The Update | ‘Silent Patient’ Author Alex Michaelides at Library Event

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Alex Michaelides, author of the bestselling novel “The Silent Patient,” will give a presentation at the Main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 305 Wick Ave., at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.

A question-and-answer session will follow his presentation.

Michaelides’ next novel, “The Fury,” will be released Jan. 16.

General admission tickets to the event are $50 and include a signed book. Reserved tickets are $95 and include a pre-event cocktail hour with the author at 6 p.m. that includes a glass of wine and heavy appetizers. A cash bar will also be available.

Tickets will go on sale at noon Jan. 10 at libraryvisit.org.

Neshannock Creek Brewing Nominated

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Neshannock Creek Brewing, downtown, has been nominated for Best Brewery in Pennsylvania in the Breweries in PA Readers’ Choice Awards.

Members of the public can vote on the award recipient once per day HERE. Voting ends Dec.  31.

According to the website, 21 breweries opened in the state in 2023. Only the top 10 were nominated for the award.

Neshannock Creek is owned by Eric Fulkerson and opened Sept. 23 at 20 S. Mercer St.

Contestants Can Win Chocolate for a Year

BOARDMAN, Ohio – To mark the premiere of the movie “Wonka,” Gorant Chocolatier has launched a promotion in which 10 winners will receive free chocolate for a year.

Customers who uncover a golden ticket in a chocolate assortment they purchase will be able to redeem them for the prize.

Purchases must be made at Gorant’s main location, 400 Boardman-Poland Road, or its Howland location, 8264 E. Market St.

Golden tickets will be inserted into assorted chocolates gift boxes beginning today.

The Hoyt Offers Memberships

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Attendance at Arts & Education at the Hoyt has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but membership is still lagging.

Members receive discounts on classes, camps and workshops, plus free admission to the Period House, access to free Members Week activities and more, depending on membership level.

Monthly payment plans start at $9.

The Hoyt offers a robust schedule of arts classes and summer camps; art and history exhibitions; art competitions for all ages; a free after-school program for grades one through six; an entrepreneurial arts program for teens; a public art program; and a well-preserved piece of history in the Alex Crawford Hoyt Period House.

It hosts a number of annual events, including the Color Run, Children’s Summer Arts Festival, Scary Tales, the Holiday Open House and Mini Masterpiece.

To join or make a donation, go to hoytartcenter.org/membership.

Barko Illustration at Art Market

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Local artist Bob Barko will participate in the Last-minute Market this weekend to sell his latest art print, “Youngstown State University.”

The market will take place Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17, at B&O Station, 530 Mahoning Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is $1.

Limited edition prints of the illustration, which depicts YSU landmarks, are $30.

Sharon Stores in Holiday Display Contest

SHARON, Pa. – Approximately 50 businesses are participating in Sharon’s second annual holiday display contest.

Participants display a poster in their storefront. Visitors can vote for their favorite display via a QR code on the poster or at the city of Sharon’s Facebook page. Paper ballots are also available at most locations. Only one vote can be cast (paper or online) for each ballot or online. Vote online HERE. 

The winning businesses will be announced Dec. 24.

The categories are Favorite Entry; Holiday Display That Best Represents Its Own Business; Holiday Display That Reminds You of a Christmas Movie; Holiday Display That Would Be Santa’s Favorite; and Holiday Display That Would Be Considered a Shopper’s Delight.  

The Voters Favorite business will receive a $100 gift card to the Sharon business of its choice and will have a $100 gift card purchased from the winning business to be given out toward a promotion running in January. The other winners will receive a $25 gift card to the Sharon business of their choice and a $25 gift card that will be purchased from them to also be included in the January promotion.   

Pictured at top: Alex Michaelides will give a presentation in Youngstown.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.