Historical Association holds annual dinner

WINTERSVILLE -- A review of "a good and satisfying year" and an Ohio woman's personal experience of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, highlighted the annual dinner meeting of the Jefferson County Historical Association.

President Judy Brancazio told the audience of approximately 60 who gathered at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville on Wednesday evening that the membership update "is all positive. It has been a good and satisfying year at the museum. This is because of your support and the work done by the board of directors and the volunteer staff."

Members of the board acknowledged included Joan Anliker, Mike Giles, Dennis Milko, Linda Wells, master of ceremonies Barry Bardone, Charlie Green, Eleanor Naylor, Susan Probert, Dr. Howard Brettell, Bob Martin, Roger Pyles, Stanley Gaston, Betty Masters and Thom Way.

Special recognition went to several in that grouping, including Green, whom Brancazio identified as the director of the museum, even though the position and title aren't part of the bylaws.

"He is on site every day the building is open with few exceptions. He is the chief researcher for all who seek information about their ancestors or businesses or other entities which may have been operated in Jefferson County and, to some degree, the surrounding area. A request becomes a personal quest," Brancazio said.

Giles serves as the tour guide for visitors to the museum, which is located at 426 Franklin Ave., Steubenville. Green and Giles classify and find storage room for items donated until they can be displayed, Brancazio said, and the two also serve as contacts and arrange school tours.

Bardone was credited with the idea for the Poster Pal event for area eighth-graders and the senior essay contest, programs that expose youth to the museum and its offerings. He also serves as chairman for the Fright Nites at the Museum to be held every Saturday in October and Friday the 13th, and has arranged for the museum to host a breakfast and tour for veterans on Oct. 27.

A new board member, Milko is technically the treasurer, but a volunteer who is the "contractor extraordinaire." Brancazio said. "No job is too big for Dennis," including the old concrete steps at the museum's front entrance.

Pyles, another new member, is the former operator of the Mill Creek Inn who donated its Christmas decor to the museum and will be in charge of decorating the museum for the holiday season.

"Roger also has shared his talent in cleaning and painting in the renovated medical room and industrial room on the lower level of the museum," Brancazio said.

Bill and Diane Davis, meanwhile, were applauded for their landscaping work involving the lawn, shrubs and flowers at the museum. "It is exquisite, inviting and relaxing. We are blessed," Brancazio said.

At 236, the museum's membership is up slightly, according to Brancazio. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, with tours on other days arranged by appointment by calling the museum at (740) 283-1133. It usually is open from mid-March and closed before Thanksgiving.

"This year we will be extending into December to display the Christmas decor," she said, noting days and times will be announced.

Brancazio and Green met guest speaker Shirley Brooks-Jones, a native of Vinton County and a longtime administrative employee at Ohio State University before her retirement, when she visited the museum in 2016 and shared her experience on Sept. 11, 2001, while returning from England to the United States and being diverted to Newfoundland, Canada, following the attack on the World Trade Center.

The two were fascinated by her story and thought the membership would be, too, to hear a personal account of this chapter in American history, especially during September and the 16th anniversary of the attacks.

Brooks-Jones was traveling on Delta Airlines Flight 15 on Sept. 11, 2001, ready to see her husband and return to the routine of life after having been away for three weeks. Instead, she and her fellow passengers found their plane diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, where they learned from their captain that "a national emergency had occurred in the United States and air space was now under the control of the military.

"I felt like I was in an episode of the 'Twilight Zone,'" Brooks-Jones said, noting the captain monitored the BBC and relayed whatever updated information he could. Her response was to ultimately take pen to paper as she jotted down notes during the next 28 1/2 hours they were on the plane -- bits and pieces of information, the reactions of fellow passengers and other details.

When they finally were allowed off the plane, Brooks-Jones and passengers on 38 other planes that also had been diverted found themselves in the midst of bonding hospitality before they could return home. Various small villages and their generous townspeople rallied to offer shelter, food and basic needs.

When they would not accept money from the passengers for their kindness, Brooks-Jones initiated, with the captain's blessing, an effort to collect money for what became an endowed scholarship fund. Nearly all of the 218 passengers contributed and roughly $15,000 was pledged toward the fund to benefit the children of Gander.

Sixteen years later, 250 scholarships have been awarded to Lewisporte Collegiate High School graduates. Brooks-Jones, who coordinates the fund, returns every year to Newfoundland. People from throughout the United States, Canada and other countries, have contributed more than $1 million to the fund.

"They still don't think they did anything wonderful," Brooks-Jones said of the people of Newfoundland who came to the rescue.

Brooks-Jones said the story will be featured in a new Broadway musical "Come From Away," which will play in Columbus next May. Another offshoot is that her story -- "The Spirit of Canada" -- will be featured in an upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

For her efforts, she was awarded the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.