Austintown briefs

Lion’s Club hosts 15th annual run today

The Austintown Lions Club is hosting its 15th annual “5-K IN MAY” May 8 at the Christy National Guard Armory on Victoria Road in Austintown.

The key sponsor for this event is the Fred Perry Motorcycle Benefit Run.

Entry fee is $12 if received by Friday and $15 for the day of race.

T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 200 registered by Friday.

The entry fee includes refreshments at race conclusion and door prizes.

Finishers of the kids run will receive a special award.

The top three overall men and women finishers will receive special awards.

The top three finishers in the masters class (age 40 and over) will receive special awards.

There will be awards for the top three finishers in each age group.

There are 11 age groups for women and 13 age groups for men.

Registration or package pick up begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 9:30 a.m.

All proceeds from this event benefit Lion’s projects.

For information, call Larry Jensen, race director, at 330-793-4046.

Bond with babies and books at the library

Join the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County May 13 and 27 at 10 a.m. for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help babies 6 to 23 months old become successful readers.

A similar program design for children 2 and 3 is offered on all Wednesdays in May at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Children aged 4 and 5 can attend a reading program on Tuesdays in May at 10 a.m.

Story for the young and restless at the library

The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is hosting Gotta Move Story time May 13 and 27 at 11 a.m. for children ages 2 to 5.

Children must be accompanied by an adult to enjoy this active story time.

Celebrate the Arts

Students from Austintown Fitch High School will display their creative artwork May 17 through May 22 at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during regular library hours.

A reception with light refreshments will be available May 20 at 6 p.m.

PS2 day planned for kids

Teens grades seven to 12 can get their game on in the meeting room at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County May 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Put on PJ’s and come to the library May 24

Put on your PJ’s, bring the whole family out and listen to bedtime stories May 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Red Cross offers free blood pressure screenings

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will provide free blood pressure screening May 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Austintown branch of the Public Library or Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Library will be closed

All branches of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will be closed May 31 in observance of Memorial Day.

Beware of solicitors using Goodwill Industry’s name

Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries has been notified that solicitors are calling people offering to pick up their old computers and charging them a pickup fee, while using Goodwill’s name.

While Goodwill does accept old computers and computer equipment as part of the Reconnect computer recycling partnership with Dell, Goodwill does not solicit or charge people for their computers.

Those wishing to get rid of old computers and equipment can drop them off at any one of Goodwill’s eight donation centers in Austintown, Boardman, Liberty, Calcutta, Salem, Warren, Hermitage or New Castle.

Businesses, schools or organizations with large quantities can call Goodwill at 330-759-7921 to make arrangements for a pickup.

If you are contacted by someone offering to pick up your computers for a fee and using Goodwill’s name, contact Goodwill.

Regional Chamber to host interactive expo

The Regional Chamber and the Shepherd Event Center are hosting the first “Show Within A Show” an interactive, business-to-consumer showcase.

This new event will feature more than 50 vendors from a variety of industries, plus food, music and fun, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. May 6 at the event center, 7469 South Ave., Boardman.

Some industry themes include home and d cor, trade shows and promotions, performance racing, health and beauty, Hot Rod show and shine, outdoors and landscapes, pets on parade, desserts and more, golf and construction arenas.

The $20-per-person ticket fee includes admission to the show, plus unlimited beer and wine provided by Vintage Estate and appetizers courtesy of Caffe Capri.

The Sensations will provide live music.

Reservations for the show can be made at www.regionalchamber.com (Calendar of Events section) or by calling Jennifer at 330-744-2131, ext. 12.

There is also remaining space for exhibitors. Those interested should call 330-559-1732.

Mill Creek business women plan meeting

The Mill Creek Chapter of American Business Women’s Association will meet at A La Cart in Canfield May 11 at 6 p.m.

The guest speaker at the event will be Paula Campbell, an Aflac agent, who will discuss benefit options to meet your needs.

The membership will also be voting on new officers for 2010 and 2011.

A dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. The cost for the meal is $17 and includes swiss chicken, Italian sausage with peppers and onions, sand trap potatoes, vegetables, salad and dessert.

Reservations must be made no later than Tuesday. For reservations, call Darlene Demjen at 330-755-9089 after 5:30 p.m.

Buy or sell baby items at Boardman Park

Boardman Park will host another Baby Bargain Boutique May 22 at the Masters Pavilion from 9 a.m. until noon.

This is a great opportunity to buy or sell good usable maternity clothes, baby and children’s clothing, toys, books and furniture for children under the age of 5.

Registration for tables are available at the Park Office, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The cost for tables inside the pavilion are $15 for Boardman residents and $20 for nonresidents and $10 for Boardman residents and $15 for nonresidents for tables in the outside grass space.

Admission to the sale is free.

For information, call Karen at 330-965-0482 or visit www.boardmanpark.com.

Walk to raise awareness

St. Elizabeth and St. Joseph Surgical Weight Loss Center is taking a step forward in raising awareness of obesity by presenting the area’s first “Walk from Obesity” May 15 at Boardman Park.

The” Walk from Obesity” was established to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and to support initiatives focusing on prevention, education, research, treatment and advocacy.

The cost to participate in the walk is $25. Registration is free for children 12 and under.

To register, visit HMpartners.org and click on the “Walk from Obesity” link.

Church is host site for Great Food For All

The Smith Corners United Methodist Church on South Canfield-Niles Road, will be a host site of Great Food For All.

Monthly Basic Food Box ordering is Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon and Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The program assists a family of four for about a week or a single person for about a month with a retail value of food of $60 to $80 for $30.

Menus change from month to month. Customers are required to pick up their orders May 22 at the church. Online deadline will be Thursday at 9 p.m. For information, call 330-799-9390 or visit www.greatfoodforall.com.

View beautiful blooms on Poland Woods walk

See a parade of spring wildflowers on a easy-rated, 2-mile hike through Poland Woods Sunday at 2 p.m.

The 250-acre tract of wet woodland features a carpet of bluebells and other short-blooming beauties

Naturalists present study of Mill Creek wildlife

The Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley will meet Tuesday at the Mill Creek MetroPark Farm on Route 46 just south of Canfield.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. with social time at 6:30 p.m.

The program will be presented by Larry Rosche and Judy Semroc, naturalists with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

They have extensively studied the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and will introduce participants to the flying creatures (birds and bugs) that can be found there.

For information, call 888-846-8851, leave your name and phone number and they will return your call.

International children’s choir set to sing Sunday

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the Children of the World International Children’s Choir will present a free concert Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Old North Church, 7105 Herbert Road, Canfield.

The choir is a special group of orphaned and disadvantaged children from several different countries that travel across the United States for 10 months a year.

The group puts a voice and face to the desperate needs of children whose lives have been devastated by civil war, famine, poverty, unclean water and preventable diseases.

For information, call the church at 330-533-6848 or visit www.oldnorthchurch.org.

Honor mom with wildflowers and a walk

Bring your mom to Ford Nature Center May 9 at 2 p.m. to enjoy the spring beauty of Mill Creek Park during an easy-rated hike. Children can make a special craft to honor their mother, while parents hear a presentation about wildflowers. The event is free, but registration is required by May 8.

To register, call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107.

Learn the basics of growing Dahlias

Stan and Linda Vuletich will share their knowledge and enthusiasm of growing and propagating dahlias Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Participants will divide tubers to take home. The fee for the class is $10 for Fellows members and $15 for nonmembers. To register, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Celebrate National Public Gardens Day Friday

Visit Fellows Riverside Gardens Friday from dawn to dusk to celebrate National Public Gardens Day and learn the vital role the garden plays in the Mahoning Valley community.

The day was designed to promote environmental stewardship and education while emphasizing the significant role citizens have in plant and water conservation.

Preschoolers nature hour

Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 enjoy a story, activities, and a craft as they find out how and why animals camouflage and “advertise” today at 10 a.m.

The cost is $2 for residents and $3 for non-residents.

Pre-register at Ford Nature Center.

Pockets of posies tradition continued at the park

Children 6 and older can learn about the tradition of making May baskets by assembling a colorful pocket and a cone to fill with dried flowers from the Family Garden today from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for non-residents.

Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

Tales for Twos: The Wide Mouth Frog

The Frog Princess will introduce children age 2 to fascinating creatures through story, craft, role-playing games and exploration Thursday at 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. or 11 a.m.

Observe wriggling tadpoles, leap across lily pads and search for frogs out by the pond.

Call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 to register.

Preschoolers celebrate moms with crafts

Preschoolers ages 3 through 5 can personalize a vase and fill it with a colorful bouquet of carnations at the park Thursday, Friday or May 8 from 11 a.m. to noon.

A snack and story will be included.

The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for non-residents.

Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

A night on the terrace

Relax with friends at Fellows Riverside Gardens while listening to the music of FireSign Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For $15, you will be served appetizers accompanied by a glass or two of beer or wine.

Afterward, have dinner in the Garden Cafe or take a walk through the gardens.

Create a Mother’s Day arrangement with Marie

The colors in this spring arrangement will give your mother a reason to smile. Marie Borocz will demonstrate each step in creating this Mother’s Day arrangement Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The fee is $28 for Fellows members and $36 for nonmembers, To register call, Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.SFlbHealth and wellness walks scheduled for May

Health and wellness walks are planned for 9 a.m. Wednesday at Poland Woods and May 26 at the Golf Course overflow parking lot and May 18 at Yellow Creek Park at 6 p.m.

Junior Women’s League hosts annual Spring Social

The next meeting of the Boardman Poland Junior Women’s League will be held Monday at The Springfield Grille at 6:30 p.m. for the annual Spring Social.

All members are asked to bring a favorite book they have read in the last year to share and promote literacy.

The Boardman Poland Junior Women’s League is open to all women over 18, residing in Mahoning,, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties who are interested in friendship, fun and community involvement.

For information, contact Debbie Chop at 330-726-2942.

Join knitting group at the par for a good cause

Help “Warm Up America” with others by making afghans and other projects to donate locally Friday and May 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. All helping hands are welcome, both experienced and anyone wanting to learn to knit or crochet.

Donations of yarn and needles are appreciated at any time. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information.

Study trees with Ford Nature Center’s workshop

Ford Nature Center is hosting a tree identification workshop May 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Beginners are welcome to this two-part, two-season approach to the study of trees.

The program will be held indoors and outdoors. Bring your own lunch and drink.

The fee is $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents. Registration and payment due at Ford Nature Center by May 1.

Celebrate Mothers’ Day with Doris Day

For Mother’s Day, enjoy a one-woman show with Damaris Peters Pike May 9 in Christman Hall at Stambaugh Auditorium.

There will be a brunch buffet at 11:30 a.m. followed by the program “QUE SERA-SERA The life and music of Doris Day” at 12:30 p.m.

The cost is $30 for adults and $10 for children under 12.

Reservations are required and due May 6.

For information, call Stambaugh Auditorium at 330 747-5175.

Look for birds while you hike in the park

Join certified volunteer naturalist Nancy Brundage today at McGuffey Wildlife Preserve and May 8 at the Lanterman’s Mill parking lot at 8 a.m. for a 1-mile, easy-rated hike. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars to help search for feathered spring migrants. The hike will be offered May 2 at the MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at 8 a.m. with guide Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited.

Read and discussion at Ford Nature Center

Participate in the reading and discussion of the popular book “Silent Spring.” The discussion group will meet at Ford Nature Center today at 1 p.m.

Visit with family and goats at the farm

Families can visit with the Caprine family, a family of goats, Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mill Creek MetroParks farm. Learn about these social creatures and make a special craft. Wagon tours will be given every half hour.

Art show at the park

Come and enjoy the artwork of Jack Baker now through Sunday at the Fellows Riverside Gardens Davis Education and Visitor Center Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Weller Gallery.

Enjoy a night of murder and mystery today

The Friend to Friend Foundation is sponsoring a “Night of Murder and Mystery” today at 6 p.m. at the Fifth Season Banquet Center, 1400 Niles-Canfield Road in Mineral Ridge.

The cost for the event is $30 per person and includes appetizers, dinner and mystery performance by Garrettsville Curtains Up Theater. A cash bar and 50/50 raffle will be available.

All proceeds will go to the foundation to help provide a network of support for young adult cancer patients and their families.

For information, call Barb Sapp at 330-360-8005 or Amy Gilles, at 330-942-2104.

Cinderella comes to life

The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theatre will present “Cinderella” today at 2:30 p.m. The Saturday matinee is followed by a complimentary “Autograph Party,” for the audience, cast and crew.

Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $5 for children.

Reservations are recommended and may be made by calling the box office at 330-788-8739.

Indoor garage sale at high school

The Fitch PTA will sponsor a garage sale at Austintown Fitch High School today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission is free for shoppers. There will be food, a 50/50 raffle and more.

For information, contact Kelly at 330-270-2669 or kjhowdy@zoominternet.net Applications to reserve tables will be sent out by contacting Kelly. Cost is $20 for table and 2 chairs.

Curves offers Silver Sneakers classes

Free Silver Sneakers classes are offered daily to eligible women over 65 at Curves in Austintown.

The classes are designed to improve strength, flexibility and overall health. For information, call 330-793-9802.

Get rid of old medicine

Residents can discard their pharmaceutical or over the counter medicine June 23, July 12 and Aug. 23 at the Austintown Police Department, 92 Ohltown Road, from noon to 3 p.m. each day during the 2010 summer Drug Take-Back program.

The program is being provided by the Austintown Police Department, Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District/Green Team 2081 and Drug Education Officers of Mahoning Valley.

D.A.R.E. police officer Jeffrey Toth will be the full-time law enforcement officer having sole control of all controlled substances.

Little Falcons Golf Outing offers golf, food and fun

Austintown Little Falcons Golf Outing is May 30 at 8 a.m. with registration from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. at the Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course on Granview Road in Lake Milton.

The outing includes golf, beverages, golf cart, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, Chinese auction and hole-in-one prizes.

Cost is $65 per person. For information, contact Mike Cook at 330-501-4577 or Matt Hlebak at 330-398-5512.

Take T’ai Chi at the gardens Wednesdays

Ease stress, improve health and increase vitality with T’ai Chi classes at Fellows Riverside Gardens each Wednesday in May from noon to 1 p.m. Marie Lew will demonstrate warmups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. The fee for each class is $10. For information, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Golf camp for new golfers available at park

Link up to golf with a three-day golf camp Wednesday, May 11, and May 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and May 18, 20, 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Par 3 Golf Course at Mill Creek MetroParks.

This camp is designed for the true beginner. Lessons will focus on putting, short game, and full swing.

The cost is $35. Call 330-740-7112 to register.

Park preps for summer

Mill Creek Park is reopening many attractions soon in preparation for summer. Lanterman’s Mill will resume its regular summer hours beginning May 1. Glacier and Newport Boathouses reopen May 1, weekends only. Full schedule for the Boathouses resumes Memorial Day weekend.

Clinic extends hours for required Dtap vaccine

The Ohio Department of Health has issued a new immunization requirement for schoolchildren beginning with the 2010-11 school year.

All in-coming seventh graders will be required to have a Dtap (Tetanus, diphtherial and pertussis) vaccination prior to starting school.

To assist parents, the Mahoning County District Board of Health, 50 Westchester Dr., Austintown, will offer vaccination clinics May 27 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and June 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost of the vaccination is $14.95.

To make an appointment for any of the clinics, call the health district’s Nursing Division at 330-270-2855, ext. 125.

Showcase your summer in Neighbors

Neighbors would love to hear about your organization’s plans for spring and summer festivals, Vacation Bible School programs, community events and sports camps.

Just let us know who, what, when, where and why and we’ll get the word out for you. Then, don’t forget to send us pictures of all the fun so we can share them with your neighbors.

Fitch High alum earns national honor

Jennifer Vickers, an Austintown native, was one of five inductees into a national health honor society at Malone University in Canton.

Vickers, a senior at the School of Education, was accepted to the Eta Gamma Society as a result of her academic achievements and commitment to her health education studies. Vickers is studying physical education and community health education.

Boardman Park offers new online reservations

Boardman Township Park is offering a new and improved online reservation system on its Web site.

Residents can see available rentals, rates, rental times and payment options. The payment system will accept all major credit cards.

Reservations can still be made in person at the rental office, but only payments in cash, money order or check can be accepted.

Visit the Web site at www.boardmanpark.com. For information, call the park office at 330-726-8107.

Several programs awarded grants

The Humility of Mary Health Partners Development Foundation was awarded grants to fund HMHP programs benefiting uninsured and underinsured patients.

The grants total nearly $115,000.

The St. Elizabeth Health Center Dental Clinic was awarded a $65,000 grant for a Safety Net Dental Care Program.

Smile Station, HMHP’s mobile dental clinic, was awarded a $24,960 grant by CHP from the Mercy Outreach Fund.

HMHP’s prescription assistance program was awarded a grant by CHP’s Mercy Outreach Fund totaling $24,929.

Discover the Labyrinth at Ursuline Center

The Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Rd. in Canfield will host a presentation of the Labyrinth May 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Starting at 2 p.m. and every quarter hour until 3:30 p.m. there will be a presentation in the auditorium on the how, what, why, when and where of labyrinths.

After each presentation participants can explore the labyrinth on their own or with a facilitator.

The labyrinth is designed to be used by individuals of all ages, families and groups.

The Labyrinth at the Ursuline Center is handicap accessible and has adequate parking.

Groups and individuals who are interested but unable to attend the open house can contact the center office for information at 330-799-4941 or by visiting theursulinecenter@yahoo.com.

“Awesome-town” festival planning

The “Awesome-town” Fall Festival, scheduled for Oct. 9, is taking shape, but help is still needed. The organizers hope to have designated parking places around town and busses to shuttle people to the park. They need organizations that have a bus and driver to volunteer their time. They are also looking for local businesses to become “official sponsors.”

Funds can be donated to the “Awesome-town” Fall Festival account at the Austintown Branch of Farmer’s National Bank. The fall festival also includes a classic car show. Organizers are looking for individual car owners and car club members to participate.

Monthly meetings for the festival are the third Thursday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Stacey Pavilion at Township Park. Meetings are open to the public.

For information, contact lead organizers Brad Bloomster or Rev. Elmarie Parker at 330-799-4214 or 330-792-6441.

Block party planned

The North and South Wickliffe Block Watch Group will host its second annual Neighborhood Block Party July 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Wickliffe Christian Church.

The party is open to all Austintown residents and businesses. The block watch was established in 2008 and covers North and South Wickliffe areas.

Group members regularly patrol the neighborhoods on foot and in vehicles and alert the police of any suspicious activities.

The party will include free food and beverages, music, games and events for children of all ages.

There will be displays by area safety forces, including fire trucks, an ambulance and demonstrations by the Austintown Police Department’s Canine Unit.

For information, contact June Galbraith at 330-792-1571, Shawne Wilfrong 330-744-1803 or Detective Jeffrey Toth of the Austintown Police Department.

Smith Corners Church changes worship times

Smith Corners United Methodist Church on the corner of state Route 46 and Kirk Road has a new Sunday worship schedule.

Sunday school classes will be available at 9:30 a.m. for all ages, including three different adult classes. There will be a fellowship time at 10:15 a.m. with coffee and a simple snack available.

Praise Time begins in the sanctuary at 10:35 a.m. and Sunday morning worship begins at 10:45 a.m., with nursery care available.

The congregation has worshipped at the same time for many years, but the new schedule is being instituted to give families with young children and persons with medical needs more time to get ready on Sunday morning so all can worship together.

For more information, call Rev. Jan Sprague at 330-799-9390.

September reunion for Fitch class of ‘67

Austintown Fitch Class of 1967 is planning a reunion for Sept. 17 and Sept. 18.

Classmates are requested to send e-mail or current mailing address and phone number to Peggy Kellish Carr at p.a.carr@roadrunner.com or call her at 216-870-4801.

Shopping on a budget

The Salvation Army Thrift Store on Mahoning Avenue is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A variety of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and bric-a-brac is available at bargain prices.