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

Local ‘elves’ chip in at Curry Library’s Santa’s Workshop

Brooklyn Collins and her mother, Sara, work together on a snow globe mason jar topper at the James W. Curry Library Saturday, Dec. 8.

BROOKS HILL — As Christmas Day inches closer and closer, Santa Claus could always use a helping hand in his toy shop.

Luckily, there were plenty of local elves available to come to his aid Saturday, Dec. 8, at the James W. Curry Public Library in Brooks Hill.

Thanks to the efforts of Curry library director and head librarian Judith Williams, kids in southern Upshur County had the chance to partake in an ever-popular special event the library holds annually: Santa’s Workshop at the James W. Curry Library.

This year, the event took place from 2-5:30 p.m. at the library, which is located on Brooks Hill between Selbyville in Upshur County and Helvetia in Randolph County.

Williams said Santa’s Workshop has become increasingly popular over the years.

“Each year since I became librarian here, we host a Christmas program for the children in our service area,” Williams said. “Back by popular demand was the Santa’s Workshop Christmas program, a ‘craft-centric’ program that allows children to make hand-crafted items for themselves or to give as gifts to loved ones and friends.”

Children completed their “elf application” prior to playing Pass the Hot Chocolate to earn their Santa’s Workshop apron and their tool kit complete with an elfin time card, elf energy elixir — Tic-tacs — and other fun items, Williams said.

Children play Pass the Hot Chocolate Saturday at the Curry Library. Kids pictured, from left, are Kaden Hawkins, Krista Collins, Knox Allen, Jenell Winters, Kolden Winters, Jayden Winters, Wyatt Collins and Autumn Woodson.

“We all enjoyed a reading of ‘Things You Never Knew About Santa Claus’ by Giles Paley-Phillips and Rowan Martin, then made our way to the hot chocolate bar with lots of yummy toppings while refreshments were served — Elfin pudding cups, festive Christmas cup cakes, home baked sugar cookies, meat and cheese sticks, clementines, pretzels and assorted candies,” Williams said.

Santa Claus jingled all the way to the door of Curry Library, and after visiting with Santa, each child received a personally selected book, a Christmas Science Kit, coloring books, a stuffed reindeer tree ornament and a small gift from Williams.

A number of “good elves” helped make this event a success, Williams said. She thanked Santa (“whose name must remain simply Santa,” she said), as well as Upshur County administrator Carrie Wallace, James W. Curry Library and Park Advisory Board secretary Kelly Lake, Curry Library and Park Advisory board member Patricia Tolliver, Lori Huffman, library clerk Darlene Gregory, Curry Park supervisor Jonathan Freeman, Shanna Collins and Brenda Woodson.

“Appreciation also goes to the wonderful, engaged parents who also helped in many small but essential ways,” Williams said.

Soaking in a visit from Santa are, back row, from left, head librarian Judith Williams, Hunter Barrett, Kaden Hawking, Leah Collins, Santa Claus, Kelly Lake, library clerk Darlene Gregory (wearing green elf shoes), Krista Collins, Brooklyn Collins, Clay Hawking, Autumn Woodson, Jayden Winters, Jenell Winters; front row, from left, are Wyatt Collins, Knox Allen, Kolden Winters and Grant Allen.

To access information about the library and park and events held there, visit www.facebook.com/jwcpl. Located at 1721 Brooks Hill Road, the library is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 1-7 p.m. Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and closed Sundays.

For more information, call 304-924-6724.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar features a packed schedule of baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and track and field events for area schools and colleges from Monday, April 28 through Sunday, May 4.
WVWC Track - Wesleyan Sports

Wesleyan softball settles for a split with Concord in MEC doubleheader

West Virginia Wesleyan softball shut out Concord 2-0 in the opener but fell 11-7 in Game Two as both teams earned a win in Friday’s rain-affected doubleheader.

Maxine Virginia Malcolm

Maxine Virginia Malcolm, 96, formerly of French Creek, WV, and a retired Abbott Laboratories employee known for her faith and love of family, died April 23, 2025, leaving behind children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Strawberry Festival Parade

West Virginia Strawberry Festival parade routes and parking restrictions announced

The West Virginia Strawberry Festival and City of Buckhannon have announced the parade routes, schedules and parking restrictions from May 10-18 to ensure safety and smooth operations during the 83rd annual celebration in Buckhannon.

Coordinator hired to support WVWC’s Certificate in Addiction Counseling program

West Virginia Wesleyan College has appointed addiction specialist Jon Dower as coordinator for its new Certificate in Addiction Counseling program, aiming to enhance behavioral health education and address statewide substance use challenges.

Wesleyan launches Certificate in Addiction Counseling program to combat substance use disorders in Appalachia

West Virginia Wesleyan College is launching a fully online, post-master’s Certificate in Addiction Counseling this fall to help address substance use disorders in West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region.

City of Buckhannon announces yard waste collection schedule and rescheduling update

Buckhannon residents can receive yard waste collection on designated Fridays and drop off limited loads at the Recycling Center for free, with the May 16 collection now rescheduled to May 23 because of the Strawberry Festival.

Donald Lee Simons

Donald Lee Simons, 77, a Buckhannon construction worker and former country club caddy known for his love of fishing, died at home on April 23, 2025, survived by family and friends.

Turn the page on a long winter: Little Free Libraries are the perfect Spring activity

Little Free Libraries in Upshur County offer free books at numerous locations, fostering community connections and literacy for all ages while encouraging residents to donate, borrow, and share a wide variety of reading materials.

The Colonial Arts Center & CAC Gallery Present: 2025 Vandalia Arts Journal Exhibition

The CAC Gallery will host the inaugural exhibition of The Vandalia Arts Journal from April 25 to May 10, featuring WV Wesleyan College students’ literary and visual works.

Upshur County FFA members compete in the West Virginia Beef Stockman’s Contest at the 2025 Beef Expo

Four Upshur County FFA members gained hands-on experience and new skills while competing in knowledge and evaluation events at the West Virginia Beef Stockman’s Contest during the Beef Expo at WVU Jackson’s Mill.

Buckhannon Zoning Board of Appeals Agenda: May 28, 2025

The City of Buckhannon has released the agenda and public notice for its Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for May 28, 2025.