Elk River Living | Volume 05 | Issue 07

ELK RIVER LIVING

Tumble, Fly, & Flip!

“We

–Scott

Tumble, Fly and Flip your way to excellent skills, on and off the floor!

“For over 46 years, we at Maverick have tried to instill in all of our athletes a positive attitude of their individual abilities to empower them to reach for their individual goals.”

–Billy Bob Taylor, Owner, Maverick

"Our

The

HELLO & Welcome Back!

Our feature article, Tumble, Flip, and Fly, is a great read this month. ERL, along with our talented photographer Scott Abbott, visited Billy Bob Taylor at Maverick Gymnastics where many of our kids have taken or are taking gymnastic/tumbling classes. It is always fun to watch the excitement on the faces of the young gymnasts; the fierce commitment of the upcoming competition team, and the amazing skills of the power tumbling team. Two Herbert Hoover seniors, Kaleb Lanier and Julia Priest, former gymnasts at Maverick, are now sharing their expertise as teachers at the gym. Be sure to check out their article in this month’s issue.

Also this month, we celebrate the third anniversary of Scott’s Service & Auto Repair in Clendenin. They are definitely more than just a business. They take great pride in servicing the needs of the Elk River community they call home. Scott Evans, owner, said,”Their trust in us to take care of their automotive needs means everything to us.”

Don’t forget to check out all of our monthly segments. We highlight our talented Elk River students and share great recipes, books, photos, events, trail, health, and gardening tips from our ERL readers and businesses. We really enjoyed the great macaroni dishes in The Elk’s Cookbook and Laura Boggess Shafer’s research in The Elk’s Garden this month, which had us looking to see if we had a Ball jar with lucky (or is it unlucky) 13 etched on the bottom. Also, Tim Cunningham shared his HHHS pictorial tour so that everyone can get a sneak peak at the new Hoover.

Remember to take some time for yourself this summer: a time to just be. No decisions need to be made; no plans, no multitasking; just take time for yourself to enjoy the summer warmth and breathe, even if it is just for a few minutes. Sometimes the person we forget to take care of is ourself. Until next month, be well my friends!

Remember, there’s no place like home...on the Elk River. cyndi@elkriverliving.com 304.546.9243

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.

Photographer / Scott Abbott

Scott Abbott Photo

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 ERL photographer, Scott Abbott and guest photographers who care about our communities and help make this magazine possible: Scott Abbott, Aubrie Abbott, J. Craig Allison, Tim Cunningham, Janet Six, Jill Moles Mullins

Featuring Kaleb Lanier and Julia Priest, HHHS seniors and former Maverick Gymnasts, and Billy Bob Taylor, owner of Maverick Gymnastics. Photo by Scott Abbott of Scott Abbott Photo.

Aubrie Abbott

Tim Cunningham

Scott Abbott

Janet Six Jill Moles Mullins

J. Craig Allison

ACE ADVENTURE RESORT

800.787.3982

1 Concho Rd, Oak Hill WV

ACUPUNCTURE

& HOLISTIC HEALTH, INC.

304.377.7892

The Retreat at Northgate

One Creative PL., Charleston, WV

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

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 HOTEL & CAFE

304.402.2121

616 Main Street, Sutton

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

GABBY’S SEWING & MORE

304.935.2360

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

GIVE OUR SPONSORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR BUSINESS, they care a great deal about you and the Elk River community!

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

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.

JULY LIBRARY EVENTS

July 6 10:30 AM

July 6 11 AM

July 8 1 PM – 2:30 PM

July 11– 13 All Day

July 18 11 AM

July 20 10:30 AM

July 20 11 AM

July 20 3 PM

July 25 6 PM – 7:30 PM

July 26 2 PM – 4 PM

July 29 NOON – 2 PM

July 5 10:30 AM

July 5 11 AM

July 6 6 PM

July 10 2 PM

July 11 2 PM

July 11 6 PM

July 12 10:30 AM

July 12 11 AM

July 13 3-7 PM

July 17 2-4 PM

July 18 2 PM

July 18 4 PM

July 20 6 PM

July 21 10:30 AM

July 24 2 PM

July 24 6 PM

July 25 6 PM

July 26 10:30 AM

July 26 11 AM

July 27 5-7 PM

Jump into Storytime

Playgroup at the Library

Kids Sewing Club

Make Art Together: Community Art Project

PJ’s Laugh Factory

Jump into Storytime

Playgroup at the Library

PBS Storytime

Family Fun: Ice Cream! You Scream! Mini Golf

Foamtastic Fun Party

Jump into Storytime: Water and Boats

Playgroup at the Library

Family Fun: Games Galore!

Kids Care: Four-legged Kindness

Teen Smash Brothers

Adult Evening Craft

Jump into Storytime: Animals and Pets

Playgroup at the Library

Make Art Together: Community Art Project

Christmas in July

Elk Valley Book Group

PJ’s Laugh Factory

Family Fun: Stu e Sleepover

Family Fun: Stu e Pick-up

Kids Care: Kindness Bags

IDEA Lab Zines Program

Adult Social Hour

Jump into Storytime: Community Helpers

Playgroup at the Library

SLC Finale: Craft Night Spectacular!

Children 5 & Under

Children 5 & Under

Children & Tweens

Family/All Ages

Family/All Ages

Children 5 & Under

Children 5 & Under

Family/All Ages

Family/All Ages

Tweens & Teens

Family/All Ages

Children 5 & Under

Children 5 & Under

Children, Tweens, Families

Children, Tweens, Families

Teens

Adults

Children 5 & Under

Children 5 & Under

All Ages

Children, Tweens, Families

Adults, Seniors

Children, Tweens, Families

Children, Tweens, Families

Children, Tweens, Families

Children, Tweens, Families

Adults, Teens

Adults, Seniors

Children 5 & Under

Children 5 & Under

All Ages

THE ELK’S COOKBOOK

IT'S MACARONI TIME!

In addition to grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, this summer you will usually find assorted macaroni dishes on the table. Whether they are elbow, tri-color, bowtie, penne or other assorted pasta, hot or cold, they are the perfect picnic accompaniment. This month we are happy to share a few of our ERL readers’ favorite recipes. Gabi Strickland Walker shared a traditional recipe for macaroni salad from Aunt Ardeith of Blue Creek. Gabi said friends all rave about her recipe.

Also, if you are in the mood for a delicious hot macaroni and cheese dish, try this Macaroni and Cheese recipe from Dorothea Fuqua. It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser! Deb McDaniel Walker shared how her mom made her macaroni salad. She said, “I don’t really have a recipe but here are her ingredients and it was always delicious. Just add ingredients to taste and mix well.” Tammy Taylor shared her mother-in-law’s (Phyllis Taylor) recipe also! This recipe has a cooked dressing and is scrumptious.

AUNT ARDIETH’S MACARONI SALAD

From the Kitchen of Gabi Strickland Walker

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS Keep

• 16 oz Box Elbow Macaroni

• Small Sweet Onion- Finely Diced

• 3 Stalks of Celery - Finely Diced

• 1 Red Pepper - Finely Diced (optional)

• 3 Eggs - Hard Boiled & Finely Diced

• 1C Sweet Pickle Salad Cubes w/ Juice

• 2-3 Tbs Sugar

• 1 C Mayonnaise (I use Duke’s brand)

• ½ C Miracle Whip Salad Dressing

• 1 Tbs Yellow Mustard

• 3-4 tsp Red Wine Vinegar

• Salt/Pepper- generously to taste

STEP 1 Cook the macaroni in a large pot of boiling, salted water until al-dente, per package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and allow to cool completely.

STEP 2 In a large bowl, mix all prepared ingredients. Taste for salt and pepper (you need a generous amount). Stir to combine well and refrigerate to chill. Serve chilled and keep leftovers refrigerated.

MACARONI & CHEESE

From the Kitchen of Dorothea Fuqua

INGREDIENTS

• 2 C Small Curd Cottage Cheese

• 1 C Sour Cream

• 1 Egg

• ¼ tsp Salt

• Garlic and Pepper to taste

• 8 oz Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

• 7 oz Bowtie Macaroni (cooked according to directions on box)

DIRECTIONS

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 min.

STEP 1 Combine cottage cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper and garlic.

STEP 2 Stir in the sharp shredded cheddar cheese and mix well.

STEP 3 Pour into a greased 2 ½ quart casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

MOM'S MACARONI SALAD

From the Kitchen of Deb McDaniel Walker

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS

• Elbow Macaroni

• Finely Chopped Carrots

• Finely Chopped Celery

• Finely Chopped Onions

• Lots of Chopped Sweet Pickles

• Miracle Whip

• Chopped Boiled Eggs

Keep Refrigerated

STEP 1 Cook macaroni cooked in salted water until tender.

STEP 2 Add ingredients to taste, Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve. This is better made the day before you eat it and I usually have to add more Miracle Whip before serving.

PHYLLIS TAYLOR'S MACARONI SALAD

From the Kitchen of Tammy Taylor

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS

STEP 1 Cook macaroni as directed on box

• 1 Box Macaroni

• 2 Eggs

• 1/4 C Vinegar

• 1/3 C Sugar

• 2/3 tsp Salt

• 1/8 tsp Pepper

• 1/2 Stick (4 Tbs) Butter

• 1/2 C Miracle Whip/Mayonnaise

• 1 Tsp Mustard

• Carrots, Celery, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes & Cucumbers to taste

Keep Refrigerated

STEP 2 Prepare the dressing: Combine eggs, vinegar, sugar, salt, & pepper in a saucepan. Beat until well blended. Cook until thick and bubbly.

STEP 3 Take off heat and add butter, Mirracle Whip/mayonnaise and mustard. Let cool.

STEP 4 Cut up carrots, celery, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers and add to macaroni. Add dressing and mix well.

Mike Haynes, Manager | Cathy Wild, Assistant

CELEBRATING THEIR 3RD ANNIVERSARY!

SCOTT'S SERVICE & AUTO REPAIR

Photos by Little Secret Design Co.

Scott’s Service & Auto Repair in Clendenin is more than just an auto shop--they are a business you can trust to perform excellent service at fair prices. This August they are celebrating their third year serving the Elk River community.

Scott Evans, owner, and his staff are very engaged with the Elk River Community. "This is home," said Evans. “We live here and we are part of this community. We even have people who have moved away from our community who still come back for us to take care of their vehicles. Their trust in us to take care of their automotive needs means everything to us.”

Evans and his excellent staff are proactive when it comes to your vehicle care so you can avoid costly repairs. Evans, along with shop foreman, Dan Hawkin and technicians Joe Smith and Terry Harper (retired, but not really gone), have over 100 years of combined experience to help ensure your vehicle is good-to-go, no matter where your travels may take you.

Hawkins said, “Here at Scott’s Service & Auto Repair, we are big on maintenance. Some people don’t understand how important maintenance is, and that is a huge part of what we try to promote.”

Owner Scott Evans installs a new muffler on a client's vehicle.

Proactive maintenance such as regular oil changes and tire rotations can extend the life of your vehicle and save you money!

Scott’s Service & Auto Repair recommends that you take some time to review this easy checklist before you hit the road:

CHECK MOTOR OIL LEVEL

Schedule an oil change every 5,000-7,000 miles, depending on what your car manufacturer recommends and don’t run your vehicle over the recommended mileage. Also, check your water and antifreeze to avoid engine overheating.

INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPERS

When was the last time you had them replaced? Double check your wipers and don’t forget to refill your washer fluid. Summer driving means a lot of bugs on your windshield and adequate washer fluid is a must.

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

Take the time to check your tires before you begin any trip. Make sure your tires’ air pressure is good and that you have good tread on all four tires. Scott’s Service & Auto Repair has extremely competitive prices on tires in case you need to purchase new tires. Just ask them for a quote!

INSPECTION STICKER

Is your car inspection up to date? Scott’s does car inspections so make sure you have a valid inspection sticker on your windshield.

REGISTRATION

Is your car decal on your license plate up to date? Avoid costly tickets by keeping your insurance and license registration current. See the Department of Motor Vehicles and your local insurance agent for more details.

CHECK YOUR LIGHTS

Do a walk-around to ensure all of your lights are working. Turn on signals, brake lights, tail lights, fog lights: make sure other drivers can clearly see your lights to avoid accidents that could have easily been prevented with a simple walk-around.

SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE

Schedule regular car tune ups. You can save money by making sure your car is in good running condition. Also, when your car is in good running condition you get better gas mileage.

Evans said, “Our shop specializes in everything. We are truly a full-service shop for cars, trucks, boats, low-boy trailers, tractors, motorcycles, and ATVs. We are one of the few places around that works on trailer wiring. We also do bigger jobs such as engine and transmission replacements.”

Hawkins said one of the most frequent repairs they encounter are with brakes. He advises, “When your brakes first start squeaking, bring it in as soon as possible. We live in West Virginia with a lot of hills and curvy roads that run alongside a river! Don’t ignore the squeak or you will find yourself replacing rotors, pads, and more in addition to your brakes.”

Scott's Service & Auto Repair saved me hundreds on new brakes, rotors and tires this past spring. I took my VW to a dealership and the quote they gave me was just not feasible. Scott's was recommended to me by a local in Clendenin, so I took it in and I'm glad I did! They were much more affordable, provided excellent service, had a very quick turn around and friendly staff! I will be bringing my car back and look forward to continuing to support this small local business!

– Patrick Popp, Spencer, WV

Scott’s Service & Auto Repair offers excellent air conditioning service. Hawkins added, “Air conditioning is often a big problem to diagnose. We have special air conditioning equipment that injects a dye and shows our technicians exactly where the problem is located.” “Also, when it comes to tires, we have you covered,” said Hawkins. “We do alignment, rotate and balance tires, fix flats, and offer excellent prices on new tires.”

If you are looking for a shop that takes the time to help you be proactive with your vehicle care plus is skilled to address any problems you may encounter, give Scott’s Service & Auto Repair a call at 681.230.2151. They are conveniently located at 311C Elk River Road, South on Route 119 in Clendenin.

Dan Hawkins removing a cover to check the condition of the air filter during a routine service and maintanence.

TUMBLE, FLIP & FLY

YOUR WAY TO EXCELLENT LIFE SKILLS, ON & OFF THE FLOOR!

Photos by Scott Abbott

Maverick Gymnastics has played a major role in many childrens’ lives, not only physically, but mentally. Billy Bob Taylor, owner of Maverick Gymnastics, has dedicated over 46 years to helping athletes develop skills that translate both on the gym floor and in life.

Coach Billy Bob explained, “Students learn accountability quickly and understand that they are responsible for their own success. They put in the gym time to perfect their skills. I think one of the most important skills they learn is balance. Learning to prioritize home responsibilities, school work, and gym time is essential.” The Maverick coaches work with students of all ages, encouraging them to be the best they can be. Coach Billy Bob said,, “From their first attempt at a cartwheel or a back handspring, we are there along with their fellow classmates, cheering them on. It isn’t easy to learn something new and it takes courage to fail and get back up and try it again. We teach students to be respectful of one another.”

Kaleb Lanier, a senior at Herbert Hoover High School (HHHS), has been in gymnastics since he was in pre-school. “The skills I have learned as a gymnast have helped me excel both in the gym and in life,” he said. “When I look at my attitude, my reactions, and my decision making, I see core strengths that were developed from my years as a gymnast.” He started gymnastics in 2010, taking lessons at Mountaineer Gymnastics in Big Chimney and Revolution in Cross Lanes. His first introduction to Maverick Gymnastics came when his parents had his seventh birthday party at the Maverick gym. “I loved the Maverick environment. It was the first time I was able to be a part of classes for boys. Within a month of joining Maverick I was selected as a member of the boys’ competitive team and I started competing in 2014.” Lanier traveled to PA and OH as well as WV and competed in all of the Olympic events: floor, vault, rings, parallel bars, pommel horse, and the high bar.

Coach Billy Bob said, “ Gymnastics develops a strong work ethic from the outset.” There is nothing like sports to provide an opportunity for people to work toward a common goal. In gymnastics from day one, you learn that you are responsible for your own success. While there is a team score, the gymnast’s individual scores are a result of their commitment and hard work. Billy Bob added, “Gymnastics creates a discipline to do the things that need to be done. As a coach, I have even learned to discipline my own life better. It’s just a beautiful sport.”

Lanier said, “Gymnastics is so individual; you learn to worry about yourself and give your very best performance. The weight is on you.” Lanier is also the field commander of the HHHS Marching Huskies. “My gymnastic training clearly is reflected in my body control and how I handle myself under pressure,” he said. He is judged at competitions for his conducting, visible appearance, musical cues, confidence and posture. During four of last year’s performances, Lanier did a backflip from the field commander stand which was a crowd pleaser!

He is also a member of the tennis team where he credits gymnastics for giving him stability and the ability to overcome adversity. “No matter what sport you participate in, you need to learn how to handle failure and keep on going. While there are athletes who have natural talent, for many of us it is repetition and hard work that help propel us to the top. You just need to keep on working and push forward.”

In 2022 Lanier started as a teacher at Maverick for their Power Tumbling and Trampoline team which competes from the fall through April. Julia Priest, another former Maverick competitive gymnast and HHHS senior, started working as a teacher for the tumbling team last winter and she also helps with the Level 2 girls competition team. Julia took classes at Maverick and was on the competition team for about ten years. She said, “I made it through level 7 before hanging up my leotard for good. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Maverick and everyone there.” Like Kaleb, she said competing was such an eye-opening experience and taught her so much. “Maverick taught me tremendous amounts of life skills including: how to be a leader, a team-player, kind to everyone, patience, and how to take pride in my accomplishments.”

She is also on the HHHS Swim Team and credits gymnastics for teaching her many skills, including having control over her body and giving her the confidence she needs to succeed. She added, “Working at Maverick gives me quite a different perspective than competing. It is beyond enjoyable to be able to teach gymnastics like I once learned it.” As a teacher at Maverick, she instructs young, talented gymnasts in techniques and skills. She also leads them in group stretching, supervises them during classes to ensure the safety and well-being of each student, and creates a fun and goal-oriented atmosphere.

The Power Tumbling and Trampoline team consists of boys and girls, elementary through high school ages. Lanier and Priest explained, “Team members perform 5-8 tumbling skills on the rod floor and they also perform on the doublemini and the trampoline.” These tumbling/trampoline skills are a plus if a student is interested in collegiate or

competition cheerleading. Maverick had 40+ girls compete this year in the USAG circuit (USA Gymnastics). The gym has competitive teams for regional levels 8, 9, 10, and the platinum excel program.

Maverick gymnast Lily Thaxton repeated as a national competitor in Oklahoma for her second consecutive year of level 10 competition. Coach Billy Bob said, “She is 16 years old and already has 7-8 universities following her.”

Billy Bob explained, “Level 2 is the introductory competition level which primarily consists of younger students, ages 5-8. They compete through the state championship level. Levels 3 through 7 qualify for compulsory competition and levels 6 and 7 include optional competition for state championships. Levels 8, 9, and 10 compete up to the WV State Championships and try to qualify for the Regional Championships that includes PA, MD, VA, NJ, and WV. Levels 9 and 10 may qualify for National Championships if they are in the top 7 scores of the Regional event.”

Maverick offers recreational classes for ages 2-18 which includes all-around gymnastics for all women’s events and a power tumbling class for boys and girls. Coach Billy Bob said, “WV State University has added an Acro-Tumble program in the Mountain State. They are the 39th member of the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA). It’s a great opportunity here at home for all the athletes of Maverick (tell them Billy Bob sent you).”

Summer recreational classes are happening now at Maverick and fall classes will start the first week of August. For more information and enrollment, call Maverick Gymnastics at 304.925.3004 or visit them at maverickgym.com. They are located at 3510 Venable Avenue, Charleston, WV.

Lily Thaxton | Level 10 National Competitor

Julia Priest

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

ElkRiver,West Virginia

OOPS!

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Sometimes when you are out enjoying nature, mother nature has other plans. There was a slip that blocked the Elk River Trail for a short time just south of the Gassaway Trailhead. Thankfully the DNR removed enough dirt so that riders/walkers could still travel past the slip on the trail. Heavy equipment is being brought in to address the full slip, which

ElkRiver,West Virginia

ELK RIVER RAIL-TRAIL TRAILHEAD

RAILS-WITH-TRAILS

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ELK RIVER RAIL-TRAIL

INTERSTATE TRAIL IN-PROGRESS TRAILHEAD

ACCESS

Clendenin North Clendenin South Brown St.

TRAIL REFRESHER

Elk RiverWalking Club

Where else can you walk/run/bike more than 47 miles (Gassaway to Hartland) plus another 3.5 miles (Clendenin to Queen Shoals) with less than a half percent grade! Work has also begun on the remaining 22 miles of trail between Hartland and Queen Shoals. Come enjoy the Elk River Trail, a flat and relatively easy walk or ride alongside the Elk River, and mostly in the shade. It’s a great way to enjoy the beautiful Elk River scenery.

We are including a reprint of our Elk River Trail map to help you plan your next adventures on the trail!

ELK RIVER WALKING CLUB

National Trail Day was celebrated on Saturday June 3 by the Elk River Walking Club. They walked approximately 30 minutes from the Queen Shoals trailhead toward Clendenin and back, about an hour total. Come join them and walk as much or as little as you want. They meet at the Clendenin North trailhead (near the Clendenin Water Plant) every Tuesday at 6 PM. It’s a great time for camaraderie and some healthy walking.

THE ELK’S JOURNAL

GROWING UP ON THE BANKS OF THE ELK RIVER

By Chris Ellis (The article originally appeared in the Charleston Gazette-Mail on July 6, 2022)

Growing up on the banks of the Elk River afforded me the childhood opportunity to grow and mature in an area where people were connected to nature. The Elk River of my youth was a setting somewhat like a Norman Rockwell painting of American culture — small-town USA, main street, rural America, front porch sitting, lemonade stands, church bells ringing on Sunday, vegetable gardens in the backyard, and plenty of old folks fishing.

I was the knobby-kneed kid with a cane pole over my shoulder, a frog in my pocket, and a slingshot hanging out of my back pocket. I was released into the outdoors every morning during summer and encouraged to check in occasionally with Mom during the day. (Checkins mostly occurred when I was hungry, needed some doctoring for a scraped knee, or was simply too wet and tired to continue my exploring adventures in the wilds.)

I was blessed to grow up in a hard-working community with a sense of pride for what you have, surrounded by people who were for each other, dotted with folks who can fix anything, and didn’t mind at all lending a hand helping others who couldn’t. But most intriguing to me were those who chose to hunt and fish and cherish the outdoor lifestyle directly connected to the natural world. Hunting and fishing were not the exceptions; it was part of everyday life in the community.

In a time before high-tech communication — just three local TV channels and rabbit ears on your set to pull them in, if you were lucky enough to live in a house with a clear view of the sky — the spoken and written word were the most important aspects of learning. No one had computers, phones in their pockets, or the internet to search for any topic in seconds, and most were considered

fortunate to have access to a set of encyclopedias — but we had each other and the art of storytelling. My connection to the world outside my river community was delivered daily to our doorstep: the newspaper. I couldn’t have cared less about national news, local business news, or even sports back then. My brain was too simple to process that information at a young age. But the topic I couldn’t consume enough of was hunting and fishing. The how-to, where-to and when-to and the articles highlighting the characters who had some aspect of hunting and fishing dialed in enough to be considered an expert in their field often left me in wonderment.

Not only was I fortunate to be raised in an outdoorfocused and loving community, but I was equally blessed to have access to writers who dedicated their time, energy, efforts and careers as storytellers in pursuit of the outdoor arts. Writers Skip Johnson, Andy Hansroth and John McCoy were directly responsible for my education, entertainment and, to be frank, my career choice as someone who lives and works to hunt and fish. I suspect strongly that I was not the only one.

RECOMMENDATIONS?

As a lifelong learner, I have chosen to raise my family here in West Virginia in hopes that they too may understand the connection to the natural world and receive an education outside of their formal schooling.

Not everyone growing up in West Virginia will be inspired to become an outdoors writer, industry professional or even someone who hunts and fishes.

That’s OK. But maybe, just maybe, their lives will be enriched no matter where they choose to live with an understanding and deep appreciation for the heritage, culture and history of rural communities in a rural state so blessed to be surrounded by Mother Nature’s precious bounties and natural resources. We are blessed.

Chris Ellis is a veteran of the outdoors industry. His book “Hunting, Fishing and Family from The Hills of West Virginia” is available from the West Virginia Book

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.

elrobinson engineering .com

5088 Washington St. W., Charleston, WV • 304.776.7473

For over 40 years, our landscape architects have shaped the land where we live, work and recreate.

CONGRATULATIONS NEW FIREMEN!

The Pinch Volunteer Fire Department would like to congratulate three men from our Elk River community who graduated from the Charleston Fire Department Recruit Academy on June 12, 2023 as Probationary Firefighters at the City of Charleston.

Congratulations to Captain/EMT Cody Carr (badge pinned by his brother CFD Firefighter/Paramedic and Pinch VFD Asst Chief Corey Carr); Firefighter/EMT Will Strickland (badge pinned by his father CFD Captain/ Paramedic and Pinch VFD Firefighter Mark Strickland), and Firefighter/EMT Quinton Teel (badge pinned by his uncle CFD Lieutenant/ Paramedic and Pinch VFD former Asst. Chief Justin Teel).

Captain/EMT Cody Carr

Firefighter/EMT Quinton Teel

Firefighter/EMT Will Strickland

HHHS JULY 2023 PICTORIAL TOUR

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

ERL is happy to share our July pictorial update of the new Herbert Hoover High School. Tim Cunningham said, “This visit I saw that the glazed block had finally arrived and the block layers were busy at work completing the restrooms. Also, a lot of construction tools and materials are being removed as workers complete the building and add the finishing touches and furnishings to the rooms. As of this visit, the substantial completion date has been pushed out and is now reported to be July 15th.”

Entrance at Media Library

Business & Marketing

Wood Shop

Weight Room

Auxiliary Gym

Theatre

Classrooom

Science Lab Classroom

Main Gym

THE ELK’S STUDENTS

HHHS SOFTBALL

The HHHS softball team under Coach Missy Anderson Smith were first runner ups at the 2023 AA State Softball Championship. They beat Independence 4-2 but finished runner-up to Winfield after a 3-0 loss in the WVSSAC AA State Tournament. The Hoover players on the All Tournament team are Laila Varney, Sydney Shamblin, Kirstin Wehrle, and Sydney Bright. Photos by Scott Abbott

ALUMNI FLASH FORWARD

GREENVILLE, S.C. – (Shared from Conferencecarolinas.com) Grayson Buckner of Lees-McRae has been selected as the Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month for softball for April. This is her second consecutive month winning the award. In 16 April games, Buckner hit .426 (23-for-54) and slugged .741 with 14 runs scored, 14 driven in, five doubles and four home runs. She also struck out five batters in eight innings in the circle for the Bobcats. Buckner played primarily at second base during the month and had a hit in all but two contests in the month with seven multi-hit contests. She collected three hits in a game twice and drove in a month-best four runs in the April 12 win over Southern Wesleyan as she went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a home run. She ended the season hitting .430, a Bobcats program record.

CONGRATS!

Emma Veltri and Abby Hanson have signed with WV State to continue their softball and academic careers and Levi Paxton committed to play football and continue his academics at the University of Charleston.

CHARLESTON, WV - (shared from UC Athletics) HHHS Alumni Rebekah Woody has concluded her softball career at University of Charleston. Charleston’s stellar season closed as they lost to Wast Stroudsburg in game 3 of the Atlantic Super Regional.

PROJECT GRADUATION SAYS THANK YOU

Thank you to the sponsors who helped make the 2023 Project Graduation a success: Yak House Rentals, Clendenin Lions Club, Bettie Kee, Bill Rogers, CAMC, John Robertson, Joe Robertson, Dan Sweeney, Giovanni’s, Elkview Dairy Queen, Blue Creek Auto, Elk Valley Physical Therapy, Canaan Valley, Winter Place, Kanawha County Commission, Michael’s Salon and Anytime Fitness.

RECOGNIZING HHHS CHEMISTRY STUDENTS

West Virginia State University hosted the ACS Chemistry Olympiad Banquet and the following students were recognized individually from HHHS: Nathaniel Jackson (1st year chemistry exam) and Meredith Frame (2nd year chemistry exam).

In addition, HHHS placed as a team, which consisted of the top four highest scoring students from Hoover. 1st year chemistry: 2nd place in the region (Bella Bowen, Grant Whitehair, Nathaniel Jackson, and Josie Davidson); 2nd year chemistry: 3rd place in the region (Meredith Frame, Rebecca Stodola, Bobby Butterworth, and Kaitlyn Bailey).

LEAH’S LEGACY

Congratulations to Chloe Nary of HHHS, the first recipient of the Leah Strickland Memorial Scholarship that is awarded to an exemplary graduating senior female athlete with high GPA, multiple sport participation, community service and team skills.

As the Strickland Family wants to grow and continue the scholarship perpetually, they are pleased to announce the Inaugural Leah’s Legacy 5K Run/1 Mile Walk/Kid’s Fun Run on Sunday, Sept 17th, 2023, at 5:00 pm. The event will start at Charleston City Center (Slack Plaza), proceed toward Kanawha Boulevard, and end back at Charleston City Center.

Sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/ WV/Charleston/LeahsLegacy. Corporate sponsorship is available. For more information, email the Strickland's at leahslegacy5k@gmail.com or call 931-200-8440.

ELKHOUNDS ARE NASP WORLD CHAMPIONS!

Last year ERL recognized the Elk Elementary Center Elkhounds Archers as National Champions which we thought was awesome for our group of archers from the Elk River. Hold onto your hat, this year we are proud to report that they are the NASP 3D World Champions! Bullseye results: Several placed in the top 20, but only one in the top 10 -Andrew Allen 8th place; 3D results: Brayden Mitchell 6th place; Jackson Blankenship 7th place, 1st place 4th grade boy; Allie Childress 8th place; and Klaire Pullin 5th place 4th grade female. There were also several who finished in the top 20 in 3D.

Coach Jeremy Mullins said, “This was our last chance at an indoor championship this year and our archers had their sights set high. Last year they placed 5th in the World Tournament, but our Elkhounds were determined to bring home the gold this year.” In May the Elkhounds placed third at NASP 3D Nationals, and while that was great, it was a bit of a letdown after being national champions last year. This June these talented archers headed to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in South Carolina for the NASP World Championship and emerged

victorious as World Champions. “What is ironic is when we won the world title this year, we actually beat the same two teams that beat us in nationals!”, said Coach Mullins. “Our archers did an amazing job. In fact, our elementary students shot so well that if they had been in the middle school bracket, they would have placed 8th and if in the high school bracket, they would have placed 12th! That’s outstanding for our 25 archers from Elk Elementary Center!”

There is one more tournament in August which will be an outdoor tournament. Coach Mullins explained, “It’s just like the World Indoor Tournament only it is held outside.” This year the tournament will be held in Berkeley Springs, August 10-12. At the World Outdoor Tournament there is also a Three Star Challenge for teams who place in three national/world tournaments. “Last year the Elkhounds won second place in the Three Star Challenge, and this year we are hoping for first place!,” said Coach Mullins. The Elkhounds will take an amazing record of 136-2 into the last tournament of the year.

VISION APPALACHIA BRINGS HOPE AND HELP TO CENTRAL APPALACHIA

“Celebrating 12 years serving the wonderful people of Clay.” Vision Appalachia, friends and volunteers headed to Clay, WV the week of June 11-17. This was their twelfth year celebrating a wonderful week of ministry, challenge, and personal growth as they shared life in central WV.

Part of the week’s activities included Vision Appalachia hosting a week-long sports camp for 75 kids from Clay County. Clay County High School provided the campus for the week’s events. There were 110 workers from 8 states with assistance from the staff of Clay County High School.

Vision Appalachia was able to distribute 25K of food and essential life items. Reverend Jesse Boggs, co-founder of Vision Appalachia, said, “We took on a large project to help a family of six with a new two-bedroom addition to their mobile home. We were also able to get our seventh tiny house under-roof in four days. Other projects included a set of hand rails at a house, a new metal roof on a house, new porch and porch roof, installation of windows in a

home, new handcrafted trophy cases for the high school, new handicap ramp for a home, improvements at JG Bradley lodge decking, and painting of clay county pool shower rooms.” All this was achieved with the large group of volunteers who sacrificed time and resources to be in Clay, WV as part of the Vision Appalachian project to serve the people of Clay County..

More than 350 people attended the 2023 picnic held at Clay County High School on Thursday, June 15, where thousands of life essential items were distributed. World Vision of Philippi, WV provided much of the life-essential giveaways for the picnic as well as miscellaneous items for the week’s projects. Vision Appalachia provided free food, inflatables and games for the children, music, and fellowship for the community. Also, John Dennis, a natural strong man who has competed worldwide, pulled an ambulance as dozens of children cheered him on.

For more information on Vision Appalachia, check their website visionappalachia.org.

THE ELK REFLECTS

THE ELK RIVER COMMUNITIES IN KANAWHA COUNTY MUSEUM

The Elk River Communities in Kanawha County Museum is a great place to relive your Elk River and school memories. Pictured here is Darrell Settle’s varsity jacket-- Hoover’s first varsity jacket 1963-64.

The museum has two rooms packed with Elk River memorabilia. In the School and Elk River Business Room, you can see old school newspapers, yearbooks, photos, and athletic/majorette/cheerleader uniforms as well as an array of former business paraphernalia including business items and signs, old railroad photos when the students used to ride the train to school through the the tunnels at Blue Creek, one-room school houses, and more. Also, pictured here is the second room, the Military Room, which features donated military uniforms, medals, a field radio, photographs, and an assortment of reading materials.

The museum is located on the second floor of the Elkview Community Center at Elkview. Hours of operation are every Thursday from 10 AM to Noon or by appointment. Call Richard Bashlor at 304.965.6596 to schedule a tour if you are in town. He will also do group tours for school and family reunions. REMINDER: The museum still has Volumes 2 and 3 of the Elk River Communities books available for purchase! They feature our many communities, landmarks, stories, businesses, families and photos. It’s a great gift full of our Elk River heritage!

Darrell Settle’s varsity jacket – Hoover’s first varsity jacket 1963-64.

WHY ARE SOME BALL JARS BLUE?

Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company (BBGMC was their logo) began in 1884 with five brothers (Edmund, Frank, George, Lucius & William).They bought the company in Buffalo, NY (originally a tin can company) with a loan of $200 from their uncle. Their earliest canning jar was the Buffalo jar (1885-1886) with their logo on it. They moved to Muncie, IN in 1887 to take advantage of natural gas. The blue jars were made from sand from the Hoosier side sand dune on Lake Michigan.

The Ball company said the iconic blue color was actually created by accident when the minerals in the sand mixed and formed the blue color. The Hoosier sand dune vanished by 1920 but the Ball brothers had saved enough sand to

get through a decade. After the early 1930’s, canning jars were clear. Ball canning jars were made by steel molds in glass-container-making machinery. Each mold was hand engraved with lettering backwards which produced the raised lettering on each jar. Each jar had numbers on the bottom, 0-15. The number position on the mold was transferred on the glass-making machine and was usually 0-8 or 0-10. The higher numbers, 10-15, were used when the molds had to be replaced.

MOONSHINER RUMORS

One story about the #13 jar says that moonshiners used the jars to transport their moonshine. They were very superstitious, so they broke the jars with a #13 engraved

This month Laura Boggess Shafer brings us a little history on Ball canning jars. (Source credit: the history and stories for this article were obtained from the Minnetrisa Museum in Muncie, IN.)

on them. It was rumored that some homemakers were superstitious also and got rid of the #13 jars.

Another moonshiner's story said the Ball company made square canning jars so they could be packed tighter and more would fit together better when they transported their moonshine. Ball company did make square jars in the 1920’s but the reason was unknown unless it was easier to pack and ship.

Still another story was that Ball company made jars that looked like half gallon jars, but they only held 56 ounces instead of normal 64 ounces. It was rumored that the moonshiners could short their customers but collect the regular price. Their customers never knew any difference. Ball did make this size jar. According to the Minnestrisa Museum, there is absolutely no evidence that the Ball company ever produced special jars for the moonshiners.

SO IS THE #13 JAR UNLUCKY OR LUCKY?

While doing her research on Ball jars, Laura spoke with at least a dozen local gardeners/canners (ages ranging from mid-50s to 92-years old). She reported mixed reviews on the blue Ball jars. “Some people said the #13 jars are rare in certain areas. Some say that antique dealers have said they are rare in order to drive the prices up. Most people said that homemakers in that time period would not have destroyed perfectly good jars that they needed for canning. She added, “Even though some people thought #13 was rare and was worth more than the other numbered jars, most didn’t know why and actually many didn’t know anything about the numbers etched on the jars.”

Laura also asked local gardeners/canners if they actually canned their produce in blue jars. Some people thought that the blue color kept light out and helped food last longer. Some said they had canned in their blue jars if they were short on jars, but most said they didn’t because it made the food look unappealing.

Laura also checked online and on eBay for #13 blue jars. Prices ranged from $8.50 to $100. She said, “In our area I personally haven’t found many #13 jars at flea markets or thrift shops. We have 50+ blue jars but only 2 of them are #13 quarts. We are not superstitious as my husband and I are both born on the 13th day of the month and we were married on July 13th. My husband’s aunt even brought us a half gallon #13 jar early for our upcoming 40th anniversary this July.”

PRESERVING DILL

Laura said she was getting her dill ready to freeze. You can pick the dill sprigs, wash them in cool water, pat dry, and place them in freezer bags (don’t forget to date and label your bags). She explained that you can chop the dill and freeze in small freezer containers, also. She likes to freeze and use the dill sprigs in her pickle recipes.

Some people like to hang their dill to dry. “Choose a moderately warm area where there is a good air flow,” said Laura. “Once dry you can crumble it over a bowl to catch it all and store in a container for up to 6 months to a year (same shelf life for frozen dill).

Laura explained, “Dill is an herb from the celery family and it is best-picked after the morning dew has evaporated. It is an annual but it reseeds itself! Allow some of the dill to go to seed and the seeds will drop into the soil and you won’t have to buy any next year.” She explained, “You want it to go to seed at the end of the season. Once it goes to seed, it dies, so you cut the seed heads off if you want it to grow. If you don’t want to save dill weed, then let it go to seed.

STAKES FOR SUPPORT

You may also want to think about adding some stakes or tomato cages to support your tomato plants. Laura said,” Frank just staked our tomatoes, putting two plants to one stake.” He sawed out 7 ft. stakes and sharpened them to go into the ground easier. You can also purchase stakes or tomato cages at your co-op or hardware store. She suggests tying the tomato plants to the stakes as they grow for extra support. You can use heavy strings such as bail strings or old rags torn into pieces.

THE HEALTHY ELK

When Fibromyalgia Ignites, It Brings a Different Kind of Heat.

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.

important to have a thorough medical exam to rule out other conditions that might be causing or contributing to the symptoms like an infection, Lyme disease, thyroid problems, metabolic disease or side effects from medication. A specialist like a rheumatologist can help people with fibromyalgia with medications. Another important member of the treatment team is a physical therapist. Physical therapists work to help people with fibromyalgia using several different methods. They often start by helping people understand what’s going on and what they can do about it. Research has shown that people who are knowledgeable about their condition have better outcomes, more confidence, and cope better.

Summer is here and things are heating up. There’s a group of nearly 5 million people in the United States that experience a different kind of heat - those with Fibromyalgia.

WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can cause a wide range of issues throughout the body. It’s usually diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50, and 80- 90% of the people affected are women. One of the most common and debilitating symptoms is burning pain. Other common symptoms include fatigue, memory problems, sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety.

HOW IS FIBROMYALGIA TREATED?

The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown and there is no cure, so treatments are directed at reducing and managing the symptoms. Because of the wide range of symptoms, fibromyalgia requires a multi-faceted approach. First, it’s

A PT might use gentle manual therapy or massage to help with the pain and stiffness. They could prescribe specific stretches or a simple yoga routine. They might also use modalities like electrical stimulation, biofeedback, or dry needling.

Once patients understand the condition and are able to move a little better with less pain, exercise often enters the treatment picture. Research has shown that low to moderate intensity aerobic exercise like walking, biking, or swimming is important in managing fibromyalgia symptoms. It can help with pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression and more. Physical therapists and patients work together to find the right type of exercise and the right intensity to best manage fibromyalgia. They often have to start slow, and make adjustments along the way. Despite there still being no cure for fibromyalgia, when patients work with their medical team and physical therapist, they can find relief from their symptoms.