Fifteen military veterans were among those present Thursday for the book signing of the Ninth Volume of “Marshall County Patriots and Heroes” at the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library.

This year’s book brings to more than 1,000 the number of Marshall County veterans whose military service has been documented.

The dedication of the book by co-author Gary Rider states, “Each of you at one point in your life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of ‘up to and including your life.’ We remember your service to our great nation and those who have served beside and before you. Thank you for being there when your country and all Americans needed you.”

Rider also gave special thanks for assistance on the book to Roseanna Daken Keller, for her help in research, interviewing and writing stories. Also, to his wife, Patty, his granddaughter, Hailey Deagel for the cover picture of the monument at Altmeyer’s Funeral Home in Moundsville, and David Deagel for putting the volume together for publication.

The table of contents includes the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Post-World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq/Afghanistan, and a section devoted to the home front, the 1970s, and Ohio Valley patriots and heroes.

In the introduction to the book, Rider and Keller noted that they had related experiences from the veterans that show the price of maintaining freedom is higher than we civilians understand.

They stated, “By telling stories of our veterans, let us hope that we gain a better understanding of how to relate and help our veterans after their service.”

In a final note to the veterans they write, “Thanks to all who have defended our freedoms. May God Bless You and help you through the journey to find peace and happiness.”

∫∫∫

The 25th annual Marshall County Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Business After Hours/Tree Gala Christmas auction will take place Tuesday at the Training Center within the walls of the former West Virginia Penitentiary.

The BAH will be from 5-6:30 p.m., with the auction to follow for a couple hours.

The BAH is being hosted by WesBanco, with The Vue Restaurant (the restaurant at Grand Vue Park) as the caterer.

As to the auction, there will be 22 trees decorated by locals, along with seven decorated wreaths.

∫∫∫

The actual kickoff of the Christmas season took place this past Tuesday with a Business After Hours/Light Up Night, the sponsor being WVU Medicine/ Reynolds Memorial Hospital.

There were several raffles during the evening, among the items were nine Christmas baskets, a Christmas tree, a Santa’s sign, a Swedish massage, Symphony On Ice Tickets and a scratch-off frame.

The donors of the items were Jodi and Scott Reager, Frames and Fortunes, Jean’s WorkBench, the Marshall County Fair Board, Woodscrap’s, BB&T, Dr. Duane Miller, The Wheeling Nailers, WVU Medicine/Reynolds Hospital, WTRF, The Wheeling Symphony and Moundsville Economic Development Council.

∫∫∫

While on the subject of Christmas, the Moundsville Salvation Army Kettle campaign began this week.

Bell ringers are at Kroger, Big Lots and Coen Oil all, in Moundsville, and Save-a-Lot and Whitschey’s Market, both in New Martinsville. On Nov. 23, kettles will be at Wal-Mart in both Moundsville and New Martinsville.

The Salvation Army is in need of volunteers in both Moundsville and New Martinsville. Individuals and organizations, businesses, etc., willing to volunteer are asked to to call the Moundsville Salvation Army Service Center at 304-845-0510.

Anyone in the three counties served by the Salvation Army — Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler — eligible for food or an item from the Angel Tree can sign up this week. For Wetzel and Tyler counties on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Family Thrift Store in Steelton; and for Marshall County residents at the SA Service Center in Moundsville, 700 Jefferson Ave., on Friday from 9 a.m. until noon, then 1-4 p.m.

∫∫∫

A Christmas Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the Limestone Community Building

Anyone wishing to obtain a booth is asked to call 304-639-2308. Donations of toys or canned goods will be accepted.

∫∫∫

The parade committee for the Moundsville Christmas Parade on Thursday reviewed plans for Saturday’s event. This marks the first night-time parade since 2001.

The parade will take place beginning at 6 p.m. on Nov. 17, the route being on Jefferson Avenue from Second to Seventh Streets.

Jefferson Avenue will be closed to traffic beginning at 5 p.m.

∫∫∫

Three local bluegrass musical groups will be performing Saturday at the Strand Theatre in Moundsville, sponsored by the Bluegrass Music Endeavors Foundation.

Groups taking part in the event will be Roger Hoard, Bridges and Crandall Creek.

Doors will open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 at the door for ages 13 and up, while tickets for youths 5-12 will be $5. Those under age 5 will be free.

∫∫∫

Also, there will be six special events in the month of December at the Strand.

These will be:

Dec. 1 — A concert produced by a local group, “Artists on Call.” It will feature the talents of many local performers in the Ohio Valley. The unique Christmas concert will provide for local musicians to have a chance to perform their own music and give the audience an opportunity to get in the Christmas spirit. The show will begin at 7 p.m., with tickets priced at $15.

Dec. 8 — It will feature an evening with internationally recognized bluegrass musician Donna Ulisse. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the show to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets will be $10 at the door.

Dec. 15-16 — “The Santaland Diaries,” will be presented. It is a one-act play by essayist David Sedaris and is for the adults who are feeling a bit burnt out on Christmas cheer. The show centers on Crumpet, a newly-hired mall elf who has a difficult time adjusting to the joys of Santaland.

Dec. 21 — A Christmas Cabaret and Sing-Along. It will feature some of the Strand’s favorite performers. Tickets will be $10, and the show will begin at 7 p.m.

Dec. 28 — A benefit concert for Paws for a Cause, a student-led club that raises money to help John Marshall High School students in need.

∫∫∫

The annual Fall Bazaar at the Middle Grave Creek Church of God, Moundsville, will be held Nov. 17. It will be sponsored by the church’s Sisters of Service.

There will be crafts, baked goods, homemade noodles and apple butter, soup and a white elephant table and vendor tables.

Lunch consisting of hot dogs, soup, cole slaw and pie will be available from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

For additional information call 304-845-9876.

∫∫∫

The Moundsville Honor Guard anticipated a turnout of 200 for last night’s steak fry, but by Wednesday it was a sell-out. The good news is that there was time left to prepare for 50 more meals.

Proceeds from this event will go toward the purchase of flag cases, given to veterans’ family members following funeral services in which Honor Guard members participate.

∫∫∫

Marshall County Schools provides seminars for parents and instructional aides in the area of working with children with autism. A training series is offered each summer, fall and spring.

The spring 2019 sessions will include the topics of determining the function of a child’s behavior, using apps to support communications, using a technique called PROMPT for speech therapy and understandings and implementing social groups.

The workshops are free and open to the public.

Registration is required, and to sign up, contact Karen Mercer at email, kmercer@k12.wv.us or by calling 304-843–4400, extension 318.

The Moundsville Middle School honor roll for the first nine weeks period was released this week, listing 258 students who either had received straight As, high honors or honors. Of this number 102 received Straight As. The breakdown includes 34 eighth-graders, 40 seventh-graders and 28 sixth-graders.

∫∫∫

The Cameron High School Student Council will be hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the school.

For more information, contact Whitney Healy at 304-686-3336 (CHS).