Our Town briefs

GAMA to host Lenten Worship Services

The Greater Austintown Ministerial Association is inviting the wider community to join together for ecumenical worship services for Lent on six Sundays in February and March and ending with a Good Friday Service on April 2.

Service dates, times and locations are Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at Ohltown United Methodist, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian, Mar. 7 at 7 p.m. at Emmanual Community Church, Mar. 14 at 7 p.m. at Bethel Assembly of God, Mar. 21 at 7 p.m. at Wickliffe Presbyterian, Mar. 28 at 7 p.m. at Austintown Community Church, Apr. 2 at noon at First United Methodist of West Austintown.

Each host church will provide the format for the service, the music, and refreshments after the service. For the March 28 service at Austintown Community Church, the music will be provided by the Ecumenical Community Choir under the direction of Harold and Cheri Blackann.

Church offers trapped theme for Lent

The Austintown Community Church is offering a Lenten sermon series titled “Trapped?” at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. starting Sunday and running through Mar. 28.

Topics will include worry, bitterness, addictions, anger, lies and how to be set free.

The church is located at 242 S. Canfield-Niles Road and is fully handicapped accessible. Transportation is available for those in need by calling the church secretary by 12 p.m. on Fridays.

For information or transportation, call 330-799-4214.

Wine, beer and cheese fest next Saturday

The Junior Women’s League of Canfield is hosting their fifth annual wine, beer and cheese fest Feb. 27 at Antone’s Banquet Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Jim Golen. Proceeds will be donated to Kids Grieve Too.

The cost for the event is $30 or two people for $50.

For information, call Rhonda Rance at 330-565-1959.

Little Falcons spaghetti dinner planned

The Austintown Little Falcons is hosting its second annual spaghetti dinner at First United Methodist Church Feb. 27 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The price for the dinner is $7 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Take-outs are welcome and a Chinese auction will be available.

Local agent earns honor

Todd Stovall, of the Todd Stovall Agency of Austintown, was designated a Premier Service Agency for 2009 by Allstate Corporation for his ability to deliver accessible, knowledgeable and personal customer service. The honor is given to less than 21 percent of Allstate’s nearly 15,000 agency owners.

Austintown native excels in health education

Jennifer Vickers, an Austintown native, was inducted into the Eta Sigma Gamma society, the national professional society for students of public health, on Jan. 15. Vickers, a senior at Malone University’s School of Education, is studying physical education and community health education.

In addition to being a good student, Vickers is compassionate and caring, said Dr. Pam Hoalt, a professor of community health education at Malone.

“She will be an excellent school health teacher, and a wonderful role model,” Hoalt said.

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.

Donate shoes for Haiti earthquake victims

Drs. Karlock, Flauto, Arters and Reichard of Austintown Podiatry Associates are holding a shoe drive for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Gently worn or new shoes may be dropped off at 1300 S. Canfield-Niles Road in Austintown, 7010 South Ave., Suite 3 in Boardman or 3802 Elm Road N.E. in Warren.

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.

Austintown Channel 19 needs your ideas

Austintown’s Community Television Station is conducting a survey on what changes viewers would like to see in the programming.

The survey, which is available to viewers on the station’s newly developed Web site, asks residents to comment on the types of programs they watch and what they would like to see more of in the future. The questions also focus on residents’ awareness of available programs and services provided by the station. Officials hope to collect viewer responses through the month of February. Austintown residents can participate in the survey by going to www.austintown.k12.oh.us/~channel19/wp/.

Curves launches fitness campaign

Curves in Austintown is joining other Curves facilities throughout the world for a companywide campaign to promote fitness and to prevent disease by focusing on sharing success stories with others.

The Stronger Plus Together movement can be joined by visiting www.curves.com/strongertogether. By enrolling, women will receive a “join now and get 30 days free” promotion.

For information, call 330-793-9802.

Parks open for cross-country skiing

Cross country skiing is offered at Mill Creek MetroParks areas.

Skiing is permitted during daylight hours and is dependent on natural snowfall.

Skiing is offered at these areas: Mill Creek Golf Course (on marked course), par 3 golf course, East golf hike/bike trail, East Cohasset hike/bike trail, Chestnut Hill Drive, Calvary Run Drive and MetroParks Bikeway.

Can goods sought for Rescue Mission

The Adult Education Medical Assistant Program at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center is having a community outreach drive for the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.

Items needed include canned foods, first-aid items and toiletries.

Drop-off locations are Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on Palmyra Road in Canfield, Wedgewood Pizza on South Avenue in Boardman, Austintown Surgery Center on North Canfield-Niles Road in Austintown and Walgreen’s Pharmacy on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown.

Historical society offers afghans for sale

The Austintown Historical Society has for immediate purchase the historic Austintown afghan.

Colors are cranberry red and cream, Williamsburg blue and cream, and hunter’s green and cream.

Also available are the Cat’s Meow collectibles, which cost from $12 to $15 each.

All proceeds benefit the Austintown Historical Society. For information, call 330-792-1129.