Music in the Mountains

By Mike Ensminger

Local boy makes good: Birch River native Chris Stockwell, far right, is the dobro player for the bluegrass group Rarely Herd. The band performed Thursday, June 26, at the 28th Annual Music in the Mountains at Summmersville Music Park.

Another Music in the Mountains bluegrass festival has come and gone, and plans are already being made for next year, and the next year and the year after that. This is the 28th anniversary of Summersville’s own bluegrass festival and the 2nd year of being operated by its new owners, the Church of the Nazarene. Gerald and Cindy Pourbaix, who manage the festival, had their hands full and did a wonderful job again this year. Cindy, who except in early childhood had never been exposed to very much bluegrass, admits now to having developed a liking for it. But running a festival of this size and duration affords little time for just listening to music; it is a monumental undertaking, requiring, for example, the printing of 25,000 schedules, 24 hour security, garbage collection, water and electricity…everything needed to transform the grounds into a mini-city for four days. No one accomplishes this alone. Cindy would like to publicly thank all those who assisted them in this great endeavor, and anyone who had a part in preserving her sanity. She would especially like to thank Mr. Burl Willis for all his hard work, and to Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen for their continued guidance. To dispel a rumor circulating that this will be the last year of Music in the Mountains, Cindy says that bands are already booked for 2009 and that arrangements are being made for 2010. She says she’s “happy with the turnout (over 4,000 people) and optimistic for next year”. Sounds like they’re here to stay.

The weather could have been a little more agreeable, but that goes with the program. If you’re not sticking to your lawn chair from the humidity or being washed out of it by the rain, then you’re not at a bluegrass festival. But the fans stayed through it all, basted in perspiration as they slowly turned a golden brown. At one point on Friday a flock of about eight buzzards circled high above the grounds, perhaps eyeing some of the seemingly lifeless, dosing music lovers, while the professional entertainers from the comfort of the shaded stage commended the crowd for their perseverance.

2008 was another year of fine performances by the various groups and the audience was very appreciative. Bluegrass is probably like no other music genre in both its fan base and the accessibility of the artists, and there appears to be a genuine affection between the two. It is a world where the celebrities and their following are seen eagerly mingling, taking photos, signing autographs, eating meals, and generally relaxing with one another. It is a place where an internationally recognized master of an instrument patiently shares his knowledge with someone just learning to play. That kind of sincerity can’t be faked. It is that kind of genuineness that led the bearded daddy of the Cherryholmes clan to remark to the Chronicle “We love coming to Summersville, though the mountains are a little steep from what we’re used to. We love the people here, and the area is so beautiful. My wife’s folks are from West Virginia, from around Weston”. And Brandon Rickman, lead singer of the Lonesome River Band, noted that playing in Summersville is a joy, because of the people. He has made some good friends in the area, namely the Beam and Miller families, and there is a chance that he and other members of LRB might play at the Miller Auction Barn sometime in September. We’ll update you on that as the time approaches.

Rhonda Vincent dazzles the audience with her mandolin playing.

One of the last groups to play at festival’s end on Sunday was Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. The wind picked up speed as dark clouds rolled in overhead and the audience began to be pelted with raindrops. Rhonda seamlessly broke into the old Hank Williams tune “My sweet love ain’t around” with its opening line … “listen to that rain a’fallin,” while Hunter Berry ripped everyone’s hearts to shreds with his mournful fiddle work. Suddenly, the rain stopped and a beautiful double rainbow appeared across the clearing sky. Rhonda then asked the audience to stand and join her in singing “Amazing Grace.” Science tells us that a rainbow is nothing but refracted sunlight reacting with water droplets to create a prism effect in displaying the colors of the spectrum. Maybe so. But to the folks assembled at Music in the Mountains, it seemed so much more.

 

 

 

Nicholas County Park Board addresses pool closing

The Nicholas County Board of Parks and Recreation Commission took action last Thursday evening, June 26, to re-open the swimming pool at Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park after it was temporarily closed late last week and part of this week.

In other matters, the Board was informed of damage that occurred at the park during a recent music festival and was updated on the horse arena.

Present for the meeting held at the Nicholas County Visitors Center at the park were President Robert Johnson, Vice-President Kimary McNeil, Secretary Tony Nichols, Treasurer Pam Cline and members Steve Bailey, Dave Harper and George Kallai Jr.

Closing of swimming pool
Swimming Pool Manager Susie Lewis advised the Board that the pool had to be closed Thursday due to the circulation pump breaking down. Lewis explained that the structural support that houses the circulation pump rusted out and caused the pump to break down.

The circulation pump pumps the water to the filter system so that all of the water in the pool can be filtered and recirculated each day.

Lewis said that two vacuum or auxiliary pumps had been ordered, which will alleviate the problem on a temporary basis and enable the pool to re-open for the remainder of the season.

She said one auxiliary pump was to arrive earlier this week, and it is hoped that the pool could re-open by Wednesday. The other auxiliary pump will arrive next week.

The Board authorized the purchase of two auxiliary or vacuum pumps at a cost of $1,500 each.

Park Superintendent Angela Hanshaw said the $3,000 to be spent on the two auxiliary pumps would come from the additional $10,000 that the Nicholas County Commission allocated to the park to finish out the 2007-08 fiscal year, which ended June 30.

The Board plans to request additional funding from the Commission to make repairs to the pool.

The Board advised Lewis and Hanshaw to contact several pool companies to find out exactly what needs to be done to make repairs. Hanshaw said she had been advised in the past that it would cost approximately $130,000 to make all of the necessary repairs to the pool, which is 30 years old.

Lewis said later last week that when the pool re-opens, it would be open from noon until 7 p.m. seven days a week to make up for the days that it was closed.

Lewis said she would like to start some type of fundraising effort for the pool with funds to go toward repairs.

Lewis also provided the Board a list of revenue generated by the pool so far this season, which showed $7,981 had been generated from swimming lessons, pool passes and pool parties and $3,368 in concessions.

 

Mini-Open House held for new Medical Clinic

Maxine Corbett
Richwood Editor

Summersville Memorial Hospital held a mini-open house on June 26 for the newly-established Richwood Family Practice Clinic. Elected officials, citizens and SMH administration representatives were in attendance.

When Richwood Area Community Hospital officials announced a month ago the facility would close, SMH stepped up to express interest in helping citizens of the City of Richwood with their health care crisis. With the assistance of a local ad hoc committee, a location was soon identified. The new clinic is housed in the facility that had one housed the Groves Clinic and later Nicholas County Starting Points. The building is owned by the non-profit Nicholas County Empowerment Corporation.

The goal of both Richwood and Summersville was to have the clinic up and running by June 27, the day originally announced as closing for the Richwood Rural Health Clinic, which was operated on the fourth floor of RACH. The hospital doors were closed for good at midnight June 26, but the clinic had ceased operation on June 11. The Richwood Family Practice Clinic began seeing patients on June 27, meeting their original goal.

Renovating the clinic building was ongoing as the doors opened, with just part of the multiple rooms ready for use. Crews will remain onsite until the painting and additional work on the building is completed.
Debbie Hill, SMH administrator, said she hoped for it to be completely functional by September. “We are moving as fast as we can,” Hill stressed. “We will strive to get radiology and a lab open as soon as possible. We had promised to be open by June 27 and we are open.”

 

Featured Events

Tipton School Reunion

17th Annual Tipton School Reunion is Saturday, July 12 at the Royal Chapel Methodist Church picnic pavilion on Summersville Lake Road (Rt. 129) at Tipton. Please bring your covered dishes and drinks for lunch that will begin at noon. Everyone is welcome whether or not you attended Tipton School. For more information, you can call Phyllis at 872-3257.

Bailes reunion

Bailes family reunion at Carnifex Ferry State Park, shelter #2. All relatives of William S. Bailes Jr. are requested to come and enjoy our reunion on Saturday, July 12, 2008. A family tree booklet will be available for viewing. Please bring a picnic lunch.

Annual Scenic Mountain Triathlon July 13

The 23rd Annual Scenic Mountain Triathlon will be held July 13 near Richwood.
The triathlon starts at 10 a.m. at Summit Lake (just east of Richwood on Rt. 39/55) with a .5-mile swim, 17.1-mile bike leg, and finishing with a 6.2-mile run. Also a pre-race pasta dinner will be held the evening prior on Saturday, July 12. The dinner is free to all racers and open to the public for a fee. Everyone is welcome! Triathlon registration is available at the pasta dinner on the 12th and at Summit Lake on the 13th. Pre-registered racers receive a free T-shirt. All racers eat free at the post race cookout, too.

Contact the Richwood Area Chamber of Commerce at (304) 846-6790 for more information or applications. Web site:www.richwoodwv.com/triathlon.asp, e-mail: rwdchamber@richwoodwv.com.

Nicholas County High School Class of 1978

Plans are being made for the Class of 1978’s 30-year reunion to be held the weekend of Aug. 1, 2008. Events are as follows: Friday, Aug. 1, at Old Main will be a 70s mixer. All classes from the 70s are invited to join. Cost is $15 per person that includes appetizers, soft drinks and a DJ who will definitely be spinning some 70’s tunes. Casual – outdoors. Saturday, Aug. 2 we’ll be doing our own thing. Pam Tucker Cline, Merry McClung Waters and Susie Valentine Vessels will be hosting a brunch for the class of 1978 cheerleaders and majorettes. Greg Waters and Gary Wharton are planning a golf outing. Plan your own fun for the day, and then we’ll be getting together that evening for the main event, which will be held at the Summersville Conference Center beginning at 6 p.m. with a social hour, class picture at 7 p.m., and dinner at 7:30 p.m. with the DJ kicking in to gear around 8:30 p.m. The event will cost $30 per person and will cover dinner, soft drinks and the DJ. Cash bar. If you do not receive the class letter, please call one of the committee members: Tony Martin, Joe Groves, Gary Wharton, Greg and Merry Waters, Susie Valentine-Vessels, W.D. Amick, Pam Tucker Cline and John Cline.

Roy Moose’s Snakes of West Virginia presentations

Snakes of West Virginia, conducted by Roy Moose, has begun for the season at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center. Roy presents his show on Sundays at 1 p.m. at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, followed by a tour of the Cranberry Glades at the boardwalk at 2 p.m.

Roy will not be presenting his show on June 8 and 22, due to personal commitments.
If you are planning a trip to the nature center to take in Roy’s show, please phone ahead to check on dates.

For information about this and other programs at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, please call 304-653-4826.

The Cranberry Mountain Nature Center is located at the junction of Rt. 39/55 and Rt. 150 (Highland Scenic Highway), 23 miles east of Richwood and 14 miles west of Marlinton.