Guns & Cornbread: Get that Kid a BB Gun for Christmas
Slowly, one quiet step at a time I stalked my quarry. It was July and it was hot and very humid, common conditions for a muddy riverbank in southern West Virginia. The air was heavy with humidity and riverbank smells, cicadas and other insects droned in the trees, a trickle of sweat rolled down by […]
Eye on the Sky: Conjunction of the Giants
Be sure to keep your eyes glued to the sky this December, as it promises to be a very interesting month. The show kicks off on the night of December 13-14, which is when peak activity of the Geminids meteor shower will occur. Often considered the best shower of the year, this year’s event will […]
Grandpa Larry’s Random Reminiscence: Autumn Nonsense
There was Homer sitting in one of my lawn chairs looking ever-so-much like Rodin’s The Thinker. I was sitting in a favorite chair by the front window reading from my vast collection of fantasy novels, reflecting on the fantasy I was living in. I wondered if some of the novels weren’t esoteric histories, and then […]
Spirits Up at Robert’s Antiques in Lewisburg, WV
[acx_slideshow name=”Roberts Antiques”] Winter antiquing is a great, low-key way to spend a weekend in Lewisburg. This tiny town of just under 4,000 boasts a major antiques scene including Brick House Antiques, The Sign of the Golden Rabbit which carries generational heirlooms, Patina, The Very Thing, Lewisburg Diamond and Gold’s estate jewelry, and Tattered & […]
Off the Beaten Path: Blue Rondo a La Winter
Of all the seasons, winter is my favorite. One of the best things about it is its coziness potential. Thomas De Quincey expressed it well when he wrote, “Surely everyone is aware of the divine pleasures which attend a wintry fireside; candles at four o’clock, warm hearthrugs, tea, a fair tea-maker, shutters closed, curtains flowing […]
History Unraveled: An Extremely Short History of Xmas in America
The evolution of Christmas in America is a case in point. Gaining a historical perspective on America is not easy with current events and social media sucking up all of the oxygen. However, looking back through the decades and centuries it seems clear that life in these United States has always been more or less […]
Caffé Museo, America’s Only Coffee Grinder Museum + Coffee House is in Clifton Forge, VA
[acx_slideshow name=”Caffe Museo”] It’s rare when you discover a great coffee shop with equally delectable scones and biscotti. Even better is coming across 17th century coffee grinders, lush plants, and paintings by local artists. In the heart of downtown Clifton Forge is Caffé Museo: Museum of Antique Coffee Mills & Coffee Bar. Since opening in […]
In the Spirit: I’ll Bring the Wine!
I have been in the beverage industry for nearly 20 years. My family and friends know my passion, and often ask for my advice. I am also the one who brings the wine for the holiday supper, sharing it with a wide range of wine drinkers. There are some wines I save for intimate family […]
My Dog & I: Single But Social
It’s a blessing to have a Dogfriend in your life! A perfect best buddy and a patient and supportive partner who needs care in return and gives you a reason to get off the couch and out into the world… As the two of you grow into a wonderful symbiotic duo, reading the other’s mannerisms […]
Spirits up this December w/ Hashtag Lewisburg City Paper!
LEWISBURG BOASTS A MAJOR ANTIQUES SCENE Spirits up this December w/ Hashtag Lewisburg City Paper! Lewisburg boasts a major antiques scene and is home to Brick House Antiques, The Sign of the Golden Rabbit which boasts generational heirlooms, Patina, The Very Thing, Lewisburg Diamond and Gold’s estate jewelry, and Tattered & Worn Antiques and Primitives. […]
Grandpa Larry: Let the Reeling Proceed
I decided to go to D.C. and find one to interview. If you are not already reeling from the incredible unraveling of events this year, then come along with me to Washington, D.C. where I have ventured, to try to get some understanding of how this current political election is going to turn out. I […]
In the Spirit: Boozy Gifts for your Loved Ones!
Boozy Gifts for your Loved Ones! The holidays are shaping up to be very different this year. Stores will be open but most of us will be spending more time shopping from the comfort of our computer desk. The pandemic has also left us with less disposable income forcing gift givers to get more creative […]
My Dog & I: Talk to Me.
Training or teaching your dog anything is most easily accomplished without words If you could see me training my dogs up here on the mountain… You would probably be surprised by how limited the “soundtrack” is. “Training” or “Teaching” your dog anything is most easily accomplished without words. The dog is a being with its […]
Thankful for Blackwell’s & Local Pizzerias around the Holidays!
[acx_slideshow name=”Blackwells”] Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times for pizzerias. With so much food available around this holiday, pizza is collectively viewed as fast, convenient, and comforting. The American Pizza Community (yes, this exists), states that pizza is a family’s top choice before busy holidays for the following reasons: it’s a low stress option; […]
WV Artist on Display: WV Christmas Ornaments by Sam w/ Suitcase Creatives
[acx_slideshow name=”Suitcase Creatives”] This holiday season, Sam is selling her West Virginia inspired Christmas ornaments. Meet Samantha Cormier, a Nashville painter with West Virginia roots. Sam has always been drawn to creating art and has an Art Minor from Glenville State College. She says her creative side took a backseat when she and her husband […]
Pull up a Stool & Pop a Bottle at Charlies Pub in Fayetteville
Located just a few miles from Ace Adventure Resort is Charlies Pub In the early 1900’s, Fayetteville was home to a bustling coal industry. Since booms often bust, what was once a town offering some of the highest-grade coal on the planet became an area of whitewater thrills. In 1968, the first commercial trip took […]
Vintage Soul at Patina in Lewisburg
Patina currently has 25 vendors offering cool vintage stuff… Next time you’re in downtown Lewisburg, check out Vintage Soul, located inside Patina in downtown Lewisburg. This independent booth offers handmade jewelry, goat milk soap, antiques, and high-quality clothing at affordable prices. Patina is an antique and vintage décor boutique located between Greenbrier Valley Theatre and […]
Local Self-Care Guide in Greenbrier County
Engage in a self-care routine with a healing touch… Life is dynamic and we are nearing the end of a very challenging year where most of us have relied on our strong points to carry us through. Engaging in a self-care routine with a healing touch has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety […]
Ain’t No “G” in Marlinton w/ Lewisburg City Paper
Marlinton, West Virginia has always had spelling problems with its name. In the early 20th century, Andrew Price, the first mayor of the town, wrote the verses to a poem to discourage this mistake. Hashtag Lewisburg City Paper has also begun a special campaign to raise awareness with an “Aint No ‘G’ in Marlinton” apparel […]
Shoes for the Soul at The Shoebox in Lewisburg
Forget big-box retailers this holiday season… Lewisburg is bristling with independently owned boutiques that sell everything from apparel to vintage finds to antiques and art to fine crafts. In September of this year, Amanda Workman opened The Shoe Box, a boutique specializing in shoes for the entire family. There are athletic and casual styles, all […]