Suzette Lowe
A rodeo is coming to town. There will not be horses, bronco busting or roping cows, but there will be many other skills on display.
The first ever Bike Rodeo will take place on the parking area of the Early Childhood Learning Center on Second Avenue in Ripley. Sponsored by the City of Ripley and the Bike Ripley Committee, this event will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 1.
“This is going to be so much fun,” said Mayor Carolyn Rader. “More importantly, though, it will teach kids the rules of the road, how to take care of their bikes and how to control them too.”
Suzette Lowe
There was much to celebrate at the April 6 meeting of the Ripley City Council.
The Ripley High School archery team was recognized for its winning the West Virginia state archery championship for the 14th year in a row.
Coach Roy Bennett and Assistant Coach Clarence Canterbury spoke about the dedication of their team members. With the challenge that the health pandemic forced onto sports, this victory was especially meaningful.
“It was a different format,” said Bennett. “These kids are used to shooting against someone, but this year it was a virtual tournament. They really stepped up.”
Canterbury said that he and Bennett had coached many of these students in middle school.
Plans moving forward for Fourth of July and Chocolate Festival
Suzette Lowe
Reporter
The Events Committee for the City of Ripley is doing just what the name implies. The group is already making plans for the Fourth of July and the annual Chocolate Festival.
Mayor Carolyn Rader shared with City Council the basic plan that the committee, which consists of Rader, Bobbi Ferrell, Matt Anderson, and Mike Ruben, has been discussing.
“This year the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday,” she said. “Our suggestion is to hold the parade and fireworks on Saturday. This gives us a little leeway for the fireworks in case there’s rain.”
Commission approves Economic Development Grant Resolution
Suzette Lowe
Reporter
If a grant is approved by the West Virginia Development Office, the Jackson County Economic Development Authority (JCEDA) will receive $27,727 to promote local businesses.
Mark Whitley, JCEDA director, informed the Jackson County Commission at the Dec. 2 meeting, that marketing and business retention are two areas that the grant will help to address.
“We’ve gotten this grant for several years,” Whitley said. “It’s our hope that we will be approved again this year. We will update our website, jcda.org, continue our very successful Facebook promotions of small businesses, and recruit new businesses, while retaining those we currently have.”
Business Blessings
Jackson Newspapers
Ripley Mayor Carolyn Rader has been busy lately with the grand openings of several new and one relocated business in the Ripley area. With the big city scissors in hand and Viking blue ribbons, Rader celebrated with Kristie Carr, owner of Kountry K-9 Groom & Board (right), who recently relocated her business from Fairplain to the old Fat Albert’s Pizza building located at 499 South Church Street in Ripley. Grand opening for Kountry K9 was held on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Rader also attended the grand openings of two new businesses on Dec. 5, White Opal Intimates and Angela’s Farmhouse Styles, located in the Route 62 complex next to Head to Toe Salon.