Progress 2015 Part II Section 01

Community/Financial Services Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Progress Edition II — Section 1

Shae Dalrymple

MarkWest Energy and Midwest Terminals are building a condensate facility at the former Cadiz motel property along U.S. Route 22. Another new Midwest Terminal facility on Cadiz-Jewett Road will contain up to six switching lines to transport oil and gas condensate to markets for further refinement.

Laying the foundation Lessons of the past helping community leaders to be better prepared economically for the future

By SHAE DALRYMPLE Staff writer STEUBENVILLE — The lingering ghosts of industries past continue to hover over the Ohio Valley, but regional leaders hope that lessons learned from those rises and declines will better situate local communities for a brighter economic future.

Hancock County Commission President Michael Swartzmiller always approaches economic development initiatives with the historical, industrial trends of the Ohio Valley fresh in his mind.

“In the ’60s, 50 percent of our revenue stream was coming from a single entity: Weirton Steel. In the ’70s and ’80s, steel began to rust away and employment and revenue dropped with it. Over time, gaming took steel’s place. Five years ago gaming made up about 50 percent of the revenue.

Back in the heyday, around 2009, the county saw $5.2 million from gaming revenue. For years the budget has been and continues to be in great shape thanks to that,” he said. “Through financial responsibility and discipline, we have managed to put a good amount away for the county’s future. We knew we couldn’t bet on gaming forever. When other states began jumping on board, competition increased and we aren’t seeing the revenue like it was back then.”

Swartzmiller said he attended a national convention about economic development at the height of gaming revenue.

“The one big thing I brought back from that convention was: ‘Don’t feel sorry for yourself.

Don’t wait

for a handout. Take charge.’ It has to be our job now to find that next big replacement for gaming, the same way gaming replaced steel. It could be natural gas and oil and the industries surrounding it, but that’s still a ways off for our area because we are on top of the dry gas,” Swartzmiller predicted.

Across the river, Cadiz Mayor Kenneth Zitko said there are plenty of examples in his neck of the woods to demonstrate growth of the natural oil and gas industry, which supplies more than 60 percent of America’s energy today, according to the American Petrole-

um Institute.

“The future is bright for oil and gas, especially around here,” he observed.

Harrison County is situated in an ideal spot over the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, where horizontal drilling combined with multistaged hydraulic fracturing has resulted in a drilling boom in the Appalachian Basin encompassing parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Southern New York and Eastern Ohio.

New structures are cropping up around Cadiz and beyond in connection to drilling activity, including accommodations for

workers such as a threestory, 79-room Microtel on Lincoln Avenue and a four-story, 89-room Days Inn Suites on Cadiz-Jewett Road.

MarkWest Energy Partners and Midwest Terminals are in the process of building a condensate facility at the former Cadiz motel property along U.S. Route 22.

Another new Midwest Terminal facility on Cadiz-Jewett Road will have up to six switching lines to transport oil and gas condensate to marSee ECONOMY Page 2A ➪

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

2A

Economy Continued from Page 1A

kets for further refinement.

MarkWest also has purchased land from the village to build a 20,000square-foot administration building on Industrial Park Road that will house up to 100 employees.

Blue Racer Midstream LLC is beginning development for a new plant on state Route 250, according to Harrison County Commissioner Dale Norris.

Norris said increased revenue is being used for infrastructure projects such as water lines, sewer lines, paving and upgrades at the courthouse.

Zitko also said his office worked in conjunction with the Harrison County Community Improvement Corp. and State Sen. Lou Gentile, D-Steubenville, to retain the Mine Safety Training Center in Cadiz, and in addition to keeping that facility open, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources plans to construct a new training center on Industrial Park Road.

Revenue steadily has increased for several years for the village and the county as a result of all this activity. Zitko said officials want to think ahead and spend wisely.

“We are not spending extravagantly. Our 1 percent sales tax is up, but we still operate on a tight budget,” he commented. “One of our goals in coming years is to increase police protection. We’re very proud of our force for this being a small village, but soon we will need more officers to meet the growing demand.”

Jefferson County Commissioner Dave Maple cited a runway extension at the Jefferson County Airpark, CrestviewBelvedere sewer projects and similar infrastructure improvements around the county as signs of progress.

“The airpark has reported greater traffic and more commercial traffic, so I think that project was worthwhile,” he noted.

Maple said that improving curb appeal in the county, and thus the quality of life, is a high priority for 2015 and years to follow.

“We created a ‘land bank’ this year.

It is a private entity made up of public officials working to tackle the issue of abandoned or blighted properties.

There is an $800,000 grant available in connection with that, so it would set a platform up to accelerate the process of demolishing dilapidated structures

in the area and creating more green, usable spaces,” he said.

“We also hired a litter enforcement officer who has fought back against illegal dumping and littering for the past six months.”

Jefferson County Commission Chairman Thomas Graham said improvements at the industrial park, including paving and sewer projects, have made the site more attractive for business owners.

There are seven companies located there now, and Graham said more potential tennants have been expressing interest.

“There have been 70-some new jobs added in a 20-mile radius around here during the past year,” Graham pointed out.

Beech Bottom Mayor Rebecca Uhlly said her administration is aiming to improve curb appeal and housing as well.

“We want to make us as inviting as

Pat Ford, executive director of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, shared his vision for potential investment hot spots around the Weirton area with a map highlighting current economic anchors and future sites for development.

Shae Dalrymple

we can,” she said.

Uhlly is looking forward to a new bridge in the early stages of development that could potentially route a significant increase of traffic through Beech Bottom in Brooke County.

“The bridge will help immensely, especially considering we are 45 minutes away from a major international airport,” she said.

Cost estimates for the span, which will extend from an area about a mile south of Wellsburg to the See ECONOMY Page 3A ➪ Warren Scott

West Virginia Commissioner of Highways Paul Mattox announced plans to build a new Ohio River bridge between Wellsburg and Brilliant in 2016, pending available funds. Area officials believe the proposed span will help to spur economic development at the southern ends of Brooke and Jefferson counties.

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

3A

Economy Continued from Page 2A

Warren Scott

Pat Ford, executive director of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, points to an aluminum coil coated by crews with Jupiter Aluminum, an Illinois-based company that has revived the paint line at the former Wheeling Corrugating plant in Beech Bottom. It is among four companies operating at the plant through the BDC’s efforts.

intersections of Third and Clever streets in Brilliant, have ranged from $90 million to $120 million.

Construction is expected to take about five years once plans are completed.

In Weirton, Mayor George J. Kondik said major infrastructure improvements like $850,000 worth of paving, a massive sewer main upgrade on Main Street and the replacement of the Colliers Way Bridge over Route 22, with the help of the West Virginia Department of Highways, are indicators of forward motion.

“As mayor, my first commitment is to approach every situation with two questions,” Kondik said. “Will this improve the quality of life in Weirton? If so, how can we get it accomplished as a city administration.”

Kondik and city officials realized a new way to get things accomplished when the city achieved Home Rule status in 2014. The program shifts certain powers from the state to the city,

allowing locally elected leaders to address issues that previously were out of bounds for any governing body beneath the state level. Weirton was declared one of 16 West Virginia municipalities selected to participate.

Sunoco Logistics is planning to install a gas line through Brooke County starting sometime in 2016, according to Brooke County Commission Chairman Tim Ennis.

“We’re really excited about the jobs that brings into the community. Even if they are temporary, they could lead to full time. The company told us in a meeting that they hoped to hire locally as much as possible,” Ennis said. “Pat Ford (executive director of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle) is actively pursuing other projects. We are grateful to have a great working relationship with the BDC and the Brooke County Economic Development Authority.”

Ford works with leaders all over the Northern Panhandle in See ECONOMY Page 7A ➪

Warren Scott

Space within the former Wheeling Corrugating plant in Beech Bottom is equal to 10 football fields and there are a thousand more square feet available for other businesses.

4A

Familyʼs work goes on

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Latest generation in charge at downtown DiCarlo’s after 70 years

By DAVE GOSSETT Staff writer

STEUBENVILLE — It is shortly after 11 a.m. on a weekday and the customers are stopping for lunch at the DiCarlo’s Pizza shop on Adams Street.

“Can I get four slices,” the woman at the counter asked.

“Coming right up,” replied the current Primo DiCarlo, who quickly set to work creating an original DiCarlo’s pizza.

Seventy years after his grandfather Primo DiCarlo started a pizza business after he came home from World War II, the DiCarlo’s Pizza shop in downtown still is open for business and now is offering lunch.

“My grandfather was drafted into the Army and was in Europe. He apparently went into a business there that had a lot of soldiers waiting in line for pizza. By the time he came back to Steubenville in 1945, he was already thinking about opening a pizza shop here. My great-grandfather immigrated here from Italy and started a bakery business. My grandfather was always working on something. He sold beer, ran a gas station and also ran a bakery,” related the 26-year-old Primo DiCarlo, who now owns and operates the Adams Street DiCarlo’s shop.

“The pizza he had in Italy was their version, which was sauce and bread. They weren’t using cheese like we do here. The first couple of years the business struggled. It was all new for Americans. My grandfather was the only person in town making and selling pizza. But by 1949, he opened a pizza shop in Wheeling and in 1951 he opened the store on Sunset Boulevard. He created the first retail

pizza shop in Ohio, and the state had to create a new business license because this was all new,” he said.

A slice of pizza in those early days cost 10 cents.

“The price has gone up over the years, but I think good pizza is still the best deal in town.

We keep it affordable,” he noted.

“It started out as a family-owned business.

My grandfather would get his pizza dough every day from my aunt and uncle who had the DiCarlo’s Bakery on Seventh Street where they made the dough every morning.

By the late 1950s, the DiCarlo family had 24 shops in the Ohio Valley. He wasn’t wealthy but my grandfather lived like a king in those days. After he got started in the business, he moved into the wholesale pizza business and sold the ingredients to other shops,” said Primo DiCarlo.

“My father, who is also named Primo DiCarlo, never really got into the pizza business. My grandfather sent him to college and then medical school.

But I enjoy this business. And this is still a family business because you can’t do this by yourself. It is also kind of neat to look at the other locally owned pizza shops because they all have a connection back to DiCarlo’s Pizza,” he noted.

“I graduated from Catholic Central High School in 2007 and graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2011 with a psychology degree. My uncle Mike was slowing down at that point and it was the right time to take over. In the past couple of years I have opened businesses — a DiCarlo’s in Brilliant and a sub shop in Martins Ferry,” he said.

The business was on

Third Street until an urban renewal move by the city razed buildings in the 100 block of South Third in the 1970s.

“Then the business was moved in 1977 to Adams Street. The family bought four lots here and built the current store. I love the downtown. I think the best food in town can be found at one of the places downtown,” he explained.

“I have the same

pizza family to make an original Steubenville-style pizza.

“First you take the fresh dough and work it out on the pan. Then we spread the red

ered with baked red sauce into a box and heaps cold cheese and pepperoni onto the red sauce.

The steam is still rising from the pizza as DiCarlo tells a visitor

Pizza on Sunset Boulevard. I was happy to hear a DiCarlo’s Pizza is supposed to open in Arizona. To take the business outside of the valley would be great. But I know

Dave Gossett

Primo DiCarlo, the third generation of the DiCarlo family to make and sell pizza in Steubenville, stands at the counter of the DiCarlo’s on Adams Street. The DiCarlo family has been creating pizzas for 70 years and the 26-year-old DiCarlo is hoping to keep the business running for at least 100 years.

“I think if my grandfather was still alive he would be proud to see me still running the business he started 70 years ago. This is a fun thing for my family and me. People tell me it is obvious I like what I do and that makes me feel good. I get to do something for a living that I enjoy. I plan to run this business until the wheels fall off. And my hope is to be here 30 years from now when I am 57 so I can celebrate 100 years of DiCarlo’s Pizza in Steubenville.”

– Primo DiCarlo

routine every day. I have staggered the opening times of my three businesses so I can open one and then move to the next store and then the next store.

I make sure everything I use that day is fresh.

The bakery is making fresh dough every morning at 7 a.m.,” Primo DiCarlo said.

It took 15 minutes for the third generation of the DiCarlo

sauce and put it in the oven. I check the pizza every couple of minutes to make sure it is baking evenly,” he noted.

No timer was needed by DiCarlo, who continued to check the pizza, lifting the crust and finally pulling the tray out of the oven.

That’s where the Steubenville style starts, as DiCarlo slides the crust cov-

to try a slice.

“I like to bake it so the pizza is a little crusty. Can’t you taste that cheese and pepperoni? That’s how we make pizza,” stated DiCarlo.

“I guess I am still old school in the pizza business. I make the pizza the old-fashioned way and I still have help from my aunt and uncle who run the DiCarlo’s

DiCarlo’s Pizza is still a valley tradition,” noted Primo DiCarlo.

“We will get visitors come into the shop who have heard about DiCarlo’s Pizza and they aren’t used to the Steubenville style of pizza with the cold cheese on top of the hot pizza. But I believe our way allows you to taste the ingredients. It is different but people love our pizza. My advice is to take your pizza and sit in your car to eat it while the pizza is still hot,” he remarked.

“I think if my grandfather was still alive he would be proud to see me still running the business he started 70 years ago. This is a fun thing for my family and me.

“People tell me it is obvious I like what I do and that makes me feel good. I get to do something for a living that I enjoy. I plan to run this business until the wheels fall off.

And my hope is to be here 30 years from now when I am 57 so I can celebrate 100 years of DiCarlo’s Pizza in Steubenville,” he said.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

5A

Hollywood City Center enjoying nearly 100 percent occupancy

Michael D. McElwain

The Hollwyood City Center continues to enjoy near-100 percent occupancy. The center was established in the early 1960s and continues to be an anchor in the Steubenville retail community.

By PAUL GIANNAMORE Staff writer

STEUBENVILLE — The Hollywood City Center continues to enjoy near 100 percent occupancy in the heart of Steubenville.

Established in the early 1960s as home to a Kroger supermarket, the center continues to be anchored by the Kroger, one of the busiest in the chain’s region. And, when one tenant leaves, the center is able to attract new tenants to the center.

“The last three years have been monumental moves for-

ward for the Hollywood City Center,” said Dominic Teramana of Hollywood Center Inc. Among the major changes, even as the economy was recovering in recent years, was the opening of a T.J. Maxx store, a more modern Office Max and the occupancy of a larger home for a local business, Fabian’s of Hollywood, a formal clothing store. Fabians occupies the space that had been the longtime home to the Fashion Bug store.

Teramana said the midtown area continues to thrive

with the center and the nearby Walgreens and CVS stores.

He noted the merchants who occupy Hollywood continue to be the kinds of retailers and businesses that offer quality goods and services.

One of the latest additions to the center is Sincerely Yogurt, which opened in 2014.

Hollywood City Center is home to 49 businesses occupying several buildings. The center remains among the top five real estate taxpayers in the Steubenville City Schools district.

Teramana noted Hollywood City Center is the devel-

oper of the site that is home to the Microtel off University Boulevard overlooking the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Work continues to attract development to the site surrounding the motel, including another motel and restaurant.

Teramana noted the development can help further the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s plans for the University Boulevard area.

Teramana said, “If the city of Stebenville is going to reap the growth brought about from the oil and gas industry, it must improve its infrastructure and the hospitality

opportunities that exist at the entrance to Steubenville. We are a receiving point for outof-town companies that include midstream and major companies like Hess and MarkWest that have come into the Utica and Marcellus shale play in Ohio.”

As such, the need for more rooms and restaurants will continue, he said.

“I’m sure we will put the few additional pieces together of the puzzle to make Steubenville and Weirton the reception area we are to the heart of the shale play,” he said.

6A

Maple-Damewood steps up to lead Jefferson County Chamber

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

By DAVE GOSSETT Staff writer

STEUBENVILLE — Tricia MapleDamewood never hesitated when she was asked to lead the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce on an interim basis.

After all, the owner of the Inn at Brandywine and the Sincerely Yogurt store has experience in small business.

“And I have a long history with the chamber of commerce. It made sense to take on the president’s job on an interim basis while the search continues for the next president. I served as chamber board chair in the past and I have worked at the chamber in different capacities for years.

And, most recently I served as the special events coordinator.

To become interim president made sense for everyone involved,” explained Maple-Damewood.

“My main goal during the past six weeks was to focus on not missing a beat so our members are happy. During my current tenure we held a very success-

Dave Gossett

Leading the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce are, from left, Investor Relations Coordinator Janet King, Chamber Interim President Tricia Maple Damewood and Communications Coordinator Julie Stenger. Maple-Damewood said the chamber still is looking for another staff member.

ful holiday open house and continued our monthly safety council meetings. We have also continued to host our monthly Coffee Connections, where our members can network with other members and take a minute to talk

about their business.

And of course we prepared for our Investor-To-Investor Trade Show in January,” continued Maple-Damewood.

“When I started this job I wanted to keep the lights on in the chamber. We

have 500 business members and it was very important to maintain what we had and work on some new programs during the interim period,” explained Maple-Damewood.

“I like being here and I am also a small business owner. I am the person who shovels the snow off the walks and makes payroll every week.

I understand the issues facing our members in their own business,” said Maple-Damewood.

So she hired Janet King to serve as investor relations coordinator and Julie Stenger, who is the chamber’s communi-

cations coordinator.

“I’m still looking for a third staff member while we continue the search for our new president. That process has no timetable because we want to make sure we find the right person for the job,” noted Maple-Damewood.

“Until we find that candidate I am a full-time president of the chamber,” said Maple-Damewood.

“We are taking a serious look at member programming and our member services that make sure our members are glad they are chamber business

members. We want to keep our members happy, and we are always looking for new members. Each one of our chamber members has a specific goal and we want to help them to meet those goals,” she noted.

The chamber leadership includes board Chairman David Mosti of Mosti Funeral Home; First Vice Chair Robin Snider-Flohr of Eastern Gateway Community College; and Treasurer B.J. Nurczyk of D’Anniballe & Co. CPAs. Board members include Albert Carapellotti, Anthony Mining; John Cucarese, New York Life; Bryan Felmet, attorney; Ross Gallabrese, the HeraldStar; Robert Gribben III, Grae-Con Construction; Russell Hunt, Total Lawn Care; Anthony Mougianis, Apollo Professional Cleaning; David Werkin, Trinity Health System; and Mary Free, US Bank, Ambassador Club president.

“I have several short-term goals, including the revamping of our chamber of commerce Website to make it easy for our members to use and to strengthen it as a resource for our members. I want to improve our communications with our members through email, texting or regular mail. I am strong on e-mailing but Janet is a phone person, so we have a very nice partnership. I want our communications to be a top priority,” cited Maple-Damewood.

“And we are going to look at new programs and special events. Business owners often have little time to deal with special events.

But if they can participate in an event that is affordable, fun and works for them, then we have a success,” MapleDamewood explained.

“I like this job a lot. But when I came in it was like walking into a stranger’s office. The past president had things set up his way so there was an initial cleaning house to create a setting for me. My biggest challenge was letting our members know that the chamber was still operating smoothly. I am not making large scale changes. But I want the chamber to remain strong and available to all of our members. And at the same time we want to attract new members,” according to Maple-Damewood.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

7A

Economy Continued from Page 3A

an effort to forge more collective synergy and a healthier economy in the region.

“Our biggest game changers driving our agenda are oil and gas energy, transportation logistics, health care, food and hospitality and inventory, by which I mean land and adaptive uses for it,” Ford explained. “The biggest challenge is inventory, which is why sometimes we have to get creative.”

He elaborated that many sites available for development in this area have been contaminated and require expensive clean-up measures.

Ford is passionate about clearing “brownfields,” such as the former TS&T Pottery site, for future development with the help of grants from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Brooke and Hancock counties received more than $2 million in grants primarily for contaminated properties, and there is another $1.4 million pending, he said.

(Dalrymple can be contacted at sdalrymple@heraldstaron-

Shae Dalrymple

Developer Ben St. Johns is constructing a three-story, 79-room Microtel on Lincoln Avenue in Cadiz to help accommodate employees of the booming natural gas and oil industry in Harrison County.

Shae Dalrymple

In November 2014, representatives from Domino’s Pizza announced an expansion and move from their current site into the old Weirton Heights Fire Station at 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. The new “pizza theater” location is expected to open sometime this winter.

Weirton Area Chamber: Moving forward through difficult times

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

8A

WEIRTON — After facing some difficult moments in the past year, the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to a positive turn in 2015, while continuing to represent the local business community. Thirty-nine new businesses joined the Chamber in 2014.

“We had some tenuous

issues in 2014, and they’re ongoing,” Chamber President Brenda Mull acknowledged.

Among those issues were the implementation

by City Council of an expanded Business and Occupation Tax in an effort to balance the city’s general fund.

The chamber spent several months speaking

out against the tax, attending council meetings, offering alternatives and rallying the business community.

“We did everything we could to convince the city the B&O Tax was not the answer,” board Chair Nick Latousakis said.

The chamber continues its drive for a 1 per-

cent sales tax that would bring about a reduction in the B&O Tax. Such a sales tax, Mull explained, would be uniform to everyone and based on consumption.

Latousakis said, moving forward, he also hopes the municipal government would be more open with its discussions.

“The communication needs to be more transparent,” Latousakis said.

Also of note was the passage of smoking bans in both Hancock and Brooke counties, further regulations under the Affordable Care Act and legislation providing an increase to the minimum See CHAMBER Page 9A ➪

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

9A

Chamber Continued from Page 8A

wage. “They all tend to affect the bottom line of many businesses” Mull said.

As the new year moves forward, Mull said the Chamber will continue to work for the needs of area businesses and the Chamber’s approximate 400 members.

“They take pride in their business. They fight for their business,” Mull said. “As a chamber of commerce, we support them by monitoring all issues that could affect them.”

A variety of programs and events are in the works for 2015, both new and traditional.

A new membership level is being introduced, focused on individually owned crafters, artisans and product representatives.

This year’s Ladies Day at the Chamber, set for April, will feature a theme paying tribute to the U.S.A., and plans already are being made for the Weirton Christmas Parade in November. In March, the Chamber will celebrate its 79th Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet.

Goals for 2015 also include the possibility of a new community activity.

“We host our annual Ladies Day at the Chamber and our Wine and Dine at Williams,” Mull said. “We’re also looking at a new, more casual networking event.”

The Chamber also is organizing a series of educational seminars for area businesses, with plans to launch mid-year.

“The business community has given us numerous ideas on topics they would like to see addressed,” Mull explained.

The seminars would join current programs such as Leadership Weirton — which recently kicked off with a full class of 20 participants — Youth Leadership Weirton and the High School Business Symposium.

The main goal, however, always is to look out for the best interest of the business community!

Contributed

Gary W. Cain Realtors and Auctioneers’ experienced and dedicated staff include, seated, from left, Michele DeBold, Brad Cain, Gary W. Cain, Taylor Cain and Janice Adrian; and standing, Faye Christ, Noreen Peterson, Linda Caputo, Harry Grafton, Rick Sponhaltz, Phil Flenniken, Marty Ternasky and Debbie Rodriguez.

Cain Realtors and Auctioneers: Quality service for almost 50 years STEUBENVILLE — Gary W. Cain began his career as an auctioneer almost 50 years ago, and his familyowned business has flourished through decades of fluctuating markets to become a household name when it comes to auctions and real estate in the Ohio Valley.

Cain started out in auctioneering in 1955, and within five years he was specializing in livestock auctions hosted in a barn in East Springfield.

He added “real estate agent” to his resume in 1963 and became a certified broker in 1967. Now Cain holds a seat on the Ohio Auctioneer’s Commission and is recognized as the only person in the world to have received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Association of Realtors and also hold a spot in the Ohio Auctioneers Hall of Fame.

Gary W. Cain Realtors

and Auctioneers has grown into a regional industry leader since it was founded, capturing about 30 percent of the total Steubenville market and selling about $12 million worth of real estate in 2014.

Today there are offices located in Steubenville, East Springfield and Weirton.

Cain credits a staff dedicated to customer service and the help of his family for much of that success.

His wife Margaret Cain takes part as a licensed broker and the business manager, and their daughter Michele Debold contributes as a real estate agent and certified antique appraiser.

His son Brad Cain has been a real estate agent and auctioneer with the business since 1982, and two years ago, Brad’s son Taylor Cain joined the team as well.

“We have a very selective, hand-picked staff with auctioneers licensed in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsyl-

vania and real estate agents licensed in Ohio and West Virginia,” Cain noted. “All of our employees believe in good service with a focus on serving our communities.

We think it’s important to give something back, and we want to thank the public for their support.”

Gary W. Cain Realtors and Auctioneers combine expertise in real estate and auctioneering to offer their customers several options for the sale of real estate or private property.

Cain said his experienced staff can help determine whether each individual’s needs and expectations in the sale of real estate can best be met through private treaty or by auction.

They are especially qualified in the preparation of personal property sales and coordination in the event personal property is auctioned in conjunction with the sale of a home or business.

10A

Steubenville Lions Club celebrates its 90th year

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

By JANICE KIASKI Staff writer

STEUBENVILLE — Awards, check presentations and congratulatory commentary combined to mark the 90year anniversary celebration for the Steubenville Lions Club in November at Hellenic Hall.

District 13G Gov. John Stalder of Dover thanked the club for its nine decades of service and told the members they should be proud.

“Ninety years — that’s a long time to be doing anything,” Stalder said. “Ninety years is fantastic.

Think how many things this club has done in 90 years for this community — how many children have you helped?

How many pairs of glasses have you given out? How many things have you done for this community in the last 90 years?” Stalder said.

“I mean I can’t imagine how much money you have given away in those 90 years. You should be proud of yourselves for this.

Making this club hang on for 90 years and doing the things you do, you should be so proud. You should be proud to wear that Lions pin on your collar, proud to talk about this to everyone you meet,” he said.

Stalder praised the members for doing what they do simply because it needs to be done, because “there’s a need in the community. That’s the kind of people you are, the kind of people Lions are,” he said.

He also applauded the group for sponsoring the newly launched Leo Club at Harding Middle School, established thanks to Melinda Young, club secretary, and Jackie Reeves, adviser. The club has about 70 applicants in grades sixth through eighth and already in its initial months has made nursing home visits a part of its activities.

“I think that’s fantastic to show these kids what life can be with a little bit of service in their life,” Stalder added.

The evening included the presentation of various awards.

Georgia Taylor of Wooster, District 13G coordinator, presented

Janice Kiaski

The Steubenville Lions Club celebrated its 90th anniversary with a banquet held in early November at Hellenic Hall in Steubenville.

The evening included the presentation of special awards, including Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards, the highest form of recognition for Lions, for Rikki Kamarados and William Hendricks. On hand for the presentation were, from left, Lions District 13G Gov. John Stalder; presenter Georgia Taylor, District 13G coordinator; Kamarados; Hendricks; and Tim Walters, club president.

“Ninety years — that’s a long time to be doing anything. Ninety years is fantastic. Think how many things this club has done in 90 years for this community — how many children have you helped? How many pairs of glasses have you given out? How many things have you done for this community in the last 90 years? I mean I can’t imagine how much money you have given away in those 90 years. You should be proud of yourselves for this. Making this club hang on for 90 years and doing the things you do, you should be so proud. You should be proud to wear that Lions pin on your collar, proud to talk about this to everyone you meet.”

– two club members with a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest form of recognition for a Lion. Lions Clubs worldwide recognize outstanding individuals by bestowing on them an award that is named for its founder, Melvin Jones.

Taylor, who attended with her husband, Eugene Taylor, past District 13G governor from 2003-04, said the Lions Club International Foundation collects and distributes money for humanitarian needs. The Melvin Jones Fellowship was established in 1973 as a way to honor people who have humanitarian qualities of generosity, compassion and caring for others through a gift of $1,000 per individual to be recognized.

Singled out for those awards, which includ-

ed a lapel pin and letter of congratulations from the LCIF chairperson, were Rikki Kamarados, club treasurer, and William Hendricks, membership director. Their names also are added to a list of MJF recipients at international headquarters.

Club President Tim Walters offered welcoming and closing remarks, lamenting the loss of three members during his years with the club, including Bill Alexander, who recruited him; Joe DiCarlo; and Gershon Stanton.

He also presented gavels to two past presidents— Mike Zinno and A.J. Abrams — and acknowledged the Steubenville Fraternal Order of Police “for an excellent job” in taking care of the Steubenville Lions Camp on Efts Lane.

The club leases the property to the FOP. Hendricks presented two checks on behalf of the club,

including one to Zinno, financial director at the School of Bright Promise, which is used for the club’s Christmas party it organizes for the students there, a tradition of more than 30 years. The money is used to buy the students Christmas gifts, and the club serves lunch to about 80 students and staff.

The other check was presented to Michael McIntyre, founder of the Steubenville Tigers football program for youth ages 613. It is in its 13th year. In explaining the program, McIntyre said, “It was minority based, meaning it was black men who put this together. It was my idea, and it was twofold — to get youth back into church and get black males to stand up and serve the youth because the black male in our community has fallen short, very short.”

McIntyre called it “a blessing” to have taken about 50 members of

District 13G Gov. John Stalder

the Steubenville Tigers to see two Division 1 football players in the Kent State University vs. Toledo game who have ties to the Steubenville Tigers.

Najee Murray plays for Kent State and Dwight Macon for Toledo. Two former Tigers cheerleaders were on hand as well — Cierra Macon for Toledo and Myasha Jones for Kent State.

McIntyre said funds received are spent on “keeping our organization going because recently we no longer are playing in a local league, we are playing in a league in Youngstown, so we have to travel, and the cost is pretty steep,” he said.

Stalder presented several awards, including one to Melinda Young, recognizing her as a Dick Bryan Fellow

by Nancy L. Brown, president of the Ohio Lions Eye Research Foundation, in recognition of contributions to research into the caus-

es and cures of diabetes. A contribution was made by the club in Young’s honor.

Stalder presented three members who earned LCI year-round growth membership excellence lapel pins for 2013-14. They were Abrams, zone chairman, nine members; Kamarados, four members; and Walters, three members.

Steubenville Mayor Domenick Mucci was recognized for his 35year membership in the club.

The Steubenville Lions Club meets at noon on Wednesdays at Froehlich’s Classic Corner. For information, call Walters at (740) 282-3656. Its other activities include awarding scholarships, helping with Relay for Life, collecting eyeglasses and helping people who can’t afford eye exams or glasses.

Its key fundraiser is its Ohio State-Michigan tailgate party at Froehlich’s.

Droverʼs Inn offers modern menu in an historic setting

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

WELLSBURG — For more than 25 years Drover’s Inn has offered a diverse menu with tasty, modern entrees in a cozy, historic setting.

The restaurant is at 1001 Washington Pike (state Route 27), a few miles from state Route 2 in Wellsburg.

In recent years owner Mark Cooper has added, to three separate dining areas on the first floor, two private dining areas, each with seating for up to 16, on the second floor, and expanded the kitchen to increase its efficiency.

He also added smoked beef brisket, pulled pork, salmon and baby back ribs to the menu.

Drover’s Inn is best known among Brooke County and Western Pennsylvania residents for its variety of wings — buffalo garlic, honey barbecue, sweet and hot oriental, mild, medium, hot, suicidal, atomic, hurt me and a recent addition, butter garlic — all available with cajun flavoring also.

It also offers broasted half-chicken and breaded fantail shrimp, orange roughy or New York strip steak dinners; assorted sandwiches and salads; and several desserts, including homemade fruit cobbler with ice cream, chocolate cobbler, turtle cheesecake and Milky Way silk pie.

Its variety of appetizers includes chicken fingers, beer-battered shrimp, jalapeno “bottle caps,” breaded zucchini sticks, deep fried pickles and fried cheese ravioli.

The tavern at Drover’s Inn may remind patrons of the pubs of merry old England.

On the National Register of Historic

Places, Drover’s Inn was built in 1848 as a resting place for drovers herding livestock along the Washington-Wellsburg turnpike when West Virginia was still a part of Virginia.

Antique furniture and colorful glasswork displayed there are a a reminder of its historic roots.

The restaurant itself has four dining areas: The blue room, which seats 32 people; the red room, which seats 36; the sitting room, which seats 14; and the back dining area, which seats 36 and includes two televisions and a fully stocked service bar.

Both the blue room and the red room have fireplaces.

Cooper said he receives a lot of take-out orders on the day of the Super Bowl.

Over the years Drover’s Inn has been a meeting place for various groups and has helped families to celebrate various occasions, including holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings (for rehearsals and small receptions).

For the warmer months it offers a picnic shelter for those who want to take their gatherings outside. Cooper said the restaurant often is visited by patrons of nearby golf courses and Brooke Hills Park.

Drover’s Inn is open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays. It’s available to groups of 20 or more on Monday and Tuesday evenings and for lunch on any day, Cooper said.

Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling (304) 737-0188, but walk-ins are welcome. For a full menu and other information, visit the restaurant’s site at www.droversinn1848.com.

11A

Staff Photo

Drover’s Inn on state Route 27 near Wellsburg is known for its assortment of wings, smoked and broiled entrees and cozy atmosphere, including separate dining areas and an English-style tavern downstairs.

Mullenbach Funeral Home welcoming funeral director, pre-planning arrangements

FOLLANSBEE—As the Mullenbach Funeral Home, 669 Main St., begins its eighth year, the funeral home is making upgrades to its arrangement room and expanding its employee base to better assist families.

“Funeral arrangements are a deeply personal choice,” said Joe Mullenbach, owner.

“Pre-planning provides families with the time needed to make practical, detailed decisions that reflect a family’s standards, lifestyle, taste and budget. And we assure the choices made will be carried out as planned.”

Pre-planning also helps lessen the stress families can feel when confronted with unexpected costs as well as empowering them to make the right decisions at a budget they can afford.

Mullenbach, who said he has more than 26 years of experience in

the industry, said he enjoys helping families celebrate the life of a loved one who has passed.

“As we welcome our eighth year in business we’re in the process of updating our arrangement room to better showcase our funeral and cremation services to better serve our families,” said Mullenbach.

“I really get a lot of joy helping families plan the right celebration of their loved one,” he continued, adding it has to be “the right memorial for that person. Throughout the entire funeral process we help (families) pick out the right memorial that best fits that person’s life.”

Ronald Schenk joined the funeral home at a time of growth, said Mullenbach.

“With our growing business, which has really taken off in recent years, I felt the need to bring Schenk to

Staff Photo

Mullenbach Funeral Home, 669 Main St., Follansbee, welcomed back an old friend to serve as a funeral director during the past year — Ronald A. Schenk, left.

With him is owner Joe Mullenbach. Mullenbach said he’s delighted someone with Schenk’s experience and common touch is coming to share his talents.

our staff because of his extensive knowledge and care of the families,” he said. “He’s served in the past in Brooke County. He’s built a lot of friendships with people in this area.”

Schenk said he’s been involved in the funeral home business for more than 46 years.

“I began my career in 1967, but I wasn’t a licensed funeral director until I graduated from mortuary school in 1973,” said Schenk. “I’m glad to be back in Fol-

Contributed

Drover’s Inn has three comfortable dining areas as well as two dining rooms upstairs for private gatherings, an English-style pub downstairs and an outdoor sheltered pavilion. The red room, shown here, seats 36 and includes a fireplace.

lansbee after two years.

“It’s like being back home,” he continued. “A lot of people have been asking me if I would ever come back to Follansbee. Well, I will be.”

“Kayla Beatty joined the funeral home during the past year and is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science,” said Mullenbach. “She’s in the process of finishing all her requirements for her apprenticeship.”

Mullenbach also said the building isn’t

“retro-fitted,” but has been designed exclusively as a funeral home and has hosted several large funerals during recent years.

He said the 7,000square-foot building includes four viewing parlors with partitions that may be removed as needed, a kitchen where families may eat between viewings, an activity room where children may play and a handicap-accessible restroom.

Mullenbach also can accommodate large

families.

Mullenbach Funeral Home offers a full range of funeral services that include traditional funeral service, offers pre-planning, funeral merchandise, cremation service and faithful friends (pet) service. Much information, including obituaries, pre-planning information and more can be found at the home’s website, at www.mullenbachfh.com. To reach the home seven days a week, 24 hours a day, call (304) 527-4040.