BAILEY’S PACE: BRIGHTER DAYS ARE ON THE HORIZON.
This is the most wonderful time of the year. I know what you are thinking. Really? Soggy yards, gray skies, and weather that even a groundhog could not predict. But, yes, this is truly the most wonderful time of the year. Let me explain. Salty waters pool on the sides of the road and splash […]
BAILEY’S PACE: LOVE HURTS BUT IT’S STILL WORTH IT.
It is that time of year again. February rolls around every year. And if you are single, you dread this time. You might mock all the corny valentines and the dumb romance movies. You might dread seeing all the social media posts about someone’s fantastic significant other especially when their status changes to “it’s complicated” […]
IN THE SPIRIT: NEW WINES FOR THE NEW YEAR.
The New Year brings an array of warm feelings filled with fresh starts and personal aspirations. Spend some of that refreshing burst of energy on exploring different grape varietals with friends and family. Let’s take a look at some wines that are great for food-pairing and will make you look like a professional host! When […]
Bailey’s Pace: Restoring Elk to Southern West Virginia
You may not know that West Virginia is bringing in elk. But what does that mean for our state? According to state wildlife officials, they have reached an agreement with officials at Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes Elk and Bison Prairie to bring as many as 150 elk to the Mountain State by 2019. Paul […]
IN THE SPIRIT: SPARKLING WINES TO TOAST IN THE NEW YEAR. BY BRIAN MCCLURE
It’s that time of year again when restaurants and wine stores see an uptick in their sales of sparkling wine and for good reason as well, since it has become the most festive style of wine worldwide. That is, for the last several centuries at least, since the origins of sparkling wine go back to […]
BAILEY’S PACE: EAGER HEARTS & HOPEFUL OUTLOOKS. BY BAILEY PACE
And suddenly it was December. The final month of the year. Everything is merry and bright. Because in retrospect, we deserve a final hurrah after the year we have had. Goodbye, Prince. Goodbye, David Bowie. Goodbye, Alan Rickman. I feel like almost everyone can agree that 2016 has been a doozy. So with eager hearts […]
Bailey’s Pace: Enjoy Your Thanksgiving. by Bailey Pace
At this point in the season, more leaves decorate the ground than the branches of their trees. November is here and with it are not so subtle reminders of what comes next. In the near future soft white flake will fall from the sky and create hazardous driving conditions. But for now, we can enjoy […]
In the Spirit: Warm Wines for Cooler Times. by Cam Pinkney
With the Fall Equinox behind us, it now means that the daylight hours shorten and the nights get longer. As the temperature drops, I’m sure you will find yourself cozying up by a warm fire with a glass of wine pretty quickly. What wine could compliment such a perfect ambiance with family and friends and […]
IN THE SPIRIT – HARVEST SEASON IN THE WINE WORLD. BY BRIAN MCCLUNG
Right about now, as we start to experience a little cooler temperatures at night and that touch of crisp air that tells us Autumn is marching steadily toward us, in vineyards all across the northern hemisphere, vineyard hands are working feverishly collecting bunches of grapes off the vines under the dutiful watch and organization of […]
BAILEY’S PACE – BACK TO SCHOOL. BY BAILEY PACE
Yellow number two pencils have a certain smell. It reminds me that school is starting soon… as if I cannot read the huge ‘Back to School Sale’ signs in every store. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the children crying out in agony and parents rejoicing in the return of their freedom. But […]
Mtn Scene: Flood Aftermath and Resilience in White Sulphur Springs
I recently watched a news story by WCHS, Eyewitness News Charleston, entitled “A Thousand Stories Never Told.” The story discussed the flood aftermath in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The relief workers were interviewed and they highlighted their altruism and empathy following this devastating flood. As a volunteer coming in from Richmond, Virginia, I felt that […]
IN THE SPIRIT: THE WINE LIFE
Some people will live vicariously through others, even it’s a schlep like me. For as long as I’ve loved wine and worked with it in our industry, the most common refrain I’ve heard is “Drinking wine for a living!—that must be tough…” in some form or another. I certainly won’t deny it…YES, sipping wine almost […]
BAILEY’S PACE: POKEMON FREEZE!
As the stress of the back-to-school season starts to suffocate you, you may find yourself longing for a break from it all. Have a relaxing evening of delicious food and soothing music at Zen’s Café. Located at 313 Neville Street, Beckley you can expect more than just atmosphere. They have many coffee options as well […]
OUT & ABOUT: FLOOD RELIEF BENEFIT CONCERTS
The West Virginia Winter Music Festival Musicians Fund, 501(c)3, held 2 flood benefit events this past July. On Saturday, July 2nd, partnering with the WBCCI (Airstream Trailer Club) they raised $1000 with the Airstream Concert Band performance (pictured below) on the lawn of New River Community and Technical College. On Saturday, July 25th, the WVWMF […]
Sunday, July 24: Flood Relief Benefit w/ 28 acts!
Devastating floods throughout central and southeastern West Virginia killed at least 23 people, destroyed 1,500 homes and damaged another 4,000. It is also estimated that 125 businesses were destroyed. 12 counties were under a state of emergency including Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster. The West Virginia Department of Transportation announced that […]
BAILEY’S PACE: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
When I think about West Virginia, I think about my home. I have been raised on top of mountains where you can see the sky up close and clouds from above. I am young. But in my short time here I have seen many things: sunrises that inspire purpose, sunsets that bathe your heart in […]
IN THE SPIRIT: ENJOYING YOUR WINE IN THE SUMMER.
Far be it from me to contradict Nancy Sinatra, but my “summer wine” is not necessarily made from strawberries, cherries and an angel’s kiss in spring….although you’d probably have to have more than a few gray hairs on your head to get the reference, I suppose. And this is not to bash Arbor Mist at […]
IN THE SPIRIT: WINES FOR CAMPING
In acknowledgement of the theme for this month’s publication, I wanted to say a few words about enjoying great wines while camping during these warm summer months and beyond. Specifically, I am thinking about camping and/or traveling in an RV with the family….possibly on a family vacation to a favorite annual destination, or even traveling […]
BAILEY’S PACE: FRESH FLAVORS AT THUNDERBIRD TACO
When you think of organic, local food, images of outdoor farmer’s markets may come to mind. What probably does not come to mind is a Thunderbird. However, in downtown Lewisburg, Thunderbird Taco is exactly where you will find such fresh flavors. Located at 121 E. Washington Street beside the Wild Bean, bright green walls, lively […]
June 14-July 5: Silver Twinkies Roll in the Valley
In the late 1920’s, an era that included prohibition on alcohol, Babe Ruth, and the eventual collapse of the United States stock market, a visionary named Wally Byam moved forward and began working on an idea. A newfound romantic fascination for traveling outdoors was growing steadily, which was not lost on his keen business sense […]