WEST VIRGINIA'S REPLY By: Roy L. Spinks

All those people who like to joke
About West Virginia; and the ones who poke
Some nasty fun at Mountaineerland:
Some I can handle: some I can't stand!
They make us West Virginians the goats:
The object of puns and anecdotes....
Some call us barefoot country clowns;
Living in shacks with pigs and hounds.

Some seem to delight in putting us down!
Crude portrayals of Mountaineers abound:
We've been called hillbillies from the sticks:
Stupid, ignorant illiterate hicks!
Living off the D.P.A.;
Staying drunk throughout the day!
Making moonshine after dark:
Dumb, but happy as a lark!

We've suffered indignity and scorn
Heaped on the state where we were born;
But - what really gets me in a huff
Is when they start that incest stuff!
Some may say that it's all in fun,
I say it's rude, and overdone!
If they'd check their closet's grimy bones
Maybe they'd leave our state alone.

Our state is hilly, I'll confess....
Some things about it are a mess;
But I'm sure you'll find in every state
Many conditions not first-rate....
Homeless people, crime and squalor
Isn't just found up our hills and hollows
Greed and corruption on every hand
Isn't just here in Mountaineerland.......

Our Mountain State is a sight to see!
Second to none in scenery:
Fertile valleys, green and fair;
Clean, refreshing mountain air:
Picturesque forests with timber tall;
Mountain streams and waterfall!
In wild, wonderful West Virginia
You're sure to find something that'll win ya'!

Look a little closer, and you will find
West Virginians of the genteel kind:
Friendly folks everywhere you go:
It's not that way in some states I know....
To those who'd cast at us a stone:
Think of the state you call your own....
There's a lot of love for it within ya'......
That's how we feel about West Virginia!



Help with Tornado & Storm Recovery Efforts

Us WVU Mountaineers always do our part to help neighbors in need. The Center for Civic Engagement has put together a list or resources to help you in giving to the efforts.

Text to Give Options
Salvation Army- Text GIVE to 80888 to make a $10 donation
American Red Cross- Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

Online Giving Options
Feeding America- http://feedingamerica.org/
Samaritans Purse- http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Resources and Information
National Shelter System- http://www.redcross.org/nss/
Facebook Match for Victims- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pictures-and-Documents-found-after-the-April-27-2011-Tornadoes/162443980482277?sk=wall&filter=2

You can also visit http://cce.wvu.edu for the latest information on new efforts.

COAL...Facts You should know!

Coal effects all of our lives even though you don't think it does!

The average haulage truck holds about 25 tons of coal. A rail car holds about 100 tons, or the equivilent of 4 trucks. A river coal barge holds about 1500 tons, the equivalent of 15 rail cars or 60 trucks.

It takes one pound of coal to produce 1.25 kilowatt/hours of electricity, enough to light one 100 watt lightbulb for 10 hours.

 A typical computer spread with internet access requires about 1,000 watts of power.

A lump of coal is burned every time a book is ordered

on-line.

It takes about a pound of coal to create, package,

store and move 2 megabytes of data.

The average internet user (12 hours per week) uses

over 300 pounds of coal annually for this purpose.

The total demand for electricity from personal computers

on the internet amounts to 8% of the U.S. electrical

supply.

When one billion people are accessing the internet,

as is projected, the required electricity will be equal to

total current capacity of U.S. electric power production.

One ton of coal equals 3.8 barrels of oil, 189 gallons

of gasoline, one cord of firewood, 21,000 cubic feet of

natural gas, and 6,500 kilowatts of electricity.

WV Coal Facts                  

• West Virginia coal is shipped to 33 states and the District of Columbia.

• West Virginia coal is shipped to 25 countries.

• West Virginia provides 50% of all American coal exports.

• West Virginia is the national leader in underground mining production.

• West Virginia is second only to Wyoming in U.S. coal production.

• West Virginia coal is second to none in the value of its coal production at $6.7 billion.

• The coal industry and the coal burning electric generating industry together represent nearly

60% of the business taxes paid to the State of West Virginia.

• West Virginia coal miners earn an average of more than $62,700 annually, more than twice

the amount of the statewide average for all workers.

• West Virginia’s coal industry pays nearly Two Billion Dollars in annual direct wages.

• Every coal mining job generates between five and eight other jobs in the local economy.

• Since 1863, West Virginia has mined nearly 13 billion tons of coal.

• West Virginia’s estimated recoverable coal reserves amount to nearly 53 billion tons.

• Coal is responsible for more than $3.5 billion to West Virginia’s gross state product, nearly

13% of the total.

• 20% of New York electricity is generated by coal, at an average cost of 13 cents per kilowatt/

hour.

• 99% of West Virginia electricity is generated by coal, at an average cost of 5 cents per kilowatt/hour.

• More than half of American electricity is generated by coal, at an average cost of 8 cents per kilowatt/hour.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you want to lern more go to http://www.wvcoal.com/

TODAY’S AMERICAN WOMAN PAGEANT

I would like to invite you to Join us in our AMAZING year!

Today’s American Woman is the pageant whose national Platform is Volunteerism with a Passion, which allows each queen to serve the platform of her heart and life's experience!

OUR NATIONAL PAGEANT WILL BE IN ANNAPOLIS MD JULY 14-17TH 2011 AT THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL

Today's American Woman Pageant provides a wonderful way for women of all ages, cultures and sizes to celebrate the positive attitude that makes our country strong! This pageant system is designed to help you showcase your individual personality, build confidence, gain greater social awareness and give back to your community. Today's American Woman Pageant offers these opportunities, as well as a sisterhood and much more! AN OVERALL WINNER AND CASH PRIZE HAS BEEN ADDED TO COMPETITION! OVERALL WINNER WILL RECIEVE $500.00 CASH IN ADDITION TO ADDITIONAL AMAZING PRIZES. (contract conditions apply)

Our Age Divisions range from Teen and Miss to Ms. and Mrs. Contestants. We have special Divisions for Petite and Plus Size ladies too! The Pageant is open to all eligible applicants, welcoming newcomers to join and see how wonderful pageantry can be!

Teen Division Ages 13 to 17

Miss Division Ages 18 to 25

Ms Division Ages 26 to 35

Classy Ages 35 to 49

Elite Ages 50 up

Mrs. Division Ages 21 to 35

Classy Mrs. Ages 35 to 49

Elite Mrs. Ages 50 up

We have Petite and Plus Divisions in each age group as well

AN OVERALL WINNER AND A CASH PRIZE HAS BEEN ADDED TO PAGEANT!

CALL NATIONAL OFFICE FOR DETAILS!

ELIGIBILITY:

Must be a naturally born female and a citizen of the United States.

Must be of good health and moral character.

Must agree, that you will abide by all the rules and regulations governing that pageant.

Must agree that if you win a national Today's American Woman title, you will not participate in any other pageants during the time you hold any of these titles, unless authorized in writing by Today's American Woman National Office.

Must be willing to release, unconditionally and forever, any claim against Today's American Woman Pageants, directors, partners, employees, agents and assigns, which they may have by virtue of their participation in Today's American Woman Pageant, or by any use of their name, likeness, voice, and/or biography in connection with Today's American Woman Pageant, including use in promotional and advertising material.

Must understand and agree that all issues as to eligibility shall be determined by Today's American Woman Pageants, and they must agree to abide by that determination both as to themselves and other applicants.

AREAS OF COMPETITION:

Areas of Competition and Special Awards

50% Interview This will be done in the "Round Robin" style.

25% Glamorous Wear This is the opportunity to show the Glamour and Style in every "American Woman".

25% Evening Wear Let your light shine onstage with grace and elegance in your evening gown. You will be escorted by America's Service Men!

Opening Number Outfits will be chosen by the National Office at least 90 days before the National Pageant. You may be responsible for some or all of cost of opening number outfits.

Judging will be based on individual beauty, poise, personality, ability to promote their personal platform with success, stage presence, originality of style. Interview is a major part of the scoring. Your ability to speak well and promote your platform is a big plus. A woman's size is not a factor in any category. We are looking for a "well rounded" contestant to win our titles. THERE WILL BE MANY AWARDS SUCH AS SERVICE AWARDS, PHOTOGENIC, OVERALL QUEEN, EVENING WEAR, INTERVIEW HIGHEST SCORE, BEST GLAMOROUS WEAR, AND MORE!

PAGEANT FEES:

STATE TITLE HOLDER FEE $50.00 off state fees until April 1, 2011!!

$250.00 (Includes Crown, Sash and Prizes!)

When you enter and you are awarded a "State Title", the $250.00 is due within 30 days of the offer of the Title.

SPONSORSHIP FEES FOR NATIONALS

The balance for Nationals, which is discounted to $300.00 is not due until June 1st, 2011.

We do ask our queens to get sponsors for this and we help guide you in doing so.

*NO REFUNDS ON ANY FEES...NO EXCEPTIONS!

CONTACT JERA LYNN ANDERS NATIONAL DIRECTOR

Pageant Office : 864-905-4623 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              864-905-4623      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Email: scpageants@hotmail.com

http://www.wix.com/americanwomanpageant/fjfjfjfjf

Make sure to say that Jessica Herndon referred you.

Welcome From Today's American Woman Miss WV



Today’s American Woman Miss West Virginia, Jessica Herndon lives in Russellville, WV and is the daughter of David and Cynthia Herndon. She is a senior of West Virginia University pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a major in Agricultural and Extension Education. While at WVU, she has been a Member of Collegiate FFA and 4-H, Wildlife Society Woodsmen Team, a volunteer for The American Red Cross and Ronald McDonald house. Has training in Lifeguarding, water safety, CPR/AED, and First Aid.  Jessica is also a member of the National Association of Agriculture Educators.  Some of Jessica’s hobbies include work on antique tractors, hunting and fishing, riding ATVs, Timber Sports, Pageants, Basketball, Tennis, Swimming, Football, Photography, Horseback Riding, Hiking, scrapbooking, spending time with friends and family. Three words to describe Jessica are: Driven, Approachable, and Compassionate.

With her state title and hopefully the national title Jessica will be able to go into her community to speak about the Ladies Auxiliary Friends of Coal Organization while representing West Virginia. Jessica is very proud of her platform. She speaks with pride and confidence when telling stories of the coal miners and the history. She is very proud to represent this platform because her fiancée is a coal mine electrician and other family members have worked in the mines as well.

Jessica is not your typical girly girl. She is involved in pageants but she still likes to put on her hunting boots and hit the woods and she love to pull up the waders and do some trout fishing in this beautiful state of WV.