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It was only fitting that the recent Marshall University/Old Dominion University basketball game played Feb. 3 at ODU was named in honor of Sonny Allen.
Among those in attendance were 12 of Allen's family who came from different parts of the country including Dallas. Also, there were several players that he coached during his 10 years at ODU, and others that knew him from his days at Norfolk, Va.
Family members noted that ODU was where it all began for Sonny, as ODU was his first head college coaching position, and it was also where he had a national championship team (1975). He also integrated college basketball in Virginia, that being his first year at the helm (1965). Another first was that of installing a revolutionary fast break offense that changed basketball.
Of course, Marshall was where he walked-on as a player, and after graduation he began his coaching career as an assistant.
It was also fitting that the Feb. 3 game was nationally televised on CBS Sports Network. At halftime the Allen family was honored with a video played with photos from his great ODU teams.
The family had planned to gather there last season for the same reason, but the pandemic forced the majority of them to cancel, although his daughter Jackie Eldrenkamp and her family who reside in North Carolina were able to attend.
There was one announcement last year at the Marshall-ODU game, that being that ODU would set up, in Sonny's honor, a Sonny Allen Basketball Scholarship, with the goal being to raise $250,000. The figure is now in the $175,000 range.
Since last year's game it was announced that the Moundsville native would be inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, that event to take place posthumously on April 30 at Virginia Beach.
According to Billy Allen, the family is also looking forward to next season when ODU hosts Marshall, as they plan to be in attendance.
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The annual John Marshall High School Queen of Queens Pageant will take place at 7 p.m. Friday at the school's Center for Performing Arts.
This year's pageant will feature eight senior girls who will be competing for the crown and the honor of representing the Monarchs in the OVAC Queen of Queens Pageant.
The contestants are:
Trixie Calissie, Hope Grimm, Lea Landers, Olivia Miller, Ryleigh Morgan, Amanda Rine, Lauren Tekely and Sabrina Thorn.
Each contestant will be scored in three categories, which include interviews, talent and poise/presentations.
Tony Summers will be the master of ceremonies, with the pageant coordinator being Tracy Filben.
There will be a fee to attend this showcase of talent.
Tickets will be available at the door, which will open at 6:30 p.m.
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The Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library at 700 Fifth St., Moundsville, will hold on Monday a Valentine's Day virtual program to which the public is invited to participate.
The program, "Discover Your Strength -- Celebrate Your Worth" will be held on the Library's Zoom platform at 6:30 p.m.
Library member Catherine Feryok states that the two tales that storyteller Judi Tarowsky will share are old ones from Northern Europe and Scandinavia, and although these are old tales, they tell us that the experiences of today.
Tarowsky's stories -- "The Nettle Spinner" and "Tale of the Tontlawald" -- also tell us that with one's inner strength, these difficult experiences can be overcome.
Tarowsky, a local writer, editor and educator with a special interest in history, has been a professional storyteller for more than a decade. She has been president of the West Virginia Storytelling Guild and also a member of the Ohio Organization for the Preservation of Storytellling. Her repertoire includes historic programs, Appalachian tales, ghost stories, and hilarious tall tales. The common thread is that her storytelling is captivating, heart-felt and well-researched.
Find the Zoom link on the Moundsville Library's Facebook Page or call or email the library. Persons can watch the event live on Facebook or listen in by phone. The event is free and is aimed at adults and older students. For more information call the library at 304-845-6911.
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St. Francis Xavier Parish and Knights of Columbus No. 1907, both of Moundsville, will hold Lenten fish fries starting Ash Wednesday, March 2, and every Friday of Lent, including Good Friday, April 15, at Xavier Hall from 11a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Coleman's fish will be sold along with coleslaw, mac and cheese, perogies and homemade desserts.
Items may be eaten at Xavier Hall, or by carry out or free delivery to Glen Dale, Moundsville, Washington Lands and Shadyside.
For orders, call either 304-845-7080 or 304-231-6236.
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A Native America--Episode 4: titled, "New World Rising" will be shown at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday (today) at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex.
The film deals with successful cultural survival that includes Comanche's adoption of the horse, grass bridge construction, etc.