Austintown Community Briefs

November 17, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

Monday Night Writers meeting scheduled for Nov. 20

The next meeting of Monday Night Writers will be Nov. 20, from 6-8 p.m. in the small meeting room at the Canfield library. Area writers, both published and unpublished, are invited to attend.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” and “Rut-Busting Book for Writers,” the two-hour sessions offer an opportunity for members to get group feedback on works-in-progress. For more information, contact Nancy Christie at nancy@nancychristie.com.

Austintown Fitch senior operates toy drive

Lexi Cintron, a senior at Austintown Fitch High School, has been involved with charity work for as long as she can remember. Growing up, her parents often took her to the Salvation Army to donate toys. At the age of 6, she thought of the idea to conduct her own, independent toy drive. Ten years later, she has collected and donated more than 5,000 toys to various organizations to helping families in need. With one year left of “Lexi’s Toy Drive," she wishes to help as many people as she can through Someplace Safe, a shelter for domestically battered women and children. Those interested in helping can drop off donations to Spalon of Sara Morris, located at 5000 E. Market St. Suite 21, in Howland, during Dec. 2-16 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Austintown alumni raffle winners announced

The winners of the Austintown Alumni Association raffle are Steve Harris, class of 1972, first prize $500; Timothy Tryon, retired teacher, second prize basket of local merchants’ gift cards; Dan McKenzie, class of 1959, third prize gift cards for Rachel’s Restaurant and The Manor. The drawing took place on Sept. 22 at the Hall of Fame Game at Austintown Fitch. Proceeds from this raffle support the association’s scholarship and mini grant funds. For membership information, contact Austintown Alumni Association president Lynn Larson at 330-518-5727.

Audubon Society to talk turkey at Nov. 28 meeting

The Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley invites the public to “Let’s Talk Turkey” at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the Canfield library. How did the turkey get its name? What is a group of turkeys called? How long do turkeys live? How fast can they run and fly? Find out the answers to these and other interesting “turkey facts” with Bob Coggeshall, including many photographs of turkeys taken in Mill Creek Park.

Polar Run cancelled

The 1-mile Polar Run scheduled for Nov. 25 has been cancelled.

High-tea fundraiser to be Nov. 19

The Hopewell Theatre (formerly the Victorian Players) will host a Victorian High-Tea Fundraiser on Nov. 19 from 3-6 p.m. at the Piccadilly Parlour, located at 114 S. Broad St. in Canfield. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support the theater’s handicap accessibility project. A luncheon will be served, beginning at 3:30 p.m., and will consist of a cup of soup (your choice), tea sandwiches, sweets and tea or coffee. Entertainment will be provided. A vendor, who specializes in jewelry made from silverware, will be on the premises with hand-made jewelry items for sale. There will be a live auction of unique, vintage items and a 50/50 raffle, all proceeds going to the handicap accessibility project. Door prizes will be awarded. Victorian dress is encouraged, but not necessary. Due to limited seating, reservations are required. The cost is $30 per person, and $15 of the ticket price is tax deductible. Checks may be sent, payable to the Hopewell Theatre, c/o 17B Hunters Woods Bld., Canfield, OH 44406. Your check is your receipt. For further information, or to make a reservation, call 330-533-8789 and ask for Marlene.

November is diabetes awareness month

Austintown Podiatry Associates, located at 1300 South Canfield-Niles Road in Austintown, is providing a free vascular, neurological and diabetic foot screening exams to all patients without insurance for the entire month of November. Physician’s on site are Drs. Larry and Catherine Karlock, Dr. Flauto, Dr. Arters and Dr. Abadco. For questions or to book an appointment, call 330-792-6519.

Library holiday closing

All libraries in the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County system will be closed on Nov. 23 for Thanksgiving.

Book-a-Librarian offers additional help

If you would like a personal introduction to resources available at the library or need more time with a librarian than you can get over the phone or if you just walk in, this program is for you. 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 or the internet; downloading e-books and audiobooks, researching a topic, discovering new books and authors, 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 to book a librarian at ay of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Mahoning County Red Cross visits the library

Blood Drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross, which proudly serves the needs of St. Elizabeth Hospital, will be taking blood donations to help the local community be at the Austintown library on Nov. 18 from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and again on Nov. 28 from 1-6p.m. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Swap coupons at the library

Do you have coupons you don’t need or need coupons you don’t have? Drop in during library hours to stretch your shopping dollars by swapping coupons.

Basic computer class offered at the library

Learn very basic computer skills at the Austintown library on Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. This is a beginner’s class that will cover use of a mouse, computer terms and simple internet use. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 330-744-8636 and specify library and Basic Computer Class to register.

Get up and move during story time

“Gotta Move Story Time” is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver. Join the Austintown library every Thursday at 10 a.m. 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.

Tales and talk offered at the library

Join the Austintown library every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child become a successful reader. This program is catered to children ages 2-3.

Bond with babies and books

Every Tuesday at the Austintown library at 10 a.m., caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months will have 20 minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize.

Share an act of kindness

Write a sentence letting the library know what nice thing you’ve done. This event is for school-age children at the Austintown library during regular library hours throughout the month of November.

Retired Navy Captain shares stories

Join the Austintown library in an “Honoring Our Veterans” program on Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. United States Armed Forces retired Navy Captain Nick Pacalo of North Lima will share stories about his 25 years as a Navy Pilot in Vietnam and the Cold War. A meeting will follow this presentation for adults.

Turn the page at this book club

Hear what others are reading and share your favorite read at the Austintown library on Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. Come in and join the fun. This meeting is for adults.

Chapter Chat book club to meet at the library

Come to the Chapter Chat Book Club where the group will be reading and discussing a book together every month. The November meeting will take place on Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Each month will be a new genre. Call the Austintown library at 330-744-8636 to find out this month’s read. Light refreshments will be served for this adults program.

Advanced social media workshop provided at the library

The class will go over top examples of using social media to market to an audience on Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. It is recommended that you know how to use and set-up a business account on Facebook before you attend this workshop. Free and paid methods of promotion will be discussed. To register, call 330-744-8636 and ask for information services or register online using the events calendar.

Create grab and go craft

Children of all ages can create a craft during regular library hours to take home with them during the month of November.

Join the library for pre-k story time

Baby Brilliant: Pre-Kindergarten Story Time will take place every Wednesday in November at 11:30 a.m. at the Austintown library. This program is for 4- and 5-year-olds to help develop pre-literacy and kindergarten readiness skills. They will use books, stories, rhymes, music, movement and crafts to help childen get ready for kindergarten.

Prepare for Kindergarten through play

At Baby Brilliant: Playtime at Your Library on Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Austintown library, patrons will read a story and have fun with developmentally appropriate games and activities that you can do with your child to help them get ready for Kindergarten. This Baby Brilliant program is for children who are ages 2-6 and all children under seven must be accompanied by an adult.

Guess the picture book

During library hours, guess the picture book from the cut up cover for children of all ages. One winner will be chosen at random from correct entries.

Family game day at the library

If school is out and there’s nothing to do, join the Austintown library for family game day on Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The library will have everything for you and your family to enjoy together including: board games, giant games, video games and even a basketball game. This event is fun for the whole family.

Fundraise and shop with softball booster bus trip

The Canfield High School Softball Boosters are hosting their third annual New York City Holiday Shopping and Tourist Site Blitz Dec. 15-17. Spend the day as you wish or join the group at the scheduled bus drop-off and pick-up points (approximate 2.5 hour intervals), including Rockefeller Center, Battery Park (9/11 Memorial), Union Square, Garment District and Times Square. The cost is $139 per person if paid in full by Oct. 21, $134 per person for repeat travelers and $149 per person without a discount. All payments are due by Nov. 15 and no refunds will be issued after this date. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. This is a round-trip from Canfield High School to New York City. For more information and reservations, contact Treasurer John Gomez at 330-402-4784 or jgome@aol.com.

Coupon Swap at the library

Do you have coupons you don’t need or need coupons you don’t have? Drop in during library hours to stretch your shopping dollars by swapping coupons.

Join a fall scavenger hunt

Find all the pictures hidden in the children’s section of the library and show it to a librarian for a prize during regular library hours. The scavenger hunt is for children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade.

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 Tuesdays at 6 p.m., a meeting will take place at the Oxford House, located at 320 Benton Road in Salem. This location is handicapped accessible. On Thursdays, a meeting will take place 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. At 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, a meeting will take place at New Life Lutheran Church, located at 1181 Churchill-Hubbard Road in Youngstown. This location is also 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.

GA to meet twice this week