RECEIVE THE OBSERVER IN YOUR MAILBOX BY SUBSCRIBING AT ... · new partnerships, recognitions, etc....

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION SERVING WV’S EASTERN PANHANDLE WeAreTheObserver.com

SOCIETY

Why Are So Many Americans Broke?

13

COMMUNITY

JJ Bags: Helping Local Foster Children in Transition

21

FEATURE

Martinsburg HighSchool’s GrantHarman Simply Won’t Be Denied

6

COMMUNITY

Community Members Rally to Aid Workers Impacted by Shutdown

17

MARCH 2019

RECEIVE THE OBSERVER IN YOUR MAILBOX BY

SUBSCRIBING AT: WEARETHEOBSERVER.COM

FREE

IN N

EWSSTANDS

Welcome New Providers

WVU Medicine is pleased to introduce 11

new providers who have joined our medical staffs at

Berkeley Medical Center, Jefferson Medical Center and

University Healthcare Physicians.

Kousalya Arunagiri, MDNephrology

Kidney Specialists304.449.3778

John Considine, DNPOrthopaedics

WVU Medicine Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine-Charles Town

304.725.2663

Jon Deiches, PhD Psychology

WVU Medicine Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry-Martinsburg

304.596.5780

John Mason Erwin, CRNACertified Registered Nurse

AnesthetistBerkeley Medical Center

304.264.1000

Shoji Ishigami, MDPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation

WVU Medicine Brain & Spine304.596.5160

Stephen Johnston, DNPHospitalist

Berkeley Medical Center304.264.1000

Christopher Koebele, MDHospitalist


James Llewellyn, CRNACertified Registered Nurse

AnesthetistJefferson Medical Center

304.728.1600

Rebecca Sarich, CNMCertified Nurse Midwife

WVU Medicine OB/GYN-Martinsburg

304.264.8603

Raafeh Waseem, PA-CEmergency Medicine


Mark Sullivan, MDThoracic Surgeon

WVU Medicine Thoracic SurgeryMartinsburg: 304.596-5171Hagerstown: 301.665.4760

WVUMedicine.org

Where can you find THE OBSERVER? POST OFFICES/

NEWSSTANDS:

Shepherdstown, WV

Charles Town, WV

OTHER LOCATIONS:

Food Lion Shepherdstown, WV Charles Town, WV

Martin’s Charles Town, WV Martinsburg, WV

The Bakerton Market Harpers Ferry, WV

The Vintage Lady Harpers Ferry, WV

Visitors Center Shepherdstown, WV

Daily Grind Martinsburg, WV

Mad Monks Coffee Charles Town, WV

Good Natured Collective Martinsburg, WV

Middleway Market Middleway, WV

Black Dog Coffee Co. Shenandoah Junction, WV

In addition to offering personalized delivery via subscription to mailboxes throughout WV’s Eastern Panhandle (and nationwide), here are just a few of the 60+ locations where you can grab a free copy of The Observer.

Contact us: [email protected]

Observer MARCH 2019 | 3


SOCIETY

Why Are

Americans

So Broke?

13

COMMUNITY

JJ Bags: Helping

Local Foster

Children in Transition

21

FEATURE

Martinsburg High

School’s Grant

Harmon Simply

Won’t Be Denied

6

COMMUNITY

Community Members

Rally to Aid

Workers Impacted

by Shutdown

17

MARCH 2019

RECEIVE THE OBSERVER

IN YOUR MAILBOX BY

SUBSCRIBING AT:

WEARETHEOBSERVER.COM

FREE

IN N

EWSSTA

NDS


SOCIETY

Why Are Americans So Broke?

13

COMMUNITY


21

FEATURE

Martinsburg HighSchool’s GrantHarmon Simply Won’t Be Denied

6

COMMUNITY


17

MARCH 2019



FREE

IN N

EWSSTANDS

14CALENDAR

What to Do, Where to Go In March!Evan Benhamu

16STATE

Generation WV Appoints Board Chair From Eastern PanhandleJillian Williams

17COMMUNITY

Shepherdstown Shows Up for its Own During Government ShutdownAngela F. Durkin

18POLITICS/OP-ED

What Exactly Does Again in MAGA Mean?Carol Williams

20EDUCATION

Jefferson High Grad Leads the Way in AI ResearchH.S. Leigh Koonce

21COMMUNITY

JJ Bags: Helping to Foster Children in TransitionLisa Troshinsky

22STATE/ENVIRONMENT

Reclaiming Abandoned Coal Mines Throughout Appalachia Robin Murphy

24BOOK REVIEW

Shepherd English Professor Publishes Eclectic Story Collection Gonzalo Baeza

26DRUGS & ADDICTION

Construction Workers Increasingly Impacted by Opioid EpidemicIndependent Submission

13SOCIETY

Why Are So Many Americans Broke?Jordan Webb

12COMMUNITY

The 2019 Observer Summer Camps Guide

6 FEATURE

MARTINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL’S GRANT HARMAN SIMPLY WON’T BE DENIEDMike Chalmers

10HEALTH/WELLNESS

Waking Up That Winterized Body Lori Robertson & Chris Crawford

11CAR CHAT

‘Tis the Season: To Give Your Car a Checkup Ronnie Brown

ONCE READ, THIS PAPER WANTS TO BE RECYCLED. March

“That’s our other most marketable

product: delusion. Voters are made to think that we need to be great

again, then convince the rest of the world to be like us, and then need a

wall to keep them out. — Carol Williams, pg. 19

”CARCHAT

—With your

neighborhood mechanic

Not Advertising in The Observer?Well, maybe you don’t realize how much bang you actually get for your buck.

As far as partnership value, Observer advertisers enjoy our "Benefits Arc"— offering up an immense level of promotional range. Most publications offer you a 1:1 ratio (you pay them, they provide an ad). We offer a 1:9 ratio.

CHECK IT OUT:1. YOUR PRINT AD – seen throughout the Panhandle, and beyond, currently in over 60 locations as well as a growing subscriber base.

2. A BUSINESS BRIEF – in an upcoming issue (mini-article that shines a spotlight on the company/endeavor and/or highlights an upcoming event, product, or activity).

3. THAT BIZ BRIEF then continues onto our website, where it finds a permanent home with greater visibility and endless promotional traction— especially since we then share it to our Facebook page for even more visibility.

4. "ANY-TIME" REQUESTS – additionally, we are at your service for any "EXTRA PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES" you'd like to publish via our monthly print Calendar (for free) – as well as our Facebook page: i.e., fundraisers, events, new partnerships, recognitions, etc. You let us know and we'll get it in.

5. ONLINE ADS – as we build out our website ad opportunities, we currently offer "Featured Partner Ad Banners" within our website stories. These online ads are a size-set for the full width of the story, and represent a branded ad: your business information, logo, branded message, contact, and a link to your website or destination of choice.

6. NON-PROFIT DISCOUNT - we're proud to offer all registered non-profit organizations in the region 50% off normal rates for a 1/3-page-size ad or larger.

7. MINI-MARKETING FIRM – we basically serve as a mini-marketing firm for you, if that's what you need. We'll even design your ad for a basic fee, as well as consult and strategize with you on your business, your brand, and how to promote it.

8. BECOME A THOUGHT LEADER – we more than welcome business and community leaders who have something to say with the opportunity to write an article in their field of expertise—as an additional channel of credibility and promotional traction.

9. COMMUNITY FOOTPRINT – we do our best to build your brand and your endeavor through the above points, and the connection those points have with the surrounding community. An advertisement with The Observer is an opportunity to generate an impact and an imprint into the community by distinguishing yourself and joining the collective effort to engage, inform, and inspire that The Observer represents—locally and beyond.

[email protected] Contact Us Today:

This month’s quotes were pulled from various sources via the Internet, books, magazines, and even word of mouth They all focus on the complicated journey that is addiction, and hopefully recovery. Perhaps you, or someone you know, can use them as a base for strength, inspiration, or perspective.

You’re in a hole. So, first thing’s first: stop digging.

You won’t get past this if you simply quit using. Recovery happens when you create a new life where it’s easier to not use. A life that means more to you than using.

There’s never any shame in starting over. We’re mostly as good as our last performance. Any effort(s) you make towards a better life will be met with enthusiasm, encouragement, and support from the people that genuinely love you. In fact, they’re ready when you are.

Recovery is about progress, not perfection. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself. One forward step, today, one tomorrow, and so on. Soon enough, you’ll put miles between you and this mountain.

Today can absolutely be better than yesterday. Just give yourself permission. You can literally admit every single failure, and just walk away from them, today. Tomorrow? Well, imagine the relief.

Change—no matter how minute or immense—happens delicately, and then gradually, and then comprehensively. The only magic formula involves opening the door inside of you that allows for it. And stepping through.

No matter how shriveled and irrelevant it might seem at the moment, you’ll always harbor the will to go on—or you wouldn’t have made it this far. Just brush against it, you’ll see that it didn’t abandon you. It was just waiting for you to make the first move.

There isn’t a secret handshake that others know and you don’t. Living a productive, meaningful life is largely driven by others willing to help you through it, and the strength such relationships create within all parties. It’s why you’re alive in the first place, and how you will recover from this.

You’re loved. And always will be. You’re worth it. And always will be.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH


SOCIETY

Why Are

Americans

So Broke?

13

COMMUNITY

JJ Bags: Helping

Local Foster

Children in Transition

21

FEATURE

Martinsburg High

School’s Grant

Harmon Simply

Won’t Be Denied

6

COMMUNITY

Community Members

Rally to Aid

Workers Impacted

by Shutdown

17

MARCH 2019


IN YOUR MAILBOX BY

SUBSCRIBING AT:


FREE

IN N

EWSST

ANDS


SOCIETY


13

COMMUNITY

JJ Bags: Helping Local Foster Children in Transition21

FEATURE


6

COMMUNITY

Community Members Rally to Aid Workers Impacted by Shutdown17

MARCH 2019

RECEIVE THE OBSERVER IN YOUR MAILBOX BY SUBSCRIBING AT: WEARETHEOBSERVER.COM

FREE

IN N

EWSSTANDS


SOCIETY


13

COMMUNITY


21

FEATURE


6

COMMUNITY


17

MARCH 2019



FREE

IN N

EWSSTANDS

MARCH 2019 | 5Observer

ADVERTISE

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

West Virginia Preservation Alliance The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV), along with its members, serves as the statewide grassroots organization dedicated to preserving the Mountain State’s unique cultural heritage by promoting historic preservation through education and outreach, advocacy, technical assistance, and heritage tourism development.

Find out more at:PAWV.ORG

BY THE NUMBERS

Currently, there are over

30,000dollar stores in the U.S.—a number that is expected to

increase to nearly 38,000 by 2021.

qz.com

—

Since 2015, the number of Americans living illegally in

Mexico has increased

37.8%—to more than 650,000.

National Institute of Immigration

—

Since 2000,

284people have fallen off cruise ships—and another 41 from large ferries—an average of about 1.5 people per month.

ozy.com

STAFFMICHAEL CHALMERS EDITOR IN CHIEFLESLIE DAVISSON SALES & FINANCE DIRECTORKAREN HARTMANN SALES ASSOCIATEAUNDREA HUMPHREYS MANAGING EDITOR EVAN BENHAMU WRITERJORDAN HUDKINS DESIGNER

CONTRIBUTORSFEATURE: MIKE CHALMERSHEALTH: CHRIS CRAWFORD & LORI ROBERTSONCAR CHAT: RONNIE BROWNSOCIETY: JORDAN WEBBSTATE: JILLIAN WILLIAMSPOLITICS/OP-ED: CAROL WILLIAMSEDUCATION: H.S. LEIGH KOONCECOMMUNITY: LISA TROSHINSKYBOOK REVIEW: GONZALO BAEZA

FOLLOW US ON Facebook: WVOBSERVER Instagram: WeAreTheObserver Twitter: WeTheObserver

CONTACT US [email protected]

The Observer engages our special community around the things that matter most. Let’s work together.

ADVERTISING SALES/INFO: MON–FRI (9am–5pm)

Leslie Davisson [email protected]

Karen Hartmann [email protected]

AD DEADLINE: 15th of each month

FROM THE EDITOR

So That He Would KnowI’M STARING AT THIS SCREEN, unable to type for the turbulence we’re flying through at the moment—heading from Atlanta to Houston through the angry leading edge of a winter storm belching its way north, soon to dump snow, wind, and ice on D.C. and West Virginia as it rumbles its way up the coast and eventually out to sea. All I can do for now is stare out the window at the clear skies above the storm which I hope we reach soon—and as reflections often come into being at mo-ments like this, think about a conversation with my grandfather, two years before his passing, which itself is now five years past this month. It would have been 2012, thereabouts. A year before they were out of the house on the hill. Their house, our house. Out in the country, as she would call it. She'd already slipped quite a bit by then, more than enough. And he watched her struggle. His only love, faded from view, and fading still, in front of him. He struggled with her, in solidarity. And without her, alone—understanding full well the risk that love presents as it cycles through the chapters of a life, meandering leisurely at first, then gradually, and then suddenly … bending ever so obediently towards the inevitable last pages. This was a warm afternoon—Indian summer they call it. Named for a time itself all but forgotten. We were out on the porch, where they’d both spent such vast portions of their lives—through countless seasons, decades, milestones. Where he still gathered himself, now bent and nearly broken. He turned to me. Both of us mindful of how and where the road had wound; the slow ache of things to come stacked closely around us. Though he could have been mistaken for pleased. He said, do you know, last night before she went to bed, I was down in the green room watching the ball game. She was getting ready. I knew I'd have to

explain her pills to her more than once before she could get to sleep. I anticipated as much when she came down the steps. But instead, she kissed me on top of the head. And said, I love you. You gave me a good life. Thank you. And then she went on up to bed. She never came down to ask about the pills … all night … … It’s the first time I can remember that she didn't come down again, about the pills. I think she had a moment of normalcy … I guess they call it clarity. I think she was normal again, for just last night, before she went to bed. And I think she wanted to tell me that because she may never get the chance again. My eyes met his, both sets filled. The space between us not occupied with a geometry of years, but a slow cadence, unbroken and transcendent. A merger of men held fast to the face of love and time and all that is at once enormous and minute. A year later, they moved away from their house on the hill, into town. I don't know that she ever touched him in that way again. He passed six months after that. She was a silhouette of herself by then. Which is now five years behind us both. And yet she lives on. Like a faded thread in the breeze. His memory misplaced, merged within shadows of all that once was. Adrift within a cavern, encased within a chasm … an echo of a whisper that she knew to honor before she lost the chance. So that when the time came, and he needed more than what she had left to give, he would know.

Michael Chalmers EDITOR IN CHIEF


// F E AT U R E

— Martinsburg High School’s —

Grant HarmanSimply Won’t Be Denied

ARTICLE BY: Michael Chalmers

ATHLETIC ACCOLADES acknowledged, Harman admirers might also enjoy knowing that he’s a model student, with a 4.5 GPA, fully intent on becoming a dentist. In fact, something those same folks might find surprising: there’s a good chance he’s not pursuing sports at all in college. And he’s fine with that. “I haven’t decided yet; I aspire to be a dentist,” he explained. “My dad’s grandfather was a dentist, and I job-shadowed a dentist in October, and really liked it. If I don’t play sports in college, I think I’d be okay with it. I feel like I have nothing left to prove to myself—I’ve given this school and these teams everything that I could give. I’ve been non-stop for four years.” Harman said he’ll officially determine whether sports will be a target at the next level in a conversation with his parents coming soon—which will double as a thorough examination of where he wants to attend, as well. “I just don’t know yet. I’m going to sit down with my parents and discuss it. I have options, but it’s actually been hard to visit schools with my schedule. As far as sports on the next level is concerned, however, I

ay the name Grant Harman pretty much anywhere in the Panhandle, and those who follow sports, and

many others, will not only know the name, but will likely have more than a few adulatory things to say about the Martinsburg High School senior. A tenacious, determined, highly focused three-sport athlete who’s never lost a high school football game, Harman also serves as the Bulldog basketball team’s emotional, and often physical, leader—where he plays guard on a squad that, as of press time is a school-record 22-0, and about to begin a run at a state title.

S

Grant Harman


196 High Street • Harpers Ferry • Open 7 Days a Week

Free Gifts, Gold Coins &

Our Annual $hamrock Discount

A Unique Boutique in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

by Shopping With Us St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

“Get Lucky”March 16 & 17

115 N Charles St. Charles Town • 304.725.6605

TUES-FRI 10AM-3PM & SAT 10AM–1PM

All profits from The OP Shop benefit The Old Opera House.

THE OP SHOP THRIFT SHOP

UNIQUE HOME DECOR & FASHIONS

where we stood on the sidelines and watched Martinsburg lose a game they could’ve won. They brought me up to watch. We decided right then and there, it was our responsibility to never let this happen again.” The Martinsburg football “dynasty” has been a steady topic of conversation on both the local and state levels for the better part of ten years. Theories abound, but the legacy is forged in culture, and Harman is the proof—to the extent that, each year, a Grant Harman arrives (likely with some buddies), and decides as a 15-year-old, that anything less than a state title on their watch will be an underachievement. In Harman’s case, that meant doing whatever the coaches needed him to do. “Coach Walker and Coach Hesen had talked to me about playing free safety because

their starter had graduated when I was a freshman,” he indicated. “Coach Walker wanted to get me on the field. I’d never played the position—was an outside linebacker all through my youth. It was a transition—going up two levels from freshman ball to varsity—and a new position. It took me a couple games to get sorted out, but once I got my first start, I really took to it, and got all-state that year. We won a state title, I led the team in tackles, and got an interception in the championship game. It set the tone for the rest of my career. I can’t thank them enough for having the confidence in me as a sophomore.” As a junior, Harman came into the season hoping to get more reps at quarterback, in preparation for his senior year, but it wasn’t necessarily meant to be. So he played some receiver and picked up another all-state

want to be in the best position for my future—which is dentistry—and then grad school, which is WVU at this point. It’s just a matter of where I’m going to go for the next four years. Sports will be an influence, but definitely not the influence.” Again, that statement may come as a surprise to many area fans—especially those who’ve watched him excel on the gridiron for years. “My dad put a ball in my hands when I was little—I started playing football around seven, and was in love with it immediately, especially running and scoring,” said Harman, who switched between quarterback and running back all through his youth—which prepared him for what would become a stellar career at Martinsburg doing both. “I played some receiver in eighth grade as well, for the ninth-grade team—with Tyson [Bagent] as quarterback—then went back to quarterback my freshman year, and then back to receiver and backup quarterback my sophomore and junior years. And obviously quarterback my senior year.”

Setting the ToneWith former Martinsburg High School, and current Shepherd University, star quarterback Tyson Bagent at the helm of the Bulldog offense for Harman’s sophomore and junior seasons, one can appreciate the fact that the quarterback position was, needless to say, occupied. But for a player, and a person, like Harman, that just meant finding other ways to contribute. “When I arrived, the team had recently won four state titles in a row, and then my freshman year, we lost to Capital in the playoffs,” he recalled. “I remember getting off the bus after that game and telling my friend, Michael, we can’t let this happen again. It was a moment

Harman’s focus and commitment is evident no matter which uniform he is wearing at Martinsburg.


NOW Booking 2019 Weddings

#luxurious #whimsical #unique #weddingflorist

(304)886-7543

Learn, Create, Design westvirjeni.com/workshops

Affordable Services • Reliable Resources • Locally Owned

THE DESIGN CENTERSue MarkS ~ Owner & DeSigner

office: 304-260-8810 • cell: 304-676-7785 web: thedesigncenterllc.com

Room Refresh. Your Space...Reimagined.

SHEPHERD RAMS

RISE TO NEW HEIGHTSTo support Shepherd’s student-athletes and athletic programs, visithttps://suathleticclub.org

// FEATURE CONT.

defensive back honor to go with a second state title. He does point out, however, that the preparation for quarterback was still happening, just on the other side of the ball. “Safety is the quarterback of the defense; it transitions to offense in my eyes—and helps me recognize defenses, blitzes, other details. And on defense, I can read the offense that much better—call different coverages based on what their offense is doing.” Moving into his senior year, Harman was as well prepared mentally, physically, and strategically as anyone could be for the QB position. But Martinsburg being Martinsburg, the quarterback spot wasn’t a lock.

“Coach Walker talked to me going into the season and stressed that I needed to be able to throw accurate and make good decisions,” he pointed out. “He told Elijah that too, but I hadn’t had any true in-game reps since my freshman year. [Elijah Banks split time at quarterback with Harman, and is expected to be the 2019/20 Bulldog starter]. So, me and some of the guys worked extremely hard in the off-season. We put it all on the line. We weren’t going to be denied. I had the perspective that I didn’t want to be the one to not make history and not win a title.” [They did both: winning the 2018/19 WV state title, the school’s third in a row and seventh in nine years, while also setting a state record with their 42nd win in a row].

Putting in the Work“I saw him play as a ninth grader; you could tell then that he was such a competitor,” said Dave Walker, Martinsburg’s head football coach. “Whether he was winning by fifty or losing by fifty, he was going to give you everything he had.” Walker knew he had a special kid on his hands, which is why he wanted to get Harman on the field early and often. “We had a need at free safety his sophomore year; I discussed it with the staff,” he explained. “I knew how smart

he was, how well he saw the field—I knew he’d study film and be very coachable. It ended up being the right move. And offensively, we had Tyson—so we had the luxury of trickling Grant in at quarterback to get him some experience. He was more of a runner than Tyson—and very athletic—so we got him reps at receiver, which combined with the defensive piece, really set him up for his senior year at quarterback. But I’m sure if I’d have asked him to play lineman, he would’ve done it, enthusiastically.” Aside from being an enormous part of Martinsburg’s football success during his tenure, Walker said Harman was simply a joy to coach. “He’s a breath of fresh air, a throwback, and a credit to his parents,” he emphasized. “Grant is very unselfish, a serious student of the game, and ultimately did whatever was needed for the team, without questioning. He’s the type of kid you want to coach—willing to do extra to be successful, and he put in so much extra time to become as much.” Walker added that the results speak for themselves. “I mean, he won forty-two games on the varsity level (at least 50 overall in high school), three state titles, three all-state honors, multiple all-conference honors, MVP of the state title game this year, the Carl Lee Trophy (top defensive back in the state) this year, as well as second place for the MetroNews player of the year. And people have to remember, this kid is a three-sport athlete—a very good basketball and baseball player. “You want a kid like that in your locker room, in your program. He leads by example and makes everyone better. There are a lot of expectations to be met with Martinsburg High School football, and a string of exceptional guys who came before you. It takes a special person to live up to those expectations and carry that torch. He put in the work, and you see the results. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Nate Sowers—the work ethic, the academics, the personality. You don’t get much better than Nate, and Grant reminds me a lot of Nate.” Whatever direction Harman chooses after high school, Walker isn’t worried. “He’s got a bright future. Everything he does, he’d good at. He’s just one of those people who, when he sets his mind to do something, he’s going to do it.”

Another Level There was never a doubt in Harman’s mind that Walker and his fellow coaches would put the Martinsburg team in a position to win every

... HE’S JUST ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO, WHEN HE SETS HIS MIND TO DO SOMETHING, HE’S GOING TO DO IT …


season. “One way for me to look at it is: it’s everybody versus Martinsburg,” he noted. “You get on social media or look at a lot of the press coming into this season, and even near the end—people doubted us heavily this year. No one thought we were going to win the title, except us. I believe that the winning culture established here by the coaches and the former players resonates with the people coming up. Like me, those kids don’t want to be the ones known for tarnishing the legacy—for not doing their best to keep it going.” Harman also hinted at an answer often asked within the region: how is Martinsburg so good every year? “Practices here are insane. We compete on another level. The coaches preach that the scout team should be the best team we play all week. And they do a great job at making sure the scout team is top quality. We all get better as a result … so that when it’s their time to step into the starting role, they’ve done their time, contributed to the success of the program, and now they have their own opportunity to carry the torch. With the talent pool so deep at Martinsburg, you’re really just one play away from getting in and contributing to the success, the legacy. And you have to think like that—and bring that level of commitment.” Talent being what it is, it still takes an extra ingredient for a great athlete to rise above his peers. Harman calls it his “killer mentality.” “Yeah, people don’t really expect it when they first see me; Coach Walker always jokes that I don’t pass the ‘eye test,’” he mused. “But I guess I’ve just always had it; I don’t think it’s taught. I’ve always been scrappy. Always wanted to win no matter what. Fortunately, being at Martinsburg has allowed me to be a part of sports programs that are either at or near the

top—which feeds the competitive instinct—the killer mentality.” While it might be more subtle on the baseball field (his favorite of the three sports, surprisingly), it only takes about a minute of watching Harman play football or basketball to see the inner animal. “I suppose the mentality just bleeds from one sport into the next,” he added. “It’ll be interesting to see how it affects me in college if I don’t play sports.” A worthy consideration—and a keen bit of introspection from a young man who many would expect to continue his athletic ways at some lucky school immediately after graduating from Martinsburg—time will tell, said Harman. “My parents have done a great job keeping me on task over the years. They always stressed the importance of good grades and time management. If I go to college and blow out a knee or something, I’ll have those good grades to fall back on. If I don’t have the academics, then what do I fall back on?” Currently, Harman juggles his extremely busy schedule very carefully—mixing sports that overlap from season to season with upper level and AP classes, as well as three college

classes this year. “I think that taking those harder classes can prepare me for college if I also decide to play sports while I’m there. I’ll have to take those types of classes while managing sports too, and it’s all about time management—one of the life skills I’ve learned in high school.” Now finding himself in the inevitable position of reflecting on his time at MHS, when it “seemed like yesterday” that he was pledging to carry the football torch, Harman appreciates that Martinsburg High School has done just as much for him as he has done for it. “I’ve grown and matured so much—sports had a lot to do with that, but so did the experience here overall,” he said. “I don’t go out and party or anything, and I hang out with good people. I’d like to think I’ve become a good example to younger people. I don’t want to confuse them—or compromise their idea of what it means to be successful. “Martinsburg High School allowed me to develop as a person. Coach Walker and Coach Sherman give me tons of advice and words of wisdom—I listen to every bit of it because of the type of people they are. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.” Legacies being what they are, Harman hopes the legacy he leaves behind impacts those behind him as much as his experience at Martinsburg High impacted him. “I guess the one thing I’d really want to represent is work ethic,” he affirmed. “I wasn’t necessarily blessed with height or speed or even size. It’s really just about hard work for me. People see that. I hope the younger guys behind me can look at me and see how much hard work has allowed me to achieve. Hopefully they’re inspired by that, and find similar success.”

On the football field, Harman’s name became

synonymous with athleticism,

intensity, and leadership.

DAVID E. DARNELL, CPA

Tax Season HoursJanuary 15, 2019– April 15, 20199AM to 4PM, Monday-Friday and by appointment

304-725-5712 59 RULAND ROAD, SUITE F KEARNEYSVILLE, WV 25430

conveniently located off of Route 9, behind the Jefferson County DMV

Personal and Business Tax Preparation

including Multi-State Returns

and Tax Planning

Accounting, Bookkeeping

and Payroll Services

Quickbooks Installation and Training

MARCH 2019 | 10Observer// HEALTH & WELLNESS

WITH THE ADVENT OF SPRING comes the fear of donning that summer bathing suit with the addition of some extra curves—the result of winter sedation and comfort-food calories. Here are some things to do as preparation for safely getting back in shape—and always check with your doctor before starting any new routines or fasting. Strengthen your core. Sit ups and crutches are not addressing the proper core musculature. Transverse Abdominus is the horizontal core muscle that offers spinal stability. There are a lot of great exercises on YouTube that will wake this muscle up and provide the foundation for any exercise routine that follows. A couple of sessions with a personal trainer just to target the TA would be a great investment. Improve lymphatic flow. This is the body’s sewer system filter that eliminates toxins, cellular waste, bacteria, viruses, etc. This filter works by muscle contraction. Office jobs and couch-potatoism causes pooling of lymph, having a negative effect on overall health, and can cause muscles to lose the ability of maximum

function. Try a mini-trampoline at your home office or regular office—if possible, five minutes several times a day will get that lymph flowing. “Dry brushing” toward the heart before a shower is also fantastic. Lots of good information on YouTube about how to do this. Additionally, when you shower, ratchet the hot water down to luke warm then back to hot. Then, each time, make it a little colder for five or six cycles. This is great for your immune system, lymphatic flow, and weight loss. Avoid this if you have a heart condition. Intermittent fasting. This has health benefits and is a great way to lose weight. My favorite is an eight-hour window in which I eat—which leaves sixteen hours of fasting each day. Anything with calories can’t be consumed in that sixteen-hour block. Your body quickly adapts. Don’t try this if you’re diabetic. Strengthen and mobilize your feet. Most Americans’ feet are weak and stiff, with poor bone density, due to wearing shoes. Minimal shoes are great, but weak feet on hard flat surfaces, not so much. Build a four-foot by four-

foot bed of round, smooth river rocks the size of an egg. Spend time each day slowly walking in your minimal shoes on this varied surface, to mobilize your feet. Should they get sore, back off, and slowly increase intensity. Progress to some nature walks—as uneven surfaces are the key. Your whole body will benefit. Ultimately, learn some restorative exercises to bring as much balance to your body as possible. This will prevent injuries. Some of my favorites can be found on our Capstonemethod YouTube page: Balance your pelvis, change your world, and Alignment Squats and Hanging for happy shoulders. Introducing these into your daily routine will have a dramatic positive effect if done with proper form, and progressively, to allow your body to adapt. Remember: it’s more fun if the parts work and look good in the process. Happy spring!

ARTICLE BY: Chris Crawford and Lori RobertsonChris and Lori own and operate Capstone Method, with

offices in Shepherdstown (WV) and Winchester (VA). Find out more at www.capstonemethod.com or call Chris at 540-270-7601 and/or Lori at 540-336-4737.

WAKING UP THAT WINTERIZED BODY


HEADING INTO THE SPRING SEASON brings many happy thoughts of warmer weather and beautiful things emerging, but car care might not be at the top of the list. However, car maintenance, like home maintenance, should be a priority this time of year. Vehicles are the second-largest investment for many consumers, and it only makes since to give that investment the attention it deserves. Most of us are familiar with the common maintenance items, such as oil and filter service, checking tires (now is a good time to switch over from winter to summer tires if your driving environment requires such), belts, hoses, brakes, batteries, and even fluid exchanges. To that end, just like our engine oil, all other fluids

including brake, power steering, transmission, and coolant fluids need exchanged. It is also recommended to give your vehicle a good cleaning—inside and out! Clean out any excess items inside your vehicle that would cause unnecessary weight. This can help increase your fuel mileage (especially as road-trip season nears). Wash off all of the winter chemicals and grime that have been building up while it was too cold to do so—which will protect the exterior of your vehicle. And don’t forget the undercarriage, which prevents corrosion. This part is usually pretty satisfying overall because not only are you taking care of your investment, but it just feels good to have a clean and organized vehicle.

Spring ForwardMost of us are not as familiar with the following services—important for clean, fresh air inside of the vehicle:

Cabin Air Filter: This filter prevents dust, pollen, dirt, and other pollutants from entering your vehicle through your A/C and heat vents. This is not to be confused with the air filter,

which prevents harmful debris, dirt, and contaminants from entering your engine. Now is a good time to replace both the cabin air filter and air filter.

Evaporator Cleaning: Most of us have experienced a musty smell while the air conditioning system is operating and flowing inside the cabin of the vehicle. This service cleans the air conditioning system’s evaporator to prevent mold, mildew, and bacteria by injecting a disinfectant solution. This service may also include checking the evaporator condensation drain hose or pipe to insure it is properly draining and not clogged by debris.

Air Conditioning System check: Spring is a great time to service your air conditioning system to insure it is working properly and cooling sufficiently. There is nothing worse than being stuck in traffic or headed to a warm vacation spot, just to have your air conditioning system not function properly, leaving you more than just overheated. Most automotive facilities offer spring discounts for A/C checks before the busy summer season, so save yourself some money while insuring you keep your cool!

Now is the time to spring forward into savings. Don’t delay—make preventative maintenance a priority. We promise, it will save you money, time, and aggravation in the long run.

ARTICLE BY: Ronnie BrownBrown’s Tire, Towing & Auto Care Center, Inc.

(7735 Martinsburg Pike, Shepherdstown). For more information, call 304-876-6835

or visit www.BrownsTire.net.

CARCHAT—

With your neighborhood

mechanic

‘TIS THE SEASON: TO GIVE YOUR CAR A CHECKUP


Washington CountyMuseum of Fine Arts Camps Art

AGES: 6-10, 11-13

ABOUT: Explore a variety of watercolor techniques in Watercolor Painting Camp (June 18-21), or learn how to use clay to create your own character, settings, and props to cre-ate a mini-movie in 3-D Art and Stop Motion Animation Camp (June 25-28 and July 9-12). All supplies provided, just bring a lunch!

WEBSITE: wcmfa.com

Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program Physics/Higher Math/Creative Writing/Computer Programming/ History & Environmental Science/Overnight

AGES/GRADES ACCEPTED: Gifted Rising 5th–12th grade

ABOUT: Teachers are college professors with experience and a special interest in gifted students. Activities and outings are an integral part of the experience. Classes are challenging, yet fun. The program is held on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV. Dates for this session are June 16-29. Students are in class from 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday.

WEBSITE: wvwc.edu/ academics/special-programs/ summer-gifted-program/

T H E Spring and summer marks the gradual end of the school year for most kids, but it doesn’t have to mark the end of educational opportunities and good-old-fashioned fun. Below, we’ve listed many of the hottest camps in our area this summer.

Audubon Discovery Camps Nature

AGES ACCEPTED: Ages 3–17

ABOUT: Our day camps offer the ultimate outdoor experiences! Different session topics each week focus on natural history as campers explore forests, meadows, and marshes; study wildlife; turn over rocks and logs; learn survival skills; and build forts in the woods. The camps run June 10-August 2, 9am-3pm, at Yankauer Nature Preserve (between Shepherdstown and Martinsburg) and Cool Spring Preserve (south of Charles Town).

WEBSITE: potomacaudubon.org/discovercamp

Allegro Dance Company Camps Entertainment & Dance

AGES ACCEPTED: Ages 3–9, 9+

ABOUT: Whether you are a comic book fan, interested in exploring a magical week of being royalty, or looking to improve your dance skills, you can find some fun at Allegro Dance Company. Camps begin on July 8. Specific camp dates, times, and costs vary depending on your camp choice. Visit website for complete details. Located in Kearneysville, WV.

WEBSITE: allegrodancecompany.com

Cool to Care Camp Animal Lovers

GRADES ACCEPTED: 1–9

ABOUT: A camp for young animal lovers! Campers enjoy guest presenters, art projects, games, group activities, and interaction with adoptable pets at The Briggs Animal Adoption Center. Pet Pals week is for rising 1st-3rd graders. Humane Heroes week is for rising 4th-6th graders. Animal Advocates week is for rising 7th-9th graders. Pet Pals: June 24-28; Humane Heroes: July 8-12; Animal Advocates: July 22-26. All camps held from 9am to 3pm at Briggs Animal Adoption Center, Charles Town, WV.

WEBSITE: baacs.org/camp

Freedom's Run Camp River Runners Running/Nutrition

AGES ACCEPTED: Ages 10-18

ABOUT: Join us for our 4th-Annual Camp River Runners! Learn to be a lifelong runner with proper form, nutrition habits, and mobility training. And of course, river running! High School Overnight & Day Camps: July 21-24. Middle School Day Camps: July 17-19, All camps held in Shepherdstown, WV.

WEBSITE: freedomsrun.org

Shepherdstown School of Dance Summer Intensive Dance

AGES/GRADES ACCEPTED: Ages 8+

ABOUT: SSOD Summer Intensive full day sessions (ages 10 and up), Junior Intensive (ages 8 and up), and School Year Jump Start (ages 8 and up), are designed to maximize student progress through the study of technique, alignment, artistry, and expression, resulting in greater joy and confidence in the art and discipline of classical dance. Sessions begin July 8th and run through August 9th.

WEBSITE: shepherdstownschoolofdance.com

Theatre Camp at theOld Opera House Theatre

AGES/GRADES ACCEPTED: 8+

ABOUT: Our theatre camps feature classes and exercises in improvisation, makeup, stagecraft, dancing, costuming, special effects, musical theatre, and more! Looking for high-energy campers ready for fun! Camps meet from 9am to noon each day at the Old Opera House Theatre in Charles Town. Registration forms on webpage. Dance camps in June and July (Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, and Broadway).

WEBSITE: oldoperahouse.org

CampSummerG U I D E


SAY WHAT YOU WILL about the Trump shutdown; while it revealed plenty about our “leaders” in Washington, it also revealed a good bit about us. Mainly, that many Americans are apparently much more financially vulnerable than anyone realized—or, at least, care to admit. In this case, government workers—who, on average, earn around 50 percent more than the private workforce—were the beneficiaries of both compassion and scrutiny during the shutdown. On the compassion side, nationwide community-based efforts to support and assist those struggling emerged through the chaos in true American fashion. A perfect example is described on page 17 of this issue—spotlighting how Shepherdstown chose to take care of its own in their time of need. On the scrutiny side, questions were two-fold: (a) How can people who average approximately $84,000/year (with more than 300,000 federal employees earning over $100K/year) find themselves living paycheck to paycheck? And (b), if these folks are barely above water, then what does that say about the rest of the country? As per data that surfaced during the shutdown, we now know that around 70 million Americans are at least 30 days behind on their auto bills. Nearly 80 percent of American workers say they, too, are living paycheck to paycheck.

WHY ARE SO MANY AMERICANS BROKE?

Nearly half of all Americans say they couldn’t come up with $400 to cover an emergency. And the average American has less than $4,000 in savings, while 57 percent of U.S. adults have less than $1,000 to their names. That said, numbers such as the ones above provide some undeniable food for thought—perhaps even snapping people to attention about how they handle, or understand, their finances. But it should be noted: the day-to-day lives of Americans are complex and exclusive for each and every person. A single sick child, parent, or spouse—combined with a mountain of normal monthly bills and an uncooperative health insurance provider—represents just one scenario where a six-figure salary can struggle to pull its weight. But the title of this piece does ask a legitimate question. Not that a one-page article could dive too deep into it, but I will point to a piece that MarketWatch editor Catey Hill recently published—which serves as a snapshot of at least one poor habit affecting Americans’ finances: we’re making a major money mistake around food. In her piece, Hill highlighted that a quarter of Americans admit they eat out too much. According to financial company Principal, 29 percent of Americans said it was their top expense last year (and it rises each year). Hill pointed to

government data, which shows that: “… in 2017, Americans spent more than $3,300 a year on dining out—a 6.7 percent increase from 2016 … and Gallup data from 2018 shows that six in ten Americans ate dinner out at least once in the last week, with 16 percent saying they did it three or more times a week.” Not only is eating out wreaking havoc on Americans’ savings, Hill emphasized, it’s also expanding waistlines—which isn’t exactly news. According to a study of more than 12,000 people by Public Health Nutrition, Americans typically eat at least 200 more calories per meal when dining out. With 75 percent of Americans either overweight or obese, according to the CDC, it’s a little hard to look away from this potential monthly line item, said Hill: “The medical cost for people who have obesity was $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.” While we all certainly hope future shutdowns can be avoided, for many Americans, the bigger focus should probably lie in examining the oft-expensive crossroads where our lives and our “lifestyles” intersect—and how mis-navigating that route can leave us desperately in need of funds … when we undoubtedly need them most.

ARTICLE BY: Jordan Webb

// SOCIETY

03Observer MARCH 2019 | 14

Wednesday Evenings in March: Free Gardening Lecture Series Jump into spring with the WVU Extension Berkeley-Jefferson Master Gardener’s Association. The popular gardening series returns with three free lectures on Wednesday evenings this month. The presentations will be held from 7-8pm in the meeting room at the Jefferson County WVU Extension Service building (1948 Wiltshire Road, off Route 9, in Kearneysville)."

Info: 304-264-1936

Calendar

ANNOUNCEMENTSFARMERS MARKETS WAKING BACK UP THIS SPRING! Opening day for the Shepherdstown Farmers Market is this month: Sunday, March 31—from 9am-1pm behind the Shepherdstown Public Library. The Charles Town Farmers Market opens up on April 13, Saturdays, from 8am-12pm, at 100 S. Samuel St. And check out our 2019 Farmers Market Guide for many more local markets at www.wearetheobserver.com.

EVENTSPVAS “THIS RACE IS FOR THE BIRDS!” SET FOR EARLY APRIL The Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) will hold its 18th-annual "This Race is for the Birds!" event on Saturday, April 6. Once again, Broomgrass Organic Farm Community near Gerrardstown, West Virginia, will be the site—offering participants a chance to walk or run on non-technical cross-country trails that wind through the fields and forests of the farm and along beautiful Back Creek. The event will include two professionally timed races: a 5K ($25) and 10K ($30) (for runners of all levels), to start at 9am. There will also be a 1-mile "Fun Run" (10:45am) for children 10 and under. Above costs will be $5 more for those registering after March 4.

Info: www.potomacaudubon.org/race

Shepherdstown Public Library March Schedule

Through March 15: The Library offers “Lap Babies” for children birth through 18 months on Tuesdays at 10:15am, and “Time for Twos” (19 months to 3 years) at 11:15am. The “Three to Fives” program meets Wednesdays at 11:15am. March 2: join Miss Tara at 11am for fairy tales, sing songs, and a “Three Little Pigs” STEM challenge. March 7: A LEGO Club for ages four and older—meets at 4:30pm. March 9: “A New Night Out at Big Cork” will be held at Big Cork Vineyards (4236 Main St. in Rohrersville, MD) from 6-9pm to support the New Library Project. March 13: Library Board to meet at 7pm—open to public. March 23: A LEGO Club for ages four and older to meet at 11am. March 29: FOSL Book Club to meet at 5pm—to discuss Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe. March 30: “Hogwarts at the Library”—third book in the Harry Potter series will be discussed, 11am-12pm, for fans ages 10-14.

Info: 304-876-2783

Charles Town Public Library March ScheduleMondays—10:30am and 4pm: Story Time with Miss Debbie. March 1: Dessert Reception followed by Poetry Reading with Kirk Judd, who will read from his own work My People Was Music and from Joseph Barrett’s recently published Blue Planet Memoirs, 6:30 & 7pm. March 6: Poetry & Prose Writing group, 3pm. March 7: Chess with Chester—learn how to play chess or challenge your skills, 5pm. March 9: Second Saturday Story Time & Craft, 10am. March 14: Chess with Chester, 5pm. March 19: Book Club, 3:30pm, and Read with the Dogs (reservation required), 5pm. March 20: Poetry & Prose writing group, 3pm. March 21: Poetry & Prose writing group (must RSVP at [email protected]), 6pm. March 28: 50 Shades of Zen— adult coloring.

Info: ctlibrary.org

Folly Fish Tale Fundraisers Begin in MarchOriginating in 2009, Folly Fish Tales is an annual children’s camp comprising an original production performed yearly in Shepherdstown by the Folly Fish Tales Theatre Troupe, a group of around 30 kids (ages 5-17) and 20 adults. Every year is a different energetic theme bringing all-new adventures. Camp runs from June 12-23 (excluding June 15 & 16), from 4-8pm, at The Folly (301 Big Oak Dr., Shepherdstown). To make camp more affordable for families this year, three fundraisers are planned for this spring: March 3—at the Shepherdstown Train Station, 6-8pm (Mardi Gras theme with live music and themed food (and BYOB), $25/adults, $10/kids); April 7— art/yard sale to be held at Town Run Tap House and Community Pub (202 E. Washington St., Shepherdstown); and May 5—a music event, also to be held at Town Run Tap House.

Info: [email protected]

2 Herbal Mixology Workshop Set for Saturday, March 2, from 6:30-8:30pm, at Shepherdstown’s Tonic Herb Shop (140 E. German St.), attendees will learn how to make their own cocktails and liqueurs using therapeutic herbs and organic ingredients. Registration is $45 and space is limited to 10 people. Register online at www.tonicherbshop.com/ herbal-mixology-workshop.

Info: 304-870-4527

6 Soul Steps Dance Company to Perform at Shepherd Join Shepherd University on Wednesday, March 6, at 7pm, in the Frank Center on campus, for a special performance featuring Soul Steps dance company. Founded in 2005 by Maxine Lyle, the company showcases the African-American dance tradition known as "stepping." Tickets are available at the Shepherd University Bookstore: FREE to Shepherd students with valid Rambler ID, $5 for those under 18, and $10 for adults.

Info: 304-876-5219

8-17 “Around the World in 8 Plays” at Black BoxScheduled for Fridays, March (8 & 15) at 7pm, Saturdays, March (9 & 16) at 2pm and 7pm, and Sundays, March (10 & 17) at 2pm, the Black Box Arts Center (113 S. Princess St., Shepherdstown) presents “Around the World in 8 Plays”—an opportunity to travel around the world and explore forgotten myths and unusual legends through the telling of eight fast-paced and hilarious folktales. Guided by a band of roaming gypsies, the audience is transported to Czechoslovakia, South Africa, Japan, Russia, Brazil, India, North America, and Ireland.

Info: 304-870-4685

’’Observer MARCH 2019 | 15

8& 22 Film Society Boasts Two Films in MarchThe Shepherdstown Film Society will show “Good Morning Vietnam” on Friday, March 8, from 7-9:30pm, at Shepherd University’s Reynolds Hall (109 N. King St., Shepherdstown), and “The Insult” on Friday, March 22, at 7pm, also at Reynolds Hall. Both showings will include post-film discussions. For all additional information, visit the link below..

Info: www.shepherdstownfilmsociety.org

9New Street United Pancake BreakfastSet for Saturday, March 9, from 7-11am, at New St. United Methodist Church (corner of Church & New Streets, Shepherdstown), this breakfast includes pancakes, bacon, sausage, sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, applesauce, and beverages. Adults $8 and children (4-12) $5. Church is handicap accessible, parking at meters is free on Saturdays.

12 Join the JC ChorusLove to sing? Come join the Jefferson County Community Chorus. No auditions—$20 membership dues. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, March 12, from 7-9pm, in the fellowship hall of St. James Catholic Church in Charles Town (WV). The fundraising concert to support the music department of Jefferson High School will be held on Saturday, May 4, at Jefferson High School.

Info: 304-876-0639

12 “Boots to Business Reboot” Class for Veterans Shepherd University’s Martinsburg Center (261 Aikens Center, Martinsburg) is offering a “Boots to Business Reboot” class on Tuesday, March 12, from 8:30am-3:30pm—geared toward helping veterans start or grow a business. The class is free to veterans, but will be limited to the first 35 people who register. Shepherd will provide a light lunch to participants. Register at EventBrite under the event name.


16 AWS Rabies ClinicThe Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County (AWS) will host their annual spring Rabies Clinic on Saturday, March 16, from 10am-12pm, at Southern States in Ranson (WV)—for dogs and cats four months of age and over. All dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in carriers. Cost is $10/pet. All additional information at the link below.

Info: www.awsjc.org

16 Tarot Reading at On the Wings of DreamsSet for Saturday, March 16, from 12-4pm, at On the Wings of Dreams (139 W. German St., Shepherdstown), find out if you’re ready to spring into growth. Learn more with a tarot reading at On the Wings of Dreams. Walk-ins are welcome if there’s an opening.

Info: 304-876-0244

16 JC Museum Celebrates 2019 with EventThe Jefferson County Museum (200 E. Washington St., Charles Town) is hosting a free, public reception on Saturday, March 16, from 1-4pm, to celebrate the opening of the 2019 season and three new exhibits.


19 Rotary Charity Basketball EventOrganized by the Shepherdstown Rotary Club, tickets are on sale for a special charity basketball event to be held at Jefferson High School on Tuesday, March 19, from 7-9pm, featuring the Harlem Wizards—a New York-based basketball team similar to the Harlem Globetrotters. Basic advance tickets: $10 (students and senior citizens) and $12 (adults)—available for purchase at www.harlemwizards.com or locally at Insurance Outfitters in Shepherdstown or Dandridge Realty Group in Charles Town. Tickets will be available at the door for $12 (students) and $15 (adults).

Info: www.shepherdstownrotary.org

19 "Speak" Presents Alton Takiyama-ChungSpeak Story Series, part of the Shepherd University Appalachian Studies Program, in collaboration with the SU Common Reading

Program, presents Alton Takiyama-Chung on March 19, at 7:30pm, at Reynolds Hall (109 N. King St., Shepherdstown). He will present “Pineapples and Kimchee: a program of Korean folk tales and personal stories about the Korean experience in Hawaii. Admission is $12 at the door, express entry for Speak season ticket holders, free to full-time Shepherd University students with ID. Speak is for adult audiences. Mature youth allowed at guardian’s discretion.


22 Rotary Club Wine-Tasting DinnerSet for Friday, March 22, at 6:30pm, at the Bavarian Inn (164 Shepherd Grade Rd., Shepherdstown), the Shepherdstown Rotary Club will hold its 18th-Annual Wine-tasting Dinner—open to everyone in the community. The event will include an elegant multi-course dinner featuring wines carefully chosen to complement each course. Admission is $75 per person ($20 is tax-deductible). Deadline for reservations is March 18; dress is formal/black-tie optional.

Info: www.shepherdstownrotary.org

22 CATF 2019 Season Launch PartyLocated at Shepherd University’s Popodicon (109 Shepherd Grade Rd., Shepherdstown), this event starts at 6pm on Friday, March 22—celebrating the launch of the 2019 Contemporary American Theater Festival. Immediately following, at 7:30pm, the "Shepherdstown Sneak Peek” will be held in the Marinoff Theater on campus, announcing the six new plays to be produced this July.

Info: www.catf.org

29 SU's Annual Drag ShowShepherd University is holding its annual Drag Show on Friday, March 29, from 7-11pm, in the Student Center—Storer Ballroom (210 N. King St., Shepherdstown—on campus). The organizations supported this year will be Hagerstown Hopes and the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center.

Info: 609-977-4901

30Antiques and Collectibles SaleSet for Shepherdstown’s War Memorial Building (102 E. German St.) on Saturday, March 30, from 9am-4pm, and Sunday,

March 31, from 10am-3pm, experience antique and vintage furniture, decorative smalls, toys, baskets, textiles, jewelry, vintage clothing, hats and handbags, and other fun and unique items. Literally, something for everyone.

Info: 304-725-5501

30Orchestra Concert in ShepherdstownThe Friends of Music will present a Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra concert on Saturday, March 30, 7:30pm, at Trinity Episcopal Church (200 W. German St., Shepherdstown). Entitled "String Fling," the concert will feature the world premiere of the string version of "Into the Liquid," a work by J. Kimo Williams, and a performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 14 by pianist Scott Beard, as well as Mendelssohn's Sinfonia No. 8 in D.

Info: www.friendswv.org

30 Harpers Ferry National Historic Park EventsSet for Saturday, March 30, at 2pm, in Lower Town, this Woman’s History Month program features stories of writers and artists, slaveholders and those enslaved, witnesses to John Brown’s Raid and the Civil War, business owners and civilians, and the teachers and students of West Virginia’s first historically black college. Additionally, on March 30 & 31, from 11am-4pm, in Lower Town, “Necessity: The Mother of Invention,” looks at Harpers Ferry’s industrial history.

Info: www.historicharpersferry.com/main

31Flip-Flop Four-Course Progressive DinnerJoin organizers for the Flip-Flop Festival Progressive Dinner, on Sunday, March 31, from 5:30-8:30pm, in Harpers Ferry. Sponsored by the Trail and Town Alliance of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar, all proceeds will benefit the popular annual Harpers Ferry Flip-Flop Festival. This year will feature a four-course French dinner, with each course prepared by local residents and served in a beautiful home. Tickets available on EventBrite (search the event name) or at Rations Café (1102 W. Washington St., Harpers Ferry). Ticketholders will be contacted with detailed directions and a map.

Info: 304-433-1260


www.granitecountertopsolutions.com

COUNTERTOPSOLUT I ONS

10% OFFGRANITE and QUARTZ*

Free Sink & Free Cheese Board

240-716-6569286 Langston Blvd. Martinsburg, WV | Open Daily

*0% Financing Available / Discount applied to Material & Fabrication

GENERATION WEST VIRGINIA, the statewide organization dedicated to attracting, retaining, and advancing young talent in the Mountain State, announced in late January that Jefferson County resident Rod Snyder has been named chair of its Board of Directors for the 2019 calendar year. Snyder first joined the board in 2017, and brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership at the local, state, and national levels. “We are fortunate to have Rod leading our board of directors during this period of growth and expanded organizational impact,” said Natalie Roper, executive director of Generation West Virginia. “Rod’s commitment to West Virginia coupled with his nonprofit development experience uniquely positions him for this role. Rod knows how to dream big, grow strategically, and promote our mission.” Snyder is a lifelong resident of Jefferson County with a history of significant community involvement in the Eastern Panhandle. He is a former candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates and currently serves as president of Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture. Snyder is also widely recognized for his national leadership in youth advocacy. He has worked to engage young people in the political process in all fifty states, has traveled to Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe to speak about American democracy, and has appeared on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CBS News, and C-SPAN to offer commentary on Millennials. “Generation West Virginia is the premier nonprofit organization working to attract and retain young talent in West Virginia,” he explained. “I’ve been involved in youth advocacy and leadership development for more than a decade, so it was an obvious decision for me when I was invited to join the board of directors in 2017. West Virginia is losing population faster than almost any other state in the country. It will take a concerted effort between state and local governments, the private sector, and academia to reverse this trend, and voices of young people are desperately needed in the conversation.”

Staying ConnectedSnyder pointed out that Generation West Virginia (GWV) has grown rapidly over the past several years, from entirely volunteer leadership in 2014 to nearly ten full-time paid staff by the end of this year. “One of my major areas of focus will be working closely with GWV’s executive director to ensure we have strong financial processes and organizational structure that are necessary for sustainable growth. “Our programmatic priorities this year include expansion of the Impact Fellowship, which is modeled after the successful Challenge Detroit program. The fellowship offers dozens of young West Virginians paid positions with some of the state’s most innovative companies, while they simultaneously volunteer at a local nonprofit of their choice.” Snyder explained that GWV also recently launched NewForce, a tuition-free, in-person, team-based tech training program in Huntington (WV). “NewForce was established to help ensure that young West Virginians have the right tech skills for companies who are ready to hire in the Mountain State. After six months of intensive training, the program finishes with a Job Interview Day, where the program’s employer partners interview NewForce graduates for open positions.” GWV boasts a network of nearly a dozen local chapters across the state, including Generation Eastern Panhandle—covering Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan Counties. “Local chapters provide an opportunity for young people to connect through professional networking, educational programming, and volunteer opportunities,” said Snyder. “We also have a goal of cultivating more young people to serve on local boards and commissions. We know that young people who are active and connected in their communities, socially and professionally, are more likely to stay in the state.” For more information, please visit www.generationwv.org.

ARTICLE SUBMITTED BY: Generation West Virginia – in collaboration with The Observer’s Jillian Williams

// STATE

GENERATION WEST VIRGINIA APPOINTS BOARD CHAIR FROM EASTERN PANHANDLE


105 S. Princess St. | Shepherdstown | galler yat105.com

Welcome Diana Suttenfield

Joe MayerJared Scheerer

Danny ConantScott Cawood

Bruce FransenSusan Liselle Carney

“Springtime in the StudioWith Willa”

Diana Suttenfield

Acrylic on Linen 32” x 28”

Artist Gil Narro Garcia presents -

Order Online, FREE Shipping: DinneranDnature.com

304.596.0255 Harpers Ferry, WV

Dinner and Naturechase the Winter DolDrums aWay!

with this special offer

$10 off all Plates

Bring Color & Life into Your Home with Nature Inspired Tableware.

"SPRING" into savings with an Insurance Portfolio Review.

Jodi Pope - Local Agent 304.620.3158 [email protected]

"Not Just Your Agent....Your Advocate."

auto • home • health • business • life

Hassle Free - No Pressue

Insurance Quote

ContaCt Jodi for your

THE AFTERNOON WHEN local resident Kerri Godfrey walked into the Shepherdstown Visitors Center is not one that director Marianne Davis will soon forget. From the onset of their conversation on Friday, January 18, Davis began brainstorming with Godfrey in hopes to offer local residents affected by the 2018-19 government shutdown essential assistance during their time of need. Their words quickly grew to actions, as the two began to structure Shepherdstown Shares—a non-par tisan effor t to offer furloughed government employees access to a pop-up food pantry. “It started on a Friday afternoon, and six days later, we had six thousand pounds of food,” Davis began. She explained that Godfrey expressed concerns that members of the U.S. Coast Guard, her husband included, were running out of resources—as they were required to work without pay. Davis responded, “Well, we can change that!” “I got on the phone to the Shepherdstown Community Club, which was already raising money for Jefferson County Community Ministries, and we decided that we would divert those efforts temporarily here, and that I would advertise,” she explained. “We were fortunate in that we have a building across the street that was empty.” Davis enlisted the assistance of her fellow Lions from the Shepherdstown Lions Club. Toget her, volunte ers fr om t he t hr e e organizations began setting schedules, coordinating logistics, and working with grocery retailers to create the pantry in a turn-around time of just less than a week.

That Type of TownThe food pantry, located at 108 Princess Street, opened to serve approximately 140 community members in need. Shepherdstown Shares opened their doors to all government employees who had federal identification. This allowed government workers who reside in West Virginia and neighboring states—such as Maryland and Virginia—access to the essential items and gift cards that Shepherdstown Share was able to collect. “We had so many extraordinary people donate,” Davis noted. “We had some people that came in here—didn’t want to leave their names—and filled our freezer with packages of beef. We had other people come in with coolers of pork.” To make the most out of gift cards, volunteers would attempt to coordinate card distribution to recipients based on stores that would serve their needs the best. Although federal workers were back to work on January 25, the food pantry continued to see members of the community that were still feeling the effects from the shutdown. Davis explained that government contract workers who were off without pay were among those who visited the pantry in the beginning of February. She added that the town noticed a decline in its visitors. Additionally, community members in the area, who rely on tips, saw a decline in their income. Davis stated that any service workers who needed assistance were also included in the endeavor. “Like everything else in Shepherdstown, it runs on the backs of volunteers—and these people were extraordinary. There were Coast Guard people who volunteered, the three organizations, and people who just came out of the woodwork and helped. This is the type of town that will do that sort of thing. They see the need and they say, ‘I can fix it.’” As of February 15, Shepherdstown Shares was no longer needed, as lawmakers narrowly avoided an additional government shutdown. Davis stated that the remainder of goods collected from the pantry were donated to local organizations and concluded at the end of the month.

ARTICLE BY: Angela F. Durkin

// COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY MEMBERS RALLY TO AID WORKERS IMPACTED BY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Observer MARCH 2019 | 18

WALKING TOWARDS my departure gate at Reagan National Airport last October, I passed a kiosk selling merchandise items sporting the Make America Great Again slogan. The shop was closed for the evening, so I took advantage of the empty airport terminal to peruse the wares, wondering who still buys wearables blaring a political slogan nearly two years after its campaign ended. It’s that word “again” in the MAGA phrase that stimulates my gag reflex. It’s been used as a mantra by so many, so often, it could almost stand alone as a message. This time, it’s an existential matter of definition; just exactly what is the meaning of again? It implies that a “something” once existed, now ceases to exist, and needs to be resurrected. The proliferation of garb decorated with the meme of a retro campaign theme makes me wish that those who choose to wear it be required to take another history class. They need to learn about us—who we were in the past, are now, and could be in the future. They should start with comparing the demographics of American society and track the past 50, 100, or 150 years, graphing statistics in categories like life expectancy, wage increases, pollution levels, banking safety, fire departments, indoor plumbing, and disposable income ratio. Then they could determine precisely what era they would choose to compare with the present. Obviously, what was the Golden Age in America depends on your race, gender and religion. The Plantation economy was on a roll before the Civil War, but only because slavery was legal. The 1890s were good for the robber barons, but there was no minimum wage, child labor laws,

or 40-hour work weeks. Oklahoma pioneers farmed cheap government land, but then, with no environmental protections, watched the Dust Bowl blow their profits across a million acres. Labor Unions hit their peak during the 1940s, but then politicians tamed them, stagnating livable wages for the working class and giving CEOs more profits. Christian theology dominated the spirit of the law until the early 1960s when the protection of “the right to privacy” was deemed a Constitutional right, kicking off the Golden Age for women—making it legal to have contraceptives and credit cards. For African Americans, there was one Golden Day when Obama was elected President—but then they had to witness the strongest backlash to racial equality since the Jim Crow era. To that end, Caucasians feel their Golden Age is waning: 55 percent of white Americans now believe they are being discriminated against—but give no examples of legislation that would deny them any of the rights they’ve denied to others. Ask anyone on the street what MAGA(gain) refers to, and you’ll likely get the party line that our decline in manufacturing, steel in particular, has cost us our position of strength in the world. You’ll hear the concern that perhaps we’re not still “number one” in military might. What you won’t get is any facts with those answers. Fortunately, economic and military strength are both easily measurable. We still are a leader in manufacturing. We still export at a healthy rate. We still have at least the second-largest army on the globe. But those answers aren’t going to convince anyone wearing a MAGA hat.

Top-Dog Position True, we don’t manufacture and export the muscular products that made us wealthy. But we still have a monopoly on many lucrative commodities that are sold to almost every country in the world. For example, the United States manufactures and exports 89 percent of the world’s pornography. Unfortunately, a big slice of earnings is lost to overseas markets through hackers, pirates, and homemade smut. Profits are hard to quantify because, as quoted by the associate dean of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism: “pornography is an industry where they exaggerate the size of everything.” And with 428,000,000 porn website hosting pages, the U.S. leads the world by a longshot. In addition to being the top exporters of obscenity, we are also the top exporters of obesity—in the form of global consumption of sugar, particularly in soft drinks. We ship soda to every country in the world except two: North Korea and Cuba. The American company that produces and bottles Coke and Pepsi, according to their website, is the “world’s most valuable brand associated with happiness … [and] are the number one provider of sparkling beverages, juices, and ready-to-drink coffees.” The sugar they pump into their products are known causes of obesity—a world-wide health epidemic that contributes to diabetes and heart disease as well as orthopedic disabilities, as people struggle to carry extra weight on their backs and knees. We also still keep our top-dog position in the manufacture and sale of arms, especially to Saudi Arabia, our biggest customer. We sold

THAT MAGA THING—THE PROBLEM IS … “AGAIN”

// POLITICS / OP-ED


BAVARIAN INN

72 Rooms and Suites \Aith River Vie'-'4 Fine Dining or Casual in the Rathsbeller Areas Largest Wine and Beer Selection.

View Menus & Specials www.bavarianinnwv.com

On the Potomac River, Shepherdstown WV 304-876-2551

OFFICES IN CHARLES TOWN AND MARTINSBURGWWW.SKINNERFIRM.COM

SKINNERL A W F I R M

304.725.7029

CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION FOR INJURY AND INSURANCE CASES:

Andrew C. Skinner Stephen G. SkinnerLaura C. Davis Bryan E. Gray

W E T R E AT Y O U L I K E FA M I LY.

weapons to at least 98 countries between 2013 and 2017—even countries where rebel forces such as ISIS and the Taliban have used those weapons to fight against us when they get the opportunity. An added bonus: according to a 2016 Department of Defense audit, half of the 1.5 million weapons we supplied to Iraqi and Afghan military forces since 2002 ended up “missing” due to inadequate security, poor record-keeping, and lack of regulations. And let’s talk about our military, which I served in for over seven years. Are we still the strongest and the smartest? Chinas’ military is almost twice as large, but we’re still considered “the best” in terms of training. That may not last for long; of todays’ population aged 17-24, 71 percent are not qualified for enlistment due to criminal convictions, drug use, obesity, medical problems, mental health diagnoses, low aptitude test scores, or lack of physical fitness. Of the 29 percent who are qualified, only a few, less than 1 percent have expressed any interest in joining—according to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. With such an overwhelmingly small pool of potential candidates, it’s especially ironic that anyone would think it vital to bar a few transgender people from taking the oath to guard our country. Ironically, factors for disqualification reflect the population demographic from rural areas in the south, like Kentucky, where obesity rates and drug abuse tend to be even higher—and where MAGA-wear is still very much in style. And according to a 2010 article in the Military Times, “Overall, one in six military service members takes at least one type of psychiatric drug. The numbers are probably higher than estimated, since troops are also known to share and trade prescription drugs with each other, even while in combat zones.” Those outdated percentages are higher than the general population; as of 2014, nearly 13 percent of American teens take anti-depressant prescription drugs, not to mention additional medications for ADHD and anxiety disorders. As a country, we use more anti-depressants than anyone in the world. Not surprisingly, pharmaceuticals are also one of our largest exports.

Harder Hat to WearSo, we’re still great, if not the greatest—it’s just different products we’re making and selling. Plus, we use them ourselves; we’re drinking our own Kool-Aid. That’s our other most marketable product: delusion. Voters are made to think that we need to be great again, then convince the rest of the world to be like us, and then need a wall to keep them out. But reality is a much harder hat to wear, because if you really want to make America great, you have to start with you. It’s not more steel we need to forge; it’s more people with backbones of steel—with the work ethic to go the distance. Instead, we provide our children a life of leisure before they’ve even earned one, playing video games on consoles made in China, to escape the real life they haven’t even experienced yet. It’s obvious that our education system isn’t working if people lack the logic to see through the con of a billionaire real estate developer. It’s not surprising that immigrants from Africa and India have higher levels of college and post-graduate degrees than home-grown Americans do. But back to the airport kiosk display cabinet. Stacked neatly right next to the MAGA shirt for $9.99 was a similar product—a shirt with the Obama campaign image, selling for $12.99. Citing the free-market law of supply and demand, I’d say that proves that there are a lot of us who are still willing to pay an extra premium for “Hope and Change.” Again.

ARTICLE BY: Carol WilliamsCarol is a U.S. Army veteran, former ER nurse, and writes a bi-monthly column for The Journal. She lives in Berkeley County and hosts a textile art exhibit called "Fibers of Defiance" as part of her non-profit organization for veterans in the arts (USVAP.org). Her archived columns are published in book format, titled "the Age of Uterine Law." She can be contacted here: www.anothercarolwilliams.com.


ROBBIE BARRAT’S revolutionary research relating to artificial intelligence (AI) has earned him numerous plaudits, an art exhibition in France, as well as a place in a new documentary about high school science fairs. Barrat, 19, twice won the West Virginia State Science Fair—while a student at Jefferson High School. His work focuses on creating neural networks that can generate art. During a recent appearance on The Today Show, Barrat discussed a project he undertook for his senior science fair project. He designed a computer program—specifically, an artificial intelligence neural network—which examined lyrics from rapper Kayne West’s songs and then generated its raps, with a style similar to West. These neural networks, as explained by Barrat, continually review examples of a given musician, in this case West, and learn from the specific stylistic elements. Over time, the AI program is able to replicate “the flow,” as Barrat calls it, and produce a new rap. “It’s what was interesting,” when asked why he chose this project. “It’s fun.” Barrat, who is currently working as a researcher at Stanford University, hasn’t limited his work to just music. He spent part of January in France for a joint art exhibition at L’Avant Galerie Vossen—with French painter Ronan Barrot. According to a press release from the gallery, 450 paintings of ‘Skulls,’ which Barrot has painted over the last few years, have been digitally scanned so that Barrat could train a neural network to create new images of ‘Skulls’ from the 450 works. The network literally learns from the

examples given, which become data sets, and strives to improve its replication of the style of the data sets. This repetition acts just as continual practice by an art student would, as well as the studying of works by other artists.

Fostering Interest His advances in the world of AI led Barrat to be included in a film from National Geographic called Science Fair. The documentary follows nine students from different parts of the world as they seek to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair. Barrat credits Shane Price, a science teacher at Jefferson, with fostering his interest in participating in science fairs of all levels. “Mr. Price had a huge impact on me,” Barrat said in a press release issued by the Jefferson County Board of Education. “During my senior year, I was slacking off on getting my science fair project ready, and he really pushed me to get it together, and because of his encouragement, I was able to go to ISEF again. Obviously, I owe him a lot.” Price recently indicated that Jefferson students seem to be aware of the film, as the school has pushed back the deadline to register for the science fair as there has been an uptick in interest. Science Fair won the audience award at both Sundance and SXSW. Barrat grew up near Shenandoah Junction, and is the son of Robert Barrat, an attorney practicing in Martinsburg, and Anne Barrat, who taught at T.A. Lowery Elementary School.

ARTICLE BY: H.S. Leigh Koonce

// EDUCATION

Robbie Barrat

BARRAT LEADS WAY IN A.I. RESEARCH

SHEPHERDSTOWN

Farmers’MarketBehind

the Library on King Street

SUNDAYS 9 am - 1 pmMarch thru December

OPENING DAY

03-31-19

Live LocaL Music each Week

Facebook.com/ ShepherdstownFarmersMarket


“ … The day he came to

us, he had nothing, not even a garbage bag …

”

// COMMUNITY

JJ BAGS: HELPING TO FOSTER CHILDREN IN TRANSITION

WHAT STARTED OUT as a small, local effort to help foster children in the West Virginia panhandle has expanded into a country-wide project to give those in West Virginia foster homes something of their own. Charles Town (WV)-based JJ Bags, a creation of Jennifer Eardly-Patoray and her husband, has distributed duffel bags filled with personal items to hundreds of the more than six thousand children in foster homes throughout West Virginia. The endeavor is paid for wholly by donations, which come in from around the country. Inside each duffel bag are comfort items like a blanket, a stuffed animal, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a book, and a single-player game or activity. All of the items, including the bags, are brand-new. Eardly-Patoray said they also donate pajamas, which come in separate bags, and are categorized by size. “These items will get them through the first couple of nights, and relieve stress for the foster parents,” she added. Eardly-Patoray and her husband were foster parents themselves before adopting their two boys, and saw a need at that time.

“Our oldest son, Julian, came to live with us when he was twenty-three months old,” she said. “The day he came, his caseworker gave us a black garbage bag, which contained a few articles of clothing. Our other son Jordan came to live with us when he was fifteen months old. The day he came to us, he had nothing, not even a garbage bag.” On the JJ Bags Facebook page, Eardly-Patoray wrote: “You know what one of the saddest things is? They never knew life to be any different. They never had anything of their own, and didn’t have a family to love them.”

As an homage to the endeavor, JJ Bags stands for her two sons, Julian and Jordan. “We had the idea in November 2017 of giving away the duffel bags, and wanted to do five to ten bags,” Eardly-Patoray indicated. “We ended up giving away ninety-nine bags and over a hundred pairs of pajamas. We donated them to the Children’s Home Society in Martinsburg, which helps with foster-care placement.” Throughout the following year, JJ Bags donated another 300 bags, and just donated 170 bags after the Christmas holiday—along with 200 pairs of pajamas. Eardly-Patoray is both extremely proud of and equally determined to continue the JJ Bags mission in 2019. “We have key clubs in high schools collecting duffel bags and comfort items—a community service effort that extends across the state.” To find out more, and support JJ Bags moving forward, find the public group by that name on Facebook.

ARTICLE BY: Lisa Troshinsky

JJ Bags recently donated 300 duffle bags filled with personal items to local foster-care children.


THE FREEDOM TO FLYGIVE YOURSELF

TWO RIVERS TREADS

INDIVIDUALS COUPLES ADULTS ADOLESCENTS

CATHRYNPOLONCHAK.COMHarpers Ferry • 304.261.2771 • Shepherdstown

Whenever we give up, leave behind and forget too much, there is always the danger that the things we have neglected will return with added force.” — C.G. Jung (Memories, Dreams and Reflections, p.211 )

“ jim liller electric

residential—commercial—industrial—new construction—remodeling

Custom solutions for your electric needs

Master electrician with over two decades specializing in:

Call today: 540.336.8481

RECLAIMING THE FUTURE OF APPALACHIA

ACCORDING TO HOUSER, Bordoff, and Marsters, 2017, West Virginia’s total coal job loss from Q4 2011 to Q4 2016 was 12,533. This has been a scary time for many Appalachian people. Severe environmental damage has been done, and social problems, such as drug addiction, continue to threaten their future. To help combat these issues, the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition, a regional collaboration, is pursuing mine reclamation projects throughout Central Appalachia that are responsive to community needs and interests—and that accelerate the growth of new, sustainable sectors. Their report discusses 20 innovate projects that would clean up abandoned coal mine lands and give them new life as sustainable agriculture businesses, solar farms, or other economic ventures. The coalition consists of lead organizations in four states—Appalachian Voices in Virginia,

Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center in Kentucky, Coalfield Development Corporation in West Virginia, and Rural Action in Ohio—and a regional technical expert, Downstream Strategies, also based in West Virginia. Groups involved in this effort seek to learn from the past four decades of mined-land repair and reuse while creating projects that benefit the residents of the Appalachian coalfields in a variety of ways for decades to come. This is accomplished not by defining a handful of types of development projects as acceptable, but rather by establishing guiding principles and using those to filter concepts that meet the criteria of the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition. Joey James, a senior strategist at Downstream Strategies, serves as the regional technical consultant on the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition project, and has a strong motivation for being involved in this endeavor.

“On a personal level, I’m involved in this effort because I care about the future of my home,” he emphasized. “It’s no secret that Appalachia is hemorrhaging its young people. As a twenty-something individual living and working in the region, I want to see more people my age flocking to the region for the same reasons I have. I see the great potential in this place, and I want to help other people see that potential.” According to the report, Many Voices, Many Solutions: Innovative Mine Reclamation in Central Appalachia, there are 166 Appalachian counties within the project area. Cumulatively, these counties represent a population of over 5.7 million people. There are no Attainment counties within the project area, and nearly 40 percent of the people living in the project area live within an At-Risk or Distressed county. Around five percent live within a Competitive county. “Cleaning up these sites presents a unique

// STATE / ENVIRONMENT


opportunity to turn environmental and public health and safety liabilities into economic assets,” James said. “Recent policy initiatives, such as the federal Abandoned Mine Land [AML] Pilot Program, through which Congress appropriated $105 million in 2017 and 2018 for mine reclamation projects that spur on-site economic development, have expanded the amount of available funding and stimulated regional interest in redeveloping AML sites for economic and community benefit.” Quantifying the economic impact of these investments is challenging, as many of the projects have yet to receive funding or be built. However, utilizing the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ RIMS II multipliers, the coalition can see that the cumulative impact of project spending during development and construction alone is great. “As a regional coalition, the biggest challenge we face is aligning the funding goals and priorities of each state with our vision for the future of the region,” added James. “One of our ultimate goals is to get the most funding for the most projects. Under programs like the AML Pilot Program, states are given a lot of discretion in funding decisions. A project that can receive a lot of money in one state may not necessarily receive any money in another. Getting a grapple on the differences in funding priorities in different states has probably been the most challenging part of this endeavor, and, as you can imagine, this landscape is constantly changing.” Incrementally, twenty projects identified by coalition members would cost over $38 million; however, if these projects were funded, a total economic output from project spending would be valued at nearly $84 million. These projects would provide over $22 million in wages to employees, support almost 543 full- and part-time

jobs across the region, and improve regional GDP (value-added) by over $44 million. Further, most projects plan for direct/onsite employment after construction/development.

Empowering the PeopleJacob Hannah, conservation coordinator of Coalfield Development Corporation, represents Coalfield as the West Virginia partner to the Reclaim Appalachia Coalition in helping write remediation material and advocate for just transition solutions. When asked why this effort is different than the previous attempts, he explained, “As a multi-state and multi-organization coalition, we benefit each other by sharing expertise and collaborating on a collective-impact level that couldn't be achieved on an individual enterprise level. Our ambitions go beyond state lines, strengthening and diversifying the abilities of what we're all fighting for.” Hannah believes there is more optimism for this endeavor because the pieces are in place and the time is right, as Appalachia currently basks in the international spotlight. The region is primed and ready for change and restoration—the work is an answer to that call for a better life. Real tangible outcomes are coming forth from it—rock-crushers creating topsoil on strip mines, permaculture farming, solar, and numerous other projects are what add confidence behind the optimism for Appalachians. The regions have been used as “extraction states" by external corporations and entities that benefited from the resource-rich lands. Now that the change is coming from within, by Appalachians through projects that hire Appalachians to create opportunities, markets, and development for Appalachians, those who’ve

lived with the poverty-stricken outcomes of abandoned coal regions now rightfully stand to benefit the most from this effort. The mission is to train and empower local people to create, operate, and manage the initiatives brought to the regions. This avoids creating markets in the vacuum of demand by incorporating the people of the potential markets as part of the driving force for the demand itself, which ultimately causes the economy to be diversified and localized through the region, instead of being entirely dependent on a flagship economy like coal. The future of innovative mine reclamation brings excitement to help strengthen the region’s toolkit to further diversify and invest in its assets. “If our coalition can identify and manifest real, relevant solutions to abandoned mine lands in a way that benefits and empowers the region, then this expertise and know-how can be shared, replicated, and adapted to be implemented throughout Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and the Appalachian region,” noted Hannah. “Instead of trying to blindly reinvent the solution-wheel, we can replicate and adapt it with the help and guidance of our coalition partners.” For Hannah, the future for these AML sites represents a very attractive draw. “It’s a canvas for development and possibility,” he affirmed, “incorporating everything from cultural heritage preservation to cutting-edge energy technologies to integrated agricultural systems.” To find out more, visit www.reclaimappalachia.com.

ARTICLE BY: Robin Murphy

APRIL 6, 2019

9:00 am START - 5k and 10k runs 10:45 am START - Kids Fun Run

TO PRE-REGISTER, VISIT OUR WEBSITE

RACE DAY REGISTRATIONApril 6 7:30 to 8:45 am

For race information contact Nan Johnson at 304.870.4414TRAILS OF BROOMGRASS FARM • GERRARDSTOWN, WV

RacefortheBirds.org Race proceeds benefit the programs of the Potomac Valley Audubon Society

{ }{ }10K: $30•5K: $25•Kids Fun Run: Free•Add’l $5 After March 4


Law Office of F. Samuel Byrer, PLLC

(304) 724-7228202 West Liberty Street

Charles Town

Experienced Trial Lawyer.Trusted Advisor.

Personal Injury Wrongful Death General Litigation

www.jeffcoattys.com

We can help.

IN THE AMBER CHAMBER is an eclectic short story collection by Carrie Messenger, Associate Professor of English at Shepherd University, that manages the rare feat of being consistent in quality while navigating through widely diverse genres and styles. Its stories range from speculative fiction to whimsical fables drawing from an idiosyncratic mix of fantasy and Eastern European lore all the way to historical fiction. Messenger’s skilled weaving of myth and fact brings to mind the stories of Argentinean fantasist Jorge Luis Borges and the genre-bending fiction of Kelly Link. A series of interconnected stories about the cryptically named “Village of C.” put a dark spin on well-known fairy tales and Eastern European history. “Reports from the Village of C, Near the Great Forest of Codru,” is a clever version of the Hansel and Gretel tale set against the backdrop of the postwar Soviet famine of 1946-47. Meanwhile, “Reports on the Capra Family in the Village of C.,” riffs on The Three Little Pigs and pits an anthropomorphic family of goats (the Capras) against the rapacious Comrade Lupul, as, once

again, the pervasive famine brings out the worst in some characters. The tone of these stories ambles between that of a folk tale and an account written by a Soviet bureaucrat. The “Comrade Grimm” that allegedly pens these “reports” appears to be a Soviet apparatchik version of the storyteller brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. “South 1144” is a fictionalized account of the love affair between scholar of religions Mircea Eliade and Indian poet Maitreyi Devi. The real life story of this failed relationship and how both authors ended up writing separate novels about their romance is fascinating and yet possibly marred by the fact that most of what we know about it comes from the conflicting fictionalized versions of the two persons involved. Messenger’s story about Devi and Eliade’s youthful romance in Calcutta and their uneasy encounter in Chicago four decades later interrogates all this through fiction. “How the Romanians Ruined Christmas,” is a story told through a child’s voice about a Jewish family that migrates from the brutal Romania of Nicolae Ceausescu to Skokie, Illinois. As the children adapt to their new life, the family gets occasional news about their homeland. Upon finding out that Ceausescu and his wife have been executed, Taticul, the father of the family, says: “The monsters are dead.” His wife replies: “Who will be the new monsters? Because it will just be a matter of time.” While it’s difficult – and perhaps unnecessary – to look for a unifying thread in every story, one theme that is pervasive is precisely that of monsters and the fascination they exert on us: Monsters of egotism like the great men who cast their partners aside in pursuit of individual glory, real-life monsters like the Ceasescus, or monsters like the highly-decorated soldier who adopts the children of the political insurgents he executed in “Children Left to Be Raised by Wolves”—yet another haunting story in this collection. As the Romanian philosopher Emil Cioran said, “A monster, as horrible as he may be, secretly attracts us, pursues us, haunts us. He represents and enlarges our advantages and our miseries, he proclaims us, he is our standard-bearer.” Through the ostensibly fantastic lens of “In the Amber Chamber” we get to see these monsters and how closely they resemble us.

// BOOK REVIEW

IN THE AMBER CHAMBER, BY CARRIE MESSENGERBrighthorse Books, 2018

ARTICLE BY: Gonzalo BaezaGonzalo is a writer born in Texas, raised in Chile, and currently living in Shepherdstown. His books have been published in Spain and Chile, and his fiction has appeared in Boulevard, Goliad, and The Texas Review, among others.

Friday & Saturday 8:00pm Sunday matinee 2:30pm

For Tickets: 304.725.4420 or OLDOPERAHOUSE.ORG

MARCH • 22, 23, 24

by James Wesley

15, 16, 17

Adults $22.00 | Students/Children $15.00Seniors/Military $19.00

Drama • Adult Language & Content


SHEPHERDSTOWN

O’HURLEY’S

GENERAL STORE

ohurley.com

Thursdays: 7pmJam Sessions

TOWN RUN

TAPHOUSE AND

COMMUNITY PUB

Town Run Taphouse and Community Pub on Facebook

March 9: 9:30pmThe Gypsy RamblersJazz and Blues

March 23: 9:30pmBlack Masala Brass Band, Funk, World Music

March 30: 9:30pmFeel Free Reggae, Horns

ALL SHOWS INCLUDE A COVER CHARGE.

HARPERS FERRY

HARPERS FERRY

EVENT BARN

HarpersFerryEventBarn.com

The Barn of Harpers Ferry on Facebook

March 2:Justin Trawick & The Common GoodLive music, authentic food, festive drinks

March 3:Open-Mic

March 7:Cherve AcousticFolk, Blues, Reggae

March 9:Christine HavrillaFunk, Pop Twang Rock

March 16 & 17:Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration

March 21:Gary Carroll

WHERE TO FIND MUSIC, FILM, AND THEATRE THIS MONTHBY: Evan Benhamu

March 5: 7pmFat Tuesday Mardi Gras Party w/ The Voodoo Blues TrioBlues, Funk, Jazz

March 15:Charles Wesley Godwin LiveAmericana, Country

March 20: 8pmStand-up Comedy

March 29: 8pmFiddlin’ Dave and MorganBluegrass, Old Timey

OLD OPERA HOUSE

THEATRE

OldOperaHouse.org

Old Opera House Theatre-Company on Facebook

MARCH 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 (Fridays & Saturday, 8pm Sundays, 2:30pm

“Unbroken”Theatre, Drama

SCHEDULE

MUSIC

// ENTERTAINMENT

March 23: Steven Gellman Trio

Singer/songwriter, Country

March 28:Pistol HillCountry, Rock

VIRGINIA

BRIGHT BOX THEATER

brightboxwinchester.com

Bright Box on Facebook

March 8: 8pmTom Petty tribute starring Scott Kurt & Memphis 59 w/Lauren Calve Trio

March 13: 6:30pmApple Blossom’s Got Talent – Second Audition Talent competition

March 29: 8pmRumourz Fleetwood Mac tribute

MARYLAND

THE WEINBERG CENTERFOR THE ARTSWeinBergCenter.org Weinberg Center for the Arts on Facebook

March 7: 7:30pmUpstateAcoustic Americana, Cajun, foot-stomping

March 24: 3pm Ranky TankyJazz, Gospel, Funk, R&B

March 28: 7:30pm Golden Dragons AcrobatsMusic and theatrical, acrobats

March 31: 7pm The Gatlin Brothers and Lee GreenwoodCountry Music Legends

See websites for full schedules.

CHARLES TOWN

HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES

HollywoodCasino CharlesTown.com

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on Facebook

March 2: 8pmJoan Jett and the BlackheartsRock, Punk

March 8: 9pm

DONNIE MCCLURKINGospel

March 23: 8pmDwight YoakamCountry, Honky-Tonk

ABOLITIONIST

ALE WORKS

AbolitionistAleWorks.com

Abolitionist Ale Works on Facebook

March 2: 8pmSamedi Gras Party w/ Sweet Something Jazz BandJazz, Lounge, Swing

Golden Dragons Bring World-Renowned Artistry to Weinberg THE GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS represent the best of a time-honored tradition that began more than twenty-five centuries ago. Recognized worldwide as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company, its reputation is rooted in a commitment to the highest of production values and unparalleled attention to artistic details. Award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music, and theatrical techniques come together to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty. In November 2005, the Acrobats made their Broadway debut to a sold-out audience at the New Victory Theater, New York's ultimate theater for kids and families. Their Broadway run over the next six weeks led to adoration and standing ovations from audiences of all ages and universal critical acclaim from the New York press. The Golden Dragons received two most-prestigious New York Drama Desk nominations. 2019 marks more than 40 years of continuous touring in the United States for the Dragons. With the company's main office based in Dallas, TX, they’ve traveled to all 50 states and over 65 countries on five continents. They remain the only Chinese acrobatic company touring year-round in the U.S. And you get the chance to see them on March 28 at 7:30pm, at the distinguished Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick (MD).

Find out more at www.weinbergcenter.org.

Friday & Saturday 8:00pm Sunday matinee 2:30pm

For Tickets: 304.725.4420 or OLDOPERAHOUSE.ORG

MARCH • 22, 23, 24

by James Wesley

15, 16, 17

Adults $22.00 | Students/Children $15.00Seniors/Military $19.00

Drama • Adult Language & Content


Adopt a Forever Friend!

(Located on Rt. 340 between Charles Town and Berryville, VA More than 200 dogs and cats

available for adoption!

All animals have been spayed/neutered, microchipped &

received initial vaccinations

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS LATEST VICTIM IN OPIOID CRISISMOST OF US HAVE HEARD ABOUT how widespread and urgent the opioid crisis has become. The general lack of regulatory scrutiny has resulted in a nationwide over-prescription of—and over-dependence on—opioids. Ultimately, it contributes to tens of thousands of preventable tragedies annually, untold social harm, and, in many cases, can serve as a gateway to harder drugs.The construction industry has found itself an unlikely center of this ongoing storm. The nature of the work, plus the frequency with which construction workers are subjected to debilitating injuries, has contributed to the industry facing an opioid crisis of its own. Ensuring safety and health in construction for all workers begins with recognizing sources of risk. Such risks include: frequent exposure to difficult conditions and demanding physical requirements, which can lead to injuries, the need for pain medications, and, in too many cases, a dependency on medication several times stronger than morphine.

Why the Construction Industry?The opioid epidemic is an emergency by any measure. In an average day, 115 Americans lose their lives to overdoses and other complications. And while only 31 states, plus Washington, D.C., furnish useful data to the CDC on this subject, we do know that between 2015 and 2016,

opioid-related deaths increased in frequency for every single demographic for which useable data was available. Calling on that same data, we know that in 2016, opioids claimed 42,249 lives, or 13.3 people for every 100,000 citizens. (Overall overdose deaths average around 72,000 per year in the U.S.)

We also know that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has furnished a list of the occupations whose workers are most likely to use and eventually overdose on opioids. The top four, listed in order of most to least deaths per 10,000 workers in 2016: • Construction: 27.03 • Forestry and Farming: 23.92

// DRUGS & ADDICTION

TARA SANDERS LOWEWV, MD & PA REALTOR

210 N. George Street Suite 101 Charles Town, WV Broker: JW Wohlever

4stateliving.com [email protected]

304-283-8300Your Real Estate Questions


FREE In-Home Consultation Blinds • Shutters • Shades

©2018 Budget Blinds, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Budget Blinds is a trademark of Budget Blinds, LLC and a Home Franchise Concepts Brand. Each franchise independently owned and operated.

Proudly Serving Martinsburg, Charles Town, Hedgesville, Inwood, Harpers Ferry, Falling Waters and areas in between

304-262-9101 BudgetBlinds.com/Martinsburg

2178 U

Budget Blinds Teal Blue

MARTINSBURG

Locally Owned and Operated for 15 Years

2178 U

Budget Blinds Teal Blue

• Maintenance and Industrial Cleaning: 8.67 • Repair and Installation: 7.13

Keep in mind that the average for workers of all kinds is 3.73 deaths per 10,000 workers. Safety and health in construction is already a top-of-mind concern, even without the long shadow of opioids in the mix. Given that the crisis doesn't seem to recognize socioeconomic status, race, gender, or any other convenient demographic subdivision, it shouldn't come as a surprise that opioid use is even more common in demanding trades than it is elsewhere. Both the physical nature of the labor and the competitive, often breakneck culture of the construction industry play a role in opioid use. To hear some industry insiders tell it, one piece of the puzzle is “the stoic tough-guy culture” that seems to pervade the industry as a matter of course. Social stigmas, as they usually do, can hold people back from seeking lasting help for their problems. Sooner than admit to feeling burned out or admit to struggling with an injury, construction workers feel a certain unspoken pressure to seek out quick solutions — including, o f t e n t i m e s, l o n g- t e r m p r e s c r i p t i o n s for painkillers. More detailed research will be needed to fully appreciate construction's unique place in this larger conversation. We do, however, have lots of voices from the scientific, medical, and political communities ringing the alarm bells and furnishing data that can help put things in perspective and chart a course toward a healthier construction industry.

Bringing Down the NumbersThere are some promising measures being taken to decrease the tragic impact the opioid epidemic has on the construction industry. Some organizations are instituting brand-new programs and initiatives to help raise employees' and doctors' awareness of the power of opioids and their likelihood of impacting at-risk, demanding, injury-prone industries. For instance, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation has requirements for construction companies that perform government contract work. Contractors are required to have, and enforce, a drug-free workplace and to submit

employees to a one-time training program on drug and alcohol use. Meanwhile, employers must also furnish a directory of “assistance vendors” for employees who need help. The problem is also on the radar of the National Association of Building Trades (NABTU). Recognizing that construction workers are seven times more likely than other workers to overdose on opioids, NABTU began roundtable discussions in early 2018 to discuss the best way to roll out industry protocols for education, peer support, early de t e c tion, and t r eat ment for affected workers. It's clear that the interest is there among labor unions and other advocacy groups. But another major hurdle is securing buy-in—and a willingness to even recognize there is a problem—from industry leadership. Recent attempts to secure comment about the crisis from construction executives have largely been met with an unwillingness to speak on record. But, it's clear that turning a blind eye to the problem isn't going to help solve it. The best medicine, as the saying goes, is usually prevention. Encouraging safe working conditions and habits at the company's cultural level is of paramount importance. Rewarding employees with worthwhile incentives for remaining accident-free goes a long way toward reducing the workplace injuries that give rise to opioid prescriptions and overuse in the first place. The Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the International Association of Ironworkers both offer additional examples of industry players

taking an interest in the problem and working proactively to address it. The Brotherhood has taken to doing its own vetting of rehab centers and other aid organizations so its members don't end up with high bills for substandard care. The Association, meanwhile, is taking an interest in providing income assistance for members who require time off to address their addiction. Fear of losing one's job or income for an unknown period is another major contributor to construction workers not seeking help for their physical and mental health—or with their eventual dependency on opioid-based relief. Last year’s announcement from the White House branded the opioid crisis as an emergency on the national level, but offered little in the way of practical or financial solutions. It did, nevertheless, help news of the scope of the problem reach far and wide—including into some of the communities and industries where attention is most needed. It can be tough to talk about addiction and dependence candidly and with an eye toward real solutions, but the conversation is necessary. Thanks to voices inside and outside of the construction industry, we stand a good chance at turning the page on a new era of safety and health in construction.

ARTICLE BY: This piece is a reprint from BOSS Magazine (www.thebossmagazine.com).

HighTHIS IS: We are the only

private high school in the area

offering on-site, dual enrollment.

School

LEARNATMORGAN.COM

304.250.4646

ONCE READ, THIS PAPER WANTS TO BE RECYCLED.

Consider the following partner benefits:

1. YOUR PRINT AD 2. A BUSINESS BRIEF 3. BIZ BRIEF AS A WEBSITE STORY 4. "ANY-TIME" FACEBOOK REQUESTS 5. ONLINE ADS 6. NON-PROFIT DISCOUNT (AND ASK ABOUT ADDITIONAL SPECIALS)7. MINI-MARKETING FIRM 8. BECOME A THOUGHT LEADER 9. COMMUNITY CONNECTION10. FREE COLOR INCLUDED WITH ALL ADS

You want to reach your community. We want to help.


FEATURE

New Addiction Treatment

Facility Takes

Shape in Hagerstown

6

ARTS

Contemporary

American Theater

Festival Preview

18

TRAVEL

Mexico:

Beyond

the Beaches

20

COMMUNITY

SHEPHERDSTOWN

STREET FEST LANDS

IN LATE JUNE

31

JUNE 2018


IN YOUR MAILBOX BY

SUBSCRIBING AT:


FREE

IN N

EWSST

ANDS


FEATURE

New Addiction Treatment Facility Takes Shape in Hagerstown 6

ARTS

Contemporary American Theater Festival Preview18

TRAVEL

Mexico: Beyondthe Beaches

20

COMMUNITY

SHEPHERDSTOWNSTREET FEST LANDS IN LATE JUNE

31

JUNE 2018

RECEIVE THE OBSERVER IN YOUR MAILBOX BY SUBSCRIBING AT: WEARETHEOBSERVER.COM

FREE

IN N

EWSSTANDS


FEATURE

New Addiction Treatment Facility Takes Shape in Hagerstown 6

ARTS

Contemporary American Theater Festival Preview

18

TRAVEL

Mexico: Beyondthe Beaches

20

COMMUNITY

SHEPHERDSTOWNSTREET FEST LANDS IN LATE JUNE

31

JUNE 2018



FREE

IN N

EWSSTANDS

ADVERTISE

The Observer is available in over 60 locations across Jefferson and Berkeley Counties and enjoys a growing subscriber base.

Let’s work together. Contact your sales representative today.

AD DEADLINE: 15th of each month

WeAreTheObserver.com / WV Observer on facebook

As far as partnership value, Observer advertisers enjoy our “Benefits Arc”—offering up an immense level of promotional range. Most publications offer you a 1:1 ratio (you pay them, they provide an ad). We offer a 1:10 ratio.

RECEIVE THE OBSERVER IN YOUR MAILBOX BY SUBSCRIBING AT ... · new partnerships, recognitions, etc....

Documents

Transcript of RECEIVE THE OBSERVER IN YOUR MAILBOX BY SUBSCRIBING AT ... · new partnerships, recognitions, etc....