Academy Awards to be speaker series topic

YOUNGSTOWN -- The Young Leaders Advisory Board of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society is sponsoring a free speakers series in February, March and April.
The first event will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Youngstown Playhouse. The topic will be the Academy Awards, including history and predictions for this year's ceremonies. Guest speaker will be Rick Shale, English professor at Youngstown State University, where he teaches courses in film study.
A musical tribute of Oscar-nominated songs will be performed before the lecture by singers Eric, Janeen & amp; James. Guests can test their Academy Award knowledge to win "Gone With the Wind" on DVD, and refreshments will be served.
Reservations are requested; call (330) 743-2589 or go to mvhs@mahoninghistory.org on the Web.
Upcoming speakers and topics include local historian Vince Shivers discussing P. Ross Berry and his architectural accomplishments, March 10 in First Presbyterian Church's Helen Chapel; and a panel discussion about Mill Creek Park with Shale, Rebecca Rogers and Carol Potter, April 14 at Pioneer Pavilion in the park.