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next January 2010 Money Talk Tax Talk Real Estate Advice Your online source for what’s happening in and around Cheat Lake, West Virginia. Opening Soon Pierpont Landing Local Arts & Culutrue offers many choices in 2010! In the Spotlight: The Children’s Miracle Network! www.Cheatlake.com PO Box 18043 Morgantown, WV 26507 [email protected]

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Page 1: Cheatlake.com Magazine

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January 2010 Money Talk Tax Talk

Real Estate Advice

Your online source for what’s happeningin and around Cheat Lake, West Virginia.

Opening Soon

Pierpont Landing

Local Arts & Culutrue offers many choices in 2010!

In the Spotlight: The Children’s Miracle Network!

www.Cheatlake.com PO Box 18043

Morgantown, WV 26507 [email protected]

Page 2: Cheatlake.com Magazine

January 2010

FEATURE STORIESPAGE 8 Children’s Miracle NetworkPAGE 9 Coco Cola Community ServicePAGE 12 PIerpont LandingPAGE 13 Errands PlusPAGE 14 Celebrations Unlimited

IN EVERY ISSUEPage 6 Editor’s CornerPage 10 Financial Wellness with Daniel Fisher Page 11 Tax Talk with Josh ChicarelliPages 8, 9 In The SpotlightPage 7 Arts & CulturePage 7 Stuff to Do - Calendar of EventsPage 12 So What Do You Think. . .Page 17 Locavore Guide

content

On the CoverPhoto submitted by

Mike SchroyerA beautiful view of

Cheat Lake during the summer months.

“You can either hold yourself up to the unrealistic standards of others, or ignore them and concen-

trate on being happy with yourself as you are.”

Jeph Jacques

We’d love to include your photos of the Cheat Lake area in our photo gallery, to fill space and round out the magazine, possible future feature stories, or featured on the cover.

Please include the name of the photographer, a brief description of the photo, and a sentence giving www.cheatlake.com permission to

use the photo in the E-magazine, and on the internet.

Submission is the 20th of every month. Please send photos to [email protected] with the subject line Photo Submission.

Send us your photos of Cheat Lake!

previous Page 2

Send inquiries, letters to the editor, spotlight story

suggestions, photo submissions, and calendar events to [email protected].

Deadline for submssion is the 20th of each month

(June 20 for July issue).

Page 3: Cheatlake.com Magazine

CONTRIBUTORS

PO Box 18043 Morgantown, WV 26507

Editor-in-Chief Jessica Harner

[email protected]

Graphic DesignVickie Trickett

Contributing Columnists

Joshua Chicarelli Daniel Fisher

Contributing Writers

Lisa Brown Jessica Harner Vickie Trickett

Ask The Experts Joshua Chicarelli

Daniel Fisher Victoria Shuman

Contributing PhotographersMike Schroyer Vickie Trickett

Lisa K. Brown Lisa is a freelance writer, photographer and multi-media producer. She was born and raised in Northern Virginia and lived briefly in New York, NY where she was part of the editorial teams at PointClickHome.com and Waterfront Media. In addition to CheatLake.com, Lisa currently writes for The Dominion Post and AllAboutSnow.com. Lisa is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Journalism at West

Virginia University. She hopes to graduate in 2010 and return to New York to continue her fabulous career.

Daniel W. Fisher Financial Services ProfessionalNew York Life Insurance Company Danny is a licensed agent for New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation, and a Registered Repre-sentative of NY Life Securities. In addition he has a number of other health, life, and disability compa-nies he can represent to provide the best options for clients. He is also licensed in WV, PA, OH, and KY. With general offices in Pittsburgh and Charleston, Danny can service a large area, but focuses on north-central

WV. Danny’s practice specializes in business, family, retirement, and es-tate planning. A client’s needs or goals come first whether it is to provide protection, accumulation of assets, or guaranteed income.

Vickie Trickett A native of Morgantown, Vickie is the Director of Alumni Affairs for WVU’s College of Business & Eco-nomics and owns and operates Celebrations Unlim-ited. Her extensive community involvement includes serving on the board of directors for M. T. Pockets Theatre, and Mountaineer Wellness Center as well as serving as a committee member for Main Street

Morgantown’s Promotions Committee, the Arts Collaborative committee for Arts Monongahela, the GMCT Arts Fund Committee, and Genera-tion Morgantown. Vickie also serves is the Vice Chair of the Ambassador Committee for the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce and she is a graduate of Leadership Mon’s Class of 2009.

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It takes the dedication of outstanding health professionals, breadth of services, advanced

technology – and vision.

WVU Children’s Hospital is a large community of professionals devoted to providing the

finest possible pediatric patient care, education and research.

WVU Children’s Hospital is proud to be a member of the Children’s Miracle Network. CMN is a group of 170 non-profit children’s hospitals that provide premium care, high-quality research and excellent community

outreach programs to help millions of children who have diseases or injuries.

www.wvukids.com

Ad sponsored by Spiker’s Upholstery.

Page 4: Cheatlake.com Magazine

Errands Plus, LLC

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Celebrations UnlimitedShop online from a full line of productions from

Carlson Craft or let us design a custom invitation ensemble fitting your personal style.

Wedding & Event Planning | Decorating | Linen Rental

Call for a free consultation. 304.212.4890www.celebrationsunlimited.cceasy.com

Page 6: Cheatlake.com Magazine

Jessica Harner

editor’s CORNER

Hello 2010! The years go by so quickly (Ah, the old cliché) . Allow me to pose a question to all you Cheat Lake.com readers. What will you do to make 2010 the best year yet?

Yes I know, we will make a few well intentioned resolutions. Some of us will go so far as to pur-chase a gym membership, swear off late night snacking, and ,while we’re at it, vow to get organized. Some will vow to work harder, put in longer hours, and make more money. Others intend to spend more time with family.

May I make a suggestion? Let’s stop with the empty promises and make a decision to act..

Of course we all want flatter tummies and fatter wallets. But do we honestly expect maximal results with minimal effort? It would be wonderful, but I’m sure

we can agree it’s not practical. Try instead to set measurable, obtainable goals. Decide what your priorities are and map out your path to success.

Why all the talk of goals and achievement? The most obvious answer is the New Year… time for new beginnings, time to make changes, blah, blah, blah. The real reason for my soapbox, however, is to introduce you to some new businesses that are making a name for themselves in Morgantown.

The soapbox connection? Change...stepping outside the box...taking chances. These business owners did more than resolve to someday start their dream businesses; they set clear goals, planned their steps carefully, and then went for it.

I am very excited to be show- casing these local business owners in this, as well as in upcoming editions of Cheat Lake.com. Like me, they are committed to showing the world just how awesome our little Morgantown, West Virginia is. Some hail from this area, others from across the country. All the same, they chose Morgantown to house their dreams. I hope you will help me in patronizing these businesses. What would Morgantown be without these folks?

Once again, thanks for visiting CheatLake.com, your #1 source for what’s happening in Cheat Lake.

Jessica

How to shovel snow safely

The first question is: Why shovel at all? You could “Wovel” instead. The Wovel has a 3-foot high wheel. Push the device like a baby buggy, and it will clear the snow off your driveway or walk. It costs $120 at wovel.com.

If you want to shovel the snow, here’s how to do it safely if you are a generally healthy young or middle-aged person.

*Warm up by stretching your arms, legs, and back before you begin.

* Go slow and take plenty of breaks so you won’t be come exhausted.

* Lift the shovel-full of snow with your legs by bending at your knees.

* Turn your whole body to face where you want to throw the snow and step in that direction. Don’t twist your back.

* Use a smaller shovel. If the snow is deep, just pick up a few Inches at a time.

If it’s not too deep, push the snow with your shovel instead of lifting it.

January 2010

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Arts & Culture

West Virginia Public Theatre will launch its 22nd season at the new 1,500 seat performing arts center in Morgantown’s Wharf District. Known for bringing the best of Broadway to North Central West Virginia, WVPT’s 2010 lineup will include “Hairspray”, “42nd Street”, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Will Rogers Follies”, “The Full Monty”, “Always Patsy Cline”, and “Carousel”. Visit www.wvpublictheatre.com for show details and performance times. Billed as “West Virginia’s most beautiful play-house” when it opened July 24, 1924, the land-mark Metropolitan Theatre in downtown Morgan-town is currently closed for additional renovations that include plaster repair and painting and several other projects that were recently made possible by a gener-ous donation from Ben & Jo Statler. Under the management of the City of Morgantown’s Board of Parks and Recreation Commission (BOPARC), the historic structure is reclaiming its status as a popular venue for live theatrical productions, musical and dance performances, classic film presentations, concerts and community events. Community theatre has a strong tradition in the Greater Morgantown Area as well, with the Morgantown Theatre Company, located at the MET Theatre, and M. T. Pockets

Theatre Company, located at the Monongalia Arts Center (MAC), showcasing talented local performers of all ages in intimate surroundings. Visual artists can display their cre-ations year round at a variety of local display spaces that includes the MAC’s Benedum Gallery, the Morgantown Art Association’s gallery in the Mountaineer Mall, the Jackson Kelly Gallery at Arts Mon, ZENCLAY,

Appalachian Gallery, Tonique’s Trilogy

and Contempo-rary Graphics

in downtown Morgan-town. Founded in

January of 1994, the

Morgantown Writers Group (MWG)

assists area writers in improving their writing craft, getting published, and providing “critical” positive feedback on manuscripts. The group, which includes published and award-winning writers who share their experiences on publishing, writing, and new markets, meets regularly at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at the Morgantown Public Library, then go to the Blue Moose Cafe afterwards for coffee. MWG workshops draw 8 to 12 active writ-ers each session from a membership list of 44 local writers. This year they will host the 3rd Literary Arts Day in Spring, 2010. Started in 2008, the event includes workshops, literary talks, networking, and manuscript critique.

“From public venues staging full-blown, professional theatrical productions to private galleries and intimate club settings, the Greater Morgantown Area’s arts community’s reputation for presenting the liveliest performing and visual arts is well-earned.” CVB Visitor’s Guide

STUFF TO DO IN JANUARY

Jan. 13 - “The Drowsy Chap-erosne” - WVU Creative Arts Center

Jan. 15-17 - Annual Festival of Food & Wine - Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa

Jan. 15-30 - Yesterday and Today (Religious symbols of the Old Testament) Exhibit - MACwww.monartscenter.com

Jan. 17 - Mountain Stage with Larry Groce - WVU Creative Arts Center

Jan. 19 - Small Business Council “Personal Genius” presented by Grant Stewart at Lakeview Golf Resort (Morgantown Chamber of Commerce 304.292.3311)

Jan. 20 - “The Opera Show” - WVU Creative Arts Center.

Jan. 21-23 - “Love’s Looking Good on You” - M. T. Pockets Theatre (www.mtpocketstheatre.com | 304.284.0049)

Jan. 21 - Morgantown Poets spring kick-off event featuring three authors: T.W. McNemar, president of WV Writers, Inc. and author of the novel, “Ragdoll Angel,” and poets Matt Anserello of Morgantown and Isaac Pressnell of Keyser.

Jan. 22 - Morgantown Area Chamber Annual Dinner at Waterfront Place Hotel (304.292.3311)

Jan. 30 - Southern Italian Wine Dinner (featuring Tre Amici Wines plus Special Guest) - Cafe’ Bacchus. For more details on this and other events, subscribe to the email list at www.cafebac-chus.net

continued on page 13

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In the spotlightChildren’s Miracle Network

Cards of Hope™ is celebrating its eighteenth year.

The 18th annual Cards of Hope™ Cash Bash and Auction was held November 14, 2009, at Lakeview Golf Resort and Conference Center. The Cash Bash is an annual fund-raiser that benefits young cancer patients and is open to the public. All of the children’s original card designs were on display and auctioned during the Cash Bash. “These pictures are truly amazing, and one year we had an original print sell for over $2300!” said Lora Edgell, Children’s Miracle Network director.

The evening also included a buffet din-ner and entertainment. Cash prizes were given away throughout the evening, including a $1,000 grand prize drawing at 10 p.m.

Last year, 33,000 Cards of Hope were

printed and sold in sixteen states throughout the country: including Cali-fornia, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Arizona, and New York.

Cards of Hope™ are holiday greeting cards designed by West Virginia Univer-sity Children’s Hospital cancer patients, survivors and their siblings during an annual summer party. This project is open to children with cancer, their siblings and children whose brothers or sisters may have passed away. This project has been great therapy for every-one who has participated. Children who cannot attend the party have materials delivered to them at home or in the hos-pital. We want to ensure that anyone who wants to participate can.

Once the pictures are collected, a com-mittee of physicians, nurses, and busi-ness people throughout the community

By: Jessica Harner

vote anonymously for their ten favorite pictures. The pictures that receive the greatest number of votes are ones we use for the cards.

The cards are the main resource for the Cure Kids Cancer Fund, a project developed by WVU Children’s Hospital. The Fund ensures that patients and their families receive state-of-the-art medical care, as well as psychological and social support.

The money advances the pediatric hematology & oncology team’s mission by providing state-of-the-art research and supportive services that enhance the quality of life of our patients and their families.

Psychosocial services funds are used for special events like holiday parties, camps, activities/crafts; educational and resource materials; or services to support the care of patients while they are in clinic or dur-ing hospitalizations, for example drinks for patients in clinic, new patient hand-books and more.

WVU Children’s Hospital would like to thank Aker Construction Inc. for underwriting the 2009 Cards of Hope project. Thanks to the generosity of Aker Construction, 100% of the proceeds of every package of Cards of Hope cards sold will go directly to help patients and their families battling cancer.

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Page 9: Cheatlake.com Magazine

Page 9

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Coca-Cola and Our CommunityCorporate leaders at Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (CCBCC) firmly believe that good corporate citizenship is based on stewardship, the careful and responsible management of that which is entrusted to our care. As stewards, everyone in the CCBCC family is responsible for being an integral and caring member of the community and being accountable for conservation of our valuable natural resources.

From it’s beginning in 1902, CCBCC has proudly been an active part of the communities it serves, striving to reach-out to those in need through philan-thropic and service-oriented programs. Of particular concern

are those programs focused on meeting the spiritual, emotion-al and physical needs of children and families. They continue to be a proud sponsor of youth programs, local YMCAs and educational and recreational programs in schools, colleges and universities in their sales region.

CCBCC’s corporate Stewardship Program manages and coordi-nates numerous educational, community service and assis-tance programs that encourage employee volunteers to utilize their time and talents even if it means using time during the regular work day.

CCBCC employees, supported by corporate sponsorship, have spent countless hours in such activities as making home repairs for senior citizens who cannot do the work themselves, building affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity for their low-income neighbors, as well as completing com-munity and park beautification projects that benefit everyone. CCBCC teams and individual employees continue to volunteer at hospices, homeless shelters, prisons, community centers, retirement homes, youth shelters and assisted living facilities, to name a few, always bringing a smile and a comforting hand to those in need.

Local CCBCC employees and their family members recently spent the morning painting the first floor of the 8000 square foot Administration Building at the Chestnut Mountain Ranch. The Ranch is currently under construction five miles east of Morgantown on Kingwood Pike. It is a Christ-centered school and home for boys. The objective of Chestnut Mountain Ranch is to assist boys in crisis and in need of hope and healing.

The mission at Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated is to be a leader in service to their communities and responsible stewards of the God-given natural resources they use. Their continued success lies in being responsive to the needs of the consumers while being good stewards as they strive to be “The Real Thing” not only in terms of refreshment but in good corporate citizenship.

In the spotlight

Page 10: Cheatlake.com Magazine

MONEYThe Sandwich Generation: Caught Between Duty and Goals The “Sandwich Generation” is the largely unheralded group of adults who find themselves raising and providing for young children while also caring and providing for aging parents. If you are a member of this generation, it might seem like there is no safe or reliable invest-ment to protect your family and address your specific needs. But there are more options than you may realize.

Preparing for the Future One of the greatest concerns for anyone with the responsibilities of caring for parents, children or spouses is, ‘What will happen to them if something happens to me?’ Fortunately, there are several precautionary steps you can take. First, it is important to prepare a will, and to update it as often as circumstances change.

An estate-planning attorney can help you navigate your options. Another prudent step to think about is life insurance, which can be tailored to the needs of you and your family. For instance, a term life policy can provide afford-able death benefit protection for a certain period of years. It may also be eligible for conversion to whole life policy at a future date, which can provide financial protection

later in life. Additionally, a whole life policy can be borrowed against* as needs arise.

There are some events you can anticipate and plan for, such as your own retirement and your children’s education. Caring for an elderly parent, however, can be unpredict-able and requires a higher level of planning. While savings and invest-ment accounts can provide some assistance, so can the right insurance.

Financial Wellness

Page 10

Simply put, members of the sand-wich generation do not need to go it alone. Term, whole life and long-term care insurance are three strong solutions that can help provide financial protection for their changing needs.

This educational third-party article is being provided as a courtesy by Danny Fisher, a Financial Services Professional for New York Life. For additional information on the information or topic(s) discussed, please contact Danny at (304) 552-5445 or [email protected].

* Loans against your policy accrue interest at the current rate and decrease the cash value and death benefit by the amount of the outstanding loan and interest.

Ask the ExpertHave a question for Mr. Fisher? Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line Ask the Expert. Danny will answer all of your questions. Some will be posted and shared with all of our readers here.

Just Looking for Advice?We realize that sometimes, people just want to talk,

to get another opinion.

No commitment, no sales pitch, just talk.

Let’s talk. . .Ask our experts!

Page 11: Cheatlake.com Magazine

Page 11

MONEY

Did you know that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allows taxpayers to deduct the sales taxes paid on vehicles purchased between February 17th and December 31, 2009; even if you don’t itemize your deductions. If your vehicle was purchased in a state that doesn’t assess sales taxes on vehicles, you may still be eligible for a deduc-tion! This could be a wonderful way to upgrade your vehicle and see tax savings also! There are limitations and restrictions, so it is important that you are aware of what qualifies and what does not and also of how to take the deduction on your 2009 tax return. For more information on this tax saving information or any other tax or accounting advice, please feel free to contact me.

Tax Talk

Ask the ExpertHave a question for Mr, Chicarelli? Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line Ask the Expert. Josh will answer all of your questions. Some will be posted and shared with all of our readers here.

Do you know a local hero?What is a her? Usually people think of heroes as people who fight crime in movies or comic books, but those people don’t exist in the real world.

In our world, anybody can be a hero like police officers, firefighters, doctors, or people you walk by on the streets. A hero is an everyday person that you pass on the street, who can change the world for the better. It could be simple like helping one person out or by helping millions.

Do you know someone in the area whose story is worth sharing with the world? Someone who has done something amazing; something that has changed the life of another for the better? Then we want to know about it!

Cheatlake.com is currently looking for heartwarming stories about our local heroes. We want to talk to people who

are willing to let us showcase their acts of kindness. Please send us a brief summary of how your hero came to the rescue along with your name and email so we may follow up with you. If we choose your hero submission, we will contact you for the rest of the story.

Please be sure the hero you nominate is a local resident, even if their selfless act occurred elsewhere. If possible, we would prefer to interview the hero in person. If not, please specify how you are connected to the hero and their story so we can make the best selection for our hero segment. If you are the recipient of a heroic deed we would love to hear your story as well.

Submission deadline for February issue of Cheatlake.com is January 20th. Please send your Name, E-mail (required), and Phone Number (optional) to [email protected].

Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council Discover your Personal Genius!Presented by Grant Stewart of Performance Matrix. The next breakfast will be held on January 19, 8:30 am at Lakeview Golf Resort. Within each individual exists a unique untapped potential. Nature and nurture working hand in hand provides an opportunity to unleash your personal genius! “Discover your own Personal Genius - and the personal genius of your employees - and unleash your full potential”.

For more information contact the Chamber office at 304-292-3311. Please RSVP by Friday, January 15, 2010.

Page 12: Cheatlake.com Magazine

Pierpont Landing

“... a convenient community center for Cheat Lake, different than anything else...”

By: Lisa K. Brown and Jessica Harner

After a lot of work by developers, and much anticipation on the part of Cheat Lake residents, things are tak-ing shape at Pierpont Landing. The 22,000-square foot facility will soon be a new place for residents and visi-tors to eat, sleep and shop. Located at the Pierpont Exit off I-68, Pierpont Landing will be a welcome addition to the Cheat Lake area. It will offer an exciting assortment of restaurants, as well as a hotel, a car wash, and addi-tional retail and office space. BB&T will be opening a new branch in the development as well.

Also a part of Pierpont Landing is Mid-Atlantic Sports Cars, which has already opened for business. More information about the dealership can be viewed at www.midatlanticsports-cars.com. Wayne Long, co-owner of the development, says the rest of the construction should be complete by summer of 2010.

Long and the other owners, Rick Biafora and Dave Biafora, planned for the development to have a “family-style resort look”. Long said, “We want to make this a convenient community center for Cheat Lake, different than anything else in the area. We want to have big city ameni-ties and be able to live in the town of our choice.” Perhaps most exciting, Peirpont Landing will also be add-ing an upscale fuel and market space. Aptly named Mid-Atlantic Market, this is a new concept for the area. Re-sembling Arrowhead Market at Deep Creek in Maryland, Mid-Atlantic Market will offer an assortment of groceries and prepared foods. It’s going to have a nice deli,” said Wayne Long. This much anticipated Market boasts seating with a flat-screen TV over a fireplace. A fuel center will be an added feature as well as Belldina’s pharmacy, which will be attached to the side of the building.

So What Do You Think . . .So you talk to friends and co-workers, and most have the same opinion as you. You are bothered by the way an organization doesn’t seem to care about you, doesn’t have your best interest in mind, or cares more about the bottom line than the consumer. Well then tell us about it!

We would love to hear from you on any-thing from the service you received at a particular restaurant, to the issues you have with local politicians. We want you to have the chance to be heard. When in conversation you find yourself saying “but I don’t know what we can do about it” that’s when you need to write to us. Sometimes you just have to get their attention to start making change hap-pen. We want to pose the question to you “So What do You Think?” and use your feedback to initiate change.

You can even send us your “So What Do You Think?” questions. We will post them so fellow Cheatlake.com readers can respond.

Let’s find out what the rest of the community thinks.

So what do you think. . .Should West Virginia use contractor’s to clear the roadways in the winter like some other states do?

Cheat Lake residents can appreciate the convenience factor offered by the new shopping center at Pierpont Landing. But with ample room for boat trailers to maneuver around the fuel center lot, Long believes he and his business partners have done their very best to offer everything they be-lieve their Cheat Lake patrons could ask for. It truly is a unique shopping center.

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Page 13: Cheatlake.com Magazine

Errands Plus, LLCBy: Vickie Trickett

Errands Plus, LLC is a Corporate and Personal Concierge and Errand Service located in Cheat Lake, WV. They provide service to all of Mononga-lia County. They also service as far south as Clarksburg and Bridgeport, and as far East as Deep Creek, Maryland. They are currently working on expand-ing into Washinton, Pennsylvania and eventually into Pittsburgh. “We hope to be in these areas by late 2010” said Jessica Wolfe, Owner of Errands Plus, LLC.

What can they do for you? Jessica says “We provide our clients with a sense of accomplishment. We help you complete those tasks, and run those errands that keep you awake worrying when they don’t get done day after day. All you have to do is just send us your ‘to do’ list. Call us, Text us, fax us, E-mail us, whichever you prefer. We start immediately to complete everything on the list. If you’d like, you can start at the top and we’ll start at the bottom and meet you in the middle. That way by the time you get home everything is crossed off you’re to do list.”

Jessica says she is asked everyday “So what kind of stuff do you do?” Her response, “What kind of stuff do you do? If you need it done, we most likely do it. We can Walk the dog today, and file papers at the courthouse tomorrow. We can shop for gifts for that special someone, or just shop for your groceries. Don’t think your request is too strange for us. We have had plenty of odd requests; most we could fulfill, and a few so strange we don’t really know if we can tell the stories in mixed company.”

Jessica joked “If it’s legal and ethical we can do it, and if not we may consider doing it anyway.”

As the sole proprietor, Jessica is a Nurse by trade. She decided to start Errands Plus after struggling to balance life as a full time Nurse as well as a single mother to her elementary age son. “I needed a way to generate more income that didn’t include working more overtime. It’s difficult to struggle with the choice of missing a day of work to attend a school function.” Jessica says she did a lot of homework before starting Errands Plus. “I found there were many types of Concierge services in the country, each with

its own specialty. I went so far as to call other Concierge companies in places like Los Angeles, California, Glendale, Arizona, and Boston, Massachusetts and spoke to the owners to find out what worked for them. I wanted to be certain I could provide the level of service my clients deserved or I otherwise wouldn’t open

the business.”

After 2 years in business, Errands Plus now has five consul-tants that work with their clients.

Jessica says “They [the consultants] all provide exceptional service, otherwise

they wouldn’t work here. This industry is obviously built on customer service. If we aren’t providing exceptional customer service at all times, then we aren’t doing our jobs.”

Errands Plus offers gift certificates as a way to give a unique gift to someone who could use a little more free time, or just an extra hand. Contact Errands Plus today to start saving time, simplify your life, and finally

complete your to do list.

Email [email protected]. Call or Text 304-906-5700. Fax 304-777-2148.

For more info, end email to: [email protected] or [email protected].

Morgantown Poets, an informal not-for-profit, all-volunteer community group that meets from 7-9 p.m. the 3rd Thursday of each month at the MAC, provides literary enthusiasts in north-central West Virginia the oppor-tunity to express themselves, share their work, network and to connect up-and-coming writers with more established authors. New writers are welcome. Join the group on Facebook by entering “Morgantown Poets” in Facebook’s search. Or join Morgan-town Poets mailing list by writing to [email protected] or the listserve at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/motownpoetry.

Arts & Culture, cont’d from Page 7

Trinity Christian School is accredited by the Association of Christian School

International (ACSI) for kindergarten through sixth grades and chartered with Exemption K status through the state of

West Virginia for pre-kindergerten through twelfth grades.

Trinity Christian School 200 Trinity Way

Morgantown, WV 26505 Phone: (304) 293-4569 FAX: (304) 291-4660

www.tcswv.orgAd sponsored by Stone Creations, LLC.

Page 13

Page 14: Cheatlake.com Magazine

By: Jessica Harner

Invitations are the first element of your wedding that your guests will see and they set the tone for your wed-ding. Undoubtedly the bride wants them to be very, very special.

If you’ve priced invitations, however, you were prob-ably surprised at some of the costs, particularly when you factor in envelopes, postage, RSVP cards and any “little extras”. And to top it off, the average wedding guest throws it away not long after the special day has passed.

This is the reason behind the beginning of Celebrations Unlimited, a Morgantown-based company that offers invitations and social stationery for every reason to celebrate.

Celebrations Unlimited owner, Vickie Trickett, started the business with the goal of offering quality invitations and social stationery that would fit into any budget. Trickett says “I started by of-fering only custom-designed products, however I quickly began getting requests for the higher-end, “fancy” prod-ucts as well.” To meet these requests, Vickie became a vendor of Carlson Craft prod-ucts. This allowed her the opportunity to expand her product base and continue to provide affordable invita-tions and social stationery. It also allowed her to expand into the business side of the market and offer a full line of stationery, marketing materi-als, and promotional items to businesses clients.

In 2010, Celebrations Unlimited looks to expand to offer event planning, decorating, and linen rentals for social occasions. Trickett says, “We’ve planned a few weddings and parties for friends and feel that its time to officially add that to our services. In 2008 a good friend was getting married and asked me to do her wedding invitations and help with the planning. It was a destina-

tion wedding outside of Niagara Falls, New York with a pirate theme. Everyone loved the invitations! We sealed them with wax with the groom’s last initial in the wax, which was a ring that he wore to the ceremony. Guests were encouraged to ‘dress in character’” Although it was not required most did. It was an outdoor wedding with the bride and groom arriving by boat. This is one of the reasons I love what I do. Instead of worrying about pull-ing this type of event together, the couple was able to sit back and enjoy it almost as if they were guests at their own event.”

So many people lead busy lives, and they don’t have time to plan a birthday or anniversary celebration. They need a little help. A bride-to-be may just need a few suggestions on catering, music, etc., or she may be look-ing for someone to work with vendors, confirm contracts, handle all of the planning details, and be on site the day of the wedding to manage the timeline. Trickett works with couples to create a package that meets their needs, from invitations to turning out the lights at the end of the big day.

The full line of social statio-nery, which includes wedding products, social occasion invita-tions, graduation products, anniversary and vow renewal invitations, baby invitations, printed napkins, personalized mailing labels, and greeting cards, is available to view and purchase online. Trickett offers, “Our customers can browse the website at their leisure, make a selection, and even place their order, all conveniently from the comfort of their home. If they need help, we can sit down with them, make suggestions and help them choose the invita-tion that best works for their event and budget. For a custom designed invitation, we get an understanding of the event and how they see the day unfolding. From this we create a unique in-vitation ensemble that sets the mood and still fits their budget.”

To schedule a free, no obligation consultation, contact Celebrations Unlimited at 304.212.4890, or email [email protected]. To view social products, visit www.celebrationsunlimited.cceasy.com. For business products, more on event planning, decorating services, linen rental and custom designs, visit www.celebration-sunlimited.org.

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Cast Your Vote Now!What’s your Favorite Fare?

From Burgers and Fries to Sushi and Sake, we want to know where you love to eat!

Nominate and vote for your pick in our Local Restaurant of the Month contest. Every month we will list the top 3 candidates based on reader nominations. Tell us who your favorite is and

why. The readers will vote to decide who will reign as Restaurant of the Month. The winning restaurant will be

featured “In the Spotlight” and receive a free advertisement in Cheatlake.com E-Magazine for that month.

Email your nominations to [email protected] by the 20th of each monht, with the subject, “Restaurant Nomination”.

It’s Back!!!!One of West Virginia’s oldest and most renowned

traditions returns after a five year break to entertain and amaze attendees with an endless array of family

fun, food, animals, entertainment, exhibits, rides, pageant, music, competitions and more!

www.moncountyfair.org

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ENJOY A WILD AND WONDERFUL CULINARY ADVENTURE AT “A FESTIVAL OF FOOD AND WINES” Explore the seven continents at the Festival of Food and Wines planned for the weekend of January 15-17, 2010 at Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa in Morgantown, West Virginia. This will be the twenty-sixth anniversary gourmet getaway planned at the resort, with non-stop cooking classes, seminars and demonstrations by experts guaranteed to wow the many guests for whom cooking is a passion. The festival will feature a “Wild and Wonderful Culinary Adventure” with a palate that spans the continents. Many “ports of call” are planned for this adventur-ous weekend.

The festivities will open on Friday evening, debarking from West Virginia, with a welcome wine and cheese reception featuring a variety of wines and cheeses from the region. This year following the recep-tion, our very own Executive Chef Brian Yarborough will introduce a very special guest (impersonator) with a fun and entertaining “Cooking with Julia Child”!

Cuisines from various countries will be showcased Saturday, from Italian Cuisine, through the Tuscan Countryside, mixing in some Savory Chocolates and a whole lot more!

Immediately following the morning sessions, will be an afternoon Chef’s Lunch. Included in the package, the buffet luncheon will feature the dishes prepared in the morning classes.

The afternoon starts with a repeat of the seminars, followed by more cooking classes. Don’t forget to visit our International Market, various vendor displays for your shopping enjoyment. Each vendor will donate a prize to be given away to a few lucky guests at the end of the Chef’s Dinner on Saturday evening.

The premier event of the weekend will be Saturday night’s cocktail reception and Chef’s Dinner. Guests will enjoy a planetary palate at the reception and dinner, with wine pairings. The plated gourmet dinner will feature each chef from the afternoon sessions, who will be offering the items demonstrated in each of the classes, as well as other items prepared by them.

Wrapping up the weekend will be Sunday’s Chef’s Brunch. All of the chef’s will be on hand to mingle with the guests and offer one-on-one tips.

The sweet price for the Festival of Food and Wines is only $415 per couple (plus tax), which includes a double room Friday and Sat-urday nights, Welcome Reception Friday evening, breakfast Saturday morning, Chef’s Lunch Saturday afternoon, Chef’s Dinner on Saturday evening, Chef’s Brunch Sunday morning, all classes, seminars and dem-onstrations. Day packages are available for only $125 per person (plus tax). For reservations, please call toll free 1.800.624.8300. The complete itinerary is available on line at www.LakeviewResort.com.

*Talent and schedule subject to change

ARIES: The New Year gets off to a smooth start for you, Aries. Although things are running well at work, don’t be tempted to take a vacation. Now is the time to push new ideas. TAURUS: With the holiday season over and darker days upon us, the winter blues may set in. If bright lights at home don’t help, a trip to a tropical locale with plenty of sunshine could cure you. GEMINI: The 22nd is the ideal time for a romantic dinner with your partner or significant other. It could also inspire you to concentrate your efforts on finishing work projects. CANCER: Your financial picture comes into clear view this month. Give it a boost by making up for holiday spending. It’s time to sit down and plan a budget for the rest of the year or at least the next six months. LEO: The 8th opens new doors at work for you. Don’t be afraid to take on new responsi-bilities or apply for a promotion. Outline strate-gies to implement your dream. VIRGO: You are confronted with a long-stand-ing issue or troubling relationship. Resolve it now with patience and open-mindedness. Remember that aerobic exercise helps to clear the mind. LIBRA: With these cold weather months, the urge to nest at home is strong. It may be the time to upgrade an appliance, start a new decorating project, or look into finer quarters. SCORPIO: The stars predict a year of transi-tion for you, Scorpio. January is the month to harness your ambitions. Expand your mind by taking educational courses that will further your goals. SAGITTARIUS: Creative juices flow better when you are working with a small group of peers. Seek out collaborative efforts that will benefit all involved. The relationships you build will be helpful in the future. CAPRICORN: Although you now feel more secure financially than in recent years, you must still take extra care in entering any financial deals. Weigh major purchases carefully and beware of impulse buying.AQUARIUS: Take stock of what you have learned over the last year and use these life lessons to create a foundation for an exciting year ahead. Be clear about what you want and work toward new goals. PISCES: Go ahead and make that resolution to live a healthier life. Consider pulling together a few friends or family members and make a date to skate, play ball, or exercise together.

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Locavore GuideChicarelli & Associates, PLLC Bookkeeping, Tax, Audit, QuickBooks Pro Advisor & MoreJoshua M. Chicarellli, Managing MemberGrand Central Business Center PO Box 743; Morgantown, WV 26507 304-554-202 [email protected]

Children’s Miracle NetworkWVU Children’s Hospital PO Box 8200 (ROC 117) Morgantown, WV 26506-8200 304-598-4346 x 2 | Fax 304-598-4452 www.wvukids.com

Errands Plus, LLC Jessica Wolfe, OwnerPO Box 102; Dellslow, WV 26531 304-692-2980 | Fax 304-777-2148 [email protected]

New York Life Insurance Company Daniel W. Fisher, Licensed Agent235 High Streeet, Ste. 622 Morgantown, WV 26505 304-552-5445 | 304-340-4350 Fax 304-340-4359 [email protected] Spiker’s UpholsteryResidential, Office, and CommercialPeter Spiker, Owner 260 Green ST; Morgantown, WV 26501 304-296-5300

Stone CreationsRetaining Walls, Redi-Rock DistributorChad Hefner, Owner Morgantown, WV | 304-677-5505 SchoolsCheat Lake Elementary School154 Crosby Road, Morgantown, WV 26508 Telephone: 304-594-2772 Fax : 304-594-2283 Grades : PK-04

Cheat Lake Middle School160 Crosby Road Morgantown, WV 26508 Telephone: 304-594-1165 Fax : 304-594-1677 Grades : 05-08

Easton Elementary School2901 Point Marion Road Morgantown, WV 26505 Telephone: 304-291-9228 Fax : 304-284-9350 Grades : PK-04

Morgantown High School109 Wilson Avenue Morgantown, WV 26501 Telephone: 304-291-9260 Fax : 304-291-9263 Grades : 09-12

Technical Education Center1000 Mississippi Street Morgantown, WV 26501 Telephone: 304-291-9240 Fax : 304-291-9247

University High School991 Price Street Morgantown, WV 26505 Telephone: 304-291-9270 Fax : 304-291-9248 Grades : 09-12

Alliance Christian School (Private)200 Trinity Way Morgantown, WV 26505 Telephone: 304-291-4659

Covenant Christian School (Private)P.O. Box 342 Morgantown, WV 26507 Telephone: 304-292-6050

Maranatha Christian Academy (Private) 275 Canyon Road Morgantown, WV 26508 Telephone: 304-594-3717

Morgantown Learning Academy (Private) 123 Discovery Place Morgantown, WV 26508 Telephone: 304-296-9554

St. Francis Central Catholic School (Pri-vate) 41 Gutherie Lane Morgantown, WV 26505 Telephone: 304-291-5070

Trinity Christian School(Private) 200 Trinity Way Morgantown, WV 26505 Telephone: 304-291-4659

If you’re reading this, so is

someone else!Put your ad here!

Visit www.cheatlake.com to view our advertising

information, or send an email to [email protected] and a member of our advertising

will get back to you!

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www.CheatLake.com PO Box 18043 | Morgantown, WV 26507

Phone 304.692.2080 | [email protected]