Architect, new film at McGuffey society event

Staff report

LIBERTY

The William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society will mark its 55th anniversary Saturday with a special program in which a documentary on McGuffey will be premiered, and local architect Ray Jaminet will speak.

The program will take place at 10 a.m. at Kravitz Deli meeting room, 3135 Belmont Ave. The 20-minute documentary recalls the life of “America’s Schoolmaster.”

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and a good-will offering will be accepted, to benefit the society. A 50/50 raffle also will be held. Reservations are required. Walk-ins may be admitted based upon seat availability. Call Richard S. Scarsella at 330-726-8277 for reservations or information.

The WHMHS was founded in 1961. It is the last existing chapter of the National Federation of McGuffey Societies. The DVD is titled “William Holmes McGuffey: America’s Schoolmaster.” It was written, directed and shot by Youngstown filmmaker Chris Rutushin, and co-produced by Scarsella and Rutushin. It traces the life of the famous educator, his contributions to literacy, his life in the Mahoning Valley and the efforts of the WHMHS to keep his legacy alive.

Veteran architect Jaminet, who designed and built many landmark buildings in the Youngstown area in a career that spans more than 50 years, will recall a lifetime in the Mahoning Valley.

He began his architectural career in Toledo and returned to Youngstown in 1963.

Jaminet launched his own practice in 1970.

Raymond J. Jaminet Architects designed many landmark buildings including City Centre One, IBM Building, the Historical Center of Industry and Labor and the Commerce Building, downtown; St. Charles Borromeo Church, Boardman.