Community news
BASKET STROLL: The Mahoning County Medical Society Alliance is hosting “The Basket Stroll” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3 at The Lake Club, 1140 Paulin Road, Poland. All proceeds will benefit the Clothed in Strength organization, whose mission is to bridge the gap between financial freedom and government assistance for low to moderate income single mothers. The event features an extensive basket raffle, live entertainment by One Cello and numerous local vendors.
The cost is $50 per person. Make check payable to MCMSA, and send to Deb Evan, 2174 Heritage Trail, Poland, OH 44514. Include seating preferences and a method of contact. Contact Thedebevan@gmail.com or 330-507-7608. Personal hygiene items will be collected for the Clothed in Strength organization at the event www.clothedinstrength.org.
POWER OF S.H.E.: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Kappa Nu Zeta Chapter will host “The Power of S.H.E” luncheon, an event focused on social justice, health and economic awareness. The luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Dominic’s hall, 77 E. Lucius Ave., Youngstown.
The event will feature a fashion show followed by a panel discussion with esteemed guests who are leaders in their respective fields. Tickets are currently sold out.
For information, contact Christina Young at 330-707-7012.
BUSINESS WOMEN: The April 8 meeting of Mill Creek Chapter ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) will be at A La Cart Catering in Canfield. Networking will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $19. Make reservations by calling Darlene at 330-755-9089 or Marilyn at 330-726-2527 by Monday. The speaker for the evening will be Stephanie Geer from the Gambling Addiction Program. The public is welcome.
Community news
LAYING OF THE ROSES: The Mahoning County Veterans Services Commission will hold the annual Laying of the Roses ceremony 1 p.m. Sunday on the plaza in downtown Youngstown adjacent to the Chase Bank. The ceremony is in remembrance of Mahoning County residents who lost their lives in Vietnam. For information call Susan at 330-740-2450.
WILDLIFE ADVENTURE: Audubon Society / Mahoning Valley is hosting its monthly program 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Austintown Senior Center, 112 Westchester Drive. Social time starts at 6:30 p.m.
The topic is “A Brazilian Wildlife Adventure,” presented by Andy and Erin Avram, sharing their trip of a lifetime. The event is free and open to everyone.
COMMUNITY GAME NIGHT: The public is invited to a night of fun, food and festivities with the community from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday at the WickYard, 711 Wick Ave., Youngstown.
There will be interactive games as well as individual and team games. For information, contact 475-298-0792.
OFFICE CLOSED: The Annual Veterans of the Valley Luncheon will be Tuesday at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church Social Hall. The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission will be closed so all employees can attend this luncheon.
NEWCOMERS TO MEET: Newcomers of Mahoning Valley will host a luncheon meeting 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at The Golden Rye Grille, 10745 Main St., New Middletown.
Corban Baker, outreach coordinator for Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission, will speak.
For more information about Newcomers or the program, email newcomersofmv@gmail.com.
LWVGY HOF: The public is invited to the League of Women Voters Greater Youngstown 2025 Women Hall of Fame celebration dinner Thursday at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane.
Tickets are available at https//bit.ly/LWVGY2025HOF or http://www.lwvgy.org or call 330-207-0437.
In addition to recognizing the 2025 Honorees, the group’s Distinguished Service Award will be presented to former Honorable Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor for her leadership in the Citizens Not Politicians Campaign.
Registration begins at 5 p.m., with dinner and program to follow.
Community news
OPEN HOUSE SET IN HUBBARD: An open house at the Roosevelt Student Wellness Center will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The new senior program will begin April 1, for individuals aged 55 and older.
The open house will allow the public to tour the newly renovated facility, enjoy refreshments, and participate in or watch sample classes led by SilverSneakers instructors at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Multiple door prizes will be awarded to those present during the drawings.
REVERSE RAFFLE DINNER: Angels for Animals Annual Reverse Raffle Dinner will be 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday in Andrews Hall at Angels for Animals, 4750 W. South Range Road, Canfield. Individuals who have donated for a number have the opportunity to win $2,000. A dinner is available for purchase, with an evening planned to win additional prizes such as gift cards, giveaways and more. Shelter tours will be offered at the beginning of the event. There also will be a basket and 50 / 50 raffle. All proceeds are donated to help homeless and helpless animals.
Go to www.angelsforanimals.org for more information on purchasing tickets and numbers for this event.
For information on this event, contact Kimberly Moff, Angels for Animals promotions and marketing director, at 330-718-0444.
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: Valley Partners is inviting both women and men to their second annual Women’s LeadHERship Summit 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Eastwood Event Centre, Eastwood Mall, Niles.
This event will celebrate the strong, dynamic female leaders in the Valley for National Women’s History Month. The evening will feature a dinner, a panel discussion, a keynote speaker, live entertainment and networking opportunities.
Dr. Tonia L. Farmer is this year’s keynote speaker. Farmer is a board-certified Otolaryngology / Head and Neck (ENT) surgeon with 23 years of experience in private practice. She is widely known both online and within the local community as Dr. Nose Best with a strong social media presence of more than 750,000 followers across multiple platforms.
The event is free, but registration is required at valleyedp.com/summit2025.
MILL CREEK OPENS GOLF COURSES: Mill Creek MetroParks in Youngstown will have official openings for the golf locations for the 2025 season. The North Course will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Wick Par-3 Course at 10 a.m. April 1, South Course at 10 a.m. April 4 and outdoor practice range at 10 a.m. April 11. Opening dates may be adjusted because of weather. Tee times can be booked at the golf shop at 330-740-7112.
CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM: Because many people today do not know what their rights are in the Constitution, a course on the Constitution called Biblical Citizenship is being offered at 6 p.m. Friday at Trinity Church, 4749 South Ave., Boardman. There will be food at 5:30 p.m.
The classes will be taught by Rick Green, a Constitution specialist with Patriot Academy. Discussion will follow. If you want to know your rights to help protect you, your family and your country, call Alice Marshall to register at 330-783-5702.
Community News
BINGO FUNDRAISER: Sts. Peter and Paul, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown, will host Bingo for Ukraine at 6:45 p.m. each Wednesday. There will be prizes, food and music. All proceeds will be for humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
TASTE OF LIBERTY: The third annual Taste of Liberty will be 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Liberty High School. Tickets are $25 each at the door only. Various eateries will be participating. Proceeds benefit Liberty students.
FISH SALE: The Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District spring fish sale will be 1 p.m. April 3 at the Canfield fairgrounds. The sale will feature a variety of fish. Orders must be submitted to the district office by March 28. To place an order, contact the office at 330-740-7995 or email askswcd@mahoningcountyoh.gov. The order form is on the district’s; website.
HEALTH FAIR: Churchill United Methodist Church, 189 Churchill Hubbard Road, will host a health fair 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature a variety of prizes, raffles and staff from the Liberty fire and police departments.
SYMPOSIUM SET: The Mahoning County Fire Chiefs Association will host the 23rd annual fire symposium March 29 and 30 at the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center, 740 N. Palmyra Road, Canfield. The event will kick off at 8 a.m. both days. There will be speakers discussing the insights into the newest trends and procedures for emergency responders.
QUILT GROUP: That Quilt Group I Belong To will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Rotary Building at Fair Park in Canfield Local quilters are invited. This month will be a pony pillow project. For information, call Jeanne at 330-507-4672.
ASSISTANCE FOR ORGANIZATION: Protestant Family Services, 2915 Glenwood Ave., Suite 6, Youngstown, is in need of volunteers who are able to unload boxes from the food delivery trucks staring at 9 a.m. each Tuesday. If interested, call Cathy at 330-718-4733.
AUTHOR VISIT: Hubbard City Schools and the Hubbard Public Library will host bestselling children’s author and musician Eric Litwin, who is best known for the “Pete the Cat” books, Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, Litwin will be at Hubbard High School auditorium at 6 p.m to meet with families and the public. On Friday, Litwin will lead a professional development workshop for teachers at Hubbard Elementary School.
Community news
HEAD SHAVING EVENT: The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which raises money for childhood cancer research, is hosting an event noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Penguin City Brewing on East Federal Street in downtown Youngstown. This is the 25th year for the national event.
People collect pledges from friends and loved ones and have their heads or facial hair shaved, with all donations going to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
The local event’s goal is $50,000 and it reached nearly $42,241 as of Wednesday. For more information, email youngstownbaldricks@gmail.com.
WORKSHOP: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Youngstown Alumnae Chapter will host a financial planning and entrepreneur workshop 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Triyounity, 239 Main Ave. SW, Warren.
This summit will cover budgeting, debt management, and entrepreneurship. Engage with expert speakers, participate in a Q&A session, and gain valuable insights to help you succeed. This event will have expert speakers Brooke Moore, assistant vice president of Human Resources / risk officer at PNC Bank; Dr. Fareedah Goodwin-Capers, certified financial coach and founder of Capers Financial LLC; and Stephanie Gilchrist, director of economic development for the city of Youngstown.
MISSIONS WEEKEND: Second Baptist Church “A House of Hope” in Warren and New Bethel Baptist Church in Youngstown are partnering to host the Lott Carey Mahoning Valley Missions Weekend. This event is designed to bring together churches and believers from across the Mahoning Valley to increase awareness of global mission work and provide opportunities for greater engagement in international outreach. The weekend event will highlight the importance of this work and how churches and individuals can contribute to its ongoing impact. The weekend will begin with a Valley-Wide Missions Revival Service 7 p.m. Saturday at Second Baptist Church, 1510 Main Ave. SW, Warren. The guest preacher for the evening will be Rev. Dr. Victor M. Davis, senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Columbus.
PURIM CARNIVAL: The Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, will host a Purim Carnival noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. The family event will include carnival games, food, prizes, a bounce house and a costume contest. Carnival games and food will be noon to 2 p.m. Entertainment and a costume contest will be at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Tickets for games and food will be available for purchase. All families are welcome. Purim commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an Achaemenid Persian Empire official who was planning to kill all the Jews in the empire, as recounted in the Book of Esther.
JOURNALISM AWARDS: The Youngstown Press Club is seeking entries for its Scholastic Journalism Awards – a journalistic writing contest for high school students in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys. High school students in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Lawrence and Mercer counties are invited to compete in 11 writing or production categories across a variety of media platforms. In addition, entries are being sought in the scholastic journalist of the year and journalism adviser of the year contests.
The deadline for contest entries is March 21.
Complete information about contest rules is at youngstownpressclub.com.
The Youngstown Press Club was re-established in 2018 to promote journalism and related professions in the Mahoning Valley.
WWII GROUP MEETS: Steve Pettyjohn from Cleveland will speak on the “Rise and Fall of the Battleship” when he speaks to the World War II Heritage Group Monday at A La Cart Catering in Canfield. The PowerPoint presentation will be preceded by a 6:15 p.m. buffet dinner with reservations due today through Dave Frank at 330-757-0515.
Pettyjohn is a retired business consultant who specialized in improving the quality of products and services. An avid amateur historian, he became interested in history while listening to stories about his ancestors who served in the Civil War.
He is a member and past president of the Cleveland Round Table and a founding member of the World at War Forum addressing the conflicts of the 20th Century.
WRITERS MEETING: The next meeting of Monday Night Writers will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Leana’s Books & More, 4317 Kirk Road, Austintown. Area writers, both published and unpublished, are invited to attend. Led by author Nancy Christie, the meetings offer an opportunity for members to get group feedback on works-in-progress. For more information, contact Nancy Christie at nancy@nancychristie.com.
ART SHOW: The Trumbull County Educational Service Center will host the annual Trumbull County Educational Service Center high school art show and will host an awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Medici Museum of Art in Howland. The art show features more than 140 works of art from students across Trumbull County served by the ESC. Students are being recognized in four categories The show will be open 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Community news
FUNDRAISER FOR FOOD BANK: Liberty Local Schools will host the third annual students vs. staff basketball game at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Liberty High School. The event will bring together students, teachers and staff in a friendly, yet competitive basketball showdown to help the Liberty Food Bank. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. All are invited to attend.
Admission is $6 per person or $5 with a canned food item. Families (up to five people) can attend for $12 or $10 with a canned food item.
All proceeds from the event will directly support the Liberty Food Bank, which helps fight hunger in the local community.
LIBERTY PLANS CONCERT: Liberty Local Schools will host a free concert featuring The Ohio State University Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Scott Jones, at 7:30 p.m. March 27 at Stambaugh Auditorium. The concert will showcase the OSU Symphonic Band performing four selections, with Liberty musicians joining them on stage for two additional pieces.
Ohio State Symphonic Band member and Liberty graduate Zach Grant will take the stage with his brother, Liberty senior Devon Grant.
The concert is part of the Ohio State School of Music’s OPUS 88 program, where the school’s program visits school districts in all of Ohio’s 88 counties.
No ticket is required to enter. The doors will open at 6:45 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Community News
AAUW AT YSU: The American Association of University Women will have its next meeting on the Youngstown State University campus 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The program will be a discussion focusing on teaching YSU students about international politics, and describing international initiatives to improve education, health and wellness. This program features Dr. Keith Lepak, professor emeritus of political science in the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Dr. Nancy Wagner, former director of the Centofanti School of Nursing who was the inaugural James P. Tressel Endowed Chair in Leadership. The program will be in Williamson Hall, Room 3423. Parking is available at St. Columba Cathedral off Wood Street.
GATHERING PLACE: A Gathering Place event will take place 11 a.m. today at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St., Canfield. Carole Ann Drick will discuss her book “The Last Journey” with copies of her book available at $10 each. The event is a free community outreach social program offered to all senior citizens on the second Monday of each month. For information, call 330-533-3531,
ROBOCATS FUNDRAISER: Girard FIRST Robotics team will host a Night at the Races at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall on South State Street in Girard. The free event will have the first race at 7 p.m., but tickets for horses can be purchased. The event is sponsored by the Robotics Booster Club.
SHAMROCKING FUN: Girard Free Library will offer a St. Patrick’s Day event 5:30 p.m. Thursday, with those attending asked to wear their best green outfits. There will be trivia games, food and a St. Paddy’s key chain activity. To register, call 330-545-2508.
WWII HERITAGE GROUP: The World War II Heritage Group will meet 6:15 p.m. March 17 at A La Cart Catering in Canfield . The program will be preceded by 6:15 p.m. dinner. Reservations are due by Thursday to Dave Frank at 330-757-0515. Guest speaker is Steve Pettyjohn from Cleveland who will speak on the “Rise and Fall of the Battleship.” Pettyjohn is a member and past president of the Cleveland Round Table and a founding member of the World at War forum.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The Hubbard Historical Society will meet 6 p.m. Thursday at the Hubbard Senior Center behind the city municipal building. The society is seeking help from the community. The society maintains the McBride House on Hager Street and its 3,000-plus historical items ranging from photographs to furniture and wedding gowns. Volunteers are being sought to help with cataloging donations of new items received. The society is also in need of ideas for open houses, fundraisers and ways to increase membership. Anyone interested is asked to attend the meeting Thursday.
CEMETERY CLEANUP: The Lake Park Cemetery Association will start its annual spring cleanup of Lake Park Cemetery, 1459 E. Midlothian Blvd., Youngstown, on Saturday. Cleanup includes removal of artificial decorations, plants, statues, angels, crosses, flags, ornamental decorations, memorabilia and any nonconformity with the association’s established rules and regulations. Any persons wishing to keep any of these decorations should remove them before Saturday.
CEMETERY CLEANUP: Tod Homestead Cemetery, 2200 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, will host its annual cleanup March 17. All decorations on the graves, including solar lights and artificial flowers in cemetery vases, will be removed at this time. Anyone wishing to recover their decorations must do so before March 17.
PROTESTANT SERVICES: Protestant Family Services, 2915 Glenwood Ave., Suite 6, Youngstown, is seeking volunteers who are able to unload boxes from their food delivery trucks at 9 a.m. each Tuesday morning or once a month on Tuesdays. For information, call Cathy at 330-718-4733,
BUTLER ART FAMILY DAY: The Butler Institute of American Art on Wick Avenue in Youngstown will host a free Family Day at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The event will include tours, demonstrations, a gallery scavenger hunt and art making. The event is for children of all ages.
COMMUNITY NEWS
CHIPS FOR KIDS: Alta Care Group is hosting its inaugural fundraising event, Chips for Kids: A Roaring ’20s Casino Royale tonight at The Embassy in Struthers. This casino-themed evening will directly benefit local children and families served by Alta Care Group’s essential mental health and behavioral health programs.
Attendees are encouraged to don their finest black-tie and 1920s-inspired attire for a night filled with classic casino games like blackjack, poker and roulette, a live jazz quartet, the classic Youngstown cookie table and raffle baskets.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with gaming 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $80 per person, which includes a buffet dinner. Guests also can purchase funny money and poker chips for gameplay, along with drink tickets for the bar.
E-WASTE COLLECTION: Oak Hill Collaborative is hosting an e-waste collection drive 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 14 at the main branch, 507 Oak Hill Ave.
The collection drive is free for anyone to drop off technology that is unwanted, broken or needs recycling. After the drive concludes, GreenBoard IT will collect all materials and properly recycle and dispose of the technology, wiping out all personal data.
Accepted items include laptops, PCs, DVD players, MP3 players, gaming consoles, routers, hard drives, keyboards, wires, scanners, LCD monitors, servers, cameras and other technology.
Items that cannot be accepted include printers, TVs, CRT monitors, home medical equipment and kitchen appliances.
To coincide with the e-waste drive, OHC will offer a free public course on e-waste at 2 p.m. The class will discuss what e-waste is, how it’s recycled and how refurbished technology can impact the environment.
For information, call the OHC office at 330-406-0731.
SOCIETY TO MEET: Author and historian Thomas Welsh will be the guest speaker 10 a.m. Saturday at Boardman Park St. James Church. He will discuss “The Mahoning Valley Brewing Tradition.” The public is invited and will also learn about the Boardman Historical Society.
LIBRARY EVENTS: The Lepper Library, 303 E. Lincoln Way, Lisbon, continues a series of ukulele classes by Gloria Siegfried, 2 p.m.Saturday. Registration is required. To register, call 330-424-3117.
The March Scavenger Hunt-Leprechaun Hunt adventure begins at the circulation desk. Follow the trail of leprechauns for a prize. Enter your name to win a prize.
GRASS ROOTS GALA: Youngstown CityScape, the community development corporation revitalizing the greater downtown area through beautification, preservation and education for 28 years, will host its 15th annual Grass Roots Gala Thursday at The Tyler History Center.
This year, CityScape will honor H. William Lawson and the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, where he serves as executive director.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available online at YoungstownCityScape.org.
COMMUNITY NEWS
BAND PERFORMANCES: Hubbard High School will host the annual Festival of Bands today and Friday in the school’s auditorium. This year, 13 area high school bands will perform starting at 9:30 a.m. today and 8:45 a.m. Friday. The Festival of Bands offers students an opportunity to perform for their peers and receive feedback from guest clinicians Galen Karriker, director of bands at the University of Akron, and John Veneskey, retired director of bands at Youngstown State University and South Range schools. Performing today are South Range, Niles, Jackson-Milton, Western Reserve, Boardman, Champion and Hubbard. Friday’s performances are Southington Chalker, Campbell, LaBrae, Mineral Ridge, Liberty and (Lisbon) David Anderson.
JOURNALISM AWARDS: The Youngstown Press Club is seeking entries for its Scholastic Journalism Awards — a journalistic writing contest for high school students in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys. High school students in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Lawrence and Mercer counties are invited to compete in 11 writing or production categories across a variety of media platforms. In addition, entries are being sought for the scholastic journalist of the year and journalism adviser of the year contests.
The deadline for contest entries is March 21.
Complete information about contest rules is at youngstownpressclub.com.
The Youngstown Press Club was reestablished in 2018 to promote journalism and related professions in the Mahoning Valley.
Community news
SMARTS ARTISTS: In collaboration with Students Motivated by the Arts (SMARTS), Downtown Youngstown Partnership and Youngstown CityScape, Youth Art Month is hosting March’s First Fridays event “Celebrating Young Artists of the Mahoning Valley,” at 25 E. Boardman St., First Floor, in the Ohio One Corp. building. This free, family-friendly event will spotlight the many arts organizations in Youngstown, showcasing the talent and creativity of local youth. There will be performances, visual art, and hands-on experiences.
LEPPER LIBRARY: Toddler Storytime, for ages 3 and under, is offered at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at Lepper Library. Every week will be a new story, song and coloring sheet.
Preschool Storytime will be offered 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Each weekly storytime includes age-appropriate stories, crafts, rhymes and more.
DARE SINGLES: Divorce / Death Aren’t Really the End (DARE) Singles Group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, at Boardman United Methodist Church, 6809 Market St., Youngstown. Call 330-729-0127 for more information. Do not call the church.
KNITTING GUILD MEETING: The Western Reserve Knitting Guild meets 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month, at Fair Park Rotary building, 82-84 Fair St., Canfield. A business meeting and an educational program are included.
The guild collects knitted hats for local children. The hats are donated by guild members and non-members with the specification that they must be machine washable. Marilyn Dunn has been the longstanding organizer for hat collections and deliveries.
For additional information visit wrkg.weebly.com or email wrkg.ohio@gmail.com.
HELPING HANDS: Helping Hands Closet at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday, and has new and gently used clothing for the entire family. March and April specials will be Dollar Days, with inventory $1 each except purple ticket items. Coats are $2 each.