Valley cultural heritage leader to give presentation

Staff report

LIBERTY

George Beelen, founder of the Ohio Cultural Alliance and professor emeritus at Youngstown State University, will give a presentation on his career as a cultural leader at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Kravitz Deli meeting room, 3135 Belmont Ave.

The program, part of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society’s Memories of a Lifetime speakers series, is free to the public, but reservations are required (call Richard Scarsella at 330-726-8277). A free-will offering will be accepted to benefit the society.

Beelen founded the Ohio Cultural Alliance 29 years ago. He also is the co-founder of the Ethnic Heritage Society and received the society’s Vision Award for his efforts to preserve the Mahoning Valley’s history.

Beelen is the president of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and a former Austintown Township Trustee

He has served in a leadership capacity for the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation, the International Institute Foundation, and the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor.

He has led cultural exchanges at YSU, and is co-editor of “An Ethnic Encyclopedia: The Peopling of the Mahoning Valley,” a resource for those seeking information on local immigrant and migrant groups.

In his program Saturday, Beelen will discuss his life as an ethnic-heritage leader, the importance of preserving local social and cultural history, and his work as a university professor. He will also share highlights of his international travels.

Memories of a Lifetime presentations are part of a monthly community outreach program of the McGuffey society. The Youngstown WHMHS chapter is the last in the nation and seeks to keep alive the legacy of McGuffey, who created the “McGuffey Reader.”