Old Shop ‘N Save Building in Davis Being Dismantled
Plus, local charities that need your support, Outside magazine loves Davis (again), and more
The old Shop ‘N Save building in Davis is being dismantled.
Earlier this year the town of Davis sought to buy the building and the adjacent parking lot, but those negotiations have ended.
Michael McClintock, one of the owners of the property, said the building contains a substantial amount of material that can be salvaged and a local contractor will “reuse and recycle” as much as possible. He added, “What is left will be disposed of properly.”
The process is underway and will take a few months, McClintock said. He declined to specify next steps for the property, saying more information will be available after the building is gone.
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Year-End Giving: Local Charities That Make a Difference
Whether you’re a local, a second homeowner, or a frequent visitor to this area, here are some ways that you can help the community that we all love. Make donations to qualified nonprofits before the end of the year to get a deduction on your 2024 taxes.
The Food Pantry
During the past year I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Veronica Staron, who manages the local food bank, and I can assure you that she runs a tight ship. Every dollar donated will be put to good use.
Staron scours the region for donated food, but there aren’t enough free items to meet the needs of the community. She knows where to shop for bargains to fill the gaps, and she stretches the food pantry’s budget as far as possible.
The food pantry currently operates out of a church basement in Davis. It recently secured more than $200,000 from grants and donations to build a much-needed distribution facility in Thomas, where it will move its operations in the spring.
Tom Kucer, a board member of the Blackwater Ministerial Association, which operates the food pantry, said there are still plenty of needs to fill.
“Our food costs are up substantially this year,” Kucer said. “There’s always a need, especially for operating expenses.”
Click here to read more about the food pantry. To make a tax-deductible donation, or to inquire about other ways to help, call 304-259-5635, email blackwaterministerial@gmail.com, or click here.
The Performing Arts Center at Cottrill’s Opera House
Don’t let the name fool you; the backers of this ambitious project have plans that go way beyond opera.
The center, located in a historic building in Thomas, will host concerts, plays, community events, arts education camps for kids, and other activities.
It’s been a long road to rehabilitate the building and there’s still a lot of work to do, but an opening day is within sight.
Dave Esch, president of Alpine Heritage Preservation, the nonprofit that owns the facility, says the performing arts center is an important cultural and educational asset that will boost the area’s economy.
Click here to read more about the new performing arts center. To make a donation, click here.
Tucker Community Foundation
The Tucker Community Foundation provides a wide array of benefits including scholarships, assistance for the elderly, support for emergency services, historic preservation, and animal welfare services. It awarded more than $1 million in grants last year.
Executive director David Cooper says the community foundation is most in need of unrestricted donations – those that aren’t dedicated to any specific cause – because it can use those funds to respond quickly to unexpected needs like disaster relief.
Click here for more information about the Tucker Community Foundation and how to donate.
Tucker County Giving Circle
I don’t have personal experience with this organization, but it’s been recommended by people I trust.
A giving circle is a group of people whose members give money regularly and decide as a group which causes to support. The Tucker County Giving Circle held its first meeting in 2020 with ten founding members who each pledged $300 annually.
It has grown substantially since then and now gives more than $12,000 annually in grants to local causes including education, the Mountaintop Public Library, and fitness programs for kids.
For more information, contact TCGCofcrs@gmail.com.
Outside Magazine Pours More Sugar on Davis
Outside magazine just can’t get enough of our region.
“Outdoor Access in This Town Is Off the Charts,” the magazine declared in a lengthy article published Dec. 9.
The magazine previously featured this area prominently in a July report on the Mountain State. And a year ago, the magazine declared Davis and Thomas combined one of the “7 Most Affordable Mountain Towns in America,” a claim based on dubious housing data, as Country Roads News reported.
If the pattern holds, we’re due for another love letter from Outside magazine in about six months.
Festival of Trees Lights Up Davis Town Hall
Country Roads News will sign off this edition with this sparkling image from the Festival of Trees in the Davis Town Hall. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season filled with laughter and love.
