Canfield briefs

Canfield native named vice president

Canfield native Ellie Platt has been named Vice President of Development for Meridian Services.

She will be responsible for all marketing and public relations activities, fund development, grant writing and special events for the non-profit agency. Meridian Services is a non-profit agency that provides prevention, treatment and recovery support services for those battling addiction and its related issues. Meridian has been serving the Valley as Addiction Specialists for over 37 years.

Mom hosts fundraiser for new park

Amy Wittman is hosting a fundraiser at Magnoilas on the Green to raise money to put in a handicapped accessible playground for physically-challenged children.

Wittman is the mother of two handicapped boys and saw the need to have a park where they can play. Wittman and her husband started the nonprofit organization AllPlay. It was set up for all children and their right to play.

Children’s book week at the library

The Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will post suggestions of visitors’ favorites books this week.

Senior gets scholarship to art school

Canfield High School senior Melanie Schoenfeld has received a President’s Award scholarship to attend Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD).

The merit scholarship was awarded as a result of an art portfolio competition held at the college that was judged by a team of CCAD faculty members.

Schoenfeld will begin her studies this autumn and plans to major in Fashion Design. She is the daughter of Bill and Andrea Schoenfeld of Canfield.

Celebrate family wellness month and win a prize

Teens grades seven through 12 can learn how many miles you have to run to burn off a number of calories in a food to exercise matchup at the Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during library hours in May. Prizes will be available.

Potential health hazards

Residents can help aging loved ones clear clutter from their homes and dispose of it May 8 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Locations will include Grace Fellowship Church, 2150 Niles Cortland Road in Warren, Boardman Township Administration Building, 8229 Market St. in Boardman and the Austintown Police Department, 92 Ohltown Road in Austintown.

The Mission Medicine Event is being sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office and their Senior Service Unit and the Boardman and Austintown Police departments.

Manage all your stress

Catholic Charities Regional Agency’s family support counselors will present a one-hour free stress management and self-help strategies workshop May 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Contact Marlene Hanisko or Nancilyn Gatta at 330-744-3320.

Church hosts charity event to give to needy

Old North Church, 7105 Herbert Road, is hosting “Canfield Drop & Go” May 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Bring usable/working household items. Local charities will use donations to help neighbors in need.

“Drop & Go” is a fast, easy, free way to get rid of stuff you don’t want, while helping the community and saving landfill space and natural resources.

For information, call Sarah Ellis, manager of YSU re:CREATE, at 330-941-2238 or Lynn Wood, Canfield Township recycling coordinator, at 330-272-2138.

This event is sponsored by Canfield Rotary, Canfield Township, YSU re:CREATE and The Mahoning County Commissioners’ Green Team.

Bond with babies and books at Canfield library

Join the Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Monday at 10 a.m. for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help babies 6 to 23 months old become successful readers. A similar program for children 2 and 3 is offered on all Tuesdays in May at 10 a.m. Children aged 4 and 5 can attend a reading program Tuesdays in May at 1:30 p.m.

Bring a book and read to registered therapy dogs

The Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host Tales to Tails May 17 at 6:30 p.m. School-aged children can bring a book of their choice and read to registered therapy dogs.

The program helps develop reading skills, promotes confidence and encourages a love of reading.

To sign up, call 330-533-5631.

Deadline extension for Resource Guide

The Health Choices Network has announced that it will be extending its deadline of the 2010/2011 Resource Guide to May 15.

Those who are interested in becoming members or advertising in this annual booklet can go to www.healthchoicesnetwork.com or call Kathy Frangos at 330-301-0356 for details.

The Health Choices Network Resource Guide is a free booklet full of the best natural health practitioners, doctors and natural health related businesses and those who support these great businesses.

The booklets are distributed throughout Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Mercer counties.

The online version of the resource guide is available throughout the year as a community resource.

Participate in the fight against obesity

St. Elizabeth and St. Joseph Surgical Weight Loss Center is raising awareness about obesity by presenting the area’s first “Walk from Obesity” May 15 at Boardman Park.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the walk starting at 10 a.m.

The cost to participate in the Walk is $25. Registration is free for children 12 and under.

To register, visit HMpartners.org and click on the Walk From Obesity link.

Funds raised through this event will support the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Foundation and the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC).

Learn about health care at workshop in Boardman

Area residents interested in pursuing a career in health care are invited to attend a Health Care Career Workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Boardman Park in the Lariccia Family Community Center located at 375 Boardman-Poland Road in Boardman.

Registration for the free workshop begins at 8:30 a.m. Individuals must preregister by calling Danita Logan at 330-965-1787, ext. 7115.

The workshop offers information on health information technology, medical billing and coding, pharmacy technician, electronic medical records, emergency medical tech and many other career paths.

Participants will talk to health care employers, educators and career pathway representatives.

Financial aid services information will also be available on-site.

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.

Dinner and auction to benefit soccer team

The Ursuline High School boys soccer team will host a spaghetti dinner and Chinese auction May 23 at Lucianno’s Caf and Banquet Center, 1739 S. Raccoon Road in Austintown, at 12:30 p.m.

The auction will begin at 4:15 p.m. Take out is available.

Playhouse presents award-winning show in May

The Youngstown Playhouse will present musical comedy murder mystery “Curtains,” May 14-16 and May 21-23.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Ticket prices for “Curtains” are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students.

For reservations and information, call the box office at 330-788-8739.

Open house features football great

The Partners for Urology Health, 6262 Mahoning Ave. is hosting a public open house May 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Special guest Hall of Fame football player Joe DeLamielleure will present a speech on prostate cancer education and sign autographs.

DeLamielleure was an offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills from 1973-1979 and 1985. He played for the Cleveland Browns from 1980-1984 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Refreshments will be provided.

Become a Hospice of the Valley Volunteer

The Hospice of the Valley’s is looking for new volunteers and will offer a volunteer training class May 25 in the Hospice House conference room. The classes are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday for six weeks.

Volunteers will learn what the team of doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains do for the patients and their family and how volunteers fit into that team.

The Hospice House is located at 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, on the campus of The Assumption Village. For information and to register, call 330-788-1992.

Walk to raise awareness

St. Elizabeth and St. Joseph Surgical Weight Loss Center is taking a step forward in raising awareness of obesity by presenting the area’s first “Walk from Obesity” May 15 at Boardman Park.

The” Walk from Obesity” was established to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and to support initiatives focusing on prevention, education, research, treatment and advocacy.

The cost to participate in the walk is $25. Registration is free for children 12 and under.

To register, visit HMpartners.org and click on the “Walk from Obesity” link.

Honor mom with wildflowers and a walk

Bring your mom to Ford Nature Center Sunday at 2 p.m. to enjoy the spring beauty of Mill Creek Park during an easy-rated hike. Children can make a special craft to honor their mother, while parents hear a presentation about wildflowers. The event is free, but registration is required today

To register, call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107.

Preschoolers celebrate moms with crafts

Preschoolers ages 3 through 5 can personalize a vase and fill it with a colorful bouquet of carnations at the park today from 11 a.m. to noon.

A snack and story will be included.

The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for non-residents. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register

Look for birds while you hike in the park

Join certified volunteer naturalist Nancy Brundage today at McGuffey Wildlife Preserve and today at the Lanterman’s Mill parking lot at 8 a.m. for a 1-mile, easy-rated hike. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars to help search for feathered spring migrants.

Golf camp for new golfers available at park

Link up to golf with a three-day golf camp Tuesday and Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and May 18, 20, 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Par 3 Golf Course at Mill Creek MetroParks.

This camp is designed for the true beginner. Lessons will focus on putting, short game, and full swing.

The cost is $35. Call 330-740-7112 to register.

Discover the Labyrinth at Ursuline Center

The Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Rd. in Canfield will host a presentation of the Labyrinth May 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Starting at 2 p.m. and every quarter hour until 3:30 p.m. there will be a presentation in the auditorium on the how, what, why, when and where of labyrinths.

After each presentation participants can explore the labyrinth on their own or with a facilitator.

The labyrinth is designed to be used by individuals of all ages, families and groups.

The Labyrinth at the Ursuline Center is handicap accessible and has adequate parking.

Groups and individuals who are interested but unable to attend the open house can contact the center office for information at 330-799-4941 or by visiting theursulinecenter@yahoo.com.

Church offers monthly drive-through dinner

The Western Reserve United Methodist Church on Canfield Road is offering a drive-through dinner on the first Thursday of every month starting at 4 p.m. and continuing until the food is sold out. No reservations are required, just follow the signs in the drive and someone will take your order.

The dinners are $7 and include stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans and a brownie.

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.

Buy or sell baby items at Boardman Park

Boardman Park will host another Baby Bargain Boutique May 22 at the Masters Pavilion from 9 a.m. until noon.

This is a great opportunity to buy or sell good usable maternity clothes, baby and children’s clothing, toys, books and furniture for children under the age of 5.

Registration for tables are available at the Park Office, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The cost for tables inside the pavilion are $15 for Boardman residents and $20 for nonresidents and $10 for Boardman residents and $15 for nonresidents for tables in the outside grass space.

Admission to the sale is free.

For information, call Karen at 330-965-0482 or visit www.boardmanpark.com.

Library will be closed

All branches of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will be closed May 31 in observance of Memorial Day.

Health and wellness walks scheduled for May

Health and wellness walks are planned for May 26 at the Golf Course overflow parking lot and May 18 at Yellow Creek Park at 6 p.m.

Join knitting group at the park for a good cause

Help “Warm Up America” with others by making afghans and other projects to donate locally May 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. All helping hands are welcome, both experienced and anyone wanting to learn to knit or crochet.

Donations of yarn and needles are appreciated at any time. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information.

Local student to cheer for Ohio Northern

Lauren Anderson, a Canfield resident who will be attending Ohio Northern University in the fall to study pharmacy, has been selected as a member of the Ohio Northern cheerleading squad for football and basketball season.

She is a senior at Ursuline High School, where she has a 3.89 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society, Students of Stewardship, and Student Council.

She is a cheerleader for STC Cheer Academy, where she was a member of the silver elite cheer team.

Canfield daughters receive academic honors

Lindsey Lavin and Jessica Kelly received academic honors at their respective colleges.

Lavin was named outstanding student in College of Fine Arts at Valdosta State University, made honor roll and received the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society Award.

Kelly was named to the Scholastic Honor Society and made honor roll at Georgia State University.

The girls are the daughters of Canfield resident Paula Lavin.

Little Falcons Golf Outing May 30

Austintown Little Falcons Golf Outing is May 30 at 8 a.m. with registration from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. at the Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course on Grandview Road in Lake Milton.

The outing includes golf, beverages, golf cart, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, Chinese auction, and hole-in-one prizes.

Cost is $65 per person. For information, contact Mike Cook at 330-501-4577 or Matt Hlebak at 330-398-5512.

Take T’ai Chi at the gardens Wednesdays

Ease stress, improve health and increase vitality with T’ai Chi classes at Fellows Riverside Gardens each Wednesday in May from noon to 1 p.m. Marie Lew will demonstrate warmups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. The fee for each class is $10. For information, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Park preps for summer

Mill Creek Park is reopening many attractions soon in preparation for summer. Lanterman’s Mill will resume its regular summer hours today. Glacier and Newport Boathouses reopen today, weekends only. Full schedule for the Boathouses resumes Memorial Day weekend.

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 vaccination clinics May 27 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 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 330-270-2855, ext. 125.

Boardman Park offers new online reservations

Boardman Township Park 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 the park office at 330-726-8107.

Showcase 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 so we can share them with your neighbors.

Local alum receives honor

Jessica Smith, graduate of Canfield High School, has been named to the dean’s list at John Carroll University for the 2009 fall semester.

Local alum performs at university concert

Nick Simko, a senior pharmacy major, recently performed in The University of Findlay’s Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Pops concert “Latin Fire.”

Simko, a 2007 graduate of Canfield High School, is the son of Demetra and Edward Simko.

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.

Students receive prestigious scholarships

The University of Findlay has awarded merit scholarships and endowed scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year.

Lisa Flaschberger, an equestrian studies and physical therapy major, was awarded the President’s Scholarship.

Charles Sheets was awarded the Western Equestrian Scholarship.

Laura Knecht, a pre-veterinary medicine and Spanish major, was awarded the Trustee’s Scholarship.

Raquel Morales, a pharmacy and Spanish major, was awarded the Catherine Achord Spanish Scholarship and the Dr. Jean C. Nye Spanish Scholarship.

Nick Simko, a pharmacy major, was awarded the President’s Scholarship.

Student wins YSU contest

Annaliese Torella, a senior at Canfield High School, took first place at the AATI Italian Language Contest at YSU Mar. 13. She received a ribbon and $25.

She plans to attend the university this fall majoring in music. She is the daughter of Cybil Torella and sister of Eric Torella of Canfield.

Band rehearsals open to the community

Musicians from the Valley are welcome to attend rehearsals with the Canfield Community Concert Band. The band meets every Tuesday evening at Canfield High School.

For information, contact Leann Rich at 330-503-4113.