Community news from around the area
Libraries to close for the holidays
The Brooke County Public Library in Wellsburg and the Follansbee Library will be closing at noon Dec. 24. The libraries will remain closed through Jan. 1.
Library to screen drama
FOLLANSBEE — The Follansbee Library will be showing the rated-PG-13 drama “White Bird,” based on the book by R.J. Palacio, at noon on Friday.
Attendees are welcome to bring a bagged lunch, according to library officials. Popcorn and bottled water will be available. To reserve a seat for the free screening, call (304) 527-0860 or visit brookecountylibs.org/events.
Free Christmas dinner planned
STEUBENVILLE — Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will be holding its 14th-anual free Christmas Day Memorial Dinner event from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 25 at the church, located at 300 S. Fourth St. in Steubenville. The dinner will be dine-in only. Carryout will not be offered, officials noted. For information, contact the church at (740) 282-9835 or visit its website at HolyTrinitystb.org.
Local authors complete book
WEIRTON — Local authors Jane Kraina and Mary Zwierzchowski gained success with their first book “Secrets in the Mist: The History of Brown’s Island.”
Because of the public’s interest in local and state history, the two women began compiling stories they had written throughout the years for state publications. They added new historical material and updated their book with new accounts, including clarifications of key questions they posed in that work.
Kraina and Zwierzchowski’s new book is entitled, “Murders, Misfortunes, Mystics and More: True Tales from West Virginia.” The book is dedicated in memory of Pamela Makricosta, who died in 2023. Makricosta was a local author who inspired the women, as well as other writers throughout the years. Her history piece is in the new book and covers her family’s heritage and Greek culture in the area.
Kraina and Zwierzchowski joined the staff of the Mary H. Weir Public Library where Makricosta worked for years until her death. With encouragement from their writer’s group, Zwierzchowski collaborated on a piece about gypsies who lived in the Kings Creek area in the 1930s. The story became one of the most-popular stories for Goldenseal and were re-published for its 40th-anniversary edition. It involves the story of the King of Gypsies who settled close to where the Serbian Picnic grounds are now located. It is the first story in their collection.
Kraina stated she believes someone is a writer when they choose to pick up a pen or begin typing on a computer in order to create a work.
“Some famous authors’ works did not get printed until after they died,” she stated. Kraina gave the examples of Herman Melville, who wrote the famous work “Moby Dick,” Edgar Allen Poe who specialized in mystery and the macabre and Emily Dickinson, whose complete works of poetry weren’t published until 1955 despite her living in the late 1800s. Some of the stories in their new book reveal murders and subsequent trials. Others detail tragic accidents. Still, others tell of interesting events. The new book can be purchased at local businesses and museums, including the Fort Steuben Visitor Center, Bookmarx and the Antique Warehouse. In Weirton, those interested in obtaining a copy can visit Prime Books, the Mary H. Weir Public Library, the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center and Athena’s of Weirton. Smith Oil has copies available at stations in New Cumberland, Wintersville, Wellsburg, Wheeling, East Liverpool, New Cumberland and Moundsville. The book also can be purchased on amazon.com.