Open House: Valley Health, 3701 Teays Valley Road, Suite B, in Hurricane will have an open house from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, to welcome its new physician, Dr. Jane Nicholas, and to kick off its new after-hours care. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 760-6040.
SPLL Elections: The South Putnam Little League (Winfield) will hold its annual board elections on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 10 a.m. at the T-ball shelter in Winfield Town Park. Anyone interested in joining the board should come to the park or, for more information, call Kim Scott at 757-6748.
Wayne Bennett Reception: All friends and acquaintances of Extension Agent Wayne Bennett are invited to attend a retirement party for him at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Winfield United Methodist Church. Bring your favorite story for a "roast" for Wayne. If possible, RSVP to 586-0217.
Christian Women: The Charleston Christian Women's group is sponsoring brunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Chilton House restaurant in St. Albans. Bobbie Casdorph, a consultant with Creative Memories, will give a scrapbooking demonstration. Jim Edens of Sissonville will provide music. Guest speaker Joyce Oliver, a former flight attendant from Kentucky, will talk about her 9/11 experiences. A nursery will be available by reservation. The cost for brunch is $12. For reservations, call Tina, 744-6914 or 546-8215.
PHS Choir Basket Bingo: The Poca High School show choir, Visual Volume, will sponsor a Longaberger Basket Bingo on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Poca High. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with the games starting at 6 p.m. No basket is under $50 in value, and all baskets come with protectors. There is a $20 entrance fee for 20 games, plus four optional bonus games for specialty baskets. Concessions will be available.
Marriage Class: Thom Pratt, a local professional with 15 years of mental health experience, is teaching a free course for married couples, "Building Teamwork in Your Marriage," at the Teays Valley Church of God, 4430 Teays Valley Road, just east of the Scott Depot exit. For more information, call 757-9222.
Better Living Show: On Sept. 12-14, the Huntington Mall will be filled with a variety of items you need to live better and smarter. Vendors from around the Tri-State will be throughout the mall, giving out information all weekend during mall hours.
BHS '57 Picnic: The Buffalo High School Class of 1957 will have a picnic at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Buffalo Town Hall. To learn more, call Priscilla Clevenger, 562-9056, or Edith Harrison, 937-2841.
Diamond Reunion: The annual reunion of Diamond Department Store employees and their families will take place from 1 until 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Rand Community Center, 5701 Church Drive, Rand. Bring a covered dish. For more information, contact Danny Proctor, 925-7401.
Charity Horse Show: The Make a Difference Day Foundation Charity Horse Show begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Putnam County fairgrounds in Eleanor. Adult and youth high-point trophies will be awarded. For more information, call 304-545-9607, 437-1296, 545-8012 or 610-3318.
Autism Walk: The Autism Society of West Virginia is sponsoring a walk for autism at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Gorman Shelter at Coonskin Park in Charleston. After a short walk around the lake at Coonskin, there will be hot dogs, chips and drinks served. Entertainment will include a Jupiter Jump, a DJ, face painting, a climbing wall and playground activities. The cost is a $20 donation per person, with all proceeds staying in the Kanawha Valley. For more information, call Ginger McAllister, 727-9543.
Mini-Cheer Camp: On Wednesday, Sept. 10, beginning at 4 p.m. in the Huntington Mall Macy's Dome, Marshall University cheerleaders will be interacting with area youth for the second annual Cheerleading Mini-Camp, a free event for school-age children. Current cheerleaders and those who may be interested in cheering are welcome to participate. Participants will learn some new moves and tricks from the Marshall cheerleaders. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 100 participants. Stop by the mall's customer service center to reserve a T-shirt and a spot at the camp.
Cemetery Association Meeting: The annual meeting of the Mt. Vernon Cemetery Association begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. Those who have loved ones buried in the cemetery are automatically members of the association and are urged to attend the meeting. Anyone wishing to make a contribution toward the mowing/upkeep of the cemetery may send checks made payable to "Mt. Vernon Cemetery Association" to: Joanne Smith, Secretary-Treasurer, 4129 Teays Valley Road, Scott Depot, W.Va. 25560.
NARFE Meeting: Charleston Chapter 0166, National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees, will hold their September meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. in the South Charleston Public Library. This is a change from the regular meeting date. Sen. Daniel Foster will be the speaker, discussing legislative issues. For more information, contact Bob Hardesty, (304) 346-5250.
Tai Chi Demonstration: The Tri-County YMCA will conduct a Tai Chi for Arthritis beginners' class, starting Tuesday, Sept. 23. Tai Chi is a gentle, flowing set of movements based on traditional Chinese practices for health and fitness. The Arthritis form is designed for those challenged with movement and balance problems, but it is also an excellent exercise program for anyone. For more details, call 757-0016 or Cathy Pleska at 757-4109.
Library Story Hours: The Putnam County Library Fall Story Hours begin on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the following branches and times: Buffalo, 1 p.m.; Hurricane, 11 a.m.; and Poca, 10 a.m. Story Hour at the Main Library begins at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Seldom Seen School: Seldom Seen School, a one-room school formerly on Poplar Fork Road in Scott Depot, will have its annual school reunion on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Hurricane First Church of God, 3225 Putnam Ave., Hurricane. A covered-dish lunch will begin at noon. Call 304-590-1408 for more information.
Poca Quilt Entries: The Poca Heritage Day Committee is requesting entries from all Poca area quilters for the Saturday, Sept. 27 quilt show at the Poca library. People's Choice and Display Drawing awards will be presented. For more information, call Bill "Hotchie" Parkins, 755-5497.
Farm Bureau Meeting: The Putnam County Farm Bureau's annual meeting gets underway at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Winfield Horse Arena. A picnic follows at 3 p.m. Spouses and guests are welcome. For more information, call Noah Perry, 541-3989.
YMCA Lifeguards: The Tri-County YMCA is hiring lifeguards for all shifts. The Y will try to accommodate lifeguards' school schedules when assigning work hours. Lifeguards must be at least 16 years old. Call Tammy Hauldren at 304-757-0016 to apply or for more information.
Eleanor Craft Show: Reservations are being accepted for the Eleanor Arts & Crafts Show, to be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Eleanor Fire Department. For more information and booth space applications, call Linda at 937-3427.
WHS Alumni Open House: Winfield High School alumni, students, faculty and staff members are invited to the annual open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Winfield Middle School. The Midway Meridians 4-H Club will offer snacks, drinks and lunch. For more information, call Barbara Gross at 586-4346 or Kathleen Sowards at 586-9463.
WVU Bus Trips: Some seats remain for chartered bus trips to and from the WVU Mountaineers' home games and the game in Louisville. The bus departs from the Kanawha City Kmart parking lot. Snacks and prizes will be furnished; no smoking or alcohol is allowed. Call "Red" Jones at 925-2286 or 610-6179 for cost and availability.
SCHS '53 Lunch: The South Charleston High School Class of 1953 has a "Stay in Touch Lunch" at 11:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at the Little Creek Golf Club. For reservations, call Shirley Cunningham Roycroft, 744-8452, or Peggy Collard Thompson, 755-3450.
Lilly Cemetery Donations: The Lilly Cemetery on Poca River Road is in dire need of monetary donations for the clearing of floral arrangements, grass cutting and trimming, brush removal and other upkeep efforts. Donations may be mailed to: Dale Parkins, 116 Pine Drive, Poca, W.Va. 25159. For more information, call Parkins, 755-5497.
Cemetery Upkeep: Shiloah Independent Church on Steele Ridge, Red House, seeks donations to help with church cemetery upkeep. If you have family members buried in the cemetery and would like to make a donation, sent it to: Donald Hawkins, Route 1, Box 167-3, Red House, W.Va. 25168.
Caregiver Support: The Family Caregiver Support Program offers support, training and relief to those providing full-time caregiving for a loved one. Services include in-home respite and counseling. Putnam Aging, the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services and the Metro Area Agency on Aging sponsor the program. For more information, contact Sally Halstead at 562-9451.
Alzheimer's Respite Program: Putnam Aging offers a respite program, through the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementia. The Family Alzheimer's Respite Program (or FAIR) can provide up to 16 hours of respite weekly for caregivers. FAIR is fee-based on a sliding scale, depending on income. For more information, contact FAIR Coordinator Sally Halstead at 562-9451.
Henson Senior Center: The John Henson Senior Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Lunch is served daily at 11:30 a.m. Regular activities include: rook, spades, dominoes and pool daily; preventive exercise with Wilma Bennett, 10:15 a.m. Monday and Wednesday; Fit Start, provided by the YMCA, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; crafts with Glenda Black, 10 a.m. Tuesday; and line dancing, 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The center also offers in-home respite to caregivers of all seniors 60 and older and caregivers who are caring for loved ones of all ages diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. The center is also available to rent on evenings and weekends. For more information, contact Sally Halstead at 562-9451.
UKV Oktoberfest: The Upper Kanawha Valley Oktoberfest will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in downtown Montgomery, Fayette County. The organizing committee is seeking food vendors, crafters and chili cookoff contenders. A car show is planned, and the Kanawha River Navy boaters will be in town. For information, contact Diana Wilson at 981-6400.
Infant Care Classes: Once a month, FamilyCare offers a two-hour class to help new parents learn to care and feed their newborn babies. Topics include diapering, swaddling, SIDS prevention, bathing, signs of illness, cord and circumcision care, breastfeeding and more. To register, call Debi Ellis at 757-6999 ext. 80 or e-mail Debi.ellis@familycarewv.org.
Childbirth Education Classes: FamilyCare offers ongoing childbirth education classes in the Teays Valley area. These classes discuss birth options, the labor process, medications and more. This class series meets for four Mondays each month from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is required, and Medicaid patients are welcome. To register, contact Debi Ellis at 757-6999 ext 80 or Debi.ellis@familycarewv.org
Food Pantry: The Five Loaves Two Fish food pantry, located in the Poca United Methodist Church, 112 Silver St., Poca, serving the north side of Putnam County from Buffalo to 28th Street, Nitro, is open on the second, third and fourth Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.
Free Exam Preparation: The Adult Learning Center at the Putnam Career and Technical Center in Eleanor offers classes to prepare for the GED, ACT and LPN exams. Classes are conducted Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. Also available is an online class to prepare for these exams. Any potential student wishing to access the online class must come into the Adult Learning Center to register. The cost is free. Call 586-2411 for more information.
EBHS Alumni Band: The East Bank High School Pioneer Alumni Band will play at the annual EBHS Alumni Dinner Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Charleston Civic Center. Anyone who was in the band, including majorettes, is invited to participate. Rehearsals will start at 7 p.m. each Monday at East Bank Middle School. An extra rehearsal begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. No auditions are necessary; just bring your instrument or baton. For more information, contact the alumni band director, Jim Anderson, at ja44eb@aol.com
Moms/Tots Playgroup: Teays Valley Moms and Tots offer weekly activities for children 4 and younger, as well as monthly Mom's Night Outs for mothers. For more information, e-mail tvmomstots@yahoo.com.
Cookbooks: Cross of Grace Lutheran Church in Hurricane is selling cookbooks for $10 each to benefit the youth group. Call 304-562-0616 or 304-562-2496.
Expectant Parents' Program: The CAMC Family Resource Center conducts a "Becoming a Family" program at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital. Programs, services and classes are designed to help expectant parents gain as much information as possible on parenthood. Attendees (including family and friends, depending on the nature of the class) will leave feeling supported and more confident during the process. The program includes special classes on preparing for childbirth, preparing siblings, pediatric CPR, breastfeeding, infant massage and pregnancy massage (for couples). Contact the hospital for more details.
Hometown Space Rental: The Hometown Senior Center is available for rental for showers, birthday parties and other social functions. Reasonably priced, the center has catering available and its dining room seats 75. For reservations or more details, call 586-2745.
Humane Society Memberships: The Putnam County Humane Society is recruiting members and meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at its thrift store, Paws and Shop, 2806 Putnam Ave., Hurricane. Anyone who cannot attend, but is interested in volunteering, may call the society at 304-562-0300 for more information.
EBHS '60s Reunion/Dance: On Friday, Sept. 26, the second Annual Reunion Dance for the East Bank High School graduates of 1960 through 1969 will be held at the Beni Kedem Shrine Center, beside the Charleston Civic Center. The Fabulous Esquires and The Rhapsody Variety Band will play '60s-era dance music. Dress is casual. A free tailgate party will include barbecues, hot dogs and nachos. Special recognition will be given to the EBHS Classes of 1963 and 1968. Door prizes will be awarded. The cost is $25 per person (which includes food). Participants may also BYOB and snacks. To find out more, contact Carol O'Meara (Carpenter) at 949-2036; 13517 Nancy Ave., Chesapeake, W.Va. 25315; or Ccarpent1948@aol.com. Reservation forms are available from the class contacts, on-line from Jim Anderson at ja44eb@aol.com or by mail from Larry Kopelman, 9 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston, W.Va. 25302.
EBHS Alumni Dinner/Dance: The annual East Bank High School Alumni Dinner/Dance will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Charleston Civic Center. A social hour will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner/dance. Anyone who attended, graduated from or taught at EBHS is invited; reservations are required. For more information, call Nancy Pat Maloney, 595-1040, or Hope Stanley, 949-2931. Visit the Pioneer Web site: http://members.@aol.com/Pioneers71/index.html
EBHS Golf Tournament: The East Bank High School Alumni Association will host a golf tournament on Friday, Sept. 26, at Little Creek Park. Tournament proceeds will go to the Dana and Ethel Irving Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact Sallie Pat Tackett, 595-1626.
Jazzercise Classes: Jazzercise classes are held at Celebration Sensation in Hurricane on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m.; Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.; and Thursday at 6 p.m. Jazzercise is a dance fitness class for all ages and fitness levels. For more information, contact instructor Linda Mills at 743-4084.
Dog Walkers: Volunteers are needed to walk dogs at the Putnam Animal Relief Shelter. Call 444-0060 to learn more.
MOMS Club: The MOMS Club of Teays Valley is a social support group for stay-at-home moms and their children, offering many activities each month. To find out more, call 304-721-2741.
Breastfeeding Classes: International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant Tina Mullins offers private breastfeeding classes to expectant families. Four to eight hours in length, the classes are tailored to individual needs. They offer expectant families the education needed to make informed decisions on infant feeding. To sign up or receive more information, call 542-3680.
NWC Event Planning: The Nitro Woman's Club can assist in the planning and staging of special events (weddings, meetings, receptions, birthdays, etc.). Call 755-9091 or 727-7801.
Army Reserves Cookbook: The U.S. Army Reserves 38th RSG Family Readiness Volunteers are selling cookbooks containing more than 400 of their favorite recipes. All proceeds benefit their Family Support Group. To order, send $15 to 101 Lakeview Drive, Charleston, W.Va. 25313 Attn: Family Support. Make checks payable to "38th ODGP." The cookbook will be mailed within a few weeks.
Greece/Italy Trip: A 10-day trip to Greece and Italy is being organized for area residents during students' 2009 spring break. The cost is $2,336 per student and $2,696 per adult. Additional excursions are available, including Florence ($95) and a Greek evening out ($60). A $90 deposit is required, and prices will change in late September. For more information, contact Gloria Swecker, 965-1993.
Literacy Volunteers: Literacy Volunteers of Putnam County (757-1550) offers free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring in basic reading and spelling, as well as tutoring in math, English-as-a-second-language tutoring and conversational English tutoring for those who do not speak English as a native language. The office, in the main library in Teays Valley, is open Tuesdays noon to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jazzercise: A Jazzercise dance fitness class is conducted at Teays Physical Therapy at 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays. Contact Linda Mills, 743-4084, for more information.
'Kidz Day Out': From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, parents of toddlers and preschoolers can bring them to the Winfield Church of the Nazarene for "Kidz Day Out." The program lets children socialize in a safe, supervised environment while parents run errands or attend to other matters. For more information, call 586-2180.
Longaberger Bus Trip: A Longaberger bus trip is being arranged to celebrate Heritage Days at the Homestead and Dresden, Ohio, Saturday, Sept. 6. See artisans at work, listen to live music and play Basket Bingo. The $79 fee includes a Longaberger basket, light refreshments and much more. Call Mary at 304-722-6683 or e-mail jandmsmith@suddenlink.net to reserve seats.
HLC Volunteers: The Putnam County Commission seeks citizen volunteers to serve on the county's Historic Landmark Commission, which undertakes and assists others in various historic programs and meets at the Putnam County Courthouse monthly. Contact Sherry Otey, Putnam County Commission, 586-0201, or Linda Bess, Putnam County Office of Planning and Infrastructure, 586-0237, for an application.
Barnett Cemetery: Barnett Chapel Community Cemetery accepts donations for upkeep and beautification. All relatives who have loved ones interred there are urged to make a small donation. Send donations to: D.L. Barnett, Trustee/Treasurer, 117 Poplar Point Estates, Poca, W.Va. 25159.
Silver Sneakers Class: The Tri-County YMCA hosts the Silver Sneakers Muscular Endurance Class from 11 to 11:45 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Move to music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activity for daily living skills. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a ball are offered for resistance, and a chair is used for seated and/or standing support. Certified instructors lead classes. For more information, call 757-0016.
Senior Fitness Classes: Senior fitness classes are held at the John Henson Senior Center in Hurricane from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. A certified fitness instructor leads the class. For more information, call 757-0016.
CASA Volunteers: The Court Appointed Special Advocate program for Putnam County seeks volunteers to serve as advocates for children who have been abused and neglected. Volunteers must have flexible schedules (some daytime hours are required), complete a 30-hour training session and undergo a background check. For more information, call Kim Runyon Wilds at 523-9587, ext. 307.
Book Sale: The Upper Vandalia Historical Society of Putnam County has several books and publications for sale. They include "Paradise Journals," "Poca-Raymond City Story," "Putnam County Cemetery Survey," "Putnam County Marriages 1848-1882," "1899 Map of Putnam County," "History of Putnam County Volumes I & II," "Nitro The WWI Boomtown," "Annals of the Great Kanawha," "Recollections and Reflections of Mollie Hansford," "The Course of History of the Kanawha Valley" and "Two Rebel Sisters." To purchase any of them, call Cheryl Wintz Withrow, 760-2121.
Cross Creek Cemetery Upkeep: The Cross Creek Cemetery in Buffalo needs donations for upkeep. Donations may be mailed to: Cross Creek Cemetery Fund, 1503 Cross Creek Road, Buffalo, W.Va. 25033.
Ortin Cemetery: The Ortin Heights Cemetery Inc. in Rock Branch in Putnam County needs donations for the continued maintenance of the cemetery. A contractor has been hired to cut the grass as needed. Cemetery board members are asking that flowers and other items on the ground be removed to make it easier to mow. Volunteer labor is also needed to cut brush and clean drainage ditches. Donations can be sent to: Ortin Heights Cemetery Inc., P.O. Box 51, Nitro, W.Va. 25143. For more information, call the Rev. Delbert Hawley, 757-6214, or Bill Lett, 755-1737.
Nitro Bingo: The Nitro Senior Citizens sponsor bingo Thursdays in the Nitro Community Center, 21st Street. Doors open at 5 p.m. Regular bingo starts at 7 p.m. Raffles, jackpots and complimentary coffee are included. A smoking area and concessions are available. Proceeds benefit Nitro senior citizens' programs.
SAWC Event Planning: The St. Albans Woman's Club is available to help plan a shower, birthday party, small reunion, reception or other special event. For more information and scheduling, call 727-4832.
Nitro Senior Center: The Nitro Senior Citizen Center, Second Avenue and 21st Street, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. All seniors are invited to visit, have lunch, play pool or cards, use exercise machines and enjoy other activities. For those needing a ride, the senior van is available by calling 755-5502 before 9 a.m.
Clothing Assistance: Dominique's Harvest Mission has coats and sweaters available for those in need and accepts donations. For more information, call 755-7009 or visit 1100 Main Ave., Nitro.
Y Aerobics Classes: The Tri-County YMCA conducts aerobics classes, starting at 5:40 a.m. and running throughout the day. All classes are included in membership. Non-members can purchase punch cards for $45. For more information, call 757-0016.
Depot Rental: The Restoration of the St. Albans Depot Inc. accepts reservations for the depot as a site for lunches, dinners, receptions and meetings. For more information, call Arleigh Ellis, 727-3084, or Gathie Silfies, 727-1753.
Putnam History Books: The Upper Vandalia Historical Society of Putnam County offers several publications pertaining to county history. Volumes 1 and 2 of "The History of Putnam County" are available for $29.95 and $35, respectively, (plus $3 postage and handling for each volume). They are available at the Putnam County Library or from the historical society, c/o 224 Beechwood Estates, Scott Depot, W.Va. 25560. For more information, call 760-2121.
Cabin Creek Book: "Pictorial History of Cabin Creek," a 223-page book with more than 400 photographs and a brief history of each community, is available at Billo's in Eskdale and Chelyan and Frog Creek Books, Capitol Market, Charleston, or it may be ordered directly from author Dale Payne, Route 3, Box 75, Fayetteville, W.Va. 25840. Each book is $25, plus $4 shipping/handling.
Cabin Creek Photos: More vintage photographs of the Cabin Creek area and the different communities, especially pictures of the schools, churches, businesses or different events on Cabin Creek are being sought by a Fayette County author/historian. If you have any of these that you would like to share with others or old family photographs from the first part of the 1900s that you would like to see appear in "A Pictorial History of Cabin Creek Vol. II," contact Dale Payne, Route 3, Box 75, Fayetteville, W.Va. 25840; 304-574-3354 or dalmarpayne@hotmail.com