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BROOKFIELD, Ohio)—The 28th Annual Strimbu Bar-B-Que drew a large crowd of almost 1,600 on Wednesday, May 3 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom in Brookfield as part of a fund raising effort for the Strimbu Memorial Fund. First National Bank was the major sponsor of the event.

Since its inception in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided over $3 million in support of academic scholarships, local economic development and numerous charitable organizations. At this year’s BBQ, it awarded $36,000 in scholarships to local high school students. Ninety-nine percent of the proceeds of the Strimbu BBQ go to these scholarships and grants.

“The Strimbu Memorial Fund was created to perpetuate the work of the late Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies in order to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley,” said Board President Jim Grasso. “In addition, when the Strimbu Memorial Fund awards scholarships to area students, we are investing in the life of a person—and that is worth millions.”

The BBQ, catered by Jeffrey Chrystal Catering, featured an endless buffet reminiscent of a full-scale Texas bar-b-que. This year’s entertainment featured Southern Detour, a country/rock band that covered everything from Johnny Cash and Luke Bryan, to Led Zeppelin and Buckcherry.

The event also featured both silent and live auctions, with many unique items such as a Sea-Doo Spark, a Lake Erie fishing trip, a John Deere Gator, a Cam-Am Commander UTV, a ride on a B-17 Bomber, travel packages and a Steelers home opener package, just to name a few.

This year, the fund awarded thirteen $2,000 and one $10,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors planning to further their education. Leadership and self-reliance are the two most important criteria that are required to receive one of these scholarships. The requirements were established to mirror the example that Nick Strimbu Jr. demonstrated during his lifetime. The fund’s philosophy is simple: one of the most substantial ways to enhance our community’s future is to help educate the young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

Those receiving scholarships and the sponsors that provided the funding are:

The overall $10,000 scholarship winner was Haylee Mathews from Lakeview (OH) High School.

The $500 Essay Award Winner, funded by the Angelo & Jenny Mastrian Charitable Trust, was Kiernan Coburn of Reynolds High School.

The 29th Annual Strimbu Memorial Fund BBQ is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

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BROOKFIELD, Ohio—At its recent 28th Annual Gift Giving meeting the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors voted to disperse grant allocations to local economic development and charitable organizations and individuals in need totaling nearly $110,500.

On Dec. 22, individuals representing these non-profits, charitable groups and those organizations involved in economic advancement, gathered at the Winner Arts and Cultural Center in Sharon, Pa., to receive their grants distributed by the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors.

Along with individuals in need, grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• The American Red Cross Lake to River Chapter, NE Ohio Region
• Community Food Warehouse
• Community Library of the Shenango Valley
• Joshua’s Haven
• Military Affairs of Northeast Ohio
• Penn-Northwest Development Corp.
• Prince of Peace Center
• The Salvation Army
• United Way of Mercer County
• Meals on Wheels Shenango Valley
• Meals on Wheels Trumbull County
• The Hope Center for Arts & Technology
• West Hill Ministries
• Inspiring Minds
• Jamie’s Story
• WaterFire, Sharon PA
• Mercer County Mentoring

“These grants are essential to the organizations that assist in economic development efforts and provide assistance and programs to those in need,” said Bill Strimbu. “Their work is extremely important and beneficial to our surrounding communities.”

Also at its Annual Gift Giving meeting, Spencer Strimbu and Dustin Ghizzoni were nominated and elected to the board.

Since its creation in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided over $3 million in donations and scholarships. Its major event has enabled it to perpetuate Nick Strimbu Jr.’s legacy, the annual Strimbu Memorial Fund Barbeque. This past year, the fund awarded fourteen $2,000 and one $10,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors planning to further their education. Leadership and self-reliance are the two most important criteria that are required to receive one of these scholarships.

“It is just as important as what we do as an organization as the dollar amount that has been given over the years,” said President of the Board Jim Grasso. “None of this would have happened without Nick Strimbu Jr. as our first leader.”

The 20th Annual Wild Game Dinner is being planned for February 26, 2017, along with the 28th Annual Strimbu Memorial BBQ set for May 3, 2017. Funds raised by the two events will enable the SMF to continue its philanthropic support of area charitable initiatives.

More information about the Strimbu Memorial Fund is available at the Memorial Fund’s website, strimbumemorialfund.com.

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Brookfield, OH—The 27th Annual Strimbu Bar-B-Que drew a large crowd of almost 1,600 on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom in Brookfield as part of a fund raising effort for the Strimbu Memorial Fund. First National Bank was the major sponsor of the event.

Since its inception in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided approximately $3 million in support of academic scholarships, local economic development and numerous charitable organizations. At this year’s BBQ, it awarded $48,500 in scholarships to local high school students. Ninety-nine percent of the proceeds of the Strimbu BBQ go to these scholarships and grants.

“The Strimbu Memorial Fund was created to perpetuate the work of the late Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies in order to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley,” said Board President Jim Grasso. “In addition, when the Strimbu Memorial Fund awards scholarships to area students, we are investing in the life of a person—and that is worth millions.”

The BBQ, catered by Jeffrey Chrystal Catering, featured an endless buffet reminiscent of a full-scale Texas bar-b-que. Because of the overwhelming response to last year’s entertainment, it once again featured country-rock star Chris Higbee. His extraordinary fiddle playing became widely known and he was asked to play fiddle alongside music icon Charlie Daniels.

The event also featured both silent and live auctions, with many unique items such as a ride on the Goodyear Blimp, an electric cart, a wood-fired alfresco pizza oven, a John Deere Z-track mower, an Avalon Golf & Country Club golf membership, a John Deere Gator utility vehicle, travel packages and a Steelers Home Opener package, just to name a few.

This year, the fund awarded fourteen $2,000 and one $10,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors planning to further their education. Leadership and self-reliance are the two most important criteria that are required to receive one of these scholarships. The requirements were established to mirror the example that Nick Strimbu Jr. demonstrated during his lifetime. The fund’s philosophy is simple: one of the most substantial ways to enhance our community’s future is to help educate the young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

There were also two special scholarships this year: a one-time John D. Holliday Memorial Scholarship for $5,000 to a Youngstown State University business student and a one-time vocational school $5,000 scholarship in memory of Jacob R. French.

Those receiving scholarships and the sponsors that provided the funding are:

2016 Scholarship Winners
	Garrett D. Kellogg Badger High School Scholarship sponsored by Custom Coating & Miller Livestock
	Andrew P. Varga Brookfield High School Scholarship sponsored by Kirila Family Fund
	Casonddra L. Thomas Farrell High School Scholarship sponsored by Friends of William Basilone
	Joseph J. Wizorek Greenville High School Scholarship sponsored by Chubb & HDH Group
	Katie M. Gustas Hickory High School Scholarship sponsored by Matune/Basile Advisors
	Alexander P. Frank Hubbard High School Scholarship sponsored by Truck World
	Taylor E. Vassis John F. Kennedy Catholic High School Scholarship sponsored by Ted & Gina Bloom & Incredible Solutions
	Reganne L. O’Brien Kennedy Catholic High School Scholarship sponsored by National Interstate Insurance
	Taylor K. Horn Lakeview (OH) High School Scholarship sponsored by The Whetstone Family & Toyota of Warren
	Bryan R. Oatridge Mathews High School Scholarship sponsored by Governor Insurance
	Adam D. Ballish Reynolds High School Scholarship sponsored by Reynolds Services, Inc.
	Delaney R. Ser Sharon High School Scholarship sponsored by Flynn’s Tires
	Emma E. Messett Sharpsville High School Scholarship sponsored by Hunter Truck Sales & Service
	Zachary T. Stout West Middlesex High School Scholarship sponsored by Primary Health Charitable Foundation

The overall $10,000 scholarship winner was Taylor K. Horn from Lakeview High School.

The $500 Essay Award Winner provided by the Angelo & Jenny Mastrian Charitable Trust was Isabella N. Schell from Sharpsville High School. The John D. Holliday Memorial YSU Business Scholarship Award was presented to Zach Brockman. The Jacob R. French Vocational Scholarship was awarded to Evan L. Engelhardt from Brookfield High School.

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Brookfield, OH—The 27th Annual Strimbu BBQ is planned for Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom in Brookfield as part of a fund raising effort for the Strimbu Memorial Fund. The event is sponsored by First National Bank.

Since its inception in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided approximately $3 million in support of academic scholarships, local economic development and numerous charitable organizations. At last year’s BBQ, it awarded $38,500 in scholarships to local high school students. This past December, the Strimbu Memorial Fund awarded nearly $130,000 in grants to area organizations and individuals.

“The Strimbu Memorial Fund was created to perpetuate the work of the late Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies in order to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley,” said Board President Jim Grasso. “In addition, when the Strimbu Memorial Fund awards scholarships to area students, we are investing in the life of a person—and that is worth millions.”

This year, the fund will award leadership college scholarships at the annual event in the amount of $2,000 each to qualified high school seniors in 14 local school districts, with an additional $10,000 college scholarship awarded to the overall leader. There will also be two special scholarships this year: a one-time John D. Holliday Scholarship for $5,000 to a Youngstown State University business student and a one-time vocational school $5,000 scholarship in memory of Jacob R. French to a student at either Badger or Brookfield high schools.

The BBQ will once again get in full swing with doors opening at 5 p.m. The food, catered by Jeffrey Chrystal Catering, will be endless and reminiscent of a full-scale Texas bar-b-que with a multitude of appetizers, plus blackened catfish, BBQ ribs, cherry wood fire chicken, smoked turkey breast, pork loin and more.

Dinner will be served until 9 p.m., then at 9:30 p.m., a late night offering of wood-fired pizzas will be served until 11 p.m.

Because of the overwhelming response to last year’s entertainment, this year will once again feature country-rock star Chris Higbee. As a solo artist, Higbee has retained the dedicated, loyal PovertyNeck Hillbillies fan base while attracting thousands of new fans called “Higbillies,” who follow him from show-to-show. His extraordinary fiddle playing became widely known and he was asked to play fiddle alongside music icon Charlie Daniels.

In addition, the night will feature both silent and live auctions, with many unique items such as utility vehicles, travel packages, Lake Erie walleye fishing trips, sporting event tickets and loges, furniture, dinner packages and assorted jewelry items, just to name a few.

Tickets are $90 and are available online at www.strimbumemorialfund.org or by calling Pam at 330-448-4046, ext.134.

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A recent luncheon hosted by the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors honored its past presidents. Honored were John “Chip” Mastrian, Paul O’Brien, the late Gary Meszaros and Ed Wilson. Accepting the award for Gary is his wife Katie Meszaros.

Admiring the award given to John “Chip” Mastrian are Past President Paul O’Brien, current President Jim Grasso and Board Member Bill Perrine.

Past Present Ed Wilson, center, is surrounded by Paul O’Brien, a past president; Katie Meszaros and standing are Bill Strimbu and President Jim Grasso.

Past Presidents Paul O’Brien and Ed Wilson, reminisce with Katie Meszaros, who received the award for her late husband Gary Meszaros, while Bill Strimbu and SMF President Jim Grasso look on.

At its recent 27th Annual Gift Giving meeting the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors voted to disperse grant allocations to local economic development and charitable organizations and individuals in need totaling nearly $130,000. Individuals representing these non-profits, charitable groups and those organizations involved in economic advancement, gathered at the Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern OH to receive their grants distributed by the Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors.

Along with individuals in need, grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• The American Red Cross of Mercer County
• The American Red Cross Lake to River Chapter, NE Ohio Region
• The Beatitude House
• Community Food Warehouse
• Community Library of the Shenango Valley
• Joshua’s Haven
• Military Affairs of Northeast Ohio
• Penn-Northwest Development Corp.
• Prince of Peace Center
• The Salvation Army
• United Way of Mercer County
• Community Food Warehouse
• Meals on Wheels Shenango Valley
• Meals on Wheels Trumbull County
• Meals on Wheels Mahoning County
• Rotary Club of Sharon
• Shop with a Cop Program
• The Hope Center for Arts & Technology
• West Hill Ministries

“These grants are essential to the organizations that assist in economic development efforts and provide assistance and programs to those in need,” said Bill Strimbu. “Their work is extremely important and beneficial to our community.”

The Strimbu Memorial Fund Board of Directors recently distributed approximately $130,000 in grants to local economic development organizations, charitable organizations and individuals in need. Attending the check presentation were representatives from the American Red Cross of Mercer County; the American Red Cross Lake to River Chapter, NE Ohio Region; Community Library of the Shenango Valley; Joshua’s Haven; Meals on Wheels-Shenango Valley; Meals on Wheels-Mahoning County; Penn-Northwest Development; Prince of Peace Center; Rotary Club of Sharon; Salvation Army; Shop with a Cop Program; United Way of Mercer County; and West Hill Ministries.

Also at its Annual Gift Giving meeting, Bill Strimbu II, Steve O’Brien and John Matune were nominated and elected to the board. The following officers were also chosen: Jim Grasso, president; Gary Hoff, vice president; Frank Kreider, treasurer; and John Matune, secretary.

Since its creation in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided millions of dollars in donations and scholarships. Its major event has enabled it to perpetuate Nick Strimbu Jr.’s legacy, the annual Strimbu Memorial Fund Barbeque. This past year, the fund awarded fourteen $2,000 and one $10,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors planning to further their education. Leadership and self-reliance are the two most important criteria that are required to receive one of these scholarships.

“It is just as important as what we do as an organization as the dollar amount that has been given over the years,” said outgoing president Paul O’Brien. “None of this would have happened without Nick Strimbu Jr. as our first leader.”

A Wild Game Dinner is being planned for February 21, 2016, along with the 27th Annual Strimbu Memorial BBQ set for May 4, 2016. Funds raised by the two events will enable the SMF to continue to philanthropic support of area charitable initiatives.

More information about the Strimbu Memorial Fund is available at the Memorial Fund’s website, strimbumemorialfund.com.

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Monday evening, Aug. 21, the board of directors of the Strimbu Memorial Fund donated a new John Deere four seat Gator crossover utility vehicle to YSU, customized with YSU colors and graphics, power steering, turn signals, four-wheel drive and a safety beacon on top, for use by President Jim Tressel as he gives tours of the campus.

“President Tressel is doing such a wonderful job uplifting and showcasing YSU and our entire region that we wanted to do something in return,” said William Strimbu, a YSU alumni and president of Nick Strimbu, Inc. in Brookfield. It was for Strimbu’s father, the late Nick Strimbu Jr., that the SMF was established to perpetuate the legacy of his charitable giving.

“I recently went on a tour of the YSU campus with President Tressel and saw there definitely needed to be an upgrade in his mode of transportation. He was driving a golf cart that is just not equipped and capable of safely moving through the campus and campus streets,” Strimbu explained. “The Strimbu Memorial Fund wanted YSU to have the ability to give tours showcasing what the college and area have to offer and do it in style as well as in safety.”

The Gator, supplied by Cope Farm Equipment, Inc. in Kinsman, has been custom painted with YSU colors, thanks to Advanced Auto Body in Sharon and is complete with YSU graphics donated by Water Drop Media, Vienna.

Since its creation in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided millions of dollars in donations and scholarships. The fund also supports local economic development and many charitable organizations. It has a major event that has enabled it to perpetuate Nick Strimbu Jr.’s legacy, the annual Strimbu Memorial Fund Barbeque. Held each May, the event hosts over 1,600 people and has sold out every year since its inception.

This year, the fund awarded fourteen $2,000 and one $10,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors planning to further their education. Leadership and self-reliance are the two most important criteria that are required to receive one of these scholarships.

At next year’s barbeque scheduled for May 4, 2016, in addition to the $2,000 scholarships awarded to college-bound students, those attending YSU will be eligible for an additional $1,000 scholarship.

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The 26th Annual Strimbu Bar-B-Que drew a large crowd of almost 1,600 on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom in Brookfield as part of a fund raising effort for the Strimbu Memorial Fund. First National Bank was the major sponsor of the event.

Since its inception in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided millions of dollars in donations and scholarships. At last year’s BBQ, it awarded $55,000 in scholarships to local high school students. The fund also supports local economic development and many charitable organizations. This past December, the Strimbu Memorial Fund awarded nearly $175,000 in grants to area organizations and individuals.

“The Strimbu Memorial Fund was created to perpetuate the work of the late Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies in order to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley,” said Board President Paul O’Brien. “In addition, when the Strimbu Memorial Fund awards scholarships to area students, we are investing in the life of a person—and that is worth millions.”

The BBQ, catered by Jeffrey Chrystal Catering, featured an endless buffet reminiscent of a full-scale Texas bar-b-que with a multitude of appetizers, plus blackened catfish, BBQ ribs, cherry wood fire chicken, smoked turkey breast, pork loin and more. New this year was chocolate fondue for dessert, a late night offering of wood-fired pizzas and a premium wine bar with souvenir wine glasses.

Because of the overwhelming response to last year’s entertainment, this year will once again feature country-rock star Chris Higbee. In 2000, Higbee founded a band, the PovertyNeck Hillbillies (PNH), named after a hollow on his father’s farm. As the lead of PNH, Higbee delivered wild and energetic concerts across the country on stages, rooftops, and any other platform from which Higbee could fathom a way to play. His extraordinary fiddle playing became widely known and he was asked to play fiddle alongside music icon Charlie Daniels.

“The BBQ is also known for its giveaway of a bag of Vidalia onions to all those in attendance,” said O’Brien, president of the Strimbu Memorial Fund board. “This tradition started as the Strimbu family always brought back Vidalia onions from the South to give to their friends,” he explained.

The event also featured both silent and live auctions, with many unique items such as utility vehicles, travel packages, Steelers Home Opener package, a custom made charcoal grill and smoker, an Avalon Golf and Country Club family membership, a Polaris Ranger, Lake Erie walleye fishing trips, various dinner packages and assorted jewelry items, just to name a few.

This year, the fund awarded fourteen $2,000 and one $10,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors planning to further their education. Leadership and self-reliance are the two most important criteria that are required to receive one of these scholarships. The requirements were established to mirror the example that Nick Strimbu Jr. demonstrated during his lifetime. The fund’s philosophy is simple: one of the most substantial ways to enhance our community’s future is to help educate the young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow. Ninety-nine percent of the proceeds of the Strimbu BBQ go to these scholarships and grants.

Those receiving scholarships and the sponsors that provided the funding are:

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The 26th Annual Strimbu BBQ is planned for Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at the Yankee Lake Ballroom in Brookfield as part of a fund raising effort for the Strimbu Memorial Fund.

Since its inception in 1990, the Strimbu Memorial Fund has provided millions of dollars in donations and scholarships. The fund also supports local economic development and many charitable organizations. This past December, the Strimbu Memorial Fund awarded nearly $175,000 in grants to area organizations and individuals.

“The Strimbu Memorial Fund was created to perpetuate the work of the late Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies in order to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley,” said Board President Paul O’Brien. “In addition, when the Strimbu Memorial Fund awards scholarships to area students, we are investing in the life of a person—and that is worth millions.”

This year, the fund will award leadership scholarships at the annual event in the amount of $2,000 each to qualified high school seniors in 14 local school districts, with an additional $10,000 awarded to the overall leader.

Annually the event draws a sell-out crowd of 1,600. Last year, the event’s 25th anniversary, netted $200,000 in proceeds and raffled off a car in commemoration.

The BBQ will get in full swing with doors opening at 5 p.m. The food, catered by Jeffrey Chrystal Catering, will be endless and reminiscent of a full-scale Texas bar-b-que with a multitude of appetizers, plus blackened catfish, BBQ ribs, cherry wood fire chicken, smoked turkey breast, pork loin and more.

Dinner will be served until 9 p.m., then at 9:30 p.m., a late night offering of wood-fire pizzas will be served until 11 p.m. Also, new to this year’s event is a premium wine bar with souvenir wine glasses.

Because of the overwhelming response to last year’s entertainment, this year will once again feature country-rock star Chris Higbee. In 2000, Higbee founded a band, the PovertyNeck Hillbillies (PNH), named after a hollow on his father’s farm. As the lead of PNH, Higbee delivered wild and energetic concerts across the country on stages, rooftops, and any other platform from which Higbee could fathom a way to play. His extraordinary fiddle playing became widely known and he was asked to play fiddle alongside music icon Charlie Daniels. PNH performed for seven years, acquiring an international fan base, distributing three records and releasing a No. 2 nationally rated video, “Mr. Right Now,” starring Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As a solo artist, Higbee has retained the dedicated, loyal PNH fan base while attracting thousands of new fans called “Higbillies,” who follow him from show-to-show. Higbee has released two solo CDs and is enjoying international support of his hits “Fiddles Rock,” “Roll on By,” “Alright Tonight,” “Barn Party” and “Guilty as Charged.”

In addition, the night will feature both silent and live auctions, with many unique items such as utility vehicles, travel packages, Lake Erie walleye fishing trips, sporting event tickets and loges, furniture, dinner packages and assorted jewelry items, just to name a few.

“The event is also known for its giveaway of a bag of Vidalia onions to all those in attendance,” said O’Brien. “This tradition started as the Strimbu family always brought back Vidalia onions from the South to give to their friends.”

Tickets are $90 and are available by calling John Holliday at 724.699.8869.

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Recently the Strimbu Memorial Fund awarded nearly $175,000 in grants to area organizations. Shown presenting a check to Meals on Wheels are (l-r): George Gerhart, president of the board for Meals on Wheels; Paul O’Brien, president of the Strimbu Memorial Fund board; Nancy Lukasko, member of the Strimbu Memorial Fund board; Tom Rookey, past president of the Meals on Wheels board; and Frank Krieder, treasurer for the Strimbu Memorial Fund.