YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Billy Beck and Rick Ward will be the 2026 inductees into the Youngstown Walk of Fame.
Mayor Derrick McDowell made the announcement Saturday in a Facebook post.
The two Youngstown natives are members of renowned funk band The Ohio Players. Beck joined the act in 1974, and Ward joined in 2014.
The two will be inducted July 5 at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre during the Ignite the Night concert and fireworks display.
Beck and Ward will perform before the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra takes the stage for its concert that evening, which will include fireworks. Admission is free.
The city of Youngstown launched its Walk of Fame in 2023. Plaques for each inductee are on display in Wean Park, next to the amphitheater. Kool & the Gang was the first inductee. The city’s five champion boxers – Ray Mancini, Kelly Pavlik, Harry Arroyo, Jeff Lampkin and Greg Richardson – have also been inducted.
AI Expert to Speak at Stambaugh
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Jeremy Utley, an expert in artificial intelligence, will deliver a lecture at Stambaugh Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17.
Utley has taught over 1 million students and advised Fortune 500 CEOs on harnessing AI to unlock innovation.
The lecture is part of Youngstown State University’s Thomas Colloquium on Free Enterprise lecture series. Admission is free, but tickets must be obtained in advance at StambaughAuditorium.com or the DeYor Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets will become available Aug. 3
Luncheon Restaurant Opens at Tara
CLARK, Pa. – Vivien’s, the newest dining establishment at Tara – A Country Inn, has opened. The poolside lunch restaurant’s hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For reservations, click HERE.
Novelists at Lit Youngstown Reading
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Dayton-area novelists Meredith Doench and Erin Flanagan will be the readers at an event presented by Lit Youngstown at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave.
The reading will begin at 7 p.m. July 1 in the downstairs, which is accessible only by stairs.
Doench is the author of the Luce Hansen sapphic thriller series and the stand-alone novels “Whereabouts Unknown” and “Never Say Die.”
Flanagan is the author of five books, including “Deer Season,” winner of the 2022 Edgar for Best First Novel, and the most recent “Come with Me.”
MVHS Plans Public Forum on Programming
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Mahoning Valley Historical Society will present a public forum June 24 on its future programming and exhibit goals for Arms Family Museum and Tyler History Center.
The forum will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County on Wick Avenue. The general public is invited to attend and engage in the process. MVHS education and exhibit consultant Ellen Leerburger will lead the forum.
For information, call 330 743 2589 or email mvhs@mahoninghistory.org.
Squeaky Wheel Theater to Present ‘Annie’
COLUMBIANA, Ohio – The Squeaky Wheel Theater Company will present the musical “Annie” at Columbiana Arts Theater at 7 p.m. June 19 and 26 and 2 p.m. June 20-21 and 27-28. For tickets, click HERE.
Sulton Added to Music of The Cars Concert
WARREN, Ohio – Singer-songwriter Kasim Sulton has been added as a special guest to the Oct. 10 concert of Greg Hawkes with Eddie Japan Performing the Music of The Cars at Robins Theatre.
Sulton’s performance will open the evening. He is best known for his work with Utopia and is also a longtime member of Meat Loaf’s band.
Hawkes was the keyboardist for the Cars.
Tickets start at $35 (plus fees) and are available at RobinsTheatre.com.
Archeology Camp for Kids in Trumbull County
NORTH BLOOMFIELD, Ohio – Children ages 8 to 14 can step into the world of archeology this summer at a hands‑on camp at a verified Underground Railroad site in Trumbull County.
The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily July 8-10 at Center Brook Manor, 8745 Painesville Warren State Road.
Campers will work alongside real archeologists to identify artifacts, use excavation tools and interpret clues left behind by the people who lived there long ago. The camp blends discovery, teamwork and outdoor adventure at a location where history actually happened. Lunch and snacks are included daily. Cost is $80 per camper.
For tickets, click HERE.
Chalk on the Walk at Courthouse Square
WARREN, Ohio – Chalk on the Walk will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 27 at Art on Park, 180 N. Park Ave., Courthouse Square.
The event will include chalk drawing (chalk will be provided), face painting, a youth art show, vendors and live music. Admission is free.
The Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County is the sponsor.
Individuals ages 12 to 21 can submit art for Youth Art Day, which will also take place that day at Art on Park. The drop-off date is June 20, from 3-5 p.m. Artists will be able to sell their work at the event, perform music and display their art. To sign up, email yadfact@gmail.com. For information about the event, email racheldunn1977@gmail.com.
Pictured at top: Billy Beck. (Photo courtesy of Deborah Benson)