Poland Community Briefs

Heidelberg University announces spring semester dean’s list

More than 350 Heidelberg University students who have excelled in the classroom have been named to the fall semester dean’s list, according to Provost Beth Schwartz. Among the local students recognized on the dean’s list are Serra Altintas, a senior political science major and Matthew MacFarland, a senior biology major, both from Poland.

Financial aid workshop

There will be a financial aid workshop at Poland High School on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. This workshop is geared toward parents of graduating seniors and is intended to answer the many questions concerning the financial aid process. Parents of juniors are also welcome to attend to get an idea of what is forthcoming. Speakers at the workshop will be Gina McHenry from YSU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship along with Poland High School’s guidance counselors, Mike Vagas and Judy Volosin. Specific topics to be addressed include types of financial aid, how the financial aid process works, completing the FAFSA, alternative funding sources for higher education and more.

Blood drive

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will be taking blood donations to help our 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 Jan. 7 and from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 15.

Color your world

Join the Poland library from 7-8:30 on Jan. 6 for a relaxing evening of adult coloring. Coloring sheets and materials will be provided, or you’re welcome to bring your own. Light refreshments will be available.

Trim a tree for January

Decorate an ornament for the Poland library’s all-season tree. Stop by during regular library hours to decorate your ornament. This event is for children of all ages.

Lego my library

Meet and enjoy creating Lego designs. Legos will be provided. Lego my Library will be at the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Jan. 19.

Gotta Move story time

Children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver can join the Poland library at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 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.

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. Baby Brilliant will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bonding with babies and books

Caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months can come to the Poland library at 10 a.m. on Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27 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.

Book sale

The Friends of PLYMC Bookstore in the lower level of the Poland library will have a month-long book sale in January with all cookbooks, medical and self-help books at half-off. Additionally, all young adult and teen books will be $1 for a brown bag full. The bookstore will run special sales throughout 2016, so check the library’s Happenings newsletter for details of upcoming sales.

Get connected with digital media

Get Connected with digital media at the library at 10 a.m. on Jan. 16 at the Poland library. 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 specific library to register.

Appy hour

Come to the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Jan. 28 to learn about apps. Learn all about popular apps for smartphones and mobile devices. See a variety of apps that will help you connect to your library, find a good place to eat, keep you entertained in a long grocery line, find a great new recipe or find great music to listen to on your walk. Registration is recommended and can be made by calling 330-744-8636 and ask for Poland.

Read, rap and snack

Join the Poland library teen book club. For the January meeting on Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m., they will discuss a book chosen at the December meeting. Look for postings with the book title after the December meeting. 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.

Tie-dye pillowcase party

Transform a white pillowcase into a colorful tie-dye creation at the Poland library at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27. Pillowcases and snacks will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required. Register by calling 330-744-8636 and ask for the Poland library. This event is for tweens and teens in grades 4-12.

Snow-who?

Snowmen have come to the Poland library dressed as their favorite book characters. Match each snowman character with the name on the literary character list for chance to win a prize during regular hours in January. Snow-Who? is for tweens in grades 4-6 and teens in grades 7-12.

National kazoo day

Join the Poland library from 2:30-4 p.m. on Jan. 28 as they celebrate the kazoo. Children will learn about the kazoo and play in their very own kazoo band. This is for school-age children, tweens and teens.

Take flight - paper airplanes and more

Investigate the basic principles of flight, make and test a variety of paper airplanes and try on a real flight suit at the Poland library at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 26. Registration is required. Call 330-744-8636 or visit the Poland librarians’ desk. This event is for children grades 3-8.

Sensational Preschool Science

Watch some neat, easy science demonstrations and join in with other interactive science activities at the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Jan. 14. This event is for children ages 3-5.

Listen and Lego

Listen to a story and then have fun building with Legos at the Poland library at 1 p.m. on Jan. 7. Legos will be provided.

Now You Know series

Join the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Jan. 21 for the Now You Know Series. This event’s topic will be the latest medical advances in treating opioid addiction. The presenter will be Dr. Daniel Brown, D.O., Medical Director, at Meridian HealthCare. You can’t miss them — newspaper ads and billboards offering medical treatment for opioid addiction.

There are many misconceptions, myths and questions about Medication Assisted Treatment. New for-profit organizations are offering it, but one non-profit organization, Meridian HealthCare has been offering it the longest and for the most people. Meridian’s medical director, an expert in addiction medicine, will explain how opioid addiction works and the medicines that work to reverse it. He will explain why counseling is critical, length of treatment and resources available in the community. This event is co-sponsored by the library and Meridian HealthCare.

The Art of Ballroom Dance

Join Joe Sepesy, retired injured veteran, and Linda McPhail, the dance instructor who helped Sepesy overcome physical and emotional challenges through ballroom dancing, at the Poland library at 10 a.m. on Jan. 29. Sepesy is the author of “Word Dances: A Collection of Verses and Thoughts About Ballroom Dancing.” Books will be available for purchase. Reservations are needed.

GA 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 takes place every Friday at Westminster Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman, and every Sunday at Christ Church Presbyterian, located at 3425 Hopkins Road in Youngstown (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.

The Bistro at MCCTC open to the public

Student-operated restaurant The Bistro at Mahoning County Career Technical Center is open for lunch hours to the public. The Bistro will be open Tuesdays-Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for dine-in or carry out through the winter. The Bistro is run by students enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center. This gives students the chance to gain experience in all facets of working in the restaurant industry, from working as kitchen staff, line cooks and the Sous Chef to waiting tables and hosting. The Bistro schedule is as follows: Jan. 5-7, 13, 14, 20, 21. The restaurant will also be open in February and March with dates being announced soon. Call the restaurant for more information or to make a reservation.

14th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration

The Hunt Institute of Pittsburgh brings the work of 35 botanical documentation artists from around the world to the Weller Gallery at Fellows Riverside Garden. The exhibit will run through Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.