Chamber names Citizen of the Year

FOLLANSBEE - The many who know Mary Schwertfeger, the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, would not describe her as shy.

And yet Schwertfeger said when she came to Follansbee as a young woman in 1945, "I would get on the bus to Steubenville and hope nobody would talk to me."

A native of Washington, Pa., Schwertfeger recalled that after her parents separated, her grandmother raised her while her mother worked hard as a crane operator at Follansbee Steel during World War II.

She came to live in Follansbee after marrying Bill, her husband of 56 years, and worked for 15 years as a telephone operator for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Co., which then had an office in the Follansbee City Building.

But it was her involvement in the Follansbee 20th Century Club, a chapter of the General Federation of Woman's Clubs- West Virginia, brought her out of her shell, she said.

In introducing Schwertfeger at the chamber's Christmas dinner Thursday at Vito's 2 Restaurant, Chamber President Tony Paesano noted Schwertfeger has served as president of the club three times as well as in state offices with the GFWC.

Through the club, she's been involved in promoting awareness of heart disease to area women, beautifying the city and establishing a children's library at the Lighthouse Domestic Violence Shelter; and as a board member for C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc. and the Brooke-Hancock-Ohio-Marshall Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, has served lunches to children at local parks in a program aimed at ensuring children in need receive a hot meal during the summer; volunteered as cashier at a craft shop benefiting C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc.'s community programs, served as a dance instructor at local senior centers and participated in a dance group that has entertained residents of local nursing homes.

Surrounded by her husband and family, who entered at the time of the presentation so she would be surprised, Schwertfeger said, "I really appreciate this and I'm really shocked."

And she made it clear she won't rest on her laurels, saying "I'm not going to quit" her various community projects.

Schwertfeger added later she's always enjoyed helping others and the camaraderie in the various groups in which she's been involved.

As guest speaker for the dinner, attorney Jason Cuomo said smaller cities such as Follansbee don't often see the large developments experienced by big ones, but Follansbee has seen its share of progress with the opening of more than 20 small businesses in the last several years.

He said the chamber and city officials have worked to create a positive climate conducive to such development.

But he added progress isn't related only to economic development. It's also about helping one's neighbor, and the chamber has done this through its support of such organizations at the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program, a local food pantry; and Anderson Children's Home, through such projects as Make a Difference Day.

Paesano said it's important for the chamber to recognize residents who also have served the community, and he presented awards to the following individuals and businesses:

Shelly Smith, who received the Community Service Award for serving as adviser of the Follansbee Blue Wave cheerleaders for 21 years, overseeing the programs distributed at the team's games; serving on the Follansbee Community Days Committee and serving as Sunday school superintendent at Follansbee United Methodist Church.

Smith said she will cherish the honor, adding she's gained great satisfaction working with youth and expressing thanks for the support of her family and others involved with the Blue Waves, including her assistant of 10 years, Iris Ferrell.

John Puskarich, who also received the Community Service Award for serving as coach for 32 years for the Follansbee Blue Wave Football Association, during which he has led teams to seven championships and five runner up titles; and for his involvement over the years as coach at Follansbee Middle School, Brooke High School Football Boosters and Weirton Baseball Association.

Puskarich said coaching can be "a hard job, but I love it." He encouraged everyone to attend a Blue Wave football game, saying they easily will become involved in it, and thanked everyone who has encouraged their children or grandchildren to participate.

Lorraine Durante, who received the Humanitarian Award for her involvement in various community service projects as a member of 20 years and past president of the 20th Century Club. A retired schoolteacher, Durante has applied her skills also to promoting reading as a member of the Brooke County Reading Council, tutoring residents of Brooke Place, a group home for girls and volunteering for the RSVP afterschool program. She also is a member of the St. Anthony Catholic Church Altar and Rosary Society.

Durante said it was humbling to receive the honor. She added Follansbee residents have been very supportive of her, particularly when her teenage son suffered severe injuries in a gas explosion in Moon Township, Pa., in 2005.

Charles and Erma Rangos, owners of the Winemakers Loft and Gift Shop, recipients of the Business of the Year award. Paesano said the business is typical of "mom and pop-run businesses that are the backbone of this country."

The son of Greek immigrants, Charles said he worked in his father's business while growing up and learned much from him. Two days after retiring from a longtime position at Koppers, he opened the Winemakers Loft, a business that allowed him to share his love of winemaking as well as beermaking, at the rear of his wife's clothing store, the House of Fashion.

When his wife decided to close her shop, the Winemakers Loft was expanded to include a gift shop geared toward avid winemakers and lovers of wine.

Koppers, represented by Nate Weinstein, manager of the Follansbee plant; and Mark Buffington, its production manager, who were presented the Corprate Business of the Year award.

Paesano noted the Follansbee plant's roots can be traced to 1914, and it has employed many Follansbee residents over the years and thanked the plant's leaders for their part in a good working relationship with city officials.

Part of an international corporation based in Pittsburgh, the Follansbee Koppers plant is a leading distiller of coal tar, a material used in the production of steel.

The plant in 2005 received the ISO 14001 certification from the International Organization for Standardization for its environmental management system.

Cuomo, who was presented a Make a Difference Award, for his involvement in youth sports programs, the Follansbee Athletic Complex steering committee and support of the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program. He also is a deacon at Follansbee Church of Christ.

Debbie Puskarich, the chamber's executive director; and other chamber leaders also presented $300 grants to three local causes and $100 to each of the winners of its Christmas lighting contest.

Receiving grants were:

Megan Harless, a teacher at Follansbee Middle School for the school's monthly newspaper, the Follansbee Star. Harless said the money will be used to purchase paper for copies distributed throughout the school and digital cameras for its staff, which includes pupils in grades 5-8.

The Brooke High School Madrigal and Renaissance Choirs, which have been invited to perform for a national observance of Memorial Day in Washington, D.C. next year. The groups are trying to raise $30,000 for transportation, lodging and meals.

The Follansbee 20th Century Club, represented by Pat Accettolo, for landscaping and other beautification efforts at the Brooke County Ambulance Service's station at the north end of Follansbee.

Winners of the lighting contest are: John and Bridget Weaver, 1st Ward; Dale and Dorothy Lance, 2nd Ward; Ron Delatore, 3rd Ward; Alice and Hank Vincent, 4th Ward; and Todd and Robin Lojszczyk, 5th Ward.

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