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Harshman Assumes New Role

A new era in offering gracious hospitality has begun at one of the area’s most serene spots.

Cheryl Ryan Harshman of Wheeling has been chosen as the new director of Sandscrest Retreat and Conference Center near Wheeling. In addition, Gary Cardelein of Paden City has been hired as the new chef at Sandscrest.

The Sandscrest Foundation operates the center as a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia.

Harshman began her new position on July 1, just days after retiring from West Liberty University, where she had served as director of the Paul N. Elbin Library on campus. She had been the library director since August 1997.

Beyond her long career in library science, Harshman also is active as a visual artist, author and storyteller. She has garnered several art awards; her artwork can be seen in many collections and galleries.

She has written three children’s books that have been published by well-known firms. Her newest storybook, “Once a Mouse,” is expected to be published this summer by the Wheeling 250 Committee.

Harshman is married to West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman. He also was commissioned by the Wheeling 250 Committee to write a special poem to commemorate the community’s 250th anniversary. He read the work, titled “Wheeling at 250,” during the Wheeling Symphony’s concert at Heritage Port on July 4.

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Two members of the Wheeling Island Lions Club have been honored with special awards this summer.

Bill Syphers, the incoming Lions district governor presented the Leonard Jarrett Award to Don Rebich of Wheeling Island. It is the highest honor bestowed by the West Virginia Sight and Hearing Conservation Foundation,.

Theadiane Gompers of Wheeling Island received a Melvin Jones Fellowship, named for the founder of Lions Clubs International. The fellowship is the highest recognition from the Lions Clubs International Foundation; the honor is given to members who have rendered outstanding community service.

Led by immediate past president Kathy Syphers, the Wheeling Island Lions Club served 1,962 people, completed 23 service projects and donated 122 volunteer hours during the past year.

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A large audience gathered at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling for a Lunch With Books program regarding health impacts of the petrochemical industry, including oil and gas fracking and ethane cracker plants.

Sean Duffy, the library’s programming director, said a total of 111 people attended Tuesday’s session.

For those who are interested in continuing the conversation, a group called Concerned Ohio River Residents is organizing a community meeting to discuss environmental issues related to an ethane cracker plant planned in Belmont County and a proposed injection well in St. Clairsville.

The community meeting is set to take place at the J.B. Martin Recreation Center, 102 Fair St., St. Clairsville, from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 7.

Please see GRAPEVINE Page D2

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West Virginia author Carol Ervin has published

Jump Grapevine

a new book, “The Promise of Mondays,” as the 10th volume in her Mountain Women Series.

The books, telling stories of three intertwined families, are set in a fictional small town in West Virginia in the early 1900s. The author said the imaginary community represents a composite of actual settlements in the Mountain State that began as lumber and coal camps.

Originally from southeastern Ohio, Ervin has lived for nearly 50 years in Barbour County, but now divides her time between Florida and West Virginia.

Linda Comins can be reached via email at: lcomins@theintelligencer.net

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