Poland briefs

Shepherd recognizes employee

Shepherd of the Valley in Poland named John Smith as March Employee of the Month. He is the maintenance department supervisor and has been part of the SOV-Poland team since October 2006.

Smith lives in Columbiana with his wife, Linda, who is also on staff in the Poland community of Shepherd of the Valley.

Friends meeting and presentation set

Friends of the Poland library will host its meeting and presentation on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Poland Mayor Tim Sicafuse will speak.

Following the meeting, the group will have a buffet luncheon provided by Kravitz Delicatessen.

Donations of books, magazines, CDs and DVDs for the book cart are accepted at all meetings.

Money raised through the book cart helps to fund Poland library reading programs and other needs. Hostesses for the meeting are Helen Boone, Beverly Chorey, Ritchie Jones, Carol McCoy and Peg Shirey.

Smart Money for 4s and 5s

The Canfield library will host Smart Money: Fun Times for 4s and 5s on April 23 at 1 p.m.

The program will include developmentally-appropriate stories and activities that will help your child (ages 4-5) learn about money. Each child will receive a piggy bank. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Connect with your eReader

Bring your eReader to the Poland library on Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. and April 13 from 10 to 11 a.m. The librarians will show you how to download eBooks from the library’s digital catalog on the website. For adults. Space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name to register.

Give blood at the library

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive at the Poland library on April 10 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Screen your blood pressure

The Poland library will host a blood pressure screening on April 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Mahoning Chapter of American Red Cross.

Adults learn about apps

The Poland library will host Appy Hour on April 8 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 new recipe, or find music to listen to. Registration recommended, call 330-744-8636, and ask for Poland Library.

Lego my library

Children, age 6 and up, can create Lego designs at the Canfield library on April 23 from 6-7 p.m. Legos will be provided.

Smart money program set

The Poland library will host Smart Money: Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s on April 18 at 10 and 11 a.m. The program will include developmentally-appropriate stories and activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) learn about money. Each child will receive a piggy bank. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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 April at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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 April at 10 and 11 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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 April at 1 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Lego my library on Tuesday

Children, age 6 and up, can create Lego designs at the Canfield library on April 23 from 6-7 p.m. Legos will be provided.

Pajama jam set

The Poland library will host Pajama Jam: Sleepy-Time Fun for the Family on April 29 at 6:30 p.m. Put on your pajamas and bring out the whole family for stories and fun.

Teens learn about apps

The Poland library will host Appy Hour: Teen Edition on April 26 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.

Spaghetti dinner set April 7

The Youngstown Shrine Club will host a spaghetti dinner on April 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the club’s main hall, 1735 South Range Road (Route 165) in North Lima. The cost is $7 for adults, $3.50 for children ages 6-12 and children under 6 eat free. Dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, rolls, dessert and beverages.

ABWA to host Chinese auction

The Mill Creek Chapter of American Business Women’s Association will host its annual Chinese auction on April 28 at the Ursuline Center, 4300 Shields Road, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Profits from this event go into the scholarship/education fund for the four students the chapter is supporting this year in college.

ABWA meeting set in Canfield

The Mill Creek Chapter of American Business Women’s Association will hold its spring enrollment event at A La Cart in Canfield on April 9 beginning with a networking session at 6 p.m. The speaker for the evening will be attorney William Kalasky, speaking on estate planning. Any visitors interested in attending for the first time can call Kathy Novak at after 6 p.m. at 330-746-7704.

The menu will be roast pork, southern-baked chicken, eggplant parmesan, redskin mashed potatoes with garlic, chives and sour cream, buttered cord, cole slaw, tomato, pepper and onion salad, relish trays, rolls and butter, coffee and tea and pretzel dessert. The cost is $18.50.

The meeting will begin at 6:30. For dinner reservations, call Kathy Anderson 330-533-6675 or Jackie Fischio at 330-788-6634.

Benefit wine tasting April 20

The Youngstown Country Club will host a wine tasting on April 20 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The gala event will pair complimentary hors d’oeuvres with the exquisite wines that have been selected for tasting, including some premier local winemakers.

The event will benefit the Mahoning County DD Special Olympics Program. Tickets are $50 per person, which includes a charitable tax deduction of $25. To reserve tickets, call the Youngstown Country Club at 330 759 1040, ext. 151.

VTI Travel launches new website

Boardman-based travel agency VTI American Express Travel has launched its new website, allowing leisure and business customers a less stressful means of making travel arrangements.

Customers can explore a variety of travel options and packages and when they are ready to book they can do so by calling or doing it through the site. The new web address is www.VacationVTI.com.

MCCTC accepting applications

Registration is now open for 2013-2014 academic year at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center. Applications for enrollment are available online at www.mahoningctc.com or by calling the high school office at 330-729-4000.

Senior citizens unite

The Holy Family Senior Citizens Social Club, a group for seniors age 55 and over, meets the third Monday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The meetings include a brief meeting, lunch, raffle, bingo and card games, and take place at Holy Family Parish Hall, 2729 Center Road. Annual membership dues are $10 and will be collected at the March 18 meeting. For more information, call Laurie Fox 330-536-8850.

Registration open for Women’s Heart Day

Registration for the 10th annual Woman’s Heart Day, a free health and wellness extravaganza provided by Humility of Mary Health Partners, opens Monday.

Provided as a service to the community, Woman’s Heart Day will take place on May 9 from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Covelli Centre. This annual event features free health screenings, fitness demonstrations, educational presentations on a variety of women’s health issues, cooking demonstrations, spa services, refreshments and giveaways.

Among the health screenings offered this year are bone density, lipid panel (cholesterol) and A1c testing, blood pressure readings, vision screenings, stroke risk and skin cancer risk assessments.

Registration is required and appointments for bone density, lipid panel and A1c testing are limited.

For information or to register, call the HMHP Healthline at 330-480-3151 or 877-700-4647.

Camera Club hosts meetings

The Youngstown Camera Club hosts its club meetings the first and third Mondays of every month at 7:30 p.m. The meetings are at Christ’s Church, 7155 Glenwood Ave. Anyone interest in digital photography is welcome. For more information, visit http://ycc.photoforge.org.

Pink Ribbon Golf Classic set

The annual Pink Ribbon Golf Classic will be at Squaw Creek at Avalon Golf and Country Club on July 15. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the American Cancer Society. The 18-hole scramble will be followed by lunch and a Chinese auction and raffle. For further details, contact Donna Mowrey at 330-207-9630 or Nancy Felton at 330-533-2712.

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.

Library closed for Easter

All branches of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will be closed today and tomorrow for Easter.

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.