2010 DECENNIAL CENSUS
The count is on. The process has begun for the 2010 Decennial Census. The local census office will be accepting thousands of applicants for local citizens to help with the count. Applicants should be 18 years old or older and must pass a background check. The should bring a valid driver's license and their Social Security card with them to the test. Practice tests are available online at http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/ . Registration is not required to take the test. Call 1-866-861-2010 for more information and the nearest testing location. Jobs start at $11.50 per hour. The census is important to our community. The information collected during the census is used in funding government grants, tax allocations and more for our Village, our schools and developing businesses. Census forms will be mailed out to every household in the next months. All information is completely confidential. This is an easy way to support your community.
WSFD PORK CHOP DINNER
It is once again time for the annual West Salem Fire Department's Pork Chop Dinner. The best pork chops in town can be found at the West Salem Firestation on Saturday, April 10 beginning at 4:00PM. The cost is a free will donation. Carryouts are available.
ANTIQUE & CRAFT FESTIVAL
The first annual Antique & Craft Festival, sponsored by the West Salem Development Association, was a success. The vendors offered something of interest for everyone, the Senior Citizens provided breakfast and lunch for the crowd, and nature co-operated by giving us a beautiful autumn day. The evening festivities were equally successful with a large crowd of trick-or-treaters in costume for the Ruritan's costume contest. The winner of the best decorated tailgate was Jannene Weisenberger & family. Plans are already underway for next year's event.
2ND ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST
Here are the results of the 2nd annual Gingerbread House Contest that was sponsored by the Edwards County TimesAdvocate. Winner of the individual entries was Evelyn Bare, winner of the children 12 & under division was Olivia Loudermilk, winner of the family entries was the Daniel & Tonya Weber family and in the business entries the TimesAdvocate entry won. All of the winning entries are on display at the First State Bank in West Salem. Check out our photo page for pictures of all of the entries.
FACEBOOK COMES TO WEST SALEM
For all of you FB fans out there, here is your chance to be heard. The West Salem Development Association now has a page on Facebook. It is open to all Facebook members. The WSDA would like to encourage you to let them know what you are thinking-what you would like to see or not see in West Salem, how you would like to help your community. It also will keep you updated on their latest projects and events. Just search Facebook for The West Salem Development Association. See you there!
CHOWDER COMEBACK A SUCCESS
The 2009 comeback of the West Salem Chowder was a huge success. It was obvious from the crowd that the annual 3rd Saturday of August event had been missed. Old friends reunited and new ones were made. Due to the larger than anticipated crowd, the soup ran out early but the crowd remained for the afternoon's entertainment. Next year-bigger and better. Check out our photo page for more photos of the event.
BANDSTAND RESTORATION COMPLETED
On February 23 the West Salem Village Board gave their approval to the West Salem Development Association to use funds raised during our Sesquicentennial Celebration on a restoration project for the Village Bandstand. The Bandstand has long been an important landmark in our community. The work to restore the bandstand has been done by ATM Construction which is owned by Alex Mewes of West Salem.
Does anyone out there know when the bandstand was originally built? Do you have any special memories revolving around the bandstand? Share them through our e-mail villagehall@villageofwestsalem.com Watch the progress through pictures on our photo page.
VILLAGE TRUSTEES
On May 7, 2009 the Village of West Salem swore in three new trustees, Allison Rice, Kevin Schilt and Don Cornelius. Don Cornelius was re-elected to the office in April. Allison Rice and Kevin Schillt will be serving for the first time. Below is a list of the new committees formed with the new Village Board.
Finance Water & Sewer Property & Buildings
Larry Simms* Michael Ristvedt* Robert Malone*
Kevin Schilt Don Cornelius Allison Rice
Don Cornelius Robert Malone Larry Simms
Streets & Alleys Police Playgrounds & Parks
Kevin Schilt* Don Cornelius* Allison Rice*
Larry Simms Allison Rice Michael Ristvedt
Robert Malone Michael Ristvedt Kevin Schilt
*Denotes committee Chairman
HAVE YOU NOTICED??
All over town....things are happening. Progress is being made. All over town we are replacing, rebuilding, repairing. This is what progress looks like. In the meantime please be patient with the inconveinences, the mud, and the mess.
OPERATION CURB APPEAL
The West Salem Development Association, with the cooperation of the West Salem Village Board, has just 
launched a new project. Operation Curb Appeal is a joint effort to encourage the citizens of West Salem to take pride in the appearance of our village through improvements to homeowners property as well as parks and other properties. Check out the TimesAdvocate website, www.ectimesadvocate.com for more information.
A NEW WEBSITE IN TOWN
In case you haven't heard, there's a new website in town. The Edwards County TimesAdvocate has launched a new website. Check it out at www.ectimesadvocate.com or click on the TimesAdvocate picture at the bottom of our Welcome page. It's a great way to keep up with the news between Tuesdays. Just in case you didn't know, you can reach the websites of our churches, school, and others just by clicking on the picture icons at the bottom of the Welcome page or the pictures of the churches at the bottom of the business listing page.
