Life's a Joke

By John Silvestro



Enjoy an original composition written and performed by Jay Hill. The idea for the song came to Jay while he was at the local bar. Sitting near by was a recently laid off coal miner, who was complaining about his life. After a long diatribe the miner finally came to the conclusion that "life was just a joke." The quote stuck with Jay and the next morning he worked it into the song you have now. For more on Hill and his frequent music partner look for future blogs or visit his website: http://jescowhite.net/

Sistersville Ferry Shuttles On...

BY Kristen Rapin

The historical Sistersville Ferry shuttles users across a scenic stretch of the Ohio River.

The Sistersville Ferry has been continuously carrying passengers between Fly, OH, and Sistersville, W.V. since 1815, making it the longest operating mode of transportation for Monroe County. The ferry crosses at the apex of the 20-mile “Long Reach,” which is the longest stretch of the Ohio River.

The oldest of four ferries located on the Ohio River, the Sistersville Ferry is also the only ferry that operates along the 277-mile border between Ohio and West Virginia.

The ferry is not only an attraction for tourist but serves locals as well. The Sistersville Ferry daily charters almost 100 cars across the Ohio River. Most passengers are locals commuting between Ohio and West Virginia. Without the use of the ferry many people would have to travel out of their way to work since the nearest bridge, St. Mary’s Bridge, 20 minutes away.

Ferry passengers bypass the bridge, and opt for a leisurely five-minute commute to the opposite bank. This slower mode of transportation allows passengers time to observe the river and its surroundings.

In 1999 the first new boat and barge were put into operation doubling the ferry’s capacity to a tractor-trailer or 8 cars. Prior to 1999 the boat and barge were always used.

The Ohio River creates such openness that on clear day you can see Beaverton, OH, seven miles south, and Sardis, OH, five miles to the north.

Since its founding, the ferry has only officially been closed twice for reasons other then weather -during the Civil War and from 1987-1989. In 1980 the City of Sistersville purchased the ferry, which had been privately owned.

Normal business hours are 6 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Each car cost $3 to cross the river. Currently the ferry is not operating due to winter weather but will resume normal hours at the end of March or early April.

Touring the Trans Allegheny

BY Caroline Melia
PHOTOS BY Andrew Spear

The Trans Allegheny Bookstore of Parkersburg, West Virginia, is well known for its historical structure and for its wide variety of used books. The building was originally built in 1905 as the Parkersburg Carnegie Public Library with a grant from Andrew Carnegie. Customers come to the store for the historical atmosphere. The photographs featured below are a glimpse of the beauty and antiquity of the century-old halls.

Business: Five and Dime

BY Alexandra Pitzing

Berdine's Five and Dime is a place to remember - to remember times past when children spent their precious nickel to buy a handful of sweets, to remember the scent of rosebud salve that surrounded our mothers, and most of all, to remember the unique visit to this heartwarming store. Located in Harrisville, surrounded by the green hills of Ritchie County in West Virginia, Berdine's Five and Dime is a true jewel...

For the rest of this article, be sure to check out the Winter '09 issue of Southeast Ohio magazine!