NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – In the spirit of America250 festivities, the New Wilmington Garden Club presented the New Wilmington Blooms Red, White and Blue contest, choosing winners in two categories: Patriotic Blooms and Victory Vegetable Gardens. 

Extensive use of red, white and blue plantings and incorporation of flags, banners or thematic, artistic elements and effective mulching were criteria for Patriotic Blooms. Judges considered layout to maximize space for growth, appropriate staking or plant support, variety of vegetables and overall plant health in Victory Vegetable Gardens. 

On July 6, three judges viewed the contestants’ gardens: Cindy Lyons, garden club president; Sandy Baumgardner, Lawrence County master gardener; and Rob McHale, national sales manager at Michell’s, a wholesale horticultural distributor. 

In the Patriotic Blooms category, Sue Goodwin took first place with her window boxes; Jason Maggi took second for his container gardens; and third place went to Terry and Janet Robb for their red, white and blue blooms around their home.

In the Victory Vegetable Garden category, first place went to Mark Prestein. His garden grew a wide variety of vegetables and herbs and was beautifully designed. Second place went to Bob Hudock for his vegetables and herbs; and third place went to Jessica Sarver, who used a clever focal point of a huge tree stump with pumpkin vines spilling out of it.

Founded in 1935, the New Wilmington Garden Club encourages interest in gardening, learning about nature and conservation and assisting in beautification of the borough. 

Credit Union Night at Scrappers Game Is Sold Out

NILES, Ohio – No seats remain for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ game Friday evening, which is 7 17 Credit Union’s Financial Wellness Night.

The annual event has sold out for three consecutive years.

The Scrappers will take on the State College Spikes at a special game time of 7:17 pm. The main gate will open at 5:30 p.m.

As part of this collaboration, 7 17 will offer giveaways and special savings opportunities for guests at the ballpark with a year-round focus on financial wellness. Financial Wellness Night will provide a free night of entertainment for the community – with the first combined fireworks and drone show at the field. Free hot dogs and soft drinks will be provided for attendees. Dollar Dog Kids Club members will enjoy a “kids zone” with a special visit from the Dollar Dog mascot. 7 17 employees and their families will join the community with a company picnic in celebration of financial wellness.

Sweet Memories to Celebrate Ice Cream Day

LIBERTY, Ohio – Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy is inviting families to celebrate National Ice Cream Day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 18 and 19. There will be two days of free ice cream, free soda samples, exclusive apparel, local history and family fun.

The store is at 1282 Trumbull Ave.

For Sweet Memories, National Ice Cream Day is more than an event – it’s a celebration of the brand that started it all.

The company’s first officially licensed collection was created with Good Humor, becoming the foundation of Sweet Memories Vintage Tees. What began as a nostalgic T-shirt collection has grown into a mission of preserving American brands, sharing local history, creating family memories and giving back to the community.

Today, Sweet Memories features officially licensed apparel from many of America’s favorite frozen treat brands, including Good Humor, Handel’s, Cockeye Creamery, Isaly’s, Breyers, Popsicle and Klondike.

Since launching its ice cream collection, more than $75,000 has been raised for Akron Children’s Hospital.

The celebration also marks the debut of Sweet Memories’ newest exclusive release: the “Youngstown, Ohio: Ice Cream Capital of the World” T-shirt.

Semiquincentennial Celebration at Churchill Park

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Liberty Township invites all Mahoning Valley residents to celebrate America’s 250th birthday from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at Churchill Park on Belmont Avenue, adjacent to Station Square Restaurant. Admission and parking are free.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

The celebration will feature community organizations, churches, local businesses, historical exhibits, police and fire department displays, student artwork, live entertainment by the Take II Band, artisans and vendors, three food trucks and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. 

A special feature will be the Liberty Township Heritage Tour, a self-guided tour of historic sites and landmarks. Heritage Tour brochures, complete with maps and site information, can be obtained at the Liberty Township Administration Building from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday or at participating Heritage Tour locations, including Jimmy’s Italian Specialties and Kravitz Deli.

To be eligible for the Heritage Tour prize drawing, completed passports must be submitted either by 3 p.m. Friday at the administration building or by 8:55 p.m. Saturday at Churchill Park. Eligible entries will be entered into a drawing for gift cards and other prizes.

Pictured at top: Sue Goodwin, a first-place winner in the New Wilmington, Pa., flower garden competition.