Jan Semmel named Volunteer of the Year
Zelienople council named Jen Semmel as Volunteer of the Year for 2022, commending her choice to step in as recreation manager after the borough’s previous recreation manager departed.
“This year, we have chosen a person who has done quite a job for the borough over the last few years — Jen Semmel,” said Don Pepe, borough manager. “When we lost our recreation manager — wrong time, right before the pool opened — Jen stepped in basically as an unpaid pool and park manager. She did it for over a year.
“She then helped us to be able to find a new park manager permanently, which we’ve done, and we felt that this was an appropriate time to honor Jen for all the work that she’s done.”
Local leaders handed Semmel a glass trophy and announced that the city would create a plaque with her name on it to endure throughout the years, noting both her dedication and talent at fulfilling challenging responsibilities toward the community at a time of rapid change.
Semmel turned to the council and lifting her award. She said the unique achievements that took place during her time in leadership occurred only because of every community member who contributed.
Zelienople’s council also discussed plans for the annual Lions Club Halloween Parade at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27. Since trick-or-treaters would be out the same night, members wondered how to handler the two events at the same time. Council members said they might restrict parking along Main Street from the Walgreens near Beaver Street to New Castle Street.
This story was updated at 3:53 p.m. Sept. 14 to reflect that the Zelienople Halloween Parade is at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27. A previous version had the incorrect date.
