Jefferson Security Bank invited community participation in its Holiday Bear Fair and selected several entrants to receive gift cards from local merchants. Read the Full Story >>
Helping People Get Back on Their Feet
Jefferson County Community Ministries is more than a food pantry. The organization helps clients find their path to stability with a strategic offering of services. Read the Full Story >>
Women on the Ball at Shepherd University
Shepherd University’s athletic teams certainly have been working hard during the school’s 150th anniversary year. 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 >>
Homeschool As An Option For Students In The Eastern Panhandle
While there are many motivations for why parents and children choose to school at home, a preference for hands-on learning and outdoor activities seems to be a common reason for choosing this option. Read the Full Story >>
Will New Charter Schools Open in West Virginia?
Governor Jim Justice signed House Bill 2012 in May of 2021, allowing for the establishment of up to 10 charter schools in West Virginia over the next decade. But the status of these virtual charters may be up in the air because of a preliminary injunction issued in late 2021. 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 >>
The Significance of a Local Community
St. Paul Baptist Church has a rich history of quarry and mill pond baptisms, bush meetings, concerts, revivals, weddings, funerals, family reunions, and other community events. Families have remained dedicated to St. Paul through generations, and it remains a place that draws people home. Read the Full Story >>
Love of Place (and Politics)
As one goes through the pages of Koonce’s book and learns more about the strides made by different groups in gaining political representation across West Virginia, it is easier to understand his fascination with local politics. While one may not necessarily agree that voting is the right that affirms all others, it is undoubtedly a tool of empowerment, one that is inextricably tied to Jefferson County’s local character, history — and future. Read the Full Story >>
Gray Divorce Rates on the Rise
The divorce rate in the United States hit a 50-year low in 2019 as a percentage of all marriages, continuing a decades-long trend. But like a lot of “trends,” the divorce rate is not the same across all demographics. Read the Full Story >>
Barred Owls Hoot a Duet
As a new year starts, I love to step outside at dusk and see the twigs of the bare trees etched against the greenish afterglow of sunset. I was about to call the dogs back into the house when I heard two barred owls hooting. We don’t hear barred owls too often. Hearing them makes me smile. Read the Full Story >>
Postponed: Chamber Music Festival Winter Residency
n December 22, 2021, the Appalachian Chamber Music Festival announced that its 2021 Winter Residency will be postponed until 2022 due to the recent increase in Covid-19 cases. Read the Full Story >>
Bolivar Bread Offers a Local Mix in New Storefront
opsick opened the doors of her new bakery location in Harpers Ferry at the end of October. In addition to her own bread and pastries, the store stocks items that pair well with bread (jams, honey) and snacks, all of which she sources from local producers. Read the Full Story >>
Artist’s Confluence & Mercantile Makes Space for Art
If you remember the Mellow Moods cafe in Shepherdstown, you’ll know where to find The Artist’s Confluence & Mercantile, a new shop opened just after Thanksgiving by co-owners Roselyn Sanders Mendez and Todd Cotgreave. Mendez is a local artist and Cotgreave ran the former Town Run Tap House, a popular community gathering & performance space. The new shop presents the work of dozens of local artists & artisans on consignment for sale. 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 >>
