25 Things to do with your kids in the Eastern Panhandle

We live in a great place to raise a family; full of history, natural beauty and family fun.  Here is Eastern Panhandle Moms list of 25 things to do with your family in the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding areas.  This is by no means an all inclusive list so please feel free to share your favorite things to do in the area in the comments and they may get added to the list!

1. Visit Wonderment Puppet Theater in Martinsburg.
2. Watch the horse races at Charles Town Races and Slots.
3. Attend Pickin’ in the Panhandle BBQ and Blue Grass Festival.
4. Take the Morgan County driving tour of Washington Heritage Trail.
5. Play at JayDee’s Family Fun Center in Inwood. Lots of indoor and outdoor fun!
6. Enroll in KinderPraise classes with your child.
7. Go strawberry picking at Orr’s Farm Market.
8. Watch the big bubbling cauldron of apple butter in the square at the Apple Butter Festival in Berkeley Springs.
9. Hit the rink at Galaxy Skateland in Martinsburg.
10. Swim at the lake and play on the beach at Cacapon State Park.
11. Pick an activity (fishing, hiking, camping, biking) at Sleepy Creek Wildlife Preserve.
12. Learn and explore at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Winchester, VA.
13. Bowling is great family fun and you can do it in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties!
14. Feed the animals at Wilson’s Wild Animal Park in Winchester, VA.
15. Paint your own pottery (and get delicious ice cream) at Skipper’s in Charles Town.
16. Ride bikes on the C & O Canal.
17. Cheer on the team at a Hagerstown Suns game.
18. Get a funnel cake or cotton candy at a local county fair.
19. Step into the prehistoric era at Dinosaur Land in Winchester, VA.
20. Play soccer or walk the trail at Morgan’s Grove Park in Shepherdstown.
21. Have some indoor fun (and a milkshake) at Chick-fil-A.  Locations in Martinsburg and Ranson.
22. Feed the ducks at Hagerstown’s City Park.
23. Run off some energy at Open Gym through Berkeley County Parks and Rec.
24. Take your fishing poles to Zett’s Fish Hatchery in Inwood.
25. Play miniature golf at War Memorial Park in Martinsburg.

What keeps your family busy in the Eastern Panhandle?

Things to do in the Panhandle~ January 6-8, 2012

It definitely feels like winter in the Panhandle!  But, don’t let the cold wind stop you from enjoying time with your family this weekend.  Here are a few things going on in the area that all ages can enjoy.

• Cartoon Fest. Weinberg Center for the Arts, Frederick, MD.  Saturday 1/7 at 2pm. Adults $7, Kids $5.  Contact info@weinbergcenter.org for more information or to purchase tickets.
• Bath-Romney 150th Civil War Commemoration.  Berkeley Springs State Park.  Saturday and Sunday, 1/7-1/8.  10am-10pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.  Free.  For more information visit www.bathromneycampaign.webs.com.

Also, if you and the hubby are looking for a date night idea, consider attending Taste of the Panhandle.  Saturday, January 21st at 6pm.  Want2Dish in Frederick has written a great article about the event.  Tickets are limited so if you are interested in attending reserve your ticket(s) today by emailing me at kmelissasmallwood@gmail.com.

Things to do in the Panhandle~ December 16-18

• Christmas at the Berkeley County Museum. Martinsburg, WV Fri 12/16 and Sat 12/17 noon-8pm.  Museum decorated in Civil War era decor.  Located at Belle Boyd House.  Visit www.bchs.org for more information.
• Lunch with Santa.  Jefferson County Community Center, Shenandoah Junction, WV.  Saturday 12/17.  11am-1pm.  $8/child includes picture, craft and lunch.  Visit www.jcprc.org for additional information.
  

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• Jingle Jam.  Berkeley Springs High School, Berkeley Springs, WV.  Sat 12/17 6pm.  Music, skits, performances and pictures.

What will be keeping you busy this last weekend before Christmas?

Things to do in the Panhandle~ The Thanksgiving Edition

I hope that you are planning a long weekend full of family, food and fun!

Here are some things happening in our area that you can incorporate in your holiday weekend:

• Christmas in Shepherdstown, Shepherdstown, WV. Friday 11/25- Sun 11/27.  Tree lighting and Santa’s arrival.  Bonfire and more!  Visit www.christmasinshepherdstown.com for more details.
• Christmas Tree Lighting, Charles Town, WV.  Friday 11/25 at 7pm.  The Christmas tree in the town square {at the courthouse} will be lit in a ceremony open to the public.
• Christmas Tree Lighting, Ranson, WV.  Saturday, 11/26 from 6pm-8pm.  Lancaster Circle in Ranson will be hosting a tree lighting complete with activities and Santa.  Public is welcome.
• Holiday Art and Craft Market, Martinsburg, WV.  Friday and Saturday 11/25-11/26 12:00pm-7:00pm, Sunday 11/27 from 12:00pm-4:00pm.  Located at 115 S. Queen Street in Martinsburg.  Support local artisans and get your Christmas shopping done.
• Berkeley Springs Book Festival. Berkeley Springs, WV.  10am-4pm.  Details at www.maicehouse.org.

May you have a blessed weekend!!

Truancy in the Panhandle~ A Mother’s Rant

There was a meeting yesterday in the Panhandle, a meeting that has been duplicated across the state to address the truancy issue in West Virginia.

{For those not familiar with the term (and I wasn’t until I started in the social work field), truancy is being absent from school without permission.}

Some of you may be surprised that this is a HUGE problem in the Panhandle, some of you may be part of the problem.

22% of students in Berkeley County were absent {unexcused} more than 10 days of the school year last year.  We aren’t talking about missing a day or two for the stomach flu or an extended family weekend.  Truancy is kids staying home from school for no acceptable reason.

Why is this a problem?

This is how I, as someone who works with teens on a daily basis and have four of my own, view truancy: Truancy is a gateway drug.
If a child is supposed to be in school and isn’t- What are they doing with their time?  Who is supervising them? Who are they hanging out with?  How far are they falling behind in their studies?

Nothing constructive is taking place, I can assure you.

As someone noted in a meeting I attended today: “it starts with truancy”.  What starts? Irresponsible behavior, casual sex, drug use, criminal activity, dropping out, teen pregnancy and more.

The statistics are there to support this {read the Martinsburg Journal’s article here}  hypothesis.  And I see it every day with my own eyes.

In my work with teen moms I have encountered students that missed more school than they attended {and that was BEFORE they ended up pregnant!!! }.

Parents, please stand up and be a parent. If your 7th or 8th grader “won’t” go to school, you have a parenting issue.  My 14 and 15 year old boys know better than to even try to skip school. They don’t get to stay home unless they are vomiting or running a fever.  If they miss the bus, I drive them.  If it became an issue, they know that I would sit with them through each class {in my bathrobe and slippers} if that is what it took for them to fulfill their responsibility of receiving an adequate and appropriate education.  Their future is at stake and if they aren’t mature enough to care about that, I am.

As a society, we act surprised at the sense of entitlement and lack of work ethic in the majority of teenagers we encounter.  Many say “the school needs to do a better job of XYZ” or “the community needs to do a better job of ABC”. This problem, of truancy and the other issues that can stem from it, are a legitimate concern in this state and in this area.   I want to suggest that parents need to do a better job of being parents if we want to see change occur with issues such as truancy.

No is a complete sentence.  When it comes to staying home from school, please learn how to say “no” to your child.  The alternative is not attractive!

**Editor’s Note: I have many friends that homeschool their children, a choice that I respect. Please know this article is not directed towards homeschoolers.  This is about the truancy of enrolled public school students.**

Local elections tomorrow- campaign needs volunteers!

New Poll came out showing the Bill Maloney is in a dead heat race with Democratic candidate Earl Ray Tomblin. The wind is at his back, and we need your help! The Martinsburg Holiday Inn HQ, located on Foxcroft Avenue (Exit 13)  and Ranson Holiday Inn Express HQ need your help to get out the vote. Get involved and make a difference in this election! Can Bill Maloney count on your support? Drop by either Panhandle Headquarters for signs, call lists, walking lists or to show your support.

www.billmaloneyforwv.com

Maloney is not a career politician, he’s a businessman who was founder of mining and drilling company and even helped develop the plan that saved the Chilean miners. He is also past president of the Greater Morgantown Community Trust, an active member of the Society of Mining Engineers, the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute, and the Independent Oil and Gass Association of West Virginia and other business groups. Bill, 52, has been married to Sharon Maloney for 30 years, they have 2 daughters, reside in Monongalia County, and attend Chestnut Ridge Church. Elections are Tuesday, Oct. 4th. The race will be very tight and we really need volunteers to help at the campaign office. It resides at the Holiday Inn 301 Foxcroft avenue Martinsburg, WV 25401.

Eastern Panhandle Moms does not endorse any specific candidates for political office.  This information is for information purposes only.

Giving Back to the Community

Thanks to Walgreens for sponsoring my writing. Help Walgreens help others! Visit their Facebook page here to learn about their charitable partners and decide which cause Walgreens will donate to with a quick vote.

One of the things I love about living in a small{ish} town is the tight knit feeling.  People are friendly in the Eastern Panhandle.  They will talk to you in the grocery line, wave at you in the neighborhood and talk to you at the bus stop.  This is a great place to raise a family.

When you live in a good community, you naturally want to give back.  Every community has things that need improved, issues that need addressed and people that need assistance.

Here are some of the ways you can give back in the Eastern Panhandle:

• Did you know that Berkeley County has the 2nd highest teen pregnancy rate in the entire state of West Virginia?  YoungLives knows and they are doing something about it.  They exist to offer mentoring and support to teen moms.  This organization is in need of volunteers, mentors and monthly donors.  Visit their website for more information.
• What about spending one-on-one time with a child that needs attention?  Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Eastern Panhandle is in need of volunteers and donors as well.
• The Boys and Girls Club needs tutors and other volunteers to mentor and invest in kids.  Visit their website for more information.
• Not just kids need you in the Eastern Panhandle!  Do you have a soft spot for animals?  The Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Jefferson County uses volunteers for all types of functions.  I know my life would not be complete without my fur babies.

Tomorrow, September 13th is the annual Day of Caring, sponsored by the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle.

There are a myriad of ways to give back to our community.  From picking up litter to playing basketball with a kid after school to serving on your child’s PTA, get involved.  Invest in the community in which you live.  Let’s make the Panhandle all that it can be.

Don’t forget to help Walgreens help others! Visit their Facebook page here to learn about their charitable partners and decide which cause Walgreens will donate to with a quick vote. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Things to do in the Panhandle~ July 29-31

It is fair season!  Two of our local counties are having their annual fair this weekend!

• Berkeley County Youth Fair, Martinsburg WV.  July 30/31.  There will be 4H exhibits, food, truck/tractor pulls, a carnival and much, much more.  $5/ages 13 and up, 12 and younger are free.  For more information, visit www.berkeleycountyyouthfair.com.
• Morgan County Fair, Berkeley Springs, WV.  July 30/31.  There will be exhibits, animals to look at, games, food, crafts and more.  For more information, call (304) 258-8400.

{The Jefferson County Fair is scheduled for August 21-27, 2011.}

What are your plans for the weekend?

Back to School Bash

It seems like the summer has flown by!  My boys return to school {Berkeley County} in less than a month!  We will be having a back to school bash here at Eastern Panhandle Moms August 1-5th with special deals, ideas and giveaways!  So mark your calendars and subscribe to our Facebook page and blog updates to make sure you don’t miss out!

Things to do in the Panhandle~ July 22-24

It has been a scorcher of a week and it looks like the heat will continue in to the weekend.  Thankfully, there are plenty of fun goings-on in the Panhandle this weekend, including one for a very good cause.

• Berkeley Springs Volunteer Fire Department Carnival, July 22 and 23rd.  Call 304-258-3449 for information.
• Jessica Rocks Balloon Release, July 23rd 1-4pm. Poor House Farm Park.  Balloon release scheduled for 3:30pm.  Event includes live music, bounce houses, snow cones and food, as well as face-painting, games and more.  Balloons are $5 each and can be purchased online at http://jessicarocks.org. For more information, please contact Holly Sweeney at 304-261-4774.
• Washington County Ag Expo, July 23 and 24th.  Livestock shows, rodeo, truck and tractor pulls and more.  For more information, visit the website for more information.

What will you be doing this weekend?

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