SL District Showcase

Southern Local Schools will be ramping up for the annual District Showcase on April 15. Activities will be held from 4-6 p.m. and Southern Local Elementary Principal Emily Smith, who is organizing the event, said food and fun are on tap with something for the whole family. “Teachers will display students’ work and we will have vendors, a fourth-grade concert, raffle baskets and have a spaghetti dinner to benefit the football team,” she said. Now in its 18th year, the District Showcase has drawn thousands of people since its inception to view classroom projects, art exhibitions and student presentations as well as meet school and community officials. It was created to share students’ success and had taken a brief hiatus during the COVID pandemic in 2020. About 20 vendors from community agencies and churches to school organizations are anticipated and Smith said several hundred people are expected to attend. “We usually have around 300 people,” she added. “The purpose is to display work and hold a community event.” She added that proceeds from the basket raffle will benefit a student battling cancer.

Talk Derby to Me

NOAS is hosting Hats and Horses: Talk Derby to Me, an event designed to raise awareness and funds for these essential initiatives. Guests can look forward to a Derby-themed evening featuring a dinner, drinks, horse races, bourbon tasting, a barrel of cheer liquor raffle, and both live and silent auctions. The event will also include a lively derby hat contest and a celebrity jockey auction. The event will be held at Leo’s Ristorante, located at 7042 E. Market St., Warren, on Saturday, April 12. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds will support NOAS’ mission to empower foster youth and families with the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

CWC 2025 Garden Events

The Columbiana Women’s Club (CWC), a civic organization operating a century house on Main Street in historic Columbiana, has released the details for its 2025 Garden Events. The six events are hosted by CWC’s Green Thum Garden Club, in conjunction with Firestone Park Cultural & Custodial Committee and Restore Columbiana. Limited space; RSVPs required to 330-207-1470. Lunch option available for $15 person; program only option is $10 person:

— Wednesday, May 14, Crafting an Herb Garden: Join Patricia Tingle and Skip McCullough to learn about the many herbs planted and grown in the potted garden at Idabelle Firestone’s Gathering Place & Garden. Includes hand-outs, take-home samples and, for those who purchase the meal option, a lunch based on the herbs studied. Location: Idabelle Firestone’s Gathering Place & Garden, 338 E. Park Avenue/Harvey S. Firestone Recreational Park, Columbiana. Park in Pool Lot. Venue is atop the hill across from Firestone Pool. Transport to site available.

— Wednesday, June 18, Walking a Whimsy Way Complete with Decorator Chicken Coop Collection: Explore celebrated local gardener Julie Magill’s whimsical garden while learning about the enjoyments of chicken coop care. Locations: Noon lunch at CWC Clubhouse, 121 N. Main St.; program-only portion to follow at Magill’s (address provided at time of RSVP).

— Wednesday, July 16, A Visit to The Gardens at Hippley Village: Discover the magic of Hippely Village and its role in promoting the art, enjoyment and knowledge of horticulture with creator John Hippely. Location: The Gardens at Hippley Village, Stanton Ave. Park at First Christian Church, 39 Cherry St., and walk to venue.

— Wednesday, Aug. 6, Buzzin’ about the Pollinator Garden: Learn about garden art and pollinator plants. Location: Maple Grove Pavilion, Harvey S. Firestone Recreational Park, Springfield Road entrance. Lunch, for those who elect the lunch option, it will be a surprise based on the program’s theme and hosted in the pavilion.

— Wednesday, Aug. 20, Hands-On + Pruning Demo: Discover pruning techniques used to maintain the arboretum-style park. Location: Harvey S. Firestone Recreational Park, 338 E. Park Ave. Park in Pool Lot. Idabelle Firestone’s Gathering Place & Garden is nestled atop the hill, across from Firestone Pool. Guests will travel by golf cart to various locations throughout the historic site. Space is limited for this program.

— Wednesday, Sept. 17, From Field to Table: Explore the farm-to-table movement with local experts. More details TBA.

For information about the Columbiana Women’s Club and the 2025 Garden Events, call 330-482-2832. Facebook @ColumbianaCWC.