The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Front Page

Related Photos

  • Carson McKinney, from left, Colton Blackburn and Justin Reed, from Beckley and Coal City, react during a ride during the Friends of Coal Auto Fair at the YMCA soccer complex Saturday. The auto fair continues today. Christopher J. Jackson

    carnival

  • An unusual car attracts attention Saturday. Greg Fields turned a 1920 Ford C-Cab Hearse into this sinister-looking show car dubbed the “Reapers Rod.” Admission to the fairgrounds is $2 today, the last chance to see the more than 700 classic and other cars. Christopher J. Jackson

    custom

  • People line up to ride the Ferris wheel. This year’s fair includes carnival rides, games and food vendors. The fair continues today. Christopher J. Jackson

    wheel
July 18, 2010

Visitors come out to enjoy event, support industry

By Kara Van Pelt Register-Herald Reporter

BECKLEY — As the skies cleared and the sun began to shine, attendance grew at the Friends of Coal Auto Fair Saturday.

Vendor Tommy Vance of Lewisburg, owner of the Strawberry Shortcake trailer, has set up shop at the fair the past three years.

“In the past, Saturday is the busiest it can be; I bet it will be shoulder to shoulder,” he said in anticipation.

Vance says the fair is a well-organized event and the community really enjoys it. That’s why he likes to be a part of it. Plus, he says, the people are great.

Vendors Gaye and Mike Bahr of Allisonia, Va., owners of Tastee Chef, say they couldn’t agree with Vance more. They got into the vending business to travel and meet new people.

“We have been coming to the fair for three years now and we love to meet new people,” Mike said. “And I’ve got to tell you, I’ve met some of the greatest people here in Beckley.”

Although many people have supported the fair for years, it appealed to newcomers as well.

Moya Phelleps, senior vice president of member services of the National Mining Association, traveled from Washington to be a part of the festivities.

“This is our first year,” she said. “We represent the industry on a national level and we heard what a great thing was going on here and wanted to be able to support all levels of activity for the mining industry, whether it’s state, local or regional.”

She said coal supplies half the United States with electricity, so it’s important to support the industry so “the U.S. can be competitive in terms of reliable, abundant power.”

Phelleps said she didn’t know if she would attend in the future but that she was grateful to experience the area and its people.

“I’m not sure if we will physically be here or not in the years to come, but we will definitely be supporting the efforts because it’s a really wonderful thing,” she said.

Daniels resident Jean Perkins says she had attended the fair every year since it opened with her late husband. After losing him just last year, she said, this year gave her and her children a chance to honor his memory.

“My father had cars in the show in the past,” Jeanie Harnest, Perkins’ daughter, said. “We lost my father about a year ago, so the past couple of car shows, I come in,  get the family together and bring the cars out like he always did.”

Harnest said the fair gave her a chance to enjoy the weekend as well.

“I love spending time with the people who come out and bring their cars,” she said. “We just sit around and talk, relax and laugh. We are just enjoying the day.”

Harnest said that although it gave her a chance to honor her father, it was also a way of honoring her family since many members have worked in the coal industry.

“We have had many coal miners in our family and it has always been a part of our lives, so we come to show support as well,” she said.

Her mother couldn’t agree more.

 “I love just coming out, being with my children and all the people who stop by to sit and talk,” she said. “I enjoy it so much and can’t wait until next year’s fair.”

Text Only
Today's Front Page
  • sign Sparks are flying

    Mike Williams, an employee with SKYWAY Signs and Graphics out of Bastian, Va., is showered with sparks as he uses a cutting torch to help dismantle the old Raleigh Mall sign Tuesday afternoon in Beckley.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Bill would strengthen copper theft laws

    Copper thieves, led largely by an insatiable hunger for narcotic drugs, are vandalizing telephone lines, even swiping manhole covers, in what one senator terms “an epidemic” spreading across West Virginia.
    A fresh bill put on the Senate floor Tuesday by nine senators seeks to throw up a roadblock when stolen copper is fenced at scrap metal dealers and hopefully open a trail back to the bandits.
    Put simply, it means no junk dealer may buy any metal that is “reasonably” recognized as stolen.
    “It bans the purchase of copper that’s been burned,” explained a co-sponsor, Sen. Richard Browning, D-Wyoming.

    February 8, 2012

  • ‘Paint the town blue’

    Mountain State University hopes members of the business community, public officials and citizens will show their support for the school by painting the town blue as the university prepares for an upcoming accreditation visit, said Andrew Wessels, public relations officer.
    Students, faculty and staff will be handing out “I support MSU” buttons and yard signs to individuals and businesses this week.

    February 8, 2012

  • Miner drug testing policy opposed

    A union leader joined the lead investigator in an independent inquiry into the Upper Big Branch mine disaster Tuesday in exhorting lawmakers to focus on “real” safety issues, and ignore a call to impose a state-led drug testing policy for new miners.
    After showing a joint assembly of House and Senate judiciary panelists a 13-minute, animated recap of the April 5, 2010, explosion that killed 29 miners in Raleigh County, the two speakers disparaged drug testing — a major part of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s safety package.

    February 8, 2012

  • Shake-up continues for Spa City

    The shake-up at City Hall continued Tuesday evening, as newly-reinstated Mayor Thomas Taylor announced that the man who took his place for four months has decided to resign.
    Taylor told the standing-room-only crowd in council chambers that Lloyd Haynes had decided to resign instead of returning to the council seat he left when appointed to take over as mayor.

    February 8, 2012

  • Senators target 'epidemic' of copper thefts

    Copper thieves, led largely by an insatiable hunger for narcotic drugs, are vandalizing telephone lines, even swiping manhole covers, in what one senator terms “an epidemic” spreading across West Virginia.
    A fresh bill put on the Senate floor Tuesday by nine senators seeks to throw up a roadblock when stolen copper is fenced at scrap metal dealers and hopefully open a trail back to the bandits.

    February 7, 2012

  • National conference on Marcellus, Utica shale scheduled for April at The Greenbrier

    The Greenbrier Resort will be hosting a national conference and expo April 1-3 relating to the Appalachian Basin's billion dollar Marcellus and Utica shale industry.

    February 7, 2012

  • frost Cool surroundings

    Heavy frost covers the ground during a sunny Monday morning at New River Park in Beckley.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Corrections official looks at pay raises, overcrowding

    Higher starting pay to attract new officers and a host of increases to keep them on the payroll are chief among priorities of a union representing West Virginia’s correctional officers as this session nears the midway point.
    Prison crowding is another topic of keen interest, and Elaine Harris, international representative of the Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, says her union strongly endorses efforts to ease the congestion behind bars.

    February 7, 2012

  • Senate agrees to cell texting ban

    Using a cell phone to send or read text messages while driving becomes a primary offense law in West Virginia in a Senate bill passed unanimously Monday with no debate.
    In fact, the only controversy that flared was a brief discussion over right to work.
    Judiciary Chairman Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, explained the Senate bill on hand-held phones makes conversation a secondary offense, meaning a police officer must spot some other violation before issuing a ticket.

    February 7, 2012