All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Nature Wonder Weekend – “In My Backyard” North Bend State Park Sept. 20-22

Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Department of Commerce Wild food foraging and preparation are part of Nature Wonder Weekend at North Bend State Park Sept. 20-22, 2019.

CAIRO, W.Va. — North Bend State Park’s Nature Wonder Weekend, North America’s premier and longest-running wild foods event, will celebrate its 52nd year Sept. 20-22, 2019. This year’s theme is “In My Backyard.”

“Participants this year will learn how to bring their favorite wild edibles into their own backyards,” said Emily Fleming, deputy director for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “Also, as in past events, participants will enjoy a weekend of foraging and wild food preparation at its best. North Bend State Park has been the longstanding host for wild food enthusiasts, and, as always, experienced foragers will be there to help attendees discover the richness nature provides.”

Wild food foragers from across the country attend the Nature Wonder Weekend every year. This year’s keynote speaker will be Vickie Shufer of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who is a naturalist, herbalist and forager with a master’s degree in therapeutic herbalism. Guest speaker David Hawkins of Mother Earth Foods in Parkersburg, West Virginia, will provide information about medicinal herb identification and uses.

Events begin Friday evening and conclude Sunday morning. The schedule includes speakers, presentations and nature walks. Activities include wild edible identification, preparation and preservation; the Hazel Wood Commemorative Wild Food Cooking Contest and the Best Wild Cake Contest. The Wild Drink Contest winner is awarded the honorary Maxine Scarbro Friendship Cup.

Packages for traditional Appalachian-style meals are available at North Bend Lodge restaurant. Overnight lodging packages as well as day-only attendance and meal options are available. Guests may reserve lodge rooms, cabins or camping sites online at www.wvstateparks.com.

To attend the weekend event, guests can find a downloadable registration form at www.wvdnr.gov under “Special Programs,” or can call Wendy Greene at 304-558-2754.

Nature Wonder Weekend is sponsored by the National Wild Foods Association, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, and North Bend State Park.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

‘It’s a part of who we are’: Community rallies in defense of Rock Cave Elementary as closure vote looms

One after another, dozens of speakers stepped to the podium for nearly four hours Thursday night with the same message for state officials: Don’t close our school. The community rallied, teachers pushed back, students showed what’s at stake. The vote comes November 20.

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: November 20, 2025

Buckhannon City Council will hold a meeting on November 20, 2025, with a posted agenda outlining items to be discussed and considered by the council.

Upshur County Board of Education Agenda: November 18, 2025

The Upshur County Board of Education will hold a meeting on November 18, 2025, and this article provides the agenda for that session.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar lists college and high school basketball, volleyball and swimming events—including West Virginia Wesleyan’s multiple games and meets, Buckhannon-Upshur middle and high school scrimmages, and invitational swims.

WVSSAC football quarterfinal pairings

The WVSSAC released football quarterfinal pairings for Nov. 21–22 across Classes A, AA, AAA and AAAA, detailing matchups, seeds and game times for the remaining teams.
WVWC Volleyball

Wesleyan to host MEC Volleyball Tournament as top seed; opens with GSU Thursday evening

West Virginia Wesleyan, the South Division champion and top overall seed, will host the eight-team 2025 Mountain East Conference Volleyball Championship Nov. 20–22 at the Rockefeller Center, opening Thursday vs. Glenville State.

Basketball ‘Cats go 0-2 at Atlantic Region Challenge

West Virginia Wesleyan opened the season 0-2 at the Atlantic Region Challenge, losing 114-76 to Slippery Rock and suffering a heartbreaking 68-67 loss to Lock Haven despite balanced scoring and strong bench contributions.

Wesleyan women break into win column with 79-72 victory over Pitt-Johnstown

West Virginia Wesleyan rallied with a 23-point fourth quarter and balanced scoring to defeat Pitt-Johnstown 79-72, earning their first win as Emma Witt led with 19 points and Allie Daniels posted a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.
WVWC Football Feature Image

Football ‘Cats end year with 56-16 home loss to Glenville State

West Virginia Wesleyan closed an 0–11 season with a 56–16 home loss to Glenville State, which piled up 613 yards and scored in every quarter while the Bobcats showed flashes from Clarence Currin and Jordan Heyward.