This week's Bridgeport City Face is Melanie Groves. Learn about her and her role in our city here:

 

How long have you lived in Bridgeport? If not a lifelong resident, tell me what brought you here.

I have lived in Bridgeport since November 2005. We moved from Fairmont to Bridgeport because we built a new spacious house in Auburn Village for our special needs son, Thomas, who was completely incapacitated all his life. We then sold that house after his passing in 2011 and moved to Parkview Apartments until our current house was built in 2012.

 

Are you married, have kids? Tell me about your family.

I’m happily married to my husband of 23 years, Matthew L. Groves and have two children: a special needs son, Thomas, who earned his Angel wings January 13, 2011, at the age of 11 ½ years. I also have beautiful and talented daughter, Jordan who is a sophomore at Bridgeport High school.

 

What about pets?

I have a cute, furry, white bichon frise named Poppy.

 

Where do you work and what do you do there?

I am a substitute teacher for Harrison County schools and substitute for any subject preferably in Bridgeport and Clarksburg.

 

What are your hobbies/favorite past times?

I love watching horse racing especially the Triple Crown races, and WVU sports. I also like to watch daytime TV  dramas when I’m not subbing.

 

Favorite Bridgeport spot?

Bridgeport United Methodist Church is so iconic and pristine, both inside and out.

 

What do you like about Bridgeport … why is this a good place to live?

This is tough to answer, but I like seeing neighbors helping neighbors which shows a true sense of community spirit in Bridgeport.

 

One – or more – of your favorite memories of something that took place in Bridgeport ...

Thomas loved being outdoors and when he was old enough, he joined the Challenger Division Baseball League thanks to Bradley Ford, Mike and Kim Martin recruiting him. He played for the Blue Dot Red Sox all his life. Then after he passed, we were able to sponsor his team and now his team is known as Thomas’ Red Sox.

 

Another memory is when Jordan was in 5th grade and her class sang for Light Up Night that year. As the class finished singing “Let It Snow”, it started snowing!

 

What is your favorite WV spot outside of Bridgeport?

Oglebay State Park in Wheeling because It is a wonderful example of West Virginia’s beauty.

 

How about your favorite place outside of WV?

In 2017, my family and I traveled to Hawaii and spent a week visiting and touring Oahu and Maui. We had lunch in The Rim Restaurant at the Volcano House on top of Halema’uma’u Crater and rode on dolphins on Oahu. It was the greatest trip of a lifetime!

 

What are some of your favorite things?

Our dog Poppy, my memories of Thomas, Bridgeport UMC, time I spend with my family and Bridgeport StoryWalk, which helps to increase reading skills in the City Park.

 

Food/restaurant?

I have three favorite restaurants: Red Lobster for snow crab legs and shrimp, Shogun for Japanese stir fry and Muriales’ for lasagna

 

Favorite color? RED the color of Love.

 

Music genre/artist?

My favorite music genre is Country and my favorite artists are Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. I also like 80s music since I grew up during the 80s and Prince and Journey are my favorite artists from that decade.

 

What is your best childhood memory?

I grew up in the northern part of Mon County, not far from the Preston County line. My father, Robert played the piano for any and every church. When I was old enough to sing, I would travel with him and sing as he played the piano for church services and the tri-district sings, held on the third Sunday each month at different Methodist churches in Mon County.

 

Interesting fact about you and/or something you would like to add…

An interesting fact is there is more than one Melanie Groves living in Bridgeport and we have never met face to face.

 

I’m the Project Director for the Bridgeport StoryWalk, which is a collaborative effort of the Bridgeport Library, Bridgeport Parks & Recreation, Bridgeport 4-H Club, Bridgeport Lions Club, Bridgeport High School Student Council and various local sponsors. Please come out to the City Park and take a stroll to read the newly displayed pages of a story book by a local author. Good quality family time spent walking and reading together!