FIRST: Paige Griffith, a fifth-grade student at Davis Creek Elementary, cut short an Alaskan cruise vacation with her aunt, Lisa Jobe, so that she would not miss the first day of school last week. Paige has perfect attendance so far from kindergarten -- 4th grade. She is the daughter of Robert Griffith of Barboursville and the granddaughter of Lezane Griffith of East Pea Ridge.

SIGNING: Rosalie M. Ash will be signing her new book, "We Fought Back: How a Grassroots Group Defeated Annexation and Eminent Domain," from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at Borders in the Huntington Mall. The book tells how the people of Cox's Landing and Lesage worked together to stop the city of Huntington from annexing their communities through eminent domain. Including some historical data, the book is a positive look at the citizens, organizations, businesses, and schools of the two communities. The book is the nineteenth book published from the life writing classes taught by Dr. John Patrick Grace.

PARENTS: Congratulations to first-time parents, Joey and Amber Jude, whose daughter, Gia Taylor, was born on Aug. 5. Proud grandparents are Bobby and Debbie Jude of Barboursville and Tonya and Roger King of Milton. Joey is a 2003 graduate of Cabell Midland High School and a West Virginia Tech grad. Amber is a 2005 graduate of CMHS.

PICNIC: The Barboursville High School class of 1952 will have a picnic at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Barboursville Community Park, Shelter 8. Participants are asked to bring a covered dish as the reunion committee will furnish the meat and beverages. For more information, call Murilla Spurlock at 304-736-0791 or Margie Blankenship at 304-736-4235.

REGISTRATION: The Village Dance Theatre, 604 Central Ave., Barboursville, will have open registration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Specially-designed classes for pre-school students are taught by early childhood professionals and classical ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz are offered for grades K-12. The director, Elizabeth Withers, has taught dancing for 38 years. For more information, call 304-522-0463.

THEATER: Fellowship Baptist Church's children's summer theater presents "Under God's Sea in 3-D" at 10:30 a.m. Sunday is directed by Joyce Warren. The pre-school summer theater, directed by Pam Mays, will present "Friendship Festival" starting at the same time. Everyone is welcome.

BETH MOORE: Pea Ridge Baptist Church, 5945 East Pea Ridge Road, is hosting a Beth Moore live simucast, "Because You Are Living Proof of God's Love," on Sept. 18 for $20 per person. As this is an all-day event, a box lunch is included. To register, call Kelli Estep, 304-733-3551, or register online at www.pearidgebaptist.com.

PRAISE: From 2 to 8 p.m. Sept. 5, Barboursville Baptist Church will host the second annual Praise in the Park at the Barboursville Park amphitheater. The event will include music by the Taylor Shea Band, Ravenna, One Voice, Dizz, Karen Spurlock, The Godsmen, The Nick Fry band and Our Heart's Hero. Admission is free. Free hot dogs and soft drinks will be served. Everyone is welcome.

PIANO: Bruce Rous, an adjunct professor in Marshall University's music department, is offering a "Playing Piano for Fun" class beginning Sept. 20. In these eight classes, students learn the basics of music while they learn to play the piano for enjoyment. The cost is $80, plus a textbook for $15.95. To register, e-mail Rous at playingpiano4fun@gmail.com or call 304-696-3149.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: This week to Sandy Farrar, Thomas Bolling, Mason Adkins, Candace Lewis, Doris Parsons, Jennifer Weingardt, Pat Goad, Robin Triplett, J. K. Fife, Lorri Jones, Rosemary Chapman, Laura Smith, Andrea Kazee, Olivia Lingenfelter, Malinda Tennant, Johnna Adkins, Ben Maynard, Tim Stephens, Jessica Wood, Ethan Johnson, Randy Tye, Paula Pauley, Mitchell Nutt, Michelle Warden, Katie Watson, Kathy Wakefield, Sherry Kinser, Nathan Moore, Nathan Hamilton, Melody McSweeney, Chris Pate, Cyndi Saxton, Joe "Gill" Gillerlain, Annie Pannell, Bob Simpkins, Hailey McCabe, Natalie Simpkins, Nicole Baumgardner, Stephen Hatten, Jeanie Pickens, Alex McCarty, Brooklyn Call, Laura Witten, Barbara Carey, Jack Lively, Dudley Vititoe, Lowell Bodmer, Amy Journell, Dave Spears, Ray Brown, Ronnie Cutts, Lindsay Tolliver, Debby Myers and Greg Goodrich.

SPECIAL WISHES: To Gabryelle Anderson who blew out 7 candles Wednesday; to first cousins, David Scott Dunfee and Derek Adkins who will celebrate their 20th and 16th birthdays respectively Sunday; and to Dwayne Walters who will celebrate his 50th birthday next Tuesday, Aug. 31. Belated wishes to Leola Bellomy whose 90th birthday was Aug. 19.

ANNIVERSARIES: Couples celebrating this week are Harvey and Virginia Chapman, Carlton and Nancy Apgar, Tim and Gigi Gerlach, Gary and Sheila Roy, Max and Linda Stull, Eldon and Sherry Paugh, Paul and Joyce Jordan, Willie and Johnna Adkins, Gary and Christine Keys, Jim and Brenda Bond, Kevin and Melissa Hamilton, Jim and Clara Knight, Bob and Janice Call, Ed and Chris Watson, Raymond and Sharon Holley, Mickey and Jennifer Holley, and Mike and Barbara Tackett. Belated wishes to Howard and Tawna Johnson who celebrated their anniversary last week.

Send items for this column to Joyce Spencer, 817 Main St., Barboursville, WV 25504, or fax to 304-736-4522. Her e-mail address is jcspencer@MSN.com.