Poland Community Briefs

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.

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.

Vet center hosts holiday open house

The staff of Poland Veterinary Centre will host an open house on today from 2-4 p.m. to benefit AMVETs of Ohio and the Beatitude House. Those attending can bring gently-used clothing, kitchen utensils, radio alarm clocks, or can donate new, unwrapped toys or cleaning supplies. For a donation, you will get a free picture of your dog or cat with Santa. Photos will be available for pick up in the office on Monday, or the photo file can be e-mailed. There will be snacks and refreshments, tours the hospital, and a special paw imprint ornament and prizes for showing off your pet’s special talents. All well-socialized pets, on leash or in carrier, are invited.

Career center hosts holiday open house

Students in the Horticulture Program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center have opened the school’s floral shop to the public for its annual Holiday Open House. The event features a large assortment of silk wreaths, swags and arrangements, fresh mixed pine and spruce wreaths, fresh table centerpieces, pine roping and poinsettias all prepared by students in the program.

The floral shop will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday through Dec. 17. To place an order or for more information, contact Mary June Emerson, Horticulture Instructor, at 330-729-4000 extension 1672.

Auxiliary taking reservations for 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 Rick’s at 330-953-3441.

Holiday tales and talk for 2s and 3s

The Poland 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 Thursday at 10 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Holiday fun time for 4s and 5s

The Poland 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 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Holiday pajama jam

Put on your pajamas because the Poland library will host Pajama Jam on Monday from 6:30-7 p.m. The whole family can come for stories and more fun.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

The Poland 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. 27 at 10 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Lego my library

Kids, ages 6 and up, will meet at the Poland library on Monday from 6-7 p.m. to enjoy creating Lego designs. Legos will be provided.

Trim a tree at library

Decorate an ornament for the Poland library’s all-seasons tree during regular hours for the month of December.

Album graffiti contest

There will be a contest at the Poland library to see if you can pick out which music album covers are the real ones. If you aren’t fooled by the graffiti versions, you could win a prize. This event is for teens in grades 7-12 during library hours throughout the month of December.

eReaders at the library

The Poland library will be hosting an informational event on Monday from 10-11 a.m. today where they will show you how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on their website. Space is limited so call 330-744-8636 and ask for Poland Library to register.

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.