Austintown briefs

Attend PS2sday at library

The Austintown library will host video gaming for teens in grades 7-12 on Tuesday and March 13 at 2:30 p.m.

Bonding with Babies and Books

The Austintown library will host its two Baby Brilliant programs, Bonding with Babies and Books for Lapsitters and Bonding with Babies and Books for Walkers on March 8, 5, 22 and 29. Bonding with Babies and Books for Lapsitters will begin at 9:30 a.m. and is for children who are not walking independently.

Bonding with Babies and Books for Walkers will begin at 11 a.m. and is for children who are walking independently. Both programs will feature 20 minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s

The Austintown library will hosts Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s on March 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 10 a.m. The program will include developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children, ages 2-3, become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Fun Time for 4s and 5s

The Austintown library will host Fun Time for 4s and 5s on March 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 11 a.m. The program will include developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help children, ages 4-5, become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Make a craft at the library

Children of all ages are invited to color Little Critter paper dolls during library hours through the month of March.

Hear Friends of the Austintown library speaker

The Austintown library will host author Donald K. Allen on March 19 at 10 a.m. Allen, a Boardman veterinarian, is the author of “Tarawa: the Aftermath.” Allen will discuss his book and his interest in World War II.

Tops hosts Trash and Treasure Sale

Tops Chapter 2191 will host a Trash and Treasure Sale on May 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wickliffe Presbyterian Church, 45 Idlewood Road.

Tables are available for $10 each with a one table limit per vendor. For questions or to reserve a table, call Kerry Price at 330-799-2894.

Ladies Guild searches for vendors

The Ladies Guild of St. Maron’s Church, Youngstown, is looking for vendors for its Craft, Antique and Flea Market on Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 330-533-9337 or 330-565-1959.

Support the Seidita family

The Seidita Family Benefit will be on May 6 from 12 to 4 p.m. at St. Matthias Church, 2800 Shady Run Road.

The cost is $10 and includes chicken, pasta and more. The event will include a 50/50 drawing, a chance auction and a bake sale. Prizes include a 50” television, $300 and $100.

Come support Carl and Lucy Seidita of Boardman who are both battling cancer and have been unable to work. The Seidita family is facing an enormous burden and need the help of their friends, family and community.

For tickets, donations and more information call Gary Frank at 330-651-8778 or Jim Higham at 330-942-6647.

Curves hosts food drive

Curves 14th annual food drive is now underway. Each club, including Curves clubs in the Youngstown area, is asking its members to donate bags of non-perishable food or cash throughout the month of March to support area community food banks. In addition, Curves clubs in the Youngstown area will waive the joining fee for new members who bring in a bag of non-perishable food or donate $30 to their local food bank from March 12 through March 25.

Focus group participants sought

Parents of children between 8 and 12 years who are overweight and/or underactive are being sought for a focus group. The purpose of the study is to get opinions of parents in the development of a weight management and fitness program especially designed for children. To learn more about the focus group, call 330-480-3151 or toll-free 877-700-4647.

Search for Easter eggs at the park

The MetroPark is hosting an Easter extravaganza on March 31 at 11:30 a.m. at the Wick Recreation Area. The event will include an egg hunt and an appearance by the Easter bunny. Children ages 2 - 10 can join the scramble for candy and prizes, and adults can compete in the Raw Egg Toss. Be sure to arrive early enough to find the age group area for your child before the start time.

Take a mud walk

The MetroPark is taking a muddy walk tomorrow. The hike will go through the Newport Channels and Island trails in celebration of mud and the warmer weather it foretells. Meet at the Newport Wetlands parking lot. Moderate difficulty, two and a half miles.

Oxbows hike set

Bill Whitehouse will lead a hike on March 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. Hikers will explore oxbows, one created my humans and one created by nature. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty, two miles.

Look for the green

The MetroParks is hosting a hike on March 18 at 2 p.m. Throughout the hike, participants will search for as much green as they can in the winter weather. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty, four miles.

Wood Frogs walk set

The MetroParks is taking a hike through the Poland Woods on March 24 at 8 p.m. Throughout the walk, participants will listen for wood frogs, the first frog to emerge from hibernation. Meet at the Poland Woods. Easy rating, one to two miles.

Search for Spring Salamanders

The MetroParks will be searching for large spotted salamanders during a walk on March 31 at 8 p.m. During late winter or early spring, large spotted salamanders briefly leave their underground haunts and gather in woodland pools to mate. Hikers will look to see if they can catch them in the act. Boots and flashlights are recommended.

Meet at the end of Laurel Hill Drive, located off Herbert Road west of MetroParks Bikeway crossing. Difficulty rating, one and a half miles.

Call Ford Nature Center to register by March 31, 5 p.m.

MetroParks plans wellness walks

The MetroParks will host three health and wellness walks. The walks will be:

Wednesday at 9 a.m., meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at Kirk Road. Moderate difficulty, two or four miles.

March 20 at 6 p.m., meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty, four miles.

March 28 at 9 a.m., meet at main Golf Course overflow parking lot. Easy rating, one or three miles.

The recreation hikes are generally fast-paced and focus on exercising in the outdoors.

Visit the Jewels of Winter: Orchids

Visit the orchid display at Fellows Riverside Gardens to feel transported to the tropics through March 18. View the many colorful varieties of orchids, like exquisite jewels, to lift your spirits during the heart of winter.

Make an Orchid and Hydrangea wreath

The MetroParks will be making a hydrangea wreath accented with pink and cream colored orchids on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dolly Vivalo will be teaching you how this stunning wreath of dried blossoms and greens. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Cost is $29 for residents, $37 for non-residents.