Italian Fest events: painting a scene, crowning a queen

The 18th annual Greater Youngstown Italian Fest is under way at the Canfield Fairgrounds. Opening ceremonies began Thursday. Above, Joseph Donnelly of Berlin Center works on his oil painting of Pietrabbondante, an Italian town. At right, Lauren Nicole Susany, center, gets a hug from Krista Petrolla after Susany was crowned 2003 Miss Greater Youngstown Italian Fest queen. Behind her is Beth Klingensmith of Youngstown. Susany, 18, graduated in June from Lowellville High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She has worked with Habitat for Humanity and volunteers at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church. She plans to attend Youngstown State University this fall. The festival continues at 4:30 p.m. today, 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.