The Health Benefits of Trees: Nature's Remedy for Mind and Body 
By: Sarah Swirsky, MSW, LISW 

“There is unrest in the forest, 
Trouble with the trees 
For the maples want more sunlight 
And the oaks ignore their pleas.” 
—Rush, The Trees 

In many parts of the world, our forests and trees are in trouble. Climate change, urban development, pollution, and deforestation are putting pressure on these vital parts of our ecosystem. 

But what does this have to do with human health and wellness? As it turns out—everything! 

The City of Akron is paying attention. In 2025, Akron will invest $750,000 to plant 1,800 native trees along neighborhood tree lawns—also known locally as “devil strips.” The goal? To grow a healthier, greener city by boosting the urban tree canopy, which is expected to decline by 4% over the next 15 years. Mayor Shammas Malik has emphasized that this investment is about more than just beauty—it’s about improving health outcomes, reducing respiratory illnesses, and creating stronger, more connected neighborhoods. 

So how exactly do trees improve our health? Here are just a few of the ways trees quietly support our minds and bodies every day: 

Cleaner Air for Healthier Lungs 
Trees act as natural air filters. They absorb pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter, while releasing oxygen. This process improves air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis. 

Natural Cooling Agents 
In urban areas, trees provide shade and release water vapor through their leaves—a process known as transpiration. This helps lower temperatures, combating the urban heat island effect and reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses. 

Boosting Mental Well-being 
Spending time among trees has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The practice of "forest bathing," or immersing oneself in a forest environment, can lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation. Even brief interactions with green spaces can enhance mood and cognitive function. 

Enhancing Physical Health 
Regular exposure to tree-rich environments encourages physical activity, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health. Additionally, studies have found that patients with views of trees recover faster from surgery, indicating a link between nature and physical healing. 

Strengthening Communities 
Trees contribute to stronger, more connected communities. Green spaces provide areas for social interaction and recreation, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Neighborhoods with ample tree cover often experience lower crime rates and improved social cohesion. 

Want to Get Involved? 

Join Summit FM Wellness at the City of Akron’s Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 25 at 5PM at Joy Park Community Center at 825 Fuller Street.

City arborists will be offering live tree-planting demonstrations, and you’ll learn how to support a greener, healthier future—right in your own yard or neighborhood. We’ll be providing nature-themed background music to enhance the experience.  

Because every tree matters. 
 

By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor

After a handful of singles with the McSon trio in the late 1940s into early 1950s, Ray Charles signed to Atlantic Records in 1952, headed by Ahmet Ertegun, it was the perfect home for an artist like Charles. From 1952 through 1960, he placed over 20 singles in the US R&B charts, 18 hitting the Top 10 and 6 hitting the top! It wouldn't be until 1957 that his first Atlantic LP was released. A long run followed over the next five years, including milestones like 'What'd I Say,' 'The Genius of Ray Charles,' and 'Yes Indeed.'

By 1960, the hits are slowed up a bit, and a change was made with Charles moving to ABC Records. This would prove a good move with classics like 'The Genius Hits the Road' and 'Genius + Soul = Jazz' standing tall in his already impressive catalog. By 1962, he was ready to shake things up a bit more. Since moving to ABC he had been trying to incorporate other styles of music into his signature R&B. The album ' The Genius Hits the Road' was a travelogue of sorts with songs about various locations. It delivered one of his best-loved recordings with 'Georgia on My Mind' while 'Dedicated to You' was another conceptual LP, only instead of locations, it was women’s names. By 1962 he took a more dramatic step with 'Modern Sounds in Country And Western Music.'

Long before Beyonce or Ringo Starr decided they were 'country,' Ray Charles delivered the goods with an album that fans and critics loved. It spawned a total of four hit singles and became his first number one LP and second gold record in a row. The album not only showed off another side of Charles' talents but also emphasized the songs’ strengths and how a good song can bend and twist into different shapes in the right hands. The album was so popular it was followed by Volume 1, which also proved a big success and he didn't even need to wear a cowboy hat!

He tackled songs like 'Hey Good Lookin' and 'You Win Again' (both Hank Williams classics) as well as 'Bye Bye Love,' originally a hit for the Everly Brothers, and songs by Don Gibson, Eddy Arnold and others. Remaining true to his style and putting the emphasis on the song, Charles made every song his own, even winning a Grammy Award for 'I Can't Stop Loving You' as best R&B record of the year. Make no mistake, this is not Ray trying to sound ‘country’ but rather taking these great songs in a grand remake/remodel. Let’s just say, you have never heard Hank Williams swing like this!

Mr. Ray Charles himself said it best, "“I’m not a country singer. I’m a singer who sings country songs. I’m not a blues singer, but I can sing the blues. I’m not really a crooner, but I can sing love songs. I’m not a specialist, but I’m a pretty good utility man. I can play first base, second base, short stop. I can catch and maybe even pitch a little.”

'Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music' remains essential to not only R&B and country, but American music in general.

By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor

In 1987, a young Irish singer wandered into the worldwide music scene via an album called 'The Lion and The Cobra,' The 21-year-old Sinead O'Connor was out to set herself apart from the faceless pop stars of the era. With a little help from Rob Dean of the band Japan, Andy Rourke of the Smiths, and former Adam and the Ants members Kevin Mooney and Marco Pirroni, she crafted a unique version of pop music with her dynamic vocals front and center. The album received good reviews and cracked the US Top 40 based chiefly on college radio play. With album number two taking shape, she had fine-tuned her songwriting skills.

Songs like 'The Emperor's New Clothes' and 'Jump in the River' were released as singles, but it would be a cover song that sent the album into the stratosphere. O'Connor's utterly unique take on the Prince song' Nothing Compares To You.' Written by Prince, the song originally appeared on the only album by Price protégé's The Family. It was never released as a single from the album, and Price didn't include it on any of his records. So, O'Connor's song choice perfectly fit her, and she truly made it her own, letting her voice shine. It was also the video that caught the attention of the public. A simple video that, for the bulk of its five-minute duration, features a close-up of O'Connor's face, a far cry from the fancy dancing and travelogue videos in vogue at the time.

The single would hit the top of the charts worldwide, including 4 weeks atop the US charts. That song alone pushed the album to platinum status across the globe as well. One listen, and it is obvious why. No studio tricks or gimmicks, just a chilling, laid-bare performance. Despite the success, O'Connor let her rebellious nature take her front and center by refusing to appear at the Grammy Awards and the British BPI Awards that year due to some personal issue based on the false happiness that awards and such things condition people with. This would be her path off and on for the rest of her life, accentuating that rebellious nature, something that, more than a few times, got her into hot water, which she causally shook off and continued

'I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got' introduced her to the mainstream and brought her a river of accolades, but that success seemed to be a double-edged sword that she carried through eight more albums until her death in 2023. The album remains not only her biggest-selling work but also her most defining. It made many people happy, something she seemingly failed to achieve in her short life.

By Summit FM Contributor Ryan Humbert

The Americana genre is more popular than ever. That also means there are more releases than ever before! I dedicated two episodes of the Americana Roundup, heard exclusively on The Summit FM, to some of my favorite songs from the year 2024. Enjoy!

December 8, 2024 – Episode 219
Ryan’s Favorite Cover Songs of 2024

Playlist:
Margo Price – “Pump It Up”
George Strait – “Waymore’s Blues”
Miranda Lambert – “Living on the Run”
Lucinda Williams – “I’ve Got a Feeling”
Hayes & The Heathens – “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – “You’re Gonna Get It”
Shonna Tucker – “Hollywood Nights”
Darrell Scott – “Urge For Going”
The Infamous Stringdusters – “As It Was”
Rhonda Vincent – “9 to 5”
Kacey Musgraves – “Three Little Birds”
Willie Nelson – “Keep Me In Your Heart”
Noel McKay – “She’s Always a Woman to Me”
Tracey Thomas – “The Whole of the Moon”
Daniella Cotton – “Kiss an Angel Good Morning”
Slash & Chris Stapleton – “Oh Well”
Dwight Yoakam – “Keep on the Sunny Side”
Kaitlin Butts – “Hunt You Down”
Charley Crockett – “Ghost Riders in the Sky”
Orville Peck with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – “Papa Was a Rodeo”
Tony Trischka & Sierra Ferrell – “San Antonio Rose”
Eilen Jewell – “The Pill”
Bruce Springsteen – “She Don’t Love Me Now”
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives – “I Need to Know”
Elliot Brood – “Bluebird Wine”
Kelsey Waldon & Margo Price – “Traveling the Highway Home”
Ghost Hounds & Patty Griffin – “Long Ride Home”
Eddie Vedder – “Save It For Later”
Tracey Thomas – “This is Me Trying”

December 29, 2024 – Episode 220
Ryan’s Favorite NON-Cover Songs of 2024

Playlist:
Dwight Yoakam – “Wide Open Heart”
JD McPherson – “I Can’t Go Anywhere With You”
Miranda Lambert – “Ain’t in Kansas Anymore”
The Heavy Heavy – “Happiness”
Jon Muq – “Hello Sunshine”
Eddie 9V – “Saratoga”
Mavis Staples – “Worthy”
Maggie Rose – “Under the Sun”
George Strait & Chris Stapleton – “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame”
Shawna Thompson – “Jones on the Jukebox”
Jim Lauderdale – “Don’t You Treat ‘em That Way”
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors with Vince Gill – “Green Light”
Billy Strings – “Leadfoot”
Kaitlin Butts – “Roadrunner”
Teddy & The Rough Riders – “Catfish Summer”
Will Kimbrough – “Walking in the Valley of the Shadow”
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – “The Day The Mississippi Died”
The Mavericks with Sierra Ferrel – “Moon and Stars”
Melissa Carper – “There’ll Be Another One”
Sons of the East – “Oh My My”
Secret Sisters – “Paperweight”
The Wild Feathers – “Sanctuary”
Nick Lowe – “Different Kind of Blue”
Chuck Prophet – “First Came the Thunder”
Sarah Gayle Meech – “Love Me”
Charley Crockett – “Ain’t Done Losing Yet”
Kim Richey – “Joy Rider”
The Avett Brothers – “Country Kid”
Jamey Johnson – “What a View”
American Aquarium – “The Curse of Growing Old”

By Ryan Humbert - Summit FM Contributor

Here are five new Americana songs that you need to hear right now! Enjoy!

Don't forget to tune into the Americana Roundup, every Sunday morning from 9 to 11AM on The Summit FM -- hosted by Ryan Humbert, lead singer of the Shootouts. For more information, visit AmericanaRoundup.com.

Jim Chenot, our departed colleague and friend, lived each day with a unique ability to find joy in the ordinary and humor in challenging situations. His approach to life serves as an inspiration to us all:

• Noticing bright spots in everyday moments
• Using his passion for the past to fuel discovery of the new
• Finding silver linings and humor in tense situations
• Appreciating what we have while pursuing new goals

Jim's immense love for The Beatles, Cleveland sports teams, and local music exemplified his belief in cherishing the present while striving for the future.

Honoring Jim's Memory

We celebrate Jim's legacy throughout the year with various on-air programing, including:

• "The Beatles Break" segments
• "Front Row Center" segments
• Suicide Prevention public service announcements

Through these tributes, we keep alive Jim's singular way of acknowledging the positive around us and its vital contribution to our well-being.

Warning Signs and Suicide Prevention: Ask, Listen, Refer

Suicide is a pressing public health crisis in the U.S., with devastating effects on individuals, families, and entire communities. The numbers are staggering—according to the CDC, more than 48,000 lives were lost to suicide in 2021 alone, making it the 11th leading cause of death nationwide. What’s more concerning is the nearly 30% rise in suicide rates over the past two decades, with young adults (ages 15-24) and middle-aged individuals (ages 45-64) being particularly vulnerable. 

Recognizing the warning signs of suicide is a critical first step in preventing tragedy. Some of the most common signs include: 

• Expressing feelings of hopelessness or being trapped 
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or usual activities 
• Extreme mood swings or increased irritability 
• Talking about wanting to die, self-harm, or feeling like a burden 
• Escalating substance use, which may serve as a coping mechanism 

What Can You Do To Help?

Introducing the "Ask, Listen, Refer" method—an evidence-based approach used by mental health professionals across the U.S. This simple yet powerful framework equips everyday people with the tools to intervene: 

• Ask: If you notice someone in distress, don’t be afraid to ask them directly if they’re contemplating suicide or self-harm. Contrary to popular belief, this won’t "put the idea in their head." In fact, your concern could open a critical dialogue and may even save their life. 

• Listen: Listen to their feelings and fears without offering solutions or passing judgment. A compassionate, non-judgmental ear can offer immense relief to someone who feels isolated in their struggle. 

• Refer: Guide them toward professional help. This could be a mental health counselor, a trusted therapist, or a resource like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In urgent situations, don’t hesitate to contact emergency services. 

By employing the "Ask, Listen, Refer" approach, you can play a direct role in suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is at immediate risk, don’t wait—call emergency services or reach out to the 988 hotline for immediate help. 

In addition to these preventive measures, music plays a significant role in supporting mental health. Numerous studies show that music, whether through listening, creating, or performing, can reduce stress, elevate mood, and foster deep emotional connections. Programs like Summit Wellness integrate music into their mental health initiatives, creating safe spaces for emotional expression and community support, especially for those grappling with mental health challenges. 

By staying alert to the warning signs, using the "Ask, Listen, Refer" strategy, and embracing the healing power of music, we can work together to prevent suicide and promote lasting emotional well-being. 

You may not know their name, but you’ve probably seen their work. SpeedPro is an Akron-based graphics company that provides high quality banners, signs, prints, vehicle wraps, displays, and decals to a variety of clients, ranging from The University of Akron and Summit Metro parks to Domino’s and Google. SpeedPro have also lent their services to the Summit FM, providing the station with a number of wall decals, window stickers, and vehicle wraps over the years. 

Utilizing high-quality laminates and materials, UV-resistant, environmentally friendly inks, and high-resolution printers, SpeedPro’s top-notch graphics are durable and precise.

"I love working with Gerald and his staff at SpeedPro," says Summit FM Graphic Designer Ryan Humbert, "It's a lot fun to think big, send them unique ideas and designs, and have them knock it out of the park every time."

More information on SpeedPro and their services can be found at speedpro.com. 

See below for a sample of their work for the Summit FM!

Above: Summit FM General Manager Tommy Bruno and Jim Chenot "Attitude for Gratitude" scholarship recipient Ujal Gurung.

Ujal Gurung, the recipient of the Jim Chenot Attitude for Gratitude Scholarship, recently graduated from Akron Public Schools, specifically from Akron Early College.

Ujal’s journey is a testament to hard work, sacrifice, and determination, having completed 16 college classes and earning over fifty college credits during his high school years. His remarkable achievements reflect his grit and dedication.

Ujal is now set to pursue his dreams in flight school at Kent State this fall. The Summit FM is immensely proud to honor this courageous and gifted young man for his exceptional accomplishments and bright future ahead.

For more information about The Summit FM and its scholarship programs, please visit www.thesummit.fm 

All tax-deductible contributions to the “Jim Chenot Attitude for Gratitude Scholarship” are made through the Akron Community Foundation. 

Above: Summit FM General Manager Tommy Bruno and Dennis Spisak "Attitude for Gratitude" scholarship recipient Gianna Cannon.

May 16, 2024: The Summit FM proudly announces Gianna Cannon as the recipient of the 2024 Dennis Spisak “Attitude for Gratitude” Scholarship. Awarded $1000, this scholarship is a testament to Gianna’s resilience and exemplary decision-making.

The Struthers City Schools senior begins her academic journey at Ohio State University this fall. The scholarship committee was drawn to her remarkable story of overcoming adversity and demonstrating sound judgment.

The Dennis Spisak “Attitude for Gratitude” Scholarship is dedicated to recognizing students who have faced significant challenges in life and have emerged stronger by making positive choices. Applicants must reflect on their experiences, detailing the obstacles they have overcome and the decisions that have shaped their paths.

Gianna Cannon's narrative resonated deeply with the values embodied by the scholarship. Her determination, perseverance, and commitment to excellence make her a deserving recipient of this honor.

"We are thrilled to present Gianna Cannon with the Dennis Spisak “Attitude for Gratitude” Scholarship," said Tommy Bruno, general manager of The Summit FM. "Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of making good decisions despite adversity. We are confident that Gianna will continue to excel in her academic pursuits and beyond."

The Summit FM extends its warmest congratulations to Gianna Cannon and wishes her continued success as she embarks on this new chapter of her academic journey.

For more information about The Summit FM and its scholarship programs, please visit www.thesummit.fm 

All tax-deductible contributions to the “Dennis Spisak Attitude for Gratitude Scholarship” are made through the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley.