Poland briefs

Bonding with Babies and Books

The Poland library will host Baby Brilliant: Bonding with Babies and Books for babies 6-23 months on March 7,14,2 and 28 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 Poland library will hosts Baby Brilliant: Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s on March 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 10:30 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 Poland library will host Fun Time for 4s and 5s on March 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 1 p.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.

Lego My Library

The Poland library invites children 6 and older to create Lego designs on March 20 from 6 t0 7 p.m. Legos will be provided.

Create a sky craft

The Poland library invites school-aged children to make art on a string to swing from the sky above the librarian’s desk. The crafts will be available to make during library hours through the month of March.

Jam in your pajamas

The Poland library will host Pajama Jam: Sleepy-Time Fun for the Family on March 26 from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The whole family is invited to put on pajamas and come to the library for stories and more fun.

Hunger Games movie release party set

The Poland library will host a Hunger Games Movie Release Party on March 15 at 6 p.m. for teens in grades 7-12. The party will include games to test your mettle against other tributes, food and prizes. Registration is required.

Screen your blood pressure

The Poland library will host a blood pressure screening provided by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross. The screening will be on March 27 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Trim a tree at the library

The Poland library invites children of all ages to decorate an ornament for the all-season tree during library hours through the month of March.

Connect with your eReader

Bring your e-Reader to the Poland library on Monday and March 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. or March 17 at 10 a.m. You’ll learn how to download eBooks from library’s digital catalog on the website. Limited availability, sign-up required. To sign up, call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Poland library.

Discuss books at the library

The Poland library will host a leadership book discussion on Tuesday and March 13, 20 and 27 at 8 a.m. Greg B. Smith will facilitate the leadership book discussion on the last five chapters of the “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John Maxwell. To register, contact the development office at 330-740-6086.

Buy half-priced books

The Poland library will host a St. Patrick’s Week Half-Price Book Sale during stores hours March 12-17. The Friends of PLYMC Bookstore, located in the lower level of Poland library will be selling half-priced books in honor of St. Patrick’s week. For store hours, visit http://www.libraryvisit.org/friendsbookstore.

Friends of Poland library meeting set

The Friends of Poland Library will have a meeting on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Poland library. Beverly Chorey will share her extensive button collection and share about the history of buttons in March.

Shepherd of the Valley names Employee of Month

Shepherd of the Valley- Poland recently announced the February Employee of the Month: David Fry. Fry joined the Shepherd of the Valley staff one year ago as the night security and janitor. .

The staff commended Fry on his work ethic saying, “he keeps this place shinning.”

Fry currently resides in Petersburg with his dog.

Youngstown Orthopaedic’s Weimer earns distinction

Dr. David A. Weimer, of Youngstown Orthopaedic Associates, was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons this month during a ceremony in San Francisco.

Weimer, who specializes in minimally-invasive hip and knee replacement, as well as complex hip and knee revision surgery, was one of 620 new members inducted.

A resident of Poland, Weimer joined Youngstown Orthopaedic Associates in 2008 and became a partner in 2011. The practice includes nine board certified orthopedic surgeons and comprehensive physical therapy, occupational therapy, sports medicine and MRI services.

Weimer also serves on the staffs at Forum Health Northside Hospital and the Youngstown and Boardman campuses of St. Elizabeth Hospital. He earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed his orthopedic residency training at Wayne State University and Detroit Medical Center.

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.