Poland Community Briefs

Then and now

Neighbors wants your first-day-of-school photos both past and present! If you would like to show off your first day of school photo from the 90’s, 80’s, 70’s and beyond on its own or along side your child or grandchild’s first day of school photo from this year, email the photo in a digital file, along with the year it was taken, which school you attended and names listed from left to right and front to back, to neighbors@vindy.com by Sept. 7. You may also send the photo to Attn: Neighbors, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown, OH 44501. If you would like your picture returned to you, include a self addressed stamped envelope. We look forward to seeing your pictures of first days throughout the years!

Square dance lessons

Learn to square dance with weekly square dance lessons on Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. beginning on Sept. 15 at the Niles Senior Scope Center, located at 14 East State Street in Niles. The lessons are sponsored by the Friendly Squares. All age groups are welcome. For additional information, contact Gene or Frankie Hammond at 330-534-4426 or 330-506-3370 or Ghfh67 @aol.com. The Friendly Squares will also be conducting square dance demonstrations at the Canfield Fair on Sept. 3 from 7-8 p.m. and Sept. 6 from 2-3 p.m. at the International Building stage.

Pierogi-lovers wanted 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 some of the coolest parts of the event happen. The festival will have its Second Annual Best Pierogi Contest, which is open to all amateur cooks and businesses. Get an entry form online or by request at email info@polishyoungstown.org or call 330-333-9724. Along with the Best Pierogi Contest, anyone 18 and older can enter the annual pierogi eating contest for a fee of $10. Those interested in entering can get an entry form online or at the ticket booth any time before then. For more information on any of these events, visit www.polishyoungstown.org, email info@polishyoungstown.org or call 330-333-9724.

Pink Ribbon Golf Classic a success

The Pink Ribbon Golf Classic, which took place in July at the Youngstown Country Club, was able to donate $15,000 to the American Cancer Society. The 2016 Pink Ribbon Golf Classic will be take place on July 18, 2016 at the Avalon Lakes Golf and Country Club.

Garage Sale

A garage sale will be hosted to benefit Salem Quota Speech and Hearing Clinic on Aug. 29. The sale will be at 1476 Westview Dr. in Salem from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Bonding with babies and books

This program is for caregivers and their little ones between 6-23 months at the Poland library at 10 a.m. The program will take place every Wednesday in September, and will include twenty minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

This program is for children ages 2 and 3 and their caregivers at the Poland library at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday in September. Join the library for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader.

Fun time for 4s & 5s

Join the Poland library for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This event will take place every Thursday in September at 1 p,m,

Gotta Move story time

This program is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver. The Poland library will host Gotta Move story time at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 28. Join them for a variety of musical and movement activities that appeal to the “young and restless,” stimulate brain development and motivate language learning. Adults and children, get ready to act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance, and talk and play.

Lego my library

Children ages 6 and up can enjoy creating Lego designs at the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Sept. 22. Legos will be provided.

Trim a tree for September

Children of all ages can stop by the Poland library during regular hours in September to decorate an ornament for their all-seasons tree.

Banned books hunt

Do you know any banned books? Find the covers of banned books hidden in the library, unravel the secret message and be entered in a drawing for one of two prizes. One tween and one teen will win. This hunt will take place at the Poland library during regular library hours from Sept. 1 - Oct. 3. The hunt is for tweens in grades 4-6 and teens grades 7-12.

Read, rap and Snack

Join Poland library’s teen book club for the September meeting, taking place on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. They will discuss the book “I Was Here” by Gayle Forman. There will also be time to discuss any of your favorite books/music/movies/TV shows, so feel free to attend even if you haven’t read the chosen book. Snacks will be provided. The book club is for those grades 7-12.

Boardman TAB meeting

Teens in grades 7-12 are welcome to attend the monthly TAB (Teen Advisory Board) meeting at the Poland library at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 2. Help plan and support teen activities at the library. Meet new people and have fun. Newcomers are always welcome. This is the Boardman TAB meeting, which will take place at Poland this month due to construction.

Allied victory, 70 years on

The high price of victory will be apparent as the Poland library commemorates the end of World War Two and explores the records of the armed forces. Focusing on this global conflict, they will pursue personnel files and unit histories in order to understand ancestors roles in defending the nation’s heritage. This event is for adults and will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 16. Registration is required by calling 330-744-8636 or online via the library’s events calendar.

Blood drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross

Proudly serving the needs of St. Elizabeth Hospital. Taking blood donations to help the local community. For appointments call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross will be at the Poland library from 12:30-6:30 p.m. on Sept. 8.

No need to knead

Join the Poland library on Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. to learn how to make homemade bread without kneading. Sample a finished loaf, and take home a batch of dough to bake at home. Ingredients will be provided, but you must bring your own mixing bowl and mixing spoon. A food waiver must be signed and space is limited, so registration is recommended.

Diabetes Partnership of the Mahoning Valley meeting

There will be a meeting of the Diabetes Partnership of the Mahoning Valley at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 17 at Stonebridge Grille and Tavern. They will be getting ready for and discussing upcoming events, including the Canfield Fair, which will take place Sept. 2-7. To all those that are interested in signing up to help at the booth, contact Marsha Kamensky at marshakam@sbcglobal.net. In addition, the Ankle and Foot Care Centers 17th annual Golf Outing to take place on Sept. 18. If unable to attend the meeting and you are interested in the golf outing, contact Ed Hassay at 330-301-0476. The St. Patricks Spaghetti dinner will also take place on Nov. 1.

Newcomers Club to meet

The Newcomers Club of Canfield has announced the officers for the 2015-2016 year: President - Betty Popa-Schuld, First Vice President - Sara Dysert, Second Vice President - Karen Morvay, Secretary - Rose Bissett, Treasurer - Julie VanDevender, Publicity - Sherrie Jacobs and Basket Raffle Chair - Diane Durrant. Upcoming meetings will include a September potluck, October Witches Wine Fest. and a November Holiday Decorating Ideas. The purpose of the Newcomers Club of Canfield is to provide an opportunity for members of the community in and around Canfield to develop friendships, welcome newcomers and to help support the civic, social and charitable life of the community. It is further formed to engage in recreational and social activities in support of these purposes. The meetings are take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise announced. The Newcomers Club of Canfield is open to all women of the Mahoning Valley.

Lutheran liaisons to visit Prince of Peace

Joe and Pastor Deborah Troester, who are the liaisons for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to the national Lutheran churches of Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar and South Sudan in East Africa, will be visiting Poland and making a presentation at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, located at 2985 Center Road in Poland, on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. The Lutheran churches of Tanzania and Madagascar are among the largest in the Lutheran World Federation, and self-sufficient in most matters. The ELCA provides technical and financial assistance alongside its companion dioceses in these national churches in cooperation with others in the Lutheran World Federation. The churches of South Sudan and Kenya are in mission development. Deborah is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church USA, full-communion partner with the ELCA. Joe is a hydrogeologist with experience in developing world water development, an interest shared with Prince of Peace Poland’s Stu Smith, who facilitates water projects in Tanzania. All are welcome. For more information, contact Stu Smith (gwscience1@gmail.com) or the church office at 330-757-3272.

Get connected with digital media

The Poland library is giving an informative session on how to download digital media at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14. If you like to learn how to download free eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, music, complete issues of magazines and more to your computer and mobile devices, call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Poland branch to register.

Dairy Queen stores raise funds

The Dairy Queen Stores in Cornersburg (3555 S. Meridian Road in Youngstown), Austintown DQ (146 N. Canfield Niles Road) and Columbiana DQ (241 E. Park Ave) all operated by the Smith family of Canfield raised $8,464 during the 10th Annual DQ Æ Miracle Treat Day to support Akron Children’s Hospital, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). On Miracle Treat Day, these DQ stores donated $1 or more from every Blizzard Æ Treat sold to Akron Children’s Hospital. Throughout the year, the restaurant raises funds for the for Akron Children’s Hospital, Boardman campus through a variety of initiatives including free cone day, a Bucks for Buckets campaign, Miracle Treat Day, the Radiothon and other events, as well. CMN Hospitals is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals. Since 1984, the Dairy Queen system has raised more than $100 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in local communities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.