2014
FYI Boone County West Virginia
WHERE HERITAGE
RUNS DEEP City of Madison
FYI Boone County West Virginia
2014
Madison-The County Seat of Boone County is located at the confluence of the Pond and Spruce Rivers which form the Little Coal River. “Our Heritage Runs Deep” a recently adopted slogan honors our coal heritage. Madison is a good place to call home and to raise a family. Our crime rate is low and we consider our youth to be “Our Greatest Asset.” Each June for a week the City of Madison plays host to the WV Coal Festival which most events being free to the public. Hundreds of people attend the festival from near and far! Home to the WV Bituminous Coal Museum located on Main Street in Madison, we are proud of our Coal mining heritage. Rev Up hosts a “Down Home Christmas” with a parade, visits with Santa, seasonal music and various other activities. Fall Festival, Craft Fair, Farmer’s Market, and other civic activities. The City of Madison has: • 2 well lit City Parks • Tennis court • 3 Excellent Schools • Churches • Affordable housing • Trash/recycling service • 24 Hr. Police Protection • Street Maintenance & Snow removal • Boone-Madison Library • Station 200 MVFD • Excellent Medical Service via Hospital, Clinics and Physician Offices Madison Civic Center is the home to ongoing activities including Youth basketball, Community Theater Productions, Stage Musicals, just to name a few. Available to the Public for indoor walking, BMH Health Fair, etc. Madison Government located at Madison City Hall on Washington Avenue. County Government at Boone County Courthouse on State Street Mayor H.H. “Sonny” Howell, Recorder Randy Foxx, City Manager Chet Burgess and City Council Members: Renee Hager, Carolyn Mullins, James “Buddy” Hudson, Danny J. Warner, and P.J. Johnson, welcomes you to our city. City Hall 369-2762 Police Dept. 369-1211 Civic Center 369-4647 MVFD 369-1021
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FYI Boone County West Virginia
Contributing: Jeffery Vaughn, General Manager; Fred Pace, Editor; Anthony Sheppard, Advertising Representative; Leanna Bryant, Office Manager & Legals Clerk
Mats for the homeless
WV Coal Festival largest event annually in Madison
Church’s way of recycling plastic grocery bags By Fred Pace
fpace@civitasmedia.com
MADISON — Most people know that it’s a good idea to recycle plastic grocery bags, but the women of several area churches are recycling them in an unusual way: they are crocheting them into mats for the homeless. Ada Maynor, one of the two women from Madison Baptist Church leading the effort, said, “We are doing this for the glory of God and for the homeless people in this county and the surrounding counties. It’s a service that is very much needed.” The process involves cutting the bags involves cutting the bags up into strips and them weaving them together. Once complete, the mat is lightweight, soft, easily rolled up, and comfortable. Maynor, along with Judy Byus, leads a weekly meeting to work on the mats. They meet each Tuesday in Madison Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall. “The fellowship that we have at our meetings is worth everything to
those present,” Maynor said. They welcome anyone interested to join them from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attending the meeting is not mandatory, though - the work can also be done at home. They can get supplies and information to those who are interested in working on the mats at their homes. The women also note that people wanting to participate do not have to be experienced at crocheting. “Even if don’t crochet we would still welcome you with open arms. There are plenty of other jobs to do,” Maynor said. Further, they are willing to teach inexperience people the simple skills needed. Byus quoted Mother Teresa’s famous words as one of the reasons for their efforts: “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
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2014
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Another special event that is part of the opening ceremonies will be the lighting of the eternal flame. The torch burns throughout MADISON — During the third the festival and is set up next to the week of June each year, the City Coal Miner’s Statue on the front of Madison plays host to the West Virginia Coal Festival. The event has lawn of the Boone County Courthouse. taken place annually for over two Just across the street from the decades. courthouse is where the mine Madison is the county seat of machinery displays are showcased. Boone County, where coal was discovered in 1742, and is known as Over 20 companies from several states set up their equipment to “The Gateway of the Coalfields.” display to the public. The major activities at the Coal Many coal miners take this Festival include a Miners’ Memorial opportunity to show their families Service; Mine Machinery Equipment Displays; Nashville entertain- and friends the type of equipment ers; gospel music; a parade; beauty they work on deep down in the pits or on a mountain. pageants; fireworks; carnival; arts The vendors are recognized and crafts; food vendors; a downfor their hard work bringing their town Coal Museum; Arts & Heriequipment to Madison with special tage Center; and much more. plaques and a photo-op on the For five days and nights, Madisteps of the Boone County Courtson comes alive with festivities for all members of the family, and with house. In addition to the Miners’ Memothe exception of the carnival and rial, there is the Gospel Music food, all events are free. The festival is a great time to get Night, featuring local groups and showcasing their talent. together to celebrate coal mining Thursday, Friday and Saturday and its heritage, as well as reminights, the music picks up with nisce about the “good ‘ole days.” With the beautiful Boone County country and rock entertainers. Beauty pageants are held at Courthouse as the backdrop, the opening ceremonies are scheduled the Madison Civic Center, and those winners are in attendance at for Tuesday, June 17, beginning at various activities throughout the 6 p.m. festival. The Miners’ Memorial Service Gambil Amusements Carnival opens the event and recognizes provides good wholesome family the memory of those miners who fun at a reasonable price, and our lost their lives mining coal in West food vendors offer a variety of deliVirginia since the last festival. This cious goodies. tradition of recognizing those who On Saturday, the Grand Parade gave their lives, so we could have is held, featuring beauty queens, electricity and other necessities, dignitaries, marching groups and started at the first West Virginia fire and rescue squads. Many of Coal Festival back in 1994. There are always guest speakers, the dignitaries, including the Grand Marshal, ride on the mine machinmany from the United Mine Workers of America’s Local Union 5770. ery that has been on display. Following the final performers The VFW’s Women’s Auxilary on Saturday night, the Coal Festival contingent, the Madison Civil Air Patrol Squadron and various other concludes with a gala fireworks display starting around 11 p.m. that speakers and singers also attend lights up the skies over Madison. the event. fpace@civitasmedia.com
$5.3 million courthouse annex result of wise fiscal management By Fred Pace
fpace@civitasmedia.com
MADISON — Years of planning and wise fiscal management of the public’s monies by the Boone County Commission have resulted in a $5.3 Million Boone County Courthouse Annex, which opened for business on January 2, 2013. The four-story structure adjoins the old courthouse annex and houses the Family Court, Boone County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement facilities, the Boone County Commission’s Administrative Offices, and the basement area is dedicated to records storage. The 16,000 square foot building was designed and constructed by G & G Builders, Inc. of
Scott Depot, WV. “ This new annex was a direct result of good management of the taxpayers’ dollars,” said County Commissioner Eddie Hendricks. “We realized we had to construct a new judicial annex, and the County Commission put aside money each fiscal year for capital projects so this annex could become a reality for the citizens of Boone County. They were constructing the building at the same time we were still conducting county business. The building will enhance government in Boone County and will make it much safer and more efficient.” Commission President Mickey Brown said the additional space for Family Court brings the county in compliance with West Virginia Supreme Court
requirements, and will also provide an additional 25 parking spaces around the building and in the rear area of the facility. “All departments will have much needed additional space, and we can accommodate more citizens for public meetings.” Commissioner Atholl W. Halstead said he feels the Commission spent the taxpayers’ money wisely. “They can see and will get an immediate benefit from these new facilities.” Mike Davis, a Boone County native who is vice president of G & G Builders, said the construction process went smooth and he is proud his company was selected to construct the building. Keith Kirk was the general manager of the project.
Customer service is first priority at Premier Bank taking an interest in the community we serve whether it be supporting a variety of charitable organizations or contributing to or working on behalf of community projects that improve the quality of life where we live and work.” Four Premier Bank locations in the
For the Coal Valley News
FYI Boone County West Virginia |5
sure that each department employee understands the banking business inside and out. “And we take care of our employees so that turnover is low and they retain that familiarity with our customers,” Byrnside said. When Premier Bank announced the name change in April 11, they also announced a big difference in Premier and other banks in the region in that each branch employee is empowered to make decisions on loans and other day-to-day affairs. In addition, each employee personally assumes the responsibility of making each customer’s banking experience a positive one. Premier asks, “What does locally owned mean in the banking world?” They define it as knowing where to turn to if you have a question about your money; knowing that decisions about your finances are made by people you can talk to face-to-face; knowing that employees take the time to get to know you. Byrnside pointed out that investment in the community has always been a priority of the local bank. “At Premier, we believe in the value of
2014
MADISON — Not long ago, Boone County Bank, a leader in community banking with over 100 years of financial experience, announced a name change. Premier Bank was the new name chosen after parent company Premier Financial Bancorp combined five of its subsidiary banks to provide 23 branches for the convenience of their customers. “Our name may be new, but we’re still the same local bank our customers have come to appreciate,” said Emma Byrnside, Boone Division president. “Our name change has brought a new era of banking excellence for our customers who continue to find a line of products and services equal to the country’s biggest banks. Our customers continue to find friendly, knowledgeable employees whose expertise and efficiency make their banking experience the best it can be.” Premier officials offer several other things that they say separate Premier Bank from other banks. As a community-based financial institution, loan decisions are made locally, charitable giving has a local focus, and employees are empowered to make decisions themselves. Byrnside points out that Premier Bank provides customers with the same level of technology that larger banks offer. “We offer the convenience of online banking, paperless and downloadable eStatements, plus one of the region’s most extensive ATM networks.” The technology training that Premier Bank gives employees makes
Boone Division are: 300 State Street, Madison, WV 25130, phone 304-3692407; 18854 Pond Fork Road, Van, WV 25206, phone 304-245-8224; 307 Hudgins St., Logan, WV 25601, 304-752-9627; 40 Lincoln Plaza, West Hamlin, WV 25571, phone 304824-2611.
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By Janet Yeager
BMH attracts hundreds to its annual health fair By Fred Pace
fpace@civitasmedia.com
MADISON — A recent community study showed that people who live in counties where lots of coal is mined are much more likely to suffer from an array of chronic, life-threatening health problems. The new study was published in April’s American Journal of Public Health. The study, “Relations between Health Indicators and Residential Proximity to Coal Mining in West Virginia,” found that in the 14 counties where the biggest coal mining operations are located residents reported higher rates of cardiopulmonary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes, and lung and kidney disease. In each of those counties, mining topped 4 million tons of coal a year. “Residents of coal mining communities have long complained of impaired health. This study substantiates their claims. Those residents are at an increased risk of developing chronic heart, lung and kidney diseases,” said Dr. Michael Hendryx, associate director of the Institute for Health Policy Research in West Virginia University’s Department of Community Medicine and lead author of the study. The annual Boone Memorial Hospital Health Fair is held at the Madison Civic Center and is part of the hospital’s ongoing efforts to improve health in the community.
Many local physicians, hospital and other medical services providers participated in the health fair, which offered a variety of free and small fee health screenings. Screenings included discounted blood work, vitamin D testing, flu shots, cancer prevention education, medication reviews and much more. This past year’s theme was “Travel the Road to Better Health.” Volunteers, guests and vendors all dressed-up in attire to coincide with the theme. Awards were given for best costume. “Our goal is to improve health in the communities we serve,” said Karlie Belle Price, Event Coordinator/ Marketing Director. “This health fair accomplishes that by providing free and low cost screenings and services, informs the public of what services are available and assists those without health care insurance coverage.” Over 50 vendors, including local healthcare orga-
nizations and community groups, were on-hand to take blood pressures, provide diabetic and tobacco cessation information, offer breast cancer education including how to receive free and/or half price mammograms at BMH using its new digital mammography equipment, Price said. Hundreds of people attended the 5-hour event. “This is the most people attending the health fair that I can remember in a long time,” Price said. “There has been a steady stream of people all day.” Prizes were awarded every 15-30 minutes and free food was served by the BMH Dietary Director, Richard Holliday and his staff throughout the day. “The public learned simple steps to make healthier foods enjoy mouth-watering food,” Price said. “Guests also brought in non-perishable food items to receive extra door prize tickets,” Price added. “All the food will be donated to the local Madison Baptist Church food pantry.” BMH also had a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place prize for the best decorated booth/display. Entertainment including country line dancing, singing and karate demonstrations as well. Angela Perry of Van said this was her second year attending the health fair. “I love this event,” she said. “I don’t have health insurance and this gives me a chance to get some check-ups and screenings for free or at a very low cost. I also get to see what services are available for me. It’s a very important event for me to attend.”
Water Ways is a great way to ‘beat the heat’ By Fred Pace
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FYI Boone County West Virginia
2014
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JULIAN — How can you “beat the heat” in the summer time in Boone County? One great way this summer is to visit Water Ways theme park, which is located on U.S. 119 (Corridor G), just minutes from Charleston and Madison, in Julian. Water Ways Theme Park in Boone County attracts over 50,000 visitors annually. Funds from the Coal Severance Tax are used to build and staff parks, pay lifeguards and provides for the upkeep of Boone County’s premiere tourist attraction. The park offers several fun activities. Water Ways features five water slides; a relaxing lazy river; a Jr. Olympic sized pool; two kiddy pools with waterfall, swings and slides; 18 hole miniature golf; large sun bathing areas, picnic shelters to accommodate 250 people with grill and bathroom facilities and eight other shelters. The park also offers a mile-long walking trail and an ATV trailhead location. There is also a gift shop and concession stand with a dining deck. The park is open seven days a week
from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is still $12; child admission for children at least 44” tall up to 11-years-old is $9; children under 44” but at least 5 years of age $5; and children four-years-old and under are free with adult admission. Punch and season passes are available, as well as group rates. “Please understand that if your child is not tall enough to ride the slides, for $5 they have access to two kiddie pools, a lazy river, a regular pool, and unlimited miniature golf,” park officials said. “You will not find that price for those amenities anywhere else.” For more information, visit the online Web site www.waterwayspark. com, visit the online Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/waterways.waterpark?fref=ts or call 304369-6125.
‘This is not a tombstone,’ says designer of UBB Miners Monument By Fred Pace
fpace@civitasmedia.com
Photo/Fred Pace
Jenna Leigh Napper, age 4, touches the name of her father Joshua Napper. Little Jenna lost her dad, uncle and cousin in the Upper Big Branch mine disaster over two years ago. On Friday, the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial was unveiled and dedicated to the 29 men that lost their lives on April 5, 2010. and helped to keep their families together through this tragedy,” she said. “They are to be commended as well.” One of those women who lost their husband and other relatives to the disaster, Jennifer Napper, was at the ceremony with her daughter.
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bolizes strength,” Manchin said. “Strength of those brave men, the strength of their families and the unwavering strength of this community. This memorial stands as a reminder…a reminder of what we lost, the love we shared for our fallen brothers, as a reminder that life is often too short and as a reminder that we must always put safety first. This memorial stands for all of us – to help heal, to reflect and to never forget.” U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.), said the miners would never be forgotten. “Today my heart aches anew with the memory of 29 men who, on that terrible day two years ago, walked away from their homes on earth, into Upper Big Branch and into the loving arms of their Creator,” Rockefeller said. “It is their memory that we honor today. To the families of those lost, I sorely grieve with you today.” U.S. Congressman Nick J. Rahall (D-W.Va.) called the monument at “magnificent tribute.” “This is a great memorial to such good men,” Rahall said. “But I surely hope that we never have the need to erect one like it, ever again. That, to me, would be the ultimate monument to our miners,” said Rahall in remarks at the ceremony dedicating a granite wall featuring 29 silhouettes depicting the victims of the April 2010 disaster at Upper Big Branch.” U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito spoke about the women that lost their men to the tragedy. “These women have been strong
2014
WHITESVILLE – Rob Dinsmore, the designer of the Upper Big Branch Miners Monument, wanted to make one thing very clear to those attending the memorial dedication ceremony in Whitesville – the monument “is not a tombstone.” West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, joined by the families of those lost at the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster, the West Virginia Congressional Delegation, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Health and Safety Joe Main, and members of the UBB Mining Memorial Group, paid tribute to the miners during the memorial dedication held a few years ago. Tomblin asked for a moment of silence for the miner who was tragically killed in a mine accident early Friday morning before the dedication ceremony of the granite memorial. “I wish I could tell you I could ease your heartache, but unfortunately, I cannot. What I can tell you is that a day doesn’t go by that I don’t think of you-the families and friends who lost someone on that terrible day,” Tomblin said. “I also think every day about the coal miners, across West Virginia, who are working hard to provide for their families. I think about their safety and want to be sure they come home to their families every night. “This memorial will ensure the world will always remember the 29 good men, the 29 miners who gave their lives doing the work that all of us depend on. I’d like to personally thank all of those who were instrumental in creating this beautiful memorial.” U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), who was governor at the time of the disaster, also spoke at the event. “We gather today to remember the 29 brave souls who were lost at Upper Big Branch Mine, pay tribute to their families and dedicate this beautiful memorial for future generations as a testament to our shared commitment that no family should endure a preventable tragedy ever again,” Manchin said. “Our entire nation grieved with the miners’ families for their tremendous loss, and I join my fellow West Virginians today, as we dedicate this impressive memorial, to honor their courage, sacrifice and the extraordinary strength of their families.” “This striking memorial sym-
“I am grateful to everyone who helped to make the monument a reality,” Napper said. Napper lost her husband, Joshua Napper, when their daughter Jenna Leigh Napper was only 14-months old. “She is now 4-years-old and it’s wonderful that she will have a place to come back to see the legacy of her father and learn about the history of coal mining, which is the thing many of her family members gave their lives for,” she said. Shelia Combs, president of the UBB Mining Memorial Group, Inc., said so many people gave of their time and money to see that this project became a reality. “We finished a year ahead of schedule and it’s because so many companies, the Town of Whitesville and regular citizens did everything they could do to get this project completed,” she said. West Virginia State Police Chaplin Trooper Jim Mitchell gave a moving Invocation to begin the ceremony and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph A. Main also spoke at the event.
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FYI Boone County West Virginia 2014
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FYI Boone County West Virginia
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Alpha Natural Resources opens ‘Running Right Leadership Academy’ By Fred Pace
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FYI Boone County West Virginia
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fpace@civitasmedia.com
JULIAN – Alpha Natural Resources officially opened a new mine safety facility in Julian that is the first of its kind to offer extensive mining curriculum, along with hands-on training with the most modern and latest state-of-the-art technologies. The “Running Right Leadership Academy” is a comprehensive education and training facility for mine safety and operations. “The success of our company and industry starts with safety,” said Kevin Crutchfield, chairman and CEO of Alpha Natural Resources. “The Running Right Leadership Academy is the culmination of years of planning and hard work, and we are proud to have brought this concept to reality. The scale and scope of the facility is the first of its kind in the industry, demonstrating our leadership and commitment to the well-being of our employees.” Crutchfield says the new academy offers hands-on learning for those in the mining industry like nowhere in the world. “This is a manifestation of Alpha’s Running Right Way Policy,” he said. “This is a historic beginning for the future on mine safety, health and training.” Alpha has invested approximately $23 million into the facility and development of the curriculum which is extensive and integrates a broad range of subject areas including technical, safety and leadership skills. It will be a resource for miners who work underground, as well as surface miners and office support personnel. The Alpha Academy is a 136,000 square foot campus that includes classroom space for up to 300 people; a 96,000 square foot lab that can simulate mine situations and conditions; labs for electrical, welding and maintenance skills training; the latest mine safety technologies, including air flow sensors and multi-gas hand held detectors; a command center for mine rescue and emergency preparedness training; and facilities and equipment for supervisory leadership skill training. “Virtual reality simulators will allow participants to operate continuous mining machines, roof bolters, scoop and haul trucks and receive real-time feedback on their performance,” said Keith Hainer, senior vice president of Alpha’s Operations Performance Group. Hainer gave members of the media a tour of the new facility on Thursday. Hainer said available classes at the new academy
will include certified examiner, emergency medical technician training and certification, annual retraining, incident investigation and root cause analysis, risk management, apprentice electrician, electrical and mechanical skills training and understanding mining – day in the life of a miner. Crutchfield said that all employees in the Alpha organization will eventually go through the Academy, which will supplement the company’s existing mine safety training programs. “The Alpha Academy is an extension of Alpha’s employee-driven Running Right safety philosophy, which focuses on eliminating at-risk behavior through employee observation and reporting,” Crutchfield said. “Our ultimate aim is to further improve employee safety and regulatory performance so that we move closer to zero safety related incidents.” Joe Main, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, and head of the United States Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), also spoke at the event. “After the Upper Big Branch mining disaster a change of culture in mine safety was necessary,” he said. Mine safety training was part of an agreement between the company and the federal government, and Main said the new academy is a move in the right direction for the future of mine safety and health. “This is a good thing for miners,” he said. Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito was not at the event, but released a statement in support of the Running Right Leadership Academy, which she said will provide training opportunities for miners and rescue teams in an effort to prevent future tragedies. “West Virginians remember the heartbreak that so
many of our families and communities experienced in the wake of mine disasters; including those at Sago, Aracoma, and Upper Big Branch,” Capito said. “ “Our state has committed itself to preventing future tragedies in our mines, and tomorrow’s opening of the Running Right Leadership Academy is a critical step forward in improving mine safety. The Running Right Leadership Academy will provide training opportunities for miners and rescue teams, and will help spur the use and development of new safety technologies. I commend Alpha for its investment in the facility and hope that the Running Right Leadership Academy will serve as an industry-wide reminder that the safety of miners is a top priority.” Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin also released a statement. “Coal runs deep in West Virginia. It employs thousands of our people and contributes to the economic development of our communities,” said Tomblin. “We need to ensure that miners return home safely after every shift. The Running Right Leadership Academy marks a major advance in that goal. We are proud to host this world-class facility in our state and believe that it will become a beacon for safety throughout the industry.” The event was also attended by state and local elected officials, community leaders, employees and other business partners. “They have been a great corporate neighbor and partner,” said Boone County Economic and Development Director Larry Lodato. “They are an important part of our community and have been heavily involved in community service in our area. This facility is a great benefit not only to the coal mining industry, but also to the local community as well.” “This is a great day for Boone County,” said Boone County Commission President Mickey Brown. “To have this type of facility here is only going help boost the local economy as well as help our local fire departments and other first responders with training as well.” Alpha officials said in addition to training its own employees, its new academy would also be used by local fire departments and other in the mining industry. Alpha Natural Resources is one of the largest and most regionally diversified coal suppliers in the United States. With mining operations in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Wyoming, Alpha supplies metallurgical coal to the steel industry and thermal coal to generate power to customers on five continents, company officials said. For more information, visit Alpha’s official website at www.alphanr.com
Accents & Gifts, LLC Sherry Smith, Owner 304-369-3699 33 Country Corner Plaza Danville, WV 60547903 60547892
Kevin’s Lazy River Adventure becomes an icon for river restoration By Bill Curry
For The Coal Valley News
What could be better; a big family river event that turns into a celebration of the restoration of the Coal Rivers or a community of local citizens who invite over 200 guests to their beautiful home on the river and treat everyone like their closest kin? The members of the Big Coal River Branch of the Coal River Group did everything right and the result was a huge river float that encouraged anyone and everyone to enjoy the resurrection of their beloved Big Coal River. Words used to describe the annual Kevin’s Lazy River Adventure by the visitors to Racine to start of the 10 mile float included: “wonderful,” “great event,” “well organized,” “safe,” and “fun.” The praise from visitors went on and on, organizers said. The annual event is organized by the leaders of the local Big Coal River Branch but the 70 or more volunteers represented branches of many extended families in the local area including, Boone County Ambulance Authority, Swift Water Rescue Team, Boone County Parks and Recreation and County Commission staff and officials. It is truly a community event but the folks who traveled from North Carolina, Indiana, Beckley, Fayetteville, Charleston, Huntington and many other surrounding areas in West Virginia experienced a day on a beautiful, clean and clear rapid flowing river. Big Coal River has undergone a major restoration, brought about by the hard work and efforts of the
same people who hosted the paddle event. The event was originally organized to honor a young man, Kevin Kinder, who everyone in the community loved. The organizers of the float wanted to bring people back to the river to help clean it up and Kevin’s lifelong love for the river was an inspiration to all of those early volunteers. Since its creation Kevin’s Lazy River Adventure has become an annual celebration that shows off the hard work of the local volunteers. They have made a difference in restoring the river that flows lazily through the ten miles of shallow stretches, lazy curves, and an occasional exciting rock strewn rapid to its terminus at Dartmont Park near Ashford in Boone County. This year over 114 boats were registered at the Racine launch site and several others joined the flotilla along the way making close to 145 assorted crafts. An estimated 225 people floated the river. The group does not charge any fees for entry but
Boone County now has ‘Farmers’ Market’ By Fred Pace
fpace@civitasmedia.com
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There were probably 35-40 customers when it first opened and this past year it has grown to hundreds of customers. The Community Band was in full force and sounding good and the crowd seemed to really enjoy the atmosphere of the morning. “We invite all who have fruits, veggies, flowers, plants, honey, candy, firewood, and other market items,” officials added. There are no fees or taxes. For more information, please call the Extension Office at 304-3695869 .
Quality Health Care Close To Home
2014
MADISON – The Boone County Farmers Market now opens each year at Ellis Mini Park in Madison with a variety of produce and vendors. The Boone County Farmers Market is a joint initiative with the help of the Boone County Development Authority, the Town of Danville, Rev Up Madison, the Boone County / West Virginia University Extension Service, and the Boone County Master Gardeners. It opened for the first time a few years ago. “Well, our first day was pretty good,” officials said. “We had 4 vendors: plants from the Master Gardeners, t-shirts from the Julia Price breast cancer gals, 2 ladies who brought a variety of things and sold 98 percent of their goods.” Items for sales included apple butter, peppers, jelly, hand scrub, banana bread, cabbage, and more.
makes a major effort to register participants and provide safety advice which is supported by a large number of EMT’s and citizen volunteers along the length of the float trip. The event terminates in a newly restored county park at Dartmont, WV. As with any event in Boone County the volunteers welcome all the paddlers with a huge picnic, featuring the very best of desserts and main courses prepared by some of the finest cooks in the region. It’s all free and everyone is welcomed as if they were at a family reunion. Teresa Perdue, along with Kenny Bailey, Dan Light, Mary and Jim Browning of the non-profit Coal River Group work for months putting together the event and they are supported by a host of volunteers who toil through the winter months preparing the food, organizing and seeking out contributions from the many local businesses that make the entire event financially feasible. Teresa Perdue, says, “We want to thank the sponsors who make the event possible. The sponsors include Coal River Energy, Prayworks, B&M Oil Company, Finish Line Used Auto Sales, Inside out Creative/owner Amanda Easter and One Stop, Ashford, WV. Cabela’s also exhibited at the event and donated a Kayak, with paddle and life vest to be raffled off in the future to raise funds for river clean-up programs.” Teresa adds, “We want to give special praise to the Boone County Swift Water Rescue Team, Boone County Ambulance Authority along with the Boone County Recreation Parks & Recreation and the County Commission for their support.”
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