DIGEST Vineyards at Pine Lake receives Ohio grant n The Vineyards at Pine Lake in Columbiana is one of 14 grape growers in Ohio that will receive up to $3,000 per acre in grant money to create new or expand existing vineyards, allowing for more wineries to use Ohio-grown grapes. The Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program allows wineries to invest in and plant high-quality, high-value grapes onsite instead of purchasing them from other states. VEAP is an incentive program created and funded by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee. Ohio is the sixth largest wine producer in the country, with just over 1,500 acres of vineyards producing and selling 1.2 million gallons, or 500,000 cases, of wine annually. There are currently 340 licensed wine manufacturers across the state, creating more than 8,000 full-time jobs for Ohioans. The grant recipients include: Breezy Vines LLC, Bellaire, Belmont County; Buccia Vineyard, Conneaut, Ashtabula County; Clark Farms, West Milton, Miami County; King Vineyard (name TBD), Lancaster, Fairfield County; Das Weinhaus Vineyard and Winery, Litchfield, Medina County; Five Roots Vineyard, Croton, Licking County; Folck Family Farm, Mechanicsburg, Champaign County; Overton Valley Vineyards, Burbank, Wayne County; Quinstock Farm, Port Clinton, Ottawa County; The Vineyards at Pine Lake, Columbiana, Mahoning County; Vinoklet Winery, Cincinnati, Hamilton County; White Timbers, Wadsworth, Medina County; and William White Family, Jackson, Jackson County. VEAP is managed by OGIC, which was established in 1981 and operates inpart through the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Willock to head Kent Trumbull Police Academy
n James Willock has been named manager of the Public Safety and Police Academy program at Kent State Trumbull. “This is a great opportunity for me to help train the next generations of law enforcement professionals,” Willock said. “I want to make sure our cadets are ready and equipped to handle the ever-changing role of a law enforcement officer in society.” Willock has an extensive background in law enforcement. He last worked as police chief for Mill Creek Metro Parks. He serves as chairman of the Education Committee in the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, previously served as curriculum chairman of the Certified Law Enforcement Executive Advisory Board, and as president of the Mahoning Valley Chiefs of Police Association. He plans to remain active in the training and development of law enforcement leaders in the state
YSU
n The Dana Chorale, conducted by Dr. Hae-Jong Lee and accompanied
by Kathy Miller, recently participated in the 2020 Busan Choral Festival and Competition. The prerecorded concert premiered on the Busan Choral YouTube channel at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 KST (4 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, EST). See related story on this page. of Ohio. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice law enforcement administration from Youngstown State University and has had professional training at the FBI National Academy, the Blue Courage Academy, and the Police Executive Leadership College. He has been a Certified Law Enforcement Executive since 2007. Beginning this fall, Kent State Trumbull’s Police Academy counts as college credit. Officers completing the academy or any other Ohio Police Officer Training Academy or OSHP Training, are eligible for up to 22 credit hours that can be applied toward the criminology and justice studies. “We are excited that Jim will be leading our police academy into the future,” said Josna Neuman, interim assistant dean, Kent State Trumbull. “He brings with him a tremendous amount of energy and expertise.” Willock has taught various police academy and justice studies courses credit courses and has been an instructor at Kent State University. For more information about Kent State Trumbull’s Police Academy, visit www. kent.edu/policeacademy.
Dec. 10: Webinar covers charcuterie boards
n Penn State Extension will offer a webinar on creating charcuterie boards from 6-7 p.m on Thursday, Dec. 10. “Let’s Cook Charcuterie Boards” will teach participants the basic steps to create a charcuterie plate. A live demonstration of fall-themed charcuterie boards will be featured. Participants
are encouraged to create along with the webinar; an ingredient list will be included with registration. “Let’s Cook Charcuterie Boards” is the newest addition to the “Let’s Cook with Penn State Extension” cooking class series. For pricing and to register, visit https:// extension.psu.edu/lets-cook-charcuterie-boards or call 877-345-0691. The “Let’s Cook with Penn State Extension” classes address nutrition, healthy shopping, time-saving tips, and more, so cooks of all skill levels can navigate around the kitchen with confidence. There are multiple “Let’s Cook” classes, focusing on a range of subjects, including special diets, weight management, and cooking for one or two, to name a few. All have been developed using science-based best practices. To see the classes currently offered, visit https://extension.psu.edu.
‘Columbiana Christmas’ drive-through displays
n The Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau, Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses will offer special holiday events during “Columbiana Christmas.” Activities and promotions occur from Nov. 16 through Dec. 27. “Columbiana Christmas” holiday highlights include: • Monday, Nov. 16-Sunday, Nov. 22: “Christmas in Columbiana 2020.” Features a variety of specials at shops throughout the community, including historic Main Street, the north end’s Dutch District and
Firestone Commons areas. • 6-9 p.m., select nights Thursday, Nov. 19-Sunday, Dec. 27: “Joy of Christmas Drive-Thru Light Show 2020.” Harvey S. Firestone Park, 338 E. Park Ave., Columbiana. Features 1 million lights on over 80 displays. $10/vehicle, $3/person motor coach, $25/seasonal pass. • 6 p.m, Friday, Nov. 20: Columbiana Chamber of Commerce’s “2020 Columbiana Drive-Thru Christmas Spectacular.” Main Street, Columbiana. Features stationary “floats” along Main Street for guests to drive-through. Free. • Sunday, Nov. 22: “Senior Night” at “Joy of Christmas 2020” For persons 60 years of age and older only. $5/vehicle. • Tuesday, Dec. 1: “5-K Race Night.” Night one of two. The event is split into two nights to adhere to local, state and federal COVID-19 guidelines. • Wednesday, Dec. 2: “5-K Race Night.” Night two of two. The event is split into two nights to adhere to local, state and federal COVID-19 guidelines. • Saturday, Dec. 5: “Senior Night” at “Joy of Christmas 2020.” For persons 60 years of age and older only. $5/vehicle. “From our quaint shops and welcoming restaurants to churches, civic organizations and residences, Columbiana is especially charming during the holidays,” said Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau Executive Secretary Tricia Offenburg. “Combined with our annual ‘Joy of Christmas Light Show’ and the ‘Christmas Spectacular,’ Columbiana is the quintessential Hallmark Christmas movie town!” “This year, it seems even more important for us to honor the child in us all and celebrate the season with these meaningful holiday traditions,” said Offenburg. For more information about “Columbiana Christmas” and to learn more about the Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau, email Info@TourColumbianaOhio.com, call 330-482-2282, or visit www.TourColumbianaOhio.com.
Ohio State Bar honors Youngstown attorney
n The Ohio State Bar Association has recognized Youngstown attorney A. Robert Steiskal for 50 years of service to the community and the legal profession. A. Robert Steiskal graduated from Ohio Northern Pettit College of Law in 1965. Before taking the bar exam, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he obtained the rank of captain. He served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969 as an investigator and counterintelligence officer before his honorable discharge in 1970. After joining the Ohio bar, he held several positions in the legal field, including associate to attorney Bernard J. Wilkes, a fellow Ohio Northern graduate, and associate attorney with the firm Henderson, Covington, Stein, Donchess
and Messenger. Steiskal went into private practice in Mahoning County in 1979. While continuing to practice law and serve his clients, he also engaged with his family’s commercial real estate business. Steiskal was recognized as part of the OSBA’s District 13 virtual annual meeting. District 13 includes nearly 400 attorneys who practice in Columbiana and Mahoning counties.
YSU-OEA, YSU Trustees approve agreement
n Youngstown State University’s faculty union and the YSU Board of Trustees voted overwhelmingly Friday, Nov. 20, to accept the 20202023 YSU-OEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. Of the 210 YSU OEA member votes cast, representing a total member response rate of 62 percent, 95 percent (199 members) voted to approve the agreement, and 5 percent (11 members) voted to reject the agreement. The final step in securing the agreement for faculty was its presentation for a vote of ratification to the YSU Board of Trustees during its special meeting Friday, Nov. 20. The trustees voted unanimously to approve the agreement. “Given all that’s happened this year, ratification of the new agreement gives all faculty some much-needed stability, and allows us to fully focus on the needs of our students going into the spring semester,” Mark Vopat, spokesperson for YSU-OEA, said.
Dana performs virtually in Busan Choral Festival
n The Dana Chorale, conducted by Dr. Hae-Jong Lee and accompanied by Kathy Miller, recently participated in the 2020 Busan Choral Festival and Competition. The prerecorded concert premiered on the Busan Choral YouTube channel at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 KST (4 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, EST). “I was looking for a joint virtual choir project this semester with choirs from overseas. The organizer of the Busan Choral Festival and Competition saw the Dana Chorale’s Korea tour performance in May 2017, took notice of our project and invited us to join the international virtual choir festival,” said Lee. The Busan Choral Festival and Competition is the representative choral festival in Asia, celebrating its 16th anniversary this year. Twelve choirs from nine countries created videos of their singing to be included in the concert. The Dana Chorale collaborated with the Busan Teacher’s Choir and performed “You Do Not Walk Alone” by Elaine Hagerberg. Lee provided the musical direction for the project, which included repertoire selection and score markings. Lee also created a conductor’s video with the audio tracks.
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