Four Season Senior Club meets

WEIRTON — The Four Seasons Senior Club held its September meeting on Wednesday at Giovanni’s restaurant in Weirton.

President Gene Viola called the meeting to order, after which Tony LaRosa gave the opening prayer and led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of “God Bless America.”

The following guests were introduced: Lester Stuckmeyer, Frank Cole, Jean Dalfonso, Ray Dalfonso, Marilyn DiLeonardo, Ann Ichiani, Dr. Mark Lewis and Lee Lewis, Carl Truax and Bonnie Smith, a guest of Cecilia Findlay.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by Chelsea Householder.

Liz Becroft was the winner of the 50/50 drawing and received $80, which she donated back to the club. There was no winner for the sign-in book. Door prize winners included Barbara Purks, who won twice; Cheryl Thompson and Smith. Two dinners were awarded in a drawing, with the winners being Stuckmeyer and Smith.

The following September birthdays were recognized: Patricia Beltrame, Findlay and Purks. The anniversary of Terry and Nancy Ramsey was recognized by members.

The secretary’s report was given by Valerie Rowland. The treasurer’s report was given by Josie Cekinovich. Jokes were told by Becroft and Nancy Ramsey.

It was announced the club will be collecting dues for the months of October, November and December.

The next meeting will be held Oct. 15 at Undo’s. LaRosa gave the closing prayer.

Buckeye gifted program gets grant

CONNORVILLE — And … action!

Buckeye Local Junior High School’s gifted students are getting behind the camera after the gifted program received a $6,400 Teach Arts Ohio Grant through the Ohio Arts Council to develop a documentary.

Gifted teacher Stephanie Crust obtained the funds, noting Rikki Santer, a Columbus-based journalist, teacher and 2023 Ohio Poet of the Year, will spend 18 weeks educating sixth-through eighth-graders about filmmaking.

“We’re having a teaching artist with the Ohio Arts Council come,” commented Crust. “Rikki Santer has worked with my gifted students in the past and she’ll come in to teach film studies. The goal is to develop their own documentary. The students will collaborate on the documentary and work with teacher Dan Davis’s media class to edit the film.”

The project, entitled “Lights, Action, Documentary,” will help students acquire the critical tools needed to analyze films. They will then use that knowledge to create a documentary focusing on a community issue.

Santer will conduct the sessions and aid with the production along with Crust. She will also help coordinate efforts with Davis. In turn, Davis will provide access to cameras and editing equipment, while his technology students will act as technical coaches.

Santer will be on site each week starting in late October. Crust was excited to cooperate with the artist once again.

“Rikki and I connected because my students participate heavily in creative writing opportunities,” Crust said. “She is an Ohio poet who last year traveled to Buckeye Local multiple times to work with my gifted high school creative writing team and with my gifted junior high students. We discussed how we could collaborate more in the next school year. I am very excited to work with her further and I think the kids and I will benefit greatly from her expertise.”

Santer has worked as a journalist, magazine, book editor and more, authoring collections of original poetry and earning honors as the 2023 Ohio Poet of the Year.