Loretta Davis, of Arthurdale, was named 2011 Volunteer of the Year at the annual Arthurdale Heritage membership meeting and dinner on Oct. 23.
Mrs. Davis has contributed many hours of creativity and effort from Arthurdale Heritage’s beginning days, including her spearheading of the Craft Shop in recent years. The Craft Shop sells hand-crafted artisan items, just as the original Craft Shop did during the 1930s and ‘40s.
The late Richard “Dick†Myers, was honored with a Pioneer Award, Arthurdale Heritage’s award for lifetime dedication to the organization. Mr. Myers was one of the volunteers who helped with the New Deal subsistence home project’s property acquisition and historic restoration efforts from the earliest days in 1984. Marilee Hall, gave a touching remembrance of Mr. Myers and his wife Carol received the award on his behalf. Mr. Myers grew up in Arthurdale and met Eleanor Roosevelt on a number of occasions as a young man.
Others honored we the volunteers of the month, Donna Harris, Holly Spooner, Steven Marra, Janet Collins, Chris Shaffer, Roger Day, Marvin Hileman, John & Wanda Bolyard, Sarah & Arnold Bolyard, Mick Myers, Laura Bitely, Loretta Davis, and Carol Myers.
Special recognition was also given to the volunteer tour guides who staff the museum on the weekends to greet visitors from many states and parts of West Virginia. The volunteer committee which handles the Craft Shop were also thanked. The successful completion of the first Preston County History Days from June through September involving publicity of the various historic sites around the county was celebrated.
Other recent events include four volunteers performing clean-up efforts during United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties “Day of Caring†in August. Their efforts resulted in more impressive museum exhibit areas and better access to and control of supplies. The exhibition of the Fratkin Collection during the summer provided additional FDR-related items for enhanced learning opportunities.
Thank you everyone for your dedication and hard work!