Applause to longtime Elkins resident Zan White, who was honored with three separate celebrations in honor of his turning 100 years old on Feb. 2. The first centennial birthday party for White, who was born in Job on Feb. 2, 1924, took place when the ROMEO Club offered a celebration at the McDonald’s restaurant in Elkins during breakfast hours. The club consists of a group of area residents who meet regularly at McDonald’s throughout the week for fun and fellowship. During the morning visit, Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon presented White with a Distinguished Citizen Award. Elbon told those present that White lived in the former Randolph County Jail on High Street for many years as a young boy. The second birthday celebration took place at Mountain Memories Assisted Living and Retirement Center, where he resides. The third party was thrown by his family at the Holiday Inn Express. During the third celebration, Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco presented White with a Certificate of Achievement, and the Mayor’s Challenge Coin, in honor of his military service.

Applause to the Barbour County Family Support Center for providing fresh food to more than 200 families in recent weeks. On Jan. 26, the Center received a truckload of 11,000 pounds of fresh food, including cabbage, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots. The staff distributed the food to more than 200 families. Officials said the produce will be available any time the Family Support Center is open until it is gone. The food pantry hours are 11-7 p.m. at the Golden Rule on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and at the Junior Community Center on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please call the family support center at 304-606-8087 with any questions.

Applause to a Barbour County healthcare professional who has been named the winner of a statewide award. Rhonda Parker, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with the Barbour Community Health Association, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) State Award for Excellence in West Virginia. Parker, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, joined BCHA in 2020. She works with patients who struggle with stress, depression, sadness, anxiety and concentration, memory, fear, paranoia, or addiction concerns. The State Award for Excellence is given annually to a nurse practitioner in each state who demonstrates excellence in clinical care. Parker will receive her award in June at the 2024 AANP National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Applause to a local boy and his family for making a proclamation declaring Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week in Elkins. Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco signed the proclamation this week alongside young Silas Cooper, who has Congenital Heart Disease, and his family members Makenzie Cooper, Roxanna Cooper and Terry Cooper. “They brought the proclamation idea to me the past two years, actually,” Marco said of the Cooper family. “They brought Silas in, and I got to meet with him the past two years. He’s an impressive young man and he’s doing well. They have little bracelets that say, ‘Silas Strong,’ and I still had mine from last year, so I wore it for this proclamation as well.” The proclamation, for Feb. 7-14, aims to raise awareness and promote understanding of congenital heart disease, the most common birth defect in the United States, affecting one in every 100 births, city officials said.