Community news
MAHONING VALLEY WARRIOR CHALLENGE: The Autism Society of the Mahoning Valley will kick off National Autism Acceptance Month with the Mahoning Valley Warrior event 9 a.m. Saturday at the Canfield Fairgrounds. The event will include a 5K people-powered tractor pull and two strongman competitions. Registration is open and information available at AutismWarriorMV.org or by calling 330-333-9609. Athletes, runners, walkers and groups of any combination of those can participate in a singular event or any combination of events. For community support and families affected by autism, a one-mile Autism Support Walk will take place. The event also will feature a special needs resource fair. To register online, visit info@autismmmv.org.
FUN WALK VIRTUAL: Youngstown Scleroderma Support Group will hold a Boardman Stepping Out 18th virtual Family Fun Walk. Participants can walk anywhere they want, any date, any time through the end of June to show support and raise funds for the support, education and research of scleroderma. People can walk in their own neighborhoods, at a local park or any path of 3.1 miles. Register online at www.BoardmanSDWalk.org. This year, walkers will receive a T-shirt with registration of $35. People can collect donations online or in person. Send donations to Scleroderma Foundation, 1393 N.E. River Road, Lake Milton, OH 44429. For information or questions, call Kelli at 330-233-2524.
AUSTINTOWN FOOD SERVICE: Austintown Local School District will sponsor a summer food service program with free meals available to all children ages 1 to 18 at Austintown Elementary School, 245 Idaho Road-Lynn Kirk Loop. Meals will be served Monday to Friday from June 7 to Aug. 20. Breakfast is 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Call Alexis at 330-797-3901 with questions.
PICKLEBALL AT JCC: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is offering a four-week Pickleball Clinic at its outdoor pickleball courts, 505 Gypsy Lane.
The clinic will provide participants with pickleball fundamentals and strategies for this fast-paced game that is a cross between tennis, badminton and pingpong.
The beginner clinic will be 4:30 p.m. Thursdays from June 3 to 24. The intermediate clinic will be 5:30 p.m. Thursdays from June 3 to 24.
The cost is $30 for JCC members and $40 for nonmembers. The fee includes a rental paddle, if needed, and organized open play following the clinic. Visit jccyoungstown.org/fitness/pickleball to register.
ABWA TO MEET: The Mill Creek Chapter of American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) will meet at 6 p.m. June 8, at Al La Cart Catering in Canfield, beginning with networking, and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $18. Reservations may be made by calling Marilyn at 330-726-2527 by Wednesday. The public is welcome.
Anyone with items for Seeing Eye should call 330-841-1738; email Society@tribtoday.com; mail or drop off information at the Tribune Chronicle.
Community news
NEIGHBORHOOD PARADE: Residents of Creston Drive in Boardman will have a small Memorial Day parade noon Monday in their neighborhood. Local children will decorate their bikes and scooters for the event, which will travel along Creston Drive. The residents coordinated the event since the township was not able to hold its annual parade this year.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: The East Side Crime Watch again is hosting a food giveaway 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the old fire station, corner of Oak and Fruit streets, Youngstown.
POST HOSTS POPPY DISTRIBUTION: The Hubbard Post 3767 and auxiliary will distribute poppies 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Devine Shop and Save and Handyman in Hubbard.
The red poppy became a symbol of the World War I remembrance in 1920. Money raised from the poppy campaign is used to support veterans who have faced physical and mental hardships because of the war.
TAI CHI IN THE PARK: Tai Chi in the Park, a 12-week gentle strengthening movement class for adults, returns this summer to Pavilion 2 in Centennial Park, Salem. Doug Nybell, owner of Crystal Dragon Family Martial Arts in Columbiana, will instruct the series beginning Tuesday, with additional classes set for June 8, 15 and 27, July 6, 13, 20 and 27, and Aug. 3, 10, 17 and 24. There will be no class on June 29. Class time is 9 to 10 a.m.
The program is provided through the partnership of Salem Parks and Recreation Department and Salem Public Library, and is free. Registration for each individual class is required and may be done online or by calling Salem Public Library at 330-332-0042 or Salem Parks and Recreation Department at 330-271-8913.
In accordance with the governor’s mask mandate, attendees will be asked to wear a mask when arriving and leaving this program. Because a 6-foot social distance will be possible, masks will be considered optional while users are exercising.
OPEN HOUSE: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will host an open house at the Logan Campus, 3245 Logan Way, Liberty, on Saturday and Sunday. The event will offer a variety of opportunities for JCC members and their guests. All members and guests will receive a free hot dog and bottle of water. There also will be a basket raffle drawing and various gifts. Those who attend will be able to take part in sand volleyball, cornhole, swimming pool, tennis, hula hoop contest, water balloon toss and other activities. Membership to the JCC includes the main campus and the Logan Campus.
FOOD DRIVE: In honor of Memorial Day, the Girard High School Class of 2022 is hosting a food drive 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the high school. All non-perishable food and personal care items will be accepted. This will be a drive-by dropoff in front of the cafeteria entrance. All items will be donated to the Freedom Food Pantry at Veterans Outreach, where 100 to 150 boxes of food are distributed to local veterans each week.
TODAY
• Glimmer of Hope — 8:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall, 2555 Rush Blvd., Youngstown.
• Gamblers Anonymous — closed meeting, 7:30 p.m., Westminster Church, 119 Stadium Drive, Boardman. 330-505-5060.
• Kiwanis Club of Youngstown — noon, Downtown YMCA, 17 Champion Street.
Anyone with items for Seeing Eye should call 330-841-1738; submit it to the Virtual Newsroom at www.vindy.com; email society@vindy.com; or mail to or drop off information at the Tribune Chronicle.
Community news
POST HOSTS POPPY DISTRIBUTION: The Hubbard VFW Post 3767 and auxiliary will be distributing poppies 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The members will be at Devine Shop and Save and Handyman. The red poppy became a symbol to remember the dead from World War I. Funds raised from the poppy campaign are used to support veterans who have faced physical and mental hardships because of the war.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: Alpha and Omega First Baptist Church, 3120 Winton Ave., Youngstown, is hosting a food giveaway at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
FOOD PANTRY: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Austintown will host a food pantry 2 to 5 p.m. Friday for anyone needing assistance.
CEMETERY PROJECT: A field team has been organized to do recording work at Belmont Park Cemetery in Youngstown. Individuals are needed who can work at their own time and are dedicated. More than 20 volunteers are needed who can cover row by row and section by section in the cemetery to gather information on each headstone and government military markers. The list of veterans is being compiled so that veterans can receive flags on Memorial Day. For information, call Stefon at 330-301-7365 or Lester 330-880 7820.
TODAY:
• Write to Recover — 10 a.m., Meridian Place, 1184 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.
• Outspokin’ Wheelmen Bicycle Club — bicycle rides daily. Check out outspokinwheelmen.com for information.
• Gamblers Anonymous — 7:30 p.m., Christ Presbyterian Church, 3425 Hopkins Road, Youngstown.
• Freedom Area Service of Narcotics Anonymous — 7:30 p.m., 280 Millcreek Drive, Boardman.
Anyone with items for Seeing Eye should call 330-841-1738; email Society@vindy.com; mail or drop off information at the Tribune Chronicle.
Community news
FOOD GIVEAWAY: A drive-thru food giveaway will be 10 a.m. to noon today at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 2944 Wardle Ave., Youngstown. Participants should bring identification.
For more information, call 330-746-7542.
PLANT SALE: The Holborn Herb Growers Guild will host a plant sale 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the Vegetable Building at the Canfield Fairgrounds on state Route 46, Canfield. A wide variety of herbs, perennials, twice-loved plants and gardening books will be available. Cash or check only.
BENEFIT FOR ST. JUDE: Hubbard High School’s Career and Community Exploration Class is hosting a 5K run 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the school track to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Students in the class must complete 25 volunteer hours by the end of the semester. In order to meet those requirements, the class decided to host a walk / run and selected St. Jude’s as the recipient of their fundraising efforts.
SONS CANCEL PROCESSIONAL: Sons of The American Legion Mahoning Valley Squadron 15 is canceling the 2021 Memorial Day Processional Parade scheduled for May 31.
In the theme of remembering, Squadron 15 Commander and Memorial Day Ceremonies Chairman Jeff Vrabel Sr. and Squadron 15 are asking that at 10:15 a.m. on Memorial Day, all Poland residents go outside and sing the national anthem.
This year’s Chaplain of the Day is Diocese of Youngstown Bishop David J. Bonnar, who will offer opening and closing prayers, as well as brief remarks. The keynote speaker will be Kristin Fox of Poland. The program is virtual and can be watched on the legion’s Facebook page.
POST 177 CANCELS SERVICE: American Legion Post 177 leadership has decided to once again cancel this year’s traditional Memorial Day services. As was done last year, the post will conduct a limited service at the Canfield East Cemetery open to Post members and immediate family members only.
The following names will be posted on the Wall of Honor this year and these veterans will be formally recognized at the 2022 Memorial Day Services: Frank Koczwara, Michael Koczwara, Stanley Koczwara and Thomas Koczwara, all U.S. Army veterans of World War II; and George Rockwell, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II.
Post 177 will record the cemetery services and post to local social media outlets.
For more more information, contact Post Commander Mike Kubitza at 330-727-8486 or at mikekubitzaamlegionpost177@gmail.com; or Post Vice Commander Chuck Coleman at 330-727-5609 or ccoleman@zoominternet.net.
SATURDAY
• Austintown Community Church Food and Clothing Pantry, 242 S. Canfield Niles Road, Austintown, serving area codes 44509, 44511 and 44515, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Anyone with items for Seeing Eye should call 330-841-1738; submit it to the Virtual Newsroom at www.vindy.com; email society@vind.com; or mail to or drop off information at the Tribune Chronicle.
Community news
SURPLUS ITEMS BOOK SALE: Surplus items from the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will be offered for sale 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Wednesday at the Newport Library, 3730 Market St. The Friends of PLYMC also will hold a book sale at that time, with the proceeds going to the Summer Discovery program.
The sale will be set up at the rear of the library. Customers must park in front and walk the sidewalk leading to the rear of the building.
Surplus items include office chairs, metal cabinets with drawers, metal and wood desks, wood shelving, 2′ x 4′ drop-in lights, computers tables, wood and laminate tables, 150 boxes of books and more.
Sales will be cash only. There will be no early sales or previews. Customers should come prepared to take their items with them as there are no deliveries, and items must be removed during the days of the sale. There will be on-site help to assist customers in loading their purchases into their vehicles.
The library will observe safety conditions including social distancing, mask wearing and a limited number of people in a room at the same time.
FOOD PANTRY SET: Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Austintown will host a food pantry distribution 2 to 5 p.m. May 28 for anyone needing assistance. Donations of food items and monetary donations will be accepted.
FUNDRAISER SELLS OVER 500 SHIRTS: The Youngstown Fire Department put on a fundraiser for Autism Awareness month by selling T-shirts. With support from the community, city workers, and fire department members, over 500 shirts were sold. A donation of $6,265 was raised to benefit Potential Development School For Students With Autism, located on Market Street in Youngstown.
Lt. Robert Class coordinated the fundraiser and shirts were made by firefighter Jon Racco of Steel Valley Apparel.
Community news
WHMHS PRESENTS TITANIC LECTURE: The William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society’s Memories of a Lifetime lecture series will welcome Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s curator of education, Traci Manning, at 10 a.m. Saturday at Kravitz Deli Meeting Room, 3135 Belmont Ave., Liberty. Her topic will be “Titanic: Fact and Lore.” This program is part of the society’s 60th anniversary celebration.
All programs are open to the public. Member admission is $5. Non-member admission is $6. Refreshments and live entertainment will be provided and a 50/50 raffle will be held, to benefit the society’s education mission.
Reservations are suggested. Walk-ins will be admitted based upon seat availability. Seating is limited due to social distancing. For reservations or more information, phone 330-726-8277.
BACK TO PARKS: A Back2 Parks camp registration and community fair will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Wick Park in Youngstown. Vendors interested in taking part in the event are asked to call the city’s park office at 330-742-8711. The event is being hosted by the Youngstown Parks and Recreation Department.
FOOD PANTRY: God’s Warehouse Food Pantry, located at New Life Church, 2250 E. Western Reserve Road, Poland, will be having their monthly food giveout 7 a.m., to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. In addition to our regular items of dry goods, produce, and meats also be giving out Farmers to Family boxes to everyone.
TASTE OF FAIR: On the heels of the March Madness Fair Food Challenge, the Canfield Fair Board of Directors will host a “Taste of the Fair” event 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Satruday and Sunday.
The Taste of the Fair is a way to support food concessionaires and celebrate 175 years of the Canfield Fair. The 2021 event will differ from the Fair Food Extravaganzas held in 2020 as this event will be completely walk-up. Guests will be directed to park and exit their vehicle to walk to the concession stands. All current health orders will be upheld.
Anyone with items for community news should call 330-841-1738; email news@vindy.com; mail or drop off information at the Tribune Chronicle.
Community news
SETON III TO MEET: The Seton III will meet Thursday at Cafe Capri, Market Street, Boardman. Social is 5:30 p.m. and dinner will follow at 6 p.m. The program is “The End of the Year Social” with installation of officers. Hostesses are Dottie Cerimele, chairwoman, Judy Kimmel and Lori Brennan.
Anyone with items for Community News should call 330-841-1738; email Society@tribtoday.com; mail or drop off information at the Tribune Chronicle.
Community news
ACTION CELEBRATES 20 YEARS: ACTION, a multi-racial interfaith, non-profit organization made up of different congregations and organizations that work collaboratively to help citizens, will celebrate 20 years of service with the annual banquet May 25 at Byzantine Center at the Grove, 3801 Shady Run Road, Youngstown. Guest speaker is Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown. The event will honor Erin Bishop of the Youngstown City Health District, Sheila Triplett of Youngstown MYCAP, Jan Strasfeld, former Youngstown Foundation director, and Delphine Baldwin Casey, former Youngstown police sergeant. The event is a hybrid/ virtual event on Facebook. Dinner is 6 to 8 p.m. with price $35 per person or $280 per group. Dinners may be picked up between 4 and 5 p.m. For questions about tickets or other information, call the ACTION office at 330-941-0475 or Michelle at 330-718-5725.
SPRING CLEANUP: Weathersfield Township will host a spring cleanup starting the week of May 17. Residents should put their material out at the curb on the same night as their regular trash pickup. The scrap tire curbside collection will also be held May 17 to 21 with a a limit of four car tires off rims per household. Large truck tires will not be accepted Tires can also be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at township administration building, 1451 Prospect St., Mineral Ridge.
TEA AT THE MUSUEM: McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum will hold a Victorian afternoon tea at 3 p.m. May 16. Cost is $45. Seating is limited and reservations are needed by Monday by calling 330-652-4273. Tea at the Museum will be catered by Quintealia’s Tea Parlor.
Community news
MEMORIAL DAY EVENT: The American Legion Post 177 leadership has decided to once again cancel this year’s traditional Memorial Day services in light of the continued restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainty of any significant relaxation prior to the holiday. As was done last year, the Post will conduct a limited service at the Canfield East Cemetery open to post members and immediate family members only. The following names will be posted on the Wall of Honor this year and these veterans will be formally recognized at the 2022 Memorial Day services: Frank Koczwara, Michael Koczwara, Stanley Koczwara and Thomas Koczwara, all U.S, Army veterans of World War II, and George Rockwell, USMC, also World War II. Post 177 will record the cemetery services and post to local social media outlets. For more information about this topic, contact Post Commander Mike Kubitza at 330-727-8486 or post vice Commander Chuck Coleman at 330-727-5609.
CLAY WORKSHOP: The Paul and Yetta Gluck School of Visual Arts is offering a four-week clay workshop 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays in May. Clay Creature is for ages nine to 13. Participants will mold an imaginary creature and bring it to life. Cost is $40 for JCC members and $55 for non-members. To register, visit jccyoungstown.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteers are being sought to help compile a veterans list in the cemeteries in Youngstown. People can help by writing down each headstone of persons buried there and turn over all information to the research team, which will verify all veterans with government military markers and regular head stones. Call Steffon Jones at 330-301 -7365 for the field team and Lester Darnell at 330-880-7820. Plans are to work at the Churchill Cemetery and Belmont Park Cemetery.
TODAY
¯ Glimmer of Hope — 8:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall, 2555 Rush Blvd., Youngstown.
¯ Gamblers Anonymous — closed meeting, 7:30 p.m., Westminster Church, 119 Stadium Drive, Boardman. 330-505-5060.
¯ Kiwanis Club of Youngstown — noon, Downtown YMCA, 17 Champion St.
Anyone with items for community news should call 330-841-1738; submit it to the Virtual Newsroom at www.vindy.com; email society@vindy.com; or mail to or drop off information at the Tribune Chronicle.
community news
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: The Youngstown Press Club will observe World Press Freedom Day at noon Monday a Youngstown State University’s Kilcawley Center. During the observance, which will be livestreamed on the press club’s Facebook page, press club members will read the names of 50 journalists killed while serving their communities in 2020 and five additional journalists killed this year. The list of journalists slain because of their activities was compiled by the Reporters Without Borders, an international organization dedicated to defending freedom of the press.
This year’s theme, “Information as a Public Good,” affirms the importance of cherishing information and recognizes the impact of a changing media system on human rights, democracy, public health and sustainable development.
The Youngstown Press Club promotes journalism and other communication-related professions in the Mahoning Valley.
SOCIETY OPENS MUSEUM: The Salem Historical Society Museum, 208 S. Broadway Ave, Salem, will open for the season 1 to 4 p.m. starting today on each Sunday through October. Guided tours of the exhibits are available during these times. This year’s featured exhibit, “Suffrage Centennial” is celebrating the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Members are admitted free. Admission for adults age 18 and older is $6, children ages 5 to 17 are $3. Children under 5 are admitted free. Visitors are asked to wear a mask during the visit. The museum has increased from six rooms to over 13,000-square-feet of exhibits in 20 rooms in four buildings. There are various artifacts displayed. For information, call 330-307-85154. The society gift shop, 230 S. Lindy Ave., will be open from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
SADD OFFERS PROMS NATIONWIDE: To mitigate another lost opportunity, Students Against Destructive Decisions is having a Virtual Prom for high school students nationwide.
It is SADD’s goal for students to stay safe as they celebrate not just the end of this academic year but all the challenges they have overcome. A virtual prom provides all students grades 9 through 12 an opportunity to responsibly celebrate with games, music, giveaways, outfit contests and more.
The movie-themed event, “Lights, Camera, Prom!” will be 8 to 10 p.m. May 8. Visit www.sadd.org/Prom to register and learn more.
CHOCOLATE FEST: Piggyback Foundation of Youngstown is bringing back its signature fundraiser, The Chocolate Fest, slated for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Embassy Banquet Center.
To be COVID-19 cautious, the Foundation exchanged an all-you-can-eat buffet with an individually plated chocolate smorgasbord. Each person will receive a 12-inch plate overflowing with chocolate decadence from Mocha House, Abigail’s Bakery, Jimmy’s Italian Specialties, Cheri’s Fudge and Candy, Sparkle Market and Giannios Chocolates.
Tickets are $40 a person or $300 for a reserved table of eight. All tickets include a chocolate smorgasbord platter and pasta dinner. A cash bar will be available for adult beverages. The event also will feature raffles.
Tickets and more information are available at www.piggy backyoungstown.com.
The Piggyback Foundation of Youngstown helps provide normalcy for children in families facing serious illness. Programs aid family togetherness, academic success, and children’s extra-curricular activities.
OPEN HOUSE FOR OUTDOOR LEARNING AREA: Students at Hilltop Elementary in Canfield and their families are invited to tour the Cardinal Nest, an outdoor learning area first created in the 1970s by a former teacher and then an Eagle Scout in the 1990s used it as a project.
The area has recently been “renovated” or cleaned up thanks to the efforts of staff, community members, and local businesses. The volunteers have cleared the area, created a walking trail, added additional learning spaces and more.
The socially distanced ribbon cutting / open house is 4 to 5:30 p.m. May 10. Families can tour the area, walk the trails, spot wildlife, visit the classrooms, and sit by the vernal pool to enjoy the mallards. Those visiting should practice social distance and wear a mask.
Hilltop’s goal is to have additional learning areas.
TODAY:
• Hubbard Conservation Club, 1760 Wick Campbell Road, 3D archery, rain or shine. All events are open to the public.
• Write to Recover — 10 a.m., Meridian Place, 1184 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.
• Outspokin’ Wheelmen Bicycle Club — bicycle rides daily. Check out outspokinwheelmen.com for information.
• Gamblers Anonymous — 7:30 p.m., Christ Presbyterian Church, 3425 Hopkins Road, Youngstown.
• Freedom Area Service of Narcotics Anonymous — 7:30 p.m., 280 Millcreek Drive, Boardman.
Anyone with items for community news should call 330-841-1738; email Society@tribtoday.com; mail or drop off information at the Tribune Chronicle.