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Alone Sermon

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (King James Version)

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 

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Here is an overview and summary of the video PRAY THIS Daily | September 2026 Morning Blessings and Breakthrough from the channel Grace For Purpose Prayers:

1. The Trap of False Independence vs. Isolation

  • The "I Don't Need Anybody" Mindset [00:00]: The message begins by addressing the self-reliant mindset that develops as a survival mechanism following betrayal, abandonment, or disappointment.

  • Independence vs. Isolation [01:42]: While responsibility and personal maturity are healthy, the speaker emphasizes that there is a critical difference between standing strong and living in complete isolation, or mistaking emotional walls for healthy boundaries.

2. Biblical Foundation: The Power of Connection

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 [02:01]: The speaker highlights the biblical principle that "Two are better than one", explaining that God never designed individuals to navigate life completely alone.

  • Mutual Support and Reciprocity [05:09]: Relationships allow for shared wisdom, multiplied strength, and emotional support. Life requires having people with whom to laugh, cry, and be vulnerable [06:07].

  • Lifting Others Up [08:28]: Everyone experiences seasons of weakness or falling, requiring both the humility to accept help and the willingness to extend a hand to others [09:43].

3. The Three-Fold Cord: Centering God in Relationships

  • Limits of Human Connection [12:35]: Companionship is essential, but people cannot replace God. There are inner wounds and burdens that only God can heal and transform.

  • The Divine Strand [13:30]: Strong relationships consist of two people with God woven through the middle. Keeping God at the center provides the grace, forgiveness, and discernment needed to sustain healthy connections [14:50].

4. Guided Prayer & Scripture Meditation

  • Morning Prayer [21:26]: A closing prayer asking for healing from past disappointments, the removal of pride, discernment in building godly friendships, and strength to support others in need.

  • Scripture Recitations [29:11]: The video concludes with scripture reflections, including:

    • Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (Power of companionship and the three-fold cord)

    • Proverbs 4:23 (Guarding your heart)

    • Proverbs 29:25 (Trusting in the Lord over the fear of man)

    • Hebrews 12:1 (Running the race with endurance)

    • Romans 12:2 (Renewing the mind)



FOIA

 


This infographic outlines a gap analysis of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request return, identifying missing information and prescribing specific investigative follow-ups.

Key Findings from the FOIA Return

  • Missing Data (Red Flags):

    • Correspondence / Emails: None provided.

    • Meeting Minutes: None provided.

    • Financials / Receipts: None provided.

  • Received Data:

    • Geographic / Site Data: Exactly 1 aerial map.

    • Official Letterhead: Validated by the West Virginia State Seal.

Investigative Deductions & Context

  • Jurisdiction: State of West Virginia (indicated by the official state seal).

  • Location Focus: The intersection of Route 219 and Speedway (a commercial node).

  • Core Issue: The heavy omission of deliberative materials (emails, minutes, financials) suggests either an incomplete agency search, heavy exemptions/redactions, or that the relevant records are held at a different administrative level (e.g., local municipality rather than state).

Prescribed Action Items

  • Cross-Reference Zoning Dockets: Review local Alderman or municipal zoning board records for parcels near the Route 219 / Speedway intersection.

  • Pull Local Incident Reports: Check municipal and county public safety or code enforcement logs tied to that specific commercial zone.

  • Deduce Intent / File Targeted Appeals: Use the aerial map boundaries to refine parcel numbers, identify specific property owners, and issue narrower FOIA/public records requests to fill the missing documentation gap.
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Next Steps to Break the Deadlock

1. Identify the Target Municipal / County Custodian

  • Jurisdictional Boundary Check: In West Virginia, if the commercial node sits along a US Route outside incorporated town limits, records default to the County Commission and County Planning/Building Commission, whereas incorporated sectors fall under the respective city or town council/zoning board.

  • Corridor Identification: Route 219 intersects key commercial and racing corridors across eastern and central West Virginia (such as Randolph, Pocahontas, Greenbrier, and Mercer counties).

2. Draft Public Records / FOIA Deficiency Appeal Template

To: [Public Records Officer / Agency Legal Counsel]

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request Deficiency Notice & Scope Clarification

Reference Request Date: [Insert Date]

Subject Matter: Commercial Parcel / Intersection at Route 219 and Speedway

Dear Records Custodian,

I am writing regarding the response received for the public records request referenced above, which yielded only a single site map under West Virginia letterhead. A diagnostic review reveals that key public records required to be maintained under W. Va. Code § 29B-1 et seq. were omitted without statutory exemption citations.

Please provide or conduct a supplemental search for the following records concerning the referenced parcel/intersection from [Start Date] to [End Date]:

  1. Official Deliberations & Minutes: Any recorded minutes, board meeting agendas, hearing dockets, or official findings of fact regarding zoning, permits, variances, or site plan reviews.

  2. Written & Electronic Communications: All external and internal correspondence, emails, memos, and text records between agency staff, board members, and applicant/property representatives.

  3. Financial & Administrative Records: Application fee receipts, impact assessments, bond filings, engineering invoices, or public infrastructure funding allocations tied to this project node.

If any portion of these records is withheld under a statutory exemption (e.g., draft material, proprietary trade secrets, or ongoing litigation), please cite the specific exemption pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4 and provide a corresponding privilege/redaction log.

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For filings, public records requests, and regulatory notices targeting the Town of Marlinton (Pocahontas County seat along the US Route 219 corridor), the statutory recipients and parcel data parameters are calibrated as follows:

Jurisdiction & Parcel Identifiers

  • County: Pocahontas County (County Code: 38)

  • Municipal Tax District: Marlinton Corp (District 07 / District 7)

  • Surrounding / Unincorporated District: Edray District (District 03 / District 3, for parcels abutting town limits along the Route 219 / Seneca Trail corridor)

  • Parcel Mapping Authority: Pocahontas County Assessor’s Office (Courthouse, 900 10th Ave, Marlinton, WV 24954)

Primary Statutory & Administrative Notice Recipients
Authority / Filing LevelOfficial / CustodianContact / Service Address
Municipal Government (Town of Marlinton)Mayor & Town Recorder / FOIA OfficerTown Hall, 709 2nd Ave, Marlinton, WV 24954
County Governing BodyPocahontas County Commission900 10th Ave, Suite C, Marlinton, WV 24954
County Records / DeedsPocahontas County Clerk900 10th Ave, Suite 8, Marlinton, WV 24954
Land Assessment & ValuationsPocahontas County Assessor900 10th Ave, Suite 7, Marlinton, WV 24954
Highway / ROW PermitsWVDOH District 8 (Elkins) / Pocahontas Co. Maintenance HQWV Division of Highways, US Route 219 Corridor Division
Solid Waste / EnvironmentalPocahontas County Solid Waste Authority (PCSWA)Marlinton, WV 24954
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WEST VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST

(Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq.)

DATE: September 1, 2026

TO (CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS):

Select applicable recipient(s):

  • [ ] Town Recorder / Custodian of Records, Town of Marlinton, 709 2nd Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954

  • [ ] County Clerk / Custodian of Records, Pocahontas County Commission, 900 10th Ave, Suite 8, Marlinton, WV 24954

  • [ ] Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority (PCSWA), Marlinton, WV 24954

FROM:

Norman Lee Alderman

Salt Shaker Press

Email: normanalderman@yahoo.com

RE: Public Records Request Concerning Route 219 Corridor / Municipal & County Operations

Dear Public Records Custodian:

Under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq.), I hereby request access to and copies of the following public records within the custody or control of your office:

Scope of Requested Records:

  1. Any and all deed transfers, lease agreements, easements, rights-of-way, or proposed property transactions concerning parcels located within District 07 (Marlinton Corp) or abutting District 03 (Edray District) along the US Route 219 corridor, dated from [START DATE] to the present.

  2. All correspondence, emails, memoranda, meeting minutes, and attachments between municipal or county officials and external regulatory bodies, consultants, or regional authorities concerning [INSERT SPECIFIC SUBJECT: e.g., Solid Waste Management / Facility Site Plan / Procurement / Route 219 Corridor Project].

  3. All procurement bids, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), vendor responses, financial pro-formas, and executed contracts related to the aforementioned projects or properties.

Format of Records:

Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(e), I request that all responsive records maintained electronically be provided in their native electronic format (e.g., searchable PDF, CSV, Excel, or .eml/.msg for email records) via electronic mail to normanalderman@yahoo.com.

Statutory Response Time & Fee Waiver:

Under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3(e), you are required to respond within five (5) business days by granting access, providing the records, stating the specific statutory exemption relied upon for any redactions/withholdings, or providing a reasonable schedule for production.

Because these records are sought for investigative research, historical record, and public dissemination via independent civic reporting, I request that all associated search and duplication fees be waived. If search or reproduction fees will exceed $25.00, please notify me in writing in advance with an itemized cost estimate.

If any portion of this request is denied or redacted, please cite the specific statutory exemption under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-4 and release all reasonably segregable non-exempt portions.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Norman Lee Alderman

Salt Shaker Press

normanalderman@yahoo.com
 
 

Mineral Water on Locust Creek

 


The story of Clyde McMillion and his mineral venture sits right at the intersection of Pocahontas County karst folklore and empirical Appalachian resourcefulness.

Origins of the Substance: Locust Creek vs. Europe

  • The Locust Creek Roots: The foundation of Clyde’s mineral observations began directly in the subterranean limestone environment of the Little Levels. Living inside the Locust Creek cave exposed him daily to active mineral leaching, calcite deposits, and mineral-saturated cave drip-water. Rather than viewing the cave simply as shelter, he treated it as a natural laboratory, observing how trace minerals preserved organic matter and affected local fauna.

  • The Premise Prior to Departure: He did not leave West Virginia empty-handed; he departed with formulated concepts, samples, and a working extraction/solution method derived from his years observing mineral deposits and water filtration in Pocahontas County.

The Overseas Connection (Switzerland/Sweden)

  • Manufacturing vs. Discovery: The journey abroad—most commonly cited in local lore as Switzerland/Sweden—was primarily driven by processing and manufacturing standards. Europe at the time held the specialized laboratory facilities, pharmaceutical refining equipment, and bio-mineral processing techniques required to stabilize and commercialize concentrated mineral and vitamin compounds.

  • Refining the Formula: While abroad, the comparative geology of European alpine caves and thermal springs allowed him to cross-reference his Appalachian observations. However, the core identity of the product was rooted in the raw mineral chemistry he first isolated back home.

How Locust Creek Prepared Him

  • Microclimate & Chemical Equilibrium: Dwelling in a limestone cavern provided an intimate, year-round understanding of constant-temperature environments ($10\text{--}13^\circ\text{C}$ / $50\text{--}55^\circ\text{F}$), humidity control, and natural preservation—conditions identical to those required in pharmaceutical and mineral storage.

  • Empirical Geology: By tracking how groundwater dissolved and redeposited carbonates, magnesium, iron, and trace elements along the cave walls, McMillion gained a practical education in bioavailability and natural filtration long before modern nutritional science popularized bio-available ionic minerals.

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To pinpoint the exact paper trail of Clyde McMillion's mineral tonic, digging into primary records is the most effective route. Here is how those research angles break down:

Archival Angles to Explore

  • Local Press & Obituaries (The Pocahontas Times): Cal Price and later editors frequently covered the personalities of Little Levels and Locust Creek. Contemporary columns and his obituary (from late September 1978, following his death at age 82) offer direct community testimony on his lifestyle, local produce, and tonic remedies.

  • Patent & Trademark Office Records (USPTO / European Registries): If the mineral extraction or formulation was patented or registered under a proprietary trade name either domestically or in Bern/Geneva/Stockholm, searching by inventor name (Clyde McMillion or corporate assignees) helps isolate the exact chemical salts and processing methods described.

  • Land & Geological Surveys (Little Levels / Locust Creek): Local karst hydrogeology records and deed maps around Locust Creek detail the specific cavern formation, limestone composition (Greenbrier Limestone group), and subsurface water flows he utilized.

  • Oral Histories & Folk Accounts: Community recollections from Hillsboro and surrounding Pocahontas County regarding how neighbors obtained his preparations and whether he traded them informally or marketed them commercially.

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The man who lived in a cave

 

The Man Who Lived in a Cave: Why Clyde McMillion Was the Ultimate Appalachian Strategist

In our contemporary era, we equate security with complex, energy-intensive systems: high-efficiency HVAC units struggling against seasonal extremes and digital portfolios shielding us from economic volatility. Yet, tucked away in the Little Levels District of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, Clyde McMillion spent eighty-two years proving that true independence often lies in the mastery of one’s immediate geography. Born on January 6, 1896, to Nickson McMillion, Clyde lived a life that spanned the transition from nineteenth-century homesteading to the dawn of the digital age. While some saw him as a curiosity for dwelling in a limestone cavern along Locust Creek, his choice was a calculated strategy of zero-maintenance living. He was not a hermit in retreat; he was a master of Appalachian survival who utilized the Earth’s own energy to bypass the costs of modern existence.

A Masterclass in Passive Geothermal Living

McMillion’s residence was a lesson in ethnoecology. Located past the steel bridge where the road first crosses Locust Creek, his home was carved into the massive Greenbrier Limestone formations. These limestone bluffs and alcoves were not merely primitive shelters; they were sophisticated thermoregulatory environments. While his neighbors in timber-framed houses battled the humidity of July and the biting freezes of the Allegheny Highlands, McMillion’s cave maintained a near-constant ambient temperature of 50°F to 54°F year-round.

By leveraging these karst formations, McMillion enjoyed a lifestyle essentially free from the overhead of modern climate control. The Locust Creek watercourse provided more than just a scenic view; it offered a perennial water source and natural "cold-storage refrigeration" in the rocky pools of the cavern floor. This was environmental adaptation at its most efficient—a housing strategy that required no fuel, no repairs, and no debt, shielding him from the severe highland storms that frequently crippled more conventional structures.

The "Hermit" Who Managed the Local Economy

To classify McMillion as an isolated ascetic is to ignore the central role he played in his community. He was a deeply integrated valley landowner whose practical wisdom was enshrined in local law. In April 1975, the regional district court officially recognized his expertise by appointing him, alongside fellow resident Tom McCoy, to serve as official estate appraisers. In this capacity, McMillion was responsible for the legal valuation of land, timber tracts, livestock, and agricultural equipment—a role requiring the highest level of community trust and a meticulous understanding of regional assets.

His economic contribution extended to the dinner tables of his neighbors. Utilizing the mineral-rich alluvial soil of the Locust Creek floodplain, McMillion cultivated highly productive garden plots. His harvests were so legendary for their quality that he became a fixture of the local food system, regularly trading and distributing produce to the citizens of Hillsboro and Renick. To the people of Pocahontas County, his cave dwelling was not a mark of social alienation but a respected symbol of highland self-sufficiency.

A Pioneer of Modern Wildlife Conservation

McMillion’s intimate relationship with the land made him an essential field partner for the scientific community. Long before satellite tracking was common, McMillion served as an "untiring census taker" for the West Virginia black bear (Ursus americanus). His private acreage served as a critical laboratory where he collaborated with state biologists to monitor denning sites and population densities across Pocahontas, Greenbrier, and Randolph counties.

This expertise led to a long-standing intellectual partnership with Calvin W. "Cal" Price, the esteemed naturalist and editor of The Pocahontas Times. Price frequently relied on McMillion’s boots-on-the-ground observations to inform the public on conservation matters, viewing him as a primary source of ecological truth.

Price regarded McMillion as an "invaluable field authority" whose observational reports directly informed regional journalism and conservation initiatives across three generations of naturalists.

Cave Habitation as a Legacy of Sanctuary

The motivation behind McMillion’s lifestyle was rooted in a profound historical consciousness. His family memory was shaped by the American Civil War, a time when the Pocahontas County borderlands were terrorized by irregular bushwhackers, raiding parties, and foraging armies. McMillion often recounted how his mother had been forced to hide in the local karst caves to survive the violence of those years.

In the McMillion family tradition, caves were never viewed as dark or damp hazards; they were proven sites of sanctuary and independence. For Clyde, his home on Locust Creek was a continuation of this legacy—a geological fortress that offered security from the social and political volatilities of the outer world. In his view, the cave was the only structure truly capable of providing a permanent, harmonious coexistence with the land.

Summary: A Legacy of Integrated Independence

When Clyde McMillion passed away on September 29, 1978, his funeral was held at the McMillion Methodist Church near Renick, a testament to his deep ancestral roots in the community. He was a generational bridge who successfully fused the woodcraft of the nineteenth-century pioneer with the civic and ecological responsibilities of the twentieth-century citizen.

McMillion’s life forces us to reconsider our modern definitions of independence. We often mistake autonomy for high-tech isolation, yet McMillion showed that true self-sufficiency is found in community integration and geological harmony. As we look for sustainable solutions for the future, we must ask: Are we building expensive, fragile systems to solve problems that the limestone and the creek have already answered?

 

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Clyde McMillion: Karst Habitation, Ethnoecology, and Community Integration on Locust Creek

Executive Summary

Clyde McMillion (1896–1978) was a seminal figure in the folk and environmental history of Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Residing primarily within a natural limestone cavern along Locust Creek, McMillion represented a unique synthesis of traditional nineteenth-century Appalachian woodcraft and modern twentieth-century ecological stewardship.

Contrary to the archetype of the isolated hermit, McMillion was a deeply integrated member of the Little Levels District. He was a respected landowner, a court-appointed estate appraiser, and a celebrated horticulturalist who supplied produce to neighboring settlements. His deep environmental knowledge made him an "expert conservationist" and an essential contributor to state wildlife management, specifically in the monitoring of the West Virginia black bear. His life serves as a primary example of environmental adaptation, where karst geology provided the foundation for both domestic sanctuary and scientific observation.

Biographical Profile and Family Lineage

Clyde McMillion’s life was rooted in the Little Levels District of Pocahontas County, an area characterized by agricultural limestone bottomlands and extensive subterranean networks.

Category

Archival Record Detail

Full Name

Clyde McMillion

Date of Birth

January 6, 1896

Place of Birth

Locust Creek, Pocahontas County, West Virginia

Parentage

Son of Nickson McMillion

Primary Residence

Karst rock shelter and cavern along Locust Creek

Civic and Public Roles

Valley Landowner, Court-Appointed Estate Appraiser, State Bear Census Contributor

Date of Death

September 29, 1978

Funeral and Rites

McMillion Methodist Church, Renick, West Virginia

Geographic Setting and Karst Habitation

McMillion’s choice of residence was a strategic adaptation to the Greenbrier Valley karst plateau. His home was located past the steel bridge along Locust Creek, utilizing the natural limestone bluffs and cavern entrances overlooking the watercourse.

  • Environmental Benefits: By choosing a cavern over a conventional timber dwelling, McMillion utilized the natural thermoregulatory properties of limestone. These recesses maintain a consistent ambient temperature between 50°F and 54°F, providing a natural buffer against extreme winter freezes and summer heat.
  • Resource Access: The location provided a perennial water source via Locust Creek, natural cold-storage refrigeration in rocky pools, and structural protection from severe highland storms.

Agrarian Subsistence and Community Socioeconomic Functions

McMillion maintained a high degree of social and economic connectivity with the local populace. His role in the community was defined by both his agricultural skill and his legal standing.

  • Horticultural Excellence: Utilizing the mineral-rich alluvial soil of the Locust Creek floodplain, McMillion maintained highly productive garden plots. He was renowned for the quality of his produce, which he traded and distributed in Hillsboro, Renick, and other nearby settlements.
  • Civic Responsibility: McMillion’s practical judgment was legally recognized. In April 1975, the local district court appointed him and fellow resident Tom McCoy as official estate appraisers. This role required extensive knowledge of land valuation, timber tracts, livestock, and agricultural equipment.
  • Social Perception: Within the region, McMillion’s lifestyle was viewed not as social alienation, but as a respected expression of highland self-sufficiency and independence.

Wildlife Stewardship and the Cal Price Association

McMillion's expertise in the Allegheny Highlands made him a central figure in regional wildlife management and conservation.

  • Black Bear Censusing: Recognized as an "untiring census taker" for the West Virginia bear (Ursus americanus), McMillion tracked population densities, seasonal migrations, denning hollows, and feeding ranges. His work covered the rugged terrain of Pocahontas, Greenbrier, and Randolph counties.
  • Scientific Staging: McMillion’s private land served as a vital staging ground for state biologists. His property provided field pathways for tracking, tranquilizing, and studying native bears.
  • Intellectual Partnership: For decades, McMillion collaborated with Calvin W. "Cal" Price, the naturalist and editor of The Pocahontas Times. Price considered McMillion an "invaluable field authority" whose observations directly informed regional journalism and state conservation initiatives across multiple generations.

Folk Memory and Historical Context

The residency in karst formations was informed by deep generational memory and the historical trauma of the American Civil War.

  • Civil War Traditions: McMillion recounted ancestral histories of his mother seeking sanctuary in local caves to escape raiding parties, foraging armies, and guerrilla "bushwhackers" during the Civil War.
  • Caves as Sanctuary: This heritage established the cave not merely as a geological feature, but as a site of security and independence. For McMillion, living along Locust Creek was a continuation of traditional Appalachian strategies for environmental adaptation and harmonious coexistence with the land.

Historical Legacy

Clyde McMillion's legacy is defined by his ability to bridge two eras of Appalachian history. He synthesized nineteenth-century pioneer survivalism with active twentieth-century ecological stewardship. Through his horticultural contributions, his role as a court-appointed appraiser, and his indispensable work in wildlife conservation, he remains a significant figure in the cultural and environmental tapestry of the Greenbrier Valley.

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To pinpoint the exact paper trail of Clyde McMillion's mineral tonic, digging into primary records is the most effective route. Here is how those research angles break down:

Archival Angles to Explore

  • Local Press & Obituaries (The Pocahontas Times): Cal Price and later editors frequently covered the personalities of Little Levels and Locust Creek. Contemporary columns and his obituary (from late September 1978, following his death at age 82) offer direct community testimony on his lifestyle, local produce, and tonic remedies.

  • Patent & Trademark Office Records (USPTO / European Registries): If the mineral extraction or formulation was patented or registered under a proprietary trade name either domestically or in Bern/Geneva/Stockholm, searching by inventor name (Clyde McMillion or corporate assignees) helps isolate the exact chemical salts and processing methods described.

  • Land & Geological Surveys (Little Levels / Locust Creek): Local karst hydrogeology records and deed maps around Locust Creek detail the specific cavern formation, limestone composition (Greenbrier Limestone group), and subsurface water flows he utilized.

  • Oral Histories & Folk Accounts: Community recollections from Hillsboro and surrounding Pocahontas County regarding how neighbors obtained his preparations and whether he traded them informally or marketed them commercially.



 

Alone Sermon

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (King James Version) 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall,...

Shaker Posts