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Wheeling inducts 10 into hall of fame

WHEELING HALL OF FAMERS — Accepting induction into the Wheeling Hall of Fame Class of 2017 last week were, from left, Cheryl Harshman, accepting on behalf of Mollie O’Brien; Sarah Lydick, accepting on behalf of the late Harry and Helen Sands; Rita Castle, accepting on behalf of the late Charles P. Saad; Margaret “Peg” Brennan; Betty Woods “Snookie” Nutting; Robert Villamagna; J. Ross Felton; Frederick P. Stamp Jr.; and Tony Martinelli, accepting on behalf of the late Dr. John Frissell. -- Joe Lovell

WHEELING — Ten individuals whose work has brought light — literally and figuratively — to the Friendly City took their places last week in the Wheeling Hall of Fame.

Emotion, humor and heartfelt gratitude were expressed in droves during the induction ceremony, held at WesBanco Arena.

The Wheeling Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017 includes six living inductees — Margaret Ann “Peg” Brennan, J. Ross Felton, Betty Woods “Snookie” Nutting, Mollie O’Brien, Frederick P. Stamp Jr. and Robert Villamagna; and four deceased — Dr. John Frissell, Charles P. Saad and Harry S. and Helen Sands.

Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott said he’s witness to a “renaissance” taking place in the city, due in no small part to the hall’s newest class.

“It’s a renaissance that’s been made possible by a lot of the people in this room and by a lot of the inductees,” Elliott said.

“We do stand on their shoulders, and I remind myself of that all the time.”

Brennan, inducted in the category of education and religion, taught history at Wheeling Central Catholic High School from 1968-79 and was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph for 25 years who continues to make an impact through research, writing, lectures and activism in historic preservation and education.

She was described by presenter the Rev. Bob Willits as someone who never lost sight of the fact the best teachers never stop being students.

“For me this honor is an Oscar, a Tony and an Emmy all rolled into one. … It means so much because it celebrates so many,” Brennan said. “This honor celebrates Wheeling, this grand place that we all love.”

Of Felton, inducted in the category of business, industry and professions, presenter Jeanne Finstein said, “There are few people who have had as great an influence on charting the course of modern-day Wheeling. As part of the management team at WWVA, he helped set the stage for the Winter Festival of Lights at Oglebay Park, Jamboree in the Hills, the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp. and professional hockey in the city.

“All of these things and events are still going on today. … Not bad for a poor boy from Preston County with a high school education,” said his son, Pat Felton, who accepted on his father’s behalf.

Also inducted in the category of business, industry and professions, Frissell — who moved to Wheeling in 1836 and died in 1893 — was a pioneer in the surgical field who was instrumental in developing three medical institutions in the city, including Wheeling Hospital. He saved the life of Union Col. Benjamin Franklin Kelley, who was wounded grievously at the battle of Philippi in 1861 and would go on to be promoted to brigadier general.

“It was through his commitment that, before West Virginia was a state, Wheeling had a hospital,” said Tony Martinelli, vice president of pharmacy services for Wheeling Hospital, who accepted on Frissell’s behalf.

Of Nutting and her work to preserve Wheeling’s historic architecture, presenter Jay Frey said, “She sounded the call to action, and led the way at a time when preservation was not the mainstream movement it is today.”

Nutting — inducted in the category of public service — helped to save 22 buildings in the city, including several in the Monroe Street East Historic District, Chapline Street Row Historic District and Victorian North Wheeling. She also was involved in the effort to restore the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. She founded and served as president of the Victorian Landmarks Foundation in Wheeling. She was recognized as a Friend of Heritage by Wheeling Heritage and on June 20, 2013 — the Mountain State’s 150th birthday — was named a Distinguished West Virginian by then-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

“I bought my first building in 1967, and sold my last one just this year. … It’s been a lot of fun over 50 years,” Nutting said.

O’Brien, a Grammy Award winner, is known internationally as a folk, Americana, bluegrass and rhythm and blues singer. She was inducted in the category of music and fine arts.

A Wheeling native who now lives in Denver, O’Brien was unable to attend Saturday due to her daughter’s wedding. Accepting on her behalf was Cheryl Harshman, who read a letter from O’Brien.

“I am beyond pleased to join the ranks of this hall of fame. … Wheeling launched me well, and I am forever grateful,” O’Brien wrote.

Saad, who died in 2014 and is being inducted in the category of sports and athletics, was described by presenter Doug Huff as “a common man who reached uncommon heights.” He had a 30-year career in athletic training for major and minor league baseball, professional basketball and college athletics from 1951-81. In the off-season, he worked 33 years at the Wheeling YMCA.

Accepting on Saad’s behalf was his cousin, Rita Castle.

“When he was working, he always said, ‘I’m the luckiest guy in the world,'” Castle said.

Harry and Helen Sands, inducted in the category of philanthropy, both died in 1952. They established a trust that has given more than $7 million to charitable organizations in the Wheeling area, and also donated their farm, Sandscrest, which now is owned by the Sandscrest Foundation Inc. and is used as a religious and spiritual retreat of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia.

Professionally, Harry Sands was an electrical engineer, banker and businessman and was involved in establishing Wheeling’s first electric power company. Accepting on the couple’s behalf was Sarah Lydick, executive director of the Sandscrest Foundation.

Of Stamp, a senior status federal judge who continues to carry a full caseload, presenter David Javersak said, “Public service and Fred Stamp — like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you can’t have one without the other.”

“He’s a shining star in Wheeling. He understands the importance of education. He understands the importance of community. He understands the importance of family,” Javersak said.

Prior to being named a judge, Stamp maintained a private law practice in Wheeling for 30 years. He also served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1966-70.

“God bless the city of Wheeling,” Stamp said upon accepting his induction in the category of public service.

Villamagna, inducted in the category of music and fine arts, is best known for creating assemblages from repurposed tin and other “found” materials. For that reason, presenter Cheryl Harshman said, he can be described as “the Tin Man with a heart.”

His art is “quirky, beautiful, stop-you-in-your-tracks … kind of art,” Harshman said. “You know it’s Bob’s work when you see it, because it’s so unique.”

A winner of numerous awards, Villamagna has been recognized as an artist of the year by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. He is an Army veteran and former steelworker who used that background as artistic inspiration after enrolling in Franciscan University of Steubenville in his late 30s.

“When I heard I would be presented with this award, it kind of knocked my socks off,” Villamagna said.

Saturday’s induction ceremony brings the total number of inductees in the Wheeling Hall of Fame, which welcomed its first class in 1980, to 132.

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