Austintown Community Briefs

Ringling Bros. contest

Come into a Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County library from Nov. 1-11 to win four tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Legends show which will be at the Covelli Center Nov. 19-22. This event is for children ages 1-12 years.

Thanksgiving holiday closing Nov. 26

All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) system will be closed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 26.

Suzelis and Khoury to host thyroid health seminar

The Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center in Boardman will be hosting a free natural health seminar titled, ”Naturopathic Thyroid Care” on Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive, there are natural options to assist you. In this seminar, Dr. Ted Suzelis, ND, and Valentina Khoury, ND, LAc, will discuss naturopathic options for thyroid health. They will discuss synthetic versus natural thyroid hormone replacement, when is it appropriate to forgo thyroid replacement altogether and what are the natural options for those with an overactive thyroid, including when pregnant or breastfeeding. The seminar will be beneficial for those who already have thyroid issues, along with people who want to keep their thyroid healthy. The seminar will take place at the center at 755 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite D3, in Boardman (Southbridge West Complex). For more information or to reserve your seat, call 330-729-1350 or go to OhioND.com. This event is free, but RSVP is required.

Gamma Pi hosts October meeting

The Gamma Pi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma recently had a dinner at the Fifth Floor Restaurant in Youngstown. Mary Ellen Wilcox introduced the guest speaker, Traci Manning, Mahoning Valley Historical Society Curator of Education. Her program was on Founding Mothers: Great Women in Mahoning Valley History. Her presentation was followed by questions from the Chapter members. Mahoning Valley Historical Society has much to offer in the way of special events, education programming and more. To learn more, visit www.mahoninghistory.org.

Memory Keepers Scrapbooking Club

Bring your photographs and create a scrapbook page for them at the Austintown library from 6-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. Paper and other supplies provided. Pre-register for this event by calling 330-744-8636. This is for teens and adults.

ABWA to meet Nov. 10

The Mill Creek Chapter of The American Business Women’s Association will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Johnny’s Restaurant, located at 7807 Market St. in Boardman. The Mill Creek Chapter will be celebrating its 54th Anniversary with the theme “Splash of Italian.” Anthony Horvath of Struthers will entertain with songs of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and other classics. The menu will include Italian roasted chicken, beef tips and noodles, pasta and meatballs, Italian roasted potatoes, Italian mixed vegetables, tossed salad, fresh baked bread, hot peppers and oil, and coffee, tea or soda. Sheet cake will be served for dessert. The cost is $21.50 per person and guests are welcome. Reservations are due by Nov. 2 to Mandy Codespote at 330-314-8198.

...And the Rest is History Book Club

Read a sizzling, red-hot history book lately? The Austintown library would love to hear all the juicy details. Join them for informal discussions covering all areas of history, including historic eras, people, places and things at the library at 6 p.m. on Nov. 5. This book club is for adults.

Instagram Bookface challenge

Do you have what it takes to be the best bookfacer on Instagram? Try the library’s challenge to test your skills. All challengers accepted and the best wins a candy bouquet and bragging rights. Use the hashtag #librarytxt. The contest takes place through the entire month of November at the Austintown library for children in grades 5-12.

Night at the Races to benefit local animal organizations

Friends of Fido and Legacy Dog Rescue will be hosting a Night at the Races on Nov. 6 at the Saxon Club, located at 710 S. Meridian in Youngstown. The doors will open at 6 p.m., with the first race running at 7 p.m. The admission price is $10. In addition to the Chinese Auction, there will be a 50/50 raffle, lottery tree, food and alcohol for sale. Pre sale tickets are available now. Call Jenn at 330-719-5569 or Shirley at 330-720-7216 if you would like to purchase yours early. Friends of Fido and Legacy Dog Rescue are both 501 (3) non profit organizations. All contributions to either organization are tax deductible. Come out to the event, enjoy great food and fellowship and know that you are helping these organizations continue to fulfill their missions of saving the dogs of Mahoning and Trumbull Counties that otherwise would never have a chance at their own permanent, loving homes.

Tween Plants vs. Zombies party

Don’t let the Zombies get in the library. The Austintown library will host games, crafts and snacks for grades 3-8 at 6 p.m. on Nov. 2

Tales to tails

Come to the Austintown library at 11 a.m. on Nov. 7 and read to a therapy dog from Pet Partners. Bring your own book, or they will find one for you, and read to a furry friend. Registration is required. Space is limited. Register online or by calling 330-744-8636 and ask for the Austintown library. Tales to Tails is for school age children.

Take a guess

Guess the number of items in the jar at the Austintown library during regular library hours in November. The closest guess wins a small prize.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Join the Austintown library on Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. for the Peanuts gang’s menu of toast, pretzels, popcorn, jellybeans and ice cream sundaes. Enjoy “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” storybook app, play games and make a craft. This event is for children of all ages.

Grab and go craft

Stop by the Austintown library during regular library hours in November to make a craft to take home. Children of all ages can make a craft.

Austintown students named to Kent State’s Dean’s List

Kent State recognizes more than 370 undergraduate students who have been named to the Dean’s List for summer 2015. Undergraduate students who obtain a 3.4 GPA or higher while maintaining 12 or more credit hours during the summer qualify to receive this honor. The following local students were named to the Summer 2015 Dean’s List: Roselyn Sims, Alyssa Jones, Cody McCullough, Brittany Amicone and Allissa Sparks.

Pre-K story time

This program is for 4- and 5-year-olds to help develop pre-literacy and kindergarten readiness skills. Books, stories, rhymes, music, movement and crafts will be used to help your child get ready for kindergarten. Baby Brilliant takes place at the Austintown library at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Autumn Craft Show to be Nov. 14

The Austintown Middle School PTA will be hosting the 32nd Annual Autumn Craft Show on Nov. 14 at the Austintown Middle School, 800 S. Raccoon Rd. The craft show will begin at 10 a.m. and will run until 3:30 p.m.

Austintown Fitch honors veterans

On Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. Austintown Fitch will host its annual Veteran’s Day assembly honoring school’s faculty, administrators, custodial staff and Board of Education members in the school’s auditorium. During the assembly speakers Kenneth David, United States Army, and Chris Wortman, a Gold Star Military Mother, will be speaking to the students, personnel and representatives of Veterans groups. The school will also be recognizing Raymond Gordon, a Vietnam Veteran, who has been a long time member of the falcon family.

Students receive UAW-GM scholarships

The following local students at Youngstown State University received the $1,000 UAW-GM People’s Store Scholarship: Jasmine Beacham, who is majoring in Social Work at YSU; Paul Gruver, who is majoring in Geography at YSU; Victoria Kalmer, who is majoring in Dental Hygiene at YSU, and Kenneth Nepple, who is majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology at YSU. The scholarship is funded by proceeds from the UAW 1112 GM People’s Store located in the GM Lordstown Complex. The scholarship program was started in 1991. Recipients are the children of employees of the GM Lordstown Complex.

Pancake and sausage breakfast

Immaculate Heart of Mary Knights of Columbus 3930 is sponsoring a pancake and sausage breakfast on Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the parish center, located at 4500 Norquest Blvd. in Austintown. The menu consists of pancakes, sausage and beverages. The cost for adults is $5 and $3 for children 12 and under.

Lumen Christi Schools provide band instruction

Lumen Christi Catholic Schools recognizes the importance of the fine arts, and therefore, band instruction is now available to all middle school students. This school year, Tom Mastramico will be instructing Lumen Christi students as part of the standard curriculum covered by tuition. Mr. Mastramico is an alumnus of St. Patrick’s School on Oakhill and graduated from Cardinal Mooney, where he was the president of the band. He then attended YSU where he participated in the jazz, concert and marching Bands. Mastramico has been teaching band since 1977 and has been instructing students at Holy Family School since 1993. Lumen Christi Catholic Schools welcome Mastramico as their new band director. For more information, contact the school at 330-786-6106.

Junior Women’s League to meet Nov. 2

The next meeting of the Boardman Poland Junior Women’s League will take place Nov. 2 at Glenellen Assisted Living, located at 9661 Market St. in Boardman, at 7 p.m. Members are to bring items for Operation Christmas Child. The BPJWL Juniorettes will be putting the shoeboxes together at a later date in November. Hostesses for the meeting are Debbie Chop, Linda Crish and Sperry Rongone. They will be making special food items from their heritage that they will share that evening. Pampered Chef will come for the evening meeting as a club fundraiser and members can brings guests for their demonstration. The Boardman Poland Junior Women’s League is open to all women that are 18 or older, residing in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, who are interested in friendship, fun and community involvement. Their mission is to provide a creative outlet for women interested in providing community service in areas of arts, conservation, education, home life, international affairs and public affairs. Women interested in joining or receiving more information can contact membership Chairwoman, Sperry Rongone, at 330-770-3880 and/or Nina Lowery 330-506-9473.

Rummage sale to be Nov. 6

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church is having a huge rummage sale on Nov. 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the school cafeteria, located at 4700 Norquest Blvd. in Austintown. There will be thousands of items with a minimal amount of clothing. Also, there will be a Chinese auction and bake sale.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.