Trending
NILES -- The Niles Historical Society recently began planning events for the new year and also selected its board of officers.
Ann Marie Beagle was named president; David Martin, vice president; Mary Ann McMahon, recording secretary; Patty Fisher, treasurer; and Ruth VanHuffel, corresponding secretary.
Society trustees are Sandy Bilovesky, Nancy Malone and Fremont Camerino.
Donna Nellis reported the fourth annual A McKinley Christmas had 125 guests attend the Ward-Thomas House during the holiday event that included tours of the museum, the McKinley Birthplace Home and Research Center as well as the McKinley Museum. The society also showed items at a kiosk inside the Eastwood Mall. If the society locates there again, members said a sign will be posted to let people know what the group is.
McMahon said this was the second year the society has used the kiosk and sold books and other items.
She said the society is planning to install six banners, which will be made possible with funds from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber and made by artist Dennis Verina.
One banner has been completed and was displayed at the mall.
McMahon said banner topics will include commerce, urban renewal, famous Niles people and the school systems.
''We will be able to use the banners both individually and as a group at public events and in the schools,'' she said.
The society reported the sale of the historical calendars was successful and featured images of historic scenes of Niles.
Events being tentatively set for the year include an annual dinner April 26 at Ciminero's Banquet Centre; tours with Niles Intermediate School third-graders in May; the annual Harry Stevens Hot Dog Day around July 4, which will include a display with the banners set up by the society in downtown Niles; Heritage Day Aug. 6; the Fall Festival in October and the fifth annual A McKinley Christmas in December.
McMahon said the society's overall goal is to get more people to visit the Ward-Thomas House, the home of the historical society.
The society meets 10 a.m. the first Saturday of the month. Open houses are held 2 to 5 p.m. the first Sunday, with the last one-hour tour at 4 p.m.