KEYSER - She's been called "the epitome of the ideals and purpose of the 4-H program" by fellow volunteers, but to all her "4-H children," Edith Amtower is simply and lovingly "Miss Edith."

Originally a member of the Gate 4-H Club when she was growing up in the Fountain area, Amtower recently celebrated her 60th year as a volunteer leader - with the same club.

There were actually only a few short years, early in her married life, that the Knobley Road resident wasn't involved with the Gate Club in some way or another.

"I moved back out here with my family from Keyser, and the leader at that time had quit," she recalled. "I took it on and I've been there ever since."

From very early childhood, Amtower has been convinced of the importance of 4-H in a young person's life.

"I was part of a family of eight children, and every one of us were 4-H members," she said. "My mother and father believed it was a good thing and they got us all involved."

She admits, however, that the program has changed quite a bit over the years.

"At that time, we did mostly cooking and sewing; you didn't have all the different project areas you have today," she said. "Of course, we also had the animals, and handicrafts.

"I remember the boys made archways. In our yard we had three gates, and each one of them had an archway."

Amtower remembers that it was her mother, a teacher, who especially promoted the family involvement in 4-H.

"Anything that she felt would be advantageous to us, she would pursue," she said.

When Amtower grew up, got married and had a family of her own, it was then her turn to promote the benefits of the program.

"I had three kids, and they all got involved in 4-H," she said. "Then the leader, who didn't have any children in the club any more, wanted to quit. I've been at it ever since."

Over the years, "Miss Edith" became a permanent fixture at 4-H camp, the Mineral County Fair, and just about every other 4-H activity.

"I've stopped counting, but I wish I knew how many years I've been to 4-H camp," she said.

In fact, there have been only two unfortunate events that have kept her from attending camp over the past few years - a broken leg in 2005 and a car accident in 2006.

"When Edith missed 4-H camp for that first time, campers said it just wasn't quite the same," said WVU Extension Agent Margaret Miltenberger.

Her 4-H family refused to let even a broken leg keep "Miss Edith" from being a part of the camping experience, however. That summer, a large group of youngsters brought camp to her as she recuperated at Heartland of Keyser. Meeting with her on the front porch of the facility, they serenaded their leader with several of her favorite camp songs.

Miltenberger calls the leader "a treasure."

"The 4-H program has touched the lives of many children thanks to Edith," she said. "As a 4-H member she developed an intense love of 4-H and later an even stronger commitment to giving youths that life-changing 4-H experience."

Delegate Bob Schadler, one of Miss Edith's "4-H kids" who grew up to serve as an adult volunteer with the program, agrees.

"I've known Edith since I was 10 years old and I regard her as one of the most remarkable and greatest ladies I have had the privilege to know," he said.

"As leader of the Gate 4-H Club, she always gave encouragement to her young club members, offering a positive, loving and caring guidance not only in the context of the 4-H program but also in examples which transferred to their daily lives."

Schadler said recent health issues may have slowed Amtower down a bit, but through it all, her "4-H kids, past and present, were always foremost in her heart and thoughts."

And the feelings are certainly mutual.

In November, Mineral County 4-H members and leaders presented Amtower with a plaque commemorating her 60 years of dedication to the program, and Schadler presented her with the Distinguished West Virginian award from the Governor's Office.

Working now to bounce back from an automobile accident, Amtower continues to work with adult leader Melanie Hesse - another one of her "4-H kids" - to keep the Gate Club active.

"She does an excellent job with the kids," Amtower says of Hesse, praising her for the time and effort she puts into the club.

As for Amtower herself, she plans on sticking around awhile.

"I'm ready to go!" she said.

Liz Beavers can be reached at lbeavers@times-news.com.