| By Alvin Engelke
 By Alvin Engelke
alvinengelke@hotmail.com
The comely Jody Goff was calling on Charles & Euell Russell.
Rev. Juanita Lockhart filled her regular appointment at the Burning Springs M. E. Church. The Marks family provided special music. Some long overdue work is being done on the church house.
Bobby Ray Starcher reported that he was doing well after having "roto rooter surgery" on a partially blocked carotid artery. He also discovered that he was diabetic and had very, very high numbers. He is now taking medication and has his blood sugar level under control. He noted that he now feels a lot better and is looking forward to seeing everyone at the October 7 Creston auction.
Last minute plans are in the works for the Big Creston ATV run on September 23. starting at 9 A. M. at the community building. The Shrine Club will be having one Sept 16 also.
At the Creston Community Building meeting officers were elected for the next year which include Mrs. Fred Bish, president, Mrs. R. W. Arthur, vice president and Mrs. Rick Starcher, Secretary-Treasurer.
Mr. & Mrs. Curtis "Cooter" Marks and family now have out a CD featuring music that they played and sang. The songs and music are uplifting.
The folks from the Spot 'n Steal Division got sprung from the slammer and went on a tear. They "visited " folks all the way out Monroe Ridge and then went down Spring Creek toward Sanoma where one fellow caught them only to be told a hard luck story about a lost 'coon dog. In addition to breaking into various automobiles, taking petty cash from ashtrays, etc., they steered Glennie Edward Arthur's gray Toyota down to the main road and then started it up and drove it away. It was said to have been wrecked in Roane County where another man's billfold, which had been stolen earlier, was recovered.
One local couple lost all the tools that were in 3 vehicles along with a billfold, cash, credit cards and driver's license. The amazing thing was that the Rotweiler who always announces "guests" did not bark while the heist was underway.
Local residents have been busy patrolling and watching for them. It was suggested that it was like the neighborhood watch in "Grimy Gulch" except that Claude Clay, undertaker, is not a party since there are lots of buzzards who need regular meals and local residents are "environmentally sensitive" to the needs of others, including hungry birds, 'possums, carrion beetles, etc.
The activities of the Midnight Supply Corp. reminded one fellow of a story in his family when his grandfather, Samuel Showalter, owned what later became known as the Heraldy Lockhart place, presently owed by the Kemps. A cousin was visiting the son and 'long about dark the dog got very upset and there seemed to be a commotion among the animals. A movement was seen at the barn (which was burned down just a few years back) so the son fetched the shotgun. They got themselves well placed and the "visitor" left the barn and went up over a rise which gave a good profile of the prowler in the moonlight. At that point some warm lead was tossed toward the intruder who obviously caught some warm metal. When daylight came they checked and saw that he had run away but left behind a number of bridles, halters and other horse tack that he decided he really didn't want. A "neighbor" was "sick in bed with pneumonia fever" for two weeks but old Doc Coplin said he had an awful time picking out all the pellets.
Speaking of birds, the hummingbirds have been heading south. One especially astute fellow over on Deaver's Fork noted that the roosters had already gone and all that were around now were he hens (who were left to fend for themselves).
Bob Graham, the former director of the Wyoming County Commission on Aging has been in the news again after a federal conviction and now the pressing of state charges. He drew, at times, a salary of $400,000 plus two taxpayer funded Lincoln automobiles, etc. The home care for some local residents is, according to the paperwork, provided by Commission on Aging, Itman, West Virginia which is/was Bob Graham's base of operations.
Helen Morris was attending to business in Creston one day last week.
Japanese stilt grass, the noxious pest that kills out native vegetation is starting to bloom & seed. Each plant makes about 1000 seeds. Locally the pest has infested flowerbeds, lawns, meadows and roadsides. It can still be pulled up which will get rid of this year's seed supply.
Denver, Tammy and Mikki McFarland spent a few days visiting in Elkins and celebrating Tammy's birthday. They visited Blackwater Falls, Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob and reported having a great time.
Cindy West reported she was living in Parkersburg and enjoyed being down there. She was inquiring about all her Hopkins relatives, especially Martha Slusher and Patty Bain.
The Wirt Methodist Parish meeting will be held Sunday, October 1 at 3 P. M. at the Methodist church in Elizabeth.
Cap'n Spock was doing some work for Aunt Verda with a Terra Mite. Previously he had done some excavation type work at the Space Dock.
The Wirt County Farm Bureau will meet Tuesday, September 19 at 8 P. M. at the fire station in Elizabeth. Plans will be made for the annual meeting in October as well as the resolutions committee and for the state meeting in November.
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