Applause to a Randolph County Technical Center student who created wooden ornaments for the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree — which was harvested in Randolph County — that are now being produced in smaller versions. Faith Nelson, a Mill & Cabinet student under the direction of teacher Jonathon Clingerman, designed and created large wooden ornaments depicting local scenes and nature. The laser-cut ornaments decorated the tree in Washington, D.C. Smaller versions of the ornaments are now being created for interested local residents. 

Applause to everyone who fought to let French Creek Freddie have his big moment Friday, after the annual Groundhog Day ceremony at the West Virginia Wildlife Center had been canceled. Gov. Jim Justice announced the bad news Wednesday, and offered his highly critical opinion of the federal decision that had shut down the Center. Justice was back with better news on Thursday, announcing that the ceremony would indeed be held, and that the public could attend. Freddie held up his end of the bargain on Friday morning, predicting spring is on the way for our area. Let’s hope the Wildlife Center can reopen soon, and that French Creek Freddie’s prognostications will continue for many years.

Applause to a special fundraiser for the Randolph County Humane Society Saturday raised more than $1,300. The Humane Society hosted a series of fundraising events across town in January billed as “Pours 4 Paws.” Beander’s Restaurant and Tavern, Big Timber Brewing, El Toro Steakhouse, Jimbo’s Place and DiBella’s Third Street Bar & Grill played host to the events. At each location, patrons were treated to an evening of food and drink specials, as well as entertainment. The final event, at DiBella’s, raised $1,300 for the cause.

Applause to Randolph County organizations and residents receiving a passel of arts grants during a ceremony hosted by Justice and West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History Curator Randall Reid-Smith. The Arts Center in Elkins received a $14,448 Arts Partners grant; Augusta Heritage received a $2,200 Creative Aging for Lifelong Learning grant, a $20,000 Community Arts Project Support grant and a $1,781 Living Traditions: Folk Arts grant; ArtsBank received a $5,000 Youth Engagement through Public Art grant; the Randolph County Commission received a $4,455 Youth Engagement through Public Art grant for a mural at the county’s new public swimming pool/splash pad; the Mountain State Forest Festival received $38,187 in Legislative Line Item funding; and Kiara Williams, of the local music group Key to Adam, received a $3,750 Professional Development for Artists grant.