LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Dan Rivers, a longtime local radio talk show host, will discuss his career in a lecture at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, in the meeting room of Denny’s Restaurant, 4020 Belmont Ave.
Rivers retired from the air in late 2024 after being a fixture on WKBN-570 for decades. Known for interviewing local elected officials, personalities and community leaders, he was an advocate for transparency in government, common sense and American values.
Rivers will share his lengthy career highlights. A question-and-answer session will follow his presentation.
The lecture is sponsored by the William Holmes McGuffey Society. Admission is $10 ($15 for nonmembers). Refreshments, a 50/50 raffle and live entertainment will be part of the event. Reservations are suggested. For reservations, call 330 726 8277.
Author Wins Another Award for ‘Moving Maggie’
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – “Moving Maggie,” the third stand-alone novel in Nancy Christie’s Midlife Moxie novel series, was recently awarded the Literary Titan Gold Book Award. The award is for books that display “the meticulous development of unique characters or subjects presented in an authentically engaging context” and honors “the craft of elegant prose, showcasing a talent for transforming simple words into compelling, beautifully constructed text.”
The novel has also won the 2025 Firebird Book Awards competition in the Summer Beach Read and Women’s Fiction categories.
“Moving Maggie” is the story of a 60-year-old woman who loses her job to a corporate change and her husband to a younger woman and must create a new life for herself. Her move to a small rural community sparks a series of unexpected opportunities, giving Maggie a chance to find her moxie and start over.
“Maggie’s situation is not unique,” Christie said. “At my book events, I’ve talked to many women who have had to recreate their life and themselves in their 50s, 60s and beyond. And while the circumstances may differ, the result is that they discovered strengths they didn’t know they possessed. They realized they want to be someone else besides the person they’ve been or do something else besides what they’ve been doing thus far. They find their moxie and use it to explore different options.”
Christie’s next novel, “Transforming Tessa,” is about a woman in her 60s who has recently become a widow and now must discover who she is when she’s no longer part of a couple.
It will be released in late spring by BookBaby.
Auditions for ‘The Lyons’ at Playhouse
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Auditions for the Youngstown Playhouse’s production of “The Lyons” will take place from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 25 and 26 in the theater’s front lobby.
The play will be the Playhouse’s first production in the new theater in the Morley Building, downtown.
Connor Bezeredi is the director. He is seeking five actors to bring the Lyons family to life.
Auditionees should prepare a one-minute contemporary, comedic/seriocomic monologue and be prepared to read from the script. Selected sides will be provided.
For a full character breakdown and to sign up for an audition slot, click HERE.
The role of Rita Lyons has been cast, but all other roles are open. For information, contact production coordinator Caitlyn Santiago at caitlyn@youngstownplayhouse.org.
Rehearsals will begin Feb. 1.
Performances will take place March 20-22 and 27-29.
In the play, written by Nicky Silver, the Lyons family must grapple with the impending death of its patriarch, Ben. When Ben Lyons’ wife, Rita, and their grown children gather to say goodbye, they learn that despite being a family, each of them is utterly isolated. Afraid of closeness and afraid of solitude, they are propelled into foreign territory – human connection.
Pictured at top: Dan Rivers will discuss his career in the meeting room of Denny’s Restaurant in Liberty Township.