Poland Community Briefs

Church hosts free community festival

Heritage Presbyterian Church, 1951 Mathews Road, will host a Community Funfest Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children and adults are welcome. The event includes food, games, prizes, music and a bounce house. Bingo may be available also. Admission is free.

New Life Church in Poland to feed hungry

New Life Church will its third annual Goodness Invasion, a food distribution from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 18. at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown. The distribution is free, and open to residents of Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties in need of food assistance.

Those attending are required to bring a photo I.D. and bag/box to carry the items. For more information or questions regarding this distribution, contact New Life Church of Poland at 330-757-0727 or visit www.newlifepoland.com.

Celtic celebrations to be held Aug. 4-5

Show Celtic pride by celebrating with pipers, highland games, music, Scottish wares, foods and Celtic contests at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire Aug. 4-5. Listen to the sounds of sea shanties, Irish ballads, and Scottish and Welsh folk music with such musical acts as Plunder Dogs, Captain John Stout, and Terry Griffith, the Irish Troubadour. The event is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m., rain or shine, and is located seven miles south of Interstate 90 off state Route 534.

Women’s business association awards scholarships

The Mill Creek Chapter of American Business Women’s Association will welcome scholarship recipients and their parents to its Aug. 14 meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Canfield at A La Cart Catering.

In addition to presenting the students with their scholarship checks, the chapter will install its new officers for the 2012-2013 year. They are Shirley Pappagallo (president), Joan Lucansky (vice president), Marilyn Abramski (secretary) and Joyce Billock (treasurer).

Dinner will be croissant sandwiches of three varieties, pasta, fruit and tossed salads, strawberry shortcake and beverages for $14.50. Reservations will be due no later than Aug. 5 by calling Jackie Fischio at 330-788-6634.

Go camping and party at library

The Poland library will be sharing campfire stories, songs, games, and s’more fun at its summer reading finale on Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. Treats will be provided. This is an experience for children of all ages.

Parent and child workshop at the Poland library

The public library will hold a session at 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. on Thursday and to help children develop early literacy skills that will make it easier for them to learn to read when they start school. This workshop is for parents, caregivers and teachers of children ages 0-5 to help learn about the five early literacy practices - talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing. The approximately 50-minute workshop is for adults, but there will be activities to help occupy the children attending.

Bonding with babies and books

The Poland library will host an event at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays from Aug. 1-29 for babies 6-23 months old that 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.

It’s ‘Just a Dream’ at the library

Join the Mahoning County Green Team at the Poland library as they read “Just a Dream” by Chris Van Allsburg and have fun making a craft at 2 p.m. on Aug. 9. This event is for children preschool to grade 3.

Make a sky craft or trim a tree

Make art on a string to swing from the sky above the librarian’s desk or decorate an ornament for the all-seasons tree at the Poland library during regular library hours the month of August. This is for children of all ages.

Get your blood checked at the Poland library

A blood pressure screening by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross is to be held at the library on Aug. 28 from 1-4 p.m.

Library books for all eReader users

This informative hands-on event is designed to teach readers about a variety of eReaders, including the Kindle, the Nook and the iPad.

See demonstrations, try out the eReaders and learn how to borrow eBooks from the library from 10 a.m. until noon on Aug. 25 at the Poland library. Registration is recommended, but not required. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for Poland library.

Rod and gun club hosts Conservation Day

Lowellville Rod and Gun Club is holding its first Conservation Day on Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. It includes fishing, archery, boating and shooting with medals and prizes awarded. There will also be wildlife exhibits, informational displays, special guests from area agencies, and free refreshments. Participants must provide their own fishing equipment, but bait will be provided. For information, call John at 330-757-9020.

Connect with your eReader at the library

Bring your e-Reader to the Poland library from 10-11 a.m. on Aug. 4 and at 6 p.m. on Aug. 6, 13, and 20 and learn how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on their website.

There is limited availability, so sign-up is required. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for Poland library.

Helping Kids Grow Diaper Drive

The Boardman office of Making Kids Count, 7178 West Blvd., Suite E, will be hosting a Diaper Drive today from 8 a.m. to noon to try to help families in need of assistance. Bring as many diapers in any size (size 3 is needed the most). There will be free coffee and doughnuts. For more information, contact 330-501-9865 or e-mail mkc@makingkidscount.org.

Summer skating lessons offered at the Ice Zone

All Saturdays through Aug. 11, The Ice Zone, 360 McClurg Road, in Boardman will offer ice skating lessons. Participants can choose from three classes: basic skills skating classes for all ages, Mommy and Me skating (Adult and toddler to Kindergarten aged child), and a special needs skating class.

The cost is $90 per student and includes six skating lessons, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and a $25 registration fee that includes one year of basic skills membership to the U.S. Figure Skating Association, a personal record book to track progress, accident and injury insurance, and a one-year subscription to the U.S. figure skating “Basic Skills Skating Magazine.” The total cost is $115 for regular programs or $140 for Mommy and Me.

Local doctor offers free health lectures

Dr. Kathleen Padgitt, local kidney specialist, is presenting a series of lectures on whole foods for a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle on August 9. The program will be held at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center’s Azalea Room. The lecture is free and open to the public. To register, call the Humility of Mary Healthline at 330-480-3051 or, toll free, 1-877-700-4647. Future lectures scheduled for the same time and location are: Meat and Dairy, Sept. 12; Raw/Living Foods, Oct. 23 and Juicing/Smoothies/Fasting, Nov. 27. Registration for all the programs are through the Healthline.

Wearing your helmet could get you ice cream

The Boardman Optimists, Boardman Dairy Queen and Boardman Police are sponsoring a Bike Helmet Safety program this summer for Valley children. During June, July and August, officers will be handing out “sweet citations” to children seen wearing their bike helmets. These citations can be redeemed for a free small ice cream cone at the Boardman DQ, located at 6120 Market Street.

Italian Fest to be in August

The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest will be held Friday through Sunday in downtown Youngstown. For more information contact Arlene DeChellis at 330-726-8019.