The Marshall County Board of Education’s Pride and Progress Committee was informed of construction updates and programs and events at its meeting Thursday.

It was noted that some of the projects are already being undertaken, whereas, others are in the preliminary stages.

One of those in the preliminary stage is a natatorium for John Marshall High School, and money has been set aside in the current bond issue. The next step, scheduled for early January, will be advertising for a firm to draw up the plans for this new facility.

Another JMHS project will be an Outdoor Classroom.

Other work currently being performed or scheduled to begin in January:

– Washington Lands Elementary — The foundation work has been completed for a new building, with the erecting of the steel package consisting of a gym/cafeteria floor abatement to start during the Christmas vacation.

– Central Elementary — The playground/outdoor classroom site work is 70% completed, with a second phase to begin in early 2023 to install an HVAC.

– Cameron High School/Cameron Elementary — Generators for these two school have been ordered, with the board having been told that they will arrive in January.

– Glen Dale Elementary — Media center class room framing separation has been completed, and during the Christmas break hall flooring will be completed.

– Board Office — The main elevator will be rebuilt.

– Bus Garage — Two buildings are being built at the Bus Garage to house tires and materials.

– Sand Hill Elementary–The bid package for classroom construction is expected to be awarded in the spring. Currently the students there are housed in four different structures, and when the overall project is completed there will just be one building.

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If you plan to play marble golf at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, here are some rules.

– Start with box No. 1 in the lower level of the museum and work your way up to the Activity Room.

– Do not skip greens–play them all.

– Marble players can flick their marbles with their thumb, but they will be allowed to use their fingertip if that works better.

– If your marble lands in a sand trap, you must start over and add a stroke to your score.

– If your marble lands in a water hazard, place it on the green closest to where it was in the water and play from there. Add a stroke to your score.

– Limit play to each hole to six strokes, especially if others are playing you.

When you ask for a marble, you will also receive a score card to keep score for four players, and the 10 locations.

The course was created by Mrs. Tabetha Morgan’s studio art class at Moundsville Middle School.

The students involved in creating the course were Danielle Waldrop, Molly Dixon, Lyndee Bare, Khloie Burton, Nevaeh Lashare, Kalina Farrell, Adilea Parsons, Carson Wise, Justice Bell and Katie Sweeney.

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The Cameron Public Library will have a pre-school story time at 1 p.m. on Monday.

The library will be closed for Christmas on Dec. 23rd, 24th and 26th.

For New Year’s they will be closed on Dec. 30th and 31st and January 2nd.

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Those planning to take part in the Wreaths Across America in Marshall County are to meet this morning (Saturday) at Riverview Cemetery near Roberts Ridge. Placing of the wreaths on the graves of Veterans will begin at noon.

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The annual Marshall County Strings Program Alumni Concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the John Marshall High School Center for Performing Arts.

It will feature the chamber orchestra and alumni orchestra of nearly 30 participants, playing sounds of the season.

This event is free.

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Central Elementary School students raised the most money of all of the local West Virginia schools who participated in the 6th annual Operation Toy Lift pledge drive.

The 5th grade Kind Club spearheaded the collection at the school.

Toy Lift is a collaboration among law enforcement agencies in West Virginia and Ohio.

Gifts to the program come in the form of toys and monetary donations.

The Central Elementary School’s Kind Club’s grand total collected from students, faculty, staff, and community was approximately $260.

The distribution of items collected will go to The United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley.

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An email was received from Phyllis Riccadonna, account manager of the area American Red Cross Blood Drive Services (Greater Alleghenies Blood Region), pertaining to advanced scheduling for the blood drive to take place from 12:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Jan. 5 at the former West Virginia Penitentiary. The Moundsville Lions and the MEDC of Moundsville are co-sponsors.

She states that those who sign-up prior to the blood drive can reduce their time at the site by at least 15 minutes.

Rapid Pass is available at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass

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Recent John Marshall High School Career & Technical Education Students of the Month were Lindsy Hill and Cruz Logsdon.

Hill, the daughter of Larry and Amanda Hill, is a senior in the Marketing Management Program. She is a member of JM’s chapter of the Future Business Leaders of American, and has worked at the school’s store for three years, serving as manager her junior year. She plans to attend college to pursue a degree in Hospitality & Tourism.

Logsdon is a senior in the Computer Repair program and is the son of Mike and Missy Logsdon. He plays soccer for JM, is on the archery team and is a member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. He will attend West Liberty University to double major in Cyber Security and Computer Information Systems.

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The city of Cameron recently was recently gifted six life-sized nutcracker dolls by Hattie DeBolt’s Science of Agriculture classes.

The dolls were designed, constructed and presented by the students enrolled in the Career & Technical Education program at Cameron High School.

The doll designs included a chef, a train conductor, a hunter, Uncle Sam, a florist, and a traditionally designed nutcracker. They will be on display throughout the holiday season in the city.