51ST: This week Mindy Leland Stanley began her 51st year of teaching school. She was a founding teacher at Covenant School in Huntington in 1995 and has taught first grade students there for 31 years. Before that, she taught in the public school system for 20 years. She also enjoys teaching West Virginia history to eighth grade students. Stanley is a 1971 graduate of Barboursville High School and received both her bachelorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s and masterÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s degrees in early childhood education from Marshall University. Stanley says that she felt that the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCOVID yearsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ proved that teachers who have a love for learning and for teaching children cannot be replaced in the classroom. She says that she loves teaching and hasnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t felt that it was the time for her to retire yet. In fact, she is looking forward to having her grandson, Theo, as a kindergartner at Covenant next year. Mindy and her husband, Rocky, have two sons and daughters-in-law, Craig and Michele and Patrick and Brie, and have three grandchildren ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Madie, Max, and Theo. They live in Huntington and are active members of Redemption Church.
GOLF: Congratulations to David Roach who shot his age while playing golf Wednesday at Esquire Golf Club with John Aluise, Floyd Harlowe and Frank James.
BIRTHDAY PARTY: Members of the 1983 Barboursville High School class are planning a 60th birthday party that will be held at the Red Tail Barn, 6815 Little Seven Mile Road, Huntington, on Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. Dinner and entertainment will be provided for $35 each that may be paid through Zelle at bhsclassof83treasurer@gmail.com or mail payment to Kim Maynard, 86 Miller Road, Huntington, 25702. Coolers are permitted and water and tea will be provided. Everyone is encouraged to attend and enjoy an evening of talking and laughing with friends and listening to DJ and karaoke music.
FUNDRAISER: Janet Roach Knapp (Chef Grammi) and members of LeSage Apostolic Church, 6475 Nine Mile Road, Lesage, West Virginia, have begun a ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHelp the MissionsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ project. A baked steak and gravy dinner with mashed potatoes, corn, roll, dessert and a drink will be available on Aug. 29 for $10. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling or texting 304-521-5131 or by stopping by the church on Friday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Apple Pay is available also. Donations to ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHelp the MissionsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ are welcome.
HIRED: Congratulations to Dr. Christine Gilkerson who has been named Medical Director of Clinical Efficiency and Patient Flow at Marshall Health Network-St. MaryÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Medical Center. She will work with hospital teams to help patients return home or transition to the next stage of care more smoothly and without unnecessary delays.
PERFORMANCE: The Hallmark Quartet will perform a program of gospel music at Dillon Chapel United Methodist Church, 4421 16th St. Road, Huntington, on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 4 p.m. Plan to attend and bring a friend.
BIRTHDAYS: Happy birthday this week to Lee Hall, Nancy Salter, Brad Merritt, Nathan Nibert, Jack Perkins, Robin Triplett, Kim Smith, Chandler Leggett, Jack Dilley, Tatum True, Chris Powell, Nancy Ely, Valorie Browning Skidmore, Andrew Cooper, Jr., Joseph Boyd, Josh Armstrong, Jeanna Bayes, Brandon Staats, Chloe Waggoner, C. A. Adams, David Gillum, Dave Spears and Dudley Vititoe.
WISHES: Special birthday wishes to my son-in-law, Jeff Nash who celebrated his birthday Monday; to Conner Matthew Pratt whose 19th birthday was Thursday; to Harleigh Sue Knight who became a teenager today; and to Ron Cutts who celebrates his 84th birthday Sunday.
ANNIVERSARIES: Couples celebrating wedding anniversaries this week are Bob and Becky Chenoweth, Ron and Rosie Wooddell, Shawn and Monica Mount, Greg and Flora Perry, and Bob and Sylvia Fortner who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Aug. 21.
Send items for this column to Joyce Spencer, 817 Main St., Barboursville, WV 25504; email jcspencer25@gmail.com; or fax 304-736-4522.
