Happy Kids Project seeks supporters
The Happy Kids Project, launched in 2010 at Eastern Greenbrier Middle School to help meet the simple needs of at-risk students, is seeking more local sponsorship to expand services to all Greenbrier County schools. The project has two main goals: to boost student confidence and self-worth as well as to “plant resiliency factors in the lives of the students served so they will know there are people in the community who care about them and their needs,” said program founder and organizer Jane Gillespie. Common items contributed are school clothes, band pants, athletic apparel for after-school sports, shoes, class trip fees, and fees for community enrichment activities. To get involved and help expand The Happy Kids Project to other Greenbrier schools, call Gillespie at the Ronceverte Presbyterian Church (304-667-9298) or e-mail TheHappyKidsProject@gmail.com.
Greenbrier County Shrine Club take donations in the rain
An all-day drizzle did not discourage members of the Greenbrier County Shrine Club from taking street donations at five different intersections throughout Lewisburg prior to Saturday’s Shriners’ parade. One hundred percent of the once-a-year donations go to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, which provides care to children with burns and orthopedic problems at no cost to the parents.
STEM grant benefits high school students
Greenbrier East High School received a STEM grant for $30,000 Sept. 24 to be used to nurture student gains in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. The grant will be spread out over three years, says Greenbrier East’s Principal Jeff Bryant. “It seems that the world is demanding workers in the future who can solve problems and issues through critical thinking,” he said. The funds will be used to create more engaging, project-based and inquiry-based learning in the STEM fields. In preparing students for success, Bryant said, the conventional classroom is changing to a product-based mode of learning, so that students are encouraged to be more responsible for their own progress.
Justice challenged to a debate by Kessler
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Kessler has challenged opponent Jim Justice to a series of debates around West Virginia on Sept. 22. He would like the first debate to be in Charleston, on Oct. 2, prior to the Jefferson Jackson Dinner, which he described as “an excellent opportunity to get us together in a room and let the people hear our views.” A spokesman for Justice called the challenge “politics as usual,” and that his team is taking time to hear from voters on how to create jobs and move the state forward.
Lewisburg CYAC spokesman brings national awareness to child abuse
Roger Lockridge, a staff member at the Child and Youth Advocacy Center in Lewisburg, has been named a national spokesman for the Childhood Domestic Violence Association. As a victim of domestic child abuse, Lockridge’s story is one of 20 others in a book titled “Invincible,” which gives hope to those still healing from child abuse. He will be traveling around the country to support child abuse prevention.
SSEB hold annual meeting at The Greenbrier
The annual meeting of the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) was held at The Greenbrier resort this week, with Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin presiding as chairman of the SSEB. The theme, “Producing America’s Energy and Power,” focused on ways to position the southern states as a world leader in energy production through a solid infrastructure, strengthening advanced manufacturing industries and working to create a skilled employee base.
Lewisburg featured in two prominent magazines
According to the Greenbrier County CVB, the October issue of Southern Living and the August issue of Washingtonian featured articles on Lewisburg’s culture, farm-to-table dining, and shopping, mentioning Carnegie Hall, Harmony Ridge Gallery, The General Lewis Inn, Hill and Holler, Stella’s, The Livery and Stardust Cafe.
School bus passing violations reduced by pilot program stop signs
In a pilot program, three West Virginia counties reported a reduction of illegal passing of school buses when an extended stop sign arm was added to the buses. The West Virginia Department of Education is working in partnership with the West Virginia Division of Highways and the West Virginia State Police to help educate the public on when drivers are expected to stop for a school bus. The arm extends out six feet from the bus and is illuminated.
Greenbrier Valley Airport partners with Wheels Up to fight breast cancer
Greenbrier Valley Airport Manager Steve Snyder announced the airport will be waiving all landing and ramp fees for Wheels Up’s pink Beechcraft King Air 350i airplane throughout the life of the aircraft. Wheels Up is donating a portion of every new member’s initiation fee to the Dubin Breast Center of the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai in New York City. Additionally, Snyder said during the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, all airport staff will be sporting pink hats and shirts designed to encourage women to have annual exams.