"A fascinating narrative history..." West Virginia History (Journal); "Sean Duffy's book brings Wheeling's vibrant and diverse heritage to life again." -author George Fetherling

Davis Grubb said it best...

"It was, of course, the financial capital of Wheeling's old German and Anglo-Saxon families which built the great factories, but it was the hands and back, the blood and marrow of the people with the barbaric, unpronounceable names -- Serb names and Czech names-- Polish names -- Hungarian names -- who shoveled the valley full of iron and then gave it their spirit to make it steel.

...Here in the cramped, dun-colored mill homes below and above Wheeling, awaits the human resource from which she may tap the energy of fresh aspiration, new invention and put the novel resourcefulness of her past to the usages of survival. Here dwell the peoples of lasting metal whose steel is the alloy of the hundred cultures and tribes of a vanished Europe. Serb, Croat, Greek, Slovene, Czech, Slovak and Montenegrin and Pole. Their singing tongues lit and ring in myriad babble on the bus to Benwood: voices rise in ‘sprechtgesang’; ―words made music – frail as eggshell, speech as sweet as Bartok folksongs from arid Bohemian plain."

--Davis Grubb, "The Valley of the Ohio," published in Holiday magazine, July, 1960

Friday, December 21, 2012

Join the Family for Christmas...

Hello. If you need a copy of The Wheeling Family Volume 2, More Immigrants, Migrants & Neighborhoods as a last minute Christmas gift (very thoughtful of you!), copies are still available at The Wheeling Artisan Center Gift Shop at 14th and Main Streets on the 2nd floor above the River City Restaurant, at the UPS Store in the plaza off Washington Avenue, and at the Wheeling Hospital Gift Shop. The Ohio County Public Library has a few copies left at the circulation desk ($1 goes to the library if you buy one there), and I have some copies that I'm happy to deliver right to your door. Just send me an email at lunchwithbooks@yahoo.com.

Join the Family this Christmas!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Last Signing Before the End of the World




Acquire and Read Before the Mayan Apocalypse!
For those interested, I will I will be at the Kroger Mt de Chantal store this Saturday, December 15 from noon-2 pm and then from 5 to 7 pm to sign copies of The Wheeling Family Volume II: More Immigrants, Migrants & Neighborhoods. 



This will be the last official signing before the end of the world. I'll be in the bakery next to the Italian bread. Free candy (no strings). Starbucks is nearby. The Jaws shark will be with me. Plus, other fun stuff. Please stop by. 

Grocery list: Bread, milk, & The Wheeling Family Volume 2!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Excellent Review

Many thanks to Linda Comins for this excellent and very detailed review of The Wheeling Family, Volume II in the Wheeling News-Register Life section of Sunday, December 9, 2012. I'd forgotten how good this book is! You have to get one!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Join The Wheeling Family on Small Business Saturday!

Happy Small Business Saturday!

The Wheeling Family (Volumes 1 and 2) is a local oral history collection chock full of stories of families who operated small neighborhood businesses as well as memories of growing up in the wonderful neighborhoods where those businesses served as social centers.
 
The Wheeling Family makes a thoughtful Christmas gift and can be purchased at the following small businesses throughout the Ohio Valley: Wheeling Artisan Center (14th and Main), Word and Music Bookstore at Stratford Springs, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Fulton, Miklas Meats on Carmel Road, UPS Store on Washington Avenue, Wheeling Hospital Gift Shop, Kroger Mt. de Chantal, and the Grind House Coffee Shop, Main Street, St. Clairsville.
 
Support local businesses and local history!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Kroger Signings for the Holidays!

I will be at the Kroger Mt de Chantal store on Saturday, November 17 and Saturday December 15 from noon-2 pm and then from 5 to 7 pm on both days, to sign copies of The Wheeling Family Volume II: More Immigrants, Migrants & Neighborhoods.  A great Christmas Gift idea!

ALSO: A limited number of signed copies of The Wheeling Family (both Volume 1 and 2) are now available for purchase at the Ohio County Public Library's circulation desk. One dollar for each copy sold will be donated to the library.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Oct 24 Signing at Wheeling Hospital Gift Shop

Tomorrow, Wednesday October 24 from 1:30 - 4:30 pm, I will be at the Wheeling Hospital Gift Shop signing copies of The Wheeling Family Volume 2.

The gift shop also carries Volume 1, so you can get both if you are so inclined. The pair will make a thoughtful Christmas gift (or so they tell me).

I hope to see you tomorrow!

Many thanks,

Sean Duffy