Daily G-Eye™ : 05.31.11

Stargazing - 05.31.11

A partial eclipse will streak across the Arctic tomorrow as the new Moon partially covers the Sun.

It will be visible from Alaska, but not the Lower 48 states.

The Moon will return to view as a crescent low in the west on Thursday evening.

Partial Solar Eclipse

The midday Sun will look a little feeble across the northern half of Alaska tomorrow—it’ll be partially covered up by the Moon. The eclipse will be visible from China to Scandinavia, but not from the Lower 48 states.

Eclipses occur because the Moon’s orbit around Earth intersects the Sun’s path across the sky twice during each lunar cycle. If that intersection takes place at new Moon, as it does tomorrow, then the Moon partially or fully covers the Sun, creating a solar eclipse. And if it happens at full Moon, there’s a lunar eclipse.

This eclipse begins around 11:25 AM Alaska Daylight Time, when the Moon’s shadow first touches Earth in northern China. The shadow races across the Arctic, reaching Alaska around noon. From the town of North Pole, the eclipse reaches its peak in early afternoon, when the Moon will cover a third of the Sun’s disk.

The sky may look a little murky, and temperatures may drop a bit. Otherwise, though, there won’t be much of a difference.

The Sun is still too bright for you to look at the eclipse itself. But you can view it through dark welder’s glass. Or you can poke a pinhole in the top of a cardboard box and watch the eclipse in the beam of light cast on the bottom of the box.

The eclipse path continues across Canada and on to Scandinavia. The best views of all come from Norway, where the Moon will cover about half of the solar disk—making the late-afternoon Sun look especially feeble.

G-MM™: Meditation Moment - 05.31.11

‘For the Almighty has done great things to me.’

Unlike our prayers which are often mainly intercessory in character, Mary’s Magnificat, Zechariah’s Benedictus and the psalms focus on and celebrate what God has already done and is doing for people of faith, hope and love.

Is there a better way of practising devotion to Mary than by imitating the devotion of Mary?

As her cousin Elizabeth and many great saints would attest, she is our exemplar in prayer as in so many other aspects of the Christian life.

With Mary I can say with gratitude, as I make her subversive prayer my own, ‘God has done great things for me.

Holy is his name.’

The church prays the Magnificat daily at Vespers.

We could make it a regular part of our own prayer at the end of each day.

Zephaniah 3:14-18 / Romans 12:9-16. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel—Isaiah 12:2-6. Luke 1:39-56.

Len William Earl

Len William Earl
Age 88 of Calhoun Highway, Grantsville departed this life at 7:15 PM, Sunday May 29, 2011 at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born October 19, 1922 in Ritchie County a son of the late Harvey and Grace Grose Earl.

Len retired from Consolidated Gas (Dominion) with 36 years 6 months service.  He was an Army veteran of WW II.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Grantsville.

His passions in life were family, hunting, fishing, farming and picking out bluegrass tunes on his guitar with his grandsons.

On June 26, 1942 he was married to Genievie Ellyson Earl who survives at their Grantsville home.

Surviving Mr. Earl is one son, Phillip Earl and wife Sherri of Grantsville; one sister and two brothers, Letha Clevenger of Youngstown, OH, John Earl of Barricksville, WV and Frank Earl of Belmont, WV.  11 grandchildren survive:  Cathy Lewis, Lisa Ferguson, Chad, Cody and Casey Earl, Micheal Earl, Victoria Ray, Jeff, Scott and Matthew Fluharty and Amanda Stoddard.  There are also 18 great-grandchildren surviving.

Mr. Earl was preceded in death by three children:  Orval Earl, Betty Fluharty and Arnold Earl and brothers and sisters:  Rubin Earl, Eva Hodge, Loren Earl, Willard Earl, Harvey Earl Jr., and Arlene (Teckie) Reid.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 AM, Thursday, June 02, 2011 at the Ellyson Mortuary, Inc., Glenville with Rev. Ronzel Roberts officiating.

Burial will follow in the Meadow Lane Cemetery, Glenville.

Friends may call 5:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday June 01, 2011 at the Mortuary.

Ellyson Mortuary, Inc., Glenville is assisting the family of Len W. Earl with arrangements.

Roxie Ardell Hamric

Roxie Ardell Hamric
Age 83 of Sutton, died peacefully on May 29, 2011 at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, WV.

She was born in Gilmer County, WV on June 03, 1927 to the late William King and Dottie Nicholas King.

Roxie was a homemaker and during her life worked for IMC Wood Working Manufacturing Company.

She was a member of Little Birch Southern Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband Dorsal Dennis Hamric,brothers; Lawrence King, Coy King, Gray Cottrill,sisters; Rachel Helmic, Delma Curry, several infant siblings, and several other step-brothers, and sisters.

Roxie is survived by her sons; Dorsal Hamric of Little Birch, John Hamric of Normantown, WV and Dennis Hamric of Glenville, WV., daughter; Mescal Rose of Birch River, brothers; Haymond Cottrill of Stouts Mills, Freddie Cottrill of Hodgesville, sisters; Hazel Walton of Buckhannon, and 9 grandchildren 11 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 01, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Greene-Robertson Funeral Home in Sutton with Rev. Be-Be Marshall and Rev. Randall Griggs officiating.

Burial will follow in the Cottrill Family Cemetery Stouts Mills, WV.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 6:00 - 8:00 PM and one hour prior to the service at the funeral Home.

Greene-Robertson Funeral Home is humbled to serve the Hamric family.

Geneva Dell Curfman

Geneva Dell Curfman
Age 85, of Petroleum, WV, passed away May 29, 2011, at Camden Clark Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Campus.

She was born in Palestine, WV, daughter of the late John and Bessie Strahan Kenney.

She attended Wirt County Schools and at one time had been employed by Yonkers, Greiners Bakery, The Economy Inn and had retired from Hodge Apparel in Harrisville, WV.

She had attended Shiloh Church and currently was a member of Goose Creek Baptist Church.

She is survived by her children, Shelia Curfman and Gary of Waverly, WV, Mary Kinney and C.F. Hopkins of Mineral Wells, WV, Steven R. Curfman and Betty of Petroleum, WV, Lane Curfman and Laura of Parkersburg and Sherry Lones and Bill of Belpre; one sister, Doris Wolfe Brill of Vienna; 10 grandchildren; two step-grandsons; 15 great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Bartlett; one son, Shane Curfman; one grandchild; one great-grandchild; and one sister.

Funeral services will be 2:30 PM Wednesday at Leavitt Funeral Home in Parkersburg with the Rev. Connie Johnson officiating.

Burial will be in K of P Cemetery at Elizabeth, WV.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

05.31.11

Today - May 31, yyyy

Today is Tuesday, May 31, the 151st day of 2011. There are 214 days left in the year.

Thought for Today: “They that approve a private opinion, call it opinion; but they that dislike it, heresy; and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion.“ — Thomas Hobbes, English political philosopher (1588-1679).

Today’s Highlight in History:

On May 31, 1911, the hull of the British liner RMS Titanic was launched from its building berth at the Port of Belfast, less than a year before the ship’s fateful maiden voyage.

On this date:

In 1790, President George Washington signed into law the first U.S. copyright act.

In 1859, the Big Ben clock tower in London went into operation, chiming for the first time.

In 1889, more than 2,000 people perished when a dam break sent water rushing through Johnstown, Pa.

In 1910, the Union of South Africa was founded.

In 1941, “Tobacco Road,“ a play about an impoverished Southern family based on the novel by Erskine Caldwell, closed on Broadway after a run of 3,182 performances.

In 1961, South Africa became an independent republic as it withdrew from the British Commonwealth.

In 1970, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake in Peru claimed an estimated 20,000 lives, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s website.

In 1977, the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, three years in the making, was completed.

In 1985, at least 88 people were killed, more than 1,000 injured, as over 40 tornadoes swept through parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Ontario, Canada, during an eight-hour period.

In 1994, the United States announced it was no longer aiming long-range nuclear missiles at targets in the former Soviet Union.

Ten years ago:
•  Veteran FBI agent Robert Hanssen pleaded not guilty to charges of spying for Moscow. (He later changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.)
•  PLO leader Faisal Husseini died at age 60.
•  Actress and TV personality Arlene Francis died in San Francisco at age 93.

Five years ago:
•  The U.S. said it would join in face-to-face talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear program if Tehran first agreed to put challenged atomic activities on hold; Iran dismissed the offer as “a propaganda move.“
•  NBC’s “Today” show threw a going-away party for 15-year host Katie Couric, who left to become anchor of “The CBS Evening News.“

One year ago:
•  Israeli commandos stormed six ships carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid mission to the blockaded Gaza Strip; eight Turkish activists and one Turkish-American were killed aboard one vessel, with each side accusing the other of starting the violence.
•  Al-Qaida announced that its No. 3 official, Mustafa al-Yazid, had been killed along with members of his family. (A U.S. official said al-Yazid was believed to have died in a U.S. missile strike.)
•  Artist Louise Bourgeois, 98, died in New York.
•  Chris Haney, 59, co-creator of the popular Trivial Pursuit board game, died in Toronto.

Today’s Birthdays:
Actress Elaine Stewart is 82
Actor-director Clint Eastwood is 81
Singer Peter Yarrow is 73
Former Anglican Church envoy Terry Waite is 72
Singer-musician Augie Meyers is 71
Actress Sharon Gless is 68
Football Hall-of-Famer Joe Namath is 68
Actor Tom Berenger is 61
Actor Gregory Harrison is 61
Actor Kyle Secor is 54
Actress Roma Maffia (ma-FEE’-uh) is 53
Comedian Chris Elliott is 51
Actress Lea Thompson is 50
Singer Corey Hart is 49
Actor Hugh Dillon is 48
Rapper DMC is 47
Actress Brooke Shields is 46
Country musician Ed Adkins (The Derailers) is 44
Jazz musician Christian McBride is 39
Actress Archie Panjabi is 39
Actor Colin Farrell is 35
Rock musician Scott Klopfenstein (Reel Big Fish) is 34
Actor Eric Christian Olsen is 34
Rock musician Andy Hurley (Fall Out Boy) is 31
Actor Jonathan Tucker is 29
Rapper Waka Flocka Flame is 25
Actor Curtis Williams Jr. is 24

WV Lottery - 05.30.11

1-6-1

7-8-4-1

04-05-07-12-23-25

Memorial Day 2011

Marshall University: Pharmacy School Plan Moving Forward

Marshall University officials are defending their plans to create a new pharmacy school now that some members of the Higher Education Policy Commission have questioned its necessity.

Earlier this month, a couple of Commission members criticized the plan after receiving a report that raised issues about whether Marshall has the money or resources to operate such a pharmacy school.

Marshall Spokesperson Matt Turner says they’ve done their own studies and determined the school, the third pharmacy school in West Virginia, is a good idea for many reasons.

“Overwhelmingly, I think it’s a very positive response to Marshall’s planning for the pharmacy school and clearly indicates that a school of pharmacy is needed, and Marshall is prepared to establish it,“ Turner recently told MetroNews.

During a meeting last week, HEPC Vice Chairman Dr. Bruce Berry was among those who questioned Marshall’s plan.  He says the University of Charleston could not fill its pharmacy class last year and West Virginia University had trouble placing all of its pharmacy graduates.

At the same time, he says another pharmacy school will soon open near Huntington in Pikeville, Kentucky.

Turner says the concerns are unfounded.  He says there’s plenty of evidence to suggest the school will work at Marshall.  “Our consultants, as well as those at HEPC, have taken that into account and I think it’s clear that the school of pharmacy at Marshall is not only needed, but feasible,“ Turner said.

The MU Board of Governors has already approved the school and members of the HEPC have no authority to dismiss the plan.

However, HEPC officials have said they do not intend to include funding for the pharmacy school in their state budget proposal for next legislative session.  Marshall will have to take on any financial costs.

Turner says despite the criticism, Marshall plans to have the school completed by Fall 2012.

“We’re moving forward pretty quickly,“ he said.

GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES - 05.30.11

State Farm Foundation: Grants
State Farm is committed to meeting the needs of our communities by focusing our giving in three areas: Safe Neighbors (safety), Strong Neighborhoods (community development), and Education Excellence (education).
Maximum award: varies.
Eligibility: nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Canadian charitable organizations, educational institutions, and governmental entities.
Deadline: October 31, 2011.

NCTM: PreK-6 Classroom Research Grants
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics PreK-6 Classroom Research Grants support and encourage classroom-based research in precollege mathematics education in collaboration with college or university mathematics educators.
The research must be a significant collaborative effort involving a college or university mathematics educator (a mathematics education researcher or a teacher of mathematics learning, teaching, or curriculum) and one or more grades PreK-6 classroom teachers.
The proposal may include, but is not restricted to, research on curriculum development and implementation, involvement of at-risk or minority students, students’ thinking about a particular mathematics concept or set of concepts, connection of mathematics to other disciplines, focused learning and teaching of mathematics with embedded use of technology (any acquisition of equipment must support the proposed plan but not be the primary focus of the grant), and innovative assessment or evaluation strategies.
Maximum award: $6,000.
Eligibility: classroom teachers currently teaching mathematics at the grades PreK-6 level who are current (as of October 14, 2011) NCTM members or who teach in a school that (as of October 14, 2011) has a NCTM PreK-8 school membership.
Deadline: November 11, 2011.

NSTA: Wendell G. Mohling Outstanding Aerospace Educator Award
The Wendell G. Mohling Outstanding Aerospace Educator Award recognizes excellence in the field of aerospace education.
The recipient of the award will be honored during the Awards Banquet and the Aerospace Educators Luncheon at the annual NSTA Conference.
Maximum award: $3,000, and $2,000 in expenses to attend NSTA’s National Conference March 29 - April 01, 2012 in Indianapolis.
Eligibility: K-12 teachers of science in formal education settings (e.g., elementary, middle, high school); Individuals must be nominated for this award and have a minimum of three years teaching experience.
Self-nominations will be accepted.
Deadline: November 30, 2011.

WVDOH Monitors Drilling-Related Road Damage

The West Virginia Division of Highways is monitoring road damage resulting from gas drilling operations to ensure companies make repairs.

As natural gas companies rush to tap the vast Marcellus shale reserves underlying much of West Virginia, they’re increasing traffic on state and county roads.

The operations require huge, heavy vehicles carrying water, sand and equipment.

District 6 engineer and acting manager Dan Sikora told The Intelligencer that roads in the Northern Panhandle weren’t designed for such heavy traffic, and some smaller back roads “are just gone.“

Often when a drilling job was completed, “there wouldn’t be anything left,“ he said. “It’s bad. It just got ahead of us. Nobody saw this coming.“

The DOH doesn’t have the manpower or the money to fix the damage, but Sikora said oil and gas companies are bonded and are cooperating with the agency.

“They are committed, and they are out there working with us. Roads are being repaired according to the amount of damage,“ he said.

Work is currently being done on WV 88 in Brooke and Ohio counties.

State and federal roads such as U.S. 250, however, aren’t covered by bonding requirements.

Sikora noted that coal and logging trucks are also damaging area roads.

The DOH has begun shooting video of roads in the district to document their condition before a major construction project and to help determine who’s responsible for the damage it creates.

“We know there are problems,“ Sikora said. “There are hundreds, if not thousands, of trucks traveling these roads. The roads are constantly being pounded.“

Glenville: City-Wide Yard Sale 06.02.11 - 06.04.11 This Week

GCHS Class of 2001 Reunion

Congressman Nick Rahall:  Memorial Day

For many Americans, Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer – the opening of the pool, the first barbecue of the season, a three-day weekend for picnics, parades, golf tournaments, stock car races, and outdoor pleasures and chores.

At the same time, many in the Mountain State and across our Nation will spend this weekend in more somber poses – remembering those who have given their lives in behalf of our country and in the name of protecting our freedom and democracy.

This Memorial Day, West Virginians will proudly fly their flags and solemnly visit cemeteries, war monuments and battlefields, laying wreaths in memory of family and friends lost in past and present wars.

West Virginia has seen more residents, per capita, enlist in the armed forces than any other state.  Since its birth in the throes of conflict during the Civil War, West Virginia has seen her native sons and daughters sent all over the world in defense of the liberty and justice we too often take for granted.

We honor their patriotism and final sacrifices by supporting our troops serving around the world, as well as those who have returned home.  In Congress, I have always strived to ensure that our veterans know the heartfelt appreciation we hold for them and their service.  As a nation, we rightly thank our veterans by helping to ensure access to affordable health care, educational and job opportunities, and other benefits and services which I proudly support.

We strive to articulate what their service means to our country, and the great American statesmen have left us memorable words to read and reread on Memorial Day.

Daniel Webster once said of our soldiers that “Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.”

“We should thank God that such men lived,” George S. Patton once succinctly noted.

In the Chapel at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is written:  “These endured all and gave all that justice among nations might prevail and that mankind might enjoy freedom and inherit peace.”

Abraham Lincoln probably memorialized best the final sacrifice of every American soldier when he consecrated the battlefield at Gettysburg:

“The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say, but it can never forget what they did. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated to the unfinished work that they have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Memorial Day, like West Virginia, has its roots in the Civil War.  It began as Decoration Day in order to honor Union and Confederate soldiers, and later evolved in the 20th Century into a national day of remembrance of all soldiers who fought and died in service of their country.

We honor our brave men and women in uniform by giving thanks to our veterans and their families, and remembering our world is safer and the ideals of democracy and freedom endure thanks to their service.

If you have any questions please contact my office, at 202.225.3452 or feel free to visit to my website at www.rahall.house.gov and email me.

With warm regards, I am

Sincerely,
                                       

WV Governor: Honoring Our Military this Memorial Day

Each of us has a story. This Memorial Day explore the stories that have made you and your family who you are today.

Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, was first enacted as a tribute to Union soldiers of the Civil War and has since expanded to honor Americans who have died in all wars. As the state with the largest percentage of its residents per capita in the military, West Virginia men and women have many stories to share this Memorial Day. I encourage the younger generation to seek out their elders’ stories. Perhaps these can be told first hand, through journals of loved one’s passed, or family photo albums. When we know our past, we can focus on our future. Our country’s past is filled with individual stories of bravery and sacrifice. Those tales reside in the minds and hearts of West Virginians. In today’s world, such stories we thought were long past continue to be experienced by another generation.

With unknown domestic and foreign threats facing America today, our military has become increasingly important in securing our freedom and our way of life. Whether active, reserve or National Guard, our military members have given of themselves and their families for the greater good of our state and our country. Earlier this month the First Lady launched “Serve West Virginia Military Families: Serving Those Who Serve Us”. This initiative compliments a national movement led by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The goal of both projects is to show our appreciation to our military members and their families through various volunteer activities each and every day of our lives. By taking the time to assist a military family, we expand our understanding of the sacrifices that have been made for us. It is my hope that as Memorial Day weekend progresses, all West Virginians reflect on the blessings we have been given thanks to the men and women in uniform and their families.

Across West Virginia friends and families will gather to celebrate the national holiday this weekend. I encourage each of you to reach beyond the traditional gathering of food, fellowship and summertime fun. It is my hope that all West Virginians use this opportunity to learn more about one another, your familial and individual pasts that have made this country what it is. There will be some stories that may bring tears; and there will be others that will leave you breathless; while other stories will be told with laughter and good humor. Whatever the case, know that by the simple act of asking friends and family to share their stories you are telling them how much you care and that their life experience has meaning. It is my hope that once you hear these fascinating stories you will share them with others so they too will come to know and understand why honoring our military is not just another holiday.

This Memorial Day explore the past; strive to understand our present way of life so we may live a better future. I am truly grateful for the men and women who bear arms to defend our country. I hope you will join me in showing your support, in whatever way you choose, this Memorial Day. 

Nascar: Coca-Cola 600 - Charlotte - Race 12 of 36 - 2011

Winner:
Kevin Harvick - Chevrolet - Budweiser Armed Forces Tribute

Kevin Harvick was third on Lap 402, but took advantage of Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s last-lap heartbreak to claim victory in the Coca-Cola 600.

Top 10:
01 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Budweiser Armed Forces Tribute
02 06 David Ragan Ford UPS “We Love Logistics”
03 20 Joey Logano Toyota The Home Depot
04 22 Kurt Busch Dodge Shell / Pennzoil
05 43 A.J. Allmendinger Ford U.S. Air Force
06 09 Marcos Ambrose Ford Dewalt
07 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet National Guard / Amp Energy
08 78 Regan Smith Chevrolet Furniture Row Companies
09 00 David Reutimann Toyota Aaron’s Dream Machine / Armed Forces Foundation
10 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Express

Bon Appétit: Pasta with Spring Vegetables

Ingredients:
1 lb. pasta
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 lb. slender asparagus, cut into 1-inch lengths
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch strips
1 small zucchini, cut into 1-inch strips
1 small Japanese eggplant, cut into 1-inch strips
1 C. Chardonnay
1 C. fresh basil leaves, chopped
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 C. grated fresh Parmesan cheese, plus additional cheese for garnish

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Drain in a colander.

Transfer to a large bowl or deep platter.

While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter melts.

Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.

Add the asparagus, bell pepper, zucchini and eggplant and sauté until almost tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the wine, 1/2 cup of the basil, tomato paste and thyme; stir to mix well.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer until vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

Pour over the pasta; add the Parmesan, remaining basil, remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper.

Toss to coat evenly.

Serve with additional Parmesan.

Daily G-Eye™ : 05.30.11

Stargazing - 05.30.11

The brilliant planet Venus stands just to the right of the crescent Moon as dawn twilight paints the sky tomorrow.

They are quite low in the sky, but with a clear horizon you should be able to pick them out.

Mars is to the upper right of Venus, and binoculars will help you find it.

The Art of Science

On a clear Florida day in 1964, engineers were preparing for a new adventure in space: Project Gemini—a craft that would carry two astronauts into space instead of one. Artist James Wyeth recorded the scene: the blockhouse mounding up like a concrete blister, the fire-engine-red gantry looming behind it against a hazy blue sky. And in the foreground, looking as though a child had abandoned it during an afternoon baseball game, a bicycle leans against the blockhouse—a bit of low-tech serving the high-tech space program.

Wyeth’s watercolor, “Gemini Launch Pad,“ is one of more than 70 works on display in an exhibit that’s opening at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

The exhibit is titled NASA-Art: 50 Years of Exploration. All of its works were commissioned by NASA as part of its art program, which began in 1962.

The space agency was already recording its work in photographs, movies, and videos. But the agency also wanted to capture the space program in ways that film and videotape cannot. So it began commissioning artists to draw, paint, and sculpt their own impressions of the program.

Over the decades, the list of artists has included Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, and Annie Leibovitz. They’ve recorded launches and landings, the minutiae of the space business, and alien landscapes.

The art program continues today—capturing the beauty, power, and mystery of space exploration in ways that no camera ever will.

G-MM™: Meditation Moment - 05.30.11

As we journey towards Pentecost, we hear the stories of the early Christian church with a sense of familiarity.

They are earthy stories of conversion that ring true today.

Lydia, ‘in the purple-dye trade’, therefore a working woman, ‘listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying’.

These stories resonate with the stories of conversion of heart of those initiated during the Easter Vigil.

Are there any neophytes in your community?

Seek them out in this Easter season, and listen to their faith journey.

Listen with the ear of your heart and allow the Lord to open your heart, as Lydia’s was.

We are all on a continuing path of conversion of heart to Jesus and we have much to learn from the newly initiated.

We are God’s children, and the Lord delights in us.

Acts 16:11-15. The Lord takes delight in his people—Ps 149:1-6, 9. John 15:26 – 16:4.

Kimberly Huffman

Kimberly Huffman
Age 46, of Exhange, West Virginia passed way, Friday, May 27, 2011.

A beloved wife, mother, daughter and sister, Kimberly Dawn Huffman was carried by an angel to meet with her Lord on Friday morning at 1:10 AM in CAMC General Hospital on May 27, 2011.

She was surrounded by her devoted husband and loving children, parents, sister, brothers and other family members.

Kim was born on August 10, 1964, a daughter of Donnie and Peggy Nicholson and was the oldest of five children.

Kim fell in love with and married Terry Huffman and they raised three lovely children, who were very devoted to her and her needs.

Kim always placed the needs of others above her own. She was the organizer of all family events with help from her sister Tonya and when it came to planning a camping trip, she was one of the best. Her beautiful smile and friendly personality made all who knew her love her.

Kim was a member of the Copen Independent Baptist Church, under the direction of Delmas and Diann Singleton.

She loved her Christian family and they all loved her.

Kim was teller supervisor at the United Bank at Weston. She loved her work and enjoyed all those she worked with. Her spirit of motivation made all those around her want to be a part of what was going on.

Kim was preceded in death by one brother, Timothy Shawn Nicholson.

She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Terry Huffman and 2 sons, Bradley Eugene and companion, Audrey Garnett; Dustin Huffman and soon to be daughter-in-law, Andrea Adkins and a gorgeous daughter, Chelsie Lea. She is also survived by her parents, Donnie and Peggy Nicholson, one sister Tonya Shaver and husband Willie and 3 brothers, Jody Nicholson and wife Rachel, Eric Nicholson and wife, Leah and several nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Kim well knew, “The Lord was her Shepherd and that she was one of His sheep.”

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 12:00 Noon at Copen Independent Baptist Church, Copen, WV with Rev. Delmas Singleton and Rev. Ronzel Roberts officiating.

Burial will be at Little Kanawha Memorial Gardens, Heaters, WV.

Visitation was on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Stockert-Sizemore Funeral Home from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Stockert-Sizemore Funeral Home, Flatwoods is in charge of arrangements.

William E. “Gene” Tinney

William E. “Gene” Tinney
Age 80, of Mentor, OH died May 18, 2011 at Hospice of the Western Reserve surrounded by his family.

He was born at October 28, 1930 at Sutton, West Virginia.

Gene was a U.S. Army Veteran, Member of the NRA and an avid hunter. He retired in 1987 from General Motors after 30 years of service.

Surviving are his daughters: Stephanie Garland of Mentor, OH, Kimberly Tinney of Oregon, and Alishia Tinney of Cleveland, OH; grandchildren: Gary D. Jr. and Joshua E. Garland; Siblings: Roselie Knight, Margaret (David) McKeon and Sue (David) Stewart; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death was his beloved wife of 42 years: Phyllis J. (Facemire) Tinney, Parents: Rozzie and Edna Tinney, and Siblings: Junior Tinney, Mary Workman, Virginia Danbach, Ruth Greene, Robert Tinney and Judith Lynn Tinney.

Visitation was 2:00 – 5:00 PM Sunday, May 22, 2011 at Monreal Funeral Home of Eastlake, 35400 Curtis Blvd, Eastlake.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 East 185th Street, Cleveland.

An internment and a memorial service will be held in West Virginia at a later date.

Charles Richard “Rick” Hart

Charles Richard “Rick” Hart
Went home to the Lord on May 07, 2011.

Born in Braxton County, West Virginia, on March 03, 1952, Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Charles B. Hart and Betty Ayers.

He leaves his wife, Wanda; son, Scott Hart of Anville, Kentucky; daughter and son, Michelle and Jamie Hart, of Ohio; step-grandson, McKinley Harrison; sister, Janet Benton of Cleveland, Tennessee; sister Karen (Jack) Linger of Rosedale, West Virginia; and brother, Bill (Carolyn) Hart of Ravenna, Ohio, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. He was a member of the Twin Branch Methodist Church in London, Kentucky.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at the Hall-Hart Cemetery in Clem, West Virginia.

Pastor Rick Hart presiding.

Nova “Judy” D. Hyer

Nova “Judy” D. Hyer
Judy was a homemaker and had also worked in hospitals during WWII as a nurse.

She was a great farmer and in fact, made a living off her bountiful farming. She was an avid hunter and fisher, and enjoyed gardening, and also raising birds and other fowl.

She married Wilford William Hyer on January 04, 1946 at Flatwoods, WV, byRev. S. McQuain.

Surviving are two sisters, Mary E. Samples of Litchfield, OH, and Johnna Heater of Walker, WV; one brother, Neil Stalnaker of Normantown, WV; Dr. and Mrs. David Stastney of Belpre, OH; special friends, Irene Collums of Mesa, Arizona, and Allen and Vickie Tanner of Walker, WV. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, infant son Steven Lynn Hyer, herparents, and her two brothers, James and Argil Stalnaker; and severalaunts and uncles.

Funeral services were conducted at 12-Noon on Saturday May 21, 2011, at the Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 400 Green St., Parkersburg, with Rev. Jim Eakle officiating.

Interment followed at 3PM at the Morrison Ridge Cemetery, Braxton County, WV.

The family received friends from 10:00 AM until time of services on Saturday at the funeral home.