The Update | ‘The Mousetrap’ Dinner-Theater by Indigo; First Friday Event in New Location

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – Indigo Family Theater this weekend will present a family-friendly dessert theater production of “The Mousetrap” in the banquet room of the Best Western Plus Dutch Haus Inn.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.

Tickets are $19 for the show or $49 for dinner and the show. They can be purchased at HERE or at the door.

A classical Agatha Christie mystery, “The Mousetrap” is an exciting and tense character piece. After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm, and it soon becomes clear that the killer is among them. A police detective interrogates the suspects.

Fears escalate when a second murder takes place, culminating in a shocking ending that has made this the longest continually running play in history.

Eight local amateur actors make up the cast of the play.

The mission of the Indigo Family Theater, a nonprofit organization, is to offer wholesome plays, musicals, improv and other entertainment. For information, email [email protected].

First Friday Event Moves to Wick Avenue

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – First Fridays will move to Wick Avenue for the October edition of the event.

The Youngstown Historical Ghost Tour is completely sold out, but there’s plenty of other events around town. Wander to Wick Avenue from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, and enjoy music, networking, art exhibits, family-oriented Halloween-themed activities, YSU homecoming events, delicious food, drink specials, shopping and more.

Details on this month’s lineup can be found HERE.

Companies or organizations that want to become a featured sponsor at the November First Friday event can contact [email protected].

Here is the schedule for Friday’s event:

4 to 7:30 p.m.: Outdoor fall market in the parking lot of the Main Library, along Rayen Avenue. Halloween-themed fun for all ages will take place inside the library, including an escape room for teens and tweens. There will also be games, crafts and the opportunity to make a caramel apple bar.
4 to 8 p.m.: Half-price admission at Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology.
5 to 8 p.m.: Faculty art exhibition opening reception at the McDonough Museum of Art.
6 to 8 p.m.: Aimlis band performs.
2 and 8 p.m.: Grand opening shows at Ward Beecher Planetarium at YSU.
8 p.m.: Live music by Alibi band.
4 to 6 p.m.: Volleyball and badminton at Harrison Commons in Smoky Hollow.
4 to 8 p.m.: Butler Institute of American Art and the Solomon Gallery in YSU’s Bliss Hall will be open.
6 to 8 p.m.: Ballet Western Reserve “Nutcracker” vignettes at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
7:30 p.m.: Country line dance night at Penguin City Brewing ($5).

Former Steelers Player to Speak at College

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Former Pittsburgh Steelers starting center Justin Hartwig will be the guest speaker for the first event in Westminster College’s Come to the Wall worship series at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in the Wallace Memorial Chapel.

Hartwig, who played for the Steelers for two seasons and was a starter in the team’s winning Super Bowl XLIII game against the Arizona Cardinals in 2009, will share his faith journey.

A native of Des Moines, Iowa, and a graduate of the University of Kansas, Hartwig started his football career as the Tennessee Titans’ sixth-round draft pick in 2002, playing for three seasons. He later played for the Carolina Panthers before joining the Steelers.

Hartwig currently lives in western Pennsylvania.

Come to the Wall is a monthly nondenominational worship service that includes prayer, music, a message from the campus chaplain and guest speakers. The event is open to the campus community and the general public.

For information, contact the Office of Faith and Spirituality at [email protected].

Café Rosé to Host Halloween Event

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Café Rosé will host This Is Halloween: Crafts & Sweets Market from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 13, with a pet costume contest at 3 p.m.

Local artisans, makers and bakers will be selling ghoulish treats and crafts at Café Rosé, at 4491 Mahoning Ave., to help customers get into the spooky season spirit. There will also be fall-themed items available.

Each participating small business vendor will donate a handmade item for a raffle to support Furrever & After Cat Sanctuary, which provides foster-based sanctuary and medical support to cats, as well as pet owner education.

All funds raised in the raffle and pet costume contest will go directly to Furrever & After Cat Sanctuary. Raffle donations are being accepted from other businesses and individuals through Oct. 11.

Café Rosé is a specialty coffee retail and gift shop. Its mission is to share its owners’ love of coffee by partnering with entrepreneurs and small business roasters to bring their bold, unique flavors to Austintown.

Furrever & After Cat Sanctuary is a small, foster-based nonprofit 501(c)3 rescue located in Austintown.

Presentation on Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Polish Arts Club of Youngstown will sponsor a presentation on the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County.

Admission is free.

Thomas Welsh, author of “The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown: Serving the Mahoning Valley since 1874,” will be the guest speaker.

The Polish Arts Club is the oldest continuously operating Polish American organization in Youngstown.

Studio South Art Exchange Grand Opening

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The grand opening of Studio South Art Exchange, 7689 South Ave., will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. The event will feature an open house and live music from 7 to 9 p.m.

Sophia Derobbio is the owner/curator of the gallery and boutique.

“We are revolutionizing the art scene in our community and have created an edgy, unique venue that displays and sells over 100 of the Valley’s most talented creators in our studio style gallery and boutique,” Derobbio said.

The center will offer workshops. It invites all artists to become part of its network.

Studio South is in the same building as Home Again Consignment Furniture.

Dana Ensemble in Concert at Powers

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown State University Dana School of Music Wind Ensemble and alumni will present a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in Powers Auditorium.

Tickets can be purchased HERE or by calling 330 259 9651.

Grove City College Orchestras in Concert

GROVE CITY, Pa. – Grove City College’s symphony and chamber orchestras will hold a fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in Ketler Auditorium of the Pew Fine Arts Center on campus.

The concert is free and open to the public. It will be livestreamed HERE.

State Is Keeping Track of Fall Foliage

COLUMBUS, Ohio – As Ohio’s forest canopies begin their color transformation, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will provide weekly updates on the best locations to enjoy unique activities and beautiful hues of autumn.

“Ohio has experienced a very dry summer and early fall, which has led to some trees that are not drought resistant to start changing early,” said David Parrott, ODNR fall color forester. “These species include maples, sycamores and tulip poplars. However, some normal early changers such as buckeyes, poison ivy and sumac have also begun to show their vibrant reds. Due to these early changers, our fall color reporters have been seeing changing conditions statewide.”

As far as the fall color forecast, Parrott believes it may be a sporadic fall color season in the Buckeye State, with pockets of vibrant color statewide throughout October.

“We are expecting the more drought resistant trees to change their colors at their typical times; however, some continued rain and cooler temperatures would really help these tree species even show more of their brilliant colors,” Parrott said. “In areas that have received more rain, peak colors are expected to occur in mid-October in the north and working south through the end of the month. For this fall color season, it will be important to check on our Ohio Fall Color Progress map to see what colors are changing where.”

For the first fall color update video, which includes the fall color forecast, click HERE.

Schools Compete in Short Film Festival

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Two Youngstown City School District schools – Chaney Middle School and Wilson Alternative – are participating in the 2024 Best Short Film Award at OK Inc.’s 2024 Friends4Friends Film Festival.

The event will take place Sunday, Oct. 6, at Powers Auditorium. The short film with the most likes by that date wins.

The festival will feature a variety of other short films from schools across other districts.

The mission of OK Inc. is to challenge young people to develop healthy relationships and strong character so they can chase their dreams.

Chaney Middle School’s documentary-style film, “Davion’s Dilemma” not only sheds light on peer pressure about vaping but also the severe consequences.

Wilson Alternative’s film, “Stealing Cars: The KIA Kid,” brings to the forefront the repercussions of stealing and the crucial aspect of accountability.

The students’ short films can be found HERE.

Playhouse to Screen Interviews at Performances

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A series of taped interviews with Youngstown Playhouse insiders will be shown before performances and at intermission.

The interviews were produced by J.E. Ballantyne Jr. to remember and honor the theater community and its personnel. The series is part of the Playhouse’s centennial season celebration.

Here is the schedule:

Oct. 6: David Jendre and Lynn Nelson Rafferty.
Dec. 1: Donna Smith Downie and David Vosburgh.
Jan. 26: Terry Shears and Kayla Boye.
Feb. 2: Todd Hancock and Pat Petaccio, and Glenn Stevens and Maureen Collins.
March 9: Molly Galano and John Cox.
April 6: Candace DiLullo and Joe Scarvell.

But I Know What I Like Art Show at Davis YMCA

*“Pittsburgh Memories” by Sue McFadden is among the works on sale at the Davis Family YMCA.*

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The Davis Family YMCA’s annual But I Know What I Like art show will open Sunday, Oct. 6, and run through Nov. 10.

An opening reception will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Art created by dozens of local artists will grace the lobby, walls and halls of the building. The event is free and open to the community.

The Davis YMCA is at 45 McClurg Road.

Pictured at top: The cast of Indigo Theater’s production of “The Mousetrap” includes, front row from left, Caleb Pieplow, Tina Duster and Jonas Crowther; and back row from left, Jessica Willard, Matt Duster, Noelle Crowther and Ken Pierson.