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 in Boardman 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, call 330-505-5060.

Dunkin’ Donuts celebrates spring April 1

Dunkin’ Donuts is celebrating the start of spring by offering guests a free small iced coffee on April 1 during normal business hours at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Northeast Ohio and Youngstown. All flavors of iced coffee are available and all are made from Dunkin’ Donuts’ freshly-brewed coffee. Dunkin’ Donuts uses 100 percent Arabica coffee beans and the company’s coffee specifications are recognized by the industry as a superior grade of coffee. Dunkin’ Donuts’ Iced Coffee is available in flavors such as Mocha, Caramel, Blueberry, Cinnamon, Coconut, French Vanilla, Hazelnut, Raspberry and Toasted Almond.

Card and bingo party to be April 6

The annual spring card and bingo party at St. Brendan’s Maxwell Hall, located at 2800 Oakwood Ave. in Youngstown, will be on April 6 at 1:30 p.m. The admission cost of $5 includes lunch and tickets will be sold at the door.

Flea market to take place at Saxon Club Ballroom

Br. 22’s annual Flea Market will take place in the Saxon Club Ballroom, located at 710 S. Meridian Road in Youngstown on April 5 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. This is an indoor flea market, luncheon and authentic baked goods sale. Lunch is available after 11 a.m. (eat in or take out) featuring their famous chicken dumpling soup, German sausage sandwiches, hot dogs, sauerkraut, chips, soft drinks and coffee. Go for lunch and stay for the $1 grocery bag sale at 1:30 p.m. (all except jewelry).

Tack sale to be March 29

The Buckeye Horse Park will present its first Equestrian Exchange Used and New Tack Sale on March 29 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Saxon Club to have pork-kraut dinner

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

ABWA to meet

The Mill Creek Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will meet at 6 p.m. on April 8 at A La Cart Catering, located at 429 Lisbon Street in Canfield. Speaking to members and guests on health and wellness products will be Janet Thomas of Shop.com. The menu includes assorted croissant sandwiches with side salads, coffee or tea and dessert. For reservations at $14.50 per person, call Shirley Pappagallo at 330-270-9779 or Jackie Fischio at 330-788-6634 no later than March 30.

YMCA to host annual Good Friday breakfast

The YMCA of Youngstown will host its 35th annual Good Friday Breakfast and Service on April 18 at the Central YMCA. A gourmet breakfast buffet prepared by Jorgine’s Deli will be served at 7:15 a.m. with the service beginning promptly at 8 a.m. in the community gym. The service will be delivered by Fr. Gregory Maturi of St. Dominic’s Church and feature music by soloist Joselyn Parker. The event will conclude at 8:45 a.m. Individual tickets at $12 and reservations for tables of eight at $85 may be purchased by contacting Patty Tchoryk at 330-742-4781. Due to large attendance in previous years, early registration is required by April 9. More information is available at www.youngstownymca.org. The Central YMCA is located in downtown Youngstown on the corner of Commerce and Champion Streets.

Suzelis to present lecture

Dr. Ted Suzelis, N.D. will be presenting a free seminar titled, “Blood Type Diet Meal Prep” on April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center located in South Bridge West (behind Second Sole) at 755 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite D-3. To register or for more details, call 330-729-1350 or register online at OhioND.com. Free admission, but RSVP is required.

Yoga workshop to be April 5

An April Yoga Workshop with Sarah Terlecki will be presented on April 5 from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center (755 Boardman Canfield Road, Suite D-3 in Boardman). Join Terlecki for her monthly yoga workshop to keep yourself healthy. All levels welcome. Bring a yoga mat and blanket. The price is $20 for adults and $15 for students. Advanced registration required by April 4 at noon by calling 330-729-1350.

Fall 2013 Geneva College Dean’s List

The Dean’s List is a roster of undergraduate students who have achieved high standing in their courses. To be eligible for this recognition, students must earn a GPA of at least 3.6 while passing 12 credit hours or more. Poland students earning this achievement are Sarah Lankitus and Jenna Schmalz.

Meet Clifford The Big Red Dog

Come to the Poland library April 15 at 1 p.m. to help celebrate National Library Week. Clifford-The Big Red Dog will make an appearance at a special story time. Bring your cameras to take pictures of your children with Clifford. For children of all ages.

Have you seen Bigfoot?

Join Dan Baker, co-founder of Ohio’s Genoskwa project, April 12 at 12 p.m. for an information session on Bigfoot sightings in Ohio. Researchers will share their sightings, show foot casts, photo evidence of Big Foot appearances, audio recordings of screams and howls and more. A question and answer period will follow. Participants are encouraged to share their stories and experiences, too.

Bonding with babies and books

Caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months are invited to the Poland library Wednesdays in April 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.

Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Poland library April 3, 17 and 24 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 April 1, 22 and 29 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.

Smart money: fun time for 4s and 5s

Join the Poland library April 8 at 1 p.m. for developmentally-appropriate stories and activities that will help your children, ages 4-5, learn about money. Each child will receive a piggy bank. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Smart money: tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Poland library April 10 at 10 a.m. for 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.

Lego my library

Children ages 6 and up are invited to the Poland library April 15 from 6-7 p.m. to create Lego designs. Legos will be provided.

Pajama jam

Put on your pajamas and bring the whole family to the Poland library April 28 from 6:30-7 p.m. for stories and more.

Trim a tree for April

Come to the Poland library throughout April to decorate an ornament for the all-seasons tree.

TAB meeting

Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to to the Poland library April 30 at 6:30 p.m. to be a founding member of the new TAB (Teen Advisory Board) group. Help plan and support teen activities, decide what books to buy and discuss what you are currently reading. Snacks provided.

Blackout poetry contest

April is National Poetry Month, so come to the Poland library throughout April to indulge in some “creative destruction” and express your inner poet. Create a poem by eliminating/blacking out the words you don’t want from newspaper and magazine articles (or book pages) that the library will provide. Three winners will be chosen from entries throughout the county and awarded cash prizes. Talk to a librarian for details. For teens in grades 7-12.

Get connected with digital media

Come to the Poland library April 5 at 10 a.m. to learn how to download free eBooks, audiobooks, movies, tv shows, music, complete issues of magazines and more to your computer and mobile devices.

Genealogy tutorials

Meet with Genealogy and local history librarian Tim Seman, receive a comprehensive demonstration of available resources and learn about and sign up for genealogy programs. Appointments can be made at libraries throughout the system. To schedule an appointment, call 330-744-8636 or email tseman@libraryvisit.org.

Blood drive

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will be taking blood donations at the Poland library April 9 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 April 22 from 1-4 p.m.

New Reuben’s Readers Book Club

Join the Poland library April 2 at 10 a.m. to discuss the book “Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker: A Novel” by Jennifer Chiaverini. The book club is sponsored by the Friends of PLYMC.

History Buff Book Club

Join the Friends of PLYMC at the Poland library cafe April 16 at 10 a.m. to establish the first History Buff Book Club. If you love to read history, this group is for you. The book club will meet the third Wednesday of each month.

Holiday closings

All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system will be closed April 19 and 20.

Poland Friends of the Library set spring luncheon

Friends of the Poland Library spring luncheon will be at the Poland library at 10 a.m. on April 1. The Friends of Poland Library are volunteers who lend their time and support to the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Their meetings are open to the public and new members are welcome. Donations of books, magazines, CDs and DVDs for the fundraising Friends Book Cart are accepted at each meeting.

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.

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.

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.

Short term host family opportunities available through 4-H

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.