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Austintown Community Briefs

Friday, August 9, 2019

Hopewell Theatre opens new season

The Hopewell Theatre is opening the 2019-20 season with “The Man with the Plastic Sandwich” by Roger Karsher. Fired after 20 years at the same job, Walter Price encounters three off-beat and provocative characters while contemplating his options on a park bench: Ellie, a high spirited ingenue who represents hope; Haley, a distinguished hobo representing wisdom; and Lenore, who represents reality. Laughs abound as Walter figures out just what to do with his life. The play is directed by Regina Olszewski Reynolds and features Carl Brockway as Walter Price, Elainie Huncik as Ellie, Sam Perry as Haley, and Lindie Schwarten as Lenore. Performance dates Aug. 30 and 31, and Sept. 1, 6, 7 at 7:30 p.m., and Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m. For tickets, call 330-746-5455 or visit hopewelltheatre.org.

Memorial tribute to honor Coach Annarella

The Coach Phil Annarella Memorial Tribute will take place, rain or shine, on Aug. 23 at Greenwood Chevrolet Falcon Stadium. The event will features a 5:15 p.m. freshman football scrimmage against Akron Buchtel, 6 p.m. junior varsity/varsity scrimmage against Akron Buchtel and an 8 p.m. memorial tribute to Coach Annarella, featuring his family.

Weekly square dance lessons to begin on Sept. 10

The Niles Friendly Squares, a local square dance group dedicated to keeping alive the uniquely American art form of square dancing, will begin a new year of weekly square dance lessons. The introductory session will be Sept. 10 from 7-9 p.m. Each session builds upon the previous session and will include learning steps along with plenty of review and practice each week to help attendees master the moves. The sessions are designed to cover all the steps in the Basic Square Dance Program. Gene Hammond will be the instructor. The Tuesday evening sessions will run through April 14, 2020. There is a fee of $6 per lesson. The Friendly Squares will also be performing square dance demonstrations at the Canfield Fair on Aug. 29 from 7-8 p.m. on the stage located in front of the International Building.

Getting connected with Hoopla

Join the Austintown library on Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in learning how to use your library card to download free movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, comics, and e-books. Space is limited, call 330-744-8636 to register. Have an email account before attending. This event is for adults.

Mill Creek ABWA to have Aug. 13 meeting

The Mill Creek Chapter of ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) will host its Aug. 13 meeting at A La Cart Catering in Canfield beginning with networking at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The menu will include hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, tossed salad, fresh fruit, Jell-O, dessert, coffee and tea. The cost is $15 and reservations may be made by calling Marilyn Abramski at 330-726-2527 or Darlene Demjen at 330-755-9089 by July 31. The speaker for the evening will be Kelly Kotel, who is the Adult Program Specialist with the library. The scholarship recipients will also be present at this August meeting. The public is welcome.

Hopewell Theatre hopes to raise funds with fun

Hopewell Theatre’s 2019–2020 season kickoff “Fun” Raiser, an evening of food, fun, and prizes, will take place on Aug. 25 from 6-9 p.m. at A La Cart Catering, 429 Lisbon Street in Canfield. Tickets cost $30 and include a full dinner buffet, dessert, cash wine bar, entertainment and silent auction prizes. Local favorites Glenn Stevens and Regina Reynolds will emcee a terrific entertainment lineup - Just Friends Community Chorus will perform favorite hits of the 1950s, Tom Gent and Maureen Gorman Stenglein will sing classic show tunes, and stand-up comedian Jenna Cintavey and improvisational comedy troupe The Dinner Theatre Rejects will bring the laughs. For tickets, visit http://hopewelltheatre.org or call 330-746-5455. Hopewell Theatre, founded in 1992 as the Victorian Players, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to producing quality theatrical performances in the Mahoning Valley. Follow them on Facebook to keep up with performances, events, auditions and other Hopewell news—www.facebook.com/HopewellTheatre.

Read It Before You See It book club

People always say the book is better than the movie. This book club will get together to read and discuss books that are soon to be released in the theaters. The next event will take place on Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Austintown library and will discuss “The Good Liar,” by Nicholas Searle. Join for one month or every month. This event is for adults.

Silent book club

Join the Austintown library on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. for its Silent Book Club. You can bring in your own book, grab one off the shelf or even read a digital book in a designated group quiet time. During this time, they will discuss what they will be reading and whether the book is a hit or a miss. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is for adults.

Blood drive

There will be a blood drive by the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross at the Austintown library on Aug. 10 from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Aug. 20 from 1-6 p.m. For appointments, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visitwww.RedCrossBlood.org.

W. Pigott, E.W. Wilson and Youngstown, Washington

Despite the many miles of industrial riverfront in the Mahoning Valley, it may have been a bit too crowded for William Pigott and Elliot Wilson. Pursuing their interests out west, these Valley men founded significant steel and railcar manufacturing facilities in the Seattle area more than 100 years ago. The Seattle Steel Company forged one particular neighborhood on the banks of the Duwamish River, which would be named after their former home: Youngstown. By looking at the development of this industrial town, you may see, and be reminded of, some of the raw ingredients that made the Mahoning Valley. In this program, which will take place on Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Austintown library, librarian Tim Seman will profile these men and highlight the interesting similarities and differences between Youngstown, Ohio, and Youngstown, Washington. Registration is required by calling the Information Services Department 330-744-8636, or online via the library’s events calendar. This event is for adults and teens.

Mental Health First Aid for youth

Mental Health First Aid Training is aimed at helping people whose profession frequently brings them into contact with youth exhibiting problems related to mental illness, substance use, poverty or homelessness. The library is partnering with the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board and Alta Care Group, which will provide instructors for these events on Aug. 14 and 21 from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Austintown library. Participants in this two-part series will learn risk factors and warning signs in children, as well as strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. Each participant will also receive a First Aid book. Session 1 will be on Aug. 14 and Session 2 will be Aug. 21. Space is limited; call 330-744-8636, ext. 50066, to register for the series. The sessions are available to library staff, as well as people who have jobs in which they could encounter juvenile individuals needing this type of assistance. This program is thanks to a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and awarded by the State Library of Ohio, under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). This event is for adults.

Chapter Chat book club

Go to the Chapter Chat book club on Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Austintown library where they will be discussing “1776” by David McCullough. Each month will be a new genre. Light refreshments will be served. This event is for adults.

Bonding with babies and books

This event, which will take place every Tuesday in August at 10 a.m. at the Austintown library, 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.

Gotta Move story time

This event, which will take place on Aug. 15, 22 and 29 at 10 a.m. at the Austintown library, is for children ages 2-5 who are accompanied by a caregiver. Join in 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.

Picnic story time

Read books and sing songs in the sunshine at this event at the Austintown library on Aug. 24 at 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Children under 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver. This event is for children of all ages

DIY dog toy

Join the Austintown library on Aug. 23 at 11 a.m. in making a DIY dog toy that your pet will love. Registration is required and space is limited. Call 330-744-8636 to register.

Intermediate Cricut

Join the Austintown library on Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. for part II of the Beginner’s Cricut course. This course will expand upon what you learned in Beginner’s Cricut and introduce you to new features, such as using Cricut Pens and uploading images into Design Space. You must take Beginner’s Cricut at Austintown before registering for this program. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 330-744-8636 to register. This event is for adults.

Family movie night

Bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during this movie at the Austintown library on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. The movie will be a newly released DVD rated PG or G. This event is for the family. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

Horror movie marathon for teens

Take your mind off the horror of a new school year by spending the day at the Austintown library’s horror movie marathon on Aug. 16 at 9 a.m.. The movies will be rated PG-13, so make sure it’s okay with your parents that you watch them. They will start the first movie as soon as the doors open, and keep the reels going until 5 p.m. Stay for as little or as long as you want... if you dare. This event is for teens entering grades 7-12 only. No exceptions. Some snacks will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

YMCA hosts Camp F.R.I.E.N.D.

The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Kennedy Family Fund of The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley to support its fifth annual Camp F.R.I.E.N.D.: Finding Rewards In Every New Day, an inclusive day camp experience for children, teens and young adult students with autism and their friends. The first program of its kind in the Mahoning Valley, Camp F.R.I.E.N.D. is facilitated by ABA Therapy Solutions. Camp will take place July 15-19 and Aug. 12-16 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. each day at the Central YMCA in Youngstown. The grant will help more families share in this fun, summer rite of passage by allowing the camp to expand the number of campers that can attend and enabling the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley to offer financial-based scholarships. Camp costs $150 per student per week and financial scholarships are available. Registration forms are available for download at AutismMV.org/campfriend and can be mailed by request by emailing ASMV at camp@autismmv.org. The Autism Society is still welcoming volunteers, interns and neurotypical peers to assist. Donations from individuals and business sponsorships are currently being accepted to help defer additional costs.

Class of 1959 to meet for 60th reunion

The Austintown Fitch High Class of 1959 is celebrating their 60th class reunion at a two day event. On Aug. 30, a meet and greet will take place at 5-7 p.m. at Hollywood Gaming, and on Aug. 31, a class breakfast at Davidson’s will take place at 9 a.m. and a social hour and sit down dinner at will take place at 5 p.m. at The Upstairs Restaurant. For more information, contact Maria Stacey at 330-799-0120 or Bernie Zets at 330-799-5849.

Austintown schools to sponsor summer food program

The Austintown Local School District will again sponsor the summer food service program for children. Free meals will be made available to all children ages 1-18 at the Austintown Elementary School, located at 245 Idaho Road-Lynn Kirk Loop. Meals will be served Monday through Friday from June 3-Aug. 16. Breakfast will be served from 7:45-9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Contact Jayme Rarick, food service supervisor, at 330-797-3900, ext. 2032 with questions or for more information.

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 Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 119 Stadium Drive in Boardman. Another G.A. meeting is offered on Sundays 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 one-and-a-half hours and are both closed meetings, or, you must have suffered from a gambling addiction to attend.

Lego my library

Meet and enjoy creating Lego designs on Aug. 23 at 3 p.m. at the Austintown library. Legos will be provided. This event is for children, ages 6 and up.

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.