Communities Come Together for Celebrations
By SHELLEY HANSON Staff WriterArticle Photos
WHEELING - The last time Dale Emerick watched Wheeling's fireworks display, the Wharf Garage still was standing along the Ohio riverfront.
On Saturday, even before the show started, Emerick was admiring his new view of the river and Heritage Port, along with his wife, Elizabeth, and 8-year-old son Dennis. The family now resides in Ruther Glen, Va., and was in the city visiting Dale Emerick's parents, Ron and Betty Emerick.
For Elizabeth Emerick, the Fourth of July is a special holiday.
"It's a very important day. It speaks of freedom," she said.
Dennis said his favorite part of Independence Day is fireworks, though he's not quite sure why.
"It brings together our family and friends and neighbors, and lets us know we can get through this," Elizabeth Emerick said of the recession.
"I'd like to see our people come home, too," she added, referring to U.S. troops overseas.
The celebration included a free concert with patriotic tunes played by the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra at the port's amphitheater.
Boaters also joined the scene. A few raced up and down the river, along with people on jet skis.
Wheeling residents Janet Uttermohlen and Howard M. Dorsey placed their lawn chairs in prime fireworks-watching position at the venue. Dorsey noted the concert and display is a good way for families to enjoy the holiday.
"This is good for the public. ... A lot of families can't afford to participate in a lot of activities," he said.
Maggie Espina of Wheeling said her family loves all activities at the waterfront.
"We would come every weekend if they had an activity," Espina said.
Her son, T.J., said he enjoys the symphony performances. And daughter Kristen noted she likes community events that bring people together.
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good4u
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07-06-09 9:42 AM
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WOW! How sad is it when an article about July 4th events with a title " Communities Come Together for Celebrations" brings about comments of bashing liberals? July 4th was a holiday for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation (even though it did start over white slave owning aristocrats did not want to pay taxes, but that's besides the point)! So while I was eating my burger and watching the fireworks, those crazy conservatives were sitting around and complaining (because they are so good at it). The conservatives make The Grinch seem like Santa himself!
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iheartwv
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07-06-09 5:26 AM
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Gee, Ellis ... "Liberals look down on military people and view them as uneducated savages " WOW what a statement !!!
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EllisWyatt
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07-05-09 9:12 PM
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Examiner Many thanks to your son-in-law. He is a true hero. It is because of men like him, now and in our past, that we can sit peacefully and watch fireworks. I don't know about others but I wake up each day and Thank God that I was lucky enough to be born in the USA. This is the greatest country in the history of the world because our Founders believed that our citizens had certain, inalienable rights and they committed these rights to our written Constitution. This freedom was gained by the sacrifice of patriot blood. Our freedoms do not come naturally and they are not free. The government and the ACLU do not keep us free. It is men like your son-in-law who have stood on the fence, for 233 years. It is these men who keep us free. Liberals look down on military people and view them as uneducated savages. I look up to these brave men and view them as our heroes. Thank you, again, to your son-in-law, and to all the brave warriors who keep us free. God bless.
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examiner
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07-05-09 12:50 AM
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Gosh, I remember watching the fireworks at the Warf, that was the place to be. I have been gone from Wheeling for over 40 years, when I come home to visit it is so sad, because I remember Wheeling being so full of life. On Saturday's I think everyone came to downtown Wheeling. I remember LS Good's, The Hub, Murphy's and of course Elby's. Now when I come home the city is just dead, so sad. Most of the young people have to move away because they have no chance at a future with locating a job. I do love to come home to visit but like I said I do find great sadness in seeing the town now, compared to what I remember growing up, but it is not just Wheeling, the town I live in now, the same things have happend, people tell me how it use to be here, and now it also has changed. I guess this is what you call life! However on this Independence Day my family truly will be celebrating, our son-in-law is enroute home from Afghanistan, He is a career Marine, in 18 months he will have served 20yrs.
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