It’s hard to believe, but this Friday, Nov. 20th, is Wheeling’s lighted Christmas parade. It starts at 6:30 pm and lasts until about 8:00 pm.
Also this weekend is the annual Christmas in November Craft Show at the Wesbanco Arena on Fri, Sat, and Sun.
Sorry I haven’t posted for a while, but I caught a nasty case of the flu that lasted for almost three weeks. It was probably swine-type flu, but I’m not sure since I never went anywhere to get treated. Just stayed in bed and suffered.
Attended the Newt Gingrich speech at the Capitol Theatre last Friday. Thought what he had to say was really relevant to the current time and place.
I couldn’t believe the crowd they had on just a few days notice. Actually met an honest-to-goodness Medicine Man from Suriname, South America who was three seats over from me.
That night I went to the coffee house that’s held at Artworks Around Town the 3rd Friday of each month. My good friend, Yodeling Dick Brooks, performed a few songs during open mic. The headliners this night were Uncle Eddie & Robin. I’ve never seen them perform before. They are very professional. I may be doing some work with them to get them more exposure on the internet.
Saturday I went to Wheeling Downs to see Jim Williamson perform since his aunt is a good friend of mine. He was up here for the week-end from Florida. His was born and grew up in Wheeling, but moved to Florida to further his music career.
This week, Roger Hoard’s the headliner on Tuesday at the Vineyard Cafe.
And then on Friday night the Wheeling Nailers play their first home game of the 2009 season. Hopefully they have a good turnout. They’ve been playing before 3-6 thousand people on their road trip. Their record is 1-2, but that will soon change for the better. Another game follows on Sunday.
This Friday, October 16th, the West Liberty University Economics Club will have as their guest speaker the former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich at 3:00 pm at the newly reopened Capitol Theatre in Wheeling. Free admission but you have to fill out a registration form upon arrival. Everyone should be through the doors prior to 2:45 pm as the doors will close shortly thereafter.
Originally scheduled for the West Meeting Room of Wesbanco Arena, the organizers received so many requests for admission that they had to change venues. Thank God that the civic leaders had the foresight to save the Capitol Theatre.
Autumn has finally arrived and with it the local Festivals & Fairs.
This coming week-end is Oglebayfest and the Ohio County Fair, both held at Oglebay Park on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
Just North of Wheeling is the Wellsburg Apple Festival. This is also held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the streets of downtown Wellsburg. When I was doing Fairs & Festivals in a past life, I used to do this festival. I sometimes miss that type of work, and then I think about all the hassles of setting up, tearing down, and sitting around for hours in the rain.
Today happened to be National Alpaca Farm Day and the Rancho Chico Alpacas Farm in Clinton Hills held an open house. They have around 75 alpacas, both for breeding and for sale. They also shear and make fine garments out of their hair.
I went up there early to beat the rain. The farm will also be open tomorrow from 11 am to 5 pm.
The typical alpaca lives about 20 years and costs anywhere from $500.00 to $20,000 for breeders. The top price ever for an alpaca was $675,000. A little bit out of my price range on the high end, although I could use one to keep my grass trimmed. They make good pets as they are very gentle.
Let me tell you about an extraordinary entertainer who’s been mentioned before as performing at Tiki’s Bar & Grill on Wednesdays. Originally from New York City, he was cutting records in the early 50’s. I just came across one of his old 78’s selling at an auction on the internet. He has an excellent voice, knows how to yodel (hence the name), and plays practically any type of string instrument.
Since Tiki’s is an Hawaiian themed restaurant, he learned Tiny Bubbles in one day.
His passion besides his singing and yodeling is videotaping everything he can find. I first met him when I saw this strange looking man with an old VHS camcorder on his shoulder taping a show at Lunch with Books at the Wheeling Library. He still records on VHS and then copies it onto DVD’s. He has an extensive collection of recordings of almost anything you can think of.
His stories often stray back to the ‘good old days’ in New York City with tales of playing in the same venue as Peter, Paul and Mary or trying out for the Arthur Godfrey Talent Show. His day job was as a key punch operator on Wall Street with a top investment adviser.
Yodeling Dick is available for gigs around the Wheeling, WV tri-state area. You can contact me at bill26003@verizon.net to contact Dick. I am slowly introducing him to the magic of the internet, but it’s a long process. He doesn’t even have a cell phone!
After much anticipation, the Capitol Theatre has its grand re-opening this coming Wednesday, Sept. 23rd with a free show. 2400 tickets have been passed out by the Wesbanco Arena ticket office. The original price for the 1st opening on Thanksgiving of 1928 was only $.60.
But the day before the grand re-opening, you will be able to see the original movie shown at the original opening, Romance of the Underworld. This is a silent film starring Mary Astor and it can be seen at the Ohio County Public Library at 7:00 pm. Decor will be from 1928. This also is a free event.
Finally on Friday, Sept. 25, the Wheeling Symphony will perform the first of three Pops shows with guest artist, Wheeling’s own Tim O’Brien. Tickets will be available at the box office the night of the show.
