genuinely home - West Virginia Department of Commerce

GENUINELY HOME: WEST VIRGINIA IN THE NEW YEAR
Special Issue 2010

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West Virginia in the New Year
This special issue of Wonderful West Virginia spotlights
individuals from all walks of life whose stories share an
appreciation for the new opportunities they’ve found by moving here from other states –
or other countries. They discovered:
• Our cost of living is 6.5 percent below the national average.
• We have one of lowest costs of doing business in the United States.
• Our home ownership rates are the highest in country.
• Our electricity rates are a third lower than the U.S. average.
• We have among the lowest crime rates in the country.
• You can buy more home and land for your dollar – with housing costs that are
64 percent below the national average.
As we look ahead to 2011, we pause to be thankful for the gifts living in the Mountain
State provides each of us: great scenic beauty, a relaxed lifestyle in tight-knit communities
and world-class recreation that’s practically in our own backyards.
I wish you and your family a joyous holiday season and a good new year.
Sincerely,
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin
Looking for a perfect gift
Order double-matted, 8”x10” prints of West Virginia’s
best sights and scenics. $30 each, including shipping.
www.wvscenics.com
Wonderful West Virginia (USPS–415-660; ISSN 0030-7157) is published monthly by the State of
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, 324 Fourth Ave., South Charleston, WV 25303-1228.
Periodical postage paid at Charleston, WV. Postmaster: Send changes to Wonderful West Virginia,
State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305-0669.
Subscription Rates: Domestic: 1-year $18.00, 2-year $36.00; Newsstand Single Copy: $3.00, Call 304.558.9152, or 1.800.CALL.WVA. Address all
editorial correspondence to the editor. Viewpoints of our authors do not necessarily reflect those of the Division. Copyright 2008 by State of West
Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Although reasonable care is taken, the editor and the Division of Natural Resources assume no responsibility
for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. It is the policy of the Division of Natural Resources to provide its facilities, accommodations, services,
and programs to all persons without regard to sex, race, color, age, religion, national origin, or handicap. Proper licenses/registration and compliance
with official rules and regulations are the only source of restrictions for facility use or program participation. The Division of Natural Resources is an
equal opportunity employer. Discrimination complaints should be directed to: Director, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Capitol Complex,
Charleston, WV 25305-0669. Wonderful West Virginia is a copyrighted publication and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the
express written consent of the editor.
To subscribe call 1.800.CALL WVA or visit www.wonderfulwv.com
Earl Ray Tomblin
Governor, State of West Virginia
Kelley M. Goes
Secretary, Dept. of Commerce
Frank Jezioro
Director, Division of Natural Resources
Emily J. Fleming
Assistant to the Director / Legislative Liaison
Wonderful West Virginia Administrative Staff
Harry F. Price, Publisher
Michael Bryant, Business Manager
Robert L. Wines, Creative Services
Donna Flowers, Circulation
Commissioners
Jeffrey S. Bowers, Sugar Grove
Byron K. Chambers, Romney
Peter L. Cuffaro, Wheeling
Timothy O. Dotson, White Sulphur Springs
David M. Milne, Bruceton Mills
David F. Truban, Morgantown
Kenneth R. Wilson, Chapmanville
Section Chiefs
Harry F. Price, Administration
Curtis I. Taylor, Wildlife Resources
David E. Murphy, Law Enforcement
Kenneth Caplinger, Parks and Recreation
Joe T. Scarberry, Supervisor, Office of Land and Streams
Printed By
Chapman Printing Company
Charleston, Huntington, and Parkersburg, West Virginia
Editor: Kim Harbour
Design: Johanna Ellis – Lead Designer
Rob Russo
Project Management: Kim McHenry
Photography: Steve Shaluta, Jr. and
Ron Snow (unless noted)
Writers: Andrea Bond, Leslie Fitzwater,
Hoy Murphy, Hallie Sampson and
Catherine Zacchi
ABOUT THIS ISSUE: This special issue was
produced by the West Virginia Department
of Commerce. For more information:
West Virginia Department of Commerce
Marketing and Communications
90 MacCorkle Ave., SW
South Charleston, WV 25303
(304) 558-2003 • CommerceContactUs@wv.gov
Director: Kim Harbour
Administration: Rita Kee and Mona Dugas
Marketing: Kim McHenry, Lee Chatman
Mel Hobbs, Julie McKowen and
Rob Russo
Design: Johanna Ellis, Jessica Keaton,
Andrew Stout, and Barry Wooldridge
Photography: Steve Shaluta, Jr. and
Ron Snow
Media: Andrea Bond, Leslie Fitzwater,
Hoy Murphy, Courtney Sisk, and
Catherine Zacchi
Intern: Hallie Sampson
Genuinely H ome:
West Virginia in the New Year…
4 West Virginia: The Place to Be by Kim Harbour
West Virginia’s low cost and relaxed, balanced lifestyle are chief among the
reasons more people are moving to the state. Twelve former residents discuss
the new opportunities they found – or created – by coming home.
12 Geocaching – The Chase and the Challenge by Hoy Murphy
It’s modern-day treasure hunting with an electronic hand-held gadget you
probably already have. Geocaching is a fun way to challenge your puzzlesolving
skills and it gives you an excuse to explore hidden corners of our state.
18 Celebrate Traditions with International Spirit by Catherine Zacchi
Members of West Virginia’s growing community of international companies
recall traditions that differ from those familiar to the Mountain State, yet
share a kindred spirit.
26 Appalachian Homegrown Christmas by Leslie Fitzwater
Recall traditions from Christmases past and explore ways to start new
ones. Beloved traditions make Christmas in the Mountain State the most
wonderful time of the year.
34 Child Ballads of West Virginia by Andrea Bond
Ancient music from the British Isles found a new home in the Appalachian
Mountains. Today, the West Virginia University Libraries' collection
supports the school’s reputation as a premier study source of folk song.
40 Kid’s Art Contest Showcase by Hallie Sampson
From pepperoni rolls and cardinals to rafting and coal mining – youth from
every corner of the state describe what the Mountain State means to them.
View the winners of the 2010 Genuine West Virginia Student Contest.
Contents Page, clockwise from top left: Chief Logan Lodge, Hotel and Conference Center, Logan by Alex Wilson, Felman Production, Inc., Letart by Ron
Snow, Bluegrass instruments from Fret 'n Fiddle, St. Albans by Ron Snow, Shamil, second place art contest winner, Barboursville Elementary by Ron Snow
Background: Christmas at Chief Logan Lodge, Hotel and Conference Center, Logan by Alex Wilson Front cover, inset photos, clockwise, left to right:
Couple, child and deer by Steve Shaluta Back cover: Mill in winter at Babcock State Park by Steve Shaluta
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West Virginia’s greatest asset is its people
and their pride in a job well done. With the
lowest manufacturing turnover rate in the
nation, our skilled and flexible work force
has earned a reputation for dedication,
loyalty and quality.
Kanawha Falls, Fayette County
Great beauty can be found in our work and work places. For
instance, Elkem Metals produces nearly a third of all silicon
used in North America from a plant tucked into the scenic
upper Kanawha Valley. The fiery job of smelting high-tech
metal coexists in a charming community with the historic
Glen Ferris Inn and its soothing views of
Kanawha Falls. Here, quality of place
undoubtedly contributes to the quality
of life and work.
Precision craftsmanship is evident
in both chrome plating and
colorful Fiestaware dinner plates,
too. High-tech lasers are the
tools of biotech research and
manufacturing. In every case,
the West Virginia worker’s skill
adds the extra ingredient to
make these things world class.
Visit www.genuinewv.com
for a list of outstanding
products and services that
call West Virginia home.
Kelley Goes
West Virginia Secretary
of Commerce
Background:
Fairmont Tool, Inc.,
Fairmont
All photos by Ron Snow except
Marshall and Kanawha Falls by
Swanson Plating Company, Inc., Morgantown
Marshall University Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center,
The Home Laughlin China Co., Newell
2 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A
Huntington
Steve Shaluta
G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 3

West Virginia:
The Place to Be
By Kim Harbour
Whether moving from the tundra or the desert, new residents
agree West Virginia’s lush, rolling hills are the place to be!
Recently, the U.S. Census Bureau released population numbers showing
the Mountain State is growing, particularly in the Morgantown, Charleston,
Martinsburg and Hampshire County areas. The Census tells us that the state’s
new residents are coming from nearby Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky
and South Carolina – as well as significant population gains from Alaska and
New Mexico, too!
Why For many, West Virginia is the answer to finding a balance between
work and play. Residents appreciate the state’s friendly, relaxed atmosphere, scenic
beauty and world-class recreation that’s within easy reach of the region’s big cities.
The following profiles include those who have returned, bringing new businesses
and opportunities with them.
Read expanded stories online: www.GenuineWV.com/ThePlaceToBe.
Ashley King
Trinity Works, Mount Hope
Ashley King grew up in Charleston. She left the state
to study civil engineering, and pursued her Master’s
in construction engineering and management at
New York University. Upon graduating, she had the
chance to join a big New York construction firm or
return to West Virginia to help build The Summit
Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, the future
home of The Boy Scouts of America’s Jamboree in
Fayette County. She came home.
My Job: I couldn’t have picked a more exciting job to work on.
This is an iconic project.
At Trinity Works, we act as the development manager, overseeing
the design process and construction for The Bechtel Summit. We
work with land planners, architects and engineers to develop
the grading plan and the roadways. We bring them to our
Mount Hope offices and brainstorm in design charettes. What
does this property need to look like What do we need to do to
accommodate 50,000 scouts and their families who will come
As the assistant project manager, I develop schedules and monitor
budgets and cash flows. I get to wear many hats, which lets me grow
in my career. I know the project inside and out, not just one aspect.
New Opportunities: I’m excited to watch how The Bechtel
Summit impacts the economy in this part of the state. At the 2010
Jamboree, the budget for ice was a quarter of a million dollars. If you
think about the ice and what a small piece of the whole event that is
– just imagine the impact on the small businesses in the community.
It’s really exciting. Putting on the Jamboree is the equivalent of
mobilizing a city the size of Charleston for 10 days. I’m really excited
to see how all of that plays out logistically, when we
start hosting the event in 2013.
Previously, the property was strip mined. We are
working with the lay of the land as it is to reclaim
it as usable space. It is very important to the Boy
Scouts that Trinity Works insists upon contractors
building in a sustainable way. The Scouts have a
100-year master plan for this – it will go forward to
future generations who will be able to come and
enjoy the New River Gorge.
Left: Ashley King visits the construction site of
the Boy Scouts of America’s 2013
Jamboree, Fayette County
Background: New River Gorge Bridge,
near Fayetteville
Photos by Steve Shaluta
G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 5

Christian Martinkat
Stockmeier Urethanes, Inc., Clarksburg
Before moving from Germany in 2005 to become
president and CEO of Stockmeier Urethanes, Inc.,
in the United States, Christian Martinkat had never
been to West Virginia. But his bonds to the region soon
grew stronger when he married Melissa, a West Virginia
University graduate. The couple now splits their time
between north-central West Virginia and Europe.
My Job: We formulate the glue used for running tracks or
playground running surfaces. It is a highly-specialized, niche
market. It’s also a highly international business – because there are
only a handful of companies making this product for this purpose.
From Clarksburg, we do business in the entire America’s region –
in Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. We’re one trucking day from
most of the markets we serve in North America. West Virginia gives
us an affordable location to reach out to this hemisphere.
Beverly Sexton
American Mountain Theater, Elkins
Beverly Sexton grew up in Elkins and started performing
at age nine with her family singing group, "The Heckels.”
They traveled all over West Virginia and were regular cast
members of the Wheeling Jamboree. At age 17, Sexton
left the state to pursue a career in the music business. She
won a recording contract with RCA Records in Nashville,
where she had a top forty single: "Bluer Than Blue." She
performed at the Grand Ole Opry and toured with stars
like Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.
Top: The American Mountain
Theater, Elkins
Right: Owners Kenny and
Beverly Sexton
Photos by Ron Snow
My Job: My husband, Kenny, and I own The American Mountain
Theater (AMT), Elkins, which is the only "Branson, Missouri Style"
live music, comedy and variety show in West Virginia. We opened
in July 2007 and we are in our fourth season performing in our
beautiful state-of-the-art theater located in the historic rail yard.
We seat up to 600 people and we produce and perform in four
different shows with about 210 total performances per year. My
husband and I co-produce all of the shows. I sing in all shows, play
bass guitar, greet our customers at the door when they arrive and
bid them goodbye when they leave. I also write some of the music
and comedy skits we perform.
New Opportunities: My sister, Susie Heckel, envisioned a music
theater in Elkins that would entertain folks from all over the
United States and around the world! My husband caught Susie’s
AMT vision and went all out purchasing the land and getting a
brand-new facility built and opened for business in July 2007.
We employ about 15 full-time people.
Our growth has been phenomenal, with annual attendance
approaching 33,000 customers or more. AMT and Elkins became
the number one motorcoach destination in West Virginia in 2008
and that continues. We hosted 300 bus groups in 2009 compared
to 131 groups in 2007.
My West Virginia Connection: We have planted our roots
both in business and personally. My husband plans to
continue to promote and build the American Mountain
Theater until the attendance reaches 50,000 to 60,000 per
year and possibly invest in other tourism related businesses
in Elkins and West Virginia.
West Virginia’s Best Kept Secret: West Virginia offers
a unique location in that it is a road "well" traveled while
maintaining the feel of a road "less" traveled. We all know it
is here, yet it is somehow undiscovered!
New Opportunities: Many other U.S. states don’t put forth an
effort to help smaller companies enter their markets the way
West Virginia does.
We are a privately-owned mid-sized company. We are not a
gigantic company that has in-house counsel. On the other hand
we are a chemical manufacturer and we’re subject to a lot of rules.
West Virginia was very good to help us by dedicating a team from
the state government to guide us though the process. The
West Virginia Development Office and its International Division
helped our company navigate all of the regulations and policies
to make an investment of this type.
West Virginia is a good place for business. You can operate your
company in a business-friendly environment and at a reasonable
cost. The work ethic is strong. The people are loyal, friendly and
helpful. High retention rates bring financial benefits to us, too.
“West Virginia is known more for country and
bluegrass, but Tamarack helped me get more
exposure for the jazz and blues musicians here in
the Mountain State.
The people and
the talent that we
have is West Virginia’s
best kept secret.”
Doris “Lady D” Fields,
performer, Beckley
Steve Shaluta
My West Virginia Connection: We travel a lot. So we enjoy
being at our Fairmont home and its location near the woods. We
get a lot of wildlife in the backyard. When you live in Europe, it is
a densely-populated, urban environment. You don’t have wide
open spaces or homes with one or two-acre properties.
My Favorite Places: In my free time, I play golf and I enjoy driving
my car on scenic country road trips to Grafton and Bridgeport.
Along the way, I like discovering new restaurants or B&Bs.
West Virginia’s Best Kept Secret: Many of the best things
are hidden secrets. I’m big into food and there are so many
small mom and pop places that serve delicious food here. My
employees give me tips about new places to check out, too.
“I came back to West Virginia because I can live a
rich life among my family while pursuing an exciting
career that enables me to create new, innovative
theater and enhance the future
of the arts in West Virginia
and across America.”
Courtesy of Peggy McKowen
Peggy McKowen,
associate producing director
Contemporary American
Theater Festival, Shepherdstown
Ron Snow
If you’re looking to come home to West Virginia, consider
doing something bold and unique in the tourism business. We
6 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A would love the help bringing more and more folks to the state.
G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 7

Todd Gillespie The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs
Todd Gillespie grew up in Worthington, near Fairmont,
and graduated from Fairmont State University.
He has worked in the resort business since college in
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida.
This past year, he came home to become the Director
of Sales of The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs.
My Job: Romance and rhododendrons, the sense of service, the
sense of history – The Greenbrier is a proud West Virginia resort
and we are very proud to introduce the world to West Virginia
in the best light. We have guests from all corners of the globe.
We hope that if they have a good experience they’ll bring their
business back to the state.
New Opportunities: There are few times in a hotelier’s career
when you are able to be a part of a renaissance – to be a part of the
opening of the casino or an inaugural PGA TOUR event. Now, we
are working to get our fifth star (out of the Forbes Travel Guide’s
five-star rating) back. This work is a highlight of anyone’s career –
and it’s all been in one year, this year. The changes are remarkable.
Under Jim Justice, the resort has changed its pricing strategy so we
could open ourselves to new markets. We have set revenue and
occupancy records every month in these tough economic times.
My West Virginia Connection: My dad introduced me to golf
and told me stories about Sam Snead and The Greenbrier.
So, from a young age this was a special place for me.
Photos by Steve Shaluta
My fiancée, Ashley, moved with me from Florida to Lewisburg.
She likes having four seasons. She likes that it is safe, with good
schools and we can afford a nice home. Maybe you have to
see other parts of the world to appreciate what we have here.
The further I get along in my career – everything I could ever
want professionally, personally or socially is right here. The real
opportunity is where you’re at.
West Virginia’s Best Kept Secret: West Virginians should take
pride in what we have and who we are. We’re just as smart. We’re
talented. We work harder and we’re more genuine. You have to
make your own breaks but you can be a part of the change in
West Virginia.
“Being a servant is something to be
proud of – every day we can make
someone happy and give them the
service that is world class and five-star.”
Robert Mickey,
director of housekeeping and transportation
The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs
“We had our first child this year. West Virginia
provides opportunity for a more laid-back or
relaxed style of life. It will be good to raise kids here
so they can experience a
simpler life.”
Jeromy Tichner, systems engineer
The MITRE Corporation, Clarksburg
Sally Phares
Blossom Village, Beverly
Sally Phares grew up on Files Creek, about a mile
from the Blossom Village flower shop she runs in
Beverly. She’s home, again, after a 34-year information
technology career that took her to Georgia, Virginia
and Nevada, working for hospitals, NASA contractors
and higher education. She longed for a creative outlet
and found it working with flowers.
My Job: Blossom Village is the first full service florist Beverly has
ever had. I like being a part of the town’s business community and
the historical preservation activities.
I wanted to put my business experience, technical know-how and
love of my home county to work. I also hoped to provide some
jobs (at least part time) for some folks.
New Opportunities: The two things I enjoy most is the floral
design work and talking with our customers.
My West Virginia Connection: For the more than thirty years I
was out of state, I had no family around me. Most of my extended
family is in West Virginia, my brother, nieces and nephews live in
Charleston and I have many cousins in the Elkins area.
Coming home, the qualities that I have enjoyed include a bit slower
pace (but not much) and more considerate people. Folks here
are not so wrapped up in their own lives that they don’t notice or
take time to help friends and neighbors. Even the traffic is much
friendlier! West Virginians just have a different consideration for
others than I experienced nearly every other place I’ve lived.
The sense of community is very strong here compared to other
places. So, one priority I set for myself was to give back to the
community that had given me so much as a young person
growing up here. My West Virginia education has served me very
well no matter where I found myself or the challenges I faced.
Courtesy of Jeromy Tichner
“What I enjoy most about my work is solving difficult
problems through the use of technology. What I
like most about TTi being based in Wheeling is the
community and the people.
Wheeling provides a great
value to a business owner.”
Courtesy of Theodora Titonis
Theodora Titonis, president and CEO
TTi Technologies, Inc., Wheeling
My Favorite Places: One of my favorite places to go is
something I did as a child, and that is walking along Files Creek.
It’s very soothing and beautiful. I miss fishing and hope that I may
have some time to do that next year!
West Virginia’s Best Kept Secret: The talent. Talent in so
many areas. The state not only has rich natural resources, it has
incredible people resources that have not been tapped, especially
in our region of the state.
Ron Snow
8 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 9

“In this age where technology makes
it possible to work from anywhere,
the value of the state’s quality of
place speaks for itself and is the
state’s biggest attraction for new
and existing businesses.”
Parween Sultany Mascari, CFO and part owner
WV Living Marketplace, Snowshoe and Morgantown
Nikki Bowman WV Living Magazine, Morgantown
Nikki Bowman grew up in Clay and
Kanawha Counties, and graduated
from West Virginia University in 1992.
She moved to Chicago, and received her
master’s from DePaul University. She
worked as the editor of several magazines
in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and
Mississippi, before moving home to
launch WV Living Magazine and
WV Weddings Magazine in 2008.
My Job: WV Living celebrates contemporary
life in West Virginia. We showcase uplifting
stories, travel destinations, small towns, beautiful
photography, Appalachian artists, down-home
entertaining, unique shops and restaurants and
much more.
Photos by Steve Shaluta
New Opportunities: In July, I teamed up with Parween Mascari,
an attorney with Jackson Kelly PLLC, to open the WV Living
Marketplace in the village at Snowshoe Mountain. We opened
a second location in the Seneca Center in Morgantown this fall.
Our goal is to showcase the state’s finest artists and craftsmen,
providing them with an economic and creative outlet, while
encouraging people to support local businesses.
We created our own line of products – the WV Living Artisan
Collection – where we have designed items and worked with
local craftsmen to produce it. We hope that instead of buying
glassware made in China, people will drink from tumblers hand
blown by Ron Hinkle of Buckhannon. Instead of purchasing food
grown in Chile, folks will buy salsa made from local ingredients.
We hope that instead of registering for dishes from Crate and
Barrel, brides will set their tables with unique pottery from
West Virginia University’s Ceramics Studio. Being local isn’t just a
lifestyle – it’s a responsibility.
My West Virginia Connection: For several years, my husband
and I talked about moving back to West Virginia. I realized that if I
wanted to move home, then I had to make it happen myself.
West Virginia needs its native sons and daughters to come home.
Our small towns need the energy, new perspective, and passion
of entrepreneurs. There are endless possibilities. If you can dream
it, you can make it happen here.
West Virginia’s Best Kept Secret: The entire state of
West Virginia is one of the nation’s best kept secrets – period.
If I had to list places that I think most folks have never visited,
but should, I’d say Bramwell, Green
Bank Observatory, Helvetia, our
breathtaking state parks, Bethany,
Arthurdale, Cairo and Harrisville,
the monthly buckwheat feeds in
Kingwood…. The list could go on!
Read expanded stories
online: www.GenuineWV.com/
ThePlaceToBe.
Kim Harbour grew up in Kenova.
She worked in New York and LA for nearly
20 years before coming home to raise her
family, among her family.
Contact: kim.l.harbour@wv.gov
WV Living Marketplace, Snowshoe Mountain
Pocahontas County
G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 11

Geocaching
The Chase
By Hoy Murphy
and the Challenge
Childhood fantasies of following a pirate map and
digging up hidden treasure have become reality
for thousands of modern-day treasure hunters who
have discovered the challenge of geocaching.
Steve Shaluta
David Fattaleh
Steve Shaluta
The word refers to GEO for geography, and to CACHING, the process of hiding a
“cache,” a term normally used in hiking/camping as a hiding place for concealing and
preserving provisions. Explorers of all ages are using this “hide and seek” game to test
their skills at finding hidden containers full of surprising items left by others, and at
the same time, use it as a reason to visit unfamiliar parts of the state.
Geocaching is a relatively new pursuit that came into popularity with the general
availability of Global Positioning Systems (GPS). They can be stand-alone handheld
devices or can be found on many smart phones and portable automobile navigation
systems. Geocachers follow satellite-generated GPS signals to find hidden “caches,”
which usually are containers holding trinkets, but can also be physical landmarks.
Top: Chasing after a geocache can lead
you to a city setting or a wilderness
location or anywhere in between.
Bottom left: It can be challenging to
find the hidden treasure. Geocachers
are becoming expert at hiding the
containers, so don’t restrict your search to
just the obvious areas.
Bottom right: Part of the fun is
discovering what other cache visitors have
placed in the container. You are allowed
to take some of the “swag” as long as you
replace it with something else.
The fun comes from getting cache
coordinates from the official
www.geocaching.com website or other
sources, then using your skills to track
down the exact point you’re looking for.
It is estimated that there are more than
one million caches in more than 100
countries, and that number grows daily.
“It’s more fun searching in groups
and working together to find the
caches,” said Kimberly McHenry, who
12 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 13

Geocaching is an all-ages outdoor activity that families can
enjoy together.
spent many weekends geocaching with a group of church
youth in the Kanawha Valley during the summer. “Sometimes
we’re running in all different directions trying to find the same
spot, but it teaches teamwork and cooperation, and we all get
a sense of accomplishment when we find the caches.”
Shelby Boyd, a Nitro High School freshman, enjoyed
chasing the caches with McHenry’s group. “What I like about
geocaching is that it makes you work your mind and think
outside the box. It has different levels of challenge and works
your brain. The most unusual thing I found in a geocache was
a fake worm, bait for fishing.”
Of course, there are rules that most players follow. Caches
usually have a log book for you to register your visit. “Swag,”
or small treasurers, may be found in larger caches, and you can
remove items if you replace them with something else.
West Virginia State Parks and many communities have
set up their own geocaching trails to encourage enthusiasts
to explore areas they might not normally visit. Now, that
has expanded to include nearly every part of the state as
the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts
(WVDOE&A), in conjunction with the West Virginia Division
of Tourism and the West Virginia Division of Culture and
History, has created its “ExploreWV GeoChallenge.”
Ron Snow
Statewide Geocaching Challenges
“The ExploreWV GeoChallenge is a new group for
geocachers in West Virginia and surrounding areas,” explained
Robin Taylor, Imagination Library Program Director for the
WVDOE&A. “We are organizing many geocaching trails and
challenges that will provide an excellent and adventurous way
to see the beautiful Mountain State.”
The first official challenge of ExploreWV GeoChallenge
was the “West Virginia Geocoin Challenge” that began in
September 2010. Participants were required to visit some
of the state’s best tourism spots, interactive museums and
historical sites before ending at the West Virginia State
Museum in Charleston. The first 250 geocachers who
completed the challenge received a limited edition
West Virginia Geocoin, a real and rare treasure at the end of
the hunt. More challenges are coming.
“This all got started when Education Secretary Kay
Goodwin and Commerce Secretary Kelley Goes came up
with idea of using geocaching as a way to teach people about
the rich history of our state and to increase tourism,” Taylor
explained. “When they discovered that my husband Todd and
I were experienced geocachers, we put our heads together and
decided to do a statewide effort. The Geocoin Challenge was
very successful, and over the next year or so we’re going to
expand the types of challenges and encourage people to see
some small country roads they’ve never gotten to see before.”
The Heritage Farm Museum and Village near Huntington is one of the sites included in
ExploreWV GeoChallenge’s “West Virginia Geocoin Challenge.”
Fire up the GPS – Many Trails Lie Ahead
For 2011, The ExploreWV GeoChallenge will be taking
players across the state in search of different kinds of treasures.
“We’re going to launch a Main Street Challenge, and it’s
going to take in all of the interesting little Main Streets across
West Virginia,” Taylor said. “It will not be a challenge as much
as a ‘first to find’ contest where
people race each other to get to the
prize. Each cache will pertain to
each individual Main Street, and
swag will include things like a $10
gift coupon to a local restaurant or
Beartown is one of many West Virginia
state parks that have geocaches. Visit
www.GenuineWV.com/GeocacheParks
for a list of hiding places.
Photo by Steve Shaluta
a craft shop, or something like that to build up the economy in
that location. We have a ton of ideas for different challenges.”
Other ExploreWV GeoChallenges under consideration
for 2011 include trails that will lead gamers to various sports
arenas, schools, state parks, and in the fall, to “haunted”
locations, all with a reward at the end.
ExploreWV GeoChallenge organizers hope to encourage
people of all ages to get outdoors and explore.
“My son Steven is five years old and since he was two he
has always thought he was a pirate. Todd and I thought, what
better way to get Steven involved in hiking and other outdoor
activities, and now he refers to it as treasure hunting. He’ll say
‘I want to treasure hunt’ and that’s our cue to pack up the car
and go,” Taylor said. “We’re friends with a retired couple who
make 12 to 14 mile hikes. They’re serious about geocaching.
It’s an interest that spans from infants to retired people.”
David Fattaleh
14 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 15

Steve Shaluta
Try it before you buy it
Realizing that not everyone is willing to purchase the
GPS equipment without trying it out first, the Department
of Education and the Arts will be making geocaching kits
available to the main public libraries in all 55 counties in the
coming months.
“I’ve spoken with many of the libraries and asked if anyone
had come in asking for information about geocaching, and
I’d say four out of five said ‘yes.’ The need is there, so we are
supplying them with a geocaching pack that they can check
out. Our goal is to get residents into the game and to bring
people into the state, and we hope this will increase economic
development by showing people what we really do have to
offer,” Taylor said.
It’s easy to get started. Once you have your GPS unit, go
online and visit www.geocaching.com. All coordinates for
the various challenges can be found by clicking on advanced
search, select “by keyword” and type in ExploreWV. General
information about geocaching in West Virginia, other caching
challenges, and registration information for ExploreWV can
be found at www.geocachewv.com. Go to www.Facebook.com/
ExploreWV and click “like.”
Photos above:
Jessica Bailey of Poca and
her children, Jaiden, age 7,
and Trevor, age 4, registered
for free and got coordinates
from www.geocaching.com
and followed their GPS unit
to the approximate location.
Geocaches have logs to record
your name when you find
them. Later, you can record
your find at your account at
www.geocaching.com.
A lifelong resident of West Virginia, Hoy Murphy writes for the West Virginia
Department of Commerce, helping to promote the state’s many outdoor
recreational opportunities. He and his family started geocaching while
he was researching this article and have logged more than 30 caches to
date, with more to come. Contact him at hoy.r.murphy@wv.gov.
16 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A
Geocaches can range from small “microcaches” with a small rolled up sheet of paper
to sign to “regular” containers holding many items. Sometimes, the items have
traveled across the country, and finders are encouraged to keep them moving along
to another cache. Photos by Ron Snow

C elebrate
Traditions
with
By Catherine Zacchi
International Spirit
Steve Shaluta
The holidays have a way of taking us home again.
Some who work for West Virginia’s growing community of
international companies remember traditions that differ from
those familiar to the Mountain State, yet share a kindred spirit.
John Varellis: Engineering a new life in Morgantown
A native of Athens, Varellis now lives in Morgantown. He heads X 3D CAE,
a firm that provides computer aided engineering (CAE) services. X 3D CAE
specializes in finite element analysis (FEA), engineering computer simulations
to predict the way industrial products would deform, handle stress or even fail
Courtesy of John Varellis
Steve Shaluta
Traditions past and present are recounted by engineering entrepreneur John
Varellis, formerly of Greece; operations manager Vitaliy Anosov, of Ukraine; and
CEO Kurt Ruefenacht, formerly of Switzerland.
Read more about their memories and traditions in their extended profiles at
www.genuinewv.com/Celebrate.
in real life. For a fraction of the cost of building a prototype, CAE software can
virtually construct, test and improve a product before it is manufactured.
“I am the son of an engineer and became an engineer myself,” said Varellis.
Varellis received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the National
Technical University of Athens, the country’s most prestigious educational
institution in technology. He traveled to the United States to attend
John Varellis earned his master’s degree in
mechanical engineering and his Ph.D. in
aerospace engineering from West Virginia
University. He now owns X 3D CAE, Morgantown.
Top photo: West Virginia University,
Morgantown
Photo by Ron Snow
G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 19

West Virginia University, where he received his
master’s degree in mechanical engineering, and his
Ph.D. in aerospace engineering. He worked in Detroit
in automotive engineering and Pittsburgh in software
engineering before returning to Morgantown. In 2006,
The animated Snowflake Tunnel
is part of America’s largest
holiday light celebrations, the
Winter Festival of Lights at
Oglebay Resort, Wheeling. It
features a million lights along a
six-mile drive and 300 acres.
he opened his computer aided engineering firm X 3D CAE.
In 2008, he received his U.S. citizenship.
In some ways, West Virginia reminds Varellis of the
Greek countryside.
“I come from a mountainous nation,” he said. “A lot
of people don’t know that the mainland of Greece is
extremely mountainous.”
Before Christmas trees were introduced around the
1950s, Greek islanders decorated miniature boats.
“Modern day Greek Christmas celebrations are
no different than those in the rest of the Christmascelebrating
world. Everywhere you go, you see
decorations, Christmas trees and Santa Claus,” he said.
The holiday draws families together for gift-giving
and feasting. Pork or stuffed turkey grace the family
table. Unlike American bread-based stuffing, the Greek
version blends onions, garlic, olive oil, rice, pine nuts,
spices and thinly-sliced chicken liver and heart.
Courtesy of Oglebay Resort
“Still, I would not say the two nations are identical,”
Varellis said. “People in Greece have long holidays, with
many in private and government sectors guaranteed a month’s
paid vacation in summer, plus holidays. I’ve adopted the
American workaholic attitude.”
When not working in front of his computer, Varellis
Vitaliy Anosov: Forging a future in Mason County
Vitaliy Anosov was born in Khabarovsk, the largest
Russian city east of Lake Baikal. At age nine, he moved with
his parents and brother to the Ukrainian city of Nikopol, an
During the Soviet era, Christmas
was not an officially recognized
holiday, but people held small
unofficial celebrations with family.
“When I first came to the plant in 2006, it was closed. Now it is completely operational.
It’s like a small child. You put a piece of your soul into helping it grow up.”
Vitaliy Anosov, operations manager,
Felman Production Inc., Letart
Ron Snow
enjoys West Virginia traditions, including the Wine and Jazz
industrial and transportation center.
“My mother was born on Jan. 7, which is the Ukrainian
and saw fireworks going up all over the city; all over the
Festival in Morgantown, skiing, playing soccer and riding on
Today, Anosov is operations manager for Felman
Christmas,” he said. “It was two holidays in one for us.”
country! The night became as bright as day. You’d have to see
Rails to Trails bike paths. He also has adopted the traditional
Production Inc. in Letart, Mason County. Felman produces
One of the biggest official holidays was New Year,
it to understand how amazing it was.”
American can-do attitude.
ferrosilicomanganese, used chiefly by United States companies
celebrated on Dec. 31.
Anosov still recalls his first Christmas in West Virginia.
“I like very much the American tradition of setting a goal
as a steel deoxidizer and alloy additive. A subdivision of
“Sometimes the celebration extended to Christmas on
“Everything was covered in snow,” he said. “I saw the
and working until you reach that goal,” he said. “If you’re
Ukrainian-based Group Privat, Felman reopened the former
Jan. 7,” Anosov said. “There would be a big party with family,
colorful lights on the houses and the New Year trees. The
missing a piece of the puzzle, you create the piece you need to
Highlander Alloys plant in Letart and now provides around
friends and lots of food. The New Year tree was decorated
lights shone on the snow. It was silent. I don’t know how to
reach your goal.”
220 West Virginia jobs.
with lights. At midnight, everyone stepped outside the door
explain the feeling. It was beautiful.”
20 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 21

Although from different countries, Varellis, Anosov and Ruefenacht share a common interest: carving a path down West Virginia’s ski slopes.
Since childhood, Anosov had been inspired by the example in America. He and wife Tatiana arrived in West Virginia
set by his big brother.
in 2006.
“Alexander is six years older than I am. He always took
Anosov saw the vacated West Virginia plant and
care of me, like a second father,” Anosov recalled. “To me, he recognized potential.
is the best guy in the world.”
“When I first came to the plant in 2006, it was closed,
When Alexander studied metallurgy at the National
with piles of trash everywhere,” he said. “Now the plant is
Academy of Ukraine, Anosov decided to do the same.
completely operational. It’s like a small child. You put a piece
“All my life, I looked up to him,” he said. “I thought if my of your soul into helping it grow up. The people who work here
brother went to this university, it was probably one of the best, now were with us then to start up the plant, so they share the
and I want to be the best, too.”
same feeling. We worked hard to make this plant run.”
After earning his master’s degree in metallurgy, he returned The plant has three furnaces where raw materials are
to Nikopol to work at a ferroalloys plant with 7,000 employees. charged through a mix system, smelted and made into
He decided to enhance his skills by studying economics.
ferroalloys. Felman’s ferroalloys are used as a deoxidizer to
“For two years, I kept working at the plant during the day produce a more pure steel.
and taking courses at night,” Anosov said. “It was tough, but I When not hard at work, Anosov, his wife and friends enjoy
knew I needed education to improve my future.”
camping and skiing in West Virginia’s mountains or fishing
After he received his Economics of the Enterprise degree, and water skiing in its rivers and riding motorcycles along the
his company offered him a chance to reopen a shuttered plant state’s winding country roads.
Steve Shaluta
Kurt Ruefenacht:
From Alps to Mountain State
Kurt Ruefenacht grew up near Lake Lucerne, surrounded
by the majestic Alps of Switzerland. Today he works in the
Mountain State as CEO of EuropTec USA in Clarksburg.
EuropTec is a market leader in etched glass for the touch panel
and display industry.
The youngest of three siblings, Ruefenacht was often outdoors,
playing soccer in the summer and ice hockey in winter.
“Holidays such as Christmas, New Year and Easter are
a special time with the family,” he said. “As in the
United States, they involve big get-togethers, great food and
lots of fun and laughing.”
Ruefenacht earned his master’s degree in electronic
engineering and began working in Switzerland for an
American-based electronics company. In 1985, he and his
family – wife Heidi and sons Andy, Dan and Tom – moved
to the United States when Ruefenacht was offered a position
setting up a plant in Wisconsin for a German architectural
glass company. As general manager, Ruefenacht prepared the
site, planned the facility and oversaw production of the low
emissivity (low-E) glass. Low E glass is energy efficient glass that
lets in visible light and blocks heat-generating ultraviolet light.
“We felt at home from the first moment we arrived,”
said Ruefenacht. “A couple years later, our fourth
“We have become familiar with the
Italian Heritage Festival in Clarksburg.
We were surprised at how many people
here have some connection to Italy or
other parts of Europe. People here are
proud of their heritage.”
Kurt Ruefenacht, CEO
EuropTec USA, Clarksburg
son Roger was born in America. We raised the boys to speak
both English and Swiss German so they had no problems
communicating with their relatives in Switzerland. We
tried very hard to raise our boys with the traditions from
Switzerland. The boys often traveled with us, which let them
experience different cultures and broaden their minds.”
In the mid-1990s, the entire family became U.S. citizens.
After 12 years in Wisconsin, Ruefenacht became
international sales/marketing manager for a technical
glass company in Minnesota. Then in 2004, he opened
the American office for Switzerland’s EuropTec, a leading
manufacturer of technical flat glass, technical polymers
products and coatings.
While looking for a way to expand its glass fabrication
capabilities, EuropTec discovered Eagle Glass Specialties,
a successful etched glass manufacturer in Clarksburg.
Ruefenacht approached Eagle Glass and in 2006, EuropTec
announced its acquisition. Now CEO of EuropTec USA,
Ruefenacht moved his family to Morgantown.
Today, Heidi is EuropTec’s office manager and handles
accounting and human resources. Eldest son Andy works
for EuropTec in international sales in Virginia. Dan joined
the U.S. Army and is stationed in Germany. Tom plays
professional ice hockey in the top league in Switzerland.
Youngest son Roger is attending the Army Airborne
School in Georgia.
“Our first impression of West Virginia reminded
us of Switzerland, with its hills and winding roads”
Ruefenacht said. “West Virginians are very
loyal, hard working people who, like
us, are proud of their heritage. Their
friendliness makes some ‘strangers’
feel very welcome.”
Catherine Zacchi lives in Mineral
Wells and works for Commerce
Communications. She enjoys biking
on the North Bend Rail Trail in Cairo.
Contact: catherine.m.zacchi@wv.gov
22 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 23
Ron Snow

From Emerald Isle to Mountain State
Both her native Ireland and adopted West Virginia
are home to Jackie Murphy, plant manager for
Alcon Research Ltd. in Huntington. She talks
about the traditions of each.
Where are you from originally
I grew up in Ireland in the 1970s in a small community in the
country, much like the countryside of West Virginia. My father
kept a lot of greyhounds. Much of my afterschool activities
involved walking these dogs. The greyhound track on the
way to Charleston made me smile when I first saw it!
It was unusual for both parents in families to work but my
mother worked as a nurse at night. Her work ethic and
determination influenced me as a child. It can be very difficult
to juggle a career and family life. Because my mother managed
to do it with five children, she inspired me to do it with two.
What holiday traditions do you recall
My favorite holidays in Ireland were always Christmas and
Easter. The schools usually shut down for two weeks during
these holidays and families got together to celebrate. Turkey
and ham was the traditional Christmas day dinner, with sherry
trifle and Christmas pudding for dessert. Lamb was the most
popular Easter Sunday dish with lots of chocolate Easter eggs
afterwards, an extra special treat after the long Lenten fast.
How did you join Alcon
My father placed a high emphasis on education and
encouraged me to pursue engineering because it was what
he would have liked to do himself, given the opportunity.
I liked science subjects at school. I attended University of
Limerick and studied production engineering.
I worked as a manufacturing engineer in the electronics
industry in Ireland before joining Summit Technology,
a Boston-based medical device manufacturer in 1991.
Summit Technology became Summit Autonomous,
manufacturing medical laser systems and related
products used to perform procedures that correct
common refractive vision disorders. I have been
employed by Alcon since it acquired Summit
Autonomous in 2000.
I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity
by Alcon to move to the Huntington facility for a
few years. I had been visiting West Virginia since
2003, and always loved the area, the beautiful
scenery, the four distinct seasons and the
warmth of the people. My family and I relocated to
West Virginia in June 2009.
What does Alcon do
The world leader in eye care, Alcon has been discovering,
developing, producing and marketing high-quality
pharmaceutical, surgical and consumer eye care products
for more than 65 years. We have operations in 75 countries
and sell eye care products that treat diseases, disorders
and other conditions of the eye in more than 180 countries.
The Huntington facility is part of Alcon’s surgical division,
where we manufacture the AcrySof® intraocular lens, a small
artificial lens that replaces the eye’s natural lens during
cataract surgery. Alcon’s AcrySof® intraocular lenses are the
most frequently implanted lenses in the world, with more
than 50 million Alcon AcrySof® lenses implanted worldwide.
Different versions of this life-changing product have been
made here in Huntington for more than 30 years.
What were your first impressions of
West Virginia
I’ve always felt at home in West Virginia. If the roads were
smaller and it rained a little more, it would be a lot like rural
Ireland! Huntington holds many attractions, such as the
climate, the friendliness of the people and the lack of traffic
congestion. As a place to conduct business, it’s ideal; a strong
pool of talented and committed people as well as a businessfriendly
environment and support of government agencies.
What traditions did you encounter in
West Virginia that made an impression on you
Even though we are all English-speaking, there are many
words and expressions that are different between Ireland and
West Virginia. My daughter learned early on that a rubbish bin
is a trash can, the post is the mail, the boot is the trunk and
the bonnet is the hood! It took me quite a while to get used
to spelling words the American way, to driving on the right
hand side of the road and to understand the rivalry between
the Marshall Thundering Herd and West Virginia University.
How have these traditions influenced you
Ireland is a small country with many traditions and a history
of surviving through good times and bad. I see a lot of
similarities here in West Virginia. People have a strong sense
of pride in their community, family life is important and
people at Alcon appreciate having a job to go to every day.
These traditions have always influenced me to strive to do
the best job I can every day.
Anything to add
Go Herd!
More Irish childhood and American language in the full
story at :www. www.GenuineWV.com/Murphy
24 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A

Ron Snow Courtesy of Oglebay Resort Steve Shaluta
The Appalachian Mountains and the people
who live there share a rich history that is
steeped in traditions for every season and
every occasion. By far, some of the best loved and most
remembered Appalachian customs are associated with
Christmastime. From old-fashioned Main Street celebrations to
handcrafted wooden toys under the tree, here are just a few of
the beloved traditions that make Christmas in the Mountain
State the most wonderful time of the year.
HomegrownChristmas
Appalachian
Oh, Christmas tree!
By Leslie Fitzwater
Instead of making a trip to a city lot to pick out a pre-cut tree this year, go on a
family friendly adventure to a Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm. These farms,
which are located throughout the state, offer beautiful trees at reasonable prices and
allow you and your family to choose the freshest and “most perfect” tree for your
holiday celebration.
Generally, Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farms are open from the day after
Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve to accommodate everyone from those who like to
set up their trees early to those who like to wait until the last minute. Each farm offers
something different; some provide full services like cutting, baling and hauling the
tree to your car, while others give you the full experience of “doing it yourself.” Hours
and services vary, though, so be sure to call ahead for details. To find a Choose and
Cut Christmas tree farm near you, visit www.wvcommerce.org/ChristmasTrees.
Photos at left, top to bottom:
Holly tree in snow
Poinsettia lights of
Oglebay Resort and
Hiding under the Christmas Tree
This page:
Jarvis Christmas Tree Farm,
Milton
Photo by Kim Harbour
26 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 27

Ron Snow
Main Street Christmas
Once upon a time, long before big-box stores and shopping
malls ruled the retail market, Main Street was where
Christmas dreams came to life. Bright lights, carolers, a
department-store Santa Claus, the annual Christmas parade,
and display windows filled with the latest and greatest toys
were the things of which Christmas memories were made.
Taking a trip down memory lane isn’t the only way to enjoy
those homegrown Christmas traditions. Throughout
West Virginia you will find people and communities that
are keeping our Appalachian holiday heritage alive, even in
today’s high tech-driven world.
On the first Saturday of December, Mannington in Marion
County ushers in the holiday season with its annual Christmas
Open House. The event features a parade complete with
marching bands and floats, merchants who hold open houses
and offer light refreshments, and the “Jolly Old Elf” himself
in Citizen’s Square asking all the little boys and girls if they’ve
been naughty or nice. The lighting of the town’s Christmas
tree – always a locally grown pine, fir or spruce – also takes
place that day in the Square.
Residents and visitors view the event as a “green light” to
Country Prim & Folksy, Mannington
Mannington Main Street. “Mannington is a bed and breakfast
community, meaning that although people live here, they
tend to work outside the town. The Open House gives people
a good reason to make time to stop and see what a great
Greenery Bazaar. Volunteers decorate the venue, a circa-1870
log cabin, with handmade items, ornamented trees and fresh
greenery. Shoppers have a chance to step back in time to
enjoy a warm fire, drink wassail and eat gingersnap cookies
“Built around 1845, our building was
here during the Civil War… We still
have a great deal of work to do, but we
are glad we were able to doctor up the
house and give her new purpose.
“Each part of America begins with
people living and working in a place,
which is part of a bigger place. If more
people were willing to step out and
act on a dream or opportunity, things
would just get better and better.”
Ron Snow
start their holiday shopping. “This is the official kickoff of
the holiday season; it gets everybody in a festive spirit and
selection of products and services they can purchase locally.”
In conjunction with Mannington’s Christmas Open
while they decide what items to purchase. The handcrafted
evergreen wreaths, swags and arrangements are all made from
Rose Barker, Owner
Country Prim & Folksy, Mannington
the kids love it,” said Becky Williams, program manager for
House, the West Augusta Historical Society holds its annual
local pine and holly.
28 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 29

Deck the halls with … mistletoe
Pine and holly aren’t the only natural
Christmas decorations to be found locally
in West Virginia. Mistletoe, also known as
the “kissing plant,” is a traditional trimming
with a reputation for bringing boys and girls
(of all ages) together beneath it for a special
holiday smooch. Despite this romantic
reputation, mistletoe is in reality a parasitic
plant that attaches itself to and grows within
the branches of trees and shrubs. So how do
you get something down that grows so far off
the ground One sure-fired, West Virginia
solution: Shoot it.
Charlie Spencer has been harvesting
A pod of mistletoe growing high above the ground.
mistletoe with a shotgun since he was a
teenager. “Usually I use a 12-gauge shotgun but you can use any of mistletoe. Most of the time, mistletoe is spread through bird
kind just as long as it has a good scatter,” said the Boone County droppings; birds will eat the seeds at one tree and then carry
native and long-time mistletoe harvester.
them to another one.”
According to Spencer, whose “day job” is fire forester for
Spencer said that although he usually finds only two or three
the West Virginia Division of Forestry, mistletoe primarily pods growing on a tree at one time, those pods can be as large
grows in black gum trees like those on and around his family’s as 18 inches to two-to-three feet in diameter. “I have seen trees
Boone County property. “Black gum is one of the main hosts that are covered with pods, but since the mistletoe is not taking
away a lot of nutrients it probably doesn’t hurt the tree too
badly. As long as the tree is able to continue leafing out each
year to gather its own nutrients, everything should be all right.”
During the Christmas season, Spencer becomes a
very popular fellow. “Everybody wants some mistletoe at
Christmastime. My dad, my brother and I usually harvest
some soon after Thanksgiving and we put it up as decoration
in our houses until after New Year’s. We also give it away to
friends. Plus,” Spencer added with a sly smile, “it’s always a
good way to steal a kiss or two.”
Charlie Spencer, "The Mistletoe Hunter"
Steve Shaluta
Photo by Steve Shaluta
Decorating with mistletoe does require special caution:
The plant and its berries can be poisonous when ingested, and
Spencer also warns about harvesting mistletoe by shotgun.
“Know what’s behind your target before you shoot.”
Does anyone really roast chestnuts anymore
They may not be prepared over an open fire like the
Christmas carol suggests, but roasted chestnuts continue to be
a holiday staple for many Appalachian families. The American
chestnut tree once was a common component of forests across
the eastern United States, but by 1930 it was nearly eradicated
by a disease called chestnut blight.
The staff at Clements State Tree Nursery is not about to
let this important species die out completely, though. They
maintain an orchard at their facility near Point Pleasant that
produces blight-resistant seed. From this seed, the staff grows
between 5,000 and 10,000 seedlings annually, which are sold
to landowners in West Virginia and surrounding states. “Our
American chestnut seedlings show resistance to the blight,
but they are not immune,” said Nursery Superintendent Jason
Huffman. “Our hope is to one day breed seedlings that are
totally resistant to chestnut blight.”
The fact that the seedlings are only blight-resistant and not
immune doesn’t slow down sales. Every year the nursery sells
out of American chestnut seedlings, plus sells an additional
5,000 to 10,000 of the Chinese variety.
“The nuts from both species are edible, but typically it takes
10 to 15 years to produce a reliable, plentiful crop,” Huffman
noted. So, if you want to grow your own chestnuts for future
holiday celebrations you can start now by ordering seedlings from
the nursery. Visit www.WVCommerce.org/Seedlings for a catalog
and order form, or call the nursery directly at 304.675.1820.
Nuts for
the Holidays
To make a truly genuine holiday snack, start with
chestnuts. Whether you collect them from a
neighborhood tree or buy them from the market, be
sure to keep the chestnuts in the vegetable drawer of
your refrigerator in a partially opened plastic or paper
bag until you are ready to use them. Fresher nuts are
better, though, so don’t store them for too long.
When you are ready to make this tasty
treat, follow this recipe:
• Soak chestnuts in a pot of water for 30-60 minutes.
This step is optional, but it makes the skin much
easier to peel after they are roasted.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut an “X” in the skin of each chestnut. Without this
puncture, the chestnuts can explode from internal
steam. Also, the cut makes peeling the chestnut a
lot easier.
• Place a single layer of chestnuts on a baking pan and
put the pan on the shelf closest to the heat source in
the oven.
• Let the chestnuts cook for 20 minutes. Halfway
through (10 minutes), flip or stir the chestnuts
around for even roasting. Place them back in the
oven for the remaining 10 minutes.
• Chestnuts are done when golden brown and the
shells curl apart. Take the chestnuts out of the oven
and place carefully on a towel.
Once the chestnuts are cool enough to handle, peel
and eat. They should be eaten while still warm for the
best flavor.
You also may add a pat of butter or sprinkle of salt to
your chestnuts to give them added flavor.
30 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 31

“I love coming up with
toys. I can and do make
furniture, but I don’t get
the joy and the thrill out
of it like I do with seeing
my toys come to life.”
Andy Sheetz, toymaker
Valley Woodworkers of
West Virginia, Charleston
“I’m a toymaker at heart.”
Wooden toys won’t outsell electronic ones this Christmas,
but they still have a place of honor under the tree. Woodworker
Andy Sheetz has handcrafted toys for nearly two decades. “I’m a
toymaker at heart, that’s where my joy is. I love coming up with
toys. I can and do make furniture, but I don’t get the joy and the
thrill out of it like I do with seeing my toys come to life.”
Sheetz is one of at least 20 members of Valley Woodworkers
of West Virginia, Inc., who contribute their time, skills and
products to make Christmas morning special for hundreds
of Charleston-area children. In 2009, the wood-crafting club
donated nearly 900 items to the Salvation Army, including
doll cradles; alphabet blocks with wagons to hold them; toy
cars; traditional red wagons; rocking horses; and “puzzle”
rocking chairs that invite children to take them apart and
put them back together anyway they like. “The chair is made
in such a way that the kid can exchange the left side for the
right side, take the back and turn it around or turn the seat
upside down, and it will still go back together. It’s very cool,
there are no lefts or rights or ups or downs.”
Wooden toys continue to have a place of honor under the Christmas tree.
With few exceptions, the toys are built from donated
materials. Local businesses and associations donate everything
from lumber to finishing materials. For the fourth consecutive
year, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc.
provided a $2,000 grant to help purchase items that aren’t
donated, like rubber wheels for wagons, wooden wheels for
cars and screws.
Sheetz also is a juried artist who sells his toys at Beckley’s
TAMARACK – The Best of West Virginia. “I make
Valley Woodworkers
of West Virginia make
Christmas special
with donated toys
like this.
Photo by Steve Shaluta
two different types of toy cars, an airplane, a rattle, a teeter
totter powered by magnets, a spinning top, a ring-toss game, a
toy tool kit with little wooden tools, a set of blocks and a fourcar
train.” In June of 2010, that four-car “choo choo” won the
West Virginia Landmark Award at the 2010 Rhododendron
Festival for the product that best represents West Virginia.
“My products range in price from $7 all
the way up to $125. Anybody who wants
to buy a wooden toy can find something
to fit their price range.” During the
Christmas season, Sheetz also
spends at least two Saturdays at
TAMARACK demonstrating his
craft and selling his wares.
Ron Snow
“Andy is one of our favorite demonstrators here at
TAMARACK,” said Marketing Director Cindy Whitlock.
“He makes traditional wooden toys that last through your
children’s and grandchildren’s lifetimes. Andy does a great job
with a high-quality, highly valued craft.”
Whether you want to take the small step of introducing
an old-fashioned wooden toy under the tree this year or
harvesting mistletoe from a tall tree, investing in the longterm
project of growing your own chestnuts, or going all
out and immersing yourself in the Main Street Christmas
experience, you and your family can do it all here in
West Virginia. ‘Tis the season to celebrate homegrown
Christmas traditions. Enjoy!
Leslie Fitzwater is a public information specialist with the Department of
Commerce. Christmas is one of her favorite times of the year. And, yes, she
still believes in Santa. Contact: leslie.c.fitzwater@wv.gov
Steve SHaluta
32 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 33

Child Ballads
of West Virginia
Patrick Ward Gainer’s recordings
preserve ancient Scots-Irish folklore
By Andrea B. Bond
Many people might envision
historical artifacts as something
tangible you can hold in your
hand. Yet, some of the world’s rarest
artifacts exist in audio form – a virtual
feast for the ears.
Such are the Child Ballads, collected and performed
by Patrick Ward Gainer and stored in the digital library
at West Virginia University. These songs originally
were collected in the late 19th century by Francis James
Child and published in 10 volumes as “The English and
Scottish Popular Ballads,” which colloquially became
known as the Child Ballads.
“These were British ballads and, because a lot of
Scots-Irish and British people came to America, they
brought these folk songs with them,” explained Dr. John
Cuthbert, director and curator of the West Virginia and
Regional History Collection and Special Collections at
the West Virginia University Libraries.
The Child Ballads span a time frame of several hundred
years. Some have been traced back as early as the 13th
century, but the majority date to the 17th and 18th centuries.
They are grouped into eight categories: superstitions, love
ballads, tragic love ballads, other tragic ballads, ballads of
Robin Hood and his men, ballads of other outlaws, historical
ballads and miscellaneous ballads ranging from satire to
scripture. A few songs have even been recast in prose in the
form of fairy tales.
“Folk song scholars during the late 19th and early 20th
century discovered the idea that maybe there were more
people singing these old British songs in America than there
The Child Ballads were collected and published in the 19th century
by Francis James Child. West Virginia University professor Patrick Ward
Gainer and his mentors Louis Watson Chappell and John Harrington Cox
helped preserve the study of ancient folk lore such as the Child Ballads
Photos by Steve Shaluta
John Cuthbert of the West Virginia University Libraries shows one of the
recordings Patrick Ward Gainer made about the Child Ballads.
were in Great Britain. That triggered British scholars coming
over to the United States and studying British folk songs
as sung in the United States. That was the beginning of
American folklore study,” Cuthbert said.
“Most of these folklore people were in the field of English
language as opposed to music. They studied the ballad as
popular literature and poetry.”
It was a native West Virginian with a background in both
English and music who immortalized these old folk songs for
future generations. Patrick Ward Gainer (1904-1981) was born
in Parkersburg and grew up in a musical family in rural Gilmer
County. He often credited his grandfather, F.C. Gainer, with
instilling in him his lifelong love for traditional folk song.
Gainer had an advantage in living in West Virginia:
The ancient ballads he sought were more readily available in
rural Appalachia.
Steve Shaluta
34 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 35

One was John Harrington Cox, who was chairman of the
English Department for many years. He earned his doctorate
from Harvard, and his dissertation was called “Folk Songs of
the South.”
“That was really the first serious book about American
folk song by an American author. That included a number of
examples of Child Ballads, these ancient folk songs identified
by Francis J. Child as being migrated to America,” Cuthbert
said. Many later American folk song scholars used Cox’s book
as a model.
“At the same time, there was another gentleman on
Many of the recordings can be accessed online via WVU’s
digital library.
“Folklore in West Virginia – being isolated by the
mountains, and being a place where traditional folk culture
Steve Shaluta
the faculty here, Louis Watson Chappell, who was in some
respects as significant as Cox. Rather than collect these songs
with pencil and paper, he bought a machine that cut records.”
The machine was large and cumbersome, but Chappell
dutifully hauled it all over the state to record people singing
Child Ballads and other songs.
“He created a tremendous collection, which includes more
“Froggy went a courtin' and he did ride, hmm, hmm.
Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride.
A sword and a pistol by his side, hmm, hmm, hmm.”
Johanna Ellis
belongs to everybody – it survived longer than in other places
that were more ‘modern,’” Cuthbert said.
For example, he said, people made quilts and apple butter
than 2,000 performances of songs and fiddle tunes during the
1930s and 1940s.”
Dave Shombert of Elkins is an old-time fiddle and banjo
Dave Shombert, a fiddle and banjo player from Elkins,
is familiar with a lot of the old ballads, including
“Froggy Went A-Courtin’.”
Steve Shaluta
in Boston, but as time progressed, the expansion of urban life
player who has performed songs amassed by Chappell.
and the ready availability of those items rendered the tradition
“The ballads cover a lot of themes, but it’s
The best example would be “Froggy Went A-Courtin’,”
professor and glee club director. He earned his doctorate
more or less obsolete. But in rural parts of the country such as
surprising how many ‘nonsense’ songs there are,”
which, while not from the Child Ballad Collection, is an
from St. Louis in 1933 and continued to teach there until
West Virginia, people couldn’t simply run out and buy what
Shombert said.
ancient British ballad that satirizes the royal gentry.
1942. Gainer’s reputation as a music director, singer and radio
they needed, so they made it.
Originally called “The Frog Came to the Myl Dur,” it
personality led to his invitation to direct USO activities in the
The same goes for music and the availability of radio and
musical recordings: People who didn’t have music made their
own. As a result, traditional British folk song was perpetuated
longer in the Appalachian belt than in other places.
“Some of the first people to get serious about studying
Bluegrass and old-time music are
similar in that they rely on
many of the same acoustic
instrumentation.
Photo by Steve Shaluta
dates back to the 14th century.
“I found a version in which Froggy asks Miss Mouse if
she has any beer,” Shombert said, registering amusement.
The prevalence of nonsense songs likely came
about as an escape from daily troubles of life in the
Caribbean and South Atlantic during World War II.
He returned home to West Virginia after the war.
“Cox and Chappell were phasing out their careers at this
time, and Gainer became the most prominent person in
folklore study here at WVU,” Cuthbert said. “For the next 20
American folk song coincidentally happened to be people that
Middle Ages, he surmised: “Life was hard back then.”
to 30 years, he had a folklore class that was quite possibly the
were employed at West Virginia University,” he said. “WVU
Fast forward several hundred years to the 1920s, when
most popular course at WVU. There was always a waiting list
was arguably the most important place in the country for
Patrick Gainer was a student under Cox and Chappell.
to get into it.”
studying early folk music in America.”
Inspired by his professors, he too began collecting folk songs.
In the 1950s, with the advent of the tape recorder, people
Several professors at WVU during the early 20th century
After earning a master’s degree from WVU, Gainer
began collecting folk songs in earnest, and Gainer was one of
were dedicated to the study and preservation of folksong.
accepted employment at St. Louis University as an English
those people.
36 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 37

Bluegrass: a top search engine keyword
that leads visitors to West Virginia
Today’s traditional and bluegrass music was influenced by British and Irish folk song composed hundreds of years ago. The style of music was
brought to the United States by immigrants who settled in the West Virginia, where it has been revived at venues like the Augusta Heritage
Center and Vandalia Gathering.
“Inspired by Chappell and Cox, he was interested in
meeting people away from the mainstream – people with
musical ability that lived up the hill and holler.”
But don’t call the songs “hillbilly music.” Gainer found the
term offensive. He elaborated his position in the liner notes to
his record album “Folk Songs of the Allegheny Mountains”:
“In recent years there has been much confusion of ‘hillbilly’
songs with genuine folk songs. There is, of course, no relation
between the two. The various vocal and instrumental styles
of the modern ‘hillbilly’ singers and musicians are a fairly
recent development and were never known to the genuine
mountaineers until they were heard on radio. Indeed the word
‘hillbilly’ was until recent years considered a term of contempt
by real hill dwellers.”
Gainer released several LPs of himself singing ballads that
were prevalent and popular in West Virginia. Those albums, if
not out of print, are difficult to obtain, Cuthbert said.
In the meantime, those ancient songs can still be accessed
via WVU’s regional collection. The university has about 80
recordings made by Gainer, some of him singing, and some
performed by other people with Gainer providing commentary
on the origin of the song. Many of the ballads can be accessed
online at WVU’s digital library: www.libraries.wvu.edu/
wvconline (click on “view the digital collections”).
Aside from recordings, the ballads have survived another
way, Cuthbert said. Their influence can still be felt in music
several centuries later.
“Child Ballads have influenced West Virginia folk music in
many respects – the text, the themes and the style of singing.
It certainly has influenced traditional old-time string band
music, and to some extent country and bluegrass music.”
Steve Shaluta
On the musical family tree, bluegrass could be the great-greatgrandchild
of old-time folk song. While the newer form of music
lends itself to more instrumental interpretation, it too relies on
similar lyrical subject matter and is “plucked” on acoustic
stringed instruments.
But perhaps it is the geographic link that results in “bluegrass”
consistently rating among the top search engine keywords that
drive visitors to the West Virginia Department of Commerce
website, www.wvtraditions.com.
Old-time music arrived in the United States via immigrants from
the United Kingdom and Ireland who settled in Appalachia in the
17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Bluegrass as a style did not begin
to emerge from that until the mid-1940s, drawing in additional
influences of country, ragtime and jazz.
Over the next 60 years, bluegrass became synonymous with
Appalachia – a cultural region in the eastern United States that
includes 13 states ranging as far north as New York and south to
Mississippi. West Virginia is unique in that it is the only state that
lies entirely within the Appalachian belt.
“Appalachia – particularly central Appalachia – is known for
its traditional music. It’s sort of the birthplace and hotbed
of traditional music,” said Dr. John Cuthbert of
West Virginia University.
Kentucky might be nicknamed the Bluegrass State, and
Tennessee might be home to country music capital
Nashville – but West Virginia lays claim to much of the
music that evolved into bluegrass.
“Traditional things last longer in more rural places,
and because West Virginia is more rural, probably,
than Kentucky, one could say that would be an
argument as to why traditional music has been
more vibrant in West Virginia,” he speculated.
The state regularly produces national flat-picking
champions and is host to prestigious annual
events like the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston
and Pickin’ in the Panhandle in Hedgesville. West Virginia also
is home to Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, which offers
courses in traditional music, dance, craft and folklore.
Visitors to www.wvtraditions.com can find information on
West Virginia’s music heritage as well as links to music festivals
and venues throughout the state.
But bluegrass music is not all you’ll find in West Virginia.
The Mountain State also boasts a wealth of talent in musical
genres such as jazz, blues and classical.
“We have incredible folk culture, but we also have a very
significant fine arts culture,” Cuthbert said.
He cited for example George Crumb, composer of modern
and avant-garde music and 2007 inductee into the
West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
“If you look him up on the Internet and compare him to any
name in contemporary American music, he may get more hits
than any other living composer, and he’s from Charleston.”
Then there is Eleanor Steber (1914-1990), who is noted as one
of the first opera stars to have achieved the highest success
in the United States.
“The greatest opera singer in American history was
from Wheeling. If you look her up, you’ll get millions
of hits.”
Andrea Bond is a writer for the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
She enjoys hiking and kayaking in the New River Gorge and
Monongahela National Forest. Contact: andrea.b.bond@wv.gov
Photo by Ron Snow
38 W O N D E R F U L W E S T V I R G I N I A G E N U I N E L Y H O M E 39

K-1
“My favorite part of West Virginia is my
home in Philippi because of the people and
the nature that live there.”
Daniel, third grade, first place winner
2-3
6-8
Student
Contest Winners
By Hallie Sampson
What better way to find out what the youth of West Virginia think
about the Mountain State than to offer a contest with fun prizes
The kid’s art contest was open to children from kindergarten to fifth
grade who wanted to showcase what they love about West Virginia
through their artwork. The cub reporter contest was for children in
grades 6-8. Their stories introduced the audience to truly unique
West Virginia products. A video contest involved teens in grades 9-12
and allowed the students to film genuine West Virginia activities,
sights or people.
4-5
More than 450 students entered the contest and a panel of judges
decided first and second place winners. Winners received Flip Video
Recorders and art supply certificates for their schools.
“My favorite part about
West Virginia is all of it.”
Peyton , first grade, first place winner
Artwork
K-1
Peyton
Peterstown Elementary
Peterstown
2-3
Daniel
Philippi Elementary
Philippi
4-5
Blake
Daniels Elementary
Beaver
Videos
6-8
“Hot Coals”
Tyler Consolidated Middle
Sistersville
9-12
“What do you like
about West Virginia”
Speiro Academy High
Wheeling
Visit www.GenuineWV.com/
Results to view more of the
winning artwork and videos.
“To me, West Virginia is a special
state. I go fishing and my family hunts.
Through my art I want to tell people
what I think about West Virginia.”
9-12
Blake, fourth grade, first place winner

www.genuinewv.com
Prints of this photo available: wvscenics.com