Berkeley Springs High School develops new code of conduct for athletes
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Tuesday, 8/19/08
Bad behavior by athletes at Berkeley Springs High School will not be excused. This year's new code of conduct has everything in writing. Chad Brinegar, the school's athletic director, said the reason for the new code of conduct was "mixed interpretation between the coaches and the athletes." So the staff revised some things to bring about "unity with both," he said. Brinegar would not be specific about past problems. "We are like every school that has their share of problems, and we just want to make it better," Brinegar said.

Photos are focus of Ice House exhibit in Berkeley Springs
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Tuesday, 8/19/08
Selected works of 19 professional photographers from nine counties throughout West Virginia are showcased in "West Virginia Photographers," an exhibit opening at the Ice House Gallery on Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. The show will be displayed through Sept. 28. The photo show opening at the Ice House is the second stop on an Artwalk that begins at 5 p.m. at Mountain Laurel Gallery on the Square with the opening of another photo exhibit, "The Beauty of West Virginia," showcasing the work of Lynn Golemon. The Ice House is on Independence and Mercer strees in Berkeley Springs.

Morgan County residents object to newly routed power line
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Tuesday, 8/15/08
More than 250 people - the largest crowd so far - attended a public meeting held Thursday night by Allegheny Power to see where the proposed Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) might be routed through Morgan County. Allegheny Power is holding public meetings before finalizing the route of the 244-mile-long, 765,000-kilovolt transmission line from southern West Virginia to Maryland. Four routes in Morgan County are possible. The northern route, which was most protested, would chop off the top of Largent, W.Va., then head to Great Cacapon along Cacapon Mountain parallel to W.Va. 9, said Abby Chapple of Friends of the Cacapon River.

Berkeley Springs is a close vacation spot with a lot of history
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Tuesday, 7/29/08
Planning vacations close to home is a good option these days with the high cost of gas, and visiting the historic sites in and around Berkeley Springs seems to be a choice for many. Recent weekends have been a good indication of people visiting Berkeley Springs instead of driving to farther destinations, said Laura Smith of Travel Berkeley Springs. Smith said a Girl Scouts troop that usually goes to New England booked a cabin instead in Berkeley Springs.

Volunteers wrestle to fund new bandstand at Berkeley Springs park
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Monday, 7/28/08
They got slammed down, bounced into ropes, kicked, punched and swirled, and the crowd loved it. Wrestlers from the House of Pain Wrestling Federation entertained the audience of about 100 people Sunday afternoon to raise funds to pay for the new bandstand at Troubadour Park. The bandstand was destroyed by fire in April. Jim McCoy, owner of the Troubadour, said the new 34-by-20-foot-bandstand cost about $32,000. It has a dressing room and storage room for the musicians' instrument cases. McCoy and wrestler Danny Boyd are friends. McCoy said Boyd and wrestler John Rambo wanted to raise money to pay for the bandstand.

Children's guardian attorney recognized by Morgan County Court
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Thursday, 7/24/08
Attorney Margaret Gordon has represented abused and neglected children in Morgan, Jefferson and Berkeley counties since 1994. She was in court Monday afternoon ready to go to work when the courtroom began filling up with family members, co-workers and staff. Judge Gina M. Groh of the 23rd Judicial Circuit presented Gordon with an award from the Circuit Court of Morgan County for "Distinguished Service to the Court on Behalf of Children." On Aug. 4, Gordon will begin a new position as law clerk for 23rd Judicial Circuit Judge Gray Silver


Morgan’s funding rolled back
From the Martinsburg Journal, Monday, 7/21/08
Several area nonprofit organizations' requests for funding were approved at Thursday's special meeting of the Morgan County Commission, but some groups won't be getting the full amount they were seeking. That's because commissioners aren't sure how much money - funds generated from the county's hotel-motel tax - will be available in the coming year, especially given the tight economy and rising gas prices. Those factors are important because a lack of travel or decrease in tourist dollars spent locally means less money to the county, commission President Glen Stotler said.

Alice in Wonderland performed by youth theater
From a Press Release
Two weeks of youth theater summer camp at the Ice House concludes with a pair of performances of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" on Friday, July 18 at 5pm and Saturday, July 19 at 2pm.  The Morgan Arts Council production is staged at the Berkeley Springs High School Auditorium. The hourlong production features 29 children from 4 to 14 years old and has original music by Walker Williams.  "This is a commedia d'arte show," said Margi Griffiths, one of the camp's two professional theater teachers.  "That means it's a play within a play.  The kids have two parts each -- first as an actor then as a character in 'Alice.'  They play everything from the Cheshire Cat to tunnels, holes and bushes."

Concerns aired about process of Berkeley Springs hospital sale
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Wednesday, 7/10/08
Selling War Memorial Hospital did not meet public opposition at a hearing Monday night, but some of the 60 Morgan County residents who attended voiced concerns about the process. Commission President Glen R. Stotler said the Request For Proposal (RFP) to sell the county-owned hospital is being drafted by County Attorney Richard Gay. The hospital will be sold only to an entity with a "proven track record of providing health care services on the new (hospital) site," Stotler said. The buyer will purchase the assets of War Memorial Hospital, and the new hospital is to be operational by Dec. 31, 2011, according to the RFP. Stotler said the old hospital real estate is not for sale. It will only be leased to the buyer until the new hospital is built. All employees have to be maintained, he said.

Morgan County anti-drug project director left her mark
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Wednesday, 7/10/08
Jackie Fischer, who heads up the Morgan County Partnership as the project director, sees a shift in the approach to solving drug problems in the community. By working in a collaborative effort, the community is more involved. "We have sown the seeds in the adults," she said. The Morgan County Partnership Prevention Team was formed in 2006 to develop positive programs to "engage the whole community to create a healthy community" and to learn what contributes to drug abuse, Fischer said. Fischer, of Berkeley Springs, has been a member of the Oasis Team, which is the "prevention arm" of the partnership. Fischer's last day of work is Friday. Susan Caperton, a Morgan County Partnership mentoring task force member, was named Oasis supervisor and began her new job on July 7, Fischer said.

Fireworks show celebrates wood-fired ceramics in Berkeley Springs
From a Press Release, 7/7/08
A gallery show devoted to the vibrant ceramics produced in wood-fired kilns opens at the Ice House Gallery in Berkeley Springs with a meet-the-artists reception on Friday, July 11 at 7:30pm.  A presentation on the four-day process of wood-firing by world reknown teacher and potter, Kevin Crowe, is part of the opening.  Curated by local potter Crawford Horne and produced by the Morgan Arts Council,  the show is displayed through August 24. More than a dozen artists, including Crowe, have their work on display and for sale in the show. Brad Birkhimer and Jason Bohnert represent the new generation.  They were studio partners at West Virginia University as well as students at WVU's ceramics program in China.   Birkhimer now has a kiln in western Pennsylvania.

Art showcased in park
From the Martinsburg Journal, Monday, 7/7/08
Berkeley Springs State Park was home to area artists Sunday as part of the Art in the Park festival, as they showed off everything from jewelry and paintings to a variety of sculptures. The festival is in its second year, according to Berkeley Springs resident Nancy Nathan, who helped organize the event. The artists' marketplace takes place on the first Sunday of every month in the state park, starting in May and going through October. "This is a venue for local and regional artists to show their work," Nathan said. "It also adds to the tourism since people come here from the farmers' market across the street," she added, referring to the farmers' market that is set up each Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Fairfax Street in the summer and fall.

Artist attempts to smash record Area woman created a long ceramic chain
From the Martinsburg Journal, Monday, 7/7/08
Bari Benson received inspiration to construct a giant ceramic chain in an unlikely manner. "I was challenged by a regional art group in Maryland to do something with ceramics that had never been done before," said Benson, who took the challenge to heart and created a ceramic chain that was on display Sunday at the Art in the Park festival in Berkeley Springs State Park. Park Superintendent Chris Hansroth measured the chain at the event, and it came in at 75 feet, 4 inches long.

Morgan Co. Courthouse design displayed at library
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Wednesday, 7/2/08
Morgan County residents can get a look at the design of the new county courthouse this month as sketches of the facility are being showcased at the Morgan County Public Library. "I'm happy about the new building's look, but the cost is still worrisome," Morgan County Commissioner Brenda J. Hutchinson said Monday. Hutchinson said the commission still was waiting for the $9 million commitment letter from the state for the loan to rebuild. "We cannot sign a contract with bidders until we receive the commitment letter," Hutchinson said.

Tri State Community Health Center Seeks Local Board Members
From a Press Release, 7/2/08
Western Maryland, Southern Fulton County and Morgan County rely on the Tri State Community Health Center as an important health care provider that has good doctors and that is affordable for all income levels.  The health center is a valuable part of our community.  In an effort to help the health center some concerned citizens and I are helping to find volunteers to serve on the board of directors in order to help this organization which has seen tremendous growth in the last five years.  The board has nine members at present and needs a minimum of 11 up to a maximum of 17.


Public hearing date set for hospital sale
From the Martinsburg Journal, Monday, 6/30/08
The Morgan County Commission announced during a special meeting Friday that a public hearing regarding the sale of War Memorial Hospital will be July 14 at 7 p.m. in the Berkeley Springs High School auditorium. All three commissioners were in agreement that if the hospital is sold, the proceeds would be used to pay down the courthouse debt. The new courthouse has an estimated cost of more than $13.5 million. The old courthouse was destroyed by fire in August 2006. "But that is not the reason for selling it," Commission President Glen R. Stotler said. In April, the commission unanimously approved a resolution to consider selling the hospital.


Toward Energy Self-Sufficiency In Some Surprisingly Simple Steps
From the Washington Post Web Site
Cindy and Bob Evarts are building their dream retirement home in West Virginia, on land Cindy's ancestors helped settle in the 1700s. This Story Toward Energy Self-Sufficiency In Some Surprisingly Simple Steps Powerful Questions Tuesday, July 1, 11:00 a.m. ET: Off the Grid They have picked a scenic hilltop site and invested what she called "real money" in architectural plans for a 3,300-square-foot house with a front and back porch and an open great room with a stone fireplace. A couple in their forties, they recently moved from Columbia to Martinsburg, W.Va., to oversee the construction that will be taking place five miles over the mountain in Tomahawk. As energy costs continue to soar, however, they have become concerned that those expenses could compromise their long-term plans. "I want to build a house that I can live in till I die, but I don't want the energy costs to be what kills me," Cindy Evarts said.

Partnership Benefits Morgan County Residents with Disabilities
From a Press Release
Berkeley Springs, W.Va. – The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and Horizon Goodwill Industries in Maryland are partnering to guide individuals with disabilities into the workforce. Heather Ack, a local graduate with a disability, participated in the work skills development program at the Senior Life Services Center of Morgan County. “I enjoyed working in this program,” said Ack. “I cut vegetables, washed dishes and packed containers of food.” Over a three-month period, Ack developed skills that will benefit her in a work environment. The training at the Senior Life Services Center has motivated Ack to apply for jobs in the food services industry. “Our goal is to develop sites to train individuals in key areas such as maintenance, housekeeping and childcare, in order to provide our clients opportunities to gain skills in their vocational interest,” said Stephanie Ritchie, a job coach from Goodwill Industries.

DOH: W.Va. 9 not viable as toll road
From the Martinsburg Journal, Tuesday, 6/24/08
W.Va. 9 and U.S. 340 don’t appear to be good candidates for toll roads but U.S. 522 might be, according to a survey produced by the state’s Department of Transportation. Findings from an initial draft of a traffic and revenue study exploring the feasibility of toll roads along U.S. 522, U.S. 340 and W.Va. 9 in the Eastern Panhandle were released by Secretary of Transportation Paul Mattox on Monday, according to a news release from the Department of Transportation, Division of Highways. The study showed that a proposed 4.7-mile section of W.Va. 9 does not appear to be feasible for tolls because of the short distance, low traffic volumes and diversions of existing traffic to other routes. The specific location of that section of W.Va. 9 was not available; it was listed as somewhere between Martinsburg and the Virginia border.

Salmonella Outbreak Means Business Boost for Produce Stands
From the Your4State.com Web Site
More than 500 people, including at least 10 in Maryland, have been sickened by an outbreak of salmonella linked to tomatoes. At a time when shelves have been cleared of tomatoes, the Farmer's Market in Berkeley Springs is a sea of red. Lena Pandel said she worries about the salmonella outbreak, but not enough to keep her away from all tomatoes. “Not with this kind, but I don't buy them in the store now,” said Pandel. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture said tomatoes grown in West Virginia are safe.  It's a declaration that has some locals saying home-grown is the way to go.

Pleasant View Elementary is W.Va. School of Excellence for second time
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Tuesday, 6/24/08
Pleasant View Elementary School in eastern Morgan County has been named one of the best schools in the state for the second time in five years, apparently by being a school ahead of its time. Pleasant View was named a 2008-09 School of Excellence, winning the honor for the second time. Nicole Fox, principal of the school, said Pleasant View was named a School of Excellence for the 2003-04 school year. Winning schools cannot apply for five years, Fox said, and this was the first year the school was eligible again. "The application for the School of Excellence Recognition Program for 21st Century Learning asked what are you doing to prepare your students, and we realized we've been doing it already," Fox said. "It's teaching 21st-century skills and content and using 21st-century tools," Fox said.

Schedule for Summer Concerts
From a Press Release
The Morgan Arts Council (MAC) launches the 22nd season for Summer Concerts in the Park with a line-up that includes a wide range of musical styles from all over the east coast and as far away as Chicago.  The series begins with a series favorite, the popular Mama Jama, and concludes at the end of August with a jazz and funk group from Richmond.  "In between, we have something for every taste including an authentic Chicago blues band, an Jamaican reggae group and a ska group from Boston," says Mary Hott, MAC's  executive director.   A big draw for regional audiences will be the reunion of Hickory Wind, an acoustic bluegrass group that originated at Coolfont in Berkeley Springs during the late 1970s.

New courthouse on the way
From the Martinsburg Journal, Sunday, 6/22/08
Just about two years after its predecessor was destroyed by fire, a new Morgan County Courthouse will rise from the ashes to once again house officials and records. And it can’t come soon enough for County Commission members, who’ve overseen the project and now see an end in sight, said President Glen Stotler. Overall, Stotler feels that ground may be broken for the new structure as early as the end of summer — possibly late August or early September. “The estimate for total construction, once it starts, is 18 months. So if that’s the case, we would believe that it will be completed in the first part of 2010 and ready to be occupied,” Stotler said. That timeline is possible partially because big issues, such as financing the $13.6 million project, have already been dealt with, he said.

Officials discuss selling hospital
From the Martinsburg Journal, Friday, 6/20/08
Morgan County Commissioners are still considering selling War Memorial Hospital and they met with lawyers for two hours behind closed doors Thursday discussing how to best to proceed towards that end. Commissioners unanimously voted in mid-April to consider selling the county-owned medical facility. At that time, they agreed that the ultimate goal was a new hospital. But getting to the point hasn’t been and won’t be easy, commission President Glen Stotler said following Thursday’s executive session. At that time, attorneys Richard Gay and Nathan Cochran aided commissioners in their discussions. “This is a very unique situation because you’ve got a public entity here considering selling a public asset. It’s not like selling something privately,” Stotler said, adding that the State Code isn’t much help in this situation.

Resident earns area honor
From the Martinsburg Journal, Thursday, 6/19/08
Jeanne Mozier is all about her adopted hometown. Even though she’d won the Small Business Administration Women in Business Champion of the Year award, Mozier didn’t want to talk about herself. Instead, in true Mozier fashion, she told fellow Berkeley Springs-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce members that her name isn’t what matters. “Let’s get Berkeley Springs out there and West Virginia out there. To me that’s the most important thing,” said Mozier with a smile.

Selling rugs for a cause
From the Martinsburg Journal, Tuesday, 6/17/08
Even though Fahima Vorgetts doesn’t live in her native Afghanistan anymore, that hasn’t stopped her from caring about or making a difference for women who still live there. Despite the continuing Afghan war, not even the threat of violence can stop Vorgetts from venturing home to help build water wells, schools and medical schools, using money she and other volunteeers have raised through charitable donations. That’s because Vorgetts, who left in 1979, knows from personal experience how desperate life still is for women in her homeland.

Morgan County artist to travel to Greece to study sculpting
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Tuesday, 6/17/08
Lee Barron, owner of Star Eagle Studio in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., is working on a stone-carved memorial stone for a local client. He will be attending a stone cutting class on the Greek island of Tinos. (Trish Rudder/Staff Writer) BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Working with stone has been his passion, and when the opportunity came to study stone carving at a famous studio in Greece, Lee Barron knew he had to attend. "It became a passion and I began to pursue more information," said Barron, a local jewelry maker. He applied for the three-week course, was accepted and, in September, will study stone carving at the Dellatolas Marble Sculpture Studio on the Greek Island of Tinos.

Morgan County wants more info on possible toll road
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Saturday, 6/7/08
Questions need to be answered regarding a possible toll road on U.S. 522, Morgan County Commission President Glen R. Stotler said during Friday's commission meeting. At Friday's meeting, the commission discussed the West Virginia Department of Highways traffic and revenue study that explored the feasibility of a toll road on U.S. 522. The study found it to be a "possible candidate to support tolls," according to the May 22 edition of Highway News, a Department of Highways newsletter.

Doctor was fired for presenting staff grievance
From the Morgan Messenger
Tri-State Community Health’s Medical Director Matt Hahn was notified last last week that he wouldn’t be seeing any more patients at Tri-State’s Hancock clinic. The sudden removal of Dr. Hahn was a new development in recent personnel issues at Tri-State, which surfaced in late April when Hahn was told he would not have a job as of August 1. Patients at Tri-State were notified of Hahn’s termination in a May 5 letter. It is unclear what Hahn’s patients have been told about last week’s decision to remove Hahn immediately.

Hey, Girlfriend! This Weekend's for You
From a Press Release
Art sales on the street, full immersion belly dancing, an Artwalk , women winemakers and a glass coven showcase are a few of the weekend events on June 6, 7 and 8 that flavor this come-with-your-gal-pals getaway to Berkeley Springs.  The fabulous finale event is Tiara Time at Tari's on Sunday afternoon where every lady with a boa or tiara gets a free drink.   The 7th annual Hey, Girlfriend getaway to Berkeley Springs, girlie capital of West Virginia, is irresistible.

Study: Section of U.S. 522 through Morgan County could be viable toll road
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Saturday, 5/24/08
A state Department of Transportation draft study of three Eastern Panhandle roads shows one of them could be a viable candidate as a toll road. The traffic and revenue study released Thursday shows a 19-mile stretch of U.S. 522 between the Maryland border to the north and the Virginia border to the south could support tolls. The study says any decision would have to be made with the backing of the community.

Berkeley Springs High School graduates 133
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Saturday, 5/24/08
A raucous crowd gathered Friday night at Morgan Field next to Berkeley Springs High School to help send off 133 seniors into the real world. The class of 2008 shot Silly String at one another and threw their purple and white mortarboards into the air as the last person returned to his seat to mark the end of a ceremony that lasted more than an hour.

Arts Council Elects Board and Officers
From a Press Release
At the recent annual meeting of the Morgan Arts Council (MAC), members of the organization elected eight individuals to serve two year terms on MAC's board of directors. Those elected include both returning and new board members. Elected for the first time are: Denise Bergen. Susan Caperton, Bruce Robey and Keith Unger. Those elected for another term are: Michael Dennis, Jane Frenke, Ann Harkins, Lynn Lavin, Bob Marggraf and Roger Salen. Elected by the full board to serve as officers are Ann Harkins, President; Denise Bergen, Vice President; Diane Petersen, Treasurer and Jeanne Mozier, Secretary. In other business, MAC members also approved minor changes in the bylaws of the organization. For more information about the programs and activities of the Morgan Arts Council including volunteer opportunities, call 258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org.

Artwalk Opens
From a Press Release
More than 20 artists have been working for the past year to create favorite images for Paint Morgan County, the Morgan Arts Council's (MAC) new show.  The special exhibit opens at the Ice House Gallery in Berkeley Springs on Friday, June 6 at 7:30pm as part of Hey, Girlfriend! weekend activities.   It is curated by artist Mary Klotz and hangs through July 6. The Ice House Gallery gala opening is part of an Artwalk that begins at Mountain Laurel Crafts on the square from 5 to 7:30pm with a meet-the-artist reception for local favorite Gordon MacLeod and his Abstractions in Clay: Hand-Thrown Pottery.

Berkeley Springs theater owner named W.Va. Women in Business champion
From the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Tuesday, 5/20/08
As an advocate for women in general, Berkeley Springs resident and business woman Jeanne Mozier was recently named the 2008 West Virginia Small Business Administration Women in Business Champion. Gov. Joe Manchin will present the West Virginia award to Mozier on June 5 in Charleston, W.Va. Mozier also took the prize for the region that includes D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Delaware. She is the only West Virginia winner to receive the regional award, she said. On June 18, the local Chamber will host a luncheon at the Country Inn, and Mozier will be presented with the regional award.