Democratic women to meet

WEIRTON — The Hancock County Democratic Executive Committee and Hancock County Democratic Women will meet Tuesday at Steel Valley Bowling Center’s Blue Steel Grill and Cafe, located at 450 Elaine St.

The executive committee will meet at 5 p.m. The Democratic Women will meet at 6 p.m. Officials stated the location allows for easier access and ample parking. All Democrats are welcome to attend.

Book club to meet

WELLSBURG — The Brooke County Public Library Book Club will meet in-person and virtually at 5 p.m. April 24 to discuss “Lessons in Chemistry,” by Bonnie Garmus. Participants will receive the book they will discuss next month.

For information, including a meeting ID for virtual participants, visit wvreads.overdrive.com or call (304) 737-1551.

Senior services commissioner to visit

FOLLANSBEE — The West Virginia commissioner of senior services will visit the Brooke County Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. April 21.

The center will offer games and light refreshments during that time. Anyone interested in attending is asked to call the center in advance, at (304) 527-3410.

Car show planned for June

NEW CUMBERLAND — The Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network and Revolution CC will present a Cruise for the Community car show June 7 at the New Cumberland Fire Department, located at 301 N. Chester St. A rain date of June 28 has been set.

According to organizers, registration will begin at noon, with the show set from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds will benefit programs at the BHFRN.

All vehicles are welcome to participate, officials stated. The afternoon will include food and drinks, a Chinese auction, a 50/50 drawing, vendors, door prizes for participants, children-friendly activities, music and best in show awards.

Early bird registration is being held through May 15 at the cost of $10. Early registration includes two door prize tickets and a hot dog and drink. Registration held after May 15 will cost $15 and include one door prize ticket and a hot dog and drink, organizers said. For information or questions, e-mail revolutioncc2024@gmail.com.

College freshman lands lead role

FOLLANSBEE — Amelia Buettner, a 2024 graduate from Brooke High School, landed her first lead role in her college’s performance of “Peter and the Star Catcher.”

A freshman at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, W. Va., Buettner played the lead Molly Aster in last weekend’s performances. Having landed the lead as a freshman, she expressed her love for acting, saying her favorite thing about performing in this theater community has been the family she has made while at the college. “I identify with my character because she is a strong-willed, independent young girl,” Buettner exclaimed.

4-H clubs hold Iron Chef clinic

BLOOMINGDALE — Jefferson County 4-H hosted its annual Iron Chef Clinic March 29 at the Jefferson County Vocational School in Bloomingdale. Teams ranged from two to five members, with participants having to make a dish consisting of an appetizer, main dish or dessert.

The twist? Everyone had to use this year’s secret ingredient — pop. Two judges rated the teams, who entered the clinic with their prepared dishes and set up tables with decorations, including a placemat containing information about their dish and an ingredient card.

Two tastings were prepared for the judges, including a drink and at least 20 samples for guests to try at the conclusion of the judging. The event had 27 teams and 14 Cloverbud teams competing, according to Kennedy Cooper, club member and reporter for the group. A total of 133 members participated.

Cooper said she interviewed Paige Gump and Karsyn VanAuken from Country Classics. The duo made Dr Pepper cake pops. When asked by Cooper if they enjoyed the Iron Chef competition, both responded, yes, with Gump noting, “It was a little bit scary so Karsyn did most of the talking during the judging.” Gump and VanAuken came in fifth place, Cooper said.

The 4-H committee sold hot dogs, chips and water for $1 each, as well as tickets for guests to sample each dish. Tickets were sold for $1 each or six for $5.

Volunteers Karen Hill and Aimee Glenn stated they sold 123 hot dogs and 1,359 tickets. All of the money raised will go back to the 4-H committee to help fund events throughout the year. There were eight volunteers who helped the office staff and 14 judges.

The first-place teams were: Town and Country, root beer pulled pork, appetizer category, Charlie Stingle, Kole Wilson, Rylee Wilson, Luca Petric and Matthew Francis; Cross Creek Tomahawks, out-of-this-world pop sliders, main dish, Ava Aftanas and Kaitlyn Poole; Warren Ridge Wranglers, chicken Hawaiian tacos, Chasity Stewart, T.J. Stewart and Dominic Stewart; Happy Hooves and Fancy Feathers, lemon bundt cake surprise, dessert, Khloe Buchanan, Madisyn Jackson and Karley Starr; and Happy Hooves and Fancy Feathers, soda-luscious root beer popcorn, dessert, Kennedy Cooper and Alayna Starr. The Broken Fences 4-H Club had three teams participating in this year’s Iron Chef Clinic. Clover Buds received recognition and the group’s appetizer and dessert teams each received fourth place. Members are looking forward to next year’s event, stated member Brandon Gump, the club’s reporter.