Friday, June 18, 2010
Start a safe summer
Greenwood Hummer on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown is hosting a bicycle safety and child car seat check event June 26 from 10 a.m. to noon.
There will be free bicycle helmets and ice cream for children.
Sing for a good cause
Penguin Ice Cream and Grill is hosting Penguin Singing Stars Competitions every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Penguin Ice Cream at Route 46 and Silica Road in Austintown.
There is no registration fee and it’s a non-alcoholic event.
For ages up to 18, performances will start at 3 p.m. and run until 5 p.m. Everyone 18 and older will perform at 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Every week, winners will be selected and receive awards and gifts.
All the benefits go to MDA-Helping Family Jerry’s Kids.
Graduate receives art scholarship
Alissa Breakiron, a senior at Austintown Fitch High School, received a President’s Award scholarship to attend Columbus College of Art and Design.
The merit scholarship was awarded as a result of an art portfolio competition held at the college which was judged by a team of CCAD faculty.
Breakiron will begin her studies this fall and plans to major in fine art. She is the daughter of Chris and Trudi Vetterly of Austintown.
Mahoning Valley Gaelic Society reunion
A reunion of past and present members of the Mahoning Valley Gaelic Society will be June 27 at 11 a.m. at the club grounds in New Springfield, Ohio.
No membership is needed to attend.
Attendees are asked to bring their own food and drink.
For information, contact Ken Clark at 330-533-2038 at or Tom “Pete” McBride at 330-729-9512.
Awesome-town” festival planning
The “Awesome-town” Fall Festival, scheduled for Oct. 9, is taking shape, but help is still needed. The organizers hope to have designated parking places around town and busses to shuttle people to the park. They need organizations that have a bus and driver to volunteer their time. They are also looking for local businesses to become “official sponsors.”
Funds can be donated to the “Awesome-town” Fall Festival account at the Austintown Branch of Farmer’s National Bank. The fall festival also includes a classic car show. Organizers are looking for individual car owners and car club members to participate.
Monthly meetings for the festival are the third Thursday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Stacey Pavilion at Township Park. Meetings are open to the public.
For information, contact lead organizers Brad Bloomster or Rev. Elmarie Parker at 330-799-4214 or 330-792-6441.
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.
Liberty band director to be honored by alumni
Band alumni from Liberty High School classes 1971 through 1991 will honor Band Director Joseph R. Purser July 17. A picnic will be held from 2 p.m. until dusk at Churchill Park on Belmont Avenue in Liberty Township.
Alumni must register at www.kedespo.com/lhsband.html by June 30 to attend.
Block party planned
The North and South Wickliffe Block Watch Group will host its second annual Neighborhood Block Party July 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Wickliffe Christian Church.
The party is open to all Austintown residents and businesses. The block watch was established in 2008 and covers North and South Wickliffe areas.
Group members regularly patrol the neighborhoods on foot and in vehicles and alert the police of any suspicious activities.
The party will include free food and beverages, music, games and events for children of all ages.
There will be displays by area safety forces, including fire trucks, an ambulance and demonstrations by the Austintown Police Department’s Canine Unit.
For information, contact June Galbraith at 330-792-1571, Shawne Wilfrong 330-744-1803 or Detective Jeffrey Toth of the Austintown Police Department.
Make a splash with Cyd Moore
The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will kick off the summer reading program with author/illustrator Cyd Moore Thursday at 10 a.m.
Moore’s stories and spontaneous drawings will keep the family laughing and listening. Refreshments will be provided and a basket of books signed by Moore will be raffled off. Reservations are not needed, but seating may be limited.
Get rid of old medicine
Residents can discard their pharmaceutical or over the counter medicine Wednesday, July 12 and Aug. 23 at the Austintown Police Department, 92 Ohltown Road, from noon to 3 p.m. each day during the 2010 summer Drug Take-Back program.
The program is being provided by the Austintown Police Department, Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District/Green Team 2081 and Drug Education Officers of Mahoning Valley.
D.A.R.E. police officer Jeffrey Toth will be the full-time law enforcement officer having sole control of all controlled substances.
Classic car cruises
The Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club will host Cruise Nites every Tuesday from June 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.
Education on living a healthy lifestyle
Designing LifeStyles Nutrition will host its next session of Weight Loss Challenges.
The weight loss challenge is a nine-week class covering topics pertaining to a healthy lifestyle, losing weight, gaining energy and becoming healthy.
All participants will receive a free wellness profile that includes a body composition analysis along with the support of a personal coach.
The challenge is based upon percentage of body weight lost.
Everyone has a chance to win first, second, third, and fourth-place cash awards. Experience a fun and friendly environment that offers more rewards than ever for losing weight, fun, accountability, along with the guidance and support you need.
For information, contact Linda at 330-719-1604.
Virtual school honors graduate
Austintown resident James Loveland was a member of the class of 2010 from the Virtual Community School of Ohio. This year’s 114 high school graduates were honored at a ceremony at Bridgewater Banquet and Conference Center in Powell, Ohio and made up the eighth graduating class of since VCS Ohio’s inception.
Austintown resident receives scholarship
Greg McGlynn was awarded the James W. DeGarmo Law Enforcement Scholarship.
McGlynn graduated Austintown Fitch High School in 2007 and is pursuing a bachelor of science in criminal justice at Youngstown State University, majoring in law enforcement.
This scholarship was named after the late James DeGarmo, professor emeritus, who retired from the FBI, taught at YSU and helped to found the Criminal Justice Department and is valued at $6,700. The recipient is selected based on academic achievement and career objectives.
Summer Festival of the Arts seeks volunteers
The 12th annual Summer Festival of the Arts, scheduled for July 10 and 11 on YSU’s campus, is seeking volunteers for the event.
Volunteers are needed for artist registration; information booths; in the children’s hands-on art tent; for technical assistance at performance sites and at the Festival of Nations international area, among others.
Various shifts are available for the two-day event. Each volunteer receives a festival T-shirt, cold water and reserved free parking.
Those needing service hours logged, such as that for National Honor Society, sorority or fraternity service, may also participate. Service verification forms will be completed.
Interested individuals or teachers advising service organizations may obtain an application by calling 330-941-2307, by e-mail at lafactor@ysu.edu or logging on to www.ysu.edu/sfa for a downloadable form.
St. Christine Festival
The St. Christine Parish Festival will feature rides, food, nightly dinners, fireworks and fun for all ages July 8 through July 11.
Guess what the buried treasure is
Kids of all ages can guess what is buried in the jar at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during library hours in June.
S.O.A.R. to new heights
Conference No. 1 for the S.O.A.R. program will take place at Mill Creek MetroPark’s Fellows Riverside Gardens July 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This program targets girls ages 8 to 12. Its purpose is to energize girls’ self-esteem and become aware of all types of negative media influences and how to manage negative emotions. S.O.A.R. stands for Shine in their Own Amazing Way. The conference will include a combination of yoga, art, dance, hair and skin care, and a variety of other activities.
The cost is $80 and includes all classes, lunch snacks, T-shirt and any art projects. One dollar from each fee will be contributed to Fellows Riverside Garden’s Family Garden.
For information, call Mariellen at 330-509-9642.
Party planned for Cardinal Mooney retiree
A party at Holy Family Parish Center June 28 at 7 p.m. will honor Cardinal Mooney Assistant Principal James M. Cooney who has announced his retirement effective June 30.
Plans are under way to establish The James M. Cooney Scholarship. In lieu of gifts, Cooney would appreciate contributions to the scholarship.
For reservations, tickets or to donate to the scholarship, call the school office at 330-788-5007.
Book it to the beach
The Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will provide stories, crafts and games for kids of all ages June 28 at 11 a.m.
Watch Peter Rabbit play at the library June 29
Join the Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater for a performance of Miss Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit June 29 at 11 a.m. at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
Meet with friends of the library
The Friends of the Library will meet at the Austintown branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Monday at 10 a.m.
Michael Senuta, a retired English teacher from Barberton, Ohio, will perform a program.
He is a short story writer of westerns and mysteries and an avid Sherlock Holmes fan. Senuta co-founded Inverness Capers, the Sherlock Holmes Society of Akron and has given more than 300 lectures on Sherlock Holmes.
Help Neighbors showcase your summer
Summer is fast approaching and Neighbors would love to hear about your organization’s plans for spring and summer festivals, Vacation Bible School programs, community events and sports camps and outings.
Just let us know who, what, when, where and why and we’ll get the word out for you. Then, don’t forget to send us pictures of all the fun after the event, so we can share them with your neighbors.
Beware of solicitors using Goodwill Industry’s name
Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries has been notified that solicitors are calling people offering to pick up their old computers and charging them a pickup fee, while using Goodwill’s name.
While Goodwill does accept old computers and computer equipment as part of the Reconnect computer recycling partnership with Dell, Goodwill does not solicit or charge people for their computers.
Those wishing to get rid of old computers and equipment can drop them off at any one of Goodwill’s eight donation centers in Austintown, Boardman, Liberty, Calcutta, Salem, Warren, Hermitage or New Castle.
Businesses, schools or organizations with large quantities can call Goodwill at 330-759-7921 to make arrangements for a pickup.
If you are contacted by someone offering to pick up your computers for a fee and using Goodwill’s name, contact Goodwill.
Curves offers Silver Sneakers classes
Free Silver Sneakers classes are offered daily to eligible women over 65 at Curves in Austintown.
The classes are designed to improve strength, flexibility and overall health. For information, call 330-793-9802.
Clinic extends hours for required Dtap vaccine
The Ohio Department of Health has issued a new immunization requirement for schoolchildren beginning with the 2010-11 school year.
All in-coming seventh graders will be required to have a Dtap (Tetanus, diphtherial and pertussis) vaccination prior to starting school.
To assist parents, the Mahoning County District Board of Health, 50 Westchester Dr., Austintown, will offer a vaccination clinic June 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost of the vaccination is $14.95.
To make an appointment, call the health district’s Nursing Division at 330-270-2855, ext. 125.
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.