Pictured (front) is 2012 Heritage Queen Margaret “Mikki” Young, and (second row, from left) Margaret Bing, Shelia Ann Elkins, Charlotte Rose Knaul, Sharon Nibert, Beverly Ridenour, Ruth Upton, Virginia “Ginny” Wallis.
Pictured is one of the several Battle Days re-enactors speaking to a group of Mason County students on the origins of West Virginia.
POINT PLEASANT — Eight contestants competed and a new Heritage Queen was crowned Friday morning at the Gene Salem Senior Center, followed by the kick-off of the annual Battle Days celebration at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.
Following the introduction of each contestant, emcee Mayor Brian Billings interviewed each one on their various interests and hobbies, and then by means of a drawing, Margaret “Mikki” Young was named the 2012 Heritage Queen. Young discussed her interests of volunteering, spending time with friends and making others happy.
In order to compete for the title of Heritage Queen, as was stated at the competition, contestants must be over the age of 60 and they must be from Mason County. As the winner, Young received a crown from Siders Jewelers, and a sash and flowers from the Point Pleasant Women’s Club. Young will also be feature in the Battle Days Parade and she will represent Mason County for the next year at various community events.
Other Heritage Queen contestants and their interests included: Margaret Bing, reading, word puzzles, fishing and camping; Shelia Ann Elkins, music, reading, church, helping in the community; Charlotte Rose Knaul, reading and playing Bingo; Sharon Nibert, sewing, baking, yard work, member of CEOS; Beverly Ridenour, PVH Auxiliary, family, animals; Ruth Upton, traveling, riding ATV, flower gardening, bird watching; Virginia “Ginny” Wallis, dancing and traveling.
Heritage Queen Sponsors include Mayor Brian Billings, Siders Jewelers, Point Pleasant Women’s Club, Main Street Photography, Four Seasons Florist, Point Pleasant River Museum, Point Pleasant Register, Possum’s Auto Repair, Willa’s Bible Book Store, The Mason Jar, Harris’ Steakhouse, Décor Corner, Advance Design, Burger King and Dairy Queen of Gallipolis, Ohio, McDonald’s of Point Pleasant, and Mason County Action Group, Inc. Each contestant also received gift bags with various items from the sponsors.
Also serving as escorts during the competition were Rachel Saliba, Dallas Nibert, Richard Smith, and Delmas Jeffries.
Also on Friday, the annual Battle Days Festival kicked-off with many Mason County students visiting Tu-Endie-Wei State Park and listening to re-enactors discuss the Battle of Point Pleasant and other historical events, as well as visiting several craft demonstrations and encampments.
Continuing through the rest of the weekend, Battle Days also features a parade, and other re-enactors portraying figures such as Chief Cornstalk, Andrew Lewis, Daniel and Rebecca Boone, and Anne Bailey. For a complete itinerary of remaining events, see Friday’s edition of the Point Pleasant Register.
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