News Briefs

Mailer Brings Questions


The Charles Town City election that has been a quiet affair to date but took on a small controversy when a mailer was sent to most residents in Charles Town

The Mailer has caused quit a stir. The mailer is about the race in Ward 4. The candidates for the seat are the incumbent Rich Bringewatt and his challenger Geary Johns

At he tops of the mailer are two pictures. The picture on the left is a blurred picture of city Councilman Rich Bringewatt and on the right is a clear picture of Johns and his wife. There is a list of both men's qualification again Bringewatt column of information is slightly blurred while John’s column is clear. A picture of the Mailer can been seen at the top of this page.

Needless to say the Bringewatt camp is rather upset at the mailer and its content. Johns indicated in a published report that he had not sent the mailer though he does have a copy of it on his web page. Johns says that he has an idea that sent the mailer but did not want to make the name public.
Below is a list of candidates for the General election, which will be held On Thursday, May 23, 2013, at the Charles Town City Hall located at 101 E. Washington Street, with poll opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. for the purposes of electing four (4) council members and the City Mayor.
Mayor Peggy Smith is running unopposed as well as Sandra McDonald of Ward 1 and Chet Hines of Ward 2. Wards 3 and 4 are contested races In ward 3 Jonathan Wertman is running against incumbent Donald Clendening. In Ward 4 Gary Johns is running agents Councilman Rich Bringewatt

Ex Jefferson County Sheriff Robert "Bobby" Shirley Sentenced
Judgment Day came to Former Jefferson County Sheriff Robert "Bobby" Shirley yesterday. in a federal court in Wheeling West Virginia. Judge John Preston Bailey sentenced Shirley to one year and one day. It was reported the Shirley showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down After serving his time in prison, Shirley will also be placed on 18 months probation, according to the sentencing papers.. After serving his time in prison and must pay a fine of $1,085.89 in restitution according to the sentence .

Judge Bailey tols those present "The defendant had a duty to uphold the law and protect an innocent person, and Haines was as yet innocent," Bailey said. "As a law enforcement officer, he was tasked to protect and serve and did not do that on this occasion." The Judge added "As a law enforcement officer, he was tasked to protect and serve and did not do that on this occasion."Bailey told Shirley "not even law enforcement officers are above the law."
the judge expressed that the case was unique. Bailey acknowledged the 65 Letters and took them into consideration when deciding the sentence.
The Bureau of Prisons will determine the location where Shirley will serve his sentence, Mills said. In his sentencing, Bailey ordered that Shirley be remanded to the closest facility to Kearneysville.

Zion Baptist Church to hold fish dinner

CHARLES TOWN - Zion Baptist Church, 819 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., will host a fish dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Choice of dinners include fried fillet fish with fried potatoes and onions, freshly made coleslaw and rolls; or fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, seasoned greens and roll. Cost is $8 per dinner. All donations are welcome. For more information or to place an order, call 304-725-3530.
Notice of Public Hearing

The County Commission of Jefferson County will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the County Commission meeting room located at the Old Charles Town Library, 200 East Washington Street, Charles Town, WV 25414.

At this meeting, there will be public input on the Draft Fee Ordinance proposed by the Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency. Anyone wishing to provide written or oral comment may do so at this meeting or send comments to info@jeffersoncountywv.org.

No decisions will be made at this meeting. By Order of the County Commission of Jefferson County Dale Manuel President
Compiled and Written By James P. Whipple

Happing’s

Tobacco Warehouse

Friends of the Shepherdstown Riverfront are having an open house


The Friends of the Shepherdstown Riverfront are having an open house at the historic Mecklenburg Tobacco Warehouse on Saturday May 18, 2013. The building is located on the banks of the Potomac River at the north end of Princess Street in Shepherdstown. Several preservation projects have recently been completed at the warehouse and this is a rare opportunity to see inside the building. Docents will be available 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM to discuss the many uses the building has had through the years. Additional information about the building and the Friends of the Shepherdstown Riverfront can be found at:"http://www.shepherdstownriverfront.org/"

The Big Easy

The Friends of Music brings top-notch talent from around the world to the Frank Arts Center theater. we are proud to present our 2012-13 season. After browsing the events on line or you can purchase tickets online to any of these events or sponsor a concert If you become a Form member, guest passes to the concert series* are included in many of the levels of membership.

*Tickets to The 5 Browns are not included and must be purchased separately.

Take Note is new program offered by the Friends of Music to encourage the young audience to experience more live classical music. Concertgoers aged 15-35 may attend selected Friends of Music concerts for FREE! Please call the Friends of Music office for program exclusions and reservation information. For more information please call 304.876.2551

Beading Circle at CraftWorks

Join our local Beading Circle at CraftWorks Meeting Sunday, May 19 from 2-6pm 1469 Lloyd Road Charles Town, WV 25414

Whatever kind of beading you do, join this supportive and fun group to share ideas and techniques. Expand your horizons by seeing what others are making and doing.
Bring a project to work on and the supplies you'll need.
All levels and all types of projects welcome!
It’s free but please be sure to sign up at "http://www.wvcraftworks.org/"
For more information contact Linda Case, director CraftWorks at Cool Spring
469 Lloyd Road Charles Town, WV 25414. The phone number is. 304-728-6233
or email us at "http://www.wvcraftworks.org/" Connecting Art and Nature through Community A community supported nonprofit

West Virginia Greenbrier River Trail Bike Trek May 16-19
All proceeds from the event support the American Lung Association in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV – WHAT: The American Lung Association in West Virginia hosts the 2013 Greenbrier River Trail Bike Trek a 100-mile ride through Greenbrier River State Park on Thursday, May 16 to Sunday, May 19.
WHEN: Check-in begins at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 at Greenbrier Youth Camp. The bike trek ends at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 19.
WHO: The American Lung Association in West Virginia, the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research.
WHY: The event raises awareness for the 35 million Americans who suffer from lung disease and raises money to support research and local educational programs.
Compiled by James P. Whipple

Park Quest in Washington County Md.

(Hagerstown, MD) -- Families across the State are gearing up for a summer of adventure with the Maryland Park Service’s annual park-hopping challenge, Where a Family Becomes a Team. Registration for Park Quest 2013 begins at 6 p.m. on May 13. The event is expected to fill up quickly so interested participants are encouraged to register right away.


This year there are three sites in Washington County which are participating in Park Quest! South Mountain State Park (“Weverton Challenge”), Fort Frederick State Park, and the Woodmont Natural Resource Management Area new hiking trail.

The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau is once again a financial sponsor of this year’s Park Quest!

Up to 1,000 teams can register online at "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/parkquest/" to take part in the program’s sixth season. Last year, the event reached capacity in just 2 hours. Registered teams will have free access to the 24 featured sites with their Park Quest Passport, where they will participate in activities such as kayaking, biking, letterboxing, orienteering, scavenger hunts, biking and horseback riding.

A team must consist of at least one adult and one child 16 years of age or younger, and can be as large as 10 people. Each group’s goal is to compete in at least 10 quests from May 25 to September 2, 2013. Along the way, participants will record their journeys and successes on an online log, and use Facebook to share their pictures, experiences and tips with others.

Teams who successfully complete 10 of 24 quests by September 2 are eligible to compete in the Park Quest Rendezvous on September 21 at the Pickall Area of Patapsco Valley State Park in Howard County. The event will feature a variety of physical and memory-oriented competitions, festival activities, vendors and family programs. Teams that are registered and onsite for the Rendezvous will also be eligible outdoor-themed prizes such as camping gear, kayaks and vacation packages.

Park Quest has introduced hundreds of families to the many hidden treasures found in Maryland’s breathtaking public lands. Registration is free and includes entrance into all participating State Parks for all the quest activities.

Park Quest has developed into the overwhelmingly popular outdoor adventure it is today thanks to the generous donations from corporate sponsors and foundations. Sponsorships are coordinated by the Friends of Maryland State Forests and Parks. This year, REI and Diamondback will provide select teams with specialized training in camping and biking. To become a Park Quest sponsor, contact Ranger Peyton Taylor at "mailto:ptaylor@dnr.state.md.us".

Maryland State Parks not only provide great outdoor recreation opportunities, they are also a great asset to State and local economies. According to a 2010 study, co-sponsored by the Maryland Destination Marketing Organizations, Maryland State Parks have an estimated annual economic benefit of more than $650 million. In 2010, visitors directly spent more than $567 million locally during their visits ─ $25.56 for every dollar Maryland invests in State Parks. And nearly 95 percent of visitors had their expectations met or exceeded during their trip. The study is here: "http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/pdfs/economicimpactstudy2010.pdf".

Fort Frederick State Park, Woodmont NRMA, and South Mountain Recreation Area are members of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland’s forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland’s effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state’s number one environmental priority. Learn more at "http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/".

The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help attract visitors to Hagerstown and Washington County. The CVB helps to create vibrant growth for the local economy by promoting, developing, and expanding the local visitor industry. For more information about Hagerstown-Washington County, see "http://www.marylandmemories.com/".

Washington County has five national parks, eight state parks, over 30 museums, a renowned professional symphony orchestra, a professional minor league baseball team, and the county has been ranked first in the State of Maryland in the Retail Opportunity Index. Washington County is part of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area ("http://www.heartofthecivilwar.org/"), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area ("http://hallowedground.org/"). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: "http://www.quadstate81.com/".

The South Jefferson Public Library announce an art exhibit

SUMMIT POINT, WV, May 1, 2013. The South Jefferson Public Library is pleased to announce an art exhibit featuring the works of several local quilters in the area. The quilts on display are a combination of full sized quilts, wall-hangings, and table toppers. This exhibition is the 44th in the Art in the Library series hosted by the library to highlight the talents of local artists. The exhibit runs from May 1 to June 30th and can be viewed during library hours: The library is closed Fridays. The library is located at 49 Church St, Summit Point, WV.


Each of the exhibitors has written a short piece telling about themselves and their art.

Anita - As the only lefthander in a family of talented right handed needlewomen, I decided early on that learning any of the sewing arts was an impossibility. This was only confirmed by my grandmother who shooed me out to play after several frustrating hours spent attempting to teach me how to crochet. But love of quilts and embroidery won out. I made my first baby quilt in the 1980s and haven't stopped since.

Laura - is a biologist and quilt artist who lives in Jefferson County with her family. She enjoys the creative interaction of textile art and traditional quilting in nature-inspired pieces.

Laurie - I have been quilting for on and off for many years but after retiring and moving to West Virginia in 2005 I have been able to pursue my love of quilting on a much higher level. At this time I belong to three Quilt Guilds and do sewing for our church guilt group in addition to sewing for myself.

Lisa - My mom taught me to quilt in the late '90's - early 2000. Quilting relaxes me and keeps my head busy with new projects. I recently went back to work full time but I still do the newsletter for "Waterford Quilters Quild".

Marcia - I grew up sewing with my sister an found out through genealogy research that my great grandparents were tailors in Cincinnati. I have made quilts for all of my grandkids. My first quilt for my husband took 15 years to complete, but I have speeded up considerably. I enjoy all forms of needlecraft. I quilt with several others with the Zion Episcopal Church group.

Rita - I grew up watching my grandmother making quilts and treasure several that have been passed on to me especially a couple she made from flour sacks. I am retired and enjoy traveling, reading, gardening and being a part of the quilting group at Zion Episcopal Church.

Sue - I had sewn clothes for my two sons, but had not quilted I started working for a local library and a co-worker convinced me to try it. I have made quilts for my family and a few wall-hangings. I make quilts with a local charity group whose quilts go to people going through hard times. One of my favorite things is yearly quilt retreats with a group of online friends.

"History of Quilting

Throughout history, people have enjoyed quilts for many different reasons. Quilts can provide clues to the past. Quilts can provide warmth. Quilts can provide beauty and value. Quilts can provide heritage. Quilts can provide enjoyment from working with color, texture, and pattern.

Quilting can be traced back to ancient Egypt and China where three layers of fabrics (top, batting for warmth, and backing) were stitched together to keep the middle layer from slipping and clumping.

Later in the 11th Century, quilting was used to hold together the layers of padding under armor. From then on, quilting was a common form of needlework.

In the 18th Century, it was stylish for English women to wear quilted petticoats and underskirts and for men to wear quilted waistcoats. Quilted bedding was also popular. Quilts were first brought to the American Colonies during this century.

There are only written references of the first American quilts. These quilts were probably styled after English quilts. The first American quilts were probably not patchwork or applique', but whole cloth.

Quilting in America became popular in the 19th Century which was then when distinctly American patchwork and applique' designs were created. These quilts were produced for utility and pleasure and are inspiration for today's quilters. They are also an important part of American Folk Art.

From the 1940s to the 1970s, quilting was not a regular pastime for America. Since 1976, quilting has again become popular."* The American Quilter's Society Show & Contest held at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, MI this past August brought more than 21,500 attendees over a 3 day period.

*Fons, Marianne and Porter, Liz. Quilter's Complete Guide. Birmingham: Oxmoor House, Inc., and Leisure Arts, Inc., 1993. 8-9.

Jefferson Journeys is currently seeking participants for their new tourism passport

CHARLES TOWN, West Virginia (May 14, 2013) Are you a local Jefferson County, West Virginia business, government or non-profit that has an event, mission or retail outlet that a tourist would be interested in? Jefferson Journeys is currently seeking participants for their new tourism passport Visitor Inquisitor and the application deadline is right around the corner --May 31st.


Visitor Inquisitor takes tourists on an adventure to discover Jefferson County’s local businesses, events and culture while collecting stamps and memories. The passport will contain twelve categories: lodging, retail, relaxation, history, restaurants, visitor centers, nature, festivals & events, agritourism, theatre & arts, 21 & over and mystery clues. It is designed as an annual incentive program that seeks to introduce tourists to more of the county’s unique offerings while giving them an authentic vacation experience. As a bonus, “Agents” (passport holders) that collect 25 or more unique stamps will be entered into a drawing for a getaway to Jefferson County valued at $1000.

The program is a unique marketing plan has been modeled after other tourism passports and geotrails which are popular throughout the United States and Canada. Jefferson Journey’s founder and creative director, Charity Beth Long says, “Most passports are for a singular industry, such as wineries, museums or parks. The Nebraska Passport paved the way for a multi-sector passport which contains ten categories. Our Mystery Clue part of the adventure is most similar to the Gold Country GeoTrail and will lead visitors on a trail to find Jefferson County’s heritage, natural landscapes and monuments through a scavenger hunt activity called letterboxing”.

The combination of letterboxing and passport is only the start. Jefferson Journeys has designed the program as a cooperative effort that will unite tourism stakeholders by making them ambassadors for the Jefferson County tourism brand…along with their help and the online tourism magazine, Visitor Inquisitor will engage tourists from the moment they plan their trip online until the time they leave—to go home and tell their friends about their awesome experience in Jefferson County, West Virginia.

“We hope to put Jefferson County back on the map!” says Long. “In recent years our competitors have done a great job using their unique assets to attract tourists, creating trails, marketing their Civil War sites and even Washington family history to their advantage. Tourism can have a very positive impact on the local economy. It’s time we market our culture, and this geotourism program is just the thing to showcase our community as an authentic destination”.

Interested parties should contact Jefferson Journeys at "mailto:info@visitorinquisitor.com" or 304-885-9796. Applications and more information can also be found on the Visitor Inquisitor website at "http://www.visitorinquisitor.com/passport-details/passport-application/".

About Jefferson Journeys
Jefferson Journeys is a new tourism and events management company formed in the fall of 2012 which aims to foster geotourism assets within Jefferson County, West Virginia by creating brand awareness through innovative marketing, professional event planning and developing new tourism products. Our mission is to turn Jefferson County into a premier tourism destination for travelers worldwide by offering authentic experiences to visitors that highlight the heritage, beauty and excitement of the region.

Contact: Charity Beth Long, Founder & Creative Director
Jefferson Journeys, LLC. "mailto:Charity@jeffersonjourneys.com" 304-885-9796

.Getting Unused Medications Out Of Your Home Safely

(Ed Note I have ran this story before and I feel it needs repeating. Here in Jefferson County I understand that only the sheriffs department will take old drugs. Call the sheriffs office for more information there non emergency number is Telephone: 304-728-3205 or 304-728-3301 )




(NAPSI)—Here’s a surprising statistic: More than 4 billion prescriptions are written every year in the U.S. and approximately 40 percent of these drugs aren’t taken according to directions. Failing to finish a prescription medication is one of the most common issues, with Americans leaving 200 million pounds of medication unused annually. In some cases, patients may stop taking a drug once they feel better. Other situations leave caretakers with significant amounts of excess medications.

These unused medications can pose a number of problems. If left in the medicine cabinet, they can cause accidents with young children or may be abused by teens and adults. The problem is not as uncommon as some might think—nearly 7 million Americans over the age of 12 report having used prescription drugs in the past month for nonmedical reasons and the numbers are increasing.

The Lack of Good Disposal Options

In light of these figures, many people are seeing the importance of disposing of unused medication. Even when motivated to do so, however, people can be faced with limited options for getting rid of medications responsibly. In the past, some sources recommended flushing unused medicine down the toilet, but recent evidence shows trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in waterways and drinking water supplies. There have been over 1,000 published reports of pharmaceuticals in sewage, surface waters, groundwater and elsewhere, and an estimated 40 million people in the U.S. are exposed to it. Due to these findings, government authorities now say pharmaceuticals should not be disposed in the toilet or sink.

Throwing medication in the trash does not effectively neutralize the potentially harmful substances in the drugs. Mail-in disposal products are also available, but only for a limited range of substances, and they also require labels to be left on the medications, raising privacy concerns. Finally, some communities organize collection programs, but these can be inconvenient to access due to limited hours and the necessity for law enforcement to be present. Even when drugs are successfully collected through these programs, their eventual incineration can cause air pollution.

A New Method For Easy Disposal

Fortunately, a new product has recently been introduced to meet the need: a pouch with a specially designed inner packet of a drug-deactivating ingredient. Users simply place their medications into the pouch, add a small amount of water, seal it and dispose of the pouch in the household trash. A proprietary activated carbon system in the pouch neutralizes the medication, chemically deactivating the drug. After disposal, the pouch continues to work by keeping the drugs chemically bound so they cannot leach into groundwater from the landfill.

The main ingredient in the pouch, activated carbon, is used extensively in municipal water purification and in emergency treatments of drug overdosage. The pouch works with any prescription pharmaceutical product, including controlled drugs and narcotics. It’s compatible with drugs in tablet, capsule, liquid or patch form.

The Medsaway Medication Disposal System is an affordable and convenient way to increase the safety of your home and dispose of medications responsibly. It’s available in drugstores and online. Retail locations can be found at "http://www.medsaway.com/".