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Times Past

Times Past
Editorial

10 Years Ago Week of October 1, 2015 SK–SR Recreational Area Turns 50 The oldest National Recreational Area in the US Forest Service turned 50 on Monday. Designed on Sept. 28, 1965, by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the 100,000 acre Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area contains some of the most spectacular scenery in the Monongahela National Forest. SK–SR NRA was the first recreational area to be designated within the US Forest system, and features two iconic landmarks for which it is named. Week of October 8, 2015 Flag Lowered At Navy Base The United States flag was lowered permanently at Sugar Grove Navy base Sept. 30. On hand was a skeleton crew of Navy enlistees and the few remaining civilian employees that wanted to extend their good-byes. Hugs and tears were plentiful among all. The flashing sign that once welcomed visitors and told of base sponsored events displayed a public auction notice for the property. Parking areas surrounding the flag pole were filled with vehicles packed to the roof with personal belongings of those headed to their next destination and chapter in life. As everyone began to gather around the flag pole, mail receptacles were covered and taped shut and doors were locked indefinitely. Capt. William Kramer commended his crew once again for their diligence over the last two years as preparations were made for this final day on the base. Brandywine resident and veteran, Bob Fisher, was on hand to perform the flag lowering ceremony. Fisher was the one who had first raised the flag at the base on May 10, 1969. Capt. Kramer felt it was fitting that he (Fisher) be the one to lower it. Upon completion of the ceremony, a steady stream of cars and vans filed out of the main gate which was locked later that evening. The flashing sign, like a lonely sentinel, was turned off as well and now stands blank waiting to see what the future holds for the Sugar Grove Navy base. 20 Years Ago Week of October 6, 2005 SUGAR GROVE Good Manners Make The World a Nicer Place Good manners are as simple as being kind to one another. There is a lot to be said for good manners that were so prevalent in the good old days. It did make the world a nicer place for everyone. There was a time when ladies didn’t use “gamy” language and gentlemen didn’t cuss in their presence. It was a matter of mutual respect. Children understand that when adults were wrapped up in conversation, they were not to interrupt. Any public display of childish temper tantrums carried a high price. And back talking an adult, especially parents, was unheard of. Does one suppose that there’s a chance that those welcome courtesies could be restored before they become extinct forever? Mortensons Make Donation To Potomac Conservancy Some 685 acres of prime farmland in the Moyers area has received lasting protection from unwanted commercial development by its owners, Carl and Odette Mortenson. In late June, the Mortensons donated a conservation easement on that land to the Potomac Conservancy. The Mortenson’s property is situated near the headquarters of the South Branch of the Potomac River. White Thorn Creek runs through the property for about a mile. The property also fronts Black Thorn Creek. Five miles from the Mortenson property, those two creeks converge to Thorn Creek, a major tributary of the South Branch River. In addition to tax breaks, the Potomac Conservancy can assist farmers, including the many who fall into the category of “land rich and cash poor,” by leveraging dollars from various sources, such as government programs, for landowners willing to place conservation easements on their properties. The Potomac Conservancy came into being in 1993, founded by kayakers and whitewater canoeists concerned about watershed issues in the Potomac River drainage basin. “The conservation easement is a wonder tool,” Carl (“Kip”) Mortenson said. 
“It’s an estate planning tool, and a tax planning tool, but more than anything, it’s a peace of mind tool. It gives me peace of mind knowing that why I’ve been on this land, what I’m doing, and what I care about can continue well into the future. Week of October 13, 2005 Christmas Aid to Katrina Victims Announced County residents will be able to help the Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina this coming Christmas season. Shawn Pennybacker, who took emergency supplies to Mississippi one month ago, reported on Monday that local folks should watch for an announcement in about a month. That announcement will list the items most needed by hurricane victims and where those items are to be dropped off. On Dec. 16, Pennybacker will deliver the items donated by Pendletonians directly to people in need. Martinsburg Vet Center Celebrates Anniversary The Martinsburg Vet Center, located at 900 Winchester Avenue, invites all veterans to attend their 20th anniversary celebration and barbeque on Monday, Oct. 17, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Vet Center program was established by Congress in 1979 and is administered by Reading Adjustment Counseling Services through the Department of Veterans Affair. The Martinsburg officially opened in October 1985. There are now more than 200 community-based Vet Centers located throughout the country. The program was originally developed in response to the readjustment needs of returning Vietnam veterans. 30 Years Ago Week of October 5, 1995 Maple Trees To Enhance Beauty Of Brandywine Lake Twenty-five maple trees were planted September 21 at the Brandywine Lake Recreation Area of the George Washington National Forest. The trees were purchased with proceeds from the Plant-A-Tree Program. The six to ten foot maple trees replace the trees lost in the 1985 flood that damaged the area. They are a hearty and fast growing tree as well as resistant to Gypsy Moth infestation. Fully grown, some types of maple trees can reach heights of 100 feet. Thirteen species of maples grow in the United States: 70 species can be found worldwide. Maples are also known to be the predictor of the “peak” leaf color season each fall. “These trees can enhance the beauty of the area through all the seasons of the year. They will be particularly attractive when dressed in their fall foliage of red, orange, and gold,” noted Tennyson. Week of October 12, 1995 Radio Hams Remember Flood On a day just like the opposite of what it was like 10 years ago, amateur radio operators took to the airwaves operating a special events station in Franklin under the call WD8PBG. The hams who 10 years ago were relaying emergency messages in a flood ravaged area of West Virginia, were now communicating with hams throughout the world awarding special certificates for making contact. In November, 1985, only four hams were located in Pendleton County. With communications from all other sources gone, the hams, operating with portable generator power, became the only means of communications for the many agencies trying to restore the rural eastern Panhandle County. Quickly, amateur operators from surrounding areas made their way into the Franklin area not knowing what to expect. Once set up throughout the county, messages were sent for the need for help from the outside world. Even after the other lines of communications were reopened, hams continued to handle health and welfare traffic passing over 1,000 messages. The death toll of the county reached 17. On Sept. 9, 1995, the four local hams: WD8MGX–Ken Miller, KA8APD–Doug Brown, WD8PBG–Jim Brown, and W3RUA–Bob Tuckerman, set up a special events station in the Franklin Town Park. With the aid of hams who assisted during the ‘85 flood, a total of 130 contacts were made in 30 states and four countries. A special recognition dinner was held with many stories retold about the experiences in 1985. Today little remains of the damage from the flood, but thanks in part to the public awareness of the actions of the hams, Pendleton County now has nearly 100 amateur operators. Making Applebutter At Nursing Home Residents of Pendleton Nursing Home enjoyed watching, helping and reminiscing of times when they made applebutter. A group of folks come to the nursing home every year to help make the applebutter. Among them were Thelma Lambert, Varley and Patsy Lambert, Elfleta Vandevander, Sudie Harris, Julian Warner, Arlene Shrader and Linda Arbaugh. The applebutter was made to be used by the residents and to sell to make some money to buy supplies for the activity department. The residents enjoy the people coming in to visit and talk with them. 40 Years Ago Week of October 10, 1985 Couple Takes 100 Heifers to Jordan Mr. and Mrs. Marvin J. Burger left Harrisburg, Pa., September 22 with a shipment of 100 bred Holstein heifers bound for Amman, Jordan. These animals were donated through Heifer Project International by dairy farmers in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states. They will become part of a dairy project in Jordan to improve nutrition and income for 150 needy families. The Burgers then visited other heifer project animal programs near Cairo, Egypt, before sightseeing in Jerusalem. They returned home to Goshen, Ind., on October 3. Mrs. Burger is the former Martha Simmons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eston Simmons of Reeds Creek. Mr. Burger is a committeeman in Heifer Project. 60 Years Ago Week of October 7, 1965 Strip Farming Ideal For Pendleton Farms Ninth Century Custom Paying Off Here Pendleton County farmers have found strip farming to have many advantages on terrain such as is found in this area. England had this type of farming in 1883 and it may have started as early as 1283 due to a law establishing the dimensions of an acre. Farmers in steep rolling sections of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin have been strip cropping for control of water erosion for 50 years or more. Strip cropping has been widely accepted in Soil Conservation Districts and has spread to areas even outside recognized districts as an estimated 18 to 22 million acres of strips are now in use. 70 Years Ago Week of October 6, 1955 U. S. Marine Band to Play at Petersburg The 157-year-old United States Marine Band, the oldest military symphonic musical organization in the country, will visit Petersburg on Nov. 19 at Petersburg High School Field House under the auspices of the Kiwanis Club of Petersburg as part of its Presidentially-approved tour of 15 states. The 1955 tour will carry the Marine Band 6,500 miles through the southeastern section of the country. It will open at Kennet Square, Pennsylvania, on September 18 and conclude in Petersburg on November 19th. 80 Years Ago Week of October 12, 1945 LOCAL NEWS Laborers are needed to work for the Pendleton County Board of Education on the Franklin high school sewer line beginning Monday, October 15. If interested, apply to V. W. Waggy, Franklin, W.Va. STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! There will be a Lawn Party at the Lower Reeds Creek Schoolhouse Saturday evening, October 13, 1945. Proceeds for benefit of school. Come and bring your friends.—Madeline Whitecotton, Teacher

by Mountain Media, LLC
October 8, 2025
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10 Years Ago Week of October 1, 2015 SK–SR Recreational Area Turns 50 The oldest National Recreational Area in the...

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