Poland briefs

Retire American flags

Shepherd of the Valley, Poland is collecting tired, torn and faded American flags through the end of September. Flags can be dropped off at Shepherd of the Valley, 301 Western Reserve Road, Poland, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

A retirement ceremony will be held in October which will allow all of the old, worn-out flags collected to meet a dignified end. The flags will then be burned in the “Braidich Burner,” a portable propane gas fueled flag disposal unit designed by Shepherd of The Valley resident Ray Braidich. For more information, call 330-726-7110, ext. 0.

Women’s Club website

The Poland Junior Women’s Club begins its new service year by announcing its new website, www.pjwc.org. The site will provide upcoming event information and a contact link for information or membership requests.

Officers for the 2011-2012 year are Melissa Poland, president; Barb Ogden, vice president; Judy Coloutes, treasurer; and Laurie LaPlante, secretary.

The club meets the fourth Monday of every month from September through April, excluding December. The Poland Junior Women’s Club consists of a group of civic-minded women dedicated to working as advocates for the residents of the community actively supporting diverse projects for all ages. The Monday evening music at the Gazebo at Town Hall is one of the many programs sponsored by the club. If interested in becoming a member, or learning more about the club, contact Tammy Starling at 330-757-3413.

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.

Library Teen Read Week author visits

Well-known young adult author, Sharon Flake, will make a special appearance to the Poland Library on Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. Flake, author of “The Skin I’m In” will talk about a variety of topics such as the day-to-day life of a writer, the writing process, self-esteem, authorship as a career and more. She will also be answering questions and signing autographs.

Open registration will begin Saturday and is limited. To register, call 330-744-8636 or register online at www.libraryvisit.org/sharonflake.

Library helps babies bond with books

The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books” for babies 6-23 months on Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 10 a.m.

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

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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.

Saxton Club Chinese auction tomorrow

The Saxton Club’s Chinese auction will be tomorrow from 2 to 4 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m. The cost is $5 per person and includes a sheet of bidding tickets, door prize entry and refreshments.

The auction includes gift cards and special baskets. The auction benefits a scholarship fund for those who wish to attend Youngstown State University.

The Saxton Club is located at 710 South Meridian Road.

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.

Fall fashion preview set

The Network Council of Mahoning Valley of ABWA will sponsor its 22nd annual Fall Fashion Preview tomorrow at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. The doors will open at 12:30 p.m. and lunch will be at 2 p.m.

Cody of Shooting Start, Nashville, will be the entertainment for the evening. There will also be a raffle of a 32-inch flat screen TV, Split the Pot and a Chinese auction.

Volunteer opportunities available for American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is currently looking for volunteers to help its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk successful once again this year. In 2010, approximately 8,280 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in Ohio alone.

For women coping with this disease, hope starts here with the American Cancer Society. This year’s event will take place on Oct. 2 at the Canfield Fairgrounds. The three mile, non-competitive walk raises money for breast cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services in your community.

The American Cancer Society needs volunteers to help for the day of the event.

For more information, to volunteer, or to walk in the event, contact your American Cancer Society at 888.227.6446 extension 2223 or visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline.

Luncheon for the Trumbull Memorial Hospital School of Nursing

The 24th annual Alumni Luncheon for the Trumbull Memorial Hospital School of Nursing will be Oct. 1 at The Center at Brittany Place, 336 Vienna Avenue (Route 46), Niles.

All nursing school alumni are invited to attend. Any alumni who did not receive an invitation and would like to attend may request an invitation by calling Martha Laurie at 330-799-7406.

Client Appreciation Day is today

The Mahoning Valley Veterinary Centre is hosting Client Appreciation Day today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with food, games and prizes.

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.

The Jazz Combos will perform on Wednesday.

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.

Become a global family by hosting an exchange students

Welcome an AFS Intercultural Programs high school student into your home for a school year or semester from one of 90 countries. All you need to do is provide a bed and meals for your student and share your life. Exchange students study in high schools and are eager to experience what it’s like to live in America.

Local AFS volunteers will support host families throughout the experience. Families are accepted year-round.

For information, visit www.afsusa.org/hostfamily, call 800-876-2377 or email terri.windsor@afsusa.org.

Mickey Schuster Scholarship spaghetti dinner set

Bethel Lutheran Church, located at 425 Crestview Dr., in Boardman will host its semiannual Mickey Schuster Scholarship Spaghetti Dinner today from 4 to 7 p.m. Cost is $6.50 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling the church office at 330-758-5745. The dinner includes salad, bread, pasta with meatballs, dessert and drink. Takeouts are available.

All proceeds go to the Mickey Schuster Scholarship Fund and are distributed each year to college students at Bethel. Poland alumn receives scholarships at the Canfield Fair

Carly Carcelli, received two scholarships at the Canfield Fair during Youth Day activities on Sept. 1. She received the Darrel Bacon Memorial Junior Fair Scholarship ($750) and also the Mahoning County Junior Agricultural Education Assistance Award ($500). Carcelli is a 2011 graduate of Poland Seminary High School.

Dance practice for Michael Jackson’s Thriller

If you love Michael Jackson, love to dance or just love Halloween, this is the 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.

Library calls all travelers

The Poland branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Pajama Jam: Sleepy-Time for the Family” on Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The library encourages the whole family to put on pajamas and come honor top readers for Summer Reading 2011 with stories and fun.

Retrouvaille weekend

If your marriage has grown cold and uncaring, Retrouvaille (Help Our Marriage) has helped thousands of couples heal their marriages. The next program is Oct. 21 at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center. There’s limited space, so please call early.

For confidential information on our Youngstown diocese program call 330-979-7787 or visit www.retrouvaille.org.

Library helps toddlers become readers

The Poland branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk” for 2 and 3-year-olds on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. The program includes developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help toddlers become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Win tickets to show

Enter a contest to win four vouchers for the Oct. 28 performance of “Phineas and Ferb: The Best Live Tour Ever.” To enter, visit any branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, fill out an entry form and write a paragraph explaining why you like Phineas and Ferb. The contest runs through Oct. 14. Drawings will take place Oct. 15 at each branch. The library will notify winners.

Library hosts Fun Times

The Poland branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Fun Times” for children ages four and five on Thursday at 1 p.m. The program will include developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Meetings set for LPDC

The Poland Local Professional Committee will meet 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.

Library helps babies bond with books

The Poland branch of Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will host “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books” for children ages 6-23 months on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

This program includes developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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.