For the first time in West Virginia history, a musical theater minor will now be available at Fairmont State University. The Department of Music announced last fall that students can add musical theater as a minor to all majors on campus.

Social Security is here to help secure today and tomorrow by providing benefits and financial protection for millions of people. This assistance allows people with severe disabilities and health conditions to take care of the necessities of living, such as food, shelter, and medications. It …

CHARLESTON — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

The frame was beautiful.

Joining the Arbor Day Foundation is an ideal way to get in the mood for spring planting. Anyone who joins the Foundation in February will receive 10 free Colorado blue spruce trees or 10 free redbud trees to plant when the weather turns warm.

GAULEY BRIDGE — Active SWV has honored Darla Keenan as its Community Captain of the Month for February.

CHARLESTON — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

Doodling, scribbling, sketching.

Dear EarthTalk: What is the so-called Green New Deal proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and is Congress likely to go for it? — Mark Talarico, Brooklyn, New York

An eight-week beekeeping class is coming to New River Community and Technical College’s Nicholas County Campus beginning Monday, Feb. 25.

CHARLESTON — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

Leave me alone.

CHARLESTON — The deadline to turn in submissions for the 2019 Youth Congressional Art Competition is Friday, Feb. 1. The competition is open to high school students only. Exceptions will be made for schools that have 7th through 12th grades on one campus.

CHARLESTON – The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

The view from above was stunning.

BEAVER — Over 225 students earned inclusion on the New River Community and Technical College’s President’s List and Dean’s List for the fall 2018 semester.

Dear EarthTalk: Are any environmental groups working specifically to increase access to nature and the outdoors? — Mary Pelletier, Macon, Georgia

Kelton Boblits, of Edmond, will present a program of old time piano on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. at the Oak Hill United Methodist Church, 250 Main Street East, Oak Hill.

CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Division of Forestry Arbor Day educational activity guide and poster contest rules are now available online at wvforestry.com/arbor.cfm.

BECKLEY — WVU Tech’s popular Golden Bear Alumni Weekend will return March 1-2. The two-day gathering brings in hundreds of guests to reconnect and to honor outstanding WVU Tech graduates.

CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Humanities Council announces its upcoming Feb. 1, 2019, grant deadline for three grant categories: Major grants, which are awarded twice a year for projects requesting up to $20,000; Fellowships of $3,000, which are awarded annually for scholarly research proje…

CHARLESTON — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

Your hand is deep in a bucket of crunchy goodness.

Dear EarthTalk: Are modern-day hunting practices having any noticeable evolutionary or behavioral effects on wildlife populations? — Bill Cochrane, New York, N.Y.

Meetings

CHARLESTON — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

Missing….

Meetings

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Montgomery met at the home of Dr. Betty-Lou Waters on Dec. 4 for a Christmas party. A pot-luck luncheon was enjoyed prior to brief notes and holiday activities.

CHARLESTON — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

There will be a farmer’s market at the Booker T. Washington Community Center, 24 Wyatt Street, London, starting Jan. 7 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. every Monday. Fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, homemade breads and much more will be available.

The holiday season started with a cup of cheer.

Dear EarthTalk: Does the Scott brand’s “tube-free” toilet paper really save much paper or is it just another form of corporate greenwashing? — Matt Potamkin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

CHARLESTON — The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

Students interested in earning college credit at BridgeValley Community and Technical College while experiencing the wonder and history of Amsterdam are invited to sign up for a 10-day trip of a lifetime to the Netherlands’ capital next year.

You don’t have to like it.

Dear EarthTalk: What are some ways that companies can encourage or incentivize their employees to live greener and promote sustainability? — Jane Bussbaum, Troy, N.Y.

It's time to make New Year's resolutions, and seven West Virginia state parks and forests are inviting people to join a First Day Hike on Tuesday, Jan. 1 and adopt a healthier outlook by spending more time outside in 2019.

(BPT) — Holiday fantasies are not just for children. It turns out grown-ups actually celebrate the holidays living by their own set of myths, and they probably don’t even know it.

(BPT) — “From Atlantic to Pacific, gee, the traffic is terrific” ... because it’s time to head home for the holidays! No matter their destination, Americans are more than twice as likely to drive as fly this year (76 percent vs. 24 percent), according to Hankook Tire’s newest Gauge Index Survey.

(BPT) — When you place a plastic beverage container in a recycling bin, you are an important part of the product’s life cycle, helping that packaging to be used to make something new, over and over again.