High Points of the Valley (Graphic Illustration)

* Summer reading season has begun for local libraries, some of which held their kick-off festivities at the end of last month. For the Parkersburg and Wood County Public Library, the Summer Library Club started things off with food trucks, live music, crafting vendors and book sales. “We’re just so happy about the community engagement that we have received and we had such a good turnout today,” said Morgan Ashcraft, library social media and outreach specialist. Meanwhile, at the Belpre Branch of the Washington County Public Library, children got ready to have fun with summer reading under the theme Color Our World — though really, the fun isn’t just for the kids. “Our summer reading program starts on Monday, and the kids have chances to win prizes all summer. We have summer reading for all ages from tiny bits all the way up to adults,” said library manager Casey Copeland. Though the kick-off events have been cleaned up, readers of all ages are sure to spend the next couple of months exploring all kinds of fun and interesting new books. And it is never too late to stop by your local library to find out what’s waiting there for you, too.

* As our local high school graduates gear up for next steps, many of them will be headed to college with support from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation. Last week, the foundation announced more than 50 local students who received scholarship awards for academics and community involvement — more than $660,000. “It is truly an honor to award these scholarships,” said foundation scholarship officer Jennifer Randolph. “Each one embodies the heartfelt intention of a donor, many created to honor the memory of a loved one. Our privilege is to bring those intentions to life, empowering students while honoring legacies that create opportunities for generations to come.” How wonderful to know so many students will benefit from that kind of forethought, and that our region has such a deserving group of young people set to make their marks on the world.