Progress

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TIMES WEST VIRGINIAN SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2013 • WWW.TIMESWV.COM

Our Town

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Education & Workforce Living Here

Whoʼs Who

INSIDE

Unique experiences

Richard DeMary of Rivesville could be considered a skilled craftsman. And he’s one-of-akind in the Marion County area. What does he do? He colors the large icicles that form on U.S. 19. He colors them with food coloring, and if it’s cold enough, they will stay up perhaps as long as a week. “But if it warms up, it only lasts for two or three days,” he said. — Page 4

Adding color

PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER

For her entire life, DeEtta Hayes has called Barrackville home. Hayes said the small, comfortable town full of friends and family has made for a community that she is proud to hail from. “I feel so connected,” she said. Hayes’ connection goes beyond simply living within town limits. For years, Hayes has given back to the community she holds closely to her heart in numerous ways. — Page 5

Lucy Fletcher opens wide for a taste of her mother Daisyʼs frozen lemonade during the Fourth of July celebration at Palatine Park in Fairmont.

Twice a year, the people of Monongah look forward to two special events put on by two special brothers, Warren and Dave Sloan. There’s Family Fish Day, held each April, and the Christmas Toy Giveaway. The Sloan brothers help when and how they can. The Sloan family lived for a while in Norway and then moved to Rivesville, Warren Sloan said. — Page 9

A player, representing Germanyʼs national team, tries to fight off Holland players during Valley Soccer Academyʼs Summer Community Camp at the For the Kids Soccer Complex last summer.

Busy volunteer

Still serving

There are many people who donate time, materials and money to those in need and don’t get recognized for their generosity. One of those people is Don White of Mannington. White is the president of D&G Machine Co. Inc., located on Water Street in Mannington. Rana Taylor, executive director of Mannington Main Street, said White does a lot for the community when needed. — Page 20

Giving back

Everyday people making impact in NCWV BY MISTY POE TIMES WEST VIRGINIAN

FAIRMONT — Sometimes names don’t ring a bell. How often in everyday conversations are we asked whether we know so-andso? Just the simple use of a name may not be enough for instant recall. But you’d know him if you saw him, right? Well, it could be because there are millions of Bobs out there and plenty more Janes. But each person, every single one of us on a planet coming close to 7 billion citizens, has one unique trait — the face. Even twins, who share identical genetic makeup, may look alike, but to those who know them well, there are obvious differences in facial features. And you could travel the world, never finding the same face twice. In Marion County, according to the most recent U.S. Census data, we’ve got 56,586 different faces making up the place we call our home. And though you may know many, many people in your circles of work, school, church and other activities, it would take a lifetime to get to know each and every individual you share this county with, and then you’d have to start all over again as the next generation of names and faces rises. That’s what we’ve tried to celebrate in our Annual Report 2013 — the thou-

Jesse Galford (left) and Justin Vance serve hot dogs to guests at the Pleasant Valley Celebration. The celebration began in 1996, the year after Pleasant Valley obtained its charter, as an appreciation for the citizens. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER

PHOTO BY MISTY POE

sands and thousands of faces that make up Marion County and, to some extent, the greater North Central West Virginia area. Each one has her own unique story, her own unique experiences, her own unique contribution to the place we call home. And many of these faces may be unfamiliar to you, but you may be surprised in the end that you “know” them after all.

For example, have you ever driven down U.S. 19 in the winter to look up and see a rainbow of icicles along the path just outside Rivesville? It’s a moment of bright, vivid color in an otherwise gray winter’s day. Did you know it’s the handiwork of businessman Richard DeMary? It’s something he thought about doing when he was a kid, growing up in Rivesville and watching the ice formations in what residents call “Icicle Turn.” It’s simple food coloring, and for the past eight years, he’s experimented with the best and most effective way to color the ice. These days, he’s figured out the best way is to take 16-ounce cups and just throw food color on the icicles, which range in size from 10 to 15 feet high. “The folks around here look forward to it being done,” said Roxanne Smith, a Rivesville resident. “I’ve had people

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