Canfield Community Briefs

A traveler’s Christmas Eve

Western Reserve United Methodist Church will host a traveler’s Christmas Eve service on Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.

The service is for anyone who is unable to worship on Christmas Eve, but still seeks for the traditions of the evening.

This candlelight service will include all the customs that accompany the holiday. Western Reserve United Methodist Church is located at 4580 Canfield Road in Canfield. For more information, call 330-792-5805.

Boardman church hosts live nativity today

Disciples Christian Church, located at 565 Boardman-Canfield Road in Boardman, will again lead the community on The Journey To Bethlehem, a walk-through drama that recreates the sights and sounds of the village of Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth.

The live nativity will be presented today from 1-4 p.m. inside and outside the church. Visitors will encounter King Herod, angels, wise men with their camels and shepherds during their search for baby Jesus.

The event also includes cookies, cocoa and crafts for each family in the Fellowship Hall.

Admission is free, however this year, the church is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and Channel 21 WFMJ to bring much-needed food to those in the Valley.

Visitors are asked to bring non-perishable food Items, such as peanut butter, cereal, tuna fish, macaroni-n-cheese, dry pasta, canned soup and canned vegetables. These donations will go to WFMJ’s Project Feed Our Valley.

The day following The Journey, the church is hosting a special performance from the Boardman High School Chorale at 10:30 a.m. Food items will also be collected at this event.

For more information on The Journey or donating food, call the church office at 330-758-8189.

Synchronized holiday light display

Boardman Park is hosting its holiday light display again this year. The lights were turned on Dec. 2 and will be on every night until Jan. 2 from 5-10 p.m. The event is free. Enjoy synchronized holiday music with the lights by tuning your radio to FM 88.9 when entering the park. Enjoy holiday songs like “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” “Joy To The World” and other holiday songs while watching the Lights at Maag Theatre. For more information, visit www.boardmanpark.com or “Like” them on Facebook.

Church service focuses on holiday blues

Recognizing that the holidays can be a difficult time emotionally for some people, Canfield United Methodist Church (UMC) is offering a Blue Christmas worship service Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. at the church. The service is open to the public, regardless of religious affiliation or belief.

The worship service includes prayer, traditional carols and scripture, and a short message by Rev. Brown, titled “Feeling Blue at Christmas.” Each attendee will have the opportunity for anointing and healing prayer.

Canfield United Methodist Church is located at 27 S. Broad Street, on the Green, in Canfield. For more information, call 330-533-9801 or visit www.canfieldmethodist.org.

Austintown Bounce hosts Lunch with Santa

Austintown Bounce will host Lunch with Santa Saturday, Dec. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The facility is located at 4317 Kirk Road in Austintown.

Admission is $7 and includes unlimited play, hot dog, small fountain drink, a free snow globe, contests and prizes.

Bring your camera for pictures with Santa.

Call 330-793-JUMP or visit www.austintownbounce.com for more information.

Operation Blessing collection

Canfield Operation Blessing will be collecting new or gently used toys for local children now through Dec. 19 at the Canfield Presbyterian Church, located at 140 West Main St. Parents of children in need will be able to select a toy at the church on Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Making Kids Count Christmas tree

Making Kids Count, along with other local businesses, decorated a Christmas tree at Fellows Riverside Gardens in Mill Creek Park. Fellows Riverside Gardens is a winter wonderland through Dec. 31. Visit and enjoy the decorated trees and other holiday decorations throughout the Davis Center. On Dec. 16, and 23, families can come for Winter Nights through the gardens, which will be illuminated with lights and luminaries, then warm up in the Davis center with music, hot cocoa, and sugar cookies. Share the joy of the holiday season by bringing a nonperishable food item to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank.

Auxiliary taking reservations for Christmas luncheon

St. Anthony’s Auxiliary of Struthers will have its Christmas Luncheon Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Johnny’s Restaurant, Market Street in Boardman. Call 330-726-8019 for information.

Get free pancakes on Feb. 5

IHOP is giving away free pancakes on Feb. 5 to celebrate National Pancake Day. The fundraiser aims to raise $3 million to kick off Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ 30th anniversary. Visit any IHOP location to participate.

Hot dog shop offers full breakfast menu

Rick’s Hot Dog Shoppe in Austintown is now offering a full breakfast menu.

In addition to hot dogs, burgers and sandwiches, the restaurant serves a full breakfast menu, including specialty omelets like Philly cheesesteak and Gyro omelets, sausage and gravy and traditional breakfast foods.

The shop is located on the corner of Mahoning Avenue and Idaho Road, near Fitch High School. The building is the former Red Barn and Jay’s Hot Dogs.

Rick’s is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The location features a dining room with big screen televisions and offers carryout orders. For more information or to order, call 330-953-3441.

Tales to tails at library

Sign up to read to a registered therapy dog on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Canfield library, which helps develop reading skills, promotes confidence, and encourages a love of reading. Readers of all levels and abilities are welcome. Bring a book of your choice. Dogs are provided by K-9 for Compassion, registered Delta society therapy dogs. Sign up is required. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Canfield library. For school-aged children.

Blood pressure check

The Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association will offer a free blood pressure check at the Canfield library on Tuesday from 1-3 p.m.

Holiday tales and talk for 2s and 3s

The Canfield library will host developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Holiday fun time for 4s and 5s

The Canfield library will host developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 4-5) become a successful reader on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

The Canfield library will host developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader on Dec. 26 at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Trim a tree in December

Decorate an ornament for the Canfield library’s all-seasons tree during regular hours in December.

Holiday closing for libraries

All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 23-25 and Dec. 30-31, Jan. 1.