BURGETTSTOWN — Approximately 70 area residents gave former Burgettstown Community Library librarian Arletta Zelenko a standing ovation May 12 during the Stunda Good Egg Award presentation.
The Stunda Good Egg Award is presented to an area resident who does community, volunteer or charitable work. The Burgettstown Community Library has sponsored the award since 1980.
“I say this with certainty: Arletta was underpaid and overworked,” said Karen Anderson, board treasurer. “She came to our rescue so many times. We could not have kept the library running without her.”
Guest speakers at the event included Shirley Marcucci, Tami Radomski, James Petrucci, Yvonne Dunmore, Debbie Vraninin and Lynn Hill. Following the prepared remarks, several of those in the audience also spoke, praising Zelenko’s volunteer efforts and her dedication to the library and community.
Radomski, Zelenko’s daughter, spoke about Zelenko’s many roles in the community and the hours she dedicated to sorting books, doing paperwork and preparing for story hour.
“She always had a smile,” she said. “She was engaging, warm, sincere, and always, always pleased to see us. She has a gift to touch hearts and minds, and the hearts and minds she touched will go on to touch others.”
“I think she deserves this award,” said Marcucci. “She is really worthy.”
Dunmore, who worked at the library with Zelenko, said she was a boss, friend, mother and sister to her.
“It has always been a pleasure working with her,” she said. “We’ve had a blast, haven’t we?”
Petrucci spoke about the importance of volunteering and what a great resource the library is to the community.
Hill spoke about the trust the community placed in Zelenko, which he said was instrumental in the opening of a branch of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame at the library.
“I know you love Burgettstown, and I want to make it official: Burgettstown loves you,” he said.
Vraninin, a former library board member, spoke about her long friendship with Zelenko and the many hours Zelenko volunteered
“When she was hired as librarian, it was a dream come true for the Burgettstown area and for Arletta,” she said.
She also spoke about the story hour which Zelenko began at the library.
“She nurtured so many young children,” she said. “She felt that was her gift to the community.”
Zelenko thanked those in attendance and listed many of those who volunteered alongside her over the years and praised the Stunda family for their dedication to the library and recognizing volunteers.
“So many people came my way over the years,” she said. “I enjoyed thoroughly the interaction with people. I was blessed.”
She also spoke about her experiences with story hour.
“They were all exceptional — the moms, grandmothers, dads and caregivers,” said Zelenko.
Volunteers were the “true heart of the community,” she said. “Without them, there would be no library and no good eggs.”
The Good Egg award originated in 1980 and was awarded through 1983 before a hiatus in 1984. In 1985, it was renamed the Stunda Good Egg Award, in honor of John and Barbara Stunda, who died in an automobile accident. Barbara Stunda created the ceramic eggs that were given to the Good Egg recipients.
The Good Egg receives a personalized ceramic plate and a donation is made by the Stunda family in the award recipient’s and their parents’ honor.
Zelenko served as the community librarian for 25 years before her retirement. She continues to volunteer her time at the library one day a week. She also worked as a Burgettstown High School librarian’s aide for 12 years prior to taking the position at the Burgettstown Community Library. Before her retirement, she spoke about the importance of the library board in creating a “legacy” and improving upon the offerings available.
Zelenko declined Good Egg nominations prior to her retirement, citing a conflict of interest, as she organized and supervised the ceremony.
Former Good Eggs include:
¯ Dina Filipponi, merchant
¯ Clara Lanczak, principal
¯ Ken Howard, teacher
¯ Vincent Testa, youth sports
¯ Mildred Ralston, Meals on Wheels
¯ Charles Lawson, postal carrier
¯ Linda Farulli, Lollipop Lady
¯ Wayne Jeffrey, fireman
¯ Bill Steward, medical center
¯ Lou Pradetto, youth sports
¯ Gracie Prestion, beautification committee
¯ Ed DiNino, youth sports
¯ Jeannette Matesic, senior center
¯ Evelyn Beard, volunteer
¯ Philip Pavan, electrician
¯ Edie Jones, veterans’ group, library, historical society
¯ June Mancinelli, beautification committee
¯ Clara Alvarez, beautification committee
¯ Nadene Dodds, Meals on Wheels
¯ Joe Abate, volunteer
¯ Dave Choman, carpenter
¯ Ray Balogna, businessman
¯ Charles Fletcher, volunteer
¯ Debbie Vraninin, library
¯ Dan Johnson, Boy Scouts
¯ Jim Reedy, volunteer
¯ Kenny Tustin, fireman
¯ Luanne Hughes, volunteer
¯ Marci Campa, business owner
(Wallace-Minger can be contacted at swallace@pafocus.com)
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