Community news
FALL FEST: The sixth annual Mahoning Avenue Fall Fest will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to celebrate the treasures of the neighborhood. The event will be on Mahoning Avenue between Steel Street and McKinley Avenue in the West Side’s historic garden district. The event includes a corn roast, pumpkin patch, antique sale, arts and crafts, music jam session and Trek Coffee House sneak peak. The purpose of the event is to demonstrate the vibrancy of the community and try to catalyze more permanent improvements in the future that will support and promote local artists and businesses.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: Temple Emanuel SDA Church, 108 W. Indianola Ave., Youngstown, will hold a food giveaway 1 to 2 p.m. today at the church.
VETERAN SUICIDE AWARENESS: The WR22 Veterans’ Suicide Awareness Walk will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Canfield Fairgrounds. Registration begins 8 a.m. The event raises awareness for veterans who lose their lives each day to suicide. The event is free to the participants.
VETERAN SERVICES: The Mahoning County Veteran Services Commission is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday at 345 Oak Hill Ave., Suite 100, Youngstown. The agency offers temporary emergency financial assistance, burial benefits, VA service credit disability claims and other services.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The Mahoning County Soil and Water Conservation District is planning its annual election of supervisors. Votes can be made in person 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, Oct. 10 to Nov. 8 at the SWCD offices, 850 Industrial Road, Youngstown. Individuals age 18 and older who live or own land in Mahoning County can vote. An absentee ballot can be requested by contacting the district office at 330-740-7995. Absentee ballots must be received by Nov. 8. Three candidates are running for two open positions with the new members to begin their three-year terms Jan. 1. Candidates are Richard Scarsella, Fred Owens and Matthew Monus.
SOCIETY TO MEET: The Mahoning Valley Archaeological Society Association will meet 6 p.m. today at the Boardman Park log cabin. The public is welcome. Speaker is Matt Omaski, who will do a presentation on Mayan culture. Artifacts will be on display and new members are welcome. For information, call Rocky at 330-519-7705.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS: Levy Gardens Assisted Living Facility is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Levy Gardens, which is located in Youngstown and originally was called Heritage Gardens, was conceived to serve the assisted-living needs of older adults.
Community news
MODEL AIRCRAFT CLUB: The Mahoning County Model Aircraft Club will sponsor a radio controlled aircraft fun fly and exhibition 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Shaker Woods Field, 4437 Countyline Road, Columbiana. The free event is open to the public. There will be food and beverages and a 50-50 drawing. Rain date is Oct.1. New members are welcome to join. Visit ww/MCmodelClub.org.
BOOKS FOR STUDENTS: The Boardman-Youngstown Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a book giveaway and pizza lunch for a second-grade class at Harding Elementary School in Youngstown. The event is to improve and promote literacy. The event is a continuation of the club’s Tom Eisenbraun Project, which is named after the originator of the idea to distribute books monthly to Youngstown city schools district elementary school students. The books are scheduled to be presented to students at the school today. The students receiving the books are in Shannon Sefcik’s second-grade class.
CANCER AWARENESS: Several hundred people gathered Sept. 16 at the Mahoning Valley Restaurant in Youngstown in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, represented by the color gold. The three-hour event, Dunk Out Cancer, hosted by Cardinal Mooney High School, raised thousands of dollars for Project Ed Bear, a non-profit organization in Akron. Area elementary school students and their families, and well as the general community were invited to attend and support this important yet often overlooked cause.
While cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children, on average only 4 percent of federal government cancer research funding goes to the study of pediatric cancer.
Those who were dunked included, special guest and cancer survivor, 8-year-old Nora Sabella, a third-grader at St Charles School in Boardman. In 2018, Nora was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer known as Neuroblastoma.
In addition to the dunk tank booth, funds were raised with a basket raffle.
Cardinal Mooney students and administration will invite Susan Summerville, the director of Project Ed Bear, to the school in the coming weeks to present her with a check.
Community news
FOOD DRIVE: The Jewish Community Center of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is hosting its 30th annual high holiday food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank through Oct. 20. Donations will be accepted at the Jewish Community Center and the Akiva Academy, 505 Gypsy Lane; Temple El Emeth and Children of Israel Congregation, 3970 Logan Way; and Ohev Beth Sholom, 118 Elm St. Monetary donations also may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank and sent to JCRC, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, 44504. For information call 330-746-3259, Ext. 108.
HERITAGE GROUP TO MEET: Veteran Jerry Mong will speak to members of the World War II Heritage Group when they meet at 6:15 p.m. Monday at Ala Carte Catering on state Route 62 in Canfield. Cost of the buffet is $16, and reservations should be made with Dave Frank at 330-757-0515.
Prior to his service, Mong worked for a telephone construction company, which sparked his interest for his future career. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, initially deployed to the Bavaria area of Germany, then shipped to Vietnam in November of 1967. He was stationed at Vung Chua Mountain in South Vietnam. Following his discharge, Mong enrolled in Electronic Trade School in Pittsburgh, graduating in June of 1970. He was promptly hired by Ohio Bell Telephone where he spent his career before retiring in March of 2009.
BENEFIT PLANNED: A bingo and basket raffle benefit for Amy Mackey, who recenly died of cancer, will be 5:30 p.m. with bingo at 6 p.m. Saturday at Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 26 W. Wilson Ave., Girard. Entrance fee is $10. Mackey joined the Girard Eagles Auxiliary 2172 in 1985. She was the auxiliary’s secretary for the past 10 years. Donations are being sought for the event. For information, call 330-550-0002.
KIDS IN KITCHEN: Girard Free Library will host Kids in the Kitchen 4 p.m. Thursday. Library staff will lead the children through basic recipes. Participants should sign up at the library by Tuesday.
K-9 COMPANIONS: Girard Free Library will provide children the opportunity to read to dogs through K-9s for Compassion 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 27. K-9s for Compassion will bring the dogs to the library. Children ages 12 and younger can read to a dog. Call the library to RSVP to participate in the event at 330-545-2508.
GARDENING PROGRAM: Girard Free Library will host a “Putting Your Garden to Bed” program at 6 p.m. Thursday at the library. Trumbull County Master Gardener Wanda Thomas will be speaker. The presentation will provide a checklist of getting your garden ready for winter and getting a jump start for spring.
NUN RUN – WALK: Ursuline Sisters Mission is hosting the Eighth Annual Nun Run 5k, 1-mile Walk, and Kids’ Run beginning with registration at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 1, at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield. The event is once again offered as a hybrid — both in-person and virtual.
The entry fee is $30 in advance or $35 the day of the race. There is no entry fee for the Kids’ Run. Participants will receive a swag bag.
The Kids’ Fun Run begins at 8:15 a.m., followed by the 1-Mile Walk at 8:30 a.m. and the 5k Race at 9 a.m.
Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers, as well as for age-group winners.
The virtual event runs Oct. 1 to 15 and can be completed from anywhere in the world. Virtual participants will receive an official Nun Run T-shirt, finisher medal and swag with their entry fee of $30.
Online registration and sponsorship opportunities are available at: //runsignup.com/nunrun. Contact Marie Voitus at 330-793-0434 or at mvoitus@ursulineministries.org..
METAPHYSICAL STUDY: The Unity Spirituality Center, 1212 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty, will host a Bible study the third Sunday of each month. The Bible study will feature metaphysical interpretation of the New Testament.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Austintown will hot a food pantry 1 to 5 p.m. Friday at the parish. The assistance is offered once a month.
Community news
ROBOTICS EVENT: The Austintown FIRST Robotics team and Northeast Ohio FIRST Robotics Alliance will host the 2022 Mahoning Valley Robotics Challenge robotics competition 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 9 at Austintown Middle School, 800 S. Raccoon Road. The free event will take place in the main gymnasium. Nearly two dozen FIRST Robotics Competition teams from Ohio and Western Pennsylvania are scheduled to attend.
For more information about sponsoring local FIRST robotics teams or robotics competitions, stop by the Event Information Table, where you can pick up handouts, ask questions of event staff, and arrange a VIP tour of the competition and pit areas for an up-close look at what FIRST is all about. FIRST offers four levels of robotics programs for students in grades K-12. For more information, visit www.firstinspires.org.
LIBERTY TIRE COLLECTION: Liberty Township will host a scrap tire collection made possible by a grant from the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District. The program is a drop off collection from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Sunday at the township administration building, 1315 Churchill Hubbard Road. No tires will be accepted before or after the dates. There is a limit of eight tires per residence. Tires must be off rims. Passenger car and light truck tires only. For information call 330-759-1315, Ext. 1002 or 1003,
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation will host a voter registration drive with the League of Women Voters 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane, A drive-thru option will be available. Participants will be able to register to vote and check their voter registration status. Absentee ballot request forms and polling site information will be available. Sept. 20 is National Voter Registration Day. For information visit jccyoungstown.org.
RUTH SHRINE: Ruth Shrine, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, will have its next meeting Monday, at the Poland Masonic Complex, 7685 Youngstown-Pittsburgh Road, Poland.
White Shrine is an organization for men and women with a connection to the Masonic Fraternity. Our mission is to do noble deeds and by acts of kindness and works of cheer make the world a better and brighter place. The members will meet at 6:30 p.m. for a mini-dinner, with the meeting starting at 7:30. If you would like to learn more about White Shrine, you are invited to the dinner. Call Lynn Clark at 330-720-8570 or Jennie Caulk at 724-967-1459 for directions or questions.
Community news
ROUND TABLE DINNER: The Mahoning Valley Civil War Round Table will meet for dinner and discussion at 6:30 p.m. Monday at A La Cart Catering, 429 Lisbon St., Canfield. The cost is $17 per person and reservations are required for the meal.
This month’s speaker is author, historian and war-gamer Scott Mingus. He will discuss Confederate General Harry T. Hays’ First Louisiana Brigade, more commonly known as “The Louisiana Tigers,” before and after the Gettysburg Campaign in 1863.
For membership information, or for reservations, call Gary Wholf at 330-953-1965.
SOCIETY TO MEET: The Poland Historical Society will meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Little Red Schoolhouse, followed by a program at 7:30 p.m. The program is “Poland 19th Century Homes to be on Tour” by Dave Smith, a trustee. Tours of the homes will be on Saturday.
ONENESS BLESSING: The Unity Spiritual Centre, 1225 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty, will host a oneness blessing 12:30 p.m. today. The oneness blessing is a hands-on benediction that brings about changes in energy of the brain. The blessing will be by Paul Christian, who also will be the speaker at 11 a.m. worship service.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: Bethel Church of God in Christ, 3146 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown, will host a food giveaway at noon Wednesday.
SCIENCE DAY: Corner House Christian Church in Hubbard Township will host Professor Seven’s Amazing Science Day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The free event will include interaction activities involving science with different shows during the day. There also will be food, games and activities. The program also will take place 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Brookfield Library.
BUDDY WALK: The Down Syndrome Association of the Valley will host the 15th annual Buddy Walk of eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at Eastwood Field in Niles. Gates open at noon. The Buddy Walk is the association’s main fundraiser. The walk celebrates abilities and promotes acceptance. Proceeds from the event will benefit programs and services provided by the DSAV. For information, call 330-726-3728. or buddy-walk@dsav.org for information.
DANCE EVENT: USA Dance with guest DJ John Siefkin and lessons sponsored by Bob McPhail will be today at Avon Oaks Ballroom. Basics lesson starts at 5 p.m. and a second lesson at 5:30 p.m. will be more advanced. General dancing to a full variety of genres will be until 9 p.m. Cost is $10 for USA Dance members, $15 for non-members, and $3 for high school or college students. Dances are open to the public. For information on ballroom dancing, visit www.usadance2015.com or follow us on Facebook at USA-Dance-Chapter-2015-Youngstown-Warren.
CHAMPIOPN DAY:The Canfield Local School District is hosting Champion Day from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday in Bob Dove Field at Canfield High School for students with special abilities. Students will experience the game day thrill of being announced as they make their way through an on field tunnel to participate in various activities such as football, soccer, cheerleading, golf, volleyball, and tennis. The students will also receive a Champion Day Medal and lunch.
Participating districts include Canfield, Poland, South Range, Springfield, Leonard Kirtz, Struthers and MCCTC.
Visitors may cheer on the champions from the stands. The event is free. Parking will be available after 8:45 a.m.
Community news
DOCTORATE DEGREE: Abby Kulisz, formerly of Canfield, has been awarded her doctorate degree in religious studies from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. Kulisz, daughter of Phyllis and Peter Kulisz of Canfield, has accepted a position at McMasters University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where she will be a postdoctoral fellow in the religious studies department.
OFFICERS NAMED: Executive Club 408 Toastmasters Youngstown announced its new officers for 2022-23 year: Renee Coonfare, president; Jim Hruska, vice president of education; Debbie Larson, vice president of membership; Arthur Byrd, vice president of public relations; Harry Shood, treasurer; Mike Moss, secretary; Rayshone Phillips, sergeant at arms; and Greg Smith, assistant to vice president of public relations. Their terms will run for a year. Executive Club 408 provides members and guests the opportunity to give impromptu speeches, present prepared speeches, to offer and receive constructive evaluations by fellow members and be involved in timely discussions. Toastmasters 408 meets at 6:45 p.m. every Monday, at the Mahoning County Republican Headquarters, 8381 Market St., Boardman. Guests are welcome. For information about Executive Club 408, please visit http://www.speakingclub.org.