POLAND, Ohio – The American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball will take place May 3 at the Lake Club.

Now in its 19th year, the ball is the Mahoning Valley’s premiere gala fundraising event. It draws a capacity crowd every year with a goal of raising money for the fight against cancer. 

Over the past 18 years, the Youngstown Cattle Baron’s Ball has raised more than $2 million to support the mission of the American Cancer Society. Last year’s event raised $290,000.

Richard and Mary Price of RG Steel are the honorary chairpersons of this year’s event. The survivor honorees are Delores “Dee” Crawford and Skylar Scarnecchia, and the medical honoree is dermatologist Dr. Jenifer Lloyd, a longtime supporter of the event.

Ava Timko, the 2013 pediatric survivor honoree, will return as an honored guest, as she has for the past 12 years.

Co-chairpersons of the ball are Annette Camacci and Carole Weimer.

The ball offers a country-themed party with gourmet food, musical entertainment, dancing, live and silent auctions and more. Attendees are encouraged to don Western garb for the “denim and diamonds” event.

Entertainment will be provided by Mary Jo Maluso and Rick Blackson during the cocktail hour, and the K Street Band will provide entertainment for the balance of the evening.

This year’s master of ceremonies is Lindsey Watson, WKBN newscaster. Brooks Ames from Kiko Auctioneers will play a role at the event.

Decor will be provided by Nazih and Jennifer Sayavich Banna of Design House Events.

The ball is made possible through the support of the Ohio State University James Cancer Treatment and Research Center. Other major sponsors include Vince and Phyllis Bacon, Gary and Sherri Clayman, Farmers National Bank and Farmers Trust, Hope Center for Cancer Care, Dr. Jenifer Lloyd, Millwood Inc., Ed and Chris Muransky, Packer Thomas, Phantom Fireworks, attorney Richard and Susan Sokolov and Trumbull Industries. 

To purchase tickets, provide a sponsorship or donate auction items, contact the American Cancer Society at 330 754 1088, email kelly.roelen@cancer.org or go to  YoungstownCattleBaronsBall.org.

Rock This Town Coming to Packard Music Hall

WARREN, Ohio – The Rock this Town Orchestra will come to Packard Music Hall on Thursday, May 1, as the final show in the Warren Civic Music Association’s season.

The orchestra is a replacement for Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses, which had to cancel.

Elle Monchak, president of WCMA, said Rock this Town is in the same vein as Louis Prima Jr. It blends big band and swing music with classic 1950s rock.

For tickets, go to WarrenCivicMusic.com or call 330 399 4885.

Boardman Orchestras in Spring Concert

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The Boardman High School symphony, chamber and classical orchestras will present their annual spring concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the Boardman Performing Arts Center, 7777 Glenwood Ave.

Admission is $3 ($1 for students; free for senior citizens).

The Boardman orchestra program is under the direction of Michele Prokop, Bill Amendol and Christine Carucci.

Senior solo competition winners Matthew Amendol and Lillian Andrews will perform on cello and piano, respectively.

Amendol will perform the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No.1 in a minor, and Andrews will perform Mendelssohn’s third movement of Piano Concerto No.1 in G minor.

Amendol is the son of Bill and Amy Amendol. He is principal cellist of the Boardman Symphony and Chamber Orchestra and plays keyboard and electric cello in Boardman’s Project Mayhem Rock Orchestra.

He is also a state qualifier in swimming for the past two years and is a member of the National Honor Society. 

Andrews is the daughter of Corey and Elaine Andrews. She has won multiple awards for her performances, mainly from the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs, and has participated in the Piano Guild and statewide competitions. She is the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Bugle.

House Band Will Perform at Slavic Festival

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The House Band, a popular local rock act, will perform at this year’s Simply Slavic festival for the first time.

The band is led by Youngstown attorney Mark Devecchio, who got his musical efforts started as part of the local polka scene.

Chardon Polka Band and Harmonia will return to the festival, which will take place June 13-14 at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.

Here is the entertainment schedule:

June 13

  • 6:30 p.m.: Bob Kravos and The Boys in the Band.
  • 9 p.m.: The Houseband.

June 14

  • 2 p.m.: Rex Taneri Orchestra.
  • 3:15 p.m.: Living Traditions Folk Ensemble.
  • 4:05 p.m.: St. Nicholas Russian Youth Dance Group.
  • 5 p.m.: Selo Croatian Ensemble.
  • 6 p.m.: Harmonia.
  • 8:30 p.m.: Chardon Polka Band.
  • 10:30 p.m.: Vatra bonfire ceremony.
  • Strolling musicians: Noćne Sove (noon), Mikey Dee and George Batyi (1:30 p.m.), Bob Buzecan (3:30 p.m.).

Author to Speak on Strouss’ Department Stores 

SHARON, Pa. – Thomas Welsh, a local author and historian, will discuss the history of Strouss’ Department Stores at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at The Block by Nova Destinations, 23 Chestnut Ave., downtown.

Welsh’s lecture is presented by the Sharon Historical Society. The event will include alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at SharonHistoricalSociety.com.

Taylor Galaska, president of the Sharon Historical Society, noted that the popular Youngstown-based department store had branches in western Pennsylvania, including Sharon.

“Strouss’ wasn’t just a place to shop,” Galaska said. “It was where people went for celebrations, to see Santa at Christmastime, to meet for a famous malt, or to find the perfect dress for prom. It holds an emotional place in the hearts of those who grew up here.”

Welsh is the author of “Strouss’: Youngstown’s Dependable Store,” a book that he co-authored with Michael K. Geltz.  

Pictured at top: This year’s honorees for the Cattle Baron’s Ball are Skylar Scarnecchia, Richard and Mary Price, Dr. Jenifer Lloyd and Delores “Dee” Crawford.