5 Eastern Panhandle residents inducted into Order of the 35th Star

September 21, 2010|By MATTHEW UMSTEAD and TRISH RUDDER

Yvette May, Staff Photographer

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MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Five Eastern Panhandle residents were inducted into the Order of the 35th Star on Tuesday as part of ceremonies held by West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III to recognize area individuals and businesses.

Sara and John Walker of Kearneysville, Lucy Smith and Leonard Harris of Martinsburg, and Elizabeth Louise Spriggs Spring of Great Cacapon were inducted into the order for volunteering in the community over the years.

"It really is an honor. I wasn't expecting it," said Spring, who served as the postmaster for the small Morgan County community for 23 years.

Created more than 20 years ago by Manchin's uncle, A. James Manchin, now deceased, when he was West Virginia's 25th Secretary of State, the Order of the 35th Star recognizes senior citizens who have become "living examples of perseverance that members of their communities strive to emulate," according to the governor's office.

West Virginia was admitted into the Union in 1863, becoming the 35th state.

Manchin, who presented each inductee with a proclamation and a medallion that bears the state seal, hoped the recognition would encourage others to get involved in their communities.

"There's so many people that do so much and go beyond the call of duty," Manchin said. "Everybody can do something and give something back. You don't have to be an elected official or be involved in the political process."

In addition to the Order of the 35th Star inductees, Manchin, in a program at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, presented certificates of recognition to Clint Hogbin and Edgar Mason for their work on the Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority.

In Morgan County, Manchin recognized the following small businesses -- Blue Flame, Dean Haldeman; STS International, Doug Mattingly; Panorama at the Peak, Patti Miller and Leslie Hotaling; Lot 12 Public House, Betsy and Damian Heath; Fairfax Coffee House, Chuck Wheeler; My Grandmother's Lace, Rosemary Bigelow; Mountain View Solar & Wind, Mike McKechnie; Mock's Greenhouse, Paul and Raynette Mock; and Pritchard Amps, Eric Pritchard.

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