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 >>
Steve Pearson
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 >>
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 >>
Jefferson Virtual Academy Offers Online Options
al Academy is part of Jefferson County Schools’ commitment to offer education options to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of a diverse student population. Read the Full Story >>
A Place to Call Home
After many years of absence, the Cheer Booth returned for the 2021 Christmas celebrations in Charles Town. The spirit of the crowd lining the downtown streets at this year’s parade was lifted both by unseasonably warm weather and the welcome return of a sorely missed tradition. Read the Full Story >>
Changes Ahead For Route 340
The Observer staff hopes our readers are able to enjoy this special time of year, particularly in our local downtowns as they come alive to celebrate and share the community spirit of the season. Read the Full Story >>
Ricco Gallery Legacy Show
Riccardo Accurso — Ricco — had a talent for making the world brighter, in the smile on his face and the sparkle in his jewelry creations. Althought Ricco passed away earlier this year in June, he had been working on a final show, which will be presented at his gallery in Shepherdstown (125 W German Read the Full Story >>
Keeping On Track
A lot of what happens in county government focuses on daily operations but the long term payoff comes from educated citizens who have the skills to participate in a twenty-first century economy that is both local and global in the same place. Read the Full Story >>
Weaving In Anticipation
The fall equinox really did signal a change of season this year, sending us to the closet looking for sweaters for an evening walk with the dogs. Orb-weaver spiders (above) seem to be in unusual abundance this year too — perhaps they want to get back to normalcy and just hang out like everyone else. Read the Full Story >>
The Health Of The Community
Be the Light” — it’s the inspirational message displayed prominently on the walls throughout Erma Ora Byrd Hall, home to the College of Nursing, Education and Health Sciences at Shepherd University. This state-of-the-art teaching facility represents the University’s commitment to training the nursing professionals who are essential to meeting the health care needs of the local and regional community. Read the Full Story >>
Looking At Growth
McMurran Hall was built in 1859 as a town hall for Shepherdstown. During the Civil War, it served as the courthouse for Jefferson County until it was abandoned in 1871 when Charles Town reclaimed its role as the seat of the county government. Quickly repurposed into the home of the new Shepherd College, it still stands as a reminder of community spirit shared between a town and institution. Read the Full Story >>
Shepherd University Celebrates 150 Years
This year marks the 150th anniversary for Shepherd University. As the University resumes classes for the 2021-22 academic year, Dr Hendrix, the current university president, noted the anniversary milestone and remarked on the recent challenges: “At Shepherd University, we remain optimistically committed to training the next generation of leaders and model citizens by listening to the needs of our community, looking at ways to adapt to our changing landscape, and learning from the faculty, students, and staff employees who came before us. Read the Full Story >>
What Drives A Community
What is community? The members of the Country Road Car Club certainly have enjoyed getting together weekly since 1998. While they gather for friendship and a shared hobby, they also collect their energy – and donations – for charities, including weekly food donations to the Jefferson County Community Ministries food pantry in Charles Town Read the Full Story >>
Appalachian Chamber Music Festival Launches New Event
You can play almost anywhere with four people,” remarked Katie Tertell, artistic director and organizer of the Appalachian Chamber Music Festival. “You can be in an intimate space and the audience can be there with you. When I play informal house concerts, people say it’s such a different experience to be this close. Read the Full Story >>