Highland Grass, Black Diamond, Gene & Joe and the Valley Troubadours, and Delmas Evans are slated to perform

The fifth graders sat cross-legged on the floor of the Keyser Primary-Middle School library, listening intently as the mother of one of America's greatest Olympic athletes talked about her son, his dreams, and how they could reach their own dreams if they're only willing to work at it.
Walking easily in and among the students — only a year or two younger than the students who attend the school where she serves as principal in Baltimore County — Debbie Phelps, mother of gold-medal record holder Michael Phelps, asked the youngsters to name some of the things which they can do to succeed as students.
“Be a good sport.”
“Never give up.”
“Try to work hard.”
“Stay in school.”
“Do your best.”
“Be grateful for family and friends.”
“Stay out of trouble.”
As each student contributed, Hilary Phelps, Debbie's daughter and Michael's oldest sister, gave him or her an autographed photo of Michael taken during one of his historic races.
Phelps, who is a motivational speaker and author of “A Mother for All Seasons,” was in Mineral County Friday for the Mineral Daily News-Tribune's Warm the Children campaign.
She spent most of the morning visiting and speaking with the students at
Keyser Primary-Middle and New Creek Primary schools.
Having been born in Potomac Valley Hospital and attended Westernport Elementary and Bruce High School, Phelps said she felt right at home as some of the students Friday morning even asked if she had known one of their relatives.
“There are children here today that I knew their parents and grandparents; some of them I went to school with,” she said.
One young lady at KPMS even brought her own swimming trophy to show Phelps, who told the youngsters that all three of her children — Hilary, Whitney and Michael — have been active in the sport of swimming since they were young.
The children at the schools also had an opportunity to ask Debbie questions, which ranged from “Does Michael have any pets?” (a bulldog named Herman) to “What is your favorite color?”
“I used to like red,” she quipped, “but I have to say after the 2008 Olympics, gold is the best!”
After lunch at the Stray Cat Wing Shack with representatives of Warm the Children and the Mineral Daily News-Tribune, Phelps participated in a book signing at Main Street Books, then went to Peedbles for the annual WTC Open House.
There, she was joined by Santa Claus in greeting the public and walking about the importance WTC plays in helping to provide warm winter clothing to area needy children.
Although Phelps could not stay over, the WTC weekend will continue tonight with a bluegrass benefit concert at 7 p.m. in the theater at Keyser High School.
Highland Grass, Black Diamond, Gene & Joe and the Valley Troubadours, and Delmas Evans are slated to perform.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
All proceeds will benefit Warm the Children.