Boardman Community Briefs

Star Paws mutt mingle

May the “Fourth” Be With You. Enjoy a free family friendly Star Paws Mutt Mingle with your special pooch at Boardman Park. Boardman Park and Animal Charity will be hosting this event on May 4 from 5-7 p.m. at the Masters Outdoor Pavilion. It will be a “paws-some” good time with dog vendors, Non-profit Dog Rescues, get your questions answered by a local vet and socialize with other dog owners. Food concessions will be available. Bring your dog, dressed up like a Star Wars character, for a chance to win a prize. Also on May 4 the Paws Town Dog Park will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. for dogs and their owners to run, play catch and have some fun. Pick up an application that day to join the dog park and receive $5 off your yearly membership. If you already have a membership, then refer a friend for a chance to be entered into a drawing for prizes. Proceeds from the event will benefit Animal Charity and Marge Hartman’s Paws Town at Boardman Park.

BMS band receives high ratings

More than 60 Boardman Middle School band students in grades 7 and 8 performed in the Ohio Music Education Association’s annual solo and ensemble competition at Struthers High School in Struthers on April 16. Those awarded with “I” superior ratings include from Boardman Center Middle School Nicklaus Prosser, Jordan Main, Mason Smith, Abbie Sammartino, Justin Wagner, Jay Solmen, Jason Roussos, Aeva Richard, Camryn Norton, Cristian Ortiz and Ethan Andersen. From Boardman Glenwood Middle school, Ryan Sweder, J P Deem, Kylee Schulick, Katie Sarkkinen, Aidan Swavel, Emma Tokarsky, Raegan Burkey, Alyssa Magrini, Olivia Wamsley and Jason Lagese. Ensembles recieving superior ratings include Boardman Center Saxophone Quartet, Boardman Center Tuba Trio, Boardman Center Woodwind Trio, Boardman Center Trombone Trio and Boardman Center Flute Trio. From Boardman Glenwood Middle School, the seventh- and eighth-grade Flute Trios both were superior.

Boardman Center fundraiser

Boardman is in the midst of organizing an extreme makeover of Boardman Center Middle School this summer. Every room and every hallway will be repainted without spending taxpayer money. A Used Book Sale set for May 4-6 (12-6 p.m.) in the Boardman Center Gym is the first of several fundraisers planned to offset costs. The makeover will be completed all by volunteer labor the week of June 13.

Boardman bands spring concert

The spring concert of the Boardman Bands will take place on May 3 at 7 p.m. in the Boardman Performing Arts Center. The concert will feature the combined concert/symphonic band and the BHS Wind Ensemble. Also featured will be senior soloist Michael Mitchum, who will perform “Bride of the Waves” by Herbert L. Clarke. This will be the last concert for Associate Band Director Mr. Steven Chambers. Chambers is retiring after 34 years as a music educator, with 32 of those years spent as part of the Boardman Band Program. Donations will be accepted at the door on the day of the concert. Donations are $3 for adults and $2 for students, and as always senior citizens are admitted free of charge.

Mercy Health offers free workshop

Mercy Health Youngstown will offer a one-hour workshop, “Health at Home,” May 19 in the Woodland Room at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, located at 8401 Market St. The morning session runs from 11 a.m. until noon and an evening session goes from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The workshop and all materials are free, but reservations are required. Call 330-480-3070. The workshop includes an easy-to-use reference guide that provides information about more than 200 common health problems as well as tips on caring for yourself and your family, preventing illness and injury and advice on when to seek medical attention. Health at Home workshops will also be offered at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital on June 16.

West Side Cats garage sale

Spring is on it’s way here in Northeast Ohio. It is just about “Garage Sale” time for West Side Cats (WSC), located at 2217 Mahoning Ave. in Youngstown. WSC will host a “Presale Garage Sale” on May 13 from 3-6 p.m. The following day, May 14, the garage sale will continue from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. All proceeds benefit the West Side Cats Shelter. Baby clothes and furniture are a special interest. WSC will feature a table of cat toys, T-shirts, bottled water, etc. to purchase, also funding the shelter. All questions can be addressed to Janet.

Italian Fest scholarship available

Applications for the 2016 Youngstown State University Scholarship from The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest are now available by contacting Deborah Mottle at mottlesmurals@gmail.com or applications may be retrieved from http://www.youngstownitalianfest.org/. Applicants must attend Youngstown State University and be of Italian descent in order to be eligible. Deadline for applicants is June 7.

“Sweet Pieces for Autism” campaign

The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley is excited to be the beneficiary of a Philadelphia Candies project to support Mahoning Valley families affected by autism. In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, Philadelphia Candies is hosting its annual “Sweet Pieces for Autism” campaign. Stop by its Hermitage or Boardman retail locations from now until April 30, and purchase a 1.5 ounce chocolate puzzle pop. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from this specialty item will be donated to the programs of the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley. Families and organizations that are interested in gifting, buying and selling chocolates in support of the Autism Society’s many programs including Camp Friend, can pre-order puzzle-pieces and chocolate pops by contacting the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley at 330-333-9609 or autismmv.gmail.com. For more information, call Philadelphia Candies 724-981-6341.

Mill Creek ABWA to have May meeting

The Mill Creek Chapter of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) will host its May 10 meeting at A La Cart Catering in Canfield, beginning with networking at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The menu includes Spinach quiche, chicken crepes, French toast sticks, link sausage, sliced ham, home fried potatoes, assorted pastries, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee, tea and decaf. The cost is $18 and the deadline to get your reservations will be May 1. You can call Jackie Fischio at 330-788-6634 or 330-559-4808 or Marilyn Abramski at 330-726-2507 or 330-565-6913 for reservations. Election of new officers will take place and results from the basket auction will be discussed. The public is welcomed.

Puzzle swap

Swap six of your once done jigsaw puzzles with others. This event takes place every second Wednesday of the month at the Boardman library. The next event will be May 11 at 4 p.m.

Friends of the Boardman library program and meeting

“Pioneers of the Valley” by presenter Traci Manning of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society. This event is for adults at the Boardman library on May 9 at 10 a.m.

Meridian HealthCare mental health talk

Meridian HealthCare presents “Now you know: Understanding those who Struggle with mental health and addiction.” Learn about the problems people struggling with mental health and addiction face. Hear about levels of care, integrated treatment methods and resources in the community that can help. The event is presented in partnership with Meridian HealthCare with presenter Tina Goynes, LPCC. No reservations are needed. This event is for adults at the Boardman library on May 26 at 6 p.m.

Blood pressure screening

The Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross will be hosting a Blood Pressure Screening at the Boardman library on May 2 from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Reader’s Choice book club

The club will discuss “Columbine” by David Cullen. Share your favorite books and find out what new ones are being published. Preview June’s book, “Everything I Never Told You,” by Celeste Ng. This event is for adults at the Boardman library on May 2 at 7 p.m.

BUMP spring sale to be May 4 and 5

Boardman United Methodist Church, located at 6809 Market St, will be hosting a spring trash and treasure sale on May 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thursday will be bargain bag day. Lunch, a bake sale and beverages will be availablf for purchase.

While it may still be too early for digging and planting it’s not too early to join the Community Garden and start planning what fresh vegetables will be on your dinner table this summer. Whether you have a green thumb and are an experienced gardener or whether you are a beginner, community gardens allow you to experience the joys of gardening, promote healthy eating habits and build new relationships with others in the community. The garden is located at the Historic Southern Stables on Washington Boulevard. Registration for the 10 foot by 20 foot garden plots began on April 11 at the Boardman Park Office located at 375 Boardman-Poland Road, and are available for a fee of $25. Your fee includes the garden plot, water and periodic classes/instructions on gardening. Due to the limited number of plots available, registration is limited to Boardman residents only and only one plot per gardener/family. Garden season begins May 1 and runs through Nov. 15. For more information, visit the park office or call 330-726-8105.

First annual West Side Cats Father’s Day raffle

West Side cats will be hosting a Father’s Day raffle featuring a 48 inch Insignia LED TV. The drawing will be on June 18, and proceeds will be used for the group’s spay and neuter program. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. You can purchase your tickets beginning next week through any volunteer or at the shelter. West Side Cats is located at 2217 Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown. Call 330-792-4228 for details.

Library closings

All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system will be closed on May 8, May 29 and May 30.

GA 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 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 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.

MCCTC opens Summer Camp registration

The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center is giving students the chance to explore new careers this summer with its annual Summer Camp on June 20-22. This year’s camp offers students the opportunity to learn more about exciting career fields through fun, hands-on projects. Programs offered this year are Exercise Science, Culinary, Cosmetology, Mechanical Engineering, Truck and Diesel Mechanics and Welding and Auto Technology. MCCTC Summer Camp takes place every summer and is open to students in grades 6-8. For more information or to register a child, visit www.mahoningctc.com.

Playtime at your library

Prepare for Kindergarten through play. The librarian will read a story and have fun with developmentally appropriate games and activities that parents can do with your child to help them get ready for Kindergarten. This event is for 2-6 year-olds. All children must be accompanied by an adult to this one hour program. Join the Boardman library on May 18 at 10 a.m.

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. Join the Boardman library on Tuesdays in May at 10 a.m.

Tales and talk for 2’s and 3’s

Join the Boardman library May 4 and May 25 at 10 a.m. for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (2-3 year-olds) become a successful reader. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Fitness fun story time

Join the Boardman library on May 11 at 10 a.m. for stories and activities selected from the “Eat, Play, Grow” program. Good fun and good nutrition. Prizes and snacks will be given. This event is for children ages 2-5 and is sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Kids Coalition.

Lego my library

Meet and enjoy creating Lego designs. Legos will be provided. This event is for children ages 6 and up at the Boardman library on May 14 at 10 a.m.

Night owl story time

Each child must be accompanied by an adult in this 30-minute program featuring finger plays, stories and a craft activity. This event is for children ages 3-5 at the Boardman library May 3, 17, 24 and 31 at 6 p.m.

Soap, soap, soap

This event will offer Mother’s Day stories and a soap craft for children of all ages. Preschoolers must attend with an adult to this one-hour program. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Boardman library to register for this event hosted on May 10 at 6 p.m.

TAB meeting

Check out the monthly TAB (Teen Advisory Board) meeting. Help plan and support teen activities at the library. Meet new people and have fun. Newcomers are always welcome. This event is for teens in grades 7-12 at the Boardman library on May 4 at 6:30 p.m.

YA book superlatives

The school year is ending and it’s time for yearbooks. Come to Boardman library’s teen area and vote for your favorite characters from YA (teen) books that you have read. Who’s your favorite book boyfriend or girlfriend? Who was the funniest? The library will tally your votes and post the results in June for this year’s YA yearbook. This event is for teens in grades 7-12 during open hours in May.

Check into chess

Join the Boardman library on May 1 at 1:30 p.m. to play chess in the afternoon. This is a family program for all ages. If you would like to learn to play, the librarians will be happy to teach you.

Color your world

Join the Boardman library on May 19 at 7 p.m. for a relaxing evening of adult coloring. Coloring sheets and materials will be provided or you’re welcome to bring your own. Colorful light refreshments will be served. This event is for teens and adults.

It’s all about yarn

Bring in your crochet, knitting, plastic canvas, or “anything with yarn” project and learn from one another. Participants are encouraged to bring all yarn UFOs (unfinished objects). This event is for adults at the Boardman library on May 23 at 11 a.m.

Preserving your family heirlooms

This event offers an introduction to preservation and conservation issues relevant to the genealogist. Whether the information is in the form of original documents and artifacts, or as generated research findings, this seminar will cover basic care, storage and handling techniques; repairing and reformatting; technology migration; disaster response and legacy planning. This event is for adults and teens. Registration is required by phoning 330-744-8636 or online via the library’s events calendar. This event will be hosted at the Boardman library on May 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Leave no soldier behind: finding our family members in uniform

Explore the records of our armed forces. Learn how to pursue personnel files and unit histories in order to understand your ancestor’s role in defending our nation’s heritage. This event is for adults and teens. Registration is required by phoning 330-744-8636 or online via the Boardman library’s events calendar. This event will be hosted on May 24 at 10 a.m.

I Read YA! book club

Adult fans of Young Adult Literature that are ages 18-118 - this book club is for you. Talk about why you like YA. Read and discuss. Proudly say, “I read YA!” This month the club will be discussing “Everything, Everything” by Nicola Yoon. This event is for adults at the Boardman library on May 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Kite festival

Join the celebration of kites and all things that float, soar and fly through the skies. The Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites will brighten the skies with expert kite flying and ingenious designs. Bring your own kite to fly and enter in free games. Enjoy free bubble, glider and pinwheel activities. Create a kite for a small fee. This event will be hosted at Wick Recreation Area on April 30 at 11 a.m. Call Ford Nature Center for details.

Get “golf ready”

Learn everything you’ll need to play golf in just a few lessons. PGA pros will show you ways to play by combining fun, friends and fitness. Each session will focus on various golf skills. Mix and match clinics available. One day clinic - $25, any two clinics - $45, any three clinics - $60 and any seven clinics - $100. Dates for the program vary through Aug. 17.

Spring plant sale

Come to Fellows Riverside Gardens on May 6 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and May 7 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. for unique quality plants for the home garden. Perennials (sun and shade), annuals, herbs, fruits, vegetables, roses, trees, shrubs and more will add to your garden’s beauty.

In the forest

The work of realist painter Jason Floyd Lewis relishes the natural beauty of uninhabited places. The Wellers Gallery at Fellows Riverside Gardens will feature this artwork until June 12.

Loghurst museum to host sale

Loghurst is hosting a Trunk and Tool sale on April 30 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Each car will pay a fee of $10. Set-up is from 8:30-10 a.m. If you have questions about this event, call 330-533-4330.

Hospice of the Valley to train new volunteers

Hospice of the Valley is hosting training sessions for new companion volunteers to visit hospice patients in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties. Sessions will take place on Tuesdays through May 3 from 1-4:30 p.m. at St. Joe’s at the Mall, Sears Concourse Eastwood Mall, located at 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road in Niles. During the training program, volunteers will learn what Hospice of the Valley’s team of doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains do for patients and their families and how they fit into that team. Hospice volunteers serve in a variety of ways including companions for hospice patients at home or in nursing homes and support to the family members. Volunteers may also assist with indirect patient services such as clerical support, reception desk, mail team and fundraising. Volunteer assignments are made close to the volunteer’s home. All volunteers must wait one year after the loss of a loved one before they can become a volunteer. For more information or to register, call 330-549-5902.

Mahoning Valley walk benefiting JDRF

Take steps to help the Junvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) progressively remove the impact of type 1 diabetes from people’s lives. By joining a team or making a donation to JDRF, you’ll raise money to help fund critical research. The walk will be on May 21 at the Watts Center of Youngstown State University. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Register at http://www2.jdrf.org/mahoningvalleywalk. For more information, contact Timothy Styranec at 330-533-5306 or by email at tmstyranec@zoominternet.net.

Have your pet featured in a calendar

West Side Cats is having a pet photography contest. For each $1 you pay, you can submit one photo of your favorite pet. Each vote will be an additional $1 fee which can be paid through PayPal at: Westsidecats@yahoo.com or dropped off at the shelter, located at 2217 Mahoning Ave. The top 12 winners will have their pets photo featured on a month of the new calendar and receive a calendar of their own. There will also be a grand prize for the pet with the most votes. Calendars will be sold after the contest ends. The photography contest will end on May 30 (Memorial Day). For more information, visit the Facebook page “West Side Cats Photography Contest.”

Join the Sprout Club at Fellows Riverside Gardens this spring to learn about the amazing world of plants with topics that include: pizza plants, moss pets and herbs. Each class will include an activity and snack. Attend all three classes and receive a plant-related prize. Class will be from 1-2 p.m. on May 19. Registration has passed.

Yoga basics course offered at Fellows Riverside Gardens

Choose Sunday mornings or Tuesday evenings for this relaxing eight week yoga course. The cost is $80. Sunday classes will be through May 8 at 9 a.m., Tuesday classes will be through May 10 at 6 p.m.

T’ai chi for beginners at Fellows Riverside Gardens

Learn this art of energy balancing, coordination, flexibilty and leg strength during this 10 week course. The cost is $100. Classes will be Thursday nights through May 12 at 12 p.m.

Advanced Master Gardener series

This series, led by Ellen Speicher, will focus on pruning, plant names and fall gardening. The event will be hosted by Fellows Riverside Gardens on June 11 and Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. The deadline for registration has passed.

America’s Schoolmaster exhibit

The Early Days of William Holmes McGuffey will be on display in the Melnick Museum at Fellows Riverside Gardens from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Learn more about the early days of McGuffey and his boyhood homestead, located in Coitsville and now known as the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve. The exhibit will be open though January 2017.