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Stories of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle

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Latest Stories

Unlocking Options for Renters & Landlords in the Pandemic

March 5, 2021

March 21 — Virtual Walk In The Woods Fundraiser with PVAS

February 26, 2021

2021 American Conservation Film Festival

February 26, 2021

Exhibit at Berkeley Art Works Celebrates Historic African-American Cemetery

February 26, 2021

Book Review: Pop

February 26, 2021

March 5 — Virtual Concert: A Celtic Celebration

February 26, 2021

Feeling The Heartbeat Of Spring Emerging

February 26, 2021

March 9 — Speak Stories Presents Chetter Galloway

February 26, 2021

Take An Online Art Class This March At Berkeley Art Works

February 26, 2021

Connecting Solar In Jefferson County

February 24, 2021

A Look At Rural Zoning In Jefferson County

February 24, 2021

Inkwells Tavern Reopens in Charles Town

February 24, 2021

Read all stories

In Print

Harpers Ferry & Bolivar

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Park Celebrates 50 Years

February 1, 2021 Tagged With: C&O Canal, C&O Canal Trust, Canal Town Partnership

The National Park, the C&O Canal Trust, and the Canal Towns Partnership representing the ten nearby towns along its western path are organizing various events and activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the park in 2021. Read the Full Story >>

Transportation Hub for the Eastern Panhandle

February 1, 2021 Tagged With: commuting, COVID-19, economic development, MARC train

Martinsburg’s Caperton Station

The question to ask is, “do you want to take advantage of economic development opportunities?” said Shane Farthing, Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Martinsburg. He suggested that if the city did not have a train station and “we did a study on how to improve the economy, we’d ask how great it would be to have a train station. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize the good things you already have.  Read the Full Story >>

Tracking the Train in West Virginia’s 2021 Budget Debates

February 1, 2021 Tagged With: commuting, COVID-19, MARC train, Maryland Transit Administration, West Virginia Legislature

The pandemic has strained the MTA’s workforce and put a dent in ridership and revenue. Discussions about West Virginia’s rail funding for the next fiscal year (from July 2021) will begin when the state Legislature receives the Governor’s budget proposal in early February. Read the Full Story >>

The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority Rides Out The Pandemic

January 4, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority, public transportation

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." Read the Full Story >>

Shade’s Farm Offers Local Honey Products & More

January 4, 2021 Tagged With: bees, honey

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 Read the Full Story >>

The Pandemic is Here & Now

December 22, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Terrence Reidy, Jefferson County Health Department

Dr. Terrence Reidy shares thoughts and observations about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as his advice for reducing risk while the vaccine rollout begins. Read the Full Story >>

The Holiday Bear Art Hunt Begins!

December 1, 2020 Tagged With: Holiday Bear Art Hunt

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.  Read the Full Story >>

A 50 Year Holiday Tradition Continues — Olde Tyme Christmas Adapts in Harpers Ferry and Bolivar

November 20, 2020 Tagged With: Christmas, family fun, Harpers Ferry Olde Tyme Christmas

The large A&P grocery store ad on page A-5 of the December 2 issue of The Spirit of Jefferson-Farmers Advocate from 1971 brings back memories. Four loaves of bread for a dollar, pork chops at $1.09 per pound, but also a note from the grocer apologizing for having been out of stock on so many Read the Full Story >>

Handmade Crafts at the Tri-State Holiday Handmade Market

November 20, 2020 Tagged With: Christmas, handmade goods, holiday market, Tri-State Holiday Market

A juried event featuring only hand-crafted items produced by local artisans and artists. Organized by Heavenly Treasures Pottery Studio and Rock Fusion Studio, this show and sale presents dozens of individuals selling a variety of items suitable for gifts, including pottery, candles, prints, jewelry and other unique items. For this indoor event, masks and social Read the Full Story >>

Thomas Shepherd Inn Reopens

October 29, 2020 Tagged With: Harpers Ferry Cottage, Harpers Ferry Electric Bike Rentals, Harpers Ferry Guest House, Potomac Adventure, Thomas Shepherd Inn

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. Read the Full Story >>

Navigating A Difficult Road

October 27, 2020 Tagged With: Bondy Shay Gibson, COVID-19, Jefferson County Schools, online learning, virtual

looking down the school bus line at Shepherdstown Middle School

The Observer asked Stephen Willingham to explore how the local public school system is managing through the current public health crisis. The author interviewed the Superintendent and also spoke with teachers about their experiences in the classroom and online. Read the Full Story >>

Words Plus Images

October 1, 2020 Tagged With: poetry, Washington Street Artists Cooperative

Looking down the beach shoreline on a partly cloudy day. painting.

The idea of soliciting poems to combine with art seemed to fit perfectly with he Washington Street Artists’ Cooperative's goals of expanding participation in art. Read the Full Story >>

History Afoot

October 1, 2020 Tagged With: Certified Guide Tours, COVID-19, Harpers Ferry Park Association, walking

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. Read the Full Story >>

Sparking A Converstation: Local Farmers Discuss Large-Scale Solar Development

September 1, 2020 Tagged With: agriculture, conservation easement, farming, renewable energy, SIGHTLINE, solar, zoning

A wooden sign for a dairy farm with power transmission Lines visible in the field in the background.

Pastoral landscapes may be easy on the eyes, but farming them is a hard life. Todd Hough of Oakwood Farm has been working the land since he was a child. He and his brother are the fourth generation to run the family farm in the Kabletown District of Jefferson County.  Read the Full Story >>

The Water Connecting Us

September 1, 2020 Tagged With: brownfields, cave, groundwater, karst geology, Lakeland Caverns, rockwool, USGS, water pollution, WVDEP, zoning

map of Caverns in Jefferson County, West Virginia.

One hundred years ago, underneath the Old Opera House in Charles Town, locals and tourists danced the night away beside a crystal-clear lake inside a cavern filled with orchestral tones. Today, the Lakeland Caverns cave is quiet, all entries sealed off from the public.  Read the Full Story >>

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