Latest news with #HelvetiaRestorationandDevelopmentOrganization
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Helvetia warns against ‘predatory leases' for wind turbine installation
HELVETIA, (WBOY) — The Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization, along with the Pickens Historical Society, is warning residents of leases they describe as misleading or potentially predatory. According to a Facebook post from the Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization, landowners in Helvetia and Pickens are being approached with offers to lease their property for wind turbine development. The offers have concerned some community members, who have have already described their interactions at a meeting on May 3. On Sunday, the Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization posted a list of its concerns on Facebook, along with a list of signs that a lease may be predatory to inform residents: High-pressure tactics and rushed decisions Vague or unclear language in the lease Unrealistic promises or guarantees of income Lack of transparency about project details No guarantees of turbine maintenance, decommissioning, or property restoration More NIOSH layoffs reported Friday evening The communities also discussed problems with the project in general, citing issues such as visual impact on the landscape, noise pollution, possible harm to wildlife, potential changes to property value, construction traffic and lifestyle disruption. The organization is encouraging residents in both Helvetia and Pickens to do research and attend community meetings, as well as consult with a lawyer and not sign anything they may not fully understand. For more information, you can email info@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Meeting scheduled to discuss proposed windmills in Pickens, Helvetia
PICKENS, (WBOY) — Officials in two small Randolph County towns are encouraging landowners to attend a meeting on Saturday to learn more about a proposed windmill project. Public details about the project are limited, but according to the Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization, landowners in the Helvetia and Pickens area have been mailed fliers about a proposal to build windmills near the towns. A Facebook account associated with the town of Pickens said that 'some very misleading information being spread by the people who are contacting local residents regarding this project.' The meeting will be held in the Pickens Fire Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 and is open to the public. It is meant to help residents gather information about and assess the impact of the proposed project. The meeting will also be available virtually, here. Randolph BOE job cuts still not enough to balance budget, superintendent says Although they are small communities, Helvetia and Pickens are known for their unique, Appalachian way of life and have fought to prevent unwanted modernizations and changes. Helvetia is known for its Swiss and Germain heritage, which have been preserved in part because of its isolated location, and its festivals like Fasnacht. Amid economic hardships for Randolph County Schools over the past year, the communities fought to keep Pickens School, which also serves Helvetia, open to preserve its unique mountain culture. The Randolph County Board of Education canceled the vote on the Pickens School closure in January. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fasnacht: A fiery farewell to Old Man Winter
HELVETIA, (WBOY) — Helvetia celebrated winter and the changing of the seasons on Saturday with its annual Fasnacht tradition, with the German term 'Fasnacht' meaning 'Fasting Night,' marking the occasion with an elaborate feast before the fasting period begins. Fasnacht is a yearly celebration in Helvetia, a quaint Swiss village in Randolph County founded in 1869 by Swiss and German immigrants. Originating in Switzerland in the 1520s, Fasnacht is often dubbed the Mardi Gras of Appalachia. President of the Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization Clara Lehmann explained the event further. 'These masks are worn in order to scare away Old Man Winter, but also to hide your identity and enjoy a party where no one knows maybe who's behind the mask,' Lehmann said. 'You will see everything from a mask that may feature something scary like a beast or you might see a flower that is scary to Old Man Winter.' Attendees indulged in rich foods, enjoyed Swiss and Appalachian music, wore homemade masks to ward off Old Man Winter, paraded with lanterns and took part in burning an effigy of Old Man Winter, all in the hope of ushering in a healthy and joyful spring. Kingwood holds first Chili and Pepperoni Roll Cook Off 'Swiss cheese and the different recipes that are held by our elders and now hopefully being passed down to each individual are very important. Food is something that tells you a story, and we're very proud of the fact that our elders and our younger individuals are wanting to continue to do that and hold onto those recipes,' Lehmann added. 'Helvetia is one of the first granted the right to make their cheese without pasteurizing, and so we've been able to hold onto that tradition of making your cheese within your home and selling it to the public.' The event also included several live musical performances, two historic tours, a masquerade and mask judging competition, and an Alpine-Appalachian square dance at the Helvetia Community Hall to wrap up the evening's festivities. 'Part of the mission of Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization is to preserve and restore buildings but also preserve the culture of our community and this region. So, we want to make sure that we hold onto food ways,' Lehmann said. 'These are really cool and unique traditions that I think people are hungry to see. They want to experience authentic immigrant experiences and this is something special.' All proceeds from ticket sales for the event benefit the village's restoration, development, and archives of the Helvetia community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
