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In case you haven't noticed, the big events that help bring members of our community together have returned.
And, if you need any additional proof all you need to do is take a look at the calendar.
Things have been busy this weekend -- on Saturday, for instance, the Ja'Quan Lavender Foundation: The Journey to Gold was recognizing community champions during an event at the St. Florian Event Center in Wintersville. The Gold Gala provides a way to recognize community leaders and to raise money for the foundation, which was founded in 2020, works to empower youth in pursuing their hopes and dreams through professional programming and mentorship.
In Wellsburg, meanwhile, Saturday also was a special day -- it included an alumni gathering of the Brooke High School Madrigal Choir and the official dedication of the school's theater in honor of Rick Taylor, a longtime choir and music director at the school. Taylor, who taught at the school for 32 years, also directed 28 theatrical productions at the school and served as an assistant band director.
The event also serves as a way to showcase the $112,000 in improvements that recently have been made to the school's auditorium. That includes the replacement of the stage's curtain and rigging as well as new exterior doors to the hall.
Things don't get any slower -- on Tuesday, the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Membership Meeting and Awards Banquet at Undo's in the Holiday of Weirton-Steubenville. It will be the 86th-annual gathering for the organization, and will be sponsored by Trinity Health System, Southwestern Energy, Summer's Enterprise, the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley, Starvaggi Industries, John Cucarese-New York, West Virginia Northern Community College, Borden Office Equipment, Eastern Gateway Community College, Electric O, Frontier Group of Companies, Hancock County Savings Bank, United Bank and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort.
Cocktails will begin at 5:15 p.m., with the dinner set for 6 p.m.
The last week in April will feature three big events, beginning April 26, when the Rotary Club of Steubenville holds its 100 (Plus 2) Anniversary Celebration at the St. Florian Event Center.
If it seems like that's a strange name for an event, you're right. And, like so many other things that have affected us, it can trace its genesis to the COVID-19 pandemic that hit hard about three years ago.
The organization was chartered on April 1, 1921, and plans had been in the works for a centennial celebration in the early spring of 2021. When the restrictions that had been put into place made a large gathering impossible to pull off, the gathering had to be delayed -- until now.
While the event, which will start with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar at 5 p.m. and continue with the dinner and program at 6 p.m., will feature recognition of club members past and present and other presentations, the highlight of the evening will be the appearance of Stephanie A. Urchick, who will serve as president of Rotary International for the 2024-25 term.
Tickets are available through April 14 at a cost of $50 per person.
Just two days later, on April 28, the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women's Club will hold its wine and Shoe Extravaganza at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Mingo Junction. Money raised through the annual event will help to fund the scholarships presented annually by the organization.
Attendees will have the chance to vote among five candidates -- Shannon Irvin, Sara Lane, Lisa Mort, Amy Parikakis and Rosann Trimmer -- for the annual woman of the year award.
Tickets are available through April 21 at a cost of $30 per person.
And, on April 30, the Ohio Valley Health Center will hold its annual gala at St. Florian Event Center. The theme for this year's event, which is chaired by Dr. Tom and Suzanne Brown and Dr. Kaitlyn Pitchok, is "Hats Off to OVHC -- Hope, Health and Healing." Celebrating its 17th anniversary, the evening will pay tribute to the Kentucky Derby and begin with a mint julep hour that starts at 5 p.m.
Fun always is a part of the evening, but it has a serious purpose -- it raises money that helps to ensure the center, which is located at 423 South St. in Steubenville, can continue its mission of providing quality health care to the uninsured and underinsured residents of the area.
Tickets are $65 per person and are available through April 21.
These are just a few examples of the many events that are held around the region each year.
And, while their themes vary, they each allow those who attend the chance to relax in the company of friends, maybe make a new friend or to and to help raise money for organizations that are working to make a difference in the lives of members of the community. They also provide an opportunity to recognize the many hard-working men and women whose efforts help to improve the lives of people throughout the region, work that is vital for our communities to continue to grow.
(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. He is a longtime member and three-time president of the Rotary Club of Steubenville, and is serving as co-chair for the organization's April 26 dinner.)