Volume 21, Number 12 – June 12, 2006
Jackson’s Mill Plans 85th Anniversary Celebration
Meeting Notes
People and Places
WVU Jackson’s Mill is planning a celebration Saturday, July 1, in honor of the camp’s 85th anniversary year. The festivities will run from 1 to 5 p.m.
Several activities are being planned, including a birding demonstration and
a sing-along. The 4-H Youth Development unit will display this year’s
500-plus entries in the state photography exhibition, along with photos from
nearly 20 years of state 4-H camps. 4-H’s Fiestaware plates, pitchers,
and bowls will be available for purchase.
Participants will be able to swim in the pool and tour the historic area at
no charge.
Free hot dogs and drinks will be available.
Keep an eye out for an e-mail announcing the final details.
… There’s still time to buy your tickets for the July 8 banquet
honoring the six new members of the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry
Hall of Fame. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased by June 23. Among
those taking reservations are Brenda Aldridge (304-293-5691) and Denise Hunnell
(304-293-2395). The 2006 Hall of Fame enshrinees are the late Geraldine C.
Belmear, Neil Aberegg of Hundred, Paul E. Lewis of Morgantown, the late Armand
Ricottilli, Robert D. Whipkey of Charleston, and Robert L. Williams of Bridgeport.
…The WVU Regional Center in the Eastern Panhandle and
the WVU Extension Service will sponsor a graduate class for educators this
summer. “The Hispanic Student in Your Classroom” will be given from
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 24-28. The tuition is free, but each student pays a
$130 fee. A team of experts on Hispanic students (language, cultures, sociology,
family life, and instructional techniques) will teach the course. Three hours
of WVU graduate credit will be given. Teachers may use the Curriculum and Instruction
930 class for certification renewal, salary increases, or personal interest.
The course will be given in the Martinsburg area (location confirmed after preregistration).
For more information, contact Doug Smith (304-263-8549) or Rich Fleisher (RLFleisher@mail.wvu.edu).
People and Places …
… Faculty and Staff Changes
Bobby Cheves resigned his position as Extension agent for Mineral County, effective June 15. He joined the organization Oct. 4, 2000.
Barbara Ridenour Dalton resigned June 9 from her position as program coordinator in the Families and Health Programs unit. She first worked in Extension’s Conference Office, beginning in August 1995. She spent two years in WVU’s Institutional Analysis and Planning Office and later returned to Extension as a program coordinator with 4-H Youth, Families, and Adult Development. After taking a short time off, she plans to look for a part-time job with the University. Barbara will also spend more time helping her mother and working in CFT-LLC, a trucking business owned by her husband, Gary.
On June 7, Karl Hildebrand joined the organization as an information systems specialist with the Families and Health Programs unit. Karl provides systems analysis and development, manages databases, and counsels faculty and staff on information systems. A WVU employee since 1975, Karl began his career as a Personal Rapid Transit systems and communications operator, later becoming a shift supervisor. Before joining WVU Extension, Karl worked as an information systems technician and specialist for the WVU Facilities and Services unit. He created and maintained intranet and Internet Web pages, built and repaired computers, and worked with local area networks.
Marnie Lamb started working June 5 as a 4-H youth program assistant in the WVU Hancock County Extension Office. She graduated from West Liberty State College in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Marnie has worked as a substitute teacher for Hancock County Schools. She has three grown children and two grandchildren. The Hancock County native enjoys reading, gardening, and painting.
David Parker was appointed assistant director of WVU Jackson’s Mill June 1. Dave has served as interim manager and project leader at the Mill since May 2004. He has played instrumental roles in many of the Mill’s new programs, including securing capital funds and helping to plan the new fire academy. He is the former executive director of Mountain Partners in Community Development Inc., a multicounty organization based in Elkins. Dave also served three years as an Anglican representative to Vatican Mission to the United Nations. Earlier, he was a priest with several Episcopal congregations, including two in West Virginia. Dave is a 1983 graduate of the General Theological Seminary in New York and a 1980 graduate of Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio.
Bo Sellers has left his position as program coordinator at WVU Jackson’s Mill.
Sean Smith began working June 5 as a program assistant in Brooke County, where he will have responsibility for 4-H youth programs. He’ll also provide educational support for family and consumer science programs. Sean graduated in 2006 from Hocking (Ohio) College with a degree in juvenile service and corrections. He spent three summers working as an Extension volunteer camping assistant. For the past year, Sean has been providing direct care at a group home for mentally challenged individuals.
As a Putnam County WVU Extension agent, Vera L. Warner will work with the population she enjoys the most—children and youths. She joined the organization June 5 as 4-H youth agent. For the past 15 years, Vera dedicated her career to focusing on the needs of at-risk children and their families. Since October 2002, Vera has been self-employed as the owner of Warner Consulting Inc. She provided consultation services to nonprofit agencies needing assistance with child and family services. Earlier, Vera served three years as division director of the Youth Development Corporation of America, located in South Point, Ohio. She was responsible for inception, development, and implementation of treatment foster care programs. Before that, Vera held positions with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. She also worked nearly six years as a substance abuse therapist and as a supervisor with Prestera Center for Mental Health Services in Huntington. Vera received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from WVU in 1980 and her master’s degree in counseling and rehabilitation from Marshall University in 1981.
… Have You Heard?
Meg Baughman and Greg Jacobs were honored last week by the Association for Communication Excellence for their work on the West Virginia 4-H Health Planner. They received a bronze award for graphics (one- to three-color) category of the association’s 2006 critique and awards contest. The award was presented at the professional organization’s annual meeting in Quebec, Canada.
Shanna Dick is now answering to Shanna Nicodemus after her May 20 marriage to a local farmer, Richard Nicodemus. The wedding took place in their front yard.
Brian Wickline has been selected as national finalist in the National Association of County Agricultural Agents’ Search for Excellence in Remote Sensing/Precision Agriculture Program. Brian has worked extensively in the area of nutrient management, collecting soil samples on a grid and using the soil test results to produce soil fertility maps. This information is then used to determine the amount of nutrients or lime to apply to a field.
Vada Zinn and Lance Woodford will tie the knot July 29 in
a small outdoor ceremony. “I plan on changing my last name to Woodford,
but that was after I asked him to change his to Zinn,” Vada joked. (He
declined that opportunity.) The high school sweethearts dated on and off over
the years before realizing “we couldn’t find anyone else that would
put up with the other,” Vada said. The couple will reside in Glenville.
Each year, Dominion Exploration and Production recognizes its employees who
volunteer to serve their community. This year, Dominion honored one employee
for her volunteer service to WVU Jackson’s
Mill. Linda E. Riffle, a production analyst for Dominion, is a former
4-H member and current 4-H volunteer. Linda chaired a committee that raised
more than $100,000 in money and materials toward the $255,000 cost of restoring
Upshur Cottage. Constructed in 1923, the Upshur County-sponsored facility was
one of the first cottages built at the Mill. Linda also contributed her time
to help renovate and refurbish the cottage. She and 11 other employee volunteers
were featured in a Dominion booklet using the slogan “Volunteers—putting
their stamp on communities.” A photo of each volunteer was shown in a
postage stamp outline. Linda lives in Jane Lew, the home of the company’s
Eastern regional headquarters.
… In the News
In its recent Mountaineer Menu newsletter, the Mountaineer Food Bank featured Sally Howard, who has provided safe food handling instruction at the food bank’s last three training sessions. The article, along with a photo of Sally, appeared in the newsletter’s “Salutes” section. Extension also provided the Germ City interactive handwashing exhibit during these sessions. Sally took on this assignment after the retirement of Sally Summers, who had conducted the training for many years.
… In Memoriam
Gatha Krantz, mother of Vonda Dorsey, died June 9 in Summersville. Her funeral was today at the White Funeral Home in Craigsville. Condolences may be sent to Vonda at 49 Hillside Lane, Quinwood WV 25981.
Kathleen Parsons, mother of Patty Morrison, died June 9 in Ripley. Her funeral was today at the Vail Funeral Home in Ripley. Condolences may be sent to Patty and Alvin Morrison, Rt. 2 Box 125-A, Ravenswood WV 26164.
**************************************************************************************
Our Continuing Mission . . .
The mission of the West Virginia University Extension Service is to form learning partnerships with the people of West Virginia to enable them to improve their lives and communities. To these partnerships, we bring useful research- and experience-based knowledge that facilitates critical thinking and skill development.
**************************************************************************************
Extension Focus is a publication of the Office of the Associate Provost for Extension and Public Service. News items should be sent to the Office of Communications, 506 Knapp Hall, P.O. Box 6031, Morgantown, WV 26506-6031.
Issues of Focus are archived on Extension's Intranet
http://intranet.ext.wvu.edu/intouch/orgnews/focus/focus.htm
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University
Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color,
sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, national
origin, and marital or family status.
Submitted by Joyce Bower.
