Boardman community briefs

Bond with babies, books at the library

Join the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Thursday 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. Children aged 4 and 5 can attend a reading program on Tuesdays in May at 10 a.m.

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.

Try a paper maze

Children of all ages can try a paper maze and win a prize at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during regular library hours throughout May.

Donate blood May 15

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County May 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Free blood pressure screening Monday

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will provide a free blood pressure screening Monday at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Swap puzzles May 14

The Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will have a puzzle swap May 19 at 4:30 p.m.

Learn how to develop a plan to open a business

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and SCORE will host a business and investment center small business seminar May 10 at 6 p.m. at the Boardman branch.

Members of SCORE will address the business plan, the marketing plan, the financial aspects of starting a new business, and technology and your business.

A librarian from the Main Library’s Information Services Department will discuss the role of the Library’s resources and services from business start-up and beyond.

To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for information services.

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.

BHS alum earns animal science degree

Courtney Hull of Boardman, Ohio, will graduate during the University of Findlay’s spring commencement today in the Koehler Complex on campus.

Hull is expected to receive a bachelor of science degree in animal science.

At U, Hull participated in Pre-Vet Club in addition to her animal science major activities.

Hull, a 2006 graduate of Boardman High School, is the daughter of Gail and Mike Hull.

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.

Junior Women’s League hosts 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.

Bake sale proceeds benefit cancer research

The Boardman Band Relay for Life will be hosting a bake sale Sunday at the Boardman Walmart on Doral Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society for Cancer research.

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.

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.

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 330-740-7107.

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.

Health and wellness walks scheduled for May

Health and wellness walks are planned for 9 a.m. May 5 at Poland Woods and May 26 at the Golf Course overflow parking lot and May 18 at Yellow Creek Park at 6 p.m.

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 Sunday at the MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at 8 a.m. with guide Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited.

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.

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.

Mystery lovers wanted

The Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will meet at the Boardman branch of the Library May 25 at 6:30 p.m. and sponsor a CSI Y’Town program. The group is open to all area readers, writers and fans of murder mysteries, cozies, whodunits, detective fiction, historical mysteries, psychological thrillers, suspense fiction, police procedures, supernatural thrillers, crime capers or other mystery genres.

Come see St. Luke’s Lil’ Angels at open house

St. Luke’s Lil’ Angels Preschool will host an open house Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Children and parents will have the opportunity to see the school and program in action.

Children will participate in circle time, story time, art and snack.

Spaces are limited. To reserve a spot, call 330-782-0234.

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.

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.

Health 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.

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 non-members, To register call, Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

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 non-members. 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.

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.

Safety boating class offered at the park

Ohio law requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1982 who wishes to operate or supervise operation of watercraft over 10 HP to successfully complete an approved boating course or proficiency exam.

This eight-hour class is offered at Yellow Creek Park today from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Participants will receive full training and complete the exam at the end of the class.

Bring a lunch. The cost is $10. Call 330-740-7100 to register or inquire.

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.

Cinderella comes to life

The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theatre will present “Cinderella” today at 2:30 p.m. Daytime performances for area schools will take place Wednesday through Friday.

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.

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 today.

Little Falcons Golf Outing May 30

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 and 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.

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.

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.

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.

Local debater takes second prize at Mount Union

Freshman Steven Kandray was awarded second prize at the semi-annual Student Debate at Mount Union College.

Kandray received $60 for his debate in favor of “Resolved: Greater government involvement in economic and social affairs is good for the United States at the present time.”

The debate is coordinated annually by Santosh Saha, professor of history at Mount Union.

Clinic extends hours for required Tdap 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 330-27-2855, ext. 125.

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.

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.

Help Neighbors showcase your summer fun

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

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

School accepting registrations for students

Heartland Christian School located at 28 Pittsburgh St. in Columbiana is now accepting registrations for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Registration information can be requested by calling the school office at 330-482-2331.

Transportation is available for families in the Youngstown area, including Austintown, Boardman, Canfield and Poland.

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.

Local alum receives honor from university

Jamie Amero, Boardman alum and third-year Pharmacy student, has been inducted into the Aurora Chapter of Mortar Board at Ohio Northern University, based on her excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.

Mortar Board is a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service.

Spring clean and donate items to Goodwill

Get an early start on spring cleaning and donate to the Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries.

Items needed include clothing, housewares, small kitchen appliances, glasses, dishes and home decor.

Goodwill will take computers and computer equipment as part of the Dell Reconnect recycle program.

Donation location centers can be found in the Boardman Plaza, Hermitage Hills Plaza, Warren Plaza, Shenango Towne Center and at 2747 Belmont Ave. in Liberty.

Local students earns academic honor

Andrea Firth has been named to St. Mary’s College Dean’s List for fall 2009 semester for achieving a grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

Students receive prestigious scholarships

The University of Findlay has awarded merit scholarships and endowed scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year.

Boardman High alumni Austin Clark, a pre-veterinary medicine major, was awarded the Trustee’s Scholarship.

Ann E. Bonifas was awarded the Memorial Scholarship. Courtney Hull, an animal science major, was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship.

Trustee Costello takes new leadership role

Township Trustee Thomas P. Costello has been appointed to the executive board of the Coalition of Large Ohio Urban Townships.

Fellow trustees Larry Moliterno and Brad Calhoun nominated Costello.

CLOUT formed in 1995 as a means for large townships to provide input and solutions to state legislators on problems and issues affecting large and/or urban Ohio townships.

Townships are eligible for membership if they have a minimum population of 15,000 people in an unincorporated territory and a minimum budget of $3 million.

The late John Cox, a former township trustee, was one of the originators of CLOUT in 1995, and Boardman has been a member for 15 years.