Archive for December, 2009

Last Minute West Virginia Gifts

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

We know that a lot of you have waited until the last minute to grab those stocking stuffers and little gifts for Christmas this year.

Southern WV Gift Certificate Tree for the United Way

Southern WV Gift Certificate Tree for the United Way

Here’s a list of 20 great last minute ideas…

-Beautiful, inspired pottery from Guided Clay in the Oak Hill area.  Potter Andy Pense is a true master.

-Tickets for a show at the incredible, must-be-seen-to-be-believed Chuck Mathena Center in Princeton. All kinds of national touring musicians and plays come to the center, and it’s a great way to get out and enjoy some WV culture.

-Unique, delicious “coal cookies” from the salsa masters at Blue Smoke Salsa in Ansted (not to mention all the other great tasting stuff there, as well as arts and crafts)

-Handmade jewelry and hard to find fashion, as well as gourmet coffee and great whole deserts to go at Cathedral Café in Fayetteville.

-Local wine from local vineyards at Daniel Vineyards, right in Crab Orchard. A couple bottles from Daniel is enough to make any holiday party just a little more festive.

-Christmas plants, flowers and gifts from Bessie’s Floral Designs in Oak Hill. The flowers here are the real draw, with some amazing Christmas arrangements.

-Holiday books, art, and coffee from Taylor Books in Charleston. We’re going to go ahead and say that it’s southern WV because it’s such a cool place.

-Spirits for the spirit of Christmas at the Isaiah Morgan Distillery just outside of Summersville. This is WV’s first mini distillery, and is home to some unique and fiery gifts

-Tickets for a show at the amazing Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg. The hall is a great way to spend an evening in one of the best mountain towns in West Virginia.

-Amazing handmade pottery north of the New River Gorge Bridge at Gauley River Pottery. Artist Mary Bethune has a signature style that’s attractive and fun.

-A relaxing stay in one of southern WV’s cozy, luxurious cabins. Being Christmas, it’s hard to go wrong with a little break from the outside world.

-Award winning wines, right off the vines outside of Lewisburg from Watt’s Roost Vineyard. If there’s a perfect gift for the holidays, a bottle of wine from Watt’s Roost might just be it

-And of course, the best of West Virginia is all at The Tamarack. Everyone knows about the arts and crafts there, but there are great foodie gifts there, too. Some of those jams and preserves are not to be missed, especially during the holidays.

A Southern West Virginia Night-Before-Christmas

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

‘Twas the night before Christmas in southern WV
And all through the mountains, folks snoozed peacefully

Appalachian Coaltown Christmas

Appalachian Coaltown Christmas

The wood smoke rose up from the hollers in puffs
And old dogs everywhere sat back on their duffs

There was silence in Hinton, no trains rumbling by
No lights to blur out all the stars in the sky

It was peaceful and quiet along the Greenbrier
The picturesque river valley in winter attire

And from over along the Hatfield-McCoy Trail
There were no ATVs, just sleeping whitetails

Even in Beckley, the south’s biggest town
The streets were all hushed; there was no one around

When from over the treetops, what did appear?
It was Santa’s  sleigh, come to spread Christmas cheer

Santa said, “Here I am!  Hello, West Virginia!
I’m always my happiest when travellin’ within ya!”

“I’ve come far and wide, up holler and ridge
And I just flew right under the New River Gorge Bridge!”

And people came out of their cabins to see
The great jolly man who was shouting with glee.

“I brought you all presents,” he said to great cheers.
“I want to thank all of you good Mountaineers!”

“I have art from Lewisburg, and crafts from the Gauley,
Gift Certificates that everyone in the family will love, prob’ly!”

Cabins to rent, golf to be played,
Stays in places you’ll want to have stayed!”

“The world’s greatest adventure vacations, I’m crafting,
and did I mention last summer I went whitewater rafting?”

Then he waved to all the good people down low
Who were looking up skyward from their warm winter homes

And he jingled his sled toward the full moon so bright,
“Merry Christmas to Y’all, and to y’all, a good night!”