Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge West Virginia

03/08/2018

Thank you for your support of our club and our local IHOP restaurant's efforts to raise funds for the Children’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during the Kiwanis/IHOP National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 27. Kiwanians volunteered their time to greet ppatrons and explain the program as they entered the restaurant. Members involved were Anne Brigham, Fred Brigham, Tom Cain, Michela Cipriano, Rocco Cipriano, Tim Cook, Danny Lutz, Debbie McClure, Phil Porterfield, and Carolyn Wright. Kiwanians worked two hour shifts from 7:00 to 11:00 AM and then again from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. There was amazing support from the public. Although we do not have a final tally, 75% of the local $9,000 goal was raised. Contributions will be accepted through March 11.

03/08/2018

Our monthly Board of Directors will be held this Tuesday, March 13, at the IHOP.

03/07/2018

A hearty welcome to our newest member, Matt Coffey. Matt is the business coach for the Jefferson County Development Authority on Wiltshire Road in Kearneysville. Matt has also been influential in the preparation of our Youth Conservation Grant proposal to fund the construction of an outdoor classroom at North Jefferson Elementary School. Matt’s Kiwanis sponsor is Roger Ethier.

03/07/2018

Our program was presented by Director Clark Messer who oversees the Department of Homeland Security, U. S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Advanced Training Center in Harpers Ferry, WV. Mr. Messer has been the Director of the Advanced Training Center in Harpers Ferry since March 2016. In his current position, he has oversight of the 220-acre facility, its operations, and training programs. Director Messer explained that the CBP is the nation’s largest law enforcement agency, which employs 20,000 border patrol agents, 21,000 border protection officers, and another 1,000 aviator and marine operations officers. The agency maintains the largest non-military fleet of aircraft. The director indicated that it was well within the abilities of the agency to provide 100% border security, but that necessitates total closure at all points of entry. Such draconian closures would have negative impacts on the American economy, commerce, and authorized passages of legal aliens and tourists. Thus, he indicated that CBP agents and officers must secure the nation by striking a balance between legal versus illegal activities. He then explained how intelligence and targeting are instrumental tools for agents to stem the flow of illegal aliens and activities without interfering with authorized or legal activities. Since the terrorist actions of 9/11, the CBP has pushed emphasis beyond our national borders by critical examining freight, cargo, and passenger manifests at their points of origin using targeted criteria to assist with inspections and interventions. Director Messer continued to explain the various training programs offered to CBP agents at the Advanced Training Center . He anticipates that approximately 12,000 to 15,000 agents and employees will be trained at the facility during this fiscal year in courses that last from 3 days to 7 weeks. The Center is currently constructing on site dorm facilities for its trainees. Mr. Messer presented a very informative program that was well received, and followed by an interesting Q&A session.

02/27/2018

Our speaker at our 27 February 2018 meeting was Dr. Mark Madison, who is an environmental historian and historian of science currently working as National Historian for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at its National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown (WV). Mark conducts educational outreach, designs museum displays, and helps maintain the 500,000 item NCTC Archives/Museum. He also teaches environmental history, environmental ethics and environmental film at Shepherd University. Prior to working for the USFWS, Madison spent 3 years doing tropical reforestation in the Philippines for the U.S. Peace Corps and was junior faculty at Harvard University and the University of Melbourne.

02/26/2018

Kiwanis International

Kiwanis International

As adults, it can be hard to understand what goes on in the minds of children. As Kiwanians, we want to make the world a better place for all children. In the first of a series of articles, Kiwanis magazine goes in-depth in the March 2018 issue to examine the fears, anxiety, depression, stress and adversity faced by students today. Read the article and help us make the world safer for all children.

02/20/2018

NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2018: Since 2004, IHOP and Kiwanis have partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for National Pancake Day in the Mid-Atlantic region. Over the last 13 years, more than $2 million has been raised for blood cancer patients. Simply by eating a short stack of pancakes, you can help fund research for ground-breaking treatments in blood cancers and support patient access programs. On Tuesday, February 27; join with local Kiwanians from the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge West Virginia at the IHOP in Charles Town. Enjoy a FREE short stack of IHOP’s Original Buttermilk Pancakes and make a simple donation to help children battling critical illnesses.

02/20/2018

It was great to have another full house at our 20 February 2018 club meeting. Tim Cook (staff writer for “The Journal” in Jefferson County) was inducted by President Rocco Cipriano (Tim’s Kiwanis sponsor) as our newest member with the assistance of President-elect Rob Barrat. Gary. W. Cogle, Jr. and Dave Tabb, who are running for the County Commission, were with us. Gary was our principal speaker and he provided an update on the activities of the State Auditor’s Office throughout West Virginia, but particularly within Jefferson County. Deb McClure, one of our own members, also provided a summary of the Ranson Convention and Visitors Bureau. We were also honored to have fellow Charles Town Kiwanian; Sheriff Pete Dougherty join us. Pete provided a brief summary of his recent activities with the legislature in Charleston.

02/13/2018

Mary Sells, the incoming President of the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE) was our guest speaker. at our 13 February 2018 meeting. Founded in 1981, the WCEE provides nonpartisan, policy neutral forums on energy and the environmental issues. It also fosters the professional development of its more than 900 women members in the Washington DC area. The Council provides educational and networking opportunities in an open and supportive environment. In its approach to energy initiatives, the WCEEl provides analysis of need versus environmental impact. It also works to encourage young women to enter and to stay engaged in the sciences by participating with collegiate environmental clubs and groups.

02/07/2018

Obituary for Dr. Bernard Wayne Knott at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home

Obituary for Dr. Bernard Wayne Knott at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home

Dr. Bernard Wayne Knott passed peacefully into life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ surrounded by members of his earthly family on Monday, February 5, 2018. He was known by family and friends as a variety of names Wayne, Bernard, Bernie, Babe, Dad, Papa, Doctor Knott and Doc and...

02/06/2018

At our February 6th meeting, Dickie Moore (General Management) brought Charlie Macintosh and North Groundsell to speak about various aspects of the racing and gaming enterprises at the Hollywood Casino and Charles Town Races. As racing secretary, Charlie organizes and schedules 8-9 races per card over the 162-day racing program at the track. He spoke of the importance of maintaining a quality and balanced card in order to keep purses attractive. North spoke about the business principles important to Hollywood Casino. These include (1) employee appreciation, (2) exceeding guest expectations, (3) being a good neighbor within the community, (4) doing the right thing, (5) improving the quality of a guest’s experience, and (6) striving for financial success. Collectively, the facility has approximately 1,000 FTE employees and is one of the top 10 employers in WV. There is a turnover rate of approximately 30% a year, which track management believe is about average for a service oriented industry.

01/31/2018

On 30 January 2018, Regina Hendrix (far left) spoke to our club about the West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club. The mission of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the Earth; to practice and promote responsible use of the Earth’s ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives. Ms. Hendrix explained that the WV Chapter’s staff interacts with members of the Ohio Valley Environmental Council to monitor legislation and practices enacted within WV that may adversely affect the safety of water, air, and food. Of particular concern this year is WV Senate Bill 270, sponsored by Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, and Senate Minority Leader Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, and introduced at the request of Gov. Jim Justice, which would lift a ban on timbering in WV state parks. The ban has been in effect since 1931. The bill would authorize the director of the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) to implement a forest management plan for state park land that “may include the harvesting and sale of timber.” Proceeds from such timber sales would be paid to the state Treasurer and credited to the DNR, earmarked “exclusively for the purposes of maintaining, improving and operating state parks.” In response to SB270 a number of conservation groups have formed a campaign to Save Our State Parks, dubbed “SOS Parks.”

01/23/2018

Our club had two speakers at its 23 January 2018 meeting. First, was Danny Chiotos, Chair of the Environmental Justice Committee of the Jefferson County West Virginia NAACP. Danny explained that the Environmental Justice Committee hopes to advance the health and wealth of low income people in the Eastern Panhandle through a low pollution economy. He further spoke of the committees plans for water testing throughout the county and how the committee is sponsoring a Water Tasting Event on 24 March 2018, at Fisherman's Hall in Charles Town to focus attention to the status of drinking water throughout the Panhandle.

Our second speaker was Kristen Alexander from the Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS). Kristen explained that the goal if the PVAS is to have children and adults discover nature through the programs and activities hosted at their nature preserves. The group prides itself on engaging kids of all ages with age-appropriate, hands-on activities that help them enjoy and learn about nature. Kristen specifically explained the physical structure and educational activities at their Cool Springs Wildlife Preserve, which is located in southern Jefferson County at 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town. The 12-acre property is open to the public during daylight hours and visitors can enjoy easy walking trails and access to Bullskin Run.

01/16/2018

Dr. David Didden (center right), Jefferson County's health officer was our speaker at our 16 January 2018 meeting. Dr. Didden was raised in Jefferson County. He received his MD and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Virginia and has practiced medicine locally since 2004. Dr. Didden provided an overview of what the Health Department’s mission, which is to protect the health of the public through the provision of public health services including communicable and reportable disease services, community health promotion, environmental health services and threat preparedness. This is accomplished through clinics, educational material, enforcement, disease control, planning, immunization, technical assistance and inspections. He further spoke about issues with cholera, the opioid epidemic, restaurant inspections, and other public health threats of importance to county residents. Dr Didden also discussed grant possibilities and what the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation is doing with an outdoor learning preschool program.

01/16/2018

Liz McCormick of West Virginia Public Radio and Shepherd University was our guest speaker at our January 9, 2018 meeting. During the summer of 2014, Liz interned with West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) in Charleston and was hired as a freelance reporter for WVPB in July of that year, and then hired fulltime in December 2014 as the Eastern Panhandle Reporter/Producer. She is based in Shepherdstown on Shepherd University's campus. Liz told us about the role of Public Radio in West Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle. Liz’s stories are broadcast on West Virginia Morning and Inside Appalachia. She discussed her story last week about the geothermal heating projects at schools in Berkeley County. Liz also handles and provided information about “The Legislature Today”, which is West Virginia's source for daily legislative news and information and the only live television program covering the West Virginia Legislature. She explained that the broadcast reports on the Senate, House and committee meetings with in-depth interviews and analysis of the legislative process in West Virginia. Liz had an interactive session with club members as they provided committee reports and even asked to be present when the seeds are planted by the students in the raised beds at our Kiwanis Gardens North project at North Jefferson Elementary School. (Photo credit: http://wvpublic.org/people/liz-mccormick /0)

01/06/2018

Under the leadership of chairman, Roger Ethier, the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge West Virginia worked with Principal D. Nicole Johnson and faculty member Jim Jenkins to provide students at North Jefferson Elementary School with an environmental and agricultural working learning experience through the development of our Kiwanis Gardens North project. The students developed the design concept for the three gardens located in the front of the school. The largest plot involves an “Orca” (killer whale) design flanked by circular and diamond shaped gardens. Kiwanians, with the assistance of fourth grade students began the construction of the garden plots in November 2017. By December, the three raised bed gardens were filled with mulch and top soil and will soon have covers that admit light and rainwater, but protect winter crops from harsh weather and winds. Upon their return from the Christmas holidays, students will be given options of what is available to plant for the winter season. Kiwanians are additionally working within the classroom to provide students with containers to develop seedlings for the spring planting season.

01/03/2018

Kiwanis International

Kiwanis International

Kiwanians from around the world represented the organization they love in the 2018 Rose Parade on January 1 in Pasadena, California, USA. Jim Rochford, 2017–18 Kiwanis International president, and Kiwanis youth and adult leaders cheered as Roar the Tiger piloted his soapbox derby racecar to first place. Around the world, Kiwanians provide playgrounds, school supplies, meals and more to ensure children have what they need to reach their full potential. http://bit.ly/2lIaohD (Video from NBC broadcast.)

12/19/2017

12/19/2017

At our December 19 meeting, Mrs. Dorothy Nicole Johnson continued a review of the homeless student population in Jefferson County. As Principal at North Jefferson Elementary School, Mrs. Johnson put a local face to county wide statistics. Once again, our group heard that many of these students are not homeless in the typical sense of the word, which we may envision as living on the streets. Many are defined as such because they live under substandard conditions. As a Title 1 school, North Jefferson’s identified “homeless” student population is entitled to a number of federal benefits including free breakfasts and lunches during the school year, as well as clothing assistance. Mrs. Johnson also explained how Comcast provides discounted laptops and high speed internet services to such children. Unfortunately, Comcast is not the internet provider to a significant portion of the area covered by North Jefferson Elementary School. In addition, the school works with area Churches that have provided a food bank, which provides non-perishable food items to assist with weekend meals, when school is not in session.

12/12/2017

At our 12 December 2017 meeting, Mr. Tim Cook (staff writer for The Journal) spoke about the research he did in writing two articles on the nature of homeless students in Jefferson County. Mr. Cook explained that the boundaries by which school systems define and report requirements for homelessness in students are listed under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. The Act is used to distribute federal poverty funds to school districts. Using these federal parameters, the national average of student homelessness within districts range from 7 – 10% of the student population. Mr. Cook figures indicated that nearly 14% of Jefferson County’s students (overall population = 9,170) are defined as homeless or living under disrupted situations. Jefferson County has identified 820 such students in the 2016-17 school year. By comparison, 338 such students were reported by Berkeley County officials and 111 students were reported in Morgan County. Mr. Cook explained that Mr. Scott Sudduth (President of the Jefferson County Board of Education) implied that these numbers can be somewhat imprecise because a number of these students actually live with caring adults (e.g. - grandparents or other relatives) in safe and stable circumstances. Mr. Cook’s presentation led to a lively discussion on the disparity in numbers between the counties and the types of services available to such students.

12/11/2017

Kiwanis International

How will you change the world this week?

12/05/2017

Also with us at our 12/5/17 meeting was, Ms. Jennifer Vanorsdale, a coordinator for the PASS Program in Jefferson County, who explained that PASS stands for Providing Academic and Self-esteem Support. The program, which has been adopted by our club members, is characterized by an on-going, one on one, year long commitment by a parent or community volunteer who is matched with a particular student. The volunteer meets with the student weekly for 30 minutes during normal school hours. The volunteer spends time with the student in an effort to build trust, provide encouragement and help build his or her self-confidence. The program was designed for students who may be at-risk now or in the future of falling behind academically or socially. Studies show that this type of on-going personal involvement does work to enhance the education of children and clearly impacts their decision to remain in school as they continue in the educational system. Mentoring a child is a powerful way to make a difference. Ms. Vanorsdale also advised our members regarding their assigned students at North Jefferson Elementary School.

12/05/2017

At our 12/5/17, Ms Heather Ishman Duncan of the Eastern Panhandle Conservation District of West Virginia provided an overview on the mission of the National Resources Defense Council, the Conservation District, and West Virginia Conservation Agency. She also explained the programs of the 14 West Virginia Conservation Districts and her special functions as Conservation Outreach Education Specialist. Though Heather is an employee of the Eastern Panhandle Conservation District Committee, she is "on call" to the other 13 Conservation Districts in WV. Heather shared with us information about storm water rain barrels for homeowners, septic tank maintenance assistance, the annual District Tree Sale, Water Quality Improvements, the Chesapeake Bay cleanup, as well as various grants for educational programs. She elaborated upon the Youth Conservation Education Grant which has recently been announced. Applications are due by 6 March 2018 for a grant of between $7500 and $25,000. We discussed applying for this grant to enhance our work with North Jefferson Elemantary, our Partner In Education. Heather addressed many questions from the group, and there is the desire to participate in this program by the club.