Discovering Brooke County

Event showcases local goods and services

By WARREN SCOTT, Staff writer

WELLSBURG - Representatives of more than 60 local businesses and groups gathered under one roof April 28 to show area residents they don't have to go far to find a wide variety of goods and services.

And the sporadic rainfall didn't deter the many who turned out for Discover Brooke County, an event held by the Brooke County Visitors Center, Brooke County Public Library, Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Brooke Area AARP Chapter, at the Wellsburg Banquet Hall.

The event raised $800 for the library.

Visitors could have a plate of pasta prepared to their taste, with assorted ingredients to chose from, by a chef from the Serbian-American Cultural Center of Weirton, and chose from a variety of appetizers and snacks prepared by representatives of Chartwells Food Service, a Bethany-based catering service.

Frank Caruso and his family offered samples of various Amish jellies sold by Farmer Frank's, his new produce and garden supply shop in Follansbee, and a look at the fruit and veggie baskets offered by the store as well as hanging flower baskets grown at their Riverview Greenhouse in Wellsburg.

The hall was filled with tables filled with brochures and other information brought by representatives of such groups as the volunteers who man the Brooke County Visitors Center.

A satellite of the West Virginia Division of Tourism operated at the Brooke County Library, the center offers hundreds of brochures and other materials about West Virginia's many points of attraction.

The center's volunteer staff is available to assist local residents planning vacations and visitors seeking information about food, lodging and recreation in Brooke County.

Janice McFadden, Brooke Hills Park manager, and members of the park board were on hand to answer questions about the park's various facilities, including its 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, miniature golf course and shelters available for rental for family reunions, church picnics and other summer events.

Mary Kay Wallace, director of the Brooke County Library, and her staff were available to discuss the various resources found there, including job hunting assistance offered regularly by the library's staff, and a new series of free community seminars held in partnership with Hancock County Savings Bank. Barbara Matey, the bank's director of human resources, marketing and education, offered tips on creating a dynamic resume at the first seminar, and future seminars will offer tips on performing well in a job interview, on May 18; avoiding fraud and identity theft, on Sept. 16; and managing time and stress, on Oct. 21.

Specific times will be announced in the near future.

Nora Bell, who has led many cooking programs at the library, brought samples of holiday spiced nuts, made with anise, cinnamon, black pepper and nutmeg. Bell is presenting a program on salsa at the library at 11 a.m. today.

She also has plans for an upcoming program featuring her all-time favorite recipes.

Door prizes were provided by each of the 62 participants, who also could sell their wares if they chose.

Auto buffs were able to get a close look at the stock car driven by local racer Rick Conley in many regional competitions and chat with the young driver.

Brooke County Commissioner Bernie Kazienko praised Bill Konkle, president of the visitors center, and the small, hard-working committee that has coordinated the event for the last three years. He also expressed thanks to the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau, which provided for the hall and music by the Light Touch.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)