Vandalia Festival Winners

CHARLESTON — Three musicians from Parkersburg, Ripley and Glenville won five first places in competitions at the 46th annual Vandalia Festival sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History on May 27-28 in Charleston.

* Jake Eddy of Parkersburg won first places in the Bluegrass Banjo and Flatpick Guitar (all ages).

* David O’Dell of Glenville won first places in Lap Dulcimer (all ages) and Old-Time Banjo (59 and under).

* Isaac Butcher of Ripley earned first place in Youth Flatpick Guitar (age 15 and under).

Competitions were held for fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer and guitar and liars. The statewide folk festival is named for the proposed 14th colony of Virginia.

Other local musicians who placed in the competitions were:

* Senior Old-Time Fiddle (age 60 and over): third place, R. Linwood Clark, Walker

* Mandolin (all ages): third place, Dan Kessinger, St. Marys; fourth place, Isaac Butcher, Ripley.

* Bluegrass Banjo (all ages): third place, Emmett Carper, West Union.

* Youth Flatpick Guitar (age 15 and under): second place, Nathan Schramm, New Martinsville.

* Flatpick Guitar (all ages): fourth place, Dan Kessinger, St. Marys; fifth place, Isaac Butcher, Ripley.

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Blennerhassett Island seeking volunteers

PARKERSBURG — Blennerhassett Island State Park and the Blennerhassett Historical Foundation are seeking volunteers.

“Our volunteers transform a great experience to an extraordinary one,” Craig Pyles, Blennerhassett State Park superintendent, said.

A variety of roles, such as serving as costumed actors, gardening and special maintenance projects, are available, he said.

“It would be hard to overstate the importance Blennerhassett Island State Park has in our community,” Mark Lewis, Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitor’s Bureau president and CEO said. “The park enhances our quality of life by bringing an authentic experience unlike anything else in the region, and significantly contributes to tourism for our area.”

Volunteer by calling (304) 420-4800 or email at craig.t.pyles@wv.gov

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Barlow Library Used Book Sale

A used book sale will be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 6 at the Barlow Library on Ohio 339.

For more information, call 740-678-0103.