Open-Air Fall Market Returns for its Third Year

The third annual Minted Vintage Market, an up-scale, open-air market and unofficial autumn kick off, offered “sights, scents, and sounds of fall” to visitors at the Wood County 4-H Campground in Mineral Wells Saturday, Oct. 2.

John and Megan Duncan, Minted Vintage makers, share a mission of creating quality, handmade goods that will offer a lasting and unique impression in clients’ homes. They reuse and salvage where they can, and when they can’t, they strive to waste as little new material as possible. The Market has become a signature event for the couple.

“Year three was our biggest and best yet,” Megan said. “We are just blown away by the support of this community. Our favorite part of this year’s Market, for sure, was seeing so many happy people, enjoying such a beautiful day, while loving on so many of our favorite small shops.

“We couldn’t have been more excited to gather the more than 80 incredibly talented artists, creatives, curators, makers, and pickers who were on display; our vision is to showcase local talent through a diversified group of small businesses,” Megan said. “They worked so hard to prepare for our visitors’ arrival, and it was wonderful to see so many appreciate their passions and abilities. We aim to utilize the most talented makers and artisans in the Mid-Ohio Velley and surrounding areas.”

One vendor said she’s been doing this for 20 years and never sold so much during a one-day event.

Vendors ran the gamut from candle makers to jewelers, with florists, clothing creators, and potters in between – truly something for every customer in attendance. Visitors to the Market could leave their mark by signing a colorful chalk wall and were encouraged to pose with three festive autumn displays and to share photos of their experiences via social media using #mintedvintagemarket2021.

Early-bird tickets were $10 and featured wristbands that allowed holders access to the Market at 9 a.m. with special discounts and gifts from more than 30 vendors. General admission tickets were $5 and available online and at the gate; children 12 and under were admitted free of charge. The Market opened to the public at 10 a.m. and closed at 4 p.m.

“It was a mad rush in the morning. A couple vendors, including Ruth’s Big Apples, sold out within the first hour! Many of our vendors told us they had a record sales day, and one vendor said she’s been doing this for 20 years and never sold so much during a one-day event,” Megan said.

Betsy Metz of Cedar Run Farm Maple Syrup said this year’s Market was, in a word, perfect. “Everything! The weather, the vendors, the food, the music, the venue – the Duncans and crew are the best!” Metz said. “They are so organized and think of every detail. Cedar Run Farm loves being there and absolutely will continue to take part in this event in the future.”

The 2020 Minted Vintage Market featured safety protocols necessitated by the COVID pandemic, like additional space between vendors, and the Duncans considered customers’ wellbeing a top priority. “The 4H Camp made many improvements to the grounds including adding a covered area behind the barn, so we kept the more spread out layout we used last year as well as the hand-washing and sanitizer stations; those were positive take-aways or additions to the Market,” Megan said. “We also added extra restrooms to eliminate long lines and encouraged masks and social distancing.”

It was the perfect fall day with a fabulous turnout to support the many local artisans.

The 2021 Market marked the return of food trucks, and Shannon Hartshorn of DiCarlo’s Original Pizza said the gorgeous Saturday was a welcome opportunity to meet new people. “From a vendor perspective, it was the perfect fall day with a fabulous turnout to support the many local artisans,” Hartshorn said. “The crowd came hungry, too, with the majority in search of our pepperoni rolls and subs. We love feeding the community at events like these and expanding our customer base.”

Other participating food trucks included The Bodega, Granny Mae’s, Jimmy Avocado’s, Timmy’s Original Food Truck, and Walking Waffle. Additionally, many vendors again offered yummy snacks and refreshing drinks; available foods and beverages included caramel apples, caramel corn, cotton candy, freshly baked bread, local honey, roasted almonds and pecans, iced cookies, ice cream, pretzels, smoothies, and homemade salsa with bagged organic tortilla chips.

Jennifer Wright, owner of The Bodega, labeled this year’s Market the best yet. “What an amazing day,” she said. “John and Megan always put on such a good show!

“We were slinging lots of coffee beans, which means there were so many kind, supportive people showing up,” Wright said. “Experiencing what we have during these past 18 months, maybe it just means even more to get to be together and to rally for each other. There are so many awesome vendors who now have become friends, and it’s really just a special space. We loved getting to be a part of the day and are grateful to everyone who made it possible.”

We have such an incredible community and cannot say ‘thank you’ enough.

Live entertainment also returned to the 2021 Market, with performances by Kendall Ferrebee, Jake B. Eddy and band, and the Laurel Creek Band. Music also was provided by local DJ Dan Lyons.

“We loved being able to have food trucks and live music back this year,” Megan said. “Those allow us to provide the full Market experience! We also added a kids’ area for young Market goers to play during breaks from shopping. We had pumpkin games like ring toss and tic tac toe next to the changing station tent available to moms and dads.

“What JOY it was to see so much happiness Saturday,” Megan said. “We have such an incredible community and cannot say ‘thank you’ enough. We already are looking forward to and planning next year.”

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A New Salon Experience Available in Vienna

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a creative approach to meeting everyday demands, desires, and needs. Enter Brian and Emily Allman, who, via The Suites on Grand Central, are reimagining the local salon experience.

“Brian and I purchased Dr. Azar’s former office, and my State Farm agency also is in the building,” Emily said. “We wanted to bring a new business everyone in the Mid-Ohio Valley could benefit from. And, due to salons being forced to close and a need for social distancing, we saw an opportunity to create a modern, unique salon experience that allows for client privacy and safety within separate, large rooms for each salon professional.”

The building features eight suites. Currently, three cosmetologists and one esthetician are open and operating on site, with another cosmetologist set to join the team this month. The Allmans are seeking a barber, a massage therapist, and a nail technician, as clients have requested these services.

By providing increased privacy within the individual suites, the clients felt more comfortable speaking openly with their salon professional.

“We realized by providing increased privacy within the individual suites, the clients felt more comfortable speaking openly with their salon professionals,” Emily said. “For example, they can discuss hair-loss or other health issues without adjoining clients being able to overhear. Many have commented about the peace of mind and relaxed atmosphere the suite-style environment provides.”

“We pride ourselves on amenities, cleanliness, and professionalism, and we are an ADA-compliant facility. And, in addition, each lady has decorated her suite to fit her style, and it really is awesome to see the individual personalities shine through.”

The name, The Suites on Grand Central, is a nod to private rooms in the salon industry. “Those rooms are referred to as suites,” Emily said. “Plus, hotel suites are known for having more amenities than traditional rooms, and that is exactly what The Suites on Grand Central provides. Including Grand Central in the name was intended to make The Suites accessible and easy for potential clients to find.”

Kendra Shope of Beauty by Kendra is one of the cosmetologists offering services to customers at The Suites. Shope, a graduate of Paul Mitchell the School in Lexington, Kentucky, and a certified eyelash extension artist, moved to the Mid-Ohio Valley in October 2020, and her business has since flourished.

“In the process of relocating from Kentucky to Ohio, I had to transfer my car insurance,” Shope said. “The stars just aligned when I received a call from Emily Allman’s State Farm office. They had received my information from a State Farm office in Lexington and noticed my email was ‘beautybykendrarayann.’”

“The agent mentioned Emily was in a new building, and she and her husband were adding salon suites behind her office. It immediately sparked my interest!”

When Shope visited The Suites for the first time, it was only at the studs. “The rooms were outlined, and the walls were going to be put up the following week,” Shope said. “Emily was incredibly kind and easy to talk to, and she shared her dream and vision of bringing something new and special to the area.”

“That same day, I gave her my commitment to The Suites and picked out suite number one because it was large enough to accommodate my lash chair and all of my hair supplies,” Shope said. “The room was perfect!”

In the months that followed, Shope prepared to launch a new business in an area completely foreign to her. “I officially opened my suite the second week of June, and the support from Emily and the community has been amazing,” she said. “It takes a lot of commitment and courage to start a business; the idea is scary. But, I put all of my heart into what I do every day in hopes of my own dream blowing up into something amazing.”

Most people enjoy their time in my chair, as it may be the only quiet time they get in a day or week.

“I love art and history, and I love to explore, so visiting new-to-me places in the area has made me fall head over heels for it,” Shope said. “The Blennerhassett Hotel is gorgeous, the boutiques in Marietta are adorable, Scoops in St. Mary’s is delicious, and I love the closeness to Athens. I cannot wait to visit more new places, especially during spooky season, and I just enjoy all the opportunities to meet so many new people.”

Shope agrees the suite concept allows her clients peace of mind and peace in general. “When I have lash clients in my chair, the door is closed, and their favorite music or podcast plays in the background to make the overall experience as relaxing as possible,” she said. Most people enjoy their time in my chair, as it may be the only quiet time they get in a day or week. Some even take what we call a ‘lash nap.’”

Shope says lash extensions truly have taken off since she opened this summer. “Lashes are amazing,” she said. “It’s so nice to be able to wake up and go. The clients love the look and the convenience.

“I have a portfolio and booking site that make it super easy to choose the service you want and to book the days and times that work for you,” Shope said. I offer classic, hybrid, volume, and mega volume sets and fills, and as for hair, I offer all color services and specialize in lived-in color. I hope to offer extensions soon, but right now, my heart and soul are in making lashes beautiful and educating myself on all the color services I can!”

To book with Beauty by Kendra, visit her Facebook page or her website or call (740) 464-4422.

The Suites are managed by cosmetologist Esther Stalnaker of Adventurous Creations. Stalnaker has worked in the industry for 26 years and provides haircuts to male and female clients as well as color services including bayalage, foiling, and ombre. Amayah Lauer of Studio 21 joined The Suites this fall and specializes in blonding and extensions, and Lisa Jett, a licensed esthetician, offers brow and lash services, facials, and waxing in her suite, Blush Skin Spa.

The Allmans had planned a Grand Opening Celebration for this fall but have decided to postpone because of increased COVID-19 numbers throughout the area. “I’m not sure now is the best time,” Emily said. “We want as many people to attend as possible but under safe conditions.”

The Suites on Grand Central are located at 1801 Grand Central Avenue, Vienna. For information related to securing an available suite, send a direct message to The Suites Facebook page.

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West Virginia Central Federal Credit Union Stuffs the Bus

For the tenth consecutive year, West Virginia Central Federal Credit Union (WVCCU) is assisting educators in purchasing supplies as they prepare to return to their classrooms for the 2021-2022 school year.

“We started the program in 2011,” said Michael Tucker, WVCCU President and CEO. “We took it over from Old Man Rivers Mission, which founded the program and ran it for years.”

Approximately 670 teachers in a six-county region, including Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt, and Wood in West Virginia, and Washington in Ohio, received $30 checks, up from $25 last year. In previous years, teachers received bags filled with traditional school supplies, but according to Allie Creech, former marketing strategist with WVCCU, during the pandemic, checks eliminated supply-chain concerns as well as unnecessary exposure for teachers who would be required to visit WVCCU offices to collect their supplies.

WVCCU was able to donate $18,750 to participating teachers, thanks in part to the program’s corporate sponsors: Commonwealth Financial, DuPont, Jeff Burrell Appraisals, Old Man Rivers, and Trademark Solutions. Creech said many individuals also donated via teller lines by asking that funds be transferred to the Stuff the Bus campaign.

Checks for the 2020-2021 school year were accompanied by tie-dyed cotton facemasks, while this year’s checks arrived with stickers that read, “I survived pandemic teaching 2020-2021.”

The money really does help to provide everyday classroom supplies.

“My husband, Rusty, and I both teach, and we both have benefitted from Stuff the Bus for several years,” said Lora Miller, librarian and health teacher at Edison Middle School. “The money really does help to provide everyday classroom supplies. That way, our faculty senate money can be dedicated to larger items also used to facilitate our students’ learning.”

Jessica Sandy, a teacher at Neale Elementary School in Vienna, said the community support is encouraging. “It is so nice to know many in our area are behind our teachers and in turn our students. Their willingness to give a donation and to trust the educators to know how to use that money to serve students is uplifting.”

“In the past, bags of supplies were very helpful,” Sandy said. “Now, the checks allow for even more flexibility to provide each individual classroom with what is needed most.”

“We like to operate under the philosophy of people helping people,” Tucker said. “WV Central loves to support efforts that benefit our community and especially ones that are supportive of our young people. When we took the effort over, it was our desire to help reduce the burden on our local teachers who were spending their own money to purchase needed items.

“We also hoped it would provide needed items for our students. We believe that we have been able to make a real difference over the last 10 years and are extremely proud of the support from our members, officials, staff and other local businesses.”

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The Minted Vintage Market, an up-scale, open-air market and unofficial fall kick-off, offered a “day of simple joys” to visitors at the Wood County 4-H Campgrounds Saturday, Oct. 3.

John and Megan Duncan, Minted Vintage makers, share a mission of creating quality, handmade goods that will offer a lasting and unique impression in clients’ homes. They reuse and salvage where they can, and when they can’t, they strive to waste as little new material as possible. The Market has become a signature event for the couple. “Truly, the day was such a joy,” Megan said. “We are just blown away by the support of this community. Everyone was kind and patient, and many customers told us it was a day they needed. It was a breath of fresh air!”

“We couldn’t have been more excited to gather the more than 60 incredibly talented artists, creatives, curators, makers, and pickers who were on display; our vision is to showcase local talent through a diversified group of small businesses,” Megan said. “They worked so hard to prepare for our visitors’ arrival, and it was wonderful to see so many appreciate their passions and abilities. We aim to utilize the most talented makers and artisans in the Mid-Ohio Valley and the surrounding areas.”

Vendors ran the gamut from candle makers to jewelers, with florists, clothing creators, and potters in between – truly something for every customer in attendance. Visitors also could select pumpkins and gourds from the Pumpkin Truck and pose with a festive autumn display. Early-bird tickets were $10 and featured wristbands that allowed holders access to the Market at 9 a.m. with special discounts and gifts from more than 20 vendors. General admission tickets were $5 and available online and at the gate. The market opened to the general public at 10 a.m. and closed at 4 p.m.

“It was a mad rush in the morning. A few vendors sold out within the first hour! Many of our vendors told us they had a record sales day, and one vendor said she’s been doing this for 20 years and never sold so much during a one-day event,” Megan said. “Several of our new vendors this year participated due to the Pumpkin Festival in Milton, West Virginia, being canceled; it typically occurs on the same day. They said they would be coming back to the Market from now on!”

The 2020 Minted Vintage Market, the second of its kind, featured safety protocols necessitated by the COVID pandemic, like additional space between vendors, and the Duncans considered customers’ wellbeing a top priority.

“We had to make many changes this year due to COVID. We were not able to offer food trucks, live music, or extra activities. We also had to require masks inside the barn as well as outside when physical distancing wasn’t possible,” Megan said. “Regardless of those changes, everyone seemed to have a great time! The weather was beautiful, and there was plenty of shopping to enjoy.”

While food trucks were not present, many vendors offered pre-packaged snacks and bottled beverages. Available foods included caramel apples, caramel corn, freshly baked bread, local honey, roasted almonds and pecans, iced cookies, ice cream, pretzels, and homemade salsa with bagged organic tortilla chips.

“Next fall, as long as things are closer to ‘normal,’ we plan to bring back food trucks, live music, workshops, and other fun activities,” Megan said. “We will be keeping the more spread out layout we used this year as well as the sanitizer stations; those were positive take-aways or additions to the Market this year!”

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For many, quarantine can be compared to a roller coaster. There are up days, those on which you feel fairly well adjusted, and there are down days, those on which you exist in an agitated, anxious state; you feel sort of off, stressed out, or weird, and time flows like you’re wading through sand. While this fluctuation is normal, some are struggling more than others and experiencing more lows than highs. According to Douglas Pfeifer, CEO of Life and Purpose Behavioral Health, a mental health and addictions outpatient treatment center that provides person-centered treatment and mental health services and support to five Washington County school systems including Belpre and Marietta, trauma can be defined as an experience in which one feels helpless, powerless, and overwhelmed by an event or events impacting daily life and functioning.

Trauma can be understood through the three E’s: event, experience, and effect. The event itself doesn’t necessarily make something traumatic, but a person’s experiences related to the event and the effects it has on that person’s life are what creates the trauma. “COVID-19 is a significant event that each person will experience differently based on its individual effects,” Pfeifer said. “We can foster resilience and strength based on how we respond to this crisis and tend to our emotional and physical wellbeing.”

Making the unpredictable predictable and staying connected will help us to get through this difficult time.

“When we experience stress in an unpredictable, severe, and prolonged way, it produces vulnerability that subsequently leads to problems like anxiety, depression, and substance use. However, if stress is predictable, moderate, and controlled, we build resilience. Although at times, this pandemic can cause us to feel helpless, we are not helpless in our own self-care. Making the unpredictable predictable and staying connected will help us to get through this difficult time.”

Building Resilience

Pfeifer suggested the following ideas regarding how to cultivate resilience during the ongoing pandemic:

Schedule your exposure to stress. Limit media consumption and social media use, and seek and stick to reputable sources of information detailing the COVID-19 crisis.

Stay regulated. Find times throughout the day to engage in calming activities like drawing, exercising, listening to music, playing outdoors with family, or taking a walk.

Focus on your breath. Our ability to stay regulated centers on our breath. Take deep, belly breaths throughout the day, but especially when you notice yourself feeling stressed as evidenced by an increase in heart rate, shallow breathing, tension, and/or discomfort.

Physical distancing does not have to become social distancing. Stay socially connected with family and friends using video platforms like FaceTime, Google Hangout, Zoom, etc.

Help others. Generosity is a universal need; we find joy, purpose, and value when we help others, and this is a great antidote to toxic stress.

Reach out. If you are struggling to cope despite making efforts to do so, reach out and seek help from area counseling services. Asking for help is a sign of strength.

Telehealth Options

Area providers continue to provide services through telehealth, using Zoom, or via phone for those who lack access to computer or Internet technology. “We have some staff providing in-person services, but that is more so in the arena of addiction,” Pfeifer said. “When stay-at-home is lifted, we plan to focus first on intensive services.

“We have a great number of staff who share their ideas and continue to explore ways to engage clients on video,” said Pfeifer. “Telehealth is not as scary as it might seem once we begin to get familiar with it, and in fact, we believe it will be a part of our day-to-day when things begin to return toward normal.”

Both Ohio and West Virginia have established communication tools for those in need of addiction or mental health services. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS) launched a mental health COVID-19 CareLine for Ohioans. Trained staff are available to provide emotional assistance to anyone struggling with mental health concerns due to the ongoing stress of the pandemic. The number to call is 1-800-720-9616, and all calls will remain confidential.

We are encouraging people to reach out for services, to not let those mental health services go.

April 21, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and representatives of the Department of Health and Human Resources’ (DHHR) Office of Drug Control Policy announced the development of a smartphone app for individuals in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD). The app, aimed at reducing isolation and offering support resources to state residents will allow treatment providers across West Virginia to remain connected and engaged with patients.

Developed by CHESS Health of Rochester, NY, the app is an evidence-based mobile application designed and proven to provide ongoing support and relapse prevention. Features of the Connections app include group discussions, peer support, and socialization, one-on-one messaging with a care team, recovery progress tracking, and eTherapy programs for learning and practicing key recovery skills. Individuals use an alias name to maintain anonymity within the online communities, which only will include other West Virginians.

The Connections app will be available, at no cost, to individuals through their treatment provider and to those in recovery no longer affiliated with a provider. Providers and those in recovery seeking information about access to the Connections app or the CHESS Health platform can visit this website.

Social Connections are Key

Pfeifer said maintaining relationships with family, friends, and loved ones during such a difficult time is equally important, as social distancing also can lead to social isolation. “The biggest loss here is the loss of connection. We are encouraging people to reach out for services, to not let those mental health services go. Yet losing social connections can have damaging effects for all of us, and so we emphasize physical distancing rather than social distancing.

A short text or phone call, a Zoom get together, or a written note are great ways to connect.

“It doesn’t take much to make someone feel loved,” he said. “A short text or phone call, a Zoom get together, or a written note are great ways to connect. We have been eating meals in the back of our car parked at our parents’ home while maintaining distance yet getting a decent social connection. And if you can set a predictable schedule of social connection throughout your week, it will create routine and structure, which add to the benefit of social connection.”

A number of mental health checklists have been shared through social media outlets as well, and while Pfeifer is encouraged by the widespread publication of these ideas, he also urges mindfulness. “It is great to see these ideas circulate because it means people are attempting to help others and trying to create positive outcomes,” Pfeifer said. “However, mental health is more than just do this, and do that.”

“For example, exercise is vitally important and necessary, but if you work out at 6 a.m. then sit in front of the TV for the rest of the day watching the news and reading social media posts about the dangers of COVID and how vulnerable we are, then you will continue to struggle as exposure will offset exercise. It is about repetition, and we will cope better through small, repeated doses of regulating activities versus one big, daily dose. And the most significant component remains social connection. There will be consequences to eating more and exercising less, but we are social beings, and many health problems can be tied to a lack of attachment and connection.”

As a community, we have to take care of ourselves so we can continue to care for others.

Pfeifer is optimistic this pandemic will bring about lasting changes in attitudes regarding mental health struggles and supports. “Everyone experiences this crisis differently based on whether they are vulnerable or resilient,” Pfeifer said. “In times of need, people step up to help and care for others, including those most at risk, yet my concern is that we will become exhausted, and the empathy and giving will fade away. So, as a community, we have to take care of ourselves so we can continue to care for others.”

“This is not the first crisis we have faced that brought about an increase in generosity and understanding from our community, yet it is a crisis that has impacted all of us rather than just a portion, so I am hopeful COVID normalizes mental health,” said Pfeifer. “I hope we are able to take time to reflect on our experiences and discuss with others how COVID has altered our lives and the benefits gained from compassion and generosity, so that going forward, we will be progressively thoughtful rather than reactive.”

The post Caring for Mental Health During the COVID-19 Crisis appeared first on Clutch MOV.

As Friday, April 17, approached, I found myself, like many other area parents, struggling to brainstorm ideas to make my son’s birthday special. Quarantine poses many obstacles to traditional birthday parties. Bowling with friends, which he requested months ago, was impossible, as was any type of in-person celebration with family, classmates, or teammates. As a soon-to-be 9-year-old, Bronson was more understanding of our current climate and social limitations than perhaps a younger child – like his sister -would be, but he was no less prone to disappointment. After all, in our house birthdays are a big deal!

With the help of our family members, friends, social media, and technology, I was able to compile a four-minute video of Bronson’s relatives, coaches, and teammates passing a baseball to him. This was by far his favorite gift and one he will treasure forever. “I felt happy because I got to see my friends,” Bronson said. “They are loyal to me, and I am to them, too, but it surprised me to see that they still celebrated my birthday even though we are home and away from each other.”

Bronson’s birthday also included a parking lot meet-up for cake in cars with his grandparents as well as a front-yard decoration from Sign Gypsies of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Sherry McPherson, a nurse for more than 42 years who presently works at WVU Medicine Camden-Clark Medical Center in the behavioral health unit, bought into the Sign Gypsies franchise in April 2019 as a retirement plan. “I have loved my job as a nurse, but I wanted to retire at the end of this year, and a friend of mine has a Sign Gypsies’ franchise in Pittsburgh.

“She and I talked a lot about it, and I thought it sounded like fun, similar to crafting and scrapbooking. Until April, the biggest month I have had was January. My daughter-in-law and I were putting up signs in freezing weather!”

In late March, McPherson placed signs at three local hospitals, Camden-Clark Medical Center, Marietta Memorial Hospital, and Selby General Hospital, to honor heroic healthcare workers. A newspaper article featuring those, coupled with families and friends seeking creative ways to celebrate their loved ones, caused demand for the Sign Gypsies’ services to explode.

“If it weren’t for my son, Seth Amos, a pipefitter, and my daughter-in-law, Stacey Amos, who also is a nurse, being out of work due to our present circumstances, I don’t know what I would’ve done!” McPherson said. “Stacey also is on the contract I signed with Sign Gypsies, so if something happens to me, she automatically can take over. I call her my ‘partner in signs’!

“In March, we had 21 orders, and so far, for April, we’ve had approximately 120! Unfortunately, I’ve had to turn people away. I see this as God’s blessing in that we have been so busy and have so much work that it gave my son and daughter-in-law income when they both were out of work. It also boosted my business, so while we have been extremely busy, I feel very grateful.”

While April is full, sign orders are being accepted for future months, and McPherson also hopes to help families honor local graduates. Orders can be placed online, or those interested can find Sign Gypsies of the Mid-Ohio Valley on Facebook or via email at signgypsiesmidohiovalley@gmail.com.

Lainey Pfeifer, who celebrated her eighth birthday April 10, also awakened to a sign from the Sign Gypsies. And like several other local children marking birthdays during quarantine, her parents organized a parade featuring family and friends to surprise the birthday girl while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

“All Lainey wanted for her eighth birthday was to go to Chuck E. Cheese with her family and have a sleepover with her friends, and as the lockdown became inevitable, she was very upset these things weren’t going to occur,” Janie Pfeifer, Lainey’s mom, said. “We had to get creative! We planned a scavenger hunt for her to find presents, she had a special shirt made that said ‘Happy Quarantined Birthday to Me,’ we ordered takeout and ate homemade cake, and family came from as far as an hour away to participate in the drive-by parade.

“She was so excited to see everyone! She received cards, hand-drawn birthday pictures, money, gifts, balloons, and even donuts. Lainey really wanted her grandparents to be part of the day; she was sad they couldn’t be there when she was blowing out her candles, so she invited them to come watch from their car, and we served cake from the garage.”

Lainey’s 4-year-old sister, Livie, also celebrated her birthday toward the beginning of quarantine, March 24, and family members were involved at a distance and via technology then, too. Both girls said a favorite was baking and decorating the homemade cake. “It was very different than my other birthdays,” Lainey said. “But, it was also very fun. I loved my parade because it surprised me. It was great that everybody came and said happy birthday and held cards and signs from their cars. I was glad I still got to see my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, and my friends on my birthday!”

Janie said these will definitely be birthdays to remember. “It was very touching seeing everyone come ‘together’ to celebrate! It has been very difficult not spending time with family and friends, so it was great getting everyone together, even if from a distance. Having grandparents be a part of the day was very important to me and to the birthday girl!”

Jake Jackson’s family and friends also celebrated his April 4 birthday with a parade he won’t soon forget. “Typically, we allow our kids to choose what they want to do for their birthday parties,” Jake’s dad, Chris Jackson, said. “The last couple years, Jake liked to celebrate his birthday at a Pittsburgh Pirates’ game with a smaller family party at the house. Of course, those options weren’t possible this year with the virus.

“Jake’s grandmother promoted the idea of a surprise birthday parade on her Facebook page to gather family and friends, and we thought it was a great idea. Jake was surprised, and he didn’t realize it was for him until people started handing him birthdays cards.”

As family and friends lined up for the parade, they saw a Parkersburg police officer, who then called the Parkersburg Fire Department, and they joined the parade as well, with lights flashing and sirens blaring.

“Because of the fire truck and the police car, Jake thought it was a funeral procession at first,” his dad laughed. “When it was all said and done, I think he was quite shocked and said it was the best birthday he’s ever had. In our hearts, to hear that coming from a 9-year-old during these times was something special. We greatly appreciated everyone who participated, including the Parkersburg Fire and Police Departments. They helped to brighten a special day for a 9-year-old who will remember it for a long, long time.”

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Murray’s Glass & Automotive Paint Begins Manufacturing Face Shields for Area Healthcare Workers

Tuesday, March 24, Dennis and Ron Farrar of Murray’s Glass & Automotive Paint in Marietta and Oesterle Auto Glass & Paint in Parkersburg made the difficult decision to close area stores through Monday, April 6, to protect the health and safety of both customers and employees. The same day, the brothers and their teams switched gears to embark upon the fabrication of reusable face shields from in-stock polycarbonate to protect front-line healthcare workers who lacked proper safety equipment.

“I saw a post from a friend, who is a nurse, and she was terrified of going to work and then coming home with the risk of giving something to her family,” Dennis Farrar said. “She works in the testing tent in Parkersburg, and her story prompted us to help. She literally is living in a camper in her backyard, away from her children and her husband. I just couldn’t imagine if that were my wife, or me, for that matter.”

According to Farrar, Murray’s had existing stock of 10 full sheets of polycarbonate, in 1/32” thickness, but he was unsure if the material would work. “Our first step was to track down a face shield to use as a template, and we made contact with the director of purchasing for WVU Medicine Camden-Clark Medical Center. She was reluctant to give one up, understandably, because they were in such short supply.”

Once they secured the face shield, Farrar was surprised by its flimsiness and cheap construction. “It was obviously imported and disposable; the shield itself was paper-thin, and I dented it just handling it. But, acquiring it gave us a way to create one of our own.

I really am fortunate to have such a great partner in this with my brother.

“Ours is much thicker and can be cleaned, sterilized, and reused. Polycarbonate is expensive and virtually unbreakable,” Farrar said.

Farrar and his team developed twelve original shields and delivered them to Camden-Clark Medical Center Thursday, March 26. Within an hour, he received word the shields were “awesome,” and his employees resumed assembling them.

“I really am fortunate to have such a great partner in this with my brother,” Farrar said. “Obviously we talk about decisions like this together, for both of our stores, and again, I really am grateful he shares the same mindset. It really, truly began out of a desire to help.”

Jeff Horner of Big A Muffler, across the street from Oesterle Auto Glass & Paint in Parkersburg, heard about the Farrars’ project and jumped in to purchase other supplies needed to manufacture the shields. “Jeff is a great neighbor and friend, and we have collaborated before on community-based projects,” Farrar said. “Another individual sent a message offering his 3D printer for the headband portion of the shield. If his samples work, we may be able to produce many more at a much faster rate.”

The offers of supplies and support persisted. One day after the first twelve masks were designed, developed, and delivered, the Farrars purchased the last remaining stock of the thin polycarbonate from their supplier in Columbus, and employees of Southeastern Ohio Medical Center in Cambridge offered to pick up and deliver the material, expediting the process and eliminating freight charges.

By the end of the day Friday, March 27, the businesses had joined forces to produce and deliver an additional 85 face shields to Camden-Clark Medical Center, Southeastern Ohio Medical Center, the Belpre and Marietta campuses of Marietta Memorial Hospital, and the Marietta fire department. Production continues, and since, shields also have been donated to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Coplin Health Systems.

After the businesses’ social media posts went viral, requests for the reusable face shields poured in from healthcare workers across the country. “We have been asked, through mutual friends, to send some to Chicago and as far out as California,” Farrar said. “Obviously, our first priority is our community, but if we can help beyond that, too, we are going to do it.

“Ron and I have put it all on the line here,” Farrar said. “None of our employees has been laid off, nor will they be. We absolutely will continue to make these and have a lot of stock left. Our employees are as dedicated to us as we are to them; they show up every day in this effort and do not stop. We could not be more proud of them! We also are extremely fortunate to have a great bank, Peoples Bank here in Marietta, that has helped us tremendously. If it weren’t for them, we would be out of business.”

We are willing to risk everything for the safety of our community and the healthcare providers working tirelessly in this fight.

According to Farrar, of the responses received via social media, a Fred Rogers quote sticks out. “When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’

“We have read every comment to our posts on social media,” Farrar said. We had no intention of getting publicity from this, and actually, I was reluctant to put it on our page. But the response has been overwhelming. We are willing to risk everything for the safety of our community and the healthcare providers working tirelessly in this fight. Our intentions are as clear as our character, and we ask for nothing in return. We all are in it together.”

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