Community news
GARDEN CLUB TO MEET: Gardeners of Greater Youngstown will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fellows Gardens, Mill Creek Park, Youngstown. Guest speaker will be Rex Lester from Elliott Landscaping and will discuss hydrangea’s new cultivars and best times for pruning.
SOCIETY TO MEET: The Hubbard Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hubbard Senior Center. Guest speaker will be local historian and author Sean Posey. His topic will be his book “Hidden History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.” The book will be available for $20. The meeting is open to the public.
CEMETERY PROGRAM: Boardman resident Mark Luke will present a program on Boardman Cemetery, Tanglewood Drive; Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Market Street; and Lake Park Cemetery, off Midlothian Blvd., at 10 a.m. Saturday, at the Boardman Library, 7680 Glenwood Ave., Boardman, for the Boardman Historical Society. This program begins the annual BHS membership campaign.
BHS preserves Boardman Township history. Artifacts, photographs and records are archived, by the society, in the Detchon House, at Boardman Township Park.
The presentation is open to the public, at no charge. A question and answer period will be available, after the 45-minute program. Admission is free. Reservations are required, due to social distancing. For more information, about the program and the society, or to make reservations, contact Dona Hammond, at 330-726-0651.
JUNIORS ATTEND CONVENTION: In January the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board traveled to Columbus to attend the 97th Annual Ohio Fair Managers Convention and Trade Show at the Columbus Convention Center. The featured Key Note Speaker was Damian Mason.
The Junior Fair Board members watched as the 2022 Ohio Fairs Queen Maya Kidd from Butler County Fair was crowned by the 2021 Ohio Fairs Queen Mozie van Raaij.
There were a variety of workshops to attend and members and advisers also toured the variety of vendors and entertainment acts that were part of the Trade Show.
Following the convention the 2022 Junior Fair Board youth and adult advisors and Junior Fair Committee Members were treated to dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse in Columbus by the Canfield Fair Senior Fair Board. Special guests included Kim Moff, Junior Fair Manager and 2020/21 Senior Fair Board President, Ward Campbell and his wife Pam, and Donald Snyder III, who are also advisers on the Junior Fair Board.
Community news
LIBRARY OFFERS iPAD RENTAL PROGRAM: The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County continues its work to bridge the digital divide in the Valley by rolling out its iPad rental program. Patrons can reserve a iPad to take home, which will be available for pickup. The iPads are free to rent with a library card and can be checked out for up to 21 days. The devices should be returned to a circulation desk within the library, not at a book drop-off. There is a fee if the device is not returned or damaged.
The iPads are the latest resource to be added to the digital services and offerings. For more information on the library’s Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot Rental Program, please visit https://www.libraryvisit.org/hotspots/.
HUBBARD SOCIETY TO MEET: The Hubbard Historical Society will meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hubbard Senior Center. Guest speaker is local historian and author Sean Posey. He will speak on his book “Hidden History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.” The book will be available for $20. The meeting is open to the public.
HELPING HANDS: The Helping Hands Closet at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, will offer clothes for families. All inventory is priced at $2 each as part of the winter Christmas clearance. The Helping Hands Closet is open 9 am. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays.
Community news
BASKET AUCTION: Austintown Band Parents Club, Inc., will host a basket auction with in-person bidding beginning at noon Saturday at Austintown Fitch High School, 4560 Falcon Drive, Austintown.
For information, contact Molly at abpauction@gmail.com or Becca at financialvp@afband.org. To purchase tickets before the online bidding ends, go to: https://austintownbandparents.basketraffle.org/.
The Austintown Band Parents Club, Inc. is a registered non-profit organization.
FOOD GIVEAWAY: Eastside Crime Watch is hosting a drive-thru food giveaway 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at the old fire station, corner of Oak and Fruit streets, Youngstown.
FOOD PANTRY: The Hubbard Food Pantry will be open 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Hubbard. The pantry is run by Hubbard Christians in Action.
NATURE ROCKS SHOW: Kindergarten to sixth grade art students are invited to participate in the Nature Rocks art show. Selected Nature Rocks video will be used for area artists to use as starting points for art projects that showcase nature themes at Mill Creek Park. Artwork dropoff is between 3 and 7 p.m. today with the exhibition 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday. An awards ceremony will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the MetroParks Farm, McMahon Hall, 7574 Columbiana-Canfeld Road, in Canfield.
PROM FASHION SHOW: A Prom Fashion Show will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Eastwood Mall Complex Center Court, Niles. The Prom Fashion Show will include the Youngstown State University Fashion Department students showcasing the latest fashions and accessories for prom.
Community news
CITYSCAPE TO HONOR ALUMNI: Youngstown CityScape, the community development corporation that has been revitalizing the greater downtown area through beautification, preservation and education for 25 years, will host its 12th annual Grass Roots Gala honoring Youngstown State University alumni on Thursday.
Since 2010, Youngstown CityScape has awarded the Sweet Grass Roots Award to an individual or group that has made significant personal and professional commitment to the organization’s mission of revitalizing downtown Youngstown.
The award, named after former YSU President David C. Sweet and his wife, Pat, will be presented at CityScape’s Gala at 5:30 p.m. at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Social Hall in Youngstown. The presentations / speakers should commence at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Notable speakers and presenters include: Sharon Letson. executive director of Youngstown CityScape; Jim Tressel, president YSU; video presentations by Sen. Rob Portman and Mayor Tito Brown; Scott Schulick ,president of the Board of Youngstown CityScape and Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti.
ROTARY TO MEET: The next meeting of the Austintown Rotary Club will be 6 p.m. Thursday at Barry Dyngles.
ALZHEIMER’S NEW FACEBOOK: The Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Ohio Area Chapter has launched a new Facebook series to help Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers.
The Facebook Caregiver Corner Series focuses on a series of topics with a question and answer period for caregivers to get details, advice, and tips about topics ranging from how to care for yourself as a caregiver, how to address eating and nutrition issues for your loved one and tips on traveling with your loved one. The sessions, which are free to the public, are broadcast the last Thursday of each month at noon on the Association’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/alzgeoac. The next Caregiver Corner will be at noon Thursday.
Caregivers can contact the Greater East Ohio Area Chapter during office hours at 330-650-0552 or through the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. Visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900.
POLAND SCHOOLS ORIENTATION: There will be an orientation meeting for all eighth-graders and their parents who reside in the Poland school district from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Poland High School auditorium. Information will be provided to assist incoming freshmen make decisions about their course selection. For questions, call 330-757-7036.
Community news
HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM: Boardman resident Mark Luke will present a program on Boardman Cemetery, Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery and Lake Park Cemetery 10 a.m. March 5 at the Boardman Library, 7680 Glenwood Ave.
The event is being presented by the Boardman Historical Society, which is also beginning its membership campaign.
Luke will present the histories of the different cemeteries. Luke is a Boardman Kiwanis vice president and is known for organizing local parades.
ORDER OF HIBERNIANS: The annual Ancient Order of Hibernians Mahoning County Division 6 will meet March 17 to name the Irish Man and Woman of the Year.
The event will be the St. Patrick’s Day Mass and luncheon to honor Mark Klacik, Irish Man of the Year, and Shannon Colleen Price, the Irish Woman of the Year, 10:30 a.m. March 17 at St. Patrick’s Church, 1410 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown. The Mass is open to the public.
Tickets are required for the luncheon at $25 each. Pre-sale tickets available 330-565-3158 or 412-600-2836. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
PRESIDENTS DAY: The McKinley Birthplace Replica House in downtown Niles will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, which is Presidents Day. Tours will be provided of the rooms, and stories will be told about William and Ida McKinley and their family.
FOOD PANTRY: The Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Austintown, will hold its monthly food pantry form 2 to 5 p.m. Friday for those needing food items.
OHWOW! CLOSED: OH WOW! Science Center in Youngstown is announcing that due to issues beyond control, it is closed this weekend. The historic McCrory building is dealing with a heat outage.
CAREER FAIR: The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, the OH WOW! Science Center and City Machine Technologies will hold a Kids Career Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the career center, 7300 N. Palmyra Road, Canfield.
The event is free and will showcase career opportunities in the area.
SPRING CLEANUP: St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, 3900 Villa Maria Road, Lowellville, will hold spring cleanup in March. Cleanup will include all Christmas and other decorations that don’t comply with rules and regulations. Decorations should be removed by March 11 otherwise they will be discarded.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Melissa Bateman has been named director of community engagement for Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. Bateman will play a major role in engaging current and future lay leaders in the Federation’s work by developing and reinvigorating current leadership programs with the specific goal of increasing younger professional engagement with the federation and of developing future leaders.
Bateman previously worked as a staff attorney at the Seventh District Court of Appeals for 20 years.
Community news
SOCIETY TO MEET: The Mahoning County Chapter of The Ohio Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Ministry Building adjacent to St. Charles Church, 7324 Westview Drive, Boardman. Sean Posey will present a talk on his new book, “Hidden History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.”
LIBRARY JIGSAW PUZZLE: Salem Public Library will hold a Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 26, in the Quaker Room of the library, located at 821 E. State St., Salem.
To participate, bring your puzzles (only ones in good condition with all pieces please) to the library during regular library hours through Thursday. Puzzles are to be dropped off at the Adult Circulation desk to receive tickets to bring to the library on the day of the exchange. Call the library at 330-332-0042 for additional information. Participation in the exchange is free and open to the public.
RETIREES OFFER SCHOLARSHIP: Women Retirees of Youngstown State University scholarship committee is offering a scholarship to YSU women students who are full-time, juniors with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average. They must also be a U.S. student enrolled in a degree program.
Deadline for applications is March 1. Applications are available at the YSU Financial Aid office or by printing it off the Financial Aids website under the scholarship search.
community news
FOOD GIVEAWAY: Eastside Crime Watch is hosting a food giveaway 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at the old fire station, corner of Oak and Fruit streets, Youngstown.
THE BASKET STROLL: The Mahoning County Medical Society Alliance is accepting reservations for the Basket Stroll, with vendors, basket raffle, grand raffle, food stations and live entertainment with Tony Horvath. Entrance fee is $30 per person.
Reservations can be made with Carol Sankovic by calling 330-980-4450. Checks can be payable to MCMSA and mailed to Sankovic at 7003 Southberry Hill, Canfield, OH 44406.
The Basket Stroll will be 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 3 at The Lake Club. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Apple Warrior Breast Cancer Foundation.
EVENT CANCELED: A cornhole tournament at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown originally scheduled for Saturday has been canceled.
community news
TROLLEY RIDES: The Salem Historical Society will offer Underground Railroad trolley tours on the Quakertown Trolley noon to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at $15 per person. The event is being held for Black History Month. There also will be free tours of Freedom Hall 9 a.m. to noon. The trolley tour will meet at 239 S. Landy Ave. at 10:15 a.m. while the Freedom Hall tour will be on Dale Shaffer Way. A flag will be posted on the building. For reservations or information, call 330-337-8514.
CINDERELLA: The Boardman High School Drama Club will present “Cinderella the Musical” 2 p.m. today at the Boardman Performing Arts Center. More than 50 students are involved in the production. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. More information and tickets are available at the school district website.
CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE: The Mahoning Valley Civil War Roundtable will meet 6:30 p.m. Monday at A La Carte Catering, 429 Lisbon St., Canfield. There will be dinner and discussion at $17 per person. Reservations are required for the meal. The program is John Erik- Gilot, curator of the Captain Thomas Espy Grand Army of the Republic Post in Carnegie. Pa. He will discuss the Battle of Philippi, West Virginia, on June 3, 1861.
FULL-MOON HIKE: Mill Creek MetroParks will host a “full-moon hike” 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, weather permitting, at the golf course practice range. A park educator will lead the hike through the golf cart paths. Those participating are asked to wear appropriate attire, including hiking books, and to bring a flashlight. Registration is required at 330-740-7116. The event is free. No pets will be allowed.
CAREER FAIR: The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, City Machine Technologies, and the OHWOW! Science Center will co-host a Kids Career Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 26 at MCTC, 7300 N. Palmyra Road, Canfield. The event is free to the public. The first 500 kids receive a free sports backpack. The fair will showcase the career opportunities in the area.
PRESIDENTS’ DAY OPEN HOUSE: In celebration of Presidents’ Day, the McKinley Birthplace Home in Niles will be open 1 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 19. President William McKinley, portrayed by Mike Wilson, will be in attendance for tours of the house. Visitors are asked to wear masks. There will be guided tours, self-guided tours and audio tours.
BLOCK WATCH TO MEET: The Girard 2nd Ward block watch will meet 6 p.m. Thursday at the Girard Library community room. Guest speaker is fire Chief Jim Petruzzi. Residents of the 2nd and 3rd wards are welcome to attend.
HUBBARD ROTARY SALE: Hubbard Rotary Club is hosting its annual fruit sale fundraiser and is taking orders for oranges and grapefruit. To place orders or for information, call 330-534-0890. Orders can be picked up 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Repair That Glass, 770 N. Main St., Hubbard. The Hubbard Rotary Club fundraisers help with projects in the community, including senior citizens van, dictionaries, solar cooking demonstrations and high school scholarships.
CAREGIVER PROGRAM: The Jewish Community Center in Youngstown is offering a free caregiver cafe twice a month through May. The classes offer information about affordable counseling and resources. Tea and coffee will be provided. The support group meets 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday and Feb. 28, March 14 and 28, April 11 and 24 and May 9 and 23. For information, visit jcc youngstown.org.
RESEARCHERS HELP: The Broadhead and Wydell Memorial veterans team is in need of volunteers with experience, or will train those without experience, to help with research from notebooks from the Tod Cemetery in Youngstown to complete a comprehensive list of veterans. Call Steffon Jones at 330-301-7365.
Community news
SCOUTS PLAN KLONDIKE DERBY: More than 150 Boy Scouts and over 50 leaders of the Stambaugh District of the Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America, which includes all Scouts BSA Troops (boys and girls) from communities in Mahoning, Trumbull and eastern Portage counties will converge at Camp Stambaugh, 3712 Leffingwell Road in Canfield all day on Saturday. A Scout Klondike Derby is based on the real-life struggles encountered by the men and dogs crossing the frozen Klondike in search of wealth in the gold fields. The Scouts will experience different stations to test their abilities and earn gold. For information, call the camp office at 330-533-4538.
SUMMIT ACADEMY PLANS EVENT: Youngstown area residents in need, as well as those who would like to make donations, are invited to take part in the first-ever Summit Academy-Youngstown Community Closet. The Community Closet will provide free shoes, all-season clothing, bookbags, school supplies, Halloween costumes and more to community members and families in need. Donations of these and other items, including clothing racks, can be made noon to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays at the school, 144 N. Schenley Ave., Youngstown. The closet will open its doors to the community 9 a.m. to noon April 2. For information, contact Hycianna Grace at 330-259-0421, ext. 8702.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Broadhead and Wydell Memorial veterans team is in need of volunteers with experience, or they will train new people, to help with research from notebooks from the Tod Cemetery to complete a comprehensive list of veterans. Call Steffon Jones at 330-301-7365 for more information.
RUBBER DUCK EVENT: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will host a Rubber Duck Pool Party 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the center, 505 Gypsy Lane. The JCC indoor heated pool will be filled with hundreds of rubber ducks of all shapes and sizes. Participants will take their favorite home, and pizza is included. The party is free for JCC members and $5 for nonmembers. Visit jccyoungstown.org to register.
PAJAMA PARTY CANCELED: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown has canceled the Neverland Pajama Party originally Sunday at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is now accepting applications for its scholarship opportunities.
Applications are due by March 1 and can be found at cfmv.org/scholarships. Scholarship recipients will be notified of their award by the end of June.
Those applying only need to fill out one application for all of the Foundation’s scholarship funds. In a new system launched last year, students must complete a set of standard questions to determine for which scholarships they can apply. After being notified immediately, applicants will be prompted to provide any additional information needed for the scholarships for which they’re eligible.
Scholarships are available for students meeting a variety of criteria, including current high school students as well as those already enrolled in a post-secondary education program.
Available scholarships include: Athena Scholarship; The C.M. (Jerry) Collins Memorial Scholarship; Gail T. Dennison Mahoning County Saddle Horse 4-H Committee Scholarship; Melinda Henning Scholarship; Charles and Priscilla Scholarship; George L. Madigan Scholarship; MyPath Mahoning Valley Scholarships; Jean Rider Scholarship; Trumbull Retired Teachers Association Scholarship; Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation Scholarship; Warren City Schools Foundation Scholarships; The Wilkins Family Scholarship; The Veronica Willo Scholarship; and Woman’s Board of Youngstown Scholarship.
Students should visit the scholarship page of the Community Foundation’s website at cfmv.org for more information and to access the application portal.
YAPA SCHOLARSHIP: The Youngstown Alumnae Panhellenic Association (YAPA) continues the tradition of supporting women in their educational pursuits since 1926. YAPA provided its first scholarship to high school women in 1926 and since 1976, the scholarship focus is for an active member of a National Panhellenic Conference Sorority/Fraternity member.
YAPA reached $25,000 to endow our scholarship endowment fund, held by the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley (CFMV) so the scholarship can be given in perpetuity for future Greek women and their education.
YAPA has awarded 171 scholarships totaling $74,250 to women from Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties. YAPA awarded its 170th scholarship to 2021-22 recipient, Katina Hayes, a member of Delta Zeta Sorority at Youngstown State University. YAPA will be offering a Panhellenic scholarship for the 2022-23 school year to an undergraduate who is an active member of a National Panhellenic Conference organization who is a resident from Mahoning, Trumbull or Columbiana counties.
Applications will be made available on the website at www.youngstownalumnaepanhellenic.weebly.com with a deadline of March 31.
Community news
DULCIMER SOCIETY AS GUEST: Dulcimer Society of Trumbull County president and musician, Bill Schilling, will perform folk style and Appalachian music, 10 a.m. Feb. 19 at Chad Anthony’s Grille Meeting Room, 4698 Belmont Ave., Liberty, for the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society’s Memories of a Lifetime lecture series. This is an encore performance.
All programs are open to the public. Member admission is $5 and nonmember admission is $10. Refreshments will be served and a 50/50 raffle will benefit the society’s education mission. Reservations are suggested. Walk-ins are admitted, based upon seat availability, which is limited, due to social distancing. For reservations or more information, phone 330-726-8277.
Schilling plays six- and 12-string guitars, autoharp, hammered and fretted dulcimers, bowed psalteries, six- and 12-string banjo guitars, national steel guitar, ukuleles, recorders, bazooka, jug and an assortment of inexpensive or homemade instruments. He has been singing and playing various folk instruments, for over 40 years coast to coast.
Schilling founded the Dulci-More: Folk and Traditional Musicians and the Dulci-More Festival, is a founding member of the Canton Folk Song Society and former president of Folknet.
CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE: The Mahoning Valley Civil War Round Table will meet for dinner and discussion at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 14 at A La Cart Catering, 429 Lisbon St. in Canfield. The cost is $17 per person, and reservations are required for the meal.
This month will feature Jon-Erik Gilot, curator of the Captain Thomas Espy Grand Army of the Republic Post in Carnegie, Pa. He will examine the “forgotten” Battle of Philippi, West Virginia — the earliest organized land engagement of the Civil War — on June 3, 1861.
For membership information, or for reservations, call Gary Wholf at 330-953-1965.
SOCIETY HOSTS FUNDRAISER: The Mahoning Valley Historical Society is planning its annual Cookie Table and Cocktails fundraiser 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Assumption Social Center at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 356 S. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown. The cookie baking competition is now open for registration by calling 330-743-2589 or at https://mahoninghistory.org/cookie -baker-registration/. Cost for the event is $65 per person or $600 for a VIP table. RSVP is due by Feb. 16.
OPEN HOUSE: The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center is celebrating Career and Technical Education Month throughout February. The month is a time to raise awareness of the role that CTE has in preparing students for careers and college, as well as helping our nation achieve economic success and workforce competitiveness.
MCCTC will have an open house 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday for all prospective students, families, or any community member that would like to see what career tech is all about.
Those interested in attending can register online at www.mahoningctc.com.
DENTAL CHECKS: Dr. Paul Bertolasio, a Girard dentist, 26 E. Wilson Ave., will provide free dental checks for children not covered by insurance 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday as part of the Give Kids a Smile program. To reserve an appointment, call 330-545-2000.
POLAND ORIENTATION: There will be an orientation meeting for all eighth graders and their parents who reside in the Poland Local School District 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Poland High School auditorium.
Poland High School’s counselors will provide information that will assist incoming freshmen with making a decision about enrollment.
Topics to be covered will include graduation requirements, end of course exams / graduation points, course levels, curriculum choices and placement tests, post-secondary / college entrance requirements, athletic participation rules / OHSAA and extracurricular options.
For more information, call the guidance office at 330-757-7036.
HUBBARD FOOD PANTRY: Hubbard Christians in Action food pantry has been operating out of the First Baptist Church for a number of years. The food pantry is open to those who live in the Hubbard area. For information, call the church office at 330-534-3727.