Friends Wilderness Center

The Friends Wilderness Center near Harpers Ferry and Charles Town will have an open house and spring fest Saturday, May 17. The Quaker-sponsored retreat is set amidst a remarkable forested wilderness preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains bordering the Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah River.  Overnight camping is available that night in the tree house, which sleeps 20, and the cozy yurt. Or you can bring your tent. Activities include hands-on art activities inspired by British artist Andy Goldsworthy for younger and older, plus tours of the grounds, hikes, and a picnic lunch for $7 (or bring your own). Unwind, read, meditate or vegetate, meet nice folks, and maybe join in song or poetry. The event is free and open to all who seek to nurture their spirit in nature. Register by May 15th.  Details at www. friendswilderness.org.

Jefferson Adds Four Landmarks

Four Jefferson County farms have been added to the rolls of county landmarks by the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission. On March 20th, the JCHLC officially designated four properties in southern Jefferson County with the honorary distinction of Jefferson County Historic Landmark. The new landmark properties include: Eastwood, owned by Stanley and Kitty Dunn, Riggs-Stiles, owned by Stanley and Barbara Stiles, Wayside, owned by James Keel, and Westwood whose owner is Alice Reynolds. With the addition of these four properties,  Jefferson County has ninety Historic Landmarks.

Trinity Kids Yard Sale

Trinity Treasure Kids will be having its annual yard sale fundraiser May 8, 9 and 10, from 9am to 2pm at the Trinity Episcopal Church Chapel. This fundraiser supports the nonprofit Treasure Kids Preschool Program and will feature household items, toys, books, clothing, and other treasures. The yard sale also will include a bake sale and country ham sandwiches—always a crowd favorite.

Health and Fitness Day at Sam Michaels

MCPT and Jefferson County Parks & Recreation will host the first annual Health and Fitness Fun Day May 17, 9am to 1pm at the Jefferson County Community Center at Sam Michaels Park. This free family event will be a positive, informational, and fun event, says Mark Crutchfield, owner of MCPT. Activities include health screenings, fitness classes, lectures from professionals in the health and fitness industry, and dance performances. For the kids there will be a moonbounce and give-a-ways throughout the day. The first 100 attendees will receive a special prize. For information contact MCPT at 202-607-3447 or Bryan Snow at the community center at 304-728-3207. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are also available.

Poetry Night Raises $4,000 For Library

The Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) raised over $4,000 for the library’s programs at their April 11 Left of the Bank fundraiser. More than 80 people attended to enjoy the artistry of local poets and poetry enthusiasts.  Don Oehser and his trio entertained the crowd with their music. The setting was “Casa Carlos,” the home of Carlos Niederhauser and Liz Wheeler. “Left of the Bank” sponsors were BB&T Bank, John and Jenny Allen, Martin Burke, Judge Gina Groh and Family, Richard and Joan Lyon, Pam and Lex Miller, and Lisa and Paul Welch. In-kind contributions were provided by caterer Sylvia Ellsworth, Jefferson Distributors, Grapes and Grains, the Stone Soup Bistro, and the Press Room, as well as many local home chefs.

Free Classes at Harmony

Harmony Healing Arts Center will offer several free classes in yoga during May, including a free prenatal yoga class Friday, May 9, from 5–6pm, taught by Christa Mastrangelo Joyce. The class is a free treat for moms in honor of Mother’s Day. This class will precipitate a three-class series that begins on May 16 ($36. / $30 advance registration). Classes are held at Harmony Healing Arts Center/Shanti Saagar Yoga, at 207 East New Street in Shepherdstown. The Center also hosts an ongoing Free Healing Energywork Clinic twice a month. Event details are at www.ssyoga.org, or by calling JiJi or Judy at 304-283-6188 or 304-876-6918.

Network Hosts Nonprof Workshops

The Nonprofit Education and Training Network (NET), a partnership of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, Carl M. Freeman Foundation, and Shepherd University, will offer two workshops this spring to support nonprofit organizations in the Eastern Panhandle. The first, “Grant Writing and Grantor Research,” will be held Wednesday, May 28,  9:30am to 3:30pm at Shepherd University. This is an introductory course on researching corporate and foundation funders, as well as how to craft a grant request. The workshop will be led by Amy Owen, executive director of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation. Registration, lunch included, is $25. Register at www.uwayep.org under the “community resources” tab. For information, contact Trina Bartlett at 304-596-5529 or uwepdci@comcast.net.

May Audubon Events

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will host a field trip to Blandy Experimental Farm in Clarke County, Va., May 4, focusing on the farm’s Bluebird Trail. The 700-acre Blandy Farm is the University of Virginia research facility, and houses the Virginia state arboretum. Participants will meet at 8am in the parking lot next to the arboretum’s information pavilion, and the organized portion of the trip will last until about 11am. All are welcome. For information about Blandy Farm see www.virginia.edu/blandy. For information about the trip, Nancy Kirschbaum, 304-876-6881 or nancyk500@comcast.net.

Fish Expert Speaks at Cacapon. On May 29 at Cacapon State Park, Vicki S. Blazer, fish pathologist at the Leetown Science Center’s National Fish Health Research Laboratory will speak about fish kills and related problems in the Potomac River and its tributaries. The program will be held in the Daniel Morgan Room of the park’s lodge starting at 7pm. Admission is free and open to the public. For information, Peter Smith, 304-876-1139 or pvsmith@frontiernet.net.

Rotary Seminar Outlines Water Woes

The Shepherdstown Rotary Club’s annual World Affairs Seminar, held April 21, highlighted Water: An Imperiled Resource. Issues of water access, and availability, were outlined in startling detail by three Shepherdstown-area scientists who are known  widely for their work. The event, held at Shepherd University’s Byrd Center, was opened by SU President Suzanne Shipley. The following morning, the seminar was presented to 200 Jefferson County high school students. Students and community members looked at how countries in the developing world are dealing with problems like drought, lack of potable water and sanitation, floods, and fresh water sources made unusable due to contamination or poor planning. The students had hands on experience dealing with disposal of prescription medications to the importance of ground and surface water resources and the need to protect our regional watersheds.

Friends Wilderness Center

The Friends Wilderness Center near Harpers Ferry and Charles Town will have an open house and spring fest Saturday, May 17. The Quaker-sponsored retreat is set amidst a remarkable forested wilderness preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains bordering the Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah River.  Overnight camping is available that night in the tree house, which sleeps 20, and the cozy yurt. Or you can bring your tent. Activities include hands-on art activities inspired by British artist Andy Goldsworthy for younger and older, plus tours of the grounds, hikes, and a picnic lunch for $7 (or bring your own). Unwind, read, meditate or vegetate, meet nice folks, and maybe join in song or poetry. The event is free and open to all who seek to nurture their spirit in nature. Register by May 15th.  Details at www.friendswilderness.org.

Jefferson Adds Four Landmarks

Four Jefferson County farms have been added to the rolls of county landmarks by the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission. On March 20th, the JCHLC officially designated four properties in southern Jefferson County with the honorary distinction of Jefferson County Historic Landmark. The new landmark properties include: Eastwood, owned by Stanley and Kitty Dunn, Riggs-Stiles, owned by Stanley and Barbara Stiles, Wayside, owned by James Keel, and Westwood whose owner is Alice Reynolds. With the addition of these four properties,  Jefferson County has ninety Historic Landmarks.

Trinity Kids Yard Sale

Trinity Treasure Kids will be having its annual yard sale fundraiser May 8, 9 and 10, from 9am to 2pm at the Trinity Episcopal Church Chapel. This fundraiser supports the nonprofit Treasure Kids Preschool Program and will feature household items, toys, books, clothing, and other treasures. The yard sale also will include a bake sale and country ham sandwiches—always a crowd favorite.

Health and Fitness Day at Sam Michaels

MCPT and Jefferson County Parks & Recreation will host the first annual Health and Fitness Fun Day May 17, 9am to 1pm at the Jefferson County Community Center at Sam Michaels Park. This free family event will be a positive, informational, and fun event, says Mark Crutchfield, owner of MCPT. Activities include health screenings, fitness classes, lectures from professionals in the health and fitness industry, and dance performances. For the kids there will be a moonbounce and give-a-ways throughout the day. The first 100 attendees will receive a special prize. For information contact MCPT at 202-607-3447 or Bryan Snow at the community center at 304-728-3207. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are also available.

Poetry Night Raises $4,000 For Library

The Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) raised over $4,000 for the library’s programs at their April 11 Left of the Bank fundraiser. More than 80 people attended to enjoy the artistry of local poets and poetry enthusiasts.  Don Oehser and his trio entertained the crowd with their music. The setting was “Casa Carlos,” the home of Carlos Niederhauser and Liz Wheeler. “Left of the Bank” sponsors were BB&T Bank, John and Jenny Allen, Martin Burke, Judge Gina Groh and Family, Richard and Joan Lyon, Pam and Lex Miller, and Lisa and Paul Welch. In-kind contributions were provided by caterer Sylvia Ellsworth, Jefferson Distributors, Grapes and Grains, the Stone Soup Bistro, and the Press Room, as well as many local home chefs.

Free Classes at Harmony

Harmony Healing Arts Center will offer several free classes in yoga during May, including a free prenatal yoga class Friday, May 9, from 5–6pm, taught by Christa Mastrangelo Joyce. The class is a free treat for moms in honor of Mother’s Day. This class will precipitate a three-class series that begins on May 16 ($36. / $30 advance registration). Classes are held at Harmony Healing Arts Center/Shanti Saagar Yoga, at 207 East New Street in Shepherdstown. The Center also hosts an ongoing Free Healing Energywork Clinic twice a month. Event details are at www.ssyoga.org, or by calling JiJi or Judy at 304-283-6188 or 304-876-6918.

Network Hosts Nonprof Workshops

The Nonprofit Education and Training Network (NET), a partnership of the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle, Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, Carl M. Freeman Foundation, and Shepherd University, will offer two workshops this spring to support nonprofit organizations in the Eastern Panhandle. The first, “Grant Writing and Grantor Research,” will be held Wednesday, May 28,  9:30am to 3:30pm at Shepherd University. This is an introductory course on researching corporate and foundation funders, as well as how to craft a grant request. The workshop will be led by Amy Owen, executive director of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation. Registration, lunch included, is $25. Register at www.uwayep.org under the “community resources” tab. For information, contact Trina Bartlett at 304-596-5529 or uwepdci@comcast.net.

May Audubon Events

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will host a field trip to Blandy Experimental Farm in Clarke County, Va., May 4, focusing on the farm’s Bluebird Trail. The 700-acre Blandy Farm is the University of Virginia research facility, and houses the Virginia state arboretum. Participants will meet at 8am in the parking lot next to the arboretum’s information pavilion, and the organized portion of the trip will last until about 11am. All are welcome. For information about Blandy Farm see www.virginia.edu/blandy. For information about the trip, Nancy Kirschbaum, 304-876-6881 or nancyk500@comcast.net.

Fish Expert Speaks at Cacapon. On May 29 at Cacapon State Park, Vicki S. Blazer, fish pathologist at the Leetown Science Center’s National Fish Health Research Laboratory will speak about fish kills and related problems in the Potomac River and its tributaries. The program will be held in the Daniel Morgan Room of the park’s lodge starting at 7pm. Admission is free and open to the public. For information, Peter Smith, 304-876-1139 or pvsmith@frontiernet.net.

Rotary Seminar Outlines Water Woes

The Shepherdstown Rotary Club’s annual World Affairs Seminar, held April 21, highlighted Water: An Imperiled Resource. Issues of water access, and availability, were outlined in startling detail by three Shepherdstown-area scientists who are known  widely for their work. The event, held at Shepherd University’s Byrd Center, was opened by SU President Suzanne Shipley. The following morning, the seminar was presented to 200 Jefferson County high school students. Students and community members looked at how countries in the developing world are dealing with problems like drought, lack of potable water and sanitation, floods, and fresh water sources made unusable due to contamination or poor planning. The students had hands on experience dealing with disposal of prescription medications to the importance of ground and surface water resources and the need to protect our regional watersheds.

The “shred day” dates and times are as follows:

Charles Town
May 2, 2008 from 10:00 am to 3:00pm     (Friday)          
Charles Town Branch  --  111  East Washington Street
May 8, 2008 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Thursday)
     
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry Branch  -- 1366 W. Washington Street
 May 8, 2008 from 1:00pm to 3:00 pm (Thursday)
    
Kearneysville
Kearneysville Branch  --  5480 Charles  Town Road
May 9, 2008 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am (Friday)  
        
Hedgesville
Hedgesville Branch  --  119 Cowardly Lion Drive
May 9, 2008 from 12:00 pm to 4:00pm (Friday)
         
Martinsburg
Martinsburg Branch – 9738 Tuscarora Pike
May 9, 2008 from 12:00 pm to 4:00pm   (Friday)

JHS Soccer Champs Honored
The Jefferson High School Baseball Program honored the 2007 JHS Girls Soccer Champions on March 15 at Sager Field.  Pictured in the attached file are, left to right: First row, Kara Barnholt, Kirsten Chaney, Katie Perry, Samantha Durham, Melody Massimino, Jenny Perry. Back row: Coach Katie Myers, Lauren Legg, Sarah Cogswell, Tiffany Banks, Sarah Cooper, Kaitlyn Mahoney, Amelia Parks, Heather Shaffer, Caitie Klug, Ebony Frame.