"Grand Inquisitor: The secret of man's being is not only to live but to have something to live for."

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Russian novelist

(1821-1881)

"Gratitude is the sign of noble souls."                                           Aesop

Greek writer

(6th century B.C.)                                                                                            

MEDITATION MOMENTS

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GLENVILLE

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         AND  PATHFINDER

Your source for news and advertising in Gilmer County

Heavenly Father,

Pray for the teachers and students in our public schools and Glenville State College so that they will have a successful spring semester;

Make safe our nation's military personnel wherever they may be deployed;

Bless our struggling seniors, the poor and middle class with good luck in this trying economic era;

Give comfort and recovery to the sick, especially to Jim Maloney (terminal cancer: 615-557-5195), Edwin Bremar (Andy's father who had a stroke; he is improving), Mr. Chuck McGinnis, Sr. (improving), Stanley Rogucki (Frank's father in Morgantown hospital), Brittany Malcomb, Lucas Facemire, Judy Eaton, Macel Carr, Marion Reed, Barbara McHenry (improving due to prayer), Betty Maddix, Leonard Montgomery, Stan Mazzagotte, Joe Briner, William Heard, Brittany DeLorenzo Bennett & her mother, Lynne,  and others needing Christ's healing touch (if you need prayers, call us: no pranksters, please);

Console, dear Lord, the loved ones left behind in this week's memorial listing on the obituary page (#6), especially families of Donald Barker, Susan Kathleen (Miller) Gordon, Dorothy Kight, George Mowery, Dennis Ray Pritt and Carl Luzader (p.4).

Their losses are especially sad during this year's holiday season, but, remember, the Christ Child came to save them for all eternity. Amen.

U.S. & W.V.

History Shorts

Jan. 19, 1807: Robert E. Lee was born at Stratford, Virginia. In 1859, Lee was called upon to lead a force to put an end to John Brown's Harpers Ferry raid. With the Civil War's outbreak, he resigned from the U.S. Army and became general in the Confederacy.

Jan. 19, 1848: Wirt County was created by the General Assembly of Virginia from portions of Wood and Jackson counties. It was named for William Wirt, Virginia statesman and a presidential candidate in 1832.

Jan. 20-21, 1824: West Virginia's most famous soldier, Thomas Jonathan Jackson, was born near midnight in Clarksburg. When Virginia left the Union in 1861, Jackson dutifully went with his native state.

Jan. 24, 1968: Mary Lou Retton was born in Fairmont. She made history at the 1984 Olympic Games when, at 16, she became the first American woman ever to win a gold medal in gymnastics and the first native West Virginia woman to win a gold medal.

THIS WEEKS PRAYER

Glimpses of the Glenville life

JD Brandenburg Photos

'Hats in the ring'

Six Gilmer hopefuls file candidacy papers; deadline for seeking offices Sat., Jan. 28

By David H. Corcoran, Sr.,

Publisher-Sr. Editor

If you are thinking about running for elective office and becoming a public servant, the deadline time for you to file your candidacy papers at the Gilmer County Clerk's Office is rapidly approaching.

As of this Tues., Jan. 17, six Gilmer Countians have already let their intentions of running for office be known.

According to Jean Butcher, Gilmer County's Clerk, the following individuals have filed for elective office in the May Primary Election: Larry Gerwig, Democrat, Sheriff; Carol Wolfe, Democrat, Magistrate; Mickey Metz, Democrat, Magistrate; Lori Ann Rosenburg, Republican, Magistrate; Gary Wolfe, Democrat, Assessor and Gerald Hough, Democrat, Prosecutor.

Candidacy papers need to be filed ASAP or by Sat., Jan. 28 the official deadline, so time is running out.

The County Clerk's Office is open Mon.-Fri. during regular business hours from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The offices that are available include a county commission seat, sheriff, assessor, prosecuting attorney, magistrate and two Board of Education seats on the local level.

Three incumbents have already declared for re-election, those individual officeholders being Carol Wolfe, Magistrate; Gerald Hough, Prosecutor; and Gary Wolfe, Assessor all on the Democratic side.

One officeholder, Sheriff Mickey Metz, has thrown his hat in the ring for Magistrate in the Democratic Primary.

Larry Gerwig, Democrat for Sheriff, and Lori Rosenburg, Republican for Magistrate, are political newcomers.

The BOE is a non-partisan election. County Clerk Butcher believes that the seats of Misty Pritt and Alton Skinner are up for re-election.

Relative to the political party candidates, they will first face their opponents in the Democratic and Republican primaries in May and the winners in each race will carry their party's standard into the November General Election.

Gilmer County's top spellers compete

By Dendra Miller

News Editor

The Gilmer County Spelling Bee was held Wed., Jan. 11 at Glenville Elementary School. Nearly 60 students were in attendance to compete for the title of top speller in the county and a chance to advance to a regional competition.

Mrs. Judy Stalnaker, Principal at Troy Elementary, directed the competition. She welcomed all those present and gave a brief overview of the rules. Then she introduced Mrs. Judy Meads, who would be calling out the words to the students.

Mrs. Meads was proud to be part of the Spelling Bee as she is a retired Gilmer County teacher who taught English and Literature. She praised the parents, many of whom she taught, for doing such a good job with their children. She welcomed the children and tried to make them feel at ease, by telling them how nice and smart they looked.

As the children begin the actual spelling, it was clear they were still a bit nervous. Fourth through eighth grade competed against each other. It was intimidating for some of the younger spellers. The words were tough, and some were not words students come across often in everyday life.

ATTN: Gilmer County Political Candidates

Last day to file for office Jan.28, 2012

ATTN: Citizens, To register or change party, April 17, 2012