Columns

Only Time Will Tell

Sitting before me on the desk where I am composing this column is an assortment of wall calendars. Most of them have been given to us and one I purchased on a whim at a dollar store simply because I liked the colorful flowers on each page. I also chose this calendar for the large squares on each date that allow for making notations of birthdays and other important dates. Paree Insurance has provided two lovely calendars after we attended a program about Medicare and such complicated topics. The first calendar depicts landscapes of America. There are photos of forests, mountains and ...

Celebrate New Year With Wheeling Antiques

Downtown Wheeling has been at the forefront of much news with sewer and street improvements, more housing options and an effort by many small businesses to create an ambiance that inspires residents and visitors to enjoy our Friendly City. This is a perfect time to display Wheeling ...

Can You Hear The Whistle?

Growing up in an already aging Victorian home, the basement was the warmest place in the house during the winter months and often the coolest in the heat of summer. The low ceiling and thick walls kept the heat from the blazing fireplace in check in December while the tiled floor and large windows allowed bare feet a cooling sensation in July. Our dad often retreated to the basement to escape his growing family and the hustle and bustle of pre-holiday activities. There was a dartboard that saw some action and a Ping Pong table that pitted brother against brother. Dad took up ...

Mansion Museum Is Perfect Place to Make Christmas Memories

My relationship with the Museums of Oglebay Institute began when I was a child and my mother, Margaret O’Malley Bierkortte introduced me to the Sweeney Punch Bowl. An artist, historic preservation advocate and antiques enthusiast, she taught me so much just by sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge. Then as a working adult, I was employed as a public relations professional at the Institute and began this column under the guidance of John Artzberger, who was then the senior curator of the Museums and passed away in November 2001. I’m also proud to say that I am one of the museum ...

’Tis the Season For Change

WHEELING — At mid-December, season change was already in the air at Nicky’s Garden Center. A couple dozen poinsettias were roped off from those still for general sale by a broad purple band. They were headed to church. Elsewhere at the Wardens Run Road property, future seasons were ...

Something To Crow About

I don’t know Elon Musk personally. I only know of what I read in the news about this entrepreneur and business magnate whose personal worth is listed at $192 billion. His success might be measured in the many projects from developing a driverless, gas-free car to sending celebrities into space via his rockets. For this and other things I am not privy to, Musk was named Time magazine’s person of the year for 2021. I didn’t know Dean Smith of Bethany, W.Va., either but reading his obituary recently made me think he would have made a great neighbor. The 73-year-old Smith was ...