The Update | Country Artist Taylor Borton in 2 Weekend Shows

WARREN, Ohio – Taylor Borton, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter and Hubbard native, will return to the Mahoning Valley this weekend to give two performances.

Borton will be at Cork & Cap, 3225 Elm Road, Warren, on Friday, Dec. 29, from 7 to 9 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 30, she will perform at Birdfish Brewing, 140 E. Park Ave., Columbiana, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Admission to both shows is free.

Borton is a modern country artist with a throwback sound. Her musical influences include Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline and John Prine.

Borton released an EP, “Lyrics in My Head,” last summer. It can be purchased at taylorbortonmusic.com.

Pickleball League at the JCC

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane, is offering an advanced pickleball ladder league from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays from Jan. 10 through Feb. 7.

Players will be in groups of four or five and will compete to move up the ladder. There is a maximum of 15 players. The court is indoors.

The cost is $30 for JCC members and $40 for nonmembers. Visit jccyoungstown.org for more information and to register by Jan. 3.

Camping Sites for Eclipse in State Parks

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Camping spots are still available for experienced campers at many Ohio state parks in the path of the total solar eclipse April 8. The parks include Geneva, Punderson and Portage Lakes in the northeastern part of the state.

“Our campers can get a great spot for the total eclipse, along with some expert programming from our naturalists and fun activities all weekend long,” said Mary Mertz, Ohio Department of Natural Resources director.

Programming will include science projects, astronomy-related lessons and observations about the impact the eclipse has on wildlife.

State parks near or in the path of the total solar eclipse with programming available from April 6-8 include:

• Alum Creek State Park.
• Delaware State Park.
• East Harbor State Park.
• Findley State Park.
• Geneva State Park.
• Grand Lake St. Marys State Park.
• Headlands Beach State Park.
• Hueston Woods State Park.
• Indian Lake State Park.
• Lake Loramie State Park.
• Maumee Bay State Park.
• Mt. Gilead State Park.
• Portage Lakes State Park.
• Punderson State Park.
• Sycamore State Park.
• Van Buren State Park.
• Wingfoot Lake State Park.

To make reservations, go to ReserveOhio.com. Reservations for arrivals or departures on April 8 will not be permitted. Campers must set their reservations to arrive April 7 or earlier and depart April 9 or later. 

For eclipse information, go to ODNR’s Solar Eclipse website. 

State Duck Stamp Contest Seeks Entries

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The state’s natural resources department is issuing a call for art submissions for the annual duck stamp contest.

Established in 1982, Ohio’s Wetlands Habitat Stamp contest is one of the nation’s longest running and most successful.

Submissions will be accepted Feb. 1-15. The winner will have their work featured on the 2025 Ohio Wetlands Habitat stamp and receive a service contract of $4,000.

Sam Timm’s painting of an American wigeon pair was selected as the winner of the 2023 Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp Design Competition.

Sales of the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp have produced more than $11 million for wetland habitat protection and conservation. Proceeds fund vital wetland projects in Ohio that are important to many resident and migratory waterfowl species, other wetland birds and amphibians.

Ohio is one of the few states that still features hand-painted artwork on the state wetlands stamp. Artists can choose to depict any of Ohio’s native waterfowl species other than American wigeon, canvasbacks or lesser scaup, which were featured on the previous three stamps. All artists age 18 and older who reside in the United States are encouraged to enter the competition. Artwork will be judged Feb. 17 by a panel of five judges with a conservation background.

The winning entry will feature a qualifying species of Ohio waterfowl. The design may not exceed 18 inches wide by 13 inches high, should be displayed on a single white mat of 2½ inches width, and be protected by a removable acetate or cellophane cover. All 2-dimensional art mediums other than digital art and photographs are accepted. For contest rules, including a list of qualifying species, read the Ohio Wildlife Wetlands Stamp Design Contest Rules and Artist Packet at wildohio.gov.

Hunters age 18 and older are required to purchase an Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp to hunt waterfowl or migratory birds in Ohio, and many wildlife enthusiasts voluntarily purchase a stamp. Those looking to support wetland restoration can purchase the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp for $15 at wildohio.gov.

Pictured at top: Country artist Taylor Borton.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.