Elk River Living | Volume 05 | Issue 06

ELK RIVER LIVING ELK RIVER LIVING FEATURE STORY

A Big Day A A Big Day for for

18

FEATURE STORY

The legend of Bigfoot lives on in Sutton, WV

Bigfoot sightings around the Mountain State, including eyewitness accounts, footprint castings (dozens of original casts and cast copies from around the country) and maps of where the sighting occurred. Visit the third annual Bigfoot Festival this month!

06

Welcome

08 Our Proud Sponsors

12 The Elk's Cookbook

Bitty Burgers

26 Trail Mix

34 Reader Submission

Scott Bird & Billy Wehrle

36 June HHHS Pictorial Tour

Tim Cunningham

38 The Elk's Students

48 The Elk's Garden Rampin Up!

54 The Healthy Elk Helping Stay Active

30

The Elks Journal

New book release by Les O’Dell

Just in time for you to be in-the-know before the third annual West Virginia Bigfoot Festival in Sutton, The Elk Journal is featuring Les O’Dell’s new release, Old Man of the Mountain: The West Virginia Bigfoot.

42

The Elk Reflects

Two communities came together as one

“Despite being rivals over the years, two communities came together to form the Elk River bond and the Huskie pride that you see today and built the first HHHS football field.”

- Jim Hamrick

HELLO & Welcome Back!

June is full speed ahead with summer activities. This month in ERL, check out the upcoming third annual Bigfoot Festival in Sutton and the Clendenin Celebration with a 5K and 1 mile Walk Event. Both events are packed full of fun for the whole family. It’s a great way to vacay locally and make the most of your summer vacation days.

We also highlight a new book from Les O’Dell, Old Man of the Mountain: The West Virginia Bigfoot in our Elk’s Journal. It’s a great read so order your copy on Amazon today. It’s a perfect way to learn more about the legend of Bigfoot and to be inspired to visit the WV Bigfoot Museum during the Bigfoot Festival this month.

With all of the graduation parties and summer picnics, you will want to check out this month’s recipe for Bitty Burgers. It’s an easy recipe when you are feeding a hungry mob! Gabi Strickland Walker of Walker Mt. Eats suggests customizing these little burgers with your favorite toppings and cheeses based on your personal preferences (mushroom and swiss, pepperjack and jalapeno, bacon and BBQ sauce, a dash of liquid smoke…so many great combos).

We have a special feature this month in our Elk Reflects, looking back at how the first football field at Herbert Hoover came to be. It clearly shines a light on the wonderful Elk River communities of Elkview and Clendenin and how they came together as one to get the job done. If you’ve ever wondered about the true roots of Huskie pride on the River, be sure to read this article.

Whether you are kayaking on the river, on the Elk River Trail biking or hiking, or leisurely grilling out and enjoying a glass of sweet tea (or one of Clendenin Brewing Company’s craft beers!) on your porch with family and friends, take time to enjoy the gorgeous summer days and warm evenings. There is something so relaxing about watching the lightning bugs flicker by and listening to the tree frogs and cicadas. Make time for those special Elk River memories!

Until next month, be well my friends!

Cyndi Tawney Editor In Chief / Ken Tawney Operations Director / Josh Tawney Creative Director / Printer / The Printing Press Charleston, WV

Layout & Design / Katheryne E. Popp Little Secret Design Co.

ON THE COVER

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.

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!

Our guest photographers who care about our communities and help make this magazine possible: Aubrie Abbott, Scott Abbott, J. Craig Allison, Tim Cunningham, Alycen Swor, Austin Staats

This month's cover photo of Bigfoot in Braxton County was taken by Janet Six of Sutton, WV.

Aubrie Abbott

Tim Cunningham

Scott Abbott

Alycen Swor

J. Craig Allison

Austin Staats

ACUPUNCTURE & HOLISTIC HEALTH, INC.

304.377.7892

The Retreat at Northgate

One Creative PL., Charleston, WV

ABSOLUTE ASPHALT

#WV-061163

304.548.7707

ADVANTAGE VALLEY

304.352.1165

1045 Bridge Rd., Charleston

advantagevalley.com

AFFILIATED FINANCIAL GROUP

304.935.2230

4950 Elk River Road, S. Elkview.

ANR CONSTRUCTION

304.741.0377 | 304.546.6510

Randy Young, Jr. & Andrew Young

ARMSTRONG LAW, PLLC

304.300.9663

dan@wvlegalhelp.com

624 Elk St., Gassaway

BAD AXE BISTRO

304.402.2111

226 Main St., Sutton

BECKY’S PET PARLOR

304.951.9162

Rebecca Briles & Kaitlyn Truman

BILL’S USED CARS

304.548.4727

Rt 119 Elk River Road

BLANCH’S FAMILY DINER

681.230.2088

9 2nd Ave.,Clendenin

BLUE CREEK HEATING & COOLING

304.965.9148

contact Bill Ross or Roy Crist

BOWEN DENTAL

Chas: 304.342.0146

Clay: 304.587.7495

contact Stacy or Gary Bowen II

BOXDROP MATTRESS & FURNITURE OUTLET

304.590.6094

2777 Pennsylvania Avenue, Charleston (Mink Shoals Exit 1)

CANTRELL’S FLORIST

304.548.7700

7484 Elk River Rd, Clendenin

OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

CENTRAL WV AGING SERVICES

304.965.9081

Local Charleston Office

CLENDENIN PHARMACY

304.548.5451

Bill Ore and Linsay Matuszkiewicz

CREDE TRACTOR

304.965.1666

contact William Crede

DEAN JEFFRIES, STATE FARM

304.965.7024

85 Credes Landing, Elkview

DOOR DECOR & MOORE

304.965.2447

4952 Elk River Rd.,Elkview

EDENS BODY WORKS, INC.

304.965.5900

102 Neville Rd, Elkview

ELITE ROOFING

304.989.4792

2614 7th Ave., Charleston

www.eliteroofingwv.com

ELK FAMILY DENTISTRY

304.965.6661

contact Joey Adkins, DDS

ELK HILLS MEMORIAL PARK

304.965.5721

4705 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston

ELK RIVER AUTOMOTIVE

304.965.7501

contact Gary W. Pauley II

ELK RIVER AUTO SUPPLY

304.965.5312

contact Glenn Pauley

ELK RIVER BAKING COMPANY

304.548.7474

12 Main St., Clendenin

ELK RIVER BOUTIQUE

304.549.8778

3 Main Street, Clendenin

ELK RIVER CHIROPRACTIC

304.965.2458 | Dr. Scott Collias

4710 Chimney Dr., Ste. D

ELK RIVER COMBAT SPORTS

304.940.2480

514 Quick Rd., Elkview

ELK RIVER GET-A-WAY

304.993.0006

16544 N. Elk River Rd., Clendenin

ELK RIVER PADDLE & YAK

304.314.3880

Kayak Rentals and Shuttle Service

ELK VALLEY ELECTRIC

304.419.5337

www.elkvalleyelectric.com

ELKVIEW INSURANCE

304.965.7033

2 Reynolds Ave., Ste. A, Elkview

ELK VALLEY PET CREMATORIUM

304.965.0148

Inside Elk Hills Memorial Park

4705 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston

ELK VALLEY PHYSICAL THERAPY

304.965.7979

contact Andi Geary, MPT

E.L. ROBINSON ENGINEERING

304.776.7473

elrobinsonengineering.com

5088 Washington St W, Charleston

FIRST SECURITY INC.

304.744.5233 | Steve Booth

512 Chestnut St., S. Charleston

FROSTBITE DAIRY BAR

304.548.7413

1 Cobb Ave., Clendenin

GABBY’S SEWING & MORE

304.437.3739

4506 Penn. Ave, Charleston gabbyssewingwv.com

GINO’S PIZZA & SPAGHETTI HOUSE

304.965.7031

Order online at ginospizza.com

GIOVANNI’S - CLENDENIN

304.548.7002

giovannispizzapower.com

GLO’S BEAUTY BAR

304.553.6603

8 Maywood Ave., W. Clendenin

Gloria Treola

GOOD FAMILY PHARMACY

304.935.4812

249 Pinch Rd., Elkview

GOOD LIFE APOTHECARY

304.345.8600

3212 Penn. Ave., Charleston (Crede)

HAFER FUNERAL HOME & MYER’S CHAPEL

304.965.3331 | 304.965.3341

haferfuneralhome.net

HARDING'S FAMILY RESTAURANT

304.344.5044

2772 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston

HOLSTEIN INSURANCE

304.965.9941

holsteininsuranceagencyinc.com

HOMESTEAD INSPECTION LLC

304.965.4866

Elkview - Mike Criner

INDIAN LAKE

304.965.5661

1111 Indian Lake Drive, Elkview

JIFFY J’S INC.

Portable Restrooms

800.256.8657

JONES AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR

304.965.6180

jonesautotruckrepair@gmail.com

JONES EXCAVATING

304.965.6180

jonesexcavatingofcharleston.com

KEITH'S AUTO PARTS

304.548.7627 | 1-800-RACE-A-VW

VW Specialists

6328 Elk River Rd, N. Clendenin

KEMP’S LAWN ENFORCEMENT

304.421.5486

One-time services & weekly contracts

KN CONTRACTING

304.965.9088

5146 Elk River Rd., Elkview

KNIGHT VEHICLE LICENSING

304.548.4726

knightinsurance@frontier.com

KNIGHTHORST

877.474.7332

www.knighthorst.com

LITTLE SECRET DESIGN CO.

304.427.6797

www.littlesecretdesign.co

MATICS FUNERAL HOME

304.548.6611

maticsfuneralhome.com

MAVERICK GYMNASTICS CLUB

304.925-3004 • maverickgym.com

3510 Venable Ave., Charleston

Maverick Gymnastics Club, Inc.

MEADOWBROOK ACRES

NURSING CENTER

877.474.7332

www.meadowbrookacres.net

MITCH’S 24 HR TOWING

304.965.6646 contact Mitch Young

MOSS TREE SERVICE LLC

304.965.8095

www.mosstreeservice.com

MOUNTAINEER AUCTION

304.548.4056 contact Roger Mullins

MOUNTAIN LAKES

MARKETPLACE

304.701.2012

33 Skidmore Lane, Sutton

MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH

304.965.7062 mpbcwv.org

NALU’S STYLE STUDIO LLC

304.343.2049

2777 Penn. Ave, Charleston

NANCY KUHL

SEWING & ALTERATIONS

304.965.0747

Text 681.340.0409

PADDLERS BAR & GRILL

681.230.2061

12 Maywood Ave., W., Clendenin

PATRIOT PRESSURE WASHING

304.840.4833 patriothousewash.com

PEGGY WHITE, REALTOR

Old Colony

304.395.0619

POCA VALLEY BANK

304.965.7730 | 1.844.782.2651 pocavalleybank.com

PUZZLED PISTOLS BOUTIQUE

4636 Penn. Ave, Ste 2, Charleston www.puzzledpistolsboutique.com

RODNEY LOFTIS & SON

304.342.8200 & on Facebook

95 Casdorph Rd., Charleston

ROGERS HARDWARE

304.965.1077

Contact Bill Rogers

SCOTT’S SERVICE & AUTO REPAIR

681.230.2151

311C Elk River Road, S., Clendenin

SLEEP INN

304.345.5111

2772 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston

SMITH'S CARPET ONE

304.965.7111

4774 Chimney Dr., Big Chimney

SMITH'S FURNITURE & APPLIANCE

304.965.7600

Elk Shopping Plaza, Elkview

SOLID ROCK CONTRACTING

304.444.4288

contact Phil Shaffer

SPENCER’S HARDWARE

304.548.6995

8290 Elk River Rd. N, Clendenin

STARCHER LAW

304.541.9120

723 Kanawha Blvd., E., Suite 200, Charleston

SUMMERSVILLE LAKE RENTALS

304.546.6823

120 Oak Grove Cutoff, Summersville summersvillelakerentals.com

THE SWINE BARREL

304.885.4691

1009 Main St., Elkview

THE TRAIL KITCHEN

1194 Cold Springs Rd., Clendenin

Wed-Sun • 11 AM-6:30 PM

TUDOR’S BISCUIT WORLD

304.965.7769

1083 Main Street, Elkview

WALKER CREEK FARMS & CABINS

304.286.5200

230 Nebo Walker Road, Nebo

WALLY'S SUPERIOR PARTS & SERVICE

304.935.2287

5100 Elk River Rd., N., Elkview

WV BIGFOOT MUSEUM

400 4th St., Sutton

YAK HOUSE RENTALS

304.941.2229

403 Elk Ave., Clendenin

Reservations: yakhouserentals.com

XSPEC POWER

304.746.1139

contact Emily Canterbury

AT THE LIBRARY

LIBRARIES ARE MORE THAN JUST STORES OF BOOKS & KNOWLEDGE. THEY ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF NEIGHBORHOODS & COMMUNITIES.

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June 5 3-6:30 PM

June 6 11 AM

June 6 2 PM

June 7 10:30 AM

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June 8 6 PM

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June 26 6 PM

June 27 11 AM

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June 28 10:30 AM

June 28 11 AM

June 29 3 PM

Storytime

Playgroup

Summer Library Club Kick-O

Farmer Minor + Daisy + Pugs

Embroidery and a Friendship Quilt

Sewing for Others

History Alive! Mark Twain: The Later Years

Storytime

Playgroup

West Virginia’s Birthday Celebration

LEGO Technical Challenge

Campbell Family Farm & Animal Encounters

Friendship Bracelet

Family Fun: Playing Games Together

SLC Kicko : All Together Now Ice Cream Social

Farmer Minor & Daisy the Reading Pig

Adult Crafternoon

Jump into Storytime: Kindness

Playgroup at the Library

Dance Together: Introductory Contra Dancing

Kids Care: Create Kindness

History Alive! Mark Twain: The Early Years

Teen LEGOs

Adult Craft Time: Felt Succulents

Jump into Storytime: Creativity

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Kids Paint: Kindness Rocks

Tony Music

Elk Valley Book Group

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Sphero Bots

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The Incredible Water Journey

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THE ELK’S COOKBOOK

BITTY BURGERS

Gabi Strickland Walker shared her recipe for Bitty Burgers which are just in time for all of our June events. With so many teen parties and summer picnics, these are an easy way to feed a crowd. Gabi said, “The burgers were juicy with a great flavor from the cooked onion, seasoning, and toppings. The glaze on the buns added the perfect final touch!” Gabi suggested customizing these with your favorite toppings and cheeses based on your personal preferences (mushroom and swiss, pepperjack and jalapeno, bacon and BBQ sauce, a dash of liquid smoke…so many great combos). The original recipe said it was a copycat version of White Castle sliders, but Gabi said, “All I know is I got lots of: ‘mmmm, these are great, mom’ compliments”.

BITTY BURGERS

From the Kitchen of Gabi Strickland Walker

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small onion - finely chopped

• 2 lbs ground chuck

• 1-2 t seasoned salt or burger seasoning

• 12 slices of Kraft American Cheese

• 24 Hawaiian Rolls

• 48 dill pickle chips

• Ketchup and mustard if desired

• 4 tbsp butter

• 2 t Worcestershire sauce

• 1 t dijon mustard

You may want to make several pans…they are awesome later as leftovers – if you are lucky enough to have any left over, that is.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees

STEP 1 Sprinkle the finely chopped onion evenly in a 9x13 casserole dish.

STEP 2 Gently pat 2 lbs of ground beef over the onion. Press evenly, making a giant 9x13 hamburger patty. Poke small holes in the meat. (I used a straw) Evenly sprinkle with seasoning salt.

STEP 3 Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool enough to handle and cut into 24 small patties using a pizza cutter.

STEP 4 Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, leaving enough overhang on each side to fold over the completed buns. Spray the foil lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

STEP 5 Assemble the rolls: place the bottom halves of 24 Hawaiian rolls on the aluminum foil; place a hamburger patty on each roll. Fold the 12 slices of cheese into 4 quarters and layer 2 squares of cheese over each patty. Place 2 pickles on each burger. Add ketchup and mustard to each patty. Add the top halves of the Hawaiian rolls on top of assembled burgers..

STEP 6 Melt 4 T butter. In a small mixing bowl, add melted butter and Worcestershire sauce and dijon mustard. Mix well. Brush butter mixture on top of Hawaiian rolls.

STEP 7 Cover the sliders with aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

ELK RIVER AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY

304.965.5312

304.965.8173

• New expanded bays with heavy duty lifts

• Exhaust

• Front End Work

• Brakes

• Computer Diagnostic Service

• AC Service

• Major & Minor Engine Repair

• 2 & 4 Wheel Alignments

• Tire Service (we have over 5 different suppliers for any brand, any type of �

• Transmission Service

• State Inspections

• Modified inspections

Mike Haynes, Manager | Cathy Wild, Assistant

THE LEGEND OF BIGFOOT LIVES ON IN SUTTON, WV

Photos by Janet Six

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: JUNE 23-24, 2023

For decades Braxton County residents have reported sightings and evidence of a large, hairy humanoid creature, commonly referred to by some as a sasquatch or Bigfoot. What better place to learn about the Legend of Bigfoot than at the WV Bigfoot Museum and the Third Annual WV Bigfoot Festival on June 23-24, in Sutton, WV.

2023 WV BIGFOOT FESTIVAL BANQUET

This year’s festival kicks off on Friday evening, June 23, with a WV Bigfoot Festival Banquet featuring cryptozoologists Lyle Blackburn and Ken Gerhard. Sponsored by the WV Bigfoot Museum, the dinner will be held at Luzaders 3 Girls Diner at 53 Mid Mountain Lane in Sutton.

Guest speaker Ken Gerhard is a widely recognized cryptozoologist and field investigator for The Centre for Fortean Zoology as well as a fellow of the Pangea Institute and consultant for several anomalous research organizations. He has appeared in Monster Quest, the

History Channel special The Wolfman, Ancient Aliens (History Channel), Legend Hunters (Travel Channel), Unexplained Dilwa (Science Channel), Paranatural (National Geographic), and Weird or What with William Shatner (Syfy).

The second guest speaker, Lyle Blackburn, is a native Texan known for his work in writing, music, and film. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Beast of Boggy Creek and Sinister Swamps, whose subject matter reflects his life-long fascination with legendary creatures and strange phenomena. Lyle is also the founder of a rock band, Ghoultown, and narrator/producer of documentary films such as The Mothman of Point Pleasant and Boggy Creek Monster.

You can find tickets to the banquet on Facebook/The West Virginia Bigfoot Museum or at Eventbrite.com. It’s a perfect introduction to the Bigfoot festivities that will continue on Saturday, June 24, in downtown historic Sutton with more than 70 vendors, food trucks, live music and more!

THE WV BIGFOOT FESTIVAL

Saturday’s events in downtown Sutton, hosted by Mountain Laurel Country Store and The WV Bigfoot Museum, will feature a special Festival Symposium, The West Virginia Bigfoot Museum, and third annual West Virginia Bigfoot Festival. Speakers will include Daniel J. Benoit, Michael W. Cook, Andrea Billups, Mike Familant, and Symposium Director, Les O’Dell. Les founded WV Cryptids and Strange Encounters (WVCASE) and was also instrumental in organizing the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum. He has been a researcher regarding the subject of Bigfoot for many years, and his Bigfoot casts are part of the core collection for the Museum. The symposium will conclude with a question and answer discussion with attendees.

The WV Bigfoot Museum will be a big feature at the festival (located at 400 4th Street near the Courthouse) and will be open for visitors to see the collection of artifacts, knowledge, local folklore, and sightings of Bigfoot. You will definitely want to tour the museum and see the museumquality Gigantopithecus skull which is the largest known primate in the fossil record, which stood approximately 10’ tall and weighed over 1,000 lbs. Also, don’t forget to pick up a Bigfoot t-shirt and some of the awesome Bigfoot souvenirs and collectables while you are there!

The West Virginia Bigfoot Museum was recently featured in the new book, “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die,” by Melody Pittman and Angela Richard. It says, “All jokes aside, this one-of-a-kind museum is housed in the Mountain Laurel Country Store in downtown Sutton. It highlights Bigfoot sightings around the Mountain State, including eyewitness accounts, footprint castings (dozens of original casts and cast copies from around the country) and maps of where the sighting occurred. Visit the fun and engaging, small-but-mighty, museum Wednesday through Saturdays.”

Louis (Lou) and his wife, Laurel Petolicchio, and family moved to Sutton from Lancaster, PA. It was Lou’s dream to open their own store which they did in October, 2019: The Mountain Laurel Country Store. When Lou learned about the Bigfoot Legend, he even featured a large, wooden-carved Bigfoot in the front lobby of their store. His son, David, said, “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 West Virginia Bigfoot Museum next door to our country store.”

On June 26, 2021, the Petolicchio family officially opened the new WV Bigfoot Museum and hosted the first annual Bigfoot Festival with over 1,000 visitors. Tragically, Lou passed away in January 2022. Laurel and David hosted the 2022 second annual Bigfoot Festival which drew thousands of visitors and even more vendors.

David, who manages the museum, added, “Our mission is to aid those on their quest of discovering the undiscovered. We have the Mid-Atlantic’s largest collection of Bigfoot casts, hair, research, and stories of sightings. The museum is sure to thrill everyone from the most avid Bigfoot hunters to enthusiasts and even those who are simply curious.” This year, the Town of Sutton is excited to welcome even more vendors, speakers, entertainers, activities, competitions, and visitors to the 2023 festival.

The Town of Sutton is centrally located in West Virginia, just minutes off of the I-79 Sutton Exit, making it easily accessible for in-state and out-of-state visitors. Also, don’t forget to check out The Elk River Hotel and Cafe, including their new glamping domes, and Walker Creek Farms and Cabins, featuring charming cabins and yurts for overnight accommodations.

There are many local businesses to visit in Sutton and nearby towns. Nearby restaurants include The Elk River Hotel and Cafe, new The Country Corner Cafe, Bad Axe Bistro, Maria’s Mexican, Pizzas and Cream (at Nebo), Minnie’s Family Restaurant (Frametown) and Nottingham’s Store and Cafe (Duck) in addition to the many vendors and food trucks at the festival. In nearby Gassaway, you can also dine at Leona’s, Annabelle’s Bohemian Bistro, and Davis’ Gourmet Pickups.

Make plans now to come and spend the day or the weekend or make it a great summer vacation. The third annual Bigfoot Festival promises to be a great time for the whole family!

BIGFOOT BRAXXIE’S BIKES GRAND OPENING - PRESS RELEASE

Officially open! The new bike shop at Gassaway had their ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, May 15, hosted by the Gassaway Area Improvement Council (GAIC). Mayor Richie Roach and Delegate Lori Dittman were in attendance. Mayor Roach said, “New businesses like the bike shop show the positive economic impact the Rails to Trails is having on the future of Gassaway!”

Bigfoot Braxxie’s received a grant from Advantage Valley FASTER WV program to help further the commitment owners Nik and Beth Salvo have made! Nik said, “There’s a clear need for a bicycle shop here. There are no shops for cyclists in Braxton County along the Rails to Trails and bike path.” The shop also rents e-bikes and mountain bikes, makes bike repairs and tune-ups, and sells new and used bicycles. Soon a dealership for new bicycles with TREK bikes will be added as well.

Not wanting bikes to go to trash or scrap yards, as an environmental repurposing program, the shop buys used bikes and takes bikes as donations. Also, they are developing a program to refurbish used bikes to donate to children. Nik said, “No donations of bikes and parts are turned away and all are refurbished or recycled.”

If you are looking for a kayak to rent, the shop also rents kayaks for use in area waters such as Sutton Lake and Elk River. They will be offering special packages such as “Paddle Down, Pedal Up” which would provide a round-trip day activity. Beth said, “We want to help tourists feel at home in our neck of the woods.” She also takes pride in making the shop a comfort station with clean public restrooms, snacks, and information about the local area. She added, “In the future our plans are to expand to more of an outdoor shop for enthusiasts, hikers and hunters.”

Be ready to hit the trail! Stop by for a bike tune up: all loose parts tightened, all moving parts lubed, tires properly inflated, derailers adjusted, brakes adjusted, chain tightened and oiled, complete safety check, and cleaned and waxed!

For more information, see their Facebook/ bigfootbraxxiesbikes or call them at 304.853.0002. They are located at 601 Elk Street in Gassaway.

INTERPRETATIVE WALK LED BY BARRY CURRY

The Elk River Walking Club participated in an Interpretative Walk on the Elk River Trail on Trails Day and Earth Day, Saturday April 22, 2023. They met at the Queen Shoals Trailhead and enjoyed learning more about flowers, ferns, and trees along the trail from guide Barry Curry.

THE ELK’S JOURNAL

OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN: THE WEST VIRGINIA BIGFOOT

Just in time for you to be in-the-know before the third annual West Virginia Bigfoot Festival in Sutton on June 23-24! This month The Elk Journal is featuring Les O’Dell’s new release, Old Man of the Mountain: The West Virginia Bigfoot.

Amazon said, “Bigfoot researcher and co-founder of West Virginia Cryptids and Strange Encounters, Les O’Dell, has compiled interviews with folks from all over West Virginia who have encountered the “Old Man of the Mountain.” Read about their frightening experiences in their own words.” The West Virginia Bigfoot

Sighting in Boone County 1998

Shared by WV C.A.S.E. follower Jamie Lynn Amick; Year 1998; Nearest Town Whitesville, WV; Nearest Road Seng Creek Road; Nearest Waterway Believed to be Coal River.

Subject Description: Its face, the eyes were blackish red. But more black than red. The head is cone-shaped like a gorilla. The face was really flat looking. The fur was reddish black dirty and matted looking.

Would you say in your opinion it was a bigfoot?

YES FOR SURE!!! There’s NO Doubt About It!!!

Did it make any sound?

No, it stood frozen and as we were backing away it went on across the road.

How has it changed you seeing it?

Well when I go to visit my mom I don’t go out at night and I leave before night time. I’ve always believed in them but seeing one was the scariest thing I’ve ever seen. And to know that it didn’t want to hurt us and us being more scared of it

than him of us was assuring cause as big as it was it could’ve hurt us.

You said him. Could you tell for sure it was a him or did it just have that feeling?

I just had a feeling cause it was pretty big and really tall. So we called it a him.

Sighting in Boone County, 2014 and 2015

Sent in by WV C.A.S.E. follower Shannon Maynard; Year May 2014 and March 2015; County: Boone; Nearest Town: Comfort, WV; Nearest Road Joes Creek Rd.; Nearest Water Source Big Coal River and Joes Creek

Witness Description: I just seen the back of it, buttock and back legs. It looked like muscle on top of muscle. It had reddish brown hair from what I could tell and maybe a little over 7 feet tall. It looked like it had no neck, massive shoulders and when it ran its gait was huge. It looked like a man in shape but also looked like it could rip the roof off a car if it wanted to, massively strong looking.

Four years ago cross from my house, just after 4 AM, two dogs were barking. I woke up, shined my

Museum at Sutton, WV said, “Here at the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum, we are honored to have Les O’Dell as our top researcher on all things Bigfoot. We appreciate his years of research and fantastic dedication and willingness to share his work… Les has an ability to not only recognize Hominid footprints but is also more than willing to debunk misleading ones.

In his new book, you can read accountings of his interviews from all over the state of West Virginia. They were written as the words were spoken.”

flashlight and screamed “shut up.” That’s when I seen a large hairy muscular figure, muscle on top of muscle, it looked like it bolted up the mountain. It looked to be about 7 feet tall or more.

My children seen it in the spring before I seen it. But me and a pastor friend just laughed at our kids. They were playing spot light and seen it in the pines. Then I seen it the next year in March. I even got one decent pic of a footprint later on that morning when it became day light. Ever since then from time to time we hear what they call wood knocks and screams like howler monkeys that you hear on a wildlife show. I’ve heard them before but thought it was a bird imitating something. But I don’t think there is any other local animal that can do this.

Additional Witness Comment:

At one time I didn’t want people to know for fear thinking I was crazy. But I see there is more people than just me that have seen something like it in West Virginia.

ERL believes in sharing the rich written heritage of West Virginia. From published works to personal essays to poetry, we welcome your submissions in adding to the Appalachian canon. RECOMMENDATIONS?

Cover Art by Mark A. Randall

Excerpt from "Old Man of the Mountain: The West Virginia Bigfoot"

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BY LAND & BY SEA (WELL... IN THE ELK RIVER)

This month ERL’s Reader Submission features Elk River native, Scott Bird, with his turkey that had a 11" beard and 1-1/4" spurs. This photo was taken in Roane County at the end of April, 2023. Also, Billy Wehrle of Big Chimney is featured with his 44.5” inch Musky he caught in the Elk River.

HHHS JUNE 2023 PICTORIAL TOUR

By Guest Author and Photographer, Tim Cunningham, of Tim Takes Photography

A month has gone by since I last visited the new Herbert Hoover and there have been a lot of changes to the inside of the school. Although it may appear that there are many things to complete, the project is at a stage where it doesn’t take much time to finalize an area. Finishing touches are being put on several of the hallways and classroom floors are getting coats of wax. The entryway and commons have a beautiful terrazzo floor with blue and red inlays.

As for the exterior, sidewalks are being poured. parking lots are being paved, and the buildings surrounding the baseball and softball fields are being roofed. The scoreboard has been installed at the football field and the fieldhouse is on its way to completion.

Although the substantial completion date has been adjusted slightly, it appears that the building will be at that point by the end of June and the athletic facilities shortly after. Excitement is escalating and the opening can’t come soon enough. Each time I visit I am amazed at the magnitude of the project and the scope of work that is being done.

Media Center Stairway

View of Courtyard from Cafeteria

Kitchen Equipment

Scoreboard

Main Gym

Center of Gym

Soccer Field

Locker Rroom

Rear of School Courtyard

THE ELK’S STUDENTS

HHHS SENIOR AWARDS 2023

WSAZ Best of the Class: Cailyn MacLellan; Deanna Kay Skeens School Service Award: Josh Stuart; Margo Kittle Scholarship: Autumn Dye; McCallister Smith Memorial Award: Paige Canterbury & Justin Baldwin; J. Stuart Ervin Top Scholar Athlete: Cailyn MacLellan; Coach Dave Hall Memorial Award: Andrew Rollyson; The Danny Hayes Memorial Award: Levi Paxton & Abby Hanson; The Marvin "Greasy" Gandee Memorial Award: Elijah Saunders & Sydney Bright; Duane "Hoggie" Atkins Top Multi-Sport Athlete: Andrew Rollyson & Regan Geary; Athletic Director's Award: Eli Robertson & Sydney Shamblin; Elk Energy Services Scholarship: Karsen Fletcher, John Duvall, Avery Sankoff & Abby Hanson; Society of American Military Engineers: Mason Holstein; Elkview Insurance Scholarship: Jillian Dolin; KCS Schoolmaster Scholarship: Ryne & Regan Geary; Vocational Education Scholarship Endowed by the C/O 1971: Ezekial Kibler; Clendenin Lions Club: Andrew Rollyson; Robbie Hardman "Spirit of a Champion" Award: Eli Robertson; Josh & Nicole Gross Student Athlete Scholarship: Marquise Walker & Emma Kee; The Leah Strickland Memorial Scholarship: Chloe Nary; HHHS Class of 2023 President: Kaleb Lipscomb (Pictured L); HHHS Class of 2023 First Lady: Aly Miller (Pictured R).

HHHS STATE TRACK & FIELD QUALIFIERS

CLASS OF 1971 PRESENTS FIRST SCHOLARSHIP

Congrats to Ezekiel Kibler who was the recipient of the first Vocational Scholarship endowed by the HHHS Class of 1971. He will be continuing in the Culinary Arts program as an adult student at Carver Career Center. After he completes his one-year certificate program, he hopes to be a part of The Greenbrier apprenticeship program. Ezekiel is the son of Doug and Marty Kibler from Big Chimney. Pictured is Paulette Wagoner, Class of 1971, presenting the award to Ezekiel Kibler.

The following 16 students qualified for the State Track and Field Meet at Laidley Field on May 19-20.The team had 9 Regional Champs combined in the girls and boys teams. Katie Salai, High Jump; Jenna Brown, 800 meters, 1600 meters and 3200 meters; Lauren Mullins, Discus; 4 x 400 Relay Team (Emma Cottrell, Aubrie Abbott, Regan Geary, Alana King); 4 x 800 Relay Team (Aubrie Abbott, Regan Geary); Brayden Jones, 200 meters NEW school record in the prelims and then again in finals), 400 meters; John Duvall 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters; Josh Stuart, Discus; 4 x 100 Relay Team NEW school record (Joey White, Jacob Burns, Jaylen Chandler, Brayden Jones); 4 x 200 Relay Team NEW school record (Joey White, Jacob Burns, John Jones, Brayden Jones); Shuttle Hurdle Relay (Joey White, Andrew Bess, Josh Stuart, Jacob Burns).

SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS

The HHHS softball team are the 2023 AA Regional and Sectional Champions. They won the regional series 2-0 against Lincoln and are playing now for their sixth consecutive state tournament title. (Photo by Scott Abbott Photo )

EMS GIRLS WIN TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP

For the first time in school history, the Elkview Middle School girls won the Kanawha County Middle School Track and Field Championship Meet! For the boys team Sam Born placed first in the two-mile, one-mile, and 800 and won the boys high point.

HHHS TENNIS

The HHHS Huskie Tennis Team qualified for the AA/A Region 3 State Meet as both teams came in second in the Regionals. The team officially completed their season eighth in the State.

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA & UNIVERSITY OF CHARLESTON

Caroline Dysart has signed with University of Alabama to continue her education and she hopes to continue her band/twirling career. Eli Robertson has signed with University of Charleston to continue his education and basketball career.

ELK ELEMENTARY ELKHOUNDS ARCHERY

The arrows keep flying! The Elkhounds made it back to the podium in back-to-back years. Coach Jeffrey Mullins said, “The team brought home the bronze trophy in 3D targets for a third place national win, and they had a ninth place national standing in bullseye targets. I am so proud of these elementary archers!”

Individually the Elkhounds had 4 archers that placed in the top 20: In Bullseye targets Allie Childress ranked 16th out of 1814 elementary girls, and Klaire Pullin ranked 17th out of 620 4th-grade girls. In 3D targets, Brayden Mitchell ranked 13th out of 936 elementary boys, and Jackson Blankenship ranked 15th out of 350 4th-grade boys. The Elkhounds amassed a record of 240-8 in bullseye shooting and 113-2 in 3D shooting this year! We are looking forward to competing again at the World Open in June in Myrtle Beach, SC.

(Photo by Scott Abbott Photo)

SPRING FLING

After playing (and winning) a sectional game over Roane County that morning, HHHS Softball player, Lexi Kennedy (HHHS Junior) and family, stopped by the Clendenin Spring Fling (sponsored by the Clendenin Lions Club) on Saturday May 6! The event had vendors, live music and a fashion show on the Harper Stage hosted by Elk River Boutique. Remi Warden was excited to have her photo taken with a member of the Hoover softball team!

CLENDENIN CELEBRATION & FESTIVAL

CLENDENIN CELEBRATION & CLENDENIN FESTIVAL 5K RUN & 1 MILE WALK

SATURDAY JUNE 24, RUN/WALK 9 AM

TOWN FESTIVITIES AT 10 AM

This picturesque run/walk course offers a flat and fast tour of the Town of Clendenin, encompassing the Town’s streets and the new Elk River Trail.

The entry fee at the race is $30 and awards and plaques will go to the top 3 overall male and female. Medals will go to the top 2 in each of the following age groups: 12 and under; 13-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59, and 60 plus. Register at www.tristateracer. com/clendenin5K. Toss on your running/walking shoes and join in the fun!

LIVE MUSIC ON THE OM HARPER STAGE

Bring a chair and plan to be entertained by The Esquires from 7-9 PM Saturday evening, June 24. This popular band was formed in 1964 and is a cover stage show and a dance band that performs the music from the 60’s era. Also, during the day the Town will be full of fun and activities including live music, karaoke on the OM Harper Stage, cornhole contests, games for all ages, inflatables for the kids, food, craft, vendors and shopping at businesses along Maywood Avenue/Main Street, and fireworks at the conclusion of the Esquire concert at dusk!

The 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk begins at 9 AM and the Town’s festivities begin at 10 AM! It will be a great day to visit the Town of Clendenin to celebrate an early Independence Day and rejoice in the progress that has been made in our community since The Flood of 2016.

THE ELK REFLECTS

TWO COMMUNITIES CAME TOGETHER AS ONE

Co-authored By Richard Bashlor and Jim Hamrick

Not everyone knows how the football field at the former Herbert Hoover High School (HHHS) near Clendenin came to be. Richard Bashlor of the Elk River Museum said, “The original football field was built much differently than the field at the new HHHS site at Elkview.”

Clendenin High School and Elkview High School were consolidated in 1963 to form one high school, Herbert Hoover. There was no football field, and for the first two years, the HHHS football team played their home games on the Elkview Junior High football field. It took both of the Clendenin and Elkview communities to pull together in order to build a field for the new combined school.

Jim Hamrick, former Clendenin High School football coach (1962-63) and the first HHHS football coach said, “When the students went to HHHS on day one, the school was not totally completed, but they had a move-in date for the fall of 1963. There was no air conditioning in the building and there were no windows to open. The classrooms were hot--well,

actually, the whole school was hot that fall. Additionally, the walls had not been painted yet and the drop ceilings were just open framework with no ceiling tiles. There was a long to-do list for the Kanawha County Board of Education and building a football field was not on the top of the list at that time for sure.” The county told Hamrick the football team would have to play their home games at Elkview Junior High School (EJHS).

When the county leveled out a place for the football practice field at the new school, all of the topsoil had been removed. “Everything was gone except for the rocks,” said Hamrick. Richard Bashlor, one of the early HHHS football players, said, “At the beginning of every practice, all of the players and coaches went the length of the field and picked up a helmet full of rocks each. There were a LOT of rocks.”

Hamrick said when he met with the HHHS football team for the first time, the players went home and told their parents about the poor condition of the practice field and that their

Photos provided by Richard Bashlor, Elk River Communities in Kanawha County Museum

Bleachers at the first field.

games were going to be held at EJHS which did not have adequate lighting or accommodations for the larger HHHS crowds.

Cletis Morris was the president of the HHHS Athletic Boosters Club at that time. He helped organize the first meeting of parents and volunteers to discuss the athletic field situation. Parents and local businesses from both Clendenin and Elkview showed up in full force, wanting to get onboard with the construction of a football field. Hamrick said, “The first meeting was outstanding with everyone offering to donate their own time and whatever else it took to build the field.” There were contributions by so many people and businesses. I can’t thank them enough for all of their hard work.” He added, “ Morris had reached out and made so many connections; everyone was willing to help. He was invaluable to making the field a reality.”

Hamrick borrowed a pump from the Clendenin Volunteer Fire Department to pump water from the river to water the

field in order to get the grass to grow. He said, “There was no grass because all of the topsoil had been removed and deposited in a huge pile beside the new high school.”

Years later HHHS Principal Bill Calhoun had the pile leveled and it became the baseball field. Hamrick added, “I worked for Elk Refinery that summer, and every evening I would leave work and come to Hoover to water the field using the pump truck.” Later, volunteers ran a 2” waterline from goal post to goal post so that the coaches could more easily water the field.

Pop Workman, a retired coach from Clendenin High School, was able to find some excess bleachers in the county. Coach Hamrick said, “I think he found most of them at Coonskin Park. Pop finding the bleachers for us was huge.” Volunteers laid cinder blocks on the home side of the field and the bleachers were then welded and placed on top of them. The away-side bleachers did not require a cinder block foundation so they were easier to complete.

First Hoover Football Team | 1963

First Hoover Track Team | 1963

The next task was building the press box. The county donated used windows that had been removed from other schools. Hamrick said, “Together with the donated supplies, volunteers were able to build a very nice press box.“

For three years Hoover’s home games were held on Saturday afternoons because there were no lights. Hamrick said, “Some of the local pipeliners in the community donated the electric poles for the football field. The county then helped by donating the lights and volunteers worked with the power company to complete the installation.” Finally, in 1968, Hoover’s games could finally be held on their own football field on Friday nights.

Hamrick was also the track coach at Hoover. The track team practiced in the Hoover parking lot and on the sidewalk. Bashlor remembers running warm-up laps up Jordan Creek. Hamrick wanted the Hoover students to have a track, so he and volunteers surveyed and planned out a track around the newly completed football field. He said, “We borrowed a roller from Machinery Inc. and used it to create a cinder track. Cletis Morris of the Athletic Boosters again played a huge role and helped arrange for large trucks to haul the donated cinders from the plants in South Charleston.”

After two consecutive years of Coach Hamrick borrowing and returning the roller to Machinery Inc., they just donated the roller to him to use until they were done. Hamrick said, “I was the only one allowed to run the roller according to the guidelines from Machinery Inc., but together with Elk River volunteer labor for everything else, we were able to build a track.”

Not only did Hoover have a track, they had a really good track. Under Hamrick’s leadership Herbert Hoover hosted the first girls’ track meet in West Virginia. Eventually the track was paved before Hamrick left coaching and went on to serve as the principal of Clendenin Junior High School. He still pursued his passion for track and field and directed the State Track Meet for boys and girls at Laidley Field for 15 years.

Hamrick said, “The good thing was the county was very supportive of the Elk River volunteers. Without our football and track fields, the athletic programs would not have grown as quickly as they did. We were all thankful we could come together and make it happen--not as Clendenin, not as Elkview, but as Herbert Hoover High School.”

Coach Hamrick said Hoover had a tough schedule and played some of the biggest schools, including Charleston

High and Stonewall High Schools. “We also played Charleston Catholic High School who had an excellent team at that time. We ended the season with a 5-5 record that first year, but we held our own. Our schedule was competitive and the team met the challenge head on and our program grew strong as a result.”

In previous years Elkview and Clendenin High Schools were big football rivals. Bashlor remarked, “Every year it was one of the biggest rivalry games between two schools.”

Hamrick said, “Despite being rivals over the years, however, two communities came together to form the Elk River bond and the Huskie pride that you see today. Rivalry became camaraderie and I know the communities will once again come together to usher in the second HHHS football field which already ranks among the best in the State.” #elkriverstrong

First Track at Hoover

Pressbox

First Homecoming

RAMPIN’ UP!

By Contributing Author Laura Boggess Shafer of Clendenin

West Virginians are known for their love of ramps. Whether you are cooking ramps or adding them to fried potatoes, ramps are a spring favorite.

Bad Axe Bistro in Sutton featured special Bad Axe Ramp Burgers. Owners Becky and Randy Conrad said, “We combined fresh ground beef with fresh pickled ramps on a bed of lettuce topped with bacon, hot pepper cheese and a housemade ramp aioli. It was a crowd favorite for sure!”

Many organizations held ramp dinners as local fundraisers. Menu options started with ramps and included a variety of side dishes such as white/pinto beans, cornbread, fried potatoes with or without ramps, sauerkraut and wieners, coleslaw, salads and desserts. HE White Community School Annual Ramp Dinner at Bomont has been an Elk River favorite for many years.

Michael H. Smith said, “I don’t know how long it's been going on, but in my opinion, it's the best Ramp Dinner in WV hands down!” Prepared traditional or gourmet-style, you will want to find a ramp event near you next spring.

Bop and Nana’s (former Cafe Cimino at Sutton) hosted a delicious multi-course, farm-to-table ramp dinner at their farm in Chloe, WV. Chef Tim prepared an exquisite entree featuring carnitas over polenta with sides of ramps and kale with brown beans.

The menu also included a mini ramp frittata with a side of ramps and kale, asparagus spears with pork belly and sauteed ramps, homemade ramp and ricotta ravioli in chicken broth, spring greens with ramp dressing, and an Italian Olive Oil Cake for dessert with ramp sesame brittle and served with a mini square of homemade chocolate fudge and pecans.

PICKLED RAMPS

From the Kitchen of Lacon Shafer

Canning Recipe • Refridgerate or Water Bath

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS

• Ramps

• 1 bay leaf

• 1/4 t red pepper flakes

• 1/2 t allspice berries

• 1 garlic clove

• 2 1/2 C Vinegar

• 2 C Water

• 1 C Cugar

• 1 t garlic

• 1 T mustard seeds

• 1 t salt

STEP 1 Clean ramps and place ramp bulbs and leaves into pint jars.

STEP 2 Add to each pint jar, 1 bay leaf, ¼ t red pepper flakes, ½ t allspice berries, and 1 clove of garlic.

STEP 3 Bring to a boil: 2 ½ C vinegar, 2 C water, 1 C sugar, 1 t garlic, 1 T mustard seeds, and 1 t salt.

STEP 4 Pour boiled ingredients over ramps and add rings and lids. These can be processed or kept in the refrigerator.

Notes: This month our contributing author, Laura Boggess Shafer’s son, Lacon, shared a recipe for his pickled ramps. This recipe is sweeter than the recipe he used formerly. He says this one is good, but sweeter than he likes. He’s still looking for his old recipe!

ANOTHER DELICIOUS FLOWER JELLY RECIPE

In our May issue of ERL, we discussed jellies made from flowers and featured Laura’s dandelion jelly. This month we are sharing her first batch of Purple Violet Jelly. The taste was similar to a honey and a berry jelly. She said, “It was a lot of work picking enough violets to have the two cups needed for the recipe!”

PURPLE VIOLET JELLY

Also, don’t forget to sprinkle some sunflower seeds in your garden. Not only are they breath-takingly beautiful in the late summer, but the birds will appreciate it also!

Canning Recipe • Water Bath

From the Kitchen of Laura Boggess Shafer

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS

• 2 C Violets

• 4 C Water

• 2 T Lemon Juice

• 1 Box Sure Jell

• 4 C Sugar

• Jars, rings & lids

NOTE It will be a blue/green color, but don’t panic. It will turn blue after you add the lemon juice in a later step.

STEP 1 Make the violet tea mixture. 2 cups of violets, pour 4 cups of boiling water over the flowers. Once cooled, set in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Strain to make “violet tea”.

STEP 2 Purple Violet Jelly, 4 cups of violet tea, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice & 1 box sure jell. Bring to full rolling boil

STEP 3 Add 4 cups sugar. Bring back to full rolling boil. Remove from heat.

STEP 4 Stir & remove skimmings. Put in jars.

STEP 5 Clean rims, add rings & lids. Process 10 minutes.

Note: This is Juanita Rose’s (1922-2013) recipe.

• 2-3 T bacon grease

• ¼ C apple cider vinegar

• 1 T oil

• 2 t sugar

• Salt and Pepper

• Step 1: Heat 2-3 Tbsp of bacon grease.

• Step 2: Mix together ¼ C apple cider vinegar, 1 T oil, 2 t sugar, and salt and pepper to taste.

• Step 3: Carefully add the vinegar mixture to the hot bacon grease, stirring constantly.

• Step 4: Pour this mixture into a bowl with torn green garden lettuce. Stir together. Add chopped green onions and serve.

LOOK WHAT I GREW!

It’s time to harvest some of your fresh lettuce and sneak out some of your bigger green onions to make a delicious salad! There is nothing better than fresh lettuce, so tender and flavorful. Many people love to make wilted lettuce salad. There are two versions featured here, one with bacon grease and one with crumbled bacon. Either are great. My mother-in-law used to make it both ways to make everyone at the table happy.

OH NO! WEEDS!

• 6 slices bacon

• ¼ C diced green onions

• ½ C cider vinegar

• 4 t sugar

• 8 cups of leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces.

• Step 1: Cook bacon until crisp, drain and crumble. Reserve drippings. Add onion to the drippings and cook until tender.

• Step 2: Add vinegar mixed with 1 C water, sugar, ½ t salt and bacon crumbles. Cook and stir until boiling.

• Step 3: Place lettuce in a bowl, pour hot dressing over and toss. Optional: garnish with boiled egg and radishes, thinly sliced.

As your gorgeous plants emerge from the ground, unfortunately, so do weeds! Hoeing is a good way to knock out those pesky small, annual weeds. You can pick up a hoe at any local hardware store. Some people like to use a push hoe, also. Just be careful not to damage the vegetable plant growth or roots.

To hoe between your garden rows, just push lightly. It is not necessary to dig deep. You are just skimming the surface to eliminate the existing weeds and cut off any new or fresh growth from perennial weeds. (lovethegarden.com)

Hoe when the soil is dry. Local gardeners recommend hoeing in the morning when it is cool before you water your plants. It is not necessary to remove the weeds once they have been hoed as they will dehydrate and die on the ground surface.

Wilted Lettuce Salad Shared by Anita Shamblin

Wilted Leaf Lettuce Shared by Melissa McLaughlin

POTATOES DOWN!

Many gardeners plant sprouted potatoes from their previous year’s crop. You can also purchase seed potatoes to plant as well. The Shafer family planted potatoes last year and plowed them out in the fall. Laura said, “We stored them in the potato bin and ate them all fall and winter. When potatoes are kept in the cellar over the winter, in the spring they begin to sprout. We planted the majority of them in this year’s garden.”

The rule of thumb from experienced gardeners is to plant the small sprouted potatoes, but you can cut the larger potatoes into pieces and plant them also, remembering to always have two eyes on one piece of potato.

Laura said she sprouted the leftover potatoes that they didn’t plant (removed all of the eye sprouts from the potatoes) and they still use them to eat. She added, “If the sprouts are left on the potatoes they will shrivel and get soft and are not good to use. If they are sprouted, they will last a long time and you can still use them to eat, any way you fix your potatoes.” So, plant the potatoes with eye sprouts or enjoy any leftover ones after sprouting. Win win!!!”

THE HEALTHY ELK

Physical Therapists Help Active People Stay That Way

Submitted by Andi Geary, MPT, Cert. MDT, ATC, owner of Elk Valley Physical Therapy. Andi has been the owner of EVPT since 2010. She is a 1996 honors graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from University of Charleston and she graduated from WVU with a Masters in Physical Therapy. She is a proud HHHS alumnus and is very active in Elk River athletics and youth programs.

Active people of all types can benefit from the expertise of a physical therapist. Athletes, weekend warriors, and people who work in physically demanding jobs all need strength, mobility, coordination, and endurance. Physical therapists are experts in human movement that help active people stay that way.

Physical therapists can help with performance. They can break down the requirements of a specific physical task and then design a training program that will help people meet those demands. A program designed by a physical therapist will improve strength, flexibility, coordination, agility and speed. It will focus on improving areas where a person is weak while also further improving areas of strength.

While looking at an athlete or active person’s strength, mobility, balance, and coordination to improve performance, they’ll also be looking to identify issues that could lead to injury. The plan created by a PT will

include exercises or activities to specifically address these areas. A PT can also assess an existing training plan and help to identify areas that may lead to sprains, strains, or overtraining. No matter how much training and injury prevention someone does, injuries sometimes happen.

Physical therapists have the knowledge and skills to help people recover from injuries faster. In cases of severe injuries, physical therapists help people recover from surgery. But in some cases, a physical therapist can help people with injuries avoid surgery in the first place.

Physical therapy is more than just a way to get back on your feet after an injury - it also helps people stay at the top of their game. Whether it’s an athlete, a dancer, or someone who wants to stay in shape, physical therapy can help reach performance goals. With the right exercises and treatments, physical therapists help people improve strength, flexibility, and endurance so they perform at their best while lowering injury risk.