Austintown briefs

Fitch band night

Austintown Fitch Marching Band will host its band night on Monday at 7 p.m. The band night will feature the marching band from Fitch as well as marching bands from Jackson Milton, Ursuline, Canfield and Boardman.

Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens are free.

Local student graduates from Pitt

Austintown’s Lyndsie Haefke, daughter of Sandra Slusher and Bart Haefke, is graduating from University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She has been accepted into Case Western Reserve University as a graduate student in the biology department. Haefke is pursuing a career in biological research.

Mickey Schuster Scholarship spaghetti dinner set

Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Dr., Boardman will host its semiannual Mickey Schuster Scholarship Spaghetti Dinner on Sept. 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. Cost is $6.50 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling the church office at 330-758-5745. The dinner includes salad, bread, pasta with meatballs, dessert and drink. Takeouts are available. All proceeds go to the Mickey Schuster Scholarship Fund and are distributed each year to college students at Bethel.

Curves accepting donations

During August, Curves of Austintown will be accepting donations of backpacks and other school supplies. By donating items for local school children in need, you can save $49, the initial sign-up fee. For more information, call 330-793-9802.

Free Healthways Silver Sneaker membership

Curves Austintown is offering free Healthways Silver Sneaker memberships. Eligible women can workout for free based on their participating Medicare Supplemental Insurance. For more information, call 330-793-9802.

Pancake breakfast helps animals

TNR of Warren and For the Dogs Animal Rescue will sponsor a pancake breakfast on Sept. 17 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Packard Park Indoor Shelter House, 1703 Mahoning Ave. in Warren.

Cost is $7 per person for all-you-can-eat-pancakes served with sausage, milk, orange juice and coffee. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. In addition to the breakfast, tickets will be available for a 50/50 raffle and Chinese auction.

Both groups are nonprofit, volunteer-based and rely solely on donations and fundraisers. All proceeds from the event will continue to help TNR of Warren and for the Dogs save the dogs and cats of Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

For more information, call 330-330-8166, visit www.tnrofwarren.org or www.ForTheDogs.Petfinder.com or follow them on Facebook.

Win tickets to Disney show

Enter a contest to win four vouchers for the Oct. 28 performance of “Phineas and Ferb: The Best Live Tour Ever.” To enter, visit any branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, fill out an entry form and write a paragraph explaining why you like Phineas and Ferb. The contest runs Sept. 14- Oct. 14. Drawings will take place Oct. 15 at each branch. The library will notify winners.

Library helps toddlers become successful readers

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk” for 2 and 3-year-olds on Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 10 a.m. The program includes developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help toddlers become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Library calls all travelers

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Calling All Travelers” on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The program will include family entertainment featuring “Top Reader” awards, games, stories and treats.

Library helps babies bond with books

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “ Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books for Lapsitters” for children who are not walking independently on Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 9:30 a.m. This event will be followed by “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books for Walkers” for children who are walking independently at 11 a.m.

Both programs include 20 minutes of language enrichment with rhymes, songs and stories, followed by free play time. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Austintown Senior Center book club

The Austintown Senior Center invites members of the community, 60 and older, to participate in a book club meeting once a month at the center. The club has recently read books such as “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini and “ Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell.

The center also hosts a general discussion group meeting every Friday at 10 a.m. The general discussion group covers topics including current affairs, travel through the United States and Europe and personal reminiscences of positive influence in our lives. For more information regarding these two groups, call 330-953-1416.

School board approves electrical contract

The Austintown school board voted Aug. 2 to award the early-site electrical work contract for the removal of rear portions of Watson Elementary and Frank Ohl Intermediate schools to B&J Electrical of Poland Inc. B&J submitted the lowest bid to the district at $30,229.

During the board’s retreat work session, it also approved a design-develop phase submission, which puts the district one step closer to being able to accept bids for construction on its new kindergarten- through-second-grade and third-through-fifth-grade buildings.

Library hosts Family Night Capades

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Family Night Capades” on Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The event is for children of all ages and will include stories, music, science and games.

Library hosts Fun Times

The Austintown branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Fun Times” for children 4 and 5 on Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 11 a.m. The program will include developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Library contest runs all month

Each full week of September, the I Spy: Toy School Bus will make a stop somewhere in the children’s area of the library. If you find the bus, don’t move it. Tell the librarian where it is and receive a prize. This is for children of all ages.

Treasure in Your Trunk sale

Immaculate Heart of Mary will have a “Treasurers in Your Trunk Sale” sponsored by its Social Concerns Group on Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church parking lot, 4500 Norquest Blvd., Austintown.

Vendor spaces are available for early registration at $10 and must be received by Sept. 8. Vendors may register for $15 the day of the sale. No refunds will be given for any reason. Take your own table (up to 8 feet) for setting up in front of your trunk. There will be a sale of homemade baked goods, food and beverages. A used book and media sale will take place in the Parish Center at the same time. For more information, or to obtain a registration form, call Dolly Anderson at 330-792-8355.

Class of 1991 will meet

The Austintown Fitch High School Class of 1991 will host its 20-year reunion Saturday at Rachel’s Restaurant and Banquet Center from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

There will also be an informal gathering at Mojo’s Pub and Grill on Mahoning Avenue Sept. 2. For information or to register, visit www.austintownfitch1991.com or call 330-718-0298.

Garden club hosts show

The Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown will host its 47th annual horticultural show today and tomorrow at Fellows Riverside Gardens. This show is free and open to the public.

Entries may be submitted by young and old alike today from 7 to 10:30 a.m. Awards will be presented tomorrow at 4 p.m. Flowers and/or veggies may be entered. A special cash prize will be awarded for the heaviest tomato. Visit www.MGCY.org or call Rodney Toth at 330-759-1993 for details.

Get your lucky suit cleaned for free

Youngstown-based LaFrance Cleaners is introducing a program that will help unemployed individuals in the Mahoning Valley make a good first impression at their next job interview. The program called ‘Fresh Start’ allows area residents to have clothing they will wear when seeking employment dry-cleaned for free.

“Any businessperson will tell you that an applicant’s appearance is important when making a hiring decision,” said LaFrance president Stephen Weiss. “These days people need every possible advantage in order to land a job.”

The ‘Fresh Start’ program will run through the end of August. Individuals who wish to participate must bring in proof of unemployment and identification. The free service is limited to one outfit per participant and includes a shirt or blouse, slacks, dress or a skirt and suit coat or blazer.

LaFrance Cleaners has locations in Boardman, Canfield, Poland, Liberty and Youngstown, as well as free pick-up and delivery service to homes and offices throughout the Mahoning Valley.

Free membership for military families

Curves Austintown is offering free six-month memberships to wives and teenage daughters of actively-deployed reservists and National Guard members.

Surviving wives and teenage daughters will also be offered six months free memberships.

Discounts to other immediate family members will also be offered, but documentation will be required.

DQ Æ/Orange Julius Æ received pride award

The Dairy QueenSRTm/Orange JuliusSRTm restaurant, located at 146 N. Canfield Niles Road, recently received a PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in Delivering Excellence) Award from the Dairy Queen/Orange Julius system for achieving a high level of cleanliness and food safety.

The award is given out to those stores that demonstrate PRIDE by maintaining a high level of cleanliness and food safety.

Library helps shape little minds

Duzzny receives award

Austintown resident Walter Duzzny was awarded a 10-year service award pin from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Chairman John Hopper during the annual Department of Defense sponsored meeting and awards dinner in Columbus.

Duzzny is a retired Army Reserve Colonel and former emergency management director. He serves as the public affairs officer for the East Region.

Host families needed for international students

Five international students coming to the Youngstown area this August through Educatius International and attending Ursuline High School are in need of families to host them.

Host families can be from anywhere in the area and have few requirements. The students need a bed, desk and dresser. The students also need a ride to Ursuline, which can be via school bus or by car. Host families provide the students with daily meals and give them a loving and caring environment.

Educatius offers a monthly stipend to offset additional costs. The international students are expected to pay for all their expenses outside of the house (school lunches, restaurants, movies, presents, prom expenses etc.). Having an international student is a great way to learn about the world around you and even share your own culture.

Anyone interested in hosting one of these international students can contact a local Educatius International Coordinator at 330-770-5714.

Grieve with friends

Honor and remember children who have passed away at Bereaved Parent of the USA-Mahoning County Chapter’s monthly meetings the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Park Vista of Youngstown, 1216 Fifth Ave.

For information, call Diane Hunter-Copeland at 330-770-2686.

Have family garden fun

Visit the Family Garden on fair weather Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays to dig, plant, water or read a book. The Friendly Garden Greeter at the Discovery Cart will tell about plants and will offer many free hands-on activities.

For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Family tours are back at the farm

Every Thursday at 10 a.m. throughout summer families can join MetroParks Farm for a 60-70 minute guided tractor-wagon tour of the facility.

The playroom will be open. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the tour. Reservations are suggested. For information, call the farm at 330-533-7572.