Four Marshall County students from Sherrard Middle School– James Lopez, Brady Barnhart, Kabe Blake, and Drew Marling–were knighted into the West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Society last Tuesday in Charleston during Golden Horseshoe Day. While in the capital, they enjoyed a special outing to a home game of Charleston’s minor league baseball team, The Dirty Birds. There, the students met West Virginia author and Rocket Boy, Homer Hickam, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Best known for his memoir “Rocket Boys,” which inspired the film October Sky, Mr. Hickam posed for photos with the winners and shared memories of his own middle school days.

The West Virginia Golden Horseshoe, established in 1931, is a distinguished award that celebrated eighth-grade students’ mastery of West Virginia state history. Named for the golden horseshoes awarded by Gov. Alexander Spotswood to his 1716 expedition party, it recognizes top-scoring students in each county with a pin and a knighting ceremony in Charleston.

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The Marshall County Chamber of Commerce is hosting several upcoming events to strengthen community ties. On Monday, June 16, the annual Chamber Golf Scramble tees off with a 1 p.m. shotgun start at Moundsville Country Club, with sponsorships, team registrations, and prize donations still open. On Friday, June 20, the Summer Concert Series begins at Glen Dale Park from 7-9 p.m., featuring the band Tumbleweed, sponsored by Moundsville Pharmacy, Marshall County Commission, and Williams Energy. On Thursday, July 17, the Chamber invites members and local non-profits to a Mix & Mingle from 5-7 p.m. at Grand Vue Park, outside The Vue Bar and Grill. Featuring live music by White Collar Criminals, networking opportunities, and food from The Vue, the event is free for non-profits to participate. Non-profits are encouraged to bring a tent, table, chairs, and literature to share, with a chance to introduce their organization. Contact the Chamber at 304-845-2773 to reserve a spot for this evening of community connection.

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The Marshall County Historical Society and the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library present the 2025 Hungry for History Summer Speaker Series, featuring free lectures every Monday at noon. On June 16, Gary Rider will discuss Lt. Col. Lockwood, a Moundsville native who became a key figure in the Seventh WV, with his funeral closing the entire town. On June 23, Joe Roxby will speak about Lewis Wetzel, Marshall County’s most famous son and citizen, famed scout and Indian fighter, exploring his biography in the context of the American Revolution. On June 30, Jim Brockman will explore the life of John Adams, highlighting his role as a founding father, his belief in independence, his love for his country, and his bond with Abigail, his wife and confidante. On July 7, Sarah Smith will offer a brief history of the pottery industry in Cameron, focusing on Cameron Clay Products, which operated from the 1930s until 1964. On July 14, Robert Feldmeier will discuss the Natrium and Welcome Mounds, detailing efforts to have them recognized with a state marker. On July 21, Allan Spencer will examine the notorious Foreman’s Massacre in Marshall County history through a native lens. Finally, on July 28, Jeffrey Smaldone’s “That Beast Was NOT Me” will document five decades of conversations with murderers like John Wayne Gacy, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, serial sniper Thomas Lee Dillon, and Donald Harvey. Call 304-845-1411 for more information.

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The Missoula Children’s Theater will present The Snow Queen at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at the Strand Theatre, 811 5th St., Moundsville, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students in grades K-12, and free for those 5 and under. The event is supported in part by the Evan G. Roberts Charitable Trust.

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Beyond these vibrant gatherings, our community holds a quieter tribute that speaks to its resilience. In Benwood, the Benwood Mine Disaster Memorial, dedicated on September 27, 2014, stands as a poignant reminder of the past. This site honors the 119 miners lost in the 1924 explosion, commemorates five victims of the 1942 Hitchman Mine Disaster, and remembers Joseph Tellitocci Jr., the coordinator who led the project until his death in 2018.

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As we look ahead, we invite you to share events for future editions of The Marshall Memo by emailing details to bugs52@comcast.net.