Boardman Community Briefs

Back-to-school

The beginning of the 2015-2016 school year is just around the corner and Neighbors wants to feature your back-to-school moments! Email us your best picture of your children in their first-day-of-school ensemble, reuniting with friends after a long summer apart, meeting their new teachers or posing with their families to neighbors@vindy.com. Specify which edition you would like the photo to run in (Austintown, Boardman, Canfield or Poland) and if possible include names for those pictured listed from left to right and front to back. The deadline for picture submission is Sept. 4.

Mercy Health offers free oral cancer screening

Mercy Health Youngstown, formerly Humility of Mary Health Partners, will provide oral cancer screenings from 4-7 p.m. on Aug. 6 in the Mercy Health Dental mobile van, which will be at the Davis Family YMCA, 45 McClurg Road in Boardman. Those at greatest risk of developing oral cancer are tobacco users – cigarette, cigar or pipe smokers and those who chew smokeless tobacco – individuals who drink alcohol to excess, have a family history of oral cancer, have experienced excessive sun exposure and individuals with human papillomavirus (HPV). Screenings are free but registration is required and can be completed by calling 330-480-3183. Support for this program is provided by Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley.

The National Buddy Walk Program

The Down Syndrome Association of the Valley 2015 Buddy Walk is one of more than 250 Buddy Walk events planned in cities across the country and around the world this fall in and around October in celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The Buddy Walk was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society to promote acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome. On Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. anyone wishing to join the cause can go to The Shops at Boardman Park. For more information, visit www.buddywalk.org.

St. Marks Building Blocks open house

St. Marks Building Blocks, located at 280 Millcreek Drive in Boardman is having its annual fall open house for the 2015/2016 school year on Aug. 12 from 3-6:30 p.m. Stop by for a tour of the center and meet the teachers. During the open house, they will be offering 1/2 off of the registration fee. If you have any questions or can’t make the open house but still would like to see the school. call 330-788-9599.

Mill Creek Chapter of ABWA to meet

The Mill Creek Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 11 at A La Cart Catering, located at 429 Lisbon Street in Canfield. Tim Seman, genealogy and local history librarian of The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will speak about preserving family history. Special guests will be the chapter’s scholarship recipients. The dinner menu includes hamburgers and hot dogs, baked beans, potato, pasta, fruit salads, coffee, tea, iced tea and apple cake. The cost is $12 per person and guests are welcome. Reservations are due by Aug. 2 to Darlene Demjen at 330-755-9089 or Marilyn Abramski at 330-726-2527.

Annual Polish Heritage Festival

In preparation for its seventh annual Polish Day on Aug. 30 from 10:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Luke Church and Hall on South Avenue in Boardman, organizers are seeking marketplace vendors of all types who are seeking to reach their enthusiastic, shopping attendees. PolishYoungstown has vending space for 10 marketplace vendors, who will offer any variety of information and merchandise for our patrons during the festival. Authentic ethnic retail, craft, fine art and food vendors are especially requested, but all interested groups are welcome. The deadline for vendors is Aug. 7. Applications are available at http://polishyoungstown.com/polishday/marketplace.

Boardman Methodist Church presents Safety Saturday

Join Boardman United Methodist Church on Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. as it sponsors a safety day for the community. Come talk to experts on bicycle, fire, propane, car seat and home security safety. They will be offering free eye screening for children ages 2-10 years-old and tours of the four star Step Up to Quality BUMP Preschool Child Care Center. Enjoy free hotdogs and meet Boardman’s K-9 Unit, explore a Fire Truck. Food vendors will also be there selling Fair Food French Fries. You don’t want to miss this wonderful community day event!

Crafting is my super power

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a super-duper craft made by “super children” of all ages during regular hours at the Boardman library in the month of August.

Lego my library

Meet at the Boardman library on Aug. 15 at 2-3 p.m. and enjoy creating Lego designs. Legos will be provided. This event is for children age 6 and up.

Reading saves the day

You’re all superheroes. Celebrate your summer accomplishments at a party filled with fun and snacks at the Boardman library on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. This event is for children of all ages.

All you can read buffet

Join the Boardman library for this read-a-thon on Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and choose from a menu of adventure, mystery, fantasy and/or science fiction. The library will provide pizza, drinks and junk food to enjoy while you read. Bring your bean bag chair, your favorite pillow, sleeping bag and don’t forget a blanket. See if you have what it takes to read for four straight hours. Sign up now to reserve your spot. You can join in any time during the event. Register online at www.libraryvisit.org, or call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Boardman library. This event is for children in grades 4-12.

End of summer reading teen party

Join the Boardman library for its last party of the summer on Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. There will be games and snacks to celebrate. This event is for teens in grades 7-12.

It’s all about yarn

Bring in your crochet, knitting, plastic canvas, or “anything with yarn” project and learn from one another on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Boardman library. Participants are encouraged to bring all yarn UFOs (unfinished objects). This event is for adults.

Book-a-librarian

Need help downloading library books to your eReader? Want help with your tablet or laptop? Learn how to do those things and more at the Boardman library during regular library hours throughout the month of August. Register at the specific library or call 330-744-8636 and ask for the library location.

I read YA book club

Adult fans of Young Adult literature from ages 18-118: this book club is for you!. Talk about why you like YA, read and discuss books at this event on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. This month’s discussion will revolve around “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard.

Blood drive

There will be a blood drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross at the Boardman library on Aug. 24 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Melt that stress away

Are stressors in life weighing you down? Learn strategies to deal with the daily stresses of life and enjoy a more relaxed and happier you at the Boardman library on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.

Chuck E. Cheese library fundraiser

There will be a special story time at 10 a.m., before the store opens, with Chuck E. Cheese at the Boardman store location on Aug. 26. This story time will be the fourth Wednesday of every month in 2015. Support your Mahoning County Public Libraries that day by showing your library card and receive 10 free tokens to play games. The library will receive 15 percent of the purchases made that day at Chuck E. Cheese. Support the Friends of PLYMC by donating your gently used and once-read Children’s books also that day to support children’s programming. For more information on this fundraiser, contact the Development Office at 330-740-6086.

Polish Day Volunteers needed

In preparation for its seventh annual Polish Day on Aug. 30 from 10:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at St. Luke Church and Hall on South Avenue in Boardman, organizers are inviting the public to help make the event happen. Volunteers of every age, skill and ability are welcome. Help is needed for everything from set up and take down to ticket sales, helping with the pierogi contests and assisting in cultural display and children’s areas. Various two-hour shifts are available. Every volunteer gets free admission and a t-shirt. For more information, contact polishday@polishyoungstown.org or call at 330-333-9724.

Puzzle swap

Bring your once created jigsaw puzzles to swap, limit six per person, on Aug. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Boardman library. This event is sponsored by the Friends of PLYMC.

Bonding with babies and books

This event is for caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months. There will be twenty minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize Aug. 14 and 21 at 10 a.m. at the Boardman library. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Comic Book Program with Jerry DeCaire

Teens, come to the Poland library’s Unmask - Comic Book Program on Aug. 13 from 1-5 p.m. Hear Marvel artist Jerry DeCaire talk about the Science of the Superhero and learn how to create your own comic books. You will also have a chance to make superhero crafts and have fun at our comic book exchange. You may want to enter the costume contest, fan art contest or our fan fiction contest as well, and be sure to snap a picture at our Superhero Selfie Station, too. Science of the Superhero will begin at 2 p.m. Those that would like to enter the costume contest, or the fan art or fan fiction contests need to register by 2:30 p.m. For contest instructions, go to any Mahoning County public library or our website, www.LibraryVisit.org/teens. You may prepare your entry in advance. Drawings will take place at 4:30 p.m. This event is for teens in grades 7-12.

Campbell Memorial class reunion to be Sept. 5

The Campbell Memorial Class of 1975 is seeking classmates to attend the 40th class reunion on Sept. 5 at Caf 422 in Boardman. All contact information can be shared by calling 330-755-7638 or emailing information to CMHS1975@roadrunner.com. The deadline to purchase tickets has been moved to Aug. 12.

Recruitment and team registration taking place

The Alzheimer’s Association Greater East Ohio Area Chapter is inviting Mahoning and Columbiana County area residents to form teams and register to participate in the Mahoning Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 10 at the Watson Tressel Training Site at Youngstown State University, located at 651 Elm Street in Youngstown. The Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support, education and research. Check in is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. and opening ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s takes place annually in more than 700 communities. The event is an inspiring and meaningful experience that calls on participants of all ages to share their collective voice as an advocate, walk in honor of their loved ones and help raise awareness of programs and services available to families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, there will be refreshments, basket drawings, a children’s corner and entertainment, as well as other activities.

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-Step fellowship of compulsive gamblers who want to recover from their gambling addictions. 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 Youngstown (in Cornersburg). Both meetings will 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.

SomeBunny to read to

Children in kindergarten-sixth grade can sign up to read to registered and certified F5RS Bunnies in Baskets, Therapy Rabbits, for 20-minute sessions. Bring your favorite book to read to Sara, Cricket, Natalie Bunbun or Buttons. Program dates for reading are Aug. 14. Sessions will begin at 2:30 p.m. Registration is required. Call Barb at 724-813-5709 or email F5rescue@yahoo.com. Programs will take place at Beyond Expectations Speech Therapy, located at 725 Boardman-Canfield Road, E-1, in Boardman.

Family fun Fridays

Each Friday, take part in the drop-in activities in the Family Garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens now through Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Guided garden tours

Enjoy an evening garden tour to see what is blooming and thriving in the Fellows Riverside Gardens on Wednesdays only from June 3 through Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.

Bits and pieces of history

Take a look at Mill Creek Park throughout the early years at Fellows Riverside Gardens-Melnick Museum now through December from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The world in a garden

Stunning images illustrate the diversity of the known plant world being shown at the Weller Gallery of Fellows Riverside Gardens from June 19 until Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Ursuline Center: summer series of spirituality

Sister Nancy Pawlen from the Ursuline Center will lead summer series of spirituality class on Experiencing Sacred Space on Aug. 12. She will help participants appreciate the fullness of the sacred around and within them. Participants can attend class from 10-11:30 a.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. The donation is $10. To register, call The Ursuline Center at 330-799-4941.

Campbell Memorial class reunion to be Sept. 5

The Campbell Memorial Class of 1975 is seeking classmates to attend the 40th class reunion on Sept. 5 at Caf 422 in Boardman. All contact information can be shared by calling 330-755-7638 or emailing information to CMHS1975@roadrunner.com.

Bits and pieces of Mill Creek Park

Now though December 2015, visit the exhibit at Fellows Riverside Gardens-Melnick Museum that takes a look at the very early years of Mill Creek Park. The exhibit is open everyday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Nature in iron

Charles Hughes “hammers out” nature as seen through the eyes of a blacksmith at Fellows Riverside Gardens- Outdoor Gallery through July.

Family fun Fridays

Each Friday from May 8 until Oct. 16 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., take part in fun drop-in activities in the Family Garden at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

The Ursuline Center announces 2015 Guided Labyrinth Walk Schedule

The Ursuline Center, located at 4280 Shields Road, has announced its 2015 Guided Labyrinth Walk schedule. All persons of faith are invited to participate in these free events. Walks generally take 20-30 minutes. The walk schedule is as follows: Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. - Welcoming the Stranger; Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. - Celebrating Peace; and Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. - Celebrating the Feast of St. Francis, Showing Solidarity with the Poor.