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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

Shepherdstown

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 >>

Stocking the Shelves

December 1, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, food pantry, Jefferson County Community Ministries, Shepherdstown Shares

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. Read the Full Story >>

Counting on the Well Water

December 1, 2020 Tagged With: air pollution, drinking water, groundwater, Jefferson County Foundation, karst, karst geology, rockwool, water pollution

A map of drinking water wells near the site of the Rockwool facility in Ranson.

After the WV Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a notice on November 5, 2020 that it was authorizing the Rockwool stone wool insulation manufacturing facility in Ranson to operate under a general water pollution control permit, the Jefferson County Foundation noted that the source water protection area map submitted as part of the facility’s application process marked only 4 drinking water wells within the one mile buffer zone. 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 >>

Organizing Allies in WV

December 1, 2020 Tagged With: healthcare, HIV, opioid epidemic, Shepherdstown Community Education Group

With the COVID-19 pandemic dominating the news, it’s easy for other public health issues to drop out of sight. Shepherdstown-based Community Education Group (CEG) is pointedly focused on West Virginia’s ongoing substance-use disorder epidemic. Read the Full Story >>

Holiday Stollens at the Shepherdstown Sweet Shop

November 20, 2020 Tagged With: Christmas, Shepherdstown Sweet Shop, Stollen

Our signature specialty, Holiday Stollen, dates back to 14th-century Germany. We make our stollen entirely by hand in small batches. Our unique recipe uses rum-soaked raisins, dates, and pecans added to a dough of sweet butter and specially spiced flour. The mix is cut into rough loaves, hand-shaped, and wrapped around a marzipan center, then Read the Full Story >>

Shop Local at the Shepherdstown Farmers Market

November 20, 2020 Tagged With: agriculture, Farmers’ Market, Shepherdstown Farmers Market, sustainable food

Shop local vendors for local produce, apples, plants, flowers, breads & baked goods, cheeses, yogurt, grass-fed beef, eggs, chicken, pork, local honey, beeswax candles, body care, bulbs, mushrooms, salsas & dips, maple syrup, vinegars, teas, spices and so much more! As the holidays approach, you’ll be wowed and delighted with the variety of gift-able offerings Read the Full Story >>

New Gallery Location for Local Artist Kimo Williams

November 20, 2020 Tagged With: art gallery, Kimo Williams

“KimoPics” Gallery opens on Veterans Day 2020 in a new location, 129 East German St. in Shepherdstown. The exhibit, “Counties of The Potomac River – Series One”, features images by Vietnam Veteran photographer/composer Kimo Williams. The “Counties of The Potomac River” series is inspired by Kimo’s observation of the Potomac and how its banks meld Read the Full Story >>

Elegant Fashion at Honor D Fine Shoes and Hats

November 20, 2020 Tagged With: clothing, fashion, Honor D

Stop by Honor D Fine Shoes & Hats today. Ladies shoes featuring the brands Vaneli, Bernardo, and FrenchSole. Hats for the whole family: Harris Tweed caps, Brixton, and Eric Javits fine headwear. Hand knitted baby hats and booties. Interesting costume and vintage jewelry. Authorized dealer of Claire Burke room scent and potpourri. Hours: Wed-Sun 10:30-5:30 Read the Full Story >>

Handmade Gifts at Shepherdstown Community Club Ho-Ho Holiday Market

November 20, 2020 Tagged With: handmade goods, Ho-ho-holiday market, holiday market, Shepherdstown Community Club

The Shepherdstown Community Club hosts local and regional artists, artisans and designers for a charming shopping experience at the War Memorial Building in historic downtown Shepherdstown. Discover handmade artful items, including fine art, pottery, wood, stained and fused glass, home & garden decor, specialty foods, jewelry, wearables and accessories. The vendor selection will each weekend. Read the Full Story >>

Historic Shepherdstown’s 2020 Holiday Ornament On Sale Now

November 20, 2020 Tagged With: historic preservation, Historic Shepherdstown Commission, Holiday Ornaments, Shepherdstown Opera House

Shop now for Historic Shepherdstown 6th in a series of Holiday Ornaments. This year features the Shepherdstown Opera House. The ornaments can be purchased in the HSC office by calling 304-876-0910 to make an appointment or they can be purchased on their website. Read the Full Story >>

Support the Shepherdstown Library – Buy A Chance to Win a Bottle of Pappy Van Winkle

November 20, 2020 Tagged With: Fundraiser, Shepherdstown Liquors

Shepherdstown Liquors is honoring the memory of Mohsen Sadeghzadeh and continuing a tradition of offering a rare bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Straight Bourbon Whiskey in a holiday raffle with all proceeds to support the Shepherdstown Public Library. This 20 year-old bottle is valued at over $2,000. Tickets available until drawing to be held at 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 >>

Music Performance Transposed for COVID-19

October 29, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, music, performance, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown School of Music, virtual

The Music School at Shepherd University makes a point to be a highly personalized experience for its students. In contrast to many programs at larger institutions, Shepherd is focused on undergraduates and emphasizes the opportunities for its students to study directly with faculty. Unfortunately, the very adjectives that one would use to describe music programs in general and Shepherd’s program specifically — intimate, group, performance, together — also describe the activities the health department advises against during the pandemic health crisis. Read the Full Story >>

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