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Can You Hear The Whistle?

Growing up in an already aging Victorian home, the basement was the warmest place in the house during the winter months and often the coolest in the heat of summer. The low ceiling and thick walls kept the heat from the blazing fireplace in check in December while the tiled floor and large windows allowed bare feet a cooling sensation in July. Our dad often retreated to the basement to escape his growing family and the hustle and bustle of pre-holiday activities. There was a dartboard that saw some action and a Ping Pong table that pitted brother against brother. Dad took up ...

Mansion Museum Is Perfect Place to Make Christmas Memories

My relationship with the Museums of Oglebay Institute began when I was a child and my mother, Margaret O’Malley Bierkortte introduced me to the Sweeney Punch Bowl. An artist, historic preservation advocate and antiques enthusiast, she taught me so much just by sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge. Then as a working adult, I was employed as a public relations professional at the Institute and began this column under the guidance of John Artzberger, who was then the senior curator of the Museums and passed away in November 2001. I’m also proud to say that I am one of the museum ...

’Tis the Season For Change

WHEELING — At mid-December, season change was already in the air at Nicky’s Garden Center. A couple dozen poinsettias were roped off from those still for general sale by a broad purple band. They were headed to church. Elsewhere at the Wardens Run Road property, future seasons were ...

Something To Crow About

I don’t know Elon Musk personally. I only know of what I read in the news about this entrepreneur and business magnate whose personal worth is listed at $192 billion. His success might be measured in the many projects from developing a driverless, gas-free car to sending celebrities into space via his rockets. For this and other things I am not privy to, Musk was named Time magazine’s person of the year for 2021. I didn’t know Dean Smith of Bethany, W.Va., either but reading his obituary recently made me think he would have made a great neighbor. The 73-year-old Smith was ...

Nativities Remain a Christmas Treasure

Christmas collectors often focus on one type of ornament or holiday decoration. Santa, snowmen, angels and reindeer are a few of the characters enthusiasts enjoy. But what could be more appropriate than nativity scenes? There are a wide variety of styles to search for, from fancy expensive sets to handmade and homespun versions and there are many collectors who enjoy saving and displaying creches all over the world. Since most cultures interpret the Christmas story in their own way, there are nativity sets that feature the Holy Family as representing different ethnicities and ...

Mind Your Miles Per Hour

I’ve witnessed it, and you most likely have, too, if you have driven through the construction zone on Interstate 70 through Wheeling and Ohio County. You would think by now, motorists would pay attention to the speed limits and other laws of the road in these areas. Work has been ongoing for quite some time now. Out-of-town drivers have no excuse, either. There is more than adequate signage regarding lane changes and speed limits. The Ohio County Sheriff’s Department has been monitoring the construction zones along Two Mile Hill in the area of The Highlands development for ...