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Take time to replenish yourself, and others who make a difference

Self-replenishment matters. Today it is understood how important it is to keep ourselves hydrated with water. If we do not do so, there can be serious health consequences. I feel the same is true of replenishing oneself with good thoughts and messages. I recently coauthored a book with my good friend Dr. Janet Pilcher. The book is called “The Extraordinary Gift: Our Teachers.”  The idea for the book came from a previous book of mine titled “The Calling: Why Healthcare Is So Special.” The idea is that people are called to the role they have, from work to community to ...

History of scandals

Beware of sharp historical parallels, especially when it comes to current affairs. The Jeffrey Epstein situation is an example in that it represents a potential minor problem becoming a major event, comparable to the Watergate break-in. However, that is where the comparison stops with the scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon in August 1974. Democrats were far stronger in 1973 than they are now. Despite George McGovern’s landslide loss to Nixon, Democrats controlled both Houses of Congress. Moreover, the Supreme Court was far more liberal than it is today. Remember, the ...

Kump pasture is now a wetland

In 1900 after Goddin Inn burned, the Goddin family decided not to rebuild the old inn that stood south of Seneca Road before the Civil War. In 1913 Edna and Guy Kump bought the old inn site on 11 acres of land along Goddin Creek between Seneca Road and the railroad track, where they would have a family farm and their children would learn to garden and care for animals. During 1924 and 2025 the Kumps lived in Edna’s grandparents’ home known as the “Logan House” in Beverly while Mr. Whiteman built their Elkins home with a driveway opening onto Randolph Avenue. The new house ...

Greetings

Hello, West Virginia, If we haven’t met, I would like to introduce myself. I am Michael T. Benson — you can call me “Mike” — president of West Virginia University. I officially started July 15 and I am amazed at how three decades of work in higher education across the United States have brought me, step by step, to the place I belong — the beautiful state of West Virginia in a position to lead its flagship, land-grant institution into a new era. My wife, Debi, is especially looking forward to experiencing the four seasons the Mountain State offers after our time under ...

Adventure time

Every day is an adventure with Donald Trump in the White House. One week, he appears to distance himself from his MAGA base and cozy up to neoconservatives and RINO regulars. Give him another seven days, and he cozies up to the Steve Bannons and the “influencers” of the ultra-right. He is predictable only in that he is as emphatic in endorsing a position and just as strident when he repudiates it a week later. A good example of this is his rapid rehabilitation of the “Intelligence Referee” Tulsi Gabbard. Less than a month ago, he declared that she was “wrong” on her ...

Hacking a lawmaker

We have another alleged case of hacking of a lawmaker. Last Monday, Del. Charles Sheedy, R-Marshall, posted on the Marshall County WV Republican Club Facebook page that he sent a letter to Gov. Patrick Morrisey and the state congressional delegation regarding the lack of a federal disaster declaration for Ohio and Marion counties. The following is taken directly from that letter as he (allegedly) wrote it: “Constituents in District 7 are asking why President Trump has not issued a FEMA Disaster Declaration for Ohio and Marion Counties? My constituents are also yours and they ...