To the editor:
As the 18th-annual Fort Steuben Summer Concert Series has come to an end, the staff and volunteers of Historic Fort Steuben wish to thank all the sponsors and attendees for another wonderful season of free live music in the Ohio Valley. Even the weather cooperated this year allowing us to add a bonus concert last Thursday.
Planning for the concerts begins in February with suggestions and recommendations from survey results and friends. Rick Witkowski of Studio L and Earl Tuttle of Ohio Valley Audio work with our volunteers to develop a diverse and entertaining schedule. Businesses, organizations and enthusiastic families contribute the funds through sponsorships and general donations when we pass the bucket at each performance.
For the past two years, we have been proud to receive an ArtSTART grant from the Ohio Arts Council as we have provided access to the arts to everyone. We are grateful to WTOV-TV, our media sponsor, for promoting the concerts and to our Facebook followers for sharing the schedule.
The Herald-Star posted photos and information, as well. We are truly privileged to have had Deb Witkowski as our master of ceremonies -- she also gave our audience updates on the other events in the valley.
Our weekly vendors were faithful to offer a variety of refreshments for the audience. It takes cooperative efforts to ensure that the grounds and facilities are clean and safe and that the entertainers have what they need to give their best performances, and we thank our volunteers: Larry Bauer, Sam Bezac, Patrick McLaughlin, Bob Jablonski and Larry Coleman.
We will be posting a survey online and in the Herald-Star to get input for the future -- please take a moment to complete it and return it to us (See Page 4D of today's edition.)
And if it is possible, be sure to thank or patronize some of our many sponsors: The Kessler Family, the Center of Music and Art, Steubenville Electrical LMCC, Fort Steuben Maintenance, Capital Health Services, Ed and Susan Hershey, Upper Ohio Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, Naples Spaghetti House, Hauser's Furniture, Dominic and Debby Macedonia, D'Anniballe and Co. CPA, the Spot Bar, Chug and Debbie Roberts, Pastaio Cucina, Ace Optical, McBane Insurance, Lancia Healthcare, Mosti Funeral Home, Cardinal Operating Co., First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union, Hollywood Center, Borden Office Equipment, J.D. DiCarlo Distributing Co., Cattrell Cos. Inc., Manfred's Lounge and Catering, the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Steubenville Rotary Club, Steubenville Kiwanis Club and Huberta Siciliano.
Together, we can continue to provide opportunities for the arts to flourish in our community.
Judy Bratten
Director
Historic Fort Steuben