Published: November 03, 2009 05:20 pm      

Auction raises scholarship money

The election in the Commonwealth is over. It seems that at least for another year the election process is over in the Virginia, or is it? Virginia, like the other 49 states, will choose her U.S. Congressional representatives next November in 2010. It seems that the off-year gubernatorial elections are a tremendous expense for the Commonwealth, but when held in an off year, the races may not necessarily reflect the national trends of the presidential elections. For some reason, that’s the way they like it.

Virginia could also call a primary election next May. If Tuesday’s race is any indication of a trend in the Commonwealth, things might change. Cap and trade, windmills, national health care, the wars, the economy, bail-out fallout, and other issues will weigh into the next election picture.

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McDowell Assessor Dennis Altizer reported that all is quiet in the political scene around the McDowell County Courthouse. “Not much going on right now, but the kids did have a good time on Halloween,” he said. Altizer noted that about 40 kids decked out in full costume knocked on his door at home last Saturday evening demanding, “trick or treat.”

Parents accompanied the youngsters on their mission to secure as many treats as possible. No damage was reported in the community and all the children seemed to have a great time, according to Altizer. There may have been a rocket boy or two in the crowd.

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Delta Kappa Gamma Society International’s Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Tazewell County held their annual dinner and auction last Monday night at the Graham Methodist Church in Bluefield, Va. The event was a fund raiser for the chapter’s scholarship program for deserving students actively pursuing a career in the field of education.

Auctioneer Roger Mullins ran the bids up as high as he possibly could, often drawing out more than a little friendly competition for prize items. I nearly bought a pot of some sort by mistake when I waived my hand at one of the teachers to say hello. Darn near cost me $25. Luckily someone outbid me. I’m not a teacher but they were willing to accept my money and I did manage to bid successfully on a nice flashlight.

Mullins auctioned off everything from banana keepers, to jewelry, watches and other nice items donated by several local merchants and members. At one point, Mullins was holding up a catalogue and asking for a minimum $1 bid. The items sold were nice. All was in fun and the proceeds will help deserving scholarship recipients.

Mullins expressed his personal appreciation for the group and thanked them for serving the youth of Tazewell County.

Delta Kappa Gamma is a professional society of women educators that promotes both personal and professional growth of its members and excellence in education. The local chapter president is Cindy Elliott, a Tazewell County educator.

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Gary Mayor Henry S. Paul was named McDowell County Democrat of the Year and Judge Omar Aboulhosn was named Mercer County Democrat of the Year at the West Virginia Democrat Party’s Annual Jefferson Jackson Day dinner held in Charleston last week. Judge Aboulhosn, his wife Weena, parents Jim and Mae Aboulhosn, Norris and Doris Kantor, and Mercer Democrat Chairman Mike Vinciguerra and his wife, Shirley, traveled to Charleston for the event.

Guest Speaker Brian Schweitzer of Montana showed up in his jeans, bolo tie, western belt and sports jacket. One source mentioned that Schweitzer said he was placed on the ballot simply to fill in the vacant spot and had no idea the he would actually win the gubernatorial election.

He quipped, “I felt just like a dog that caught a car and didn’t know what to do with it.”

Peter “Pete” Cuffaro of Ohio County was named West Virginia Democrat of the year. In 1983, Cuffaro suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

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There you have it, a few comments on items of interest to the area. The Amtrak Excursion train on will arrive in Bluefield at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. I’m going down to the “station” and I’m going to get my granddad’s old railroad watch out and see if they are on time. I hope you have a blue sky day.

Wilson Butt, a resident of Bluefield, is a retired Department of Highways official.