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Plans Are Made for Salvation Army Unit in Moundsville

The Salvation Army Service Unit in Moundsville will hopefully become more active in not only Marshall County but also, Wetzel and Tyler counties, under the direction of Captains Mark and Jennifer Van Meter who are the new officers of the Ohio County Salvation Army Headquarters in Wheeling, and overseers of the SASU, which in turn is responsible for serving Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler counties.

The Van Meters have been Salvation Army officers for 10 years, and came to the Ohio Valley from Louisville, Ky., where they were stationed for the past three years.

It was some 2 1/2 years ago that the Moundsville Salvation Army went from a Corps to a Service Unit, meaning that Moundsville location no longer has religious services or a full-time officer.

Despite these changes, the Salvation Army office has continued to offer food, shelter and clothing to those in need. It also provides rent and utility payment assistance and special assistance to families at Thanksgiving and Christmas in the three counties.

Previously, the Moundsville Salvation Army had what was called an advisory board, which is now referred to as an advisory council. Its duties are to plan, advise and generally assist the Service Unit director, who is Nancy Yoho. One of the major under takings is the Red Kettles at Christmas time.

In addition to the advisory group there is one other volunteer group, that being the Women’s Auxiliary. Its main duties are to assist the Service Center through fundraising efforts, the Angel Tree, Dress-A-Bear and Stocking Stuffer programs, the latter three being at Christmas time.

This past Tuesday, the new officers met with Yoho and advisory board members Rev. Tim Wilt, Gene Saunders and myself.

One item that was stressed was having the Moundsville Service Center becoming more involved in the three counties which it serves, and that hopefully more volunteers and businesses will come forward to assist.

It was stressed by the three members of the local advisory council that the service unit is needed.

It was also pointed out that at Christmas time, individuals who shop in Moundsville and New Martinsville are very generous in donating to the Red Kettle program. Collections at the kettles have in the past several years have ranged between $40,000 and $50,000.

As to the Salvation Army in Moundsville, it has been here for nearly 100 years, since the 1920s.

Its current building, located at Seventh Street and Jefferson Avenue, is 120 years old, and two years ago the Moundsville Landmarks Commission erected a plaque on this church building and four other structures. The wording on the Salvation Army building reads: ”Moundsville Landmarks designates Historic Property–1899.”

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the Moundsville Salvation service Unit can visit from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or may obtain information by calling 304-845-0510.

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Marshall County school employee Susie Baker started “Fun Fair” in 2000 and since then it has become a popular way for Marshall County students to get ready for their upcoming school days.

Thus, the 19th annual “Back-to- School Fun Fair” will be held on July 24 at the Training Center within the walls of the former West Virginia Penitentiary.

Although in the past many have lined up in the early morning hours of the event, the doors will not open until 8 a.m. The event will conclude at noon.

The Fun Fair is for youths in pre-K through 12th grade who are to be accompanied by an adult.

Each child will receive free school supplies such as a backpack, pencils, pens, notebooks and more.

Other free services available will be checkups provided by the Marshall County Health Department employees and hairstylists will be giving haircuts.

Nearly 50 agencies will be on hand to assist students and parents.

There are no income guide lines to participate in the “Fun Fair.”

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The Marshall County Commission on Tuesday donated $3,000 to the Northern Panhandle Hands On Ag Day, which is located at One Ball Park Drive in McMechen.

The NPHOAD committee is gearing up for the 11th annual Hands on Ag Day to be held at the Marshall County Fairgrounds in Moundsville on Sept 19-20.

All fifth grade students in both public and private schools in Marshall will be transported to the fairgrounds that day. Last year 348 students and more than 225 volunteers and parents participated in this educational experience.

Some of the topics covered at event will be youth development through 4-H and Future Farmers of America, aquaponics, forest products, soil conservation, and farm livestock that will include dairy and beef cattle, horses and goats. Local professionals in these fields volunteer their time to participate in this educational hands-on activity.

Although the Marshall County School system sponsors all students with lunches, the Ag Day committee needs sponsors to help defray the cost of educational materials and supplies used for the experience, plus other educational materials and supplies that will be sent home with students and the participating schools.

In the request signed by David McCardle asking for financial assistance again this year he states, “We believe the catch phrase ‘Field to Fork’ needs to become more of reality and what better place to address this issue than a positive day at the fairgrounds.”

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For the past year employees of the Marshall County Assessor’s Office have been sorting out real estate documents which had been given to the assessor’s office by heirs of Ralph Eller and Charles Eller.

The Eller brothers were surveyors in the county for more than 55 years. Assessor Terry McDiffitt informed the county commissioners that he wanted to acknowledge the Eller family for the douments, and as a result this past Tuesday certificates were signed by the commissioners.

McDiffitt said there were thousands of documents which will not only help members of his staff, but individuals who might need the information.

McDiffitt expressed thanks to Jim Ruckman, a Marshall County resident who is employed by Cerrone Associates, for his assistance in helping obtaining the documents.

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The Moundsville Honor Guard, along with 25 agencies/organizations, recently received money through the county commissioners community development fund. The amount received by the Honor Guard was $3,000.

This past Tuesday, Honor Guard members David Schoenian, Phil Cameron and Gary Jenkins, expressed on behalf of the entire honor guard members, thanks to the county commissioners for the contribution. Schoenian said, “Without the assistance of the county commission we would not be able to carry out the gravesite services of military veterans.”

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Two individuals with ties to Marshall County were among the some 60 persons inducted into the West Virginia Sports Legends recently at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center which was attended by more than 1,000 athletes, families and friends.

Bill Underdonk, a 1952 graduate of Moundsville who went on to play football at West Virginia University, and Jay Jacobs, a former basketball coach at Union High School and a member of the WVU basketball broadcast team, were among the inductees.

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St. Francis Xavier Church, Moundsville, will celebrate the acquisition of its new Allen organ with a free concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church, Seventh Street and Jefferson Avenue.

Performing will be organist and improvisational artist Chaz Bowers, a Western Pennsylvania native.

Drawing on his own experience as church organist and the rich traditions of church music, Bowers presents programs that are designed to inspire.

“Our parish is grateful to all those who helped us acquire this wonderful organ and we are happy to be able to share the gift of music with our community,” commented Rev. That Son Nguyen, pastor of St. Francis Xavier.

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Preparations are winding down for the annual Louisiana Shrimp Boil, which will be taking place on July 27 at Grand Vue Park’s Shelter No. 2.

It will be an “all-you-can eat shrimp, corn, potatoes, sausage and ice cream event.”

Tickets are available at Moundsville Pharmacy, Frames & Fortune, and Nana’s Landing in Glen Dale or by calling 304-233-3014.

Sponsors include Hany Tadros MD; WVU/Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Ruttenburg’s, Sonny and Becky Vucelich and Linda Snider. Proceeds from the event go to the Strand Theater Preservation Society.

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The Okey and Lenore (Brock) Wood reunion will be held July 20 at the Glen Dale City Park.

Dinner will be at noon with meats, plates, napkins, cups and cutlery provided.

Families attending are to bring a covered disk to share.

Also, they are to bring an item for the auction. Proceeds will be used for next year’s reunion.

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