The picnic bring together residents and visitors for a day filled with music, activities, local vendors, food, and fun in the heart of downtown Berkeley Springs.

Held in one of West Virginia’s most beloved state parks, the annual picnic has become a signature summer tradition that celebrates community connection, inclusivity, and the welcoming spirit of Berkeley Springs.

Berkeley Springs Pride is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building community, promoting inclusion, and creating welcoming opportunities for residents and visitors throughout Morgan County and the surrounding region through educational, social, and cultural programming.

“We have given over $35,000 to community initiatives scholarships for children to go to college,” said Ben Fox of Berkeley Springs Pride.

The picnic is part of Berkeley Springs Pride’s ongoing mission to foster community engagement, create welcoming spaces, and support educational and cultural opportunities throughout the region.

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The West Virginia Division of Highways said the signal construction began on June 8.

“There will be periodic lane closures and possible traffic delays during this time. Motorists should travel with caution through the area and allow extra time. Exact schedule is weather dependent,” said the DOH.

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The West Virginia Water Development Authority (WDA) has approved more than $17 million in Economic Enhancement Grant (EEG) funding for infrastructure projects in Mason and Wood counties, along with a sewer line extension north of Berkeley Springs.

Governor Patrick Morrisey’s office made the announcement on Friday, June 12.

The projects include sewer system expansions to support housing and economic development, as well as upgrades to critical drinking water infrastructure.

“Infrastructure is often the difference between a project moving forward and an opportunity being lost,” said Governor Morrisey. “These investments will help communities prepare for growth, support new housing development, strengthen public health protections, and ensure West Virginia is ready to compete for future investment.”

Warm Springs Public Service District in Morgan County was awarded $1,000,000 for a sewer line extension that will provide service to Senior Life Services of Morgan County and the surrounding area while supporting future economic development opportunities, the governor’s office said in their announcement.

That area of the county also contains large tracts of land owned by U.S. Silica, the sandmine company.

Morgan County Commissioner Sean Forney worked with officials from the Warm Springs Public Service District to identify an eligible project for the grant. Those discussions pointed toward the northern wastewater service extension, which will provide public sewer to the area that the northern end of the bypass will reach. County officials expect the completion of that road to spark development to the north of Berkeley Springs.

“We are excited about this opportunity and very thankful that Governor Morrisey has shown so much interest in Morgan County,” Forney said Friday about the grant announcement.

“We look forward to having this access on the northern side of the county.  We believe this can open up economic development opportunities in the future with the completion of the bypass and connector road,” said Forney.

Other projects funded through the state grants included:

Parkersburg Utility Board, Wood County – The Parkersburg Utility Board was awarded $2,000,000 for improvements to its water treatment plant. The project will expand treatment capabilities to address the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS in drinking water. Combined with funding from the Drinking Water Technical Review Fund, contributions from Chemours, and a contribution from the Parkersburg Utility Board, the project’s total funding package will provide the $25,746,650 needed to complete the improvements.

Mason County Public Service District, Mason County – The Mason County Public Service District was awarded $14,435,000 for a sewer line extension along State Route 817. The project will support the development of two residential communities and help address the need for additional housing options in Mason County.

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“The event was cut short by a storm but nevertheless it was still a success,” said organizers.

The Pleasant View Community has served the community as a location to rent for parties and events.  Members of the facility have gathered over the years to make some delicious apple butter.  The center has worked with the Morgan County Senior Center to provide meals to the public as well as working together on other projects.  The former Pleasant View Elementary  has been used by churches, the Boy Scouts, 4-H groups, just to name a few.  The center is also a Business Partner with the elementary school as well as an emergency evacuation center.

Following the success of the Cruise-In, a free to the public ice cream social and live outside music will follow in August.  The goal is to provide the community with monthly events to bring local people together.

More information on rentals can be obtained by calling 304-258-3601 or through their Facebook page at Pleasant View Community Center.

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At 12 p.m., local Berkeley Springs author Shelly Wheeler will read from her book, “I’m not Bossy, I’m a Leader”.

At 12:30 p.m., children can play “I Spy,” hear a story and get a chance to win prizes.

From 1 to 2 p.m., a Bubble Party with music will be going on.

During the entire event, there will be crafts, games and a balloon artist on hand. Each child can receive one complimentary balloon.

The event is sponsored by Timeless Baby Boutique with support from Whole Latte Love Coffee House,  Shuggie Macs,  Lavender Bliss Boutique,  The Succulent Garden & The Artisan Cottage.

The Tiny Shoppe Village Carriage House Boutiques is located on Petal Way behind Whole Latte Love Coffee House at 99 N Washington Street Berkeley Springs.

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The West Virginia Department of Tourism recognized this year’s recipients of the prestigious History Heroes Awards, honoring individuals whose dedication, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact on the preservation and promotion of local history.

Paw Paw’s longtime residents Barbara and James Brown Norton are recipients of the 2026 History Hero designation.

The award has long been given out by the West Virginia Department of Culture & History. That department has now been absorbed by the state’s Department of Tourism.

“Museums and historical societies across the state depend on the efforts of volunteers to steward their important collections and share our history with the next generation,” said West Virginia Department of Tourism Deputy Secretary Ennis Smith. “These awards are one way we can help recognize the tremendous amount of time and talents that volunteers at these organizations contribute every day.”

The History Heroes Awards celebrate individuals who go beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of local history, genealogy, preservation, and museum organizations. Recipients are recognized for years of dedicated behind-the-scenes service or for significant contributions that help preserve and share history for future generations.

Sharing Paw Paw’s rich history

Morgan County is home to several History Heroes, and the latest to be recognized are Barbara and Brown Norton of Paw Paw.

They were nominated for the award by the Town of Paw Paw in recognition of their personal investment in the preservation of Paw Paw’s history, and assisting others in learning the story of the town’s development and her people.

“Since before the creation of the Morgan County Historical and Genealogical Society in 1977, of which they were founding members, Barbara and J. Brown Norton have been actively engaged in researching, documenting, and sharing Paw Paw’s rich history for current and future generations,” the town wrote in their nomination.

“The information they have gathered has been shared in books and videos to which they have contributed to directly, as well as walking tours and presentations based on their research. Their historical knowledge was also integral to the recent listing of several historic buildings in Paw Paw on the National Register of Historic Places. With Barbara’s interest in history and J. Brown’s intimate knowledge of local history, their willingness to share what they have learned through a variety of mediums has helped ensure that Paw Paw’s history is not forgotten,” said their nomination document.

In a letter of support for the nomination, Mary Hott wrote of the Nortons, “Whenever there have been questions about people, events, or physical structures of the past we have always been able to depend on them for sharing their knowledge. I believe it is safe to say they are recognized by townspeople as our local historians.”

Brown Norton served as a Morgan County Commissioner and his family has deep roots in the Paw Paw area, reportedly reaching back to the town’s founding fathers.

When consulted on matters of Paw Paw history, Barbara Norton has been known to brush aside a recognition of her expertise, saying she’s not even from the area, but just married into it. Nevertheless, the Norton’s are the go-to for historical records and photos about Paw Paw as the town and citizens work to preserve its economic and cultural history for future generations to appreciate, understand and build on.

In his supporting letter for their inclusion in the league of History Heroes, David Abruzzi wrote, “Over the years the Nortons have assembled an archive of documents from the Apple Orchard Companies, the Tannery, one-room schools, and local stores that provide a written record of Paw Paw’s past that is made available to researchers.” Abruzzi said their work made it possible for him to pursue the listing of several Paw Paw structures on the National Register of Historic Places, which are now in place.

Other West Virginia’s 2026 History Hero Award recipients are:

Robert Ayersman II — Preston County

Donna Bertazzoni — Jefferson County

Tina Conner — Marshall County

Janice Cooley — Greenbrier County

Dorothy “Bibbee” Enoch — Wood County

Wayne Farley — Ohio County

William “Bill” Graley — Kanawha County

Debbie Griffin — Ohio County

Fred Harmon — Wood County

Terry Lowry — Kanawha County

Ruth Ellen D. Ferry Mooney — Statewide

Earl Parsons and Zach Parsons — Tyler County

Mary Ellen Reid — Wayne County

Peter Smith — Jefferson County

George S. Swann — Cabell County

Betsy Sweeny — Statewide

Mary West — Preston County

Melanie Wray — Cabell County

Bonnie Young — Summers County

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For the 39^th year, Saturday Concerts in the Park are coming to Berkeley Springs State Park this summer.

Produced by Morgan Arts Council, the summer music series has become a staple of the season.

“This is our gift to the community,” said Jordan Warren, Executive Director of Morgan Arts Council, in an interview with The Morgan Messenger.

An Independence Day concert in the park will be sponsored by Town of Bath on Saturday, July 4. The Nighthawks will headline.

Local songstress Regina AaMacha will perform the national anthem.

Don’t miss hometown favorites The Weber Brothers, coming on Saturday, July 11 to Berkeley Springs State Park.

The series concludes on Saturday, August 29 with an annual performance by The Flashbacks, benefitting Berkeley Springs Park Foundation.

Saturday Concerts in the Park start at 5:30 p.m. Performances are free and open to the public

Friday concerts at the Ice House

Now in its fourth year, Friday Concerts on the Charlotte’s Café Garden Stage are underway at the Ice House.

“It’s a fun way to come together and meet your neighbors,” said Warren.

Friday concerts at the Ice House also feature food and beverages for sale, as well as activities for the young and the young-at-heart.

New this year, Berkeley Springs resident Michael Gregg and his rock band, Rusted Blue, will perform on Friday, July 11.

Wrapping up the Friday concert series on August 28, Jessie Milnes Band from Randolph County will perform Appalachian music.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m. at the Ice House.

New funding realities

Paying for summer programming got tougher this year as public support for the arts council has shifted.

Funding for the arts has been cut at both the state and local levels this year, Warren said.

She noted a $30,000 reduction in funding from Charleston, and no funding this year from Town of Bath’s hotel-motel tax fund.

Warren said she is looking at tuition for some offerings as a way to replace the lost funding in the operating budget.

Anyone who would like membership information, or a complete schedule of MAC 2026 summer concerts can go to macicehouse.org.

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The caller said they check on their cousin’s home there about once a month. This time, they saw signs of forced entry through a ground level front window.

They also reported seeing a woman in a pink or purple shirt and dark pants jump from a low second story roof and run into the woods, according to a criminal complaint filed in Morgan County Magistrate Court by Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley K. Knotts.

Deputy Diehl and Deputy Barker also responded, locating a man and a woman running through the woods west of the residence.

The suspects initially attempted to evade the deputies before being detained near the edge of Cacapon Road.

The woman, identified as Betty Brown, 46, matched the description given by the caller.

Brown was arrested, and later released, on a pending capias charge, issued for violating a court order from a previous violation.

The man, identified as Derek A. Keller, 38, of Paw Paw was released pending an investigation.

Evidence at the scene placed Keller inside the residence on Rocky Pine Lane, where several items were reported missing by the owner, according to the criminal complaint.

A warrant was issued for Keller’s arrest, and was served by three West Virginia State Troopers at a residence on Magnolia Road in Great Cacapon on Sunday, June 7 at about 3:30 p.m.

Keller came outside and indicated Brown was inside, hiding in the back of the house.

A search found a capsule of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia in the living room, according to a criminal complaint filed in Morgan County Magistrate Court by Trooper B.L. Beard.

Keller was arrested and charged with burglary and possession of a controlled substance.

Brown was arrested on two counts of capias and a burglary charge.

Both remain incarcerated at Eastern Regional Jail. Keller has requested a trial by jury.

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Discharge from a valve at a natural gas pipeline connection point along Hancock Road in northern Morgan County on Sunday caused the temporary closure of U.S. 522 in both directions as gas company workers responded to the site.

The discharge was detected by a passerby, as it was visible from U.S. 522.

Mountaineer Gas and TC Energy operate the distribution point, which connects their two natural gas pipelines.

Mountaineer Gas officials said the discharge was steam from a valve.

According to emergency officials, technicians from both companies arrived at the site at roughly the same time – one from Mountaineer Gas in Winchester, Va. and the other from TC Energy in Pennsylvania.

Traffic was able to resume movement on U.S. 522 shortly before 9:30 p.m.

Photos on social media showed traffic backed up and sitting on the Hancock bridge on Sunday evening. A detour was set up to take vehicles east on River Road to various routes to get around the closure.

Media representatives from TC Energy, parent company of Columbia Gas, said the leak did not occur on their equipment.

A spokesperson for Mountain Gas Company told The Morgan Messenger that the incident involved a relief valve.

“A relief valve at Mountaineer’s facilities operated as designed, safely releasing steam from a line heater. Authorities briefly closed the road as a precaution. Mountaineer and TC Energy employees resolved the matter promptly. No customers were affected,” the company said in response to questions.

The connection point south of the Hancock bridge was put in service on June 26, 2025 following the construction of a gas pipeline from Fulton County, Pa. to feed the Mountaineer Gas pipeline into the Eastern Panhandle market.

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Larry Joe Field

1942-2025

Larry Joe Field died May 12, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas.

He was born on October 25, 1942 in York, Neb., to Joe and Jeanne Field and was raised in Grand Island, Neb., and always called GI home as he traveled the world.

Larry joined the U.S. Navy during his senior year at Grand Island High School and proudly served his country for 30 years, traveling throughout the world during his distinguished military career. Retiring as a Command Master Chief, Larry’s assignments included service aboard the USS Brenner, USS Fox, USS Concord, USS Duluth, USS Halsey and USS Robinson. He also participated in a personnel exchange tour aboard the West German destroyer FGS Bayern. His shore assignments include duty in Guam, service with the swift boats in Vietnam, Great Lakes, Ill., Monterey, Calif., and Newport, R.I. He retired in 1990 as an instructor and Battalion Chief at Navy Education and Training Center.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Larry and Joanne retired to Berkeley Springs, W.Va., where he was active in the Masonic fraternity and enjoyed practicing martial arts.

Larry was married several times but his wife Joanne Payne won the prize for patience and they shared 28 years before she passed in 2011.

Although Larry never had any children of his own, he helped with Joanne’s four and four from a previous marriage and positively impacted countless young folks whom he mentored throughout his Navy career.

He later moved to Weatherford and Ft. Worth, Texas where he found many new friends, neighbors and plenty of poker players to keep him busy.

Larry is survived by his sister, Barbara McConnell; two half sisters; his niece Lori (Charlie) Shockley; his nephew Will McConnell; their children and grandchildren; special cousins and many dear friends who became family including Martha Iben, Kevin Bladow and his cherished fur baby Abbi.

Larry was immensely proud to earn the honor of burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Although a backlog at the cemetery resulted in a delay of over a year, he will be laid to rest with full honors on September 21, 2026 at 11 a.m.

We are honored to invite Larry’s family, friends, shipmates and loved ones from around the world to join us as we celebrate his life, service and legacy.

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