YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Valley radio personality Larry Walk (aka George Lesnansky) will be the honorary grand marshal for the 2026 Simply Slavic festival. 

A fixture of ethnic broadcasting and a cultural ambassador, Walk has hosted the Happy Polkaland radio show for more than six decades.

He has been a supporter of Simply Slavic since its inception 15 years ago, serving as an announcer, promoting the festival on-air and participating in countless activities. 

Auditions for ‘Silent Sky’ at Hopewell Theatre

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Auditions for Hopewell Theatre’s production of “Silent Sky” will take place from 5-8 p.m. Jan. 15 and 1-5 p.m. Jan. 17.

Audition sign-ups are HERE.

Rehearsals typically run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, starting in early February. The show will run April 3-4, 10-12. 

The director is Traci Manning.

“Silent Sky” tells the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. It explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries.  

Hopewell Theatre is located at 702 Mahoning Ave.

Hoyt Seeks Entries for Mini Art Competition 

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Art comes in all shapes and sizes, but 3 inches by 3 inches is all that’s needed for the Hoyt’s annual Mini Masterpiece competition this spring.

Now in its sixth year, this playful competition invites artists of all ages and experience levels to compete for prizes and a chance to join the museum’s growing collection of miniatures.   Simply copy a museum masterpiece on a 3 inch square panel and submit it before the April 1 deadline.

The entry fee is $10 per piece, and submissions are open to both youths (up to age 17) and adult artists (18 and over). Three $150 purchase awards will be given to winners in each category, and the images will be reproduced as refrigerator magnets.

All entries will be displayed at the museum, May 28-July 23. Entries (postage permitting) will be returned by mail.

For full guidelines and submission details, click HERE or call Patricia McLatchy, exhibitions coordinator, at 724 652 2882, ext. 114.  Pre-paid entry kits are available in the museum’s gift shop, or participants can purchase their own flat 3-inch-by-3-inch panel.

Pictured at top: Aundréa Cika Heschmeyer, Simply Slavic vice president; Rev. Joseph Rudjak, honorary grand marshal (2023); Larry Walk, 2026 honorary grand marshal; Catherine Katrenich, Simply Slavic entertainment committee chair; and Luke Politsky, Simply Slavic secretary.