County News

Jef. Co. County Owes 113,00 on FOLA issue
A Freedom of Information Act (FOLA) case which was filed in 2009 by the Observer will cost Jefferson County $113,000 in legal fees. The Jefferson County Commission learned this at its regular Thursday meeting
Stephanie Grove Jefferson County Assistant Prosecutor Told the Commissioners “The county must pay the plaintiff's legal costs because of a provision in the state's FOIA laws.” The case stemmed from a Freedom of Information Act request filed by The Observer Newspaper. to the Jefferson County clerk's office. The names of people who signed a petition in 2009 was what the Observer wanted from the Jefferson County Clerk Jennifer Maghan. The vote was on the Jefferson County zoning referendum in 2009.
The case went through the court system. The Observer lost the case in the circuit court and appealed to the West Virginia Supreme Court. Last Year the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the newspaper and said that the names had to be released.
Grove told the commissioners that the fee-shifting provision in the state's FOIA law states that a petitioner who is denied public record access by a government official or agency, and who successfully prosecutes the FOIA case, is entitled to all legal fees and costs, of the Jefferson County Commission. that the county will have to pay more than $113,000 in legal fees in relation to a court case the county clerk's office was involved in during previous years.

South Jefferson Elementary gets Grant
South Jefferson Elementary was awarded a grant from The West Virginia Department of Education. The Grant a 21st Century Innovation Grant of $18,300 In a published report Principal Rick Jenkins said the money will make way for their "dream projects."
Schools had to plan a project that would cause an innovative change to receive a grant award. The school's grant committee included Roberta Pomponio, Keri Mahoney, Vicki Lewis, Chris Atkins and Jenkins, Melody Browning.
Shepherd University Commencement this Saturday.
Shepherd University is about to celebrate the 138 graduation class. The first one being held in 1873. The ceremony will take place this Saturday May 14. The commencement address will be delivered by Jim Lehrer, executive editor and anchor of the PBS News Hour. Lehrer will be awarded an honorary doctorate.It is estimated that 678 students will graduate. Valerie Owens, executive director of university communications at Shepherd. said that Tia and Robert A. McMillan will be honored. The McMillan’s will receive the presidents Award for their service at the University over the years.
Compiled by James P. Whipple

Washington Street Gallery & Gift First Anniversary Celebration

CHARLES TOWN, WV, May 9, 2011--Washington Street Gallery & Gift, located in historic downtown Charles Town, will mark one year in operation on Saturday, May 21, with a celebration 4-7 PM. “The 50 artists, artisans and authors associated with the gallery are inviting the community so they can thank people for their interest, their patronage and their participation,” says gallery owner Susan Ford Pritchard. "There is much to celebrate!"
The gallery opened its signature red door on May 2 of last year, and has seen hundreds of people walk through it since then – some purchasing art, some seeking framing services, some taking classes, some just looking. “All are welcome here,” says Pritchard, adding that people like visiting the gallery because there is usually at least one artist, artisan or author in the gallery to meet and chat with.
This is the only all-local gallery in Jefferson County. The gallery carries a wide selection of art and gift items in every price range.
For More Information, Contact: Susan Ford Pritchard, 304 433 4450
WHO: Washington Street Gallery & Gift
WHAT: First Anniversary Celebration
WHEN: Saturday May 21, 4-7 pm
WHERE: 235 W Washington Street, Charles Town, WV
We can be reached at 304/724-2090 or http://www.wstreetgallery.com/.

Summer Camp at the Full Circle Theater

This summer, we'll be offering two different theater camps. Registration is now open, and we recommend registering early, since our camps have sold out in the past. Registration info is at the bottom of the page.
Creative Drama Camp (for beginners to the performing arts/or ages 5 through 9)One Week (mornings only): Monday through Friday, July 25 - 29, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.This introductory class will lead children gently through the creative process toward developing a character and telling a story. The final hour of class will be a performance for family and friends.All-inclusive fee: $125
Theater Immersion Camp (for those with some experience in theater/or ages 10 - teen)Two Weeks (mornings and afternoons): Monday through Friday, August 1 - August 12, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Friday, August 12th, students will spend the entire day at camp, with the final performance ending around 8:00 p.m. that evening.)Our most popular summer adventure is back! Students in this camp are "immersed" in the theater experience, learning firsthand many aspects of theater production. Fun, hands-on games, activities, classes and rehearsals culminate in a full-scale production of the musical Rogue of the Railway on our main stage on the evening of the final day of camp!All-inclusive fee: $250
For more information, call the theater at 304-268-7798, or email us at camps@fullcircletheaterco.org.

The Civil War in Jefferson County" -- A Beallair History Series

Picture at right Beallair Plantion in 1930

The Beallair Community is inaugurating a semi-annual series of historical presentations to promote awareness of the rich history of Jefferson County. “The Civil War in the Jefferson County”, the first presentation, will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2011, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., at the historic Beallair Manor. Dennis E. Frye, Chief Historian at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, will talk on the beginning of the Civil War in Jefferson County. Roger Kaplan, former professor of history at West Point and the War College, will talk on the Shenandoah Campaign of 1864.
The talks will be followed by discussions with the speakers, tours of the manor house, Civil War Music, and other activates. There will be a number of living history presentations of solders and civilians from the Civil War Era. Tricia Strader, an award-winning Civil War living historian will portrayed her distant relative the famous Confederate spy Belle Boyd. This event is free and open to the public. For further information, contact Anthony DiGioia at 304-728-9436 or William DeRoche at 304-725-2710, or visit the Beallair History website http://www.beallairestate.info/
Directions to Beallair Manor
From Harpers Ferry: Take Rte. 340 west 4 miles toward Charles Town. Right on Old Country Club Road 1 mile. Right into Beallair Manor. Follow Beallair Manor Drive to the Beallair Manor House.
From Charles Town and Rte 9: Take exit to Rte. 340 east and proceed 1 mile past Charles Town. Left on Old County Club Road 1 mile. Right into Beallair Manor development. Follow Beallair Manor Drive to the Beallair Manor House.
Since Beallair is a gated community, the Manor House is only open to the public during special events. Please call 1.800.353.0068 if you have any questions on the directions or wish to arrange a special visit.

Jeff Co Landmarks Commisssion announces Speaker Series

The Jefferson County Historical Society (jeffersonhistoricalwv.org) and the Charles Town Historic Landmarks Commission (http://www.historiccharlestownwv.com/) are pleased to announce that the second in the 2011 Historic Speaker Series will take place in Charles Town at Fisherman’s Hall, located at the corner of Academy and S. West Streets, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Noted local historian Ms. Evelyn Taylor’s presentation will be based on her book Historical Digest of Jefferson County, West Virginia’s African American Congregations, 1859-1999 (Washington, D.C., Middle Atlantic Regional Press, 1999). The free event is open to the public and will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by Ms. Taylor’s presentation beginning at 7 p.m. Ms. Taylor will not only delve into the historical context of the church’s influence in African American life, but also illustrate how the church remains at the center of that life today. Many of the local churches in Jefferson County were built by their members with their own funds, stone by stone and board-by-board. In some congregations, the church history is also an account of family members who grew up in the church. In others, where records and deeds fall short because of fire and flood, griots have augmented the written accounts. The history covers a period of one hundred and thirty-five years divided into active, special- occasion use, and defunct congregations. An author of African American church history and an administrator at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., Evelyn M.E. Taylor is an ordained evangelist with the House of Prayer Church of God in Charles Town, West Virginia. A third-generation missionary, as was her mother and paternal grandmother before her, she has served on short-term missions to Kenya, South Africa, India, Jamaica and Canada. Since the late 1980s, she has worked with local prison ministry initiatives, coordinates women’s ministry conferences and retreats, and frequently conducts seminars mainly in women’s ministry both regionally and internationally. Trained as an educator, she holds degrees from Shepherd College (B.A.) and the University of the District of Columbia (M.A.), and has studied at Washington Bible College (E.T.T.A. Diploma), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School, and the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md. Ms. Taylor is also a member of Allies for Freedom, a group of historians dedicated to research and writing on the events of John Brown’s revolutionary, abolitionist movements in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia (Harpers Ferry)—“In Harm’s Way: African Americans in Jefferson County, Virginia, 1859” in Jean Libby, ed., John Brown Mysteries (Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., 1999).

JCHSEM Disaster Resistant Kids Program May through September, 2011

It is that time of year again for Jefferson County Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Disaster Resistant Kids Summer Program! They have a library of age appropriate children’s books to read to daycare centers, library groups, youth groups, home school students, camps or other groups of children, ages pre-school and up! Below are some favorites. All titles are beneficial and a great summer learning experience.· Miss Twiggley’s Tree—This book teaches young people about helping each other during a flooding event. Funny Miss Twiggley lived in a tree, with a dog named Puss and a color TV. The townspeople made fun of Miss Twiggley’s eccentric ways until a flood happened and Miss Twiggley’s “elevated” home turned into a shelter for many of the people who had thought Miss Twiggley strange until this resourceful night. Ages 4-8.· Two Bobbies —It is a true story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival. Bobbie and Bob Cat are the best of friends. When their hometown of New Orleans was struck by Hurricane Katrina, many lost everything. But not Bobbi and Bob Cat—they still had each other. Only by staying together could they survive. This is the story of their remarkable friendship. Ages 4-8.· No Dragons For Tea —When a little girl invites a dragon over for tea, he accidentally sets the table ablaze when he sneezed. No need to panic! This little girl knows just what to do in case of a fire.· Sesame Street Let’s Get Ready DVD. This program provides tips, activities, and other easy tools to help the whole family prepare for emergencies—together! Pre-school age groups.· Mimi Mouse Learns to Prepare for Emergencies DVD. Storybook video helps preschoolers and their families feel ready for emergencies. Ages 2-5.· For children over 9, we can also do programs of how to make a family disaster supply kit or a pet disaster supply kit.JCHSEM Volunteers and/or staff will be delivering the programs to the children beginning May and continuing the program through the end of September. To set up your summer Disaster Resistant Kids program, call Jennifer Maggio at 724-8914 or email her at mailto:jmaggio%40jeffersoncountywv.org.