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FEATURE JCPS Responds to Rise in Special Education Needs With New Student Support Center 6

POLITICS/OP-ED Whataboutism: Ego in Search of Equilibrium

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FEATURE Veteran-themed Café Celebrates Year One in Harpers Ferry/Bolivar 24

FOOD & FARMING A Taste of Jamaica Takes Root in Jefferson County 27 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION SERVING WV’S EASTERN PANHANDLE WeAreTheObserver.com Welcome New Providers WVU Medicine is pleased to introduce 9 new providers who have joined our medical staffs at Berkeley Medical Center, Jefferson Medical Center and University Healthcare Physicians.

Imad Ahmado, MD Michael Ang-Rabanes, MD Tina Lu Ang-Rabanes, MD April Bowe, NP Cardiology Psychiatry Pathology Interventional Radiology WVU Heart & Vascular Institute WVU Medicine Behavioral Medicine Berkeley Medical Center Berkeley Medical Center – Martinsburg and Psychiatry – Martinsburg 304.264.1000 304.264.1000 304.350.3273 304.596.5780

Dena Bowers, NP Chase Duckwall, PA-C Stephen Palmerton, CRNA Brian Shields, PhD General Surgery Emergency Medicine Certified Registered Nurse Pediatric NeuroPsychologist WVU Medicine Surgery – Berkeley Berkeley Medical Center Anesthetist WVU Medicine Behavioral Medicine 304.596.6900 304.264.1000 Jefferson Medical Center and Psychiatry – Martinsburg 304.728.1600 304.596.5780

Sam Wanko, MD Hematology/Oncology WVU Cancer Institute 304.267.1944

WVUMedicine.org Observer JUNE 2019 | 3 ONCE READ, THIS PAPER WANTS TO BE RECYCLED. June 6 14 20 27 FEATURE BUSINESS BRIEFS POLITICS/OP-ED FOOD & FARMING Whataboutism: A Taste of Jamaica Ego in Search Takes Root in of Equilibrium Jefferson County Allegro Dance Carol Williams JCPS RESPONDS TO RISE IN Company / Dinner SPECIAL and Nature 22 28 EDUCATION Angela F. Durkin CULTURE COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT NEEDS WITH Colombia: NEW STUDENT Winchester Probably Not SUPPORT Boxing CENTER She put it perfectly“ when she said: and Fitness What You Don’t come to Colombia for its 16 Were Thinking Mike Chalmers CALENDAR Staff Contributor past drug culture; come for its people, Daniel “Clay” Anders the mountains, the beaches, the What to Do, 8 progressive neighborhoods, and the Where to Go culture. Colombia is so much more In June! COMMUNITY 30 Evan Benhamu than its past. 23 ENTERTAINMENT Riding is Believing: — Daniel “Clay” Anders, pg. 29 DRUGS & ADDICTION E-Bikes Roll Into Where to Find The Me in Harpers Ferry Music, Film, the Mirror Jillian Williams and Theater ” Anastasia Sasewich This Month Evan Benhamu

19 10 11 BOOK REVIEW EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT 24 To the Bones 9 SU Offers Vultures Smell FEATURE POLITICS (by Valerie 31 Additional Opossum in Veteran-Themed EDUCATION West Virginia’s Healthcare Option the Air Nieman) Café Celebrates Students Take Premature Budget Gonzalo Baeza Valerie Owens Doug Pifer Year One in Project to State John Doyle Harpers Ferry/ Social Studies Fair Bolivar Angela F. Durkin

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RECEIVE THE OBSERVER IN YOUR MAILBOX BY Shepherdstown, WV SUBSCRIBING AT: WEARETHEOBSERVER.COM JUNE 2019 FREE delivery via subscription to mailboxes IN NEWSSTANDS JUNE 2019 FEATURE Charles Town, WV Martinsburg, WV JCPS Responds to Rise in Special Education Visitors Center Needs With New Student Support Center throughout WV’s Eastern Panhandle Charles Town, WV FREE 6 IN NEWSSTANDS

POLITICS/OP-ED FEATURE Whataboutism: JCPS Responds to Rise Middleway Market Ego in Search Martin’s Shepherdstown, WV in Special Education Needs With New Student of Equilibrium Support Center (and nationwide), here are just a few 20 6 FEATURE

POLITICS/OP-ED Veteran-themed Café Celebrates Middleway, WV Whataboutism: Charles Town, WV Ego in Search Year One in of Equilibrium Harpers Ferry/Bolivar of the 60+ locations where you can Daily Grind

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FEATURE FOOD & FARMING Veteran-themed A Taste of Jamaica Café Celebrates Takes Root in Martinsburg, WV Year One in Jefferson County Harpers Ferry/Bolivar grab a free copy of The Observer. Martinsburg, WV Black Dog Coffee Co. 24 27 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION SERVING WV’S EASTERN PANHANDLE WeAreTheObserver.com FOOD & FARMING A Taste of Jamaica Takes Root in WeAreTheObserver.com Jefferson County The Bakerton Market Shenandoah 27 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION SERVING WV’S EASTERN PANHANDLE Contact us: Mad Monks Coffee Junction, WV [email protected] Harpers Ferry, WV Charles Town, WV

Not Advertising in QUOTES OF THE MONTH The Observer? At some point, everyone one of us has to deal with a personal Well, maybe you don’t realize how much struggle. Negotiating a struggle’s particular, and often exclusive, pathways can impact our lives significantly, and even shape the bang you actually get for your buck. people we become—for better or worse. More often than not, there is a way out of tough times, even if that way out is through. As far as partnership value, Observer Fortunately, most humans can relate to each other on multiple levels—and many of the ones who’ve pushed their way through to advertisers enjoy our "Benefits Arc"— better days are inspired enough to put their triumph into words. offering up an immense level of Here is a sampling, for those who might need it. promotional range. Most publications offer you a 1:1 ratio (you pay them, they provide an ad). We offer a 1:10 ratio. Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed—it means it no longer controls our lives. CHECK IT OUT: When nothing goes right, go left. 1. YOUR PRINT AD – seen throughout the Panhandle, and beyond, currently in over 60 locations as well as a growing subscriber base. We repeat what we don’t repair. 2. A BUSINESS BRIEF – in an upcoming issue (mini-article that shines a spotlight on the company/endeavor and/or highlights an upcoming event, product, or activity). Doing it scared is better than not doing it at all.

3. THAT BIZ BRIEF then continues onto our website, where it finds a permanent home with greater visibility and endless promotional traction— Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, especially since we then share it to our Facebook page for even more visibility. not thunder. 4. "ANY-TIME" REQUESTS – additionally, we are at your service for any "EXTRA PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES" you'd like to publish via our monthly print Calendar (for free) – as well as our Facebook page: i.e., fundraisers, events, Staying positive doesn’t mean you have to be happy all the new partnerships, recognitions, etc. You let us know and we'll get it in. time. It means that, even on hard days, you know that better ones are coming. 5. ONLINE ADS – as we build out our website ad opportunities, we currently offer "Featured Partner Ad Banners" within our website stories. These online ads are a size-set for the full width of the story, and represent a branded ad: your business You’ll never change your life unless you change something you information, logo, branded message, contact, and a link to your website or destination of choice. do daily. The secret to your success is found in your routine.

6. FREE COLOR – all advertisements with The Observer are printed in color at no additional charge. The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we 7. NON-PROFIT DISCOUNT - we're proud to offer allregistered non-profit ever give each other is our attention. organizations in the region 50% off normal rates for a 1/3-page-size ad or larger.

8. MINI-MARKETING FIRM – we basically serve as a mini-marketing firm for you, Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other if that's what you need. We'll even design your ad for a basic fee, as well as consult and strategize with you on your business, your brand, and how to promote it. relationship you have.

9. BECOME A THOUGHT LEADER – we more than welcome business and community leaders who have something to say with the opportunity to write an Those folks who tried to bury you didn’t know you were a seed. article in their field of expertise—as an additional channel of credibility and promotional traction.

10. COMMUNITY FOOTPRINT – we do our best to build your brand and your endeavor through the above points, and the connection those points have with the Bonus: It’s okay if you fall apart sometimes. Tacos fall apart, surrounding community. An advertisement with The Observer is an opportunity to generate an impact and an imprint into the community by distinguishing yourself and we still love them. and joining the collective effort to engage, inform, and inspire that The Observer represents—locally and beyond. Contact Us Today: [email protected] Observer JUNE 2019 | 5 FROM THE EDITOR

STAFF MICHAEL CHALMERS EDITOR IN CHIEF LESLIE DAVISSON WEBSITE OF SALES & FINANCE DIRECTOR THE MONTH DIONTE JOHNSON SALES ASSOCIATE AUNDREA HUMPHREYS WV Human MANAGING EDITOR Trafficking EVAN BENHAMU WRITER Where Joy Might JORDAN HUDKINS DESIGNER Task Force

Be Found, Most Easily The West Virginia CONTRIBUTORS Human Trafficking Task FEATURE: MIKE CHALMERS Force proactively COMMUNITY: JILLIAN WILLIAMS combats labor and sex POLITICS: JOHN DOYLE trafficking and serves I CAME ACROSS A PASSAGE that stuck with me Some say we’re blessed with an inner-coping EDUCATION: VALERIE OWENSY trafficking victims ENVIRONMENT: DOUG PIFER recently—form The Book of Joy, by Douglas Abrams. mechanism, a survival instinct, much of it through multidisciplinary COMMUNITY: JORDAN WEBB The passage raised several questions: Is it really possi- autonomous—else we would certainly be devoured by collaboration. The BIZ BRIEFS: ANGELA F. DURKIN ble to be joyful even in the face of our daily troubles— every setback and sadness—and, if nothing else, task force is comprised BOOK REVIEW: GONZALO BAEZA from frustration with morning traffic to fears of not remain paralyzed by the thoughts surrounding such of federal, state, and POLITICS: CAROL WILLIAMS being able to provide for our families, from anger at things. Because of this mechanism, we are able to find DRUGS & ADDICTION: local law enforcement those who have wronged us to grief at the loss of those joy, happiness, fulfillment, even while knowing so ANASTASIA SASEWICH officers, service providers, FEATURE: CLAIRE STUART we love, from the ravages of illness to the abyss of many of our fellow creatures are experiencing nothing victim advocates, FOOD & FARMING: WENDY BARACKA death? How do we embrace the reality of our lives, of the sort, or something quite the opposite. educators, and CULTURE: DANIEL “CLAY” ANDERS deny nothing, but transcend the pain and suffering But we’re not immune; there’s obviously representatives of the ENTERTAINMENT: EVAN BENHAMU that is inescapable? And even when our lives are good, space leftover, plenty of it, where we’re forced to recon- WV Attorney General’s EDUCATION: ANGELA F. DURKIN how do we live in joy when so many others are cile some of life’s harsher lessons, however those Office, among others. suffering: when crushing poverty robs people of their lessons might land in front of us, upon us, within us, FOLLOW US ON future, when violence and terror fill our streets, and and this is the space that, in turn, certain members of . Facebook: WVOBSERVER when ecological devastation endangers the very our human tribe, collapse into. But again, what can Instagram: WeAreTheObserver possibility of life on our planet? we do? Find out more at: Twitter: WeTheObserver The answers to those questions are as On one level, we know what we can do. STOPHUMANTRAFFICKINGWV.ORG complicated as the questions themselves, I’m sure we Compassion is the ability to feel for another living CONTACT US would all agree. And truthfully, every person’s being. Empathy is the ability to not only understand [email protected] answer(s) would be unique to their own life, their own another's feelings, but also to become one with that circumstances, and the resulting beliefs and person's distress—to put yourself in their shoes and BY THE NUMBERS perspectives. Age would play a factor. Location. imagine what they're going through. If we’re able, and ADVERTISE Socio-cultural status—especially what one person was many of us are, we can have more compassion, and born into and had to evolve within, versus what another practice more empathy. It’s easy to think these 60 profitable American Fortune person lived, and/or still lives, seemingly oblivious to. concepts are expendable by comparison to the layers

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JUNE 2019 The second half of the paragraph examines of our own lives, and perhaps they are, but if our own RECEIVE THE OBSERVER FREE IN YOUR MAILBOX BY SUBSCRIBING AT: IN NEWSSTANDS WEARETHEOBSERVER.COM

RECEIVE THE OBSERVER FREE IN YOUR MAILBOX BY SUBSCRIBING AT: a total of FEATURE IN NEWSSTANDS WEARETHEOBSERVER.COM JCPS Responds to Rise JUNE 2019 FEATURE in Special Education JUNE 2019 joy even in the midst of someone else’s adversity. How lives are also filled with more fulfillment, purpose, JCPS Responds to RiseNeeds With New Student in Special Education Support Center Needs With New Student Support Center 6 6 POLITICS/OP-ED can we, as sentient creatures, many of us, know that happiness, and ultimately, joy, than someone else Whataboutism: POLITICS/OP-ED Ego in Search FREE Whataboutism: of Equilibrium IN NEWSSTANDS

Ego in Search FEATURE of Equilibrium 20 JCPS Responds to Rise $79 billion in Special Education 20 FEATURE such realities plague our fellow creatures, often not within reach, we should honor our own good fortune, Needs With New Student Veteran-themed Support Center FEATURE Café Celebrates Veteran-themed Year One in 6 Café Celebrates Harpers Ferry/Bolivar

Year One in POLITICS/OP-ED Harpers Ferry/Bolivar 24 Whataboutism: time zones away, but perhaps just up the street or even and extend some of it, in whatever form and function Ego in Search of profits earned in 2018. 24 FOOD & FARMING of Equilibrium A Taste of Jamaica FOOD & FARMING Takes Root in 20 A Taste of Jamaica Jefferson County FEATURE Takes Root in Jefferson County Veteran-themed in the next room, and still find joy in our habits and that takes, to a recipient in need. 27 Café Celebrates Year One in A MONTHLY PUBLICATION SERVING WV’S EASTERN PANHANDLE WeAreTheObserver.com 27 Harpers Ferry/Bolivar cbsnews.com 24 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION SERVING WV’S EASTERN PANHANDLE

FOOD & FARMING WeAreTheObserver.com WeAreTheObserver.com routines, our tribes, our own comings and goings? It’s How many of us are truly going to make the A Taste of Jamaica Takes Root in Jefferson County 27 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION SERVING WV’S EASTERN PANHANDLE likely one of the most persistent human reflections world a better place? But with just a slight tweak, a — throughout the ages. single word change, it goes from romantic to realistic. We know that some people—an increasing Make your world a better place. The world around you. 18,000 new species were identified The Observer engages our number of people in this country, as David Didden The people in it. The circumstances. In this way, we’re in 2016 alone. Scientists, on special community around pointed out last month in his piece on despair—are not bent by the weight of complex questions so much average, identify over the things that matter most. struggling with this very concept, joy, and perhaps as we are bolstered by the results of simple actions. Let’s work together. more so, its building blocks: fulfillment, purpose, And in the same way that the journey often is 10,000 validation, worth, success—joy being an internal state the destination, our joy is perhaps most easily found new species each year. ADVERTISING SALES/INFO: of being often connected to but not necessarily when we help someone else find theirs. MON–FRI (9am–5pm) qz.com determined by happiness, which itself is more predicated on people, things, places, events. — Leslie Davisson It’s easy to point to technology at this point as [email protected] a chief culprit. It’s becoming more and more apparent An estimated 5.7 million Ameri- Dionte Johnson that technology is outpacing our ability to cans are living with Alzheimer's [email protected] comprehend it, emotionally, spiritually, existentially. disease in 2019. By We’ve never been so technologically “advanced,” and yet so depressed, so suicidal, so addicted to substances, 2050 so easily distracted, and so willing to embrace the Michael Chalmers AD DEADLINE: the number is estimated to rise emergent construct of “other.” EDITOR IN CHIEF 15th of each month to almost 14 million.

The Alzheimer's Association Observer JUNE 2019 | 6

// FEATURE

a response to Rockwool or some perceived knee-jerk abuse of power. “The center is not only a need, but it’s been in development for some time—in response to the evolving student population, and their needs,” she emphasized. “It’s a difficult problem to solve. I get it. But whatever mechanism you have, you need to acknowledge the reality, and not refuse to deal with it because it’s such a complex problem.” The problem Gibson is highlighting is the fact that JCPS has seen a consistent and concerning increase in recent years in students that require special-needs services. “In the last five years, and at progressively younger levels, we’ve seen a three-hundred-percent increase in the number of referrals for preschoolers with rather serious disabilities,” she indicated. “So JCPS RESPONDS what that tells us is there’s a wave coming, and we know if we don’t get intervention services to Rise in Special Education Needs with down here, it’s only going to get more serious, NEW STUDENT SUPPORT CENTER and more expensive.” Missing Mechanism ARTICLE BY: Mike Chalmers The key challenge for JCPS at this point, and thus the impetus for the student support center, is the necessity to both provide and pay for the In April, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBOE) highly specialized services and placements for announced in a press release that, due to a has committed itself to obtaining a location children whose medical or behavioral needs are significant increase in both the number of sufficiently large and conveniently located to beyond current staff capacity. In addition to the students and the level of student needs served support the needed infrastructure for such a range of existing learning, behavioral, emotional, in the past decade—particularly, the intensive center to be successful. health, and family history needs that are needs of students requiring special education currently served for applicable students within services—they were moving forward with the Acknowledging Reality JCPS (over 1,400 with identified disabilities development of a regional student support center About a week after the JCPS announcement throughout all county schools and grade levels), to meet those needs in a way that creates a more (mid-April), controversial Danish insulation Gibson is also facing a newer, albeit equally positive and productive experience for students, company, Rockwool, filed a lawsuit against the complicated, reality—a significant increase in families, and staff. JCBOE disputing its choice of a site for the the number of children who are victims of either As JCPS noted, the center would provide center. According to a complaint filed in U.S. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (in utero the highly specialized behavioral and medical District Court for the Northern District of West exposure to opioids) or the victims of abuse and services required to meet student needs in the Virginia, the JCBOE initially offered to buy 194.7 neglect from an addicted or incarcerated parent. county. The training to meet these needs would be acres from Rockwool’s current property—on “There is no one in education who delivered to JCPS staff. The jobs generated by this land formerly known as Jefferson Orchards. begrudges meeting a student’s needs,” she program would go to Jefferson County citizens. Rockwool’s lawsuit alleges that, after affirmed. “The problem arises when you have a And the revenue would stay in Jefferson County. declining the offer, the JCBOE then “threatened group of students that, through no fault of their To that end, JCPS has been working to condemn the property.” The company’s legal own, have needs that have to be met in a very collaboratively with the West Virginia firm of Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC released cost- and staff-intensive way.” Department of Education and private providers a statement on behalf of Rockwool—describing Gibson explained that around 14 percent to develop a multi-year plan for this transition. the JCBOE’s attempt as an abuse of power. of the JCPS student population are students Additionally, they’ve collaborated with partners It comes as no surprise that neither side— with identified disabilities—those who receive in Berkeley County Schools (BCS) as they Rockwool nor the JCBOE—will comment, as the special education services. But JCPS spends a struggle with many of the same issues. BCS has current situation remains in litigation, but little over 25 percent of its overall budget on this agreed to purchase placements in the program Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Dr. population—with about 30 percent of its overall as a cost-effective and positive way to meet Bondy Shay Gibson is quick to point out that the staff serving just those students. student needs regionally. As a result, the regional student support center is anything but “So yes, they require a disproportionate Observer JUNE 2019 | 7

amount of our resources, and what’s happened trauma. We meet these students’ needs through is that the state hasn’t set up any mechanism employment of clinical social workers, mental that is recognizing this scenario,” she said. “So health therapists, school counselors, mentors, what happens within the school system is—I’m and a host of other support mechanisms. But morally, ethically, legally obligated to give these funds are limited, so as a result, they are scattered kids what they need—and what ‘this kid’ needs across seventeen schools.” is a full-time aid or BCBA [Board Certified While every school system in West Virginia Behavior Analyst] services or occupational is experiencing a significant increase in needs therapy or physical therapy, and/or this array without additional sources of revenue for of wraparound services. And if I don’t have any training, staff, and equipment—and with the additional funding to meet that need, I have to problem being exacerbated when school systems, take that from somewhere else, which ends up like Jefferson County, have to send funds outside squeezing our other instructional programs and of the state to meet those needs—JCPS is bravely giving us less bandwidth both in terms of money, Dr. Bondy Shay Gibson moving forward on an enormous and undeniable staff, and employee time to innovate and create need: the regional student support center programs somewhere else. You’re setting up a they need instead of having to live in segregated “Depending on a lot of moving parts—in dynamic where there’s a conflict over resources. residential facilities often far from home.” an ideal world—CEFP [comprehensive education By law, you have to meet all the needs of all The services that will be expanded in the facilities plan] approval, voter approval of a bond, students, but the current mechanism intended state include wraparound facilitation, behavioral architectural land surveys, we could feasibly be to support us doing that doesn’t acknowledge support services, family support and training breaking ground in two years, looking to open in the reality of the situation—and it’s killing services, in-home therapy, children’s mobile three,” explained Gibson. “What I envision is that educational programs across the state.” crisis response, therapeutic foster care, and we’ll develop the plans for the whole thing, and assertive community treatment. then, depending on the total cost, we’ll probably Undeniable Need Whether this development, the awareness do it in stages—a tiered process. Obviously, given On a surprisingly related note, the U.S. Department generated, and the resulting influence will ripple the size of the potential population that could use of Justice announced last month that, after a nearly through the Mountain State’s many education it, there couldn’t be a facility big enough to house five-year investigation, it has reached an agreement mechanisms remains to be seen, but Gibson all of these students, a thousand kids, but I would with West Virginia to resolve an Americans With maintained that JCPS will continue to address its say that, depending on which aspects of this Disabilities Act Investigation of West Virginia’s own current and emerging needs-based realities, program we develop, population would be no more Mental Health System. because, well, what other option do they have? than a couple hundred kids at a time. That’s the At a press conference, U.S. Assistant “The total cost of sending students out of plan—as it has been for years—far ahead of any Attorney General Eric Dreiband explained, “The state, as we do now for many of these children, announcement by West Virginia and/or despite agreement commits West Virginia to expand exceeds two million dollars annually, which what some people may believe. We intend to services for children with serious emotional or primarily comprises tuition and transportation,” support our students, and give them the services behavior disorders. They can remain in their she noted. “In addition to the students receiving they need.” communities and live with their families or foster special education services, there are a number — The Observer plans to follow families while receiving the mental health services of general education students suffering from this story as it evolves.

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// COMMUNITY

Harpers Ferry Electric Bike Rentals (HFEB) owner Cathy Gray

June 21st 7-9:30 pm

RIDING IS BELIEVING: E-BIKES ROLL INTO HARPERS FERRYS 2nd AnnuAl Summer SolStice GArden PArty HAVE YOU EVER IMAGINED what it would be like to “I eventually look to own around twenty. Our bikes (304)886-7543 Westvirjeni.com ride a bike effortlessly up even the steepest hills, are very easy to use—no gears to change and a lot TICKETS: EVENTBRITE.COM or for extended miles and hours while barely less complicated than some other brands—and breaking a sweat? we also sell them. We’re a dealer.” Well, you can stop dreaming. That time has The company that makes the bikes is arrived in Harpers Ferry—via the newest iteration California-based The Electric Bike Company. of mobile tourism to the Eastern Panhandle: Each bike can be personalized, and believe it or Harpers Ferry Electric Bike Rentals. not, it ships in a crate completely assembled. You Truthfully, it would be hard to devise a more pull it out of the crate, turn it on, and take off—ride innovative, comprehensive, and downright fun all day on a single charge. 1IZTJDT
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XXXXWXDFEVTVNNFSHJGUFE the popular Harpers Ferry Guest House (800 bottle of water, and a park pass. I tag along for Washington Street)—with HFEB located in the the first hour, and then they can explore on their back. The e-bike idea came to her last fall. own for a few more hours.” Audubon Discovery Camps “We started talking about the bikes in Ultimately, if you can ride a bike, you can June 10 - August 2, 2019 November and bought our first bikes on New Year’s ride an electric bike. And in the case of Harpers 9am - 3pm Eve at the stroke of midnight this year,” she said. Ferry Electric Bike Rentals, riding is believing Monday - Friday “We originally purchased two, and then people (good luck not immediately wanting to buy one). started seeing them around town, often in use, Gray’s rates are currently: two hours: THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE! and asked about them, so we bought three more. $40 / half-day $50 / full day $79 / weekend $150. Kids ages 3 - 17 That’s when I decided I also wanted to do tours.” She’s also offering a special: two bikes for two Preschool Wee Naturalist Camp•Camp Survivor Advertising for HFEB has thus far consisted hours for $50. Earth Art Camp•Nature Detectives•Wild Child of literally putting the bikes out in front of the Splish Splash•Middle School Outdoor Adventure inn, or riding around handing out business cards For more information, visit Teen ECO Careers•Teen Nature Photo Camp and brochures. “We also have a website, and an harpersferrybikes.com, call 304-804-3204, Junior Staff Positions ‘experience’ on Airbnb.” or email [email protected]. Sites in Berkeley County and Jefferson County As the only game in town, Gray and her young fleet of five bikes have already received ARTICLE BY: Jillian Williams Financial Aid Available! enough attention that she’s thinking ahead. www.PotomacAudubon.org/discovercamp Observer JUNE 2019 | 9

// POLITICS WEST VIRGINIA’S PREMATURE BUDGET

THE LEADERSHIP OF THE West Virginia Legislature Worth the Wait version of the budget on the 60th day of the is beating its breasts about passing a budget For example, the House Education Committee on session. The Budget Conference Committee without extending the Regular Session. This was the 59th day of this year’s session amended a bill would then meet to both compromise the the second year in a row the budget was passed that provided tuition-free community college to differences between the two versions, and to prematurely. The breast-beating is understandable, those students who meet some stringent factor in all the bills that had been passed that but stupid. qualifications. The amendment expanded the year, even those passed on the 60th day. The full It’s understandable because two years ago, provision to include the first two years of students House and Senate then voted on the document. the Legislature took two extra months after the going to four-year colleges. The leadership This is precisely what the framers of our state end of the Regular Session before adopting that successfully opposed the amendment, arguing constitution envisioned. year’s budget. It’s stupid because passing a the budget had already been passed and the Some argue that premature budgeting saves budget prematurely is unwise. additional money required for the expansion had the taxpayers $35,000 per day by being hasty. The state constitution requires that a not been provided. That’s how much it’s reputed to cost to pay budget (that is balanced) be passed prior to the By contrast, the Legislature this year legislators and temporary staff during the beginning of the fiscal year for which it is to be reduced severance taxes on steam coal by $60 extension. I think $35,000 is an exaggeration, law. Our state’s fiscal year begins on July 1 of million. The leadership told the House that the because not every legislator stays in Charleston each calendar year. reduction had already been built into the budget. during an extension. The constitution further provides that the Passing the budget bill early gives the Each year I was on the Budget Conference annual 60-calendar-day Regular Session of the legislative leadership even more power to influence Committee, we saved the state several million Legislature may be extended for however long it rank-and-file legislators than it would otherwise dollars during the extension, finding efficiencies takes to complete the budget. That is the only have. It has plenty without the extra help! we would not have otherwise found. Saving constitutionally permissible reason for extending Certainly, I don’t think the Legislature even $1 million is worth an expense of less the Regular Session. should take several extra weeks to craft a than $250,000. The framers of the state constitution knew budget. Possibly the “hurry-up” budgeting of the what they were doing. They understood that past two years was partly due to embarrassment budgetary decisions should reflect policy over the incompetence of two years ago. But one decisions, not drive them. act of stupidity does not require an opposite Every year, the Legislature makes act of stupidity. important policy decisions late in the Regular I was a member of the Budget Conference

Session, many on the 60th day. If the budget has Committee for 12 years, 1995-2006. Each year, we ARTICLE BY: John Doyle already been passed, some policy choices will waited until after the 60th day of Regular Session John represents Jefferson County in the have been arbitrarily eliminated. Is this by to finalize the budget. Each year, that work took WV House of Delegates—District 67. accident, or intentional? Either way, the cart’s about an extra week. before the horse. The House and Senate would each pass its

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// EDUCATION

SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY OFFERS ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE OPTION TO STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, AND AFFILIATED GROUPS “ ... This service is twenty-four hours a day and will reach those students who are not using the Health Center ... ” will reach those students who are not using the Health Center.” Segar pointed out that offering additional services to help keep students healthy will also benefit them academically. “Class attendance is one of the highest predictors of academic success, actually higher than pre-college academic performance. Going to class matters, so if we can provide students with all the support we can to keep WHEN STUDENTS RETURN to Shepherd University in August to begin the new them healthy so they can show up at class, that’s all the better.” school year, they will have access to new, expanded healthcare services. Shepherd Telehealth will provide 24-hour access to doctors via phone, tablet, ARTICLE SUBMITTED BY: Valerie Owens, SU or computer. Through an agreement with Teladoc, all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Shepherd will have access to the service as part of their student fees. Shepherd Telehealth will also be offered to faculty, staff, Shepherdstown School of Dance and those affiliated with Shepherd, such as Lifelong Learning and Wellness SUMMER 2019 Center members, alumni, and retirees—for a fee of $40 per year for unlimited access. 2019 “We have a Health Center here at Shepherd with a nurse on duty and limited hours where students can make appointments,” said Dr. Scott Beard, provost. “We wanted to provide increased access to healthcare services for our students. Telemedicine has really taken off in the last several years with the development of the many apps for devices. Shepherd Telehealth is a way that we can provide increased access both for our students and employees.” Dr. Thomas Segar, vice president for student affairs and information technology, added, “I think it’s a novel approach to providing healthcare across the board for all populations. What I like about it is it gives access to individuals who otherwise may not have easy access because it can be achieved SUMMER INTENSIVE: JUNIOR INTENSIVE: over the phone or via an app.” July 8-12 or July 15-19 July 22-26 or July 29-August 2 Segar said Shepherd Telehealth will particularly benefit students who 9:30 am - 3:30 pm 5:00 - 7:00 pm aren’t on campus between 8am-4:30pm, when the Health Center is open, as well as those who have issues on weekends or don’t live on campus. SCHOOL YEAR JUMP START: “This will benefit the students whom we often don’t think about—the August 5-9 | 5:00 - 7:00 pm non-residential commuting student who may not have health insurance, or Our summer sessions are designed to maximize each student's who may not have a level of insurance where they can afford to go to see a progress through study of technique, alignment, artistry, and primary care or urgent care physician,” he indicated. “They can pick up the expression, resulting in greater joy and confidence in the art and discipline of classical dance, as well as improved performance quality. phone or get on their computer to contact a licensed healthcare provider and receive the help they need. This service is twenty-four hours a day and ShepherdstownSchoolofDance.com | 304-886-8398 Observer JUNE 2019 | 11

// ENVIRONMENT

VULTURES SMELL OPOSSUM IN THE AIR

WHILE GETTING HAY for the animals recently, I Bloodhounds of the Bird World NOW ACCEPTING 2019 - 2020 discovered a very big opossum had died in the A black and a turkey vulture perched next to each barn during the night. I carried the carcass outside other. Through the scope, the turkey vulture’s red STUDENT REGISTRATIONS ffering a full scale Of studiO classes the paddock in my manure fork, thinking I would face showed clusters of white bumps below the O : dispose of it later. Next morning, only a few tufts eye. Compared with the black vulture, the turkey • Ballet • Hip-Hop of gray fur remained at the spot where I laid the vulture had flaring nostrils, which interconnected • Ballet Tech • Lyrical possum. Meanwhile, a banquet was taking place in a wide opening above the bill. Did this indicate • Pre-Pointe • Liturgical in the woods beyond. a superior sense of smell? • Tap • Contemporary The neighborhood scavengers had picked In 1826, John James Audubon presented up the scent of putrefying possum carcass in the a paper concluding that vultures use sight, not • Jazz • Flexibility warm May air. During the night, something— smell, to locate carrion. First, Audubon set a • Adult Tap & • Strengthening possibly a fox—had carried the carcass to a more deer skin stuffed with straw in a field. A turkey Ballet & Conditioning private spot in the woods behind the barn. By vulture landed beside it, walked around and nine o’clock the next morning, several vultures then left. Then Audubon hid a rotting hog SUMMER DANCE CAMPS had landed on the roof of the barn. I grabbed the carcass under a brush pile, yet no vultures came — space still available — scope and trained it on a handsome turkey to investigate. Ages 3-8 | Beginning July 8 vulture. Craning its neck toward the woods below, Many scientists, then and now, have Jr. intensive | July 8 - 12 it finally raised its wings and dropped down to questioned Audubon’s conclusion. The olfactory join the feast now underway. bulb in a turkey vulture’s brain is unusually large sr. intensive | August 5 - 9 A black vulture glided in, alighting on the and well developed. Yet nobody could present DAnscApes | July 22 - 26 roof about ten feet from where the turkey vulture evidence of superior scenting ability until 2012, see website fOr times, themes & registratiOn had been. Training my scope on the corrugated when scientists scanned the brains of turkey black skin of the vulture’s head, I noticed the bird’s vultures and discovered the olfactory bulb of a AllegroDanceCompany.com feathers had a soft patina—like ebony keys of an turkey vulture averaged twice as many mitral Kearneysville, WV antique piano. cells than that of 143 other bird species studied. Meanwhile, another black vulture had Mitral cells help transmit information about hopped up on the metal gate connecting the smells to the brain. southeast corner of the barn to the back pasture. Also, the turkey vultures had twice the But this one sported a pair of vivid red tags that number of mitral cells as the black vultures, made him look like a giant red-winged blackbird! although their brains were one-fifth smaller. When I finally photographed the tagged individual, There’s now concrete evidence that turkey it had flown up and settled on the barn roof to rest. vultures are the bloodhounds of the bird This was evidently one of the tagged vultures world, sniffing out carrion so they can clean up I heard about last winter. Somebody in Martinsburg the landscape. is live-trapping black vultures, equipping them While it’s unlikely any vulture smells very with numbered plastic wing tags, and then good, turkey vultures evidently smell very well! Four Seasons releasing them in order to study their travels. Books Anybody seeing a tagged black vulture is supposed ARTICLE BY: Doug Pifer to email the date, location, time, and tag number Doug is an artist, writer, and New & Used Books, Bargain Books, Special Orders, Out-of-Print Searches to [email protected]. I didn’t see any naturalist living near Shepherdstown. numbers on this vulture’s tag, and was unable to (304) 876-3486 dig up details about the study before press time. 114 W. German Street, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 y father and I have lived with our families families our andI have with lived y father business gone modern.”school for an“old- atmosphere perfect the provided old building the of andre-use restoration (410 Charles Town), Road, Cold Storage andthe Apple Point Packing House Summit off Road old inthe housed is Thefootprint. operation environmental lessen to their boiler wood-chip a biomass industry—including in the technology SPMsaw, at he team dry, kiln andsurface modern most the and feature product, finished log to from in-house hardwoods andbeyond. area, in this builders, andwoodworkers businesses, artisans, many small the Panhandle—supporting Eastern community in the woodworking the center of the andbe traditions Appalachian on inCharles Town business based carry to seeks that THE SHENANDOAH PLANINGMILL SHOP INCHARLES TOWN NEW PLANINGMILLSETS UP // COMMUNITY Observer “M T (SPM) is anew (SPM)is custom specifications,”custom added McDaniel. saw, to ability dry, kiln to material andsurface andhave onsite hardwoods, of selection a large materials. “We andquality advice, expert stock networking,by offering workspace, rentable the support to he SPM mission is woodworkers, andDIYers,homebuilders, artisans, community,woodworking including contractors, slabs.mouldings, andlive edge lumber, hardwood quality architectural flooring, Panhandle for anEastern resource representing business doing inJefferson about excited County— McDaniel of dream the PM and is her residents, local time they’re and passionate both father, John Van family. Vliet, andtheir Long- AmandaMcDaniel. co-owner live here,” that people good andthe area this said welove because business together this starting years, andare Ferry for overthirty in Harpers T S

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Community Invite hardwood lumber sawing by S&K Set for Saturday, June 8, from 11am-5pm, Enterprises, and additional demos by CNC SPM wants to celebrate with the Woodworking and Hudson Woodworking. community with their inaugural A tour of the The Mill will also be “Summertime at the Mill” event. The available throughout the day— entire community is invited; the free event highlighting the unique Vacuum Kiln will feature plenty of educational activities drying and Slab planing and sanding and fun for all ages and interests, centered capabilities. Children’s workshop, on the woodworking community. games, food, live music, and numerous “We’re proud to open our doors to additional family friendly activities the community to highlight the wide array will be ongoing throughout the day. of talented craftspeople and artisans in Even four-legged friends are welcome this area,” emphasized McDaniel. “Local (on a leash). artists and crafters will be onsite to personally display their work and give To pre-register, and to find out more attendees the opportunity to meet them about the Shenandoah Planing Mill, and discuss their creations in person.” visit shenandoahplaningmill.com Additionally, the event will offer up and/or call 304-579-7239. a variety of demonstrations, including wood turning by Two Rivers Turnings, ARTICLE BY: Jordan Webb

Register - Run - Get Products Along the Course SATURDAY, JUNE 29 Start & Finish @ Charles Town Farmer’s Market Not Your Average 5k Samual Street, Downtown Charles Town

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Jefferson GAP Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization | JeffersonGAP.org Observer JUNE 2019 | 14

BUSINESS BRIEFS

BY: Angela F. Durkin

ARTS

Allegro Dance Company Welcomes Dancers for the Summer Season

SINCE 1991, the Allegro Dance Company has 10am-12pm. This camp features classical ballet Knott explained that the school also focused on quality dance education, age- dance along with Disney-themed costumes. It features junior and senior Summer Intensive appropriate instruction, and a tasteful family also offers crafts and games for participants. Camps, which include a different dance style atmosphere. Lindsey Knott, studio owner and The camp concludes with a 15-minute dance each day. Genres include Jazz, Classical Ballet, director, has carefully created a welcoming showcase to promote stage experience for what Acrobatics, and Choreography. The junior camp atmosphere that highlights the accomplishments participants have learned. “This is always a big will be held August 5-9, from 1-4pm, and the and achievements she has worked to earn with hit because, who doesn’t want to be a prince or senior camp is set or July 8-12. her students and staff. a princess, and every day you get to be a different The final camp offered is titled Located conveniently at 71 Edmond Road, character,” added Knott. Dancescapes, set for July 22-26, from 1-4pm. Suite #5, Kearneysville, WV, Allegro School for She also indicated that Allegro boasts a “That is our guest teacher camp,” explained Dance is currently preparing for the 2019 camp for kids who maybe aren’t into the whole Knott—adding that the school hired master Summer Camp season. “We have our summer princess and prince thing. The Heros and teachers, including Patricia Lein (acrobatics), camps, which I think is a good time for anybody Villians Camp will be held July 15-19, from Desiree Acosta (tap), Juan Rivera (hip hop), who’s thinking about starting or trying dance,” 10am-12pm. and includes yoga and classical ballet. Knott said. “It’s always a good place to start, and “We have an obstacle course, and they if you don’t like it, you aren’t committed to the learn dances every day,” said Knott. “We’ll have To learn more, visit allegrodancecompany.com whole year.” Marvel day and DC Comic day, and you get to or 304-671-9813. The Prince and Princess Camp will be dress up as your favorite character. That one’s held twice—July 8-12 and August 5-9—each from a lot of fun.” Observer JUNE 2019 | 15

To view Garcia’s collection, visit www.dinnerandnature.com. FOOD To speak with Garcia, call 304-596-0255. Bring Mother Earth to the Table with Plates from Dinner and Nature

WHEN CREATING the perfect dinner setting for a special meal, plate selection is at the forefront of every host’s list. Luckily, there is a local artist based in Harpers Ferry who creates unique dining-plate masterpieces that you really need to see in person. Artist Gil Garcia has worked tirelessly to perfect his line of dinner plates—inspired by Mother Nature. He began his art career as a sculptor, but shifted his focus after noticing something beautiful emerging during his daily routine. “The idea for these dinner plates started a long time ago, actually,” he explained. “It began with a heated bird bath. Every WE TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY. morning, I’d turn it on at my house. When it was frozen, I would notice these patterns emerge.” Garcia began finding different ways to create new formations, including a hot-water pour-over method. After being taken aback from the emerging patterns, he explained that he wanted to find a way to preserve the images. He began photographing the ice patterns on a more regular basis.

“I figured out a way to lift these ice blocks out of the bird bath, Andrew C. Skinner Laura C. Davis Stephen G. Skinner Bryan E. Gray and began taking pictures,” he maintained. “Depending on the temperature, you get different layers of ice crystals.” As he continued this process, Garcia began to add more to the images through post-production editing. “I colorize them until I’m SKINNER satisfied with the image.” He added, “And I thought these would make amazing plates.” LAW FIRM Garcia was absolutely correct; they truly are amazing plates that any dinner guest would complement. He uses the finest porcelain plates CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION FOR INJURY AND INSURANCE CASES: available on the market as his base, then kiln-fires the designs onto each plate. Each plate is creative and functional—both dishwasher and 304.725.7029 microwave safe. “The plates are very durable, but they are also very unique,” Garcia pointed out. “The nature connection is very dynamic. I try to build a OFFICES IN CHARLES TOWN AND MARTINSBURG connection. After I create the image, and add colors, the pattern is made WWW.SKINNERFIRM.COM into a decal, which is then put onto the plate.” Observer JUNE 2019 | 16

Shepherd to Offer Summer ANNOUNCEMENTS EASTERN Childhood Music Classes PANHANDLE From June 25–July 23, Shepherd PRIDE Fridays at Five Summer University’s Community Music program is Concert Series offering early childhood music summer EVENTS SET classes with Frauke Higgins. The classes Running Friday evenings, June 7– will take place Tuesdays, June 25, and FOR JUNE August 23, from 5-7pm, enjoy a FREE July 2, 9, 16, and 23—at the Frank Center. evening of outdoor entertainment with Tuition is $70. Students will learn the a beer & wine garden in Martinsburg’s rudiments of music, including rhythm, Set for Wednesday, June 12, from 7-9pm, at Abolitionist Ale Works (129 W. Town Square. Beverages will be for tempo, and melodic movement, by Washington St., Charles Town), EP Pride will host its monthly get-together—to sale—and you can enjoy a picnic dinner working on children’s songs from around discuss anything and everything. The group changes locations regularly to reach from a downtown restaurant. Bands the world, stories, and movement to different communities throughout the Panhandle, and the event represents a quality will perform a variety of music styles. music. They will play rhythm and Orff chance to catch up with friends, meet new ones, and talk about the issues and Pets allowed, but must be on a leash. instruments and explore summer sounds policies important to the group—as well as updates on Pride events. One of those Additionally, the Martinsburg Farmers such as bumble bees, frogs, and birds, events is set for Fri/Sat, June 28-29, in Shepherdstown, comprising a pub crawl, a Market will also take place on Fridays sing echo songs, and learn simple circle street fair, and a drag show. Find out more below. (through September 27) at the same dances. location, from 4:30-7pm. Info: Eastern Panhandle Pride on Facebook

Info: [email protected] Info: mainstreetmartinsburg.com

Shepherdstown Public Library June Schedule

June 6: A LEGO Club (ages 4+), 4:30pm. June 7: FOSL Book Club, 5pm: rescheduled discussion of Anne Tyler’s A Spool of Blue Thread. June 8: “A Universe of Stories” and indoor scavenger hunt for all ages, 11am—and “Summer Reading Kickoff Carnival” behind the Library, 12-2pm, to sign up for Calendar summer reading program (free tote bags for first 100 adults and first 250 Animal Welfare Society kids and teens). June 11: Md. Science Center with experiments on the states of SUMMER PROGRAM Fundraiser Set for June matter, 11am at the War Memorial Building (ages 5+, doors open at FOR GIFTED The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson 10:30am). June 12: Library Board to STUDENTS County is proud to announce their meet, 7pm (open to public). June 17: participation in the Dining for Dollars A LEGO Club (ages 4+), 11am. Jun. 18: TAKING fundraiser at Glory Days Grill in Ranson, “Music with Tony M.” at 11am (War set for the month of June. Every time Memorial Building, doors open at REGISTRATIONS you dine at Glory Days Grill in Ranson, 10:30am). June 20: “Little Astronauts the restaurant will contribute 10% of Story Time” at 11:15am (infants to 3 yrs.). your total food purchases to the Animal For gifted students in grades 5-12, the Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program is the June 22: “Hogwarts at the Library” at Welfare Society of Jefferson County. only program of its kind in the state. The STEM program provides gifted students 11am: sixth book in the Harry Potter Keep your copy of your guest check (not with the academic and social stimulation they need, and is the most affordable series (ages 10-14, must pre-register at credit card receipt), and either mail it to: program of its kind in the country. Held on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan 304-876-2783). June 24: A LEGO Club AWS, P.O. Box 147, Charles Town, WV, College in Buckhannon, WV, the program offers advanced classes in physics/ (ages 4+), 11am. June 25: “Critters and 25414, place it in the collection box at astrophysics, higher math, cryptography, computer programming, history, and Conservation” brings five exotic animals Petco in Ranson, United Bank in Charles creative writing—with all classes taught by seasoned college professors. To be at 11am (ages 3+, War Memorial Building, Town, give it to a board member you eligible, students in rising grades 5-12 must be identified as gifted through testing. doors open at 10:30am.) June 27: “Little know, or drop it off at theshelter on The program runs from June 16-29 and is limited to about 50 students. Find out Astronauts Story Time” at 11:15am Leetown Pike. more at wvwc.edu/summergifted. (infants to 3 yrs.). June 29: A LEGO Club (ages 4+), 11am.. Info: awsjc.org Info: [email protected] Info: [email protected] or 304-642-9436 06 Observer JUNE 2019 | 17

Harpers Ferry National EVENTS Historic Park Events in June “BARK IN THE PARK” Monday(s) June 3 + 10 (2pm): “Sneak FUNDRAISER Peek: Collections from the Museum FOR ANIMAL Archives,” Lower Town, John Brown Museum, Allies for Freedom Room. Meet WELFARE SOCIETY the park’s curator during this rare opportunity to view objects from the Community museum collection that are not typically 1-2 The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County is having its 13th-Annual “Bark in the Park” on display. Monday, June 24 (2pm), Club 1st Weekend fundraising event at Jefferson Memorial Park in Charles Town, on Saturday, June 1, from 10am-2pm, with registration at 9:30am. This major fundraiser for AWSJC depends on the Lower Town: “Artifact Sneak Peak,” Handmade Market John Brown Museum, Allies for Freedom contributions from pledges to help sustain the Society’s animal shelter on Leetown Pike and other programs. The event will comprise a host of canine-themed activities and events. Room. Behind-the-scenes tour of rarely Set for Saturday, June 1, from 10am-7pm, and seen objects in the archeology collection Sunday, June 2, from 9am-4pm, and located at the War Memorial Building (102 E. German St.), (also offered on July 1 + September 9). the Handmade Market is a unique pop-up June 28-30: Harpers Ferry NHP’s boutique-like arts and crafts market featuring Info: awsjc.org 75th Anniversary (full schedule at local artists and makers. Join them in 1 website below). Saturday, June 29 celebrating local talent, meet the artists, and (7pm): “18th-Annual Don Redman Jazz shop for fine handcrafted art, jewelry, home Heritage Awards & Concert.” Set for decor, accessories, gifts, and a whole lot more. Lower Town, the concert commemorates Don Redman, the internationally Info: Shepherdstown Community Club 1st acclaimed and influential 1920 graduate Weekend Handmade Market on Facebook of Storer College, and honors living legends of Jazz. 7 First Friday Coffee- 8 Two-Day Blacksmith Info: nps.gov/hafe house Features L.A. Composer Workshop in Harpers Ferry Accomplished singer-songwriter/TV/movie A two-day blacksmith workshop is scheduled score composer Ernest Troost is the First for Saturday/Sunday, June 8/9, from 10am- M ultiple Events Set Friday Coffeehouse feature performer on 4pm, in Harpers Ferry (171 Shoreline Drive). 1 June 7. The popular concert series is held at Nineteenth century blacksmiths were crucial. to Celebrate Ranson Trinity Orchard House (4599 Shepherdstown Their trade varied from keeping doors on Adult Summer Reading Taking place on Fairfax Boulevard in Ranson Road [Route 45], Martinsburg). Doors open hinges and wagons in proper working order to Program at the Bolivar- on Saturday, June 1, from 10am-3pm, the for social time and open-mic sign-up 7pm. making weapons for the town's U.S. Armory, 10th-Annual Ranson Car, Truck, and Open-mic starts at 7:15pm and is on a for national defense. Attendees will learn Harpers Ferry Public Library Motorcycle Show is sure to excite, stimulate, first-come, first serve-basis. Performers have the historic trade and echo the clang of the and inspire. Free and open to the public, this the opportunity to showcase their talent in hammer on hot iron—just as they did 150 event will be moved to the Ranson Civic an eight-minute segment to an attentive years ago. Cost is $150/person (minimum age Center in the event of bad weather. ALSO audience. in one of the area’s premier to participate is 18). All materials included happening on June 1, the 2019 Ranson Festival listening rooms. Troost’s amazing success with cost. is a fun-filled and family friendly event, from story is well worth exploring further, visit 10am-4pm, boasting music, food, and a wide ernesttroost.com. Snacks and refreshments Info: 304-535-6029 variety of vendors. Children's activities served. A $10 donation per person Summer Reading at Bolivar-Harpers include face painting, free pony rides, and is requested. Ferry Public Library is a mix of activities free moon bounces. and a fun reading challenge throughout Info: First Friday Coffeehouse on Facebook the summer months. The goal is to Info: 304-724-3862 encourage patrons to check out and read books. You get to choose the number 8 and type of books you want to read. This Andrew Lawler Book initiative runs from June 3–July 25. Sign up anytime on or after Monday, June Signing and Talk 3. This is an ongoing sign-up for the On Saturday, June 8, from 5-6pm, at Four months of June and July. Pick up your DEBUT ART SHOW Seasons Books (116 W. German St., reading and begin reading. Record the FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS Shepherdstown), author and journalist library books you read and receive a Andrew Lawler will give a talk and signing of ticket. One book equals one ticket. The IN SHEPHERDSTOWN his book The Secret Token: Myth, Obsession, and the Search for the Lost Colony of last day to earn a ticket will be Thursday, Roanoke. What happened to the Lost Colony July 25. They will draw for the adult raffle Evolve—Shepherdstown’s popular new work and event space will present an art show of local of Roanoke? For four hundred years, that prizes at the Potluck. (You don’t have to artists showcasing the historic community places and buildings beloved by all on Saturday/ question has consumed historians and be present to win.) Adult programming Sunday, June 1 (12-6pm) and June 2 (11am-3pm)—as a response to The National Trust for Historic amateur sleuths, leading only to dead ends starts June 17. Preservation's initiative to highlight historic properties throughout the nation. and hoaxes. But after a chance encounter with a British archaeologist, Lawler Info: bolivarharpersferrylibrary.org discovered that solid answers to the mystery were within reach. Info: [email protected] 1-2 Info: 304-876-3486

Observer JUNE 2019 | 18

SPEAK STORY SERIES PRESENTS MEGAN HICKS 21 22 2nd-Annual Summer Shepherdstown Celebration Solstice Garden Party of Good Newspaper Set for Friday, June 21, from 7-9:30pm, the and Book Release Westvirjeni Studio and Gardens (131 Scott Set for Saturday, June 22, from 5-7pm, at the Drive, Shepherdstown) will be open Town Run Tap House and Community Pub (rain-or-shine) for a fun evening celebrating (202 E. Washington St., Shepherdstown), the longest day of the year. Enjoy farm-to- Randy Tremba’s book, Let Love Arise: 40 table bites, summer cocktails, and amazing Speak Story Series, part of Shepherd University Appalachian Studies Program, presents Short Essays, will be launched as part of florals. Other evening activities will include a Megan Hicks on Tuesday, June 11, at 7:30pm, at Reynolds Hall (109 N. King St., the Shepherdstown’s GOOD NEWS PAPER flower photo booth, make-your-own flower Shepherdstown). Hicks will present “Boom!”—personal stories behind the “normal” picket 40th Anniversary. The event is “free but not crown bar, giveaways from Kendra Scott, a fence. She will also tell a fairy tale or two. Admission is $12 at the door, express entry for cheap”—snacks will be available plus music raffle to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness– Speak season ticket holders, free to full-time Shepherd University students with ID. Speak by Eldred Hill, Bob Keel, Jade Tremba, and Cumberland Valley, live music by Jade, and a is for adult audiences. Mature youth allowed at guardian’s discretion. Mary Anne & Than Hitt. Tremba and Ed sunset garden tour. Tickets are $50. Zahniser, co-founders of the quarterly tabloid, will offer brief remarks at 5:30pm. Info: 2nd-Annual Summer Solstice Garden Info: [email protected] Current and former writers, photographers, Party on Eventbrite poets, and artists will be on-hand to meet 11 and greet readers. 15 Charles Town 21 Heritage Festival Balancing the Solar This FREE annual event lands on Saturday, ­— Plexus Energy on June 15, and draws on the community's Submit your unique history. Attendees will experience live the Summer Solstice music, craft vendors, walking tours, colonial event to: workshops, children's activities, and a Set for Friday, June 21, from 6:30-9pm, at INFO@ farmers market. Orr’s Farm (682 Orr Dr., Martinsburg), this is an art & yoga event for women, led by art WEARETHEOBSERVER.COM Info: Charles Town City Hall / 304-725-2311 professor, Susan Loonsk, and yoga teacher, — Dee Marshall. There will also be a hayride and bonfire. Cost is $45/person or $80/couple. Registration required at www.art2earth.com.

Info: [email protected] 16 Father’s Day Cruise-In Set for 15 Downtown Martinsburg Gardeners Exchange Group Announces June Meeting MUSICAL DUO COLOURS The Gardeners Exchange Group (GEG) is an PERFORMS POP, FOLK, COUNTRY informal network of avid gardeners from Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, and beyond, TUNES AT THE MECK 22 whose purpose is to bring together people who share an interest in the practical, hands-on challenges and pleasures of gardening. Set for 2-5pm (register from 1-2pm, awards The Tennessee musical duo Colours will perform pop, folk, and country songs at The Members are young and old, men and women, at 4pm) in downtown Martinsburg on Mecklenburg Inn (128 E. German St., Shepherdstown) on Saturday, June 22, from 9pm to professionals, retired and working, master Sunday, June 16, all cars are welcome to this midnight. Keith Robinson and Monica Swift will perform popular songs spanning seven gardeners, and beginners. GEG welcomes new event, and the first 100 cars registered will decades, from the 1950s to contemporary. Their song list of over 150 hits and deep cuts members. Simply show up to the monthly receive a goodie bag and dash plaque for includes the music of a variety of artists such as the Beatles, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, the meeting—set for the third Saturday of the display. There will also be a 50/50 drawing Lumineers, John Mellencamp, Patsy Cline, and Nat King Cole. month—in this case, June 15. The June meeting for all participants. Trophies for various will cover seed starting, with Cath Sigalas, categories. Share memories of classic cars and vegetable planting and cultivation, with and celebrate your dad with DJ music from Wilma Myers. the eras. Downtown restaurants will be open. Info: keithrobinson.bandzoogle.com Location info below. Info: g-e-g.org ’’Info: [email protected] Observer JUNE 2019 | 19

// BOOK REVIEW APPALACHIAN ZOMBIES To the Bones, by Valerie Nieman (West Virginia University Press, 2019)

IN SPITE OF West Virginia’s rich folklore and A Deeper Mystery modern myths like the Mothman and the The stoic and jaded Louranna has her own ghosts. Flatwoods Monster, the state’s literature—or Her daughter Dreama vanished over a year ago, even that of Appalachia as a whole—is not shortly after becoming the personal assistant of the typically associated with horror and the younger of the two Kavanagh brothers. Her supernatural. Nevertheless, West Virginian disappearance is but one in a long list of people who writers have created several fine exponents of have crossed paths with the Kavanaghs, including literary fantasy, ranging from Pinckney a local environmentalist investigating the polluted MAY 31ST  SEPTEMBER 27TH Benedict’s outstanding magical realist short river. The incident is dismissed by the county sheriff, stories to Ron Houchin’s young adult horror who claims that “agitators come in from outside 4:30 novel The Devil’s Trill, and Victor Depta’s and then they’re gone, on to the next thing.” 7:00 vampire gothic House of the Moon. What could have been a more conventional FRIDAYS P.M. Valerie Nieman’s To the police procedural set against the Martinsburg’s Town Square is the place Bones is an addition to this backdrop of an environmental to be on Friday Evening’s this Summer! small canon of the supernatural, catastrophe and political martinsburgfarmersmarket.com albeit one that walks corruption adds a new element comfortably between literary to the story when Darrick comes fiction and an assortment of face to face with his assailant genre elements that help make and he turns out to be a local it a page-turner. police officer. The encounter Set in the fictional West triggers a psychic reaction in “Shell Form #52” Virginia locale of Redbird, MacBrehon, who unwittingly Bruce Fransen Carbon County, the novel kills him through sheer mental Black Walnut 20 x 16 x 38 opens with a vivid and power. As Darrick learns how to gruesome scene, as Darrick control his newfound abilities, MacBrehon, a federal he and Louranna delve deeper government auditor, wakes up into the mystery of the in an abandoned mine pit full Kavanaghs’ stranglehold over Susan Liselle Carney of human bones. An open head Redbird and stories about the Jared Scheerer Danny Conant wound serves as a reminder family’s own connection to Scott Cawood Joe Mayer that he was attacked at a gas supernatural forces. Diana Suttenfield station, but he does not know In To the Bones, bodily 105 S. Princess St. | Shepherdstown | galleryat105.com why nor how he’s going to return to his home in decay serves as a metaphor for a ravaged land and Washington, D.C., without his wallet, cellphone, ecological devastation while Redbird’s zombie and his medication for ataxia—a condition that panic and end-times paranoia are the expression affects muscle coordination. of the prostrate hopelessness of the town’s MacBrehon manages to climb out of the residents. While some of the story elements like pit by sticking two femurs into the walls. He the Kavanaghs’ brooding mansion bring to mind reaches a road by following the sound of water familiar cinematic tropes, the story progresses auto • home • health • business • life flowing down a river “filled bank to bank with assuredly thanks to Nieman’s strong orange glop,” the result of the waste generated characterizations and sense of place, hallmarks When life heats up stay cool by Kavanagh Coal and Limestone, the family of earlier works such as her superb realistic short knowing you're covered by Erie. business that controls Redbird. story collection Fidelities (2004). An entertaining Darrick stumbles into town, but he’s seen supernatural thriller about all-too-real threats. ContaCt Jodi for your walking down the road by a local family which, Hassle Free - horrified by his gaping wound and plodding ARTICLE BY: Gonzalo Baeza No Pressue pace, starts the rumor that a zombie is prowling Gonzalo is a writer born in Texas, raised in Insurance Quote Chile, and currently living in Shepherdstown. the area. He reaches a sweepstakes parlor His books have been published in Spain and Jodi Pope - Local Agent 304.620.3158 managed by Louranna Taylor, who simply Chile, and his fiction has appeared in Boulevard, [email protected] warns him: “You don’t call the police Goliad, and The Texas Review, among others. hereabouts. Ever.” "Not Just Your Agent....Your Advocate." Observer JUNE 2019 | 20

// POLITICS/OP-ED

WHATABOUTISM: EGO IN SEARCH OF EQUILIBRIUM

AND AGAIN, AN EXPORT FROM Russia has flooded the Tradition,” and the “Soviet cliché.” Since then, no matter what the U.S. brought United States, designed to create division, Starting in the late 1940s after Truman’s up against Russia, their response was the diversion, and delusion. It’s the logical fallacy commerce secretary, Averell Harriman, accused question: “and you lynch Negroes?” It became called whataboutism. the Soviets of imperialism, the former official their catchphrase, a punchline so commonly That was the standard propaganda response newspaper of the Communist party, Pravda, used that it even has its own Wikipedia page. It’s used by Soviet statesmen during the Cold War pointed out the racial inequalities in the U.S., the subject of several 1930s Soviet political every time we accused Communist authorities of saying that although the Soviet people consider cartoons, one illustrating a black American aggression, human rights abuses, or censorship. American laws on race to be “insulting to human hanging from the torch of a brassy buxom Statue It’s a cartoonish reply to criticism, called by many dignity, we do not intend on that account to turn of Liberty, looked on by an amused and approving their “National Ideology,” “… a sacred Russian modern weapons against Mississippi or Georgia." Yankee top-hatted tycoon. Observer JUNE 2019 | 21

The essence of whataboutism is that you badness is the equal of Harvey Weinstein’s badness emails?” Responding to the 2006 Russian law never allow a criticism of yourself to pass without and deserves the same banishment is clearly not that legalized assassinations abroad, Trump said, simultaneously slandering your critic, no matter a solution, and probably helped tip the balance “We got a lot of killers, too—you think our country how much of a discrepancy there may be in the of the Senate to those who didn’t care to confront is so innocent? Take a look at what we’ve done sins being committed, or in the timeframe of the issue of sexual assault in the first place. And too.” The journalist Garry Kasparov commented commission of that sin. And the accusation in the governor of Virginia with his idiotic blackface, to the Colombia Journalism Review on this the whatabout is usually true; in the case of the done while being smart enough to finish medical infuriatingly blatant use of whataboutism: “For Soviet cliché, we were, and are, guilty of racial school—to say that it was as evil as the KKK hoods a U.S. president to employ it against his own violence and discrimination. Gitmo, Iraq and who have roamed his very own state, terrorizing country is tragic.” It’s possibly one of the few the WMDs, the attempted Castro assassination, citizens, while not in black face, but in white faces times Trump has ever told the truth, but it was Watergate—we have plenty of “pongs” for every covered with white sheets, seems to be considered likely done to please the Russian president, not “ping” we send out in our lectures on the sins of by black voters of his own state as merely a “meh.” to confess the events in American history that other cultures. Joe Biden’s squirmy public touching and un- prove us to be fallible. It’s convenient to blame the Russians progressive policy decisions decades ago—do they What makes the Russians happy is when whenever possible, but this is normal human really need to be revisited as if he were a devil to we admit our wrongs; what makes Republicans behavior—public, private, political, and familial. be resurrected, reformed, and converted into the happy is when Democrats admit their mistakes Whataboutism is just a common defense perfect candidate for today, or else? and then voluntarily atone for their sins. As a mechanism; it’s the ego in search of equilibrium. strategy, it’s seen as being weak to confess our It allows us to conveniently assume that I have to errors, giving the “other side” ammunition in be perfect before I am qualified to find fault with proving that our cause is no better than theirs. you; its corollary suggests that until I reach “ As the oft-quoted Bible teaches: “Judge not, lest perfection, I can continue to be just as imperfect you be judged.” Unfortunately, religion—while as you are. Unfortunately, when you do that—drag ... It leaves us telling us not to judge—has given us standards everyone else down to the lowest common with the challenge of of behavior with which to judge others. Our denominator—it is equal to lining up for the Indy intelligence has given us the ability to discern 500 and driving the race in reverse, backwards, how best to throw the the difference between good and bad. Our the wrong way. It would be a great feat, but you’d emotional weakness gives us the instinct of still come in last. well-aimed “first stone,” retribution. And technology now provides us the if there is even a stone means to communicate it all instantaneously en All Things Not Equal masse. It leaves us with the challenge of how best Similar to the circular conversation that has no left to be thrown ... to throw the well-aimed “first stone,” if there is conclusion, we seem to be forever unable to find even a stone left to be thrown. a way to meaningfully respond to the flung-back We’re all bad, just not equally. accusation. But that’s because the power of the Unfortunately, we can’t be trusted to be subjective offense, thewhatabout , is much more dramatic ” about what is really awful, or just a little awful, than any defense to it. It’s the teasing taunt that because of our disastrous lack of judgment in has no equal, like jocks bursting into the the past—when some of us let the awful pass as classroom, mooning the dorky intellectuals in Who Will Be Left? legal and acceptable, and even fought a war over the debate club. No one will ever remember the In the meantime, there is a motherlode of the right to stay awful. topic, the rebuttal, or the winner, no matter how preposterously disproportionate potential Obviously, the only way we can make logical the argument was. whataboutisms from alleged faux pas committed changes for the better is to continue to identify It has dragged us into a quagmire of trying during the last administration: the screaming the hypocrisy, double standards, and to equalize all infractions, when they are not all Fox uproar over a nerdy President Obama contradictions in human behavior that create equal. The objective, to improve the behavior of wearing a bike helmet while actually biking, or inequalities and unfairness. But if we go overboard humans, has been compromised by the subjective of his insult to the dignity of the presidency by shaming the minor offenses that hurt a few, a inability to determine what is unforgiveable, and putting his feet up on the Oval Office desk, and little, then who will be left to speak up to the gross what is simply the result of imperfection—a moot especially his “swagger” even while G.W. Bush injustices that hurt us all, a lot? point since we already know that “nobody’s walked with the same swagger. And the standard perfect,” as if we would recognize perfection if response to Trump’s documented lie denying ARTICLE BY: Carol Williams we ever saw it. But since hypocrisy is always the the pre-election porn payoffs is, “whatabout result of human imperfection and the cause of Bill Clinton?” it, there can never be a valid discussion of who Putin is seen to be “an especially skilled is bad, worse, or the worst. Even God is stumped practitioner” of whataboutism, and evidently on this one. has an adept student in Trump, who routinely To say that Al Franken’s stupid photo-op finishes his sentences with “whatabout Hillary’s Observer JUNE 2019 | 22

// COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

TRAINER AND FIGHTER Michael Doleman, Jr. (left) best training in the tri-state area. To that end, Adults, high-schoolers, kids: we literally have a works with a student in a recent Boxing 101 class their mission is simple: “We believe in family, system in place here that benefits absolutely at Winchester Boxing & Fitness (221 positive attitudes, and smashing goals.” everyone. We take all the thinking out of the Commonwealth Court, Winchester, VA). Opened Basically, if you want to get the type of equation—all you have to do is show up. After more in 2016 by Michael Doleman (Sr.) and John Custer, workout that you’ll be telling your friends and than ten years in gyms for both John and I, we Winchester Boxing & Fitness (WB&F) combines family about—no matter your age, athletic ability, wanted to create something special here, and that’s personal training, group fitness classes, boxing body type, or fitness level—you’ll want to seriously exactly what we’ve done.” training (and an actual boxing team), jiu jitsu, consider WB&F. and one of the nicest full-service gyms in the area. “People come in here and they want to be For more information, visit There truly is something for anyone at pushed,” said Doleman, Sr. “You’ve got a coach www.winchesterboxingandfitness.com, WB&F. Both Doleman and Custer started the here, a motivation and support group. We learn email [email protected], endeavor with one goal in mind: to provide the to speak your language—whatever your goal is. or call 540-508-4869.

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// DRUGS & ADDICTION

everything. I imagined my life in six months, a year, five years, ten. Who would I be when I could be just about anything?

Sight of Myself A few weeks ago, I was in a friend’s basement THE ME IN having my hair cut in her home salon. I sat in the THE MIRROR swivel chair before a large wall of mirrors and watched pieces of my white-blond hair fall to the floor. The baby of another friend sat gurgling in his little rocking bassinet nearby. When my stylist went upstairs to get him another bottle, she asked if I wanted to hold him while she was gone. I did, and I leaned down and scooped him up. As I turned this way and that, bobbing a bit to soothe him and me, I caught sight of myself in the mirror. My hand cradled his head gently; "After waking up, there is always miraculously, he was calm, and I saw the way my the question of what comes next— arms curved around him, as though the world just what life might lie beyond the life outside the makeshift salon was knocking hard you’ve left behind." at the door and my only job in life was to make — Leslie Jamison sure he was ready for it when it came. The crazy thing, the thing I couldn’t believe, WHEN I GOT SOBER four months ago, I began to wake and drugs, things seemed a lot clearer, and many was that I looked like I could do it. I looked like I up. With each passing day, my world came more of the ways I felt and thought and lived my life could hold him carefully, and teach him things, sharply into focus, and the experience of assessing that I thought were immutable began to seem a and feed him when he was hungry, and let him what surrounded me was like standing on the bit more flexible. In the years right before I got know with my arms and my words and my heart point where several states meet—one foot here, sober, when my addiction was progressing most that he was not alone, something I could do only one foot there. I was in transition—living in a rapidly, I had been a staunch atheist, afraid to because I no longer felt alone. I looked like I sober house, spending my days in treatment, want children or a family because I didn’t think wanted to. I looked like I was ready for the not working, and simultaneously examining I could have them, insistent upon working in the challenge. I looked and I looked, and just for a how I’d gotten to that point and attempting bar and restaurant industry, convinced that I was moment, I began, incredibly, to believe it. to make decisions that would shape the new life essentially alone. that lay spread about before me … a loose map I heard in a meeting that normal people ARTICLE BY: Anastasia Sasewich with only a few knowns. change their behavior to meet their goals, but Anastasia is a Chicago writer in recovery. She recently Defining my life, even the immediate now alcoholics and addicts change their goals to meet began contributing to The Observer’s growing of it, was daunting because I felt like a completely their behavior. I had to—better yet, I got to, I archive of addiction and recovery resources. different person. Without the effects of alcohol could, and in fact I couldn’t help but—rethink

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// FEATURE A MORNING CUP with We can help.

Law Office of F. Samuel Byrer, PLLC

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JUNE 22, 23 & 24 Frozen in Time by Mike Sockol Tempting the Hand of Fate by Chuck Smith Rations Café offers up a variety of beverage and food options for ARTICLE BY: Claire Stuart locals and visitors on the go. When All is Revealed by Carl Williams arah Shafer once worked as a quality-control chemist in a Yard Sale (2019) by Charlie Perkins flavor and extracts facility. “We had to taste everything S Friday & Saturday 8pm before it left production,” she explained, “as well as learning the Sunday Matinee 2:30pm science behind what creates a flavor—natural versus artificial. Adults $15.00 | Students/Children $12.00 For Tickets Call: 304.725.4420 Palate training is part of it and understanding the difference or purchase online at between a preference and ‘that’s bad.’” OLDOPERAHOUSE.ORG Observer JUNE 2019 | 25

... WE NEEDED TO GARNER THE SUPPORT OF LOCALS FIRST, THEN VISITORS WOULD BE ICING ON THE CAKE, WHICH I THINK WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED …

SARAH AND HUSBAND DAN JIMENO are proprietors of Rations Café in Boliver/Harpers Ferry (1102 Washington Street). “We use that skill set for all of our products—the different varieties of coffees that we have, all of our drinks behind the bar, like our favored nitro brew,” said Dan, with Sarah adding, “For example, I don’t personally like hazelnut, but I can tell you when something is a good hazelnut or The Rations Café team—Sarah and Dan with Tre and Dedrik a bad hazelnut. We also have a raspberry-vanilla cold brew, which I don’t believe exists anywhere else—because it’s my baby and I created it!” area provides them a nurturing environment. Price as volunteers and enjoyed working in the Rations celebrated its first birthday in April. Serendipity best describes how Rations coffee shop. Sarah and Dan considered what they The café’s World War I/II theme stems from the Café came about. Sarah recalled, “When the boys could do with the space, and what was realistic fact that both Sarah and Dan are veterans. Sarah were fourteen, we had a long conversation about from a financial perspective. hails from a small Illinois town and taught science how we could start positioning for their future. “We thought we could turn this into at Lindenwood University near St. Louis. Dan is They have to do meaningful work.” something the boys could grow into,” she said. “We from Rockville (MD) and commutes to his job as The café’s previous owner, Chris Price, were certain that it would be able to provide a systems analyst. They decided to make their home had established it as a community hub where meaningful work and keep them involved in the in Harpers Ferry because they love the outdoors, hikers and bikers met up, but he was stepping community, which is paramount to their mental while still being close to the city. Most important, away from the business. The building’s owner health. The boys could do this and still have time Sarah’s twin sons, Tre and Dedrik, 16, are on the approached Sarah and Dan and asked them if after business hours for their creative hobbies, such autism spectrum and have special needs, and the they wanted to take over. The twins had helped as computer animation and making videos.” Observer JUNE 2019 | 26

// FEATURE CONT.

FRESH, WILD CAUGHT U.S. SEAFOOD

Rations is conveniently located at Open Fri & Sat: 1102 Washington Street, Bolivar, WV. 10am - 6pm Sun: 10am Mission Accomplished they can pack if they want—breakfast items like ‘til Sold Out Sarah and Dan thought about the feeling they bagel sandwiches and avocado toast, and lunch wanted to create for the café’s customers. It would items like chicken salad on croissants. People [email protected] be brightly lit, with a community table to can dash in, grab something, and go. Everything 540-931-8050 encourage interaction. Music would be cheerful is a la carte. but not overpowering and create a nostalgic And of course, there is the coffee. “We feeling. Sarah was raised by her grandparents, so source our beans through three different suppliers 1422 BLAIR RD / AT THE EZ MART she chose 1920s-1940s swing, early Jazz, and big and we roast them ourselves,” Dan indicated. “All (RT.340 & BLAIR RD) band music. but one are single-origin. The exception is our facebook.com/LesAlisJumboSeafood “This area is Civil War saturated, so I didn’t espresso, which is a blend.” CELEBRATING OUR 24TH SEASON! want to do Civil War,” she explained. “World Rations doesn’t court commuter business Wars I and II are overlooked in this area, plus because commuters (including Dan) are usually we are both prior service. People understand cutting it close. Most of their business is from what rations are, if they understand World Wars locals, and everything is priced accordingly. I and II. My grandfather’s brother was a WWII “We get a lot of National Park Service and COUNTERTOP pilot, so it was a way for me to give subtle nods Harpers Ferry Family Medical Center people,” SOLUT I ONS to my uncle and to my great-grandfather, who he confirmed. served in World War I.” Much of Harpers Ferry’s tourist lodging is One of Sarah’s projects is to salute local not full B&B, so many visitors look for breakfast 10% OFF WWI and II veterans by displaying their photos on weekends. “We needed to garner the support * and stories around the café. “People who lived in of locals first, then visitors would be icing on the GRANITE and QUARTZ this community and then went off to war—some cake, which I think we’ve accomplished,” said Free Sink & Free Cheese Board of them came back and some didn’t.” Sarah. “I feel that we’ve honored the community Most of the town eateries are sit-down, space that Chris Price created.” *0% Financing Available / Discount applied to Material & Fabrication full-service, but many folks want to get up and Rations Café is open daily, from 7am-3pm, hit the trails early and don’t want to take time to and closed on Tuesdays. Find out more at 240-716-6569 sit down and eat a meal. Rations Café aims for www.rationscafe.com, and find Rations Café on 286 Langston Blvd. Martinsburg, WV | Open Daily the people who just want a quick bite—something Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. www.granitecountertopsolutions.com Observer JUNE 2019 | 27

// FOOD & FARMING

winter, described the experience as “one of the best A TASTE OF JAMAICA TAKES vacations, and I’ve traveled all my life. Picture native Jamaican guides with stellar reputations cooking ROOT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY and driving for you and showing you the most beautiful sights … you’re in good hands.” CHRIS GRANT HAS EVOLVED his vision of bringing Chris Grant doing Jennifer Maghan and Brian Bircher, owners the experience of Jamaica to Jefferson County once what he does best. of The Black Dog Coffee Company, took a “leap again. From slinging his intensely delicious grilled of faith” when, after five long years of building jerk chicken in various locations, manufacturing their brand, they decided their need for a getaway and selling his Love Sauce, and organizing the could wait no longer. Grant met them at the airport county’s first Reggae festival—to a now-permanent and proceeded to arrange for daily excursions to installation of the C&G Jerk Center. multiple beaches, trips to roadside markets to “Jerk chicken runs the world in Jamaica,” purchase fresh ingredients for enjoying the local Grant proclaimed, with his signature contagious cuisine, boat rides up the White River and smile. Having officially opened on Memorial Day introductions to new friends, and the sights and last month, Sales Manager Dianne Batt sounds of Jamaica. At the end of their trip, it confirmed, “It’s an amazing journey we’re on, became clear that Grant’s Jerk Center was the and I’m excited for him.” next right step in their collaboration and collective The idea for a local Jerk Center has been vision for the perfect addition to the local small marinating in Grant’s mind for years. In Jamaica, business community. jerk centers are open-aired grills serving up local In speaking with Grant and Batt about their meats and fish with the freshest fruits and brand-building journey, they state clearly that the vegetables. Grant ensures his center will carry on people of Jefferson County have been instrumental this tradition using all natural, locally sourced in their success. It is only natural in this new chapter, and farm-fresh ingredients straight off the grill for Grant to reciprocate. “Giving people a chance and onto your plate. to be part of my life—changing their life by sharing Nestled between The Black Dog Coffee my home and supporting the people who’ve built Company and Twin Ridge Market (8001 me up is a way for me to share my world,” he reflected. Charles Town Road, Shenandoah Junction), C&G The Right Next Step For more information on booking your Jerk Center will feature Grant’s signature In addition to sharing the cultural food and vibes Jamaican excursion, see Grant as you stop in to jerk chicken he describes as “… traditionally of Jamaica locally, Grant now offers the opportunity C&G Jerk Center for your next meal. Hours will served with bread and sauce—and that’s all for a first-hand travel experience that takes be Tuesday–Friday (7am-7pm), Saturday (9am- you need.” adventurers off the beaten path to an immersion 7pm), and Sunday (11am-3pm)—closed on If you want more, however, you’re in luck— into true Jamaican life. Intrepid travelers will stay Mondays. And find out more at C&G Jerk as the menu is expanding to offer up additional in a private home that Grant describes as “simple, Authentic Jamaican Chicken on Facebook. island tastes including breakfast wraps, jerk yet extraordinary with million-dollar views and burgers, salads and vegetarian options, natural the opportunity to rest, relax, and discover Jamaica ARTICLE BY: Wendy Baracka juices, and an occasional appearance of Grant’s on your own time.” famous ox tail and curried goat. Batt, having enjoyed her second trip this past

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// CULTURE

COLOMBIA: PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOU WERE THINKING

WHEN I DECIDED TO VISIT Colombia for a spring The first stop was Medellin, also known as region. Ascending requires a 740-step climb. break trip, I was asked many times if I was “The City of Eternal Spring,” because of its Afterwards, we dined in Guatape, a colorful traveling there to see Pablo Escobar landmarks consistent pleasant, warm climate. Medellin is colonial lakeside town. There, we watched their and participate in other “narco-tourism” the capital of the Antioquia region and is set in a traditional Easter procession. activities, which have gained world notoriety in gorgeous green valley between two Andean Because of its urban rebirth, vast public part because of the widely popular Netflix series mountain ranges. While there, we enjoyed transportation, and aerial cable cars connecting “Narcos.” One of my travel companions had even catching up with old friends, cable car rides the previously isolated parts of the city, Medellin expressed interest in visiting an Escobar with city and mountain views, and revitalized was named the 2013 Most Innovative City by the compound. Of course, I was looking forward to artsy neighborhoods. We took a day trip with Urban Land Institute, a far cry from 1988, when relaxing and sightseeing, but I was also curious some Colombian friends to the Piedra de Time magazine dubbed it the most violent city on to speak to Colombians about views on this recent Penol (Rock of Guatape). This seemingly out-of- Earth. At that time, drug lords like Pablo Escobar tourism interest. place 7,000-foot rock towers over the lake controlled the city with bribes, kidnappings, and

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murders. He was even responsible for bombing a plane and several buildings. His motto was “plata o plomo,” which translates into “silver or lead,” meaning take a bribe or be shot. However, Escobar did use some of his wealth to build housing for poor residents, and donated to other causes. The Netflix series showcases this violent history. Another trending Netflix series, “Dark Tourist,” also gives a glimpse into narco- tourism—travelers visiting former Escobar mansions, his personal prison, an Escobar museum, etc. Tourists even do things as outlandish as meeting with former cartel hit men and playing paintball at Escobar complexes. I wondered what Medellin residents, and Colombians in general, thought of this new tourism trend, and even Escobar himself. Was he actually viewed as some sort of modern-day Robin Hood? After visiting the mountains of Medellin, we flew to the coastal city of Cartagena, a world- sense, and wearing an Escobar shirt is in poor renowned cruise ship port, popular for its intact taste because of the victims.” colonial city and proximity to Caribbean islands. “ I then asked, “What about the increase in From there, we traveled four hours west to the … If you travel to tourism and the people who earn their living off Santa Marta/Taganga area—a mountainous desert of these tours?” She replied that only a small beach region used by locals and tourists as a Medellin … maybe amount of people were profiting, and it wasn’t destination and gateway to Colombia’s famous worth it—and that the region has many other Tayrona National Park. From Taganga, we took a think twice about activities for tourists like mountain biking, the two-hour roller-coaster boat ride through large lake region, paragliding, etc. swells and uncomfortably close jagged cliffs until walking around in that In addition to some residents’ disdain for the rocky desert terrain gave way to lush green narco-tourism, the current mayor of Medellin jungle and the turquoise water of El Cabo San Escobar t-shirt … wants all Escobar memories erased. Two months Juan, Parque Tayrona’s most popular beach. We ago, he had the “Monaca,” Escobar’s huge Medellin then returned to Cartagena and spent our last day home, detonated. However, some folks still hold relaxing on nearby Isla Tierra Bomba. Escobar in high regard. In Barrio Escobar, where ” he housed the poor and built a library, graffiti The Local Take tours. She responded, “There are still tours, but images almost deify him, and some residents feel In Medellin, we toured Comuna 13, the city’s they are not recommended.” She went on to say that he provided more for them than the previously most violent neighborhood, which has that depending on who you’re speaking with, it government ever did. been experiencing a government-funded rebirth may be considered bad manners to talk about Seemingly, only a small portion of Medellin in infrastructure, economy, tourism, and art. In Pablo Escobar in Medellin because he caused so residents view Escobar positively; I encountered 2002, the neighborhood had so many insurgent much chaos. She ended the conversation by saying no one who did. If you travel to Medellin, keep groups that the government violently raided the that he may have built houses for the poor, but in mind these overwhelming negative sentiments community—unfortunately killing and injuring the money was from the “sangre de mucho gente”— towards narco-tourism, and maybe think twice many innocents. Since that time, the government the blood of many people. about walking around in that Escobar t-shirt. added new roofs, houses, and community centers. I also spoke to my friend Jessica on the topic Jenifer, a friend from Barranquilla—a coastal When I visited this neighborhood three of narco-tourism. She is a technology worker who city two hours west of Cartagena—felt that there years prior, I was one of the only tourists there. lives in the upper-middle class neighborhood of is a great misconception about her country. She Now, the neighborhood is a graffiti-covered tourist Laureles, where we stayed. She lived in Texas in put it perfectly when she said: “Don’t come to hotbed, booming with rapping street performers, her twenties, and moved back to Medellin as it Colombia for its past drug culture; come for its food stands, coffee-tasting bars, and resident was being revitalized. Jessica commented that people, the mountains, the beaches, the guides. We chose a local high school girl named narco-tourism was “… not the image we want for progressive neighborhoods, and the culture. Angie, and her mother, as our guides. the city; it is bad memories,” and that the Escobar Colombia is so much more than its past.” The mother began the tour by stating that museum “… is only for gringos [American/ her community had nothing to do with Pablo Europeans]. I would not pay fifteen dollars to see ARTICLE BY: Daniel “Clay” Anders Escobar. I asked her what she thought of the narco something that destroyed my city; it doesn’t make Observer JUNE 2019 | 30

// ENTERTAINMENT

WHERE TO FIND THEATRE

MUSIC, FILM, Old Opera House Boasts Four Plays in One Showing This Month!

AND THEATRE CHARLES TOWN’S RENOWNED Old Opera House Theatre Company (204 N. George St.) is proud to announce the finalists for its popular annual New Voice Play Festival. Each THIS MONTH year, the Old Opera House asks playwrights from across the country to send in their new one-act plays. Four finalists are selected. BY: Evan Benhamu For 2019, the finalists will be presented on the Old Opera House stage this month: Fri/Sat, June 21-22, at 8:00pm, and Sunday, June 23, at 2:30pm. The best part? The Old Opera House is asking its patrons to vote for their favorite play of the festival. Following Sunday’s performance, the votes are tallied and June 2: 2pm June 18: 6:30-pm the festival winners will be announced. SCHEDULE The four selections include: “Frozen in Time” by Mike Sockol, Holmdel, NJ. A Midsummer Open-Mic Directed by Z. Gilbert. Jim's reluctance to take his relationship with Judy to the next Night’s Dream level is tested when the couple discovers that a portal to the “other side” resides inside Shakespeare June 19: 7pm their refrigerator … and it conjures up some unexpected guests. // “Tempting the Hand SHEPHERDSTOWN of Fate” by Chuck Smith, Woodbridge, VA. Directed by Val Phillips. Victoria is an Stand-Up Comedy oncologist with a fatal attraction to Andrew, an ex-cop-turned professor. When a serial June 14 & 15: 8pm Benefit Show for O’HURLEY’S killer targets their local college, Andrew’s ex-partner (and not just in the squad car) Femme Fatale Mike Diesel shows up. // “When All is Revealed” by Carl Williams, Houston, TX. Directed by GENERAL STORE Play Festival Meaghan Whitney. Watch what happens as a young married couple attempt to hide a ohurley.com celebrating female June 22: secret from her parents, but soon learn that some secrets are best revealed. // “Yard playwrights 12pm-11pm Sale” by Charlie Perkins, Charles Town, WV. Directed by Jen George. On a beautiful Thursdays: 7pm summer day, lonely stuffed rabbit, Fluffy, pines for his long-lost owner, Diane. As he sits 2nd-Anniversary Party atop the $5 table at a yard sale alongside other discarded household items awaiting their Jam Sessions w/live music fate, Fluffy wrestles with an uncertain fate and the harsh realization that he may never CHARLES TOWN The Brahman Noodles, see Diane again. Billy Thompson For more information, visit oldoperahouse.org or call 304-725-4420. Adults $15/Students $12. TOWN RUN ABOLITIONIST TAPHOUSE AND June 28: 7pm ALE WORKS HARPERS FERRY June 20: 8m June 23: 6pm COMMUNITY PUB AbolitionistAleWorks.com Paul the Resonator Albannach “Summer Dom Flemons Town Run Taphouse and Abolitionist Ale Works Blues Community Pub Kilt Night” Singer-songwriter on Facebook HARPERS FERRY on Facebook Scottish Warrior EVENT BARN HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT pipes and drums June 4: 6:30pm HarpersFerryEventBarn.com June 1: 9:30pm CHARLES TOWN RACES MARYLAND Open-Mic The Barn of Harpers Ferry Drag show with HollywoodCasino June 29: 8pm on Facebook CharlesTown.com Old Town Flood Stephanie Michaels THE WEINBERG CENTER June 5: 7pm Hollywood Casino at Charles Bluegrass, Country FOR THE ARTS Town Races on Facebook June 8: 9:30pm “Chips and a Drink” WeinBergCenter.org Comedy Tour June 6: 8pm Gingerfunk All Stars Weinberg Center for the David Venhuizen, Eric Wana Woromaa Funk, Rock, June 1: 8pm Arts on Facebook Dadourian, Mike Quindlen Wunkorkestri Reggae, Motown D.L. Hughley VIRGINIA from Estonia Comedy June 13: 7pm June 7: 8pm Folk BRIGHT BOX THEATER ALL SHOWS INCLUDE Eddie Money Nat Downing w/special brightboxwinchester.com A COVER CHARGE. June 22: 8pm and John Waite guest Horace Carey June 7: 8pm Trace Adkins Bright Box on Facebook Rock, Pop Reggae, Soul, Rock Country Mando-Wren and Neel Brown June 7: 8pm BLACK BOX mandolin, guitar, vocals OLD OPERA HOUSE Cade Foehner ARTS CENTER June 15: THEATRE American Idol star blackboxartscenter.org June 13: 8pm June 22: 8pm OldOperaHouse.org blackboxartscenter Dan Buchner Neil Berg’s on Facebook Old Opera House Theatre- 50 Years of Rock Company on Facebook Bluegrass June 20: 8pm Broadway headliners WV Fest Block Party The Bridge June 1: and rock icons w/Beer Garden and June 21 & 22: 8pm, June 15: 12pm Led Zeppelin tribute 2pm & 7pm Bacon, Brews, live music & afterparty June 23: 2:30pm See websites for A Midsummer and Blues Fest The Woodshedders, The New Voice Play Festival June 21: 8pm full schedules. Night’s Dream Dirty Grass Players, Minks multi-artists, food Four one-acts in The Nighthawks Shakespeare Miracle Medicine one showing Rock, Blues Observer JUNE 2019 | 31

// EDUCATION STUDENTS TAKE LOCAL LANDMARK HISTORY PROJECT TO CHARLESTON FOR STATE SOCIAL STUDIES FAIR MOUNTAIN RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL students Yasmine Frye and Sierra Knight combined their research efforts in hopes of taking home the top prize at their school’s recent social studies fair. The young ladies produced an informative social studies project featuring the rich history of one of their favorite places—the Shepherdstown Sweet Shop Bakery. The seventh graders’ work resulted in not only a win at their school, Frye added, “The most interesting thing for me was probably how many but a journey that concluded with a trip to the West Virginia State Social uses the building has had, because I just thought it was a bakery and a Civil Studies Fair in Charleston. Although the pair did not win the fair, the young War hospital. It was also a private school room, a grocery store, and a honor roll students celebrated their second attempt at taking a combined butcher shop.” project to the state level. Frye and Knight used this second trip as a learning She continued, “The bakery itself was founded in 1982 by Howard experience and, as a result, indicated that they now feel more prepared to Butcher. Our essential questions were: Who founded the Sweet Shop Bakery; bring home the top honors for the 2019-20 school year. when was it built; how many soldiers were injured during the Civil War; When asked how they found their inspiration for their second attempt, and what else was the building used for?” Frye stated, “First of all, we love the bakery,” with Knight adding, “We also The project’s journey for Frye and Knight began at the school level. watch the Ghosts of Shepherdstown; we saw some information from the The pair then advanced to the county level, the regional level, and eventually show, and thought this would be a good project to do.” to the state level. They discovered that, as they continued advancing, they To begin their course of study, Frye and Knight tapped into the found new pictures and information to give their project a fresh feel each information provided on the Sweet Shop’s website. Next, the pair contacted time—working together to have as much information for the judges to review the owner to get a first-hand account of the history of the location. In doing as possible. so, the project, titled “The Not So Sweet Story of the Shepherdstown Bakery,” “We got to present our board to the judges,” Knight said—adding that exposed the young ladies to a history lesson they didn’t quite expect. they also prepared an in-depth PowerPoint presentation for judges. Ultimately, Frye and Knight were able to draw upon past experience— Details Revealed taking a project to the state level for their study of the history of Back Creek “The most interesting thing we learned is how there were limbs thrown out Valley. Looking ahead, they plan to continue their work as a team, and with of the top-story window,” Knight said—referencing the brutal way amputated great hope, they will bring back the gold at the state level next year. limbs from Civil War soldiers were removed from the building as doctors and nurses worked vigorously to save the lives of those who fought at battles in the Shepherdstown area. ARTICLE BY: Angela F. Durkin

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