UP: To Parkersburg's Winter Market, which wraps up its second season today. Today, the market will be held in the front portion of the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Culinary School at 707 Market St., which is adjacent to where the market previously has been held this season. The Winter Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market offers a variety of wares, including select cuts of meat, soaps, sundries and hand-knitted items.
UP: To Dr. Richard Newhart for offering free dental cleanings during February in observance of Gum Disease Awareness Month. The cleanings, which were offered on a first-come, first-served basis, proved popular, with 36 people showing up on Feb. 25. West Virginia is among 21 states observing Gum Disease Awareness Month. And Newhart said he will continue the free cleanings next year.
DOWN: To the inclusion of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport's air traffic control tower on a list of potential closures due to the automatic spending cuts scheduled to take effect. While airport manager Terry Moore said the airport would continue to function even if the tower is closed, safety would be compromised.
DOWN: To the Wood County Board of Education's apparent belief the needs of Wood County's public schools are not as great as the needs of Parkersburg High School's Stadium Field. This week, the BOE authorized giving the PHS stadium committee $700,000 to help with repairs to the facility, which was closed in November. However, longstanding problems with leaky roofs and heating and cooling issues at many of the county's schools have been ignored by board members. Once again, the board proves that athletics takes precedence over education.
UP: To Wood County Historical and Preservation Society board member Gerry Kohler's balanced and interesting program about the fiery abolitionist John Brown. Brown, whose raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 is credited with being the spark that started the American Civil War, is a revered figure in some history accounts. However, Kohler, a former high school history teacher, said it is important to remember Brown was a complex individual. Despite being on the right side of history on the slavery question, Brown was, himself, a cold-blooded killer of many innocents.
