The 16th Annual West Virginia History Day at the Legislature “History Hero” presentations were held on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the Culture Center in Charleston, WV. Thirty-three West Virginians were awarded “History Hero” certificates. The event, sponsored by the WV Division of Archives and History, recognizes individuals for their dedicated support of and contributions to their organization’s programs, community service projects and promotion of historical preservations.
Linda L. Cottrell Liss was nominated by the Roane County Historical Society for the honor. She has been an active member of the Roane County Historical Society for several years and currently serves as membership and corresponding secretary. She initiated and carried out restoration and recording of the 1840-1881 historic Cottrell Family Cemetery and photo recorded the Swank Cemetery both on Speed Road of Roane County. She writes articles about R.C.H.S. activities for the society’s website and newsletter and also for the county newspaper. Linda also performs inquiry research for the society and is chairperson of the annual essay scholarship committee. Among other efforts, she designed and edited a walking tour brochure highlighting historic buildings in Spencer, WV and compiled a booklet on the subject for the society’s library.
Linda is a Roane County native, active in her local church, a wife, mother and grandmother, HospiceCare volunteer and an avid genealogist for over 30-years.

The 13th annual Hoot Owl Night at the West Virginia Archives & History Library in Charleston will be held from 6 p.m., March 30, 2012, through 8 a.m., March 31. Registrations with $25.00 check or money order must be postmarked by March 16. Late registrations, if space available is $35.
You can download a registration form found on the WV Archives & History Library site, www.wvculture.org
This annual event sponsored by the Mining Your History Foundation, allows you to research at the archives library to your heart's content and fellowship with other genealogists.
You may contact Joe Geiger at 304-558-0230 or Wes Cochran, 304-422-1774 for more info.

JUST A REMINDER:
The Roane County Historical Society will meet on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library in Spencer. We took a break during January and February; it's now time to get back to the business of promoting & sharing Roane County history. Members are urged to attend and guests are always welcomed.
If you have questions, I'll be happy to try to answer or find answers.
Linda Cottrell Liss
WVRoots@aol.com
Membership and Corresponding Sect'y

Just a little reminder that the Roane County Historical Society, Inc. does not meet during the months of January & February due to the uncertainty of weather/road conditions. Our next meeting will be Thursday, March 22, 2012, 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library, downstairs. Please mark you calendars now for this important meeting.

The R.C.H.S. met on Thursday, Nov 17th at 7 p.m. for their regular monthly meeting. There were twenty-eight members and guests present.

President, Rick Greathouse, called the meeting to order, Johanna Nutter led the opening prayer and the Pledge to the flag was recited by all.
The minutes from the October meeting were read by Susan Tucker, Sect'y & accepted as presented. The treasurer's report by Carol Board-Westfall reflects a working balance of $17,608.90
Linda Liss, Membership & Corresponding Sect'y reports current membership at 208. Twelve members have not paid 2011-12 dues & will be removed from the roll. She has responded to inquires and other correspondence as needed.

Mr. Michael Myers, guest/visitor, made an inquiry about information needed to recognize Mr. James M. Cleavenger, Commander of a G.A.R. Post at Spencer. Mr. Cleavenger enlisted in the Union Army in 1864, Co D, 7th Reg W.Va. Cav Vol. Mr. Cleavenger was the son of Bailey Cleavenger.

Other business/news included:
1. $750 2nd Annual Essay Scholarship has been brought to the Guidance Counselor of Roane County High School where it will be presented to Senior students. College-bound students will be applying for the different scholarships in January 2012.
2. Carol Board-Westfall did interview with the Spencer Newspapers, Inc. in preparation of an article about the society's recent historic churches in Roane County plaque project.
3. Society "16th Annual WV History Hero" nominee, Linda Liss, has completed needed applications and returned them to society President Greathouse for his review, signature and delivery to the Culture Center in Charleston.

Our evening's guest speakers were Sara Prior, Planning & Education Coordinator and Carolyn Kender, Archaeologist Sect 106/Cemetery Survey of the WV State Historic Preservation Office. They were well-prepared, knowledgeable and informative about cemetery & historic building preservation. They supplied pertinent literature regarding WV cemetery codes & restoration. They encourage societies and interested persons to record and submit the "West Virginia Cemetery Survey Form" so all known cemeteries can be mapped and included in the Historic Preservation Office's database. The database information is available to those companies or agencies who are planning construction projects such as highways, dams, buildings, etc. so burial grounds may not be disturbed in the construction process.
For more information you may contact Ms. Prior at sara.a.prior@wv.gov or Ms. Kender at carolyn.m.kender@wv.gov

The meeting adjourned with refreshments being served to our guest speakers, Prior & Kender, also guests Clifford & Janice Tawney Cooper of Maryland, Kathryn Westfall of Florida and Michael Myers. Members present were Marvin Stemple, Johanna Nutter, Betty Moore, Terry & Jo Cummings, Bernard & Patty Wyatt, Susan Tucker, Brenda Whited, Peggy Starcher, Linda Liss, Hazel Gandee, Susie Wyatt, Anthony and Joel Hofstad, Phill "PJ" Miller, Carol Board-Westfall, Rick Greathouse, Reva Paxton, Jack & Jean Nida and Melissa Swisher.

The next and final meeting for 2011 will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 15th in the downstairs area of the Roane County Library. All members are urged to attend. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome.