This past week the Progressive Women's Association received a donation to add to their list of beneficiaries for The Food Pantry that the group operates daily from their location at the Uptown (Clarksburg) Event Center.  

 

Lisa Sutton, Hilton Garden Inn, Director of Sales and Marketing delivered a wagon filled with food to be distributed to those in need through the PWA Food Pantry.  Sutton advised the group that the food had been collected from the employees at the Inn.  The food is collected weekly and distributed to food pantries on a weekly basis.  The PWA will be a recipient on a monthly basis.  

 

As president of the PWA, I thanked and welcomed the newest group to the pantry assistance.  The pantry supplies food to hundreds of individuals on a monthly basis.  It has remained open during the pandemic, meeting the needs of many residents. The generosity of many business and individuals has allowed the PWA to keep the pantry open and assisting those in need. For more Information or to donate, call 304-624-6881.

 

This past week the PWA held its regular monthly meeting for members and guests.  It was announced that plans for the 100th anniversary would be moving forward with a tentative date of Sept. 17.  Details will be released as they are finalized.

 

Due to a grant that the PWA has received, the kitchen area is being remodeled and being designed to be used by commercial businesses for their operations.  Any business interested in utilizing the kitchen should contact the PWA.  

 

The Meet and Greet Clarksburg City Council Candidates event sponsored by the YWPA and the PWA were finalized.  All candidates have replied, and it is anticipated a large crowd will be present.  The Water Board candidates have also been invited to participate.  Betty Felts, director of the YWPA, is overseeing the arrangements. An outdoor event is being planned.  Due to a medical emergency (listed below) I encountered, the meeting was presided over by Vice President, Betty Waddy.

 

I think that the 80-degree temperatures are a sure sign summer is here.  The squirrels and I are having a bout trying to keep them out of my garden barrel and flowers.  I have a great collection of birds and squirrels to watch, but they just do not mix with my garden.  I am still enjoying watching them.

 

I have to report that this past week I had emergency surgery at Ruby Hospital.  I had a detached retina and it had to be taken care of immediately.  I started losing sight in my left eye early on Thursday and by four o’clock it was completely gone.  I went to see my local doctor and he immediately sent me to Ruby where two specialists were waiting for me at the door.  I was in surgery at 6 p.m. and left the hospital at about 10:30 p.m.  I have a nice black eye but not much vision.  I have been told that it will take about 10 days.  Well, here is one for the books, this scared me a little more than the cancer diagnoses. But I think all will be well and this old girl will be back at it, seeing everything.  

 

A big thank you to Dr. Faris and my daughter Leslie who got me to Ruby in less than two hours and the wonderful staff in the optometry department and the operating and recovery room staff. Marty stayed all night with me, and Mike got me back to the hospital on Friday. I have a few days before going back, but a lot of drops to put in the eye here at home. 

 

Like they say, “Getting old is not for sissies.”

 

Congratulations to all the graduates and good luck in the future.

 

The good news, Summer is on its way and we all want to stay healthy and happy.  “Until Next Week Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

 

Editor's Note: Shown receiving the donation to the PWA from the Hilton Garden Inn are, from left, Rosalyn Queen, PWA president; Betty Waddy, Vice President PWA; Lisa Sutton, Hilton Garden Inn Director of Sales and Marketing; Elinda Carson, PWA Director;  and Deonna Crow, PWA Secretary.