YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Students in grades seven through 12 in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and western Pennsylvania can enter the annual Holocaust writing, art and multimedia contest.

The event is sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. 

It is held in conjunction with Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), an internationally recognized day set aside for remembering all victims of the Holocaust, on April 24. 

The theme for the 2025 contest is “Auschwitz – A Place on Earth.” The title is drawn from an exhibit from Yad Vashem titled “Auschwitz – A Place on Earth: The Auschwitz Album.”

“The Auschwitz Album” is the only surviving visual evidence of the process leading to mass murder at Auschwitz-Birkenau, also known as Auschwitz II. The Auschwitz exhibit will be on display at the Jewish Community Center in the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Art Gallery, 505 Gypsy Lane, from April 23-30. It includes photographs from 1944 depicting the arrival of Hungarian Jews from Carpatho-Ruthenia. The exhibit is free to view.

Contest submissions must relate to the genocide of Jews at Auschwitz or any other extermination camp. Topics may include, but are not limited to, the victims, the perpetrators, the process employed at Auschwitz or any other extermination camps to kill, and the antisemitic reasons used to justify the genocide of Jews.

The deadline is March 28. Send submissions via email to Nancy Sentelik at the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, nsentelik@jewishyoungstown.org. Click HERE for more information and contest guidelines.

Awards will be announced during the Yom Hashoah Community Commemoration at noon April 29 at the Mahoning County Courthouse. All are also invited to the Shoah Memorial Service at 4 p.m. April 27 at the Jewish Community Center.

Bridal and Prom Shows at Eastwood Complex

NILES, Ohio – Brides-to-be and prom-goers are invited to attend shows Jan. 25 at the Eastwood Mall Complex.

The 2025 Bridal Extravaganza, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eastwood Event Centre, will be a place for brides to gather ideas, meet local wedding professionals and find inspiration for their wedding. Tickets are available HERE.

This year’s show will tell five stories through five signature bridal looks. It will feature top-tier vendors, $10,000 in giveaways and celebrity stylist Hillary Stone.

The Premier Prom Experience Fashion Show will take place at 2 p.m. in Eastwood Mall’s Center Court. Admission is free.

High school students and their families will enjoy a showcase of extravagant designer dresses and tuxedos, giveaways and prizes.

Old-School Comedy Show Coming to Ford

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Uncle Louie Variety Show, an old-school comedy experience, will bring its Wooden Spoon Survivor tour to Ford Family Recital Hall, downtown, at 8 p.m. Nov. 7. 

Tickets will go on sale Friday, Jan. 10, at the DeYor Performing Arts Center box office and online HERE.

Sock Hop Featuring Guys Without Ties

CAMPBELL, Ohio – Rock Around the Clock, a 1950s-style sock hop, will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. April 26 at St. Michael’s Hall, 463 Robison Road, featuring music by Guys Without Ties.

Tickets are $25 and available by calling Celeste at 330 755 4256.

Attendees must be at least 21 years old. They can bring appetizers for themselves or their table. Pop, water, mixers, coffee and ice will be available, but guests must bring their own bottle.

Guests can learn The Stroll and other dances from the 1950s and 1960s from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

There will be a hand jive dance off and a DJ and photo booth.

Program on Civil War Couple Buried in Oakhill Cemetery

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Local history reenactor Steffon Wydell Jones will tell the story of two Civil War-era figures at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Main Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County on Wick Avenue.

Henry Richards and Penelope Richards came to Youngstown after serving in the Civil War as a cook and nurse, respectively. The married couple are buried in Oakhill cemetery.

To register for the presentation, click HERE.

Square Dance at Scope Center

NILES, Ohio – The Friendly Squares’ next monthly square dance will take place from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Niles Scope Center, 14 E. State St.

Gene Hammond will be the caller, and Frankie Hammond will cue the line dances. This will be a high/low dance with alternating tips for new dancers currently taking lessons and tips for more experienced dancers. Dress is casual, and soup will be served. Admission is $7. For information, call Gene Hammond at 330 506 3370.

Pictured at top: Rabbi Joseph Schonberger speaks at last year’s Yom Hashoah Community Commemoration event at the Mahoning County Courthouse.