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Putnam PSD wins awards for water SUBMITTED ARTICLE SCOTT DEPOT -- The Putnam Public Service District (PSD) has won three Gold Level Awards from the Saint Albans District Office of the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources in the 2011 Drinking Water Performance Awards. The awards are given in recognition of drinking water quality and are held in high esteem in the water treatment industry. The first award is the Gold Level Award for 2011 Surface Water System of the Year. This is in recognition of PPSD’s record in 2011 of having high water treatment quality combined with few violations or deficiencies. The next award is the Gold Level Award for Optimized Water Treatment Plant. This award recognizes PPSD’s water plant for exceeding some of the most rigorous standards in the industry. Finally, PPSD is also the recipient of the Gold Level Award for Most Outstanding Surface Water System. This award is considered to be the most prestigious honor that can be attained by a surface water system in the Saint Albans district and is the result of having the highest average scores in a mix of criteria over a six year period. D. David Cobb, PE, the Engineering Supervisor for the Saint
New signs commemorate bridge’s historic status By Jack Bailey jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com
WINFIELD – Drivers crossing the Ross Booth Memorial Bridge at Winfield during the past week may have noticed a new sign that recently went up recognizing the bridge’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Workers from the state Department of Highways put the new signs up on March 13 to recognize the bridge’s inclusion on the list of the nation’s most historic places. The Ross Booth Memorial Bridge was added to the National Register in December. “I’m very happy about it,” said Oran “Pooch” Booth, who worked to see the former Winfield Toll Bridge renamed in honor of his late father, Ross Booth. Ross Booth was a carpenter who worked on the bridge’s construction in the 1950s before it opened to traffic in 1957. Pooch Booth began advocating to have the bridge renamed several years ago, and found a welcome ear in Putnam County Del. Brady Paxton. In 2006 the bridge was officially named the Ross Booth Memorial Bridge. With the change in the name,
By Jack Bailey jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com
PHONE: (304) 743-6731 FAX: (304) 562-6214
New signs were placed under the Ross Booth Memorial Bridge’s name on March 13 to recognize the bridge’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge was added to the National Register in December. Photo by Jack Bailey
Annual Civil War Weekend set to kickoff Friday at Valley Park
SEE PSD ON PAGE 3
HOW TO REACH US
Booth began advocating to have the bridge included on the National Register of Historic Places. He said he began that process more than two years ago, and was delighted when it was added to the Register in December. Now with the new signage going up letting motorists know about the bridge’s inclusion on the National Register, Booth said that he was pleased. “I think it’s important,” he said. “I think Putnam County citizens need to know that this is an historic site.” The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic resources. In Putnam County, five other properties also appear on the National Register of Historic Places. They are the Asbury House in Hurricane, the Hoge House in Winfield, the Putnam County courthouse in Winfield, the Buffalo Town Square and the Buffalo Indian Village site.
HURRICANE – The 15th annual Civil War Weekend at Valley Park in Hurricane will take place March 23-25 with a host of new activities for the public to enjoy. “This has become one of our
biggest events of the year,” said Putnam County Parks Director Scott Williamson. “And it is the first event of the re-enactors season. We are trying some different things this year and it should be a lot of fun.” On Friday, the Civil War weekend will kick off in earnest. Begin-
ning at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day, area school children will be coming to Valley Park to see presentations from the re-enactors and learn more about living at the time of the Civil War. A new feature for the school kids this year will be a presentation by the Western Virginia Mili-
tary Academy, a group of middle school students from Cabell County. Cadets from the Academy are re-enactors who are from the 1859-1860 period, right before the Civil War. SEE WAR ON PAGE 3
The Putnam Standard SEND YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS TO US AT JACKBAILEY@THEPUTNAMSTANDARD.COM
Page 2 – March 19-23, 2012 Song & Praise Service On Sunday, March 25, 2012 The Whisnants will be at Rock Branch Independent Church located at 133 Cross Lanes Drive Nitro, WV at 7:00pm for a FREE Song & Praise service. A love offering will be taken. For more information contact the church at 304-755-1364.
HHS Band Boosters to host Longaberger Basket Bingo The Hurricane High School Band Boosters will host a Longaberger Basket Bingo on March 24th in the HHS Commons. Doors will open at 5pm and bingo will start at 6pm. All baskets will be filled. Cost is $20 to play 20 regular bingo games, with 5 special games at $1 per card. Concessions will be available. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used for routine band expenses (such as band camp, instrument repair and replacement, care of uniforms) for our 2012 season.
St. Francis Bingo St. Francis Church at 525 Holley Street, St. Albans holds Bingo every Monday evening beginning with Early Birds at 5pm. Concessions are available. Please call (304) 727-3033 for more information.
Literacy Volunteers of Putnam County Would you like to make a difference? Do you know someone who needs help with reading? Become a literacy volunteer and help adults improve their basic academic skills. We will teach you how to help others through our free 10 hour training session which will give you the skills you need. Call 304-757-1550.
South Charleston Public Library to hold Monthly Meeting The South Charleston Public Library Board will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. The agenda is available at the library. The public is welcome to attend.
Community Calendar Caregiver Support Program The Family Caregiver Support Program offers support, training and relief to those providing fulltime caregiving for a loved one. Services include in-home respite and counseling. Putnam Aging, the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services and the Metro Area Agency on Aging sponsors the program. For more information, contact Sally Halstead, 304-562-9451.
Spring Bazaar The Buffalo Nazarene Church will have a Spring Bazaar on Saturday, March 24, 10 AM – 3 PM. Homemade candy and desserts, hot dogs, baked beans, potato or macaroni salad. Eat in or carry out. Everyone Welcome.
Election Workers Needed If you are registered to vote in Putnam County and would like to work as an election worker in the May 8, 2012, primary election, please contact the office of the Putnam County Clerk at 304586-0202, by March 30. Workers will be placed on a first come basis. Both evening and day training sessions will be available.
Maintenance Position Putnam County Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Maintenance Worker. The position is full time, hourly with benefits. The successful applicant must be willing to perform a variety of maintenance tasks on an individual and collective basis. Experience in construction, plumbing and electrical work is helpful. To obtain a job description and application form, visit our web site at www.putnamcountyparks.net or come to the Administrative Office located at #1 Valley Park Drive, Hurricane, WV 25526 or call 304-562-0518 ext. 10. The completed application, cover letter, resume and references are to be mailed or delivered to the park office by 3 p.m. on Friday March 23, 2012.
Winfield, West Virginia, USPS 451-160 The Putnam Standard (ISSN, 451160) is published weekly at P.O. Box 179, Winfield, WV 25213. Yearly subscription rates: In-County $22.00; In-State $38.00; Out-of-State $48.00. Bill Unger, Publisher. Periodical Postage paid at Main Post Office, Winfield, WV, and additional mailing offices under the act of March 3, 1979. Postmaster: Send Address changes to the Putnam Standard, P.O. Box 179, Winfield, WV 25213. We reserve the right to accept or reject and to edit all news and advertising copy.
National Medal of Honor Day The United States Congress has designated March 25th of each year as National Medal of Honor Day, a day dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. This is the only award presented by the President in the name of Congress. As a Patriotic American there are things that you can do to commemorate this day: Fly your flag and remember our heroes.
Instructors Needed Putnam County Parks & Recreation Commission is looking for instructors to teach classes. If anyone has a trade and would like to teach a class please contact the park office at (304)5620518 ext. 10.
Bingo Every Wednesday night (7:00 p.m.) VFW Post 9097, Teays Valley Road. Public invited.
PCTC Career Day Putnam Career & Technical Center is sponsoring a Career Day for high school students, adult students and community members on Thursday, March 29th, at the PCTC in Eleanor. Area employers, labor unions and post-secondary school representatives will be in attendance to discuss career opportunities with all participants. All community members who are seeking employment and/or post-secondary training are encouraged to attend. Times will be 8:50 until 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. It is suggested that participants dress appropriately and bring resumes with them for potential employers. There are no fees for this service which is a School-toWork activity.
Free Scrapbooking Classes Free Scrapbooking classes “On a Budget” are held at Hometown Senior Center every Monday & Thursday at 10 a.m. For more information, call 304-586-2745.
Pool Pass Discounts Purchase your season pass by April 1, 2012 and receive a 20% discount. If a season pass does not work for you, we offer a book of 20 tickets for (adults 12 yrs. and over) $160.00 (children 5 – 11 yrs. old)
$120.00. County Pool $90.00. So hurry into the park office located at #1 Valley Park Dr. Hurricane or call (562-0518 ext. 10) before the time passes you by.
Nitro Senior Citizen Center The Nitro Senior Center, Second Avenue and 21st Street, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. All seniors are invited to visit, have lunch, play pool or cards, use exercise machines and enjoy other activities. For those needing a ride, the senior van is available by calling 304-755-5502 before 9 a.m.
PCTC Adult Learning Center provides Academic Remediation Students prepare for various types of testing including ACT, GED, and LPN. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Friday. For more info. call 5862411.
University of Charleston announces upcoming Speakers The University of Charleston Speaker Series announces the following schedule: Energy: Who’s Got the Power?? March 27 – “The Power of Coal” – with Kevin Crutchfield, CEO of Alpha Natural Resources April 12 – “Global Power Plays” – with Barry Worthington, Executive Director, U.S. Energy Association All events begin at 6:30 p.m. in Geary Auditorium, Riggleman Hall, and are free and open to the public. No tickets needed. Details, photos, and speaker bios are available on our website, www.ucwv.edu/speakerseries. For more information, please contact: University of Charleston Office of Communications, (304) 3574716; communications @ucwv.edu.
Photography Class – (Tuesday’s) May 10 – June 14, 2012 Putnam County Parks & Recreation Commission is hosting a photography class instructed by Dusty Hurley starting May 10 thru June 14, 2012. Class will be on Tuesday’s from 6:15 – 7:45 p.m. Located in the Commons of
The Putnam Standard Putnam County. For more information or to register please contact Dusty at 586-0201. You may also register on her link at www.lovehappinessphoto.com.
Order Your Easter Eggs NOW The United Methodist Women of Forrest Burdette United Methodist Women are taking orders for ½ pound Easter Eggs, available in vanilla, coconut, cherry nut, maple nut and the most favorite of all, peanut butter. Each egg is hand decorated. Cost $3.50. The eggs will be available for pick on Saturday, March 31st, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Burdette United Forrest Methodist Church, 2848 Putnam Avenue in Hurricane. Also, on that day, books, crafts, baked goodies and hot dogs will be on sale for the Spring Festival. To place an order, call Jan, 304562-2053 or email your order to jrowsey593@aol.com with the subject Eggs!
Huntington's Disease Support Group Formed A peer-led Huntington's Disease Support Group has been formed in Charleston for patients, families, caregivers and those at risk. The meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Saint Francis Hospital. For more information, call 304549-3266 or debarm@suddenlink.net.
Marita Sodaro named to Dean's List at Grove City College Marita Sodaro, a junior Early Childhood Education major at Grove City College, has been named to the Dean's List with Distinction for the fall 2011 semester. Marita is a 2008 graduate of Teays Valley Christian School and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Sodaro from Scott Depot, WV. Students eligible for the Dean's List have a GPA of 3.40 to 3.59; for the Dean's List with Distinction a GPA of 3.60 to 3.84 and for the Dean's List with High Distinction a GPA of 3.85 to 4.0. Founded in 1876, Grove City College stands on its founding ideals of faith and freedom, made possible by an unwavering commitment to Christian principles and rigorous academics at a price within the reach of families with modest means. The College, located 60 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pa., has an enrollment of 2,500 students and teaches the liberal arts, sciences and engineering. It is an advocate of the free market economic system and accepts no federal funding. Tuition is about half the national average for private colleges.
Community News
The Putnam Standard
USDA grants available for rural business SUBMITTED ARTICLE WASHINGTON, DC – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to help rural businesses create jobs and spur economic development. USDA Rural Development plans to award up to $8.6 million through the Rural Community Development Initiative program. Applications are sought for projects that: Provide technical assistance to improve the capacity of local organizations to complete successhousing, economic ful development and community facilities projects; Help recipients complete predevelopment requirements – such as architectural and engineering plans; Help development organizations improve their board operations, management and knowledge of financial and information technology systems; Provide homeownership education or training for entrepreneurs. Part of the RCDI funds to be awarded may be used for projects associated with the Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge, which was announced on March 8, 2012. The deadline for submitting RCDI applications is May 9, 2012. Applications must be submitted to the USDA Rural Development state office where the applicant's headquarters are located. A list of these offices is available on the USDA Rural Development website. The deadline to apply for RCDI funding for Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator projects is May 9, 2012. For more information on how to apply, please visit Grants.gov.
March 19-23, 2012 – Page 3
WAR FROM PAGE 1 They don military academy dress of the time and perform military drills. On Friday they will be showcasing some of those drills for area school children, and also teaching them about the Civil War era time period. Then throughout the weekend, the Cadets will participate in the re-enactments by re-creating a Civil War era hospital scene. “Hopefully, they will be an inspiration for some of our kids in Putnam County,” said Williamson, who added that he would like to see a similar living history group brought to the school system here. While the dinner with Abe Lincoln and the addition of the Western Virginia Military Academy cadets are new for this year, perhaps the biggest change that people who attend the weekend will notice is that the site where re-enactors recreate the skirmish of Hurricane Bridge and the Battle of Scary Creek has been changed. Previously, the battles were recreated on the large soccer field at Valley Park, but this year thanks to a lot of hard work and elbow grease, the area around the creek behind the shelters at Valley Park has been cleaned of brush and the battles will be re-enacted there. “That was our biggest criticism, from the re-enactors and the public, that the battles took place on a soccer field,” Williamson said. “But this year, we are actually portraying the Battle of Scary Creek at
Civil War re-enactors will return to Valley Park in Hurricane March 23-25 for the 15th annual Civil War Weekend. Re-enactors, shown here during last year's weekend, re-enact the skirmish of Hurricane Bridge and the Battle of Scary Creek as part of the weekend's activities. Putnam Standard file photo. the creek. This will be a very accurate portrayal of what happened.” Moving the battlefield was no easy task and Williamson credits the Park Staff, area Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts and Putnam Day Report workers for doing a tremendous job in clearing brush and debris to make it possible. Williamson said that the newly cleared area will provide a great vantage point from every angle for those turning out to watch the battles re-enacted. Typically, several hundred people turnout to watch the battles, and Williamson suggested trying
to arrive early. The battles will be recreated at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Williamson suggested trying to arrive by noon to allow ample time for parking and finding a seat. In addition to watching the reenactment of the battles, there will be plenty of other activities spread around the grounds at Valley Park. There will be vendors selling a variety of items, and various presentations throughout the weekend. On Saturday at 3 p.m. there will be a Ladies Tea at the Valley Park
Community Center and all ladies ages 8 and above are invited to attend. Then on Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. there will be a Military Ball at the Community Center. While many of the re-enactors who are there for the weekend will appear at the Ball in period dress, no special dress is required. Also going on throughout the weekend will be storytelling, night firing, parade drills, and a lantern tour. For more information on the Civil War Weekend call Putnam County Parks at (304) 562-0518 ext. 10 or the Putnam County Visitors Bureau at (304) 562-0727.
General Manager, and John Inghram, PPSD Superintendent of Water Quality, expressed pleasure and gratitude for winning the awards. “We’ve invested heavily in ensuring that our customers receive
the highest quality water possible. It is good to see that our efforts have yielded dividends,” said McNulty. Inghram added that while it is always an honor to receive recog-
nition from the DHHR, winning all three awards in the same year is one of the highlights of his professional career. For more information, visit PutnamPSD.com
PSD FROM PAGE 1 Albans District Office, said that “these three awards are the highest level achievable in each of the categories we present awards and thus together this is a most impressive feat. “ Both Mike McNulty, PPSD
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Community News
Page 4 – March 19-23, 2012
The Putnam Standard
Embattled Hurricane High School teacher resigns By David Payne Sr. davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com
WINFIELD -- Hurricane High School teacher Christian St. John, who previously said he would fight his termination, has apparently decided to gracefully bow out and resign after reaching an agreement with school officials to avoid outright termination. “What this says,” said Victoria Sewell, mother of two of St. John's former students, “is that giving children a good education is not as important as sticking to the administration’s rules, even when they don't make sense.” Monday night, the Putnam County Board of Education accepted the resignation of St. John, who earlier this month said he had reached an agreement with school officials to allow him to keep his benefits and retirement, although he would not be able to teach in the county. However, after a public outcry in his support, he said that he would
Marsha Bradbury speaks in support of former Hurricane High School teacher Christopher St. John at Monday night’s meeting of the Putnam County Board of Eductaion. Photo by David Payne Sr. fight to keep his job and withdrew his initial resignation. It appears that the final agreement was reached just a short while before Monday's meeting, which was attended by around 60 people, many of whom were St. John's students, former stu-
dents or parents. The original agenda, posted on the county's Web site, www.putnamschools.com, called for an executive session and a vote on a termination action for insubordination, but was revised so soon before the meeting that copies of
the new agenda were delayed. It wasn't available until just before the meeting was called to order and had been updated to include St. John's resignation. During the meeting, Board president Craig Spicer struck the executive session and changed suspension/termination the clause to read: "To ratify the 10day suspension imposed by the superintendent and accept the settlement agreement recommended by the superintendent and executed by Christian St. John and the superintendent." Three people addressed the board Monday, including Marsha Bradbury, who said, “we all hope he is given a second chance to remain an educator in Putnam County Schools” and Theresa Catanzarite, who credited St. John with helping her daughter through a difficult time. “What kind of choice is it,” Bradbury said after the meeting, “to resign or be fired and lose the thing you love most in life.”
Students and former students, angry and bewildered about the end of St. John's decades-long career, spoke of him as an approachable educator. Many had stories about friends suffering extreme depression – even on the brink of suicide – whose confiding in St. John literally saved their lives. “He could inspire anyone,” said former student Mark Shaffer, “to do anything.” Lucas Willis, a 2009 graduate of Hurricane, said St. John convinced him to give college a try. “He motivated you,” Willis said. “He would stick up for you. He works with whatever teaching style fits you. If something didn't work, he kept trying until he reached you. He made me believe I could do anything. He helped me in other classes. He even helped me with college classes. How many teachers do you keep up with years after you graduate? How many teachers will help you after you graduate?”
State foresters issue guidelines for burning outdoors CHARLESTON – A windy March day is great for flying a kite, but not for burning brush. That’s why state foresters are asking residents to be extremely cautious this month with outdoor fires. “One spark can easily start a forest fire,” said Assistant State Forester Walt Jackson. “Help us keep the woods safe by using common sense and not burning
debris on windy days.” Since Jan. 1, foresters have recorded 148 forest fires throughout West Virginia. Half of those fires, 74, were caused by sparks from debris fires or the escape of the fires themselves. The second leading cause of forest fires in 2012 is equipment use that has led to 32 fires. Arson or incendiary fires account for 26 fires so far this year.
March Birthdays!
Happy Birthday to ALL
Donna Gibson Josh Linville Joan Adkins Samantha Neese Shannae Ratliff Cameron Shinn Patrick Rolfe Carolyn Meadows Judie Allen Sara Bailey Beverley Ball Brenda Bassett Olin Bird Charlette Chester David Clark Richie Dailey
Ronnie Davis Thomas Dawson Martha Fletcher Trena Flora Larry Foster Illya Harrell Gary Sargent Annette Chapman Jason Drown Taylor Adkins Marilyn Harris Tommy Harbour Arbutus Higginbotham Mary Hight Mary Hudnall Derek Hutchinson
If you - or someone you know - will be celebratrating a birthday in the coming months... Call 304-743-6731 and give us their name - OR just email the information to trudyblack@theputnamstandard.com
Jackson offered several tips to keep down fire danger when burning outdoors. •Burn only after 5 p.m. — it’s the law — and put your fire out completely by 7 a.m. •Put debris in several small piles instead of one large one •Never burn on dry, windy days •Select a safe place away from overhead power lines, phone
lines or other obstructions and where the fire cannot spread into the woods or weedy or brushy areas •Clear at least a 10-foot area around the fire and make sure the area is clear of all burnable material •Have water and tools on hand to extinguish anything that may escape the burn area •Be conscientious of neighbors
and don’t burn debris that produces a lot of smoke at times when smoke does not rise. If the smoke spreads out near the ground instead of rising, put out the fire and burn another time. •Stay with the fire at all times until it is completely out. Leaving a fire unattended for any length of time is illegal. •Call 911 immediately if a fire does escape.
Special Easter Bunny to visit Huntington Mall SUBMITTED ARTICLE BARBOURSVILLE – JeffersonWhitney, a Hurricane based insurance, investment and financial planning firm that
Small Fruits Workshops Join us for a FREE 5-part workshop series to learn how to grow your own fresh fruit, even in your own backyard. The information is pertinent to any grower looking to grow his or her own small fruits. Workshops are made possible by a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the West Department of Agriculture. Schedule March 27 - Grapes April 3 -Fruit Trees
Time 10:00 - Noon
Workshops will be held at the Pumpkin Park in Milton, WV To register, contact Jeanie Sutphin at 304-204-4305 or extension@wvstateu.edu West Virginia State University R&D Corp. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran.
places an increased focus on those with special needs, is sponsoring Special Easter Bunny at The Huntington Mall in Barboursville. This event will be held in the Community room Saturdays March 24 and 31 from 9 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Special Easter Bunny is geared towards families with children with special needs.
Eliminating the busy mall environment and providing a more calm experience will help families continue the tradition of visiting the Easter Bunny.] Photos and a special gift will be provided to participants. JeffersonWhitney is located at 3466 Teays Valley Rd. and serves clients throughout the tri-state area. For more information, please v i s i t www.jeffersonwhitney.com or call Stacie Thomas at (304) 3976517.
The Putnam Standard
Community News
March 19-23, 2012 – Page 5
SBA disaster loans available to local businesses SUBMITTED ARTICLE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses in Putnam County following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for several counties in West Virginia affected by severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides and landslides from Feb. 29 to March 5, 2012. "The U.S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the people of West Virginia with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist homeowners, renters, and businesses with federal disaster loans. Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA,” U.S. Small BusiAdministration ness Administrator Karen G. Mills said. The disaster declaration covers the counties of Lincoln, Marion and Wayne in West Virginia , which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Boone, Cabell, Harrison, Kanawha, Logan, Mingo,
Monongalia, Putnam, Taylor and Wetzel in West Virginia ; Boyd, Lawrence, and Martin in Kentucky ; and Lawrence in Ohio . Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. The SBA may increase a loan up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Dis-
aster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. Interest rates are as low as 1.875 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800621-FEMA (3362), (TTY) 800-462-7585 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Additional details on the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is May 15, 2012 . The deadline to return economic injury applications is December 17, 2012 . For more information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Program, visit www.sba.gov.
County in need of poll workers for May 8 primary election By Jack Bailey jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com
WINFIELD – Putnam County Clerk Brian Wood said that he is in need of poll workers for the upcoming May 8 primary elections. Wood said that he needs both Republican and Democrat poll workers. “Anyone interested should please contact my office,” Wood said. “This being a presidential election we would like to have a stockpile of workers to draw from.” Wood said that he needs poll workers both to work the polls the day of the primary election and also to man information booths that he plans to set up in high traffic voting areas. Wood
said that he thinks the information booths are necessary because of recent redistricting changes so that voters know the proper places to vote. “We can use all of the people we can get,” Wood said. In order to be eligible to be a poll worker, Wood said that you must be a resident of Putnam County, must be 18 years of age and registered to vote. A training session is provided for poll workers before the primary election, Wood said. In addition to performing a civic duty, Wood said that poll
workers are also paid for their services. Workers receive $50 for attending the training session and then $150 for working on Election Day. Wood said that anyone who is interested in becoming a poll worker should contact his office as soon as possible at (304) 5860202.
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755-3306
Teays Valley Church of God’s staff are (from left) Wendy Hicks (children's pastor), Thom Pratt (connections pastor) Melissa Pratt (senior pastor) Mandy Bohm (worship pastor) and Jonathan Secrest (youth pastor).
Teays Valley Church of God adding second Sunday service SUBMITTED ARTICLE TEAYS VALLEY -- The Teays Valley Church of God will add a second service beginning Easter Sunday, April 8. The first service will begin at 9 a.m. and the second service will be held at 10:45 a.m. “We have seen tremendous growth during the past five years and are out of room, a great challenge to have,” said the church’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Melissa Pratt. In order to make way for continued growth, the staff has decided to offer a second service. The church plans to relocate to their 74 acres of property
sometime during the next five years, but until then, the church will move to a two-service structure. Both services will feature a nursery and activities for children and teenagers as well. Teays Valley Church of God is a non-denominational church whose focus is connecting the community with Christ. All are welcome. For more information, call 304-757-9222 or visit the church’s website at www.tvcog.org. The Teays Valley Church of God is located at 4430 Teays Valley Road in Scott Depot.
Page 6 – March 19-23, 2012
Community News
The Putnam Standard
Nitro High School student wins state Poetry Out Loud contest NITRO -- Bruce McCuskey, a senior at Nitro High School will represent the state of West Virginia May 13-15 in the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest. The West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts announced Tuesday, March 20, that McCuskey won $200 plus an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the national finals after winning the state Poetry Out Loud competition. McCuskey also took home a trophy created for the Poetry Out Loud competition by Charleston artists Chris Dutch and Robin Hammer. His school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books, and a traveling trophy to display for one year. McCuskey chose to recite “Preludes” by T. S. Eliot, “The Last Laugh” by Wilfred Owen and “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. This year’s runner-up, Dayja Legg, a junior at Capital High
School, recited “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou, “A Birthday” by Christina Rossetti and “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley. Legg will receive $100 and her school library will collect $200 for poetry books. Two state semifinal rounds were held Friday, March 2. Twenty-one students from 21 high schools in 17 counties competed. The top 10 finalists advanced to the state finals on Saturday, March 3, in the Norman L. Fagan West Virginia State Theater in the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston. The other students who were finalists included David Crowe from Richwood High School, Nicholas County; Sabrina Dahlia from East Fairmont High School, Marion County; Tim DiFazio from Morgantown High School, Monongalia County; Tyler Hammack from Roane County High School; Kaley Hensley from Chapmanville High School, Logan County; Sarah McCloy from Wirt County High School;
Afsheen Misaghi from George Washington High School, Kanawha County; and Timberly Robinson, Lyceum Prep Academy, Ohio County. A complete list of all 21 semifinalists is attached. Judges for the West Virginia finals were Colleen Anderson, a freelance writer, songwriter and graphic designer from Charleston who has published short fiction and poetry, and won awards in two national competitions for her essays for West Virginia Public Radio; Nikki Bowman of Morgantown, owner and editor of the critically acclaimed WV Living and WV Weddings magazines and co-owner of WV Living Marketplace, who recently launched a new magazine called Morgantown; Kate Morris of Hurricane owns a business that provides speech, language, and feeding therapy to infants and toddlers and is active in community theater, having performed with Kanawha Players, the Charleston Stage Co. and the 5th Avenue Theatre Co.; and
Deborah Stiles, a native of Elkins who has published poetry, fiction and nonfiction in the United States, England and Canada, as well as two books, Riding Limestone and Movement Catalogued. West Virginia native Chris Sarandon, star of screen, theater and television, served as emcee. He graduated magna cum laude from WVU and received his master’s degree in theater from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Originally from Beckley, Sarandon has performed in such films as Dog Day Afternoon, for which he received an Oscar nomination, The Princess Bride, Child’s Play, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Loggerheads. His Broadway appearances have included The Rothschilds, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Nick and Nora and Cyrano de Bergerac. The Division presented Amber Tamblyn as the special guest poet and actress, who performed during the final competition March 3. Tamblyn has been a
writer and actress since the age of nine. She is recognized for her work as Joan on the CBS television program Joan of Arcadia and won a Locarno Film Festival award for best actress for her role in Stephanie Daley. Tamblyn is the author of two poetry collections, Bang, Ditto and Free Stallion. Her work has been published in New York Quarterly, Poets & Writers, Interview, and Cosmopolitan, among others. She is the executive producer of “The Drums Inside Your Chest,” an annual poetry concert that showcases outstanding contemporary poets. Poetry Out Loud is a program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry Magazine, the English-language oldest monthly publication dedicated to verse. The program is designed to encourage high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance and competition.
Local host families need for foreign exchange students SUBMITTED ARTICLE Foreign high school students are scheduled to arrive soon for academic semester program
homestays, and the sponsoring organization, Pacific Intercultural Exchange (P.I.E), needs a few more local hosts.
LOCAL DIRECTORY Main Office • 2761 Main Street, Hurricane 304-562-9931 • 304-562-2642 (fax)
Main Office Loan Center Office 2761 Main Street • Hurricane, WV 25526 2761 Main Street, Hurricane 304-562-5055 • 304-562-9109 (fax)
Interstate Office 300 Hurricane Rd. • Hurricane, WV 25526 304-562-9005 • 304-562-7092 (fax) Valley Office 3058 Mount Vernon Rd. • Scott Depot, WV 25560 www.putcobk.com 304-757-2477 • 304-757-2503 (fax)
304-562-9931 304-562-2642 (fax)
Americans mentor international teenagers and provide a caring environment, a room and daily meals. P.I.E. area representatives match students with host families by finding common interests
and lifestyles through an informal in-home meeting. Prospective host families are able to review student information to select the perfect match. There is no such thing as a typical host family. One can be mar-
ried, single, retired, with children or no children. The international teenagers are ages 15-18 years old, have their own spending money, are academically strong, speak English well enough to attend a public high school, and are waiting to hear from a friendly American. The international students have accident and health insurance and are anxious to share their cultural experiences with their new American families. P.I.E. currently has programs to match almost every family's needs, ranging in length from a semester to a full academic year, where the students attend local high schools. Families who host for P.I.E. are also eligible to claim a $50.00 per month charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax returns for each month they host a sponsored student. For the upcoming school year, P.I.E. has students from Germany, Hong Kong, Venezuela, Belgium, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, Norway, China, Denmark, Thailand and other countries. People interested in learning more about student exchange or arranging for a meeting with a community representative may call P.I.E., toll-free, at 1-888-743-
The Putnam Standard
Outdoor News
March 19-23, 2012 – Page 7
Largemouth Bass Virus discovered in four West Virginia Lakes
David Payne Sr. By David Payne Sr. davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com
The presence of Largemouth bass virus has been discovered in four West Virginia lakes, officials say. Recent fish health surveys conducted by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources revealed the presence of large-
mouth bass virus in four West Virginia lakes, East Lynn (Wayne County), North Bend (Ritchie County), Stonewall Jackson (Lewis County), and Sutton (Braxton County) lakes. Fish health surveys also were conducted at Mount Storm (Grant County) and Moncove (Monroe County) lakes and Little (Wood County), Kanawha Monongahela (Monongalia County), Tygart (Barbour County), and New (Summers County) rivers. No virus was found in those fish. “Largemouth bass virus is a common pathogen found primarily in southern United States largemouth bass populations, but has been expanding throughout North America,” said Chris O’Bara, DNR fisheries research biologist. “LMBV has not been linked to any human health concerns but, as always, fish should be properly prepared prior to eating.”
Bret Preston, DNR wildlife resources assistant chief, said that just because the fish had been exposed to the virus, doesn't mean they were ill with it. “We've documented largemouth-bass virus is some fish – that doesn't mean they were sick and we haven't seen any that were sick. That just means that the virus is present. It's not uncommon to have viruses in animals that are present, but not active. We've had no die-offs or kills that can be attributed to this virus,” Preston said. Biologists say the virus poses no threat to humans and has been found in at least 20 states. However, they are concerned that if there are other stresses present in a fish's environment, such as improper handling by anglers before release, it could become vulnerable to the virus. Preston said anglers should handle fish that are to be released as little as possible to pre-
serve the fish's health. Besides the stress of being out of water too long, a mucus membrane that covers fish and protects them from infection can be damaged when fish are handled with dry hands. Always wet your hands before handling a fish. “The virus can hit hard,” he said. “There have been fish kills elsewhere attributed to it. It tends to be larger fish that are vulnerable during the warmer months. The best thing you can do is minimize handling of fish and minimize that stress to the fish, especially during warmer temperatures. Fish are not unlike us, if our immune system is stressed, we might be more susceptible to a cold virus, for example. Other times, if you are in good shape and don't have stress factors, you can fight it (virus) off and it doesn't become an issue. The same is true for fish.” Surveys performed during the summer and early fall of 2011 were
focused on monitoring overall fish health in water bodies where WVDNR staff collects broodstock for hatchery production. Several species of fish were collected from 10 water bodies and samples were sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Lamar Fish Health Laboratory for analysis. The DNR is asking anglers to help curtail the virus' spread by keeping their boats and livewells clean to make sure that the virus isn't accidentally transported. “Don't move fish from one body of water to another and be careful about live wells and boat trailers where (possibly infected) water, plants, or even mud could be transported. Clean your boat and trailer,” he said. The DNR will be expanding this survey into other bodies of water later this year. Contact David Payne Sr. at davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com.
The ancient art of Flyfishing By David Payne Sr. davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com
Imagine yourself on a brown trout stream in ancient Macedonia. You've done well fishing with live worms or bugs on a hook all year, but then a large hatch ensues, with millions of tiny flies casting off their cases and using the water's surface tension to dry their wings in the mountain air. The trout are in a frenzy, nipping these flies from the surface and ignoring any type of bait at your disposal. You try to bait your hook with one of these flies, but it crumbles and falls to the ground. But then, you have an idea. You gather up some wool and feathers and tie them to your hook with a piece of horsehair that looks like the insect the trout want. Soon, your buddies are all plucking hairs from their horses' tails and pulling bits of wool from their clothes for their own flies. While that precise moment of the birth of flyfishing wasn't recorded, it may have happened something like that. Nearly 2,000 years ago, the Roman Claudius Aelianus described Macedonians fishing for brown trout with artificial flies they used to represent what he described as a bee-like insect that the trout were feeding
on. The earliest recipes for fishing flies are found in “Treatyse of Fysshynge Wyth an Angle” from the 1400s. It's usually attributed to Dame Juliana Berners, although it may have been written by someone else – an authorship can of worms best opened in its own column. The author has the reader using live baits and some homemade oven-baked stink baits, made with bread and blood to be used except for when “the trout leapeth.” When the trouth “leapeth,” that was time for tied flies “according to the month,” followed by as far as I know with the oldest known hatch chart. These patterns and a few other
Dame Juliana flies are collectively known as the Treatise Flies. People still tie similar flies today, though the designs have evolved with modern materials. For April, there is the Dun Fly: “the body of black wool. The wings of the blackest drake (male duck) and the lay under the wings and under the tail.” For May, there is the Stonefly: “the body of black wool, yellow under the wing and under the tail and the wings of the drake. In the beginning of May, a good fly.” Also for the month is the Yellow Fly: “the body of yellow wool, the wings of the red cock hackle and of the drake yellow.” In June, it was time for the Black Louper: “the body of black wool and lapped about with the
herle of the peacock tail and the wings of the red capon with blue heed.” The Manure Fly was the fly of choice for July: “the body of dark wool, the wings of the blackest male of the wild drake.” The Drake Fly was the fly of choice for August: “the body of black wool and lapped about with black silk: wings of the Blake drake with a black heed.” The Treatise author doesn't mention the flies floating under their own buoyancy and I doubt they did, but that doesn't mean they weren't fished as dry flies. He or she does go at length to describe the medieval tackle used and how to make it, so we know that fishing of that time was up close and personal with a short section of line attached to the rod. The author used various colors of dyed horse hair for camouflaging line in different water conditions, cork for bobbers and even wire leaders for pike. It was more like fish hunting than any common modern-day fishing technique. Yet, there was no need for the fly itself to float because you simply dangled it on the surface of the water. The need for the flies to float by themselves came with the appearance of the fishing reel. While the reel is referenced in
Chinese art in the 12th Century, it doesn't seem to appear in Europe until the 1600s. The first reference to a fishing reel is in Thomas Barker's “The Art of Angling” from 1651. It was probably a simple spool that you wound excess line onto, but the ability to have excess line gave the angler the power to cast much farther out. Now, his flies need to float. So it's no coincidence that Barker also mentions floating flies. As far as I know, his book is the earliest known discussion of which materials float best. “I work much of hog's wool,” he writes, “for I find it floateth best.” Those early fishing books boast an extraordinary understanding of fish behavior and reading water. Much of the advice still applies. You'll also find some ideas in them that seem remarkably modern, such as this from the Treatise: “When ye have sufficient mess,” the author writes, “ye should covet no more (fish) at that time. Also, ye shall help yourself to nourish the game in all that ye may.” That's as good advice today as it was a half millennium ago. Contact David Payne Sr. at davidpayne@theputnamstandard.com.
Leisure
The Putnam Standard Across 1. Site of 1956 Summer Games 10. Sorcerers 15. Once more (2 wds) 16. Related maternally 17. Suspends in the air 18. Full range 19. “-zoic” things 20. Cutlet? 21. Litmus reddeners 22. Renal calculus (2 wds) 25. “Gimme ___!” (start of an Iowa State cheer) (2 wds) 28. Dust remover 29. Clickable image 30. Present 32. Intermittently (3 wds) 36. Computer info 37. Despot’s duration 39. Length x width, for a rectangle 40. Female employee (2 wds) 42. Academy Award 43. Dressing ingredient 44. Juliet, to Romeo 46. Absorbed, as a cost 47. Unrestrained 51. Kiss 52. Charged particles 53. Alternative to acrylics 57. Express 58. Italian restaurant
March 19-23, 2012 – Page 8
60. Change, as a clock 61. Having high regard 62. Amount of hair 63. Female clairvoyants
Down 1. Blemish 2. “... happily ___ after” 3. Bulgarian units of money 4. Lively 5. ___ grass 6. Land on Lake Victoria 7. Popularity of TV program based on audience poll 8. Bridget Fonda, to Jane 9. Lifting to heaven with praise 10. Measure of explosive power 11. Tropical constrictors 12. Street urchin 13. Short composition for a solo instrument 14. Adjusts, as a clock 23. Anger 24. Computer picture 25. “No ifs, ___ ...” 26. Wyle of “ER” 27. “What’s gotten ___ you?” 31. Crowning achievements
WORD SEARCH
32. Black gold 33. Boat in “Jaws” 34. Accomplishment 35. Charge 37. Baltic capital 38. Religious recluses 41. Dark red gemstones
Adds Aims Ants Application Brass Bright Caps Cereal Club Comparatively Conversations Depth Eats Encyclopedias Envy Ever Exports Fair Feels Gain Gases Gear Goat Guides Half Haze Idle Jail Keys Knit Late Lays Lion Much
42. “___ moment” 44. Kind of seat 45. Heavy overcoat 47. Certain berth 48. Bing, bang or boom 49. 1962 and 1990 Tony winner Robert
News Noise None Oath Ocean Once Pinch Plait Pump Rare Rent Safe Sails Salt Ship Significance Slid Sofa Soul Suffered Swan Task Thin Though Ties Tiny Tool Tour Unit Vague Wash Yell Zinc
50. Sentences 51. Breed 54. Western blue flag, e.g. 55. Ancestry 56. Declines 59. Athletic supporter? (golf )
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Page 10 – March 19-23, 2012
Community News
The Putnam Standard
Work of Putnam woman leads state to declare Mesothelioma Awareness Day By Jack Bailey jackbailey@theputnamstandard.com
ELEANOR – Sept. 26, 2012 has been designated Mesothelioma Awareness Day in the state of West Virginia thanks to the efforts of an Eleanor woman who has dedicated her life to promoting awareness of the disease. Missy Bowles lost her father to Mesothelioma in 2008 and since that time has worked to honor her father's memory by building awareness of this form of cancer which is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. She has organized ROD's Benefit for Meso the past two years in Eleanor, and is planning a third event for this Sept. 22 in Eleanor. The annual event is named for Bowles father Richard O. Dorsey. Bowles said that she began thinking about trying to have a statewide Mesothelioma Awareness Day declared following last year's Benefit. She said that she talked to people who
(From left) Putnam County State Senator Mike Hall presents a resolution to Jaden Bowles, Missy Bowles and Sharon Dorsey declaring Sept. 26 Mesothelioma Awareness Day in West Virginia. Missy Bowles worked for the designation in honor of her father, Richard Dorsey, who died from Mesothelioma in 2008. Courtesy photo knew that other states had designated a special day for Mesothelioma Awareness and she wanted to bring that to West Virginia as well. “I then had to make sure that
in daddy’s honor the residents of West Virginia would understand and acknowledge what Mesothelioma is and that we have a national designated day for it,” she said.
Bowles said that in working to have Mesothelioma Awareness Day designated in the state of West Virginia she received a great deal of help and support from Putnam County Delegate Brady Paxton and Putnam County State Senator Mike Hall. Bowles said that after contacting the legislators, it was less than a month later that both the state House of Delegates and the State Senate passed resolutions designating Sept. 26, 2012 as Mesothelioma Awareness Day. “In less than one month from visiting the Capitol, my mother, my son and myself were invited to the Capitol to sit through the House and Senate for passage of the Resolution,” Bowles said. “(And) As of March 2, National Mesothelioma Awareness Day is now recognized in the state of West Virginia.” The day designating Mesothelioma Awareness will come just before Bowles third annual ROD's Benefit for Meso, which this year is set for Sept.
22 in Eleanor. This year's event is expected to feature a walk, outdoor gospel singing, food, children's activities, raffle prizes, a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing and more, Bowles said. All money raised goes to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation to support their research to cure the disease. “This September will be my third year at putting this event on in Eleanor Town Park in Eleanor,” Bowles said. “Each year we have raised around or a little over $15,000 for research. We have had a great turnout and each year it continues to grow with the help and sponsorship of our local communities. I am blessed at all the support I have received.” For more information, visit Bowles' website at www.rodsbenefit4 meso.webs.com or call her at (304) 395-0636. General donations can be sent to Missy Bowles at ROD’s Benefit P.O. Box 205, Bancroft, WV 25011.