Phone: (330)-386-5443
Fax: (330)-382-0244

      For more than seven decades Elizabeth P. Carter has navigated through vast life experiences guided by two intrinsic beliefs: "The Answer is Love" and "Everybody is Somebody."
      They are beliefs Elizabeth practices daily through the Tri-State Promoters organization, formed 34 years ago in response to a variety of unmet needs of area school children and their families. Elizabeth, who worked then as a school crossing guard, and beloved East Liverpool educators Ann Johnston and the late Ruth Kincaid witnessed these needs and worked together to provide solutions that would allow the recipients to retain their dignity.
      With that philosophy the Tri-State Promoters was born and in that vein it continues to operate today with people helping people - reaching out to make life better. In its 34-year history the Tri-State Promoters has grown to provide an emergency food pantry 365 days a year, free clothing for children and adults, free piano and music lessons for anyone wishing to learn, a summer enrichment program for young people, good manners workshops for children, fellowship opportunities and the tools for building better self-esteem. The Promoters also provide dinners that feed more than 1,000 at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, as well as daily snacks for children and food giveaways on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
      At the heart of the Promoters, making it all possible, are the sponsors and volunteers, who rally around Elizabeth to provide the assistance required to keep the organization going. "Without them, we could not do what we're doing," she says succinctly.
      The combined effort has garnered considerable notice. In 1990, former President George W. Bush named Elizabeth and her Promoters organization his 222nd Point of Light in his Thousand Points of Light program. Oprah Winfrey aired a segment about the Promoters on her television show in 1994. Elizabeth's call to help others was fostered in the strict, but loving Christian home of her parents, the late Ralph and Loyce Smith Pope and strengthened in the First Baptist Church of Midland and the multi-cultural Penn-Ohio Avenue neighborhood where she was raised.       As it was then, music continues to be an integral part of Elizabeth's life. A pianist and choir director of First Baptist Church since age 13, Elizabeth infuses her family's tradition of musical fellowship into Promoters' programs as well.
      Elizabeth and her husband Richard W. Carter, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary August 26. They are the parents of sons, Ralph and Rick Carter. They have eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

      Whether he is stalking the sidelines and endzone of Patterson Field on Friday nights during Potter football season; holding Monday midnight madness meetings over doughnuts at Giant Eagle, or crooning snippets of favorite songs and hymns at full volume through the downtown streets, Frank Dawson is the man with his finger on East Liverpool's pulse - the one who keeps it beating true Potter blue and white. Rarely in the city's history has any man given more of himself to the community that he has loved for nearly 65 years than Digger, who in his own words, was "born, bred and baptized" on Fifth Street in downtown, East Liverpool. And it is there, that he works at the only job he's ever held at the Dawson Funeral Home. Following in the footsteps of his father, the late Frank A. Dawson, Digger serves as company president and CEO. His leadership has brought the funeral home some of the industry's highest recognition for its pursuit of excellence and service.
      At the urging of community leaders and with the help of legions of volunteers, Digger established the East Liverpool High School Alumni Association. Thirteen years later, it boasts a membership of 16,000, has created a scholarship foundation with more than $400,000, and has held three all-school reunions drawing an estimated 10,000 each time. Testimony of Digger's willingness to put all that he has into all that he does is the restored 126-foot East Liverpool High School Alumni Association Clock Tower that stands sentinel over "Pottertown" tolling out the hour and a tune. A granite plaque placed at the door of the Clock Tower reads, "In recognition of Frank C. Dawson, who cared enough to inspire us all." The renewed community spirit sparked by the ELHSAA touched off a downtown revitalization project that has the city looking better than it has in years. Digger shares his pride in his hometown with his wife, the former Gretchen Beede, whom he met at their alma mater Baldwin-Wallace College, his four children, Belinda, CeCe, Dike and Cliff, and his four grandchildren.
      Digger serves on the Board of Trustees for Baldwin-Wallace College, where he was on the presidential search committee and is instrumental in the annual fund campaign. An avid football fan and unofficial high school football historian, Frank penned a 685-page book detailing the first 100 years of Potter teams.
      In what little spare time he has, it's not surprising to find Digger perfecting his latest card trick or offering an impromptu sleight-of-hand performance. One thing is certain -- wherever he appears, magic happens.

      Family, hard work, beauty and heritage were driving forces in the life of the late Frank J. Mangano, a native of Newell, WV. The son of an Italian immigrant, Frank took pride in his father's work ethic and accomplishments, often holding him up as an example of what could be achieved through hard work. Frank grew up pumping gasoline and changing tires at his father's service station.
      He incorporated into his lifestyle a strong appreciation for teamwork and "giving your all" -- gleaned from his high school and college sports experiences.
      As he grew into a man, Frank began his quest for excellence in all that he undertook. In 1968, he formed General Investors, a real estate development corporation that later became the Luzerne Co. His company holdings included radio stations WOHI and WELA and the Bayley Envelope Co. In 1984 Frank bought the D.M. Ogilvie Co., an East Liverpool landmark department store that was anchored at the corner of Fifth and Washington streets. In January 1986, he began construction of Ogilvie Square on state Route 170 in Calcutta. In 1991, he added Ogilvie Square East. Often described as happiest when in the process of building, he was a man who insisted on perfection in everything in which he became involved. His desire for perfection was further heightened by his appreciation for beauty, and he would go the extra mile to make a project aesthetically pleasing.
      Throughout his life, Frank amassed considerable wealth, but he kept a unique perspective about money. He often told his family the money did not belong to him, but rather it was a tool to be used. Frank was very generous with this tool. He used it to establish and endow the Mangano Foundation, through which his charities included the Clock Tower, area churches, the YMCA, and the Tri-State Promoters.
       Frank was as private a person as he was generous, and he insisted that his contributions be made with total anonymity. His insistence on privacy made him something of an enigma, for although he was a man known by many, he was well known by very few.
      Frank's unfortunate death in 1994 halted his effort to establish a community center; thus, the money was distributed to help construct the Frank J. Mangano Memorial Recreational Complex featuring an all-weather track at East Liverpool High School and an all-purpose building at Beaver Local High School. The remainder of the trust was placed with the Tri-State Citizen's Scholarship Foundation, where it has helped many pursue their dreams.
      Frank was the father of three daughters, Jill, Leanne and Christina, and a son, Frank Antonio Mangano.

      Gifted in both academics and athletics, Wheeling native Joseph C. Maroon has risen to the top of his field, serving as chairman of the department of neurosurgery at Pittsburgh's Allegheny General Hospital.
      Dr. Maroon was educated at parochial schools in Bridgeport and Bellaire, Ohio. His athletic abilities earned him a scholarship to the University of Indiana, where as an undergraduate, he was selected as a scholastic All American in football.
      Earning a bachelor of science degree in anatomy and physiology from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1961, Dr. Maroon received his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, in 1965. He did his medical and neurosurgery training at Georgetown University, the University of Indiana, Oxford University, England, and the University of Vermont. He began his practice at the University of Pittsburgh in 1972 and was professor and director of neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Hospital.
      In 1984, he joined Allegheny General Hospital as chairman of the department of neurosurgery and through his clinical and academic work, as well as his recruitment efforts, Dr. Maroon built Allegheny General Hospital into one of the top neurosurgical centers in the United States. His research into diseases of the spine and brain tumors has led to many innovative techniques for diagnosing and treating those disorders.
      Since 1977, he has served as team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and he has developed innovative programs for the management of athletes with cerebral concussions that are now used throughout the NHL and NFL.
      A neurosurgeon licensed in Indiana, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, Dr. Maroon also has been honored for his contributions to his field by the national neurological societies of many foreign countries including Japan, Brazil, Egypt, Lebanon, Korea, Thailand and Turkey. In 1986 he was honored by his peers and elected as president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the largest society of neurosurgeons in North America.
      He sits on the editorial board of five medical journals and has written two books, 210 scientific papers, and 35 book chapters.
      Dr. Maroon continues his athletic interest, completing more than 50 triathlon events including Ironman Triathlons held in Hawaii, Canada and New Zealand in 1993, 1996 and 1998 respectively.
      He and his wife, Lynn, are the parents of two daughters and live in Sewickley.

      Rising out of the depths of the Depression and its effects on his native community of Pughtown, or what is now New Manchester, W.Va., John H. McConnell carved the ladder on which he climbed to his success as founder of Worthington Industries, Inc. John founded his company in 1955, borrowing $600 on his 1952 Oldsmobile to help finance startup costs. Today, he is chairman emeritus of Worthington, the country's leading intermediate steel processor and a top manufacturers of metals related products with annual sales of approximately $2 billion.
      A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, John is recognized as a strong business leader and humanitarian. He has been lauded by Industry Week magazine for his excellence in management. Financial World magazine recognized him as an outstanding Chief Executive Officer of the Year. John notes he simply developed his management style in response to the likes and dislikes he personally experienced in the workforce at an auto plant and a steel mill.
      Following his military duty, John attended Michigan State University on the GI Bill and received his degree in business administration from the university in 1949. After graduation he worked in steel sales, gleaning much knowledge about the industry.
      The internationally recognized speaker and lecturer founded the McConnell Heart Health Center. As the majority owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League, he has pledged any profits realized from the team will go to Columbus charities. John adds he adopted the "pay forward" philosophy of his good friend, the late Ohio State legendary coach Woody Hayes. He established and endowed an educational foundation with $3 million to provide scholarships to three schools including Oak Glen High School in his native West Virginia.
      The recipient of the Horatio Alger Award and the national Football Foundation Gold Medal Award, he received the Ohio Governor's Award, the Mr. Ohio Gold Award and he is a member of the Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame and the Columbus Hall of Fame. He is a recipient of the Michigan State University Outstanding Alumni Award and was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Southern Illinois University.
      A 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, John is the recipient of honorary doctor of law degrees from Michigan State University and Ohio University and an honorary doctor of humanities degree from Ashland University.
      John married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Reardon, in 1946. They are the parents of two children.

      As this century winds to a close, Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, (Third Order Regular) prepares to embark on his 26th year of service as president of Franciscan University of Steubenville.
      As president, Father Michael is said to have brought the university back from the brink of bankruptcy to financial stability and was the spearhead of a spiritual revolution to lead the school out of what has been described as the "moral chaos" of the sixties and seventies. Franciscan University of Steubenville has come quite a long way. The National Catholic Register recently listed it as one of the 12 best Catholic colleges in the United States, and it was selected in 1995-96 and 1997-98 by the Templeton Foundation's Honor Roll for Character Building Colleges, as well as its 1997-98 Honor Rolls for Education in a Free Society, which recognizes America's academic best.
      Father Michael's duties include tasks such as fund raising for the university and working with outreach ministries, including the university's summer conferences and FIRE, a national Catholic evangelization ministry. He also will continue to host the nationally broadcast television program "Franciscan University Presents" shown on EWTN.
      Father Michael is a member of the Board for the Christian Film and Television Commission. He also serves as president of FIRE, a Catholic alliance for Faith, Intercession, Repentance and Evangelism.
      Father Michael has published numerous articles in religious periodicals and more than 16 books and booklets. A speaker at national and international conferences, he leads pilgrimages all over the world.
      He received the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 1990, the Founders Award from the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars in 1993 and the Protector Award from the Pro-Life Action League in 1995. In 1997 he received the Sacrae Theologiae Magister, an academic degree beyond the doctorate earned by demonstrating competency in the field of theology. It is the highest honor given by the Franciscan Order, and it is held by only two other Third Order Regular friars.
      Father Michael was ordained to the priesthood in 1964, after entering the Franciscan Third Order Regular in 1957. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1956 and served as Staff Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force and gained admittance to the New York Bar Association.

      (Posthumous) Michael Starvaggi's story is that of an Italian immigrant's pursuit of the American Dream. And while it may read like a classic rags-to-riches story, those who delve beneath the surface will find the true treasure revealed - the pure heart of a humble man.
      In 1912, alone and unable to speak the language of his new country, a 17-year-old Michael "Mike" Starvaggi stepped off a ship in New York Harbor with $5 in his pocket. He headed for Weirton, W.Va., where his aunt, Rosalie Ballato, lived. Once in Weirton, Mike settled down to his first job - carrying water to workers at the Weirton Steel Co. Within a few weeks Mike opened his first business, a grocery store on Main Street.
      Despite the store's success, Mike thought he could better serve his customer's needs by going to them. He made a decision to sell the store, buy a horse and wagon and take his goods to them. Soon Mike was peddling his fresh fruit and produce door to door.
      Blessed with a keen business sense and a willingness to work hard, Mike constantly explored other avenues of customer service. He hit upon the idea of a home delivery service that would bring ice to the doorstep in the summer and coal in the winter. He purchased more horses and wagons and in 1919 Mike opened the Weirton Ice and Coal Co. Other businesses followed including bus companies, a construction firm and more coal companies.
      Through hard work, Mike parlayed his humble home delivery business into Starvaggi Industries, Inc., which at one time employed 400 and had an annual payroll of $4 million. Despite his immense success, Mike never lost his humility, his willingness to help others, nor his appreciation for the natural beauty of the earth. He took great care and pride in restoring strip-mined land to a condition that was as good as or better than when he first went in.
      Although he and his wife Angeline never had any children of their own, they occupied a special place in his heart. Mike donated reclaimed land to be used for Little League and Termite baseball. He donated a 12-acre plot of land for construction of a new high school and church at St. Joseph the Worker, $200,000 toward the construction and furnishing of the Hancock County Children's Home and a $125,000 gift to the College of Steubenville for a new library.
      Mike built an empire with his willingness to work hard, his good word and good will. He died in 1979.

      Possessed with an incredible natural athletic ability, Norman Van Lier ruled the hardwood and gridiron at his Midland Lincoln High School alma mater before going on to claim basketball success at the college and professional levels.
      Regionally, the name Van Lier calls to mind the famed 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team that went undefeated and captured the state championship. The team, coached by Hank Kuzma, was led by the 6-foot-1 playmaker Norm Van Lier and his fellow senior, Simmie Hall. During his high school career, Norm also was an AP and UPI all-state choice in basketball and an all-star quarterback for the Leopard's football squad.
      His success continued at St. Francis College in Loretto, Pa. There, in his final two years, Norm led his team in scoring, averaging 18.8 as a junior and 21.0 as a senior. A two-time honorable mention by The Sporting News, he left the college as the school's All-Time Assist Leader, also earning his bachelor of arts degree in history and special education.
      Norm was a third-round choice by the Chicago Bulls in the 1969 NBA draft, but was traded to the Cincinnati Royals before his rookie season began. He led the NBA in assists as a rookie and made the NBA All-Star Defensive Team his second year. "Stormin' Norman" was then traded back to the Bulls, and the team was an NBA power through much of the seventies. The four-time NBA All-Star was frequently cited for the get-the-job-done attitude he brought to the game.
      Today, Norm Van Lier is in his eighth season as an in-studio analyst for Fox Sports Chicago, where he hosts the pre-game, half-time and post-game analysis of Chicago Bulls basketball games. He also appears on "Sports Sunday" on Chicago NBC-TV affiliate WMAQ Channel 5. He also is co-host of the popular daily drive-time sports talk show "The Bull and The Bear" on WSCR-AM 1160 "The Score" with longtime friend and Bears star Doug Buffone.
      Additionally, he appears at engagements throughout the country as a motivational speaker. He also provides skilled instruction to students in summer camps and to children with learning disabilities. In the early nineties, Norm was a member of Project Teamwork, a major national initiative sponsored by the Reebok Foundation and implemented by a multi-cultural team of former professional athletes whose objective is to improve racial, ethnic and human rights sensitivity among the school-age population.
      A son of Helen Van Lier of Midland and the late Norman Van Lier, Norm lives in Chicago and Los Angeles with his wife. They have two daughters, Heidi and Hilary.

      "Mr. Brooke County" is an apt name for Wellsburg native Elmer H. Vincent, known for his numerous civic and government involvements over the years.
      The 1941 Wellsburg High School graduate went to work at Wheeling Steel's Beech Bottom plant until entering the U.S. Navy in 1943. He married his first wife, Dolores, in July of 1942. She died in 1995.
      Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Elmer returned to Wellsburg and began serving his apprenticeship in the floral business under the GI Bill. His return home sparked a foray into community service, which continues today.
      Working at Wilkin's Flower Shop at first on a part-time, then full-time basis, Elmer took over full ownership of the business in 1966, operating it up until his 1997 sale of the shop. All the while, the father of five became more entrenched in community service and local government, serving in a number of capacities over the years.
      In the late 1950s, Elmer served as vice president of the Brooke County Council on Education, which worked to bring about the consolidation of three area high schools. Elmer was a strong advocate of providing vocational training for students.
      He also was instrumental in starting the first Brooke County Senior Center. Elmer also served on the Wellsburg Recreational Council, which provided summer employment opportunities and activities for young people.
      Elmer served as a Wellsburg council member from 1962 to 1966 and as a Brooke County Commissioner from 1967 to 1972.
      Additionally, Elmer has given years of service to the Brooke County Mental Health Board, the Brooke County Library Board and its Civil Service Commission, as well as a number of levy committees. He has the distinction of being only one of two people honored with a lifetime membership on the Brooke County Salvation Army Board, which he has served for 46 years. An elder at the Wellsburg Presbyterian Church, Elmer is active with the Wellsburg Masonic Lodge and Master Masons Lodge, the Elks, the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club and the Wellsburg American Legion Post 2, where he has been a member since 1946.
      The 1993 Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce's "Citizen of the Year," Elmer is the father of four daughters, Kathleen Prebil, Judith Vincent, Debbie Smith and Leona Thompson. His only son was killed in military service in 1974. He has 11 grandchildren. In 1996, he and his second wife, Dorothy, were married.