Volume 22, Number 3 – Feb. 5, 2007
More than 800 Expected Tomorrow at WVU Extension Day at Legislature
Dominion Foundation Grant to Support Heritage Program
S&HE to Offer Free Residential Fall Protection Classes
21 Ready-to-Use Classes on CD Slated for Professional Development Day
Meeting Notes
People and Places
Important Program Planning and Reporting Dates for 2007
Tomorrow (Feb. 6) will not be just another visitors’ day at the State Capitol. WVU’s day at the Legislature holds the unofficial record for drawing the largest and most diverse groups to designated day programs at the capitol, and this year should be no exception.
More than 800 volunteers, students, and other WVU Extension supporters from more than 40 counties have registered to attend the festivities in Charleston.
For the second consecutive year, WVU Extension will host “WVU’s Service to the State Day,” showcasing WVU’s contributions to state residents.
Both youths and adults will see or participate in many educational and fun activities. Visitors may mine for chocolate chips at a science exhibit; make new connections with WVU through its interactive kiosk; design and sign Valentines for West Virginia veterans; and prepare individual “A Wish, a Hope, a Dream … for West Virginia” messages to be delivered to Gov. Joe Manchin.
During welcome ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. in the Cultural Center, participants will meet Brady Campbell, WVU Mountaineer Mascot; Tiffany Lawrence, Miss West Virginia 2006; John Perdue, state treasurer; and Hoppy Kercheval, vice president of operations for West Virginia Radio Corp.
Attendees also will call on their senators and representatives, attend legislative sessions, hear WVU Day proclaimed in the house and senate, and visit nearby attractions such as the Clay Center.
WVU Extension Service will be able to educate even more youths and adults across the state and region about Appalachia’s rich heritage, thanks to a $5,000 grant from West Virginia Dominion Foundation. The grant will help offset the cost of equipment and supplies for the WVU Jackson’s Mill Historic Area near Weston and the History Hitting the Road traveling program.
WVU Extension began the heritage program at the Historic Area in 2002. Two years later, the program expanded to include History Hitting the Road, a traveling history program providing hands-on outreach to schools and festivals across the state.
By the end of 2006, History Hitting the Road and Historic Area tours attracted participants from 19 counties and four states, educating nearly 10,000 adults and reaching 30,000 school-age children.
Whether they participate in heritage programs at WVU Jackson’s Mill or at other sites, youths and adults can make candles, climb atop an authentic covered wagon, and learn to pull wool, among other activities.
“Jackson’s Mill and Dominion have enjoyed a relationship for many years that has brought lasting benefits to the thousands who visit the Mill each year,” said Bob Orndorff, chairman of the West Virginia Dominion Foundation. “We’re especially pleased to be part of the heritage history program that will give our youth a glimpse of work and leisure activities that reflect the values and traditions of the Appalachian people.”
Dominion, one of the country’s largest producers of energy, serves retail energy customers in nine states. It also operates the nation’s largest underground natural gas storage system.
The Dominion Foundation grant was made through the WVU Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation that generates and provides support for West Virginia University. Julie Cryser and Dean Hardman worked together to secure the grant.
WVU Safety and Health Extension (S&HE) is offering free classes this month to help residential contractors and homeowners learn to eliminate potential fall hazards when constructing, renovating, or remodeling residential property. The schedule for the sessions is as follows.
The classes meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for fall protection training. Participants completing the class will receive certificates.
Preregistration is required for the sessions, which run from 9 a.m. to noon. To make a reservation for any session, call Missy Stewart at S&HE (800-626-4748).
Come, receive, and then go teach! Ready-to-use curricula—prepared in PowerPoint formats on a CD—will be part of your registration packet when you “sign in” for Professional Development Day at WVU Jackson’s Mill Wednesday, Feb. 21.
The CD’s diverse topics include effective meetings, board roles and responsibilities, strategic planning, and grant writing. Learn tips for using the PowerPoint presentations, activities, hand-outs, and other materials on the CD by participating in the Community Leadership Team’s workshop.
Sign up for Session 29—“‘Ready to Use’ Community Leadership Programs for You”—before Professional Development Day registration closes Feb. 9
(http://intranet.ext.wvu.edu/orgsup/ohr/2007_spring_profdev.htm ).
Copies of the CD will be distributed to all WVU Extension Service county offices later in the year.
Contact Kate Burbank (304-927-0975; Kate.Burbank@mail.wvu.edu) for more information.
… The 4-H Basketball Day tickets for the Feb. 17 WVU Mountaineer game against Seton Hall sold out so quickly that WVU Extension has scheduled a second campus visit day—Saturday, Feb. 24. That’s when the WVU Mountaineer women’s team takes on Cincinnati in Morgantown. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. in the Coliseum. Both days include educational and recreational programs on campus. Contact Jeffrey Orndorff about securing tickets for the Feb. 24 game.
… Faculty and Staff Changes
Erica Dean left her position as secretary in the Marion County WVU Extension Office Feb. 2. She had worked for Extension since Feb. 16, 2005.
Amber Ortel is resigning from her position as Extension agent in Monongalia County Feb. 15. She has been with the organization for a year. Amber and her husband are moving to Syracuse, N.Y.
After a 25-year WVU career, Deloris Ratliff will retire on Feb. 28. She began working in Labor Studies on Nov. 31, 1981. She is now an accounting assistant with the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development unit and its Institute for Labor Studies and Research. In retirement, Deloris wants to spend more time with her mother and other family members. She plans to pursue her passion of learning about and making quilts, starting with participating in a quilt retreat at WVU Jackson’s Mill in mid-March.
… Have You Heard?
A retirement reception honoring Deloris Ratliff will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 23 in Room 713 Knapp Hall. Everyone is welcome to stop by and wish Deloris well as she enters a new phase of her life after 25 years on the job. If you would like to make a contribution to a “money tree,” contact Sharon Mayfield (Room 711 Knapp) or Judy Cowell (Room 709 Knapp).
Phil Osborne was cited by the West Virginia Cattlemen’s Association for “outstanding service to the West Virginia Beef Cattle Industry.” He received the honor at the group’s annual meeting in January.
Retiree Roscoe Plumley has been hospitalized in various locations since mid-July, when he fell at home and struck his head. In August, he suffered two strokes. Currently, he is in the Veterans Administration Hospital in Beckley. His daughter, retiree Judith Ann Bragg, and medical personnel are hoping to get Roscoe evaluated at the head trauma center of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Richmond, Va. You may send messages to him at his home address: 201 Grist Mill Drive, Beckley WV 25801. Judith’s mother will take cards and letters to the hospital.
Applications for the current cycle of competitive team grants and seed research grants are due Feb 15. Send team grant applications to Paul Becker and research grant applications to Dave Cormier. You’ll find 2007-08 application forms on the intranet (http://intranet.ext.wvu.edu/progdev.htm).
… In Memoriam
Joyce Olivia Mitchell, mother-in-law of Lisa Horton Mitchell, died Jan. 31 in Reading, Pa. She was 72. Her funeral was at noon today (Feb. 5) at the Greater Mount Zion Pentecostal Church in Bluefield. Messages of condolence may be sent to Lisa and James Mitchell, 604 College Avenue, Bluefield WV 24701.
June Rae Orndorff, mother of Jeffrey Orndorff, died Jan. 21. Her funeral was Jan. 27 in Wardensville. Memorial contributions may be sent to the J. Allen Hawkins Community Park, PO Box 7, Wardensville WV 26851. June was a founding director of the park and served as its treasurer for 20 years. Condolences may be sent to Jeff and Cathy Orndorff at 220 Logan Avenue, Morgantown WV 26505.
Norma Ellen Patton, mother-in-law of Donna Patton, died Jan. 31 in Charleston following an automobile accident. She was 86. Her funeral was Feb. 3 in Charleston. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Charleston or the South Charleston Lions Club, PO Box 8354, South Charleston WV 25303. You may send condolences to Joe and Donna at 20 Pinehill Estates, Kenova WV 25530
Important Program Planning and Reporting Dates for 2007
Feb. 15, 2007 Requests for Proposals due: For Seed Grants for Research Projects, submit to Dave Cormier; for Competitive Funds for Team Activities, submit to Paul Becker. (Awards will be announced March 15, 2007.)
Feb. 23, 2007 Program leaders’ Statements of Accomplishment for related federal goals due to Paul Becker.
March 30, 2007 Final reports due for those who received Seed Grants for Research and/or Competitive Funds for Team Activities in spring 2006.
April 3, 2007 Final Faculty Assignment Document in MS Word due to program leaders.
Federal Reporting Dates
March 30, 2007 Program Accomplishment Reports submitted to CSREES
March 30, 2007 2008-2012 Plan of Work Update submitted to CSREES
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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.
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Submitted by Joyce Bower.
