 By Alvin Engelke
alvinengelke@hotmail.com
Pauline Garretson, widow of Denver Garretson, passed away at the Minnie Hamilton extended care facility. She and Denver were known for their hard work and as being reliable responsible citizens who pulled their share and proved that hard work did have rewards. They lived on Annamoriah Creek.
Dollie Schrader, age 96, widow of Floyd Schrader, passed away after suffering with Alzheimer's for many years. She was known as a hard worker in her church, as an excellent cook and a pillar in her community. They lived on Little Creek.
John D. Rockefeller IV surprised some folks when he announced he would not be running for another term in the U. S. Senate. His handlers had been putting out press releases indicating he was concerned about all sorts of problems in West Virginia. It is assumed that his health problems [several] took a turn for the worse. When the news was announced in a public gathering that he planned to spend more time on his "West Virginia farm" there was loud laughter. Talk is that he may step down before the end of the term which as caused a shark feeding frenzy with all those who feel they are "entitled" to the position. Of course Gaston wants the job and since he too is a little rich boy who was always fed with a silver spoon he feels he should be, of course, a "senior leader" for West Virginia even though he is/was living in New York. The Goodwin boys, one of whom is the big eared one's federal prosecutor, turns out press releases indicating he seeks fortune and fame and another of the family was named "interim senator" once before. No doubt there are several Manchin family members who want to get their share of the $$$ & power available in the lower Potomac swamps.
Walter Helmick, the non-farmer who lives in a condo at the Mouth of the Elk, has appointed the former state senator Mrs. Facemyer to a plum position and he gave a job to Noah Perry who formerly worked at the agency. Older residents may remember him; some remember him all too well. The Mrs. senator Facemyer was the most vehement opponent to the Marcellus drilling bill that passed the W. Va. Legislature.
Antero, the Colorado based outfit that purchased Marcellus rights from Mother Hope recently announced that they are going to build a $16 million office in Bridgeport.
Some local residents attended the American Farm Bureau Federation meeting in Nashville. There were 55 folks from West Virginia. Dr. Chad Hart noted there there has never been such volatility in the futures market and a common theme was the drought which started in 2011 and yet continues in 2013. The USDA said that corn will b e $7.40/bu, soya beans $14.25, wheat $7.90/bu and cotton has dropped to 68 cents/lb down because the Chinese communists have a two year supply on hand.
The big eared one's agriculture commissioner Vilsak gave a speech which left some shaking their heads in disbelief. He kept talking about "climate change" as if it was something that big government should fix. He said to get a farm bill more goodies had to be handed out [via food stamps, wic, etc.] so obviously there will be no reforms soon to make government handouts of food to those claiming need be restricted to flour, meal, dried beans, rice and powered milk. He also said that folks should support ex-senator Hagel to head up the defense even though he is anti-Israel and pro Iran but "he would promote biofuel for the military instead of using foreign oil". Of course no one had a chance to tell him that the Appalachian Marcellus & Utica fields could supply all the U. S. military's fuel & lubrication needs. Vilsak noted "we must buy support in the Congress". Earlier he had said that rural people are no longer "relevant".
One of the highlights of the meeting was "Jungle Jack" from the Columbus Zoo. He is also involved with the Columbus children's hospital.
Mandy & Brogan were among those who went "mudding" on their four wheelers Saturday. They both came back with mud packs on their faces. Rich women in many places pay big bucks to have mud plasters put on their faces to make for beautiful skin. Several folks have pointed out that the "movie stars" in Buck Wild have no idea how to have fun with four wheelers, but, after all, it is un-reality tee vee.
One local resident found out that one cannot go to some clinics because they are not allowed to serve medicare patients and letting the patients pay for the service "is illegal".
The price of local Pennsylvania grade crude rose to $94.54/bbl with Appalachian light sweet (drip) fetching $82.88, Marcellus & Utica light $88.36 and medium $96.04. | 
