Poland Community Briefs

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 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.

Newcomers Club

fundraiser set for April 5

The Newcomers Club of Canfield will sponsor its annual fundraiser, “Making A Difference Through Laughter,” April 5. The event will take place at Mojos Pub-n-Grill on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and a comedy show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person and also include a chance to win a grand prize. The event will also include a basket auction. For tickets or sponsorship information, call Jeannie Gulia at 330-651-1713 or Paula Lavin at 678-557-6414. Reservations must be completed by March 28. The Newcomers Club of Canfield Foundation provides vital funds to various local charities who support the needs of the community.

Historical society to give women’s history presentation

On March 25 at 7 p.m., the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and the League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown present “Founding Mothers: Great Women in Mahoning Valley History” at the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center, located at 325 West Federal Street in downtown Youngstown.

Catherine Dougherty Hillman, Margaret Van Horn Dwight, Dora Schwebel, Mary Ann Campana – the lives of these women are woven into the history of the Mahoning Valley. Join Traci Manning, the Historical Society’s Curator of Education, for a celebration of women’s history.

Learn about the women who lived, worked, and learned here – and how their stories and struggles helped to shape and change the Mahoning Valley.

This lecture is free and open to the public. Free adjacent parking is available at the History Center. For more information, call 330-743-2589 or visit www.mahoninghistory.org.

Fried fish dinner to be on Fridays

American Legion Post 737, located at 16465 Milton Ave. in Lake Milton, will serve all-you-can-eat fried fish with french fries or macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, rolls and beverage on Fridays from 3-7 p.m. Chicken or shrimp is also available. Each meal is $8.50 for adults, $5 for children under 12 and free for those age 3 and under. A fish sandwich with fries and coleslaw is $7. For carry outs, call 330-654-5630. Live entertainment will be from 7-11 p.m.

Brooker named to Dean’s List at The University of Findlay

Madison Brooker of Poland was named to the Fall 2013 Dean’s List at The University of Findlay. To earn this achievement, a student must attain a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Poland Lions Club accepting donations

The Poland Lions Club is now accepting donations for their garage sale. Donations can be made May 3 and 10 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Poland Masonic Lodge, located at 7685 Youngstown Pittsburgh Road on Route 170 near Dobbins Road. Donations of furniture, small appliances, pictures, lamps, tools, books, toys, electronics, jewelry, clothes and shoes would be appreciated. Call 330-750-0423 for pickup or more information. The garage sale is set for May 17 at the Poland Masonic Lodge.

Poland Lions Club fundraiser

The Poland Lions Club will be having a fundraiser May 17 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Poland Masonic Lodge, located at 7685 Youngstown Pittsburgh Road on Route 170 near Dobbins Road. There will be a gift basket raffle that will include a Swarovski crystal necklace, a Kindle, a signed Browns football, golf, a Moutaineer Resort stay, a camera, a shredder, headphones, jewelry, a Nine West wallet, a Steve Madden wallet, $100 gift card basket, Indians tickets, massages and more. Winners need not be present. The drawing is at 2 p.m.

Wine tasting event

The Poland Swim Club is announcing its first wine tasting fundraiser March 28 at the Holy Family Parish Center, located at 2731 Center Road.

The event is open to members as well as nonmembers and funds raised will be used for general improvements and renovations to the swim club. Included in the ticket price of $50 for one or $90 for two are Luva Bella wines, Miller Lite and Bud Lite, hors d’oeuvre stations and a DJ.

There will also be a Chinese Auction and 50/50 Raffle.

For tickets or more information, contact Chris Eich at 330-501-4871 or ChristineEich@aol.com.

Yoga basics

Learn the basics of yoga taught by Karres Cvetkovich Sundays in March at 10:30 a.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Bring a mat and small blanket. Fee: $10 per class.

Pilates basics

Work on toning, shaping, core strength, alignment, and breathing with Angela Lubonovich Mondays in March from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Bring a mat and water. Fee: $10 per class.

Short term host family opportunities available

Mahoning, Columbiana, Portage, and Trumbull County families will have the opportunity to welcome a young person from Japan into their home for one month this year, as part of an international exchange program being offered by the County OSU Extension, 4-H. Statewide, host families are needed for 100 Japanese youngsters (aged 12-18) and their adult chaperones, who will visit Ohio from July 23 through Aug. 18.

Host families provide the exchangees with room and board and a chance to experience daily life in America. Families are urged not to alter their daily routines or lifestyles during their visitor’s stay. Exchangees provide their own spending money, and the sponsoring organization furnishes comprehensive medical insurance.

All types of families are welcome to apply to become hosts, including urban, rural, single-parent, childless, and non-4-H families. The only requirements are that for the Japanese month-long exchange, hosts must have a family member of the same gender and approximate age of the exchangee, three meals a day, and a separate bed for the visitor. Those interested should contact Gretchen Kalinay at 330-799-8407 or Gary Reel at 330-533-7712 for an application form and more information about this and other 4-H international exchange programs.

More information and an application can be found at the website www.ohio4h.org/youth/international

Yoga in the gardens

Join Marina Perdos Tuesdays and Thursdays in March from 9:30-11 a.m. and Karres Cvetkovich Tuesdays and Thursdays in March from 5:30-7 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens 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 at Fellows Riverside Gardens Wednesdays in March from 12-1 p.m. for warm-ups, breathing exercises and selected movements from a classic Chen T’ai Chi form. Fee: $10 per class.

Pilates sculpt

Join Angela Lubonovich Wednesdays in March from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens 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.

T’ai Chi course

Join Marie Lew Thursdays in March and April and May 1 and 8 at Fellows Riverside Gardens for a ten-week course that includes warm-ups, breathing exercises and instruction in the first steps of a complete classic Chen T’ai Chi form. It is designed for beginners with little or no previous background in this art of energy balancing. Taken as a whole, this course will ground the student in the basic principles of movement and the meaning behind the movements while developing coordination, strength and flexibility. Registration required. The fee is $100; 10 percent discount ($90) if registered by March 1.

Creating with herbs

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens March 22 from 1-3:30 p.m. to learn how to use herbs and other natural ingredients to make salves, creams and lip balms, each of which you will take home. There will be herbal infusions and other treats as you learn self-care for yourself and your family. Registration required. Fee: $39; FFRG member $30.

Papermaking

Children ages 7-12 are invited to Ford Nature Center March 22 from 1-2 p.m. to learn how paper is made and recycle waste paper into new paper for writing, drawing, or art. There will also be an opportunity to do origami. Pre-register/pay at Ford Nature Center by March 21. Fee: $2 R; $3 NR.

A day of Asian culture

Travel to Cleveland April 24 from 8 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. to explore gardens, art, and food. Visit Cleveland’s Chinatown with guide Dr. Y.T. Chiu, tour Japanese gardens at Cleveland Cultural Gardens and Cleveland Botanical Gardens, and discover the Asian exhibits at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Register by calling Fellows Riverside Gardens. Fee: $155; FFRG member $110. Registration deadline is March 28.

Twinkie, deconstructed

After reading Steve Ettlinger’s exploration of the ingredients on a Twinkie label, join a group discussion on the book at Ford Nature Center March 22 from 10 - 11 a.m.

Spring break hike

Meet at Yellow Creek Park March 23 from 2-4 p.m. for a hike followed by an indoor presentation about Florida. Moderate rating, 2 miles.

Ask the naturalist

Meet at Ford Nature Center March 30 from 2-4 p.m. for a hike. Bring along your nature and MetroParks questions (or think of them along the trail) for naturalist Bill Whitehouse, and he will do his best to answer them. Moderate rating, 2 miles.

Audubon Society presentation

Join Jeffrey Hall at MetroParks Farm March 25 from 7-8 p.m. for the presentation “Spring Beauty–Seasons’ Beginnings.” Hall is the past president of Washington County Audubon Society in New Jersey and now lives in Pennsylvania. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m. The public is welcome.

Watercolor display

Come to the Weller Gallery Jan. 17 - March 23 to view the watercolors of local artist Don Wright whose botanical work plays on light and shadow.

Fibonacci numbers exhibit

Come to the Weller Gallery March 28 - June 8 to take a look at the world of Fibonacci numbers and their relationship to the world.

Through the Lens exhibit

Come to the Melnick Museum through December 2014 to take a peek 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 1907-1926. In addition to nature scenes, several portrait negatives from the period will also be on display.

Neighborhood Ministries, a sponsor for the Summer Food Service Program, is seeking churches or organizations to join in providing free meals to children ages 18 and under who live in the Youngstown area. The meals are provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Ohio Department of Education from June 9 – Aug. 22. Sites may choose one or two meals per day, including breakfast, lunch and/or a snack. If your church or organization is interested in receiving free meals for children this summer, please contact Neighborhood Ministries at 330-755-8696 or email SFSP@ohionm.org. The deadline for submitting a site request is March 31.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Poland library Thursdays in March 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.

Fun Time for 4s and 5s

Join the Poland library Tuesdays in March at 1 p.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.

Trim a tree for March

Children of all ages are invited to decorate an ornament for Poland library’s all-seasons tree during the month of March.

Blood drive

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will be taking blood donations at the Poland library March 25 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. to help the community. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Blood Pressure screening

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will be having a blood pressure screening at the Poland library March 25 from 1-4 p.m.

Free tax preparation and electronic filing for qualifying individuals

The Poland library will again provide locations for free tax preparation and electronic filing for seniors and those (at any age) with low to moderate income Mondays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. beginning the week of Feb. 11. 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 are staffed by AARP volunteers. Volunteers will provide counseling on eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For an appointment, call 330-726-2492.

Spring sale and bazaar

Poland United Methodist Church, located at 1940 Boardman-Poland Road, will be having a spring spectacular sale and bazaar sponsored by Poland Relay for Life May 24 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be crafts, food, a 50/50 raffle and raffle baskets. Tables are $30 each and set up is from 7-9 a.m. Call Holly at 330-883-7541 after 5 p.m. for applications and availability.

Relay for life team meetings rescheduled

The remaining team meetings for the 2014 Poland Relay for Life have been rescheduled. The meeting time is still 6 p.m. and the location is still the Poland United Methodist Church on Route 224.

The new meeting dates are March 10, April 14, May 12, June 23 (rally and t-shirt distribution), July 11 and 12 (Poland Relay for Life event at Poland Seminary High School Stadium), and Aug 18 (wrap up).

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.

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.

Free tax preparation and electronic filing for qualifying individuals

The Poland library will again provide locations for free tax preparation and electronic filing for seniors and those (at any age) with low to moderate income beginning the week of Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. 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). To make an appointment call 330-726-2492.