Poland briefs

Nativity celebrates “Reason for the Season”

The residents, staff and families of Shepherd of the Valley-Poland, 301 W. Western Reserve Road, are celebrating the arrival of the Christmas season with a Living Nativity Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.

The public is invited and refreshments will be served following the play. For information, contact Paula Blakeman, activity director, at 330-726-7110, extension 2314, or via email at pblakeman@ShepherdoftheValley.com.

Bond with babies and books at library

Join the Poland library for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger play and other activities for babies 6-23 months on Wednesdays in December and Dec. 11 at 10 a.m.

The program is designed to make children successful readers. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The library will host a similar program for children ages 2 and 3 Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and for 4 and 5-year-olds Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

Trim a tree for December

Children of all ages can decorate the Poland library’s all-season tree throughout December during regular library hours.

Blood pressure screening scheduled

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross is hosting a blood pressure screening Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Meet friends of the library Tuesday

The Friends of the Poland Library will meet for coffee at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Poland library meeting room.

The Poland High School Madrigal Chorus will provide program entertainment. The hostesses for the meeting are Lee Centofanti, Ann Trefethern, Gloria Rule and Diane Fodor. Magazine and book donations will be collected for the library book cart fundraiser.

There will be no Poland Friends meeting in January.

Library closed for holiday

All public libraries in the Mahoning County system will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.

Wilson Class of ‘78 to celebrate

Wilson High School Class of 1978 will celebrate its 50th birthday with a party at Rusty’s South Side Grill in Boardman Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $25 per person and $45 per couple.

Checks can be made payable to “WHS Class of 78” and sent to Linda Uhl at 272 Saw Mill Run Canfield, OH 44406.

Discuss benefits and dangers of antibiotics

Chiropractor Ted Suzelis will present a lecture titled, “Super Bugs: The Dangers of Antibiotic Overuse” Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at his Boardman office, located in the Southbridge Executive Park at 725 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite K-4, Boardman.

Suzelis will discuss the benefits and dangers of antibiotic use, along with when it is appropriate to forego antibiotic use and what can be done instead.

For information or to register for the event since seating is limited, call the office at 330-729-1350 or go to www.ohiond.com. Admission is free.

Light a candle and remember

The Mahoning County-Youngstown Chapter of Bereaved Parents of the USA will host a candlelight memorial service to remember and honor children who have passed away Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in Youngstown at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.

To RSVP or for information, call Diane Hunter-Copeland at 330-770-2686.

Boardman Park hosts holiday light display

Boardman Park will host a holiday light display Sunday through Thursday. Take a ride through the park and view the display of lights from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. for free.

Play Bingo for the cats

Second Chance Animal Rescue will host its next Bingo session Dec. 11 at St. Nicholas Church, 764 Fifth St. in Struthers.

Doors open at 5 p.m., Early Bird starts at 6:50 p.m. and regular games begin at 7 p.m.

Featured games include: $500 Coverall, $250 Picture Frame, $150 Night Owl, $125 Crazy C, $125 X Game and $125 Double Postage. Single games pay $100 and Double games pay $120.

Master Sets can be purchased for $10, $15 or $18 and Special Sets for $10. Pull Tabs, including IRS and Bingo Babies, will be available.

All proceeds benefit Second Chance Animal Rescue, a nonprofit shelter located in Austintown run by volunteers, with a focus on kittens and cats. For information visit, www.secondchanceanimalrescue.org or call the shelter at 330-505-3575.

Community Christmas at the park

Boardman Park is hosting Community Christmas Sunday. This is a time for the community to get together to celebrate the season.

Santa will arrive by fire truck at 3 p.m. and there will be music and caroling and tours of St. James Meeting House.

You can even register to have your group, family or class decorate a tree with natural, edible decorations for the wildlife. Register with Sheryle Snow at 330-726-8105 for a tree. Refreshments will be available.

Visit Santa and his reindeer

Bring the children to the MetroParks Farm at Mill Creek MetroParks Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to visit with Santa and one of his favorite reindeer. Don’t forget your camera and capture a special holiday photo. Children can make a craft to take home.

Santa will call your kids

Boardman Park is offering an opportunity of a lifetime. Register a time and date for Santa to call your child Dec. 14 and 15. Registration forms can be picked up at the park office or downloaded from www.boardmanpark.com.

Eat supper with Santa

Enjoy Supper with Santa Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lariccia Family Community Center at Boardman Park.

Tickets may be purchased at the park office. Cost for Boardman residents is $6 and cost for nonresidents is $8. There is a limited amount of tickets. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Make cookies for Santa Dec. 20

Children can make cookies for Santa at the Lariccia Family Community Center at Boardman Park from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20.

Purchase tickets at the park office. Cost for Boardman residents is $5 and for nonresidents it’s $7. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Winter Celebration: Holiday Scent-sation

Visit Fellows Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek MetroParks for the holidays and be greeted by the scent of cedar, fir and cinnamon Saturday through Jan. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The decorated trees and seasonal flowers throughout the Davis Center will display the “Holiday Scent-sation” theme. Make sure to see the Rainforest Room, stop by the Shop in the Gardens for unique holiday gift ideas and catch the view of Lake Glacier while dining in the Garden Caf .

Calling all card players

Shepherd of the Valley, 301 W. Western Reserve Road, Poland is hosting its monthly card game Dec. 15 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Card players of all kinds are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served and one lucky player will go home with a Christmas-themed gift basket.

For information, call SOV-Poland receptionist at 330-726-7110, ext. 0.

Railroad layout at local museum

The Western Reserve Modular Railroad Club is featuring its large modular layout at the National Packard Museum in Warren through Dec. 29.

HMHP new MyChart program for patients

Patients of Humility of Mary Health Partners (HMHP) physicians are now able to schedule their next appointment, receive test results, refill prescriptions and contact their doctors via the Internet.

It’s called MyChart and is all part of the new electronic health record (EHR) launched at all HMHP ambulatory care sites Nov. 1. Patients can sign up for MyChart right in their doctor’s office.

Senior fun days at Boardman Park

Seniors can gather for lunch and activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lariccia Family Community Center at Boardman Park on Dec. 16 and 23.

Cost is $1. Call Karen at 330-965-0482 or the park office at 330-726-8105 to RSVP.

Join a celebration of family, friends and life

Help support Karen Rohan in her fight against breast cancer Jan. 16 from noon to 5 p.m. at St. Maron’s Church Antioch Hall, 1555 S. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

She was diagnosed with large globular differential carcinoma in June 2010.

The benefit includes a spaghetti dinner, Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle.

The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. Carry-out is available and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

To donate for the Chinese auction, call Bill Rohan at 330-398-3232 or Nikki Martin at 330-652-6630.

Nature photography exhibit at Riverside

The annual Nature Photography Exhibit will be displayed at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens in Weller Gallery Feb. 13 through March 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deadline for entries is Jan. 23. Applications will be available for download at www.millcreekmetroparks.org in January. Call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 for information.

Gardens by candlelight

Twinkling lights and luminaries will brighten the frosty night as families take a wintry walk through Fellows Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek MetroParks Dec. 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Complete the evening by warming up in the Davis Center with music, cocoa, and sugar cookies. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Rescue Mission.

The Wick Area then and now

Bob Coggeshall has been scanning hundreds of slides taken by Lindley Vickers from the 1940s through 1960s. Join Mill Creek MetroParks Sunday at 2 p.m. to view a sample featuring what is now the James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area. Afterward, explore the area via a hike by meeting at the Ford Nature Center for a moderately-difficult 2-mile hike.

Learn about ravens Dec. 12

Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, “The Raven,” was set in bleak December. Attend this unique scavenger hunt at Mill Creek Parks Ford Nature Center Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. to learn more about these creatures and their resident relatives, the crows. This 3-mile hike is moderately difficult.

Search Autumn’s leftovers

Fall is nearly over and lean months lie ahead for wildlife. Hike with Mill Creek MetroParks and for clues to what they may be eating Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. Hikers meet at the Ford Nature Center for the moderately-difficult one and half-mile hike.

Explore the winter woods

Need a respite from the holiday rush? Join Bill Whitehouse on an exploration of the peaceful Hitchcock Woods at Mill Creek MetroParks Dec. 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is available on Deerpath Drive. This 2-mile hike is moderately difficult.

Health and wellness walks offered

Join Mill Creek MetroParks for several walks throughout December. All walks start at 9 a.m.

Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm Dec. 15 for a moderately-difficult 2 or 4-mile hike.

Meet at the Golf Course overflow parking lot on West Golf Drive Dec. 29 for an easy 1 or 3-mile walk.

Bow making workshop set at the gardens

Have you wanted to make professional looking bows for your decorations? Attend this workshop at Mill CreekParks Fellows Riverside Garden Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and learn different techniques for making bows. Supplies and practice ribbon will be provided. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

The cost is $20.

Boxwood and berry arrangement set

Join Deby Clark for this informative class at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Garden Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to make a holiday arrangement that will look festive throughout the season. Fresh boxwood, fragrant greens, cinnamon sticks, berries and bows will add a touch of cheer to a tabletop. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

The cost is $32.

Breakfast botany: Umbrella “Pine” family

Start your morning with a brisk walk through Mill Creek Parks Fellows Riverside Garden Dec. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Return to the Garden Caf for a light breakfast and learn about plants in the umbrella “Pine” family. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for nonresidents.

Do yoga in the gardens

Join yoga instructor Heidi Suraci at Mill Creek Parks Fellows Riverside Garden Tuesdays in December from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for beginner classes and from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for intermediate classes. All level classes are Thursday and Dec. 16 and 30, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bring a mat and small blanket. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information. The cost is $10 per class.

T’ai Chi step one in the gardens

Ease stress, improve health and increase vitality at Mill Creek Parks Fellows Riverside Garden with Marie Lew in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form Wednesdays in December from noon to 1 p.m. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information.

The cost is $10 per class.

Tales for Twos: Wintertime!

As the cold season approaches, Mill Creek MetroParks invites 2-year-olds to fun activities, including story time and crafts Thursday at 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 to register.

Preschool nature hour is for the birds

Preschoolers ages 3 through 5 and their families can listen to a winter story and create edible ornaments for the birds at Mill Creek MetroParks Ford Nature Center Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. or 12:30 a.m. or Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. Help decorate an evergreen tree and take an ornament home for the birds in your backyard. Preregister at Ford Nature Center by calling 330-740-7107.

Cost is $2 per child for residents and $3 per child for nonresidents.

Pine and stars garland

Preschoolers ages 3 through 5 can celebrate the season with their favorite adults by stringing a garland of pine cones, yellow stars and cranberries to hang indoors or outside at Mill Creek Parks Fellows Riverside Gardens Friday from 11 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. or Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to noon. A snack and story add to the festivities. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7166 to register.

The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for nonresidents.

Make a snowman wreath Dec. 11

Children ages 6 and older can learn to identify evergreens at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens Dec. 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. There will be refreshments while each child with an adult assembles a unique holiday wreath of mixed greens topped with a snowman and velvet bow. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

The cost is $10 for residents and $13 for nonresidents.

A loose knit group to meet

Help fellow crafters “Warm Up America” at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens Friday and Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon by making afghans and other projects to donate locally. 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.

Bring your own kayak

Attention experienced kayakers — bundle up and partner with Trumbull Canoe Trails for its annual finale up the Mahoning River to Eagle Creek and back Sunday at 11 a.m. Register by calling Mill Creek MetroParks Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 by today. Meet at Canoe City Metropark.

View the wldlife art of John A. Ruthven

Wildlife artist John Ruthven paints what he knows and loves. Often called the modern day Audubon, Ruthven thoroughly studies his animal subjects and paints them in their habitats with technical detail. His work will be on display at Mill Creek MetroParks Davis Education and Visitor Center daily through Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Take the best drive in the park

Original drawings, vintage photos and equipment of Mill Creek Golf Course will be on display in the Melnik Museum at Fellows Riverside Gardens through December.

Farm life at Weller Gallery

Weller Gallery in Fellows Riverside Gardens will host “Farm Life: A Century of Change for Farm Families and Their Families” through Sunday.

The exhibit was funded by NEH on the Road and highlights the social and cultural issues brought by decades of change that touch members of farming communities.