Community news
WINTERFEST DANCE: The 21st annual special needs Winterfest Dance will be 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Ciminero’s Banquet Centre, 123 N. Main St., Niles.
The event will include a dinner, music and visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and their helpers. A Snow Prince and Princess will be crowned during the event and a drawing will be held for the dance court with names randomly drawn from each school’s tickets.
The dance is open to all high school aged students with multiple, orthopedic and / or developmental disabilities.
Parents are welcome 4:30 to 5 p.m. and 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. so students can have the opportunity to interact with each other.
For information contact Jeanne Constantino at East High School in Youngstown at 330-740-4005, ext. 4143 or email constantino@youngstown.k12.oh.us.
HOLIDAY EVENTS AT MILL CREEK: Mill Creek MetroParks will welcome in the holiday season 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with people invited to Lanterman’s Mill for Christmas at the Mill. The traditional, family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Santa Claus will visit noon to 2 p.m. both days.
New hats, scarves and mittens will be accepted for the “Giving Tree.”
For information, visit millcreekmetroparks.org.
CELEBRATE THE SEASON: The Sharon Community Development Corporation will kick off the holiday season 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday with National Small Business Saturday.
A full list of participating locations can be found at www.SharonPA.com.
Community news
GREENERY SALE: Youngstown CityScape will hold the fourth annual Winter Greenery Sale at their greenhouse location, CityScape at Briel’s, 23 S. Belle Vista Avenue, Youngstown.
Wreaths, garland, swags and other greenery along with additional items will be for sale.
In person sale / pickup time and dates are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Tuesday and Dec. 6 and 7.
HELPING HANDS: Helping Hands Closet at Western Reserve United Methodist
Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield has new and gently used clothing. All inventory will be 50% off in December.
Helping Hands is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every Tuesday, and will be closed Christmas Eve.
BUSINESS WOMEN MEET: The annual Mill Creek Chapter of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) Christmas dinner will take place Dec.10 at Cafe 422 on South Avenue. The welcome will begin 6 p.m. with a sit-down dinner at 6:30 pm. There will be a cash bar and Rachel Joy Tupa providing entertainment.
To make reservations, call Patti at 330-718-8191 by Sunday. Standing reservations do not apply.
There will be an optional gift exchange valued at $15. No regifted or food items. There will be a goodwill offering for God’s Warehouse Inc.
Community news
MINI FLOATS: Austintown Middle School students will display mini floats to mimic the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Monday as part of a project that begins with the book, “Balloons Over Broadway,” by Melissa Sweet.
After reading the book, students are tasked with researching the parade and finding 15 interesting facts about it. After completing research, students must construct a small-scale parade float or balloon to accompany their 15 interesting facts.
POINSETTIA SALE: The Columbiana Women’s Club is hosting its 2024 Poinsettia Sale through Monday.
Cost is $13 per 6-inch plant; color options include pink, red or white. Orders are due by 3 p.m. Monday. Pick-up will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Club House, 121 N. Main St. Cash or check payment is due at pick-up.
Businesses, religious organizations, civic clubs, restaurants and other organizations can order in bulk. To place a poinsettia order, contact Sherry at 330-482-3198.
BROVIAK TO SPEAK: Eric Broviak, a retired engineer, outdoor enthusiast and NPS volunteer, will be guest speaker at the Audubon Society of the Mahoning Valley meeting, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Austintown Senior Center. His topic is the 50th Anniversary of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and he will share the story of Ohio’s only national park.
Community news
FOUNDATION CONDUCTS FUNDRAISER: The HELMS Foundation hosts its sixth annual Vegas in the Valley event 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Penguin City Brewing Company, 460 E. Federal St., Youngstown. The event supports art therapy services. There will be entertainment, artwork for sale, basket raffle and food. General admission is $35 and VIP tickets $55. For tickets or information visit helmsmv.org.
FOOD DRIVE UNDERWAY: A Thanksgiving food drive is being conducted by the Boo Squad in collaboration with Rulli Brothers. The eighth annual effort is to help families with Thanksgiving meals. Food donations will be accepted until Nov. 20 with items to be brought to 103 Forest Creek Drive, Struthers. To date the Boo Squad has fed 922 families. The Boo Squad is a group of children ages 7 and older with the goal of the group to teach children about teamwork, volunteerism, and compassion. The Boo Squad Fund is a component fund of the Anthony Spano Foundation. For information call 330-30-18761 or boosquad13@gmail.com
CHURCH HELPS NEEDY: Nevels Temple Church, 939 Elm St., Youngstown, will host a free dinner to feed those in need between 2 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, The church is on the city’s North Side. Dinner will be available as long as food lasts.
Community news
FREE FRAUD SAFETY: Jewish Family & Community Services and the JCC of Youngstown are offering a free fraud safety night for older adults ages 60 and older at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane.
Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova will provide information on types of fraud and scams that target older adults, strategies to protect oneself and how to report suspected fraud. Other community agencies will be present to provide information about their services as well.
Dinner will be provided. Registration is required by today. Visit jccyoungstown.org/agingwell to register.
GIRARD DRAMA CLUB: The Girard High School Drama Club will present “Noises Off” at 7 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Girard cafetorium. The comedy takes audiences behind the scenes of a chaotic theatrical production. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students.
SHRM EMPLOYEE WELLNESS: The Western Reserve Chapter Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) will host “Best YOU Employee Wellness” with wellness coach Kaitlynn Kollar, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 19, at Double Bogey’s Bar & Grill at The Bunker Southern Park Mall, 7401 Market St., Boardman.
Cost is $21 for members, $25 for non-members and $11 for students.
Register online at https://wrc-shrm.mightevent.com/events/event-Results.cfm
Community news
MOSS HOUSE VETERANS HOLIDAY: The Moss Ancestral Home, 1499 Burnett St., Mineral Ridge, will hold a Veterans Christmas on Sunday. A tree lit with real candles and decorated with ornaments celebrating veterans will have showings at 1 p.m, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Carols associated with the Civil War, World War I and World War II will be sung by Addison Goche, a Mineral Ridge student, along with some students from Seaborn Elementary. Space is limited. There will be a small gift for the veterans made by Tenley McElhaney. The Mineral Ridge Historical Society house, across the street from the Moss Ancestral Home, will be open for visitors to view the history of Mineral Ridge.
SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE: The 26th annual candelight vigil by Survivors of Suicide, in remembrance of people lost to suicide, is 6 p.m. Nov. 16 at Good Shepherd Community Church, 4600 Eagle Creek Road, Leavittsburg.
The event is sponsored by Help Network Survivors of Suicide Support Group in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. For help, call 211 or 330-747-2696.
For more information on the vigil, contact Mary at 330-307-8231 or Dan at 330-553-4635.
THE FIGHTING QUAKERS: The Salem Federation of Women’s Clubs will host a Smucker House high tea and program 11 a.m. Nov. 16 at 271 S. Broadway, Salem.
A program titled, “The Fighting Quakers” will be presented by Melissa Carchedi, a 2003 West Branch graduate
Tickets are $25 and reservations must be made by calling 330-207-6031 or emailing ccaldwell663@icloud.com
Carchedi’s program will highlight Edwin and Barclay Coppoc (Coppock), who were enlisted in John Brown’s Army. Edwin was captured at Harper’s Ferry was tried and convicted of treason, murder and fomenting a slave insurrection, and was hanged with John Brown in Charles Town, Virginia (Now West Virginia) on Dec. 16, 1859. By 1888 he had been reburied in Hope Cemetery in Salem.
Community news
PRESS CLUB LUNCHEON: The role of emerging nonprofit local newsrooms will be the focus of a Nov. 14 Youngstown Press Club luncheon. The event will begin at noon at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 305 Wick Ave. The featured speaker will be Loretta Chao, head of startup studio and local news innovation at the American Journalism Project, whose topic will be “Empowering communities through local news.”
The mission of the American Journalism Project is to support local journalism. The AJP makes grants to nonprofit news organizations, partners with communities to launch new organizations and coaches leaders as they grow and sustain their newsrooms. Appearing with Chao will be representatives of Signal Ohio, a three-year-old network of independent, community-led, nonprofit newsrooms, which is funded in part by the AJP. Lila Mills, editor-in-chief of Signal Cleveland, and Mary Ellen Huesken, a copy editor for Signal Ohio newsrooms, will discuss how their organization is changing the local media landscape.
Registration information is at youngstownpressclub.com. Pre-registration is required. The reservation deadline is Sunday. The cost is $30 for Youngstown Press Club members; $35 for non-members. The program is sponsored by the Edward M. Barr Foundation and the library. A portion of event proceeds will go to the club’s college scholarship fund.
PREVENTION SEMINAR: A suicide prevention seminar for veterans will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Austintown Fitch High School, 4560 Falcon Drive. Veteran and mental health professionals will provide resources to help deal with suicidal thoughts and behavior, as well as help people identify warning signs in loved ones
Community news
NIGHT OF CAMARADERIE: Boardman Professional Fire Fighters Local 1176 is inviting the community to join them for a casual evening 7:30 p.m. today at Cocca’s Pizza, 7144 Market St., Boardman. Residents and business owners can connect with their local firefighters, ask questions and show their support for the township’s EMS levy. All are welcome.
FAMILY DINNER: SMARTS 27th year in the community will be celebrated by exploring the role of art in our own lives. The SMARTS Family Dinner, which is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 343 Via Mount Carmel Ave., Youngstown, includes raffles, 50 / 50 and many SMARTS demonstrations and a spaghetti dinner.
Cost is $30 per person and $15 for children. RSVP by Friday.
GOD BLESS AMERICA: The Boardman Historical Society presents “The History of God Bless America” by Mark Luke, Shawn Golden and Jerry Armbrecht 10 a.m. Saturday at St. James Church, Boardman Park. All are welcome to attend this free event.
VETERANS PROGRAM: A veterans program of music and readings will be presented at noon Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive, Boardman. The choirs of Westminster and Boardman United Methodist Church will combine with tenor soloist William Ambert and organist / pianist Kathryn Miller to present patriotic favorites. The program will open with the flag ceremony and conclude with the audience joining the choirs in singing “God Bless America.” A PowerPoint presentation will accompany the music with pictures of veterans. Photos (digital or physical copies) may be submitted to the church office for inclusion in the video. A bagged lunch will be served during the 45-minute concert. This event is free and open to the public.
RAFFLE BENEFIT: A basket raffle and 50 / 50 raffle with a pasta dinner fundraiser for former Youngstown resident Kara Harris will be 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the St. Columba Parish Hall, 154 W. Wood St. in Youngstown. Harris is battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The cost is $15. Carryout will be available.
For tickets, call or text 330-502-6538 or email karaharrispastadinner@gmail.com.
CHRISTMAS LOOP: Spanning the Need is announcing with 330ToGO to create a magical Christmas Loop in Northeast Ohio and the Mahoning Valley. This collaborative effort is set to spread holiday cheer and goodwill across communities as they prepare to usher in the festive season.
Starting on Nov. 1 and running through Nov 20, families, individuals and organizations are invited to submit their addresses for participation in the Christmas Loop, as well as include information about charities they are supporting through holiday displays.
For more information and to register and / or submit your address for the Christmas Loop visit https://SpanningtheNeed.com/holiday-loops and scroll down to the directions entry form.
For more information, visit https://SpanningtheNeed.com or https://330ToGO.com.