Boardman briefs

Large named to Dean’s List

Sarah Large, a senior in the John. G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences has been named to the Fall 2011 Dean’s List at Duquesne University. Sarah is the daughter of Scott and Dani Large of Boardman.

Learn about eReaders at library

The Friends of PLYMC will host a meeting March 21 at 7 p.m. During this meeting, Diane Vicarel, the library’s digital service manager, will give a presentation about eReaders and downloadable library books. To learn more about the Friends of PLYMC meetings, contact the development office at 330-740-6086.

Friends of PLYMC meeting set

The Boardman library will host a Friends of PLYMC General Membership Meeting March 21 at 7 p.m.

Swap jigsaw puzzles at the library

The Boardman library will host a jigsaw puzzle swap March 14 at 5 p.m. Trade off puzzles you’ve completed for ones you’ve yet to conquer. The jigsaw puzzle swap is sponsored by the Friends of PLYMC. For more information, call the development office at 330-740-6086.

Learn photography basics

The Boardman library will host a presentation for beginning to intermediate amateur photographers March 29 at 5 p.m. Dave Genaway will discuss practical, relevant issues in selecting and using various types of cameras, camera terminology and definitions, how to troubleshoot problems and much more. Genaway is an outdoor photographer whose photos span the U.S. over a 40-year period.

Screen your blood pressure

The Boardman library will host a blood pressure screening provided by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross. The screening will be Monday from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Celebrate the arts

The Boardman library will host the ninth annual Celebration of the Arts during the month of March. On March 22, the library will kickoff the event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Musical interludes provided by the St. Charles Children’s Choir under the direction of Mrs. Laura Kotheimer. The choir performance starts at 7 p.m. Artwork will be on display from March 22-31.

TAB meeting set

The Teen Advisory Meeting is set for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Boardman library. TAB meets the first Wednesday of the month. Newcomers are always welcome.

Bonding with Babies and Books

The Boardman library will host “Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books” for babies 6-23 months on March 1 at 10 a.m. The program will include developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader. Children must be accompanies by an adult.

Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s

The Boardman 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 Boardman library will host Fun Time for 4s and 5s on March 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 10 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.

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.

SOV hosts fish fry

Shepherd of the Valley- Boardman will host the second annual Lenten Fish Fry on March 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 and under. Reservations are required. The cost includes fried or baked fish, hush puppies, coleslaw and a choice of homemade french fries or macaroni and cheese.

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

For more information or to make reservations for Shepherd of the Valley-Boardman’s second annual Lenten Fish Fry, call 330-726-9161, ext. 0.

Preschool registration under way

Little Learners Academy Preschool, 1951 Mathews Road, (located in the Heritage Presbyterian Church) is now registering for the 2012-2013 school year. Little Learners Academy Preschool offers both a preschool and a pre-kindergarten program. Space is limited. For more information, call 330-503-7707.

Nature photography exhibit opens

Gallery on Glenwood, located at Glenwood Christian Fellowship, 7872 Glenwood Ave. in Boardman, is proud to present a new exhibit featuring the works of local nature photographer Eve Parteleno.

Gallery times for the current exhibit, which runs through April, are noon to 2 p.m. on Sundays and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Special tours can be arranged at other times by appointment.

Art exhibits rotate seasonally and serve as an outreach to local community members interested in various forms of art.

Dionne Wright, Gallery on Glenwood curator, said, “We are also reaching out to local colleges and high schools in an effort to allow students the opportunity to experience a gallery in a small but public setting.”

Nathan Doyle, pastor of the church, is delighted to offer a relaxed atmosphere where local artists, including art students, can share their talents with the community.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Dorothy Wright, office administrator, at 330-726-2643 or dorothy@glenwoodchristian.org.