It’s not that she doesn’t like dogs. She does, but she doesn’t own any.
Instead, Susan Hagan is a cat lady.
Now, she’s a cat owner only because, well, truth be told, dogs take time. They need their humans so, recognizing that well known verity, Hagan selects humanity over selfishness.
As usual.
So, yeah, cats. “Kevin” and “Bob,” to be specific, and when Hagan isn’t interacting with her felines, she’s working or volunteering or effectively influencing for the betterment of today’s version of Wheeling and her future. At least that’s been the goal since she moved home in 2014, and sure, she’s misplaced her support in elected officials and some initiatives since but her motives always have been pure.
These days Hagan spends the majority of her free time serving as a board member for Unity Center, the Rentry Alliance, and Wheeling Health Right and volunteering for the Greater Wheeling Soup Kitchen so the folks in need of the services provided by those two non-profits need not worry. And yes, by the way, that IS why she will offer you the details on the upcoming Health Right Chef’s Auction at Wesbanco Arena on May 11.
- 17 local eateries
- Silent auction
- Live auction
- Taylor Jo & The Copper Creek Band
- The Hooch (band)
- 6-10 p.m.
- 27,000 patients
- Health Right’s biggest fundraiser of the year
Don’t worry. She’ll remind you between now and then.
What is the one kind of ethnic food we do not have in the Wheeling area that you believe would survive if opened?
Hands down Thai food. Although not my first choice for ethnic food (it’s top 3 but Peruvian and Dim Sum are top 2), Thai food has a broad appeal.
What improvement in the city of Wheeling you have heard about are you still waiting to see become a reality?
An actual full-on renovation of the McClure. Jeffrey had/has great ideas, but thoughts and actions are two very different things, and we’ve seen that time and time again. A top hotel in the downtown area would be a huge draw with all the events that go on throughout the year. We need a downtown heart and a beautiful mid-century modern hotel with a restaurant and bar area for entertainment would be the best thing that could happen.
Also, the overhaul of the OVRTA transportation system. There is a group of us working on it and we’ve made in-roads but there’s so much more to do. Transportation is the literal heartbeat of any city. Without it, many people cannot get where they need to be, and for some, it is a life-saving need.
Which closed movie theatre in the Wheeling area would you like to see reopen?
Well, since the Elm Grove drive-in can’t happen landwise, then I’m going with the drive-in in Glen Dale. Many a night as a kid was spent there, and it was so much fun. Drive-ins are making a comeback in some areas, and I’d love to see that happen here.
Who do you go – by yourself – in the area to just think?
The top of Mt. Calvary. I’ve gone to the top ever since I was a young adult. It’s a beautiful view and so peaceful.
Why cats and not dogs?
I own cats because my life is just too busy for dogs. Kevin and Bob keep it interesting, for sure. That being said, I ran a boarding kennel for a number of years in Greenwich, CT, and have a dog-sitting business I do on the side, so I get my dog fix from other people’s dogs.
