wo years ago, in early March 2020, West Virginia was the only state in the country without a documented COVID-19 case. Anticipating the virus would soon arrive, Governor Jim Justice issued an order to close all West Virginia schools (pre-K to grade 12) after Friday the 13th of March. At the time there was very limited information about the virus, but the date was an omen of what was to come. Four days later the first case of COVID was diagnosed in Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>
Community
Looking Back, Learning Forward
A century of debates over separation and equality linger today in our conversations about public schools. Often the largest employer in many localities across the country (including Jefferson County), public school systems both help shape local economies and offer the promise of bringing people together to help build the future of a community. It’s a promise not always fulfilled and one that we ignore at our common peril. Read the Full Story >>
Mozart Concert On March 19 & 20
The Friends of Music will resume their 2021-2022 concert season with two performances of an all-Mozart concert by the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra. Titled “Winds for Wolfgang,” the concert will feature famous selections from Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” and “Magic Flute,” and the entirety of his Serenade No. 10 (“Gran Partita”). The Orchestra’s music director, Jed Gaylin, will conduct. Read the Full Story >>
Storytelling Event — March 8
Speak Storytelling presents Mara Menzies in an on-line performance on March 8 (Tue) at 7:30 pm. Read the Full Story >>
Restaurant Week March 1-5
Restaurant Week is coming to Jefferson County, from March 1 (Tue) through March 5 (Sat). The participating restaurants will be offering discounts, unique menu items, and creative cocktails to help shake off the winter and celebrate the bloom of spring. Read the Full Story >>
Fabulous Book Sale — Save the Date!
he Friends of Shepherdstown Library Annual Book Sale returns May 13-15, 2022. This annual event features thousands of books for sale at the War Memorial Building in Shepherdstown. Read the Full Story >>
Housing Construction Grows In Jefferson County
When The Observer looked at Jefferson County home construction trends in May of 2021, the County’s Office of Impact Fees reported that 149 residential building permits had been issued countywide during the first three months of 2021. The numbers for the full year were even more impressive, as numbers for single family and townhouse construction were double the annual rate seen in the past decade. Read the Full Story >>
Museum Tells Stories of Families Persevering
Nick Powers, Curator of Collections at The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, describes the museum’s newest exhibition — Contributions: African Americans in the Shenandoah Valley — as a living exhibition. “We’re hoping people will reach out with stories and objects that can help us tell this story. We think of African American history as Shenandoah Valley history and both as American history. We’ve been collecting these objects, but this is the first time we’ve had a space dedicated to telling these stories.” Read the Full Story >>
CASA-EP Advocates for the Kids
CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates – grew out of an idea developed by Seattle judge David Soukup in 1977 to appoint volunteers to advocate for the children in the neglect and abuse cases he was presiding over in his courtroom. Today, there are now more than 90,000 CASA volunteers nationwide, including local volunteers at CASA of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP). Read the Full Story >>
Soul Food Farm Has Plans to Grow
rips with her students. In early 2021, when she heard the Prillaman family had plans to sell the farm and move to New Hampshire, Carley-Peña reached out to express an interest. “It really fell together,” she said, “there was an immediate connection. Read the Full Story >>
The Foundations of Local Community
A last look at the current Hill Top House in Harpers Ferry before construction work began in late January 2022. Swan Hill Top, the development company, says that the activity of the early stages of the project may not be very visible as workers clean up and deconstruct the interior of the building to salvage Read the Full Story >>
Preserving the Past, Enriching the Future
The Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission first met on March 18, 1974. From that first meeting through today, their goals continue to focus on heritage education, historic resource development, and research, in addition to preserving the county’s invaluable historic resources. Read the Full Story >>
Berkeley Arts Council Shows
There's plenty going on at Berkley Art Works right now. The Berkeley Arts Council’s Annual Members’ Exhibit runs through February 19 and the council is also calling for artists for its 12th Annual Art & Earth Juried Art Exhibit which will be on display this April and May. Read the Full Story >>
Local Business Features Local Painter
Diana Suttenfield will be exhibiting paintings at Specialty Business Supplies, 111 South Princess St, Shepherdstown, starting January 14. Open Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. Info about the artist at DianaSuttenfield.com. Read the Full Story >>
A Trails Less Traveled Hike — February 26
From John Brown to W.E.B. DuBois, Harpers Ferry has been a prominent stage for American history. Join this upcoming guided hike to see this history up close. Read the Full Story >>
