Marshall County voters had the opportunity to cast ballots on 13 different issues this past Tuesday. Among those voters approved was the Marshall County Schools levy, which goes into effect July 1, 2023. During the next several months school officials will be busy as they finalize matters involving issues on the current five-year levy, the major one being a Natatorium at John Marshall.

The Board has already put together 24 different undertakings involving expenditures for the next five years, several of those being continuation of current projects, while others will provide funding for personnel and supplies.

Following the recent levy renewal Superintendent Shelby Haines stated:

“The levy is crucial to our schools and our community as funds are used to maintain educational programs but also support supplemental pay, the trades through building projects, public library services, extension office programming and the health department. The levy has been a staple in the operating budget since 1959 and we are proud to have lowered the rate for our citizens to the lowest rate in the Northern Panhandle. We are also proud that we have state-of-the-art technology and are updating buildings without having to run a special bond at the expense of taxpayers.

“I appreciate the confidence voters display, knowing that we will continue to educate kids and build communities. Great things are happening in Marshall County Schools. I attribute this toward faculty, staff, administrators, along with the Board of Education and committee members.”

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John Marshall High School’s Monarch Company will present “The Nutcracker” next Friday through Sunday in the JMHS Center for Performing Arts.

Lead actors include Cora Spielvogel as Clara, C.J. Hyde as The Nutcracker, Jacob Boyette as Drosselmeyer and the King, and Grey Woods as The Sugar Plum Fairy.

In all, there will be 23 high school actors and eight middle and elementary students from Marshall County schools. Also, there will be a crew of 10 led by stage manager Dylan Wood.

The production is an adaptation of the Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman under the direction of Erin Bond.

While it will not be a ballet performance, the show will feature exquisite music by Peter Tchaikovsky, along with some dancing.

The performances on Friday and Saturday will be at 7 p.m., while Sunday’s matinee will begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets will be available at the door for $5.

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A Vitalant Blood Drive will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday in the gymnasium at John Marshall High School, sponsored by members of Monarch Medical, the Therapeutic Services program and HOSA-Future Health Professionals.

The blood drive is open to the public, and anyone wishing to donate can pre-register at vitalant.org by clicking “Donate Now.” Walk-ins will also be welcome.

It is recommended to those who plan to donate should drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of the drive.

A signed permission slip will be necessary for those under the age of 18.

All usable blood donated will be used at local hospitals.

This will be the first of two scheduled blood drives at JMHS during the current school year. The other one will be held in March of 2023.

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Three free events will be taking place today (Saturday) at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville

The events for “Holiday Warm-Up”are as follows:

From 12:30-4 p.m., those in attendance will meet-and-greet with Eric Dye, November’s Featured Artist of the Month. Eric’s pastel and sculpture artwork is on display at the Complex and will continue to be displayed through November.

Also, from 12:30-4 p.m., artists Cheryl Childers and Patty Neis will host a DIY greeting card workshop, which is described as great for adults and families.

From 1-3 p.m., there will be showings of this month’s Second Saturday film, “Struggle to Survive.” This is the first episode in a four-part documentary titled, “America’s Untold Stories,” which tells the story of the earliest European settlements in North America.

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The traditional Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner will take place on Nov. 24 in the city of Cameron.

The meal will feature turkey, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, noodles, rolls, desserts, and will be served at noon at the Blue & Gold Christian Center.

Deliveries will be available by calling Debbie Sheedy at 304-686-2407 by Nov. 23.

Anyone who would like to help set up, make a dessert, or help with the preparation and serving, or cleanup, should also call Debbie Sheedy.

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The Historic Cameron B&O Freight Depot will be open for the Christmas parade, which will be on Dec. 3.

The hours of the opening will be 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The Greater Cameron Area Landmarks Commission members will be serving complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, and baked goods during the parade.

In addition, there will be model trains running, plus the city’s collection of Cameron Clay Products pottery will be on display.

While on the subject of the city’s pottery, there is a book by Libby Durbin called, “The Nitty Gritty of Pottery Work: Inside Cameron Clay Products 1938-42.” It is available for purchase at Cameron Floral Shoppe.

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The speaker for the weekly meeting of Moundsville Lions Club this past Tuesday was Victoria Kidney, president of the John Marshall High School LEO Club.

Kidney, who has been a LEO member for four years at JMHS, outlined some of the goals, community values, activities, and benefits of being a LEO member.

Goals–Expose students to people who are at a disadvantage; helping students to realize they can make a difference; and develop awareness and better understanding of the communities they live in.

Value of Community Service–Responsibility, leadership, people skills, problem solving, organization and planning, networking and commitment.

Benefits–Giving back to your community, fun/friends, college application, Leo of the Month luncheon, Senior Scholarship from the Moundsville Club, and Self Satisfaction.

The LEO Club also participates in activities such as Alzheimer’s Walk-in Wheeling, Service at Grand Vue Park, Service at Appalachian Outreach, Service at Sheppard’s Pantry, Salvation Army, and more.