WHS Class of '58 Reunion Picnic

We're still working on getting some reunion stuff posted. Wasn't going to since it's nearly two months old but got a request yesterday from a member of the WHS Class of '58 to not give up.

We simply was not able to get around to all the individual class get togethers during the All-Class Reunion. Some were advertised and many others were not. One class even set a time to get together at one of the clubs in town and no one told the club about it.

We did get a few and the Class of '58 was one of them. Sorry there are no names. We don't know all of them. You'll have to supply the names to the ones you know.

Anna Mae - this is for you...

ole nib

WHS Freshman Orientation

All 2010 Wellsville students starting their Freshman year are invited to get acquainted with their new school. High School Principal Linda Rolley has scheduled an orientation for Thursday afternoon, August 19, from 1 P.M. to 2:30. All freshman students are encouraged to attend.

Students are to meet in the Auditeria. You'll get a map of the high school, your class schedules and locker assignments. Mrs. Rolley said they will be going over the rules with reviewing the High School Handbook too.

Following the meeting freshmen will be given a tour of the building and practice time with the newly assigned lockers. Sometimes those locker combinatons can be tricky. If any additional information is needed you can call 330-532-1188.

When schools starts on Tuesday morning, August 31, you can be just as "cool" as all those upper classmen getting around. Good luck with this next step in your educations.

For all you parents, guardians and anyone interested in seeing the High School, there will be an open house next month. It's scheduled for Wednesday, September 15, from 5 to 7 P.M.

ole nib

2010 WHS Tigers Show Promise

Saturday - August 13: The basically young 2010 WHS Fighting Tigers got their first real contact of the season this morning versus the East Canton Hornets at Nicholson Stadium. With a few seniors and even less juniors this year's team is mostly made up with sophomores and freshmen.

Scores don't count in scrimmages. It doesn't count on the season win-loss record. They don't even use the score board. It's simply a tune up for the games that do count. It's a chance for coaches to see what their talent can do against opponents they haven't been practicing against the last two weeks.

We're not a coach and we didn't sleep at a Comfort Inn last night but what we saw this morning was impressive. Under a hot, scorching sun we watched a young team improve with each tick of the clock. The Tigers found themselves quickly behind on touchdowns early on which we will contribute to first game jitters. Size wise both teams were fairly evenly matched. Experience wise we're unsure of but as the scrimmage progressed we saw some good football being played by the Orange & Black.

There was some hard hitting with the crack of pads being heard in the stands. That's music to us old football fans. We saw some nice tackling and liked that the Tigers were playing heads up with a nose for the ball when the Hornets were on offence. One tackle we caught on camera could be used in a football manual. It was "text book" with the Wellsville defender lifting the ball carrier off the ground while driving him backward. It's in the collage above. On offense we saw some very good blocking and some nice cuts being made. We think, barring injuries, it will be a good year for Wellsville football.

For now it's to the film room and back to the practice field. This morning's scrimmage was just another practice against a team from another school. It's a learning experience for both players and coaches.

The Touch Down Club fed both teams following the scrimmage. Seeing all the Giant Eagle chicken & meatballs, the fresh fruit and all those cookies made us wish we were young enough to be part of the team.

The Tigers play their final scrimmage next Thursday evening, August 19, at 7 P.M. It will be against Crestview at Nicholson Stadium. School officials will be on hand once again selling season passes and Senior passes will be available for Wellsville area residents. Bring your driver's license for the Senior pass. The TD Club will also be on hand for you to purchase your WHS shirts and other Tiger items. The shirts were designed and produced by WHS alumnus Jeff Campbell and they are very nice.

Good Luck Tigers...

ole nib

Wellsville Getting Tough On Weed & Grass Cutting

Wellsville residents may not have noticed. Many try to avoid looking at the unsightly and unkempt properties around town. A lot of them are owned by out of town residents that can be classified as "slum lords". They buy properties and either rent them out, all the while neglecting the upkeep and maintenance, or strip them of everything of value. Then they leave them sitting...forever. Some pay the taxes on the property and some simply walk away letting the County foreclose on them. They got everything they wanted out of them.

One such property that has been classified as "the worse one in the village" by some City Hall officials is the old Sterling China property. For those of us living in or around the village we don't need to describe the steady deterioration since it closed down as a pottery. Eventually it was sold at a foreclosure sale. Many of our visitors that came home for this year's All-Class Reunion just looked at it and sadly shook their heads while touring around the old hometown. Quite frankly it is an embarrassment to the Village of Wellsville. It's prime commercial property that is steadily losing value due to the owner's neglect. Acting Mayor Rosie Goss stated Thursday that the owner told her "that's what I do, buy property, get what I want out of it and walk away".

In this case it was mostly the pottery making machinery that came with the property at the sale a few years ago. Goss stated that he indicated he didn't care what happens to the property that is left. We got the idea that he is thumbing his nose at Wellsville.

Not widely known is that Goss & Village Administrator Jim Saracco has been busy doing something about such situations. The stimulus money awarded to the County for the Neighborhood Stabilization program was used by Village officials to get rid of six dilapidated structures so far. There are three more to go. That is a step forward. Goss & Saracco have been actively pursuing others that have properties being neglected with grass, weeds & trees growing unchecked.

The process goes like this: first a phone call is made to the owners they can locate reminding them that something needs to be done. If an owner can't be located or is unwilling to cut the weeds and grass, a letter is sent officially informing them they need to do some maintenance and that there are Village ordinances that apply. After a couple of weeks if nothing is accomplished a second letter is sent advising them they could be cited to Magistrate Court for failure to comply with the ordinances. As an alternative, if manpower is available, the Village has the option to have the work done themselves. Then they can file a lien with the County on the deed. If that property is ever sold the Village will eventually get its money back.

Goss said Thursday she has been in contact with the owner of the Sterling property. He agreed to come to town for a meeting to discuss the ordinances that apply to the upkeep of the property. By late Friday morning workmen could be seen using weed whackers, a brush hog and chain saws starting to clean up the property as pictured above. Now drivers can see up Commerce Street before pulling out of 12th St. There's a fire hydrant that can now easily and quickly be found if needed. Other issues about the property was discussed but at least it's a start on that piece of land.

Goss advised there are other properties in town that have also been pursued. Most of them are residential and for the sake of dignity we won't mention names or locations. The Acting Mayor said many of those contacted have been very cooperative. The recalcitrant ones will be dealt with in time. Goss also expressed her thanks for all Village residents and businesses that make a continual effort taking care and improving the appearance of their properties.

We say nice work...

ole nib

Historical Society Presents The History of Wellsville's Fire Departments

Wellsville Historical Society member Bob Lloyd will present another in this year's series of special programs Sunday, August 15 at 2 P.M. at the River Museum. Mr. Lloyd's program is The History of the Wellsville Fire Departments and he has prepared a slide show of historic pictures to compliment the program.

Mr. Lloyd is the Historian for both the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Dept. and the Friends of the Old Fire Station. His research in Wellsville fire fighting history has made him an expert on the subject. Shown above at Wellsville's third fire station, in the 800 block on Main Street, is Lloyd along with fellow members Brassy & Bonny Beresford at a recent open house.

The program is free and open to the public. The River Museum is located at 1003 Riverside, just behind the Central Methodist Church on Main. Doors open at 1 P.M. The River Museum is open for touring until 4:30.

The museum is open for touring every Sunday from 1 to 4:30 through the end of August. As always admission is free and the public is invited. After Sunday, August 29, reservations are required for special tours. You can call 330-532-3941 for more information.

Brassy says "you all come down and join us"... You'll enjoy learning about one of Wellsville's most important organizations.

ole nib

Other Wellsville News

Nine Wellsville fire fighters responded to a truck wheel bearing fire Wednesday evening pictured above. Driver Rick Davis, Laughlin Mill Rd., Lisbon, was enroute west bound on Route 7 when he noticed the left rear wheel on his trailer smoking. He pulled off the Rt. 39 exit and stopped along the berm of the on ramp on the other side of Rt. 39. The truck is owned by PII of Monaca, PA. The call was received at 10:09 P.M. and fire fighters were on the scene two minutes later at 10:11. The fire was quickly extinguished. Davis advised he picked up his load in the Sharon/Ferrell area and was enroute to Follansbee, WV. Firemen were on the scene until 1 A.M. Tri-County Ambulance also responded. There were no injuries reported.

It was a fire with very intense heat melting some of the aluminum frame of the trailer and even scorching the paint off the license plate. WFD Chief Bill Smith explained that burning rubber puts off a very intense heat. Wellsville's Volunteer Fire Deptartment had seven men at the fire with six additional men standing by at the station.

We followed up on this past Sunday afternoon's accident that resulted in a collision and a car knocking over one of the historic lamp posts in Broadway Park. See our post date August 8 below. WPD officers advised the drivers of both cars have been issued citations to court. John Thomas, 407 7th St., Wellsville, who was driving the white 2001 Ford Taurus that got hit was cited for driving under suspension. Lawrence Hicks, 1534 Shadyside, ELO, driving the 2004 Chevy Malibu, was cited for wreckless operation and having an open container. Both drivers claimed to have insurance according to the police. There were no injuries reported.

Village Administrator Jim Saracco advised he was on the hunt for a replacement of the destroyed lamp post. The lamp posts were acquired several years ago and were storage. That source does not have any more. Saracco said he is inquiring with a local company to see if they can duplicate a replacement.

Acting Mayor Rosie Goss advises us that Wellsville's Animal Control Officer Leslie Dean tendered her resignation effective immediately this week. Dean accepted the part time job over a year ago.

Dean advised us this morning that her resignation was due to family obligations. She explained her children are getting involved with school activities and she has been volunteering a lot of her time helping at their school. Dean is also a part-time administrator for St. Clair Township. Dean stated she enjoyed her time working for the Village. Now it will be up to the wishes of Village Council on whether to replace her or possibly go with the County.

ole nib

Wellsville Revitalization Committee

Tuesday - August 10: The Wellsville Revitalization met this past Tuesday evening at DaLonzos on Main St. Present at the meeting was Candy Bangor, Connie Carmichael, Jim Saracco, Connie Bauer, Nick DaLonzo, Beverly & Lonnie Hentzell, Anna Mace, Ruth Ensinger, Joyce Lynn, Nunzio Lombardozzi, Mary Lynn Hunter, and J.C. Coulter.

Before getting to Revitalization Committee business Candy Bangor gave updates on two Henry Nemencz projects she is involved with. The proposed bread company to be located in the old McDonald School will be called the Ohio River Bread Co. Target date for opening is approximately nine months away. Company officials are in the process of getting all the plans and necessary permits that will include a request for a zoning variance for that location. The lease for the land along Wells Avenue for the new Save-A-Lot Plaza is presently going through negotiations with legal representatives. Although time consuming, progress for both are moving along.

For Committee business it was announced that two new floodwall murals are nearly completed with a third to get underway shortly. There are still panels available for anyone wishing to commission a painting. For more information contact Bangor, Connie Carmichael or Jim Saracco.

Donations from the Tri-State Explorers Club and Center Pharmacy were made recently to help with the Committee's goals. Thanks were expressed for the donor's generosity. The Lisbon Explorers Club toured the floodwall murals earlier this summer as part of field trip. Connie Carmichael served as tour guide for them.

The Committee is in the process of awarding their first Wellsville Pride Award. Wellsville's Stevenson Company is in the process of manufacturing the unique, attractive award.

Plans are in the process to hold a benefit "Rolling On The River Auction" for the Main Street USA project. The auction will be held at Sell's Auction on Broadway, Saturday, November 6. The times will be announced later. Many nice contributions have been received for auctioning. Any one wishing to make a contribution to be included can contact any member of the Committee.

Plans are also being made to hold a Village Yard Sale for Saturday, September 11 from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. The yard sale was formerly a fund raising project for the now defunct Fix-Up/Clean-Up Committee that was chaired by Nunzio Lombardozzi. Committee members will be at the next Village Council meeting seeking their permission. Lombardozzi said that in the past six years it has been very successful and last year's brought many vendors and buyers to Wellsville. Lombardozzi was on hand to explain the details on the Village wide yard sale.

Ideas were discussed for additional events to attract visitors to the town and getting Wellsville merchants involved. It is hoped to get involved with other community organizations in joint, cooperative efforts to benefit all.

ole nib