Kiwanis Club prepares a new welcome for Wellsburg | News, Sports, Jobs

A NEW WELCOME — Wellsburg has three new welcome signs thanks to money raised at the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club’s third annual Duck Derby. Gathered at the sign on State Route 2 at the north end of town were, from left, Wuela Heceta, Ellen Daugherty, Pamela Dudley, Teresa Fithyan, Tiffany Gale, Aimee Livingston, Mayor Dan Dudley, Sandy Kemp, Robin Snyder, Joan Brown, the Rev. Frank Haas and Eric Fithyan, president. — Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Motorists entering town from the north or south or from the west on State Route 27 will be greeted with a new reception, thanks to the efforts of the Wellsburg Kiwans Club and the numerous supporters of the group’s third annual Duck Derby.

The event raised over $30,000. The event also featured over 1,700 plastic ducks being thrown into the Ohio River to determine winners of several prizes and a 5K run followed by a walk through the city streets.

Eric Fithyan, the club’s president, said he noticed the existing welcome signs were worn and set out to replace them.

The posts of the previous signs read “Historic Wellsburg Welcomes You” on one side and “Thank you for visiting Wellsburg” on the other side.

Each also features images of fireworks, commemorating the city’s week-long Independence Day celebrations, a Grimes Golden apple, a variety of apple first grown in Wellsburg that inspired the Wellsburg Applefest, and, of course, several ducks.

There is also a removable sign with the name of the current mayor, which can be replaced if another person is elected to that office.

The aluminum signs were manufactured by G&S Signs of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.

Fithyan said the new signs improve the community’s image and benefit residents of all ages.