Tomblin Elected Governor

This past Tuesday acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin became the 35th Governor of West Virginia. Tomblin won easily over Republican Bill Maloney. The vote was 148,625 (49.6) to Maloney's 140,631 (47.0).
In Jefferson County Maloney won by a vote of 3353 (49.16) to Tomblin’s 3217 (47.16)
A total of 6824 votes were cast which is (20.04) of the registered voters. There are 34,057 registered voters in Jefferson County. In early voting 1630 voted. Maloney's victory in Jefferson County was seen as an unexpected surprise to some.
Jefferson County Clerk Jennifer Maghan said in a published article that she felt that the election went very well.
The race was one of the most mud-ridden events in West Virginia history. Maloney tried to make Tomblin out to be a puppet of president’s Obama health care program.
The election was held to fill the governor’s seat and will serve the remainder of former Gov. Joe Manchin's term, which ends next year. Manchin was elected to the U.S. Senate last year to serve the remainder of the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd's term.
In a television interview after the race Tomblin said "there are things that we have pushed on the entire campaign. Tonight shows that the people of West Virginia believe in what we've been doing."
Tomblin of Logan County first went to the State House in 1974. In 1980 he was elected to the West Virginia Senate. He was the longest serving Senate President in West Virginia's history. Tomblin was first elected Senate President in January of 1995.
The Legislature designated the Senate president the lieutenant governor in 2000. It was from that position that Tomblin began acting as governor when Manchin left West Virginia for Washington.
In 2012 Tomlin will have to do it all over again as he and Sen. Manchin will have to stand for reelection.
James P. Whipple

News Briefs

Charles Printz dead at 96
Subject: The Passing Away of Charlie Printz
Charles Printz passed away this past week. Printz who served in World war two was a life long resident of Shepherdstown. He was 96 years old at the time of his passing. Printz was a long time member of several civic organizations. He had been in the hospital with pneumonia.
Services have been changed from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Trinity Episcopal Church. Arrangements by Strider Funeral Home.

JMH has Land for New Medical Campus
Officials at the Jefferson Memorial hospital announced that they now have the land needed for a comprehensive medical campus.
50 acres of land have been acquired. The land is located south of Charles town along US 340. Dr. Jules Langlet owned the land.
In a press release Dr. Christina Coad, chief administrative officer at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, said 10 of the 50 acres of land were donated by the Langlet family to the Jefferson Health Care Foundation in support of Jefferson Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Jules Langlet was a longtime general practitioner on staff at Charles Town General Hospital and then Jefferson Memorial Hospital until his retirement.
"I am pleased to announce that the purchase is now complete, and we will begin to start planning for our new medical campus,” Coad said.

Gas prices down in West Virginia.
The AAA's Fuel Gauge announced through its press release that the average cost of a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline fell 6.9 cents in the past week to $3.44 a gallon.
It marks the fourth straight week of price declines in the state.
Prices range from $3.38 in Weirton and Wheeling to $3.54 in Martinsburg.
Nationally, prices averaged $3.41, its lowest level in seven months.
A year ago, a gallon of gas in West Virginia averaged $2.77.

Art exhibit at the Washington Street Gallery
Just in time for the annual Breeders' Cup races at the Charles Town Casino and Racetrack, Loretta Dovell Bailey, the official painter of the West Virginia Breeders Classics, will exhibit at the Washington Street Artists’ Co-op gallery from Oct. 5 – 30, 235 W. Washington Street, Charles Town, WV, 25414. The Gallery is open Weds. - Sunday, noon until 5 p.m.
The public is invited to attend a reception for the artist on Friday, October 14, from 3-8 p.m. as part of the Charles Town Races Breeders Cup weekend. The exhibit of equine paintings is titled “Breeders Classics Horses and More.”
The Washington Street Artists' Co-op is dedicated to showcasing the work of member artists and artisans in and around the WV Eastern Panhandle.
"http://wstreetgallery.com/"

Winter Snow Hits Mountains
Snowshoe Mountain Resort on Monday reported 9 inches of snow from a weekend storm.
Snow began falling late Friday night, marking the earliest snowfall at the Pocahontas County resort since September 2006.
Four inches of snow had accumulated by Saturday and heavy snow resumed falling on Sunday night. The resort doesn't plan to open up for ski season until Nov. 23. Snowmaking operations are scheduled to start on Nov. 1 The report of the snow falls came from a spokesman for the resort Laura Parquette.
West Virginia's highest elevation got its first snow storm of the year can winter be far behind?

Compiled by James P. Whipple

Civil War Happenings

Harpers Ferry Civil War Roundtable
The Speaker: Melissa Delcour first became intrigued by the Civil War when, as a youth,
she discovered her soldier ancestors. A long-anticipated trip to Gettysburg to stand in the unfinished railroad cut, where her ancestors from the 42nd Mississippi were captured on July 1st, changed her life. She read voraciously and began attending symposiums. When Robert Krick suggested that she use a summer to work for the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Parks, she packed some things and drove from Missouri to Virginia. The summer job turned into a couple of years of full-time employment and Melissa is now a 9-year resident of Virginia.
While at the Fredericksburg parks, she published "A Memoir of John E. Curran" in The Journal of Fredericksburg History and "The Battles of Brigadier General John Marshall Jones" in Civil War Regiments: A Journal of the American Civil War. After her Park Service tenure, she continued to research, write, speak, and lead battlefield tours while pursuing her career as a high school teacher in beautiful Rappahannock County, Virginia.
The Subject: The focus of the presentation will be on the "creation" of JEB Stuart, his iconic image, and his heroic status in the context of America's 19th century culture. There's a bit of fun to it and a lot of JEB's own poetry.
The Meal: A family-style meal of spaghetti with meat sauce (or meatballs); Tossed Salad, Iced Tea, Garlic Bread, Butter & Dessert will be served at 7:00 PM prior to the program. The cost of the meal is $15.00 per person. Reservations for the meal must be emailed or phoned in no later than Sunday, October 9th, to Kyle Wichtendahl at 301-639-8855 or you can email him at "mailto:kfwichtendahl@gmail.com"

Annual Antiques Appraisal Fair
The Jefferson County Museum will hold its seventh Annual Antiques Appraisal Fair on
Sat, Oct 8, 11 to 3, in the library/museum complex at the corner of Washington and North Samuel Streets, Charles Town.
Bring in your antiques for verbal appraisals by a team of appraisers covering the areas of the Civil War, militaria, coins, lighting, Americana, books and documents, dolls, toys, fine jewelry, art pottery, and textiles. Led by certified appraiser Mark Grove, A.S.A.
Appraisal of 1 or 2 items—$5 each; 3 items—$12; each addn item—$3.
For information, call 304-725-8628 or email "mailto:curator@jeffctywvmuseum.org"


Faces of the Civil War Book Club
will meet on Thursday, October 06, 2011
We will Start 6:30 PM and end at 7:30 PM
Location of this event will be the Adult Services, Town meeting room
Washington County Maryland Free Library Sharpsburg Branch: 106 East Main St. Sharpsburg MD
Steve French will give a talk on “Belle Boyd-Myth and Reality”
Martinsburg's Belle Boyd was the Confederacy's most famous spy,a best-selling author, an accomplished actress, and a fascinating lecturer. The talk will focus on some of the high and low points in Belle's remarkable life. Steve is the author of the multiple award-winning "Imboden's Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign" and the editor of "Four Years Along the Tilhance," a Civil War diary from the Hedgesville area.
Join us for what promises to be a very engaging and informative evening.
Contact information:
301-739-3250 x141 or "mailto:cplymire%40washcolibrary.org"

An Evening of David Hunter Stother
Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public Library Presents
History Alive - An Evening with David Hunter Strother
Illustrator of the John Brown Trial of 1859
Friday October 14 at 7:00 p.m.
151 Polk Street , Bolivar WV. for more information call 304-535-2301
Strother also known as Porte Crayon, will discuss his life and the trial of John Brown. Strother was born in Martinsburg in 1816.
Strother wrote and illustrated for Harper’s weekley Magazine.
Don Teter will take on the persona of Strother

Happening’s Around Jefferson County

South Jefferson Library announces new exhibit
The South Jefferson Public Library is pleased to announce an art exhibit in October and November featuring the works of several artists in the Potomac River Artists’ Guild. Art works on display will include oils, watercolors, collages, pastels and acrylics in an interesting variety of styles.
The exhibit is the 34th in the Art in the Library series hosted by the library to highlight the talents of local artists. The exhibit is free and can be viewed during library hours: Monday through Thursday 10-7, Saturdays 10-5, and Sundays 1-5. The library is closed Fridays. The library is located at 49 Church St, Summit Point WV.
The Potomac River Artists' Guild is beginning its eleventh year. The original purpose of the group was to offer emerging artists a group to grow with along with educational experiences and community displays of their artwork. Over the years the group has had demonstrations of various art forms and techniques as well as topics from art history through modern design. There are currently sixteen members and the artwork ranges from oil paintings done in the Old Masters' style to modern abstraction in mixed media. Several members also work in pastel, acrylics, and pen and ink. All creations are 'on the wall' pieces. The art education background of members ranges from college art degrees to self-taught and learning from local adult teachers. Each year the group hosts two shows at the War Memorial Building in Shepherdstown. One is in July and a second one is in November - this year it is Nov. 11 - 13. Members also hang art at The Old Opera House in Charles Town in December. This year a display was also held at Canterbury in Shepherdstown during national nurses week.
SPECIAL NOTICE!!! On Saturday, October 29th, a reception will be held between 3 and 5 pm at the library to celebrate the exhibit.
The public is invited to meet the artists, view their colorful and creative works, and enjoy the refreshments

Harvest Fair at Burr Farm
Hear ye! Hear ye! Come one and all to the 18th Century Harvest Faire at the c.1751 Burr House, in Ranson, WV, on Saturday, October 8 from 10am to 3pm. Enjoy a tour of the historic house (the oldest wood frame house in WV), colonial games and demonstrations of period activities such as spinning, butter-making, colonial home medicine, 18th century gardening etc. Additionally, the site provides a natural surrounding to enjoy watching wildlife. A free, take-home craft---pine cone bird feeders will be available for the youth. The Bread Bakers of the Burr House will be baking a limited number of loaves in the outdoor bake oven to sell. This event is free, sponsored by Reliving History and the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
Directions:
The 1751 Burr House, the oldest wood frame house in WV, can be accessed off Charles Town Road (old rte 9), between Ranson and Bardane; turn onto East Burr Blvd. (Shamrock Lighting) into the industrial park. The house is straight back into the last parking lot, then to the right.
From Charles Town: Take (new) Route 9 West, The Burr House is a short distance from the Rt 9, Bardane Exit, at end of Bardane exit ramp, turn right and go to the light, turn right on old Route 9 east, turn left onto East Burr Blvd. (Shamrock Lighting) into the industrial park. The house is straight back into the last parking lot, then to the right.
From Martinsburg: Take (new) Route 9 East, The Burr House is a short distance from the Rt. 9, Bardane Exit, turn left and go to the light, turn right on old Route 9 east,; turn left onto East Burr Blvd. (Shamrock Lighting) into the industrial park. The house is straight back into the last parking lot, then to the right.

Shepherd University to host Historic Preservation Program

On Saturday, October 29, 2011, Shepherd University’s Historic Preservation Program will present a symposium on the West Virginia Geo Explorer Project (www.wvgeohistory.org). The project is an innovative, geographically-based web resource for exploring the history, culture, and architecture of Jefferson County.

Dr. Anne Knowles, Associate Professor of Geography at Middlebury College, will serve as keynote speaker. Dr. Knowles is the author of numerous books and articles on Geographic Information Systems(GIS), including several based on her work with the Philadelphia Geo History Project. She has also received numerous fellowships and major grants for her work applying GIS to historical studies. These include a National Science Foundation Collaborative Research Grant for Holocaust and Historical GIS, as well as funding for a two-week interdisciplinary workshop through the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the United States National Holocaust Museum on the Geographies of the Holocaust.

Other speakers will include Shepherd University professors Dr. Keith Alexander, coordinator of the historic preservation program and principal investigator for the project; Dr. Ann Legreid, dean of the College of Business and Social Science; and Dr. Julia Sandy-Bailey, Assistant Professor of History. They will be joined by Dr. William The riault, Ms. Tori Myers, and Ms. Christine Toms.

The symposium, which will take place place in the Robert C. Byrd Centerfor Legislative Studies, will run from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The event is made possible by a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council, with addition al support from Shepherd University’s School of Business and Social Sciences and the West Virginia Association of Geospatial Professionals. It is free and open to the public.

America’s Seniors Get A Helping Hand In The Fight Against Hunger

(NAPSI)—The face of hunger in America may be aging. Of the 51 million Americans who face the threat of hunger, nearly 6 million are older than age 60, according to AARP—and that number is only expected to grow in the coming years.
In fact, from 2006 to 2008, the percentage of older Americans struggling with hunger more than doubled. Fortunately, there are actions that can be taken to help combat the problem.
Here are a few ways you can help:
• Donate to your local food bank
• Organize a food drive
• Volunteer with a local food organization
• Take an older friend to dinner or to the grocery store
• Donate by using your AARP® Visa® Card from Chase
In 2011 and 2012, Chase will donate $0.03 for every purchase made with the AARP® Visa® Card from Chase and $1 for every new account, up to $2 million each year, to AARP Foundation through Drive to End Hunger, a national campaign led by AARP and AARP Foundation to end hunger among older Americans. It’s the only credit card endorsed by the AARP—an organization that provides meaningful resources and benefits to senior Americans and its members.
“Hunger among older adults is escalating at an alarming rate in America,” said Anisa Tootla, vice president of hunger impact programs at AARP Foundation. “We know Americans want to help their older neighbors in need, and we are pleased that Chase has joined the Foundation’s efforts to get people engaged in giving back.”