Poland briefs

Special events planned for June 24

Sons of The American Legion Mahoning Valley Squadron 15 in Poland will host its third annual chicken dinner and its 10th annual Flag Disposal Ceremony June 24, in conjunction with Celebrate Poland.

Relay unveils new events

Relay For Life of Poland will have two talent-based contests to showcase the abilities of community members and build support for the American Cancer Society.

The Little Mr. and Miss Relay Contest begins at 12 p.m. July 9 at Poland Seminary High School. The contest is open to boys and girls ages 2-10. Participants will be divided into two age groups: 2-4 years old and 5-10 years old.

All participants will be asked to say hello to a panel of judges. The older children will have to answer basic questions about themselves, turn in a coloring page and have a neat appearance.

Everyone who enters will receive recognition and top prizes include gift certificates from Youngstown Skate and Skedaddles Indoor Playground.

The second contest is Relay’s Got Talent, which begins at 3 p.m. July 9 at Poland Seminary High School. All skills will be on display, from singing to juggling to telling jokes. Prizes will be awarded to the top three acts as decided by a panel of judges.

The deadline to register for both events is July 1. Registration and guidelines for both contests are available by going online to RelayForLife.org/Poland and clicking on “Event Documents” on the left side of the page.

High honors for Poland student

Ryan Storkel, a freshman in the Mylan School of Pharmacy, was named to the spring Dean’s List of Duquesne University.

The Dean’s List recognizes full-time students who have maintained at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, with no grade lower than a “C”.

Storkel is the son of Bill and Teri Storkel of Poland.

Former resident Dean of Students

Kathy M. Shellogg was appointed Dean of Students at Capital University in Columbus.

Shellogg is a former resident of Poland and has been a student affairs educator for most of her professional career. She is involved as a private consultant working in the organizational change, leadership and community development in higher education, communities and not-for-profit organizations.

Shellogg has served in numerous leadership capacities for the American College Personnel Association, was a charter member of the Educational Leadership Foundation and presented more than 100 higher education organizations, government agencies and community organizations. She completed post-master’s work in higher education at the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor’s of Arts with honors from Wittenberg University.

Shellogg is the daughter of Charles and Bette Shellogg of Poland. She is married to Dr. Robert C. Oberst and has a son, Alexander.

Meetings set for LPDC

The Poland Local Professional Committee will meet Aug. 25 at 11 a.m., and in 2012, on Jan. 19 at 3:15 p.m., March 22 at 3:15 p.m. and May 17 at 3:15 p.m. at Poland Middle School.

The purpose of the committee is to review and approve course work and CEU’s to be completed by educators within the district.

Help make 1,000 doves

Children of all ages can help fold 1,000 paper doves to decorate the Poland library during regular library hours through August. Japanese legends says that anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a wish.

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 at 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.

Curves offers Silver Sneakers classes

Free Silver Sneakers classes are offered for eligible women over 65 at Curves in Poland during regular hours.

For information, call or 330-757-8800 or visit Curves at 3040 Center Road.

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.

‘Poland Idol’ seeks singers

The “Poland Idol” singing contest will be June 25 at the Gazebo at village hall as part of Celebrate Poland Days. Registration will begin June 25 at noon, and contestants do not have to be Poland residents.

Registration fee is $20, and there are four categories: Kindergarten-fourth grade, fifth-eighth grade, high school and adult. To preregister, call Cindy at 330-651-2999.

Space available for sale

Spaces are available for the Ursuline Center Car Trunk and Treasure Sale July 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the center on Shields Road.

The cost for the space is $20. For information, call 330-533-3831.

Blood pressure screening June 28

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will perform blood pressure screenings June 28 at 1 p.m. at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Trim a tree for June

Children of all ages can decorate an ornament for the all-season tree during regular hours at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County during June.

See three little pigs

The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater will perform the True Story of the Three Little Pigs June 30 at 2 p.m. at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

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 animals and plants 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.

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 June 18 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.

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.

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.

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.

Free tennis camp for kids

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.

Monday meetings set for conservation district

Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District Board meetings for 2011 will be at 7 p.m. the second Monday each month at the District Office, 850 Industrial Road in Youngstown.

Anyone interested in being contacted regarding special meetings or changes to regular meetings can call 330-740-7995.

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

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.

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.

Historical society meets

The Poland Historical Society will host regular meetings the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Little Red School House, 4515 Center Road.

The society is actively seeking new and previous members who would like to be involved in future events, including a Tour of Homes and Gardens. For information, call Joan Madej at 330-707-0692.