My Morgantown! eMagazine

October -December 2013 Volume1, Issue 2

THE MORGANTOWN TROLLEY WVU’s MOUNTAINEER WEEK CELEBRATES WEST VIRGINIA GET YOUR SPOOK ON: TRANS-ALLEGHENY LUNATIC ASYLUM GHOST TOURS

CONTENTS

FEATURES 12

Madeleine’s Restaurant:

16

Veterans Connection

18

The Grind WV

Making Changes

Operation Welcome Home

An Oasis on Willey Street

ARTS & CULTURE 14

Arts Walk

Main Street Morgantown

18

COMMUNITY

8

Campus Connection

10

High School Gridiron

17

Financial Focus

21

Within 3 Hours

25

A Glance Back in Time:

Mountaineer Week Celebration

Financial advice to keep our pockets full Halloween at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston The Morgantown Trolley

10

INTRODUCTNG David Beach

Managing Editor www.localfoodmarketplace.com/morgantown/

David recently moved to Morgantown when he joined the English faculty at West Virginia University as the Associate Coordinator for Undergraduate Writing. For his entire life, he has been all about words and design and thought, working in corporate and non-profit training, publishing and education, notably in Washington, DC, for MCI and the National Geographic Society. Prior to West Virginia University, he was on the English and Business faculties at George Mason University. David holds a BA in English Literature, an MA in English/Linguistics and a PhD in Instructional Technology with a focus on composition and rhetoric.

When not writing, teaching or doing administrative work, he explores the areas around Morgantown and works with a community theatre.

Marc Debiase, EdD Morgantown Historian

In coming issues Dr. Debiase will share the rich history of Morgantown and how we grew to become the community we are today.

Editor’s Corner After a wildly successful first issue, we’re pleased to present our second issue. We hope you find in this issue some wonderful things about Morgantown, both past and present (and in some cases future) that gives you a hint about our charming burg. Be sure to check out our partner, MyMorgantownWV.com (www.mymorgantownwv.com) to see all the upcoming events and find local businesses to serve your needs.

We welcome several contributing writers to our publication who offer interesting perspectives on Morgantown—some who have been around the area their whole lives, some who are recent Morgantownites.

As we move into 2014, we welcome your ideas for features, profiles and local events. Please feel free to contact me with suggestions and comments at david.beach@my-morgantown. com.

Your one-stop-shop for everything happening in and around Greater Morganown.

Visit mymorgantownwv.com for the area’s most comprehensive directory of restaurants, events, entertainment, shopping and more. Listings added daily!

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Vickie Trickett Managing Editor David Beach Contributing Writers David Beach Marc Debiase Carol Fox Lisa Romeo Jake Jarvis

COVER UHS sophomore defensive end Nicholas Fisher.

Photo by Dan Estel.

Collaborations David Stinson, MyMorgantownWV.com Kirk Skasik, Edward Jones Financial Photographers David Beach Dan Estel Vickie Trickett Lesli Wharry Advertising Executive Angela Kauffman

Questions, submissions and feedback: Submissions: Story ideas should be submitted to David Beach at david.beach@my-morgantown.com or mailed to My Morgantown eMagazine, 722 Brookhaven Road, Morgantown, WV 26508.

Photograph submission should be submitted on our web site or emailed to info@my-morgantown.com.

Advertising rates are available at www.my-morgantown.com.

PUBLISHED BY FATE PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC. 722 Brookhaven Road Morgantown WV 26508 Phone 304.212.4890 | Fax 800.123.4567 www.my-morgantown.com info@my-morgantown.com

MOUNTAINEER WEEK EXPANDS TO A 10-DAY CELEBRATION OF STATE TRADITIONS

by Carol Fox Mountaineer pride is unbounded. It knows no physical or geographical limits and even transcends time. It isn’t about where you’re from or where you’re going, it’s about the impact living in West Virginia inevitably has on everyone who gets the opportunity.

It’s present from the hills of home to the foreign soils abroad.

And those who have felt this sense of love and respect for the West Virginian legacy never miss an opportunity to revel in their heritage. Each year, through the annual Mountaineer Week, West Virginia University endeavors to provide exactly that kind of celebration for WVU students, faculty, staff, Morgantown community members, and anyone else who considers themselves a Mountaineer at heart.

Rather than the traditional seven days—simply not enough time for Mountaineers to fully appreciate the vibrant culture—Mountaineer “Week” is a 10-day series of celebrations, including everything from scavenger hunts and contests to live music and dancing. This year’s official Mountaineer Week occurs November 1-10.

This Mountaineer Week tradition is in its 66th year. Since 1947, the event has been exposing students and locals to Appalachian traditions and community-building activities.

Truly embodying the idea of “Wild and Wonderful”, Mountaineer Week activities shift between these two descriptors but never falter in their representation of the rich culture of West Virginia.

Mountaineer Week actually starts much earlier than November, however, as the celebrations really get underway at the beginning of August with Mountaineer Idol tryouts. Mountaineer Idol started during 2004’s Mountaineer Week, just two years after “American Idol” captivated the nation during its first season.

This year, on August 2, expectant students piled into the Shenandoah Room of the Mountainlair, and sixteen of the most vocally talented were asked to continue in the competition. Eventually, after narrowing down the contestant pool, the last three hopefuls will help officially conclude Mountaineer Week with their final competition. It’s set to take place at The Metropolitan Theater at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 10.

WVU’s version of the competition show, one of the main events of Mountaineer Week, is just as enthralling because it pits some familiar faces against each other in a singing competition, and the grand prize is $1,000. Each week has its unique theme, such as ‘80s, country, or Motown, and there are even special guest judges for each of the elimination nights in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

Another major component of Mountaineer pride, which Mountaineer Idol seeks to uphold, is supporting and giving back to the community. Mountaineer Idol participates in the Idol Gives Back charity event, which fans of the show might recognize has been intermittently a part of the “American Idol” programming since its sixth season. Last year, they raised over $600 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and over $1,700 and 800 stuffed animals for Jessi’s Pals and the West Virginia University Children’s Hospital.

It’s impossible to celebrate West Virginia’s lively culture without mentioning the artists who hail from and operate within the state.

Luckily, Mountaineer Week will do this in a few ways.

Live music, especially old-time roots music like bluegrass, is essential to West Virginia’s culture. To honor that Mountaineer Week will host The Hillbilly Gypsies on the first official night of the Week. The show starts at 9:30 in the Mountainlair commons area. They will also host an Appalachian-style Fiddle Contest, which will feature fiddle aficionados from all over Appalachia in the Gluck Theatre in the Mountainlair. Finally, an Old-time Square Dance will be hosted at the Marilla Recreation Center in Marilla Park on November 9.

Artists, artisans, and craftspeople throughout the state justifiably take pride in their creations inspired by the state’s colorful past. A photo contest will take place in the Mountainlair, and the entries will be on display there from November 1-8. Not only will Mountaineer Week host a craft fair in the Mountainlair Ballrooms November 1-3, but they will also host a Quilt show in the Mountaineer Room at the same time. Quilting, the quintessential American folkloric custom, is a major West Virginian pastime and tradition.

While the Week provides plenty of activities aimed at everyone, including faculty, staff, and community members, there is no doubt that these festivities serve to educate first-time Mountaineers, this year’s freshman class, about the tight-knit and entertaining community of the University and the state.

In addition to the PRT Cram, which involves trying to fit as many

people as possible into a single PRT car—the record of 97 people from 2000 still holds—a Mountaineer Week student favorite is the Beard Growing Competition. Hosted by Jonathan Kimble, WVU’s current Mountaineer, the event welcomes participants to publically shave their faces in the Mountainlair October 9 and grow their best beard for four weeks. At the end of those weeks, the competitor’s growth will be measured for length and fullness, and a panel of judges will choose a winner.

Also on November 9, the Mountaineer Week Student LOT will take place three hours prior to kick-off for the West Virginia vs.

Texas football game. Students are invited to mingle with some of WVU’s student-athletes. Free food, beverages, and games will also be available. And during the game against Texas, at halftime, Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer and the Most Loyal Mountaineers will be announced.

Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer represent the embodiment of Mountaineer excellence. Candidates for this distinction are senior undergraduate Mountaineers who have shown their dedica-

tion to WVU through outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements.

The Most Loyal Mountaineer awards are for Most Loyal West Virginian, which is awarded to someone who is devoted to the State of West Virginia civically, professionally, and through business. The Most Loyal Alumni Mountaineer is awarded to an alumnus whose obvious support for WVU through leadership and service of the University benefits everyone involved. The Most Loyal Faculty Mountaineer and the Most Loyal Staff Mountaineer goes to a member of the faculty and staff, respectively, who displays dedication and support to WVU beyond the expectations of their employment.

In addition to all of the fun and games, fair-style foods like funnel cakes, kettle popcorn, Bavarian nuts, cotton candy, roasted corn, and other Appalachian fare will be available in and around the Mountainlair throughout Mountaineer Week.

There are numerous other events planned almost all day, every day during Mountaineer Week., so come celebrate West Virginia and its people in all of their history and beauty.

For a complete listing of events, visit http://mountaineerweek.wvu. edu/events

High School Gridiron Clay-Battelle High School Football October 4

Valley High School

Home

October 18

Cameron High School

Away

October 25

Van High School

Home

November 1

Notre Dame High School

Home

November 8

Madonna High School

Home

Morgantown High School Football October 4

DuBois High (PA)

Home

October 11

Wheeling Park

Home

October 18

Musselman

Home

October 25

John Marshall

Away

November 1

University High

Away

MHS senior running back Logan Compton.

Photo by Leslie Wharry.

University High School Football October 4

Greenbrier East High School

Away

October 11

Logan High School

Home

October 18

John Marshall High School

Home

October 25

Preston High School

Away

November 1

Morgantown High School

Home

Beehive boxed lunches are made with the freshest ingredients. Named after Morgantown neighborhoods, gourmet sandwiches made on artisan bread are piled high with delicious meat, cheese, and toppings; all enjoyed with kettle cooked chips, a pickle spear, and crisp coleslaw. To finish the meal a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie will be sure to satisfy any sweet tooth and the lunches will always include a little surprise! Call the Beehive located at Pace Enterprises at Mylan Park at 304-983-2665.

Promoting and showcasing the beautiful and original work of talented West Virginia artisans.

240 High Street Morgantown WV 26505 304.296.6230 info@thewvmarket.com thewvmarket.com

by Lisa Romeo If you’re looking for an exceptional West Virginia dining experience, you need to go no further than 140 High Street in the heart of downtown Morgantown to Madeleine’s Restaurant. Madeleine’s is a family-friendly bistro that features locally-sourced ingredients to create fresh and modern cuisine. Located across from the historic Clarion Hotel Morgan, Madeleine’s offers casual dining in an interesting and relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant, which is owned and operated by Parween & Adrian Mascari, has an ambience supported by The WV Market that is housed in the rear of the restaurant’s building. Local WV artisans’ items are on display throughout the restaurant and provide a unique look to the dining area. These items are also for sale in The WV Market, giving Madeleine’s customers a dual-experience in West Virginia culture, goods and chattels.

Seafood Cioppino, Steak Frites and WV Striped Bass “Fish and Chips” are just a few of the dinner entrees prepared by Head Chef John Lang. Chef Lang also created Madeleine’s Signature Salad, The WV Field Greens Salad, which includes oven-roasted tomatoes, herb goat Fish & Chips cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, and crispy onions. Chef Lang and Mrs. Mascari also recommend the WV Pan Roasted ½ Chicken served with buttery whipped potatoes, sautéed Swiss chard, baby carrots & natural chicken au jus and the Cavatappi Pasta featuring sautéed mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, red onions, & arugula with Madeira cream sauce & grilled marinated salmon.

Chef Lang has been working with Madeleine’s for about nine years. He is a WV native and has a close connection with the local farmers and vendors that do business with Madeleine’s. He attributes the growth of the local farmer’s market to making it easier to provide the fresh produce that accompanies the restaurant’s food dishes.

Mr. Lang says that preparing and developing entrees from the locally raised and fresh products gives a peace of mind that the quality of the dish is top-notch. Most of the suppliers to Madeleine’s Restaurant are within a 2-hour drive of Morgantown, such as: • Hawthorne Valley Farms in Harrison County (beef ) • Gardner Farms in Waverly (poultry products) • Green Glades Creamery (cheese) • WVU Aquaculture Program (fish/seafood) Not only does Madeleine’s support the community by serving fresh seasonal food from local farmers, it also offers gluten-free options and Vegan dishes. It also offers a full Kids’ Menu with a variety of children’s favorites like Chicken Strips or Cheese Quesadilla with fries or veggies and Pasta Alfredo or Pasta Marinara. All menu items are offered at competitive prices and will satisfy both your hunger and wallet.

In addition to the great food options, customers can browse through The WV Market that is known as a “unique store that showcases products created by West Virginia artisans and craftsmen.” Some of the products for sale in The WV Market include Appalachian Milk Soaps, Appalachian Glass, Hawthorne Valley Farms corn meal and pancake mixes, Preston County Buckwheat Flour, and a variety of WV Living dressings, sauces, and jellies.

Though Madeleine’s has been in business since 2001, the Mascaris took ownership this past January, 2013.

This was their first venture in the restaurant business, and Parween says what attracted her to the idea of operating the business was its connection with the West Virginia husbandry. Being able to provide fresh, quality local products through the restaurant to the Morgantown community was an important factor.

Madeleine’s entrees can be complemented by a sophisticated list of wines and beer.

Microbrews from three local breweries are also available, as well as a full bar.

The Mascaris have owned and operated The WV Market since 2009, with one shop located in The Village at Snowshoe in Snowshoe and the second shop was previously housed in the Seneca Center in Morgantown.

Eggs Benedict to the more distinctive Croque Madame or Red Eye Burger. The Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict or Quiche with Mornay Sauce are two brunch dishes favored by customers that frequent Madeleine’s.

A ‘madeleine’ refers to a traditional small shell-shaped sponge cake from France. It is this combination of tradition and uniqueness that makes Madeleine’s entrees different from other local restaurants.

After brunch or dinner, you can sweeten your palate by trying some of the scrumptious desserts that Madeleine’s has to offer. Though the dessert menu may change weekly, some of the more popular sweet delicacies are Mocha Fudge Pate (specially made by Sharon Goodman), Crème Brulee, Bread Pudding, Tiramisu, and a delectable variety of cheesecakes and crepes.

Madeleine’s Restaurant and The WV Market are open: Tuesday - Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each

When the opportunity arose to operate Madeleine’s, it made sense to move the Morgantown location of The WV Market into the same building as the restaurant since both ventures complement each other in supporting local farmers and artisans of West Virginia.

They chose to keep most of the original concept of the dining area, but with the addition of chandeliers and a grand piano, the ambience now has a bit more panache. They also have incorporated artwork and crafts from the artisans that serve The WV Market. Currently they are showcasing in the dining area Decoupage Furniture by Michelle Furlong of One Peace at a Time, Morgantown and Hand-made Glass Candleholders by Veronica Wilson of Frog Valley Artisans, Berkeley Springs.

Parween’s and Adrian’s ties with West Virginia and the Morgantown community run deep. They have lived in the Morgantown area for about twenty years.

Parween is a West Virginia native originally from the Parkersburg area. She received her MBA from WVU and is a graduate of WVU’s College of Law. She practices with Farmer, Cline, and Campbell Attorneys at Law in Morgantown when she’s not acting as the Marketing Director of Madeleine’s. Adrian works in the Oil & Gas Industry as well as being the General Manager of Madeleine’s. The couple have four children and consider Madeleine’s a “family-run business” since they spend much time together at Smoked Salmon the restaurant. Also, their oldest Eggs Benedict daughter hosts at the restaurant.

Madeleine’s is a great place to bring the family or get together with a few friends to enjoy a relaxing and tasteful meal on a late Sunday morning. Sunday Brunch choices range from traditional French Toast or

Shane Meade plays regularly at Madeleine’s Thursday Music Night.

Sunday. Live music by local entertainers can be heard on Thursday evenings between 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The sounds of acoustic guitar, piano, jazz and even a harpist have graced the stage.

And if you’re looking to host a private party, on- or off-site, Madeleine’s can accommodate the catering for up to 200 guests. Currently, Madeleine’s hosts the Morgantown Rotary Club each Thursday and the Mon. County Bar Association on Tuesdays. The owners are looking to expand their private party/catering business and welcomes local businesses, organizations, and individuals to come to Madeleine’s for their weekly/monthly meetings or special events.

Reservations can be made by calling (304) 296-6230 or by email at info@madeleinesonline.com.

Find Madeleine’s online at madeleinesonline.com or like it on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

DOWNTOWN MORGANTOWN ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4TH

by Jake Jarvis

Go ahead and clear your schedule for the evening of October 4. The first Friday of October, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., marks the annual Arts Walk hosted by Main Street Morgantown. For those who’ve never attended, the Arts Walk is a chance to enjoy local artists and explore parts of Downtown Morgantown that you just haven’t gotten around to yet. Participating businesses allow artists to create an impromptu gallery of sorts in their location. Walk up and down the streets, popping into a shop that sparks you eye, talk with artists, purchase some of their work and finish the evening by gaining a better insight into why our city is so great.

To start things off, head on down to Arts Monongahela. This is the hub of the event. Here, you can pick up a map showing you what’s happening where. Be sure to check out their larger than life exhibit “Shady Our Friends the Tree,” while you’re there. Artists from all over West Virginia will be showcasing their work, most of whom have never shown in this area before. Tall metal trees will deck out the venue in cooperation with Morgantown’s Year of the Tree.

As you make you way down the streets, don’t just stop and look at the art. Look at the people.

People from all walks of life join in celebration. Local residents, an older generation, excited young minds, WVU Alumni and parents and many more can be found walking the street. Jacki Marino, a participating photographer, says her favorite part of the evening is, “getting to meet so many new people… and hearing the feedback from the diverse crowd is great as an artist.”

This year, the Arts Walk is celebrating being bigger and better than ever. Over 40 businesses are participating, and the hopes are high to break last year’s record of 4,000 attendees. Terri Cutright, Executive Director of Main Street Morgantown, and Barbara Watkins, Assistant Director, have this thing down to a science.

“You know it actually runs very smoothly,” Watkins says in a phone interview, “It just takes a lot of coordination.” After ten years of this event, all of the kinks are basically worked out. Major thanks need to be given to these ladies for their time and commitment to this project.

It’s generally well known that Morgantown consistently has one of the highest ranking economies for a metro area. True, Mylan Pharmaceuticals and West Virginia University have much to do with this, but by attending events like these, we are fueling the fire for a bright economic future. In a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” way, everyone wins. Better business means more jobs; more jobs equal a higher quality of living. And Main Street, according to its website, has, “created 1,300 jobs, opened 200 new businesses and had $126 million in investment.”

Big business is the foundation to our economy, but the family-owned businesses are the cherry on top. Some think that events like Art Walk are an extreme economic booster. The Elegant Alley Cat reports seeing a spike in customers after the event because people come back after the walk is over to really browse through the eclectic gift shop after the crowd has died down. This type of exposure is invaluable to local business owners.

And also, since the weekend of Oct. 4 is also West Virginia University’s Fall Family Weekend, parents University students will get to see a side of our

town that isn’t highlighted in the poor media betrayal. “A lot of people don’t come downtown,” says Jeannie Kuhn of Arts Monongahela, “It’s sad but true.” Events put on by Main Street Morgantown are definitely bolstering the image of city.

Walking into a store to see the art, you will surely get a taste of venues you’ve never explored.

If you’re like me, the best way to grab my attention and attendance is with food. For only $15, a ticket can be purchased for Art is Food, taking place from 5pm – 7pm. This new addition to the Arts Walk is held in at the Morgantown Market Place located at the corner of Fayette and Spruce Streets. A ticket grants you access to a buffet style taste-test of downtown cuisine. After asking which restaurants will be participating, Ms. Watkins let me know the list is being kept secret for now.

With food, entertainment, and the chance to meet new people, the Arts Walk is a step in the right direction to a great evening. So mark your calendars now! If you’ve attended before, be sure to tell a friend what a great time you had. And if you haven’t, show up with an open mind and an open wallet.

services offered to the public range from odd jobs to seasonal work such as post-construction cleanup, lawn care, special event support, vehicle detailing, and small home repairs.

Operation Welcome Home Serves Local Veterans

by Lisa Romeo

A resource for veterans in the Morgantown area is “Operation Welcome Home,” a program aimed to lessen service and employment barriers that veterans face. Located at Mylan Park in Morgantown, “Operation Welcome Home” provides a wealth of resources that include reintegration, rehabilitation, counseling, mentorship and transitional services as well as a place for veterans to relax, form bonds and congregate with fellow veterans. It’s a home away from home with a TV lounge, Internet access, video gaming area, picnic area and a conference room for meetings.

“Operation Welcome Home” is in cooperation with the non-profit organization, Veterans on Call, which provide veterans with individual work plans and a variety of employment opportunities. It provides a resource for financial income to assist veterans in the transition from military to civilian life. With the understanding that some veterans may have impairments that might keep them from performing certain work-related activities, Veterans on Call will design a specialized plan and provide training to each veteran, so that no one gets turned away. The

Veteran’s Day this year is Monday, November 11. In 1918 on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect and was regarded as the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars.” In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. In 1926, the United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution to officially recognize November 11 as a legal holiday. An Act following this resolution in 1938 made the 11th of November a legal holiday to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and officially known as “Armistice Day.” After World War II and the Korean War, the Act of 1938 was amended to replace “Armistice” with “Veterans,” so that on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

This year, WVU will observe Veterans Day on Monday, November 11th and recognizes it as a “Day of Concern,” which gives veterans/military students the option to miss classes on that day so that they can participate in events and ceremonies. A variety of events and ceremonies can be found around the Morgantown area, such as The Veterans Day Parade that usually takes place downtown in the evening of November 11th on High Street. WVU has events and ceremonies that will take place throughout the week of November 11-15 that is kicked off by a Veterans Day Breakfast that will be held at the Erickson Alumni Center from 8-11 a.m. on the 11th. Also around Morgantown, many local restaurants honor veterans by offering free lunch or dinner on Veterans Day. To see a full list of Operation Welcome Home’s service, check its web site at: www.veteransoncall.com/ourservices.

If you are a veteran who can benefit from these services or a member of the community that needs work done around the house or at your business, you may contact Brett Simpson at (681) 212-9264 or email him at bsimpson@paceenterprises.org or stop by the office at 452 Mylan Park Lane, Morgantown.

financial

focus

Take Advantage of “Open Enrollment” At many places of work, it’s “open enrollment” season — the time where you get to make changes to the various benefits you receive from your employer. As you review your overall benefits package, what areas should you focus on?

Here are three possibilities: • Life insurance — If your employer offers life insurance as a benefit, and you haven’t already signed up for it, consider adding it during your open enrollment period — because life insurance can be important to your family’s financial security. If you already have life insurance with your employer, you may want to take the time, during open enrollment, to review your beneficiary designations.

If you’ve experienced a change in your family situation, such as divorce or remarriage, you’ll want to update your beneficiaries, as needed.

However, the amount of life insurance offered by your employer in a group policy may not be sufficient for your needs, so you may want to consult with a financial professional to determine if you should add private, or individual, coverage. You may find that individual coverage is comparable, in terms of cost, to your employer’s coverage. Also, individual coverage is “portable” — that is, you can take it with you if you change jobs.

• Disability insurance — Your employer may also offer disability insurance as a low-cost benefit. The coverage can be invaluable. In fact, nearly one in three women, and about one in four men, can expect to suffer a disability that keeps them out of work for 90 days or longer at some point during their working years, according to the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE).

Again, as was the case with life insurance, your

employer’s disability policy may not be enough for your needs, so you may need to consider additional coverage.

• Retirement plan — Your employer may offer a 401(k) or similar retirement plan, such as a 403(b) plan, if you work for an educational institution or a nonprofit organization, or a 457(b) plan, if you work for a governmental unit. All these plans offer the chance to contribute pretax dollars; so the more you put in, the lower your taxable income.

Equally important, your earnings can grow tax deferred, which means your money can accumulate faster than if it were placed in an account on which you paid taxes every year.

Consequently, try to contribute as much as you can possibly afford to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan. If you’ve gotten a raise recently, consider boosting your contributions during open enrollment. Also, take this opportunity to review the array of investments you’ve chosen for your 401(k) or other plan. If you feel that they’re underperforming and not providing you with the growth opportunities you need, you may want to consider making some changes. You might also think about making adjustments if your portfolio has shown more volatility than the level with which you are comfortable. Your financial professional can help you determine if your investment mix is still suitable for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

Open enrollment season gives you the perfect opportunity to maximize those benefits offered to you by your employer. So, think carefully about what you’ve got and what improvements you can make — it will be time well spent.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Kurt A. Skasik, Financial Advisor

Edward Jones Investments

935 Cheat Road Morgantown, WV 26508 (304)284-9122 www.edwardjones.com

The Grind WV

A Whole Latte Love

by David Beach

Anyone who walks in The Grind WV on Willey Street will find smiling faces, fresh-made food, and coffee. “Coffee is king. That’s what we care about,” says Rich Johnson, the new co-owner of The Grind WV. Rebranded from Jay’s Daily Grind, Johnson and partner Chris Belt, manager of the Book Exchange, bought the coffee shop from Jay Redmond over the summer.

“Having a coffee is the last little dream world before getting the day on,” says Johnson, who moved to Morgantown in 2006 after running the Kickstand Café in Takoma, Washington, for five years. But his love of coffee started long before that.

“My first coffee experience was at 10 or 11. My Norwegian grandpa would have black coffee and a plain doughnut. One day, he slid that combination over and ‘Boom!’ It’s still my favorite thing in the world—coffee and a plain doughnut.” He took trips to Takoma coffee stands with his mom before Starbucks opened there around 1987.

Johnson’s love of coffee is evident, “starting just after high school in a Takoma coffee shop, Temple of the Bean, a little place where all the musicians and artist hung out. They made ‘good’ coffee—they were doing something right, not some sort of hip hangout, but because coffee was awesome.”

He was thinking about returning to the Northwest when Redmond decided to sell the business. In a week, Johnson went from leaving Morgantown to signing papers. “Many people wanted the space, but Jay wanted to sell it to someone who’d care for the business,” said Johnson.

Many things at The Grind WV have stayed the same. “I bought an institution,” Johnson said, “and some things I’m not willing to change, but I do want to add some new things.”

Indeed, he has. Over the past few weeks, The Grind WV has been offering soups, salads, and some new sandwiches and snacks. And the muffins.

Every morning, patrons can find a variety of freshlybaked muffins. Katie Quinnelly, the “Muffin Maven,” has been creating blueberry chai muffins, baked pumpkin muffins with sugared pine nuts, and the Elvis, a banana muffin with peanut butter chips and bacon.

Besides the great coffee and food, patrons encounter a friendly staff having fun. Johnson wants patrons to be comfortable, and he generates that culture at The Grind WV. “I’m pretty loose. I would be embarrassed not to be happy and fun at work whatever is going on. It comes from my grandpa… he was hilarious guy, always had nicknames for people, would notice something about people, would pick them out and make them feel comfortable in a way that most people couldn’t. I think I got that quality from him, and I try to make it fun, every day, relentlessly.”

When asked what he thought about Panera opening at the top of High Street, Johnson talked about the downtown culture. “This is a charming downtown.

Lots of townies have been a little scared to come downtown, but now that Panera will be down here, it’s something [they’ll be] comfortable with. It will build traffic for the downtown area, and that will be good for all the businesses. More business, more people, making it feel safer, it will all be pretty good. Not afraid of [Panera] because I can’t compete with what they do. We just do what we do best.”

And what The Grind WV does best is being an oasis in between WVU and downtown Morgantown, a place where students, faculty, staff, and townies can go for healthy food at a reasonable price, friendly conversation, interesting music that isn’t being played everywhere else, and lots of interesting people. “It’s a culture of having fun and being confident we’re making great stuff.”

The Grind WV is at 168 Willey Street and is open 7am to 6pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 3pm on Saturdays. The Grind WV now takes credit/debit cards.

The selection you want.

The expertise you need.

The exceptional wine you’re searching for.

The Wine Rack.

Tired of wandering around trying to decide on the right wine?

The Wine Rack offers a wide selection of wines at a great price – and you’ll be greeted by a true wine enthusiast who can answer all your questions.

Whether you’re choosing the perfect wine for a dinner party, a hostess gift or something special for your best client, you’ll love the friendly, helpful service.

And we do special orders and daily samplings too.

Forget self-service wine purchases.

Come discover wonderful new wines and pairings at The Wine Rack.

Wine – Beer – Cigars Gift Baskets – Chocolates 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday Closed Sunday 1225 Pineview Drive Morgantown, WV 26505

304-599-WINE (9463) www.thewinerackwv.com

Within Three Hours. . .

Are the everyday stresses of life driving you crazy?

by Lisa Romeo

Then commit yourself to having a mentally-stimulating time at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (TALA). Just an hour’s drive south on I-79 to Weston, you’ll find what was formerly known as the Weston State Hospital. From the mid-1800s until its closing in 1994, the facility served as a sanctuary for the mentally ill. After being privately purchased in 2007 by the Jordan family of Morgantown, the new owners began restoration efforts to make the National Historic Landmark open for public tours. Since 2008, the Trans- Allegheny Lunatic Asylum has become one of the more popular facilities for historic and paranormal tours in the area.

Designed by architect, R. Snowden Andrews, the main building is claimed to be one of largest hand-cut stone masonry buildings in North America and second largest in the world, next to the Kremlin. Construction of the Gothic Revival style structure began in late 1858. The main building is the Kirkbride Building, named after Thomas Story Kirkbride, a 19th-century physician and

asylum superintendent from Pennsylvania. Kirkbride buildings are recognized by their unique “bat wing” floor plan and lavish Victorian-era architecture. This design was intended to provide each of the wings an abundance of therapeutic sunlight and fresh air which was believed to be vital to patients’ treatment and recovery. Early construction of the building was made by prison laborers then later finished by skilled stonemasons from Germany and Ireland. Once known as the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane, it was meant to be a self-sufficient facility that included a farm, dairy, waterworks and a cemetery. In 1913, its name was changed to the Weston State Hospital.

Though the Weston State Hospital was designed to house only 250 patients in its conception, by the 1950s the number of committed patients had reached 2,600. The overcrowded conditions, poor sanitation, insufficient furniture, lighting and heat-

For details on tours, ghost hunts, and special events, visit the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum website at: trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com/ or call (304) 269-5070.

If you’d like to combine a Fall Foilage drive with your trip to TALA, mid-October brings beautiful color to the hillsides along Rt. 33, which crosses the State both east and west of Weston

Contact Information Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum 71 Asylum Drive

ing led to its closure in 1994. Stories of gruesome murders, patients being locked in cages, and icepick lobotomies haunt the Hospital’s past. These hauntings have attracted paranormal enthusiasts nationwide, including SyFy’s Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters Academy, the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures and Paranormal Challenge.

The public can tour various parts of the facility and grounds for a fee from March 30th – November 3rd, with ghost hunts offered year round. The main attraction is the Kirkbride Building that houses the 200 ft. high clock tower. It contains a museum and several restored period rooms ranging from the 1870’s to the 1960’s. The majority of the patient wards remain untouched, along with the miles of decayed hallways and isolation cells where the most violent inhabitants were chained. Enhance this eerie atmosphere with 2-1/2 ft. thick walls, 921 windows, 906 doors, and a maze of dark tunnels with dirt floors and you have one fascinating structure.

Other areas that can also be toured are the Medical Center, the Forensics and Geriatrics Buildings, and the Civil War Section of the hospital along with the grounds, farm, and three cemeteries where thousands of unclaimed patients’ bodies were buried in unmarked graves.

Weston, WV 26452 Phone (304) 269-5070 Email: info@trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com Website: trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com/ Tickets: www.shop.trans-alleghenylunaticasylum. com/main.sc

Fall 2013 Tours & Events Historic Tours – Tuesday-Sunday Paranormal Tours – Wed. nights in Oct. Daytime Paranormal Tours – Saturday/Sunday 1-4pm Cemetery/Farm Tour – Sat./Sun. 12:30pm & 3pm “Aberration” Haunted House – October Medical/Forensics/Geriatrics Ghost* Hunt – October 4th, 5th, 11th, & 12th October Ghost Hunts* – October 4th, 11th & 12th Fall Fest – October 11th, 12th, & 13th The Asylum Ball – October 26th Photography Tour – November 3rd Flashlight Tours – Special events only

CENTERING

PRECISION

CONCENTRATION CONTROL OF MOVEMENT

B R E AT H

F LO W

Morgantown’s ONLY traditional Pilates studio offering private, semi-private and small group equipment classes for: Reformer Tower

Cadillac EXO Chair

Group Mat Classes Pilates is a unique method of movement exercise that combines muscles strengthening and lengthening with breathing to develop “the powerhouse” of the body.

Classes offered daily.

I personally feel that up until recently, Pilates has been the best kept secret.

It has proven to be my favorite can’t-do-without workout ever! It keeps me strengthened, toned, flexible and even helps relieve stress. Kendra, from the Pilates Studio of Morgantown, is a great teacher...she has the beat equipment, she’s always upbeat, keeps us motivated, explains each move & how it’s beneficial and gives individual attention even in group classes. I always leave class feeling like a better, more relaxed version of me. I strongly encourage anyone who’s curious to give it a try!

Jennifer Beattie

1101 About Town Place Morgantown, WV 26508 www.pilatesofmorgantown.com

A Glance Back in Time: The Trolley in Morgantown

by Marc Debiase, Ed.D. Up and Running Sitting on my back porch, perched atop Town Hill, overlooking our wonderful city of Morgantown, I sip my coffee and gaze across the lush mountains peeking up through the low morning fog hovering over the river valley. The leaves are hinting yellows, oranges and reds. Fall is approaching.

While I listen, the sun is making its way over the eastern mountains to visit our city once again.

Morning doves coo, birds chirp, a dog barks, and deer scurry through backyards. Then the sound of a distant train approaching breaks the natural, and the heartbeat of the city begins to pulse.Â

Each morning with the sunrise, Morgantown wakes up. And like a ritual that has continued for decades, the city transforms into a prosperous bustling center. The sounds of transportation fill the air as people descend into the valley below hurrying to their jobs, or classes, or to run common errands, and to explore all the eclectic treasures the city center has to offer for another day.

It was not so long ago the pulse of the morning transformation was quite different. Trains cutting through fog-tooting warnings, tires on streets

rumbling past, car horns beeping, Jake breaks breaking—these sounds had not yet become part of the morning air. The sounds and movements were once much slower, natural and quiet, as the surrounding people of Morgantown walked and rode bicycles, rode horses, or drove horse-pulled buggies and freight carts to the city center. The most advanced form of mass transportation in the vicinity was horse-drawn busses operated by companies such as Cain’s Stagecoach Line.

While Morgantown was a production city in the late 19th century, producing glasswear, tin, and textiles, many community amenities were still not locally available. For decades prior to 1885, horsedriven freight wagon-trains from as far away as Baltimore would bring supplies to the city for distribution. Morgantown was a central distributing point for consumer products for the locals and regional rural residents. The daily pulse for the rural folks would start much earlier, those who may take a day or two to travel to town to get much needed supplies. And for those who worked in the city, living close-by in Durbanna, the previous name of the south end of the Morgantown area, or over in Greenmont, where Gene’s Beer Garden is today, or right in the city center itself was often a primary necessity. Transportation and its limits governed the economy and movements of Morgantown and its people. Morgantown though, like other small cities of the late eighteen hundreds was on the dawn of a new age.

The trolley was the new form of city transportation sweeping across America. Andrew Smith Hallidie patented the trolley in 1871, and two years later, the first cable car contraption descended into the heart of San Francisco. Here in Morgantown people read about it in newspapers such as the Morgantown Weekly Post, the West Virginia University Daily, and The Monongalia & Preston County Gazette. Some local folks visited other cities which had adopted trolley systems of one form or another and came home with tales of their adventures which highlighted the experience beyond comparison. As the technology of inner-city transportation advanced across America, several forms of power were adopted into systems over time which best fit the needs and opportunity of city life as they were developed.

The Trolley Systems and Their Proliferation Cable cars, those which began in San Francisco, were pulled up and lowered down the hills of the city by long steel ropes, also patented by Hallidie, and driven by large steam engines which reeled and released the cables from huge gathering spools. Other power systems included motorized steam trolley cars, requiring their own built-in steam engine fueled with coal, much similar to a small train motorcar with the addition of passenger seating. These trolley cars could utilize existing train tracks as part of their system, which provided a base infrastructure for the further development of trolley routes reaching from a city’s center far into outlying domains. And there were also the electric trolley cars. Electric trolley cars were tested and designed as mass transportation carriages alongside the development of the electric automobile. The first electric trolley line though is credited to Fyodor Pirotsky in 1880, a Russian, who invented and successfully deployed the inner-city electric trolley line in the city of Sestroretsk located near Saint Petersburg. Here in America the electric trolley was introduced to Americans at the World’s Fair of 1884 in New Orleans. Although several variations of electrical trolley systems were tested and attempted in American cities, the first successful electric trolley system in America was launched in 1887 in Richmond, Virginia, developed by Frank J. Sprague.

Morgantown’s Unique Transportation Beginning Morgantown had its own unique set of needs and infrastructure. Locals and rural residents were riding into and around town on horse-drawn busses, the predecessor of the trolley. But the fare was often an expense many could not afford. The route from Fairmont to Morgantown was called the United States Postal and Passenger Line, with a fare of $2.00 for the 5-hour journey. The system was expensive, slow and tedious, certainty not prompt and consistent. And like San Francisco, Morgantown was surrounded by a maze of mountainous terrain. Many of the arteries leading into and out of Morgantown were roads not paved with bricks, open to the elements and often extremely difficult to navigate depending on weather and conditions. These routes were hard on the horses which powered the coaches, and bumpy on the rumps of passengers who did brave the ride.

Morgantown’s major transportation infrastructure commenced when work on the locomotive rail began in 1884. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad started the construction of a route from Fairmont to Morgantown. Morgantown’s rail infrastructure was lagging in contrast to Fairmont and Grafton.

But the decisions to lay rails were in the hands of the large rail companies, and Morgantown

had not been previously considered a major point of destination for economic reasons. Moving coal and timber was a huge consideration of the larger rail companies when development decisions were made. But finally, as reported in the Morgantown Weekly Post on February 6, 1886, after a century of back-woods city life and slow growth, Morgantown was connected to the major rails. Construction of the line was completed to Decker’s Creek where the last leg consisting of an iron trestle bridge was being built to complete the extension when the Morgantown Weekly Post ran its story.

Morgantown was planning its Centennial Celebration party around the opening of the Morgantown Train Depot which would serve as the loading and unloading point for Morgantown passengers.

The Morgantown Train Depot was constructed at the foot of Cherry Alley, and remains there today serving as the city’s bus depot. A ride to Fairmont could lead the passenger to destinations all over the country. It was an enormous step forward for our small city. Then on a Sunday evening, February 14, 1886, just over a week since the story ran, the first steam passenger locomotive arrived at the Morgantown Train Depot for its first scheduled trip leaving for Fairmont at 6:45 AM the following morning. The previous five-hour journey was now much cheaper by passenger train, and passengers could travel the route comfortably in just about an hour. By 1894 the line was completed to Pittsburgh, enabling the passengers to make the 100-mile trip in 4 hours, a trip that previously may have taken one or two days by horse carts, depending on the conditions and cargo.

Over the following two decades of the rail line connection to Morgantown, feeder lines were built along the Decker Valley and out into Kingwood, serving primarily as freight lines which carried coal and timber to the main lines. Local and regional commodities were then capable of connecting to major cities all across the country, and the regional economy started to boom.

The rail line infrastructure played an extremely important role with the integration of trolley systems into our city of Morgantown, as trolley lines from the city tapped into the rail feeder

lines enabling passenger routes far into outlying regional areas. With the economic boom the city and regional population sharply increased. People from all across the country and immigrants from all over the world descended on Morgantown as news of the city’s growth spread. With the extensive routes reaching far into outer lying regional areas, locals could now ride a trolley system to and from regional work destinations such as coal fields or to timber fields for an economical price, usually a nickel, comfortably and consistently. The city center itself began to prosper, too, as new retail shops were supported with the commerce of rural folks who previously had no comfortable means of visiting the city for shopping, dining, or perhaps a vaudeville show. The economy and culture of Morgantown was advancing rapidly. Morgantown had joined the 20th century of mass transportation!

Five Main Trolley Lines Emerge In Morgantown Morgantown’s integration of trolley systems was similar to those which emerged in other small rural cites. With multiple investors and competition attempting to secure a monopoly on a system, Morgantown’s city council was very busy through the years settling disputes and maneuvers aimed at controlling the city’s trolley systems. One main argument among trolley companies was over the use of existing train tracks when trains were idle to extend extensively into rural areas, carrying workers to and from the thriving areas. Everything was run on strict schedules to prevent collisions and traffic interference. Prior to trolley system disputes in town, the council settled ordinances that eventually banned all free-roaming animals in city limits, such as horses, mules, and even pigs. Over time though six main trolley lines would emerge and play major roles in the development of a complex city trolley system, and pigs too were eventually banned from free roaming in the city limits.

The Loop Line The first trolley line to open here in Morgantown was called the Loop Line by Morgantown locals. It was owned by the Morgantown Traction and Electric Company and operated by the Union Utility Company. The line began operation in 1902. When the line was completed and opened, it ran straight

down High Street where it continued to share the street with horses and buggies which still dominated the city. Although the “horseless carriages” were also beginning to appear on inner city streets, the trolley served the common peoples’ needs and prospered greatly. The line ran down to Foundry Street and turned right, heading west to Front Street (now University Avenue). From there the line turned right again, heading north onto Front Street running past the entry to Cherry Alley where at the foot sat the Morgantown Train Depot.

The line then continued following Front Street up the foot of Fayette Street were years previously the home of Zaquill Morgan, founding father of Morgantown, resided. (Today, The Mountain People’s Co-Op sits there.) The line dog-legged left to continue up Beechurst Avenue to Seneca where the Seneca Center is today. Passersby can still see the remnants of the old glass factory at the Seneca Center near the foot of Eighth Street. Back in the day the glass industry was thriving in Morgantown. The line carried many workers to and from the area helping the economy of Morgantown to greatly prosper. From Seneca the line turned right and headed east straight up Eighth Street where it then turned back south onto Beverly Avenue which was wooded and sparsely populated with housing in comparison to the landscape and structures of today. Running the distance of Beverly Avenue, the line intersected with University Avenue where it travelled down through Sunnyside and around the loop on the Downtown Campus.

Continuing on University Avenue, the line ran past Woodburn Circle and the Student Union. The Loop line continued to run past Stewart Hall, where the line then turned left onto Prospect Street heading west to where Nick’s Canteen Lunch is today.

The line navigated the right and left dog-leg in the street and continued up Prospect, past where the Daily Athenaeum offices are located today up to Willey Street, just across the street from the Dairy Mart store. From there it turned right down onto Willey Street where it made its way back to the top of High Street to complete the loop. The line served Morgantown City proper for a number of years introducing mass inner-city transportation systems to area locals. It set the stage for the further development of trolley lines in Morgantown and out into the surrounding rural areas.

The South Morgantown Line

The Sabraton Line

In April of 1906, the South Morgantown Traction Company was granted a franchise to operate trolleys on the south side of the Morgantown area.

The residential area was expanding rapidly and a trolley system made housing throughout the area practical. The line ran from High Street across the South High Street Bridge up to Prairie Avenue then into the Wagoner Addition. From there, it went down Domain Street to proceed to Dorsey Avenue. It then intersected with Bridge Street (now Don Knotts Boulevard). When it opened, the line went solely to its destination, then reversed to its beginning. Then, in 1909 the line expanded to North and High Streets. Perhaps most popular about the line was the company park that the Traction Company built in south Morgantown called Traction Park, up near Dorsey’s Knob. Parks such as these were popular during the era, and Morgantown residents enjoyed their park. They would gather at the park, especially on weekends, to have picnics and reunions. It was a grand time to live in Morgantown. The electric companies constructed these parks that eventually evolved into amusements parks with electric rides such as Ferris wheels, to provided entertainment services for local residents on weekends and to keep the lines running. The weekend utility of the lines used the excess electricity their stations were generating on weekends, further boosting the economy of the area. The south Morgantown area was thriving and prospered, and in 1911 the line was extended two more miles from Dorsey Avenue to the Greenmont area, where the trolley followed Kingwood Avenue and returned to High Street via the Walnut Street bridge. A trolley barn was build under Walnut Street bridge, on the lower end of Kingwood Street near Decker’s Creek. This was near the old electric generating plant. And another was constructed out near the park.

The Sabraton area developed its own line too.

The Sabraton area line was incorporated in July 1905 by local industrialists. It provided a principle transportation artery from the downtown area to Sabraton where the American Sheet and Tin Mill operated. For a time the franchise line was in a dispute with the other local trolley services that operated in Morgantown proper. Therefore, permission to use the High Street tracks was necessary. Finally the lines struck an agreement, and the Morgantown trolley system extended from south Morgantown to Sabraton. The Sabraton Line, once extended, went up Richwood Avenue and down through the Jerome Park area past the old Methodist Church where it crossed Hartman Run bridge and descended to the tin mill. The tin mill was located generally where the new BFS complex is built. It then curved back along Decker’s Creek following the current rail trail path until it met up with the South Morgantown Line again. This line also provided primary worker transportation to and from the mill area, further boosting the economy of Morgantown.

The Morgantowon & Dunkard Valley Railroad Line The most expensive and extensive line constructed in the Morgantown area was the line developed by the Morgantown and Dunkard Valley Railroad Company. The line connected some of the most far-reaching rural areas with Morgantown proper.

It originally had plans of connecting Morgantown with Mannington, Blacksville, Wadestown, and Mount Morris, Pennsylvania. The line experienced many difficulties along the way though, mostly financial and territorial. However, in 1909 when the Monongalia Bridge was completed (now the

Westover Bridge), the line crossed over the river and to its destinations. By 1911, one could ride the line all the way to Cassville. The line reached 15 miles into rural areas, and then more than 25 miles. After 1913 the line ran through the Scott’s Run coal fields and all the way to Blacksville, and then to Brave, Pennsylvania. The line connected the far reaching rural areas with Morgantown, enabling literally hundreds of people convenient access to the city, and city dwellers access to work in the fields for a minimum fare of 20 cents.

The Hickory Line The shortest trolley line constructed in the Morgantown area was known as the Hickory Line. It carried passengers over the main streets of Westover, down Holland Avenue to Dunkard Avenue and on the Pennsylvania Avenue, ending at a hickory tree across Dents Run and into Granville. But in 1918, because of failing revenues, the short Hickory Line stopped carrying passengers and terminated its route.

Closing for Good Morgantown thrived and continued to grow, but the transportation industry was again changing in America, and in Morgantown, rapidly. The early transportation industry brought change to American cityscapes, and Morgantown was no different.

The trolley industry thrived throughout World War I, but as the automobile became more popular and feasible to own, and with newly motorized bus routes in the city and rural areas, trolley traffic decreased. And with that, great traction motor com-

panies followed the decline. In the end, the trolley industry in Morgantown lost so much revenue it could not afford to keep its trolley cars running in safe, mechanical order. The Mayor of Morgantown demanded that trolley companies improve their services or close their doors. They were forced to submit to the ultimatum. All the central companies closed in a short number of years.

The trolley systems in America, compared to the horse, train, and steamboat, seem like a flash in the pan. The Morgantown area trolley systems enjoyed a glorious time in American history. The Loop Line prospered for better than twenty years.

But as the automobile became more popular it steadily declined in the closing years, until in April of 1923 the last trolley ran The Loop Line and none seemed to care.

The trolley system in the area provided a vital service. The era seems to have passed to quickly though. The Morgantown & Dunkard Valley Railroad Company took more than fifteen years to build a thriving service, connecting Morgantown with the farthest-reaching rural areas. Then, almost overnight, it all changed. A bus route from Star City started making daily runs to the coalmines and rural areas of Morgantown. Busses, having many advantages, were redefining mass transportation in America. And on May 9, 1925, the trolley from Morgantown to Cassville and beyond made its last run.

In hindsight, America could not have prospered as quickly as it had without the utility of the trolley, or sustained strength. We can credit the trolley with

providing America with the workforce she needed in very desperate times. The trolley enabled America rapid economic growth and enabled America to reserve the strength she would need through war and industrial advancement in a rapidly changing world. But the age of the automobile definitely provided advantages the trolley simply could not meet. Although nostalgic systems remain today in many sites across America, mass transportation in general was nearly replaced by the end of the Morgantown heyday of the trolley.

For further reading and information used to write this article, reference the following: Morgantown Trolley Systems

by J. Costello & K. L. Carvell History of West Virginia by Barbara Howe Economic History of the United States

by George Rogers Taylor History of the Making of Morgantown, West Virginia by James Morton Callahan Author’s note: The author would like to extend great appreciation for historical information surrounding the integration of the trolley systems into our city of Morgantown to Professor Emeritus Kenneth Carvell, who taught in the Forestry Department of West Virginia University. Ken’s passion for the history of Morgantown, especially the Suncrest area, led him to extensively research, among other topics, the trolley transportation systems in Morgantown. His research resulted in a booklet published at West Virginia University Libraries devoted specifically to the Morgantown trolley systems. A member of The Morgantown Historical Society, he warmly invited me to his home on several occasions to sit and talk about the transportation systems as I gathered notes from his enormous knowledge of our city’s history. Much of the previous and following is gleaned from my notes and the booklet. Thank you Ken, once again!

Satruday, November 20, 2013

Main Street Morgantown and co-sponsors, WCLG & WesBanco will be purchasing two Apple iPAD’s® and customers who make purchases totaling ($25 or more at any business) in the Downtown and Wharf District will become eligible to register to win the Apple iPAD® Eligible Customers can register between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Arts Monongahela - 201 High Street (Beside Huntington Bank).

Bring your sales receipts to this location. Arts Monongalia will be featuring an Artisan Village for people to enjoy while signing up for drawing. Also, Santa Claus will be present for parents to take or have their children’s picture taken.

Questions Call 304-292-0168 or email barb@downtownmorgantown.com.

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