Fairmont State University - Mound Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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Nature sings the praises of springtime in West Virginia It was springtime in West Virginia when I strolled through a crocus- covered meadow and thought of the dandelions that would be there in the summer. I liked the crocuses and springtime better. ,„. ;: ' . ■■ ' ;• ' % . ABOVE LEFT: Falcon Rod Lambert waits his turn on the bench. ABOVE RIGHT: The Hardways talk with Bob Stemple, director of the Clarksburg Center of Fairmont Community College. RIGHT: FSC cheerleaders collapse during practice on the lawn between the Student Center and Locust Avenue. LEFT TO RIGHT ARE: Lucy Swisher, Cheryl Hando, Marsha Vennis, Candi Sullivan, Sheila Leaper. jjjg m

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Statistics and other interesting phenomena: Did you know that the world ' s longest steel-arch bridge is in West Virginia? West Virginia has the world ' s longest steel-arch bridge, the New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville spanning 1 ,700 feet across the New River. The geographic center of the state is four miles east of Sutton in Braxton County. West Virginia ' s highest point is Spruce Knob at 4,863 feet, while the Potomac River is its lowest at 240 feet. The largest lake in the state is the man-made Summersville Lake, which measures four square miles in area with a 65-mile shoreline and a maximum depth of 267 feet. The three national forests in the Mountain State are the George Washington, the Jefferson and the Monongahela. West Virginia is the only state located entirely within the Appalachian Mountains. The state ' s ten largest cities in order of population are Huntington, Charleston, Wheeling, Parkersburg, Morgantown, Weirton, Fairmont, Clarksburg, Beckley, and Bluefield. The total population of the state from a July 1 , 1 975, census is 1 ,803,000. You look up at ' If . You stand at the bottom of the New River Gorge in a little place in the road called Fayette Station, and you look up at It. A feeling of awe and wonder passes through you, and perhaps even a touch of fear. It is the New River Gorge Bridge — a man- made marvel, towering over the New River like a pagan idol. Tons of steel and gallons of sweat and blood went into its making, a dream many called impossible. On Sundays, wide-eyed tourists in the ir big fancy cars travel the tortuous road just to get a glimpse of It and maybe a picture or two. Natives to the area shake their heads in amazement, wondering what all the fuss is about. But, secretly, they stare at It in wonder, too. And, the majestic New River, untouched by man, continues to roar beneath it. Perhaps there are some things that shouldn ' t be changed.

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Swinging bridges falling down . . . . . falling down, falling down. LEFT: A swinging bridge in rural West Virginia. BELOW: Probably due to a spring flood, this bridge is no longer used. The dewdrops from the ground ' s tiny foilage dampened the bottoms of my jeans and left spots on my leather shoes. The cautious cardinal chirped loudly on that day and, sure, he ' d still be singing in July, but he seemed louder in March when the tormentingly cruel winter had finally ceded to spring an d the fittest had survived. Even the dogwood blossoms seemed most beautiful then. In October, when West Virginia ' s hillsides become autumn ' s canvas and explode into hues of yellow, orange, red and brown, I still remember spring ' s reds and yellows and blues and whites and greens topped by a fresh breeze. West Virginia in January is a winter wonderland with her crisp, fresh, minty air, but the warmth of the sun in April is more inviting. Springtime in West Virginia is freshly thawed streams running cool and wild, the mighty black bear retreating from his winter snooze, and the towering sugar maple donning unfaded green leaves — all returning to life. Nature sings the praises of springtime in West Virginia. ' -. • V, - ♦