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Fitch academic team qualifies for nationals
The Austintown Fitch High School Academic Team qualified for the 2019 NAQT High School National Championship Tournament for their performance in the Mahoning County League, where they placed seventh. The quiz bowl championship, powered by LetterOne, will be May 24-26 in Atlanta, Ga.
YSU to offer robotics and 3D printing camps
Youngstown State University’s Ohio Youth Entrepreneurship Program will host two camp programs this summer for students in middle school and high school. Biz3D is a four-day camp where high school students learn about what it takes to start a business and how 3D printing can be used. Students will have hands-on experience with 3D printing and design, learn a computer-aided design program and explore the business, educational and career opportunities and skills of this emerging technology. A field trip to the Youngstown Business Incubator and America Makes is planned. The camp will take place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on June 24-27, at Valley STEM+ME2, located at 7300 Palmyra Road in Canfield. There is no fee, but space is limited and students must register at https://forms.gle/owgCupNyWZtwsziJ9. Learn to build a robot, program it and compete in exciting challenges at the three-day Vex IQ Robotics Camp. This hands-on camp is for upcoming sixth through eighth graders, and robotics experience is not necessary. The camp will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on June 24-26, at Youngstown Business Incubator, located at 29 Vindicator Square in Youngstown. The fee is $100 and attendance is limited to 24 students. Lunches and a Vex t-shirt will be provided. Register at http://roboticstechnologies.com/product/ysu-vex-iq-summer-camp/. Contact Julie Michael Smith, youth entrepreneurship coordinator, at 330-727-6292 or jmsmith13@ysu.edu for more information. All registrations must be made online.
Clinic offering low cost cat surgery
Alleycat Spay and Neuter Clinic’s low cost cat spay/neuter transport program is coming to Austintown on May 1. Alleycat’s transport van will transport patients to and from Tractor Supply, located at 6225 Mahoning Ave. Surgery appointments will be performed at the East Liverpool clinic. Drop off time is from 8-8:30 a.m. and pick up time is from 3:30-4 p.m. Late drop off and pick up times are not available. Payment is due in full at time of pick up. The cost of female cats with transport is $60 and the cost of male cats with transport is $50. Rabies at time of appointment is $9. Cats must be in separate hard carriers for transport. Limited spots are available. Appointments can be made online at www.alleycatvet.com or by calling the clinic at 330-892-8985.
Retired teachers association to have May 8 meeting
Mahoning Retired Teachers Association will meet May 8 at Drake’s Landing Banquet Center, located at 2177 W. Western Reserve Road 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 program will include the annual “In- Memoriam” by Sally Winsen, “In-Remembrance” by Martha Lopez and the recognition of all 90-year and older members by Peggy Bennett. Entertainment will be provided by the Struthers choir. The community service collection will aid the Down Syndrome Association of Mahoning Valley. Grilled chicken salad or the buffet lunch, which includes herb-baked chicken, pasta, redskin potatoes, broccoli, tossed salad and strawberry dessert, will be served. All area educators are invited to attend. To make a reservation, contact Maggie Skripac, 330-953-1200, by May 1. For more information, visit www.mahoningcountyretiredteachers.com
Friendly Squares May square dance
The Friendly Squares will host their monthly square dance on May 11 from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Niles SCOPE Center, located at 14 E. State St. Gene Hammond will be the caller and Frankie Hammond will be cuing 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 and light refreshments will be served. There is a $6 donation per person at the door. For additional information, call Gene Hammond at 330-506-3370.
Bonding with Babies and Books
Visit the Austintown library at 10 a.m. every Tuesday in April for 20 minutes of language enrichment including rhymes, songs and stories, followed by time to play and socialize. This event is for caregivers and their little ones who are 6-23 months.
Treasures of the Trunk fundraiser to be June 8
The Poland Lions are hosting their fifth annual Treasures of the Trunk Sale on June 8. The event takes place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Poland Seminary High School’s stadium parking lot, located at State Route 170 and Dobbins Road. Vendors are being sought for this one day sale. Crafters, home goods, furniture, toys, specialty items and garage sale items are welcome. There is limit of 100 spaces. Cost per space is $15 until May 30. Spaces increase to $20 after May 30. For more information, call Lion Judy at 330-360-3641 or Lion Lori at 330-506-9511.
Spring getaway bus trip fundraiser
There will be a spring getaway bus trip fundraiser sponsored by the Pink Ribbon Golf Classic Committee with proceeds given to the American Cancer Society to The Rivers in Pittsburgh on May 11. The cost is $30 per person, $10 play and $5 food coupon from the casino. There is no guarantee the casino will pay these exact perks. The bus will leave Fab Limo, at 3681 Connecticut Avenue in Austintown, at 9 a.m. and will leave from The Rivers at 5 p.m. and arrive back at Fab Limo by 6:30 p.m. The deadline for reservations is May 9. Money is not refundable but the ticket can be transferred to another person. A valid photo ID is required. Send in your R.S.V.P. and check payable to: Pink Ribbon Golf Classic, 525 N.Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406. If you have questions, call 330-207-9630. The Pink Ribbon Golf Classic is not responsible for any injuries during the excursion to The Rivers casino.
Austintown Schools host spring senior citizens dinner
Food, fun and entertainment are in store for Austintown seniors, 65 and older, on April 24 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 senior dinner are $2 and advance reservations are required. Call 330-797-3919 by April 19 to reserve your seat.
TeenXTreme blackout poetry contest
April is National Poetry Month, so indulge in some ‘creative destruction’ and express your inner poet during Austintown library hours. Create a poem by eliminating - blacking out - the words you don’t want from newspaper and magazine articles (or book pages) which are provided. Three winners will be chosen from entries throughout the county and awarded cash prizes. Contact a librarian for details. This program is for teens in grades seven through 12.
Kindergarten readiness stations
The library’s kindergarten readiness stations are in every library branch and feature fun activities for you and your preschool child to complete together. For the month of April, stations feature preschool board games. Playing games is an easy and fun way to spend time together and they are also rich in learning opportunities. Board games can teach important social skills, such as communicating verbally, sharing, waiting, taking turns and enjoying interaction with others. These skills are part of the social emotional domain of early learning. Stop by the Austintown branch to visit a kindergarten readiness station, play a game and help your child build these important skills.
Coupon swap at the library
Drop in during Austintown library hours in April to stretch your shopping dollars by swapping coupons. This program is for adults.
Tales and talk for 2s and 3s
Visit the Austintown library at 10 a.m. every Wednesday in April for developmentally appropriate books, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities that will help your child (ages 2-3) become a successful reader.
Gotta move story time
Visit the Austintown library at 10 a.m. every Thursday in April 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 may act out stories and rhymes, sing and dance, talk and play. This event is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver.
Friends of Austintown Library presentation
Todd Franko, editor of The Youngstown Vindicator, will be the morning speaker at the Friends of Austintown Library meeting and presentation at 10 a.m. on April 22. Franko will speak on the current concerns and happenings in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.
Make a Game of Thrones necklace
Visit the Austintown library at 6:30 p.m. on April 23, to create a “Game of Thrones” themed necklace in celebration of the last season of the HBO show. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required by calling 330-744-8636. This program is for adults and teens.
Stamping for beginners
Visit the Austintown library at 6:30 p.m. on April 25, to learn the basics of rubber stamping. Learn about the various tools used and get helpful tips. This class is for beginners and registration is required. This program is for adults.
Build a Lego Mindstorms robot
Visit the Austintown library at 2:30 p.m. on April 27, to build and program a Lego Mindstorms R3PTAR robot. The R3PTAR robot looks and acts like a cobra snake. It slithers across the floor like a real cobra, and strikes at lightning speed with its pointed red fangs. This program is for ages 10 and up. Call 330-744-8636 and ask for the Austintown library to register. Space is limited.
Social Security speaker
April is National Social Security Month. Visit the Austintown library at 12 p.m. on April 30, to learn about Social Security from Public Affairs Specialist Robert Fenn of the SSA. This informational session will touch on programs, benefits and services. This program is for adults.
Movie night
Bring your snacks and drinks to enjoy during movie night at 6 p.m. on April 30 at the Austintown library. The movie will be a newly-released DVD rated PG or G. This program is for the entire family. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Gamblers Anonymous meetings
If you or someone you love has a gambling addiction, Gamblers Anonymous may be able to help. Gamblers Anonymous meetings will take place on Tuesday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman. Another G.A. meeting is offered on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Christ Presbyterian Church, located 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 1.5 hours and are both closed meetings, or, you must have suffered from a gambling addiction to attend.
Austintown Schools schedule kindergarten registration
The Austintown Local Schools will host kindergarten registration for the 2019-20 school year for students residing in the Austintown School District. Kindergarten registration packets are available Monday through Friday at Austintown Elementary School from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and at Austintown Early Learning Center from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The packet explains all necessary documents needed. All new kindergarten students must attend a registration and screening appointment. Registration and screening for the 2019-20 school year will be done by appointment only. Contact the Registration Department at 330-797-3900, ext. 1551 or ext. 1516 to make an appointment. The registration location is Austintown Elementary School, 245 Idaho Road-Lynn Kirk Loop in Austintown. Appointments are available in April from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m., with last appointment at 6:45 p.m., on April 23; from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 24; and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m., with last appointment at 6:45 p.m., on April 25.
Golf classic to benefit American Cancer Society
The annual Pink Ribbon Golf Classic will take place at Avalon Lakes Golf and Country Club on July 15. 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.
YWCA accepting entries for Women’s Art Exhibition
YWCA Mahoning Valley is accepting entries for its 37th Annual Women Artists: A Celebration! Art Show to take place June 28 through July 26 at YWCA’s downtown Youngstown office, located at 25 W. Rayen Ave. The art exhibition showcases work by local, regional and national women artists. The juried show features all media, including paintings, drawings, photographs, fiber art, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, videography and metal work. Returning for a second time is a juried show for young women ages 14-17 from Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The show will feature seventeen works selected by jurors from the YWCA Women Artists Committee and will run in conjunction with the Women Artists show. Two-dimensional work is eligible for the 17 Under 17 show. Entry forms for both shows are available at YWCA’s offices in Youngstown and Warren and on the YWCA’s website at ywcamahoningvalley.org/women-artists. Entries are due by April 8. Priscilla Roggenkamp, Associate Professor of Art at Ashland University, will serve as the juror for the 2019 show. A ticketed Preview Party will take place on June 28 from 6-9 p.m. at the YWCA. Proceeds benefit YWCA Housing Programs. More than $2,000 in prize money will be awarded to artists at the party. For more information, contact Molly at mtoth@mvywca.org or 330-746-6361, ext. 109.
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 4:30 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.