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* Grassroots, community groups willing to work hard and stick with a goal CAN make a difference. The Historic Harmar Bridge Company in Marietta is proof, as the group celebrated earlier this month receiving a $950,000 grant toward the initial engineering and design work for the swing span of the bridge -- just one step toward the aim of full restoration of the bridge. "This is just the beginning," said Ali Schultheis, communications director for the Historic Harmar Bridge Company. "This grant is a huge step toward our goal of salvaging and rehabilitating the bridge. It means the state hears us - it hears the people of Marietta." Community support will continue to be crucial as the bridge company forges ahead with this project. But for now, there is good reason for congratulations on a fantastic start.
* Jackson Middle School students got to learn -- and write -- about much of what is wild and wonderful in our state as the sixth and seventh grade English Language Arts classes put together a nature book filled with facts about the species found in West Virginia. Both real and ... unverified ... species were included -- from stink bugs and copperheads to the Flatwoods Monster. And with the help of local author and former teacher Don Stansberry, they created a book that will be treasured for years to come. "It might feel like just a story you wrote for school, but this is something you can show your kids or grandkids someday," teacher Cherish George told students. "Reality is you have to write. You're in school. You learn to write... so now you're writing with an actual purpose." Copies are $20 each, and are available at West Virginia Credit Union in Vienna. Given the talent that went into putting it together, surely it will be a best-seller.