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The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va., Kathy Plum column
Jun 14, 2009 (The Dominion Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Let's call this week's column odds and ends that have caught my attention but not generated a full-blown column; also known as cleaning my desk off.
For example, here's this Associated Press story that said more people are asking builders to include a front porch on their homes. The story says porches convey neighborliness, which I'm guessing means they're a nice place to sit and talk with friends and family, a place for cool summer suppers and to watch the sun sink and the fireflies come out.
Can I just say, "Duh!"
Then there's this item from the North American Butterfly Association, telling us that there will be a butterfly count June 28 at Arthurdale.
I am not sure how you count butterflies, but if anyone is interested in participating, it says to contact Jaime Dixon at Ilovewvbutterflies@live.com.
I still have hopes of getting a column on this one. Meanwhile, keep this in mind when you're looking at butterflies on flowers. I mean, how do you know you haven't counted them twice? It's not like you can tag them, can you?
Next in the pile of ideas is a news release about boating and hunting safety courses being offered online by the State Division of Natural Resources.
"The online courses will feature new and animated graphics as well as narration," according to the release.
Even if you take the online course in boating education or hunter education, you have to take a practical test and written exam.
Thank goodness for that. I mean, seriously, I took hunter safety courses, and the hands on part was the most effective. For an idiot like me (and there are more of us out here than you know) having someone show me how to handle a gun safely was better than reading about it online.
Anyway, you can go to wvhuntered.com or call (800) 243-9968 about the hunter safety courses, or call (304) 558-2784 or the nearly DNR district office for information about the boating safety courses.
Finally, an observation, a pat on the back, a fare-theewell to Preston County Clerk Nancy Reckart, who was feted Friday as she retired from public office.
When I went into the news biz 30 years ago, Nancy said that I should guard against getting too passionate about my work and the people I was involved with.
If you've ever met Nancy, you know that she is without a doubt one of the most passionate people you will ever meet, when it came to doing her job. She never backed down from anyone or any challenge, and county government will not be the same without her.
Enjoy retirement, Nancy.
KATHY PLUM is the local news editor for The Dominion Post and a native of Preston County. HAVE AN IDEA for a Preston County-themed column? E-mail Kathy Plum at kplum@dominion post.com.
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