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* Each year, students from across the Mid-Ohio Valley get an opportunity to experience a day filled with arts and crafts projects and other fun during the Very Spectacular Arts Festival presented by Artsbridge at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. Hundreds of students from Washington County, Ohio, and Wood, Wirt, Pleasants, Jackson, Doddridge and Roane counties in West Virginia have a hands-on day of STEAM activities. A Spirit of Giving grant from the PM Company brings the whole affair together, as the Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Wood County Society Art Beat Studio and the Parkersburg Art Center, the Actors Guild and the Arts Collaborative brought their own special touches to the event. "They are loving it," said volunteer Cary Huck. "Anything they can do hands-on, they love it." Thank goodness so many are willing to come together each year to make that happen.
* Inflation has affected us all. Few of us think about what that means for nonprofits trying to lend a hand up to those who need it. Habitat for Humanity, for example, is dealing with the increase in prices of the material required to build homes. As the organization dedicated its 115th home earlier this month, Habitat Executive Director Robin Stewart was quick to acknowledge how important partners are. "We are only able to continue to build, with the current cost of construction, because we have the help of sponsors like these," Stewart said. "We are so appreciative of those who join us in our vision of a decent place to live for everyone." United Way of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Parkersburg/Wood County HOME Consortium and the Mary M. Welch Fund at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation sponsored the home.