Our Town briefs

Poland freshman orientation date

There will be a high school 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 on 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 include 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.

For information, call the Poland Seminary High School guidance office at 330-757-7036.

Beekeepers wanted

Crossroads Resource Conservation and Development Council Inc., along with numerous partners, is offering a program for residents of Mahoning County who are interested in becoming beekeepers. A limited number of $500 scholarships are available for organizations or individuals working with youth throughout the Mahoning County.

The beekeeping program includes classroom instruction, bees, and the equipment necessary to begin beekeeping. Applications are available online at www.crossraodsred.org or by calling 330-339-9317. Deadline for the program sign up is Jan. 29.

Poland Rotary partners in language workshop

Teachers and speech therapists are invited to attend a language evaluation and literacy education workshop using story retelling hosted by Jean Irwin.

The workshop is being sponsored by the Poland, Austintown, Canfield, Struthers, Boardman and Youngstown Rotary Clubs and is free of charge.

The event is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Holiday Inn in Boardman.

The goals of the workshop include how to chart language processes using transcriptions of story retelling, Identification of simple to complex clause structures and examination of the research regarding levels of conversation control after a child reads.

A light refreshment will be served from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and certificates will be provided at the end of the workshop.

Registration is required by Tuesday.

For more information or to register, call Sieglinde Warren at 330-757-3631 or e-mail to suwarren19@zoominternet.net.

Fun time for children at the Poland Library

The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County 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 4 to 5. This program is also available for toddlers ages 2 and 3 on Thursday and Jan. 28 at 10:30 a.m.

Children can trim a tree for January

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

Get your blood pressure checked at the library

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Cross will provide blood pressure screenings at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 26.

Entrepreneurs wanted at the library

Learn how to grow your business by attending the Business & Investment Center Tour for Entrepreneurs on Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County.

Join a librarian from Main Library’s Information Services Department to view the print and electronic sources that can be useful from business start-up and beyond. Tour the Business & Investment Center and start your business research. Call 330-744-8636, press 2 after the prompt to register.

Public libraries closed All public libraries in Mahoning County will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Physician hosts weight loss challenge

Dr. Ted Suzelis is hosting a weight-loss challenge to help motivate his patients and the Mahoning Valley to shed excess weight. It has already started, but weigh-ins can be scheduled through Thursday.

This will be an eight-week challenge, focusing on healthy eating, calorie restriction and exercise.

For information or to register, go to www.OhioND.com or call his Boardman office at 330-729-1350 or his Newton Falls office at 330-872-1577.

New York trip planned In February, the advanced art classes from Poland Seminary High School will be traveling to New York City for a weekend of art, sightseeing 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.

Natural Resources Conservation meeting

Individuals interested in providing input about natural resource concerns in Columbiana or Mahoning County are invited to attend a meeting of the Columbiana and Mahoning County Workgroup at the Columbiana SWCD office at 1834-B South Lincoln Ave. in Salem on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

The workgroup meets at least once a year to determine the local priority natural resource concerns for the two counties. Conservation program funding from the USDA Farm Bill is directed using a combination of national, state and local natural resources priorities.

For more information, call 330-332-8732.

Individuals who need special accommodations to attend this meeting should contact Chris Coulon at 614-917-3172.

Can goods 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 Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on Palmyra Road in Canfield, Wedgeweood 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.