Community news

NEW YEAR SKATE PARTY: The public can skate into the new year noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, in Youngstown. Participants will receive complimentary 2022 glasses and noisemakers. A selfie station will be available for photo opportunities. Special treats will be available for purchase. Skating is free, but reservations are encouraged at www.jccyoungstown.org/wintercampus to register. Skate rentals are available.

WATCH NIGHT SERVICE: Bethel Church of God in Christ, 3147 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown, will hold a New Yearás Eve Watch Night Service 10:30 p.m. today at the church and 11 p.m. on Facebook live to welcome in the new year.

PIZZAS OF LIBERTY: The "Pizzas of Liberty" Raffle will be drawn tonight so winners can start ordering their pizzas for 2022. Grand prize is three large pizzas every month for a year and second place is one large pizza every month for a year.

Participating restaurants include Cocca's Pizza (Liberty), Pizza Joe's (Gypsy Lane), Mama D's, and Bull & Bear Neighborhood Grille and Bar. Tickets are $10 each, available at Liberty Vinyl Creations, 1482 W. Liberty Street, or through VENMO: Liberty Leopard Alumni @Liberty-Leopard or Paypal: Liberty Leopard @libertyleopard1. For venmo and paypal, leave your cell number in the message box and a photo of your ticket will be text to you.

Raffle sponsored by the Liberty Leopard Alumni Association with all proceeds benefiting Liberty Schools programs and activities. Email libertyleopardalumni@gmail.com for more information.

CERAMIC BUILDING: The Paul and Yetta Gluck School of Visual Arts and the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is offering a ceramic hand building basics workshop in January at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane. Participants will learn hand building techniques to create a functional object. Possibilities include dishes, bowls, cups, mugs and vases. Workshop dates are Jan. 12 and 26. The cost is $36 for JCC members and $45 for non-members. To register by Jan. 7, visit www.jccyoungstown.org/visualarts.

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS: The Mahoning Valley Historical Society will host Memories of Christmas Past noon to 7 p.m. today at the Arms Family Museum, 648 Wick Ave, Youngstown.

CELEBRATING WINTER NIGHTS: The DD and Velma Davis and Education Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek MetroParks in Youngstown will host the Winter Celebration Festival of Trees exhibit though Jan. 7. The event is family friendly and free. There are 60 local trees decorated by non-profits. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Jan. 7. For information, call 330-740-7116.

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VIRTUAL KWANZAA: A Kwanzaa virtual celebration will be 5 p.m. Sunday at New Bethel Baptist Church in Youngstown. Sunday marks the first day of Kwanzaa, "Unity." Due to the pandemic, the Harambee Youth Organization, which is performing, is permitted to bring only two guests per family to the event. COVID-19 safety precautions will include taking temperatures, wearing masks and social distancing. Other family members and the general community can view the event virtually on the new Bethel Baptist Church Facebook page. The public can also exercise Ujamaa (cooperative economics) by looking out for the online vendor listing. There will be no Karamu Community Feast nor any African American vendors on site. All other nights of Kwanzaa should be celebrated at home.

PEACE LIGHT: The International Peace Light from Bethlehem will be available through Jan. 8 at the JMJ Spiritual Connection Store, 3434 Canfield Road, Youngstown. The public can receive the light flame during normal business hours. For information call the store at 330-270-5657.

Those wishing to receive the light are asked to bring a windproof candle, or lantern. People can also bring a new candle and let it burn for a few minutes before letting it go out. The candle is now considered an Infused Peace Light candle. Candles can be taken back to places of worship.

NOTICES: Due to the pandemic, many area organizations may have changed time, place or day of their meetings. Some may have quit meeting altogether. Anyone wishing to list a club or organization meeting or weekly event (even if we have been printing it), should email the information to: tmunnell@tribtoday.com or mail to: Community News, 240 Franklin St. SE, Warren, Ohio 44482.

Community News is a list of local meetings and support group listings, printed as space permits. Please indicate if the organization is meeting daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly.

Community news

FOOD DISTRIBUTION TODAY: Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley is collaborating with the cities of Campbell, Struthers, and Lowellville to host a produce distribution at 9 a.m. today at the Roosevelt Park Community Center, Campbell.

Fifty thousand pounds of fresh produce, including assorted vegetable boxes, apples, sweet potatoes, grapes, and onions, will be distributed. This distribution will focus on the residents of those cities.

In order to partake in this zero-contact distribution, recipients' trunks must be open and clear of all other belongings and their windows must be rolled up. Recipients are not to exit their vehicle for any reason.

Second Harvest Food Bank's mission is to solicit, store and distribute food to hunger-relief organizations feeding people in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties; and to provide education and advocacy.

For information on the Food Bank, visit www.mahoningvalleysecondharvest.org, call 330-792-5522 or follow us on Facebook @SHFBMV.

ALZHEIMER'S SCHOLARSHIP: High school seniors impacted by Alzheimer's disease can win up to $5,000 for college through the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's Teen Alzheimer's Awareness Scholarship. Students can enter the contest by visiting www.alzfdn.org/scholarship. The deadline for submissions is March 1.

College-bound high school seniors are invited to apply for the scholarship by submitting an essay (1,500 words maximum) describing how Alzheimer's disease has impacted their lives and what they have learned about themselves, their family and / or their community through their experience with Alzheimer's. Essays can be submitted by visiting www.alzfdn.org/scholarship. Students already attending college are not eligible to participate.

Individuals wishing to support this and other programs and services for families affected by Alzheimer's disease can visit www.alzfdn.org/donate or calling AFA at 866-232-8484.

APPRAISAL OF TREASURES: Join Mike "The Appraiser" Ivankovich from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Salem Public Library, 821 E. State St., Salem, to learn what affects the amount of money you can make when selling family "treasures," such as jewelry, furnishings, paintings, etc.

The appraisal session begins with Ivankovich presenting a 10-minute explanation of the "10 Factors That Will Always Impact the Value of Your Treasures." Then the program will move to the appraisal portion of the program. The first 25 attendees who register to attend the program will get to show an item, one person at a time and receive an appraisal. Each of the 25 attendees should have a second backup item handy in case Ivankovich cannot appraise the first item.

In addition, throughout the program the audience will learn many buying and selling tips and strategies. Registration is required online at www.salem.lib.oh.us or by calling the library at 330-332-0042 for registration assistance. This program is free to attend and open to the public.

BALDWIN WALLACE SCHOLARS: Area students were among the more than 660 students who earned scholarships at Baldwin Wallace University this fall. The following local students earned scholarships:

• Taylor Baer of Youngstown, a graduate of Austintown Fitch High School majoring in communication sciences and disorders, earned the Willard H. Hagenmeyer Scholarship;

• Andrew Crans of Canfield, a graduate of Canfield High School majoring in keyboard performance, earned the E.S. & M.R. Griffiths Scholarship;

• Brendon Hink of Poland, a graduate of Neshannock High School majoring in biology, earned the Karl Eady Scholarship;

• Sam Hudock of Canfield, a graduate of Canfield High School majoring in music education, earned the E.S. & M.R. Griffiths Scholarship and the Lloyd & Mildred Hoffman Scholarship;

• Cole Lavorini of Poland, a graduate of Poland Seminary High School majoring in business information systems and finance, earned the Boesel School of Business – Undergraduate Scholarship and the Nelson and Margaret Spoth / Doris Spoth Snedeker Scholarship;

• Connor Miller of Youngstown, a graduate of Boardman High School majoring in pre-allied health / prephysical therapy, earned the Boynton D. Murch Scholarship;

• Dakota Sipusic of Youngstown, a graduate of Buckeye Online School for Success majoring in music theory, earned the E.S. & M.R. Griffiths Scholarship.

Community news

FROZEN PRINCESS PARTY: The Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, will host a free Frozen Princess Party noon to 2 p.m. today at the winter campus skating rink. Participants will skate with Disney princesses and take photos at the selfie station. Special treats will be available for purchase at the ice shack. Skate rentals are available. Visit jccyoungstown.org/wintercampus to register.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: The Fellows Riverside Garden Festival of the Trees will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday through Jan. 7 at 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown. More than 50 trees are on display, all decorated by organizations across the Mahoning Valley.

LOVE OF NATURE: Mill Creek MetroParks will present "A Love Affair with Nature" by local artist Tom Harwood, which will be on display on the Weller Gallery at the Fellows Riverside Gardens. Harwood has selected works featuring the relationships between light and color in landscape paintings. The free exhibit will be on display through Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS: The Mahoning Valley Historical Society will present Memories of Christmas Past noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday through Dec. 31 at the Arms Family Museum in Youngstown. Twilight Thursdays are 4 to 7 p.m. and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 27 and 31.

MEETING NOTICES: Due to the pandemic, many area organizations may have changed time, place or day of their meetings. Some may have quit meeting altogether. Anyone wishing to list a club or organization meeting or weekly event (even if we have been printing it), should email the information to: tmunnell@tribtoday.com or mail to: Seeing Eye, 240 Franklin St. SE, Warren, Ohio 44482.

The Seeing Eye is a list of local meetings and support group listings, printed as space permits. Submitters should indicate if the organization is meeting daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly.

Community news

TIME WITH SANTA: A Breakfast with Santa will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Piccadilly Parlour Victorian Tea Room, 114 S. Broad St., Canfield. The cost is $18.95 per child and $19.95 for adults. Tea with Santa is 1 to 3 p.m. on the same day for the same cost.

Reservations are required, and cameras are welcome. Call 330-533-4749 to make reservations.

SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS: A storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Eugenia Atkinson Recreation Center, 903 Otis St., Youngstown.

To register, call the park office at 330-742-8711. The event is for children 10 and younger. There is one ticket per person, with a five-ticket maximum with limited space.

FOOD PANTRY: Immaculate Heart of Mary in Austintown will host a food distribution 2 to 5 p.m. today at the church for anyone needing assistance.

FESTIVAL OF TREES: Fellows Riverside Garden Festival of the Trees will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday at 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown. The event is through Jan. 7.

More than 50 trees will be on display -- all decorated by organizations across the Mahoning Valley.

A Winter Nights light display is set up at the same location. It will be Saturday. The garden hours will be extended until 7 p.m. that day.

community news

GIRARD OPEN HOUSE: The Girard Historical Society will host a holiday open house 1 to 4 p.m. today at the Barnhisel House, 1011 N. State St. Docents will be available to guide guests through the house that has memories and decorations of Christmas present and past. The drawing for a quilt will be 3:30 p.m. today.

PAJAMA STORYTIME: A Pajama Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Euegnia Atkinson Recreation Center, 903 Otis St., Youngstwon. Pre-register by calling the park office at 330-742-871 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. The event is for children age 10 and younger. One ticket per person with a maximum of five tickets due to limited space.

BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS: Big Brothers, Big Sisters will have its Christmas

gift distribution 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 325 N. State St. The gifts are being provided by the Giving Tree partners. Gifts will be brought to the vehicles. People are asked to call the office at 330-545-0002. Park in the driveway on the Prospect Street side of the building. If unable to pick up items, call the office by Tuesday.

TROLLEY RIDES: The Salem Historical Society will offer a series of trolley ride tours through the Christmas lit homes on the new Quakertown Trolley. The tour lasts about an hour. Tours will load at the Dale Shaffer Library, 239 S. Lundy Ave. Cost is $7 per adult and $4 for children under 12. Those age 3 and under are free. Masks are required. For information and to schedule a tour, call 330-337-8514. Reservations are given priority.

COOKIES AND CANVAS: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will offer a family friendly spin on the popular sip and paint workshop. Cookies N' Canvas for ages 3 to 14 will be today with ages 9 to 14 at 1 p.m. and ages 3 to 8 at 3 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants will sip on hot cocoa and munch on cookies while they paint a wintery landscape. Cost is $15 for members and $20 non-members. To register visit www.jccyoungstown.org.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA: Wreaths Across America will be noon Saturday at the Girard Union Cemetery. Ceremonies will take place across the nation to honor veterans. Veterans of all wars who have died will have a wreath placed on their gravesites. There are 120 veterans buried at the Girard Cemetery. The event is coordinated by Blackstone Funeral Home.

Community news

HUBBARD CHRISTMAS PARADE: The Hubbard Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" Christmas parade 5 p.m. Saturday. The parade will begin with lineup at 4 p.m. at the Hubbard Schools campus. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at Tylee Park, next to the fire station, to visit with children in Santa's cottage.

FOOD GIVEAWAY: East Side Crime Watch is hosting a drive-thru food giveaway 10 a.m. Saturday at the old fire station at the corner of Oak and Fruit Streets.

Community news

TREE LIGHTING: Jackson Township Citizens Association will host a community tree lighting 6 p.m. today at the township gazebo, 11613 Mahoning Ave. There will be caroling and hot chocolate.

TREE LIGHTING: The Mineral Ridge Athletic Boosters will host a community tree lighting 2 to 4 p.m. today at the park gazebo off state Route 46. There will be cookie decorating, crafts and Santa Claus arrives at 2 p.m. by firetruck.

SANTA AT LIBRARY: The Girard Free Library, 105 E. Prospect St., will welcome Santa Claus 6 pm. Monday. The fire department will deliver Santa to the library, and there will be pictures with Santa Claus, cookie decorating and holiday music with the Girard High School band and choir. Masks are encouraged.

HANUKKAH CELEBRATION: Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom will host a community Hanukkah celebration 3 p.m. today in-person and via Zoom and will highlight the community's students. The Hanukkah celebration will feature the consecration of three students, Hanukkah presentations from the religious school classes, Hanukkah activities for people of all ages, and traditional holiday food such as latkes, jelly doughnuts and gelt. An evening minyan will complete the celebration at 5:45 p.m. RSVPs are required and can be made by emailing office@ohevbethsholom.org or by calling 330-744-5001. You can also register by visiting www.ohevbethsholom.org.

HELPING HANDS: The Helping Hands Closet at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, has clothing for families. The closet is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays.

DONATION TO FOOD BANK: The Second Harvest Food Bank has been awarded a $100,000 grant made possible from the SI Gimbel Foundation, a component fund of the Inland Empire Community Foundation in Riverside, Calif. To meet the ongoing food insecurity impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the grant will help the food bank provide thousands of meals to families in the Mahoning Valley. The food bank provides 14,000 requests for food assistance each week in the tri-county area.

HOUSE NUMBERS: Hubbard Safety Director William Bancroft said with the recent time change and it becoming darker earlier in the evening to make sure house numbers are visible from the street for emergency vehicles.

PAJAMA DRIVE: The Akiva Academy and the Jewish Family and Community Services are collecting pajamas for children in foster care in Mahoning County. The drive will be through Friday with drop-off boxes at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, and JFCS, 517 Gypsy Lane.

LIBRARY GETS GRANT: The Hubbard Public Library has received a grant from the Ohio Children's Foundation. The $1,000 grant will support the children's room and programs. The Ohio Chidren's Foundation has awarded $15 million to hundreds of nonprofits and organizations that work on behalf of Ohio's children.

MUSEUM TOURS: Austintown Historical Society will offer free museum tours from 1 to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month. The society offers tours at two locations: Austin Log Cabin, 3797 S. Raccoon Road and the Strock Stone House, 7171 Mahoning Ave. For free, private tours, call 330-792-1129.

Submit items to Community News, 240 Franklin St. SE, Warren, OH 44483 or email society@vindy.com.

Community news

RADIO CLUB OFFERS CLASS: The Mercer County Amateur Radio Club (MCARC) is offering a free Ham Radio license exam preparation class via Zoom on Saturday. Study with club members and take your exam the same day at the Park Inn in West Middlesex, Pa. The Ham Cram will be led by MCARC President and DX Engineering CEO Tim Duffy (K3LR), MCARC Director and Educator Dr. Joshua Reichard (K8KJR), and other experienced MCARC members.

Study ahead of time and complete the self-paced online video-based license class to enhance your experience and readiness to pass the exam: https://www.technicianli cense.com/

SNOWFLAKE BALL: The USA Dance (Youngstown Warren Chapter No. 2015) Snowflake Ball is 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the historic Avon Oaks Ballroom, 1401 N. State St., Girard.

The evening will feature dinner, dancing and a show.

Enjoy a night of dancing to holiday favorites (waltz, foxtrot, tango, quickstep, Viennese waltz, polka and Country Two Step), Latin (cha cha, rumba, bolero, mambo, salsa, and merengue), swing (East Coast, West Coast and Lindy) and hustle.

This year's show will feature "The Joy of the Holiday Season." Advance ticket sales only.

Follow on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/USA-Dance-Chapter-2015-Youngstown-Warren-OH

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Breakfast with Santa will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11 at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Mill Creek Park, Youngstown.

Children can get their picture taken with Santa and enjoy a kid-friendly breakfast. Space is limited.

Register online at millcreekmetroparks.org or call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to make reservations by Sunday. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult. All guests, including children younger than 2, must be preregistered.

CHOFFIN COLLECTS HATS, GLOVES: Choffin Career and Technical Center's Early Childhood Education program has launched this year's effort to collect gloves, mittens, hats, socks and school supplies for children. Donations benefit the Choffin Preschool Center and Mahoning County Children Services.

Members of the public may drop off donations on school days 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Dec. 16 to the main office of Choffin Career and Technical Center, 200 E. Wood St., Youngstown. This is the 41st year this tradition has been coordinated by Choffin.

PIZZA RAFFLE: The Liberty Leopard Alumni Association is sponsoring a "Pizzas of Liberty" Raffle. The grand prize is three large pizzas every month for a year; and second place is one large pizza every month for a year. Participating restaurants include Cocca's Pizza (Liberty), Pizza Joe's (Gypsy Lane), Mama D's, and Bull & Bear Neighborhood Grille and Bar.

Cost is $10 per ticket and can be purchased in four ways: every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the L.Y.R.I.C., 317 Churchill Road; at Liberty Vinyl Creations during business hours at 1482 W. Liberty St.; through VENMO at Liberty Leopard Alumni @Liberty-Leopard or through Paypal: Liberty Leopard @libertyleopard1. For venmo and paypal, leave your cell number in the message box and a photo of your ticket will be texted to you. The winner will be drawn New Year's Eve and winners can start ordering their pizzas for 2022. All proceeds benefit Liberty Schools programs and activities. Email libertyleopardalumni@gmail.com for questions.

Email Community News to society@tribtoday.com.

Community news

NURSES TO MEET: The Youngstown Council of Catholic Nurses will meet noon today for a Christmas luncheon and installation of officers. The luncheon will be at A La Carte Catering, 419 Lisbon St., Canfield.

TOY DRIVE: The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will conduct its second annual toy drive to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

New, unwrapped toys can be brought to the Hibernian Hall, 5110 Southern Blvd., during those hours. Those contributing a toy will receive a voucher for a treat from an area GetGo, one per person, while supplies last.

With the help of the community last year, the Hibernians were able to contribute more than 300 toys to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which were then distributed to area families with Christmas dinners.

Local GetGos also will be accepting toy donations at their locations until later in the month.

For further information, contact Shannon Lehn at 330-770-6785 or email mahoninglaoh@gmail.com.

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING: The City of Youngstown, Youngstown CityScape and Premier Bank will present this year's Light Up Night, Flea on Phelps, and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday.

Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with the Flea on Phelps, a special edition, outdoor night market on the city's newest pedestrian path along Phelps Street. There will be entertainment and music on the nearby Commerce Stage.

All of this is paired with the city's annual tree lighting at approximately 6:15 p.m.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CREEK: Thornton & Thornton Educational Services, LLC will host a community resource fair and vendor's event, titled "First Annual Christmas at the Creek," 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Greater Mill Creek Community Center Great Hall, 496 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown.

The event will feature local vendors and community resources available to area residents.

Flu and COVID-19 shots will be available. Professional services, refreshments, baked goods, jewelry, clothing, makeup, shoes and crafts will be for sale, and a new karaoke event will be on the scene. Music will be provided by local DJ "DjGETiT."

HELPING HANDS: Helping Hands Closet at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield, is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Tuesday with clothing for the whole family.

TODAY

• MVI HospiceCare Bereavement Support Group -- 1 to 3 p.m., Boardman Park Georgeanna Parker Administrative Building, 375 Boardman Poland Road, Youngstown. Lisa Altman, social worker, 330-759-9487.

• Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1951 -- breakfast at 10 a.m., Landmark Restaurant, 7424 Market St., Boardman. Call 330-7923315 or email margaret.toth@aol.com.

• It Works: How and Why -- 7:30 p.m., Shrine of Our Lady, 517 S. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown.

• TOPS 1429 -- weigh-in 9 a.m., meeting 9:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Hubbard.

• Willingness Group -- 10:30 a.m., Salvation Army, 1501 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown.