Elk River Living Magazine

VOLUME 03 | ISSUE 08 | AUG 2021 FREE

WV BIGFOOT FESTIVAL AND MUSEUM

HHHS Winning Seasons The best of the best advanced to the State Playoffs and the HHHS boys and the Lady Huskies proudly represented the Elk River, culminating in the girls again capturing a 5-peat championship.

New ER Businesses Hastey Farms offers healthier meats and eggs for your families, Top Notch Detail takes pride in keeping your car looking great inside and out, and The Shoppe now boasts a new in-house coffee shop.

Fall Festivities Preparations are underway now for The Affiliated Financial Group/ Trick or Treat Extravaganza at Coonskin Park, the Clendenin Woman’s Club Fall Festival and the Clay County Golden Delicious Festival.

Poca Valley Bank Announces the Retirement of Sherry Evans After 45 Years of Service Sherry Evans has decided to retire from Poca Valley Bank. Sherry joined PVB straight out of high school in 1976. It all started in the tater patch. In July of 1976 while hoeing taters in the garden, Sherry was recruited by then Executive VP Dean Jones to work in bookkeeping. After 45 years it is hard to just walk away, so Sherry will begin her retirement process with her last day of being full-time on August 13, 2021.

She will return in September working a part-time schedule Sherry has been involved in all parts of the bank’s operation over the past 45 years, and will always be considered a Poca Valley Bank legend. Here are a few of her career highlights: Her first job was processing checks, putting them in alphabetical order and then posting them to the paper ledgers. In those days, the Bank’s ledgers were handwritten or typed and you had to know who was married to whom as many customers didn’t have pre-printed checks with names and addresses. At that time, the bank was one branch with an asset size of around $8 million. Today we are approaching $500 million with seven branches.

She served several operational roles working as Proof Operator/Data Processor, Loan Teller, Mortgage Loan Officer and Appraiser and as the Assistant to the CEO. She was involved in the opening of all our retail branch locations.

Many of our customers met Sherry while she served as the Branch Manager of Clendenin and Elkview and also served as Sr. Vice President over all branches (Walton, Clendenin, Elkview, Sissonville, Poca, Winfield and Spencer).

In 2008 she became our Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing the loan and deposit operations. In 2018, Sherry was named WV Banker of the Year. Sherry’s contributions to our success have been innumerable.

We will be having a reception at the Elkview Branch on Thursday, August 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Everyone is invited to stop in and wish Sherry well in her retirement.

Congratulations Sherry!

Sherry poured her heart and passion into Poca Valley Bank daily.

She is a great ambassador of Poca Valley Bankshares.

Sherry is looking forward to spending time with her husband Randy and her family.

POCAVALLEYBANK.COM

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ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

95 CASDORPH RD, CHARLESTON 304.342.8200

WEST VIRGINIA'S DEMOLITION EXPERTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 16 Feature Story: Searching for Braxton County Monsters The new WV Bigfoot Museum and the Flatwoods Monster Museum offer a monsterlygood time to everyone who visits Braxton County.

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HHHS Field of Dreams “The load we carry is heavy, so we carry it together.”Coach Missy Anderson Smith

38 HHHS Triple Double

Sectional and Regional Champions They play for the right reasons: for themselves as a team and for the community.”

--Coach JR Oliver

Three pairs of siblings wear Hoover ball jerseys and proudly support each other, win or lose.

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Welcome Back to Elk River Living!

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Let Us Handle the Details

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Our Proud Sponsors

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Bagel and an Iced Drink, Anyone?

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The Elk's Cookbook: Gabi's Sheet Pan Pizza

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The Elk’s Journal

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FROM THE EDITOR

HELLO

& Welcome Back!

T

his month was a special month for me. I was able to visit with my Aunt Pat who turns 90 in August and my cousin, Brenda, in South Carolina. Aunt Pat is my mom’s sister, and hugging her was the best feeling ever. It was like receiving a hug from my mom and that is a feeling I never expected to have again. I closed my eyes and could just feel love, comfort, and belonging.

I think this is true for so many of us on the Elk River. Our families are our lifelines and we treasure them dearly. But on the Elk, we all also share extended families who other people may just call friends, but to us, they are more than friends. We are all intertwined with our roots, our local stories and legends, our successes, our failures, our love, and our appreciation of home. A blessed moment for me recently was when, Sue Shafer (Jim), held a copy of Elk River Living up to her heart and said, “I love this magazine, it just feels like home.”

As you read this month’s magazine, I truly hope you can feel the sense of pride and love that Elk River Living embodies. The red and the blue wave proudly for the Hoover softball and baseball teams who represented us at the State Tournament. We were happy to feature three businesses: The Shoppe at Clay which now offers delicious bagels, coffees, and iced beverages; Hastey Farms in Clendenin with healthier food options for your family; and Top Notch Detail at Big Chimney/ Elkview which does an outstanding job cleaning your vehicles, inside and out (Ken’s truck looks brand new!). Also, there is nothing like a good legend of a West Virginia monster, whether it is Bigfoot, the Flatwoods Monster or Mothman.

As the summer winds down, don’t forget to take time to enjoy the upcoming local fall festivals and celebrate with our families and friends. Savor each day and be thankful.

Remember, there’s no place like home...on the Elk River. cyndi@elkriverliving.com

304.546.9243

Editor In Chief /

Cyndi Tawney

Creative Director /

Josh Tawney

Operations Director /

E L K R IVER

Ken Tawney

Printer /

The Printing Press Charleston, WV

LIVING

Elk River Living is published monthly by CJT Publishing, LLC, Elkview, West Virginia 25071.

All rights are reserved. All contents are copyrighted by CJT Publishing, LLC; reproduction in whole or part without written permission from CJT Publishing, LLC is epxressly forbidden and punishable by law.

Elk River Living is not responsible for unsolicited materials. All opinions expressed within Elk River Living belong to the feature’s author and are not necessarily the opinions of the publishers of CJT Publishing, LLC employees.

Elk River Living and CJT Publishing, LLC reserve the right to refuse any idea, material or subject matter.

Throughout this issue, trademarked names are used. Rather than denoting a trademark symbol in every occurrence of a trademarked name, Elk River Living uses the names in an editorial fashion, with no infringement. All trademarked names are still fully protected, and anyone who uses them without permission will be prosecuted.

On the cover: The first WV Bigfoot Festival successfully welcomed visitors to Sutton, WV with a BigFoot Museum ribbon-cutting ceremony, music, food, craft vendors and a Bigfoot symposium. Cover photo and inside Bigfoot Festival Photos were provided by photographer Janet Six of Sutton, WV.

This magazine depends on our advertising partners! Production, printing and mailing costs are offset by the participation of our valued local businesses. It is how we provide this service at no charge to you. Please take the time to review our Sponsors Page, and if you are in need of a product or service they provide, we ask that you give them a shot at earning your business. And let them know you saw their ad in Elk River Living!

Also, thank you to Teri Kennedy Beasley for sharing photos of the Hoover Baseball State Playoffs and of the Hoover base/softball siblings.

J. Craig Allison

Janet Six

ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

Our guest photographers this month, who care about our communities and help make this magazine possible: J. Craig Allison and Janet Six.

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’s

OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AFFILIATED FINANCIAL GROUP 304.935.2230 4508 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston

DR. ANGELA B. ARMSTEAD, DDS 3414 Pennsylvania Ave. 304.343.2151

ELK VALLEY PHYSICAL THERAPY 304.965.7979 contact Andi Geary, MPT

ANR CONSTRUCTION Randy Young, Jr. and Andrew Young 304.741.0377/304.546.6510

DR. JOHN RICHARDS 4710 Chimney Dr. Ste. H, Charleston 304.935.2513

ELITE ROOFING 304.989.4792 www.eliteroofingwv.com

BIG CHIMNEY BARBER SHOP 4508 Pennsylvania Ave. (across from Smith's Food Fair) 681.341.0948

E. JUNE BOUTIQUE 100 Verna Drive, Elkview, WV 25071 Ejunescustomer@gmail.com

E.L. ROBINSON ENGINEERING 5088 Washington St W, Charleston 304.776.7473 elrobinsonengineering.com

EDENS BODY WORKS, INC. 102 Neville Rd, Elkview 304.965.5900

FROSTBITE DAIRY BAR 1 Cobb Ave., Clendenin 304.548.7413

BILL’S USED CARS Rt 119 Elk River Road 304.548.4727

ELK FAMILY DENTISTRY 304.965.6661 contact Joey Adkins, DDS

GABBY’S SEWING & MORE 304.437.3739 gabbyssewingwv.com

BLUE CREEK HEATING & COOLING 304.965.9148 contact Bill Ross or Roy Crist

ELK HILLS MEMORIAL PARK 4705 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston 304.954.5721

GINO’S PIZZA & SPAGHETTI HOUSE 304.965-7031 Order online at ginospizza.com

BOWEN DENTAL Chas: 304.342.0146 / Clay: 304.587.7495 contact Stacy or Gary Bowen II

ELK RIVER AUTOMOTIVE 304.965.7501 contact Gary W. Pauley II

GIOVANNI’S - CLENDENIN 304.548.7002 giovannispizzapower.com

CANTRELL’S FLORIST 304.548.7700 7484 Elk River Rd, Clendenin

ELK RIVER AUTO SUPPLY 304.965.5312 contact Glenn Pauley

CENTRAL WV AGING SERVICES Local Charleston Office 304.965.9081

ELK RIVER PADDLE AND YAK Lori Dittman, Owner 304.314.3880

HAFER FUNERAL HOME & MYER’S CHAPEL 304.965.3331 / 304.965.3341 haferfuneralhome.net

CLAY COUNTY BANK 150 Main St., Clay,304.587.4221 2236 Main St., Clay, 304.587.7480

ELK RIVER CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Scott Collias 4710 Chimney Dr., Ste. D 304.965.2458

BECKY’S PET PARLOR 304.951.9162 Rebecca Briles & Kaitlyn Truman

CLENDENIN PHARMACY 304.548.5451 Bill or Lindsay Ore Matuszkiewicz CREDE TRACTOR 304.965.1666 contact William Crede DEAN JEFFRIES, STATE FARM 304.965.7024 85 Credes Landing, Elkview

There’s no place like home!

ELK RIVER GET-A-WAY 16544 Elk River Rd, Clendenin 304.993.0006/304.941.4296 ELK VALLEY ELECTRIC 304.419.5337 www.elkvalleyelectric.com ELK VALLEY PET CREMATORIUM Inside Elk Hills Memorial Park 4705 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston 304.965.0148

HARDINGS FAMILY RESTAURANT 304.344.5044 I-79 Exit 1, Mink Shoals HOLSTEIN INSURANCE 304.965.9941 holsteininsuranceagencyinc.com IDEAL PROTEIN Charleston Family Chiropractic 308 Patrick St. Plaza, Charleston 304.344.9077 INTERSTATE RADIATOR AND SMALL ENGINE REPAIR 1611 4th Ave., Charleston 681.265.5047 JONES AUTO 304.965.6180 jonesautotruckrepair@gmail.com

Please

GIVE OUR SPONSORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR BUSINESS.

They care a great deal about you and the

Elk River Community.

would you like to advertise with ERL? contact cyndi@elkriverliving.com or 304.546.9243 SMITH’S CARPET ONE SMITH’S FURNITURE & APPLIANCE 304.965.7111 & 304.965.7600 Big Chimney & Elkview, WV

JONES EXCAVATING 304.965.6180 jonesexcavatingofcharleston.com

MOSS TREE SERVICE LLC 304.965.8095 www.mosstreeservice.com

JULIO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 304.548.4625 12 Main St, Clendenin

MOUNTAIN LAUREL COUNTRY STORE SMITH’S FURNITURE & 400 4th Street, Sutton APPLIANCE 717.228.7524 304.965.7600 Elkview, WV MOUNTAINEER AUCTION SOLID ROCK CONTRACTING 304.548.4056 304.444.4288 contact Roger Mullins contact Phil Shaffer MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH SPECIAL OCCASIONS 304.965.7062 304.965.5434 mpbcwv.org specialoccasionflowers.com NANCY KUHL, SEWING SPENCER’S HARDWARE call 304.965.0747 304.548.6995 text 304.807.4861 8290 Elk River Rd. N, Clendenin PATRIOT PRESSURE WASHING TEEL AUTO REPAIR Larry McCoy 304.548.5008 304.840.4833 190 COTTON TREE RD, WALTON

KNIGHT INSURANCE 304.548.4726 knightinsurance@frontier.com KNIGHTHORST 877.474.7332 www.knighthorst.com LEGACY FOODS For Delivery Call: 304.545.0802 LITTLE SECRET DESIGN CO Katheryne E. Popp, Designer www.littlesecretdesign.co 304.427.6797 LOGAN TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY Call or Text 304.941.7622 INSTAGRAM: @logantaylorphotagraphy MARA ELLIS, OLD COLONY 304.541.7336 1205 Virginia St East, Chas. mellis@oldcolony.com MATICS FUNERAL HOME 304.548.6611 maticsfuneralhome.com MEADOWBROOK ACRES NURSING CENTER 877.474.7332 www.meadowbrookacres.net MITCH’S 24 HR TOWING 304.965.6646 contact Mitch Young MOMMA PAYNE’S DINER 304.543.9930 14 Main St, Clendenin

POCA VALLEY B ANK 304.965.7730 pocavalleybank.com 1.844.782.2651

TUDOR’S BISCUIT WORLD 1083 Main Street Elkview 304.965.7769

PIZZAS AND CREAM 133 Nebo Walker Road, Nebo, WV 304.286.2985

WALLY'S SUPERIOR PARTS & SERVICE 5100 Elk River Rd., N., Elkview 304.935.2287

RODNEY LOFTIS & SON 95 Casdorph Rd., Charleston 304.342.8200 and on Facebook

Xspec POWER 304.746.1139 contact Emily Canterbury

ROGERS HARDWARE 304.965.1077 Contact Bill Rogers

YAK HOUSE RENTALS 304.941.2229 Yakhouserentals.com

ROLLIN SMOKE 4008 Crede Drive, Big Chimney 681.265.0690 SCOTT’S SERVICE & AUTO REPAIR 311C Elk River Road, S., Clendenin 681.230.2151 SLEEP INN HARDINGS FAMILY RESTAURANT 800.216.0661 & 304.344.5044 sleepinncharlestonwv.com

ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

KEITH'S AUTO PARTS VW Specialists 6328 Elk River Rd, N. Clendenin 304.548.7627/1-800-RACE-A-VW

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AT THE LIBRARY

Libraries are more than just stores of books and knowledge. They are the cornerstone of neighborhoods and communities.

Events for Children August Schedule of Virtual Events 304-343-4646

All events are hosted online. For more details, see www. kanawhalibrary.org

Virtual Storytime Wednesdays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25,10:30 a.m.

Enjoy a new story with us on Facebook.

Plus suggestions for other books. Children: Birth-5 Years.

Write a 5 Word Story Thursdays, August 5, 12, 19 & 26, 4 p.m.

What’s happening in this wacky picture?

Tell us in 5 words on Facebook! Family.

1st Chapter Fridays Fridays, August 6, 13, 20 & 27, 3 p.m.

Sneak peek of a variety of chapter books on Facebook.

Children: 6-11 Years.

Kindness Club Storytime and Challenge Saturday, August 14, 2 p.m.

Enjoy a story about kindness on Facebook. Then participate in the monthly kindness challenge by picking up the kindness craft at the Main Library (while supplies last). Children.

Family STEM Saturday, August 21, 2 p.m.

Join us as we explore a science concept on Facebook!

We will read books about the topic covered and show science in action. Family.

Family Storytime Saturday, August 28, 2 p.m.

In this Facebook storytime, a librarian will read books and guide participants through rhymes and activities about a theme that families will enjoy! Family.

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Children’s programming sponsored by the BB&T West Virginia Foundation

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All KCPL events are subject to change. Changes or cancellations will be announced on the KCPL website, Facebook page and other social media. Contact your local library for more information.

www.kanawhalibrary.org

Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation to attend a program at any KCPL facility should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event. 304-343-4646 ext. 1242 or 1268; facilities@kanawhalibrary.org

Big EVL Book Sale in September The BIG Book Sale, sponsored by the Elk Valley Library Advisory Board, is scheduled for September 23-25 so mark your calendars now! The event will start with an early bird sale on Thursday, September 23 from 4 -7:30 PM, then on Friday, September 24 from 10 AM - 4:30 PM, and will conclude on Saturday,September 25 from 10 AM - 3 PM. Donations are being accepted now, so clean off your shelves and donate your books, magazines, and DVDs for others to enjoy plus help support the Elk Valley Library as well! All donations can be brought to the library now through September 22 for this September’s big book sale.

Special guest at the Book Sale will be local author, Connie Nelson, for a Grow Up Happy book signing event, featuring Big Bark Buddy Tree. Connie will have hardcover ($20) and softcover ($10) books and t-shirts for purchase, and an array of free gifts for the children including WV live acorns (with parental permission), Oakie Dokie coloring sheets, and more. Children can have their photo taken with the World’s Biggest Cele-tree! Connie also plants a baby oak tree in a pot with the children and at the end of the event, she will have a drawing and someone will receive the oak tree to take home and plant! Connie said, “Stonewall Resort and Tamarack spokespersons remarked (from their Grow Up Happy book signing event), “The kids all have so much fun; this isn’t just a book signing, it’s an event!”

Make plans now to donate your books and attend the BIG Book Sale and Grow up Happy book signing event!

The Elk Valley Branch Library is located at 313 Crossings Mall, Elkview.

Jammin’ at the ERCC!

•

Doors open at 5 pm

August 6

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Concessions available

No Regrets - Bill Wymer

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Admission $5.00

August 13

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Children 12 & under are free

Dixie Highway - Cindy Bird

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Thrift Store is open during Friday Night Jam from 5:30 - 8:30 pm.

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ERCC'S THRIFT STORE is also open Monday - Friday from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.

August 20 Mark IV & Stephanie Moore August 27 Blame - Steve Mullins

ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

The Friday Night Jam Session is back at the Elk River Community Center in Elkview!

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THE

ELK’S COOKBOOK GABI’S SHEET PAN PIZZA PIE

I

CIPE RE

S!

IN G.C OM

PREP TIME: 30 MIN TOTAL COOK TIME: 1 HR

D US YO SEN UR

t’s back to school this month, which is a good time for some quick dinner ideas while chauffeuring the kids and trying to maintain some kind of normalcy. Gabi Strickland Walker of Walker Mtn. Eats/ Facebook loves this delicious Sheet Pan Pizza Pie recipe from Pioneer Woman with, of course, a Walker Mountain twist. Gabi added some banana peppers the last time she made it along with sausage and pepperoni to the traditional pizza flavor profile and the family all loved it. Gabi said, “It’s a great family meal, but looks impressive enough to serve for a dinner party. It’s as yummy as it is beautiful!.”

IV ELKRIVERL

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INGREDIENTS

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2 T garlic butter softened (I used a pre-made garlic butter)

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2 C Monterey Jack cheese - shredded

1 yellow bell pepper - finely diced

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24 pepperoni slices

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1 lb. (loose) breakfast sausage

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12 slices mozzarella

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1 large egg + 1 T water

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2 T olive oil

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1 med. onion - thinly sliced

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2 t dried oregano

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2 cloves garlic - minced

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1 red bell pepper - finely diced

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Created by Eucalyp from the Noun Project

Created by Holis Majid from the Noun Project Created by Jellycons from the Noun Project

DIRECTIONS

Created by Shakeel Ch. from the Noun Project

Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment.

Step 2: Heat 1T olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium/high heat. Add the sausage and cook, using a wooden spoon to break up the sausage meat into small bits, until browned, about 10 to 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove browned sausage to a paper towel lined plate and allow to cool for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Heat 1 T olive oil in the same large cast-iron skillet over medium/high heat; add the onions and cook until softened and slightly browned, about 20 minutes, scraping up bits of leftover sausage from the bottom of the skillet as the onions cook. Stir in the oregano, garlic and red and yellow peppers and cook for another 5 minutes. Set aside to cool for 20 minutes.

Step 4: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each puff pastry sheet to about 13” long and 10” wide. Place one of the puff pastry pieces on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet; set aside the other. Spread softened garlic butter over the puff pastry sheet.

Step 5: Whisk the egg in a small bowl with 1 T water. Set aside.

Step 6: Sprinkle the Monterey Jack cheese over the garlic-buttered puff pastry sheet, leaving a 1/2” border around the edges of the pastry. Continue layering with half the caramelized onions and peppers, sausage, and pepperoni; finish with the mozzarella slices.

Step 8: Put the pie into the fridge to chill for 30 minutes before cooking.

Step 9: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Brush top of pie with the egg wash. Bake on the bottom rack until the pastry is nicely browned, about 20-30 minutes. Allow to rest about 5 minutes before slicing & serving.

Enjoy! --Gabi Strickland Walker

ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

Step 7: Brush the border of the puff pastry with the egg wash, lay the remaining puff pastry pieces over top and use a fork to crimp the edges. Using a sharp paring knife, cut three 1 1/2” vents in the top.

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304.344.9077

308 PATRICK ST. PLAZA CHARLESTON, WV 25387

PIZZA POWER

235 ELK RIVER ROAD SOUTH CLENDENIN, WV

548.7002

SOLIDROCK

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304.444.4288

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ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

NEW ONLINE MENU AT GIOVANNISPIZZAPOWER.COM

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SEARCHING FOR BRAXTON COUNTY MONSTERS

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Another monster museum has been sighted in Sutton! The WV Bigfoot Museum and the Flatwoods Monster Museum (which houses the Braxton County Visitors Center) are both open in Sutton for a monsterly-good time.

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S

utton is officially now the home of the first WV Bigfoot Festival, which was hosted at the end of June by the Petolicchio family, owners of Mountain Laurel Country Store and the new WV Bigfoot Museum. The first annual festival had over 1,000 visitors and was a family-friendly event for everyone.

Newly elected Mayor Jon D. Hoover and his wife Carolyn participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the grand opening of the WV Bigfoot Museum on the same day as the WV Bigfoot Festival. It was definitely a town-team event, with assistance and support from the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department, the Braxton County Commission, the Town of Sutton, and the Landmark Studio for the Arts. Local organizations and musicians also included Eric Atkinson Music, Sutton Baptist Church, Sports Connection, The Strumalongs, Sutton Public Library, Sutton Moose Lodge 825, and Judy’s Garden Club.

Local volunteers included Janet Six, Eric Thomas, Joe Gates, JT Stokley and Clyde Beatty. There were 15-17 local craft and food vendors and JAWS BBQ made sure no one went home hungry.

The Landmark Studio for the Arts featured a series of speakers at the Bigfoot Symposium which included Dusty Ruth, Doug Waller, George Dudding, Les O’Dell, and Daniel ‘Daniel Boone’ Smith. These noted bigfoot researchers concluded the symposium with a question and answer discussion with attendees.

ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

David Petolicchio said, “We are so thankful this year’s event went so well and we are looking forward to making it even better next year. We will announce the date(s) for next year’s festival as soon as we can.”

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New! The WV Bigfoot Museum The new WV Bigfoot Museum, located at 400 4th St. in Sutton, is a collection of artifacts, knowledge, local folklore, and sightings of Bigfoot, an elusive ape-like creature. There is even a gigantopithecus skull and information poster on display. David Petolichio said, “When we opened our Mountain Laurel Country Store we featured a large, wooden-carved Bigfoot in our front lobby. My dad, Lou, even dressed as Bigfoot in one of Sutton’s local parades. We kept hearing stories from all of the Braxton County locals about Bigfoot sightings in the area and there was so much information and interest, we decided to open an official WV Bigfoot Museum next door to our country store.”

The current core collection at the WV Bigfoot Museum was largely contributed by Les O’Dell, Marion County Supernatural Investigator, and Daniel ‘Daniel Boone’ Smith. David said, “We will be regularly adding more displays and exhibits.”

The museum has a variety of Bigfoot t-shirts, mugs, decor, and collectibles, perfect for all of the Bigfoot believers (Elk River Living magazine’s Creative Director, Josh Tawney, has been seen wearing one in NYC). David Petolicchio said, “ We have plans for an additional exhibit in the next few weeks. Also, there is an exciting event planned for December!”

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If you would like to donate to the WV Bigfoot Museum to help maintain and keep admission free, go to WV Bigfoot Festival or WV Bigfoot Museum on Facebook and click on their gofundme.com link. There is also a donation box at the museum.

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Bigfoot Festival Photos by Janet Six

The Flatwoods Monster Museum If you haven’t visited the Flatwoods Monster Museum and Braxton County Visitors Center, you need to make plans to go soon. The museum features the legend of the famous Flatwoods Monster aka the Braxton County Monster that has been included along with UFO sightings all over the world.

The museum is located on 208 Main Street in Sutton and is chocked full of Flatwoods Monster evidence, sightings, exhibits, and information.

There is also a gift shop, complete with your choice of monster paraphernalia. Because it is also the home of the Braxton County Visitors Center, it is full of tourism brochures and local attractions.

The Flatwoods Monster Museum and Braxton County Visitors Center also had a huge crowd on July 24 when the director and crew of the film On the Trail of UFOs: Dark Sky visited Sutton for a major Meet and Greet. The film is scheduled to be released on August 3 and the official big screen premiere will be at the Elk Theatre in Sutton in conjunction with Braxxie Bazaar on September 11. You can also visit the Flatwoods Monster Museum page on Facebook to view the trailer for the new film Small Town Monsters.

On the Trail of UFOs: Dark Sky, includes much of the UFO phenomena and history of Braxton County and features the Flatwoods Monster Museum. Attendees at the Meet and Greet were able to purchase film memorabilia and get autographs from the film crew.

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The Second Annual Flatwoods Monster Fest is scheduled for September 11 so mark your calendars now. This event was first held in 2019 and unfortunately, due to COVID, it was not able to be held in 2020. The event will be held in Flatwoods, also known as Home of the Green Monster. Vendors will be located inside and outside of the Flatwoods Community Building. This year will also include raffles, food, and carnival games and a parade will begin at 12 noon. If you would like to be a part of this year’s festivities, message Flatwoods Monster Fest on Facebook. There is also a 2021 vendor application on their Facebook page and all Flatwoods Monster Fest vendors will be required to complete a temporary or mobile food establishment permit.

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Make plans now for a road trip to Sutton for a perfect family outing to check out the two monster museums and spend the day in the historic town of Sutton. Great times on the Elk River!

Flatwoods Monster Museum Photos shared by Andrew Smith

ROAD SERVICE KEY LOCK-OUT SERVICING WEST VIRGINIA

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311C ELK RIVER RD, S. CLENDENIN, WV 25045

AR

Save the Date: September 16-19!

Clay County Golden Delicious Festival

ND THE OU

ELK

Make plans now to attend the 47th Annual Clay County Golden Delicious Festival September 16-19th! The whole county, families, friends and visitors come together for a great weekend of family fun, food, entertainment and of course, lots of apples and apple products!

There will be food, craft/artisans, and many businesses set up as vendors. There is also a parade with floats and bands, beauty pageants and a pet pageant, a decorating contest, quilt show, and other fun events and activities. Their popular Apple Dash 5K, clogging contests, baking competitions, skillet flinging contests, Apple Adventure by the Elk River Trail Foundation, and more will be at this year’s festival. Also, you won’t want to miss performances from the Thomas Danley Band, Magician T.J. Hill, Elk Overdrive and Presley & Taylor.

Festival Hours of Operation Thursday, Sept 16: 6 PM to 9 PM Friday, Sept. 17: 9 AM to 10 PM Saturday, Sept 18: 9 AM to 10 PM (Fireworks) Sunday, Sept. 19: 12 Noon to 3 PM

If you would like to enter one of the three pageants, participate in the parade, or be a vendor at the Clay County Golden Delicious Festival, go to their Facebook/Clay County Golden Delicious Festival or visit their new claycogoldendelicious.com website for applications. You can also call 304.880.8509 or message/chat on the website or email them at clayapplefestival@gmail.com for more information.

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This year’s Festival sponsors to date include My CCB Clay County Bank, Hometown Floral, Clay County SADD/ AntiDrug Coalition, JBragg Excavating, and Help & Hope WV. Help make this year’s festival a success: Be a Sponsor! Without the help of The Golden Crew and valuable sponsors, this festival would not be possible. The Clay County Golden Delicious Festival appreciates your support.

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Cantrell’s Florist 304.548.7700

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Let Us Handle the Details

The Elk River business community proudly welcomes Top Notch Detail, a local car detail shop located at 4924 Elk River Road in Elkview (between Momma Bear Daycare Center and the Dollar General Store).

Cody Hinchman, owner and Herbert Hoover 2009 alumnus, has always taken pride in keeping his vehicles clean. He was a pipeliner for several years and decided it was time to start his own business so he could be closer home to his family. Cody said, “We know people are busy and don’t have time to keep their vehicles as clean as they would like. Let us take care of that for you!”

His Top Notch Detail business offers a variety of detailing options: Exterior Only

Vacuum, Shine, Mats, Windows -Starts at $50 Interior and Exterior Custom Detailed- Starts at $100 Window Tint Windshield Strip $25, Side Window (each) $40, Back Glass $60

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Cody said, “You can call and make an appointment or you can just stop by for an estimate.” They also offer a quick wash, vacuum and light detail. He added, “We take pride in detailing vehicles and making sure your vehicle looks top notch before you leave with it!”

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See Top Notch Detail on Facebook and Instagram and view their before and after photos. They are also ARI Fleet approved. You can contact them at 304.859.0900 or message them on Facebook. They are open Monday through Friday, from 8 AM - 5 PM.

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Another HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREAT Extravaganza!

Submitted by guest author, Kerragan Young, Affiliated Financial Group, Inc. Affiliated Financial Group is pleased to announce that they have partnered with the Kanawha County Parks and Recreation, and will be doing another “Trick or Treat” extravaganza. This year it will be held at Coonskin Park. By teaming up with Kanawha County Parks and Recreation and having the event at Coonskin Park this October, it will help with traffic congestion and allow vehicles to move along quickly and smoothly.

Randy Young, President of Affiliated Financial Group, said, “We were not prepared for the huge turnout last year, however, we will be prepared this year so that it will be an enjoyable experience for everyone that comes out.”

Something NEW this year, Affiliated Financial Group has also partnered with 97.5 WQBE’s Mountain Mission Food Drive and will be collecting one can of canned food per child as admission to the Trick or Treat Extravaganza. This will help stock the food pantry at Mountain Mission for families in need.

The Affiliated Financial Group is announcing this event early because they need everyone’s help to make this bigger and better than last year. There are 100 “candy dispensing” spots available to reserve. Randy explained, “A business can call and claim a spot or even if you are not a business and would like to participate and hand out candy, or maybe because you don’t get many trick or treaters where you live, or if you just want to help out, we would love to have you come out and help us bring JOY to the young ones!”

ALL of the “candy dispensing” stations are FREE to claim and reserve. The only requirement is that you purchase your own candy to give out. Randy said, “Please contact us and let us know if you are wanting to join us and we will reserve your spot.”

This event will NOT be held on the same night as the Kanawha County Trick or Treat night, so as Halloween approaches, Affiliated Finance Group will announce the official date of their Trick or Treat extravaganza with more details.

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If you are interested in reserving a spot at this year’s event, please contact Affiliated Financial Group at 304935-2230 or email their Marketing Director, Kerragan Young, at kyoung@afingrp.com.

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A FIELD OF CHAMPIONS

W

ishing for a winning season is every coach's dream. They meet with their players on day one of spring practice, just like every other coach in the state. You have to wonder what is magical, however, about the Lady Huskies Softball team at Herbert Hoover High School, who just captured their fourth consecutive and fifth overall AA state championship.

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Missy Anderson Smith has been the softball coach at Herbert Hoover since 2006. She knew this past season was going to be challenging. “We only had 3 of 14 girls who had played with us. We were only able to play 12 days last year and then it was over due to COVID,” she said.

“Our sophomores didn’t get their year to grow; usually our juniors come back as strong leaders but COVID took that away from them. We had to hit the ground running from day one.” Missy explained that they had one senior and two juniors coming into the 2021 season. “Our leadership was clearly tested,” she said.

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This year she started six sophomores, eight if you count the courtesy runners. “Usually we have two to three freshmen in with the veteran group but this year we had upperclassmen who had

to learn on the fly,” said Missy. She explained that she wasn’t worried about the team’s athletic talent but was concerned if they had the mental maturity they needed for the game. “Togetherness and mental toughness is something I stress from day one,” said Missy.

“The young players have had success at Elkview Middle School on the softball team and on travel teams, but it is different when you are a member of the high school team.”

Togetherness is indeed a key ingredient for the Lady Huskies. Missy stresses to the team, “The load we carry is heavy, so we carry it together.”

As an example, Missy referred to one of their games against Oak Glen in the state tournament when they were down 5-2. “I needed them to think if I can just get on base, then the rest of the team will pick up the load. No one carries the load alone.”

The Lady Huskies' lineup 1-9 is solid. Missy said, “The bottom of our lineup was huge all through this past season as well. They were RBI machines whenever we needed them to be.”

When you hear the players talk in an interview after a game or when they post on Facebook, they all echo the togetherness that makes them a successful team. Missy laughed and said, “They all have attended the Missy Smith School of Social Media where I stress “what do you want others to know about us?” Without a doubt, the Lady Huskies put the ‘t’ in togetherness.

It wasn’t easy losing to Sissonville on the first day of the tournament. Missy said, “We were all pretty discouraged because we knew we didn’t play our best game. We looked at the positive and that was we scored in the seventh inning and continued to battle. We used this as our focus to gain momentum and roll into the second game against Sissonville the next morning.” The team stayed in a hotel together that first night and stayed focused and regrouped for Thursday morning’s game.

There are more than just softball lessons that are taught on the field. Missy said, “While some of our girls may go on to play college ball, eventually they all will need to be successful members of society. I am proud to help them develop life skills to continue on and be strong women.” She added, “I was raised by strong women. My mom and Aunt Jean were amazing role models as well as my dad and grandfather Missy talked about the challenges of being a who were successful coaches. I hope to repeating state champion. “It’s a mental battle always encourage our girls to be strong, proud because they are not as hungry, “ she explained. women.”

“Luckily our schedule keeps us humble so we don’t ever walk into a game thinking ‘this is an When asked about the driving force for easy win’.” She also explained that their team winning, Missy said, “I just feel like I’m is so deep that if you are a player who doesn’t supposed to win. I was the first four-year letter show up, physically or mentally, someone at Hoover (as Missy Anderson). I’ve always is ready to take their spot and that keeps the been a competitor. I’m not a good loser. I hate to lose. My husband, Jason, will tell you that. team on task.

I truly believe if talent and motivation are Incoming freshmen for the Lady Huskies present, then we should win.” Missy recited an team are used to winning. Missy said, “We unknown quote that goes something like “You only have one feeder school, but they are very need to hate to lose more than you love to win.” competitive and their coach, Terry Jarrett, helps prepare them for high school softball.” Looking to the future, Missy said, “The target His daughter, Jessica Medley, was on the Lady on our backs is bigger now. People love to beat Huskies state runner-up team in 1997. Jessica a champion and we are a five-time champion. assisted Missy and the team from 2006-2016 We have higher expectations and we will be and she and current assistant coach, Jamanda ready to meet them.” The Lady Huskies will Rollyson, overlapped for a couple of years play at the former HHHS location in Clendenin until it was just Jamanda in 2016. Jamanda and on the Michael D. Chandler Field until the Missy are both Hoover softball alumni and spring season of 2024 when the new school take great pride in coaching the Lady Huskies. and fields will be completed. “The school is expected to be open in the Fall of 2023 and Missy said she talks about the history of the our season will begin the following spring.

Lady Huskies with her team each year. “In 1987 It is going to be amazing with awesome labs HHHS Coach Mike Chandler (Hoover’s first and classrooms and new baseball, softball, softball coach) literally built our softball field turf football, and grass practice fields. It will with his hands. They were the state runner-up be an honor to carry on our legend at the new in 2005. We wouldn’t be where we are today Herbert Hoover High School. if It wasn’t for Coach Chandler and all of the girls ahead of us who paved the way for our What better way to conclude this article than successes. We are proud of and thankful for with one of Missy’s favorite Vince Lombardi our history.” Missy said every season she tells quotes: Perfection is not attainable, but if we every player “It’s a big deal to put this jersey chase perfection we can catch excellence.” on. You are part of a very special program.”

May the Red and Blue Force always be with you, Lady Huskies.

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Missy said, “Mr. Kelley, HHHS Principal, was very supportive of whatever we needed.” The team was at the field at 8:45 AM Thursday morning with a winning mindset and they proudly demonstrated it with a ten-run win over Sissonville! They battled Oak Glen in two consecutive games the same day and took the AA Region 3 Championship.

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ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

Photos by J. Craig Allison, Photographer

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2021 SEASON RECAP Final record – 28-4

Senior

Section 2 Champion

Cortney Fizer – 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-State, State Tournament All-Tournament

Region II Champion

Juniors AA State Champion – 4th consecutive (5th overall), won on June 23, the fifth anniversary of the flood Grayson Buckner – 2nd team all-conference, 1st Team All-State, State Tournament All-Tournament Outscored opponents 289-63 Caroline Woody – Honorable Mention All-Conference Team ERA 1.832 Sophomores Team batting average .400 Sydney Bright – 2nd team all-conference, Honorable Team fielding .955 Mention All-State, State Tournament All-Tournament 1029 total plate appearances – only 96 strikeouts 150 batters struck out – only 30 walks Regional play – defeated Lincoln (entered regional play with 1 loss) 4-1 & 11-9. During the second game, Hoover was down 9-7 with 2 outs, a runner on first and the ninth batter in the lineup coming to the plate.

The Huskies plated 4 runs to take the lead and win the region.

State tournament – After losing the first game to Sissonville 7-3, Hoover went on to win 4 straight.

Three games won by mercy rule (Independence 9-1, Sissonville 10-0 & Oak Glen 10-0). In the third and final game of the day, the Huskies had to rally from a 5-2 deficit in the seventh inning. The Huskies tied the game in the seventh and went on to score one in the eighth inning (first lead of the game for Hoover). Oak Glen (entered the state tournament with 1 loss) was the home team and advanced the tying run to second before the last out was recorded.

Kennedy Callen Josi Fix Abby Hanson – Honorable Mention All-Conference Brooklyn Huffman – 1st Team All-Conference, 2nd Team All-State Captain, State Tournament AllTournament, MaxPreps Player of the Week of May 11, 2021 Sydney Shamblin – Honorable Mention Conference, State Tournament All-Tournament Emma Veltri Kirstin Wehrle Freshmen Audrey Canterbury Addi Chapman Lexi Kennedy Head Coach – Missy Smith

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Assistant Coach – Jamanda Rollyson

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Healthy Choices: Field to Table Our goal here at Hastey Farms is to produce fresh, clean food. --Aaron Hastey, owner of Hastey Farms Are you looking for a healthy source for meats and eggs? Hastey Farms is a family-owned business in Clendenin that specializes in pasture-raised meats and eggs. Their products -- pork, chicken, turkey, and eggs -- are GMO free and antibiotic and hormone free.

Aaron Hastey, owner of Hastey Farms, said, “My wife, Mindy, and I started our farm two years ago to have healthier meats for our own family. Since then the farm has grown and we are able to offer healthier meat and egg options to others.” Hastey Farms takes pride in offering a better quality of products. Aaron said, “I think it is hard to trust what you are buying unless you are buying it from an actual farm. For instance, on July 8 Tyson Foods, a huge supplier of chicken, recalled 9 million pounds of chicken for possible listeria contamination.”

Hastey Farms offers butchered chicken, pork, and turkeys, wrapped and ready-to-go in the freezer. Their eggs are from free range chickens, GMO free and delivery is available for both the eggs and meats. Eggs are available for delivery daily and include white, brown and blue eggs and are $3 a dozen. Aaron said, “All egg colors taste similar; it all depends on how the hens are being raised.”

The whole chickens range from 3-5 lbs finished weight and are $3.50/lb.The pork can be purchased as a whole ($3.00 per pound hanging weight) or half pig ($3.75 per pound hanging weight) and are West Virginia Department Of Agriculture Inspected. Aaron stated that a whole pig will typically range around 250 lbs and will give you approximately 144 lbs. of retail cuts. Their pork will be available in the fall (estimated in October). Aaron added, “Our pigs are grain fed and never given sweets. A lot of farmers will give their pigs sugar cakes, white bread, and slop to make them grow faster. Ours, however, are strictly grain fed and pasture raised.”

The turkeys will be available in October or November as well, just in time for the holidays. They will range from 16-25 lbs and are $3.85 per lb. “That’s cheap with all the work that goes into them,” said Aaron; “The average selling cost is $5-$7 per pound commercially for pasture-raised turkey!”

You can review Hastey Farms 2021 Meat Prices on Facebook; some are priced lower than other farmers’ meats. Aaron said, “Mindy and I are just wanting to raise meats that are reasonable in cost so you can eat and live healthy.” If you are interested in placing an order for eggs or meats, message Aaron on Facebook/Hastey Farms or email him at hasteyfarms@gmail.com.

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SECTIONAL & REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Photos shared by Teri Kennedy Beasley

At the State playoffs, the Huskies were down 4-3 against Logan. The Huskies came back to tie Logan, 4-4 and then held them scoreless in the bottom of the sixth inning. The red and blue crowd was on their feet but Logan emerged victorious with a walk off in the bottom of the seventh inning, winning 5-4.

The team ended their regular season 21-14, then beat Braxton County High School to win the sectionals and beat Philip Barbour High School in a third game after a rainout to win the Regionals. Even a loss in the State’s could not diminish their pride and success this season.

Coach JR Oliver said, “I know it can be disheartening many times when the season is over, but I don’t think any of us felt that way this year. We were proud to get to the states. We all knew we accomplished something we hadn’t done since 2013 when Hoover won the State Championship.” Coach Oliver added “2013 was Corey Bird’s senior year who then went on to play for the Miami Marlins. That was a great team.”

Hoover is losing seven seniors: Nick Grayam, Austin Hanson, Dylan Livingston, Brayden Rollyson, Matthew Toops, Jack Copenhaver and Tucker Purdy. Jack and Tucker both had broken legs during the season. Coach Oliver said Jack was cleared to return to the team right before the State playoffs and was able to actually be their designated hitter. “He got a hit in the State tournament and that was great,” said Coach Oliver. “Tucker, who was originally diagnosed with a badly sprained ankle, found out later after an MRI that his leg was indeed broken and he was out for the rest of the season.”

There will be six to seven returning seniors next year. Coach Oliver said next year’s team may not be as big as this year’s team, but they will be one of the fastest teams Hoover has had. “Also, our pitchers are all back including upcoming seniors Ryan Beasley and Will Bright as well as a couple other strong pitchers,” he said. “Pitching is always the ticket and we are blessed with strong pitchers and catchers.

Graduating Senior Nick Grayam started as a catcher in his freshman year and caught all 3 years (COVID 2020 season canceled).”

Also, joining the Huskies will be a strong group of freshmen. Coach Oliver said both the baseball and softball teams at Elkview Middle School (EMS) are competitive teams. “In fact,” he said, “ the 9-10 year olds in the Elk Little League are going to the State Championship this year as well. EMS is an excellent feeder school for us.”

Coach Oliver is excited about the new Herbert Hoover High School which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023 and their first baseball season will be in the spring 2024. “The baseball field will be grass because Hoover originally had a grass baseball field and that is what is approved for the new site. Three years ago, however, the Kanawha County Levy passed a bill that all football fields in the county will be converted to turf.”

What is the reason for the HHHS Baseball Boys’ success? Coach Oliver said, “You can have good baseball players and not necessarily have a winning team. At Hoover we have a phenomenal group of kids. They treat each other and the opposition with respect. They play for the right reasons: themselves as a team and for the community. This year we had a fantastic group that did just that. These kids are a true testament to their parents and how these kids were raised. They have been the true definition of teamwork.”

Coach Oliver also added, “I thanked the team for letting me go on this journey with them.

They are a top-notch group of kids and a true representative of the Elk River community.”

ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

T

he four teams that advance to the WVSSAC State Baseball Playoffs are all winners, but unfortunately, there can only be one champion. Even though the Herbert Hoover High School baseball team were both Sectional and Regional Champions, they lost to Logan High School in the WVSSAC State Tournament, 5-4. Both the boys baseball and the Lady Huskie softball teams qualified for the States this year!

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Bagel and an Iced Drink Anyone?

If you thought The Shoppe at Clay was your favorite place to shop before, wait until you go now! They have opened a wonderful coffee shop inside The Shoppe, complete with bagels, coffees, iced coffees, Italian Cream Sodas, Lemonade and more!

You must try a glass of their delicious lemonade. As Whitney said, “This is not yo’ mama’s lemonade, even Granny doesn’t have anything on us!” This drink has been a huge hit and is The Shoppe’s own special blend that takes traditional lemonade to the next level. Or maybe you would prefer a glass of Macadamia Nut White Mocha. So many delicious choices.

Their new homemade bagels are amazing. For instance, try a More S’mores Please hearty chocolate chip bagel smothered in a hand whipped s’mores cream cheese, sprinkled with mini chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham cracker bits. Another favorite is Tropic Like Its Hot, which is a New York style French Toast bagel, topped with hand whipped cream cheese, pineapple, vanilla and pecans. Or how about the Smoked Beef on an Everything Bagel that is smothered in hearty cream cheese and smoked beef.

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Drop by and recharge your soul at The Shoppe soon! Also, follow them on Facebook/The Shoppe - Sassy Hattie/ Altar’d Wood/Blossom & Blessings to see what’s new and on sale, from clothing, purses and accessories to home decor, refurbished furniture, custom signs and hand poured candles. Hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10 AM-5 PM and from 10 AM-3 PM on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

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Celebrate this Fall with the Clendenin Woman’s Club The GVWC-WV Clendenin’s Woman’s Club Fall Festival will be back this September! The festival will be held on Saturday, September 25 so plan to visit the Town of Clendenin for a great day of family fun on Main Street.

Last year the festival was postponed due to COVID so the Woman’s Club is excited to be back this year for their big 40th Fall Festival.

The streets of Clendenin will be lined with arts/crafts and food vendors from 9 AM to 4 PM. There will be music provided by Dave (Corn Cob) McCormick, an Elk River favorite. From funnel cakes and hot dogs with homemade chili and slaw, to door prize drawings throughout the day, it’s a perfect fall family festival.

A Fall Festival parade is scheduled to begin at 1 PM. Lineup will begin promptly at 12 Noon at the Clendenin Little League Field. The parade route will runfrom the Little League field, through the Town of Clendenin on Maywood Avenue, across the bridge, and will conclude on the former Smith’s SuperValu lot.

If you are interested in participating in the parade or being a festival vendor, contact Robin for more information at 304.548.7700. Booth rentals are $30 for a 10 x 10 ft. space.

The Clendenin Woman’s Club will be selling hot dogs and drinks and they ask that no other vendors sell these items. The Woman’s Club does not rent to duplicate vendors and no food can be given away free.

Robin Fairchild, President, said, “The Woman’s Club sponsors the annual Fall Festival to help raise funds to provide a scholarship for a local senior at Herbert Hoover High School and we also support other local activities. We are looking forward to another successful year of our annual Fall Festival.”

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Also, would you like to become a member of The Clendenin Woman’s Club and help give back to your community? The Club is actively seeking new members at this time. If you are interested, please contact Robin or a member of the Clendenin’s Woman Club.

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HHHS TRIPLE DOUBLE

T

here are three pairs of siblings on the Herbert Hoover High School Baseball and Softball teams this year. If you think running to ball games for one sport is a handful for parents, try running to games for two sports at the same time. Both the softball and baseball seasons were delayed due to COVID which resulted in both seasons playing at the same time. Usually softball season starts earlier so both teams do not play simultaneously. Oh wait, did we mention both of these teams were Sectional and Regional Champions, which meant double elimination playoff games. Wait, there’s more, both of these teams qualified for the WVSC State Championships and went on to the State playoffs!

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Will and Sydney Bright are both siblings on the HHHS baseball and softball teams. They are the children of Emily and Bill Bright of Pinch. Will is an upcoming senior at Herbert Hoover and was a pitcher and an outfielder for the team this year. Sydney will be a junior and played catcher for the Lady Huskies. Both of them love ball and started playing T-Ball when they were 4-5 years old. In addition to playing high school ball, they both play travel ball in the summer. Their mom, Emily, said, “I love how they support each other. One of my favorite photos is of Will hugging Sydney when the girls again won the State Championship this year.” Emily also commented that the championship game this year was one of the most emotional games she has ever attended. ‘Watching how Coach Missy Smith brings them in with their individual skills to work together as a team is incredible.

From day one, Missy stresses there is no ‘self’ in softball.”

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are the children of Emily and the late Rodney Canterbury of Clendenin. They have played ball since coach pitch and their dad, Rodney, was also their coach in Little League. “He would have been really proud of them,” said Emily. Andrew will be a senior at HHHS. He plays right field and was a pinch runner for the catcher this year.

Andrew loves to fish and kayak and tries to split his time between ball and river time. Audrey plays third base and is looking forward to her sophomore year as a Lady Huskie. Emily said, “Andrew was at all of her games and she was at his. They are very supportive of each other.

She added, “There is such Hoover pride in our

Austin and Abby Hanson

community. I was amazed at the parade that was organized in less than an hour after the Lady Huskies won the championship. It began at the I-79 Elkview exit and continued to the Hoover field. Andrew and Audrey’s sister, Amelia, is an eighth grader at Elkview Middle School (EMS) and plays right field for the EMS softball team.

She will be at Hoover the following year and both she and Audrey will be Lady Huskies .

Austin and Abby Hanson are the third sibling pair in baseball/softball at Hoover. They are the children of Joby Hanson of Clendenin and the grandchildren of Becky and Dave Hall of Andrew and Audrey Canterbury are another Elkview. Austin was a senior this year at HHHS brother-sister duo on the HHHS ball teams. They

this year and will be attending WVU Institute of Technology (WVUIT) where he will also be a member of the baseball team. Three Hoover seniors have signed to play ball at WVUIT including Nick Grayam, Tucker Purdy, and Austin. “He is very excited to play for WVUIT; his dream has always been to attend college and continue playing baseball,” said Becky. Austin played shortstop for Hoover and is playing travel ball this summer to stay in shape for college ball.

Abby, who will be a junior next year, played utility for the Lady Huskies including left field and third base. She has played travel ball since she was 10 years old and this summer is playing for The Sting. Abby is looking forward to her junior year at Hoover as well as cheering on her big brother, Austin at WVUIT.

Andrew and Audrey Canterbury

Sibling Duos

ELKRIVERLIVING.COM

Will and Sydney Bright

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THE

ELK REFLECTS THE LEGEND OF BIGFOOT

AUG 2021

The legend of the Bigfoot Monster in Braxton County is alive and well in Sutton, WV, complete with its own WV Bigfoot Museum. Here is an excerpt from a Braxton County native as told to Les O’Dell, a Bigfoot investigator, from a Bigfoot sighting. For more information, displays and sightings, visit the WV Bigfoot Museum, 400 4th Street, Sutton, WV.

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ERL would also like to feature any of your Elk River memories.

Contact Cyndi Tawney at 304.546.9243, or cyndi@elkriverliving.com, or go to elkriverliving.com

Here is a Bigfoot sighting from Braxton County, WV. It was sent in by a WV C.A.S.E follower that we will call Sam for privacy reasons.

Year: 1988 or 1989 Month: November during deer season Nearest town: Sutton Nearest Rd: Meadow Lane Nearest: water source: Flatwoods Run and Sutton Lake County: Braxton

WV C.A.S.E: Can you describe the creature that you saw?

Witness: “ What I saw I will never forget as long as I live. This thing was tall, at least 7 feet. This thing had the face of almost a man and monkey combined. It was enormous in stature, like Andre The Giant and covered in fur, body-wise, not the face.The color was a variation of dark and light brown, not solid. I'll never forget the smell, like a mildewed wet dog.”

WV C.A.S.E: How has your sighting impacted your life?

Witness: “Chilled me to the bone when I was a kid and had nightmares for weeks. Now, this was 20 plus years ago, and to this day, I refuse to go in the woods alone or without some sort of protection.”

Witness encounter: “I was in W.V. at my grandma's hunting with my cousins, sitting on an old oak log. I didn't see anything all morning long. It was starting to get warm out that day. A little warmer than usual. So I figured I would make my way back up to the house. Before I did, I whistled to let everyone know I was leaving the woods.

We make a whistle like a Whip-Poor-Will, so we know one of us is on the move. I got no response from anyone. I waited a few more minutes and whistled again. I heard nothing.

The picture in the article is an artist's rendering. WV C.A.S.E asked the witness how close it was to what was seen. (witness quote is on the picture)

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Now I know they must have gone to the house, and just as I'm ready to get up, I hear a noise, so I paused.

Then a smell, so I stayed put. Suddenly I heard a noise, something moving very fast. I drew up my rifle in the direction of the noise, and there he was 20 yards out running. He probably ran 100 yards in the blink of an eye, the whole time taking out saplings like toothpicks. Now being only 13 or 14, I still could not bring myself to tell anyone what I saw that day. Now I'm in my mid-40s, and I have told some of my family what I've seen. My father said that a few years before that, he had experienced the same thing in almost the same spot. Then my cousin told me the same thing. For years, I thought, ok, maybe just being young in the woods alone, it was a bear or something. Yet, I have never seen a bear run full speed on its hind legs and take only a few steps and cover so much ground. Then after talking to my father, I knew what I saw was the real thing. This is something I will never forget, especially the smell...”

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READER SUBMISSION Our August Reader Submission was shared by Danny Wayne Barnhouse who grew up in Youngs Bottom and Bufflick and is a 1981 HHHS alumni. He and his wife, Connie Hamilton Barnhouse, reside in Charleston now. He said, “This photo was taken at “Live on the Levy” on July 26, 2019.

If you would like to submit a photo, work of art, short story, poem, knitwork - whatever inspires you - please reach out to us at elkriverliving.com or contact cyndi@elkriverliving.com

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AUG 2021

681.265.0690 See us on Facebook/Rollin Smoke BBQ

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THE

ELK’S JOURNAL LAWRENCE COTTRELL “Poetry’s not exactly popular nowadays, partly ‘cause it’s neither lovely nor lyrical, consists of grievance and grit, but no fabric fit for souls to wear on infinity’s shore. No anguish draped in beauty.”

Lawrence Cottrell is a 74 year-old West Virginia poet as well as an Elkview native for over 30 years. He said, “Much of my work involves the Elk River, from the flood of 2016 to the sweet sinuosity of its summer meander.” He has published two books of verse (Dos Madres Press) which include Odd Fussings and Hallelujahs From Oblivion’s Ridgepole. Larry said, “I am a traditionalist in my style, and I find profundity in the familiar and grace among nettles.”

Some Old Tale

Greening sycamores and willows on the river, which is, itself, brown and high and eager to be elsewhere, Whelming, it seems, from that gray, fecund sky, through a sunder of the hills.

Wings a goose above the bridge, sounding to its mate some old tale or other, The two of them content to transit ravel of time, this elliptic wheel around a sun...

And even I, who rove the solar winds dissatisfied, feel this curious course of spring, This nativity of summer amid thieves and saints and early swallows...

Perfumes of renascence drifting brooklets and braes, life fumbling with

AUG 2021

death’s bodice like a lover —

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Ruth’s Lights

From a dusk filled window, I can see Ruth’s lights, That house she and Tom made together into home, Before he died last week, leaving her to her children, her friends…

alone.

That price one pays for letting someone pick soul’s lock, Mists of selves commingling into new meridians through shifted poles; Quotidian softens, flowers blow in desert wadis.

Day to her mere day again, each night an emptied pillow…

Her heart but ash upon the cosmic billow, a cinder, just…

From which no risen phoenix cups sky beneath

nor yet

can ripen crops of resurrection —

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its wings,

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