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Congregation returns to historic building for Advent lessons and carols
The congregation of St. James’ Episcopal Church will return to its historic building in Boardman Park on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. for a service of Advent lessons and carols. The people of St. James’ have been gathering as a community to worship since 1809. For 142 years, from 1829-1971, folks met in what is now known as St. James’ Meeting House, located in Boardman Park. In 1972 the new building on Glenwood Avenue was consecrated. The community is invited to join in this special Advent service. All are welcome to join in worship each Sunday morning at 10 a.m., at St. James’ Episcopal Church, located at 7640 Glenwood Avenue. The Rev. Shawn Dickerson is parish priest. For more information, contact the church office at 330-758-2727 or e-mail office@stjamesboardman.com.
BHS orchestras to present concert
The award-winning Boardman High School symphony, chamber and classical orchestras will present their annual Winter Orchestra Concert on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Boardman Performing Arts Center. The high school orchestra concert will take place in the Boardman Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14. Admission is a $3 donation for adults and a $1 donation for students. Pre-schoolers and senior citizens are admitted free of charge. The Boardman orchestra program is under the direction of Michele Prokop, Bill Amendol and Joel Monaco.
A Christmas celebration at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church
St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church will present its second annual “A Christmas Celebration” event on Dec. 17 at The Byzantine Center at the Grove, located at 3801 Shady Run Road in Youngstown. “A Christmas Celebration,” which is open to the public, will begin with Divine Liturgy at 3 p.m. to be followed by a buffet dinner at 4:30 p.m., a visit by St. Nicholas with gifts for the children and a live concert by The Singing Revilak Family from Slovakia. The event will also feature a fabulous basket raffle and poinsettia sale. The Singing Revilak Family, originally from Bardejov in Eastern Slovakia, has performed a lively and varied folk song repertoire on European, Canadian and American stages for more than 25 years, receiving numerous awards in competitions throughout Slovakia. Reservations are $30 for adults and $20 for children of ages 6–12. There is no charge for children under 6-years of age. Advance reservations are required and may be made by calling 330-743-0419 or via email to byzantinecenter@aol.com. The deadline for reservations is Dec. 13.
Overeaters Anonymous to have local meetings
Overeaters Anonymous is offering meetings at several local locations and on a variety of days. On Saturdays at 10 a.m., there will be a meeting at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in the Church Hall, Room 2, located at 4453 Warren-Sharon Road in Vienna, Ohio. This location is handicapped accessible. On Sundays at 7 p.m., there will be a meeting at Shenango Presbyterian Church, located at 3144 Wilmington Road (Route 18) in New Castle, Pa. This location is handicapped accessible. On Mondays, a meeting will take place at 1 p.m. at the Girard Multigenerational Center, located at 443 Trumbull Avenue in Girard. This location is handicapped accessible. On Wednesdays, a meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Valley Care - Northside Medical Center in the Medical Education Building, auditorium A, located at 500 Gypsy Lane in Youngstown. This location is handicapped accessible. On Thursdays at 6 p.m., a meeting will take place in Faith Chapel Fellowship Church, located at 511 E. Pershing St. in Salem, while at 7:30 p.m. a meeting will take place at New Life Lutheran Church, located at 1181 Churchill-Hubbard Road in Youngstown. Both of these locations are handicapped accessible. For more information on OA or meetings, go to www.oa.org or call one of the following Help Hotlines: Mahoning or Trumbull Counties - 330-747-2696; Columbiana County - 330-424-7767; Lawrence County - 724-674-3697.
Harry Potter fun at Barnes and Noble
The Friends of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) and the Junior Friends of PLYMC will host a Harry Potter-themed Holiday Gift Wrapping fundraiser at Barnes and Noble in Boardman from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Dec. 9. Join the fun; wear a favorite Harry Potter t-shirt or costume when you visit. PLYMC Friends and Junior Friends will gift wrap for donations. Additionally, if customers mention at Barnes and Noble that they would like to help the Friends of PLYMC, a percentage of their purchase will go to the Friends. Support your library, have a gift or two wrapped and join in the Harry Potter fun.
Friendly Squares to host holiday dance
The Niles Friendly Squares will host their Christmas dance on Dec. 10, at the Niles SCOPE Center, located at 14 E. State St. in Niles. Gene Hammond and Neil Harner will be the callers. Dress is casual. This will be a high/low dance with alternating tips for both new dancers currently taking lessons and for more experienced dancers. Admission is $6 per person and light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Hammond at 330-534-4426 or 330-506-3370.
Learn Contra Dance and make new friends
The Western Reserve Contra Dance will take place from 7-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Dublin Grange Hall, located at 6571 Fairground Blvd. in Canfield. See http://www.westernreservecontradance.com for more information. The “contra” is a New England social dance, with ever-changing partners and live traditional music by the band “One String Short.” A caller will teach each dance and guide the dancers. Dress is casual, beginners and all ages are welcome, partners are not required and new friends will be made. Admission is $8 and light refreshments will be served. The Grange Hall is located just off 224, behind the CVS pharmacy.
GA to meet twice this week
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 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 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 the local Gamblers Anonymous hotline at 330-505-5060.
Auditions for Victorian Players
The Victorian Players recentky announced auditions for two one-acts scheduled for Feb. 3-12. The first is “Harriet Tubman Visits a Therapist,” by Carolyn Gage. A highly academic psychoanalyst takes the famed Harriet Tubman to task for her heroic behavior. Two African-American women are needed, ages 20-35 years-old. The second is “Mason-Dixon,” by Carolyn Gage. A former slave-owner seeks her former slave’s help in spying on Jefferson Davis. This act is based on a true story. Two women are needed; one white woman and one African-American woman, ages 45-65 years-old. Prepare a two-minute monologue of your choice. Expect also to be asked to read from the script. These auditions will take place at the Victorian Players Theater, located at 702 Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown, on Dec. 13 from 4-7 p.m. and Dec. 14 from 4-7 p.m. For more information, call the director, Dr. Lundeana Thomas, at 502-210-1252.
Christmas cookie walk
Cookies will be sold by the dozen for $5.50 per dozen on Dec. 10 at 9-11 a.m. or until they are sold out at Bethel Lutheran Church at 425 Crestview in Boardman. The Bethel “Piecemakers” will have hand sewn items for sale.
Tales and talk for 2s and 3s
Join the Boardman library every Wednesday in December at 10 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.
Lego my library
Meet and enjoy creating Lego designs at the Boardman library on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. Legos will be provided. This event is for children, ages 6 and up.
A candy carnival celebration
School’s out...come to the Boardman library to celebrate by making candy crafts and playing Candyland and other carnival games on Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. Candy prizes will be provided at this one-hour family program that is open to children of all ages. Preschoolers must attend with an adult.
Elf on the bookshelf
During the month of December, visit the Boardman library during library hours in December to see all the places and mischief the Elf on the Shelf is getting into. Look for the Elf on the Shelf photos on the Library’s Facebook page and Instagram and add some of your own. This program is for the family.
I’m no dummy, it’s me, Mr. Puppet
Come watch Bob Abdou perform a ventriloquist skit with his sidekick, Mr. Puppet, at the Boardman library on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. A holiday skit that is sure to please the family, and a snack will be provided.
Bonding with babies and books
This event is for caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months. There will be 20 minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize at the Boardman library every Tuesday in December at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Trim a tree for December
Decorate an ornament for our all-seasons tree at the Boardman library during library hours in December. This is for children of all ages.
I Read YA! book club
This event is for adult fans of Young Adult Literature from ages 18-118, this book club is for you. Talk about why you like YA, read and discuss at the Boardman library on Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. This month they will be discussing “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie.
Reader’s Choice book club
You will discuss “The Husband’s Secret,” by Liane Moriarty. Share your favorite books and find out what new ones are being published at the Boardman library on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. They will preview January’s book, “The Grapes of Wrath,” by John Steinbeck.
Blood drive
Proudly serving the needs of St. Elizabeth Hospital, the American Red Cross will be taking blood donations to help our community at the Boardman library on Dec. 27 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Puzzle swap
Swap six of your once-done jigsaw puzzles with others on the second Wednesday of the month at the Boardman library. This month will be on Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. For more information, call the development office at 330-740-6086.
Holiday library closings
All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24, 25, 26 and 31 as well as Jan. 1 and 2.
Celebrate Short Fiction Day
Space is still available for area fiction writers who want to be part of the upcoming “Celebrate Short Fiction” Day. The annual literary event is scheduled for Dec. 21 from 6-9 p.m. at Courtyard Square, located at 645 E. State Street in Salem. The public event, now in its third year, provides local writers with the opportunity to share their work with area fans, participants and other authors able to sell their own books during the event. A limited number of spaces at $10 each are available for those authors who aren’t reading but would like to make their books available for sale. Sellers must bring their own tables — no larger than 6 feet. Space reservations are required and must be paid in advance. To reserve a space or for more info, contact Courtyard Square at 804-513-8027 or lisacahill@mac.com. Checks are to be made out to CI Ohio LTD and authors will be responsible for their own sales. More information is available online at http://tinyurl.com/CSFDay2016.
Carlozzi annual funds drive
Carlozzi Financial Services is again helping local families in need this holiday season. The public is invited to join Carlozzi Financial Services and their clients to give a monetary donation to Second Harvest Food Bank. Monetary donations can be mailed to Carlozzi Financial Services, 831 Southwestern Run, Suite 1, Poland. For information, visit www.CarlozziFinancialServices.com. Second Harvest Food Bank distributed 10.4 million pounds of food in 2015 in the tri-county area. Last year, Carlozzi Financial Services collected $1,225 in monetary donations. Mark Carlozzi is hoping that this year will be even greater.
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 (in 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.
Book-A-Librarian
Would you like a personal introduction to resources available at the library? Need more time with a librarian than you can get over the phone or if you just walk in? Book-a-Librarian sessions are tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual. A library staff member will give undivided attention to customers who want in-depth help with a variety of library services, such as: learning to use a computer, email, the Internet, downloading e-books & audiobooks, researching a topic, discovering new books & authors to read & enjoy, business, non-profit, or Genealogy help. To schedule an appointment: visit any library, call 330-744-8636 or go online at www.LibraryVisit.org/Book-a-Librarian. This event is for teens and adults.
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.