Violi to celebrate 90 active years

By MARIAN HOUSER, community editor
Anthony “Tony” Violi will celebrate his 90th birthday Sunday and take a brief break from his busy life to celebrate at an open house Saturday. The event will be held by his family from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Two Ridges Road, behind the Wintersville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Tony, an Adena native, has had a remarkable musical career, teaching hundreds (maybe thousands) of young people how to play an instrument. He began teaching in the 1940s and came to the Steubenville Public School District in 1950 to as band director at the high school. His stint there lasted until about 1967 when he moved to Grant School to teach instrumental pupils for three or four years.

He then moved on to Buchanan Junior High School, teaching there for several years.

He “retired” in 1980, but not really. He has been volunteering at Holy Rosary School for 28 years, sharing his expertise with new generations of students. He also assists at high school and middle school pupils, when needed.

What does this amazing man do for fun? Well, he plays with the Toronto Community Band and marches every year with the Ohio State University Alumni Band. He has been a member of the Steubenville Shrine Club since 1977 and serves as its corresponding secretary and is a more-than-50 year member of Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity.

Tony’s wife, Alice, died in 2007. He has three daughters, Joyce Mathews of Pataskala, Linda Deming of Pownal, Maine, and Marcia Sobieski of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. He also has six grandchildren, one stepgranddaughter and two great-grandchildren.

His daughters invite his friends to join his celebration, to share a memory, maybe a picture, a letter, a poem, a sentence, a joke or a conversation they might have had with him, “anything that will let him know his footsteps on this earth have made a difference.”

But then, all those kids he taught are proof of that.



Hoff to be honored, dedication planned

Plans for a luncheon honoring longtime civic leader Darlene Hoff and dedication of the “Welcome” sign at the south entrance to Mingo Junction were announced at the April meeting of the Mingo Beautification Committee held recently with George Taylor presiding.

The luncheon will be held at noon May 17 at the Senior Citizen Center after placement of a plaque honoring Hoff and the sign dedication, Stephanie Rouse reported.

Rouse said the public is invited to the event and May 13 is the deadline for RSVPs to be made to George and Diana Taylor at (740) 282-4195.

Karen Edwards told members Mingo cleanup day will be May 10. She is in charge of the cleanup. The next meeting will be May 12 at 5 p.m. at the “Welcome” sign. It will be a working meeting.



Dem women hold April meeting

Jefferson County Federated Democratic Women’s Club held its April meeting at Zalenski’s Family Restaurant in Wintersville with Lorraine Hazlett presiding.

Reports were give by Marilyn DiLeonardo and Debbie Chichick.

Hazlett introduced John A. Corrigan, Jefferson County clerk of courts, who was the speaker.

Eileen Krupinski, Federated Democratic Women of Ohio president, announced she and Hazlett were to attend the spring convention in Toledo.

Barbara Wilinski, style show chairman, announced the show with Phyllis’ Fashions of Washington, Pa., will be held Oct. 5 at the Stratton Municipal Building.

New members introduced were Sylvia Littlejohn Harris, Dolores Young, Jacqueline Lyles Gibson, Joseph Veltro, Bess Simpson and Rose Dillingham. Prize winners were Debbie Chichick, Simpson, Barbara Wilenski and Hazlett. Hostesses were Ellen Hunt and Thelma Bronson.



Market place seeks top mother

Treasure Island Market Place will host the second-annual Mother of the Year Contest May 10 at 1 p.m. Sunday is the deadline to submit nominations. They should be 250 words or less on why your mother should be mother of the year. Include your name, address and phone number and information about your nominee.

Entries can be mailed to Treasure Island c/o Marketing Department, 110 Main St., Wintersville, OH 49353, faxed to (740) 264-688 or e-mailed to eventsontheisland@yahoo.com. Ten finalists will be recognized and the winner will be announced on stage. The winner will receive an overnight stay and a complimentary breakfast.



WHS ‘63 class seeking addresses

Wintersville class of 1963 is looking for several classmates as it plans its 45th-year reunion.

Addresses are needed for Alfred Anderson, William Barnes, Jessie Jones Huisjack, Roy King and Sandy Fryer Montgomery. Call Sandy Crawford, (740) 283-2603 with information.



May Friendship Day Friday

Church Women United will hold May Friendship Day Friday at Raynes Ministry Center. A covered-dish luncheon will be held at noon and worship service will begin at 1 p.m. “God’s Wisdom Inspires Hospitality” is the program theme.



All-school reunion planners to meet

Follansbee High School All School Reunion Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Follansbee Library to organize the second all-school reunion that will be held Aug. 8, 2009. The meeting is open to anyone who attended the high school.