ELKRIVERLIVING.COM
VOLUME 01 | ISSUE 05 | APR 2019 FREE
ELK RIVER LIVING The Perfect Combo
Salon is Elk River Proud
HHHS Captures Award
DAV of WV
Smoke Shop Chili
April’s Elk River Hero
If you haven’t been to Pizzas and Cream, you are missing one of Elk River’s hidden treasures! This is the fourth year since it opened its doors, serving wood-fired, brick-oven pizza, and delicious homemade ice cream.
The DAV Headquarters for WV has information on disability claims, benefits, charities, insurance, medical care, education, programs, and compensation for veterans of the US Armed Forces.
HeadHunters Styling Company celebrated its fourth year at its new location in Mink Shoals. Salon owner, Mike Mooney, loves serving the Elk River clientele and takes pride in giving back to the community.
Tracy Bowen,1985 HHHS graduate, shared the original Smoke Shop Chili recipe. Many local residents enjoyed a delicious bowl of their famous chili and now you can make it at home!
HHHS is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School Award. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the standards to improve safety in sports.
This month ERL magazine honors a special WWII Marine veteran, Harry Franklin Robinson, 93, of Clendenin who sadly passed on July 7, 2018, after a long illness.
THE BEAUTY OF THE GRAIN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 18 Cover Story: The Beauty of the Grain
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Elk River Woodturners Joe Smith and his brothers Jerry and Greg Smith; Kirk Rector; Ron Jones; and Rick Chandler are well-known for their beautiful craftsmanship. Also, AAW Mountaineer Woodturners invite you to get started in a new woodturning adventure!
HHHS Receives Safe Sports School Award The NATA Safe Sports School Award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment.
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Worth the Drive It’s no surprise they have been named as one of West Virginia’s 10 Best Ice Cream Parlors and 10 Best Pizza Restaurants and were among the 101 Unique Places to Dine in WV.
34 Salon is Elk River Proud If you are looking for a professional, but relaxed and welcoming hair salon, HeadHunters is a perfect choice. Customers say it feels like “coming home”.
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Welcome Back to Elk River Living!
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Elk River Hero: Harry F. Robinson
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Our Valued Sponsors
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DAV of WV Headquarters
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Events In the Valley
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This Month’s Reader Submission
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Smoke Shop Chili Recipe
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The Elk’s Journal
Hello & Welcome Back! We had a wonderful time interviewing Elk River businesses and artisans for our stories this month. From brick-oven pizza and homemade ice cream to learning about woodturning bowls on a lathe, it’s been amazing. We have two businesses with special anniversaries: HeaderHunters Styling Company is celebrating its fourth year at its Mink Shoals location and the award-winning Pizzas and Cream at Nebo has officially been open for business for four years. Both businesses attribute their ongoing success to loving what they do everyday and providing a warm, family atmosphere for their customers. Speaking of loving what they do, we also met with brothers Joe, Jerry and Greg Smith of Elkview and some local members of the Mountaineer Woodturners as they shared their remarkable woodturning skills and unique creations with us so that we could share them with you. It is an honor to feature Harry Robinson, WWII Marine veteran, as our Elk Hero of the Month. He gave so much of himself to our communities and we were blessed to have him in our lives for 93 years. Also, we are excited to have a special recipe this month which was shared with us by Tracy Bowen, HHHS 1985 graduate. Hint: it’s a town favorite from the old Clendenin Smoke Shop. This month you will also see a new addition to ERL. We are going to feature a bit of history about our communities each month, starting with how the community of Falling Rock received its name. We welcome any of your stories about your community as well! Just go to elkriverliving.com and click on the Reader Submission tab. We look forward to sharing your memories. Thank you for letting us shine a light on our wonderful Elk River communities. For us, it’s like ‘coming home’ each month.
Remember, there’s no place like home...on the Elk River. Cyndi Tawney Founder & Editor 304.546.9243 cyndi@elkriverliving.com
Editor In Chief /
Cyndi Tawney
Creative Director /
Josh Tawney
Operations Director /
Kenneth Tawney
E L K RIVER
Guest Photographers /
April Curry & Phil Blackwell
Printer /
The Printing Press Charleston, WV
LIVING
Elk River Living is published monthly by CJT Publishing, LLC, Elkview, West Virginia 25071. All rights are reserved. All contents are copyrighted by CJT Publishing, LLC; reproduction in whole or part without written permission from CJT Publishing, LLC is epxressly forbidden and punishable by law. Elk River Living is not responsible for unsolicited materials. All opinions expressed within Elk River Living belong to the feature’s author and are not necessarily the opinions of the publishers of CJT Publishing, LLC employees. Elk River Living and CJT Publishing, LLC reserve the right to refuse any idea, material or subject matter. Throughout this issue, trademarked names are used. Rather than denoting a trademark symbol in every occurrence of a trademarked name, Elk River Living uses the names in an editorial fashion, with no infringement. All trademarked names are still fully protected, and anyone who uses them without permission will be prosecuted.
On the cover: Brothers Greg, Joe, and Jerry Smith, share their woodturning skills.
This magazine depends on our advertising partners! Production, printing and mailing costs are offset by the participation of our valued local businesses. It is how we provide this service at no charge to you. Please take the time to review our Sponsors Page, and if you are in need of a product or service they provide, we ask that you give them a shot at earning your business. And let them know you saw their ad in Elk River Living!
Below: We are so fortunate to have April Curry, of Photos by AC, as our Guest Photographer. April is an Elk River native and her talent speaks for itself.
ELK RIVER LIVING
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OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES ALL SEASONS SELF STORAGE 304.965.7988 allseasonsselfstoragewv.com
ELK FAMILY DENTISTRY 304.965.6661 contact Joey Adkins, DDS
HAFER FUNERAL HOME 304.965.3331 / 304.965.3341 haferfuneralhome.net
ALLEN’S LAUNDROMAT 304.548.7100 9 Main St, Clendenin
ELK RIVER AUTOMOTIVE 304.965.7501 contact Gary W. Pauley II
HEADHUNTERS 304.343.2049 check them out on Facebook
ANYTIME FITNESS 304.596.5888 contact Jeremy Elswick
ELK RIVER AUTO. SUPPLY 304.965.5312 contact Glenn Pauley
HOLSTEIN INSURANCE 304.965.9941 holsteininsuranceagencyinc.com
BECKY’S PET PARLOR 304.951.9162 Rebecca Briles & Kaitlyn Truman
ELK VALLEY PHYSICAL THERAPY 304.965.7979 contact Andi Geary, MPT
JEFF’S AUTO & TOWING 304.965.7525 22 Quick Rd, Pinch
BLUE CREEK HEATING & COOLING 304.965.9148 contact Bill Ross or Roy Crist
FINGERS 2 TOES 304.541.6134 contact Jennifer Casto
JETT’S AUTO AND TOWING, LLC 681.230.2508 103 Cobb Loop, Clendenin
BOWEN DENTAL Chas: 304.342.0146 / Clay: 304.587.7495 contact Stacy or Gary Bowen II
FORD & SWEENEY 304.935.4801 51 Credes Landing, Elkview
JETT’S CONSTRUCTION, LLC 304.565.7053 Newton, WV
CANTRELL’S FLORIST 304.548.7700 7484 Elk River Rd, Clendenin
GABBY’S SEWING & MORE 304.437.3739 gabbyssewingwv.com
JONES EXCAVATING 304.965.6180 jonesexcavatingofcharleston.com
CLENDENIN PHARMACY 304.548.5451 contact Bill or Lindsay Ore Matuszkiewicz
GINO’S PIZZA & SPAGHETTI HOUSE 304.965-7031 Order online at ginospizza.com
JONES AUTO 304.965.6180 jonesautotruckrepair@gmail.com
CREDE TRACTOR 304.965.1666 contact William Crede
GIOVANNI’S - CLENDENIN 304.548.7002 giovannispizzapower.com
JULIO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 304.548.4625 12 Main St, Clendenin
There’s no place like home! 8
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give our sponsors the opportunity to have your business. They care a great deal about you and the Elk River Community. would you like to advertise with Elk River Living? please contact cyndi@elkriverliving.com or 304.546.9243 or visit us at elkriverliving.com
KNIGHTHORST 877.474.7332 www.knighthorst.com
MOMMA PAYNE’S DINER 304.543.9930 14 Main St, Clendenin
SHARI’S FAMILY HAIR CARE 304.400.4945 contact Shari Ball
KNIGHT INSURANCE 304.548.4726 knightinsurance@frontier.com
MOUNTAINEER AUCTION 304.548.4056 contact Roger Mullins
Liberty Tax Service 304.548.5820 15 Main Street, Clendenin
MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH 304.965.7062 mpbcwv.org
SLEEP INN HARDINGS FAMILY RESTAURANT 800.216.0661 & 304.344.5044 sleepinncharlestonwv.com
MARA BOGGS ELLIS OLD COLONY REALTORS 304.541.7336/304.344.2581 maraellis.com
MURDOCK’S AUTO REPAIR MURDOCK’S PRE-OWNED AUTOS 304.548.3255 murdockspreownedautosales.com
MASTER CRAFTERS & PRIMITIVE SHOPPE 304.965.6222 contact Shavonne Hale
ONE FOR THE BOOKS 304.552.3956 oneforthebooksllc.com
MATICS FUNERAL HOME 304.548.6611 maticsfuneralhome@suddenlink.net
PAMALA’S GIFTS & TREASURES 304.548.7100 7 Main St. Clendenin
MICHAEL’S UNIQUE STYLES 304.965.3605 michaelsuniquestyles@gmail.com
PENNY PINCHERS 304.548.4005 www.pennypinchersllc2.com
MITCH’S 24 HR TOWING 304.965.6646 contact Mitch Young
POCA VALLEY BANK 304.965.7730 pocavalleybank.com
MOLLOHAN AUTO BODY 304.437.2195 2026 Waters Edge Dr, Elkview
SHAFER’S BARBERSHOP 304.654.0726 Facebook.com/shafersbarbershop
SMITH’S CARPET ONE SMITH’S FURNITURE & APPLIANCE 304.965.7111 & 304.965.7600 Big Chimney & Elkview, WV SOLID ROCK CONTRACTING 304.444.4288 contact Phil Shaffer SOUTH HILLS FAMILY DENTAL CARE 1005 Bridge Road, Charleston 304.344.9392 smileinsouthhills.wix/amazing-smile SPECIAL OCCASIONS 304.965.5434 specialoccasionflowers.com SPENCER’S HARDWARE 304.548.6995 8290 Elk River Rd. N, Clendenin TUDOR’S BISCUIT WORLD 1083 Main Street Elkview Open until 7 PM starting April 1 Xspec POWER 304.746.1139 contact Emily Canterbury YAK House 304.941.2229 yakhouserentals.com
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ELK RIVER LIVING
SPECIAL OCCASIONS UNLIMITED
Prom season is almost here! We are offering corsages, boutonnieres and nosegays designed especially for you! Beautifully designed and made in-house using fresh or silk flowers.
PLACE YOUR ORDER EARLY (304)965-5434 5106 Elk River Road Elkview, WV 25071
Beck y’s Pet Parlor
Rebecca L. Briles & Kaitlyn M. Truman PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMERS
304 951 9162 166 North Pinch Road Elkview, WV 25071
apr. happenings
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ELK RIVER LIVING
EVENTS
BIG BOOK SALE ELK VALLEY BRANCH LIBRARY Early Bird, Thursday Apr. 4, 5-7:30pm Friday, Apr. 5, 10am-4pm Saturday, Apr. 6, 10am-3pm
We would love to feature what matters to you, so please submit your upcoming events to:
cyndi@elkriverliving.com
FRIDAY NIGHT JAM ELK RIVER COMMUNITY CENTER 1078 MAIN ST. ELKVIEW, WV 25071 Feat. RECYCLE, BILL ROSS 304.965.3722, doors open at 5pm
HHHS apr. sports
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COME PAINT WITH US! INITIAL ART HHHS PROJ. GRADUATION FUNDRAISER Feat. The Tiny Sparrow Art Studio & Happy Place ELKVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL, 6:30am $30 Pre-register or $35 at door
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SPRING FLING MOMMA BEAR’S CHILDCARE AND ELK RIVER SECRET SANTA feat. crafts, vendors, concessions and games ALSO meet our Parents as Teachers Group 1078 MAIN ST. ELKVIEW 9am-2pm contact 304.965.2273
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FRIDAY NIGHT JAM ELK RIVER COMMUNITY CENTER 1078 MAIN ST. ELKVIEW, WV 25071 Feat. DIXIE HIGHWAY, CYNDI BIRD 304.965.3722
02 A - SISSONVILLE 7:00PM / 4:30PM 03 H - SOUTH CHARLESTON 6:00PM 04 A - LOGAN 7:00PM / 4:30PM 7:00PM / 4:30PM 08 A - CHAPMANVILLE 09 H - CLAY COUNTY 7:00PM / 4:30PM 12 A - MCDONALDS CI BRIDGEPORT 13 A - LINCOLN HARRIS 12:00PM 15 A - CLAY COUNTY 7:00PM / 4:30PM 17 A - NICHOLAS COUNTY 5:30PM 18 H - SISSONVILLE 4:30, 5:00, 7:00PM 22 H - WAYNE 7:00PM / 4:30PM 23 H - WINFIELD 7:00, 4:30PM 24 A - NITRO 7:00PM / 4:45PM 25 H - POCA 7:00, 4:30PM 26 H - ROANE COUNTY 7:00PM / 4:30PM 29 A - CHARLESTON CATHOLIC 6:00PM GIRL’S SOFTBALL
BOY’S BASEBALL VARSITY / JV
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EASTER BUNNY PANCAKE BREAKFAST SOUTHRIDGE APPLEBEE’S 100% proceeds benefit Elk River Backpack Blessings Tickets $5.00 and additional Easter Basket Raffle 8:30-10:30am
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COMMUNITY EGG HUNT CLENDENIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 121 KOONTZ AVE, CLENDENIN, WV AGES 2-11, 10:30am
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FRIDAY NIGHT JAM ELK RIVER COMMUNITY CENTER 1078 MAIN ST. ELKVIEW, WV 25071 Feat. MARK IV, STEPHANIE MOORE 304.965.3722, doors open 5pm
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FRIDAY NIGHT JAM ELK RIVER COMMUNITY CENTER 1078 MAIN ST. ELKVIEW, WV 25071 Feat. SOUTHERN COOKIN’, STEVE MULLINS 304.965.3722
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A - BRAXTON COUNTY
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H - BRAXTON COUNTY
5:30PM
02 H - LOGAN 5:30PM 04 A - SCOTT 5:30PM 05 A - SISSONVILLE 5:30PM 09 H - WINFIELD 5:30PM 11 H - NICHOLAS COUNTY 5:30PM 12 A - LOGAN 5:30PM 13 A - MINGO (V-DH) 1PM & 3PM 6:00PM 16 H - POCA 5:30PM 17 H - SCOTT 12PM & 2PM 20 A - NITRO (V-DH) 5:30 22 A - LEWIS COUNTY 12PM & 2PM 24 A - INDEPENDENCE 5:30 - SISSONVILLE 26 H 12PM 27 H - MEIGS 4:00PM 27 H - GEORGE WASHINGTON SECTIONALS TBA 20 13 MAY REGIONALS TBA 23 MAY W/TH STATE TOURNAMENT TBA HHHS BOYS & GIRLS TRACK & FIELD CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC ROANE COUNTY GAZETTE RELAYS CARDINAL CONFERENCE REGIONALS II AA STATE MEET
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4:30PM
APRIL 5 APRIL 9 APRIL 26-27 MAY 1 MAY 10 MAY 17-18
LAIDLEY FIELD ROANE COUNTY LAIDLEY FIELD WINFIELD HIGH LEWIS COUNTY LAIDLEY FIELD
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ELK RIVER LIVING
THE SMOKE SHOP’S FAMOUS CHILI
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his month Tracy Bowen,1985 HHHS graduate, shared the original Smoke Shop Chili recipe. The Smoke Shop was located on the corner of Maywood and Main Street in Clendenin. Many local residents enjoyed a delicious bowl of their famous chili and now you can make it at home!
DIRECTIONS
Level: Easy
Step 01 1 1/2 lbs. hamburger 1 cup chopped onion Shake of garlic powder to taste 3/4 stick butter Cook until hamburger is done. Then proceed to step two.
Step 02 1 large can of kidney beans 1 large can of tomato juice 1 T hot sauce 3 T chili powder 1 can tomato soup
CIPE RE
S!
IN G.C OM
D US YO SEN UR
Add ingredients to the hamburger mixture. Simmer until hot.
IV ELKRIVERL
Total: 45 min Active: 30 min
Yield: 10 servings
ELK RIVER LIVING
14 MAIN STREET CLENDENIN, WV 25045
304.543.9930
 � � � �
Jeff’s Automotive & Towing
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Photo Credits: April Curry, Photos by AC
ELK RIVER LIVING
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304.965.9941 4920 ELK RIVER RD S. ELKVIEW AUTO | HOME | BUSINESS | LIFE GARY HOLSTEIN, AGENT | MGR AGENT@HOLSTEININSURANCEAGENCYINC.COM
WWW.HOLSTEININSURANCEAGENCYINC.COM
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ELK RIVER LIVING
THE BEAUTY OF THE GRAIN Elk River Living magazine is proud to recognize a very talented group of artisans who specialize in the art of woodturning. Elk River local woodturners, Joe Smith and his brothers Jerry and Greg Smith, Kirk Rector, Ron Jones, and Rick Chandler are passionate about creating each piece which is unique in pattern, color, shape and size. Their favorite wood is a burl or any unusual piece of wood. They craft natural edge wooden bowls from cherry, maple, oak, walnut, or any other unique wood grain they can find. They are well-known on the Elk River for their beautiful craftsmanship.
Mountaineer Woodturners Kirk Rector, Byron Young, Rick Chandler, and Ron Jones; Photo Credit: April Curry, Photos by AC
Greg, Joe, and Jerry Smith
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bowls and also prefers working with burls. He started woodturning in 2005 and mainly does it as a hobby now. In the past, he had many of his items on display at Tamarack at Beckley. His wife, Rosemary, also does woodturning, and she makes Christmas ornaments and smaller items.
oe Smith of Elkview has inspired many woodturners. “He is a good friend and a very talented, previous instructor for the Road Scholar woodturning program at Cedar Lakes,” said Byron Young, current president of the Mountaineer Woodturners. Joe started woodturning in 1989 and started displaying his amazing products at Tamarack in Beckley in 1996. Joe has Parkinson’s disease and doesn’t woodturn now, but he has wonderful stories of of woodturning and hunting with his brothers. Elk River woodturners, Ron Jones of Elkview and Rick Chandler of Clendenin said, “Joe held a class and some of us took it and that is what got us started.” Ron asked Kirk Rector of Elkview to “come over one evening and we’ll turn.” Kirk said he lost track of time finishing his first lidded box and stayed until 3 AM and had to be at work the next day!
Joe’s brother, Jerry Smith, started woodturning in 2003 when Joe gave him a lathe. Jerry said he learned mostly by trial and error and experimentation. He was a carpenter and always enjoyed creating and building items for his family. Woodturning, however, opened a new door for his beautiful handcrafted products. He and his brother Joe are especially well-known for their wooden cowboy hats. They craft the hats from a solid piece of wood and use techniques of Johannes Michelsen who was the originator of wooden hats. Jerry said, “Usually I start with a plan, but sometimes the wood changes your plan depending on knots, cracks, insects, etc. He said he creates his products with a natural
Greg Smith, Joe’s brother, also turns wood and taught classes at Cedar Lakes Conference Center with Joe for six years. He mainly turns
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members work on a different item. Currently, the members are working on a piece with offset turning for their President’s Challenge. Ron Jones is also a member of the Woodturners chapter. He especially likes making wooden ink pens and smaller bowls. He does woodturning more as a hobby and enjoys making items for his friends and neighbors.
Jerry Smith
Byron Young, a Tamarack Artisan and president of the Mountaineer Woodturners, is from Sissonville. He currently offers classes at Cedar Lakes Conference Center on woodturning. He and Kirk also demonstrated woodturning for Heritage Day Celebration at Frametown Elementary last October. Kirk will be teaching classes with Byron at Cedar Lakes this year. If they have a minimum of 5 students, they can offer a class. Recently, Byron taught a class and demonstrated the technique of iridescent painting. Rick Chandler of Clendenin is a Mountaineer Woodturner member who took Byron’s class and just completed a lidded bowl with iridescent paint. He also does wood turning more as a hobby.
The Beauty of the Grain edge. Jerry says he cores them out and can usually create 3-6 nesting bowls out of a single block of wood. Jerry and his wife, Linda, have their own J and L Woodturning shop located beside their home at Elkview. They started selling their handcrafted bowls on Etsy in 2008. Linda said their first sale on Etsy was a large, walnut bowl with a bark edge and it went to Australia. For more information, see their website at www.jlwoodturning.etsy. com.
The Mountaineer Woodturners are at the Cedar Lakes Art and Craft Fair every year which is held over the fourth of July holiday. At the Fair, they woodturn hundreds of wooden spinning tops to give to the children. Also, they do ‘make and take’ sessions where attendees can actually make an item and take it with them. They will be located in the Craft House again this year, so look for them when you are at the Fair.
Approximately 50 woodturners are members of the Mountaineer Woodturners which is only one of two chapters of American Association of Woodturners (AAW) in West Virginia. They are the 24th chapter and today there are over 300 chapters, nationally and internationally. The Mountaineer Woodturners meet on the second Saturday every month at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley. Members bring their woodturning creations to share and there are also demonstrations on different techniques from local and other woodturning members.
Byron said their chapter is planning an open house in the future and would like to attract more artisans, young and old, to their chapter. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve ever done workturning before,” said Byron. “Just join us at our monthly meeting and be inspired by the wonderful skilled woodturners.” See their website www.mountaineerwoodturners.com or their Facebook page and get started in a new adventure.
Kirk Rector is a member of Mountaineer Woodturners and explained that each month the
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Photo Credits: April Curry, Photos by AC
ELK RIVER HEROES
ELK RIVER LIVING
In each edition of Elk River Living we feature and celebrate a member from our community. If you would like to submit someone you know, please contact Cyndi Tawney at cyndi@elkriverliving.com.
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his month ERL magazine would like to honor a special WWII Marine veteran, Harry Franklin Robinson, 93, of Clendenin who sadly passed on July 7, 2018, after a long illness. His leadership and dedication made an incredible difference to so many families on the Elk River. He, along with his stepdad, Alovel Barnhouse (Marines), and his brothers, Ralph (Navy) and Paul (Navy), all proudly served in the military in the 1940s and his brother Jim (Army), in 1951.
Harry was a WWII Marine veteran of the South Pacific Theater where he received a Purple Heart. He was a member of American Legion Post 61, Clendenin, and the VFW Post 8516. He was a Second Marine Division Association Life Member and a member of the Pacific War Memorial Association. Harry had boot camp in San Diego and was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After a couple of months, he joined the 6th Marines and found himself in Siapan, Tinianin and back to Siapan. On one Siapan occasion, Harry was on the front lines for 17 days before being relieved. During one trip he was shot twice, once in the hand and arm, and the second to his helmet (head) which sent shrapnel into his right shoulder. He was a Corporal when he was discharged in 1946.
HARRY FRANKLIN ROBINSON
After returning home from his military service, Harry finished his education at Clendenin High School, Class of 1946. He was a rigger supervisor for Union Carbide Construction and retired in 1986. He was a Kentucky
Colonel and a former member of the Clendenin Lions Club where he helped install the original lights at the Herbert Hoover High School football field. He was also an honorary member of the Past Masters Association Grand Lodge F & A M of Tennessee and a 50-year member and Past Master of Clendenin of Clendenin Lodge #126 A F & AM, Thelma Chapter #24 Order of the Eastern Star Clendenin, 32 Scottish Rite Bodies, Beni Kedem Shrine, and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of WV.
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-3605 / 30 65
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Harry was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clendenin. He and his wife, Billie Robinson, were married for 70 years. Their daughters are Lynn Gast, Karen Foster and Joretta Gray.
satu y rda
M I C H A E L' S UNIQUE STYLES 23
Michael Ryan OWNER/STYLIST
4636 PENNSYLVANIA AVE CHARLESTON, WV 25302 michaelsuniquestyles@gmail.com
HHHS RECEIVES NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION SAFE SPORTS SCHOOL AWARD Herbert Hoover High School is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School Award for its high school athletics program.The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports Press Release from Stephanie Clark, HHHS Athletic Trainer.
H
erbert Hoover High School is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Safe Sports School Award for its high school athletics program. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that have met the recommended standards to improve safety in sports. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment. “Herbert Hoover High School is honored to have received “1st Team Safe School Sports Award recognition from the NATA,“ said Assistant Principal Jason Cantrell. “This honor is a testament to the hard work of our athletic trainer, Stephanie Clark, along with our athletic
director and coaches who make the safety of student athletes their number one priority. We are very proud of this accomplishment, and we will continue working hard to educate coaches, players, and parents about all safety issues related to athletic participation.” “This is something great for the community,” said Stephanie Clark. “My goal is to provide athletes at Hoover with the same healthcare that athletes on the collegiate and professional level are offered. Athletes on the secondary level,especially in West Virginia, aren’t given that opportunity often and with the help of some awesome coaches, parents,administrators, and community, Herbert Hoover is very close to that goal.”
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Athletes representing every HHHS sport
“The health and safety of student-athletes is critical as it has both immediate and long-term effects,” said NATA President Tory Lindley, MA, ATC. “We are proud to see the list of award recipients grow exponentially each year as schools see the immense value in holding themselves to best practices and policies that ensure a high standard of athlete care.” In order to achieve Safe Sports School status, as Herbert Hoover High School did, athletic programs must do the following: • Create a positive athletic health care administrative system • Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations • Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities • Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment • Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes • Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions • Provide or facilitate injury intervention • Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan • Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/ education • Be sure athletes and parents are educated about the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities To apply, schools complete an in-depth questionnaire that assesses adherence to best practice standards and recommendations. Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals
who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. They prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries from sports, physical and occupational activity, and provide immediate care for acute injuries. Athletic trainers offer a continuum of care that is unparalleled in health care. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 45,000 members of the athletic training profession. At Your Own Risk is NATA’s public awareness campaign designed to educate, provide resources and equip the public to act and advocate for safety in work, life, and sport. In an effort to provide comprehensive information, the association has launched a website that provides recommendations on keeping student athletes and communities active and employees safe on the job. Visit AtYourOwnRisk.org.
Stephanie Clark, HHHS Athletic Trainer, with Zach Spencer
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Hafer
Myers Chapel
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WORTH THE DRIVE! If you haven’t been to Pizzas and Cream at Nebo (off the Big Otter Exit on I-79), you are missing one of Elk River’s hidden treasures! March 11 marks the fourth year since it opened its doors, serving wood-fired, brick-oven pizza, and delicious homemade ice cream and frozen desserts.
In the fall of 2013, Ed and Stephen, his son, started building their own fire-brick oven. It was more of a hobby when they first started cooking in the wood-fired oven. Then they started cooking pizza for church events, neighbors and family. Their dream of starting a pizza shop started to become a reality when it was apparent everyone enjoyed the pizza as much as they did. The next year in June 2014, they broke ground and started building their store around the fire-brick oven, mainly by themselves, except for special needs such as electrical. On March 11, 2015, the Millers had the grand opening of their new business, Pizzas and Cream. Their pizza crust is a sourdough recipe from a starter they began in 2013. Their ingredients are fresh and several are homegrown there in their garden when in season. In the summer, their heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil create the best margherita pizza ever. Specialty pizzas range from supreme, gourmet 4 cheese, cheesy mexican, meat and merlot, and fire-brick BBQ pulled pork or chicken-topped pizza just to name a few. Delicious homemade fresh salads have also been added to the menu. Be sure to check out their new deluxe cheesy bread. Shelby Clawson, who always greets you with a smile, and
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Hart Family enjoys pizza outside on a warm spring evening
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hen Ed and Joy Miller went to Italy for their 25th wedding anniversary, little did they know they would be bringing home more than souvenirs. They also came home with a dream of building a fire-brick pizza oven of their own, just like the ones they saw in many backyards in Italy. By the way, dreams do come true! Why the name Pizzas and Cream? Ed said when he and Joy, his wife, would travel south through peach country, Ed remarked one day, “If I ever had a place, I think I would call it Pizzas and Cream (play on words) and would have both in one shop!”
Chef Ed Miller, Shelby Clawson, Joy Miller, and Stephen Miller
Homemade Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Shelby Clawson and Joy Miller
several other employees, make sure every pizza or salad is assembled with quality and love. In addition to pizza, the Millers also decided to make homemade ice cream and frozen desserts. Originally, they were just going to offer gelato and Italian Ice which went along with the Italian theme, but Ed was able to find a machine that could make all types of frozen desserts. Continuing with their passion for quality, homemade menu items, they decided to create and offer special flavors of ice cream such as Oreo Cookies and Cream and Strawberry Brownie Truffle in addition to their delicious chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and butter pecan. They like to do seasonal flavors as well, including blackberry cobbler or peach cobbler ice cream in the summer. We watched Stephen roast the pecans in the fire-brick oven, stir them into their homemade sauce, and then pour it into the fresh cream mixture--it was truly watching an artisan at work. Funny story: they offered the butter pecan ice cream as one of the monthly specials
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but when the month was over, customers demanded that it still be on the menu. And so it is! It’s no surprise they have been named as one of West Virginia’s 10 Best Ice Cream Parlors and 10 Best Pizza Restaurants. They were also among the 101 Unique Places to Dine in WV in 2017. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting outside at one of the many picnic tables under a large umbrella and enjoying pizza and ice cream. They offer a variety of classic, glass-bottled sodas in their antique coca-cola cooler. Free-range chickens roam about, and if you toss them one of your pizza crusts, they are forever grateful. Ed says the newer chickens don’t come out around the guests like the older “smarter” chickens do.
Pizzas and Cream welcomes you!
Pizzas and Cream is located at 133 Nebo Walker Road at Nebo, WV, about a 45 minute drive from Charleston. Call ahead and place your order at 304.286.2985. You can see their menu and driving directions on Facebook, Pizzas & Cream, or at www.pizzasandcream.com. They are closed Sunday and Monday and are open Tuesday through Saturday from 4-10PM. Note: cash or check only please.
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ELK REFLECTS Elk River Living will feature a bit of history each month from the many towns located along the Elk River. Many of the excerpts will be from the Elk River Communities of Kanawha County Volumes I, II, and III which are a collection of individual stories written or submitted by persons for publication by the Elk-Blue Creek Historical Society. Volumes II ($10) and III ($30) are available for purchase at the Elk River Museum of Kanawha County located on the second floor of the Elk River Community and Education Center at Elkview. For more information, contact Richard Bashlor or Carolyn Pirnat at 304.965.6596 or 304.965.3991.
Falling Rock got its name from the creek that flows from Clay County into Elk River. The original post office in the area was called “Weir”. The post office was located in a community a mile or two up the creek from where it flows into the Elk. When the Weir Post Office was closed and the post office area was expanded, it became Falling Rock. Legend has it that Falling Rock Creek got its name, not from the rocks that fall from the rocky hillside, but from the days of the Indians. The story goes that a man was trying to escape from the Indians and went over a rock cliff with Indians in pursuit. An Indian chasing him supposedly exclaimed, “Man falling over rock!” The Weir area of Falling Rock was the site of probably the oldest oil refinery in the United States. Falling Rock Creek had an outcropping of cannel coal which was a hard, volatile fuel. Samples of it attracted British and American interests to build refineries to distill lamp oil. In 1850, a refinery to manufacture lamp oil was built at Weir. A 15- foot chimney complete with arches on its sides still stands, the only remaining part of what was once Weir. This photo was taken in 1953 shows the chimney that was a key part of the cannel coal refinery hear Falling Rock on the Elk River.
ERL would also like to feature any of your Elk River memories as well. Go to elkriverliving.com and select Reader’s Submission, Elk’s Journal, to submit your story.
ELK RIVER LIVING
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HEADHUNTERS STYLING COMPANY Another Successful Year -- Salon is Elk River Proud!
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and Primitives which was destroyed by The Flood in Clendenin; Kim Simmons, formerly of New Attitudes of Big Chimney; Morgan Jackson; Ciara Brown, and Nalu Cooper. These seven, talented stylists are the reason clients love the hair salon. From razor cuts, men’s clipper cuts, balayage and ombre hair color, updo’s, and all aspects of family hair care, HeadHunters has it all.
ike Mooney says, “Hair has always been my passion,” says owner of HeadHunters Styling Company. “It’s all I have ever wanted to do.” HeadHunters Styling Company celebrated its fourth year in March at its new location at the plaza in Mink Shoals. Mike loves serving the Elk River clientele and takes pride in giving back to the community. The salon is very active in local fundraisers and has also sponsored a little league team this year. Additionally, they are proud to be the contributing hair salon chosen for channels 8 and 11 news teams.
Originally, the salon was located beside Olin’s Market at Elk Hills and was named Elk Hills Salon of Beauty. It was owned by Sue, Angie, and Amy Shafer of Clendenin who also operated HeadHunters Styling Company at the Elkview Crossings Mall. When the
Stylists include Mike Mooney and Donna Carper, formerly of HeadHunters; Angela Hunt, formerly of Angela’s Cuts
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Photo Credit: Phil Blackwell
“it was so nice to join a team in a happy environment without all of the responsibility of running my own shop.” She is so thankful for the salon and says “my clients love coming here.” Angela said, “After The Flood, I was devastated. I am so happy to be at HeadHunters and still be able to serve my clients from Clendenin, the town that I love.”
Shafer’s closed their HeadHunters salon at Elkview, the original Elk Hills Salon of Beauty was renamed HeadHunters Styling Company. Seven years ago, Mike took over the salon and then, four years ago, he moved it to its present location at Mink Shoals. The shop has always been a part of the Elk River, dating back to 1991. The new location at Mink Shoals provides the salon with plenty of parking and room for expansion. Mike said, “We had simply outgrown our former location at Elk Hills and we needed more room to accommodate our growing clientele.” Mike graduated from Charleston School of Beauty. He and Donna have over 30 years of experience, Kim has over 40 years, and Angela has over 17 years. All of the stylists possess excellent skills, including Brazilian Blowouts, Scruples, Matrix, Pravanna, Big Sexy, and Redken training. They also specialize in formal hair and updo’s for weddings, proms and formal events. Clients all comment on the friendly faces that greet them when they come to the salon. Morgan said, “Our clients say it feels like home when they walk in the door.” Kim, who formerly had a shop of her own, said
Mike says future plans include tape-in hair extensions, spray tanning, and a new nail station. Donna says, “If you are looking for a professional, but relaxed and welcoming hair salon, HeadHunters is a perfect choice.” Stop by HeadHunters Styling Company at 2777 Pennsylvania Avenue (right off the Mink Shoals exit) and see their complete array of hair products and take advantage of their quality hair care at affordable prices. Photo Credit: Phil Blackwell
DAV OF WV ASSISTS VETERANS
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f you are looking for information on disability claims, benefits, charities, insurance, medical care, education, programs and compensation for veterans of the United States Armed Forces, the Disabled American Veteran (DAV) headquarters for West Virginia is located on the first floor of the Elk River Community and Education Center.
The Hospital Transportation Network is also a valuable service of the DAV. They have volunteer drivers who transport veterans to and from their appointments at veteran medical centers. For more information, contact the DAV office at 304.965.3246.
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Photo Credit: Phil Blackwell
Charlene Herring works at the headquarters and helps veterans and their family members with the services they need. She gathers their information and forwards it to DAV service officers who are trained to process claims. If a claim has been denied, the DAV volunteer organization also helps with the claim processing.
ELK RIVER LIVING
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Charlene Herring; Photo Credit: Phil Blackwell
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RFRN Focuses on Local Community Awareness The Regional Family Resource Network (RFRN) located at the Elk River Community Center (Room 202) is a hub for family and children services and resources in Boone, Kanawha, and Putnam counties. Their partnership with the Kanawha Communities That Care coalition recently formed the new Elk River Partnership which focuses on substance abuse prevention and a strong, healthy, safe community.
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The Elk River Partnership met in October for the first time and decided to find more ways to keep youths engaged. They had movie and first responder night at the Sand Run Gospel Church on February 22 and approximately 100 people attended. They are also having Drug Free All Stars at Elkview Middle School and Herbert Hoover High School on March 22. If you would like to know more about Elk River Partnership, Michelle Bowles, Executive Director with the RFRN, encourages you to attend their monthly meeting which is held on the third Tuesday of each month. Their next meeting is on May 21, 6:30 PM, at Elkview Baptist Church (Fisher Hall).
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Elk Valley Advisory Board BIG Book Sale
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The Elk Valley Advisory Board will be holding a book sale at the Elk Valley Branch Library. The sale will run from Friday and Saturday, April 4-6, with a special early bird sale Thursday evening, April 4. There will be something for everyone. Great prices, plenty of selection. Books, DVDs, magazines and Children’s books. Help support the library. All proceeds will go toward the Annual Assessment. The Used Book Sale will run April 4-6. Set up will begin Wednesday, April 3 (Noon - 8 PM) and Thursday, April 4 (8 AM- 5 PM). Book Sale hours of operation are as follows: Thursday, April 4 from 5-7:30 PM, Friday, April 5 from 10 AM - 4 PM, and on Saturday, April 6 from 10 AM - 3 PM. The Elk Valley Branch Library is located at 313 The Crossings Mall, Elkview.
MATICS Funeral Home Charles L. “Sonny” Matics, Owner Anthony R. “Tony” Matics, Licensed Dir. 8539 ELK RIVER ROAD NORTH CLENDENIN, WV 25045 maticsfuneralhome@suddenlink.net 304.548.6611
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Local Schools Help Knock Out Hunger The results of the Elk River Backpack Blessings first HUNGER GAMES have been tallied. In total, five schools participated in the inaugural Hunger Games: Shoals Elementary, Elk Center Elementary, Pinch Elementary, Herbert Hoover High School and Bridge Clendenin Elementary, collecting over 8,400 food items! Shoals Elementary collected a total of 1,596 Fruit Cups and the winning district was Ms. Harrison and Ms. Humphrey’s classes. Elk Center Elementary collected 4,787 packages of Ramen and the winning district was the second grade classes. Pinch Elementary collected 418 mac and cheese cups and the winning district was Ms. Christian’s class. Herbert Hoover High School collected 352 packages of cookies and the winning district was Mrs. Ridenour’s fifth period class. Bridge Clendenin Elementary collected 1,254 applesauce cups and the winning district was the fourth grade classes. Angela Brown, Director, would like to thank everyone for their support. ERBB Pack a Bag Night is each Thursday at 6 PM (except for spring break week) at All Seasons Self Storage in Elkview, WV. Help decrease the burden of childhood hunger in the Elk Valley by supporting ERBB.
New Interactive Festival Website The Clendenin Homecoming Festival has a new website. Check out the the exciting events scheduled for this year’s festival June 2123. A preview of some of the events include Craft and Sales, Adam Calvert with special guest, Non-Friction, 5K Run and Walk, Royal Pancake Breakfast, The Big Homecoming River Float, Festival Grand Parade, Elk River Idol, Classic Car Cruise-In, Cornhole and Horseshoe Tournament, Great Rubber Ducky Race, The Band Steele with special guest Mikel Buck Band, and the Festival Elk River Bass Tournament 2019. All payments and registrations can now be completed online. If you are a food vendor or a craft and sales vendor and are interested in participating in the 2019 Clendenin Homecoming Festival events, please go to www.clendeninhomecomingfestival.com for more information.
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CASA Needs Your Help Would you like to help local children who have been abused and neglected? CASA is looking for volunteers! CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates – are volunteers who have been appointed by the Court to advocate for children who have been removed from their parents due to allegations of abuse and neglect. The need for CASA Volunteers is greater than ever! Children are the true victims of the opioid epidemic and we are seeing increasing numbers of children in the foster care system every year. CASA Volunteers can come from any walk of life but must be at least 21 years old. Volunteers are screened and trained by CASA staff, and then sworn in by the Court with the oath of confidentiality. Once the application and training process is complete, CASA Volunteers usually spend 5-7 hours per month working with the children, attending court hearings and other meetings, and writing reports to the Court. Those reports allow the CASA to communicate with the Court, making recommendations about the child’s best interest, while maintaining confidentiality for the child. In essence, the CASA Volunteer is giving a voice to a child! Western Regional CASA is having Informational Meetings for anyone interested in becoming a CASA Volunteer! An Informational Meetings will be held at the Elk Valley Library on Thursday, May 2, 6pm-7pm. Western Regional CASA staff members will be on hand to explain more about CASA, volunteer duties, confidentiality, and the process of becoming a CASA Volunteer. They will also be able to answer any questions at that time. All are welcome to attend. If you would like more information about becoming a CASA Volunteer, please contact Alison Gerlach, Volunteer Supervisor for Kanawha, Roane, and Calhoun Counties, at 304-693-2291 extension 1 or at agerlach@teamwv.org.
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LOCAL COLLEGE STUDENTS ROCK GPAs Elk River living would like to recognize the following students who shared with us their honorary Dean’s or President’s list achievements from the Winter 2018 semester. Michelle Mandy Spiegel, President’s List and Dean’s List at the Darla Moore Business School at the University of South Carolina, as a result of earning a perfect 4.0 GPA during her first semester. She is the daughter of Richard and Wendy Young Spiegel of Charleston and the granddaughter of Bill and Paula Young of Elkview. Alexandra Kingsley Ellis, made the Dean’s List last semester at WVSU with a 4.0 GPA. She’s been accepted to one of the top PA programs in the nation at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Health Professions in Boston, and will matriculate there in May. Her parents are Tom and Mara (Boggs) Ellis. Grandparents are Harold and Ruth McCoy Boggs and Floyd and Camilla Ellis. ERL is proud of and welcomes your student’s college achievements. If you would like to share your info with ERL, email me at cyndi@elkriverliving.com.
You Won’t Want to Miss Meatloaf Day
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The Elk River Community and Education Center serves a hot meal Monday through Friday at noon. This service is provided by the Kanawha Valley Senior Services. The delicious menu changes daily but Karen Edwards, their cook, is famous for her meatloaf which is everyone’s favorite. For more information call 304.965.3175.
Leoma Shaffer, Sam Shinn, & Betty Hunter Photo Credit Phil Blackwell
The annual H. E. White Elementary RAMP DINNER will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on May 5th. Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss it. This year take-out orders will be available at a drive-through window located at the end of the building to alleviate parking and traffic congestion. As always, you can take out or eat in! The menu includes ramps, fried potatoes (with or without ramps), pinto and white beans, cornbread, corn, green beans, drink and dessert. H. E. White Elementary is located at 501 Bomont Road, Bomont, WV.
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Karen Edwards, Cook; Photo Credit Phil Blackwell
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Save the Date
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READER’S SUBMISSION This month’s Reader Submission photograph is from Tracy Bowen, 1985 Herbert Hoover High School Alumnus. His dad, Obe Bowen from Clendenin, worked at Elk Refinery from 1964 to 1978 when he retired.
If you would like to submit a photo, work of art, short story, poem, knitwork - whatever inspires you - please reach out to us at elkriverliving.com or contact cyndi@elkriverliving.com
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ELK RIVER LIVING
ELK’S JOURNAL 2016 FLOOD On June 23, 2016 a "thousand year" flood devastated the Elk River Community and areas of central and southern West Virginia. A tremendous amount of rain fell with nowhere to go but into local waterways. Many streams, creeks, and rivers turned into raging torrents, wasshing away everything in its path. The losses were far reaching, extending to local destruction of area schools, businesses and community buildings. The flash flood killed twentythree people making the event the third deadliest in West Virginia history.
This month’s reader submission is from John Campbell, a HHHS Senior. He is a kicker on the football team, a soccer captain, and also participates with the basketball and track teams. He is a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Mink Shoals, and was just accepted to the WVU Honors College, where he will begin his studies in Exercise Physiology.
My family felt the impact of this flood, losing all the contents of the first floor in our home. It was necessary for me to live with my grandmother in St. Albans due to the mold infestation. I had just obtained my drivers license and I was responsible to commute independently to my home to help repair the damages caused by the flood. These damages induced an immense financial burden to my family. It was tough being apart from my mom, dad, and sister during this time as they lived in Elkview with my paternal grandparents. This taught me the value of family and appreciating the here and now. During the Fall there was much confusion on where the sports teams would practice and play their games. The athletic fields were flooded contaminated, and unusable. The soccer, football, and basketball teams were forced to practice at alternative locations. We no longer had the luxury of locker rooms, weight rooms, and team meeting facilities. Through all the challenges we rallied as a team and community and were able to have successful seasons in all three sports. For the first time in school history, the stands were filled by our community at the Charleston Civic Center as our basketball team played in the WVSSAC State Tournament. The most challenging part was adapting to the new educational environment. Herbert Hoover High School was required to share a building with Elkview Middle School due to the absence of another education building. Our instructional time was cut in half for one full school year due to this situation. It was difficult to obtain all the material required with the reduction in time. The following year we received FEMA portables to continue our education. This was a very unique experience and has taught me how to adapt and overcome any situation life may throw my way. The flood has taught me many valuable lessons. I will never look at tangible items the same again. I realize things can change in an instant and not to take anything or anyone for granted. I feel blessed and thankful to live in a community who have rallied together and overcame this catastrophe. Thank you for your consideration and providing me this opportunity to share my story.
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