Photos for May 7, 2015

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Vincent G. Ballanca, 91, of Poland Township, who shows he can still fit into his World War II Army uniform jacket, talks about his reaction to hearing about the German surrender May 8, 1945, referred to as Victory In Europe Day. Ballanca, a member of the 44th Army Division, was in Arzla, a small town in the Austrian Alps, when word was received the war in Europe was over.

Vincent G. Ballanca, 91, of Poland Township, who shows he …

Vincent G. Ballanca, 91, of Poland Township, who shows he can still fit into his World War II Army uniform jacket, talks about his reaction to hearing about the German surrender May 8, 1945, referred …


The term “hyperactive” was not known when I was a child. My family described me as a child with too much energy and very imaginative. We lived with my grandparents until I was 3 on a 100-acre farm, where I had all the freedom I needed to run and play and keep busy. Then we moved into town, where my parents put up a barbed wire fence to keep me in. One day when my brother was watching me play in my sandbox, I told him I was thirsty, so he left to get me a glass of water. In the short time he was gone I managed to scale the fence and when he and my mother found me I was standing in the middle of the street. Use your imagination to know what came next when my mother grabbed me. Needless to say I never did that again. Sent by Beverly Costa Bowman, 71, of Boardman, and her mother Georgiana Costa, 96, of Salem.

The term “hyperactive” was not known when I was a …

The term “hyperactive” was not known when I was a child. My family described me as a child with too much energy and very imaginative. We lived with my grandparents until I was 3 on …


AND THE WINNER IS ... Meet Gary DiLisio of Youngstown. He submitted this picture of him dancing with his mother, Nancy DiLisio, also of Youngstown, for this year’s Mother’s Day Contest titled “Mama Told Me Not Come.” As it turned out, it was drawn as the winning entry. Sounds pretty routine, doesn’t it? Well, it’s actually cool that a guy is this year’s winner. You see, this is the first time the contest was open to sons to participate. Come June, the same will be offered to daughters for our Father’s Day Contest. For the past six years we’ve stuck to a more traditional gender match-up of daughters honoring their mothers and sons saluting their dads. We’re glad we changed it. Gary is, too. He won a $100 gift certificate to treat his mom to dinner at Bruno’s. Here’s his entry: “I remember being 14 years old and wanting to participate in a backyard wrestling league with my friends because we thought it would be so cool to pretend we were just like the wrestlers on television. My mom said absolutely not, but I went against her better judgment. Sure enough, one of my buddies ended up power bombing me so hard into the wrestling mat that it took me nearly an hour to get back up! Seventeen years later, I now see a chiropractor regularly. Although it could be attributed to other things, I can’t help but wonder if it all goes back to the day that I should have listened to Mom.”

AND THE WINNER IS ... Meet Gary DiLisio of Youngstown. …

AND THE WINNER IS ... Meet Gary DiLisio of Youngstown. He submitted this picture of him dancing with his mother, Nancy DiLisio, also of Youngstown, for this year’s Mother’s Day Contest titled “Mama Told Me …


I always ask my daughter to make sure she has everything before we leave to take her back to school. She says she has everything then finds out she’s forgotten her shoes or dorm keys. Then Mama has to make another trip. Kristen Koleszar is attending the University of Akron and her mother, Angela Koleszar, is from Girard.

I always ask my daughter to make sure she has …

I always ask my daughter to make sure she has everything before we leave to take her back to school. She says she has everything then finds out she’s forgotten her shoes or dorm keys. …


My mommy told me to “always have a plan; if one door closes I should be able to walk through another.” I have been on active duty in the Navy for 121⁄2 years, and I should have received my degree about six years ago. I went back to college at St. Leo University through the distance learning program and received an associate degree in liberal arts in May 2014, and am currently working toward my bachelor’s degree in health care management. I am now taking my mommy’s advice and making sure I have a backup plan after military life. Sent by Shannon Clarett of Detroit, Mich., whose mother is Karen Jones of Youngstown.

My mommy told me to “always have a plan; if …

My mommy told me to “always have a plan; if one door closes I should be able to walk through another.” I have been on active duty in the Navy for 121⁄2 years, and I …


Ann Feaster: It was Easter 1955 when, dressed in my best Easter finery, “Mama Told Me” not to go near the barn when we visited my grandparents’ farm. However, when no one was watching, I stole away and headed straight to the barn. Within seconds of approaching the back entrance, I slipped and fell and found myself swimming waist deep in a pool of cow manure. Needless to say, I never again wore that beautiful Easter outfit, but my complexion experienced a benefit I still enjoy to this day! Ann Feaster and mother, Dorothy Chrobak of Boardman.

Ann Feaster: It was Easter 1955 when, dressed in my …

Ann Feaster: It was Easter 1955 when, dressed in my best Easter finery, “Mama Told Me” not to go near the barn when we visited my grandparents’ farm. However, when no one was watching, I …


When I was in high school my mother told me to always carry a dime in case I needed to call home. She revised that rule when a boy asked me to spend the day at Cedar Point in Sandusky. She gave me $20, just in case I needed to take a bus home. I learned three things that day. In 1975 you could make it back to Youngstown on $20, “there’s no place like home” and I should have listened to my mother. Rosemary Wollet Hart of Canfield with her mother, Mary Frances (Mickey) Wollet of Girard.

When I was in high school my mother told me …

When I was in high school my mother told me to always carry a dime in case I needed to call home. She revised that rule when a boy asked me to spend the day …


My mom always told me to be honest. Even if we were in a bad situation, she would be there to help my sister and me. But if we weren’t honest or truthful and she found out, that’s when we would be in trouble. One occasion stands out when my sister and I were at a bonfire at a friend’s house. I was drinking Sangria wine. Let’s just say I got very sick on the way home, and I swore to myself that I would never touch Sangria wine again. The next morning my mom wanted to know what was wrong with me, and I said I had a headache and didn’t feel well. She informed me we were having a big Italian Sunday dinner. That afternoon she served Sangria with dinner. My mama has a way of knowing everything. From that day on I have been truthful and honest, and my mom is one of my best friends. My sister and I are blessed to have an incredible loving and caring mother. Mother Shari Talarico of Austintown and her daughter Tiffany Williams of Akron.

My mom always told me to be honest. Even if …

My mom always told me to be honest. Even if we were in a bad situation, she would be there to help my sister and me. But if we weren’t honest or truthful and she …


SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR Household and kitchen items, crafts, linens, toys, books, games, DVDs, CDs, baked goods and more will be featured at the Annual Rummage & Antique Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 15 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4453 Warren-Sharon Road, Vienna. The sponsor is the Women’s Altar and Rosary Guild. An advance sale will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. May 14 with admission of $5. Admission and parking are free for the rest of the sale. Merchandise will be half-off May 16. Helping to prepare for the event are, above from left, Linda Rose, Pat Slaven, Karen Neuroh and Karen Krause.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR Household and kitchen items, crafts, linens, …

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR Household and kitchen items, crafts, linens, toys, books, games, DVDs, CDs, baked goods and more will be featured at the Annual Rummage & Antique Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. …


The time Mama told me to come I should have listened to her. She is in the Navy Reserves, and one of her duties was in Naples, Italy. She did not have to stay on base on this particular duty assignment and had a great place on the Puerto De Napoli. She was going to buy me a plane ticket to come visit but I was just a young teenager and I didn’t want to leave my friends. It was a great opportunity for me that I passed up. Last year I didn’t say no when my mom went on her last duty with the Navy to Stuttgart, Germany, for a six-month deployment. I had a great time and got to travel to other countries while visiting her. Of course I am not that young teen anymore and am enjoying spending quality time with my mama! Deanna Zamudio with her mother, Denise Serensky of Salem .

The time Mama told me to come I should have …

The time Mama told me to come I should have listened to her. She is in the Navy Reserves, and one of her duties was in Naples, Italy. She did not have to stay on …