Austintown Community Briefs

Shrine Club to have Clambake

The Youngstown Shrine Club (Crescent Company) will be hosting its premier fraternal event of the season, the annual “Claimbake,” on Sept. 6. This stag event includes two meals including the main meal of clams, lobster, chicken, corn and more as well as open bar. Lunch will be served from 1-4 p.m. and the main meal at 6:30 p.m. in the club’s outdoor pavilion, located at 1735 W. South Range Road (Route 165) in North Lima. Tickets are $85, are limited to 500 and can be purchased in advance by contacting Chairman Lee Hively at 330-533-3036.

Celebrate Polish heritage Aug. 23 and 24

This year’s Polish-American Heritage Days will be August 23-24 at the Saxon Club, located at 710 S. Meridian Road in Youngstown. The event will feature Polish food, two polka bands, folk art vendors, Polish language, cultural workshops and authentic folk dance performances by Living Traditions Folk Ensemble. This event is sponsored by Polish Youngstown, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. For more information, call 330-333-9724 or visit www.polishyoungstown.org/polishday.

Back to school

It’s time for the 2014-2015 school year to begin and Neighbors wants your back to school pictures to feature in an upcoming edition. Send your favorite picture from this year of your children (grades K-8) on the first day of school to neighbors@vindy.com. List the names of those pictured from left to right and front to back, as well as their grade and the school they will be attending this year. The deadline for photo submission is Sept. 7.

Church to have special reception

Bethel Lutheran Church, located at 425 Crestview Drive in Boardman, was formed in Youngstown on March 2, 1889 by a small group of Swedish immigrants. 125 years later, it has become a melting pot of nationalities, including Swedish, German, Italian and many others. They are celebrating this occasion with a special service at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 21, followed by a reception at the Holiday Inn in Boardman. Friends of the congregation are invited to attend. Reception requires reservations, which can be made by calling the church office at 330-758-574.

Seeking former students

A reunion is being planned for Aug. 23, at Sts. Peter and Paul church hall, located at 421 Covington St. in Youngstown. If you attended the school, even if you did not graduate, you are encouraged to join in the fun and reminiscing. The reunion is open to everyone who attended the school. Sts. Peter and Paul Saturday mass is at 4 p.m. The reunion will follow at 5 p.m with a Pot Luck dinner. All whose names end in A-L should bring casseroles to share and M-Z should bring desserts. Anyone may also choose to bring wings, pizza, sandwich rings, etc. instead of assigned dishes. Monetary donations will also be accepted in place of food.

Tickets on sale for annual raffle

The Austintown Alumni Association is now selling tickets for its annual raffle. Funds from this project will be used to award scholarships to Austintown Fitch 2015 graduates. First prize is $500; second prize is a basket of gift cards from local businesses worth at least $200 and third prize is a $50 dinner for two at Rachel’s Restaurant and flowers from Something Unique Florist. Tickets are $1 each or a book of six tickets is $5. The winning tickets will be drawn on Aug. 29 at the Hall of Fame football game. Winners need not be present. The alumni association was able to award scholarships totaling $6000 to eight graduates in 2014. For tickets or more information, contact Joann Sulenski, alumni president, at 330-793-1101 or Patti Griffin at 330-793-4799.

Bingo and card party to be Sept. 21

The Austintown Memorial American Legion Auxiliary Post 301 Bingo Party Plus third annual card party plus will be on Sept. 21 from 2-5 p.m. at 3652 Oakwood Ave. in Austintown. Doors will open at 1 p.m. and admission will be $5 per person. The event will feature Bingo, a card party, basket raffle, 50/50 raffle and door prizes. For more information, contact Diana at 330-799-1738 or Betty at 330-788-4274.

Adult golf clinics

Come to the Mill Creek golf course Aug. 6 (and every week until Aug. 27) from 6-8 p.m. for one hour of instruction time. Course play to follow. The cost is $ 25 for one clinic, $ 45 for two clinics, $ 60 for three clinics and $100 for seven clinics.

Recreational hikes

There will be a series of volunteer-led recreational hikes being offered throughout August. On Aug. 20 at 9 a.m. there will be an easy 2 or 4 mile hike at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead. On Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. there will be a moderate 2 mile hike at Ford Nature Center. On Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. there will be an easy 2-4 mile hike at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead and on Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. there will be an easy 2-3 mile hike starting at 401 West Main Street in Canfield.

Botanical dinners

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens August 13 (and every week until Aug. 27) from 6-8 p.m. to enjoy a botanical dining experience overlooking Lake Glacier while learning about the featured plant of the evening. On Aug. 13, it will be zucchini/peaches, on Aug. 20 it will be tomatoes/basil and on Aug. 27 it will be peppers/plums. Briefly gather and sip on the specialty drink to find out why the plant d’jour is so special. Call the Garden Caf at 330-740-7074 for reservations and pricing.

Reiki workshop

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens Aug. 23 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. to learn an ancient method of natural and hands-on healing with Usui Reiki. During this day-long workshop you will learn everything you need to become a Reiki practitioner. Mandy Smith, Usui Reiki Master, will guide you in learning the history of Reiki, basic physical and energy anatomy, and the hand positions used to complete Reiki treatment. You will receive attunements that establish you as a channel for healing. Upon completion of the workshop, you will receive a Reiki I certificate. Bring a bagged lunch. The cost is $85; FFRG member $70.

Horticulture show

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. to admire summer’s bounty of flowers and vegetables at this show from Men’s Garden Club.

Traveling naturalist

A naturalist will be stationed at the Lily Pond Aug. 24 from 1-3 p.m. Stop by to chat about the pond’s wildlife and upcoming improvements. Call Ford Nature Center for details.

Stroller walk

Come to the Lily Pond on Aug. 27 from 10-10:45 a.m. to learn to connect yourself and your child to nature. This guided walk around the Lily Pond will focus on observing and learning about the turtles and frogs normally found there. Specially designed for children in strollers with their caregivers. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for more info.

Botanical delights

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens on Aug. 30 from 1-3 p.m. to delight your senses in the soothing fragrance of lavender as you learn about differences in species and cultivars and ways to use lavender in and around your home. FRG Horticulture Education Manager Mandy Smith will guide you in creating an herbal dream pillow for restful nights as you taste some sweet treats. The cost is $20; FFRG member $16.

Recreational hikes

Come to the Ohio Department of Transportation on Aug. 31 from 2-3 p.m. for 2-3 mile fast-paced, volunteer-led hikes. Call FNC for more info.

Ursuline reunion to be Aug. 30

The Ursuline High School Class of 1969 reunion will take place on Aug. 30 from 6-10 p.m. at the 5th Season Banquet Center, located at 1400 N. Canfield-Niles Road (State Route 46) in Mineral Ridge. The cost is $40 per person and there will be a cash bar. A class photo will be taken. the cost will be $15 and it will be available that night. Make checks payable to class of “69 Ursuline” and RSVP no later than Aug. 6. Send checks to Bill Ortz, 114 Griswold Dr., Boardman,Oh 44512. Questions can be directed at billortz@yahoo.com or by phone at 330-717-4402.

Fitch 40th reunion be be Aug. 29 and 30

Austintown Fitch Class of 1974 is having its 40th year reunion over Labor Day weekend. Prior to the game on Aug. 29, the class will have a tailgate and home football game at Fitch stadium at6 p.m. A post-game party will be at Trax on Raccoon Road in Austintown. On Aug. 30, they will reunite at 7 p.m. at The Upstairs Lounge, located on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown, for drinks, dinner and more. It will be “Dutch treat.” For more information and reservations, contact Kim Ringer Paden at cpaden@zoominternet.net or by phone at 330-540-9435, or Marcia Gamble Sturdevant at Marcia.sturdevant@gmail.com or by phone at 330-501-2298.

Youngstown Steel exhibit

Come to the outdoor gallery at Fellows Riverside Gardens through fall 2014 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. to view the steel sculptures by artist Tony Armeni that celebrate Youngstown’s spirit of invention.

Through the Lens exhibit

Come to the Melnick Museum at Fellows Riverside Gardens through fall of 2014 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. to view a collection of rare glass negatives and acetate film negatives produced by two local photographers which chronical scenes from Mill Creek Park from 1907 - 1926.

Yoga basics

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens Sundays in August from 8-9:15 a.m. to learn yoga basics. Bring a mat and small blanket. $10 per class.

Zumba at the Morley

Come to Wick Recreation Area’s Morley Stage Thursdays in August from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for Zumba. Purchase a token at Par 3 building. $7 per class. Call Ford Nature Center for more information.

Yoga in the gardens

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens from 9:30-11 a.m. on Tuesdays and 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursdays in August for yoga. Bring a mat and small blanket. $10 per class.

T’ai chi in the gardens

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens Wednesdays in August from 12-1 p.m. to learn t’ai chi movements and breathing exercises. $10 per class.

Pilates basics

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens Wednesdays in August from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for pilates basics. Bring a mat and water. $10 per class.

Drums alive at the Morley

Come to Wick Recreation Area’s Morley Stage Thursdays in August from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to enjoy drumming and aerobic dance. Purchase a token before class at Par 3 building. $7 per class. Call Ford Nature Center for more information.

Family garden Fridays

Take part in fun drop-in activities in the family garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens in August from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Watch as the garden grows with characters from Alice in Wonderland and Wonderland-like plants. Learn about garden creatures, tools and how to care for a garden. Take part in making garden treats, listening to stories, children’s yoga and adventuring with Alice and her friends. Registration not required.

Bonding with babies and books

Caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months are invited to the Austintown library Tuesdays in August at 10 a.m. for 20 minutes of language enrichment, including rhymes, songs and stories followed by time to play and socialize. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Gotta move story time

Join the Austintown library Thursdays in August at 10 a.m. for a variety of musical and movement activities that stimulate brain development and motivate language learning. Get ready to act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance, and talk and play. For children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver.

Craft event

Come to the Austintown library to make a special craft throughout August.

Movie day

Join the Austintown library on Aug. 23 at 2:30 p.m. for a movie. Bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the movie. Children ages seven and younger must be with adult. The movie will be a newly released DVD rated PG-13 to G.

Would you rather?

Would you rather always whisper or always shout? Answer this and other mind-boggling would you rather questions at the Austintown library during August.

Blind date with a book

Come to the Austintown library during August and pick out a book to read. Rate it once you’ve read it.

Farm to You

Members of Grow Youngstown’s Farm to You program are invited to pick up their shares of locally grown produce each Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. at the Austintown library. For more information, visit www.growyoungstown.org.

Eat Dessert First Book Club

Come to the Austintown library on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. to sift through an array of cookbooks at the monthly meetings where you will chat about new recipes, share ideas and discuss cookbooks.

Free blood pressure check

The Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association will be having a free blood pressure check at the Austintown library on Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Holiday closings

All public libraries in Mahoning County will be closed on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

East High’s 50th reunion

The 50th East High School reunion will take place on Aug. 30 at Mr. Anthony’s, located at 7440 South Avenue in Boardman, from 6-10 p.m. All 60’s classmates are welcome. There is limited seating and no tickets will be sold at the door. The cost is $50 per person and there will be a cash bar. Registration is at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 6:45 p.m. Make checks payable to East High School Class of 64, Mailed to Sandy (Santillo) Reed, 3216 Glen Oaks Drive, Youngstown, OH 44511. For more information, email sandrabeachbum@aol.com or call 330-793-9008.

Gun raffle

Brandon Kovach, candidate for Columbiana county auditor is raffling off a stainless steel Ruger 10/22 and a turkey/waterfowl mossberg 535 shotgun. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online via a donation from his facebook page facebook.com/electkovach or his website electkovach.com and they will be mailed to you. The drawing will take place Sept. 1 and you must be legally able to own a gun to qualify.

Kovach can be reached at 330-974-5625 with any questions.

Awards Luncheon Oct. 2.

Nomination forms are available through the Shepherd of the Valley website at www.ShepherdoftheValley.com; click on Quick Links and choose Valley Legacy Awards. They are also available at all Shepherd of the Valley locations. For additional information, contact Cheryl Fitzgerald at CFitzgerald@SHEPHERDOFTHEVALLEY.com.

Oh Wow! to close on Mondays

Starting on Memorial Day (May 26), OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology will be closed on Mondays. Summer hours remain in effect through Labor Day, (Sept. 1).