Our Town briefs

Library hosts Baby Brilliant program

The Poland Public Library will host Baby Brilliant: Bonding With Babies and Books today at 10 a.m.

The program features developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This program is also available for toddlers ages 2 and 3, Tales and Talks for ages 2 and 3, on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

School offers financial aid workshop

There will be a Financial Aid Workshop at Poland High School on Monday at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.

This workshop is geared to parents of graduating seniors, and is intended to answer the many questions concerning the financial aid process.

Speakers at the workshop will be Gina McHenry from YSU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship along with Poland High School guidance counselors Rob Sainato and Judy Volosin.

Specific topics to be addressed are: types of financial aid, how the financial aid process works, completing the FAFSA, alternative funding sources for higher education, and there will be an opportunity for questions regarding the issues.

Canned food collection set 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 MCCTC on Palmyra Road in Canfield, Wedgewood Pizza on South Avenue in Boardman, Austintown Surgery Center on North Canfield-Niles Road and Walgreens Pharmacy on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown.

Poland art students travel to New York

In February, the advanced art classes from Poland Seminary High School will be travelling to New York City for a weekend of art, sight-seeing, and a Broadway show.

Activities include attending the Broadway performance of “The Lion King,” spending a day at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and checking out the Art Deco Architecture of the Empire State Building.

They will also have the opportunity to see the murals in the NBC building as well as the sculpture in Rockefeller Center.

Cancer society polar bear jump needs volunteers

The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to help plan and organize the Polar Bear Jump. The date and location for the event have not been confirmed. It will most likely take place on a Saturday afternoon between January and March at a frozen lake or pond.

The Polar Bear Jump gives people of all ages the opportunity to jump into the water of a frozen lake or pond after the ice is cut away. Participants are asked to raise $25 each to be used for the fight against cancer.

To get involved, contact La Dawn Whitman, income development coordinator of the American Cancer Society at 888-227-6446 ext. 2204 or e-mail her at lawdawn.whitman@cancer.org

Poland freshman orientation is Feb. 4

There will be an orientation meeting for all eighth graders and their parents who reside in the Poland School District on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Poland administration and counselors will provide information to assist incoming freshman in selecting courses. The process for enrolling in courses will continue to be individual as it has proven to be successful.

Some curriculum changes and increased graduation requirements will be in effect, so attending this orientation is important for students and parents.

Topics will included an explanation of the registration process, review of new graduation requirements, explanation of course levels, college entrance requirements, athletic participation guidelines and the high school graduation test.

If you have any questions, call the Poland High School guidance office at 330-757-7036.

Get your blood pressure checked at the library

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Cross will be providing blood pressure screenings at the Poland Library from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 26.

Fun time for 4’s and 5’s

The Poland Public Library will host Fun Time for 4’s and 5’s at 1 p.m. on all Thursdays in January. The program features developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhyme, finger play and other activities for children age four to five.

Trim a tree for January

All aged children are invited to decorate an ornament for the Poland Public Library all-season tree during library hours in January.

Boardman Park spaces go up for grabs

Starting Monday, Boardman Township Park will be accepting reservations for its indoor meeting room, open-air pavilions, and Boardman’s most prominent historical landmark, St. James Meeting House, which is one of the area’s most popular facilities for Weddings.

The park accepts reservations one year in advance, therefore, starting now, reservations will be accepted for dates still available/open in the year 2010, and for any date in the year 2011.

However, the first two weeks of January are set aside for Boardman residents only. Boardman residents also receive a discount on the reservation fees for the facilities.

Because of the popularity of the park, it is important to make a reservation as soon as possible. Over the past 60 years, “The Green Oasis” has been home to many weddings, graduation parties, baby showers, as well as business meetings and family picnics.

Reservations can be made by calling the park office at 330-726-8105, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reservation requests may also be submitted via the park’s Web site at www.boardmanpark.com.

Cross country skiing at MetroPark 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, MetroParks Bikeway.