CONCERT: As part of PipeSounds Concert Series at Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church in Hurricane, West Virginia, Christopher Engel performs “Familiar Classics†on the Harrah Symphonic Organ. The concert, beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, costs $15 and free to students. Engel is music director at First Baptist Church, St. Albans, West Virginia.
LISTED: Four Charleston, West Virginia, residents were among 1,151 undergraduate students at Marshall University named to the president’s list for the fall semester. They include Kaylynn Atkinson, Christina Acord, Madison Ames and Hayden Anderson. To earn this distinction, undergraduate students must have a 4.0 grade point average with a minimum of 12 credit hours. Congratulations to these achievers.
“TWELFTH NIGHTâ€: Alban Arts Center continues Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night†event Friday-Sunday, Feb. 21-23, at Alban Arts Academy, 2121 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans, West Virginia. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 and $10 seniors/students online or $20 and $15 seniors/students at door.
GRADUATE: Hannah Wilmoth, granddaughter of Michael and Karen Thompson Wilmoth of Barboursville and daughter of Michael Todd and Sandi Barnes Wilmoth, was chosen as the 2024 Fall Student of the Semester at the United Technical Center in Tri-County Masonry in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Congratulations Hannah on this honor.
PRESENTATION: Elliot Foundation Symphonic Series presents American pianist, Jon Nakamatsu, in “A Night with Nakamatsu†at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Clay Center, Charleston, West Virginia. Nakamatsu, a former high school teacher of German with no formal conservatory training and privately studying with Marina Derryberry for more than 20 years, began at age 6. He joined the piano faculty of San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2015 and lives in the Bay Area with wife, Kathy, and son, Gavin. Tickets range from $14 to $74. Contact .
GRANDPARENTS: Warren and Annette Burns of St. Albans, West Virginia, became grandparents of an 8-pound, 14-ounce bouncing grandson born Nov. 15. Tanner Christian Dickson, son of Christopher and Hannah Dickson of Huntington, is also little brother to three-year-old Theodore and grandson of Frank and Valerie Dickson of Barboursville. May this little guy continue to bring joy and laughter to the families.
WRITERS CAN READ: Bonnie Proudfoot of Athens, Ohio, award-winning author of fiction, poetry, essays and reviews, and Michael Connick, West Virginia resident for 20 years, award-winning novelist, competitive pistol shooter and avid cyclist, read from their work during this month’s Writers Can Read Series open mic night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, at Heritage Station, 210 11th St. Admission is free
CONTEST: The 18th annual statewide 2025 SMART529 “When I Grow Up†student and teacher essay contest is now open. Deadline for submissions is Friday, February 28. Entry forms are available at or at elementary schools throughout the state. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade may write an essay of 200 words or less on what they want to be when they grow up. Entries are judge among five regions in three age groups — K-1, 2-3, 4-5 — making it a total of 15 regional winners. These 15 are awarded $500 invested into SMART529 college savings accounts. One grand-prize winner receives $5,000 toward the account. Each winner’s school receives a $500 cash award. Teachers may also compete in the teacher portion of the contest to win a $2,500 cash prize.
WORKSHOP: Barb Lavalley Benton, artist in residence, offers a “Ceramics†workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, at West Edge. The cost is $20.
LATE BIRTHDAYS: Paula Peatross, Feb. 3; Raegan Freeman, Feb. 6; David Justice, Ann Justice, Feb. 16.
CHUCKLE: Harry’s law partner was presenting a no-fault divorce case to an Ohio domestic-relations court. The couple involved had no children, but they did have a dog, of whom both were very fond. The partner stated both parties agreed to share whatever medical expenses might be necessary for the animal’s care. They also agreed the wife would have custody, but the husband would be allowed visitation rights. The judge, looking somewhat startled, peered down at the husband and asked, “Is this true?†The husband replied, “Yes, Your Honor.†“Well,†intoned the judge, with a trace of a smile on his face, “you should know that there is nothing this court can do for you if the dog refuses to see you.â€
Send items to Brenda Lucas, P.O. Box 596, Ona, WV 25545; or email to bklucas53@aol.com.
