Boardman Community Briefs

Poland boy scout troop 44’s spaghetti dinner

Join Boy Scout Troop 44 for their 22nd Annual all you can eat spaghetti dinner Feb. 23 from 12-5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at Poland Presbyterian Church, located at 2 Poland Manor. Prepared and served by the members of the troop, this dinner costs $7 for adults and $3.50 for children 12 and under. Carry-out dinners will be available. Tickets can be purchased in advance from any troop 44 member or at the door. Troop 44 meets every Monday at 7 p.m. on the third floor of Poland Presbyterian Church. For more information about the troop and its activities, contact Martin LaRue at 330-550-5797.

Feb. 16 is pork-kraut dinner

The Youngstown Saxon Club, located at 710 S. Meridian Road, will host its next pork-kraut dinner on Feb. 16 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The price of $8.75 for adults and $5 for children includes desserts and coffee, tea or pop. The public is welcome and take-outs will be available.

Stephen Perry named to President’s List

Stephen Perry of Boardman has been named to the President’s List at Clemson University for the fall 2013 semester. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a 4.0 (all A’s) grade-point average.

Torch Club dinner to be Feb. 17

Donald Butler will be the guest speaker at the Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs dinner-discussion meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 17. The title of his talk is “Lighting For the 21th Century and Two Inventors Responsible For It.” The meeting will be in Kilcawley Center, Bresnahan Rooms I and II, on the campus of Youngstown State University.

The public is invited to attend. Dinner for nonmembers is $20. Call 330-757-4148 for reservations.

For more information on the Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs, call 330-792-7351.

Lauren DiCola named to Dean’s List

Lauren DiCola of Boardman has been named to the Dean’s List for the Quinian School of Business at Loyola University Chicago for the fall 2013 semester.

Once Upon A Child team members attend conference in Phoenix

Jonathon Craig from Once Upon A Child of Boardman recently returned from the children’s resale franchisor’s Annual Conference and Trade Show, which took place Jan. 18-21 in Phoenix, Ariz. This annual gathering provides Once Upon A Child team members, business owners and franchisor representatives with the opportunity to review best practices for improving both customer experience and profitability. The conference program featured targeted consultations focused on operations, finances, advertising and marketing, and new product planning.

Bethen Lutheran Church to have chili cook-off

Bethel Lutheran Church, located at 425 Crestview Dr, in Boardman, is planning its first Mickey Schuster Scholarship Chili Cook-Off for Feb. 22. Up to 10 of Bethel’s members will be competing. The agenda for the evening includes a 4:30 p.m. tasting and voting, a 5:15 p.m. judging and awarding of trophies and at 5:45 p.m., everyone can enjoy a bowl of their favorite chili. Chips, condiments, beverages and dessert will be provided.

The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Tickets will be on sale through Feb. 16. You may contact the church office at 330-758-5745 for more information. No tickets sold or carry outs at the door. All proceeds go to the Mickey Schuster Scholarship Fund and are distributed each year to our college students at Bethel.

Beverly A. Rodgers receives Doctorate

Beverly A. Rodgers, program administrator for the St. Elizabeth School for Nurse Anesthetists, received her Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. Rodgers has been program administrator for the St. Elizabeth School for Nurse Anesthetists since 1990.

She is a graduate of the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, where she earned a diploma in nursing, and a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph College of Maine. She earned a Master of Education degree from Pennsylvania University in 1992. Rodgers graduated from the St. Elizabeth School for Nurse Anesthetists in 1980. She has been a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) since that time.

A Boardman resident, she is the daughter of Bernice Rodgers of Boardman and the late Norman “Bill” Rodgers.

Night at the races

The Boardman band and orchestra parents are invited to a Night at the Races fundraiser at the Embassy March 1 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets are sold at the door and can be obtained by calling Chris Skeens at 330-758-0405 or Yvonne Palagano at 330-965-9070. The cost of $10 includes pizza, wings, hot chips, hors d’oveures and pop. There will be a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle, balloon pop and $2 horse bets.

Parish library to sponsor talk

The St. Charles Borromeo parish library committee will sponsor a talk by local licensed professional clinical counselor and author Marilyn Burns Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in the St. Matthew/Mark rooms in the ministries building, located at 7345 West View Dr. Burn’s topic of presentation will be on faith as a bold choice to a peaceful life. She will discuss the concept of free will and how significant it is in how to embrace loss and change.

She will explain how spiritual beliefs pave the way to healing and recovery from any loss or trauma. Copies of her two books will be available for purchase and autographing. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the parish office at 330-758-2325.

Area residents graduate from Walsh University

Walsh University honored its 2013 summer and fall graduates during graduation ceremonies Dec. 15 at the Cecchini Center. Boardman residents Lisa Habuda, BA in Management, and Megan Morrison, BSE and BA in Adolescence to Young Adult: Integrated Language Arts degree, were part of the ceremony.

Gamblers Anonymous to meet

Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-Step fellowship of compulsive gamblers who want to recover from their gambling addictions, will meet twice this week in the Youngstown-Warren area. A GA meeting is offered every Friday at Westminster Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive, and another is offered every Sunday at Christ Church Presbyterian, located at 3425 Hopkins Road in Cornersburg. Both meetings begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. and last about 1-1/2 hours. Those who believe gambling has affected any part of their lives are urged to attend. For more information, please call 330-505-5060.

MCCTC information sessions

Adults interested in enrolling in career certification programs this year at the Adult Career Center Mahoning County Career and Technical Center are invited to attend one of several free informational sessions offered this winter at MCCTC. Informational sessions are free to attend and include career investigation as well as reading, math and language assessments.

There will be a chance to tour the building, meet instructors and learn about financial aid opportunities. Upcoming informational sessions will be offered Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. and March 11 at 6 p.m. All sessions will take place at the Adult Career Center MCCTC, located at 7300 North Palmyra Road in Canfield.

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

Support group to meet

The Mahoning Valley Fibromyalgia Support Group will meet on Feb. 19 from 7-8:30 p.m at Bethel Lutheran Church, located at 425 Crestview Dr. in Boardman. Anyone juggling daily living with a chronic, invisible disease is welcome to join in the discussion.

St. Vincent de Paul Society to host winter gala fundraiser

The St. Vincent de Paul society of Mahoning county will be hosting their annual winter wonderland gala fundraiser Feb. 15 at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with hors d’ourves and cocktails. There will be a cash bar. More than $3,000 in cash and prizes will be given away. There will be silent and Chinese auctions as well as entertainment by Fast Freddie of 93.3. Tickets are $50 and are available at mahoningsvdp.com or by calling Brian J. Antal at 330-690-8435.

Twice loved book sale

Peruse the tables in the Antonucci Horticulture Library at Fellows Riverside Gardens throughout February from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (closed Mondays) for books on gardening, cooking, and nature. There will also be garden magazines for sale. Donations of related used books are appreciated at any time. All proceeds benefit the Antonucci Horticulture Library.

Wintertime tea

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens Feb. 23 from 2-4 p.m. for an afternoon of tea. There will be fruit-laced treats, savories, sounds of the tropics, and of course tea. All proceeds benefit the Antonucci Horticulture Library. Registration is required. $30 fee.

Annual winter garden seminar

Join Fellows Riverside Gardens Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m (sign-in begins at 8 a.m.) for the annual winter garden seminar. Garden experts will take you through the steps in planning and plant selection to create an ever-changing landscape that can last for the entire year.

For more information and to register, go to the Winter Seminar page at www.mgcy.org/ or call John Kolar at 330-545-2266. Registration is required. Fee: $40; $50 after February 8. Presented by the Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown.

Orchid clinic

Join Dave Miller and Jackie Land at Fellows Riverside Gardens Feb. 19 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to learn how to repot your orchid. Bring any problem orchids you may have and they will help you get them back on track. Receive an orchid to repot in class and take home. Orchid bark mix will be available for sale for a nominal cost. Registration required. Fee: $20; FFRG member $15.

Pilates basics

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens Feb. 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to work on toning, shaping, core strength, alignment, and breathing with Angela Lubonovich. Bring a mat and water. The fee is $10 per class.

Yoga in the gardens

Join Marina Perdos every Tuesday and Thursday in February from 9:30-11 a.m. and Karres Cvetkovich every Tuesday and Thursday in February from 5:30-7 p.m. for a blend of yoga styles. All levels are welcome. Bring a mat and small blanket. The fee is $10 per class.

T’ai Chi in the gardens

Join Marie Lew every Wednesday in February from 12-1 p.m. in warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. The fee is $10 per class.

Pilates sculpt

Join Angela Lubonovich every Wednesday in February from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to be guided in using hand weights to tone the body with an emphasis on core strength and control. Bring a mat, water and two-pound weights if you have them. The fee is $10 per class.

Shiatsu and chocolate

Join Fellows Riverside Gardens Feb. 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to learn simple Shiatsu techniques for soothing pressure and trigger point massage relief for headaches and tension. All methods will be practiced fully clothed. The massage portion of the evening will be followed by the exercise of conscious savoring with gourmet quality chocolate. Registration required. The fee is $25 or $45 per couple.

Introduction to essential oils

Join Marina Perdos Feb. 28 at Fellows Riverside Gardens from 2-3:30 p.m. to learn how to easily incorporate the healing properties of essential oils into your daily life. You will have the opportunity to experiment and will be able to take your custom blends home. Registration required. Fee: $39; FFRG member $30.

Faerie gardens

Bring your children ages 6-11 to Fellows Riverside Gardens Feb. 8 from 12:30-2 p.m. to make a faerie garden. Children will spend the afternoon creating a miniature garden. Registration required. Fee: $12; FFRG member $10.

Children’s nature hour

Bring your children ages 3-5 to Pioneer Pavilion Feb. 14 or 15 from 10-11 a.m. to learn all about groundhogs and when they usually wake up. Pre-register/pay at Ford Nature Center. Fee: $2 R; $3 NR (day of program, if space available).

Sounds of winter

Come to Mill Creek Park Feb. 16 from 2-4 p.m. to listen to the sounds of nature as you walk along the Mindy Henning Trail. Chickadees, woodpeckers, and maybe even a hawk may break the silence. Meet at MetroParks Farm. Moderate rating, two miles.

A sign of spring?

Meet at Scholl Recreation Area Feb. 23 from 2-4 p.m. for a hike to find the first wildflower of 2014. Moderate rating with some hills, approximately two miles.

Coffee with the birds

Join Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited at Ford Nature Center Feb. 15 from 8-9:30 a.m. to watch birds at the feeders during The Great Backyard Bird Count. Coffee provided; please bring your favorite mug. Space is limited, so call to register by Feb. 14 for a 45-minute session (8–8:45 a.m. or 8:45–9:30 a.m.).

Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley

Come to MetroParks Farm Feb. 25 from 7-8 p.m. to learn about the bugs you find in your yard and the ones the birds love to eat. Presented by Dr. Bill Snyder of The Ohio State University’s Extension Service. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Puppy love

Take a brisk walk with your canine companion Feb. 16 from 11-12:30 p.m. around Mill Creek Golf Course. Walk on the cart paths, then retire to the historic Fieldhouse for hot drinks, cookies and treats. Each dog will receive a Valentine. Animal Charity will be on hand with some of their adoptable dogs. Easy rating, one or two miles, depending on the weather. Meet on the porch at Mill Creek Golf Course. Free. Bring along an item to donate to Animal Charity. Large blankets, dry puppy and dog food, dog collars and leashes, rawhides, dog toys and treats, air freshener, plastic baggies, plastic totes with lids, rubbing alcohol and disinfectant spray would be appreciated.

March in to the sky

The Mahoning Valley Astronomical Society and MetroParks’ Recreation Department invite you to a star party at MetroParks Farm March 1 from 7-10 p.m. View the night sky through high powered telescopes. Galaxies, star clusters, double stars, nebulae and Jupiter will be in sight during this observation session. The star viewing will be followed be a brief presentation at McMahon Hall to discuss and learn about the objects viewed through the telescopes. A celestial children’s craft and refreshments will be provided. Sky viewing is weather-dependent.

Light, shadow and a jukebox

Come to the Weller Gallery Jan. 17 - March 23 to experience the watercolor work of local artist Don Wright whose botanical work plays on light and shadow. The exhibit will have a jukebox.

Jewels of winter

Join the Davis Center Tuesdays Feb. 1 - March 16 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. to observe orchids on display. Bring your camera, there will be plenty of flowers around the lobby to photograph.

Nature photography exhibit

Come to Ford Nature Center Tuesdays through Sundays Feb. 22-March 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the annual nature photography exhibit. Entries will be accepted from Feb. 1-9. Applications will be available to download at http://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/visit/things-to-do/nature-photography-exhibit/.

Through the lens

Come see at the evolution of photography during the Melnick Museum’s 2014 exhibit Through the Lens. The exhibit will display a rare collection of glass negatives and acetate film negatives produced by two local photographers, which chronicle scenes of Mill Creek Park from 1907 through 1926. In addition to park scenes, several portrait negatives of the period will also be on display. The photographs be on display until Dec. of 2014.

Torch Club to offer essay contest

The Youngstown Torch Club, a local dinner/discussion/debate organization, which meets monthly on the campus of YSU, is offering a $1,000 essay scholarship competition, open to any current YSU student. Students may submit a paper previously written for any college course, or an original work, on any subject or topic of interest. Papers are requested to be 800-1000 words and deadline for submission is March 1.

Remit paper to: tcopeland@neo.rr.com or send to Dr. Tom Copeland, 313 N. Belle Vista Ave. Youngstown 44509. For more information, visit Youngstown TORCH Club on Facebook.

Gamblers Anonymous to meet

Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-Step fellowship of compulsive gamblers who want to recover from their gambling addictions, will meet twice this week in the Youngstown-Warren area. A GA meeting will be offered Friday at Westminster Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive, and another will be offered Sunday at Christ Church Presbyterian, located at 3425 Hopkins Road, (in Cornersburg). Both meetings begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. and last about 1-1/2 hours. Those who believe gambling has affected any part of their lives are urged to attend. For more information, call 330-505-5060.

Balloons for beginners

Come to the Boardman library Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. to learn the basics of balloon sculpture with Joe Sullivan, also known as Jocko the Clown. Class is limited to 12. Materials will be provided. Adults only. Registration is required.

Blood drive

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will be taking blood donations at the Boardman library Feb. 20 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. to help the community. For appointments call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Free tax preparation and electronic filing for qualifying individuals

The Boardman library will again provide locations for free tax preparation and electronic filing for seniors and those (at any age) with low to moderate income on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning the week of Feb. 11.

To make an appointment call 330-726-2492.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. All sites are staffed by volunteers who have been trained and certified by the IRS. TCE sites staffed by AARP volunteers.

Volunteers will provide counseling on eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Learn to use Hoopla and Zinio

Come to the Boardman library throughout February to learn how to download free movies, TV shows, music, complete issues of magazines and more to your computer and mobile and mobile devices.

BIC- Twitter for your business

Join the Boardman library Feb. 22 at 10 a.m for a workshop that will feature the steps to create a Twitter page for your business.

Learn the new version of Hotmail

Make an appointment for an individual session at the Boardman library during the month of February to learn the new version of Hotmail.

Basic computer training for beginners

Come to the Boardman library throughout February to learn basic computer skills.

Yarn event

Bring your crochet, knitting, plastic canvas, or anything with yarn project to the Boardman library Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. to learn from others. Adults and teens are encouraged to bring all unfinished yarn objects.

Sensory story time

Join the Boardman library Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. for a family story time for children of all ages with a sensory focus. This program is designed for children with different needs, including those with autism, speech and language delays, cognitive impairments, ADHD and other special needs and challenges. There will be books, music and sensory stations with a schedule board and double visuals. Children must attend with an adult. Registration is required. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the branch by name.

Fun for 4s and 5s

Join the Boardman library every Tuesday in February at 10 a.m. for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your children ages 4-5 become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Boardman library every Wednesday in February at 10 a.m. for developmentally-appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your children ages 2-3 become successful readers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bonding with babies and books

Caregivers and their little ones who are 6 to 23 months are invited to the Boardman library Feb. 1, 7, 15 and 21 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.