It’s a big day in the Mountain State. Today is:
- West Virginia Day
- Father’s Day
- “The Great Unmasking”
- the first vaccine lottery winners announced
- and the beginning of the summer solstice, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
Let’s start by wishing West Virginia a happy 158th birthday. It’s also a great day to remind all your out-of-state friends and family that we are not “western Virginia”; we are “West Virginia” — our own state — but they are welcome to refer to us as the “Mountain State,” “West by God Virginia” or ” ‘Best’ Virginia.” We’ll answer to all three.
It’s also Father’s Day. So, happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandads, stepdads and father figures (and the single moms and grandmas pulling double-duty). Know that you are appreciated.
As of today, the statewide mask mandate has lifted in what we are calling “The Great Unmasking.” Masks will no longer be required by the state of West Virginia for anyone — vaccinated or not. Please note, however, businesses can and will have their own face-covering rules by which you must abide in order to enter their establishment.
Perhaps most excitingly, today the first of West Virginia’s vaccine lottery winners will be announced. Today, 38 lucky West Virginians will receive one of the following: A cash prize of $1 million; two brand new custom outfitted trucks (make and model may vary); 25 weekend getaways to state parks; five lifetime hunting licenses; five lifetime fishing licenses; five custom hunting rifles; five custom hunting shotguns; and two “full four-year scholarships to any public institution in West Virginia” for vaccinated participants between 12- and 25-years-old.
When we discussed the lottery in an earlier editorial, it was our understanding that the list above constituted the entirety of the lottery. It is now clear on the DoItForBabyDog.wv.gov website that these are the prizes offered each of the seven weeks, with an additional $1.588 million and $588,000 raffled off on Aug. 4. To qualify, you must have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and you must register on the lottery’s website or call 1-833-734-0965.
You only need to register once to be eligible for all the drawings, but if you win, your name will be removed from subsequent drawings. If you haven’t been vaccinated but will be soon, you can register a few days before the next lottery announcement to qualify for that drawing. Check the schedule online for deadlines.
And finally, the solstice begins today — and so, officially, does summer.
Summer usually heralds a sense of freedom. Kids are out of school; the weather gets warm and the sunlight lingers longer. After being cooped up for months, the ability to be outside and feel the sun on your face is liberating. The long shadow of the pandemic made this past winter even colder and darker than usual, which makes the long, bright days ahead all the sweeter.
It’s a busy day, West Virginia. Time to get moving! It may be the longest day of the year, but the day’s still a’wasting.
