Boardman briefs

Boardman alum graduates from Duke

Katie Plichta, daughter of Chris and Kim Plichta of Boardman, received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in May from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Plichta is a 2003 graduate of Boardman High School and a 2007 graduate of Miami University.

She has accepted a position with the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va.

Picnic at Boardman Park August 22

The Nativity of Christ Russian Orthodox Church will hold its annual picnic Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Chester Long Pavilion at Boardman Park.

All parishioners, family and friends are welcome to attend. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish and lawn chairs. For information, contact Judy Cundik at 330-965-0755.

Twirling teams to hold open registration

Northern Strut Twirling teams will hold open registration for individuals interested in baton twirling and flag line twirling Aug. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Astre Total Fitness Center, 374 Boardman-Poland Road, Boardman.

Team membership is open to interested baton twirlers from kindergarten through college and flag twirlers from seventh grade through college.

The 2010-2011 season begins Sept. 7. Opportunities are available for both recreational and competition-oriented students from novice to advanced.

For information and registration materials, contact the Northern Strut Twirling teams director, Janet Gbur, at 330-398-0838 or visit www.northernstruttwirling.com.

Open house at Little Learners Academy

Littler Learners Academy Preschool is hosting an open house today from noon to 2 p.m.

The preschool is located in the Heritage Presbyterian Church at 1951 Matthews Road. Parents may register their children for the 2010-2011 school year. For information call 330-503-7707.

Recycle old electronics

Boardman Township and the Green Team are hosting an electronics drive for all Mahoning County residents Aug. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Boardman Township road department at 8299 Market Street.

Recycle old computers, printers, cell phones, DVD and VCR units, table top copiers, fax machines and televisions.

No floor model copiers and fax machines will be accepted.

There is a small fee for televisions and monitors without a computer. It will cost $5 to recycle a computer monitor by itself.

The fees vary for televisions from $5 to $25 depending upon the size of the screen.

For information, contact Boardman Township at 330-726-4177.

Quilts needed for show

Lordstown High School will host the Fabric Patchers Annual Quilt show Sept. 18-19.

Quilts will be accepted Sept. 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the school’s library.

There is nonrefundable $5 entry fee. Proceeds go the Shop of the Cop. Registration forms can be picked up at the door Sept. 17 only.

The show is open to the public at no charge.

For information, call Edna Gillett at 330-824-3671 or Joann Hamner at 330-270-5131.

Purchase tickets for the Marquee Awards

Tickets for the Seventh annual Marquee Awards tonight at the Family Life Center, St. Michael Catholic Church on North Broad Street in Canfield are available to the general public.

Local media personality Scott Schneider will host this year’s event, which has become the premier community theatre awards event in the area. The ceremony will honor the best in over 40 categories for the 2009/10 season.

The nominees were announced in mid-July, which was followed by voting in late July. Each category has between three and six nominees. Tonight’s event will feature a Legends of the Theater presented to recipients who have been involved in community theater for many years.

A social cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the ceremony at 8 p.m.

For reservations, call YACTA’s reservation line at 330-774-4212.

Boardman Lions “Coats for Kids”

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and your kids need new coats, the Boardman Lions want to help.

Applications for the Boardman Lions Coats for Kids Program are available at www.boardmanlions.com, in the Boardman library and in the Boardman schools’ newsletters.

The application deadline is Sept. 10. You must be a Boardman resident to apply.

Qualified applicants will be notified by mail. The families will attend a night at Target to select their new coats.

Take a bus trip to New York City

You can visit New York City without driving yourself. The Nancy L. Weimer third annual ”NYC Shoptober Shuttle” is Oct. 15-17. Proceeds benefit the Nancy L. Weimer Scholarship Fund.

Weimer, a Boardman native, passed away in 2007 from cancer.

The trip honors the lives of those who have triumphed over cancer while remembering those who are no longer with us. The bus will depart at 6 a.m. Oct. 15 and leave NYC at 11 a.m. Oct. 17.

The cost is $315 for four people in a room, $365 for three people in a room and $470 for two people in a room.

Cost includes the bus trip, two nights at the Radisson Martinique Hotel on Broadway and a $30 donation to the Nancy L. Weimer Scholarship Fund.

For information, call Holly Weimer-Watts at 330-729-9610 or 330-507-3833. Seating is limited and based on a first-come, first-served basis. Deadline for reservations is Aug. 31.

Hikers and dogs wanted for dog’s day

Commemorate the “Dog Days” of August with a two-mile walk in the Park with your special canine friend Sunday at 2 p.m.

Dogs must be non-aggressive, under the handler’s control, and leashed at all times; one dog per hiker. Call the Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 to register by Aug. 14. Walkers meet at the Ford Nature Center.

Every day is craft day

The Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is a site of crafts for kids of all ages every day in August during regular library hours.

Free family night Aug. 28

Family Night at Boardman Park will take place Aug. 28 at the Maag Outdoor Theatre from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

A magic show, Jocko the Clown and hayrides will begin at 6 p.m., a Pipe dreams concert will start at 7 p.m. and Disney’s Up movie will begin at 8:30 p.m. Bounce-A-Rounds and concessions will be available.

Garden extends hours

The D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center will be open to visitors on Wednesdays until 8 p.m. through August. The Antonucci Library and Shop in the Gardens will have extended hours. The Garden Caf will be open until 7 p.m.

7UP Summerfest Spectacular

Mill Creek MetroParks is hosting the 7UP Summerfest Spectacular Wednesdays at 7 p.m. These free concerts are alcohol-free and will take place at the Judge Morley Pavilion.

Del Sinchak and Jack Vaski, polka, will perform Wednesday and Blue Rays,a blues and rock band, will perform Aug. 25.

Struthers concert series

Mill Creek MetroParks and the City of Struthers present a series of free concerts throughout the summer Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Jim Frank Combo will perform Thursday at Mauthe Park, the Mahoning Valley Button Box Club will perform Aug. 12 at Yellow Creek Park, Bob Noble will perform Aug. 19 at Mauthe Park and there is another concert scheduled for Aug. 26 at Mauthe Park, performers have yet to be chosen for the event.

Tour MetroParks farm

Bring the family for a tractor-wagon tour of MetroParks Farm Thursdays throughout the summer at 10 a.m.

The one-hour tour is free and reservations are suggested. Call 330-533-7572.

Work of local artists displayed in park

Visit Fellows Riverside Gardens this summer to see the work of local artists on exhibit. The floral display beds are designed to complement each sculpture or image. Stop by the Davis Center for a guide listing the location of the works of art.

Guided tours offered Aug. 22

Enjoy a walk Aug. 22 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Fellows Riverside Gardens and admire the summer colors. A guide will point out highlights while sharing anecdotes and history. Sign in at the information desk on the afternoon of the tour.

Visit the family garden on sunny Fridays

Bring the kids for a drop-in visit to the Family Garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens on sunny Fridays to plant and water flowers or to read a book. The Family Garden Greeter at the discovery cart will tell visitors about the plants. Children can participate in hands-on activities. For information, call 330-740-7116.

Learn about botany during breakfast Aug. 27

Start Aug. 27 with a brisk walk through the gardens at 8:30 a.m. Then visit the Garden Caf for a light breakfast and learn about the Oleander family.

The fee is $7 for residents and $9 for non-residents. To register, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Join the family at Holy Family School

Parents of students entering kindergarten who are interested in becoming part of the Holy Family School family are to register their children at the school office and provide baptismal certificate (if not baptized at Holy Family Church), immunization records, social security number, all registration forms in packet (to be picked up at time of registration) and copy of birth certificate at the time of registration.

The registration fee of $25 is payable to Holy Family School and nonrefundable.

The application will be considered complete only when all required supporting data mentioned is submitted.

Kindergarten screenings will be scheduled at this time.

For information, contact the school office at 330-757-3713 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cancer survivor picnics planned in two counties

Humility of Mary Health Partners’ cancer survivors are invited to enjoy lunch, games, music, crafts, prizes and giveaways during one of two picnics to be held in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

Sponsored by the HMHP Cancer Centers, the Mahoning County picnic will be Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Boardman Park Community Center, 375 Boardman-Poland Road. The Trumbull County picnic will take place Aug. 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Demetrios Pavilion, 3223 Atlantic St., Warren.

Each survivor may bring one guest and only attend one picnic, as space is limited. To register, call the Humility of Mary Healthline at 330-480-3151 or 877-700-4647.

Summer Day Camp offers new events

Summer Day Camp at the D.D. & Velma Davis Family YMCA continues with a jam-packed schedule of activities, classes and events to keep campers entertained and active all summer long.

Remaining trips include trips to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Labor and Industry Museum, Idlewild and Soakzone, the Vienna Air Force Base, Camp Fitch, Mahoning Valley Scrappers game and Pittsburgh Pirates game.

Parents can still sign their kids up for Day Camp, which runs through Aug. 27.

Camp is open to children 6 through 13 and is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

A one-time registration fee of $25 per child applies. A second child discount for weekly participants is available, as well as daily rates for parents who may not need camp each day for an entire week.

An additional fee on trip days may apply.

Visit youngstownymca.org for a camp brochure. For information, contact Jordan Shaver at 330-480-5656.

Great food program offers affordable meals

Smith Corners United Methodist Church, 3000 S. Canfield-Niles Road, Austintown, is the local site for the Great Food For All program.

Each big value box costs $30 and comes complete and ready for pick-up. The family variety box is available for $36. Cash, money order or cashier’s checks are accepted at the time the order is placed. No checks are accepted. Credit cards are accepted with a $1 convenience fee.

Go to www.greatfoodforall.com, type in zip code 44515, and scroll down until Smith Corners UMC pops up. Then pick up the ordered food boxes at Smith Corners UMC.

For information, contact the church office at 330-799-9390.

Celebrate for a good cause

Say farewell to summer with the “End of Summer Charity Fest” Aug. 21 in the Austintown Plaza Beach. This event will benefit the Hogan family, Ed needs a miracle, the Sandor family and Brett Wilcox.

Gates open at 1 p.m. The Sun Kings will perform from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. followed by the ROCcK Children’s Choir at 5 p.m. A local band that has yet to be announced will perform from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Key West Express will perform at 8 p.m.

Cost to vendor is $75 per booth. Five percent of the sales will benefit the charity.

There will be barbecues, ice cream and fun for a good cause in a family-friendly environment.

The event is chaired by Forty Two Inc., O’Donald’s, BI Management and Party On.

Enjoy yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens

Instructor Heidi Suraci welcomes students of all levels to enjoy a blend of yoga styles amidst the powers of nature. Tuesdays will feature a beginner’s class from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and an intermediate class from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. All levels can participate on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The fee is $10 per class and students should bring a mat and small blanket.

For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Ease stress and increase vitality with T’ai Chi

Join Marie Lew in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form Wednesdays in August from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The fee is $10 per class. For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116

Have butterfly fun Sunday

Fellows Riverside Gardens invites children with their families to an afternoon of fun, activities and snacks in the Family Garden Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will pot a plant to take home, design in the digging garden, weave plants and listen to a story with puppets.

Explore the tall grass

Children ages 3 to 5 will enjoy a story, craft and outdoor exploration that will highlight small creatures that live in fields during the Preschool Nature Hour at Ford Nature Center Friday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and Aug. 21 at 10 a.m.

The fee is $2 for residents and $3 for non-residents. An adult must accompany each child. Preregister at Ford Nature Center.

Calling all knitters

Help “Warm Up America,” with other crafters making afghans and other projects to donate locally Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at Fellows Riverside Gardens. 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. For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Find the alphabet at MetroParks Farm

Agriculture, Barns, and Crops- see how many other letters of the alphabet can be found Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. during a wagon tour of the farm. Wagon leaves every half hour. Children can make a craft to take home.

Compost seminar offered

The Green Team will host a compost class Aug. 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at MetroParks Farm.

Preregistration is required. Tractor-wagon tours will be given; wagon leaves every half hour. The fee is $10 and includes a compost bin. To register, call 330-740-2060.

Farm closes for Canfield Fair

Metroparks Farm will close during the Canfield Fair Aug. 29 through Sept. 6, but you can visit the farm at Old McDonald’s Barn on the fairgrounds.

Dahlias on display Aug. 28-29

Experience an array of color and form displayed in many varieties of dahlias grown in local gardens at the Mahoning Valley Dahlia Society Show Aug. 28 from noon to 5 p.m. and Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Mum sale at the gardens

Admire summer’s bounty and vegetables at the Men’s Garden Club Horticulture Show and Mum Sale Aug. 28 from noon to 5 p.m. and Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Nature is illuminated in exhibit at the gardens

Connecticut photographer Ellen Hoverkamp’s exhibit “Nature’s Illuminated” will be featured at Weller Gallery until Aug. 22 during regular Fellows Riverside Gardens and Davis Education and Visitor Center hours. The artist uses a flatbed scanner to produce digital floral images with incredible clarity and depth.

Explore beaver preserve

Join Mill Creek MetroParks for a one and a half mile traipse around Beaver Township’s nature preserve Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. Meet at the pavilion in the preserve, located on state route 165. For directions call the Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107.

Hike to Hopewell

Enjoy a 3-mile hike to a historic landmark, the Hopewell Furnace, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. Hikers meet at Yellow Creek Park Office. Sturdy shoes are necessary for difficult stream crossings.

Listen to nature’s sounds with professor of music

Lisa Rainsong, professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music, is also a naturalist. Join her and Mill Creek MetroParks Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. for an easy walk through the parks and listen to and look for crickets, grasshoppers, and katydids. Walkers meet at MetroParks Farm.

Walk for the health of it

Mill Creek MetroParks is offering a variety of health and wellness walks Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9 a.m.

For a moderately difficult four-mile walk, meet at the Ford Nature Center Aug. 31.

Walk an easy two or four-mile walk at the MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm Tuesday.

Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at Kirk Road Aug. 25 for a moderate two or four-mile walk.

Rediscover the falls

According to legend, in August of 1797 Isaac Powers and Phineas Hill discovered what is now called Lanterman’s Falls at Mill Creek MetroParks. Retrace their route 213 years later. Meet at Fellows Riverside Gardens Aug. 29 at 9:30 a.m. for a moderately difficult 7-mile hike.

Free hot dogs at Mill Creek MetroParks

Weather permitting, Mill Creek MetroParks will have free hot dogs for the public Mondays and Tuesdays. The hot dogs will be served Mondays at the James L. Wick Recreation Area, off McCollum Road, and Tuesdays at Scholl Recreation Area. The hot dogs are sponsored by the Salvation Army’s Mahoning County Services. This will last through Aug. 31,

Classic car cruises

The Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club will host Cruise Nites every Tuesday through August from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Chick-fil-a on state Route 224 near South Avenue in Boardman, weather permitting.

Registration will be $2. Plaques or $15 gas cards will be awarded and 50/50 raffles prizes will be given away nightly. All proceeds benefit Hospice of the Valley.

Enjoy a book with the kids

Parents are invited to attend a 30-minute family story time with their children at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in August.