In 1987, a few folks in Boone County got together to see if they could raise some money to help one of their local students attend West Virginia University. The story goes that 10 people put in $100 each and they gave away one $1,000 scholarship. The money also helped buy a trumpet so the student could join the WVU marching band.

That was the origin of what has become one of the WVU Alumni Association’s most unique and successful fundraisers — the annual Boone County Alumni and Friends Pig Roast and Mountaineer Music Frolic. The WVU Alumni Association describes the pig roast as one of its longest running signature chapter events.

The 37th event was held two Saturdays ago at the Water Ways Outdoor Amphitheater in Julian. The big crowd included alumni and friends of the university, past scholarship recipients and folks who just wanted to take in the festivities. They raised somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000.

Consider these numbers from the Boone County Alumni and Friends chapter:

Since the first event, the organization has raised more than $1 million, mostly from the annual pig roast, and that money has funded about 500 student scholarships. The association is funding more than $40,000 in scholarships for 25 students for the coming school year. That makes the Boone County alumni group the top provider of scholarships among all WVU Alumni chapters.

In a story about the Boone County Alumni and Friends chapter by WVU Today, past president Denise Workman said, “You want kids with potential to have the opportunity to get that education and, if they choose to come home, that’s great, or if they choose something else — they’ve seen a new horizon. We are seeing the difference it’s making for so many students.”

With the many challenges in today’s world, I often hear people wonder how they can make a difference. Some of the problems are just so overwhelming. In addition, we are bombarded with national news coverage that often focuses on conflict and issues that seem intractable.

It is easy to get discouraged and lose sight of what’s possible. That is why what Boone County Alumni and Friends association does is so important. Writer and teacher Margaret J. Wheatley said, “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”

Nearly four decades ago, Boone County decided it was important to help local students who wanted to attend West Virginia University. Their pig roast last weekend was not only a fundraiser for those scholarships, but it was also illustrative of what a community can accomplish when it pulls together.

Hoppy Kercheval is a MetroNews anchor and the longtime host of “Talkline.” Contact him at hoppy.kercheval@wvradio.com.

HINTON, W.Va. (WVVA) – The city of Hinton’s annual West Virginia State Water Festival returned Saturday for the 59th year.

Beginning the festival activities early Saturday morning, residents brought their dogs to participate in a dog parade. Traveling downtown in a little sprinkle of rain, they didn’t let that deter them as the small parade marched to 3rd Park Avenue, where a dog contest awaited participants. Several categories were open for owners to sign up their dogs, including best costume and best in the show.

Participants also had fun days with their animals despite the weather. Others in the city, however, decided that if they were going to get wet, they should do it while at the city pool. The Wild Water Express pool allowed free admission from 10 to 11 a.m. for kids and one parent to come in and swim at the pool for the day. However, Danaylee Long, the 2023 winner and Queen of the Water Festival Coronation, says she wanted to use her title to help her community.

“I just want to kind of get some information to give to the community and their parents.” Long said. “I want them to know about the different resources available for their kids.”

Long organized this event for the community to help bring awareness to the resources the area provides. Using her status as “Queen Mermaid,”  she asked organizations such as Hinton’s Elks Lodge to come out to the event. Bob Bennett, president of the Elks Lodge 821, says activities like the one Long put together are the key to keeping kids active and healthy.

“We do these activities so that kids are engaged in healthy and fun activities so that the child can grow up and have a good life.” Said Beenett.

The mayor of the city, Jack Scott, adds that this festival doesn’t just impact the community. Adding to that, it demonstrates their willingness to not only hang on to tradition but to show people what the city has to offer in terms of entertainment and opportunities.

“It’s been a big part of our community and a big part of our tradition,” Bennett said. “It also helps create the necessary exposure to let people know what a great quality of life we have here.”

To see a full list of activities, you can click here to view them.

Copyright 2024 WVVA. All rights reserved.

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — This fish is so rare it was thought to be extinct. That was, until 1980, when it was discovered in West Virginia.

If you’ve been fishing for a while, you’re probably familiar with bass, bluegill, walleye and several other species of fish, but chances are you’ve never encountered the tiny diamond darter, which is now found only in the Mountain State.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity website the diamond darter was once found in five states: Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and West Virginia, but damming and water pollution have since limited its range. The species can now only be found in the Elk River in southern West Virginia, and fewer than 125 have been seen in the past 30 years.

They can live between two and seven years and feed on insects by burying themselves in sand and then darting out to ambush their pray. Water pollution caused by coal mining, oil and gas development, erosion, timber harvesting and poor wastewater treatment is a threat to the fish because they—and the insects they feed on—require clean water to lay their eggs. Small population size and population isolation are also issues.

The diamond darter was declared an endangered species in 2013 and was also named one of the 12 most imperiled fish by the Southeastern Fishes Council.