Hampshire Review: Print Edition by WVU Reed College of Media

Heading UP

Trojan boys win a pair at home Sports, Page 1C

Hello, Hampshire! From

Cheri Beverage, Romney

Hampshire Review.com

Wednesday, Februar y 2, 2011

Troy McKee, Augusta Thanks for subscribing!

Romney, WV • $1

New phone system at the Review

(plus tax)

Page 8A

‘It does take your breath away’ DON KESNER Review Staff

Submitted by CATHY PARDEE

Hampshire polar bears Tyler Chase, Monte Fields, Mike Menear, Jerry Dean and C.J. Shanholtz take the plunge.

Timely catch

When old friends get together, it takes no time to break the ice, except in the case of five local men. Jerry Dean, Tyler Chase, Mike Menear, C.J. Shanholtz and Monte Fields spent nearly two hours breaking the ice on the South Branch of the Potomac River last Saturday in order to pull off a Polar Bear Plunge. Once the ice was broken, the five guys stripped down to a modest point and it was splish, splash into the icy waters of the Potomac. For what? Because they wanted to, and

Intrepid Hampshire buddies take a polar plunge simply because they could. The icy plunge took place Saturday across the river from Riverside Collision, located less than two miles south on River Road near Romney. In 2010 the same group of guys decided to try their hand at ascending to the heights and jumping out of an airplane. They all survived. “Since we went skydiving last year, we figured maybe we’d try taking a plunge

into icy water this year,” said Dean. Dean said he actually went out the night before and broke up the ice in the river, but by morning it was frozen solid again. Saturday morning the temperatures were somewhere in the high 20s to low 30s and without hesitation the group met around a campfire and waited for the right moment. “I actually thought that it would be more of a shock than it was jumping into ice cold water,” said Dean. “But it does take your breath away.” See BREATH page 5A ■

Steel

Slip-slidin’ away

City snackDown

Review article led family to find radon gas in home

Good team, good treats Living, Page 1B

MARLA PISCIOTTA Review Staff

MILL CREEK — William and Patricia Clark moved to Hampshire County in June 2009. Their 4,250 square-foot home is located near the top of the mountain on Mill Ridge Road just west of Romney. For months after moving into the home, William Clark began to notice he was getting constant headaches. “We use wood for heat and thought maybe that was the cause of my headaches,” said Clark. Clark also noticed his dog was getting ill. “My dog was healthy as a horse before we moved here. Now he has lung cancer,” said William Clark. “And he has a big tumor under his leg that the vet said couldn’t be operated on.” In October 2010, the Clarks read an article in the Hampshire Review regarding radon gas. “We read about the radon gas in the Review and went online and ordered a radon testing kit, which cost $160,” said William Clark. Clark said before purchasing the kit he called around the county to the fire companies and different officials to see if test kits were available. See CATCH page 5A ■

William and Patricia Clark CHECK IT YOURSELF Free radon testing kits are available free from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. For more information call 304-558-6998 or go online to wvdhhr.org/RTIA/Rado n.asp

Fire destroys animal control officer’s barn DON KESNER Review Staff

Submitted by SUE LUCAS

Jesse Lucas of High View and his son, Donny, toboggan down a hill near their home after last week’s snow storm.

Treacherous driving a big part of winter commuting DON KESNER Review Staff

ROMNEY — When Greg Staub left his office in Winchester last Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 26, he knew it would take a little longer to get home. The snow was coming down at a steady pace and the roadways were already covered and slippery.

Hampshire Review.com

SLIDE SHOW

“I left work early, at about 3:30, and it took me an hour to get to Capon Bridge,” Staub said. “The conditions rapidly deteriorated and it took me over two hours to get home.” According to Staub, his nor-

SLANESVILLE — It was a blaze that kept firefighters busy for over six hours Saturday afternoon. Firefighters from all around the county, as well as from Frederick County, Va., responded to the farm of Hampshire County Animal Control Officer Col. David Gee, located off Critton Owl Hollow Road near Slanesville. The call came in shortly before 1 p.m. with fire companies quickly answering the call, but road condition into the farm were narrow and slick, making it nearly impossible for personnel to get the trucks

mal drive home is right around one hour. “Driving conditions were as bad as I’ve ever driven in,” he said. “There were at least three vehicles stuck off to the side of the road, and at the foot of every hill, there were vehicles See DRIVING page 5A ■

See FIRE page 5A ■

Submitted by HAMPSHIRE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPT.

The 150-year-old barn off Critton Owl Hollow Road was destroyed in less than 90 minutes.

Miller finds a peal in bell ringing ‘English Change’ has carried Hampshire native to three continents DON KESNER Review Staff

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Margaret Miller is a former Hampshire County resident who, over the years has found a unique talent. Miller is a bell ringer. Yes, a bell ringer. “Actually, I’m involved with English Change ringing,” said Miller during a recent phone interview. According to Wikipedia, Change ringing is “the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in a series of mathematical patterns called changes.” Miller learned to be a bell ringer when she was an undergraduate student at Smith College in North Hampton, Massachusetts in the 1970s.

into the area where the barn was located. “Fire companies had to run extensive hose lines from Critton Owl Hollow Road to the barn,” Sheriff Sions said. Col. Gee said Monday morning during a phone interview from his home, that the 150-year-old-plus barn was gone within a matter of approximately 30 minutes. “I lost a lot of equipment that we couldn’t get out,” said Col. Gee. “Plus we had about $4,000 worth of hay in the barn.” It was hay that was used to

Rate hike customers have time to have say MICHAEL O’BRIEN Review Correspondent

According to Miller, one first has to learn how to handle a bell, which takes three to four months of one-on-one instruction with another bell ringer.

Ringing tower bells takes six to eight people, each ringing their individual bell in a sequential pattern. See BELL page 5A ■

Margaret Miller has been ringing tower bells for more than 30 years.

ROMNEY — Romney water and sewer customers may want to mark this coming Monday, Feb. 7, on their calendars — a 5 p.m. public hearing is being held to take public comment regarding proposed increases to the water and sewer rates. The proposed rate hikes would increase the cost of water for residential customers from the present $6.02-per-1,000 gallons to $8.45per-1,000 gallons, a $2.43 increase in the per-1,000-gallon rate. See RATE page 5A ■

W E S T V I R G I N I A ’ S B I G G E S T , B E S T W E E K LY N E W S P A P E R , 2 0 0 9 A N D 2 0 1 0

State bound Trojans pin hopes on a trio of wrestlers Sports, Page 1C

Leslie Shepard, Chester, Va. Thanks for subscribing!

Volunteers needed for river cleanup

DON KESNER Review Staff

Fire companies from three counties and Maryland fight a brush fire along U.S. 220 near Purgitsville.

PURGITSVILLE — Firefighters from around the county demonstrated the epitome of dedicated volunteerism over the weekend. Numerous brush fires coupled with high winds challenged firefighters’ dedication, but by the time all was said and done, it

Brushing up

See SCHOOL page 5A ■

Page 8A

was the firefighters and EMS personnel who showed they had the most stamina. Companies from Hampshire, Hardy and Mineral counties, as well as from Maryland, assisted in fighting a brush fire off Route 220 near Purgitsville Friday afternoon. The call came in around 2:20

p.m. and over a dozen companies responded to the brush fire, located beyond Pliska’s Winery. According to Robert Foster of the Burlington Volunteer Fire Company, firefighters were able to get tankers as far as the top of the mountain, but the fire, he See WINDS page 5A ■

County takes control of Spaid horses 35 cattle sold; homes sought for 36 more horses

DON KESNER Review Staff

CAPON BRIDGE — Could it be? Will it be? Is it possible that the former Capon Bridge Middle School could be turned over to another entity? School board officials Monday night made very few comments about the future of the old school. The board listened as chief finance officer Denise Hott filled the five officials in on a group’s interest in the old school and annex. According to Hott, she had been approached by a couple of individuals wanting to purchase the building. “We can’t sell it unless we sell it at a public auction,” said Hott. A recently formed group — the Capon Bridge Revitalization Group — is interested in the historic buildings and would reportedly like to work out a solution to obtain the structures. A phone call to Jack Garrison of Capon Bridge Tuesday morning shed very little light on exactly what the group’s interest is in the buildings. “We are going to be at the March 7 board meeting,” said Garrison, one of the spokespersons for the group. “We will have all the details at that time as to what our plans are for the school.” Garrison said that the school board asked the group to work up a proposal and present it to the members. “And that’s what we plan to do,” he said. Hott said she is under the understanding that one of the uses for the building could possibly be a community center, similar to the old Grassy Lick School. Hott said it costs the local school system between $40,000 and $50,000 a year just to keep the utilities on. “We have a couple renters in the main building so we have to keep the heat on there,” said Hott. “The furnace is in the old annex building so we have to keep that going as well.” But, whatever the board de-

(plus tax)

Winds whip grass fires

DON KESNER Review Staff

Group wants Capon Bridge school

Romney, WV • $1

MARLA PISCIOTTA Review Staff

Submitted by DR. TIM NICHOLS

Dental hygienist Jacque Flanagan demonstrates proper brushing techniques to kindergartners at Romney Elementary School. Her appearance was part of a volunteer campaign for National Children’s Dental Health Month. Details, Page 8A

Co-op could bloom as market Grant to fund preliminary study MARLA PISCIOTTA Review Staff

Review Files

The old Romney Co-Op closed a year ago. The site may be turned into an arts and food market.

ROMNEY — Tentative plans are in the works to establish a local craft and food cooperative market in downtown Romney. The name of the co-op will be Heritage Craft and Farm Product Marketplace. Plans are to locate the co-op in the currently vacant building formerly known as the Hamp-

shire County Co-Op. Romney ON TRAC was recently awarded a Flex-EGrant in the amount of $8,000 with a project match of $2,000. The grant will be used to create a business design and implementation plan to establish a self-sustaining, year-round co-opSee CO-OP page 5A ■

ROMNEY — The county late last week took possession of the remaining animals that were under the care of Ralph and Sirling Spaid on their farm in High View. “The county (took) custody of 36 additional horses and ponies and 35 cattle,” said Hampshire County Sheriff Nathan Sions Tuesday morning. “The cattle were sold at auction this week and the horses are being cared for by the sheriff’s office and animal control personnel.” The horses remaining on the Spaid property are available for adoption to a suitable home, according to the sheriff. “We are requesting a $100 donation for each horse that is adopted to help cover the expenses already incurred and the continuing cost for the care of the animals,” said Sions. Sions said the county would probably maintain custody of the horses through April 1, and whatever horses are not adopted out within that time period will mostly likely be sold at a horse auction on April 2. The criminal case against Ralph Spaid was heard Feb. 15 in Hampshire County Magistrate Court. A 6-member jury found Ralph Spaid guilty on 19 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of interference with a humane officer. On Feb. 16, Magistrate Eugene Billmeyer sentenced the 67-yearold Spaid to six months on each of the 20 convictions returned by the jury, with the jail sentences running concurrently. Spaid was given 60 days to decide whether or not he will file a petition to the circuit court for alternative sentencing and also to comply with the orders of the court. See HORSES page 5A ■

Hampshire clan proud of Guinness record DON KESNER Review Staff

CAPON BRIDGE — Not familiar with the Lilly name? Bobby Lilly is a familiar face in Capon Bridge for anyone who has stopped in at the Just Pawn It Shop. The shop is owned by Bobby’s wife, Jennifer and her close friend, Melissa Helsley. Lilly is a name that goes way back. But it’s the most recent accomplishment by the Lilly family that has people talking. The 2009 Lilly reunion is now in the Guinness World Record Book. The family received official confirmation that they have indeed broken the world record for the largest

family reunion, according to Bobby. Bobby said Monday that over 6,300 people attended the three-day event, with some extended family members coming from as far away as Winchester, England. The reunion was held in Flat Top, W.Va., with a list of activities a mile long. Everyone who attended and signed in had to be a Lilly, or at least someone who is related to a Lilly in some way or another. The event is always held the second week in August and, as for the 2009 record-breaking reunion, West See RECORD page 5A ■

Bobby Lilly of Capon Bridge was part of the worldrecord-setting Lilly family reunion ▲ held at Flat Top, W.Va., in 2009. ▼

Hello, Hampshire! From

Brian Yanko, Capon Bridge

Hampshire Review.com

Wednesday, Februar y 23, 2011

courtesy of SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Hampshire County Sheriff Nathan Sions has taken charge of 36 more horses on the Spaid farm.

State humane society aware PRINCETON — Sommer Wyatt, director of West Virginia Humane Society of the United States, said she has stayed informed of the animal cruelty in High View since October 2010. “I have been aware of the case and have offered our help throughout,” said Wyatt in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. “I really can’t speak much about the case since I am not law enforcement.” Wyatt said she offered help at the onset. “They have been more than cooperative keeping me informed about what has been happening,” Wyatt said. Wyatt said her latest conversation was with Col. David Gee, chief Hampshire County Animal Control Tuesday.

W E S T V I R G I N I A ’ S B I G G E S T , B E S T W E E K LY N E W S P A P E R , 2 0 0 9 A N D 2 0 1 0

How does your garden

grow

Some surprising answer s

Living, Page 1B

Hello, Hampshire! From

Vicki Hedrick, Augusta

Hampshire Review.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Kristen Walter, Paw Paw Thanks for subscribing!

Romney, WV • $1

Local WVU seniors shine

(plus tax)

Page 8A

Sunrise Summit will take its place on the map MICHAEL O’BRIEN Review Correspondent

ROMNEY — Hampshire County commissioners set the wheels in motion Tuesday passing a resolution establishing Sunrise Summit as an official unincorporated community with defined boundaries. Legal advertisements are required to

run for two weeks prior to the activation of the “unincorporated” designation. Commissioners met with county GIS coordinator Aaron Cox who briefly reviewed the geographical boundaries described in the resolution. Cox said U.S. Route 50 highway signs

would be posted just east of the Tire Distributors business location and just west of the Dogwood Acres residential area. The signs would include the “Sunrise Summit” name, the “unincorporated” designation and the area’s elevation. County Commission President Bob

Storm’s toll near and far

streaks Baseball, softball head to break

Proprietors keeping an eye on May’s late full moon

Sports, Page 1C

DON KESNER Review Staff

Alleged dealer charged Submitted by CURTIS SINE

DON KESNER Review Staff

THREE CHURCHES — Mark Largent Monday afternoon checked out the blooms on his peach trees and smiled. The sunshine and warm temperatures were doing their job. “As of now, we’re looking pretty good,” said Largent. “But we’ve got a ways to go before Hampshire we’re out of the woods.” Review.com Largent said that, even though SEE the blooms are looking good on THE VIDEO his peach and apple trees, May 15 remains the target date as to when he can breathe that anticipated sigh of relief. “We can have another frost before then, which could change things a lot,” said Largent. Local orchardists are realistic when it comes to dealing with Mother Nature. According to Kane Shanholtz of Shanholtz Orchard, also located off Jersey Mountain Road, it’s the full moon in May that concerns fruit growers. “It’s usually around May 15, but it’s actually a little later this year,” Shanholtz said. A look at the Universe Today Website confirms that May’s full moon is actually set for the 18th. Of course there can always be those unwanted hail storms, like those that passed through the area last weekend. Fortunately the blooms weren’t out enough for the hail to do any major damage, according to local orchardists. Largent said Monday that a full crop doesn’t necessarily always mean big profits. “We make more money on apples we sell out the door than we do when we sell to processing,” said Largent. According to Largent, he has a number of customers who have always driven from the Morgantown area to his farm near Three Churches just to buy apples. “But now with gas prices going up the way they are, it’s not going to be cost effective for them to drive all the way here to buy apples,” he said. Largent said he’s still selling apples for about the same price his grandfather sold them for. “You start raising prices on customers and they don’t like it,” said Largent.

Bail at $100,000 on three counts

We’re with you

See MAP page 5A ■

Orchards abloom with hope

ps Slum D

AUGUSTA — Police say they have arrested a suspected local drug dealer and charged him with three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Bond for Clyde T. Askin, 49, was set at $300,000, which is $100,000 on each count, according to a spokesperson for the Hampshire County Magistrate Court. Hampshire County Sheriff Nathan Sions said Tuesday that last Thursday, April 14, members of the sheriff’s department Askin served a search warrant on Askin’s residence. “The search warrant was obtained by investigators after a several monthlong investigation into illegal drug dealing going on at this residence,” Sheriff Sions said. According to Sheriff Sions, Askin has reportedly been dealing a large amount of prescription medications from his residence, located along Route 29 N. The charges stem from investigators using informants to make controlled buys at Askin’s residence, police said. As a result of the search warrant, Sheriff Sions said deputies recovered several additional pills, suspected of being illegally possessed, along with nearly $2,000 in cash from Askin’s residence, and from a storage unit he was renting in Augusta. Police also found additional drug paraphernalia, Sheriff Sions said. Askin was remanded to Potomac Highlands Regional Jail and as of press time Tuesday was still incarcerated

Hott said Sunrise Summit resident Larry Bennett should be recognized for alerting county officials to the need and importance of having the new designation and accompanying highway signs.

A Toyota was stranded on Cold Stream Road along Cold Stream, which empties into the Cacapon River. Water had receded about 8 inches by the time this picture was taken at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 17.

Heavy rains trigger flooding, rescues, fires Lehew soaked by 3.1 inches of rain MARLA PISCIOTTA Review Staff

ROMNEY — As of Monday afternoon the National Weather Service (NOAA) was still sorting through data to determine if a tornado(es) hit in Hampshire County over the weekend. “We are still in the process of looking at storm surveys to see if some of the damage in Hampshire County was caused by tornadoes,” said Jared Klein, meteorologist. County EMS chief of operations Jerry Loudin said most of the calls his office received was in the Capon

Bridge area. “A subject was removed from the top of a vehicle on Cold Stream Road Saturday night,” said Loudin. Loudin said Capon Bridge firefighters had to use a lifeline to get a second subject from the vehicle. A second vehicle were stuck in the water on Capon River Road. “The subject was out of the vehicle and up on a bank unable to walk in either direction,” said Loudin. “Firefighters from Capon Bridge and Capon Springs responded and were able to go through a field and

walk the subjects out.” Loudin said fire companies also had to respond to calls for a few trees down throughout the county. “Winds hit on Sunday drying things out. A shed on Starbright Drive off AA Rogers Road caught fire around 4 p.m. Sunday,” said Loudin. Augusta and North River fire companies responded to the call. Loudin said the shed was a total loss. It had been used for storage. Loudin did not have a value of the shed. Capon Bridge, Augusta and Gore, Va., firefighters fought a mobile See RAINS page 5A ■

‘I don’t understand how they even got out’

See HOPE page 5A ■

Ex-Hampshire residents survive N.C. tornadoes DON KESNER Review Staff

Brenda Riffle and her husband, Robert, were amid the devastation around Sanford, N.C. last weekend.

SANFORD, N.C. — Last weekend was supposed to be a normal weekend for the community of Sanford, N.C. Former Hampshire County residents Robert and Brenda Riffle, who now live near the North Carolina town were going about their business as usual. That was, until ladies from the women’s group she was meeting with began to get calls on their cell phones, informing them that there was a tornado

on the ground nearby. “We had all decided quickly that we would go into the rest rooms if the tornado got close,” said Riffle. Fortunately for the women’s group, the tornado didn’t touch down in their vicinity, but, Riffle said it did touch down approximately six miles away. “The tornado started in Moore County, which is next to us,” she said, “There apparently See OUT page 5A ■

DON KESNER Review Staff

Mark Largent checks the blossoms on his apple orchard near Three Churches.

Interviews for next WVSD&B superintendent begin May 3 MARLA PISCIOTTA Review Staff

CHARLESTON — A committee has been chosen and a date set to interview applicants interested in the position of superintendent at West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the

Blind in Romney. The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDOE) met for its regular monthly meeting April 13. Jorea Marple, state superintendent of schools, presented the

board with a “more specific” list on how the replacement of Dr. Patsy Shank would take place. The suggested interview committee is to include: Any and all members of the WVBOE

Robin Lewis, superintendent Hampshire County schools Ruth Rowan, community member and grandparent One teacher from the School for the Deaf Alumni president or designee

from the School for the Deaf One teacher from the School for the Blind Alumni president or designee from the School for the Blind See WVSD&B page 5A ■

Panhandle

B Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Hampshire Review.com

‘Flags’ & ‘pinneys’

Living

Nora Kimble, Weekly Chat, Page 6B

Have Hampshire Review readers been lately?

You keep on taking your Review with you on the road, and we’re delighted to share your pictures with our readers. Thanks for all the greetings from hither and yon.

7 2

3 8 15 22

4 9

Gayle Allen and the Review attended the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics 2011 “Math Safari” Conference. Virginia Baude, Margaret Keister and the Review toured the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Jim and Vi Carnes of Delray and the Review enjoyed a trip to the Cayman Islands. The Review and Mary DeVelbiss of Springfield and Terri Clark of Cresaptown visited the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan. The Review enjoyed a cruise to Nassau The Bahamas with Roger and Patsi Clower of Bunker Hill. The Review visited friends in Bonita Beach in Bonita Beach, Fla., with Wendell and

3 4 5 6

Betty Moreland. The Review, Terri Clark and Mary DeVelbiss had their picture taken with “the Old Man” at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop from the TV show, Pawn Stars. The Review went to Montpelier in Orange, Va., with Margaret Keister and Virginia Baude. Kailey Grapes and PeePaw (Virgil Grapes) take the Review for a ride in Fort Worth, Texas. The Review went salmon fishing on the tributary waters of Lake Ontario in Kent, N.Y., with Bill Chenoweth, Aaron Cox and Scott Cox. The Review and the Hampshire County Committee on Aging stayed at the Dover Downs Casino and went shop-

8 9

10 11

ping at the Delaware Mall. Those in the group were Tom and Sandi Viselli, Judy and Steve Richman, Shirley Friddle, Peggy and Jimmy Hott, Janet Hannas, Mabel Shanholtz, Lee Anna Pyles, Betty Pyles, Rita and Jim Daughterty, Pearl Davidson, Betty Messick, Charlotte Hammond, Laura Jordan, Carol Shoemaker, Pat Broadhurst, Velma Heavener and Clarence Rohrbaugh. Elsa Ullery and Lovella Thomas took the Review to Indian Beach, Fla. West Virginia State Poultry Judging Team members Rachel Robinson, Sarah Sine, Brooke Morris and Kyle Sine took the Review to the Louisville Slugger Museum in Louisville, Ky.

12 13

Dick and Karina Gray and the Review enjoyed a visit to Pike’s Place Market in Seattle, Wash. Donnie Davis and the Review visited with Monte and Judy Mathias in Hext, Texas. Don and Guelda Wolford and Marilyn and Ron Conneway took the Review to Sebring, Fla. Donald Shaw, Jean Gower, Nina Haslacker, Jacob Haslacker, Gene Gower, Christine Gower, John Bindas, Jessie Gower and (kneeling) Nicole Gower went camping at Summersville Lake and took along their Review. Eddie and Melinda Racey took the Review with them to Harrisonburg, Va., to meet Chuck Buck, president of Buck Knives. Seated with the Re-

14 15 16

view is Chuck Buck. Standing left to right are Eddie Racey, Jack, Georgia and John Foresman, Melinda Racey and Rusty Donoghue. The Review joined Danny and Becky Wolford for a vacation at Cedar Lakes in Ripley. The Review visited Marineland in St. Augustine, Fla., with Luci Harris of Slanesville. Branson Watts, Shandon Watts (father), Bradley Watts, Mac Watts (Pap), Brian Hinger, Jodie Southerly and Chad Hott were spotted with their Review at Jamison’s Hideaway in Camden, Ill. Linda and Larry Daugherty and Mike and Cindy Maphis took their four-legged friends and the Review to Pi-

21 22

rate Land, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Carolyn Iman, Stella Dawson, Willard Iman from Springfield enjoyed a cruise to the Caribbean. They had loads of fun, but still had time to read the Hampshire Review. Gage Lewis took his Review with him to Aiken, S.C., when he went with his Grandma Donna and Pappy George to celebrate his Uncle USMC SSgt. Joseph and Aunt Abbie Smith’s 10-year wedding anniversary. Shawn and Evan Clower and their families along with their parents, Paul and Jeanne Clower and the Review visited with their brother, 1st Sgt. Christopher Clower and family in Hubert, N.C., prior to his deployment to Afghanistan.

23 24