Serving as emcee this evening was Bridgeport Mayor Mario Blount, who welcomed more than 160 attendees and introduced city officials, festival organizers, past Benedum Fellows (listed below) and other distinguished guests.

Benedum Festival Queen Madison Moyer spoke on behalf of the festival's namesake, Michael L. Benedum, calling attention to his philanthropic spirit and reserve of strength.

Blount introduced keynote speaker, Brian Jarvis, a 30-year-old law school graduate and practicing attorney, who recently purchased Clarksburg Publishing Company, the entity which oversees operations of the 146-year-old Exponent Telegram, a daily newspaper which covers seven North Central West Virginia counties. In the role of president of that daily newspaper, Jarvis follows in the footsteps of his father, Cecil Jarvis, who passed away unexpectedly in 2007.

Jarvis immediately placed the focus on Benedum.

"Michael Benedum had the ability to make contributions to this community. He wanted to see quality of life improved," Jarvis said. "We're seeing that now and will continue to see that for centuries to come."

Jarvis elaborated on Benedum's community role by stressing the importance of every contribution, be it financial or otherwise. Everyone, he said, has the ability to be involved in the sense of participation. Making citizens aware of opportunity is a role which the Exponent Telegram plays, Jarvis said.

"A well informed citizen is a priceless asset to our community," he said.

Jarvis recognized Bridgeport as a community which knows the importance of strategic planning and which strives for high standards when it comes to being a choice location to raise a family and offer ample job opportunity. Jarvis's remarks were met with applause, after which former Bridgeport Mayor and previous Benedum Fellow Joe Timms provided a brief introduction to tonight's honorees.

"At first glance, these two are very different. They come from different generations and different backgrounds, but both have made contributions to the betterment of our community. They have made the city and the surrounding areas a better place to live," he said.

Filicsky, Timms said, came from Danville, Ill. in 1965 to settle in the Bridgeport community. He soon thereafter became involved in Bridgeport's planning commission and went on to tout the Benedum Festival in a number of ways, including promotion of the annual pet parade and photography contributions. He currently serves as president of the Bridgeport satellite of the Harrison County Senior Citizens, as well as a representative to the West Virginia Silver Haired Legislature.

Timms shared words offered by Filicsky's nominator(s).

"He has a kind word to say about people. He's a great individual with great morality, character and beliefs. He believes it is better to give than to receive."

As Filicsky took the microphone, his words fell upon listening ears. He said that even though he arrived in Bridgeport due to his role in the oil and gas industry, he hadn't heard of Michael Benedum.

"It didn't take long to hear about him - and it didn't take long to fall in love with West Virginia," he said. "And after seeing the friendliness of the people, I knew I was home."

Filicsky talked about how his father's belief in work ethic and equal treatment of all people played a major role in his life. He thanked his wife, Betty Sue, and several family members and friends in attendance.

Filicsky pledged to continue to help Bridgeport grow and prosper and said he was most honored to have been named a Benedum Fellow.

"I will treasure this honor for the rest of my life," he said.

Filicsky left the audience with some words of true inspiration.

"The answers to our own troubles is many times to help others in theirs," he said.

Timms introduced Hess, making mention of his many contributions to the community - with regard to medicine, education, music and volunteerism.

His contributions are many and include the formation of "Al Buterol & The Inhalers," a band of local physicans which has raised more than $250,000 for local charities. Also notable is the formation of CHIRP, a program which gathers used musical instruments and places them in the hands of young aspiring musical students. Hess was also given recognition for his role in forming the Bridgeport High School Alumni Band.

"Tonight we're honoring a person who has done many things in the community in the same spirit as Michael Benedum," Timms said.

As Hess took the floor, he said he was overwhelmed to receive this prestigious honor. He first called attention to some words of Martin Luther King regarding service to others. But the bulk of his speech honored the memory of his late mother, Alice Jo Hess, and the inspiration which she provided regarding service to others.

"My dad (Dr. Robert Hess) taught me medicine, but my mother taught me service," he said.

Hess talked about growing up in the home on the corner of Philadelphia Ave. and Worthington Drive and through the years, seeing the sacrifice and fruits of his mother's heart to serve. He laughed as he recalled the many medical students and residents to whom his mother opened the family home. He talked about the late hours she kept writing two books, one about family medicine and the other paying tribute to the history of the All Saints Catholic Church. She was also a key player in fundraising for Bridgeport Public Library and Shepherd's Corner.

Being named Benedum Fellow was a "complete surprise and honor" to Hess, he said.

The banquet concluded with words from Benedum Festival Chairman John Belcastro, who recognized his festival committee and sponsors. He enlightened attendees about the festival's inaugural oil and gas expo and gave them a glimpse into various activities to take place this weekend at Bridgeport City Park and other city locations.

"We have a fantastic event in store for those who want to come out and attend," Belcastro said. "And this festival couldn't be possible without the philanthropic spirit of Michael Benedum."

The Benedum Fellows committee and banquet is organized by Ruth and Bob Allen. GFWC Woman's Club of Bridgeport assists annually with the banquet. This year's event was financially sponsored by the Exponent Telegram. Providing music tonight was instrumentalist, Don Hamilton. Rev. Ken Ramsey gave tonight's invocation and benediction.

Read more about the festival and see an entertainment schedule HERE.

Click HERE to access the Benedum Festival website, including a full schedule of events.

Previous Michael Benedum Fellows:

1995: Dwight Fowler and David Johnson

1996: Evelyn Carter, C.E. "Jim" Compton, Margaret Merrels, Leonard J. Timms

1997: Catherine Clark and Carl Furbee

1998: Made McDaniel and Clyde Strother

1999: Father Hilarian V. Cann and Annabel Luebbe

2000: Robert and Ruth Allen

2001: Edgar Hess and Bea Quigley

2002: Shirley Hadorn and Robert Nichols

2003: Lenore Hinkle and Wayne Jamison

2004: Dr. Harry Murray, Jr. and Thelma Nutter

2005: Charlotte Cathell and Michael Martin

2006: Betty Jo Jones and Marvin Shelton

2007: Pat Murphy, Annabel Timms and L. Joseph Timms, Jr.

2008: Bradley Ford, Barbara Judy and Dr. Kelly Nelson

2009: Norma Duez, Richard Duez and William Klenk

2010: Marilyn Hess and Stan Kwaitkowski

2011: Paul Whiteman, Ellenor  Whiteman and Stephen Musgrave

2012: Mary Ellen Depue, Shirlene Isabella and Harry Nehrig, Jr.

Cover photo of Timms by Tyler Vincent of Ben Queen Photography www.benqueenphotography.com. Inside photos, also by Vincent, show from top: Jarvis, Filicksy and Hess.

See Vincent's gallery of tonight's banquet HERE.