Rich Lucas

STEUBENVILLE — While the topics they have discussed have varied widely, each of the women and men who have been a part of the Herald-Star Speaker Series have had at least one thing in common — they brought a story to share, one told in a way that was designed to inspire, entertain and inform.

Jeff Hatcher, an internationally known screenwriter and playwright, will add his story to that list at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 when he takes the stage inside the auditorium at Indian Creek High School.

It’s the type of event that makes our area a great place to live, explained Rich Lucas.

“I think when you look at the effort put forth by the organizers and the quality of speakers that they bring, it adds to the quality of life in the community,” explained Lucas, the president of Main Street Bank.

The Wheeling-based financial institution is one of the sponsors for the presentation. It’s a role that fits perfectly with the bank’s mission.

Founded in 2001, it has grown to become one of the 10 largest banks in West Virginia and serves its customers through branches in Wheeling, Moundsville, Elm Grove, Wellsburg and Toronto. Supporting events in those communities is important to the bank, Lucas explained.

“Main Street Bank is committed to our region,” Lucas added. “We realize the value of the outreach program that we have.

“I always tell folks that the Upper Ohio Valley, to me, is a small, tight-knit community,” he added. “My little sister has joked that all of our small towns are her big family.”

Hatcher has numerous works for the stage, screen and television to his credit, and has won multiple awards. What will make his story even more interesting, Lucas added, is that Hatcher is from the area — he was born in Steubenville and is a 1976 graduate of Wintersville High School.

“After reading Jeff’s resume and seeing his body of work, I think his presentation will appeal to folks who are interested in plays, the screen — theater itself,” Lucas said.

Whether it be for the stage — “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” “Holmes and Watson,” “Three Viewings” or “The Compleat Female Stage Beauty” — the silver screen — “Stage Beauty,” “Mr. Holmes,” “Casanova” or “The Good Liar” — or the television screen –episodes of “Columbo” and “The Mentalist — Hatcher’s work has embraced a wide variety of topics.

The 1980 graduate of Dennison University will be add his name to a list of speakers that includes retired Secret Service Agent Clint Hill and his co-author, Lisa McCubbin; the late Tony Mendez, a former CIA of disguise whose real-life story was dramatized in the film “Argo” and who spoke with his wife, Jonna; Mark Geist, the defense contractor who was caught up in the Battle of Benghazi; Jeannine Pirro, the Fox News commentator and legal expert; and Eddie Olczyk, the NHL commentator and cancer survivor.

“Our Jefferson County office is very involved in our community,” Lucas said. “They always are looking for events that they can be a part of.”

That includes presentations like the speaker series.

“These events are real quality, and we need to support them,” Lucas added.

General admission tickets for the presentation are $25 each. A VIP package is available at a cost of $75 for one ticket and $125 for two tickets. That includes access to a private reception, which is scheduled to run from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Gaslite on Canton Road in Wintersville. The evening will feature a meet-and-great with Hatcher and a chance to have a photo taken with him, hors d’oeuvres, a drink ticket, transportation to and from the high school and preferred seating for the presentation.

For information or to purchase tickets, visit the Herald-Star at 401 Herald Square, or call Diana Brown at (740) 283-4711. Tickets also can be purchased on the websites of the newspapers.

Area high school and junior high school students will have the chance to attend the presentation at no charge, thanks to the support of local organizations, including the Steubenville and Weirton Heights Rotary clubs and the Steubenville Kiwanis Club.

Joining the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times as sponsors for the presentation are Eastern Gateway Community College, the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Main Street Bank, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and WTRF-TV. Special support is being provided by the Indian Creek Local School District, Em-Media, the Gaslite, Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority, Downtown Bakery, the Inn at Franciscan Square, Ferguson’s House of Furniture and Rich and Shirley’s Quick Print.