Poland 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.

Historical society open house and meeting

The final summer open house at the Little Red Schoolhouse for the Poland Historical Society will take place on Aug. 9 from 1-3 p.m. The August meeting will be Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the schoolhouse. No program is scheduled following the business meeting. Also, the Carbon Limestone annual open house will take place on Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Great opportunity to tour the facility, meet their employees and have a great picnic lunch. Air-conditioned busses are provided for the tour. Adults and children enjoy this activity every year. The Landfill is located at 8100 S. Stateline Road in Lowellville.

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.

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.

DAR to have brunch social

The Mahoning Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has announced its “Fun” Brunch Social from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Bethel Friends Social Hall, located at 2771 Spitler Road in Poland. The event will include tips to research your family line from Sharon Myers and a light brunch prepared by DAR members. Dolores Ronzi, chapter regent, said this event will also serve as a way to introduce the DAR to the community. DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests, but share the common bond of descending from a man or woman who helped contribute to securing the independence of the United States of America. Any woman, ages 18-years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join, and invited to attend the Aug. 8 brunch. The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political women’s volunteer service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. R.S.V.P by Aug. 5 to attend. For additional information, contact Dolores Ronzi (Regent) at 330-792-1038 or dolardawn@aol.com, Marty Campana at 330-503-2013 or mcampana@northwood.com or Mildred Lumley at milliel@zoominternet.net.

Lego my library

Meet at the Poland library on Aug. 18 at 6 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 Poland library on Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. This event is for children of all ages.

Trim a tree for August

Decorate an ornament for the Poland library’s all-seasons tree any time during regular library hours in the month of August. This event is for children of all ages.

Soap making

Create handmade soap and bath bombs from natural ingredients and colorants at the Austintown library on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 330-744-8636. This event is for adults.

Back to school book fair at the Friends bookstore

Usborne Books will host a book fair Aug. 6-8 during regular bookstore hours in the Friends of PLYMC bookstore, located in the lower level of the Poland library. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of PLYMC.

Volunteers needed for Polish-American Heritage Day 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 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.

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.

Fun time for 4s and 5s

Join the Poland library for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 4-5) become a successful reader on Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Poland library for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader on Aug. 13 at 10:30 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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 every Wednesday in August at 10 a.m. at the Poland library. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Fall vegetable gardening with Mill Creek’s Ellen Speicher

Let Mill Creek Park plant curator Ellen Speicher give you tips for successful fall vegetable gardening on Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Poland library. This event is for adults.

Unmask! 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.

Free tours of the Little Red Schoolhouse and Village graveyard set to take place

The Poland Historical Society will open the doors for free tours of the Little Red Schoolhouse located at the corner of Center Road (State Route 224) and Struthers Road in Poland Township on the second Sunday of each month during the summer. The public is invited to visit the Schoolhouse on Aug. 9 from 1-3 p.m. Regular business meetings of the Historical Society during the summer will take place at the Little Red Schoolhouse, located at 4515 Center Road in Poland Township, on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

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.

Landscapes on the Hudson

Explore the Hudson River Valley landscapes from Aug. 13-16, leaving at 7 a.m. on the 13 and returing at 11 p.m. on Aug. 16. Registration and deposit due by June 12. Full payment due by July 17. Prices bases on double occupancy, additional charges for single occupancy. The deposit due is $250. The fee for the trip is $885, FFRG member: $835.

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.

Unmask: teen theme for the Poland library

Unmask is the teen theme. Teens who complete ten activities will receive a paperback of their choice. Completing 15 activities will make them eligible to win a $25 gift card. Completing 20 activities earns them a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Teens will enjoy seeing Marvel Comic Book Artist Jerry DeCaire presenting ‘Science of the Superhero’ at a special program on Aug. 13 at the Poland library. The program features more superhero fun and begins at 1 p.m., with DeCaire presenting at 2 p.m.

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.

Neighborhood Ministries is seeking churches to provide free meals

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 8 – Aug. 21. If your church or organization is interested in receiving free meals for children this summer, contact Neighborhood Ministries at 330-755-8696 or email lisa_scannell@ohionm.org. The deadline for submitting a site request is April 30.

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: 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.

Friends Specialty at the Garden Caf opens at Fellows Riverside Gardens

Friends Specialty at the Garden Caf in Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens has officially opened for business. The Garden Caf has been refreshed and newly updated and will offer an eclectic selection of teas, locally roasted coffee, a locally sourced lunch menu, desserts and other libations all served with a complimentary view of stunning Lake Glacier. The Caf is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday during the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for pastries, coffee and tea. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information or questions, contact Mill Creek MetroParks at 330-702-3000.