Harpers Ferry Goes Outdoors
The Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival and Tim Gavin Downriver Race will be held June 14 as the Harpers Ferry KOA.The annual event raises money for Friends of the Cheat River, Friends of the Blackwater River, Friends of the Shenandoah River, and the West Virginia Rivers Coalition. This year’s event features many opportunities for novice “river rats” to participate—including an open raft race. Teams of four will be matched with a trained, professional Shenandoah River raft guide from one of three local rafting companies. Ten guides have volunteered to lead crews. Each team will vie for the Harpers Ferry Cup and the bragging rights befitting champions.

The day’s activities also include the 10th annual Tim Gavin Down River Race at 1pm, lots of kid friendly activities, and live music between 2pm and 10pm. Plus there will be a silent auction, food and games, outdoor and craft vendors, and wildlife educators. Admission is $8, or free for anyone staying overnight at the KOA or participating in either race. For information and race registration, www.harpersferryoutdoorfestival.org or 304-676-6853.

Healthy Smiles Offers Free Dental Clinic
The United Way of the Eastern Panhandle is sponsoring the Mission of Mercy (MOM) free dental clinic, an initiative by the Healthy Smiles Partnership, June 27–28 from 6am to 6pm both days at Hedgesville High School. This is a FREE dental clinic open to people ages 18 years or older who are uninsured, underinsured, or can’t afford dental care. All services are provided by volunteers and the goal is to see 1,000 patients.

With only 42 practicing general dentists and a growing population of 165,000+, the Eastern Panhandle has less than half the dentists needed to adequately serve the public. The closest community health center that provides dental services on a sliding scale is 90 miles from Martinsburg. A 2003 survey by the West Virginia Bureau of Health found over 10,000 Medicaid-eligible children without a dentist. A like number of adults probably are also without dental care. For information, www.healthysmiles.org.

S’Town Parking Permits Due
The Town of Shepherdstown’s parking permits expire June 30. Permits can be renewed at the Shepherdstown Police Department. Parking handbooks can be picked up at the police department or printed from the town’s website, www.shepherdstown.us. Call 304-876-6036 with questions.

Early Childhood Music at Shepherd University
The Shepherd University Department of Music Preparatory Division will offer ir popular early childhood music classes Wednesdays during July. The cost for all five sessions—July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, is $60 per child. Classes will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on the corner of King and High streets in Shepherdstown. Class size is limited to 10 children.

Musical Discoveries for ages 18 months to 3 years (with parent/caregiver) is an interactive program for parents and children designed to introduce the very young to working with songs, echo songs, rhythm instruments, finger-play, and creative movement, which help children develop musical memory, sensitivity to beat and beat groups, singing skills, expressive movement, and musical preferences.

In Baby and Me, for ages 4–18 months (with parent/caregiver) children discover music and sound in an encouraging and caring environment. The instructor uses acoustic instruments—piano, guitar, recorder, flute—in the lesson. Children will learn to express the elements of music (rhythm, time, pitch and melody, dynamics, tempo) through movement in the music class for 4 and 5 year olds. Students will play rhythm instruments and xylophones and will be introduced to singing. In the class for 5 and 6 year olds children will be introduced to recorder playing and basic notation.

For information, Anne Munro at amunro@shepherd.edu or 304-876-5555. For registration forms visit www.shepherd.edu/musicweb/preparatory.html.

Free Classes at Harmony
Harmony Healing Arts Center will offer free classes in June, including “Yoga for the People,” June 5, and “Cultivating Life Force Energy,” June 7. Both classes are open to all levels of experience. The ongoing Free Healing Energywork Clinic runs twice a month. For event details see www.ssyoga.org, or call JiJi at 304-283-6188 or Judy at 304-876-6918. Harmony is at 207 East New St., Shepherdstown.

Local Audubon Goes To Ice Mountain
The Potomac Valley Audubon Society has scheduled a trip to the Ice Mountain Preserve in Hampshire County, W.Va., Saturday, June 7. The Ice Mountain Preserve is a 149-acre property that contains an unusual geologic site: a high rocky slope that traps winter ice and retains it year round, like a kind of natural refrigerator. The ice is mostly hidden from view deep within the rocks but cold air flows continually from a series of vents at the bottom of the slope.

Native Americans and early settlers historically used the vents for storing perishable food in the warm months. Now the vents are of interest because they create a unique ecosystem that supports Canadian, alpine, and arctic species of plants as well as native Appalachian species.

The mountain has high sandstone cliffs offering impressive views and rock chimneys that are home to large ravens. One may see eagles there. The preserve is owned by the Nature Conservancy, and it can only be accessed through organized trips of this kind. All trips through it are led by trained Nature Conservancy volunteers.
Anyone with an interest is welcome. Space is limited. Contact Carolyn Thomas, 304-267-3115 or webethomas@aol.com.