Published: September 18, 2009 09:41 pm      

Thumbs, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009

Thumbs up to Mountain State University forensics faculty member David Weaver, who will be featured on The History Channel’s “MonsterQuest.” The show investigates paranormal and cryptic sightings. Weaver was chosen from among 7,000 latent fingerprint examiners worldwide.



Thumbs up ... to Staff Sgt. Kenneth Miller, who received the Glen E. Morrell Medallion from the U.S. Army recruiting command. The Independence High School graduate was honored for his professionalism, integrity and devotion to duty.



Thumbs up ... to Gene Teaney, 66, who recently pedaled his 100,000th mile since taking up bicycling as a fitness activity in 1988.



Thumbs up ... to the Lewisburg Community Garden, which received one of a select number of Community Enrichment Awards from the West Virginia Municipal League.



Thumbs up ... to Raleigh County native and Mercer County family nurse practitioner Alvita Nathaniel, chosen as a 2009 Fellow in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Nathaniel helped co-found Mercer County Health Right.

Thumbs up ... to master choreographer Gerri Houlihan for sharing her expertise with the Beckley-based West Virginia Dance Company. Her visit was made possible through an American Masterpiece grant from the state Division of Culture and History.



Thumbs up ... to the culinary class at Mountain State University. Proceeds from a special cooking class will help fund a Brio Integrated Theatre workshop for kids with special needs.



Thumbs up ... to Sandra Lee Shaw, named the Raleigh County Teacher of the Year. Shaw is a 25-year art teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School.



Thumbs up ... to Fayetteville resident Meredith Gregg. Her artwork will be featured on the 2009 Bridge Day poster. The poster is designed annually by a West Virginia resident. Bridge Day will celebrate its 30th anniversary Oct. 17.



Thumbs up ... to Shady Spring High school varsity football players. Team members worked at the “From Our House to Your House” raffle home. All proceeds from the home now being built will go to Hospice of Southern West Virginia.