The month of October wound up with a “Bang.” The East Liverpool and the Calcutta Rotary clubs participate in the largest International Student Exchange Program in the world. The program is for high school students that sends and receives students from countries around the world.

On the weekend of Oct. 27 through 29 there will be a team of exchange students in the East Liverpool area. They will spend the weekend learning of our area history and way of life while visiting various community attractions.

Rotarian Linda Henderson is in charge. Saturday night the students will have pizza, enjoy the Center Game Room, watch scary movies and spend the night chaperoned by local Rotarians and spouses. After breakfast in the morning they return to their host families for the remainder of their stay in our country.

The month of November will be even a bigger “BANG!” The first week of November, Sharon Kay Palmer will hold her first therapy session in the Mary Sue Art Gallery at the center. Sharon is a retired Therapist and she will make her massages available to seniors not able to afford the standard fee. She will ply her trade on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. There are still spots open for needy senior citizens.

On Nov. 2 will be the second Legacy & Legends Lectures featuring Author Kathy Shultz who resides in New Mexico. Kathy is coming to East Liverpool to speak about the former Underground Railroads of Ohio. On Nov. 14 the lecture will be Craig Wetzel, who will talk about his newest book, “Along the Little Beaver,” including his paintings of historic structures along the Beaver Canal.

Tuesday, Nov. 7, the center will be open for the elections. There will be voting on two major state issues concerning abortion and use of medical marijuana. The city will also be electing a new mayor from among three candidates. A mayoral debate had been held at the center in October. Also on Tuesday, Rotary will hold its weekly membership meeting at noon that day. The center will be closed on Thanksgiving day.

The Cleda Marie Fitzjohn Foundation Board met and selected 10 students for music scholarships from the tri-state area. These scholarships will help them continue their musical education. The board holds all its meetings at the center having made it their home for the past five years.

Coming up on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 1 to 6 p.m. will be a “Fiesta” to be held in the Banquet Hall at the center. It is called Dia de los Muertos celebrating a major Spanish holiday. This is a fund raising project by the East Liverpool Spanish classes to raise money for students to travel to Costa Rico in 2026. This will be the first of many fundraisers to underwrite club expenses. There is no charge to attend, but tickets will be sold for food and Fiesta activities. High school teacher Shoshana Fineman is in charge of the event.

A new sign has been placed above the entrance to the community center. The work was done by an advertising agency that has its offices in New Cumberland, W. Va.

Movie Nite at the center will continue each Thursday in November except Thanksgiving beginning at 5 p.m. On Nov. 2 will be “Mrs. Miniver” about the courage of the British in WWII during the Battle of Dunkirk. There is no charge for admission and refreshments are free.

By our estimate well over 2,000 people will have crossed the threshold of the center in November during the various events, activities, parties and functions scheduled at the learning center that month. It should be noted that seven years ago the HHH Foundation had just acquired an old church building in need of much care and repairs. What a big difference a few years and the hard work of some dedicate and faithful volunteers can make in a community!