AGING COMFORTABLY New options in town for seniors
NEARCATION
THE PINK THING
that’s bringing us more fresh greens
Great day trips in Preston County
NA SO
LIZE YOUR P LAC FTSM
FIX
T
UR
LC ES F ROM LOCA
RA
WITH
EN
E
PER
The
Issue
volume 8
•
issue 4
PUBLISHED BY
New South Media, Inc.
709 Beechurst Avenue, Suite 14A, Morgantown, WV 26505
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Nikki Bowman, nikki@newsouthmediainc.com EDITOR
Pam Kasey, pam@newsouthmediainc.com DESIGNER
Hayley Richard, hayley@newsouthmediainc.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Zack Harold, zack@newsouthmediainc.com OPERATIONS AND CIRCULATION MANAGER
Holly Leleux-Thubron, holly@newsouthmediainc.com WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Eric Palfrey, eric@newsouthmediainc.com PHOTOGRAPHER
Carla Witt Ford INTERNS
Jess Walker, Zoey Willhide SALES DIRECTOR
Heather Mills, heather@newsouthmediainc.com ADVERTISING
Heather Mills, Bryson Taylor CONTRIBUTORS
Aldona Bird, Tara Curtis, Kaylyn Christopher, J. Kendall Perkinson
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscription rate is $20 for 6 issues. Subscribe by calling 304.413.0104. EDITORIAL INQUIRIES
Unsolicited manuscripts are not accepted. Please send a query to morgantown@newsouthmediainc.com.
Exotic Jungle
SCENE SUBMISSIONS
Please send photos and event information for The Scene to morgantown@newsouthmediainc.com.
Pet Superstore
Come visit your local neighborhood pet superstore! 34 years in business on the Mileground, Morgantown 1716 Mileground Road | 304.296.8552
4
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
MORGA NTOW N is published by New South Media, Inc. Frequency of publication is subject to change without notice. Double issues may be published, which count as two issues. We reserve the right to substitute gifts of equal or greater value. Copyright: New South Media, Inc. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher. © N EW SOU T H M EDI A, I NC. A LL R IGH TS R ESERV ED
EDITOR’S NOTE
I
t’s so much fun to talk with people about their neighborhoods. I love my South Park cottage, and my neighbors are great. But to hear residents of Wiles Hill enthuse about their views and their community center, or Cheat Lakers groove on their laid-back lakeside lifestyle, it’s almost enough to make me pick up and move. It also makes me feel good about our town. The bigger Morgantown gets, the more the neighborhoods become centers of relaxation and play, and the more they develop their own distinct charm and livability. Morgantown’s livability was recognized in March when it placed in Livability.com’s Top 100 Best Places to Live for the second year in a row. This is one ranking that means something. I studied it in detail— let me tell you about it. Livability, a quality-of-life research organization, takes a two-pronged, dataintensive approach. Its analysts crunch a truckload of fresh data each year in more than 40 categories under eight qualityof-life factors—things like Amenities and Health. At the same time, they poll people all over about the importance of each category so they can weight the data according to current sentiment. You might remember that in 2018, Livability’s fifth annual ranking, Morgantown came in 43rd. The pool of contenders included the couple thousand cities with populations up to 350,000, so the Top 100 were the top one-half of 1 percent of small and mid-size U.S. cities. Morgantown’s high marks in Housing, Amenities, and Infrastructure compared with cities that rank high year after year—college towns like Boulder, Colorado, and Madison, Wisconsin. This year’s sixth ranking included populations up to 1 million—all but 10 U.S. cities. And to reflect the 2019 survey subjects’ overwhelming preference for affordability, it capped median home values at $250,000. Those changes added dozens of very nice larger cities like Minneapolis and New Orleans to the pool
6
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
and bumped pricey places like Berkeley, California, and Charlottesville, Virginia. So this year, compared with pretty much every city in the U.S., Morgantown came in at number 65, alongside Knoxville, Tennessee. If you’ve ever been to Knoxville, you know that’s saying something. Number 65. Also, get this. For six of the eight factors, Morgantown ranked in the top 50. To oversimplify: • #6 in Housing: diversity and affordability of housing stock; • #17 in Health: support for healthy lifestyles and access to quality health care; • #22 in Education: good public schooling and lifelong learning options; • #26 in Amenities: everything from arts events to air quality; • #41 in Infrastructure: transportation alternatives, access to broadband; and • #47 in Social and Civic Capital: volunteering and voter participation. It came out lower in Demographics— population diversity—and Economy— growth of high-wage jobs. Number 65. Here’s my take-away. People everywhere complain about the traffic where they live, or the home prices, or the lack of a truly good bagel. But the Top 100 are the most supremely livable cities in the nation. Compared with all of the places there are, Morgantown has a lot going for it. We’d do well to appreciate what we have while we work to improve it. Speaking of appreciation, I’ll close this with an appreciation for our sales director, Heather Mills. Heather’s responsive work with advertisers builds advertiser–reader relationships that, over time, lift our entire community. As a colleague, she’s a creative, persistently buoyant force and a joy to work with. Love our town!
CONTRIBUTOR BIOS Aldona Bird is a columnist and freelance journalist in the Morgantown area. She studied in Pittsburgh and traveled abroad before motherhood brought her home to Preston County. She enjoys volunteering for School Stores of Preston County and Friends of Deckers Creek, curating a local art gallery, gardening, cooking, and soaking in the nature and community events in Preston County. Kaylyn Christopher is a West Virginia University alumna who ran track and cross country for the Mountaineers while earning her journalism degree. Now a college track and cross country coach in Salem, West Virginia, she’s grateful for the opportunities her home state has provided to pursue her two greatest passions: running and writing. She resides in Fairmont with her boyfriend, rescue dog, and three cats. J. Kendall Perkinson is a multimedia journalist working in Morgantown. He is the owner of Kromatic Media, best known for its true crime podcast Mared & Karen: The WVU Coed Murders. His second Appalachian true crime podcast is currently in production.
Follow us at . . . PA M K ASEY,
Editor
@morgantownmagazine @morgantownmag @morgantownmag
the ultimate
Shopping Experience New MacKenzie-Childs Royal Check pattern is here!
Market House | 36 E. Church St. Uniontown, PA Tues.-Fri. 10am-6pm; Sat. 10am-5pm; Sun.-Mon. closed Flower Shop | 3 S. Gallatin Ave. Uniontown, PA
Mon.-Fri. 8 am-6 pm; Sat. 8am-5pm; Sun. 9am-1pm Located just 30 minutes from Morgantown!
724.437.5500 | neubauersflowers.com
The area’s largest collection of designer brands and unique one-of- a-kind gift ideas and home decor. 8
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
free and convenient parking for both locations
In This Issue
NIKKI BOWMAN
APRIL/MAY 2019
Welcome to the Neighborhood
Aging Well and Comfortably
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or just now moving to town, there’s a neighborhood for you.
Seniors looking for independent or assisted group living in Morgantown have more options than ever.
36
47 MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
9
APRIL/MAY 2019
In This Issue This Matters
Departments 6 Editor’s Note
14 Who’s This A WVU alum returns to town to run Mon Health. 16 Wear This Show your Morgantown pride this spring.
26 Dish It Out Cairo 2 Go serves up the first-ever fast-casual Egyptian cuisine right here in Morgantown.
17 Support This Purses for women mean books for children at this upcoming event.
30 Road Rage We all need to get clear on homeowners’ sidewalk responsibilities.
18 Hear This A Morgantown podcast collective wants you to listen up. 19 Love This Dental health takes to the road with the Smile Express. 19 Read This A new novel explores the quiet complexities of life during wartime.
17
16
53 Across County Lines A Preston County native crafted two tempting day trips for us. 56 House & Home Personalize your place with fixtures from these local craftsmen.
53
60 The Scene 61 The Scene 62 Calendar
20 What’s This Pink is the new green. 23 Do This Become a savvy home buyer and owner. 23 Try This Room refresh tips from a local interior designer. 24 This Matters To … Carl Sickles on outdoor rooms and competitive fishing.
56 18
25 Know This Useful tips and local trivia from the Morgantown Tree Board.
26 20 10
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
THE THRASHER GROUP, STRADA, MERRITT CHASE, MARCH-WESTIN COMPANY, INC.
EAT / LOVE / WEAR / SHOP / WATCH / KNOW / HEAR / READ / DO / WHO / WHAT
HRMRP 2.0
This construction season’s complete reboot of Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park is going to bring us a better riverfront park than ever in 2020: an expanded amphitheater stage, a larger seating area with canopies for shade, improvements to the train depot and restrooms, and other upgrades. Paddlers rejoice! Walnut Street Landing just downriver is also getting a launch and kayak storage.
Size Really Isn’t Everything City affordability, not size and all that comes with that, topped Livability.com’s 2019 quality-of-life survey. Data on the nation’s couple thousand affordable cities—those with median home values under $250,000—placed Morgantown in the top 25 in three factors. See the full results at livability.com.
6 17 22
Housing
#
#
Health
#
Education
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
13
THIS MATTERS
WHO’STHIS
A Healthy Return
Mon Health’s new leader has always had a heart for Mountaineer Country. ➼ WHEN DAVID GOLDBERG LEFT Morgantown for Washington, D.C., in 1994 with a freshly minted degree, it turns out he left a piece of himself behind—a piece that would bring him back a quarter century later as a leader in his field. Goldberg grew up in Edison, New Jersey. His mother steered him toward WVU for college—her lifelong friend David Gleitzman was practicing podiatry here so, as a WVU student, he’d have a family friend close by. A 1989 college-visit 14
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
road trip with his brother and two friends convinced him Morgantown was the place for him. He never looked at another college. In D.C., Goldberg’s studies in political science and his interest in nonprofits led him to work first on the administrative side of the U.S. Senate, then in nonprofit fundraising. But as he and his wife prepared to have a child, he took a less travel-oriented position in 2001 with Inova Loudoun Hospital in northern Virginia. It was a small shift—still nonprofit—that made
perfect sense in his life. “I’m a former Shriners Hospitals kid,” he says, referring to the network of hospitals that treats certain serious conditions in children. “I had significant spinal problems and had spinal surgery when I was 7 years old. I fell in love with health care.” From there, Goldberg’s career path became clear. He earned a master’s in health systems management and worked his way up to a vice presidency at Inova, then ran two hospitals at Baptist Health System in Texas. To get back closer to home, he took a position with Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh in 2014 and soon became senior vice president of administration, overseeing eight acute care hospitals and multiple other treatment delivery sites. Then, in the spring of 2018, his old friend Dr. Gleitzman called. “He said, ‘There’s a leadership change at Mon Health System. It’d be a great way to get back to Morgantown,’” Goldberg recalls. “I wasn’t looking for a job. I said, ‘I’m happy in Pittsburgh!’” But the fact was, Goldberg had left his heart in Morgantown. He served on the visiting committee for WVU’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. He and his wife, also an alum, had donated to a scholarship in honor of WVU professor emeritus of political science Robert DiClerico. He followed all of the major WVU sports and charitably supported the golf team. And his entire family drove down frequently for WVU theater events, home football games, and other community activities. Goldberg took a look at Mon Health and found he liked what he saw. “Mon Health has a strong reputation clinically and great doctors,” he says. “And then I found out it had grown to be a threehospital system, with Preston Memorial Hospital and Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, and I said, ‘Wow. More than 130 employed physicians, thousands of employees—what a great opportunity.’” So even though he’d been happy enough driving an hour and a half each way, Goldberg packed up last fall and moved back to Mountaineer Country. Everything is Local That’s how the new president and CEO of our community health care system thinks about health care. “Patients are local— they need to know that we can provide the very best care and service close to home.”
Mon Health’s facilities feel local, as opposed to giant and corporate, he says, from the patient rooms to the operating rooms. “The medical staff, so many were born and raised in West Virginia, went on for advanced training elsewhere, and came back. Nurses, physical therapists, they were born and raised here and stayed or came back to provide service to neighbors and family. All of our board members reside in Morgantown or north central West Virginia, and they keep us true to the values of high quality, high safety, and service delivery at the best price possible for our community members. It’s so special to be part of an organization like that.” Taking the helm of an organization that had endured a year of leadership transition, Goldberg brought a vision that’s strong and clear. The role of a notfor-profit health care system is to always be accessible to patients, regardless of their ability to pay, he says. It also has to be easy to navigate. Mon Health is pursuing that in several ways: • implementing a new electronic health records system that will give patients and their families easier access to appointments, test results, and other information; • making primary care available seven days per week in Morgantown, so patients have best access to emergency, urgent, and primary care as appropriate; • cutting unnecessary expenses, to keep care affordable across the system; and • continually ensuring that tests and medications are ordered appropriately, with treatment goals and costs in mind. Relationship with WVU Medicine Goldberg acknowledges past tension between Mon Health and WVU Medicine and emphasizes that it’s exactly that: in the past. “Collaboration is needed in health care. Sometimes you compete, and positive competition is not a bad thing—it improves outcomes, raises sights, and keeps you moving forward. But I have a great relationship, and Mon Health has a great relationship, with the leadership at WVU and WVU Medicine such that we can always put the community first and drive best-in-class care.” He sees a place for both institutions. The community needs the kind of locally based, progressive care that Mon Health provides, he says, and it also
needs highly specialized services like kidney and heart transplant and care for significant trauma that can only be provided by an academic hospital. He’s working closely with WVU Medicine to increase collaboration. “We already partner on a lot of things: pediatrics, neonatology, nephrology, ENT,” he says. Talks are underway in telestroke, neurology, and, most currently, emergency medical services. “We are merging our two competing businesses into one unified EMS and transport system so we can put the patient at the center and holistically provide a coordinated service.” Morgantown, a Quarter Century Later What’s changed the most since the mid-’90s? Goldberg says it’s the food. “What a difference! I've probably gained my freshman 15 again. The food is great.” More seriously, he notes the region’s advances. “The university, the county, and the cities of Morgantown and Weston and Kingwood, these communities have
come such a far way from when I was here in the ’90s,” he says. “We have our struggles—taxes, infrastructure—but we have a lot to be proud of.” It’s a testament to the quality of life here that many who come from elsewhere decide it’s where they want to stay, he says, himself included. “I’ve lived all over the country, and I could have gone anywhere, but I love being in Morgantown.” He feels the same about the health care community here. “People should be so impressed and confident in the health care that’s delivered through Mon Health and the providers in the state of West Virginia. I have met with hospital leaders and governmental leaders from Charleston to Morgantown, and the one thing we’re all aligned in is that no West Virginian should have to leave the state for care. We have a strong health care system and I’m thrilled to be a part of that community.” written by pam kasey photographed by carla witt ford MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
15
WEARTHIS
Wear Your Morgantown Pride! Refresh your t-shirt drawer this spring with some local classics.
Friends of Deckers Creek
Classic shirt in blue gray, S-M-L-XL $20 Multiple other designs and colors 205 Parsons Street, 304.292.3970, deckerscreek.org
Mario’s Fishbowl
Classic shirt in navy, S-M-L-XL $20 Multiple other designs and colors 704 Richwood Avenue, 304.292.2511; 3117 University Avenue, 304.599.4309; mariosfishbowl.com
Positive Spin
CARLA WITT FORD
Classic shirt in green or black, S-M-L-XL, $25 1216 University Avenue, 304.933.2633, @positivespinwv on Facebook
16
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
THIS MATTERS
PopShop
Classic shirt in heather gray, youth M-L-XL, adult S-M-L-XL-XXL $18 918 Fortney Street, 304.833.9248, popshopwv.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF WOMEN UNITED
SUPPORTTHIS
Bags to Books Purses for women mean books for children at Women United’s annual fundraiser. ➼ DO YOU REMEMBER that book that
Black Bear Burritos
Classic shirt in blue and black, S-M $12, L-XL $15 Also available in another design, multiple colors 132 Pleasant Street, 304.296.8696; 3119 University Avenue, 304.777.4867; blackbearburritos.com
you just couldn’t put down because it took you to a place you had never been before? Or maybe your favorite was that classic tale that you couldn’t wait to find out how it would end? A group of women in the greater Morgantown area is hoping to spur that same sense of excitement and curiosity in children through support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The project is sponsored by Women United, an affinity group of the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. Last year, Women United hosted the inaugural Power of the Purse event to raise funds for the Imagination Library. More than 200 community members attended the event, which featured prizes, food, networking—and designer handbags. Thanks to generous support from sponsors and attendees, the event raised more than $18,000. Those funds provided one book each month for a year to nearly 1,000 kids in Monongalia County. “As an educator, I can definitely tell the difference in children who have had a book in their hands and those who have been read to before they reach preschool, and those who have not. It makes a tremendous difference in their language development,
the vocabulary they have, and the prior knowledge they come to school with,” said Lydotta Taylor, co-chair of Women United. “Supporting our local Dolly Parton Imagination Library not only gives our children an opportunity to improve their comprehension and reading skills, but also encourages a love of reading.” As a parent of two young children, Ashley Hardesty-Odell is delighted that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is available in our community. “The more books children have in their homes, the more likely they will develop a love of reading,” says Hardesty-Odell, co-chair of Women United. “I am proud to be a part of Women United and the effort to support the library so that children throughout our community have the opportunity to fill their homes with books.” The library has grown in the past year to include more than 1,440 children enrolled in the free program. Those interested in supporting the Imagination Library can do so at a cost of just $25, which provides one book per month to a child enrolled in the program. And mark your calendar to attend this year’s Power of the Purse event, scheduled for June 6. unitedwaympc.org/DPIL written by tara curtis MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
17
Hyphen Nation and It’s Like a Podcast or Whatever joined forces, and the Hyphen Podcast Group was born. The network has grown since, and now the network has a roster of seven regular shows—the original two plus five more: • Browns in Our Blood, a Cleveland Browns podcast featuring hosts Anthony Sellers and Eric Jordan and moderated by Conley; • Catch the Show, a concert review podcast hosted by Eric Jordan, Jr.; • I, Blackman, a current events show hosted by Detroit podcaster Miles Amadeus Prower; • Lemon on the Edge, a sports talk podcast hosted by Lane Lemon; and • Victory Jumpoff Radio, a Conley-hosted dance music podcast that occasionally features guests DJs. The shows advertise one another onair. And when one of the shows publishes a new episode, Conley adds it to the Hyphen Podcast Network website, which HEARTHIS automatically posts to Twitter and Facebook. He also posts an update on Instagram. This is in addition to producing his own show—and all the research, recording, and editing that entails. Sometimes this means A Morgantown-based podcast collective finds numbers in numbers. late nights for Conley, who also works a day job at Fairmont Federal Credit Union. It’s to the studio with six or seven questions ➼ MORGANTOWN TRANSPLANT Kelen worth it, he says. “I’m a creative person so, that he and Conley can argue over. He Conley started making podcasts around even if I’m not getting the feedback I desire, built a makeshift studio in his basement, 2008, long before shows like Serial, I get such gratification from just releasing it StartUp, and WTF with Marc Maron made although he sometimes still uses his car. and knowing I was able to get it out there.” The show gained some popularity. on-demand audio a national obsession. The collective also gives Conley a In summer 2017, a friend of Conley’s But his experiments never lasted long. “I community of like-minded people to from Boston—who goes by the nom-dewas in my 20s, and I was easily distracted workshop ideas with. “It’s nice having microphone Handsome Bane—said he by shiny things,” he says. Conley was that camaraderie,” he says. wanted to try a show of his own. Bane mostly focused on rapping at the time. He hopes to keep expanding the podcast recruited his friend Everyday Rogue as Then, in January 2016, he launched co-host and launched It’s Like a Podcast or group’s network. “We definitely want to get Hyphen Nation. He was inspired by some female voices going. I know we’re just a Whatever, where they discuss superhero shows like Maron’s and The Bill Simmons bunch of dudes talking, and we’re missing a movies, cosplay, anime, music, and just Podcast, where hosts explore issues in the bunch of voices.” about everything else pop-culture related. news or topics that just interest them, And, of course, he wants to attract a larger “As soon as I saw the very first thing by themselves or with guests. “I always audience. That will grow the network’s ability they did, I said ‘I want it,’” Conley says. loved how their conversations flowed to attract advertising dollars—something they He went to Bane with an idea. “I said, when they did have a guest on,” he says. haven’t been able to do yet. “The numbers ‘Why don’t we try to do this podcast “I wanted to try to do it on my own.” don’t do too bad. We’re not doing millions of Most of the early shows feature Conley network thing, so everything’s coming downloads, but there are weeks they’re doing from one direction?’” Bane liked the idea alone on the mic—recording in his hundreds of downloads.” but told Conley he didn’t have money car, the quietest space he could find— He figures once Hyphen’s shows get a to invest. “I’m like, ‘Pay me? I’m not discussing the NBA, mixed martial arts, consistent audience of 500 listeners each making any money. I just want to have this pro wrestling, and comic books. When episode, he’ll be able to start selling ads network of podcasts I think is really cool.’” he did book guests, he went for people he to support this all-consuming hobby. Podcast networks take several forms. knew he could talk freely with. He invited He’s confident the group is on the path to Sometimes a network is a stable of shows his sister-in-law on to talk about musicals that goal. “As long as we keep doing what produced by a single team of producers. and his wife to talk about her favorite TV we’re doing, we’ll build an audience,” he Other times the shows’ only connection shows. He interviewed his dad about life. says. hyphenpodcastgroup.com is to promote one another—which is what Later, he added occasional co-host Conley had in mind. written and photographed by zack harold Marcus Robinson, who always comes
Casting a Wide Net
18
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
READTHIS
An Ordinary Beauty LOVETHIS
All Aboard
MARYWADE TRIPLETT; CARLA WITT FORD
Traveling miles to deliver healthy smiles. ➼ THIS SPRING, students who attend schools in Harrison and Marion counties have the opportunity to climb aboard the Smile Express, a mobile dental service provided by the Monongalia County Health Department. Tiffany Summerlin, a public health dental hygienist at the MCHD and the coordinator of the Smile Express, says the intention of the mobile service is to make dental care more accessible and convenient. “It’s a sobering experience to see the unmet need of those with limited access to dental care,” says Summerlin. “Whether it is children in school, adults with limited income, or residents in nursing homes, everyone deserves to have a chance to access dental care. Sometimes you have to take the care to the people.” Together, the team of Summerlin, dentist Dr. Mike Wiener, and assistants Laura Burrows and Velvet Urgo are doing just that by driving across north central West Virginia in a converted 2005 Winnebago Voyage motorhome. In 2012, Summerlin drove an RV across the United States to follow her husband, Jamie, an ultramarathoner, as he completed a cross-country run. That experience, combined with her professional background, gave Summerlin the confidence to make the Smile Express a reality. A $150,000 grant from the Delta Dental Foundation contributed the bulk of the Smile Express’s start up expenses, says Summerlin, with additional funding coming from the Cheat Lake Rotary, the Monongalia County Commission, the Rotary Club of Morgantown, and the West Virginia Oral Health Program. The Smile Express RV houses two fully functioning private dental operatories, central sterilization, a bathroom, a waiting
area complete with a Nintendo gaming system, a digital panoramic radiograph machine, and a NOMAD x-ray machine with digital intraoral sensors. “We have the capability to perform most of the procedures that are done in our ‘sticks and bricks’ office at MCHD Dentistry,” says Summerlin. The Smile Express debuted last fall, traveling to schools in Braxton, Harrison, Lewis, and Monongalia counties to offer services such as dental exams, assessments by a dental hygienist, cleanings, X-rays, sealants, fluoride treatments, oral health education, and minor restorative services. “When we look at the utilization of dental services by most children who have insurance, less than half of those children have had a dental visit in the last three years,” says Summerlin. “While the dental visit itself does not solve all the problems, we know that a child who creates a habit of having dental care and receives oral health education is much more likely to have a healthier mouth and life into adulthood. In our short time in operation, we have seen some cases that really bring this point home.” The ultimate goal of Smile Express is to improve the oral health of West Virginians, she says. “I feel the opportunities for us to serve the community are broad and, with the help of dental providers, sponsors, and partners, we can meet the needs of those who seek affordable and convenient services.” To see Smile Express’s upcoming schedule or to access an application for a student to be served, visit monchd.org/smileexpress.html. written by kaylyn christopher
Patricia Harman’s latest novel captures life in West Virginia amidst the struggles of World War II. ➼ NOTHING MIRACULOUS happens in this book. There’s no love triangle. No sleep-with-thelights-on mystery. No sword-clashing battle scene. Patricia Harman’s Once a Midwife portrays the ordinary, small-town world of West Virginia midwife Patience Hester during the second World War. Yet, that ordinariness makes Patience’s story all the more captivating. Harman doesn’t dramatize. Rather, she highlights the simple wonder that is the cycle of life and death, joy and sorrow. Patience, her husband, Daniel, and their four youngsters have finally recuperated from the Great Depression. Patience’s friend and fellow midwife Bitsy Proudfoot returns to Hope River, and together they welcome new lives into the world. Then, Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. The repercussions threaten the stability Patience has built. The very community she’s helped birth ostracizes her family after Daniel’s conscientious objection—and his eventual imprisonment. Bitsy engages in an interracial relationship with her white factory supervisor. Questions of patriotism, racial equality, and family solidarity arise daily. In spite of trials, the two women always choose hope over despair. As Patience says, “Strength grows when you feel you can’t go on, but you keep going on.” Once a Midwife is the third novel in Harman’s Hope River series, although newcomers will find it stands alone nicely. The story sometimes lulls between the more action-filled scenes. But, that’s life, isn’t it? Brief flashes of brilliance against an otherwise unremarkable routine, and all beautiful nonetheless. written by jess walker MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
19
WHAT'STHIS
Little Pink (Green)Houses Imagine them all over West Virginia, growing produce for you and me. ➼ IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN with your own eyes the neon pink structure that glows on the left bank when it’s cold out, you’ve probably heard about it. It looks like a rave you’re missing or some avantgarde art installation. That fanciful hue gives entirely the wrong impression about Micro Genesis, a very serious greenhouse operation headed up by sixth-generation farmer and 2015 WVU graduate Jordon Masters. Masters grew up on a cow-calf operation in Greenbrier County. The elder Masters’ farm was awarded Farm of the Year in 2018 by the West Virginia Conservation Agency—that, while he also works a full-time day job. Everything the younger Masters saw growing up told him that, in this day and age, small-scale farming can only ever be a side hustle. But then an extension agent told him that, if all of the farmers in Greenbrier County switched to growing nothing but lettuces, they wouldn’t be able to satisfy even the state school systems’ need. That got him thinking: If there’s plenty of demand, then what farmers need to make their operations life-sustaining must be more efficient ways to create the supply. 20
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
He entered the 2014-15 West Virginia Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition and, as a competitor and then a winner, got connected with startup advice, business services, and potential investors and partners. Fast forward four years, and Masters’ Micro Genesis is an operating greenhouse marketing to some of the best restaurants in town. It’s also the incubation site of a fresh business model that might be savvy enough to change the fortunes of small farmers. Quality First Micro Genesis’ operation isn’t just seeds sprouted, grown as they will, and harvested when there’s a customer. It’s a well-regulated system that rethinks costs—and quality. For example, a lot of greenhouses grow hydroponically. With roots suspended directly in a solution of easily-absorbed nutrients, the theory goes, plants can concentrate their energies on stems and leaves, and they grow quickly. But that misses the point of plants as food, Masters says. “If you have a kid and you give it everything it wants, it’s going to be spoiled and it’s not going to be able to
stand up on its own. Plants are the same way.” Making nutrients so easily available results in inferior flavor and texture, he says. Growing plants in soil makes them work a little harder, enhancing not only flavor and texture but color, aroma, nutrition, and even shelf-life. So Micro Genesis workers sow seeds every weekend into trays of soil, which go into warm, moist germination chambers at one end of the greenhouse. After germination, the trays are moved to irrigation tables, and they proceed through the greenhouse week by week until harvest. Some seedlings are harvested really small, right after the first two true leaves form. These are microgreens: lettuces and vegetables like chard, beets, and other tender garden plants cut larger than shoots but smaller than baby lettuces. Microgreens have a delicate texture and a distinctive flavor. And the way Micro Genesis’ microgreens pop on the plate in lush, appetizing greens and reds, it seems like Masters may be right about the benefits of growing in soil. Microgreens make up about a third of Micro Genesis’ production. Another third,
THIS MATTERS
at packaging all of that up with some functions that are more conventional but tailored to agricultural operations. “I love ag, but I hate accounting. Our system takes care of accounting, we take care of inventory management, employee maintenance,” Masters says. “When you use our system and you put a seed in the dirt, we track that from seed to finished product, and we’re able to account for everything in between. Our system takes care of all of that so the grower can focus more on actually growing the crop.” The plan is to offer that comprehensive package to small farms across West Virginia.
NIGHT SHOT: ERIC PALFREY
harvested at four weeks, is spring mix. And the last third is basil. The way the plants are harvested is one part of the efficiency rethink. Working Smarter In Masters’ mind, a greenhouse operation has two main inputs: utilities and labor. There isn’t much to be done about utilities; either the heat has to be on, or it doesn’t. But labor—that’s ripe for improvement. Harvesting and sowing are the greenhouse’s two most labor-intensive activities, he says. Harvesting small greens is not only time-consuming, it’s hard to do well. If you grasp them, you’re likely to crush some of them, leaving them unappetizing and prone to rot. If you harvest them with a knife, you’re likely to cut partly into some in the next row— again, unappetizing, rot. So Micro Genesis designed its own harvester. The simple, adjustable device draws a blade across each tray just once, at just the right height. Fast, no crushing, no stray cuts. With regard to sowing, the company is prototyping a seeder now. That’s just the start of the efficiencies. Remember the connections Masters got through the business plan competition?
One of those turned into a partnership with Nashville-based agriculture and food industry conglomerate Fresh Hospitality—parent company of Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe and several restaurants at WVU’s Evansdale Crossing. Fresh Hospitality CEO Michael Bodnar, an Oak Hill native and also a WVU alum, has a deep interest in automation. “So we’ve developed our own cloudbased automation system,” Masters says. He points to a computer on a desk in the greenhouse. “This is controlling all of our irrigation, our lighting. We’ve got beacons, sensors, everything custom-built in-house. The information goes to our private server network, and that sends back to the greenhouse what to do: Should the lights be on? Should the heating be on? Should the irrigation be on?” For now, the system controls general greenhouse conditions. But Micro Genesis has workers not only for growing, but also on the information technology side, further developing the automation. With Masters, Bodnar, and help from Bodnar’s network, they’re developing a robot they call The Mule—“because it’s going to work like a mule,” Masters says—that will inspect and make decisions at the level of the individual plant. Micro Genesis is working simultaneously
Making Small Farming Pay Again One of the things that undermines small farm profitability is the disconnect between small farms and big buyers like restaurants, school systems, and retailers. It’s too hard for small farmers to market themselves to big buyers. And it’s too hard for big buyers to work with lots of little growers and tolerate the ups and downs that are inherent in small operations. Aggregators are stepping into that gap with good success and, given Micro Genesis’ focus on consistency and farmer profitability, aggregation is a natural next step. “We want to create a network of small farmers around West Virginia who are all growing consistently—yields are consistent, but also the product is consistent—so we can tie them all together,” Masters says. “So we don’t have 100 acres under one greenhouse, but we have 100 acres of greenhouses spread out across the community.” Micro Genesis would become a vertically integrated producer– aggregator: for farmers, a sure enough market to make investments of time and money worthwhile. And for buyers, a source of locally grown produce at a quality consistent enough and a scale large enough to be reliable. Masters hopes to begin offering Micro Genesis’ package to farms as early as next year. Meanwhile, you can try Micro Genesis produce at Bourbon Prime, Hill and Hollow, Sargasso, Stefano’s, Table 9, and Taziki’s—or pick up some microgreens at the Mountain People’s Co-op. Oh and, about those pink lights? They’re LED grow lights. If we’re lucky, they’ll be here for many winters to come. growntomatter.com written and photographed by pam kasey MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
21
TRYTHIS
Trading Up Reclaim Design’s Sarah McBride shares tips for a spring refresh.
DOTHIS
House Hunting 101 Loans and taxes and budgets, oh my.
COURTESY OF NORTHROP REALTY; COURTESY OF SARAH MCBRIDE
➼ AS THE SAYING GOES, “There’s no
up to be successful homeowners. That’s why the housing authority also offers a four-hour Non-Delinquency PostPurchase Education course that teaches students about maintenance, home repair, refinancing, and more. For former student Ella Belling and her partner, Lance, the courses offered by the FMHA were instrumental in helping them realize their dream of becoming homeowners. The couple enrolled in the Homebuyer Education course in February of 2015 and found themselves buying by October of that same year. “The class and our housing counselor gave us the confidence and guidance to make that happen,” says Belling. “We wanted to be educated on whether we could afford a home, thought we might get discounts or financial incentives for taking the class, and thought they might know about first-time home buyers’ programs and would have recommendations for types of loans.” From learning about mortgage options and closing costs to hearing from guest speakers who were realtors, bankers, and housing inspectors, Belling said the course proved beneficial. She encourages others to sign up. “We especially think it would be helpful for those who might need credit help or financial guidance,” she says. “It helped reassure us that we were in a good place financially to buy a house and determine what we could afford.” The Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority serves six counties in north central West Virginia: Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor, and Wetzel. Courses cost $100 per family. fmhousing. com/residents/housing_counseling.php
place like home.” But that doesn’t mean shopping for one is easy. Luckily for first-time home buyers, the FairmontMorgantown Housing Authority lends a guiding hand. “The mission of the FairmontMorgantown Housing Authority is to assist low income families in finding safe, decent, and affordable housing opportunities,” says Theressa Nichols, a housing counselor at the FMHA. For about a decade, the housing authority’s Housing Counseling program has supported that mission by offering education services that help individuals and families who are in the market for a home understand the nuances of the buying process. “Educating yourself is really important, especially as a first-time home buyer,” says Nichols. “Between getting a good loan, knowing the cost of owning a house and how it affects your taxes, and learning what happens if you sell your property, there are a lot of things people are not initially aware of.” A couple of the program’s courses and services are particularly popular. The Homebuyer Education course, for instance, is a one-day session that focuses on topics such as credit-building, inspections, and predatory lending. It’s time well spent. “There are programs that people don’t know about that can save them thousands upon thousands of dollars on the back end just by taking a little more time and doing some research,” says Nichols. The FMHA doesn’t just want to help buyers understand what they’re about to go through—it also wants to set them written by kaylyn
christopher
What are your favorite furniture stores? I love to support local business whenever possible. Several local retail stores offer quality pieces with numerous custom options—a great approach for folks who need to see and feel. I’ve also had lots of success with online retailers such as Wayfair, Joybird, Article, West Elm, and Restoration Hardware. For smaller pieces, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods can be gold mines. And don’t discount local secondhand spots like the Ranch Community Store—there are many diamonds waiting to be claimed. What are some furniture-buying pitfalls? Scale has to be the biggest “oops!” I stick to the saying “Measure twice, cut (or purchase) once.” Second, I’d say, is getting too matchy-matchy. Don’t necessarily buy in full sets. Mixing textures and embracing contrast create dimension, visual interest, and even comfort. Paint or buy furniture—which one first? Start with an inspiration piece like a throw pillow, couch, or Pinterest image, then build in that direction. You don’t have to solve it all up front—that’s overwhelming! I find it way easier to choose paint color(s) after the main pieces have been selected, to be sure you get the correct hue. What furniture will still look good in 10 years? Neutrals, clean lines, and quality construction. Many retailers are offering fabric types (see: LiveSmart and Revolution) that are nearly waterproof and colorfast even to bleach solutions, so families and pet owners don’t have to wait to invest in a nice piece of furniture. How much do you tip deliverers? Anywhere from $5 to $20+ per person. Consider weight, maneuverability, stairs, set-up, take-away, and weather. Give what’s in your heart!
reclaimdesign.co MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
23
THIS MATTERS THISMATTERS TO
Carl Sickles ➼ CARL SICKLES IS THE OWNER of Affordable Landscaping Supplies, winner of Best Landscaper in our
2019 Best of Morgantown awards. He’s a lifelong Morgantown resident—except for six months he lived outside West Virginia once to get a sawmill industry certification in Memphis. Sickles is considering expanding his business to the Clarksburg area in the not-too-distant future, but for now he’s enjoying a rewarding life improving the properties of Morgantown residents.
interviewed by J. KENDALL PERKINSON | photographed by CARLA WITT FORD
On how fishing finally led to landscaping I opened my landscape supply yard to fund my fishing, and it basically became my hobby more than the fishing. I still fish at a competitive level when I have time, and that’s fun. It helps you get your mind off everything, so it’s a little different than relaxation fishing. But I quit the sawmill industry, and we’ve just grown from there.
24
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
On starting the business I was in the sawmill industry most of my early working life, and we sold bark to a company in Washington, Pennsylvania. The owner had a landscaping facility and he kept telling me, “Someone needs to open a facility in Morgantown.” I built a new house, and he helped me landscape. After buying mulch from a local distributor, I didn’t feel like I got a fair shake on the price, so I started listening to him. One day he said, “If you don’t open one, I’m going to.”
On hands-on involvement I’m pretty much on every job. We do a lot of different kinds of stuff, but we mostly center around large outdoor living spaces—swimming pools, outdoor kitchens, pavilions, pool houses, things like that. I love when people come in and I get to talk to them, help them through a DIY project, explain how to build a retaining wall, how to lay pavers, how to hang stone. Helping DIY people is what I really enjoy.
On outdoor spaces and quality of life People make the inside of their house grand and beautiful and everything they want. On the outside, they’ll generally make it nice for curb appeal, but if they would make the space useful for something other than looking at, it could make their house so much larger. Outdoor living space is what most people lack—a useful, tranquil space to live outside of their home. It’s almost like a vacation when you have an outdoor kitchen or a pavilion with a TV. It was enlightening to me. It made my house totally different.
KNOWTHIS
Nice Shades Trivia and tips from the Morgantown Tree Board. HERE’S SOME LOCAL INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: The most common tree species on city property is the American sycamore, at 130 of the nearly 2,000 trees the city cares for. The second most common is the silver maple, at 114—and there are more than 100 species in all. This is just a small part of what you can learn by visiting the Morgantown Tree Plotter by Plan-It Geo, accessible from the Morgantown Tree Board’s web page. Every tree is mapped with notes about its species, size, and health. Its air quality, water quality, and other benefits are calculated, too, reminding us that every tree provides important environmental services. The Tree Board looks after the city’s trees, says its chairman, Dave Barnett. The volunteer board of tree professionals and tree enthusiasts doesn’t do the work directly, but advises the city on matters like what types of trees to plant in a new parking lot or which city trees need attention. The board also advises residents on how to plant and care for trees. Here are some tips Barnett shared: • Choose the right tree for the right spot. Oaks are beautiful, but they need a lot of space. The Tree Board’s web page includes a list of recommended tree and shrub species. • Any time you plant, call Miss Utility first at 8-1-1 to make sure you’re not digging over a utility line. It’s the law. • Don’t plant a tree and forget it—the best time to do structural pruning is when a tree is young. If a branch is going to rub or cross another, take it off before it’s gotten thick and removing it leaves a big wound that exposes the tree to disease. • Regular inspection and maintenance will ensure your trees remain sound and do not become hazardous. Any time you have tree work other than removal done, ensure proper care by choosing a company that has a certified arborist on staff. • The most important tip, Barnett says: Never top a tree. Topping undermines a tree’s long-term health in many ways. The Tree Board meets the fourth Monday of every month at City Hall, 389 Spruce Street. To be considered for service on the Tree Board, contact the city council person from your ward. morgantownwv.gov/264/tree-board written and photographed by pam kasey MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
25
Coordinating across two continents, three Egyptian emigrants dish up authentic foods from their homeland in Suncrest Towne Centre. #eatlikeanegyptian
26
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
CARLA WITT FORD
Coming 2 America
DISH IT OUT
Karim and Ranim Abbara dish it out
TORLEY TRADITIONALLY KNOWN AS KRAPOW 4 tablespoons canola oil 1 pound beef, cut into small cubes 1 onion, diced 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1 serrano pepper, diced
J. KENDALL PERKINSON
W
hen Karim Abbara moved from Cairo to Morgantown in 2016, he immediately fell in love with the city. He worked at a local restaurant— quite different from the pharmacy work he’d been doing in Egypt with his sister Ranim, but in line with the love of cooking they’d shared from a young age. Abbara called Ranim and her husband, Ahmed Abdelrehim, in Egypt, extolling the beauty and virtues of West Virginia. “He was like, ‘Dude, you’ve got to check it out. It’s an amazing place,’” Abdelrehim recalls. “I came in late December 2016, and I fell in love with Morgantown as well. It’s small, but not too small. You’ve got all the scenery and the beauty of the place. West Virginia in general is just beautiful.” Morgantown was a lush contrast to the densely packed city of Cairo, which has the same high-stress energy as many large cities in the States. “Think of it as New York, and multiply the population by three,” Abdelrehim says. “It’s a concrete jungle. I love it, but it’s just full of buildings. And Morgantown is the exact opposite of that. The people are way more relaxed and easy to talk to. It’s a very cool vibe.” All three appreciated the relative peace
2 potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
of a much smaller community that has immediate access to natural beauty. The international character of WVU also helped Morgantown feel more diverse than most smaller cities, especially in West Virginia. “You’ve got a lot of Arab students, Indian students, Iranian students. It’s a bit metropolitan, for a small town,” Abdelrehim says. “So this really worked well for us, opening an Egyptian restaurant when the Egyptian population in Morgantown is about … 10 people or so.” He laughs out loud at the realization. A Cuisine Apart To understand the nature of Egyptian food, Abdelrehim says you have to understand the troubled history of the nation. “Egypt has a long history of invasion, by the Greeks, the Turks, the British. So every time an invasion happens, the conqueror comes in with their food, and we put our own unique spin on it.” The result is a culinary tradition that looks similar to other Mediterranean cuisine, but with a distinctly Egyptian flair. Falafel, for instance, is almost universally made from chickpeas. But in Egypt, it consists primarily of fava beans, lending a different texture and taste. Shawarma is very similar to the Greek gyro; the meat is roasted and carved from
2 carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces 2 zucchinis, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces 1 cup peas 1 cup green beans 2 green peppers, cut into small cubes 5 fresh tomatoes, crushed 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 cup beef broth Fresh cilantro, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste For vegan prep, exclude beef and substitute vegetable broth Preheat oven to 400. 2 In a large pot over high heat, brown beef in canola oil. Add onion, garlic, serrano pepper, and tomato paste and stir for 2 minutes. 3 Reduce heat to medium. Add all vegetables and stir for 5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, salt, and pepper, and boil for 15 minutes. Add garlic and cilantro. 4 Transfer to large, oven-safe dish and bake for 30 minutes, until surface becomes golden brown.
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
27
DISH IT OUT
Two Worlds Underlying the success of these three Egyptian emigrants is a more disconcerting story. In July of 2018, Abdelrehim learned that his mother in Cairo was very ill. He booked a trip home to see her as quickly as possible, packing only the summer clothing he would need. She died six days after his arrival. Abdelrehim applied for a renewal of his visa and, even though he was running a business in Morgantown, his application was designated as requiring “further processing.” He still has not heard anything from the U.S. government regarding this status. “I expected a two- or three-month wait,” Abdelrehim says. “I’ve been waiting for seven months now.” He is currently stranded in Cairo, separated from his wife, Ranim, and her brother Abbara, who take care of the daily operation of Cairo 2 Go. We conducted this interview via video conference. Fortunately, Abdelrehim, who calls himself “the worst cook you ever laid eyes on,” handles the business side of the 28
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
restaurant, and much of that can be handled remotely. Nevertheless, he misses his family and is greatly anticipating his return to the states. Diners looking for something new will be pleasantly surprised by a menu that ranges from baba ghanoush, or grilled eggplant, to bechamel pasta, an Egyptian lasagna, and basboosa, a semolina dessert. With several vegan options and substitutes like chicken available to those avoiding red meat, even diners with discerning dietary preferences will find something to try. Many of the dishes are served in sealable, microwaveable containers, making them perfect for leftover reheating. written by j. kendall perkinson
CARLA WITT FORD; NIKKI BOWMAN
a rotisserie spit and used as the primary component of a sandwich or wrap. But the Greeks focused on the tzatziki sauce, leaving the meat itself rather bland. Egyptian shawarma contains beef that has been marinated after carving, infusing lots of the flavor into the meat. Cairo 2 Go opened its doors in September 2017, billing itself as the first Egyptian fast-casual restaurant in the U.S. While Morgantown has a number of Mediterranean restaurants, Cairo 2 Go is the only specifically Egyptian eatery anywhere around—the next closest is in Washington, D.C. “This is what we pride ourselves on: We are truly authentic,” Abdelrehim says. “This is food you get when you come to Egypt. It’s not the Americanized version. It’s not the Taco Bell of Egypt. If you want to spare yourself a trip and just try the food, Cairo 2 Go is where you should come.” If online reviews are any indication, Cairo 2 Go is finding success in Morgantown. Its Yelp rating is currently 4.5 stars and, after nearly 150 reviews on Google, the restaurant maintains a nearly perfect rating: 4.7 stars. “Being unique is a challenge, because we’re the only Egyptian restaurant in town,” Abdelrehim says. “It’s not a very familiar cuisine. Yet this is also part of our intrigue. People like to try new stuff.”
Bear Your Buns
Every Wednesday at our University Ave. location
Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Burger Wednesdays feature a new chef creation weekly with our exclusive specialty burger blend (1/3 chuck, 1/3 brisket, 1/3 short rib)
132 Pleasant St., Downtown, Morganto wn • 304.29-M TOWN(296.8696) 3119 University Ave., Suncrest , Morganto wn • 304.777.4867 • blackbearburritos.com
ADVERTISE
WITH US!
CALL 304.413.0104 OR EMAIL info@newsouthmediainc.com FOR MORE INFORMATION
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
29
ROAD RAGE
30
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
Curbed
Don’t let sidewalks sideswipe you—here’s what you need to know before buying a house. Ella Belling was excited to move into her new house in First Ward. The small Cape Cod was charming and situated in a historic and walkable neighborhood— something that was important to her. Not long after she purchased her home, she received a letter from the city. “The city sent me a notice stating that the sidewalks in front of my house needed to be replaced, and that I was responsible.” Belling called contractors to get estimates and was shocked. First, it was hard to even get an estimate from three different contractors. When the estimates did come in, they ranged from nearly $6,000 to $11,000. “I was pretty upset,” she recalls. “My sidewalks weren’t atrocious. I’d seen far worst in the neighborhood, and they looked the same as they did when I first purchased the house.” The city has a policy on the books regarding sidewalk maintenance. Enforcement has been lax—but as Belling learned, it does happen, and it can be an unwelcome surprise. We learned that the city is currently creating an updated plan for sidewalks and pedestrian safety and is exploring options to help homeowners lessen the cost of needed repairs. Meanwhile, what do homebuyers need to know when purchasing homes with sidewalks within Morgantown city limits? We talked to the city to find out. • Who determines that sidewalks need to be replaced? The city’s Engineering Department will make this determination. It can also be complaintdriven, which is then verified by the Engineering Department. • What is the notification process? The city sends a certified letter of the need to repair or replace the sidewalk. If necessary, the city sends up to two follow-up letters, which are not certified. • What is the appeal process? There is an option to waive the sidewalk requirement or request an extension, in certain instances. If a resident would like to request a waiver or extension of
the sidewalk requirement, they should contact the Engineering Department to initiate the process. • If you get a notice to repair your sidewalk, what is your timeline for completion? This depends on the time of year. During the winter months, December 21 through March 21, the city gives 6 months to get a contract or permit turned in for the work. Otherwise, the city allows 30 to 90 days. • What happens if you do not repair it? The city has the option to do the work and send the homeowner the bill. If not paid, a lien can be put against the home. • If a pedestrian gets hurt on an uneven sidewalk, who is liable? The homeowner is responsible for making sure it is safe for public use. • If a utility company tears up a sidewalk and a pedestrian gets hurt on it, who is liable? It is up to the court to determine liability. The utility company is required to repair the sidewalk, and it is up to the homeowner to make sure the sidewalk is safe for public use. • When a utility company tears up a sidewalk, how many days do they have until it should be repaired? Who monitors whether the repairs are adequate? This depends on the time of year. For instance, colder temperatures may call for for extra time to repair the sidewalk. Typically, the company is required to repair the sidewalk within 48 hours of completion of work. If a resident feels repairs haven’t been properly made, they should contact the city Engineering Department. They will review the complaint and, if necessary, follow up with the company. • If trees planted by the city or long-standing mature trees buckle a sidewalk, who is responsible for repairs? Property owners are
ROAD RAGE
When homes are inspected, is the condition of sidewalks part of that inspection? We do inspect sidewalks during home inspections. We are looking for the general condition as well as any potential hazards, i.e., crumbling concrete, settlement that causes tripping hazards, the lack of railings where necessary. We also inform buyers of properties in town that, even though sidewalks are generally within the street right-of-way, it is the responsibility of the adjoining property owner to maintain these walks, and that includes snow removal. From time to time the city will obtain grants or funding to repair or replace sidewalks, but that does not relieve the property owner of the responsibility.
JEFF DAVIS, Davis Home Inspections always responsible for the repair and maintenance of sidewalks; however, the city typically repairs the sidewalk if it was damaged by a tree in the public right of way. • What happens if a sidewalk ends at a property line and doesn’t continue? Is the homeowner responsible for adding a sidewalk? City laws currently require that a sidewalk be installed or repaired any time construction occurs at a property. Any removal of a sidewalk must be approved by the city. • Are homeowners responsible for making sidewalks Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant? Homeowners are not required to upgrade existing sidewalks that do not meet ADA width requirements. A homeowner may be responsible for negligence/upkeep or poor installation, and any new construction should meet ADA requirements where feasible. The city is responsible for ensuring that sidewalk ramps are ADA-compliant, and has been upgrading ramps over the past several years. written and photographed by nikki bowman MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
31
THE U: SPONSORED CONTENT
2019 Off-Campus Housing As compiled by West Virginia University. More rental resources at campuslife.wvu.edu.
304 Properties 304.685.3092, 304properties.com A D Rentals 304.322.1533 Aerostar Apartments 304.598.3300 Apollo Rentals 304.685.3048 Ashworth Landing 304.290.4834 B & D Rentals 304.376.7272 Barnette Rentals 304.545.5587 Barrington North Apartments 304.599.6376, morgantownapartments.com BCK Rentals 304.594.1200, bckrentals.com Bel-Cross Properties 304.296.7930, belcross.com Bent Tree Court/Avalon 304.296.3606, benttreecourt.com Big Blue Apartment 304.685.3146, bigblueapt.com Blue Sky Realty 304.292.7990, blueskywv.com Bon Vista 304.599.1880, morgantownapartments.com Bossio Rentals 304.292.7233, bossioent.com Brunswick Apartments 304.291.2787, cormorantco.com The Cabanas 304.599.1998, thecabanas.net Campus Evolution Villages 304.599.8200, cevillages.com Campus View Apartments 304.599.4376, campusview.net Cedarstone/Fountainview 304.599.4959, wvurent.com Chateau Royale Apartments 304.599.7474, chateauroyaleapartments.com Chess Townhomes 304.494.2400, chesstownhomes.com Chestnut Hill/Colonial Park 304.599.8333, goldcrestproperties.com Clear View Rentals 304.319.0830, clearview-rentals.com College Park at WVU 304.293.5840, collegepark.wvu.edu Collins Ferry Court 304.692.7086, halfknights.com
32
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
THE U: SPONSORED CONTENT
Copper Beech Townhomes 304.292.7970, cbeech.com/morgantown.htm
Mel Friend Apartments 304.296.7121, friendrentals.com
Scott Properties 304.296.7400, scottpropertiesllc.com
Corrigan Enterprises 304.615.6071, morgantownapts.com
Metro Property Management 304.413.0900, metropropertymgmt.net
Seldar Properties 304.599.2300, seldarproperties.org
C & S Rentals 304.216.2150
MJM Rentals, LLC 304.376.2730, mjmrentals.com
Smith Rentals LLC 304.322.1112, smithrentalsllc.com !!
The Dayton/View At the Park 304.284.0122, phoenixgroupwv.com
Morgantown Rentals 304.685.3537, morgantownrentals.net
South East Court 304.598.9002, southeastcourt.com
Domain at Town Centre 304-598-0700, domainmorgantown.com
Mountaineer Court 304.598.2560, mountaineercourt.com
Stadium Court 304.594.9295
Eldred Apartments 304.282.5543
Mountaineer Place 304.906.4173, mountaineerplace.com
State on Campus 304.291.4250, stateoncampus.com
Forest Hills Apartments 304.599.1998, foresthillsapts.net
Mountain Valley Apartments 304.599.6827, liveatmountainvalley.com
Street’s Apartments 304.599.3640
Fourth Street/Morgan Pointe 304.598.2424, me-apts.com
Old Colony 304.291.2121, oldcolony.com
Tera, LLC 304.296.8943, rentalswv.com
Fountainview 304.599.4959
Ondo Rentals 304.599.8329, ondorentals.com
Terrace Heights Apartments 304.292.8888
Georgetown Apartments 304.599.2031, georgetownapartmentsmorgantown.com
Park Properties, LLC 304.296.8943
Timberline Apartments 304.599.1225, vanguardrealty.com
Pearand Corporation 304.292.7171, pearandcorporation.com
UClub Sunnyside 304.759.8311, uclubsunnyside.com
Perilli Apartments 304.296.7476, perilliapartments.com
University Commons Riverside 540.974.7371, ucrhoa.com
Pierpont Place 304.598.0092, pierpont-place.com
University Hill Apartments 304.282.7872
Pineview Apartments 304.599.0850, alleghenydevelopment.com
University Park at WVU 304.293.7275, universitypark.wvu.edu
Pinnacle Heights Apartments 304.692.6694
University Place at WVU 304.293.2253, uplace.wvu.edu
Pinnacle Property Management 304.376.2730
University Student Apartment Management 304.241.4449
Prete Rentals 304.599.4407, jdlmpllc.com
Vandalia Apartments 304.293.0543, vandaliaapartments.wvu.edu
PRU Rentals, Inc. 304.291.2103, pru-morgantownrentals.com
The Villas at Bon Vista 304.599.1884, morgantownapartments.com
Rachel Rentals 304.599.1306
West Greene Townhomes 304.599.1157
Ralph Pell 304.288.8510
West Run Apartments 304.599.1907, westrunapartments.com
RD Rentals 304.599.1358
Whipkey Apartments 304.594.2728
RE/MAX Property Management 304.292.3900
Wilkins Rentals 304.292.5714
Richwood Properties 304.291.2616, richwoodproperties.com
WinCor Properties LLC, 304.292.0400, wincorproperties.com
Rice Rentals 304.598.7368, ricerentals.com
Windwood Place 304.599.3165, windwood-homes.com
The Ridge 304.599.8949, ridgewv.com
Woodburn Rentals 304.216.1650, woodburnrentals.com
Rystan Place 304.460.1700, alexandrarentals.com
Wubbie/Downtown Apartments 304.322.0046, motownapts.com
Gilmore Street Apartments 304.767.0765 Giuliani Properties 304.288.3308, giuliani-properties.com Green Properties 304.216.3402 Harless Center at Central Place 304.292.4061 Hartman Rentals 304.291.2729, hartmanrentals.net Highland House Properties 304.296.3919 Hopewell Properties 304.698.5674 HTM/Double G Properties 304.685.1138, htmproperties.com Hymark Properties 304.319.1243, hymarkproperties.com Infinity Properties 304.225.7777, infinityproperties.com Inglewood Properties 304.599.4502 Kelly Rentals 304.291.5100, kellyrentalwv.com Kingdom Properties 304.292.9600, kingdomrentals.com Lenhart Properties 412.980.0865 The Lofts 304.598.0001, theloftsonline.com
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
33
Welcome to the written by Pam Kasey
3 5 11
Hangouts
Neighborhood Association
6
1 9
4 2 7 10 8
Schools
Key
Signature Events
1 Evansdale 2 Greenmont 3 Star City 4 Woodburn
Upsizing? Downsizing? Just moving to town? Morgantown has a neighborhood for every budget and lifestyle. We asked residents all over town what makes their neighborhoods great. Short commutes, big lawns, front porch culture, lake access—whatever your jam, there’s a neighborhood just waiting to welcome you.
5 Suncrest 6 Cheat Lake 7 South Park 8 First Ward
9 Wiles HillHighland Park 10 South Hills 11 Westover
1
Sera Zegre and her then-fiancé, Nicolas, were living at the South Park– Greenmont line, across from Gene’s Beer Garden, in 2009. But what they really wanted was to be able to walk to work and to the grocery store—which, for work on the Evansdale campus, meant Suncrest or Evansdale. Their Evansdale cottage has turned out to be perfect for them and their family of, now, two school-age children. Sera likes the boundedness of Evansdale. It has a cozy, close-knit feel—and no through-traffic, so the flat streets are quiet enough for kids to bike. Residents are diverse in age, profession, with home ownership status. It’s a well-tended neighborhood with some grand homes, views over the river, and sidewalks throughout, so residents walk for exercise and socializing as
Mountaineer Tap House, Ogawa Japanese Restaurant, Ta-Khrai Thai Cafe, Volcano
well as to shop at Kroger and to eat at the many nearby restaurants. And although she would like to have a park in the neighborhood, WVU amenities make a pretty good family playground. “In the wintertime, there’s a great sledding hill right here at the edge of campus,” Sera says. “We can go see the natural history museum in Percival Hall, which is incredible. We can also walk up to the greenhouse, which in the winter is such a refuge.” Year-round, it’s an easy walk to WVU’s Student Rec Center, where she works, and the family spends a lot of time there.
The Fourth of July in the WVU president’s yard—a choice view of the fireworks over the river
Because Evansdale is small, only a few homes go on the market each year. But for those who want a central location with lots of amenities close by, it’s worth the wait.
Suncrest Elementary, Suncrest Middle, Morgantown High
Evansdale Neighborhood Association, @evansdalewv on Facebook MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
35
2
Welcome Around Town Bicycle
Rail-trails make for easy bicycle access to many parts of town. Elsewhere, drivers, please share the road.
Uber
Way to get home uphill.
Personal Rapid Transit
Ivy Deal and her husband, Eric, used to live in a family-owned house near the stadium. But when major new construction came to the area in 2014, they decided it was time to buy. They looked in Woodburn, Wiles Hill, Sabraton, and South Park, and came to see that Greenmont was right for them. “It’s such a diverse and inclusive neighborhood,” Ivy says. “We’ve got lots of great neighbors—older folks, families with children, college students, young professionals, and it’s people of all races, economic backgrounds, religions, and sexual preferences. We like that a lot.” Neighbors gather on each other’s porches in the warmer months. Once a working-class neighborhood on the streetcar line between downtown and Sabraton’s tin mills and glass factories, Greenmont today
has more little restaurants and bars than a lot of neighborhoods. “Madeleine Marie’s restaurant just opened and it’s a little jewel of a place,” Ivy says. “Phoenix Bakery is awesome, and we have Chestnut Brew Works and of course Gene’s Beer Garden. And Quantum Bean Coffee, they’re a great new addition to the neighborhood.” The new Deckers Creek pedestrian bridge has brought Greenmont even closer than it was to downtown and the railtrails. Ivy is now president of the active neighborhood association, which is working on the possibility of pocket parks and community garden space. “I think Greenmont is an affordable, vibrant choice for a very large section of potential home buyers or renters,” she says. “We’ve got something for everybody.”
Built in the 1970s as a prototype for direct-to-destination mass transit, the 5-station, 8-mile PRT is one of the few in the world. 50 cents per trip for the public; WVU ID rides free. transportation.wvu.edu/prt
Taxi
Motown Taxi 304.291.8294 motowntaxis.com Motown Taxi app
Mountain Line 25 routes around town, into the county, and to Pittsburgh International Airport, all tracked on the Mountain Line Bus Finder app. busride.org
Zipcar
Chestnut Brew Works, Gene’s Beer Garden, Quantum Bean Coffee 36
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
Annual block party, Greenmont Haunt at Halloween
“Greenmont Mountainview Elementary, Neighborhood South Middle, Association” on Facebook Morgantown High
Five locations across town. zipcar.com
Matt Koepke grew up in Cheat Lake and went to WVU for college and dental school. His 2012 residency in Charleston, South Carolina, led to a great life near the ocean, collaborating with plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, California. Then a lifelong friend called and said, “Hey, have you ever thought about opening up your own office back home in West Virginia?” Fast forward a few years and Matt is living in Star City, a block from his own Appalachian Oral Surgery Center, and he couldn’t be happier with the change in lifestyle. “I wake up in the morning and walk to work. That’s how America was built, especially the Italian culture—you lived on top of where you worked.” His isn’t the only service to move into this former glassmaking community lately. “I get my hair cut here at Diamond Cuts. A physical therapy place just came in. There’s an endodontist, that’s another dental specialist, one block away, and she and I refer to each other.” Business owners work where they live and are friends. “It’s really cool to have that true community feel.” Matt has taken up bike riding. “When I’m done seeing patients I’ll get on my bike, ride down one massive hill, and I’m at the rail-trail. Ride to downtown along the river, ride back, an hour of exercise—it’s a luxury.” And art is a growing part of life in Star City. Terra Cafe hosts live music performances and displays local art, the Wow! Factory offers frequent workshops, and Unique Consignment holds an opening with a new artist every month. Star City is an affordable choice right beside the river and near shopping and the highway. And it’s up and coming, Matt says. “As opposed to driving through Star City to get across the bridge, people are looking around—buildings are catching their eye, because things are changing. Anyone who has an inkling to give back and help a community prosper, there’s an opportunity to step up.”
3 Black Bear Burritos, Crockett’s Lodge, Terra Cafe
Christmas parade and a growing list of arts events
Suncrest Elementary, Suncrest Middle, Morgantown High MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
37
S
4
Mario’s Fishbowl, M.T. Pockets Theatre, Town Hill Tavern 38
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
When Danielle and John Trumble’s young family was outgrowing the twobedroom house and small lot they rented in Woodburn, they looked all around town and outside town for just the right configuration of bedrooms and yard— and in the end bought a larger house with a larger, flat, fenced yard just down the street in Woodburn. That suits them just fine. “Our part of the neighborhood is mostly older people, older families,” Danielle says. “We really like the amenities here: We have a couple of parks, and a playground down the street. We’re able to walk downtown to the farmers’ market or for dinner. And there are a lot of creative people here and a lot of events with the artists, and we enjoy going to those kinds of things.” It’s kind of a perfect location, John says. “We’re right in town, but you don’t necessarily feel like that all the time.” John, an IT engineer, serves on the Woodburn School Redevelopment Commission, which works to keep the 1910 former elementary school in good condition as a center housing nonprofits like the PopShop performance academy. Danielle stays at home with their five-year-old son, and she’s bringing fresh energy to the recently-in-limbo neighborhood association—an effort that will likely succeed, because the neighborhood has plenty of residents who are active in efforts across town. Woodburn is approximately defined by Richwood Avenue and Snider and Willey streets. It also encompasses the city’s oldest park, Whitemoore Park, which has an extensive trail system extending from downtown to Sabraton.
The Celebrate Woodburn An Arts Community Festival every August
Eastwood Elementary, Mountaineer Middle, University High
Woodburn Association of Neighbors, @woodburnneighbors on Facebook
5
Welcome to the Party Chocolate Lovers’ Day is April 27, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., downtown and in the Wharf District.
MedExpress Kids’ Day The kids take over downtown July 20, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with dozens of fun booths and activities.
Arts Walk May 10 and September 27, 2019, from 6 to 9 p.m. Businesses all over downtown offer hors d’oeuvres and live music and showcase local art.
Wine & Jazz Festival Scheduled for September 21 and 22 in 2019, Wine & Jazz showcases local and regional artisans, wineries, and musicians.
Parades So many parades! The WVU Homecoming Parade in October and the Christmas Parade in December are among our favorites.
More at tourmorgantown.com
When Katy Lewis’s husband, Brad Webb, got an offer from WVU in 2017, they had just one four-day visit from San Francisco to find a house. They’d narrowed their search to South Park and Suncrest after an earlier visit, neighborhoods they felt would be as walkable as they were used to. Because her husband would be working at the medical center, Suncrest turned out to be a good option. Suncrest is a favorite neighborhood for families with young children. It has big, flat lawns that homes closer to downtown never had, and it’s known for its good schools. Soon after Katy and Brad moved to town, they had their first child. Katy, an immigration attorney who works from
Black Bear Burritos, Kegler’s, Mario’s Fishbowl
Annual picnic at Krepps Park in July, with live music
home, likes being able to walk to WVU’s Child Learning Center daycare and to Krepps Park— she’s especially looking forward to the pool at Krepps Park opening this spring. Brad sometimes walks to work, and the couple can also walk to places as varied as the arboretum, the Art Museum of WVU, Kroger, and a variety of restaurants. And the rail-trail is just a short drive away. “This has has been a really good landing spot for us,” Katy says. Homes in Suncrest sell at a bit of a premium to homes in many other Morgantown neighborhoods. What residents gain for that is a place in a well-cared for neighborhood and proximity to most of the amenities in Morgantown.
Suncrest Elementary, Suncrest Middle, Morgantown High
Suncrest Neighborhood Association, @suncrest neighbors on Facebook MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
39
6
Welcome to the River Cast Off Morgantown Marina Slip rentals
Donley Street, 304.296.8356
Edith Barill Riverfront Park
Boat ramp, trailer parking Star City
Van Voorhis Trailhead
Canoe/kayak launch, parking, Star City
Fort Martin Boat Launch Trailer parking
Left bank, Fort Martin Road
Miranda and Jesse Street met as undergraduates at WVU and never left Morgantown. They rented near Cheat Lake after they graduated in 2012, because it was convenient to Jesse’s first job as a petroleum engineer. And as they prepared to start their family, Cheat Lake turned out to feel right for them. They bought a townhome in the area, and then, in 2017, to stay in the Cheat Lake school district, they bought their house in Imperial Woods. “I love our neighborhood,” Miranda says. “I can walk my daughter to school. And it’s nice because, nowadays, technology is all kids want to do, but in our neighborhood kids are outside any day it’s warm enough. It’s like one big family—on our road there are like 10 kids, and all the kids tend to be at one house. That’s how
Crab Shack Caribba, Farmhouse Cafe, The Lakehouse, Ruby and Ketchy’s, Tropics Restaurant and Bar, Whippoorwill Bar and Grill 40
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
it was when I was younger, and it’s nice that she gets to experience that.” The Streets’ daughter learned to swim in the lake. They bought a boat when she was little, and the family goes out on the lake most weekends. The area satisfies lovers of other outdoor activities, too, with easy access to paddling on the Cheat River, hiking and rock climbing at Coopers Rock State Forest, and cross-country skiing at Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area. Homes on the Morgantown side of the lake have the lake community feel with quick commutes to town; homes on the far side are more of a retreat from town and university. Cheat Lake feels like a small town all to itself, Miranda says. “We always joke it’s like a little civilization of our own out here.”
Fourth of July fireworks over the lake, Cheat Lake Regatta in August
Cheat Lake Elementary, Mountaineer Middle, University High
Throw in a Line Fish for bass and catfish off the piers at Star City’s Edith Barill Riverfront Park and at the bottom of 6th Street. Or try your luck with muskie, sauger, and walleye below the Morgantown Lock and Dam. Buy a fishing license at wvfish.com or through retail license agents across the area.
Dine Riverside and trailside at casual eateries and upscale restaurants in Morgantown’s wharf district. Walk or bike there on the Caperton Trail or enter from Hurley Street— there’s plenty of parking.
The Frum family was living in their fourth house, in the Thistledown development south of town, when they noticed something funny about their lifestyle. Any time they traveled, they’d make sure to book an Airbnb rental within walking distance of everything. “But then we’d get home and live in a house where had to drive to absolutely everything,” Chris Frum says. His wife, Julie, an interior designer by training, had always liked the architectural character of South Park homes, so they moved again in 2016 one of Morgantown’s oldest neighborhoods. The whole family likes the way South Park’s walkability has fit into their lives. “Julie works on the downtown campus,” Chris says. “I can get to health sciences by walking to the PRT, and our son can walk to the high school. And we enjoy walking to dinner out.” South Park is quieter than some neighborhoods they’ve lived in, he says—with the fun exception of the 250-plus-piece Morgantown High Red and Blue Marching Band assembling on their street before football games— and he likes the sociable flow of neighbors strolling for exercise or walking their dogs. As a cyclist, Chris also likes the quick access to the rail-trails via the 2018 Deckers Creek pedestrian bridge. Gracious early–twentieth century homes make up much of South Park. The lower neighborhood offers flat lots and quick walks to downtown; residents on the upper streets walk a little harder but gain stunning views over the Deckers Creek Valley and downtown. All enjoy streetscapes of landscaped lawns and mature trees.
7 Blue Moose Cafe, Chestnut Brew Works, Gene’s Beer Garden, Madeleine Marie’s, Quantum Bean Coffee
Mountainview Community yard Elementary, South sale in August, block party in September Middle, Morgantown High
South Park Association of Neighbors
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
41
8
Welcome to the Park Dorsey’s Knob Park Views! US Route 119
Edith Barill Riverfront Park Playground. Star city
Granville Softball Fields Granville
Jack Roberts Park Playground. First Ward
Krepps Park Public pool. Suncrest
Marilla Park Patrick Hathaway and his then-fiancée, now wife, Jennifer, bought their first house in 2016. They chose First Ward for the walkability to Hathaway’s job on WVU’s downtown campus and for the affordability among near-campus neighborhoods. He enjoyed walking to work for a couple years—then switched to a job on the Evansdale campus, too far to walk. But it’s all for the best, because they’re happy in First Ward. “It’s a very quiet community,” says Patrick. He’s president of the First Ward Neighborhood Association. “It’s a safe neighborhood and a good mixture of young families and lifelong older residents.” Most of First Ward is flat with good-sized yards and sidewalks, and a lot of it has a harmonious uniformity. “When you walk
around the neighborhood, you can tell a lot of the houses were built at the same time from the same catalog,” Patrick says. It has more parks than any other neighborhood, he says. That includes Jack Roberts Park in the heart of the neighborhood, with a playground, picnic pavilion, and lots of open space, and White Park, with multiple ballfields and five miles of wooded trails. There’s also the Morgantown Ice Arena. First Ward lies south of downtown and, including a small area north of Dorsey Avenue, extends south to White Park. If the Hathaways decide at some point to buy a larger house, they’ll look there first, Patrick says. “Once you get down here, you realize that there’s not a better place in Morgantown to live.”
Tennis, swimming. Sabraton
Mylan Park Sports complex. mylanpark.org
Westover City Park Bocce, baseball. Westover
White Park Trails, baseball. First Ward
Whitemoore Park Trails. Woodburn
McQuain Riverfront Park Under renovation in 2019. Downtown
Atomic Grill, Mundy’s Place
42
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
Mountainview Elementary, South Middle, Morgantown High
First Ward Neighborhood Association, “Morgantown First Ward Neighborhood Association” on Facebook
More at boparc.org
WVU alums Mindy Jimison and her husband, Larry, bought a house in Cheat Lake in 2006. Over the years they’d often drive into town for evening walks in the neighborhoods and, one evening in 2016, they happened up Highland Avenue. They were stunned. “We could see the Mon River, Westover, and all of downtown. The sun was going down, and it was the most beautiful location. We thought, this is all the things we love.” They weren’t even looking to move, but they knew Morgantown’s neighborhoods and realized Wiles Hill would be perfect for them. “We’re closer to our friends here. And I feel like we’re healthier because we’ll walk to dinner, we’ll walk to friends’ houses, we’ll just walk out the front door and go for a walk or jog in the evenings,” Mindy says. “We walk everywhere—and then Uber home because we’re at the top of the hill. It’s perfect for us.” Located between WVU’s campuses, Wiles Hill is central to everything in town, yet a little removed. Highland Park, just across Willowdale Road, is a little leafier, with a gentler landscape. The heart of the neighborhood is Wiles Hill Park, with its playground and its former school now managed by the city’s Board of Parks and Recreation (BOPARC) as the Wiles Hill Community Building. Homes in Wiles Hill and Highland Park are largely owner-occupied, and residents take pride in their properties, Jimison says. An active neighborhood association represents neighborhood interests before the city and keeps residents engaged and informed.
9 Mountaineer Tap House, Ogawa, Ta-Khrai Thai Cafe, Varsity Room
BOPARC Arts in the Park in July, plus seasonal neighborhood association events
Suncrest Elementary, Suncrest Middle, Morgantown High
Wiles Hill–Highland Park Neighborhood Association, @whhpna on Facebook MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
43
10
Atomic Grill, Gene’s Beer Garden, Madeleine Marie’s, Quantum Bean Coffee, Rio Verde, Sabraton Station 44
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
Ashley Hardesty-Odell came to Morgantown for college in 1996. Over the years she lived on campus and in Suncrest, and later at the top and then the bottom of South Park. But in 2017 she and her husband, Shawn Odell, started thinking about a change. “I was always drawn to the traditional homes in South Park and still love that style,” Ashley says. “But once we had a child and we were thinking of having another, I was looking for something with a more open floor plan—something that, with me and Shawn being usually in the kitchen, would allow us to all be together.” They were house hunting only casually, but then a friend who lived in South Hills heard a certain place was going on the market and told Ashley she needed to take a look. The 1960s home won their hearts. “We have a big open space now where the kids can play and we can be close and all be together,” Ashley says. “And it’s much more quiet and serene than where we were down by the high school.” South Hills’ location on a rise between South Park and Sabraton feels like a retreat but makes for easy access to downtown and out of town. Homes date to the 1960s and later with big yards, mature plantings, and a lot of privacy. Streets don’t go through to anywhere else, so traffic is minimal. South Hills is a cozy neighborhood, at just 140 homes, but interested homebuyers can usually find one or two on the market at any given time. One of South Hills’ best attributes: “The view is incredible,” Ashley raves. “We have wonderful views of the sunrise.”
Annual September neighborhood block party
Mountainview Elementary, South Middle, Morgantown High
When Phil and Kellie Cole started looking for a house in 2014, they wanted to be within walking distance of her office downtown. They looked in South Park and Greenmont. But then she did some research and suggested they consider Westover. “I really just thought of Westover as Holland Avenue to I-79, point A to point B,” Phil says. “So we drove over the bridge and up around the curve, and we were really surprised with these beautiful old neighborhoods with large trees. We just immediately loved this side of the river as much as the other.” They both remember that, the first time they drove by their house in Westover, they saw families walking and kids riding bikes. “It had a nice warm vibe—it reminded me of my childhood,” Phil says. The Coles now live on a quiet street of traditional homes a 15-minute walk from both downtown Morgantown and Westover’s triangle. They’re avid walkers, runners, and cyclists and appreciate being close to the rail-trails. At the same time, they’re also a short drive from the highway—convenient for Kellie, who also teaches at Fairmont State. Their neighbors are all ages and very social, and they all look out for each other. Phil, a landscape designer, and Kellie, an architect, are connected with residents’ efforts on behalf of the town— streetscaping, clearing trails at the Westover City Park—and the enthusiasm behind those efforts gives them a positive outlook. “Lots of young and middle-aged professionals have come since we’ve been here, and we just feel this energy,” Cole says. “It seems like we’re right at that tipping point of bigger things to happen in Westover.”
Black Bear Burritos, Colasante’s Ristorante & Pub, Morgantown Brewing Company, Scorers Sports Bar & Restaurant Skyview Elementary, Westwood Middle, University High
11
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
45
TOWNE TOWNE CENTRE CENTRE
Morgantown’s
Destination for Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
SHOPPING
DINING
Ann Taylor LOFT Outlet AVAIL Vapor Chico’s Cricket Wireless Fanelli Boys Jacqueline’s Fine Jewelry JoS. A. Bank Kroger Lacquer Nail Salon, Spa & Lounge Mocha Salon Mountaineer Nation NTB Auto Center NutriMost Park & Madison Boutique Pet Valu Plow & Hearth Profile by Sanford Sprint STICK Tattoo Company Suncrest Nails Sun Tan City Super Cuts Taylor Collections Wild Birds Unlimited
#1 Super China Buffet Bartini Prime Bacon, Bourbon, & Beer Buffalo Wild Wings Cairo 2 Go Crab Shack Caribba Dairy Queen Five Guys Burgers Jimmy Johns Little Caesars McDonald’s Peace, Love, & Little Donuts Philly Pretzel Factory Pies & Pints Primanti Bros. Roosters Saladworks Sonic Drive-In Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe Tim Hortons
1000 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive | 46
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
Morgantown, WV
suncresttownecentrewv.com
Aging Well and Comfortably Seniors looking for group living in Morgantown have more options than ever. Written by Jess Walker
T
alk of “seniors� in Morgantown tends to revolve around college seniors. For seniors enjoying their retirement years, the city has until recently had only a few independent and assisted living facilities. But two new places opened in the past year, greatly expanding the options. Here’s our rundown of senior living around town.
Harmony at Morgantown
Whether you’re looking for independent living or memory care, Harmony Senior Services has you covered. Its Morgantown senior housing development, opened in 2018, features more than 170 apartments. For active folks 60 and older who want to enjoy their retirement without the demands of maintaining a house, the independent living apartments are ideal. Each includes a full kitchen, individually controlled thermostat, and washer and dryer. Meal plan options and housekeeping services save residents the hassle of everyday chores, and an emergency call system and on-site staff make for peace of mind. The full calendar of events includes prize bingos, trivia nights, exercise classes, and frequent 4 o’clock happy hours. 48
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
For those looking for a little additional help with daily activities, the complex offers licensed assisted living. The suites, one- or two-bedroom apartments, and companion suites all include bathrooms, and most also include kitchenettes. Staff can assist with administering medication and attending to personal care. Transportation to outings and appointments, daily housekeeping, and weekly laundry ensure errands and chores are taken care of. The memory care apartments allow residents diagnosed with dementia to experience care in a home-like setting. They can enjoy private or companion suites, supervised access to amenities, and a secured courtyard. The memory care team provides individualized service
and care to assist with personal hygiene, meals, and dressing. Team members also regularly schedule care plan meetings with loved ones. Harmony at Morgantown doesn’t publish its rates; call for information. 50 Harmony Drive, 304.504.6585, harmonyseniorservices.com
Evergreen Evergreen provides compassionate care in a home-like atmosphere. The assisted living facility offers temporary respite care, but most residents stay long-term. Shared suites are $2,600 a month, and private ones are $4,200. Nurses are on hand to assist with personal care and medication monitoring and administration. Daily cooked meals and housekeeping services take care of chores, leaving residents free to enjoy activities put on by local community groups. Beauty and barber services offered for an additional charge keep residents looking sharp. For family or community gatherings, Evergreen has dining and family rooms, an activity center, and an outdoor gazebo. 3705 Collins Ferry Road, 304.598.8401, evergreenassisted.com
Morgantown has lots of apartments, but finding one that’s not geared toward university students can be a struggle. Friendship Manor, on Van Voorhis Road, has provided affordable independent living for those 62 and up since 1970—even serving as the home for four generations of one current resident’s family. The building offers a variety of apartment styles. Efficiencies are $545 a month, one-bedroom apartments range from $682 to $884 depending on size, and two bedroom–two bathroom apartments go for $959. Rent includes all utilities except cable and phone. Friendship Manor’s full-time cook, who has been with the institution for 20 years, whips up one hot meal each day. Because it’s independent living, applicants need letters from their physicians verifying that they don’t need regular medical assistance. Friendship Manor is conveniently located near public transportation as well as grocery and other shopping, restaurants, the WVU Coliseum, and Milan Puskar Stadium. 501 Van Voorhis Road, 304.599.0140, friendshipmanorwv.com
Friendship Manor
The Village at Heritage Point
Independent living is easy at The Village. Opened in 1999, the complex offers 90 maintenance-free residential apartments to seniors aged 62 and older. A monthly service fee, starting at just over $2,500 for single occupancy, covers one daily meal in the dining room, all utilities except phone and cable, biweekly housekeeping, and maintenance. Scheduled group and personal transportation makes getting around town easy, but even a homebody can stay busy with The Village’s packed schedule of activities. A resident council provides input for community happenings. Some weekly events include watch parties for sporting events, movie viewings, bridge 50
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
and other card games, and Bible studies. Those looking for a workout can try tai chi, take a spin on a dance night, or enjoy a stroll on the outside walking paths. When residents at The Village are ready for more care, they receive priority access to The Suites. Also opened in 1999, The Suites is Morgantown’s only licensed residential care community— meaning it operates on a campus rather than as an individual building. Licensed practical nurses are available to assist with administering medication, and aides can help with daily activities like dressing and bathing. The 40 apartments include kitchenettes with sinks and microwaves, individual heating and cooling, and
private bathrooms with walk-in showers outfitted with shower seats and safety railings. The monthly fee— which ranges from $4,799 to $5,182, depending on apartment size—covers three daily meals that residents can order from a menu as well as apartment maintenance, weekly housekeeping, personal laundry, and all utilities except phone and cable. Residents at both The Village and The Suites will soon enjoy updated apartments, as renovations are currently underway. The not-for-profit community is affiliated with Mon Health Medical Center. One Heritage Point, 304.285.5575, www.heritage-point.com
Seneca Village The Right Level of Care These additional skilled nursing and other facilities in town offer services ranging from short-term rehabilitation to long-term care.
Madison Center 161 Bakers Ridge Road, 304.285.0692, genesishcc.com/ madisonwv
Mapleshire
30 Mon General Drive, 304.285.2720, mapleshirewv.com
Morgantown Health & Rehabilitation 1379 Van Voorhis Road, 304.599.9480, savaseniorcare.com
Sundale Rehabilitation & Long Term Care 800 J.D. Anderson Drive, 304.599.0497, @sundalerehab on Facebook
In late 2018, drivers along Beechurst Avenue probably noticed the construction alongside the Seneca Center. Aptly named Seneca Village, the multi–million dollar development is new low-income housing for residents ages 55 and older as well as those with disabilities, regardless of age. Seneca Village’s five-story, 36-unit complex includes one-bedroom and twobedroom apartments with kitchens, ceiling fans, and washers and dryers. One-bedroom
apartments rent for $500 plus electricity, and two-bedroom apartments are $600 plus electricity. Seneca Village’s lower level provides ample covered parking— although with the rail-trail mere steps away, walking or biking on sunny days may be the preferred transportation. Shopping and dining options are right next door at Seneca Center, and the apartments are also close to public transportation. 709 Beechurst Avenue, 304.610.0776, 304.598.5680 MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
51
CARLA WITT FORD
The staff at Morgantown Eye Associates model eyewear from the office’s large inventory.
SPONSOREDCONTENT
Protect Your Eyes
Dr. Thomas Stout lectures nationally on eye disease and contact lens design. He’s also an avid fly fisherman and is learning to play old-time music on his great-grandfather’s fiddle.
the shape of the cornea when first prescribing contact lenses.
Dry Eye Syndrome
It starts with the occasional need to clear your vision with a few quick blinks. It advances so gradually from there that it’s easy to ignore. But the fact Most eye diseases are painless—ensure is, the more our lives have the health of your eyes with a yearly exam. come to center around video screens, the more of us experience dry ➼ PEOPLE TEND TO PUT OFF GOING eye syndrome. Over-the-counter relief? to the eye doctor until they’re not seeing Sure, but the wrong one can actually well. The optometric physicians at make it worse. The good news is, medical Morgantown Eye Associates diagnose assessment and treatment are easy and and treat a wide range of conditions typically covered by health insurance. in patients who are unaware of them Causes of dry eyes fall into two because they are painless and advance categories. One is problems with the gradually. Office founder Dr. Thomas tear glands. In rare instances, they’re Stout highlights a couple here—both of inflamed, and a prescription medication them reasons he recommends a thorough is the answer. But if they’re simply not eye exam yearly. making enough tears for our unblinking computer stares, tiny plugs implanted Corneal Disease in the tear ducts can prevent tears from Vision can change even in young people draining away too fast. A simple test without a medical cause. But a teenager can determine whether one of these or young adult whose vision becomes conditions is the cause. noticeably worse year by year may have The other category, and the most corneal disease, a condition in which the common cause, is reduced oil production clear dome in front of the eye becomes thinner and more cone-shaped over time. by the dozens of tiny oil glands located along the upper and lower eyelids. An eye exam aimed only at correcting vision will leave it to progress unchecked, These glands can become clogged over time, especially in people who eventually resulting in vision that can no take antihistamines and those who longer be corrected to 20/20. have rosacea. The damage can become It doesn’t have to be like that. Identified irreversible. But caught early enough, in a patient’s teens, corneal disease can be stopped by wearing rigid contact lenses. And functioning can be restored through heat treatment and medication. it can be halted even at later stages through A regular exam by an optometric the use of an ultraviolet light treatment. physician can identify dry eye syndrome A patient’s best course of action is to visit an optometric physician who will map and its cause. 52
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
The most experienced eyecare practice in town with nearly 40 years of history, Morgantown Eye Associates provides primary care for the eye: vision correction tailored to your lifestyle as well as basic medical care with referral for serious conditions. The office’s large inventory of lenses, frames, and contact lenses and its on-site opticians mean same-day fulfillment for many prescriptions, and MEA’s three enthusiastic optometric physicians enjoy the use of state-ofthe-art equipment, several pieces unduplicated in the region, for fast, accurate imaging and assessment.
We See You! 3000 Hampton Center 304.598.2020 morgantowneye.com
Getaway for a Day NIKKI BOWMAN
Adventures galore right next door in Preston County.
53
If you’ve never thought of neighboring Preston County as an exploration destination, this read will change your mind. Preston County—just Preston, to natives—has a rich history and stunning beauty, with lots of shops and restaurants that showcase the local culture. Here are two full-day getaways to try—or combine them into a near-home vacation weekend.
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
53
ACROSS COUNTY LINES
History Day Trip
Blacksmiths at historic Arthurdale's forge crafted fixtures for the community's homes and had a national reputation. Visitors can see the antique farming implements at Cool Springs Park up close. Try Miller's Eats and Sweets for a meal—but don't skip dessert. Visit the Kingwood home of West Virginia founding father James Clark McGrew.
ALDONA BIRD (2); COURTESY OF MILLERS EATS AND SWEETS; NIKKI BOWMAN
Drive east out of Morgantown along West Virginia Route 7, designated a state Scenic Byway in part for its dramatic views of the Deckers Creek gorge. About a half-hour out, stop for coffee and a made-from-scratch pastry at Miller’s Eats and Sweets (10365 Veterans Memorial Highway, Masontown, 304.980.2085, @millerseatsandsweets on Facebook) or a little farther on at Modern Homestead (52 South Robert Stone Way, Reedsville, 304.864.4333, mymodernhomestead.com)—but beware, Modern Homestead is coupled with a plant nursery, and you might leave with a car full of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs. From Reedsville, take WV Route 92 south a short hop into Arthurdale for your first historic stop. Tour the Arthurdale Heritage Center, then step back in time to Eleanor Roosevelt's first New Deal homesteading community as you visit the original forge and see original weavings and other artifacts. Backtrack to Reedsville and turn right at the four-way stop by Modern Homestead to head to the county seat of Kingwood, where you can stop at the 19th century James Clark McGrew house (111 East Main Street, Kingwood, mcgrewhouse.org). Visit during tour hours— during public events, the third Sunday of each month during the summer, or by appointment— and learn about our state's history through the lens of this banker, merchant, West Virginia founding father, and U.S. Congressman. That’s a lot of history on an empty stomach.
Refuel for your next Preston history lesson in Terra Alta, at a hometown restaurant with its own unique heritage. At Shorthorns Restaurant and Saloon (405 East State Avenue, Terra Alta, 304.789.1104, shorthornsaloon. com), you can sit down for a wood-fired pizza, sandwich, steak, or salad while also getting a taste of bygone times. The building that houses this restaurant was the state’s first Model T Ford garage. The decor, including Ford Service signs and historical photos, serves as a reminder of Henry Ford’s frequent visits to town and of the 600 Ford cars the company displayed and sold here. After lunch, head down the hill via Crane Avenue / WV Route 51 to Rowlesburg for another look at the past. Visit the World War II museum in the Szilagyi Center (20 Buffalo Street, Rowlesburg, rowlesburg.info; check website for hours). Or to continue the Civil War theme begun at the McGrew House, call ahead to schedule a visit with the Rowlesburg Area Historical Society to Cannon HIll, where you can learn about the Battle of Rowlesburg (304.454.9303 or 304.454.9218). Be sure to check out the old Rowlesburg train depot and caboose just up the street. If you’re ready for dinner before you head home, drive scenic WV Route 72 along the Cheat River toward Kingwood. Stop at Rosemary’s Thyme by the Cheat for authentic Mexican cuisine (183 Club House Road, Kingwood, 304.329.6750, prestoncountryclub.com), or, in Kingwood, at Monroe’s (110 East Main Street, Kingwood, 304.329.3354, @monroesdeli on Facebook) or the Civil War–era Preston County Inn.
54
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
ACROSS COUNTY LINES The soaring hemlocks at Cathedral State Park, part of the state’s largest remaining tract of virgin timber, are up to 500 years old. Recharge at Screech Owl Brewing. Cranesville Swamp’s exotic flora include carnivorous plants and other surprises. Try out the therapeutic benefits of salt therapy in the Himalayan Salt Spa at Bruceton Wellness Center.
Make a Weekend of It
Guest houses and campgrounds across the county are ready to welcome you. Here are a few of our favorites. Modern Homestead Reedsville, mymodernhomestead.com Alpine Lake Resort Terra Alta, alpinelake.com Maple Leaf Motel Bruceton Mills mapleleafmotel-brucetonmills.com
ELIZABETH ROTH; COURTESY OF SCREECH OWL BREWING; COURTESY OF BRUCETON WELLNESS CENTER; © KENT MASON FOR THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
River House Lodge Rowlesburg, @riverhouselodge on FB
Nature Day Trip Head out early—don’t forget your water bottle! From Morgantown, take US Route 119 south and take a left on Gladesville Road. Turn right on WV Route 92 to head south, then left on US Route 50. In about 10 miles, you’ll see Cool Springs Park on your right (12696 George Washington Highway, Rowlesburg, 304.454.9511, “Cool Springs Park Inc” on Facebook)—in all, about an hour’s drive from Morgantown through broad green pastures and wooded valleys. If you haven’t eaten, grab breakfast here—nothing says “Preston County” like buckwheat pancakes and sausages. Browse the shelves of collectibles and preserves and the bins of in-season fruits
and vegetables, then enjoy a stroll among the antique farming equipment in the park. For more intensive hiking options, continue another dozen miles up the road to the trails at Cathedral State Park (wvstateparks.com/park/cathedral-statepark). This park is said to hold the state’s largest old growth forest and its only stand of virgin hemlock. These majestic trees reach up to 90 feet tall and 16 feet in circumference, and some are as much as 500 years old. The park is also host to more than 170 species of flowers, ferns, and trees. If you have children along for the hike, you’ll appreciate the small playground. Eat your packed lunch at the picnic tables or pavilion under the boughs, or try Melanie’s Family Restaurant, right
across the street, for lunch and a slice of pie (25164 George Washington Highway, Aurora. 304.735.3219, “Melanie’s Family Restaurant” on Facebook). From Cathedral State Park and Melanie’s, continue east on US Route 50 then north toward and beyond Oakland, Maryland, to reach another Preston County hidden treasure: Cranesville Swamp Preserve (nature.org; search “Cranesville”). This unique set of five trails and a boardwalk is home to more than 50 rare plants and animals typical of areas much farther north. GPS correction: Be sure to go left on Lake Ford Road to drive around the south and up the west side of the preserve in order to reach the parking area. Cranesville swamp was formed 15,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. The combination of natural elements and mountains has created an unusual “frost pocket,” with regular low temperatures and high moisture. Insect-eating plants, peat more than three feet deep, and cranberries and other damp-loving plants thrive here. A wide variety of birds love the bog and surrounding red spruce, hemlock, and other evergreen woods. To fully enjoy the trails, consider wearing mud-proof boots. If it’s not too late in the day, detox after your hikes with a relaxing 45-minute session at the Himalayan Salt Spa in Bruceton Mills—call ahead to reserve (15630 North Preston Highway, Bruceton Mills, 304.379.7000, brucetonwellness. com). Then retox with dinner and a beer at Preston County’s oldest brewery— Screech Owl Brewing and Spent Grain Cafe (2323 Ralph Livengood, Bruceton Mills, 304.379.4777, screechowlbrewing.com). written by aldona bird MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
55
HOUSE & HOME
Local Fixtures Personalize your space with these unique touches.
Whether you’re renovating or building from scratch, nothing makes a house a home like built-in fixtures from local artisans. Collaborating directly with the maker, you can create fixtures that suit your taste perfectly—and your design dollars stay in the local economy. Here are a few of our favorites.
Pete Knapp learned wiring from his father-in-law, Louis Raneri. Now the two of them craft lamps that add character to any room under the name LR Lighting. “Our designs are kind of steampunk-inspired,” Knapp says; some lean more rustic or industrial. “Typically, we incorporate a found item—my father-in-law likes to use old tools and things like that.” Knapp has fun with it. “I’m working on a water meter lamp, which is almost an ironic piece, building electrical components out of things that are normally associated with water. The switch is actually a rotary switch, in a water spigot. So you have to ‘turn the water on’ to turn the light on.” Recently, Knapp has started making lighting fixtures. He made wall sconces out of two antique fire grenade holders and sold them easily. Then he made a three-light ceiling fixture out of tractor funnels—great for a kitchen island, dining table, or pool table. LR Lighting—named for Raneri as well as for Lazarus Restoration, Knapp and his wife’s furniture refurbishing business—takes custom orders. Pricing depends on time and complexity but, for reference, the three-light ceiling fixture retails for $275. Minimum lead time is two weeks. In Morgantown, find LR’s lamps at Eloquence Antiques & Artisans and at Hoot and Howl. Call for fixtures and custom work. 304.906.5654, @lazarusrestorationwv on Facebook
56
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
PETE KNAPP
Totally Wired
HOUSE & HOME
Forest to Floor
WILDSKY CREATIVE
One thing West Virginia does great is grow trees. So why get your hardwood flooring from anywhere else? Or your stair treads, panelling, or molding, for that matter. Mountain Craft Wide Plank makes all that and more just a few hills east of Morgantown, in Bruceton Mills. Unlike most flooring factories, which buy their lumber already dried, Mountain Craft sources local timber and mills, dries, and finishes its lumber on-site. “We touch a piece of wood 12, 13, 14, times, and we’re looking for defects every time we touch it—rot, cracks, machining defects,” says owner Matt Thorn. A 2,000-squarefoot floor might be made up of 400 pieces, and Thorn aims for every piece to meet specifications to within thousandths of an inch. Mountain Craft works in local woods: mainly red and white oak, hickory, cherry, maple, and poplar. The factory can make planks up to 8 inches wide, match existing board widths and stains, and custom handdistress boards for a rustic look or lay on a finish as smooth as glass. Thorn emphasizes his sevenyear membership with the National Wood Flooring Association. “We’re by the book,” he says. “We stand behind our product—if something happens, we’re just a phone call away.” Flooring prices start around $6 per square foot and range up to around $12; expect a month lead time. 681.285.1075; @mountaincraftwideplank on Facebook
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
57
HOUSE & HOME
A decade ago, Terry Croyle’s father, a concrete worker in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, saw a video about concrete countertops and suggested Croyle take a look. He was hooked. Now he makes concrete architectural elements full-time at his Beyond the Box Concrete Design Studio on Canyon Road, marketing much of his work under Art Not Production on Etsy. Concrete satisfies certain tastes, Croyle says. “Nice thing about concrete, there’s variance in it. Either you love that or you don’t.” Along with countertops, his studio takes orders for sinks, mantels, floating hearths, and other pieces. The material can be tinted to match any Benjamin Moore color. He likes the way it’s possible to mold a sink and countertop together, even including a drainboard, all as one piece; he also likes the chunky look of a floating hearth. Pieces are typically poured an inch thick, he says, but a deep lip gives them that massive look. The weight is about the same as granite. Recently, in response to customer request, Croyle has been incorporating metal and rougher wood elements in his pieces for a modern industrial esthetic. Countertops and hearths start at about $90 per square foot; sinks can range from $200 for a small production piece to $1,000 and up for custom work. Lead time is typically 3 to 5 weeks. 304.319.4746, @beyondtheboxconcretedesignstudio on Facebook 58
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
COURTESY OF TERRY CROYLE
Chunky and Industrial
HOUSE & HOME
COURTESY OF VIN TIN WELDING AND FABRICATION
Dreams in Iron
Danny Trenary took a welding job out of high school. He happened into a great mentor, and he also happened into a passion for metalwork. He learned all he could everywhere he worked, loving the contrasts and possibilities. “You can bend and twist metal and create delicate artwork—out of something so hard and manly, you can make something soft and pretty.” One day, he picked up a book about blacksmithing. And then, a decade ago, he built his own coal forge. “I made it out of a tractor bucket and scrap metal from farmers’ fields, cobbled it together. My first anvil was a chunk of railroad track on a stand. A really awful setup, but it worked. I used it for years.” Today, Trenary, his wife, and their seven kids run Vin Tin Welding and Fabrication out of a studio in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle—okay, maybe not the youngest family member, born just this year. Designers and builders across the country place orders with Trenary for hand-crafted ornamental indoor and outdoor railings, fencing, gates, fireplace tools and screens, pot racks, cabinet knobs, towel bars and rings—any fixture that can be smithed. His wife, Katie, manages the business side, and the kids get in on the family business, too, learning to pack boxes neatly for customers and helping carry them to the mail truck. Railings start at $120 per linear foot. Turnaround was running at about four weeks in March 2019. 540.333.6655, @vintinwelding on Facebook written by pam kasey MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
59
1 FEB 3 • WVU CAPERTON INDOOR FACILITY
GETMOVING! Day of Play 2019 marks year six for the non-profit GETMOVING! and its annual Day of Play. The event brings cheers, laughter, and a lot of physical activity to youth in the Mountain State. The organization asks former WVU athletes who have gone on to the professional level to come back and lead activity stations for kids. Children also learn about healthy eating and the importance of being active, and they leave the event with t-shirts, group photos, and takehome bags of healthy snacks and other items from event sponsors. getmovingwv.org, @mountaineersgetmoving on Facebook
2 3
6
5 8
7
60
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
1 Former WVU quarterback and Super Bowl champion Jeff Hostetler, GETMOVING! founder Elizabeth Oppe, and organization Vice President Tim Bradley. 2 A girl carries a football at a station run by CrossFit Morgantown owner Jeff Giosi. 3 WVU Mountaineer Trevor Kiess and the musket were a huge part of the Day of Play. 4 WVU President Gordon Gee speaks with kids. 5 A participant runs through a station manned by Rasheed Marshall. 6 Former WVU safety and current NFL star Keith Tandy sings “Country Roads” with the kids. 7 Former WVU standouts Will Johnson, Quincy Wilson, Jeff Hostetler, and Rasheed Marshall also sing “Country Roads” with participants to close out the Day of Play. 8 GETMOVING! staff present Keith Tandy, Rasheed Marshall, and Quincy Wilson with plaques of thanks for attending all six years of the event.
GETMOVING! COURTESY OF TIM GOODENOW
4
OUT & ABOUT IN THE MOUNTAIN CITY
1
FEB 20 • 123 PLEASANT STREET
The 2019 Best of Morgantown Awards Party
2 3
5
1 & 7 ERIC PALFREY; 4 PAM KASEY; 2, 3, 5, 6, AND 8 AMBERLEE CHRISTEY PHOTOGRAPHY
4
6
8
Best of Morgantown 2019 honorees celebrated their wins at the 8th annual BOM party. BOM winners provided a generous spread, fabulous door prizes, and a very popular photobooth. We think it might have been the best BOM party yet. See all of the photobooth photos at morgantownmag.com/BOM
1 As emcees for the evening, WVAQ morning hosts Nikki Drake and Jack Logar named the BOM19 winners. 2 Linnea Brooks, Sarah Graham, Tiki Williams, and Shannon Davis celebrated on behalf of Morgantown Early Learning Facility. 3 Plato’s Closet’s Kaylee Hunt partied with colleagues Keisha Johnson and Gillian Mays. 4 Partygoers enjoyed treats from their favorite restaurants. 5 Michael Snyder, Jerrica Moldowen, Angela Mayfield, Cherie Tretheway, and Rob Young of Howard Hanna Premier Properties. 6 Bert and Don Cunanan, Joshua Fowler, and Sampy Hardin of Ground Zero Fighting Systems. 7 The Davisson Brothers Band rocked the house like the five-time Best Band winners they are. 8 Best Bartender Lucy Morrison from Gene’s Beer Garden and her many “Lucy” friends had more fun than anyone.
7
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
61
COURTESY OF 123 PLEASANT STREET
Your local guide to life, art, culture, & more APR/MAY 2019
April APRIL 4–20 Measure for Measure vintagetheatre-wv.com Vienna, a cesspool of brothels and promiscuous behavior, is the setting for a plot of intrigue and mistaken identity in this Shakespeare play. Presented by Bridgeport’s Rustic Mechanicals, the state’s only touring Shakespeare troupe. Check website for dates and venues. APRIL 5-7, 11-13 Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them M.T. Pockets Theatre, 203 Parsons Street, Thurs.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. mtpocketstheatre.com The story of a young woman in crisis: Is her new husband a terrorist? Or just crazy? Or both? Is her father’s hobby of butterfly collecting really a cover for his involvement in a shadow government? This black comedy will make you laugh all the way to the waterboarding room. Adult language and situations. $7–$15 APRIL 6 Winter Farmers’ Market Wesley United Methodist Church Gymnasium 503 North High Street, Sat. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. morgantownfarmersmarket.org 62
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
APRIL 25
Gangstagrass Bluegrass and hip hop: Two great tastes that go
great together. Don’t miss your chance to hear it live. With 18 Strings. $10; $12 day of
123 Pleasant Street, Thurs. 8 p.m., 123pleasantstreet.com
APRIL 7 The French-Austrian Connection Monongalia Arts Center, 107 High Street, Sun. 4 p.m., 304.292.3325, monartscenter.com A performance by the Vandalia Trio, made up of Bill Lewis on oboe, Jean Preckel on bassoon, and Catherine Crotty on piano. $10 APRIL 13 Young Birders’ Walk West Virginia Botanic Garden, 1061 Tyrone Road, Sat. 10 a.m.–noon, wvbg.org This walk will introduce children of all ages and their parents to the wonder and joy of birds and bird watching. Bring binoculars and a bird guide if you have them. Led by Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia Director Katie Fallon. All ages. Register online. Free Handmade Market: Wharf Art Walk Wharf District, Sat. noon–5 p.m., montrails.org Live music and activities celebrating the rail-trails and local artists on the national Opening Day for Trails. Join a two-mile rail-trail walk at 2 p.m.
13th Annual Spring Meltdown Morgantown Brewing Company, 1291 University Avenue, Sat. 6 p.m.–midnight, 304.292.3970 deckerscreek.org This annual fundraiser’s live music and silent and live auctions benefits your local watershed group, Friends of Deckers Creek. Free World Music Concert WVU Creative Arts Center, 1 Fine Arts Drive Sat. 7:30 p.m., ccarts.wvu.edu/curiosity/music Two steel bands, the African Music and Dance Ensemble, and the Javanese Gamelan, all comprised of WVU student musicians. Free Old Time Dance Marilla Park Center, Sat. 8–10:30 p.m. morgantowndance.com Morgantown Friends of Old Time Music and Dance will feature Mack Samples calling to live music with the Modock Rounders. Beginners and singles welcome. Refreshments served. $5–$15 Domefest PreParty 123 Pleasant Street, Sat. 8 p.m. 123pleasantstreet.com With Fletcher’s Grove, Goose, and Chalk Dinosaur. $10; $12 day of
APRIL 27 Coopers Rock 50 km and Half Marathon Trail Race Coopers Rock State Forest, Sat. 7 a.m. coopersrock.org A rocky and challenging trail race that features several scenic viewpoints and has 5,000 feet of elevation gain. The half-marathon course gains 2,000 feet. $90 and $65 26th Annual Ramp Dinner NEARBY Mason-Dixon Historical Park, 76 Buckeye Road, Core, Sat. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. @masondixon on Facebook A tasty ramp meal and, at 1:15, a guided wildflower walk. $5–$10 Chocolate Lovers’ Day Downtown, Sat. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. downtownmorgantown.com A one-day extravaganza inviting the public to indulge in an array of chocolate creations at shops across downtown. $5
GABE DEWITT
An Evening with Lost Creek Farm West Virginia Botanic Garden, 1061 Tyrone Road, Sat. 6 p.m., wvbg.org Chefs Mike Costello, Amy Dawson, and company prepare a feast from locally sourced vegetables, heritage meats, and wild finds. $95
MAY 3–4 NEARBY 25th Annual Cheat River Festival Live music, arts market, nonprofit tents, silent auction, food and merchandise vendors. Proceeds advance Friends of the Cheat’s watershed projects. Friday and Saturday $30 Albright, Fri. 5–10:30 p.m., Sat. 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., cheatfest.org
APRIL 14 Great Spring Egg Hunt West Virginia Botanic Garden, 1061 Tyrone Road, Sat. 1–3 p.m., wvbg.org Egg hunt for ages 10 and under and a presentation by the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia as well as music, snacks, and more. The egg hunt will include lifelike eggs for children to find and learn about what real eggs of local birds look like. Pre-register. Free. APRIL 17–27 City Council Election—Early Voting Morgantown City Hall, 389 Spruce Street, and Northside Fire Station, 1000 Van Voorhis Road Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. closed Sunday, morgantownwv.gov Remember to take your ID. APRIL 20 Winter Farmers’ Market Wesley United Methodist Church Gymnasium 503 North High Street, Sat. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. morgantownfarmersmarket.org APRIL 21 Easter in Appalachia Hill and Hollow, 709 Beechurst Avenue, Sun. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., 304.241.4551, @hillandhollowwv on Facebook
A true West Virginian Easter brunch with traditional dishes like ramp and egg scramble, sourdough buckwheat pancakes with warm sorghum syrup, or griddled red corn mush. APRIL 22 Chicago: The Musical WVU Creative Arts Center, 1 Fine Arts Drive Mon. 7:30 p.m., events.wvu.edu Recipient of Tony, Olivier, and Grammy awards and thousands of standing ovations, this hit is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Chicago has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz; one showstopping song after another; and astonishing dancing. A performance not to be missed. $54+; WVU students $29+ APRIL 22–23 Bridges Without Boundaries North Central West Virginia Business Summit West Virginia National Guard Morgantown Readiness Center, 90 Army Band Way, Mon. 5:30–7:30 p.m., Tues. 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 304.292.3311, morgantownchamber.org A regional business summit focusing on the future of north central West Virginia, coordinated by the Morgantown Area, Marion, Harrison, and Preston County chambers of commerce. $100 includes business after hours, continental breakfast, and lunch
APRIL 28 Mountain Stage with Larry Groce WVU Creative Arts Center, 1 Fine Arts Drive Sun. 7 p.m., events.wvu.edu See indie-folk charmers Darlingside along with Greg Brown, Lula Wiles, and other performers during a live taping of the famed West Virginia radio program. $23–$35; students $6 APRIL 30 Morgantown City Council Election Polling places around town, Tues. 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m., morgantownwv.gov Visit the website to determine your precinct and polling place. Remember to take your ID. Official Cheat Fest PreParty 123 Pleasant Street, Tues. 7 p.m., 123pleasantstreet.com With Parsonsfield, Emay & the Soundmen, and Meadow Run. $10 donation benefits Friends of the Cheat
May MAY 4 Greater Morgantown Heart Walk WVU Coliseum, 3450 Monongahela Boulevard Sat. 8:30, heart.org/morgantownwalk Help fight heart disease and stroke with the American Heart Association. Free; raising $100 earns a Heart Walk t-shirt Morgantown Farmers Market Market Place pavilion, 400 Spruce Street, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–noon, morgantownfarmersmarket.org Don’t miss the start of the summer weekly farmers’ market! Get your first refresh of locally MORGANTOWNMAG.COM
63
MARY SMALL
MAY 4 Bonus Bicycle Ride 2019 Challenging, 60-mile ride with 5,000 feet of climb on country roads. Helmet and signed liability waiver required. Free Monongalia County Courthouse, 243 High Street, Sat. 9 a.m., crcyclists.org
grown produce, eggs, meats, cheeses, and baked goods and browse the plants and cut flowers and artisan-made crafts. Enjoy live music over coffee and a fresh-baked pastry. Markets take place every Saturday morning into November. Fungus Among Us Hill and Hollow, 709 Beechurst Avenue, Sat. 4–9 p.m., 304.241.4551, @hillandhollowwv on Facebook A foraged feast of wild-gathered ingredients. Morgantown Roller Vixens vs. Steel City Beamers Morgantown Ice Arena, 1001 Mississippi Street, Sat., morgantownrollervixens.com @mrv2010 on Facebook First home bout of the season for Morgantown’s all-female flat-track roller derby league. Check web for time. Spring Spectacular Bicycle Ride Wharf District Parking Garage, 40 Clay Street Sun. 9 a.m., crcyclists.org Choose a 25-, 45-, or 60-mile road ride on scenic, low-traffic roads. All routes are reasonably hilly and challenging for fit road cyclists. Helmet and signed liability waiver required. Coffee and snacks, maps, support and gear wagon included. $20 MAY 11 West Virginia Women’s Extravaganza Mylan Park, 500 Mylan Park Lane, Sat. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., wvwomensexpo.com More than 100 vendor booths, arts and crafts corner, health screenings, bingo, silent auction, plus free massages, makeovers, and manicures. Lots of prizes including a $1,000 gift basket. $9
64
MORGANTOWN • APR/MAY 2019
MAY 15-19 I Never Saw Another Butterfly M.T. Pockets Theatre, 203 Parsons Street, Wed.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. mtpocketstheatre.com More than 15,000 Jewish children passed through the Terezin concentration camp, and only about 100 were still alive at the end of the war. One survivor, Raja, having given the children hope when there was little reason for it, tells the true story of the children. $7–$15
MAY 22 WVU Medicine Farmers Market Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute parking lot, WVU Medicine campus, Weds. 11 a.m.–2 p.m., @wvumedicinethewellnesscenter on Facebook WVU Medicine’s weekly Wednesday market returns, with locally grown and crafted items, food trucks, and live music. Park in the intermodal garage at Mountaineer Station, 1112 Van Voorhis Road, or take the PRT. MAY 23–25 NEARBY West Virginia Three Rivers Festival Palatine Park, Fairmont, Thurs.–Sat. wvthreeriversfestival.org Grand feature parade, pepperoni roll bake-off and eating competition, carnival rides, live entertainment nightly, fireworks.
MAY 18 & 19 PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” WVU Creative Arts Center, 1 Fine Arts Drive, Sat. 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., Sun. noon, 4 p.m. events.wvu.edu Roll with the PAW Patrol as everybody’s favorite heroic pups race to the rescue on the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race. $24
MAY 31
Morgantown Roller Vixens vs. Dominion Derby Girls Morgantown Ice Arena, 1001 Mississippi Street, morgantownrollervixens.com @mrv2010 on Facebook Cheer Morgantown’s all-female flat-track roller derby league on. Check web for time.
Upcoming
MAY 19 NEARBY Book Dinner: Red Truck Bakery Cookbook Modern Homestead, 41 South Robert Stone Way, Reedsville, Sun. 4–7 p.m. mymodernhomestead.com Enjoy an evening with guest Bryan Noyes of Red Truck Bakery. Chat with Bryan about some of the 85 southern gold-standard recipes in his debut cookbook, sample pastries from his bakery, and enjoy a full meal together. $25 and up
Girls’ Night Out: Hawaiian Luau Erickson Alumni Center, Fri. 6 p.m., moncocac.org Delectable cuisine, dancing, entertainment, pampering, and a live auction to benefit the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center.
JUNE 1 Deckers Creek Half Marathon Deckers Creek Trail, Masontown, Sat. 8:30 a.m., montrails.org Run 13.1 miles on a mostly downhill course that descends about 800 feet from the starting point in Masontown to the finish line in downtown Morgantown. Award ceremony at noon. Great finish line food, live music, unique awards. This race is part of the Morgantown Area Grand Prix race series. $60–$65
See our Motown Lowdown at morgantownmag.com for weekly updates.