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Fellows hosts Breakfast with Santa
Fellows Riverside Gardens is hosting a Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 8 from 9-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Space is limited. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-716-7116 to make reservations. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult. All participants, including children younger than the age of 2, must be pre-registered. The cost to participate is $16 for children ages 12 and older, $10.50 for children ages 2-11 and free for children younger than the age of 2.
Blood drive
There will be a blood drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross at the Poland library from 1:30-6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Dec. 28. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). More information can be found online at www.RedCrossBlood.org.
Yoga class
The Poland library will offer a yoga class every Wednesday in December from 5-6 p.m. in the meeting room. Pay as you attend. Class is $10 per session. This event is for adults.
Friendly Squares Christmas dinner and dance
The Friendly Squares will host their Christmas Dinner Dance on Dec. 8 at the Niles SCOPE Center, located at 14 E. State St. in Niles. The festivities begin with a Christmas dinner for Friendly Squares members from 6-7:30 p.m. Members should RSVP for dinner by Nov. 30 to Frankie Hammond at 330-506-3370. Bring a covered dish to share. Square dancing, which is open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m. Gene Hammond and Neil Harner will be the callers and Frankie Hammond will be cuing the line dances. This will be a high/low dance with alternating tips for new dancers currently taking lessons and tips for more experienced dancers. Dress is casual. There is a $6 donation per person at the door. For additional information, call Gene Hammond at 330-506-3370.
Gingerbread house holiday program
Sip hot chocolate and listen to Christmas music while you build and decorate a miniature gingerbread house using graham crackers, icing, gumdrops and more at the Poland library on Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. This event is for children of all ages; children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. Call 330-744-8636, or register at the Poland library. This is a holiday program.
Playtime at your library
Prepare for kindergarten through play at the Poland library on Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. 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 event is for ages 2-6.
Holiday closings
All Mahoning County libraries will be closed for holidays as follows: Dec. 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31, as well as on Jan. 1.
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 10 a.m. every Wednesday in December at the Canfield library.
Tales and talk for 2s and 3s
Join the Poland library every Thursday in December at 10:30 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. The Dec. 20 program is a holiday one.
Bookstores and libraries invited to join in celebration of Short Fiction Day
The annual Celebrate Short Fiction Day takes place on Dec. 21, and founder Nancy Christie is inviting bookstores and libraries to create their own event. Christie explained that she created “Celebrate Short Fiction” Day to honor the short story in all its forms and lengths. She encourages libraries and bookstores to host their own “Celebrate Short Fiction” Day events and has provided tip sheets on her web page (http://tinyurl.com/CelebrateShortFictionDay) for those looking for ideas.
Trim a tree for December
Decorate an ornament for the Poland library’s all-seasons tree during regular library hours throughout December. This event is for children of all ages.
Read to Roxie
Relax and read to Roxie, a registered therapy dog with GO TEAM Therapy Dogs, at the Poland library on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. Each child will be given a 15-minute reading session while spots remain. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Poland library to register. This event is for children in grades 1-4.
Snack and sign
This event is for all fifth-eighth graders. Come to the Poland library on Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. to learn signs and a song to celebrate the holiday season. A snack will be provided. This event is a holiday program.
Color your world
Join the Poland library on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. for a relaxing evening of coloring for teens and adults. Coloring sheets and materials will be provided, or you’re welcome to bring your own. This event is for adults and teens.
Retired educators to meet in December
The Mahoning Retired Teachers Association will meet on Dec. 12 at Drake’s Landing in Canfield. The social hour will begin at 11 a.m. with lunch at 11:45 a.m., followed by the meeting and program. Susan Harris will preside. The Boardman High School jazz band will provide the entertainment. Carol Kinsey, regional liaison from ORTA, will present updates from STRS. The community service project is monetary donations and toys for the Salvation Army. Grilled chicken salad or the buffet lunch, which will feature baked ham, will be served. All area educators are invited to attend. For more information, visit www.mahoningcountyretiredteachers.com.
Seniors group to meet on Dec. 17
The Holy Family Seniors Group will meet for their Christmas luncheon on Dec. 17 at the Holy Family Parish Hall, located at 2729 Center Road in Poland. A catered luncheon will be served at noon. The cost is $4 per member and $15 for non-members. Cash payment will be accepted at the door, but participants are asked to RSVP by Dec. 14 to Ruth Burns at 330-757-1334 or Laurie Fox at 330-536-8860. Members who would like to participate in a gift exchange should bring a $5 wrapped gift. Following lunch, members will enjoy playing cards and Bingo.
Blood pressure screening
There will be a blood pressure screening by the Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association on Dec. 21 from 10:15-11:15 a.m. at the Poland library
Gotta Move story time
This event is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a care giver. Join the Poland library on Dec. 28 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.
Gamblers Anonymous meetings
If you or someone you love has a gambling addiction, Gamblers Anonymous, the only known remedy for arresting such an illness, may be able to help. A meeting of Gamblers Anonymous will take place on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman. Another G.A. meeting will take place on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. at the Christ Presbyterian Church, located at at 3425 Hopkins Road in Youngstown (Cornersburg). There is no charge for the meetings, although collections are taken up at each meeting to provide for coffee, sugar and creamer, treats and free literature. The average contribution given by members at most meetings is $2. Meetings last about one-and-a-half hours and are both closed meetings, or, you must have suffered from a gambling addiction to attend. The Youngstown-area G.A. groups are friendly and welcoming and established members love to see new members join the fold. They are more than happy to help suffering gamblers and are knowledgeable about how to stay clean from this dreadful disease.
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 1451 Churchill Hubbard Road in Youngstown. 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.