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Unpaid Care

Editorials

Among the many other designations for November is National Family Caregivers Month — a time to recognize the role played by those who sometimes jeopardize their own long-term financial, physical and mental wellbeing to instead care for a loved one in need. According to data from AARP West Virginia, approximately 26% of Mountain State adults fall into the category of being a family caregiver. These people are often unpaid — and on their own — taking care of older parents, spouses and others for whom no one else has stepped up. In fact, AARP estimates there is approximately $3 ...

Healthy Food

Editorials

As Americans try to focus on upcoming holidays and rapidly approaching New Year’s resolutions, data accompanying this National Diabetes Awareness Month reminds that many of us have some work to do regarding our health. This is no time for nasty digs about SNAP and the health of those living in states with high numbers of people living both below the poverty line and in food deserts. In fact, where access to affordable, nutritious options is limited, health woes that go far beyond hunger are plentiful. It’s no surprise, then, that WalletHub’s “Most Overweight and Obese ...

Heartfelt gratitude

Columnists

Thomas Merton wrote, “To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything.” The older I become, the wiser these words seem. Now in the tenth year of my presidency at Davis & Elkins College, I ask your indulgence for a personal reflection in this edition of my “Reflecting Along the Journey” column. As we prepare for the uniquely American holiday of Thanksgiving, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the honor and privilege of serving as the 15th president of D&E. The journey Lisa and I have shared with our many friends and acquaintances who are part of the ...

Helping Hands

Editorials

The Inter-Mountain has added a new daily feature, beginning in last Saturday’s edition. Each day we will publish a graphic offering information on where and when food assistance is available in our local counties, and how and where food can be donated to help feed local people. Today’s Helping Hands feature is located on Page A9. It includes information for Randolph, Barbour, Pocahontas, Tucker and Upshur counties. With the federal government continuing to be mired in a shutdown — and pausing the funding on crucial programs like SNAP and Head Start —we feel it is more ...

Voting

Editorials

Imagine being 18 (or nearly 18) years old and having someone like the West Virginia Secretary of State tell you that, at least in one aspect, you are just as powerful as someone like Taylor Swift or the president of the United States. That’s what local students learned when Secretary Kris Warner visited Parkersburg High School and Wood County Christian School this week to encourage them to register to vote when they are eligible. “We are all equal in this country,” Warner said. “When we all go to the ballot box, we all have the same rights and opportunities.” Warner was ...

Interim meetings are important

Columnists

November legislative interim meetings began Sunday at Pipestem Resort State Park near Hinton in Summers County, continuing today and wrapping up Tuesday. This is the second time lawmakers have traveled for interims, with the Legislature holding interim meetings at Stonewall Resort near Roanoke in Lewis County. It’s part of the Legislature’s efforts to travel to different parts of the state and learn more about the unique regions in West Virginia. While West Virginia is unfortunately stereotyped as one image of the hillbilly, we know that our communities are vastly different and ...