I know so many of you ask me that I do get excited often, and yes, I do especially when I see that all my groups that I belong to succeed, such as the PHS Foundation. The foundation recently gave grant awards to teacher for 2026! I feel honored that we were able again this year to provide grants and help 16 teachers and their students tremendously in the classroom.

The teacher grant program is one of several initiatives the foundation sponsors annually. As I wrote before, we’re very proud to say that another big project the PHS Foundation is working on – and it’s very close to finish – is the renovation of the PHS planetarium.

All of us as a group are very excited because it will be beautiful and very educational for children, students and adults of all ages.

Your support in such a wonderful project will be greatly appreciated. You can find more information at www.Parkersburghighschoolfoundation.org.

Please don’t forget to support the PHS Foundation on May 5 for the 2026 Give Local MOV. You can visit www.givelocalmov.org for more information.

The same day, please support West Virginia Symphony Orchestra – Parkersburg during Give Local MOV too. (I’m a board member as well, hint hint, lol.)

Keep the music playing for everyone in the Mid-Ohio Valley!

And since we’re talking about educational things, I want to share with you that gratitude is the feeling of being thankful for the things we have in life. It helps us appreciate our family, friends, teachers and even small blessings.

I believe a grateful person always sees the positive side of life and remains happy and satisfied.

And all of us, when we show gratitude, we become humble and kind toward others. It improves our relationships and brings peace to us. We should always thank people that help us. Gratitude teachers us to value what we have instead of complaining about what we don’t. I hope it makes sense to you as much as it does to me.

I like to stay focused on my goals and keep moving toward them despite difficulties. Difficulties at times make us stronger and teach an important lesson. By practicing patience and positive thinking, we can achieve our goals and improve our personality. I know it’s not always easy, but it’s worth trying. I always try to find the good side of the situation.

Once I heard the following:

Sad has three letters, but so does joy.

Negativity has 10 letters, but so does positivity.

Fall has four letters, but so does rise.

Immature has eight letters, but so does maturity.

Ignorance has nine letters, but so does knowledge.

So let’s forget the words sad, negativity, fall, immature and ignorance and use in our daily life the good words such as joy, positivity, rise, maturity and knowledge. I think everyone will be much happier, calm and confident.

“Control mind, control life” means that a strong and disciplined mind leads to a successful and peaceful life. I think when we control our thoughts, we can control our actions and make better decisions. On the other hand, an uncontrolled mine can lead to stress, confusion and at times failure.

And last but not least, by practicing positive thinking, we’re going to achieve our goals and improve our personality. Think about it for a moment. I know that small habits can change a person and change how you feel every day!

***

Don’t forget the last symphony concert of the season with the title “Season Finale” will take place Sunday, May 3, at the Blennerhassett School auditorium. Doors open at 1 o’clock, and the concert starts at 2:30 p.m. You don’t want to miss it or your chance to bring all your children that enter at no charge to enjoy the remarkable musicians and wonderful classical music.

Immediately after the concert, the West Virginia Symphony League – Parkersburg invites you to join us at the Blennerhassett Hotel for the annual dinner with the maestro, $60 per ticket. It includes appetizers, pasta buffet (including marinara, alfredo, meatballs or chicken), dessert, cash bar and entertainment. Call 740-705-7182 to RSVP. If you would like to be seated with another guest, please specify.

Also, you can help the West Virginia Symphony League – Parkersburg through our annual Geranium sale. You can call or text Sally at 304-483-1453, or you can call or text me at 304- 615 -5454.

Drive-through flower pickup is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 8, at the Texas Roadhouse parking lot. The selections are 4-inch pots for $5, 6-inch pots for $10 and 10-inch pots for $23. Your choices of colors are red, pink, hot pink, salmon or white. And really they always bring beautiful, colorful hanging baskets. They make beautiful Mother’s Day gifts and are perfect to decorate your yard, your porch and your veranda.

Have a blessed day

Till next week

***

Banana pineapple salad

1 3 oz. box Orange Jell-O

1 1/2 cups hot water

1 8 1/4 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained. Save juice.

2 bananas, sliced

Mix Jell-O in hot water and crushed, drained pineapple. When mixture starts to set, add bananas and pour into 8-by-8-inch square pan. Then add topping below.

Topping

1 cup pineapple juice (add enough water to juice to make 1 cup)

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour, heaping

1 cup grated cheese

2 tablespoons of margarine or butter

1 egg, beaten

1 cup whipped topping (A little salad dressing can be part of cup)

Mix juice, sugar, flour, butter and egg. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. Cool. Add whipped topping, spread on Jell-O, top with grated cheese.

***

Spaghetti salad

10 oz spaghetti

2 green onions, sliced

1/2 cup sweet pickle juice

2 green onions, sliced

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp red pepper seeds

1 tsp celery seed

1 tsp poppy seeds

1 tsp caraway seeds

2 tsp parsley flakes

1 16 oz. Italian salad dressing

Cook and drain spaghetti according to package directions. Combine pickle juice, salt, garlic powder, red pepper seed, celery seed, poppyseed, caraway seed, parsley flakes, green onions and Italian dressing, shake until well mixed, pour mixture over spaghetti, toss well and chill.

***

Artichoke dip

1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Dash of garlic powder

Mix and bake 20 minutes at 350 or 3 to 5 minutes in microwave oven. Delicious with Triscuits.