Located just north of Marlinton on U.S. Route 219, Grandpa's Pantry offers unique food stuffs for the bargain-conscious and the health-conscious. Photo by Drew Tanner

A shelf in the store's organic room is stocked with wholesome whole grains and flours. Photo by Drew Tanner

Grandpa's Pantry's deli case features delectable cheeses and cold cuts from Troyer Cheese Company, a family-owned operation in Ohio's Amish Country. Amish butter cheese, havarti and smoked cheddar are among customer favorites. Photo by Drew Tanner

Located just north of Marlinton on U.S. Route 219, Grandpa's Pantry offers unique food stuffs for the bargain-conscious and the health-conscious. Photo by Drew Tanner

Nativity scene at Marlinton Presbyterian Church on Main Street greets holiday travelers. Photos courtesy: Marlinton Presbyterian Church photo collection.

Pocahontas County remembers:
ghosts of Christmas programs past

Angels We Have Heard on High

Jaynelle Graham-Awad
Staff Writer
      It's December. Time, once again, for men's bathrobes to be put on display, not only in store windows, but in churches throughout the county.
      Whether resident of or visitor to Pocahontas County, be on the lookout for opportunities of blessings and entertainment this holiday season.

Still an angel, Patricia Landis McNeill of Buckeye, was well-dressed for her appearance in a Christmas pageant, circa 1950. Photos courtesy: Marlinton Presbyterian Church photo collection.

      Enjoy the gay apparel, simple or extravagant decorations, the annual journey into town by a group of shepherds and wise men, and even see a man with his wife searching for accommodations. Who cannot recall their participation in the church Christmas program—from a two line rhyming verse to the honor of portraying Mary?
      At the Marlinton Presbyterian Church many years ago, Dave and Debbie Peacock were cast as Joseph and Mary. Dave was a member of the Marlinton Volunteer Fire Department (now Fire Chief) and, of course, the fire whistle blew at a most inopportune time. Debbie looked at Dave and said, "Don't you dare!"
      But true to his calling as a fireman, Dave answered, "Gotta' go!" and so it was, on that one occasion, Joseph fled, alone, from Bethlehem!
      At Mary's Chapel, near Snowshoe, the Christmas Program is well-attended, the church is packed and nervous children wait behind the sheet shrouded stage for their special moment. Carols are sung, plays are presented, and in its reading, the Christmas Story is heard and received anew. At the end, to the delight of the children, there is the singing of "Here Comes Santa Claus!" And so he does. Even adults admit that the entrance of this "jolly old elf" causes a heart racing excitement that can't be ignored.

Marlinton United Methodist Church, on Ninth Street, before renovations. Photo courtesy Carolyn Burns

      Evelene Hannah Curry, who was reared on Elk, and went on to Washington, D. C., to work at George Washington University, before the farm and mountains called her back home in retirement, remembers the Christmas programs at Mary's Chapel. At that time her family walked or rode to the church, which was heated by two wood stoves and lit by wall hung kerosene lights. The Christmas tree was decked with handmade decorations, paper rings held together with a glue of flour and water and finished off with strings of popcorn. She, too, was a nervous child waiting behind the sheet curtained stage to do her part and at the conclusion of the program, Santa and his helpers appeared to hand out gifts and bags of candy and fruit. Evelene especially remembers the orange. Citrus was not available here and she looked forward to this treat every year. Evelene would eat the orange that very night before it could freeze.

Good, old-time Christmas programs are still presented and enjoyed at Mary's Chapel on Rt. 219, Slaty Fork. Photo by Jaynell Graham-Awad

      One particularly cold and snowy night, Lloyd Woods, who will celebrate his 100th Christmas this year at PCCC, was the visiting Santa. He had waited outside in the cold for so long that he entered the church singing "hot diggity dog, it's cold outside!"
      Curtis Curry, husband of Evelene, spent his childhood in Marlinton, but his job with Ashland Oil gave him the opportunity to make his home in several states from North Carolina to California. He, too, came home to retire. Curtis is the author of The Williams and A Historic and Scenic Tour of Pocahontas County.
      Curtis remembers well his participation in Christmas programs at the Marlinton United Methodist Church. At that time, he and his family would walk four blocks in the cold and sometimes snow, climb the long, wide front steps and enter the warmth of the church.

By hook or by crook: Shepherd Leo Mace and his grandson, Jimmy Friel, a shepherd-in-training, are ready to do their "part." Photo courtesy of Marlinton Presbyterian Church

      On one occasion, Curtis, Brooks Mason and Bob Williams were selected to be the Magi, requiring them to practice, practice, practice singing "We Three Kings." They had their song down pat and the night of the performance arrived—but Bob Williams did not! So two wise men, Curtis and Brooks, walked tall to the front of the sanctuary and sang "We Three Kings."
      Curtis still knows all the verses of this carol today.
      Barbara "Bobby" Blackhurst Shaw, retired Marlinton Elementary School teacher, has a most vivid memory of one play, one line from her days at the Cass Methodist Church. That year shepherds, Gary McPherson, now a part of the WVU Athletic Department and Pete Hamrick exclaimed on their journey, "the air is coldest just before dawn."

Daniel Hollandsworth, of Hillsboro, clears the steps for worshippers at Oak Grove Presbyterian in Hillsboro. Photo courtesy Oak Grove Presbyterian Church

      Years later, as students at Glenville State College, Bobby and her friend Barbara Taylor Summerville walked in the early morning hours to their college jobs. On many cold mornings, they would shiver and say, "the air is coldest just before dawn!" Bobby continues to use that phrase today.
      At the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, the Christmas Eve service begins at 7 p.m. This cantata is a tradition that continues to grow in attendance. The candle lighting and ringing of the church bell is followed by the singing of "Let There Be Peace on Earth." What better way to spend Christmas Eve?
      You will find simple, but powerful programs in the small churches. Cantatas and elaborate plays in the larger churches. And though time and the actors have changed, the story remains the same. Take some time away from the hustle and bustle this year, do your heart some good, attend one more of these blessed events.
      A very Merry Christmas to all!

Jim Bean greets visitors at Dirtbean Halé on Main Street in Marlinton. Photo by Pam Pritt

Dirtbean offers alternative lunch choices

Dirtbean Halé has fresh salads topped with tuna or chicken and Italian sodas made behind the bar. Photo by Pam Pritt

Ember will showcase a menu featuring food to be shared with family and friends. Image courtesy Snowshoe Mtn Resort

The Soaring Eagle Express has replaced the old Widowmaker Lift, now allowing skiers more time on the slopes! The lift will cut the ride time from over 9 minutes to less than 3. Photo courtesy Snowshoe Mtn. Resort

New high-speed quad lift allows more time for turns