Church event = free fun, games

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WELLSBURG - Area residents looking for a little summer fun could find many of the season's most popular activities all in one place Aug. 15.

That's because Brooke Hills Free Methodist Church's fifth annual Community Day included a picnic lunch, live bands performing outdoors, assorted games for children, a classic car show, hay rides and other activities.

Perhaps the best part was that everything was free throughout the day, which is planned each year by the church's outreach committee to promote the church's visibility.

Visitors aren't pressured to attend the church's worship services, but they are invited to share any prayer needs, usually while registering for one of the event's free prize drawings.

Local businesses provided some of the prizes, food and materials for the event, but it also relies heavily on members, young and old, whose donations, time and talents have made it a success, said Tammy Low, the committee's chairman.

Dozens of entries in both the classic car cruise and quilt show held during the day came from members and non-members. In addition, medical personnel who attend the church offered free blood pressure screenings.

Local firefighters from the Franklin Community Fire Department brought smoke house, a trailer in which non-toxic smoke is released to teach them proper response to a fire and other fire safety tips. The vehicle was on loan from the Hooverson Heights Fire Department.

This year Elmer Grimm, a member from Wellsburg, displayed several model ships and aircraft he created from wood and other materials using no more than a sketch or photo for reference.

For some, he has relied largely on his own memory, Grimm said, pointing to a couple of riverboats inspired by the ones he saw growing up along the Ohio River and a replica of the USS Aucilla, a Navy tanker ship he served on in 1956.

Asked how long it usually takes for him to complete a model, he replied, "I never worried about how long it took. I just worked on them."

Grimm added if a model doesn't appear to be meeting his expectations, he will tear it apart and start over.

Other models fashioned by Grimm include a replica of the Enola Gay, the Air Force bomber used over Japan at the end of World War II; a black and gold vessel commemorating the Pittsburgh Steelers' victory over Detroit at Super Bowl XL; and a model of Noah's ark with toy animal figures placed in the windows.

Not far from Grimm was a throw belonging to Kenneth Dight, a retired minister and Sunday school teacher at the church, that bears a black and white photo of him as a sailor aboard the USS Missouri during the Korean War.

Dight explained the throw was made by Alexis Hart of Steubenville with the help of his grandson Christopher, who provided the photo. The photo, which shows Dight standing on deck, the fastened chains of the ship's anchor in the foreground, was taken by a fellow sailor using an old box camera, he recalled.

Dight added he also served on the USS Xanthus, a ship charged with repairing other naval vessels.

Participants of the event's quilt show are encouraged to share stories about them, often revealing their sentimental value, said Kathy Powell, who was among the many members working behind the scenes.

The effort wasn't lost on many taking part in the festivities.

Melissa Veres of Weirton, whose 2-year-old son was enjoying a bean bag toss, said, "It's very, very nice. I'm amazed. Everybody's really outgoing, too."

Janet Tarr, a visitor to the church from Wellsburg, who came to see the classic cars, said, "It's a wonderful thing to have fellowship and bring people together."

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