Poland briefs

‘Poland Idol’ seeks singers for contest

The “Poland Idol” singing contest will be June 25 at the Gazebo at village hall as part of Celebrate Poland Days. Registration will begin 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.

Poland resident graduates Magna Cum Laude

Francesca M. Kosec, daughter of David and Alicia Kosec of Poland, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts from the Duquesne University in May. Kosec double majored in both English and Communications. She will attend Duquesne University’s School of Law in the fall.

Space available for trunk 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 Eileen Novotny at 330-533-3831.

Pork and kraut Sunday

The Saxon Club on Meridian Road will host a pork and kraut dinner Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The dinner is $8.50 for adults and $5 for children and includes dessert and coffee, tea or pop. Take-out will be available.

Operate a boat safely

The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center will host a public boating course for boaters of all ages every Wednesday beginning this week and running through June 22.

On completion of the course, participants will exceed all mandatory educational requirements to operate a watercraft greater than 10 horsepower and receive a certificate. It is a mandatory requirement that anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1982 must have completed this course to operate a watercraft.

To register, call 330-565-8158 or 330-533-3440.

Marching band needs new members

Youngstown State University’s Marching Band, the YSU Marching Pride, is seeking new members for the upcoming fall season. The Marching Pride performs at every YSU home football game and this year, will also travel to the away game Sept. 2 at Michigan State.

Students interested in becoming a member of the Marching can visit www.ysubands.org/marching_pride for the schedule and requirements.

Band camp for all incoming freshman begins Aug. 22. The first performance of the 2011 season will be the “Meet the Pride” performance Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.

Get ready for summer reading

Registration for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County’s Summer Reading Club will begin June 1 at all library branches for children of all ages.

This summer’s program “One World, Many Stories” will kick off with a presentation by Madcap puppet theatre at the Austintown library June 21 at 10 a.m., Boardman library June 22 at 2 p.m. and the Poland library June 21 at 2 p.m.SClBChildren who read during the summer program will receive their choice of coupon for the first two and four hours read. After their first eight hours of reading, they will receive a beach ball with a map of the world. For each additional four hours read, children will be eligible to enter a drawing to win other prizes.SClBMCCTC to host summer camp

The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center will give students preparing for grades seven through nine the chance to explore new careers this summer with its annual summer camp June 20-24 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Snacks are provided daily and a special luncheon will be at the end of the week.

Registration fee is $90. Applications are available from middle school guidance counselors or online at www.mahoningctc.com. For information or to sign up, call Career Development Supervisor Jacqueline Kuffel at 330-729-4120.

Knights of Columbus to host steak dinner

Knights of Columbus Bishop Fewnwick Council 13586 is sponsoring a steak fry today at the Pacentrano Club in Youngstown from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The cost is $15 for a strip steak dinner with sides and refreshments. A cash bar will be available. There will be a 50/50 raffle along with a Chinese auction.

Support of this event allows the Knights to fund various charitable activities in the community throughout the year. Tickets can be purchased by calling Brian Antal at 330-690-8435.

Italian Fest scheduled for July

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.

Bond with your babies

The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is hosting “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books” for babies 6-23 months Wednesdays in May at 10 a.m.

The event includes developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader.

This program is available for children ages 2 and 3 Thursdays in May at 10:30 a.m. and for children ages 4 and 5 Thursdays in May at 1 p.m.

Trim a tree for May

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 May during library hours.

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 May at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The costs is $10 per class. For information, call the gardens

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, Friday 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.

Golf at the Mill Creek Golf Course

Mill Creek Golf Course will host People for MetroParks golf outing Wednesday with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

The cost is $60 per golfer or $240 for a four-person team and includes golf, doughnuts, logo golf balls, prizes and a lunch provided by Farmers National Bank. To register, call Dennis Miller at 330-740-7112.

Bring the dog to yappy hour

Kick back and enjoy wine or beer, munchies, treats for your dog and the music of Donny Richards at MetroMutt’s happy hour event Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at MetroParks Farm.

Co-sponsor Angels for Animals will also have adoptable dogs available. The cost of the event is $10 for MetroMutt members and $15 for nonmembers. The event will be held rain or Shine. Reservations must be made by Tuesday. To make reservations, call 330-702-3000.

Writing workshop offered

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

The fee for the class is $10.

Various topics to shape writing about experiences will be explored. Call 330-740-7116.

Create climbing vines for kids

Children 6 and up and their adult companions will learn about climbing vines before planting morning glories in a pot with a trellis today from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Fellows Riverside gardens.

The cost for the event is $10 for residents and $14 for nonresidents. To register, call the gardens at 330-740-7116.

Learn about llamas May 29

Members of 4-H will bring their llama projects to MetroParks Farm May 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn what it takes to prepare these unusual animals for showing at the Canfield Fair. See how llamas are sheared, used as pack animals and watch them maneuver through an obstacle course.

Be the Italian man or woman of the year

The Greater Youngstown Italian Festival scheduled for July 29-31 in downtown Youngstown is accepting applications for the Italian Man and Woman of the Year.

Applications for scholarships are also available for students of Youngstown State University. Deadline for applications is June 1.

For information or an application, contact Arlene DeChellis at 330-726-8019.

Get marriage help

Retrouvaille has helped tens of thousands of couples at all stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage. The next program begins June 10 at Cambria Suites in Green (near Akron-Canton Airport).

For confidential information or to register, call 330-979-7787 or visit www.retrouvaille.org.