NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Arts & Education at the Hoyt’s annual Regional Juried Exhibition opened this week and will run through July 17.

This year’s competition was juried by Henry Adams, who selected 75 pieces from the 401 entries. 

An awards reception will take place at noon June 7.

Here are the winners:

  • First Place: “Loominous,” photograph by Greg Zbach of Erie.
  • Second Place: “Blue Snow,” oil painting by D.P. Warner of Meadville.
  • Third Place: “Oh My Country,” found objects assemblage by Gwen Waight of Peninsula, Ohio.

Merit Awards:

  • “Buttonwood,” photograph by Victoria Yatsko-Watson of Hubbard.
  • “What’ll You Have,” photography by Michele Perelman of New Castle, Pa.
  • “Periodic Table of Unknown Elements: Reactor,” watercolor by Donald Dugal of Pittsburgh.
  • “Autumn at Lake Wilhelm,” oil painting by Georgene Bemis of Polk.
  • “Hibernia Lacus,” photograph by Peter Schlicht of Sewickley.
  • “Orchard in Winter,” photograph by Harold Maiella of New Castle.

Scottish Rite Cathedral Celebrates Centennial

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – The Scottish Rite Cathedral will begin its 100th anniversary celebration with a dinner and patriotic organ concert at 5 p.m. June 13. Tickets are $50, or $20 for just the 8 p.m. concert. 

Tickets are available at CathedralNewCastle.com or by calling the Cathedral Foundation office at 724 654 6683.  

A Masonic ceremony will take place June 14 in the West Lodge Room, with the opening of a time capsule from 1925. Afterward, guests can take a tour that includes the renovated Masonic Museum from 2-4 p.m. All events are open to the public. 

A documentary film is being made to mark the anniversary, said Janet Falotico, executive director of Visit Lawrence County.

Simply Slavic Baking Competition Seeks Entries

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Simply Slavic festival’s annual baking contest will take place Saturday, June 7, at 1 p.m. at Smarts, 25 E. Boardman St., downtown.

The festival itself will take place June 13-14 at Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.

The region’s best amateur bakers are invited to put their favorite heritage recipes to the test at the baking competition. The public is welcome to attend the event and sample the entries. Admission is free.

“We host the contest on its own date so that the bakers, judges and organizers can focus on this special part of our festival without any distraction,” said Marta Mazur, contest chair, past winner and owner of Krakus Polish Deli & Bakery. “We think it is important to tie a fun time back to the roots of our heritage, and that’s easier to do when it’s not taking place in the middle of the busy day.”

The winners will be decided by a panel of celebrity judges. Prizes will include aprons, chef hats and gift cards. Entries will be judged on taste, authenticity and presentation.

To enter, contestants must submit an entry form (which can be found at simplyslavic.org), a $5 nonrefundable entry fee and a 75-word description of the baked item that gives details about the dish’s Slavic roots, the holiday or family tradition it’s associated with and where you first enjoyed it.

Mail entries to Simply Slavic Baking Contest, 7050 Market St. No. 108, Boardman, OH 44512; or drop them off in person at Krakus Polish Deli & Bakery, 7050 Market St., Boardman. The deadline is June 2.

Contestants must preregister and bring two of their baked items (or two dozen cookies) packaged separately. No baked goods requiring freezing, refrigeration or heating will be accepted. All entries must be presented to the judges at room temperature.

This contest is open to nonprofessional bakers, defined as individuals who have not been paid for baking or cooking services.

For full contest details and official rules, go to simplyslavic.org. For information, call 330 261 4263 or email bakingcontest@simplyslavic.org.

Grand Resort Takes Top Spot on Magazine List

HOWLAND, Ohio – For the second consecutive year, The Grand Resort has been ranked No. 1 in U.S. News & World Report’s list of top resorts in Ohio.

The hotel-restaurant and spa has made more than $30 million in improvements in the past five years.

The magazine’s travel rankings are made by compiling expert opinions, traveler reviews and the insider knowledge of in-destination writers and editors.

The Grand Resort’s amenities include an outdoor pool, fine dining restaurants, heated Roman baths, wine and cigar bars, a spa, golf simulators, an indoor pool, tennis courts and a golf course.

Edgar Allan Poe Pop-Up Experience at Maronite 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy will come to the Maronite Center, 1555 S. Meridian Road, on June 26.

The event will pair stories by the horror master with cocktails or mocktails.

Tickets for the theatrical pop-up experience start at $55 and are limited to guests age 21 and over.

To purchase, go to feverup.com.

Inspired by four works by Poe, the evening will feature immersive storytelling with actors and imagery and drinks that match the stories.

The eerie atmosphere will include dimly lit lanterns, flickering candles and gothic decor.

Retellings of “The Raven,” “The Black Cat,” “Masque of Red Death” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” are at the heart of the 90-minute show.

The Texas Tenors Will Return for Two Concerts

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – Due to popular demand, The Texas Tenors, from the popular NBC television program “America’s Got Talent,” will return for two shows this season instead of one to accommodate the huge interest in the group. The three-time Emmy Award winners for their hit PBS special will perform at 3 and 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Columbiana High School instead of the park because of the crowds who are expected to attend.

Admission is free.

“We were very lucky to be able to bring this national act to the city of Columbiana for a second time, and we negotiated with their booking agent to get the best possible performance fee,” said Brenda Bradley, director of the Firestone Park concert series. “But we will still need donations from the public to help put this amazing concert on.”

For information, call 234 855 9138.

JCC Offers Bus Trip to See ‘Hamilton,’ Art Museum

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is hosting a bus trip to Cleveland to see the musical “Hamilton” and the Cleveland Museum of Art on June 29. The bus will depart at noon and return at 11:30 p.m. 

Participants will visit the Cleveland Museum of Art for a docent-led tour, followed by dinner at Margaritaville. The day will end with a 7 p.m. performance of “Hamilton,” with seats on the orchestra level.

The cost is $240 for JCC members and $295 for nonmembers. Participants under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

For information or to register, call the JCC Arts & Culture Office at 330 746 3250, ext. 106 or ext. 105, or email bwilson@jewishyoungstown.org.

Hoyt Members Exhibition at Jameson Hospital

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Arts & Education at the Hoyt’s annual members-only exhibition will open June 11 in the Hoyt Atrium at UPMC Jameson Hospital and run through Aug. 13.

It will include paintings, collages, ceramics, photography and more. 

Featured artists include: Jane Armstrong, Elizabeth Babb, Michael Bilsky, J. Inky Lorain Cantrell, Shawn Catterson, John Conway, Mary Culbertson-Stark, Diane DeLarme, Carol Farnsworth, Lisa Frederick, Richard Hahn, Gina Judy, Lynda McKinney Lambert, Harrold Maiella, Claude Marrangoni, Thomas Ott, Terry Polonsky, Lynee Provance, Carl Reinhard, Allison Richter, Jeanette Robinson, Debra Shingledecker, Paula Siebieda, Elsie Skolnick, Gwen Waight, Leann Waterhouse and D. P. Warner.

A free public reception will take place from 5-7 p.m. June 26.

Pictured at top: This oil painting, titled “Above Big Valley,” by D.P. Warner of Meadville, Pa., is included in the Regional Juried Exhibition at The Hoyt.