Silvia Ice of Belpre appreciates the outpouring of support since her terrible boating accident on Aug. 25 near Point Park.
Ice, a native of Brazil, told me this week the incident has brought her closer to God and made her realize the preciousness of each day. Ice underwent hours of reconstructive surgery on her face at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown after her personal watercraft collided with a boat on the Ohio River. She spent about 10 days in the hospital.
Last Saturday night, 150 people turned out for a benefit dinner to help Ice at the Eagles Club ballroom in Parkersburg. A check for $3,053 was taken to Ice by Petia Johnson and Patricia Hughes on behalf of the Movement International and Newcomers Club of the Mid-Ohio Valley, which sponsored the fundraiser.
Twenty-five cooks from about 18 nations brought their culinary specialties to the benefit dinner and dance.
Maria Corbin of Waverly, a native of Brazil, said Ice was doing amazingly well and making a great recovery from her accident. Corbin prepared Feijoada stew, rice and a vinaigrette salad for the dinner.
Natasha Stewart of Waverly, a native of Guyana, made a chicken potato salad and seafood fried rice for the occasion. She felt it was a miracle that Ice survived the accident and noted that her friend was doing much better.
Judy Shawver of Parkersburg, a native of Colombia, said she normally doesn't cook much, but she wanted to help the cause. "People from different countries help each other here," she said. Shawver prepared rice with Coca-Cola and raisins.
Laura Lagoa, Ice's mother, arrived from Brazil to stay with her daughter during her recovery.
Through a translator, Maria Cecilia Lima of Parkersburg, a native of Brazil, Lagoa said she was thankful for the help her daughter has received from area residents.
Ice, who did not attend the fundraiser, said the support from the local community was comforting to her family, who live in Brazil.
"You don't know how many people really care about you" until a crisis arises, she said.
Ice said she now looks at people and life differently and tries not to hold anger inside.
"God was with me," Ice said.
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The Actors Guild of Parkersburg won for its performance of "Tuesdays With Morrie" last Saturday at the West Virginia Community Theatre Festival in Glenville. The local show advances to the Southeastern Theatre Conference competition in March in Louisville, Ky. John Lee and Josh Martin played the acting roles in the show about a writer's conversations with his college professor, who is dying of ALS. The show was directed by Charlie Matthews, who was joined by the Guild stage crew, lighting and sound people at the festival. One of the three college professors who served as judges said he found it difficult to take notes for fear of missing the "Tuesdays With Morrie" performance, Lee said. Lee, a veteran actor/director/teacher of 54 years, is leading an organizational meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg for those interested in improving their acting skills. Dates and times of acting classes, taught by Lee, will be based on the wishes of people attending Sunday's meeting in the Guild's lower-level green room on Market Street. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
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About 50 bikers raised $1,355 for Wood County foster children during the third annual Fred Starkey Memorial Run last Sunday. The 80-mile, five-stop poker-style motorcycle ride started and ended at the Sly Fox, 13th and Market streets. Bobbi Starkey started the fundraiser in memory of her late husband, Fred, who owned the Sly Fox for many years and was dedicated to helping foster kids. The 25th annual hunger run, a parade of motorcycles starting at Grand Central Mall, will be 1 p.m. Nov. 11 to collect money and nonperishable food to benefit foster children in memory of Fred Starkey. The 35th annual toy run, sponsored by the Flying Circle Motorcycle Club to provide children with gifts at Christmas, will leave the mall at 1 p.m. Nov. 25 and end at the Sly Fox.
Contact Paul LaPann at plapann@newsandsentinel.com
