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Lordstown offers summer fun

LORDSTOWN — For more than 25 years, children in the village have spent several weeks in the summer taking part in a variety of recreational activities, from arts and crafts to archery to basketball to fishing.

The Jean Ann Smith Summer Fun Days held for four weeks in July is named in memory of former recreation director Jean Ann Smith. Marty Gibson, Lordstown’s current recreation director who has been part of the program for more than 15 years, said high school students and Lordstown teachers help at the event.

“I have been fortunate to have so many of the volunteers come back and help each summer,” she said.

Gibson, who said the program will conclude this Thursday, said each person is placed in his or her area of skill or expertise such as teaching archery, overseeing board games and crafts, instructing soccer or taking a nature hike.

Children in preschool to sixth grade select four programs, taking two activities per two-week periods.

Gibson said new this year was a kindergarten readiness class led by Lordstown teacher Mindy Moyers.

She said donations from Champion Insurance of Austintown, Tom and Diane Uher and Auto Owners as well as community members make the program possible.

Jonathan Peterson, 10, said he signed up because he liked all the different choices of activities.

“I was here last summer and it was a lot of fun,” he said. He chose basketball and science.

Sarah Strenk, 13, she said she likes coming to a place in the summer where she has fun with friends.

“We get to play and try new activities with our friends. I have met new people,” she said.

Jamie Senne, nature instructor, said the children learn abort nature with a scavenger hunt, hikes in the woods, and catching crayfish in the stream,

“I try to have them do a variety of different things during the week,” she said.

Abigail Morrison of Lordstown said she likes looking for items in the woods and being in nature.

Jane Grider, one of the volunteers, said she is always glad to return.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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