NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Bird lovers can take advantage of the peak bird migration season during the 2025 BirdTok Community Bird Walk at Westminster College from 11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Friday, April 25.
Led by Westminster students in the BirdTok interdisciplinary cluster course, the event is open to everyone from the community who wishes to connect with nature, observe local bird species, meet students and enjoy the company of fellow birdwatchers.
The bird walk – scheduled the day before National Go Birding Day on Saturday, April 26 – is easy and casual and will begin at the dock at Brittain Lake on Westminster’s campus. Participants will be able to explore the college while learning about the birds that live in the area. Westminster College is home to wildlife sanctuary spaces certified by the Bartramian Audubon Society of Slippery Rock, Pa.
Kerri Duerr, director of the Clarence & Mary Ann Harms Center for the Environment, suggested downloading the Merlin Bird ID application HERE. She also recommended the following websites to explore bird species: Cornell Lab of Orinthology’s All About Birds and Audubon.
Bird Walk organizers recommend that attendees bring their own binoculars.
Reservations are not required but are appreciated and can be made HERE or by emailing Duerr at duerrkc@westminster.edu.
The Vindys to Open for ZZ Top at Northfield
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Vindys will get another chance to share a stage with a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame act when they open for ZZ Top on Oct. 9 at MGM Northfield’s Center Stage.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 18, at Ticketmaster.com.
It will be the second time the Youngstown rock band has opened a concert for ZZ Top. The first time was in 2024 at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo.
Also Friday, The Vindys will embark on a second North American tour with Rock Hall of Famer Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.
The band toured with Benatar in 2024 as her opening act. Benatar was so pleased that she asked The Vindys to do it again this year.
Millennial Theatre Sets ‘Dreamcoat’ Auditions
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Auditions for Millennial Theatre Company’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will take place Monday, April 18, at the Youngstown Playhouse’s downtown theater, 220 W. Boardman St.
Actors, singers and dancers are needed, and all roles are open.
Auditions for singers and actors (leads and ensemble ages 16 and up and youth ensemble ages 7 and up) will take place from 6-9 p.m. Monday. Auditionees will be asked to do some light moving and sing a 30- to 60-second cut of a song in the style of the show. A headshot and résumé are encouraged but not required. No accompanist will be provided; bring a track (bluetooth speaker provided).
Rehearsals for actors will run from 6-9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday starting in mid- to late May. Actors unavailable to attend auditions can send a virtual audition to millennialtheatrecompany@gmail.com by 6 p.m. Monday, April 18.
Auditions for dancers (nonsinging, ages 15 and up) will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Rehearsals for dancers will begin in late May or early June and will run on Saturdays and Sundays. Dancers will be called nightly beginning in tech week (around July 5).
The musical is being directed by Joe Asente, with music direction by Megan Miller and choreography by Danielle Mentzer.
It will be performed July 11-13 and 18-20 at the Youngstown Playhouse. For information, go to MillennialTheatre.org or email millennialtheatrecompany@gmail.com.
Jobs Fun Fair at Cedar Point Amusement Park
SANDUSKY, Ohio – Cedar Point will present a Jobs Fun Fair hiring party at the park’s Main Gate from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 23.
Activities and perks for hired candidates will be available, including rides, free food and raffles for Cedar Point swag, concert tickets and park admission tickets.
Interviews, hiring and initial orientation will take place on the spot, with park managers and leaders on hand to answer questions and interview candidates.
Positions are available for a variety of positions, including food and beverage, housekeeping, merchandise, games, traffic and tolls, ride operations, office/clerical and more. Everyone from high school students to retirees is welcome to apply.
Hourly pay ranges from $13 to $15 (for those who are age 16 or older), based on experience, prior service and position.
Cedar Point offers flexible scheduling and benefits, discounts, reward and recognition programs, exclusive associate-only events, ride nights, free tickets for family and friends, on-site housing for those who qualify and free admission to any Six Flags park.
For information on available positions, or to apply, click HERE.
Tourism Office Creates Adventure Trails
COLUMBUS, Ohio – More than 140 unique adventure trails for getaways can be found on Ohio.org, curated by the TourismOhio office.
The trails are perfect for a weekend getaway, a multiday road trip or a spontaneous Saturday adventure.
Examples include the Sweet Treats trail along the Great Miami river and the Columbus Coffee Trail.
Culture lovers can discover outdoor art along the Ohio Art Corridor in southeast Ohio or follow in presidential footsteps on the Ohio Presidential Trail.
For nature enthusiasts, there are the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Trail and the Lake Erie Birding Trail.
One of Ohio’s most popular trails is the Butler County Donut Trail, which highlights 13 mom-and-pop donut shops in the southwest county.
Concert Band Seeks Poems Inspired by Songs
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown Area Community Concert Band is teaming up with Lit Youngstown to collect original poems inspired by this year’s concert theme, “Broadway Classics.”
Six poems will be selected from the submissions. Registered participants may submit up to two poems. Selected poems will be read, either by the poet or a Lit Youngstown reader, at the concert on June 17 at Austintown Township Park. Submissions will be accepted from writers of all ages. The deadline is May 15.
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Lit Youngstown will publish an anthology of work by the group’s writers. Works of poetry and prose (fiction, nonfiction or creative nonfiction up to 4,000 words) will be accepted from any writer who has read work at any Lit Youngstown venue or event. The deadline is June 30. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by Aug. 31. There is no fee to submit. Those accepted will receive one print copy of the finished anthology. Previously published work will be accepted, but preference will be placed on previously unpublished, original work.
State Opens New Round of Film Tax Credits
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Development has announced a new application window for the Motion Picture Tax Credit Program.
With a variety of shooting locations, a supply of talent and a 30 percent refundable tax credit on production cast and crew wages, plus other eligible in-state spending, Ohio offers producers a compelling reason to turn their next script into a reality in the Buckeye State.
Applications for the current round are open now through 4 p.m. June 2, with awards to be announced by July 31. Eligible productions include feature-length films, documentaries, pre-Broadway productions, miniseries, video games and music videos.
Applications are reviewed based on several factors, including potential economic impact and contributions to developing a permanent workforce in the industry. The program prioritizes television series and miniseries, followed by other eligible productions.
A total of $40 million is available this funding round. The application and additional program information can be found HERE.
Pictured at top: Sara MacMurdo, a senior biology major from Pittsburgh, uses a telescope to focus on birds during a class at Westminster College.