Poland briefs

Adults learn about apps

The Poland library will host Appy Hour on March 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. for adults. Learn all about popular apps for smart phones and mobile devices. See a variety of apps that will help you connect to your, find a good place to eat, keep you entertained in a long grocery line, find a great new recipe, or find great music to listen to on your walk. Registration recommended, call 330-744-8636, and ask for Poland Library.

Friends of the library meeting set

Friends of the Poland Library will meet on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Leslie Viczay, a former teacher in Poland Schools, will present a program on Imperial Russian History. After almost one hundred years since the Romanov dynasty was deposed, interest in the royal family and the period endures. Refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m., with the meeting to follow at 10 a.m.

Screen your blood pressure

The Boardman library will host a blood pressure screening by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross on March 26 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Connect with your eReader

Bring your eReader to the Poland library and the librarians will show you how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on the website. Space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name to register.

Attend appy hour

The Boardman library will host Appy Hour-Teen Edition on March 15 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Learn all about popular apps for smartphones and mobile devices. See a variety of apps that will make your life easier and more fun. For teens in grades 7-12.

Pajama jam set

The Poland library will host Pajama Jam: Sleepy-Time Fun for the Family on March 25 at 6:30 p.m. Put on your PJs, bring out the whole family and come for stories and more fun.

Color away at the library

Stop in the Poland Library or visit our website through March 24 to receive a St. Patrick’s Day coloring sheet. Return the completed coloring sheet or any St. Patrick’s Day art you have created to the Poland Library and receive a glow-in-the-dark bracelet. Look for your art to be displayed in the Poland Library. For children of all ages.

Local preschool offers new hours, classes

Poland Presbyterian Church Preschool and Daycare offers services for children ages 2 1/2 years to kindergarten. Preschool is available for younger children from 9 a.m. until noon and for older Pre-K children from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Poland Presbyterian is now offering “home away from home” before preschool and after preschool hours. For more information, call 330-757-1547.

Give blood at the library

The Poland library will host a blood drive on March 28 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. for the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross. Donations will serve the needs of St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Phantoms visit the library

Meet players from the Youngstown Phantoms hockey team when they visit the Poland library for a special story time visit and meet and greet on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

All children who attend will receive a voucher to a March hockey game. This free event is for the whole family.

Tales for toddlers set for Thursday

Join the Poland library for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader every Thursday in March at 11 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Poland library. Come to the library for science, magic, games, a leprechaun hunt and more. For children of all ages. See a librarian for a free glow-in-the-dark bracelet.

Babies and books set at library

Babies ages 6 to 23 months can join the Poland library for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader every Wednesday in March at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Lego my library planned

Children, age 6 and up, can create Lego designs at the Canfield library on March 19 from 6-7 p.m. Legos will be provided.

Library hosts Fun for 4s and 5s

Join the Poland library for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 4-5) become a successful reader every Tuesday in March at 1 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Friends of the Poland Library meeting set

Friends of the Poland Library will meet on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Poland Library. Refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m. with the program and business meeting to follow. Hostesses will be Marian Gillette, Angela Bilkie, Carol McCoy and Peg Shirey. Leslie Viczay will present the program on Imperial Russia. Reservations for the April 2 luncheon may be made at the meeting. Payment for the luncheon must be received by March 18. Donations of books, magazines, CD’ and DVDs will be accepted for the book cart. The meetings are open to the public and new members are welcome. Membership is $5 a year.

Attend Lenten reflection series

The ecumenical leadership team from Poland Presbyterian Church, Poland United Methodist Church, Heritage Presbyterian Church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Church of the Rock and Holy Family Church are teaming up for a Lenten reflection series titled “People of the Passion” on March 6, 13 and 20 at Holy Family Parish Center. Presentations will be from noon to 12:15 with a lunch immediately following until 1 p.m. Presentations are free and luncheon tickets can be purchased at any of the above church offices. Deadline to purchase tickets is the Monday preceding each Wednesday luncheon.

For more information, contact Holy Family office at 330-757-1545.

Library closed March 30-31

All branches of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will be closed on March 30 and 31 for Easter.

Woman of the Year celebration set

The Mill Creek Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will hold its Woman of the Year celebration on March 12 at Cafe Capri at 6:30 p.m. The celebration will include a dinner of mixed green salad, roast beef au jus, chicken francaise, penne pasta, garlic buttered potatoes, tuscan bread, beverages and dessert. The cost is $19.

The newly-crowned Woman of the Year will represent the chapter at Fall Convention in Little Rock. The guest speaker for the event will the director of the Mahoning Library, Heide M. Daniels. Reservations must be made by March 5 by calling Kathy Anderson at 330-533-6675 after 4 p.m.

Take boating safety course

Mosquito Lake Power Squadron is offering America’s Boating Course, considered to be part of America’s premier boating education.

This United States Power Squadrons boating course includes essential information on all types of water sports. Completion of this course meets all federal requirements and exceeds all Ohio mandatory and age requirements. Instruction is free, with a nominal $30 fee for course materials.

The six-session course begins on March 5 at 6 p.m. at Gander Mountain in Niles. The remaining schedule is March 7, 12, 14, 19 and 21.

For additional information, call Jim Orsine at 330-652-3859, or Tom Petrilla at 330-372-2988.

Rivers Casino bus trip set

The Relay for Life Team sponsored by the Mill Creek ABWA will host a bus trip to River’s Casino on March 10. The bus will pick up passengers at Fab Limo in Austintown at 1 p.m. and at K-Mart on Route 224 at 1:15 p.m. Return time will be between 8:30 and 9 p.m.

For reservations, call Shirley 330-270-9779 or Joyce 330-799-4507.

The cost is $35 and includes $20 for the slots and a $5 food voucher. Refreshments and games will be provided on the bus to the casino.

Church hosts spaghetti dinner

Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Dr. will host its semi-annual Mickey Schuster Scholarship Spaghetti Dinner on March 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Carry outs will be available. Tickets are available at the door or by calling the church office at 330-758-5745. Dinners include pasta with meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and drink.

All proceeds go to the Mickey Shuster Scholarship Fund and are distributed each year to the college students at Bethel.

Kick off Relay for Life

The Poland Relay for Life will host its kick-off open house on March 28 at the Poland Memorial Baptist Church, 56 Water St. from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The public and all teams are encouraged to attend. The open house will celebrate the 100th birthday of the American Cancer Society and will offer free refreshments, a 50/50 raffle, face painting and a variety of items for sale.

All proceeds will be donated to the Poland Relay for Life.

Fireman’s spaghetti dinner set tomorrow

The Poland Fireman’s Association annual spaghetti dinner will be on March 3 from noon to 6 p.m. at Poland United Methodist Church, 1940 Boardman-Poland Road. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children 6-12. Children under 5 eat free. The price includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread and dessert. Carry out is available and begins at 11 a.m.

Neighbors wants your news tips

Teachers, parents, event organizers — we know you are hard at work making fun and interesting events or lessons for the community to enjoy and we want to know about it. If you would like a story to be written about your event in Austintown, Boardman, Canfield or Poland, send an email to nscott@vindy.com or call 330-747-1471 extension 1511 to tell our reporter all about it.

Making Kids Count benefit dinner

On March 15, Making Kids Count will host its first benefit dinner at Avion on the Water in Canfield. Proceeds from the event will go to the various programs Making Kids Count sponsors. This event will include dinner, dessert, a cash bar, chance auction and entertainment. Invitations will be mailed in February. Anyone interested in receiving an invitation for this event or for more information on this event, should send an email with mailing and email addresses to mkc@makingkidscount.org or call the office at 330-758-3434.