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Words to think about

Helping others is the major principle behind the work of the United Way of Jefferson County. It’s also been a way of life for members of the Abdalla family. “I’m going to brag about my dad for a minute,” Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. said while helping to open the United Way’s annual campaign on Aug. 31. “He was a man of action. I remember years before he became sheriff, people would come to our house in Stratton and knock on the door, and it could be in the morning, or in the middle of the day or in the dead of night, and they would sit at our table with a ...

Guest column/It’s important that we find ways to deal with grief

Someone said to me, “Grief is not something anyone really wants to talk about.” Ah. The topics we really don’t want to talk about rank right up there with banned books which are my favorite reads, always prompting the question, “Why?” So, let’s talk about grief. From the time I reached the age of beginning to understand some grown-up things I was told, “Death is as much a part of living as birth.” And, “Life is not fair.” I was 13 when my grandmother, Emma, passed away at Christmastime. I was told I was her favorite granddaughter. We were close. When she ...

History in the Hills: Lord Dunmore’s War

History is all around us. The past, just like today is connected with personalities, stories, events and occurrences which intersect often. I am always surprised to see how much history and events cross. There are many connections to discover if one knows where to look. This week, I was fortunate to attend the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Business summit held at the Greenbrier resort. Nearby is the town of Leiwsburg, W.Va., named for Andrew Lewis, a person heavy with history. Andrew Lewis is a giant in West Virginia history and Virginia history as well. I’ll ...

Taking a look ahead

It’s tough to go anywhere or talk with too many people before the subject of conversation turns to the problems in our area. There are, unfortunately, many, and they cover a wide range of topics, from aging infrastructure — an issue that plagues all of our communities — to continuing issues with drugs and all of the problems that go along with them. But there are many good things happening right around us, things that can bring us together, and they continue to offer reasons for optimism. For example, thousands of residents from around the Tri-State Area made their way to ...

Guest column/Shine your light and make a difference in life

“Debbie” knew her mother was troubled about something. But she hadn’t spoken of it yet. She would, though. Her mother wasn’t one to sweep things under the rug. She faced problems head on and wasn’t satisfied until the problems were resolved. “I want you to take the rifle and the pistol to your house for a while,” her mother said. She spoke of her concerns for Debbie’s brother who was deeply depressed and she feared he would harm himself. That was in the days when self-harm, suicidal ideation, wasn’t something people talked about because it might plant the seed for ...

Enjoyable night on the river

The weather did not completely cooperate, but the storms that came through the Tri-State Area Wednesday afternoon and evening were not enough to dampen the spirits of members of the Jefferson County and Follansbee chambers of commerce who participated in the Cruising for Connections event. “I’m really happy with the number of people we attracted — it was sold out,” Kate Sedgmer, president of the Jefferson County chamber, said while standing on the second deck of the Gateway Clipper Fleet’s Princess as it made its way south on the Ohio River. “I was a little bummed about ...