Genealogy chapter plans open house

Jefferson County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will hold an open house June 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 100 Fernwood Road, Wintersville.

Virginia Glenn, who reprinted an ancestor's book, "Tales of Yellow Creek and Yellow Creek Stories," will sign books from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Refreshments will be served, and there will be seating on the front lawn, weather permitting, and door prizes will be drawn throughout the evening.

Flora Ver Straten will begin a presentation and "show and tell" inside the archive at 7 p.m. followed by a tour of records housed there.

An inventory list will be available to attendees with a list of sources for researchers.

Updates will be given on the digitizing project as well as goals to open doors to researchers. There will be a question-and-answer session at 8 p.m.

Archive collections include early county records and numerous immigrant records dating from 1825 though the Ellis Island era and later.

Information on the chapter and its projects can be obtained at the chapter Web site, www.jeffcochapter.com. The chapter is accepting 2010 memberships with an annual fee of $17.

Membership benefits include discounts at the archive/library.

Head Start board to meet

The board of directors of Northern Panhandle Head Start Inc. will hold its annual corporation meeting on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Elm Grove United Methodist Church, 125 Kruger St., Wheeling.

The group will discuss the program's accomplishments over the last year.

Created in 1965, Head Start focuses on the early education, health and nutritional well-being of young children and advocating for their families.

Northern Panhandle Head Start serves income-eligible families with children up to 5 years old and pregnant women in Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall or Wetzel counties.

There is no fee for the program, and transportation is provided in most areas. For information, call (304) 233-3290 or (877) 732-3307.

Baby safety shower to be held

Brooke-Hancock Partners in Prevention invites new and expectant mothers to attend their baby safety showers, which offer free gifts and tips on the safe and healthy care of infants.

The showers will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Wellsburg Christian Church and Thursday at the Hancock County Senior Center.

Those planning to attend should register by calling (304) 737-4444.

The group is comprised of family related agencies serving both counties.

Gadabouts sponsor casino trip

The Gadabouts Club is sponsoring a May 27 bus trip to Wheeling Island Race Track and Casino.

Cost is $20 and includes a free buffet.

To make reservations, call Claudia Clevenger at (740) 264-5678.

Garden center plans clothing sale

Wheeling Civic Garden Center, Oglebay Park, will hold its annual clothes sale June 11 through June 13.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day except June 13 when it ends at 3 p.m.

Persons interested in bringing clothes to sell on a 50/50 consignment basis are asked to call the center at (304) 242-0665 before June 4 for information.

The center's share of the proceeds will be used to maintain the cultural and educational organization.

Clothes not sold are donated to local charities.

Blood drive to be held

The Wellsburg Women of the Moose will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 15 at the Moose Lodge at 844 Main St.

Doughnuts will be provided to morning donors, and a light lunch will be offered to those who give later.

Walk-ins are welcome but appointments also may be made by calling Linda Porreca at (740) 264-4286 or (304) 737-1552. Donors should bring a photo ID.

You can e-mail me at community@heraldstaronline.com