By Jean Braithwaite
Tribune Correspondent

KEYSER — January 14, 2010, was set as the date for the 10th Mineral County Day at the Legislature, as a large group who attended this year’s event gathered on Tuesday to survey the progress garnered by traveling to Charleston on Feb. 11-12.
Dave Vanscoy, president of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, told those at the Mineral County Day wrap-up session, “Everything went well.” He also mentioned that the Legislators “spoke highly of those representing the county.”
Wanting to build on the success of the events this year, those in attendance — including business people, elected officials, citizens, and leaders of county municipalities — had the opportunity to evaluate the happenings and then determine what improvements, if any, may be necessary.
Commenting on the listing of priority projects in brochure form that is presented to state department heads and legislators, Rick Linthicum, president of the Mineral County Development Authority, said an earlier draft version of the information would be helpful to begin seeking funding from area businesses.
Along the same lines of the presentation of county projects, Chuck Durney of ATK
felt accomplishments could be made by preparing a package of needs plus an agenda and then submitting to the appropriate people, and asking, “Now, where can this go?”
Saying that being in communication with the legislators since Mineral County Day has revealed progress, Mona Ridder, executive director of the Development Authority, cited, “They are working
on the projects, and things are happening,” naming the Route 220 Tier II study and the upgrade of water and sewage projects in the northern end of the county as two areas where growth is happening
A highlight of being in Charleston was mentioned as the entertainment in the rotunda by Frankfort Middle School’s Teal Steel Band, when Carpendale Mayor Butch Armentrout pointed out, “The music was excellent and everyone listening was tapping their feet.”
Also mentioned as positives included the workings of the Hospitality Suite, where locals gathered to hear Gov. Joe Manchin’s State of the State address, the considerable number of county participants attending various meetings with state departments, and the variety and quality of displays at the reception.
Ridder and Anne Palmer, director of the Chamber of Commerce, both spoke about the cost of the trip to Charleston, giving the good news that contributors allowed all expenses to be covered.
Looking ahead to the 2010 Mineral County Day at the Legislature, County Assessor Rose Ann Maine will chair the event, and she said, enlisting the help of others, “Together we can have a successful time.”
A logo contest as part of the activities for next year was mentioned, as Ridder said, “This could generate interest among the young people of the county.”
In addition, she said an incentive for attendance to the reception would be to have Mineral County products available for gifts through a drawing of names of those present.
With this year’s theme for the Charleston trip tied to the historical value of the proclamation of Mineral County being the birthplace of Nancy Hanks, mother of President Abraham Lincoln, Palmer wanted input for a focus next year.
Several suggestions brought to the floor of discussion were such famous Mineral County people as Jack Rollins, who penned “Frosty the Snowman,” Donnie Marple, 2007 nationwide champion of the Guitar Center Drum-Off, illustrator Leslie Thrasher, and America’s jazz great Don Redman.
With planning sessions for next year’s Mineral County Day at the Legislature scheduled for late fall, thank-you notes are now ready to be distributed to the Legislators and contributors, also asking for their participation in the 2010 event.