Poland briefs

PSHS grads make the Dean’s list at Wooster

Lauren Camacci and Matthew Porter were named to the fall semester Dean’s list at the College of Wooster for maintaining a GPA of 3.65 or above.

Camacci, a senior, is majoring in communication studies and Porter, a junior, is majoring in science and sociology.

Meet with the Historical Society

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 first meeting will be Wednesday.

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.

Rotary Club to host Pancake breakfast

The Boardman Rotary Clubs is hosting its 28th annual Pancake Breakfast during Boardman Park’s Maple Syrup Festival March 19, 20, 26 and 27.

The traditional selection of pancakes and sausages will be served by Boardman Rotary and Interact Club members in the park’s Lariccia Family Community Center.

Tickets are $6 and available for purchase from any Boardman Rotary club member or at the door.

Call Cynthia Rogers at 330-559-4966 for information.

High honors for Poland student

Devyn Appugliese, a freshman at the A.J. Palumbo School of Business Administration was named to the fall 2010 Dean’s list at Duquesne University.

The list recognizes full-time students who maintained at least a 3.5 GPA, with no grader lower than a C.

Appugliese is the daughter of Marcia Greening and the late Michael Appugliese of Poland.

Motherhouse offers special opportunity

The Ursuline Motherhouse is hosting a “retreat in daily life” for people with hectic lives who are searching for something more in life and desire to develop a personal relationship with God.

This retreat will allow you to continue with your everyday activities but does require 30 minutes daily private time for personal prayer and 30 to 45 minutes of your time once each week for eight weeks in the company of a spiritual director who will help you to discover how to tap into your own personal relationship with Jesus.

An $80 donation is requested.

Times to choose from are Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon or 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and March 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For information, call 330-533-3831 or e-mail ewalshnovotny@zoominternet.net.

Breakfast at Boardman Park tomorrow

The Yo-Mah-O Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals is hosting a pancake and sausage breakfast from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Lariccia Family Community Center in Boardman Park.

Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 10 and under. Tickets will be sold at the door and all proceeds benefit the scholarship fund.

Dine for the dogs benefit

For the Dogs Animal Rescue will host a cavatelli/spaghetti dinner, bake sale and basket raffle Saturday at St. George Croatian Center, 3200 Vestal Road in Youngstown.

Seating for dinner will begin at 4 p.m. and go through 8 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Carry-out service and a 50/50 raffle will be available.

For information, call 330-398-9468 or visit www.forthedogs.petfinder.com.

Too much to mow?

Local citizens should consider putting their small acreage to productive agriculture use and learn how to become a tiller of the soil by attending three free evening seminars scheduled March 17, 24 and 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mill Creek Metro Parks in Canfield.

Attendees will learn how agriculture production can be successful. These seminars will present tools needed for planning, marketing, managing, financial resources, budgets and evaluating what the land can support for a successful business.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required by contacting Mahoning Farm Bureau at 330-533-5553 or info@mahoningfarmbureau.com.

Presenting the seminars is Countryside Conservancy in cooperation with the Crossroads Resource Conservation and Development Council Inc., Mahoning Farm Bureau, The Ohio State University Extension of Mahoning County and Mill Creek MetroParks.

Semi-annual spaghetti dinner set

Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Dr., will host its semiannual Mickey Schuster Scholarship Spaghetti Dinner March 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The cost for dinner will be $6.50 for adults and $3 for children under 12 and includes salad, bread, pasta with meatballs, dessert and drink. Carryouts are available.

All proceeds are distributed each year to college students at Bethel.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling the church office at 330-758-5745.

Club offers fish fry

The Lowellville Rod and Gun Club, 6225 Quarry Road, will host a carry-out fish fry Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dinner prices are $15 and includes ocean perch, fries and coleslaw. Lunch specials are $8.

Investigate Heartland Christian

Heartland Christian School, 28 Pittsburgh St., will host an Investigation Day Thursday at 8:45 a.m. for families to experience a chapel service, classroom visit, school tour and information session.

Heartland offers grades kindergarten through 12th grade and bus routes in many locations, including Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, Salem and Youngstown.

For reservations, preschool programs or information, call 330-482-2331.

Fish and Game club to travel to Pittsburgh

The Fish and Game of Vienna is taking a bus to the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting and Convention in Pittsburgh April 30.

The bus is departing the Fish and Game of Vienna parking lot at 8 a.m. and will return at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the trip are $18 each or two for $35.

Soccer team sponsors spaghetti dinner

The Ursuline High School boys soccer team is hosting a spaghetti dinner and Chinese auction March 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 343 Via Mt. Carmel in Youngstown.

Tickets are $8 and available at the door. The auction will begin at 4:15 p.m.

Support recovery from addiction

All are welcome to support recovery from addiction at Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic’s eighth annual Fellowship Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 13 at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road in Canfield.

Abraham J. Twerski, founder and medical director emeritus of Gateway Rehab, NKRC’s parent organization, will be the featured speaker for the event. An internationally-recognized authority in the addiction treatment field, Twerski will discuss integrating the processes vital to sustaining recovery from drug or alcohol addiction including 12-step programs, treatment options, personal challenges and family dynamics.

The cost to attend the event is $15 per person and includes a breakfast buffet.

Book sales and autographs by Twerski will follow the presentation. Advance reservations are required with a deadline of March 7.

For more information and to make a reservation, call 330-744-1181, ext. 7001 or e-mail mona.barger@gatewayrehab.org.

Celebrate Mardi Gras

The Knights of Columbus Council No. 3930 will host a “Celebrate Mardi Gras” party at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center, 4500 Norquest Blvd., Austintown, tonight from 7 to 11 p.m.

Buffet will include American and Cajun foods. BYOB, setups, mixes and a DJ for dancing will be provided.

Costumes are encouraged, but not necessary. The best costume will receive a $100 gift card.

Tickets are $15 per person. To purchase advance tickets, call Tony Velasco at 330-799-7751 or

Jere Anderson at 330-792-8355. Tickets can also be purchased after all masses at IHM or at the door.

Play in Texas Hold’Em tournament

Angels for Animals will host a Texas Hold’Em Poker tournament March 13. Doors will open at 11 a.m. and the tournament will begin at 1 p.m.

The buy-in is $80 and extra chips will be given to those who preregister. The rake is 25 percent.

All proceeds from this event will benefit Angels for Animals shelter and low-cost spay/neuter programs.

For information, contact Caroline or Sean at 330-501-3885 or visit www.tomkatpoker.com.

Reverse raffle planned

The Angel for Animals Reverse Dinner Raffle will be March 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the shelter’s hall.

Tickets are $75 and include dinner and a number in a drawing. Numbers will be drawn from a drum of ping-pong balls. The first number drawn wins cash. Every 10th number drawn wins a $100 brick on our Angel Way. The 25th, 50th and 100th numbers drawn also win cash. The owners of the last three remaining numbers will have the choice to split the $2,000 grand prize or continue drawing numbers to the end.

Additional dinner guest tickets cost $25. All proceeds from this event will benefit Angels for Animals shelter and low-cost spay/neuter programs. For information, call Diane at 330-502-5352.

Marvel at maple sugar

Hike from the Ford Nature center to the Charles S. Robinson Sugar Maple Grove Sunday at 2 p.m. to see a demonstration of an age-old practice of maple sugar production.

The 3-mile walk will be moderately difficult and follow a video presentation.

Jam with the Jim Frank Combo

The Jim Frank Combo will play a variety of music Thursday at 7 p.m. at Yellow Creek Park Lodge. The show is part of the winter concert series.

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Teen Tech Week tournament

The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is celebrating Teen Tech Week March 31 at 3:30 p.m. with a Wii tournament.

The winner will receive a $25 gift card. Participants must be in grades seven through 12.

Soccer team sponsors spaghetti dinner

The Ursuline High School boys soccer team is hosting a spaghetti dinner and Chinese auction March 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 343 Via Mt. Carmel in Youngstown.

Tickets are $8 and available at the door. The auction will begin at 4:15 p.m.

Calling all crossword puzzlers

The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host a crossword puzzle tournament fundraiser March 12 at 10 a.m.

The tournament is for teens and adults and the registration fee is $10. Registration forms can be picked up at the library and sent to the Development Office at 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44503.

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

Homestead exemption outreach

Representatives from the Mahoning County Auditor’s office will be available for Homestead Exemption questions March 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Blood pressure screenings at the library

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a blood pressure screening at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County at 1 p.m. March 22.

Trim a tree for March

Children of all ages can decorate an ornament for the all-seasons tree at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County throughout the month of March.

Bonding with babies and books at the library

Join the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Wednesdays in March at 10 a.m. for Baby Brilliant: Bonding with babies and books.

The program for children six to 23 months old offers developmentally appropriate book, songs, rhymes and finger plays.

This program is also available for 2 and 3-year-olds Thursdays in March at 10:30 a.m.

The program for 4 and 5-year-olds is scheduled for Thursdays in March at 1 p.m.

Register for kindergarten

Registration for children entering the Poland Local School’s kindergarten will take place today and March 12 at Union Elementary School, 30 Riverside Dr. from 9 a.m. to noon. Kindergarten students will attend school from 8:20 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. each day. Parents may register for the Afterschool Care Program during student registration.

Parents or guardians must provide the child’s original, raised seal, birth certificate and Social Security card, immunization records, proof of residency (mortgage documents, house closing papers or rental agreements), parent identification (driver’s license and two current utility bills or credit card statement) and custody papers if applicable.

A child entering kindergarten must be 5 by Aug. 1 and 6 by Aug. 1 to enter first grade. A screening program is set for April 5-7. Parents will be given an appointment for screening during the registration process. No registration papers will be given out before March 5.

Curves offering free seniors’ memberships The Poland Curves is offering free basic memberships for their circuit strength training and exercise program to senior citizens age 65 and over that have certain Medicare supplement policies.

The Silver Sneakers program has no rigid class time. Ladies can come any time Curves is open.

Personal training and encouragement from our dedicated staff is included.

To learn if you qualify, call 330-757-8800 or stop in at 3040 Center Road, Route 224..

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.

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 March.

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.

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. during March at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

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

Make a reading tree

Preschoolers ages 3-5 and their favorite adult can make a reading tree today from 11 a.m. to noon. A story with puppets will add to the fun.

The cost is $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Walk for health and wellness

Mill Creek MetroParks is hosting health and wellness walks at 9 a.m. Walkers will meet at the MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at Kirk Road Wednesday for a moderately-difficult 2 or 4-mile hike or at the Golf Course overflow parking lot on West Golf Drive March 16 for a easy-rated 1 or 3-mile walk.

Learn floral design basics

Deby Clark will discuss the basic design principles of a line arrangement as well as how to prepare flowers and greens Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Each participant will create a green and cream arrangement of Bellies of Ireland, green roses and flowers of the season.

The cost for the class is $29 for residents and $37 for nonresidents. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Plant the seed to read

The Children’s Book Festival will be a day of fun March 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens for children and their families.

Altusa Club of Youngstown, Mill Creek MetroParks, Western Reserve Public Media and the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will bring together authors, illustrators, book characters, storytellers and many activities for children.

Author John Rocco and the original illustrator of Shrek will be present.

Join a loose knit group

All helping hands are welcome to help warm up America by making afghans and other projects to donate locally with other crafters March 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Donations of needles and yarn are appreciated at any time. For information, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Understand butterflies

Join “Butterfly” Bob Coggeshall at the Ford Nature Center for a look at local Lepidoptera March 13 at 2 p.m.

Coggeshall will show slides from last year as an introduction for what to look for this year.

Write about the gardens

Karen Schubert will host a writing workshop March 16 and March 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Bring a pen and paper and plan to explore various topics about the world, community, Mill Creek Park and the gardens.

The fee is $10 per class. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Make a date with the dog

MetroMutts members and nonmembers can shake off the remnants of winter and enjoy the first day of spring March 22 at 10 a.m. with an easy to moderate 2-mile flat, paved surfaced hike.

Hikers should meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at the MetroParks Farm. Dogs must be non-aggressive, under the handler’s control and leashed (6-foot max) at all times. One dog per hiker.

Find butterflies in the backyard

Long-time butterfly enthusiast Suzanne Butcher will cover the history of butterflying and concentrate on species found in backyards March 22 at MetroParks Farm.

Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley. For information, call 888-846-8851.

Create a berry bowl

Lynn Cardwell will show students how to fabricate clay into a practical, decorative berry bowl March 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fellows Riverside gardens.

The bowl will be glazed, fired and ready for pickup approximately three weeks after the class.

The fee is $25 for garden members and $32 for nonmembers. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Witch hazel and a walk

Start March 25 with a brisk walk at Fellows Riverside Gardens, a light breakfast and lesson about the witch hazel family of plants from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The cost is $7 for residents and $9 for nonresidents. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Discuss ‘Ceremonial Time’

Read and discuss John Hanson Mitchell’s book “Ceremonial Time: Fifteen Thousand Years on One Square Mile” March 12 at 10 a.m. at the Ford Nature Center.

Mitchell’s story focuses on a single tract of land known as “Scratch Flat” and draws upon the idea of using ritual dance to experience visions that reveal the folklore of this place and its ancestry.

Plan to plant a garden

Children who have completed second grade can register through March 31 for the Children’s Vegetable Garden program.

Each child will tend a 3-foot by 10-foot garden throughout the summer at MetroParks Farm in Canfield. Horticulture activities will add to the fun.

Classes meet April 9, May 7 and June 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Beginning June 15, children will meet every Wednesday morning through Aug. 17. Final harvest and clean-up will be Sept. 24.

The cost is $85 for residents and $95 for nonresidents. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Share springtime brunch recipes

Chef David Armstrong will share recipes and culinary techniques as he demonstrates how to prepare a brunch March 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The fee is $28 for garden members and $35 for nonmembers. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Take yoga with a guest instructor

Swami Dharmakirti from Bangalore, India, will share wisdom and stories of compassion and harmony during Lift Your Spirits as You Deepen Your Experience of Yoga Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and later during Pathways to Inner Peace and Harmonious Living Through Yoga from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Participants from all yoga traditions are welcome.

The fee is $25 per session. For information, call Karres at 330-799-0323.

See the new spring arrivals at farm

See new lambs, calves, pigs, rabbits, chicks and more at the MetroParks Farm’s animal baby shower April 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Walk among the wildflowers

Search for the first wildflowers of spring during a moderately-difficult 3-mile hike March 27 at 2 p.m. Walkers should meet at the Ford Nature Center.

Immerse in indoor nature

The skills of amateur photographers will be on display at the Weller Gallery at Fellows Riverside Gardens March 12 to March 20.

Learn landscaping and gardening tips

The Mahoning Valley Landscape and Nursery Association, Mill Creek MetroParks and OSU Extension Mahoning County will host a spring horticulture clinic March 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The topics will focus on innovative ideas for the garden industry. Vendors will display current service products.

The cost for the event is $30 for garden and MVNLA members and $50 for nonmembers, For speaker or registration information, call 330-757-0884 or visit www.mvlna.org.

Get to know groundhogs

Preschoolers ages 3-5 will learn how very busy groundhogs are after waking from their long winter nap at the Ford Nature Center’s Preschool Nature Hour March 18 and 19 at 10 a.m.

The cost for the event is $2 for residents and $3 for nonresidents. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. To register, call the nature center at 330-740-7107.

Meet magnificent Ice Age monsters

Bob Glotzhober, senior curator of Natural History with the Ohio Historical Society, will discuss large mammals (the Pleistocene “Mega-fauna) that once roamed the area that is Ohio today at 1 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Glotzhober will highlight images of some of the rarest Pleistocene fossils held in the historical society’s collections and other fossils from the state in a PowerPoint presentation.

An attempt to move a mastodon skull unearthed in Canfield in the 1930s from the Ford Nature Center to the gardens will be attempted for viewing.

See a screech owl

Learn about owls that call Mill Creek Park home during a presentation, a visit with a screech owl and an easy-rated Ω-mile walk around the woods March 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Ford Nature Cent