VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Kindergarteners to fifth grade students may attend Vacation Bible School classes from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, July 13-17, at Hurricane's Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church. A family dinner precedes the classes at 5:30 p.m. The theme is "Road Trip: On the Go With God."
GRADUATE: Congratulations to James Larch, who graduated from Tamarack Academy Homeschool and Putnam Career and Technical Center. A member of the National Technical Honor Society and recipient of the Governor's Workforce Credential has participated on the Putnam County Junior Rifle Team and HEAT Archery Team many years, as well as representing Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church on Team Effort Mission trips, fall workshop and directly working with Conference Council on Youth Ministries. He plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice from Bridge Valley Community and Technical College, followed by joining law enforcement and attending West Virginia State Police Academy. Sounds like his studying is only getting more advanced and demanding. Best wishes for a successful and happy future.
LET'S GO TO THE FAIR: The annual Putnam County Fair takes place Friday, July 11, through Saturday, July 19, in Eleanor, West Virginia. Activities include demolition derby, petting zoo, carnival, kids/teens and other pageants, wrestling, truck/tractor pulls, Guyan River Cloggers, motocross races and more. Tickets are $78.58 season pass and $16.79 daily.
DIRECTOR: Dr. Seth N. Polk was recently named interim executive director-treasurer of West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists, replacing Eric Ramsey, who has accepted the call to pastor First Baptist Church in Checotah, Oklahoma. Currently serving as lead pastor of Cross Lanes Baptist Church, Dr. Polk has three decades of pastoral experience and denominational leadership. He also is director of Send Network West Virginia through the North American Mission Board. He has a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a D.Min. from Liberty Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Florida Southern College. Dr. Polk also served as president of WVCSB two terms and two terms as president of WVCSB Pastors' Conference. He also was a trustee of Interntional Mission Board of Southern Baptist Convention from 2013 to 2021 and chair from 2019 to 2021.
CONCERT ON THE RIVER: St. Albans Parks and Recreation sponsors another concert on the river hosted by Jim Synder at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Port of St. Albans roadside Park, MacCorkle Avenue, as part of the Colesmouth Concert Series. Featured is Rob McNurlin, Kentucky country music legend, and the Beatnik Cowboys.
IN JEOPARDY? Not Matt Massie. In fact, the 2013 South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä High School alumnus won "Jeopardy" three times, totaling $82,000. The 29-year-old attorney living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Matt attended Yale University for undergraduate education and returned to West Virginia University for law school, where he and friends played trivia games at Kegler's Sports Bar in Morgantown. His earnings pay off student loans and possibly he and wife may take a trip to Spain and Portugal. Congratulations to this attorney on his earnings and hopefully he will compete in the upcoming Tournament of Champions.
FILM: Alban Arts Center continues its Classic Film Series with a showing of "Grease" at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the center, 65 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans, West Virginia. The musical is also sponsored by The Mix (100.9 and 102.3). Tickets are $12.62. $1 popcorn and drinks are also available.
ON THE BOARD: Scott Wyman, president of West Virginia American Water since January 2025, was one of 10 new members recently welcomed to the board of directors of Advantage Valley, a nine-county regional economic development organization. He has more than 30 years' experience, including most recently serving as president of FirstEnergy in Pennsylvania. He has been regional president of Penelec and is a certified professional engineer in Pennsylvania. He has a Master of Business Administration degree from Gannon University and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Geneva College. Congratulations on this new role.
LATE BIRTHDAY: Mary Lemming, July 4.
LATE ANNIVERSARIIES: Chase and Tarra Childers, June 29; Joey and Jill Lynd celebrated number 14, July 6.
CHUCKLE: Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride. With a word or two of thanks, she got in the car. After resuming the journey and a bit of small talk, the Navajo woman noticed a brown bag in the seat next to Sally. "What's in the bag?" asked the woman. Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, "It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband." The Navajo woman was silent for a moment and then, speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, said, "Good trade."
Send items to Brenda Lucas, P.O. Box 596, Ona, West Virginia 25545; or email to bklucas53@aol.com.
