Austintown Community Briefs

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Newcomers club to meet on April 25

Newcomers of Mahoning Valley will meet on April 25 at Das Dutch House Restaurant, located at 1485 South Ave in Columbiana. Lunch will be at noon and after a brief business meeting, members will be free to shop at the various stores in the complex. Hostesses are Donna Beule and Sally Rose. New members are always welcome. For more information about the group or to make reservations, call Jorine at 330-757-7212 or Barbara at 330-758-3934.

JCRC announces winners of annual Student Holocaust Writing and Art Contest

As part of its 25th annual Community Holocaust Commemoration for Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance), the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation announced the winners of its Student Holocaust Writing and Art Contest. Students in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties and Western Pennsylvania from grades 7-12 were invited to submit an original piece of poetry, narrative composition, art or media. Winners from Austintown are (poetry, grades 7–8) Hannah Planey (winner) and Moira George (honorable mention), (essays, grades 7–8) Sophia DiRenzo (winner) and (art, grades 7–8) Kamryn Zeock (winner).

Saxon Club hosts annual flea market

The Saxon Club will start its annual flea market event on May 1 with a flea market taking place every Tuesday through October. The market starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m., and takes place in the Saxon Club parking lot, located at 710 S. Meridian Road in Austintown. Vendors can set up before 8 a.m. if they would like. The cost for vendors is $5 per space. Coffee, pop and other refreshments are available. Reservations for spaces are not required. If you have questions, contact Rich at 330-503-0535.

Grace Lutheran hosts Trash and Treasure sale on May 5

Grace Lutheran Church will host its Trash and Treasure sale at the church, located at 162 S. Raccoon Road on May 5 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. There are a variety of items for sale, including household goods, tools, books, clothes, collectables and other items. Lunch, baked goods and refreshments will be available. Proceeds of the sale are used by the men’s group to fund improvement or maintenance projects around the church. The entrance to the sale area is in the rear of the church.

Concert choir adds performance

The Austintown concert choir will add another performance in addition to their annual spring concert scheduled for May 5. The choir’s additional performance will take place on April 30 and will feature music the concert choir performed with Maestro Eric Whitacre at Carnegie Hall in New York: “The Music of Eric Whitacre.” The concert will take place in the Fitch Auditorium beginning at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The Fitch choir was selected to play at Carnegie Hall, under the direction of Whitacre, based on an audition tape sent previously. The choir recently performed at Carnegie.

Strawberry 5K and Fun Run to benefit food bank

On June 9, Molnar Farms is hosting an inaugural Strawberry 5K and Fun Run through the farm grounds, located at 3115 E. Western Reserve Road in Poland. Proceeds after expenses and all food donations will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. The cost for the 5K is $30 before May 5 and $35 after that date. The Fun Run is $10. The 5K begins at 9 a.m. and the Fun Run begins at 10:30 a.m. Runners that sign up for the 5K before May 21 will receive a free race T-shirt. Anyone interested in participating can register at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Poland/Strawberry5k. Molnar Farms is also collecting non-perishable food items on race day. Anyone bringing five canned goods will receive 1 quart of strawberries. For more information, contact Molnar Farms at Questions@molnarfarms.com. Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, a member of Feeding America, assists 148 hunger-relief programs in the Tri-County area. In 2017, the Food Bank distributed 10.6 million pounds of food, including more than 3 million pounds of produce. For more information on the Food Bank, visit www.mahoningvalleysecondharvest.org or call 330-792-5522.

Basket auction fundraiser April 29

The Mill Creek Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will sponsor its annual basket auction on April 29 at the Ursuline Center, located at 4280 Shields Road in Canfield. The doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the drawing will begin promptly at 3 p.m. Donations at the door will be $5, which will include a chance at the door prizes, 25 chances at the table gifts and a refreshment. Other refreshments are available. The auction benefits the education fund for the chapter. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Audubon Society presents mini documentary

Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley invites the public to “America’s Other Audubon” at 7 p.m. on April 23 at the Canfield library. Inspired by seeing some of John James Audubon’s engravings for “Birds of America at the 1876 World’s Fair in Philadelphia,” 29-year-old amateur naturalist Genevieve Estelle Jones embarked on her own project, “Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of Birds of Ohio.” When she died suddenly of typhoid fever, her family decided to finish her work; a labor of love that took seven years. Joy M. Kiser, an Ohioan and former librarian for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C., will present a mini documentary on Kiser, which will include details about the family, archival photographs and other information not included in her book, America’s Other Audubon.

Fiesta De Las Americas to be April 26

The Ursuline High School Spanish Club is hosting its annual Fiesta De Las Americas event on April 26 from 6-8 p.m. at the Ursuline High School cafeteria. The event will feature performances by the Slippery Rock University Ballet, the Labra Brothers Band and more. The cost to attend is $2 for students and $5 for adults.

The Hopewell Theatre presents “An Evening of O. Henry”

The Hopewell Theatre’s “An Evening of O. Henry” consists of 11 playlets based on short stories written by O. Henry. Performances are 7:30 p.m. on April 21 with a Sunday matinee on April 22 at 2 p.m. Hopewell Theatre’s founding board member Tom Copeland adapted eleven of O. Henry’s short stories to fit the stage. He serves as director for the production. Each playlet, even the shortest, has a surprise ending literary aficionados. The production has a company of actors including Miles Assion, John Dalbec, Gary Deckant, Robert K. Ellway, Teresa Evans, Tom Gilmartin, Jr., C. Richard Haldi, Marisa Keshock, Tom Kusiowski II, Hannah LaBranche, Adrienne Mackey, Trudy Mason, Linda McGrath and Anita Weinstock. Reserve tickets online at www.hopewelltheatre.org or call 330-746-5455. Tickets are $13 for general admission, $10 for students and senior citizens. A parking lot guard is employed at evening performances. Group rates are available.

Austintown Food Service Department earns grant

The Austintown Food Service Department recently earned a $37,000 Equipment Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The food service department will use those funds to purchase a $32,000 combination oven for Austintown Middle School (AMS) and $5,000 for an upright freezer at the Austintown Early Learning Center (AELC). The USDA set aside $16 million for equipment grants in the year 2017. The state of Ohio was appropriated over $749,000. Austintown received 5 percent of those funds.

Local shrine club to host dinner event

The Youngstown Shrine Club will be hosting a spaghetti dinner on April 29 at the club’s main hall. Tickets are $10 for adults and dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The meal includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread and a beverage, as well as dessert. This is a community event and the public is invited to attend. Tickets can be purchased in advance from any club officer or on the day of the event; carry-outs are also available. For additional information, contact the club at 330-549-3857, ext. 0.

Austintown food service now taking bids for 2018-2019 school year

The Austintown food service department is now taking bids for the 2018-2019 school year. Bid packets for bread, dairy and pizza can be found on www.affoodservices.com. Bids must be turned into the treasurer’s office in a sealed and labeled envelope by 10 a.m. on May 4.

Spring Senior Citizens Dinner to be April 25

Food, fun and entertainment are in store for Austintown seniors, ages 65 and older, on April 25 for the Spring Senior Citizens Dinner. Board members, student groups and school staff will serve dinner during this bi-annual event at 4 p.m. in the Fitch High School cafeteria. Tickets for the dinner are $2 and advance reservations are required. Call 330-797-3919 by April 20 to reserve your seat.

Ukulele group to meet

There will be another Steel Valley Ukers meeting at the Austintown library on April 21 from 3-5 p.m. The group is a non-profit, and there is no fee to attend any of their meetings. The group plays ukuleles and is open to people of all ages and skill levels.

Dunkin’ Donuts helps feed local families

Now through April 30, Dunkin’ Donuts in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties will be selling icons for a $1 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. With every icon purchased, the customer receives a $1 off coupon for a pound of coffee. For every $1 given, the Food Bank can distribute $11 worth of food to hungry families in our community. Last year, Dunkin’ Donut locations in the Mahoning Valley raised more than $21,000 to feed local families. The campaign is a collaborative effort of four food banks, including Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio. All funds raised will remain in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties to feed our friends and neighbors. For more information on how you can get involved in Harvest for Hunger, visit www.mahoningvalleysecondharvest.org or www.harvestforhunger.org.

AGSL hosts Quarter Auction

The Austintown Girls Softball League will host a Quarter Auction event on April 21 at St. Anne Ukrainian Byzantine, located at 4310 Kirk Road. The ticket price is $10 and includes one paddle. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the auction begins at 6:30 p.m. The event is for adults only and you may bring your own beverage.

Movie night offered at the library

Bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the movie at the Austintown library on April 30 at 6 p.m. The movie will be a newly released DVD rated PG or G. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Coupon swap at the library

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

Paper crafting corner at the library

Join the Austintown library every other month to learn how to create a different paper craft. Registration is required for this class on April 27 at 11 a.m. This program is for adults.

Guess the morphed picture

Try to identify the celebrity parents of the morphed baby faces at the Austintown library during April. The most correct answers wins a prize. This event is for teens in grades six and up during regular library hours.

Friends meeting announced for April

Austintown Friends of the Library will have their presentation and meeting at the Austintown library on April 23 at 10 a.m. Brenda Duffet, event planning coordinator at the Mahoning County Sanitary District, will discuss the history of the Meander Reservoir.

True Crime series to meet

This five-part series will cover a different unsolved true crime each month at the Austintown library. The next meeting will be April 23 at 6 p.m. and the topic will be Jon Benet Ramsey. You can choose any book, documentary (etc.) based on the current month’s topic and join in for a discussion.

Chapter Chat book club meets in April

If you love books, attend the Chapter Chat book club at the Austintown library on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. where they will be reading and discussing a book together. Each month will be a new genre. This month’s read is “The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith. Light refreshments will be served.

A dozen makes a difference

The Austintown library wants their library materials being used by the community. Help them empty their shelves by borrowing books, movies and other items. Borrow a dozen or more items at one time on your library card at the Austintown library. Show your check-out receipt to a librarian to receive a small giveaway.

Guess the picture book

Can you guess the picture book from the cut up cover? Children of all ages can participate in this program at the Austintown library during library hours. One winner chosen at random from correct entries.

Take home a craft

Make a craft to take home at the Austintown library for the month of April during library hours. Children of all ages can participate.

Join family game night

Join the Austintown library on April 26 at 6 p.m. for all or part of our two-hour game night. They will have everything for you and your family to enjoy together including, board games, giant games, video games and even a basketball game. This program is fun for the whole family.

Smart money picture bingo at the library

Celebrate Money Smart Week with fun and prizes for the whole family at the Austintown library on April 28 at 11 a.m. Picture Bingo for all ages and every child in attendance will receive a piggy bank.

Fundamentals of music theory offered

Learn the fundamentals of music theory from Shirley Bartlett at the Austintown library every Thursday in the month of April at 2 p.m. Topics covered in this five week session will include basic theory like the names of lines and spaces and more advanced concepts like major and minor scales. Reservations are needed for each session at these classes for teens and adults.

Poland class of 1968 to host reunion

The Poland Seminary High School class of 1968 is having a 50-year reunion on Sept. 15 at the Magic Tree, located on South Avenue in Boardman. For more information, call Jay at 330-953-0953.

Austintown Local School District announces open enrollment for 2018-2019

The Austintown Local School district will again have statewide open enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year. Applications will be accepted for students in grades Kindergarten through eighth-grade based on grade level availability. Applications are now available on the Austintown School’s website at www.austintownschools.org. In order to be accepted for open enrollment, completed applications must be submitted online. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Any students living in the state of Ohio and entering grades kindergarten through eighth are eligible. One application must be completed for each student. No new students will be accepted in grades 9-12. Only existing open enrollment students and those in special programs will be accepted into the high school. Open enrollment will close on Aug. 3 for the 2018-2019 school year. Call the registration office at at 330-797-3900, ext. 1516 if you have additional questions or need more information.

Read to Reese

On the second Saturday of each month, come and read to Reese, a therapy dog from Pet Partners at the Austintown library. Bring your own book, or let the library will find one for you and read to a furry friend. Registration is required as pace is limited. Register online or by calling 330-744-8636 and ask for the Austintown library. This program is for school-aged children.

Austintown Fitch drama club presents “Beauty the Beast.”

“Be our guest” as the Fitch Drama Club presents “Beauty and the Beast” April 20-22 in the Austintown Fitch auditorium. Pre-sale tickets are available now. Contact Fitch High School at 330-797-3900, ext. 1025 to purchase your ticket. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for students and free for veterans, seniors and children ages 5 and younger.

Gotta Move Story Time presented at the library

Join the Austintown library every Thursday at 10 a.m. for “Gotta Move Story Time.” This program is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver. Join them 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 for 2’s and 3’s announced for April

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 (ages 2-3) become a successful reader.

Pre-k storytime at the library

This program, offered every Wednesday in April at 11:30 a.m. at the Austintown library, is for 4-5 year-olds to help develop pre-literacy and kindergarten readiness skills. You will use books, stories, rhymes, music, movement and crafts to help your child get ready for kindergarten.

Pink Ribbon Golf Classic to be in July

The annual Pink Ribbon Golf Classic will take place at Avalon Lakes Golf and Country Club on July 16. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the American Cancer Society. The 18-hole scramble will be followed by lunch and a Chinese auction and raffle. For further details, contact Donna Mowrey at 330-207-9630 or Nancy Felton at 330-533-2712.

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

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 is offered every Friday at Westminster Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman, and another is offered 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. For more information, call the local Gamblers Anonymous hotline at 330-505-5060.