UP: To the approximately 400 people who participated in this past Wednesday's Walk at Lunch. Sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the city of Parkersburg, the participants walked several blocks downtown from Bicentennial Park to Highmark headquarters. This is the third year for the event, which encourages people to exercise on their lunch break. The 400 walkers is the largest number of participants in the event thus far.
UP: To the National Arbor Day celebrations held Friday at several locations in Parkersburg. The Parkersburg Tree Commission sponsored the city's 15th annual celebration at which the city was recognized for its commitment to urban forestry. The commission and students later gathered at Jefferson Elementary Center to plant the city's annual Arbor Day tree. Events culminated with 500 trees given to area fourth-graders for distribution as part of the Fourth Grade Foresters Project. Congratulations. A tree-planting also is scheduled today in Belpre. Williamstown, West Virginia's longest-running Tree City USA, will hold its Arbor Day celebration at a later date, officials say.
UP: To area residents who take advantage of the early voting opportunities being offered between now and May 5. Registered voters wishing to vote early only need to show up at the Fort Boreman public meeting room at the Judge Black Courthouse Annex and request a ballot. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays, April 28 and May 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new satellite precincts will be located in the city buildings of Williamstown and Vienna and volunteer fire departments in Lubeck and Mineral Wells. These sites will be open only from May 1-4 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 5.
UP: To the annual Wood County Spring Cleanup being held today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Erickson All-Sports Facility off Camden Avenue in Parkersburg. The collection, offered at no charge, allows residents to get rid of bulky items that are no longer needed. The program is not accepting pesticides, gasoline, oil, hazardous chemicals, or televisions. The event is organized by the Wood County Solid Waste Authority and funded by DuPont Washington Works and is open to all residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley.
UP: To DuPont Washington Works for its $36,000 contribution to purchase 60 recycling containers to be placed at Little League fields in Wood, Wirt and Pleasants counties. The cans are blue and gold with a baseball helmet molded to the top.
