Poland Community Briefs

Holy Family Seniors Club to meet

Holy Family Seniors Club will host its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 18 at Holy Family Parish, located at 2729 Center Road in Poland. The meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. Election of officers for 2016 will take place during the meeting. Current officers are Ruth Burns, president; Carol Huck, vice-president, and Laurie Fox, secretary/treasurer. Following the meeting, members will have lunch and enjoy time together playing Bingo and cards. The meeting will be cancelled if weather conditions cause hazardous driving. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Ruth Burns at 330-757-1334 or Laurie Fox at 330-536-8850.

Poland Historical Society to meet

The Poland Historical Society’s first meeting in 2016 will take place on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at The Little Red Schoolhouse, located at 4515 Center Road (Route 224) in Poland Township. The program following the business meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. with representatives from four of Poland’s oldest churches who will present a history of their churches along with some photo images. The churches include Poland Presbyterian, Poland United Methodist, Gospel Baptist Church and Struthers Parkside Church. Later in the year, history of other churches in Poland will be presented.

Youth free throw contest

The second annual Youth Free Throw contest is set for Jan. 31 at the Holy Family Gym. The competition, which is sponsored by the Holy Family Knights of Columbus, is open to all boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 14. Registration will open at 1 p.m. and competition begins ar 1:30 p.m. A parent must accompany each entrant because a release form must be signed. Sonny Rodriguez will return to defend his title. Rodriguez set the bar last year by making all 15 of his allotted competition free throws and advanced all the way to the state finals.

Celebrate Poland pancake breakfast

The committee that plans Celebrate Poland is sponsoring a pancake breakfast on Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event will take place at the Poland Seminary High School cafeteria. Pancakes, sausage and beverages will be sold by donation. In addition to breakfast, patrons will be able to bid on a wonderful selection of gift baskets. Proceeds will help defray the costs of the many activities offered during Celebrate Poland, which will take place June 24 and 25. This will be the 10th anniversary of Celebrate Poland.

Victorian Players show rescheduled

The Victorian Players have announced the postponement of its scheduled January show, “Same Time Next Year.” The production is rescheduled for June 17-26. The Vic apologizes to its season ticket holders for any inconvenience this may cause. In the January slot, the Vic has contracted for a one-woman show performed by Carol Weakland, actress, author and storyteller. “A Date with the Bront ´ Sisters,” two one-woman shows based on “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights,” will be performed Jan. 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 24 and 31 at 2 p.m. at the Victorian Players Theatre, located at 702 Mahoning Ave. in Youngstown. The Victorian Players may be contacted at 330-746-5455.

Student named to Dean’s List at Belmont University

Madeleine Queen of Poland qualified for the fall 2015 Dean’s List at Belmont University. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.

Monday Night Writers meeting Jan. 18

The next meeting of Monday Night Writers will be Jan. 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Tequila Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, located at 583 E. Main St. in Canfield. Area writers, both published and unpublished, are invited to attend. Led by professional writer Nancy Christie, author of “Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories,” the two-hour sessions include a mix of writing exercises, information on the creative and business aspects of writing, and group feedback on ‘works-in-progress.’ The fee is $10 per class. For more information, contact Christie at nancy@nancychristie.com.

Saxon Club to host pork-kraut dinner

The Youngstown Saxon Club, located at 710 Meridian Road, will host its next pork-kraut dinner on Jan. 17 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The price of $9.50 for adults and $5 for children includes dessert and coffee, tea or pop. The public is welcome and take-outs will be available.

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.

Torch Club to meet on Jan. 18

Should parents be required to have their children vaccinated? Debating this topic will be Torch Club members John K. Fockler, Jr. and Janet Moy-Lamonica at the Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs dinner-discussion meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 18. 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.

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 Poland library every Wednesday in February at 10 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Poland library every Thursday in February at 1:30 p.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. The Feb. 11 program will have a holiday theme.

Frozen February Valentine’s party

Join the Poland library as they celebrate Valentine’s Day, frozen-style, on Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m. Make a valentine, enjoy activities and have snacks. This event is for children of all ages.

Gotta Move story time

This event is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver. Join the Poland library for a variety of musical and movement activities that appeal to the “young and restless,” stimulate brain development and motivate language learning on Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Adults and children, get ready to act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance, and talk and play.

MCCTC launches new website

Then Mahoning County Career and Technical Center has announced the launch of their newly, redesigned and updated website, www.mahoningctc.com. This new website is going to better provide parents, students, staff and community members more relevant and easy to find information about what MCCTC has to offer. The website features a new high school page, as well as a new adult education page with enhanced features, including easier navigation, updated information and more search options. Mike Tarintino at ImageMarketing, a graduate of MCCTC, designed the website.

Heidelberg University announces spring semester dean’s list

More than 350 Heidelberg University students who have excelled in the classroom have been named to the fall semester dean’s list, according to Provost Beth Schwartz. Among the local students recognized on the dean’s list are Serra Altintas, a senior political science major and Matthew MacFarland, a senior biology major, both from Poland.

Trim a tree for January

Decorate an ornament for the Poland library’s all-season tree. Stop by during regular library hours to decorate your ornament. This event is for children of all ages.

Lego my library

Meet and enjoy creating Lego designs. Legos will be provided. Lego my Library will be at the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Jan. 19.

Gotta Move story time

Children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver can join the Poland library at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 for a variety of musical and movement activities that appeal to the “young and restless,” stimulate brain development, and motivate language learning. Adults and children, get ready to act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance, and talk and play.

Tales and talk for 2s and 3s

Join the Poland library for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader. Baby Brilliant will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 21 and 28. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bonding with babies and books

Caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months can come to the Poland library at 10 a.m. on Jan. 20 and 27 for 20 minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Book sale

The Friends of PLYMC Bookstore in the lower level of the Poland library will have a month-long book sale in January with all cookbooks, medical and self-help books at half-off. Additionally, all young adult and teen books will be $1 for a brown bag full. The bookstore will run special sales throughout 2016, so check the library’s Happenings newsletter for details of upcoming sales.

Appy hour

Come to the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Jan. 28 to learn about apps. Learn all about popular apps for smartphones and mobile devices. See a variety of apps that will help you connect to your library, find a good place to eat, keep you entertained in a long grocery line, find a great new recipe or find great music to listen to on your walk. Registration is recommended and can be made by calling 330-744-8636 and ask for Poland.

Tie-dye pillowcase party

Transform a white pillowcase into a colorful tie-dye creation at the Poland library at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27. Pillowcases and snacks will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required. Register by calling 330-744-8636 and ask for the Poland library. This event is for tweens and teens in grades 4-12.

Snow-who?

Snowmen have come to the Poland library dressed as their favorite book characters. Match each snowman character with the name on the literary character list for chance to win a prize during regular hours in January. Snow-Who? is for tweens in grades 4-6 and teens in grades 7-12.

National kazoo day

Join the Poland library from 2:30-4 p.m. on Jan. 28 as they celebrate the kazoo. Children will learn about the kazoo and play in their very own kazoo band. This is for school-age children, tweens and teens.

Take flight - paper airplanes and more

Investigate the basic principles of flight, make and test a variety of paper airplanes and try on a real flight suit at the Poland library at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 26. Registration is required. Call 330-744-8636 or visit the Poland librarians’ desk. This event is for children grades 3-8.

Now You Know series

Join the Poland library at 6 p.m. on Jan. 21 for the Now You Know Series. This event’s topic will be the latest medical advances in treating opioid addiction. The presenter will be Dr. Daniel Brown, D.O., Medical Director, at Meridian HealthCare. You can’t miss them — newspaper ads and billboards offering medical treatment for opioid addiction. There are many misconceptions, myths and questions about Medication Assisted Treatment. New for-profit organizations are offering it, but one non-profit organization, Meridian HealthCare has been offering it the longest and for the most people. Meridian’s medical director, an expert in addiction medicine, will explain how opioid addiction works and the medicines that work to reverse it. He will explain why counseling is critical, length of treatment and resources available in the community. This event is co-sponsored by the library and Meridian HealthCare. Reserve a spot at 330-744.-636.

The Art of Ballroom Dancing

Join Joe Sepesy, retired injured veteran, and Linda McPhail, the dance instructor who helped Sepesy overcome physical and emotional challenges through ballroom dancing, at the Poland library at 10 a.m. on Jan. 29. Sepesy is the author of “Word Dances: A Collection of Verses and Thoughts About Ballroom Dancing.” Books will be available for purchase. Reservations are needed.

Gamblers Anonymous 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 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.

The Bistro at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center open to the public

Student-operated restaurant The Bistro at Mahoning County Career Technical Center is open for lunch hours to the public. The Bistro will be open Tuesdays-Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for dine-in or carry out through the winter. The Bistro is run by students enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center. This gives students the chance to gain experience in all facets of working in the restaurant industry, from working as kitchen staff, line cooks and the Sous Chef to waiting tables and hosting. The Bistro schedule is as follows: Jan. 20, 21. The restaurant will also be open in February and March with dates being announced soon. Call the restaurant for more information or to make a reservation.