The staff at the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library has noted recently that requests for information on local history has increased.

However, there is a drawback at the library, that being limited space to properly display the local history.

There are in numerous areas where this information but is available–in the basement, in an area where vehicles were once house, and anywhere else in the building where space might be available.

The good news is that in the next few weeks the local history information will have a location of its own.

No the library hasn’t been expanded, instead the library board has entered into a five year lease at a vacant house a block from the library.

This came about when Library Director Susan Reilly learned that the law firm of Gold, Khourey and Turak was interested in renting a large house at the corner of Sixth Street and Morton Avenue.

A meeting of the five-member library board was called to tour the house, with the members agreeing that it would be a proper site for a library annex.

Thus, the two parties came into a five-year lease agreement.

It just so happened that in his will, longtime Moundsville resident Lynn Perry had left the library with a substantial amount of money which will pay for the lease agreement.

Perry, who was a regular at the library where he would look up history of Marshall County, also left to the library county materials and other information which he had saved.

Perry, a retired Moundsville firefighter, also left information relating to the city fire department.

Copies of the information/photos which the library had copied and thus has become a part of the local history collection.

Since entering into the lease agreement, the library staff has begun to move local information to the new location, and has had the carpet on the first floor replaced with a different type of carpet.

Another improvement being to install electronics needed to provide adequate reference.

The other floors will be utilized for storage.

Entrance to the first floor is already in place.

Once the local information has its new home, the library board is expected to make some changes in the two story building, as prior to entering into the lease agreement the board had discussed remodeling the current building which will be 60 years old this year.

Some proposed items which might be changed, such as enlarging the downstairs meeting room, which currently holds some 40 people; enlarging the children’s room downstairs; moving the director’s office’s from the basement to the main floor.

Reilly said the library is very fortunate to have had numerous people make very gracious monetary contributions over the years.

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Brodie J. Baker, a member of Boy Scouts of America’s Troop 82, Glen Dale, will soon begin his Eagle Scout Service Project.

His undertaking will be that of three pairs of bat boxes.

Baker recently appeared before for the Marshall County Commission to explain his project which will be done along the Marshall County Walking Trail which is between Glen Dale and Moundsville.

The county commission maintains the trail for the recreational use of it’s citizens.

Baker told the commissioners that this project will fulfill the need of pest control on the trail by limiting the mosquito population. He added, “Users will find a more comfortable, enjoyable experience.”

A description of the project outlined by Baker said, “The boxes that will be installed will be brown, four chamber boxes, attracting a large number of bats. The will be located at the beginning, middle and end of the trail.”

Also, nine bird boxes will be installed along the trail. These boxes will attract a variety of birds which will assist in growing the avian population and further the impact of pest extermination.

Baker plans to recruit some 15 to 20 individuals, unit members, neighbors, family and friends to help on the project.

The Marshall County Commission, which made a donation toward the project, will provide assistance in digging the necessary holes.

Overall, it is estimated the total cost will be in the $1,300 range.

Tom Cook is Baker’s unit leader and unit advancement coordinator, while Curt Perry is his unit committee chair.

Marshall County Administrator Betsy Frohnapfel is the project beneficiary representative on behalf of the Marshall County Commission.

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The annual Moundsville Community Day event will take place from noon until 4 p.m. pm Saturday, Aug. 21 at Riverview Park.

It will be a free outing for all ages residing in Moundsville.

There will be games and snacks for youngsters, along with food available.

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Motorists traveling on First Street in Moundsville were glad to see signs along the street from Jefferson Avenue to Pine Avenue, as it means that workers should begin resurfacing of the street soon.

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The annual Marshall County Chamber of Commerce sponsored Home and Business Expo will conclude today, Saturday. The hours being 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the former West Virginia Penitentiary.

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City of Moundsville officials have been informed that the finishing touches of Four Seasons’ Splash Pad should be completed this coming week.

The plan is that once the Splash Pad is operational it will be open through the remainder of August, and into September with the weather being a factor how long in that month.

City Manager Rick Healy stated the formal opening will take place next spring.

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John Marshall High School’s Back-to-School Community Blood Drive will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the school’s gymnasium.

For more information or to schedule a donation call 412-209-7000 or by visiting vitalant.org.

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Now that there was a major league baseball game played at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa this past Thursday, some of our baseball group from Uniglobe Travel might want to add that game to the number of fields we have seen even though we didn’t see the game in person, but we did visit that site on different occasions.