LISBON – The Lisbon Arts Initiative will launch “Art Building Community Developing Expression” (ABCDE), an arts-based program created for youth in grades K-5, on June 28, at the New Lisbon Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The ABCDE project is LAI’s first public arts initiative. The focus is to offer these youth an opportunity to learn, experience, and gain exposure to the arts through their participation in 18-minute/to 60-m experiential workshops led by local artists. These workshops include dance, improvisation, music, and painting. We are hoping future workshops can include poetry writing, puppetry, sculpture, and more.

The ABCDE workshop will give students in grades K-5 a chance to learn and expand their experiences in the arts as they participate in experimental workshops taught by local artists:

— Dance workshop will be taught by Christine Martin, owner of Leap of Faith Dance Studio at the Trinity Playhouse and a choreographer for productions by Stage Left Players in Lisbon.

— Paul Dahman, Stage Left’s master teacher, will orchestrate the improv class.

— Debbie Fonner, retiring music teacher at Lisbon’s McKinley Elementary, will lead a music class

— Barbara Schmidt, a retired art teacher from East Liverpool Schools and owner of Warm HeARTs Studio in Columbiana, will teach visual arts.

“I’m so excited to be able to find creative ways to help bring the arts into our community,” said Mark Hamilton, Lisbon Arts Initiative president and Source Gallery owner. “This first workshop will be a fun way for kids to experience some of the variety in arts and performance and begin to think about what forms of expression they like best, what touches their heart. The Lisbon Arts Initiative team is looking forward to offering this and many more future events.”

Parents have the option of signing up their kids in advance or just show up the day of the workshops. We ask that the kids bring their own box lunch, water will be provided for the kids.

Adults and local high school honor society student volunteers will also be onsite at each workshop and escort the students from one arts project to another.

Following the launch, the ABCDE team will evaluate feedback from the participating youth, parents, and artists in order to determine the best options to continue offering arts events and programs for area youth, and to identify currently available opportunities for expression.

Other ABCDE members include Kandace Cleland, executive director of Stage Left Players; Deborah Fonner, Lisbon Exempted Village Schools music teacher; Kristen Huston, executive director of the Almost Perfect Foundation; and Georgia Smith, Lisbon Counseling Center; and Sarah Morris of Epoch Decor. ABCDE was facilitated by Bellefontaine, Ohio native Jane Collins, who coaches Ohio communities on addressing local needs through employing local artists.

ABCDE and LAI are made possible in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

For information on ABCDE contact Mark Hamilton at mark@lisbonartsinitiative.org. For information on starting a similar initiative in your community, contact Jane Collins at jahcollins@gmail.com.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The corner of Victory Blvd. and Travis Avenue is getting a well-deserved upgrade on Father’s Day.

And it’s been a long-time coming.

Bill Rogers, the legendary Mid-Island Little League president and fabled coach of the loop’s Little League World Series championship in 1964, will have a street sign with his name added to the aforementioned corner during a ceremony on June 15th.

The gala, which is expected to be attended by many, will begin at 11 a.m.

The street naming ceremony will be a part of Mid-Island’s “Bill Rogers Day” festivities.

Rogers died three years ago this month. He was 86.

John Pleszewicz, Mid-Island’s long-time president, is thrilled to finally see Rogers get his due.

“I’m happy to see the man get recognized, it’s something that been long overdue,’’ said Pleszewicz. ”He was a great mentor to me. He came around and showed me the ropes and that’s something I’ll always appreciate it.’’

Rogers, who eventually became Staten Island’s District Administrator, never hesitated to come back to Mid-Island’s Travis complex and give the loop’s players a pep talk.

“He was a perfectionist and he always wanted the kids to understand that it was an honor to play All Stars for Mid-Island Little League,’’ said Pleszewicz. ”He always brought back some of his players from the ‘64 team and they’d wear their World Series jackets to try and get the kids inspired.’’

Following his death three years ago, Dan Yaccarino, a star pitcher on the ‘64 team, might have summed it up best when referring to Bill Rogers.

“Bill was a great man and a great leader,’’ said Yaccarino. ”He led a bunch of 12-year-old kids and made us into men in one summer.”

MABLETON, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Orlando Magic forward Wendell Carter Jr. continues giving back to the community that raised him, hosting a free youth basketball clinic Saturday in Mableton.

“I’m forever grateful (for) the fact that I can come back home and see so many familiar faces,” the former Pace Academy standout said Saturday.

Held at Whitefield Academy, Carter‘s “A Platform2 Foundation” provided 8th through 12th grade boys with hands-on coaching through various basketball drills along with a free lunch, t-shirt and financial literacy workshop.

Saturday served as the fourth installment of the kids camp, which was slightly more streamlined from years past, according to the 7-year pro.

“Camps that we’ve had over the years were mostly about trying to teach kids African American studies, financial literacy and allow them to play basketball,” Carter Jr. said. “Knowing that most kids just got out of school, they’re enjoying summer now … we want this to be more of a relaxing camp.”

Carter Jr. averaged 9.1 points per game over 68 appearances for Orlando in 2024-25.

“Give them a little bit of knowledge here and there but be a little bit more interactive with them,” Carter Jr. said.

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