Every week, The Observer team digs into the details that matter in Jefferson County. Our content is free for everyone to read, but producing well-researched local news isn’t free.
If you value local journalism, contribute what you can.
Shepherdstown Banner Program Honors Veterans
Just in time for Memorial Day, Shepherdstown has launched a new program honoring local veterans with commemorative banners displayed around town.
According to Mayor James Gatz, the town’s new banner project came together quickly after resident Jim Schmitt proposed the idea earlier this spring. Town Council members Cheryl Roberts and Shannon Thomas worked with Schmitt to launch the project, which debuted with banners honoring 22 veterans. Shepherdtown plans to display the banners three times a year — in conjunction with Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.
Individuals interested in purchasing a banner to honor a veteran in Shepherdstown can request an application and program details by emailing Comments@Shepherdstown.gov or calling Town Hall at 304-876-2312.
Charles Town and Ranson also host veterans banners. The American Legion Jackson-Perks Post 71 coordinates the banners in these cities. According to Harry Johnson, a past post commander, the program began in 2021 and currently accommodates approximately two dozen banners in Charles Town and three dozen in Ranson.
To order a banner through the American Legion, contact Johnson at Oscar410@yahoo.com, call 304-279-6739, or visit the post at 225 West Washington Street in downtown Charles Town. The post is open every evening except Tuesday.
More images at ObserverWV.com.
A message from the Skinner Law Firm
Worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer after an accident? At Skinner Law Firm, there’s no upfront payment required. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if your case is successful. No checks, no credit cards — just legal support without any upfront financial burden.
>>>Learn more…
Governor Celebrates Building Rehabilitation In Charles Town
Mark Letenzi (holding scissors, above) says he enjoys working out the puzzle of how to rehabilitate old buildings.
On May 21, Letenzi was joined by West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, Charles Town Mayor Bob Trainor, and a full porch of local officials and residents to celebrate the rehabilitation of the Stephenson building at 515 East Washington Street in Charles Town.
The building was erected in 1881 to house the John Stephenson Female Seminary, one of the earliest institutions dedicated to women’s education in West Virginia. According to historical records, the building would continue to serve that mission until 1921, when it was sold to the Briscoe family and converted to use as the Charles Town Inn. In the early 1940s, it was converted to a boarding house and then apartments.
By the time Letenzi’s company, Mitchell Park, purchased the building in 2021, it had sat vacant for two decades following a fire that had gutted the interior. He remarked during the ceremony that this “was not an easy project, it’s a small commercial project, but it has all of the requirements and complexity of a large commercial project.” He pegged the total project investment at around $2 million.
Governor Morrisey noted during his remarks on Wednesday that this “is an example of what can be accomplished with hard work and a shared mission to preserve our heritage.” He also noted the important interplay between historic preservation and economic development in West Virginia’s small historic towns.
>>>Read more…
A message from the Shepherdstown Community Club
Shepherdstown Garden Tour Plein Air Painters Art Exhibit
The work created during the Back Alley Garden Tour & Tea by Walt Bartman & Goldfinch Studio Painters will be on display and available for purchase from May 23 through June 15 at the Bridge Gallery in Shepherdstown. Opening reception is at the Bridge Gallery on Friday May 23 from 6 to 8 pm. The Bridge Gallery is located at 8566 Shepherdstown Pike in Shepherdstown.
>>>Info…
City & County Struggle To Align On Charles Town Downtown Plan
As the Jefferson County Commission moves forward with purchasing two buildings to house its future administrative and judicial offices, the City of Charles Town is urging quicker action on planning the reuse of the downtown Washington Street properties the County will vacate.
In April, the City received an $80,000 proposal from consulting firm Place and Main Advisors to assess redevelopment options. City officials hoped to discuss the proposal with the County Commission at its May 15 meeting and request shared funding. But the Commission declined to add the item to its agenda.
Residents voiced support for closer collaboration between the County and the City during the meeting’s public comment period, and the Commission later announced a July 17 community forum — after the new buildings purchase is expected to close — to begin public conversations about the future of the Washington Street properties.
At its May 19 meeting, the Charles Town City Council directed its staff to re-submit the request for a spot on the Commission’s meeting agenda. In the letter, which was sent on May 21, the City criticized the lack of collaboration and raised concerns over possible deterioration of the buildings. The letter also objected to reports that County staff had contacted banks on the City’s behalf regarding financing options for a purchase of the buildings by the City — without consulting the City.
Commission President Pasha Majdi spoke with The Observer after reviewing the City’s letter and reiterated that final budget numbers for the new buildings project must be settled before the County can discuss the future of the Washington Street properties, noting the importance of understanding debt costs and impact fee projections.
The County Commission is next scheduled to meet on June 5.
>>>Read more...
Events Snapshot: Arts, Culture & Community
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Plein Air Paintings — Exhibition of art created during the Shepherdtown Back Alley Garden Tour. Bridge Gallery (8566 Shepherdstown Pike). Exhibit May 23 – June 15. Opening reception Friday, May 23, 6 - 8 pm. Info…
Live Band Karaoke — Sing along with rock & roll and country favorites. American Legion Post 71 (225 West Washington St, Charles Town). Friday, May 23, 7 - 10 pm. Info…
Bleeding Kansas — A play about a young farm family that finds love and hate, sometimes in the same person. Presented by Town Run Theater Company at the Shepherdstown Opera House (131 West German St, Shepherdstown). Final weekend: May 23 (7 pm), 24 (7 pm), 25 (3 pm). Info & tickets…
Great Boonsboro Rescue Company Carnival — Weekend of fun in Shafer Park (37 Park Drive, Boonsboro). Friday, May 23 - Sunday, May 25. Rides open 5 pm, music at 6:30 & 8:30 pm. Info…
Guided Hike for “Between These Rivers” — Hike along Potomac Street and Armory Canal (Lower Town Harpers Ferry). Saturday, May 24, 10 am - noon. Pre-registration required. Info…
Meet the New Lambs — Family-fun event at Clermont Farm Foundation (151 Cleremont Lane, Berryville VA). Saturday, May 24, 10:30 - noon. Info & Tickets…
Baby Goat Snuggles — Family-fun event at Silver Maple Farm Goats (1829 Withers Larue Lane, Berryville VA). Saturday, May 24, 2 - 3 pm. Info & Tickets…
Catfish Tournament — Stop 3 on the Western Maryland Catfish Tournament Trail (public boat ramp, 319 N. Princess St, Shepherdstown). Saturday, May 24, 7 pm - 3 am. Info…
Federal City Brass Band — Concert on the steps of the Maryland Theater (21 South Potomac St, Frederick MD). Saturday, May 24, 7 pm. Free. Info…
“Between These Rivers” — Book launch party organized by Harpers Ferry Park Association. Arsenal Square (Lower Town Harpers Ferry). Sunday, May 25, 2 - 4 pm. Info & Reservations…
Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast — Hosted by the Rotary Club of Martinsburg. War Memorial Park (500 North Tennessee Ave, Martinsburg). Monday May 26, 8:30 - 10:30 am. Free (donations welcome).
How Trees Create Community — Book discussion with author and Shepherdstown resident Leah Rampy at Shepherdstown Public Library (145 Higbee Lane, Shepherdstown). Thursday, May 29, 7 - 8 pm. Info…
Christian Lopez — Concert to kick off the Levitt summer music series at the AMP (235 Sam Michael’s Lane, Shenandoah Junction). Thursday, May 29. Gates open 6:00, Concert at 7:30. Free Info…
Tell us about your event — email Explore@ObserverWV.com.
|
|
Copyright © 2025
WV Independent Observer LLC
To advertise in The Observer Weekly or the Independent Observer, contact Sales@ObserverWV.com.
|
