Poland Community Briefs

PSHS bands finish season on high note

The concert band, symphonic band and Wind Ensemble will perform their Spring Concert on May 18 at 7 p.m. at Poland Seminary High School. This concert will also feature four senior soloists: Kristen Thompson on oboe, Charlie Dwyer on trombone, Kate Landry on flute and Brendan Gage on piano. The Wind Ensemble will also be performing at “Pops at the Park” at Eastwood Field in Niles. They will perform at 6:45 p.m., followed by the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and fireworks. The program for the Wind Ensemble includes music by legendary film music composer John Williams, including his 1996 Summer Olympic theme, “Summon the Heroes” and music from last year’s blockbuster, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Tickets are $20 at the gate, but can also be purchased from the Poland Band Parents for $15, with $5 going back to the band. Go to https://sites.google.com/a/polandschools.org/music/home for more details. Finally, the concert season wraps up with the PSHS concert choir and Jazz Ensemble presenting a salute to Broadway. Music from many of the most popular Broadway shows will be performed by the choir, jazz ensemble and a few soloists, as well. The audience will be treated to music from “Kiss Me Kate,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” “Funny Girl,” “The Sound of Music,” “Grease,” “Newsies,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Rent,” “Wicked,” “Spamalot” and “Vanities.” This concert will be at 7 p.m. at Poland Seminary High School and will be free.

New historical marker to be unveiled

On May 14, the Poland Historical Society will host the unveiling and dedication of an Ohio Historical Marker commemorating Poland Township as the first township surveyed in the New Connecticut Western Reserve and the Little Red Schoolhouse as a 19th century one-room school building. The marker is sponsored by the Poland Historical Society, Poland Township Trustees and the Ohio History Connection. This is the sixth historical marker in Poland and 43rd marker in Mahoning County. Festivities for the unveiling of the Historical Marker begin at 11 a.m. at the Little Red Schoolhouse located at 4515 Center Road. Limited parking is available at the schoolhouse parking lot with additional parking available at Milton Auto Sales, located at 4464 Center Road. Chairs will be available, but attendees may want to bring their own lawn chair to be sure they have a seat during the ceremony.

Historical Society to learn about Civil War medicine

The Poland Historical Society will meet on May 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Little Red Schoolhouse, located at 4515 Center Road in Poland Township. The “Civil War Medicine” program begins at 7:30 p.m. Cassie Nespor from the Melnick Medical Museum of Youngstown State University will provide a slide show presentation on Civil War medicine and the advances in medicine that happened due to the war. There will be displays of artifacts from that time period, including an amputation kit, anesthesia equipment and lancets.

Relay for Life Scholarship finalists announced

The Poland Relay for Life recently announced the Buddy Marshall Memorial Scholarship finalists: Morgan Bindas from Boardman and Alexis Caroline from Mineral Ridge. Bindas participates in several school activities and enjoys volunteering and tennis. Caroline is involved in dance and music, and her hobbies include crafts and reading. Both girls wrote exceptional essays on the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and will compete in the stage portion of the scholarship at the relay event. The scholarship presentation will take place at the Poland Relay for Life on May 21 at 4 p.m. at the Poland Seminary High School Stadium. This years’ relay event also includes the Kids’ Relay Party starting at 2:30 p.m. with free activities, clowns, ventriloquist and a “Celebrating More Birthdays” cake. At 5:30 p.m., the Survivor Ceremony begins with the crowning of the Survivor King and Queen. Immediately following, the complimentary Survivor Dinner will be served for all survivors and their care givers. The inspirational Luminaria ceremony takes place at 10 p.m. and games and contests will go on throughout the night.

Member Marian L. Wilson will speak at the Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs dinner-discussion meeting at 7 p.m. on May 16. Her topic will be “1963: Reflections Through the Eyes of a Ten-Year Old African-American Girl.” The meeting will be in Kilcawley Center, Bresnahan Rooms I and II, on the campus of Youngstown State University. The public is invited. 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.

Live acupuncture demo and informational seminar

The Ohio Naturopathic Wellness Center in Boardman will be hosting a free natural health demo and seminar titled “Live Acupuncture Demo” on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. Join Valentina Khoury Dubasic, ND, LAc, who will discuss acupuncture, including what is acupuncture and what types of health issues can benefit by acupuncture. She will also do a live demonstration of what it looks like to receive acupuncture. If you’ve ever been curious about acupuncture and whether it could benefit you, this is a must attend seminar. The seminar will take place at the center, located at 755 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite D3, in Boardman (Southbridge West Complex). For more information or to reserve your seat, call 330-729-1350 or go to OhioND.com. Free, RSVP is required.

Friendly Squares to host monthly dance

The Niles Friendly Squares will host its monthly square dance on May 14 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.

Pink Ribbon Golf Classic

The annual Pink Ribbon Golf Classic will be hosted at the Avalon Lakes Golf and Country Club on July 18. The cost is $110 per golfer. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the American Cancer Society. The 18 hole four-person scramble will be followed by lunch and a Chinese auction and raffle. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. For further details, contact Donna Mowrey at 330-207-9630 or Ginny Johnston at 330-219-9092.

Historical society to host tour fundraiser

As a fundraiser, the Poland Historical Society is hosting a bus trip to the Stan Hywet Hall and Hower House in Akron on June 4. The cost for the bus and admission fees is $65 per person due by May 9. Those wishing to attend should mail their check, made payable to “Poland Historical Society,” along with their name, address, phone number and email address to PO Box 5052, Poland, OH 44514. The schedule for the day is: 8:15 a.m. - arrive at the Poland Seminary High School parking lot. Be prompt. The group must stay on schedule and they have permission to leave cars in the lot for the day. 8:30 a.m. - bus leaves from the parking lot for Akron. 10 a.m. - arrive at Stan Hywet Hall for a tour of the manor house, followed by time to explore the grounds, greenhouse and gift shop. Shuttles are available for anyone who has difficulty walking. 12:15 p.m. - leave for lunch at Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant in Akron. The cost of the buffet luncheon is $18 per person. 2:15 p.m. - depart for Hower House for a docent led tour of the Victorian mansion. 4 p.m. - leave for home. Questions should be directed to Larry Bartos at 330-757-4223.

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.

Nonfiction book sale

Shopping for Mother’s Day or just want some good books? The Friends of PLYMC Bookstore at the Poland library is having a half-price sale the entire month of May on all nonfiction, including collectable books.

Registration open for Celebrate Poland

Local authors, artists and musicians can participate in Celebrate Poland at the library. The event will be hosted at Poland library from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on June 25, but registrations are being taken beginning in May. Free spaces are available for sale of books, music and art. The event is sponsored by the Friends of PLYMC. To register, call the development office at 330-740-6086.

Yoga class

Friends of PLYMC is sponsoring a Yoga Class every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Poland library in the meeting room. You can pay as you attend at $10 a session. This event welcomes adults.

Blood Drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross

There will be a blood drive to proudly serve the needs of St. Elizabeth Hospital. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). This event is for adults at the Poland library on May 17 from 12:20-6 p.m. and May 27 from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

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 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.

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 Poland library on Wednesdays in May at 10 a.m.

Tales and talk for 2’s and 3’s

Join the Poland library on Thursdays in May at 10:30 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.

Gotta move story time

This event is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver. Join the library 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, talk and play. Go to the Poland library on May 23 at 6:30 p.m. for this event.

Lego my library

Meet and enjoy creating Lego designs. Legos will be provided. This event is for children ages 6 and up at the Poland library on May 24 at 6 p.m.

Trim a tree for May

Decorate an ornament for the library’s all-seasons tree. Open to children of all ages throughout the month of May at the Poland library

Spring painting party for grades 5-12

Create your very own painting as you follow along step-by-step with the library’s presenter. Snacks will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Poland library to register. This event is for grades 5-12 at the Poland library on May 16 at 6 p.m.

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 are April 27 through Aug. 17.

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.

Treasures of the Trunk sale offers vendor spaces

The Poland Lions Treasures of the Trunk sale will take place on June 11 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Poland Seminary High School parking lot. Spaces are currently available to vendors wishing to participate in the event. The cost for registration is $10 per one parking space with payment postmarked before May 1 and $15 per space after May 1. No hot food, soft drink or raffle drawing vendors will be accepted. There is a limit of 100 spaces and they are available on a first come, first served basis. After your registration payment is received, you will be notified of your confirmed space. Vendors may arrive after 7:30 a.m. and must be in their assigned space by 8:30 a.m. No refunds will be given for any reason and the event will continue, rain or shine. Proceeds of the event will go to benefit the Poland Lions Scholarship fund. If there are any questions, call Judy at 330-360-3641 or Lori at 330-506-9611.

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.”

Sprout Club meeting

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.

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.

East High class of 1966 reunion

The East High class of 1966 has begun making plans for their 50th reunion. They are looking for up-to-date addresses from all classmates who would like to attend. The event is planned for Sept. 2 from 6-10 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Hall on the East Side. There will be a buffet dinner and music provided by a DJ. The cost to attend is $40 per person. For details and information or to provide a current address, call Janine Johnson (Ross) at 330-716-1543 or Marie Mamonis (Macchio) at 330-533-1633.

Poland Relay for life to by May 21 and 22

The 2016 Poland Relay for Life will take place May 21 and 22 from 2 p.m. until 10 a.m. at the Poland Seminary High School Stadium. This years’ events include the Kids’ Relay Party, starting at 2:30 p.m., with free activities, games, entertainment and a “Celebrating More Birthdays” cake. The second Miss Relay Pageant will begin at 4 p.m. for girls ages 0–18 years-old. New this year is a $500 scholarship for pageant contestants ages 16–18. The Buddy Marshall Memorial Scholarship will be awarded at the Poland Relay for Life event. At 6 p.m., the Survivor Ceremony begins with the crowning of the Survivor King and Queen. At 7 p.m., the complimentary Survivor Dinner will be served for all survivors and their care givers. The Luminaria ceremony takes place at 10 p.m., and games and contests will go on throughout the night. For more information about the 2016 Miss Relay Pageant and Scholarship, call 330-883-7541 after 5 p.m. or message the Poland Relay for Life Facebook page. The pageant entry deadline is March 1.