1928 - Alderson High School - 1968

ALDERSON MAIN STREET NEWS RELEASE P.O. Box 117, Alderson, WV  24910 August 31, 2016 Contact Alderson Main Street Improving The Community One Project At A Time

OPEN IN ALDERSON There   is   no   question   that   the   June   flooding   wreaked   havoc   in   all   the   Greenbrier   Valley.   Lives   were   lost. Even   those   who   were   not   directly   affected   may   have   lost   employment,   the   ability   to   get   to   necessary appointments, and just their sense of well-being. What   has   made   it   all   bearable   has   been   the   outpouring   of   love,   warmth,   and   donations   of   everything   from clothes to washing machines to money and especially labor. Alderson   was   fortunate   in   so   many   ways.   No   lives   were   lost   here   thanks   to   the   heroic   actions   of   first responders.   The   final   crest   was   about   2   feet   below   what   had   previously   been   experienced.   By   Saturday,   it seemed   like   every   volunteer   fire   department   in   Monroe   County   was   in Alderson   with   pumps   asking   whose basement   needed   pumped   next.   Federal   and   state   prisoners   joined   volunteers   from   everywhere   to   help haul   trash   and   clean.   “Mount   Trashmore”   in   the   Johnson   Memorial   United   Methodist   Church   parking   lot grew and diminished and grew again as trash was brought in and then hauled away. So   what   now?   FEMA   has   come   and   helped   and   physically   gone   but   are   still   helping.   The   Red   Cross remains   available   as   do   many   local   organizations   which   have   been   established   to   provide   specific   help. Politicians   are   checking   back   to   see   what   has   been   done   and   what   still   needs   to   be   done.   Full   recovery, especially for those whose homes were lost or damaged, will take a long time. Meanwhile,   how   can   you   help?   Alderson’s   businesses   are   up   and   running   and   need   your   support.   The Green   Grocer   and   the   Sunnyside   Deli   and   Café   have   been   open   since   the   week   after   the   flood.   The Alderson Thrift   Shop   has   been   open   as   well. Alderson’s   Store   and   Bridgewalk   Shops   were   not   affected   and have   remained   open—bright   spots   for   a   little   retail   therapy!   The   Alderson   Community   Market   only   missed one   Saturday   and   the   Alderson   Visitors   Center,   designed   to   withstand   flooding,   was   cleaned   up   and   back in   operation   in   days.   The   Alderson   Artisan’s   Gallery   saved   all   of   its   inventory   and   is   opening   soon   in temporary   quarters   in   the   Alderson   Visitors   Center.   Asian   Athletics   continues   to   provide   classes   in   the Renaissance   Building   while   waiting   for   final   repairs.   Wolf   Creek   Gallery,   operated   by   Patti   Grafton,   will open   as   soon   as   its   space   is   repaired.   The   Big   Wheel   Restaurant,   unaffected   by   the   flooding,   re-opened almost   as   soon   as   the   power   came   back   on.   The   Subway   was   surrounded   by   water   but   was   back   in operation very soon. Mayor   Travis   Copenhaver   said,   “Take   a   break   and   come   to   Alderson,   have   lunch   or   dinner   and   visit   our shops. We are ready to welcome you!”