Rotary Hosts Independence Day Parade
The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown will celebrate the Fourth of July by reviving the tradition of Independence Day parade and community picnic. Billed by organizers as an Old Timey event, the parade will commence down German Street in Shepherdstown at 11 am, to be followed immediately afterward by a picnic at the Morgan’s Grove Park pavilion, noon to 3:30 pm.
Along with music by the Speakeasy Boys, the picnic will feature watermelon eating contest for all, horseshoes and volleyball for adults, and games for children. The parade and picnic will feature a special salute to veterans. The picnic is a BYO-Picnic affair; Betty’s Restaurant will also be there to offer up hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, beverages and other snacks for sale at the picnic.
For more information, contact incoming Rotary Club president David Miljour: 876-2230 or miljour@frontiernet.net.
Woods Owners Endow History Chair
It seems only fitting that the first endowed chair in Shepherd University history would be created in the school’s history department. The endowment was created through a $300,000 gift from Ray and Madeline Johnston, owners of the Woods Resort in Hedgesville, W.Va.
The Johnston’s donation brings added attention to a department that already has gained national attention in recent years for the establishment of a concentration in the Civil War.
“Both Madeline and I were born into large, poor but proud families during the Great Depression,” said Ray Johnston. “We received excellent public education, and the GI Bill of Rights helped finance my college education. We want to show our gratitude for what the public has done for us.”
The department also is in the planning stages of offering a graduate program in public history. “Pending final approval, the program will begin within the next two years,” said history department chair Anders Henriksson.
Music Lessons At Shepherd University
The Shepherd University Department of Music Preparatory Division is accepting applications for Summer 2007 music lessons for musicians of all ages. The Musical Discoveries Classes will meet on Wednesday mornings July 18 and 25 and August 1, 8 and 15. Classes are tailored for children ages 18 months to 3 years, and 4 months through 18 months. There are also classes for 4 to 6 year-olds and 6 to 7 year-olds. Parent participation is required for all classes except for music for 4-6 Year Olds and Music for 6-7 Year Olds. The fee for the Musical Discoveries classes is $60 (including registration) for the five week summer session. Musical Discoveries classes will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Shepherdstown.
Private lessons also are available for students interested in studying woodwinds, brass, percussion, piano, voice, guitar, and strings. Teachers set their own weekly lesson fees and teach half hour or hour lessons depending upon the student level. All music lessons are held at the Frank Arts Center. The registration fee for the summer preparatory division is $15 for private instruction.
For information: Anne Munro, 876-5555 or amunroe@shepherd.edu.  Pick up a registration form at the Shepherd University Frank Arts Center, Room M-14, or call to have one mailed.
Fundraiser Opens FOSL Book Sale
The Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) will open their annual book sale with a Wine and Cheese Party on Friday, June 29 from 6:30 to 8 pm. For the $10 admission price, patrons will have the first chance to look over and purchase books while they enjoy wine and cheese. All proceeds from the party and from the weekend book sale will support library programs.  The sale will feature a huge assortment of fiction and nonfiction books of all kinds at bargain prices for both adults and children.
On Saturday, June 30, the sale will run from 10 am. to 4 pm; on Sunday, July 1, from 10 am to 2:00 pm. No admission will be charged over the weekend.
Auditions for Murder Mystery
A new troupe producing a murder mystery dinner theater in Martinsburg is hosting open auditions June 27–28 at 7 pm at the Moose Lodge, 201 Woodbury Avenue in Martinsburg. The mystery-comedy has a cast of six men and six women with experience in physical comedy, and will be directed by Katherine Walsh Ryan. Actors are asked to bring a resume and a head shot to the audition. The performance opens September 29 at the Moose Lodge with dinner served by Ramon’s. For information: Katherine Ryan, 262-3697 or MooseMystery@comcast.net.
Free Yoga Class for Families at Harmony Healing Arts Center
Make a play date with your favorite child: Wednesday, July 18 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. A special free yoga class for children entering first through fifth grades, accompanied by a parent or adult friend. With playful spirits, you’ll stretch and strengthen your kids’ bodies (and yours, too) as you explore a variety of yoga postures, play yoga games, and work as partners.
The class will continue beyond the free introductory session for five weeks, through Aug. 22. Call Connie Wilson at 304.258.4042 to reserve your space.
Harmony Healing Arts is located at 207 East New Street, just around the corner from Princess Street in Shepherdstown.  For information on other free events and ongoing yoga classes at Harmony, please visit www.ssyoga.org.
Morgan Academy Students Win Writing Competition
Morgan Academy has announced that six of its students submitted winning entries in the 2007 Annual Writing Competition sponsored by West Virginia Writers, Inc.  Established in 1982, this contest, open to all students living or attending school in West Virginia, is the largest writing competition in the state.
Of the 148 entries in this year’s competition, Morgan Academy’s fifth grade student Emily Neely won 1st Place in the Middle School Division with her entry entitled “The Inside Life of a Future Stuntman”.  Eighth grader Robert Brown placed 2nd with “An Eye-Palling Story of Misadventure” and seventh grade students Will Wheatly and Varun Menon each received Honorable Mentions for their entries “My Grandfather’s War” and “Journey From the Heartland” respectively.  In the Elementary School Division, third grade student Evanthea Hammer placed 3rd with her submission “Sam Nin” and fourth grade student Elizabeth Buscher received an Honorable Mention for “West Virginia Wonder Dogs.”
These students received their awards on June 9 at the West Virginia Writers Annual Awards Banquet at Cedar Lakes in Ripley, W.Va.
Morgan Academy, located near Shepherdstown, WV, is an independent school educating students in grades 1-8.  For more information, call (304)262-0188.