The Update | Trees at the Gallery Market Returns; Santa to Arrive at Mall
WARREN, Ohio – The Trumbull Art Gallery’s annual Trees at the Gallery holiday marketplace will take place Nov. 18-Jan. 6. Admission is free. The gallery is at 158 N. Park Ave., on Courthouse Square.
The event is a curated walk-through marketplace with more than 20 displays that showcase unique gift items handcrafted by local artists. Art, jewelry, seasonal and holiday décor and more will be available. Additional items will be displayed and available for purchase in the TAG gift shop.
Local artists were asked to design holiday tree displays made from materials such as artificial greenery, wood, metal, wire, ceramics and other substances, or provide tabletop displays to showcase their items.
New this year, some of the artists will showcase their work during live demonstrations during show hours.
The event will include a holiday tree raffle featuring a fully decorated tree filled with handcrafted items donated by each artist. The drawing will take place Dec. 21.
Santa to Arrive at Southern Park Mall
BOARDMAN, Ohio – Southern Park Mall is helping Mahoning Valley shoppers get into the holiday spirit with Santa’s arrival, Paws and Claus, Santa Stories, gift wrapping and more.
“We are excited to bring back our guests’ most-loved holiday events and activities to Southern Park to help provide a memorable shopping experience this season,” said Brian Gabbert, general manager.
The holiday season will kick off with a parade to welcome Santa on Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. The parade will begin in the DeBartolo Commons Concourse and will continue throughout the mall.
Santa will be accompanied by The Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, Boardman Township officials and Boardman High School marching band and cheerleaders, as well as other local school cheerleaders and mascots.
After the parade, families are encouraged to visit Santa for a photo opportunity. Starting at 11:30 a.m., Santa will be at his house in Center Court, ready to hear children’s wishes for this Christmas season. Santa will be available for visits and photos through Christmas Eve.
The festivities will continue through 2 p.m., with face painting, balloon artists and story time with Cindy Lou Who and The Grinch. Admission is free, but families are encouraged to bring a toy donation (valued at least $10) to help kick off Salvation Army’s Army of Toys Campaign. With every toy donation, guests will be entered to win a $500 mall shopping spree. The winner will be announced at 2 p.m. Nov. 18.
Four-legged friends will take center stage at Paws & Claus on Nov. 20, Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Families will have the opportunity to capture a family photo with their furry friend and Santa.
On Mondays in December, families are invited to share a classic Christmas story with characters from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and enjoy free face painting.
The Rink at DeBartolo Commons will also be back for the holiday season. It will open Friday, Nov. 24. More details on hours and activities at The Rink will be available soon.
Gift-wrapping services will be available starting Nov. 25 at The Balloon Store, located in Center Court. Gift wrapping will be available from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Prices for gift wrapping start at $3.
Cookie Table Exchange at Penguin City
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – One Hot Cookie is celebrating the tradition of the cookie table and putting a community twist on it by presenting Youngstown’s Ultimate Cookie Exchange at Penguin City Brewing on Dec. 17.
Each registered attendee will make six dozen of their favorite cookie (just one flavor). Two dozen of those cookies will be available for sampling by the attendees, and the other four dozen will be left for attendees to take home. Bakers are encouraged to take as few or as many (just no more than four dozen) for a varied assortment.
In addition to the cookie exchange, there will be a last-minute gift mart where local vendors will be able to set up and sell their products – commercial and home bakers are encouraged to participate in both the exchange and the vendor portion. Additional details are at
onehotcookie.com. Tickets can be purchased at the site.
Lecture on Indigenous Peoples of Valley
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Mahoning Valley has more than 13,000 years of human history, beginning with indigenous people. Some of the indigenous people of this area include the Miami, Mingo, Chippewa and Shawnee.
On Nov. 16 at noon at the Tyler History Center, Bill Lawson, director of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, will discuss the people who called this area home with a focus on the 17th and 18th centuries. The free event is part of the Bites and Bits of History lecture series.
Program on Greek Culture and Cuisine
CAMPBELL, Ohio – Mahoning Valley Cultural Alliance’s final Culture and Cuisine program of the season will take place today, Nov. 13, at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, 410 12th St., and will focus on Greece.
The cost to attend is $30 for Mahoning Valley Historical Society members and $35 for nonmembers.
The speaker will be Socrates Kolitsos. The event will be catered by Ethel Katsourakis, and entertainment will be provided by the Nisiotika Pedia Dancers, led by Katina Hazimiholi.
The MVCA is under the umbrella of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.
Joy of Christmas Light Show at Firestone Park
COLUMBIANA, Ohio – The Joy of Christmas light show in Firestone Park will open Nov. 17.
It will be open Friday through Sunday the first weekend and expand to Thursday through Sunday starting Nov. 23.
Price of the drive-through show is $20 per vehicle; $40 for a season pass.
For information, call 330 482 2282, or go to TourColumbianaOhio.org.
Crystal Catering Offering Thanksgiving Dinners
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Jeffrey Chrystal Catering is offering full Thanksgiving dinners for takeout, available for pickup on Thanksgiving Day.
Orders must be placed by Nov. 20; call 330 743 8062. When placing an order, choose a pickup time between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at 2315 Belmont Ave.
For information, go to jeffreychrystalcatering.com/menus or call 330 743 8062.
Pictured at top: Last year’s Trees at the Gallery event at Trumbull Art Gallery, a holiday marketplace for gifts.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
