October 3, 2013 – Meeting Roundup
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This week we will have Mike Morris General Manager of Berkeley Springs Water. We know that Berkeley Springs is famous for its baths, but the water also is famous. A few facts and fictions are:
FICTION: A lack of free radiation in the water indicates it has been underground since before 1945 when the first atomic bomb was detonated. There is no testing that has shown this. The drop in flow from the springs due to a recent drought indicates that the water does NOT remain underground for any great length of time.
FACT: No one knows the original source of the spring water or the source of its high temperature. Although there are various theories regarding these two issues, the geologic efforts to confirm any one of the theories would be extensive and have never been undertaken. The Cacapon River is a favorite speculative source for the water and was first proposed in the early 19th century. Other geologists postulate a huge underground aquifer.
As for the source that warms the water, there are two main theories. One claims that there is a hot spot of volcanic rock buried deep in the mountains over which the water flows, picking up heat. The other claims that the temperature, which is approximately 25 degrees above the standard for underground water, derives from the depth of the storage place of the water. The final mystery is why the mineral springs emerge ONLY in the hundred yards along the base of Warm Springs Ridge in today’s Berkeley Springs State Park. One issue is not in doubt: the source of the mineral content of the water is its passage through the silica sandstone of Warm Springs Ridge. This same sandstone is mined from the ridge as it continues north through town.
FICTION: Thomas Lord Fairfax, original owner of the springs and thousands of acres in this area, granted the springs to the state of Virginia and insisted that the springs remain free for the use of suffering mankind. There is NO documentary evidence of either such a grant or protection of the springs by Fairfax. What is FACT is that the Virginia Legislature included the statement that the water shall remain free for the public in its law establishing the town of Bath at the springs in December 1776.
The West Virginia Spring Water Company takes great care to preserve the character and taste of this fine quality spring water. It should be noted, these celebrated “springs” were visited by such notables as George and Martha Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, James Rumsey, Stonewall Jackson, Lord Fairfax, Lafayette and others.
WV Commerce
Since workman’s compensation went private, premiums have continued go down thus lowering the cost of labor. West Virginia hasn’t had a tax increase in 18 years and the cost of doing business is the 4th lowest in the nation. The cost of living in West Virginia is 14% below the nation’s average. All we have to do is let businesses know the advantages of locating here.
Cogwheels
Answer to last week’s question:
Club members can personally share in Vocational Service activities by upholding the Declaration for Rotarians in Businesses and Professions, seeking to serve through their profession and to offer their vocational talents whenever they can be of use in serving the community. For example, participating in mock interviews and career days in the schools is vocational service.
This week’s question:
What is the 4-Way Test?
Jan Sparks, a former Rotarian in Barboursville, WV and an employee of J. C. Penney, was a guest of Mike Hornby. Walt Ridenour was chauffeured to the meeting by his daughter, Anita Cooper. Cassandra Nipe, a student at Shepherd University, was back as a guest of her mother, Tina. Steve Christian won the prize for most guests— four! They were: Nic Diehl, a former member of our club and manager of Retention and Expansion for the West Virginia Development Office; Chris Strovel, field representative for Congresswoman Capito; Sandy Hamilton, Business Programs Manager for Berkeley County Development Authority; and Stephanie Godley, office manager for the Berkeley County Development Authority.
January 18, 2014 is the date for the highlight of Berkeley County’s social calendar. That is the date we will have the Taste of the Panhandle. Tickets will be $65 before January 1st and $75 after. Rumor has it that if we sell 40 tickets at the first meeting they are offered, Kevin Knowles will shave all the hair off Mike Hornby’s head (that is only a rumor that I just started). Right now Pam and her committee are looking for sponsors. You all got an email I forwarded from Gail Moxley that listed the various levels for sponsorship, so now all you have to do is either become a sponsor or find a business or individual who would like to be a sponsor. Pam’s committee has already gotten firm commitments from six restaurants and one Platinum Plate sponsor. They need more.
Vicki Elliott still needs a few people to help purchase books for the Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure Rotary Literacy Project.
Brian Jolliff won 50/50, but only won the privilege of selling tickets this week.