Local Entrepreneur Works to Move County into Information Age
Wednesday, November 30,2005+
By Cathy Patton
WAR – If you have online needs, or questions about computers, chances are Dwane
Muncy, a local 28-year-old entrepreneur, has answers.
After establishing, Cucumber and Company in 2001, the Big Creek High and Concord
College graduate, has dedicated himself to helping move McDowell County fully into the
Information Age.
Located on Main Street in War, Cucumber and Company with its staff of five provides
various types of computer services for PCs and Macs. Networking, video production,
website hosting, duplication services, mobile karoke/DJ services and logo design are all a
part of their activities.
“From TV commercials to marketing materials to videos and audios, we do it all,”
Muncy says. “I also teach video and web production at Concord College to help pay the
bills.”
Cucumber and Company’s satisfied clients include RESA, Workforce West Virginia,
various in-state and out-of-state auto dealerships, a multiplicity of smiling brides and
grooms, and numerous schools and individuals. The company recently videoed all the
hoopla connected to the last homecoming game played on the Mario Poletti Field.
“We had four cameras going to cover all the angles,” he says. “We videoed the
parade, the game, the people, the whole thing. You can view sample clips at
cucumberandcompany.com,” he say, “or they can be purchased online or by calling 800-
257-1327.”
Because the company is locally based, Muncy notes that $5 from every video sale of
the events will be donated to the Big Creek Development Corporation.
Bitten by the computer bug at an early age, Muncy had his first computer at age six.
By the time he was in Berwind Jr. High the school was utilizing him to correct glitches in
their own computers.
“Computers are such an integral part of modern life that I can’t imagine what would
happen if we couldn’t utilize them for a week,” he says. “I do everything online,
including shopping and paying my bills. It’s just so much easier.”
Because he also wants to make life easier for scores of other McDowell Countians,
Muncy is offering internet and beginning computer classes in War next week at
Cucumber and Company. He’s also willing to travel to other locations to offer the
training.
The two-day classes last for one hour each and cost only $5 for each session. For a
mere $20, novices can receive four hours of simplified, top of-the line instruction.
We want to make it easy for people to learn about computers and the internet,” Muncy
says. “If someone knows about computers, they may choose to only take the internet
class. It’s up to them.”
Scheduling for the classes will be flexible and designed around the participants’ needs.
To enroll in the class(es), call 875-4030.
“If there’s enough interest,, we’ll have several classes that run all day long,” he notes.
Muncy will be front and center demonstrating his computer savvy when the McDowell
County Commission, in cooperation with Carnegie Mellon University, launches the
McDowell County Online Business Center Website Friday, 1:30 p.m. at the Mt. View
High School Auditorium.
Muncy joins County Commissioner President Gordon Lambert in encouraging the
public to attend the informative demonstration on the McDowell County Online Business
Center.
The McDowell County Online Business Center Website will provide the forum for the
posting of jobs, community events, meetings, reports ans numerous other activities. The
Website is expected to be fully functional in the next week and can be viewed at
mcsowellbusiness.org.
“It will be user friendly and only limited by what people choose to put on it,” Muncy
says. “Of course, it will be monitored and only used for positive purposes,” he quickly
adds. “It’s going to be a great tool for the county.”
Muncy says the website may also become an avenue for advertising for local
businesses.
“Pop up ads is irritating and out of date,” he days. “There’s a way for the county to
make money by providing banner advertising. They’re much more effective and eyecatching.
It just depends on what they choose to do.”
Though the McDowell County Business Online Center is in its infancy, Muncy says
the website has great growth potential.
“I’d like to see it become as big as monster.com,” he smiles.
