Greenbrier Valley Theatre's  Art Auction and Benefit     The Greenbrier Valley Theatre, the State Professional Theater of West Virginia, held its 16th Annual Art and Benefit Auction on Saturday, July 17, 2010.  The auction was a huge success.    There was a wine and Hors D'oeuvre preview party held one hour before the auction which provided attendees time to browse the artwork in advance.  The admission was $10 and was applied to any art auction purchase.           During the auction, Rose Dobbins, a local artist was painting a rooster which was donated to the GVT and auctioned at the end of the evening.  Rose Dobbins does remarkebly lifelike paintings of people and pets.  She uses crayons, pastels, acrylics, oils, charcoal, pencil, and watercolor.                 Besides the silent a... 07/22/2010

Tavern 1785, a historic restaurant located in Lewisburg, WV   The Tavern 1785, is over 200 years old and offers a unique dining experience with antiques and civil war memorabilia and a menu covering a broad range of cuisines.  In the spring and summer you can enjoy the outdoor dining in the beautiful gardens.  Or, in the winter in one of the cozy rooms with a fireplace.  Catering and private parties are also available.     The Tavern 1785 was the “Mayor Foster House”  built after 1783, when John McClanahan bought the land from the Virginia Land Company.  The core of the structure consists of two hewn oak log buildings joined by a framed portion called the dog-trot.  This area was left open to separate the living quarters from the kitchen in case of fire.  Evidence in the attic and stone... 07/21/2010

  Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Eleventh Judicial District held a Blue Ribbon Poster Contest to recognize April as Child Abuse prevention month.  The local elementary schools were asked to participate in the art contest.  The contest theme was "family".       The Winners of the CASA Blue Ribbon Poster Contest 2010 were from Frankford Elementary and Smoot Elementary Schools.   First Place Winners were:     Dawson Morgan, Age 9 - Frankford Elementary     Emma Coffman, Age 10 - Frankford Elementary     Blaine Yates, Age 7 - Frankford Elementary     Hannah Kelley, Age 7 - Frankford Elementary       Second Place Winners were:     Bailey Withrow, Age 8 -  Frankford Elementary     Gabrielle Clower, Age 9 -  Smoot Elementary     Hannah Altizer, Age 7 - Frankford Elementary   ... 07/14/2010

PRICE REDUCTION !!! Commercial  Property For Sale Fort Savannah Inn, Lewisburg, WV NEW Price - $1,200,000       This commercial property, the Fort Savannah Inn, is located at 204 North Jefferson Street, in the historical town of Lewisburg, WV, consisting of a 66-room motel, restaurant, bar and manager's living quarters .  This property sits on the site where Fort Savannah once stood.    Lewisburg, WV, the county seat of Greenbrier County, was incorporated in 1782 as Lewisburg, by the State of Virginia. The history of town dates back to Camp Union in 1774. Camp Union was the rendezvous point of the army of General Andrew Lewis (after whom the town was named) preparatory to his march to participate in the Battle of Point Pleasant, during Dunmore's War, the last between the white settlers... 07/10/2010

 In mid April of 2010, Tamera Pence opened “Bella The Corner Gourmet” in historic downtown Lewisburg, West Virginia.   Shopping at Bella, you’ll fine a blend of artisan cheeses – most fresh; great wine, craft beers, hard ciders, and other beverages; unique and useful kitchen wares/tools; bar ware and glassware; coffee, tea and accessories; wonderful pantry and snack food items; a selection of local grass fed beef, lamb and pork; and, custom gift baskets!   Bella supports many of the local artisans who produce beautiful wooden items for the kitchen, local bakers, and local cheese and wine makers, as well. Blame the Boomerang Effect on Bella The Corner Gourmet showing up in Lewisburg in 2010!  Tamera said, "I lived in Greenbrier County 30 plus years ago, worked for the family business (La... 06/30/2010

  AVAILABLE NOW!   Are you planning a stay in or around Lewisburg, West Virginia?  Bella Suite is the perfect tranquil hideaway located in historic downtown Lewisburg.  Fine dining, shopping, antique and art galleries are steps away.   The newly remodeled suite awaits you and a guest, and includes:  1 bedroom, 1 bath, mini bar/kitchen, living room, eating area, cable, wireless internet, and private/secure entrance.     The normal weekly rental rate is $600.00 – everything included.  Additional fees:  the refrigerator and cabinets will be stocked with cheese, crackers, beverages and waters with a price list on the frig and upon leaving, should any items be used, the credit card on hold will be charged for the items accordingly.   Towels can be changed daily upon request, otherwise just u... 06/22/2010

  On Thursday, June 10, 2010,  Delta and The Greenbrier launched daily, non-stop air service to Greenbrier Valley Airport from Atlanta and New York's LaGuardia launching year-round flights from two of the nation's largest cities to The Greenbrier on Delta Air Lines.   Jim Justice, chairman and owner of The Greenbrier; Governor Joe Manchin III; Senator Jesse Guills; and, Betty Crooksjanks, president of the Greenbrier  County Commission along with numerous local business and political leaders were present at the airport to celebrate the first flight and welcome passengers.  Justice was instrumental in bringing the flights to Greenbrier Vallkey to facilitate travel to the luxury resort and to support the region's economic growth.      "Our agreement with Delta Air Lines brings a level of ... 06/15/2010

On Saturday, May 29th jazz legend Ellis Marsalis, Jr. played at Greenbrier Valley Theatre to celebrate the building's 10-year anniversary. (Mr. Marsalis played at GVT's opening ten years ago on opening night.) The evening began with a ticketed pre-concert reception, with food prepared by Lana Martindale, Ann Day, Rebecca Gaujot, and Jane Matheny. There were 93 attendees at the reception, which was held in the rehearsal hall at GVT.  The concert began at 8 pm with the West Virginia Jazz Orchestra, led by Jeff Bryant, then featured Ellis Marsalis with the band for a few numbers. After intermission, Ellis played the remainder of the concert. There were 172 people in attendance, and most stayed for a wonderful dessert reception open to all attendees.  Notable guests in attendance included ... 06/05/2010

Lewisburg Homes and Garden Tour set for June 12   The 32nd Lewisburg, W. Va., Homes and Garden Tour is set for Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s tour features six homes in and around Lewisburg, Watts Roosts Vineyard and tea at the historic General Lewis Inn.   The homes on this year’s tour include historic and contemporary properties.           The six homes that are featured on the tour provide an eclectic look at Lewisburg residences and its history.    The Oak Terrace Home, is a private residence owned by Trey and Marie Shelton now, but served as an inn and restaurant in a former life.    The restored George Lewis Home, owned by Philip and Tabatha Light, was built in 1838 west of town with views of the surrounding farms and valleys.     The McKinley-Gibson Home, ... 05/28/2010

  The real estate market in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, is slow but on the rise.  The year started out with low sales because of the inclement weather.  With Spring weather, the phone started ringing, sellers are selling and buyers are buying.  We see a 10% decline in real estate in some areas because of foreclosures, and relocations.  For the higher priced homes ($300K and up), activity is slow.  Compared to 2009, home sales are up and the days on the market are down for 2010.  January 1, 2009 to May 23, 2009: 59 listings sold; average list price was $139,780; Sold price 127,428; DOM 192. Janary 1, 2010 to May 23, 2010:  79 listings sold; average list price was $191,956; Sold price $173,903; DOM 161.    Note:  One reason the  average sale price is higher in 2010 than 2009 was bec... 05/23/2010

Carnegie Hall will hold the third annual Rythm, Blues, & Jazz Festival on June 24th 2010. The event will kick off on Thursday the 24th at the Ivy Terrace with a performance by Pot O' Chilli. On Firday the 25th, will feature Bob Thompson Unit for a evening performance. The big event will take place on Saturday the 26th. Some of the events will be a car show, and a BBQ will be held at 1:30 pm. The Back Alley Lounge will open at 3 pm, and sponsored by Amerian Beer Company. John Hammond Jr. will take the stage at 3:30 PM. After the 3:30 performance it will be followed by Chicago blues bandJaniva Magness. Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experince.   For more information contact the ticket office 304-645-7917 or vist the www.carnegihall.org or click on the link below. http://www.keithsshaver.c... 05/21/2010

Dabney S. Landcaster Community College (DSLCC) and New River Community and Techincal College are offering the wind turbine program for turbing technician jobs. This is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. With the developing green technology and the wind tubing and renewable energy industrires in our area the class will be offered in West Virginia & Virginia. Currently five scholarships are available for West Virginia students to enroll in the program. The scholarships will cover out-of state-tuition for West Virginia students unitl the course will be offered at the New River Technical Collage in Lewisburg. Officals at New River and Dabney expect to have the course details worked out by June of 2010. This will allow students to complete the courses at New River and com... 05/20/2010

    Looking for a veterinarian for your pet?  My husband and I acquired our chocolate lab, Zeke, from a neighbor that was moving out of the area.  At that time, Zeke was almost a year old.  Being  new in the area, we decided to continued taking Zeke to the Greenbrier Veterinary Hospital (GVH) that his previous owners used.  We are glad we did.  The doctors and staff at GVH are so good with Zeke.  In fact, when we take Zeke in for a doctor’s visit, grooming or boarding he goes right to the door to go back to the pet area, and he never looks back so we can say goodbye.  This tells us that he likes it at GVH and is well cared for.     The Greenbrier Veterinary Hospital was founded by Dr. John R. Wilson more than thirty years ago after graduating from Ohio State University. Dr. Wilson perfo... 05/17/2010

  The Greenbrier Valley Theatre (GVT) is West Virginia's official year-round professional theatre.  GVT's,  first performance for the season is "The 39 Steps"  This version of The 39 Steps is based on John Buchan's ground-breaking novel, Alfred Hitchcock's iconic movie and the exquisite idea of two Northern English writers Nobby Dimon and Simon Corble of doing the whole play with just four actors.    The play is directed by Cathey Sawyer, and stars Kurtis Donnelly, Betsy Graver, Paul Orwick, and Michael Sharp.     The Greenbrier Valley Theatre              This ingenious take off on Hitchcock's 1935 thriller is a fast-paced whodunit packed with mystery, romance, and mayhem as four actors take on over 150 characters.  When an ordinary man, Richard Hannay, meets a woman who says she's a s... 05/15/2010

    Join in the fun and see the living history and reenactment of the Battle of Lewisburg, May 21-23, 2010, in historic downtown Lewisburg, West Virginia…..marking the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Lewisburg.       On the morning of May 23, 1862, in Lewisburg, (West) Virginia, Confederate troops under Genreal Henry Heth attacked Colonel George Crook's Union troops who were camped above what is now the Greenbrier Campus of the New River Community and Technical College.           The theme for 2010 is "The Un-Civil War."   The event will feature lectures and a musical presentation that highlight certain aspects of the War Between the States.                   Activities start on Thursday, May 20, and continue on through Sunday, May 23, ending with the reenactment of the Battle of Lew... 05/11/2010

The Last Station May 10th 2010(Monday) the film series from Carnegie Hall Continues. The progam will begin @ 7 pm, this production will be seen at the Lewis Theater. Located just off Court Street in Downtown Lewisburg. This Historical Drama about the final year of Leo Tolstoy's life. The cast incudes Christopher Plummer,Dame Helen Mirren, both are Golden Globe,Oscar, and SAG nominations for thier work in the film. The film has great drama and the great russian novelist has renounced his noble title, property and his family in the favor of poverty and celibacy. Come out and enjoy the evening the event will be presented by the Carnegie Hall Film Series, but will have an admission charge to see the movie event. 05/10/2010

    Lewisburg, West Virginia's real estate market report for the months of March and April, 2010   The below charts depicts a good month of sold listings in April as compared to March listings.  There was an increase of five listings sold in April 2010 than in March 2010.   The list and sold volumes were much higher in April.   Also, there was an increase in list and sold prices in April 2010.  Note that listings were on the market less days...hopefully a good sign for the summer.  Now that the tax credit has gone by we will just have to wait to see how the next few months will fair in number of houses sold, sale price and days on the market.  With the beautiful weather here in wild, wonderful West Virginia, I am hoping for a good summer for real estate.           The Lewis Spring, loca... 05/03/2010

      While visiting the North House Museum in Lewisburg, I asked about the small building located in the General Andrew Lewis Park.   Now,  I have driven past this area for the last four years and never stopped.  So, after receiving a brief history lesson I drove to the park to take some photos.   The Lewis Spring, located at the General Andrew Lewis Park, is a little historical stone building near the Greenbrier County Courthouse.  The barely elf-sized structure, erected 170 years ago, encloses a bubbling spring which once was extremely important to the early settlers of Lewisburg.     The Lewis spring is now unused, and has virtually been forgot by nearly everyone except the older residents.  But the cold mountain water, flowing in an unending stream, was once the focal point around ... 05/03/2010

    The WVAR REALTOR® Institute presented two real estate classes to the Greenbrier Valley Board of Realtors (GVBR) on May 20, 21 and 22.   The first was an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) Designation Course May 20 and 21 at the Fairfield Hotel in Lewisburg, West Virginia.  Eleven agents received the training and are now ABR candidates.   ABR Class – Left to Right Front Row: Debbie Small, Rosalie Ross, Patty Hobbs, Back Row:   Ray Joseph, Jill Allman, Robert Bittinger, Miki McCoy, Rebecca Gaujot, AJ    Workman,       Keith  Shaver, and Linda Brant Not present:  Liz Wickline and Kristie Birchfield   The ABR class was presented by Linda Brant, Instructor, Ray Joseph, WVAR CEO and facilitated by Amy White, WVAR Education Director.  The instructors provided training skills and resou... 04/26/2010

 The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is listed in two categories in the US News & World Report medical school rankings. The school was named in the latest report released on April 15th of 2010. This makes the 12th year the school has made it into the "Americias Best Graduate Schools" in the United States. In this years ratings the school has moved up in rankings and catagories. The school was ranked in rural medicine at number 10 and in 11th in family medicine. The school was ranked by colleagues and other medical schools. The school has more graduates who enter the primary care residencies (70. 3%), these were compiled from 2007,2008,and 2009 graduates. This is the second highest percentage rate included in the report. The results are compiled from 146 fully accredited al... 04/23/2010