Bonnie Parker met the charismatic Clyde Barrow in Texas when she was 19 years old and her husband (she married when she was 16) was serving time in jail for murder. Shortly after they met, Barrow was imprisoned for robbery. Parker visited him every day, and smuggled a gun into prison to help him escape, but he was soon caught in Ohio and sent back to jail. When Barrow was paroled in 1932, he immediately hooked up with Parker, and the couple began a life of crime together.

Check out the feature video on History.com

Here are some more This Week in History, May 23 – May 29

May 24, 1883  Brooklyn Bridge opens

May 25, 1977  Star Wars opens

May 26, 1897  Dracula goes on sale in London

May 27, 1941   Bismarck sunk by Royal Navy

May 28, 1961   Appeal for Amnesty campaign launches

May 29, 1953  Hillary and Tenzing reach Everest summit

Dear Savvy Senior,
What can you tell me about three-wheeled bicycles? I’m 67 years old and would like to take up recreational bike riding but don’t trust myself on a two-wheeler.
Unbalanced Bonnie

Dear Bonnie,
Three-wheeled bikes – also known as adult tricycles – are a great cycling option for older boomers and seniors, especially those who have concerns with their balance or stamina. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you shop for one.

Safer Cycling
If you’d like to take up bike riding, but worry about falling, an adult tricycle is a smart option to consider because of the stability it provides. With a tricycle, you can ride as slow as you want without ever losing your balance and you can put both feet on the ground while seated, which is very reassuring for many older riders.

In addition, adult tricycles are also made with a low “step through” design making mounting and dismounting much easier than a traditional bike; they come with big tires that ensure a smooth ride; have raised, ergonomic handlebars that are easier to reach and grip; and offer oversize seats (some even have backrests) for comfort and support. And, other than the frame, tricycles use the same standard components as traditional bikes do, so replacement parts are readily available, and repairs are not an issue.

Types of Tricycles
There are literally dozens of different types of adult tricycles to choose from with prices ranging anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. To help you figure out the right kind of tricycle that meets your needs and budget, here’s a breakdown of the different styles and costs, along with some popular models to checkout.

Upright: If you’re primarily interested in a leisurely ride around the neighborhood for pleasure, fitness or running errands, upright trikes are a good choice. These are traditional upright-positioned tricycles that come with rear cargo baskets and limited gear options usually ranging from one to three-speeds. Some popular models in this category include the Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle sold at Walmart and Target for around $270, the Sun Traditional 24 trike (see sunbicycles.com) that retails for around $375, and the Torker TriStar three-speed (torkerusa.com) which costs around $500.

Recumbent: These are the lower-to-the-ground, stretched-out frame tricycles that allow you to recline with your legs positioned in front of you. Available in various styles, recumbent trikes are very comfy, easy on the back and aerodynamic which make them ideal for long rides. See terratrike.com, sunbicycles.com, industrialbicycles.com, trailmate.com and bikemania.biz for a nice variety, but be aware that recumbent trikes are more expensive than upright models, typically ranging between $800 and $2,500.

Tandem: If you plan to ride primarily with your spouse or another partner, you may want to get a tandem tricycle that comes with two seats (front and back), or you can get a double seat tricycle with the seats side-by-side. You can find these types of bikes for around $1,000 to $2,000, at the same websites that offer recumbent trikes.

Folding: If you like to travel or if you have limited storage space, tricycles that are designed to fold up to fit in tight spaces are another popular option. The Adventurer Three-Speed Folding Trike which sells for $390 at adventurebikes.com, Kent Westport Folding Tricycle sold at Target and amazon.com for $300, and Walmart’s Port-O-Trike 3-Speed Folding Tricycle for $400 are three good folding trikes to consider.

Electric: If you need a boost from time to time, electric tricycles are hybrids that have pedals and an electric motor, so you can exercise when you want or you can sit back and let the trike do the work. Some good options include the EW-88 electric trike at electricwheelstore.com for $1,200, and the Cabbike 3 Electric Tricycle offered through cabbikes.com for $979.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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The coverage begins when American Pickers, the second highest rated show on cable television, premieres an episode with a Hatfield McCoy theme called “Feudin Pickers” on Monday, May 21, at 9 p.m.

The episode, which was shot in Mingo County, centers around an old general store that Devil Anse Hatfield was known to frequent. Once pickers Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz make their purchases, the items are taken to WVU Extension agent and professor Bill Richardson for authentication and to determine their value.

Growing up, Richardson didn’t aspire to be a Hatfield McCoy expert. Like many Mingo County natives, he stayed as far away from the Feud and its accompanying stereotypes as possible. It wasn’t until he returned to Mingo County after college to do community development work that he recognized the area’s heritage tourism potential.

It’s not just about the Hatfields and McCoys. The local history also includes the largest battle in the United States since the Civil War, and a significant railroad heritage.  Train enthusiasts visit to see an operating roundhouse, and one of the largest railroad switching yards in the world.

“This area has more to start with than Pigeon Forge or Branson did when they got started,” Richardson said. “The challenge now is finding the resources to develop it to a point where we’re a significant tourist destination.”

The American Pickers opportunity dovetails with other upcoming exposure, including a six-hour History Channel miniseries, Hatfields & McCoys, starring Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton that premieres May 28. The May 24 edition of Anderson Cooper’s new ABC morning talk show “Anderson” will feature an hour-long interview with Costner. A Hatfield descendent from Mingo County, Linda VanMeter, will appear as well.

A two-hour documentary, America’s Greatest Feud: The Hatfields and McCoys, will premiere June 2, kicking off a daylong History Channel marathon of Hatfield McCoy-related programming. In addition, the show How the States Got Their Shapes will be filming a Feud-themed show in early June in Mingo County. Richardson appears in the documentary, and is scheduled to participate in the “States” program as well.

Richardson was instrumental in bringing American Pickers to Mingo County as a way to help promote tourism. He estimates that the media exposure the area will be receiving in the next four to six weeks is worth $120 million or more.

And it’s not just about economics.

“Many of the negative stereotypes people associate with the Hatfield McCoy Feud were inaccurate,” Richardson said.  “Learning the truth changes the opinions of 150 years ago, and about people today.”

For more about tourism in the area, visit http://hatfieldmccoycountry.com/.

A G E N D A

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COMMISSION

9:00 am Call to Order, minutes, President’s and Commissioner’s reports.

9:15 am Carol Eversole re:  Shanks road side park.

9:30 am Craig Curtis & Rick Hershberger, re:  Old Hospital

9:45 am GT Parsons, Romney VFD, re:  fire department billing, and parking lots

10:15 am            Charles Baker, Code Official and Flood Plain Admin.  Re:  Hazard Mitigation Resolution, Inter-Governmental Agreement, Inspection Contract           

10:45 am Certify results of Canvas of Primary Election held May 8, 2012.

11:00 am Lay Levy rate for FY 2012-2013

Approve County Budget for FY 2012-2013.

11:15 am Estates presented for settlement.

11:30 am County Seal discussion

11:45 am update of investigation of noise complaints

Maintenance

Correspondence and requests

Resolutions

Board Appointments & resignations                   

Grant applications, contracts, resolutions and drawdowns

Budget revisions

Exonerations and consolidations

Invoices

Scheduling

Old Business

Personnel

Budgetary/fund actions

The Hampshire County Commission reserves the right to re-arrange items on the agenda as needed due to time constraints of the public or the Commission.  Times listed are approximate times for discussion and action by the Commission.    

Posted:  May 17, 2012  

Pictured (left to right) at a recent Woman’s Club board meeting are Gayle Allen and Beth Parsons.

ROMNEY — The new GFWC president, Beth Parsons, is installing Gayle Allen as second vice president, completing the installation of all the new officers. Come and join at the meeting on May 21, at 7 p.m. at the Romney Presbyterian Church.

The program will be a Cupcake War. Members will all bake and decorate (all alike) six cupcakes, considering taste, presentation, texture and creativity. One will be judged and the other five will be auctioned off for the club’s Hampshire High School scholarship fund. There will be a special prize for the winner.

Members, remember to bring your “committee sign-up sheets.” Come and join us for the fun and fellowship, all for a good cause.

Buy in Bulk – One great way to save yourself time and hassle is to purchase items you’ll use again and again in bulk. Breads, meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds all store well in the freezer. Purchasing these ingredients in bulk, and freezing them in small quantities will allow you to grab and thaw what you need, when you need it. Resealable freezer bags are a great way to store small portions flat, so they stack up neatly and won’t take up a lot of room.

Batch Cook – Cooking several options at once is a great way to ensure you’ll save time throughout the busy week. Spend a weekend afternoon cooking your favorite soups, stews or casseroles. Then divide them up into single serving portions and freeze. Write the date and contents on each package, and as you add food to the freezer, move older packages to the front, so you don’t forget about them. With the freezer, you can avoid purchasing fast food or foods heavy with preservatives.

Take Advantage of Convenient and Delicious Meals – An even easier and more time efficient way to cook for one is to prepare tasty, fuss-free, and preservative-free meals such as new Stouffer’s® Farmers’ Harvest® steam meals-for-one. With these flavorful steam meals that are available in five varieties, you can enjoy the freshly-prepared taste of crisp vegetables, tender premium meats, indulgent sauces, and perfectly steamed pastas that are ready in minutes.

Buy Versatile Ingredients – Sometimes all you need for a week’s worth of great food are a few key items that can be adapted to fit your favorite meals. Chicken and other lean meats can be stored in your freezer until needed and are great in soups, quesadillas, casseroles, salads and more. Frozen mixed vegetables can be included in pot pies, stews and as a side dish. Make sure you stock your spice rack with seasonings that can help kick up your dishes.

Plan for Spontaneity – Having a well-stocked freezer and pantry lets you create a delicious recipe whenever the mood strikes. Keep a variety of pastas and rice on hand, along with canned tomatoes, beans, broth, cheeses, herbs and spices. You’ll become a weeknight gourmet cook in no time.

To learn more about the flavorful Farmers’ Harvest steam meals for one and other entrees from Stouffer’s, visit www.stouffers.com.

According to a press release issued Wednesday morning by the West Virginia State Police, Walter Richard Pritts Jr., was sentenced April 17 by Circuit Judge Donald H. Cookman to not less than one (1) but no more than (5) years of imprisonment in a state facility to be named later.

However, the press release stated that Pritts is technically eligible for parole with his current time served at the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail in Augusta. Pritts was taken into custody without incident the same day of the alleged assault and has remained incarcerated.

Pritts, of the Moorefield area, pled guilty to unlawful assault. Judge Cookman also recommended during the sentencing that Pritts take advantage of any intervention or processes available regarding domestic related or violent offender rehabilitation, the press release stated.

The verdict for the sentencing of Pritts came from the April 2011 assault of a Hardy County businesswoman, whom the press release did not identify. The woman was allegedly held against her will in her Moorefield home/office and was severely beaten, according to the state police press release.

The release stated she was also stomped and kicked until she finally was able to escape her captor several hours later. The victim, according to the state police, was hospitalized with extensive injuries concentrated to her pelvic region.

Police had originally submitted criminal complaints to the Hardy County Magistrate’s Office and received three warrants for Pritts’ arrest for malicious assault, abduction and sexual assault in the first degree, according to the state police.

In the press release, police say the plea agreement offered to Pritts by Hardy County Prosecutor Lucas See was in part the result of the victim’s failure to cooperate in the prosecution. Police state in the press release that the victim not only impeded the criminal investigation and ultimate prosecution of Pritts, but also advised she would further be willing to lie under oath about the allegations in order to keep Pritts from incarceration.

The press release reported it was the prosecutor’s decision to offer Pritts the plea agreement in an attempt to salvage what he could of the investigation and case.

The lawsuit filed by the Attorney General alleges that Skechers made health‑related claims in the marketing and sell selling of its Shape‑ups, Tone‑ups and the Skechers Resistance Runner athletic shoes that were not adequately substantiated at the time the claims were made.

Under the settlements, up to $40 million is allocated for consumer refunds to be paid to consumers who purchased the shoes. Skechers also agreed to pay an additional $5 million to the states.

“It is unlawful for any business to make unsupported, over‑hyped advertising claims to sell its products,” Attorney General McGraw said, “With today’s action, our office continues its vigilance in protecting consumers against companies that attempt to trick or defraud them.”

The lawsuit alleges that without having adequate support for its claims, Skechers maintained that its rocker‑bottom shoe products caused consumers to lose weight, burn calories, improve circulation, fight cellulite and firm, tone or strengthen thigh, buttock and back muscles. Skechers is prohibited from making these claims unless it can provide adequate studies or research to substantiate them.

Consumers who purchased Shape‑Ups, Tone‑Ups or the Skechers Resistance Runner can go to www.ftc.gov for information about how to obtain a partial refund.

To file a complaint about unsubstantiated health or advertising claims or other consumer issues, West Virginians can reach the Attorney General’s Office by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1‑800‑368‑8808 or visiting wvago.gov online. For regular consumer news updates, follow “AGWestV” on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.