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Birthday bash in Barbour County

Hello from Barbour County! Teter Creek community will be having a birthday bash on June 28 beginning at 10 am. Come on out for a fun day of corn hole, cake walk, karaoke, food and more. There will be a Summer Tea Buffett on June 29 at Adaland Mansion. Call 304-457-1587 to reserve your spot. The 3pm seating is still available to reserve. Cost is $35 per person The Barbour County Fairgrounds is wanting crafters and vendors for their Independence Day Celebration on July 5. Festivities will be from 10 am to 8 pm. Indoor and outdoor spaces are available to rent. Applications are ...

Every day is a new opportunity for employers to retain talent

They are poaching our people. They stole one of our best employees. Such statements are heard periodically. They reflect a misunderstanding of the employee/company relationship. Employees, unless contracted in a way that does not allow departures (or allows them only under certain conditions), are free to work where they want to and leave when they want to. No one “poaches” or “steals” anyone. They might try to recruit an employee, and they might succeed if the person is open to leaving…which is a good reason to be proactive about retaining talent.  There are times when ...

Foreign policy

Donald Trump‘s foreign policy has been one of restraint and resolve. Although the bombing of the Iranian nuclear facilities has been depicted as an escalation, it actually is consistent with Trump‘s approach from the beginning. It demonstrates what the United States can do without being a bridge burner. In essence, it is enough without doing too much. Unlike George W Bush’s policy, it is limited—no boots on the ground and performative. As well, it is a mandate to de-escalate Israel’s assault on Iran. Trump clearly wants to limit the damage. He understandably does not want an ...

Legacy of leadership and learning

This week’s guest writer is Leon Kaye, who will improve City of Elkins online communications. Herman Guy Kump, the 19th Governor of West Virginia (1933–1937), was a pivotal leader during the Great Depression, championing public education, roads, and federal works projects to revitalize the state. A native of Hampshire County and longtime Elkins resident, Kump began his political career as prosecuting attorney, mayor of Elkins, and judge before serving as governor. Known for his integrity and dedication to his family and community, he retired to his Elkins home after his term, ...

Punching down at political minority

At what point does one quit trying to keep winning the last political party primary? At one point does one stop trying to play to the perceived whims of a base and simply just govern? Gov. Patrick Morrisey won the 2024 GOP primary with 33.3% of the vote in a six-person primary. Albeit Morrisey didn’t win a clear majority and his closest competitor — former House Judiciary Committee Chairman Moore Capito — was only about five points behind Morrisey, but he did win. Turning to the general election, Morrisey carried the state last November with nearly 62% of the vote — a more ...

Fast-changing events making, or remaking, history

Events are moving fast. Seven days ago, as I write, Israel had not yet launched its first attacks on targets in Iran. Seven days from now, things may well have changed — significantly. In such times, a historian’s perspective may be helpful. Fortunately, the two most eminent English-language historians (pace, Tucker Carlson) have weighed in with analysis. “There are some moments in history,” writes Andrew Roberts, author of deeply sourced and bestselling biographies of Winston Churchill, George III and Napoleon, in The Free Press, “when a sudden act of opportune ...