If you happen to be one of the Marshall County citizens who missed the deadline for a free Activity Pass, I’ve got good news for you. There will be two more opportunities; one will be Aug. 23, and the other Aug. 30, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on both dates at the school board office. All Marshall County citizens are eligible for the free Activity Pass.

Marshall County School employee IDs and high school/middle school school-issued IDs may be used for free admission. The Activity Passes provide entrance to every Marshall County school-sponsored event, including musicals and plays, band, chorus, and strings concerts, Queen of Queens Pageant, Marching Band Showcase, Governor’s Cup Series, WVSSAC Sanctioned events at any Marshall County School facility, plus more.

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It just so happens that Cameron High School and John Marshall High School varsity football teams have home openers during that same period. The Dragons will host West Greene at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 while the Monarchs’ first home game will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 1 against Union Local.

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This past Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of Dolly Parton’s visit to the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia. This was a free performance recognizing the Mountain State’s full participation in the Imagination Library. Gov. Jim Justice issued a proclamation marking Aug. 9 as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Day in West Virginia. The DPIL is supported through a partnership between the WV Department of Education and the June Harless Center at Marshall University as part of the mission to support early learning and literacy efforts.

During the Dolly Day celebration held at the Moundville -Marshall County Public Library, Mickey Massie provide the read-aloud of the book, “Find Fergus.” Wes Howsare played guitar and taught the children about simple chords. Each child left with a dolly (doll or action figure), lolly (lollipop), and a book.

The Imagination Library mails more than 2 million age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Parton envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to “Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More.

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On Wednesday, Aug. 16, faculty and staff in Marshall County Schools will return to school. Students in grades 1-12 will return on Aug. 22 while those in kindergarten will start Aug. 28. Pre-K Orientation will be Aug. 25 and Aug. 28, with the first day classes on Aug. 29.

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The annual Roy Shreves Memorial Golf Scholarship Tournament will take place on Sept. 17 at the Moundsville Country Club. Entry fee is $100, limited to the first 36 paid teams. The shotgun start is scheduled at 10 a.m.

Shreves was the PGA golf professional at Moundsville Country Club for 37 years. The scholarship will assist student athletes in golf with their education costs.

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The Marshall County Health Department and Journal building on Sixth Street and Court Avenue have been razed. The county commission will hold a groundbreaking at 10 a.m. Aug. 25 for the new health department.

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I was very happy to learn the Wheeling Salvation Army is planning to expand services in Moundsville again after deciding four years ago to decrease their services in Moundsville. The Salvation Army building, which originally was home to the First Christian Church, is currently for sale. The plan is to find a new location to better serve clients.

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On a personal note, I’d like to thank everyone for the many nice cards, notes, phone calls, and visits while I continue recuperating at Moundsville Health Care Center due to a broken hip. Your thoughtful words mean so much and have cheered me on in my recovery.