The West Virginia Snakes Club and its Historic Location Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 24, 2020 First of all, where in the world did the name “West Virginia Snakes Club” come from? And is “Snake” singular or plural? Although most people today refer to it as the Snake Club, the sign on the building at 923 ...
WEEAsked: Owens Brown, President of the West Virginia NAACP Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 17, 2020 George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor. These three are the latest to be sacrificed for the inequities of our society. Their senseless deaths reflect our failures —failure to learn, failure to change, fail...
WEELUNK BOOK REVIEW: The Clarinet Polka Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 13, 2020 Author - Keith Maillard Author Keith Maillard was born right here in Wheeling in 1942, where he lived until eventually moving to Canada in opposition to the Vietnam War. He has utilized his vast knowledge o...
We Wish You a ’70s Christmas Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 6, 2020 Editor’s note: This week, Weelunk will pause our normally scheduled programming to highlight stories that feature Black narratives. We have chosen to take this time to amplify those voices that are so often sil...
Learning to Do Better — Lessons on Race Relations From Ron Scott Jr. Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 4, 2020 Editor’s note: This week, Weelunk will pause our normally scheduled programming to highlight stories that feature Black narratives. We have chosen to take this time to amplify those voices that are so often sil...
Wheeling Steel’s Roots Still Run Deep in the Ohio Valley Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 1, 2020 Wheeling Steel opened in 1921 & during its time in Wheeling, WV its name changed several times leaving a history that runs deep throughout the OH valley.
WEELUNK BOOK REVIEW: Rocket Boys Ellen Brafford McCroskey May 30, 2020 Sixty-odd years ago, no one expected kids from Coalwood, West Virginia, to be whip-smart. Coalwood produced football stars and coal miners, not rocket scientists. “Rocket Boys” is the story of how the book’s au...
AS I SEE IT: Things to Remember — COVID-19 Edition Ellen Brafford McCroskey May 16, 2020 Back in 1970-71 in Miss Sharon Miller’s third-grade classroom at Valley Grove School, we budding writers were asked to hone our skills by completing a weekly journal of sorts that Miss Miller dubbed “Things to ...
Boutiques Pivot to Remain Viable During Pandemic Ellen Brafford McCroskey May 8, 2020 Brick-and-mortar storefronts deemed “non-essential” have been impacted dramatically by the COVID-19 pandemic. The unexpected closure of many local boutique shops has their owners scrambling to reinvent small-sc...
WVNCC is 3D-Printing N95 Masks in School’s Makerspace Ellen Brafford McCroskey April 20, 2020 Before the current COVID-19 pandemic, students used the West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) Makerspace as a collaborative workspace where they gathered together to learn and create while sharing ...
SAFEGUARDING WHEELING’S RICHES: Vaults Around Town Ellen Brafford McCroskey April 7, 2020 At Weelunk, we’re all about keeping you connected to your community. Because that looks a little different right now, we’re bringing you ways to engage while staying safe and healthy. We hope Weelunk can contin...
Being Good Samaritans — A Primer for Wheeling Citizens Ellen Brafford McCroskey February 26, 2020 You’re headed home from work on a brisk winter evening. The light turns red, and you hit the brake, mentally planning where you’ll stop to grab take-out for dinner. While you’re debating between pizza or Chines...
AS I SEE IT: Empty Shelters, Full Hearts Ellen Brafford McCroskey February 15, 2020 Ohio, Brooke and Marshall County Animal Shelters recently shocked the community by announcing that they were “out of dogs.” Wait — what??! If you’re in the market for a puppy, this is terrible news. However, if...
AS I SEE IT: Along Party Lines Ellen Brafford McCroskey February 1, 2020 There were two types of girls in the ’70s — those who had their very own telephones in their bedrooms, and those who did not. Some incredibly fortunate girls even had a private “children’s line” with a separate...
Wheeling Around: The Rise and Fall of the Historic Island Roller Rink Ellen Brafford McCroskey January 22, 2020 Writer’s Note: In recent years, the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack used the former Wheeling Roller Rink as a storage facility. On Dec. 31, the building and its contents were lost to a devastating accide...
HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN WHEELING (Part 2): A Survivor’s Story Ellen Brafford McCroskey January 15, 2020 Writer’s note: A few months back, I participated in Reality at a Glance (RAAG), a program sponsored by the YWCA. A walking tour designed to educate the public about what crime looks like in real-time, RAAG open...
HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN WHEELING (Part 1): Hidden in Plain Sight Ellen Brafford McCroskey January 13, 2020 Writer’s note: A few months back, I participated in Reality at a Glance (RAAG), a program sponsored by the YWCA. A walking tour designed to educate the public about what crime looks like in real-time, RAAG open...
EXTREME ELEVATORS: Wheeling Has Its Ups and Downs (Part 2) Ellen Brafford McCroskey January 7, 2020 Editor's note: Gone are the days when elevator operators called out "Going up," but some interesting elevators still exist in Wheeling with fascinating features. In Part 1, we learned a little history and read ...
EXTREME ELEVATORS: Wheeling Has Its Ups and Downs (Part 1) Ellen Brafford McCroskey January 6, 2020 Editor's note: Gone are the days when elevator operators called out "Going up," but some interesting elevators exist in Wheeling with fascinating features and histories. Today's Part 1 of "Extreme Elevators" ta...
Sweet Jamie: The Woman Behind the Wine Ellen Brafford McCroskey November 15, 2019 "A mother's love endures through all." — Washington Irving The drive out Stone Church Road to Dallas, West Virginia, is a picturesque one, particularly in autumn. Drivers are surrounded by gorgeous views...
TALES OF INDELIBLE INK: Crofts Are ‘Knot’ Your Average Family Ellen Brafford McCroskey November 5, 2019 Writer’s note: Tattooing has been done for centuries for a variety of reasons. Some cultures tattooed for religious reasons; others for branding, healing or punishment. In other cultures, tattoos signified soci...
Hope and Healing: Serenity Hills Life Center Offers New Recovery Option Ellen Brafford McCroskey October 30, 2019 “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.” — Anne Lamott All Sharon Travis was...
PROFILES IN PERSEVERANCE: Meet Susan Richard Ellen Brafford McCroskey October 16, 2019 Editor's note: In this series, Weelunk readers will meet their neighbors who are successfully navigating the road of recovery. Like any road trip, recovery has stretches of smooth highway as well as the occasio...
AS I SEE IT: Cat Tales and Tupperware Ellen Brafford McCroskey October 12, 2019 I pull the ancient yellow Tupperware container from the drawer. The sight of my mom’s writing that spells out “CATNIP” on the lid makes me smile. That old container is one of my favorite things remaining from ...
TALES OF INDELIBLE INK: Famiglia Per Sempre Ellen Brafford McCroskey October 7, 2019 Writer’s note: Tattooing has been done for centuries for a variety of reasons. Some cultures tattooed for religious reasons; others for branding, healing or punishment. In other cultures, tattoos signified soci...
PROFILES IN PERSEVERANCE: Meet Susan Hagan Ellen Brafford McCroskey October 2, 2019 Editor's note: In this series, Weelunk readers will meet their neighbors who are successfully navigating the road of recovery. Like any road trip, recovery has stretches of smooth highway as well as the occasio...
Environment, Justice & Peace: WEJP Radio Offers Progressive Alternative Programming Ellen Brafford McCroskey September 21, 2019 In order to be fully informed on current issues affecting the environment, peace and justice, John M. Morgan believes that local citizens need exposure to a wide variety of information on these subjects. Mor...
River Valley Health Foundation Helps Citizens Access Better Health Care Ellen Brafford McCroskey September 17, 2019 If you have ever found yourself alone and facing a critical health diagnosis, you know firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate the maze of treatments, procedures and appointments. Such challenges are what...
AS I SEE IT: Reading — Soul Food for the Heart and Mind Ellen Brafford McCroskey September 14, 2019 “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected ...
PROFILES IN PERSEVERANCE: Meet Mary Hess Ellen Brafford McCroskey August 20, 2019 Editor's note: In this series, Weelunk readers will meet their neighbors who are successfully navigating the road of recovery. Like any road trip, recovery has stretches of smooth highway as well as the occasio...
TALES OF INDELIBLE INK: On Dragonfly Wings Ellen Brafford McCroskey August 9, 2019 Writer’s note: Tattooing has been done for centuries for a variety of reasons. Some cultures tattooed for religious reasons; others for branding, healing or punishment. In other cultures, tattoos signified soci...
PROFILES IN PERSEVERANCE: Meet ‘Nancy Jane’ — Sober for Over Half a Century Ellen Brafford McCroskey August 6, 2019 Editor’s note: In this series, Weelunk readers will meet their neighbors who are successfully navigating the road of recovery. Like any road trip, recovery has stretches of smooth highway as well as the occasi...
TALES OF INDELIBLE INK: The Roots of Love Ellen Brafford McCroskey August 4, 2019 Writer’s note: Tattooing has been done for centuries for a variety of reasons. Some cultures tattooed for religious reasons; others for branding, healing or punishment. In other cultures, tattoos signified soci...
AS I SEE IT: Mourning the Loss of My JITH Traditions Ellen Brafford McCroskey July 21, 2019 Editor’s note: Here in the Ohio Valley, the third weekend in July has meant an annual pilgrimage to Jamboree In The Hills for a lot of local country music fans. But for the first time in over 40 years, Jamboree...
Those Were the Days: Veteran Broadcaster Shares Jamboree Memories Ellen Brafford McCroskey July 20, 2019 Editor's note: Here in the Ohio Valley, the third weekend in July has meant an annual pilgrimage to Jamboree In The Hills for a lot of local country music fans. But for the first time in over 40 years, Jamboree...
Unexpected to Unbelievable: A Jamboree Love Story Ellen Brafford McCroskey July 19, 2019 Editor's note: Here in the Ohio Valley, the third weekend in July has meant an annual pilgrimage to Jamboree In The Hills for a lot of local country music fans. But for the first time in over 40 years, Jamboree...
The ‘Hills’ Hold His Heart Ellen Brafford McCroskey July 18, 2019 Editor's note: Here in the Ohio Valley, the third weekend in July has meant an annual pilgrimage to Jamboree In The Hills for a lot of local country music fans. But for the first time in over 40 years, Jamboree...
Blame My Roots: Show Up in Your Boots Ready for a Good Time Ellen Brafford McCroskey July 12, 2019 "Change your leaves; keep your roots intact." — Victor Hugo It's been said that everything has roots in the past, and that is certainly true of the new Blame My Roots country music festival set for Thursday,...
Eagle Scouts Pour Sweat Equity Into Pig Path, Picnic Shelter Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 26, 2019 “Do a good turn daily.” That excellent advice is the slogan of the Boy Scouts of America. Local Eagle Scouts have taken that motto to heart over the past few months by working together to upgrade two separate g...
WHEELING@WORK: Ward 6’s Dave Palmer — a Good Neighbor Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 19, 2019 Editor’s note: Our series, “Wheeling@Work,” is an effort to provide readers with insight and information into our city government, highlighting the personalities, programs and processes at work within the City ...
WHEELING@WORK: Ward 5 Representative Loves his Neighborhood Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 4, 2019 Ty Thorngate loves Ward 5 — and his family’s neighborhood in particular. “Now I know this might be coming from a place of bias,” he smiles, “but I'd go as far to say that my home turf, Dimmeydale, is the best n...
WHEELING@WORK: Wendy Scatterday Born Into Leadership Ellen Brafford McCroskey May 7, 2019 Editor’s note: Our series, “Wheeling@Work,” is an effort to provide readers with insight and information into our city government, highlighting the personalities, programs and processes at work within the City ...
AS I SEE IT: Animal Instincts Ellen Brafford McCroskey May 4, 2019 Work responsibilities, aging parents, motherhood, menopause — I don't know about you, but for me, midlife can be stressful at times. When my world gets overwhelming, and I need to stop and take a moment to rela...
Local Secret Worth Sharing: Home for Men Celebrates 90 Years of Service Ellen Brafford McCroskey May 1, 2019 "One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others." — Lewis Carroll One of Wheeling's best-kept secrets, the Home for Men in Warwood, is celebrating its 90th annivers...
WHEELING@WORK: Koslik Is the City’s Newest Council Representative Ellen Brafford McCroskey April 24, 2019 Editor’s note: Our series, “Wheeling@Work,” is an effort to provide readers with insight and information into our city government, highlighting the personalities, programs and processes at work within the City ...
WHEELING@WORK: Ward 1’s Chad Thalman — Wheeling’s Youngest Vice Mayor Ellen Brafford McCroskey April 2, 2019 Editor’s note: Our series, “Wheeling@Work,” is an effort to provide readers with insight and information into our city government, highlighting the personalities, programs and processes at work within the City ...
Holy Local Superhero, Batman! (And Happy Birthday!) Ellen Brafford McCroskey March 30, 2019 Editor's note: Today, Saturday, March 30, is Batman's 80th birthday! In honor of the Caped Crusader’s birthday, the Ohio Valley Batman is encouraging participants at the #selfiestation at Macy’s at the Ohio Val...
David Sheff Shares ‘Beautiful’ Message of Hope Ellen Brafford McCroskey March 25, 2019 Editor's note: David Sheff, author of the New York Times bestseller, "Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction," will be the guest speaker at West Liberty University’s Hughes Lecture Series...
Government Shutdowns Adversely Affect the Smallest Victims Ellen Brafford McCroskey March 9, 2019 Government shutdowns such as the one that occurred earlier this year have a far-reaching effect. Not only do families employed directly by the government suffer, but so do those who receive direct services from...
AS I SEE IT: The Devastating Diagnosis of Dementia Ellen Brafford McCroskey March 2, 2019 Mom’s dance with the devil named dementia began around 2004. Dementia is a cunning fellow when he first appears — a forgotten word or two, a misplaced set of keys, a question repeated once too often — all these...
