After a month of sifting through over 20 applications, the newest Mill Creek Metro Park Commissioners have been announced.
Probate Judge Robert Rusu Jr. said in a statement that he has selected Jim Houck and Katharine Paul to fill Germaine Bennett and Tom Frost’s former commissioner roles in Mill Creek. Ahead of Rusu’s announcement, a six-member selection committee considered the applicants and ultimately recommended Houck and Paul for the open positions.
Houck owns the Youngstown-based marketing and public relations firm, Houck Agency. He has served in roles at Fellows Riverside Gardens and within Potential Development School for Students with Autism. An educator in Youngstown City Schools, Paul has also worked as a volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank and on the Mill Creek Park Educational Committee.
“I believe that they will be able to quickly add depth and their unique talents to the current park board and continue to move the park in a positive direction for future generations,” Rusu said in a statement.
The new commissioners are set to take the oath of office in December and will assume the duties of office at a January 12, 2026 park board meeting. Houck and Paul will serve as park commissioners within Mill Creek Metro Park for three years.
https://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.png00Mill Creek MetroParks Staffhttps://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.pngMill Creek MetroParks Staff2025-12-03 09:43:482025-12-03 09:43:48New Mill Creek Metro Park Commissioners announced after month-long search
Probate Judge Robert N. Rusu has just announced his selection of the two people to fill the upcoming vacancies on the Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Commissioners.
Come the end of the month, park commissioners Germaine Bennett and Tom Frost have decided not to be reappointed with the expiration of their term. Filling their seats will be Jim Houck and Katharine Paull, according to a Tuesday press release from Judge Rusu.
“Both Mr. Houck and Mrs. Paull have extensive ties to the community and with the park. I believe that they will be able to quickly add depth and their unique talents to the current park board and continue to move the park in a positive direction for future generations,” Rusu stated.
Houck is the owner of Houck Agency, a local marketing and public relations firm based in Youngstown. He is a graduate from The Ohio State University with a journalism degree and previously served as a board member of Friends of Fellows Riverside Garden Inc. In addition, he currently serves as treasurer for Potential Development School for Students with Autism.
Paull is a Youngstown State graduate with a master’s degree in education and was a longtime educator in the Youngstown City Schools. In addition to her volunteering at local charities such as Second Harvest Food Bank and Boy Scouts of America, she was also a volunteer on the Mill Creek Park Educational Committee.
Rusu was supported by a six-member selection committee that analyzed the 21 applications submitted for the positions before recommending Houck and Paull.
The two new park commissioners will be given the oath of office by Judge Rusu this month and will assume the duties of office at the park board meeting on Jan. 12, 2026. They will serve three-year terms.
https://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.png00Mill Creek MetroParks Staffhttps://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.pngMill Creek MetroParks Staff2025-12-03 09:42:242025-12-03 09:42:242 new commissioners appointed to Mill Creek MetroParks board
December 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026 — The D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens will welcome the community to Frost & Lights: A Festive Holiday at the Gardens, a family-friendly, admission-free celebration of the season. Guests are invited to experience the magic of the holidays with twinkling lights, festive displays, and cheerful activities for all ages.
Festival of Trees This year’s Festival of Trees will showcase 90 uniquely decorated trees created by local nonprofit organizations, transforming the Davis Center into a vibrant holiday destination. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal floral displays, shop for unique gifts at the Shop in the Gardens, and purchase refreshments from various concessions.
Festival of Trees is open December 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026 Tuesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays: until 7 p.m. Closed December 24, December 25, and January 1
Winter Nights
On select Saturday and Sunday evenings—December 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28—Fellows Riverside Gardens will present Winter Nights, a free outdoor light experience from 5–7 p.m. Guests may step inside the Davis Center for the Festival of Trees display and special character appearances from 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Character schedule:
Elsa and Olaf – Sunday, December 7
Santa and The Grinch – Sunday, December 14
Bluey and Bingo – Sunday, December 21
Festive Finds
Over 35 local vendors will fill the Davis Center for Festive Finds, offering last-minute gifts, handmade items, and seasonal treats. Festive Finds will be held Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, from 10 a.m.– 7 p.m.
Holiday Nights at Lanterman’s Mill
For one weekend only, visitors can enjoy a special nighttime experience at Lanterman’s Mill, beautifully adorned with garland, Christmas trees, holiday music, and a visit from Santa. Holiday Nights will take place Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 5–7 p.m. The mill gift shop will be open for last-minute holiday shopping, and hot chocolate and popcorn will be available for purchase.
https://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.png00Mill Creek MetroParks Staffhttps://www.millcreekmetroparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mcmp-header.pngMill Creek MetroParks Staff2025-12-02 10:49:102025-12-02 10:49:10Celebrating the Holiday Season in Mill Creek Park
New Mill Creek Metro Park Commissioners announced after month-long search
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffAfter a month of sifting through over 20 applications, the newest Mill Creek Metro Park Commissioners have been announced.
Probate Judge Robert Rusu Jr. said in a statement that he has selected Jim Houck and Katharine Paul to fill Germaine Bennett and Tom Frost’s former commissioner roles in Mill Creek. Ahead of Rusu’s announcement, a six-member selection committee considered the applicants and ultimately recommended Houck and Paul for the open positions.
Houck owns the Youngstown-based marketing and public relations firm, Houck Agency. He has served in roles at Fellows Riverside Gardens and within Potential Development School for Students with Autism. An educator in Youngstown City Schools, Paul has also worked as a volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank and on the Mill Creek Park Educational Committee.
“I believe that they will be able to quickly add depth and their unique talents to the current park board and continue to move the park in a positive direction for future generations,” Rusu said in a statement.
The new commissioners are set to take the oath of office in December and will assume the duties of office at a January 12, 2026 park board meeting. Houck and Paul will serve as park commissioners within Mill Creek Metro Park for three years.
Read the original article at WFMJ.
2 new commissioners appointed to Mill Creek MetroParks board
/in Media Coverage/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffProbate Judge Robert N. Rusu has just announced his selection of the two people to fill the upcoming vacancies on the Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Commissioners.
Come the end of the month, park commissioners Germaine Bennett and Tom Frost have decided not to be reappointed with the expiration of their term. Filling their seats will be Jim Houck and Katharine Paull, according to a Tuesday press release from Judge Rusu.
“Both Mr. Houck and Mrs. Paull have extensive ties to the community and with the park. I believe that they will be able to quickly add depth and their unique talents to the current park board and continue to move the park in a positive direction for future generations,” Rusu stated.
Houck is the owner of Houck Agency, a local marketing and public relations firm based in Youngstown. He is a graduate from The Ohio State University with a journalism degree and previously served as a board member of Friends of Fellows Riverside Garden Inc. In addition, he currently serves as treasurer for Potential Development School for Students with Autism.
Paull is a Youngstown State graduate with a master’s degree in education and was a longtime educator in the Youngstown City Schools. In addition to her volunteering at local charities such as Second Harvest Food Bank and Boy Scouts of America, she was also a volunteer on the Mill Creek Park Educational Committee.
Rusu was supported by a six-member selection committee that analyzed the 21 applications submitted for the positions before recommending Houck and Paull.
The two new park commissioners will be given the oath of office by Judge Rusu this month and will assume the duties of office at the park board meeting on Jan. 12, 2026. They will serve three-year terms.
Read the original article at WKBN.
Celebrating the Holiday Season in Mill Creek Park
/in Press Releases/by Mill Creek MetroParks StaffDecember 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026 — The D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens will welcome the community to Frost & Lights: A Festive Holiday at the Gardens, a family-friendly, admission-free celebration of the season. Guests are invited to experience the magic of the holidays with twinkling lights, festive displays, and cheerful activities for all ages.
Festival of Trees
This year’s Festival of Trees will showcase 90 uniquely decorated trees created by local nonprofit organizations, transforming the Davis Center into a vibrant holiday destination. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal floral displays, shop for unique gifts at the Shop in the Gardens, and purchase refreshments from various concessions.
Festival of Trees is open December 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Tuesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturdays & Sundays: until 7 p.m.
Closed December 24, December 25, and January 1
Winter Nights
On select Saturday and Sunday evenings—December 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28—Fellows Riverside Gardens will present Winter Nights, a free outdoor light experience from 5–7 p.m. Guests may step inside the Davis Center for the Festival of Trees display and special character appearances from 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Character schedule:
Festive Finds
Over 35 local vendors will fill the Davis Center for Festive Finds, offering last-minute gifts, handmade items, and seasonal treats. Festive Finds will be held Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, from 10 a.m.– 7 p.m.
Holiday Nights at Lanterman’s Mill
For one weekend only, visitors can enjoy a special nighttime experience at Lanterman’s Mill, beautifully adorned with garland, Christmas trees, holiday music, and a visit from Santa. Holiday Nights will take place Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 5–7 p.m. The mill gift shop will be open for last-minute holiday shopping, and hot chocolate and popcorn will be available for purchase.
For more information about these holiday events, please visit millcreekmetroparks.org.