Austintown Community Briefs

Austintown Schools to host school bus driver training opportunity

Are you a stay at home parent who finally has their youngest child in school all day? Would like to make extra money working the same schedule as they attend school, including summers off? Retired and still interested in staying busy? There are opportunities at the Austintown School District that offer premium hours, a competitive pay rate and still allow you to enjoy time off. The Austintown Local Schools Transportation Department is conducting open interviews on Oct. 19. Interviews will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and evening hours from 4-6 p.m. at the bus garage at 275 Idaho Road-Davis Drive. You will be carefully guided through every aspect of the school bus training, including obtaining the appropriate licenses. Stop in and learn more about this no cost training opportunity to become a school bus driver.

Gamblers Anonymous meetings

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 Gamblers Anonymous meeting takes place every Friday at Westminster Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman, and another takes place every Sunday at Christ Church Presbyterian, located at 3425 Hopkins Road in Cornersburg. Both meetings begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. and last about one and a half hours. Those who believe gambling has affected any part of their lives are urged to attend.

Saxon Club hosts pork-kraut dinner

The Youngstown Saxon Club, located at 710 South Meridian Road, will host its next pork-kraut dinner on Oct. 18 from 11:30 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 takeouts will be available.

Torch Club to meet on Oct. 19

Club member Flora Paymer is this month’s speaker at the Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs dinner-discussion meeting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 19. Her paper will be “The Amazon: Importance to the World; and Childhood Memories.” The meeting will be in Kilcawley Center, Bresnahan Rooms I & II, on the campus of Youngstown State University. The public is invited to attend. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. and the lecture at 7 p.m. Attending only the lecture is free of charge. Dinner for nonmembers is $20. Call 330-757-4148 for reservations and for club information call 330-792-7351.

TQGIBT presents Shop Owners Night

A variety of local businesses representing quilt shops, needlework shops, independent 31 reps and others will bring their wares to TQGIBT – That Quilt Group I Belong To - for Shop Owners Night on Oct. 20. Dottie Bettiker of Just Quilt It looks forward to showcasing her fabrics and notions for local guilds. This year’s participants include Just Quilt It from Warren, Village Quilts in Canfield, The Gallery of Fabric from Mercer, Pa., With Needle In Hand in Boardman, Knit Wits Yarns Shop from Salem and Sara Dysert with Thirty-One Bags. Guests are welcome to attend and learn more about these local vendors. TQGIBT meets at Fair Park in Canfield on the third Tuesday of each month, with some exceptions. Doors open at 6 p.m. TQGIBT is open to all quilters in the Mahoning Valley, at all skill levels. For information on membership, contact president Helen Lewis at HMLrutgers@icloud.com or by calling 330-286-3966.

Alumni Association winners

Winners of the Austintown Alumni Association’s annual raffle were drawn at the Sports Hall of Fame game on Oct. 2. The first prize winner of $500 cash was Emily Zokle. The second prize basket worth $400 in local gift cards and sports passes was won by Melissa Crowley. The third prize winner of a $50 gift certificate to Rachel’s Restaurant and a $50 gift certificate to the Manor Restaurant was Margie Goldner. The Alumni Association uses profits from the raffle to award scholarships to graduating Fitch seniors and to support mini grants for classroom instruction throughout the school system. Membership in the Alumni Association is $10 and is open to all Austintown graduates as well as friends and faculty of Austintown Schools. For more information, contact alumni president Joann Sulenski at 330-793-1101 or Patti Griffin at 330-793-4799.

Camens named to the summer 2015 President’s list

Nicole Camens, a senior nursing major, was named to the summer 2015 President’s List. Camens is among 22 students who have earned and received academic recognition on the summer 2015 President’s list. To qualify for this honor, students must obtain a 4.0 GPA while maintaining 15 or more credit hours in a semester or session.

Special senior night at Austintown Fitch

Football fans will notice right away the newest change to Greenwood Chevrolet Austintown Falcon Stadium. The turf is now emblazoned with the Greenwood Chevy logo, and set the stage for great Falcon Football and Senior Night on Oct. 16. The Greenwood Chevrolet team, along with their families, were in attendance to cheer on the Falcons. More than 80 seniors were recognized for their dedication and achievements, including Joey Shushok, the “Valley’s Greatest Golfer.” Joey won the Vindicator’s golf tournament in his age group this August, and just weeks later he was diagnosed with cancer. Now Austintown Schools and the community are rallying to show their support for Joey. Students could purchase a “#SHUSTRONG” T-shirt in exchange for a free student ticket to the game. Students, staff and others throughout the community purchased more than 350 T-shirts. All proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go to the Shushok family.

Fall senior citizen dinner

Dinner, entertainment and fun is on the menu for Austintown senior citizens. Austintown residents who are 65 and older are invited for the Fall Senior Citizens dinner on Oct. 27. Board members, school staff and student groups will serve dinner at 4 p.m. at Fitch High School. Students from the high school band and choir will entertain the senior citizens until 6 p.m. Advance reservations are required. The cost of the dinner is $2. Call 330-797-3919 by Oct. 22 to reserve your seat.

Holiday family movie matinee

Join the Austintown library at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 for a Halloween holiday movie matinee. The movie will be rated G or PG. The library will provide a snack while you watch a holiday favorite. Children age 7-years and younger must be with an adult. This event is for the family.

Art with Andrea

Join the Austintown library at 6:30 on Oct. 20 in this art class as they guide you through a monthly project and help you work through your own art. This event is for teens and adults. Call 330-744-8636 to register.

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. 20 and 27. Each class is $5. Call FNC for details.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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. 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. 21 and 28.

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.

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.

Blind Date with a Book

Exciting, single book is seeking a fun-loving reader. Will be wearing a plain book jacket and sitting out on display at the Austintown Library during regular hours. Check one out today. This event is for adults.

Coupon Swap at the Library

Do you have coupons you don’t need or need coupons you don’t have? Drop in the Austintown library during regular hours in October to stretch your shopping dollars by swapping coupons or learning new tips from other coupon-clippers. This event is for adults.

Socrates Cafe Philosophy Group

This event is open to the public at the Austintown library at 6 p.m. on Oct. 19. For more information, contact the Development Office at 330-740-6086. This event is for adults.

Grab and Go craft for October

Make a craft to take home at the Austintown library during regular hours in October. This event is for children of all ages.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Austintown library at 10 a.m. every Wednesday in October 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. 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 Austintown library at 10 a.m. every Tuesday in October.

Pre-Kindergarten story time

This program is for 4- and 5-year-olds to help develop pre-literacy and kindergarten readiness skills using books, stories, rhymes, music, movement and crafts to help your child get ready for kindergarten. Pre-Kindergarten story time will take place at the Austintown library at 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday in October.

The future of burial rites

Are cemeteries a permanent part of the landscape in family history research? During the 21st century it is likely that dwindling land space, environmental concerns, the surge in non-burial options and the availability of new technologies all will lead to significant changes in death rituals. The Austintown library will examine what this means for genealogy at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 27. Registration is required by phoning 330-744-8636 or online via the library’s events calendar. This event is for adults.

Stamping with Cindy

Learn to create your own handmade cards using stamps, punches and other fun tools at the Austintown library at 11 a.m. on Oct. 20 or 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 28. Sign up for either session to create each month’s greeting card with matching envelope and 3D item. Class size is limited, registration required and can be made by calling 330-744-8636. This event is for adults.

Friends of the Austintown Program and Meeting

The Friends of the Austintown Program will meet at the Austintown library at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26. The presenter is Zachary Frymier from the PUCO’s Office of Retail Competition.

The Legal Creative’s legal clinic for creatives

Artist’s and art professionals: Schedule a half hour or one hour appointment to meet face-to-face with an attorney about topics related to the running of an arts business. A limited number of appointments will be accepted. Registration is required and no walk-in appointments will be accepted. Artists can preregister online at www.legalcreative.org, or by calling The Legal Creative (330-286-4363) or emailing info@legalcreative.org. This event is for adults. Appointments will take place at the Austintown library on Oct. 30 and will begin at 9 a.m.

Blood pressure check by Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association

A blood pressure check will be at the Austintown library on Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Page Turners book club

Love books and looking for a good read? Hear what others are reading and share your favorite read, or just join the fun. The Page Turners Book Club meeting will be at the Austintown library from 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 21. This event is for adults.

Get connected at your library

Learn how to use your library card to download or stream free movies and TV shows, and get free access to many popular digital magazines. This class is for adults and will take place at the Austintown library at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 22.

Name the chocolate bar

Come in to the Austintown library during regular hours in October to correctly identify the chocolate bars. If you guess correctly, you could win a sweet prize. This event is for teens in grades 7-12.

Twicks and tweats for tweens and teens

Boys and ghouls, bring your bones to the Austintown library at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 for a howling good time, featuring snacks, drinks, music and prizes for best costume. This event is for grades 5-12.

Gotta Move story time

This event is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver. Join the Austintown library at 10 a.m. every Thursday in October 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.

Take a guess

Guess the number of items in the jar at the Austintown library during regular hours in October. Closest guess wins a small prize. This event is for the family.

Haunted library

Come to the “haunted” Austintown library for some Halloween howls. Expect to be tricked and treated. Stories, games, slimy science and a craft. Costumes welcomed for in-library trick or treating. This event is for children of all ages. The haunted library will take place on Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

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.

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.

Quarter Auction set for Oct. 17

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Social Concerns Group will host a Quarter Auction on Oct. 17 in the Parish Center, located at at 4500 Norquest Blvd. in Austintown. The doors will open at 6 p.m. with the auction beginning at 7 p.m. Bring your own beverages and snacks for your table. Coffee, dessert, pop and water will be provided. Tickets are $10 and all money raised will be donated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary Social Concerns Group’s various charities. For more information or to obtain tickets, call Rebecca Velasco at 330-799-7751 or Bea Capezzuto at 330-793-4843.

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.