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Applause for Brooke beautification efforts

Civic group, two businesses acknowledged for their roles

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACKNOWLEDGED — Rachael Ferrise of Youth Services Systems’ Partnerships for Success program recognized the Wellsburg Garden Club, Traubert’s Pharmacy and Reasner of Wellsburg for their efforts to beautify Wellsburg. Taking part were, front, from left, Ferrise, Mayor Sue Simonetti, Garden Club members Audrae Bryant, Cynthia Harvey and Johann Tarr; and back, Garden Club member Rita Ramsey, Lori Johnson, Kim Doll and Tammy Santora of Traubert’s Pharmacy and Rob Morris of Reasner of Wellsburg. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Youth Services Systems has recognized two businesses and a civic group for their efforts to beautify the city.

In recent months the Wheeling-based group, which provides shelter and other services to troubled youth and their families, has recognized Brooke County groups and businesses for various ways in which they help the community through its Partnerships for Success program.

Recently Rachael Ferrise, project manager for the program, presented plaques of appreciation to the Wellsburg Garden Club, Traubert’s Pharmacy and Reasner of Wellsburg at the city’s town square.

It was a fitting setting because for more than 70 years the Garden Club has provided and maintained the hanging flower baskets along nearby Charles Street as well as the Wellsburg Wharf and the welcome sign near state Route 2.

The flowers have been supplied by Fonce “Chipper” DiCostantino and Iannetti’s Garden Center in Burgettstown.

Involved with the effort are Tarr; Cynthia Harvey, vice president; Rita Ramsey, treasurer; Bonnie Camilletti, telephone chair; Audrae Bryant, secretary; Susan Freshour; and prior to their deaths earlier this year, Phoebe McMullen and Ethel Verner.

The women said as they have become older, they have been aided by Brooke High School students, including Aleksey Rasz, Josh Caswell, Anthony Taylor and Emily Donley.

They also expressed thanks for the generosity and assistance of DiConstantino and Annette Iannetti of Iannetti’s Garden Center.

Lori Johnson and her staff at Traubert’s Pharmacy were recognized for planting flowers in the islands along the street from Sixth to Charles streets and weeding and cleaning the flower boxes, particularly before the city’s Independence Day celebration.

Also honored for their cleanup efforts were the owners and staff of Reasner Funeral Home and their family and friends, who gather each year on a Saturday before the holiday to collect trash and debris along the city’s bicycle trail and at parks and other sites.

The business was represented by Rob Morris, who runs the funeral home with Pete Baldwin and founder Dan Reasner.

Morris expressed thanks to the Brooke County Probation Department for arranging for community service workers to assist with the effort.

Ferrise said anyone may nominate someone for recognition by Partnerships for Success by e-mailing her at rferrise@ysswv.com.

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