Wellsburg celebration continues today

Independence Day marked in big way

By WARREN SCOTT, Staff writer

WELLSBURG - From free concerts at Wellsburg's Central Park to athletic and talent contests for all ages to the traditional parade and fireworks display, the city celebrated Independence Day in a big way.

The annual observance was expanded to eight days this year, thanks to the support of many local businesses, said Todd Richie, chairman of the Wellsburg 4th of July Committee.

The volunteer group, which also includes co-chairman Debbie Baker, treasurer Barbara Yoder and many others, was able to schedule events from June 28 to July 5 and already has begun planning activities for next year.

Wellsburg residents and visitors took time on the morning of July 4 to remember the holiday's purpose at a flag-raising ceremony on the Wellsburg Town Square.

Newly appointed city manager Mark Henne said since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, not a day passes that he doesn't consider another strike on American soil may occur.

Henne said since that tragic day, security measures have been heightened in many areas, causing inconveniences that some might call a victory for the terrorists.

"But I disagree. After 9-11, we witnessed a tremendous outpouring of patriotic fervor," he said.

Henne noted U.S. flags of all sizes were risen in the hours that followed the attacks. He said he wears a pin depicting Old Glory each day since and encouraged everyone to display their own American flags.

Henne asked them to remember the flag represents the many freedoms enjoyed by Americans and those who have fought to preserve them through the years and continuing today, and to take pride in that.

"May she (Old Glory) always wave. Happy birthday, America!" Henne concluded.

Henne and Mayor Sue Simonetti recognized the Wellsburg 4th of July Committee for its efforts.

"Without these dedicated volunteers, it probably would be impossible to have such a celebration," Simonetti said.

Also participating in the program were Brooke High School student Johnna Leary and Wellsburg Middle School teacher Toni Taylor, who performed patriotic music; Joy Leasure, pastor of Community of Christ Church, who delivered prayers; and Wellsburg Middle School pupil Adam Chivers, who performed taps.

Among the many attending was John Chernenko, who served as marshal for the 4th of July Parade.

A World War II veteran and former prisoner of war, Chernenko said he was pleased with the large turnout and the reminder of the holiday's purpose.

"Too many people are forgetting. People think the 4th of July is a hot dog-hamburger-Coca-Cola-beer holiday," he said, adding that more than 1.2 million Americans have died defending the U.S., from the American Revolution to the present.

Chernenko said he's proud that many of those Americans were from West Virginia (or western Virginia in the days of the Revolution), which is said to have had the highest per capita of enlisted service members of any state.

He said he was honored to have been named parade marshal.

It's been a banner year for Chernenko, a former U.S. marshal and three-term state Senator who earlier this year received an award from the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation and had an award named for him at Bethany College.

The foundation honored Chernenko for Outstanding Service to Veterans for his efforts to aid fellow veterans through the Barbed Wire Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, of which he is seven-time commander; and preserve services provided them.

Initiated this year, the Bethany College award will be presented to the junior political science major with the highest overall grade point average and includes a $25,000 prize.

Also appearing in the parade were participants of the bicycle-decorating contest held by the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club. Twenty-one children, ages 2-16, decked out their bicycles in red, white and blue and dressed in the colors for the occasion.

The club named the following winners: ages 1 to 5: Grace Shaffer, best costume; Clay Everhart, most patriotic; and Genna and Laina Elliott, most original (for their wagon); ages 6 to 9: Devin Castro, best costume; Dakota Stepanek, most patriotic; and Jonathon Howard, most original; ages 10-13: Gunnar Kadlic, most patriotic; and Erin and Katie Conaway, most original (for their tandem bicycle); and ages 13 and up: Lauren Gill and Sarah Conaway, best costume.

The day's activities also included the Wendy's 5K Run-Walk, which drew 118 participants.

The seven teams participating in the Anything that Floats Race demonstrated ingenuity and determination as they embarked along the Ohio River, from the 12th Street boat ramp to the Sixth Street Wharf, in home-made water craft made from various materials.

Finishing first was the hard-paddling crew of "Cap'n Pat" Ferrar, which set out on a craft dubbed "Woody" and comprised of a long plywood board attached to Styrofoam blocks. The crew's rapid rowers also included Ronnie Tarr, Tammy McClure, Zakk Mozingo, Breezy Mozingo, Ashlee Baker and Meliah Mozingo.

Coming in next was a bright yellow craft dubbed the Santa Maria and piloted by a crew calling itself Still Afloat and comprised of Ron "Gooch" Music, John Bober, Matt Edwards and Don Wokutch. The group, who were last year's winners, created their craft from assorted parts supplied by their employer, Eagle Manufacturing, and other household items, including a statuette of Santa Claus, of course.

Prizes were provided by the Pier 12 Restaurant, the event's sponsor. Cap'n Pat's Crew was presented a $150 cash prize, while Still Afloat received a $50 cash prize.

Coming in third was a team of die-hard Pittsburgh Penguins fans who donned blue Penguins shirts over their lifejackets and attached to the helm a life-size Stanley Cup made from flower pots and a salad bowl covered in aluminum foil.

The crew took the craft's construction very seriously, however, as they applied a plywood sheet to several dock floats made by their employer, Merco Marine.

The craft was named the race's most unique entry, and the group received a $50 gift certificate from Pier 12.

The team that won a $50 gift certificate from the restaurant for being the first two-member crew to finish may not have set any records for speed. But they showed great creativity, with a craft consisting of a toddler's bed shaped like a race car attached to a dock float produced by Merco Marine.

Comprised of Robin Snyder and Brittany Hukill, the team counted as its sponsors Merco and Snyder Towing, the business operated by Snyder's husband John.

Also competing in the race were teams comprised of Joe Bradshaw, Brian Kutcher, Derrek Beatty, Matt Mayhew and John Williams, all McKinleyville firefighters; Chrissy Carbasho, Stefanie Carbasho and Carlena Black and of George Gundling, Alec Cadenhead, Taylor Cheripko, Morgan Cheripko and Abbey Ferda.

Local talent also was showcased through a new event, a Guitar Hero competition for youth, as well as the Wellsburg All-American Idol competition.

Winners of many of the competitions will be announced in next week's Brooke Scene.

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