Frightfully fun fundraiser

Southern Local High School’s junior class is scaring up a frightfully fun fundraiser with “The Enchanted,” a haunted school event set for Oct. 28. Activities get underway at 6 p.m. at the site, which is located at 38095 state Route 39 in Salineville, and tickets are $5 per person or $15 for a family pass that covers up to four people. Class adviser Kim Adams said it is a student-led event and juniors were working hard to make it their own. Among the designers and decorators are Trace Savin, Sarah Hawk, Hope Cronin, Cadence Thompson, Ava Reed, Layla McCauley, Aubree Pucci, Makayla Davison, Leigha Williams, Khali Veglia, Myleah Parrish, Zachary Owens, and Damieon Pitts.

The “somewhat family friendly” event takes place in the rear hallway of the senior high building and will include students in scary costumes, while some classrooms will also be incorporated. Spectators will experience lots of jump scares, candy, and fun with an atmosphere of strobe lights, fog, black lights and other illumination to set the spooky tone. Adams said anyone with light sensitivity should plan accordingly.

Adams said the idea was first discussed last year but interest recently grew to hold an event this month.

“We talked about doing it last year with the Class of 2026, but there was no time to execute it. I mentioned this year and they wanted to do it,” she added.

Adams said the students used recycled materials to create the spooky scenery and cardboard was supplied by Crews Home Improvement. The student organizers hope it could potentially become an annual event, saying it has definitely become a bonding experience which has been a lot of hard work and full of creativity. Meanwhile, Adams is hopeful for a good turnout of community support for the first effort.

“We hope that everyone comes out and enjoys all the hard work and effort everyone put into making this possible,” she concluded. “I know this group of juniors working on it have really grabbed a hold of the idea and ran with it. Part of it is their love for the spooky season. The hours they’ve put into the planning and decorations shows me they are taking great pride in this event, and the staff have been really helpful and accommodating so they reach their end goal. I am really proud of them and hope the community comes out to support them and their efforts, and the entire junior class.”

Proceeds will benefit the class’s fundraising effort for prom and hopefully help defray some more expenses for their senior year. The organization has endeavored in other moneymakers, including the annual car show held in September and a raffle that is planned for March.

SLHS upcoming events

Southern Local High School has announced upcoming events to mark some very special occasions.

The school continues its time-honored tradition of recognizing military heroes who have served our country during the annual Veteran’s Day program on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Veterans are invited to attend a hospitality hour prior to the program at 8:30 a.m., where they may enjoy coffee and a light breakfast in the high school cafeteria. Activities will follow with the patriotic program at 9:30 a.m., where students and community members will assemble in the gym for music, special readings, and presentations by pupils in grades K-12.

SLHS Band Director Emily Forbes-Bowling is organizing the event and said it is free and open to the public. The program has previously drawn about 200 guests, including 75 past service members.

Meanwhile, the SLHS bands and chorus are warming up for their annual Community Holiday Concert, which is held in conjunction with the Salineville Light Up Night Parade on Dec. 6. Forbes-Bowling said the concert is being hosted by the Salineville United Methodist Church and will take place prior to the parade.

She added that the grades 6-12 bands and the high school chorus will perform starting at 4 p.m.

“After the concert, you are invited to move outside and enjoy the parade,” she said.

Students will then appear in the village parade to help ring in the holiday season with some popular yuletide tunes.

Community Job Fair

Flying HIGH Inc. Professional Development Center, in partnership with OhioMeansJobs and sponsored by PHD Manufacturing Inc, will host a Community Job Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riser Tavern on the Links, located at 105 1/2 St. Andrews Drive, Columbiana. This free event offers any job seekers the chance to connect face-to-face with local employers hiring for positions that offer competitive wages and benefits, predominantly in the manufacturing & labor industries. In addition to meeting employers, attendees can access support services designed to help them get Job Ready Services which can assist with: Earning skills credentials, obtaining a valid driver’s license, securing reliable transportation, passing a drug screen, and strengthening professionalism and workplace skills. Local employers participating: PHD Manufacturing Inc., Hickey Metal Fabrication Inc., Compco Inc., Fresh Mark Inc., Global-Pak Inc., McHenry Industries Inc., BOC Water Hydraulics LLC, Reichard Industries LLC, Century Container LLC and KTSDI LLC. For information, call 330-409-1766.

Walk-in flu vaccination clinics

The Columbiana County Health District will host two walk-in flu vaccination clinics on Wednesday, Oct. 29. No registration or appointment is required. The clinics will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Salineville Kiwanis Club, 100 North Alley in Salineville and 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Jude & Our Lady of Lourdes Parish,180 Seventh St. in Columbiana. Vaccines offered include high-dose flu vaccine (Fluzone) for individuals 65 and older and regular-dose flu vaccine (FluLaval) for individuals 18 to 64 years old. Most major insurance plans are accepted. Uninsured individuals are welcome, self-pay options are available. Cash and checks accepted; the name on any check must match the photo ID of the individual paying.