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n upcoming webinar will help neighbors navigate legal decision-making options, and communities are preparing to launch the holiday season with Christmas tree decorating contests and other seasonal celebrations. Here’s the 411 from communities around the region, including St. Albans, Charleston and more.
Legal Webinar: Legal Aid of West Virginia will hold a webinar covering legal decision making options. The presentation, which will start at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, is free and open to the public. Topics will include areas covered by Legal Aid lawyers, such as capacity, competency, healthcare surrogacy, power of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, and payeeship. Russel Cook and James Lindsay of Legal Aid of WV, and Suzanne Messenger of the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services will lead the conversation. Nancy Fry and Tammy Ketchem, both of Legal Aid of WV, will moderate. Anyone interested in attending the webinar is asked to register online.
Tree Contest: Individuals, groups, and businesses are invited to participate in this year’s St. Albans Christmas Tree Contest, presented by the St. Albans Area Chamber of Commerce and City National Bank. Entrants are asked to bring their own decorated tree (six-foot trees preferred) to the lobby of City National Bank on Sixth Avenue in St. Albans between Monday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Dec. 1. From Dec. 2-18, residents and visitors can vote on their favorite tree(s) by donating a canned good or other nonperishable food item. (One item counts as one vote.) All donations benefit Christ’s Kitchen Food Pantry. The tree with the most votes wins, and the winner will be announced during a St. Albans City Council meeting in January 2026. City National Bank will make a donation in the winner’s name to Christ’s Kitchen. Registration forms are available on the City of St. Albans website. More information is available by emailing Patty Swango at paradeladysa@gmail.com or by calling 304-549-4100.
Coonskin Christmas: Get ready – Christmas is coming back to Coonskin Park in Charleston. The annual Christmas at Coonskin celebration has been set for Thursday, Dec. 4, and Friday, Dec. 5. The fun begins on Thursday, when county officials light the Christmas tree outside the park’s clubhouse. The lighting takes place at 5:30 p.m., and Santa will visit following the lighting until 8:30 p.m. The event cookies, hot chocolate, chocolate milk and candy canes; a Letters to Santa writing station; school groups selling baked goods; a toy donation bucket and the United Way Coat Drive; Coonskin’s “Frosty the Glowman” Disc Golf event; and free rides on Hoppy’s Little Express train. Can’t make it on Thursday? You’ll have a second opportunity to enjoy train rides, visit Santa, and participate in more fun from 4:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday. More information on Christmas at Coonskin is available on Facebook.
