Boardman Community Briefs

Mahoning county Churches combine efforts for Lenten services

The Mahoning County Lutheran Cluster of Churches will be hosting a Wednesday evening Lenten series based on the Covenant of Baptism and its importance in one’s spiritual life. Five area churches and their pastors will be participating. Each week a different pastor will preside at each church sharing their message about a portion of the Baptismal Covenant. All are welcome to attend the services, which will take place on Wednesdays Feb. 17 through March 16 at any of the following locations and times: Bethel Lutheran Church services at 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church services at 7 p.m., Lord of Life Lutheran Church services at 7 p.m., Martin Luther Lutheran Church services at 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Zion Lutheran Church services at 7 p.m.

Local students named to the Dean’s List

The University of Akron (UA), Ohio’s Polytechnic University, is the region’s most influential public research university, contributing to the resurgence of the local economy, providing a highly skilled workforce and known for an innovative approach to higher education. Students from Boardman who made the fall 2015 Dean’s List include Daniel Altemese, Benjamin Clark, Eric Ford, Kristina Nguyen, Emma Pierson and Evan Schantz.

Mooney announces 2016 Hall of Fame class

Cardinal Mooney High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame, Ron Stoops Scholarship Dinner, will take place at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman on Feb. 14. Buffet dinner and open bar are scheduled from 6-8 p.m., with the induction ceremony to start promptly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $75, or $600 for a table of eight. Proceeds will benefit the Ron Stoops Scholarship Fund. For reservations, call 330-788-5007, or purchase tickets online through the Cardinal’s Nest at www.cardinalmooney.com. Inductees include Josh Allegretto, Chris Amill, Erin Barnett Loesch, Colleen Carney Duchon, Kristin Demidovich, Matt Finnerty, Mike Handel, Katie Hardie, Mike Lodyn, Walter Madison, Joe Marzano, Robert Shepas, Robert Sheridan and Eddie Thomas.

Boardman native on Akron’s Pesident’s List

The University of Akron (UA), Ohio’s Polytechnic University, is the region’s most influential public research university, contributing to the resurgence of the local economy, providing a highly skilled workforce and known for an innovative approach to higher education. To qualify for the President’s List, students must be undergraduate, enrolled full-time and achieve a 4.0 grade point average for the semester. Angela Morris of Boardman is one of those outstanding individuals.

Fundraisers to take place for ACS

The Pink Ribbon Golf Classic committee will be hosting two events in April benefiting the American Cancer Society. On April 13, a golf clinic will take place at Creekside Golf Dome in Girard from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Participants will receive instruction and practice in driving, chipping and putting. The cost is $25 per person. On April 24, “high tea” will be served at Piccadilly Parlor in Canfield at 11 a.m. A variety of teas and finger food will be served in a delightful Victorian atmosphere (wearing hats and gloves is optional). The cost is $25 per person. For further information and registration, contact Ginny at 330-219-9092 or Nancy at 330-272-5794.

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.

Boardman students named to Dean’s List at John Carroll University

John Carroll University has announced the fall 2015 Dean’s List. Students eligible for the Dean’s List must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours within one semester and have a quality grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students from Boardman named to the list include Thomas Clarke, Dominic DiMuzio, Kacey Haggerty, Emily Ellis, Celia Giancola, Christian Lowery and Lucia DeChurch. John Carroll University is recognized nationally for an exceptional four-year graduation rate, teaching excellence and a commitment to living a faith that does justice as central to its mission. John Carroll is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States.

“Moonlight and Magnolias” auditions

The Victorian Players will host auditions for “Moonlight and Magnolias” on Feb. 20 and 21 at 2 p.m. at the theatre, located at 702 Mahoning Ave. in Youngstown. Casting requirements are as follows: three men ages 30-60 and one woman age 30-60. “Moonlight and Magnolias” is a semi-factual farce which takes place in 1939 and tells the story of the re-writing of the epic “Gone With the Wind.” Auditioners will be asked to read from the script and may be asked to perform some physical comedy maneuvers. “Moonlight and Magnolias” is being directed by Marlene Menaldi Strollo.

Friendly Squares to meet

The Niles Friendly Squares monthly square dance will take place on Feb. 13 from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Niles Senior SCOPE Center, located at 14 E. State St. in Niles. For additional information, call Gene Hammond at 330-534-4426 or 330-506-3370.

Seniors to be honored

The 22nd annual Young Women with Bright Futures awards will be at 10 a.m. on March 5 at the Holiday Inn in Boardman. Senior high school women selected by their teachers or administrators for their leadership qualities, academic excellence, creativity and volunteerism will be honored at the event. State Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) will be the keynote speaker. Major sponsors for the event are Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, Compco, State Farm Insurance, Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and The Vindicator. For ticket information, visit ywca.org/youngstown or call 330-746-6361, ext. 112. This year’s honorees are Isabella Caruso, Austintown; Anna Saxton, Boardman; Alexandria Olek, Brookfield; Sherrial Swiney, Campbell Memorial; Mackenzie Elias, Canfield; Marie Emch, Cardinal Mooney; Taylor (Tate) Acierno, Chaney; Noor Khalayleh, Choffin CTC; Shakayla Poole, East; Gabriella Cario, Girard; Ellie Martin, Howland; Margaret Herberger, Hubbard; Samantha Metts, Jackson-Milton; Saidah Yusuf, Liberty; Courtney Conklin, Lowellville; Lydia Mashburn, MCCTC; Adrianna Nicholson, Mineral Ridge; Jaclyn Rowley, Niles McKinley; Katherine Landry, Poland Seminary; Sydney Smith, Sebring McKinley; Carly Chopp, South Range; Kahlea Barricella, Springfield; Kaeleigh Blough, Struthers; Christina Leone, Ursuline; Nicole Double, Valley Christian; Chantel Bahn, Victory Christian; Allyson Crays, Warren G. Harding; Lauren Stitle, West Branch; Heather Lude, Western Reserve and Shyann Green, Youngstown Early College.

Angels for Animals hosts Reverse Raffle Dinner

Angels for Animals is hosting it 11th annual Reverse Raffle Dinner on March 5 at 6 p.m. at Andrews Hall in Canfield. The event will feature a gourmet dinner prepared by Dr. Mark McMurray, basket raffles and 50/50 silent auctions. Various prizes will be won through out the evening. The grand prize is the final drawing of an estimated $2,000. All proceeds will benefit Angels for Animals. For tickets, call Diane Less at 330 502-5352 or online at angelsforanimlas.org. The cost is $75 per ticket or $25 for the dinner ticket only.

Host an international student

Each year, AFS Intercultural Programs welcomes more than 2,300 international high school students to the United States. These are outstanding young people who were selected in their home countries to study in US high schools and are eager to experience what it’s like to live in America. Sharing daily life with a teenager from another country and culture is a rich and rewarding experience, and is a wonderful way for you and your family to bring more understanding into the world. Local AFS volunteers will support you and your hosted student throughout your experience to help you both receive the most from your time together. You provide a bed and meals for your student, but most importantly, you should be eager and excited to share your life and activities while providing the same kind of care, support and comfort as you would to your own child or family members. AFS welcomes all kinds of families. Host an AFS Exchange Student and build bridges of intercultural understanding. Most families have no idea how much they’ll gain until they say yes. Start the process at www.afsusa.org/host, or call 1-800-AFS-INFO or email hosting@afsusa.org for more information.

Western Reserve Knitting Guild to have Knit-In

The Western Reserve Knitting Guild will host a Knit-In at the Rotary Community Building in Fair Park in Canfield on Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Members and their guests are encouraged to come sit, visit and stitch the cold weather away with the warmth of friendship and snacks. If you are looking for a knitting, crocheting or any fiber arts group to join, the knitting guild would love to meet you. To contact the group for more information or to donate yarn for its charity work, email wrkg.ohio@gmail.com.

Evening with the Easter Bunny

Put a little spring in your step and hop on over to Boardman Park on March 8 or March 9 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and enjoy an evening with the Easter Bunny. Tickets will go on sale starting on Feb. 8 at the park office from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling the park office 330-726-8105, or pay online at www.boardmanpark.com. Tickets are $7 for Boardman residents and $9 for non-residents. Children ages 2 and under are free. The evening includes dinner, arts and crafts, and a family photo with the Easter Bunny. For more information about Boardman Park events visit the park website at www.boardmanpark.com.

Adult 22+ diploma program now within reach for valley residents

There’s new hope for valley residents ages 22 and up who want to earn their high school diploma. The Ohio Department of Education just approved two Mahoning County sites to host the state’s Adult 22+ Diploma program: the Mahoning County High School on Bryn Mawr Avenue, and the Unlimited Classroom located at the Southern Park Mall. Both sites will be hosting adult learning programs after school hours until 5 p.m. Adult 22+ is free to adults age 22 and older who live in Ohio and do not have a diploma or GED. For more information on 22+ or to apply to the local programs, contact Jennifer Merritt at J.Merritt@mahoningesc.org.

International Torch Clubs to meet

Club member William Farragher will present “The Decline and Fall of the Mahoning Valley Steel Industry” at the Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs dinner-discussion meeting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 15. The meeting will be in Kilcawley Center, Bresnahan Rooms I and 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. For club information, call 330-792-7351.

Short-term host family opportunites available

Mahoning, Columbiana, Portage and Trumbull County families will have the opportunity to welcome a young person from Japan into their home for one month this year, as part of an international exchange program being offered by the County OSU Extension, 4-H. Statewide, host families are needed for 100 Japanese participants (aged 12-18) and their adult chaperones, who will visit Ohio from July 23 through Aug. 18. Host families provide the exchangees with room and board and a chance to experience daily life in America. The young Japanese visitors belong to the Labo Foundation, an organization which promotes the study of English culture and language in Japan. All types of families are welcome to apply to become hosts, including urban, rural, single-parent, childless and non-4-H families. Those interested should contact Gretchen Kalinay at 330-799-8407 or Gary Reel at 330-533-7712 for an application form or visit http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/international.

St. Brandan Parish to offer fish dinners

There will be fish dinners at St. Brandan Parish Maxwell Hall, located at 144 N. Schenley Ave., Feb. 12, 19 and 26, and March 4, 11 and 18 from 4-7 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults $5 for children under 10-years. The menu will include beer batter, fried, Cajun or baked fish, coleslaw or applesauce, bread and butter, cake and coffee, and your choice of macaroni and cheese, haluski, parsley potatoes or french fries for a side. For takeout orders, call 330-799-3683. There will also be a luncheon special that is takeout only from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $6 for a sandwich and side or $10 for dinners.

MCCTC is now accepting applications for 2016-2017

Students interested in attending the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center for the 2016-2017 school year can now apply. The application is available for sophomore students on the school’s website. Current students do not need to reapply. The school offers 23 programs and has a limited number of seats per program. If you are interested in applying, visit the school website at www.mahoningctc.org.

Knitting guild to meet Feb. 9

The Western Reserve Knitting Guild will meet on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Rotary Community Building in Fair Park in Canfield. Marlyn Ibele will instruct a program on a provisional cast on. A mystery knit along will also be presented, along with a trunk show by Gwen Erin Natural Fibers of Hubbard. Anyone interested in joining the guild or donating yarn for charity work can contact the group at wrkg.ohio@gmail.com.

Mahoning Valley Ulster Project hosts Wine Taste event

The Mahoning Valley Ulster Project is set to host its annual Wine Taste on Feb. 14 at Drake’s Landing in Canfield from 2-5 p.m. This is a major fundraiser for the Ulster Project. Tickets to the event are $30 per person or $50 per couple, and include a wine and beer taste, light appetizers, a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and giveaways. The Mahoning Valley Ulster project is a summer exchange program, which brings together teen leaders from Northern Ireland and the United States. The program offers spiritual, social and service opportunities to help the students discover the common ground they share despite religious differences. Each year, Valley families play host to more than a dozen Northern Irish teens for this enriching experience. Tickets to the event are pre-sale only and can be purchased by calling 330-565-2900 or 330-518-5290.

Mercy Health offers free ‘Health at Home’ workshop

Mercy Health Youngstown, formerly Humility of Mary Health Partners, will offer a one-hour workshop, Health at Home, on Feb. 16 at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, located at 8401 Market Street in Boardman. The morning session runs from 11 a.m. until noon in the Woodland Room. The workshop and all materials are free, but reservations are required. Call 330-480-3070 to make reservations. 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 March 17.

Night Owl Story Time

There will be an evening story time for children ages 3-5 on Feb. 16 and 23 at 6 p.m. at the Boardman library. Each child must be accompanied by an adult in this 30-minute program featuring finger plays, stories, and a craft activity.

It’s all about yarn

Bring in your crochet, knitting, plastic canvas or “anything with yarn” project and learn from one another on Feb. 29 at 11 a.m at the Boardman library. Participants are encouraged to bring all yarn UFOs (unfinished objects). This event is for adults.

Locate your customers

Join Stuart Gibbs, the Business and Investment Center librarian, to learn about how to target potential customers on Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Boardman library tech room. The featured databases, D&B Million Dollar Database and ReferenceUSA (Business, HealthCare, New Business and Residential modules), bring timely and authoritative information to develop strategic marketing. To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for Information Services or register online using the events calendar. This event is for adults.

Twitter for your business

Learn the basics of Twitter to help start or grow your business on Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Boardman library tech room.This workshop will specifically feature steps to create a Twitter account for your business. It will also feature many examples where you can look for ideas. To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for Information Services or register online using the events calendar. This event is for adults.

Facebook for your business

The workshop, which will take place on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Boardman library tech room, will feature the steps to create a Facebook page for your business. To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for Information Services or register online using the events calendar. This event is for adults.

YouTube for your business

Learn the basic features of YouTube to help start or grow your business on Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Boardman library tech room.This workshop will specifically feature steps to create a YouTube account for your business. It will also feature many examples where you can look for ideas. To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for Information Services or register online using the events calendar. This event is for adults.

Couponing and smart saving tips

Meet in the Boardman library tech room on Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m. for an informative session on couponing and many other ways to save money. Be prepared to share your tips with others. To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for Information Services or register online using the events calendar. This event is for adults.

Blood drive

There will be a blood drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross to proudly serve the needs of St. Elizabeth Hospital on Feb. 18 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at the Boardman library. Taking blood donations to help the community. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Score with scrabble

If you are up for the challenge of laughter and a good game of scrabble, adults are invited to play at the Boardman library from 7-8 p.m. on Feb. 25. Snacks and scrabble boards will be provided. This program is offered on the last Thursday of the month. This event is for adults.

Guarendi to visit Boardman Schools

Ray Guarendi, humorist, clinical psychologist, author, public speaker and nationally syndicated radio host, is coming to the Boardman Schools on March 1 to speak on the topic “You are a better parent than you think.” His experience includes working with school districts, Head Start programs, mental health centers, substance abuse programs, in-patient psychiatric centers, juvenile courts and in private practice. Guarendi has both his own radio show, “The Doctor is In,” as well as a television show entering its fourth season, “Living Right with Dr. Ray.” He has also appeared on national radio and television shows such as Oprah, The 700 Club and CBS This Morning. In addition, Guarendi has written a number of books, with his most well known “You’re a Better Parent Than You Think” currently in its 28th printing. He will be speaking on March 1 at 6 p.m. in the Glenwood Middle School Auditorium. There is no charge for admission.

Lego my library

Meet at 10 a.m. on Feb. 20 and enjoy creating Lego designs at the Boardman library. Legos will be provided. This event is for children, age 6 and up.

Black History Month puzzle challenge

Find the answers to trivia questions during the month of February at the Boardman library throughout regular library hours that relate to Black History Month. For each question you get right, you’ll get a puzzle piece to add to our puzzle. See if you can finish the puzzle by the end of the month. This event is for children of all ages.

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 February at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Boardman library every Wednesday in February 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.

Game Stations

No plans for your day off of school on Feb. 15? Children of all ages can visit the Boardman library’s Game Stations throughout regular library hours. There will be numerous tables of games set up that you can travel around to and play. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a day of games.