KINGWOOD — The McGrew Society will host an open house as part of the annual September Anniversary Event at McGrew House on Sept. 8.
From 9:30 until 11:30 a.m., the antebellum home on Main Street (W.Va. 7) in downtown Kingwood will be open for guests to enjoy musicians, exhibits and a walking tour of the home and grounds. There is no cost for the events.
At 11:30 a.m., the 21st Annual Conferring of the Order of the Rhododendron Ceremony will occur, honoring the 13 Preston County students who had the highest scores in the past year’s Golden Horseshoe exam.
Students to be honored are Lily Bergdorf, Jacob Burns, Kiley Christopher, Hannah Cramer, Lindsay Dean, Braden Dixon, Luke Hare, Haley Hart, Emily Keener, Marshall Kuhens, Alex Mayne, Taylor Price and Gracie Sypolt.
All were students in Preston County West Virginia Studies classes last year. They bring the total of students honored by the McGrew Society for their excellence to 227.
Because of the importance of passing along the lessons of the state’s heritage, the society is also honoring the students’ West Virginia Studies teachers: Sarah Bolinger, Brett Cales, Mali Gank, Andrew Hirst, Angela Knisell and Nick Miller.
The Rhododendron Ceremony will be led by the Preston High School JROTC and page Nathan Bernatowicz. Local legislators and Preston School Superintendent Stephen Wotring will be among those participating. Family, friends and all in the community are welcome.
