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If you checked out our front page this weekend, you will have seen that tickets for the Weirton Hall of Fame induction ceremony are now on sale.
Organized by the City of Weirton, the Hall of Fame seeks to recognize current and former residents who have made significant contributions to the community or who have distinguished themselves within a specific field or career.
This year's ceremony will be held Aug. 16, with a class of eight set to be inducted.
They include Daniel L. McCune in the category of philanthopy; Gabriel "Gabe" Arlia for public service; Dr. Jasbir Makar and Mark Glyptis for the category of business, industry and professions; Pamela Makricosta and Patti Barnabei for education and religion; and Robert J. Busick and David H. Reitter under sports and athletics.
It's always a pleasure to see these individuals recognized, especially when that recognition comes for something they are doing for the love of the Weirton community and its people. The rolls of inductees is lengthy as it is, including some of the City of Weirton's founding fathers and early industrialists, major members of the local business community, long-time volunteers, educators, coaches, and public servants of various stripes.
We've all, no doubt, known members of previous induction classes, and that makes it even more special when they are announced. I've been privileged enough to be on hand to watch as friends, colleagues, and several business contacts have been called up to the podium to receive their dues.
This year is no different as I've known - or at least had contact with - almost every single member of the Class of 2025.
The one exception would be Robert Busick, although the name is certainly familiar. It's possible I've crossed paths with Busick through his career as a West Virginia State Trooper, depending on where he was assigned, but most of his high school athletic career (Weir High Class of 2000) took place while I was in college.
Dave Reitter was an educator and coach at Brooke High School for many years. I only had him for a study hall during my time in those green and gold halls in the mid to late 1990s, but knew of him quite well as the head boys basketball coach. His son, Brent, and I also graduated together.
Patti Barnabei and I have known each other for many years, first through the launch of Never Alone and now also with Club 3:16. Both are faith-based support groups in our community, filling a much-needed hole in the lives of many residents. She also has been an educator in Hancock County Schools.
Pam Makricosta was a major part of the Weirton community up until her passing a few years ago. She and I first got to know each other through her work at the Mary H. Weir Public Library, where she led the adult literacy program, and often became the de facto public relations person for all library activities. She was active with the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, and, for 50 years, hosted "The Athenian Hour" radio program.
I know Pam would have been humbled by her induction, and just wish she could have been here to experience it for herself.
I've interviewed Dr. Makar on a few instances over the years, but have known of him most of my life. In many ways, he has been a cornerstone of Weirton's medical community, founding Weirton's first cardiac catheterization lab and providing care to local residents for more than 50 years.
Mark Glyptis is a name pretty much everyone in town knows, having served as president of first the Independent Steelworkers Union and now the United Steelworkers Local 2911. He has been there for much of our local industrial history over the last 30 plus years, and, before that, worked at Weirton Steel as the third generation of his family to do so.
I first met Gabe Arlia through my late father, and it's always a joy to see him out in the community. A retired Marine, his military service has reflected into his service to the community. A member of the Tri-State Marine Corps, he often also can be seen at our local Memorial Day and Veterans Day services as a member of the American Legion Honor Guard. He is a founding member of the Tri-State Young Marines, providing guidance to generations of local youth.
Dan McCune I've mostly known through his work as an attorney, but he also has spent many years giving of his time to numerous local organizations and boards, and has served as a basketball coach at various levels.
For those who would like to know more about this year's inductees, and I would encourage you to do so, the City of Weirton has set up an area on its website with the biographies of each honoree.
For my part, I would like to extend a congratulations to each of the inductees and thank them for everything they have done, and continue to do.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)