Poland briefs

Student headed to Buckeye Boys State

Charles Christopher, a junior at Cardinal Mooney High School, has been selected by American Legion Post 15 to participate in American Legion Buckeye Boys State, a nine-day intensive education program on Ohio government at Bowling Green State University.

Each participant becomes part of the operation of a local, country and state government during the program. The high school juniors are exposed to the rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities of a franchised citizen.

Student makes Dean’s List at Georgetown

Steve DeGenaro of Poland was named to the Dean’s List at Georgetown University. Students must have a GPA of 3.7 or above on a 4.0 scale.

Poland resident earns degree in photography

Andrew Carlson, a resident of Poland, was among 677 students from the School of Visual Arts who received undergraduate degrees at the College’s commencement exercises May 14 at Radio City Music Hall. Carlson graduated with honors with a BFA in photography.

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.

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 email at lafactor@ysu.edu or logging on to www.ysu.edu/sfa for a downloadable form.

Peter Rabbit in Poland

Miss Beatrix Potter Presents Peter Rabbit at the Poland branch of the Public library of Youngstown and Mahoning County July 8 at 2 p.m.

Kids of all ages can enjoy the Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater performance of this original play. Audience participation is part of the event.

Free blood pressure screening offered

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer a free blood pressure screening Tuesday and July 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Parish hosts summer festival Thursday

St. Charles Borromeo Parish will host its festival Thursday through June 27 at 7345 Westview at state Route 224. For information, call 330-758-2325.

New website for Holy Family School

Holy Family School has launched its new website at www.hfspoland.org. Many hours were spent to organize and complete the new site so that school families and prospective families can obtain information and forms. The site was designed by Christine Boniface.

Library closed for Independence Day

All public libraries in Mahoning County will be closed July 4 and 5 for the Independence Day holiday.

Recycling at the library

The Green Team and Youngstown Litter Control and Recycling will present a special program at the Poland branch of the Public library of Youngstown and Mahoning County July 29 at 2 p.m.

The program will be based on the book “One Less Fish” by Kim Michelle Toft. Students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade can make a decorative fish from used CDs and scrap paper and they will receive a “Don’t Teach Your Trash to Swim” coloring book.

Book it to the beach

The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will provide beach-themed stories, crafts and games for kids of all ages July 21 at 2 p.m.

Baby brilliant program

Babies 6 months to 23 months can enjoy developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Wednesday, June 30, July 14, 21, 28, and Aug. 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 10 a.m.

This program is also available for children ages 2 and 3 July 1 and Aug. 5 at 10:30 a.m. and children ages 4 and 5 July 1 at 1 p.m.

Get soaked at your library

Too hot outside? Kids of all ages can join the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County for games and activities with water, bubbles and balloons and enjoy an icy treat June 26 at 2 p.m.

You will get wet, so dress accordingly. Parental supervision is needed for this outdoor event.

Brothers receive high honors at university

Tyler Vallinger, a second-year junior at John Carroll University and 2008 graduate of Poland Seminary, has made the dean’s list for Spring 2010. He was also chosen as a recipient of the Sound Mind/Balanced Man award in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and membership into the Eta Sigma Phi Honor Society, all for his high academic achievements as well as personal conduct.

Trent Vallinger, a freshmen at Lake Erie College and 2009 graduate of Poland Seminary, was also awarded to the dean’s list for Spring 2010. He is a member of the Lake Erie College Baseball team and a Physical Therapy major.

Both are the sons of John and Melanie Vallinger of Poland.

PHS graduate finds success in Indiana

Meredith Reffner, a 2008 graduate of Poland Seminary High School, has been named a “Founders Scholar” with a 4.0 GPA by Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.

Meredith is a sophomore in the Hutton Honors College and is majoring in journalism with a second concentration in Spanish and minoring in West European Studies.

She is a staff writer and copy editor for the campus newspaper, a copy editor for the newspaper’s special publications and a volunteer with IU Relay For Life. This summer she will be an intern with Pittsburgh Magazine.

Meredith is the daughter of Terry and Susan Reffner.

Poland alum makes Dean’s List at university

Francesca Kosec, a 2007 Poland graduate, has been named to the Dean’s List at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh for the 2010 spring semester in the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts. She is majoring in English and Communications.

Gia Kosec, a 2009 Poland graduate, has also been named to the Dean’s List at Duquesne for the 2010 spring semester in the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts. She is majoring in Economics and Journalism.

Trim a tree for summer

Throughout the months of June, July and August, kids of all ages can decorate an ornament at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County for their all-season tree.

Summer Cruise Nites begin in June

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.

St. Luke festival begins July 8

The St. Luke Parish Festival will be July 8-11 at the church, 5235 South Ave. Thursday will feature Family Night and kids 12 and under can enter free. Homemade food and Chinese auctions will be available every night. For information, call 330-782-9783.

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.

Business and investment center seminar

Thinking about starting a business in the near future or further down the road? Become prepared with information important to starting a successful business by attending the Small Business Seminar at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County July 10 at 10 a.m.

Members of SCORE will address important topics for those considering developing a business: the business plan, the marketing plan, financial aspects of starting a new business, and technology and your business.

To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for information services.

Beware of solicitors using Goodwill 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.

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 for any of the clinics, call the health district’s Nursing Division at 330-27-2855, ext. 125.

Boardman Park offers new online reservations

Boardman Township Park’s is offering a new and improved online reservation system on its Web site.

Residents can see available rentals, rates, rental times and payment options. The payment system will accept all major credit cards.

Reservations can still be made in person at the rental office, but only payments in cash, money order or check can be accepted.

Visit the Web site at www.boardmanpark.com. For information, call 330-726-8107.

Curves offers Silver Sneakers classes

Free Silver Sneakers classes are offered daily to eligible women over 65 at Curves in Poland.

The classes are designed to improve strength, flexibility and overall health. For information, call 330-757-8800.

Spring clean and donate items to Goodwill

Get an early start on spring cleaning and donate to the Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries.

Items needed include clothing, housewares, small kitchen appliances, glasses, dishes and home decor.

Goodwill will take computers and computer equipment as part of the Dell Reconnect recycle program.

Donation location centers can be found in the Boardman Plaza, Hermitage Hills Plaza, Warren Plaza, Shenango Towne Center and at 2747 Belmont Ave. in Liberty.

S.O.A.R. to new heights with girls program

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. 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.

Share your summer fun in Neighbors

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.