Summer 2026 Where Community Takes Root
Early Spring greenery on the slope to the creek (May 2026).
Greetings from the Hillside!
Dear Friends,
Summer has arrived on LaRue Street Wellness Farm, and with it, a season of real, visible progress. Since our last letter in January, the farm has gone from frozen to Spring growth, and more learning.
A camper was purchased. Available for Airbnb in time… A shout out and heartfelt thank you to Scott (owner) and John (salesman) at Wolf Camper Sales in Washington, WV (wolfecampers.com), both were way cool from start to finish. And a special thank you to OmniPaulK, an entrepreneur in moving, hauling, and camper placement out of Fleming, Ohio (omnipaulktransport.com), who got the camper right where it needed to be.
Fixing the down spout. Shout out to the good friend advisor that figured out the connections - you know who you are. Grateful I am!! (May 2026).
Our Board Is Growing — and Getting Their Boots Muddy
At our first official in-person board meeting, we walked all 98 acres together, creek to hilltop, and left with a shared vision for what this place can become.
The meeting also produced a refreshed mission statement. Read it at: LaRueStreetWellnessFarm.org/about
Board Member Donna checking the well. (May 2026).
Board Member Brady, improving the front door (March 2026).
Board Member Laura emptying the shed (March 2026).
Winter & Spring 2026: What We've Been Up To
Here is the rundown of what has happened since January.
✓ 501(c)(3) Status Confirmed — LaRue Street Wellness Farm is officially a recognized nonprofit. Your support is tax-deductible!
✓ First Board Meeting Held — We gathered, walked the land, updated our mission statement (now live on the website), and worked on various improvement tasks.
✓ Camper Arrived on Property — Our 2021 camper — The Wellness Farm Escape — was delivered and is now sitting on the farm. More on this below!
✓ One Kayak and a Canoe — One kayak (another on the way soon) and a canoe are on the property and waiting for the creek trail to catch up.
✓ Brush Hog Purchased — Managing 98 acres of West Virginia hillside requires the right equipment. This was a meaningful investment in the land.
✓ Barn Cleaned — A small step toward the barn transformation, it is cleaner, and more accessible. Still on its way to becoming a program space.
✓ English Ivy Removed — Invasive species removal is slow, unglamorous, and absolutely necessary. The ivy mostly gone.
✓ Battery-Powered Sprayer Acquired — Another tool in our invasive species arsenal, supporting the long-term health of the property.
✓ Metal Detecting Survey Conducted — In mid-January, friend Paul Hellfrich swept the property with a metal detector. Findings included nails likely from the 1940s and a piece of non-descript metal — a small but intriguing window into the farm’s long history.
✓ Gas Line and Parking Area Completed — A big thank you to excavator friend Buddy Pardine of A&D Excavation of WV for handling the gas line work and for excavating and placing the parking rock. Great work by a trusted local professional.
✓ Met with the Mayor and City Leaders — We sat down with St. Marys leadership to discuss bringing community courses to the farm. Big things are coming from those conversations.
✓ Community Courses Confirmed — AI Literacy series beginning July 14, Cottage Food Sales on July 28 — all at the Saint Marys Senior Center. All are welcome!
Gravel added in front of barn for parking (April 2026).
Friend Paul metal detecting for 'old' treasures (January 2026).
English ivy and Fall leaves removed (March 2026).
The Unglamorous Work That Makes It All Possible
Not every milestone photographs well — but these things matter:
Groundhog holes filled — prevents twisted ankles and bigger problems down the road
Shed nearly emptied — clearing space, clearing the way for what comes next
Door lock installed — basic security for a property that is increasingly active and welcoming guests
Farmhouse deep cleaning underway — significant progress made, with more to do
Friend Domenica filling in the groundhog holes (March 2026).
A much improved/cleaned kitchen thanks to friend Ethan (June 2026).
A quarter of the scrap metal from the shed (March 2026).
The Wellness Farm Escape — She Has Arrived!
After a couple months of thinking about where to sleep, a decision was made to purchase a camper. The 2021 Dutchmen Aspen Trail camper arrived on the property last week. A quick shout out to Wolfe Campers, in Washington, WV. Scott the owner, and John, the salesman were great. Also a thank you to Paul, OmniPaulK, of Fleming, OH, for hauling and placing the camper. I quickly learned that there is a learning curve to camper life, from water systems to utilities to figuring out what every switch does. But waking up on the farm, listening to the morning, and brushing my teeth at the water well, was great.
We are currently working through the ins and outs of the camper so we can put together thoughtful guest guidelines before we open it up on Airbnb. When we do list it, it will sleep up to 10 guests across two bathrooms (one half-bath), perfect for families, retreat groups, or anyone wanting a comfortable home base for exploring this part of West Virginia.
An action shot of the camper being pulled in by OmniPaulK (June 2026).
Camper kitchen.
In the meantime, primitive camping is available on the property now. Bring your tent. The stars here are remarkable. We are also working on getting primitive outdoor showers in place for camping guests, practical comfort for folks spending time on the land.
Community Courses Are Coming
This is the news we are most excited to share. Thanks to the support of Saint Marys Mayor Pat Boyles, the Saint Marys Senior Center, and the Pleasants County Communication Foundation, we are bringing our first community course offerings right into the heart of the community.
Summer Learning Series at the Saint Marys Senior Center (All ages welcome, "Senior Center" is just the address!)
This summer, join us for four hands-on courses, using your own digital devices, covering everything from artificial intelligence to cottage food sales. Each class is designed to be practical and accessible, no prior experience required.
Cost: $25 per course. A portion of each registration benefits the Saint Marys Senior Center. Advance registration is required, reserve your seat with a $10 deposit at the Senior Center. Space is limited to 12 participants per class.
AI Literacy for Practical Living — July 14 What is AI, and how is it already shaping your daily life? This introductory course cuts through the hype to give you a clear, practical understanding of artificial intelligence and how to use it with confidence. First in a three-part AI series — each course also stands alone.
AI Tools for Health and Wellness Navigation — July 21 Learn to use AI to prepare for doctor visits, understand test results, find reliable health information, and evaluate health claims online. Walk away with real skills for navigating your health with greater confidence.
Cottage Food Sales at Farmer's Market and Beyond — July 28 Taught in partnership with Uncle Bunk's of Sistersville, WV. Owner Stacy Kasun will guide participants through cottage food regulations, sales opportunities, and how to take your homemade products to the farmer's market and beyond.
Test Your Business Idea with AI — August 4 Have an idea you've never acted on? Use AI to pressure-test it, analyze your competition, and walk away with a one-sentence pitch you can actually use.
Mark your calendars! If you know someone who would benefit from any of these courses, please share this newsletter. All are welcome — these courses are for the whole community.
Stewarding the Land
Caring for 98 acres means staying ahead of invasive species —Japanese Stilt Grass, overgrowth, and whatever else West Virginia hillside throws at you. This season we invested in a brush hog and a battery-powered sprayer. We’re beginning to treat areas as we can.
We also submitted a grant application to the USDA to help fund this work more broadly. We have not heard yet if we will be funded but that has not slowed us down. We are continuing the work with what we have, and we will pursue additional funding opportunities as they arise. Persistence is part of the job.
Volunteer Day — Come Help Build Something
We are planning a volunteer day at the farm and we want YOU there. Whether you have skills to share or just two willing hands, there is meaningful work to be done — trail clearing, farmhouse projects, grounds work, fire pit finishing, and more.
Details on the date and sign-up will be announced soon. This is a wonderful way to be part of the story in a hands-on way, and we will make sure there is good food and great company to go along with the work.
My second drive ever on a 4-wheeler (May 2026). This will pull camp supplies up the mtn to future campers.
Save the Date: Woodwind Concert
We are working to host a small woodwind concert on the farm in late summer or early fall. Imagine live music drifting across the hillside, the creek in the background, community gathered together on West Virginia land that has been welcoming people since 1790.
More details soon. Mark your calendars for a late August or September evening and watch your inbox.
A Word of Thanks
None of this happens without this community. Every reply, every shared post, every “I want to be involved” — you make it possible.
The LaRue brothers built something here over 250 years ago along Middle Island Creek. We are just continuing the tradition — one kayak, one course, one fire pit at a time.
With gratitude, dirty hands and muddy boots,
E. LaRueFounder & DirectorLaRue Street Wellness FarmSt. Marys, West Virginia