18 Contestants Take Part in Variety Show

By HEATHER JUDY, Staff Writer
The crowd went wild during the Mountain State Forest Festival Variety Talent Show Tuesday night as Gino Austin sang “Ride, Sally Ride.” Austin was among 11 contestants who placed from a field of 18 who displayed their talents.


    “I love being in front of a crowd and I love to get all the good feed back” Austin said minutes before he took first place in the adult division.


    Maid Silvia Catherine Wilkes made an appearance along with Maids of Honor Abbey Rebekah Martin and Samantha Lauren Zurbuch who performed during intermission. Mike     “Mark your spot and we will do it again next year,” Ross said.


    Children’s division winners were announced before the end of show, but judges later said a miscalculation resulted changing the places of the winners.


    The winners for the children’s division are: first place, Ryliey McCoy of Webster Springs; second place, Heather Shannon of Winchester; and third place, Taylor Gadd of  Beverly.


    Teen Division winners are: first place, Andi Roser of Belington; and second place, Seth Marstiller of Elkins. There was no third place in teen division.


    Adult division winners are: Austin of Elkins; second place, Amy Straugh of Elkins; and third place, Kelsey Bowman of Circleville.


    All winners in Tuesday night’s show will perform in Thursday’s finals at 7 p.m. on the Citizen’s National Bank downtown stage at Elkins town square.


    Also on Tuesday, Maid Silvia, her maids of honor, the minor court and Woodly the Elf visited area schools.


    At Elkins Middle School, the Mountain State Forest Festival royal entourage was greeted by student council, the EMS band played and the choir sang. Maid Silvia was also presented with a donation to the Randolph County United Way in her name.


    Third Ward Elementary students gave Maid Silvia flowers and sang songs for the court.


    Maid Silvia was presented with homemade items, including a candle box, at North Elementary School.


    Coalton School students honored the court with a musical performance.


    The court took a break for lunch at the Busch residence.


    At Elkins High School, the court was welcomed by the student council, and student body president Sean Parli thanked Maid Silvia for her appearance. FFA president Eddie Strawder presented Maid Silvia with a chrysanthemum on behalf of the entire FFA.


    “We are very honored and delighted to have the opportunity to support our community,” EHS teacher Jean Schmidt said.


    Children held up paper leaves at Midland Elementary School and cheered for their schoolmates who are members of the minor court. The children sang “Almost Heaven, West Virginia” and presented Maid Silvia with a certificate for books at Midland’s library in her name.


    At Jennings Randolph Elementary School, students sang “The West Virginia Hills” and fifth-grade student Lauren Digman presented Maid Silvia with a pottery baking dish.


    The court’s last stop for the day was at the West Virginia Children’s Home where Maid Silvia was given  a handmade pillow.


    The Mountain State Forest Festival continues today with the Randolph County Senior Center Bazaar and the opening of the Primitive Campground exhibit on the Davis & Elkins College lower campus. The Seneca Trail Arts Show and the Photography Exhibit open.


    The Country Talent Show will feature 27 contestants at 7 p.m. on the Citizens National Bank stage at Elkins Town Square.


    The following is a schedule of events for today:


    9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Senior Center Bazaar at Randolph County Senior Center, corner of Railroad Avenue and Fifth Street in Elkins


    9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Primitive Camper Exhibit, lower campus of Davis & Elkins College


    3:30 p.m.: Train Ride: Forest Festival Express to the High Falls of Cheat.


    6 p.m.-9 p.m.: Seneca Trail Arts Show, Randolph County Community Arts Center, Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins


    6 p.m.-10 p.m.: Gambil Amusements open, downtown Elkins


    6 p.m.: Photography Exhibit/Contest, Elkins/Randolph County Family YMCA, Davis Avenue, Elkins


    7 p.m.: Country Talent Show, Citizens National Bank downtown stage at Elkins Town Square.


Rain location at Elkins High School.





Oct. 4


    8 a.m.-10 a.m.: Log Inspection for Log-A-Load Auction, Newlons International on U.S. 219 and U.S. 250 south


    9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Elkins City Park exhibits and entertainment open


    9 a.m.- 4 p.m.: Senior Center Bazaar at Randolph County Senior Center, corner of Railroad Avenue and Fifth Street in Elkins


    9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Seneca Trail Arts Show, Randolph County Community Arts Center, Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins


    9 a.m.-8 p.m.: Women’s Club Craft Show, Davis & Elkins College gym


    10 a.m. - 9 p.m.: Primitive Campground Exhibit, lower campus of Davis & Elkins College


    10 a.m.-9 p.m.: Photography Exhibit, Elkins/Randolph County Family YMCA, Davis Avenue, Elkins


    11 a.m.: Log-A-Load Auction, Newlons International on U.S. 219 and U.S. 250 south


    11 a.m.: Tygart Flyer train departs


    Noon: Forestry and Wood Products Exhibit opens, VFW, intersection of Randolph and Davis avenues, Elkins


    Noon: West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Exhibit, VFW, intersection of Randolph and Davis avenues, Elkins


    Noon: Mountain Weavers Guild Exhibit, Elkins/Randolph County Library, Davis Avenue, Elkins


    4 p.m.-9 p.m.: Craft Show, First United Methodist Church on Kerens Avenue in Elkins and First Baptist Church on Randolph Avenue in Elkins.


    6 p.m.-10 p.m.: Gambil Amusements Open, downtown Elkins


    6 p.m.: Distinguished Guest Dinner, National Guard Armory, Elkins


    7 p.m.: Talent Show Finals, Citizens National Bank downtown stage at Elkins Town Square. Rain location at Elkins High School.