Austintown Community Briefs

Council of PTA’s seeking past presidents

The Austintown Council of PTAs is looking for past presidents of all PTA units in Austintown. If you are a past president (or know someone who is) and have not been contacted by the council in the last couple of years, contact DeeDee Medovich at delaynedee@aol.com or 330-717-2075.

Quilt group to have meeting

That Quilt Group I Belong To will host its January meeting on Jan. 20 at the Republican Headquarters on Route 224 near West Boulevard, in the same building as Summitville Tile and across the street from Giant Eagle. Note change of meeting location for this month, due to technical requirements of the speaker. The speaker will be Mr. Lunger from Thousands of Bolts and Only One Nut. He will speak on using technology to design quilts. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and a brief business meeting will begin at 7 p.m., followed by the speaker. That Quilt Group I Belong To is open to all quilters in the Mahoning Valley, at all skill levels. Meetings usually take place at Fair Park in Canfield on the third Tuesday of each month, with some exceptions. For information on membership, contact president Ginger Mangie at 330-702-0532.

Saxon Club to host pork-kraut dinner

The Youngstown Saxon Club, located at 710 S. Meridian Road, will host its next pork-kraut dinner on Jan. 18 from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The price of $9.50 for adults and $5 for children includes dessert and coffee, tea or pop. The public is welcome and take-outs will be available.

International Torch Clubs to meet on Jan. 19

Reverend Morris W. Lee will be the speaker at the Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs dinner-discussion meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 19. The speech is titled “Frank Wills: The Unknown and Unsung Hero of Watergate.” Reverend Lee is pastor of Third Baptist Church in Youngstown. The meeting will be in Chick Filet (Formerly Pete’s) in the Kilcawley Center on the campus of Youngstown State University. The public is invited to attend. ocial hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m., and a lecture at 7 p.m. Attending only the lecture is free of charge. Dinner for nonmembers is $20. Call 330-757-4148 for reservations. For club information, call 330-792-7351.

YWCA to host financial recovery workshop

As part of its monthly Lunch and Learn series, the YWCA of Youngstown will host a financial recovery workshop from noon until 1 p.m. on Jan. 22. Experts from Huntington Bank will show participants steps they can take to recover financially and rebuild their credit after experiencing a financial setback. The cost is $10 per person, which includes lunch. Registration is required by Jan. 20. Email eskolnick@ywcaofyoungstown.org, call Elise at 330-746-6361, ext. 109, or visit to ywca.org/youngstown to register. Registrations will not be accepted at the door.

Heritage society to meet Jan. 19

The guest speaker at the World War II Heritage Society for the Jan. 19 meeting will be William L. Davis, veteran of the European Theater in World War II. Davis was guest speaker in July 2014, and will recount his experiences of breaching the Siegfried Line, eventually advancing to the Danube River, and his post war occupation duty. Davis excels at sharing the details of the combat infantryman’s lot. Reservations can be made by contacting David Frank at 330-757-0515 or 330-533-6737. This 6:30 p.m. dinner meeting will take place at Ala Carte Catering on Lisbon St. in Canfield at 6:30 p.m. with a cost of $14 per person. The deadline for reservations is Jan. 16.

YWCA receives $20,000 grant for resident programs

The YWCA of Youngstown has been awarded a grant for $20,000 from the Ohio Capital Impact Corporation. The award was made through the Huntington Wellness Initiative, a partnership between Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) and Huntington Bank. The funds will be used to increase the quality of life and wellness for the residents at the YWCA apartments by providing an increased awareness of healthy lifestyles. This will be accomplished by providing a series of health and wellness and social activities designed to engage residents mentally, intellectually and physically. The YWCA provides a home for homeless, low-income, single women with or without children, and a strong support system when they begin rebuilding their lives. The supportive services program eliminates barriers, provides education and offers friendly support to women and families. Huntington Bank appreciates the opportunity to provide assistance to YWCA of Youngstown. This grant is part of their commitment to the communities they serve.

Monday Night Writers meeting scheduled for Jan. 19

The next meeting of Monday Night Writers will be Jan. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at Peaberry’s Caf , located at 4350 Boardman-Canfield Road in Canfield. Area writers, both published and unpublished, are invited to attend. Led by professional writer Nancy Christie, author of Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories,” the two-hour sessions include a mixture of writing exercises, information on the creative and business aspects of writing and group feedback on ‘works-in-progress.’ The fee is $10 per class and registration is preferred. For more information, contact Christie at 330-793-3675 or at nancy@nancychristie.com.

Heritage gardening seminar

Fellows Riverside Gardens will be hosting Garden Seminar: Heritage Gardening for the 21st Century on Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Discover some of the successful, sustainable, and simple plants from the 18th through early 20th centuries. These tough and adaptable plants represent the foundation of our gardens today. Speakers will look at historic gardening methods that can be applied to our current gardens. Explore the rich heritage of the garden and what it means. The speakers’ books will be available for purchase at the seminar. This event is presented by the Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown and Mill Creek MetroParks. For more information and to register, visit www.mgcy.org/Pages/WinterSeminar.aspx. The cost is $45 through Feb. 7 and $55 after that date.

New exhibit to begin Feb. 21

Ford Nature Center will be hosting a Nature Photography Exhibit Feb. 21 through March 15 during regular hours. View the talents of many amateur photographers.

Twice-Loved Book Sale

Fellows Riverside Gardens will host the Twice-Loved Books Sale Feb. 21 through March 1 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Peruse the tables in the Antonucci Horticulture Library for much loved books on gardening, cooking and nature. There will also be magazines for sale. Donations of related used books are appreciated at any time. All proceeds will benefit the Antonucci Horticulture Library.

Students make the Dean’s List at The University of Akron

More than 3,600 students who made the Dean’s List at the University of Akron in fall 2014. Students from Austintown to earn this achievement include Kyle Citino, Meghan Delaney, Michael Hafely and Taylor Marshall. To be eligible for the Dean’s List the students maintained a GPA of 3.5-3.99 and were enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.

Akron names fall 2014 President’s List recipients

Nearly 800 University of Akron students have been named to the President’s List. To qualify, students must be undergraduate, enrolled full-time and achieve a 4.0 grade point average for the semester. Students from Austintown to be names to this list include Courtney Dockry (majoring in Exer Sci-PrePhysical Therapy), Alexandra Hulick (majoring in Political Sci - Criminal Just) and Anny Carroll (majoring in Mechanical Engineering)

Eastern gateway announces fall academic honors

More than 370 full-time students at Eastern Gateway Community College were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester. These students attend full time and earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher during the semester. Students from Austintown to earn this distinction include Stephanie Jade Streb, Alexis Lashay Miller, Justin Robert Vinkler, Robert Earl Venters, Simone Morris, Alexandria Christine Orosz, Olivia Noel Bundy, Mary Ann Tul, Jose Luis GonzalezCastillo, Christina Marie Bondi, Lori Ann Lucia, Dawn LaShalle Woodberry, L. Andrew Orr, Kimberlee Jean Speare and Nicole Ann Wolfkill.

Blood pressure screening

There will be a blood pressure screening by the Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association at the Austintown library on Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Trim a tree for January

Decorate an ornament for the Austintown library’s all-season tree during regular library hours throughout January. This event is for children of all ages.

Gotta Move story time

This event is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver. Join the Austintown library Jan. 22 and 29 at 10 a.m. 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 should be ready to act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance, and talk and play.

Tales and Talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Austintown library every Wednesday in January at 10 a.m. for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bonding with Babies and Books

There will be a Bonding with Babies and Books event for caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months every Tuesday in January at 10 a.m. at the Austintown library. The program will include twenty minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wood-working enthusiasts to meet

The Cutting Edge Wood Carvers, a new group that meets every Thursday from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Austintown Senior Center, is seeking new members. The group teaches for free and helps with tools and wood for those who would like to try this hobby.

The Bistro at MCCTC announces new winter and spring hours

Student-operated restaurant, The Bistro at MCCTC, has new winter and spring hours starting in January. The restaurant will be open for dine in or carryout from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Open dates are Jan. 21 and 22; Feb. 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26; March 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 and 31; and April 1 and 2. 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 and the Sous Chef to waiting tables and hosting. To make a reservation or place an order for carryout, call 330-729-4000, ext. 1506.

Holiday closings

All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system will be closed on Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Friends of the Austintown Library

The next Friends of the Austintown Library meeting and program will be Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. and will feature Traci Manning from the Arms Museum. Manning will review and detail the ladies of the Mahoning Valley. This event is for adults.

Blind date with a book

The Austintown library will host a blind date with a book event throughout regular library hours. Books will be packaged in brown paper, so the title you get will be a surprise. This event is for adults.

Coupon swap

Do you have coupons you don’t need or need coupons you don’t have? Drop in at the Austintown library during regular library hours throughout January to stretch your shopping dollars by swapping coupons. This event is for adults.

Cookbook club

Join the Austintown library on Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. to share your favorite slow cooker recipes. Bring a dish to share with friends. A food waiver must be signed. This event is for adults

Page Turners book club

Do you love books and are looking for a good read? Hear what others are reading and share your favorite read at the Austintown library on Jan. 21 from 6-7 p.m., or just come in and join the fun. This event is for adults.

Scrapbooking club

Scrapbook a page and share your scrapbooking ideas at the next meeting of the Scrapbooking club on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Austintown library. Pre-register by calling 330-744-8636. This event is for adults.

Stamping with Cindy

Learn to create your own handmade cards using stamps, punches and other fun tools at 10 a.m. on Jan. 23 and 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Austintown library. Each participant will create a greeting card with a matching envelope, plus a cute 3-item. Class size is limited, registration required. This event is for adults.

What will you read next?

Let the Austintown library’s fortune tellers (cootie catchers) predict what you will read next throughout regular library hours in the month of January. Will it be “The Monstrumologist,” “Grasshopper Jungle,” or some other great read? Look into your future reading at the library. This event is for grades 7-12.

Family story time

Start celebrating the Super Bowl early at the Austintown library on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. Join in for sports stories, games, craft, snacks and drinks. Wear your favorite team’s football jersey. This event is for children of all ages.

Movie matinee

Join the Austintown library for a Movie Matinee on Jan. 17 at 2:30 p.m. Bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the movie. Children age 7-years and younger must be with an adult. The movie will be a newly released DVD rated PG-13 to G.

Pre-Kindergarten story time

The Austintown library will offer a pre-Kindergarten story time for 4- and 5-year-olds to help develop pre-literacy and kindergarten readiness skills every Wednesday in January at 11:30 a.m. They will use books, stories, rhymes, music, movement and crafts to help your child get ready for kindergarten.

Gamblers Annonymous 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 Youngstown (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.

Wine taste fundraiser to be Feb. 6

The ninth annual St. Michael Parish Wine Taste will take place on Feb. 6 inside the church Family Life Center. Proceeds from the event benefit the Center. For more information, contact the Parish Office at 330-533-6839.

Friends of PLYMC’s Canfield Committee sets fundraiser

Support the new Canfield Library by purchasing Stone Fruit Coffee special blend for the holidays. The cost is $15 per bag. Coffee can be purchased from one of the Friends of the Library or at Stone Fruit Coffee in Canfield. Proceeds benefit the Canfield Library Capital Campaign.