Southwest Virginiaâs Mount Rogers High Country offers a unique and one of the most spectacular landscapes in our region. Even though it sits in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, the experience is more similar to that of a western backdrop, such as Wyoming or Montana.
It is adorned with rugged rocky summits, expansive grass-covered meadows, magnificent fir and spruce forests, beautiful tumbling streams, and perhaps most distinctively â herds of wild ponies.
Centrally located in the vast Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, the High Country has more than 25,000 acres of the loftiest elevation in the state. At its southern border is also the Grayson Highlands State Park.
Elk Garden looking toward spring
Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Tribune Correspondent
ELK GARDEN – Elk Garden is thinking spring and will kick off the season with an egg hunt for children 12 and under at 2 p.m. April 3.
Different age groups will be divided between the church, fire hall and town park as the children hunt for the prefilled eggs with treats.
The town park is in need of plumbing repairs before it can open for the season, however, and numerous pot holes from the severe winter are also high on the spring to-do list.
The council is continuing to look at options for the street repairs, including the possible purchase of a pacing machine and rental of other needed equipment.
Avers chosen as W.Va. History Hero
Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER West Virginia Archives and History has chosen Mineral County native Carl D. “Denny” Avers as the 2021 West Virginia History Hero.
Avers, who currently lives in Palmyra, Virginia, was nominated for the honor by the Mineral County Historical Society.
A lifetime member of the society, Avers has spent tireless hours researching and compiling historical information about Keyser, Mineral County and the surrounding area.
He often gives special presentations to both the Mineral County Historical Society and Mineral County Genealogical Society, and frequently writes history-based letters to the editor for the News Tribune.
Agency continues to work toward new Keyser Senior Center
Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER - Throughout the pandemic over the past year, Mineral County senior citizens found there was still one contact with “the real world” that they could count on - Meals on Wheels.
According to Louie Kitzmiller, director of finance for Aging & Family Services of Mineral County, COVID restrictions forced the agency to curtail its congregate meals at the senior center, “but Meals on Wheels never stopped.”
For those who weren’t on the regular Meals on Wheels program, the agency has been preparing weekly food boxes to help make up for the meals they were missing from the Senior Center. “It was like a five-meal box,” he said.
Elk Garden looking for ways to repair streets
Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Tribune Correspondent
ELK GARDEN With high estimates for paving, the Elk Garden mayor and council are looking at alternatives to repairing needed streets when the weather improves.
The council recently discussed how one county purchased its own small paving machine costing around $1,950. Council members feel a similar machine may be able to attach to the loader or bobcat to assist with patching. Other needed equipment such as a miller and roller could possibly be rented as needed.
It’s been over 16 months since the town hall received water damage and the town recently received an estimate of over $6,000 to finish the repairs and restoration.