Students recognized at chamber meeting
BROWNSVILLE — Several students in the Brownsville Area School District were honored Tuesday morning during the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce meeting.
The Rotary Club of Brownsville’s Students of the Month who were recognized throughout the school year were Angela Becker, Lexie Rohlf, Franchesca Legros, Rachel Bohna, Chelsea Gump, Brandon James Myrga, Rachel Fawley, Miranda K. Arison and Megan Yocabet.
Students introduced themselves to the chamber and discussed their future plans.
Chamber President Frank Ricco said they have been a big asset to the community.
“They’re outstanding and they were chosen because of their distinct qualities, and also we look at it from the standpoint of what they’re doing now as to what to expect of them in the future,” Mayor Lester Ward said.
In other business, the chamber cited a need for financial support in the chamber’s fundraiser for the Fourth of July fireworks scheduled for July 3. Although Ricco said the chamber would have enough to compensate the winner of the raffle, he said the chamber has several tickets left for sale. If the raffle ticket sales don’t improve, Ricco proposed looking at other fundraising options in the future.
Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by calling Brownsville Bus Lines at 724-785-3600.
With the Market Street Arts Festival scheduled for Friday through Sunday, chamber newsletter editor Connie Gore suggested the chamber send an additional email Thursday to notify newsletter subscribers.
Hoping for a large turnout, festival director Fred Lapisardi extensively discussed the weekend festivities planned, including an opening reception with hors d’oeuvres to be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Market Street Art Academy in the borough building at 200 Second St. Arts Horizons Awards also will be presented at that time. Live entertainment will start at 10 a.m. Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Guests are being invited to take a tour of the Christ Church Anglican on Saturday. Tours of the historic Church of St. Peter also will be available from 1-3 p.m.
In other business, the chamber:
n Announced that June 30 is the deadline for the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC) tax credit program. BARC was approved for $144,000 but has only raised $15,000 in donations, according to Jamie Brackman, OSM/Vista for the Appalachian Coal Country Team. Funds would go toward restoring 27 Market St.
Businesses that donate will receive 75 percent back on their donations and 15 percent when federal taxes are distributed.
n Announced a banquet that will honor Carl DellaPenna, owner of NAPA Auto Parts on Market Street in Brownsville, for his community service efforts. The banquet will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at the Sons of Italy Lodge 737, 16 Race St. Tickets are $30 each.
n Opted to relocate the next chamber meeting to the Monongahela River, Railroad and Transportation Museum. Museum President Ernie Bradmon puts a lot of work into the museum, which hasn’t received the attention it deserves, Ricco said. Chamber members were encouraged to bring guests, so as to provide some publicity for the museum.