By Dave Boden
Tribune publisher
KEYSER — Early Monday morning, Stray Cat Wing Shack employee Valerie Whitlock talked her boss (and Wing Shack owner) Artie Hartman into throwing down the gauntlet and challenging all of the businesses in Keyser and the nearby area to show their Keyser Pride and paint Keyser Black and Gold while the Keyser High’s football team endeavors to bring home the school’s first West Virginia State
Football Championship since 1969.
As the Golden Tornado put together their game plan for their second round play-off game versus the Magnolia Blue Eagles this week; every business in Keyser has been “officially” challenged by the Stray Cat Wing Shack employees to show their spirit by decorating their storefronts in all things Tornado.
Whitlock is so serious about this project that she personally called over two dozen businesses on Monday morning and had attained a participation rate of nearly 100% … and those business that were not yet on board were only due to the business owner not being in or having to call her back.
The list of businesses who agreed to participate include (but is certainly not limited to): 84 Lumber, Tractor Supply Company, Timbrook Ford and Chevy, Grant County Bank, Mountain State Eye Center, Keyser Tobacco Outlet, Greg’s Auto, Clement’s Jewelry, Summers Auto Sales, Keyser Wee Care Day Care, Walmart, RG’s Food Shop, Dr. William Ludwick DDS, Megco, Wilt Insurance, Mike Haywood Group, Eagle Eye Gun Shop, Burner Insurance Agency, Haywood Wilson State Farm Insurance, New Creek Country Store, Dr. Bilal Itani MD, Sisler Lumber, New Creek Fire Hall, Keyser Inn, Mineral Daily News-Tribune and Med-A-Save.
So now the contest is on and if you would like to get in on the fun and excitement; please add your name to the list of participants by emailing: dboden@news-tribune.info
Additionally the Stray Cat is betting a dozen wings and the News-Tribune a half-page ad to get this contest heated up. If you would like to “bet” something from your business please call Dave Boden at the News-Tribune (788-3333) or shoot me an email to the address listed above.
All items donated to the contest will be awarded to the participating business that exhibits the most Keyser Pride and just in case you’re wondering, none other than Keyser Head Football Coach Sean Biser will head our panel of expert judges.
All of this is being done to “Paint Keyser Black and Gold” and honor the student athletes who are doing their best to bring home Keyser’s first championship in 39 years. Speaking of which, everybody should be sure to line-up along route 220 at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 to wish the team well as they head of to Morgantown for their round two battle.
