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RECOGNITION: During the annual white coat ceremony for the Class of 2029ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s 82 incoming medical students at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, a great friend and physician was also recognized. Dr. James B. Becker, professor of family and community health and director of the schoolÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s addiction medicine fellowship, received the inaugural White Coat Emeritus Award. Dr. Becker definitely has that passion for medicine and commitment to mentorship as a master clinician. Congratulations Dr. Becker, you are the best.

TRIP: Events Inc. offers a trip to La Comedia Dinner Theatre Oct. 17-18 to participate in ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œLegally BlondeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� and flea market shopping. Call 304-389-5334.

LEADER: Steven Little, assistant executive director of Huntington City Mission, is one of 26 individuals recently named to the third Leadership Huntington Class hosted by Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce. Steven felt the call to church planting after 13 years in corporate management. Along with his family and two others, he moved in 2017 to plant City Church Huntington. Class members attend monthly sessions from September 2025 to May 2026 followed by a graduation ceremony in June 2026. Congratulations Steven on being a leader at the City Mission with a desire to find solutions to the homeless situation.

MUSIC: Huntington Symphony Orchestra presents ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œGive Our Regards: Great Duets of the StageÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Ritter Park Amphitheater. Featured performers include Christa Navy and Sean Price. Those attending may bring picnic baskets, chairs and blankets. Tickets are $520 for table of eight or $650 for table of 10. General admission is $30; $15 ages 13 and younger. Call 304-781-8343.

SPEAKER: Pastor Oleksandr Ilash Jr., ordained minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc. and pastors in Ukraine, shared his experiences of maintaining a viable ministry during the ongoing crisis in his country earlier this month at Full Gospel Assembly, 2101 10th Ave. He published his first book, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œGo Back: The Power of Obedience,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� highlighting stories of hope, resilience and divine intervention, in 2023. HereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s praying this Ukrainian pastor was welcomed to Huntington and enjoyed a safe return to his country.

BOOK FAIR: Huntington Museum of Art hosts its annual Hilltop Book Fair this weekend at the museum. The fundraiser is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. Admission is $5 Saturday and free Sunday. Book prices are $1 for each childrenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s book; $2 each paperback; and $3 each hardcover book on Saturday. Those attending from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday may fill a box with books for $10.

RESIGNATION: Troy Nicely, one of two council members reelected during the 2024 general election for Milton City Council, has resigned. Shane Evans, Milton mayor, will nominate and the governing body will fill the vacancy for the unexpired term by majority roll-call vote; however, the successor should be a qualified voter living in Milton. Troy, pastor at Church in the Valley at Milton, announced the reason for his decision was family matters. Thanks for your service, Pastor Troy.

BLOOD DRIVE: American Red Cross hosts a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Cabell Huntington Hospital, private dining room 1. Attendees are asked to bring photo ID or donor card to event. Walk-ins are also welcomed. To register, visit .

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Marshall University Thundering Herd recently hired its 23rd athletic director. Gerald J. Harrison, native of Florence, South Carolina, was athletic director at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee since July 2018. He received a bachelorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s degree from Tennessee in 2001. Welcome to Huntington and may your stay be long and winning seasons.

CONCERT: Luke Bryan brings his ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCountry Song Came On TourÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� to Charleston Thursday, Aug. 14. Luke and his special guests ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” George Birge, Randall King, Mae Estes and DJ Rock perform at 7 p.m. at Charleston Coliseum. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets range from $48 to $205.75.

FINALIST: Nicole Pratt, second-grade teacher at East Lynn Elementary School in Wayne County for 13 years, is one of four educators to be named a finalist in the West Virginia Department of EducationÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s 2026 Teacher of the Year Contest. She earned an Associate of Science in Mathematics and Science from Garrett College in 2007 and graduated cum laude from Marshall University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education K-6 comprehensive. Her National Board Certification shows her as an early childhood generalist. She also serves on East Lynn Elementary Leadership Team and chairs the hiring committee. She and the other three will be honored during a ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 9, at West Virginia Culture Center, Charleston.

TODAYÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™S BIRTHDAYS: Marlo Preston, Angus Day, Madison Reed, Bill Romine, Cindy Stickler, Rodney Adkins, Lindsey Manchester, Judy Swann, Jay Harvey, Kyle Neal, Patrick Brown, Scott Farley, Sadie Maynard, Connie Maynard Jones turns 83, Vickie Haynes, Mark Bailey with CJ Hughes Construction is two into the 60s at 62, April Parsons says goodbye to the 30s to try number 40, Darius Adkins, who leaves the 30s tries the 40s, Isabella Rae Fullen is two into the teens at 14.

TODAYÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™S ANNIVERSARIES: Kevin and Tammy Lawhon, Nathan and Katie Edmunds, Jay and Rebecca Powers celebrate number 30.

CHUCKLE: The bishop was the dinner guest. The table was beautifully prepared and food looked delicious. They were ready to being. The hostess spoke to her 6-year-old daughter, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMary, will you say grace, please?ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� A rather long delay ensured. The mother coaxed the little girl, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCome on, Mary say what you heard me say this morning at breakfast.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� In a loud voice it came out, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œO God, why ever did I invite that bishop to dinner tonight?ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�