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Spring Brings Awareness to Occupational Therapy, Autism

WHEELING — Throughout the month of April, organizations around the country spread awareness of two topics that are close to our hearts at Easterseals — occupational therapy and autism acceptance. Occupational Therapy Month Occupational Therapy Month celebrates the work of the 230,000 occupational therapy practitioners and students in the United States. Occupational Therapy — or OT — can be provided across the lifespan, but Easterseals specializes in pediatric therapy, treating children at our Wheeling and Steubenville outpatient clinics as well as in ...

Extension Agent’s Love for Trees Grows Beyond Arbor Day

WHEELING — You may have noticed trees with white mesh trunk collars around our neighborhood parks and at Heritage Port. Our Ohio County WVU Extension Agent is Karen Cox, who loves trees. With state grant money, in 2019, 52 families and Master Gardeners planted and continue to care for approximately 140 trees throughout Wheeling. Says Karen, “Trees give us fresh air, absorb CO2, stabilize the soil, provide shade, ‘air conditioning’ and shield against cold winds for our homes.” In conjunction with the mayor’s office, the WVU Extension Service has formed the Wheeling City ...

Give Me The ’70s

It only takes one line or a few musical notes and wham, I’m hurled back in time. At least that’s what happens to me when I hear a song from yesteryear. Maybe it’s a song I heard while watching the Perry Como show or Dean Martin program with my parents and siblings. Sometimes it may be a silly song we sang as we walked to the swimming pool at day camp. Somehow singing made the trek a bit more bearable under the summer sun. Most recently, I find myself pausing to listen to the songs of my young adult life when music (in the 1970s) could not be defined by one genre. The 1950s ...

April Showers Bring Flower Pots to Mind

April Showers Bring Flower Pots to Mind April brings thoughts of gardens, flower pots, window boxes and plants to the minds of homeowners (even if we did have snowflakes last week), and what better choice than vintage? Pottery has always attracted fans of retro. Names like McCoy, Weller, Rookwood and Roseville are some of the most sought-after pottery manufacturers but there are others including California pottery brands. Antique or vintage examples of flower containers are distinctive and not too hard to find at shops, estate sales or auctions. Colors are often muted pastels and ...

Master Gardeners — or MGers — Share More Than Just Green Thumbs

This article introduces you to a few Ohio County Master Gardeners (MGers). When asked, “What do you like most about being a Master Gardener?” “Wild Liz” Harper quickly responded, “Camaraderie! People of the same mindset meeting together ... How they challenge you. They offer so many programs concerning horticulture, beyond learning about plants and their care: rain barrels, what plants attract pollinators, gardening tools.” The Schrader Environmental Education Center in Oglebay Park is a nexus of gardening and ecological activity. With cirector and naturalist Molly ...

A Lesson From Lizzie

It was a silly, even prankish game we played in grade school. Actually, we were about middle school age at the time. As is the case in Catholic school, we lined up in silence and walked single file into school in the morning and after recess. The teacher, usually one of the habited nuns, rang a brass bell, and in we went. Somewhere along the line, maybe it was because of spring fever, we initiated this foolish idea to push the person in front of you in line. Most often we did this as we climbed the stairs to the second floor classrooms. It began as a simple nudge that had a ...