Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for March 26, 2026

Hello, Buckhannon! We’ve gathered the latest social posts and other news tidbits from around town so you can stay in the loop on everything from community outreach to important announcements and upcoming events. Here’s what’s buzzing this week:

WVWC dance team heads to nationals after Spotlight show

West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Competitive Dance Team hosted its fifth annual Spotlight performance recently. The showcase comes ahead of the team’s return trip in April to compete in the Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship.

American Legion hosting veterans lunch Saturday

American Legion Post 7 veterans luncheon flyer

American Legion Post 7 is marking National Vietnam War Veterans Day with a $5 luncheon on Saturday, March 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The menu includes ham and beans, cornbread, dessert and drinks. Children 5 and under eat free.

All proceeds support Upshur County veterans and their surviving spouses. The post home is at 16 S. Kanawha St. in Buckhannon. Call (304) 460-7377 with questions.

St. Joseph’s welcomes new primary care provider

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital Primary Care is now accepting new patients with Sara Chipps, FNP-C. Chipps provides care for patients of all ages, including newborns through adults, at 94 West Main Street, 2nd Floor in Buckhannon. Call (304) 473-2305 to schedule an appointment.

Strawberry Jam canning class coming in April

WVU Extension strawberry jam canning class flyer

The WVU Upshur Extension Office is offering a hands-on strawberry jam canning class on April 21 at 91 W. Main Street, Suite 102 in Buckhannon. Two sessions are available: 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. Cost is $10 per person.

Space is limited. Call (304) 473-4208 to register.

Red Cross lifeguard class at Wesleyan

A Red Cross lifeguarding class will be held at WVWC from April 20 to 25, running 6 to 10 p.m. each evening. There will be no class on Wednesday, April 22.

Cost is $250 for initial certification and $150 for recertification. Participants must be at least 15 years old. Email jholcomb@hotmail.com to register or with questions.

Kesling Mill Lions Club scholarship open to seniors

Buckhannon-Upshur High School is sharing details on the Kesling Mill Lions Club Jimmie Woody Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 award for high school seniors planning to pursue a career in human services, agriculture, animal sciences or forestry. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

The postmark deadline is April 24. The winner will be announced at the Senior Recognition Ceremony in May.

Upshur County Public Library closed for Easter

The Upshur County Public Library will be closed the Friday and Saturday before Easter.

The library also announced new printers and copiers have been installed, replacing machines that had been giving patrons and staff headaches. Pricing for prints may change with the new equipment, and the library said it will post updates once details are finalized.

Fred Eberle student first to hit phlebotomy milestone

Kenna Adkins is on track to be the first student in her class to complete her phlebotomy certification test at Fred Eberle Technical Center, having fulfilled the 35 successful sticks requirement.

The center is also accepting applications for its cosmetology program.

St. Joseph’s oncology nurses attend statewide conference

Three oncology nurses from St. Joseph’s Hospital recently attended the WVU Medicine 2nd Annual Oncology Nurse Conference. Sarah Rolenson, RN, BSN; Tera Shreve, RN, BSN; and Kellie Strawder, RN, BSN participated in training on the latest advancements in cancer treatment, patient care and supportive services.

Helvetia ends nearly 80-year ramp supper tradition

The Helvetia Farm Women’s Club announced the community will no longer host its annual Helvetia Ramp Supper, a spring tradition since 1946. Rising ramp costs, changing attendance and the difficulty of sustaining the labor required have made the event increasingly hard for the small community to maintain.

Helvetia volunteers plan to support the ramp supper in Pickens instead, contributing time to their event on April 18.

American Idol contestant visits B-UHS

Buckhannon-Upshur High School hosted Olivia Spino for the Livy Inspirational Tour. Spino, a contestant on this year’s American Idol, shared her life experiences with students in an event the school called deeply moving and uplifting.

BU Zoo seeks puppies for student project

BU Zoo seeking puppies for student fostering project

The B-U Zoo is looking for two free puppies for a spring project where students will foster, train and socialize them before placing them in permanent homes. The program begins April 7, with vet prep students assisting with first appointments. Contact Bridgette Tenney at (304) 515-9580.

First Upshur County Choir Festival Saturday

First Upshur County Choir Festival flyer

Select students from school choirs across Upshur County will perform at the first Upshur County Choir Festival on Saturday, March 28 at 6 p.m. in Wesley Chapel. Participating schools include Buckhannon Academy, Hodgesville, Union, French Creek, Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School and Buckhannon-Upshur High School. Free and open to the public.

SUBA annual dinner features Secretary of State

Southern Upshur Business Association annual dinner flyer

The Southern Upshur Business Association will host its annual dinner on April 1 at 6 p.m. at the Banks District VFD/Rock Cave Civic Center. West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner is the guest speaker. Dinner is $10 per person and benefits the Buckhannon-Upshur Christmas Store.

Clothes Closet hosting Pay-By-The-Pound sale

Clothes Closet Pay-By-The-Pound sale flyer

The Clothes Closet is holding a Pay-By-The-Pound sale March 30 through April 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thousands of clothing items priced at $1 per pound, with new bins added throughout the sale. The event is in the Roy Mick Building between the Parish House and Clothes Closet. Proceeds benefit Upshur Parish House.

Adventure Center announces April calendar

The Adventure Center April calendar

Appalachian Impact shared the April calendar for The Adventure Center, Buckhannon’s first interactive children’s museum at 64 E. Main Street. The grand opening for the public is April 21.

French Creek Elementary scholarship open

Buckhannon-Upshur High School is sharing details on the French Creek Elementary School PTO Scholarship, a $500 award for seniors who attended French Creek for at least three of their elementary years. Applicants need a 3.0 GPA or equivalent at B-UHS. The postmark deadline is May 1.

WVWC GO D.O. spots still available

West Virginia Wesleyan College says limited spots remain in its GO D.O. Program, an early assurance pathway to medical school. Students can earn guaranteed acceptance with no MCAT required while completing their undergraduate degree. Details at wvwc.edu/go-do.

Warren District VFD planning 10,000-egg Easter hunt

Warren District Volunteer Fire Department Easter egg hunt flyer

The Warren District Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a free Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4 at Maniac Mountain, 1659 Teter Road in Buckhannon. Events start at noon, the egg hunt begins at 2 p.m. and a helicopter egg drop is planned for 2:30 p.m., weather pending.

The event features 10,000 eggs to be hidden and dropped, with multiple age groups from zero to adult. It’s also special needs friendly. Activities include bounce houses, face painting and games. There will be no concessions, so bring water and soft drinks.

Fred Eberle students shine at competencies, head to state SkillsUSA

Fred Eberle Technical Center therapeutic services students recently presented annual competencies to the LPN and Allied Health programs, demonstrating their knowledge and skills to fellow healthcare students.

The center also wished good luck to students competing at the state SkillsUSA competition on Friday and Saturday.

4-H camper overnight open for registration, scholarship fund growing

Upshur County 4-H First Year Camper Overnight registration flyer

Upshur County 4-H has opened registration for its First Year Camper Overnight on May 1-2 at the Upshur County Youth Camp in Seltysille. The event is designed for 4-H members ages 9 to 12 who are curious about camp but want to try it out first. Cost is $30. Call (304) 473-4208 or email mimi.riffle@mail.wvu.edu to register.

The organization also thanked donors who contributed to the Barbara M. Loudin Scholarship Fund during the WVU Day of Giving, saying the support is helping turn the fund into an endowment that will benefit Upshur County youth for years to come.

Upshur County Public Library seed library open

The Upshur County Public Library is inviting gardeners to stop in and grab seeds from its seed library to get the growing season started.

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