a year nationwide. He wrote “Dusty Roads” and co-produced the album with Spencer Coates of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Tony described the album as a collection of life lessons gathered along the way. “Every song is its own chapter in the Dusty Roads story,” he said. “The project is a collection of life lessons on a long road of turns, bends, inclines and declines.”

Wishgarden is building quite a following, too. Several of the band’s recent singles have surpassed 200,000 streams, and the group celebrated the new album in September with a show at the Akron Civic Theatre before taking its “Get On The Bus” production to Canton’s Centennial Plaza.

The band blends roots rock, folk and Americana, but their live shows are where they really have some fun, mixing music with storytelling, video, animation, humor and plenty of personality. Congratulations to Tony and the entire Wishgarden crew on “Dusty Roads.”

More than 450 guests gathered Aug. 29 for the 23rd annual Butterfly Gala at Stewart’s Caring Place, and our community was well represented.

Among those joining the celebration were Andra and Bilas Hazra, Jared and Lindsey Bologna, John and Stephanie York, Steven J. Swedler, John, Karen, Lindsey and Josh Borstein, John Garafalo, Angelina Milo and Brianna La Rosa.

The gala is an important night for Stewart’s because the funds raised help make it possible for individuals and families facing cancer to receive support at no cost. Right here in Bath, Stewart’s offers counseling, support groups, wellness programs, nutritional support, wigs and prosthetics, and programs for children and families.

Its support isn’t limited to the person with a cancer diagnosis. Spouses, caregivers, children and other loved ones can turn to Stewart’s, too. Cancer affects an entire family, and Stewart’s helps with so many of the things that happen outside the doctor’s office.

One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the 2026 Spirit Award to Akron Bikers for Boobs, recognizing the group’s years of fundraising, advocacy and support for local cancer organizations. They have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, including significant support for Stewart’s Caring Place. The evening also included a special floral experience featuring flowers from nonprofit Heads Up Flowers. Guests selected flowers representing their own connections to cancer, including survivorship, caregiving, remembrance and support, and then brought them together to create shared centerpieces at their tables.

As always, thank you for sharing your news with me. If you are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, accomplishments, new adventures or something fun happening with a Bath neighbor, I’d love to hear about it. Send news and photos to .