UP: To Margaret Gannotta of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Bernard Nurse of London, England; and Nancy Blennerhassett of Buenos Aires, Argentina, for their visit to Blennerhassett Island on Thursday. The group, first cousins and descendants of Margaret and Harman Blennerhassett, spent a day visiting Blennerhassett Island, the mansion and the Blennerhassett Museum.
UP: To the activities planned for today and Sunday at several West Virginia state parks-including North Bend-as part of National Trails Day. North Bend will hold several activities, such as kayak and canoe demonstrations, equestrian rides, organized bicycle rides and bird-watching events, among others. While there is a cost for some of the events, many are free.
DOWN: To former U.S. senator and presidential candidate John Edwards. Edwards, on trial the past several weeks on charges he illegally used campaign funds to hide a tawdry affair with a woman who gave birth to his child while his wife was dying from cancer, was found not guilty on one count and the jury was unable to reach a decision on the five other counts. A mistrial was declared. While Edwards may or may not be guilty of a crime, he will never be able to escape the stench of his actions.
UP: To this past Monday's Memorial Day celebrations in the Mid-Ohio Valley that honored all of the veterans who answered their country's call to duty when needed. Many of these people paid the ultimate price and it is only right to honor them.
UP: To the History Channel for its "Hatfields and McCoys" miniseries this past week. The three-part production on the famous feud between two families in West Virginia and Kentucky was well done and was a ratings winner for the network.
UP: To the $2 billion deal between Ravenwood's Constellium Rolled Products and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. The Ravenswood plant will help make jet frames for the European company's Airbus.
DOWN: To the price of gasoline which took nearly a 30-cent spike before last week's Memorial Day holiday. The spike, while somewhat expected because of the holiday, seemed excessive and according to residents who traveled during the weekend was not reflected in other counties.
