Community news
CLASS OF 1956: Stuthers High School Class of 1956 will meet for breakfast at 10 a.m. today at What’s Cookin’ on South Avenue.
LEWIS RECEIVES WHITE COAT: Katarina Lewis of Austintown, was among the 37 members of the first class of Thiel College’s new Physician Assistant Studies program to receive a white coat during a ceremony April 2. The white coats these students received represents their completion of the first half of their studies in the 27-month P.A. program at the College.
JCC AFTER SCHOOL FUN: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will show a superhero movie during its After School Family Fun in the Pool program from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane.
The event is free for JCC members and $5 for nonmembers. Visit jccyoungstown.org/family swim to register.
Community news
EXPERIENCES IN POLAND: Local Jewish leaders who traveled to Poland to help with relief efforts following the Russian invasion of Ukraine will share their experiences at a Lunch and Learn at noon Monday at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown. Lisa Long, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation financial resource development director, and Nancy Burnett, Jewish Community Relations Council advisory board chair, took more than 300 pounds of supplies donated by community members with them. Nearly $6,000 was raised to date to aid their efforts. Cost of the luncheon is $15 A free Zoom option is available. Visit jewishyoungstown.org to register for the event or for the Zoom link.
ACTION FUNDRAISER: The faith-based community organizing group, Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods (ACTION), will hold its 19th annual community fundraiser banquet and ribbon cutting on Tuesday the Byzantine Center at the Grove, 3801 Shady Run Road, Youngstown.
ACTION and Flying HIgh will celebrate launching The Mahoning Valley Mobile Market with a ribbon cutting at 4:45 p.m. at the hall.
The banquet opens at 5 p.m. and features Pastor Todd Johnson of Second Baptist Church, Warren, who will speak on the theme, “Transforming Communities Together.”
ACTION will recognize institutions and individuals for outstanding contributions to the community.
Funds raised at the event will help to underwrite ACTION’s key initiatives to enhance the quality of life for residents of the Mahoning Valley. The organization is dedicated to confronting ongoing challenges such as racism, predatory lending, rebuilding the future for returning citizens, and mitigating problems related to the “food desert” that affects scores of local urban neighborhoods.
Tickets are $35 per person. There will be also the option to pick up the meal before the event at 4 p.m. and watch it on Zoom or Facebook.
HISTORY OF THE MAHONING VALLEY: The Vienna Historical Society will host Sean Posey, photographer and author of “Lost Youngstown” and “Historical Theaters of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley,” who will speak 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Vienna United Methodist Church, 4265 Warren-Sharon Road. Books will be available for sale after the meeting.
HOLOCAUST RECOGNITION: The Jewish Community Relations Council annual Student Holocaust Writing, Art and Multimedia Contest will be noon Thursday at the Mahoning County Courthouse. The event includes an educational presentation by Dr. Jacob Ari Labendz. Local students will be recognized in the contest.
HELPING HANDS: Helping Hands Closet at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield, has clothes for families. It is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday, but will be closed on May 10 to prepare for the church’s garage sale May 12 to 14.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: A drive-thru food giveaway will be 9 a.m. Tuesday at Alpha and Omega First Baptist Church, 3120 Winton Ave., Youngstown. This is a “contactless event” in which items will be placed in vehicles. Identification is required. Items will be given while supplies last.
GIRARD SOCIETY: The Girard Historical Society is hosting a membership drive with individual memberships at $10, family at $15 and students at $3. Annual dues are due by Wednesday by sending to Girard Historical Society, 1011 N. State St., Girard. Those interested in volunteering can call 330-314-2345 or email girardhistorical@neo.rr.com.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS: Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley, in partnership with the Eastwood Mall, will host a one-day Youth Market Day 11 a.m. to 2 pm. Saturday at the mall in Niles. The event will feature young entrepreneurs who will offer their products and services for sale to the public. Judging and prizes will be awarded at the end of the event.
The awards ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at Eastwood Mall Center Court. Customers will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite business and awards will be given to the winners of three categories.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TOURS: The Salem Historical Society will offer Underground Railroad tours on the Quackerstown Trolley 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Docents will take visitors back in time to the 1850s. The tour will last an hour-and a half with loading at 239 S. Lundy St., with a minimum of 15 guests needed. To reserve seat call 330-337-8514.
DOG PARK DAY: The Restoration and Beautification Committee of Firestone Dog Park in Columbiana will celebrate National Dog Park Day with a “Bark in the Park” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event will be near the walking trail behind the Clipper Baseball Field. The event is designed to raise awareness of the dog park. The event includes dog trainers, shelters, retailers and pet lovers.
Community news
BAGS AND BAUBLES: The Mahoning County Juvenile Court’s Community Advisory Board will host Bags and Baubles 2022 from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center in Boardman.
The event benefits the many programs for at-risk, abused and neglected children and families at Mahoning County Juvenile Court. Admission includes a dinner buffet and dessert. A full cash bar is available.
The event will feature designer purses, a mystery purse raffle and general raffle items. To participate in the free raffles or to purchase event admission tickets, grand prize, designer purse, mystery purse and general raffle tickets, go to: https://bidpal.net/bagsandbaubles2022.
New this year is the Fabulous Purse Raffle that features 40 purses valued between $75 and $400.
For questions, call 330-740-2244, Ext. 6470, or email the advisory board at: jjcadvisoryboard@gmail.com.
COOKIE CRAWL: The Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Cookies and More Cookie Crawl, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in downtown Lisbon.
Wristbands are $5 for this family-friendly event. The Conkle Brothers will provide live music in the gazebo while participants visit 13 local businesses to taste and vote on treats. Participants will receive a ballot with their wristband to cast votes for best bakery cookie and best home-baked cookie.
The top three in each category will take home a gold, silver or bronze spatula and bragging rights. Desserts will be available from local bakers.
Community news
CLASS TO MEET: Campbell Memorial High School Class of 1963 will meet for lunch at Chili’s Restaurant, 7303 Market St., Boardman, at noon Wednesday. Guests are welcome.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., Youngstown, offers a food giveaway from 9 to 10 a.m. the third Thursday of each month at the church. The next distribution date is this Thursday.
CORVETTE ENTHUSIASTS WELCOME: Mahoning Valley Corvettes will hold its monthly meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood Chevrolet, Mahoning Avenue, Austintown. All Corvette owners and enthusiasts are welcome.
Community news
POLAND SOCIETY HOSTS SPEAKER: The Poland Historical Society will host a program 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Little Red Schoolhouse, 4515 Center Road, with Roslyn Torella who will discuss “When Youngstown was a Gretna Green.” The society’s meeting is 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7:30 p.m. Torella grew up in Lowellville and considered herself the village’s “unofficial self-appointed historian.” She will speak about the Gretna Green, which is a place where eloping couples could have hasty marriages solemnized. She is a contributing writer for the Hometown Journal.
LIFEGUARD TRAINING: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will host lifeguard training for ages 15 and older with training from 5 to 7 p.m. April 29 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30 to May 1. The class provides participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies until EMS personnel arrive. Participants who successfully complete the course receive an American Red Cross certificate. For information, call 330-746-3251
FOOD PANTRY: Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 4490 Norquest Blvd., Austintown, will host its monthly food pantry 2 to 5 p.m. Friday for anyone in need. The assistance is offered once per month until further notice.
HUBBARD PLAY: Hubbard High School students will present “Once Upon a Mattress: The Musical Story of the Princess and Pea” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. April 24 at the high school auditorium. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students.
Community news
WEATHERSFIELD HOSTS EVENT: Weathersfield Township will host an Easter egg drive-by event 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at the park off state Route 46. Township officials will hand out candy to children in the parking lot.
WELLNESS CENTER: A raffle fundraiser for the Yellow Brick Place Cancer Wellness Center will be aired live on Facebook at noon April 22. Tickets can be purchased at https://yellowbrickplace.org/events/spring-into-22-raffle/ or by calling the office at 234-228-9550. All donations stay locally and go toward providing services free to anyone who needs help. Ticket stubs must be returned to Yellow Brick Place by Thursday.
The mission of Yellow Brick Place is to offer support and education to cancer patients and those closest to them by providing individual and group services in the tri-county area of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Visit https://yellowbrickplace.org/ for more information.
FRIENDS HOST TOURNAMENT: Registration is now open for the Friends of the Canfield Library Committee’s annual Mah Jongg Tournament 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at A La Cart Catering in Canfield. The registration deadline is Monday.
The event begins with a meal and raffle ticket sales before tourney play. It closes with sweets and the announcement of game and raffle winners. The top three players receive cash prizes. Tickets are $25 per person.
Parties of less than four will be combined when possible. For registration and information, contact Deborah Liptak, development director of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, at dliptak@libraryvisit.org or call 330-740-6086.
Proceeds of the event are used to benefit the library. The Canfield committee meets at the Canfield Library at 1:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of most months.
LIGHT UP THE SKY: The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has kicked off the “Light Up the Sky Campaign,” as part of the Reuben B. McMillan Legacy Capital Campaign for the main library, to recreate the main library’s original skylight in its grand reading room during its current renovation project.
During the current renovation of the main library, and through the campaign, the historicic skylight is being uncovered and restored.
In addition to the restored skylight, the renovated main library will include a 6,500 square-foot addition, which will house a culinary literacy kitchen with 16 cooking stations, a 125-person events space and an outdoor terrace.
To donate to the Light Up the Sky campaign, contact Deborah Liptak at 330-740-6086, dliptak@libraryvisit.org, or visit: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/PLYMCLightuptheskycampaign2022.
Community news
CLOTHING DRIVE: Poland Seminary High School’s Leadership Club is hosting its first clothing drive through the Salvation Army. The drop off will be at the main entrance of the Poland High School, 3 to 6 p.m. today. Volunteers will be at the site.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: Bethel Church of God in Christ, 3147 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown, will hold a free food giveaway at noon each Wednesday for those in the community in need.
SIGN LANGUAGE: American Sign Language classes will be noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at Girard Free Library. There also will be a session 6 to 7 p.m. April 19. Both classes are for ages 12 and older. To register, call 330-545-2508.
Community News
LECTURE SERIES: Jack Dixey will present “Political Memorabilia through the Years” 6 p.m. Thursday at the Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Dixey is known both locally and nationally as an expert in political memorabilia. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the library.
The Canfield Historical Society Bond House, located across from the Canfield Library, will be open 5 to 5:45 p.m. for refreshments before the lecture.
AUSTINTOWN DINNER: Austintown seniors 65 and older are invited to the spring Senior Citizen Drive-Thru Dinner 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. April 27. Seniors are asked to enter at the Raccoon Road entrance, near the public library, and follow the road to the back of Austintown Fitch High School, where a tent will be set up for food distribution. The dinner is $2, and advance reservations are required.Call 330-797-3919 to reserve your dinner.
EASTER EGG HUNT: The Girard City Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor an Easter egg hunt at noon Saturday at Tod Park for children ages 3 to 8.
CLOTHING DRIVE: Logan Flament, a junior at Poland Seminary High School, founded the Leadership Club’s first clothing drive through the Salvation Army. The clothing drive community dropoff will be 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the high school.
HERITAGE GROUP: Corban Baker, veteran outreach coordinator for the Mahoning County Veterans Services Commission, will speak at 6:15 p.m. April 18 to members of the World War II Heritage Group. For reservations, call Dave Frank at 330-757-0515 by Thursday.
Community news
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: The Mahoning Avenue Improvement Project community input meeting will be 5 p.m. today at West Side Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. The event is being hosted by 5th Ward Councilwoman Lauren McNally and 4th Ward Coucilman Mike Ray.
FREE SPEAKER EVENT: The Mahoning County Bar Foundation and the Youngstown State University Rigelhaupt Pre-Law Center are sponsoring a free speaker event at 7 p.m. today at DeBartolo Hall on the YSU campus. The speaker is attorney / author Brian Cuban, brother of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who will share his personal story of overcoming multiple addictions, practicing law and the three books he has written.
HELPING ORPHANS: Mission Strudel Sale to benefit Ukrainian orphans who have been relocated to Poland is taking place. Monetary donations that will benefit the children directly also is taking place. Large apple or cherry strudels are $9 and large cherry with cheese strudels are $10. Pickup is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Orthodox Cultural Center, 1025 N. Belle Vista, Youngstown. Call 330-792-6699 or 330-799-7911 to order. Customers are asked to wear a mask when picking up their order.
SWIM CLINIC: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is offering a spring swimming stroke clinic 5 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday through May 26 at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane.
This eight-week clinic is designed to prepare competitive swimmers for the upcoming summer swim season, and to allow new swimmers to find out if the summer swim team is right for them. Practices will focus on stroke development and endurance.
The cost is $85 for JCC members and $105 for nonmembers for the full session. The cost per week is $15 for JCC members and $18 for nonmembers. Visit jcc youngstown.org/aquatics to register.
RASPBERRY PI WORKSHOPS: The Oak Hill Collaborative serves the community by offering services and programs to increase digital equity and reduce the digital divide. Once again, the Collaborative will offer in-person Raspberry Pi workshops to local schools and organizations.
Launched in 2012, Raspberry Pi is a small low-cost computer that was first developed to teach basic computer science in schools and developing countries. School students learn how to build and program their own Raspberry Pi computer and get to bring it home when they are finished.
Schools and other organizations interested in learning more about the Raspberry Pi workshops, including the cost to offer their own on-site workshop, should contact Pat Kerrigan at 330-518-5884.
BRIGHT FUTURES: YWCA Mahoning Valley’s Young Women with Bright Futures Awards honored outstanding area high school senior women.
Nominated by their teachers and administrators, 29 senior high school girls were recognized for their leadership skills, academic achievement, creativity, and volunteerism at the awards banquet. Scholarships of $12,000 and $8,000 were awarded, funded by Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. Each honoree received a $500 award provided by Denise DeBartolo York.
This year’s speaker was Allyson Crays, chair of the Youth Advisory Council at the YWCA and former Bright Futures honoree.
This is the 28th year of the event. The program has grown from two schools in the first year to nearly 30 participating schools in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. In the past 10 years, YWCA has awarded $160,000 in scholarships to 16 high school seniors.
The 2022 local honorees are:
¯ Austintown Fitch, Alyssa Ruggles ($12,000 scholarship)
¯ Girard, Kaylynn Thomas
¯ Howland, Kalliopi Gentis
¯ Hubbard, Delaney Panigall
¯ Jackson-Milton, Megan Finnie
¯ Lakeview, Grace Mazur
¯ Liberty, Allyson Jones
¯ Mathews, Kaitlyn Riddell
¯ McDonald, Lucia Wolford
¯ Mineral Ridge, Sylvia Whittaker-Traw
¯ Niles McKinley, Hannah Loveless
¯ Valley Christian, Katie Murray
¯ Warren G. Harding, Ryan Gump
For comprehensive information about the YWCA, go to www.ywcamahoningvalley.org and www.ywca.org.
TIMEBANK EVENTS: TimeBank Mahoning Watershed (http://TBMW.org) is asking the public to explore common interests, possible informal collaboration and occasional pro bono coaching. See the following examples of Community Action Network gatherings:
¯ Resilience Circle — A small group of 10 to 20 people who meet to increase personal security during these challenging times. Circles have three purposes: learning, mutual aid and social action. Check it out: https://localcircles.org/what-is-a-resilience-circle/
¯ Community Action Network — A call to celebrate Mahoning Valley’s culture of co-production. Check it out: https://tbmw.org/invite-collaborate/
¯ ShareFest — https://www.shareable.net/sharefest-supports-a-culture-of-sharing-in-youngstown/
¯ The TBMW will meet 4 to 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday in April and also May, at the Hubbard Public Library, second floor, Schafer Room.
For more information, e-mail TonyBudak@TBMW.org or call 330-716-2722.
THESIS COMPETITION: Abhishek Shah of Youngstown, a computer science major at Youngstown State University, earned first place in the recent Three-Minute Thesis Competition on campus. Shah’s research was titled, “Eye Tracker Analysis of Driver Visual Focus Areas at Simulated Road Network.”
Three-Minute Thesis, presented by the YSU College of Graduate Studies, requires students to explain their research in three minutes in a language appropriate to a nonspecialist audience. The 2022 event was held virtually.
Community news
UKRAINIAN EGGS: The 35th Annual Ukrainian Egg Festival will be 1 to 4 p.m. April 10 at St. John Church in Sharon, Pa. Ukrainian art that features intricate, handmade designs on eggs are historically thought of as good luck in the Ukrainian culture.
EVENT SET TO CELEBRATE FAMILIES: Northeast Ohio Adoption Services and event chairs, Peter and Kelly Verostko, will host “An Evening with Dominic Tocco and Brotherhood: Celebrating Families and Children ” from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at The Lake Club in Poland.
The evening includes a cocktail hour, plated dinner, photo booth, a liquor pull, chance and live auctions, music, dancing and more. Dominic Tocco & Brotherhood will play a mix of old favorites and the latest dance hits.
Tickets are $100 per person. Visit noas.com to purchase tickets.
For information about foster care and adoption, call NOAS at 800-686-6627 Ext. 126 or visit www.noas.com.
GARDENERS TO MEET: Gardeners of Greater Youngstown will have its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Fellows Gardens, Youngstown.
All are welcome. John Hippley, owner of Hippley Gardens, will be the speaker. Contact Bruce Brungard 330-793-1307 for further information.
IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR PARK: Youngstown City Councilwoman Lauren McNally, 5th Ward, will host a gathering 6 p.m. Thursday at the Common Goods Studio, 2000 Canfield Road, Youngstown, for residents to discuss preliminary improvement plans for Kirkmere Park.
A community input survey is available at www.Youngstownohio.gov/parks. For information, call 330-432-2112.
EARTH DAY: Unity Spiritual Center, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty, will have a cleanup day starting at 9 a.m. Saturday for Earth Day. The members will go to the church grounds to clean up the lawn and ditches. Safety vests, gloves, picker tools and bags will be provided.
PARENT NIGHT: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane, will host a Parent’s Night Out 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. The event will be for children ages 4 to 10. Parents can enjoy an evening to themselves while children enjoy swimming, playing games and watching a movie. Dinner and snacks will be provided. Registration is required at jccyoungstown.org/youthand family. Cost is $25 for member child and $31 for non-member.
NIGHT AT RACES FUNDRAISER: The Girard Robotics Booster Club will sponsor a Night at the Races and basket auction Saturday at the Avon Oaks Ballroom on North State Street in Girard. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the first race is at 7 p.m. The night’s proceeds will benefit the Girard FIRST Robotics and LEGO League teams. Admission is free.
Light refreshments will be served, and there will be a cash bar. The race caller is Jeff Kay.
A 50/50 and auction race also will be held, along with a basket raffle.
Students in the FIRST Robotics program work throughout the year to promote their team and FIRST Robotics engage in community service projects, as well as design and build prototypes for their competition robot. Horses can still be purchased for $10, and the team is accepting basket donations.
Contact 330-545-5431, Ext. 201 for more information.
A pancake breakfast to benefit the Girard-Liberty Rotary Club and Girard FIRST Robotics Aptiv Team, the RoboCats, will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 10 at the Girard IFH Club on Wilson Avenue. Tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door.
A 50/50 and raffle tickets for approximately $200 in scratch-off lottery tickets also will take place.
Community news
INCLUSIVE EASTER: The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley is working with the Eastwood Mall to bring Special Bunny: An Inclusive Easter celebration, to the Eastwood Mall Concourse 9 to 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Families must register at AutismMV.org for this private event.
Started nine years ago by the Autism Society, the annual event is dedicated to making sure that families with children with special needs have the opportunity to enjoy seasonal traditions like the Bunny photo experience. The project has been expanded into a celebration with the addition of the following activities: arts and crafts; games, train rides, a 1,000 egg hunt, and featuring therapy bunnies from F5RS Bunnies in Baskets-Therapy Rabbits. This year, the Cafaro Foundation and Cafaro family will again be sponsoring photos for families. This allows each family to receive a complimentary 5×7 family photo.
AMERICAN RESCUE ACT: Youngstown Councilwoman Anita Davis will host a ward meeting 1 p.m. Saturday at the Newport Library, corner of Market Street and Midlothian Boulevard. Plans are to gather information from 6th Ward residents, property owners and business owners regarding the American Rescue Plan Act funds. Discussion will be on how the $1 million in funds can be spent within the 6th Ward. Seating is limited.
MEETING SET: AAUW Youngstown will meet Saturday at St. Columba in Youngstown. There will be a talk entitled “A Brief Introduction to Lace Construction” presented by Jean Reardon, a member of Lacers of the Lake (LOL). LOL is a charter chapter of the International Organization of Lace Inc. (IOLI), a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of all types of lace, whose goals include teaching and promoting lacemaking and lace identification.
Reardon will speak about the historical importance of lacemaking and a wide variety of techniques for making lace. Lacemaking tools will be available for hands-on “show and tell.” Lacers of the Lake is a local group that meets in Trumbull County libraries the third Saturday of the month, April to November, to demonstrate lacemaking to the public. For specifics, find us on Facebook or email LOL.Trumbull.OH.gmail.com.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: A drive-thru food giveaway will be 9 a.m. Saturday at Alpha and Omega First Baptist Church, 3120 Winton Ave., Youngstown. This is a contactless event and items will be placed in your vehicles. Identification is required. Items will be given while they last.
BE A JA VOLUNTEER: Junior Achievement Mahoning Valley invites area residents to become JA volunteers.
Junior Achievement’s caring mentors and lessons based on Social Emotional Learning can foster the belief-in-self, confidence, and hope for the future many students need at this time. Just a few hours of your time as a JA volunteer can help make a big difference in the life of a young person.
To learn more, contact: infojamv@ja.org or call 330-539-5268.