Canfield briefs

Journey to Bethlehem

Disciples Christian Church will host a Journey to Bethlehem Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at its 565 Boardman-Canfield Road location.

The walk-through drama will feature a live nativity, marketplace and various stations where visitors can interact with people of the times.

Crafts and refreshments will be available. For information, call the church office at 330-758-8189.

Take a candlelight labyrinth walk Sunday

The Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, will host its Advent Candlelight Labyrinth Walk Sunday at 6 p.m.

Participants should dress according to the weather. Hot cider and chocolate will be provided in the Atrium of Ursuline Center after the walk.

For information, call 330-799-4941.

Church take out dinner Thursday

Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, is hosting its Take Out Thursday this Thursday.

The cost for dinner is $7 and includes stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, green beans and brownie. No reservations are needed. Serving begins at 4 p.m. until sold out. Drive-through and pick-up are available.

Buy holiday baked goods

Come to Western Reserve United Methodist Church’s community cookie walk Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at its 4580 Canfield Road location and forget about holiday baking.

Cookies, homemade soups and crafts will be available.

Railroad layout at local museum

The Western Reserve Modular Railroad Club is featuring its large modular layout at the National Packard Museum in Warren through Dec. 29.

HMHP new MyChart program for patients

Patients of Humility of Mary Health Partners (HMHP) physicians are now able to schedule their next appointment, receive test results, refill prescriptions and contact their doctors via the Internet.

It’s called MyChart and is all part of the new electronic health record (EHR) launched at all HMHP ambulatory care sites Nov. 1. Patients can sign up for MyChart right in their doctor’s office.

The Dairy Queen in Cornersburg, 3555 S. Meridian Road, is celebrating the holiday season Friday through Sunday with special treats and activites.

On Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., a live reindeer will be on display and Santa arrives by fire truck at 5 p.m. On Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., children can visit with Santa and eat free with the purchase of a value meal. At 5 p.m., there will be live holiday jazz music, followed by an ice sculpture shaving at 6 p.m.

On Sunday at 2 p.m., there will be holiday caroling and at 2:30 p.m. another ice sculpture carving.

Nature photography exhibit at Riverside

The annual Nature Photography Exhibit will be displayed at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens in Weller Gallery Feb. 13 through March 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deadline for entries is Jan. 23. Applications will be available for download at http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=9907335&msgid=59588&act=GE80&c=770900&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millcreekmetroparks.org”www.millcreekmetroparks.org in January. Call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 for information.

Mooney will offer placement test Dec. 4

Cardinal Mooney High School will administer a high school placement test for prospective 2010-2011 freshman Dec. 4 at 9 a.m.

The test will conclude at 11:45 a.m. Students should arrive at 8:50 a.m. and bring several No. 2 sharpened pencils, a calculator and their Social Security number with them. Students should use the back entrance of the school (cafeteria entrance).

There is no charge for the test and results of the tests will be furnished to parents. For reservations, call 330-788-5007 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For information, contact Joanne Carney Smith at the school office.

Go green this holiday season at Boardman Park

Learn how to Go Green this Christmas at an adult workshop hosted by the Green Team and Boardman Park Thursday to help you enjoy the season by reducing, recycling and reusing.

There will be crafting and snacking at the Elton Beard Cabin from 6 p.m. to 8: p.m. and the cost is $5.

RSVP to Karen at 330-965-0482.

Join a celebration of family, friends and life

Help support Karen Rohan in her fight against breast cancer Jan. 16 from noon to 5 p.m. at St. Maron’s Church Antioch Hall, 1555 S. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

She was diagnosed with large globular differential carcinoma in June 2010.

The benefit includes a spaghetti dinner, Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle.

The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. Carry-out is available and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

To donate for the Chinese auction, call Bill Rohan at 330-398-3232 or Nikki Martin at 330-652-6630.

Community Christmas at the park

Boardman Park is hosting Community Christmas Dec. 5. This is a time for the community to get together to celebrate the season.

Santa will arrive by fire truck at 3 p.m. and there will be music and caroling and tours of St. James Meeting House.

You can even register to have your group, family or class decorate a tree with natural, edible decorations for the wildlife. Register with Sheryle Snow at 330-726-8105 for a tree. Refreshments will be available.

Boardman Park hosts holiday light display

Boardman Park will host a holiday light display Dec. 5-9. Take a ride through the park and view the display of lights from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. for free.

Eat supper with Santa Dec. 9

Enjoy Supper with Santa Dec. 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lariccia Family Community Center at Boardman Park.

Tickets may be purchased at the park office. Cost for Boardman residents is $6 and cost for nonresidents is $8.

There is a limited amount of tickets. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Santa will call your kids

Boardman Park is offering an opportunity of a lifetime. Register a time and date for Santa to call your child Dec. 14 and 15. Registration forms can be picked up at the park office or downloaded from www.boardmanpark.com.

Make cookies for Santa Dec. 20

Children can make cookies for Santa at the Lariccia Family Community Center at Boardman Park from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20.

Purchase tickets at the park office. Cost for Boardman residents is $5 and for nonresidents it’s $7. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Senior fun days at Boardman Park

Seniors can gather for lunch and activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lariccia Family Community Center at Boardman Park on Dec. 16 and 23.

Cost is $1. Call Karen at 330-965-0482 or the park office at 330-726-8105 to RSVP.

Winter Celebration: Holiday Scent-sation

Visit Fellows Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek MetroParks for the holidays and be greeted by the scent of cedar, fir and cinnamon Saturday through Jan. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The decorated trees and seasonal flowers throughout the Davis Center will display the “Holiday Scent-sation” theme. Make sure to see the Rainforest Room, stop by the Shop in the Gardens for unique holiday gift ideas and catch the view of Lake Glacier while dining in the Garden Caf .

Visit Santa and his reindeer

Bring the children to the MetroParks Farm at Mill Creek MetroParks Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to visit with Santa and one of his favorite reindeer. Don’t forget your camera and capture a special holiday photo. Children can make a craft to take home.

Gardens by candlelight

Twinkling lights and luminaries will brighten the frosty night as families take a wintry walk through Fellows Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek MetroParks Dec. 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Complete the evening by warming up in the Davis Center with music, cocoa, and sugar cookies. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Rescue Mission.

Play Bingo for the cats

Second Chance Animal Rescue is sponsoring monthly Bingo sessions starting today.

Each bingo session will be at St. Nicholas Church, 764 Fifth Street, Struthers. Doors open at 5 p.m, The Early Bird starts at 6:50 p.m. and regular games begin at 7 p.m.

Featured games are: $500 Cover all, $250 Picture Frame, $150 Night Owl, $125 Crazy C, $125 X Game and $125 Double Postage.

Single games pay $100 and double games pay $120.

Master Sets can be purchased for $10, $15 or $18 and Special Sets for $10. Pull Tabs, including IRS and Bingo Babies, will also be available.

All proceeds benefit Second Chance Animal Rescue, which is a nonprofit shelter run by volunteers, with a focus on kittens and cats.

Go green this holiday season at Boardman Park

Learn how to Go Green this Christmas at an adult workshop hosted by the Green Team and Boardman Park Thursday to help you enjoy the season by reducing, recycling and reusing.

There will be crafting and snacking at the Elton Beard Cabin from 6 p.m. to 8: p.m. and the cost is $5.

RSVP to Karen at 330-965-0482.

Remembering Mill Creek Park’s founder and father

On the 93rd anniversary of Volney Rogers’ death, walk 2 miles to view his memorial statue at night. Hikers meet at Ford Nature Center Friday at 7 p.m.

Walk with the birds at Mill Creek

Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited will lead a walk to search for feathered winter residents and migrants on the Mindy Henning Memorial Trail at Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead Saturday at 8 a.m.

The Wick Area then and now

Bob Coggeshall has been scanning hundreds of slides taken by Lindley Vickers from the 1940s through 1960s. Join Mill Creek MetroParks Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. to view a sample featuring what is now the James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area. Afterward, explore the area via a hike by meeting at the Ford Nature Center for a moderately-difficult 2-mile hike.

Learn about ravens Dec. 12

Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, “The Raven,” was set in bleak December. Attend this unique scavenger hunt at Mill Creek Parks Ford Nature Center Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. to learn more about these creatures and their resident relatives, the crows. This 3-mile hike is moderately difficult.

Search Autumn’s leftovers

Fall is nearly over and lean months lie ahead for wildlife. Hike with Mill Creek MetroParks and for clues to what they may be eating Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. Hikers meet at the Ford Nature Center for the moderately-difficult one and half-mile hike.

Explore the winter woods

Need a respite from the holiday rush? Join Bill Whitehouse on an exploration of the peaceful Hitchcock Woods at Mill Creek MetroParks Dec. 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is available on Deerpath Drive. This 2-mile hike is moderately difficult.

Health and wellness walks offered

Join Mill Creek MetroParks for several walks throughout December. All walks start at 9 a.m.

Meet at the Ford Nature Center Wednesday for a moderately-difficult 2-mile walk.

Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm Dec. 15 for a moderately-difficult 2 or 4-mile hike.

Meet at the Golf Course overflow parking lot on West Golf Drive Dec. 29 for an easy 1 or 3-mile walk.

Pomander workshop at the park

Begin a holiday tradition by making spicy, fragrant pomanders at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Garden Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Crafted of cloves, citrus and holiday ribbon, pomanders are a decoration that can be saved and enjoyed for many years. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

The cost is $14.

Bow making workshop set at the gardens

Have you wanted to make professional looking bows for your decorations? Attend this workshop at Mill CreekParks Fellows Riverside Garden Dec. 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and learn different techniques for making bows. Supplies and practice ribbon will be provided. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

The cost is $20.

Boxwood and berry arrangement set

Join Deby Clark for this informative class at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Garden Dec. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to make a holiday arrangement that will look festive throughout the season. Fresh boxwood, fragrant greens, cinnamon sticks, berries and bows will add a touch of cheer to a tabletop. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

The cost is $32.

Breakfast botany: Umbrella “Pine” family

Start your morning with a brisk walk through Mill Creek Parks Fellows Riverside Garden Dec. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Return to the Garden Caf for a light breakfast and learn about plants in the umbrella “Pine” family. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for nonresidents.

Do yoga in the gardens

Join yoga instructor Heidi Suraci at Mill Creek Parks Fellows Riverside Garden Tuesdays in December from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for beginner classes and from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for intermediate classes. All level classes are Dec. 9, 16 and 30, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bring a mat and small blanket. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information. The cost is $10 per class.

T’ai Chi step one in the gardens

Ease stress, improve health and increase vitality at Mill Creek Parks Fellows Riverside Garden with Marie Lew in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form Wednesdays in December from noon to 1 p.m. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information.

The cost is $10 per class.

Tales for Twos: Wintertime!

As the cold season approaches, Mill Creek MetroParks invites 2-year-olds to fun activities, including story time and crafts Dec. 9 at 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 to register.

Preschool nature hour is for the birds

Preschoolers ages 3 through 5 and their families can liste to a winter story and create edible ornaments for the birds at Mill Creek MetroParks Ford Nature Center Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. or 12:30 a.m. or Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. Help decorate an evergreen tree and take an ornament home for the birds in your backyard. Preregister at Ford Nature Center by calling 330-740-7107.

Cost is $2 per child for residents and $3 per child for nonresidents.

Pine and stars garland

Preschoolers ages 3 through 5 can celebrate the season with their favorite adults by stringing a garland of pine cones, yellow stars and cranberries to hang indoors or outside at Mill Creek Parks Fellows Riverside Gardens Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. or Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to noon. A snack and story add to the festivities. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7166 to register.

The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for nonresidents.

Make a snowman wreath Dec. 11

Children ages 6 and older can learn to identify evergreens at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens Dec. 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. There will be refreshments while each child with an adult assembles a unique holiday wreath of mixed greens topped with a snowman and velvet bow. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 to register.

The cost is $10 for residents and $13 for nonresidents.

A loose knit group to meet

Help fellow crafters “Warm Up America” at Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens Friday and Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon by making afghans and other projects to donate locally. 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.

Bring your own kayak

Attention experienced kayakers — bundle up and partner with Trumbull Canoe Trails for its annual finale up the Mahoning River to Eagle Creek and back Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. Register by calling Mill Creek MetroParks Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 by Dec. 4. Meet at Canoe City Metropark.

View the wldlife art of John A. Ruthven

Wildlife artist John Ruthven paints what he knows and loves. Often called the modern day Audubon, Ruthven thoroughly studies his animal subjects and paints them in their habitats with technical detail. His work will be on display at Mill Creek MetroParks Davis Education and Visitor Center daily through Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Health at Home Program teaches self-care

St. Elizabeth Health Center, 1044 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, will host a Health at Home Æ program Tuesday.

All participants receive a free copy of the book, an easy read with instructions for more than 200 health problems. The program will run from 11 a.m. to noon and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Elizabeth Health Center, 1044 Belmont Ave., Youngstown.

Participants can choose which hour-long program they prefer to attend. Registration is required by calling 330-480-3151 or toll-free at 877-700-4647.

Rotary to host ‘Lighting of the Green’

Santa will arrive during Canfield’s annual “Lighting of the Green” ceremony today at 6:30 p.m.

The evening’s festivities will include caroling, a live nativity, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, refreshments and more.

This traditional event brings families and neighbors together and marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Canfield Rotary hosts the “Lighting of the Green” celebration in conjunction with the generosity of many local merchants.

Youngstown Connection to perform at brunch

Canfield Presbyterian Church, 140 W. Main St., will host a Christmas brunch Saturday at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Entertainment will be provided by Youngstown Connection.

Tickets are available at the church office for $10. Deadline to purchase tickets is tomorrow. Call 330-533-5509 for information.

Enjoy yoga every Tuesday

Get a rigorous workout and experience peace in the hectic world doing ashtanga yoga with Kirk every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Unity Centre for Spiritual Living, 1226 Naylor-Lloyd Road in Liberty.

The class is not for beginners; intermediate to advanced yoga practitioners only. For information, call 330-539-0122 or visit www.unitycentre.org.

Angels for Animals hosts decoration show

Angels for Animals, 4750 state Route 165 in Canfield, will host its seventh annual Antiques and Holiday Decoration Show Friday through Sunday.

Admission is $5 for the Friday preview from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and free for the Saturday, 10 am. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. shows.

A variety of collectibles, antiques and jewelry will be available. All proceeds benefit the animal shelter and its low-cost spay and neuter programs.

To donate items for the sale or for more information, call Diane at 330-502-5352.

Join book club at library

Women’s Book Discussion group, Friends of the Canfield library, is a book discussion open to women with an interest in reading and discussing books they’ve read.

It’s open to the public. The group meets the third Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For information, contact Deborah Liptak at the Development Office at 330-744-8636, extension 51630.

Holiday hope for children

Children and teens 6 to 14 can learn practical ideas regarding what they feel and what holidays mean to them when a loved one has died on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road.

Participants will create an ornament in memory of their loved one, share their stories, decorate cookies and sing Christmas carols. The event is sponsored by Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes.

To make a reservation, call 330-792-2353. Reservations must be made by Wednesday.

Join local bridge club

The Canfield Friendship Bridge Club is seeking new members. Members meet the first Friday of each month at A La Cart and play bridge for three hours. If you are interested, call 330-533-4594 or 330-533-4376.

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.

Do you know your Thanksgiving trivia?

The Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is offering children of all ages a chance to participate in odd Thanksgiving trivia throughout the month of November during regular library hours.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s at the library

Join the Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Tuesdays in November at 10 a.m. for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children ages 2 through 3 become successful readers.

Farm life at Weller Gallery

Weller Gallery in Fellows Riverside Gardens will host “Farm Life: A Century of Change for Farm Families and Their Families” through Sunday.

The exhibit was funded be NEH on the Road and highlights the social and cultural issues brought by decades of change that touch members of farming communities.

Take the best drive in the park

Original drawings, vintage photos and equipment of Mill Creek Golf Course will be on display in the Melnik Museum at Fellows Riverside Gardens through December.

Old-fashioned Christmas at the Mill

Mill Creek MetroParks Lanterman’s Mill will be decked out for the holidays for the Old-fashioned Christmas at the Mill event today and tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Taste chestnuts roasted over an open fire, give Santa your wish list, purchase unique gifts, watch artisans demonstrate crafts like weaving, pottery, blacksmithing and wood carving, and be entertained by a juggler, a balloon artist, and many musicians.

If you wish to share the holiday spirit with others, bring a hat, scarf, or pair of mittens to decorate a “Giving Tree.” Donated items will be given to children in need from Mahoning County this winter.

Christmas at the Mill hike

Join Bill Whitehouse for an informative walk to Mill Creek MetroParks Lanterman’s Mill and back tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meet at the Scholl Recreation Area.

Do yoga in the Gardens

Participate in yoga classes at Fellows Riverside Garden Tuesdays and Thursdays in November. Tuesday classes for beginners begin at 9:30 a.m. and go until 11 a.m. Tuesday’s intermediate classes being at 5:30 p.m. and go until 7 p.m. Thursday’s classes, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., are for all levels.

Instructor Heidi Suraci welcomes students at all levels. Bring a mat and small blanket. The cost is $10 per class.

Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information.

T’ai Chi in the Gardens

Ease stress, improve health and increase vitality with T’ai Chi classes at Fellows Riverside Gardens Wednesdays in November from noon to 1 p.m.

Join Marie Lew in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. The cost is $10 per class. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 for information.