UP: To the people participating in this weekend's Relay for Life at Parkersburg City Park and Belpre's Civitan Park. The annual event, with its carnival-like atmosphere, ends this morning. Relay is a fundraiser for cancer research, a way to celebrate those who have survived it and as a moving way to remember those who lost their fight with this deadly disease. The Relay's motto is the race won't end until a cure is found and with the help of money raised from the relays all over the United States during the past 20-some years, more people are surviving cancer every year.
DOWN: To the vandals responsible for two break-ins this week at the Worthington Little League baseball fields. The incidents, which occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, caused several hundred dollars worth of damage and the loss of nearly $1,200 worth of property. Worthington, like all athletic facilities for area youngsters, exists because of the hard work of volunteers. This type of senseless vandalism has to be discouraging to those volunteers, but we are happy to hear the games will go on because of individuals and businesses who have stepped forward to help recoup the lost funds. We hope those responsible for these thefts will soon be caught.
UP: To Major Vernon Dolby of the Salvation Army who will be transferred from Parkersburg in June after four years of selfless service here. Dolby and his wife Vicki will begin a tour in Huntingdon, Pa., about 30 miles south of Penn State where he will lead the local Salvation Army chapter. Dolby has been an asset to the Mid-Ohio Valley, and he will be missed. We wish him well on his new assignment.
UP: To all of the high school students who are graduating this weekend and in the coming days. We hope all are able to follow their dreams to their fulfillment.
UP: To members of the West Virginia Good Sams Camping Organization who are in Mineral Wells this weekend for the annual campout, or "Samboree," being held at the Wood County 4-H Campground on Butcher Bend Road. Approximately 150 recreational vehicles and 400 people are expected at the event, now in its 35th year.
