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The other day I found myself driving south from Ohio County to Marshall County where I would visit a longtime newsroom friend. More on that in a minute.
First let me tell you that driving in the Ohio Valley can be a challenge on the best day. It's not the summer road construction season or Wheeling's streetscaping project that are the main culprits.
Let me explain. Have you ever really paid attention to the speed limits as you drive through various neighborhoods or towns?
Well, I made it a point to take notice of just that as I headed to Moundsville. I counted nearly a dozen different speed limits as I drove to my destination. Those roads included W.Va. 88 through Oglebay Park to National Road and then onto Interstate 70, where you can see speed limits of 70, 65, 55, 50, 45 and 35 mph depending on where you are driving at the time.
Are you paying attention yet? I decided to hop on W.Va. 2 to go to Moundsville but then elected to get off the road in Center Wheeling to make a quick stop at Jebbia's Market. Although I was in search of a certain rye bread sold there, those sweet, juicy plums, peaches and nectarines were calling my name. While I missed out on the bread, the fruit filled the void nicely.
After my shopping detour, I decided to drive through South Wheeling before getting back onto W.Va. 2 to drive to Moundsville. By the way, the speed limit is 25 mph though South Wheeling and Benwood, and it's a good idea to stick to the law.
South Wheeling is not the neighborhood I remember from years gone by. So many of the businesses and clubs that used to dot every corner are no longer there. There are many more empty green spaces where those buildings were torn down.
There are several places where the Panhandle company has built and made major improvements to the area. Hats off to the Contraguerro family for taking an idea and growing it in their hometown.
And don't forget that on Thursdays you can pick up some homemade pierogies and cabbage rolls at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Ukrainian Catholic Church on Jacob Street. That alone is worth the gas it takes to get there.
After South Wheeling, I passed through Benwood where several businesses and fast food restaurants have survived floods and pandemics. It's a small town with big city pride.
Back onto W.Va. 2, there is road work that requires lane changes, so be careful.
The 45 mph speed limit is clearly posted until you reach the 50 mph zone. Cruise control is a big help in those areas.
Soon I reached my destination at Mound View Health Care a.k.a. Stonerise.
As I entered the room of patient Jim Cochran, I was happy to see that he was sitting in his wheelchair catching up on the latest news.
Any regular readers of this newspaper know that Jim has been a reporter and columnist for the Wheeling newspapers since he first entered the paper's Journal office in 1959. A recent tumble at his beloved church a few days before Fourth of July has resulted in him convalescing for a broken hip at the health care center.
A visit with Jim is like a walk through a newspaper time machine. His love of Marshall County and the people who live and work there has been evident through his written words. He doesn't just love it, he lives it.
It was obvious he is curious as to what is going on around his city while he can't be on the streets to report the happenings. His dedication hasn't waned, even at the age of 88.
He will always be looking out for the people and places that have defined his career and life. One thing I know for sure, Jim has no speed limit.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.