Ps july 23, 2013

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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

See pictures from Putnam County Fair on pages 8-9!

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Unique Treats & Delicious Gifts By Justin Waybright

www.thecabellstandard.com

HAFB Continues Fight against Hunger

Making people aware - Erin Highlander, director of development for Huntington Area Food Bank speaks during the July 16 Putnam Rotary meeting. Photo by Justin Waybright

justin@theputnamstandard.com

HURRICANE - The undeniable aroma of freshly made popcorn and cupcakes invades the walls of a new Main Street business. A steady stream of area residents and workers pours into Sweet Street Gourmet Popcorn Café and Gift Shop every day Tuesday through Saturday. The delectable popcorn and decadently sweet cupcakes are like magnets that draw people in. Inside the doors of the 2759 Main St. business, bags of popcorn hang from antique tree, custom-made furniture covers the floors and one-of-a-kind art covers the walls. Co-owners John and Teresa Ash go together like peanut butter and jelly or better yet, popcorn and cupcakes. It was a labor of love trans-

Pop on in - Sweet Street Popcorn Café and Gift Shop is open for business. The Main Street shop features unique treats and gifts. Photo by Justin Waybright forming the building into what it is today, they said. “My reason for getting into this was her,” Ash said, smiling at his wife. “We’re not finished with the building yet, but it’s close.”

Teresa left her high-paying position as a pharmacist to live her dream of owning and running a unique business. To her, it’s not about the money, but the passion behind her work, which she con-

By Justin Waybright justin@theputnamstandard.com

HURRICANE - Hunger. It affects one in five Putnam County residents. That is more than 6,000 peoHAFB ON PAGE 7

HOW TO REACH US PHONE: (304) 743-6731 FAX: (304) 562-6214

siders a craft. “I left my job for this, and even if I don’t make enough to pay bills, I’m fine with that,” she explained. “To be able to say, ‘I want to work’ and be passionate about it, to be happy to do it and at the end of the day get to do what you want to do is surreal.” Since the second grade, Ash has been making crafts and cooking treats. The business owner was practically born an entrepreneur, she said. “I remember as a child, from sun up to sun down, I would make pottery and ride my bicycle to pick blackberries and sell them to people,” she said. “I’ve always been an entrepreneur.” Ash’s passion is undeniable. Her business screams nonconformity, smiles retro, breeds art and delivers deliciousness. “If you can dream it, we’ll make SEE TREATS ON PAGE 16

County welcomes “Financial Compass for Life”

By Justin Waybright justin@theputnamstandard.com

l Issue 27

HURRICANE - One-of-a-kind checking and matchless customer service is here. Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union is now open for business. The Mountain Statebased financial institution makes its mark by providing what many banks do not: unrivaled service and products, aimed at people rather than numbers. “One of the biggest advantages we have is making decisions locally,” said Branch Manager Travis McGrath. “We’ll help members, who have lower credit scores, who may have had setbacks from the recession.” The young man continued, “We’re a nonprofit, and we’re

Pioneering a new Location - Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union held its ribbon cutting ceremony last week. It is now open for business. Photo by Justin Waybright never trying to bolster our bottom line - we’re just trying to benefit our members.”

A free, interest-yielding checking account is one way Pioneer is doing this. Staff is able to offer

members a three percent dividend rate on checking balances up to $5,000 and give refunds for ATM fees. Pioneer’s attention to consumer benefits and service has won it various awards with the most recent being the 2012 title of Federal Credit Union of the Year by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. This statewide financial institution already has more than 1,800 members from Putnam County, according to credit union records. President and CEO C. Dana Rawlings hopes to keep that momentum going in Putnam County. The West Virginia resident is proud to offer the credit union to area residents. Rawlings believes the more SEE COMPASS ON PAGE 7

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