Poland Community Briefs

East High School Class of 1962 reunion planned

The East High School Class of 1962 has planned a fall dinner reunion for Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Donavito’s Italian Grill in Struthers. Meals will be ordered from the menu. Any questions can be directed to Adeline DiPasqua at 330-758-4082.

Friendly Squares Halloween dance

The Niles Friendly Squares Halloween dance will take place on Oct. 10 from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Niles Senior SCOPE Center, located at 14 E. State St. in Niles. For additional information, call Gene Hammond at 330-534-4426 or 330-506-3370.

Non-food Trick or Treat to be Oct. 16

Annual Trick Nor Treat Halloween candy free event at Beyond Expectations South Bridge Therapy and Learning Center, located at 725 Boardman-Canfield Road, E-1 in Boardman, on Oct. 16 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The event will be a non-food trick or treating, inclusive for children with food allergies, special diets or whose parents just don’t want more sugar. There will be pumpkin decorating and crafts, Halloween games, costume contest and a Chinese auction. The event is free and open to the community. Find the event on Facebook on the “Beyond Expectations Speech Therapy” page and help spread the word.

Bingo and card party to be Oct. 18

The annual fall bingo and card party at St. Brendan’s Maxwell Hall, located at 2800 Oakwood Ave. in Youngstown, on Oct. 18 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $5 (includes lunch) and tickets will be sold at the door.

Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat guided tours

Enjoy a your through Mill Creek’s Vanishing Acts outdoor exhibit led by one of their Garden Guides at Fellows Riverside Gardens on Oct. 11 and 25 at 1 p.m. Find out why trees are under threat around the world and in Ohio.

Garden to table

Enjoy an exquisite autumn dinner prepared by Friends Specialty at the Garden Cafe at Fellows Riverside Garden on Oct. 22 from 6:30-9 p.m. The dinner costs $30, and all proceeds benefit Mill Creek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens. Space is limited, and there will be a cash bar.

Nightclub two step dance class

Enjoy learning this easy slower tempo dance. No partner? No problem! It is a paired dance, but everyone learns together. Beginners are welcome and encouraged. The classes will take place at the Pioneer Pavilion in Mill Creek MetroParks from 7-8 p.m. on Oct. 13, 20 and 27. Each class is $5. Call FNC for details.

Metromutts: Howl-O-Ween Hike

Have a howl of a good time on this trek down the MetroParks Bikeway on the Kirk Road Trailhead on Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. Bring your dog dressed in his or her Halloween best — you are welcome to dress up, too! Costume contests, prizes, and refreshments will be available in the pavilion following the hike. MetroMutts members receive a free pumpkin and photo with their dog. The trail is easy and two miles long. Donated items for Animal Charity Human Society are welcome. Call FNC for details.

Colors and reflections

Join Mill Creek MetroParks to circle Lake Glacier at the Ford Nature Center on Oct. 11 from 2-4:30 p.m. Because of its variety of tree species and their watery reflections, it’s usually Mill Creek Park’s best place for autumn color. The hike is of moderate difficulty and is four miles long.

Pumpkin walk before twilight

Join Mill Creek MetroParks in the Calvary Ryn parking area near the Glacier Boathouse for this moderate to difficult one-mile hike on Oct. 18 from 2-3:30 p.m. Before the tremendous crows arrives, stroll through the magnificent display of jack o’lanterns at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Where are witches?

Halloween is near! While it’s not likely you’ll find ghosts or goblins, Mill Creek MetroParks hopes to find witches in the Scholl Recreation Area on a moderate, one-and-a-half mile hike. The hike is on Oct. 25 from 2-3:30 p.m.

Birding the sanctuary

Jeff Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited will lead this walk at the Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary on Oct. 24 from 8-9:30 a.m. Boots are required. Please register for this walk at FNC by Oct. 23.

The Gardens of Marjorie Dettliing

Marjorie Dettling’s love of nature shows through in this vibrant and bold exhibit in the Weller Gallery at Fellows Riverside Gardens. The exhibit is open through Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

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 open Oct. 30 and will run through Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Bits and Pieces of Our History

Through December, the Melnick Museum at Fellows Riverside Gardens will showcase the Bits and Pieces of Our History exhibit, which takes a look at the very early years of Mill Creek Park. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Yoga in the Gardens

Enjoy yoga that will help you keep a healthy outlook. Yoga in the Gardens will be held at Fellows Riverside Gardens from 9:30-11 a.m. or 5:30-7 p.m. on Oct. 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29. The cost is $12 a class. Bring your own mat and a small blanket.

Chair to Mat Movement

Chair to Mat Movement with Michelle O’Brien is designed to increase mobility and flexibility for those who find seated floor movement challenging. Chair to Mat Movement will take place at the Fellows Riverside Gardens from 9-10 a.m. on Oct. 14, 21 and 28. The cost is $10 per class.

Tai Chi Step One in the Gardens

Warm-ups, breathing exercises and movements will ease stress, improve health and increase vitality. Tai Chi will take place from noon until 1 p.m. at the Fellows Riverside Gardens on Oct. 14, 21 and 28.

Sprout Club

Children ages 3-5 can join the Sprout Club this autumn to learn about the amazing world of plants. Sprout Club is $7 per class and will take place at Fellows Riverside Gardens on Oct. 15. Participants must register and pay by Oct. 13.

Halloween Sale at the Golf Shop

Enjoy spooky savings at the Mill Creek Golf Course Golf Shop during the first annual Halloween Golf Shop Sale. All clothing, shoes and accessories will be discounted Oct. 27-31.

Nature-inspired stoneware mugs

Lynn Cardwell will help students construct two nature-inspired stoneware mugs at Fellows Riverside Gardens on Oct. 13 from 5:30-8 p.m. The cost is $34, or $28 for Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Please register and pay by Oct. 11.

Cattails and wheat

Design an autumn arrangement of flowers, cattails and wheat in a basket at Fellows Riverside Gardens on Oct. 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The cost is $40 or $34 for Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Please register and pay by Oct. 20.

Family Fun Fridays

Through Oct. 16, the Fellows Riverside Gardens are hosting Family Fun Fridays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Each Friday, take part in fun drop-in activities in the Family Garden.

Poland Women’s Club to host auction

The Poland Women’s Club will host the Ladies Night Out Quarter Auction on Oct. 12. The auction will take place at the Holy Family Parish Center, located at 2729 Center Road. Doors will open at 7 p.m. There will be appetizers and desserts, but you must bring your own wine. For tickets, call Donna at 330-758-6047. Tickets are $20 per person.

Historical Society fall open house and meeting

The Poland Historical Society will host a fall open house at the Little Red Schoolhouse, located at 4515 Center Road (Route 224) in Poland Township, on Oct. 11 from 1-3 p.m. This free activity is open to the public and gives visitors an opportunity to see the inside of the schoolhouse and the many historical items on display. Children will be able to paint a pumpkin and enjoy various games and activities. The Historical Society’s October meeting is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Little Red Schoolhouse. Election of the 2016 officers and trustees will take place during the meeting. The program at 7:30 p.m. will be a presentation by Ken Ekis, Director of Operations for the Poland Local Schools. Ekis is a Poland graduate and has spent the past 43 years working in various school districts. He will highlight the rich traditions of the Poland Schools, where the school district currently stands with enrollment, staffing and conditions of the school buildings. He will also discuss the opportunity Poland voters have to make a very important decision that will impact the community and the children for the next 50 years.

Spooktacular Halloween science

Join the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27 for erupting pumpkins and other spooky experiments, plus a Halloween treat. This event is for children in grades 1-6.

Listen and Lego

Listen to a story and then have fun building with Legos at the Poland library at 1 p.m. on Oct. 15. Legos will be provided. This event is for ages 4-7.

Clowning around with Porgie

Join Porgie the Clown at this family friendly magic show with side-splitting jokes, quick wit and award-winning balloons! For children of all ages. Porgie will be at the Poland library at 11 a.m. on Oct. 17.

Fun time for 4s and 5s

Join the Poland library on Oct. 8, 22 and 29 at 1 p.m. 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.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Poland library every Thursday in October at 10:30 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

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. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bonding with Babies and Books will take place at the Poland library at 10 a.m. every Wednesday in October.

Adult children of alcoholics

Jerry Carter, former Executive Director of Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic, will help identify behaviors, thoughts or feelings that may stem from an unhealthy childhood and suggest ways change and prevent these behaviors from taking a toll on the present and future. This is part of the “Now You Know” series presented by Meridian HealthCare, in partnership with the library. This event will be at the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Oct. 15. Reservations are needed and can be made by calling 330-744-8636. For information about the program, contact Renee at Meridian HealthCare at 330-259-8623. This program is for adults.

CSI - Youngstown

Friends of PLYMC are sponsoring an author visit, presentation and book signing at the Poland library at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. Jacqueline Marino and Will Miller will present “Car Bombs to Cookie Tables: The Youngstown Anthology.” For more information, contact the Development Office at 330-740-6086. This program is open to the public to attend. This program is for adults.

Blood drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross

There will be a blood drive to serve the needs of St. Elizabeth Hospital. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). This event is for adults. The blood drive will take place at the Poland library on Oct. 30 from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Appy hour

Learn all about popular apps for smartphones and mobile devices at the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Oct. 26. 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 asking for Poland. This event is for teens and adults.

Trim a tree for October

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

Downton Abbey visits Biltmore Estate

Join the Poland library at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 for an evening of nostalgia as they take a look at this spring’s Downton Abbey costume exhibit hosted by the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. Librarian Kathy Richter visited Biltmore and will host this free program that includes photographs and descriptions of the Downton Abbey costumes, a brief history of the magnificent Biltmore Estate and a look at the not so ordinary everyday life at Biltmore. Register online using the events calendar or by calling the library. Refreshments will be available for the library’s 135th anniversary. This event is for teens and adults.

It’s a jungle...a grasshopper jungle

Join the Poland library at noon on Oct. 13 for a special presentation by Andrew Smith, author of the best-selling book and soon-to-be movie, “Grasshopper Jungle.” This event is for teens and adults. No reservations are needed. Refreshments will be available for the library’s 135th anniversary. This program is free and open to the public.

Gage named as a Commended Student

Brendan Gage has been named as a Commended Student in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. He has received a letter of commendation from Poland Seminary High School and from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2016 competition by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Seventh Annual Danielle Scott Memorial Poetry Contest

Danielle Scott was a beloved Teen Advisory Board member the community lost to cancer. Mahoning County libraries are sponsoring the seventh annual poetry writing contest to honor Scott and her love of writing. Teens may enter one poem with a theme of their choice. Entries may be submitted online at http://www.libraryvisit.org/teens/danielle/ or on standard 8 1/2 inch x 11 inch paper (not to exceed two pages) to any public library by Oct. 31. If you submit your entry online, select the writing type (poem) and be sure to include your phone number. Hard copies must be typed. Be sure to include your name, telephone number, grade and school on your entry. Entries are not returnable. One winner will be chosen and will be awarded a plaque and a monetary prize. All entrants must be in grades 7-12 and either live in or attend school in Mahoning County. Contest runs from Oct. 1-31.

East High School Class of 1962 reunion planned

The East High School Class of 1962 has planned a fall dinner reunion for Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Donavito’s Italian Grill in Struthers. Meals will be ordered from the menu. Any questions can be directed to Adeline DiPasqua at 330-758-4082.

Knitting Guild to meet on Oct. 13

The Western Reserve Knitting Guild will meet on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at Fair Park in Canfield. The Guild’s bylaws will be revised and voted on by the members. Also there will be a trunk show by Heidi and Lana from Sebring. Anyone interested in fiber arts is welcome to join them for possible membership. More information can be attained by visiting wrkg.ohio@gmail.com.

Authentic German harvest festival to raise funds for local quality of life programming

Kravitz Delicatessen, Inc. is pleased to announce that it will present and host the Valley’s Authentic Munich-style Oktoberfest at its location the city’s North Side. The festival will take place on Oct. 9, 10 and 11 inside and under the tent at the Colonial Plaza, located at 3135 Belmont Ave. in Youngstown. There is no cover charge for the event, but donations will gladly be accepted for Autism programs in the Mahoning Valley. This will be a fun, family oriented event all day with good food, tasty beverages and foot-tapping music all day and into the evening. It will feature regional ethnic bands, authentic German food delicious German beer and Rhine wine tastings, fun games and contests. Strudel, brats, stuffed cabbage, chicken snitzel and other German specialties will be available for sale. More information can be found at the event website at www.oktoberfestyoungstown.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/oktoberfestyoungstown.

Legacy Dog Rescue looking for shoes

Do you have any new or gently worn pairs of shoes that you aren’t wearing and that are just taking up space? Don’t throw them away. Legacy Dog Rescue would be happy to take them off your hands. They partnered with Wooftrax to raise some funds for their rescue, get the shoes to people that need them and avoid the shoes from getting into a landfill, which helps the environment. All the proceeds received for this event will go directly to funding one of Legacy Dog Rescue’s large community dog and cat food giveaways that they periodically have. They are planning to have one in late November around Thanksgiving. Last November, they gave away more than 6,500 pounds of dog and cat food. How it works is they collect gently worn or new shoes of all types and sizes. Then, Wooftrax picks-up the shoes from them. They refurbish the shoes and get them to people that really need them. Drop boxes are located at Family Video Austintown, Coco Moe’s Tanning on Elm Road, Howland Community Animal Hospital, Lil Paws, The Learning Dog Training Center, Spider Web Music and The Wellness Center in Niles. Email ldrcharity@gmail.com for more information.

Basket raffle to help dogs of Mahoning County

Legacy Dog Rescue, Friends of Fido and Youngstown Dogs are hosting a huge basket raffle on Oct. 10 at Davidson’s Restaurant/Tavern, located at 3636 Canfield Road in Canfield, from 2–5 p.m. Eighty great baskets and gift cards will be raffled off. The winner will be drawn at 5 p.m. and need not be present. The Old Goats will be playing from 3-6 p.m. Come out and have a great dinner and a drink with great friends working together to help the dogs of Mahoning County. For more information, contact Jenn at 330-719-5569 or follow the organizations on Facebook.

Begin your new life navigating through separation/divorce support group

Join this small group for those whose lives have been affected by divorce or separation. You don’t have to go through it alone. Be a part of a caring group of people that together will find peace, power and healing. Look forward to rebuilding your life with a positive focus. The group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at RP Life Consulting, located at 1570 S. Canfield-Niles Road, Building C-101 in Austintown. For more information, contact Robyn Podboy at 330-757-4259.

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.

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.

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.

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 every day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Family fun Fridays

Each Friday 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.