Boardman briefs

New membership for tobacconist

Joe Van Dudenhove III, a professional tobacconist with The Cigarette Factory in Boardman, has qualified for membership in the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association.

With more than 2,000 members throughout the U.S. and 31 foreign countries, IPCPR is the leading nonprofit industry organization representing retailers, manufacturers and distributors of hand-made cigars, pipes and accessories. Stores displaying the IPCPR logo are recognized as premier purveyors of premium tobacco products.

As a member of IPCPR, Dudenhove has access to IPCPR resources for market research, trade shows, products, services, publications, and participation in community, constitutional and legislative action programs.

Boardman alum earns business degree

Boardman High School alum Sarah Navarro graduated from John Carroll University with a degree in business administration. She is the daughter of Mary Ann and Nelson Navarro of Boardman.

Canfield alum graduates with honors

Kirsten Joan Midgley graduated Summa Cum Laude with Biology department and university honors from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. She was on the Dean’s List for all eight semesters and was awarded the James T. Dove Scholarship, which is given to one pre-med student per year.

Midgley has been accepted to Georgetown Medical School in Washington, D.C. Before she leaves, she will study abroad in the South African country Lesotho with a group of students, staff and faculty from Wittenberg as part of the school’s annual community service program.

Midgley graduated from Canfield High School in 2007 ninth in her class. She is the daughter of Ron and Jane Midgley of Boardman and the granddaughter of Joan H. Kempe and the late Thomas E. Kempe of Boardman and Wesley R. Midgley and the late Cecile C. Midgley of Canfield.

Social walk groups form

The Senior Striders Group will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. and the Stroller Strutters Group will meet Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. at the St. James parking lot and start their walks on the new North Trail.

The self-guided walk encourages participants to join together to promote fitness and socialize.

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

Lions Club honors student

Tabatha Turney, a graduate of Leetonia High School, recently received a scholarship from The Youngstown Lions Club.

The scholarship is given to a graduate who plans on attending Youngstown State University. The scholarship is in memory of Rita Merz, an outstanding Lion who passed away.

Turney had a 3.95 GPA and was president of The National Honor Society and Student Council.

She will enter the pre-med program and wants to become a pediatrician.

Lions Club to host Turtle derby

The Youngstown Lions Club is hosting its annual Turtle Derby Monday at the “Cruising on the River” Car Show in Lowellville at 6:30 p.m. There will be a raffle for a chance to win $300 and four Cleveland Indians tickets, a Chinese auction and a 50/50 drawing.

BHS alum earns Doctor of Pharmacy

Brian Hoffmaster, a 2005 Boardman High School graduate, recently graduated from the University of Toledo with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Hoffmaster is the son of Scott and

Valorie Hoffmaster and his future plans include a pharmacy residency at the William Beaumont Hospitals in Troy, Mich.

Free summer fitness program offered

Ted Suzelis will start a free summer fitness program to help motivate people to get in shape. The program is appropriate for people of all fitness levels, as long as they are physically able to walk.

The summer fitness program will be a weekly walk/run on Saturday mornings 7:30 a.m. and ending Aug. 20. The group will meet at the Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway at Kirk Road between state Route 46 and Taylor Road.

For information or to register, call Stephanie at 330-729-1350 or visit www.OhioND.com.

Military discounts offered on storage

Shepherd Self Storage is offering 15 percent off merchandise and rental units for all active military, veterans and their families (with proper ID) during its Red, White and Blue sale through July 4.

New customers who move in during this time can pay $1 for the first month if the second month is paid in full, plus tax and administration fees.

See Three Little Pigs June 29

The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater will perform the True Story of the Three Little Pigs June 29 at 2 p.m. at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

See concerts in the park

The Judge Morley Pavilion will host free, lawn seating 7UP Summerfest Spectacular concerts throughout June at 7 p.m.

Wednesday will feature the Canfield Community Concert Band and on June 29 the music of Jack Vasko and Del Sinchak can be heard.

Explore Mill Creek Park

Children entering grades four through six can explore the many different sides of Mill Creek Park during the Park Explorers summer camp June 29-30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participants will learn about plants and animals that live in the park and the history of the park through hikes, games, crafts and more.

The cost for camp is $30 for residents and $35 for nonresidents. Registration and fee are due at the Ford Nature Center by Monday.

Calling Boardman grads

The Boardman High School Class of 1959 is planning a 70th Birthday Bash celebration for Boardman High School graduates from 1956 to 1962 July 19-21 at the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake.

The birthday bash will be July 20 at 5 p.m. The cost will be $50 per person and a cash bar will be available. For information, visit www.bhs59.com.

Camp for Kinder Kritters

Fun activities are planned for indoor and outdoor during the Kinder Kritters summer camp July 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Campers will go on short walks to learn about nature, have story time and make crafts. The cost for the camp is $25 for residents and $30 for nonresidents. Registration and fee are due at Ford Nature Center by July 11.

Be park pals at Mill Creek

Children entering grades first through third can become Park Pals as they learn about Mill Creek Park and the creatures that call it home July 13-14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Activities include hikes, crafts games and more. The cost for the camp is $30 for residents and $35 for nonresidents. Registration and fee are due at Ford Nature Center by July 5.

Free kids’ tennis camp

Children 6 to 12 can learn the fundamentals of tennis during a free tennis camp July 11-12 from 10 a.m. to noon at Yellow Creek Park. To register, call 330-740-7100.

Cruise in a kayak

All skill levels are invited to join kayak-escorted trips throughout June at East Newport Boat Launch.

Enjoy an afternoon on the water today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. or glide, look with binoculars and listen for wildlife June 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Single and tandem kayaks are available; age restrictions apply. Reservations are necessary and must be made 36 hours prior to program.

The fee is $12 a per person for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Second person in tandem kayak is half price.

Experienced kayakers can bring their kayaks and a safety light June 24 for a dusk to dark paddle from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Participants must register by Thursday. For information, call the Ford Nature center at 330-740-7107.

Prize in the sand

Children of all ages can select a sticker or hand stamp when they find a hidden toy in the sand during regular hours at the Boardman branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County in June.

Italian Fest scheduled

The Italian Fest is set for July 29-31 in downtown Youngstown.

Festivities will begin July 29 at 5 p.m. with opening ceremonies, followed by the Miss Italian Youngstown Pageant at 7 p.m. The Miss Italian Youngstown beauty and talent pageant has become a tradition at the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest.

The pageant includes modeling, speaking about Italian heritage and performing a talent.

There will be continuous entertainment and fun activities, including Morra and a pasta eating contest. A little King and Queen will also be crowned.

For information, contact pageant chairman Anthony Julian at 330-799-8184 or 330-207-0515.

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.

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.

Do yoga at the gardens

Bring a mat and small blanket to learn a blend of energizing yoga styles from Heidi Suraci at Fellows Riverside Gardens on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout June. Tuesdays will feature beginners’ classes from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and intermediate classes from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday classes will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and are open to all levels. The fee is $10 per class. For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Find out what’s in a name

Tour Fellows Riverside Gardens to look at the connections between plants and their names during What’s in a Name: Part Two today from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants do not need to have attended part one to attend this class.

The fee is $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Take home a prairie plant

Robert Kehres of the Ohio Prairie Plant Nursery will describe how to use prairie plants in home landscape and talk about the history of prairies as seen in the current exhibit “The Bison” June 29 at Fellows Riverside Gardens from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Each participant will be given a plant to take home. The fee is $10. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

T’ai Chi in the garden

Ease stress, improve health and increase vitality with breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form taught by Marie Lew Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. throughout June at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The costs is $10 per class. For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Travel to Ohio gardens

On July 21, travel to garden author Tracy DiSabato-Aust’s private garden “Hiddenhaven” in Sunbury, Ohio, when perennials are at their peak and then travel to Columbus for lunch and to visit the Ohio Heritage Garden at the Governor’s Residence. Tour the Dawes Arboretum before enjoying a dinner at the Buxton Inn in Granville.

The cost for the tour is $105 for garden members and $145 for nonmembers. For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Go to the park with pop

Learn about local wildlife fathers during a moderately-difficult, 2-mile Father’s Day hike Sunday at 2 p.m. Meet at Lanterman’s Mill.

Take the low and the high road

Join Naturalist Emeritus Bill Whitehouse June 26 for an easy rated, 1 Ω- mile exploration of the Lily Pond from both the low road (path along the shore) and the high road (One-Way Drive) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meet at the Lily Pond.

Walk for health and wellness

Health and wellness walks are scheduled Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. throughout June.

Meet June 28 at the Main Golf Course overflow parking lot on West Golf Drive for a 1 or 3-mile walk and June 29 at the Ford Nature Center for a moderately-difficult, 3-mile walk.

Saunter on the summer solstice

See lightning bugs and views of the Mahoning River during a summer solstice 4-mile, moderately-difficult walk Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Meet at the Stavich Bicycle Trail at the eastern end of East Liberty Street in Lowellville.

Come to the park with an appetite

Chef David Armstrong will fire up the grill with swordfish and tuna Tuesday or wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. The cooking demonstration includes additional dishes that will complement the meal. The cost is $28 for garden members and $35 for nonmembers. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Work on your writing skills

Join Karen Schubert Wednesday for a writing workshop at Fellows Riverside Gardens from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The fee for the class is $10 and participants may register before the beginning of class.

Be prepared with dog first aid

Learn basic first aid from Director of Health and Safety Operations for the American Red Cross Guido Jannetti, Jr. during a Dog First Aid 101 workshop today from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at MetroParks Farm in Canfield.

MetroMutts members will receive a basic first aid kit for their dog. Do not bring pets.

The fee is $8 for MetroMutts members and $12 for nonmembers. To register, call the MetroParks office at 330-702-3000.

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.

Let dads shine Sunday

Find out what the male of each species of farm animals are called during MetroParks tractor-wagon tour Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children can make a gift to take home for dad.

Bring your best flowers

The public can enter flower shows at Fellows Riverside Gardens throughout June. Entries must be received the Saturday of the show by 10:30 a.m. and show hours are Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Today and Sunday the Garden Forum of Greater Youngstown will host a show.

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

Grocery stores help Wounded Warriors

Three local Nemenz IGA’s will participate in a national cause marketing initiative to raise money for Wounded Warrior Project.

Locations include 2980 McCartney Road, Youngstown; 8 N. Broad St., Canfield; and 655 Creed St., Struthers.

During this national promotion, through Sept. 5, IGA will donate 10 cents from the sale of every specially-marked case of IGA brand water to Wounded Warrior Project, an organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors.

Take a tractor tour on the farm

MetroParks Farm will offer guided tractor tours on the second Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.

Space is limited, call 330-533-7572 to reserve a seat.