Photo courtesy of Sam Sentelle Olga Petrosyan sings as Charlton Jordon looks on.

Putnam County will continue to count its blessings

BY Bill Ellis
The Putnam Herald
November 24, 2006

On Thursday, November 23, the residents of Putnam County joined millions of Americans in counting our blessings and will do so through Christmas and the rest of this year. The Plymouth colonists in New England first celebrated their blessings on Dec. 11, 1621.

On Tuesday, Nov. 14, we celebrated the 12th Annual Putnam County Thanksgiving Dinner as people came from throughout the county to the Sleepy Hollow Golf Club for a delicious, traditional meal.

Edward Winslow, 1595-1655, one of the Pilgrim Fathers who came to America on the Mayflower in 1620, "was a founder of the Plymouth Colony, in the present-day State of Massachusetts," (Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia). He was one of the first settlers to explore areas of the New England coast. He also "negotiated a treaty of friendship with the local Wampanoag Indians."

Winslow wrote about that first Thanksgiving Day. "Our corn did prove well and, God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn. Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor (William Bradford) sent four men on fowling, that so we might, after a special manner rejoice together after we gathered the fruit of our labors. Many of the Indians came amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king, Massasoit, with some 90 men whom for three days we entertained or feasted."

Our Putnam County feast lasted for 90 minutes in the crowded Anderson Room with approximately 180 thankful people. Mary Keely, President of the Putnam County Rotary Club, eloquently served as master of ceremonies. Dr. Dan Hogan, pastor of Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church, voiced our prayer of gratitude. Marty Chapman, from a long line of Putnam County settlers, and president of the Chamber of Commerce, recognized our military veterans

Joe Haynes, County Commissioner, of John Amos Power Plant, led us in "a Litany of Thanksgiving." We were reminded of the growth and business development, of the hundreds who have moved to our county, the tremendous schools, churches, policemen, firemen, volunteers, neighbors and friends who make this one of the best counties of West Virginia. It is prosperous and alive with potential.

The highlight was the music of two outstanding young vocalists, Olga Petrosyan, who grew up in Russia, appropriately sang, "Gratitude." Charlton Jordan, a graduate of Poca High School and student at West Virginia State University, sang "God Bless America," to a standing ovation.

Olga and Charlton are both concert artists who perform musical programs throughout our state and other states. You may contact them for concerts for your church, business or school. Call Charlton at (304) 741-3412 and Olga, through Chet Marshall, at (304) 757-1985.

Elena Kondratovich, a student from Russia, will next month complete her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Marshall University. She works at the university's Teays Valley Regional Center with Bonnie Prisk, who invited her to the dinner. She said, "I had a really good time."

Elena then stated: "Even though I am far away from home, events like this make me realize that I belong to Putnam County, West Virginia. After all, it is not the geography, but the people who make the difference. At this Thanksgiving Day I will be giving my thanks for a fortunate opportunity to be a member of this community and wonderful people I met here."

Cindy Skiles, owner of Teays Physical Therapy Center, gave the benediction. She reminded us of these words in Psalm 100, "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name." (Psalm 100:5 NIV).

Bill Ellis is an award-winning, syndicated columnist who lives in Scott Depot. In this column, "Putnam in Perspective," which appears weekly in the Putnam Herald, Ellis takes a look at the history of Putnam County and the people who have made it great. Any feedback or story ideas are welcome at bill@billellis.net, or you may write to him in care of The Putnam Herald, P.O. Box 2017, Huntington, WV, 25720.

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