Local Columns

It Could Have Made for an Interesting Trivia Question…

There is a popular meme often shared on the internet of two individual Spider-Men pointing at each other. Sometimes the meme includes four Spider-Men or more. Replace the Spider-Men with Gov. Jim Justice, outgoing Senate President Craig Blair, incoming Senate President Randy Smith, and Governor-Elect Patrick Morrisey all pointing at each other. The one thing all four have in common is one is the current governor, one is the incoming governor, and the two senate presidents might have had to briefly act as governor. But that possible Golden Horseshoe question is no longer a ...

Traditional Versus Progressive in Public Schools

American public-school education from the very beginning lived by strict traditional doctrines. I began teaching in 1969. At the time, the educators in positions of power were rethinking how to educate the students in the classroom setting. In the early 1970s, new teaching mandates were being contemplated for the K-12 classroom teachers which included innovations in handling student discipline. I refer to it as the progressive culture in our public schools. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s take a trip back in time to explore the attributes of classroom educators of the ...

Marshall Memo: Multiple Activities Usher In 2025; New Year a Time To Reflect

Though the gap between Christmas and New Year’s Day is typically a slow time around Marshall County with most community activities on hold, there are several events occurring before and after the start of the new year. On Jan. 10, Marshall County Schools will begin 2025 Pre-K registration for children who turn 4 years old before July 1. If you wish to enroll your child in Pre-K, call the school in your area on or after Jan. 10 to make an appointment and pick up a registration packet or request an application packet be mailed to you. The application is also available at ...

Holiday Odds and Ends From the State Capitol

One of my favorite movies is “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” It’s the fictional story of a composer who starts work as a high school music teacher in the 1960s to make ends meet. While not his desire for a career, he begins to care for teaching and his students over the decades. The movie ends with Mr. Holland’s forced retirement in the 1990s. He spent his lifetime working in his free time on a musical composition that he thought would never be heard. He wasn’t entirely sure whether he had made an impact as a teacher. But then he is led into an auditorium filled with former ...

Giving the Best Gift to Others This Holiday Season

Christmas is an event that has emerged in bits and pieces from out of the mists of antiquity. The tradition of giving gifts at Christmas time dates back to a practice in vogue in pagan Rome. Each year, on Dec. 17 and 18, ancient Romans celebrated the festival of Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture. At this time, Romans exchanged gifts of sweet pastry, lamps, precious stones, and gold and silver. The early Christians, however, shunned Christmas-giving, for the very reason that it was popular among what they called the “pagan Romans.” It was centuries before they ...

Marshall Memo: Christmas in Moundsville; Robotics; Grants; and a Joyous Season

Christmas is almost here! As we close in on the big day, let’s remember to shop small and support local businesses. Christmas sales are important for many small local businesses, sometimes even accounting for up to 30-40% of their annual revenue! Christmas sales help the businesses make enough money to stay afloat during the slower months after the holidays or off-peak seasons. The Christmas shopping season is a great time for businesses to attract new customers through promotions, events, and unique offerings. Customers can rely on personalized service and locally made ...