Poland briefs

Dollar General Literacy Foundation donates to library

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently announced the award of $3000 to Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County to support literacy programs. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $81 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 4.7 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education.

A complete list of grant recipients may be found online at www.dgliteracy.org.

Hospice of the Valley to have volunteer class

Hospice of the Valley’s new volunteer class will begin June 7 at the Villa Maria Community Center’s Tabourat Center, located at 225 Villa Marie Road, Villa Maria, Pa. Classes are 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Friday for five weeks, through July 5.

Volunteers will learn what Hospice of the Valley’s team of doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains do for patients and their families and how volunteers fit into that team. Hospice volunteers serve in a variety of ways including companions for hospice patients at home or in nursing homes as well as helping at the Hospice House inpatient facility. New volunteers are particular needed for western Pennsylvania, as well as for all areas of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Although the training is at the Villa this time, volunteers are assigned to patients closer to their homes.

For more information or to register, call 330-788-1992.

Local Residents Become Consultants with Tastefully Simple

Carrie Catheline of Poland has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct sales company featuring more than 60 easy-to-prepare foods. She can be reached at cjocat126@hotmail.com.

Church hosts dinner fundraiser

Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran will host a fundraiser rotisserie chicken dinner June 15 from 4-7 p.m. The cost is $10 per meal. All funds will benefit Jerry and Tammy Decker Cracraft to assist with medical expenses for Tammy as she undergoes cancer treatments. Each meal will include half of a chicken, baked beans, macaroni salad, roll and dessert. Beverages will be available at the church’s pavilion for those who wish to eat on site. All meals are pre-sale only; 200 will be sold. A Chinese auction and 50/50 drawing will take place during the event. Call the church office at 330-757 or email sec3280@sbcglobal.net by June 7 to arrange for tickets.

Slavic festival to be June 15

Simply Slavic, the downtown festival created specifically to celebrate Greater Youngstown’s colorful Slavic community will take place on June 15 from noon to midnight on Federal Plaza East. The event began in 2011 to educate the community about Slavic heritage. The event will feature live music, folk dance performances, homemade food, educational exhibits and ethnic vendors.

Poland resident selected for honors program

Emily Bosela of Poland, a student at Youngstown State University, has been selected to participate in the 2013 Nonprofit Leadership Summer Honors Internship Program, funded by the Raymond John Wean Foundation. Bosela, whose major is BSBA - Marketing, will conduct the internship at Humility of Mary Health Partners Foundation.

American Legion honors heroes

Son of the American Legion, Mahoning Valley Squadron 15, will sponsor a Memorial Day parade on Monday at 10 a.m. The parade will travel down College Street, right on South Main Street, left on Riverside Drive and into the Riverside Cemetery. There will also be a brief ceremony on the Main Street Bridge in honor of those lost at sea, with a full Memorial Services in Riverside Cemetery.

Grave decoration to take place

Grave decoration, at Historic Poland Riverside Cemetery, will take place today at 9 a.m. Members of American Legion Mahoning Valley Post 15, American Legion Auxiliary Mahoning Valley Unit 15 and Sons of The American Legion Mahoning Valley Squadron 15 will be joined by local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to place flags on the graves of United States Military Veterans.

Grow Youngstown to offer fresh produce

Grow Youngstown will offer fresh produce direct to the residents of Mahoning Valley through its Community Supported Agriculture market, which purchases food direct from local farmers. Participants can pick up their farm fresh goods on Tuesdays at the YMCA in Boardman, Fellows Riverside Gardens, East Side Public Library and Poland Public Library. Orders can also be delivered to your door for a fee.

To become a member of Grow Youngstown’s CSA: Farm to You, contact Elsa Higby, CSA manager, at csa@growyoungstown.org or 330-286-0688.

Adult Career Center hosts informational sessions

Adults interested in enrolling career certification programs this fall offered at the Adult Career Center Mahoning County Career and Technical Center are invited to attend one of several free informational sessions this spring and summer at MCCTC, located at 7300 North Palmyra Road in Canfield. Informational sessions include career investigation as well as reading, math and language assessments. Attendees will tour the building, meet instructors and learn about financial aid opportunities. Upcoming informational sessions will be June 5 at 6 p.m., June 18 at 6 p.m. and July 9 at 6 p.m.

For more information or to register to attend, call the Adult Career Center at 330-729-4100.

Stallsmith open house set

After 32 years of dedicated service to children and families of the community, Nancy Stallsmith, director of St. Paul’s Child Care Center in New Middletown, has decided to retire.

The staff of St. Paul’s Child Care Center along with Stallsmith’s family are planning a celebration in her honor. Former students and their families, colleagues and the community are invited to an open house tomorrow from 2-4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Social Hall, 10143 Main St.

Mature drivers course at SOV

Shepherd of the Valley is inviting mature drivers, age 60 or better, to sign-up for the AAA Safe Driving for Mature Operators course. The state-certified course, which can qualify attendees for auto insurance discounts, is being offered Aug. 5 and 7 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., with an hour for lunch, at Shepherds of the Valley - Poland, located 301 W. Western Reserve Road. The cost is $10 for AAA members and $15 for non-members. Lunch is available for an additional cost.

To register, call Elida Cowles, LPN at 330-726-7110, ext. 2318. For more information on this program, visit the Community Events page on the Shepherd of the Valley website, www.shepherdofthevalley.com.

MCCTC students host plant sale

The spring plant sale, sponsored by the Horticulture program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, started May 6. Horticulture students have prepared items including assorted annuals, hanging baskets and fresh tomatoes and peppers. Flats of flowers will also be available. The Horticulture Green House will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday throughout the month of May until all items are sold. For more information on the spring plant sale, contact Mary June Emerson at 330-729-4000 ext., 1671.

Learn about apps

The Poland library will host Appy Hour: Teen Edition on May 31 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.

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

Library closed for holidays

All public libraries in Mahoning County will be closed on May 26-27 (Memorial Day weekend).

Tales for toddlers set for Thursdays

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

Ursuline Sisters accepting applications

The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are accepting applications for their June 2013 intern/volunteer program. College students or recent graduates 18 and older with a few hours a week to spare and a sincere desire to make a difference in the community are encouraged to apply.

Interns and volunteers really make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate while gaining valuable workplace experience to build their r sum s, having fun, meeting new people and visiting diverse places. Hours are flexible, and participants can extend their experiences beyond June.

For more information or to apply, contact Sister Norma at 330-792-7636 or nraupple@theursulines.org or visit the Sisters blog at www.theurslines.org. Applicants must provide a r sum , three references or letters of recommendation and pass federal background checks.

YSU scholarship applications available

Applications for scholarships to Youngstown State University by the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest are now available by contacting Deborah Mottle at 330-729-0355.

Applicants must attend Youngstown State University in order to be eligible. Deadline for applicants is June 1.