An OPEN LETTER to … Parents of Rotten Kids Like Me …

Steve Novotney
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An OPEN LETTER to … Parents of Rotten Kids Like Me …

(Publisher’s Note: This is a column I wrote a number of years ago about a lesson learned one Christmas morning during my childhood. It is a story of love, compassion, understanding, and maturation, and it’s a story about my mother, a wonderful lady I’ve missed dearly since she passed on September 28, 2021. – Steve Novotney)

I was misbehaving. A lot. And I was told I was on the naughty list.

But that meant nothing to me because the Santa secret was out, and I didn’t believe my mother. Over and over again, she warned me, but I failed to care as a 12-year-old-know-everything kid. I was too cool to behave. Ornery was my way of life, and I liked it.

In December 1978, I was a paper boy for 60 customers in the Woodsdale section of Wheeling. On weekdays, I delivered the newspapers in the afternoon after school, but on the weekends I had to awaken early for morning delivery. On Sundays and holidays, my father always helped me because the editions in those days were larger than normal thanks to holiday advertisements.

But on this Christmas morning, my father refused to assist despite the fact the streets and sidewalks were snow-covered just as they were most of the time that winter. I was told to take the wheeled cart to the front porch instead of the living room. So I put the ads and cartoons together with the day’s edition, placed the papers in the cart, and off I went. I delivered to homes on Lorraine Terrace, Edgwood and Walnut streets, the Edgwood Club, and Woodlawn Court.

A Christmas parade in a downtown.
Wheeling’s Christmas Parade used to be held on Saturday afternoons along Main and Market streets.

I had a system, and I followed it that morning, too.

As I walked up and down the stairs to each porch, I still did not believe my mother and father would cancel my Christmas. I couldn’t have been that bad, right? I mean all I ignored were my mom’s constant requests for cleaning my bedroom, hanging up my clothes, putting dirty garments inside the hamper (as opposed to a hallway jump shot), and not walking on the carpet with muddy shoes. That’s not a lot, right?

Upon my return to my home on Lorraine, I folded up my cart, put it where it belonged on the front porch, and went to the front door.

It was locked.

Knocking didn’t attract an answer.

I had to ring the doorbell, and then my father swung open the door and walked away.

Our front door led to a foyer. To the left was the dining room, and to the right was the living room where the Christmas tree stood.

As I walked into the house and looked around, I was stunned to discover that Christmas, for my older brother and younger sister, had taken place. They both just stared at me.

I looked at my mother, and I can still recall her disappointed face. My father was the first to address me: “Steve,” he said in that do-this-now tone, “Get a garbage bag and clean up all of that wrapping paper.”

I looked over at a very large pile of the prettiest wrapping paper and bows I had ever seen in my short life. My siblings had just experienced the most glorious Christmas in our family’s history. My brother’s list was completely satisfied, and I believe my sister received more than she even asked for.

I sulked my way to the kitchen in absolute disbelief. What had I done? Do they all hate me now? No Christmas?

I returned to the living room, and by then my brother and sister had resumed playing with their new toys. The pile of paper was situated in front of the mantel, and I scooped and I scooped and I scooped armfuls of those beautiful bows and colorful paper into the garbage bag while wishing I could have opened just one present.

As I neared the end, I noticed something at the bottom of the pile. It was some sort of box, and I knew it wouldn’t fit in the garbage bag. I asked my mom, “What do I do with the box?”

She replied, “Just get the paper cleaned up.”

Yup, she was angry with me. I mean, angry – the kind of emotion not often seen unless you crossed a line by an unbelievable mile. I had only seen that look a few times and not one of those occasions worked out well for me.

I immediately turned to what remained of the pile and finished. I then examined the box, realized it was unopened, and reported to my father. “I think someone missed one.”

He replied, “Well, see what’s in it, and we’ll know whom we missed.”

I pulled my penknife out of my pocket and cut the tape on the top and then on the sides, just as my dad had taught me. After I pulled the lids open, I saw it. It was it. The one thing I wanted for Christmas. The National Panasonic three-in-one stereo complete with a turntable, cassette deck, AM/FM stereo receiver, and the ability to record vinyl onto something called a cassette tape.

An old stereo.
A “bad boy” was a bad boy back in the 1970s, and sometimes lessons had to be learned.

And they must have bought it for my brother.

I swung around to my mother with incredible disbelief. How could they?

And then my mother said, “Merry Christmas, Steven.”

So it’s for me? The stereo I asked for and prayed for? The one thing I had considered actually sitting on Santa’s lap once again hoping for some kind of good luck?

I rushed to my mom and hugged her tightly. I knew tough love was better than no love.

She then said, “Now when I ask you to do something, will you please do it?”

“I will, I will, I will, I will … I promise.”

Of course, I failed to keep that promise as a child, but on that Christmas Day I certainly did. I immediately picked up my new stereo and hauled it into my second-floor room. I knew exactly how I would set it up, but when I approached the dresser on which this miraculous unit would rest, it was covered in clutter. I looked around the room, and it was a mess with clothes strewn everywhere, and notebooks, a basketball, a football, a bunch of baseballs, and my glove were all over the floor where I had tossed them.

I placed the new stereo on my unmade bed, and I cleaned my room. Dirty clothes deposited in the hamper; church pants and shirt hung in the closet; books and notebooks returned to the shelf; and all socks and shirts and sweaters folded and placed in their proper drawers.

And then I plugged IT in, and for the first time in my life I could listen to my treasured LP records all by myself. For a few years I had been forced to use the record players my parents had in the living room and in the basement, but on this day Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music” sounded sweeter than ever before.

And then KISS? “Calling Dr. Love”! I was rocking in my own sacred haven, and it was glorious.

My mother soon checked in on me once she heard the music blaring from my bedroom.

“Oh my Lord, you made your bed.”

And that’s all she said. She didn’t even order me to turn the music down. Not at that time on that day.

For my mother, I believe she believed she had witnessed a Christmas miracle.

Marple: Cherish the Nut Rolls This Christmas

Erik Marple
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Marple: Cherish the Nut Rolls This Christmas

I know this time of year during the holidays, can be overwhelming and stressful for everyone. It is easy to take time for yourself and skip out on an event with the intent of doing it next year.

When I was a kid, one of the things that I remember the most is my Grandmother on my father’s side would make nut rolls. She was an excellent cook, and I learned a lot from her both in cuisine and life lessons. My Grandmother was the type of person to call you “Sweetie” and give you a big hug and say things like “Everything happens for a reason” all the while cooking you waffles and bacon for breakfast.

Every single year, she would spend weeks kneading out dough and baking up these little sweet crescent-shaped walnut cookies for everyone she knew. She handed them out by the gallon bag. There must have been hundreds every year, thousands per decade, too many to have kept track of. She would slave at rolling them out on the top of her chest freezer and fill them with a concoction of nuts and butter and sugar only to then cover them with even more butter and sugar.

I loved helping bag them up as she wouldn’t let me, at a young age, do much else.

It was time that we shared every year. They were delicious to say the least. They may have been what led to my Grandfather eventually developing Type 2 diabetes, but no one complained nor did we realize that one day there wouldn’t be any more nut rolls.

A loaf of bread.
Nut rolls are very popular during the holiday season, and the treat comes in many different forms.

My other Grandmother on my mother’s side was a bit different as she had raised her children and didn’t see much reason to do it again. I didn’t understand that so much when I was younger as I do now. It did help me understand that love can come in many forms.

While I only saw her a few times a year, I could always count on a slice of minced meat pie at Christmas. That was our thing. The adults always thought it was strange that I liked it and a piece was always saved for me. To be honest, when I was little by the time we got to her house for the holidays, I was burned out of pumpkin pie for the year and it was a nice change of pace.

I can still taste that pie when I think about it and have never had another one since. While there are not many people around anymore who would remember either dish, I am glad that I had those experiences, as I would not trade them for the world.

By comparison, my wife comes from a very large family. They try to get together for every holiday. I am glad to be at a point in life where I can join them more than when I allowed work to always get in the way before. They have many of their own traditions, one of which is the game “White Elephant” game. The rules seem to change every year except for one thing – for 21 straight years, even though we bring extra gifts for it and they encourage me to join in, I abstain.

A photo of a lot of food.
There are many, many different food favorites for Christmas dinner, too.

I prefer to watch them play and just soak in the joy of seeing a big family come together. With decades passing by I have noticed some of their dishes disappearing also and while we may no longer have homemade noodles or nearly enough deviled eggs, it is still plentiful and always enough.

However, it is the simple little things that I find myself missing most of all.

My mother made the nut rolls a few years back with my kids and gifted them to me. That is something that I will remember forever. I love thinking about my kids in her kitchen and how it will impact them and their lives. This year, my wife – God bless her – found a local baker and ordered some nut rolls for me and without clarification, received a nut roll loaf, more like a pumpkin roll.

It was still delicious, and I love her for trying.

She is a travel nurse and spends most holidays away helping others; hence, we have our own new traditions that we practice such as me being the “Head Elf in Charge of Wrapping Gifts.” She also sells tie-dyes on the side, and much like the local baker from whom she bought the delicious nut log at the last minute, I currently find myself finishing up her holiday orders at the last minute while she is away at work.

What are some new traditions that you have? Ones from days past that you miss? We would love to hear them.

Be thankful this holiday season and cherish the time you spend with each other.

Storch: Cherished Christmas Memories

Erikka Storch
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Storch: Cherished Christmas Memories

Christmastime has a way of pulling us back through the years.

Every December carries both excitement for what is coming and tenderness for what has been. The lights, the music, and the familiar smells of pine and cinnamon work together to open the door to the past. Those small sensory moments take us back to bedroom floors filled with wrapping paper, kitchens full of relatives talking around the island, and childhood joy that felt too big to ever fade.

Christmas memories matter because they remind us that magic exists and that family stories stay with us.

As adults, Christmas feels different. Responsibilities replace some of the carefree wonder. Schedules fill quickly with obligations, shopping lists, and travel plans. Even so, memories still rise to the surface. Certain songs, favorite ornaments, or the first snowfall have a way of stopping time. Those moments connect us to who we once were and to the people who shaped our early years.

A girl on Christmas.
Erikka still recalls many Christmas mornings from when she was a young child.

One Christmas memory in particular remains vivid, replaying in my mind year after year. Santa delivered a surprise that became legendary, at least in my memory. My brothers were devoted Cleveland Browns fans. Their loyalty never wavered, regardless of wins or losses. They watched the Browns. They pretended they were Browns. Heck, when the Browns did not have a team, my brother, Chris, gave up chocolate, later to be revised to just brownies.

That devotion made the gift waiting under (well, near) the tree especially meaningful.

Early Christmas morning arrived before sunrise. The house was quiet, except for the soft glow of the whatever lights reflecting off the walls. We would tiptoe down the stairs, trying to whisper but failing completely. We were allowed to open our stockings, and Santa usually would leave one gift (like the Commodore 64) set up for us to play. We had strict orders not to wake our parents until 6 a.m. Anticipation would fill the air, thick and electric.

Childhood Christmas mornings carried a sense of magic that felt almost sacred.

This particular year, the rec room revealed a sight none of us expected, least of all me on a middle-of-the-night bathroom run. Draped carefully over a chair, a complete Cleveland Browns football uniform sat. The helmet resting on the shoulder pads, jersey, pants, and other pads were arranged perfectly. The white, orange, and brown colors glowed under the lights. I kicked the chair that wasn’t there when I went to bed or during any other late-night run, and I screamed.

A Christmas tree.
An important ingredient for the Kerr family Christmas was, of course, the traditional tree in their living room.

I don’t even remember if they each got one. They must have. I know they were excited. Santa had given them belief, imagination, and a Christmas memory that would last a lifetime.

Time has a way of changing everything.

My brothers grew up and built lives of their own. One moved away to create a life and raise his family outside of Columbus. Careers, responsibilities, and distance replace the simplicity of childhood for all of us. Even so, Christmas memories remain untouched by time. Who hasn’t shared stories or saved beloved gifts, not just for the gift, but saved for value, not for the memories stitched into them? If shared properly, younger family members know the stories well, even though they were not there to witness them.

Christmas memories shape family identity. Stories told year after year become part of who we are. Traditions evolve, homes change, and loved ones come and go. The memories remain constant, reminding us of the love that once filled every corner of the house.

Decorating our tree these days feels like unpacking our history.

We have the handmade ornaments, faded photographs, and all our children’s age ornaments. We looked forward to getting out the handmade stockings and the stocking holder created for me by my friend and former co-worker, John Pifko. The stockings have each member of our family’s name in red. Mine was made a long time ago when I was a kid. Made with love by my Mimi and now my cousin, Cara, is continuing the tradition, so these wonderful socks that hang like mine did when they hung by my brothers’, carry meaning far beyond their appearance.

Cara, if you are reading this, I am going to need some more with the arrival of new family members.

Each item tells a story. Each story slows time and reconnects us to moments that mattered. Each item takes us back, if you let it.

Christmas holds its power because it invites reflection.

The season encourages gratitude, remembrance, and connection. Loud memories like my brothers racing through the house in Cleveland Browns uniforms hold just as much importance as the quiet moments spent around the table or by the fire.

As another Christmas arrives, take time to revisit the memories that shaped you. Share them freely and often. Those stories are gifts passed from one generation to the next. Christmas memories do more than recall the past.

They remind us who we are and guide the traditions we create for the future.

I-70 Westbound Guardrail Work Altering Traffic Near Exit 2 Next Week

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I-70 Westbound Guardrail Work Altering Traffic Near Exit 2 Next Week

Ohio County, WV – The Interstate 70 westbound right lane, in Bethlehem, will be closed, from exit 2, to milepost 2.15, from 7:00 a.m. to noon, on Monday, December 29, 2025, for guardrail repair.  Motorists are advised to slow down and expect slight delays.

Inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances could change the project schedule.

Oglebay’s Festival of Lights – ‘It’s One Light at a Time’

Steve Novotney
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Oglebay’s Festival of Lights – ‘It’s One Light at a Time’

(Publisher’s Note: We published this feature two years ago to celebrate the annual festival that was created more than 40 years ago by civic leaders Ross Felton and Randy Worls to enhance tourism during the colder months of the year, and we’re publishing it again this evening for the exact same reasons. … Merry Christmas!)

If the math is correct and it’s all really broken down, pseudo-scientifically, of course, there’s about four light bulbs to every inch included in Oglebay’s Festival of Lights road tour.

  • 6 Miles – Oglebay officials extended the festival route to the Speidel golf area soon after its first year in 1985.
  • Oglebay’s website reports there are more than 100 lighted attractions with more than a million LED lights along those six clicks.
  • All of the bulbs must be tied down with zip ties – by hand – to the respective display frame.

“There’s a lot of lights, that’s what I know for sure,” said Ryan Wilson, the park’s director of horticulture and grounds. “There’s well over a million lights. Well over a million. The American Flag display? There’s at least 25,000 lights right there, and there’s more than a hundred others.

A few fake trees with lights.
Once again there are well over a million lights included in this year’s 6-mile road tour.

“The 70-foot ‘Welcome Tree’ by the Mansion has more than 10,000 pixels – or RGB lights – to it that can dance to whatever it’s programmed to react to,” he explained. “And the displays around Schenk Lake are at least another 6,000 pixels there, so, yes, there are well over a million lights now and that number will just keep going up as we continue to add more displays in the future.”

Wilson manages the maintenance for all gardens, flower beds and baskets, as well as the mowing, tree pruning, and planting. When it comes to the annual Festival of Lights, he oversees display set-ups, identifies damaged frames, and he and his crews replace the burned-out bulbs during the two-month event.

Lights tied to a pole.
The LED lights were slowly implemented into the festival’s route over the course of a few years.

“The LED lights are brighter than the incandescent bulbs we used to have, and they are more efficient cost-wise, too, but they don’t last forever,” Wilson said. “And there are displays that are outside all year long, and the sun degrades those plastic lights during the summer months, and we have to replace them.

“There have been times when we’ve had to replace a few of the lights, and there have been times when we’ve had to replace thousands at a time. It’s one light at a time every year.”

A very large house.
The Mansion Museum has long been a tourist attraction, but thanks to the Festival of Lights, the attraction welcomes more visitors during the colder months of the year than ever before.

38 Years of Tourism

Oglebay staged its “Light Up Night” last Thursday evening at Wilson Lodge with “Santa Mike” Slenski once again portraying Ol’ St. Nick, and the tour’s displays will twinkle until January 9th. There are evenings around Thanksgiving and close to Christmas when vehicles have been lined along W.Va. Route 88 all thew way to Interstate 70.

A new attraction is the Winter Carnival at the Levenson Shelter near Good Zoo where there is a synthetic ice rink, a 32-foot climbing wall, a Decorated Christmas Tree Trail, wagon and train rides, and family-friendly concessions.

A basket with lighted lights.
Wilson and his staff are responsible for everything we see at Oglebay, and that includes all of the baskets of flowers – real or LEDs.

“I started working for the Wheeling Park Commission when I was still in high school about 17 years ago, and once I graduated college, I started working here full time,” Wilson recalled. “But I’ve only been involved with the Festival of Lights for the last three or four years, and I can tell you it’s a year-long process because it has to be.

“There are times each year when we have to do certain things after Labor Day, and then again after Oglebayfest because the frames need wired and repainted, and just refurbished every five years or so,” he said. “And there are always things we have to do with the displays that stay in place all year because of weather and wear and tear.”

A true with blue lights in them.
Maybe it just seems as if that certain shade of blue is only along W.Va. Route 88 in Oglebay, just as it is once again this year.

The Festival of Lights was modeled after an event in Niagara Falls, and the traffic counts have varied over the years because of weather conditions, nearby copycat displays, and interstate construction, but the driving tour flourished during the pandemic and new displays, live entertainment, and a plethora of food and beverage venues have added to attendance.

“I hear a lot of talk about the displays now at Schenk Lake and how it’s all tied together with the RGB lighting. It’s really impressive there now,” Wilson said. “There’s really not a display I don’t like. I mean, some are harder to put up and take down, but that’s the job and (the festival) means a lot to a lot of people.

“But, you know, you can go across the country and there’s nothing really like what we have here,” he added. “That’s what makes it worth all of the hard work.”

A light show.
A full-blown, amazing lighting show has been added around Schenk Lake.
A lighting display.
Several of the lighting displays have been damaged by weather events through the years.
A row of light flowers.
Oglebay’s gardens near the Mansion Museum have been planted for this year’s festival season.
A frame with lights attached.
Visitors to Oglebay’s Festival of Lights likely do not realize the amount of maintenance that is necessary.

Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder Announces Date for State of City Address

Steve Novotney
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Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder Announces Date for State of City Address

Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder has released the date for his State of the City Address that will take place in early February.

Need an Easy – and Last-Minute – Christmas Gift for Someone Who Loves Local History?

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Need an Easy – and Last-Minute – Christmas Gift for Someone Who Loves Local History?

The latest edition of the Upper Ohio Valley Historical Review, Volume 45, No. 1, Fall-Winter 2025 is available now at the Circulation Desk at the Library for only $5.00

In this edition, award-winning storyteller Judi Tarowsky shares the saga of the U.S.S. Shenandoah, 100 years after its crash in eastern Ohio. Included are never-before-published photographs from the crash site taken by Wheeling man, John Lawrence Vensel.

Award winning writer Dr. Christina Fisanick tells us about the surprising means used by the War Department to test national military preparedness on the first “Defense Day” in 1924.

Zach Musilli gives us a deeper look into the life of Wheeling’s own unsung hero, Valentine Reuther.

And a 1921 photograph of a local football team inspires an exposé of the origins of a violent sport and its popularity on local sandlots.

Contents: 

  • The Heroes of the Shenandoah by Judi Tarowsky
  • “A Mild Form of Massacre:” A Sandlot Football History of the Upper Ohio Valley, Part 1 by Seán P. Duffy
  • The Day the US Military Bombed the Upper Ohio Valley by Dr. Christina Fisanick
  • More Wheeling Legends:
    • Valentine Reuther by Zach Musilli
    • John Pai by Seán P. Duffy
    • New Wheeling Hall of Fame Inductees

Want a Print Copy?

Paper copies are available at the Circ Desk or by mail order. Individual copies are $5.00 each plus $3 shipping ($8.00 total). 

If you’d like a copy sent to your home address, please send a check to:

UOVHR
c/o Ohio County Public Library
52 16th Street
Wheeling, WV 26003

Please make all checks or money orders out to “Ohio County Public Library” with memo note of “UOVHR.”

For more information, please email us or call 304-232-0244.

Looking for back issues of the UOVHR?

We’re working on digitizing all of the previously published UOVHR in a format that makes the text searchable while still keeping file sizes small. We currently have all editions from 1968 to the present digitized. See the document center. 

To inquire about purchasing back issues still in print, email us or call 304-232-0244.

Trinity Health System Offers Tips for Sleeping Well During the Holidays

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Trinity Health System Offers Tips for Sleeping Well During the Holidays

Steubenville, Ohio—December 22, 2025– As families navigate the hustle and joy of the holiday season, maintaining healthy sleep habits can often be overlooked.

With changes in routine, increased travel, and fewer daylight hours, Trinity Health System, a proud member of CommonSpirit Health, is encouraging the community to prioritize restful sleep to better enjoy the season.

“With all the shopping, decorating, and baking, as well as late nights during the holidays, we tend to compromise our sleep,” said Kim Fonow, Registered Polysomnography Technologist at Trinity Health System. “Our internal clock is thrown off when we lack sleep and the effects are greater than most people realize.”

Getting consistent, quality sleep is crucial for physical health, mental well-being, and overall safety, especially during this busy time of year.

The Importance of Rest: Why You Shouldn’t Skip Sleep

Neglecting proper sleep can have serious consequences that impact both your health and safety:

  • Increased Risk of Accidents: Drowsy driving is a major concern, causing an estimated 100,000 crashes annually in the U.S. Many of these occur during peak holiday travel periods.
  • Metabolic Disruption: Poor sleep can interfere with hormones that regulate hunger, making it harder to feel full. This can lead to overeating and potential weight gain, common struggles during the holidays.
  • Significant Health Impact: Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to severe conditions, including high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Sleep Habits

Trinity Health System encourages families to adopt the following practices for a more restful holiday season:

  • Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours, while children and teens require eight to 11 hours.
  • Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool, ideally between 60 to 67 degrees. Adjust bedding for comfort based on the weather.
  • Limit Blue Light Exposure: Avoid electronics that emit blue light in the hours before bedtime, as this light spectrum can interfere with the body’s natural sleep signals.
  • Maintain Healthy Habits: Get daily exposure to sunlight by spending time outdoors. Regular exercise promotes better sleep, but try to finish eating and drinking two to three hours before you plan to sleep.
  • Manage Stress: Holiday shopping, family gatherings, and travel can increase stress. Incorporate stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, or a short walk.
  • Adjust for Travel Gradually: When traveling across time zones, begin shifting your sleep schedule by 15-30 minute increments a few days before departure. Once you arrive, maximize outdoor time to help reset your internal clock.
  • Keep Naps Short: Limit naps to 20-30 minutes. Longer naps can cause grogginess and disrupt your ability to fall asleep at night.

“I want to emphasize setting that sleep schedule,” Fonow said. “Most of us need seven to nine hours of sleep every night.  It’s also very important to keep your room dark and cool- ideally, 60-67 degrees. When your core body temperature is cool, it helps you stay asleep.”

She added, “Last, I can’t emphasize enough turning off electronics at least 30 minutes before going to bed so your natural release of melatonin can begin.”

Trinity Health System is dedicated to helping the Steubenville community achieve better health and well-being. We thank Kim Fonow for offering her expertise on the subject of sleep, especially in relation to the holidays.

If you’d like to interview Kim Fonow regarding topics of sleep and health, please contact Laurie Labishak using the information in the header of this press release.

Santorine: ‘Add That Value’

Dolph Santorine
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Santorine: ‘Add That Value’

Some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met didn’t know what they wanted to do when they were 40 years old.

Because we have children and grandchildren, I’m honored to spend time during the holiday season watching bright, creative young people perform in their holiday recitals and presentations. They are learning to have a fun outlet for their creative energies.

We all know that a very small percentage of them will find gainful employment as a creative artist, but they will all benefit from their participation as they try a little bit of everything before they choose to explore whatever “gets it“ for them. It’s rewarding for them, and fun for those who get to share in the experience.

Every child who tries new things is a winner. Adults, too. This is why children can go from wanting to be an astronaut one week to an artist the very next.  It’s our job as parents and grandparents to encourage them to try it all.

There’s an amazing world of “things” out there for them to do; some things may prove to be a passing fancy, and others won’t last even that long. Others will provide them with creative fun for a lifetime.

The process is addictive. All those experiences are the building blocks that become who they are and where they are. My children went through so many different creative experiences – I recall the violin lessons that were soon dropped by one daughter. Our son still recalls fondly those piano lessons he took, and he tickles the ivories every time he gets a chance.

We need to encourage them in all they do. There is no place for comments like, “You don’t expect to make a living doing that?” because, well, maybe they do and that’s not your call.

Encourage them all to find their way forward, as most of the current generation members understand what earns a living and their creative outlet will most likely be different, and that’s OK, too.

You can get a sense of satisfaction from your vocation as well as your creative outlet.

A small percentage of our population gets to make a living doing the creative things that we love, but many of us have found what houses us and feeds us to be highly rewarding … so says the guy who’s on career number three at the beginning of his 67 trip around the sun.

And, who knows, there could be a fourth in the near future.

Look through eyes that encourage, not only for the children in your life but for your contemporaries as well. Add that value. You can and should.

Creative outlets should be a lifelong blessing. Maybe someday you’ll discover what you want to do when you grow up.

W.Va. Treasurer Celebrates Anniversary of ABLE Savings Plans 

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W.Va. Treasurer Celebrates Anniversary of ABLE Savings Plans 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – State Treasurer Larry Pack today announced improvements to the West Virginia ABLE program due to the passage of the federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which includes expansion. Today also marks the 11thanniversary of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which launched a groundbreaking financial tool for eligible people with disabilities across the country.

“There is truly so much to celebrate with the anniversary of the ABLE Act and the many ways our program is growing to benefit both current and future WVABLE accountholders,” State Treasurer Larry Pack said. “Making accounts more affordable, offering new ways to save, and opening enrollment to tens of thousands more West Virginians means even more people with disabilities can take control of their financial future. We are thrilled about these changes and eager to get the word out so our current and future accountholders can be informed and prepared come January 1.”

Since the bill was signed into law in 2014, ABLE savings accounts have helped people across the nation, including those in West Virginia, save and pay for essential expenses. Prior to the passage of the ABLE Act, individuals with a disability were not permitted to save more than $2,000 without being at risk of losing federal needs-based benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

Since the launch of ABLE accounts, more than 223,000 accounts have been opened nationwide, with more than $2.87 billion saved for future needs with an average account balance of $12,863. There are currently more than 1,025 active WVABLE accounts in West Virginia with more than $10.5 million in total assets under management. The average account balance now stands at $10,297.

The federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which is set to take effect January 1, 2026, will raise the age limit for the onset of a disability from before 26 to before 46. West Virginia residents who developed a disability or blindness before the age of 46 and are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or have a signed Diagnosis Form from a licensed physician, are eligible to open a WVABLE account. 

Other changes to STABLE accounts starting January 1st, 2026, WVABLE will no longer have an account maintenance fee. This update will appear on the account holder’s first-quarter statement which will be available in April 2026. (Note: This fee elimination does not include investment or asset-based fees.)

Additionally, a STABLE Account Enrollment Incentive will be available to all eligible West Virginians who open a new WVABLE account beginning January 1, 2026. Through this effort, STABLE Account will match the minimum initial deposit of $25 that the new accountholder contributes when opening an account. 

West Virginia residents may set up WVABLE savings accounts and learn additional information at WVABLE.com. Money in a WVABLE account can be used for a wide range of qualified disability-related expenses such as medical bills, housing, transportation, education and assistive technology.

WVABLE is administered by the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office through a partnership with the Ohio Treasurer’s Office STABLE program.

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