I’m in a panic

Just two weeks until Christmas and guess who’s not ready. I’ve purchased only a few gifts and need to get several more. My tree isn’t up – it’s still in the box. I’ve got to decorate it this weekend. We’re busy at work, it’s dark when we leave. I know I’ll get everything done, but I just can’t resist the urge to stress.

The snow last Saturday was beautiful. Our oldest son, Craig, and his two children were at the house. We put on the snowbibs and boots, got out the sled and headed outside. It was Madi’s first real snow experience and she really liked it. We played until it was time for lunch and the WVU game.

We got the sandwiches made and turned on the TV for the game and GUESS WHAT — NO TV reception. The dish was full of snow! Now, the dish is located on the roof about 12 ft. from the deck. How are we going to get the snow off the dish? The broom that I suggested would not reach. The next thing I know, they have the step ladder out and the leaf blower going (remember Tim Allen in the TV show Home Improvement?). That didn’t work. We’re getting desperate now. It’s 10 after 12 and the game has started. How about some warm water and a 32 oz cup? It worked. I’m not sure this is what Direct TV would have recommended, but we were able to cheer on the Mountaineers.

This week’s paper has the Winter sports section in it. Check it out. Jim King did a great job of getting in all the basketball, bowling and wrestling photos.
It’s exciting to think that Hampshire finally has a wrestling team. Good luck to all our winter sports athletes.

A few weeks ago, the staff was discussing what features we could do during the month of December. Jim King decided it would be cool if they wrote a children’s story. We tossed the idea around, deciding that it was a great one. Marla Pisciotta was given the task of starting the story, creating the characters and the setting. She did a wonderful job and you can read it in this week’s paper. Jim King will followup in next week’s paper. Don Kesner will finish the story for the Dec. 23 issue. Mandy Weaver, who works in our internet department, did all the art work. She did a tremendous job. These guys do an amazing job, not just on this project, but also on the paper week after week. I’m very proud of them.

Have a good weekend, I’m headed out to shop.

Take care.

Deer season is here, Thanksgiving, too

Well, it’s opening day of deer season. Things are fairly quiet here in town.

Charlie and two of our sons headed to the woods before daylight this morning. I really think Charlie enjoys spending time with his sons more than the hunt. They do have a good time and they leave hunting gear all over the house and the garage and in the vehicles and everywhere. It’s not as bad as it used to be now that the boys have their own places.

It’s difficult for us ladies to decorate for Christmas with camo strung everywhere.

Greg Larry will be out in the county with his camera talking to hunters as they check in their deer. Be sure to check out the web site, www.HampshireReview.com to see the video. Don Kesner will also be visiting check-in stations talking to hunters and representatives of the DNR.

And, for all you hunters, don’t forget to send us your deer photo and all the pertinent information so we can put in our Whitetails Only that will be in our Dec. 30 issue. We will be accepting photos in our office until 4:30 on Wednesday, Dec. 16. You can send us the photo – P.O. Box 1036, Romney, WV 26757, email it to us at news@hampshirereview.com, or simply hand it to Jenny or Ardie at the front desk. If you want to advertise in our Whitetails Only, give Danette, Stacy, or Lana a call at 304-822-3871.

Most of our family will be in for Thanksgiving. My brother will also be coming from Charleston. This means that I’m actually going to have to COOK.  I really don’t mind. We always enjoy laughing and teasing each other. My sons particularly like to pick on their Uncle John who they affectionately refer to as the “Fossil”. Yes, I can pull this off another year.

I have no desire to get up at 3 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving to go shopping. I might have done that when the kids were little, but not now. I have discovered that if I wait until about noon on Black Friday that the crowds aren’t so bad. The stores in Romney are having Black Friday specials. Check out their ads in this week’s Review. Maybe, I’ll just be smart and check those sales out.

Don’t forget to take a minute to listen to the Our War – Our Words audios on our Web site. We’re adding a new veteran every day and will continue to do so until Dec. 18. This week we’ll be adding Bill Parker, Arlo McDonald, Howard Strother, and Tony Mezzatesta.

I hope you enjoy your week with family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving.

A few reminders

I hope everyone is taking a few minutes to listen to the special audio presentation, Our War – Our Words, on our Web site. We are adding a new WWII veteran each day – we have 27 in all. From the beaches of Normandy with Oreste Del Gallo to flying 35 missions over Europe with James Park, these stories are phenomenal! I had only listened to two when I realized that I was going to need a tissue as I listened to rest.

Jim King, our sports editor, has been working on this year’s edition of Hunting and Hampshire County. He’s got everything a hunter needs to know about hunting locally. There’s also a great story by Josh Crawford of Points that you won’t want to miss. Of course, it wouldn’t be a hunting tab without a column by Clint Ferguson.

Hampshire County certainly has enjoyed some beautiful weather lately. I love the warm temperatures and sunny skies. Charlie and I managed to get a little golf in over the weekend and it was fantastic – not my golf game – the weather. I know you deer hunters will be wishing for colder temperatures for next week’s opening day.

Hope you have a good week.

Take care.

Our veterans

The Hampshire Review is proud of local veterans and active servicemen.

The staff here at the Review is excited. Beginning Wednesday, the Review web site will be presenting Our War — Our Words, Hampshire County memories of WWII. For the last several weeks, Greg Larry has been interviewing Hampshire County WWII veterans — giving these veterans an opportunity to share their stories with our listeners. Not only are these audios interesting, but they are also very moving.

Starting on Veterans Day, individuals will be able to log on to our web site, click the Our War — Our Words icon in the media bar, and choose a veteran. Sit back, relax, and listen, (you might want a tissue) And, come back daily since we will be adding a new veteran story each day. Simply stated, they’re priceless.

Pick up a copy of this week’s Review. Inside you will find this year’s Veterans Day tab. Open to the center spread to see the veterans who shared their experiences with us.

Take care.

Leaves

When I was a kid, I always loved to run through the leaves in the fall of the year. There was just something about the sound. Then, we’d rake the leaves into a pile and jump in them. I’m sure you, too, remember how much fun that was.

One of my favorite Halloween memories was when Craig and I took Matt trick-or-treating. He must have been 3 at the time and he was really into it. We were shuffling along Antigo Place through the leaves to our house on Birch Lane. Matt was so excited (he got excited about everything!) and he was singing “Trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat, oooh give me sumthin’ good to eat.”

When we lived in Sunrise, I loved the fall of the year. We could see the beautiful leaves on the mountains. The leaves were never a problem when they fell. We just waited for the wind to blow (and it always did up there) and off the leaves would go — never any raking to do.

Now, we live in the woods and the leaves are everywhere. And, they keep coming and coming. What were we thinking?? I just keep that Black and Decker thing plugged in that eats the leaves and when I get home in the evening I quickly zip around the driveway with it. The riding lawnmower takes care of the yard. It’s really a battle, but it’s one I intend to win.

Greg Larry is busy here at the Review interviewing WWII veterans for a special audio presentation we have planned for our web site for Veterans Day. We’re really excited about it. The stories are incredible. If you know of a WWII veteran who lives here in Hampshire County who is willing to tell his story, please let us know. Just give us a call here at the office – 304-822-3871 or shoot us an email – news@hampshirereview.com.

We have a list of the latest dates and times for seasonal flu and H1N1 clinics set for the county in the paper this week. Check it out. I’m headed to the fairgrounds on Friday morning to get my regular flu shot.

Don’t forget to set your clocks back this weekend. Watch out for all the ghosts and goblins that will be out.

Take care.

It’s a bear

Tuesdays here at the Review are generally pretty busy as we put the paper together. And, this Tuesday was no exception.

When we finished, Charlie and I went on home. We were soon joined by our oldest son and grandson. Everyone agreed ordering pizza was a good option for dinner. With that done, the guys tossed football in the front yard while I walked with my neighbor and the dogs.

Shortly after 6 p.m., I was cleaning up the kitchen – the guys had disappeared to the basement. I happened to look out the kitchen window and I wondered what my dog was doing down in the woods just beyond the backyard. Then, I thought to myself – Taz, our black lab, isn’t that big — OH, he doesn’t move like that either. Sure enough, there was a black bear in the yard.

Everyone got to see him before he lumbered off deep into the woods. It certainly was a surprise – hopefully, he continued to move on and we won’t see him again.

Today, is certainly a gorgeous one. Wish we could bottle up some of this pretty weather for January and February.

Take care.

Sunshine

Wow, it’s great to see the sun shining again. And, it’s warming up. Maybe, it’s my age, but I sure do hate to see winter coming. My husband thinks we can continue to play golf as long as there is no snow on the ground and the winds are under 35 mph. I, on the other hand, beg to differ. Do you know how hard it is to swing a golf club when you are dressed like the little boy in the snowsuit in the movie, The Christmas Story? Hopefully, there will be a few warm weekends left that we can play before the snow starts to fly.

Congratulations to the organizers and volunteers of the Capon Bridge Founders Day. These people really know how to organize an event. We’ll have pictures in the paper this week and a video on the Web site on Wednesday. Be sure to check them out.

Also, we have a video on the site of Dave Crock, a local fiddler. Some of you will remember Mr. Crock who was the guidance counselor at Romney Junior High for many years. The staff here at the Review enjoyed their visit with Dave.

The Review is looking for WWII veterans that are willing to be interviewed. We want to do some audio pieces for our Web site. Copies of these interviews will also be made available to the libraries in Capon Bridge and Romney. So, if you think of anyone, please give me a call here at the Review office at 304-822-3871 or send me an email at salliesee@frontier.com. We hope to start airing these interviews in early November.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

Take care.

Progress

This week has certainly been an adventure here in Romney. Just ask anyone who has tried to get through town. We are experiencing progress at its best. Work is now being done on the new bridge west of town, the 3-lane in town, and the interconnector on the mountain. Monday evening many sat in traffic for as much as 40 minutes trying to get to the top of the mountain. Last night, the trip home was better. I just need to remind myself that when this is all completed, it will be really nice. Check out the traffic photo on the front of today’s Review.

Don Kesner did stories this week on two members of the Hampshire High graduating class of 2009. Ryan Poling, of Slanesville, feels he’s someone special when he steps off with the WVU Marching Band – the Pride of West Virginia. And, Chelsea Kuykendall, of Romney, loves being the Potomac State College mascot. Be sure to read about both of these fine young Hampshire alums.

Preparations are underway in Capon Bridge for the second annual Founder’s Day, Oct. 16-18. A large number of community volunteers are working extremely hard to ensure that this event is a tremendous success. The Review will have a 12-page supplement in the Oct. 14 paper. This will give you a heads-up on everything you’ll need to know about all the activites planned. We were out of town last year, but we do plan to attend this year.

I wish we could bottle some of this gorgeous weather to have in January and February. I know — it won’t work. We’ll just have to get outside and enjoy the great weather as much as possible.

Take care.

Flu, fall and pumpkins

Hampshire County has reported its first confirmed cases of Swine flu. I’m just hoping we can get our flu shots before the flu finds us.

When our kids were little, I dreaded the flu. It seemed like it would last forever. First, one would get it and about the time he would begin to get over it, another one would come down with it and so on. In the fall of 1987, we moved into our brand new home in the Sunrise Summit area. It was wonderful — spacious with lots of new carpet. We weren’t in the house a month until the flu hit – really nasty cases. Everyone of the boys got it. By the time they recovered, I don’t think there was a piece of carpet left in the house that had not been initiated.

After this experience, I had a Heloise moment — you know, one of those moments when a light bulb comes on. I began to save my old shower curtains to lay on the floor between the kid’s bedroom and the bathroom. These could be hosed off and used over and over. It sure helped to save my carpets over the years.

Keep checking the Review. We’ll continue to do stories updating you on Swine flu, as well as places where shots will be available.

The county received much needed rain over the weekend. It’s really beginning to look and feel like fall.

Don Kesner is out checking our pumpkin supply with the local growers. We’ll let you know what we find out in this week’s paper.

We’ve also been talking to the organizers of the Capon Bridge Founders Day coming up Oct. 16-18. Marla Pisciotta will have everything you need to know.

Take care.

GO TROJANS!

GO MOUNTAINEERS!

Congratulations

I’d like to congratulate the volunteers who worked tirelessly to put together Hampshire Fest on very short notice. These individuals picked up the pieces of Heritage Days after it had been canceled and turned it into a very entertaining weekend. The thing that impressed me the most were the young  people in our community who stepped up to the plate to put on Hampshire Fest. Thank you for all your hard work. I’m proud of you. To all the other volunteers who helped with the Fest – you did a great job.

The Review is full of pictures from the Fest. You can even find more photos and video on our Web site at www.hampshirereview.com. Check it out.

Charlie and I and our good golfin’ buddies, Bill and Gary, are playing in the HHS Animal Science Golf Tournament at Valley View this weekend. I’m looking forward to playing. The weather is supposed to be perfect.  Hopefully, it will be a tremendous fundraiser for the animal science program at Hampshire.

Hampshire’s football team is off to a 2-0 start this season. They play Southern at home Friday night. If you can’t get to the game, you can tune in to our Web site and follow our sports twitter for scores and updates. You can also sign up for twitter and have the updates sent to your cell phone. Also, WVU is playing Saturday. It will be televised either on ESPN or ESPN2. I plan to watch and cheer. I have a tendency to get a little carried away. Just ask my kids.

Take care and have a great weekend.

Go Trojans!

Let’s Go Mountaineers!