• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Observer

Stories of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle

  • Home
  • Read Online
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Community
    • Economy & Environment
    • Education
    • Government
    • Public Health
  • Sightline Stories

Community

8X8 CREATE! A VIRTUAL ART SHOW & AUCTION

January 7, 2021 By Staff Contributor

The Friends of Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) invites artists and crafters of all ages and skill levels to create an original 8”x8”(or larger) work of art to donate for an online auction.

Category: Community
Tags: art show, FOSL, Friends of Shepherdstown Library, Fundraiser, Shepherdstown Public Library

Reading Programs for All Ages at the Shepherdstown Library

January 4, 2021 By Staff Contributor

The Shepherdstown Public Library continues its regular weekly reading programs for all ages and adds a new program for teens this month. Visit the “events” tab on the Library’s Facebook page at 11 am on Tuesdays and 6 pm on Saturdays for live storytime presentations. You can view past storytime presentations under the “video” tab […]

Category: Community
Tags: Shepherdstown Public Library, virtual

Harpers Ferry Park Association Celebrates with Hikes in 2021

December 22, 2020 By Staff Contributor

The Harpers Ferry Park Association (HFPA) is organizing monthly hikes led by experienced guides to walk, explore and learn about the park.

Category: Community
Tags: Certified Guide Tours, civil war, Harpers Ferry National Park, Harpers Ferry Park Association, HFPA, hiking

Shepherdstown Farmers Market Open for the Winter

December 22, 2020 By Staff Contributor

You can still shop close to home on alternate Sunday mornings for local produce, apples, plants, flowers, breads & baked goods, cheeses, yogurt, grass-fed beef, eggs, chicken, pork, local honey, mushrooms, salsas & dips, maple syrups, vinegars, spices, teas, candles, body care, and other locally-produced items. COVID-19 guidelines continue — please wear a mask, follow […]

Category: Community
Tags: farm to table, Shepherdstown Farmers Market, SNAP, sustainability

The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority Rides Out The Pandemic

December 22, 2020 By Staff Contributor

Elaine Bartoldson, Director of the Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA), describes EPTA’s mission as “providing service for the workforce, individuals who have no other way to get around.” She summarized her perspective on the value of EPTA, saying, “without public transportation, things will stop for the people who use it.”

Category: Community
Tags: Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority, EPTA, MARC, public transportation

LILAH RESTAURANT OPENS WITH WARM VIBES & DOG TREATS

December 21, 2020 By Staff Contributor

The welcomign entrance of the newly opened restaurant, lilah.

There is an energy when you walk in the door at Lilah, even when there are no customers inside. Perhaps it’s the wood-fired oven blazing through the open window into the kitchen. Perhaps it’s Connie Heyer working to put together the dining room or Kevin Longmire and the staff hustling in the kitchen. Perhaps it’s the smiling image capturing the memory of the Heyers’ dog Lilah overlooking the bar. Whatever the source, it’s clear that you’ll be welcomed into Shepherdstown’s newest restaurant.

Category: Community
Tags: local business, restaurant, seasonal food

Bushel & Peck Receives Grant to Expand Operations

December 21, 2020 By Staff Contributor

Fresh, local produce inside at Bushel & Peck Grocery.

Whether you choose to measure by the bushel or peck, there’s no denying that a recent $125,000 grant awarded to local grocer Bushel & Peck will soon allow the organization to offer a lot more local, healthy food to the community.

Category: Community
Tags: Bushel & Peck, economic development, farm to table, G.A.P. Coalition, local business, sustainability, USDA

Shade’s Farm Offers Local Honey Products & More

December 18, 2020 By Staff Contributor

Need a last-minute gift or a sweet way to start the New Year? Local honey, beeswax candles, and more are available from Shade’s Farm! “Curt’s products are great, and his attention to quality service is excellent and appreciated,” said a satisfied holiday customer. See the local retailer listings on the Facebook page or order online […]

Category: Community
Tags: bees, honey, local business

Stocking the Shelves

December 1, 2020 By Staff Contributor

empty shelves at the JCCM food pantry.

When The Observer spoke with Greg Petersen of the Jefferson County Community Ministries (JCCM) for our July 2020 issue, the Food Pantry operated by JCCM in downtown Charles Town was in the early days of navigating the pandemic and the staff was anticipating a sharp increase in demand. We recently touched base with John Cloyd, Greg’s colleague at JCCM to see what they experienced over the summer and what they expect this winter.

Category: Community
Tags: COVID-19, food pantry, Jefferson County Community Ministries, Shepherdstown Shares

Jefferson County is Horse Country

December 1, 2020 By Steve Pearson

Driving around, it’s easy to see the agricultural activity that surrounds us in Jefferson County, but it often seems at a distance. As part of a planned series of articles looking at the activities that have defined Jefferson County across several centuries, The Observer recently visited one of these operations — the Blue Spruce Farm in Kearneysville WV.

Category: Community
Tags: equestrian, horse racing

The Holiday Bear Art Hunt Begins!

December 1, 2020 By Staff Contributor

Join The Observer and participate in this fun and free holiday activity! The Holiday Bear Art Hunt is brought to the community by The Observer with the support of Jefferson Security Bank.

Category: Community
Tags: Holiday Bear Art Hunt

Thomas Shepherd Inn Reopens

October 29, 2020 By Staff Contributor

Bryan and Cathy Gray in the rear yard of the Thomas Shepherd Inn.

In the spring of 2020, Bryan and Cathy were pondering the implications of the unfolding pandemic, and Cathy’s employer decided her days as a salesperson on the road were at an end. A friend called to tell them that the Thomas Shepherd Inn was coming on the market. Then another friend called. And another. They arranged to visit the property on the day it was first open for showing. Standing in the back yard after walking through, they had already decided to make an offer.

Category: Community
Tags: Harpers Ferry Cottage, Harpers Ferry Electric Bike Rentals, Harpers Ferry Guest House, Potomac Adventure, Thomas Shepherd Inn

Breaking Ground

October 29, 2020 By Staff Contributor

The multi-year effort to build a new facility for the Shepherdstown Public Library takes a big step forward with the October 30 ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony at the new location adjacent to the Clarion Hotel property just outside of the Town boundary.

Category: Community
Tags: Shepherdstown Public Library

Still Cooking Family Recipes

October 1, 2020 By Staff Contributor

Sign for Ortega's Taco Shop

Today Ortega’s Taco Shop is still busy, but with a different atmosphere. The same approach to the food, but a lot of rethinking about the operations.

Category: Community
Tags: Bushel & Peck, Charles Washington Hall, COVID-19, local business, Mave Ortega Greene, Natalie Greene, Ortega's Taco Shop

History Afoot

October 1, 2020 By Staff Contributor

Harpers Ferry Park Association

The Certified Guide Tours, operated by the volunteers of the Harpers Ferry Park Association, are once again available with some modifications due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Category: Community
Tags: Certified Guide Tours, COVID-19, Harpers Ferry Park Association, walking

Next Page »

Footer

Read Online

  • Most Recent
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Community
  • Economy & Environment
  • Education
  • Government
  • Public Health
  • Home Page

Sightline Stories

  • Solar in Jefferson County
  • Remembering Hartstown

Special Sections

  • Artist’s Spotlights
  • Book Reviews
  • Local Business Spotlights
  • Holiday Bear Hunt
  • Explore

The Observer

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Connect With Us
  • Print Issues
  • Terms of Use

Search Site

Copyright © 2021 WV Independent Observer LLC · Log in