Seeing a need

By John Veasey
Times West Virginian

FAIRMONT September 21, 2008 10:14 pm

— “Barbara Metcalfe of Pleasant Valley and formally of Benton’s Ferry has worked in many phases of life in the community. She served 12 years on the city council and has worked at one time or another in just about anything she has been asked. She is a super worker who only knows one way to do a job and that is complete.”
This is the way Jack Bish, the mayor of Pleasant Valley, describes Barbara Metcalfe, who was a member of his council for a dozen years.
“I enjoyed working with them,” Barbara said of her days on the Pleasant Valley City Council. “I was there 12 years.
“I was a council member-at-large so I represented all four communities — Kingmont, Benton’s Ferry, Millersville and Pleasant Valley.”
Being a member of the Pleasant Valley Town Council is one of many responsibilities Barbara Metcalfe has had in the past and still has. That is why she has been selected as this week’s Marion County “Everyday Hero.”
Homemaker Articles
“I’ve always written articles for the Marion County Extension Homemakers,” she said. “That started probably in the ’60s. And I’m still doing it. It’s called CEOs now, but we’re still affiliated with the extension service.
She and her husband John have two daughters and four grandchildren.
“I’ve never worked outside the home except before I was married when I worked at Westinghouse,” she said. “Since I’ve been married, I’ve been a homemaker and a community volunteer.”
She started out with her volunteer work when her daughters were in school.
“I worked with the Y-Teens, Girl Scouts and Brownies, and I always worked with the Pleasant Valley Elementary School cheerleading,” she said.
“When my kids got out of school, I worked with United Way, HOPE Inc., the Soup Opera and the Union Mission. And I was extremely active in the American Cancer Society for many years.”
Barbara said “if you see a need, you like to help people. Now I’m helping my husband with Meals on Wheels. I’m helping my husband when he needed help.”
Active With Church
She’s always been active with her church.
“I’m very active with Benton’s Ferry United Methodist Church,” she said. “I volunteer with the Sunday Schools, choir, administrative board and with the Mon Valley administrative women. I’ve been their president and been on their board since 1979.
“I’ve done a newsletter since 1979. I’ve coordinated their newsletter since that time. We do four a year. Right now I’m their communications coordinator.”
She resided in Benton’s Ferry for 39 years and has lived in Pleasant Valley for the past five. She served as a correspondent for the Times West Virginian from 1996-98.
Barbara admits she has “down sized” a little.
“I’m enjoying my husband’s retirement and working on the farm,” she said, noting the Metcalfes have the only farm in Pleasant Valley.
“Beautification is very important to me. We like to keep our community clean and our surrounding area clean.
“My husband recently retired from Philips Lighting. He’s been volunteering since he retired.”
Always Available
And how long does Barbara plan to continue with her volunteer work?
“As long as my health holds out. I’m always available to help people and to help my community.
“I also helped with the Valley Volunteer Fire Department,” she related. “I’ve been real supportive of their projects and all the things they endeavor. I used to be a member of their auxiliary when my kids were small. We used to go out and fundraise dinners for them.”
E-mail John Veasey at jcveasey@timeswv.com.

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