Wintersville events boost cancer center fund

WINTERSVILLE -- A fund established to assist patients treated at Trinity Health System's Teramana Cancer Center has received a major boost from two Wintersville events.

Trinity officials accepted a $5,500 donation for the Trinity Emergency Assistance Relief Fund, used to aid the center's cancer patients in various ways, from Joel John, who said the funds were raised by the sponsorship of luminaria during the Wintersville Winter Weekend event and his own Homes for Hope Tour for a Cure.

John said about 400 luminaria lined Main Street during the weekend event, which was organized by him, Mayor Mike Petrella and others behind the Wednesdays in Wintersville street fair.

He noted each could bear the names of a loved one, living or dead, or simply a Christmas greeting.

John expressed thanks to John Riley of Riley Petroleum, who provided the candles, and Janet Carr and Mara Mullenax, who "sold" many of the luminaria during the monthly Wednesdays in Wintersville events.

The donation also included proceeds from the Homes for Hope Tour for a Cure.

Paul Wheeler, Trinity Health System vice president of operations, expressed thanks to John and others behind the donation, noting the T.E.A.R. Fund is one of many worthy local charities.

John said the cancer center is particularly close to his heart because he lost his grandfather, Mike Hornyak, to the disease and, more recently, a cousin.

He said he started the self-guided tour as a way to remember his grandfather and help others who are battling cancer.

John expressed thanks to all who participated in this year's event, which offered area residents an opportunity to view nearly a dozen homes between Hopedale and Mingo Junction that were decorated by their owners for Christmas and the Steubenville museum maintained by the Jefferson County Historical Association.

He said 99 tickets were sold for the tour and he counted 80 who made all of the stops.

"Some people will make a donation and just visit a few homes," John said, while adding, "We got a lot of compliments. This was probably one of the best years."

Since launching the tour in 2016, John has invited area residents to showcase their decorating approaches, and he likes to include new sites each year. He said anyone interested in having their homes included in the 2024 tour, which will be held on the second Saturday in December, may contact him at (740) 275-4380.

John also has been working with Wednesdays in Wintersville co-chair Mary Decker and committee members Julie Robinson and Petrella to plan this year's Wednesdays in Wintersville.

He said while some details are being finalized, themes have been selected for the following months: May: T Time, which alludes to both a tea party and a golf tee, with area residents invited to display their sets of china, among other activities; June: Heritage Month, which will include a quilt show; July: Let Freedom Ring Month, in which youth will be invited to decorate their bikes for a parade and a baked bean contest will be held; August: The '80s, with a prom dress show and a big hair contest among the activities; and September: Apples, Peaches and Pumpkin Pies, with residents invited to enter a pumpkin pie contest or display their homegrown flowers.

Slated for 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, this year's event will be held rain or shine, barring a major weather event, and include food trucks, assorted vendors and live entertainment, said John.