Dreams meet plans.
Hello & Welcome Back!
February is one of our favorite issues at Elk River Living—it’s when we bring you our Valentine’s Day Local Shopping Guide! This year, we’re featuring over 30 Elk River businesses with wonderful gift ideas for all your loved ones. And remember, shopping local doubles the love by supporting our amazing community!
January may have buried us under a foot of snow, but it also brought us some stunning winter photography. Janet Six, one of our talented guest photographers, shared gorgeous images of Braxton County blanketed in white. Speaking of snow, don’t miss Laura Boggess Shafer’s Elk’s Garden article, where she shares some fun and fascinating snow facts.
In this month’s Elk’s Students feature, we’re highlighting some of our winter student athletes. From the classroom to the court, mat, target or stage, Herbert Hoover High School students continue to shine, excelling in both academics and athletics.
Feeling a little stir-crazy this winter? The Elk Valley and Clendenin Library branches are great places to escape. They offer classes for all ages, and you can always browse their magazine selection or grab a daily book sale bag to enjoy at home.
With the cold weather keeping many of our neighbors indoors, now is the perfect time to reach out. A simple call, text, or visit can make someone’s day. Want to spread even more warmth? Drop off some baked goods or a container of hot soup with a little note that says, “Thinking of you.” If there’s one thing we know, it’s that the Elk River community shares love all year long.
Stay warm, stay safe, and know you’re loved.
Remember, there’s no place like home...on the Elk River. cyndi@elkriverliving.com 304.546.9243
And speaking of love, a heartfelt Happy 50 th Anniversary to my incredible & supportive husband, Ken!
Creative Director /
Editor In Chief / Ken Tawney
Cyndi Tawney
Operations Director / Josh Tawney
Printer / The Printing Press Charleston, WV
Layout & Design / Katheryne E. Popp
Little Secret Design Co.
Photographer / Scott Abbott
Scott Abbott Photo
ON THE COVER
Too cute for words! This month ERL is happy to feature the precious and infamous Elk River twins, Davi and Dawson Null. Their amazing parents are Kati and Zach Null of Elkview. You can also catch them cheering and clapping their hearts out for the Huskies basketball team. Photo captured by Kati and Zach.
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
Aubrie Abbott
Tim Cunningham
Scott Abbott
Janet Six
Jill Moles Mullins
J. Craig Allison
AFFILIATED FINANCIAL GROUP
304.935.2230
4950 Elk River Rd., S. Elkview
AIS AFFILIATED INSURANCE SOLUTIONS
304.881.7818
4950 Elk River Rd., S., Ste. C, 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
BECKY’S PET PARLOR
304.951.9162
Rebecca Briles & Kaitlyn Truman
BILL’S USED CARS
304.548.4727
Rt 119 Elk River Rd., Clendenin
BLANCH’S FAMILY DINER
681.230.2088
9 2nd Ave., Clendenin
BLUE CREEK HEATING & COOLING
304.965.9148
contact Bill Ross or Roy Crist
BOXDROP MATTRESS & FURNITURE OUTLET
304.590.6094
2777 Penn. Ave., Charleston
BRANNON'S AUTO
304.935.2335
4039 Penn. Ave., Charleston
CANTRELL’S FLORIST
304.548.7700
7484 Elk River Rd., Clendenin
CENTRAL WV AGING SERVICES
304.965.9081
Local Charleston Office
CHAMBERS REPAIR & TOWING
24-Hour Towing and Lockout
304.965.5634
648 Shady Ln., Elkview
CLENDENIN BREWING COMPANY
304.548.9262
2 Main Street, Clendenin
CLENDENIN MEMORIAL PARK
304.768.6331 or 304.541.3101
236 North Point Dr., Clendenin
CLENDENIN PHARMACY
304.548.5451
Bill Ore & Linsay Matuszkiewicz
CREDE TRACTOR
304.965.1666
Contact William Crede
DEAN JEFFRIES, STATE FARM
304.965.7024
85 Credes Landing, Elkview
EDENS BODY WORKS, INC.
304.965.5900
102 Neville Rd., Elkview
ELK FAMILY DENTISTRY
304.965.6661
contact Joey Adkins, DDS
ELK RIVER AUTOMOTIVE
304.965.7501
contact Gary W. Pauley II
ELK RIVER BAKING COMPANY
304.548.7474
12 Main St., Clendenin
ELK RIVER BOUTIQUE
304.549.8778
14 Main St., Clendenin
ELK RIVER COMBAT SPORTS
304.940.2480
514 Quick Rd., Elkview
ELK VALLEY ELECTRIC
Call
304.913.6001 | Text 304.913.6002 www.elkvalleyelectric.com
ELK VALLEY PHYSICAL THERAPY
304.965.7979
contact Andi Geary, MPT
E.L. ROBINSON ENGINEERING
304.776.7473
5088 Washington St., W. Charleston elrobinsonengineering.com
FORD & SWEENEY
304.935.4801
4402 Crede Drive at Big Chimney
FOX COFFEE COMPANY
(inside Elk River Boutique)
304.549.8778
14 Main St., Clendenin
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
GREEN'S OF BIG CHIMNEY
304.965.3313
4509 Penn. Ave., Charleston
HAFER FUNERAL HOME & MYER’S CHAPEL
304.965.3331 | 304.965.3341 haferfuneralhome.net
HARDING'S FAMILY RESTAURANT
304.344.5044
2772 Penn. Ave., Charleston
HOLSTEIN INSURANCE
304.965.9941
holsteininsuranceagencyinc.com
JIFFY J’S INC.
Portable Restrooms
800.256.8657
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
MAVERICK GYMNASTICS CLUB
304.925-3004 • maverickgym.com
3510 Venable Ave., Charleston Maverick Gymnastics Club, Inc.
MEADOWBROOK ACRES
NURSING CENTER
304.344.4268 www.meadowbrookacres.net
MITCH’S 24 HR TOWING
304.965.6646
contact Mitch Young
MOUNTAINEER AUCTION
304.548.4056
contact Roger Mullins
NALU’S STYLE STUDIO LLC
304.343.2049
2777 Penn. Ave., Charleston
PADDLERS BAR & GRILL
681.230.2061
12 Maywood Ave., W. Clendenin
PAXTON BUSINESS SERVICES
304.343.5666
4628 Penn. Ave, Charleston
PEGGY WHITE, REALTOR
Old Colony
304.395.0619
PENNY PINCHERS
304.548.4005
11 Main St., Clendenin
PIZZA ON MAIN
681.230.0039
3 Main St., Clendenin
POCA VALLEY BANK
304.965.7730 | 1.844.782.2651 pocavalleybank.com
PUZZLED PISTOLS BOUTIQUE
4636 Penn. Ave., Ste. 2, Charleston www.puzzledpistolsboutique.com
ROGERS HARDWARE
304.965.1077
Bill Rogers
RODNEY LOFTIS & SON
304.342.8200 & on Facebook
95 Casdorph Rd., Charleston
SCOTT’S SERVICE & AUTO REPAIR
681.230.2151
311C Elk River Rd., S. Clendenin
SLEEP INN
304.345.5111
2772 Penn. Ave., Chas
SMITH'S FURNITURE, APPLIANCE & MATTRESS
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
STUMP-MATICS FUNERAL HOME
304.548.6611 www.stumpfuneralhomes.com
TIM HOGANS DESIGN GALLERY @ BIG CHIMNEY
304.965.7111
4774 Chimney Dr., Charleston
THE PRINTING PRESS
304.744.7949
143 Gaylor Ln., Chas
TUDOR’S BISCUIT WORLD
304.965.7769
1083 Main St., Elkview
WALLY'S SUPERIOR PARTS & SERVICE
304.935.2287
5100 Elk River Rd., N. Elkview
WEST VIRGINIA DEMOLITION, INC. (WV035021)
304.342.4004 office | 304.543.2338 cell jpickens2010@yahoo.com
XSPEC POWER
304.746.1139
Contact Emily Canterbury
YAK HOUSE RENTALS
304.941.2229
403 Elk Ave., Clendenin Reservations: yakhouserentals.com
AT THE LIBRARY
LIBRARIES ARE MORE THAN JUST STORES OF BOOKS & KNOWLEDGE. THEY ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF NEIGHBORHOODS & COMMUNITIES.
FEBRUARY LIBRARY EVENTS
CLENDENIN
ELKVIEW
DATE TIME PROGRAM AGE
FEB 5 3PM
FEB 6 1PM
FEB 8 1PM
FEB 13 5:30PM
FEB 18 3PM
FEB 22 1PM
FEB 27 5PM
STEAM: Small Loom Weaving
Sensory Storytime & Playgroup
Valentine Cake Pops
Valentine's Gnome Paint Along
Afterschool Fun: Build a Bird Feeder
Brick Builders Club
Sew a Mini Quilt
6-12
Children 0-5
All Ages
10 & up
6-12
All Ages
All Ages
DATE TIME PROGRAM AGE
FEB 3 6PM
FEB 4 2PM
FEB 5 10:30 AM
FEB 5 11AM
FEB 5 1:30PM
FEB 6 2:30PM
FEB 10 5:30PM
FEB 12 10:30AM
FEB 17 2PM
FEB 18 2PM
FEB 24 5:30PM
FEB 25 6PM
FEB 26 10:30AM
FEB 26 11AM
Teen Time
Adult Craft
Jump into Storytime
Stay and Play
Memory Café
Kreative Kids: Heartfelt Kreations
Family Fun: Valentine’s Candy Cabins
Hugs and Love Bugs Valentine’s Party
Full STEM ahead: Winter Chills and Thrills
Elk Valley Book Group
Family Fun: Beaded Bracelet Era
Adult Social Hour: Rummikub
Jump into Storytime Stay and Play
Teens
Adults
Children 0-5
Children 0-5
Adults
Families/All Ages
Families/All Ages
Children 0-5
Families/All Ages
Adults
Families/All Ages
Adults
Children 0-5
Children 0-5
Clendenin Branch Hours Phone: (304) 548–6370 Elk Valley Branch Hours Phone: (304) 965–3636
ELK’S COOKBOOK
BALSAMIC LONDON BROIL
By Gabi Strickland Walker.
Gabi is the creator and editor of Walker Mtn. Eats Facebook group, where she shares her delicious recipes which are tried-and-true tested on her husband, Gar, her girls, and her family, church family, and friends.
There’s nothing better than a little prep and poof-dinner time is a breeze. This Valentine’s Day consider a delicious London broil in a crock pot that will melt in your mouth, cooked in a savory balsamic gravy. Serve with mashed potatoes so that you can enjoy every bit of that amazing gravy! I used the leftovers as a sandwich and this would make some great tacos too!
BALSAMIC LONDON BROIL
INGREDIENTS
• 3 lbs London Broil Roast
• Salt/pepper to taste
• 4 T Butter - divided
• 1 T Oil
• 1 Small onion - diced
• 2 Garlic cloves - minced
• ½ C Beef broth
• 2 T Tomato paste
• 2 T Balsamic vinegar
• 2 T Brown sugar
• 2 T Worcestershire Sauce
DIRECTIONS
CROCKPOT | 4-8 HRS
STEP 1 Season both sides of the London broil generously with salt and pepper. Using a large skillet over medium-high heat, add in the butter and oil. Sear the London broil for a few minutes on each side, until each side is browned.
STEP 2 Once each side is nicely browned, place the roast in a crock pot. Add in the onion and the garlic.
STEP 3 In a small bowl, mix together the beef broth, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Pour the mixture over the roast. Place 2 T butter on top of the roast.
STEP 4 Cook in the crockpot on low for 8 hrs, or high for 4 hrs. When finished, remove London broil from the crock pot and put on a platter or cutting board and shred with two forks. Add back to the juice in the crock pot or make gravy.
GRAVY
STEP 1 Use the remaining liquid left in the crockpot to make a gravy. Bring the liquid to a boil and make a mixture with 1 T of corn starch and ¼ C of water whisked together.
STEP 2 Pour the mixture into the boiling liquid and continue to stir and boil until thicken. Taste for seasonings and adjust.
From the Kitchen of Gabi Strickland Walker
A Night on the Elk
Blanch’s Family Restaurant
681.230.2088 9 2ND AVE., CLENDENIN
Blanch’s always features a special Valentine's Day package, and this year is one you won't want to miss! See their Facebook for info on this year’s package! Enjoy a datenight out or bring the kids for a family night out! Reservations are not required, but are appreciated.
Clendenin Brewing Company & AirBnB Lodging
304.548.9262 2 MAIN ST., CLENDENIN
Microbrewery with 4 themed lodging rooms in a 1920’s bank building! Delicious paninis and appetizers, over 16 beverages on tap and other assorted beverages, live entertainment, and great company. Couple it with an overnight stay upstairs. A perfect weekend!
Elk River Baking Company
304.548.7474 12 MAIN ST., CLENDENIN
Valentine dinner specials you won’t want to miss that end with one of Debbie’s homemade decadent desserts! Watch her Facebook for her delicious Valentine menu options! Extended hours on Valentine’s Day!
Frostbite Dairy Bar in Clendenin
304.548.7413 1 COBB AVE., CLENDENIN
Grab a delicious full-meal Valentine’s Deal all day long, complete with a frostbite for dessert! Affordable love for the whole family!
Gino’s of Elkview
304.965.7031 1 ELK PLAZA, ELKVIEW
Check out their Valentine’s Day specials for delicious pastas, pizzas, cheesesticks, and more! A great place to meet up with family and friends and share the love!
Giovanni’s in Clendenin
304.548.7002 235 ELK RIVER RD., S, CLENDENIN
Treat your family to a Valentine’s Day Pizza Special! What’s not to love about a delicious pizza with lots of mozzarella cheese! Giovanni's has daily specials every day--always making your life easier for lunch and dinner!
Harding's Family Restaurant
304.344.5044 2772 PENN. AVE., CHARLESTON
Celebrate Valentine’s weekend with a home-cooked breakfast, lunch, or special Valentine’s Dinner Special! Combine it with a night away at The Sleep Inn and keep the love going all weekend long!
Paddler’s Bar & Grill
681.230.2061 12 MAYWOOD AVE., CLENDENIN
Watch Facebook/Paddler’s Bar and Grill for this year’s Valentine’s Day dinner specials. You can always count on delicious steaks, fresh salads, mouth-watering desserts, your favorite beverages, and great company at Paddler’s!
Pizza on Main
681.230.0039 3 MAIN ST., CLENDENIN
Authentic New York style pizza, calzones, or garlic knots that melt in your mouth! Winter Hours are 3 PM -8 PM Thurs.-Sat.; FEBRUARY SPECIAL: 10” Cheese Pizza ONLY $4.99 Thursday through Saturday, from 6-8 PM.
Rollin’ Smoke BBQ
304.965.0808
4008 PENN. AVE., CHARLESON(Big Chimney)
What says love more than a smoked special from Rollin’ Smoke! Dine in or carry out! For more info, see their Facebook/Rollin’smokebbq. Open Mon-Sat, 11 AM-7 PM.
Fox Coffee Company
304.549.8778 14 MAIN ST., CLENDENIN
Delicious coffee, energizing, or specialty drinks located inside Elk River Boutique. Grab one of their valentine specials, like their delicious Chocolate Covered Strawberry Frappe, made with extra love!
Tudor’s Biscuit World
304.965.7769 1083 MAIN ST., ELKVIEW
Start your Valentine’s Day with a delicious homemade biscuit or an "apple sweetie pie" from Tudors. Also, check out their daily lunch/dinner specials.
Cantrell’s Florist
304.548.7700
Gorgeous rose bouquets in half or full dozen. Special Valentine’s Day arrangements with a free balloon or a Valentine’s Day Special with a rose in a vase, candy, teddy bear and a mylar balloon in a Valentine’s Day bag.
Special Occasions Unlimited
304.965.5434
Special Valentine bouquets, beautiful roses in assorted colors, plush bears and assorted candy are available for pick up or delivery. Stop by or call in advance for the best selections, Your Valentine deserves the best.
Crede Tractor
304.965.1666
Great selection of outdoor lawn tools, perfect for the man in your life. Stihl, Exmark, Club Cadet, and BCS. Put a big smile on his face before spring!
Dirty Bird Soap
304.382.6040
Door Decor & Moore | Haley’s Candles
Make Dirty Bird Soap your Valentine’s Day destination for that special someone in your life. They have a great selection of handmade soaps, body creams and more. They will customize a romantic basket or other container gifts especially for your unique valentine. Also at Elk River Boutique!
304.965.2447 4952 ELK RIVER RD., ELKVIEW
Unique Valentine home decor and gift giving items. Also, Haley’s Candles has a variety of new romantic scents, including Love Spell, French Lavender & Honey, Rose, Honeysuckle, and Butt Naked just to name a few.
Elk River Boutique
304.549.8778 3 MAIN ST., CLENDENIN
Made to order personalized gift options, lovely apparel, soaps, candles, jewelry, and more! Gift certificates are available.
Elk River Combat
304.940.2480 514 QUICK RD., ELKVIEW
How about a gift certificate for women’s cardio classes, jiu-jitsu, muay thai, boxing, kickboxing, self-defense, MMA and more!
Gabby’s Sewing & More
304.935.2360 4506 PENN. AVE., CHARLESTON
Surprise your Valentine to a gift certificate at Gabby’s Sewing and More and Gabby will give him/her an extra $10! It’s sure to be a Valentine’s gift they will LOVE. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 9 AM-5 PM.
Garnet Moon Boutique | Darkroom Jeweler
304.644.9850
229 MAIN ST., SUTTON
Moriah Scher, owner and artisan, specializes in a variety of gemstone and fine metal jewelry as well as copper and prism suncatchers. She has also added homemade soaps, body butters, candles and lovely trinket dishes to her inventory! Also see her online at www.darkroomjeweler695. Etsy.com. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 AM - 5 PM
Glo's Beauty Bar
304.553.6603
8 MAYWOOD AVE., W, CLENDENIN
Tattoos, micro-blading, lip blushing, permanent eyeliner, Dental Gems teeth whitening, and piercing by Gloria Treola. Treat yourself this Valentine's Day.
Green’s of Big Chimney | ACE Hardware
304.965.7600 4509 PENN. AVE., CHARLESTON (Big Chimney)
Outdoor power equipment, Big Green Egg grills and accessories, custom knives, small appliances, and other great gift ideas for the love of your life!
Joyful Nest
@JOYFULNEST 3
MAIN ST., CLENDENIN
Treat your Valentine – or yourself -- to a gorgeous pair of customized earrings. Their earrings are made of polymer clay and weigh less than a nickel! You can contact the creator, Stephanie Salisbury of Clendenin, via Facebook Messenger (Joyful Nest) to arrange for pick up or shipping. Also, you can stop in Elk River Boutique in Clendenin and see a large selection of her earrings which are available for purchase.
Master Crafters Gifts & Primitive Shoppe
304.965.6222 4802 CHIMNEY DR., CHARLESTON
Love is in the air! Fine fragrances for your home, special gift giving with beautiful home and garden decor and a ‘door prize’ ticket entry for a special Valentine’s Gift Basket. Also, what says Happy Valentine’s Day like the newest Candleberry Company Be my Valentine 26-oz. Candle!
Michael’s Unique Styles
304.965.3605 4636 PENN., A
Chase away the winter blues! Schedule an appointment with one of Michael’s talented hairdressers. They are a full service hair and nail salon located minutes off the I-79, Big Chimney exit. Also don't miss a chance for a Valentine's manicure at Nails by Haley. Call 304.928.1427 Gift certificates available.
Mountain Laurel Country Store
717.228.7524
400 4TH
Explore their locally made artisan gifts. Shelves are also brimming with a wide variety of glassware, incredible soaps, wax melts, and candles. Choose a unique, memorable gift for your Valentine!
Mountaineer Auctions
304.548.4056
50 SPENCER RD., CLENDENIN
Valentine’s Day starts early on Saturday, February 1 at 10 AM at Mountaineer Auctions! This auction features antiques, jewelry, and collectibles of the Howard & Ruth Pollitt Estate and Phase 1 of the extensive Haden Living Estate, both of Charleston, WV. Also, enjoy one of the area’s best hotdogs, nachos, baked goods, and more at the concession stand while you are in between bids. It’s a fun time with awesome rewards you are going to LOVE!
Nalu’s Style Studio LLC
304.651.7773 2777 PENN. AVE., CHARLESTON (Mink Shoals)
Indulge yourself to a little pampering before Valentine’s Day! How about a fresh color, a stylish cut, a manicure—or all three? Gift certificates are available too, so you can share the love!
Ore’s - Clendenin Pharmacy
304.548.5451
10 MAIN ST., CLENDENIN
Valentine cards, Valentine balloons, chocolates, premium Terri Lynn nuts (support the Clendenin Lion’s Club), a large assortment of books by WV authors, and an array of toys and unique gifts. Make all of your Valentines smile!
Puzzled Pistols Boutique
304.935.2082
425 BIG CHIMNEY BLVD., CHARLESTON
Trendy accessories and fashion abound, with Valentine sweaters, tunics, sweatshirts, jeans, Vera Bradley purses/soft throws, and more. Also, don’t forget our beautiful Permanent Jewelry which is always a perfect gift for any occasion.
The Elk Theatre
304.765.2519
192 MAIN ST., SUTTON
Keep Valentine’s Day going through the weekend with a Valentine's celebration at the Elk Theatre in Sutton! For just $30.00, you and your sweetheart can get tickets to the movie, two large drinks, a large popcorn, and two candies of your choice! Offer is available February 14, 15th, and 16th. Visit ElkTheatreWV.org for movie listings and showtimes.
Tim Hogans Design Gallery
304.925.0300 3900 MACCORKLE AVE., SE, CHARLESTON
304.965.7111 4774 PENN. AVE., CHARLESTON (Big Chimney)
Visit one of their two convenient locations and shop a wide selection of flooring and cabinetry! Treat yourself to a home upgrade! The gift that keeps on giving all year long!
Smith’s Furniture, Appliance & Mattress
304.965.7600 3 ELK PLAZA, ELKVIEW
Stop by Smith’s Furniture to see their wide selection of furniture, mattresses, and appliances. Stop by and see their great displays now! You are worth it--treat yourself this Valentine’s Day!
Boxdrop Charleston Furniture
304.590.6094 2777 PENN. AVE., CHARLESTON
Great deals on IN-STOCK living room, mattresses, and adjustable bases for over 10 years! Take it home with you that day!
Wally’s Superior Parts & Service
304.935.2287 5100 ELK RIVER RD. N., ELK
Husqvarna power tools, Shindaiwa and DR products, chainsaws, trimmers, mowers, push mowers, pressure washers, brush hogs, and more! Gift certificates available so your loved one can choose their perfect gift! What a wonderful Valentine’s gift for your special guy just in time for spring!
ELK’S JOURNAL
RETURN OF THE MOTHMAN
A NOVEL BY MICHAEL KNOST
Amazon said:
Have you read any of Michael Knost’s suspenseful novels? Michael Knost is the pen name of Michael Earl Collins who lives in Chapmanville, WV. He is a Bram Stoker Award (R)-winning editor and author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and supernatural thrillers. His Return of the Mothman is a novel you need to add to your collection!
Ted Browning moves back to his rural hometown of Logan, West Virginia, after learning his grandmother is dying of cancer. When he hears talk of Mothman sightings from miners at Bear Creek Coal Company he simply doesn't believe it-until a series of events puts him in direct confrontation with the evil winged creature. Ted is forced to face his inner demons in order to protect the very loved ones he's kept at a distance for twenty years ... and to let go of a tragic past that is drawing him like a moth to the flame.
Reviews:
"With Return of the Mothman, Michael Knost manages to effortlessly fuse the gritty day-to-day existence of blue-collar life with the expansive history of myth to create a superb story that is both grounded in harsh reality yet enmeshed in cosmological mystery." – Gary A. Braunbeck, author of Mr. Hands, Prodigal Blues, Keepers, and in the Midnight Museum.
"Michael Knost does what the best writers of horror do–he makes the terrifyingly impossible possible. He grabs hold of the supernatural and shoves it in our faces, leaving us gasping and screaming. I’d never read about the Mothman before. Now I’ll think twice, three times, or more, before venturing into the wilds of West Virginia." –Elizabeth Massie, author of Sineater, Hell Gate, and Desper Hollow.
“Deftly drawn characters, riveting suspense, and a legendary monster add up to one of the best horror novels I’ve read in years. Don’t miss it!” – Tim Waggoner, author of The Way of All Flesh.
"Michael Knost’s Return of the Mothman takes exquisitelydrawn, grittily realistic blue collar characters and sends them on a cinematic thrill ride of horror. I loved it. It adds a grand chapter to the lore of the Mothman.” --Steve Rasnic Tem, author of Deadfall Hotel and Blood Kin.
Other popular books by Michael Knost include: Legends of the Mountain State, Mothman Files, Barbers and Beauties, Fed From the Blade, Appalachian Winter Hauntings, Dark Tales of Terror, Dark Splinters, Blood and Bullets, Writers Workshop of Horror 2, Trail of Madness, Shroud 11, Shroud 6 and more. See Plot Twist Books in South Charleston or your favorite bookstore! Also available on Amazon. Follow him on FaceBook and grab one of his supernatural thrillers today!
SNOW COVERED SUTTON, WV
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY JANET SIX
This month, Elk River Living is thrilled to feature a stunning Reader Submission from our talented guest photographer, Janet Six. Janet captured these beautiful shots in Sutton, WV, during the big snowstorm of January 2025. In addition to her photography, Janet is also a reporter for Braxton Citizens News in Sutton. Thank you, Janet, for sharing your incredible work with us!
Jamie Harless Manager
Nick Hunter Funeral Attendant
Nick Fitzwater Funeral Director
Steve Teel Funeral Attendant
John Hafer axton L.I.C/Owner
Tina R. axton Owner
Mary Hafer Founder
ELK’S STUDENTS
WRESTLING
The Huskies are on their way to the AA/A State Dual Championships (on February 7 at the WV State Fairgrounds) for the sixth year in a row! Also, congrats to Kolton Fields as he proudly claimed his 100th win and Orin Taylor received the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award from WV Army National Guard Leadership Award at the 17th Annual National Guard Wrestling Duals. Make plans to attend a home wrestling match this season! You will be on your feet cheering the whole time! Photos from Tim Cunningham and Scott Abbott
Kolton Fields | 100 Wrestling Wins
Orin Taylor
Most Outstanding Wrestler Award
HIGH IMPACT CHOIR
Meet this year’s High Impact Choir! Under the direction of Kathy Silber, they have been working hard and are very excited for this year’s competition season. Photo by Niesha Shank
GIRL’S BASKETBALL: THE LADY HUSKIES
Back on the court after being snowed in, the Lady Huskies are making it happen. Bring the whole family and support our girls. Photo by Scott Abbott
FOOTBALL
What a moment! The Kanawha County Commission recognized HHHS Coach Joey Fields as Coach of the Year and quarterback Dane Hatfield as the recipient of the 2024 JR House Award. Coach Joey led this year’s team to an undefeated season and they finished first runner up in the AAA championship. Dane has been amazing to watch during his career at Herbert Hoover where he had over 6,000 rushing yards, over 6,000 rushing yards, and over 170 touchdowns. Photo provided by Town of Clendenin
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Hoover boys are 7-1 strong, losing only to #1 AAA Nitro. Leading scorers for the game were Riley Johnson17 points, Dane Hatfield - 13 points, and Donovan Brown - 11 points. Photo by Scott Abbott
ARCHERY
Off to a great season! The Herbert Hoover Archery Team placed third at their first tournament which was held at Elkview Middle School on January 4. Head Coach is Larry Salisbury and Lori Monk and Matt Wiseman are assistant coaches. The team score that day was 3217 and Asia Means, who shot a 282, was 1st place high school girl and Elizabeth Chandler, who shot a 277, was 5th place high school girl. Photo submitted from Lori Monk
NEW GIFTS AT HARDING'S FAMILY RESTAURANT
Harding's is a go-to spot for a delicious meal, but let’s be honest—the gift shop up front is the real crowd-pleaser! Swing by to check out their latest arrivals. They’re stocked with Jen & Co. purses, Swan Creek Candles, BruMate cups, and Ty Beanies. There’s something for everyone, so don’t miss out!
FRIDAY NIGHT JAM
FENDER BENDERS
DIXIE HIGHWAY
STEPHANIE & THE BAND OF BROTHERS
ELK RIVER COMMUNITY CENTER 2/7 2/14 2/21 2/28
RETRO COUNTRY
Doors open at 5PM | Band starts at 7PM
Admission $5 | Kids 12 & Under FREE Thrift store is open Fri. from 5:30-8:30pm Concessions available
1058 MAIN STREET, ELKVIEW
CLENDENIN BREWING CO.
LIVE MUSIC & EVENTS
2/8 • 7PM TRIVIA NIGHT 2/14 • 7PM COUPLE'S MATCH NEWLYWED GAME
2/15 • 6:30PM SCOTT STRAIGHT
2/21 • 6:30PM BOOK CLUB
2/22 • 6:30PM MATTHEW MALINOSKI
2/28 • 6:30PM KNITTING/CROCHETING GROUP
2 MAIN STREET, CLENDENIN
SAT., FEB., 22 | 10 AM–3 PM BOOK SALE AT CLENDENIN BRANCH LIBRARY
Stock up on your favorite reads and support a great cause! The Clendenin Branch Library Advisory Board is hosting a spring book sale and fundraiser to help cover their annual assessment fee. Join us at the Clendenin Library on Saturday, February 22, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Don’t miss out—it's the perfect time to cozy up with new books!
ELK REFLECTS the
ELK RIVER BASKETBALL TEAM 1914
This basketball season is the perfect time to take a trip down memory lane with an early Elk River basketball team. The Facebook group You Know You’re From Clendenin WV When recently shared a fascinating photo of Clendenin High School’s first basketball team from 1914. What a great glimpse into the history of Elk River athletics!
Front row: John Young, O.B. Young, Edwin Davis, and Worthy Gwinn. | Second row: Preston Wilson, Clowny Fleshman, and Earl Jarrett.
WELCOMING 2025 ON THE TRAIL
The New Year kicked off in style with a fantastic firstday hike and bike event at the Gassaway and Clendenin Trail Heads! The trail was buzzing with energy and excitement—just in time, too, as it got blanketed in a foot of snow four days later!
ELK’S GARDEN
SNOW! LOTS OF SNOW!
By Laura Boggess Shafer.
Laura and her family manage a family farm in the Clendenin area. Keeping Appalachian values and traditions alive, she enjoys sharing her wisdom on gardening, canning, preserving, recipes and more with ERL readers!
There’s no better time to share some fun snow facts than when you’ve been snowed in all week! Did you know that no two snowflakes are alike? Researchers say there are only five basic patterns of snowflakes, and they all stem from a hexagon shape. Fascinating, right?
Here’s another snowy tidbit: Have you ever heard people claim they can predict snow or rain because their joints ache? Well, there’s some truth to it. Changes in barometric pressure can cause swelling in joints, especially for those with arthritis. I bet anyone with arthritis can tell you—we’ve had plenty of snow already this year! By mid-January, our gardens were buried under a solid foot of the white stuff.
Farmers say this snow is a blessing, especially after the dry summer we had. Snow helps replenish the soil and might even reduce the number of bugs and bees come summer.
Speaking of gardens, did you know snow acts like a cozy
blanket for the soil? It insulates it from bitter cold and strong winds. As the snow melts, it releases moisture and nutrients—like nitrogen—into the ground. This slow, nutrient-rich melt is why some farmers call snow “Poor Man’s Fertilizer.” In fact, some even plow snow into their fields to boost its benefits.
Snow’s also handy for livestock. They can munch on it for extra water while grazing in winter pastures. Of course, don’t forget to keep fresh water available for them—and for your pets!
On the flip side, heavy snow can be rough on plants and trees. Too much of it can break branches or damage delicate vines like grapes and berries. If you can, gently brush heavy snow off plants, especially after a wet snowfall. And watch out for falling trees—they’re often the culprit behind power outages.
Winter is a good time to stay prepared. Keep an eye on the weather and stock up on essentials whenever you see sales. If you’re running to the store before a storm (like when we needed milk), check with your neighbors to see if they need anything, too.
If the power goes out, don’t panic. Here are a few tips that help us:
• Stay calm.
• Keep flashlights where you can find them.
• Unplug electronics to avoid power surge damage.
• Keep the fridge and freezer closed.
• Have a fully charged phone battery pack handy.
• Stock up on bottled water.
• Keep board and card games in one place.
When the lights go out, my kids and grandkids love playing games by lantern light. These moments make for the kind of family memories you’ll treasure forever.
Oh, and here’s a classic: “Don’t eat snow—it’ll make you sick!” My mom used to say we couldn’t eat the first snow because it “cleaned the air.” Turns out she wasn’t completely off. Some snowflakes do form around bacteria, but researchers found it’s no different from kids playing in dirt. Still, if you’re going to snack on snow, stick to the clean stuff!
Speaking of snow treats, Mom had the best winter recipe: Snow Cream. She’d scoop up a big bowl of clean snow (never the first snowfall), mix in 1-2 cans of sweetened condensed milk, add a splash of vanilla, and stir until creamy. It was always a hit!
Stay warm and enjoy the snow while it lasts! “If February brings drifts of snow, there will be crops to hoe.” Another old wives tale-- we will have to watch to see if it rings true.
HEALTHY ELK
STICKING TO YOUR EXERCISE PROGRAM
Don't fall off the treadmill (or bike... or rower... or....)
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.
New Year’s resolutions around fitness and exercise are incredibly popular. The excitement and hope generated by the start of the year makes starting an exercise program easy.
Now that it’s February, staying with it gets hard. Life gets busy, motivation drops, and suddenly you’re back on the couch, wondering how you’re 6 episodes into Yellowstone instead of at the gym. Knowing that you should exercise or why you should exercise isn’t the problem. Actually, getting up and doing it is. Here are our top tips for making sure you stick to your exercise plan:
SET REALISTIC GOALS. Don’t try to go from zero to hero overnight. Start with small, achievable goals and increase them gradually. Make it easy to win - that helps you build motivation and an exercise habit. For some people, that might mean starting with a daily 10-minute walk. For some people, that bar is too high. When we say make it easy to win, we mean easy. Your goal could be to scan your card at the gym 3 times a week. It might be putting on your walking shoes and going out the door. It might be one pushup. Start tiny.
DO ACTIVITIES YOU ENJOY. Exercise isn’t punishment. Choose activities that are fun. It could be running, walking the dog, dancing, swimming, kickboxing, or playing a sport.
SCHEDULE IT. Schedule your workouts like you would any other important appointment. When people ask you
to do something else during that time, say “Sorry, I’ve got an appointment.” The more you make exercise a routine, the less likely you are to skip it.
DON’T GO IT ALONE. Having someone waiting for you at the gym really motivates you to get there. Having support helps push you to work harder and motivates you when you’re feeling down. Your support could be a friend, the other people in a group fitness class, or a trainer.
MIX IT UP. Try a new class. If you usually run at the same pace, try intervals. Walk a different route. Doing the same thing over and over again gets boring and leads to burnout. Keep things interesting to stay interested.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS. Bonus points if you find a way to make it visual. Our brains love to see tasks checked off, a chart or numbers going up, and rings closing. Seeing how far you’ve come is a great motivator. Keep track of your workouts in a journal, make a spreadsheet, use an app or fitness tracker.
BRIBES WORK. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Set a goal to work out 3 times this week and treat yourself to your favorite coffee when you do. Buy yourself a new workout outfit, get a massage, or anything else that will help you stay motivated when you reach milestones.
ADJUST. Don’t push yourself too hard, especially when you’re starting out. If you’re feeling tired and sore, take the intensity down. Plan rest days into your routine. Don’t make your goal and plan so rigid that it’s impossible to complete in the real world.
FORGIVE YOURSELF! Everyone has setbacks. You are going to get sick. You are going to miss a workout. That is ok. Pick yourself up and get back on track. With the right mindset and a little perseverance, you can reach your fitness goals.
