Recent Stories

Articles by Tracey Ferguson

June 24, 2019

Eric Rayner —Face of the Fireworks—to be Inducted into Festival Hall of Fame

He will forever be known as the man on a mission to save the Festival fireworks. Eric Rayner, 26, of Ellport wasn’t going to let the 2019 Festival go on without the beloved fireworks. He refused to settle for it. So Rayner rallied the community with a goal of raising $5,000 to save the display. Not only did he meet the goal … he more than doubled it, raising $11,230. His charismatic approach to inspiring others was not lost in the dollars and cents and money matters of the fundraiser. His step-up-and-do-something attitude earned Rayner an induction into the Ellwood…

June 23, 2019

Joe Ferrara—A Founding Father—to be Inducted into Festival Hall of Fame

Joe Ferrara is no stranger to the stage, and that charisma and charm is what made him the perfect person to lead and organize the entertainment at the Festival. Ferrara one of the Festival’s founders was there from day one and even before that. Festival Chairwoman Raylene Boots revealed a little history and told a story of a pre-Festival entertainment event that Ferrara helped to organize. It was a musical revue thought up by 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee Mary Wiley. She presented the idea to Denny Schill and Ferrara, who gave a thumbs up. She suggested that the revue…

June 21, 2019

Ellwood City Garbage Causing a Stink

Ellwood City’s recycling program is down in the dumps. The landfill to be exact. The situation has gotten so bad, according to Ellwood City Manager David Allen, that waste management companies are refusing to take our items. He said in a recent council meeting that when one of these companies hears the name Ellwood City, they want nothing to do with our waste. This is happening, Allen said, because non-recyclable items are ending up in the recycling containers. Stuff such as grass clippings, dead animals, liquids that aren’t meant to be disposed of in regular trash and recycling containers, and…

June 20, 2019

Ellwood City’s Annual Cleanup to be Held in August

If you have waste to get rid of, here’s your chance. On Saturday, August 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. the borough will have dumpsters available at their 1200 Factory Avenue site. The cost is $8 per vehicle load. Residents must have a tag to be able to drop off waste. Tags must be purchased in advance at the utility window at the borough building, 525 Lawrence Ave. Borough employees will be on site to help and to monitor drop off. There is also an option to have waste picked up curbside at a cost of $25 per house….

June 19, 2019

Ellwood City Medical Center Offering Kidney Classes

As part of its outreach efforts, Ellwood City Medical Center will be hosting “Kidney Smart Classes.” The next class will be held June 24 at 1 p.m. in the Ellwood City Medical Center’s Basement Dining Room, 724 Pershing Street. Victoria Gatto, the center’s marketing manager, said this is just one of the programs being offered to help the hospital connect with the community. “At Ellwood City Medical Center we want to provide health education to community members to be able to take charge of their health, whether it be preventative or disease management,” Gatto said. During the class, the following…

June 19, 2019

Festival Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The Ellwood City Festival Committee has announced this year’s 2019 Festival Hall of Fame Inductees. Honored will be: Joe Ferrara, nominated by his daughter Lauranne Ferrara Pat Marinaccio, nominated by his son Lee Marinaccio Larry “Hoss” Crable, nominated by his niece Jillian Court Eric Rayner, nominated by Blanche Novak Ellwood City Wolves First United Methodist Church Ellwood City Rotary Also recognized will be the 2018 Hall of Fame: Mary Wiley, Tom Martz, Dom Viccari, Brok’n Pic, and No Money Down The Hall of Fame ceremony will be Saturday, June 29, at 1:00 following the awards for the 10K race. Nominations for…

June 18, 2019

Hands On: New Doctor to Present Coffee Chat at Medical Center

Suffer from hand or wrist pain? The Ellwood City Medical Center is hosting a Free Informational Coffee Chat: “Get a Grip on Hand Pain: Causes and Treatment for Common Hand & Wrist Problems.” The chat will be presented by Dr. John Ho, D.O, Golla Center for Plastics and Podiatry at Ellwood City Medical Center. The Coffee Chat will be held,Thursday June 20 at 6 p.m. at the Ellwood City Medical Center Basement Cafeteria Area, 724 Pershing Street, Ellwood City, PA. Victoria Gatto, marketing manager for the medical center, said she hopes this is just the beginning of such educational interactive…

June 13, 2019

Fireworks Fundraiser More Than Doubles Goal: $11,230 Raised

The fireworks fundraiser earned double plus its $5,000 goal tallying out at a final number of $11,230. A goal which started with one concerned 26-year-old Ellport man, Eric Rayner, turned into a community wide effort and gained the support of residents and businesses across the Ellwood City area. “To know that we raised over double what we needed is mind blowing, considering that we didn’t ask any business or groups for donations,” Rayner said. “To see how many business and groups reached out to us, along with all the members of the community who donated and bought shirts truly shows…

June 13, 2019

Ellwood City Festival Releases Entertainment Schedule

        Below is the entertainment schedule for the 2019 Festival. Friday, June 28 11 am Flag Raising National Anthem, vocalist Richard Agey 11:15 am Little Miss Firecracker 12:30-1:00 Tribute to Veterans vocalist Richard Agey 2:00-3:30 Wash Board Tony and Son 4:00-5:00 Wine and Spirit 5:30-6:30 Dance Expressions dancers 7:00-8:00 Hat Trick 8:30-10:00 Brok’n Pic Saturday, June 29 11 am Flag Raising National Anthem, vocalist Lee Corfield 11:15-1:00 Trophies for 10K Race 2:00-3:00 Studio P dancers 3:30-4:30 Harmony in Song 5:00-6:00 Ellwood City Civic Chorale 6:30-8:00 Trevolta Band 8:30-10:00 Elmo’s Fire Sunday, June 30 11 am Flag Raising…

June 12, 2019

Festival Announces Little Miss Firecracker Participants

On Friday, June 28, Ellwood City’s Folino Stage will again ‘light up’ as 17 young ladies vie for this year’s title of Little Miss Firecracker. The 5th annual pageant is the kick-off for the 39th Ellwood City Arts, Crafts, Food, and Entertainment Festival and will begin at 11:15 am. The three-day festival will take place in Ewing Park, Ellwood City. Pageant participants range from ages 5-7 and live within a 15 mile radius of Ellwood City. They will be judged on their stage presence, patriotic outfits, and interviews. The 2018 reigning Little Miss Firecracker is Dia Greco. Becky Guisler, pageant…