1 | Page Rowlesburg River Lines Newsletter of the Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee P.O. Box 135, Rowlesburg, WV, 26425 RRC Board of Directors Co Chairs: George Nassif & Margaret Schollar Vice Chair: Eric Bautista Secretary: Anna Nassif Treasurer: Shirley Cook-Hartley Committee Members: Doris Rooks Jean Wolfe Helen Edmunds Debbie Martin Jewel Reed Joe Nassif Mary Wotring Crystal Dean - Past Chairman Roxanne Bautista Catherine Burke Walter Burke Norma Dowling Elma Lantz Leaman Chairman’s Report for RRC March 2014 Newsletter We wish to invite all former Rowlesburgers and RHS graduates to return to your roots to be part of “Hometown Teams”. This is a Washington D.C. Smithsonian Institution nation-wide Traveling Exhibition which will only visit 6 locales throughout the state of West Virginia. It will be situated in the RRC-owned building, the Szilagyi Center, (the venerable Old Rowlesburg High School) as a companion exhibit to the countywide hall of sports heroes and memorabilia, the unique 10-town Preston County Sports Museum. The Exhibit will be open in Rowlesburg from May 11 to June 21, 2014. Come see it during this period and particularly during the Memorial Day Weekend River City Festival of the Arts. This is when many returning former Rowlesburgers celebrate family & RHS class ties and enjoy the still beautiful, friendly and safe riverine mountain small town ambiance. We are also pleased to announce that by March 9, 2014, RRC, Inc. will be gifted by Wells Fargo Bank the former Serafino House at 40 W. Main St., Rowlesburg. This 1875 4-square, 2-storey house with a very large backyard and side yard overlooking Cannon Hill and the Cheat River will be renovated by RRC, Inc. volunteers and offered for sale. Perhaps you, as a former RHS graduate, former resident, or family wishing to live in a wonderful small town, will consider joining those RHS grads and others who have retired and returned to live full-time in Rowlesburg. Or, you may wish a vacation house for spending more quality time in the River City with friends and family during the Summer season. On behalf of RRC, Inc., we wish you a warm welcome home! Margaret Schollar & George Nassif Co-Chairpersons, Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee, Inc.
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Rowlesburg River Lines
Newsletter of the Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee
P.O. Box 135, Rowlesburg, WV, 26425
RRC Board of Directors
Co Chairs:
George Nassif & Margaret Schollar
Vice Chair:
Eric Bautista Secretary:
Anna Nassif Treasurer:
Shirley Cook-Hartley
Committee Members:
Doris Rooks Jean Wolfe
Helen Edmunds Debbie Martin Jewel Reed Joe Nassif
Mary Wotring Crystal Dean - Past
Chairman Roxanne Bautista Catherine Burke
Walter Burke Norma Dowling
Elma Lantz Leaman
Chairman’s Report for RRC March 2014 Newsletter
We wish to invite all former Rowlesburgers and RHS graduates to return to your roots to be part of “Hometown Teams”. This is a Washington D.C. Smithsonian Institution nation-wide Traveling Exhibition which will only visit 6 locales throughout the state of West Virginia. It will be situated in the RRC-owned building, the Szilagyi Center, (the venerable Old Rowlesburg High School) as a companion exhibit to the countywide hall of sports heroes and memorabilia, the unique 10-town Preston County Sports Museum. The Exhibit will be open in Rowlesburg from May 11 to June 21, 2014. Come see it during this period and particularly during the Memorial Day Weekend River City Festival of the Arts. This is when many returning former Rowlesburgers celebrate family & RHS class ties and enjoy the still beautiful, friendly and safe riverine mountain small town ambiance. We are also pleased to announce that by March 9, 2014, RRC, Inc. will be gifted by Wells Fargo Bank the former Serafino House at 40 W. Main St., Rowlesburg. This 1875 4-square, 2-storey house with a very large backyard and side yard overlooking Cannon Hill and the Cheat River will be renovated by RRC, Inc. volunteers and offered for sale. This project will boost ongoing historic preservation and cultural tourism efforts by so many committed town volunteers. It is in line with national and state Main Street and OnTrac goals, since RRC,Inc. is one of the few privileged towns in West Virginia chosen Perhaps you, as a former RHS graduate, former resident, or family wishing to live in a wonderful small town, will consider joining those RHS grads and others who have retired and returned to live full-time in Rowlesburg. Or, you may wish a vacation house for spending more quality time in the River City with friends and family during the Summer season. On behalf of RRC, Inc., we wish you a warm welcome home!
Margaret Schollar & George Nassif Co-Chairpersons, Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee, Inc.
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Let’s Celebrate
Come to the
7th Annual River City Festival of the Arts May 23, 24, 25, 2014
The Janet and Imre Szilagyi Center for the Visual and Performing Arts
Rowlesburg, West Virginia, 26425
Submitted by Anna R. Nassif
Get ready for some serious fun over Memorial Day Weekend. The 7th Annual River City Festival of the Arts will take place May 23, 24, 25, 2014 and will feature art, literature, theater, dancing and music all weekend. This “celebratory cultural heritage” festival takes place in Rowlesburg, WV at the Szilagyi Center/OLD RHS in and around the Downtown Historic and Commercial District. Our sponsors include Clear Mountain Bank, Fairs and Festivals, Smithsonian Institution, West Virginia Humanities Council, Greer Industries, Alpine Lake, Thomasina and Nick Caporella, The Nassif Family, Preston Chamber, Hazel Ruby McQuain and the Greater Morgantown CVB. United States Senator Joe Manchin III sends greetings and states: “Indeed, the River City Festival has become an extraordinary event in the Mountain State, a tradition that I am certain will continue for many years. This great festival is a wonderful opportunity for members of this community to unite and appreciate the arts and many gifted artisans across this region.”
Friday, May 23 events begin with a 1pm Authors Program featuring authors Dorothy Snyder and Connie Cox. The event will be held in the Carol Ann Hooton Research and Reading Library. A Library Happy Birthday Party will follow in the River City Café. At 4pm, Al Stone, actor from Hinton, WV, gives a performance in period dress as General Robert E. Lee in the Auditorium. At 5pm have Hunt’s Pizza at Belko’s or dine local at The Thirsty Bear or enjoy supper at the Rowlesburg Park. At 7pm, be sure to attend a first ever concert by The Preston High Concert Band and Choir conducted by Deborah Westbrook in an exciting program of classical, patriotic and popular music for choir and concert band. SC/OLD RHS Auditorium. Donation $5.
Saturday, May 24 begins with Buy Art on the OLD RHS Lawn and features Arts Preston and local arts and crafts vendors all day. At 10am we present “Return of the Buckwheat Stars: A Preston County Sports Homecoming” hosted by DR. Mike Teets & PCSM Delegates 3rd tier. At noon you may have lunch in the River City Café. At 2:30pm, River City Festival presents an original theater piece that promises to exceed audience expectations. The play, “In the Shadow of the Hill: A Coming of Age,” weaves local Civil War history, railroad and sports history and popular tales. The play is directed by Lynn Broderick. This full afternoon of epic theater will include vivid scenes from the popular book “When the Whistle Blows” by Fran Slayton. The work draws on a skillful and creative play script by Haley Elizabeth Garwood. This brand-new theater piece is the 7th piece of educational theater performed by Preston High Theater Ensemble. Broderick’s work shown in the past six festivals is original, viable and strong. For this event, Broderick directs all levels of production in the round with a cast of thirty three youth actors and singers. The event takes place in the auditorium. Tickets are $15.00/$7. At 8pm, a Gala Celebration Dance Evening features a Rowlesburg favorite, The Classics Band, Finger food by Maggie along with soft drinks and complementary wine courtesy of Dominick and Sandy Marrara. Darrell Dean will act as emcee. BYOD. Admission: $15.00/$25.00 per couple. Rowlesburg ON TRAC will present the 2nd Annual Business Award to the Rowlesburg Revitalization Dinner and Dance Staff. Kenetta and Tom Moreland are serving as co-coordinators of this event.
Sunday, May 25 events begin at 11am in the Christ United Methodist Church with religious tributes in honor of veterans from all the wars. At 2:30 pm a first-ever 90 minute performance by the Wheeling Symphony String Quintet showcases music from the Baroque, Classic, Romantic periods. The String Quintet players, Annie Jackovic & Maureen Conlon, violins, Jennifer Gerhard Mangone, viola, Elisa Kohanski, cello, Jeffrey T Mangone, Sr., contrabass will conclude with 20th Century music, Pop and special arrangements of Broadway tunes followed by audience participation. This particular concert demands open ears and careful listening to dynamic works by world class composers with origins from special countries. You will hear many newly created sound relationships for strings that link language and music. The players, Jackovic, Conlon, Mangone, Kohanski and Mangone, all first chairs, who may be described as “among the finest string players in the great state of West
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Virginia. “
At 5pm the 7th Annual River City Patriotic Dinner will honor all the veterans and will feature a Baked Steak Menu served by Claudia Atkinson Catering in the VFW social Hall. Cost is $10/5. The RCF Silent Auction is conducted before during and after the dinner.
The Smithsonian Institute Hometown Teams Exhibit & PCSM Companion Exhibit, a highlight for the weekend, is a visually engaging exhibit that captures “The spirit of the Game.” The Companion Exhibit and the Preston County Sports Museum are located in the Szilagyi Center/OLD RHS on the 3rd Tier. This beautiful and artistic homage to sports culture appears in Rowlesburg as the third venue in the state and nation.
Be sure to attend free improvisatory fun events featuring Youth and Adult Artists all over the building over the Memorial Day Weekend. TBA
Visit and Buy Local at the Emporium: Cottage Industries. Visit the River City Café, WWII Museum, the Historic Bridges Exhibit, Arts Preston Studio/River View Studio, Carolann Hooton Research and Reading Library, 4-H Liviing History and Learning Center, The Rowlesburg Picture Gallery, The Rowlesburg Community Quilters, The Creative Arts Studio.
The Railroad Depot Museum and the Rowlesburg History Museum will be opened by appointment. For more information on 7
th Annual River City Festival of the Arts see: rowlesubrg.org, rowlesburg.info, rowlesburgguide.com. For
donations, advanced tickets and passes call Shirley Hartley, 304-454-1240, Kathleen Orescanin 304-454-9232. Margaret Schollar, RRC,Inc.Co-Chairperson, George Nassif, RRC,Inc. Co-Chairperson 304-454-9786, Eric Bautista, RRC,Inc. Vice Chairperson, Anna Nassif, RCF Chairperson & Artistic Director 608-354-9355. RCF Event e-mail [email protected]
Shown at right is part of the large crowd that showed up for the 2nd
Annual RHS All-Class reunion. This event is held the every Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. Mark your
calendar and come to Rowlesburg for Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy the ox roast, live music in the park, a mud bog, a car show, Railroad Days on
Saturday and the reunion on Sunday. Great fun!
3rd Annual ALL CLASS REUNION – AUGUST 31ST, 2014 IN THE SZILAGYI CENTER (RHS – IN THE OLD GYM).
The RHS Senior Class Pictures Books are available again. You may claim yours by Mailing $34 to:
Katie Burke POB 307
Rowlesburg, WV, 26425
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RRC Spring Building & Grounds Committee Report Two major new projects will be occupying B&G Committee volunteers during 2014. The first major new project will bring many visitors to the Szilagyi Center to visit the May 11 to June 21, 2014 Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition, “Hometown Teams.” In order to house the majority of this large 850-square-foot exhibit in the Old RHS Typing Room, Lee Waybright & Crystal Dean have been leading the effort to ready the room, which includes replacing/painting the ceiling tiles, repairing crumbling plaster and painting the walls. Also planned are track lights, new blinds, a new lock on the door and a coat of varnish to enhance the dark patina of the maple floor of old. The top floor bathrooms will receive a similar facelift. The top floor lobby ceiling has already been painted. The second major new project, the Serafino House, 40 W. Main Street (pictured), is in the final stages of being donated by Wells Fargo Bank to RRC, Inc. Paul Riggs & Buzz Halterman have graciously volunteered to head up volunteer efforts to fully refurbish the house for sale. Wells Fargo has also generously awarded a grant for materials to be used in the renovation. This 4-square, 2-storey 1875 house with a large side and back yard is outside of the federal-listed flood plain and will be a perfect choice for a former RHS graduate or family wishing to own a large home for seasonal or permanent residence.
Submitted by B&G Committee: George Nassif, Eric Bautista, Crystal Dean, Walter Burke, Lee Waybright.
The “Serafino House”, 40 West Main Rowlesburg.
WWII LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND Last weekend in June
The 9th Annual WWII Living History Weekend this year will be held on June 28th 2014. The WWII re-enactors will arrive at the property adjoining the Rowlesburg Park on Friday afternoon, June 27th to set up camp. On Saturday there will be demonstrations on the field and an opportunity to meet with WWII veterans and visit the encampments of the troops. The WWII museum in the Szilagyi Center will be open for visitors as well as all the other exhibits in the center. On Saturday afternoon there will be a somber military service honoring the WWII Veterans and all veterans at the war memorial on Buffalo Street.
Saturday evening the attendees will dance to the big band music of the WWII era and enjoy delicious food prepared and served by the ladies of the Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee. There is no fee at the field to browse and talk with the re-enactors, but the tickets for the dance are $25 per person. Admission fee includes your choice of delicious appetizers, wine, beer or soft drinks throughout the evening.
And, of course, Sunday morning is the monthly breakfast at the Rowlesburg VFW with delicious food prepared by Ron Sines and his crew. This is always a community favorite and well attended. You’ll also be able to meet up with some of the re-enactors at the breakfast.
If you have never attended this event, please mark your calendar and take the opportunity this year to honor these veterans and thank them for their service. God bless America!!!
ARN
Most of you know that Carolann Hooton has been scanning copies of Lee Sanders’ scrapbook collection of, “The Rowlesburg Letter” on CDs. Copies of same are available by emailing or writing Carolann. Her email is [email protected]. Her address is 10526 Hessong Bridge Road, Thurmond, MD, 21788. Last we heard they were a mere $2.00 each.
Time literally flies. It’s hard to believe that it has been four months since RRC and Rowlesburg hosted the 6th Annual West Virginia Chestnut Festival on October 13, 2013. It’s equally hard to believe that the 6th Annual Festival was every bit as exciting at the 1st Festival, held in 2008. The excitement comes from the multitude of interesting and enjoyable activities crammed into one day, including, “tasting savory chestnuts roasted on an open fire.” We continue to have great support from faculty members of West Virginia University’s Davis College of Agriculture and from the WV Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. We continue to have Nationally recognized distinguished guests at Pictured are Chestnut Festival celebrities Dr. Greg Miller,
Dr. Dennis Fulbright, Dr. Don Kine, Dr. Nora MacDonald and Dr. Joseph Nassif.
each Festival who are experts in their field and who continue to enlighten us on our great heritage: The positive success in reintroducing and restoring The great American Chestnut Tree back to its original habitat in our Appalachian Hills. Here is a review of the fun activities at last year’s Festival: Continental Breakfast. The Sunday Festivities began in the Szilagyi Creative Arts Center across from the Rowlesburg Park, where a free continental breakfast helped energize the mingling crowd, who were lined up for an article signing by renown owner of The Empire Chestnut Company, Dr. Greg Miller, from Carrollton, Ohio. Walter “Bud” Shaver, RHS Class of 1947, our first Mr. Chestnut, has been a longtime acquaintance of Dr. Miller, and for this we owe a thanks to Bud. The Park. Throughout the day, the quaint Rowlesburg Park by the Cheat River was flourishing with people oriented
activities, including, sampling and purchasing “Chestnuts roasted on an open fire….,” vendors selling many items made
of wormy chestnut wood (Charlie and Roger Wotring and others) , Allegheny Treenware chestnut wood collectibles
(owner Stan Jennings was present), jarred honey with chestnuts (John and Martha Slawter), and children’s fun activities,
such as “throwing chestnuts-in-the-well.” Finally, there were various types of chestnut saplings available for purchase to
plant in your own back yard (Travis Jennings Nursery).
Szilagyi Creative Arts Center. The afternoon activities included standard exhibits, such as, The World War II
Museum, the B & O historic bridges exhibit, the Preston County Sports Museum, and the Emporium. For those wanting
a better understanding of current American Chestnut activities, there were scientific research presentations by
Professor Charles “Rick” Sypolt (Glenville State College), and Matt Brinckman, Regional Chestnut Science Coordinator for
TACF. Many spectators also attended the meeting of The West Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation
(TACF), presided over by Jimmy Jenkins and Dr. Bryan Perkins (Glenville State College), which was open to the public.
Gala Banquet Dinner, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The evening dinner menu featured delightful chestnuts flavored dishes,
enjoyed by all. The keynote speaker at the Gala Banquet was the renown aforementioned Dr. Greg Miller, who spoke
about the state of the chestnut producing industry in Ohio. Other dinner entertainment included the Preston High
Madrigal Singers, and the crowning of our 2013 chestnut royalty, Dr. Darrell and Gloria Dean. We are also excited
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that Bryan (and Lisa) Burhans, President of TACF, Headquarters in Asheville, NC, has accepted to be our upcoming “Mr.
Chestnut,” at the October 12, 2014 WV Chestnut Festival.
The End. The delightful evening event ended with an auction (Ron Brown, Esq.), including hand-made chestnut
items. Chestnut souvenir booklets, with chestnut related recipes, articles and stories, were a big hit with the audience.
A big thank you goes out to those who purchased ads in the souvenir booklet, which allowed us to show a profit for
continuing future events.
Mark your calendar for this year’s upcoming Chestnut Festival, Sunday, October 12, 2014, including the 2014
Chestnut Royalty, and another excellent scientific session planned by Mark Double, and the WV Chapter of TACF. Our
Chestnut Committee is hard at work and we hope to have as our distinguished guest a renown Olympic Gold Medal
Winner, but not yet confirmed. Details to follow.
For more information, go to www.rowlesburg.info, www.rowlesburg.org, www.wvchestnutfestival.com. Please
For information on supporting and becoming a West Virginia member of The American Chestnut Foundation, go to
www.acf.org.
*Special thanks to our Sponsors: WV Community Partnership, WV Fairs & Festivals, Hazel Ruby McQuain Trust, Clear
Mountain Bank, Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau, WV Chapter of TACF, and ON-TRAC Rowlesburg.
We would be remiss to not thank members of the Chestnut Festival Committee: Kathleen Wolfe, Anna Nassif, Crystal
Ashenfelter Dean, Mark Double, Doris Wolfe Rooks, Lee Waybright, George Nassif, Mayor Barbara Bannister, Margaret
Schollar, Maggie DeWeirdt, Jean Wolfe, Elma Layman, Walter “Bud” Shaver, Ellie Nesser, Paul Riggs, Dallas Wolfe III,
Don Riggs, Tom Moreland, Darrell Dean and to the other tireless working volunteers. Submitted by N. Joseph Nassif, DDS, Director, and Shirley Cook Hartley, Co-chairperson, RRC Chestnut Festival Task Force
Editor’s Column - A Dream
Imagine that there is a place where you have at your disposal a cornucopia of things to stimulate you heart and mind. This would be a place where there are selfless groups of citizens who work together to put on activities the year ‘round and also work to beautify the town with gardens and flowers. Maybe there would be a New Year’s dance to kick off the year, followed by a Valentines dance for the young and young at heart. Perhaps there would also be a festival in this place that would bring a variety of the arts for all to enjoy, even, if you can believe it, opera, classical and folk music. If you could conjure this up maybe you’d want to involve the high school kids in all of this and, let’s say, have them put on an original production with each festival. You could educate those kids and others by exposing them to re-enactors portraying, oh, I don’t know, maybe Stonewall Jackson, Mark Twain, Babe Ruth, Abe Lincoln or Robert E. Lee and other historical figures. All this and another dance so everyone can get together, just like old times, and enjoy dancing and socializing with old friends. How about a quilt show to educate on the history of that art form?
I know this is hard to fathom but, bear with me while I indulge myself. In the summer you could have a “Living History Weekend” to honor the memory of the “Greatest Generation”. You would bring in re-enactors to set up camp, and display their vintage arms and equipment. You would treat them well with a Belgium waffle breakfast and…let me see… I know!, have another dance and this time make it WW2 themed, with a band playing swing music and performers in period costumes doing the jitterbug and other dances that go with the music.
This place could have a big event over say…Labor Day…and you could have a big feed of some kind, maybe chicken one day and prime beef the next. All this would be out doors in a park and it would be nice if it was beside a nice stream in a majestic setting with mountains all around. All day there could be live entertainment, folk and country music would be nice, and vendors displaying and selling their crafts. Oh heck (getting carried away again) throw in a monster truck show, a mud bog and. of course, a parade. And to top it off have a competitive classic car show where trophies were awarded to the best entries. Oh yes, and did I mention, have another dance with a first class band.
Woven through all this would be guided tours to historical sites and even have a day dedicated to history specific to the town, such as say…railroading. I know, call it Railroad, Coal Mining, or Steamboat Days…whatever applies.
In the fall there could be another festival dedicated to some of the flora and fauna of the region. We can’t forget how important it is to protect our environment. Bring in experts to educate on how to regenerate the environment. You could call it, for instance, “The Chestnut Festival” to call attention to the effort to revitalize that lost resource. Just for an example you understand. Not to get carried away but you could have a Mr. & Mrs. Chestnut to rein over the proceedings.
With the holidays coming up you could sponsor a German style Christmas Market where local artisans could display and sell their wares. What a great thing to bring the community together and get them “out and about” when the weather is not at its best.
OK since I’m really taxing my imagination but, in the unlikely event you could get a group of people dedicated to work hard enough to do it, put on dinners and cater special occasions like class reunions and such. These dinners could raise funds to keep the whole thing going and pay the bills.
Of course it would be nice to have a venue where a lot of the activities could be held, maybe an old, abandoned school house. A place like that would be of special significance and meaning to those who attended there. I know all this is far-fetched and there is no way you could get people together to work hard enough to accomplish all this. It’s too much to hope for I guess, but I can dream can’t I?
Phil Wotring
The Gym Report By Jean Wolfe (chargé d'affaires)
The gym continued in 2013 to have a high degree of utilization. Among the events held were as follows: Monthly Sunday dinners for the public including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Saturday night dances every month, a Health Fair with food sale, an auction of items to clear the building along with a food sale, catered several class reunions, served a corn roast in August, served Chestnut Festival dinner, held a Mexican themed Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and catered birthday parties and other special occasions throughout the year. Many thanks to the Gym Dance Committee Members: Tom and Kenneta Moreland, Eugene and Linda Wilt, P.L. Grimm, Lucille Grimm and Delores Riggs.
The kitchen staff with Jean Wolfe (L to R) Debbie Martin, Roxanne
Bautista, & Crystal Dean and Jean.
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2014-2015 Rowlesburg ON TRAC Work Plans Submitted by Anna R Nassif
Our basic 2014-2015 Rowlesburg ON TRAC work plans and goals as stated are to continue to deepen the
process of revitalization of the Downtown Rowlesburg Historic District and to work with town organizations on
economic and business development, cultural tourism, historic renovation, façade, and beautification and streetscape
projects. We implement this through all levels of volunteer committee work as suggested by Main Street U.S.A.
We adhere to the Main Street WV goals and its four point plan of economic restructuring, organization,
promotion and design. Our organization is in synchrony with MOMS-Museums on Main Street, and directs this project
through its executive committee, and various and individual task forces. An economic progress check and balance
system is already in place with regular financial reporting by museums and businesses in the Szilagyi Center/OLD RHS to
the total RRC,Inc. Board at each of its three regular yearly meetings. Reports are made by a task force in each of the
areas mentioned.
This group also serves as a committee for the long range goal of establishing a Main Street Rowlesburg.
Committee members have the option of consulting with main street directors of Kingwood and with members of West
Virginia ON TRAC. ON TRAC, a precursor to Main Street, provides constant training opportunities, exposure to town
revitalization techniques and encourages global awareness of capacity on physical and natural levels. Rowlesburg has
already distinguished itself in many ways and especially in the way of two Volunteer of the Year Awards and Two
Implementation Awards in the amount of $2,000 for its exemplary work in areas outlined in this article. 2014-2015 ON
TRAC Implementation Work Plans are in progress.
The RRC Board (L to R) Katie Wolf Orescanin, Anna Nassif, George Nassif, Eric Bautista, Mary Wotring, Doris Rooks Wolfe, Lee Waybright (Chief Volunteer), Marg Schollar,
Roxanne Bautista, Crystal Ashenfelter Dean, Jean Wolfe, Walter Burke, Katie Burke, Shirley Hartley, & Barbara
Bannister
The Farmer’s Market Ready for business. Shown are Tina Sigley Tichnell and Crystal Ashenfelter Dean with Walter
Burke the first cutomer in line.
RRC “Volunteer of the Year” Announced by Katie Wolfe Orincanin
Every year at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, RRC honors the “Volunteer of the Year”, in recognition of dedicated
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and outstanding volunteer service to the RRC. The first honoree was, appropriately, Burgess “Lee” Waybright”, RHS ’58, who was, and remains, the heart of the RRC. The following year seven awards were given to Delores and Paul Riggs, RHS ’60, P.L. Grimm RHS ’83, Gloria Dean, Joann Sisler, Maggie DeWeirdt and Roxanne Bautista, RHS ’73 who has served in various volunteer capacities. In 2012 the award went to Lorenzo “Buzz” and Judy Knotts Halterman, RHS ’58 for their tireless efforts in the construction of the handicapped ramp, funding the gym air conditioning, signage, and beautification of the town and “Old RHS” grounds. On November 17, 2013 the “Volunteer(s) of the Year” awards were presented to Mike and Carolann Hooton, RHS ’59, in absentia for establishing the Carolann Hooton Library in the old library on the third tier of the Szilagyi Center. A third award was presented to Vickie Hershman Jackson, RHS ’69 (pictured below), for her contributions toward replacing the warped gym floor in honor of her deceased husband, Jackie “J.J” Jackson, RHS ’69. Vickie also financed and manually labored in the renovations of the quilt room and back center hallway. The RRC owes its very existence to volunteers, without which none of the progress you see in Rowlesburg would be possible.
Picture to the right are *(Left to Right) RRC Co-Chairs George Nassif and Marg Schollar. Volunteer of the Year
Vickie Hershman Jackson, RRC Board Member Katie Wolfe Orescanin and RRC Treasurer Shirley Cook Hartley
Smithsonian Hometown Teams Exhibit & Preston County Sports Museum Companion Exhibit
May 11-June 21, 2014 Submitted by Anna R. Nassif
The Preston County Sports Museum announces that the Smithsonian Hometown Teams Exhibit will be featured as
a highlight during River City Festival of the Arts May 23, 24, 25, and will appear in Rowlesburg, West Virginia May 11-June 21, 2014. Rowlesburg is the third WV town that will
host the latest and newest National Heritage Traveling Exhibit. The exhibit emphasis is placed on the “Spirit of the
Game” in rural America. The exhibit is co-sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and the West Virginia
Humanities Council and is part of MOMS, Museums on Main Street USA. The Hometown Teams Exhibit will be on display from 1pm to 5pm daily at the PCSM. A remarkably fine PCSM Companion Exhibit features memorabilia of 10
original Preston County hometown teams and three consolidated teams. Preston families in rural WV small
towns have in the past, and continue to attend live sports events and frequently continue to gather around a
television set or a computer screen in order to watch baseball, football, and basketball along with as many seasonal sports as possible. The exhibit highlights this
special kind of enthusiasm found in this spectator sports activity.
For more information click on these links or enter it into your browser:
