Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse Poland schools interim Superintendent Andrew Tommelleo addressed the Poland 250 Committee and assured all that plans previously made would be honored.

POLAND — The Poland 250 Committee met this week to begin the task of locking down dates and events for a yearlong celebration of America’s founding.

The first event of the year will take place Wednesday.

According to Poland Historical Society President Laurie Fox, Paul Rohrbaugh will present a program on the life of William McKinley because he grew up in Poland Village. The presentation is free and will take place around 7:30 p.m. at the Little Red Schoolhouse on U.S. Route 224 in Poland Township.

Rohrbaugh wrote “Favorite Son — Life & Times of President McKinley.” The presentation will feature McKinley, who was born Jan. 29, 1843, in Niles. His family moved to Poland when he was 9 years old. He attended The Poland Academy, the site of the present middle school.

According to information collected by the Poland Historical Society, McKinley graduated from the academy and went on to Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, but due to an illness, he returned a year later and served as a postal clerk and school teacher before enlisting in the Union Army during the Civil War. He is known for dedicating the Civil War monument at Poland Riverside Cemetery. He went on to serve as the 25th U.S. president.

While Rohrbaugh’s presentation will kick off the Poland 250 celebration, McKinley also plays a part as the year draws to an end. The hope is to have a bronze statue of the young McKinley dedicated on Village Green.

Local artist Tom Antonishak is completing a life-sized sculpture of McKinley, which will be sent out west to be made into a bronze statue.

PHS Trustee Mary Tursky shared an update about the soiree planned Oct. 10 at the Village Town Hall and included an update on the statue.

“We are hoping to have the McKinley statue completed in time to have a dedication during the

soiree,” she said.

Tursky said funding for the statue is at $55,000 in donations, which is half the cost. Donation levels of $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000-plus are still available and will give donors a special plaque included on the statue base.

The celebration will continue Jan. 29 at McKinley Elementary School when students will honor McKinley’s birthday. Joann Pirko was present at the Jan. 12 meeting and said she is making more than 600 carnation boutonnieres for students and staff.

“McKinley was known to give red carnations to people,” Fox said. “The red carnation is Ohio’s state flower because of this tradition.”

Andrew Tommelleo, interim superintendent of Poland schools, attended and addressed the district’s America250 involvement throughout the year.

“He is agreeable with arrangements made with Craig Hockenberry,” Fox said. “He will get additional information about the restoration and dedication of the cupola on the middle school.”

The PHS will host its March 18 meeting at Union School.

Cindy Best and Marcia Tiger, representing Celebrate Poland, talked about this year also being Celebrate Poland’s 20th anniversary.

“They would like to make the event bigger and better as we also celebrate America’s 250th,” Fox said. “The event is very expensive and time consuming. They are looking for funding through donations and fundraisers. The 12-person Celebrate Poland Committee needs helping hands and welcomes volunteers before and during the event. Some of Poland’s America250 events will take place during Celebrate Poland weekend.”

Best said fireworks will definitely increase in price this year, and portable toilets may increase over last year’s cost of $7,000.

Among other presenters at the Jan. 12 meeting was Dave Smith speaking on the Family Movie Night at the Poland Library that will feature the showing of of a film that takes place at the beginning of the American Revolution. The Historical Society also will provide a traveling museum display at the Poland Library.

Diane Walkama, Countryside Farm owner, explained her plans for an October event at Countryside about the history of Poland’s farms and barns. She and her brother, Dan Susany, are exploring ideas and studying information about past farmlands in Poland. The three-day event (Oct. 20-22) will showcase photos and stories for public viewing. PHS will host its monthly meeting on Oct. 21 at the farm with a speaker on past farmlands.

Kathy Miller updated the group of the ongoing plans for Poland’s beautification project in the village that will include cleaning designated areas and planting flowers at various sites. Fox also mentioned that the Town 1 Range 1 marker on State Line Road will undergo a cleaning and planting of hardy low-maintenance native plants.

Miller also informed the group that signal box wraps have been ordered and are expected to be placed on the boxes in April. The wraps will include pictures and historical information and is a major part of the village’s beautification project.

Allison Mattson and Sara Rodland talked about plans for a time capsule. Chris Graff is donating the vault. Plans are to bury the time capsule vault on the grounds of the Village Town Hall. They will approach Village Council for permission to bury the vault and make arrangements to have the hole dug. They will work with the teachers to get projects submitted by students by the end of the school year.

Community residents will have an opportunity to provide items for the time capsule. Everything will represent happenings in 2026, to be opened in 2076. Items will be displayed at other events before the time capsule is buried.

Poland Township Administrator Mark Covell talked about the Poland Safety Forces Day Community Picnic on Aug. 1 at the Township Park. America250 will have a display for the event.

Regina Rees reported that she and Rick Schilling are working on the play related to “Voices of Poland.” The date has not been set but she mentioned a June timeframe. It was suggested that the play take place at New Life Church as it has a great stage area and plenty of audience seating.

Fox closed the session and set the next meeting at 11 a.m. Feb. 9 at the Little Red Schoolhouse, but it is subject to change if the weather is inclement.