Oktoberfest offers help to Americans in need

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FALL FEST: Crafts are on display, at left, outside a booth by D&J’s Unique Designs at Boardman Township Park. Boardman Rotary’s Oktoberfest began Saturday and continues today. Carl Angiuli and his 8-month-old daughter, Gisella, above, pose near some gourds at a booth for Angiuli’s Farm Market in Canfield. Alison Akuszewski and George Stavrenos of Boardman, right, view mums from Lutz Greenhouse in Salem.

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Carl Angiuli and his 8-month-old daughter, Gisella, above, pose near some gourds at a booth for Angiuli’s Farm Market in Canfield.

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FALL FEST: Crafts are on display, at left, outside a booth by D&J’s Unique Designs at Boardman Township Park. Boardman Rotary’s Oktoberfest began Saturday and continues today.

The fest features many traditional items, as well as jewelry said to have certain healing abilities.

By Sean Barron

BOARDMAN— If you’re in the mood to accent your home with a few added shades of autumn, fill shoeboxes with items for children in need or assist some of the country’s poorest people, then you might want to come to Boardman Township Park.

The park on U.S. Route 224 is the site for the 33rd annual Oktoberfest, which is giving participants an opportunity to do everything from buying handmade end tables to converting shoeboxes to small care packages for youngsters who are less fortunate.

The two-day fest, sponsored by Boardman Rotary, continues at 9 a.m. today.

Many people stopped by the booth run by Operation Christmas Child, talked to Laura York about what they could do to brighten the holidays for a child in need and left with a shoebox to fill.

The main items people are encouraged to include in the boxes are school supplies, hygiene products, clothing, toys, hard candy and a note or picture of themselves so recipients can see who the packages came from, noted York, coordinator of the Northeast Ohio Chapter, in Warren. They also can use their own boxes, she said.

The national organization reaches out to children who have lost most or all of their possessions in disasters. Examples include Hurricane Katrina and the recent tsunami in American Samoa, York noted, adding that the local chapter collected about 13,000 shoeboxes last year.

“It’s such a simple thing. People don’t even have to wrap the boxes,” she said.

The need is greater this year than last, in part because of the tough economy. On the flip side, though, the recession is causing many people to reach out more, York pointed out.

People will be able to drop off items for collection between Nov. 16 and 23, she noted.

Numerous attendees also got information about the Austintown-based Mission of Love Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid to those in need worldwide, with its focus on children.

The mission works closely with Boardman Rotary and is concentrating on assisting members of the Lakota Sioux Indians in South Dakota, explained Kathleen Price, director.

Mission volunteers helped build about 25 hospices, homes and schools on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, about 60 miles from Rapid City, S.D., she noted.

The Indians are among the nation’s poorest people; of the roughly 40,000 on the reservation, about half live below the federal poverty level, and many lack basic necessities, she noted.

Every dollar the mission receives can generate nearly $122 worth of goods and services to Indian people in need, Price said.

“It’s service above self; that’s what we’re all about,” she added.

Of course, attendees had ample opportunity to buy the usual merchandise, which included wooden tables, cabinets and benches, squashes, pumpkins, scented candles, colorful handbags, afghans, pot pourri, plywood Halloween pieces and jewelry — including some thought to have healing abilities.

Many people seemed drawn to a tent that featured jewelry made with Hematite, a mineral with a low magnetic property said to interact with iron in the blood to create improved circulation.

Ashley Bobby, who works for AJ’s Hematite of Kent, said that the bracelets, dog collars, earrings and wristwatches the company makes can reduce pain for those who suffer from arthritis, fibromyalgia, slipped discs and a host of other ailments.

About 90 percent of people who have the jewelry benefit in some way, she noted.

It’s unlikely any Ohio State Buckeyes football fans left the fest disappointed. Many could be found browsing through a large enclosed tent that sold, among other things, head covers, license-plate holders, caps and jackets — all sporting OSU themes. Even neckties, hand lotion, pet beds and grill toppers didn’t escape having Buckeyes logos attached.

New to this year’s Oktoberfest were $5 unlimited rides for children and pony rides for $3, noted Ryan Cuffle and Jim Cvetkovic, the event’s chairman and co-chairman, respectively. Also featured was a hole-in-one contest, which gave participants a chance to win $75,000, as well as a speech contest in which contestants gave three-minute presentations focused on community service, he continued.

More than 200 vendors are on hand this year, Cuffle added.

All funds raised are given back to the community and to various charities, explained Bob Mastriana, Boardman Rotary president. An example is the Rotary’s raising about $75,000 for the park’s new $1.3 million, 7,500-square-foot community center, he said.

For more information about the Rotary Club or to inquire about being a member, go to www.boardmanrotary.org or call Mastriana at (330) 783-0504.

The 33rd annual Boardman Oktoberfest continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Boardman Township Park. Events include:

Singing Stars: Participants in five age groups will be able to take part in preliminary sessions and finals from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Maag Outdoor Amphitheater. Plaques will be available to winners.

International Fair: The event is from 2 to 4 p.m., and will have a costume presentation, art, music and dance. Its goals are to showcase international culture and future international Rotary exchange events.

Hi-Ya Challenge: This loud-yelling contest is broken into five age groups and also will have breathing training conducted by Master Park, owner of Master Park Martial Arts International in Boardman. Winners will qualify for the World Sports and Martial Arts regional and national competitions. Participants do not need martial-arts experience.

Children’s coloring contest: Youngsters up to age 10 are welcome to take part in the competition set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children are asked to bring their own crayons and stationery, and they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. One piece of paper per child will be provided.

Source: Boardman Rotary