Wednesday, August 17^th was Friends of Coal Day at the West Virginia State Fair. The FOC was the official named sponsor of the event for that day. Representatives of the FOC manned an information table at the Fair, passing out literature, stickers, yard signs, wristbands and other items for both the Friends of Coal and FACES of Coal, as well as flyers supporting HR 2018.

The Friends of Coal were also on hand to share the FACES of Coal informational table on Thursday August 18^th.

It is estimated that more than 2,500 people stopped by the booth on Wednesday and a slightly smaller number stopped by on Thursday. Citizens for Coal also participated on both days.

More than 500 Marshall University fans packed the Embassy Suites Grand Ball Room Wednesday, August 17th, joining with coaches and friends to participate in the 13^thAnnual “Paint The Capital City Green” event sponsored by Friends of Coal. Hailed as the largest indoor pep rally for Thundering Herd alumni, fans and friends, the event is co-hosted by the Big Green Scholarship Foundation, The Marshall University Alumni Association, the Greater Kanawha Valley Alumni Association and the Charleston Quarterback Club.

Chris Hamilton, senior vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association, joined Marshall President Stephen Kopp, Athletic Director Mike Hamrick and Head Football Coach Doc Holliday in speaking at the event. Hamilton said the Association and Friends of Coal are honored to sponsor the event and the Friends of Coal Bowl, the marquee match up between the state’s two leading universities and is hopeful the intra-state rivalry would continue into the future.” Hamilton said it was fitting that the state’s leading industry remains linked to both institutions of higher learning.

Hamilton presented Kopp, Hamrick and Holliday with a replica flame safety lamp in appreciation for their support and to commemorate the 2011 game.  Also featured during Thursday’s program was recognition of the Association and the Friends of Coal for providing six scholarships annually as part of its sponsorship of the Friends of Coal Bowl.

In announcing the 2011 recipients along with President Kopp, Hamilton noted the scholarships are an equally important part of the Association’s support for the game and the state. “These scholarships are part of our effort to build the future of this state,” Hamilton said. “We believe in West Virginia. We believe in its people and we believe in our young people. They are the future and as West Virginians, we are committed to making sure that future is bright.” A total of 36 scholarships have been awarded to date.

The 2011 recipients are 2011 high school graduates Kelli Ilene Hudnall of Sylvester, Jessica Noelle Jacoby of Hinton, and Tiffany Dawn Noe of Welch. Each student will receive a $2,500 scholarship

Friends of Coal Spokesman and former West Virginia University Head Football Coach Don Nehlen joined West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney at an August 18th “Rally in the Valley” in Moundsville to protest the Obama Administration’s “War on Coal.” Nehlen said those in Washington who regulate coal need to come to West Virginiaand get to know the industry better. He also believes the key to the industry's survival is voting out President Barack Obama in 2012.

It was noted during the rally that the U.S. coal industry is actually booming, as producers are exporting much of their product to foreign countries that continue to use coal.  "It makes no sense," Nehlen told the crowd. "Everybody wants our coal. We're one of the few countries where our natural resources are treated like a liability, and that's ridiculous.”

"I'm just a football coach, I don't know how to turn things around," he continued. "But I can vote that guy (President Barack Obama) out of the White House. That's a start."  Raney said West Virginia has "the best coal and the best coal miners" in the world. No one outside West Virginiahas any idea how important West Virginia's coal and coal miners are to them, he said.  "If the people in New York andWashington, D.C., had any idea their standard of living was dependent on a coal miner in West Virginia, their behavior would be different," Raney said.

He credited West Virginia's congressional delegation - singling out freshmen members Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. - for their work on behalf of the industry.

Hundreds of current and former residents of the Sharples area gathered Saturday at a lake near Blair for the dedication of a monument in honor of the state’s coal miners past and present.  The dedication was part of the annual Sharples Community Reunion, hosted by the Spruce Citizens’ Action Panel.

The memorial stands on the shore of Mifflin Lake, about 12 miles from Madison and about 6 miles from Blair. The area played a key role in the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain.

The lake is, itself, a man-made facility and is part of a restored surface mining operation.

Joining the Spruce CAP at the event were State Senator Ron Stollings (D-Boone), former Logan County Commissioner Art Kirkendoll, representatives of Arch Coal and Mountain Laurel Mine, Bill Raney and Chris Hamilton of the West Virginia Coal Association, representatives of Friends of Coal and Roger Horton, president of Citizens for Coal and himself a working coal miner.

Stollings, Kirkendoll and other speakers demanded an end to the federal government’s ongoing assault onWest Virginia’s coal industry.  Horton said it is time to hold the nation’s elected officials accountable for their actions.

Alpha Natural Resources CEO and Association First Vice Chairman, Kevin Crutchfield, will keynote the Wednesday, August 31^st session of the 75^th Annual West Virginia Business Summit at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.