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Mackey Community

THE MACKEY Community Association has a long and rich tradition ingrained within the city of Martins Ferry. It is also an organization unfortunately battling for survival.

The Mackey Community Association — housed in cinder block building known as the Mackey Community Center — is running low on both members and money. A lack of either could spell the end to the closely-knit group. That would be a major disappointment.

The Mackey organization dates it roots to the 1950s.

Since that time, the association has positively touched countless lives. It serves as a venue for weddings, showers, variety shows and many other events.

Velma Applegarth served as president of the association for 25 years. Unfortunately, she died in late 2014. Her death created a large void in Mackey operations.

Olga Poluga has accepted the role of new president. She is 93 years of age. Such commitment speaks volumes of what Mackey means to its members.

John Applegarth, Velma’s son, is working passionately to honor his mother’s memory. He is encouraging anyone with ties to the Mackey Avenue neighborhoods or The Bulltown Men’s Association or its annual reunion tradition to contact Olga at 740-633-9167 to coordinate the purchase of a membership or for information about how to help the center’s doors remain open to rental customers.

The membership has worked hard in recent years to upgrade the facility. The center is home to great camaraderie and friendship.

We commend the Mackey Community Association members for their dogged fight to remain in existence. It is also hoped that the public steps up to help alleviate their financial issues.

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