TODAY is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. If we haven’t done anything to prepare for the great feast of Easter, there is still some time. Let us keep in mind the many people of our Ohio Valley who need assistance. A donation to a worthy charity or bringing items to a food pantry are always worthwhile acts of kindness. Making a sacrifice will bring us much joy and peace on Easter morning.

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THE 16th Annual Caregiver Support Fair will be held at the Ohio Valley Mall on Tuesday, May 5. The newly designed fair layout is set to accommodate everyone. Exhibitors and entertainers will enjoy a different, more efficient and more “Fair-goer-Friendly” design this year.

The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The annual event has proven to be a positive force in our community, offering information on resources, services and issues relating to seniors and caregivers. All are welcome and the Fair is free for exhibitors and participants.

For information on the big event, contact Ann Koegler at Altenheim Resources and Referral Services at akoegler@frontier.com

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IT is tree trimming time in St. Clairsville. Stottler Tree Service of Barnesville was scheduled to begin the process last week, according to Don Smithberger, superintendent of the city’s Light and Power Department. He said the process is an important one. “By trimming trees and branches away from power lines,we are spared the agony of power outages during heavy snows and wind and ice storms,” he said.

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THE Ohio Safety Congress Expo will be held at the Columbus Convention Center March 31 to April 2. Go to www.bwc.ohio.gov/employer/ programs/safety/Safety Congress.asp to view event information, including the schedule, hotels, directions and free online registration.

The event is hosted annually by the Bureau of Workers Compensation and is the largest regional safety and health conference in the United States.There is no charge for Ohio employers and their employees to attend the event.

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ON Wednesday, April 22, the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Administrative Professionals Style Show and Luncheon at Undo’s in St. Clairsville from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Retailers who will show their latest styles are Boscov’s Christopher & Banks, David’s Bridal and more. Kelly’s Suite II will decorate the runway.

There will be be giveaways, prizes, raffles and more. Cost is $20 per person and advanced reservations are required. For reservations call (740) 695-9623. email: administrator@stcchambe.com or regiseronline at www.stcchamber.com

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THE Martins Ferry Hall of Honor will hold it 2015 Induction Ceremony on Sunday, April 12, a 2 p.m. at Martins Ferry High School. The 2015 class includes James H Carson MD., William Grammer, Harold “Hoot” Gibson, John G. Kramer, DDS, and Joseph J. Weiskircher. The public is welcome and encouraged to a ttend this free event sponsored by The Citizens Bank.

For information, contact Hall of Honor Committee President Richard Hord at (740) 633-0376 or visit the website at www.MartinsFerry.org./hall.

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THE Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the annual Spring Banquet which will be held April 30. Nominations for Community Service, Employee of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards are being sought.

Deadline is April 6. Nominations can be mailed or brought to the Barnesville Chamber of Commerce, 130 W. Main St., P.O . Box 462, Barnesville, Ohio, 4373, or email at bacc@ barnesvilleohiochamber.

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SOMERTON residents are asked to remove grave decorations from Somerton Southern Cemetery by April 1 as part of the annual spring clean up.

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THE Belmont Soil & Water Conservation District is taking orders for their annual tree seedling, wildlife seeds and fish sales. The phone number is (740) 526-0027. The deadline for tree seedling and wildlife seed is April 6. Pick-up date is April 16-17 from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. at Roscoe Road, St Clairsville in the Belmont SWCD building.

Deadline for fish orders is April 1. The pick up date is April 2 at 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Roscoe Road location. You are advised to bring a bucket with your own pond water for transport.

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BELMONT COLLEGE will host its Fourth Annual Thomas R. Dowler Memorial Classic Golf Scramble on May 18 at the Belmont Hills Country Club. Sponsors for the event are being sought. Categories for sponsorship are Allbatsoss Sponsors, $1,000, Eagle Sponsors, $500, and Birdie Sponsors, $250.

Checks should be submitted to Belmont College by April 1 for inclusion in the registration mailing. For information, call R. J. Konkoleski, vice-president of Advancement and Marketing, at (740) 699-3980.

A statement from the college states that “all proceeds from the scramble directly benefits the students and programs at the college. Regardless of the amount of your gift, it will positively impact the potential of both the students and community now and well into the future.”

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THE Belmont Soil & Water Conservation District invites everyone to an instructive and hands-on workshop on Timber Stand Improvement. It will be held on Friday, May 8, from noon to 4 p.m. at Dysart Woods.

Presenters will be Jeremy Scherf, Service Forester; Dan Lima, The Ohio State University Extension Service; Liza Butler, Wildlife/Forestry Specialist with the Belmont SWCD; Kim Brewster, Captina Creek Watershed coordinator with Belmont SWCD; Joe Lehman, NRCS Conservation Technician and Dave Bauerback NRCS Soil Conservationist.

The workshop will help identify garlic mustard and the control methods on eradicating the problematic plant.

Also to be discussed will be the controlling measures on grapevines and how grapevines can affect your woods, and ailanthus identification and control methods.

During the workshop, participants will be manualling pulling or digging garlic mustard in a dense area of Dysart Woods. You are asked to bring a shovel or hand spade. and dress accordingly to the weather.

The event is being sponsored by the Belmont SWCD, Ohio University of Athens, Division of Forestry, OSU Extension, and NRCS.

Reservations should be made by May 7 at (740) 526-0027. For further information, directions or questions, call Lisa Butler, at (740) 526-0027

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VALLEY HOSPICE is presenting Springtime In Paris Dueling Pianos on Friday March 2 at the White Palace in Wheeling Park. Cocktail hour is at 5:30 p and diner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Pianos will begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person and includes dinner, show and cash bar. There will be an art auction featuring art by Belmont County art students.

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THE Third Annual “Welcome Home and Thank You” event, recognizing the service and sacrifices of Vietnam Veterans will be held at 11 a.m. on March 30 in front of the Belmont County Courthouse. The event is sponsored by American Legion Post 159, St. Clairsville.

Hutch Kovacs, a member of Post 159 Sons of the American Legion will be the speaker. Remarks will be given by St. Clairsville Mayor Robert Vincenzo and Ginny Favede, Belmont County Commissioner

Tom Dziatkowics will have the opening and closing prayers and the firing detail will be under the direction of John Ciesielka. Joe Barker will open the ceremony and every one is invited to attend.

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IT is for a good cause. The Tri-County Help Center, Inc, is sponsoring a Longaberger Basket Bingo fundraiser today in Marian Hall, St. Mary’s Church, West Main Street, St. Clairsville., Doors open at 1 p.m, and the games will be played from 2-5 p.m. A donation of $20 is requested. There will be raffles, 50-50 drawing and prizes will be awarded.

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MARCH 16, marked the 70th anniversary of the Willow Grove mine disaster. It happened on March 16, 1940 and 72 miners lost their lives in the disaster. We express our sympathy to the survivors of those who perished. A monument commemorating the disaster was erected and dedicated several years ago in the Bellaire Historic Park.