Austintown briefs

Soldier returns from Middle East

David A. Erickson has returned from the Middle East on his third tour of duty with the U.S. Army. Erickson previously served in Kandahar, Afghanistan. His wife, Monica, and four sons, Christopher, Brandon, Aaron and David James reside in Hobart, Ind.

He is the son of Jim and Mary Kay Erickson and Suzanne Erickson of Austintown,

Trash and treasure sale

The Austintown Baptist Church, 1180 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown, is hosting its annual Trash and Treasure Sale today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will include reasonably-priced clothing, housewares, crafts, seasonal items and more. The winner for the Chinese auction will be drawn at noon. The grand prize is a grocery cart full of groceries.

Creamed chicken dinner set for Oct. 22

West Austintown First United Methodist Church, 6749 Mahoning Ave., is hosting a creamed chicken dinner on Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for children 6-12 and children under 6 eat free. The dinner includes creamed chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, vegetable, speciality salad, rolls, homemade dessert and a beverage. Advanced sale tickets only.

For tickets, call 330-729-1221 or 330-770-8679.

Fitch PTSA night out

The Fitch Parent Teacher Student Association will host a night out on Nov. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Barry Dyngles, Raccoon Road in Austintown. There will be a DJ, 50/50 and basket raffles.

The cost is $20 for a buffet and non-alcoholic beverages or $40 for a buffet and alcoholic beverages. The buffet includes pulled pork, Carolina chicken, vegetable, macaroni and cheese, salad, roll and dessert.

For tickets, contact Kelly Phillips at 330-518-3686 or kjhowdy@zoominternet.net.

“Awesome-town” Community Fun Day

The Austintown Community will be sponsoring the “Awesome-town” Community Fun Day today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Emmanuel Community Church, 6512 Kirk Road, Austintown.

Fun Day will feature live music, a car show, martial arts, dance, a magic show, games and prizes, a Civil War Living History, great food, a health fair, a Chinese auction, water safety demos and more. For more information, visit www.awesome-town.us or contact the Fun Day team at team@awesome-town.us.

Autumn craft show set

The Austintown Middle School’s PTA will host its 28th annual Craft Show on Nov. 12 at AMS from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The admission is free and will include more than 200 vendors, crafts, food, a Chinese auction and more.

For more information, call Ellen at 330-270-0049, Deb at 330-270-0065 or Renee at 330-792-5373.

SlimDown Weight Management Program

SlimDown, a six-week weight management program taught by registered dietitians who are certified in weight management, will begin classes in mid-October at Humility of Mary Health Partners sites in Boardman and Warren.

Classes are scheduled for every Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. from Oct. 17 to Nov. 21 at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center, 5401 Market Street, Boardman. Tuesday classes will begin Oct. 18 and end Nov. 22 at St. Joe’s at the Mall, Eastwood Mall, Niles. Cost is $40 for new participants and $20 for repeat participants.

Dietitians teach lifestyle changes in food, activities and behaviors. To register, call Humility of Mary Healthline at 330-480-3151 or toll free 1-877-700-4647.

Free vitamins for seniors

The Hometown Pharmacy introduces “Healthy Seniors Free Vitamins Program” which will provide free, unrestricted access to high-quality vitamin supplements to any adult 62 or older.

Participants can sign up for the program at any Hometown Pharmacy location.

Each participant will receive a program punch card allowing them to obtain a one-month supply of multivitamins every month for one year.

Seniors who enroll in the vitamin program will also be eligible for $5 off the cost of flu shots which are available at all Hometown Pharmacy locations.

For more information, visit www.TheHometownPharmacies.com

St. Anthony’s Auxiliary meeting

St. Anthony’s Auxiliary of Struthers will have its monthly meeting on Monday at noon at Steamer’s Stonewall Restaurant, 10078 Market Street. Telephone girls will be calling for reservations and Arlene De Chellis, president, will update the club calendar for the remainder of this year.

Local runners invited to “Ask the Doc”

Ankle and Foot Care Centers will host “Ask the Doc” beginning this Saturday. Dr. Mari Wargo-Dorsey will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Second Sole, 755 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman, each Saturday to answer questions from local runners. This free program will continue through Oct. 22.

Autumn bus trip to casino is Oct. 15

The Pink Ribbon Golf Classic is sponsoring a trip to the Meadows Race Track and Casino on Oct. 15. Tickets are $30 and include $25 for play and a $5 food coupon from the casino. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

The bus will leave from Fab Limo, 3681 Connecticut Ave. in Austintown at 9 a.m. and leave from The Meadows at 5 p.m.

Deadline for reservations is Oct. 13. Money is not refundable, but the ticket can be transferred to another person.

Checks should be made payable to: Pink Ribbon Golf Classic and be sent to Nancy Felton, American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad Street, Canfield, OH 44406.

For more information, call Cheryl Miskell at 330-507-2504 or Bonnie Filipovich at 330-758-3635.

Career center salon opens to public

The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center salon is open to the public. Salon hours through May are Tuesday through Friday, 8:30-10:30 a.m. by appointment only.

The students offer haircuts, hairstyles, perms, relaxers, facials, hair removal, hair color and manicures. All services are performed by students under the supervision of their instructor. Prices start at just $6.

To make an appointment, call Linda Tomko at 330-729-4000, extension 1309.

Volunteer with Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are now accepting applications for their Ministry Volunteer Program geared toward college students 18 or older. If you have a desire to make a difference in the community and have an hour or more a week to spare, contact Sister Normal Raupple at 330-792-7636 or email theursulines@gmail.com.

Third annual Candlelight Memorial set

Gianna’s Light, an organization aiming to bring comfort and hope to families who have suffered the loss of their baby, is hosting the third annual Candlelight Memorial for National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance day on Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8:30.

The memorial will take place on the Green in Canfield. Candles will be lit from 7 to 8 p.m. to join in the worldwide Wave of Light. The goal of this day is to not only remember babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy and neonatal death, but to let others know that they are not alone and do not have to suffer this unimaginable tragedy in silence.

For more information, contact Sherri Horvat at sherri@giannaslight.org or visit www.giannaslight.org.

Enjoy Halloween at the Judge Morley Pavilion

Mill Creek Park’s Halloween event kicks off Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. Families can enjoy the antics of Jocko the Clown, compete in the mummy wrap contest, or cheer their favorite adult in the pie-eating contest. The event will host a kids’ costume competition and pet owners and their leashed, costumed animals can compete in their own special competition.

Take a Pumpkin Walk at Fellows Riverside Gardens

Fellows Riverside Gardens will host a pumpkin walk on Oct. 16 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Harvest decorations will be on display throughout the Gardens and refreshments and entertainment will be available at the Davis Center after the stroll.

Carve pumpkins for Fellows Riverside Gardens

Fellows Riverside Gardens will host a pumpkin carving event from 8:30 to 4 p.m. from Oct. 13- 15. The pumpkins will be displayed at the garden’s Pumpkin Walk Oct. 16. Carving will take place in the Service Building area and carving tools will be available for use. Wear warm layers.

Tour Trees at the Gardens

Fellows Riverside Gardens is offering a leisurely walk in the gardens to admire the autumn splendor on Oct. 23 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A guide will point out highlights while sharing anecdotes and history with an emphasis on trees. Sign in at the facility’s information desk on the afternoon of the tour.

Enjoy changing leaves with a fall hike

Join Ford Nature Center to enjoy fall foliage at 2 p.m. on Oct. 23. Ford naturalists will host this moderately-paced, 3-mile hike along Lake Glacier’s west side, noted for its autumn colors and reflections. Meet at Ford Nature Center.

Investigate the Millstones of Mill Creek

Joe Hannibal of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History will chronicle his study of historic millstones along Mill Creek and other streams in the Western Reserve on Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. Hannibal will share his discoveries during an indoor presentation and finish with a moderate, 4-mile hike to Lanterman’s Mill to view the millstones. Meet at Ford Nature Center.

Join a Loose Knit Group

Help “Warm Up America,” with other crafters making afghans and other projects to donate locally on Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. All helping hands are welcome, both experienced and anyone wanting to learn to knit or crochet. Donations of yarn and needles are appreciated at any time.

Writing workshop planned

Join Karen Schubert on Oct. 12 and 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 to write about meaningful, everyday experience. Various topics will be explored. All levels of experience are welcome — just bring a pen and paper. The fee is $10 per class. For information, call Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Shred It with help from Mill Creek Golf Course

Mill Creek Golf Course and Alpha Omega Document Management will help shred your old documents for free on Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations will benefit the Golf Course Practice Range and Learning Center will be accepted. The shredding station will be located in the Golf Course’s main parking lot and there is a five-box limit. For more information, call 330-740-7112. Rain date will be Oct. 29.

Owl Tales for Twos

Two-year-old children and their adult companion can listen to stories, complete a craft and explore the habitat of park owls during a 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Oct. 13 Ford Nature Center event.

The cost is $2 for residents and $3 for nonresidents. Preregister at Ford Nature Center.

Decorate tiny pumpkins at MetroParks Farm

Carve and decorate mini pumpkins at MetroParks farm on Oct. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. Guests can make a special pumpkin and take a guided tractor-wagon ride through the farm. Tractor-wagon leaves every half hour.

Talk Turkey during farm tour

Enjoy MetroParks Farm’s last tractor-wagon tour of the season on Oct. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. before the animals are put away for the winter. Children can make a special turkey craft to take home. Tractor-wagon leaves every half hour.

Austintown Alumni Association raffle fundraiser

The Austintown Alumni Association is sponsoring its annual raffle fundraiser. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. First prize is $500, second prize is a basket of local merchant gift certificates and third prize is a dinner for two at Rachel’s Restaurant.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Shirley Smith at 330-505-0349.

Austintown Alumni Association grants scholarships

The Austintown Alumni Association recently awarded seven $500 scholarships to graduating Fitch seniors. The recipients were Jacob Eynon, Brenna Gessler, Sarah Guerrier, Molly Kohler, John Phaw, Alex Sofranko and Eryanne Aft. The association’s goal is to raise money for scholarships awarded to graduating Fitch seniors, to provide mini grants to Austintown classroom teachers and to provide a link for Fitch alumni.

School board adds four new teachers

The Austintown board of education welcomed four new teachers Monday at its regular monthly meeting.

Amanda Nims, Dana Elias, Sarah Whitten and Amanda Schrader will be paid $29,737 a year.

The board approved the hiring of Nims as an elementary technology teacher at Lynn Kirk Elementary, Elias and Whitten as third-grade teachers at Watson Elementary and Schrader as an intervention specialist at Fitch High School. All have bachelor’s degrees from Youngstown State University. Schrader has one year’s experience, and the others have none.

AFHS Class of 1981 reunion

The Austintown Fitch High School Class of 1981 will host its 30th class reunion on Nov. 25 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish center hall, 4500 Norquest Blvd., Austintown.

For more information, contact Betty Labozan Leone at 330-533-0037 or Chris Fire Luknis at 330-270-3515 or email AFHS81reunion@yahoo.com. Also visit “AFHS class of 1981” on Facebook.

First Night Youngstown seeks volunteers

First Night Youngstown is seeking volunteers to help at this year’s event. Volunteers typically work a three-hour shift and serve as admission button checkers and greeters, bus greeters, venue site inspectors, sellers of admission buttons and more.

The event is from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. Volunteers receive a $5 food voucher to be used the evening of the event and will be invited to an appreciation party in 2012.

First Night Youngstown is a family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year’s celebration of the arts. For more information or to volunteer, call 330-744-9966 or email infofirstnightyoungstown@netzero.net.

Vendors wanted for craft show

The second annual St. Nicholas Craft Show is looking for vendors for its show on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tables are $25. Stop by the church office, 764 Fifth Street, to pick up an application.

For more information, call the church office at 330-755-9819 or Jeff Janci at 330-519-6822.

Pittsburgh ‘Rivers Casino’ bus trip

The Boardman Rotary Relay for Life team is sponsoring a bus trip to Rivers Casino on Nov. 12. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

The cost of the trip is $30 and you receive $15 in free play, plus a $5 food voucher. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The bus will leave from behind St. Nicholas Hall in Struthers at 11 a.m. and return at 7 p.m.

Make checks payable to “Jingle Bell Run” and mail to Jeff Janci, 3170 Highland Ave, Poland, OH 44514. For more information, call Jeff at 330-519-6822.

Music at noon programs resume at YSU

Youngstown State University Dana School of Music, in collaboration with the Butler Institute of American Art, presents Music at Noon performances. Performances are each Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at the Butler Institute of American Art. The concerts are free and open to the public and parking is free at the Butler. Concerts conclude Dec. 7 and will resume again in the January.

For more information, call the Dana School of Music at 330-941-3636. For a complete calendar of events, visit http://web.ysu.edu/fpa.

Church to sell pierogies by the dozen

St. Anne Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church, located at 4310 Kirk Road, will be selling pierogies by the dozen every Friday for $5. To order, call 330-799-0084 Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon or Fridays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Orders can be picked up Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Practice for Michael Jackson’s Thriller

If you love Michael Jackson, love to dance or just love Halloween, this is event is for you! Dance practice for Michael Jackson’s Thriller will be every Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Petco in Boardman.

Local participants will join with dancers around the world, simultaneously performing the Thriller dance for charity on Oct. 29.

For more information visit http://ThrillTheWorldYoungstown.com.