Canfield briefs

Grammy winner set to sing at church

Grammy Award winner Larry Ford will perform 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door and at the church office.

Ursuline Center Readers set to meet

The inaugural gathering of the Ursuline Center Readers Book Club will be 7 p.m. Oct. 19 in Prato Hall at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road in Canfield.

The first discussion will be on the book “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. The book narrates Gilbert’s year-long quest to bridge the gulf between body, mind and spirit.

Take a retreat from daily life A retreat in Daily Life will begin Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 for busy people with hectic lives and many responsibilities who are searching for something more in life and desire a personal relationship with God at the Ursuline Motherhouse in Canfield.

The retreat requires 30-45 minutes of time each week to meet with a spiritual director and 30 minutes of daily private prayer time. The cost is $75.

The retreat director will be Eileen W. Novotny, who holds a master’s in Theology from Duquesne University.

She is the former director of Lay Ministry Formation for the Diocese of Youngstown and received a certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Ignatian Spirituality Institute, John Carroll University.

An Associate of the Ursuline Sisters, she provides classes, retreats and spiritual direction at the Ursuline Center.

To set up a time, contact ewalshnovotny@zoominterent.net.

Come check out the high school on Thursday

Canfield High School’s Open House is scheduled Thursday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

High School schedules will be distributed in prime times so parents should be sure to check with their children to get the Prime Time teacher’s name so they know where to begin the evening.

Prime time begins promptly at 6 p.m. Parents will follow their child’s schedule and attend all of his/her classes. Refreshments will be provided by the PTO and served in the cafeteria.

From 7:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., there will be an important meeting for all seniors and their parents regarding the college application process. All seniors should attend to receive information about this process.

Join in the international day of peace

Join hundreds of thousands of people around the world to express a commitment to building strong communities and peace, neighbors to neighbors; neighborhoods to neighborhoods; crossing racial, ethnic and class lines during Peace Day 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at the labyrinth at the Ursuline Center on Shield Road in Canfield.

The prayer and walk will take less than an hour and is in celebration of the International Day of Peace.

For information, call the Ursuline Center at 330-799-4941, or visit www.theursulinecenter.org.

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.

Drive through and pick up dinner at local church

Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield, is hosting “Take Out Thursday” Oct 7. Drive through and pick up a dinner of stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, green beans and a brownie.

The cost is $7. No reservations needed. Meals will be served starting at 4 p.m. and will continue until sold out.

Chinese auction at Saxon Club Ballroom

The Saxon Ladies Society Branch 22 of Youngstown is hosting a Chinese auction Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Saxon Club Ballroom, 710 South Meridian Road in Youngstown.

All profits of this event will be donated to the Ladies Branch 22 scholarship fund, mostly for YSU applicants.

Admission is $4 per person and includes one free ticket for the auction along with a hot dog, potato chips and a soft drink or coffee.

CiCi’s celebrates five years in Youngstown

CiCi’s Pizza in Niles and Boardman are celebrating their fifth anniversary in the Youngstown area.

Starting Sunday, a $3.99 anniversary “All You Want” pizza buffet price will be honored at both locations until Oct. 3.

To kick off the celebration, $5,000 in pizza prizes will be given away. The first 25 people at each location Monday will be awarded a “One Free Pizza a Month” card.

The giveaway starts at 11 a.m. at CiCi’s Pizza in Niles, located at 1920 Niles-Cortland Road SE and at CiCi’s Pizza in Boardman, located at 463 Boardman-Poland Road.

Top summer readers honored at library

Top readers of the Summer Reading 2010 program will be honored 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Splash down activities are also planned.

Tryouts for wonderland

The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theatre will host auditions for the upcoming production of “Alice in Wonderland,” Sept. 27 and 28 at 4:30 p.m.

Directors Candace DiLullo and John Pecano are looking for boys and girls ages 8 and up and adults of all ages.

Those auditioning are asked to come with a “funny character/cartoon” voice, a wallet-sized photo and prepared to read from the script.

Rehearsals will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Public performances of “Alice in Wonderland” will be Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m.

Some daytime performances will be scheduled during the week of Nov. 29.

For information, call the Playhouse at 330-788-8739.

Help raise prostate cancer awareness

A prostate cancer awareness program will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Maronite Center, 1555 S. Meridian Road, Youngstown.

The program will feature speakers from Partners for Urology Health, a new center in Austintown providing world-class care to men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The program is free and open to the public with dinner provided.

Registration is required by calling the Humility of Mary Health Line at 330-480-3151 or 877-700-4647.

Go back in time at the “Sock Hop”

The National Slovak Society’s Assembly 731, located in Poland, will sponsor a “Sock Hop” Oct. 3 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 251 S. Broadway Ave., Salem.

People of all ages can enjoy dancing to the oldies music, the Hokey Pokey, Bunny Hop, The Twist, Hoola Hoop, and do the limbo. Refreshments will include an old-fashioned “soda fountain” with root beer floats, milk shakes, ice cream cones, popcorn and hot dogs.

Everyone is invited to dress up in the “oldies” outfits, poodle skirts, jeans and T-shirt.

The cost is $4 for nonmember adults and $2 for nonmember children. Members are admitted free.

Try out for the Rocky Horror Show

The Rust Belt Theater Company will hold auditions for The Rocky Horror Show on Sunday and Monday in the chapel at the Calvin Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Most of last year’s cast is returning, but the production still needs ensemble members and newcomers are welcome. Auditioners should be prepared to move and sing something from the show. CD accompaniment will be provided.

For questions, or for people who would like to audition but cannot make either date, e-mail the director at robertjoki@aol.com. Auditions are also available by appointment.

The Rust Belt Theater Company is located in the Calvin Center at 755 Mahoning Ave., just outside of downtown Youngstown.

Federation fund raiser benefits scholarships

Youngstown Area Federation of Women’s Clubs Inc., affiliated with the Ohio and General Federation of Women’s Clubs Inc., will host its annual luncheon and fashion show Oct. 20 at the Holiday Inn in Boardman.

The event is a fundraiser for scholarships. Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by calling Yvonne Ford at 330-755-6828 or Linda Crish at 330-757-7990.

Hayride sponsored by Slovak society

The National Slovak Society’s Assembly 731 is sponsoring its annual “Halloween Hayride” Oct. 15 at Countryside Farm in Poland. The cost is $8 per person and members get in free.

Contact Laurie Fox at 330-536-8850 for information.

MCCTC starts alumni organization

The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center is looking for graduates of the Career Center interested in starting an alumni association.

Spearheaded by Career and Technical Supervisor Tom Kempe, the organization is hoping to attract many of the school’s former students to kick start an organizing effort.

A registration form is available at mahoningctc.com and clicking on the Alumni Association registration form link. All forms should be mailed to Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Attn: Tom Kempe, at 7300 North Palmyra Road in Canfield. For information, contact the career center at 330-729-4000.

Program focused on humor and laughter

“Humor and Laughter: Just for the Health of It” is the title of two Women In Touch programs sponsored by Humility of Mary Health Partners.

The programs will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Mr. Anthony’s, 7440 South Ave. in Boardman Oct. 7 and at Leo’s Ristorante, 7042 East Market St. in Howland Oct. 13.

This program will address the benefits of humor and laughter in decreasing stress, relaxing muscles, relieving pain, improving the immune system, stimulating positive thinking and inspiring creativity.

The cost of $18 per person includes dinner.

Continuing education credits are available for nursing, social work and dietitian/technicians.

For information or to register, call the Humility of Mary Health Line at 330-480-3151 or 877-700-4647.

Registration deadline is one week prior to program date.

Join the scouts

Canfield Cub Packs welcome area families to join Cub Scouts and participate in fall events.

Cub Scout Pack 25 will meet Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Camp Stambaugh Brown Pavilion, 3714 Leffingwell Road, Canfield.

If unable to attend, or for information, contact Maggie Donatelli at 330-953-1515 or Sue Runion at 330-518-4709 or suerunion@zoominternet.net.

Fish in Meander Oct. 9

Meander Water is opening the reservoir for a public fishing day Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the first 1,000 people who send in a reservation form. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The first 20 reservations who are interested, will receive a guided boat tour of the reservoir. No fishing will be permitted on the tour. Guided tours of the water plant will also be available.

All reservations will be numbered as they are received. The first 1,000 will be notified two weeks prior to the event. For security reasons, you must list the names of all attending and proper identification will be requires on Oct. 9.

To register, send the names, addresses and contact information and best contact time for all visitors and the number of participants who are interested in the fishing, plant and boat tour to, Meander Water, Attn: Ms. Brenda Duffett, P.O. Box 4119, Youngstown, OH 44515.

Read tales to tails

School-aged children can sign up and read to registered therapy dogs Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Canfield branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. The program is designed to help develop reading skills, promote confidence and encourage a love for reading. Dogs are provided by K-9s for Compassion. Readers may bring a book of their choice. To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Canfield library.

Get stumped by celebrity scholars

Before hitting the books, stop by the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and match celebrities with they colleges they graduated from and win a prize during library hours in September.

Farm fresh food and fundraising

Local farmers will be paired with local chefs to create dishes from fresh, locally-grown vegetables, fruits and meats Sept. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. at MetroParks Farm. The cost for the event is $50 and will go to benefit Mill Creek MetroParks’ agricultural education programs for children. To make a reservation, call 330-702-3000.

Buy a silver lining ticket

That Quilt Group I Belong To is selling tickets to its annual charity quilt fundraising benefit for The Silver Lining Cancer Fund. Tickets can be purchased for $1 each and $5 for six by calling Carol Svetlak at 330-788-5122. The winning ticket will be drawn at the group’s Christmas dinner Dec. 13.

The quilt can be viewed at the group’s Shop Owners Night 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Western Reserve Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road. Admission is $2. Door prizes, 50/50 drawing and free refreshments will be available.

First Night volunteers

First Night Canfield is seeking volunteers for its New Year’s Eve Celebration of the Arts.

Opportunities exist for volunteers to work on planning committees as well as event night positions.

Information can be obtained by attending a planning committee meeting today. For details, call 330-533-2290.

Take a guided tour of Fellows Riverside Gardens

Take a leisurely walk in Fellows Riverside Gardens Sept. 26 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and admire the autumn displays. A guide will point out highlights while sharing anecdotes and history. Sign in at the information desk on the afternoon of the tour.

Have fun and watch the sun set at the farm

Bring the entire family to MetroParks Farm today from 5-8 p.m. for a fall celebration. Ride a hay wagon pulled by draft horses, visit with farm animals, explore the AgVenture barn, get lost in a giant corn maze, sample cider and homemade apple butter and roast marshmallows over a campfire. Young children can search for toys in a haystack. Older children can compete in a sack race and adults can try an egg toss. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the sunset while folk singer John Mosey performs.

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.

Start Friday with a walk through the gardens

Enjoy a brisk walk through the Fellows Riverside Gardens, followed by a light breakfast at the Garden Cafe and lesson about the Cannabis family Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The cost is $7 for Garden members and $9 for nonmembers.

To register, call Riverside gardens at 330-740-7116.

Preschoolers stroll at the pond and look for turtles

Preschoolers ages 3-5 are invited to an outdoor turtle-time story and stroll Friday and Sept. 25 at the Lily Pond. The youngsters will observe, count and learn about turtles that live there. The cost for the event is $2 for residents and $3 for nonresidents and will be held rain or shine. Adults must accompany children. Preregister at the Ford Nature Center.

Skunk tales for toddlers

Two-year-old children can learn about skunks through storytelling, hands-on activities and exploration during Tales for Twos at the Ford Nature Center Sept. 30 at 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. An adult must accompany children. The event is free, but call Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107 to register.

Walk and watch birds

Ohio Certified Volunteer Nancy Brundage will lead 1-mile easy rated walks today at Newport Wetlands and Sept. 25 at McGuffey Wildlife Preserve. The walks begin at 8 a.m.

Revisit Calvary Run

See how Calvary Run has progressed during a 1-mile difficult hike Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. Wear shoes that can get wet and muddy and meet at the parking lot on Calvary Run Drive near the Lake Glacier Boathouse.

Walk for health and wellness in September

Experience the many benefits of walking Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9 a.m.

Hikers will meet Tuesday at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at Mahoning Avenue for an easy rates 4-mile walk and Sept. 29 at the Ford Nature Center for a moderately difficult 3-mile walk,

Travel with friends to Ohio gardens Wednesday

Join the Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens Wednesday for a fall garden bus tour to central Ohio. Highlights will include Secrest Arboretum, Ohio Agriculture R&D Center in Wooster, the private Schnomeier Gardens, Kingwood Center in Mansfield and a unique nursery. The cost is $85 and $75 for garden members and includes transportation, admissions, guided tours, lunch and dinner. To reserve a seat, call Fellows Riverside Gardens.